Scan barcode
rainbowbrarian's review
2.0
Way too long, large parts of it could really have used some editing down. It kind of felt like an extended after school special with sex thrown in.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the flow in this story. The flashbacks were done in such a way that they didn’t distract from the present day story. It was great to read how their friendship developed from the beginning and to understand the feelings Hugo and Kevin had for each other. And to see them reconnect years later, seeing that the love they had for one another never went away, was just beautiful to read.
Overall, this was a pleasant read. Not too rushed, but realistic. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
You can read the rest of Lynn's review at The Novel Approach
Overall, this was a pleasant read. Not too rushed, but realistic. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a story that will leave you with a smile on your face.
You can read the rest of Lynn's review at The Novel Approach
suzy76's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely an "it's not you, it's me" book, unfortunately. The pacing was just too slow, the meet up after years and BOOM or rather bang was ugh, nope sorry. Also the whole divorce, soon to be ex-wife, the kids, the unnecessary drama over the drag act, and OMG the actual drag performance....ugh. I don't think this is a series I'll continue.
broomesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Hugo Thornson and Kevin Magnus had their first taste of true love when they were teenagers. They fell rapidly and completely. So much so that those feeling still linger even seventeen years down the line. It’s a chance in encounter that brings them back together. It was supposed to be a weekend for Hugo’s best friend Summer to get away and start to get over a recent break up. Instead, Hugo sees Kevin and his heart stops. Everything that happened when they were kids came rushing back and he still felt just as strongly for Kevin.
What I particularly liked was the style this story was written in. You got the story of their youth and their current story. I don’t want to say there were flashbacks because both storylines were rooted very much in the present. I liked going back and forth between the two timelines. You got to see how their feelings evolved, the trouble they experienced as teenagers and how that carried over to their adult lives.
As the two had gotten to know each other more, Kevin introduces Hugo to his children. I really liked being able see how nervous Hugo was about this. It’s a huge step in any relationship and to see how seriously both men took this was important. Kevin’s kids were adorable and of course they’re more perceptive than adults realize.
The chemistry between them didn’t lessen over time. It seemed to remain and finally grow stronger once they gave in to each other.
There was some unnecessary drama with Miss Cherry Pop! But there are two more books in this series and I fully expect more of that part of Hugo to make another appearance. I do understand Hugo’s trepidation and why he didn’t want Kevin to find out before he had the chance to tell him. Not many people are accepting to their loved ones in Drag.
Now, what I really liked about this book? The imagery. I could see the lake, the docks and their homes. It played like a movie in my head and I love books that do that. I feel like I’m able to get immersed in the that world and escape from my own while reading.
What I particularly liked was the style this story was written in. You got the story of their youth and their current story. I don’t want to say there were flashbacks because both storylines were rooted very much in the present. I liked going back and forth between the two timelines. You got to see how their feelings evolved, the trouble they experienced as teenagers and how that carried over to their adult lives.
As the two had gotten to know each other more, Kevin introduces Hugo to his children. I really liked being able see how nervous Hugo was about this. It’s a huge step in any relationship and to see how seriously both men took this was important. Kevin’s kids were adorable and of course they’re more perceptive than adults realize.
The chemistry between them didn’t lessen over time. It seemed to remain and finally grow stronger once they gave in to each other.
There was some unnecessary drama with Miss Cherry Pop! But there are two more books in this series and I fully expect more of that part of Hugo to make another appearance. I do understand Hugo’s trepidation and why he didn’t want Kevin to find out before he had the chance to tell him. Not many people are accepting to their loved ones in Drag.
Now, what I really liked about this book? The imagery. I could see the lake, the docks and their homes. It played like a movie in my head and I love books that do that. I feel like I’m able to get immersed in the that world and escape from my own while reading.
rissa53's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 really...
There were some parts I really liked and some parts were ok. I read some reviews after I finished and I agree.
I didn't mind the flashbacks, I actually liked them because they explained a whole lot.
I really liked the ending with Brooke. I like that Hugo and Kevin have a HFN ending and I know this because there's a second and third in this trilogy, lol.
Maybe I'm not as sold yet, and I'm sure that's really due to knowing there are more trouble coming their way *shrugs*.
There were some parts I really liked and some parts were ok. I read some reviews after I finished and I agree.
I didn't mind the flashbacks, I actually liked them because they explained a whole lot.
I really liked the ending with Brooke. I like that Hugo and Kevin have a HFN ending and I know this because there's a second and third in this trilogy, lol.
Maybe I'm not as sold yet, and I'm sure that's really due to knowing there are more trouble coming their way *shrugs*.
lillian_francis's review against another edition
4.0
Sparks is story of second chances, first and only loves, and learning to love yourself.
It’s a story that spans 17 years, and we as readers get to experience the first joys of young love and the sting of loss and to a degree, betrayal. The layout of the story is interesting. The teenage chapters are titled in a different way to the chapters set in 2013, so you instinctively know what time period you’re reading about. And these flashback chapters only last while Hugo and Kevin are getting reacquainted, to about half way through the book.
The teenage story has a feel of innocence that is lacking from the present. And that is only to be expected.
Hugo is jaded after one bad relationship too many. But while his personal life hasn’t worked out, he has followed his dream and is working in theatre. And he’s embraced that femme part of himself that he used to keep locked down.
Kevin is bisexual. In the flashback chapters I really felt for the teenage Kevin, under the thumb of a domineering father for whom he can do nothing right. Where the only time he can be himself is when he’s with Hugo. Hugo might be the actor but it’s Kevin who’s playing a part. And he’s still playing the part 17 years later. As an adult it’s harder to feel sympathy for Kevin. To remain married to a woman he no longer loves simply to please a man who didn’t deserve his respect or love, let alone years of his life. My initial reaction to that was ‘grow a pair, Kevin’. But his dad is dead when we meet him in the present and Kevin is finally making changes in his life. He embraces meeting Hugo again and re-establishing a relationship, but he’s naturally cautious about revealing the nature of the relationship to others. I don’t think this is out of any desire to remain in the closet but more because he’s concerned about the effect it may have on his access to his children due to his pending divorce.
Talking of the children, kids in romance stories are generally a sticking point with me, too perfect, or precocious, but the kids in this story were well-written and realistic.
The character I didn’t like I’m afraid was Summer. First the name wound me up, because, well it was summer and hot and I sometimes thought she was a season. I found she grated on me, the all-knowing fag hag, jumping up and down and getting defensive on Hugo’s behalf. The ‘oh you’re so perfect for me, if only you didn’t love the D’ thing she had going on. I instinctively didn’t like her, and never warmed to her over the course of the book.
The setting of the lake is very evocative. I wanted a house on the lake by the time I’d finished.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so not everything is wrapped up by the end but it’s a great start to chasing their HEA.
It’s a story that spans 17 years, and we as readers get to experience the first joys of young love and the sting of loss and to a degree, betrayal. The layout of the story is interesting. The teenage chapters are titled in a different way to the chapters set in 2013, so you instinctively know what time period you’re reading about. And these flashback chapters only last while Hugo and Kevin are getting reacquainted, to about half way through the book.
The teenage story has a feel of innocence that is lacking from the present. And that is only to be expected.
Hugo is jaded after one bad relationship too many. But while his personal life hasn’t worked out, he has followed his dream and is working in theatre. And he’s embraced that femme part of himself that he used to keep locked down.
Kevin is bisexual. In the flashback chapters I really felt for the teenage Kevin, under the thumb of a domineering father for whom he can do nothing right. Where the only time he can be himself is when he’s with Hugo. Hugo might be the actor but it’s Kevin who’s playing a part. And he’s still playing the part 17 years later. As an adult it’s harder to feel sympathy for Kevin. To remain married to a woman he no longer loves simply to please a man who didn’t deserve his respect or love, let alone years of his life. My initial reaction to that was ‘grow a pair, Kevin’. But his dad is dead when we meet him in the present and Kevin is finally making changes in his life. He embraces meeting Hugo again and re-establishing a relationship, but he’s naturally cautious about revealing the nature of the relationship to others. I don’t think this is out of any desire to remain in the closet but more because he’s concerned about the effect it may have on his access to his children due to his pending divorce.
Talking of the children, kids in romance stories are generally a sticking point with me, too perfect, or precocious, but the kids in this story were well-written and realistic.
The character I didn’t like I’m afraid was Summer. First the name wound me up, because, well it was summer and hot and I sometimes thought she was a season. I found she grated on me, the all-knowing fag hag, jumping up and down and getting defensive on Hugo’s behalf. The ‘oh you’re so perfect for me, if only you didn’t love the D’ thing she had going on. I instinctively didn’t like her, and never warmed to her over the course of the book.
The setting of the lake is very evocative. I wanted a house on the lake by the time I’d finished.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so not everything is wrapped up by the end but it’s a great start to chasing their HEA.
alextweetsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
*I received the book in exchange for an honest review*
Honestly, I’m not quite sure how to start this review. I have a bit of a…love-hate relationship with this book I guess. First of all, it’s not a standalone and while it does have a HFN (I guess, it’s happy in the end), it’s…annoying to know there’s more to the couple’s story and NOW YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.
The beginning of the book was a bit meh to me, but it did pick up later so I am glad I carried through and haven’t given up on it. I didn’t really care for the characters at the beginning, but then I got to know them more.
Basically, the two men, Hugo and Kevin have known each other in school, when they started their relationship. It was doomed from the beginning though, as Kevin had a demanding father, who dominated his whole life and who had everything planned for him.
They meet after seventeen years, completely by accident. Hugo has come to the lake with his best friend Summer to cheer her up after breaking up with her boyfriend. When they bump into each other, things happen faster than it would be good probably. But they do eventually work things out among themselves but even though Kevin is prepared to eventually come out, he is worried about custody of the children if his ex-wife gets to know it.
I liked the flashbacks to their teenage years. It made me like the characters more. Another thing that increased my love of the characters was their interaction with Kevin’s children. The kids are just adorable!
It is an enjoyable book even though it had a slow beginning and the ending is relatively open. If you’re anything like me, be sure that you can get to next book as quickly as possible 🙂
Honestly, I’m not quite sure how to start this review. I have a bit of a…love-hate relationship with this book I guess. First of all, it’s not a standalone and while it does have a HFN (I guess, it’s happy in the end), it’s…annoying to know there’s more to the couple’s story and NOW YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.
The beginning of the book was a bit meh to me, but it did pick up later so I am glad I carried through and haven’t given up on it. I didn’t really care for the characters at the beginning, but then I got to know them more.
Basically, the two men, Hugo and Kevin have known each other in school, when they started their relationship. It was doomed from the beginning though, as Kevin had a demanding father, who dominated his whole life and who had everything planned for him.
They meet after seventeen years, completely by accident. Hugo has come to the lake with his best friend Summer to cheer her up after breaking up with her boyfriend. When they bump into each other, things happen faster than it would be good probably. But they do eventually work things out among themselves but even though Kevin is prepared to eventually come out, he is worried about custody of the children if his ex-wife gets to know it.
I liked the flashbacks to their teenage years. It made me like the characters more. Another thing that increased my love of the characters was their interaction with Kevin’s children. The kids are just adorable!
It is an enjoyable book even though it had a slow beginning and the ending is relatively open. If you’re anything like me, be sure that you can get to next book as quickly as possible 🙂
More...