I didn't expect I would want to read a book that takes place during this pandemic. In fact, I've mostly been reading romance this year to get away froI didn't expect I would want to read a book that takes place during this pandemic. In fact, I've mostly been reading romance this year to get away from everything. Still, this involved all my favourite tropes so I gave it a try, and I'm very happy I did. I applaud the author for managing to write a balanced story because it must've been challenging.
I liked this a lot and I couldn't put it down. It was hot and wonderfully emotional. Both characters were strong, sexy and interesting. I liked the way the relationship progressed. I enjoyed everything from the heated sex to the sweet moments of intimacy and domestic atmosphere. I thought the bumps along the way, the concerns they had, and the way they handled them made sense. I was really invested in this couple. I guess the setting didn't bother me because the story and the characters were compelling, and it also gave a nice way to reframe this situation.
To sum up, it was a sweet, sexy romance with a glass-half-full take on the current events. I would recommend it.
Merged review:
I didn't expect I would want to read a book that takes place during this pandemic. In fact, I've mostly been reading romance this year to get away from everything. Still, this involved all my favourite tropes so I gave it a try, and I'm very happy I did. I applaud the author for managing to write a balanced story because it must've been challenging.
I liked this a lot and I couldn't put it down. It was hot and wonderfully emotional. Both characters were strong, sexy and interesting. I liked the way the relationship progressed. I enjoyed everything from the heated sex to the sweet moments of intimacy and domestic atmosphere. I thought the bumps along the way, the concerns they had, and the way they handled them made sense. I was really invested in this couple. I guess the setting didn't bother me because the story and the characters were compelling, and it also gave a nice way to reframe this situation.
To sum up, it was a sweet, sexy romance with a glass-half-full take on the current events. I would recommend it....more
“You’re the only man that can make me feel like this. That’s why…” He stopped suddenly, the flicker of something dark passing across his face. I prom “You’re the only man that can make me feel like this. That’s why…” He stopped suddenly, the flicker of something dark passing across his face. I prompted him. “That’s why?” “Why I’d do anything for you.”
“There are millions of people in the world you could fuck.” “They don’t cry as nicely as you. They don’t beg with the same note of desperation in their voice either. And they’re not as good at being a whore.”
These guys are back in all their messed up, manipulative, possessive, codependent glory. At this point everyone who's interacted with me, even for a second, knows that Shai was definitely one of my highlights last year, and even though it's early, I can safely say it's the same for Elijah. I was so excited for this sequel and I'm very happy to say it delivered. It gave me everything I expected and much more. Just like the first book, it's unbelievably hot, very dark and twisty. The story is gripping, I loved the way it was told, and it had an excellent balance of the relationship and the plot. It's also very character-driven, and the characterisation is excellent. I'm obsessed with the dynamic of the MCs, especially how it reflected the one established in the previous book, but also how it was expanded upon from there.
This book subverted my expectations, made me uncomfortable at times and played with my mind a little, and I loved every moment of it. It was a riveting and very satisfying story, and I highly recommend it for dark romance readers....more
“You helped me feel like maybe I can finally be me again,” he said. “And if I’m really free to go after the life I want, all I want is you.”
“I’ll ce “You helped me feel like maybe I can finally be me again,” he said. “And if I’m really free to go after the life I want, all I want is you.”
“I’ll certainly never wear your rose-colored glasses . But I will admit there is one tiny place in this godforsaken world that isn’t cold and miserable, and that’s the corner you light up.”
It took me a while to get in the right headspace to read this but this was lovely. Compelling, emotional, witty, steamy, and just so well written. I'll admit I haven't read the originaly trilogy, and seeing them be villains would probably have made me enjoy this even more, but I loved these two nonetheless. And that means you can comfortably read it as a standalone.
Overall the writing was wonderful, the pacing was great, and it held my interest, but where it really shines is the MCs. I loved both of them, they were very complex, and I loved how their dynamic evolved without having them alter their personalities, and I also loved how their relationship developed. I have a soft spot for reformed villains and morally gray, characters, and I loved how nicely this book does the "the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one" trope, considering the sunshine one is well, a sulky scoundrel too.
