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jackiehorne's review
4.0
Fans of Caspian and Arden may find this final book in their on-again/off-again romance trilogy a bit disappointing, as the two spend most of the book estranged. But the book works amazingly well at showing why the two are not yet ready for their HEA at the end of book 2, and how they and others both help and hinder their own emotional growth as they struggle to understand themselves, and to do the emotional work they need to do to lay the groundwork for a successful future together.
Most of the story focuses Arden as he begins to grow into life in the adult working world as a junior editor at Milieu, a fashion and society magazine. Arden's friendship with Caspian's sister, Ellery, is a large focus; Arden's friend Nik plays a much smaller role than in previous books. While Arden does pine for Caspian, he doesn't do it celibately; his friends-with-benefits relationship with a more experienced genderqueer work colleague shows both his honest attempt to craft a life after Caspian, as well as his knowledge that great sex does not depend on having a romantic attachment to one's partner. I loved this relationship between Arden and George, both for its own sake and for what it showed about Caspian and Arden's relationship—it wasn't all just about the sex. Such an unusual, and amazingly sex-positive, depiction!
Caspian's administrative assistant, Bellerose, makes a tantalizingly short appearance, then disappointingly disappears from the novel; one hopes that Hall was laying the groundwork for a future book about him. Readers will likely also want to see more of George, and Ellery, and even of Caspian's seemingly unfeeling lawyer (who, like Ellery, has a secret liking for gothic romances...).
I wasn't always certain that C & A would find their way back to one another by the end of this book, largely because Caspian is still so unaccepting of himself through most of the story, so unable to begin to deal with his trauma or integrate his sexual preferences into his own sense of self (worrying that they have been unnaturally inculcated into him by his abusive first lover). Dumping Arden "for his own good" and getting engaged to his ex-boyfriend, the overly-perfect and rather sanctimonious Nathaniel, at the start of this book, is a decided step backwards, as Nathaniel believes Caspian's BDSM predilections are tantamount to a shameful addiction, a belief that Caspian buys into in the hopes of being a "better man."
Caspian is determined to keep his distance from Arden, but their paths keep crossing (Arden is assigned to interview Caspian and Nathaniel; Nathaniel invites Arden to a disastrous "friendly" dinner; Caspian attends a showing of photographs taken by Arden's work colleague/FwB; Arden runs to Caspian for help when he makes a major mistake with a figure from his past). Each encounter shows Caspian less and less happy, yet clinging ever more determinedly (and precariously) to his belief that he can't square his need for Arden with his desire to be a good man.
The last third of the book, with its two major melodramatic twists, strained credulity, although each provided great opportunities for emotional angst and for A & C to try to better understand, and accept, the needs and decisions of the other.
Most of the story focuses Arden as he begins to grow into life in the adult working world as a junior editor at Milieu, a fashion and society magazine. Arden's friendship with Caspian's sister, Ellery, is a large focus; Arden's friend Nik plays a much smaller role than in previous books. While Arden does pine for Caspian, he doesn't do it celibately; his friends-with-benefits relationship with a more experienced genderqueer work colleague shows both his honest attempt to craft a life after Caspian, as well as his knowledge that great sex does not depend on having a romantic attachment to one's partner. I loved this relationship between Arden and George, both for its own sake and for what it showed about Caspian and Arden's relationship—it wasn't all just about the sex. Such an unusual, and amazingly sex-positive, depiction!
Caspian's administrative assistant, Bellerose, makes a tantalizingly short appearance, then disappointingly disappears from the novel; one hopes that Hall was laying the groundwork for a future book about him. Readers will likely also want to see more of George, and Ellery, and even of Caspian's seemingly unfeeling lawyer (who, like Ellery, has a secret liking for gothic romances...).
