It's been a couple of years I think since I last picked up a book by Emma Scott.
Every time I'm about to pick up a book by this author, I keep thinkingIt's been a couple of years I think since I last picked up a book by Emma Scott.
Every time I'm about to pick up a book by this author, I keep thinking, there is no way her books are as good as I remember them to be.
And then I start reading and they're even better that I thought they could possibly be. I swear, Emma Scott, is a powerful author that could transform the world with her writing.
And I don't know why she's not more popular, why not everybody is reading her books.
This book is a powerful, hard-hitting story about two 24-year olds that carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.
I think this might even be my second-favourite book by this author, though I probably say that every time I read one of her books.
I'm still hoping I will find the strength to read Full-Tilt one day, one can always hope right?...more
This book is everything. It is everything I love about books. It is the reason why sometimes I'd rather turn down friends who want to go out for a driThis book is everything. It is everything I love about books. It is the reason why sometimes I'd rather turn down friends who want to go out for a drink in order to stay home by myself and read, so I'm definitely glad all books aren't as good as this one.
Great books are definitely the hardest to review so I will say this about this book. When you not only have a tortured hero but also a heroine with heavy emotional baggage, it is so easy for the book to go south and turn into a melodrama. Emma Scott is a great author for not only avoiding this trap a lot of authors fall into but also for creating a masterpiece within the romance genre I think everyone should read. This one pulls at the heartstrings and never lets go.
Of course it didn't hurt that this book probably had all of my favourite tropes: slow-burn romance, friends to lovers, blond beta hero. There is nothing I didn't like about this book.
On a side note, this book was so realistic and hit so close to home with all the struggles of living in a big city and having to spend half your salary on rent and bills and trying to make ends meet. It seems that most men in books have it all figured out before they hit thirty and are brilliant, handsome and billionaires to boot. Well, I'm sorry to break it to you but a lot of people do struggle with simple things such as paying the rent and having to share a flat to make ends meet is definitely something I can relate to.
I can't recommend this highly enough! For quite a long time now, I've been seeing nothing but rave reviews for Emma Scott's books. She's been on my radar for a while and I honestly can't tell what kept me from picking up one of her books until now.I'm definitely going to rectify that and read more from this author in the future.
Note: I wish all romances had gorgeous covers like this one....more
Not only was this book much better than the previous books in the series but it was a very good romance in its own right.
James is by far the 4.5 stars
Not only was this book much better than the previous books in the series but it was a very good romance in its own right.
James is by far the most interesting hero in the series, I find his sense of humour endearing. Georgiana is also my favourite heroine.
The premise helped avoid the insta-love that put me off in the previous books. It was still there but at least it took the characters longer to act on their feelings because of the heroine's disguise as a cabin boy.
It's definitely an old-style book but I adored this one! Unfortunately, I'm afraid it might also be the best this series has to offer but I will probably continue for a few more instalments to see for myself....more
This was a lovely book indeed! However, I finished the book feeling somewhat disappointed due to the high expectations I had built for this o3.5 stars
This was a lovely book indeed! However, I finished the book feeling somewhat disappointed due to the high expectations I had built for this one. When I open a book thinking I'm going to read one of the best romances ever written and, as I turn the last page, the best thing I can say about it is that it's nice and cute, I'm bound to feel slightly disappointed.
Don't get me wrong! It wasn't a bad book at all and if I hadn't heard anything about it before, I would have written a semi-glorious review and then proceeded to forget almost all about it some months later.
Bottom line: Enjoyable read but it didn't rock my world....more
2.5 stars I've had my ups and downs with this author and this is definitely one of the downs. I admit to being biased because I never liked Chase and I2.5 stars I've had my ups and downs with this author and this is definitely one of the downs. I admit to being biased because I never liked Chase and I never warmed up to her all the way. The hero was very nice, but wasn't enough to save a book that was boring. I know most romances don't really have a plot and they're mainly character-driven. However, it felt like even less things happened in this book than usual.
In this book there were tons of secrets and lots of mistrust until the very end, a woman so out of time and place in a 19th century HR as a fish out of the water, a 9-year-old that talks like a 99-year-old, endless inner monologues and a hero that suffers from a severe case of love-at-first-sight, something I have grown very intolerant with. HR writers, if you want to write about women who would be considered manly and too progressive even in 2015 maybe you should consider switching genres. Something like urban fantasy for example would do the trick nicely.
On the positive side, Sarah Maclean is very good at building up chemistry. Sometimes her books are so needlessly melodramatic though that they feel fake and forced.
P.S.: This reader is in a very grumpy mood. This may or may not have influenced her enjoyment and rating/review of the book....more
This series keeps going strong. Give me more Curran and I'll give you more stars. It's a fair trade.This series keeps going strong. Give me more Curran and I'll give you more stars. It's a fair trade....more
This is by far my favorite book in the series. Because when Kate and Curran are together, they're good. And when they fight, they're better.This is by far my favorite book in the series. Because when Kate and Curran are together, they're good. And when they fight, they're better....more
I first picked up this book a few weeks ago and I couldn't focus. There was a very good story and amazing world-building but I guess the timi4.5 stars
I first picked up this book a few weeks ago and I couldn't focus. There was a very good story and amazing world-building but I guess the timing was wrong. I wasn't in the mood for it. I read until about the 30% mark and then put the book aside.
I reluctantly picked it up again two days ago and, OMG, the book sucked me in and never let go until I reached the last page.
I just wish I hadn't let that much time pass between the first 30% and the rest of the book as there were small details I had forgotten about and I had to go back and re-read some bits in the story to remember.
I think what I love most about Ilona Andrews is that they always write about characters that are real. They're strong and badass, yes, but they're also real people with real feelings, fears, doubts, desires. And more importantly, even when they're being stubborn, there is always so much respect between them. I like how male characters always let the female ones shine without stopping them from fighting their own battles. They're always very protective, don't get me wrong, but they're not... overprotective I guess?
Anyway, I don't want to say anything about the plot and spoil it, but I honestly think this is a very good IA book. Of course, all of IA's books are great, so that doesn't mean anything, but make sure not to skip this one.
It's just as good as Kate Daniels and the Hidden Legacy series!...more
So this is the Kate Daniels book that shifted the opinion even of those reluctant readers and turned them into hard-core Kate fans. If I want to be hoSo this is the Kate Daniels book that shifted the opinion even of those reluctant readers and turned them into hard-core Kate fans. If I want to be honest here, I don't exactly see the reason. Plotwise, all the books are fantastic and equally interesting. I don't know if I've ever encountered a more complex world-building than the one in the Kate Daniels series. As a person with limited imagination, I am in awe of writers like Ilona Andrews. It beats me how a person (or even two in this case) can create a whole world, one even more complex than the one we're currently living in, from scratch.
Anyway, what I was saying is that all the books are amazing and I don't get what will finally turn someone into a Kate lover in this book if they haven't been sold on it in the previous two. Again what I'm trying to say (and failing) is that I was expecting some kind of shift here. Maybe in the way the plot is constructed or in characterization. But I didn't see any major difference here. Thank God for small favors. That said, this is my favorite book as well. The reason for this is twofold.
1. The last 30% of the book provided with so much excitement and those final chapters are the best in the whole series so far.
2. I L-O-V-E-D the scenes between Kate and Curran. Finally, some progress there, though I have ENJOYED the slow build up after all those hundreds of romances I've read where the H/h jump on each other the moment they meet - and that's one of the reasons I like fantasy novels with romantic elements, but where the focus isn't the romance.