It was a pretty slow burn, considering they're in such close proximity, but it was a delicious slow burn, with lots of tension and emotion along the way.
In the end, what really got to me, as it always does, is that Wesley and Sebastian felt like fated mates, and it was a wonderful experience seeing them find their way to each other. I definitely recommend this.
*I have received an ARC from Netgalley and Carina Press and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review.* ...more
I struggled with my rating for this one. The writing, the characterisation, the atmosphere is all excellent. The romance was excellent too, and then iI struggled with my rating for this one. The writing, the characterisation, the atmosphere is all excellent. The romance was excellent too, and then in one moment I didn't feel it anymore. For most of the book I loved both of the MCs, and I loved their connection, their dynamic, everything about them basically. And then in one moment Dylan lost me. I do believe it was in character, and made sense with the overall story, but I didn't have any reason (on-page) to believe Dylan's other unnaceptable behaviour wouldn't continue either, and in fact it would make more sense for his character if it were to continue. I'm still going to continue with the series, and I can't wait for Ranger's story, but I wish this had a different resolution....more
I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this one delivered. I loved the writing style, I liked the characters a lot, I thought it was unbelievably I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this one delivered. I loved the writing style, I liked the characters a lot, I thought it was unbelievably hot, and the chemistry between the characters was excellent. Also, points for versatile MCs which isn't something I've seen a lot lately. I thought both MCs were very well written, and I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series. I also liked the setting and the pacing, and it was very compelling to read. My only niggle is - I'm not sure if I'm imagining things, or if there was a certain attitude toward casual sex and nonmonogamy here. It might not have been intentional, but it's still read a certain way. Not a dealbreaker for me, but I just wish we had more positive portrayal too....more
The story, the characterisation, the prose - all excellent. The romance fell flat for me. This was the slowest of burns and at some point in the slow The story, the characterisation, the prose - all excellent. The romance fell flat for me. This was the slowest of burns and at some point in the slow burn it lost me....more
I'm only reviewing this now, but this was the first Christmas romance that I finished this year, so I'm rounding up. I'm not a fan of reality show typI'm only reviewing this now, but this was the first Christmas romance that I finished this year, so I'm rounding up. I'm not a fan of reality show type stuff but I liked the video competition format, those scenes were amazing, and the enemies to lovers aspect was great. I'm also a sucker for people who've known each other since childhood getting together. Ashton's struggle with his family was really heartbreaking, and I liked how it was subverted in the end. This was fun, steamy, the characters were lovely, there were cute pets, and the silly stuff wasn't too over the top for me. ...more
As it is, this is too short, since it's written more as a side story, and there isn't a lot of plot or development, but the idea of this retelling is As it is, this is too short, since it's written more as a side story, and there isn't a lot of plot or development, but the idea of this retelling is amazing and I truly wish this would be expanded because Inreally loved the writing, the heat, and it could be an epic story as a full length novel....more
This was really sweet and enjoyable. I liked the characters and the relationship development. I liked that the ex wife wasn't villainaized, while stilThis was really sweet and enjoyable. I liked the characters and the relationship development. I liked that the ex wife wasn't villainaized, while still allowing her to be less than perfect. I liked the plot and the resolution, and it started off strong, but the second half didn't hold my interest that much. I was also probably comparing it to the first book, and I wasn't quite as invested in this couple as I was in the first one. Still, a very enjoyable read....more
