This book is a perfect example of what's wrong with the romance genre. An author posts about a book they've not written with some arbitrary date attacThis book is a perfect example of what's wrong with the romance genre. An author posts about a book they've not written with some arbitrary date attached. Then they have to keep moving the date on said book and eventually just have to publish it or get slapped by Amazon. This read like an extremely ROUGH draft. It was inconsistent, incoherent at times and wildly far fetched. When are these authors going to learn to write the book THEN schedule a release date.
The volume of unrealistic and unromantic sex in this book was laughable. Why weren't they learning about each other physically, about being with a male? Bonding over those experiences? All she did was withhold kissing in their present situation. Big deal. There was no tension or pining.
Why were they all wealthy? What was that? Buying the car, only 2 people paying rent, buying the motorcycle, countless overnight trips to London? Also, Ethan was a top collegiate athlete - he shouldn't have had any extra time. Nothing made sense!!! Don't even get me started on Axel and the parents - giant plot holes. Even the premise was flimsy.
The only reason this isn't getting a one star is simply because she had moments when she allowed the heartbreak between the two boys to be the central focus. The text messages and voicemails were so sad and it really made me feel for them.
I may change my mind and drop to a one star just because this was frustrating and so inadequate. This is also indicative of why I rarely read new release romances, especially MM. The genre is dictated by lame TikTok trends with lazy writing....more
4.5⭐️ - this is plenty demented with Liam’s proclivity and all but it’s also terribly sweet between him and Gabriel. I really enjoyed the mystery in t4.5⭐️ - this is plenty demented with Liam’s proclivity and all but it’s also terribly sweet between him and Gabriel. I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. And banter and shenanigans among the detectives is just so fun and ridiculous. I love the at Alice balances humor, flawed characters, romance and mystery. It’s never dull, always a little weird and so fun to read. ...more
4.5⭐️ - I loved Liam and Gabriel so much!! They complimented each so well. Liam’s brand of psychopath was funny and quirky but his love for Gabriel re4.5⭐️ - I loved Liam and Gabriel so much!! They complimented each so well. Liam’s brand of psychopath was funny and quirky but his love for Gabriel really did it for me! He was so sincere and would sacrifice anything for that man. Gabriel was so patient with Liam but was no push over. ...more
3.5??? Maybe. Probably. This is an insta-love/love at first sight situation. Very little preamble. Slow burn? Never heard of her. The pacing didn’t wo3.5??? Maybe. Probably. This is an insta-love/love at first sight situation. Very little preamble. Slow burn? Never heard of her. The pacing didn’t work for me. There were a couple of conflicts that kind of felt too forced, lacked that organic development. Seemed like we were told many things rather than having them be developed plot points. This made several big emotional components feel secondary to sex scenes. And well it’s a Sara book so the sex is priority.
That being said, the MCs were both very likable and their romance was quite sweet. They both had baggage to sort out but they were extremely soft with each other and I loved that. There were some heavy situations that I do think were handled well and with compassion. I also really enjoyed the epilogues.
3.5 - While I did like the first 40%, it just didn’t hold much interest for me. The emotions throughout the first part of the book were so thoughtfull3.5 - While I did like the first 40%, it just didn’t hold much interest for me. The emotions throughout the first part of the book were so thoughtfully written and compelling. Unfortunately, I lost interest and the mystery didn’t hold my attention.
