Seven years after the war. Harry’s an auror, investigating a possible terror-attack on an All-Beings-friendly music festival. Draco’s a bounty hunter,Seven years after the war. Harry’s an auror, investigating a possible terror-attack on an All-Beings-friendly music festival. Draco’s a bounty hunter, hired by the Auror Department to find and help Harry.
The political circumstances depicted here reflects to contemporary issues.
“Can you imagine this festival turning into a riot? Even if no one dies, it’d be conclusive proof that the Beings can’t coexist peacefully. The goblin talks will end. The centaurs will retreat back in the woods, out of sight. Every progress the elves have made will be rendered irrelevant.”
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The festival atmosphere was nicely done, really captivating. Mutual pining for each other, for years.
A ravishing getting-together story, with a deep and smart suspense storyline. ...more
"Let me guess, Velkan wants to see me?" "No. The only thing His Highness would like to see in regards to you, Princess, is your disembowelment."
It
"Let me guess, Velkan wants to see me?" "No. The only thing His Highness would like to see in regards to you, Princess, is your disembowelment."
It is a Romeo and Juliet story embedded into the Dark-Hunter Universe.
The main characters are Esperetta, daughter of Vlad Tepes, and Velkan Danesti, once a sorcerer, now a Dark-Hunter with shape-shifting abilities. They were enemies by families but fell in love and got married in secret more than five hundred years ago. Both of their families disowned them, and after a tragic chain of events, Retta ran away from Velkan.
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The story is very tense from the beginning: what happened to Esperetta in fact? Can she believe Velkan? Who is the real monster? Which one is real: their mutual hatred or desire?
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Dignity and pride don’t allow them to express their feelings. They are both unbelievably stubborn not to reach for each other for five centuries. It is just unimaginable for a mortal like me to waste so much time.
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Anyway, it is nicely worked-out, both for the main and the secondary characters. Aside from one little mistake in the plot, it is a great story. ...more
Turn is a long story, it’s almost 700 pages. The author has a special talent to be true to the original story, to the characters, to the atmosp4 stars
Turn is a long story, it’s almost 700 pages. The author has a special talent to be true to the original story, to the characters, to the atmosphere. This is the story’s greatest strength. It’s rich in details, ingenious and creative.
Harry is 37, with three kids, a boring desk-job, a distant, dissatisfied wife, with continuous exhaustion, and dark circles under his eyes. He’s worn out. He feels that his life is not exactly what he expected or imagined it to be.
He’s also having weird dreams about Draco and that night in the bathroom where he had found him crying, and apparently it’s going on for a while.
One night Harry drinks too much, meets an old man in a bar who sends him to an alternate universe, to a “what-if” dimension to show him what could have been if he had helped Draco that night he’s dreaming about.
Harry’s time in the “glimpse” lasts for six weeks, it takes up the first third of the story. I felt it extremely long, exhaustively detailed. I was impatiently waiting him to be return to his real life and start to remedy it.
So, when he’s back from the “glimpse”, he slowly starts to make changes, most importantly, he makes friends with Draco. The way he’s doing it is admirably simple: he just starts to talk to him. It’s splendidly simple. It’s not a restart of Harry’s life, but a new direction. Despite the lengthiness of this part, dealing the different aspects of his life is quite easy. Except confessing his feelings to Draco. When he finally gets there, it’s a very theatrical, overdramatic scene, it doesn’t fit into the story, and doesn’t have the expected effect on the reader, the exquisitely depicted emotions I’m used to by this author.
Maybe if the story had been a bit more compact, more dynamic with more focus on the romance, it would have been better.
Endless conversations with Frank bored me (though the author’s tendency to present peculiar pets is awesome, I think I should collect them all from all of her works, it definitely demands a re-read…), Anthony Goldstein’s appearance is totally unnecessary, but there are many things in this novel that are hilarious, such as the Celestina Warbeck thing.
"Don't need no Stunning Spells, don't need no potions of love," Harry sings, chipping away at what he hopes is starting to look like a table-top, "don't need no cupid's arrows and the... fucking rest of the fucking line," he improvises, as, from behind him, Celestina warbles on. Dissatisfied with his work, Harry steps back. It's terrible. "It's your fault this isn't working, you horrible old bat," he mumbles into the instrumental section. "Woah, oh-oh-ohhh," Celestina interrupts breathily.
