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meatloafqueen's review against another edition
5.0
Oof! My feelings are hurt! I felt more anxiety than I’ve felt in actual tumultuous relationships. I loved it!
layla87's review against another edition
3.0
Can anyone tell me why I'm still reading this infruriating series? WHY?
I freaking HATE Jake. He's such an asshole.
Adrien is basically a doormat.
My dude.... you're in your thirties. Can you please stand up for yourself? WTF.
That last scene with them made me RAGE. That was assualt.
And apparently.... I'm still gonna continue because I want to see if these two doorknobs get their heads out of their asses.
Good Day.
Btw: 3 stars solely for the writing.
0 stars for the characters. I'm mad ok?
I freaking HATE Jake. He's such an asshole.
Adrien is basically a doormat.
My dude.... you're in your thirties. Can you please stand up for yourself? WTF.
That last scene with them made me RAGE. That was assualt.
And apparently.... I'm still gonna continue because I want to see if these two doorknobs get their heads out of their asses.
Good Day.
Btw: 3 stars solely for the writing.
0 stars for the characters. I'm mad ok?
scarletcat13's review against another edition
4.0
Best humor:
"We're watching you," Whispered the voice on the other end [of the phone].
"Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys?"
Silence. Then dial tone.
Other than the humor, which gets me every time, I like how real the relationships feel.
On to the next book!
"We're watching you," Whispered the voice on the other end [of the phone].
"Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys?"
Silence. Then dial tone.
Other than the humor, which gets me every time, I like how real the relationships feel.
Spoiler
On that note, full thumbs up for Adrien pushing the asshole out of his life. He knew from the second book that he wasn't going to get what he wanted out of the relationship. In this book, it became increasingly clear that he was being treated like a dirty little secret. So good for Adrien, I almost clapped when Adrien chose not to make it easy by keeping calm when the other wanted to argue. Also while I'm in the spoil zone, what a dick for getting physical at the end.On to the next book!
scarletcat13's review
4.0
Best humor:
"We're watching you," Whispered the voice on the other end [of the phone].
"Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys?"
Silence. Then dial tone.
Other than the humor, which gets me every time, I like how real the relationships feel.
On to the next book!
"We're watching you," Whispered the voice on the other end [of the phone].
"Yeah? Did you see what I did with my keys?"
Silence. Then dial tone.
Other than the humor, which gets me every time, I like how real the relationships feel.
Spoiler
On that note, full thumbs up for Adrien pushing the asshole out of his life. He knew from the second book that he wasn't going to get what he wanted out of the relationship. In this book, it became increasingly clear that he was being treated like a dirty little secret. So good for Adrien, I almost clapped when Adrien chose not to make it easy by keeping calm when the other wanted to argue. Also while I'm in the spoil zone, what a dick for getting physical at the end.On to the next book!
oliviak_31's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
books_and_cha's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I find it ironic that the only book from this series that won an award was the one that I liked the least. Now, it wasn't terrible - it was decently written and the mystery, once revealed, made sense. The pieces fit. It says a lot that these are the few positive points I could come up with.
For starters, the mystery was not up my alley. Death threats from possible demonic cults? No, thank you. Add in the leisurely pacing amongst relationship angst, and suddenly, you see why this was not my cup of tea. At all.
The romance (can we even call it that, after what happened?) was upsetting. Not sad, not hurt/comfort (there was no comfort, what?), upsetting. You know how you have those graphs about story-writing, with the rising action, climax, etc.? If we're looking only at the relationship between Adrien and Jake, this book is rock-bottom. It is dark and rough and ugly. The events of this book don't just straddle the line between relationship drama and abuse - it crosses it.
Secondly, the part where Jake shoves Adrien onto his back and threatens him? The scene suggests that Jake's rage was fueled by protectiveness, but no one has any right to physically impose their will on you, regardless of whether they're looking out for your safety. It's just like how patients have the right to refuse treatment. You're allowed to say no. Except here, Adrien faces physical and emotional damage for literally nothing. There is no justification. There was senseless emotional and physical damage and I hated it. This was abuse, and I recognized it as such.
