You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Yay! It did get better (in reference to my review of book 1). The characters are well rounded with past experiences and connections, there's a mystery going on with high stakes and we see how it affects both MCs, dragons are still dumb about their mates (yet I hope it's not all of them or else it gets repetitive), and we get a lot more worldbuilding.
There were a few minor things that made me frown, like
I'd also recommend a TW for sickness of the high mortality kind. All the descriptions of what Dempsey goes through, how his body is giving up, being consumed by this thing, triggered me to memories of cancer/cancer patients.
Overall, it was good enough to make me want to continue the series. I did think the mystery/conflict was solved too easily. These are supernatural romance--not erotica or pwp--so I definitely go in expecting the plot to have some substance and complexity. But so far these have been very simple plots with a focus on relationships that barely have depth. Hem and Dempsey have more stuff than Nico and Lake. Sigh, still the next dragon brother to get his mate seems to be Arson and it looks like the wolves will be back, so I'll be excited to read that and hope for the best.
There were a few minor things that made me frown, like
Spoiler
Hem's constantly touching Dempsey even though 1) Dempsey had already slapped him and 2) Hem knew touching would be unwelcome--non-con touching on the arm, the waist, the ass cannot be excused by 'it's just my dragon reaching out to our mate', you know? Don't romanticize the behavior. No means no.I'd also recommend a TW for sickness of the high mortality kind. All the descriptions of what Dempsey goes through, how his body is giving up, being consumed by this thing, triggered me to memories of cancer/cancer patients.
Overall, it was good enough to make me want to continue the series. I did think the mystery/conflict was solved too easily. These are supernatural romance--not erotica or pwp--so I definitely go in expecting the plot to have some substance and complexity. But so far these have been very simple plots with a focus on relationships that barely have depth. Hem and Dempsey have more stuff than Nico and Lake. Sigh, still the next dragon brother to get his mate seems to be Arson and it looks like the wolves will be back, so I'll be excited to read that and hope for the best.
So a me issue. I know dragons in this series are hot heads, but turns out I don't like hot heads.They make me roll my eyes. It's not attractive to have to talk you mate down every hr or two. Also "I wish I had a mate, oh how i wish i had a mate" *mate appears* "He's not my mate. There's no way I could have a mate. I'm just going to argue in my head for pages on end." It's not awful, but it's not enough to keep me reading.
3.75 rounded up! I enjoyed being back in this world but I wasn’t connecting with Dempsey. The first one got me hooked from page one but I (sorry if this comes off mean) personally didn’t like that his disbelief that Hem wanted him lasted so long, it annoyed me how many times he put himself down. I’m glad Hem reassured him and cared for him but damn, he’s not my mate so I found it quite taxing.
All in all, I will definitely continue the series. I have a feeling Arsen is the next contender on fated mates (
All in all, I will definitely continue the series. I have a feeling Arsen is the next contender on fated mates (
"I could read so many books if I lived for thousands of years."
Oh my sweet Dempsey. Same girl same. If I asked you to find me a couple who are more suited for each other than Hemingway and Dempsey, I think you'd have your work cut out for you. This isn't an opposites-attract or grumpy sunshine pairing similar to book 1. No,this is a romance between two sweet as pie bookworms who are more like each other than not. It's amazing how much these two ended up having in common. Or, well, maybe not. There's a reason fate chose Dempsey as the perfect mate for Hemingway.
"What does he look like when he's absorbed in a good book? What does he sound like breathless from a kiss?"
Such a way with words that Hemingway. In fact those poetic words of his are part of how he woos a semi reluctant Dempsey. Poor Dempsey doesn't have the greatest self esteem when they first meet, but fear not! Hemingway makes it his mission to change that and with some help from the exuberant Lake I think he succeeds. All of this is done in addition to trying to figure out what in the supernatural hell could be after his precious mate.
I really enjoyed the sweetness of the romance between these two. It was adorable how much Hemingway's dragon was besotted as well. He didn't make it easy for Hemingway to deny who Dempsey was to him. These dragons are smarter than their bipedal halves it seems. Speaking of dragons, it appears the wanderer of the brothers Arson is going to be the next one to fall prey to fates plans and his mate is definitely going to be causing a stir among the family. I can't wait to see how it all plays out because I have a feeling it's gunna bring the drama and I'm 100% here for it!
Oh my sweet Dempsey. Same girl same. If I asked you to find me a couple who are more suited for each other than Hemingway and Dempsey, I think you'd have your work cut out for you. This isn't an opposites-attract or grumpy sunshine pairing similar to book 1. No,this is a romance between two sweet as pie bookworms who are more like each other than not. It's amazing how much these two ended up having in common. Or, well, maybe not. There's a reason fate chose Dempsey as the perfect mate for Hemingway.
"What does he look like when he's absorbed in a good book? What does he sound like breathless from a kiss?"
Such a way with words that Hemingway. In fact those poetic words of his are part of how he woos a semi reluctant Dempsey. Poor Dempsey doesn't have the greatest self esteem when they first meet, but fear not! Hemingway makes it his mission to change that and with some help from the exuberant Lake I think he succeeds. All of this is done in addition to trying to figure out what in the supernatural hell could be after his precious mate.
I really enjoyed the sweetness of the romance between these two. It was adorable how much Hemingway's dragon was besotted as well. He didn't make it easy for Hemingway to deny who Dempsey was to him. These dragons are smarter than their bipedal halves it seems. Speaking of dragons, it appears the wanderer of the brothers Arson is going to be the next one to fall prey to fates plans and his mate is definitely going to be causing a stir among the family. I can't wait to see how it all plays out because I have a feeling it's gunna bring the drama and I'm 100% here for it!
books & cuddles
I really liked Hemingway and Dempsey! Fated mates are a favorite of mine and their chemistry was lovely. I enjoyed their adventure out of the country and the discovery of their mutual interests. It was nice seeing a Drake brother away from the safety of the compound.
I appreciate how the authors are slowly opening and establishing the world of Drake Security. It makes me curious of stories happening elsewhere. Can’t wait to learn more!
I really liked Hemingway and Dempsey! Fated mates are a favorite of mine and their chemistry was lovely. I enjoyed their adventure out of the country and the discovery of their mutual interests. It was nice seeing a Drake brother away from the safety of the compound.
I appreciate how the authors are slowly opening and establishing the world of Drake Security. It makes me curious of stories happening elsewhere. Can’t wait to learn more!
Instant attraction, epic love quotes and a shared love of antique books... oh yeah and a curse... As a former hoarder of books, these two characters were my long lost soulmates! This was a beautiful love story that had enough external angst, that it was lovely to see the relationship grow quickly and without too much internal angst!
I love when these two authors get together! The writing flows seamlessly and the story builds on so many different levels! It's such an interesting world that they are building and I can't wait to see what happens next for the Drake Security brothers!
I love when these two authors get together! The writing flows seamlessly and the story builds on so many different levels! It's such an interesting world that they are building and I can't wait to see what happens next for the Drake Security brothers!
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh! My! Hotness! What can I even say about this??? Basically go read it NOW!! You’re welcome. Smolder is book 2 in the Drake Security series. Hemingway is a couple thousand year old dragon shifter who hoards books. He is a beautiful book nerd! What’s not to love there. Since discovering his brother has a mate he hopes to find his as well. Dempsey is an antique dealer with a heart of gold and an irresistible sweetness who is being haunted by something unknown and needs the protection from Drake Security.
“I always wanted a library like this.” Dempsey
“I knew that before I even knew you who you were…. I’ll give you anything, bijou. Always.” Hemingway
Read this story, you will not be disappointed.
“I always wanted a library like this.” Dempsey
“I knew that before I even knew you who you were…. I’ll give you anything, bijou. Always.” Hemingway
Read this story, you will not be disappointed.