JJ
Waites did a wonderful job writing some fucked up characters. Archer, his assistant, lawyer, and brother are all sick bastards, but Archer is the sickest. This book was one fucked up moment after another, and Danny's reactions were completely realistic and believable (mirroring my thoughts quite well), until the first time Archer fucks him. Danny suddenly and without prodding calls him Daddy, when earlier that day Archer had for this first time mentioned “Daniel” doing what his daddy says and Danny had thought he was referring to his father. I just don't see him going from not even knowing that Archer was referring to himself as the daddy to suddenly thinking of him as Daddy only hours later, during sex...on a child's bed, with rockets and shit on the bedcovers. This is after he's been placed in a child's bedroom, been dressed in children's clothing, given children's books to read and color, and children's meals to eat. He's been utterly sickened by this freak turning him into a child and doing sexual stuff to him, then he decides to call him Daddy while the guy is fucking him for the first time? Uhh, no, I don't buy it. Danny's transition from freaked out to accepting the situation was just too quick for me to believe. If I can't make the mental transition with him and stop thinking of Archer as a creepy pedophile then it just doesn't work. I was wondering why the hell he didn't just kill everyone in the room at the end cause that's where my head was at! That failure to convince me is why I'm going to go with, fuck, I don't know, let's say 2.5 stars and I'll round up to 3.
There was too much wrong with this story for me to give it any more than one star. The biggest problem that I absolutely could not overlook is the terrible writing. I was too focused on my own pain to care about Aaron's suffering. Lack of commas and incorrect words and phrases were only the most obvious problems.
Vincent and his guards' behavior didn't make sense, and the story didn't grip me emotionally like I know it was intended to do. I can't bring myself to care enough to buy the next installment. I'm going to give Flesh Cartel a try instead.
I usually dislike historical fiction, but I'm so glad I gave this one a chance because I loved it! No one does an enemies to lovers story quite like Aleksandr Voinov. It's not as extreme as Special Forces (nothing is!) but is still wonderfully done. I could not put this one down and I simply devoured it. So good!
It was ok, but overall pretty boring. The story progressed too slowly, and I considered DNFing, but I persevered. Part of the problem was that the characters were not my taste. When will I learn that I will probably never enjoy a story with an uber-submissive?? I want more conflict between master and slave, and this book just didn't have it.
Most of the time, I don't mind if a book lacks a plot as long as the character development is well done and the progression of the relationship stays interesting. However, I found myself noticing the lack of plot in this book, and wishing something interesting would happen. When something did happen, it was both predictable and at the same time unbelievable.
I did like the characters and the dynamics of their relationship, so that keeps the book from getting a 2 star rating, but it definitely could have been better.
Merged review:
Most of the time, I don't mind if a book lacks a plot as long as the character development is well done and the progression of the relationship stays interesting. However, I found myself noticing the lack of plot in this book, and wishing something interesting would happen. When something did happen, it was both predictable and at the same time unbelievable.
I did like the characters and the dynamics of their relationship, so that keeps the book from getting a 2 star rating, but it definitely could have been better.
Bittersweet love story; short but very well written with a unique and somewhat fascinating main character.
I feel soooo sad for Japheth! He is such a great friend to Tanner for so many years then his first really serious boyfriend falls for Tanner and he ends up without either of them :( Not really their fault, but it makes me want to cry!
Swoon! I love Domashita for writing these amazing little masterpieces!
The chronology of events was a bit confusing in this one but it didn't matter anyway. I'm horrible at explaining why I love a particular story because all my thoughts are bubbly incoherent gibberish, so I'll just say it's awesome and leave it at that.
My only complaint is that it doesn't take me long enough to read. I dream of a full length novel from this literary genius! Guess I'll have to settle for reading the rest of her short stories :)
2020 reread:
Still so good - left me hungry for more. The present tense is perfect for making you feel that sense of urgency, unease, and everything else Adam feels. I love the writing. It made me laugh, it made me want to cry, and it made me love Adam and Joe.
Original review:
Such a creative storyline, and the author succeeded in hitting me on a deep emotional level with this one. Highly recommend.
When I started reading this book, I wasn't too impressed. I thought the writing was mediocre and wasn't sure the behavior of the 5 guys in the group was believable. Then somewhere along the way, I got sucked in and fell in love with Danny and Elliot. I loved the sexual tension and the constant struggle to hide their relationship. My favorite parts were the Delly fangirl tweets because I was feeling pretty fangirly myself!
