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A Planet Called Wish #2
Fantasy for a Gentleman
A Planet Called Book TwoFor two decades Corbin Leroux has worked on the planet Wish as a high-priced companion. He loves his life where physical pleasure is encouraged and has no intention of quitting it. Corbin sees his clients almost as part of his family. Not even when bounty hunter Emmanuel Leoniste comes to kill him will Corbin roll over and give up his lifestyle. Despite being a hired killer, Emmanuel lives by a strict moral code. Killing whores is acceptable, and easy. Or it was until he met up with Corbin. Worn down by the pesky Corbin’s resolve, Emmanuel accepts Corbin's bribe and calls off the hit. But the truce might not last. Emmanuel’s mounting desire for Corbin causes problems. He refuses to allow anyone close enough to become intimate with him, especially someone like Corbin. Yet with each smile and soft kiss, Emmanuel’s emotional shield is dismantled piece by piece.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2016
10 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Ricci
290 books174 followersCaitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiance and their dog. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 19, 2016
Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
This book was troubling to me on a number of levels. It wasn't the subject material itself that I struggled with. The main character is a professional sex worker (an aspasian, which means he is specialized, highly-trained, and focuses more on intimacy and emotion than just sex) who ends up falling in love with the bounty hunter sent to kill him. Corbin is an alien species that it naturally very sensitive, meaning he's very responsive during sex, and he loves being able to help his clients and give them sex, friendship, or just someone to talk to.
There are some minor problems with the story itself, which I could have overlooked in favor of an interesting plot with a trope that I enjoy reading:
- The writing is repetitive. Corbin reminds us that he's an aspasian over and over, and I got sick of hearing about his purple skin.
- The characters are aliens who all happen to look like perfect human male specimens, complete with the same parts in the same places.
- Corbin himself is a shallow, hedonistic character, which makes the novel difficult to read, as it's entirely from his first-person point of view.
But what bothers me most about this novel is the way Emmanuel, the bounty hunter, refuses over and over to accept Corbin for who and what he is.
- He constantly degrades Corbin's work, calling him a "whore" and being outright cruel. Corbin, for some reason, continues to allow this with only the lightest of rebukes, even though it clearly upsets him.
- Em refuses to be with Corbin unless Corbin gives up the lifestyle that makes him happy. To me that's not romance. Yes, characters change; but
What this book says to me is that the author believes that killing people for money is a more valid lifestyle choice than having sex for money. And I'm almost certain that it's not meant that way, but that's how it comes off to me.
I kept reading this novel, hoping that it would redeem itself. It did not. It was chock-full of slut-shaming and degrading comments. Add in some other troubling scenes and I nearly DNF'ed this novel a dozen times over.
This review was originally posted on Just Love Romance.
This book was troubling to me on a number of levels. It wasn't the subject material itself that I struggled with. The main character is a professional sex worker (an aspasian, which means he is specialized, highly-trained, and focuses more on intimacy and emotion than just sex) who ends up falling in love with the bounty hunter sent to kill him. Corbin is an alien species that it naturally very sensitive, meaning he's very responsive during sex, and he loves being able to help his clients and give them sex, friendship, or just someone to talk to.
There are some minor problems with the story itself, which I could have overlooked in favor of an interesting plot with a trope that I enjoy reading:
- The writing is repetitive. Corbin reminds us that he's an aspasian over and over, and I got sick of hearing about his purple skin.
- The characters are aliens who all happen to look like perfect human male specimens, complete with the same parts in the same places.
- Corbin himself is a shallow, hedonistic character, which makes the novel difficult to read, as it's entirely from his first-person point of view.
But what bothers me most about this novel is the way Emmanuel, the bounty hunter, refuses over and over to accept Corbin for who and what he is.
- He constantly degrades Corbin's work, calling him a "whore" and being outright cruel. Corbin, for some reason, continues to allow this with only the lightest of rebukes, even though it clearly upsets him.
- Em refuses to be with Corbin unless Corbin gives up the lifestyle that makes him happy. To me that's not romance. Yes, characters change; but
What this book says to me is that the author believes that killing people for money is a more valid lifestyle choice than having sex for money. And I'm almost certain that it's not meant that way, but that's how it comes off to me.
I kept reading this novel, hoping that it would redeem itself. It did not. It was chock-full of slut-shaming and degrading comments. Add in some other troubling scenes and I nearly DNF'ed this novel a dozen times over.
This review was originally posted on Just Love Romance.
February 1, 2019
This sequel of ‘To the Highest Bidder’ is set eight years after Thierry and Monroe get together, and I loved the fact that I got to find out more about Thierry’s somewhat elusive older brother. The story of Corbin, a high-priced companion, and Emmanuel, a hired killer sent to assassinate Corbin, could have gone many different ways. The fact that the author decided to have them fall in love makes this a romance, among other things, and I have to say, it is one of the strangest, most complicated, and therefore most fascinating ones I have ever read about.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 5, 2017
Title: Fantasy Gentlemen Author: Caitlinn Ricci Publisher:DreamspinnerPress
Reviewer: Anya Release Date: March 16, 2016
Heat Level 2.5: Unrated Rating: 2
So this is the follow up to: To the Highest Bidder which I really enjoyed so, of course, I couldn't wait to read this latest installment. Unfortunately, I’m a little letdown. In comparison to his brother this follow-up falls flat in every way. Corbin is an Aspacian, a high priced pleasure worker on a planet called Wish. Emmanuel is a Bounty Hunter, sent by one of Corbin’s exclusive clients ( A senator), to kill Corbin in order to keep his visits to the pleasure club out of the public eye. Instead of killing Corbin, Emmanuel falls under the spell of Corbin’s charms and fails to complete his mission.
