Scan barcode
evethingiread's review
3.0
I thought that this was really cute at first, I was so happy with the style. But then things kinda started to go downhill. I don’t mind the hurt/comfort but it just seemed like we didn’t get to know Thane that much. And I didn’t “see” them falling in love. It was like that part was happening off the page.
All in all, a cute read but lacked a bit of depth. I do like the general style and would continue reading this series. I find the group of characters to be fascinating!
All in all, a cute read but lacked a bit of depth. I do like the general style and would continue reading this series. I find the group of characters to be fascinating!
madscientistcat's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Gun violence, Mental illness, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug abuse, Religious bigotry, and Outing
Minor: Medical content
seuniemim's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? No
4.5
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
TW: This book starts with an on page mass shooting at a LGBTQ nightclub and one of the main characters is injured from the shooting; on page attempted suicide; PTSD and panic attacks; on page struggle with former drug addiction; homelessness mentioned; homomisic parents; references to a side character’s brother who was bullied before committing suicide
This was an extremely emotional story. Madden and Thane meet at a nightclub but before they can get to know each other a shooter attacks the club and Madden is shot three times. This story follows his journey to heal and deal with his physical and mental injuries, while also falling in love with Thane.
Madden and Thane’s relationship doesn’t begin like most couples. They got very close quickly because of Madden’s injuries and Thane stepping in to help take care of him. From the beginning we see a lot of feeling and emotion between these two but they do take a bit of time to express it. We see these two start as a close couple, then take a little bit of time apart for Maddox’s mental health, then come back even stronger. The timeline of their relationship may have been a bit weird but the way these two dealt with everything was very mature and healthy and I wish I saw this in more relationships.
While this was an extremely emotional and heavy story, I think Neuhold did a great job at handling these topics. I do wish some things had been talked about a bit more, but overall I think she did a great job at covering heavy topics, and keeping the overall tone of the story hopeful. There are dark moments in this story but they don’t weigh the whole story down and you are mostly left with the hopeful tone of someone rebuilding their life and finding love.
This may have been heartbreaking at times but overall it was hopeful and showed that love prevails if you work for it. I really enjoyed Thane and Madden’s story. We also got to meet the other members of Heathens Ink and I am really excited to read their books because I liked all of them so far.
serenity81's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Gun violence, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug abuse, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Mass/school shootings, and Homophobia
ankysbookbubble's review
4.0
Sweet & Adorable
I wasn't going to read this book when I first started reading books from this series, but then I came across Madden's character in the other books and I knew I had to read his story. And I'm so glad I did.
Madden and Thane were beautifully crafted characters and I loved watching them develop and fall in love.
I wasn't going to read this book when I first started reading books from this series, but then I came across Madden's character in the other books and I knew I had to read his story. And I'm so glad I did.
Madden and Thane were beautifully crafted characters and I loved watching them develop and fall in love.
mhprince21's review
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
erica_g's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
jodi_ice's review against another edition
4.0
Cawpile: 7.43 4*
I was pulled in by the premise of the story, and some of it definitely held up. However, there were some big plot issues, such as if Thane is ‘all over’ the media and social media carrying a man out of a gay club after a tragedy like that, how come none of his family contact him? How does a gay fireman not know that gay men can’t give blood when I as a straight female have known that fact and been angry over the injustice for decades now? Shouldn’t medical notes contain the information that a patient has previously been an addict? Isn’t there non opioid pain killers? … and that’s just the start.
The rest of this review is a copy of a note I wrote while reading the book. I’m still learning what I want to do with this idea so please excuse me while I get to grips with it. For those on the app please note there will be *spoilers* from this point on (the app doesn’t spoiler tag
I was pulled in by the premise of the story, and some of it definitely held up. However, there were some big plot issues, such as if Thane is ‘all over’ the media and social media carrying a man out of a gay club after a tragedy like that, how come none of his family contact him? How does a gay fireman not know that gay men can’t give blood when I as a straight female have known that fact and been angry over the injustice for decades now? Shouldn’t medical notes contain the information that a patient has previously been an addict? Isn’t there non opioid pain killers? … and that’s just the start.
The rest of this review is a copy of a note I wrote while reading the book. I’m still learning what I want to do with this idea so please excuse me while I get to grips with it. For those on the app please note there will be *spoilers* from this point on (the app doesn’t spoiler tag
teereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
I liked what was trying to be done here, but it just didn't hit right for me. The story was good, but the pacing felt a bit off. I did really like the characters and the found family aspect of the story. I think this is more a me thing. I am just not sure if the author's style is for me. I may try the next book in the series to test out that theory. I mostly enjoyed myself during this read, and it's definitely not bad, I'm just not so sure it's for me.
I liked what was trying to be done here, but it just didn't hit right for me. The story was good, but the pacing felt a bit off. I did really like the characters and the found family aspect of the story. I think this is more a me thing. I am just not sure if the author's style is for me. I may try the next book in the series to test out that theory. I mostly enjoyed myself during this read, and it's definitely not bad, I'm just not so sure it's for me.