What do you think?
Rate this book
Assassin/Shifter #5
Best Laid Plans
Book Five This book is part of a series. The men of the super-secret Skull Blaster unit have put down their weapons long enough to find love - and even husbands - from Arizona to Alaska and the Olympic Peninsula. Now their new families and friends are hoping to find their own happily-ever-afters. Werewolf Sawyer Quinton’s brothers have finally found their mates in the Drake brothers, Dakota’s former packmates. Things get off to a rocky start but love conquers all. Or does it? Can the Drakes overcome the gay bashing they suffered at their father’s hands and be true to themselves and the men they love? Or are some lessons just too hard to unlearn? This book contains man on man lovin' and a healthy dose of curse words. Sneak Peek at "For the Love of Caden"
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2012
21 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Sandrine Gasq-Dion
79 books1,346 followersI have been blessed in this life to not only have parents that support me, but kids that do as well. I grew up in a loving but "Old School" French household. My parents worked for the airlines (TWA) so I was able to see a lot of Europe as a kid. I moved to Seattle Washington at the age of 22 and stayed there for twelve years before moving to Alaska for a little over two. Fairbanks, AK was one hell of an experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back! I spent a little over a year in South Carolina before moving back to Arizona. I then left for Kansas for five years and now reside in Arizona. I've been connected to the military in one way or another for over half my life and wouldn't change a thing about it. Writing has become my full time job and I've never been so happy doing a job I love and being able to do it in my jammies. I plan on writing until I dry up and die. Hopefully, that won't happen soon!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 4, 2015
** I think I tagged all the spoilers, but don't hate me if I overlooked something. **
First, my opinion of this book in a nutshell: Fun start, boring and nonsensical execution.
Since writing this review is such a daunting prospect, I may just throw everything together with total disregard to form. You really shouldn’t read this if you have any standards regarding your review-reading. (Then again, that probably applies to most of my stuff.)
The beginning presents some very funny moments, even though a lot is just extremely silly.
All those improbable riches make the setting seem even more like a different universe than the whole shifter aspect.
Know many, do ya? Well, by the end of this book you certainly do… And they all dote on you guys. Wow.
In Dakota and Sam’s book, the events of which happened “a year ago”, Xander and Grayson were eighteen and sixteen years old, although I don’t recall ever learning at the time who the older one was. Now Xander is “almost twenty” and Grayson’s “almost nineteen”. M’kay.
Sadly this information did not come up right away, so I spent the beginning trying to figure out whether we were going to have underage sex in this.
But what really shocked me was that the Drake brothers turn out to be so freaking young. They’re twenty-three and twenty-one respectively, yet they already created a super lucrative architectural firm and are millionaires? How the fuck is that supposed to work? And we won’t even mention that they must have spent a great portion of their lives as wolves running around in the national park, as we saw previously. When did they have time for this?
On the bright side, their youth makes their father’s control over them somewhat more understandable.
Xander and Grayson at least make for a surprisingly sweet unit of brothers (when they interact). Who’d have thought?
While having a double romance among two pairs of brothers is a cute idea, I wish it would not perpetually jump between the two mid-scene. That makes it even harder to keep track of who’s who. Since, to be honest, the brothers aren’t that different from each other.
More on that later.
Okay, with the way Sabine the (potentially) murderous flight attendant keeps popping up whenever anyone in this series is on a plane, regardless of the kind of flight or location, I now choose to believe that she must in fact be an undercover agent investigating the assassins and the wolves. *nod* No other explanation seems possible.
Either that or she’s an alien.
Jeez. More sightseeing. This time it’s among the ridiculously rich.
Everyone’s reactions to everyone else’s fiendishly expensive designer suits make me want to… do something drastic. I can’t think of anything right now. My mind is stuck on young men getting all hyped up over suits.
This so totally is a wish-fulfilment fantasy of the author.
I like happiness as much as the next person (and maybe more) but even I get bored when everything is simply perfect all the time and the guys are so brilliant without any training and they fit in with everyone and everyone loves them and surely they will be millionaires in their own right shortly and everyone’s so proud of everyone and gah I just want to gag.
This happens in a moment of passion. I don’t think that’d be sexy to most guys? Especially considering the teeth on these shifters… I mean, I am not a guy and it made even me cringe a little.
In contrast to the preceding volumes, in this one everyone’s hurrying towards the penetration stage of sex. Although that makes sense, I suppose, considering how young they all are and how curious.
To be honest, for both couples their first time of sex feels rather uninspired and perfunctory. Certainly a stark contrast to the sex scenes in previous books. It’s a pity, since as a result the connection feels weak. – Okay, scratch that. This applies to all the sex in this book and the connections feel weak because they are.
The (tiny, late) central conflict is a repeat of the first volume’s. Not appealing to me under the best of circumstances – and here? It just made the Drake brothers look extra stupid.
What? What? What? … What?
I think what weakens this story so much (apart from other things) is the parallel nature of Xander’s and Grayson’s relationships. Everything happens in a similar manner to them at a similar time.
One consequence of this is that the individual scenelets are short and choppy and blips on the screen of events rather than momentous occasions.
I mean, jeez, just stop with the synchronicity. Do we really need this for every damn detail?
Wyatt’s behaving like a six year old. Isn’t he nine by now? And yet he’s still being carried around by the adults. And it doesn’t stop at that.
For the love of god, Wyatt is nine, he is surrounded by gay couples and he has already met his own mate. What’s wrong with telling him something like, “That’s when a man loves another man”? I just…
I’m starting to think something must be wrong with Wyatt other than his age since everyone keeps treating him like a three year old.
On the wolf front
I am more and more convinced that the author is just making things up as she goes.
People in this series are really focused on beauty. Under those circumstances it’s probably a good thing every single “good” person is apparently the most beautiful creation ever.
And mean people are ugly. How could I forget that?
For all the versatility in these stories (and I am using that term strictly in the sexual sense), the younger partner always takes the name of the older one once they marry (and they all do). The younger one is also more likely to be a virgin or to have been raped. And usually is smaller.
Yep, I think we come close to the same setup as with so many others of these series. But hey, at least the relationships do not feel as divided into alpha man and submissive partner.