Unexpected friendships were great, especially the friendship of Harry and Blaise.
“Harry, he is not playing hard to get,” Blaise sighs. “He’s just... actually hard to get.”
The whole story is told from Harry’s viewpoint. Despite its lengthiness, it’s a pleasant read, recommended.
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Draco smiles. “Well, much as it pains me to admit it; it’s beautiful. It looks like water.” “In that case,” Harry says slowly, hoping he’s not making a colossal mistake, “it’s yours.” “Are you quite certain?” “Yes, Draco, I’m quite certain,” Harry says, unable to stop himself from mocking Draco just a little bit. “You’re infuriating. Thank you,” he adds, tone turning gracious.
Zach works for a science company as an IT assistant and has a seemingly jock, irritating but also superhot roommate, Brad.
One day Zach saves a glowinZach works for a science company as an IT assistant and has a seemingly jock, irritating but also superhot roommate, Brad.
One day Zach saves a glowing telepathic axolotl-like creature from the lab. Somehow he feels connected to the cute amphibian, which is able to project emotions, memories, and images.
Zach and Brad decide to take the strange little animal back to the wild, to Louisiana Wetlands. The 16-hour-long drive gives them enough time to get to know each other, and Zach to realize that there is more to Brad than he had assumed.
“Oh my god,” Zach whispered, his whole world seeming sideways. “You’re a nerd for frogs who likes puns.”
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A fun nerd-jock-axolotl story. Recommended!...more
Cat and Bones are on a job to protect a spoiled heiress, Tammy Winslow, whose life is in danger because her cousin wants her dead.
As Don does5 stars!
Cat and Bones are on a job to protect a spoiled heiress, Tammy Winslow, whose life is in danger because her cousin wants her dead.
As Don doesn’t succeed to find said cousin (Gable), Cat and Bones take the matter into their own hands. They make a nostalgic visit (or two) to the place of their first date, the nightclub called Bite.
The story accurately summarizes the events of the previous books. The newly turned and grief-stricken Justina is here, an unusual self-defense lesson is presented, as well as a hot sex scene and an action scene where Justina (view spoiler)[ saves Bones’ life (hide spoiler)].
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A great novella of the Night Huntress series. Recommended. ...more
Draco's life is threatened, and Harry agrees to work as his bodyguard.
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Sounds simple, but there is so much more here. They have a recent historDraco's life is threatened, and Harry agrees to work as his bodyguard.
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Sounds simple, but there is so much more here. They have a recent history, insane attraction, real danger, dark secrets, an amazing invention, and an epilogue that would make anybody cry.
Story 6000 years earlier, Cratus, a sentinel of Zeus, had defied Zeus’ order and had spared a life he should have taken. He had been punished severely,Story 6000 years earlier, Cratus, a sentinel of Zeus, had defied Zeus’ order and had spared a life he should have taken. He had been punished severely, his godhood taken, and forced to live on Earth as a mortal, deprived from even the tiniest morsel of happiness or satisfaction. Plus, he has been tortured and killed every night, and resurrected by the morning ever since.
The story sets in the present: the Greek pantheon is threatened by two Source gods, Noir and Azura. As Cratus (now Jericho) is a Source god himself, the Greeks send two Oneroi gods, Phobos and Delphine, to convince him to fight on their behalf, and in return he’d get back his godhood and powers.
The first 30 percent is very repetitive and boring. The rest seems chaotic and soap-opera-like. New and old characters are thrown randomly into the plot: Greek Gods, Source Gods, Oneroi, Skoti, Atlanteans, Daimons, Dark-Hunters, Gallu demons, the “original gods of sun and of fire” – I’m not sure I mentioned everyone. Plus the maze in which they are all connected somehow.
Romance The insta-love is justified with fate, no development.
Characters Jericho is tortured yet he has compassion and a soft side – unexpected even for him. He is tall and handsome with a lethal aura, and insanely hot.
Delphine is beautiful and perfect, with grace, a playful and caring attitude, and incredible fighting skills.
By the way, in this world all of the male characters are insanely handsome and tall, with a lethal aura, and all the women are petite (except Astrid, who is tall), beautiful, funny and wise.
