Loved the relationship development, but not the mystery.
Most of us love Valor and Doyle, right? It’s one of my favourite couples, the mysteries are grLoved the relationship development, but not the mystery.
Most of us love Valor and Doyle, right? It’s one of my favourite couples, the mysteries are gripping, and having the wonderful Nick J Russo narrating the audios is just the icing on the cake.
Well, Tallus and Diem aren’t Valor and Doyle. While the latter are far from perfect and have their own issues to deal with, Diem has Issues with a capital I. He suffers from PTSD, and the worst thing about it is that his PTSD is rooted in a childhood full of abuse and cruelty.
Seriously. His father is evil incarnate.
Being inside his head is painful. All his self loathing and self recrimination makes you want to hug him, and your heart WILL break for the boy he was and the man he became.
Thankfully, Tallus is so very in tune with him, and so full of light and brightness, it’s a delight to witness him being there for Diem, chipping away at his walls with humour and patience and understanding.
I might never figure out what Tallus saw in me, but he made me want to be a better person. I would learn how to be a good boyfriend. I would learn how to communicate, to be intimate.
So yes. Loved that part. Adored them together.
The narration - 10000 stars. I don’t think it can be done better.
As for the mystery- compared to what I’ve already read, it’s… boring. It’s pretty obvious from the start what’s going on, so the only thing that surprised me was how long it took them to figure it out ...more
Gentle giant meets escort who doesn’t believe he’s worthy of love. And they live happily ever after ❤️
That’s basically the plot, but it’s so very romaGentle giant meets escort who doesn’t believe he’s worthy of love. And they live happily ever after ❤️
That’s basically the plot, but it’s so very romantic, that you can’t help but fall in love with both.
Admittedly, it took me a few days to finish it - maybe because of my hectic real-life-brain wasn’t able to slow down enough to fully immerse myself into this rather slow paced love story. Yes, they fall in love almost the moment they meet (Beau, the gentle giant, hires Trevor to pose as his boyfriend during a family wedding), but it takes them around 1 year (and around 50% of the book) to start being in a relationship.
While Beau is like a steady rock, unwavering in his affection and firm belief that Trevor is his other half, Trevor struggles, being sure that (through no fault of his own) he’s not worthy of love, and especially not worthy of someone as wonderful as Beau.
As mentioned, I struggled with it during my week, but as soon as weekend came, I couldn’t put it down. It’s… sweet. Loved the southern charm, the found family, home cooked meals and sunflower fields. There’s no drama to speak of, and I was all here for it. Because sometimes, it’s just lovely to have a break, and to believe that people who are meant to be together will eventually find their way.
Love is a gentle man that holds my battered heart safely in the palm of his hand. For keeps, I think, in the middle of the warm sunflower field. Beau’s elated smile widens against my lips, and I know without a doubt that I’m home.
What I liked about it the most is the title. But the rest wasn’t bad, either.
I mean… it’s a novella. 80 pages. You can’t expect too much relationship What I liked about it the most is the title. But the rest wasn’t bad, either.
I mean… it’s a novella. 80 pages. You can’t expect too much relationship development there, so all things considering, it was fun. It’s the story of 37yo Bennett, an architect from NYC who moved to Copper County (close to O’Leary, where another of May’s series is situated).
And 24yo Theo, who’s been trying to get Bennett’s attention for years, and who now (finally) succeeds.
I liked the way they connected over logic puzzles, and the way that wore Bennett down. A thing I want a fan of: Bennett thinking (and behaving) like he was at just double of Theo’s age.
Some parts were really good. Others - not so much.
I’ll start with the parts I liked. And that was mostly the bromance-romance between Cody and Miles. Some parts were really good. Others - not so much.
I’ll start with the parts I liked. And that was mostly the bromance-romance between Cody and Miles. They were so… fratboyish, for the lack of a better term, big goofy idiots with really good chemistry. I loved their characters, and how their relationship developed.
Sadly, there were quite a few things that kept me from fully enjoying it, and for the most things, I actually blame myself.
