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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
Mal was such an intriguing character in [b:Dix|61295259|Dix (Elite 8 Studios, #1)|Emmy Sanders|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658168221l/61295259._SY75_.jpg|96650518], I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his story to see what was happening with him.
Malibu (Mal) Jones is struggling to keep it together - his panic disorder is only getting worse, his debts keep piling up and he can’t seem to keep his head above water. Working three jobs as a porn star at Elite 8 Studios, an escort and a camboy, is getting to him and when he gets the opportunity to change his fate, he jumps. Mal is an absolute sweetheart - he’s soft spoken, caring, intuitive and just wants someone to care for and to care for him. He’s been through a lot in his life and carries around trauma from his childhood but is still loving and affectionate with those he’s close to even though he’s keeping secrets of his own.
Henrik Larsen is a successful businessman who can have anything he wants in the world, except for his sight back. He lost his sight about two years ago and has relied on the help of his personal assistant Benjamin and the slew of escorts he hired to live with him and bring life to his penthouse, helping him to feel less lonely now that his world is dark. Henrik doesn’t want to fall in love, doesn’t want someone permanently in his life who will make him feel stifled like his parents. He may be described as difficult, particular and emotionally unavailable, those are all qualities he’s adopted to keep himself safe and putting others at arm’s length however he can.
These two have an instantaneous connection from the minute Mal walks through Henrik’s door. The chemistry between them is undeniable even though things are complicated - Mal technically works for Henrik but the mutual pining is real. Both Mal and Henrik have some pain and hurt they’re working through and I loved that you could see them growing and overcoming things together, because of each other. They’re an unexpected duo but they care for each other so much and truly enjoy taking care of each other even more than that, something they never anticipated happening for them. Their quiet moments in the penthouse made my heart happy - their crossword puzzles, kittens and braille messages were the sweetest. The one thing that I wanted was more communication between them; they kept their feelings too close to the vest for too long and it unnecessarily blew up in their faces.
The found family at Elite 8 Studios made me smile and it was incredible to see how Dixon, Niko, Alex and even Emil all had Mal’s back time and time again. I LOVED the little tease of what’s to come in Alex’s story - he’s such a fun character and I have a feeling his story is going to keep us on our toes.
Mal was such an intriguing character in [b:Dix|61295259|Dix (Elite 8 Studios, #1)|Emmy Sanders|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658168221l/61295259._SY75_.jpg|96650518], I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his story to see what was happening with him.
Malibu (Mal) Jones is struggling to keep it together - his panic disorder is only getting worse, his debts keep piling up and he can’t seem to keep his head above water. Working three jobs as a porn star at Elite 8 Studios, an escort and a camboy, is getting to him and when he gets the opportunity to change his fate, he jumps. Mal is an absolute sweetheart - he’s soft spoken, caring, intuitive and just wants someone to care for and to care for him. He’s been through a lot in his life and carries around trauma from his childhood but is still loving and affectionate with those he’s close to even though he’s keeping secrets of his own.
Henrik Larsen is a successful businessman who can have anything he wants in the world, except for his sight back. He lost his sight about two years ago and has relied on the help of his personal assistant Benjamin and the slew of escorts he hired to live with him and bring life to his penthouse, helping him to feel less lonely now that his world is dark. Henrik doesn’t want to fall in love, doesn’t want someone permanently in his life who will make him feel stifled like his parents. He may be described as difficult, particular and emotionally unavailable, those are all qualities he’s adopted to keep himself safe and putting others at arm’s length however he can.
These two have an instantaneous connection from the minute Mal walks through Henrik’s door. The chemistry between them is undeniable even though things are complicated - Mal technically works for Henrik but the mutual pining is real. Both Mal and Henrik have some pain and hurt they’re working through and I loved that you could see them growing and overcoming things together, because of each other. They’re an unexpected duo but they care for each other so much and truly enjoy taking care of each other even more than that, something they never anticipated happening for them. Their quiet moments in the penthouse made my heart happy - their crossword puzzles, kittens and braille messages were the sweetest. The one thing that I wanted was more communication between them; they kept their feelings too close to the vest for too long and it unnecessarily blew up in their faces.
The found family at Elite 8 Studios made me smile and it was incredible to see how Dixon, Niko, Alex and even Emil all had Mal’s back time and time again. I LOVED the little tease of what’s to come in Alex’s story - he’s such a fun character and I have a feeling his story is going to keep us on our toes.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
sad
tense
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
Absolutely fantastic! This is so much more than a romance where one of the MC's works as a porn star. Malibu suffers every day under the weight of anxiety and the depth of despair experienced when he has a panic attack. A painful childhood along with severe money problems has him buckling under the pressure until a solution comes out of nowhere. Henrick is quite a reserved and stoic man, likes things just so and knows what he wants, quite necessary for a blind man. The next escort he hires to be company for the next six months is the most unexpected delight and he's really not quite sure what to do with that.
Oh, my heart. I think it may take a minute and more to recover from reading Malibu's story. It's by far not one of the worst but what he goes through on a daily basis is a lot of hard work and it just feels like more are added all the time. I really enjoyed how the relationship developed between the two men, both quite reserved but in different ways and understandably so. Each works their way beneath the walls that they had erected to protect themselves and there's no denying it when they realise how they feel. The sweetest moments occur when Henrick is caring for Malibu, and when he just wants to make the man happy.
Of course, several Elite 8 stars come into the story. Alex, Dixon and Niko have been a huge support to Malibu, at least as much as he'd let them, since having to find somewhere to live. Alex brings sunshine and snark to what can, at times, be a heavy story, helping to balance the dark and light. Benjamin is that for Henrick, his PA but also his closest friend. It's great that he can snark back even if Henrick is his boss, as Henrick knows he has his best interests at heart.
I absolutely loved Dix, book one of the series but I think this may have pipped that to the top spot. Both characters stole my heart from the start and have such endearing qualities. I'm looking forward to what might come next.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
**There are some darker topics here that some may find painful to read. Malibu has several active, in page panic attacks, discussion/memories of conversion therapy, abduction, homophobia and PTSD**
Oh, my heart. I think it may take a minute and more to recover from reading Malibu's story. It's by far not one of the worst but what he goes through on a daily basis is a lot of hard work and it just feels like more are added all the time. I really enjoyed how the relationship developed between the two men, both quite reserved but in different ways and understandably so. Each works their way beneath the walls that they had erected to protect themselves and there's no denying it when they realise how they feel. The sweetest moments occur when Henrick is caring for Malibu, and when he just wants to make the man happy.
Of course, several Elite 8 stars come into the story. Alex, Dixon and Niko have been a huge support to Malibu, at least as much as he'd let them, since having to find somewhere to live. Alex brings sunshine and snark to what can, at times, be a heavy story, helping to balance the dark and light. Benjamin is that for Henrick, his PA but also his closest friend. It's great that he can snark back even if Henrick is his boss, as Henrick knows he has his best interests at heart.
I absolutely loved Dix, book one of the series but I think this may have pipped that to the top spot. Both characters stole my heart from the start and have such endearing qualities. I'm looking forward to what might come next.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
**There are some darker topics here that some may find painful to read. Malibu has several active, in page panic attacks, discussion/memories of conversion therapy, abduction, homophobia and PTSD**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay I have to be honest here, I had no idea what to expect from this book because I truly did not read the summary. I read Dix and fell in love with everyone immediately so I knew I’d love this book too.
This book was soft, pure, and sad. My heart hurt for Malibu. After everything his mom put him through he was still trying to be the bigger person and take care of her even if he wanted nothing to do with her. He put on a front so his coworkers and everyone wouldn’t know he was hurting.
Alex, Dixon, and Niko are top tier found family. They just wanted to make sure Mal was okay and to make sure he was safe and happy and fed and taken care of. They didn’t even think twice about it.
Okay but Henrik. Their pining for each other and watching them slowly realize it was more than a contract between them. Mal leaving braille messages for him, Henrik taking care of Mal after his panic attacks. The small things they did for each other that added up to their love for one another. 🥹
But of course they don’t talk about it until they have too. Both of them are idiots.
Anyways. My only complaint is the epilogue. And this is just me, but I like when epilogues fast forward more into the future. The “one month later” was a bit annoying especially with what happened in it. Idk I think more time should have passed. But again that’s just me.
I received this arc from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for a honest and fair review
This book was soft, pure, and sad. My heart hurt for Malibu. After everything his mom put him through he was still trying to be the bigger person and take care of her even if he wanted nothing to do with her. He put on a front so his coworkers and everyone wouldn’t know he was hurting.
Alex, Dixon, and Niko are top tier found family. They just wanted to make sure Mal was okay and to make sure he was safe and happy and fed and taken care of. They didn’t even think twice about it.
Okay but Henrik. Their pining for each other and watching them slowly realize it was more than a contract between them. Mal leaving braille messages for him, Henrik taking care of Mal after his panic attacks. The small things they did for each other that added up to their love for one another. 🥹
But of course they don’t talk about it until they have too. Both of them are idiots.
Anyways. My only complaint is the epilogue. And this is just me, but I like when epilogues fast forward more into the future. The “one month later” was a bit annoying especially with what happened in it. Idk I think more time should have passed. But again that’s just me.
I received this arc from Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for a honest and fair review