TITLE: TOP SECRET AUTHOR: Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy RELEASE DATE: May 7th 2019 GENRE: MM Romance TROPES: Enemies-to-lovers RATING: 5 STARS CLIFFHANGER: No
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A story by either Sarina Bowen or Elle Kennedy is a guaranteed win. Together they are on fire. In TOP SECRET they show us yet again how harmoniously and with ease their writing styles mesh together. So my excitement went through the roof when I learned about this book. But since it was, indeed, top secret, we weren't allowed to talk about it. Keeping a secret has rarely been so hard.
Now on to my thoughts about this story.
I have so much love for Luke and Keaton, our two main protagonists. Luke is the silent brooder, not giving away much about himself to pretty much everyone. Nobody knows about the unhealthy relationship with his family, or that he works his butt off just to survive day by day. As soon as someone tries to pry information out of him he clams up. On the other hand he has zero hangups or insecurities about his sexuality, is ambitious and determined to leave his poor upbringing behind. My heart ached a little for him, because it was so hard to shed his distrust of pretty much everyone.
He said I was stingy with love, and he was right. I am really not sure that will ever change. But if there’s anyone in the world I could change for, it’s certainly him.
Keaton is the outgoing, popular guy, the jock with the beautiful girlfriend, the money and the suitable friends. His dad is the meddling kind, one who expects his son to follow in his footsteps which Keaton has no intention to do. He's a biology buff and didn't that make my little scientist heart sing? All those references about the mating behavior of different species were hilarious (and true).
Keaton's sexual progression felt natural to me - he struggles with it at first but, being the open-minded guy he is, he accepts it and moves on. I loved how loyal and sweet, patient and understanding he was with Luke.
I’m just a guy, standing on a beach in nothing but his favorite pair of lobster shorts, waiting for the right man to love me.
In TOP SECRET Keaton goes on a research expedition in Chile that has the goal to find an unidentified ecotype of orcas. That's actually a fact and happened in March 2019. A friend of mine is one of the scientists who were on the research vessel and took many pics which were published in National Geographic. I thought this was such a cool coincidence I had to mention it.
M/M romance is one of my favorite genres. I love the dynamic between men and the imagery that comes with it. I loved Luke and Keaton together. They couldn't be more different but because of that they filled needs in one another no other person could have. Their evolution from competitors to friends and lovers was beautiful to watch.
Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen joining forces again is a dream come true. With TOP SECRET they give us a stinkin' cute, light-hearted, humorous, flirty enemy-to-lovers story that made my heart pitter-patter. Can we have more of this? PLEEAAASE? I can't wait to listen to the audiobook of this one!
LobsterShorts: I’m fresh out of lobster sex facts atm. BUT…lemme tell you about sea slugs. SinnerThree: Omg yes. I can’t wait for this. Hold on. Let me undo my pants. This time I snort out loud. I know he’s kidding, and I play along. Actually, I’ll do that, too. Having both our dicks out for this fun fact is so fitting. SinnerThree: Dick’s out. All right. Slug sex. Now, baby. LobsterShorts: OK—you ready for this? SinnerThree: Hit me. Blow my mind. LobsterShorts: Sea slugs have penis fights. Dead air follows my revelation. I see the three dots appear to indicate he’s typing. Then they disappear. Reappear. Disappear. Finally, a message pops up. SinnerThree: I don’t even know what to say to that. I guess… Why?? How?? Why???
This was my first book by SE Jakes but it definitely won't be my last.
Now, it takes some suspension of disbelief if you read an MM story about homosexuality in a so obviously heterosexual environment like a motorcycle club, even more so in a one-percenter. That is not to say that it doesn't happen. What do I know, right? It didn't take me long to get sucked into this story that had a little bit of everything. Action, secrets and a (not so sweet) love story.
I enjoyed Bram and Sweet's story. They were both tough guys who had a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Sweet as the president of Havoc and Bram as an ATF undercover agent who not only tried to find his missing brother but who had to keep a low profile because another motorcycle club wanted him dead. There was a rough dynamic between them, a lot of distrust that led to arguments and eventually equally rough sex.
Speaking of, this is probably what I could have less of and that's saying something because I like my sexy times in books. Especially in the first half I would have liked a little more story and character development. Nevertheless, I loved Sweet and Bram together, they knew for the most part what the other one needed and ready to give it to them. The sappy me would have liked a little more emotional development between the main characters but I kind of also understand that this may not be the way of an MC member. But again, what do I know?
This is the first audiobook narrated by Mark Larchmont I listened to and boy am Impressed. Bot only did he do the different voices extremely well, he also gave them a distinct accent. I'll definitely look out for more books narrated by him. ...more
ROBBIE left us with a mild cliffhanger and JULIEN continues right where the first installment of the Confessions series stopped -[image]
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ROBBIE left us with a mild cliffhanger and JULIEN continues right where the first installment of the Confessions series stopped - I was excited to continue Robbie, Julien's and Joel's journey and see where this new situation would take them.
Robbie has moved into Julien and Priest's apartment. It takes a special man to be able to not feel like the third wheel in an established relationship when you are the last to join but Robbie has no problem at all to grow into their new three-ways relationship. Neither do Joel or Julien for that matter. There is no jealousy, no hidden aggression, each of them enjoys their connection to the other two, which is surprising and admirable, especially because there is so much history between Joel and Julien that there is a lot of potential for somebody to feel left out.
But not Robbie.
“I know I’m a little loud. Bright colors—” “Suit you. You’re one of the brightest, happiest people I’ve ever met, princesse. And whether you are in a black suit or a bright pink one, you will be the shiniest, loveliest person in attendance.”
He is pure light and love. Rarely have I read about a character with a pure heart like his. He stole my heart in the first book but damn, in JULIEN he is EVERYTHING. While this installment primarily deals with Julien's past it is the flamboyant, beautiful man who almost steals the show. He is sweet, patient and so, so perceptive. He has the gift of waiting people out, listening to them and offering solutions nobody has considered. The gentleness that is inherent in Robbie is only surpassed by his mischief which makes for quite some funny situations despite the heavy subject.
“What’s not to love? Julien cooks, you worry about the important stuff, and I make everything sparkle.”
That elusive smile of Priest’s lit his face, and Robbie added,
“I also love that I can do that.”
“What?”
“Make you smile. It’s so rare that it feels like a major accomplishment when it happens.”
It was hinted in ROBBIE that Julien carried a lot of guilt about his sister's death but how much it weighs him down becomes obvious in this book. Around the anniversary of his sister's death he just falls apart and while Priest has always been his crutch through these days Julien never managed to move past his guilt. It was harrowing and gut-wrenching to see this strong, endearing character go through his guilt and grief when it seemed nothing would help him to move on. The betrayal of those who should have been there for him was infuriating and made me feel for Julien even more. I hope that Ella writes some spiders into their beds in the next book.
"A broken heart of gold, that’s what our Julien has.”
Joel Priestley has been an enigma from the first moment I met him in the #PresLocke series. Now we get to see the real Priest, the one who cares deeply, and even has a flirtatious side. He is sexy in an over-powering way and the most intense and controlled of the three. While other people squirm under his gaze Robbie and Julien revel in his attention. He doesn't open up easily but I loved seeing him being sweet and open with our princess. Robbie just has this gift to make people feel comfortable around him and it was so apparent that Joel started to fall for him. Robbie's sparkling yet gentle personality puts deep cracks in his armor. Joel is the caretaker, the person who still functions when things go to hell and seeing his love for Julien was touching.
"But you’re never stupid, Julien. You were just a little less perfect than you usually are.”
Ella gives us a little bit of Tate and Logan in this book - it's always something I get a kick out of when I'm united with favorite characters from another series.
I have come to love these three men so much and I love them equally and wouldn't be able to choose a favorite. They all are so incredibly different yet so perfect for each other. All of them have a goodness in them that is palpable and while Priest's is the least obvious it's the most rewarding because of it.
This was a fast and satisfying read. We are being left again with a cliffy that hurts a little more than the last one but fear not, soon we'll have Joel's book in our hands. JULIEN is alot angstier than ROBBIE and while the first half is mostly light and fun the second half digs deep in the anxiety department. Now the wait for #3 begins. Can it be September already?
[image]“Regrets only happen when you aren’t brave enough to try something that scares you."
Confession (nope, no pun): I have never read MMM. Heck I don't read MMF or MFM all that much. It's the idea of one person usually being added to an established relationship. It makes it difficult for me to believe that all partners in a three-way relationship are equally well loved and there is no imbalance and one of them is left behind, emotionally. So going into "CONFESSIONS: ROBBIE" was a bit of challenge for me but since Ella Frank has written one of my favorite MM series it was a no-brainer that I at the very least TRY (see what I did there?).
This trilogy starts off pretty much about the time when the last book of the Temptation series ended. it's about Robbie Bianchi, Julien Thornton and Joel Priestley, also dubbed The Princess, The Prick and The Priest. With a triple point of view Ella Frank ensures that we get a good feel for all three main characters and their thought processes.
From the first moment Robbie's sassy and fun personality was introduced in TRY he brought a cheeky element into the story. In consistency with Temptation he continues to be the loud, proud, playful and endearing young man, who lights up a room with his cheerful and sweet disposition. He is pure sunshine. That is not to say that he doesn't have a care in this world. Like all people he has had painful experiences but he doesn't dwell on it and moves forward with his eyes wide open. Robbie is a firecracker and with him The Priest and The Prick get more than they bargained for.
[image]Robbie was a burst of sunshine on the coldest of days, and that was exactly what Julien would need next week. A burst of sunshine and a steady hand to hold him upright.
I think we met Joel Priestley for the first time in Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine's love child, the #PresLocked series. He was still living in LA until Logan and Cole (Temptation series) invited him to become a full partner at their law firm. The intense, stoic and closed off Priest has always been an enigma. From the moment Robbie and the charismatic lawyer meet they rub each other the wrong way. In "Robbie" we get to know the real Joel Priestley and he was. UTTER. PERFECTION.
[image]“I knew you were going to be like this. I told Julien: he’s going to be a handful with attitude to spare, but so fucking beautiful when he submits.”
I'm totally gone for him. He is protective of those he loves, caring in an unassuming way, which is surprising for an intense man like him and it was then that I fell head over heels in love with him. He is the pillar people use for support, the man everyone looks at for advice. But there is also a darker side about him and that manifests itself in Joel always being in control and deliciously dominant.
[image]“Control, mon cher petit. It’s all about control. And once you understand that, you will understand Priest.”
Lastly there is Julien, Priest's husband, who craves closeness and warmth. This and Robbie's zest for life attracts him to the spitfire. Julien is a tv chef with a bad reputation. He is charming, magnetic, a little impish and seductive. But like Priest he is also a top dog which makes their relationship a little complicated. There is no doubt that they love each other, there is always a sense of complete devotion but to balance out their natures they need a third party. Robbie complements them in every way. With his sunny, mischievous and precious personality he brings lightness and a beautiful sweetness into Joel and Julien's marriage that had been missing before.
[image]“We don’t want to change you to suit us, Robert. We want you because of who you already are.”
Now. This is Ella Frank and we know what a DIRTY BIRD she is. She writes hands down some of the hottest, filthiest sex scenes and if you think Logan and Tate were hot, Priest, Julien and Robbie will incinerate your Kindle.
Remember when I said in the beginning that three-way relationships are always a little difficult for me? Robbie grows into this relationship. There is absolute transparency about what Priest and Julien expect and complete honesty about their feelings. I adore this. I love that they see the special young man Robbie is. He is being cherished and wooed and there is no doubt in my mind that the connection with him will end up being as deep as the one Priest and Julien share. It just comes so natural because there is no pretense and pure acceptance from the first moment. It's also all kinds of sweet to see Robbie slowly fall in love with the man he used to dislike so passionately.
The last thing Robbie remembered hearing as he drifted off to sleep was the soft tap tap tap of a man who was a little less strange to him tonight— and a whole lot of wonderful.
The story is pretty light so far but I'm sure that Ms Frank will crank up the angst in the next installment. There is a lot in the past of Julien and Joel that needs to be explored and I'm sure there will be a little bit heartbreak along the way which will have my emotions all over the place. Well, Ella, bring. It. On.
"CONFESSIONS: ROBBIE" is a solid, enchanting introduction to this new series. Joel Priestley, Julien Thornton and Robert Bianchi have charmed me and left me craving for more of their unique, fascinating and surprisingly homogeneous constellation. The waiting for May begins, when CONFESSIONS: JULIEN will be released:
I think I can't hide how much I love Ella Frank's boys Tate and Logan. They are so very special, each in his own way. I was really excited to find out how Logan would explore these new thoughts about his relationship with Tate.
