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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This book gets a lot of hype. I'm a big fan of the Steel Bones MC series by [a:Cate C. Wells|19392438|Cate C. Wells|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1688385018p2/19392438.jpg], and the Stonecut series includes characters that also appear or are featured in Steel Bones. I found this story and it's followup, [b:Against a Wall|59725768|Against a Wall (Stonecut County, #2)|Cate C. Wells|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638226255l/59725768._SY75_.jpg|94055128], incredibly frustrating - which is part of the point; they feature a rich, upper-crust family that's omnipresent in a small town and as someone who grew up in a rural small town that contained a few families in this "ruling class," where everyone knows and will do everything for you, talk to you differently, and make your life easier - I did not like the Wall family at all. And again, that's kindof the point. Something that Cate C. Wells does incredibly well is writing poverty and people who are disadvantaged or disenfranchised in some way, whether it's income, stigma from past actions, illness, or some other factor. Sometimes it's downright disturbing or brutal. But it's good - or if it's not "good," it's certainly effective. And it hits different people differently - some of the stories I've liked best are really hard for others to read. Personally, I found dealing with MMC Kellum Wall, who grew up in the privilege and insulation of his rich family, exhausting.
MMC Kellum grew up with a lot of privilege; now he's a hero sheriff's deputy well known and loved in his town; unfortunately, he knocked up a teenage girl (our FMC Shay); in the beginning we see what happens when she's pregnant and his family and boss show up and throw her a paltry sum of money to leave town and never tell Kellum that the baby it his, as it'll "ruin his reputation" and he'll "lose everything." (Whatever. It won't. They're just trashy rich jerks.) Shay eventually ends up in poverty and with no option she can think of to escape than moving back to Stonecut County. She eventually reconnects with Kellum, who she's (understandably) INCREDIBLY wary of, and who had no idea that any of the above happened or that her child is his. When he finds out, he absolutely cannot fathom why no one told him and cannot reconcile his fluffy, good-boy world view with the fact that a lot of the people around him are not good people. Like he legitimately refuses to believe it. And Cate C. Wells shows Shay grappling with that and even getting after Kellum for it. While I was REALLY hoping that by the end of the story What we got is probably more realistic, though I will say it wasn't as satisfying; personally, I just don't have patience for people like the Wall family and in my opinion if Kellum That could just be my own baggage talking.
All in all, 3 stars - definitely glad I read it, but it was a tough one for me. I'd give it 3.5 if I could. I prefer the world of Steel Bones than the world of Stonecut County, and I guess if characters are going to be morally gray, I'd rather they be honest about it like the bikers in Steel Bones are as opposed to members of an "upstanding" small town family that runs everyone not useful to them into the ground.
MMC Kellum grew up with a lot of privilege; now he's a hero sheriff's deputy well known and loved in his town; unfortunately, he knocked up a teenage girl (our FMC Shay); in the beginning we see what happens when she's pregnant and his family and boss show up and throw her a paltry sum of money to leave town and never tell Kellum that the baby it his, as it'll "ruin his reputation" and he'll "lose everything." (Whatever. It won't. They're just trashy rich jerks.) Shay eventually ends up in poverty and with no option she can think of to escape than moving back to Stonecut County. She eventually reconnects with Kellum, who she's (understandably) INCREDIBLY wary of, and who had no idea that any of the above happened or that her child is his. When he finds out, he absolutely cannot fathom why no one told him and cannot reconcile his fluffy, good-boy world view with the fact that a lot of the people around him are not good people. Like he legitimately refuses to believe it. And Cate C. Wells shows Shay grappling with that and even getting after Kellum for it. While I was REALLY hoping that by the end of the story
Spoiler
he would have reconciled that some of the people in his life were really horrible, he never really seemed to get there, which was incredibly frustrating. It's really admirable that he stepped up and didn't act like a complete tool I guess, but that seems like the bare minimum; if I were Shay, I'd still want nothing to do with his family. I wanted more comeuppance than what we get.Spoiler
never admits how messed up his family is, then he's never done Shay completely right.All in all, 3 stars - definitely glad I read it, but it was a tough one for me. I'd give it 3.5 if I could. I prefer the world of Steel Bones than the world of Stonecut County, and I guess if characters are going to be morally gray, I'd rather they be honest about it like the bikers in Steel Bones are as opposed to members of an "upstanding" small town family that runs everyone not useful to them into the ground.
Do you know, I wasn’t expecting this book to go how it did… and I’m pleasantly surprised by that fact. No spoilers now, ya hear?
The plot - it’s a second chance, hidden pregnancy romance, with enemies to lovers/grumpy X sunshine vibes. Disability/disorder rep throughout which we LOVE and it was all done brilliantly. It is a HEA, which we all know I love. The smut was mid, 2.75/5 on the spice scale. Detailed enough with sexual tension but not many actual scenes. My issue was the resolution. I think this was my issues with the other Cate C Wells book I read before.. the resolution always seems rushed and too immediate. Not much fighting to get to the finish, if that makes sense? Otherwise, it was brilliant.
The MC - I didn’t know what to think of Shay at first. On the one hand, she’s a badass who needs no one. On the other, she’s such a hypocritical DICKHEAD that I can’t cope. Some of her decisions, I was like “yeah Mama, you go girlfriend!” And then others… i wanted to scream at her and tell her she’s a dick, and that she really can’t be complaining about the creases when she’s making her own bed like that. A mixed bag, for sure.
The male counterpart - Kellum is a fuckin weird name, I won’t lie. And his naive “boy scout” attitude ~ thats a direct quote from the book ~ did piss me off. On that note thought, I did love the possessiveness, the broodiness and his openness to new things. I loved him by the end, and I’m glad he got his HEA.
The plot - it’s a second chance, hidden pregnancy romance, with enemies to lovers/grumpy X sunshine vibes. Disability/disorder rep throughout which we LOVE and it was all done brilliantly. It is a HEA, which we all know I love. The smut was mid, 2.75/5 on the spice scale. Detailed enough with sexual tension but not many actual scenes. My issue was the resolution. I think this was my issues with the other Cate C Wells book I read before.. the resolution always seems rushed and too immediate. Not much fighting to get to the finish, if that makes sense? Otherwise, it was brilliant.
The MC - I didn’t know what to think of Shay at first. On the one hand, she’s a badass who needs no one. On the other, she’s such a hypocritical DICKHEAD that I can’t cope. Some of her decisions, I was like “yeah Mama, you go girlfriend!” And then others… i wanted to scream at her and tell her she’s a dick, and that she really can’t be complaining about the creases when she’s making her own bed like that. A mixed bag, for sure.
The male counterpart - Kellum is a fuckin weird name, I won’t lie. And his naive “boy scout” attitude ~ thats a direct quote from the book ~ did piss me off. On that note thought, I did love the possessiveness, the broodiness and his openness to new things. I loved him by the end, and I’m glad he got his HEA.
Removed star for: HEA that didn’t feel happy and had unresolved issues for the FMC, the MCs hooked up too quickly, underage sex (she was 17 when he was 24),
Kept stars for: this story being a unique take on class divides and power dynamics although it hurts to read about, surprise baby and secondhand romance, little girl was so adorably cute, the scene when he first meets the little girl would have given this 5 stars alone ugh my heart
TW: underage sex
This book had so much potential but the ending felt incredible rushed. During my first read I thought I missed a page and went back to re-read it to find out it’s just how it is. The MCs family issues were not resolved by the end and I felt like the MMC could have done a lot more to make the FMC feel more at ease in her new life with him.
Kept stars for: this story being a unique take on class divides and power dynamics although it hurts to read about, surprise baby and secondhand romance, little girl was so adorably cute, the scene when he first meets the little girl would have given this 5 stars alone ugh my heart
TW: underage sex
This book had so much potential but the ending felt incredible rushed. During my first read I thought I missed a page and went back to re-read it to find out it’s just how it is. The MCs family issues were not resolved by the end and I felt like the MMC could have done a lot more to make the FMC feel more at ease in her new life with him.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Her writing truly is fantastic and I wanted to finish it because of that. But one of my least favourite tropes is an age gap even if it is only six years the start of that relationship irked me and I just couldn’t get past it the writing is wonderful, and I’m sure tons of people will love this book unfortunately it just wasn’t for me.
3.5 rounded down because of the abrupt ending.
There was drama drama drama, then everything is fine now here is a HEA.
Lots of angst and trust issues (rightfully so).
Little Mia was so sweet, and watching Kellum be her dad and interact with her was so cute. He was trying to hard and worked within her boundary.
There was drama drama drama, then everything is fine now here is a HEA.
Lots of angst and trust issues (rightfully so).
Little Mia was so sweet, and watching Kellum be her dad and interact with her was so cute. He was trying to hard and worked within her boundary.
"What does a good man do when he realizes he’s not?"
That quote basically summarizes this book. There were times, reading this, that I just had to stop and admire the sheer depth and poignancy of the writing.
Cate C. Wells' books (so far) seem to all center on mostly earnest, well-meaning men of some privilege or other who cause harm to their female counterparts (usually by sheer arrogant/privileged/self-important blunders) then have their world view blown apart as they strive for redemption. Paradoxically, the women counters are from impoverished backgrounds who have or grow backbones of steel; they are industrious and assert their own value.
These similarities don't make for a boring read, though. Each character is nuanced and different. Also, unlike most stories of well-off men vs. "unfortunate" women, money isn't touted as the cure all nor high income lifestyle as inherently superior to low income culture.
But what makes this book stand out even among this author's other superb books, is Kellam's journey of enlightenment that is so relatable. Switch out the subject with race, gender, SV/DV violence, and I think many of us have or could be in his shoes of realizing our complicity in corrupt institutions. Then there is Shay who is tough as nails and her incredible relationship and empathy for her daughter. She is not a princess with the stereotypical pure, naive heart who sings to birds; she sees her daughter as she is. And she meets her there without judgement but rather heaps of empathy. I want to be like her towards everyone I meet.
In short, this book is going on my fav list and I can't recommend it enough! :)
That quote basically summarizes this book. There were times, reading this, that I just had to stop and admire the sheer depth and poignancy of the writing.
Cate C. Wells' books (so far) seem to all center on mostly earnest, well-meaning men of some privilege or other who cause harm to their female counterparts (usually by sheer arrogant/privileged/self-important blunders) then have their world view blown apart as they strive for redemption. Paradoxically, the women counters are from impoverished backgrounds who have or grow backbones of steel; they are industrious and assert their own value.
These similarities don't make for a boring read, though. Each character is nuanced and different. Also, unlike most stories of well-off men vs. "unfortunate" women, money isn't touted as the cure all nor high income lifestyle as inherently superior to low income culture.
But what makes this book stand out even among this author's other superb books, is Kellam's journey of enlightenment that is so relatable. Switch out the subject with race, gender, SV/DV violence, and I think many of us have or could be in his shoes of realizing our complicity in corrupt institutions. Then there is Shay who is tough as nails and her incredible relationship and empathy for her daughter. She is not a princess with the stereotypical pure, naive heart who sings to birds; she sees her daughter as she is. And she meets her there without judgement but rather heaps of empathy. I want to be like her towards everyone I meet.
In short, this book is going on my fav list and I can't recommend it enough! :)