I normally really enjoy May Archer because you get to watch relationships slowly build and grow. While this is a novella so I knew that wouldn’t be toI normally really enjoy May Archer because you get to watch relationships slowly build and grow. While this is a novella so I knew that wouldn’t be totally possible, I had higher expectations than this. It goes by extremely quickly, and a good chunk of it is the first chapter preview of the next book. ...more
To the shock of absolutely nobody, I am head over heels in love with this book. Parker St. John writes in a way that just does it for me. Heavy on theTo the shock of absolutely nobody, I am head over heels in love with this book. Parker St. John writes in a way that just does it for me. Heavy on the hurt, heavy on the comfort, heavy on real people going through real things and behaving like real people--imperfect, not always logical, and emotional. We were introduced to Aiden a few books ago, and I am so happy that we finally got to hear his story. Most books in this series come with a heavy backstory, but this one has a particularly emotional backstory (warning for animal death, abusive parental relationships, parent death). You don't have to read everything else in the series to read this book, but if you have read them you get to visit with lots of other characters. I am going to come back and write more later, but this was such a beautiful end to the series. I am going to miss this series so, so much! err, who am I kidding, I'll probably keep rereading it once a year :) ...more
Short but enjoyable! This isn't so much enemies-to-lovers as one-bad-encounter-to-instalove but that's to be expected given how quick it is. One charaShort but enjoyable! This isn't so much enemies-to-lovers as one-bad-encounter-to-instalove but that's to be expected given how quick it is. One character is more uptight and buttoned up while the other is loose and relaxed, and I did like watching them get together. To be honest, this was coasting to a 2-star read until Mariana showed up and said what we all were thinking. Either way? Short and solid.
tags: botanists/gardeners, opposites attract, lots of dirty talk
Merged review:
Short but enjoyable! This isn't so much enemies-to-lovers as one-bad-encounter-to-instalove but that's to be expected given how quick it is. One character is more uptight and buttoned up while the other is loose and relaxed, and I did like watching them get together. To be honest, this was coasting to a 2-star read until Mariana showed up and said what we all were thinking. Either way? Short and solid.
tags: botanists/gardeners, opposites attract, lots of dirty talk...more
This was a nice, light read. While some of it worked for me (the relationship dynamic, the relationship progression in the second half of the book), sThis was a nice, light read. While some of it worked for me (the relationship dynamic, the relationship progression in the second half of the book), some of it was a bit less successful. Any time a new series starts, there is a tsunami of new names and people to remember. I think KM Neuhold did a decent job of introducing a lot of people over the course of the book, as well as having cameos from some other series.
There is a lot of sex in the first third of the book. It wasn't surprising, since the blurb pretty clearly explains the setup for the book, but I wish there was just a little bit less. By the time I made it to page 96, I went back and counted and 25% of the pages of the book were sex scenes. That is going to entice plenty of readers (which is why I'm including it in my review!) but I would prefer to see more than just extended scenes introducing side characters followed by hookups to draw me in at the start. However, once you get through the initial hookups, the story becomes much more about a growing relationship and is perfectly enjoyable.
My second challenge with the sex was the writing. Everyone is different, but some of the descriptions and terms used just didn't work for me. "His cock starts to pulse against mine, hot bursts of his cum slicking his fist as he continues to stroke us both, covering my shaft in every sticky rope of it that I’ve earned." Some of the other writing feels very millennial ("my favorite chaos gremlin") and over the top (same as a lot of other Neuhold) which will also either work for you or not. I didn’t mind it. Altogether, this is a very solid 3-star read.
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy for my honest review....more
One of the biggest reasons why I love Emmy Sanders so much is that things that aren't usually my thing (like exhibitionism) become my thing because ofOne of the biggest reasons why I love Emmy Sanders so much is that things that aren't usually my thing (like exhibitionism) become my thing because of how beautifully she writes them! As with the other books in this series, it is high steam and intimacy is a central part of the plot. I adored the dynamic between the two characters (and I'm impressed that she made the way the characters meet feel cute and not creepy). Emil and Christian were such a wonderful pair, and I loved seeing how sweet they are together. It's really hard to find books where sex is such an important part of the book and things still feel deep and real, and Emmy does it again here. This is absolutely one of my favorites in the series.
*Thank you to the author for generously providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity!*...more
There's a lot to like about this book! I loved the basic setup for the book, and I appreciated how well the author discussed grief and moving on afterThere's a lot to like about this book! I loved the basic setup for the book, and I appreciated how well the author discussed grief and moving on after loss without forgetting about your past love. I love fake dating books partially to see the tension between both characters understanding what they're supposed to be there for and realizing that they have feelings that run deeper. This book definitely has that! This book is also a great option for readers who want to dip their toes into things like primal play but also want the option to skip past it (just one scene) if they aren't feeling it.
I think that the writing shows a tremendous amount of promise, but the dialogue was a little bit robotic and awkward at points. I think calling each other husband might be part of the issue, since it felt shoehorned into sentences at times (“Please, husband, touch me. I need you.” or “Alright, husband, time to make the purchase.”). I also knew that this would be a fairly sex-heavy book, but I wish that at least 1-2 scenes made the cutting room floor in favor of more development of their relationship. This is personal preference, as I know plenty of reviewers love how spicy it was, but I wanted to see a little less in the bedroom.
Altogether this was an enjoyable quick read and I will definitely pick up book 2! ...more
3.5 rounded up to 4, a very sweet story. The first half moves pretty quickly as you watch the relationship develop, but things get a little more repet3.5 rounded up to 4, a very sweet story. The first half moves pretty quickly as you watch the relationship develop, but things get a little more repetitive as the book goes on. I did absolutely adore the main couple, and as someone who has read multiple other books in the series (out of order), it was nice to see everyone too!...more
I've learned to trust Emmy Sanders books, and that trust is certainly not misplaced with this book! I am not typically someone who gravitates toward dI've learned to trust Emmy Sanders books, and that trust is certainly not misplaced with this book! I am not typically someone who gravitates toward daddy kink at all, but I'm so glad that I took a chance. I really loved the dynamic between Kipp and Teddy, and it was fun to read a book with a trope that I normally don't read (accidental marriage). One of the nicest things about this entire series is that you really fall in love with the characters, so it's nice to see glimpses of characters from past books. However, I would also say you can easily read this as a standalone without missing out on too much.
This book was a total surprise and is easily my favorite of the series (until the next one comes out and I say my favorite is that one).
*Thank you to the author for generously providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I appreciate the opportunity!*...more
I am incredibly sad to be DNFing it, but reading through reviews from people I trust, I think I'm doing the right thing. Normally NR Walker is a one-cI am incredibly sad to be DNFing it, but reading through reviews from people I trust, I think I'm doing the right thing. Normally NR Walker is a one-click buy for me, but I might need to switch back to Kindle Unlimited instead. The dialogue is really struggling, and I'm hoping that's just a natural result of the characters being very flat. Still going to look forward to whatever NR Walker puts out next, just majorly disappointed with this one.
This is really probably a 4-star book, but I can't give it anything but 5 in the immediate aftermath! This book has lots of tropes that I really disliThis is really probably a 4-star book, but I can't give it anything but 5 in the immediate aftermath! This book has lots of tropes that I really dislike (as well as one MMC being intimate with other people on-page and an extended time spent in the past), but it was such a lovely story. The plot is not perfect and I'm sure I could use a fine-toothed comb to find some issues, but the whole thing left me feeling so happy I can't give it anything but 5 right now! Emmy is truly the perfect writer for emotional books. ...more
I really, really wanted this book to click for me at some point, which is why I finished it instead of DNFing. The concept is solid, and both of the MI really, really wanted this book to click for me at some point, which is why I finished it instead of DNFing. The concept is solid, and both of the MMCs have been so hurt in the past and find each other.
This book is heavy on the insta-lust and will be very popular with anyone searching for the "possessive caveman drags off his chosen to his compound" trope, which I know is 'in' right now. The way the MMC is written makes me almost wonder if this was supposed to be a shifter book, because he is constantly growling, snarling, etc.
