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My full review of Safeword can be found on my web site.
Wow, just finished and blown away once again.
I reread Power Exchange last week ready for Safeword, so I am full of Gavin and Ben in my head!
The story starts properly about 1 year on from the end in Power Exchange, and whilst Ben and Gavin have recovered physically and seemingly mentally too from their ordeal, we come to learn that they still have much to deal with before getting back to their normal relationship. I liked that both men had their issues and they weren't easily solved, indeed invoking their safewod.
Gavin has finally returned to work and is flung straight back into a series of murder investigations that were gruesome and close to home, and whilst the culprit was known, finding him and his reasons were intriging. The pressures to solve the crime adding to their relationship pressures.
I liked that there was more of Gavin's family involved so there was a few strands to keep interest going - not that I had a problem, staying up far too late reading.
So, great story and follow up on characters and good clean writing making for an excellent read - and another wonderful cover.
I reread Power Exchange last week ready for Safeword, so I am full of Gavin and Ben in my head!
The story starts properly about 1 year on from the end in Power Exchange, and whilst Ben and Gavin have recovered physically and seemingly mentally too from their ordeal, we come to learn that they still have much to deal with before getting back to their normal relationship. I liked that both men had their issues and they weren't easily solved, indeed invoking their safewod.
Gavin has finally returned to work and is flung straight back into a series of murder investigations that were gruesome and close to home, and whilst the culprit was known, finding him and his reasons were intriging. The pressures to solve the crime adding to their relationship pressures.
I liked that there was more of Gavin's family involved so there was a few strands to keep interest going - not that I had a problem, staying up far too late reading.
So, great story and follow up on characters and good clean writing making for an excellent read - and another wonderful cover.
I seriously love this book. Well the whole series in fact. And the fact that I have to think about what to say is an indication of how I feel. I don't want this to deteriorate into a sappy, oh, my god, oh my god worship and I can't quite put into words exactly how it's made me feel.
Was it perfect? No, just like the first book there were bits that either made me go WTH..and bits were one of the MC's or other characters irritated me. Times where something I found blatantly obvious went unnoticed by the characters and I was wondering how they ever got anything done. But these bits fell away in the total of the book. Overall it was a brilliant read, with a great mix of relationship building, action, mystery and of course our two guys getting all hot and heavy with each other.
There's not a lot of kink in this one, but I honestly wasn't expecting it either. Not after book 1. What there is though, is meaningful and with a sense of rightness. No "scene for BDSM sake" (if you know what I mean...)
It's sad to think it's all over now, as I think we were told by the epilogue in the book. I would have loved more, but then with characters like these, where they "speak" to me, I never want to say goodbye!
Was it perfect? No, just like the first book there were bits that either made me go WTH..and bits were one of the MC's or other characters irritated me. Times where something I found blatantly obvious went unnoticed by the characters and I was wondering how they ever got anything done. But these bits fell away in the total of the book. Overall it was a brilliant read, with a great mix of relationship building, action, mystery and of course our two guys getting all hot and heavy with each other.
There's not a lot of kink in this one, but I honestly wasn't expecting it either. Not after book 1. What there is though, is meaningful and with a sense of rightness. No "scene for BDSM sake" (if you know what I mean...)
It's sad to think it's all over now, as I think we were told by the epilogue in the book. I would have loved more, but then with characters like these, where they "speak" to me, I never want to say goodbye!
Wow wow wow ! Oh my goodness what a book. This is a review for both the first of this series [b:Power Exchange|15982578|Power Exchange (Power Exchange, #1)|A.J. Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346620114s/15982578.jpg|21735831][b:Power Exchange|15982578|Power Exchange (Power Exchange, #1)|A.J. Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346620114s/15982578.jpg|21735831] and this one [b:Safeword|17569268|Safeword (Power Exchange, #2)|A.J. Rose|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1364343519s/17569268.jpg|24507069].
So much to love about this series . A,J,Rose is a great writer. Her characters are amazingly well drawn ,not only the two protagonists but all the minor characters are so real and sneak their way into your emotions and make you care about them. The relationships are beautifully shown, the stories are exciting and suspenseful. In the first one I dropped a star because the detective work was really bad. It was so obvious who the killer was and for a supposedly good detective to disregard the clues to that extent -no I can't see it . However the second one was more exiting and less unrealistic .
The relationship between Ben and Gavin was heartbreakingly lovely. So intense, so loving, so hot at times. They have more obstacles to their relationship's health than most of us and watching them navigate their own and each others pain and need for healing from the intense trauma, and yet remain so devoted was very satisfying.
A,J Roses portrayal of D/s relationships was phenomenal. It has always irritated me that so many people lapped up "50 shades of Grey " and believed it;s portrayal of BDSM. This series shows much more truly the way a relationship between Dom and Sub works. There are some profoundly touching passages describing the trust between them and the power exchange .
I will take a break fro m the series for a while as each book leaves me with an emotional book hangover. I can't get the story and the characters out of my head for days and I even dream about them! Time to read something completely different I think but I'm not finished with the series !
So much to love about this series . A,J,Rose is a great writer. Her characters are amazingly well drawn ,not only the two protagonists but all the minor characters are so real and sneak their way into your emotions and make you care about them. The relationships are beautifully shown, the stories are exciting and suspenseful. In the first one I dropped a star because the detective work was really bad. It was so obvious who the killer was and for a supposedly good detective to disregard the clues to that extent -no I can't see it . However the second one was more exiting and less unrealistic .
