I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Even thought it was on the lighter side there was enough serious discussion, and consequences that kept it from being too silly or fluffy. The characters were interesting, and well developed, and I liked that their eccentricities were only a part of who they were. They were all real people, and not a joke. For me Darren's friendship with Sanjay was the highlight of the book, and I loved how much they supported each other. Darren's girlfriend Amanda was truly nasty, but not in a terribly over the top sort of way, and, judging by her family, she comes by it naturally.
The plot was well thought out, and engaging. I liked how things came together, and how everyone had a role to play. There were elements, both in plot and character, that were a bit larger than life, but it fit the mood of the story well. The writing was witty, and fun without feeling like it was trying to hard. I appreciated that the author was able to get across the message of the story without it feeling too heavy handed or preachy. Overall a fun, and engaging read.
mle
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Monday, August 17, 2015
Evolution by Sam Kadence
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were aspects of this book I found interesting. I thought the idea of vampires was just a bit different, and I liked that they were deadly, and scary as well as attractive. I thought that idea worked well with the music industry in this book, and I liked how those angles played out. The other supernatural creatures were interesting as well, and worked well into the book's mythology.
The characters fell a bit flat to me, and while there were some secondary characters I liked, the main characters didn't do much for me. I found Gene's innocence to be annoying rather than endearing, and his inability to see the truth that was practically beating him over the head drove me crazy. I thought his family history was interesting, if a bit melodramatic. I also found him to be a bit to inconsistent in his character. At times he felt too forgiving, and at times I found his lack of understanding frustrating. I found KC to bit a bit too much of an ass. The constant battle between wanting to keep Gene close, and to drive him away "for his own good" was wearing on me. I understood his self hatred, but it was just too much for me. I found reading his point of view to be grating, and I never was able to get to a point where I felt I liked him at all.
I didn't like the relationship aspects in this book at all. Gene is just too innocent, too naïve, and a bit too stupid to live. He falls head over heels for KC too quickly not matter how poorly he treated him. I know he felt like it was destined to be, but it just felt too forced. I needed something, anything more to make their relationship seem more real, and less like a crush that Gene was forcing onto an unwilling KC. I also found Gene's insistence on ignoring friends', very valid, concerns about KC to be worrying, and added to my dislike of the character.
The non-romantic plot line was well done, for the most part and I liked the arc at the end with Gene's band mate very much. Had this story not worked so hard to drive KC and Gene together, and Gene had a bit, okay, a lot more common sense I might have enjoyed this story very much, but it was not for me.
mle
There were aspects of this book I found interesting. I thought the idea of vampires was just a bit different, and I liked that they were deadly, and scary as well as attractive. I thought that idea worked well with the music industry in this book, and I liked how those angles played out. The other supernatural creatures were interesting as well, and worked well into the book's mythology.
The characters fell a bit flat to me, and while there were some secondary characters I liked, the main characters didn't do much for me. I found Gene's innocence to be annoying rather than endearing, and his inability to see the truth that was practically beating him over the head drove me crazy. I thought his family history was interesting, if a bit melodramatic. I also found him to be a bit to inconsistent in his character. At times he felt too forgiving, and at times I found his lack of understanding frustrating. I found KC to bit a bit too much of an ass. The constant battle between wanting to keep Gene close, and to drive him away "for his own good" was wearing on me. I understood his self hatred, but it was just too much for me. I found reading his point of view to be grating, and I never was able to get to a point where I felt I liked him at all.
I didn't like the relationship aspects in this book at all. Gene is just too innocent, too naïve, and a bit too stupid to live. He falls head over heels for KC too quickly not matter how poorly he treated him. I know he felt like it was destined to be, but it just felt too forced. I needed something, anything more to make their relationship seem more real, and less like a crush that Gene was forcing onto an unwilling KC. I also found Gene's insistence on ignoring friends', very valid, concerns about KC to be worrying, and added to my dislike of the character.
The non-romantic plot line was well done, for the most part and I liked the arc at the end with Gene's band mate very much. Had this story not worked so hard to drive KC and Gene together, and Gene had a bit, okay, a lot more common sense I might have enjoyed this story very much, but it was not for me.
mle
On the Clock by L.A. Witt and Aleksandr Voinov
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I took me a little while to get into this book, and I'm not quite sure why. I think I was probably in the wrong mood when I started, but, once I got into it, I was hooked. The characters were interesting, and fully developed people. I loved their interactions, both sexual and platonic, and I loved that their connection wasn't simply physical. I loved Blake's and his respect for Jason. He never looked down on Jason, and always treated him like the professional he was. I really liked his thoughts on the business aspects of Jason's work. I really liked Jason as well. He was smart, and funny, and I liked how much he enjoyed his work.
