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mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)
Alfie visits his hometown of South Shields and unexpectedly stumbles into Fen. When he realizes Fen is the boy he used to bully, he's wracked with guilt and ready to beg for forgiveness. But Fen has bigger things to deal with than Alfie, and how can Alfie even win him over when the only thing they have in common is this sleepy little northern town?
I really love Alexis Hall's characters and these two are particularly complicated. They are both at a vulnerable place in their lives in a town that feels like home but also carries bad memories.
Alfie realizes his sexuality later in life and has a lot of learned behavior and internalized homophobia he's working through. He's not perfect, but he surrounds himself with pretty amazing friends who push him to be more open and thoughtful without judgement. When he's with Fen he feels he has a safe space to be himself rather than the masculine imagine he tries to portray for the world, especially to his family. Fen is so understanding with Alfie's internal struggles and sees the good man he is at the core.
Fen is a bit prickly at first and doubtful of Alfie's intentions. He's also struggling emotionally with trying to find who he is in the wake of his grief. Alfie is drawn to his quiet determination and fierceness. He not only wants Fen's forgiveness, but to learn who Fen is and show him he deserves everything he wants. They both have a perfect understanding of one another, unexpectedly because of the town they're from and their pasts. They've both grown and are starting a new chapter of their lives where they fit together seamlessly.
Like For Real, as much as I loved the characters and the overall theme the story was kinda slow. I wanted to know what was going to happen, but it just felt like it took forever to get there. Hall's writing is also a little more dense for me but I do enjoy their writing, it's thoughtful and the annotations are so fun to go back and read. I could not be looking more forward to the rest of the Spires series!
Read if you like:
• hurt/comfort
• complicated past
• small town romance
•••••••••••••••••••••
I really love Alexis Hall's characters and these two are particularly complicated. They are both at a vulnerable place in their lives in a town that feels like home but also carries bad memories.
Alfie realizes his sexuality later in life and has a lot of learned behavior and internalized homophobia he's working through. He's not perfect, but he surrounds himself with pretty amazing friends who push him to be more open and thoughtful without judgement. When he's with Fen he feels he has a safe space to be himself rather than the masculine imagine he tries to portray for the world, especially to his family. Fen is so understanding with Alfie's internal struggles and sees the good man he is at the core.
Fen is a bit prickly at first and doubtful of Alfie's intentions. He's also struggling emotionally with trying to find who he is in the wake of his grief. Alfie is drawn to his quiet determination and fierceness. He not only wants Fen's forgiveness, but to learn who Fen is and show him he deserves everything he wants. They both have a perfect understanding of one another, unexpectedly because of the town they're from and their pasts. They've both grown and are starting a new chapter of their lives where they fit together seamlessly.
Like For Real, as much as I loved the characters and the overall theme the story was kinda slow. I wanted to know what was going to happen, but it just felt like it took forever to get there. Hall's writing is also a little more dense for me but I do enjoy their writing, it's thoughtful and the annotations are so fun to go back and read. I could not be looking more forward to the rest of the Spires series!
Read if you like:
• hurt/comfort
• complicated past
• small town romance
•••••••••••••••••••••
A pretty good installment in the Spires series. I liked Toby, liked Laurie, an interesting plot. My only complaint is it was a little slow at times. A character-driven plot about an unlikely couple discovering (and rediscovering) their happiness.
•minor spoilers•
Even though I'm a shiny and new 30, Toby - the 19 year old baby Dom - was very relatable. He's just kind of lost and trying to find his way when he doesn't have really anything to guide him. Laurie is just living day to day, not even attempting to find any happiness. Together they explore what they want from each other in their relationship and what truly makes the happy and fulfilled. I think they have really good chemistry, and even though there's ton of back and forth with very reluctant feelings, they do eventually fall together in a perfect way.
