I've not been good with reading for the past couple years. Switching to a fully remote job cut out my commute and nixed a lot of my audio listening tiI've not been good with reading for the past couple years. Switching to a fully remote job cut out my commute and nixed a lot of my audio listening time. I've finally worked out some more reading time and I'm happy to get back to this series that I love from my favorite romance author.
This series has also seen me just starting to date my now fiancé Stephen to now where we're planning our wedding, so going on a similar journey as the two main characters has given me a wonderful perspective in finishing this series. The moment they proposed and started talking about their wedding hit especially significantly and just filled me with so much happiness.
Lauren Blakely always gets me with her incredible mix of spice and detailed characters with believable backstories, complex pros and cons, and issues to overcome that aren't annoying or just due to a lack of communication. This series is unique among romance novels in that not a lot of trilogies with the same characters happens all that often, and this was a true achievement that I was glad to go on the journey with.
The plus side to not reading a lot over the past two years is that I have a big back catalog of more m/m romance from Lauren that I'm stoked to read.
If you're reading this review you're likely already invested in the story, but just in case, I highly recommend these books and any by this author. They're all fantastic....more
I'm so torn about this series. It definitely took me a while to get through this book, almost two months. Not all of that is the book's fault, as I haI'm so torn about this series. It definitely took me a while to get through this book, almost two months. Not all of that is the book's fault, as I had a lot to distract me, but I also didn't feel a huge pull forcing me to make time. This is really a 3.5 to me rounded up to 4 because there are parts of it that I just can't help but like and I also want to see more books like this be made.
I feel like a lot of this book has a 90's cartoon vibe to it. There's a pantheon of the week, the god of the underworld is the bad guy, the dominion sect tries to steal a godhead from someone in the new pantheon with the help of the betrayer gods, and they more or less fail because Patrick and Jono save the day and the Dominion sect all escapes to do it all over again. The overarching plots seem to make very little progress book to book and I think part of the problem is that only a year has passed and we've had four books, that's not a lot of time for realistic growth or large plot advancement, aside from a few thwarted apocalypses.
Also, and this is something that happens a lot with female writers in my opinion, is that why do Jono and Patrick seem to only be gay/bi/whatever for each other? They never even acknowledge the attractiveness of other men, the only time I can remember was Patrick noticing Leon in book 1. You're telling me they're both in the same room with a shirtless Thor and neither of them notice *in that way?* Doubt.
Now for the good bits. The combat was fun, the mystery in this one was interesting enough, Wade is my favorite (though he needs more development too please), and Hermes taunting Patrick is my favorite thing forever. The final showdown was gratifying and I'm hoping something finally happens in the New York godpack cold war next book.
For the audio, the narrator does a good job and I feel like continues to improve. He absolutely nails Jono, Wade, and Patrick, in that order, so the faltering here and there in other places is more than forgivable. ...more
I really enjoyed this book, and I didn't have any problems making my way through it, but I have to say that I really felt like this book kind of stallI really enjoyed this book, and I didn't have any problems making my way through it, but I have to say that I really felt like this book kind of stalled out in terms of overall story. There were great character moments and growth especially for Patrick, Jono, Wade, and Sage, but the Fae stuff including Patrick's former team leader just felt kinda meh?
I was basically introduced to him and then we find out he's not who we or Patrick thought he was and I just couldn't find myself caring about the reveal because there was no investment. It was introduced, then twisted, then flipped, then was still the main drive of the story, I don't know, for me it just didn't work.
Leading up to the last battle I was also unimpressed with the Fae trying to 'no you!' each other over and over about a bargain which was meh, I couldn't follow who half of the Fae gods were at any given time, but the final battle was at least cinematically cool, especially Wade.
This book is probably a 3.5 that I'm rounding up because the main characters themselves still carry the story very well overall, and I love how much Sage stepped up as their dire. I can't wait for the eventual confrontation with the other godpack. That I think should have been the focus of this book, in my opinion, and made the search for the Morrigan staff the B storyline. That would have allowed the Patrick/Gerard relationship to be developed for the readers before the hurtful reveal and have us feel it to instead of just taking Patrick's word for it.
All that said, I still recommend the book and the series, and I'm excited for the next book....more
Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy have teamed up with two incredible narrators in Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan to create a very fun, very hot, and verySarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy have teamed up with two incredible narrators in Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan to create a very fun, very hot, and very sweet story about two longtime friends who fall in love with each other, or realize they're in love with each other, depending on the character, and how to navigate that as professional athletes.
