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oatboat23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
literary_heather's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ah this was sweet. Both characters have insecurities they have to work through, both as individuals and as a couple, but the dynamic was really nice. Super spicy scenes were delightful.
grover_25's review
5.0
This book was a great mix of sweet romance and spice! I wasn’t sure how I would feel with the age gape, but the rest of the book more then made up for it for me, and I thought the author handled it really well.
stellarian's review against another edition
5.0
Age difference and BDSM. What I love about this one is the way that there’s a balance where both characters have problems and both of these relationship/life obstacles need solving.
kymreads33's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
booksnbcys's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Death, Classism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Terminal illness
albaaca's review against another edition
4.0
"A soft pulse of desire went through me, not for sex or pain or humiliation or other release, but for this, this quiet closeness. Someone to hold in the dark."
My first forray into romance novels did not dissapoint!
The characters were likable, Robert was my favorite personally, and drama felt low-stakes and realistic. The sex was hot! (Though I admit there was a line about a goblin at a fruit market that made me had to stop reading a very good sex scene to laugh. You'll know when you see it.)
At moments, the emotional drama felt repetitive and slightly annoying, and I strongly preferred Roberts narration to Toby's, but overall I had fun reading this book and will definitely check out more of the author's work. I also ended up highlighting a lot of lovely lines.
SPOILERS BELOW:
P.S: I recently lost my grandfather and Toby's grief felt extremely realistic, well-handled, and close to home. I teared up at times because of it. Thank you.
My first forray into romance novels did not dissapoint!
The characters were likable, Robert was my favorite personally, and drama felt low-stakes and realistic. The sex was hot! (Though I admit there was a line about a goblin at a fruit market that made me had to stop reading a very good sex scene to laugh. You'll know when you see it.)
At moments, the emotional drama felt repetitive and slightly annoying, and I strongly preferred Roberts narration to Toby's, but overall I had fun reading this book and will definitely check out more of the author's work. I also ended up highlighting a lot of lovely lines.
SPOILERS BELOW:
P.S: I recently lost my grandfather and Toby's grief felt extremely realistic, well-handled, and close to home. I teared up at times because of it. Thank you.
hellishlyawkward's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hard to rate this one. It was well written, as expected, but I found I was more interested in their dynamic than their romance.
The depiction of Laurie’s submissiveness was not like any that I’ve encountered before in a romance novel. Generally both the dom and sub are shown to enjoy each particular act they engage in, even if it's perhaps painful, or difficult, for either one. The actual acts themselves are still shown to be ultimately pleasurable, the submission often seeming somewhat secondary. With Laurie, it was pure submission. His submission itself was what brought him pleasure and satisfaction - which seems obvious, but really isn’t a concept commonly portrayed quite like this.
While objectively I can see that the spicy scenes were well written and hot, they didn’t hold my interest as much as everything surrounding them. I did appreciate that Toby was usually on the receiving side of things during sex in their relationship, despite being the dominant partner in their scenes. Was refreshing, especially as it wasn’t excused in some way or explained to death. Being penetrated does not necessarily make you submissive, and anyone who believes it does, really doesn't have an accurate understanding of what submission actually is! Louder for the people in the back!
I liked Toby’s early thoughts about sex in general - that for him, the reality doesn’t usually live up to the idea of it. Although, he had a great time with Laurie, so I guess it could be seen as a "he just needed to find his person" type deal. But there was a sincerity in the way his feelings on the subject were expressed that felt genuine.
Also found Toby’s inability to move forward with his life, his indecision, uncertainty, lack of direction professionally, all gave me a jolt. He was so very much like I was at a previous time in my life that it was both jarring and oddly comforting.
I liked Toby, he was sweet. Didn’t feel much of a connection to Laurie, but didn't dislike him. Liked that this had “neither one is perfect, but they are perfect for each other” vibes.
After only having read Boyfriend Material before, this story surprised me. It was a good surprise, however, whenever I read something that puts me in an unexpected contemplative frame of mind like this did, I am unable to find the story immersive alongside that. I inevitably come out of it sort of feeling like it was some kind of case study. But being made to think isn't a bad thing.
The depiction of Laurie’s submissiveness was not like any that I’ve encountered before in a romance novel. Generally both the dom and sub are shown to enjoy each particular act they engage in, even if it's perhaps painful, or difficult, for either one. The actual acts themselves are still shown to be ultimately pleasurable, the submission often seeming somewhat secondary. With Laurie, it was pure submission. His submission itself was what brought him pleasure and satisfaction - which seems obvious, but really isn’t a concept commonly portrayed quite like this.
While objectively I can see that the spicy scenes were well written and hot, they didn’t hold my interest as much as everything surrounding them. I did appreciate that Toby was usually on the receiving side of things during sex in their relationship, despite being the dominant partner in their scenes. Was refreshing, especially as it wasn’t excused in some way or explained to death. Being penetrated does not necessarily make you submissive, and anyone who believes it does, really doesn't have an accurate understanding of what submission actually is! Louder for the people in the back!
I liked Toby’s early thoughts about sex in general - that for him, the reality doesn’t usually live up to the idea of it. Although, he had a great time with Laurie, so I guess it could be seen as a "he just needed to find his person" type deal. But there was a sincerity in the way his feelings on the subject were expressed that felt genuine.
Also found Toby’s inability to move forward with his life, his indecision, uncertainty, lack of direction professionally, all gave me a jolt. He was so very much like I was at a previous time in my life that it was both jarring and oddly comforting.
I liked Toby, he was sweet. Didn’t feel much of a connection to Laurie, but didn't dislike him. Liked that this had “neither one is perfect, but they are perfect for each other” vibes.
After only having read Boyfriend Material before, this story surprised me. It was a good surprise, however, whenever I read something that puts me in an unexpected contemplative frame of mind like this did, I am unable to find the story immersive alongside that. I inevitably come out of it sort of feeling like it was some kind of case study. But being made to think isn't a bad thing.
jrl1221's review against another edition
emotional
2.75
Eh - not my favorite Alexis Hall. I found Toby so annoying and uninteresting. I really liked Laurie, but Toby just felt so blah. The narrator for Toby wasn’t very convincing. There’s tons of explicit kinky sex scenes which is fun, but I’m a lesbian so the m/m sex ultimately doesn’t do much for me.
simrooon's review against another edition
4.0
Man re-reading this was as beautiful as the first time. Tbh I’ve read my fair share of books centring around BDSM, but nothing this pure and honest without trying to be all bling and shit !! The complex emotional dynamics between Toby and Laurie was everything and how it evolved over time was done just so spectacularly