Determined to complete his task, Emmanuel makes a second attempt on Corbin’s life and once again, fails. This time instead of killing his target, Emmanuel accepts Corbin's counter offer, He will fight to keep Corbin alive (at double the rate the senator is paying), since other bounty hunters will be sent to complete the job Emmanuel failed to do. The plot is thin, to be honest, very weak. Their romance really made no sense to me. How could a hit man possibly judge a prostitute for his career choice?! This storyline is not as concise as the first book either. It’s missing the spark and the tension that made book one such a fun a read. I was more invested in Corbin, as a supporting character, when he was just a big brother working as a prostitute to put his little brother through flight school. I liked the Corbin that found joy in the little things. That made me laugh and admire him for the difficult choices he made early in life for his family.
Despite my dislike of how their romance came into being, I found Corbin and Emmanuel interesting as a couple at first but toward the middle and ending of the story, I found both MC’s annoying and exhausting. What was supposed to be a slow burn became a bit boring to the point the romance fizzled in my opinion. Why? There was no "glue" to hold these two together. Both were also unwilling to compromise in regards to their work. Despite Emmanuel’s pleas with him to quit. Corbin, insists that he is a prostitute first. He loves his job and will keep doing it till he’s too old to do so. Meanwhile, Emmanuel who is jealous, judgy and possessive, refuses to give up his career as a hit man when Corbin asked him to. Both love their jobs, neither were willing to compromise. This killed the romance for me. The amount of time wasted on their back and forth over their careers eventually became a turn-off. I finished the story hoping there would be something redeemable in it… unfortunately the only times I found myself smiling were when Theirry and Monroe (the MC’s of book one) were mentioned.
*ARC provided in exchange for review*
April 25, 2016
2.5 stars
Corbin LeRoux was an Aspasian, a paid companion who trade was to be a step above a mere prostitute. “A whore can make you come, an Aspasian can make you feel wanted as if for that hour or two you’re all that exists in their world.” For the past ten years, Corbin entertained clients from all facets of his planet. Then one day, Corbin’s date with a regular was interrupted by Emmanuel Leoniste, a bounty hunter. According to Emmanuel, a senator paid him for two thousand credits to kill Corbin. The quick thinking Corbin offered a counter-bargain, he hired Emmanuel to protect him from the Senator and other hunters for two thousand a month plus a “visit” every two weeks.
The bi-monthly visits began a slow courting of Corbin, as well as an adventure as Emmanuel began opening up to Corbin. Corbin was Sythe, an alien species that were very sensitive to physical stimulation so every experience with him created pleasure for his partner.
Everything was okay as Emmanuel played bodyguard, until Corbin was kidnapped. Then Emmanuel had to decide what Corbin meant to him and what he was willing to do to get him back safely.
This story was written in first person with Corbin in the driver’s seat. I liked Corbin because he was a straight-shooter. What you see is what you get. He enjoyed his job, his life and was unapologetic about it. He was also smart and resourceful. Emmanuel, on the other hand, took a while for me to warm up to. He had been frolicking in Corbin’s room instead of shooting him, which led to Emmanuel getting disarmed. He didn’t seem like a good assassin at all. He was also kind of gruff and grumpy. But time with Corbin began to loosen him up (pun intended) and Emmanuel began to grow on me.
The kidnapping thing was probably the best part of the book for me because it allowed me to see Corbin use his mind more than his body. It also represented the turning point for Emmanuel and Corbin’s arrangement.
It was clear that both Corbin and Emmanuel had their eyes wide open so I never felt like one of them had all the power. I liked the gradual progression of their relationship. I just didn’t really enjoy the world itself. It was kind of just a surface world, ruled by physical pleasures and I didn’t really see any real glimpses into society in general. I will admit that I didn’t read book 1 so I don’t know if the author expounded on the planet in book 1.
The relationship itself was okay and there was no angst for me. I liked but I never “felt” the passion between the two. Overall, I liked the person Emmanuel was at the end of the book, less uptight and more loving. Corbin stayed true to himself and they did find a middle ground that allowed them to take their relationship to the next level. It was an okay read for me.
Corbin LeRoux was an Aspasian, a paid companion who trade was to be a step above a mere prostitute. “A whore can make you come, an Aspasian can make you feel wanted as if for that hour or two you’re all that exists in their world.” For the past ten years, Corbin entertained clients from all facets of his planet. Then one day, Corbin’s date with a regular was interrupted by Emmanuel Leoniste, a bounty hunter. According to Emmanuel, a senator paid him for two thousand credits to kill Corbin. The quick thinking Corbin offered a counter-bargain, he hired Emmanuel to protect him from the Senator and other hunters for two thousand a month plus a “visit” every two weeks.
The bi-monthly visits began a slow courting of Corbin, as well as an adventure as Emmanuel began opening up to Corbin. Corbin was Sythe, an alien species that were very sensitive to physical stimulation so every experience with him created pleasure for his partner.
Everything was okay as Emmanuel played bodyguard, until Corbin was kidnapped. Then Emmanuel had to decide what Corbin meant to him and what he was willing to do to get him back safely.
This story was written in first person with Corbin in the driver’s seat. I liked Corbin because he was a straight-shooter. What you see is what you get. He enjoyed his job, his life and was unapologetic about it. He was also smart and resourceful. Emmanuel, on the other hand, took a while for me to warm up to. He had been frolicking in Corbin’s room instead of shooting him, which led to Emmanuel getting disarmed. He didn’t seem like a good assassin at all. He was also kind of gruff and grumpy. But time with Corbin began to loosen him up (pun intended) and Emmanuel began to grow on me.