I did like the MCs. I just wanted more emotion throughout the book. I suppose it was a bit unbalanced for my liking. ...more
This was so dull. I was bored the whole time. I didn’t feel any tension or chemistry. The set up felt a little silly and at no point did I feel like LThis was so dull. I was bored the whole time. I didn’t feel any tension or chemistry. The set up felt a little silly and at no point did I feel like Luke was in any real danger. The problem with so many bodyguard romances is the bodyguard/security ends up as inept and ineffective. This was no exception. Snooze. ...more
I am so bored. What a snooze fest. How much internal dialogue do I have to slog through to get to a point? I don’t mind the toggling between past and I am so bored. What a snooze fest. How much internal dialogue do I have to slog through to get to a point? I don’t mind the toggling between past and present but NOTHING is happening!!! I made it to 50% and I don’t care. I want to but I just don’t. Maybe I’ll pick it back up when my mood changes - which will inevitably happen. ...more
These two are not ready to be together…yet. (BUT I don’t want them apart either.) There is such a significant amount of self loathing and selfHot take
These two are not ready to be together…yet. (BUT I don’t want them apart either.) There is such a significant amount of self loathing and self doubt on both of their parts that it manifests is aggressively physical outbursts and truly vile, hurtful words - all of which aim to inflict the most damage. They cannot figure out how to communicate without it getting nasty first. Yes they calm down and yes they cry and hug and have extremely emotional sex but they are both living in so much fear/pain, they are forcing the worst outcome. Throw in Emery’s severe PTSD, plus John’s refusal to stop instigating and prodding, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
That being said, when they’re good, they’re great! And I do adore them together. They may bring out the worst in each other at times but they also bring out the best. They are both growing into being better men and partners to each other. They just have so much internal work to do!
The case in this one wasn’t my fave but it was definitely intriguing and further shines a light into Cravens and others in the department. I am so curious about the bees situation and how that will continue to develop. Emery’s guilt is like another character in this series and it will be interesting to see how he navigates this struggle with his life with John and his new business. Emery is complex with a capital C!
I could strangle Grey! Fuckboy is an understatement. I do find him hilarious but I am also ready for him to GROW UP!...more
This was a hard one for me to rate because there were so many things I did love about this book. However, the scenes with Mikey (at Haverwood) were obThis was a hard one for me to rate because there were so many things I did love about this book. However, the scenes with Mikey (at Haverwood) were obscenely long - almost comically so. You could skip pages and pages with nothing happening, other than horrific injuries. I just didn't feel it was necessary or add to the book. Also, there was language used about Jeff from Mikey and the mayor that was just gratuitous. While I absolutely understand that it was meant to truly signify how inhumane and grotesque these two individuals were, by this point in the book and series, it just wasn't needed.
There was also far too much internal dialogue and unspoken conflict in this series. It became incredibly redundant. And again, I know it was to give insight into the characters of Emery and John, it felt like beating a dead horse after a while.
All that to say, that I did love the mystery and I felt like we had decent resolution for some elements. I do know that what wasn't resolved does carry into the next H&S series so I'm not mad about that. I also did love the few emotionally charged exchanges between the MCs. They definitely need to learn how to openly communicate rather than each falling on their own sword. This series kept me invested and so on edge. It was as exciting as it was heartbreaking. I think I felt the worst for Jeff when all was said and done. That poor boy. He never stood a chance....more
If you’re interested in this series, you should know these aren’t romances. What you will get is a love story. It’s messy and sad oftentimes and has lIf you’re interested in this series, you should know these aren’t romances. What you will get is a love story. It’s messy and sad oftentimes and has little resolution. The relationship between Hazard and Somers is never easy. Both men are complicated and so frustrating. Each book unravels more of their histories and scars. While there is some relief when each “secret” is revealed, so much is quite tragic.
This particular book’s case revolves around a cult. You will get a lot of religious rhetoric spewed by shady, power hungry psychos. It’s wildly chaotic and so disturbing! But boy is it addictive to read!...more
The way the “romance” is written is so raw and authentic- just bc our boys are together doesn’t mean it’s easy breezy now. Ohmygodilovedthissomuch!!!!
The way the “romance” is written is so raw and authentic- just bc our boys are together doesn’t mean it’s easy breezy now. In fact, it quite the opposite. 2 very different people who handle almost everything in an opposite manner but deeply love each other and absolutely terrified the other will “wake up” and leave is so REAL! Both are having a bit of an identity crisis but desperate to be enough for the other, while also being enough for themself…like for real - that is life!!
The mystery/case(s) in this were dramatic and tense and TERRIFYING!! It keeps getting better! It had a bit of a horror feel this time. So disturbing!...more
Closer to 4.5 on this one. I liked the mystery in this one the best up to this point even if it was, by far, the most disturbed. It was messy but I feCloser to 4.5 on this one. I liked the mystery in this one the best up to this point even if it was, by far, the most disturbed. It was messy but I felt like it came together and made sense. I feel like it gave better insight into what made Hazard a good detective as well.