The first sentences of the story say it all and it's pretty much the central theme of the whole book:
IT WAS STRANGE how a life could change in the blink of an eye. How someone’s perception of things could alter in a nanosecond due to one look or word depending on the mood or the timing, or even the person they were with. And sometimes, when that happened, there was no explaining why. It just… happened.
This not only explains why Logan changes his mind but also why the author chose to change the path for her characters. They are on the brink of starting a new chapter.
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In the newest installment we see a little more angst and a lot more emotional scenes. There is no doubt that Tate and Logan have changed each other's life for the better, that they enrich each other's life. You think they are as solid as they can be and nothing can disrupt their state of bliss. And even when there is discord you have that absolute trust in them that things will be OK in the end. There is so much love that it can't be any other way.
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Not only Logan explores his new feelings toward their relationship, Tate also has to re-think a lot of what he thought was a given and he has taken for granted so far. I felt for both of them, how they both struggled with all the new influences and situations. I wanted to hug them so bad. Logan in particular, who is always the most beautiful when he bares his soul. His snark and sarcasm are my second favorite thing about him. Tate's anguish was hard to watch, he had a tough time figuring out how to work through all the new situations - but as I said, you trust in their love being able to overcome anything.
“You and I, we’re a bit of a mess lately, aren’t we?” “A little bit.” Logan brought his hand up to cover the one on his cheek. “But there’s no one I’d rather get messy with.”
We get to hang out with the whole gang and we get a little more of Priest and Robbie and how their relationship hasn't improved. I am really looking forward for their personalities to crash into each other. There is a lot of hate-lust going on. Robbie is coming back to his old sass which I loved to see. I actually like him now better than in the first installments because you can see a little bit maturity come through. There is also a tentative friendship developing between him and Tate, which I thought was lovely.
This definitely is Ella Frank's best installment so far and together with Trust the most emotional one. She shows us a bit of a different Tate and a solid Logan and a lot of mutual love and understanding between them. I adore their relationship so much, their connection and how they just work.
...and then he was falling all over again. Falling for the charm of the silver-tongued lawyer who’d picked him to sit down opposite that first night. Falling into a relationship he’d always wanted but never dreamed he would have. But most of all, he was falling in love with Logan all over again, just as he’d done every day since he’d known him.
I can't get enough of Ella's boys and it will be bittersweet to say goodbye to them when the next book will be out in January 2018. Until then I'm holding on to the warm fuzzy feeling she left me with.
Tate is the fifth installment in the Temptation series which must be read in order.
Axel loves basketball, is young, single and out-of-the-closet gay and has been offered his dream job at Barmuth University. He watches an online stream of one of their Basketball games to decide whether the job, being responsible for the sports teams' marketing, would be a good fit. The camera zooms in, his eyes fall on a familiar face, a face from his past. And just like that his decision has been made.
If it weren't for his brothers Cax would never have returned into his hometown after graduation but watching over them, while they have to live with their abusive father has taken up precedence. He works as a teaching assistant at Barmuth and loves watching the basketball games. When he realizes that the one guy he ever kissed, the one he had to cut out of his life because of his father, works and lives in the same town, he has an inkling that his life is about to become way more complicated.
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Axeldental & Caxtastrophe...
Axel is out of the closet and determined to stay there when he moves to a small university town in Massachusetts. There isn't a homophobic insult he hasn't heard. He is quite comfortable in his own skin, sweet and easygoing...and terrified of meeting his first love again. Their first meeting is awkward but thankfully they quickly fall back into a grown up version of the easy friendship they had when they were kids. Axel is exceedingly patient with Cax, and it becomes even more prominent when he sees with his own eyes that Cax didn't exaggerate when he told him about his problems.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe: I’m sorry. I’m sorry that’s how it is, and I’m sorry I made you talk about it. And I’m really sorry that there isn’t some way we can spend time together. But at least I understand now why we can’t.
Cax' fear is so tangible in this story and it is so understandable! His father terrorizes him and has been since that day all those years ago, when he kissed Axel. Cax' brothers mean everything to him, he wants them to feel comfortable to contact him when they are in trouble so he needs to make sure that he stays in their lives. Which means staying firmly in the closet because his homophobic father threatens that he will never see his family again if he ever finds out that Cax is in a gay relationship. Which also means denying himself a life and love. It is unfair and infuriating, especially when you feel the yearning they feel for each other.
