Amy Lane is fast becoming one of my favorite MM-authors! And I think this book was FUN and beautiful and heartwarming!
The blurb pretty much explains Amy Lane is fast becoming one of my favorite MM-authors! And I think this book was FUN and beautiful and heartwarming!
The blurb pretty much explains the story, and except for Rusty's parents this story was just: LOVELY! It is worth mentioning that I have a 'thing' for clueless/oblivious characters and Rusty was just... Perfect in that sense. That boy needed a hug, a new family and more than one smack in the back of the head, but STILL... *sigh* THIS was an awesome feel-good christmas story, and it will be read again.
Merged review:
Amy Lane is fast becoming one of my favorite MM-authors! And I think this book was FUN and beautiful and heartwarming!
The blurb pretty much explains the story, and except for Rusty's parents this story was just: LOVELY! It is worth mentioning that I have a 'thing' for clueless/oblivious characters and Rusty was just... Perfect in that sense. That boy needed a hug, a new family and more than one smack in the back of the head, but STILL... *sigh* THIS was an awesome feel-good christmas story, and it will be read again....more
It is no secret that I've enjoyed the 'Aberrant Magic'-series immensely! The first book was tough, yes, but it was REALLY clevBR with the lovely Beth<3
It is no secret that I've enjoyed the 'Aberrant Magic'-series immensely! The first book was tough, yes, but it was REALLY clever and Darren and Kavon were fucking, FANTASTIC MCs. Book 2 to 4 cemented it for me, and the humor and the worldbuilding and the skills/grit of the MCs and Bennu made me a big fan.
It was a surprise when I actually noticed that this book is not about Darren and Kavon. I'm not really upset though, since their relationship is definitely solid, and I thought it would be cool to see other people navigate in this really comprehensive world.
And yes, I would love more stories with these two, but I do see the point in introducing another couple after 4 books, again: because this world really is so comprehensive! They ARE solid, but let's be honest, sometimes it's nice to 'stop at the top' or take a break or whatever, so we won't get fed up with the 'same' stories again and again. [image] And let me just start by saying that I was a fan of Angel from the get-go! This dude had 'Streep-smarts' (seriously I have Sandy from The Queen & the Homo Jock King on the brain, and I kept calling it that, since it was SO damn accurate!) coming out his wazoo... He was funny, strong and self-aware in a way that we rarely see -IMO.
My biggest issue with him was his 'dilly-dallying', when he agreed to work for both the FBI and Luschese. We have a situation at one point, where Angel (view spoiler)[uses magic to torture a 50-year-old called Vin, who has brain damage, because Luschese asks him to. And you could argue that in the situation Angel couldn't do much, since he would be killed if he didn't do what he was asked. BUT Angel had the opportunity to help the FBI, and instead he kept telling himself he just needed to find an escape, while at the same time being more and more entangled in the mob-side of things. (hide spoiler)] If you have triggers of the violent kind, I think you should check the spoiler. But all in all, Angel won me over by being (mostly) smart and hardcore. [image] Matt was great in another way. His beliefs and idealism hit JUST the spot for me. It cannot be easy being the son of a mob-boss, when you don't believe in, or support any of that lifestyle. Matt was yet another character that was incredibly self-aware, which I really loved. *Edit: And as Beth pointed out to me: Matt going lawyer-crazy later on was kind of great! This dude had cojones!
The reason this was not a 5-star read for me, was the length of this book and some of the things skipped. Like Vin's reactions later on, and I would have loved to actually 'see' Angel's training with Rima (and Luschese?). But it wasn't part of the story and I missed that, since Angel's affinity for magic -supposedly- is something special. This book was around 170 pages and adding 25-30 pages describing -for example- the training would have cemented it for me. Especially because some things were perfectly described, while others were mentioned, but not used. It was this weird combiation of TOO much detail sometimes, and SUPERFICIAL story-telling at other times. The 'love-story' was another example of 'a tad too superficial' for me. I do not understand when Angel and Matt had time to fall in love (and WHY since they didn't really talk). And their smexy times happened at really weird times (especially towards the end). [image] My final rating hovers around 3-4 stars, and I'll leave it at 4 since this world is incredibly clever, but I did have some issues with the abovementioned things and the 'spoiler' that dragged it down for me.
