How fun to read this companion along with books 1-almost3, which I’d read before. It explained so much. I had to put it down halfway through because iHow fun to read this companion along with books 1-almost3, which I’d read before. It explained so much. I had to put it down halfway through because it was going too fast. Now that I’m done my only complaint is that it’s over.
Can’t wait until the next book!
Merged review:
How fun to read this companion along with books 1-almost3, which I’d read before. It explained so much. I had to put it down halfway through because it was going too fast. Now that I’m done my only complaint is that it’s over.
**spoiler alert** Marked this as too short, but am not sure length would have helped. The major conflict is the criminal hero works for his criminal u**spoiler alert** Marked this as too short, but am not sure length would have helped. The major conflict is the criminal hero works for his criminal uncle - who murdered her parents by blowing up his own building. But she accepts she’ll never get revenge because of her own weakness and the H’s magical c@ck. I guess. Ended at 84% because of ads.
Merged review:
Marked this as too short, but am not sure length would have helped. The major conflict is the criminal hero works for his criminal uncle - who murdered her parents by blowing up his own building. But she accepts she’ll never get revenge because of her own weakness and the H’s magical c@ck. I guess. Ended at 84% because of ads....more
The wait was worth it. Unfortunately I received this ARC in the middle of moving myself! How I envied these three characters their packers and movers…The wait was worth it. Unfortunately I received this ARC in the middle of moving myself! How I envied these three characters their packers and movers…sigh.
Barber has a light touch in this one. It’s like the reader is on a merry-go-round, with the changes in perspective certainly, but also it’s like if you blink you’ll miss something.
The pacing moves through weeks quickly. But just when a few chapters are settling in and getting comfy, we are off to the next one. A week or days later. Wait, what happened? What’d I miss?
This was the fastest 46 chapters so far! Was it really the longest book?
Congrats to Jay for finally putting his progress where his ability was. To Henry for being Henry. And to Alice for easing up.
I highlighted so much, especially the way with words. I chuckled a lot. But I won’t quote here. The editing was almost too tight.
My only complaint *really* is that there was a preview at the end. So I thought a lot more was coming but alas I was left on the floor…::smirk::.
Well, what can you do. Except ask, when’s the next book?...more
Madeline “Maddy” Rath / Megan Rhode and Hunter and Gavin Doyle meet up while looking for healing at Rawhide Ranch, a kink-friendly vacation resort.
SheMadeline “Maddy” Rath / Megan Rhode and Hunter and Gavin Doyle meet up while looking for healing at Rawhide Ranch, a kink-friendly vacation resort.
She’s hiding from her wealthy family after losing her grandfather. It’s surprising that she’s there for years before her family tries anything legal. Especially with a huge corporation involved.
The guys are lawyer Hunter, with a big conflict of interest. And Gavin, a famous artist. But we don’t learn he’s an artist until 24% in, despite the confusing line about stopping to take “photographs for inspiration” at 7%.
The story was elaborate given the trio, but told well. I was confused how her awful parents were cut out of the will, but it’s her aunt who ends up being the villain. And we don’t even hear about the aunt until 84%. It’s like an afterthought change, because by that point we already know about the inheritance and her hiding from her family.
I also didn’t care for their decision of where to live at the end. Seems like they’re all hiding. So basically there’s no recovery and rejoining the world. Especially for Megan/Maddy, who leaves everything to others. This point was where I didn’t like her very much, despite her one brave act.
Errors: “But something about Megan sparked in him.” — sparked what? “…I’m sure my council will be here to take over,…” — counsel “…would fall under my tutelage.” — custody, really...more
This is Thrace and Trin’s story. It was a very difficult read. This book isn’t for everyone and although I finished it my only real issue is a lack ofThis is Thrace and Trin’s story. It was a very difficult read. This book isn’t for everyone and although I finished it my only real issue is a lack of comeuppance. But this is a long series and maybe the flaming meteors will land in another book.
The first part is actually quite similar to the previous book — almost the same set up. But then it veers down a dark and twisted, voyeuristic and rapey path.
Srsly. I don’t usually speak in “trigger” language. But this one has them all over the place. Like a minefield.
Thrace is from a world of males who don’t bond with women, unlike their Kindred cousins. Trin is from a planet that is as misandrist as it can be, but for the laughable sperm harvesting they conduct.
Dark, rapey path…
Thing is, it’s well written. Well plotted. Themes are balanced and make sense. Yes, it’s alien erotica so the sex is a bit silly. For example, I would have liked the “mistress” crap to be dropped when they finally *overcome* the mountains of triggers. Alas… But I did picture Rowlf the Dog with Fozzi the Bear’s voice for Yipper and surely that’s worth something?
I didn’t like how Thrace reverted to being okay with a situation that should have had him — rightfully so — homicidal. The instalove here didn’t quite fill that gap in time for me to stay on board. Even so, he’s a sweet guy who is being pinballed all over the place.
