the premise surrounding this book was promising and the writing itself was great in pure Ashlyn Drewek fashion…however this story just fell way too flthe premise surrounding this book was promising and the writing itself was great in pure Ashlyn Drewek fashion…however this story just fell way too flat for me in such a small amount of time. i didn’t really feel the connection between the two MMC’s especially when it came to their relationship and the “love” they had for one another. if anything, i feel that Jamie had more love for Larkin than vice versa especially considering when Larkin confessed his feelings. he said it so out of nowhere which made it feel fake and unreal to me. sadly, i think this book was just a miss for me which sucks considering i’ve loved the other books apart of this series.
Merged review:
the premise surrounding this book was promising and the writing itself was great in pure Ashlyn Drewek fashion…however this story just fell way too flat for me in such a small amount of time. i didn’t really feel the connection between the two MMC’s especially when it came to their relationship and the “love” they had for one another. if anything, i feel that Jamie had more love for Larkin than vice versa especially considering when Larkin confessed his feelings. he said it so out of nowhere which made it feel fake and unreal to me. sadly, i think this book was just a miss for me which sucks considering i’ve loved the other books apart of this series....more
I was bored. So bored that I hoped and prayed the book would be ending soon until I realized I was on page 200 something which is not evenDNF at 52%.
I was bored. So bored that I hoped and prayed the book would be ending soon until I realized I was on page 200 something which is not even close to the 482 pages that are actually in the book.
I liked how the book started off but I don’t like how repetitive and lengthy this story is. It’s baffling to realize considering I don’t understand what more could happen to make this book need 400+ pages.
Overall, I’m pretty disappointed. Especially when the authors made the blurb of this book sound so promising. ...more
“Joshua,” he murmured. “I don’t want to live in a world where I don’t get to call you mine. Where I have to hide my love for you when you deserve to “Joshua,” he murmured. “I don’t want to live in a world where I don’t get to call you mine. Where I have to hide my love for you when you deserve to be loved freely and openly. I don’t want to compromise. I want you. You and only you. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I’m choosing you”
my heart!!! my heart is screaming at how adorable Killian and JJ’s book turned out.
In this story, you can expect - enemies to lovers (kinda) - student x professor - age gap (10 years) - opposites attract - grumpy x sunshine
wow, this book was just adorable. the second I saw Becca Steele announce this book, its tropes, and the blurb, i became so excited and knew it’d be a hit.
if you know me, you know i’m a huge lover of all the forbidden vibes which is what this book delivered. poor Killian has had such a hard upbringing which in turn resulted in him having not much of a social life and becoming this hard and uptight professor that students feared..that is until he met his sunshine, JJ.
as the tropes said, this book includes grumpy x sunshine…can you guess who’s who? ;) JJ was the opposite of Killian, being a big socialite who loves sweet drinks and dancing. together, these two made for such a cute couple and i thoroughly enjoyed this book.
i love how these two found each other. though i find it kinda pointless the way they first met (due to spoilers, i won’t say much, however you’ll find out what i mean in the first chapter of the book). in short, JJ is a stripper at a club which Dr. Wilder attended with his few friends and one thing led to another and boom. so so hot in my opinion. i loved all the spice in this book in pure Becca Steele fashion!!
overall, Killian and JJ’s story was pretty short and a light and easy read. i definitely suggest reading it to add a quick book to your yearly reading goal.
Merged review:
“Joshua,” he murmured. “I don’t want to live in a world where I don’t get to call you mine. Where I have to hide my love for you when you deserve to be loved freely and openly. I don’t want to compromise. I want you. You and only you. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I’m choosing you”
my heart!!! my heart is screaming at how adorable Killian and JJ’s book turned out.
In this story, you can expect - enemies to lovers (kinda) - student x professor - age gap (10 years) - opposites attract - grumpy x sunshine
wow, this book was just adorable. the second I saw Becca Steele announce this book, its tropes, and the blurb, i became so excited and knew it’d be a hit.
if you know me, you know i’m a huge lover of all the forbidden vibes which is what this book delivered. poor Killian has had such a hard upbringing which in turn resulted in him having not much of a social life and becoming this hard and uptight professor that students feared..that is until he met his sunshine, JJ.
as the tropes said, this book includes grumpy x sunshine…can you guess who’s who? ;) JJ was the opposite of Killian, being a big socialite who loves sweet drinks and dancing. together, these two made for such a cute couple and i thoroughly enjoyed this book.
i love how these two found each other. though i find it kinda pointless the way they first met (due to spoilers, i won’t say much, however you’ll find out what i mean in the first chapter of the book). in short, JJ is a stripper at a club which Dr. Wilder attended with his few friends and one thing led to another and boom. so so hot in my opinion. i loved all the spice in this book in pure Becca Steele fashion!!
overall, Killian and JJ’s story was pretty short and a light and easy read. i definitely suggest reading it to add a quick book to your yearly reading goal....more
As expected, Marie Ann does it again bringing us another amazing MM story with two characters you can't help but get all the feels for. I've been HIGHAs expected, Marie Ann does it again bringing us another amazing MM story with two characters you can't help but get all the feels for. I've been HIGHLY anticipating Abel and Peris' story since reading the little teaser of them in the Worthy anthology a while ago and evidently, their full story did not disappoint.
