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Baum's Boxing #1
Below the Belt
alternate cover edition of ASIN B07MGWBD6Y
Noah Avidan has not led a charmed life. His first serious relationship crashed and burned with his boyfriend in the bed of their dog-walker. After achieving his dream job working as a Classics Professor at the University, his life is derailed by a car accident, leaving him blind in one eye and battling to lecture through a stammer. Whatever his luck, though, Noah is bound and determined to pick up the pieces and find his own way to happiness.
The day Noah walks into Baum’s Boxing is the day everything changes. Adrian Flores, an ex-Marine boxer with his own story to tell and his own struggles to overcome, is immediately taken with the timid man taking his first kickboxing class. It seems like a fairy tale waiting to happen, until the day it doesn’t. A miscommunication between both men leaves them vulnerable for one cruel, obsessed man to take matters into his own hands. Will their relationship survive blackmail, violent attacks, and a promise to destroy their livelihoods? Or will the two be forced to part ways and accept that fate is just not on their side?
Below the Belt is the first in the series, Baum’s Boxing. Each book will contain an HEA with no cliffhangers.
Noah Avidan has not led a charmed life. His first serious relationship crashed and burned with his boyfriend in the bed of their dog-walker. After achieving his dream job working as a Classics Professor at the University, his life is derailed by a car accident, leaving him blind in one eye and battling to lecture through a stammer. Whatever his luck, though, Noah is bound and determined to pick up the pieces and find his own way to happiness.
The day Noah walks into Baum’s Boxing is the day everything changes. Adrian Flores, an ex-Marine boxer with his own story to tell and his own struggles to overcome, is immediately taken with the timid man taking his first kickboxing class. It seems like a fairy tale waiting to happen, until the day it doesn’t. A miscommunication between both men leaves them vulnerable for one cruel, obsessed man to take matters into his own hands. Will their relationship survive blackmail, violent attacks, and a promise to destroy their livelihoods? Or will the two be forced to part ways and accept that fate is just not on their side?
Below the Belt is the first in the series, Baum’s Boxing. Each book will contain an HEA with no cliffhangers.
200 pages, ebook
First published December 24, 2018
282 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
143 books1,392 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 18, 2019
Well, well, well - I rather enjoyed that, insta love(ish) and all. I'm not overly fussed on insta but this one totally worked, I think because there was other stuff going on the kept my interest - both of them had disabilities they had to deal with, there was a canny suspense plot running through and well, like I said, I rather enjoyed this. Not even the few editing issues put me off! It's just one of those books that worked for me right now in my DNF funk.
I'm moving straight on to the next book, I think Cole has one hella story to tell.
I'm moving straight on to the next book, I think Cole has one hella story to tell.
April 26, 2019
Wow, this book was amazing. It ticked all my boxes. There was suspense, a little more steam than I expected which was cool, two MCs physically scarred but still able to build a life beyond their injuries and limitations. I liked both Adrian and Noah. The way they were together at the beginning was just so adorable. Two men were awkward until they just settled into their own skin - it was what it was and both accepted the fact that they were not perfect.
Even with their feelings developing rapidly it didn't feel convenient. It was well-paced in my opinion. The trouble that came after the truth about the biggest miscommunication in history came to light only seemed to increase their desire to be together. I loved the pining/slightly miserable moments they experienced, since their meeting afterwards were that much sweeter and more heart-felt.
The suspense angle was good. The who is known but the tension created was really palpable. The way Adrian and Noah's friends rallied around them was what every person would wish to have in times of trouble. I loved Noah's newfound self-confidence, how he stood up for himself in the end. It was overdue, and his love for Adrian gave him strength he needed. I loved Adrian's protectiveness, his gentle manner and his voice going soft every time he talked to Noah.
