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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Let me start by saying I don’t know if I’ve ever hated a book character as much as I hate Mikey’s father. And if I have it hasn’t been recently! Such good writing to evoke such visceral hatred!
So, about the book...I was introduced to Aster Valley with a short story that was part of a winter giveaway, Winter Waites. It was charming and I looked forward to the series. But things got in the way and I’m just now starting the books as book three is being released. All the better to binge, my dear!
This book is the story of Tiller Raines, an NFL player and Mikey Vining, the coach’s youngest son who becomes his chef and personal assistant. Tiller is out, theoretically. Meaning he is openly gay but hasn’t dated anyone in years. Mikey was involved with his last client, also a team member and when his father found out the player ended up being traded ten days later. So Mikey lives in fear of his complete a-hole father.
The story arc moves well and the character development is well done. The author does a great job deftly weaving emotions...a roller coaster ride of humor, sadness, annoyance and blinding fury.
The initial crisis moment was jaw droppingly awful and I wanted to somehow reach into the book and throat punch someone. It’s one of those martyrdom “doing this for his own good” without talking to someone tropes that I really dislike. Especially in this case because it just doesn’t fit the characters, as is evidenced by the crisis solution scene.
I would have liked some more detail on how things played out given that the epilogue falls six months later. I’m hoping bad things befell certain people. The epilogue also contains a scene that serves as a segue to book two which I am starting right now.
So, about the book...I was introduced to Aster Valley with a short story that was part of a winter giveaway, Winter Waites. It was charming and I looked forward to the series. But things got in the way and I’m just now starting the books as book three is being released. All the better to binge, my dear!
This book is the story of Tiller Raines, an NFL player and Mikey Vining, the coach’s youngest son who becomes his chef and personal assistant. Tiller is out, theoretically. Meaning he is openly gay but hasn’t dated anyone in years. Mikey was involved with his last client, also a team member and when his father found out the player ended up being traded ten days later. So Mikey lives in fear of his complete a-hole father.
The story arc moves well and the character development is well done. The author does a great job deftly weaving emotions...a roller coaster ride of humor, sadness, annoyance and blinding fury.
The initial crisis moment was jaw droppingly awful and I wanted to somehow reach into the book and throat punch someone. It’s one of those martyrdom “doing this for his own good” without talking to someone tropes that I really dislike. Especially in this case because it just doesn’t fit the characters, as is evidenced by the crisis solution scene.
I would have liked some more detail on how things played out given that the epilogue falls six months later. I’m hoping bad things befell certain people. The epilogue also contains a scene that serves as a segue to book two which I am starting right now.
4.5 really! I love Mikey and Tiller together - I can't wait to read more about the Aster Valley folks. I agree with some of the reviews I saw - that was not an epilogue! *pouts*
And maybe we can have a story on Pim and Bill as well? ;) I am also looking forward to reading about Winter and Gentry, lol (I should have started with that book since it was a prequel of sorts...)
Will definitely continue with this series. This author is a favorite! :)
And maybe we can have a story on Pim and Bill as well? ;) I am also looking forward to reading about Winter and Gentry, lol (I should have started with that book since it was a prequel of sorts...)
Will definitely continue with this series. This author is a favorite! :)
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No