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bfdbookblog's review
4.0
I kind of loved this book from the beginning, even though Sacha pissed me off a time or two. I was sucked in and didn’t want to put it down and let me tell you I am itching to hear this vocally performed because I think I’ll love it even more then.
Sacha broke my heart. Jonah warmed it. Sacha clearly needs Jonah to thaw his frozen heart. They both need a distraction from work and someone to give them a work-life balance. Their instant chemistry, entertaining banter, and immediate emotional pull drew me in, and didn’t let go. Thankfully the ‘relationship’ miscue didn’t last long, and they figured things out quickly.
I’d love to see them again in a future book. Does Nico have a story? If not, he’s getting one, right?
Sacha broke my heart. Jonah warmed it. Sacha clearly needs Jonah to thaw his frozen heart. They both need a distraction from work and someone to give them a work-life balance. Their instant chemistry, entertaining banter, and immediate emotional pull drew me in, and didn’t let go. Thankfully the ‘relationship’ miscue didn’t last long, and they figured things out quickly.
I’d love to see them again in a future book. Does Nico have a story? If not, he’s getting one, right?
ilyarozanov123's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This was nothing like I expected it to be, but in a good way. I very much enjoyed the fact that it was a slow burn without cheesiness—in fact, I’m not sure why this is labeled a Christmas book, because that part was barely there, like it was added on afterwards. Much like the title and book cover didn’t fit the story at all either. I wish the packaging of it all had been different, because the story deserved more.
I really liked Sacha. I have a weakness for Russian love interests in general (I blame the hockey books) and Sacha in particular was just lovely. I crushed on him along with Jonah. I just wish that the story hadn’t been quite as slow burn as it was, because I felt like we barely had time to see them together in the end. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wanted more schmoop for the finale. They were so good together.
I really liked Sacha. I have a weakness for Russian love interests in general (I blame the hockey books) and Sacha in particular was just lovely. I crushed on him along with Jonah. I just wish that the story hadn’t been quite as slow burn as it was, because I felt like we barely had time to see them together in the end. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wanted more schmoop for the finale. They were so good together.
cutdeeptalkshit's review
5.0
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The up and downs of Angels In the City kept me reading from the first page till the last until 3 a.m. I was utter exhausted the next morning but had zero regrets!
Jonah and Sacha had an unconventional meeting that quickly spiraled into a friend's with benefits relationship when they couldn't seem to stay away from each other despite neither actually looking for a relationship.
Their chemistry was obvious the moment they met—hello, two hot dudes trapped in an elevator; of course it was—and quickly turned explosive as soon as they got naked. I really enjoyed the ups and downs of their tentative friendship as it became a relationship. Both of them had their fair share of hang-ups. My heart hurt at times as I wondered, "Will they? Won't they?" but by the end of the book, I was smiling.
Sacha was a unique and deep character that I disliked as much as I loved. He was so different than most MCs and I adored him for that. He was perfectly imperfect. Jonah was sweet and stead fast. In the end he was just what Sacha needed to smooth his rough edges.
Angels In the City is definitely one of the better books I read this year!
The up and downs of Angels In the City kept me reading from the first page till the last until 3 a.m. I was utter exhausted the next morning but had zero regrets!
Jonah and Sacha had an unconventional meeting that quickly spiraled into a friend's with benefits relationship when they couldn't seem to stay away from each other despite neither actually looking for a relationship.
Their chemistry was obvious the moment they met—hello, two hot dudes trapped in an elevator; of course it was—and quickly turned explosive as soon as they got naked. I really enjoyed the ups and downs of their tentative friendship as it became a relationship. Both of them had their fair share of hang-ups. My heart hurt at times as I wondered, "Will they? Won't they?" but by the end of the book, I was smiling.
Sacha was a unique and deep character that I disliked as much as I loved. He was so different than most MCs and I adored him for that. He was perfectly imperfect. Jonah was sweet and stead fast. In the end he was just what Sacha needed to smooth his rough edges.
Angels In the City is definitely one of the better books I read this year!
loulou87's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fluffiest book I have read by Garrett Leigh... and I don't think she could do fluffier than this. she is one #AngstQueen that I will happily read every time, because her MCs are always real and faulty. By the end of the stories, her men are still faulty, but are always trying hard to become better versions of themselves. there is no quick fix, magical dicks or love miracles. the MCs works hard to get their HEA and by the end they deserve it.
Granted, in this book, the MCs didn't fight as much, because Ms. Garrett chose not to torture them a lot. #NewApproachFFW … she just gave Sacha intense migraines but hey.... you gotta keep your TM!
What I loved:
1. The MCs:
Sacha Sacha Sacha.... this character is such a ball of contradictions. a vulnerable, insecure, confused man who is wrapped up in a scowling cold façade. this is the type of character you just want to bundle up and protect, because you can see through all true bullshit. He needs warmth and love and Jonah was the man to do it! #ReadBetweenTheLines
Jonah Gray... he was just what the doctor ordered to break down Sacha's walls. he is lovable and bright and and honest to a fault. from the get-go. He felt the need to protect and to care for Sacha. #Luchik
2. The Plot:
After being stuck in the elevator, they somehow end up being pretend boyfriends and attend a ball together... que lust and they end up FWB. all through that, both men are working hard, and trying desperately to keep their relationship NSA. #YourEffortsAreFutile
3. The Romance:
Transitioned fluidly from fuckbuddies to lovers. Both men knew they were in too deep after that first time. But there was no way to stop those feeling from evolving to something more. #RunawayTrain
4. Th Heat...
Holy shit it was STEAMY! Ms. leigh never disappoints with her love scenes, even though some intimacies took a while to take place. It was the prefect tease. #Edging
5. The Dialogue:
It was HARD! damn these men talked in circles but each phrase had a hidden meaning that you could pick up flawlessly, even though it was HARD! But it fit their relationship because it showed how they were both avoiding talking about what mattered. #ListenToWhaYoureNotSaying
Slight niggles:
I wanted an epilogue dammit! I needed that HEA into the future, something to let me know how they were doing, what they have been up to... some progression of their relationship. I felt robbed of this part. #WhyYouDoMeLikeThat .... hence the 4 star rating.
All in all.... A great Christmas story and love love love these men. #BravaMsLeigh
This is the fluffiest book I have read by Garrett Leigh... and I don't think she could do fluffier than this. she is one #AngstQueen that I will happily read every time, because her MCs are always real and faulty. By the end of the stories, her men are still faulty, but are always trying hard to become better versions of themselves. there is no quick fix, magical dicks or love miracles. the MCs works hard to get their HEA and by the end they deserve it.
Granted, in this book, the MCs didn't fight as much, because Ms. Garrett chose not to torture them a lot. #NewApproachFFW … she just gave Sacha intense migraines but hey.... you gotta keep your TM!
What I loved:
1. The MCs:
Sacha Sacha Sacha.... this character is such a ball of contradictions. a vulnerable, insecure, confused man who is wrapped up in a scowling cold façade. this is the type of character you just want to bundle up and protect, because you can see through all true bullshit. He needs warmth and love and Jonah was the man to do it! #ReadBetweenTheLines
Jonah Gray... he was just what the doctor ordered to break down Sacha's walls. he is lovable and bright and and honest to a fault. from the get-go. He felt the need to protect and to care for Sacha. #Luchik
2. The Plot:
After being stuck in the elevator, they somehow end up being pretend boyfriends and attend a ball together... que lust and they end up FWB. all through that, both men are working hard, and trying desperately to keep their relationship NSA. #YourEffortsAreFutile
3. The Romance:
Transitioned fluidly from fuckbuddies to lovers. Both men knew they were in too deep after that first time. But there was no way to stop those feeling from evolving to something more. #RunawayTrain
4. Th Heat...
Holy shit it was STEAMY! Ms. leigh never disappoints with her love scenes, even though some intimacies took a while to take place. It was the prefect tease. #Edging
5. The Dialogue:
It was HARD! damn these men talked in circles but each phrase had a hidden meaning that you could pick up flawlessly, even though it was HARD! But it fit their relationship because it showed how they were both avoiding talking about what mattered. #ListenToWhaYoureNotSaying
Slight niggles:
I wanted an epilogue dammit! I needed that HEA into the future, something to let me know how they were doing, what they have been up to... some progression of their relationship. I felt robbed of this part. #WhyYouDoMeLikeThat .... hence the 4 star rating.
All in all.... A great Christmas story and love love love these men. #BravaMsLeigh
ccgwalt's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, A- rounded up.