The kidnapping thing was probably the best part of the book for me because it allowed me to see Corbin use his mind more than his body. It also represented the turning point for Emmanuel and Corbin’s arrangement.
It was clear that both Corbin and Emmanuel had their eyes wide open so I never felt like one of them had all the power. I liked the gradual progression of their relationship. I just didn’t really enjoy the world itself. It was kind of just a surface world, ruled by physical pleasures and I didn’t really see any real glimpses into society in general. I will admit that I didn’t read book 1 so I don’t know if the author expounded on the planet in book 1.
The relationship itself was okay and there was no angst for me. I liked but I never “felt” the passion between the two. Overall, I liked the person Emmanuel was at the end of the book, less uptight and more loving. Corbin stayed true to himself and they did find a middle ground that allowed them to take their relationship to the next level. It was an okay read for me.
February 20, 2016
When I started reading this book, I did not realize it was the second in a series; however, having read the book without reading the first, I can tell you that you do not need to read them in order. While characters from the first book appear in this one, the situation is explained enough for new readers to understand. That said, I definitely will go back to read the first because this promises to be an excellent series.
Corbin is an aspasian in Asiq on the planet Wish. He is a paid companion to any number of men—and some women—who seek pleasure. One night, however, Corbin is nearly killed when a bounty hunter arrives to take him out. Ever the pragmatic one, Corbin offers the bounty hunter more money to protect him. And Emmanuel takes him up on that. Thus begins the rocky relationship between Corbin and Emmanuel, the high-priced companion and the bounty hunter.
I absolutely loved this book. Told completely from Corbin’s perspective, the novel focuses on Corbin’s life in Asiq and his relationships with his manager, Monroe, brother Thierry (both from the first book), and Emmanuel. Though the two might seem incompatible, they nevertheless are drawn to each other. Emmanuel pushes all of Corbin’s buttons, especially when he keeps referring to him as a whore. But Corbin is much more than that. He is a courtesan. He knows how to entertain, how to please, and how to empathize with his clients. Yes, he has sex with most of them, but he can do more than that. And he enjoys it. As part of the Sythe race, he can feel more sensitively than other species, and his pleasure is carried over into his clients. Emmanuel has a hard time with this, however, until he tries to truly get to know Corbin.
What made this book stronger than most was the struggles that the characters face in understanding each other. While the attraction is there, both know they need more than that to keep it going. They also know they cannot give up themselves to please the other, as ultimately they would be unhappy. But they are still drawn to each other. So what are they to do? Emmanuel wants Corbin to give up being an aspasian because he cannot deal with his lover having sex with other people. Corbin loves giving others pleasure and doesn’t want to give that up. By the same token, Corbin fears for Emmanuel’s safety when he is out on a bounty, and wants him to be closer. But the rough bounty hunter enjoys punishing criminals. And therein lies the problem.
They do, however, reach a compromise. I won’t say what it is here because I don’t want to ruin the book, but I was pleased because while both gave something up, they did it for each other and were able to come to good terms.
I hope there is a third book coming along, because Resan is a fascinating character, and I would love to read more about him. There’s also the young Arin who may be part of it was well. I guess only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in science fiction. But as a word of warning, it is listed as BDSM. While I consider it very mild, there are some rougher scenes and some potential non-con. Plus, there’s the whole business of attempted murder. If you can get beyond that, however, the book is completely worthwhile.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go read To the Highest Bidder, the first in the series.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Corbin is an aspasian in Asiq on the planet Wish. He is a paid companion to any number of men—and some women—who seek pleasure. One night, however, Corbin is nearly killed when a bounty hunter arrives to take him out. Ever the pragmatic one, Corbin offers the bounty hunter more money to protect him. And Emmanuel takes him up on that. Thus begins the rocky relationship between Corbin and Emmanuel, the high-priced companion and the bounty hunter.
I absolutely loved this book. Told completely from Corbin’s perspective, the novel focuses on Corbin’s life in Asiq and his relationships with his manager, Monroe, brother Thierry (both from the first book), and Emmanuel. Though the two might seem incompatible, they nevertheless are drawn to each other. Emmanuel pushes all of Corbin’s buttons, especially when he keeps referring to him as a whore. But Corbin is much more than that. He is a courtesan. He knows how to entertain, how to please, and how to empathize with his clients. Yes, he has sex with most of them, but he can do more than that. And he enjoys it. As part of the Sythe race, he can feel more sensitively than other species, and his pleasure is carried over into his clients. Emmanuel has a hard time with this, however, until he tries to truly get to know Corbin.
What made this book stronger than most was the struggles that the characters face in understanding each other. While the attraction is there, both know they need more than that to keep it going. They also know they cannot give up themselves to please the other, as ultimately they would be unhappy. But they are still drawn to each other. So what are they to do? Emmanuel wants Corbin to give up being an aspasian because he cannot deal with his lover having sex with other people. Corbin loves giving others pleasure and doesn’t want to give that up. By the same token, Corbin fears for Emmanuel’s safety when he is out on a bounty, and wants him to be closer. But the rough bounty hunter enjoys punishing criminals. And therein lies the problem.
They do, however, reach a compromise. I won’t say what it is here because I don’t want to ruin the book, but I was pleased because while both gave something up, they did it for each other and were able to come to good terms.
I hope there is a third book coming along, because Resan is a fascinating character, and I would love to read more about him. There’s also the young Arin who may be part of it was well. I guess only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in science fiction. But as a word of warning, it is listed as BDSM. While I consider it very mild, there are some rougher scenes and some potential non-con. Plus, there’s the whole business of attempted murder. If you can get beyond that, however, the book is completely worthwhile.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go read To the Highest Bidder, the first in the series.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
February 20, 2016
Reviewed for The Novel Approach.
When I started reading this book, I did not realize it was the second in a series; however, having read the book without reading the first, I can tell you that you do not need to read them in order. While characters from the first book appear in this one, the situation is explained enough for new readers to understand. That said, I definitely will go back to read the first because this promises to be an excellent series.
Corbin is an aspasian in Asiq on the planet Wish. He is a paid companion to any number of men—and some women—who seek pleasure. One night, however, Corbin is nearly killed when a bounty hunter arrives to take him out. Ever the pragmatic one, Corbin offers the bounty hunter more money to protect him. And Emmanuel takes him up on that. Thus begins the rocky relationship between Corbin and Emmanuel, the high-priced companion and the bounty hunter.
I absolutely loved this book. Told completely from Corbin’s perspective, the novel focuses on Corbin’s life in Asiq and his relationships with his manager, Monroe, brother Thierry (both from the first book), and Emmanuel. Though the two might seem incompatible, they nevertheless are drawn to each other. Emmanuel pushes all of Corbin’s buttons, especially when he keeps referring to him as a whore. But Corbin is much more than that. He is a courtesan. He knows how to entertain, how to please, and how to empathize with his clients. Yes, he has sex with most of them, but he can do more than that. And he enjoys it. As part of the Sythe race, he can feel more sensitively than other species, and his pleasure is carried over into his clients. Emmanuel has a hard time with this, however, until he tries to truly get to know Corbin.
What made this book stronger than most was the struggles that the characters face in understanding each other. While the attraction is there, both know they need more than that to keep it going. They also know they cannot give up themselves to please the other, as ultimately they would be unhappy. But they are still drawn to each other. So what are they to do? Emmanuel wants Corbin to give up being an aspasian because he cannot deal with his lover having sex with other people. Corbin loves giving others pleasure and doesn’t want to give that up. By the same token, Corbin fears for Emmanuel’s safety when he is out on a bounty, and wants him to be closer. But the rough bounty hunter enjoys punishing criminals. And therein lies the problem.
They do, however, reach a compromise. I won’t say what it is here because I don’t want to ruin the book, but I was pleased because while both gave something up, they did it for each other and were able to come to good terms.
I hope there is a third book coming along, because Resan is a fascinating character, and I would love to read more about him. There’s also the young Arin who may be part of it was well. I guess only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in science fiction. But as a word of warning, it is listed as BDSM. While I consider it very mild, there are some rougher scenes and some potential non-con. Plus, there’s the whole business of attempted murder. If you can get beyond that, however, the book is completely worthwhile.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go read To the Highest Bidder, the first in the series.
When I started reading this book, I did not realize it was the second in a series; however, having read the book without reading the first, I can tell you that you do not need to read them in order. While characters from the first book appear in this one, the situation is explained enough for new readers to understand. That said, I definitely will go back to read the first because this promises to be an excellent series.
Corbin is an aspasian in Asiq on the planet Wish. He is a paid companion to any number of men—and some women—who seek pleasure. One night, however, Corbin is nearly killed when a bounty hunter arrives to take him out. Ever the pragmatic one, Corbin offers the bounty hunter more money to protect him. And Emmanuel takes him up on that. Thus begins the rocky relationship between Corbin and Emmanuel, the high-priced companion and the bounty hunter.
I absolutely loved this book. Told completely from Corbin’s perspective, the novel focuses on Corbin’s life in Asiq and his relationships with his manager, Monroe, brother Thierry (both from the first book), and Emmanuel. Though the two might seem incompatible, they nevertheless are drawn to each other. Emmanuel pushes all of Corbin’s buttons, especially when he keeps referring to him as a whore. But Corbin is much more than that. He is a courtesan. He knows how to entertain, how to please, and how to empathize with his clients. Yes, he has sex with most of them, but he can do more than that. And he enjoys it. As part of the Sythe race, he can feel more sensitively than other species, and his pleasure is carried over into his clients. Emmanuel has a hard time with this, however, until he tries to truly get to know Corbin.
What made this book stronger than most was the struggles that the characters face in understanding each other. While the attraction is there, both know they need more than that to keep it going. They also know they cannot give up themselves to please the other, as ultimately they would be unhappy. But they are still drawn to each other. So what are they to do? Emmanuel wants Corbin to give up being an aspasian because he cannot deal with his lover having sex with other people. Corbin loves giving others pleasure and doesn’t want to give that up. By the same token, Corbin fears for Emmanuel’s safety when he is out on a bounty, and wants him to be closer. But the rough bounty hunter enjoys punishing criminals. And therein lies the problem.
They do, however, reach a compromise. I won’t say what it is here because I don’t want to ruin the book, but I was pleased because while both gave something up, they did it for each other and were able to come to good terms.
I hope there is a third book coming along, because Resan is a fascinating character, and I would love to read more about him. There’s also the young Arin who may be part of it was well. I guess only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in science fiction. But as a word of warning, it is listed as BDSM. While I consider it very mild, there are some rougher scenes and some potential non-con. Plus, there’s the whole business of attempted murder. If you can get beyond that, however, the book is completely worthwhile.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go read To the Highest Bidder, the first in the series.
February 19, 2016
4.25 out of 5 stars
Corbin Leroux has been a high-priced companion for the last twenty year. We first meet him in To the Highest Bidder when he introduces his younger brother to Monroe, his boss. We get to know more about them in the opening scene as Corbin gets ready to receive a regular customer. Everything seems routine until Emmanuel is the one to show for the appointment instead.
