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review 2019-10-20 01:30
It Takes Two to Tango (Fur, Fangs, and Felines Book 3) - M.A. Church

Devo ammettere che sono rimasta un po' delusa. Da una parte l'ho amato mentre dall'altra... meh.
Ho adorato il fatto che l'autore sia riuscito a far interessare il lettore al quarto libro e alla storia di Carter e Aidric, dopo essere arrivata infatti a questo volume non avendo praticamente mai avuto modo di conoscere il beta della colonia, se non in una sporadica apparizione (tanto che neanche mi ricordavo il suo nome chiamandolo Aldric!!) temevo di dover interrompere la serie o non avere la minima voglia di continuare essendo di fatto finiti i personaggi intriganti e invece... ci vengono presentati i due futuri protagonisti con il botto e appena finito di leggere questo libro mi sono precipitata a recuperare quello successivo. Aidric e Carter sono carinissimi e la seconda parte del libro di fatto ci inizia a presentare la loro futura storia d'amore facendoci assaggiare una piccola anteprima di tutti i casini che la coppietta così bizzarra e fuori dagli schemi dovrà affrontare e questo mi ha fatto impazzire. Riuscire a presentare due personaggi e invogliarti tra intrighi e colpi di scena a continuare a leggere non era facile e non posso non fare i complimenti all'autore però devo anche ammettere che... ci sono state scelte che mi hanno un po' deluso.
Ho trovato i protagonisti un po' sottotono. Marshell ci era stato presentato nello scorso volume come un personaggio un po' playboy e super cazzuto, spesso impulsivo e poco riflessivo mentre qui... è la voce della ragione, improvvisamente saggio e controllato e Remi beh... dov'è finito il suo umorismo e le sue magliette? Il suo lato giocoso e sopra le righe passa completamente in secondo piano tanto da apparire quasi come una macchietta rispetto ai due volumi precedenti, proprio perché Remi è un po' il meme della serie, sfigatello e buffo mi sarei aspettata grosse risate e momenti comici come i volumi precedenti, di vedere un suo lato nuovo ma anche e soprattutto quello a cui ero abituata e invece si è rivelato tutto fin troppo calmo. C'era stato presentato un clima di battaglia con Marshell visto come un nemico perché forte e cazzuto più degli alfa messi insieme e quindi la storia d'amore doveva essere a rischio e combattuta e mi aspettavo dramma e litigi e non una conclusione rapida a tarallucci e vino con Dolf che si comporta da buon capo limitandosi a fare un po' il difficile per poi includere Marshell nella colonia senza battere ciglio. Vogliamo parlare del razzismo dei precedenti libri? Cavolo Marshell è un Vetala! Hanno fatto mille pippe mentali per la presenza di Kirk mostrando come tutti erano cattivi e stronzi con lui perché era un essere umano, addirittura ha rischiato la vita per colpa di un pazzo shifter e Marshell che è un tizio pericoloso e potenzialmente letale? Le conseguenze di accettare un tizio diverso nella colonia felina? A parte dire che uno o due tizi se ne sono andati non ci vengono mostrate conseguenze gravi e mi dispiace molto... si poteva fare di più e non sarebbe stato male vedere le conseguenze del razzismo nei suoi confronti, mostrando come non si è razzisti solo nei confronti degli umani ma anche verso gli altri esseri sovrannaturali e avrei voluto vederlo di conseguenza interagire con Kirk approfittandone per far iniziare una bella amicizia e permettendo ai due di confrontarsi. Ultima cosa ma non per importanza... ma quanto ci sono rimasta male per il lupo stalker? Dal secondo volume ci hanno fatto una testa immensa con sto lupo pazzo e disposto quasi ad uccidere per Marshell con un'ossessione pazza e malata nei suoi confronti e qui, quando si poteva osare e mettere chissà che colpo di scena... neanche un piccolo morto ci scappa... neanche per sbaglio... ok serve per introdurre Carter e il suo branco però... non può introdurmelo così e poi fargli fare la figura del pirla... e i cacciatori? Beh spero verranno analizzati nei futuri libri perché altrimenti non vedo il motivo della loro presenza. Va bene il voler mostrare che ci sono persone disposte ad uccidere gli esseri paranormali ma poi anche qui concludere con un bel "No ma i cacciatori volevano uccidere Marshell per un errore, perché pensavano fosse uno stronzo assassino" che roba è?
Insomma un libro che mi è piaciuto, rimane la componente erotica e dolcetta, i protagonisti seppur sottotono sono comunque adorabili e ritroviamo i miei adorati Heller e Lawson che continuano a regalarmi gioie e fluff a non finire, una storia godibilissima e che vuole continuare ad esplorare il mondo paranormale presentandoci altre creature intriganti ma che almeno in sto caso secondo me non è riuscita a brillare come mi sarei aspettata, probabilmente il problema è che rispetto ad altri personaggi (come Aidric e Carter per esempio) Remi e Marshell sono sempre stati sullo sfondo per troppo tempo e quindi dire cose nuove sulla coppia era quasi impossibile conoscendo ormai le loro dinamiche e la loro personalità, credo a questo punto che fosse un libro di transizione che voleva semplicemente chiudere la loro storia per focalizzarsi su una nuova coppia e su nuove dinamiche risultando forse per questo sottotono. Rimane ugualmente una lettura obbligata per gli amanti della serie che in ogni caso la apprezzeranno come me anche se forse con qualche riserva.

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text 2019-01-11 16:34

My oldest spawn finds the funniest stuff on the internet.

 

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review 2018-10-31 01:17
ARC Review: The Academy by Quinn Anderson
The Academy - Quinn Anderson

This was a not so stereotypical college romance, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It had some issues, on which I'll elaborate further down.

Nick arrives at The Academy for his senior year after having taken a year off due to the death of his father. Starting over a tiny Catholic college wasn't the plan, but here we are. Nick plans to focus on his studies, maybe making some friends, and then getting his diploma and go home. Still struggling with grief, and on a tight budget, Nick knows that he's dependent on the scholarship he got, and has no plans whatsoever for a college romance or any such nonsense. 

Sebastian is the college campus player. When he spots Nick, he makes a bet with his two oldest friends, Dante and Theo, on who can kiss the new guy first - with the provision that the new guy has to initiate the kiss. Sebastian is the proverbial spoiled rich kid. Or so it seems. 

Nick doesn't want to give Sebastian the time of day at first, but slowly the ice melts a bit. 

With the premise as it is, Nick and Sebastian don't spend a whole lot of time together on page to begin with, though that time becomes more and more as the plot progresses. As Sebastian develops real feelings for Nick, he's terrified of the bet coming out. The author attempted to show us that despite all the material things he has, Sebastian is still yearning for something money can't buy, something that he lost and cannot get back; his insecurities are hindering him, and causing him to covertly lash out and hurt others before they can hurt him.

There are some clever plot twists here as well, which I didn't see coming, so I was pleasantly surprised toward the end. 

What didn't work so much for me is that Sebastian and his friends often sounded and acted a lot younger than their actual presumed ages - they read a lot more like moody highschoolers (especially Sebastian seemed very much a jerk) than college juniors. The poor little rich boy trope is a little overused here also, and while Sebastian's background makes for a good explanation of his behavior, I didn't buy the rapidity with which he falls for Nick, especially considering the fact that Nick and Sebastian have no more than maybe 10 or 15 actual conversations with each other over the course of the book. I wasn't sold on there being an actual romantic relationship between them - it felt more like lust than love.

Dante and Theo, Sebastian's friends - those two had their own issue to work out, and they did, and while they're supposed to be side characters, they actually felt more real to me than the MCs, probably because we see them spent more time together on page than Sebastian and Nick.

The author does a fine job writing the steam, and while there are but two steamy scenes in this book, they were pretty damn hot, but also continued to lead me down the path of believing in their lust, not their love.

Probably not my favorite by this author, but a good effort, and an enjoyable read. 


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **

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review 2018-10-23 02:37
ARC Review: Adder And Willow (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #6) by Sam Burns
Adder And Willow - Sam Burns

This series just keeps getting better, with every new book the author releases.

Adder And Willow is the 6th book in the series, and the third book of the 2nd trilogy, in which we catch up with Fletcher and Conner, whose relationship is still growing.

