Am I reading this series out of order? Indeed I am, and unfortunately I think that's working against me.
I LOVED Her Soul for Revenge, the second book in this series. Juniper and Zane were explosive and I much prefer a badass heroine like Juniper in a book with a demon MC than a quirky heroine like Rae.
Rae and Leon just didn't have that same chemistry for me. I wasn't as invested in their relationship.
Now, the question remains . . . did I leave the best for last? A powerful witch and a deadly archdemon . . . we'll see what the last book brings, but it sounds like a good time to me. ...more
"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all
***4.75 Stars***
"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all wrong. And I think we needed to feel what was wrong to know what's right."
[image]
That gif pretty much says it all.
Since I'm one of the last people to read this, I'll just give you some quick hits (well as quick as my wordy ass knows how to be).
♥ Justin & Landry - I can't even tell you when's the last time that I read a book where I was so connected to the MC's. I felt like I knew them. I felt every emotion they felt. I was 100% invested in every day, every moment, every conversation, every act....they were such beautifully developed, multi dimensional characters. They truly were the epitome of soul mates.
And Justin...my God, did I run the rollercoaster of emotions with him. Told entirely from his POV, I felt every ounce of turmoil that flowed threw him. Even in those times when he angered me with his actions, I understood the cause. Megan Erickson relayed so honestly and vividly the weight sitting on Justin and energy buzzing through him of wanting to break free, and the overwhelming fear of figuring out how to take that first step.
♥ Megan Erickson's writing - It was effortless and evocative. The brutal honesty that poured off the page was magnificent. Megan drew you into the story immediately and I truly felt like a voyeur looking into Justin and Landry's journey. I felt the confusion, hesitancy, elation, intimacy, anger, trepidation, shame, fear, love...it was all there and flawlessly executed.
♥ The roadtrip. Watching Justin say goodbye to his father in this beautiful way was so cathartic for him. He was remembering his father while saying goodbye. Throughout the trip, you see that Justin's dad may not have been conventional, but he loved Justin unconditionally. Seeing him go through the grieving process, having honest and heartfelt conversations with his father as though he were still alive, slowly gave Justin the strength to take those fearful steps.
"Mom created a home where I couldn't tell her what I am. Couldn't be it. Could barely think it. And you created a relationship where I knew you were just waiting for me to be myself."
I don't really think there's anything I can say that would give this book justice.
It's honest and raw, a little sad but a lot hopeful, it's tender and passionate ...but above all, it's a beautiful story of learning to love yourself, learning when to let go....and most importantly....learning when to hold on.
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I know it's one I'll be revisiting again and again. So, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this review....
[image]
**So all this gushing and why not 5 stars? Well there's one thing that happens towards the end that I felt was a throwaway cliche and I have no idea why it was included because it didn't really add anything. I don't know if it was because of drama (even though it was short lived) or what....but it was unnecessary in my opinion.
Merged review:
***4.75 Stars***
"I wouldn't change it, you know. The girls, the other boys, everything we experienced before this moment. Because that was all wrong. And I think we needed to feel what was wrong to know what's right."
[image]
That gif pretty much says it all.
Since I'm one of the last people to read this, I'll just give you some quick hits (well as quick as my wordy ass knows how to be).
♥ Justin & Landry - I can't even tell you when's the last time that I read a book where I was so connected to the MC's. I felt like I knew them. I felt every emotion they felt. I was 100% invested in every day, every moment, every conversation, every act....they were such beautifully developed, multi dimensional characters. They truly were the epitome of soul mates.
And Justin...my God, did I run the rollercoaster of emotions with him. Told entirely from his POV, I felt every ounce of turmoil that flowed threw him. Even in those times when he angered me with his actions, I understood the cause. Megan Erickson relayed so honestly and vividly the weight sitting on Justin and energy buzzing through him of wanting to break free, and the overwhelming fear of figuring out how to take that first step.
♥ Megan Erickson's writing - It was effortless and evocative. The brutal honesty that poured off the page was magnificent. Megan drew you into the story immediately and I truly felt like a voyeur looking into Justin and Landry's journey. I felt the confusion, hesitancy, elation, intimacy, anger, trepidation, shame, fear, love...it was all there and flawlessly executed.
♥ The roadtrip. Watching Justin say goodbye to his father in this beautiful way was so cathartic for him. He was remembering his father while saying goodbye. Throughout the trip, you see that Justin's dad may not have been conventional, but he loved Justin unconditionally. Seeing him go through the grieving process, having honest and heartfelt conversations with his father as though he were still alive, slowly gave Justin the strength to take those fearful steps.
"Mom created a home where I couldn't tell her what I am. Couldn't be it. Could barely think it. And you created a relationship where I knew you were just waiting for me to be myself."
