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yuusasih's review against another edition
4.0
I was skeptic for the first time I see the page count in this story. It's hard to write a good story with a good characterization and conflict just in less than 200 pages. In my standard, it usually must at least covered about more than 200 or 300. But then with my skeptical forethought I read this, and found my thought was actually wrong. Ally Blue didn't waste the paper with building character background in the first chapter like other stories usually do, but it came directly into the conflict, as in Leon who being a mess after revenged his lover's death and couldn't work as an assassin like before hence his organization sent him somewhere to clear his mind. The plot was fast paced but not forced. Ally Blue efficiently write less dialogue without made us feel like we can't get the grip of the character. And because both Leon and Grim were basically gay from the beginning--and admit it--their relationship became easier to grow alongside the fast plot.
beecycling's review against another edition
3.0
This was a lot edgier than the last Ally Blue I read [b:Willow Bend|62247|Willow Bend|Ally Blue|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170600992s/62247.jpg|60474] In some ways the characters had a similar backstory, the older guy lost his lover and hasn't been interested in romance since, until he meets this hot young guy with some issues and initially resists his attraction to him. It's just in Willow Bend the backstories were more normal, where here they're way more extreme!
I liked the situation where the characters are cut off and forced to live together and deal with their feelings for each other. Hothouse situations like that intrigue me. And the character dynamics were different and interesting too from more conventional romance.
As usual with Ally Blue the prose is clear and an easy read. I read this all in one evening, it's only 224 pages, so short enough for that.
I liked the situation where the characters are cut off and forced to live together and deal with their feelings for each other. Hothouse situations like that intrigue me. And the character dynamics were different and interesting too from more conventional romance.
As usual with Ally Blue the prose is clear and an easy read. I read this all in one evening, it's only 224 pages, so short enough for that.
sagam's review against another edition
5.0
¡Es hermoso!
Desde un inicio te atrapa completamente, te envicia. La historia es bastante buena, a cada capítulo se siente duda por saber qué es lo que esconden o qué es lo que va a pasar.
Además de que tiene un poco de todo; romance, suspenso, acción, ¡Me encanta!
Amé demasiado ese final, ambos hacian una pareja hermosa y me alagra que terminara de esa forma, aunque me dejó con ganas de leer más por lo maravilloso que es. <3
Desde un inicio te atrapa completamente, te envicia. La historia es bastante buena, a cada capítulo se siente duda por saber qué es lo que esconden o qué es lo que va a pasar.
Además de que tiene un poco de todo; romance, suspenso, acción, ¡Me encanta!
Amé demasiado ese final, ambos hacian una pareja hermosa y me alagra que terminara de esa forma, aunque me dejó con ganas de leer más por lo maravilloso que es. <3
jaimesamms's review against another edition
4.0
My review:Once again, I seem to have been drawn to a book whose first chapter is all about murder and mayhem, and I’m expected to actually like the guy doing the deed. Ally has managed, though, to set up her cold, calculating hired killer in a sympathetic light right from the get go, and it’s hard not to at least feel sorry for him long enough to get to know him. Once inside Leon’ head, it’s hard not to like him as damaged as he is.
Damaged characters are definitely the flavour of the day here. Leon is almost normal compared to his love interest Grim. Abandoned, abused and alone in the world, he has no idea what a normal relationship is supposed to look like. He does know a chance to bring some companionship into his isolated life when he sees it, though, and fishes Leon out of the river after a bear attack, takes him back to his cabin and nurses him back to health.
The plot might not be grippingly original, but it never stops its forward momentum, throwing the two men into conflict after conflict with themselves, one another and the world, and finally bringing them back to confront their own demons again. Even with the linear progression of events I found enough strength of character in just two characters (There are no secondary characters to speak of) to keep me happy and interested right to the end.
There was plenty of sex too, which can often backfire, but in this case was dealt with beautifully. It is disturbing to think that a person can define his relationship to the world and everyone in it through his ability to please them sexually, but I did say Grim was damaged in the extreme. Ally handles the tricky, sticky mess that could become with care, and the sex scenes manage to be about more than the physical act while still conveying a perfect amount of heat. Almost, sex is another language, and one Grim knows fluently, in fact, one he prefers to communicate through, and I think it’s interesting how the author used those scenes to track the character’s growth and the growth of the relationship. I’m not for a second commenting on the practicality of the real-life applications of this kind of sex therapy, but this is fiction and as such, the attempt succeeded brilliantly.
