Considering the polarizing reviews I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. The cheating part didn't bother me as much since they were only in a LaveConsidering the polarizing reviews I enjoyed this more than I was expecting. The cheating part didn't bother me as much since they were only in a Lavender, almost green card marriage anyways with it almost being an open relationship except the wife was in deep denial of her sexuality.
Things take a turn after the first couple chapters and the story turns to one about Sol and the real reasons behind his intimacy issues as the focus becomes his relationship with Adam. Unlike some of the reviewers, I did end up liking both main characters and liked the little bits of humor interspersed throughout amongst all the drama and the tears. This was a nice free read from the Loves Landscape series. ...more
Did the author go a tad overboard in making our main Oscar Lozardo a totally disgusting character? The answer is probably yes. Oscar has very little cDid the author go a tad overboard in making our main Oscar Lozardo a totally disgusting character? The answer is probably yes. Oscar has very little charm (some would say none). Not only is he a smelly mess with a career in sewage, he also comes across as an airhead who spends most of his spare time getting a gym body or sleeping in his slimy, rat infested apartment or worse of all, trolling people on the internet. Any one of those characteristics would disqualify him from being romantic hero but this book sets out to prove there's someone for everyone and in this case it turns out to be Oscar's sweet, kind and eccentric neighbor Noah.
While overloaded with quirky characters this little short story did grow on me with it's combination of humor and pathos even if I didn't quite buy that Oscar's backstory was totally responsible for all his disgusting behavior. Amusing and somewhat cute story that's probably not for the sensitive. ...more
This felt more like a fantasy since I couldn't figure out the historical context of the storyline and the characters seemed a little too modern. This This felt more like a fantasy since I couldn't figure out the historical context of the storyline and the characters seemed a little too modern. This one went from a high intensity story about trying to save their world to an ending where the two characters decided to basically call it quits and run away together. That seemed like an abrupt transition. There was also some confusion on Hunter's abilities which seemed to be involve compelling animals to do things for him. Was he charming them to get them to do what he wanted or was he forcing his will on them? We needed clarification on it.
All in all though, I wasn't offended as some were by the storyline as it all takes place in a fantastical world anyways. I found this a pleasant enough story. ...more
I think this one followed the prompt exactly but I was hoping for maybe something a little outside the cookie cutter box. A little deviation wouldn't I think this one followed the prompt exactly but I was hoping for maybe something a little outside the cookie cutter box. A little deviation wouldn't have hurt this one. It's nice if you like super sweet stories but I think the epilogue was maybe too much of a complete happy ending--save that for a longer story. I also agree with some others that the relationship also felt like a rebound one. I think we needed more build up to make it believable. ...more
I'm finally getting to read some Love's Landscapes stories. I enjoyed this one because the author really seems to understand the short story craft. WeI'm finally getting to read some Love's Landscapes stories. I enjoyed this one because the author really seems to understand the short story craft. We quickly get a feel for Theo and his conflicting views of his disability which in the end doesn't stop his determination to get what he wants, Ben the barista. We see Ben through Theo's eyes as this fantasy embodiment of the perfect boyfriend, smart, friendly and kind. It has a happy beginning kind of ending which feels right but It's also a story that could be expanded upon in a longer form. It all works but I could have done with a lot less smoking. ...more
The intentions were good on this one but the writing was amateurish and the main character Mark was pretty much a sociopath with desperate need of angThe intentions were good on this one but the writing was amateurish and the main character Mark was pretty much a sociopath with desperate need of anger management counseling. I like the idea of hate hate turning to something else but the physical attacks bothered me. Mark accidentally injures Sandy and he makes it everyone's fault but his own. When he's not doing that he's punching or fighting with Sandy on the least provocation.
He imagines Sandy Rogers is laughing at him or talking about him behind his back or looks at him funny or is taunting him and this leads to Mark either attacking Sandy physically or barely restraining himself from doing so. The way this story is presented it's not to be taken seriously but i get uncomfortable because the excuses Mark uses for when he turns physical against Sandy are the same one used by every abusive person who've ever hit their wife or their child, i.e. 'she/he made me do it.'.