I have a girl-crush on Kate and, yes, Curran is the hottest thing since the sun. I am now consumed by the overwhelming urge to chant Curran's name all day long. Curran. Curran. Curran. Curran. Curran Kind of like a broken record....more
This was quite rediculous in my opinion. I knew I was reading erotica, but I actually thought a story would accompany the sex scenes. That wasn't the This was quite rediculous in my opinion. I knew I was reading erotica, but I actually thought a story would accompany the sex scenes. That wasn't the case. Vaughn and Keely didn't have a single conversation that wasn't about sex and, frankly, I don't think Vaughn had any other interests in his life. And I wish authors would't treat their readers as if they are stupid. Keely is supposed to have caught Vaughn's interest because she was hard to get. Come on!!! The girl gave him a handjob the second time they met.
I may or may not read the next one. Stupid cliffhanger! Now I'm kind of curious how things will play out, but I know the second one will be as bad as this one.
If you do read it, do it for the sex. There's not much of anything else here, be it a good story or likeable characters....more
That was such a nice and sweet book! I like this author's writing style. It's so easy to read, it's fast-paced and it's sexy. I had read some reviews That was such a nice and sweet book! I like this author's writing style. It's so easy to read, it's fast-paced and it's sexy. I had read some reviews before reading this and I got the wrong idea about this book and that's probably the reason it took me so long to get down to reading it. I bought it about 4 months ago after reading and enjoying very much Seducing Professor Coyle and Criminal Pleasures is another winner from Darien Cox.
There is a quite unexpected twist fairly early in the book. I could tell something was off, that everything wasn't as it seemed, sure, but I didn't expect that. In other reviews I had read that Brendan was a little weak and a doormat and that Marc was a jerk, but without giving away too much, yes, that was so at the beginning, but later I got the feeling that Marc was even more in love with Brendan than Brendan was with Marc (and he was a lot!). And I say that because the whole book is from Brendan's POV, but Marc was such a sweetheart really.
I give it four stars because it was too insta-love for my tastes, though it actually worked here without bothering me much, and because there were a couple of thinghs slightly off about this book. I can't pinpoint exactly what, but some actions and reactions of the heroes made me wonder what did just happen.
There was this fight at the end (those who have read it probably know what I'm talking about) which I thought was silly, but at the same time it was hilarious and sexy. This is Darien Cox in my opinion. No matter what the flaws of a book are, he can make it work in the end. This is a very gook m/m romance. Recommended....more
I wasn't completely sure at first as it did give me more of a chick-lit feel than I'm used to. Though I liked the humour anI ended up loving this one!
I wasn't completely sure at first as it did give me more of a chick-lit feel than I'm used to. Though I liked the humour and how fleshed out every character and their background was, there wasn't much romance. Soon the romance kicked in though and even though it was quite subtle - no super romantic scenes or swoon-worthy declarations of undying love - I think it was exactly because of how sweet and real it was that this couple completely won me over. Plus, I loved it when they fought!
There were several other things going on except for the love story between Faith and Levi and I almost wept once or twice. I really loved how nothing of what went on came off as silly, I could believe that the MCs' problems and experiences could stigmatise a person for ever. They were treated very well, with the exact right dose of humour and drama in order not to be passed off as trivial but not to reach melodramatic territory either.
It was a really good book all in all! I look forward to reading more from this author....more
I equally dreaded and anticipated the release of this book. I can't think of any trilogy I've liked in my entire life that didn't disappoint me, even I equally dreaded and anticipated the release of this book. I can't think of any trilogy I've liked in my entire life that didn't disappoint me, even slightly, in the last installment. There's always a first time.
I am so happy with this book, I am so relieved to have read and loved it. It was all I expected and wanted to read.
Is it the best book in the series? No, I already said there's no topping book 2. Do I not read other people's reviews and see what bothers them? I do and I saw some "mistakes" in the book, if I can put it that way, because that's what Pacat wanted to write and who am I to judge her? I'm not oblivious to these things or to the rush ending or to everything else. Do I care? No.
This series has always been about characterisation for me. Pacat stayed true to Damen and Laurent's personalities and did them justice. That's all I wanted and she gave it to me. I will always have that to thank her for.
