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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Exactly what I wanted. Sweet, sexy, heartfelt, and a hopefully, touching ending.
4.5 Stars
Gunny and Mac are both career Marines getting ready for retirement after 22 years in the Marine Corps. They've been best friends since boot camp and lovers for much of that time. Just as their retirement is upon them, it is announced that DADT was being repealed. DADT, the great compromise of the Clinton Administration that was neither "great", nor really a "compromise". And it certainly didn't make it easier for gay or bisexual men and women to serve. I think I kind of get what it was intended to do, but it certainly didn't work very well and, if anything, it made things more difficult.
This story was just so damn sweet. Yep these tough Marines were totally sweet. And, to me, it did not feel overdone. What really got me was that Gunny felt so unsure about what would happen with him and Mac after they retired. Gunny loves Mac, but he doesn't see himself as any great catch. Mac, on the other hand, was pretty sure of himself where he and Gunny were concerned. His marriage proposal to Gunny was pretty much the most romantic thing I've ever read.
Mac and Gunny not only have to navigate their way to retirement, but also deal with family, friends, acquaintances and the military finding out that they are not only gay, but also in a relationship with each other. I can't think of a tougher example of a human than a career Marine, but there are those that see gay as "weak" or "less than", no matter that they were singing your praises before they knew that one bit about you.
Beyond Duty made me smile a lot more than it made me sad and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Gunny and Mac are both career Marines getting ready for retirement after 22 years in the Marine Corps. They've been best friends since boot camp and lovers for much of that time. Just as their retirement is upon them, it is announced that DADT was being repealed. DADT, the great compromise of the Clinton Administration that was neither "great", nor really a "compromise". And it certainly didn't make it easier for gay or bisexual men and women to serve. I think I kind of get what it was intended to do, but it certainly didn't work very well and, if anything, it made things more difficult.
This story was just so damn sweet. Yep these tough Marines were totally sweet. And, to me, it did not feel overdone. What really got me was that Gunny felt so unsure about what would happen with him and Mac after they retired. Gunny loves Mac, but he doesn't see himself as any great catch. Mac, on the other hand, was pretty sure of himself where he and Gunny were concerned. His marriage proposal to Gunny was pretty much the most romantic thing I've ever read.
Mac and Gunny not only have to navigate their way to retirement, but also deal with family, friends, acquaintances and the military finding out that they are not only gay, but also in a relationship with each other. I can't think of a tougher example of a human than a career Marine, but there are those that see gay as "weak" or "less than", no matter that they were singing your praises before they knew that one bit about you.
Beyond Duty made me smile a lot more than it made me sad and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
I was beyond thrilled when I discovered that one of my favorite authors had taken what was a marvelous short story, and turned it into a full length novel. Especially since it is Mac & Gunny's story and I fell madly in love with them and wanted that short story to go on and on. I might have prayed to the writer gods and it appears they listened.
Mac and Gunny are twenty-two year Marines facing retirement soon after Don't Ask, Don't Tell is being repealed. They are best friends, lovers, confidants, and each other's family. Neither one of them is dealing well with the change that retirement is going to bring although they are also not admitting to themselves that they're more worried about what will happen to their relationship when they're together 24/7. The vulnerable side each of these very strong warriors has is extremely alluring and makes them much more interesting men than they already are. Of course, thrown into that mix is all the humor and laughter that these guys bring out of each other. And, trust me when I say, the humor is hysterical and had me laughing out loud more than once. Not to mention that these men are each hot, respectively, but together they are volcanic. A few of their D/s scenes were worthy of a cold shower!
Here was what I was so excited about when I knew the short story was becoming a full length novel. The "what happened after" got answered. What happened when they told their families? What happened at the retirement party? What happened when, at forty-two, they suddenly have no job to go to and the freedom to do and explore whatever they want?
None of the answers really turned out to be hearts and flowers. Oh, don't get me wrong, it all worked out in the end, but Mac definitely had to take the rose colored glasses off to deal with some of their coming out moments. It was hard to watch them have to go through this. Even at forty-two it was still just as difficult as it would have been had they done it as teenagers. Mac's dad had some difficulty understanding, his older brother was a bigot of the highest order, but his mom was wonderful. Now Gunny's family reaction was sort of strange. Granted, he and his mom have not been on great terms for the last ten years in reaction to Gunny's sister's death, but she showed no interest in seeing them and announced they probably wouldn't make his upcoming retirement. I felt so bad for Gunny.
The retirement speech completely blew me away as did knowing that Mac & Gunny were going to be great as they moved on with their life together. I am so grateful to the author for expanding on her phenomenal short story and bringing the guys a wonderful tale and a beautiful happy ever after. I loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinnner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Mac and Gunny are twenty-two year Marines facing retirement soon after Don't Ask, Don't Tell is being repealed. They are best friends, lovers, confidants, and each other's family. Neither one of them is dealing well with the change that retirement is going to bring although they are also not admitting to themselves that they're more worried about what will happen to their relationship when they're together 24/7. The vulnerable side each of these very strong warriors has is extremely alluring and makes them much more interesting men than they already are. Of course, thrown into that mix is all the humor and laughter that these guys bring out of each other. And, trust me when I say, the humor is hysterical and had me laughing out loud more than once. Not to mention that these men are each hot, respectively, but together they are volcanic. A few of their D/s scenes were worthy of a cold shower!
Here was what I was so excited about when I knew the short story was becoming a full length novel. The "what happened after" got answered. What happened when they told their families? What happened at the retirement party? What happened when, at forty-two, they suddenly have no job to go to and the freedom to do and explore whatever they want?
None of the answers really turned out to be hearts and flowers. Oh, don't get me wrong, it all worked out in the end, but Mac definitely had to take the rose colored glasses off to deal with some of their coming out moments. It was hard to watch them have to go through this. Even at forty-two it was still just as difficult as it would have been had they done it as teenagers. Mac's dad had some difficulty understanding, his older brother was a bigot of the highest order, but his mom was wonderful. Now Gunny's family reaction was sort of strange. Granted, he and his mom have not been on great terms for the last ten years in reaction to Gunny's sister's death, but she showed no interest in seeing them and announced they probably wouldn't make his upcoming retirement. I felt so bad for Gunny.
The retirement speech completely blew me away as did knowing that Mac & Gunny were going to be great as they moved on with their life together. I am so grateful to the author for expanding on her phenomenal short story and bringing the guys a wonderful tale and a beautiful happy ever after. I loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinnner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Um, this was actually kinda great! I think I was just in the mood for a trashy romance, so I wasn't really prepared for something this funny or heartfelt. Interesting characters and intriguing family drama...and yes there's plenty of trashy scenes for good measure.
I’m usual not into established couples, but I liked the angst in the beginning of Gunny not knowing what their relationship was, wouldn’t have minded seeing more of that. Got bored somewhat after that, though I still liked it and there were some good quotes. Thought Gunny’s parents at the end was rushed. Read on Overdrive
I've had this on my tbr for ages, and I finally decided it was time to read it. I don't know why I waited so long because I really like it. Gunny & Mac are already an established couple of 20 years, but only just officially a couple with retirement on the horizon.
They are so sweet together and absolutely perfect for each other. They were there for each other through everything and working things out together. They go through a lot, but they did it together.
The sex scenes aren't heavy BDSM and are pretty tame, really. It was all very sexy, but there was so much of it.
I loved the end and especially Mac's retirement speech. There were some side characters I couldn't stand, especially Ted; he was an arsehole!
I'm glad I read this one, and I'm off to read the next book about them.here
They are so sweet together and absolutely perfect for each other. They were there for each other through everything and working things out together. They go through a lot, but they did it together.
The sex scenes aren't heavy BDSM and are pretty tame, really. It was all very sexy, but there was so much of it.
I loved the end and especially Mac's retirement speech. There were some side characters I couldn't stand, especially Ted; he was an arsehole!
I'm glad I read this one, and I'm off to read the next book about them.here
LOVED THIS! Loved the writing, the characters, the hot lovin', and just everything about it. Highly recommend this!
Merged review:
LOVED THIS! Loved the writing, the characters, the hot lovin', and just everything about it. Highly recommend this!
Merged review:
LOVED THIS! Loved the writing, the characters, the hot lovin', and just everything about it. Highly recommend this!
*3.5 Stars*
These guys are sweet alpha marines dedicated and loving. But there was really nothing to this couple. I kept hoping we would get some flashbacks...maybe their first kiss, first sexual interaction, or something but we didn't. This pretty much all occurs 22 years after they met and I think 10 years into their sexual relationship. IDK... I just needed more. Some drama or something. But there was really nothing. And honestly I would not even call this a BDSM story at all. From what I had read before picking this up I thought it would be pretty heavy but nope. One scene in a basement and a couple of uses of "boy" and that pretty much was it.
Overall this was just not what I was hoping for as I definitely was expecting more. Again a loving couple with no dramalama so if that is what you're after tackle this one for sure. By no means is this a bad book at all. Quite sweet actually...just not what I was hoping for.
Oh well...
Merged review:
*3.5 Stars*
These guys are sweet alpha marines dedicated and loving. But there was really nothing to this couple. I kept hoping we would get some flashbacks...maybe their first kiss, first sexual interaction, or something but we didn't. This pretty much all occurs 22 years after they met and I think 10 years into their sexual relationship. IDK... I just needed more. Some drama or something. But there was really nothing. And honestly I would not even call this a BDSM story at all. From what I had read before picking this up I thought it would be pretty heavy but nope. One scene in a basement and a couple of uses of "boy" and that pretty much was it.
Overall this was just not what I was hoping for as I definitely was expecting more. Again a loving couple with no dramalama so if that is what you're after tackle this one for sure. By no means is this a bad book at all. Quite sweet actually...just not what I was hoping for.
Oh well...
These guys are sweet alpha marines dedicated and loving. But there was really nothing to this couple. I kept hoping we would get some flashbacks...maybe their first kiss, first sexual interaction, or something but we didn't. This pretty much all occurs 22 years after they met and I think 10 years into their sexual relationship. IDK... I just needed more. Some drama or something. But there was really nothing. And honestly I would not even call this a BDSM story at all. From what I had read before picking this up I thought it would be pretty heavy but nope. One scene in a basement and a couple of uses of "boy" and that pretty much was it.
Overall this was just not what I was hoping for as I definitely was expecting more. Again a loving couple with no dramalama so if that is what you're after tackle this one for sure. By no means is this a bad book at all. Quite sweet actually...just not what I was hoping for.
Oh well...
Merged review:
*3.5 Stars*
These guys are sweet alpha marines dedicated and loving. But there was really nothing to this couple. I kept hoping we would get some flashbacks...maybe their first kiss, first sexual interaction, or something but we didn't. This pretty much all occurs 22 years after they met and I think 10 years into their sexual relationship. IDK... I just needed more. Some drama or something. But there was really nothing. And honestly I would not even call this a BDSM story at all. From what I had read before picking this up I thought it would be pretty heavy but nope. One scene in a basement and a couple of uses of "boy" and that pretty much was it.
Overall this was just not what I was hoping for as I definitely was expecting more. Again a loving couple with no dramalama so if that is what you're after tackle this one for sure. By no means is this a bad book at all. Quite sweet actually...just not what I was hoping for.
Oh well...