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booksafety's Reviews (586)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Maybe I was in a bad mood while listening and maybe I’m a bit harsh, but I was expecting more from this. The romance was nearly non-existent and very forgettable. I actually missed the first time one of the MCs made a move on the other and had to go back because it was so out of the blue. I’m also disappointed by the step brothers thing. Sure, most of their issues were in the past and they’re grown men, but I expected it to play a bigger part in their relationship. It’s not even mentioned how other people, friends or close family, reacted to finding out.
The adventure part was exciting, and I loved all of the bits of history and anthropology. All I can say is thank god it’s the first and last adventure for Kit, because he’s a shit adventurer, lol.
It’s clearly not a bad book, but I found most of the characters to be unlikeable for a very large part of the book, none more than the terminally sick grandfather who I wanted to roundhouse kick in the face a time or two.
Great book if you want the focus to be on the action and exploration stuffs, but the romance was lacking. Sometimes romcom vibes/type of humor works for me, but usually it doesn’t, and it felt like it was trying very hard to be funny.
Don’t get me started on rimming after over a month in the jungle without showering. I don’t know whether to be horrified or somehow impressed.
3.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Gay Indiana Jones
Step brothers
Adventure and action
MC with epilepsy
Frenemies
Anthropology/culture
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of past death of parents (off page)
MC cheated on by ex boyfriend (past, some details)
Sober MCs drink spiked with alcohol (past, detailed)
Past and present epileptic seizures (on page)
Grandparent with terminal colon cancer (does not die during book)
Recounting of being crawled on by a spider
Explicit sexual content
Side character shot on page
Gun violence
Unsafe sex
Penetration without lube
Injured MC
Graphic deaths of minor characters
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Urban romantasy
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 32 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 326
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Maybe I was in a bad mood while listening and maybe I’m a bit harsh, but I was expecting more from this. The romance was nearly non-existent and very forgettable. I actually missed the first time one of the MCs made a move on the other and had to go back because it was so out of the blue. I’m also disappointed by the step brothers thing. Sure, most of their issues were in the past and they’re grown men, but I expected it to play a bigger part in their relationship. It’s not even mentioned how other people, friends or close family, reacted to finding out.
The adventure part was exciting, and I loved all of the bits of history and anthropology. All I can say is thank god it’s the first and last adventure for Kit, because he’s a shit adventurer, lol.
It’s clearly not a bad book, but I found most of the characters to be unlikeable for a very large part of the book, none more than the terminally sick grandfather who I wanted to roundhouse kick in the face a time or two.
Great book if you want the focus to be on the action and exploration stuffs, but the romance was lacking. Sometimes romcom vibes/type of humor works for me, but usually it doesn’t, and it felt like it was trying very hard to be funny.
Don’t get me started on rimming after over a month in the jungle without showering. I don’t know whether to be horrified or somehow impressed.
3.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Gay Indiana Jones
Step brothers
Adventure and action
MC with epilepsy
Frenemies
Anthropology/culture
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of past death of parents (off page)
MC cheated on by ex boyfriend (past, some details)
Sober MCs drink spiked with alcohol (past, detailed)
Past and present epileptic seizures (on page)
Grandparent with terminal colon cancer (does not die during book)
Recounting of being crawled on by a spider
Explicit sexual content
Side character shot on page
Gun violence
Unsafe sex
Penetration without lube
Injured MC
Graphic deaths of minor characters
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Urban romantasy
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 32 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 326
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
I’ve mastered the art of giving pleasure while receiving pain.
Reviewing books like this isn’t easy. There’s so much to unpack, and you really have to put away any personal discomfort with the contents to review it fairly. I will preface this with saying I have a strong stomach, and I handled it relatively well. There were still scenes that made me uncomfortable, and a lot of it was difficult to read, but as I expected, it was the angst between the MCs that came after when the healing started that affected me the most. The psychological impact on both MCs from seeing/experiencing/inflicting all of this trauma is enormous, and it can definitely impact the reader as well.
I was a bit confused about the timeline early on, but other than that, this is very well written. The author has handled the themes well without shying away from showing the gruesome details of sex trafficking. There was one point where it felt like a bit much, like maybe a scene or two near the end of the undercover operation could’ve been left out and it not impact the story, as it started to read a bit like torture porn (as my friend describes it). It’s not the feeling I’m left with after finishing the book, as it reaches a point where they’re physically safe and the book focuses on healing physically and mentally, but it was indeed a bit much at one point, which is saying something. Well, other than the graphic revenge near the end, but that was just cathartic for everyone involved at that point lol (including the reader), although it did make me wanna clutch my metaphorical balls (I have written the words ‘metaphorical balls’ in entirely too many reviews).
[…] I might be imagining it. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes I feel things on my body that aren’t there when I look. Am I going crazy? Does that happen before you die? I think I’d like to die. I think that’d be really nice.
I don’t want to forget about the romance part of the book either. The potential ‘hero worship’ situation was handled well, and I’m thankful that there really weren’t any romantic feelings involved, only the need to take care of and protect each other, until after they were away from the undercover operation. They have to work for it, and maybe the start of their connection wasn’t the healthiest, but with therapy (individually, together and in a group setting) they managed to create a safe and healthy relationship. They were by no means healed or ‘fixed’ by the end of the book though, and it was clear that the therapy would continue. And the MCs were simply so sweet together when they reached that stage.
I am a big fan of daddy kink, and one kinda funny thing is that I didn’t even know this had it until I read it in the book. One MC is a daddy dom, and he’s a caretaker through and through (which actually leads to what was the most heartbreaking moment in the book for me), but this dynamic worked so well for the MCs. The other MC even experiences some age regression, but I will say this is very mild and doesn’t read like the usual age play books at all. He needs some extra comfort and gets a bit needy, and he has a stuffie he adores.
I’ve always dreamt of spending my time just like this. Bathing a boy. Caring for him. Tucking him in. Sure, in my fantasies I was his daddy, and he wasn’t recovering from a fucking nightmarish existence.