See - I love the CU Hockey series by these authors. But with the “Puckboys” spinoff, it all became a bit… much. It’s still fun, but this entire idea of the “Queer collective” took things too far. I swear you need a map by now to keep track of all the queer couples, their former and current teams, potential new queers and allies. They all meet up regularly, and there’s a WhatsApp group chat (because of course there is…) and each character chimes in and has opinions and is funny and… a bit overwhelming really. And not really adding to the story.
As for the other thing - again, I blame myself - I listened to the audiobook ...more
Proof that choosing a good narrator for a novella can give the characters depth, despite the rather (too) short plot.
Gary Furlong for the win - I thinProof that choosing a good narrator for a novella can give the characters depth, despite the rather (too) short plot.
Gary Furlong for the win - I think if I'd "just" read it, I'd have rated it with 3 stars. The novella itself is good, and had the potential to a "regular" book - a shame Charlie Cochet "wasted" the plot on a novella.
It's the story of Dev, who's the "ferryman" in a shady city (aka: he gets rid of bodies). And of Remy, who accidentally witnesses a murder and is on the run, because witnesses don't usually have a long and happy life.
As almost always with this author, the action scenes are very well written. The characters, even the side characters, are interesting, too. A shame the relationship development is too short, I would have loved to read more about them.
3.5 stars rounded up because of Gary Furlong, who's a delight to listen to....more
Loved the first half, but sadly it fizzled out a bit towards the end.
I’ve been in the mood for something easy, and I’ve been more than happy to find oLoved the first half, but sadly it fizzled out a bit towards the end.
I’ve been in the mood for something easy, and I’ve been more than happy to find out that there’s an audio version with 2 quite good narrators out there (Tim Paige and Liam DiCosimo) - so imagine my delight discovering that it has one of my favourite tropes in it, too (anonymously texting and falling in love with someone you already know in real life).
And as long as they texted, I loved the book: it’s about Ren, newly single and looking for a rebound hookup, and Cole, the “rebound” who turned out to be the guy renovating Ren’s bathroom. I really loved their banter, and the funny situations they found themselves in. And the way it was sex positive, and without any unnecessary drama.
Sadly, the moment they discover that they’ve unknowingly been texting each other on an app (and started to fall in love with the anonymous stranger on the other side of their phone) it kind of fizzled out.
There was no drama, just Ren telling to whoever wanted to listen that he’s afraid of being in a relationship/getting hurt again, despite the fact that Cole had never given him any reason to doubt him.
It was… nice. 3.5 stars rounded up because the narration kept me entertained enough while I’ve been lazying around on my sunbed ...more
I really love books about more mature characters ❤️
After reading the prequel, I kind of imagined this to be a series about a couple of college friendsI really love books about more mature characters ❤️
After reading the prequel, I kind of imagined this to be a series about a couple of college friends who’re about to start their “adult” lives all over the country, just loosely connected to each other.
Imagine my (very pleasant) surprise when the book starts 18 years AFTER their graduation, each of them at a point in their lives where they’re ready to start something new. And that new path brings them all together again to the place where they spent a huge part of their college days: the old bar, that they decide to buy and turn into a gay bar.
This book is about Indy, the “love them and leave them” guy. His counterpart is Salem, a 28yo (femme ish twink) who’s forced to return home when his life in the “big city” didn’t turn out the way he planned to.
The attraction between them is immediate, and what I loved most about this book is that they’re 2 adult men, going after what they want. There’s no huge miscommunication, apart from the fact that it takes them (both) a while to realise that their “no relationship/feelings” policy is moot.
Another thing I loved: their “found family” and the way each of them is unique in their own way. I can’t even decide which book I’m most excited about, I really like all of them and want them to find their significant other (or, in one case, see what’s been in front of their eyes for 20 years).