Lots of giggling, too. To be fair, everyone giggles, no exception.
The following actually was mentioned in the previous volume, but it’s referred to again here so I’ll just voice my thoughts. Two men married twenty years ago… Hm.
According to the internet, the Netherlands were the first country to allow this, and that was in 2001, so no. But registered partnerships started with Denmark in 1989. This still doesn’t sound likely at all given the nationalities of those two men and the way people keep referring to them as ex-husbands.
Neat trick.
Getting a little tired of the constant your/you’re and genitive/plural mistakes. This issue has been present since book one.
Another recurring one is this: envelop/fill. These words are not synonyms; they mean in fact the opposite of each other. Makes for very awkward sex, since the author uses envelop when certain orifices are being filled.
And that’s it.
I am now subjected to this horrifying urge to pick up the next volume, even though I promised myself I would take a break. It’s optimism, not masochism; I swear!
First, my opinion of this book in a nutshell: Fun start, boring and nonsensical execution.
Since writing this review is such a daunting prospect, I may just throw everything together with total disregard to form. You really shouldn’t read this if you have any standards regarding your review-reading. (Then again, that probably applies to most of my stuff.)
The beginning presents some very funny moments, even though a lot is just extremely silly.
All those improbable riches make the setting seem even more like a different universe than the whole shifter aspect.
Riley Flynn-Esposito was one of the kindest billionaires Grayson had the pleasure of knowing.
Know many, do ya? Well, by the end of this book you certainly do… And they all dote on you guys. Wow.
In Dakota and Sam’s book, the events of which happened “a year ago”, Xander and Grayson were eighteen and sixteen years old, although I don’t recall ever learning at the time who the older one was. Now Xander is “almost twenty” and Grayson’s “almost nineteen”. M’kay.
Sadly this information did not come up right away, so I spent the beginning trying to figure out whether we were going to have underage sex in this.
But what really shocked me was that the Drake brothers turn out to be so freaking young. They’re twenty-three and twenty-one respectively, yet they already created a super lucrative architectural firm and are millionaires? How the fuck is that supposed to work? And we won’t even mention that they must have spent a great portion of their lives as wolves running around in the national park, as we saw previously. When did they have time for this?
On the bright side, their youth makes their father’s control over them somewhat more understandable.
Xander and Grayson at least make for a surprisingly sweet unit of brothers (when they interact). Who’d have thought?
While having a double romance among two pairs of brothers is a cute idea, I wish it would not perpetually jump between the two mid-scene. That makes it even harder to keep track of who’s who. Since, to be honest, the brothers aren’t that different from each other.
More on that later.
Okay, with the way Sabine the (potentially) murderous flight attendant keeps popping up whenever anyone in this series is on a plane, regardless of the kind of flight or location, I now choose to believe that she must in fact be an undercover agent investigating the assassins and the wolves. *nod* No other explanation seems possible.
Either that or she’s an alien.
Jeez. More sightseeing. This time it’s among the ridiculously rich.
Everyone’s reactions to everyone else’s fiendishly expensive designer suits make me want to… do something drastic. I can’t think of anything right now. My mind is stuck on young men getting all hyped up over suits.
This so totally is a wish-fulfilment fantasy of the author.
I like happiness as much as the next person (and maybe more) but even I get bored when everything is simply perfect all the time and the guys are so brilliant without any training and they fit in with everyone and everyone loves them and surely they will be millionaires in their own right shortly and everyone’s so proud of everyone and gah I just want to gag.
Grayson growled and bit Taylor’s dick through his briefs.
This happens in a moment of passion. I don’t think that’d be sexy to most guys? Especially considering the teeth on these shifters… I mean, I am not a guy and it made even me cringe a little.
In contrast to the preceding volumes, in this one everyone’s hurrying towards the penetration stage of sex. Although that makes sense, I suppose, considering how young they all are and how curious.
To be honest, for both couples their first time of sex feels rather uninspired and perfunctory. Certainly a stark contrast to the sex scenes in previous books. It’s a pity, since as a result the connection feels weak. – Okay, scratch that. This applies to all the sex in this book and the connections feel weak because they are.
The (tiny, late) central conflict is a repeat of the first volume’s. Not appealing to me under the best of circumstances – and here? It just made the Drake brothers look extra stupid.
What? What? What? … What?
I think what weakens this story so much (apart from other things) is the parallel nature of Xander’s and Grayson’s relationships. Everything happens in a similar manner to them at a similar time.
One consequence of this is that the individual scenelets are short and choppy and blips on the screen of events rather than momentous occasions.
I mean, jeez, just stop with the synchronicity. Do we really need this for every damn detail?
Wyatt’s behaving like a six year old. Isn’t he nine by now? And yet he’s still being carried around by the adults. And it doesn’t stop at that.
“Dad, what’s gay?” Wyatt looked up at his dad.
The whole room burst out in laughter and John picked his son up kissing both cheeks.
“I’ll tell you when you’re older munchkin.”
For the love of god, Wyatt is nine, he is surrounded by gay couples and he has already met his own mate. What’s wrong with telling him something like, “That’s when a man loves another man”? I just…
I’m starting to think something must be wrong with Wyatt other than his age since everyone keeps treating him like a three year old.
On the wolf front
I am more and more convinced that the author is just making things up as she goes.
People in this series are really focused on beauty. Under those circumstances it’s probably a good thing every single “good” person is apparently the most beautiful creation ever.
And mean people are ugly. How could I forget that?
For all the versatility in these stories (and I am using that term strictly in the sexual sense), the younger partner always takes the name of the older one once they marry (and they all do). The younger one is also more likely to be a virgin or to have been raped. And usually is smaller.
Yep, I think we come close to the same setup as with so many others of these series. But hey, at least the relationships do not feel as divided into alpha man and submissive partner.
Lots of giggling, too. To be fair, everyone giggles, no exception.
The following actually was mentioned in the previous volume, but it’s referred to again here so I’ll just voice my thoughts. Two men married twenty years ago… Hm.
According to the internet, the Netherlands were the first country to allow this, and that was in 2001, so no. But registered partnerships started with Denmark in 1989. This still doesn’t sound likely at all given the nationalities of those two men and the way people keep referring to them as ex-husbands.