Baum Boxing Gym is a place of acceptance, of learning to see one's worth and a place to put oneself together. It's a safe place to fall and know that there will be a hand to help you get back up. I loved all the side characters, the camaraderie that was so evident when being in the gym and out of it. This was emotional, sincere story of love despite physical limitations. This author knows how to pull your heart strings. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Even with their feelings developing rapidly it didn't feel convenient. It was well-paced in my opinion. The trouble that came after the truth about the biggest miscommunication in history came to light only seemed to increase their desire to be together. I loved the pining/slightly miserable moments they experienced, since their meeting afterwards were that much sweeter and more heart-felt.
The suspense angle was good. The who is known but the tension created was really palpable. The way Adrian and Noah's friends rallied around them was what every person would wish to have in times of trouble. I loved Noah's newfound self-confidence, how he stood up for himself in the end. It was overdue, and his love for Adrian gave him strength he needed. I loved Adrian's protectiveness, his gentle manner and his voice going soft every time he talked to Noah.
Baum Boxing Gym is a place of acceptance, of learning to see one's worth and a place to put oneself together. It's a safe place to fall and know that there will be a hand to help you get back up. I loved all the side characters, the camaraderie that was so evident when being in the gym and out of it. This was emotional, sincere story of love despite physical limitations. This author knows how to pull your heart strings. I loved it and highly recommend it.
May 1, 2019
2.5 stars
This was disappointing. I gave it 2.5 stars instead of 2 stars for the first half, which was mostly enjoyable. I didn't think Noah and Adrian had the most amazing chemistry, but they were nice together and cute.
Also it's funny that the title of this about boxing when boxing is not a big part of this story. It's mainly about the fact that Adrian is a student at the same university that Noah is a professor at, only they're so shit at communicating - or getting to know each other, honestly - that Noah thinks Adrian is a professor as well - because he's older than Noah even - and Adrian thinks Noah is a student because he looks young enough to be one.
They misconstrue things and when things come up that make them confused - like Noah talking about another teacher like he's a friend, like that - they don't ask the other to clarify and just let it go - conveniently.
But then there's one of Noah's coworkers who has been trying to get with Noah for years and Noah has always come up with an excuse, and when Noah starts dating Adrian, the guy doesn't like it and is actually horrible enough to start stalking Noah and using the fact that Adrian is a student and Noah a teacher as blackmail.
For a guy who is supposedly so gone on Noah, he's fucking nasty and horrible to him. Then it becomes, of course, just about being rejected and not really about Noah. And I know men who get rejected can go to extremes, but this is the most ridiculous and outlandish and unrealistic way to go extreme.
I was also angry at the book making the fact that Adrian was a 30-something year old student - two years older than Noah, the book said - into a huge deal when Noah isn't even Adrian's teacher, at all. He's not even his department! They can't even assume that Noah is able to help Adrian with his homework because it's not his expertise - and also even if he did help, that's not cheating either. So the whole thing was ridiculous.
Then near the end, maybe 60 to 70% in, I started skimming a lot. It just got boring and drawn out. I didn't care about cartoon villain Charlie and I didn't care for how seriously these two took it and how they followed what Charlie wanted to help each other - which, while noble if they had no choice....they definitely had a choice - and other characters even pointed out that they weren't even int he same department, but that did nothing to change their minds.
Then Adrian and Noah just became boring, and their sex scenes weren't that well written, and after awhile I didn't come to care for the secondary characters that much, although I didn't mind Ryan, Noah's ex-boyfriend and friend. Other than that though, I didn't really care.
One other good thing though that made me give this 2.5 stars aside from the somewhat entertaining first half was how well it dealt with disabilities and how it shined a lot on disabilities and just how much abled people don't think about disabled people, or if they do how horrible it about they are and what stereotypes they have. But this firmly showed that no matter your disability, you can have someone you love in your life or others around you who love you - if you don't want a romantic relationship - and that those relationships life you up. So, big plus for that.
But other than a good - but not great - first half and what I just said, this wasn't a very good book and I didn't enjoy it much and it deviated completely from what I thought this was going to be about. Some blackmail, sure, but not this.