I’m sure there’s plenty more I could say about this book (it’s a thicc one after all), but there’s really no point. It’s heartbreaking, sometimes stomach turning, somehow sweet and adorable at times, and I even managed to laugh once or twice. Tackling subjects like this must be really freaking difficult, and I am in no way shape or form an expert on anything that goes down in this book, but I do believe the author did it well.
“It’s alright,” I promise him. "When was the last time someone touched you gently, little one?" A small sob bursts from Casey's lips. "I don't remember."
The list of content warnings is incredibly long this time, but they’re all there for a good reason, and I definitely encourage you to look at them before reading. Take care of yourself first and foremost.
4.5 stars rounded up
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age gap
Undercover agent
Human trafficking
Survivorship
Mental health
Daddy dom
Found family
Trauma
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
MC forced to rape a third party (not other MC)
Non consensual spitting and urination (in mouth)
Mentions of child rape (off page, no MC involved)
On page torture/assault (not between MCs)
Dubious consent (relatively mild cases)
On page rape (not between MCs)
Mentions of child sex trafficking
Non-consensual drug use
Self harm (unintentional)
Sex trafficking
Slavery
Suicidal ideation
Gang rape
Sexual assault
PTSD
Humiliation
Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Mild age regression
*I have added the content warnings the author provided as well as every single one I could think of, but there may be others I have missed.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: In a way. Please see the first content warning.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Atleast one MC is versatile. No switching on page.
Casey fidgets with the towel, peeking at me through his lashes. "You're sure you don't want me to… pleasure you, Master? I'd-I'd be very happy to." "No. But thank you." "Will you-will others be…" he squeezes his eyes shut and tilts his head away. "Will you let other slaves pleasure you tonight, Master? Are-are they better than me?"
It wouldn't be so bad to drown in him. In fact, I think it’d be quite nice. Maybe we could even drown in each other.
Casey chooses to go to his after-breakfast crying session alone, giving me a lingering kiss just before hurrying off. He looks startingly happy for a boy about to go cry his eyes out.
I’ve mastered the art of giving pleasure while receiving pain.
Reviewing books like this isn’t easy. There’s so much to unpack, and you really have to put away any personal discomfort with the contents to review it fairly. I will preface this with saying I have a strong stomach, and I handled it relatively well. There were still scenes that made me uncomfortable, and a lot of it was difficult to read, but as I expected, it was the angst between the MCs that came after when the healing started that affected me the most. The psychological impact on both MCs from seeing/experiencing/inflicting all of this trauma is enormous, and it can definitely impact the reader as well.
I was a bit confused about the timeline early on, but other than that, this is very well written. The author has handled the themes well without shying away from showing the gruesome details of sex trafficking. There was one point where it felt like a bit much, like maybe a scene or two near the end of the undercover operation could’ve been left out and it not impact the story, as it started to read a bit like torture porn (as my friend describes it). It’s not the feeling I’m left with after finishing the book, as it reaches a point where they’re physically safe and the book focuses on healing physically and mentally, but it was indeed a bit much at one point, which is saying something. Well, other than the graphic revenge near the end, but that was just cathartic for everyone involved at that point lol (including the reader), although it did make me wanna clutch my metaphorical balls (I have written the words ‘metaphorical balls’ in entirely too many reviews).
[…] I might be imagining it. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes I feel things on my body that aren’t there when I look. Am I going crazy? Does that happen before you die? I think I’d like to die. I think that’d be really nice.
I don’t want to forget about the romance part of the book either. The potential ‘hero worship’ situation was handled well, and I’m thankful that there really weren’t any romantic feelings involved, only the need to take care of and protect each other, until after they were away from the undercover operation. They have to work for it, and maybe the start of their connection wasn’t the healthiest, but with therapy (individually, together and in a group setting) they managed to create a safe and healthy relationship. They were by no means healed or ‘fixed’ by the end of the book though, and it was clear that the therapy would continue. And the MCs were simply so sweet together when they reached that stage.
I am a big fan of daddy kink, and one kinda funny thing is that I didn’t even know this had it until I read it in the book. One MC is a daddy dom, and he’s a caretaker through and through (which actually leads to what was the most heartbreaking moment in the book for me), but this dynamic worked so well for the MCs. The other MC even experiences some age regression, but I will say this is very mild and doesn’t read like the usual age play books at all. He needs some extra comfort and gets a bit needy, and he has a stuffie he adores.
I’ve always dreamt of spending my time just like this. Bathing a boy. Caring for him. Tucking him in. Sure, in my fantasies I was his daddy, and he wasn’t recovering from a fucking nightmarish existence.
I’m sure there’s plenty more I could say about this book (it’s a thicc one after all), but there’s really no point. It’s heartbreaking, sometimes stomach turning, somehow sweet and adorable at times, and I even managed to laugh once or twice. Tackling subjects like this must be really freaking difficult, and I am in no way shape or form an expert on anything that goes down in this book, but I do believe the author did it well.
“It’s alright,” I promise him. "When was the last time someone touched you gently, little one?" A small sob bursts from Casey's lips. "I don't remember."
The list of content warnings is incredibly long this time, but they’re all there for a good reason, and I definitely encourage you to look at them before reading. Take care of yourself first and foremost.
4.5 stars rounded up
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age gap
Undercover agent
Human trafficking
Survivorship
Mental health
Daddy dom
Found family
Trauma
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
MC forced to rape a third party (not other MC)
Non consensual spitting and urination (in mouth)
Mentions of child rape (off page, no MC involved)
On page torture/assault (not between MCs)
Dubious consent (relatively mild cases)
On page rape (not between MCs)
Mentions of child sex trafficking
Non-consensual drug use
Self harm (unintentional)
Sex trafficking
Slavery
Suicidal ideation
Gang rape
Sexual assault
PTSD
Humiliation
Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Mild age regression
*I have added the content warnings the author provided as well as every single one I could think of, but there may be others I have missed.
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: In a way. Please see the first content warning.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Atleast one MC is versatile. No switching on page.
Casey fidgets with the towel, peeking at me through his lashes. "You're sure you don't want me to… pleasure you, Master? I'd-I'd be very happy to." "No. But thank you." "Will you-will others be…" he squeezes his eyes shut and tilts his head away. "Will you let other slaves pleasure you tonight, Master? Are-are they better than me?"