Overall though, this was a very SOLID addition to the 'Abberant Magic'-series. I loved seeing Darren, Kavon and Bennu through someone else's eyes. And the next one (no matter the couple) will be a one-click buy for me!
Merged review:
BR with the lovely Beth<3
It is no secret that I've enjoyed the 'Aberrant Magic'-series immensely! The first book was tough, yes, but it was REALLY clever and Darren and Kavon were fucking, FANTASTIC MCs. Book 2 to 4 cemented it for me, and the humor and the worldbuilding and the skills/grit of the MCs and Bennu made me a big fan.
It was a surprise when I actually noticed that this book is not about Darren and Kavon. I'm not really upset though, since their relationship is definitely solid, and I thought it would be cool to see other people navigate in this really comprehensive world.
And yes, I would love more stories with these two, but I do see the point in introducing another couple after 4 books, again: because this world really is so comprehensive! They ARE solid, but let's be honest, sometimes it's nice to 'stop at the top' or take a break or whatever, so we won't get fed up with the 'same' stories again and again. [image] And let me just start by saying that I was a fan of Angel from the get-go! This dude had 'Streep-smarts' (seriously I have Sandy from The Queen & the Homo Jock King on the brain, and I kept calling it that, since it was SO damn accurate!) coming out his wazoo... He was funny, strong and self-aware in a way that we rarely see -IMO.
My biggest issue with him was his 'dilly-dallying', when he agreed to work for both the FBI and Luschese. We have a situation at one point, where Angel (view spoiler)[uses magic to torture a 50-year-old called Vin, who has brain damage, because Luschese asks him to. And you could argue that in the situation Angel couldn't do much, since he would be killed if he didn't do what he was asked. BUT Angel had the opportunity to help the FBI, and instead he kept telling himself he just needed to find an escape, while at the same time being more and more entangled in the mob-side of things. (hide spoiler)] If you have triggers of the violent kind, I think you should check the spoiler. But all in all, Angel won me over by being (mostly) smart and hardcore. [image] Matt was great in another way. His beliefs and idealism hit JUST the spot for me. It cannot be easy being the son of a mob-boss, when you don't believe in, or support any of that lifestyle. Matt was yet another character that was incredibly self-aware, which I really loved. *Edit: And as Beth pointed out to me: Matt going lawyer-crazy later on was kind of great! This dude had cojones!
The reason this was not a 5-star read for me, was the length of this book and some of the things skipped. Like Vin's reactions later on, and I would have loved to actually 'see' Angel's training with Rima (and Luschese?). But it wasn't part of the story and I missed that, since Angel's affinity for magic -supposedly- is something special. This book was around 170 pages and adding 25-30 pages describing -for example- the training would have cemented it for me. Especially because some things were perfectly described, while others were mentioned, but not used. It was this weird combiation of TOO much detail sometimes, and SUPERFICIAL story-telling at other times. The 'love-story' was another example of 'a tad too superficial' for me. I do not understand when Angel and Matt had time to fall in love (and WHY since they didn't really talk). And their smexy times happened at really weird times (especially towards the end). [image] My final rating hovers around 3-4 stars, and I'll leave it at 4 since this world is incredibly clever, but I did have some issues with the abovementioned things and the 'spoiler' that dragged it down for me.
Overall though, this was a very SOLID addition to the 'Abberant Magic'-series. I loved seeing Darren, Kavon and Bennu through someone else's eyes. And the next one (no matter the couple) will be a one-click buy for me!...more
This was... A quite great MM-college-romance (maybe YA/NA? I have no clue how to determine that, but it had that 'feel') and it was fast approaching aThis was... A quite great MM-college-romance (maybe YA/NA? I have no clue how to determine that, but it had that 'feel') and it was fast approaching a 4-star rating, but then... THEN Joe started talking, and he never stopped and Dave was becoming more and more spineless and I lost my patience.
