4.5 Sterne und ich runde jetzt der Vibes wegen einfach mal auf. Witzigerweise ist es dieser (für mich) letzte Sommerhagen-Band, den ich fast ausgelass4.5 Sterne und ich runde jetzt der Vibes wegen einfach mal auf. Witzigerweise ist es dieser (für mich) letzte Sommerhagen-Band, den ich fast ausgelassen hätte, weil der Blurb ziemlich flach klingt. Letzten Endes habe ich ihn doch gelesen, weil es mir irgendwie schäbig vorgekommen wäre, von den acht sieben zu lesen und einen nicht � und prompt entpuppte sich das Buch zu meiner Lieblings-Story von den acht. Schräg.
Hier wird zwar das Rad nicht neu erfunden, aber es ist eine dieser subtil stimmigen Geschichten, die ich besonders mag, weil einfach alles passt:
Der Erzählstil: flüssig, weder humorlos noch verkrampft witzelnd, durchwegs klar und gekonnt. Es gibt nur einen POV, was ich persönlich bevorzuge � ich weiß, der Dual-POV ist generell beliebter, aber ich mag es gern, mich ganz auf einen Protagonisten einzulassen und mit ihm zusammen herumzuknobeln, wie der andere so tickt. Bei einem Dual-POV finde ich es oft ein bisschen langweilig, wenn jeder Gedanke und jede Motivation dem Leser glasklar ist. Ich hatte jedenfalls jede Menge Spaß in Toons Kopf und mochte seine Perspektive auf Enno sehr.
Die Figuren: Ich fand die beiden wunderbar und die sich zart entwickelnde Beziehung einfach nur schön. Der Altersunterschied war auch gut rübergebracht � kein endloses Händeringen, weil die zwölf oder fünfzehn Jahre jetzt auch nicht die Welt ausmachen, aber es kam zuweilen sehr natürlich zum Ausdruck, dass die beiden in verschiedenen Lebensabschnitten stehen und ich fand schön, wie sie sich jeweils auf den anderen einspielten. Keiner von beiden war überzeichnet oder zu perfekt, sie hatten Fehler und jeder sein Päckchen zu tragen, und ihre Unsicherheiten bestimmten die Konflikte in der Beziehung ganz organisch mit. Wunderbarerweise gibt es aber auch gute Kommunikation dazu. Die Mischung macht’s aus.
Der Sex: Eine der Stärken des Buchs imo � Sexszenen, die heiß und durchaus explizit sind, bei denen aber die emotionale Intimität stimmt. Die Sommerhagen-Bücher sind ein guter Querschnitt der, ich nenn’s mal gängigen Angewohnheiten in dem Genre, wenn’s um das Schreiben von Smut geht: Den einen liegt eindeutig zu viel daran, so explizit wie möglich zu sein und es wird gleich ganz OTT, platt und pornomäßig, anderen liegt anscheinend nicht viel daran und es gibt einen verschämten fade-to-black, oder es wird alles einfach furchtbar kitschig und unrealistisch. Ist auch alles verständlich, gute Sexszenen schreiben ist schwer. Dieser Autor hat es meiner Meinung nach perfekt getroffen: Der Sex ist super-heiß und freizügig mit Details, aber jede Berührung passt zu den Figuren und dem, was gerade zwischen ihnen entsteht, und jede Szene war emotional stimmig und eindringlich. Guter Sex ist Kommunikation, und ich liebe es, wenn jemand das in einer Liebesgeschichte akkurat rüberbringt.
Auch das Setting war natürlich wieder wunderbar und die Callbacks zu den kleinen Insidern der Serie (der Strandkorb 209 etc.) waren auch nett. Mit fiktiven Hunden hab ich’s sonst nicht so, weil die meist als zu unrealistisch perfekt rüberkommen, aber ich liebte Hella und vor allem Toons Liebe für sie. Und dass beide Charaktere auch mal heulen durften, ohne sich oder einander gleich für unmännlich zu halten, war auch ideal. Ist leider anscheinend immer noch nicht selbstverständlich.
Insgesamt ein wunderschöner Abschluss zu der Sommerhagen-Reihe, die ich diese Woche in einem Stück verschlungen habe, weil mein Hirn für was anderes keinen Platz hatte, lol. Ich werde garantiert ein paar andere Werke dieses Autors versuchen! ...more
Rundum einfach nur liebenswert. Schöne Gefühlsentwicklung, guter Umgang mit Panikattacken/Angstzuständen, wunderbares Setting, ansprechende CharaktereRundum einfach nur liebenswert. Schöne Gefühlsentwicklung, guter Umgang mit Panikattacken/Angstzuständen, wunderbares Setting, ansprechende Charaktere. Wie bei den meisten Sommerhagen-Storys hätte ich es liebend gerne etwas länger und ausführlicher gehabt, aber ich will gar nicht groß meckern....more
3.5 - für die Story eher 3, den Extrastern gibt's für das Setting mit den schönen Strandgefühlen und Mylos Hintergrund als Schmetterlingsexperte, das 3.5 - für die Story eher 3, den Extrastern gibt's für das Setting mit den schönen Strandgefühlen und Mylos Hintergrund als Schmetterlingsexperte, das war genial. Die Opposites-Attract-Romanze war ganz ansprechend, aber ich fand Francis zuweilen etwas zu abgehoben bzw. seine Dialogbeiträge klangen mir zu sehr wie aus einem Esoterikbuch abgeschrieben, und auch von der Lösung des Hauptkonflikts hätte ich mir etwas mehr erwartet. Generell war die Stimmung aber genau die, wonach mir gerade der Sinn stand. Ich werde auch mal an den anderen Bänden der Reihe rumschnüffeln....more
March '24 reread (apparently I reread these every year now -paper copies this time!) - Will and Patrick are still adorable. Will's family are still thMarch '24 reread (apparently I reread these every year now -paper copies this time!) - Will and Patrick are still adorable. Will's family are still the worst....more
March '24 reread (paper copies this time!) - Will and Patrick are still adorable. Will's family are still the worst.March '24 reread (paper copies this time!) - Will and Patrick are still adorable. Will's family are still the worst....more
A well-crafted, warm-hearted story about two sweet, lonely people who’ve been told off for being who they are (one for not taking up enough space in tA well-crafted, warm-hearted story about two sweet, lonely people who’ve been told off for being who they are (one for not taking up enough space in the world, one for daring to take up any at all) by everyone in their orbit all their lives, and who slowly discover the joy of being appreciated exactly as they are by the right person. Naturally, there’s absolute heaps of external conflict � this is, after all, the first time KJ Charles has sighingly tackled writing a Duke, and she basically nails it, like anything she turns her hand to; so there’s plenty of drama and heartache and painful backstories woven in. (There’s also a certain amount of suspension of disbelief required regarding the likelihood of running into exactly the right (or wrong) people all over the coach routes of England.) But overall, this is an absolute cinnamon roll of a book and a subtle master class in how to write an introvert/extrovert romance. Just lovely.
I couldn’t quite tell if Martin is being set up as a potential MC for a future book but I would absolutely love it, please and thank you....more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this a lot, although I was glad I was pre-warned about the discrepancy between the premise/blurb, which seems to imply something 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this a lot, although I was glad I was pre-warned about the discrepancy between the premise/blurb, which seems to imply something a little more gritty (art thief sparks with FBI agent? yeah, I’m expecting some major conflict), and the reality, which is a lovely character-driven story but somewhat on the fluffy side of things. The pivot to “ok, the art theft is smoothed over now without consequences and thief won’t steal anymore because feelings� was very rapid. I didn’t mind all that much, though, because the characters were beautifully drawn and I enjoyed the other issues they had.
Billionaire MCs are a really hard sell for me these days because, well, the concept of billionaires existing is in and of itself unethical and gross. This one gets away with it because he gives all his money away and because most of the ways we see him spending money aside from charity is to find ways to treat his partner in thoughtful/meaningful ways and show generosity without wild overindulgence; and/or when it does tip into insane rich people shit or using money to solve problems in morally murky ways, it gets addressed. Also, the appreciation for nice food/things was really nicely handled and there was a sensual feel about Amory’s enjoyment of food, art, clothes etc. and his delight in sharing it that managed to be pleasing and indulgent without being over the top.
So yeah, good stuff. Minor niggle, but I could’ve done without the constant Lucius Malfoy comparisons? Roan Parrish has this thing sometimes where she will absolutely insist that a character looks just like some popular hot character or actor and I’m not wild about it. I prefer my own visuals, for one thing; and if there absolutely needs to be a reference to a similarity, fine, but it’s hardly necessary to mention it about 20 times or have the poor guy literally cosplay Lucius at one point.(As this was a collab, I don’t 100% know whose contribution this was, but it has definitely cropped up in other RP books).