It wouldn't be so bad to drown in him. In fact, I think it’d be quite nice. Maybe we could even drown in each other.
Casey chooses to go to his after-breakfast crying session alone, giving me a lingering kiss just before hurrying off. He looks startingly happy for a boy about to go cry his eyes out.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Eating was a grueling task. A process I’d learned to hate. Nothing was safe, and it was an ongoing battle with my mind to keep enough food down so I wouldn’t die.
I’m pretty sure I say the same thing every time I read a Nicky James book, but this author can write the hell out of a serious subject. You can tell she approaches it with respect and sensitivity each time, and the result is a well written beautiful book about heavy themes. This one is no different.
I can’t even imagine the exhaustion of being afraid of food, but living it through Arden in this book was powerful, and he made me want to cry and rage with him out of frustration and worry. Like that phobia isn’t a big enough challenge, he has to deal with a very religious and bigoted family with zero understanding or patience for his issues. It was hard to read at times, but I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. There is a lot of drama going on here, but it didn’t feel gratuitous either.
My heart did a little excited skip as I remembered those days of falling over my feet, loving him as only a kid with a life-consuming crush did.
Arden reminded me of Victor Lang (Hold Me Under by Riley Nash) at times. He was so closed off and afraid of being vulnerable, that he turned the prickliness up to ten and built his walls so high no one could see over them. He kept lying/playing along with other people’s assumptions about him (being anorexic) instead of disclosing his phobia.
His love interest, Iggy, is perfect. Not actually, but pretty freaking close. He has a world of patience and a massive heart of gold. He definitely has a need to help anyone and everyone, but the way he supports and helps Arden, even when he doesn’t know what is going on, was amazing. He deserves a spot on the list of top book boyfriends, without a doubt.
I wondered for a minute if this cockiness was a façade, and if deep down, living surrounded by hatred was slowly tearing him apart.
This book deals heavily with disordered eating, body image and weight issues, but not in a way you would usually see. This is very much based on a phobia and anxiety. It’s tough to read at times, but Arden and Iggy are very solid together. I very highly recommend this book.
I must add (this is another typical one for me), I feel like maybe the bigoted family got a second chance a little too soon/too easily, even though it was a tough road getting there. I’m not at all a very forgiving person, but I guess I wanted them to work for it a little harder, lol.
Eating gave me that same overwhelming fear some people might get just before jumping out of an airplane. It swamped me, coating rational thought, and wouldn’t let me go.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age gap
Brothers best friend
Phobia
Anxiety
Childhood crush
Interracial relationship
Hurt/comfort
EMT worker
Fashion designer (college student)
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Eating disorder
Homophobia
Medical emergency
Religious bigotry
Near death experience (MC)
Cibophobia (fear of food)
Death of a sibling (off page, past, a few details)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No, but three weeks of no contact after first date.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile. No switching on page.
Lying was a huge no-no in the McMillan house. The problem was, I lied so often no one noticed the difference. Telling the truth at this point would have probably stood out more. How are you feeling? Fine. Did you eat? Yes. Did you say your prayers? Of course. How was your study date with Malcolm? Great! Lies. Lies. Lies, and I didn’t have a study date with Malcolm, I hooked up with a guy at school, and he sucked me off in the back seat of his Fiesta. Oops. Yup, still gay. I guess the good Lord hasn’t cured me yet.
All the butterflies that had followed me into his house earlier withered and died.
Eating was a grueling task. A process I’d learned to hate. Nothing was safe, and it was an ongoing battle with my mind to keep enough food down so I wouldn’t die.
I’m pretty sure I say the same thing every time I read a Nicky James book, but this author can write the hell out of a serious subject. You can tell she approaches it with respect and sensitivity each time, and the result is a well written beautiful book about heavy themes. This one is no different.
I can’t even imagine the exhaustion of being afraid of food, but living it through Arden in this book was powerful, and he made me want to cry and rage with him out of frustration and worry. Like that phobia isn’t a big enough challenge, he has to deal with a very religious and bigoted family with zero understanding or patience for his issues. It was hard to read at times, but I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. There is a lot of drama going on here, but it didn’t feel gratuitous either.
My heart did a little excited skip as I remembered those days of falling over my feet, loving him as only a kid with a life-consuming crush did.
Arden reminded me of Victor Lang (Hold Me Under by Riley Nash) at times. He was so closed off and afraid of being vulnerable, that he turned the prickliness up to ten and built his walls so high no one could see over them. He kept lying/playing along with other people’s assumptions about him (being anorexic) instead of disclosing his phobia.
His love interest, Iggy, is perfect. Not actually, but pretty freaking close. He has a world of patience and a massive heart of gold. He definitely has a need to help anyone and everyone, but the way he supports and helps Arden, even when he doesn’t know what is going on, was amazing. He deserves a spot on the list of top book boyfriends, without a doubt.
I wondered for a minute if this cockiness was a façade, and if deep down, living surrounded by hatred was slowly tearing him apart.
This book deals heavily with disordered eating, body image and weight issues, but not in a way you would usually see. This is very much based on a phobia and anxiety. It’s tough to read at times, but Arden and Iggy are very solid together. I very highly recommend this book.
I must add (this is another typical one for me), I feel like maybe the bigoted family got a second chance a little too soon/too easily, even though it was a tough road getting there. I’m not at all a very forgiving person, but I guess I wanted them to work for it a little harder, lol.
Eating gave me that same overwhelming fear some people might get just before jumping out of an airplane. It swamped me, coating rational thought, and wouldn’t let me go.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age gap
Brothers best friend
Phobia
Anxiety
Childhood crush
Interracial relationship
Hurt/comfort
EMT worker
Fashion designer (college student)
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Eating disorder
Homophobia
Medical emergency
Religious bigotry
Near death experience (MC)
Cibophobia (fear of food)
Death of a sibling (off page, past, a few details)
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No, but three weeks of no contact after first date.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile. No switching on page.