After a confrontation, a subsequent visit, and a bargain, Corbin convinces Emmanuel to call off the hit and to become his protector. The relationship is convenient for them, but they knew it was simply a financial transaction, even when an initial lust runs through them. Corbin knew Emmanuel could change his mind at any minute and kill him
We get several events in which Corbin needs Emmanuel’s protection and with every visit they get, they learned more about each other. With time, they developed deeper feelings for each other but continued to struggle with their professions and the distance it puts between them. Emmanuel, especially, is confused by his feeling for Corbin and tries to break their budding relationship.
They have several ups and downs, but by the time the story ends, Corbin and Emmanuel had learned to deal with the other’s profession and are doing their best to share their love without leaving behind who they are.
Complete review at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Corbin Leroux has been a high-priced companion for the last twenty year. We first meet him in To the Highest Bidder when he introduces his younger brother to Monroe, his boss. We get to know more about them in the opening scene as Corbin gets ready to receive a regular customer. Everything seems routine until Emmanuel is the one to show for the appointment instead.
After a confrontation, a subsequent visit, and a bargain, Corbin convinces Emmanuel to call off the hit and to become his protector. The relationship is convenient for them, but they knew it was simply a financial transaction, even when an initial lust runs through them. Corbin knew Emmanuel could change his mind at any minute and kill him
We get several events in which Corbin needs Emmanuel’s protection and with every visit they get, they learned more about each other. With time, they developed deeper feelings for each other but continued to struggle with their professions and the distance it puts between them. Emmanuel, especially, is confused by his feeling for Corbin and tries to break their budding relationship.
They have several ups and downs, but by the time the story ends, Corbin and Emmanuel had learned to deal with the other’s profession and are doing their best to share their love without leaving behind who they are.
Complete review at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2017
This story focuses on Thierry’s brother Corbin, whom readers meet in Book 1, To the Highest Bidder. Corbin is an aspasian (equivalent to being a high class escort) and proud of his job, he enjoys being able to give his clients some joy by spending time with them. It doesn’t hurt that he’s being paid well either. Unfortunately for him one of his clients wants him dead and sends a bounty hunter, Emmanuel, to assassinate him. Corbin manages to save himself from the attempt but finds himself in a bit of a situation. He ends up striking up a deal with Emmanuel to keep himself alive; he doesn’t expect Emmanuel to incorporate himself in Corbin’s life.
It was an interesting read and although the premise wasn’t very original the book read very well and was engaging. Corbin and Emmanuel were intriguing characters and their behavior was very cool and collect, which I appreciated. Corbin was a strong character and I liked that he didn’t freak out and took the situation he was in in strides. Emmanuel was quite a bit more innocent than I thought it would be considering he has to travel a lot and lives quite a dangerous life. I enjoyed seeing Corbin and Emmanuel interact, seeing whether or not they could do a relationship and ultimately seeing them compromise so that they could both live fulfilling lives while doing the things they love.
It was an interesting read and although the premise wasn’t very original the book read very well and was engaging. Corbin and Emmanuel were intriguing characters and their behavior was very cool and collect, which I appreciated. Corbin was a strong character and I liked that he didn’t freak out and took the situation he was in in strides. Emmanuel was quite a bit more innocent than I thought it would be considering he has to travel a lot and lives quite a dangerous life. I enjoyed seeing Corbin and Emmanuel interact, seeing whether or not they could do a relationship and ultimately seeing them compromise so that they could both live fulfilling lives while doing the things they love.
May 11, 2019
Book – Fantasy for a Gentleman (A Planet Called Wish #2)
Author – Caitlin Ricci
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages - 200
Movie Potential - ★★★★☆
Ease of reading – fairly easy, but with some grammar problems
Would I read it again – Yes!
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
WARNING: If you haven't read book 1 first, STOP. Go back. Start with book 1. Not only will this one make more sense to you, but by reading this first, it will ruin the surprise of who Thierry's Dragonfly really is. You have been warned!
~
PLOT
There isn't the same tenderness to this story, as there was in Book 1, because Corbin isn't that kind of guy. In this Enemies to Lovers story, both MC's are in their forties. While Thierry was the innocent to Dragonfly's experience, in book 1, Corbin is the one with all the experience and the man he's trying to snag, Emmanuel, is the one uncertain in the ways of physical expression and sex.
In this way, both books are quite similar, but brilliant and unique in their own way. But I'd have liked to see some more continuity between them. This story takes place about a year or two before the Epilogue of book 1 and doesn't actually reach the point of the Epilogue's timeline. I hope this means there are more books to come (I'd love to see Arin's story and Resan's) so that we can finally see their future together, rather than a short, rushed reunion in an epilogue.
Both MC's are in their forties, so it was really nice to read a dynamic between two strong characters, both equally bullheaded and stubborn, who have been around long enough to know the deal. The chemistry didn't suffer for this at all. In fact, it benefited from it.
My one complaint about their age is that Corbin never read like a forty-year-old. He read more like a reckless twenty-year-old, who was still as wild as ever. This wouldn't normally have bothered me except for the fact that he read as very naive, weak and vulnerable a lot of the time, then we were expected to believe he could fight and take care of himself at others. His character was more inconsistent here, than he was in book 1, which resulted in me dropping a half star from the rating.
The other half star disappeared, because of the problems I noticed. There were some grammar/sentence issues (missing full stops, extra words that made no sense) as well as the – again, the only suitable word – inconsistencies in the story. Too often, phrases and explanations were repeated, often in the exact words. This never happened in book 1 and it's possible they won't be there in this one, as this is an ARC and they may have been fixed by now. Either way, I have to mention them and rate according to what I'm reading.