Why Dave would suddenly convince himself that he was the root of the problems between him and Joe, after Joe AGGRESSIVELY called Dave a fag more than once, acted hostile towards Noel as soon as they met, made snide comments and slammed doors all over the place, MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER! And to be honest I got quite fed-up with both Joe, Dave and their lame conversations towards the end. Why Dave would continue that friendship, I have NO clue, and it made Dave's development and self-discoveries sort of 'wishy-washy'. [image] I adored Noel though, and I thought it was quite fair of him to ask Dave to consider a plan for coming out. He never pressured him, but Noel asked. It never crossed into a demand, but I can understand why some would be uncomfortable with Noel's questions, though I empathised way more with him, which I'm pretty sure is because of my irritation with Dave (and Joe!)
Just... This could have been a really solid MM-college-thing but I hated the friendship-crap and it ruined the college-setting for me.
Merged review:
This was... A quite great MM-college-romance (maybe YA/NA? I have no clue how to determine that, but it had that 'feel') and it was fast approaching a 4-star rating, but then... THEN Joe started talking, and he never stopped and Dave was becoming more and more spineless and I lost my patience.
Why Dave would suddenly convince himself that he was the root of the problems between him and Joe, after Joe AGGRESSIVELY called Dave a fag more than once, acted hostile towards Noel as soon as they met, made snide comments and slammed doors all over the place, MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER! And to be honest I got quite fed-up with both Joe, Dave and their lame conversations towards the end. Why Dave would continue that friendship, I have NO clue, and it made Dave's development and self-discoveries sort of 'wishy-washy'. [image] I adored Noel though, and I thought it was quite fair of him to ask Dave to consider a plan for coming out. He never pressured him, but Noel asked. It never crossed into a demand, but I can understand why some would be uncomfortable with Noel's questions, though I empathised way more with him, which I'm pretty sure is because of my irritation with Dave (and Joe!)
Just... This could have been a really solid MM-college-thing but I hated the friendship-crap and it ruined the college-setting for me....more
This dragged and had a feel of ya/na which is not necessarily a bad thing, but: - The very unsympathetic mother (Twyla) - The back and forth, back and fThis dragged and had a feel of ya/na which is not necessarily a bad thing, but: - The very unsympathetic mother (Twyla) - The back and forth, back and forth, back and forth from Wade - The bullying and (view spoiler)[subsequent solution to this. How are those assholes walking around and participating in parties so fast? (hide spoiler)] - The somber feel and mood of the story Had me checking the clock more than once. There was nothing major to put my finger on, it just didn't excite me....more
This had so much potential for me, but a few things made me grip my Kindle too tightly and had my eyes going like fidget spinners.
First of all: the shThis had so much potential for me, but a few things made me grip my Kindle too tightly and had my eyes going like fidget spinners.
First of all: the shortening (I googled it, apparently that IS how you spell it!;-) of Andrew's name to An had me sort of frustrated. The name is so close to 'and' that I had to re-read quite a few sentences. I've never seen Andrew shortened like that before, and it threw me off at times.
Second of all: Olivia; how she left, how she came back and how Nate decided that 'it was all his fault!' If Neil was MY child I would be more than a little wary to leave him with the woman who left him when he was 3 months old, and sent an explanation via text. If I hadn't seen the other parent for more than 6 months, they left with no word and didn't keep in contact at all, I would not leave MY child with this flaky person and especially not after two hours and one half-hearted conversation. Also I would not be as quick as Nate to decide, that the reason the woman left, was definitely MY fault.
“I couldn’t get myself under control. You were working so many hours. You were never around—” “—I was doing it for us. For our family.” Nate realized that he was angry, but not at Olivia. He was angry at himself. He’d done this. He’d always known he was the one who’d fucked things up, and now he had confirmation.
Say whaaaaaaaat? [image] Naaaah, fuck this shit. Olivia was suffering from PPD, and of course that is not HER fault, but this was... Not okay either.
In general the family dynamics in this had me rolling my eyes and hating this more and more. This book left me with this weird notion that you should let people shit all over you, because you're related by blood somehow and for the love of dog, you're not supposed to love yourself! I had hope when Freddie spoke up, but that hope was squashed when the whole family reunited at the hospital. We have Dai (the 4-5 year old) acting like a dramaqueen of the n'th proportion. I sort of liked her until this. She is one of those child characters that acts older than her age and is this weird conscience f0r the MCs at times. [image] But the scene at the hospital where she goes down on her knees and begs Andrew's parents to forgive (??????) Andrew and Nate for being a couple, and when Nate goes down on his knees and begs with her, had me RAGING!