Now Conner's mother and step-father are coming to visit, and Fletcher is dreading meeting them. Not because he doesn't want to meet his boyfriend's parents, but because he's a terrible liar, and he knows that he's no good at keeping secrets. And the supernatural parts of himself and Rowan Harbor must be kept secret from outsiders.

Fletcher is also having meetings with Oak, the Dryad, who have been working with Fletcher to continue the training his mother couldn't. It is during one of these meetings that Fletcher finds out something he may have already sort of known, but that might put his future with Conner in danger.

And, as if that isn't enough on his plate, he also stumbles across two strangers in a stranded car, a mother and son, who are intrinsically linked to Rowan Harbor.

I just adore this series. The characters are complex and fully fleshed out, and each one is so different. There is never any confusing one character with another, because they all have different personalities. Fletcher may be one of my favorites, because while he's timid to some extent, and not assertive, he has much more steel in his backbone than he realizes. 

Conner is still growing into his new powers (you'll have to read the previous book to find out about that), and he's going to be tested here.

What also stands out about the characters is how they're all connected - not only because of their supernatural powers, but also because they feel like family, and they treat each other that way. They stick together, they stick up for each other, and they work together for the common good. 

The book is alternately humorous and serious. There is action, there is danger, and there are sweet moments between Fletcher and Conner that really cement their relationship. 

This series cannot be read out of order - each subsequent book builds on its predecessor - however, each book does end in a satisfying way. There are no cliffhangers. 

The writing style of this author really works for me, and I flew through the pages. 

Recommended! 



** I received a free copy of this book from Signal Boost Promotions as part of this review tour, in exchange for an honest review. **

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review 2018-10-18 00:20
ARC Review: Lincoln's Park by Parker Williams
Lincoln's Park - Parker Williams

I read this book, finished it, and then immediately read it again. That basically NEVER happens, but with this book, I couldn't help myself.

Noel is a young man who was kicked out of his home by his ever so loving parents when he told them he was gay. He was lucky in that he found a place at a local shelter, where he's been living and helping out for the past three years. In need of a job, any job, he stops in Lincoln's diner.

Lincoln is quite a bit older than Noel, with a very different backstory, which we find out as the book progresses. He loves cooking and taking care of people, and he treats his employees like family. One look at the forlorn young man asking for a job, and Lincoln can't help himself - the need to pull the young man into the folds is immediate. 

Noel has no idea what hit him - surely nobody can be that decent and kind to someone they don't know at all, right?

I liked both characters immensely, and also the supporting cast - the other employees at the diner, especially Katy, and Robert who runs the shelter where Noel has been staying. However, Lincoln's brother and father - I wanted them to hurt, and badly, but obviously I wasn't supposed to like them. 

Noel is still young, and despite the last three years being really rough, he hasn't lost his sweet kindness, his youthful innocence, his positive outlook. He's fascinated by the older Lincoln, but also has no intention of falling for his boss and being out of a job. Except he doesn't realize that Lincoln feels the same, and that they are well matched despite the age difference and the difference in their life experiences. Lincoln's history plays a huge role in who he became, and he's reluctant to reach for Noel, scared to some extent that he's no good for the younger man. Thank goodness for Katy who gives them the push they both need. 

What struck me most here is that the author created complex and fully developed characters - Lincoln had some layers that ran much deeper than I initially expected, and Noel has an inner strength I didn't expect from someone so young. 

There's a moment toward the end of the book that may be confusing for some - without giving away the plot, I can't really say much about it, but suffice it to say that if you pay attention to what comes before, you will not be confused at all, or even wonder what just happened. 

The BDSM-Lite aspect of the relationship was well done and rang true, and I liked that the author utilized it as a source of some conflict that the two men have to work out, which actually strengthened the relationship.

What is emphasized time and again is family - the one you're born to and the one you choose and make for yourself. Family, even if not by blood, is what binds Lincoln and Noel and Katy and Jesse and Robert and all the others. Even Lincoln's brother, who by book's end seemingly has second thoughts about how he's been acting. I have it on good authority that his story will be told in a future book. I cannot wait! 

But what really permeates this book is love. There is so much tangible, obvious love in every word on every page, and you are cocooned by it, warmed by it, embraced by it. 

I think it's that feeling of love that prompted me to read the book twice in a row, and I highly recommend that you get yourself a copy as soon as you can.

It's available now.


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **

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