Lying was a huge no-no in the McMillan house. The problem was, I lied so often no one noticed the difference. Telling the truth at this point would have probably stood out more. How are you feeling? Fine. Did you eat? Yes. Did you say your prayers? Of course. How was your study date with Malcolm? Great! Lies. Lies. Lies, and I didn’t have a study date with Malcolm, I hooked up with a guy at school, and he sucked me off in the back seat of his Fiesta. Oops. Yup, still gay. I guess the good Lord hasn’t cured me yet.
All the butterflies that had followed me into his house earlier withered and died.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“You came into my life at a time when a lot of things were ending for me. There’s no reason you can’t be a part of the things that are just beginning.”
This book was a really good mix of sweet, spicy and enough angst to keep me thoroughly invested. Student/teacher is a difficult trope to pull off (imo) because it can be really difficult to avoid making it creepy and uncomfortable. Although the MCs were quite different, they were surprisingly equal in many ways, so it wasn’t creepy. There’s still a power imbalance of course, but they find a way to deal with/solve it.
He thinks he knows what he’s doing, but I could do things to him that would keep his toes curled for a week.
It is also just so dang nice to read something with really good writing. It’s like the author can write with many voices, but it never feels out of character. Sometimes people say hurtful things. Sometimes they’re crass and childish. Other times they say or think really beautiful things. This book had all of it and more, especially a lot of witty writing and moments, and it felt genuine and realistic for the characters.
They didn’t have a smooth ride and a more than unconventional start to their relationship, but it somehow works.
“Just kiss me.” I want to so much, but I’m so afraid. How is anyone supposed to fall this far in love and even survive it?
It does lose points for no epilogue though, because with how their journey played out, the story really needed a solid update and ending for the MCs. They are together by the end and it’s a mild HFN with a hint at what their future might be like.
4.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Ballet dancer
Camboy
Student/professor
Size difference
Brit/American
Exhibitionism
Bisexual awakening
High spice
Secret relationship
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobic slurs
Details of illness and recovery from cancer (MC’s ex)
Details of past self harm (hair pulling, biting, cutting [mild on page])
Thoughts of and cravings for self harm
Drug use (marijuana, on page)
Alcohol consumption and intoxication
Details of past bullying
Details of past homophobic comments
Details of past fatshaming
Minor car accident
Mild stalking (not between MCs)
Power imbalance
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Some drama with problematic ex, but MC doesn’t want him back.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 20 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 332
Happy ending: Yes
“Fine,” I say. “Just…fuck off and do your reading, okay?” Milos winces at the obscenity. I’m a teacher, and an English teacher at that, but I don’t have the energy to keep up the persona all the time. Sometimes I need to be human.
Poor kid was just trying to sneak his schoolwork in on time and ends up with his teacher sobbing all over his shoes for no reason.
He’s a work of art; I might as well have just jizzed on a Michelangelo.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
“You came into my life at a time when a lot of things were ending for me. There’s no reason you can’t be a part of the things that are just beginning.”
This book was a really good mix of sweet, spicy and enough angst to keep me thoroughly invested. Student/teacher is a difficult trope to pull off (imo) because it can be really difficult to avoid making it creepy and uncomfortable. Although the MCs were quite different, they were surprisingly equal in many ways, so it wasn’t creepy. There’s still a power imbalance of course, but they find a way to deal with/solve it.
He thinks he knows what he’s doing, but I could do things to him that would keep his toes curled for a week.
It is also just so dang nice to read something with really good writing. It’s like the author can write with many voices, but it never feels out of character. Sometimes people say hurtful things. Sometimes they’re crass and childish. Other times they say or think really beautiful things. This book had all of it and more, especially a lot of witty writing and moments, and it felt genuine and realistic for the characters.
They didn’t have a smooth ride and a more than unconventional start to their relationship, but it somehow works.
“Just kiss me.” I want to so much, but I’m so afraid. How is anyone supposed to fall this far in love and even survive it?
It does lose points for no epilogue though, because with how their journey played out, the story really needed a solid update and ending for the MCs. They are together by the end and it’s a mild HFN with a hint at what their future might be like.
4.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Ballet dancer
Camboy
Student/professor
Size difference
Brit/American
Exhibitionism
Bisexual awakening
High spice
Secret relationship
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobic slurs
Details of illness and recovery from cancer (MC’s ex)
Details of past self harm (hair pulling, biting, cutting [mild on page])
Thoughts of and cravings for self harm
Drug use (marijuana, on page)
Alcohol consumption and intoxication
Details of past bullying
Details of past homophobic comments
Details of past fatshaming
Minor car accident
Mild stalking (not between MCs)
Power imbalance
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Some drama with problematic ex, but MC doesn’t want him back.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 20 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 332
Happy ending: Yes
“Fine,” I say. “Just…fuck off and do your reading, okay?” Milos winces at the obscenity. I’m a teacher, and an English teacher at that, but I don’t have the energy to keep up the persona all the time. Sometimes I need to be human.
Poor kid was just trying to sneak his schoolwork in on time and ends up with his teacher sobbing all over his shoes for no reason.
He’s a work of art; I might as well have just jizzed on a Michelangelo.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
“Is it depressing that you’ve only been my fake boyfriend for about a minute, and already you’re treating me better than most real boyfriends I’ve had?”
I don’t have tons to say about this book, but I really did enjoy it. It was delightfully sweet, and a really good representation of the ‘fake dating trope’. It’s low angst, the characters were believable (they didn’t act out of character), and they were both lovable and endearing. What it lacks in angst and shit going down, it made up for in emotions. It’s a very uncomplicated book and not very long, but I still made a good connection with both MCs. Definitely recommend.
For years, I’d followed my desires blindly, and all it had gotten me was being hurt, time and time again.
I was a little bit disappointed by the praise kink teasing that didn’t go anywhere, but the spice that was there was good. It did sort of make up for it with one of the cutest epilogues I’ve read in ages, though.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Fake dating
Construction worker/college student
Filming reality tv show
Bisexual awakening
Attention starved
Frat bro/punk rocker
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of past binge drinking
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile, no switching on page
Jax was as conscientious as ever, even when he was talking about sucking dick. And bless his heart for that, truly.