I don't really think there's anything I can say that would give this book justice.
It's honest and raw, a little sad but a lot hopeful, it's tender and passionate ...but above all, it's a beautiful story of learning to love yourself, learning when to let go....and most importantly....learning when to hold on.
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book, but I know it's one I'll be revisiting again and again. So, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this review....
[image]
**So all this gushing and why not 5 stars? Well there's one thing that happens towards the end that I felt was a throwaway cliche and I have no idea why it was included because it didn't really add anything. I don't know if it was because of drama (even though it was short lived) or what....but it was unnecessary in my opinion. ...more
I may not have gotten as much of the enemies to lovers as I wanted, but you know ***4.25 Stars***
I think I have a new favorite in this series!
[image]
I may not have gotten as much of the enemies to lovers as I wanted, but you know what....
[image]
Tiernan Callahan, who we first met in A Fighting Man, is the NYPD homophobic brother of Casper's deceased fiance. In this book we discover that he's not actually homophobic at all, but a man struggling with betrayal, confusion and grief. He's dealing with a lot of misplaced anger regarding his brother's death and the deep pain he feels that his brother never felt comfortable enough to tell him he was gay....that he felt the need to live a completely separate life. Ultimately, his brother didn't have enough faith in Tiernan's love that he would love and support him, no matter what.
Dario Ramos is Slater's best friend and fellow Army Ranger. He was wounded in combat during his last deployment and lost half his leg during an enemy attack. He realizes how much worse his injury could be, and having known what it's like to hit rock bottom, he vows to live each day knowing how lucky he is to be alive. And now he finds himself constantly thinking about Tiernan Callahan. There's something about him that just gets under his skin. The man is stubborn, rude and the sexiest man he's ever seen.
Tiernan keeps running into Dario and that is not at all helping the fact that he already can't get the man off his mind. He was raised by a very strict and controlling Catholic mother and having any type of feelings towards the same sex will not be accepted or tolerated. Is this what his brother Mason felt? Did Mason die thinking his family would hate him if he came out?
Tiernan and Dario are two men destined to keep colliding and eventually sparks begin to fly. Neither man knows what to do with these new feelings, but one thing is for sure, the attraction and pull can no longer be denied. The two embark on a journey full of self-acceptance, forgiveness, honesty and love. They discover what it truly means to be free to be yourself and be fully accepted. Moments of pain and loss can lead to healing and acceptance.
I absolutely LOVED Tiernan and Dario together. Both men hid behind masks to keep the world from seeing their pain and vulnerability. Tiernan needed to accept his long ago buried attraction to men and Dario needed to feel whole again. He needed to feel like an equal, not less of a man because he was missing part of a limb.
Tiernan really changed my mind in this book. I was wondering how the author would redeem him after the way he treated Casper, but I understood his pain so much more. Tiernan and his brother Michael, were dealing with a lot of misguided anger and resentment regarding Mason's death. They both have a lot of love to give, however it was forced to be compartmentalized by a controlling mother. My heart broke for the Callahan brothers, but I'm so happy to see them come out of the other side happier and freer.
"I'm an asshole. I'm bi and I was a complete and utter jerk to Casper. My brother was too afraid to tell me who he really was and now I'll never get to tell him that I wouldn't have cared. I loved him no matter what or who he was."
"Come here."
"Dario?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for seeing the real me."
"Thanks for showing me."
Even though the book dealt with heavy issues, it wasn't heavy or sad. There are so many lighter moments in here....many of those moments come thanks to Danny, Tiernan's new partner in the NYPD. We get lots of first time gay sex advice, plenty of great banter, a spunky Latina mother and even a proposal (I won't tell you who).
The book was engaging, addicting, funny, heartwarming, low on angst, high on love and filled with some damn good sex. Double cherry popping folks.....DOUBLE! I will say that I wish one of those cherry popping scenes wasn't as rushed, but I can't deny that I'm a greedy whore when it comes to that.
The author introduced us to a couple of new characters and gave some great teasing sneak peaks at what might be in store for some future couples. Two words....I'm salivating!
I've decided to give the last word to Danny....well, because I heart him hard.
"Guys, this is Dario. My boyfriend. Dario, the guys."
There were a few gasps and a few horrified looks, but for the most part, most of them nodded.
"If you have a problem with that, please take it up with the captain. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."
"No one puts Baby in a corner," Danny chuckled.
[image]
Merged review:
***4.25 Stars***
I think I have a new favorite in this series!
[image]
I may not have gotten as much of the enemies to lovers as I wanted, but you know what....