I'd never heard of One Direction (the RL boy band Catch My Breath is about) before coming across this book, and I decided not to look them up before reading it so I would't know what to expect. After I finished though, I googled Larry Stylinson (Harry Styles + Louis Tomlinson) and watched a few youtube videos of the manlove. I must say, real romance or not, that is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I've never seen 2 guys act so cuddly with one another, and it just makes me smile! I mean, how often do you get to read a sweet m/m love story then watch it happen with 2 real people? happy sigh
Oh and I'm totally convinced the Larry thing is real based on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIKApzAFb2E
This was an interesting book and not at all what I expected. Matty is definitely the most effeminate man I've encountered in any book, and for the most part, his personality was entertaining and at times adorable. However, his attitude towards competitive figure skating just pissed me off. He didn't strive to be his best for the right reasons. It wasn't for a sense of accomplishment; he was driven by a desire to see his fellow competitors fail. That gave me no reason to want him to win anything in his career. He also starved himself to achieve his goal weight and never acknowledged how unhealthy that was. It was treated as a necessary evil even at the end of the book, which is a disappointment.
Then there's Rob. Rob's a sweet guy, but my gosh, he says some of the most gag-worthy, over-the-top sappy lines I've ever heard. It makes for a seriously weird mix of a twirling Sound of Music singing, sentimental guy and a Dom who goes straight to edge play as the intro to BDSM with Matty (that was a serious WTF moment), followed of course by a ridiculous line about the North Star (eyeroll). Matty's immediate acceptance of all the sudden extreme BDSM stuff (breath play, Rob wanting to watch him expel enema water into the toilet as he held his hands, whipping Matty's asshole and balls while said balls and cock are wrapped in coarse scratchy rope) was pretty difficult for me to believe.
This could have been a really great book, but those things kept it from being one I'd recommend.
I'm not too enamored with this book because I've been getting a little tired of insta-love lately. They get intimate immediately, but there's no real development of the relationship that the reader can witness. They're just suddenly in love but not yet saying it. The emotional progression of their relationship is referred to in passing in that Miles and Adam spend lots of time together at the resort, but not much of this is shown in the dialogue. Then the really big thing, the explanation of what happened to Miles, comes from his sister rather than Miles himself.
It's still a good story, but it just didn't affect me on a deep level.
I'm such a sucker for smart-ass men, so I naturally fell for Austin Glass immediately! Ok, I'd probably roll my eyes at him frequently if he were a RL friend of mine, but it would always be with a smile. I also kinda have a thing for guys like Peter so I was in heaven reading about these two finding each other.
The writing is exceptional, the plot kept me hooked, and I love the chemistry between Austin and Peter! I felt a little bit cheated by the epilogue - I think there's a whole book's worth of relationship development and events that are just touched on that I didn't get to read about. I want more Austin and Peter, damn it!
3.5 stars
This story was pretty good, but I felt like it was missing something. I didn't sense much chemistry between Liam and the subs, mainly on his part. That may have been because he's a bit closed off emotionally, but when reading his perspective, you'd think you should be able to feel the strength of his emotions even if he doesn't show them outwardly. I just didn't feel it, so it left me wanting. I'll probably read the sequel to see if that changes, but I haven't decided for sure.
This book was such a disappointment considering how much I loved [b:Special Delivery 18043684 Special Delivery (Special Delivery, #1) Heidi Cullinan https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1370539573s/18043684.jpg 10382646]. It was so tedious and boring most of the time. Large parts of it read like an instructional manual on how to play poker. I want to read about a relationship, not learn how to play poker, and not hear the history of the mob in Vegas. I was really surprised how different this was from Sam and Mitch's book. Ah well, one thing this series has done is put me in the mood for some m/m/m!
2.5 stars
This book had so much potential, but turned out to be a disappointment. I really liked Gavin and Ben until they became oblivious fools. I'm not fond of unintelligent characters, but it's even worse when they're supposed to be smart then don't live up to that description. Gavin is a completely incompetent detective who misses so many opportunities to find the murderer or prevent future victims from making themselves vulnerable. Ben is supposed to be great at reading people, yet he can't see the glaringly obvious right in front of him. It's never a good sign when you're too angry about the characters' stupidity to worry for their well-being when the shit goes down.
I was also annoyed with the too convenient plot point with Gavin's wife that allowed him to pursue his new lifestyle guilt-free. Life is never that simple so that whole scenario felt too contrived for me to take seriously.
I'd planned to read the next book after this one, but now I'm not sure I want to. I'll consider it if someone can assure me that Gavin and Ben grow some brain cells between the 2 books.
