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2.94 AVERAGE
2.94 AVERAGE
Luke and Gracie are close friends. They are part of a group of five (or seven?) who hang out often together. Gracie has bad taste in men, but she's never seriously considered Luke or Wes, the other single guy in the group, to be potential date material. Sure, they're hot, but they're all just friends.
After Gracie breaks up with her latest mistake, Luke overhears her talking to their friend Michelle about why and about her fantasies. Luke is totally on board with helping her fulfill them since they're so in tune with his own. So begins a process of Luke winning Gracie over. And setting up a weekend of mild domination and menage (with Wes).
I feel like this was a little bit insta-love because they really only spent a week together in a romantic capacity before declaring love. At the same time, they'd been close friends for so long, they already loved each other as friends. I guess it's not too much of a stretch for those feelings to turn to romantic love over the course of a week. It still felt a little too soon.
And honestly, if I had been Gracie, and overhearing Wes and Luke talking, I'd have probably jumped to the same conclusions she did. Luke didn't really feel like a very deep character to me based on what I read. He could have just been in it for the sex. So I get where she was confused!
Ultimately, an HEA though, so it's all good.
After Gracie breaks up with her latest mistake, Luke overhears her talking to their friend Michelle about why and about her fantasies. Luke is totally on board with helping her fulfill them since they're so in tune with his own. So begins a process of Luke winning Gracie over. And setting up a weekend of mild domination and menage (with Wes).
I feel like this was a little bit insta-love because they really only spent a week together in a romantic capacity before declaring love. At the same time, they'd been close friends for so long, they already loved each other as friends. I guess it's not too much of a stretch for those feelings to turn to romantic love over the course of a week. It still felt a little too soon.
And honestly, if I had been Gracie, and overhearing Wes and Luke talking, I'd have probably jumped to the same conclusions she did. Luke didn't really feel like a very deep character to me based on what I read. He could have just been in it for the sex. So I get where she was confused!
Ultimately, an HEA though, so it's all good.
I love Maya Banks, truly, but this was not one of her better books. Gracie dumps her boyfriend because the sex is terrible, and then one of her best (male) friends, Luke, overhears her telling another (female) friend about her interest in exploring sex that’s not so vanilla, and decides her and their other best friend Wes should introduce Gracie to threesomes and light bondage. Luke starts with taking her out on a date, and then invites her to go away Valentine’s Day weekend, where they have amazing sex in a little cabin in the woods and his take charge attitude and Wes showing up make her cream. But when Gracie overhears Luke confessing he eavesdropped on her fantasies, she flips out, cuts and runs, mostly because she thinks their behavior was okay if they all love each other, but if Luke isn’t in love with her, her desires, and the sex, is… humiliating? shame-worthy? embarrassing? This seems like bad messaging to me.
I love the idea–very hot!–but the deceit, not so much. I recognize this is the second book in a series, but had trouble discerning setting of the story and occupations for the characters, but I guess it didn’t really matter… except in the Sweet series, the characters relationships are clearly defined, and consent is important, and the sex scenes are super hot, with delicious descriptive writing (although, I’m pretty sure one of those books also had a woman whose lover makes her come publically on a club’s dance floor). Also, it does have a HEA, but it’s unclear what the relationship will be, going forward: was the threesome a one-time thing? So it did not feel completely wrapped up.
The brevity of the book made for a frustrating read, with little character development, a misunderstanding that results in immature behavior, and fast processing and forgiveness. Gracie’s ex crosses boundaries and shows up uninvited twice, and tries to slut shame her because she has gotten nipple rings and wants to experiment in bed. The so-called best friends NEVER discuss consent, hard lines, safer sex or previous sexual histories. I get there is a fantastical element, but it could have been addressed in a forward or author’s note, like in responsible porn where there’s a disclaimer that all actors are of age, and the scenes depict scenes that meant to be fantasy and not do as we do here.
Cover image is for the ebook, but I listened to this in audio format, and found the Southern lilt of the characters distracting. Coupled (ha!) with their immature behavior, they read as not too bright, which was a turnoff.
I listened through OverDrive via my public library.
I love the idea–very hot!–but the deceit, not so much. I recognize this is the second book in a series, but had trouble discerning setting of the story and occupations for the characters, but I guess it didn’t really matter… except in the Sweet series, the characters relationships are clearly defined, and consent is important, and the sex scenes are super hot, with delicious descriptive writing (although, I’m pretty sure one of those books also had a woman whose lover makes her come publically on a club’s dance floor). Also, it does have a HEA, but it’s unclear what the relationship will be, going forward: was the threesome a one-time thing? So it did not feel completely wrapped up.
The brevity of the book made for a frustrating read, with little character development, a misunderstanding that results in immature behavior, and fast processing and forgiveness. Gracie’s ex crosses boundaries and shows up uninvited twice, and tries to slut shame her because she has gotten nipple rings and wants to experiment in bed. The so-called best friends NEVER discuss consent, hard lines, safer sex or previous sexual histories. I get there is a fantastical element, but it could have been addressed in a forward or author’s note, like in responsible porn where there’s a disclaimer that all actors are of age, and the scenes depict scenes that meant to be fantasy and not do as we do here.
Cover image is for the ebook, but I listened to this in audio format, and found the Southern lilt of the characters distracting. Coupled (ha!) with their immature behavior, they read as not too bright, which was a turnoff.
I listened through OverDrive via my public library.
The story started slow and then moved to fast for my liking.
Luke came at first as a selfish man, even though you could see the underlying caring he felt for Gracie.
Gracie came at first as a little dumb, since she couldn't find a man to suit her needs so she kept picking the wrong men. Wes feelings weren't even approached.
Aside of that the basic idea of the story was good. I really liked it.
Luke came at first as a selfish man, even though you could see the underlying caring he felt for Gracie.
Gracie came at first as a little dumb, since she couldn't find a man to suit her needs so she kept picking the wrong men. Wes feelings weren't even approached.
Aside of that the basic idea of the story was good. I really liked it.
I - I have no words. Marriage after dating for a week? Random available audio book I rented from the library so idk what I expected
Interesting enough concept, and it was going well, and was fun and cute. Until the last two chapters.
It was one week, maybe two people the reaction and ending was ridiculous.
It was one week, maybe two people the reaction and ending was ridiculous.
If the Hallmark channel ventured into erotica, I feel like the Maya Banks' books would be the template.
The dialogue is corny, the characters are cardboard cutouts, and the smut kinda tame.
The dialogue is corny, the characters are cardboard cutouts, and the smut kinda tame.
…this was actually the worst thing i have ever read in my life
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes