3.5 stars 
 I have mixed feelings about The Red. There were a lot of things that I liked about this book and some things I didn't like. 
 I liked the paranormal element. It is clear quite early on that Malcom is not a mere human and it was fun trying to guess who he is and what is really happening. There is a dream-like, hallucinatory quality to Mona's and Malcom's meetings which gives the book a unique feel. Every sexual encounter is inspired by a classical painting and the scenes from each painting are recreated between Mona and Malcom. I found it very interesting. I like art but I am not very knowledgeable about it. Some of the paintings I knew and some I didn't, so I googled a few of them and it helped me to imagine the scenes. Every time a book teaches me something new I am very happy. 
 I wasn't comfortable with some of the sexual acts. I found some of them a little disturbing and dark even though they were sort of consensual. I am not a stranger to erotica but this book pushed my boundaries. Also I didn't love the ending. The introduction of the third important character came too late in the story, it felt forced and the ending was rushed. 
 *ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley