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endemictoearth's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I read all three books in this series in quick succession and feel like they were similar to . . . energy bars. Not popcorn or sugary treats that are good but leave you wanting more a moment later, but not quite a full meal, either. They were surprisingly deep, connected well, and satisfying.
ktomp17's review against another edition
4.0
Avery and Lincoln had some difficult experiences with family in the past. They had a lot to work through in order to find happiness within themselves and to find and work for true love. They were sweet together. Even though he was trying not to be out, Lincoln really couldn’t stay away from Avery. He was captivated right from the beginning. There were some angsts situations that I was expecting to get heavier, but luckily they weren’t too bad. This was sweet and I liked reading about them.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
isalaur's review against another edition
3.0
Hot Potato is the third book in the Seacroft series however it is a completely independent story so you do not have to have read the first two in order to enjoy this one.
Avery, a self-conscious and klutzy accountant meets Linc, a hot, closeted fireman when he sets a sweet potato on fire in his microwave. As they become friends, and then more, the baggage that both of them carry gets in the way of them having a smooth path to love.
The book was slow going for me at first and to be honest I found Avery annoying and didn’t really get where Linc’s angst was coming from. I nearly gave up but I’m glad I stuck with it. As I got further into the book the story started to come together for me and the characters’ quirks became more directly related to the action of the story.
The crisis moment was a biggie and I was all in at that point so it was a very effective emotion grabbing read. It’s a multi-layered crisis so it played out for a while. The resolution was not an easy, quick fix which I appreciated. Forgiveness and self-blame always comes easier and more quickly for literary folks than for real folks I believe but it was a sweet ending. There was a bit of an unexplained hole in the epilogue (no spoilers) which bothered me a bit as it was a pretty significant element of the back story of the book.
So I do recommend the book and just encourage you to stick with it if you have the same beginning experience that I did.
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review.*
Avery, a self-conscious and klutzy accountant meets Linc, a hot, closeted fireman when he sets a sweet potato on fire in his microwave. As they become friends, and then more, the baggage that both of them carry gets in the way of them having a smooth path to love.
The book was slow going for me at first and to be honest I found Avery annoying and didn’t really get where Linc’s angst was coming from. I nearly gave up but I’m glad I stuck with it. As I got further into the book the story started to come together for me and the characters’ quirks became more directly related to the action of the story.
The crisis moment was a biggie and I was all in at that point so it was a very effective emotion grabbing read. It’s a multi-layered crisis so it played out for a while. The resolution was not an easy, quick fix which I appreciated. Forgiveness and self-blame always comes easier and more quickly for literary folks than for real folks I believe but it was a sweet ending. There was a bit of an unexplained hole in the epilogue (no spoilers) which bothered me a bit as it was a pretty significant element of the back story of the book.
So I do recommend the book and just encourage you to stick with it if you have the same beginning experience that I did.
*I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review.*
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down my favourite of the series and yet for the first half of the book the MCs are only friends.
This is also a bit more angsty in relationship terms than the other two in the series but it has two incredibly likeable characters to compensate.
Avery is adorable, he's not your typical hero clutz, his anxieties and clumsiness stem from a painful experience in his teenage years.
Linc's not your typical firefighter either. He's not doing the job out of a burning desire to make a difference but because it's a job he could sign up for when he arrived in Seacroft without having any roots there.
Together though, they perfectly balance each other out, they work, they're funny and quirky and hesitant and slow burning even though they both have feelings!
Linc's closeted and he took his time to get into a mindset which worked for him and I loved how he might have started off doing it for Avery, but ultimately he wanted it to be for himself.
Avery I just wanted to bundle in bubble wrap, he would get so flustered but he also has a secret bossy streak in the bedroom.
Those scenes were steamy but never too much and there's a couple of times later on in the book that I was thinking "hell yes" as they both got bolder at expressing themselves.
This is the last one in the series atm as far as I understand it and Allison definitely saved the best for last.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This is also a bit more angsty in relationship terms than the other two in the series but it has two incredibly likeable characters to compensate.
Avery is adorable, he's not your typical hero clutz, his anxieties and clumsiness stem from a painful experience in his teenage years.
Linc's not your typical firefighter either. He's not doing the job out of a burning desire to make a difference but because it's a job he could sign up for when he arrived in Seacroft without having any roots there.
Together though, they perfectly balance each other out, they work, they're funny and quirky and hesitant and slow burning even though they both have feelings!
Linc's closeted and he took his time to get into a mindset which worked for him and I loved how he might have started off doing it for Avery, but ultimately he wanted it to be for himself.
Avery I just wanted to bundle in bubble wrap, he would get so flustered but he also has a secret bossy streak in the bedroom.
Those scenes were steamy but never too much and there's a couple of times later on in the book that I was thinking "hell yes" as they both got bolder at expressing themselves.
This is the last one in the series atm as far as I understand it and Allison definitely saved the best for last.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
charkinzie's review
4.0
It's a flaming sweet potato in a microwave that introduces accountant, Avery to firefight
er, Linc and it's attraction that forges their friendship. The problem is that Avery is out, he's pretty much always been out. Linc is a firefighter with a homophobic father. He hadn't figure out how to be himself in a world where people like his brutal father exist.
Linc's life has been a bit challenging at times. Sure, he's happy being a firefighter even in a small town where they mostly deal with false alarms. But, he's estranged from his family. His father's reaction to Linc having a "boyfriend' when he was young was so violent that he ended up in jail and Linc was scarred for life. He doesn't want to come out to anyone in case it provokes a similar reaction.
Avery, a red-headed clumsy yet adorable disaster, was disowned by his parents when he came out. His aunt and uncle took him in and became the family he needed. He still wrestles with some demons after growing up in a small town. Even the school bully is still in his life. But Avery is doing his best to be proud of himself.
This is a fun read. It's called a slow burn, but I wouldn't put it in that category myself. Sure, it takes a while for Avery and Linc to get together but the chemistry is there from the beginning. Of course, there are a few mistakes and misunderstandings along the way that make for an interesting story and may even make your eyes get a little teary. This is a quick, entertaining read with some brief forays into complex family dynamics.
The chemistry between the main character is always present, even when they're hunkered down for an argument. A great summer m/m romance read! 3 stars from me!
er, Linc and it's attraction that forges their friendship. The problem is that Avery is out, he's pretty much always been out. Linc is a firefighter with a homophobic father. He hadn't figure out how to be himself in a world where people like his brutal father exist.
Linc's life has been a bit challenging at times. Sure, he's happy being a firefighter even in a small town where they mostly deal with false alarms. But, he's estranged from his family. His father's reaction to Linc having a "boyfriend' when he was young was so violent that he ended up in jail and Linc was scarred for life. He doesn't want to come out to anyone in case it provokes a similar reaction.
Avery, a red-headed clumsy yet adorable disaster, was disowned by his parents when he came out. His aunt and uncle took him in and became the family he needed. He still wrestles with some demons after growing up in a small town. Even the school bully is still in his life. But Avery is doing his best to be proud of himself.
This is a fun read. It's called a slow burn, but I wouldn't put it in that category myself. Sure, it takes a while for Avery and Linc to get together but the chemistry is there from the beginning. Of course, there are a few mistakes and misunderstandings along the way that make for an interesting story and may even make your eyes get a little teary. This is a quick, entertaining read with some brief forays into complex family dynamics.
The chemistry between the main character is always present, even when they're hunkered down for an argument. A great summer m/m romance read! 3 stars from me!
revg's review
5.0
Completely adorable and very funny. I really enjoyed this whole series, but I think this one was my favourite.
amyaislin's review
4.0
This must've been exactly what I was in the mood to read because I opened it up, started reading, and never wanted to put it down. And all of that has to do with the cutest cinnamon roll character ever, Avery, who's the most adorable thing since bunnies. I adored everything about him.
There were times I felt disconnected from his love interest, Lincoln, but he and Avery were a good fit together, and I enjoyed their friends to lovers romance.
Three, possibly four, subplots remained unresolved by the end of the novelLincoln's dad, Lincoln's roommate, Avery's uncle's family business, and the "possibly four" is things with Mickey , which did leave me with some questions when I finished, but overall? Incredibly well-written and it brings out all the feels. I laughed out loud, I cried on public transit, and I wanted to hug Avery and give him a comforting pat on the head throughout the entire thing. Highly enjoyable and recommended.
*ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services*
There were times I felt disconnected from his love interest, Lincoln, but he and Avery were a good fit together, and I enjoyed their friends to lovers romance.
Three, possibly four, subplots remained unresolved by the end of the novel
*ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services*
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