"He brings out the worst in me. The parts I thought I'd buried deep, had to be concealed if I wanted to survive. If I wanted to ensure what he did to me didn't change me. But it did. Of course, it did. How could it not?"
For starters, the ending was highly unexpected. Though it does end off on a bit of a cliffhanger, it isn't something that drastically changes the 'themes' of Peris and Abel's relationship. With this story ending the way it did, it leaves much more anticipation for the next book in this series. Going into this story, I knew that it would drift far away from the typical 'romance' story which made me even more excited to read it because of my love for the dark and twisted. With that being said, Peris and Abel's story is not for the faint of heart. Their story covers very dark and important themes which is why I advise those who may not have read any dark romance previously or may have certain triggers, to read the trigger warnings ahead of time. Personally, I don't have any trigger warnings, which is why I dove right into this book blindly and willingly.
"I know it pisses you off. How you hate all the attention. The way everyone notices how I can't keep my eyes off you. They think I want you. They think you want me, too."
I could say so much about this story and how much I loved it, but I would definitely be here all day if I were to do so. I love how both characters had their own differences, especially in personality, and yet they still bonded over many different things regardless of these differences. Especially with both characters being 'enemies' for the first part of the book, I already knew that would result in high sexual tension, suspense, good buildup, and a good amount of smut (which I got in clear Marie Ann fashion - amazing!) I'm genuinely surprised my Kindle hasn't exploded due to the amount of highlights I've made while reading lol. Though this story takes place in a high school setting...it somehow didn't feel like it. The setting and genre of the book consisted of more 'dark,' almost eerie type of settings which made the reading experience all the better.
Anyways, going back to what I said about the dark/heavy themes of this book - I mean it. Both Abel and Peris have gone through significant amounts of trauma which broke my heart piece by piece as I read on. My heart aches for them both and seeing what they both went through because how could it not?? No one deserves to go through such trauma, be called such disrespectful things by others, and be treated as anything other than equal - which adds to my next mini message. With the heavy topics mentioned in this book come important messages that impact so many people around the world daily. Regardless of your race or your sexuality, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has the right to be treated equally with respect. Though this story is a work of fiction, the real message/messages behind the book are very real and something all of us should take with us.
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! Along with the MCs being as good as they were, I liked the 'side' characters as well. The ending, as I mentioned earlier, definitely left me a bit shocked and desperate for more which is why I can't wait for book 2 in the series. I'd like to give a big big thank you to Marie Ann and Kayla for providing me with an ARC.
"It's because he made it real. Made me feel...like I wasn't all wrong on the inside."...more
Devilishly delicious is the best way to explain this story. It’s a short priest x demon story mostly just focused on a demon trying to “seduce” a pr Devilishly delicious is the best way to explain this story. It’s a short priest x demon story mostly just focused on a demon trying to “seduce” a priest involving all smut with no plot. i highly recommend if you’re into the forbidden/paranormal trope (as i am). why this story has little to no reviews is beyond me, it is definitely worth the hype.
looking forward to reading more work done by this author (if it happens) considering their writing was well done in this story....more
so promising. this book started out so promising but the execution just fell so flat.
the characters were interesting enough, however, it got so repetso promising. this book started out so promising but the execution just fell so flat.
the characters were interesting enough, however, it got so repetitive and so boring that i felt underwhelmed simply trying to finish this book. the plot, the settings, and everything else for that matter was boring and lacked depth.
the blurb seemed so promising which is the whole reason i chose to bump this book up my tbr, but coming out of it, i realize it wasn’t worth it. i skimmed majority of the last two chapters of the book just to finish it and be done with the story. there were just too many issues with this book itself that i didn’t like which i hate to say because i was actually excited to start this book. oh well....more
“I want you to fucking fight for me,” he says. “I want you to fight for us. I want you to tell me you love me and that you want me and have me and k “I want you to fucking fight for me,” he says. “I want you to fight for us. I want you to tell me you love me and that you want me and have me and keep me and be with me. Forever. But most of all, I want you to be happy. I want you to stop all the lying and hiding and just be fucking happy. With or without me.”
if i had to choose one word to describe this story, it’d have to be…bittersweet. definitely a slow burn, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, fair amount of drama on both ends, emotions running high (especially on Stephan’s end) and all in all, a good plot line.
with that being said, this story wasn’t all that special or something i’ll remember a year from now. it was missing that extra push to keep me interested in the story....more
if you know me, you know i love the bad boy x good boy trope and this story definitely delivered that. the full novel of Silas and Blaine’s story is gif you know me, you know i love the bad boy x good boy trope and this story definitely delivered that. the full novel of Silas and Blaine’s story is gonna be so good.
