So, the blurb for this story never really caught my attention - that's why I put off reading it for so long even though I really enjoy reading Amy's w...moreSo, the blurb for this story never really caught my attention - that's why I put off reading it for so long even though I really enjoy reading Amy's work. I honestly have no idea what I was expecting the story to be, but it wasn't this. And I wish I hadn't put off reading it for so long now.
I love to read the stories that take place over longer periods of time, in which characters have to overcome obstacles in their relationships before things finally work out in the end, and that's exactly what this was. It's not really about Crick's being in the military so much as it is about his being apart from Deacon and what it does to both of them. You see them grow (or fail to) as people over an extended period of time.
But it's not just those two. It's a whole cast of characters that is involved in this story, and how they rely on each other (or don't when they should, or finally learn to). It's heart-warming, touching, gut-wrenching in a few places, and about a true family, blood-ties or not.
Even though the grammatical/typographical errors were an annoyance, and even though I'm not sure it has the re-readability that I normally require to give out 5 star ratings, it's too good to not give it 5 stars. (Or maybe 4.5 stars, rounded up.)(less)
Cute story, horrid cover. (Yeah, I think I put it off for a while just because of the cover, sadly. Definitely not how I picture either of the MCs.)
An...moreCute story, horrid cover. (Yeah, I think I put it off for a while just because of the cover, sadly. Definitely not how I picture either of the MCs.)
Anyway, I loved the characters. The plot might be considered a touch predictable, but that wasn't a detriment. Lots of sex (and yeah, I get the point about the condoms. I don't need to see it EVERY time.) Lots of emotion that I didn't feel was abused. POV felt a bit messy in a couple of places, but mostly worked.
Definitely worth the read and wish I had gotten around to it sooner. I'll probably pick up the sequel sometime.(less)
Gah, the typos, errors, and missing punctuation in these books is killing me, and even though it's pulling me out of the story (and they won't get 5 s...moreGah, the typos, errors, and missing punctuation in these books is killing me, and even though it's pulling me out of the story (and they won't get 5 stars because of it), I can't put them down because I'm enjoying them too much otherwise.
What a horrible way to end a book! I don't see why they were split into four when they have to be read back to back to back to back.(less)
So, this book was one of four from a reading challenge last year that I didn't get to during the challenge. So it wound up on my left-overs list. For...moreSo, this book was one of four from a reading challenge last year that I didn't get to during the challenge. So it wound up on my left-overs list. For whatever reason, the blurb never grabbed me, even though all the things I'd heard about it were good and someone else picked it for me to read. So, it took me forever to get around to it.
About 20% of the way through you can see where the story is going. There aren't any surprises, but it didn't matter that I knew what was coming, because it was still very entertaining.
If you asked me one word that I would use to describe this book, it would be "banter". Dear God, I wish more authors would write dialogue like this. The back and forth barbs of siblings and main characters is spectacularly well-done and I find this sort of bantering so rare that it stands out when I do find it. It really highlights the characters and makes them into real people.
It's not heavy on sex (thank God!), and what is there is often quickly but aptly described, not belabored to death. (Thank God!) It's all about the story and the characters, not the sex.
If I have a beef with the story, it's the typos and errors throughout it. (e.g. Joey is called Jason once. There's no Jason in the story at all.) There are words dropped here and there, and I saw an apostrophe out of place. (That's a first.) Just lots of little stuff that added up enough to throw me out of it every time I saw another one.
It probably would've been 4.5, but it lost half a star for the editing. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters, and I will definitely pick up the novella about Antoine and Wally.(less)
PWP at its best. Good thing I was mostly in the mood for that and the sex was hot. (What can I say? I really enjoy bondage, even the basic version sho...morePWP at its best. Good thing I was mostly in the mood for that and the sex was hot. (What can I say? I really enjoy bondage, even the basic version shown here.) The 'angst' of James not being sure he's ready for a real relationship based on his family issues felt weak at best, a token protest for the sake of having one. I didn't really consider it angst.
I also figured that Bram might have connections to get James's design looked at for that original project mentioned, but that didn't happen either. Maybe that will show up in the next book. I'll probably read it later on, but not immediately.
Also, the typos were absolutely horrendous throughout. 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3.(less)
Among the Living was my first JCP and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There wasn't a lot of the 'universe' explained, but it was sufficiently expl...moreAmong the Living was my first JCP and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There wasn't a lot of the 'universe' explained, but it was sufficiently explained to make their situations understandable and make the story very interesting. It was over quickly, but that's not a bad thing.