This is my first book by Garrett Leigh and I will be seeking out more soon. Angels in the City is a character driven book and could be described as a quiet, yet emotional look at two very different personalities falling in love. Jonas is open and friendly, liked by almost everyone and genuinely thoughtful. He is carrying some baggage about proving himself and feels a little guilty for being from such a rich family. Sacha is a Russian software genius newly hired at the firm that shares a building with Jonas' fledgling advertising company. Sacha is blunt to the point of rudeness in his professional life, and hides his past trauma behind icy control. They meet on the day of the annual holiday charity ball thrown by Jonas's parents, which he dreads going to. When the lift Jonas and Sacha are riding in breaks down, the two spend an interesting 20 minutes or so talking around each other and being aware of an unusual attraction. When an off-hand invitation for Sacha to accompany Jonas to the charity event is accepted, the ball gets rolling on an unusual relationship story.
I love the quiet pace of the book and was eager to pick it up again for a few more minutes of reading. The openness of Jonas is contrasted with the closed-off and rigidly controlled nature of Sacha, and it was marvelous watching them both desire more while being unable to articulate it or truly act on it. The book requires an emotional commitment from the reader without resorting to high angst, and that's my very favorite kind of story.
I only took of a little bit because Sacha's habit of answering questions with questions got repetitive.
I don't know if Garrett Leigh writes m/f books, but I'd love to read Jonas's friend Lily's story.
This is my first book by Garrett Leigh and I will be seeking out more soon. Angels in the City is a character driven book and could be described as a quiet, yet emotional look at two very different personalities falling in love. Jonas is open and friendly, liked by almost everyone and genuinely thoughtful. He is carrying some baggage about proving himself and feels a little guilty for being from such a rich family. Sacha is a Russian software genius newly hired at the firm that shares a building with Jonas' fledgling advertising company. Sacha is blunt to the point of rudeness in his professional life, and hides his past trauma behind icy control. They meet on the day of the annual holiday charity ball thrown by Jonas's parents, which he dreads going to. When the lift Jonas and Sacha are riding in breaks down, the two spend an interesting 20 minutes or so talking around each other and being aware of an unusual attraction. When an off-hand invitation for Sacha to accompany Jonas to the charity event is accepted, the ball gets rolling on an unusual relationship story.
I love the quiet pace of the book and was eager to pick it up again for a few more minutes of reading. The openness of Jonas is contrasted with the closed-off and rigidly controlled nature of Sacha, and it was marvelous watching them both desire more while being unable to articulate it or truly act on it. The book requires an emotional commitment from the reader without resorting to high angst, and that's my very favorite kind of story.
I only took of a little bit because Sacha's habit of answering questions with questions got repetitive.
I don't know if Garrett Leigh writes m/f books, but I'd love to read Jonas's friend Lily's story.
xanthe87's review against another edition
4.0
Another wonderful Christmas tale from Garret Leigh, perfectly balancing out angst, chemistry and feelings.
Jonah and Sacha's first meeting in the elevator of their work building is just the beginning as sparks fly and an invitation is accepted to Jonah's parent's charity ball with the tiny addition that Sacha will be Jonah's fake date. What follows is an evening spent enjoying each others company, in all ways. Both decide to go forward attempting friends with benefits but it becomes harder for each man with one more willing to accept this than the other.
Jonah and Sacha are such different people. Whilst both grew up with a wealthy family their childhoods are very different as are relationships with parents. Personality and demeanor are also on different scales, one being approachable and friendly, the other....not so much. But when they are together, everything else falls away and they fit perfectly. It's just allowing themselves to believe that they can cmhave something together.
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I love how Garret's writing can always dip into the darker side of life but quickly shines some light back into their lives. This is no different as Jonah acts as a Ray of sunshine to Sacha's world. I liked all of the characters involved, especially both of the teams that they both work with. Jonah's has a tighter bond and Sacha's definitely not afraid to tell people what he thinks but that just makes it more fun!
Highly recommended read that brings a good deal of joy to these characters at Christmas.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Jonah and Sacha's first meeting in the elevator of their work building is just the beginning as sparks fly and an invitation is accepted to Jonah's parent's charity ball with the tiny addition that Sacha will be Jonah's fake date. What follows is an evening spent enjoying each others company, in all ways. Both decide to go forward attempting friends with benefits but it becomes harder for each man with one more willing to accept this than the other.
Jonah and Sacha are such different people. Whilst both grew up with a wealthy family their childhoods are very different as are relationships with parents. Personality and demeanor are also on different scales, one being approachable and friendly, the other....not so much. But when they are together, everything else falls away and they fit perfectly. It's just allowing themselves to believe that they can cmhave something together.
