I'm not entirely sure how to review a five star book that I absolutely hated.
Maybe I'll start by telling you why it was a five star for me.
In a nutsheI'm not entirely sure how to review a five star book that I absolutely hated.
Maybe I'll start by telling you why it was a five star for me.
In a nutshell, it was the intelligent, sensitive and moving plot expertly told by a talented writer. The book is an emotional journey of discovery and courage for Adam and Evelyn. Five stars, hands down.
And now I guess I get to tell you why I hated it. This may be the reason you love it. In fact, this may prompt you to pick up the book while I would have run in the other direction given this information.
Even though there is a WHOLE LOT more to the plot. The story basically develops a BDSM relationship between the two MCs. I don't like to read BDSM romance. In particular, I don't like reading about the power exchange in BDSM stories. While I can handle the kinky sex scenes (for the most part), I simply can't stomach the stories that focus on the power exchange. I have a huge f***ing hangup with that.
I spent the entire book cringing and wanting to look away. Why didn't I dnf? That's my automatic reaction when I accidentally land on a book with this theme. Well, now we're back to the five star rating.
The story is expertly told. The plot riveting. The characters so real, that you fall in love with them in spite of yourself. Add to that the information provided to educate readers to a real and immediate problem in our society and you have an unputdownable book.
So, in spite of having spent my entire reading time curled up tight in a corner trying to escape the scenes. I can honestly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a powerful, moving, coming of age story of self-discovery.
Merged review:
I'm not entirely sure how to review a five star book that I absolutely hated.
Maybe I'll start by telling you why it was a five star for me.
In a nutshell, it was the intelligent, sensitive and moving plot expertly told by a talented writer. The book is an emotional journey of discovery and courage for Adam and Evelyn. Five stars, hands down.
And now I guess I get to tell you why I hated it. This may be the reason you love it. In fact, this may prompt you to pick up the book while I would have run in the other direction given this information.
Even though there is a WHOLE LOT more to the plot. The story basically develops a BDSM relationship between the two MCs. I don't like to read BDSM romance. In particular, I don't like reading about the power exchange in BDSM stories. While I can handle the kinky sex scenes (for the most part), I simply can't stomach the stories that focus on the power exchange. I have a huge f***ing hangup with that.
I spent the entire book cringing and wanting to look away. Why didn't I dnf? That's my automatic reaction when I accidentally land on a book with this theme. Well, now we're back to the five star rating.
The story is expertly told. The plot riveting. The characters so real, that you fall in love with them in spite of yourself. Add to that the information provided to educate readers to a real and immediate problem in our society and you have an unputdownable book.
So, in spite of having spent my entire reading time curled up tight in a corner trying to escape the scenes. I can honestly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a powerful, moving, coming of age story of self-discovery....more
This is the second Lane Hayes book I've read and already she's going on my auto buy list. I adore her characters. Even though I had doubts about a ZekThis is the second Lane Hayes book I've read and already she's going on my auto buy list. I adore her characters. Even though I had doubts about a Zeke and Benny romance, I shouldn't have worried. Hayes developed them and their relationship to perfection. She took night and day and blended them into a perfect sunrise.
This is a beautiful story about personal growth and family dynamics. I loved it.
Merged review:
This is the second Lane Hayes book I've read and already she's going on my auto buy list. I adore her characters. Even though I had doubts about a Zeke and Benny romance, I shouldn't have worried. Hayes developed them and their relationship to perfection. She took night and day and blended them into a perfect sunrise.
This is a beautiful story about personal growth and family dynamics. I loved it....more
3.5 stars for this well written second chance romance. I'm rounding up for the perfection of the editing. It's so easy to read a story paced well with3.5 stars for this well written second chance romance. I'm rounding up for the perfection of the editing. It's so easy to read a story paced well with smooth transitions and no jarring typos.
This is a character driven plot. We meet boyhood friends Abe and Gary. They come out to each other late in high school. Abe admits he's in love with Gary and they enjoy almost a year of sweet, exciting experimentation.
