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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
This is a fantastic addition to this series. I absolutely wanted to wrap up and squeeze both Hunter and Mitch! They both endured so much as a result of drugs and addiction but in different ways. Hunter doesn't see or believe his worth as a result of his parents. Mitch is there to show him his worth but is also dealing with his own issues as a result of drugs and sees through that lens. Ultimately they are so good for each other and provide the love and support they each need.
Writing a character with they/them pronouns can be a bit tricky to read as the author needs to be very clear when differentiating singular and plural. I had to go back to reread some passages a few times but overall was handled well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy provided by GayRomanceReviews.
Writing a character with they/them pronouns can be a bit tricky to read as the author needs to be very clear when differentiating singular and plural. I had to go back to reread some passages a few times but overall was handled well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy provided by GayRomanceReviews.
RTC but I love a good romance that takes me on an emotional rollercoaster and this book did exactly that for me. It was sweet but also heartbreaking and I loved the mix of the two. It was done very well and hit the spot for me.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 3 in the Dungeons and Dating series. While it can totally be read as a stand-alone, I really think you should read books one and 2 first. It will give you a better, bigger picture of this group of co-workers and friends but also because I said to! Bloody good books, both of them!
Mason and Hunter work at the game cafe, and have crushed on each other for a long time. There are so many miscommunicated moments between these two, it made for painful reading!
Hunter likes how Mason makes him feel, but knows someone like Mase won't ever want him. Mase, in turn, can't understand why Hunter pushed them away a year ago. When Hunter tells them WHY? Oh, I fell in love with Hunter, just a little bit more. Mase too, when they finally let Hunter in.
These two are perfect for each other, but neither thinks they are good enough for the other. Once they actually talk, things become clearer as to why they both think that.
It's not as steamy as the other two books, I thought, but it is HEAVY on the emotions. I loved that Hunter makes a point to ask Mase about their preferences, what they like to do in the smexy department, given that Mase is non-binary. I will admit it took a little getting used to the they/their/them pronouns, but it soon faded to the background. I hated what happened to Mason's sister and how that all came out. And then what happened to Hunter when he was young, you could see why Mason pushed Hunter away for a time.
The others pop up, and I again implore Ms McIntyre to write a story for Jasper! He's starting to hurt, a little, that his friends are pairing up and he can't find his person. You feel for Kelly here. But I think there is a whole LOT we don't know about her relationship with Nat. There are clues, if you know what to look for, that things weren't as clear cut as they seemed. That all comes out in the next book, though.
I loved this book, more so than books 1 and 2 and I loved them too!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 3 in the Dungeons and Dating series. While it can totally be read as a stand-alone, I really think you should read books one and 2 first. It will give you a better, bigger picture of this group of co-workers and friends but also because I said to! Bloody good books, both of them!
Mason and Hunter work at the game cafe, and have crushed on each other for a long time. There are so many miscommunicated moments between these two, it made for painful reading!
Hunter likes how Mason makes him feel, but knows someone like Mase won't ever want him. Mase, in turn, can't understand why Hunter pushed them away a year ago. When Hunter tells them WHY? Oh, I fell in love with Hunter, just a little bit more. Mase too, when they finally let Hunter in.
These two are perfect for each other, but neither thinks they are good enough for the other. Once they actually talk, things become clearer as to why they both think that.
It's not as steamy as the other two books, I thought, but it is HEAVY on the emotions. I loved that Hunter makes a point to ask Mase about their preferences, what they like to do in the smexy department, given that Mase is non-binary. I will admit it took a little getting used to the they/their/them pronouns, but it soon faded to the background. I hated what happened to Mason's sister and how that all came out. And then what happened to Hunter when he was young, you could see why Mason pushed Hunter away for a time.
The others pop up, and I again implore Ms McIntyre to write a story for Jasper! He's starting to hurt, a little, that his friends are pairing up and he can't find his person. You feel for Kelly here. But I think there is a whole LOT we don't know about her relationship with Nat. There are clues, if you know what to look for, that things weren't as clear cut as they seemed. That all comes out in the next book, though.
I loved this book, more so than books 1 and 2 and I loved them too!
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
INTELLIGENCE CHECK is the third book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and it's time for Mase and Hunter. I was 'slightly' excited at the thought of this book and, let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Mase is a perfect little ray of sunshine... on the outside. Inside, he is dealing with the loss of his twin sister, all the feelings that encompasses, plus normal things like trying to finish school and pay all his bills. Hunter, on the other hand, keeps himself to himself. He doesn't ask much of anyone, knowing all too well the feeling of being let down.
These two! Oh, my days. I love them so much. Two perfect-for-each-other puzzle pieces that slot together with ease. Well, not too much ease, because there's the whole 'issues from the past' to contend with, but you get my meaning. They do have their issues to deal with but they do the mature thing, in that they give each other space when needed, no matter how painful it may be, and communicate with each other.
It's a slow-burn romance in that Hunter isn't prepared to take advantage of Mason when he's drunk. Mason thinks he's been rejected by Hunter, and then Hunter thinks the same when Mason doesn't mention it again. Remember I said they communicated? Yeah, well, maybe not so much to begin with!
Mase is a perfect little ray of sunshine... on the outside. Inside, he is dealing with the loss of his twin sister, all the feelings that encompasses, plus normal things like trying to finish school and pay all his bills. Hunter, on the other hand, keeps himself to himself. He doesn't ask much of anyone, knowing all too well the feeling of being let down.
These two! Oh, my days. I love them so much. Two perfect-for-each-other puzzle pieces that slot together with ease. Well, not too much ease, because there's the whole 'issues from the past' to contend with, but you get my meaning. They do have their issues to deal with but they do the mature thing, in that they give each other space when needed, no matter how painful it may be, and communicate with each other.
It's a slow-burn romance in that Hunter isn't prepared to take advantage of Mason when he's drunk. Mason thinks he's been rejected by Hunter, and then Hunter thinks the same when Mason doesn't mention it again. Remember I said they communicated? Yeah, well, maybe not so much to begin with!
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I really don’t enjoy third act breakups, but in this particular case, I could understand how and why it happened. I enjoyed watching Mason and Hunter become each other’s safe place, as well as Hunter learning that he could rely on his found family. I wish that there would’ve been a more definitive resolution with Hunter‘s dad.
There are some problems with the audio. Particularly the end of chapter 3, and beginning of chapter 4, where it seems to skip forward several seconds, and therefore there is missing content. There is also sometimes a weird quality to the background noise of the narrator speaking. It wasn’t bad, but enough to sometimes draw me out of the story.
There are some problems with the audio. Particularly the end of chapter 3, and beginning of chapter 4, where it seems to skip forward several seconds, and therefore there is missing content. There is also sometimes a weird quality to the background noise of the narrator speaking. It wasn’t bad, but enough to sometimes draw me out of the story.
I enjoyed this 3rd book in the series featuring Mason and Hunter.
Id say the subject matter in this one is a little bit darker, more angsty than the previous books in the series but it works. Mason and Hunter, have secrets and pasts that haunt them and together they work to overcome these. I would have liked to see maybe one of the 'past issues' resolved a little different - it felt unfinished BUT maybe the series continues and this will be resolved going forward.
trigger warning possible for drug abuse!
Id say the subject matter in this one is a little bit darker, more angsty than the previous books in the series but it works. Mason and Hunter, have secrets and pasts that haunt them and together they work to overcome these. I would have liked to see maybe one of the 'past issues' resolved a little different - it felt unfinished BUT maybe the series continues and this will be resolved going forward.
trigger warning possible for drug abuse!
Loved Masons cute non binary self. They were quirky and enjoyable to see fall for Hunter. Hunter was adorable and perfect for Mason. The two aren’t without their issue but what relationship isn’t. I really liked the community that has been created within the story, found family!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mason and Hunter have to work, on themselves and their relationship, but in the end, all the hard work leads to a HEA. Be prepared that this is not a light, fluffy read but deals with difficult subjects and emotions. They also have a slow burn romance but it is what is needed for Mason and Hunter as theirs is not an easy path to HEA.
Audio review:
More nerdy DnD related romance! MX, some pining, some emo hair flipping of "I'm not worthy of you" vibes. Both MCs work at the board game cafe, one is also an artist (but doesn't like to show his work) with lots of inner angst and is a bit of a grump/stays to himself. The other MC is finishing up their college degree and dealing with grief. Like book 1, this book deals with parents that are addicts, CW for that. One of the MC's siblings also died from an overdose. There's also discussion on consent when drinking, which I appreciated.
There were some issues with the audio either skipping or repeating the same sentence a couple times, which sounds like a production issue. Brennan Rossi is a new to me narrator, and it was fine. Some of the women voices were meh, but outside of the repeats, this was ok.
Not my favorite in the series, but still an emotionally angsty read. Also am always here for my nonbinary leads, wooo. This has more "this was a book that I read" energy more than anything.
More nerdy DnD related romance! MX, some pining, some emo hair flipping of "I'm not worthy of you" vibes. Both MCs work at the board game cafe, one is also an artist (but doesn't like to show his work) with lots of inner angst and is a bit of a grump/stays to himself. The other MC is finishing up their college degree and dealing with grief. Like book 1, this book deals with parents that are addicts, CW for that. One of the MC's siblings also died from an overdose. There's also discussion on consent when drinking, which I appreciated.
There were some issues with the audio either skipping or repeating the same sentence a couple times, which sounds like a production issue. Brennan Rossi is a new to me narrator, and it was fine. Some of the women voices were meh, but outside of the repeats, this was ok.
Not my favorite in the series, but still an emotionally angsty read. Also am always here for my nonbinary leads, wooo. This has more "this was a book that I read" energy more than anything.