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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This is the fourth book in the series. I'm a huge fan of this series. One of things I like about this series and this book is no different, it makes me think in a good way. I always put myself in the characters' shoes and really think about what they're feeling and understand their perspective. I love the setting of Rainbow Place and I'm always happy to revisit with each book. I like seeing how the characters from the previous books are doing. I loved Charlie and Wicksy. It shows strength these two when they truly be themselves. It's not going to be easy because both characters are finding their true selves. It's not easy opening that part to others. I was really looking forward to their book and it met my expectations.
A lovely book about sexual identity and self discovery. My favorite book by Jay Northcote yet - it also had none of the unevenness of writing that sometimes bothered me in his other books.
What's a guy to do when he finds a guy in drag attractive? Wicksy and Charlie figure out their own individual labels plus establish if they're willing to have a relationship. This was a sweet and wonderful book about two people on different parts of the LGBTQ umbrella figuring themselves out while also falling in love.
I wasn’t sure about this book for me I am not a big fan of Fem guys in my stories but that is just me. And that is ok. But I am so glad I kept going because I loved their story. Simon really grew as a character for me and Charlie oh Charlie he came into himself I loved it.
I love them; I loved the friendships and the chemistry. You really don’t miss the older characters either because we get a little dose of them in this story too.
The mothers in this book my gosh my heart. I loved their acceptance. <3 Kindred spirits them and I.
Again the narration was spot on. Loved it Hamish is my new narrator crush.
I love them; I loved the friendships and the chemistry. You really don’t miss the older characters either because we get a little dose of them in this story too.
The mothers in this book my gosh my heart. I loved their acceptance. <3 Kindred spirits them and I.
Again the narration was spot on. Loved it Hamish is my new narrator crush.
3.5 rounded down
I've found this series largely lack-luster so I didn't have high hopes going into this one, but I think it's the best of the series!
The writing is still not at the level I know this author is capable of, but the characters and connection in this one were much more engaging and captivating than the previous stories. I thought both of the characters' struggles with their identities (sexuality & gender-wise) felt very authentic, and I really enjoyed watching them come together and work things out. The sex was hot and much kinkier than the rest of the series as well, which I thought was a bonus as the sex in this series has been pretty mild thus far.
Ending was a little too neat, but not surprising in this genre and series, and overall I quite enjoyed this one!
I've found this series largely lack-luster so I didn't have high hopes going into this one, but I think it's the best of the series!
The writing is still not at the level I know this author is capable of, but the characters and connection in this one were much more engaging and captivating than the previous stories. I thought both of the characters' struggles with their identities (sexuality & gender-wise) felt very authentic, and I really enjoyed watching them come together and work things out. The sex was hot and much kinkier than the rest of the series as well, which I thought was a bonus as the sex in this series has been pretty mild thus far.
Ending was a little too neat, but not surprising in this genre and series, and overall I quite enjoyed this one!
Mud and Lace is the story of Simon AKA Wicksy, the rugby player we met earlier in this series, and Charlie AKA Lady GoGo, the drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place.
I was really looking forward to getting Simon and Charlie's story - a character questioning his sexuality after he meets a drag queen? Yes, please! I really enjoyed how Jay wrote both characters, and how they both had some realizations and self-discovery to find out along the way. It wasn't just Simon that had to learn things about himself, but Charlie, too. And Charlie is just a sweetie, I absolutely loved him. I loved how caring he was, his great relationship with his mother, and how he came to discover and embrace his gender fluidity.
I admit, it took me a bit longer to warm up to Simon - he seemed so crass at the beginning, almost bordering that line of d-bag with his lack of caring for Charlie and obsession with Lady GoGo, and I worried about how things would go down between them. And then when he's trying to figure out how to come out so he can have a real relationship with Charlie - he had such a supportive group of friends and what seemed to be a great family, so I felt like his hesitation was possibly somewhat unwarranted? I kinda wished he had stood up a bit more for Charlie on his own and earlier on, but I get you need some conflict and story.