They live in a small, narrow minded town, so when they are caught in Flagrante Delicto in the school's locker room, Gary panics. That same night, Gary packs his bag and hops on a bus leaving a crying Abe behind.
Fate brings them back together 11 years later to fix their unresolved breakup.
There are many humourous parts in this story. Their meet up being the first LOL moment. Later, funny quips in dialogue prevented the story from getting stuck in a quagmire of emotions. There is no doubt that the situation called for some rollercoaster emotions from the characters. We see each of them struggling with the reunion and the spark between them that never went out. Both men are slightly on the kinky side and this adds spice to the sex scenes. The scenes were tasteful and not OTT.
I found Gary to be a little self-centred and Abe a bit of a pushover with a lack of ambition. I can't say I fell in love with either character. I'm not a judgy person so their choices while they were apart only marginally raised one of my eyebrows. I had the reveal figured out pretty much from the get go. So no surprise for me there other than my surprise that the characters had not figured it out themselves.
The last major scene didn't work for me. I didn't believe the attorney character and thought the drama of the scene was over the top. All characters overreacting and under reacting to the situation.
The epilogue left me thinking the men were on precarious ground for their future stability. But, that's just me and my personal outlook on life. It did fit in well with the story and characters stayed true to their personalities.
I definitely recommend this book. It's low angst, second-chance happenstance that flows beautifully from first page to last.
ARC kindly provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley.
Merged review:
3.5 stars for this well written second chance romance. I'm rounding up for the perfection of the editing. It's so easy to read a story paced well with smooth transitions and no jarring typos.
This is a character driven plot. We meet boyhood friends Abe and Gary. They come out to each other late in high school. Abe admits he's in love with Gary and they enjoy almost a year of sweet, exciting experimentation.
They live in a small, narrow minded town, so when they are caught in Flagrante Delicto in the school's locker room, Gary panics. That same night, Gary packs his bag and hops on a bus leaving a crying Abe behind.
Fate brings them back together 11 years later to fix their unresolved breakup.
There are many humourous parts in this story. Their meet up being the first LOL moment. Later, funny quips in dialogue prevented the story from getting stuck in a quagmire of emotions. There is no doubt that the situation called for some rollercoaster emotions from the characters. We see each of them struggling with the reunion and the spark between them that never went out. Both men are slightly on the kinky side and this adds spice to the sex scenes. The scenes were tasteful and not OTT.
I found Gary to be a little self-centred and Abe a bit of a pushover with a lack of ambition. I can't say I fell in love with either character. I'm not a judgy person so their choices while they were apart only marginally raised one of my eyebrows. I had the reveal figured out pretty much from the get go. So no surprise for me there other than my surprise that the characters had not figured it out themselves.
The last major scene didn't work for me. I didn't believe the attorney character and thought the drama of the scene was over the top. All characters overreacting and under reacting to the situation.
The epilogue left me thinking the men were on precarious ground for their future stability. But, that's just me and my personal outlook on life. It did fit in well with the story and characters stayed true to their personalities.
I definitely recommend this book. It's low angst, second-chance happenstance that flows beautifully from first page to last.
ARC kindly provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley....more
I liked it! This story incorporated some of my favorite tropes. GFY, Sports, Friends to Lovers, it's all in here. Plus, it's a rom-com featuring KellyI liked it! This story incorporated some of my favorite tropes. GFY, Sports, Friends to Lovers, it's all in here. Plus, it's a rom-com featuring Kelly's awesome dry wit. My favorite kind of humor.
Kelly made the story for me. A science nerd with a hopeless lifelong crush on his straight, athlete, best friend. His sarcasm and self-effacing ramblings were LOL moments.
Kelly's best friend, super star NFL player, non hetero, Britton "Blue" Montgomery was a little harder for me to like. His decisions and reactions sometimes rubbed me the wrong way. I also wondered at a couple of plot flows with him. I came away thinking he was very lucky to have someone like Kelly in his life.
Overall a lovely, enjoyable read.
