Scan barcode
secret_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit I was hesitant about reading this one after browsing through some reviews, but I’m happy I picked it up in the end. Even though the beginning of the story leaned more towards bad porn than romance, it actually developed into something sweet and a little more realistic after the first few chapters.
The beginning of the book was fast paced and it got steamy fast, it wasn’t super realistic but I still enjoyed it. The characters made some questionable decisions that, even from the little I knew about them, seemed out of character. Their relationship developed fast, mostly due to the close proximity of being snowed in together, but there was more communication later on that I really missed in the beginning of the story.
I found Russ to be an intriguing character and I liked getting to know his story, especially the way his past caught up with him when he got involved with Colton. Colton really grew as a character, he went from being timid and shy to being more self assured and knowing his worth. Russ was great for him and really supportive, but I liked how they both needed each other.
I understand that this story isn’t for everyone, but it worked as a palate cleanser for me and I did end up enjoying it. It wasn’t overly fluffy, more sweet and the guys made me smile a few times. The story had some good flow for me once I got into it, and if you like the tropes featured and feel okay with overlooking a few things or suspending your disbelief, you might like it too!
The beginning of the book was fast paced and it got steamy fast, it wasn’t super realistic but I still enjoyed it. The characters made some questionable decisions that, even from the little I knew about them, seemed out of character. Their relationship developed fast, mostly due to the close proximity of being snowed in together, but there was more communication later on that I really missed in the beginning of the story.
I found Russ to be an intriguing character and I liked getting to know his story, especially the way his past caught up with him when he got involved with Colton. Colton really grew as a character, he went from being timid and shy to being more self assured and knowing his worth. Russ was great for him and really supportive, but I liked how they both needed each other.
I understand that this story isn’t for everyone, but it worked as a palate cleanser for me and I did end up enjoying it. It wasn’t overly fluffy, more sweet and the guys made me smile a few times. The story had some good flow for me once I got into it, and if you like the tropes featured and feel okay with overlooking a few things or suspending your disbelief, you might like it too!
pshelling's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Russ. Russ also had a lot going for him with his supportive friends and redemption arc. Plus, the sex was smoking hot. Colton, on the other hand, almost ruined the story for me. He’s naive and fearful, bordering on pathetic. Despite being 21, he’s so infantile that I sometimes wondered if I accidentally bought an age play book. (I didn’t. That’s just how he is.)
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book so much. SO MUCH. Okay, so the events that lead to the meat of the book are.. typical for fiction--which is to say fairly unbelievable. But I don't even care. I love Russ so much. I mean, come on. How was I, of all people, not going to fall for a story about a man who writes gay romance novels and has a group of writer friends he hashes out both writing and life things with? Really. It's like this book was written just for me.
book_lady_13's review against another edition
2.0
Underwhelming
I wish I would have skipped this book. I put it down so many times but powered through so I could give an honest review. The main characters have chemistry but it’s wholly unbelievable. Their entire story starts off incredibly quickly and gives you whiplash from the start. They don’t talk about anything of much substance and then suddenly their are in love? And don’t even get me started on weird texts between Russ and the rest of his author friends, I know it’s setting up the rest of the series but they are out of place and boring. I’m giving two stars because at least the sex scenes are steamy and there’s a cute dog. Passing on the rest of this series
I wish I would have skipped this book. I put it down so many times but powered through so I could give an honest review. The main characters have chemistry but it’s wholly unbelievable. Their entire story starts off incredibly quickly and gives you whiplash from the start. They don’t talk about anything of much substance and then suddenly their are in love? And don’t even get me started on weird texts between Russ and the rest of his author friends, I know it’s setting up the rest of the series but they are out of place and boring. I’m giving two stars because at least the sex scenes are steamy and there’s a cute dog. Passing on the rest of this series
layla87's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review..
What I liked...
- The forced proximity trope... I love it
- Colton's inner monologue...
- Russ's other persona and the relationship he has with the other authors.
- Will... he intrigued me! And I loved how he, as an alpha reader, was Russ's biggest fan.
- Steamy sex scenes
- the Doggy!!
Niggles...
- That first sex scene came out of nowhere. it literally smacked me in the face, jarred me and the story just took a hit for me from there on out.
- Virgin Colton who didn't give it up to his longtime boyfriend gave it up to a stranger...he didn't know his name, even. that for me was too much, too unbelievable and it took away from how seriously I took the book.
- I know this is fiction, but there are some things that just didn't make sense.... Colton's dad and how he reacted to his son staying with an stranger ex-con, The sheriff and his involvement, The ex boyfriend and how that was handled towards the end of the book.. and many other tbh.