All in all I read Dream Warrior two years ago, but I had to re-read it now because I didn’t review it then and I couldn’t remember a word from it.
I started to read this series more than 10 years ago, and I loved it back then. But obviously, my reading taste has changed a lot, and I don’t enjoy PNR books as much as I did. I’ve abandoned not only this one, but many PNR series I had started to read because of the same reason. Sometimes I feel guilty about it, so I read the next one in line, but they usually don’t satisfy me. Sadly, it happened again with Dream Warrior....more
Sugar and lover boy... Oh, my... Everything was so OTT - the sex scenes, the inner drama, the dialogues, the fight scenes. So pompous, so exaggerated,Sugar and lover boy... Oh, my... Everything was so OTT - the sex scenes, the inner drama, the dialogues, the fight scenes. So pompous, so exaggerated, so theatrical. I've got unused to this writing style. Was PNR always like this?
"They say I’m as fickle as winter, as shy as frost, and as indifferent as a blizzard. It’s rumored my body is pure as driven snow. Nobody imag
"They say I’m as fickle as winter, as shy as frost, and as indifferent as a blizzard. It’s rumored my body is pure as driven snow. Nobody imagines that I might be full of fire."
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The main part of the story covers the events of the Immortals After Dark series from the first novella, The Warlord Wants Forever to the end of book 5, Dark Needs at Night’s Edge.
“You can't go through life alone. Trust me on this one. It's lonely as hell.”
Short and satisfying.
Celena, a Squire, who lives for the rules
“You can't go through life alone. Trust me on this one. It's lonely as hell.”
Short and satisfying.
Celena, a Squire, who lives for the rules, is in constant worry for the ones under her care, and does everything to ensure their safety. It is especially true for Rafael, for whom she has been longing secretly for years.
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Rafael Santiago, an ex-pirate, now Dark-Hunter is fascinated by Celena’s fierce beauty, and strict protectiveness. After an almost fatal, but luckily ended adventure they confess their feelings for each other, and live happily ever after.
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I’m amazed again by the fact that Ms. Kenyon is able to jam incredibly many things into only a couple of pages: humor, background story, emotions, a Daimon attack, an Apollite wedding, surprises, action, erotica, and Acheron. Nicely done! Too bad it is short.
The world building is quite interesting, with an unusual approach to vampires and angels. The storyline is not bad, but the romance is awful, I reallyThe world building is quite interesting, with an unusual approach to vampires and angels. The storyline is not bad, but the romance is awful, I really don’t know where the love comes from. I didn’t managed to like the main characters, Elena and Raphael, but the secondary characters were amazing, especially Illium and Dmitri. ...more
Too much action, too little romance (and as requested in the prompt, no hea). I lost my patience reading one action scene after the other. This story Too much action, too little romance (and as requested in the prompt, no hea). I lost my patience reading one action scene after the other. This story is definitely not for me. ...more
I loved the effective portrayal of emotions and feelings: Wolfsbane was tragic, shocking and heartbreaking, and I have mixed feelings about Wolfsbane.
I loved the effective portrayal of emotions and feelings: Wolfsbane was tragic, shocking and heartbreaking, and I hated Kate Argent, and wanted to save Derek, and I was charmed by Stiles.
My problem is the storyline, actually – it is way too TV-show-y. Of course, it is a fanfiction of a TV-show... Maybe it makes no sense, still, that’s how I felt reading this story. ...more
The Five Times Raptor Messed With the Bull is a steamy PWP, the story of two bulky cops, Raptor and Bull.
First, I gave it 4 stars, but I was thinkingThe Five Times Raptor Messed With the Bull is a steamy PWP, the story of two bulky cops, Raptor and Bull.
First, I gave it 4 stars, but I was thinking about it, and it really deserves 5 stars.
Because, let’s see what you get in these 35 pages: - 6 sex scenes (six!!!), - a SWAT action scene with a hostage situation, - a fight scene with homophobic idiots, - a bar scene with a little demonstration of possessiveness, and a revelation, - great secondary characters, - great dialogues, - emotional moments, - humor, - and a surprisingly sweet ending.
"Sometimes, what the world asks of us is wrong. And when it is that wrong, there is no honor in obeying it."
I don’t read historical romanc
"Sometimes, what the world asks of us is wrong. And when it is that wrong, there is no honor in obeying it."
