2.5 stars rounded up. The Photographer's Assistant was a short, quick read: equal parts steamy times and story. One that I was excited for! The idea of2.5 stars rounded up. The Photographer's Assistant was a short, quick read: equal parts steamy times and story. One that I was excited for! The idea of a photographer who sleeps with his subjects in order to get the perfect shot? Hell yes!
The result: [image]
The pieces were all there but the execution was lacking. Too much tell and not enough show. Writing that was only passable. And for a book that had a main character sleep with his subjects while photographing them, the sex was kinda tame.
Don't get me wrong the story was fun. The opening was really great; it dove right into Christian and his....process and that was hot! The insight into David was nice as well. But from there it just went into stereotypical rom-com formula which I guess I was hoping to avoid.
Maybe if the story was longer. If we had a chance to really dive more into Christian and his conquests/clients.
Maybe if David tried a little harder to move on with his crush, while still showing us his insecurity. If there was no "love at first interview".
Maybe if Christian instead had his assistant stand in for a model. Then, deciding to seduce him just for the thrill of it, discovered that there was the start of an actual connection there. A connection that Christian has damaged by seemingly giving David everything he was looking for without meaning to.
In the end, there were too many ifs for this story to truly reach the mark. Though the first chapter alone does have me interested in checking out more of Grey's work. We shall see.
Thanks to Netgalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review...more
Wolf in King's Clothing- 1 star The Alpha's Claim- 2 stars Dark Water- 4 stars
The fact that Dark Water is the last in this anthology makes me sad[image]
Wolf in King's Clothing- 1 star The Alpha's Claim- 2 stars Dark Water- 4 stars
The fact that Dark Water is the last in this anthology makes me sad, mostly for the fact that I almost gave up on the book without reading that story. And that would have been a mistake.
Wolf in King's Clothing had an interesting idea but the writing was terrible. There was no sense of time or setting. The fight scenes were confusing and the dialogue was choppy. Which is disappointing because the set-up with collared shifters and wardings had a lot of potential.
The Alpha's Claim was better, at least the beginning was. But that quickly fell apart as well. See full review
Dark Water. Ah Dark Water!
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The shining light in this anthology. The writing was incredible and the story was romantic and sweet. This story alone is worth reading the anthology!! See full review
Thank you Netgalley and Carina Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
So I've been watching Teen Wolf for the first time so, of course, I'm in the mood for some shifter romance. And when I saw this one on Netgalley I wasSo I've been watching Teen Wolf for the first time so, of course, I'm in the mood for some shifter romance. And when I saw this one on Netgalley I was excited. But alas
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I wanted to like one. I did. But I was very much let down.
The storyline is so rushed and there's no clear sense of time. The writing was okay but nothing special. I did like the initial scenes between Jim and Teddy. They kept talking about past hurts that could have blossomed into some romantic conflict, but that's it. They just played lip service to it and then moved on with one of the fastest insta-loves that I've ever seen.
And that's even mentioning that the story does not match the summary. "Tension within his pack is growing, and adding a human mate to the mix could spark an uprising, with Teddy as the target." Where was the uprising? When was Teddy ever a target? If you reach you might be able to match a scene or two to those descriptions...if you reach.
Definitely disappointing. Which is sad because parts of the story show some good potential.
Now let's end on a happy note; with this gorgeous man!
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Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review...more
Just Drive hit every item on my checklist: age gap, fleshed out characters, great sexy times (an[image]
Yes!!! Everything about this book!! Just yes!!!
Just Drive hit every item on my checklist: age gap, fleshed out characters, great sexy times (and then some, I mean seriously) and a HEA (I was in the mood for happy and it did not disappoint)
Sean and Paul had a great relationship and it was nice to see it build up over the course of a few weeks, instead of just a few days like some other books. They were believable and relate-able and just oh-so-adorable!!
And Sean's dad! I was so ready to hate him, but you just can't. His and Sean's relationship was such a great aspect and I loved that they avoided the "parent having issue with child's sexuality" trope. That was a nice relief.
And did I mention the sexy times yet?!
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That scene over the back of the car?!
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FANTASTIC!! (There were quite a few so if that's not your cup of tea you might have to skip a few pages here and there.)
The writing was great and it all wrapped up into that happily ever after I was hoping for!
I can't wait to see what other books we get in the Anchor Point Series!
Thank you to Netgalley and Riptide Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ...more
Oh Annabeth Albert, I knew I could count on you to get me reading again!
All Note Long was my first entry in the Perfect Harmony world, but I kn[image]
Oh Annabeth Albert, I knew I could count on you to get me reading again!