Why do authors persist in peddling this shit, that the people whom are supposed to love you unconditionally, suddenly are allowed to set up conditions?!? It wasn't the parents interested in having a relationship with Andrew and Nate, it was Andrew that was interested in continuing being miserable and taking all the shit his parents threw at them, with no love for himself. And Nate gobbled it right up. Seriously:
It still felt weird to have one-on-one conversations with An’s mom, even after half a year of friendly relations, but Nate would take whatever acceptance he could get from An’s parents—even if all he could get was advice on how to raise his own child.
No. NO, bad author!!! Why would you not be a spokesperson for 'found family' and unconditional love with NO regulations and bylaws, instead? Why not preach self-love instead of 'take all the condemnation they give', because they are your parents:
Even when I had lovers who lasted more than a week or two, I didn’t bring them around. It wasn’t that I hid them. I thought it wouldn't be fair to subject them to that kind of disapproval. So I didn’t.
Okay, I'm done... I can't do it anymore! These people are HATEFUL and it's not just the family, but it was the friends as well. I can't take anymore oOkay, I'm done... I can't do it anymore! These people are HATEFUL and it's not just the family, but it was the friends as well. I can't take anymore of this crap.
But first things first: I need the authors to stop naming their books with descriptors (as it is shown on Amazon). Or said in another way, I will stop reading books where the decriptions are in the title! I feel like it's shady business, and I haven't read one of these yet (except Keira Andrews) where they don't feel... Off, somehow.
But now for the serious business. I'm wondering if an editor has seen this? Because there were a few things making me go: [image] Sentences like this:
That’s what I thought about, when Jake disappeared into the crevice, never to be seen again.
Except that we are at 19%, Jake is one of the MCs (and this is definitely not George R.R. Martin), and the next chapter is from Jake's POV.
Then we have this:
Something like this. A one-night stand with a man you’ve never even met.
Soooooooo, he's a ghost? Or you were sleepwalking? How would you sleep with someone you've never met?
And then the scene where they sleep and sleep together *wink* in the cabin, but wake up outside on pine needles. Just... Little niggles like this, that irritated me and took me out of the story. [image]
Then we have insta-love. They say the 'I love yous' like two days after they met.
And then we have the hate! And it was plentiful and horrible and ridiculous. Every single person (except Jake and somewhat Eli) was so freaking toxic and meddling and it had me questioning whether Eli and Jake BOTH suffered from 'Stockholm Syndrome' or something like that.
- Eli's parents did not take his "accidental" coming out well. (And seriously he wrote a gay-robot-romance and gave it to his mother, what did he think would happen?!) But still Eli does everything except lick their shoes, to get them to understand. He knew they kicked his father's brother out because he was gay, they said some horrible things to Eli and still he was like: "No I totally wanna stay with these horrible people." And it is never explained why he has this need to be 'pissed' all over and still comes back for more.
- Eli's sister Amanda (??). She starts off as an ally, but suddenly she's asking to meet Jake in secret, and then she's telling Jake to break it off with Eli. Completely out of the blue! And when Eli confronts her, she manages to turn it around and come of like a saint, while it's suddenly Eli that's the asshole. The rage-inducing shit was staggering and we need a *dance break* [image] - Then we have Jake's dad. Jake has this notion that his father is SOOOOOOO freaking great, but at one point it's mentioned that Pop threw Jake out at 16, so there's something iffy there as well. And if you're planning on reading this book, don't read the next sentence: I think Pop was having an affair with Eli's uncle and he is of course in possession of the book. Seriously, this is so freaking convoluted!
- Then there's Marcia.... Aaaaahhhhh the lovely caricature of a woman, who just wants everyone around her to be as miserable as she is, and she carries a grudge like it is going out of style and she needs to use up her earned points! This bitch was so fucking annoying and when she blamed Jake for his Pop's pneumonia, because the old asshole wouldn't listen to reason, I threw in the towel.
“I don’t deserve it, but I’m glad you’re here.” She poured a paper cup of coffee, then stirred sugar into it. “You’re right, you don’t deserve it.”
[image]
- Lastly we have Eli's friend Cameron, who actually talks some sense, but STILL manages to butt in where he's not invited.