The sex in this story was particularly steamy, and I loved how Blake's voyeurism kink worked into the story. I also found his attitude towards his own jealousy to be refreshing. I loved the humor in this story. I found myself reading large parts of it to Elspeth because I loved it so much. It really made me laugh, and I loved how in worked into the main plot of the story. It helped me buy into the developing relationship between Blake and Jason.
The ending was well done, and it fit both character well. I was glad that the authors didn't play into what might have been a typical ending for these characters, and instead wrote something that was much more honest for these two. It made things feel much more like real life and a lot less like Pretty Woman. One of my new favorites of the series.
mle
I took me a little while to get into this book, and I'm not quite sure why. I think I was probably in the wrong mood when I started, but, once I got into it, I was hooked. The characters were interesting, and fully developed people. I loved their interactions, both sexual and platonic, and I loved that their connection wasn't simply physical. I loved Blake's and his respect for Jason. He never looked down on Jason, and always treated him like the professional he was. I really liked his thoughts on the business aspects of Jason's work. I really liked Jason as well. He was smart, and funny, and I liked how much he enjoyed his work.
The sex in this story was particularly steamy, and I loved how Blake's voyeurism kink worked into the story. I also found his attitude towards his own jealousy to be refreshing. I loved the humor in this story. I found myself reading large parts of it to Elspeth because I loved it so much. It really made me laugh, and I loved how in worked into the main plot of the story. It helped me buy into the developing relationship between Blake and Jason.
The ending was well done, and it fit both character well. I was glad that the authors didn't play into what might have been a typical ending for these characters, and instead wrote something that was much more honest for these two. It made things feel much more like real life and a lot less like Pretty Woman. One of my new favorites of the series.
mle
Friday, August 14, 2015
Storytime by K.Lynn
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romantic, almost soft mood to the story. I found James to be a relatable character, and I liked that, while he was still mourning his loss, that he was taking steps to move beyond his grief. I can't imagine losing someone like that, and I respected that James was working on not drowning in his heartbreak. I really liked David as well. He is a good man, and I loved seeing them grow closer. I didn't even realize that the age gap was significant as it is because David has such maturity, and presence, and James never once treated him with anything but respect. I loved that David was so self possessed, and he fully understands his own preferences. It made me fully buy into their love story. The ending was nicely sexy, and it wrapped up the story nicely. I loved watching these two fall for each other. A great short story.
mle
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the romantic, almost soft mood to the story. I found James to be a relatable character, and I liked that, while he was still mourning his loss, that he was taking steps to move beyond his grief. I can't imagine losing someone like that, and I respected that James was working on not drowning in his heartbreak. I really liked David as well. He is a good man, and I loved seeing them grow closer. I didn't even realize that the age gap was significant as it is because David has such maturity, and presence, and James never once treated him with anything but respect. I loved that David was so self possessed, and he fully understands his own preferences. It made me fully buy into their love story. The ending was nicely sexy, and it wrapped up the story nicely. I loved watching these two fall for each other. A great short story.
mle
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Bane by Amelia C. Gormley
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked seeing how the threads of Nico and Zach's story wove together with Rhys and Darius's. I liked that their meeting wasn't necessarily positive, and that their goals weren't always in sync. I appreciated that the author didn't use this as an opportunity to vilify anyone, and that by getting in different character's heads I was able to understand what happened, and why from all perspectives. It added a lot of richness to the story for me, and I appreciated that.
The plot was nicely paced, and it really brought together a lot of the lose threads from the previous two books. It took both story lines, and really melded them together without making one more important or central than another. It showed how much all these characters were connected before they even met. The resolution was well done, and it left me feeling satisfied. There were no miracles, and everything that happens felt supported by the story, and the world building. Another great addition to this series.
mle
I really enjoyed this book. I liked seeing how the threads of Nico and Zach's story wove together with Rhys and Darius's. I liked that their meeting wasn't necessarily positive, and that their goals weren't always in sync. I appreciated that the author didn't use this as an opportunity to vilify anyone, and that by getting in different character's heads I was able to understand what happened, and why from all perspectives. It added a lot of richness to the story for me, and I appreciated that.
The plot was nicely paced, and it really brought together a lot of the lose threads from the previous two books. It took both story lines, and really melded them together without making one more important or central than another. It showed how much all these characters were connected before they even met. The resolution was well done, and it left me feeling satisfied. There were no miracles, and everything that happens felt supported by the story, and the world building. Another great addition to this series.
mle
Monday, August 3, 2015
Questions
So does he have more babies in more states?
Do they have cowboys for my bitchy mood?
Or my hungry mood?
How about when I'm not in the mood?
Do they have cowboys for my bitchy mood?
Or my hungry mood?
How about when I'm not in the mood?
mle
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