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. I love how Garret's writing can always dip into the darker side of life but quickly shines some light back into their lives. This is no different as Jonah acts as a Ray of sunshine to Sacha's world. I liked all of the characters involved, especially both of the teams that they both work with. Jonah's has a tighter bond and Sacha's definitely not afraid to tell people what he thinks but that just makes it more fun!
Highly recommended read that brings a good deal of joy to these characters at Christmas.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
cadiva's review
5.0
If Marc ([b:Soul to Keep|36291180|Soul to Keep (Rented Heart, #2)|Garrett Leigh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508439332l/36291180._SY75_.jpg|57955556] ) hadn't already stolen my heart completely, then Sacha and Jonah would be fighting it out with Gavin & Yani ([b:Hometown Christmas|48840400|Hometown Christmas|Garrett Leigh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1573945134l/48840400._SY75_.jpg|73694085] ) to claim it.
This is possibly the least angsty of anything I've ever read from Garrett, but that doesn't mean it's missing any of the signature pieces that make it one of her books.
Two driven men, meeting perhaps by accident, perhaps by fate's intervention, but nevertheless, finding an instant connection.
It starts as a fake boyfriend scheme to sooth Jonah's mother but it's pretty clear from the off that it could be so much more.
Sacha is an enigma, he's brusk, sparse with conversation, free with his disdain for the rest of the workforce he's been landed with and very much interested in taking Jonah to bed.
Jonah is a ray of sunshine, he's kind to his staff, bemused by his mother's determination to get him paired off with anyone, and instantly drawn to the dark and brooding Russian.
They dance around each other in their shared office space, they fall into bed frequently, but they never talk feelings.
There was just something about this book which pulled me deep into it, perhaps the intimacy of their interactions, which take place in bed a lot.
Or possibly just the way it was clear to me that Sacha needed Jonah, though he did his best to ignore that he was wanting more then just sex.
There isn't really one defining moment which moves this into something more, it's a slide into a dawning of acknowledgement that things have changed.
But, as is ever the way, it's not smooth sailing, there are hurts caused, and motives questioned before the break point is reached.
For a relatively short book, Garrett still manages to pack a whole fully fleshed out world with a rounded set of secondary characters into the narrative.
It doesn't appear to be connected to her wider universe but it also felt like it easily could be.
I kept expecting them to pop into one of Cass and Tom's places for food or to run into one of the ex-military guys on the street
This is possibly the least angsty of anything I've ever read from Garrett, but that doesn't mean it's missing any of the signature pieces that make it one of her books.
Two driven men, meeting perhaps by accident, perhaps by fate's intervention, but nevertheless, finding an instant connection.
It starts as a fake boyfriend scheme to sooth Jonah's mother but it's pretty clear from the off that it could be so much more.
Sacha is an enigma, he's brusk, sparse with conversation, free with his disdain for the rest of the workforce he's been landed with and very much interested in taking Jonah to bed.
Jonah is a ray of sunshine, he's kind to his staff, bemused by his mother's determination to get him paired off with anyone, and instantly drawn to the dark and brooding Russian.
They dance around each other in their shared office space, they fall into bed frequently, but they never talk feelings.
There was just something about this book which pulled me deep into it, perhaps the intimacy of their interactions, which take place in bed a lot.
Or possibly just the way it was clear to me that Sacha needed Jonah, though he did his best to ignore that he was wanting more then just sex.
There isn't really one defining moment which moves this into something more, it's a slide into a dawning of acknowledgement that things have changed.
But, as is ever the way, it's not smooth sailing, there are hurts caused, and motives questioned before the break point is reached.
For a relatively short book, Garrett still manages to pack a whole fully fleshed out world with a rounded set of secondary characters into the narrative.
It doesn't appear to be connected to her wider universe but it also felt like it easily could be.
I kept expecting them to pop into one of Cass and Tom's places for food or to run into one of the ex-military guys on the street
lost_windsock's review
emotional
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
5.0
Another perfect little christmas story from Garret Leigh. Office romances, biker romances, gangster romances, it doesn't matter, they're always exactly perfect. Great characters, intense emotions. Jonah and Sacha were another amazing pairing, and I loved their story so much.
crunden's review
“That I will be there, Jonah Gray, wherever you are, because I do not want to be anywhere else.”
I love Jonah and Sacha so freaking much I just cannot deal.
I love Jonah and Sacha so freaking much I just cannot deal.
mrnnprsns's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0