I am 0 for 4 with this Kobo Plus audiobook subscription right now....
DNF @15%
Have you ever wondered what it'd be like for a guy who went to Hawai'i oI am 0 for 4 with this Kobo Plus audiobook subscription right now....
DNF @15%
Have you ever wondered what it'd be like for a guy who went to Hawai'i once to write a book explaining all of the language and cultural differences to a reader? Boy, do I have the book for you.
That tied with 2005 slurs, homophobia, and sexism - I'm out....more
**spoiler alert** I wanted to know who the Keeper of Bees was, kept chugging along, listening to Tristan James' not so great narration, and was left f**spoiler alert** I wanted to know who the Keeper of Bees was, kept chugging along, listening to Tristan James' not so great narration, and was left feeling unsatisfied as heck, and also uncomfortable as hell.
Again, as said in a past review, why is the n-word (hard R) used in this book and in this series? In audio, it's jarring as hell, and how was this not sensitivity read/taken out? The amount of times slurs and hate speech is used in this series got really old for me and felt like it was just a way to show how H&S were white knights not letting the bigots say the t-slur, the r-slur, the f-slur, the list goes on. While the bigots still continued to say every slur under the sun.
The trans rep in this is again, not great. If the main reason for including a trans side character is to write out horrendous shit that happens to them in the town and by the police, it just feels like they're added in for the ~trauma drama. Also, so tired of trying to make the trans character the villain.
The Keeper of Bees reveal and reason was so. dumb. and. so. weak. Still annoyed and not surprised.
If Hazard is this documentary loving, nonfiction reading, fountain of ethics and knowledge on all kinds of subjects.... how on earth is he not also aware of how not good the police actually are? Where's the little factoids on why the police were created? Where's the statistics on police brutality? If we're going to get statistics and info dumps on everything under the sun, it feels kind of silly that acknowledging the police stuff wasn't also included?
Fat shaming and body shaming, even if said in a cutesy way, is still shitty? Why is Hazards body a constant topic of conversation for Somers to criticize (jokingly).
There are some good elements in this story - read every single 5 and 4 star review posted. I'm happy that they get their wedding, there's growth on both ends between them, some good Evie + Hazard content, and there's some general happiness. However, I'm probably done with the series here. ...more
After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, N-word, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
It feels like every book in this series is just turning into another way to try and pull apart H&S, and this plot was so, silly? Ah yes, they must pretend to be broken up so the people in town think that Somers is magically not queer anymore. Perfect plan.... /s...more
After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, N-word, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
Ashe just really drags us through the mud in this series. But I can't stop reading. It would be very swell if Billy gets hit by a bus and is gone for good. The wooooooorst!...more
**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, N-word, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
I did enjoy parts of this, especially the romance elements! However, there was so much that I wasn't ok with, and it tainted the book overall for me.
1. Why on earth is the n-word said out loud in this? Jarring as hell to hear, and not comfortable with it being used. The narrator also turns into characterizations of any characters that are non-white, and it's a no on that front.
2. Why did Hazard have to be this caricaturized villain version of himself, and every other minute he was either breaking something, throwing a tantrum, breaking a nose, slamming people into a car hood, destroying his home, or verbally abusing John. There was so much hate and anger and abusive behavior in this book, in both the relationship and with treating suspects on the case? How is Hazard not in jail after that stunt with following the pastor. A cute stargazing moment and proposal doesn't quite wave a magical wand and make the last 15 chapters disappear. I get that he's dealing with PTSD and is scared, but jfc with how much physical therapy is normalized in this series to fix broken bones and gunshot wounds, you'd hope there's maybe someone to talk to about brain stuff. How is no one on the police force in mandatory therapy for the nonstop trauma and murder their tiny town has seen? On a tangent now, but geez I hope there's therapy in someone's future.
3. Hearing so much dude-bro fuckboi conversations and slang made me lose IQ points throughout this, and also turned super repetitive. I imagine it's less in your face reading with eyes instead of ears - the audio was so rough.