I really liked how Vic was flawed. It made him more real. And I loved the last line. I'll be reading the rest of the PsyCop series at some point. 4 stars.(less)
This one was a touch slow to start off with. I found the beginning to be a bit confusing when laying the groundwork for who the characters are because...moreThis one was a touch slow to start off with. I found the beginning to be a bit confusing when laying the groundwork for who the characters are because how they fit together in the story was not immediately apparent. Once I got around 20% in, then it started making more sense.
The descriptions were fairly lengthy. Sometimes this appeals to me and sometimes not. This time it didn't quite catch me. Too much description over living the action. Point of view also seemed to hop some. It's mostly from Charlie's POV, but occasionally I found glimpses from James that seemed to be out of place to me.
That said, I enjoyed the story. The characters' thoughts, motivations, and actions generally made sense. I was a bit surprised at how Charlie talked himself into what he did at the end - that he just gave up essentially - but I give it enough benefit of the doubt to not be too bothered by it. It ends well anyway.(less)
I had some serious issues with this book as far as it supposedly being set historically in the 1950s. There were several things mentioned that just di...moreI had some serious issues with this book as far as it supposedly being set historically in the 1950s. There were several things mentioned that just didn't fit in with the period (like the use of block scheduling), and every time I saw one, it just grated on me further. That took it down at least a couple of stars in my opinion. I loved the story itself, and I loved the characters - they were very well crafted. And I enjoyed the ending.
The writing style itself also left something to be desired for me. There were gads of descriptions that ostensibly went to defining the characters further, but I found them to be repetitive and unnecessary in several cases - I just wanted to skip past them to get back to the point of the section instead of reading the tangent as presented. I also found it a pain to have to figure out which person was the 'I' at the beginning of each section. It was deliberately obtuse at times, which was annoying. There were also lots of editing errors that needed clean up, which dropped the book further in my estimation. So, while it was a great story, the execution didn't do it for me.
2.5 stars, rounded down to 2. I wanted to like it more than that, but it annoyed me from near start to finish.(less)
I liked the basic premise of the story, but the very end felt more about sex than story. I suppose it could be argued that it was being used to establ...moreI liked the basic premise of the story, but the very end felt more about sex than story. I suppose it could be argued that it was being used to established more about their newly forged relationship, but it felt like it was being dragged out.
That could perhaps be because I kept waiting for the imp to arrive and take Quinlin for a 24-hour romp and Ryzel to have to use his minor favor with his father to break that contract. In going back to re-read the spot where that deal with the imp was struck, I saw that it wasn't written in such a way to allow that. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or disappointed it didn't happen. It would've added a bit more angst to the story than it actually had, particularly right at the end. It seemed to just... deflate.
Admit One is one of those stories which I've been putting off reading for a long time without really knowing why it wasn't appealing to me. Blurb just...moreAdmit One is one of those stories which I've been putting off reading for a long time without really knowing why it wasn't appealing to me. Blurb just didn't catch me or I wasn't in the mood for dramatic, or something - I don't know. It's a good story, though a bit long in my opinion, but I can't say that "I wish I hadn't put it off the way I did" either.
We read the story from the point of view of a damaged character, but we don't find out more than minimal glimpses of what that damage is until just over 3/4 of the way through the story, and thus it makes it fairly hard to empathize with the character and what he's dealing with. Even though the story is told by the damaged character, the reader has much more empathy for the guy who's trying to love him without being able to truly understand his motivations because the reader is in the same boat. Once it's revealed, his whole life makes sense in a way it couldn't possibly have before.
Though I realized the need for this delay is because a particular scene had to occur before the reveal, and the relationship had to be established before the scene could occur, it still felt to me like it was dragging a bit through the middle. While reading, it feels like it's taking these characters forever when the bulk of the story actually occurs over a 3-month period, with some setup in the beginning around 6 months prior to that.
In the end, while the mental transition from 'damaged' to 'healing' was fast, it didn't feel too fast to me - it was explained pretty well and it seemed to fit. However, I don't feel their story is truly complete. There's too much damage to overcome in a few weeks, and a single setback of any kind would mentally regress someone a LOT into retreating into the safety they built for themselves and lived with for over 1.5 decades. This is a HFN, not an HEA.
So, 3.5 stars, rounded down because this is not going to have re-readability for me.(less)
Excellent follow-up story. I almost think it ought to be a continuation of Bran's story, but as it's told from Jesse's POV, it makes sense. Jesse is a...moreExcellent follow-up story. I almost think it ought to be a continuation of Bran's story, but as it's told from Jesse's POV, it makes sense. Jesse is a great character in his own right. Can't wait to read the next one. =)(less)
Beautifully sweet story. I loved the characters, particularly Bran. I wish there had been a bit more detail to the universe itself, instead of the rea...moreBeautifully sweet story. I loved the characters, particularly Bran. I wish there had been a bit more detail to the universe itself, instead of the reader having to figure it out from random details here and there. But I can't wait to read the rest of the series.(less)
Wow, these were such excellent stories. The characters are real, as are their reactions and their concerns. They're flawed, but not unintelligent or i...moreWow, these were such excellent stories. The characters are real, as are their reactions and their concerns. They're flawed, but not unintelligent or idiotic (mostly not idiotic). The situations and thought processes make sense. They learn and grow over the course of the series. Just wow.(less)
More episodic than the previous stories - these are more vignettes, though at least they're in order. Still wonderfully well written. Love the series...moreMore episodic than the previous stories - these are more vignettes, though at least they're in order. Still wonderfully well written. Love the series and will always want to see more. =)(less)
I like the story, but the end seemed a bit drawn out to me. I understand what was happening and why logically, but I found myself getting bored at the...moreI like the story, but the end seemed a bit drawn out to me. I understand what was happening and why logically, but I found myself getting bored at the end. I just didn't quite connect with the characters as well as I wanted to.
And Hamilton bothered me in that half the time Raynard is upset with his choices and then he listens to them. I kept thinking that maybe Hamilton was grooming Raynard to take over the nest or something. It just didn't fit into place like I wanted it to.
However, this is still a very interesting shifter universe and I do recommend the read to anyone who likes them and the submission side of BDSM. (It's light to moderate.)(less)
Given the setting of the story and the background of the boys, it had the potential to be a fairly dark, angsty story, but it wasn't. That really plea...moreGiven the setting of the story and the background of the boys, it had the potential to be a fairly dark, angsty story, but it wasn't. That really pleased me. It was sweet and funny, and the conversations cracked me up. How realistic it is may be debatable, but I gave it enough suspension of disbelief that I could really enjoy it.(less)
**spoiler alert** This one definitely did not thrill me as much as I hoped it might. At the end of the first chapter, though they're not actually anyt...more**spoiler alert** This one definitely did not thrill me as much as I hoped it might. At the end of the first chapter, though they're not actually anything alike (the fake "Doverville Demon" vs. "Son of Sam"), just having the thought "He's the 'Son of Sam(uel)' - Really?" just soured me to the point that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. But I did.
Then I got to see just how tortured Chase is, to the point of thinking stupid things that he eventually acted on, and even though I know there are people who feel this way IRL, it was just a train wreck waiting to happen, and I really didn't want to read it. But I did.
And I do my best to suspend my disbelief, but I cannot imagine any police force allowing a detective to continue working on his lover's case once they find out about the relationship. And though I tried to enjoy it even knowing that was unrealistic, it just soured things further whenever I got to one of those unrealistic details.
So yeah, it was HFN by the end, but the experience to get there just didn't do anything for me. 2 stars.(less)
I liked the characters. They have interesting backgrounds and are developed pretty well. The murder mystery is great: you're led several directions be...moreI liked the characters. They have interesting backgrounds and are developed pretty well. The murder mystery is great: you're led several directions before it all comes together. The one thing I didn't particularly like was how a man, who 13-18 years ago was abused by a pedophile and even now has a big problem with touch and hasn't had anyone inside him or gone down on anyone in all that time, can instantly accept and trust a stranger and do both of those things with him in the course of a few weeks. Even though he's been working with a therapist for nearly a decade, that still doesn't ring true to me. It felt like glossing the issue in favor of the HEA, when it wouldn't have been difficult to keep both some realism and happiness. I'm not suggesting he be more tortured even, just not so "ready". It felt too fast. And commenting "I know this is so fast" throughout the story feels like a bit of a cop-out in this case.
**spoiler alert** SPOILER WARNING. I'm not sure whether I'm upset with the story, or whether I'm more upset at myself for seemingly suddenly becoming o...more**spoiler alert** SPOILER WARNING. I'm not sure whether I'm upset with the story, or whether I'm more upset at myself for seemingly suddenly becoming overly critical of stories.
I like the story. I adored the characters. Everything was perfect - in the first half. It was a slow and mesmerizing tale of reclamation and affirmation. The POV was a bit annoying because of the head-hopping that occasionally had me scratching my head attempting to figure out whom which pronoun addressed, but I was willing to overlook that for the compelling story build-up.
And then I started noticing things that completely took me out of the story and ruined the whole initial setup that I wanted to love all the way through. Kaden's psychosomatic issues of lust causing shame were never dealt with - they just disappeared suddenly. Franklin just suddenly reappears for some stupid reason (and I was even expecting it, but not for such a stupid, forced reason as was given), and then the appearance and removal of Becca.
