Last year, after finishing Wishing on a Dream, I remember being one of the readers asking Michele Notaro for Laz's own story. A year later and here itLast year, after finishing Wishing on a Dream, I remember being one of the readers asking Michele Notaro for Laz's own story. A year later and here it is... so much worth the wait!
I have to admit something. In the previous book, although I was intrigued by Laz's interactions with Izzy and Raphael - call me oblivious, call me blind, call me anything you want- I didn't see their dynamic developing into a triad. So, yeah, that took me by surprise. A beautiful one, because reading Building on a Hope showed me these three men absolutely belonged together.
It hasn't been an easy road for either of them, or for me to witness. For one, Isaiah and Raphael had a lot of baggage... like a hundred and fifty years load of love, hurt, beautiful memories and also misery... and then they'd caught Laz in the middle. It was painful, especially since at the beginning Izzy was on the sidelines, watching Laz and Raphael getting closer and closer to each other. Neither of them was completely happy, though, and they took their sweet time to really talk and be honest about their feelings, to the point I sometimes feared they'd never be able to open their eyes to what they could have been together, all three of them.
Building on a Hope was one heck of a ride. Secrets revealed, wounds reopened and tears, while at the same time so much laughter, love and joy. With a dash of danger when an old enemy resurfaced, magic, family bonds and the sweetest triad romance, this book kept me emotionally invested from page one and absolutely swooning when it ended. Loved it!
When Adrian and Niall first met on a heavily rainy evening, the sparks between them could have created their own thunderstorm. The instant hate/attracWhen Adrian and Niall first met on a heavily rainy evening, the sparks between them could have created their own thunderstorm. The instant hate/attraction was electric and the way they treated each other for weeks was the best kind of fun to witness. Both blunt and pulling no punches when stating their opinions about the other, while at the same time starting to appreciate the real men behind all the bluster and irritating attitude.
I loved how the author has written them. Absolutely not perfect, showing a confidence that was really a cover for fears and insecurities, both with emotional baggage that weighed down on the feelings growing between them. They had their demons to battle, Adrian's more real than Neill's, and they had to get over the past before they embraced the future.
Adrian and Neill made me laugh so much, but, at times, their story has also been raw and deeply saddening. As a whole, this book was beautifully layered and a stunning combination of sweetness, fun, steamy hotness, fears, hope and love. Not an easy journey to happily ever after but hard earned to get there, making it all the much sweeter at the end.
After six years in prison, Luis only wanted a new beginning, away from the criminal life and mostly, away from his brother's toxic influence. He was dAfter six years in prison, Luis only wanted a new beginning, away from the criminal life and mostly, away from his brother's toxic influence. He was damaged, physically and mentally, and my hear broke for him. After he started working with Paolo, after the sweet way they connected, I'd hoped that he finally got his new license on life, his clean slate.
First, let me tell that Luis and Paolo were beautiful together. Luis was eaten inside by anxiety, and although he tried to not give away his fears, I loved the fact that Paolo learned pretty soon how to read all his signs of discomfort. He was amazing at offering support and patience, even if patience wasn't something that came natural to him. Communication wasn't always easy, and it often failed, because one or the other mistakenly believed that if they pretended everything is well, the nasty things would just go away.
But they didn't. Luis's brother was always there, trying to draw him back into working for him and making threats to retaliate if Luis refused. I admit that I had to put the book down for a few minutes at this point, because Luis's fear, desperation and longing were too painful to witness.
To think that I knew going in that this wouldn't be an easy read, because this author's books are always packed with intensity and put me through an emotional wringer. I expected no less with this one, but it hit me hard all the same. I saw Luis and Paolo's newly found haven almost slip through their fingers, despite their clinging strong to each other and their bravery. The uncertainty kept me glued to the pages, fearing the worst and hoping for the best outcome for Luis and Paolo.
So, if you're looking for true depth character development, ALL THE FEELS and a hard earned, suffered happily ever after, look no further. Redemption is the book for you!...more
This book is on the short side, but it's long enough and so amazingly written to feel the characters' deep set loneliness, sense of worthlessness and This book is on the short side, but it's long enough and so amazingly written to feel the characters' deep set loneliness, sense of worthlessness and and their dejection. Not to the point to perceive the angst deep into my bones, though, because it was well balanced by laughter, affection and so, so much hope and love.
This story proved that financial stability doesn't guarantee happiness, and falling in love can sometimes be the the final push over the edge of depression. A story of having to learn to love oneself before loving another, because ultimately, Jessie had to give up the easy way of constant, medicated oblivion and choose the hard way of fighting his demons. Both him and Theo had to learn to own up to their imperfections before they could try being perfect for each other.
Beautifully Toxic is an emotional start for this series and I hope next is Declan and Ezra's story....more
Anabela.M.
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