4.5 stars. Well. This book is everything early reviews made it out to be. It was definitely sexy, S-M-O-K-I-N-G hot, enough to burn up my kindle. Thou4.5 stars. Well. This book is everything early reviews made it out to be. It was definitely sexy, S-M-O-K-I-N-G hot, enough to burn up my kindle. Though the crazy thing is that the hot part is maybe not the least of the story but it's absolutely not the best part. This is also a tender, emotional love story with amazing characters.
Tyler is out and proud *maybe a little bit loud, lmao* and comfortable with who he is. Joel is a sharp, smart business man, Tyler's boss and someone who has to hide his real self away, every day. From the moment they meet it's inexplicable insta-hate, and Tyler doesn't get why but it infuriates him.
A late night encounter shows that there's more to what Joel feels but it's no less confusing. As the story unfolds we find out what has made Joel the man he is and also the man he wants to be. I loved Joel and Tyler together, I loved how understanding and supportive Tyler was with Joel. I was melted by how Joel opened up to him and how he trusted Tyler.
As a rule, menages/multiple partners are not my jam, at all. What worked for this one was that I never lost the connection between Tyler and Joel, it was strong and present the whole time, and the other partners did not interfere in that at all. Did I mention hot? Seriously, it almost melted my brain.
There is a lot of sex here but it isn't at all gratuitous. It drives the story and manifests the blaze of emotion between Joel and Tyler.
Also contributing to the awesomeness was Tyler's wonderful, crazy mom, who loved and supported her son as all parents should. I loved her as much as Tyler and Joel. <3
This was an amazing read for me from Roe Horvat, and I'm going to be sure to read everything else he has written.
Merged review:
4.5 stars. Well. This book is everything early reviews made it out to be. It was definitely sexy, S-M-O-K-I-N-G hot, enough to burn up my kindle. Though the crazy thing is that the hot part is maybe not the least of the story but it's absolutely not the best part. This is also a tender, emotional love story with amazing characters.
Tyler is out and proud *maybe a little bit loud, lmao* and comfortable with who he is. Joel is a sharp, smart business man, Tyler's boss and someone who has to hide his real self away, every day. From the moment they meet it's inexplicable insta-hate, and Tyler doesn't get why but it infuriates him.
A late night encounter shows that there's more to what Joel feels but it's no less confusing. As the story unfolds we find out what has made Joel the man he is and also the man he wants to be. I loved Joel and Tyler together, I loved how understanding and supportive Tyler was with Joel. I was melted by how Joel opened up to him and how he trusted Tyler.
As a rule, menages/multiple partners are not my jam, at all. What worked for this one was that I never lost the connection between Tyler and Joel, it was strong and present the whole time, and the other partners did not interfere in that at all. Did I mention hot? Seriously, it almost melted my brain.
There is a lot of sex here but it isn't at all gratuitous. It drives the story and manifests the blaze of emotion between Joel and Tyler.
Also contributing to the awesomeness was Tyler's wonderful, crazy mom, who loved and supported her son as all parents should. I loved her as much as Tyler and Joel. <3
This was an amazing read for me from Roe Horvat, and I'm going to be sure to read everything else he has written....more
This one has sat on my radar for far too long without me reading it, so I'm thrilled that the adorable Elf sleuthing a la Elmer Fudd *and everything IThis one has sat on my radar for far too long without me reading it, so I'm thrilled that the adorable Elf sleuthing a la Elmer Fudd *and everything I write I'm hearing in that voice -ahahahahaha* has given me such an awesome present! Oooh Vikings. :D Thank you so much!
Merged review:
This one has sat on my radar for far too long without me reading it, so I'm thrilled that the adorable Elf sleuthing a la Elmer Fudd *and everything I write I'm hearing in that voice -ahahahahaha* has given me such an awesome present! Oooh Vikings. :D Thank you so much!...more
It's a fact that I love everything I've read from Cole McCade/Xen Sanders so far. His characterizations and his writing are among the very best that IIt's a fact that I love everything I've read from Cole McCade/Xen Sanders so far. His characterizations and his writing are among the very best that I've read, and that applies here as well.
I really loved Summer and Fox. They are true opposites in every way, age, experience, outlook and personality. I enjoyed the way they played off each other and the development between them, both individually and as a couple, (view spoiler)[though the "couple" thing wasn't exactly established, it just sort of happened in their bubble (hide spoiler)]. I loved Summer, how despite his anxiety in a group, he was bright, warm and caring. The dichotomy of his shyness balanced against how damn bold he could be when it was important was charming and sometimes pretty damn funny. Fox was painful to read at first. The kind of black grief he had lived and isolated himself with for so damn long was devastating. He had encased himself in ice for years and simply existed that way, and the thaw Summer caused had him somewhat bewildered *and terrified* by all he began to feel.