Grayson went back to the fire pit and sat in Grayson’s lap; he wrapped his arms around him and kissed his forehead.
Neat trick.
Getting a little tired of the constant your/you’re and genitive/plural mistakes. This issue has been present since book one.
Another recurring one is this: envelop/fill. These words are not synonyms; they mean in fact the opposite of each other. Makes for very awkward sex, since the author uses envelop when certain orifices are being filled.
And that’s it.
I am now subjected to this horrifying urge to pick up the next volume, even though I promised myself I would take a break. It’s optimism, not masochism; I swear!
March 7, 2017
While I really enjoyed Greg's narration, I wasn't super thrilled with the actual story.
It didn't help that I was thoroughly pissed over the beginning of the story, but I eventually got over it.
Mostly I just thought there was too much sex. *gasps* I know, what the hell, right?! But...hear me out! I just felt like the super abundant sexy times got in the way of telling any kind of meaningful relationship story.
Too much sex and too little relationship development coupled with the sometimes confusing multiple POV from everyone and their brother, and I was just left feeling a little flat.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
May 8, 2013
I waz lyk, 'Hey! This should totess get a 1 ya know?' but then i wuz loik 'Hey! Naaaaahh, lesh give dis a 2.'
So long story short, I was thinking about giving it a 1, then I thought, nah, why not just give it a 2.
I'm kidding. Chillaxx and wind down will ya? Let da zen come to ye.
So the real long story short is that this book was so fantabulously shit. It fried my brain cells and as a result, I ended up like the above. Urgh, even just looking at it makes me feel infinitely more dumb.
Best Laid Plans follows the love story of two brothers (whose bloody names aren't included in the goodreads summary, and therefore I am unafraid I cannot tell you their name) who fall in love with another set of brothers (each to their own brother, of course. It's not some kinky incestuous fourway). Drama ensues almost from the beginning of the page.
B1 (brother 1) and B2 are actually working for LI1 (Love interest 1) and LI2 in an architectural firm. {spoiler alert, though really, who cares? If I've done my job, you'll be skipping this book} B1 sees LT1 getting a blow job from his current girlfriend and then B2 sees LT2 with his girlfriend kissing.
Oh no.
How will they mend a relationship that was never there to start?
Tune in and find out in Soap Operas Are Shit, Channel 2425. Airing 12PM.
There is instalove. But then again, that's the common feature of this series, so I suppose that wouldn't make it different from the other books. There's also excess use of the world 'beautiful'.
"Fuck, you're so beautiful."
"So beautiful"
"You're so beautiful."
I admire the fact that Ms Gasq-Dion chose to incorporate two love stories into this, but I felt like their love stories were simply mirrors of each other, altered slightly to seem vaguely different.
E.g.
B1 will have sex with LI1
{next scene}
B2 will have sex with LT2 (of course, with a little change here and there).
I'd tell you the details, but that would mean reading the book again (even if it's just in parts).
However, moving to the more positive (and intelligent, though not by much) part of my review, there were some things I appreciated.
For one, the homophobic, gay bashing views (and abuse) of their father which caused them in stay firmly in the closet. I like that the book was also about them overcoming those deeply ingrained fears. Though honestly, this book didn't really pull it off that well. There were no well written, angsty sections in this book. But nevertheless, I needed something positive to write, so here it is.
Not only that, if I were to rate on readability and enjoyment, this would probably get 5 brilliant, beaming stars.
100% readability.
Brownie points for making me laugh at it.
But also (quick segue into the negative) one of the other problems I had with this book was the multitude of characters. I can't even remember the characters from past books, so imagine my confusion when all of these minor characters were introduced. It doesn't help that I skimmed through this whole thing.
Overall, you have to be a certain kind of person to like this book.
a) you truly actually appreciate this as fine literature (and there are apparently many out there, so maybe I'm in the wrong)
b) you love trashy, wonderfully fun and shitastic raunchy delicious (or not so delicious) romance. (aka me)
It's not the exactly the finest of literature, but it's fun, readable and quite short as well. But I would say it's my least favourite out of this series. I would've skipped it if I'd known, honestly. You're not missing much. It follows the same formula as the rest.
They meet--->love at first sight---->drama Llma---->married.
Wham Bam let's get married!
Rating: slightly less than two stars
So long story short, I was thinking about giving it a 1, then I thought, nah, why not just give it a 2.
I'm kidding. Chillaxx and wind down will ya? Let da zen come to ye.
So the real long story short is that this book was so fantabulously shit. It fried my brain cells and as a result, I ended up like the above. Urgh, even just looking at it makes me feel infinitely more dumb.
Best Laid Plans follows the love story of two brothers (whose bloody names aren't included in the goodreads summary, and therefore I am unafraid I cannot tell you their name) who fall in love with another set of brothers (each to their own brother, of course. It's not some kinky incestuous fourway). Drama ensues almost from the beginning of the page.
B1 (brother 1) and B2 are actually working for LI1 (Love interest 1) and LI2 in an architectural firm. {spoiler alert, though really, who cares? If I've done my job, you'll be skipping this book} B1 sees LT1 getting a blow job from his current girlfriend and then B2 sees LT2 with his girlfriend kissing.
Oh no.
How will they mend a relationship that was never there to start?
Tune in and find out in Soap Operas Are Shit, Channel 2425. Airing 12PM.
There is instalove. But then again, that's the common feature of this series, so I suppose that wouldn't make it different from the other books. There's also excess use of the world 'beautiful'.
"Fuck, you're so beautiful."
"So beautiful"
"You're so beautiful."
I admire the fact that Ms Gasq-Dion chose to incorporate two love stories into this, but I felt like their love stories were simply mirrors of each other, altered slightly to seem vaguely different.
E.g.
B1 will have sex with LI1
{next scene}
B2 will have sex with LT2 (of course, with a little change here and there).
I'd tell you the details, but that would mean reading the book again (even if it's just in parts).
However, moving to the more positive (and intelligent, though not by much) part of my review, there were some things I appreciated.
For one, the homophobic, gay bashing views (and abuse) of their father which caused them in stay firmly in the closet. I like that the book was also about them overcoming those deeply ingrained fears. Though honestly, this book didn't really pull it off that well. There were no well written, angsty sections in this book. But nevertheless, I needed something positive to write, so here it is.
Not only that, if I were to rate on readability and enjoyment, this would probably get 5 brilliant, beaming stars.
100% readability.
Brownie points for making me laugh at it.
But also (quick segue into the negative) one of the other problems I had with this book was the multitude of characters. I can't even remember the characters from past books, so imagine my confusion when all of these minor characters were introduced. It doesn't help that I skimmed through this whole thing.
Overall, you have to be a certain kind of person to like this book.
a) you truly actually appreciate this as fine literature (and there are apparently many out there, so maybe I'm in the wrong)
b) you love trashy, wonderfully fun and shitastic raunchy delicious (or not so delicious) romance. (aka me)
It's not the exactly the finest of literature, but it's fun, readable and quite short as well. But I would say it's my least favourite out of this series. I would've skipped it if I'd known, honestly. You're not missing much. It follows the same formula as the rest.
They meet--->love at first sight---->drama Llma---->married.
Wham Bam let's get married!
Rating: slightly less than two stars
November 13, 2018
So this is a thing I did I decided to get the first 6 books in this series because hey...audible and narrated by Greg Boudreaux (or Greg Tremblay) so I'll do a bit of a ramble about the first 6 books when I get to the last one that I listened to which was 'For the Love of Caden' I was going to add the cover but apparently GR would rather I didn't so words it is.
December 25, 2015
2,5 stars
This book is one big happy lovey dovey sugary sweet sapfest.
But I'm pretty cynical when it comes to real life romance so I was just in the mood for this. Everyone is just so incredibly happy, and don't forget horny, it is actually funny.
This book does not feature one couple, but two. The werewolf brothers Grayson and Xander are sent to do an internship in Anchorage at the company of the brothers Drake. And look at that, it so happens to be that the Drake brothers are their mates! After that it is all love and sex. No complaints here.. Yes, this series is totally unrealistic and as soon as everyone meets their mates they want to have babies.. I don’t think they care of the amount of surrogates they have to find to accomplish that. Perhaps they can find a woman who wants to have babies for the entire family!
I just have to include the most ridiculous quote of this book.
“The overwhelming tightness of Jagger’s tunnel made it feel like someone was stepping on his cock.”
Really, like someone is stepping on it? Ouch.. And yes, this author is very fond of the word tunnel..
So if you think life sucks sometimes , you should read this. The writing is crap, but it's bound to make you feel better. Once you get over the ridiculousness of it all that is.
This book is one big happy lovey dovey sugary sweet sapfest.
But I'm pretty cynical when it comes to real life romance so I was just in the mood for this. Everyone is just so incredibly happy, and don't forget horny, it is actually funny.
This book does not feature one couple, but two. The werewolf brothers Grayson and Xander are sent to do an internship in Anchorage at the company of the brothers Drake. And look at that, it so happens to be that the Drake brothers are their mates! After that it is all love and sex. No complaints here.. Yes, this series is totally unrealistic and as soon as everyone meets their mates they want to have babies.. I don’t think they care of the amount of surrogates they have to find to accomplish that. Perhaps they can find a woman who wants to have babies for the entire family!
I just have to include the most ridiculous quote of this book.
“The overwhelming tightness of Jagger’s tunnel made it feel like someone was stepping on his cock.”
Really, like someone is stepping on it? Ouch.. And yes, this author is very fond of the word tunnel..
So if you think life sucks sometimes , you should read this. The writing is crap, but it's bound to make you feel better. Once you get over the ridiculousness of it all that is.
February 11, 2013
2nd Reread. I thought maybe rereading this might change my opinion of this book but it only reaffirmed it. One of my biggest pet peeves that authors do in the m/m genre is make their grown men into 12 y/o overemotional girls. There was too much giggling, crying, and winking in this book. The plot was rushed and the interactions between the male characters lacked any testosterone. Grown, large men sitting in their mate's laps being cuddled. It was just too cutesy for my taste.
9/6/12
I really like this series but this book did not do it for me. Right off the bat, two of the MCs (The Drake Brothers - Taylor and Jagger) are shown to be complete and utter douches. You can't expect readers to have empathy towards characters if you have one of them getting a blowjob by his girlfriend in his office and the other one getting kissed and mauled by his girlfriend in the hallway when their possible mates show up on time for their meeting with them on their first day of work. I understand an author needs to create drama. But this was just ridiculous. Sex happens in the work place but come on! Really? It showed how tacky, careless and insensitive these two jackasses were. They knew Grayson and Xander were coming in and they each knew they could possible be their mates. And of course Xander knocks on the door and walks in seeing some slut blowing his mate. I wanted to quit reading the story right there. It was just a big turn off and completely unrealistic. I think I would have written the scene a bit differently having the 4 men meet then have the girlfriends show up during the meeting THEN have Grayson and Xander get upset and leave. That would be more realistic and would have not made Taylor and Jagger look like insensitive idiots. I desperately wanted to like them but instead I loathed them. And at the end of the story, my feelings hadn't changed much. And for some reason, Xander and Grayson turned into women 1/2 thru the story. Bianca and Vanessa had more balls than those two did.
Further, there was just wayyyyyyyyyyyyy to much sex in this story. I skimmed ALL OF IT. I would rather have read a more thought out and developed plot then all the sex. Because there were two couples, there was twice as much sex. It was overkill.
9/6/12
I really like this series but this book did not do it for me. Right off the bat, two of the MCs (The Drake Brothers - Taylor and Jagger) are shown to be complete and utter douches. You can't expect readers to have empathy towards characters if you have one of them getting a blowjob by his girlfriend in his office and the other one getting kissed and mauled by his girlfriend in the hallway when their possible mates show up on time for their meeting with them on their first day of work. I understand an author needs to create drama. But this was just ridiculous. Sex happens in the work place but come on! Really? It showed how tacky, careless and insensitive these two jackasses were. They knew Grayson and Xander were coming in and they each knew they could possible be their mates. And of course Xander knocks on the door and walks in seeing some slut blowing his mate. I wanted to quit reading the story right there. It was just a big turn off and completely unrealistic. I think I would have written the scene a bit differently having the 4 men meet then have the girlfriends show up during the meeting THEN have Grayson and Xander get upset and leave. That would be more realistic and would have not made Taylor and Jagger look like insensitive idiots. I desperately wanted to like them but instead I loathed them. And at the end of the story, my feelings hadn't changed much. And for some reason, Xander and Grayson turned into women 1/2 thru the story. Bianca and Vanessa had more balls than those two did.
Further, there was just wayyyyyyyyyyyyy to much sex in this story. I skimmed ALL OF IT. I would rather have read a more thought out and developed plot then all the sex. Because there were two couples, there was twice as much sex. It was overkill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2013
I don't know why I keep reading these books. They're so very bad.
My issues:
1. The men aren't masculine enough. Way too effeminate. Too much giggling and crying going on.
2. Hand-holding between non-mates. I'm sorry but men do not go around holding hands with other men all the fucking time, even gay men.
3. Preston and Wyatt. I do NOT want to read about children being aroused. How old is Wyatt? Seven? Eight? Why the fuck would I want to read about him being aroused by a 13 or 14 year old? Give me a fucking break.
4. The treatment of women. Besides Nadine, Sabine, and a couple secretaries, women are dogged in these books. They're bitches, sluts, dumb, gold-diggers, smelly, ugly, annoying, etc. This rubs me the wrong way.
5. The rush to find mates. All they do is sit around complaining about how they haven't found their mates yet, even the teenagers. Grayson and Xander are 18 and 19, and they went on and on about how they had been waiting FOREVER to find their mates. I'm just like...what the fuck is the rush? Go live your damn life. Even little Wyatt is running around at 8 years old talking about how he wants his mate. It's ridiculous.
6. Everyone is gay. Every. Single. Person. Why does every character have to be gay? I mean, there is Joe and Nadine, but that's it. Wayne just started having feelings for Connor, and I'm sure John will be next. It's just ridiculous. Like, throw a couple straight men in there. Shake things up a bit. Lol
7. The sex is very repetitive. The scenes are basically identical book to book. Boring.
My issues:
1. The men aren't masculine enough. Way too effeminate. Too much giggling and crying going on.
2. Hand-holding between non-mates. I'm sorry but men do not go around holding hands with other men all the fucking time, even gay men.
3. Preston and Wyatt. I do NOT want to read about children being aroused. How old is Wyatt? Seven? Eight? Why the fuck would I want to read about him being aroused by a 13 or 14 year old? Give me a fucking break.
4. The treatment of women. Besides Nadine, Sabine, and a couple secretaries, women are dogged in these books. They're bitches, sluts, dumb, gold-diggers, smelly, ugly, annoying, etc. This rubs me the wrong way.
5. The rush to find mates. All they do is sit around complaining about how they haven't found their mates yet, even the teenagers. Grayson and Xander are 18 and 19, and they went on and on about how they had been waiting FOREVER to find their mates. I'm just like...what the fuck is the rush? Go live your damn life. Even little Wyatt is running around at 8 years old talking about how he wants his mate. It's ridiculous.
6. Everyone is gay. Every. Single. Person. Why does every character have to be gay? I mean, there is Joe and Nadine, but that's it. Wayne just started having feelings for Connor, and I'm sure John will be next. It's just ridiculous. Like, throw a couple straight men in there. Shake things up a bit. Lol
7. The sex is very repetitive. The scenes are basically identical book to book. Boring.
August 13, 2012
I didn't like this one nearly as much as the other stories. Something was off about it for me. Maybe it was the Drake brothers denial of who they were and their super obnoxious girlfriends or maybe it was the "we're together, we're not" trajectory of the story or the fact that Xander and Grayson are just so YOUNG and young acting. I'm really not sure what it was that didn't allow me to connect much with this story. I did like getting to see Riley again because he is one of my favorite characters in this series. Plus it was good to see Sawyer and Troy and Sam and Dakota. I hope the next story appeals to me more and I'm looking forward to a story about Caden.
January 15, 2015
The sweetest of the series, nothing much happened , except jealousy here and there.
I'd like to read about Caden though, he seemed interesting.
Riley is still 'in charge' of everything and everyone, and Mateo let him, like everyone else in the family.
This one is a bit too sweet, my teeth ache a bit. But, yeah, I guess Sandrine is a romantics to the bones. I don't mind. I'm still going to read the whole series though.
January 28, 2013
This was not one of my favorites of this series so far. I loved the guys - Xander and Grayson were really cute. Both have saved themselves for their mates, who happen to be the Drake brothers. Unfortunately, the Drake brothers are both in the closet due to their horrible father's abuse.
Things clear up so quickly in this series. Grudges and anger are not held onto for very long at all. While I enjoyed seeing the brothers with the brothers, the repitition got a little tiring. First one brother and his mate would do something, then the others would do almost the same thing, and so on, and so forth, from beginning to end.
However, I'm still really enjoying this series, though more and more men continue to be introduced. Just when you think you know who the next book will be about, more people are introduced, and that all changes. So, off to read the next installment.
Things clear up so quickly in this series. Grudges and anger are not held onto for very long at all. While I enjoyed seeing the brothers with the brothers, the repitition got a little tiring. First one brother and his mate would do something, then the others would do almost the same thing, and so on, and so forth, from beginning to end.
However, I'm still really enjoying this series, though more and more men continue to be introduced. Just when you think you know who the next book will be about, more people are introduced, and that all changes. So, off to read the next installment.
October 7, 2013
Read this while traveling...not really sure if I even know what all happened in the story...and I had to keep going back to remember who was with who and why I should even know who "who" was...are you as confused as I am now! haha
October 28, 2015
I'm addicted.
:)
:)
January 15, 2013
Fun, cheesey series, but this one was a little much even for me.
January 28, 2013
There is just something about this series that keeps me reading.
March 18, 2015
This one has a YA vibe in it. Too sweet. It's not wrong of course. It's just least that I expected.
July 12, 2014
I loved this book! This book is a little different because it involves two sets of brothers. This is Grayson and Xander Quinton and Taylor and Jagger Drakes book. We met the Drake brothers a little in the previous books. Dakota was originally in their pack. I loved this book and the way it handles abuse because of being gay. It shows that if you want it bad enough, you can overcome past abuse and possible find happiness.
Grayson has graduated, and he and Xander are moving to Alaska to begin interning at a design firm. Dakota set it up for them, but he had a reason. He thinks their mates are there. The Drakes have used some of their brother Sawyer's plans, and the gene is in these two as well. When they meet the Drake brothers, things go very poorly. Both boys have women they are intimate with. Heartbroken, Grayson and Xander leave, after accepting dinner invites to explain. Both of the Drake boys were raised with the feeling that gay is wrong. When Taylor was caught having sex with Dakota, he was beaten to within an inch of his life. Even though their dad is no longer in their lives, it is a hard lesson to unlearn.
They all go to Vegas to meet with billionaire Caden Fournier, a very out, very gay man. He takes a liking to Grayson, and this encourages the brothers to love as gay men. Things seem to ok when Taylor and Jagger take Grayson and Xander to meet the created wolf, until he tells Grayson that they will have to push the Drake brothers to come out of the closet or risk losing it all. When Taylor is confronted in public, he lies about being gay and Grayson and Xander's hearts are broken and they leave the Drake brothers. Can Taylor and Jagger come out? Or will their fear cost them the love of their mates? What future is worse, being found out or not having the men they love? Can they rise up and heal from what Carson has done to them, or will they lose it all? I love the subjects that are addressed in this book. It is done in such an honest way that I find it hard that anyone could argue over the fact that we are born straight or gay. This is one of my favorite series of all time.
Grayson has graduated, and he and Xander are moving to Alaska to begin interning at a design firm. Dakota set it up for them, but he had a reason. He thinks their mates are there. The Drakes have used some of their brother Sawyer's plans, and the gene is in these two as well. When they meet the Drake brothers, things go very poorly. Both boys have women they are intimate with. Heartbroken, Grayson and Xander leave, after accepting dinner invites to explain. Both of the Drake boys were raised with the feeling that gay is wrong. When Taylor was caught having sex with Dakota, he was beaten to within an inch of his life. Even though their dad is no longer in their lives, it is a hard lesson to unlearn.
They all go to Vegas to meet with billionaire Caden Fournier, a very out, very gay man. He takes a liking to Grayson, and this encourages the brothers to love as gay men. Things seem to ok when Taylor and Jagger take Grayson and Xander to meet the created wolf, until he tells Grayson that they will have to push the Drake brothers to come out of the closet or risk losing it all. When Taylor is confronted in public, he lies about being gay and Grayson and Xander's hearts are broken and they leave the Drake brothers. Can Taylor and Jagger come out? Or will their fear cost them the love of their mates? What future is worse, being found out or not having the men they love? Can they rise up and heal from what Carson has done to them, or will they lose it all? I love the subjects that are addressed in this book. It is done in such an honest way that I find it hard that anyone could argue over the fact that we are born straight or gay. This is one of my favorite series of all time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2017
This is book 5, and though each of these is probably okay as a standalone, I don��t recommend it. Each book builds on the previous books, and this, more than the others, relies pretty heavily on that pre-existing knowledge.
We have the twins, Grayson and Xander moving up to Alaska to work with two of the wolves from Macon’s pack, Jagger and Taylor (he was the alpha’s son who got caught with Dakota and subsequently got Dakota kicked out of the pack). It turns out, not really surprisingly, that they are the fated mates of Grayson and Xander.
There’s a lot of this story to love. Grayson and Xander are both virgins! who have saved themselves for their mates. The main thrust of the story is simply the two couples finding their footing and falling in love. There are a few external plot devices that serve as a little bit of stimulation, but mostly it’s the guys exploring their new mate bonds.
One thing that was incredibly frustrating to me, however, is the fact that all four MCs blurred into one big lump. None of these guys is different from the other. Hearing the different voices as narrated by the fabulous Greg Boudreaux, helped to keep the Queets boys different from the Alaska boys (the Queets have a vague hillbilly accent) but I had a hard time telling each couple apart. They were just too similar. (The Drakes do drive different cars, though ;) )
In the end, this served to introduce us to Caden Fournier who shows up in the future A LOT but the couples themselves aren’t seen much in the future and don’t make much of an impact here.
It was cute, sweet, sometimes a bit sexy, but more forgettable than other books in this series.
3.5 of 5 stars
Audio
I love Greg! He does a fantastic Sabine, he gives Caden’s assistant a fantastic British accent, and even some of the most minor characters have a unique and distinct voice. It’s got to be such a challenge to give voice to this series considering the vast number of people who are all so dang similar! So… Kudos for the attempt! Highly enjoyable and the BEST way to experience this story!
5 of 5 stars
Overall 4.25 (rounded to 4.5) of 5 stars
We have the twins, Grayson and Xander moving up to Alaska to work with two of the wolves from Macon’s pack, Jagger and Taylor (he was the alpha’s son who got caught with Dakota and subsequently got Dakota kicked out of the pack). It turns out, not really surprisingly, that they are the fated mates of Grayson and Xander.
There’s a lot of this story to love. Grayson and Xander are both virgins! who have saved themselves for their mates. The main thrust of the story is simply the two couples finding their footing and falling in love. There are a few external plot devices that serve as a little bit of stimulation, but mostly it’s the guys exploring their new mate bonds.
One thing that was incredibly frustrating to me, however, is the fact that all four MCs blurred into one big lump. None of these guys is different from the other. Hearing the different voices as narrated by the fabulous Greg Boudreaux, helped to keep the Queets boys different from the Alaska boys (the Queets have a vague hillbilly accent) but I had a hard time telling each couple apart. They were just too similar. (The Drakes do drive different cars, though ;) )
In the end, this served to introduce us to Caden Fournier who shows up in the future A LOT but the couples themselves aren’t seen much in the future and don’t make much of an impact here.
It was cute, sweet, sometimes a bit sexy, but more forgettable than other books in this series.
3.5 of 5 stars
Audio
I love Greg! He does a fantastic Sabine, he gives Caden’s assistant a fantastic British accent, and even some of the most minor characters have a unique and distinct voice. It’s got to be such a challenge to give voice to this series considering the vast number of people who are all so dang similar! So… Kudos for the attempt! Highly enjoyable and the BEST way to experience this story!
5 of 5 stars
Overall 4.25 (rounded to 4.5) of 5 stars
August 3, 2014
God, there are SO may editing errors and spelling mistakes in this book that I am shocked that it was published. The others in the series had some problems too but not as much as this one.
Just one example: "To make things worse, Caden was overhearing the whole c Noy8="18" wonversation." I swear, 'conversation' was written exactly as shown in the preceding sentence.
I am so surprised that these books have such a high rating because quality wise they are poor and even worse than the others in this type of series (meaning series written by Joyee Flynn/ Stormy Glenn etc, and those two authors are the best in that genre). Unfortunately I purchased a few more in this series so will continue to read them.
Just one example: "To make things worse, Caden was overhearing the whole c Noy8="18" wonversation." I swear, 'conversation' was written exactly as shown in the preceding sentence.
I am so surprised that these books have such a high rating because quality wise they are poor and even worse than the others in this type of series (meaning series written by Joyee Flynn/ Stormy Glenn etc, and those two authors are the best in that genre). Unfortunately I purchased a few more in this series so will continue to read them.
January 16, 2014
Considering I wasn't sure about this series at first I seem to be reading a book each day. Half way through each book I tell myself I'm going to read a different type of book the next day but then I get to the end and have no choice but to move on to the next book! Best laid Plans was another excellent instalment in this series which seems to have me addicted to the characters and story lines. There is a lot of characters in these books which I am enjoying getting to know more in each book! Am I moving straight onto the next book? I most certainly am!
Highly recommended, Highly Addictive Series!
Highly recommended, Highly Addictive Series!
February 21, 2016
2.5 rounded up to 3 because I've liked the other books. Thought the sex-to-plot ratio was a bit heavy in this Assassin/Shifter story. Have enjoyed other books in the series; there is more plot/action when the assassin team is part of the story line. Loved the camaraderie between the four brothers--the way they joke and aggravate each other, and the way they stick together through thick and thin. Will continue with the series--most interested to see what happens between the General and James. Also want to know what will happen when Wyatt is finally old enough for his mate; I suspect sex will be involved........The General and Wyatt are the primary reasons I'm sticking with the books.
dnf
January 27, 2014DNF'ed at 23%
I think my status updates speak for themselves:
0.0% "I said I was quitting this series, but I'm going to give it one more try. *fingers crossed*"
14.0% "Oh no, re-purposed m/f? I'm sooooo hoping not."
23.0% "Aaaaand, fade scene. I'm done. DNF'ing at 23%."
I think my status updates speak for themselves:
0.0% "I said I was quitting this series, but I'm going to give it one more try. *fingers crossed*"
14.0% "Oh no, re-purposed m/f? I'm sooooo hoping not."
23.0% "Aaaaand, fade scene. I'm done. DNF'ing at 23%."
November 8, 2015
I can not judge that book because both brothers are not pulling individuals and how they get there mates was not interesting for me.
August 29, 2015
enough of giggling men already.....frustrating
August 22, 2017
The brothers were so sweet
Loved it even more the second time around & the amazing Greg B/T makes it even better.
Loved it even more the second time around & the amazing Greg B/T makes it even better.
December 12, 2022
✮3.5 ➜ 4 Stars✮
December 3, 2012
This book picks up right where Half Moon Rising left off. All of the Assassins, Shifters, their husbands, mates and families have gone to Disneyland for the day. Riley, one of the few humans left in this motley crew and CEO/billionaire, has rented out the park for the day. This book was like coming full circle for me, even though I know we are far from the end of the series. I’ve watched these men go from calculating and deadly assassins to sensual and erotic lovers as they each found their mates, and now to see them with their families and all they want is to be married and have that marriage validated with children. Sadly, dark days still await the men of Skull blasters of their wolves.
Sawyer Quinton’s brothers, Greyson and Xander, have graduated and are off to Anchorage for an internship with the Drake and Drake architecture firm. Dakota called in a favor with his former packmate Taylor Drake, he’s certain that there is a mating between atleast 2 of the brother’s and wants to assist fate with a gentle push. As soon as the Quinton boys step foot off the elevator at D/D it hits them like a ton of bricks, both of their mates are there.
Taylor and Jagger Drake have led a hard life full of abuse at the hands of their father for being gay. The man actually tried to beat the gay out of them, Taylor took the brunt of it but Jagger bears his own emotional scars as well. Greyson and Xander Quinton were raised completely opposite. They’ve always known they were gay and not only had the love and support of their family and friends, but were encouraged to wait for their true mate and then claim them completely when they were brought together. Will the love that these newly found mates have for each other be enough to keep them together? Or will the fear that still rots inside the Drake brothers stopping them from admitting publically they are gay tear them apart.
Gasq-Dion’s usual style of writing is of course on full display. All of our favorite Assassins, werewolves and husbands weave their way in and out of the story as join the four would be mates on their journey. There are a few bumps in the road I will warn you, in the end I hope you will love this book as much as I did!
Double the sexy, steamy M/M erotic sex seeing how we have 2 sets of mated brothers!
I give this one 5/5, but that’s just my two cents.
Sawyer Quinton’s brothers, Greyson and Xander, have graduated and are off to Anchorage for an internship with the Drake and Drake architecture firm. Dakota called in a favor with his former packmate Taylor Drake, he’s certain that there is a mating between atleast 2 of the brother’s and wants to assist fate with a gentle push. As soon as the Quinton boys step foot off the elevator at D/D it hits them like a ton of bricks, both of their mates are there.
Taylor and Jagger Drake have led a hard life full of abuse at the hands of their father for being gay. The man actually tried to beat the gay out of them, Taylor took the brunt of it but Jagger bears his own emotional scars as well. Greyson and Xander Quinton were raised completely opposite. They’ve always known they were gay and not only had the love and support of their family and friends, but were encouraged to wait for their true mate and then claim them completely when they were brought together. Will the love that these newly found mates have for each other be enough to keep them together? Or will the fear that still rots inside the Drake brothers stopping them from admitting publically they are gay tear them apart.
Gasq-Dion’s usual style of writing is of course on full display. All of our favorite Assassins, werewolves and husbands weave their way in and out of the story as join the four would be mates on their journey. There are a few bumps in the road I will warn you, in the end I hope you will love this book as much as I did!