I don’t read historical romances, let alone medieval ones, so I don’t really know the genre. I read it anyway, you know, because it is an Eli Easton. I’ve never thought it would affect me that much.
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The storyline was thrilling, and even though I knew beforehand that it had a HEA, I was scared and worried for the characters here and there.
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Swoon-worthy knights, a breathtakingly beautiful romance, delicious and steamy erotic scenes, exciting fights, and a wonderful ending. I loved it!! I could totally imagine this as a movie.
11 by Kylie Brant was the first story. I started to read and couldn’t put it down.
Thriller is not my favorite genre, but this one was really captivating.
Eleven. For three long years that’s what she was called by The Collector, the sexual sadist who enslaved her. Five years after escaping from him Mia Deleon stops hiding and teams up with security expert Jude Bishop to track her former captor.
Creepy and engaging storyline, great writing style and characters. Recommended! ...more
The love story of Jen Scott and Cash McCoy starts in Feeling Hot. It is very important to mention because this book features one of the hottest threesThe love story of Jen Scott and Cash McCoy starts in Feeling Hot. It is very important to mention because this book features one of the hottest threesomes ever.
In Flash Fire, we are three years later, and they are still madly in love with each other.
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Jen is more and more successful as a photographer, and now she gets an assignment to Honduras that finally could provide the well-deserved attention for her work.
As a Navy SEAL, Cash knows all about danger – he lives and breathes it on a daily basis. So far he had no idea how his girlfriend felt whenever he was on a mission. But now he gets to know this feeling up close and personal. To say that he hates it is a strong understatement. Feeling helpless is killing him.
Jen is determined to accept the job, despite the very obvious and present danger in the area. Cash is furious and tries everything to hold her back – with no avail.
It was an emotion Cash wasn’t familiar with. He was always in charge. Always in control of every situation. He saved lives for a living, for fuck’s sake. But he couldn’t save Jen. Sweet Jesus, he couldn’t save her.
Of course, there are not many surprises in the storyline and it is rather predictable in most parts, but it kept me turning the pages. The story is exciting with the perfect amount of conflict and tension, and without sappiness or overdramatization.
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I always loved Jen and Cash together, and they don’t disappoint here either. I’d more than welcome a series of shorties with updates about the characters from the previous books. Especially Dylan, Aidan and Claire…
(Watch Me) Unmask You is the third book of the Run This Town series, which is a sequel/spin-off of the highly recommended Brooklyn Sinners series.
I'm (Watch Me) Unmask You is the third book of the Run This Town series, which is a sequel/spin-off of the highly recommended Brooklyn Sinners series.
I'm really sorry for giving it one star.
But I just can’t see where the love comes from.
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Lucky and Elias have chemistry - I can give them that. But their whole relationship is based on lies, dark secrets, Lucky’s infatuation on Elias, Elias’s stalkerish behavior, and the aggressive and arrogant way he claims ownership over Lucky’s heart.
And I am supposed to believe that this is love.
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The book is divided into two parts: the first half (up to 43%) is about the past: how they met, their painful and unsatisfying random encounters in the following years, and finally, how they get together.
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It is half of the story, but it still feels like an extremely long prologue.
The second part is set in the present: Lucky and Elias are together for ten years now and have a little daughter. From this point, it is obvious what’s going to happen: Elias’s past is going to bite him in the ass, they’ll fight, then make it up. Annoyingly, it was like a soap opera: all the revealed connections between the characters, oh god, they were just too melodramatic.
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Characters Elias I really despised Elias. And not because of his ‘occupation’ but his behavior toward Lucky.
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I just didn’t get where Lucky’s infinite trust in him came from. Elias was creepy.
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Lucky He was cute at first, and I really liked him, but as the story progressed, I felt him kind of a pushover. I often wished he was like this:
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But instead he was like a personal groupie of Elias.
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The erotic scenes are very creative, but the emotions are not as present and intense as in the previous books of the series. Scorching hot sex scenes don’t make an impressive portrayal of emotions.
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Lucky’s forgiveness comes easily and without real explanation; the happy ending is very sudden and baseless.
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All in all It is really sad, actually, it was the first Avril Ashton story I didn’t like.
