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Pretty Pleasures (Youthful Gods, #1)

by J. Rocci (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 26 ratings · 9 reviews

Greg Barton has worked at the renaissance faire for years, but it’s Greg’s last season so he’s determined to live it up. Lucky for Greg, Boone, the hot traveling armorer, remembers Greg from previous years and returns his interest. The two reconnect and Greg finds himself tumbling into Boone’s bed, dangerously close to losing his heart.

Only, there’s something not quite rig...more

ebook, 317 pages

Published October 2010 by Torquere Press

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Dec 03, 2010 Kassa rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

Pretty Pleasures is the start of a new series, Youthful Gods, by J. Rocci. I’ve read a few steam punk short stories from the author so I chose the book because I wanted more of the author’s writing. I definitely got what I wanted since Pretty Pleasures is over 300 pages of good story. The writing is clean, crisp, light, and makes the length fly by incredibly fast. Unfortunately the novel could have been edited down and numerous repetitive scenes deleted to make room for the missing worl...more 3.5 stars

Pretty Pleasures is the start of a new series, Youthful Gods, by J. Rocci. I’ve read a few steam punk short stories from the author so I chose the book because I wanted more of the author’s writing. I definitely got what I wanted since Pretty Pleasures is over 300 pages of good story. The writing is clean, crisp, light, and makes the length fly by incredibly fast. Unfortunately the novel could have been edited down and numerous repetitive scenes deleted to make room for the missing world building. The writing, characters, and interesting plot are enough to satisfy though and definitely intrigue for the next book while not wholly successful.

The story starts out at a renaissance faire. Greg’s been working there for years and is close to graduating college. He assumes that with graduation comes a regular job that leaves no time for the faire. Greg’s decided that he’s going to make a pass at sexy leather armorer Boone once and for all. The two have good chemistry and get together rather easily. They work at the faire on weekends while Greg goes to school and works a second job during the week. The two find time to get together for hot sex, meals, and companionship in between. This sets the pattern for over half the book. There is little tension, no drama, just the daily routine of working, having sex, building a relationship, nightmares, visions, and day to day life.

These scenes are a double edged sword. There is a nice progression to the relationship. It’s extremely easy but the two gradually spend more and more time together. The erotica is hot, well written, and just plain fun to read. There are great descriptions of the faire, the people working, and a good understanding of the personalities and atmosphere both during the faire and after hours. At the same time, these scenes are highly repetitive and often without purpose. They don’t advance the plot, up to about the 200 pg point there is very little plot. These scenes seem to just lengthen the novel while repeatedly establishing the relationship between Greg and Boone. Many, many of these scenes could have been edited out and not affected the pace, tone, or plot at all.

These scenes aren’t bad though and in fact offer some good descriptions, a lot of fun characters, and hints of foretelling while firmly establishing Greg’s nightmares. It’s just that there didn’t have to be close to 200 pgs of this to make the point. At this time the novel shifts into the paranormal when a secret about Boone is discovered. The magic Boone possess makes him a target and by extension, Greg. Now the story shifts to the magic world but unfortunately this part feels too rushed. There is very little world building and even less context to the magic introduced. There are concepts and hierarchy thrown around in dialogue that has no connection and the reader has no way of understanding what the information means to the story or the magic world.

There is an action plot which is interesting yet baffling since it doesn’t really make much sense. Characters talk and act in ways that seem arbitrary without the necessary world building and background to understand. There are great descriptions, really interesting concepts, and a plot that you want to read but overall the beginning is too long and the magic section too fast to really accomplish the goal. The characters are decently developed but some have huge holes in their motivations and actions since Greg focuses on sex and companionship with Boone. As the narrator the story is very biased to Greg’s understanding and thus the reader is left as clueless and misguided as Greg. In some ways I didn’t mind since the story is interesting to read and I liked the use of magic. It’s not an unusual, unique, different, or particularly clever idea for the magic but it works.

Hopefully any future books will offer more of the world building and definitely more context to the magic. The descriptive quality is clearly there as the ren faire comes alive in so many scenes that the lack of detail for the fantasy world is quite startling and starkly obvious. Hopefully the characters will develop more and can move beyond their flat outlines into three dimensional people because the potential is there. I’m looking forward to see where this series goes.
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Nov 07, 2010 Wren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, fantasy, m-m

I wasn't sure when I picked this up if I would like it. But I was quickly caught up in the story of Greg and Boone. The Renaissance Faire setting is terrifically written - in physical description and 'feel'. Almost the whole story takes place there. Greg is a man you can sympathize with, as he deals with his last summer working the faire and his life in transition as he graduates from college. His attraction to Boone is understandable and is realistically portrayed, especially in how he deals wi...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Jess Candela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2010, favorites

