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niemue's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
isalaur's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I tore through this latest addition to the Marshals series in one sitting. Absolutely loved it. The partners to friends to lovers story is fantastic, emotional, and sweet. I adored the way the author structured the story to insert situations seemingly unrelated to the story and then tied them all together so we got the aha moment of how they served the overall story.
I always know I’m not going to be disappointed in a Calmes book but it always smacks me just how much I enjoy the writing and storytelling and especially the character development in each book. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
I always know I’m not going to be disappointed in a Calmes book but it always smacks me just how much I enjoy the writing and storytelling and especially the character development in each book. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 -High Five- Stars!
What can I say? When Calmes does things right, I’m left with a huge smile on my face and a sense of contentment in having read a book that just made me feel good.
Unlike [b:Balanced and Tied|61999018|Balanced and Tied (Marshals, #5)|Mary Calmes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660689084l/61999018._SY75_.jpg|97730316] (book #5) which showcased US Deputy Marshal Eli Kohn randomly matched with a ballet dancer “outsider”, this second spinoff features fellow Marshal teammates Josiah Redeker and Bodhi Callahan. What probably made this so enjoyable is that these two nicely contrasted in comparison to pentultimate pair Ian and Miro, echoing many similar traits and getting themselves into similar situations. Redeker is blunt and straightforward, often the caretaker but impetuously always dives straight into danger. Bodhi is the handsome charmer with a tender heart, the quintessential protector of his brash partner.
These two have been circling each other for six years, only trusting and relying on the other, but never fully voicing or acting on their feelings for stupid reasons, and it’s sooo obvious to everyone (including themselves) that they’re perfect for each other.
Thankfully, all those stupid barriers come crumbling down when Redeker gets hurt, and Bodhi will not take no for an answer in nursing him back to health even if that means bringing Redeker on a vacation to meet his fiance’s family. Yeeaaaahhhhhh, you heard that right. Granted, it’s not the most ideal situation having one of the MC’s in a relationship, but Calmes pulls it off. There’s plenty of feels, rescues, a bit of action, high stakes scenarios, shenanigans, and banter to last you for days.
If this series is your Calmes comfort zone then seriously, you won't be disappointed.
So, it’s obvious I loved this. I had an absolutely fabulous time with these two as I revisited the bazillion other side characters who love to weigh in and give each other shit, setting up those feel good found family vibes which made it that much sweeter. The only reason why this isn't 5 stars is that this felt just a teeny tiny bit recycled from the first 4 books featuring my aforementioned favorite duo which really isn’t a complaint at all. I apparently like a certain formula, and Calmes definitely delivered!
What can I say? When Calmes does things right, I’m left with a huge smile on my face and a sense of contentment in having read a book that just made me feel good.
Unlike [b:Balanced and Tied|61999018|Balanced and Tied (Marshals, #5)|Mary Calmes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660689084l/61999018._SY75_.jpg|97730316] (book #5) which showcased US Deputy Marshal Eli Kohn randomly matched with a ballet dancer “outsider”, this second spinoff features fellow Marshal teammates Josiah Redeker and Bodhi Callahan. What probably made this so enjoyable is that these two nicely contrasted in comparison to pentultimate pair Ian and Miro, echoing many similar traits and getting themselves into similar situations. Redeker is blunt and straightforward, often the caretaker but impetuously always dives straight into danger. Bodhi is the handsome charmer with a tender heart, the quintessential protector of his brash partner.
These two have been circling each other for six years, only trusting and relying on the other, but never fully voicing or acting on their feelings for stupid reasons, and it’s sooo obvious to everyone (including themselves) that they’re perfect for each other.
Thankfully, all those stupid barriers come crumbling down when Redeker gets hurt, and Bodhi will not take no for an answer in nursing him back to health even if that means bringing Redeker on a vacation to meet his fiance’s family. Yeeaaaahhhhhh, you heard that right. Granted, it’s not the most ideal situation having one of the MC’s in a relationship, but Calmes pulls it off. There’s plenty of feels, rescues, a bit of action, high stakes scenarios, shenanigans, and banter to last you for days.
If this series is your Calmes comfort zone then seriously, you won't be disappointed.
So, it’s obvious I loved this. I had an absolutely fabulous time with these two as I revisited the bazillion other side characters who love to weigh in and give each other shit, setting up those feel good found family vibes which made it that much sweeter. The only reason why this isn't 5 stars is that this felt just a teeny tiny bit recycled from the first 4 books featuring my aforementioned favorite duo which really isn’t a complaint at all. I apparently like a certain formula, and Calmes definitely delivered!
teenykins's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars that for the life of me I can't round up.
Josiah and Bodhi have been partners for 6 years and they just clicked from day 1. And when I say they just clicked, it is as always happens in the M/M romancelandia where the 2 men have no problems being in each others space, cuddling and just have to look at each other and have whole convos -no shade thrown here to the author because that happens across the whole M/M romancelandia since the time of ever-.
I think in Miro and Ian's 3rd book we were first introduced to Jed and Bodhi, in which book I had a difficult time differentiating between who was when because of all the pining going around from both sides, and pretty much that's the only info from their past we get, apart from how they just kept missing being on the same page throughout the years. So being thrown in their friendship at the point where it turns to something more, even though Bodhi was engaged to be married, I just couldn't see the supposed built already rapport they should have. The whole friendship component is just not there on the page, I just have to take the word of the characters about what great friends they were.
And then the same goes for their romance and love for each other. The story ping pongs from one situation to another that Bodhi and Jed only after the 85% mark spend any significant time together to even have sex.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I re-read? Nope!
Josiah and Bodhi have been partners for 6 years and they just clicked from day 1. And when I say they just clicked, it is as always happens in the M/M romancelandia where the 2 men have no problems being in each others space, cuddling and just have to look at each other and have whole convos -no shade thrown here to the author because that happens across the whole M/M romancelandia since the time of ever-.
I think in Miro and Ian's 3rd book we were first introduced to Jed and Bodhi, in which book I had a difficult time differentiating between who was when because of all the pining going around from both sides, and pretty much that's the only info from their past we get, apart from how they just kept missing being on the same page throughout the years. So being thrown in their friendship at the point where it turns to something more, even though Bodhi was engaged to be married, I just couldn't see the supposed built already rapport they should have. The whole friendship component is just not there on the page, I just have to take the word of the characters about what great friends they were.
And then the same goes for their romance and love for each other. The story ping pongs from one situation to another that Bodhi and Jed only after the 85% mark spend any significant time together to even have sex.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I re-read? Nope!
allyens's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tobyryan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jaded_8's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
christi_reads_mm's review
3.0
Josiah and Bodhi have been partners for 6 years and they just clicked from day 1. And when I say they just clicked, it is as always happens in the M/M romancelandia where the 2 men have no problems being in each others space, cuddling and just have to look at each other and have whole convos -no shade thrown here to the author because that happens across the whole M/M romancelandia since the time of ever-.
I think in Miro and Ian's 3rd book we were first introduced to Jed and Bodhi, in which book I had a difficult time differentiating between who was when because of all the pining going around from both sides, and pretty much that's the only info from their past we get, apart from how they just kept missing being on the same page throughout the years. So being thrown in their friendship at the point where it turns to something more, even though Bodhi was engaged to be married, I just couldn't see the supposed built already rapport they should have. The whole friendship component is just not there on the page, I just have to take the word of the characters about what great friends they were.
And then the same goes for their romance and love for each other. The story ping pongs from one situation to another that Bodhi and Jed only after the 85% mark spend any significant time together to even have sex.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I re-read? Nope!
I think in Miro and Ian's 3rd book we were first introduced to Jed and Bodhi, in which book I had a difficult time differentiating between who was when because of all the pining going around from both sides, and pretty much that's the only info from their past we get, apart from how they just kept missing being on the same page throughout the years. So being thrown in their friendship at the point where it turns to something more, even though Bodhi was engaged to be married, I just couldn't see the supposed built already rapport they should have. The whole friendship component is just not there on the page, I just have to take the word of the characters about what great friends they were.
And then the same goes for their romance and love for each other. The story ping pongs from one situation to another that Bodhi and Jed only after the 85% mark spend any significant time together to even have sex.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I re-read? Nope!
yvannastar's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0