[image]
Tiernan Callahan, who we first met in A Fighting Man, is the NYPD homophobic brother of Casper's deceased fiance. In this book we discover that he's not actually homophobic at all, but a man struggling with betrayal, confusion and grief. He's dealing with a lot of misplaced anger regarding his brother's death and the deep pain he feels that his brother never felt comfortable enough to tell him he was gay....that he felt the need to live a completely separate life. Ultimately, his brother didn't have enough faith in Tiernan's love that he would love and support him, no matter what.
Dario Ramos is Slater's best friend and fellow Army Ranger. He was wounded in combat during his last deployment and lost half his leg during an enemy attack. He realizes how much worse his injury could be, and having known what it's like to hit rock bottom, he vows to live each day knowing how lucky he is to be alive. And now he finds himself constantly thinking about Tiernan Callahan. There's something about him that just gets under his skin. The man is stubborn, rude and the sexiest man he's ever seen.
Tiernan keeps running into Dario and that is not at all helping the fact that he already can't get the man off his mind. He was raised by a very strict and controlling Catholic mother and having any type of feelings towards the same sex will not be accepted or tolerated. Is this what his brother Mason felt? Did Mason die thinking his family would hate him if he came out?
Tiernan and Dario are two men destined to keep colliding and eventually sparks begin to fly. Neither man knows what to do with these new feelings, but one thing is for sure, the attraction and pull can no longer be denied. The two embark on a journey full of self-acceptance, forgiveness, honesty and love. They discover what it truly means to be free to be yourself and be fully accepted. Moments of pain and loss can lead to healing and acceptance.
I absolutely LOVED Tiernan and Dario together. Both men hid behind masks to keep the world from seeing their pain and vulnerability. Tiernan needed to accept his long ago buried attraction to men and Dario needed to feel whole again. He needed to feel like an equal, not less of a man because he was missing part of a limb.
Tiernan really changed my mind in this book. I was wondering how the author would redeem him after the way he treated Casper, but I understood his pain so much more. Tiernan and his brother Michael, were dealing with a lot of misguided anger and resentment regarding Mason's death. They both have a lot of love to give, however it was forced to be compartmentalized by a controlling mother. My heart broke for the Callahan brothers, but I'm so happy to see them come out of the other side happier and freer.
"I'm an asshole. I'm bi and I was a complete and utter jerk to Casper. My brother was too afraid to tell me who he really was and now I'll never get to tell him that I wouldn't have cared. I loved him no matter what or who he was."
"Come here."
"Dario?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for seeing the real me."
"Thanks for showing me."
Even though the book dealt with heavy issues, it wasn't heavy or sad. There are so many lighter moments in here....many of those moments come thanks to Danny, Tiernan's new partner in the NYPD. We get lots of first time gay sex advice, plenty of great banter, a spunky Latina mother and even a proposal (I won't tell you who).
The book was engaging, addicting, funny, heartwarming, low on angst, high on love and filled with some damn good sex. Double cherry popping folks.....DOUBLE! I will say that I wish one of those cherry popping scenes wasn't as rushed, but I can't deny that I'm a greedy whore when it comes to that.
The author introduced us to a couple of new characters and gave some great teasing sneak peaks at what might be in store for some future couples. Two words....I'm salivating!
I've decided to give the last word to Danny....well, because I heart him hard.
"Guys, this is Dario. My boyfriend. Dario, the guys."
There were a few gasps and a few horrified looks, but for the most part, most of them nodded.
"If you have a problem with that, please take it up with the captain. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."
"In cooking, you can swap out one ingredient for another. Sometimes it doesn't change much, like oil for eggs in a cake. Sometime
***4 Stars***
"In cooking, you can swap out one ingredient for another. Sometimes it doesn't change much, like oil for eggs in a cake. Sometimes it changes everything, like salt for sugar. The way I feel about you? It's not like a recipe. I don't want to swap out your moodiness for a smile, or your temper for a laugh. It's like...alchemy or something. The way people come together, and it's just...Magic."
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Roan Parrish's writing, and she's easily kept the magic going with her first M/F book (a spinoff from her MM series).
This is a hopeful book about two people falling in love. It's about smoothing out your edges, without losing your shape.
There's no drama, no miscommunication...just an honest look at what happens when you take that scary leap of putting yourself out there, letting someone else see all of your shit, and finding that person who wants you to walk tall beside them.
We were learning each other in small, manageable pieces - mapping each new inch of terrain slowly, to see how far into each other's territory we could venture.
After finishing this book, there are three things I know for certain:
(1) I wanna be friends with Ginger and talk about stupid things while we guzzle large quantities of coffee. Not only was she awesome, but there were these little nuggets of insecurity that were so damn relatable I had to pause and take a deep breath...
