Mélanie
Added to listBi awakeningwith 4 books.
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 3.5/5
Wish We Were Here by Risa Cruise was a book I had been eagerly anticipating—partly because I already love this author’s writing style, and also because the story is set in the ’90s. I was a teenager during that decade, and so much of the music I still listen to comes from that era. Many of my favorite films—like Basketball Diaries, which is mentioned in the book—also came out in the ’90s. I went in expecting something rich in emotion and nostalgia, and that’s exactly what Risa Cruise delivered.
I have a soft spot for road trip stories and journeys of self-discovery, so it was such a joy to follow Sam and Ash across the United States. Watching them evolve from strangers into something deeper felt incredibly natural and organic. Sam’s bi-awakening was beautifully done—seeing him come to terms with his identity was both tender and moving. And Ash… my god, his story hit hard. His struggle with self-worth made so much sense given his past, and it was heartbreaking at times. I loved that he had Sam in his life—someone who gently helped him believe he deserved more, both from himself and from the world.
I also really appreciated how Risa Cruise handled the topic of AIDS, which was still relatively new in the ’90s and devastating so many lives. Its presence in the story felt authentic and meaningful, especially in the way it shaped the characters’ experiences and relationship with their own sexuality. It added an extra layer of realism that grounded the narrative.
The spice was incredible. Their first time together, in particular, was so sensual and emotionally charged—it’s still living in my head days after finishing the book. Every intimate scene carried real depth and feeling.
I honestly have no notes. This book was perfect for me. The characters, the setting, the pacing, and the level of spice all hit exactly right. I devoured it so quickly—I couldn’t put it down.
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 3.5/5
Wish We Were Here by Risa Cruise was a book I had been eagerly anticipating—partly because I already love this author’s writing style, and also because the story is set in the ’90s. I was a teenager during that decade, and so much of the music I still listen to comes from that era. Many of my favorite films—like Basketball Diaries, which is mentioned in the book—also came out in the ’90s. I went in expecting something rich in emotion and nostalgia, and that’s exactly what Risa Cruise delivered.
I have a soft spot for road trip stories and journeys of self-discovery, so it was such a joy to follow Sam and Ash across the United States. Watching them evolve from strangers into something deeper felt incredibly natural and organic. Sam’s bi-awakening was beautifully done—seeing him come to terms with his identity was both tender and moving. And Ash… my god, his story hit hard. His struggle with self-worth made so much sense given his past, and it was heartbreaking at times. I loved that he had Sam in his life—someone who gently helped him believe he deserved more, both from himself and from the world.
I also really appreciated how Risa Cruise handled the topic of AIDS, which was still relatively new in the ’90s and devastating so many lives. Its presence in the story felt authentic and meaningful, especially in the way it shaped the characters’ experiences and relationship with their own sexuality. It added an extra layer of realism that grounded the narrative.
The spice was incredible. Their first time together, in particular, was so sensual and emotionally charged—it’s still living in my head days after finishing the book. Every intimate scene carried real depth and feeling.
I honestly have no notes. This book was perfect for me. The characters, the setting, the pacing, and the level of spice all hit exactly right. I devoured it so quickly—I couldn’t put it down.
Added to listOpposites Attractwith 4 books.
⭐️ 4.25/5 | 🌶️ 3/5
Starting this series felt both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, since it’s my best friend’s all-time favorite. I really wanted us to share that same love for Legacy of Gods.
It ended up being quite the rollercoaster. For more than half the book, I struggled to connect with the characters. I couldn’t fully understand the hype around Killian—he was entertaining in his own way, but I felt oddly detached from him. His relationship with Glyndon left me cold as well; I just wasn’t seeing the spark between them.
What kept me going were the side characters. There were so many intriguing personalities to discover, and knowing that most of them have their own books gave me a strong push to continue.
Then the last 25% completely flipped everything for me. The dynamic between Killian and Glyndon started to shift, and for the first time, I truly believed in their relationship. The plot twist near the end caught me off guard, and I was glued to my Kindle until the final page.
I never thought Killian would win me over—but wow, he really did. By the end, I was fully rooting for him.
It’s rare for a book to change my mind so drastically after the halfway point, but this one pulled it off. I’m so glad I stuck with it until the end.
I can’t wait to continue with God of Pain.
⭐️ 4.25/5 | 🌶️ 3/5
Starting this series felt both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, since it’s my best friend’s all-time favorite. I really wanted us to share that same love for Legacy of Gods.
It ended up being quite the rollercoaster. For more than half the book, I struggled to connect with the characters. I couldn’t fully understand the hype around Killian—he was entertaining in his own way, but I felt oddly detached from him. His relationship with Glyndon left me cold as well; I just wasn’t seeing the spark between them.
What kept me going were the side characters. There were so many intriguing personalities to discover, and knowing that most of them have their own books gave me a strong push to continue.
Then the last 25% completely flipped everything for me. The dynamic between Killian and Glyndon started to shift, and for the first time, I truly believed in their relationship. The plot twist near the end caught me off guard, and I was glued to my Kindle until the final page.
I never thought Killian would win me over—but wow, he really did. By the end, I was fully rooting for him.
It’s rare for a book to change my mind so drastically after the halfway point, but this one pulled it off. I’m so glad I stuck with it until the end.
I can’t wait to continue with God of Pain.