And it was just... These fucktards are HATEFUL and disgusting and I ended up hating Eli for being such a freaking doormat. This book: definitely not for me....more
Your gay, Harry! All the sudden, there shined a shiny demon...
*ugh* This story wasn't bad, BUT when I notice (and get annoyed about) the language and sYour gay, Harry! All the sudden, there shined a shiny demon...
*ugh* This story wasn't bad, BUT when I notice (and get annoyed about) the language and spelling mistakes, I don't even want to think about what my clever, educated friends here at GR will think. And I am not a native English speaker, but this was so SO cringeworthy at times.
And can we just... I hate it when authors use the expression: 'another thing coming', it's 'another THINK coming', but at that point I just accepted that this author didn't have an editor!? Yes, you can use the other expression as well, but linguistically I'm sticking to the original saying [image] So, I did end up giving it 3 stars and that is because of Marshall and the fact that it was kind of cute at times. Marshall's reaction to his own sexuality and his grown-up responses to their situation made me happy, though Scott was annoying as fuck. Scott acted childishly more than once and his high-handed approach to Marshall and THEIR relationship and how Marshall was supposed to 'find himself and fuck a lot of dudes', pissed me off. 'Of course' we needed the 'relationship-angst' and the crisis for the MCs to overcome. But Marshall was in his thirties for fucks sake! At some point you (Scott) need to stop and just listen to what's being said.
Another issue with this (and this is a personal pet peeve of mine, so some won't find this ridiculous) was Marshall and his parents and their abuse. For reasons unknown everybody hugged and loved and laughed and forgot that Marshall's dad use to be an abusive alcoholic, who smacked Marshall around during all of Marshall's childhood and teenage years. "Luckily" Marshall's dad is on the mend from his fucked-up kidney and will be there to hang around Marshall and Scott's future kids... /S
*deep sigh* whatever... I do not buy this 'forgive and forget-crap' and I do not understand how Marshall can just hang out with his dad, like it 'ain't no thang'. [image] As I mentioned there was the 'normal' conflict at around 70% (with heaps of miscommunication and no-communication), but all in all it was a sweet romance with some great characters (Abe and Audrey for example) and an okay 'first novel' for this author....more
This was... Not what I expected, and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit! If we had half stars it would probably land at three and a half, but I enjoyeThis was... Not what I expected, and I ended up enjoying it quite a bit! If we had half stars it would probably land at three and a half, but I enjoyed this more than just a three star-rating, so four it is.
I do think it's important to mention that there are explicit rape-attempts, and even though Sota 'laughs' it off in the beginning, he is most definitely not okay with it! So for those of you with triggers, please be careful and proceed with caution.
*EDIT: As the lovely Teal pointed out:
"As part of the transformation, the mouth physically transforms into a highly-sensitive new erogenous zone, and that kid's mouth was raped. With hands instead of a penis? Yeah, he just barely was spared that. But it was still an act of violent penetration."
What threw me off a wee bit, in the beginning was Sota's descriptions and attitude; Sota read very blasé about the whole thing and sort of didn't fight Ken?! I actually thought for a few minutes that Ken would be the love-interest, and that it would be an 'enemies-to-lovers-type-thing'... So there's definitely something with the start of this one.
I think the sample of this book will give you a level of the explicit-ness and the language in general. ---------------------------------------------
Now when I got into it, I actually enjoyed this story quite a bit, and the reason for that was that is just WAS. There was no crazy, elaborate worldbuilding, there were no explanations of why/how/when, and there were no weird POV shifts. This story just WAS in all it's simplicity and I kinda enjoyed that. [image] So! All children are born genderless, and at around six years old they develop a gender. The next 'shift' happens when they turn eighteen and develop further and either become a tail or a horn (and it really just means that they grow a tail or horns... That's it, though the horns might be more assertive?) Mostly people know when they near their 18th birthday what type they will become, though nothing is set in stone. It seems that pairings hereafter are with horns and tails, and that they do have fated mates, BUT if you have found someone you love, nobody will care if you stay with them instead of searching for your mate. Very simple.
Sota and Masa have a dream that they will both be tails, and continue on being best friends, being close and living next door to each other with their (imaginary) girlfriends, however when their birthdays arrive things change and I for one am REALLY happy with the outcome.
