I did not realize Sharine was going to get her own book. Her trauma was a mystery I was very interested to solve, very angelic and elegant in its crueI did not realize Sharine was going to get her own book. Her trauma was a mystery I was very interested to solve, very angelic and elegant in its cruelty. And her interactions with Titus were adorable!...more
Having worked in manufacturing, I was surprised to enjoy the background aspects of the story. Accurate enough not to distract and not too many “fossilHaving worked in manufacturing, I was surprised to enjoy the background aspects of the story. Accurate enough not to distract and not too many “fossils” in the way of the romance. I also liked how both characters had familial resentments that were processed without burning bridges. ...more
(1/12/21) Having a young character grow into their own and take center stage is tough. I haven’t been entirely pleased with Catalina’s arc in Andrews’(1/12/21) Having a young character grow into their own and take center stage is tough. I haven’t been entirely pleased with Catalina’s arc in Andrews’ other series, I was livid with Dani O’Malley’s stolen years from Moning, but Julie’s transformation feels earned and well thought out. I enjoyed this book enormously, despite a magical McGuffin keeping some some of my favorites off page. ...more
I enjoyed this one even more than it’s predecessor, which is saying quite a bit. Despite the distance between the hero and heroine at the start of thiI enjoyed this one even more than it’s predecessor, which is saying quite a bit. Despite the distance between the hero and heroine at the start of this book, their brand of devotion is oh so satisfying. The heroine is strong, but not impervious. The rejection and antagonism she faces at every turn bruise and break her. Her alcoholism isn’t magically healed without consequences (though Vela’s blessing helps quite a bit where willpower fails), the social shunning hurts her soul, and her despair has real consequences for the future she can imagine. ...more
5/22/20 There’s nothing wrong with this book, but I think I just lost excitement for the formula. Cat’s secret was an interesting twist, but what I th5/22/20 There’s nothing wrong with this book, but I think I just lost excitement for the formula. Cat’s secret was an interesting twist, but what I think should have been a celebration of competency porn and power exchange felt rather boring. The plot didn’t hold my attention and the emphasis on consent felt neither sexy or natural. ...more
Cute and funny. Characterization is a little simple, and shifter natures can’t hold a candle to Thea Harrison’s DRAGOB BOUND, but I did laugh out loudCute and funny. Characterization is a little simple, and shifter natures can’t hold a candle to Thea Harrison’s DRAGOB BOUND, but I did laugh out loud a few times. ...more
(4/28/20) At a time when I’m not interested in reading much, I was happy to drive back in to this story every time. The science fiction elements we’re(4/28/20) At a time when I’m not interested in reading much, I was happy to drive back in to this story every time. The science fiction elements we’re well removed from current concerns about safety and societal collapse, Ada and Loch are both ferociously competent and unbeatable, and at least a romantic HEA felt assured. ...more
While there are a few aspects of the world building that tug at my attention (Tracer bonds, whaaat?) for the most part this plot just pulls me forwardWhile there are a few aspects of the world building that tug at my attention (Tracer bonds, whaaat?) for the most part this plot just pulls me forward. ...more
I laughed, I cried, I highlighted a bunch of shit. This was a very romantic story, but I have two quibbles. Quibbles that did not knock off a star, stI laughed, I cried, I highlighted a bunch of shit. This was a very romantic story, but I have two quibbles. Quibbles that did not knock off a star, still love this book 5 stars, but quibbles nonetheless.
Quibble the First: Dicks and cocks are never mentioned in sex scenes. People call each other dicks, they mention in conversation dicks and cocks in sex acts, but the actual sex scenes between two men elide *hard*. Several sentences seem to be missing an object (and Reader, that object was a cock). I don’t need erotica level sex with diagrams, but even the most innocent of Romances (that are open door) would mention a “stiffening length” or “proud member” of some kind. It honestly took me out of the moment to think that dudes, who are *focused* on their attraction for each other in a very physical way in these scenes, would just ignore each other’s penises. That made the sex scenes feel like they were written for someone other than gay men and straight women, who all enjoy some dick.
Quibble the Second: Why place this specifically in the present day but not in our timeline? Mentions of private email servers and a world where voters care about this shit is TOO SOON. I get that this could be fix-it fiction, but in a world where things are definitely not fixed, these references made me angry enough jump out of the narrative....more
Such a beautiful heartbreak of a book. I seem to have stumbled in to this series at it’s crescendo, but this story is no less powerful for having missSuch a beautiful heartbreak of a book. I seem to have stumbled in to this series at it’s crescendo, but this story is no less powerful for having missed its predecessors (though you can bet I’ll be doubling back to start at the beginning *immediately*). ...more
Glad Fated Mates convinced me to give this series another try. While I recall that THE PROFESSIONAL didn’t work for me at all, I enjoyed the sparring Glad Fated Mates convinced me to give this series another try. While I recall that THE PROFESSIONAL didn’t work for me at all, I enjoyed the sparring between Cat and Maxim. ...more
Normally I’d mock a character melodramatic enough to create an elaborate self sabotage refining to avoid relationships just because one ended poorly. Normally I’d mock a character melodramatic enough to create an elaborate self sabotage refining to avoid relationships just because one ended poorly. But many of my friends have been to med school and whoo boy. That much time focused on school, that much time *in* school, produces some of the most tenacious, ambitious, emotional teenagers I’ve ever met. The embarrassing dating mistakes the general population makes at a younger age get deferred for people who may or may not have been obsessed with pursuing their chosen career at a time when the rest of us were tailgating and skipping class. So yeah, Drew felt pretty real. There’s no excuse for him being such a dick to Carlos, though, honestly, that guy is a saint. ...more
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