I was expecting more from the book/author. But... i will read the others because I'm interested in knowing what will happen to the others and who will end up with who.
What I liked...
- The forced proximity trope... I love it
- Colton's inner monologue...
- Russ's other persona and the relationship he has with the other authors.
- Will... he intrigued me! And I loved how he, as an alpha reader, was Russ's biggest fan.
- Steamy sex scenes
- the Doggy!!
Niggles...
- That first sex scene came out of nowhere. it literally smacked me in the face, jarred me and the story just took a hit for me from there on out.
- Virgin Colton who didn't give it up to his longtime boyfriend gave it up to a stranger...he didn't know his name, even. that for me was too much, too unbelievable and it took away from how seriously I took the book.
- I know this is fiction, but there are some things that just didn't make sense.... Colton's dad and how he reacted to his son staying with an stranger ex-con, The sheriff and his involvement, The ex boyfriend and how that was handled towards the end of the book.. and many other tbh.
I was expecting more from the book/author. But... i will read the others because I'm interested in knowing what will happen to the others and who will end up with who.
ofbooksandromance's review against another edition
DNF
I’m not one to DNF a book, I always try to stick it out and finish the book, even if i’m not enjoying it. But I just couldn’t do it in this case. I really tried to keep on reading but then I got to the part where a virgin, was fucked 5 times in one night by a guy who we’re told has a really big dick. Why are we trying to murder the poor guy? Is the goal to sent him straight to the hospital?
What a shame too, I was so excited to read this book. Everything about the blurb was just calling my name and I love a bad boy. But nothing about this book worked for me.
This book is exactly what it would be like if someone, in the 1950s, who doesn’t really know how sex works, made a 7 hours long porno, with a dominating man and a woman who exists only to please that man, but they only wrote the script instead of filming it and they switched the woman for a small, pretty and inexperienced young man.
I would like to finish my review with this lovely little quote that really rubed me the wrong way, this is not the 1920s anymore. I want a partner who won’t mind when I spoil him—someone docile I can support and love shamelessly. No drama. Only him, me, and the life I make for us.
I think the word you’re looking for is submissive, not docile. Also, only you get to make a life for the both of you? Seriously? Your partner doesn’t even get a say on anything?
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
I’m not one to DNF a book, I always try to stick it out and finish the book, even if i’m not enjoying it. But I just couldn’t do it in this case. I really tried to keep on reading but then I got to the part where a virgin, was fucked 5 times in one night by a guy who we’re told has a really big dick. Why are we trying to murder the poor guy? Is the goal to sent him straight to the hospital?
What a shame too, I was so excited to read this book. Everything about the blurb was just calling my name and I love a bad boy. But nothing about this book worked for me.
This book is exactly what it would be like if someone, in the 1950s, who doesn’t really know how sex works, made a 7 hours long porno, with a dominating man and a woman who exists only to please that man, but they only wrote the script instead of filming it and they switched the woman for a small, pretty and inexperienced young man.
I would like to finish my review with this lovely little quote that really rubed me the wrong way, this is not the 1920s anymore. I want a partner who won’t mind when I spoil him—someone docile I can support and love shamelessly. No drama. Only him, me, and the life I make for us.
I think the word you’re looking for is submissive, not docile. Also, only you get to make a life for the both of you? Seriously? Your partner doesn’t even get a say on anything?
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
kady_cordova's review against another edition
5.0
So good!
Sweet, wonderful romantic kismet!
A somewhat clueless boy meets a redeeming bad boy with a romantic heart! Theses two are made for each other!
I loved Colton's sweet innocence, "fear brain", and compassionate heart. He complements Russ' broody, passionate nature.
I enjoyed the humour and unique approach to what I would consider "insta-love". These two have a passionate encounter which leads to so much more. I found the progress and passion of their relationship refreshing. Sometimes relationships can move "fast" but that doesn't mean they can't last. The quips and jives throughout enhance the comedic (or even ironic) undertones and add to the overall feel of the book, by the end I was giggling and wanting to give the book a giant hug!!
Such a great feelgood read! With colourful characters, passionate encounters and wit you can't help but love, this is a smashing start to what's shaping up to be a fantastic series. I can't wait for more!!!!
Sweet, wonderful romantic kismet!
A somewhat clueless boy meets a redeeming bad boy with a romantic heart! Theses two are made for each other!
I loved Colton's sweet innocence, "fear brain", and compassionate heart. He complements Russ' broody, passionate nature.
