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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.
Garrett Leigh’s Christmas-themed Angels in the City really hit the spot. It uses some of my favourite tropes, it’s got just the right amount of angst, just the right amount of humour and festive cheer, and an emotional, sensual, opposites-attract romance between two endearing and attractive leads. I practically inhaled it in one sitting.
Jonah Gray is young, handsome and successful and is, according to his mother, the most eligible bachelor in the city. The story opens on the night of the annual Ball held for the charitable foundation run by his parents, which Jonah is dreading for a number of reasons – not least of which is his reluctance to face yet more of his mother’s matchmaking schemes and questions about his relationship status. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s all togged up in his Armani best and on his way out of his office when the lift gets stuck on the way down to the lobby. Mind you, the prospect of being stuck in the lift for hours may be preferable to spending a few hours at the Gray & Gray Christmas Ball – especially when Jonah has company in the form of an absolutely gorgeous man he’s seen working at the app development company that occupies the office space opposite his. After Jonah puts a call out to the engineers, he and his lift-mate strike up a conversation that’s just a teeny bit flirty – which ends when the lift starts moving again… and Jonah sort-of-but-not-really-jokingly invites the other man to accompany him to the Ball.
Sacha Ivanov isn’t quite sure why he says yes to the invitation. He’s a loner, content to fill his life with work and one-time-only hook-ups and isn’t looking for that to change, but something about the gorgeous auburn-haired executive from the office across the way has him completely entranced. When they arrive at the ball, their ‘act’ as the perfect couple is seemingly effortless and Sacha is the ideal fake-boyfriend, charming Jonah’s mother, and somehow knowing what Jonah needs even before Jonah does himself. The attraction that’s been building between them since they met gets stronger as the evening progresses, and things move to their inevitable conclusion when they go back to Jonah’s penthouse for a night of bone-melting, life-changing sex. The next morning, Jonah is a bit disappointed – although not surprised – to find Sacha gone.
A week goes by. Jonah and Sacha see each other in passing at the office, but make no attempt to engage. Jonah can’t forget the night they spent screwing each other’s brains out, and wouldn’t mind repeating it, while Sacha keeps reminding himself he’s a one-and-done type of guy and tries hard not to keep looking through the glass partition that separates the offices in hopes of a glimpse of the gleaming auburn hair that had felt so silky, tangled around his fingers. It’s not until another late night at the office brings them face-to-face again that Sacha and Jonah actually talk, and in a somewhat roundabout conversation full of Sacha’s typically inscrutable pronouncements, agree that they both want to pursue a friends-with-benefits arrangement. The problem comes when one of them realises that he has no idea how to do the ‘friends’ part of the equation, and the other that he doesn’t want the ‘benefits’ without it.
The intense chemistry between Jonah and Sacha leaps off the page from the moment they meet and burns bright throughout the novel, but it’s clear from the start that this is much more than attraction and that there’s a real connection there, too. Jonah is the first to admit that that connection is something he’s been searching for and that he wants more from Sacha than a few no-strings fucks, while Sacha, who learned early on in life that the only person he could depend on was himself, seems intent on keeping things casual.
Jonah is lovely; charming, funny and inherently sweet, he’s a good boss and a good man, and is content with the way things are until a “moody, contradictory Russian computer nerd” comes into his life and turns it upside down. Sacha is his total opposite, an (adorable) grouch who doesn’t suffer fools and makes no secret of it. He sometimes uses the fact that English is not his native language to obfuscate and create conversations that go around in circles, but as the book progresses, it seems he’s just as much of an enigma to himself as he has made himself to those around him. His instinctual reaction to keep his barriers up causes him to deliberately push Jonah away even though it’s really the last thing he wants to do, but he’s been doing it for so long that it’s a hard habit to break.
I adored both Jonah and Sacha, a pair of complex, likeable, believable characters who, in spite of their quite different personality types, really are a perfect fit. The communication issues and the way Sacha keeps getting in the way of himself are frustrating, but it doesn’t go on for too long, and the emotions that so obviously radiate between the pair are so raw and honest as to be almost palpable. And even when they’re foundering and unable to be honest about how they feel, there’s no question that Jonah and Sacha have fallen deeply and irrevocably in love; the journey to reach their HEA may be a bit bumpy but it’s lovely and completely swoonworthy nonetheless.
There’s a small, but strong secondary cast, notably Jonah’s mum and his BFF Lily, who is awesome, and I really liked the way the author integrates some Russian holiday season traditions, from the yolka – the tree put up to celebrate New Year – to the delicious-sounding Krendel (Christmas bread – I immediately went to look up a recipe!) and pastries.
Sexy, funny, warm and emotionally satisfying, Angels in the City captivated me from start to finish and has earned itself a place on my keeper shelf as a festive favourite.
Garrett Leigh’s Christmas-themed Angels in the City really hit the spot. It uses some of my favourite tropes, it’s got just the right amount of angst, just the right amount of humour and festive cheer, and an emotional, sensual, opposites-attract romance between two endearing and attractive leads. I practically inhaled it in one sitting.
Jonah Gray is young, handsome and successful and is, according to his mother, the most eligible bachelor in the city. The story opens on the night of the annual Ball held for the charitable foundation run by his parents, which Jonah is dreading for a number of reasons – not least of which is his reluctance to face yet more of his mother’s matchmaking schemes and questions about his relationship status. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s all togged up in his Armani best and on his way out of his office when the lift gets stuck on the way down to the lobby. Mind you, the prospect of being stuck in the lift for hours may be preferable to spending a few hours at the Gray & Gray Christmas Ball – especially when Jonah has company in the form of an absolutely gorgeous man he’s seen working at the app development company that occupies the office space opposite his. After Jonah puts a call out to the engineers, he and his lift-mate strike up a conversation that’s just a teeny bit flirty – which ends when the lift starts moving again… and Jonah sort-of-but-not-really-jokingly invites the other man to accompany him to the Ball.
Sacha Ivanov isn’t quite sure why he says yes to the invitation. He’s a loner, content to fill his life with work and one-time-only hook-ups and isn’t looking for that to change, but something about the gorgeous auburn-haired executive from the office across the way has him completely entranced. When they arrive at the ball, their ‘act’ as the perfect couple is seemingly effortless and Sacha is the ideal fake-boyfriend, charming Jonah’s mother, and somehow knowing what Jonah needs even before Jonah does himself. The attraction that’s been building between them since they met gets stronger as the evening progresses, and things move to their inevitable conclusion when they go back to Jonah’s penthouse for a night of bone-melting, life-changing sex. The next morning, Jonah is a bit disappointed – although not surprised – to find Sacha gone.
A week goes by. Jonah and Sacha see each other in passing at the office, but make no attempt to engage. Jonah can’t forget the night they spent screwing each other’s brains out, and wouldn’t mind repeating it, while Sacha keeps reminding himself he’s a one-and-done type of guy and tries hard not to keep looking through the glass partition that separates the offices in hopes of a glimpse of the gleaming auburn hair that had felt so silky, tangled around his fingers. It’s not until another late night at the office brings them face-to-face again that Sacha and Jonah actually talk, and in a somewhat roundabout conversation full of Sacha’s typically inscrutable pronouncements, agree that they both want to pursue a friends-with-benefits arrangement. The problem comes when one of them realises that he has no idea how to do the ‘friends’ part of the equation, and the other that he doesn’t want the ‘benefits’ without it.
The intense chemistry between Jonah and Sacha leaps off the page from the moment they meet and burns bright throughout the novel, but it’s clear from the start that this is much more than attraction and that there’s a real connection there, too. Jonah is the first to admit that that connection is something he’s been searching for and that he wants more from Sacha than a few no-strings fucks, while Sacha, who learned early on in life that the only person he could depend on was himself, seems intent on keeping things casual.
Jonah is lovely; charming, funny and inherently sweet, he’s a good boss and a good man, and is content with the way things are until a “moody, contradictory Russian computer nerd” comes into his life and turns it upside down. Sacha is his total opposite, an (adorable) grouch who doesn’t suffer fools and makes no secret of it. He sometimes uses the fact that English is not his native language to obfuscate and create conversations that go around in circles, but as the book progresses, it seems he’s just as much of an enigma to himself as he has made himself to those around him. His instinctual reaction to keep his barriers up causes him to deliberately push Jonah away even though it’s really the last thing he wants to do, but he’s been doing it for so long that it’s a hard habit to break.
I adored both Jonah and Sacha, a pair of complex, likeable, believable characters who, in spite of their quite different personality types, really are a perfect fit. The communication issues and the way Sacha keeps getting in the way of himself are frustrating, but it doesn’t go on for too long, and the emotions that so obviously radiate between the pair are so raw and honest as to be almost palpable. And even when they’re foundering and unable to be honest about how they feel, there’s no question that Jonah and Sacha have fallen deeply and irrevocably in love; the journey to reach their HEA may be a bit bumpy but it’s lovely and completely swoonworthy nonetheless.
There’s a small, but strong secondary cast, notably Jonah’s mum and his BFF Lily, who is awesome, and I really liked the way the author integrates some Russian holiday season traditions, from the yolka – the tree put up to celebrate New Year – to the delicious-sounding Krendel (Christmas bread – I immediately went to look up a recipe!) and pastries.
Sexy, funny, warm and emotionally satisfying, Angels in the City captivated me from start to finish and has earned itself a place on my keeper shelf as a festive favourite.
it was cute a bit rushed but still cute. definitely one lightest leigh book i’ve read so far.
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I loved this book! It hits all the spots I needed hitting right before I started it, and I read it in one sitting, starting at 3 o'freaking'clock in the morning! Or maybe that was when I finished it? things got a little fuzzy!
Jonah needs a date for his mother's Christmas Ball. Sacha joins him, and there follows a beautiful love story, with some heavy emotions thrown in, and some oh-so-hawt bits too. There isn't really any sort of break up, more a bit of a falling out, and everything creeps up on them both in the most delicious way!
I loved Jonah and Sacha, both together and apart. I loved how everything sort of snowballs around them: emotionally and physically. I loved how vague Sacha was about his family, and indeed, I don't think we got the full story, but were givien enough to appease curious minds. My questions were answered, so I was happy.
While both guys clearly came from money, and had money that was their own, there wasn't an "I'm better than you" vibe from either of them, and I loved that.
I wanted to cry for Jonah when he finds Sacha slumped on the floor when his migraine hits. The wave of emotion hits him hard, or rather, it solidifies within, since it was already there.
I . . .just . . .LOVED . . .this book!
Ms Leigh is fast becoming a firm favourite, and I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Oh! One last thing! I would LOVE this book in audio, Sacha voice especially would be brilliant!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I loved this book! It hits all the spots I needed hitting right before I started it, and I read it in one sitting, starting at 3 o'freaking'clock in the morning! Or maybe that was when I finished it? things got a little fuzzy!
Jonah needs a date for his mother's Christmas Ball. Sacha joins him, and there follows a beautiful love story, with some heavy emotions thrown in, and some oh-so-hawt bits too. There isn't really any sort of break up, more a bit of a falling out, and everything creeps up on them both in the most delicious way!
I loved Jonah and Sacha, both together and apart. I loved how everything sort of snowballs around them: emotionally and physically. I loved how vague Sacha was about his family, and indeed, I don't think we got the full story, but were givien enough to appease curious minds. My questions were answered, so I was happy.
While both guys clearly came from money, and had money that was their own, there wasn't an "I'm better than you" vibe from either of them, and I loved that.
I wanted to cry for Jonah when he finds Sacha slumped on the floor when his migraine hits. The wave of emotion hits him hard, or rather, it solidifies within, since it was already there.
I . . .just . . .LOVED . . .this book!
Ms Leigh is fast becoming a firm favourite, and I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Oh! One last thing! I would LOVE this book in audio, Sacha voice especially would be brilliant!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This was a great read! Hurt/comfort with a fake relationship to start it off. I enjoy both these tropes. As well as office romance. So, you have Sacha, who is such a dynamic character. He really has so many layers and it was wonderful to see them peeled back. Then you have Jonah, who for me was everything. He was open and honest and vulnerable and just swoon!! Their relationship progression made sense for them for sure. I was just missing some more closure or more time with them being extremely happy. We only got a tiny taste...I want more!! But they did get their HFN for sure.
ARC provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
This book is an excellent example of how to create character chemistry. The story was full of romance tropes, but I still felt compelled to turn the pages quickly because Garrett Leigh is amazing at creating chemistry between the two main characters. The ups and downs of the relationship were enough to keep me engaged to the last page.
I can usually pass on most sex scenes. Very few writers manage to create scenes that don't feel forced or awkward to me. If I want to read choreographed sex scenes I will hunt down a book with BDSM in the description. Leigh manages to create a nice balance between writing romance and sex.
Honestly. Here is a heads up to wannabe romance writers. There is difference between writing a smut scene and writing a romantic sex scene. In my opinion, this book is a perfect example of how stay on the side of romance but maintain some steam inducing scenes. Word choice really matters...
I can usually pass on most sex scenes. Very few writers manage to create scenes that don't feel forced or awkward to me. If I want to read choreographed sex scenes I will hunt down a book with BDSM in the description. Leigh manages to create a nice balance between writing romance and sex.
Honestly. Here is a heads up to wannabe romance writers. There is difference between writing a smut scene and writing a romantic sex scene. In my opinion, this book is a perfect example of how stay on the side of romance but maintain some steam inducing scenes. Word choice really matters...
Angels In The City was an easy, short listen. I also tend to listen to audiobooks at a faster speed and this made this listen even shorter. I enjoyed this couple and found myself wanting more.
The book was interesting with this being a new to me author. The chemistry between the couple was good, enjoyable plot, and easy pace. Overall, the book was enjoyable and I was listen to more from this author.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.
The book was interesting with this being a new to me author. The chemistry between the couple was good, enjoyable plot, and easy pace. Overall, the book was enjoyable and I was listen to more from this author.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.
This was a fun Christmas-y book. Less gritty than her regular books. Although this is the second time recently that I've read about a Russian MC with migraines and not always taking the medication! Classic Garrett Leigh emotions, medium sweetness, kind of made me hungry (they are eating a lot, it seemed.)
Stuck in an elevator, fake date (but not OTT, just a simple event date), FWB, but sometimes treated as just a hook-up, office romance, doughnuts, Russian pastries, Christmas market, migraines, workaholics, Russian pet names, and a wee bit of angsty UST.
Stuck in an elevator, fake date (but not OTT, just a simple event date), FWB, but sometimes treated as just a hook-up, office romance, doughnuts, Russian pastries, Christmas market, migraines, workaholics, Russian pet names, and a wee bit of angsty UST.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
If you're looking for a sweet, lower-angst, Christmassy read this will be perfect for you! This was a fun one for sure - I picked it up because Sacha Ivanov, one of the main characters, is the cousin of Alexei Ivanov from Garrett Leigh's Rebel Kings MC series. Alexei is one of my favourites, and as that series continues, we learn more about Alexei's cousin Sacha, and Sacha's partner Jonah. Alexei proclaims that Jonah is one of the nicest, sweetest people he's ever met (to the point where Saint names his cat after him), and Angels in the City was truly proof of that!
Jonah Gray needs a date to his parents' annual Christmas ball. He dreads it every single year. After a chance encounter being trapped in an elevator, Sacha Ivanov winds up accompanying Jonah to the ball and pretending to be his boyfriend. Jonah's rich and successful, owns his own company, and treats his employees like gold. Sacha considers himself a lone wolf, and takes solace in his work and anonymous hookups. The two share a floor in their office building, and all of the sudden, they can't seem to avoid each other. And perhaps they don't want to.
Sacha's mannerisms were so like Alexei (particularly his enigmatic habit of talking in circles for his own amusement) that it made me smile! He was definitely a frustrating character at times, and it felt like he was leading Jonah on when he was trying to figure out his own feelings. I appreciated the chronic pain representation, and I found this book to be an easy read and pretty low-angst. The ending did feel slightly rushed, but it still brought a smile to my face.
Jonah Gray needs a date to his parents' annual Christmas ball. He dreads it every single year. After a chance encounter being trapped in an elevator, Sacha Ivanov winds up accompanying Jonah to the ball and pretending to be his boyfriend. Jonah's rich and successful, owns his own company, and treats his employees like gold. Sacha considers himself a lone wolf, and takes solace in his work and anonymous hookups. The two share a floor in their office building, and all of the sudden, they can't seem to avoid each other. And perhaps they don't want to.
Sacha's mannerisms were so like Alexei (particularly his enigmatic habit of talking in circles for his own amusement) that it made me smile! He was definitely a frustrating character at times, and it felt like he was leading Jonah on when he was trying to figure out his own feelings. I appreciated the chronic pain representation, and I found this book to be an easy read and pretty low-angst. The ending did feel slightly rushed, but it still brought a smile to my face.