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A review by torilovesheas
Clean Finish by Lily Mayne
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't think it's a secret that I love two things: bonkers romance concepts and Lily Mayne's monster books. So Lily Mayne's monster romance wrestling series is like catnip, Tori style.
Before I even talk about the nuclear level pining in this book (Seb is down bad yall), I just want to reiterate that this series is FUN. The wrestling personas, the friendship between the wrestlers, the unique monsters that pop up are all such a breath of fresh air. It works. So well. If you're going to do bonkers, LEAN IN TO IT. And Lily does!
But Larkin and Sebastian stole my heart and kinda stomped on it a bit and then smushed it back together. This *is* low angst, in that it's two people in a sex lesson situationship that only have their feelings as an obstacle. But they PINE so hard for each other I couldn't help but be a bit emo about it. I always say my criteria for whether or not I enjoy a book is if the couple make sense together despite or because of their differences. And these two do. Seb needs Larkin's levity and silliness and Larkin needs Seb's grounding and support. I mean, clearly the sex is hawt but the emotional aspect is even better. Take a look at those quotes!
And I LOVE that Lily addresses the age gap in a way I don't see too often. Yes Larkin is an adult at 23. But Seb is very aware that he has more life experience and that Larkin
*could* be influenced into a relationship he doesn't want with an older man if Seb plays things wrong. And it's very important to Seb that he doesn't do that. Consent on consent on consent, baby. I appreciate that Lily really dove into "yes this is consensual but I also hold power due to my age and I'm not going to take advantage of that". It has to be what Larkin wants or Seb doesn't want it.
I'm obsessed with this series. I'm obsessed with Seb's pining. I'm obsessed with Larkin's terrible assistant skills. 10/10. Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next book (with a dullahan MC!!!)
Thank you to Lily for an ARC. I love this bonkers series so much.
Before I even talk about the nuclear level pining in this book (Seb is down bad yall), I just want to reiterate that this series is FUN. The wrestling personas, the friendship between the wrestlers, the unique monsters that pop up are all such a breath of fresh air. It works. So well. If you're going to do bonkers, LEAN IN TO IT. And Lily does!
But Larkin and Sebastian stole my heart and kinda stomped on it a bit and then smushed it back together. This *is* low angst, in that it's two people in a sex lesson situationship that only have their feelings as an obstacle. But they PINE so hard for each other I couldn't help but be a bit emo about it. I always say my criteria for whether or not I enjoy a book is if the couple make sense together despite or because of their differences. And these two do. Seb needs Larkin's levity and silliness and Larkin needs Seb's grounding and support. I mean, clearly the sex is hawt but the emotional aspect is even better. Take a look at those quotes!
And I LOVE that Lily addresses the age gap in a way I don't see too often. Yes Larkin is an adult at 23. But Seb is very aware that he has more life experience and that Larkin
*could* be influenced into a relationship he doesn't want with an older man if Seb plays things wrong. And it's very important to Seb that he doesn't do that. Consent on consent on consent, baby. I appreciate that Lily really dove into "yes this is consensual but I also hold power due to my age and I'm not going to take advantage of that". It has to be what Larkin wants or Seb doesn't want it.
I'm obsessed with this series. I'm obsessed with Seb's pining. I'm obsessed with Larkin's terrible assistant skills. 10/10. Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next book (with a dullahan MC!!!)
Thank you to Lily for an ARC. I love this bonkers series so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol