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Equilibrium
(Superpowered Love #1)
by
Econ student Hansen Marks has been hot for Sam MacLeod since they first bonded over their secret superpowers--literally hot, since Hansen can produce fire from thin air. But soccer star Sam was always covered in girls, so Hansen kept his attraction in the closet and convinced himself that "best friends" was better than nothing.
When Sam's electrical powers freak out in publ ...more
When Sam's electrical powers freak out in publ ...more
ebook, 1st Edition, 97 pages
Published
August 23rd 2011
by Loose Id
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Showing 1-30

Start your review of Equilibrium (Superpowered Love #1)

What I Liked:
I didn’t completely hate it
It was fairly short
What I Didn’t Like:
At first it seemed like everyone knew about the “awakened” with all the science explanation for why they were the way they were but then it turns out very few people know about them so it seemed to contradict itself
It was apparently a GFY where he went instantly gay. He broke up with his girlfriend and hooks up with his male roommate that night. No explanation given never appears to question it or seem like he ever wa ...more
I didn’t completely hate it
It was fairly short
What I Didn’t Like:
At first it seemed like everyone knew about the “awakened” with all the science explanation for why they were the way they were but then it turns out very few people know about them so it seemed to contradict itself
It was apparently a GFY where he went instantly gay. He broke up with his girlfriend and hooks up with his male roommate that night. No explanation given never appears to question it or seem like he ever wa ...more

The writing is good overall, I just wish that more had happened. There really wasn't much of an original plot despite what potential there was. I liked the characters. I suppose my real complaint is just that it seemed like very little was happening, and that made the pace rather slow, especially for a short novella such as this.
...more

Aug 24, 2011
Beatrice
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
gay-romance,
paranormal
This book was... Quite different, frankly. I know these types of books are out there, but this is the first M/M book I've read that has a superpower theme. I was a bit apprehensive, of course, just like the way people are when trying out something new. But a lot of things worked here for me - and I'm not even sure if I can list down all the reasons why I liked this book a lot. Because honestly? Some part of me still isn't sure what I liked so much about this.
What I do know is the fact that Hanse ...more
What I do know is the fact that Hanse ...more

The core of this story is a friends-to-lovers series, with a touch of GFY (since Sam, an electric type, dates women before). I enjoy Hansen's voice (he's the narrator, a thermal type) -- it is a bit dorky but funny too. I mean, come on, explaining about he doesn't date by using Nash's (from A Beautiful Mind) Equilibrium theory? That's a first :p
Unfortunately, there is a lack of world-building/background to give this story a context, and make it great. And despite the "scare" that happens near th ...more
Unfortunately, there is a lack of world-building/background to give this story a context, and make it great. And despite the "scare" that happens near th ...more

3.5 stars
A paranormal romance about guys with superpowers (awakened) living amongst us non-powerful (sleepers), NO vamps/weres/sprites or demons, they just control physical phenomena like heat and electricity.
Hansen and Sam are college roomies; Hansen is gifted with ‘heat/fire control’ and helps Sam learn to control his ‘electric’ abilities. This is a GFY with Sam seemingly into girls until he discovers that Hansen has been secretly yearning for him for four years. There’s a pretty immediate tur ...more
A paranormal romance about guys with superpowers (awakened) living amongst us non-powerful (sleepers), NO vamps/weres/sprites or demons, they just control physical phenomena like heat and electricity.
Hansen and Sam are college roomies; Hansen is gifted with ‘heat/fire control’ and helps Sam learn to control his ‘electric’ abilities. This is a GFY with Sam seemingly into girls until he discovers that Hansen has been secretly yearning for him for four years. There’s a pretty immediate tur ...more

This is a very sweet best friends to lovers story. I couldn't help but hold my breath for Mark who worried that Sam would not want to stay because Mark figured Sam was basically straight. Sam made me proud as he stayed steadfast. I liked the paranormal aspect and the little problems it caused. I couldn't truly view Trent as a 'villain' and felt sorry him...okay he was dangerous but I still felt for him. A very enjoyable afternoon read. 3.5 Stars
...more

See, I always *knew* there was stuff going on most of us didn't know about!
Sam is a jock-boy (only a bit smarter than that usually implies) who has a little extra kick of electricity -- make that a BIG extra kick of electricity -- running through him.
Hansen's a bit of a nerd who can manipulate temperature.
I love that there's Real Science floating around -- Sam's electricity builds up and needs to be released and in order to do it safely he has to be grounded. Nothing magical, just touching the g ...more
Sam is a jock-boy (only a bit smarter than that usually implies) who has a little extra kick of electricity -- make that a BIG extra kick of electricity -- running through him.
Hansen's a bit of a nerd who can manipulate temperature.
I love that there's Real Science floating around -- Sam's electricity builds up and needs to be released and in order to do it safely he has to be grounded. Nothing magical, just touching the g ...more

Yeah, yeah, disclaimer, I know the author (and the Hamiltonian Neuronautics Society has a policy against selling out by endorsing products... but this is Outreach!), so you know...
Whatever, this is still a lovely story. Super powers of sciencey awesome aside, though they do add a nice tint to everything, the charm is the fact that this is a story about two great characters falling in love. Or maybe rather being in love already, but having to figure that part out - Hansen being too smart for his ...more
Whatever, this is still a lovely story. Super powers of sciencey awesome aside, though they do add a nice tint to everything, the charm is the fact that this is a story about two great characters falling in love. Or maybe rather being in love already, but having to figure that part out - Hansen being too smart for his ...more

I loved Sam and Hansen, and thought they balanced each other beautifully. The first scene in the cafeteria reminded me of my own college days, but I wish the book were a little longer with a bit more world-building. I was able to figure out a lot in context, but more detail/background/explanation would have been nice.
I liked that Sam was clear he was bisexual and didn't seem to have any angst about it, even with Hansen trying to push him into the classic "straight or gay" false dichotomy. I also ...more
I liked that Sam was clear he was bisexual and didn't seem to have any angst about it, even with Hansen trying to push him into the classic "straight or gay" false dichotomy. I also ...more

The guys were sweet and the sex was hot. I wish they'd talked a little more and I wish it had been longer, but a good read all in all.
...more

This book was pretty enjoyable. I’ve never read or even heard of this author Katey Hawthorne before, but I was completely intrigued by the blurb when I read it. I’m glad I picked this one up.
Two cute boys, one gay and one “straight”, who have been best friends for years. And, both Hansen and Same have Superpowers. My only complaint with this one would be that I wish we had more information and description regarding their powers. How they got them and how they work and how it all happened. But, ...more
Two cute boys, one gay and one “straight”, who have been best friends for years. And, both Hansen and Same have Superpowers. My only complaint with this one would be that I wish we had more information and description regarding their powers. How they got them and how they work and how it all happened. But, ...more

It was an entertaining book. It took me a while to get myself into it but eventually I got to a point where I was hook to it. The final moments of it were really interesting.
I liked the whole paranormal thing going on about the guys but I think I couldn’t really understand the sense of it or what it meant. It that matter, I felt the plot was underdeveloped. It had a lot of potential but I don’t think it really get to be explored. What I did liked about it was the final moments, there were some e ...more
I liked the whole paranormal thing going on about the guys but I think I couldn’t really understand the sense of it or what it meant. It that matter, I felt the plot was underdeveloped. It had a lot of potential but I don’t think it really get to be explored. What I did liked about it was the final moments, there were some e ...more

Bland and boring with extra extra non-penetrative sex on the side (until almost the end of the book, not that I cared at that point anyway). The plot is considerably watered down by meaningless dialogue. DNFing at 80%.

This review was originally published on my blog Joyfully Jay
Hansen Marks first meets Sam MacLeod when he sees him almost blow up a toaster in the college cafeteria. Hansen instantly recognizes that Sam is someone like himself -- a person with "awakened" superpowers. In Hansen's case, he can create and control fire, while Sam's powers lie with electricity. Sam is shocked when Hansen approaches him because he never realized there were others out there with powers too. Unlike Hansen who grew up in ...more
Hansen Marks first meets Sam MacLeod when he sees him almost blow up a toaster in the college cafeteria. Hansen instantly recognizes that Sam is someone like himself -- a person with "awakened" superpowers. In Hansen's case, he can create and control fire, while Sam's powers lie with electricity. Sam is shocked when Hansen approaches him because he never realized there were others out there with powers too. Unlike Hansen who grew up in ...more

This may very well be just my personal issues, having grown up with superhero stories, but I see "superpowers" in a blurb and I just automatically imagine the superpowered trying to use their abilites to help people. So when that wasn't at all what this story was about, I was more than a little taken aback.
The whole tone of this was just so very much different from what I had anticipated. Ominous and angsty and rather frustrating at times, as opposed to the light-hearted super-powers story I'd e ...more
The whole tone of this was just so very much different from what I had anticipated. Ominous and angsty and rather frustrating at times, as opposed to the light-hearted super-powers story I'd e ...more

Dec 22, 2011
Voss Foster
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
superhero fans, gay erotica fans
Grabbing a book this small, a reader can easily shelf it for a good month or two, if they are unwise to the glory of Katey Hawthorne. While the book is an absolutely amazing book to read on a cold day, wet day, boring day, it deserves to be read aside, as well.
The tension and panic of the characters grips you and pierces you, carrying you along for Sam and Hansen's wild ride. Unlike many erotica books, you actually really care what becomes of these two characters and, unlike a lot of women writi ...more
The tension and panic of the characters grips you and pierces you, carrying you along for Sam and Hansen's wild ride. Unlike many erotica books, you actually really care what becomes of these two characters and, unlike a lot of women writi ...more

Apr 03, 2014
Teresa
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
paranormal,
z_2014-challenge-read,
challenge,
mm,
prism-review,
sex-erotic-explicit,
romances,
own,
gfy,
grl-chicago
4.25 Stars
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance****
I was eager to read Equilibrium for two reasons: First, I had read book three in the series, Nobody’s Hero, accidentally out of order, and enjoyed it. Secondly, I am making my way through the authors attending this year’s GayRomLit Retreat and Katey Hawthorne is on that list. I was pleased to find Equilibrium did not disappoint!
Sam was adorable, and it was sad to think of the struggle he went through before he met Hansen. I liked how Hansen hand ...more
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance****
I was eager to read Equilibrium for two reasons: First, I had read book three in the series, Nobody’s Hero, accidentally out of order, and enjoyed it. Secondly, I am making my way through the authors attending this year’s GayRomLit Retreat and Katey Hawthorne is on that list. I was pleased to find Equilibrium did not disappoint!
Sam was adorable, and it was sad to think of the struggle he went through before he met Hansen. I liked how Hansen hand ...more

Dinner is overrated. It‟s all about dessert. Strangely enough, this was my favorite line in the book... but there were several that were a tie for second! *grin*
Things I learned from reading this story:
soliloquize: v talk to oneself (New word for the day!)
True or False: Marietta Falls is a fictitious town in West Virgina. T
John Forbes Nash Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fo....
Nash Equilibrium: Nash e·qui·lib·ri·um
noun (in economics and game theory) a stable state of a system involving th ...more
Things I learned from reading this story:
soliloquize: v talk to oneself (New word for the day!)
True or False: Marietta Falls is a fictitious town in West Virgina. T
John Forbes Nash Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fo....
Nash Equilibrium: Nash e·qui·lib·ri·um
noun (in economics and game theory) a stable state of a system involving th ...more

This was really good! There is some amazing world building with really cool powers- the meet cute is absolutely wonderful! Our two MCs are at school when clueless Sam meets in the know Hansen but it’s Sam who is the jock and the popular kid – so Hansen having the upper hand is a lovely switch. This follows them throughout their lives and into exploring things sexually when it’s decided that they are more than friends.
There’s some frustrating “misunderstandings” that should go away with just some ...more
There’s some frustrating “misunderstandings” that should go away with just some ...more

3.5 stars - I enjoyed this story and the characters. It was a nice m/m paranormal romance with a pretty interesting premise. There was so much potential to make this a truly AMAZING story, and I just wish that certain parts of the story had been developed more. For example - and without giving too much away - the trip to Hansen's parents and the whole deal with Trent could have been developed much more, and it would have been nice to have had a better understanding of the whole ordeal of what it
...more

Disclaimer The First: I consider the author a good friend.
Disclaimer The Second: Romance/erotica isn't normally my genre.
This was a quick, fast-paced read and a ton of fun (although a little awkward to read on the tram, see also: Disclaimer the Second). The chatty narrative, the humor, and the characters' smart-assery totally worked for me. If you like dorky boys, superpowers, and a grounded, engaging voice -- or, you know, just a plain good read -- you should totally pick this up.
Also, I'm pret ...more
Disclaimer The Second: Romance/erotica isn't normally my genre.
This was a quick, fast-paced read and a ton of fun (although a little awkward to read on the tram, see also: Disclaimer the Second). The chatty narrative, the humor, and the characters' smart-assery totally worked for me. If you like dorky boys, superpowers, and a grounded, engaging voice -- or, you know, just a plain good read -- you should totally pick this up.
Also, I'm pret ...more

Interesting how many people called this GFY...(minor spoiler) (view spoiler)
Anyway, I like the light sweetness of this story. Put this one on the beach reads shelf. N ...more
Anyway, I like the light sweetness of this story. Put this one on the beach reads shelf. N ...more

I wrote this book (yes, I have two pen names, I'm like a f#@kin ninja), so I don't actually intend to review it... obviously. But it's meant to be a fun little romantic adventure type thing. It strikes me as the sort of thing that will please those who like superpowers, dorky hot dudes, comic books, and economic theory.
Wait, scratch that last one. But I mentioned the dork part, right? ...more
Wait, scratch that last one. But I mentioned the dork part, right? ...more

3.5 stars. A good M/M paranormal romance with a friends-to-lovers theme. Sam and Hansen were cute together although I found Sam's gfy-ofy conversion a little too easy to believe. I would have also enjoyed a little more depth to the background story - some events were mentioned but quickly glossed over, but on the whole, it is a good fun story that doesn't require too much concentration to read.
...more

What a cute story. I loved the MCs and the world of the awakened (those with powers to control heat and cold and electricity) and the sleepers (everyone else) was really cool. And the romance between Hansen and Sam was super hot and super sweet - my favorite combination. So glad there are more books in this series!

I really, really enjoyed this. The writing is bright and fresh, the characters are charming, and the science-y supernatural stuff is so intriguing. Also, bonus points for some seriously hot sex scenes.

I don't really know what to say about this book. I just found it really bland, even the action scenes were meh. Many of what I assumed were jokes in the book went over my head, that was probably just me though.
...more

ok. felt like i was waiting for something not sure what thou. maybe it's all the wolf loving i was reading
...more

A very easy and fun read. Loved it!
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Hi! I'm Katey. I write superpowered and fantasy romance of an LGBTQIA bent. I live at Superpowered Love -- kateyhawthorne.com.
I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:
Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks ...more
I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:
Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks ...more
Other books in the series
Superpowered Love
(8 books)
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