2,25 stars. Disappointing, flat writing. The story is told in single pov (Jesse the vampire) first person past tense.
The romance was non existing. Jess2,25 stars. Disappointing, flat writing. The story is told in single pov (Jesse the vampire) first person past tense.
The romance was non existing. Jesse the vampire and Berrett the werewolf kissed after a few days knowing each other, without any chemistry or build up. Jesse had acknowledged to himself that Berrett was good looking, another werewolf asked Jesse if he wanted to be with Barrett because Barrett had shown he was into Jesse, only Jesse hadn't recognised the hugs and looks as flirting. Now suddenly Jesse thought about the possibility of being with Barrett. Next time they are in a car together Jesse leans in, says something (can't remember) and they kiss. They're dating and yeah obviously having sex when they get home and that's it. No discernible development of feelings, no chemistry, no nothing.
The world building is unimaginative, the only things we are told about vampires, werewolfes and witches are directly connected to the plot, the moment it fits the narrative. For example Jesse never had mentioned that he didn't like sunlight or preferred night to day, only when another vampire asks him why he workes a day time job, as vampires prefer the night, suddenly there are mentions of him not feeling well in the sun and him usually being awake at night.
Plus, sloppy editing.. it's been a while since I found "its" as abbreviation of "it is" in a book. And I never heard "pleased as punched" ... isn't it pleased as punch?
The plot, especially after Jesse and Barrett get together is not smooth, there are so many people introduced, single or already couples, it feels like the author wanted to either set the stage for future installments or wanted to point the reader to their other books? I even checked if by mistake I had picked a book that's part of a series, but no, this is a standalone.
I adored the Villainy series but this book didn't work for me at all....more
3,5 stars I'm making my way through this world, and it's fun!
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Obedient Oren, but the pairing between beautiful Simeo3,5 stars I'm making my way through this world, and it's fun!
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Obedient Oren, but the pairing between beautiful Simeon and the barbarian king Bear had its perks, not gonna lie. This short story's sex is more kinky and rougher compared to the lovely story Obedient Oren....more
Simeon is the king's Candour, his job is to reward and pleasure the king's men, when they need it or earn it, and if Simon Short but stunning erotica.
Simeon is the king's Candour, his job is to reward and pleasure the king's men, when they need it or earn it, and if Simon wants to. One night Oren comes to Simeon, and Simeon is happy to lavish his attention on Oren, in whichever way Oren feels comfortable with. Oren hadn't yet been attracted to men, but was in awe of Simeon's beauty and loveliness, and Simeon takes good care of Oren.
After the first few pages told from Simeon's pov, the rest of the story is told from Oren's pov (and it was awesome)....more
Well. This was fun. And like nothing I've ever read before. A short story of 33 pages... featuring Simeon, fucked by the mage's non-sentient tentacle Well. This was fun. And like nothing I've ever read before. A short story of 33 pages... featuring Simeon, fucked by the mage's non-sentient tentacle plants. Need I say more?
One quote. "That experience truly had been some of the best sex of his life, and Simeon wasn’t sure if he should thank Maddox or his plants. Well, Maddox’s imagination and his magic had made it all possible, but Simeon could see why Maddox had looked at the vines so affectionately before."
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. There was next to no hockey, the plot focused on Max and Luke. I loved Max and Luke together. The story didn'I was pleasantly surprised by this book. There was next to no hockey, the plot focused on Max and Luke. I loved Max and Luke together. The story didn't feel too heavy, despite its serious content. Luke caring so much for Max, comforting him, their hugs and kisses... lovely....more
Sorry not sorry but whilst I was looking for something fluffy without angst or drama, this is too much. The insta mate bond between Dnf 32% no rating.
Sorry not sorry but whilst I was looking for something fluffy without angst or drama, this is too much. The insta mate bond between two sweet, capable, perfect characters is combined with plain, unimaginative writing, so I'll silently excuse myself....more
A very impressive short story featuring a touch starved non binary character (Len/Lena) and a trans man (Jack). Len hires the sex worker Jack for a niA very impressive short story featuring a touch starved non binary character (Len/Lena) and a trans man (Jack). Len hires the sex worker Jack for a night of non sexual cuddling and from there the story unfolds. It spans over 4-5 months.
The author was able to show the fears, frustrations and needs of both Len/Lena and Jack in such a touching way, I was impressed. Their intimacy was beautiful.
The main focus of the story is on Len finding the courage to ask for what he needs, and Jack letting himself believe that he too gets to feel good and be cherished.
I adored this and would have loved to spend much more time with these two. The story ends on a optimistic and satisfying point, though, so yes I am happy because Lena and Jack are.
Another gem that I never would have found if not for my GR friends. Brooke and Smutty Sully thank you both. ♥️
Content Notes: explicit sexual content, negative self-talk, assisted urination (non-sexual), gender dysphoria, interpersonal and internalized transphobia, mild reference to sex work stigma....more
Lovely mm romance full of tender feelings. Main themes are self acceptance and self worth, life with PTSD, isolation, age gap, art/comics.
Single pov tLovely mm romance full of tender feelings. Main themes are self acceptance and self worth, life with PTSD, isolation, age gap, art/comics.
Single pov third person past tense, the story is told from Alex' pov. He's a 45 year old photographer moving to a small village by the sea, slowly getting to know the villagers, among them Joe, a shy comic artist.
The story itself is only 90 pages long, but in this edition the 33 pages short story Out Loud is added as epilogue (the epilogue is told from Joe's pov). I enjoyed the quiet vibes, the author took me directly to the small village by a rough sea in New Zealand.
I could have done without a certain plot part (see my content warning at the end of my review), not because of the decision to include that part, but because this part got too much on page space when I would have preferred it to be some minor accident (given the overall shortness of the book).
3,5 stars rounded up.
The book doesn't feature CWs or TWs, here are a few (be aware, possible spoilers)
CW: Alex realises he's in love with Joe, they are only friends though, and Alex takes Joe's refusal to go out with Alex and his friends as sign that Joe doesn't see Alex as more than a platonic friend. The same evening he takes a man he met that night home, letting him sleep on the couch, implying that they could have sex, a man Alex doesn't even really like, but he's available...They don't have sex, only because Joe has an emergency and Alex (and his friends and the new acquaintance) have to get Joe out of it. Alex tells Joe upfront that he possibly would have slept with the other man otherwise. It didn't bother me much, but I would have preferred less on page time with that douchebag.
TW: recollection of a bomb explosion killing people one MC knew, description of severed body parts due to the explosion (causing PTSD)....more
Dnf 50% no rating. Turns out I'm actually not in the mood for more erotica at the moment, I need to set this one aside for now.
I can't put my finger onDnf 50% no rating. Turns out I'm actually not in the mood for more erotica at the moment, I need to set this one aside for now.
I can't put my finger on what exactly didn't work for me enough to continue, but I guess the combination of erotica and former bully turned sex educator with background family drama was too much and not enough at the same time.
Note for future me, if I'm thinking about picking this up again (slightly spoilery) : Roman and Tyler are both college students but while Roman is experienced (he's the former bully, yes, it took a bit but there was lots of heartfelt groveling and sobbing), Tyler hasn't even been kissed before. Once they get closer, things progress fast and get very intense and emotional. Ps I hated the situation with Roman's dad, and every time Roman's dad and Tyler's mom were in the room together I got antsy, hopefully this is going in the only acceptable direction....more
2,75 stars. Second chance mm romance novella - Bear Camp series. It was nice enough watching Eric and Ben getting back together. I wasn't really convinc2,75 stars. Second chance mm romance novella - Bear Camp series. It was nice enough watching Eric and Ben getting back together. I wasn't really convinced about their 20 year long connection watching each other (often literally) with other partners, but, good for them to find their forever home with each other after all, at 39....more
What if Mr. Collins was a much more complex person than the stuffy, effusive and ridiculous man Elizabeth Bennett told us he was, in Pride and PrejudiWhat if Mr. Collins was a much more complex person than the stuffy, effusive and ridiculous man Elizabeth Bennett told us he was, in Pride and Prejudice? What if in reality he was a kind but very insecure man on the autism spectrum, unsure of himself but loyal to his patroness Lady Catherine (and deeply afraid of her) ? A man who hated small talk, because he didn't understand social rules, who thought he had constantly to put up a front in order to not lose his position and to be respected in his role as rector?
It's astonishing that it took the author only a few pages to make me feel protective of Mr. Collins.
Elisabeth Bennett's Mr. Collins (how she perceived him) and the Mr. Collins in this book are the same person, yet Lee Welch shows us that how Elizabeth saw him was not his whole personality. There is more to him, his character is multi layered, not one dimensional.
I adore the idea behind the book, the execution is flawless, the writing stellar.
Instant all time favourite.