Overall, I really enjoyed their story - their chemistry was great together, and I loved how gradually Simon saw the beauty in Charlie as himself, not as a drag queen. I love this group of friends that all revolve around Rainbow Place and look forward to the next book!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking forward to getting Simon and Charlie's story - a character questioning his sexuality after he meets a drag queen? Yes, please! I really enjoyed how Jay wrote both characters, and how they both had some realizations and self-discovery to find out along the way. It wasn't just Simon that had to learn things about himself, but Charlie, too. And Charlie is just a sweetie, I absolutely loved him. I loved how caring he was, his great relationship with his mother, and how he came to discover and embrace his gender fluidity.
I admit, it took me a bit longer to warm up to Simon - he seemed so crass at the beginning, almost bordering that line of d-bag with his lack of caring for Charlie and obsession with Lady GoGo, and I worried about how things would go down between them. And then when he's trying to figure out how to come out so he can have a real relationship with Charlie - he had such a supportive group of friends and what seemed to be a great family, so I felt like his hesitation was possibly somewhat unwarranted? I kinda wished he had stood up a bit more for Charlie on his own and earlier on, but I get you need some conflict and story.
Overall, I really enjoyed their story - their chemistry was great together, and I loved how gradually Simon saw the beauty in Charlie as himself, not as a drag queen. I love this group of friends that all revolve around Rainbow Place and look forward to the next book!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was amazing. Once again a thoughtful, enlightening read by Jay Northcote.
Mud & Lace is about a relationship between Charlie ( Gender-fluid, drag queen, fem, androgynous) and Simon/Wicksy ( LGBT Allie, straight, rugby player). This story really opens your mind, and Northcote doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable thoughts and actions of both MC's in the beginning of their journey.
This is a first for the both MC's, a fantasy, a kink, something they're hiding from the rest of the world... There are moments that make you worry, worry that Charlie is being used, or even the kind of damage this might do to him emotionally. At least I worried, I wanted to keep Simon away because at first it felt like it was one sided. This is my favorite part of the story, that feeling of tension, unsure of how this will develop, protective instincts blossoming. This isn't easy for either MC and it pushes them to explore and discover parts of themselves they either willfully ignored or were unaware of said thoughts. Learning about Simon's attraction was educational, his attraction to the female representation without consideration of gender. It made me think.
Sigh, everything Jay Northcote writes makes me think, reconsider things at a different angle, explore thoughts previously unfamiliar to me. I love writers that can do that, open your mind, broaden you're horizons. Can't wait to keep reading.
Mud & Lace is about a relationship between Charlie ( Gender-fluid, drag queen, fem, androgynous) and Simon/Wicksy ( LGBT Allie, straight, rugby player). This story really opens your mind, and Northcote doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable thoughts and actions of both MC's in the beginning of their journey.
This is a first for the both MC's, a fantasy, a kink, something they're hiding from the rest of the world... There are moments that make you worry, worry that Charlie is being used, or even the kind of damage this might do to him emotionally. At least I worried, I wanted to keep Simon away because at first it felt like it was one sided. This is my favorite part of the story, that feeling of tension, unsure of how this will develop, protective instincts blossoming. This isn't easy for either MC and it pushes them to explore and discover parts of themselves they either willfully ignored or were unaware of said thoughts. Learning about Simon's attraction was educational, his attraction to the female representation without consideration of gender. It made me think.
Sigh, everything Jay Northcote writes makes me think, reconsider things at a different angle, explore thoughts previously unfamiliar to me. I love writers that can do that, open your mind, broaden you're horizons. Can't wait to keep reading.
I really really loved this book! Personally it was the best of the series thus far.
I admire both Simon and Charlie for how they handled their journeys - Jay‘s writing is utterly convincing and handles the topics raised in this book (drag, genderfluidity, bisexuality etc) in a way that I neither feel dumb nor lectured.
I admire both Simon and Charlie for how they handled their journeys - Jay‘s writing is utterly convincing and handles the topics raised in this book (drag, genderfluidity, bisexuality etc) in a way that I neither feel dumb nor lectured.