I wasn't always certain that C & A would find their way back to one another by the end of this book, largely because Caspian is still so unaccepting of himself through most of the story, so unable to begin to deal with his trauma or integrate his sexual preferences into his own sense of self (worrying that they have been unnaturally inculcated into him by his abusive first lover). Dumping Arden "for his own good" and getting engaged to his ex-boyfriend, the overly-perfect and rather sanctimonious Nathaniel, at the start of this book, is a decided step backwards, as Nathaniel believes Caspian's BDSM predilections are tantamount to a shameful addiction, a belief that Caspian buys into in the hopes of being a "better man."
Caspian is determined to keep his distance from Arden, but their paths keep crossing (Arden is assigned to interview Caspian and Nathaniel; Nathaniel invites Arden to a disastrous "friendly" dinner; Caspian attends a showing of photographs taken by Arden's work colleague/FwB; Arden runs to Caspian for help when he makes a major mistake with a figure from his past). Each encounter shows Caspian less and less happy, yet clinging ever more determinedly (and precariously) to his belief that he can't square his need for Arden with his desire to be a good man.
The last third of the book, with its two major melodramatic twists, strained credulity, although each provided great opportunities for emotional angst and for A & C to try to better understand, and accept, the needs and decisions of the other.
lalexvp's review
4.0
I felt like I was riding an emotional roller coaster through this whole thing, but thankfully Arden is so amazing that I trusted him to see me through it even when he didn’t trust himself.
I’m simultaneously depressed that there isn’t more to read in this series, that it’s over after I spent so much time falling head over heels for these characters. But there was also a bit of a plot gap, in my opinion - small and overlookable, but not what I was expecting.
I’m simultaneously depressed that there isn’t more to read in this series, that it’s over after I spent so much time falling head over heels for these characters. But there was also a bit of a plot gap, in my opinion - small and overlookable, but not what I was expecting.
brittajane's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful series!
This whole series is terrific! Sharp, quick, lyrical, touching, sexy, brilliant! I’ve read through it three times in the last couple of years and I’m probably not done. Five stars, strongly, recommend!
This whole series is terrific! Sharp, quick, lyrical, touching, sexy, brilliant! I’ve read through it three times in the last couple of years and I’m probably not done. Five stars, strongly, recommend!
tesssiob's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
lezreadalot's review
4.0
Welp, I'm going to be weepy over this one for a bit. In a mostly good way. THEY GOT THEIR HEA.
(Side-note, does George want a rebound girl? IVOLUNTEER.gif)
Caspian has grown and changed so much from the butthead of the first book and honestly I'm so proud of him. I get that for some people it was super frustrating, all his push and pull, all his weakness and waffling, but it couldn't have been easy for him, and that needed to be shown. It wouldn't have been believable for him to leap acceptingly into Arden's arms. He needed to work through his trauma, and I really do like that it wasn't shown happening in one fell swoop at the climax. When Arden went to him for help with his father, Caspian went through so many mini-revelations. The little pause after he tells Arden he needs to forgive himself, and I'm screaming 'FORGIVE YOURSELF TOO'. When he tells Arden that it's not his fault... neither was Lancaster your fault!! The very significant pause after he tells Arden something like 'you never tried to change me' and he realises that that's exactly what Nathaniel tried to do with him!! His road is extremely difficult and man I'm just glad he could come to the point where he realises that he doesn't need to 'deserve' Arden and people don't work like that.
I do feel quite bad for Nathaniel; he loved Caspian and was trying to do what he thought was best, even though what he thought was best was terrible. However, I can't really forgive him for going to fucking Lancaster though. And actually taking Lancaster's advice. What the hell. He knew what he did to Caspian.
Nitpicks! I don't think I like the way the book was... plotted? Structured? Idk it very much felt like some characters had a very static arc within the book and then they disappeared, never to be heard from again. I would have liked Ilya to be a lot more present in the book, not just there and gone. The Nik chapters were lovely (I always love when Hall talks about life and dreams and accomplishments and it was super well done in Nik's case) but felt very self-contained; he was barely in the book aside from that. And I feel like the plot with Arden's father (which, OH MAN, I loved it; I hated the man but I loved what it brought up for Arden and how it was resolved) would have been more acutely felt if it had been a bit more stretched out? Like, if we'd gotten hints of him before he was officially introduced? IDK.