The writing is superb, the characters are well developed, and there is a major plot twist that made the story much more interesting than it otherwise would have been. I loved watching Fletcher mature throughout the book, and I'm happy with the ending as far as everyone's relationships with one another goes. However, the book is somewhat ruined for me in that it suddenly becomes something else entirely in the last 10%. If I'm going to enjoy magical realism, I want the whole book written that way, or I at least need to know to expect it before I reach the last few pages. I'd have given the book 5 stars if not for that.
Spoilers ahead - don't read them unless you've already read the book or don't plan to read it!
It seems a lot of people were unhappy that Fletcher ended up with key checking guy (Ollie) rather than Mateo. I thought that was the best possible thing for everyone because Mateo would never have been able to give Fletcher what he needed in a permanent relationship. He was too much in love with painting graffiti to ever give it up, and that just couldn't have worked long term. What he did do was teach Fletcher how to love and that he was worth loving. He also left a piece of himself behind for Fletcher with Caleb.I didn't have a problem with Mateo disappearing with no explanation after painting on the bridge. I'd have loved the book still, if not for Mateo and Caleb suddenly oozing paint out of their bodies, and all of Mateo's "facts" coming back when he disappeared and being impossible to remove or cover. That came out of left field and with the first 90% of the book being realistic, that was just too sharp of a contrast to the rest of the book to be able to accept.
This is one of those books that just makes me happy. I knew from the blurb that it looked like something I'd really enjoy and it more than lived up to my expectations. It is a character driven love story and is very well written. I didn't want to put it down, and nothing about it annoyed me, which is a rare occurrence. I admit the premise is a bit clichéd, but it's one that appeals to me. Simply put, I fucking loved this book!
I really liked this sweet and fluffy BDSM except for one thing that I simply could not ignore! And that is Alex being referred to as Leo's “boy” eleventy billion times - ok 356 times to be exact - in a 289 page book. That is just excessive, and it felt creepy, especially when Alex kept yelling, “Fuck your boy!” during sex. Not only was it weird that he referred to himself in the 3rd person, but it was just...disturbing. I was trying to figure out why it bothered me so much, besides the sheer number of times the word was used, especially since I remember liking it when side character Devon called Nicky “boy” in [b:Power Play: Resistance 13484184 Power Play Resistance (Power Play, #1) Rachel Haimowitz https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329195964s/13484184.jpg 19019159]. So tonight I also read [b:Master Class 12323810 Master Class (Master Class, #1) Rachel Haimowitz https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1312768976s/12323810.jpg 17302195] about how Devon and Nicky met, and I figured out the difference. It's all about the context. Devon used it when he was making demands or reprimanding during scenes, and he still often referred to Nicky by his name. Leo, however, used it with affection, and at all times, rarely calling him Alex. I guess the word “boy” used with an affectionate tone in my mind sounds like a creepy old man and just made me feel uncomfortable, especially when it was being drilled into my brain.Aside from the whole “boy” thing, it was a great book. Alex is a truly adorable character, and I loved his shy personality. Leo knew just what to do to draw him out of his shell, and it was lovely to see them gradually take their relationship to new levels. I thought this book was similar to [b:Duck! 8178400 Duck! (Avian Shifters, #1) Kim Dare https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1273661196s/8178400.jpg 13024937], except it is better written with more likable characters and has no bird shifters, which is a plus for me because I just can't find birds sexy at all. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wouldn't be put off by Leo calling Alex his boy every 5 seconds.
I love these guys and after seeing them together in [b:Power Play: Resistance 13484184 Power Play Resistance (Power Play, #1) Rachel Haimowitz https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329195964s/13484184.jpg 19019159], I was happy to find this novella about how their relationship began. Devon is a complete asshole when he's playing Dom, and I love it. Fortunately for him, Nicky does too, and is finally able to truly give up control with Devon.I'd give it 5 stars if not for lack of character development, which I just don't think is feasible given the short length of the story.
Hmm, what to say...this book didn't turn out to be what I expected. Well, the first half was, then it changed. I was ready for some hot BDSM man on man action, and for the first half of the book, I was not disappointed. And then the goats showed up. After a scene involving a goat, lube, and bondage rope that made me gag (get your mind out of the gutter, perverts!), the book changed. From that point forward, every side character the couple ran into started waxing poetic about love and romance, giving them the same advice over and over. They of course ignored most of this advice, so it continued to be repeated.