Overall just not a fun or great read for me. Thumbs down.
This was disappointing. I gave it 2.5 stars instead of 2 stars for the first half, which was mostly enjoyable. I didn't think Noah and Adrian had the most amazing chemistry, but they were nice together and cute.
Also it's funny that the title of this about boxing when boxing is not a big part of this story. It's mainly about the fact that Adrian is a student at the same university that Noah is a professor at, only they're so shit at communicating - or getting to know each other, honestly - that Noah thinks Adrian is a professor as well - because he's older than Noah even - and Adrian thinks Noah is a student because he looks young enough to be one.
They misconstrue things and when things come up that make them confused - like Noah talking about another teacher like he's a friend, like that - they don't ask the other to clarify and just let it go - conveniently.
But then there's one of Noah's coworkers who has been trying to get with Noah for years and Noah has always come up with an excuse, and when Noah starts dating Adrian, the guy doesn't like it and is actually horrible enough to start stalking Noah and using the fact that Adrian is a student and Noah a teacher as blackmail.
For a guy who is supposedly so gone on Noah, he's fucking nasty and horrible to him. Then it becomes, of course, just about being rejected and not really about Noah. And I know men who get rejected can go to extremes, but this is the most ridiculous and outlandish and unrealistic way to go extreme.
I was also angry at the book making the fact that Adrian was a 30-something year old student - two years older than Noah, the book said - into a huge deal when Noah isn't even Adrian's teacher, at all. He's not even his department! They can't even assume that Noah is able to help Adrian with his homework because it's not his expertise - and also even if he did help, that's not cheating either. So the whole thing was ridiculous.
Then near the end, maybe 60 to 70% in, I started skimming a lot. It just got boring and drawn out. I didn't care about cartoon villain Charlie and I didn't care for how seriously these two took it and how they followed what Charlie wanted to help each other - which, while noble if they had no choice....they definitely had a choice - and other characters even pointed out that they weren't even int he same department, but that did nothing to change their minds.
Then Adrian and Noah just became boring, and their sex scenes weren't that well written, and after awhile I didn't come to care for the secondary characters that much, although I didn't mind Ryan, Noah's ex-boyfriend and friend. Other than that though, I didn't really care.
One other good thing though that made me give this 2.5 stars aside from the somewhat entertaining first half was how well it dealt with disabilities and how it shined a lot on disabilities and just how much abled people don't think about disabled people, or if they do how horrible it about they are and what stereotypes they have. But this firmly showed that no matter your disability, you can have someone you love in your life or others around you who love you - if you don't want a romantic relationship - and that those relationships life you up. So, big plus for that.
But other than a good - but not great - first half and what I just said, this wasn't a very good book and I didn't enjoy it much and it deviated completely from what I thought this was going to be about. Some blackmail, sure, but not this.
Overall just not a fun or great read for me. Thumbs down.
June 4, 2020
DNF 20%. I know it's going to be at best 3 stars so let me stop there. Nothing wrong with the writing. Perfectly fine. Just... perfectly boring and bland.
I was into reading some romances involving "beauty & the beast" or "Scarred and tortured hero" tropes--mainly for the character and relationship development, emotional intensity, etc. that I expect to find in these types of books.
Didn't find it here.
I was into reading some romances involving "beauty & the beast" or "Scarred and tortured hero" tropes--mainly for the character and relationship development, emotional intensity, etc. that I expect to find in these types of books.
Didn't find it here.
March 5, 2019
Below the Belt was surprisingly really good! Lately I've been trying to explore more into genre's that I don't read a lot of - like m/m. So when I saw this, I was like heck yeah! Plus it's on KU.
In it, you will meet Noah and Adrian. They were both hurt in the past and they are both single. Noah's ex got him a pass to this gym and it kind of worked out in his favor. So points for the ex (even though I didn't want them to get back together. Then there's Adrian who is shy but has a deep sexy ass voice. Once they met, there was kind of an insta-crush going on?
