This wasn't my favorite book by this author, or even within this series but I need to be absolutely clear that even an average CE*ARC review* 3.5 stars
This wasn't my favorite book by this author, or even within this series but I need to be absolutely clear that even an average CE Ricci book is better than MANY other romance books out there. Her writing and the characters she develops are superior to a lot of what is being published these days. The main characters of this book, Hayes and Kason, were both delightful. I fell for both of them pretty quickly, especially Hayes's grumpiness and Kason's bumbly awkwardness. I enjoyed the backstory both of them brought and that they slowly revealed it to each other through the story. As a reader, I had some idea about their history from the first 2 books, and it felt like this book was filling in the gaps, which was fun.
I loved the demisexual representation written into Hayes's character. I felt the explanation within the story by Hayes about how attraction worked for him, as well as the intro statement by the author were both handled beautifully. This was some of the best, most authentic representation I've seen written into romance while also recognizing that this was only one of myriad ways that demisexuality manifests. A+
This book just had a few specific things that put me off from really falling for this one as hard as some of her other books. (For reference, my absolute favorite of her works is 'Don't You Dare' which is also friends to lovers.) While I obviously was excited for the boys to get together, they fell into a magical relationship with no issues pretty quickly. Trust, I ADORE that there was no awkward lack of communication, friends with benefits situation happening here, but it did feel too...easy? And for me, it unfortunately read a bit bland and I didn't have the same feeling of not wanting to put the book down as I'm used to with this author.
Then, because everything was going swimmingly at about the 50% mark, the third act breakup based on an absolutely convoluted, ridiculous conflict felt misplaced. While I sort of saw the parental issue coming, I was so disappointed when it played out on page, especially when the boys actually talked about it but still came to the conclusion that there was just nothing to be done. *woe* Even the resolution with the parents felt weird and out of character, so easily resolved that I questioned why it was even written into the story. ...more
Neither my fave FMC or MMC from the series but I enjoyed the story in this installment the most so far. We love some forced proximity and only one bedNeither my fave FMC or MMC from the series but I enjoyed the story in this installment the most so far. We love some forced proximity and only one bed tropes in this house, so it was an easy read. I really enjoyed the glimpse into Violet's life as well. The spice takes a bit longer to arrive in this book but it's worth the wait. Will definitely keep reading....more
I enjoyed this installment of the series - my only real issue is that the ending seemed a little rushed and incomplete. I know there are 4 mo4.5 stars
I enjoyed this installment of the series - my only real issue is that the ending seemed a little rushed and incomplete. I know there are 4 more books in the series, but they won't focus on these characters as directly, so I would have loved a bit more closure. But I liked all the MCs and I like where the plot is headed in this world overall....more
Well, this series does wrap up completely, and while I wasn't left with many questions (see below), I never got to the place of being full*ARC review*
Well, this series does wrap up completely, and while I wasn't left with many questions (see below), I never got to the place of being fully onboard with the plot. There are some quick explanations of what happened with the Russians and how we get to a place of kidnapping someone's wife and then literally trafficking her, but honestly the backstory is just...flimsy. I would have rather we disposed of the entire Russian mafia situation and written a why choose with the male characters, figuring out all of their own bullshit and backstory to come to a romantic resolution.
I don't know - there's just so much left unsaid here and characters introduced for seemingly no reason -- Ted and his wife at a business dinner, for example. And Ransom, who is willing to hide our main characters and literally help him in a shootout with the Russian mafia...but we've never heard of him before. And poor Gigi, who was dragged into a story, lied to about her brother's death and then foisted off on a side character - as an introduction to her own book I'm guessing? For books that were each so short, there is a lot that could have been expanded on to make more sense of the story.
As I mentioned above, the question I'm left with is what happened to the ranch and moving forward, as the will was such a big plot point in the first book. While we end up knowing that all of our characters are committed to each other, and happily have sex together in gazebos, we leave out what happens to the ranch. As it was heavily implied that it was going to shit during much of this book, especially after a central employee was revealed to be disloyal, we just have to assume that everything is fine.
I have noticed that lots of people do seem to be having a really positive experience with the audio versions of these books, but I've been reading them in print, and they've just been OK....more
When I saw this book come available as the first in a new series from these authors, I snapped it up so quick! I read this one fa*ARC review* 3.5 stars
When I saw this book come available as the first in a new series from these authors, I snapped it up so quick! I read this one fast - it almost felt like a teaser for everything that is to come. It lays the groundwork well for quite a tangled web between all of the relationship drama, secrets that characters are keeping, and mafia undertones, there is clearly a lot going on. I do think some of the events of the book happened a bit quickly - there wasn't a lot of groundwork laid before people were getting stabbed, for example, but I look forward to all of it being fleshed out more in the books to come.
Our FMC, River, is feisty and mouthy, which I'm a huge fan of. As we learn about her backstory and her connection to the men in the book, she has clearly has been through some struggles and traumatic events. However, she does have some moments of naivete that felt a bit out of character - especially as it relates to her parents and some of her own life experiences. But again, I think there is a lot more information coming in future books.
