Unorthodox by K.V. Rose is the first book in the Sick Love duet and that name is fitting, because there really is some sick love between these characters, Max and Addison. As the author warns you at the beginning of this book, it is full of triggers. Seriously, she is not joking. Unorthodox deals with dark taboo topics of sex trafficking, child abuse, murder, rape...it has it all...some scenes are graphic, others not so much. Be warned though if those are triggers for you or if you just prefer to not read about such things.
As for me, I loved this story. I know that I should probably hate Max Bennett but I just can't. He kidnaps Addison as payment for a debt and plans to sell her as a sex slave. His motive is very personal though, and once you see that, he's easier to understand. Max is abusive and manipulative, and he admits that he is a monster. He WANTS to be the monster. At the same time though, he is just so broken. He may be a monster but he was made one by the horrific things that were done to him. He has the scars to prove it. What he doesn't count on is Addison being a fighter. She stands up to him and fights back, and at the same time, she begins to care for Max as he begins to care for her. That's where the "sick love" comes out play.
Some parts of this book are difficult to read, but this story...it is full of twists and turns, suspense and heartbreak. K.V. Rose knows how to write, and she knows how to spin a dark story so that it has so many layers and elements that you just can't ignore. If you're not afraid of the darkness, then I highly recommend this book. Personally, I can't wait to see what happens in book #2.