After all of that, I was left with the impression that the author had an ending in mind and then had no idea how to get there. The ending felt forced and rushed compared to the beginning of the story, and what started so promisingly ended so weakly.
There are few stories that I've ever been this critical of before. I can't tell whether I've read so many that I've finally become jaded and picky, or whether I hit the nail on the head. *sigh* I wanted this story to be so much more than I felt it ended with. I want to give it higher marks because it started so well, and that's why I'm splitting the difference with three stars instead of dropping to two.(less)
I don't know what it was, but I was just bored reading this story. It felt... badly paced I guess. I didn't have a problem with the elements, but the...moreI don't know what it was, but I was just bored reading this story. It felt... badly paced I guess. I didn't have a problem with the elements, but the first half of the story was all 'get to know you' and it seemed to take forever to get to the problems to be overcome. They weren't surprising in the least, and so I was just... bored. It wasn't bad enough to not finish, but it was just blah. 2.5, rounded up to 3 stars.(less)
I enjoyed reading the breaking in of someone who doesn't know he's a submissive into the role and thought it was handled pretty well. There was one po...moreI enjoyed reading the breaking in of someone who doesn't know he's a submissive into the role and thought it was handled pretty well. There was one point where Avery felt his trust had been betrayed, and I thought he ought to have balked more about giving over his trust to JD the next time it came to that, but otherwise it flowed well and wasn't too long.(less)
I really enjoyed this story, even though some of what they go through isn't the nicest thing you'll ever read. It is VERY honest though, and there was...moreI really enjoyed this story, even though some of what they go through isn't the nicest thing you'll ever read. It is VERY honest though, and there was a lot of true pain written down. I even a few tears shed over it. But it was worth it in the end. And wow, lots of hot sex.
Not sure why I'm not giving it 5 stars. (4.5) - I'll have to see if it has the re-readability to go up to 5.(less)
I wasn't sure what to expect at first with this story, but I was pleasantly surprised by it, once I got over the feeling of "waiting for the other sho...moreI wasn't sure what to expect at first with this story, but I was pleasantly surprised by it, once I got over the feeling of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" during the first half of the book. Then I could finally relax into it and really enjoy it. Happy to read the next one.(less)
I loved this book right up until the end. Then I wondered what happened to the rest of the ending. I wanted to see the confrontation with the in-laws....moreI loved this book right up until the end. Then I wondered what happened to the rest of the ending. I wanted to see the confrontation with the in-laws. I wanted to know if there was an explanation of James to Evan. I wanted to know Evan's reaction to Matt's sudden mid-life-crisis change in apartment and job to school. I wanted to see them figure out something more than grinding into each other. Just disappointed with all the things that were missing at the end. So, it was going to get 4 stars, and I dropped it to 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 for GR.
I'm curious to know if we will see the fallout of Matt's call to James, answered by his roommate/best friend. That's my next read.(less)
I really enjoyed this story. The pacing was very good, the characterizations are wonderful (even the psychos), and the plot worked for me. I'm not sur...moreI really enjoyed this story. The pacing was very good, the characterizations are wonderful (even the psychos), and the plot worked for me. I'm not sure what it is that I'm giving it 4.5 stars, rounded down, instead of 5. I'll probably bump it to 5 if it eventually has re-readability.(less)
The more I think about it, the more I find ludicrous the idea that anyone would allow a 3 year old to be riding on a tricycle at 9:30 at night when hi...moreThe more I think about it, the more I find ludicrous the idea that anyone would allow a 3 year old to be riding on a tricycle at 9:30 at night when his sister is having a huge graduation party. Ok, even if we presume the parents are on vacation and left the sister to watch the kid (on her graduation week? who does that??), she let him wander around at that hour and no one said anything to her about it? Sorry, that premise is bothering me more and more.
Anyway, that point aside, I still enjoyed this story a lot. I didn't have as much of the 'waiting for the anvil to fall' this time as I did last time, though there was some. I thought maybe Ken's acceptance of Jordan's past was a bit too fast, but otherwise, they seemed a good match and I liked the dynamic. I also appreciated the tidying up of Jordan's and Cooper's relationship as well.(less)
Really fairly bored, even with all of the sex. There was sort of a point to it - to show how meaningless it was in the beginning (at least for one of...moreReally fairly bored, even with all of the sex. There was sort of a point to it - to show how meaningless it was in the beginning (at least for one of them) - but it got old. I just really don't have any sympathy for Cam as a character. I can't say he wasn't built up appropriately, he just never changed into a sympathetic character. I consider this HFN, not HEA. I usually like stories that take some time to progress through the relationship, but this one just didn't appeal. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.(less)
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