I mean, they did kind of have drinks the day after they met - which was cute and adorable. Besides them, I feel like so many other things in this book didn't make sense. I felt like I was missing so much information because random things or decision would be made or a character that we've never met would just be mentioned into a conversation. If there was a novella that I needed to read before this that probably would've been helpful.
After all the confusion, I still ended up liking this book.
In it, you will meet Noah and Adrian. They were both hurt in the past and they are both single. Noah's ex got him a pass to this gym and it kind of worked out in his favor. So points for the ex (even though I didn't want them to get back together. Then there's Adrian who is shy but has a deep sexy ass voice. Once they met, there was kind of an insta-crush going on?
I mean, they did kind of have drinks the day after they met - which was cute and adorable. Besides them, I feel like so many other things in this book didn't make sense. I felt like I was missing so much information because random things or decision would be made or a character that we've never met would just be mentioned into a conversation. If there was a novella that I needed to read before this that probably would've been helpful.
After all the confusion, I still ended up liking this book.
June 1, 2019
This was just a middle of the road read for me. I liked the first half much better than the last half. The characters were interesting and I liked Adrien and Noah together. But then the “drama” came along. And the “villain” and his “plan” felt a bit ridiculous. A little OTT. The drama detracted from the romance because of the way all the characters reacted to it and I found myself losing interest. With all these characters had already been through it felt unnecessary to put them through more. And after everything, it’s all wrapped up in a few paragraphs...offpage. But the ending was sweet.
The drama plot in this book runs through the remainder of the series as they have an overlapping timeline. And because I wasn’t really a fan if it I don’t know if I can stand more books. But Cole and Ryan intrigue me so I’ll give bk 2 a try.
The drama plot in this book runs through the remainder of the series as they have an overlapping timeline. And because I wasn’t really a fan if it I don’t know if I can stand more books. But Cole and Ryan intrigue me so I’ll give bk 2 a try.
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March 10, 2023💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/27/2018)! 💝
March 21, 2019
4.5 stars
I kinda knew what to expect from the book especially from the blurb. But wow! Goes to show how good the writing is when even though you know it’s coming, it still shocks you. I’m not shocked per se, nothing bad. But wow...execution was flawless!
I like my heroes flawed but in this case, it’s not personality flaws but physical flaws. I like that the author didn’t shy away from including the strain people with disabilities go through. It’s a fictional book with a romantic theme but I like that it’s real that way. Adrian couldn’t move as fast as he liked. Noah would bump into things with his vision impairment. It’s not ideal circumstances and it’s also definitely not “normal” everyday life. But I appreciate that the author didn’t paint their life as all hunky dory despite their disabilities.
The last few chapters were exciting! I knew what was coming but gosh!! Didn’t detract from the excitement! I’m definitely going to jump into the next book! 🤩
I kinda knew what to expect from the book especially from the blurb. But wow! Goes to show how good the writing is when even though you know it’s coming, it still shocks you. I’m not shocked per se, nothing bad. But wow...execution was flawless!
I like my heroes flawed but in this case, it’s not personality flaws but physical flaws. I like that the author didn’t shy away from including the strain people with disabilities go through. It’s a fictional book with a romantic theme but I like that it’s real that way. Adrian couldn’t move as fast as he liked. Noah would bump into things with his vision impairment. It’s not ideal circumstances and it’s also definitely not “normal” everyday life. But I appreciate that the author didn’t paint their life as all hunky dory despite their disabilities.
The last few chapters were exciting! I knew what was coming but gosh!! Didn’t detract from the excitement! I’m definitely going to jump into the next book! 🤩
December 29, 2018
3.5 to 4 stars. This wasn't a bad book. I did like the romance and the boxing connection, and writing style was good minus the need for further editing. The storyline had some minor issues, and a tendency for background characters to drop off the page never to be heard from again. One was supposedly Noah's best friend at the college but she fades into nothingness about halfway through. Another was the person who supposedly encouraged the scheme surrounding Noah. That person is mentioned once, but never appears or is even hinted at during the conflict resolution. I kept waiting for him or her to be explained and get their due, but it never happens.