...Fear that someday I'd get so lonely I'd compromise in ways I didn't want to. Fear that I'd be so afraid of compromising when I shouldn't that I'd refuse to compromise when I should.
(2) I really want a hug from Christopher. They sound like a glorious cocoon of comfort and joy. And I'm pretty sure they can solve the world's problems. But even if he didn't want to hug me, I'd be okay just being in his warm, kind, and easy company.
He had a fantastic laugh - loud and rich and from the belly, and it terminated in a kind of chuckle, like he wasn't quite ready to stop yet. It was the kind of laugh that made you feel lucky that you said something he thought was funny.
(3) I will read anything that Roan Parrish writes.
What if, with Christopher, I could burn the world down when I needed to, and he could extinguish a spot for us in the center of it, carve out a safe place for us while the fire raged outside.
I can't wait to see where Roan Parrish goes with this series. I hear Jude's (Christopher's brother) story is next...and oh man, I'm gonna have to get my feelers ready for that one!
--------------------------------
Ginger's story!! She's Daniel's BFF from In the Middle of Somewhere. We already got a peek at Ginger and Christopher's relationship in that series and now it's time to get their full story!!
[image]
Merged review:
***4 Stars***
"In cooking, you can swap out one ingredient for another. Sometimes it doesn't change much, like oil for eggs in a cake. Sometimes it changes everything, like salt for sugar. The way I feel about you? It's not like a recipe. I don't want to swap out your moodiness for a smile, or your temper for a laugh. It's like...alchemy or something. The way people come together, and it's just...Magic."
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Roan Parrish's writing, and she's easily kept the magic going with her first M/F book (a spinoff from her MM series).
This is a hopeful book about two people falling in love. It's about smoothing out your edges, without losing your shape.
There's no drama, no miscommunication...just an honest look at what happens when you take that scary leap of putting yourself out there, letting someone else see all of your shit, and finding that person who wants you to walk tall beside them.
We were learning each other in small, manageable pieces - mapping each new inch of terrain slowly, to see how far into each other's territory we could venture.
After finishing this book, there are three things I know for certain:
(1) I wanna be friends with Ginger and talk about stupid things while we guzzle large quantities of coffee. Not only was she awesome, but there were these little nuggets of insecurity that were so damn relatable I had to pause and take a deep breath...
...Fear that someday I'd get so lonely I'd compromise in ways I didn't want to. Fear that I'd be so afraid of compromising when I shouldn't that I'd refuse to compromise when I should.
(2) I really want a hug from Christopher. They sound like a glorious cocoon of comfort and joy. And I'm pretty sure they can solve the world's problems. But even if he didn't want to hug me, I'd be okay just being in his warm, kind, and easy company.
He had a fantastic laugh - loud and rich and from the belly, and it terminated in a kind of chuckle, like he wasn't quite ready to stop yet. It was the kind of laugh that made you feel lucky that you said something he thought was funny.
(3) I will read anything that Roan Parrish writes.
What if, with Christopher, I could burn the world down when I needed to, and he could extinguish a spot for us in the center of it, carve out a safe place for us while the fire raged outside.
I can't wait to see where Roan Parrish goes with this series. I hear Jude's (Christopher's brother) story is next...and oh man, I'm gonna have to get my feelers ready for that one!
--------------------------------
Ginger's story!! She's Daniel's BFF from In the Middle of Somewhere. We already got a peek at Ginger and Christopher's relationship in that series and now it's time to get their full story!!
Reaching for the bond, Dylan made sure Avery felt what he felt, in his heart. In his soul. That this was what they were. Two ha
***3.5 Stars***
Reaching for the bond, Dylan made sure Avery felt what he felt, in his heart. In his soul. That this was what they were. Two halves of a whole. Two hearts beating in time.
This sequel follows Dylan and Avery as they continue to navigate their relationship. Avery is still on the hunt for the missing Lacey, but now he's also juggling his private investigator apprenticeship. And with that comes Dylan's struggle with his protective instincts, Avery's busy schedule, and his depth of his feelings for his mate.
I love the evolution of Dylan and Avery's relationship. The love, affection, and passion between them is evident on every page. Avery has come so far from the spoiled, rich kid he was...and seeing how Dylan's love and support has made him blossom was great. Especially when the two went up against Avery's cold and snobby family.
"I will be right beside you no matter what. All you have to do is remember that. He won't hurt you, because he can't. He can't hurt us." Dylan let his fingers drift from Avery's lips, over his jaw, and down his neck to rest at his mating mark.
"This says you're mine," Dylan whispered, and Avery nodded. "I'm not letting you go, not letting anyone take you from me. Ever. And I won't let anyone hurt you."
