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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sapphire Sunset
By C. Travis Rice
This is the first book in the series.
I imagine they can be read as stand alone books. This is MM romance, so if that's not your thing not sure how you even got this far to check reviews.
The author did a good job of showing the different experiences that gay men encounter.
Retired Marine returns home to help his father get back on his feet. Meets the heir to the hotel he just started working at. Sparks fly. Roadblocks occur. Time passes and the sh@% hits the fan bringing them back face to face after five years.
What would you do to save your legacy? What sacrifices do you make to keep those you love safe?
By C. Travis Rice
This is the first book in the series.
I imagine they can be read as stand alone books. This is MM romance, so if that's not your thing not sure how you even got this far to check reviews.
The author did a good job of showing the different experiences that gay men encounter.
Retired Marine returns home to help his father get back on his feet. Meets the heir to the hotel he just started working at. Sparks fly. Roadblocks occur. Time passes and the sh@% hits the fan bringing them back face to face after five years.
What would you do to save your legacy? What sacrifices do you make to keep those you love safe?
emotional
slow-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sapphire Sunset is the first book in C. Travis Rice (author Christopher Rice's romance penname) Sapphire Cove series. Here's what you can expect from Logan and Connor:
đź”· MM contemporary romance
đź”· Third person dual point of view
đź”· Guaranteed happily ever after
đź”· Open door spice
đź”· Second chance
đź”· Boss/employee relationship
đź”· Suspense elements
This was a fun one from a new-to-me author! I think Christopher Rice typically writes a lot of suspense/mystery, so I'm glad he brought that to his romance story because there were definitely some twists and turns I didn't see coming. Although this was a contemporary romance, I felt it read much more like a classic Harlequin romance.
The characters were interesting, and I clearly didn't read the blurb closely because I wasn't expecting the second chance element! I think it worked though because of the buildup it created between Logan and Connor. I really liked Connor, and I think his character was a good exploration of how society has unspoken expectations about gay men and what they should look like, act like, and sound like. Overall, I liked Logan too however, I feel like there were a few instances where he was a bit of a jerk. Although there were also some subsequent times Connor put him in his place so I appreciated that. I really enjoyed the spice between these two characters, and they were all over each other to an almost sickeningly sweet point. The side characters were fun, and I actually found there were a lot of laugh out loud moments. The family-owned resort setting is so dreamy and I can't wait to revisit Sapphire Cove in the next book!
đź”· MM contemporary romance
đź”· Third person dual point of view
đź”· Guaranteed happily ever after
đź”· Open door spice
đź”· Second chance
đź”· Boss/employee relationship
đź”· Suspense elements
This was a fun one from a new-to-me author! I think Christopher Rice typically writes a lot of suspense/mystery, so I'm glad he brought that to his romance story because there were definitely some twists and turns I didn't see coming. Although this was a contemporary romance, I felt it read much more like a classic Harlequin romance.
The characters were interesting, and I clearly didn't read the blurb closely because I wasn't expecting the second chance element! I think it worked though because of the buildup it created between Logan and Connor. I really liked Connor, and I think his character was a good exploration of how society has unspoken expectations about gay men and what they should look like, act like, and sound like. Overall, I liked Logan too however, I feel like there were a few instances where he was a bit of a jerk. Although there were also some subsequent times Connor put him in his place so I appreciated that. I really enjoyed the spice between these two characters, and they were all over each other to an almost sickeningly sweet point. The side characters were fun, and I actually found there were a lot of laugh out loud moments. The family-owned resort setting is so dreamy and I can't wait to revisit Sapphire Cove in the next book!
think author actually plays video games with direct game references
actually mention douching and prep and can’t eat as a bottom
some grammatical errors
actually do 5 years later math correctly!
5 foot 4
name favorite dildo vs won’t kiss hookups saving himself
interesting to read about what it’s like for the loved one of a hero and the worry that comes with it
unclear when he joined an evacuations update with gloria on facetime and then passed out
dual pov
strict top and bottom
homophobia
third act breakup where the person important to them convinces them to pull their heads out of their assses but it’s a good one
5 years later
wanted more from no kissing and saving his boots
had a hard time believing he really gave all his money away
strict top/bottom
actually mention douching and prep and can’t eat as a bottom
some grammatical errors
actually do 5 years later math correctly!
5 foot 4
name favorite dildo vs won’t kiss hookups saving himself
interesting to read about what it’s like for the loved one of a hero and the worry that comes with it
unclear when he joined an evacuations update with gloria on facetime and then passed out
dual pov
strict top and bottom
homophobia
third act breakup where the person important to them convinces them to pull their heads out of their assses but it’s a good one
5 years later
wanted more from no kissing and saving his boots
had a hard time believing he really gave all his money away
strict top/bottom
Sapphire Sunset is a contemporary MM romance between a security officer and the heir of the resort he works at. Logan Murdoch has left the Marines for a cushy private security job in the luxury South Californian resort Sapphire Cove. On his first day, sparks fly between him and the handsome young heir Connor Harcourt. After an illicit almost hook-up, circumstances separate them for the next 5 years until a blackmailing scandal rocks the resort forcing Connor to return and take up the mantle early. Can they save Sapphire Cove and make a go at this second chance they have been given?
I think I was expecting more from the book given the fantastic reviews it’s gotten. I liked the romance but everything outside that (the resort component) felt kind of contrived and drawn out. The family drama felt unrealistic and how the events turned out didn’t feel natural at all. I did like the drama of it, but there wasn’t much tension nor suspense. It was campy, fun, and melodramatic, and it can work but just not so much for me.
The romance is insta-lust/love (imagine them both still being hung up on an interrupted hook-up with a guy they just met 5 years later) which I didn’t mind but traction may vary depending on the reader. They reconnected really fast with some steamy scenes and deep discussions. I liked both Logan and Connor as two very different kinds of gay men. Logan is tall, handsome and rugged, so he is the “right” type of gay in that he is straight-passing. Connor meanwhile is the obvious effeminate “pocket gay” so he has to wield his privilege and wealth in the face of homophobia. There was a surprising amount of depth in their dynamic as they navigate their disparity in their homosexuality and backgrounds.
Sapphire Sunset is a decent steamy MM romance.
emotional
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
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:
Complicated
Sapphire Sunset was an absolute stunner! I can't believe how late i am to this party, because Anne Rice was pretty much the only author i compulsively read all through HS and Christopher clearly has inherited THE GIFT! And yes ofc I'd started collecting their cowritten Mummy stuff, and after SS's sexy narrative prowess i'm very much looking forward to filling my brain with the duo's atmospheric pnr vibes if the writing's anything like this was!
Everything about Sapphire Sunset was arresting! The characterization was chef's kiss, the banter was playful and full of flavour, the plot went so soooo hard, the couple dynamics were delicious, and every inch of this gorgeous hotel was evocative and dreamy. There were so many levels to this lush and provocative sink-your-teeth-into-it read and I just could not get enough of everything THIS was!
I can already tell that the Sapphire Cove series is one of those rare gems that'll keep on giving, because the loving was so bright and beautiful, and the narrative style and tone was perfection! Captivating, delightful, and everything i could have wanted in a romance, Sapphire Sunset stood head and shoulders above the rest of the genre and i cannot wait to devour the rest of this series because this was brilliant fun!
Everything about Sapphire Sunset was arresting! The characterization was chef's kiss, the banter was playful and full of flavour, the plot went so soooo hard, the couple dynamics were delicious, and every inch of this gorgeous hotel was evocative and dreamy. There were so many levels to this lush and provocative sink-your-teeth-into-it read and I just could not get enough of everything THIS was!
I can already tell that the Sapphire Cove series is one of those rare gems that'll keep on giving, because the loving was so bright and beautiful, and the narrative style and tone was perfection! Captivating, delightful, and everything i could have wanted in a romance, Sapphire Sunset stood head and shoulders above the rest of the genre and i cannot wait to devour the rest of this series because this was brilliant fun!
This was a very fun, soapy read! I had been meaning to read this book for a while so when I saw it on NetGalley as a re-release under the author's new name, it seemed like a great time to try it.
This story is capital-D dramatique. It's insta-everything: insta connection, insta lust, insta love. It felt like being on a rollercoaster of drama. And I could.not.put.it.down.
The writing in this book is . . . not always great. There is a lot of head hopping, some interesting word choices and while I very much appreciate the progressive/liberal politics being conveyed, it was pretty headhanded at times. Subtle this book is not.
But the sense of place was solid and the cast of characters was endearing. I enjoyed it and will keep reading the series when I am in the right place for it.
I recommend this book for fans of Tal Bauer (minus the purple prose) who want to read about idealistic people who fight hard for their happy ever after. Be prepared to suspend your disbelief and just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Blue Box Press in exchange for an honest review.