Scan barcode
triedandtrope's review
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Cliffhanger
rainjrop's review
2.0
I was debating how to shelve this because I skimmed parts, but I think I actually read over half of it, so it counts as completed.
This book was okay. The main thing I appreciated about it was when Sean realizes he's attracted to a man, he doesn't freak out, deny it, and do something stupid. Instead, he rolls with it and accepts his own feelings. I love that. It's refreshing. And I think it's realistic for a certain group of people IRL.
The rest of the book wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great. The bodyguard/pretend boyfriend trope is fine I suppose, not my favorite. The fact that there was a whole scene about shopping? Weird. Not completely pointless, but I felt like my life was wasting away.
The pacing was a little odd. The first 50% of the book has little to do with the stalker plot except as a means of getting the two characters in the same room at all times. Subsequently, the end felt rushed while the rest of the novel dragged. I'm also a big fan of a slow burn, but I'm on the fence as to whether I enjoyed it or felt robbed because I had to read this whole book and got so little payoff. I'm considering reading the second book when it comes out just to see where their relationship goes, but we'll see.
This book was okay. The main thing I appreciated about it was when Sean realizes he's attracted to a man, he doesn't freak out, deny it, and do something stupid. Instead, he rolls with it and accepts his own feelings. I love that. It's refreshing. And I think it's realistic for a certain group of people IRL.
The rest of the book wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great. The bodyguard/pretend boyfriend trope is fine I suppose, not my favorite. The fact that there was a whole scene about shopping? Weird. Not completely pointless, but I felt like my life was wasting away.
The pacing was a little odd. The first 50% of the book has little to do with the stalker plot except as a means of getting the two characters in the same room at all times. Subsequently, the end felt rushed while the rest of the novel dragged. I'm also a big fan of a slow burn, but I'm on the fence as to whether I enjoyed it or felt robbed because I had to read this whole book and got so little payoff. I'm considering reading the second book when it comes out just to see where their relationship goes, but we'll see.
badmeister's review
2.0
Xander be like: omfg I'm in danger but fuck, he saved my life I wanna fuck him.
Sean be like: oh no poor baby he's stressed and anxious. Damn, my cock is hard.
Yeah not bad but not good, I won't finish the other books. Could have been one book instead of three by the way.
Sean be like: oh no poor baby he's stressed and anxious. Damn, my cock is hard.
Yeah not bad but not good, I won't finish the other books. Could have been one book instead of three by the way.
mollyreadsthings_'s review
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zaza_bdp's review
4.0
Ella is back, et le Chicagoverse avec ! Woot woot !
On démarre ici le premier tome d'une nouvelle trilogie avec comme héros des personnages déjà croisés dans les deux derniers tomes de la série 'Confessions'. En effet, nous voilà en présence de Sean "Detective Dick" (le frère ainé de Bailey) et Xander (meilleur ami de Bailey, et journaliste star du journal du soir sur une chaîne basée à Chicago). Côté tropes, on peut dire que ça envoie du lourd : [i]ennemies-to-lovers ; GFY ; bodyguard ; best-friend-brother[/i], y'a pas à dire, ça claque !
La promesse est-elle tenue ? Hmm alors je dois dire que cette fois, Ella a su me surprendre (et même me déstabiliser !), car je m'attendais à ce que ce livre ressemble à ce qu'elle a écrit ces derniers mois, notamment avec Brooke, et qu'on retrouve le schéma du mec à la séduction "agressive" et insistante, des joutes verbales chargées en tension sexuelle et de l'autre mec en face qui résiste mais qui a autant de tours dans son sac, bref, ce "push & pull" que j'adore, surtout chez ces deux auteures. Eh bien ... non, pas vraiment, c'est plus .... c'est moins ... hmmm c'est différent. Moins "rentre-dedans", on est plus dans un conflit de personnalités, Xander et Sean se chamaillent depuis des années, mais là, c'est plus âpre, il n'y a pas cette tension sexuelle explosive qui se dégage à chacun de leurs échanges. Pour le moment, c’est juste le début de quelque chose de nouveau entre deux hommes qui se connaissent depuis toujours ou presque, et les choses sont bien amenées. C'est une prise de conscience progressive pour chacun des deux hommes, on assiste aux premiers émois, c'est plus ... subtil, et du coup, ça m'a étonnée, parce que je ne m'attendais pas à ça, mais ça m'a plu, et je suis vraiment impatiente de lire la suite, de voir comment chaque personnage va évoluer, de voir aussi comment ils vont se construire en tant que couple.
J'ai aimé voir changer progressivement le regard que chacun porte sur l'autre, j'ai apprécié leur franchise aussi. Xander est quand même un sacré emm*rdeur aux sautes d'humeur difficiles à suivre, et Sean n'est pas du genre à cacher ce qu'il en pense ! Les joutes verbales sont bien là, mais disons que c'est différent de d'habitude. Ils ont des personnalités et des vies très opposées, donc forcément, le fait de devoir se côtoyer pendant un certain laps de temps, de vivre le quotidien à deux (dans un tel contexte en plus ! ) alors que le climat entre eux a souvent été électrique, c'est compliqué ... mais ils arrivent à trouver des terrains d'entente et à se comprendre, finalement.
Sean est celui des deux qui m'a le plus touchée, j'ai aimé ces fugaces touches de vulnérabilité qui apparaissent parfois, et j'espère que cet aspect de sa personnalité sera développé par la suite ! C'est marrant, parce qu'il joue les "gros bras", il a la réplique cinglante, mais en même temps, il est très protecteur, et il est prêt à tout pour mettre Xander à l'abri du danger. Ce que j'ai aimé aussi, c'est le voir découvrir soudainement un tout autre Xander, qu'il connaît pourtant depuis qu'il est gosse. Il a vraiment l’impression de le voir pour la première fois, et j’ai adoré le voir être perturbé comme ça par cette espèce de ‘révélation’ qu’il a.
Une fois n'est pas coutume, je termine un premier tome en n'ayant aucune idée de la direction que va prendre la suite de la série ... Côté romance et personnalité des héros, on a tout juste effleuré la surface, du coup forcément, j’en veux plus, et je suis impatiente d’avoir la suite entre les mains (d’autant que cette fin … arggh !). En tout cas, je peux dire que j’ai été déroutée, je pensais vraiment retourner en terrain largement connu, et je trouve ça vraiment rafraîchissant que ça n’ait pas été le cas !
Bien joué Ella !
On démarre ici le premier tome d'une nouvelle trilogie avec comme héros des personnages déjà croisés dans les deux derniers tomes de la série 'Confessions'. En effet, nous voilà en présence de Sean "Detective Dick" (le frère ainé de Bailey) et Xander (meilleur ami de Bailey, et journaliste star du journal du soir sur une chaîne basée à Chicago). Côté tropes, on peut dire que ça envoie du lourd : [i]ennemies-to-lovers ; GFY ; bodyguard ; best-friend-brother[/i], y'a pas à dire, ça claque !
La promesse est-elle tenue ? Hmm alors je dois dire que cette fois, Ella a su me surprendre (et même me déstabiliser !), car je m'attendais à ce que ce livre ressemble à ce qu'elle a écrit ces derniers mois, notamment avec Brooke, et qu'on retrouve le schéma du mec à la séduction "agressive" et insistante, des joutes verbales chargées en tension sexuelle et de l'autre mec en face qui résiste mais qui a autant de tours dans son sac, bref, ce "push & pull" que j'adore, surtout chez ces deux auteures. Eh bien ... non, pas vraiment, c'est plus .... c'est moins ... hmmm c'est différent. Moins "rentre-dedans", on est plus dans un conflit de personnalités, Xander et Sean se chamaillent depuis des années, mais là, c'est plus âpre, il n'y a pas cette tension sexuelle explosive qui se dégage à chacun de leurs échanges. Pour le moment, c’est juste le début de quelque chose de nouveau entre deux hommes qui se connaissent depuis toujours ou presque, et les choses sont bien amenées. C'est une prise de conscience progressive pour chacun des deux hommes, on assiste aux premiers émois, c'est plus ... subtil, et du coup, ça m'a étonnée, parce que je ne m'attendais pas à ça, mais ça m'a plu, et je suis vraiment impatiente de lire la suite, de voir comment chaque personnage va évoluer, de voir aussi comment ils vont se construire en tant que couple.