This was definitely one of my anticipated books of this years, and even though I absolutely had some unrealistic expectations, I think it delivered foThis was definitely one of my anticipated books of this years, and even though I absolutely had some unrealistic expectations, I think it delivered for the most part. Ezra was very fascinating, kind of annoying, but very sweet deep down. I expected Ezra's character to develop in a slightly different direction, but I think it made sense. Anton was great, I loved him as a character, maybe even slightly more than Ezra. Their little messed up dynamic, and the way the rile each other up was delicious. The transition from enemies to frenemies with benefits to more was done very well. This whole thing is very hot, I mean really truly very hot, but I liked that the steamy scenes also reflect their personalities and that there was relationship development between those scenes. They had a lot of chemistry, the pacing was good, and I enjoyed the ending. Also, on-page hockey ...more
Bailey Nicole is definitely going on my one-click author list. I think Gloria put it much more eloquently in her review, but I'll try. This was an verBailey Nicole is definitely going on my one-click author list. I think Gloria put it much more eloquently in her review, but I'll try. This was an very engaging and compelling novella, with a similar theme like the Worthless Boys series, only taken up a notch or two. The ambiance was excellent, the characters were deliciously dark and twisted, their chemistry was amazing, and it somehow had a very heartwarming ending. This is the type of romance that's dark when it comes to the relationship, as well as outside of the relationship. I loved the power exchange, the obsession, and the passion. I'll admit there were parts where I felt uncomfortable, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because it was worth it, and I think dark romance readers will love this....more
This was enjoyable, but it didn't wow me. There was nothing actively bad about it. I liked the way both characters were written well enough, but I didThis was enjoyable, but it didn't wow me. There was nothing actively bad about it. I liked the way both characters were written well enough, but I didn't love them. I thought the premise was great, and this had some cute moments, I just didn't find myself that invested (which is a rare occurence when I read a Merikan book), so it all fell a little flat for me. I am intrigued by this series, though, and I look forward to reading Jag's story....more
Ok, I get why people love Fearne Hill's writing so much. This was great. The MCs, their pasts, the secondary characters, all great. I loved the story,Ok, I get why people love Fearne Hill's writing so much. This was great. The MCs, their pasts, the secondary characters, all great. I loved the story, it was gripping, and not your typical romance plot. Not that I don't enjoy more formulaic plots, because I do, but the themes here were different from what I usually read, and I loved it. The characterisation was very nuanced, there's a lot of hurt/comfort, and the prose was really good. I'm not a fan of slow burns, but this one made sense, and I loved their dynamic. I will admit at a certain point I wasn't as invested in the romance as I expected (there was a potential couple who stole the show for me) but that might be me, and it was a very enjoyable read so I'm rounding up. ...more
3.5 but I'm rounding up because this one's mostly me, not the book. I liked the relationship development, especially after the way book 1 ended. It wa3.5 but I'm rounding up because this one's mostly me, not the book. I liked the relationship development, especially after the way book 1 ended. It was still steamy, and they had a lot of chemistry, and I loved seeing Cador have to do things on Jem's terms. I just found myself skimming a lot of the intrigue, and I enjoyed the first book more....more
This was really sweet, steamy, and emotional, with a bit more angst than usual. The writing was beautiful. I've followed this author since his first bThis was really sweet, steamy, and emotional, with a bit more angst than usual. The writing was beautiful. I've followed this author since his first book, and even though his writing was always very enjoyable and easy to read, these last couple of books are definitely next level. It's very tight, no redundancies, and no telling instead of showing (or the perfect balance of the two). He has a way of maintaining his style, and making it compelling, while also keeping the character voices distinct.
Where this fell a little flat for me was the relationship. I'm not sure if it's the development or if I lacked on page time with them, but I felt like I was missing something. Maybe it was how much Dalton was hung up on his ex(which makes sense but still) compared to how much we got from him and Marshall emotionally. I liked both characters, and I thought they were very well developed, and I was expecting an epic resolution, but in the moment when it was all supposed to come together, I didn't feel it.
Still, when they finally got together it was very hot and emotional. Dalton's bi-awakening, and his struggles (past and present) were very realistic, and Marshall's pining was just heartbreaking. And bonus points for the ex not being a one-dimensional villain.
