Can You Take It? by S. C. Arlette | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eARC of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: Can You Take It? by S. C. Arlette

My rating: 4/5

Publication date: 22nd December 2024

Blurb:

IZEL

I know the FBI’s watching me. He’s watching me. Richard. The profiler who thinks he’s got me figured out.

But he doesn’t know the half of it. He doesn’t know what I've done or the secrets that haunt me.

He says he wants to help, but I’ve learned the hard way—no one really does. Trusting him would be my biggest mistake.

Yet... there’s something about him. Something that makes me want to believe.

But I can’t. Not when my life is built on lies. Not when I’m the one they’re all looking for.

RICHARD

I’m a profiler, and I’ve spent my life reading people, digging into their souls to find the truth they’re desperate to hide.

But my little suspect... she’s a mystery I can’t solve.

She’s hiding something, and I should be focused on uncovering it, but all I can think about is her.

I’m breaking every rule in the book, and the worst part? I don’t give a fuck.

The closer I get to her, the more I realize that I’m risking everything—my career, my sanity, and maybe even my heart.

The only question is, can I take it before it takes me?

Review:

This book was a wild ride. 

When Izel's roommate is murdered, seemingly by a serial killer known at the Ghostface Killer, SSA Agent Richard Reynolds called onto the case and instructed to keep an eye on Izel because she may know more than she lets on. It turns out that her background and upbringing may bring her closer to the case than anyone could expect.

This book is a dark romance and for me, the thriller aspect of this book was absolutely fantastic. The twists were incredible and blew my mind. It was a slow starter and I did have to suspend belief for a little bit all for the purpose of entertainment but I found that I didn't care about that because I was enjoying the story so much. It was dark, emotional and heartbreaking.

When it came to the romance part between Izel and Richard I just wish there was a bit more build up and I could FEEL their feelings develop but I appreciate that there wouldn't be enough time for that. The scenes that we got between them were beautiful however.

I am a thriller lover first and foremost and what I usually dislike when it comes to dark romance, is that a lot (or at least the majority of the ones I've read!) focus more on the romance and not the plot of whatever crime etc is going on. This was a brilliant combination of both and I am excited to read more by this author.