There is and has been zero romance in this series so far. This is to be expected but it’s still super frustrating. Can we say “reservation for no communication party of 2”??? Dear god it’s beyond irritating. Like these two have so much to say and say almost nothing at all. And I do kind of hate the constant teaser of - now would be the time to lay it all out - and then they do absolutely nothing.
I am curious how this is going swing in Somers favor because he honestly deserves NOTHING from Hazard. The stuff he pulled growing up is unforgivable IMO. Somers really shit the bed. Hazard’s feelings for him kind of verge into Stockholm syndrome. I get that Somers isn’t a bad guy but he’s not good either. He’s so self serving and self righteous. His treatment of Nico is petty and unnecessary.
Suffice to say, I’m a Somers hater at the present moment. I do adore Hazard - his life has been such a disappointment and how many times and ways can this wildly homophobic town piss all over him? He is so resilient tho! He deserves better than he’s gotten.
I think this is how I’m supposed to feel right now so that’s why the rating is high. This series is making me FEEL…even if a lot of those feelings are unpleasant....more
So much fvcking snow! And how big was that greenhouse?! I had a hard time getting in a good reading rhythm with this one at first but the last 50% reaSo much fvcking snow! And how big was that greenhouse?! I had a hard time getting in a good reading rhythm with this one at first but the last 50% really flew by!
The mystery element was good but every “suspect” was so unlikeable. I’d have thrown them all in the river.
The lack of communication between these two was so frustrating but very much in line with their characters. They are both hurting and holding back so much!...more
MM has been such a miss for me for the past year or so. Nearly everything coming out lacks any finesse, most is so gimmicky, and there’s no substance.MM has been such a miss for me for the past year or so. Nearly everything coming out lacks any finesse, most is so gimmicky, and there’s no substance. But Gregory has given me life and I have desperately needed it. This series is all of the things I adore. The thing is these are books with spice but are not spicy books. Gregory does not sacrifice quality just to get in more sex. There are actual stories here with deeply thought out and well developed characters and plot.
Auggie and Theo absolutely wrecked me!! I love these two so much!...more
The angst, emotion and passion are freaking incredible! These characters read so real!! The mystery/suspense in each book are done so well! It’s the pThe angst, emotion and passion are freaking incredible! These characters read so real!! The mystery/suspense in each book are done so well! It’s the perfect balance of character and relationship development with a compelling mystery element....more
4.5 - I really enjoyed this book. It was so sad at times. My heart ached for Fer. He was trapped and wanted more but I think he felt like he had no op4.5 - I really enjoyed this book. It was so sad at times. My heart ached for Fer. He was trapped and wanted more but I think he felt like he had no options. He had inadvertently created a situation where his mom and brother were dependent on him BUT they weren't really his responsibility. His struggles with guilt were so real.
I love the connection between Fer and Ze. They were so complimentary in many ways. There was such an effortless, non verbal communication between. Ze was so soft and sweet. Fer really needed that person so show him kindness. Ze was a bit of a mystery and as his secrets became uncovered his story was tragic. It gave even more perspective on why he was the gentle person he was. I really appreciated how the intimacy was portrayed. It read so authentic - it was smooth at all but it made me love their connection so much more!
I would've like a bit more around Chuy so I'm hoping we get his book one day. The mom can jump in a dumpster....more
Theo and Auggie were both hot messes. They were STRUGGLING. This has been classic case of two people profoundly in love with each other and it being tTheo and Auggie were both hot messes. They were STRUGGLING. This has been classic case of two people profoundly in love with each other and it being the absolute worst timing. They just aren’t ready for each other. They are in immense pain. The mystery in this was GOOD and so warped. Loved it. ...more
Right person. Wrong time. These two…I’m so desperate for them to be together but absolutely don’t want them together yet. Loved the suspense and mysteRight person. Wrong time. These two…I’m so desperate for them to be together but absolutely don’t want them together yet. Loved the suspense and mystery. Damn it kept me anxious!...more