Before Axel came to Henning, I’d only suspected that my life sucked. Now I knew that it truly did.
It was lovely to see how Cax gained self confidence with Axel's backup, how he leaned more and more on his childhood friend and lover. I fist-pumped when Cax took charge and went out of his comfort zone to right the wrongs. I adored him for being such an amazing brother.
The trust we had for each other was like a cocoon surrounding the bed.
If you take a closer look at the two families you see a glaring difference in both of the heroes' upbringing. Axel's mom is accepting of his sexual orientation On the other hand you have Cax' father who has already started to affect his other kids with his homophobia. The story shows nicely how tolerance and intolerance is being infused by your upbringing. Parents have power and it's up to them to use it wisely.
Sarina Bowen's books are always special. They are touching, poignant and usually come with a truckload of emotions. These two men share a tenderness and love for one another that radiates off the pages. I loved that we got to see Josh and Caleb. They hold a special place in my heart. I also love the world this author has built for us. It feels familiar the moment you open the book - it's a bit like coming home. While this installment didn't quite reach the level of Goodbye Paradise it was still a heartwarming, sweet and important story packed in a very quick read with 200+ pages. Now I am wondering if Sarina will write Jason's book which I will definitely read.
Hello Forever is the second part in the Hello Goodbye series and can be read as a standalone.
The Boys are back!!! God. GOD. I have no idea where to start, I'm a mess. *takes a deep breath*
It's always so hard to do a book justice with your review if you love the characters and their journey like I adore these two. From the first book on Ella Frank's spellbinding, charismatic heroes of her Temptation series took my heart away and have refused to give it up again ever since. When I heard that this author would continue her amazing MM Romance I squealed. And did the Carlton dance.
Of course, there is always a bit of apprehension when an author decides to continue with the story of a couple he or she left in a happy place. So you might wonder if these books are necessary. Well, if you remember, there were a couple loose ends in the last three books I definitely think that there is enough material there to continue writing more Logan & Tate.
The story starts around four years after we left them. I am not going into plot details because I think the experience will be even better if you go in blind. Just trust Ella that she will do right by them. What I can say, however, is that Logan and Tate are in a good place. They love each other unconditionally, are devoted and as committed as commitment-phobe Logan allows. And Tate is more than OK with that - he has Logan's utter devotion and it's going both ways.
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Logan is his usual arrogant and filterless self but there is a new layer of, let's call it maturity, to him that makes him so absolutely irresistible. For all his cockiness he always looks out for Tate. He gives his best friend and lover room to work out his problems. Logan is the most endearing when he shows his sweet side, which mostly his bartender is on the receiving end of. And he has a ginormous heart. Logan is also so utterly adorable when he shows his insecurities and worries. But all this together makes this complicated man so human and wonderful. And it doesn't hurt that he is hot AF. In clothes and in bed.
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Tate is still the easy-going, considerate and level headed and wonderful man. He calms the storm in Logan and always knows the right things to say when the love of his life needs reassurance. Tate isn't any less captivating. He stands his ground with the intense Logan. The curly gorgeous man knows how much his lawyer loves to be teased and makes use of this knowledge often. Which more often than not lands them both in bed. And holy moly, when Tate gets authoritative and commanding it's like my Kindle catches fire. This guy's heart is just as big as Logan's.
Together they are like a well oiled machine. They just work. Their sexual attraction is strong as ever and so primal, raw and hot. They play rough but they play, what comes out of their mouths is positively filthy. It will leave you panting but coming back for more. But they can also be sweet and tender with each other and I have yet to decide which side of Logan and Tate I love more. They are just perfect and I'd totally be the turkey in their sandwich if they asked me.
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We get to catch up with Cole and Rachel. I loved to see them again with their kids and how close they have become with Logan and Tate. We also see a familiar name return in this story and a new one and I have strong suspicion that we will see a new series or book about them in the future. Yes, we do get some reminders of events from the first three books but I found those necessary to ultimately move this story forward. The banter is, as always, hilarious.
Ella Frank can throw any book at me and I'll gladly read it. I can completely immerse myself in her stories and don't want to come up for air. Now the waiting begins for the next part in Tate's and Logan's journey. Until then...
It is always bittersweet when you have to say goodbye to beloved characters and this holds true for Ace and Dylan even more. These characters have grown close to my heart because they were endearing like few others. So without further ado, this is me sending them off into their Happily Ever After.
