Great end to the trilogy! I'm just sorry that being so very stupidly busy at the moment, prevents me from writing proper reviews of the novels I've beGreat end to the trilogy! I'm just sorry that being so very stupidly busy at the moment, prevents me from writing proper reviews of the novels I've been reading...more
Nice main characters, but all the cliches of a rom-com (from the small-town gossipy inhabitants to the rediscovery of the quiet life) combined with thNice main characters, but all the cliches of a rom-com (from the small-town gossipy inhabitants to the rediscovery of the quiet life) combined with the forced banter and humour ended up irritating the hell out of me.
A clear case of "it's me-not-the-book" since the vast majority of the ratings are quite high. I'm inclined to try with something else by this author, but this novel - despite the lovely title and intriguing premise connected to the idea of coddiwomple - didn't do it for me.
The spirit of a Buddhist monk encounters the reincarnation of his long-lost love, but how can they be together when Ten is iA lovely BL by Ringo Yuki.
The spirit of a Buddhist monk encounters the reincarnation of his long-lost love, but how can they be together when Ten is immortal and Shûichirô isn't?
I've enjoyed the quiet atmospheres of this manga, its gentle worldbuilding and focus on the characters' psychology.
I would have loved to see even more development and the ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but the overall work was a delightful read, also thanks to Ringo Yuki's beautiful drawings. [image]...more
I really loved the first half of this novel - strong characters, a compelling storyline, great writing and some wonderful scenes (e.g. Nicky's uncoverI really loved the first half of this novel - strong characters, a compelling storyline, great writing and some wonderful scenes (e.g. Nicky's uncovering of his tattoos was a truly moving moment in the book). Then something didn't quite work out for me in the second part. I've found the narrative tension going down, too many repetitions in the characters' interactions and the resolution of the big conflicts in the story - both between the characters and within one character and his inner world - was conducted either very quickly or almost off-page. The writing style also felt less strong and compelling.
So I feel a bit conflicted but overall, this is around the 3.5-star rating for me and Leta Blake's writing style is certainly something I want to read more of....more
I love everything Taylor writes. Fact. And I always find her writing style, the pace and depth, the little detail that magnifies a feeling or a situatI love everything Taylor writes. Fact. And I always find her writing style, the pace and depth, the little detail that magnifies a feeling or a situation making you go "wow!" so peculiarly hers that I think I'd recognise it anywhere.
The interaction between the "prickly porcupine" and the "labrador retriever" (thanks, Xia!) works perfectly in her hands, and Coming in First Place is no exception.
David Chapman is difficult and isolated, enclosed in a world made of parental rejection, sneering teammates, and a desire to prove himself that burns him from within.
Jake Lourdes is pretty much his opposite - well-loved by family and friends, popular, attractive, and full of enthusiasm.
Their clash is inevitable (although one could argue that the clash is entirely in David's head) and when Jake shows him no hidden agendas, no second-guessing, but only genuine interest and attraction, David is "thrown off the ice" (apologies, but I had to do it!), so out of his carefully-measured depths that we see him scrambling desperately for something to hold on to. That something happens to be Jake.
The tentative HFN that closes this first volume of this trilogy left me wanting for much more and I'm looking forward to seeing where Taylor will take Chaps and Lourdy. Plus, Mike Brouwer is a character here (and every time he’s on page my heart melts a little).
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