There was a bit of a disconnect in parts of the book. It felt like stepping into a story that was already in progress and like I missed a prequel novel that would have filled in a lot of background for the cast of characters. There is no mention the book blurb of a previous book and this is supposed to be book 1 of the Baum's Boxing series. But, there are pieces of history missing that would have fleshed out the characters.
If I missed a book that begins the stories of Wes, Anna, Adrian, and the start of the boxing business, I'd apreciate a comment on which book it is so I can read it. While this book stands well enough its own, there is a lot of background that is hinted at here but never clarified. It could be frustrating at times.
I do plan to continue with this series, as I would like to see more from all the characters and Baum's Boxing.
There was a bit of a disconnect in parts of the book. It felt like stepping into a story that was already in progress and like I missed a prequel novel that would have filled in a lot of background for the cast of characters. There is no mention the book blurb of a previous book and this is supposed to be book 1 of the Baum's Boxing series. But, there are pieces of history missing that would have fleshed out the characters.
If I missed a book that begins the stories of Wes, Anna, Adrian, and the start of the boxing business, I'd apreciate a comment on which book it is so I can read it. While this book stands well enough its own, there is a lot of background that is hinted at here but never clarified. It could be frustrating at times.
I do plan to continue with this series, as I would like to see more from all the characters and Baum's Boxing.
December 29, 2018
Good story with well designed characters.
July 19, 2019
I’m truly surprised I finished this, but I will admit that I did start skimming towards the end.
Spoilers below
For the most part I thought this book was just ridiculous... the editing was not great plot wise.. a wrong name used here or there, a few plot holes. One minute Maggie is 4 and another she is 3.
The “misunderstanding” was beyond ridiculous considering there were a few minor points made when Noah mentioned or referenced himself being a professor and Adrian referenced himself being a student. So what you’re in love? That means you don’t listen to what the other person is saying??? I’m sorry but if you can’t listen to what someone is saying and deduce this info, then there more wrong with this situation than just the “forbidden” romance.
And then we get to the bad guy and the blackmail... this really didn’t feel like a bunch of grown men handing a situation like adults, it felt like a bunch of high school student trying to cover up the latest rumor but making a military mission out of it at the same time.
Also the kick boxing/gym element was so minor in this book that it made the title completely irrelevant.
Spoilers below
For the most part I thought this book was just ridiculous... the editing was not great plot wise.. a wrong name used here or there, a few plot holes. One minute Maggie is 4 and another she is 3.
The “misunderstanding” was beyond ridiculous considering there were a few minor points made when Noah mentioned or referenced himself being a professor and Adrian referenced himself being a student. So what you’re in love? That means you don’t listen to what the other person is saying??? I’m sorry but if you can’t listen to what someone is saying and deduce this info, then there more wrong with this situation than just the “forbidden” romance.
And then we get to the bad guy and the blackmail... this really didn’t feel like a bunch of grown men handing a situation like adults, it felt like a bunch of high school student trying to cover up the latest rumor but making a military mission out of it at the same time.
Also the kick boxing/gym element was so minor in this book that it made the title completely irrelevant.
August 15, 2023
E.M. Lindsey writes characters that I just immediately care about so much.
The plot is a little wobbly imo - I’m not sure a university would actually care that a professor is dating a grad student esp when they’re basically the same age and in completely different departments. I do absolutely buy the creepy unhinged coworker preying on Noah because he assumes that disabled = vulnerable. And in a way, Noah is, but he’s got such a solid found family (from the amazing kickboxing gym his ex-turned-bff signs him up for) that eventually he stands up for himself in a really spectacular way.