“I love the way you bite your lip like that,” I said. “And I love the way you light up a room, just by being in it. I love how confident you are, and I love the rare occasion that has you turning adorably shy when you’re out of your element. I love how strong you are and the fearlessness you show when others would cower. You push me to be a better man and to fight for what and who I love.”
Ace and Dylan are in a good place. They are planning their wedding, which sometimes seems a little bit overwhelming to Ace. Leave it to Dylan to get him back into the zen zone. Their life is crazy, especially after Ace's very public proposal on national tv. They both are riding a professional high and can't wait to be wed in front of God and everybody. Of course there are one or two clouds in the otherwise amazing blue sky in the person of Dylan's biological mother.
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Dylan is such a sunny character. He really knows how to make everyone around him smile and I'm still in awe how he became like that with his past. He centers and grounds Ace but the same goes the other way around. Ace is as protective as they come and he would do anything to help make sure his Daydream is shielded from his poisonous parent.
“You good?” he asked, and I gave him a broad smile as I nodded. No matter where we were, he was always checking in with me and those around him, always making sure everyone was okay. It was one of the things I loved most about him.
We get to see beloved characters from this author duo's other series. Among them there are PITA and Dawson, Nate and Shayne, Finn and Brantley, Derek and Jordan and my personal favorite, Logan Mitchell and Tate Morrison. I was again reminded why these two are my all time favorites. Logan again proves to be a great friend and lawyer. Of course there are also Dylan's adoptive parents who are among the most unconventional and lovely, fictional side characters.
The whole book is one huge epilogue and a celebration of Ace's and Dylan's love for one another. There are touching scenes and funny ones.
“Not to sound vain, but you’ve only mentioned how much the color of my eyes are your favorite about once a week since I’ve known you. So, again, I’ll ask: what’s my favorite fucking color?” “Yellow.” “Oh my God—” “I’m kidding, Jesus. It’s blue, right? Color of the ocean—” “And your fucking eyes. God, you’re such a guy.” Then I realized what I’d said, and rubbed my face. “Shit, we sound like a couple of chicks right now.”
And, this wouldn't be Ella and Brooke if we didn't get some scorching and hot scenes, too.
As our bodies moved together, the rawness of the moment wasn’t lost on me. I could feel the sweat, the pre-cum, and lube aiding to the animalistic act taking place on the bed, and it just ramped this moment up even more. We’d had the sweet. We’d had the tender. And right here in this moment, it was all primal. I was making him mine in all the ways I possibly could, and Ace was letting me. Fuck, was he ever.
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They are sprinkled throughout the story and are pretty much the hottest thing since peanut butter and Nutella.
Fall apart for me, Daydream."
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The only reason I couldn't give a clean 5 stars is the bachelor party. I felt that it started to drag a little there - these scenes were about everyone else but our heroes. Yes, I'm greedy but I would have loved more involvement of them.
The sweetest thing is the epilogue. I loved how the authors let us say goodbye to Ace and Dylan. Needless to say that I hope I'll get to catch up with them in other books by them. This definitely was a worthy conclusion of an epic love story and these two characters are among my most favorite in MM romance.
“I think love is a big wisdom made up of small understandings."
So. This is it. I daresay that this will be my favorite book of 2017 because I can't see how you can top this story. Big words, I know and I'm already taking away the conclusion of my review but what the hell. Bear with me.
Apart from losing his mother at fifteen, Geno was a normal teenager. He has a deep connection with his brother Carlos that only twins have.
They had a name for their shared space, and within it, they had secret identities. Carlos was Los. Geronimo was Mos. Los and Mos lived in the starry world of Nos, Spanish for we. Nos rhymed with dos, Spanish for two.
In one night Geno's world comes to a screeching halt - forty-four hours of horror make him hand over his life to an imaginary alter-ego.
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My heart burned for this beautiful, sweet boy who'd had nothing but kindness in him and felt so deeply, his loneliness devastated me. He was betrayed in the vilest of ways by somebody he couldn't expect to turn on him, unspeakable things were done to him.
Carlos took his broken heart where he wasn’t supposed to be. He walked out of the henhouse and left the door wide open, letting the Fox in.