Double the sexy, steamy M/M erotic sex seeing how we have 2 sets of mated brothers!
I give this one 5/5, but that’s just my two cents.
November 13, 2012
This book has both a lot going for it and a lot wrong with it. It's ripe with errors, both in the story, character name mistakes and in general English.
The author took a chance and has 4 main characters here. This is not a menage but the story of 2 couples as the main central part of the plot line. To be honest its a mess. The whole thing read like 2 separate stories mashed together. You'd have one couple dating then the other couple dating... it was a series of repeats and a total bore.
The brothers, Grayson and Xander, who I'd previously enjoyed as mischievous and energetic male teens are adults in this story. But when they meet their mates they become effeminate and the story becomes disjointed mass of repeating events from each brothers point of view of the same events. The previously strong male characters are now reduced to pansy girls sitting in cars waiting for their mates to open the doors for them and being carried about the room. The sad part is the mates who are being carried were previously bad-ass strong male characters now reduced to chicks with dicks. The sex becomes a rolling set of events between first one couple then the other. The whole thing for me reads very choppy and irritating.
Now for good points. Even though the characters are girly and the romance is more suited to a M/F romance type than a M/M romance, there are moments of clarity. You do have moments where you can empathize with the characters and touch them.
All in all, even though I really did not like this book, I applaud the author for giving it a shot. It's a hard thing to do to run with this many main characters and have everything flow well. I think if the editing would have been stronger and there have been less repetition of events, this may have been an alright story.
I like this series and so I will go on to read the next one and see if things improve.
The author took a chance and has 4 main characters here. This is not a menage but the story of 2 couples as the main central part of the plot line. To be honest its a mess. The whole thing read like 2 separate stories mashed together. You'd have one couple dating then the other couple dating... it was a series of repeats and a total bore.
The brothers, Grayson and Xander, who I'd previously enjoyed as mischievous and energetic male teens are adults in this story. But when they meet their mates they become effeminate and the story becomes disjointed mass of repeating events from each brothers point of view of the same events. The previously strong male characters are now reduced to pansy girls sitting in cars waiting for their mates to open the doors for them and being carried about the room. The sad part is the mates who are being carried were previously bad-ass strong male characters now reduced to chicks with dicks. The sex becomes a rolling set of events between first one couple then the other. The whole thing for me reads very choppy and irritating.
Now for good points. Even though the characters are girly and the romance is more suited to a M/F romance type than a M/M romance, there are moments of clarity. You do have moments where you can empathize with the characters and touch them.
All in all, even though I really did not like this book, I applaud the author for giving it a shot. It's a hard thing to do to run with this many main characters and have everything flow well. I think if the editing would have been stronger and there have been less repetition of events, this may have been an alright story.
I like this series and so I will go on to read the next one and see if things improve.
August 21, 2012
Sandrine Gasq-DionWerewolf Sawyer Quinton’s brothers have finally found their mates in the Drake brothers, Dakota’s former packmates. Things get off to a rocky start but love conquers all. Or does it? Can the Drakes overcome the gay bashing they suffered at their father’s hands and be true to themselves and the men they love? Or are some lessons just too hard to unlearn?
When you start this book you'll be gasping by the 2nd page, whether it's a gasp of pleasure or of shock will be up to you!! HAHA However you will definitely have a few laughs & a few eye rolling moments as you go on to read this book of Jagger & Xander & Taylor & Grayson.
It's good, still the same issues with this book that I had with the others, and I doubt it will change with the others. So, 3..25 would be what I'd give it. The first couple of chapters are really good & capture your attention hard then it fizzles when both boys but especially Xander lets Jagger off so easily! Then it's business as usual.
February 10, 2017
I'm a
huge
fan of this series and this is one of my favorite stories in it. I think this one is my absolute favorite because there is no danger, no major drama, no bad guys just a low angst love story. I know there is some angsty moments but it is a small part of the book.
In this series the end all and be all for any of the characters is finding their mates. Dakota (from By the Light of the Moon) thinks he knows who Xander and Grayson Quinton's mates are and sets things up so the Quinton brothers go to work to for Jagger and Taylor Drake, also brothers. It's not all sunshine and rainbows though because the Drake brothers have been abused by their homophobic father all their life. That is the story. Sounds simple but Sandrine Gasq-Dion is an awesome writer who really sells it. I've read all the book in this series (repeatedly) and this is still one of my favorites!
In this series the end all and be all for any of the characters is finding their mates. Dakota (from By the Light of the Moon) thinks he knows who Xander and Grayson Quinton's mates are and sets things up so the Quinton brothers go to work to for Jagger and Taylor Drake, also brothers. It's not all sunshine and rainbows though because the Drake brothers have been abused by their homophobic father all their life. That is the story. Sounds simple but Sandrine Gasq-Dion is an awesome writer who really sells it. I've read all the book in this series (repeatedly) and this is still one of my favorites!
September 29, 2022
Xander Quinton & Jagger Drake
Grayson Quinton & Taylor Drake
3 stars
Read May 2014
Read April 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The men of the super-secret Skull Blaster unit have put down their weapons long enough to find love - and even husbands - from Arizona to Alaska and the Olympic Peninsula. Now their new families and friends are hoping to find their own happily-ever-afters. Werewolf Sawyer Quinton’s brothers have finally found their mates in the Drake brothers, Dakota’s former packmates. Things get off to a rocky start but love conquers all. Or does it? Can the Drakes overcome the gay bashing they suffered at their father’s hands and be true to themselves and the men they love? Or are some lessons just too hard to unlearn?
Grayson Quinton & Taylor Drake
3 stars
Read May 2014
Read April 2016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The men of the super-secret Skull Blaster unit have put down their weapons long enough to find love - and even husbands - from Arizona to Alaska and the Olympic Peninsula. Now their new families and friends are hoping to find their own happily-ever-afters. Werewolf Sawyer Quinton’s brothers have finally found their mates in the Drake brothers, Dakota’s former packmates. Things get off to a rocky start but love conquers all. Or does it? Can the Drakes overcome the gay bashing they suffered at their father’s hands and be true to themselves and the men they love? Or are some lessons just too hard to unlearn?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews