I've been sitting on this review for a while now, trying to figure out how to put it into words. It was tough to read at times, and I had to take bre I've been sitting on this review for a while now, trying to figure out how to put it into words. It was tough to read at times, and I had to take breaks to process what I was reading.
The characters are both carrying a lot of emotional baggage, and they go through a lot of growth and healing in the story.
If you're looking for a book that will mess you up and then put you back together, this is the one for you.
I'm not going to say anything else about it because it's one of those books that you need to experience for yourself.
Leave it to Riley Hart to finally take me out of months long MM reading slump!
Easton was all kinds of emotional.
•Loss •Guilt •Trauma •Self-loath[image]
Leave it to Riley Hart to finally take me out of months long MM reading slump!
Easton was all kinds of emotional.
•Loss •Guilt •Trauma •Self-loathing •Verbal abuse from a parent
Your heart can't help but want to protect him, and luckily, Archer is there ready to do just that. He's patient and understanding. Easton and Archer are each others missing piece.
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It had everything I enjoy in a college romance setting. It was fun, sexy, and angsty. We have two you[image]
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It had everything I enjoy in a college romance setting. It was fun, sexy, and angsty. We have two young men who are carrying a lot of hurt with them.
What I loved: *The two main characters. Reese and Tom were great individually and as a couple they had great chemistry. *Character development *Banter *Secondary characters *It was heartbreaking but also full of hope *The way she developed the relationship between Tom and Reese
What I didn't love: *The book started with a bang and then it hit a snag. Luckily, it didn't last too long. *I wanted inside Reese's head. The story is only told from Tom's POV and there were several instances that I wished we were getting Reese's side as well.
Overall, this was pretty freaking good. It's a great book about self discovery. Definitely recommend this to any N/A, OFY story lovers. 4 stars!
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Merged review:
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I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It had everything I enjoy in a college romance setting. It was fun, sexy, and angsty. We have two young men who are carrying a lot of hurt with them.
What I loved: *The two main characters. Reese and Tom were great individually and as a couple they had great chemistry. *Character development *Banter *Secondary characters *It was heartbreaking but also full of hope *The way she developed the relationship between Tom and Reese
What I didn't love: *The book started with a bang and then it hit a snag. Luckily, it didn't last too long. *I wanted inside Reese's head. The story is only told from Tom's POV and there were several instances that I wished we were getting Reese's side as well.
Overall, this was pretty freaking good. It's a great book about self discovery. Definitely recommend this to any N/A, OFY story lovers. 4 stars!
Merry Cherry Christmas by Keira Andrews gives all the holiday feel-goods.
It has: -Nerd/Jock, opposites attract -A little hurt/comfort -Experimenting -Merry Cherry Christmas by Keira Andrews gives all the holiday feel-goods.
It has: -Nerd/Jock, opposites attract -A little hurt/comfort -Experimenting -Dual POVs -Jealousy. I love when characters feel a little possessive ;) -And just an overall positive and sweet vibe.
This was my first read of this holiday season, and what a great one it was.
Merged review:
Merry Cherry Christmas by Keira Andrews gives all the holiday feel-goods.
It has: -Nerd/Jock, opposites attract -A little hurt/comfort -Experimenting -Dual POVs -Jealousy. I love when characters feel a little possessive ;) -And just an overall positive and sweet vibe.
This was my first read of this holiday season, and what a great one it was....more
This was a well written story. Easy flowing- read it in one sitting but it didn't quite hit the spot. Not because I didn't like it but because it's noThis was a well written story. Easy flowing- read it in one sitting but it didn't quite hit the spot. Not because I didn't like it but because it's not what I wanted. I wanted a story that focused more on Jake and Parker- and not so much two members of a band falling in love and the band's rise. Does that make sense? The build up is crazy long. It's not until passed the 60% point that they finally get together. Only a third of the book is really what I wanted. That part of the book was a 5 star read. Jake and Parker were so adorable together. I loved it! I think the writer is very talented and see great things from her in the future.
Merged review:
This was a well written story. Easy flowing- read it in one sitting but it didn't quite hit the spot. Not because I didn't like it but because it's not what I wanted. I wanted a story that focused more on Jake and Parker- and not so much two members of a band falling in love and the band's rise. Does that make sense? The build up is crazy long. It's not until passed the 60% point that they finally get together. Only a third of the book is really what I wanted. That part of the book was a 5 star read. Jake and Parker were so adorable together. I loved it! I think the writer is very talented and see great things from her in the future....more
I hate to even bring up Annabeth Albert's Alaska series, but I have to- it just didn't resonate with me. I was su
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I LOVED BURN ZONE.
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I hate to even bring up Annabeth Albert's Alaska series, but I have to- it just didn't resonate with me. I was super bummed because AA has been a go-to of mine for years. When I first read about Burn Zone, I was equal parts excited and nervous. Nervous because the previous series wasn't a winner for me; I so didn't want that to be the case again. I'm happy to report it was awesome. Nothing to worry about here!
Unrequited love ✔ Temptation ✔ Angst ✔ Chemistry ✔ Dual POVs ✔ Best friend's brother (Loved the way this was handled, by the way) ✔ Character growth ✔ Relationship development ✔ A teeny bit of action ✔ Family ✔
It had everything I loved.
What a fantastic start to this new series! I cannot wait for book 2!
I hate to even bring up Annabeth Albert's Alaska series, but I have to- it just didn't resonate with me. I was super bummed because AA has been a go-to of mine for years. When I first read about Burn Zone, I was equal parts excited and nervous. Nervous because the previous series wasn't a winner for me; I so didn't want that to be the case again. I'm happy to report it was awesome. Nothing to worry about here!