Restoring a measure of sanity and trust is a Herculean task and takes a strong, resilient heart. Geno was broken nearly beyond repair and what he endured would have killed a lesser person. His way back to the surface after disassociating himself from his broken self is paved with spikes but he braves every obstacle and one by one loyal champions join his battles to see him through the worst time of his life.
"They didn't get the best of you." - Stef
One of those is Steffen Finch, an art therapist working the cases nobody else wants to touch because they know he is the best and if somebody can crack a case like this one it would be Stef. He is bisexual, divorced and we met him first at the end of An Exaltation of Larks, when he was being introduced to Javier Landes. The attraction is instant and it was sweet to see how they danced around each other until they felt safe enough to open up to each other. What then ensued was sheer beauty and bliss.
“Jesus, I can’t believe the shit I tell you sometimes,” Stef said. “My ears are the round holes for your square thoughts,” Jav said. “Dude, don’t make me like you.” “Sorry.”
Stef is a wonderful character, uniting wisdom, kindness and strength. He finds Geno's cracks in his armor and slowly, slowly starts to fill them with light. Although he should keep a professional distance Stef's admiration for Geno turns into a brotherly love and soon the lines start to blur. I adored Stef and his love for his job. He is intuitive and an inexhaustible well of ideas how to make life for his patients a little more bearable. And even in the most heartbreaking therapy session Stef finds a way to Geno.
“Your heart is bigger than hate,” Stef said. “You tell the story. Words or pictures, nothing’s going to push me away, all right? If you can live it, I can listen to it. If your heart can survive it, mine can too.
When Geno's ordeal becomes to much for Stef, Jav anchors him and gives him peace.
Jav just ended his career as an escort and has a little bit of a midlife crisis. His life consisted of catering to his clients needs, socially and sexually. He identifies as bisexual but has never had a serious relationship and the two men he was in love with were never a possibility. So here he is, trying to figure out what to do next, yearning for a real connection when he meets Stef. I have no words for my love for Jav and Stef. Their chemistry was explosive!
Tonight their bedroom overflowed with magnificent sex. Death by sex. Grandiose, over-the-top sex. They were making love like architects of the universe. Fucking like mathematicians. Multiplying, dividing, canceling each other out and starting from zero.
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They were yin and yang, two puzzle pieces who fit perfectly. Both of them good men from the tips of their hair to the tips of their toes, with a huge capability to love. We read about Jav's backstory in An Exaltation of Larks - he faced his struggles with courage and dignity and it's a miracle that he became such a kind-hearted soul. I also adored his brotherly bond with Geno.
Suanne's description of Geno's horrific ordeal may not be overly graphic but reading about it is a deeply visceral, unsettling and upsetting experience nonetheless. It left me hopeless at first - because how do you come back from this? How do you find the will to go on after you lose everything and most of all your innocence and youth? I have nothing but admiration and love for all the characters but Geno in particular. The way he clawed his way back into life was inspiring.
The most harrowing and disturbing parts will destroy you but those blows are cushioned by a cast with the ability to give unconditional love to a boy who has had his world turned up-side-down. I adored every single character in this story. And then there is the humor that is sprinkled throughout the story that helps you get past the hard parts. Despite the devastation and atrocity this is a story full of hope, love and beauty.
“Gee, Stef,” Geno said loudly. “Max sure looks mad at you.” “Because Max is mad at me, Geno,” Stef said in the same tone. “Why, Stef?” “I’m afraid that’s confidential, Geno, but you could ask him.” Geno leaned out of his chair to look under the table. “Max, why are you mad at Stef?” “He won’t marry my mother.” Geno straightened up and raised his eyebrows at Stef. “Now I’m mad at you too.” “I know, I suck.”
The author did her research on art therapy and the historical facts. I also loved her figurative analogy of a hen house for Geno's home before and after this horrific event.
Suanne Laqueur has found her niche in this so competitive profession. She writes intelligent stories about unconventional characters who have depth and profound stories to tell. Even the side characters are multi-dimensional and equipped with a backstory. She has been gifted with buckets of talent and really makes the most of it. If you follow Ms Laqueur's posts on social media you see a strong, smart, outspoken woman who is funny as hell and her personality shines through in her storytelling.
While this book can be read as a standalone I urge you to read An Exaltation of Larks - the beauty of A Charm of Finches will be enhanced. If you haven't been introduced to her writing yet please prioritize her - Suanne Laqueur is one of a kind.
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