I enjoyed the humour and unique approach to what I would consider "insta-love". These two have a passionate encounter which leads to so much more. I found the progress and passion of their relationship refreshing. Sometimes relationships can move "fast" but that doesn't mean they can't last. The quips and jives throughout enhance the comedic (or even ironic) undertones and add to the overall feel of the book, by the end I was giggling and wanting to give the book a giant hug!!
Such a great feelgood read! With colourful characters, passionate encounters and wit you can't help but love, this is a smashing start to what's shaping up to be a fantastic series. I can't wait for more!!!!
iam's review against another edition
2.0
An age-gap, lust-at-first-glance, snowed-in erotica with a romance author background plot.
Content warnings include: unprotected sex, sex on-page, character with a criminal past.
For me personally, things between the two main characters started too quickly. They jumped straight into sex, which didn't make sense at all to me. Neither of them were at a club or really looking for casual sex, and it seemed very out of character for both of them, both given their experiences and the concrete situation in which they met. It immediately broke my suspension of disbelieve.
In regards to characters: I'm absolutely the last person to judge someone based on their anxieties, being an extremely anxious person myself, but as a reader I didn't enjoy the way Colton‘s anxiety was portrayed. It just wasnt my favourite thing to read about.
The plot was… well. There wasn't that much of a plot. It very much felt more like erotica than romance. The plot that was there was a bit flimsy, and didn't engage me all that much.
I liked the friend group, the actual masters of romance, but they felt almost arbitrary for the plot. While their interactions were fun, there wasn't any depth to them and I didn't feel like I really got to know them. I wanted more of them! They also eerily reminded me of another series by the author that also has such an online chat friend group. They discuss very different topics and the overall vibe was different, but the dynamics within the group were extremely similar. Which isn't necessarily bad, since I love those dynamics, but it was noticeable (and I think I just like that other series so much I dont think anything else, even by the same author, can compare.)
I liked how clear consent was during the sex scenes, at least the later ones, as this is something the author pays attention to in her others books as well.
But overall it was very full of typical romance book clichés (which isn't bad in itself) and unfortunately the way they slotted together wasn‘t working for me.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Content warnings include: unprotected sex, sex on-page, character with a criminal past.
For me personally, things between the two main characters started too quickly. They jumped straight into sex, which didn't make sense at all to me. Neither of them were at a club or really looking for casual sex, and it seemed very out of character for both of them, both given their experiences and the concrete situation in which they met. It immediately broke my suspension of disbelieve.
In regards to characters: I'm absolutely the last person to judge someone based on their anxieties, being an extremely anxious person myself, but as a reader I didn't enjoy the way Colton‘s anxiety was portrayed. It just wasnt my favourite thing to read about.
The plot was… well. There wasn't that much of a plot. It very much felt more like erotica than romance. The plot that was there was a bit flimsy, and didn't engage me all that much.
I liked the friend group, the actual masters of romance, but they felt almost arbitrary for the plot. While their interactions were fun, there wasn't any depth to them and I didn't feel like I really got to know them. I wanted more of them! They also eerily reminded me of another series by the author that also has such an online chat friend group. They discuss very different topics and the overall vibe was different, but the dynamics within the group were extremely similar. Which isn't necessarily bad, since I love those dynamics, but it was noticeable (and I think I just like that other series so much I dont think anything else, even by the same author, can compare.)
I liked how clear consent was during the sex scenes, at least the later ones, as this is something the author pays attention to in her others books as well.
But overall it was very full of typical romance book clichés (which isn't bad in itself) and unfortunately the way they slotted together wasn‘t working for me.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
adventures_by_nessa's review against another edition
3.0
started off loving this book, but about half way through I started to get bored. I felt like it was very long. I thought they were both nicely done and well thought out. But my main issue is, you have a virgin (Colton) who jumps into bed with a stranger and has marathon sex of 5-6 times in one night, then they continue having lots of sex. I understand it’s fiction, but something about that didn’t work for me.
I loved the characters, Russ and Colton. I thought Russ and his friends were great. And I liked Colton with his best friend. But the rest of the cast of characters just seemed off to me.
I’m going to give the second boom a chance because I didn’t like the characters, but I wasn’t wholly sold on this book.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.
I loved the characters, Russ and Colton. I thought Russ and his friends were great. And I liked Colton with his best friend. But the rest of the cast of characters just seemed off to me.
I’m going to give the second boom a chance because I didn’t like the characters, but I wasn’t wholly sold on this book.
*Listener Note: I received a free copy of this audiobook through Gay Romance Reviews (GRR) and this is my honest review.