Sometimes with a dual author novel, you can tell when each author is taking over, and I didn't feel that at all in this book which is a testament to Bowen and Kennedy being... on the same page (I'm sorry) with the direction, pace, and feel of the story. I would be curious to know how the method of these kinds of books are done, does each person take a narrative, etc.
I think my favorite part of this book is how realistic the tension, miscommunication, and drama all felt. It made total sense to me how Ryan was feeling in his guilt towards Jamie and it is very realistic for guys in that position to feel like the better option is just to close off ahead of more painful confrontations because as a gay guy, in my experience, you often have to pick your painful battles carefully.
I was a little turned off by the 'going gay' comments the two would make, but there are definitely guys who talk like that and I'm glad that Jamie came to the correct realization that he's bisexual, I find that so much more realistic than the 'gay for you' trope.
Overall I just had a really great time with this book and it was such a fantastic, fun, smile-inducing read and listen. Gonna have to get the sequel here soon....more
Where to start with this book? This story just absolutely melted my heart. One Time Only is so sweet and scorching hot and had me feeling all the feelWhere to start with this book? This story just absolutely melted my heart. One Time Only is so sweet and scorching hot and had me feeling all the feels. The romantic climax of the book happened while I was driving and the moment hit me so strongly I was worried I'd need to pull over because of the stupid, happy tears that caught me off guard with their intensity. I don't know if it's just 2020 and I really needed (view spoiler)[an almost 90's style 'kiss the guy in front of a screaming crowd' (hide spoiler)] type moment, but it just worked so perfectly I couldn't help but get stupid happy for them. I absolutely needed the feelgood of this book.
Both characters were great in their own way. I definitely ship #JackStone. I adored Jackson's sweet but strong, protective and possessive nature and Teddy Hamilton as the narrator did a fantastic job. I never felt like his struggle as the crux of why they couldn't get together was unrealistic or frustrating as a listener. My love for Jackson was a slow burn, but by the end I was totally won over.
Stone though... hoo boy. Wow. Lauren Blakely and Jacob Morgan, the narrator, just rocked my world and heart. The feeling of this free spirit, 'love to love' bisexual rock star just absolutely worked for me in every way. I loved the pacing and execution of his little internal monologues that were at times hilarious, sweet, hot, heartbreaking, and immensely satisfying. I also love the inclusion of a bisexual character and the good commentary of some of the stereotypes that can surround bi men that they have to deal with, that was excellent.
Both narrators did a phenomenal job and I'm so excited to discover we get another story from them in another Lauren's books coming soon. I can't wait. I'd love to hear more duet style from them like we did in the epilogue, as that style really won me over in A Guy Walked Into My Bar. I love the interviews with the narrators that are included after both of Lauren's books that I've read so far. Also, Lauren, if you read this, if you happen to be inspired to write a character for Jacob Morgan in the future with his native accent, I would not be angry about it. At all.
I find it hard to believe this is only Lauren Blakely's second M/M romance novel, if I'm not mistaken. She has rocketed into the top echelon of my favorite authors of the genre and I look forward with so much excitement for more to come. I have even added some of her non-M/M romances to my to-read list, and I've never ventured outside of M/M for romance before.
Once again, Lauren Blakely and everyone involved delivered such a well-rounded, incredible experience. They are really raising the bar for me for what a M/M romance audio production can be and I really want to thank everyone involved for putting in the extra work it takes to produce something of this caliber. As someone who takes in 99% of their books through audio these days, I have such an appreciation for an author that writes with the audio in mind and that pushes for such great quality and for narrators who rise to such great performances.
All in all, I can't recommend this book enough. Go check it out. To everyone involved: I love you something fierce....more
Another great entry from Hailey Turner and audio narrator Gary Furlong. This really is the perfect series for me. It combines the modern magic and actAnother great entry from Hailey Turner and audio narrator Gary Furlong. This really is the perfect series for me. It combines the modern magic and action of Dresden with a solid m/m romance and I'm excited to continue the next probably at the start of 2021 as I've got a few exciting books already on deck.
The development of the universe and Patrick and Jono's relationship, friendships, and pack are the strength of this book. The inclusion of Wade, ugh I love him. Turner and Furlong perfectly capture that angsty, surly, still a teen but "nod a kid!" feeling of being 18 had me rolling. I'm excited to see his growth in the upcoming books. I love how parental Patrick and Jono are of him and how he doesn't like it but totally loves it at the same time.
The new god in this one had a fantastically terrifying entrance at the altar and I'll leave it at that. Her vampire lackey though and the other god all felt weak to me as villains. I would loved to have known more about Tremaine's (sp?) story.
The only other downside is I don't really get how much the gods will and won't intervene and why Patrick and the other mortals have to do so much when the gods are directly interfering on the other side but will only sometimes interfere on the 'good' side.
