The Lavender Phantom

 I received an ARC of the Lavender Phantom via the author in exchange for an honest review. This review might contain spoilers, so please read at your own discretion.

The Lavender Phantom by Lainey Delaroque is not quite what I expected like when I read in the blurb that the Lavender Phantom helps Sophie inside the late night teahouse Lavender I assumed it will have real Phantom of the Opera vibes. It did not have those kind of vibes, but I loved the story nonetheless.

I was not expecting there to be sex in the book and I kind of wish authors would put it in the blurb. I found out because the author has a warning at the beginning of her book about some of the subjects in the book. Thank God, because otherwise it would have thrown me for a loop.

Once I warmed up to the rope play scene it was not as bad as I thought it would be. It really felt like the author was keeping her audience in mind so while there is some horrible things that happen to the characters power is given back to them throughout the book.

I absolutely adore how Sophie is like yes this is horrible but its okay I give consent I have power over my body, which is something us girls forget to do. We forget to give ourselves permission, and I love how the book addresses some of the more serious topics like rape, toxic relationships (I dare you to read Damien's and Penny's "relationship" and say it isn't toxic), sibling relationships while both parents are dead, and (for us prudes out there) kinky sex. The author did a good job with these topics as something horrifying happens, but there is also hope afterwards as well.

Damien and Sophie need to get together in the second book and stay together. I will accept nothing less and will wrap them in bubblewrap and place them on a high shelf where the author can't reach them if I have to. Nobody touches them or face a bookworm's wrath (it will not be pretty). The chemistry between them is *chef's kiss*. I love how they compliment each other and help the other one grow as a person.

And on a side-note: the children had better make it out relatively unscathed in the second book because they were put through enough in the first one. My heart still hurts after what they did to Thomas and Melanie trying to use them as puppets. How dare they?

But, I digress. I loved the whole world-building in The Lavender Phantom especially with the late night teahouse Lavender that doubles as a twisted kind of brothel where they drug the tea so that clients can take advantage of the birds (I know they are despicable) aka the poor girls and boys that are desperate for money or a job. I love how each room was different and the details that went into the place is like heaven to a detail oriented girl like me. I felt like I was there which is a good thing and a bad thing. (I could live there without the whole brothel situation).

I love how Sophie's love of rope play comes in handy throughout the book and that the author looked up how to pick locks. Finally, someone who acknowledges that you need two pieces to unpick a lock (it was in a writing advice post I saw a couple years back). She did not do it Hollywood style where you magically stick a bobby pin in and wiggle it around until the door magically opens (hate to burst people's bubbles, but it does not work that way).

I love how her skills both helped and hindered her and I love how the characters grew in general even Valerie and she was a class act b*tch.

I know the first book does not release until February 9 (five days after my birthday, so a late gift to me. I'm totally preordering it) but I cannot wait for the second book. I need to know if Sophie, Tanya, Damien, Melanie, Thomas, and Hana are safe. I will probably break into a blubbering mess and curse the author if at least Damien and Sophie don't get their happy ever after.

500 out of 5 stars 😈 (it was the closest to a phantom mask or is it?)