(Watch Me) Body You is the second book of the Run This Town series, which is a sequel/spin-off of Brooklyn Sinners. Though RTT is enjoyable w3.5 stars
(Watch Me) Body You is the second book of the Run This Town series, which is a sequel/spin-off of Brooklyn Sinners. Though RTT is enjoyable without reading BS, the latter is highly recommended too!
(Watch Me) Body You is the story of Israel Storm, head of The Rude Boys and his best friend, Reggie Turner.
Is and Reggie are clicked from the first moment they met. But for a while Reggie’s feelings for Is morphed into something more, something not exactly brotherly. Is feels the same, but unlike Reggie, he doesn't admit it, even to himself, let alone his best friend.
This awkward shit was fucked. He had no idea how to fix it, how to fix them without thinking or talking about what he didn’t want to think or talk about.
The denial part makes half of the story. You’d think it is too much, but the struggle of these two idiots (Reggie tries to provoke some response out of Is, meanwhile Is does his best to deny everything and pretends that nothing has changed between them), the anticipation and the sexual tension are very enjoyable.
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The problems come after this.
My main problem with the story that Is’ reason to deny his feelings is not clear. There is an assumption by Mateo though… (view spoiler)[
“Because even if you try to ignore it, the reality doesn’t change.” Teo’s tone was kind, but no less chilling. “Many of his contacts are still back in Jamaica, Reg. Don’t let the positive shit that’s happening over here fool you, because for men like us, things aren’t that nice back there. You know this.” Reggie nodded, numb. Teo sighed. “Forget that for a second and think about the men who work for him here, who are all exclusively Jamaican. If they find out, that’s it. It’s over for him.” He patted Reggie’s knee. “Don’t get your hopes up. I care about you both as brothers, and if you feel like you say you feel, I know that shit isn’t gonna go away. Realize why he might not react the way you want him to.”
(hide spoiler)] Okay, it is understandable. But Mateo says “that shit isn’t gonna go away.” And yet, it is forgotten like it has never been an issue. What is Is’ real reason? That’s it? Or something else? Is and Reggie never talk about it, it never occurs again in the story. And if that’s it, how in the hell that shit goes away that easily?
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The Romance Nice anticipation, tension, then Is takes a 180, and voilà: happily ever after. Is changes his mind when X and Dima drops that Reggie might have moved on. He storms over at Reggie’s place in a jealous tantrum, and promises forever to him. It's just ridiculous. I mean, Is is an adult not a teenage boy, he is very well aware his own emotions, even if he denies them. Only the possibility of Reggie with someone else can trigger him into action?? Not to make Reggie happy, not to come clean with his feelings, not the possibility of a happy future together. No. Only jealousy...
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But at least jealousy finally blasts him out of denial.
Apart from that, the romance was really engaging: hot sex and deep emotions. What else do you need?
In case it wasn’t already clear as to why I’d take a bullet for you.” He tugged on Is’ wrist, brought him closer. “I love you. And in my world that’s the point of everything.”
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Suspense/Crime storyline [image]
Family drama As for Is, it had potential but it was wasted. Reggie’s family issues seemed to be there just for the balance but it was not bad.
The secondary characters are awesome!! X and Dima, Mateo, Tek (can’t wait his book!), and Quinn.
Is watched, bemused, as X wiped the blood from the corner of Dima’s mouth with a thumb then licked it off. “That was a punch, Rush. You know I’m the only one allowed to beat you.” Is had no idea what that meant, but it held some kind of effect on Dima because he damn near fucking melted standing there.
Overall, despite its flaws, (Watch Me) Body You is a pretty enjoyable read.
I had a hard time with this review. I thought that maybe reading Not My Sinner - where Dima is introduced - would
“Let's play then, Rush.”
I had a hard time with this review. I thought that maybe reading Not My Sinner - where Dima is introduced - would make it easier. But no, nothing could have prepared me for this book.
(Watch Me) Break You is a rivals-to-lovers gay romance, with memorable characters, action and thrill, blood and tears, and lots of kink.
The Story
Dima Zhirkov is the head of a Russian gang running the streets of Coney Island. He is fucked up like crazy. He is into women and men, hardcore sex ((view spoiler)[ pain, breath play, blood play (hide spoiler)]), drugs and booze. But his usual ways don’t seem to work for him anymore.