It’s not a perfect, and I can’t even put my finger on why I can’t give it 5 stars - maybe the almost complete lack of drama? But I definitely enjoyed myself, and I feel like I got to know them. In fact, I want them all to be my friends in real life ...more
No idea why, but i went in with high expectations , and while I’m not exactly disappointed, I’m a bit underwhelIt was… ok. Nothing more, nothing less.
No idea why, but i went in with high expectations , and while I’m not exactly disappointed, I’m a bit underwhelmed.
What I liked: the idea of a world with humans and angel-like, winged humans called Kriila living side by side.
What I’m rarely a fan of: insta love/fated mates romances with little to no buildup, with no real background as to how this fated mates thingy works. Kiran, the Kriila council leader, falls hard and fast, Jude, his human mate, feels a bit… idk. Indifferent? Confused? I didn’t feel his emotions develop, apart from him blushing and feeling the need to lean into Kiran.
Jude is the epitome of a damsel in distress, first whisked away by Kiran, then, during the 80%-drama-peak, by Kiran’s enemies. But ofc, even when in terrible danger, he still finds time (and compassion) to rescue a stray pregnant cat ...more
It’s just setting up the upcoming books for a group of friends who just finished college and who about tNot really a book, that’s why I won’t rate it.
It’s just setting up the upcoming books for a group of friends who just finished college and who about to start their “adult” lives.
One last time, they get drunk at a pub together. Each chapter is written from a different guy’s pov, and it doesn’t do much that introduce them on a very superficial level.
Very… cozy. A good mystery, and a very well done audiobook.
Why only 3 stars then? Because for a long time, I didn’t really know what the focus is - thVery… cozy. A good mystery, and a very well done audiobook.
Why only 3 stars then? Because for a long time, I didn’t really know what the focus is - the murder happens relatively late, and until then, you obviously know who’s going to be the victim (not only from reading the blurb, but because it’s very obvious), but we had a few irrelevant side plots that just fizzled out.
And I was annoyed with Jack. I mean - the book is told from the third person pov of Ellery, so ofc we love him more. But Jack with his hot and cold behaviour isn’t good enough for Ellery, even if he seems to be the only other queer man in the island (and even if he’s not openly gay/bi, which leaves enough room for Sue the insufferable journalist to slander Ellery again, partly because she’s jealous ...more
Who would have thought that the prickly demon would turn out it be my favourite character in this series?
I’m talking, of course, of Abaddon, once LuciWho would have thought that the prickly demon would turn out it be my favourite character in this series?
I’m talking, of course, of Abaddon, once Lucifer‘s most powerful and trusted general, up until he died the „true death“ by the hands (and lips) of Death himself, the fourth and last Rider of the Apocalypse.
By now, Earth is mostly depleted of life, mainly because of a gone-mad God who wants to remodel everything (and everyone) „for their own good“. And the things our characters discover are truly horrifying- this is a God that literally mows down everything (and again: everyone) who doesn’t fit the mold and the role he’s assigned to.
Without spoiling the plot: it’s fun. Gory, but we’re used to that by now. And what I really REALLY love about this series, is the fact that the characters don’t really change. Yes, they grow, but they’re still true to their forever selves. There no miraculous cure for Lucifer’s occasional madness, or for Abaddon’s (or Uriel’s) cruelty. But it… works. They’re like a highly dysfunctional family, where everyone has their role, but who still stick up for each other when things are dire.
Side note: Abaddon trying to teach Raziel how to properly use his venom was hilarious ...more
So much fun, despite the sometimes ridiculous and unrealistic plot!
The book is all over my goodreads feed right now, so I’ll keep it short.
Synopsis: 2So much fun, despite the sometimes ridiculous and unrealistic plot!
The book is all over my goodreads feed right now, so I’ll keep it short.
Synopsis: 2 political rivals crash with their plane somewhere in the Finnish wilderness, only to discover that they’re being hunted by some mysterious terrorists who want to kill them. It’s a bit like Castaway or Seven Days, Seven Nights, only that it’s a lot colder.