I also didn’t like how Trin failed to confront reality and hid behind the ridiculously-unsafe safety of her homeworld. Because, damn. Someone doesn’t like horses.
And, for the record:
Lady Tam-tam can “insist” all she wants, horny old hag. I insist she GFH. Twice. With a rusty garden hoe. After it’s been used by that miserable bitch, Betina.
“Obeisance” is used 24 times. That’s approximately 22 times too many.
Lastly, some cultures really are better than others and fiction — and fact — prove that time and time again. Hooray for the Mother Ship.
Errors: “…different one Look…” — one. “…male to penetrated her—…” — penetrate “…the wrongest thing…” — not a word “…she would have lay down and…” — would have lain “…Becca, who was there with Far and Truth said.” — Truth, “…too easy…to convenient about…” — too convenient...more
Up front, there were some unnecessary choices in this book, and I have to laugh because it’s likely they won’t stand the test of time. I almost stoppeUp front, there were some unnecessary choices in this book, and I have to laugh because it’s likely they won’t stand the test of time. I almost stopped reading but put that aside and kept on. I’m glad I did. But I don’t like to be lectured to by a book, especially when the lecture isn’t meant for the ones reading. It’s meant for the ones not reading. Just don’t. Take out your righteousness elsewhere. Life is too fucking short for me to read the PC rant. But I kept reading and it got to the part just about these two characters and that - in addition to being the best part - was really well done.
The heroine was something of a Superman. Even the hero help set this up:
“Not that I don’t like Maggie. I find her fascinating, in a non-sexual, un-intimidating sort of way. I bet if she stopped dressing like a frumpy virgin and actually let her badass side out, she’d be pretty hot.”
She’s 34 and he’s 22. I haven’t read the other books in the series (doubt I will) and while I don’t mind dominant/submissive stories (plenty on my list) the pull here for me was the age gap. She’s described as a tall woman, with soft rolls around her middle. But she’s not so large that she can’t bring a 22 year old guy to his knees when she puts a corset on. Which I appreciate. Because she’s got a lot “going on” without adding a weight issue. Sometimes authors like to hit allllll the buttons, but that one was thankfully left off.
Maggie discovers her inner domme with the help of her own company’s app. How she runs an adult club and has never taken The Quiz is a bit unbelievable - especially as the former event planner out of the bunch of owners. The hero is a very mixed up kid who finds new direction under her care. What I didn’t like about this was the predilection he had toward art. That was never encouraged or explored. No, he just ends up working in the pre-established business’ new location. Not really growing up and finding your own way, dude. But whatever. She wanted a toy, and he wanted to be it.
Editing errors:
“But it’s hard when he hurls compliments my way like their spears meant to break my cold, uncaring armor.” — they’re, this is pretty basic “…I hear the cling of a spoon against glass.” — ding or clink? “Rule #14: Do no let those warm, fuzzy feelings get in your way.” — not “…making him endure this alone and rejecting his attempt at recourse would be punishment enough.” — recourse is a noun, source of help in a difficult situation. It doesn’t quite fit here. Reconciliation?
As for the D/s stuff, it’s explored enough for the story to work. But it could have been more. It’s the nth book in a series and the other characters took up a lot of unnecessary air. There’s a cute turn of phrase every now and then - glitch in he Matrix, Orgasm 500, even the overused “your person” - but it was only from the MCs, not the very extended cast. IOW, they added nothing here. Very rarely do they point the MCs toward the storyline at present. A lot of it was an extended epilogue for the first couple and their wedding. Ironic then that Maggie and Beau decide to leave town at the end. Should’ve done that a lot earlier so I wouldn’t have had to plow through all that filler. Even where it makes sense it gets dropped before it can develop…
“The people…that make me want to be better.” Well, that was a whole lot more insightful than I intended it to be. My dad freezes, his brow furrowing as he stares at me. Just as he’s about to open…”
And then nothing. Beau’s apology to his former gf was laughed at, lame. And his reconciliation with his father was also a let down.
Maggie’s house was described as being the “only place she feels genuinely happy anymore.” Was she really not happy before? Why is she not happy anywhere else now? Not even in her job? This is never explored and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Even when you consider that her house is an albatross before she even moves in. The buyer’s remorse and this happy statement are confusing. At least to me. Was it that hard to say her happy place is HIM?
