mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

A low angst, hate to love romance with all the kinky spice. Alex and Kai have a sweet relationship, which makes the spice all the more fun. A quick and enjoyable read overall! 

Check TW/CW in beginning of book 

•minor spoilers• 

I related to Alex so much as just a big ball of inattentive anxiety and insecurity. I love their relationship because they both give each other exactly what they need and have an obvious strong connection. Kai is very intuitive and knows when to give Alex his space to process and also when he needs a more physical connection. They are both aware of each other and attentive, which makes for a sweet relationship. 

The reason I rated this a little lower is because I'm not sure if I jam with this writing style. It just got a little repetitive at times, and they both kind of had the same thoughts. It's also very low angst and while I loved their story, for me specifically I want a little bit of angst in the plot to give it some tension. They both kind of just never wanted to admit their feelings, so it was a bit anticlimactic. 

Also I've heard all the talk about the bonus scene where they hook up with another couple but I'm pretty sure it's been deleted because as many other people have pointed out, it's a direct contradiction to how they acted and what they said to each other - the "primal possessiveness" they love to incorporate. On the other hand, there also isn't anything wrong with encouraging your partner's fantasies in safe environment. 

Now on to Matt and Jax! 

Read if you like: 
• hate to love 
• kinky fun times 
• low angst

I had to think about this review for a few days because there was a lot going on here. I liked the story overall, though it did slow down a bit in the middle. An interesting story of a forbidden romance that deals with the many ways of processing grief and loss. 

TW/CW: death of a parent, depression  

•minor spoilers• 

Starting this book, I was really intrigued by Easton. However as it went on I felt like his relationship with Cannon was a little imbalanced. Cannon was dealt a really crappy hand with his dad (a part of the plot I thought was done really well), and then had to support Easton while going through his own grief without support, and then had to change his life? I just wish Easton did a little more for him, which he kind of did at the end but Cannon was there for East in a lot more ways. They did have a really obvious physical connection, and I think the trauma bonding was what they needed to establish a more emotional one. At the end it did seem to be more of a mutual supportive relationship. 

I liked the beginning, I liked the end, but the middle just got really bogged down with all the grief. It was very emotional, but also really repetitive. Like both POVs would use the same phrases, repeatedly. It probably could've been shorter if condensed a bit, but I do recognize the need to go through the depth of loss and grief. 

I went back and forth with this rating, between under 4 and 4 stars, but overall I did like most of their story. I felt their trauma bonding and relationship was pretty unhealthy, but it did help them process their grief and their relationship matured beyond that. I know you can't judge how people grieve and all, so I guess if it worked for them! 

Read if you like: 
• forbidden romance 
• small town romance 
• hate to love