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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
What you get when you open a Cole McCade book such as His Cocky Cellist is way more than gorgeously sensual descriptions of sex. There's sex, and then there's the whole dance of seduction--sometimes short, sometimes protracted--and so much explicit consent these stories could (maybe should?) be primers for education into BDSM, consent, just plain ol' human-to-human interactions imbued with respect.
If you long for erotically-charged m/m romance with BDSM and an HEA that will linger put this book on your shelf and send it to the top of your TBR pile. (Note: Cole includes a list of possible triggers in the front of the book, concluding with, “Take care of yourselves, loves.” I read the list, dove in, and didn't surface until I finished the epilogue.)
If you long for erotically-charged m/m romance with BDSM and an HEA that will linger put this book on your shelf and send it to the top of your TBR pile. (Note: Cole includes a list of possible triggers in the front of the book, concluding with, “Take care of yourselves, loves.” I read the list, dove in, and didn't surface until I finished the epilogue.)
Didn't love this set up as much as the first, but it was still delicious in the kink aspects.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-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
This book utterly destroyed me in all the best ways, and I cannot wait to read the third when it comes out next month. I will absolutely be buying it.
Moving and sexy
Maybe it's just me but this book felt, life changing. The relationship between Amani and Vic, so different and yet so similar in many ways, was really lovely and I was rooting for them the whole story through. The langauge was stunning. There were these passages that made my heart squeeze and that spoke to me really deeply. Cole McCade is fantastic and I can't wait for more in this series.
Maybe it's just me but this book felt, life changing. The relationship between Amani and Vic, so different and yet so similar in many ways, was really lovely and I was rooting for them the whole story through. The langauge was stunning. There were these passages that made my heart squeeze and that spoke to me really deeply. Cole McCade is fantastic and I can't wait for more in this series.
I won't lie, I got heart-stoppingly invested here for some reason - like beyond my usual, beyond the first book in the series, and WAY beyond what's necessary when a HEA is guaranteed, ffs - and I'm still coming down from that, and I don't know if I can be objective here.
Is it because the submissive lead's subby style is a LOT like mine? Possibly.
Is it because both leads work so hard to be strong in ways that resonate way too much? Also likely.
Is it because I have deep conflicts re: reading billionaire trope stories, and worried the ending would gloss over money issues? Definitely.
Is it because the leads are precious and need love and care and must be protected at all costs, and by halfway through I was willing to enter the story myself to make sure they got together? Yup, that too.
In short, class and race privilege is not glossed over, even as the rich white MC is allowed to be a flawed loving being. The working-class lead of color is a bad-ass that calls him on his shit, but is also allowed to be soft and have needs. Both leads are well-drawn and compelling, and funny. And the sex is haaaaa-aahh-aaawt (if you like realistic power exchange and a bit of steady pain).
And I will share again here how much I love McCade's detailed content warnings at the start of every book, and PLEASE read this one carefully if there's anything that could blindside you in a story, because you might find it here. There's a small doozy toward the end, so prepare yourself with that list.
Is it because the submissive lead's subby style is a LOT like mine? Possibly.
Is it because both leads work so hard to be strong in ways that resonate way too much? Also likely.
Is it because I have deep conflicts re: reading billionaire trope stories, and worried the ending would gloss over money issues? Definitely.
Is it because the leads are precious and need love and care and must be protected at all costs, and by halfway through I was willing to enter the story myself to make sure they got together? Yup, that too.
In short, class and race privilege is not glossed over, even as the rich white MC is allowed to be a flawed loving being. The working-class lead of color is a bad-ass that calls him on his shit, but is also allowed to be soft and have needs. Both leads are well-drawn and compelling, and funny. And the sex is haaaaa-aahh-aaawt (if you like realistic power exchange and a bit of steady pain).
And I will share again here how much I love McCade's detailed content warnings at the start of every book, and PLEASE read this one carefully if there's anything that could blindside you in a story, because you might find it here. There's a small doozy toward the end, so prepare yourself with that list.
4/5
There is not a lot that Cole McCade cannot write well. His Undue Arrogance books are a great examples while they may have been inspired by less than favorable events, they have demonstrated how the best art might emerge from trashy situations.
This book focuses on a cellist and his student. Kind of. It is about a poor man and a rich man. But not really. It is about a dominant and a submissive, but that comes later.
It’s about two people who haven’t got things quite as figured out and they think. Their relationship unfolds nicely and it was easy to root for them to work it out.
While the line between prostitute and paid companion gets blurry here, for those who might be concerned about it, they are able to form a bond beyond the limits of a paid relationship.
If you’re curious about a very different type of Fifty Shades relationship, then you might like this one
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
Happy reading.
There is not a lot that Cole McCade cannot write well. His Undue Arrogance books are a great examples while they may have been inspired by less than favorable events, they have demonstrated how the best art might emerge from trashy situations.
This book focuses on a cellist and his student. Kind of. It is about a poor man and a rich man. But not really. It is about a dominant and a submissive, but that comes later.