The way CMcC writes this and shows how this progression plays out is brilliantly done. It brings out all the feels, while still using terrific humor, which I loved. However, I did have a couple of niggles that kept me from giving it the full five stars that I wanted to. Given how well Fox's grief and frozen emotions are portrayed, I had trouble believing he would have agreed to Summer's reward for bravery, though I was totally there for it, because hot. Fox was into it also *again, whoo hot* and it wasn't so much that he was, just that he was so quickly. (view spoiler)[And the drama at the end just didn't seem like something Fox would be able to do. I get that people under stress make bad decisions and act out of character. But he was so damn terrified of water, driving through a flooded bridge *which even sounded scary to read* in a freaking Camry, I just didn't see how he could make himself do that. (hide spoiler)] Still, as I said, those are minor things and didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
And it must be mentioned, the chemistry between the two, and the sex scenes were blazing. This is something this author does particularly well. it isn't just the sex, it's the sizzle and UST and the palpable intimacy that he writes so astonishingly well. I don't just believe it, I feel it. *swoon*
I'll be reading any and everything that Cole writes, so I'm definitely looking forward to Just Like This!
Merged review:
It's a fact that I love everything I've read from Cole McCade/Xen Sanders so far. His characterizations and his writing are among the very best that I've read, and that applies here as well.
I really loved Summer and Fox. They are true opposites in every way, age, experience, outlook and personality. I enjoyed the way they played off each other and the development between them, both individually and as a couple, (view spoiler)[though the "couple" thing wasn't exactly established, it just sort of happened in their bubble (hide spoiler)]. I loved Summer, how despite his anxiety in a group, he was bright, warm and caring. The dichotomy of his shyness balanced against how damn bold he could be when it was important was charming and sometimes pretty damn funny. Fox was painful to read at first. The kind of black grief he had lived and isolated himself with for so damn long was devastating. He had encased himself in ice for years and simply existed that way, and the thaw Summer caused had him somewhat bewildered *and terrified* by all he began to feel.
The way CMcC writes this and shows how this progression plays out is brilliantly done. It brings out all the feels, while still using terrific humor, which I loved. However, I did have a couple of niggles that kept me from giving it the full five stars that I wanted to. Given how well Fox's grief and frozen emotions are portrayed, I had trouble believing he would have agreed to Summer's reward for bravery, though I was totally there for it, because hot. Fox was into it also *again, whoo hot* and it wasn't so much that he was, just that he was so quickly. (view spoiler)[And the drama at the end just didn't seem like something Fox would be able to do. I get that people under stress make bad decisions and act out of character. But he was so damn terrified of water, driving through a flooded bridge *which even sounded scary to read* in a freaking Camry, I just didn't see how he could make himself do that. (hide spoiler)] Still, as I said, those are minor things and didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
And it must be mentioned, the chemistry between the two, and the sex scenes were blazing. This is something this author does particularly well. it isn't just the sex, it's the sizzle and UST and the palpable intimacy that he writes so astonishingly well. I don't just believe it, I feel it. *swoon*
I'll be reading any and everything that Cole writes, so I'm definitely looking forward to Just Like This!...more
I finished this last night and my emotions are still all over the place. This was the best book in the series for me where every book was amazing, butI finished this last night and my emotions are still all over the place. This was the best book in the series for me where every book was amazing, but that came with a price.
Jenn Burke really knows how to write characters that end up owning a little piece of your heart. Not just Wes and Hudson but all of this family is dear to me.
"No buts. No what-ifs. It's just you and me, now and forever."
I love where Wes and Hudson get to in their relationship by the end of the book. They've both grown so much and and have learned that they can truly trust and rely on each other. And that comes through for them just when they need it most.
This book takes us through everything from exhilarating, hilarious highs, tension filled searches and standoffs to wrenching pain, fear and loss all wrapped up in the warmth and comfort of those who love, support and will never give up on you.
Gah. I'm really sorry, I know this is all super vague and syrupy-sentimental but I don't seem to be able to get anything else out right now.
Merged review:
I finished this last night and my emotions are still all over the place. This was the best book in the series for me where every book was amazing, but that came with a price.
Jenn Burke really knows how to write characters that end up owning a little piece of your heart. Not just Wes and Hudson but all of this family is dear to me.
"No buts. No what-ifs. It's just you and me, now and forever."
I love where Wes and Hudson get to in their relationship by the end of the book. They've both grown so much and and have learned that they can truly trust and rely on each other. And that comes through for them just when they need it most.
This book takes us through everything from exhilarating, hilarious highs, tension filled searches and standoffs to wrenching pain, fear and loss all wrapped up in the warmth and comfort of those who love, support and will never give up on you.