The relationship between Ben and Gavin was heartbreakingly lovely. So intense, so loving, so hot at times. They have more obstacles to their relationship's health than most of us and watching them navigate their own and each others pain and need for healing from the intense trauma, and yet remain so devoted was very satisfying.
A,J Roses portrayal of D/s relationships was phenomenal. It has always irritated me that so many people lapped up "50 shades of Grey " and believed it;s portrayal of BDSM. This series shows much more truly the way a relationship between Dom and Sub works. There are some profoundly touching passages describing the trust between them and the power exchange .
I will take a break fro m the series for a while as each book leaves me with an emotional book hangover. I can't get the story and the characters out of my head for days and I even dream about them! Time to read something completely different I think but I'm not finished with the series !
This book was just as fabulous as the first. I love this series, it is truly addictive. Its not just a love story full amazing sex scenes its a mystery full of twists, turns and unexpected events. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
4.25 stars
To start off this review - this series is so good at portraying a great couple who even tho they are struggling, they work towards finding solutions for those problems *claps*.
As you can see, this second book, wasn't as good as the 1st one but it was really close up there, especially regarding the last 100 pages (the final part was a page turner for sure).
We were back with Gavin and Ben after almost 2 years since the last book, and much has changed since the horrible things they went through. Gavin and Ben are so made for each other and they stand for each other.
The crime story this time was still compelling but even more predictable than last time, but that didn't stop it from being interesting to read.
To start off this review - this series is so good at portraying a great couple who even tho they are struggling, they work towards finding solutions for those problems *claps*.
As you can see, this second book, wasn't as good as the 1st one but it was really close up there, especially regarding the last 100 pages (the final part was a page turner for sure).
We were back with Gavin and Ben after almost 2 years since the last book, and much has changed since the horrible things they went through
Spoiler
but they woul face much more adversities, while trying to reorganize their BDSM "lifes"The crime story this time was still compelling but even more predictable than last time, but that didn't stop it from being interesting to read.
If anything, I like this story better than the first book. There was a lot going on both with the plot and with the guys, and the police part felt somewhat more realistic. There were moments of emotion intense enough to make my chest tight. After the events of the first book, I really liked that it took time for both Gavin and Ben to find their balance again. They are permanently changed by what they went through, and that's appropriate and felt real. The BDSM was mainly emotionally focused, which is how I prefer it.
There's a nice mix of secondary characters in this book. Gavin's partner continues to be one of the most positive female characters in M/M, strong in her own right, supportive of Gavin, and yet not too entangled in the details of his personal life. Gavin's family shows that they care about him, and the range of attitudes among his police colleagues spans the spectrum.
The plot was a bit sensationalist. But I was caught up in the rush of events. I enjoyed the ending. I thought it fit the tenor of the the story and the guys' relationship.
There's a nice mix of secondary characters in this book. Gavin's partner continues to be one of the most positive female characters in M/M, strong in her own right, supportive of Gavin, and yet not too entangled in the details of his personal life. Gavin's family shows that they care about him, and the range of attitudes among his police colleagues spans the spectrum.
The plot was a bit sensationalist.
Spoiler
The sexual assault of the murder victims seemed unnecessary, for example. And I'm not convinced that a police dept would be permitted to investigate the murder of one of their own colleagues.
The ending was a little hokey, but otherwise I friggin loved this book. I want there to be another one, but I think by the way the story ended, there will be just the two. Which makes me sad, because Gavin and Ben are really engaging characters.
One thing I especially loved, was that in the beginning, Gavin wasn't automatically over his earlier trauma (from the first book), and we were able to witness some of the therapy both he and Ben were going through in order to get emotionally healthy again. I felt this glimpse into their lives, gave this story a sense of realism that some romances/suspense thrillers lack.
Another thing I really loved, was that there wasn't any event or plot that encompassed the book entirely. Like I mentioned in the review for Power Exchange, the author did a fabulous job of blending romance, suspense, and humor all into one book- so there was a nice balance.
I don't know what else to say, except this and the first book,Power Exchange, really hit my buttons. I can't claim that I would ever be into BDSM in actuality, but these books made me want to at least consider it for a little bit, while also becoming a homicide detective/criminal profiler.
I felt like this was totally worth the time I spent reading it.
Thanks A.J. Rose. (please write another one. please please pretty please)
One thing I especially loved, was that in the beginning, Gavin wasn't automatically over his earlier trauma (from the first book), and we were able to witness some of the therapy both he and Ben were going through in order to get emotionally healthy again. I felt this glimpse into their lives, gave this story a sense of realism that some romances/suspense thrillers lack.
Another thing I really loved, was that there wasn't any event or plot that encompassed the book entirely. Like I mentioned in the review for Power Exchange, the author did a fabulous job of blending romance, suspense, and humor all into one book- so there was a nice balance.
I don't know what else to say, except this and the first book,Power Exchange, really hit my buttons. I can't claim that I would ever be into BDSM in actuality, but these books made me want to at least consider it for a little bit, while also becoming a homicide detective/criminal profiler.
I felt like this was totally worth the time I spent reading it.
Thanks A.J. Rose. (please write another one. please please pretty please)