A huge thank you to Elf Wide Minds and Blue Skies for gifting me this book.
Merged review:
I liked it! This story incorporated some of my favorite tropes. GFY, Sports, Friends to Lovers, it's all in here. Plus, it's a rom-com featuring Kelly's awesome dry wit. My favorite kind of humor.
Kelly made the story for me. A science nerd with a hopeless lifelong crush on his straight, athlete, best friend. His sarcasm and self-effacing ramblings were LOL moments.
Kelly's best friend, super star NFL player, non hetero, Britton "Blue" Montgomery was a little harder for me to like. His decisions and reactions sometimes rubbed me the wrong way. I also wondered at a couple of plot flows with him. I came away thinking he was very lucky to have someone like Kelly in his life.
Overall a lovely, enjoyable read.
A huge thank you to Elf Wide Minds and Blue Skies for gifting me this book....more
This one didn't work for me. I really hate that, because it's an ARC. I want every ARC I read to be a five star.
I actually stopped reading this one atThis one didn't work for me. I really hate that, because it's an ARC. I want every ARC I read to be a five star.
I actually stopped reading this one at 15%. Normally I wouldn't review a book I didn't read. But again, it's an ARC so I feel obligated. But more importantly, what doesn't work for me may be exactly what another reader is looking for. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gave a book a try based on a review that spelled out reasons the reader didn't like it.
So, for me, this one didn't work because there was too much sex. Go ahead. Run to one-click it. I'll wait. ;-)
...
As I was saying, sex, sex, sex and more sex. Remember I dnf'd at 15%. 😱
However, it does stand to reason since one of the MCs has recently discovered his bisexuality and is eager to explore. Fortunately for him his bff introduces him to her childhood friend who just so happens to be gay.
It goes something like this (sarcastic paraphrasing follows):
Meet Cute: "Nice to meet you" "You too." "Wanna fool around?" "No strings?" "No strings." "You clean?" "Yeah. You?" "Yup." Sexual escapades follow.
Now I do understand that the romance will likely happen later in the story and I didn't give it much of a chance. But, my goodness, I felt like I was reading a how to manual for gay sex. Insert, rub, pull, come. Repeat.
Sorry, I'll stop. I know I'm going overboard with the sarcasm. The reason it wasn't working for me is likely the POV it was written in. I always seem to have a problem with this one. I believe it's called "third person", but I'm not entirely certain. Here are a couple of examples (and, sorry, I did try to keep the sex out of the quotes, but there wasn't much to quote otherwise):
Matthew slips his hands into Joel's jean pockets and grabs; Joel responds with a low groan and dirty thrust of tongue.
Matthew cries out, his thighs jolting at the unbelievably good feeling...
Whatever that kind of omniscient, looking from the outside in, writing is...it never works for me. Yet I know there are many people who prefer it. So, if you like it, go on, get this book. For me, it just takes me away from the characters and makes me feel removed from the story.
So sorry folks. But I'm a romance reader. You know, romance where the MCs make googly eyes at each other. Where they feel that undeniable chemical attraction. Where they find each other cute and funny and endearing, not to mention supportive. Where they have the best sex of their lives not because the technique is good but because their feelings are so strong for each other. Yeah, that kind of romance reader.
So this one didn't work for me from an early point in the story. But it may be just what you're looking for.
-no rating-
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Merged review:
This one didn't work for me. I really hate that, because it's an ARC. I want every ARC I read to be a five star.
I actually stopped reading this one at 15%. Normally I wouldn't review a book I didn't read. But again, it's an ARC so I feel obligated. But more importantly, what doesn't work for me may be exactly what another reader is looking for. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gave a book a try based on a review that spelled out reasons the reader didn't like it.
So, for me, this one didn't work because there was too much sex. Go ahead. Run to one-click it. I'll wait. ;-)
...
As I was saying, sex, sex, sex and more sex. Remember I dnf'd at 15%....more
Why did it take me so long to get to this one? Don't answer that...I know I can be stupid. This was a rec from years ago. Thank goodness I finally lisWhy did it take me so long to get to this one? Don't answer that...I know I can be stupid. This was a rec from years ago. Thank goodness I finally listened and read that damn thing. Thanks Di!!!
