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
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
This is dark. Shai levels of dark and...I don't know. It was pretty short, and I think it would have been even better if it was a littlOMG THAT ENDING
This is dark. Shai levels of dark and...I don't know. It was pretty short, and I think it would have been even better if it was a little longer, but even as it is it's packed with...hot and messed up stuff happening. It's deliciously dark. Ba-Pef corrupting Arlo was just brutal. The possession was super creepy. The sex was amazing. The ending was so satisfying.
I do wish some of their scenes/plot points had been expanded a little, especially because I think a couple of scenes with the secondary characters could have been cut, but that's a very minor niggle and it's mostly because I just want more of them.
The book says it's not a romance, but I think it fits the dark romance category, and without spoiling, you don't have to worry about a HEA, it's there, just...dark. Edit: Rebecca says she doesn't consider it a romance either, which, I can see why, so take that into account too...more
This book started out so strong and so emotionally charged, I was pretty sure it would be another win, but it unraveled somewhere along the way a littThis book started out so strong and so emotionally charged, I was pretty sure it would be another win, but it unraveled somewhere along the way a little. Still really enjoyable, but it was a little long winded at times. I loved their chemistry, I thought it was heartbreaking how they wanted to be mated even as kids/teenagers, without knowing it was "wrong", but then they were shamed for it. Anyway, basically by the end it got a little too melodramatic for me, and even the sex scenes were a little too much and a little OTT for me. But then again that didn't bother me in the other books, so I think it just might be the overall pacing of this one. And there was some stuff that I had trouble deciding if I was into it, or to be honest, I really didn't want to realize I was into it. ...more
4.5 ⭐ Well, here I am diving into mpreg. I did not see this coming, but I don't care. I loved this. Very enjoyable and highly entertaining. First of al4.5 ⭐ Well, here I am diving into mpreg. I did not see this coming, but I don't care. I loved this. Very enjoyable and highly entertaining. First of all - two alphas, enemies to lovers with a bunch UST along the way. There's a scene in s6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where Buffy and Spike take down a building by having sex. This book is that scene in romance novel form. But wait, there's more. There's hurt/comfort, a lot of emotions, and donuts too. The only reason I'm not rounding up is that some deeper stuff was almost glossed over, and a little too neatly wrapped up, but other than that it was excellent....more
I enjoyed this so much. Annabelle Greene's writing and character dynamics are very addictive, and this book is no exception. I'm not usually a fan of I enjoyed this so much. Annabelle Greene's writing and character dynamics are very addictive, and this book is no exception. I'm not usually a fan of lovers to enemies to lovers trope, but this book had so much yearning, it was great. It was passionate, intense, witty, with so much pining. I loved the baby mystery, the atmosphere, and the secondary characters. The way the story unfolds, slowly uncovering their past was great, and there was a lot of cuteness too (Parsley!). The ending was swoony as well. I highly recommend this....more
More like 3 stars because it's very short and needed just a bit more development, but I loved these two and there's so much pining and Levi is the besMore like 3 stars because it's very short and needed just a bit more development, but I loved these two and there's so much pining and Levi is the best....more
Edit: I would like to urge everyone to read the bonus epilogue because there's a fluffy kitten in itEdit: I would like to urge everyone to read the bonus epilogue because there's a fluffy kitten in it...more
The story is great, all the characters are lovely and well rounded, and the MCs had a lot of chemistry. I liked the plot, but I didn't get quite the fThe story is great, all the characters are lovely and well rounded, and the MCs had a lot of chemistry. I liked the plot, but I didn't get quite the feeling of epic love I was expecting, probably because there was something about the writing that threw me off. Like there was a mismatch between the subject matter and the writing style, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, it made me emotional, I enjoyed it a lot, and I was thoroughly invested. Really good...more
Well, this is my first Tal Bauer book, and this man can write! Sure, there was weirdness, and some stuff I didn't exactly believe.
But!
With any otherWell, this is my first Tal Bauer book, and this man can write! Sure, there was weirdness, and some stuff I didn't exactly believe.
But!
With any other book I would have either DNF or thrown it out the window around 70% mark (well figuratively, cause I was reading on my phone), and this one was so damn well written that I had to keep going. Not to mention - HOT!...more
"And Denver. Every memory of him was seared like a brand into his heart. Someday, when he finally tangled with the wrong bull, the coroner would cut "And Denver. Every memory of him was seared like a brand into his heart. Someday, when he finally tangled with the wrong bull, the coroner would cut him open and see the etchings of Denver carved into his very bones."
" ...because behind him was this boy watching me with this look in his eyes like he was starving. I knew that feeling. I knew you. I recognized you before I even knew your name."
I loved this. I've been having something of a reader's block, so it took me a while to get started, it managed to pull me in, and I read it in one sitting. I'm not big on second chance romances, but this one really worked for me.
From the first moment I saw them together, I loved the characters and I felt their connection. It was a delight reading their story. Their romance was interrupted before it even started, but it left a mark on both of them, and it felt like it was meant to be. It's also full of guilt, longing, regrets, miscommunication, pride, and just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a pretty angsty book, maybe even a little too angsty and frustrating at times, but so hot and emotional, and I never doubted their connection. I do wish we got at least a bit more on page time with them being happy and carefree. I'm not so sure about the conflict resolution scene. It was definitely a grand gesture, and I get the significance, but (view spoiler)[ Lane showing up when Denver was about to ride for the first time in years seems like a great way to give him the shock of his life and get him hurt, no matter how good he is (hide spoiler)]. Still, that entire scene and the aftermath was foreshadowed, so I can't say it came out of nowhere, and it did work in the context of their relationship. The ending had me feeling a little melancholic, because after all the push and pull, I wanted to see more of them together, but it was a beautiful ending.