I nearly forgot to mention that this is also available on Smashwords!!...more
3,25 stars. Fun mm romance with surprisingly wholesome hippie vibes and not much sex considering the set up, a clothes-are-optional gay camp in the woo3,25 stars. Fun mm romance with surprisingly wholesome hippie vibes and not much sex considering the set up, a clothes-are-optional gay camp in the woods. The writing wasn't the smoothest, the author used lots of inner monologues to tell us about the MCs' characters, when it would have been preferable to watch them to get to know them.
The story covers 4 days and was entertaining and heart warming.
My first book by Slade James, but not my last....more
Dnf 59% just before the first sex scene. No rating, I got this for free on Smashwords.
Overall sweet mm romance, a bit bland, a bit insta.
Again, me nitpDnf 59% just before the first sex scene. No rating, I got this for free on Smashwords.
Overall sweet mm romance, a bit bland, a bit insta.
Again, me nitpicking (not the reason for my dnf, though) ... I'm not a fan of people driving after they shared a bottle of wine on their date. Isn't it the rule, if you drive you don't drink.. or when going out to eat many allow themselves one beer or one glas of wine, but half a bottle of wine seems dangerous to me. Nothing romantic about that in my opinion.
Dnf because I feel if I don't care anymore when they are about to have sex for the first time, then it's better to jump ship....more
3,25 stars. Overall enjoyable mm romance. Grief and moving on were central to the story, yet the writing didn't evoke strong feelings, wasn't very sad3,25 stars. Overall enjoyable mm romance. Grief and moving on were central to the story, yet the writing didn't evoke strong feelings, wasn't very sad or heartbreaking to me. I was a bit surprised that it didn't touch me more. The whimsical bursts of wind, the light switch and the box with old dolls I could have done without, as well as the prosaic and lengthy monologues about self worth and loss. I guess many will love these, though. To me it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard.
I enjoyed the easy friendship between Jesse and Parker more than anything else, just like in my favourite book by this author, The Play of His Life....more
**spoiler alert** Lovely mm fantasy romance (with hints at mmf; mm on page sex, mmf only kisses and caresses on page). 4,5 stars.
A heads-up though, reg**spoiler alert** Lovely mm fantasy romance (with hints at mmf; mm on page sex, mmf only kisses and caresses on page). 4,5 stars.
A heads-up though, regarding the (sexual) relationships on and off page for those who'd like to be aware if there's relationships with other people (spoilers) : Similarly as in a A Heaven to Reach for, the MCs Remi (also called Agreeable) and Holburn had multiple sex partners in the past (also multiple partners at once, or one after the other) and talk about that, they also hint at the possibility of future sexual encounters with other people.
Holburn is married to Aliette who also has sex with other people outside of the marriage, this is also talked about openly.
Remi (Agreeable) is a man but occasionally likes being addressed as "lass" by Holburn and Aliette.
In the epilogue we learn that Aliette and Holburn want to "keep" Remi as vital part of their core relationship, and call themselves Remi's husband and wife.
And yes, I loved and enjoyed everything. R. Copper is stellar at showing that their MCs are genuine, caring and protective people who aren't afraid to live their lifes as they want while respecting their partners....more
Loved it. R.Cooper's writing doesn't work for everyone but for me? It works so well! Tim and Nathaniel are werewolves. Their journey to finally being toLoved it. R.Cooper's writing doesn't work for everyone but for me? It works so well! Tim and Nathaniel are werewolves. Their journey to finally being together as mates was long and awesome. It was slow, very slow, but I didn't mind that at all.
R.Cooper is a master at writing oblivious characters, and Tim might be the most oblivious I've encountered so far. His lack of knowledge in everything werewolf - related (because of his past) combined with his deep-rooted need to be on his guard, to expect the worst from those who seem to care, and to distance himself with sarcasm and hurtful snaps from those he feels attracted to (all because of his past) make him blind for what's right in front of him.
Nathaniel on the other hand was the perfect counterpart for Tim. Nathaniel had patience, was strong and sure of himself and his feelings for Tim.
Oh and the sex scenes? Their first kiss was wayyyy better than most sex scenes in other books, that's all you need to know (hehe.. enjoy).
Spoiler ahead about one chapter for those who want to go in with open eyes, since this is a romance (or altogether skip chapter 9!). I guess it's also the reason why the average rating isn't higher. : : : : : I usually don't enjoy it when one of the MCs starts something with a third person (and was kind of encouraged by the other MC, and then goes through with it), and I wasn't the biggest fan of it here, but it seemed to make some kind of sense to these werewolves... and afterwards, having fulfilled its purpose, the two MCs picked up their storyline figuring things out between the two of them....more
Drache.... (Angelika)
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