It frustrates me when MCs don't mature in the relationships themselves, but instead have to be guided every step of the way by friends, family, and complete strangers who always seem to have an eerie insight into the problems they're going through. I want to see the characters grow and take the steps to further develop their relationship on their own, so it bothered me that Marcus and Thomas didn't do that in this book. Yes, everyone seeks relationship advice at some point, but it doesn't need to come from everyone they know.
Another thing I don't like is when a person's decision to put their trust in another by revealing their secrets is made for them, as was done to Marcus. Thomas took his choice away by lying on a phone call, so how am I to believe that Marcus would ever truly trust him enough to willingly make himself vulnerable? That's huge, and the decision should have been his to make.
I also had a hard time believing Thomas' mother's overnight about face in her treatment of her son. It's like she suddenly became a different person because it was convenient for the storyline. Honestly, her original behavior (but not her beliefs) was a bit hard to swallow, and this is coming from someone who lives in the heart of the Bible Belt. She wouldn't have acted the way she did in front of and to Marcus unless she was white trash, which she wasn't. Her sense of manners would have kept her from saying anything until Marcus was not present. Her behavior didn't match the type of person she was supposed to be.
I'd rate this book pre-goat 4 stars, but the direction it went from there makes it a 3 for me.
Forgot to add, as far as the writing went, I was particularly annoyed with the switching back and forth between Marcus and Thomas' POVs from one paragraph to the next without warning. It was jarring and confusing.
Merged review:
Hmm, what to say...this book didn't turn out to be what I expected. Well, the first half was, then it changed. I was ready for some hot BDSM man on man action, and for the first half of the book, I was not disappointed. And then the goats showed up. After a scene involving a goat, lube, and bondage rope that made me gag (get your mind out of the gutter, perverts!), the book changed. From that point forward, every side character the couple ran into started waxing poetic about love and romance, giving them the same advice over and over. They of course ignored most of this advice, so it continued to be repeated.
It frustrates me when MCs don't mature in the relationships themselves, but instead have to be guided every step of the way by friends, family, and complete strangers who always seem to have an eerie insight into the problems they're going through. I want to see the characters grow and take the steps to further develop their relationship on their own, so it bothered me that Marcus and Thomas didn't do that in this book. Yes, everyone seeks relationship advice at some point, but it doesn't need to come from everyone they know.
Another thing I don't like is when a person's decision to put their trust in another by revealing their secrets is made for them, as was done to Marcus. Thomas took his choice away by lying on a phone call, so how am I to believe that Marcus would ever truly trust him enough to willingly make himself vulnerable? That's huge, and the decision should have been his to make.
I also had a hard time believing Thomas' mother's overnight about face in her treatment of her son. It's like she suddenly became a different person because it was convenient for the storyline. Honestly, her original behavior (but not her beliefs) was a bit hard to swallow, and this is coming from someone who lives in the heart of the Bible Belt. She wouldn't have acted the way she did in front of and to Marcus unless she was white trash, which she wasn't. Her sense of manners would have kept her from saying anything until Marcus was not present. Her behavior didn't match the type of person she was supposed to be.
I'd rate this book pre-goat 4 stars, but the direction it went from there makes it a 3 for me.
Forgot to add, as far as the writing went, I was particularly annoyed with the switching back and forth between Marcus and Thomas' POVs from one paragraph to the next without warning. It was jarring and confusing.
2.5 stars (Infected: 2 stars, Prey: 3 stars)
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. The plot failed to pull me in, and I frequently got bored, having to take breaks to read other books whenever I'd finish a chapter or two. It's hard to nail down exactly what the problem was, but I know at least part of it is that it felt like I was thrown into the middle of a story without any background or development. It took me a while to figure out how the virus worked, how it was spread and what virus children were. When virus children were first mentioned, there was absolutely no explanation about what that meant, and it wasn't til much later that it was explained. Granted, I was sick while reading this so it's possible that my inability to concentrate played a part here. I'm still sick so hopefully this review isn't too incoherent.
I like to watch a relationship develop, but Roan and Paris were already in a long-term relationship in the beginning of this book, so it was difficult for me to feel the connection between them when I had no background to go on. I didn't feel that their interactions adequately expressed the depth of their relationship, therefore I couldn't feel too attached to them. Over the course of the book, I did eventually learn their back story and began to feel that connection, but it was too long in coming. I'm hoping the next book will focus more on the significant personal implications of the virus in Roan and Paris' relationship. I'd already purchased Bloodlines so I do plan to read it eventually, just not right away.