Interspersed between all that, there were entertaining moments with Sandy, Mark their friends and family. The writer keeps it clean ( I think because she notes she's not comfortable with writing sex scenes). These are also young people maybe high school age & they never quite develop to maturity even by the end. I'd say an audience on the same level would be a better fit for this story. Hopefully they won't internalize that message of it's ok to hit someone if you're trying to avoid your feelings for them because that sounds an awful lot like a bully mentality. ...more
* 1.5 Stars** The main problem with this one is the way it's written. There's lots of head hopping from paragraph to paragraph and it's written withou* 1.5 Stars** The main problem with this one is the way it's written. There's lots of head hopping from paragraph to paragraph and it's written without much emotion or passion. I need more from a story than just narrating this happened and this happened and this happened and now they live happily ever after. Both Trent and Chris were involved with other people and in open relationships (one with a married man) for most of the short. When they do finally get together it's in a sex scene described in such a mechanical way I'm not sure why even bother writing it. Then we're just told the outcome where Trent and Chris get together and apparently go from monogamish to monogamy. This is a nice outline of a story. Now it just needs to be filled in with details to give it personality and heart. ...more
I wanted to like this book more but I just kept getting lost in all the confusing plot. There was painting clouds, breakfast bar, black & gay bashing,I wanted to like this book more but I just kept getting lost in all the confusing plot. There was painting clouds, breakfast bar, black & gay bashing, baby kittens, canned peaches and a whole lot of mess. I couldn't even figure out Manny's part time job which involved being some kind of fluffer for women in a sex club so that they can get hot & bothered enough to choose the guy who's bidding for her. Or maybe it's to get the guy hot enough to want to the girl. I wasn't sure of any of it. I don't know how this connected with Manny being a dancer or being an artistic painter of clouds either. What we do know is Manny wants to take his relationship with Joseph out of the friend zone and Joseph is balking as he's deeply closeted.
This was actually not a bad plot idea and had good potential. But the other subplots just kept taking over. For example, at one point I think Joe discovered Manny worked in the sex trade but I couldn't be sure since they never discuss it and instead we're treated to a rambling conversation between Teague, Willa, Cameron and later a bunch of waitresses and Cynda the peach seller.
I read in the Afterwards that the main characters were first introduced in several other books written by the author. That probably explains the confusion and why this wasn't as fun a book to read as it should have been. This was like a continuation of a series that I never read. ...more
2.5 Stars There's a cheating warning in this story so that part was not unexpected. I just found the set up hard to believe. Mateo has recently lost s2.5 Stars There's a cheating warning in this story so that part was not unexpected. I just found the set up hard to believe. Mateo has recently lost some weight and is getting back into the dating scene with the encouragement of his very pushy female friend ( a standard in an M/M book now). He goes out on several dates with Javier but feels absolutely zero attraction. There's no sexual chemistry and when he kisses him he again feels nothing. Yet he continues to date him. This is very illogical and doesn't fit the behavior pattern of men and dates. Without chemistry men bail a lot quicker than women and they certainly wouldn't be going on date #7 or whatever number this gets to. Because of this, the triangle set up between Mateo, Javier and Matteo's roommate Gabriel made little sense. If you're going to write a good triangle story your hero needs to have some kind of conflicted feelings of attraction for the two men. Now there could have been another conflict in the story since Javier and Matteo are cousins, but since we never get Matteo's point of view that issue wasn't explored.
My main issue with this though was the actual writing. The word that comes to mind is awkward especially in the writing for the sex scenes. I'm not going to get into it too much though as this is a free story for the LHNB program which showcases both amateur and professional writers. This had some good ideas that just needed some more work.
ASHER the sex robot was so cute in this story he stole the show. The problem is there was quite a lot of build up to Wyatt finally warming up to ASHERASHER the sex robot was so cute in this story he stole the show. The problem is there was quite a lot of build up to Wyatt finally warming up to ASHER but when it happens the story just ends. It totally missed the good parts I was waiting for. It's like it fell off a cliff. I'd probably read a follow up to this one but as it is this felt incomplete. ...more
2.5 Stars I liked the prompt about a couple who's been together a while trying to regain the spark they lost but I felt this story was slightly super 2.5 Stars I liked the prompt about a couple who's been together a while trying to regain the spark they lost but I felt this story was slightly superficial. It's mainly all about one of the guys planning a sexy weekend which I just couldn't see actually solving anything. I'd have preferred if the story focused less on the sexy time & instead on having the couple actually try to recreate or remember what made them fall in love in the first place and actually dig into what went wrong that dimmed all that. ...more
1.5 Stars This probably fulfilled the prompt but it wasn't appealing as a story. Frank & Jasper are pimps over some female prostitutes in London in t 1.5 Stars This probably fulfilled the prompt but it wasn't appealing as a story. Frank & Jasper are pimps over some female prostitutes in London in the 1800's. Jasper has a lust for nice things & has a bit more of a high class accent. Frank has been diddling with his female star hooker and it's implied he runs things and is not afraid to rough people up. It wasn't clear who he's roughing up, his prostitutes or their clients. Either way, guys who're doing their social climbing on the backs of women are not my idea of romantic heroes. The two get together after an attempted robbery and a couple of killings (over wanting a new pair of shoes which makes them seem like modern day gangbangers). Which apparently gets them so high they discover their lust for one another.