A huge nitpick: Lancaster isn't fucking dead lmao. Especially after what he did and almost did to Arden. It is a depressingly accurate reflection of real life, because as I said in the review for Blow It, rich predators can get away with what they do because they're rich and have privilege and the room and space to be predators, and have all the protection from their predatory behaviour. And I know that Caspian breaking away from Lancaster didn't actually have to come with a huge blow out with Lancaster. So him not getting his comeuppance is to be expected. But I just really wish he had fucking fell down a flight of stairs lmao. Or that Ellery had fucking knifed him instead of just breaking his nose.
(Side-note: Ellery was fucking amazing, she's a superhero and I love her.)
Also it must be mentioned... I definitely understand why Arden didn't say anything; its his trauma and he gets to choose how he tells it. And I get why, in the flurry of all the things happening, Caspian and Nathaniel didn't question Arden showing up. But uh, Caspian being who he is, he's going to be asking Arden pretty soon how in the world he knew to find them at that party. And that will a doozy of a conversation. I would actually really like to see an epilogue where maybe they work that out?
Nitpicks aside, I really did adore this book. It's not just a bdsm romance. I really loved that it showed that kink is something Arden loves and gets off on and likes having in his life, and he indulges in it freely with George, but ultimately he doesn't NEED it from Caspian to love him. He loves him because he's Caspian. The kinky sex is just a really great plus.
I feel like I probably have more thoughts, but maybe I'll add them later? This is one I think I'll want to come back to.
Spoiler
This was super hard to read at times because I just felt so sad at times. But it was a really great story of love and acceptance and GROWTH. Skimming over other reviews I can see that a fair few people are upset about the George thing, and how big of a part she played. And if we're going by the regular romance formula I can definitely see why it would have thrown a few people. In typical romances you don't see the one of the main couple having sex with people other than each other, certainly not detailed sex, certainly not sex where they have fun, and where this person outside the couple isn't a villain or someone to be later reviled. I think people would have preferred Arden to just simply keep pining and wasting away passively for Caspian. But I loved the George bits, and it was really important for Arden to see that he COULD be okay, that he could allow himself to have fun and indulge the parts of himself that were seen as lesser or ugly. Why can't he enjoy himself? The fact that kink isn't inherently bad or evil is a big part of the series. Anyway, from the start we knew it was casual, George certainly wasn't catching feelings, and Arden was literally always thinking of Caspian. Not during, but Caspian was the running thread throughout all their encounters. There was never any doubt that he was in love with Caspian.(Side-note, does George want a rebound girl? IVOLUNTEER.gif)
Caspian has grown and changed so much from the butthead of the first book and honestly I'm so proud of him. I get that for some people it was super frustrating, all his push and pull, all his weakness and waffling, but it couldn't have been easy for him, and that needed to be shown. It wouldn't have been believable for him to leap acceptingly into Arden's arms. He needed to work through his trauma, and I really do like that it wasn't shown happening in one fell swoop at the climax. When Arden went to him for help with his father, Caspian went through so many mini-revelations. The little pause after he tells Arden he needs to forgive himself, and I'm screaming 'FORGIVE YOURSELF TOO'. When he tells Arden that it's not his fault... neither was Lancaster your fault!! The very significant pause after he tells Arden something like 'you never tried to change me' and he realises that that's exactly what Nathaniel tried to do with him!! His road is extremely difficult and man I'm just glad he could come to the point where he realises that he doesn't need to 'deserve' Arden and people don't work like that.
I do feel quite bad for Nathaniel; he loved Caspian and was trying to do what he thought was best, even though what he thought was best was terrible. However, I can't really forgive him for going to fucking Lancaster though. And actually taking Lancaster's advice. What the hell. He knew what he did to Caspian.