My throat was tight. “It’s complicated.” “So fucking explain it,” he pressed, and I kind of loved that he’d called me on my bullshit.
Did good deeds matter, when they were built on a lie?
“Is it depressing that you’ve only been my fake boyfriend for about a minute, and already you’re treating me better than most real boyfriends I’ve had?”
I don’t have tons to say about this book, but I really did enjoy it. It was delightfully sweet, and a really good representation of the ‘fake dating trope’. It’s low angst, the characters were believable (they didn’t act out of character), and they were both lovable and endearing. What it lacks in angst and shit going down, it made up for in emotions. It’s a very uncomplicated book and not very long, but I still made a good connection with both MCs. Definitely recommend.
For years, I’d followed my desires blindly, and all it had gotten me was being hurt, time and time again.
I was a little bit disappointed by the praise kink teasing that didn’t go anywhere, but the spice that was there was good. It did sort of make up for it with one of the cutest epilogues I’ve read in ages, though.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Fake dating
Construction worker/college student
Filming reality tv show
Bisexual awakening
Attention starved
Frat bro/punk rocker
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of past binge drinking
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile, no switching on page
Jax was as conscientious as ever, even when he was talking about sucking dick. And bless his heart for that, truly.
My throat was tight. “It’s complicated.” “So fucking explain it,” he pressed, and I kind of loved that he’d called me on my bullshit.
Did good deeds matter, when they were built on a lie?
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
I hate asshole clients. Unfortunately, even dicks need protection.
I wanna review this as objectively as possible, because even though I didn’t love it, I imagine most people will. There is a lot to love here, but unfortunately the writing didn’t work for me. I was super excited by the tropes as it sounded like it would be the perfect book for me, but I wasn’t able to connect with the story or characters on an emotional level. It was sort of a bit too shallow, only surface level. I could recognize the important and emotional moments in the book, but I couldn’t *feel* them.
The actor MC, Dante, started off prickly and closed off, which definitely made sense for his story, and it made me excited to see him open up with Nixon, which he also did. Unfortunately, he still came off as shallow and quite rude even by the end of the book, which was unfortunate. Not necessarily a bad thing for everyone, but not my favorite vibe.
This book does get half a star extra for the safe representation of BDSM and good communication about limits and expectations, as well as the lovely focus on aftercare, though. I have been spoiled by reading some really good spicy scenes lately, so this one landed on the lower end of the spectrum for me.
There’s something about a man who exudes confidence and finesse to the public eye but is pouting for me that turns me on.
If you enjoy these tropes and themes, I would still recommend giving it a try, as we all like different writing, and even though this was a miss for me, maybe it will be a massive hit for you.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Bodyguard
Coming out
D/s dynamic
Actor
Mild (mostly one-sided) enemies to lovers
Cockwarming
Aftercare
Age gap
Size difference
Closeted MC
BDSM
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Forced to come out
Drugging
Homophobia
Religious trauma
Violence
Impact play
Breath play
Light bondage
Injuries
Hospitalization
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Especially since Dante is so deep in the closet that he’s made friends with the dust bunnies.
Feelings are dangerous. I don’t want them.
I hate asshole clients. Unfortunately, even dicks need protection.
I wanna review this as objectively as possible, because even though I didn’t love it, I imagine most people will. There is a lot to love here, but unfortunately the writing didn’t work for me. I was super excited by the tropes as it sounded like it would be the perfect book for me, but I wasn’t able to connect with the story or characters on an emotional level. It was sort of a bit too shallow, only surface level. I could recognize the important and emotional moments in the book, but I couldn’t *feel* them.
The actor MC, Dante, started off prickly and closed off, which definitely made sense for his story, and it made me excited to see him open up with Nixon, which he also did. Unfortunately, he still came off as shallow and quite rude even by the end of the book, which was unfortunate. Not necessarily a bad thing for everyone, but not my favorite vibe.
This book does get half a star extra for the safe representation of BDSM and good communication about limits and expectations, as well as the lovely focus on aftercare, though. I have been spoiled by reading some really good spicy scenes lately, so this one landed on the lower end of the spectrum for me.
There’s something about a man who exudes confidence and finesse to the public eye but is pouting for me that turns me on.
If you enjoy these tropes and themes, I would still recommend giving it a try, as we all like different writing, and even though this was a miss for me, maybe it will be a massive hit for you.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Bodyguard
Coming out
D/s dynamic
Actor
Mild (mostly one-sided) enemies to lovers
Cockwarming
Aftercare
Age gap
Size difference
Closeted MC
BDSM
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Forced to come out
Drugging
Homophobia
Religious trauma
Violence
Impact play
Breath play
Light bondage
Injuries
Hospitalization
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Especially since Dante is so deep in the closet that he’s made friends with the dust bunnies.
Feelings are dangerous. I don’t want them.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Okay, I’m too tired to write a lengthy review, (edit: okay so that was a lie lmao) but I listened to an 11 hour audiobook in one day, so it’s safe to say I loved it. I was immediately invested in both of these MCs, and I wanted nothing more than to see the end of their journey and their beautiful HEA. This book kinda details two different things: Devin and Jase falling in love, as well as Jase’s life with anxiety.
First of all, Jase didn’t even know he was closeted for the longest time. He just thought he didn’t feel attraction like ‘normal’ people, and he deals with anxiety and regular panic attacks without actually knowing that’s what they are for the longest time. Both of these things obviously create issues in his life and relationships, but these men really try their hardest to make it work. They are both very likable characters (with flaws, don’t get me wrong), and you if you read or listen to this book, you will be rooting for them. I would think.
Dallas is also the sweetest kid, and the whole premise for the book is beautiful. I had the biggest smile on my face during the first quarter of this book when they first meet and start talking. They are all adorably awkward, and it’s super endearing. I’m not a big fan of reading hockey books, but I didn’t mind it, and I loved everything around it so much. The hockey wasn’t a massive part of it anyway (in terms of gameplay on page, at least), so it wasn’t a problem at all. The rest of the tropes had me hooked.