To start with the ridiculous parts: yes, I agree with those of you who pointed out the inconsistencies in their outdoor survival woes, but I decided to ignore them and enjoy the ride. I’d never start questioning Indiana Jones either, and that’s the frame of mind you need to be into to fully enjoy it.
I loved the banter, and all the Britishness when it comes to politics. And I cheered when Harry gave THE SPEECH at the parliament.
Side note: isn’t it lovely when a book gets you so invested that you get involved as if it’s real life?
The story around Harry’s marriage was awfully convenient though, so I can’t make myself rate it with more than 4 stars - still, it’s a lot of fun. Escapism at its best, and I really wish we have more politicians like these two, because a lot of the scheming around them hits close to home (how it doesn’t matter what policies or principles you have, as long as you feed the social media outrage to stay relevant).
Absolutely recommend it - can be read as standalone, but I’d recommend reading The Unlikely Heir first....more
Although, knowing what I know now about the „big“ story arc, I might have rated book 1 higher, too.
This one followsWow, what an improvement to book 1!
Although, knowing what I know now about the „big“ story arc, I might have rated book 1 higher, too.
This one follows War, the fiery of the four horsemen, and Uriel, the self righteous Archangel with the gift of ice who follows God’s orders without questioning them. To call it “enemies to lovers” would be an understatement, at least in Uriel’s side - he hates War and what he stands for from the bottom of his frozen heart.
Ever so slowly, we get to know about Uriel’s past, and why he’s become the being he is now. And you start to… understand, and dare I say even LIKE him? Despite the cruel and despicable things he’s done in the past. I felt sorry for him and for his struggles to accept that many things he believed in for so long are different than they seemed.
And painting God as the bad guy, the one who literally kills and maims for the “greater good”? What an unexpected and fresh spin to the story ...more
Promising start to a series about angels, demons and the Four Riders of the Apocalypse
I went in after seeing Kati rave about it, expecting something lPromising start to a series about angels, demons and the Four Riders of the Apocalypse
I went in after seeing Kati rave about it, expecting something like Sons of the Fallen. And it is in a way, but it’s a way more complex world you’re thrown in when starting to read. That’s why I struggled a bit with the first half - there are a lot of things that didn’t quite make sense, and I found it hard to like Conquest, the first of the riders whose story we’re getting here. Raziel, the Angel with next to none powers, was impossible to NOT like immediately.
There are so many parties involved, and so unlike any other Angel/demon universe I’ve ever read about, that I found it difficult to make sense of everything at the beginning. There’s also a lot of gore and casual cruelty involved, which didn’t bother me tbh, seeing as the parties involved were almost exclusively immortals who healed pretty quickly.
But after a while, it all came together. There are still some parts that I find illogical, but nothing that kept me from immersing myself in it.
What I don’t understand is why the author didn’t give the Four Horsemen “real” names instead of Conquest, War, Famine and Death - it would have made it easier for me to fully root for them.
3.5 stars rounded up because of the epic showdown towards the end - and now onwards to reading War and Uriel’s book (and I’m REALLY curious to see if the author manages to endear the Archangel to me after the shit he pulled in this book)...more
A book that doesn’t know if it’s a soap opera, a mystery or some kind of weird alternate historical universe.
I have given this one a chance because soA book that doesn’t know if it’s a soap opera, a mystery or some kind of weird alternate historical universe.
I have given this one a chance because some of my dearest goodreads friends love it, but I just can’t get into it.
It’s supposed to take place in space, on some kind of planet/spaceship thing. The rulers are called emperors, and there seem to be many different “kingdoms” around the universe, each with an emperor/an empress. All humans, but with slightly different customs.
They don’t even look differently from each other, and they even smell like sandalwood or peach or whiskey. They travel around using trains, and the places are have names originating from Greek mythology (Hades, Olympus and the like).
I know I’m nitpicking, but these things kept me from fully immersing myself in the story, so I decided to call it quits, even though the audiobook is well narrated. This is just lazy, unimaginative writing for me.
Cat the bookworm (in a semi hiatus of sorts)
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