Sota was DELICIOUSLY oblivious. Masa was deliciously protective/alpha-like without it being OTT and their experiments and smexy times were just generally delicious (the palate-thing was weird, but again not overly explained it just WAS and made for some pretty lovely mouth-play:-) [image] This story will definitely not be for all. It was quite simplistic at times and the first person narrative with only Sota's POV will annoy some. I enjoyed Sota because he was a smartass, he made me laugh and I liked his development even though he was still very 'young' at the end of the book. I have never read manga or yaoi or whatever it's called, however I have a feeling that this book follows some of the 'rules'/plot-types from this other type of story, but please do correct me if I'm wrong. This story did make me consider figuring out what the whole manga/yaoi-thing is, since I liked the power balance between Sota and Masa.
I also really want to gave major props for Masa dragging Sota to 'therapy' and making sure that he talks to somebody about the bullying and the attempted rape. I'm so happy that this was not a typical case of: "I totally don't need anybody, I'm fine and don't need help!" The ending was a wee bit rushed and the (view spoiler)[solution to the bullying and rape-attempts kind of superficial, but I am STILL happy, since we got actual closure in regards to that part of the story! (hide spoiler)]
This was not a difficult book or a very complex one, but I really enjoyed it for it's simple take on it's world, and at no point did I feel that things were too simple or too difficult. It really just WAS....more
I was REALLY looking forward to Miguel's story, and it is with a heavy heart that I write this review. But I wanna make sure that I list my reasons forI was REALLY looking forward to Miguel's story, and it is with a heavy heart that I write this review. But I wanna make sure that I list my reasons for this somewhat blah-meh-rating.
I LOVED the first two books in this series, and they had me anticipating Miguel's story like nobody's bidness (I even skipped book three and four even though they are bought and ready, to get to this). Miguel has so much personality AND an amazing backstory that I was sure, would make for an awesome book. However it fell flat for me, because the book ended up trying too many things, but not actually solving everything. [image] First of all: Miguel's ex. If you've read the rest of the books you know he is the douchiest douche to rule the douche-land! And on top of that he's a cop, which has left Miguel more than wary in regards to the boys in blue. (Also, again it was an AMAZING set-up for this book!)
However when Miguel and Nate meet, it's blue skies and heart-eyes and unicorns out the wazoo from minute one, which sort of rang... 'False' for me, since Miguel was waaaaaaay more cautious earlier, and it was basically a 180 of his previous behaviour in the other books. And then we had the insta-love-thingy which just... Yeah it's not one of my favourites, I have enjoyed that sort of plotline before, but with Miguel's previous antipathy against cops, this didn't work for me here. (We're talking wedding-thinking after two whole weeks! /s)
Then we have the previous-mentioned history of Miguel's ex-boyfriend and I was really looking forward to the epic showdown!! And then.... It just didn't happen. Or to be fair, it did happen, but it sort of drowned in the rest, and I felt it was rushed compared to what it could have been. Also completely ridiculous (view spoiler)[how NOBODY noticed Angel was kidnapped for THREE fucking days, and that they suggested he should work in an Erotica store instead of the 'Booking Room' after. Like: "I'm sure" that the customers are much better and NOT creepy at all in an adult store compared to a coffee house.... /s (hide spoiler)] [image] The whole showdown and the 'spoiler' read like an afterthought (and a set-up for the next story) for me, and as if it was trying too much, because Nate's case and HIS subsequent storyline took up so much space, while not actually being that well-explained either. And then what really cinched it for me: everybody just up and walked away!
I was really impressed with how Elle Keaton made Buck go to therapy and what-not in No Pressure, but here they all just... Don't! I'm sorry: but that is fucking ridiculous! Nobody just walks away from what Miguel has been through, and Nate's whole family-thing (yet ANOTHER plotline thrown in) should also be discussed or something.
I know I'm a fucking broken record in regards to this, but for a contemporary book (not sci-fi or fantasy or paranormal, where this might be easier for me to swallow) for these people to just carry on like nothing happened (especially after what was advocated in book two) just doesn't ring true. [image] I did enjoy Miguel's humour, and I really did like Nate for him. There was just too much going on, and at the last page STILL loose ends in regards to both their families.