It's excellent!!! As many of you already know since it's been out for years.
For the few of you who still have it in your tbr. Don't wait. It's gorgeous! Childhood friendship that grows and matures along with the boys. Two super perfect characters. One of them realizing he's gay at an early age. The other struggling with his identity but continuing with his loyal friendship.
Funny dialogue. Heartbreaking scenes. Hot sex. It's all there.
Actually, there are only a couple of sex scenes, but if teenagers making out bother you then you probably should skip this one. You can't call it a YA novel because there is "sex", but the MCs are teenagers for the majority of the story.
Five humongous stars for an oldie but goody.
Merged review:
Why did it take me so long to get to this one? Don't answer that...I know I can be stupid. This was a rec from years ago. Thank goodness I finally listened and read that damn thing. Thanks Di!!!
It's excellent!!! As many of you already know since it's been out for years.
For the few of you who still have it in your tbr. Don't wait. It's gorgeous! Childhood friendship that grows and matures along with the boys. Two super perfect characters. One of them realizing he's gay at an early age. The other struggling with his identity but continuing with his loyal friendship.
Funny dialogue. Heartbreaking scenes. Hot sex. It's all there.
Actually, there are only a couple of sex scenes, but if teenagers making out bother you then you probably should skip this one. You can't call it a YA novel because there is "sex", but the MCs are teenagers for the majority of the story.
Five humongous stars for an oldie but goody....more
There are three distinct things I loved about this book.
1. The writing: Every so often a book comes along that is so well written that the wri A Treat!
There are three distinct things I loved about this book.
1. The writing: Every so often a book comes along that is so well written that the writing doesn't even factor in to the story as a perception for the reader. That's a rather convoluted way of saying "I forgot I was reading." I became completely immersed in the story and never once ran across anything in the writing that distracted me enough to look up and remember I was reading a book. This is always a super treat for me since it happens infrequently.
2. The plot: This is a gay suspense romance. Most of the gay romance I read focuses on the gayness of the characters and possibly the challenges they face either with themselves or with others around them. This plot accepts the characters' sexual orientation as a given and does not depend on gay drama to enrich it. Such a refreshing treat!
3. The characters: Elliot and Lennox are fully grown men. They lived and learned and experienced life before they met. These are mature characters that do not play any type of childish games in their romance. We do not need the miscommunication device or the hurt feelings one or any of the other overused ways of creating tension and artificial angst. These characters live in the story without need of any fabricated anxiety.
I am so impressed with this author. She managed to write a suspense novel with a huge helping of gay/bi romance without falling on any of the exploited devices of the genre.
ARC received via NetGalley thanks to Riptide Publishing
Merged review:
A Treat!
There are three distinct things I loved about this book.
1. The writing: Every so often a book comes along that is so well written that the writing doesn't even factor in to the story as a perception for the reader. That's a rather convoluted way of saying "I forgot I was reading." I became completely immersed in the story and never once ran across anything in the writing that distracted me enough to look up and remember I was reading a book. This is always a super treat for me since it happens infrequently.
2. The plot: This is a gay suspense romance. Most of the gay romance I read focuses on the gayness of the characters and possibly the challenges they face either with themselves or with others around them. This plot accepts the characters' sexual orientation as a given and does not depend on gay drama to enrich it. Such a refreshing treat!
3. The characters: Elliot and Lennox are fully grown men. They lived and learned and experienced life before they met. These are mature characters that do not play any type of childish games in their romance. We do not need the miscommunication device or the hurt feelings one or any of the other overused ways of creating tension and artificial angst. These characters live in the story without need of any fabricated anxiety.
I am so impressed with this author. She managed to write a suspense novel with a huge helping of gay/bi romance without falling on any of the exploited devices of the genre.
ARC received via NetGalley thanks to Riptide Publishing...more
This was the October mini-gang-bang challenge pick for me, and thank goodness for that because it's been sitting in my tbr for way too long.
I loved itThis was the October mini-gang-bang challenge pick for me, and thank goodness for that because it's been sitting in my tbr for way too long.
I loved it. The best part for me was the relationship between the MCs. It was solid, so strong. There wasn't any of the typical misunderstanding or hurting each other that is so common in romance stories. Once these two came together, it was them against the world. Really refreshing to see a romance portrayed that way.
Merged review:
This was the October mini-gang-bang challenge pick for me, and thank goodness for that because it's been sitting in my tbr for way too long.
I loved it. The best part for me was the relationship between the MCs. It was solid, so strong. There wasn't any of the typical misunderstanding or hurting each other that is so common in romance stories. Once these two came together, it was them against the world. Really refreshing to see a romance portrayed that way....more
I couldn't possibly be more the wrong reader for this book.
Generally, if I don't like a book I don't comment much on it. It has to be a story that madI couldn't possibly be more the wrong reader for this book.
Generally, if I don't like a book I don't comment much on it. It has to be a story that made me ragey for me to spend time ranting.
I hope this won't come across as a rant because it really didn't offend me in any way. But I spent money on the audiobook and 11 hours listening to the narration (hoping something, anything, would pull me into the story.
I didn't happen. I did not connect with either character. I especially did not connect with them as a couple.
They are 42 and 45 year old men. The BDSM theme came across as fake. The rich guy sub never remained in character. The working man dom fell out of character more often than not. It was almost like I was reading a parody or a make-believe version of BDSM.
Given that I don't prefer romance novels with older characters and that BDSM is not a favorite romance theme for me - this book was bound to be difficult. But I stuck with it because I liked most of the secondary characters and I hoped that the twist or "crisis" of the plot would turn it around for me.
I should have known better. The peak of the plot was pretty much the final nail on this book's coffin. It didn't make sense to me!
(view spoiler)[WHY make such a big deal of your boss asking you to do what you were already doing (and enjoying) anyways? Why the big fuss about it? If you changed your mind about enjoying it down the road, you could cross that bridge if/when you came to it. THEN, the big blow-out at work, in front of bosses and co-workers alike was SO out of character. What was that supposed to prove? His manliness? His "dom-ness"? (hide spoiler)]
It was just the final straw. There was simply nothing I liked about this book other than the inapropriate but funny dialogue between co-workers. Neither the MCs nor their story worked for me.
Sorry, but it was awful.
Merged review:
I couldn't possibly be more the wrong reader for this book.
Generally, if I don't like a book I don't comment much on it. It has to be a story that made me ragey for me to spend time ranting.
I hope this won't come across as a rant because it really didn't offend me in any way. But I spent money on the audiobook and 11 hours listening to the narration (hoping something, anything, would pull me into the story.
I didn't happen. I did not connect with either character. I especially did not connect with them as a couple.
They are 42 and 45 year old men. The BDSM theme came across as fake. The rich guy sub never remained in character. The working man dom fell out of character more often than not. It was almost like I was reading a parody or a make-believe version of BDSM.
Given that I don't prefer romance novels with older characters and that BDSM is not a favorite romance theme for me - this book was bound to be difficult. But I stuck with it because I liked most of the secondary characters and I hoped that the twist or "crisis" of the plot would turn it around for me.
I should have known better. The peak of the plot was pretty much the final nail on this book's coffin. It didn't make sense to me!
(view spoiler)[WHY make such a big deal of your boss asking you to do what you were already doing (and enjoying) anyways? Why the big fuss about it? If you changed your mind about enjoying it down the road, you could cross that bridge if/when you came to it. THEN, the big blow-out at work, in front of bosses and co-workers alike was SO out of character. What was that supposed to prove? His manliness? His "dom-ness"? (hide spoiler)]
It was just the final straw. There was simply nothing I liked about this book other than the inapropriate but funny dialogue between co-workers. Neither the MCs nor their story worked for me.
Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications
>
Books:
mm-romance-gay-lit
(1202)