A slow smile crept across Avery's face. He slipped a hand form Dylan's grip and brought it up to cup his jaw. "Mine," he breathed, leaning in.
"I am." Dylan nodded and closed the distance between them.
While I enjoyed the romance immensely, I do feel there were too many places where other things overshadowed that (mainly filler about Avery's cases) and I found myself skimming at times.
But other than that, I gobbled up this sequel. Avery and Dylan melted my heart and my kindle! I'm here to tell you....a wolf shifter mated with a hedgehog shifter....TOTALLY WORKS!!
I know there's lots of uncertainty on whether this series will continue, but I really hope it does. I'm so interested in Jayden & Heath's story....and I REALLY, REALLY wanna know what Lucas is up to in New Orleans!
Merged review:
***3.5 Stars***
Reaching for the bond, Dylan made sure Avery felt what he felt, in his heart. In his soul. That this was what they were. Two halves of a whole. Two hearts beating in time.
This sequel follows Dylan and Avery as they continue to navigate their relationship. Avery is still on the hunt for the missing Lacey, but now he's also juggling his private investigator apprenticeship. And with that comes Dylan's struggle with his protective instincts, Avery's busy schedule, and his depth of his feelings for his mate.
I love the evolution of Dylan and Avery's relationship. The love, affection, and passion between them is evident on every page. Avery has come so far from the spoiled, rich kid he was...and seeing how Dylan's love and support has made him blossom was great. Especially when the two went up against Avery's cold and snobby family.
"I will be right beside you no matter what. All you have to do is remember that. He won't hurt you, because he can't. He can't hurt us." Dylan let his fingers drift from Avery's lips, over his jaw, and down his neck to rest at his mating mark.
"This says you're mine," Dylan whispered, and Avery nodded. "I'm not letting you go, not letting anyone take you from me. Ever. And I won't let anyone hurt you."
A slow smile crept across Avery's face. He slipped a hand form Dylan's grip and brought it up to cup his jaw. "Mine," he breathed, leaning in.
"I am." Dylan nodded and closed the distance between them.
While I enjoyed the romance immensely, I do feel there were too many places where other things overshadowed that (mainly filler about Avery's cases) and I found myself skimming at times.
But other than that, I gobbled up this sequel. Avery and Dylan melted my heart and my kindle! I'm here to tell you....a wolf shifter mated with a hedgehog shifter....TOTALLY WORKS!!
I know there's lots of uncertainty on whether this series will continue, but I really hope it does. I'm so interested in Jayden & Heath's story....and I REALLY, REALLY wanna know what Lucas is up to in New Orleans!...more
Two words sold me on this one instantly: HEDGEHOG SHIFTER
And oh man, it worked....it worked so well!!
I loved Avery! I loved Dylan! I loved the true mates pull. This was just so good!
Dylan and Avery are true mates, but their initial meeting didn't go so well. Avery, who comes from a wealthy southern family, scoffs at discovering that his true mate is a mechanic. What could they possibly have in common? On the flip side, Dylan can't believe that a wolf as strong as he is was given a hedgehog as his true mate. Fate really has a sense of humor.
When Avery gets himself in trouble after losing a bet on the wolf races, the pull of the true mate bond has Dylan hurrying to his rescue. Obviously fate sees a reason that the two belong together, maybe the time has come for both Avery and Dylan to stop fighting the inevitable.
But while Dylan and Avery are trying to figure out what's real and what's a result of their bond, Avery's new job has him on the hunt for a missing girl....and it looks like he may have stumbled upon an underground sex trafficking ring.
The romance is definitely the central theme here, but I like that we got some suspense thrown in in the second half of the book. Seeing Dylan's protective side come out was all kinds of swoony. And what I love most was that he wanted to protect Avery, not control him. He didn't use size and dominance as a way to keep Avery in check, he was supportive and comforting and just all kinds of endearing goodness.
"I don't want you leading me. I don't want you at my back. I want you beside me."
Speaking of endearing....I loved Avery! Hedgehogs aren't the most respected shifter species, but he didn't let anyone bring him down. He may like his designer clothes and expensive shoes, but underneath all that is a heart of gold. He knew his strengths and weaknesses and he stood up for himself when needed.
And hello knotting! This was my first experience with this in a shifter book, and I gotta say....I'm definitely intrigued!
Avery's muscles still holding tight and rippling around him, Dylan felt the base of his cock swell, expand, and lock them together. Dylan rumbled and rolled them onto their sides on the bed, his hold tight as he secured his arms around Avery's chest.
"What...?" Avery gargled, his voice raspy and worn.
As soon as Avery said it, Dylan felt it. The base of his cock enlarged and notched itself into the heat of Avery's already tight entrance. He sighed with the sense of home and peace that engulfed him.