Nitpicks! I don't think I like the way the book was... plotted? Structured? Idk it very much felt like some characters had a very static arc within the book and then they disappeared, never to be heard from again. I would have liked Ilya to be a lot more present in the book, not just there and gone. The Nik chapters were lovely (I always love when Hall talks about life and dreams and accomplishments and it was super well done in Nik's case) but felt very self-contained; he was barely in the book aside from that. And I feel like the plot with Arden's father (which, OH MAN, I loved it; I hated the man but I loved what it brought up for Arden and how it was resolved) would have been more acutely felt if it had been a bit more stretched out? Like, if we'd gotten hints of him before he was officially introduced? IDK.
A huge nitpick: Lancaster isn't fucking dead lmao. Especially after what he did and almost did to Arden. It is a depressingly accurate reflection of real life, because as I said in the review for Blow It, rich predators can get away with what they do because they're rich and have privilege and the room and space to be predators, and have all the protection from their predatory behaviour. And I know that Caspian breaking away from Lancaster didn't actually have to come with a huge blow out with Lancaster. So him not getting his comeuppance is to be expected. But I just really wish he had fucking fell down a flight of stairs lmao. Or that Ellery had fucking knifed him instead of just breaking his nose.
(Side-note: Ellery was fucking amazing, she's a superhero and I love her.)
Also it must be mentioned... I definitely understand why Arden didn't say anything; its his trauma and he gets to choose how he tells it. And I get why, in the flurry of all the things happening, Caspian and Nathaniel didn't question Arden showing up. But uh, Caspian being who he is, he's going to be asking Arden pretty soon how in the world he knew to find them at that party. And that will a doozy of a conversation. I would actually really like to see an epilogue where maybe they work that out?
Nitpicks aside, I really did adore this book. It's not just a bdsm romance. I really loved that it showed that kink is something Arden loves and gets off on and likes having in his life, and he indulges in it freely with George, but ultimately he doesn't NEED it from Caspian to love him. He loves him because he's Caspian. The kinky sex is just a really great plus.
I feel like I probably have more thoughts, but maybe I'll add them later? This is one I think I'll want to come back to.
bellsb00ksandwritings's review
5.0
I think by now it's clear that I have a whole lot of love for Alexis Hall. And how could I not?! This book was once again brilliant. When I read the first book in the series, I thought it was really good, but I didn't love it as much as some of his other books. But when I was reading the second book this week, I found myself unable to put it away. IT WAS SO GOOD.
I think Alexis' writing is amazing in general, but the way he can write characters=perfect. I adored Arden, fell in love with Ilya, and Caspian stole my whole heart. And not because they're so flawless, because they're not. In fact, I wanted to slap some sense into Caspian so many times, but at the same time, I understood him so incredibly well. It all felt so relatable, even the parts I couldn't relate to (if that makes any sense at all?).
Anyway, after finishing book 2, I needed to read the third book ASAP. So I did. And what an emotional rollercoaster that was. My heart broke a thousand times (it was already shattered after book 2, but apparently a heart can break over and over and over again), but of course there were those classic AJH beautiful, precious heart-healing (is this a word?) moments that would make it all okay, only to start the heart-hurting all over again. But in the end I forgave Alexis for what he put me through (like I always do) because my heart is dancing again
I think Alexis' writing is amazing in general, but the way he can write characters=perfect. I adored Arden, fell in love with Ilya, and Caspian stole my whole heart. And not because they're so flawless, because they're not. In fact, I wanted to slap some sense into Caspian so many times, but at the same time, I understood him so incredibly well. It all felt so relatable, even the parts I couldn't relate to (if that makes any sense at all?).
Anyway, after finishing book 2, I needed to read the third book ASAP. So I did. And what an emotional rollercoaster that was. My heart broke a thousand times (it was already shattered after book 2, but apparently a heart can break over and over and over again), but of course there were those classic AJH beautiful, precious heart-healing (is this a word?) moments that would make it all okay, only to start the heart-hurting all over again. But in the end I forgave Alexis for what he put me through (like I always do) because my heart is dancing again
arimcewan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
samanthamarie's review against another edition
3.0
Everything just happened so … weirdly? I just kept asking, why is this happening like this?
I enjoyed it I suppose but not nearly as much as the second book.
I enjoyed it I suppose but not nearly as much as the second book.