As always, my main criteria for what constitutes ‘good’ fiction is less technical than some people’s and more about my own emotional satisfaction. Yes, that’s right, it’s all about me, my reading time, and how I want to spend it. Once again, Ally has made me very happy to waste a few hours of my time with her people and her world. Thanks.
My recommendation: You have to appreciate dark and damaged souls with a nugget of gold in the center to appreciate this story, and not be squeamish about nasty deaths or less than perfect sex. If that’s the case, there is a lot to enjoy here. Read it.
Damaged characters are definitely the flavour of the day here. Leon is almost normal compared to his love interest Grim. Abandoned, abused and alone in the world, he has no idea what a normal relationship is supposed to look like. He does know a chance to bring some companionship into his isolated life when he sees it, though, and fishes Leon out of the river after a bear attack, takes him back to his cabin and nurses him back to health.
The plot might not be grippingly original, but it never stops its forward momentum, throwing the two men into conflict after conflict with themselves, one another and the world, and finally bringing them back to confront their own demons again. Even with the linear progression of events I found enough strength of character in just two characters (There are no secondary characters to speak of) to keep me happy and interested right to the end.
There was plenty of sex too, which can often backfire, but in this case was dealt with beautifully. It is disturbing to think that a person can define his relationship to the world and everyone in it through his ability to please them sexually, but I did say Grim was damaged in the extreme. Ally handles the tricky, sticky mess that could become with care, and the sex scenes manage to be about more than the physical act while still conveying a perfect amount of heat. Almost, sex is another language, and one Grim knows fluently, in fact, one he prefers to communicate through, and I think it’s interesting how the author used those scenes to track the character’s growth and the growth of the relationship. I’m not for a second commenting on the practicality of the real-life applications of this kind of sex therapy, but this is fiction and as such, the attempt succeeded brilliantly.
As always, my main criteria for what constitutes ‘good’ fiction is less technical than some people’s and more about my own emotional satisfaction. Yes, that’s right, it’s all about me, my reading time, and how I want to spend it. Once again, Ally has made me very happy to waste a few hours of my time with her people and her world. Thanks.
My recommendation: You have to appreciate dark and damaged souls with a nugget of gold in the center to appreciate this story, and not be squeamish about nasty deaths or less than perfect sex. If that’s the case, there is a lot to enjoy here. Read it.
jerseygirl2912's review against another edition
3.0
I really like Alaska. And a story with a cabin, in Alasaka ... great potential. But this book did not draw me in.
The characters didn't came true to me. They were not believable and not finished. Also the story lacked some final answers. The end was rushed. It seemed to be unfinished. I was waiting til the last word that another attack would happened...
The characters didn't came true to me. They were not believable and not finished. Also the story lacked some final answers. The end was rushed. It seemed to be unfinished. I was waiting til the last word that another attack would happened...
ktomp17's review
4.0
I really wanted to give this book 3.5 stars but I rounded it up to 4. Overall, the book seemed to have holes to me. Why would the organization give up at all? What really happened to John? How did they manage to make it all work? I liked Leon. I could see his caring nature seep through what one would expect to be such a tough assassin personality. Grim had quite a few issues but I think those were written very well. Grim and Leon worked and loved very well together.
thereaderfairy's review
5.0
I read this when I was much too young to be reading it. At that time, I was so desperate for LGBTQ representation that I read anything I could get my hands on. Most of the books I read were extremely cheesy, but this gem really blew my mind.
I loved the characters, I loved the relationship, and for like the first time ever it felt like the characters in one of these cheesy books was actually gonna have to face consequences.
Upon rereading this author's works, this was the only book that held up. It made me feel the same things I felt at the time. It's fun and I loved it. It didn't just try to be a romance. It had hints of espionage and mystery. It felt complex as opposed to the other books which were all pretty flat.
Would recommend.
I loved the characters, I loved the relationship, and for like the first time ever it felt like the characters in one of these cheesy books was actually gonna have to face consequences.
Upon rereading this author's works, this was the only book that held up. It made me feel the same things I felt at the time. It's fun and I loved it. It didn't just try to be a romance. It had hints of espionage and mystery. It felt complex as opposed to the other books which were all pretty flat.
Would recommend.
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