Those minor nitpicks aside though, I can't help but love these books. They check just about every box for me in what I want from a nice, fun read....more
Battle Ground is the culmination of a full year of rereading the entire Dresden series in preparation for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and it was onBattle Ground is the culmination of a full year of rereading the entire Dresden series in preparation for Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and it was one hell of an emotional finish. There were parts of the book where I worried if Jim Butcher could pull this off in a satisfactory way, and I'm finished thinking this is my new favorite book in the series now that all is said and done.
The downside from how I felt about Peace Talk's ending being somewhat unresolved compared to most Dresden books is Battle Ground's upside, in that it was shot out of a cannon, wasting absolutely not time in throwing Harry and friends into one perilous threat after another, some of which could have been threatening enough to have been its own book's main protagonist at one point in the series. Every emotional moment was well-earned and setup nicely and I experienced just about every emotion. Butcher has a way of really making you feel what he wants you to and feel it hard. In the space of one listening session I went from laughing, cheering, (ugly) crying, gasping in surprise, yelling 'oh f*** you!' at my phone, everything. Let's say it was good that session didn't happen while I was at work or in public.
Shout out of course to the excellent narration of James Marsters as always. He *is* Dresden and does the job so damn well, he deserves awards. All of the awards. There are some incredibly hard scenes to capture in this book, I would think, and he does them all masterfully.
I love what this book does to up the stakes of Harry's situation and it actually feels like things have finally landed after Changes, where as I felt like Harry has been just reacting to everything since then, it now feels like he's getting a bit of control back, which is insane given what happens in this book, and I'm excited to see where that goes.
I don't know what book I can go to next this year before Rhythm of War that won't feel pale in comparison, and that tells you how much I loved and was affected by this experience....more
I really needed this super sweet, hot but romantic short story with all of my favorite boys from the Metropolis books. Gary and Travis' proposals wereI really needed this super sweet, hot but romantic short story with all of my favorite boys from the Metropolis books. Gary and Travis' proposals were so sweet and the craziness leading up to it was all funny and mostly lighthearted. Every now and then you need a super simple, mostly angst-free, 'feel good' story where two beautiful people in love get a happy ever after....more
I don't know that I've ever enjoyed a romance more than this one. I've had ones that hit deeper or were more emotional in an angst or 'this is helpingI don't know that I've ever enjoyed a romance more than this one. I've had ones that hit deeper or were more emotional in an angst or 'this is helping me deal with my own trauma' kind of way, but this book, to me, was more of pure, romantic, 'this is how the world should work and how I dream my future could be' type book to me.
I can't go too far without saying I listened to the audio book for this, and calling it an audio book doesn't quite do it justice. This had a full cast with almost every character having their own voice actor. It added so much to the scenes, I was never taken out of the moment by thinking about 'voice choice' from the narrator, everyone was just them. Shane East and Joe Arden did an absolutely exquisite job, such that I might go listen to their other books and I'm not really a fan of heterosexual romance novels if I'm being totally honest. These two are just that good. Shane's accent is to die for and Joe's deep, gravelly voice just... yep, need to stop. Not review appropriate. They're great, that is all. ;)
As for the story, it was just really good. It was pretty realistic, the reason they weren't getting together was heart-wrenching and believable. I've experienced having a connection with someone that lives in a different state and thinking that was a deal-breaker, I can't imagine a different country. I think the resolution was also realistic for them. It was still hard, but worth it because of their love and connection which had been built up organically, even if fast.
Now let's get to the sex scenes. A lot of M/M romance novels that I've read seem to include sex scenes because that's part of the expectation. Kind of like how some porn videos try to include some kind of lead up story because... reasons. The scenes in this book, though very numerous, all seemed to serve the story in some way. Character progression and realizations, moments of love, pain, etc, all seemed to work for me. I think part of it was the dual voice acting, honestly, and I never found myself thinking 'enough already' because it all just seemed to fit.
Can I also say huge kudos to Lauren Blakely in the level of detail for everything. From the knowledge of London and New York 'isms' and culture, to how Shane and Joe just are their characters (and I hear she writes with voice actors in mind which I love), all up to the fact that the guy on the cover's ink seems to exactly match Fitz's which means either that's digitally added or she adjusted it to match the model on the cover which is just more mind-blowing detail. Gah. Love. I will definitely be reading the book you teased at the end and please, please, please write more M/M novels. The quality of this production from top to bottom was just great.