I loved the instant connection Noah and Adrian have and how tender they are with each other. They both have various traumas and disabilities to work around but they just get each other. Another knockout for me and I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series 🥰
The plot is a little wobbly imo - I’m not sure a university would actually care that a professor is dating a grad student esp when they’re basically the same age and in completely different departments. I do absolutely buy the creepy unhinged coworker preying on Noah because he assumes that disabled = vulnerable. And in a way, Noah is, but he’s got such a solid found family (from the amazing kickboxing gym his ex-turned-bff signs him up for) that eventually he stands up for himself in a really spectacular way.
I loved the instant connection Noah and Adrian have and how tender they are with each other. They both have various traumas and disabilities to work around but they just get each other. Another knockout for me and I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series 🥰
April 12, 2021
This one was just okay. There just wasn't anything special about it and I will quickly forget it. It was obvious where the book was going plot wise and nothing surprised me. I liked the characters and I wanted to love this book because of the inclusion of vets with disabilities but unfortunately I did not love it. I already own the second book so I may try it but if I don't like it anymore than this one then this just isn't a series I will continue.
August 27, 2020
DNF at 40%
The lack of communication regarding their positions at the university is dragging on for too long. You know it's building up to this big reveal yet you become bored with all the lovey-dovey stuff in the meantime.
The lack of communication regarding their positions at the university is dragging on for too long. You know it's building up to this big reveal yet you become bored with all the lovey-dovey stuff in the meantime.
not-finished
July 12, 2019Seksīgas ainas sākums.
He kept his socks on.
Sorry...tas bija tāds turn off.... :D :D Tā mentālā bilde vnk nogalināja manu vēlmi lasīt tālāk. Sīkums. Bet... vnk nē.
He kept his socks on.
Sorry...tas bija tāds turn off.... :D :D Tā mentālā bilde vnk nogalināja manu vēlmi lasīt tālāk. Sīkums. Bet... vnk nē.
September 11, 2019
2.5 stars - Awful editing with missing and incomplete words made this story quite frustrating. There were several times where the author would use the word “them” or “it” without the reader knowing to what the pronoun was referring. Example: “Noah gave him a nod before heading out front, and he felt his heart do a little staccato pattern against his ribs when he found Adrian leaning against it, a leather jacket on, looking like walking sex in his jeans.” Umm, leaning against what? There is a reference several pages before this that Adrian was taking Noah for a ride on his trike, but that was PAGES ago. So the reader needs to just know that the “it” in the sentence refers to the trike.
Adrian’s niece is four years old for most of the book but when he takes her to the aquarium, she is suddenly three years old and he is leaving her on her own so he can go pay for lunch or buy tickets. Who does this??
It’s sloppy editing and it’s annoying. I’m happy this book was free at the time I got it along with the second and third books in this series. I quite enjoyed the two MCs, but the story was far too predictable and later it became unrealistic. Noah always assumed Adrian was a professor like he was, and Adrian always assumed Noah was a student. It was ridiculous and it went on like that far too long as I continually rolled my eyes each time they would mention their classes.
I am hoping the second book will improve with better editing and less repetition. I have several trilogies by this author that I haven’t read yet.
Adrian’s niece is four years old for most of the book but when he takes her to the aquarium, she is suddenly three years old and he is leaving her on her own so he can go pay for lunch or buy tickets. Who does this??
It’s sloppy editing and it’s annoying. I’m happy this book was free at the time I got it along with the second and third books in this series. I quite enjoyed the two MCs, but the story was far too predictable and later it became unrealistic. Noah always assumed Adrian was a professor like he was, and Adrian always assumed Noah was a student. It was ridiculous and it went on like that far too long as I continually rolled my eyes each time they would mention their classes.
I am hoping the second book will improve with better editing and less repetition. I have several trilogies by this author that I haven’t read yet.