So, the men. They all made me feel something, even if some of those things weren't overly positive. Cross is the grumpy older brother that was our FMC's first love who treated her incredibly poorly (I'm sure he had Reasons that will be revealed later), Walker is the sweet younger brother with a friends to lovers arc as HE has been in love with our FMC since they were kids, and Sterling is new in her life, the secret, brooding, damaged protective type with secrets who likes to be 'in control.' I'm personally, at this point, ready for a lot more Sterling and less of Cross, as I'm not a alphahole fan, but I do hope he has a nice amount of groveling in his future.
I have to admit that I'm VERY much looking forward to meeting Bear, and getting to the bottom of that relationship. Him calling the FMC 'cub' is giving all sorts of daddy vibes and it feels like he's the fourth member of our why choose situation, but we shall see.
This is certainly my first cowboy mafia forced proximity why choose story, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the books!....more
4.5 stars. I love Fox so much. The only things about him I didn't love was his dirty talk (which...what? who am I?), which is why this wasn't a 5 star4.5 stars. I love Fox so much. The only things about him I didn't love was his dirty talk (which...what? who am I?), which is why this wasn't a 5 star read for me. I loved this one so much more than Piper/Brendan's story. SO MUCH MORE. Glad I gave it a chance....more
This is top tier friends to lovers romance, possibly my favorite ever. There is so much that I personally love in romances all in one story that it waThis is top tier friends to lovers romance, possibly my favorite ever. There is so much that I personally love in romances all in one story that it was almost hard to believe - so much yearning, delicious slow burn, jealousy/possessiveness (without being aggressive), well written spicy scenes that grow in intensity throughout the story, dirty talk, conflict that results in actual character growth, resolution that doesn't come about immediately, but an ending that wraps up everything and gives us a slice of life following the main events of the book. Also, it's a sports based, college age romance. *swoon* The yearning and slow burn of our main character's relationship was palpable. I loved the relationship as written before things take a romantic turn - they are so devoted to each other, and recognize that what they have is unique, but essential. The confusion and hesitancy about the possibility of that cornerstone relationship in their lives taking a romantic turn felt...true. I also appreciated that the characters were written as college aged - sometimes immature, sometimes scared, and exploring sex as they go. When the conflict arises, it's a real conflict and a real fight (not a tired miscommunication), nothing goes unsaid. And when the resolution finally takes place, one person has to actually work for forgiveness. Even though I knew there was a HEA coming, I appreciated the groveling.
Both of the main characters are well written, with back stories that let me understand their personalities and their actions, even when they made choices that left me rolling my eyes. I really loved Bristol, the female side character who dishes out actual good advice and is a strong personality on her own who knows what she wants and is honest about it. I was nervous she was going to be used as a jealous girlfriend at first, but she's nothing but helpful, encouraging and brutally honest.
This book had me in all my feels, I loved it. I'm planning to finish this review and then going to download the author's other books immediately. ...more
There is a lot I want to say, but overwhelmingly, you should absolutely read this book (AFTER reading the first one, of course). This is one of my favThere is a lot I want to say, but overwhelmingly, you should absolutely read this book (AFTER reading the first one, of course). This is one of my favorite reads of the year, and quickly became one of my favorite 'why choose' stories ever.
This story has so much going for it - a strong romantic story, a plotline that contains some true surprising twists and turns, 4 main characters that are well developed who are surrounded by intriguing side characters, and high quality spicy scenes. I loved book one of this duology but book two takes everything up several notches.
Some specific things that I loved: *Our female main character, Rosalie - as in the first book, she's a smart, perceptive, strong-willed woman. In this book we get to see her be possessive, vulnerable, confrontational and find out she is sexually experienced (*gasp*). I like that she was given such range and complexity. *The men - Y'alllllll these men. While they are all flawed, they are all worthy of being your next book boyfriend. They are grow when challenged, can apologize, and *spoiler* get real possessive of each OTHER once they work out they have some feelings. *Different relationships - Truly, there are multiple romantic relationships in this story. Each one develops at its own pace and has its own way of being. The three men each offer Rosalie something different, and the men have varied, complex relationships with each other as well. *Sword Crossing - This book is a solid five on Emily's sword crossing scale (see her TikTok). Not all reverse harem stories have MM relationships, but this one does and each one is given lovely space. The men in this book are slowly realizing (or finally admitting out loud) that they have feelings for each other that go beyond brotherly love and companionship. They have sexual relationships that don't involve the FMC at all, and they are...well done. *fans self* *Communication - As multiple romantic pairings develop, our characters talk multiple times about boundaries and how to make all of their relationships work. As the story nears the end, all 4 of them actually discuss how this is going to work moving forward - especially set in a Regency era, this was crucial for the story to flow well. Personally, I wouldn't have believed an ending without learning how the four of them could possibly get a HEA within a system that centers on protocol and respectability. *Reveals - Outside of the plot twists, the author dropped in some character reveals that took me by surprise, and were so much fun. When one of the men revealed that he had been lusting after his friend for years, I actually gasped. *Female focus - While this book is called second sons, there is a fair amount of time and space given to conversations about the way that women living in the Regency era were treated, and what their true options in life were. *THE SPICE - I mentioned this already, but ...it is so good. High quality AND high quantity. Well written, lots of tension, some surprises, and a surprising variety. You will enjoy it.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review....more
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