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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I haven't been able to pick up anything new in days. Then the chance to listen to this and I was all over it. Not only are both of these author's favorites of mine but they do MM like no one else I have read before.
Next we have to talk about the narrators because YES, YES, YES, it is like the dream team.
Who doesn't love a brother that will do anything for his sister even if it makes him super uncomfortable. I loved that he never let her know it he just steps up.
Asher is the best man for the groom being his bestfriend and all. Again the banter and the can do attitude is fantastic.
I loved that he try and does goat Mark its funny and witty all at the same time.
Mark's tell gah I swooned, when Asher realizes the attraction is two sided how classy he was about it. I think that gave Mark the confidence needed for things to move along.
Can we talk about chapter's 17 & 18 Ok I know there are other hot chapter but these ones really had me blushing.
Hot dang.
The ending awe that was sweet I want MORE. I say this every time but its true.
Both of these authors give us characters we don't' want to let go of, so can you really blame me?
Next we have to talk about the narrators because YES, YES, YES, it is like the dream team.
Who doesn't love a brother that will do anything for his sister even if it makes him super uncomfortable. I loved that he never let her know it he just steps up.
Asher is the best man for the groom being his bestfriend and all. Again the banter and the can do attitude is fantastic.
I loved that he try and does goat Mark its funny and witty all at the same time.
Mark's tell gah I swooned, when Asher realizes the attraction is two sided how classy he was about it. I think that gave Mark the confidence needed for things to move along.
Can we talk about chapter's 17 & 18 Ok I know there are other hot chapter but these ones really had me blushing.
Hot dang.
The ending awe that was sweet I want MORE. I say this every time but its true.
Both of these authors give us characters we don't' want to let go of, so can you really blame me?
It was okay! I liked it enough and was entertained. There were scenes that had me smiling and I enjoyed it overall! It wasn't one of my faves from Sarina though.
2.5 rounded up
I... really wanted to love this one, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Sarina Bowen's university-set MM romances tend to work better for me.
This was fine, but I never totally connected to the characters. Something about the writing here felt a little exhausting to me, a bit too... idk, self-aware, maybe? Like it was trying too hard. I've not read anything by Lauren Blakely before and that's not normally an issue I have with Bowen's work, so perhaps it was their influence? Who knows.
Both of the main characters are very wealthy and something about it rubbed me the wrong way several times. I think particularly because Mark--the finance guy who manages multi-million dollar trades--kept putting out these airs like he wasn't also filthy rich, and it just... did not compute for me.
There was also a very weird focus on a fictional "Webflix" series--Bridgerton but gayer, basically--and I cannot overstate how LITTLE I fucking cared about a fictional show within this already fictional world. It was bizarre.
I honestly could go on about all the little things that annoyed me here. I considered DNFing multiple times and basically the only reason I didn't was because I'd paid for the book LOL. And I mean, it wasn't *that* bad. There were parts I liked, but they kept getting overshadowed by the minor annoyances, and then the end got super mushy, and UGH, yeah. Mostly it's just disappointing because I usually really enjoyed Sarina Bowen's MM romances, but this is the second one in a row that didn't quite land and I'm bummed.
I... really wanted to love this one, but I think I've come to the conclusion that Sarina Bowen's university-set MM romances tend to work better for me.
This was fine, but I never totally connected to the characters. Something about the writing here felt a little exhausting to me, a bit too... idk, self-aware, maybe? Like it was trying too hard. I've not read anything by Lauren Blakely before and that's not normally an issue I have with Bowen's work, so perhaps it was their influence? Who knows.
Both of the main characters are very wealthy and something about it rubbed me the wrong way several times. I think particularly because Mark--the finance guy who manages multi-million dollar trades--kept putting out these airs like he wasn't also filthy rich, and it just... did not compute for me.
There was also a very weird focus on a fictional "Webflix" series--Bridgerton but gayer, basically--and I cannot overstate how LITTLE I fucking cared about a fictional show within this already fictional world. It was bizarre.
I honestly could go on about all the little things that annoyed me here. I considered DNFing multiple times and basically the only reason I didn't was because I'd paid for the book LOL. And I mean, it wasn't *that* bad. There were parts I liked, but they kept getting overshadowed by the minor annoyances, and then the end got super mushy, and UGH, yeah. Mostly it's just disappointing because I usually really enjoyed Sarina Bowen's MM romances, but this is the second one in a row that didn't quite land and I'm bummed.
(my computer randomly went kaput about a few hours ago, and the boot device continues to not be found because apparently we’re playing hide-and-seek now, so apologies if i don’t get around to responding during this troubling time, the app can be awfully clunky
I couldn't put this story down! It was just delicious from beginning to end!
Talk about opposites! We have the charismatic professional photographer that knows anyone and everyone, is world traveled, life of the party, late because he rescued a puppy, Asher. And then we have single dad, serious, stoic, something to do with finance, nerdy, Mark. They do NOT hit it off when they first meet. Except this insane attraction Mark tries to bury, which makes him come across as annoyed by Asher, when really he's just so lit up by Asher he could light a Christmas tree. Haha!
Fast forward to them stuck in Miami together before Marks sister & Ashers best friends wedding. They arrive early, just them, to make sure all arrangements are perfectly in place. BRING ON THE TENSION!!! And by tension I mean the good kind and when it cracks and they give in to it, it is AMAZING. These two guys steam up Miami in the best way. Then they keep getting interrupted and its funny and cute and I loved every minute of it.
I enjoyed that this book was devoid of unnecessary drama. What kept me wanting to know what would happen next was the real world "how do we make this work" issues. And I loved that.
This book was full of heart, the authors did a great job at balancing the steam and humor while building these well rounded, fully developed characters that I absolutely adored.
The banter and chemistry was A+++ and I will never forget the steamy spreadsheets.
Talk about opposites! We have the charismatic professional photographer that knows anyone and everyone, is world traveled, life of the party, late because he rescued a puppy, Asher. And then we have single dad, serious, stoic, something to do with finance, nerdy, Mark. They do NOT hit it off when they first meet. Except this insane attraction Mark tries to bury, which makes him come across as annoyed by Asher, when really he's just so lit up by Asher he could light a Christmas tree. Haha!
Fast forward to them stuck in Miami together before Marks sister & Ashers best friends wedding. They arrive early, just them, to make sure all arrangements are perfectly in place. BRING ON THE TENSION!!! And by tension I mean the good kind and when it cracks and they give in to it, it is AMAZING. These two guys steam up Miami in the best way. Then they keep getting interrupted and its funny and cute and I loved every minute of it.
I enjoyed that this book was devoid of unnecessary drama. What kept me wanting to know what would happen next was the real world "how do we make this work" issues. And I loved that.
This book was full of heart, the authors did a great job at balancing the steam and humor while building these well rounded, fully developed characters that I absolutely adored.
The banter and chemistry was A+++ and I will never forget the steamy spreadsheets.
I'm a bit on the fence with how I feel about this because I did enjoy it but there's nothing about it that particularly stands out. Also, I didn't really feel the connection between the characters that much. There were some hate sparks there and I felt the antagonistic energy, especially from Mark towards Asher, but it took a while for me to even feel the spark and sexual chemistry between them once they transition from unfriendly to lovers. Though my lukewarm feelings about this could also very well be due to my mood, as I'm in a funky headspace at the moment, I feel this just falls short in terms of character development and chemistry, which made their more sensual and steamy moments feel a little lacking.
What I liked:
- Their mean and cheeky banter. I'm always a sucker for good banter and there was some great laugh out loud moments when they playfully called each other out. It was funny and adorable!
- Mark was a pretty adorkable single dad and I loved the moments we do get between him and his daughter. Oh, also, I loved his one-eyed pirate orange cat named Blackbeard!
What I liked:
- Their mean and cheeky banter. I'm always a sucker for good banter and there was some great laugh out loud moments when they playfully called each other out. It was funny and adorable!
- Mark was a pretty adorkable single dad and I loved the moments we do get between him and his daughter. Oh, also, I loved his one-eyed pirate orange cat named Blackbeard!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Adorable!!
I love when these two write M/M romance. It’s always hot & wonderful! I loved His and I really enjoyed this book too! Asher and Mark are so unbelievably cute together. I was dubious at first but then grew to love them. Their scenes were funny, sexy and cute! Can’t wait to re-read!
I love when these two write M/M romance. It’s always hot & wonderful! I loved His and I really enjoyed this book too! Asher and Mark are so unbelievably cute together. I was dubious at first but then grew to love them. Their scenes were funny, sexy and cute! Can’t wait to re-read!
7/12/22 - This was a fun light read and I really really enjoyed the banter between Mark and Asher! The prequel novella isn't a must and is addressed in the first 1/3 of the book, but still a nice addition. I saw that some people felt the book was dragged out, but I actually like the latter half of the book. All in all, Sarina Bowen doesn't disappoint and now I'm going to dive into Lauren Blakeley's books now because of this. :)
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funny
lighthearted
fast-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
⭐️ horrible, ⭐️ ⭐️mediocre, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ entertaining, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ great, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ excellent
[***The following rambling notes are for me. They may contain spoilers or no information at all.***]
There’s a short prequel, but this book has a hot and sweet love story. Mark and Asher are opposites who are physically attracted to each other and slowly figure out that they like each other. They were great together and I like that the relationship took a while.
There’s a short prequel, but this book has a hot and sweet love story. Mark and Asher are opposites who are physically attracted to each other and slowly figure out that they like each other. They were great together and I like that the relationship took a while.