started this book. Ended up as a DNF. about 10% into the story I was not feeling it, and chose to not continue

DNF at 64%

Thoughts:
I've never been happier dnf'ing a book. I mean what was this huh?? Everytime I dnf a book (which is very rare) I look forward to reading it in the future maybe or even if i don't want to read it again, I still feel it is somehow a me problem. Here it wasn't the case cz I can guarantee you it's not a me problem this time but this book is the biggest problem.


Characters:
Vanessa Clark: I absolutely hate her. She does nothing except playing the victim card. They're were moments when I kinda felt bad for her but then again she went ahead and proved why I shouldn't. And she's not like other girls!

Thomas Collins: The only thing I'm grateful for to this author is that this is a single pov cz I couldn't have handled this jerk's inner monologues. I mean I get that he was grieving and I genuinely felt bad for him, very bad actually but that was just for a couple of minutes because the very next moment he was back to being himself aka an asshole. My biggest problem with him was that he wasn't even trying. Not even once.

The side characters were just as annoying. Not even a single good character.


Overall:
This was trash. The characters are so insufferable. The writing is again so bad. No plot. This was basically a wattpad level shit with no plot storyline but just make it ×100 times worse.

ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Damnation is the second book of the Better series. It’s a romance that is emotionally charged that delves into the entanglements of love, self-destruction, and trauma.
Thomas Collins, shaped by his past traumas and inability to bond. Thomas and Vanessa Clark’s relationship is flawed, profoundly. It’s intense and unpredictable with many heartfelt highs and catastrophic lows. The story centrals around the survival of love and addiction, jealousy, emotional instability, and more.

Some Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Trauma Bonding
Broken Hero
Second Chance Romance
Toxic Love Triangle

DNF @ 28%

I really love the MMC of this story, I even could have really enjoyed the plot however the FMC is making it incredibly difficult for me to focus on anything other than her juvenile need to make the entire world revolve around her and her neediness.
I have a very hard time connecting with a female character that presses a male character for a certain answer and then responds with “You probably say that to all the girls” or “You’re just saying that” or “You prepare these lines in advance don’t you.” or “I don’t believe a word of that.” I just cannot do it.

Carrie Leighton delivers a raw and emotionally charged sequel in the Better series with Damnation, a gripping new adult romance that explores the fine line between love and destruction.

The story follows Thomas Collins and Vanessa Clark, two deeply flawed yet magnetic characters whose relationship is as passionate as it is volatile. After nearly losing each other, Thomas begins to open up about the trauma that shaped him, revealing a vulnerable side that Vanessa has never seen. But healing is never linear, and Thomas’s inner demons threaten to unravel everything they’ve rebuilt.

As Thomas spirals, Vanessa seeks stability in her past, reconnecting with her ex, Logan, who offers the kind of support Thomas can’t seem to give. Torn between loyalty, love, and self-preservation, Vanessa must decide whether to fight for a future with Thomas or let go for good.

Leighton’s writing is intense and evocative, capturing the emotional highs and lows of a love that burns bright but risks consuming everything in its path. Damnation is a story of heartbreak, healing, and the messy, beautiful chaos of second chances.

I must say, I am completely obsessed with this series.

I began reading this novel and was halfway through knowing I needed to go to bed. But I could not put it down. I was consumed by the main characters Vanessa and Thomas and needed to know just how they got to the other end of the book. Would they make it through as a couple or would the torment that they faced in life destroy them? I ended up staying up until the next morning to finish this part of their story.

This is the second installment from the Better Series by Carrie Leighton and opens up right where Collison left off. Without giving too much away, this installment takes the reader through ups and downs as Vanessa and Thomas navigate their relationship. They are together but face challenges that rip them open, exposing their core. This journey does include her friends, Tiffany and Alex, once again as well as the Logan, who once again popped up in Vanessa’s life harboring a secret and unknown agenda (this I have predictions for and waiting to see if they are true).

Carrie Leighton has a way of sucking you in and investing in each character. The emotions I experienced rooting for Vanessa and Thomas travelled from happiness to concern to frustration (sometimes anger) and eventually resolution that maybe they are not at the point in their life at which they need to be in a relationship. I was hoping they conquered their demons to be and stay together.

At the end, the reader is once again left wondering what happens next. I need the next book like now.

Thank you for this arc!

This book was definitely a very engaging and intense read, The writing was great and had lots of emotions to it as well as good character development. Definitely lots of emotions so if you’re into that I definitely recommend this book.

This book hooked me right from the beginning! Absolutely loved it! The flow waa perfect, Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Damnation by Carrie Leighton. What a ride this book took me on!

This story has a lot going on, and while some parts moved a little slower than others, I was still completely invested from start to finish. Leighton’s writing is strong and emotional, and she’s crafted characters who are messy, raw, and so painfully human. Thomas and Vanessa are flawed in ways that feel real, but at times toxic, at times heartbreaking, but always magnetic. I felt so many emotions reading their journey.

The second half? Intense. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I cried. I yelled at my Kindle. I rooted for them even when I wasn't sure I should. This book is a deep dive into self-destruction, trauma, healing, and love, the kind that burns too bright but somehow refuses to go out.

Thomas absolutely wrecked me in this one. Watching him open up, share his past, and try, really try to be better was gut-wrenching and beautiful. And Vanessa? Strong in her own way, trying to navigate the chaos around her and still protect her heart.

If you're into emotional rollercoasters, flawed characters, and the kind of love story that hurts before it heals, Damnation is perfect for you.

Damnation has a lot going on in the story, and I enjoyed most of it. Overall, the writing is excellent, and Leighton developed characters that are hurting and flawed, and ones I began to care about as I read more of the book. There are a few parts that seem slower than others, but it still held my attention. A must-read for self-discovery and romance fans. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

the characters in this book were soooo toxic but i still couldn’t put the book down… why was it so good??