I'm guessing this is trying for a dark story or maybe black humor or people looking for smut in unusual places like next to dead bodies. I prefer to have the backstory and a reason for the action. There was absolutely no reason given to care about these guys one way or the other and so I didn't. ( Also I can go either way on dialect writing. IN this case I didn't enjoy the cockney accent at all. )...more
It's a vampire story which is never my favorite but this one wasn't too bad. One vampire acts out of control for a while out of grief and guilt. We laIt's a vampire story which is never my favorite but this one wasn't too bad. One vampire acts out of control for a while out of grief and guilt. We later find out it's also because of his hidden feelings he has for the other vampire. I felt the miscommunication was a little forced but the romantic elements were nice....more
I usually skip historical M/M romances due to me never believing in the happy ending. But one of the great thing about the Love Has No Boundaries seriI usually skip historical M/M romances due to me never believing in the happy ending. But one of the great thing about the Love Has No Boundaries series is you get to try out some stories with no risk as it's free of charge. I'm very happy I read this one as I loved the story about the two knights setting off together to attempt a daring rescue against an evil Lord. I think this was an excellent adventure not to mention good romance as well. I even believed in the clever way Christian & William managed to achieve their HEA. Maybe I'll start looking out more for books like these in the future. ...more
A LHNB Story It's a very short but quite nice little story about a ranch hand, Jake, who's been given half of a ranch (by the former owner) that he A LHNB Story It's a very short but quite nice little story about a ranch hand, Jake, who's been given half of a ranch (by the former owner) that he has to share with the owner's son Daniel. Even though Daniel resents him, Jake secretly longs for one thing, a chance to dance with Daniel at least one time. Opportunity arises in the aftermath of a Twister. Other than one WTF moment (Jake is filled with lust for Daniel even while a tornado is right above their heads) this was a cute cowboy story. ...more
2.5 stars This was very disappointing because it took until the end of the book before it became any kind of romance. The supposed main couple Josh 2.5 stars This was very disappointing because it took until the end of the book before it became any kind of romance. The supposed main couple Josh & Stu do not even have a meaningful conversation until 88% on my Kindle. That's way, way too late if you're writing a romance story.
Other problems: The story is from Josh's point of view so we get his story only. He meets up with Sid maybe 4 times over the course of about 10 years, at weddings, funerals & vacations. Each time they say stupid things to one another, get into fights and then separate. Throughout that time Josh figures he's gay, acquires various lovers, becomes a college Rugby player, becomes a pro player, gets invited into threesomes, argues with parents, visits sister & her hubby, retires from sport etc.
This story of Josh & Stu is not a romance for 90% of this story.There was no unresolved sexual tension. There was no love/hate relationship. They just didn't like each other when they met up on social occasions.
Stu also had no redeeming qualities that I saw. He was a judgmental Mr. Priss Pot throughout. Just unlikable enough that no sane man would be carrying a torch for him. Not believable at all.
The rating this gets is that it did follow the prompt and had good enough writing even if it wasn't a story I particularly wanted to read....more
*** A LHNB Story*** 4.5 Stars This one had good pacing and a very interesting kind of badass character in Justin. I think this one taps into all tha*** A LHNB Story*** 4.5 Stars This one had good pacing and a very interesting kind of badass character in Justin. I think this one taps into all that bad boy fantasy who's soft for just that one special guy Shawn and it also has an appealing hurt/comfort side to it as well. It's a good one if you like assassin storylines. Very enjoyble. Now I just have to remember to check out her other books. ...more
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