A bit of a theme in Alexis Hall books is this one grumpy brooding usually older guy who is very reluctant to open up to his feelings for their love interest, and then hurts them by being so closed off. I wouldn't have mind if it was switched up a bit. The BDSM was interesting and very light in my opinion, which was fine for me. I liked the plot and the characters but it just dragged a bit. It didn't really hold my attention, but that could just be I'm a little distracted at the moment in general. It was a good read and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Read if you like:
• age gap
• light BDSM
• opposites attract
•minor spoilers•
Even though I'm a shiny and new 30, Toby - the 19 year old baby Dom - was very relatable. He's just kind of lost and trying to find his way when he doesn't have really anything to guide him. Laurie is just living day to day, not even attempting to find any happiness. Together they explore what they want from each other in their relationship and what truly makes the happy and fulfilled. I think they have really good chemistry, and even though there's ton of back and forth with very reluctant feelings, they do eventually fall together in a perfect way.
A bit of a theme in Alexis Hall books is this one grumpy brooding usually older guy who is very reluctant to open up to his feelings for their love interest, and then hurts them by being so closed off. I wouldn't have mind if it was switched up a bit. The BDSM was interesting and very light in my opinion, which was fine for me. I liked the plot and the characters but it just dragged a bit. It didn't really hold my attention, but that could just be I'm a little distracted at the moment in general. It was a good read and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Read if you like:
• age gap
• light BDSM
• opposites attract
Matt and Coop wake up married in Vegas after a night neither of them remember. While Matt wants a divorce immediately, Coop convinces (slightly blackmails) him into waiting it out. Matt has always identified as straight, but he can't help his attraction to Coop when Coop freely gives him all the attention his touched starved, needy self wants.
Matt and Coop were so cute! Honestly I would love for a Coop to come into my life and basically give me everything I want - Matt is living the dream. Coop gives Matt a safe space to be himself and is so sweet and patient with his vulnerabilities. While it seems that Matt is getting everything he has secretly yearned for, Coop finds he loves having someone to look after and a purpose to his life. He's fun and breezy, but Matt brings out his caretaker side. They have such a natural connection that allows them both to become the best versions of themselves.
The book had such easy and fun vibes. I loved that we got to see some familiar faces living out their happy endings. I think this is one of Cora's most well written books, though the end didn't hit right for me. The pacing seemed a little off. I loved the beginning, the middle was full of a bunch of cuddling, and then in the last 5% there was some drama. I wanted a little more of the conflict and for it taking place earlier so we could get more resolution. I didn't mind the epilogue from Mitch's POV, he kinda fell away at the end of the story there anyways, I just wanted more Coop and Matt. With the little hints that were dropped in the epilogue I'm looking forward to Mitch's story and am ready for all that family drama.
Read if you like:
• wake up married
• sexual awakening
• opposites attract
•••••••••••••••••••••
Matt and Coop were so cute! Honestly I would love for a Coop to come into my life and basically give me everything I want - Matt is living the dream. Coop gives Matt a safe space to be himself and is so sweet and patient with his vulnerabilities. While it seems that Matt is getting everything he has secretly yearned for, Coop finds he loves having someone to look after and a purpose to his life. He's fun and breezy, but Matt brings out his caretaker side. They have such a natural connection that allows them both to become the best versions of themselves.
The book had such easy and fun vibes. I loved that we got to see some familiar faces living out their happy endings. I think this is one of Cora's most well written books, though the end didn't hit right for me. The pacing seemed a little off. I loved the beginning, the middle was full of a bunch of cuddling, and then in the last 5% there was some drama. I wanted a little more of the conflict and for it taking place earlier so we could get more resolution. I didn't mind the epilogue from Mitch's POV, he kinda fell away at the end of the story there anyways, I just wanted more Coop and Matt. With the little hints that were dropped in the epilogue I'm looking forward to Mitch's story and am ready for all that family drama.
Read if you like:
• wake up married
• sexual awakening
• opposites attract
•••••••••••••••••••••
