I wouldn't classify this one as a true enemies to lovers, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. Perhaps a giant misunderstanding due to lack of I wouldn't classify this one as a true enemies to lovers, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. Perhaps a giant misunderstanding due to lack of communication? Anyway, it's a good book 1. Definitely angsty with sexual identity and lack of support. A whole lot of slow burn, which is a little outside of my jam but I stuck with it. Kai is one of my "ultimate book boyfriend" types. All that dark, broody sexy is so worth it. Looking forward to book 2 to see where the story goes.
Merged review:
I wouldn't classify this one as a true enemies to lovers, but I'm not really sure how to describe it. Perhaps a giant misunderstanding due to lack of communication? Anyway, it's a good book 1. Definitely angsty with sexual identity and lack of support. A whole lot of slow burn, which is a little outside of my jam but I stuck with it. Kai is one of my "ultimate book boyfriend" types. All that dark, broody sexy is so worth it. Looking forward to book 2 to see where the story goes....more
This is my first Sapphic romance but honestly I'd read just about anything that Kat writes, so I was down to try it.
Right off the start I was rooting This is my first Sapphic romance but honestly I'd read just about anything that Kat writes, so I was down to try it.
Right off the start I was rooting for Poesy because no one deserves to be bought and/or sold for any reason, ever. When she bolted from her husband-to-be into Lady Venom's forest, hope bloomed.
Poesy definitely has character growth in this story, as does Lady Venom. Not what I was expecting in a novella, honestly. Usually they're short and sweet, just enough of something to whet your whistle, ya know? However, this one manages to pack enough in so that you can see that growth, passion and HEA.
Merged review:
This is my first Sapphic romance but honestly I'd read just about anything that Kat writes, so I was down to try it.
Right off the start I was rooting for Poesy because no one deserves to be bought and/or sold for any reason, ever. When she bolted from her husband-to-be into Lady Venom's forest, hope bloomed.
Poesy definitely has character growth in this story, as does Lady Venom. Not what I was expecting in a novella, honestly. Usually they're short and sweet, just enough of something to whet your whistle, ya know? However, this one manages to pack enough in so that you can see that growth, passion and HEA....more
One thing about this novella is that I wish that it was a more fleshed out novel. Cain and Aiden are such a cute couple that giving them a full story One thing about this novella is that I wish that it was a more fleshed out novel. Cain and Aiden are such a cute couple that giving them a full story would be awesome.
How they've managed to dance around each other for 8 years since their meet cute and not at least dipped a toe past that is beyond me. They're adorably well matched and everyone is rooting for them in one way or another. Just insert a meddling mom and sister....more
You know..I always seem to love the ones that are the most broken. These guys are so broken that they really drag your heart around through the entireYou know..I always seem to love the ones that are the most broken. These guys are so broken that they really drag your heart around through the entirety of this book.
Ch 1 in this book was ROUGH, y'all. It's not often that I come across books that just plunge you in head first, but this one did. Keo (17) and Kel (11) discover their mom has unalived herself and it starts Kel's life on a trajectory that no child should ever go through.
We follow Kel as he ages and goes through life with the heavy burden of grief, depression, and familial obligations. It's 24 years later now and he's the owner of the Ohana Surfing Club. He finds himself having to return to escorting due to the financial strain of his dying father's medical bills, which is where he meets Anders.
Anders is suffering from a lifechanging midlife crisis. No, not THAT kind of midlife crisis that makes you go out and buy a super car in your 50's. He finds himself divorced and finally able to explore his sexuality. Enter Kel.
This book is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. No lie. My heart was in my throat so much and I was sobbing more than I care to remember. I'm completely okay with that! It was worth it!
I really am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
I pretty much dove into this novella blind, other than knowing it was an MM story. So imagine my surprise when it turned out to be dark and criminal. I pretty much dove into this novella blind, other than knowing it was an MM story. So imagine my surprise when it turned out to be dark and criminal. ~swoon~
GLAM aka Austin is our titled MMC and he is pretty much taking the world by storm. Looking past what was on the page, I saw so much pain in him. Pain, betrayal and the need to hurt everyone until the hurt inside him went away. Unfortunately, it wasn't working.
Rage aka Chase is the other MMC and he has been doing everything he can to right the wrong that blew apart his world 10 years ago. He finally has the chance to at least see Austin, but the meeting doesn't exactly go as planned.
OMG this was an intense 54 page read! I wasn't expecting the twists at all. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. It was well written and completely fleshed out for a novella....more
Quite the emotional ride, with some twists that you don't quite see coming.
Some very very deep-seated religious trauma is interwoven into this story tQuite the emotional ride, with some twists that you don't quite see coming.
Some very very deep-seated religious trauma is interwoven into this story that I found to be quite hard hitting as an ex-Mormon. I identified with Ziah on that level and wanted to comfort him and fix him so much.
Simon is absolutely a love. Even with his illness, he can't help but to try to "fix" everyone around him even to the detriment of himself. He is completely relatable and one of those MC's that makes you want to just squish him in hugs.
The rollercoaster of the relationship building between Simon and Ziah is agonizing and breathtaking. It's definitely not for the faint of heart though. One has to have an open mind and open heart when diving into this book due to the TW's and the storyline. It's so worth it though.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
This was my first novel by Tal Bauer. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but I'm pleased to admit that I'm a big fan now.
I loved Wes from the beginThis was my first novel by Tal Bauer. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but I'm pleased to admit that I'm a big fan now.
I loved Wes from the beginning. He was just so...sweet, naïve, but so determined and hard working with the biggest heart. He makes some decisions that aren't "bad" but perhaps are just not all that right for the situation and that gets him into some hot water.
Justin is that gay best friend that I have always wanted. I swear I laughed, cried, hollered, etc., with him, and at him while reading this novel!
The relationship building between Wes & Justin was beautiful. It stole my breath and made me weep tears of joy and heartbreak. We get to experience it twice in this book and it is so worth it....more
I absolutely fell in love with Gabe & Marcus in this book. The chemistry between the two of them is just playful and intense. Gabe is so loveable and I absolutely fell in love with Gabe & Marcus in this book. The chemistry between the two of them is just playful and intense. Gabe is so loveable and endearing, there's just no way you can NOT fall in love with him. This is a full-on grumpy & sunshine romance....more