A few examples of the repeats:
Corbin works at Asiq for two weeks, goes home for two weeks
Sythe's feel more acutely than any other species, which is mentioned a lot and also mentioned once or twice in book 1
Corbin loves his job and would never give it up – repeated a lot
Emmanuel thinks Corbin is a whore
being an aspacian is about fulfilling fantasies.
I also don't think the cover and title are as appropriate as the first. Maybe I'm wrong to compare, but a series should always have continuity and that doesn't happen here. The cover is nice, but not as knockout or emotion-filled as the first and the title doesn't work for me. Book 1's title was obvious and clear, all the way through. I'm still left scratching my head over this one. It doesn't fit the plot the same.
I'm also confused by Thierry and Monroe's relationship. In the previous book, we were led to believe that they had no contact during Thierry's time away, as a pilot, but in this story, we're told that they had regular chats, vidchats and coms to each other. That makes the Epilogue of the previous book make less, since the doubt that Thierry would ever return would never have been there, had we known about this continued contact. Especially since some of it sounds less than innocent.
~
CHARACTER
Corbin is less attractive and more pushy than the first book, acting more like a teenager than a forty-year-old sometimes. But, as the main character, he's still compelling. When he's in danger, I'm worried; when he's sad, I'm sad; and that's all that I ask.
Emmanuel is a very complicated, mysterious character. I like him, except for the fact that he continually calls Corbin a whore. He's an unusual love interest, but one that fits with Corbin's personality and lifestyle.
I really love that Monroe is back, but sad to see that he and Thierry are relegated more to the background than Corbin was, in their story. I was really hoping this would have them already back together again, as following the Epilogue of book 1, but it didn't and that was disappointing. We barely got to see any of their real personality shine through.
I'm intrigued by Arin, who was only it in for a second, and Resan, who was Emmanuel's friend. I'd very much like to see both of them get their stories. And to find out more about how Corbin and Emmanuel's story progresses.
~
OVERALL
For me, the consistency just isn't there with this one. That's why I removed a star. It could have been amazing, with the inconsistencies fixed and the Thierry/Monroe relationship treated differently. I was also really surprised by the sudden twist at the very end of the story. It was 'sudden' in all meanings of the word and not what I thought Corbin would have wanted.
Still, all of that aside, it was still a fantastic story. I laughed, I cried and I wanted Corbin to have his HEA, which I see him having. The same level of detail and creativity for the world was in this story, but not for the plot. It could have been a tightly held together as book 1, with some adapting, but I won't hold that against it.
I'd still read whatever book(s) comes next with a voracious need to find out what's going to happen next. And who the book might be about. Again, I hope this series doesn't end at two books. I could read many, many more to come.
~
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“A whore can make you come, an aspasian can make you feel loved, wanted, as if for that hour or two you're all that exists in their world.”
~
Author – Caitlin Ricci
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages - 200
Movie Potential - ★★★★☆
Ease of reading – fairly easy, but with some grammar problems
Would I read it again – Yes!
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
WARNING: If you haven't read book 1 first, STOP. Go back. Start with book 1. Not only will this one make more sense to you, but by reading this first, it will ruin the surprise of who Thierry's Dragonfly really is. You have been warned!
~
PLOT
There isn't the same tenderness to this story, as there was in Book 1, because Corbin isn't that kind of guy. In this Enemies to Lovers story, both MC's are in their forties. While Thierry was the innocent to Dragonfly's experience, in book 1, Corbin is the one with all the experience and the man he's trying to snag, Emmanuel, is the one uncertain in the ways of physical expression and sex.
In this way, both books are quite similar, but brilliant and unique in their own way. But I'd have liked to see some more continuity between them. This story takes place about a year or two before the Epilogue of book 1 and doesn't actually reach the point of the Epilogue's timeline. I hope this means there are more books to come (I'd love to see Arin's story and Resan's) so that we can finally see their future together, rather than a short, rushed reunion in an epilogue.
Both MC's are in their forties, so it was really nice to read a dynamic between two strong characters, both equally bullheaded and stubborn, who have been around long enough to know the deal. The chemistry didn't suffer for this at all. In fact, it benefited from it.
My one complaint about their age is that Corbin never read like a forty-year-old. He read more like a reckless twenty-year-old, who was still as wild as ever. This wouldn't normally have bothered me except for the fact that he read as very naive, weak and vulnerable a lot of the time, then we were expected to believe he could fight and take care of himself at others. His character was more inconsistent here, than he was in book 1, which resulted in me dropping a half star from the rating.
The other half star disappeared, because of the problems I noticed. There were some grammar/sentence issues (missing full stops, extra words that made no sense) as well as the – again, the only suitable word – inconsistencies in the story. Too often, phrases and explanations were repeated, often in the exact words. This never happened in book 1 and it's possible they won't be there in this one, as this is an ARC and they may have been fixed by now. Either way, I have to mention them and rate according to what I'm reading.
A few examples of the repeats:
Corbin works at Asiq for two weeks, goes home for two weeks
Sythe's feel more acutely than any other species, which is mentioned a lot and also mentioned once or twice in book 1
Corbin loves his job and would never give it up – repeated a lot
Emmanuel thinks Corbin is a whore
being an aspacian is about fulfilling fantasies.
I also don't think the cover and title are as appropriate as the first. Maybe I'm wrong to compare, but a series should always have continuity and that doesn't happen here. The cover is nice, but not as knockout or emotion-filled as the first and the title doesn't work for me. Book 1's title was obvious and clear, all the way through. I'm still left scratching my head over this one. It doesn't fit the plot the same.
I'm also confused by Thierry and Monroe's relationship. In the previous book, we were led to believe that they had no contact during Thierry's time away, as a pilot, but in this story, we're told that they had regular chats, vidchats and coms to each other. That makes the Epilogue of the previous book make less, since the doubt that Thierry would ever return would never have been there, had we known about this continued contact. Especially since some of it sounds less than innocent.