J'ai aimé voir changer progressivement le regard que chacun porte sur l'autre, j'ai apprécié leur franchise aussi. Xander est quand même un sacré emm*rdeur aux sautes d'humeur difficiles à suivre, et Sean n'est pas du genre à cacher ce qu'il en pense ! Les joutes verbales sont bien là, mais disons que c'est différent de d'habitude. Ils ont des personnalités et des vies très opposées, donc forcément, le fait de devoir se côtoyer pendant un certain laps de temps, de vivre le quotidien à deux (dans un tel contexte en plus ! ) alors que le climat entre eux a souvent été électrique, c'est compliqué ... mais ils arrivent à trouver des terrains d'entente et à se comprendre, finalement.
Sean est celui des deux qui m'a le plus touchée, j'ai aimé ces fugaces touches de vulnérabilité qui apparaissent parfois, et j'espère que cet aspect de sa personnalité sera développé par la suite ! C'est marrant, parce qu'il joue les "gros bras", il a la réplique cinglante, mais en même temps, il est très protecteur, et il est prêt à tout pour mettre Xander à l'abri du danger. Ce que j'ai aimé aussi, c'est le voir découvrir soudainement un tout autre Xander, qu'il connaît pourtant depuis qu'il est gosse. Il a vraiment l’impression de le voir pour la première fois, et j’ai adoré le voir être perturbé comme ça par cette espèce de ‘révélation’ qu’il a.
Une fois n'est pas coutume, je termine un premier tome en n'ayant aucune idée de la direction que va prendre la suite de la série ... Côté romance et personnalité des héros, on a tout juste effleuré la surface, du coup forcément, j’en veux plus, et je suis impatiente d’avoir la suite entre les mains (d’autant que cette fin … arggh !). En tout cas, je peux dire que j’ai été déroutée, je pensais vraiment retourner en terrain largement connu, et je trouve ça vraiment rafraîchissant que ça n’ait pas été le cas !
Bien joué Ella !
kcoventry13's review
4.0
So I knew that there was tension between Bailey's brother, Sean, and his ex and best friend, Xander. And this book definitely proved that something was there!
I was wondering if their story would be like everyone else, a hate to love relationship with a few interesting elements on the side. That was the case, however, Xander having a stalker was definitely something unexpected. Then he had to hire Sean as a bodyguard because he trusted him. And of course....the fake relationship comes in.
Honestly, it was a pretty good story. Lots of sexual tension and sweet moments between the two, making them realize that they might not know everything about each other.
My only issue was at some points the anger seemed a little forced. I'm not sure why, but at times they just wanted to fight to fight. Not really a reason why they wanted to fight. Yes, each had their annoying tendencies...but ehh...it was kind of old within the first twenty pages.
Also, I wished they focused on the stalker a bit more. I liked that suspense of not knowing when they'd turn up. I liked the suspense in this book! Really good!
Overall, I liked it! Not love, but I enjoyed flying through the book so I could get to the end. I'm so glad I waited until book 2 released because the cliffhanger at the end....I needed to find out what happened next. Sooooo....I bought it before I even finished this one. Good thing I did!
I was wondering if their story would be like everyone else, a hate to love relationship with a few interesting elements on the side. That was the case, however, Xander having a stalker was definitely something unexpected. Then he had to hire Sean as a bodyguard because he trusted him. And of course....the fake relationship comes in.
Honestly, it was a pretty good story. Lots of sexual tension and sweet moments between the two, making them realize that they might not know everything about each other.
My only issue was at some points the anger seemed a little forced. I'm not sure why, but at times they just wanted to fight to fight. Not really a reason why they wanted to fight. Yes, each had their annoying tendencies...but ehh...it was kind of old within the first twenty pages.
Also, I wished they focused on the stalker a bit more. I liked that suspense of not knowing when they'd turn up. I liked the suspense in this book! Really good!
Overall, I liked it! Not love, but I enjoyed flying through the book so I could get to the end. I'm so glad I waited until book 2 released because the cliffhanger at the end....I needed to find out what happened next. Sooooo....I bought it before I even finished this one. Good thing I did!
ororoboreal's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Off to a Good Start Stars
Now admittedly, Tate and Logan are my top Ella Frank MC’s so it’s going to take a lot to knock them off their pedestal if that’s even possible. However, Sean and Xander’s 1st installment easily reeled me in showing huge potential. If you want continuity though, it is recommended to read the series Temptation first and then Confessions next, before delving into this 2nd spinoff to truly appreciate the nuanced interconnections between all previous 12 books. One more caveat. If you’re really a stickler, this universe actually begins with the MF series Exquisite. Just saying.
To put it succinctly, workaholic detective Sean has known infamous news broadcaster Xander for years, and neither has noticed each other except for being a permanent fixture in their shared love of Bailey, either by being a big brother or a bff. There’s tolerance there - barely - but when Xander’s life is threatened, the only man he feels confident enough to catch the bad guy is Sean. What Xander doesn’t expect is for Sean to attack things 100%, going about it just a tad bit unconventionally by insisting on pretending to be Xander's boyfriend.
Ensue classic bodyguard falls for his charge trope, entwined with an enemies to lovers transition, simmering with barely restrained UST, a ton of smart silly snarky banter, a gleeful back and forth one-upmanship, and the slow undoing of both these men as the reliable animosity turns into confusing and irresistible lust and longing. Look no further if you want to see a tough uncouth brash hardass detective slowly come undone by never before felt feelings for a man. Uh huh.
This first installment was basically a tease, but what a yummy tease it was, ending on a nice little cliffie to make waiting for the next installment that much more tortuous! Luckily, I don’t have to wait long, and I’m excited to see what else is in store for these two because I‘ll tell you what. There’s definitely some smexy hella hot goodness awaiting us Ella Frank style. Oh yes.
Now admittedly, Tate and Logan are my top Ella Frank MC’s so it’s going to take a lot to knock them off their pedestal if that’s even possible. However, Sean and Xander’s 1st installment easily reeled me in showing huge potential. If you want continuity though, it is recommended to read the series Temptation first and then Confessions next, before delving into this 2nd spinoff to truly appreciate the nuanced interconnections between all previous 12 books. One more caveat. If you’re really a stickler, this universe actually begins with the MF series Exquisite. Just saying.
To put it succinctly, workaholic detective Sean has known infamous news broadcaster Xander for years, and neither has noticed each other except for being a permanent fixture in their shared love of Bailey, either by being a big brother or a bff. There’s tolerance there - barely - but when Xander’s life is threatened, the only man he feels confident enough to catch the bad guy is Sean. What Xander doesn’t expect is for Sean to attack things 100%, going about it just a tad bit unconventionally by insisting on pretending to be Xander's boyfriend.
Ensue classic bodyguard falls for his charge trope, entwined with an enemies to lovers transition, simmering with barely restrained UST, a ton of smart silly snarky banter, a gleeful back and forth one-upmanship, and the slow undoing of both these men as the reliable animosity turns into confusing and irresistible lust and longing. Look no further if you want to see a tough uncouth brash hardass detective slowly come undone by never before felt feelings for a man. Uh huh.
This first installment was basically a tease, but what a yummy tease it was, ending on a nice little cliffie to make waiting for the next installment that much more tortuous! Luckily, I don’t have to wait long, and I’m excited to see what else is in store for these two because I‘ll tell you what. There’s definitely some smexy hella hot goodness awaiting us Ella Frank style. Oh yes.
tlwd's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rosska22's review
3.0
This series was SO ANNOYING to me, because the premise was really good, the characters were great, and then the author turned what should have been one book into three. There is not an ending on this book. It literally drops off in the middle of the story. Book two is the same way. This isn't three separate books, it's one book that she split into three volumes. It takes seven hundred pages to say what she should have said in three hundred. I really liked Sean, and was super annoyed to realize that even though I had started book one of a trilogy, I was missing ALL of Sean's backstory by not reading Henri and Bailey's books first. There's no way to get into Ella Frank's books without reading ALL of them, or just accepting right away that you're going into this missing half the story. If you want the previous series to be compulsory reading, you should just make this series part of the original.
I only picked this series up because I read Brooke Blaine's A Little Bit Like Desire duology and wanted to read Bash's story. Imagine my surprise to find out that Kieran has an established backstory that requires the reading of MINIMUM two other series, and realistically a lot more than that. You should not have to read eighteen different series to make a book make sense.
I only picked this series up because I read Brooke Blaine's A Little Bit Like Desire duology and wanted to read Bash's story. Imagine my surprise to find out that Kieran has an established backstory that requires the reading of MINIMUM two other series, and realistically a lot more than that. You should not have to read eighteen different series to make a book make sense.