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papercranestitches's review
2.0
Ironically, there's nothing brand new about Brand New Flavor by E.M. Lynley. This story is a former Supernatural AU fan fiction; the author has simply changed the names of the main characters, given the story a quick edit, put it on Amazon, and decided to charge you $4.00 for it (you can read the FREE version here: http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=19423763).
Now, I have nothing against well-written fanfic - anyone who knows me knows that I love me some Sterek! - but this story just didn't do it for me. At all.
Spoiler alert: Jay and Cam meet and bang in the back of an ice cream truck in the first 5 pages of the book. Unfortunately, the scene was too abrupt for me to enjoy - I didn't know enough about the characters yet to be emotionally invested in them, and the sex wasn't nearly hot enough for me to just let go and enjoy the smut. The whole thing fell flat and left me thinking about health code violations and how sticky both parties were going to be in the aftermath (neither of which was the author's intention, I'm sure).
Following the wham, bam, thank you ma'am action, our fearless MCs part ways. They spend the next 80% of the story caught up in their own heads due to former relationship baggage AND as victims of not one but THREE overly dastardly and vengeful secondary characters.
[insert aggressive eye roll here]
And then, at 85%, Jay and Cam are reunited andit feels so good I couldn't care less. The two men see each other across a crowded room. Cam smiles stupidly. Jay laughs stupidly. And then they both escape back to Cam's place to bone.
...and I was bored out of my skull and just waiting for it all to be over.
Personally, I found this story to be an I-did-not-like-it/1-star-worthy novella. However, I can appreciate that even though I felt like I was reading the script for a bad Meg Ryan movie, the story was well written and well edited, which earned it a second star.
Delectable? Sorry, try barely palatable. I just can't recommend this one to friends or discerning readers.
Now, I have nothing against well-written fanfic - anyone who knows me knows that I love me some Sterek! - but this story just didn't do it for me. At all.
Spoiler alert: Jay and Cam meet and bang in the back of an ice cream truck in the first 5 pages of the book. Unfortunately, the scene was too abrupt for me to enjoy - I didn't know enough about the characters yet to be emotionally invested in them, and the sex wasn't nearly hot enough for me to just let go and enjoy the smut. The whole thing fell flat and left me thinking about health code violations and how sticky both parties were going to be in the aftermath (neither of which was the author's intention, I'm sure).
Following the wham, bam, thank you ma'am action, our fearless MCs part ways. They spend the next 80% of the story caught up in their own heads due to former relationship baggage AND as victims of not one but THREE overly dastardly and vengeful secondary characters.
[insert aggressive eye roll here]
And then, at 85%, Jay and Cam are reunited and
...and I was bored out of my skull and just waiting for it all to be over.
Personally, I found this story to be an I-did-not-like-it/1-star-worthy novella. However, I can appreciate that even though I felt like I was reading the script for a bad Meg Ryan movie, the story was well written and well edited, which earned it a second star.
Delectable? Sorry, try barely palatable. I just can't recommend this one to friends or discerning readers.
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
One of the things I enjoy about the romance genre is the interaction of the players, the chemistry the MC’s have with each other. At the beginning of Brand New Flavor, Cameron and Jay meet at a food tasting convention, where Jay is giving out samples of his ice cream. The two end up having an “afternoon delight” in Jay’s van, and from that point on, three-fourths of the story is about how Cameron lost Jay’s card and couldn’t contact him for another hook-up; how he breaks up with his ex, Eric; how Jay finds out from his employees that Cameron is a food critic; how Eric seeks revenge against Cameron; how Cameron searches the entire city to find Jay; and how Cameron holds an ice cream contest in the hope that Jay will enter.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2014/02/17/em-lynley-offers-a-brand-new-flavor-of-romance/
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2014/02/17/em-lynley-offers-a-brand-new-flavor-of-romance/
ktomp17's review
4.0
This was such a sweet story! Cam and Jay meet each other and connect in an unusual way and OF COURSE there has to be drama (losing the phone number and an evil ex). Despite the drama, the story works itself out and we find a happy ending. I do wish there was a bit more resolution to the evil ex situation. I want to see him get what is coming to him! Jerk. :-) Glad for Jay and Cam though.
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