(PS: Never tell me not to judge a book by its cover. Covers fucking matter. A cover is your first hook, that crucial step to getting a person to pick up your book or click on its link. I have greatly enjoyed most of Roan Parrish’s books, some of them are 5 star reads for me, and I’ve literally stayed away from this book for years, not because I consciously thought it might be bad, just because the cover is so damn fugly that the poor book automatically dropped to the bottom of my “read all of RP’s back catalogue� list, lol.)...more
I picked this up based on a discussion about homeless MCs in my feed. I liked it, but I have notes, primarily about pacing. The first part was really I picked this up based on a discussion about homeless MCs in my feed. I liked it, but I have notes, primarily about pacing. The first part was really strong and it felt like the author really committed to portraying the awfulness of homelessness, which I admired; there was no glossing over any part of Dominic’s experience, and I was very much looking forward to the c portion of this delicious h/c fest. Except then things improved rapidly and completely � new town, reunited with daughter, new home, helpful-Samaritan-turned-lovely-boyfriend, new job, new prospects � and things sort of fell flat after that with half the book still left to go. There’d been all this build-up and then� poof, life is good now, let’s have lots of boring domesticity.
I especially felt like there was a big missed opportunity with the relationship development, which went from barely realised attraction to sudden consummation, and then we’re all in and the only vague conflict left was finding out whether they were on they same page about commitment. A big deal had been made of Dominic’s sexual trauma from years of necessity-based hustling, but it never seemed to play a part in his relationship with Adrian. I found the timing and lack of complications in their sex life unsatisfying, as it had so much good slow-burny conflict potential.
On the unexpected plus side, I adored the kid in this?? Which just� doesn’t happen. Kid-related plot is usually a negative for me, at best I find it tolerable. But Thea was genuinely super-cute. Maybe it was because she was non-verbal, lol.
I also almost subtracted an extra star for the epilogue, which features an entirely new character and a blatant “buy this random person’s book!� plug. Tacky. I’m here to read about THIS book’s characters. Put that shit in a free sample. ...more
This was nice. It’s a nice book populated by nice characters enjoying nice things and being nice to each other as they work together to establish a (pThis was nice. It’s a nice book populated by nice characters enjoying nice things and being nice to each other as they work together to establish a (previously unheard-of) coffee shop in a fantasy world. I read it in one day and had a thoroughly nice time. There are a few minor challenges and supposed antagonists that never amount to much. It’s basically a coffee shop AU without the A.
I confess I am still utterly bemused by the concept of “cosy fantasy,� especially the “no/low stakes� part. I get it in theory (the world’s shit right now so we appreciate low conflict in fiction etc.) but in practice I struggle. My favourite part of this reading experience was that it had me sitting down to think of my favourite “cosy� moments/scenes in some of my favourite fantasy books where, of course, those moments are far and few between. The thing is, because those moments are so few and hard-won, I remember them years after, in lots of detail and with lots of feelings, whereas I suspect I’ll have forgotten this one by next week (not that everything needs to be super-memorable, of course).
The two times this did evoke strong emotions in me were: 1) when it became evident that in a book entirely focused on creature comforts, the characters never got a chance to bathe or brush their teeth, so as they drink coffee all day and engage in hard physical labour, I guess they all absolutely reek, lol. I know this is a tiny thing, but seriously, when your book is all vibes and lovely people enjoying lovely amenities, LET THEM HAVE HOT TUBS.
2) when they “invented� iced coffee, i.e. the American version thereof, which is cold coffee with a bunch of ice in it, and the Viennese part of my soul shrivelled in impotent fury, because why would you inflict that joyless concoction on your customers when you could have THIS. [image]
*deep breaths in European* Anyway. The book does exactly what it says on the tin and I’m not going to give it any flak for not being anything other than itself just because my personal preference is to have my soul exquisitely flayed for 500 pages before I feel I’ve earned a 3-page scene of cosy comfort for myself and the characters. If you love coffee, baked goods, good friends, and some low-key f/f, you’ll likely enjoy this.