Merged review:
if you know me, you know i love the bad boy x good boy trope and this story definitely delivered that. the full novel of Silas and Blaine’s story is gonna be so good....more
have you ever read a book that put you through so many ups and downs throughout its entirety that you don’t know how you feel about the book now that have you ever read a book that put you through so many ups and downs throughout its entirety that you don’t know how you feel about the book now that you’re done reading it? yeah that’s how i feel rn.
to keep it brief, this book wasn’t bad nor was it amazing. i’m a philosophy fan myself as well as a student x professor trope lover (oops) so when i discovered this book on a whim and realized that it contained both the philosophical aspect as well as the prof x student trope, i dropped everything to read it. as i read on, however, i just didn’t like how rushed most scenes and interactions between both MC’s were.
in the very beginning chapters, they were off to a great start making me excited to continue reading. as i continued, everything began going from one thing to another, one interaction to another, one day to another, one smut scene to another completely different conversation, i got whiplash. because of the reasons i listed, i feel that it took away my ability to thoroughly enjoy the book more as well as to feel the love and connection/obsession that both MC’s claimed to have for one another.
the two things i can say i really liked about this book was the talk of philosophy and philosophers…and that’s only cause i’m a philosophy fan myself. also, the end where Phoenix dedicated the journal Bash got him to Caleb was cute as well as the bonus scenes we got of them 3 as a “family.” otherwise, i have very mixed emotions on how i feel about this story....more
if you know me, you know i’m a sucker for hot covers and promising blurbs which is exactly what brought this book to my attention.
seeing as this is mif you know me, you know i’m a sucker for hot covers and promising blurbs which is exactly what brought this book to my attention.
seeing as this is my first finished book of 2024, it was overall a good and entertaining read. i binge read this story in a short amount of time and with the way the writing flowed and how interesting both characters were, it was easy to finish this story.
though Leo was… a bit all over the place and a clear sucker for Ollie, Ollie was on a whole other level. the way that the author described Ollie’s different emotions, thoughts, and actions were really well done and not over exaggerated as it has been in other stories i’ve read.
my only complaint about this story was that i did not feel the connection both Leo and Ollie shared throughout any part of the book which somewhat ruined the reading experience for me. on top of that, i understand they basically knew each other for all of Ollie’s life but i think they said the “i love you’s” a bit too fast as well which prevented me from feeling their bond and connection.
Z.S. Storm is a new to me author and this is my first book of theirs but certainly won’t be my last. for some reason, i’m very very interested in Xavier and what his story is despite the shit he said and did to Ollie, and i believe he has his own book in another series so i’ll definitely be getting my hands on that soon. i wanna know Xavier’s story and who he ends up with ...more
what even is real life anymore? i refuse to believe the chapter to these 4 characters lives is over with. i’m emotional and my mind is all over the plwhat even is real life anymore? i refuse to believe the chapter to these 4 characters lives is over with. i’m emotional and my mind is all over the place right now to the point i can’t even write a proper review. i’m gonna miss these 4 so much it actually isn’t even funny. ...more
i loved cirque des masques so when i saw this short story was released (for free), i immediately knew i needed to read this one. i liked the dynamics i loved cirque des masques so when i saw this short story was released (for free), i immediately knew i needed to read this one. i liked the dynamics behind the story, however, my only complaint is how dry, bland, and rushed it seemed....more
definitely a…new type of book compared to other ones i’ve read but nonetheless, an interesting one. the vampire aspect along with the teacher x studendefinitely a…new type of book compared to other ones i’ve read but nonetheless, an interesting one. the vampire aspect along with the teacher x student trope was hot but everything else just felt..rushed. with that, it makes it kinda impossible to rate this story higher than 3 stars (and that’s being generous.) ...more
“Jesus Christ. I love you, okay?” I damn near shout, pushing him down on his back and crawling on top of him. “I hate myself for it but I fucking lov “Jesus Christ. I love you, okay?” I damn near shout, pushing him down on his back and crawling on top of him. “I hate myself for it but I fucking love you.” “That’s sweet.” “I didn’t realize before you left last night but I…I’m not letting you go. I can’t do it. The thought of you walking away from me for good, finding some other guy and being with him instead of me…” My fingers curl as I picture it, and I cage his head in with my forearms. “I’ll never be able to stop chasing you, Xav. I won’t sit still or sleep or think about anything else until you’re mine again.” By the time I’m done, he’s pressing his lips together to hide a huge grin. “You’re a little crazy, you know that?” “You make me crazy,” I admit, dropping my lips to his while I tug on the button of his jeans.”