It was nice connecting with both MCs and caring about the book’s outcome after reading a couple of duds. Highly recommend.
I listened to the audiobook so I unfortunately don’t have any quotes, although there were plenty worth mentioning. I also have to mention what a fantastic job Greg Boudreaux and Michael Ferrawhatsit did with the narration. Especially narrating Jase’s panic attacks and spiraling. He made that feel so real that I found myself holding my breath right alongside him. I could also recognize myself a whole hell of a lot with how the anxiety is portrayed in this book, which can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, as well as feeling sort of nice. No matter what, L.A Witt did a good job with the mental health aspects of this.
Second edit: I forgot to mention how lovely the spice was, and I also wanted to include how lovely (and healthy) it is to read a story with normal, average dicks. Including Jase’s insecurity about not being big enough, and then later on realizing he’s perfectly average and also showing how they have a great sex life is so refreshing, and honestly important.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Hockey
Player/fan
Single dad
Mental health
Friends to lovers
Closeted MC
Bisexual MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Anxiety disorder
Panic attacks
Brief hospitalization
Mentions of financial problems
Child with chronic health issues
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary, sports romance, MM
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Okay, I’m too tired to write a lengthy review, (edit: okay so that was a lie lmao) but I listened to an 11 hour audiobook in one day, so it’s safe to say I loved it. I was immediately invested in both of these MCs, and I wanted nothing more than to see the end of their journey and their beautiful HEA. This book kinda details two different things: Devin and Jase falling in love, as well as Jase’s life with anxiety.
First of all, Jase didn’t even know he was closeted for the longest time. He just thought he didn’t feel attraction like ‘normal’ people, and he deals with anxiety and regular panic attacks without actually knowing that’s what they are for the longest time. Both of these things obviously create issues in his life and relationships, but these men really try their hardest to make it work. They are both very likable characters (with flaws, don’t get me wrong), and you if you read or listen to this book, you will be rooting for them. I would think.
Dallas is also the sweetest kid, and the whole premise for the book is beautiful. I had the biggest smile on my face during the first quarter of this book when they first meet and start talking. They are all adorably awkward, and it’s super endearing. I’m not a big fan of reading hockey books, but I didn’t mind it, and I loved everything around it so much. The hockey wasn’t a massive part of it anyway (in terms of gameplay on page, at least), so it wasn’t a problem at all. The rest of the tropes had me hooked.
It was nice connecting with both MCs and caring about the book’s outcome after reading a couple of duds. Highly recommend.
I listened to the audiobook so I unfortunately don’t have any quotes, although there were plenty worth mentioning. I also have to mention what a fantastic job Greg Boudreaux and Michael Ferrawhatsit did with the narration. Especially narrating Jase’s panic attacks and spiraling. He made that feel so real that I found myself holding my breath right alongside him. I could also recognize myself a whole hell of a lot with how the anxiety is portrayed in this book, which can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, as well as feeling sort of nice. No matter what, L.A Witt did a good job with the mental health aspects of this.
Second edit: I forgot to mention how lovely the spice was, and I also wanted to include how lovely (and healthy) it is to read a story with normal, average dicks. Including Jase’s insecurity about not being big enough, and then later on realizing he’s perfectly average and also showing how they have a great sex life is so refreshing, and honestly important.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Hockey
Player/fan
Single dad
Mental health
Friends to lovers
Closeted MC
Bisexual MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Anxiety disorder
Panic attacks
Brief hospitalization
Mentions of financial problems
Child with chronic health issues
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary, sports romance, MM
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
It’s been twelve years of struggling, of barely making it, and I’m fucking tired.
My first book by Mia Monroe, and I would gladly read more. I really really enjoyed the writing, and the story is really freaking entertaining. It was also sweet, a little sad, and hot as hell. There’s vampires, assassins, a tragic backstory, fated mates, and heat. What more could a lady want, really?
“I’m tempted to call you perfect, but I fear you would reject the sentiment. […]
I have a lengthy TBR (where books go to die), as well as several ARCs I should be reading. However, I am also a mood reader, so when I came across the blurb for this one, I immediately ditched all of my reading plans, lol. No regrets, though. I really enjoyed this! Also, Bowie is the best MC name, possibly ever. A beautiful man named Bowie with shoulder length wavy brown hair, who also has a bit of an anger issue? Sign me right up.
Bowie burrows his face into my chest like a wounded child in need of comfort, […]
I might actually go crazy and read more from the series. Probably out of order, lol. I wanna see everyone (especially Yves) find their mates.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Paranormal
Vampires
Assassins
Found family
Homeless MC
Fated mates
Touch deprived MC
Virgin MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Physical abuse
Domestic abuse (off page)
Sexual assault (past, some details)
Stalking (friendly)
Mentions of suicide (parent, off page)
Mentions of family deaths (off page)
Graphic violence
Vampire-y blood stuff
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Slightly jealous friend, but absolutely no drama because of it.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Paranormal romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Yves does not love me, not romantically. I know this. We have chemistry, yes, and when his loneliness is at its peak, he confuses passion for emotions.
The jealous friend
It’s been twelve years of struggling, of barely making it, and I’m fucking tired.
My first book by Mia Monroe, and I would gladly read more. I really really enjoyed the writing, and the story is really freaking entertaining. It was also sweet, a little sad, and hot as hell. There’s vampires, assassins, a tragic backstory, fated mates, and heat. What more could a lady want, really?
“I’m tempted to call you perfect, but I fear you would reject the sentiment. […]
I have a lengthy TBR (where books go to die), as well as several ARCs I should be reading. However, I am also a mood reader, so when I came across the blurb for this one, I immediately ditched all of my reading plans, lol. No regrets, though. I really enjoyed this! Also, Bowie is the best MC name, possibly ever. A beautiful man named Bowie with shoulder length wavy brown hair, who also has a bit of an anger issue? Sign me right up.