All Note Long was my first entry in the Perfect Harmony world, but I know it won't be my last!
As usual there were well written characters and smile-yourself-stupid cuteness.
And, of course, some HOT love scenes!!
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What I really love about Albert's books, well the few I've read, is the dom/sub aspect of the relationships she writes.
What I didn't expect with this one was how much it would make me feel. I mean, I was tearing up when (view spoiler)[Michelin was playing the benefit concert. (hide spoiler)]
All in all All Note long left me with a smile on my face and further cemented my love of Annabeth Albert!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Annabeth Albert just keeps getting better and better. I loved Status Update. Beta Test then raised that bar. And now Connecti6+ Stars! All the stars!!
Annabeth Albert just keeps getting better and better. I loved Status Update. Beta Test then raised that bar. And now Connection Error far surpassed it!!
I'll be honest I was a little hesitant when I learned Josiah was going to be the main character of this one; I didn't really care for him in Beta Test. But man did I come around on him!
The development of Jos and Ryan's relationship was realistic and even better than last time. And, while, this one was definitely more of an emotional, angsty, read, it was all the better for it.
The sexy times were great; the dom/sub aspect, the "I get off on instructions/I get off on giving instructions", the "Naked Twister".
I have never read a book with one of the MCs being an amputee, but I though that that aspect of the story was handled really well.
Now Ryan. The hotness that is Ryan. How do I describe it? Well with pictures of course:
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I am almost 100% positive that Albert took inspiration from BT Urruela (I sure did when picturing him)
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I mean look at him!!!
Anywho.....
I loved Ryan overcoming his lack of processing emotions and Jos stepping up into a leadership role. The family meeting was a little better written this time around.
All in all this was a great read. A developed, well written, relationship between two flawed characters. Hot sexy times that everyone can enjoy. It was a book full of laughs and goofy grins at all the right scenes, and blushes and sly smiles at all the right scenes. Albert just keeps getting better and this book is the proof!!
Thank you NetGalley and Carina Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review...more
"The kiss went from a nice accompaniment to the rhythm of their bodies to the song itself- a whole universe of sound and sensation and emotion passin"The kiss went from a nice accompaniment to the rhythm of their bodies to the song itself- a whole universe of sound and sensation and emotion passing between them"
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5+ Stars
I honestly think that this is my favorite Albert book and that Ravi and Tristan are my favorite couple! (Which is saying something because I LOVED Status Update) EDIT With my completion of Connection Error, Ryan and Josiah have usurped that honor in my mind
There was just something different about them and I can't really pin down why that is.
This book stuck to the formula pretty well: two opposites are forced to spend time together in a somewhat limited space, feelings grow, hot sexy times, a little angst all wrapped up in a sugary sweet ending.
Albert's writing, as always, was addictive; she had me turning the pages as fast as I could! And there was such a great chemistry between Tristan and Ravi.
Ravi, all charm and swagger! And Tristan, sweet, blushing, command loving Tristan!
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They were just so freaking great together!
Do yourself a favor and go read this book!! (And then make sure and go back to read Status Update!
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review...more
"“More? This is everything.� Adrian’s voice was heavy with sleep. He tossed a leg over Noah’s hip, effectively pinning him in place. “How about we wor"“More? This is everything.� Adrian’s voice was heavy with sleep. He tossed a leg over Noah’s hip, effectively pinning him in place. “How about we worry about more in the morning? I just want to hold you right now. That okay?� That was more than okay. “Perfect,� he mumbled and let sleep claim him at last."
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This was damn near a perfect book!! Extremely well written and great, believable, characters; Albert can certainly tell a story. The sexy times were some of the best I've read lately (I am probably going to have to start a virgin shelf because damn that was hot!)
You know that the conflict is inevitable but the resolution is so sweet that it was all worth it. I loved Adrian and Noah and the slight dom/sub aspect of their relationship. And did I mention before that the sexy time scenes were good? Because damn they were great!!
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The ending had me cheesy smiling so hard, it was great! I was so giddy at Noah and Adrian getting their happy ending (if that tells you how much I was invested in their relationship)!
Here's hoping Albert visits them again sometime soon!!
A dark book for a younger audience for sure. It puts you so easily back into that mindset of a child; that powerless feeling when you know that peopleA dark book for a younger audience for sure. It puts you so easily back into that mindset of a child; that powerless feeling when you know that people aren't telling you the whole story. The anger that you feel towards them.
Clark does an amazing job of weaving this story. As well as the stories within it. He writes in a haunting, occasionally lyrical, way that resonates with you. As the story builds your heart races. You may know how the story is going to end, but you'll feel the anticipation regardless.
The blur between reality and magic was creeping and incredibly well done. The questions it asks about the nature of storytelling, of the power of words, were enthralling.
At first the way the story moved between the time periods, or dream-worlds, was annoying and a bit confusing. But after getting to the end, and connecting it to the opening, realizing that it's all this circular tale being told; it really made it worth it.
And on that note I love that a book targeted to the younger YA crowd has such a dark ending that turns into a small glimmer of hope when you take the ending as, truly, the beginning of the story.
In a library full of Dork Diaries, and Wimpy Kids (not that I have anything against them), it's nice to know that this book is there too. A book with light and darkness. Anger and hope. A book that doesn't talk down to its intended audience; instead, taking them along on this twisted little fairy tale.
All in all this was an impressive debut and I will be on the look for more of Clark's books in the future. ...more
It seems that every M/M book I read lately is high on the angst/drama. Which is all well and good,[image]
Now that I've got your attention....
5+ stars!
It seems that every M/M book I read lately is high on the angst/drama. Which is all well and good, but sometimes I just want a lighter read. At the same time most of the M/M out there are to the brim with the sex scenes.
I just wanted a nice M/M with steamy sex scenes that don't take up half the book, low on the angst, and maybe have a nice, you know, plot.
This book was everything I was looking for!
Plot took precedence, but in no way did Harper leave us hanging for the sexy times!!
That bathroom scene?!
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Holy hell that was amazing!!
Tony and Mac were perfect.
Tony didn't take shit from Mac when he felt he wasn't being treated fairly. And Mac didn't go out of character and change his whole life because he found a guy that he might love.
And I loved that the ending wasn't all wrapped up in a neat bow. Tony and Mac's relationship is not perfect, and they make no pretenses about it. Just because they admit their feelings doesn't mean that everything will be okay. Will it work out in the end? Who knows?
There isn't a happily ever after. But there is a happy for now. And that, to me, is what helped make this book incredible.
"He gave Mac his best smile. “Someday,� he agreed. It was enough for now"...more
A sweet fast read. I loved a lot about it: the age gap, the dom/sub relationship, the perfectly steamy bedroom scenes. I only wish that it had been loA sweet fast read. I loved a lot about it: the age gap, the dom/sub relationship, the perfectly steamy bedroom scenes. I only wish that it had been longer; when I turned the final page I was left wanting. It felt like they had wrapped everything up far too fast. Honestly, if the story had left out the business about Michael's parents it would have been perfect. Or, in the least, added a bit more to show the aftermath. Or the dinner with Jayne (that had to be hilarious!!)
But in the end the characters were good, the sex was hot and I was left with a smile on my face. And that's all you really hope for isn't it?
Focus on Me was cheesy and sweet and ultimately touching. The last ¼ of the book was the best, in my opinion. It took on something that so many books Focus on Me was cheesy and sweet and ultimately touching. The last ¼ of the book was the best, in my opinion. It took on something that so many books either gloss over or portray incredibly wrong; mental illness and the “redeeming� power of love.
There are so many books, movies and TV shows that have a character that experience some kind of mental disorder, whether it be depression or bipolar or anorexia etc., and then have the love of the MC fix everything.
And that is so infuriating!
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Mainly for the fact that that is a very unhealthy idea.
Love isn’t a cure all.
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One more time.
LOVE ISN’T A CURE ALL, ESPECIALLY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS!!
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Finding someone who likes to be with you isn’t going to make all of the dark and bad thoughts that cross your mind go away. And to portray that happening over and over is to tell people that this is something that can happen, which is so damn ridiculous.
For a while I thought that Focus on Me was going to go this route. After the two get together Riley was so dependent on Colin. But, thankfully, they avert this. And then some.
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Beyond this, however, Focus on Me was a fun, sexy read. The characters were written well. I loved Colin. He was all kinds of awesome. This book, and his character, made me aching for more books about sexy, gay, southern boys.
I wasn’t a fan of Riley at first. Probably because I kept picturing Justin from Queer as Folk (who I also didn’t really care for at first). But in the end I came around on him.
The writing was great, with the occasional problem of tell and not show. But it had me smiling at all the right scenes and blushing at all the right scenes (mostly because I ended up reading those scenes while I was at work�)
After all is said and done I truly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to get my hands on Justin and Landry’s story. (I’m pretty sure I’m already in love with Justin!)
Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Merrow did an excellent job of portraying both Tom and Phil.