The knot. Another sign of true wolf mates. Fate's way of temporarily joining them together, ensuring a physical connection that symbolized the emotional and mental bond formed in a mating. He would explain later. Even if he could breathe, he didn't have the words. Not at the moment. Not when every sense of rightness flooded him. Later.
Burrowing deeper into Avery's shoulder and placing a kiss over the indentations of his teeth, red and heated, Dylan whispered, "Mine."
WOWZA!!!
I do have to say that there were a couple of lulls where the suspense element overshadowed the romance in the second half, but even then, Dylan and Avery were front and center. These two really are a great team!
This books ends with a solidified future for Dylan and Avery's relationship, but the suspense element still has more to come. I'm jumping right into the next book to get my answers and to continue watching Dylan and Avery grow as a couple.
Two words sold me on this one instantly: HEDGEHOG SHIFTER
And oh man, it worked....it worked so well!!
I loved Avery! I loved Dylan! I loved the true mates pull. This was just so good!
Dylan and Avery are true mates, but their initial meeting didn't go so well. Avery, who comes from a wealthy southern family, scoffs at discovering that his true mate is a mechanic. What could they possibly have in common? On the flip side, Dylan can't believe that a wolf as strong as he is was given a hedgehog as his true mate. Fate really has a sense of humor.
When Avery gets himself in trouble after losing a bet on the wolf races, the pull of the true mate bond has Dylan hurrying to his rescue. Obviously fate sees a reason that the two belong together, maybe the time has come for both Avery and Dylan to stop fighting the inevitable.
But while Dylan and Avery are trying to figure out what's real and what's a result of their bond, Avery's new job has him on the hunt for a missing girl....and it looks like he may have stumbled upon an underground sex trafficking ring.
The romance is definitely the central theme here, but I like that we got some suspense thrown in in the second half of the book. Seeing Dylan's protective side come out was all kinds of swoony. And what I love most was that he wanted to protect Avery, not control him. He didn't use size and dominance as a way to keep Avery in check, he was supportive and comforting and just all kinds of endearing goodness.
"I don't want you leading me. I don't want you at my back. I want you beside me."
Speaking of endearing....I loved Avery! Hedgehogs aren't the most respected shifter species, but he didn't let anyone bring him down. He may like his designer clothes and expensive shoes, but underneath all that is a heart of gold. He knew his strengths and weaknesses and he stood up for himself when needed.
And hello knotting! This was my first experience with this in a shifter book, and I gotta say....I'm definitely intrigued!
Avery's muscles still holding tight and rippling around him, Dylan felt the base of his cock swell, expand, and lock them together. Dylan rumbled and rolled them onto their sides on the bed, his hold tight as he secured his arms around Avery's chest.
"What...?" Avery gargled, his voice raspy and worn.
As soon as Avery said it, Dylan felt it. The base of his cock enlarged and notched itself into the heat of Avery's already tight entrance. He sighed with the sense of home and peace that engulfed him.
The knot. Another sign of true wolf mates. Fate's way of temporarily joining them together, ensuring a physical connection that symbolized the emotional and mental bond formed in a mating. He would explain later. Even if he could breathe, he didn't have the words. Not at the moment. Not when every sense of rightness flooded him. Later.
Burrowing deeper into Avery's shoulder and placing a kiss over the indentations of his teeth, red and heated, Dylan whispered, "Mine."
WOWZA!!!
I do have to say that there were a couple of lulls where the suspense element overshadowed the romance in the second half, but even then, Dylan and Avery were front and center. These two really are a great team!
This books ends with a solidified future for Dylan and Avery's relationship, but the suspense element still has more to come. I'm jumping right into the next book to get my answers and to continue watching Dylan and Avery grow as a couple....more
Top 5 things that bum me out as a reader is an underwhelming finale to a series. While I did enjoy this, I feel like there was some pa ***3.75 Stars***
Top 5 things that bum me out as a reader is an underwhelming finale to a series. While I did enjoy this, I feel like there was some pacing issues and too many scenes that felt like filler.
I think books 3 & 4 could have been combined and the plot tightened up with a critical eye to focusing on what really matters in the moment and where the greatest stakes are.
This book has some twists and turns, some I liked and some I didn't, and what could have been a monumental moment that was building over the course of the series ended up being a reveal that fizzled within a couple of paragraphs. (view spoiler)[ I wanted Audra's entrance with the women warriors to be grand and epic! I wanted them to have ample screen time to show their badassery and why Thea admired them so much. Instead it was a build up, they arrived, a paragraph of "they kicked ass" and they were gone. (hide spoiler)] Such a missed opportunity!