July 19, 2019
It was okay - just didn’t grip my attention enough, I found myself skim reading :(
Read
March 11, 2024I really tried my best here but I found it just boring and couldn’t really get into it. DNFed at 36%
May 2, 2019
I liked this quite a lot and was impressed with depictions of characters with various disabilities and the presentation of capabilities. I’m not sure if this is an #ownvoices offering but everything read as authentic. Noah and Adrian weren’t exactly slow burn but I enjoyed the initial progress of their romance. Characterization was good, including all the friends and colleagues of both men.
The suspense part of the plot held my attention and had me on edge, in spite of some flaws to the plot line. Most colleges frown on student/teacher liaisons, even if it’s an indirect connection but the blackmail plot was too unbelievable and the villain bordered on OTT crazy. It was a nice touch seeing Noah and Adrian try to protect each other. I’m looking forward to Cole and Ryan’s story.
The suspense part of the plot held my attention and had me on edge, in spite of some flaws to the plot line. Most colleges frown on student/teacher liaisons, even if it’s an indirect connection but the blackmail plot was too unbelievable and the villain bordered on OTT crazy. It was a nice touch seeing Noah and Adrian try to protect each other. I’m looking forward to Cole and Ryan’s story.
Read
August 29, 2019PAUSED/DNFed at 20%
In this short amount of time I was reading this I had a bit of a rage in my notes and I read this one the 21st and by the 29th I still can't get myself to pick it back up. I honestly can't say I will pick it up again,
on the other side, I actually like the writing, it read well, and I am going to look into something else written by the author and hope it's just this one that's rubbing me wrong, and who knows maybe it's just me right now and I'll want to read it later, but right now I needed to vent and get it off my currently reading list.
In this short amount of time I was reading this I had a bit of a rage in my notes and I read this one the 21st and by the 29th I still can't get myself to pick it back up. I honestly can't say I will pick it up again,
on the other side, I actually like the writing, it read well, and I am going to look into something else written by the author and hope it's just this one that's rubbing me wrong, and who knows maybe it's just me right now and I'll want to read it later, but right now I needed to vent and get it off my currently reading list.
December 22, 2019
I enjoyed this for the most part, a contemporary romance between two characters who are disabled and have trauma. Some secondary characters also have disabilities. I felt like disability was handled carefully, realistically and matter-of-factly--this character needs a mobility aid because it's a bad day, don't come up unexpectedly on this character's side because of his missing eye, etc. It never becomes inspirational porn where the able-bodied characters learn lessons from those who are disabled, no one is magically healed because they found love. The one downside for me was the over-the-top villain, and one character's inexplicable reactions to that (initially refusing to go to the hospital or police).
All that being said, I have to talk about that cover. The main character who that could represent (who has boxed for years, and who works in a garage) has scars and burns all over his torso and arms (as well as tattoos). Those scars extend up to his face, part of his ear is damaged, a few small bald spots in his hair. He wears braces or uses a wheelchair because of damage to his legs. The other main character has major vertigo from a car accident which has kept him from regular exercise, although he's toned; he also has a missing eye and often needs a cane. So, with a book that addresses disability and scars so well, we get a very stereotypical cover of a jacked flawless torso. It's honestly really offensive to what the book is. Even authors who have been on the best-sellers lists for decades and are household names often don't even get veto control over their covers. And if it was self-published, they likely didn't have enough options to choose, so I doubt the author was to blame. It's just really frustrating that the cover totally erases and ablebodied-washes the plot.
All that being said, I have to talk about that cover. The main character who that could represent (who has boxed for years, and who works in a garage) has scars and burns all over his torso and arms (as well as tattoos). Those scars extend up to his face, part of his ear is damaged, a few small bald spots in his hair. He wears braces or uses a wheelchair because of damage to his legs. The other main character has major vertigo from a car accident which has kept him from regular exercise, although he's toned; he also has a missing eye and often needs a cane. So, with a book that addresses disability and scars so well, we get a very stereotypical cover of a jacked flawless torso. It's honestly really offensive to what the book is. Even authors who have been on the best-sellers lists for decades and are household names often don't even get veto control over their covers. And if it was self-published, they likely didn't have enough options to choose, so I doubt the author was to blame. It's just really frustrating that the cover totally erases and ablebodied-washes the plot.