The age gap in interesting. His youth and immaturity is all chalked up under being the submissive brat. She is only 34 but is written like she’s in her forties. Her best friend, Beau’s father, is 42. So maybe being in business with older men makes her act older? But the women are all younger so that doesn’t make sense. I’ve just never known 34 year olds to be so… geriatric. Bottom line, this story would have been better served with more MC development and less reliance on the surrounding cast. The sex was hot though. Lol ...more
Had an MC vibe to it I never really got into, which made the instalove seem a whole lot like stalking. Her questions of “why me?” were appropriate. BuHad an MC vibe to it I never really got into, which made the instalove seem a whole lot like stalking. Her questions of “why me?” were appropriate. But she fit the bill for being a little, I guess. Nice confrontation with her mother finally. And he and his brothers are Dexter criminals. I’d rather see someone rot in prison, to be honest. Probably won’t continue series because I can’t see how the stories will be any different, but it was well written....more
Really just okay. They’re childhood sweethearts who fell into a DDlg relationship - we never see how exactly. And she leaves for the big city. We neveReally just okay. They’re childhood sweethearts who fell into a DDlg relationship - we never see how exactly. And she leaves for the big city. We never really see why that, either. And we don’t know why he didn’t go after her.
But his grandmother dies and leaves them both her mansion. It’s “several towns over” from his ranch. That someone else runs for him because he’s a rodeo cowboy. Or something.
So the plot is really loosely held together. Like one of those Hallmark movies where they constantly bemoan their finances, while having closets bigger than most people’s houses.
“There’ won’t be time for that.” — oddball apostrophe
“The wooden puncheons creak under his boots as he steps onto the porch.” — puncheon is a cask for liquids, or a unit for beer. Should it be stanchion?
“The slow, soft song goes ends.” — extra “goes”
““Your mixing up your shows,” I mutter.” — ouch. *You’re*!
They don’t act like they have a long history with each other. There’s never a deep conversation. It defaults to the dom/sub relationship - and that’s not all that substantive. It’s just fluffy. The only heartfelt confrontation was with her city friend. Everything else was “wow, I’m so submissive! Hair flip!” and on she went.
Maybe it’s the cover model getting all those stars? (It’s the exact same photo as on Ellen Brooks’ Falling for a Star, by the way, a much better book!)...more
Story continues here with this second installment. My review from the first stands here as well. Even with the point of view changing to the hero, I fStory continues here with this second installment. My review from the first stands here as well. Even with the point of view changing to the hero, I felt the entire time like there should have been an “oh!” moment. But there wasn’t.
We never really get to know the hero like we did the heroine. There’s no clue in either book where this story is set. I admit I was curious where there could have been a two story adult store with a freaking escalator because wow. But we never get answers for the hero either. No motivation other than instalove. Which is fine, but weird for a dom. He seemed very lacking in confidence, experience, motivation.
Apart from sex.
“I, Reed Taylor, will give Juliet Miller all the orgasms' she requests.”
No idea why orgasms has an apostrophe.
Also, it’s wrung: “…until every last drop is rung from me…”
The books were well written but if we had learned the hero was the store owner and had been watching her for months and found her rejection letter in the trash and decided to make his move…wow, wouldn’t that have been better? That’s the sort of thing I expected. But there was none of that. It was just sex/porn loosely wrapped in a situation. Nothing more. Nothing deeper....more
I kept waiting for this to be more than it was. I just think it missed the mark. And I couldn’t get over the description of the inner thigh cyst situaI kept waiting for this to be more than it was. I just think it missed the mark. And I couldn’t get over the description of the inner thigh cyst situation. Don’t get me wrong, I know it happens. I watch Dr. Pimple Popper! But it’s all I could think about for the rest of the book(s). I think it just pushed the “she’s a normal thick girl” too far. Also, I was slightly offended that that condition only happened to big girls. Seriously, stretch marks would have been sufficient plenty. But this is just my opinion and my experience reading this book. I liked that she was twenty-seven.
The first book was her point of view. The second is his point of view. And I kept expecting him to have more of a knowledge of her than just instalove. But that’s all it was. He walks in and BAM. Okay, sure. But then the entire conflict is her not buying it. “I’m me and he is him.” As a consequence I didn’t buy it either.
I have no idea what “trendies of fire” are. Was it tingles?
“His eyelids lower as he stares at me. “But I haven’t even gotten started.”
His words have an underlying meaning. I can hear it in his tone and see it in his eyes, but I can’t figure out exactly what.”
I’m not sure why I jumped from book number one to book number five, but I will go back. This one was different because Ella was taken from earth as a I’m not sure why I jumped from book number one to book number five, but I will go back. This one was different because Ella was taken from earth as a child. So while her memories are vague and do return gradually but not fully once she is finally safe, most of her life has been spend in survival mode. It’s little wonder she is attracted to the most powerful, least dangerous guy in the room.
The emperor is newish to the job and has to play politics more than power. His relationship with Ella, then, is something of a refuge to him. They both bloom within it.
I can understand the few low ratings. The book does include more of the dominant sub bordering on daddy thing. If you’re not familiar with that dynamic in your reading it might be jarring and unwelcome. But I thought it was handled really well and it totally does fit the story with Ella’s adoption as a child.
I want to continue forward, but will go back and read the three I missed!...more