Running into your old high sThis book:
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This book was sexy, snarky fun!
Merrow did an excellent job of portraying both Tom and Phil.
Running into your old high school bully who just now happens to be gay seems like a cliche enough premise. But there is such life and believability in the two characters and their, post high school, relationship, that you can't help but fall in love right along with them.
As I read through I couldn't help but be reminded of a Kelley Armstrong novel. There is a mystery that must be solved, so the romance doesn't take full view. But at same time, the flirty moments are fun and fufilling. THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE!!!
It was so refeshing to see a book that had a decent balance of plot and romance.
All I can say is, I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!! ...more
This is definitely going to take a moment or two to process.
There better be a sequel.
Review
Warning! ThisI'm not quite sure how to feel right now.....
This is definitely going to take a moment or two to process.
There better be a sequel.
Review
Warning! This review may be slightly ranty, will have spoilers and will contain many gifs from the canceled before its time show Don’t Trust the B in Apt 23
This was me when I saw that NetGalley approved me for this book
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After reading Dangerous Girls I have been looking for more YA thriller books that live up to the hype. Charlie, Presumed Dead seemed to be the perfect find for this search.
That being said, this book met the minimum for what I was expecting. It didn’t wow me like Dangerous Girls, but it wasn’t a complete letdown.
Charlie Summed Up:
His reaction to Aubrey's infidelity:
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His way of breaking up with Lena:
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His general mindset:
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Don’t get me wrong, I love me some crazy characters but I also need a reason to love them. Charlie gave me no such reason. He was pretentious and boring.
His POVs did nothing but confirm what Lena, and the reader, already knew.
Towards the end of the book he gets darker and more unhinged, that I liked. If this was the Charlie that we were presented throughout the whole book, that would have made it better. (Instead of going the Gone Girl “fake persona� before revealing the sociopath underneath route).
Instead we get “philosopher� Charlie:
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Lena and Aubrey:
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I loved seeing the growth in their relationship. Towards the end when they finally started opening up to each other about things other than Charlie, that was wonderful.
I also really enjoyed the flip on their true personalities. Though I do wish it was played up a bit more. I would have loved for Aubrey to be darker, if not as dark as Charlie himself.
I do have to ask though, how smart are these girls?
Not once do they question Dana after her big reveal. Not once do they question any of the people that help reveal Charlie’s past for that matter. And then, after one of them receives death threats what do they do? Do they stick together? Nope. They split up!!
You learn that your boyfriend, who is presumably deceased, is living multiple lives and you don’t wonder about the reliability and trustworthiness of those closest to his various lives?
The Believability:
Maybe it’s just my lack of world travel, but the way that Lena and Aubrey, not to mention Charlie, travel the way they do is kind of sketchy.
Lena and Aubrey I can kind of get on board with getting around so much.
But how on earth does Charlie, a boy who is supposed to be dead, manage to make it to Bangkok?!!
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Overall, however, the book was pretty addictive. The writing was on par, though there was a problem with telling and not showing in parts. I did begin to lose steam towards the end and found myself just skimming pages. But the way the story ends, right in the middle of a crisis, was enough to have me wanting a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley and HMH Books for Young Readers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ...more
A good quick read. Wish it would have been stretched out a bit more; that would have allowed some of the story/characterization to be a bit more fleshA good quick read. Wish it would have been stretched out a bit more; that would have allowed some of the story/characterization to be a bit more fleshed out. But for what it was I really enjoyed it. And it definitely made me want to start working at a library in Oregon!! ...more
Despite the "B-Horror Movie" cover and title, I had some hopes for this book. I was looking forward to a book that, while having a romantic story, didDespite the "B-Horror Movie" cover and title, I had some hopes for this book. I was looking forward to a book that, while having a romantic story, didn't let the actual plot take a backseat. As far as I read, I did receive that.
However, I only truly read the first 1/3-2/3rds of the book. Starting off I could tell that the writing style was not for me. There is a very large problem of tell and not show in this book. Looking it up I see that GingerDead Man isn't the first adventure for Paavo. Maybe if I had read the first these details might not have been so distracting. But coming in to this story as a newbie, being told the characteristics of every character in their first few introductory paragraphs was not appealing.
Eventually I hit a point where I was just no longer interested in the story. So I finished the book by skimming through the remaining pages. Seeing who the villain was and the big "twist" at the end was incredibly anti-climactic. (which could have been, in part, due to the skimming). Either way it just didn't work from me.
The book, however, did get me interested in the author's other work. Maybe I'll have to check out Paavo's first adventure and see how I like it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review...more
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