May 2, 2019
It was almost too much.
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and I since a pattern. Her stories are a bit drawn out without a resolution in sight. I am not saying I need short stories, I just need them to keep me engage. I do ennjoy all her characters.
Also, I hate when authors use big words that are not used in everyday conversation, but forget to captlize important words.
Also, there were only 2 parts, so if you read these books for hot smut, you won't get it here. Her books seem pretty tame.
This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and I since a pattern. Her stories are a bit drawn out without a resolution in sight. I am not saying I need short stories, I just need them to keep me engage. I do ennjoy all her characters.
Also, I hate when authors use big words that are not used in everyday conversation, but forget to captlize important words.
Also, there were only 2 parts, so if you read these books for hot smut, you won't get it here. Her books seem pretty tame.
April 2, 2020
I don´t know why this books was dragging for me. Maybe it was me today. Normally this sort of book would have been read in around 2 172 hours but today I had to pause inbetween because I couldn´t stay focused and was bored. I really don´t think it had anything to do whis the quality of the book. So if you like strong but vunerable heroes and an evil villain packed into a sportsenvironment go for it.
July 10, 2022
I would have loved to see the leads in a less instalove whirlwind romance (at 25%ish in they were both fully committed to each other).
I also fully did not enjoy the plot of this - forbidden (kinda) teacher/student relationship, a mustache twirling villain, not a lot of boxing.
I really liked both leads and their loved ones though. EML always manages to include a perspective on ableism that is excellent. But the plot was a lot to get through.
I also fully did not enjoy the plot of this - forbidden (kinda) teacher/student relationship, a mustache twirling villain, not a lot of boxing.
I really liked both leads and their loved ones though. EML always manages to include a perspective on ableism that is excellent. But the plot was a lot to get through.
January 10, 2019
It was okay. The timelines were a bit tricky. It seem this whole romance spans a few weeks then they were ready to get hitched by the end of the book. I'm not a fan of insta love when the circumstances are just plain. What I did like were the multicultural aspects of the two MCs. Not your typical Caucasians descriptions.
February 28, 2019
dnf@50% (sachant que de 29 à 50%, ça a été une lecture en ULTRA diagonale)
Bof... Un essai peu concluant pour cet auteur que je ne connaissais pas. Les héros cabossés, c'est ma came, mais là, l'auteur en fait beaucoup trop, et je sens que l'intrigue va virer au mélo grotesque, donc je préfère arrêter les frais !
Bof... Un essai peu concluant pour cet auteur que je ne connaissais pas. Les héros cabossés, c'est ma came, mais là, l'auteur en fait beaucoup trop, et je sens que l'intrigue va virer au mélo grotesque, donc je préfère arrêter les frais !
Read
June 9, 2019Not rating, DNF at 38%.....at this point they still haven’t figured out that Noah is a professor and Adrian a student - they still believe they have equal status at campus, all the while 3 professors are getting sacked for dating students😳😬🐌🤥and we as readers just know what is coming🙄🙄🙄that got boring and annoying.....
May 25, 2019
Okay
I liked the story and all the characters. I felt the connection between Noah and Adrian, but something was missing for me, I wasn't drawn in. I am going to read the rest of the series.
I liked the story and all the characters. I felt the connection between Noah and Adrian, but something was missing for me, I wasn't drawn in. I am going to read the rest of the series.
December 28, 2018
Ce livre n'est simplement pas pour moi. Tout se passe trop vite. Je n'arrive pas à m'attacher aux personnages. Je me suis arrêtée à 40% de la lecture. Pourtant, j'avais été séduite par le résumé.
December 30, 2018
2.5 stars
Not a bad premise, but the execution let it down.
Not a bad premise, but the execution let it down.
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