Reviews

Nothing Special VIII: SWAT Ed.: Fox & Bull by A.E. Via

sassytw's review against another edition

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5.0

Fox is burnt out and fed up with the politics of his job. When yet another bogus IA investigation gives him a bit of free time he decides to help Bull out with his vandalism problem. And if that gives him a bit a time with Bull, all the better.
I adored Fox & Bull by A.E. Via. I lived Fox in previous stories. He was the kind of friend you love to have but with this story Ms. Via pulled back the layers and I loved seeing his angst, seeing his fears seeing his hopes. I love seeing him push Bull outs iui de of his comfort zone even as Bull saw beneath the banter.
This story was well written. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Fox better. I loved seeing Bull learn to trust again. And I cannot wait to see where Ms. Via will take us next.

evaxo's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

5+ starts, favourite out of the series by far, absolutely loved this! The characters, the story, a good balance of romance, action and spice, literary no negatives to speak of. The only tiny thing I can pick at, is Fox's 'old school detective work' involved two weeks of setting up a computer system rather than just talking to the locals 😂 but honestly that's just me being extremely picky. I loved fox and bull, and the 2ndary romances were lovely as well. The nypd & swat involvement was great, not too much, worked well for the story. The narrator was also excellent as always. Can't wait for the next ones, this series started strong and just kept getting better and better, with this being truly excellent all around. 

evethingiread's review against another edition

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5.0

I think that this is the best Nothing special installment yet.

The chemistry between bull and fox is off the charts. I was grinning from ear to ear for most of this story. The slow burn was just the right amount of slow. I never got bored and I wanted to know more. I think fox is my favorite character after Day.

The interactions with Dale were annoying as fuck, but again, it was the right amount of annoying. Maybe it’s just me, but you can see how much the author improved her writing skills. I cannot wait for the next part.

I think this is one of my favorite series ever!

I might come back to write more later!!

Something really special happens in this story. The vulnerability felt between Bull and Fox is off the charts! And the special character, the horse Diablo, and how plays into the story. There’s a part in the middle where fox is having a moment with Diablo that makes me sob with sadness and joy and love.

shan198025's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

elfflame's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

booksafety's review against another edition

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5.0

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

“You don’t give up on the person you love, Fox. Never. You fight together, no matter how bad the storm.”

Yup, yet another re-listen. I love this book so freaking much, and especially love the MC Bull (Dominic). He’s a massive, burly, hairy, badass and a sweet and vulnerable man. The MCs are crushing hard on each other, and reading about them sneaking around on the farm and trying to be quiet in the house with other people like teenagers when they’re grown-ass ‘alpha men’ is so endearing.

The suspense part of the plot isn’t really that suspenseful, but it does add something more to the story, and I like how it helps show us how the MCs need each other emotionally, even though they’re big and tough guys. I guess I just really love characters who can admit to being scared, and even better if they can admit when they’re wrong and just talk it out, instead of it blowing up and leading to stupid breakups or miscommunication.

“Hold on tight,” Bull ordered, then stood with one arm wrapped securely around Fox’s waist. “This is fuckin’ unnecessary,” Fox bit out, but he hooked his arms behind Bull’s neck and tightened his thighs. He’d never admit to liking being carried by another grown man. “But you fit around me so good.” Bull licked Fox’s neck, not even having the decency to pretend he was having difficulty carrying him.

This is the first book I read in the series, and even though characters from previous books are in it, I never felt like I was missing important information. Definitely recommend it if you like big burly cowboys who are seriously sweet, but who will also (respectfully) wreck you in bed.

“It’s considered real un-cowboy-like to shoot a man off his horse from behind, right?”


⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Cowboy
SWAT lieutenant
Forced proximity
Age gap
Minor mystery solving
Slow burn
Size difference
Masc/masc
Vulnerable alpha men

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Hostage situation
Vandalism
Car chase
Fire
Gun violence
Explicit sexual content
Loss of property and animals during flood (past, some details)
Panic attack

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles

“Long time no see, cowboy,” Fox said so smoothly it felt like a direct caress to Bull’s nuts.

Fuck. Bull had an urge to rip it off, but if he did, there’d be no stopping him, and his father and Amelia probably wouldn’t like them rattling the dining room ceiling fan while they ate their meal.

He came so hard and so much that it was borderline embarrassing.

“Jesus Christ, Pop.” Bull glared at his father while trying to help Amelia out by patting her lightly on her back. “You just couldn’t stay quiet, could you?” His dad chuckled. “Nope. Apparently you couldn’t either.” Amelia hollered as she clutched her chest, trying hard not to laugh in Fox’s horrified face. “That’s it,” Fox gritted out, his cheeks turning crimson as he stormed past Dale, yanked his coat off the peg, and flew out of the back door.

lexxan's review

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dark

5.0

sassytw's review against another edition

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5.0

Fox is burnt out and fed up with the politics of his job. When yet another bogus IA investigation gives him a bit of free time he decides to help Bull out with his vandalism problem. And if that gives him a bit a time with Bull, all the better.
I adored Fox & Bull by A.E. Via. I lived Fox in previous stories. He was the kind of friend you love to have but with this story Ms. Via pulled back the layers and I loved seeing his angst, seeing his fears seeing his hopes. I love seeing him push Bull outs iui de of his comfort zone even as Bull saw beneath the banter.
This story was well written. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Fox better. I loved seeing Bull learn to trust again. And I cannot wait to see where Ms. Via will take us next.

layla87's review against another edition

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DNF @50%

I'm just... bored.
I can't get into it and I'm so bummed

jamie_w's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5⭐️ audio

I just love these Uber masculine men falling in love and being total cinnamon rolls for each other!!! This was a delight to listen to and loved Fox abs Bull together. Neither men thought they’d ever get their HEA but they totally did!!