It's a wonderfully written book, full of pining and passion, and very engaging. I highly recommend this. ...more
This book has a really solid atmosphere. It's gritty, bleak, and a little suffocating. This reminded me of when I was a teenager, and I read Zoo StatiThis book has a really solid atmosphere. It's gritty, bleak, and a little suffocating. This reminded me of when I was a teenager, and I read Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F., and then binged on anything similar I could get my hands on.
I'm pretty happy with it. The romance fell a little flat for me, and the plot could be a little more defined, but I was still invested. It gave me everything I like in romance so I can't complain, even though the romance is not the strongest part of the book. I loved the friend group, and it worked when they were hanging out, supporting each other, and even doing stupid, irresponsible stuff. I do think Ben and Damon could have had more distinct voices and personalities. That's the thing about people who just sit on their ass getting drunk/high - they're frustratingly boring to sober people. I just wanted something more from their relationship. Some parts were also little dramatic - to the point where I wasn't sure it was being true to character or unrealistic, so that didn't help, but it wasn't annoying either. I actually liked the writing, and I usually avoid first person present POV, but this one kept my attention.
I will say this whole setup is very ambitious, and I've seen similar things go terribly wrong for much more experienced authors. It managed to give a sympathetic and realistic potrayal of addiction. While some of it definitely should have been expanded and slightly more fleshed-out, I think it worked pretty well as a whole. Since most of the book is so gritty, it's way too neatly wrapped up and rationalised at the end (don't get me started on the therapist at the end), but for the most part it's really good.
Anyway, with a debut this strong, I look forward to reading more from this author. I was a little indifferent to Ben and Damon at times, but I am already obsessed with Teddy and Liam, and I can't wait to read their book....more
*dreamy sigh* I don't have much to say except I loved every moment of this book, and I shouldn't have waited so long to read it. Even though the relati*dreamy sigh* I don't have much to say except I loved every moment of this book, and I shouldn't have waited so long to read it. Even though the relationship dynamic/development is different, reading this was a similar experience to reading Heated Rivalry, which is honestly the highest praise I can think of. First of all, this is how you write a prologue. This book grabbed me from the beginning, and it didn't falter at any point along the way. The setup, the characters, the relationship development (especially the way the sexy scenes are intertwined with the emotional progression) was excellent. They had so much chemistry, they cared about each other so much, and I really didn't want this book to end. Straight to the favourites shelf...more
I enjoyed this one a lot. It's a best friends to enemies to lovers, very character-driven, and with a lot of emphasis in hurt and comfort.
I loved theI enjoyed this one a lot. It's a best friends to enemies to lovers, very character-driven, and with a lot of emphasis in hurt and comfort.
I loved the banter. I loved how well-developed all the characters are, and how you never know where it's going. It definitely doesn't follow the typical romance novel structure. It starts when the characters are in school and it brings us to present day, with quite a few flashbacks, and it's very gripping.
I loved how Michael was unapologetically himself, and how much Jared worked to live his life on his own terms. The steam is off the charts. There's also almost a feeling of a love triangle here, which I usually don't enjoy, but it's resolved quickly, and really well dealt with, and also I could feel every bit of chemistry and attraction, so I really enjoyed it. I also liked seeing how much they've changed over the years, but how they still have that connection, and those boys are still the same deep down.
Now - HUGE SPOILER AHEAD - another thing I liked about this book is that it finally gave me something I've been looking for a while - (view spoiler)[ a representation of a somewhat open-ish relationship - the MCs have a threesome with their friend, and it's implied that they will continue to do that, while staying emotionally commited to each other. It's not exactly the open relationship I've been looking for, but not the usual strict monogamy either. My only niggle with that part is that, while it was foreshadowed and gradual, there was still some whiplash from how quickly Jared went from being possessive, and jealous to wanting to share that with Michael and Ben, and I feel like they needed to communicate about that part a little more. And also, even though they're friends at that point, I feel like Michael and Ben having feelings for each other before had a lot of potential for messiness. Still, extremely hot, and I loved that we finally get something other than monogamy or polyamory in a book. (hide spoiler)]
So, yeah, I would have like that part to be a bit more developed, but it didn't really take away from my enjoyment that much. I also loved the friends and the found family aspect. I would have liked the plot to be a little tighter and more linear, but it's nothing drastic.
All in all, just a very well-written book with so much love and chemistry. Maybe not your typical romance, but I enjoyed it, and I'm really excited for what comes next....more
The couple gets all the stars, and I would have probably rated it higher for the enjoyment factor, but some things were so over the top and contrived The couple gets all the stars, and I would have probably rated it higher for the enjoyment factor, but some things were so over the top and contrived that it seemed like a parody at times, and that managed to take me out of the story. I still think it's miles better than #1, and Gabe and Angelo had more chemistry in the cameo here than their entire book, I just kept getting frustrated that these two didn't get a better story. I'll probably read the other two at some point because I'm hoping the improvement is exponential. ...more
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