Three and a half stars, I think? This leans more towards mystery than romance -- and it's a pretty good mystery. It's not at all clear who our hero caThree and a half stars, I think? This leans more towards mystery than romance -- and it's a pretty good mystery. It's not at all clear who our hero can trust and finally he needs to take a leap of faith, and there's also some mystery for us the readers as Tal ever-so-slowly doles out information about the trauma in Everett's past. The romance was satisfying, if secondary.
This is a big, sprawling novel of the Amertican wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. Of course, it's a love story as well -- this is Tal Bauer, afThis is a big, sprawling novel of the Amertican wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11. Of course, it's a love story as well -- this is Tal Bauer, after all. For me as an American who lived through those times, it reminded me of those events as I experienced them through the US news. It definitely addresses the worst of the US abuses (as it should). I found it engrossing but not as much of an addictive roller coaster as many other TB books....more
More swoony romance, this one a second chance at love when the exes are thrown together trying to catch the killer behind a desert grave containing thMore swoony romance, this one a second chance at love when the exes are thrown together trying to catch the killer behind a desert grave containing the bodies of six women. I find Shane and Dakota to be a really appealing couple, and Shane's relationship with Shelly was handled with sensitivity. Each of the murder victims is a disctinct individual, and the mystery plot and the action climax are well done. Another great romantic suspense book from TB.
And again, definitely a book where cops are mostly good guys....more
This is engaging, romantic, well-written, and creepy as fuck. The serial killer is really horrific, really evil, and Tal does a good job showing him tThis is engaging, romantic, well-written, and creepy as fuck. The serial killer is really horrific, really evil, and Tal does a good job showing him to us and also showing us Cole's efforts to truly understand the killer's pathology.
It’s got the same mastery of interweaving narratives as Secret Service. There it was revelations about the characters, plot, attractions, relationships. Here it’s more the super creepiness of the murderer’s desires and the way he’s hooking himself into Cole’s psyche and the parallels between his love of fear and the hunt and Cole’s hunt for killers’ psychology.
I’m also starting to see an ongoing theme of distance in relationships in Tal's books: distance between men and their former wives, but also fathers and sons and, in this book, between Cole and Noah as Cole tries to shut himself down and protect Noah, the places where not talking creates alienation....more
Swoony romance and a compelling mystery. It's definitely pro-cop -- not all cops are good guys, but most are, and cops are by and large more part of tSwoony romance and a compelling mystery. It's definitely pro-cop -- not all cops are good guys, but most are, and cops are by and large more part of the solution than the problem. The lvoe story is soooo romantic -- Noah and Cole are in love from the get-go, but of course don't admit it right away.
I've read this with both eyes and ears. John Solo's performance is excellent, possibly the best TB audiobook I've listened to.
Sasha and Sergey spend most of the book long distance (sometimes earth-ISS long distance) so there's more longing and less on-page romance than in mosSasha and Sergey spend most of the book long distance (sometimes earth-ISS long distance) so there's more longing and less on-page romance than in most of Tal's books, plus of course it's an established couple. Be prepared for extreme gore, disease, and medical gore. Extreme. Really. It was good and compelling, but the gore-romance ratio may mean I don't reread it....more
Wow. Sasha is dealing with some really serious internalized homophobia and goes back to the Evenki to get spiritual help from Kilaqqui. I found the prWow. Sasha is dealing with some really serious internalized homophobia and goes back to the Evenki to get spiritual help from Kilaqqui. I found the process they go through together spoke really deeply to some of my own personal examinations and growth at this time. Fortunately the adventurous bio-warfare plot thread speaks less directly to my life at this time. 8^)...more
The stakes get even higher and the action is nonstop. Lots of Tal's favorite game of spot-the-traitor. Three wonderful couples. Some kind of brutal stThe stakes get even higher and the action is nonstop. Lots of Tal's favorite game of spot-the-traitor. Three wonderful couples. Some kind of brutal stuff: (view spoiler)[characters hunted by a sadistic killer, torture (hide spoiler)]...more
The stresses of a long-distance relationship, a case for Ethan to solve, and lots of Christmas loveliness. I have ambivalent feelings about the holidaThe stresses of a long-distance relationship, a case for Ethan to solve, and lots of Christmas loveliness. I have ambivalent feelings about the holiday; if you melt for gorgeous trees and other seasonal stuff this will probably rate higher for you....more
Non-stop action with a hell of a cliffhanger. THere are three different couples happening and action in various corners of the globe; sometimes the foNon-stop action with a hell of a cliffhanger. THere are three different couples happening and action in various corners of the globe; sometimes the focus wasn't on what I wanted to hear most about at the moment (and more in an annoying way than a masterful structure way). Do not leave yourself in a position where you've finished this and have no access to book 3....more
A classic Tal Bauer mix of pulse-pounding action and swoony romance. His characters are always so deeply in love from the very beginning, even when thA classic Tal Bauer mix of pulse-pounding action and swoony romance. His characters are always so deeply in love from the very beginning, even when they don't realize it right away. I find it really moving and I'm really glad it's out there as a form of queer joy. This isn't as impeccably plotted as Secret Service but still definitely a 5-star read for me.
A note on the audiobook: I find John Solo's pronunciation of Puchkov (like Puke-ov) to be maddeningly irritating. I definitely prefer eyes over ears for this one....more
Gay-for-you football dads with lots of richness about relationships between fathers and sons, plus a sympathetic but not uncritical view on the LDS chGay-for-you football dads with lots of richness about relationships between fathers and sons, plus a sympathetic but not uncritical view on the LDS church, especially as a place for queer people. A sheer delight.
I've already reread it several times; on discord I commented "I’m re-reading You & Me (yes, already) and it is kind of adorable how Luke can totally be on a date and have no idea he’s on a date."...more
I love these two guys falling in love, and the businessman with the huge cowboy hat is one of my favorite Tal Bauer side characters. A quite enjoyableI love these two guys falling in love, and the businessman with the huge cowboy hat is one of my favorite Tal Bauer side characters. A quite enjoyable read, just not as obsession-making amazing as Tal's best books....more
Maybe I should rate this higher than three stars, because the puppy play and age play were a bit of a hard sell for me, and I'm not sure it's fair to Maybe I should rate this higher than three stars, because the puppy play and age play were a bit of a hard sell for me, and I'm not sure it's fair to ding a book for, well, they're not downright squicks, but preferences. It depends partly on whether you view ratings as about "how good is this book?" vs "how good a read is this book *for me*?" Anyway, 3 stars it is. The book gives more details on Ash's intersexuality and follows Ash, Zong, Dustin, and Landon as they figure out how to build a working poly relationship/household/family....more
I read this whole book in a single evening and quite enjoyed it. It felt like a screwball comedy, with the romance sometimes taking a backseat to the I read this whole book in a single evening and quite enjoyed it. It felt like a screwball comedy, with the romance sometimes taking a backseat to the madcap adventures the two men have trying to keep the island from being developed. There are a host of interesting side characters, from Rob’s house sitter and agent to the vet, mayor, ferry operator, and others on the island. I could see any of them being played very amusingly by a strong character actor; I feel like this is Fenton’s experience as a playwright and screen writer coming through. I recommend this for anyone who would like to escape to a peaceful small island and watch some feelings and shenanigans...more
I liked this okay, but didn't have Tal-Bauer-style deep crazy instalove that I did for Secret Service.I liked this okay, but didn't have Tal-Bauer-style deep crazy instalove that I did for Secret Service....more
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