4. It's ok to not include trans characters into books if you can't write them in a way that isn't awful? This is the third instance of just fumbling and clunky writing and not great trans rep. Also, I was so relieved the trans lead wasn't the villain, again. It would be really cool if the pastor doesn't get ripped to shreds, beat up, or have threats of police brutality against him, on top of the whole transphobia white power fuckery happening in the town. I hope there's a better arc for him, and he wasn't included just for ~trauma.
I don't think this was a 1-star book, but for the n-word alone and hearing it through audio, I'm not giving it anything higher....more
**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, N-word, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
4.5 stars!
Ok now we're getting somewhere. Really appreciated seeing the depression arc throughout this, and the utter feeling of emptiness and not knowing how to exist- a mooood. Also, I love that they have found adult friends with kiddos that are outside of the normal folks in the last series. There's some growth going on, emotional vulnerability, and working through the trauma that was the H&S series of endless concussions, stabbings, and shootings. Go relax and hand out candy at a trunk or treat in the neighborhood.
The angle of someone obsessed with Hazard and going on a killing spree is an arc I'm curious to read more on and see how they capture them and their motive. I already have my guess of who this person is.
Also very much am glad that I did read the OG series of Hazard & Somers to understand the emotional connection and how hard it is for each MC to not self-sabotage or lash out at the other during conflict or stress. I also like all the check ins they have and am loving the emphasis on their emotional and intimate relationship, and less on their sexual relationship. We know that's working right, show us the demons.
The writing has also improved a lot, and while I'm glad the same narrator is continuing with the series, there are unfortunate some background sounds that didn't get edited out, and randomly it sounds like someone is walking around upstairs, and I thought I had a ghost in my house, lol....more
**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be**spoiler alert** After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, N-word, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
I am both attached to Hazard & Somers and also slightly annoyed?
There's finally some communication on their past and items no one's brought up, trust building and also insecurities, finally some answers for overarching plot questions and revealing the shitty members of the town. There are some vulnerable and intimate relationship arcs throughout that I did love.
However, the list of comments I had kept growing:
- The Mikey villain scenes could have been edited down a bit. There's only so many times we need to hear him threating rape, torture, and body violation to get the point across. Also, with how much they talk about how much he's used meth and isn't that bright, he's a mastermind in this and can surprise H&S? Sure.
- The trans rep in this, again, I hate.
- Stop body shaming Hazard babby, he's perfect
- Listening to the audios of this series, there's quite a bit of repetition of the same phrases and characteristics to describe the leads that got distracting (scarecrow eyes, the blonde man, turquoise eyes, slurs)
- How many times can someone get a concussion, sliced up and stabbed, shot, etc, and still able to do lifesaving hero moves book after book?
- Holy ACAB
- Constant threatening of rape and SA isn't something I love reading about, especially on repeat again and again.
- This was missing the Evie content after the first quarter of the book. More kiddo bonding!
I'm going to keep reading, I want to see more Hazard growth arc, and am curious how it goes with him leaving the police force. I also want to see how their relationship develops and if they get the hell out of this cursed town!...more
After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the After stewing about this series for a while, changing my ratings to reflect my overall enjoyment of the series. Major CWs need to be included for the transphobia, homophobia, slurs, lesbophobia, biphobia, etc that is throughout the series, at a minimum.
Original review:
Ok the Hazard + Evie content has me hooked. I loved seeing the very hard outer shell angry broody MC turn into a puddle with toddler. Yes, yes, good, good.
Glad there is finally some romance! The slowest of slow relationship arc in this series. I love how in they both are, and it's nice seeing them happy (for once).
The religious cult element of this and conversion therapy was really hard to get through. I also would so love it if slurs stopped getting tossed around in everyday conversation, but it's the norm in this world it appears. Also, not sure if it's different in the ebook/physical book but I need to get a tally going of the amount of times 'scarecrow eyes' and 'turquoise/tropical eyes' are brought up. Pls, maybe the narration is just a bit noticeable for those phrases, lol.
Damnit, now I want more kiddo content, it's very sweet and refreshing with the constant pain, angst, murder, and general evilness going on in their world....more
Fuuuuuuuuck this one hurts. For romance friends, this isn't a romance (but does have queer relationships on page).