But at the end of the day, I enjoyed this ride. Helen Scheuerer nailed it when it comes to creating an ensemble of characters that you get invested in and care about. I'm all about an amazing found family.
And the little seeds that were planted about where the spin-off series is going . . . .
"When I stand against the gods at the end of my days," he told her fiercely, "I will regret nothing. Not the lies I've told, nor the lives I've claimed or the rivers of blood I've spilt. I do not regret a single moment, because every one of them led me to you."
I cannot wait to see how this all ends! THOSE LAST 50 PAGES!!!!
This book was not what I expected in the best possible ***4.75 Stars***
"I am the rock against which the surf crashes."
I am a weeping mess.
This book was not what I expected in the best possible way. I knew there'd be angst, but damn did I not expect so many tears when it came to Nesta's journey of healing.
I loved Nesta before, but I LOVE Nesta now.
As hard as she fought for the happiness she now has, you just know she'll fight even harder with every ounce of strength and fire she has to keep it. For herself, and for all those she loves.
And damn do I bow down to SJM for her found family storytelling. I thought the Inner Circle was the pinnacle, but Ms. Sarah Janet said "Wait, I've got more to give you."
This confirms that Jennifer Hartmann is not the author for me. Apparently, a traumatic past/event allows someone to be an asshole. At lea ***2 Stars***
This confirms that Jennifer Hartmann is not the author for me. Apparently, a traumatic past/event allows someone to be an asshole. At least that's the message I'm getting with now the second book of hers I've read (the first was Still Beating).
Cal and Lucy were part of a childhood threesome of amazing frienship . . . Cal, Lucy, and his sister Emma. Inseparable. Thick as thieves. Best friends. And possibly the potential of something more between Cal and Lucy . . . until tragedy struck. But I barely felt any of that between Cal and Lucy.
There's too much of a disconnect between past and present. You get snippets from Emma's diary sharing moments of Cal, Emma, and Lucy's bond that showcases how tight these three were, and some other brief flashbacks, but these snippets weren't enough to build or carry the emotion.
If maybe the book started in the past so I could connect to these characters and their shared history, feel that childhood bond, then maybe I would feel more in the present, be emotionally invested in the loss, feel the awkwardness of how Cal and Lucy are strangers as adults yet have this deep past connection and shared history and pain . . . but nope, I didn't really get any of that. I just felt like they were strangers who had been neighbors when they were younger. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them as adults, in any way.
Also, Lucy buys Cal's childhood home filled with all these memories, yet it's barely discussed? She's almost never even home! So many missed opportunities to build emotion, backstory, develop these characters into something more than the whole grump/sunshine formula.
And don't even get me started on the whole sunshine/grump attempt. Lucy is so damn quirky, bubbly, and sunshiney that I seriously considered wearing sunglasses while reading. And then throw in that she's a 22 year old virgin (of course) and this just felt too much like "not like other girls".
And let's not forget grumpy Cal who was such a hot and cold asshole that went way beyond grump. One example - Lucy has been back in his life all of five minutes and some guy is flirting with her at a bar and Cal gets completely possessive and tells him that they're fucking. I’m sorry, his words were “Aggressively Fucking.” WTF? Cal had barely interacted with her at that point.
I won't even really touch on the "romance" aspect of this because if I'm being completely honest, it's a toss up between non-existant and ick. Lucy felt downright childlike at times so being solely in her head while she lusts after Cal felt awkward, and Cal's hot and cold, sweet one minute and vulgar the next didn't make me feel anything. And the only heat I felt from their one sexual encounter was rage.
Alright, I need to stop or I'll just vent until my fingers fall off.
I was going to continue with the second book just to see how this all ends, but I'm told that Cal continues to be an ass (and in a few scenarios an even worse one than this book) and Lucy continues to make excuses and forgive him, so I'm not going to waste my time. Especially not for a couple that I don’t feel has any chemistry.
Lucy needs to grow up and get a backbone, and Cal needs some therapy to deal with his past issues and learn how to treat people.
This officially ends my relationship with Jennifer Hartmann. I’ve learned my lesson that the promise in the blurb isn’t delivered in the pages....more
"If you seek power in a world of men and monsters, there is nothing more powerful than knowledge and the ability to wield it."
***4.5 Stars***
"If you seek power in a world of men and monsters, there is nothing more powerful than knowledge and the ability to wield it."
This gave me all the GI Jane vibes in a fantasy setting with monsters and magic and a slow burn romance.
There’s some serious potential of going on my list of favorite series!
"A true man won't cut you down as you fight your battles, nor will he fight them for you. A true man will help sharpen your sword, guard your back and fight at your side, in the face of whatever darkness comes."
