Let me just say that the daddy aspects of this book are AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Never thought (view spoiler)[thumb sucking (hide spoiler)] would do iLet me just say that the daddy aspects of this book are AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Never thought (view spoiler)[thumb sucking (hide spoiler)] would do it for me, but here ya go. The first day the MCs spent together was hot.
That said, the "domestic" part of the storyline fell flat for me. It just seemed like Jules and Sterling are two floundering, flakey adults who are getting lectured by their friends a lot. Which, OK, it's realistic, but wasn't really something I wanted to read.
I wish the book focused more on the kink aspect because that was excellently done.
Merged review:
Let me just say that the daddy aspects of this book are AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Never thought (view spoiler)[thumb sucking (hide spoiler)] would do it for me, but here ya go. The first day the MCs spent together was hot.
That said, the "domestic" part of the storyline fell flat for me. It just seemed like Jules and Sterling are two floundering, flakey adults who are getting lectured by their friends a lot. Which, OK, it's realistic, but wasn't really something I wanted to read.
I wish the book focused more on the kink aspect because that was excellently done....more
While I feel like this series could have left off with book 4, I'm guessing either the author or the readers were dead set on (view spoiler)[having thWhile I feel like this series could have left off with book 4, I'm guessing either the author or the readers were dead set on (view spoiler)[having the two of them adopt, especially with Danny's history. And to have the child have Rain's medium powers, to top it off. (hide spoiler)] Not much was added to the series except the spoilery aspect I mentioned above, so it was kind of a let down that more wasn't explained about Rain's powers, or that we didn't get to see them in use more. And the ley lines - nothing new added there, either.
I enjoy Danny and Rain as a couple, so I don't regret reading this, but I have to say that my hopes were kind of high, seeing as this is supposed to be the last book in the series according to some. Hopes weren't really met for more world-building, but eh.
ETA: Damn, it really took me 4 whole days to read this, lol...more
But aside from that, the story was compelling. Cam has self-esteem and abandonment issues, which translates over tThose sex positions were HAWT, omfg.
But aside from that, the story was compelling. Cam has self-esteem and abandonment issues, which translates over to his relationship with Riley. Cam basically tosses their relationship in the trash and leaves the state.
3 years later, Riley, never having gotten over Cam, is captain of his college hockey team. And then Cam shows up, more than ready for whatever bitterness Riley wants to throw his way....more
I must be a terrible person, because I wanted Ellis to suffer more than he did, and for Rae to be more bitter than he was. That wouldn't have made eitI must be a terrible person, because I wanted Ellis to suffer more than he did, and for Rae to be more bitter than he was. That wouldn't have made either of them happy, though, so I'm glad that things worked out the way that they did. There was definitely angst in this. I loved the aspects of the media being involved, and everyone kind of getting a front seat to witness what's happening with them....more
Loved everything about this book. Dylan and Cass's relationship. The "really touchy-feely BFFs" trope is one I can never get tired of. Though there isLoved everything about this book. Dylan and Cass's relationship. The "really touchy-feely BFFs" trope is one I can never get tired of. Though there is angst in this, for sure, it was still a soothing read. I was totally smiling at the end, I was so happy for their HEA. Bonus point for AA representation!...more
So, I admit that I didn't instantly fall in love with this book like I expected. The first book I ever read from Gianni was Bay (The Smoky Vale Al3.25
So, I admit that I didn't instantly fall in love with this book like I expected. The first book I ever read from Gianni was Bay (The Smoky Vale Alliance 1), a sequel to this series. Instant love for that book, and it's still one of my favorites. I go back and read snippets as they pop into my mind all the time.
BD has all sorts of things I didn't expect in it that pushed my limits. Jamie and Grimm's dynamic, which mad me face my own biases of "big man top, little man bottom." Watching a character deal with trauma by having sex with EVERYONE, and then dealing with the aftermath of that, feeling like he was unlovable because he was "used." If you've been following me, you'll know I had that little freak out about virginity in characters and how I shouldn't expect it, but for some reason I do.
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Anyway, the first half of this book was a struggle to get through, but the second half brought it all together. More action, more emotion, more details brought to light that tied this book with Bay.
Yes, I cried like a little biotch multiple times in the second half.
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I seriously thought I would abandon this series and continue on with The Smoky Vale Alliance series, but now I'm open to reading the next book, Fable's Foes. A threesome, even. Yes, I have biases against menages, too. I HAVE PROBLEMS, OK?!
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Anyway, I'm glad that this book wasn't a dud....more
After almost getting both my eyebrows scorched off my freaking face, I made it through this audiobook. There were4.5 rounded up
So, that just happened.
