Scan barcode
cityofstarlightandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
the first half was a bit slow but as usual i love everything she writes!
christi_reads_mm's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 stars, rounding down.
To be honest I did entertained the idea of rounding up because of the truly amazing narration by Scott R. Smith, but my niggles wouldn't leave me to do it.
I really liked Eli and Celso, their friendship was beautiful to read about and generally I enjoyed seeing their lives. Seeing being the keyword here. Mary gives such extravagant (not only financially) lives to her characters that I never felt a part of them, just an outside observer. At least I did noted here that the overly done descriptions and brand name dropping for clothes, cars, jewellery etc was lessened. For me as a reader they never give more to the story, instead they lessen it because I don't know half of the things described, nor do I care to stop and search them. I'm already thrown from the story let's not make it worse.
The most significant thing though, that didn't quite work, was Eli and Celso going from friends to lovers in the turn of a page, with no build up whatsoever. Yes we had Celso's musings about being in love with Eli, we had Eli's separate musings about Celso that never delved deeper than when the change happened. He never questioned before if he was Bi or Demi, never looked closely if he felt more for him apart that one point when he talked to Ian, and after that they both jump in the "we are boyfriends and ILUs" train? 0_O
Anyways it was an enjoyable story and look at me I'm not even griping about how the "critics" at some point in the story almost built a Celso altar of adoration... oooops, I guess I griped!
To be honest I did entertained the idea of rounding up because of the truly amazing narration by Scott R. Smith, but my niggles wouldn't leave me to do it.
I really liked Eli and Celso, their friendship was beautiful to read about and generally I enjoyed seeing their lives. Seeing being the keyword here. Mary gives such extravagant (not only financially) lives to her characters that I never felt a part of them, just an outside observer. At least I did noted here that the overly done descriptions and brand name dropping for clothes, cars, jewellery etc was lessened. For me as a reader they never give more to the story, instead they lessen it because I don't know half of the things described, nor do I care to stop and search them. I'm already thrown from the story let's not make it worse.
The most significant thing though, that didn't quite work, was Eli and Celso going from friends to lovers in the turn of a page, with no build up whatsoever. Yes we had Celso's musings about being in love with Eli, we had Eli's separate musings about Celso that never delved deeper than when the change happened. He never questioned before if he was Bi or Demi, never looked closely if he felt more for him apart that one point when he talked to Ian, and after that they both jump in the "we are boyfriends and ILUs" train? 0_O
Anyways it was an enjoyable story and look at me I'm not even griping about how the "critics" at some point in the story almost built a Celso altar of adoration... oooops, I guess I griped!
cooeeaus's review
4.0
This Marshal story is a bit different in type as it revolves around ballet dancers but it still has murder and enough thrills to be a Marshal novel. Also it is the love interest of Eli and Celso who is a wonderful ballet dancer. I very much enjoyed this book.
Everybody around Eli and Celso know that they are an item except for Eli and Celso and this is quite amusing as we see that all of those people around them just accept they're a couple while they don't think they are. They are both a bit confused but they're sorting it out.
This one was fun, amusing and a bit hairy.
Love it. I hope Mary will do another!
4.5* - 4.7* perhaps even a five. I definitely want to read this again.
Everybody around Eli and Celso know that they are an item except for Eli and Celso and this is quite amusing as we see that all of those people around them just accept they're a couple while they don't think they are. They are both a bit confused but they're sorting it out.
This one was fun, amusing and a bit hairy.
Love it. I hope Mary will do another!
4.5* - 4.7* perhaps even a five. I definitely want to read this again.
aster1123's review
4.0
This was good, overall. I wasn't sure at first because she went HARD for the 'essential oils' can 'cure' everything. False, that is completely incorrect and really harmful to spread.
But as the book went on, I really appreciated how she handled the friends to lovers, and getting to hear from Ian made me cry, no lie.
Lovely to see our friends again in one of my favorite series!
Also, I would love if she would either commit to being 100% accurate about chicago stuff or make it up completely. Her 90% accuracy drives me insane, but i've been ignoring it for 5 books.
But as the book went on, I really appreciated how she handled the friends to lovers, and getting to hear from Ian made me cry, no lie.
Lovely to see our friends again in one of my favorite series!
Also, I would love if she would either commit to being 100% accurate about chicago stuff or make it up completely. Her 90% accuracy drives me insane, but i've been ignoring it for 5 books.
alexrambles's review
5.0
A welcome surprise
I didn't know what to expect when I saw the fifth book in this series was about a different couple. I was a little hesitant since I LOVED our previous main couple so much. But Eli's book is absolutely awesome. I'm so happy I gave it a go.
I didn't know what to expect when I saw the fifth book in this series was about a different couple. I was a little hesitant since I LOVED our previous main couple so much. But Eli's book is absolutely awesome. I'm so happy I gave it a go.
mrnnprsns's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
4.0
isalaur's review
fast-paced
5.0
I really love this series and it was fun to revisit so many of the characters. This story is a little different from the previous stories…a bit more about the romance story than the crime story. However the writing is so well done, and the twists in the story are so great I was feeling the tension. That’s not to say there isn’t action because there is and there’s definitely a villain to spend a lot of time hating.
So while the friends to lovers story takes center stage this book still gives us just what we’ve always come to expect from Calmes in this series. Unfortunately now I have a long wait until the next book. (And can I say I hope that Rodriguez gets a rehabilitation story!)
So while the friends to lovers story takes center stage this book still gives us just what we’ve always come to expect from Calmes in this series. Unfortunately now I have a long wait until the next book. (And can I say I hope that Rodriguez gets a rehabilitation story!)
allyens's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
terriaminute's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Ahh, I missed these guys.
This is calmer than the earlier books. For me, it's not quite as good; the clueless Eli got on my nerves, the exterior plot was... I didn't care, and it ends in mush that I wasn't as invested in. Ah well. Good, but not great.
This is calmer than the earlier books. For me, it's not quite as good; the clueless Eli got on my nerves, the exterior plot was... I didn't care, and it ends in mush that I wasn't as invested in. Ah well. Good, but not great.