Maybe I had too high expectations, but I really didn't feel that Miguel's story got the attention it deserved....more
Just as amazing the second time around. What a fabulous story!
------------------------------------------------ English is not my native language, but rJust as amazing the second time around. What a fabulous story!
------------------------------------------------ English is not my native language, but reading a book like this where the language was eloquent (poignant at times) and so dogdamned gripping that I could not put it down, was an almost spiritual experience for me. I cried SO. MANY. TEARS. reading this one, both happy and sad tears. And it was a true masterpiece in evocative writing -IMO.
The ending might have been a wee bit OTT, but grand gestures ALMOST always make me smile since they bring me great joy (it's the sappy romantic in me!)
I really wasn't too sure when I started this, but then... *phew*... Just, if you haven't read this one, and if you're a fan of (mostly) authentic romances as well as 'finding-yourself'-stories, dive right in! I cannot recommend this one enough and an extra hardcore shout-out to Henry, for being steadfast in his beliefs that he deserved more! I LOVED that! [image]...more
Let me get this out of the way first: I now know why I sometimes have issues with Alexa Land's writing!
It's this: "I exclaimed" "I mumbled" "I murmured" "Let me get this out of the way first: I now know why I sometimes have issues with Alexa Land's writing!
It's this: "I exclaimed" "I mumbled" "I murmured" "I said"
She uses these descriptions, almost every time someone 'says' something, and it becomes very 'mechanical' for me. However once I identified that that was my issue, I could ignore all the 'remarks'; enhancing my 'reading-enjoyment' immensely. [image] And I really, really did enjoy this. Sometimes characters are different when they finally get to tell their own story, but Quinn managed to be JUST as crazy as he was in All I Ever Wanted, without it being too much.
And now for the 'gushing-part': SO Quinn... Quinn, Quinn, Quinn. I have to say, that I could not WAIT for your story, after meeting you in Cole and River's book. My dog dude, you were insane, in the BEST possible way. And I think that you are, quite possibly, my favourite character of this series (along with Skye!) [image] Quinn had me laughing like a loon, and I could seriously see the things happening to him, as real-life events. I also loved his story, his family AND his self-awareness in regards to his limitations. He definitely was a 'loveable disaster', with a GIANT heart and lots and lots of noble intentions.
Duke was infinitely more uptight, but I equally loved HIS journey and HIS heart. I did wish for a bigger confrontation with his disgusting parents though, which I thought would have given Duke (and me) some much-needed closure.
But this was the love-story of Quke *heh heh heh*, and how they navigated their (outwardly) differences, in this really FUN romance. Yeah, this will definitely be read again and again....more
I kind of liked this one for what it was. And for fans of Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen: this should be right up your alley (just the MM-variety.)
It iI kind of liked this one for what it was. And for fans of Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen: this should be right up your alley (just the MM-variety.)
It is DEFINITELY NA, but I was entertained. It did have a feeling of 'I have read this book before' with the plot-development, but again I liked it for what it was. A sweet NA-romance, with a sort of recognizable plot
My biggest issue with this one was the rap! I am a self-proclaimed lover of all kinds of music. And I STILL, to this day, put on some of Jay Z and Eminem's old shit (so maybe a fan of the pop-kind of rap:-) But for reasons completely unknown to me, the rap in this one had me cringing, and I cannot explain why! It just had me... Sort of facepalming, sneaking a peek between my fingers, and skimming when I got to it. [image] Apparently I've gotten old, and am no longer "down with it";-)
I liked Matty though, and I rooted for him so hard! Nerds for the win<3 So yeah a few things, that had me: 'meh', but overall I enjoyed it....more
This was a cute little story (said in the LEAST condescending way possible!) I just don't know how else to describe it... Kelly and Nick are just circlThis was a cute little story (said in the LEAST condescending way possible!) I just don't know how else to describe it... Kelly and Nick are just circling each other, getting off, discussing their friendship (that was sort of weird once in a while, and didn't always read very romantic), getting off and then Nick leaves for a bit.
You don't need to have read anything else from this author even though this is a cross-over. But nothing really happens in this book. It's just a nice little (again: said in the LEAST condescending way possible!) introduction to this series, I think....more