Bowie burrows his face into my chest like a wounded child in need of comfort, […]
I might actually go crazy and read more from the series. Probably out of order, lol. I wanna see everyone (especially Yves) find their mates.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Paranormal
Vampires
Assassins
Found family
Homeless MC
Fated mates
Touch deprived MC
Virgin MC
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Physical abuse
Domestic abuse (off page)
Sexual assault (past, some details)
Stalking (friendly)
Mentions of suicide (parent, off page)
Mentions of family deaths (off page)
Graphic violence
Vampire-y blood stuff
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Slightly jealous friend, but absolutely no drama because of it.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Paranormal romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Yves does not love me, not romantically. I know this. We have chemistry, yes, and when his loneliness is at its peak, he confuses passion for emotions.
The jealous friend
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Hospital Architecture 101 had to include the mandatory section, ‘Find the spookiest site for a morgue and build it right fucking there.’
Damn, I have a lot of conflicting feelings about this one. Let me start by saying that I love Jay Hogan’s writing. It is a really good book. Unfortunately there’s a fair few things in this one that I really don’t jive with, which impacted my rating a lot. I loved the suspense, all of the action, the forensic pathologist/detective/criminal investigation bits. That shit is my jam. However, Mark is a massive man-whore (his own words), and although I can often overlook this, it was harped on and brought up so fucking much that I literally couldn’t *not* think about it. I’m pretty sure I’m somewhere on the demi/ace spectrum, so hookup culture is a bigass puzzle to me on the best of days, and although I know we’re all different, when it’s sort of ‘jammed down my throat’ like in this one, it makes me uncomfortable. There’s never any hookups on page, Mark doesn’t even look at anyone other than Edward during the book (thankfully), but with phrases like ‘pump and dump’ actually used by the character to describe his usual style, it didn’t exactly make me very confident in their eventual relationship, you know? Both characters have issues with relationships, and it took me until like the last three chapters to even see why they would want to (or how they even could) be together, beyond them having some initial good banter and chemistry.
“You flirt with everyone, Mark. I’m nothing special. You flirt because that’s how it’s done in the one-and-done crowd. Flirt-hook-fuck-leave, right? And I’ve got zero interest in being a notch on your belt.”
Even though I don’t care a lot about spice, I definitely prefer any new experiences for the couple to happen on page, and with blowies being my favorite type of spicy scene, the fact that not a single dong was hugged with a mouth on page really bummed me out, lol. Maybe the worse example of a on-page-miss is how their first ‘I love you’s’ was off page as well. Like, come on!
Edward’s heart squeezed, and he realised that Mark had the power to hurt him far, far more than Edward had ever imagined.
I really loved Edward, which is what saved it and kept me reading, honestly, as well as some great side characters. Edward wasn’t perfect at all, and among other things, he judged Mark’s morals based on his hookup history, and he had to learn some lessons about his presumptions. Overall though, he was interesting, kept me guessing, and it was fun to see how he had multiple sides to him that came to light at the same time as Mark found out about them. I could relate a lot to how Edward looks at relationships and sex, which of course made me gravitate to his character.
“All I’m saying, Detective, is that I don’t do one-night stands, I don’t do friends with benefits, and I sure as hell don’t do the club scene. Nothing wrong with any of those, but they’re not me. If I were interested in anyone, it would only be on a dating basis—a very slow dating basis, I might add. Still interested, Detective?”
It really does sound like a very negative review, but it was entertaining and it’s not like I regret reading it. I just didn’t absolutely *love* it.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Reformed man-whore
Opposites attract
Forensic pathologist
Detective
Crime solving
Mystery
New Zealand setting
Slow burn
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Mentions of cancer and the death of a family member
Autopsy
Murder
Mentions of torture
Mentions of terrorist attacks (past)
Injured pet
Physical assault
Gun violence
Injuries
Neglectful parents
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile, no switching on page
Like everything else in Ed’s life, sex was something to be savoured, and the concept of a slow burn had pretty much dominated Ed’s romantic playbook for over twenty-four years—ever since fifteen-year-old Ed had glanced at Vicki Stanton’s pillowy breasts and then, an hour later, at Mitch Ellington’s epically glorious arse in the boy’s change room and thought, huh, Houston, we might have a problem.
Respond a little, maybe give him a reason to want more than a one-night stand.
“Would you like a bigger spade for that hole you’re digging?”
Hospital Architecture 101 had to include the mandatory section, ‘Find the spookiest site for a morgue and build it right fucking there.’
Damn, I have a lot of conflicting feelings about this one. Let me start by saying that I love Jay Hogan’s writing. It is a really good book. Unfortunately there’s a fair few things in this one that I really don’t jive with, which impacted my rating a lot. I loved the suspense, all of the action, the forensic pathologist/detective/criminal investigation bits. That shit is my jam. However, Mark is a massive man-whore (his own words), and although I can often overlook this, it was harped on and brought up so fucking much that I literally couldn’t *not* think about it. I’m pretty sure I’m somewhere on the demi/ace spectrum, so hookup culture is a bigass puzzle to me on the best of days, and although I know we’re all different, when it’s sort of ‘jammed down my throat’ like in this one, it makes me uncomfortable. There’s never any hookups on page, Mark doesn’t even look at anyone other than Edward during the book (thankfully), but with phrases like ‘pump and dump’ actually used by the character to describe his usual style, it didn’t exactly make me very confident in their eventual relationship, you know? Both characters have issues with relationships, and it took me until like the last three chapters to even see why they would want to (or how they even could) be together, beyond them having some initial good banter and chemistry.
“You flirt with everyone, Mark. I’m nothing special. You flirt because that’s how it’s done in the one-and-done crowd. Flirt-hook-fuck-leave, right? And I’ve got zero interest in being a notch on your belt.”
Even though I don’t care a lot about spice, I definitely prefer any new experiences for the couple to happen on page, and with blowies being my favorite type of spicy scene, the fact that not a single dong was hugged with a mouth on page really bummed me out, lol. Maybe the worse example of a on-page-miss is how their first ‘I love you’s’ was off page as well. Like, come on!
Edward’s heart squeezed, and he realised that Mark had the power to hurt him far, far more than Edward had ever imagined.