Unrequited love ✔ Temptation ✔ Angst ✔ Chemistry ✔ Dual POVs ✔ Best friend's brother (Loved the way this was handled, by the way) ✔ Character growth ✔ Relationship development ✔ A teeny bit of action ✔ Family ✔
It had everything I loved.
What a fantastic start to this new series! I cannot wait for book 2!
When you finish reading my review, you’ll probably think I hated it, but I didn’t. I was simply left disappointed. This duo has written •blows breath•
When you finish reading my review, you’ll probably think I hated it, but I didn’t. I was simply left disappointed. This duo has written some of my favorite hockey romances, so I’ve come to expect a lot from them, and Puckboys #7 didn’t deliver.
It does have the same vibe as its predecessors, but unfortunately, it felt rushed and not well thought out.
Why?
1. I didn’t believe the connection between Knox and Easton. When the book starts, their feelings are already established, and we’re told it’s because of the conversations they had on a hookup app. During these chats, they got to know each other more deeply and without the overbearing presence of Knox’s older brother (and Easton’s best friend). However, we never get to read these interactions. We’re just told of them. Not getting these, at least in flashbacks, failed to establish the connection between them.
2. The romance between the two MCs didn’t feel forbidden at all. I wasn't buying that conflict.
3. Knox could do better. I just felt that Easton’s reasons for holding back were just excuses. He was throwing in the towel before the issue even arose, and he was supposed to be the more mature one.
All in all, the book was entertaining, I guess, but not without some major issues.
I must be in the minority. I made it to 36% before throwing in the towel. I skimmed through some of it, but it didn't engage my interest in a way thatI must be in the minority. I made it to 36% before throwing in the towel. I skimmed through some of it, but it didn't engage my interest in a way that made me want to continue reading. I got bored.
**spoiler alert** This book is challenging to rate.
1. If you are familiar with Lily Morton's writing style and enjoy it, you will likely appreciate t**spoiler alert** This book is challenging to rate.
1. If you are familiar with Lily Morton's writing style and enjoy it, you will likely appreciate this book as well.
2. The book offers humorous moments, engaging banter, and heartfelt pining, among other positive elements.
3. I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Rafferty and Stan.
However, the excessive use of miscommunication as a plot device becomes tiresome and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the book. While miscommunication can sometimes add a little razzle dazzle, its prolonged use throughout the entire book becomes tedious.
Additionally, the character of Bennett falls into a familiar trope of villainous characters in Lily Morton's books, leaving readers questioning why the protagonist would have ever been interested in such a twat.
Furthermore, the plotline (view spoiler)[involving Bennett's proposal and Stan's subsequent decision to conceal the truth from everyone was ridiculous. There was some serious eye roll from me. (hide spoiler)]
While I have cherished some of Lily Morton's previous works, including "After Felix" as a personal favorite comfort read, the recent books, unfortunately, have not resonated with me in the same manner. It is possible that my reading preferences have evolved over time.
I've been a huge fan of the series. These stories of hockey, friendships, romance, and humor have always resonated with me, until Bromantic Puckboy. I
I've been a huge fan of the series. These stories of hockey, friendships, romance, and humor have always resonated with me, until Bromantic Puckboy. I think the issue might be with me. Lately, I've found myself bored with stories I usually enjoy. It wasn't until the second half that I felt any connection with the characters. I'm chalking this up to me and not the book.
Through her prose, Harris dismantles her readers' emotions only to rebuild them anew. "The Caretaker" had me hooked from the opening page, refusing to release its grip until the very end.
This is a tough one to review because I adore this author.
The book was perfectly fine, offering a blend of cute, humorous, romantic, and steamy elemenThis is a tough one to review because I adore this author.
The book was perfectly fine, offering a blend of cute, humorous, romantic, and steamy elements within the context of a boss/employee romance, featuring opposites attract and an age gap. However, despite enjoying the author's writing style, I gave it three stars because I've noticed a pattern in her recent books, making them feel somewhat predictable and formulaic to me. This observation might be unique to my reading experience, though. Maybe it's because I've read so many of her books? ...more
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders is one of the best friends-to-lovers stories I've ever read. It evoked such a range of emotions in me: long[image]
To Catch a Firefly by Emmy Sanders is one of the best friends-to-lovers stories I've ever read. It evoked such a range of emotions in me: longing, heartbreak, love. The writing is beautifully crafted....more
Listen, I'm all about smexy times in books. In fact, sometimes, when I see comments about a bo[image]
THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A MOTHERFUCKIN' SLOW BURN!
Listen, I'm all about smexy times in books. In fact, sometimes, when I see comments about a book not having a lot of s3x in turns me off from a book. Don't judge me; I wish I weren't like this too.
The words flowed in this story; they were so moving and real. The writing was beautiful.
And Then You by Briar Prescott is one of my top reads of the year.
Read it. Experience it. Fall in love just like I did....more
•Casual to more •Dual POVs •New beginnings •Small town •Opposites attract •Bi-awakening •Feel good, low angst •Hockey •Chef •Chemistry •Good pacing •[image]
•Casual to more •Dual POVs •New beginnings •Small town •Opposites attract •Bi-awakening •Feel good, low angst •Hockey •Chef •Chemistry •Good pacing •Romance ♡
Next Season by Lane Hayes brought me back to Lane Hayes in her Better Than series. While I've enjoyed her New Adult stories, it's nice to go back to reading about people my age, lol.
All in all, I've been loving the Elmwood stories! I can't wait for what's to come! :)