Now this book does have some small weaknesses. I'm torn on the idea of a world without homophobia which is addressed at the beginning, which made it more of a fantasy than anything I could 100% relate to. Though that was just one side of it also being a beautiful look at a possible future world where that should be the case, it was always in the back of my mind as a gay man. The only real negative turn in the story that threatened the relationship I feel was solved very fast, and there were no antagonistic characters for our characters to overcome or deal with. A business rival, team rival, paparazzi, any kind of trial might have added just a tiny bit more to the story.
To be honest though, none of the issues in this book can touch the 5 stars I'm giving to it. It was so good, definitely my favorite book of 2020 so far. I look forward to more from Lauren Blakely and these narrators. Thank you all for a great read/listen if you ever happen to see this among the sea of other reviews. <3...more
There's nothing particularly wrong with this book, but there are a few things that nagged at me throughout, and for the first time I even find myself There's nothing particularly wrong with this book, but there are a few things that nagged at me throughout, and for the first time I even find myself not quite liking the audio narration as much. One of Marsters' strengths up to this point had been his utter mastery of the characters and their voices, but inexplicably this time certain voices were just different, wrong. Mab felt too old and Crone-like, Ramirez completely lost his charming hispanic accent, and Harry sounded not quite like himself somehow. Given, this is after a complete reread(re-listen) of the series so all of the voices are very fresh in my head. I'm not sure, it just all felt kind of rushed. Don't get me wrong, this is still a fantastic book and listen, just a little shy of the usually amazing quality.
As for the story itself, I'm left a little unsatisfied. You can definitely tell it was a larger story split in two, there was really no 'big finish' like all Dresden books have and no feeling of resolution, despite what is coming. I also don't like that we really didn't get any answers whatsoever. There are just a lot of new questions, and one cool twist, but why did Thomas do what he did? Who coerced him? Not only did we not get an answer, but given Thomas' situation at the end of the book, there's no guarantee for me that it gets resolved in the next one.
There are definitely things I liked, the inclusion of certain characters and their interaction in the Peace Talks, the new, unexpected villain that is nice and scary, and the interactions between Dresden and McCoy left me feeling very emotionally torn. So there is plenty of good to have, and if the next book was further away I'd be less okay with all of it, but for now I'm alright waiting for part 2 of this story....more
I expected this book to take me a week or two, to last with my normal bite-sized bits until the next Sanderson book is due out. Welp... here I am haviI expected this book to take me a week or two, to last with my normal bite-sized bits until the next Sanderson book is due out. Welp... here I am having finished it last night in basically three days. I LOVED this book. I know authors in this space probably get sick of this, but this is the LGBT Dresden Files I was looking for. It has some issues and some bumps in the road, and the sex scenes are still too explicit for me to recommend it to my straight or non-romance reading friendos without some heavy content warnings, but it was absolutely a perfect book for me.
I love the non-standard take on the magical modern world. It felt very unique and fresh to me. The magic system is cool and pretty well explained without too many exposition dumps, and the sudden romance isn't played off as instalove which I appreciated, even by the end of the book, though it is definitely instalust. :D
Patrick and Jono both really resonated with me and while most of the book is told from Patrick's 3rd person perspective, it does occasionally switch to Jono and the subtle shift to using British terms like lorry, boot, arse, etc, was an amusing touch.
I like that both characters have a solid history that you learn about slowly throughout with more to learn and how Patrick's is tied into the main story. I love the FBI feel and am curious to see how that develops. The bad guys are also setup nicely to continue down the line.
Patrick and Jono's chemistry is off the charts and realistic, and the way Jono takes care of Patrick and reads through his tough guy front is so sweet and just made my heart ache in the best way. They are a really great pairing.
One of the few issues I had is that some of the side characters were hard to follow as there were a lot of them. Nadine, Sage, and the others I had a hard time keeping separate in my head sometimes.
The audio narration was decent and he really nailed Jono's accent and Patrick's "voice" so it's a win for me. I also hear in reviews of the next book that the narrator keeps improving so I'm excited for that.
There were a few other minor issues I had that some closer editing would have solved. There were a few items re-explained in the same way more than once to the reader that didn't need to happen, and some phrases were used in exactly the same way in the same chapter in close succession that seemed repetitive.
However, none of that detracts from the absolute joy I had in getting through this book. I can't wait for more credits to arrive in my Audible account so I can continue and eventually also read her other series the Meta Human files....more
I had a hard time with this book, as it took me most of the year to read on and off while I read other books. The characters are fine, I loved Derek iI had a hard time with this book, as it took me most of the year to read on and off while I read other books. The characters are fine, I loved Derek in the other books, and his older guy love interest was well enough realized, loved the Bi representation, etc, but the reason the plot came up with for why these two didn't get together immediately was just ridiculous. 'I want him to know that I respect him and care about him so I'm not going to date him or do anything with him for half the book,' ugh. They were perfect for each other and it wasn't believable, to me personally, that they weren't getting together sooner so the whole book just dragged on to me.