The whole series is a 10-star read all the way, it's a masterpiece not just to be read but also to be savored and Pacat's talent is out-of-this-world.
I would like to write a full (and better review) for this one. It deserves it. Maybe one day...
A truly wonderful book. I loved Bear, I loved Otter and I loved the Kid.
Update 1/1/14 My first review of 2014 and what a great book Bear, Otter and thA truly wonderful book. I loved Bear, I loved Otter and I loved the Kid.
Update 1/1/14 My first review of 2014 and what a great book Bear, Otter and the Kid was. I hadn't read a m/m romance for a while and, as always, I am amazed with how well written and profound these stories are.
I have to say from the beginning that I'm quite partial to this book. Friends to lovers theme: one of my favorites. I've loved you for years theme: stories with this theme always get to me; there's something about them that makes me melt EVERY single time. GFY stories: Again one of my favorite themes in the m/m genre. Now BOatK had all three of them so you do realize what my reaction to this book has been. I think I can fill a page with the word WOW.
Derrick aka Bear Now I liked Bear's character. First person narrative (and in the present tense too) isn't one of my favorites, but it worked here. So the whole book was from Bear's POV and he was one of the funniest characters I've ever read about. Oh his mind works in mysterious ways. He can start from point 1 and get to point 1057 in no time and you can't even understand how he makes these associations in his head. He really makes a mountain out of a molehill. So he always ends up saying something hilarious and uncomprehensible and I, as reader, knowing what had gone through his mind, I just couldn't hold myself from laughing. I loved him just for that and because of how funny and adorable he made the whole book.
But this is not all there is to Bear's character. He's a 21-year-old man who has been forced to look after his little brother, Tyson, ever since their mother left them (actually, it was way before that because their mother really sucked as a mother) when he was just 18. He has sacrificed a lot for his little brother. He stayed out of college because he needed to work full-time and take care of the Kid. I know he may come off as selfish and he is a little embittered, but honestly, I can't blame him for that. I know I would be 10 times worse if i were him.
Tyson aka the Kid He is the most adorable kid I've ever known read about. I wish I could have a clone of him and then adopt him. That's how amazing he is! He's not realistic at all, I know. He is like super-intelligent even at the age of 8, which I can believe, because I have a cousin who was just like him. He would choose a documentary over cartoons any day, he was the best student in school etc, but I'm sorry to say that those super intelligent children are usually anti-social and emotionally immature (you can't have everything, I guess). Ty on the other hand was probably the most emotionally mature kid I've ever seen. To be honest, though, I loved him soooooooo much and I wouldn't change him for anything. This is fiction, after all, and if you can't have a wonderful kid like Ty in fiction then What The Heck, I ask?
Oliver aka Otter If I loved Bear and the Kid, then I have to invent a new word about what I felt for Otter. Can a guy be more perfect than this? I really don't think so. He's the stuff dreams are made of for every girl. (Well, boy is more accurate in this case, I should be so lucky!) He has been in love with Bear for 5 years, he tried to fight this attraction, he did everything to forget him but couldn't do it. Now he's back and he's ready to do anything to have Bear in his life, to love him, to take care of him and make him feel that he's protected and that he's got a family now.
The fight for you is all I've ever known
This was my favorite line in the whole book and one I think I will never forget because it was true, it was so true.
Honestly, there are no words for how much I loved Otter. He made me sigh, he made me smile, he made me cry, he made everything in this book absolutely perfect. I need to stop now, but I think you get how much I love him, no?
I loved all the other characters: Creed (Otter's crazy brother and Bear's best friend), Anna (Bear's ex-girlfriend, who, even though he broke her heart, never left him or Ty) and Mrs. Paquin (who was just crazy and so funny. LOL!) They were always there for Bear and the Kid and they proved that blood is not everything, but it is the bond that we form with the people in our lives that really counts. Families don't have to be related by blood. Family are the people we know are always going to be there for us, no matter what, and, in this sense, Bear and Ty are really lucky and have the best family one could wish for....more
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