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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
medium-paced
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn't think I would read this because of the slam reviews by users I usually side with. But I was bored, listened to Alpha Gamble (the next in the series) and really liked that as smut, so I went back to this one.
3,5/5 ⭐ rating
I didn't hate it, but I also went in with very low expectations. These last two books have a different vibe and much weaker and less plot than the previous ones, no wonder people feel let down when expecting a new read from the Mismatched Mates-series. Then again, I wouldn't say the series is that consistent overall. I choose this over book 3 anyday.
3,5/5 ⭐ rating
I didn't hate it, but I also went in with very low expectations. These last two books have a different vibe and much weaker and less plot than the previous ones, no wonder people feel let down when expecting a new read from the Mismatched Mates-series. Then again, I wouldn't say the series is that consistent overall. I choose this over book 3 anyday.
Dimitri isn’t what I expected at all. Talk about rising above expectations. He was perfect. The way he supported Brook, had his back always, and loved him? Everyone needs a Dimitri. And Brook, he is an amazing guy too. Yeah, he was a bit snobby and definitely needed his eyes opened but his family and the company really did a number on him. He needed an Alpha like Dimitri. The twists and turns that happened in this story were a bit of a shock and some not so much. And talk about build up to the perfect first kiss! These two were fire. Their chemistry took a while to get past that awkwardness but when we are talking about paid fake mates that started as strangers, that has got to be awkward. These two really were a perfect pair on the end. Perfect mates for each other.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like my couples to actually like each other.
This review may contain spoilers
I love this series, but this wasn't my favorite installment. It had an interesting setup, and I really liked the dynamics between Brook and Dimitri as they dealt with Brook's family and the company. I also liked the caretaking aspect of the book, with Dimitri looking out for Brook both in high-tension situations and also just domestically. As usual in this series, the book had some good emotional angst too.
Unfortunately there were also some aspects of the book that didn't work for me. Part of it was that I didn't feel that I really understood Dimitri's thoughts and feelings, why he was attracted to Brook and why/when he fell for him. This also tied into one of my least favorite tropes in MM romance - the straight guy who stays "straight" throughout the book. Now, we're not in Dimitri's head so I can't know how he identifies at the end of the book, but there was no bi awakening discussed or indication that Dimitri identified as anything but straight (a label he uses even after he starts having sex with Brook). He also doesn't touch Brook's dick once in the whole book, and while the book doesn't explicitly say that touching/sucking a dick is too gay for him, it feels implied since he says he's fine with rimming/anal with Brook because it's similar to when he did it with women. Some readers might like this trope. I don't. The sexual dynamic just doesn't work for me and I didn't enjoy reading it. I wish it had been mentioned in the blurb or description.
I love this series, but this wasn't my favorite installment. It had an interesting setup, and I really liked the dynamics between Brook and Dimitri as they dealt with Brook's family and the company. I also liked the caretaking aspect of the book, with Dimitri looking out for Brook both in high-tension situations and also just domestically. As usual in this series, the book had some good emotional angst too.
Unfortunately there were also some aspects of the book that didn't work for me. Part of it was that I didn't feel that I really understood Dimitri's thoughts and feelings, why he was attracted to Brook and why/when he fell for him. This also tied into one of my least favorite tropes in MM romance - the straight guy who stays "straight" throughout the book. Now, we're not in Dimitri's head so I can't know how he identifies at the end of the book, but there was no bi awakening discussed or indication that Dimitri identified as anything but straight (a label he uses even after he starts having sex with Brook). He also doesn't touch Brook's dick once in the whole book, and while the book doesn't explicitly say that touching/sucking a dick is too gay for him, it feels implied since he says he's fine with rimming/anal with Brook because it's similar to when he did it with women. Some readers might like this trope. I don't. The sexual dynamic just doesn't work for me and I didn't enjoy reading it. I wish it had been mentioned in the blurb or description.
Alpha-ness
“How had I, who’d screwed up my personal life in every possible way, managed to go through a seedy fixer to set myself up with a criminal for a mate and still stumble on someone as decent, underneath all the offers to murder people, as Dimitri?” Gah, Dimitri, how I flove him, and he should teach lessons on how to let things go, or at the very least win an award for his patience. He is my favorite part of this book. And Brook, by the end I adored him (and want to give him a huge hug) but there were times while reading I wished I could reach through the pages and shake him silly, or at the least tell him that denial is not a good look for him. But I did enjoy Dimitri’s challenges. *snicker* Brook’s family, however, are dreadful and that’s that. I’m so happy he found Dimitri and his home, especially since it was unconventional. A different but enjoyable side to the amazing Mismatched Mates series. I did miss seeing some of my favorite characters but I guess that means I just need to re-read them again and again.
“How had I, who’d screwed up my personal life in every possible way, managed to go through a seedy fixer to set myself up with a criminal for a mate and still stumble on someone as decent, underneath all the offers to murder people, as Dimitri?” Gah, Dimitri, how I flove him, and he should teach lessons on how to let things go, or at the very least win an award for his patience. He is my favorite part of this book. And Brook, by the end I adored him (and want to give him a huge hug) but there were times while reading I wished I could reach through the pages and shake him silly, or at the least tell him that denial is not a good look for him. But I did enjoy Dimitri’s challenges. *snicker* Brook’s family, however, are dreadful and that’s that. I’m so happy he found Dimitri and his home, especially since it was unconventional. A different but enjoyable side to the amazing Mismatched Mates series. I did miss seeing some of my favorite characters but I guess that means I just need to re-read them again and again.
Brook needs an alpha to appease his family and for the family business. Dimitri figures it can't be too hard. The story is more adjacent to Mismatched Mates series but it still carries all that the others in the series has. There are a few things that I couldn't decide if I liked in this one but overall the story is fun and easy to read.