~
CHARACTER
Corbin is less attractive and more pushy than the first book, acting more like a teenager than a forty-year-old sometimes. But, as the main character, he's still compelling. When he's in danger, I'm worried; when he's sad, I'm sad; and that's all that I ask.
Emmanuel is a very complicated, mysterious character. I like him, except for the fact that he continually calls Corbin a whore. He's an unusual love interest, but one that fits with Corbin's personality and lifestyle.
I really love that Monroe is back, but sad to see that he and Thierry are relegated more to the background than Corbin was, in their story. I was really hoping this would have them already back together again, as following the Epilogue of book 1, but it didn't and that was disappointing. We barely got to see any of their real personality shine through.
I'm intrigued by Arin, who was only it in for a second, and Resan, who was Emmanuel's friend. I'd very much like to see both of them get their stories. And to find out more about how Corbin and Emmanuel's story progresses.
~
OVERALL
For me, the consistency just isn't there with this one. That's why I removed a star. It could have been amazing, with the inconsistencies fixed and the Thierry/Monroe relationship treated differently. I was also really surprised by the sudden twist at the very end of the story. It was 'sudden' in all meanings of the word and not what I thought Corbin would have wanted.
Still, all of that aside, it was still a fantastic story. I laughed, I cried and I wanted Corbin to have his HEA, which I see him having. The same level of detail and creativity for the world was in this story, but not for the plot. It could have been a tightly held together as book 1, with some adapting, but I won't hold that against it.
I'd still read whatever book(s) comes next with a voracious need to find out what's going to happen next. And who the book might be about. Again, I hope this series doesn't end at two books. I could read many, many more to come.
~
FAVOURITE QUOTE
“A whore can make you come, an aspasian can make you feel loved, wanted, as if for that hour or two you're all that exists in their world.”
~
November 1, 2017
molto meglio del primo della serie
June 4, 2024
Beautiful
I loved Corbin and Em together. It was an interesting pairing, a bounty hunter and his mark. They worked together well though. I liked this even more than the first book.
I loved Corbin and Em together. It was an interesting pairing, a bounty hunter and his mark. They worked together well though. I liked this even more than the first book.
March 8, 2016
Corbin is an aspasian, an hour-at-a-time companion for hire with a high reputation and a client list comprised of the rich and powerful. In high demand, it’s rare that he’s alone. Emmanuel is an assassin hired to take Corbin out, but instead he finds himself attracted to the man while at the same time horrified by Corbin’s twenty year career choice. It’s an untenable position.
Letting Corbin live the first time he meets the man, he then follows Corbin home with the intention of completing his mission - killing the aspasian on behalf of one of Corbin’s highest profile clients. Instead, however, he agrees not only to not kill Corbin, but to protect him from the other bounty hunters undoubtedly hired to do the job, in return for not only the original bounty amount but also a set salary per month until Corbin is safe.
Faced with his own intense attraction to the handsome Corbin, Emmanuel must find an acceptance in himself toward Corbin’s career, or the pair won’t find any sort of happy ending, because Corbin has absolutely zero intention of giving it up. He loves what he does, but is horrified of Emmanuel’s job in return. Can the two find a happy medium, or will their divergent paths leave them in their solo spaces?
This was a nifty four star read! The premise is unique in that one MC hires the would-be assassin rather than hiring someone else to protect him from this bounty hunter. The story is told from Corbin’s point of view and presents the sex industry from a unique position - one of pride rather than shame, where the companions are venerated instead of reviled.
The coming together of these two characters is a slow burn build - almost slow enough that there could be a loss of chemistry. However, that is not the case with this book. There is never any doubt how much the two want each other; it is strictly their own moral codes at work. There is a situation that occurs that turns Em’s mind around and clears his thoughts - leaving him no doubt that he wants Corbin, but unsure how to reach a happy medium. The struggles they face are emphasized by being different species, but the development of each character combined with well written peripheral characters created a book rich in substance. If you like sci-fi, you will like this!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
Letting Corbin live the first time he meets the man, he then follows Corbin home with the intention of completing his mission - killing the aspasian on behalf of one of Corbin’s highest profile clients. Instead, however, he agrees not only to not kill Corbin, but to protect him from the other bounty hunters undoubtedly hired to do the job, in return for not only the original bounty amount but also a set salary per month until Corbin is safe.
Faced with his own intense attraction to the handsome Corbin, Emmanuel must find an acceptance in himself toward Corbin’s career, or the pair won’t find any sort of happy ending, because Corbin has absolutely zero intention of giving it up. He loves what he does, but is horrified of Emmanuel’s job in return. Can the two find a happy medium, or will their divergent paths leave them in their solo spaces?
This was a nifty four star read! The premise is unique in that one MC hires the would-be assassin rather than hiring someone else to protect him from this bounty hunter. The story is told from Corbin’s point of view and presents the sex industry from a unique position - one of pride rather than shame, where the companions are venerated instead of reviled.
The coming together of these two characters is a slow burn build - almost slow enough that there could be a loss of chemistry. However, that is not the case with this book. There is never any doubt how much the two want each other; it is strictly their own moral codes at work. There is a situation that occurs that turns Em’s mind around and clears his thoughts - leaving him no doubt that he wants Corbin, but unsure how to reach a happy medium. The struggles they face are emphasized by being different species, but the development of each character combined with well written peripheral characters created a book rich in substance. If you like sci-fi, you will like this!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
February 24, 2016
Corbin Leroux is an Aspasian, a high-priced companion on the planet Wish. He's good at what he does, and that brings him some of the best clients. They treat Corbin well, and he returns in kind. Which is why Corbin never expects one of them to hire someone to kill him. Emmanuel Leoniste has no problem killing those he thinks deserve it. And whores like Corbin fall in that group. Corbin offers to hire Emmanuel to protect him, hoping he can use money to entice him. Emmanuel agrees, though he makes it clear he doesn't approve of Corbin's work. As Emmanuel gets to know him, he sees that maybe "whores" like Corbin aren't all like he thinks. He's soon forced to face his own ideas about intimacy...and about Corbin too.