By the end of this book, I was done rooting for Jake and Adrien to be together. I decided to read the rest of the series to see how it ends, but at this point, the only character I care about is Adrien. The Hell You Say, indeed. What was this?
I find it ironic that the only book from this series that won an award was the one that I liked the least. Now, it wasn't terrible - it was decently written and the mystery, once revealed, made sense. The pieces fit. It says a lot that these are the few positive points I could come up with.
For starters, the mystery was not up my alley. Death threats from possible demonic cults? No, thank you. Add in the leisurely pacing amongst relationship angst, and suddenly, you see why this was not my cup of tea. At all.
The romance (can we even call it that, after what happened?) was upsetting. Not sad, not hurt/comfort (there was no comfort, what?), upsetting. You know how you have those graphs about story-writing, with the rising action, climax, etc.? If we're looking only at the relationship between Adrien and Jake, this book is rock-bottom. It is dark and rough and ugly. The events of this book don't just straddle the line between relationship drama and abuse - it crosses it.
Spoiler
Let's talk about the break-up, shall we? Kate and Jake decide to get married, and Jake breaks up with Adrien. Fair enough. What's not fair is that Jake makes it seem like Adrien has no right to be upset, and Adrien internally agrees with him. Even though Jake never promised anything, that still doesn't negate the fact that Adrien has feelings for him, and has every right to be hurt and upset. No one gets to take that away from him.Secondly, the part where Jake shoves Adrien onto his back and threatens him? The scene suggests that Jake's rage was fueled by protectiveness, but no one has any right to physically impose their will on you, regardless of whether they're looking out for your safety. It's just like how patients have the right to refuse treatment. You're allowed to say no. Except here, Adrien faces physical and emotional damage for literally nothing. There is no justification. There was senseless emotional and physical damage and I hated it. This was abuse, and I recognized it as such.
By the end of this book, I was done rooting for Jake and Adrien to be together. I decided to read the rest of the series to see how it ends, but at this point, the only character I care about is Adrien. The Hell You Say, indeed. What was this?
nicola949's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, this series continues to impress!
Definitely a good book in the series, made so because of the character of Adrien English. There is lots and lots of humour and witty comments - Adrien is the king of the fast comeback!
It's a thriller mystery although with a little less action than previous books and Adrien doesn't seem to be getting himself into so much direct trouble. There is lots of sleuthing as he tries to help his bookshop assistant who is part of a cult and accused of a crime Adrien doesn't think he committed.
At first I wondered why Adrien was so passionate about getting involved but I think his nature didn't give him any choice! As a writer of mysteries he doesn't have it in him just to sit back and not follow the clues.
Jake only makes a minimal appearance in this book. I would have like there to be more on-page Jake although he was an asshole!
All in all - a great book, a mystery not a romance. The ending was a little bit fast and sudden but luckily there was another book for me to launch straight into!
The narration captures the essence of Adrien. The other characters are voiced well too - Guy, with his slight British accent and Lisa.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
Definitely a good book in the series, made so because of the character of Adrien English. There is lots and lots of humour and witty comments - Adrien is the king of the fast comeback!
It's a thriller mystery although with a little less action than previous books and Adrien doesn't seem to be getting himself into so much direct trouble. There is lots of sleuthing as he tries to help his bookshop assistant who is part of a cult and accused of a crime Adrien doesn't think he committed.
At first I wondered why Adrien was so passionate about getting involved but I think his nature didn't give him any choice! As a writer of mysteries he doesn't have it in him just to sit back and not follow the clues.
Jake only makes a minimal appearance in this book. I would have like there to be more on-page Jake although he was an asshole!
All in all - a great book, a mystery not a romance. The ending was a little bit fast and sudden but luckily there was another book for me to launch straight into!
The narration captures the essence of Adrien. The other characters are voiced well too - Guy, with his slight British accent and Lisa.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
dic65's review against another edition
5.0
This installment was just as good as the other two. I love the twist and turns of the author. Jake continues to irritate me but I saw that the last book in the series have a happy every after ending so I will continue to read the series. Guy seems like a nice persons but I have the feeling that there is more to him than the obvious. Oh well I guess I will find out in the next book. Which I plan to start next weekend. If you read this book you will not be disappointed.
junior_18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5