As always, the narrator Michael Pauley does an incredible job on the audio book. I look forward to more in this series because I like the characters and the overall setting, this one was just a miss for me, personally....more
I'll be honest, I DNF'd this around 25%. I'm not a huge fan of the 'gay for you' trope. I find feminine guys to be beautiful and attractive, but I reaI'll be honest, I DNF'd this around 25%. I'm not a huge fan of the 'gay for you' trope. I find feminine guys to be beautiful and attractive, but I really didn't like the way Hudson's 'gay for you' "sexuality" intersected with "I only like this guy because I basically think he's a woman." Also the lack of communication I experienced in the beginning apparently only getting worse later makes me very grateful I stopped when I did.
I love this author a lot and I'm super happy that others really loved this book. I simply found it not for me. I can't wait for the rest in the series though....more
I very much enjoyed this entry of the Forever Wilde series. I very much enjoyed that the story involved more than just the angst of the 'how will theyI very much enjoyed this entry of the Forever Wilde series. I very much enjoyed that the story involved more than just the angst of the 'how will they eventually get together,' which is often my issues with M/M Romance novels. The two guys are incredibly hot and well-realized, though they both still make some pretty hard-headed decisions, but I do like that they're not perfect so I guess it's okay.
As always, the narrator Michael Pauley does an incredible job, and I look forward to more novels read by him. I recommend this book and its entire series thus far and am excited for further books....more
I really enjoyed this book quite a lot. Especially in the beginning. Once again a lot of it comes down to Michael Pauley as the narrator. The way he vI really enjoyed this book quite a lot. Especially in the beginning. Once again a lot of it comes down to Michael Pauley as the narrator. The way he voiced Lio at times made me want to actually melt into the floor. Of course that goes to the way he was written as well. The whole book was very fun and somewhat predictable. The latter half fell into a slog which is what kept it from being a 5 star M/M romance for me. Though at least the reasons for them being kept apart were more realistic and believable in this one, due to Lio's pressure from his family and legacy.
Felix was adorable, but I still have a hard time believing someone could be that talented, smart, attractive, etc, and still have that much problem with self-esteem, but I guess that is a possible thing.
Anyway, if you want a fun, smart, sexy, romantic read, give this one a go....more
I really enjoyed myself in this book and listened to it pretty much from start to finish in a few days. The narrator, first off, Michael Pauley, is inI really enjoyed myself in this book and listened to it pretty much from start to finish in a few days. The narrator, first off, Michael Pauley, is incredible as ever. I loved his small town Texan accent for West, it made my heart flutter at times, I'm almost embarrassed to say, and he really differentiated all the characters well.
The story itself is fun, a bit over-angst-filled, but Nico's backstory being what it was, it was unavoidable and have some semblance of realism. I'm hoping for some less angst-driven books in the future of this series which I've now committed to read. West's family is a bit too perfect and his grandfathers' widely accepted marriage, wealth, status, etc, is all a bit fairy tale for smalltown Texas, but it's the kind of world I would want to exist, so I just went with it.
Unlike a lot of books I've read recently, I felt like the various obstacles that kept these two apart were pretty realistic and fully explored. I kept wondering how it was going to pan out. If you're looking for a fun romp with sexy love scenes and a healthy amount of angst, give this a read or listen....more
This review is late in that I'm realizing today I never wrote one for this book, so a lot of the details are going to be a bit spotty. I'm becoming a This review is late in that I'm realizing today I never wrote one for this book, so a lot of the details are going to be a bit spotty. I'm becoming a definite Devon McCormack fan for M/M Romance and Michael Pauley as a narrator. You can always tell a distinction between the two MCs which is important for a same-gender romance in my opinion. I loved the story, the twists and turns, and the more breathtaking ending than I was expecting. The two characters' heat and attraction for each other felt very natural as well which I loved, and the love scenes were very steamy.
This was a fun little book. The narrator for the audio was fantastic, and the overall story was fun. I never felt as if it was dragging or I had to foThis was a fun little book. The narrator for the audio was fantastic, and the overall story was fun. I never felt as if it was dragging or I had to force myself to read, which has happened in the past, but it did stretch a bit of my suspension of disbelief that after he obviously had the guy, the main guy still kept having all of those doubts. I just wanted to scream at him to trust the guy and let it be. But overall, I'd definitely recommend it if you want something fun, light-hearted, and awwwww-inspiring....more
Neznem (Trent)
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