~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~'s Reviews > Dark & Dazzling
Dark & Dazzling (Sassy Boyz, #2)
by
Azariah is an angry, dark-haired angel. He's proud and stubborn, unwilling to ask for help even as his life crumbles around him. He'd rather put himself in danger's way than be seen as weak.
Left an orphan at an early age after his accepting, free-spirited mother passed away, Azariah was raised in a cold and conservative Orthodox Jewish household. His favorite color is black, and he doesn't believe in rainbows, unicorns, or picket fences.
But Connelly does, and when he sees Z in makeup and a pair of fuck-me heels, he can't stay away.
Dark & Dazzling is not an easy book. It's dark and brimming with angst. It deals with drug abuse and self-destructive behavior. There are two scenes that are dub-con, verging on non-con.
And there's Azariah. To say he doesn't make good choices is an understatement. Z isn't nice; his sarcasm is sharp and caustic. He's cruel to Connelly and metaphorically spits on him time and again.
Connelly isn't entirely honest with Z, but I didn't blame him for that, not with Z being such a wild card.
Broke and behind on his rent, Z pulls away from his friends and doesn't trust Connelly enough to be real with him.
Meanwhile, Connelly is enabling his sister, who's all tangled up with her abusive ex-husband and unwilling to do things for herself.
He and his partner Raoul (who is awesome but, sadly, straight) also begin an impromptu investigation at the club where the Sassy Boyz dance, and inadvertently get Lirim, one of the Boyz, in trouble (mind you, I didn't feel sorry for Lirim, not even a little; he brought that on himself).
Be warned: Azariah's behavior around the 63 to 70 percent mark is brutal and inexcusable. Z acts with reckless, selfish abandon, putting himself and Connelly at risk. It almost ruined the story for me. Almost.
But how could I not forgive Z when Connelly does? Because this book is told in a dual POV, we can see inside Z's head, and it's a frantic, painful experience. The scene where Z (view spoiler) is powerful and symbolic of a new beginning.
Within the hurt lurks comfort. Within the darkness lurks tenderness.
I loved the connection between Connelly and Z; these two are so right together when Z lets go and gives in. The romance is subtle and fragile, but it's there.
This book can be read as a standalone, but this series feels like a collective. The Sassy Boyz are a unit, and we see Ansel and Fitch from book 1 here living their HEA.
The MCs haven't known each other long when the book ends, although it feels like forever. The ending is a HFN, but we're left with love. And a little bit of hope.
by
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~'s review
bookshelves: angst-central, comfort-healing, m-m, tears-and-heartbreak
Jul 27, 2016
bookshelves: angst-central, comfort-healing, m-m, tears-and-heartbreak
Love was intense like that.
It made you feel untouchable—more fierce than a pair of red-bottom heels ever could.
Azariah is an angry, dark-haired angel. He's proud and stubborn, unwilling to ask for help even as his life crumbles around him. He'd rather put himself in danger's way than be seen as weak.
Left an orphan at an early age after his accepting, free-spirited mother passed away, Azariah was raised in a cold and conservative Orthodox Jewish household. His favorite color is black, and he doesn't believe in rainbows, unicorns, or picket fences.
But Connelly does, and when he sees Z in makeup and a pair of fuck-me heels, he can't stay away.
Dark & Dazzling is not an easy book. It's dark and brimming with angst. It deals with drug abuse and self-destructive behavior. There are two scenes that are dub-con, verging on non-con.
And there's Azariah. To say he doesn't make good choices is an understatement. Z isn't nice; his sarcasm is sharp and caustic. He's cruel to Connelly and metaphorically spits on him time and again.
Connelly isn't entirely honest with Z, but I didn't blame him for that, not with Z being such a wild card.
Broke and behind on his rent, Z pulls away from his friends and doesn't trust Connelly enough to be real with him.
Meanwhile, Connelly is enabling his sister, who's all tangled up with her abusive ex-husband and unwilling to do things for herself.
He and his partner Raoul (who is awesome but, sadly, straight) also begin an impromptu investigation at the club where the Sassy Boyz dance, and inadvertently get Lirim, one of the Boyz, in trouble (mind you, I didn't feel sorry for Lirim, not even a little; he brought that on himself).
Be warned: Azariah's behavior around the 63 to 70 percent mark is brutal and inexcusable. Z acts with reckless, selfish abandon, putting himself and Connelly at risk. It almost ruined the story for me. Almost.
But how could I not forgive Z when Connelly does? Because this book is told in a dual POV, we can see inside Z's head, and it's a frantic, painful experience. The scene where Z (view spoiler) is powerful and symbolic of a new beginning.
Within the hurt lurks comfort. Within the darkness lurks tenderness.
I loved the connection between Connelly and Z; these two are so right together when Z lets go and gives in. The romance is subtle and fragile, but it's there.
This book can be read as a standalone, but this series feels like a collective. The Sassy Boyz are a unit, and we see Ansel and Fitch from book 1 here living their HEA.
The MCs haven't known each other long when the book ends, although it feels like forever. The ending is a HFN, but we're left with love. And a little bit of hope.
"Azariah's fingers tightened in Connelly's hair and pulled . . . "Will you give me the stars again?"
"Oh, baby, I'll give you the whole fucking galaxy."
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Reading Progress
July 27, 2016
– Shelved
July 27, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
August 29, 2016
–
Started Reading
August 31, 2016
– Shelved as:
angst-central
August 31, 2016
– Shelved as:
comfort-healing
August 31, 2016
– Shelved as:
m-m
August 31, 2016
– Shelved as:
tears-and-heartbreak
August 31, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Caroline
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 30, 2016 11:06AM
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I'm trepidatious. The reviews have warned of dark and angsty.
I've been dying to read this one; fingers crossed I like it as much as the first.
Oh, man, that is so hard to say. Gigi isn't wrong in her assessment. I guess I was just more forgiving of Z. I liked him more than she did.
This book is not a happy, light read though. You know I am a chickenshit when it comes to angst, but this book still worked for me.
(view spoiler)
Yeah, don't get rid of it quite yet.
Yeah, don't get rid of it quite yet."
Given that we both know I can be a bit of an angst whore, I think not. A.M. Arthur...need I say more.
Oh, man, that is so hard to say. Gigi isn't wrong in her assessment. I guess I was just more forgiving of Z. I liked him more than she ..."
I think that is me out. Thanks Dani.
It's definitely not for everyone.
It's definitely not for everyone."
Shame because I really liked the first one.
It's definitely not for everyone."
Shame because I really liked the first one."
So did I. Lirim's story is already shaping up to be angsty, but I'll still read it.
I just liked him more, even when I loathed his actions.
Oh yeah!
Thanks, hon. Can't wait to read yours.
Oh, gawd, that sounds intense.
Sometimes I'm tough. ;)
Oh, gawd, that sounds intense."
It is! Seriously though, I just realized this isn't out for another month which gives me time to recover from Ansel before Z breaks my heart.
There is a HEA. You just have to work for it.
Thanks for your review! I was worried when I read some other reviews. I just finished it last night. And I liked it more than the first one. I felt more connected to Z and Connelly. Like you I could forgive Z because I saw how desperate he was (not excusing his behavior at all). I'm looking forward to the next book, wondering if it'll be Lirim or Tam.
I agree.
I'm thinking Lirim because of what happened in this book, but we'll see.