On this very special holiday episode of the ACOTAR series . . .
This is very much a transition book. Nothing really happens to move the *** 3 Stars ***
On this very special holiday episode of the ACOTAR series . . .
This is very much a transition book. Nothing really happens to move the plot forward, but we see how all of the characters are dealing with the emotional aftereffects of war while preparing for the winter solstice holiday.
While I appreciate that we got multiple points of view and some more backstory on certain characters, I struggled with the pacing here. For being a 200(ish) page novella, this felt like a slog at times.
However, it did succeed in getting me even more invested in Nesta and Cassian's story. I have a feeling that's going to be a delightful angst-fest. But for now, I'm going to take a little break from this series before I dive into that brick of a book....more
"You do not fear. You do not falter. You do not yield."
I'm a sucker for a big speech before battle.
Did I read this entire ***4.25 Stars***
"You do not fear. You do not falter. You do not yield."
I'm a sucker for a big speech before battle.
Did I read this entire series in less than a week. Yep, I sure did.
I now understand the love for this series. These characters are pretty unforgettable.
As much as a book with mates is my bat signal, nothing turns my heart to mush like a found family. And this one is one of my favorites.
Also, what seems to be an unpopular opinion, but I really like Nesta. And I can't wait to read her book. She has a lot she needs to sift through. Fae therapy, perhaps? From one cold-hearted bitch to another . . . I get you, girl....more
First off . . . yes, I'm finally drinking the Kool-Aid.
I was expecting something tart and sweet and tangy and delicious . . . and what ***3.5 Stars***
First off . . . yes, I'm finally drinking the Kool-Aid.
I was expecting something tart and sweet and tangy and delicious . . . and what I got was a LaCroix, which we all know has the flavor equivalent of walking through someone's burp.
This book is the definition of "it's fine." There's nothing wrong here, but nothing really amazing and dazzling either.
The plot? It's fine. The characters? They're fine. The writing? It's fine. The world building? It's fine.
I'm told that this first book is the weakest in the series and that epicness lies ahead.
I will say that the foundation laid here has me intrigued and that picking up the next in the series doesn't feel like a chore but something that I'm looking forward to.
Is this the best written fantasy? Nope. Was I entertained while reading? You better believe it. Am I invested in these characters? Hell ***4.5 Stars***
Is this the best written fantasy? Nope. Was I entertained while reading? You better believe it. Am I invested in these characters? Hell yes I am! Will I be reading the next book? Abso-fucking-lutely.
Listen. I'll be the first to give credit where credit is due.
Forget the mediocre and repetitive writing (I lost count how many times Violet's stomach dropped or lump formed in her throat, or her heart raced/soared/stuttered/stopped, dropped and rolled/whatever) . . .
Forget the weak world building in the first book and information overload to compensate in this second book . . .
I'll even forget the fact that we still have never gotten any type of an explanation about why Violet's body is so fragile, and probably never will . . .
BUT . . .
When I've been glued to the pages of a book during every single spare moment I have to read, when I lay my head down to sleep at night and dream of nothing but the book, when I find myself staring off into space thinking about random scenes or quotes when I should be doing something else . . .
Another instance where the hype train zoomed right past me and I'm left still standing at the station.
Was this entertaining? Yes, at t ***3.5 Stars***
Another instance where the hype train zoomed right past me and I'm left still standing at the station.
Was this entertaining? Yes, at times.
World building? Character development? A well thought out and crafted plot?
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The author has some great ideas here, but she really didn't follow through and stick to any of them. Nothing felt fully developed.
If you’re going to create a 5 book series, you absolutely need a solid foundation to build on. This thing has cracks all over the place.
How am I supposed to care about these people and kingdom/country (see, I don’t even know which it is) if you don’t provide me with a history to become invested in?
There was no meaningful explanation of the rebellion. It happened. There was no explanation of how dragons started bonding humans. It happened. There’s was no real explanation of the war between countries/kingdoms. Why they got beef? Who creates the wards? Do gryphons bond with their riders like dragons do? Are there other kingdoms/countries? Who’s their leader? Better yet, who’s the leader here?
While I understand that some things are meant to be revealed down the line, and you need to set up twists and turns . . . but first you need to give me something to care about. Why am I supposed to care about the future of this land and it’s people that I don’t know much about?
And then the romance . . . it mostly gave me the ICK. Why? The writing and characters feel very YA and Violet is basically a walking hard-on for Xaden.
If the characters actually felt their age (early 20's), this would be no problem . . . but they felt much younger and reading Violet's lustful and horny thoughts and descriptions . . .
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What did work for me?
The dragons. I'm a sucker for a found family/friend group. More screen time for Rhiannon, please.
Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read**
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