(PS. I don't think my "neat but not my cuppa" shelf has ever been so literally accurate, lol.) ...more
It's not like I NEED an excuse to reread The Rat-Catcher's Daughter and A Queer Trade, but I'll happily take it anyway! Wonderful to finally have thesIt's not like I NEED an excuse to reread The Rat-Catcher's Daughter and A Queer Trade, but I'll happily take it anyway! Wonderful to finally have these shorter stories in print. However, I'm not super-impressed with the book-binding on this, as a couple of pages fell out as soon as I opened the book. Oy....more
Sweet, magical Christmas story, though I have to say I ended up WAY more interested in some of the side characters hurriedly introduced to fix all theSweet, magical Christmas story, though I have to say I ended up WAY more interested in some of the side characters hurriedly introduced to fix all the MCs' problems - especially the Lesbians Ex Machina (give me THEIR story!) and the Bletchley Park girls - than I did the MCs and their fairy-curse-related issues....more
I owned one of these stories (the Winter one) as a kid and I remember spending literal hours staring at all the intricate details of the art, especialI owned one of these stories (the Winter one) as a kid and I remember spending literal hours staring at all the intricate details of the art, especially the cross section views of the trees that showed all the rooms and tiny bits and bobs of the mice's homes. The amount of detail and thought that went into these is incredible - they're planned out down to the plumbing and storage solutions, and don't get me started on the mill and the dairy. The stories are lovely, too, centred around kindness and community spirit but also well-plotted, with memorable characters and a warm humour. A very worthy trip down memory lane....more
Continued good stuff. Again, a wee bit on the nose with the Important Topics, but I can't be mad at this, it's too earnest and adorbs and genuinely kiContinued good stuff. Again, a wee bit on the nose with the Important Topics, but I can't be mad at this, it's too earnest and adorbs and genuinely kind. Looking forward to how the show will adapt the later volumes....more
Another adorable installment, and kudos for including some actual Issues, even if they did feel a bit on the nose. (These are the most emotionally astAnother adorable installment, and kudos for including some actual Issues, even if they did feel a bit on the nose. (These are the most emotionally astute/articulate teenagers I have never met, lol). I do think the show gives the side characters a bit more depth (especially Elle, Tao, Darcy, and Tara), but the boys are adorbs as ever and the Paris setting was fun....more
I'm late to the party, and as so often, timing is everything. I'd avoided these books because from everything I was hearing I strongly suspected they'I'm late to the party, and as so often, timing is everything. I'd avoided these books because from everything I was hearing I strongly suspected they'd be too fluffy for me. Then the show came along, we watched the first ep and I went, "This is waaaay too cute and wholesome." Then we watched another one and I went, "You know what? I kinda love it anyway." Then we binged the whole season.
So, is this way too sweet and adorable and blushy and absolutely not my usual? Yup. Did it come at the absolute right time when I needed something sweet and adorable that wasn't going to go any super-dark places? Also yup.
I missed Elle, though! (And I'm glad I have the other three books lined up because ugh, cliffhangers.)...more
This worked a lot better for me than Keira's other holiday story this year. Good chemistry, fun winter setting, great use of the enforced proximity trThis worked a lot better for me than Keira's other holiday story this year. Good chemistry, fun winter setting, great use of the enforced proximity trope, mostly feel-good fluff but with a nice dash of angst. It was nice to catch up with previous characters from the tree farm as well....more
Lovely, kind, and soul-nourishing. A book very much in tune with its messaging, i.e. not everything needs to have a purpose to have value (and don't wLovely, kind, and soul-nourishing. A book very much in tune with its messaging, i.e. not everything needs to have a purpose to have value (and don't we all need to hear that). This felt like an ending, although I would be quite happy if Becky Chambers kept writing these indefinitely!...more
This fun, frothy murder mystery is basically perfect for people who aren’t super into serious murder mysteries on account of the grimdark vibe of, y’kThis fun, frothy murder mystery is basically perfect for people who aren’t super into serious murder mysteries on account of the grimdark vibe of, y’know, all the murders. People who enjoy a good whodunnit but would prefer not to have to feel awful about people getting murdered really rather frequently. I.e., people like me. It’s a cosy, quick read with a great, appropriately dramatic and atmospheric setting. It’s witty and sparkly, it draws you right in, and the only thing it asks of you is to roll with the murder plot and for god’s sake don’t try to take it too seriously.
In the midst of all the whacky murdery fun, though, you can absolutely take the main characters seriously, which I thought balanced the story out beautifully. I loved Liza and Hanna and their extremely rocky relationship, which was handled with care and empathy. Among the cheerfully Cluedo-inspired game pieces that make up the side characters, they stood out as real people with real problems, and their struggle to save their marriage (in between trying not to get murdered or framed for murder) brought some wonderful emotional depth to the story. They both have legitimate issues with the way things are going, but they (mostly) try to communicate like adults and work on finding solutions rather than lashing out at each other, which was lovely. Did I occasionally wish that there was even more of a deep dive into their relationship and their issues as a couple? Sure, but that’s because I know how excellent Alexis Hall is at emotional deep dives, not because it was a lack in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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