Due to their pasts and how much trauma both MMCs are carrying, there are tremendous misunderstandings and miscommunications in every chapter. If you're someone who can't stand when characters can't just talk things through, this book is going to be a tough read for you. So many conversations follow a set pattern: character 1 says something vulnerable, character 2 frowns/furrows his brow/looks away/walks out of the room, character 1 lashes out at character 2 for hating him/judging him, character 2 provides context, character 1 feels bad. It is normal for this to show up in virtually every romance novel at some point, but it feels so exhausting in this one because of how often it happens. In one four-page period around the 30-40% mark, there were 4 angry misunderstandings-turned-understandings within the span of 4 pages. It's very much the "men will do XYZ" instead of going to therapy meme at points.
It's also wild how much brutality occurs to one MMC and the other just kind of hand-waves it away at some points? At the grocery store, (view spoiler)[ he intervenes so that Crow doesn't get further hurt or arrested. However, Crow is later TASED while trying to pack up stuff at his apartment and Cyrus is buddy buddy with the police officer and says he knows he didn't mean to do it? HUH? (hide spoiler)]
I know I'm rambling at this point, but one last thing did make me laugh: (view spoiler)[ "I needed to come, needed my balls to unleash and release some of the panic inside me." I love the idea of panic being stored in the balls, lmao. Hey honey, I need to have sex right now to get rid of some of the panic stored in my balls. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is the first book in the series and acts as a prologue, which is unfortunately very clear. We're introduced to a bunch of characters in rapid sucThis is the first book in the series and acts as a prologue, which is unfortunately very clear. We're introduced to a bunch of characters in rapid succession and then suddenly the two MMCs are banging in the office.
The writing is not necessarily to my personal taste. When you read a spicy scene, do you want it to include “Where’s your gag reflex, lover?” and “Hello, big boy.”? If you do, you'll probably eat this up, because most of the book is just sex. The first 26 pages are introducing the plot. From that point on, 20 of the next 50 pages are just sex, and then the book is over.
tags/tropes: age gap (one MMC about to graduate college), instalove/instalust, coffeeshop, bar, relationship seemingly based around how much sex can be had instead of romance, speedrunning a relationship (moving in together very quickly)...more
I'm struggling with how to rate this, so don't be surprised if I change it at least once. It has a lot of things that I don't typically love (I would I'm struggling with how to rate this, so don't be surprised if I change it at least once. It has a lot of things that I don't typically love (I would call it instalove except technically the two parties involve 'hate' each other at the start of the story, a character who is unbelievably oblivious, etc). but it also has a lot of things that I do love (hurt/comfort like every Marina Vivancos story). I really disliked the miscommunication, as it was a lot more over the top than I normally see and just made me leave the book on a bummed note and dislike Beau. Three stars for now, might bump to four? ...more
I partially love Emmy Sanders books because they let me turn my brain off and enjoy a fluffy alternate reality for a while. However, sometimes things I partially love Emmy Sanders books because they let me turn my brain off and enjoy a fluffy alternate reality for a while. However, sometimes things go a little too well at every turn and the conflict feels shoehorned in. This couple went from being two individuals in complicated situations to being madly in love and banging at every opportunity in the blink of an eye, and it just didn't work for me. Definitely might just be my mood this week, and I'll keep reading in this series, but this one was a miss for me. ...more
As I reached the halfway point in the book, I was thinking how much better this book was pacing-wise. We'd reached the halfway point without sex, unliAs I reached the halfway point in the book, I was thinking how much better this book was pacing-wise. We'd reached the halfway point without sex, unlike The Silent Mountain Man. Don't worry, only a couple of pages later a virgin was begging to lose his virginity after his first kiss with a guy he met like a week ago. DNF. I think this author just isn't for me. ...more
This was a short novella, so I did finish it even though I probably should have dnfd on page 12 when the author writes "Back and forth, back and fohmm
This was a short novella, so I did finish it even though I probably should have dnfd on page 12 when the author writes "Back and forth, back and forth, like I'm a baby being rocked to sleep by a junkie on meth."
hmm!
I do love epistolary romances, and I know that every book isn't for everyone, but I also was really put off by some of the other phrasing the author uses ("gooey eruption" makes me think of lava cake and TGI Friday's). It feels like a story that should have been a longer book, but even that longer book wouldn't have been for me. I'll probably tempt fate and read the second book in the story as well since I know many people really love this author. ...more
Loading...