Gah. I'm really sorry, I know this is all super vague and syrupy-sentimental but I don't seem to be able to get anything else out right now....more
I really enjoyed this collaboration between Ashe and CS Poe. Though being so familiar with the rhythm of GA's writing and never having read CSP made iI really enjoyed this collaboration between Ashe and CS Poe. Though being so familiar with the rhythm of GA's writing and never having read CSP made it a little weird for me. I'm definitely going to have to check out some of CS Poe's other books soon.
Rufus and Sam meet when Sam comes to New York to investigate the supposed suicide of Jake, a cop and more-than-friend that Sam served with in the Army. Rufus was Jake's CI (confidential informant) and is just trying to keep his head down, as he saw something he shouldn't have and he just wants to stay alive. Both of these guys have some extreme issues, that we get a picture of through their actions and things that happen, but there's no real explanation offered, just hints here and there. This bothered me a bit because those issues played such a major part of their behavior as well as the physical and mental well-being of both men, I wanted to know why. I'm counting on finding out at some point.
Both the situation and the setting, the underbelly of New York that Rufus has always existed in, is grim and dark. This is relieved somewhat by the amazing banter and teasing between these two, which is so starkly different from the way they interact with everyone else. They seem to get each other, right from the start. The chemistry is there from the beginning, though it's clear that neither one of them really knows what to do with it. As they work together, almost despite themselves, they grow closer and what's between them is warm and sweet. It can in no way be called a relationship, but it feels like it could be, though there are so many emotional landmines in the way to being that.
The plot is pretty fast paced, and there's danger and action mixed in with some slower, steamy moments between Rufus and Sam *which are largely off-page*. All this kept me turning pages and I was really loving where they seemed to be going...until the super abrupt cliffhanger ending that made me feel like I'd been sucker punched.
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While I definitely had a couple of issues, they're minor enough and I really loved the characters enough to want to see where they might go from here.
Merged review:
I really enjoyed this collaboration between Ashe and CS Poe. Though being so familiar with the rhythm of GA's writing and never having read CSP made it a little weird for me. I'm definitely going to have to check out some of CS Poe's other books soon.
Rufus and Sam meet when Sam comes to New York to investigate the supposed suicide of Jake, a cop and more-than-friend that Sam served with in the Army. Rufus was Jake's CI (confidential informant) and is just trying to keep his head down, as he saw something he shouldn't have and he just wants to stay alive. Both of these guys have some extreme issues, that we get a picture of through their actions and things that happen, but there's no real explanation offered, just hints here and there. This bothered me a bit because those issues played such a major part of their behavior as well as the physical and mental well-being of both men, I wanted to know why. I'm counting on finding out at some point.
Both the situation and the setting, the underbelly of New York that Rufus has always existed in, is grim and dark. This is relieved somewhat by the amazing banter and teasing between these two, which is so starkly different from the way they interact with everyone else. They seem to get each other, right from the start. The chemistry is there from the beginning, though it's clear that neither one of them really knows what to do with it. As they work together, almost despite themselves, they grow closer and what's between them is warm and sweet. It can in no way be called a relationship, but it feels like it could be, though there are so many emotional landmines in the way to being that.
The plot is pretty fast paced, and there's danger and action mixed in with some slower, steamy moments between Rufus and Sam *which are largely off-page*. All this kept me turning pages and I was really loving where they seemed to be going...until the super abrupt cliffhanger ending that made me feel like I'd been sucker punched.
[image]
While I definitely had a couple of issues, they're minor enough and I really loved the characters enough to want to see where they might go from here....more
Heartwarming and sweet, my favorite kind of Christmas story from Eli Easton! This was an unexpected and much appreciated gift from Pixie Twinkletoes EHeartwarming and sweet, my favorite kind of Christmas story from Eli Easton! This was an unexpected and much appreciated gift from Pixie Twinkletoes Elf, thank you for making my day brighter. ✨...more
4.5 stars. Vampires, just as bloody and ruthless as you might expect. But for Jesse, traveling with and eternally taking care of his brother Edgar, hu4.5 stars. Vampires, just as bloody and ruthless as you might expect. But for Jesse, traveling with and eternally taking care of his brother Edgar, humanity lingers painfully. This portrayal of existence as a rover, always on the outside of everything, is stark and dangerous. And lonely.
The writing, plot and characterizations for this was outstanding, I couldn't put it down. This is a harsh, remorseless, surprisingly emotional adrenaline-filled ride. Impressively good!...more
4.5 stars. I absolutely loved this, my first book by Jewel E. Ann! I genuinely loved the characters, all of them, and this was one HEA that was well d4.5 stars. I absolutely loved this, my first book by Jewel E. Ann! I genuinely loved the characters, all of them, and this was one HEA that was well deserved. ...more