This one's probably me, not the book, so I would still recommend it because it was a very enjoyable. ...more
I am completely hooked on this series. Like, no critical thought whatsoever. Asa and Zane are amazing together. I didn't quite get a read on Asa in thI am completely hooked on this series. Like, no critical thought whatsoever. Asa and Zane are amazing together. I didn't quite get a read on Asa in the previous books, but I liked him a lot in this one. I would say these two are my favourite couple so far. I know I say that every time one of these books come out sooo...At least until the next book, which, if the hints here are anything to go on, sound exactly up my alley. Anyway. I loved their connection, they were a lot of fun together, and really hot. The D/s vibe is just excellent. I loved the primal play, their attraction and their connection in general.
I honestly kinda skimmed through the mystery subplot, sometimes the foreshadowing for the future books was a little too on the nose, and the Lois nickname was a little too much for me but those are all minor niggles for me , and other than that this was great. This is the book I can see myself rereading the most so far.
I love dark romance, and it took me a while to get used to the lighter tone of these books, but now I'll all in. I love this messed up family and I look forward to reading more of them....more
This was at the same time more OTT but also, heavier than I expected. This is mostly about Isaac and Thanatos both going through hell, and getting revThis was at the same time more OTT but also, heavier than I expected. This is mostly about Isaac and Thanatos both going through hell, and getting revenge, and that was pretty well written, but I missed the romance here. I didn't like the epilogue either. The book ends at a place that is realistic, but isn't the perfect HEA, and it isn't that satisfying for the reader, all things considered. I feel like the epilogue tried to fix that, but it made it seem like the issue was magically solved, and I didn't buy that. At least I would have liked the epilogue to be a little longer, maybe then it would work better. Other than that it was a pretty good read, I just expected more....more
I saw some of my friends mention this, and I agree, this book is something between Once a Gentleman and AH Straight Guys series, the tone is just a liI saw some of my friends mention this, and I agree, this book is something between Once a Gentleman and AH Straight Guys series, the tone is just a little different. I liked the relationship a lot, it was very very steamy, and I loved the characters, so I'm rounding up, I just think maybe sometimes the pacing was a little off. I think it would have had more of an impact if the plot was a little tighter, and if there weren't so many internal monologues. There's miscommunication here but I don't hate miscommunication and I think here it made a lot of sense. Also, I think since it was foreshadowed, and the conflict was constructive, and a catalyst for change, this was a nice use of the trope. I think Aiden and Sebastian were great as secondary characters, without stealing the show. The resolution was a little convenient, but I liked the ending, and the epilogue was super hot and sweet....more
I am extremely impatient, and I don't usually do slow burns, but I couldn't stop reading this one even though it was a very slow burn.
It's a very chaI am extremely impatient, and I don't usually do slow burns, but I couldn't stop reading this one even though it was a very slow burn.
It's a very character-driven story, and they're both pretty strong characters, I loved the ambience, and I was very invested. There isn't that much steam here, it's mostly focused on the emotional development, and it's pretty compelling to read. The conflict near the end was foreshadowed through the whole book, and I loved how they both dealt with it. I loved that Brody didn't stick to the script and do what he was supposed to do, instead he finally did what he wanted to do, and I loved how Kit finally managed to break the cycle.
This is an age gap relationship, and usually I don't consider age gap an interesting trope, and when it's used, mostly one character goes for older people, and the other keeps moaning about how old they are even though they're like thirty. That wasn't the case here, and I think it was portrayed really well. You can definitely sense the age difference, especially since Kit is not only young but hasn't had a typical emotional development. In fact, both Kit and Brody emotionally sometimes seem younger than their age, in different aspects. There's a lot of Kit idolising Brody, in a way where he doesn't know if he wants to be Brody or if he wants Brody or both. Brody takes the protector role at first, and he also seems to see a lot of himself in Kit. Still, Brody, who seemed to be the saviour for most of the books, needed saving too. I thought it was a great portrayal of a relationship where they both need support in different ways, and they can both offer support in different ways, and I liked that.
I would have liked to see a bit more passion and the ending felt a little anticlimactic, but overall I enjoyed this a lot, and I think it's a really good addition to the series....more
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