why??? why the hell did i finish this beautiful masterpiece called a book so fast?? why is it not possible to go back in time and start reading it for the first time?? ugh
i would be here for years if i were to write out all my emotions and feelings about both this book and of course, Nate and Xavi. their love was beyond chaotic, toxic at many points, but also heart filling and what feels like an addictive drug.
i was on my knees for this couple since i read the first couple chapters of this story in the valentine anthology and having read their full story now..just doesn’t feel real. at fucking all.
my heart ached for both Nate and Xavi from start to finish as i’m sure it will any other reader who picks this book up. i knew i was gonna love this book going into it and i can very proudly say that i’m coming out of it extremely satisfied and loving it beyond belief.
Nate and Xavi have experienced trauma and pain in many ways (especially my baby Xavi), and in my opinion, i find that just connected them more and more. as i mentioned earlier, i wish i could just go back and experience their love for the first time all over again because i’m gonna miss them SO much ...more
“I loved his brashness, his scathing sarcasm, his brilliant mind. I loved his pride, his independence, and the way he was when it was just the two “I loved his brashness, his scathing sarcasm, his brilliant mind. I loved his pride, his independence, and the way he was when it was just the two of us, when he could actually let his guard down. I loved the way he listened to me, the way he saw me, and how he immortalized my best traits on paper for the world to read. He made me feel like I mattered as a whole person, instead of being reduced to a single aspect like a brain or a pretty face.”
my heart cant take this rn.
“Not all fairytales start with “Once upon a time,” but they all end with the same thing—they lived happily ever after. And so would we.”
this book was a literal MASTERPIECE if i’ve ever read one. why are all the good books novellas? i would do anything, and i mean anything to get a full length book about these two cause i desperately need more of them ...more
i have many mixed emotions about this story. originally, i started reading this book months ago but stopped at the 50% mark due to how fast-paced it ii have many mixed emotions about this story. originally, i started reading this book months ago but stopped at the 50% mark due to how fast-paced it is which is not something i enjoy that much. however, i decided to give it a try once again and pick it up and finish it off. although i prefer when books are not so slow paced forcing me to wait until like chapter 99 just to see characters kiss, i also don’t like when books are so fast paced and both characters claim their feelings for one another and get together despite them meeting a few weeks ago.
my main complaint with the story is the pace it is, but otherwise it wasn’t the worst story i’ve read. both Remi and Linc have their own attributes that make them unique in their own ways and i LOVE the bad boy x good boy trope. so so good. i think their story would have been more enjoyable if they didn’t get together so quickly and simply waited it out a bit more.
also, the drama and the dramatic plot, events, and storyline? definitely far fetched at certain points. i found all characters in this story overdramatic about 90% of the time.
overall, there are some things i would fix to make this story a 4 or even 5 star read but it just didn’t hit that hard for me. did i enjoy this book? kinda. would i ever re-read it again? no, simply because it isn’t a memorable book to me....more
this was one of the most boring introductory books to a series that i’ve read. the whole resort aspect of not only this book but the series is interesthis was one of the most boring introductory books to a series that i’ve read. the whole resort aspect of not only this book but the series is interesting and definitely piqued my interest, but the author couldn’t have made this book more boring if they tried.
Elliot and Asher had NOTHING interesting about either of them which sucks cause if they did, that could have potentially bumped this rating to 2 stars. i skimmed the last 3-4 chapters because it was a bit late to not finish this book, but i do wish i listened to myself the first time when i put this book on pause.
the book was repetitive, uneventful, lacking, definitely not fluid, oh and did i mention uneventful? oops, i did already.
i hope the future books in this series are better and actually let me feel more connection between the characters unlike this one....more
this was so taboo and unlike anything i’ve read before which made it all the more enjoyable. i will most likely read more by this author, especially ithis was so taboo and unlike anything i’ve read before which made it all the more enjoyable. i will most likely read more by this author, especially if the other books are as good as this one....more
this was unlike anything i’ve read before and i enjoyed every second of it. the whole dark circus thing worked out so well and i loved the uniqueness this was unlike anything i’ve read before and i enjoyed every second of it. the whole dark circus thing worked out so well and i loved the uniqueness towards the plot and events. also, the mask aspect of it all (iykyk) was SO good it was like a sprinkle on top of the story. Becca Steele never fails when it comes to a good amount of plot and smut....more
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