Major CWs for conversion therapy anFuuuuuuuuck this one hurts. For romance friends, this isn't a romance (but does have queer relationships on page).
Major CWs for conversion therapy and homophobia, really appreciated the authors note at the front.
This is set in a past historical world where a division of the government has spies and snoops to "weed out" queer people, and either kill or ship them off to conversion therapy camps. This was fucked on so many levels. It's a 5/5 painfully heartwrenching, heart hurting, need to go read something happy star read....more
Oof, my heart hurts. So much angst, left on a cliffy, pure chaos going on.
Really was invested in the case for this one, Internal Affairs investigatioOof, my heart hurts. So much angst, left on a cliffy, pure chaos going on.
Really was invested in the case for this one, Internal Affairs investigation and shining a light on fucked up LEO behavior.
Malcolm's mom is an angel.
So much intimacy and tenderness mixed in with pure angst and drama from external forces. Also love the narration for this entire series! Bonnem is doing a great job....more
Really interesting concept for PNR series - cases with some ghosty spooky sightseeing, team of person who can see ghosts and normal one on the cases.
IReally interesting concept for PNR series - cases with some ghosty spooky sightseeing, team of person who can see ghosts and normal one on the cases.
I know this was published in 2006, I know the writing does get better over time, but damn there's a lot of slurs of all types in this, there's some not so stellar stereotypical voice acting of marginalized groups, there's some out of date writing in this. Something to keep in mind and check the CWs. ...more
**spoiler alert** Major CWs for racism and racist slurs used in this one. Misogynoir is present and slut shaming. Plot is surrounding a missing and as**spoiler alert** Major CWs for racism and racist slurs used in this one. Misogynoir is present and slut shaming. Plot is surrounding a missing and assaulted Black teenage girl and rough to read.
After six books, we finally learn one of S-J's hobbies and they finally get together, even if only for a night. Didn't picture him as a singer, but good for him. A bit light on any overarching plot in this one, and mainly focusing on S-J and M plotlines. Finally the ex wife moves out too....more
Oh good, this book had some redemption after stringing me along for 4 books of slow burn pining and wanting the leads to just communicate with each otOh good, this book had some redemption after stringing me along for 4 books of slow burn pining and wanting the leads to just communicate with each other. Which this has! (Communication, lol)
Love that we finally peel a layer back on S-J and understand his identity and vulnerabilities a bit ...more
**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this one! I loved getting the majority of Seong-Jae's POV and inner workings trying to grapple with his morals whil**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this one! I loved getting the majority of Seong-Jae's POV and inner workings trying to grapple with his morals while also understanding the realities of his job. There's a lot of things he has to work through and this felt like a case that may have not have been a "huge" or big drama filled one, but left S-J with a lot of internal turmoil and decisions to make on what kind of human he would be.
Malcolm and his wife need to cut it out with the MF sex scenes in my MM slow burn pining romance between two partners! It's felt like a big chunk of the books so far have leaned on M's ability to share his feelings and hold conversations, something the Seong-Jae struggles with, so this was a nice experience getting much more into his head. Also, adorable he befriended the coroner....more
Ah yes, the "we are undercover so we must pretend like we're together, and make it convincing" trope Ah yes, the "we are undercover so we must pretend like we're together, and make it convincing" trope ...more
I am loving this. We have some slight communication between M and S-J, we have action packed mystery and procedural case, we have time after the case I am loving this. We have some slight communication between M and S-J, we have action packed mystery and procedural case, we have time after the case for some lore of the various characters and their POVs. I love this, it really feels like an actual series.
This case follows the murder of a man in a hotel, some asshole wealthy folks, adultery, shitty TSA agents. A little bit more of each MC cracking open the other one a little bit and learning some new details and being vulnerable. There's also a very intimate and detailed sex scene with a random man that added in some great angst and pining. I love S-J.
I have my popcorn out and this just keeps getting more intriguing. Great narration too!
PS. If McCade seriously introduced Sade, the best side character to exist ever, only to remove them from the series I will FLIP TABLES. I've only known them for 2 books but if anything happens to them, I'll be devastated....more
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