After almost getting both my eyebrows scorched off my freaking face, I made it through this audiobook. There were so many extremes:
- rough sex - non-con roleplay - Physically preventing a romantic partner from leaving - (view spoiler)[AND THE MC SLEEPING WITH BOTH THE DAD AND THE SON. Though, not at the same time. I probably would have had a stroke. (hide spoiler)]
Raven, and everyone around him may not have realized it, but he was a severely damaged man. He held no importance for sex - Which, on the surface, wouldn't seem so bad. He used sex in ways that wouldn't automatically seem toxic, but if questioned about his reasons, it's quickly realized that they're fucked.
Clint had that "dad wall" up, not letting his son or Raven know that he was equally as damaged from more than one event in his past. As if a switch was flipped, he went from wholesome dad to an intense, domineering dungeon daddy once he realized his feelings for Raven had changed. That isn't even a consequence of the past. That's just him. Dude's a freak.
It's probably not a spoiler since it happens at the beginning of the book, but just in case (view spoiler)[Clint physically prevents Raven from leaving his home, then in the middle of the night like the creepiest of creepers, he used a key to open Raven's door after he promised he wouldn't go in there. They had rough, bed-breaking sex. (hide spoiler)]
Like, everything you think would happen in a situation where the BFF has a relationship with the son's dad happens in here. And they talked about their feelings. I don't feel like a thing was missed....more
Can I just make a list of things I liked about this audiobook?
1. Michael Leslie (the superior Leslie) How this man has so many voices, such amazing coCan I just make a list of things I liked about this audiobook?
1. Michael Leslie (the superior Leslie) How this man has so many voices, such amazing comedic timing...It's unreal. 2. It was freaking hilarious. I ugly laughed too many times to count. 3. Pimp!Randall. 4. Ryan and Sam dancing around each other like literal buffoons, but being adorable and everyone seeing it but them. 5. Ryan not being wiling to break his oath to the prince...that honorable SOB. 6. Ryan's past literally made me gasp and inhale a popcorn kernel....more
You ever read a book that was so up your alley, so fantastic, that you can't stop smiling as you read? This is that book.
Second "read." This time, I cYou ever read a book that was so up your alley, so fantastic, that you can't stop smiling as you read? This is that book.
Second "read." This time, I chose to listen to the audiobook. It really was a different experience. (view spoiler)[The scene there Niko finds Brandon's self-harm wounds tugged at my heart while reading it, but nearly broke me while listening to the audiobook. (hide spoiler)] Everyone did such a great job voice acting this.
2nd listen - I actually cried listening to the audiobook, this time....more
Look, I had to hold in my rage all throughout this thing, and that was the only thing not makingOoooh ho ho ho, Ella James, you dun did it now.
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Look, I had to hold in my rage all throughout this thing, and that was the only thing not making me succumb to the anxiety this book induced in me.
Slight spoilers:
Ezra's mom: Evil bitch. No redeeming qualities. Put her ass under the jail. Ezra's dad: Ain't shit absentee who created a new family with Josh and his mom and didn't do shit to keep in regular contact with his son. How do you not know where your son is at any given time? How do you not know his medical history? Why wouldn't you go looking for your son when he disappeared? WHERE TF WERE YOU, YOU SONSABITCH?! [image]
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...Josh's dad: Ain't shit absentee who created a new family with a woman who doesn't want Josh around. HOW DOES YOUR SON NOT HAVE A ROOM AT YOUR HOUSE???? Josh's mom: Besides some things that she could REALLY work on, like, not letting anyone, including Ezra, shit talk her son just to make them comfortable, she doesn't seem like she was all that terrible. The bar is in hell, though, so she could literally be dead and still be a better parent than the other 3.
Those other 3 can have a big ol slice of shit pie.
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I felt so much for Ezra during the toughest battles of his mental health. He was afraid to be happy, afraid to make anyone happy, and that's just no way to live.
Josh...I just can't help but think that his inability to NOT be a do-gooder is some sort of trauma response. That's just not normal, ya know? Like, I feel that he was neglected, certainly by his dad, but also by his mom to a degree. (view spoiler)[Like, she knew he was gay, and never said anything. Never opened up the channels of communication to have that conversation. Josh was literally a child when she knew, so of course he wasn't going to come to her first. She knows what kind of relationship she fostered with her son. Open and honest ain't it. (hide spoiler)]
I'm glad they got to have some found family. The boys definitely needed it.
With all that said...this book wasn't even that traumatic, idk what everyone's been talking about. ...more
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