Dima sets eyes on Xavier Storm in a private club. Seeing X in action, Dima is immediately captivated. He instinctively knows that X would give him what he craves. So he determines to hunt him down.
Xavier Storm is the silent leader of The Rude Boys, rival gang of the Russians, and he is after Dima’s territory. When they meet in the club, X recognizes Dima, but of course doesn’t tell it to him. He tries to stay away from the Russian, but Dima doesn’t let him have the luxury of choice.
Sex and pain Dima can handle, and X delivers the most depraved kind. Their connection is explosive, their games are addictive, but Dima can end it whenever he wishes. At least that’s what he thinks. When he realizes otherwise, it is too late.
Characters
Dima Zhirkov appears first in Not My Sinner, as Mateo Oliveros’ ex. In Not My Sinner he is a gorgeous guy with wicked humor, and an aura that tells you that you better behave.
But he is not that simple. Dima is a criminal. He uses drugs and alcohol on a daily basis. He is extremely violent and dangerous. He kills without remorse. He fantasizes about killing and basks in the thought of warm blood on his hands. He is a psycho. He is uncontrollable and unpredictable. Not to mention his very special sexual needs.
Still, I loved him. And when you ask why, the only thing I can say that he is irresistible. Though not in a sweet and adorable, but in a dark, wicked way, but yeah, that’s the reason.
Dima seems to be fearless, but has insecurities just like anyone else, and a secret soft side.
“I don’t know how to do this.” Dima motioned between them. “It scares me,” he whispered. “The way I feel, the way you make me feel. It scares me.” Too much to put into words. He’d never had something to lose before.
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Xavier is unapproachable, stoic, and powerful. After Dima shows up, he tries to grasp his hallmark control with both hands but he loses the fight quickly. He has no defenses against the crazy Russian, he is simply swept away by him. And though first he doesn’t want any kind of relationship with Dima, not even sex, let alone love, as the story progresses, and X realizes that he has feelings for him, he isn’t scared or hesitant. It is amazing how clearly he sees the situation, how aware he is in his own emotions and Dima’s possible reactions.
X lost track of everything but the taste of Dima. He was surrounded by the Russian, his senses taken over by him. He'd fight it, but he wasn't meant to win this. From the instant Dima accosted him in the bathroom at the club, X realized this was meant to happen. He was meant to give in, to be here on his knees, holding Dima’s face between his hands, kissing him as if he'd be lost without the sweet taste of the other man filling his taste buds.
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The Romance
Dima doesn’t believe in more. He thinks ‘more’ is not for a man like him.
Xavier was in love once but he lost it. His tragedy is heartbreaking, and unbelievably cruel. He would have never thought he would want love again: the craving, the need, the fear, being out of control – not his favorite things.
He was willing to do whatever was necessary to keep this silly grin on his face. To keep his heart beating faster and his pulse racing. His reaction was similar to what he’d felt with Quinn, but different. He’d fallen in love with Quinn slowly, quietly. With Dima, it was like a baseball bat upside the head, these feelings. They completely swamped him, made him want different things, made him want to be different.
Xavier doesn’t expect love, he doesn’t see where it comes from. And sadly, I can’t see it either. Yes, there is chemistry, attraction, lust. Dima and X are incapable to stay away from each other. Their need for each other is visceral. But somehow, in the whirlwind of emotions and sensual erotic scenes, I missed the development of the romance – if there is one. My fault maybe, but even if it is insta-love, it is impossible not to be affected by it. X and Dima’s love is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
The Erotica From the reviews here I know it is too much not only for me but for other readers too. There was a moment when I considered abandoning this book. I’m so glad I read it anyway. The presence of emotions makes the sex a bit less rough as the story progresses – not much less, and it remains insanely hot, no need to worry!
“Aw, Rush.” The blows fell faster, harder. “You have me. Couldn’t lose me if you tried.”
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Avril Ashton is an amazing writer. Her stories are captivating and extremely intense. (Watch Me) Break You is one of those stories that makes your heart beat faster and your pulse race.
Recommended to readers with some BDSM reading experience (do not start with this one!), who are open for more.
That wouldn’t do for Dima. He’d demand more. No way would he accept being topped by someone who wouldn’t or couldn’t show their pleasure at his submission. His gift. Because submission was a gift to be treasured. Appreciated.