I rather liked To The Highest Bidder, the first book in this series. While Corbin is in the first book, it's more about his younger brother. We get bits of Corbin's motivations in the first book. But I felt there was more to him when I read it. The chance to come back to Wish and learn more about Corbin was a welcome one.
Corbin doesn't expect a relationship any time soon. And the idea wouldn't even occur to Emmanuel. Two reluctant men make for quite the slow burn. But the story has no problem staying engaging. And I am again impressed with Caitlin Ricci's development of this world and characters. I am not sure if there's another character to focus on, but I wouldn't mind more stories set in this world at all.
June 27, 2016
Fantasy For a Gentleman is the second book in the A Planet Called Wish series by Caitlin Ricci. I did not read the first book but I was not lost reading this one. I loved how Ms. Ricci could draw me in and make me fall in love with her characters, while adding scifi elements too. Sometimes Scifi gets me lost, but Ms. Ricci does a great job of keeping me in the story while building her world and characters that live in it.
Corbin he is a companion. He works on Wish. He loves his job. Sometimes it is sex, sometimes it is just being with someone. But he loves what he does cannot imagine doing anything else. He is a sweet caring person that needs to help others. I like his selflessness. I also like how smart and witty he is. He knows how to get what he wants without violence involved.
Emmanuel is a hired killer. When he tries to for fill a contract on Corbin he gets much more than he bargained for. Emmanuel has a strict code, basically killing is okay if it is the right people. But Corbin is more than he seems and Emmanuel cannot help but desire him. Emmanuel is a man who needs someone to care about him. He is tough, rough, and deadly but he guards his heart, that is where Corbin comes in to sneak attack and fall in love.
Over all this is a great book, I loved the twists and turns. I would really love to read more about Wish and those that live and fall in love there.
Five shooting Stars
Corbin he is a companion. He works on Wish. He loves his job. Sometimes it is sex, sometimes it is just being with someone. But he loves what he does cannot imagine doing anything else. He is a sweet caring person that needs to help others. I like his selflessness. I also like how smart and witty he is. He knows how to get what he wants without violence involved.
Emmanuel is a hired killer. When he tries to for fill a contract on Corbin he gets much more than he bargained for. Emmanuel has a strict code, basically killing is okay if it is the right people. But Corbin is more than he seems and Emmanuel cannot help but desire him. Emmanuel is a man who needs someone to care about him. He is tough, rough, and deadly but he guards his heart, that is where Corbin comes in to sneak attack and fall in love.
Over all this is a great book, I loved the twists and turns. I would really love to read more about Wish and those that live and fall in love there.
Five shooting Stars
February 23, 2016
This is book 2 in Caitlin Ricci's A Planet Called Wish Series. I actually didn't know that when I started but I did not find it hard to get into it. Though you see characters from book 1 ( Monroe & Theirry) they do not impact this one.
Corbin Leroux is a high priced escort/companion on Planet Wish. He LOVES giving pleasure. You almost get a feel like he NEEDS it almost. He is amazing with his clients! Now, what's life without some serious drama! Enter the other MC, Emmanuel! He's a bounty hunter hired to kill Corbin. but Corbin is wicked smart and turns the tables a bit. Paying the bounty hunter MORE to protect him.
This is where the story got even better for me.
2 men loving what they do, hating what the other one does. So, we have real life situation and they need to compromise.
This is a science fiction love story. There's light BDSM, and many sexual situations but the characters Emmanuel and Corbin are so fabulous together. This is a really enjoyable read!
Corbin Leroux is a high priced escort/companion on Planet Wish. He LOVES giving pleasure. You almost get a feel like he NEEDS it almost. He is amazing with his clients! Now, what's life without some serious drama! Enter the other MC, Emmanuel! He's a bounty hunter hired to kill Corbin. but Corbin is wicked smart and turns the tables a bit. Paying the bounty hunter MORE to protect him.
This is where the story got even better for me.
2 men loving what they do, hating what the other one does. So, we have real life situation and they need to compromise.
This is a science fiction love story. There's light BDSM, and many sexual situations but the characters Emmanuel and Corbin are so fabulous together. This is a really enjoyable read!
January 6, 2018
3.25 ⭐️
This one didn’t hold up to the reread, so I have dropped the rating to 3.25 stars
I just found that I didn’t like Corbin in this one, and found it hard to understand the connection between both him and Em.
I understood Em and his concerns with Corbin’s job, as they seemed human to me and I could relate, and in a way I could also understand Corbin’s view, but thought he was asking a lot from Em.
This one didn’t hold up to the reread, so I have dropped the rating to 3.25 stars
I just found that I didn’t like Corbin in this one, and found it hard to understand the connection between both him and Em.
I understood Em and his concerns with Corbin’s job, as they seemed human to me and I could relate, and in a way I could also understand Corbin’s view, but thought he was asking a lot from Em.
September 10, 2016
Don't write many reviews , but have rated many . Enjoyed the first book , but this brought all the emotions and depth too the characters that I wanted to see . If anything read the first book to get to this book too experience this one . A book you won't want to end .
November 26, 2016
Much better than the first book in this series - more plot.
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