It’s about two people who haven’t got things quite as figured out and they think. Their relationship unfolds nicely and it was easy to root for them to work it out.
While the line between prostitute and paid companion gets blurry here, for those who might be concerned about it, they are able to form a bond beyond the limits of a paid relationship.
If you’re curious about a very different type of Fifty Shades relationship, then you might like this one
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
Happy reading.
I was provided an ARC in return for an honest review. Honestly? This is a great conflict of class, culture differences, and racial awareness (or lack of) story, and I was, for some reason, not expecting that. It's also a D/s story, and a size difference story and many other various labels and really? Just go read it. I liked His Cocky Valet, but I adore this one so much more. The power dynamics throughout create and highlight trouble in truly poetic ways. I know that sounds wrong, but just trust me here. Read this one. Gorgeous. Surprising.
It is no secret that I love and devour Cole McCade’s writing whenever I get the chance. I just love the way he weaves his stories together, how his characters are real human beings with flaws and weaknesses and incredible strength and empathy.
I was slightly apprehensive about HCC, simply because my track record with billionaire romance has been going sour for a while. You know, I’m more at the point where I want to eat the rich, not root for their HEA. I shouldn’t have worried though. Yes, Vic is rich and not ashamed of it. But damn, gets he called to the carpet and in a way that made me go “YES” several times, from the deepest corner of my heart. Amani does it in a way that made me melt to the floor. He is honest and to-the-point without being cruel, empathetic and direct, graceful and gentle and vulnerable all at the same time. He is himself, nothing more and nothing less, and Vic either takes it or leaves it. Of course not all of it is that easy and Amani isn’t untouchable and can’t get hurt by things Vic does and says. It just takes time to unravel all of the layers beneath the surface.
I adored this part of the story because I don’t think I could have enjoyed it were it any other way. It worked perfectly for me the way it was. (And I think it was especially well done because we don't have anyone jumping in to defend the poor white man from a direct confrontation with his privilege in an attempt to “redeem” him in the eyes of Amani. There’s nothing to redeem, but a lot to reflect and sit with and I so appreciated how it was done here.)
The romance was the icing on top of the delicious cake. I *loved* their journey together, the slow earning of trust and mutual respect, the deep connection they form, and the intimacies they share in and outside of the bedroom. I absolutely adored and loved it, I could not put it down until I finished with an aching heart and a smile on my face. So much love. So, so much.
I was slightly apprehensive about HCC, simply because my track record with billionaire romance has been going sour for a while. You know, I’m more at the point where I want to eat the rich, not root for their HEA. I shouldn’t have worried though. Yes, Vic is rich and not ashamed of it. But damn, gets he called to the carpet and in a way that made me go “YES” several times, from the deepest corner of my heart. Amani does it in a way that made me melt to the floor. He is honest and to-the-point without being cruel, empathetic and direct, graceful and gentle and vulnerable all at the same time. He is himself, nothing more and nothing less, and Vic either takes it or leaves it. Of course not all of it is that easy and Amani isn’t untouchable and can’t get hurt by things Vic does and says. It just takes time to unravel all of the layers beneath the surface.
I adored this part of the story because I don’t think I could have enjoyed it were it any other way. It worked perfectly for me the way it was. (And I think it was especially well done because we don't have anyone jumping in to defend the poor white man from a direct confrontation with his privilege in an attempt to “redeem” him in the eyes of Amani. There’s nothing to redeem, but a lot to reflect and sit with and I so appreciated how it was done here.)
The romance was the icing on top of the delicious cake. I *loved* their journey together, the slow earning of trust and mutual respect, the deep connection they form, and the intimacies they share in and outside of the bedroom. I absolutely adored and loved it, I could not put it down until I finished with an aching heart and a smile on my face. So much love. So, so much.
Yes. All the yes. Gorgeous.
Side note - and slight CW - I’m a bit concerned about the amount of pain happening with the penetrative anal in this series. Yes, there’s often some pain with anal but this seems extreme and as though it isn’t there as part of the relationship dynamic sooooo ... I worry. Especially since there’s generally excellent preparation.
Side note - and slight CW - I’m a bit concerned about the amount of pain happening with the penetrative anal in this series. Yes, there’s often some pain with anal but this seems extreme and as though it isn’t there as part of the relationship dynamic sooooo ... I worry. Especially since there’s generally excellent preparation.
Excellent! I started reading this series mostly because of the Cocky nonsense happening in Romancelandia, and both have been extremely wonderful.
This would probably be good for newbies to D/s because it's the kindest gentlest version of kink. And it's also deeply romantic!! Cole McCade's well-rounded heroes always find more than love, but an expansion of their personal priorities that leads to deeper fulfillment. Five stars.
This would probably be good for newbies to D/s because it's the kindest gentlest version of kink. And it's also deeply romantic!! Cole McCade's well-rounded heroes always find more than love, but an expansion of their personal priorities that leads to deeper fulfillment. Five stars.