Excellent start, and I'm eager to read the rest of the series. Enough hints that things make sense when they unfold, without giving it away prematurely. Except, I'm expecting that Boone's joking "your highness" comment at the end is foreshadowing that Greg really is the son of some (evil?) superpower and potentially has the most powerful magic of them all. The series will cover the battles, strengths and powers developing, until they win the war at the end and Greg is the new High King or whatev...more

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Mar 18, 2011 Lena Grey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I admit it. I love Renaissance Faires. They are surreal--people in period dress speaking Elizabethan English, pirates, minstrels, knights, animals, hawkers of wares, the smell of leather, sweat, of course, food which permeates the whole area. With all of its inherent charm, the Faire makes an excellent backdrop for a fantasy tale. In her book 'Pretty Pleasures' J. Rocci weaves a fantastical story of two lovers brought together by the Faire and carried into a realm full of magic, mystery and intr...more I admit it. I love Renaissance Faires. They are surreal--people in period dress speaking Elizabethan English, pirates, minstrels, knights, animals, hawkers of wares, the smell of leather, sweat, of course, food which permeates the whole area. With all of its inherent charm, the Faire makes an excellent backdrop for a fantasy tale. In her book 'Pretty Pleasures' J. Rocci weaves a fantastical story of two lovers brought together by the Faire and carried into a realm full of magic, mystery and intrigue.

Greg is well portrayed as an outsider, not quite fitting anywhere, but with a real desire to do so. He is persistent, clever, and observant which sets him up as a perfect match for Boone. His attitude has a lot to do with their compatibility. He is familiar with Boone's nomadic lifestyle and already expecting things to be different. He's passionate, adventurous and, oh yes, let's not forget that he has prophetic dreams and spouts impromptu revelatory messages, which are seemingly nonsensical to the rest of the world, setting him even more apart from normal people. Greg is as committed to Boone as Boone is to him; when the fireworks start, Greg steps up and comes into his own with a flourish.

Boone is handsome, mysterious and charming; inexplicably, there is an aura of importance surrounding him. When he overcomes his reservations and starts a relationship with Greg, he does so with his whole heart. In fact, this seems to be Boone's way of doing everything. His physical desire for Greg is almost overpowering, yet he is very considerate of his feelings, making sure he isn't coercing him in any way. Also, when he is sure they are of like minds, nothing stops him from enhancing their relationship, especially in bed! J. Rocci is particularly good at writing love scenes which are not only remarkably titillating, but are also very sensual and loving. One of my favorite elements was Greg and Boone's witty banter. It was charming and added more depth to their personalities.

J. Rocci's writing is distinct and engaging. Her descriptions are vivid and stimulating, although parts may be a bit too detailed for some readers; for those who love the entire Renaissance Fair experience, they will be a delightfully nostalgic journey. This is the first in a series entitled 'Youthful God' and I look forward to the continuation of the story with great anticipation. (less)

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Aug 25, 2011 Dlee rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 15, 2012 SueM rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, mating-bond_soul-mates, magic, mythical-creatures, pnr, psychic-paranormal

I enjoyed this novel but it is clearly the first in a series, with a HFN ending, and more than a few unfinished plot threads... Not quite a cliffhanger, but almost....

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Mar 04, 2013 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2013, kindle-lendable

3.5 stars

So, it's been 3 years and no sequel. If this truly turns into a series, I'd more than willingly bump this rating up to 4 stars.

Though fantasy might be inferred from the series name, I still dislike it when I'm happily reading along thinking contemporary and all of a sudden at 50% the books says, "Surprise! I'm a fantasy!". Also, I'm not a fan of cliffhangers and while the ending to this book isn't a cliffhanger per se, it stops just as the book is getting to what I anticipate to be the...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Cori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-completed-challenge

Great character build up and a really interesting plot. Definitely recommend this book.

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May 05, 2011 Nightcolors rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, glbt, romance, contemporary, fantasy, 2011

4.5 stars.

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Shelves: format-ebook, type-novels, genre-mm-romance, genre-fantasy

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Shelves: length-over-200p, mm, paranormal

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Shelves: m-m, fantasy-sci-fi-paranormal, romance

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Shelves: to-read-ebook

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Nov 06, 2012 Lea rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Shelves: my-books

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About J. Rocci

Since 2006, J. Rocci has published several romance stories with Torquere Press, ranging from contemporary to steampunk to fantasy. A voracious reader from a young age, Rocci currently has a career in research and lives near Washington D.C. with the love of her life and their furry children. She often indulges the whims of her best friend -- and Muse -- when writing, and loves giving her characters...more

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Pretty Pleasures (Youthful Gods, #1)

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