I really loved Edward, which is what saved it and kept me reading, honestly, as well as some great side characters. Edward wasn’t perfect at all, and among other things, he judged Mark’s morals based on his hookup history, and he had to learn some lessons about his presumptions. Overall though, he was interesting, kept me guessing, and it was fun to see how he had multiple sides to him that came to light at the same time as Mark found out about them. I could relate a lot to how Edward looks at relationships and sex, which of course made me gravitate to his character.
“All I’m saying, Detective, is that I don’t do one-night stands, I don’t do friends with benefits, and I sure as hell don’t do the club scene. Nothing wrong with any of those, but they’re not me. If I were interested in anyone, it would only be on a dating basis—a very slow dating basis, I might add. Still interested, Detective?”
It really does sound like a very negative review, but it was entertaining and it’s not like I regret reading it. I just didn’t absolutely *love* it.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Reformed man-whore
Opposites attract
Forensic pathologist
Detective
Crime solving
Mystery
New Zealand setting
Slow burn
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Mentions of cancer and the death of a family member
Autopsy
Murder
Mentions of torture
Mentions of terrorist attacks (past)
Injured pet
Physical assault
Gun violence
Injuries
Neglectful parents
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile, no switching on page
Like everything else in Ed’s life, sex was something to be savoured, and the concept of a slow burn had pretty much dominated Ed’s romantic playbook for over twenty-four years—ever since fifteen-year-old Ed had glanced at Vicki Stanton’s pillowy breasts and then, an hour later, at Mitch Ellington’s epically glorious arse in the boy’s change room and thought, huh, Houston, we might have a problem.
Respond a little, maybe give him a reason to want more than a one-night stand.
“Would you like a bigger spade for that hole you’re digging?”
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
*le sigh*
I was honestly expecting to give this book 5 stars for a long time, and somehow we ended somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. To be fair, I’m in a semi-slump, and I’m probably a bit harsh, so definitely keep that in mind while reading this review.
However. I was ecstatic early on when reading this book because of some really awesome conversations between the MCs when it comes to consent and power exchange relationships. It was so refreshing to see this taken seriously and it was dealt with very well. That, coupled with a unique premise/start of a book and some pretty good mental health rep (anxiety, panic disorder), I was over the moon. Unfortunately this book suffers from the skip-really-important-shit-and-tell-you-it-happened-after syndrome, which angers me to no fucking end. One of the MCs in this is a virgin as well as being completely new to kink, which only makes the fact that his first blowie and his first spanking is skipped even worse. I also can’t forget that one MC talked quite enthusiastically about his wish to be a cockwarmer, which just didn’t happen and was never mentioned again. You know, I honest to god don’t even care much about spice, but my metaphorical balls are blue as shit.
Therapy is another one of those important things that were alluded to a bunch but never went anywhere. I fully expected to get some on-page therapy, as both MCs attended together. It ended up being mentioned very late like an afterthought. After a book full of very serious anxiety and panic disorders, as well as plenty of details of a childhood full of neglect, this felt like a huge miss. Instead, the book spent fucking ages detailing a business decision/deal that literally no one cares about. I wanted to DNF at 90% because I was awfully bored. I finished out of spite. The epilogue is supposed to be the sweetest moments of the entire book, just pure happiness, and I skimmed the hell out of it. I’m sure it actually was sweet and full of happiness, but I was all out of patience at that point.
Hope you don’t read bad reviews, Miss Author. It’s extra disappointing when it starts out really good and just goes downhill, so I’m being extra harsh.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Car accident
Mental health
Age play
Daddy kink
Age gap
Virgin MC
Kink exploration
Size difference
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Childhood trauma (detailed, past)
Neglect (detailed, past)
Child endangerment (detailed, past)
Alcoholism (parents)
Anxiety disorder
Car accident (detailed, on page)
Heart condition
Panic attacks
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Sex in ‘Little space’
Words like ‘slut’ or ‘cockslut’ used during sex
PTSD
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Almost, but handled fast and well.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
*le sigh*
I was honestly expecting to give this book 5 stars for a long time, and somehow we ended somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. To be fair, I’m in a semi-slump, and I’m probably a bit harsh, so definitely keep that in mind while reading this review.
However. I was ecstatic early on when reading this book because of some really awesome conversations between the MCs when it comes to consent and power exchange relationships. It was so refreshing to see this taken seriously and it was dealt with very well. That, coupled with a unique premise/start of a book and some pretty good mental health rep (anxiety, panic disorder), I was over the moon. Unfortunately this book suffers from the skip-really-important-shit-and-tell-you-it-happened-after syndrome, which angers me to no fucking end. One of the MCs in this is a virgin as well as being completely new to kink, which only makes the fact that his first blowie and his first spanking is skipped even worse. I also can’t forget that one MC talked quite enthusiastically about his wish to be a cockwarmer, which just didn’t happen and was never mentioned again. You know, I honest to god don’t even care much about spice, but my metaphorical balls are blue as shit.
Therapy is another one of those important things that were alluded to a bunch but never went anywhere. I fully expected to get some on-page therapy, as both MCs attended together. It ended up being mentioned very late like an afterthought. After a book full of very serious anxiety and panic disorders, as well as plenty of details of a childhood full of neglect, this felt like a huge miss. Instead, the book spent fucking ages detailing a business decision/deal that literally no one cares about. I wanted to DNF at 90% because I was awfully bored. I finished out of spite. The epilogue is supposed to be the sweetest moments of the entire book, just pure happiness, and I skimmed the hell out of it. I’m sure it actually was sweet and full of happiness, but I was all out of patience at that point.
Hope you don’t read bad reviews, Miss Author. It’s extra disappointing when it starts out really good and just goes downhill, so I’m being extra harsh.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Car accident
Mental health
Age play
Daddy kink
Age gap
Virgin MC
Kink exploration
Size difference
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Childhood trauma (detailed, past)
Neglect (detailed, past)
Child endangerment (detailed, past)
Alcoholism (parents)
Anxiety disorder
Car accident (detailed, on page)
Heart condition
Panic attacks
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Sex in ‘Little space’
Words like ‘slut’ or ‘cockslut’ used during sex
PTSD
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Almost, but handled fast and well.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles