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mdee's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
I would have rated this higher but everything was a bit too perfect and conflicts were resolved too easily. I wish we could have seen more of Yanni's struggles as he tried to overcome his past.
I would have rated this higher but everything was a bit too perfect and conflicts were resolved too easily. I wish we could have seen more of Yanni's struggles as he tried to overcome his past.
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful
As much as I loved Spencer's story, I loved Yanni's story too. It was real. Heartbreaking, tear jerking, but so very real. And I'm so so happy he got back on his feet and found happiness at last.
02/2021 Audio reread: Oh, my heart. ❤️
As much as I loved Spencer's story, I loved Yanni's story too. It was real. Heartbreaking, tear jerking, but so very real. And I'm so so happy he got back on his feet and found happiness at last.
02/2021 Audio reread: Oh, my heart. ❤️
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
READ: Jan 2024
FORMAT: Audio
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 5 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 4.5 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 4.75 / 5⭐
Yanni’s Story is a spinoff from Walker’s Spencer Cohen series, and it details Yanni’s path to a healthy, fulfilling future after experiencing homelessness and escaping a physically- and emotionally-abusive relationship. What Yanni needs more than anything is a system of support, stability, family, and friendship in order to get back on his feet once Spencer pulls him off the street, pouring him into the lap of the Acacia Foundation. Between the sheltering of Helen Landon, the schooling of her husband Allan, the shared experience of his share house roommates, the aid of a wise therapist, and the endless patience and understanding from Peter, Yanni finds himself surrounded by those rooting for him to find his peace.
It's been a while since I went through the Spencer Cohen series, and I held off on reading this one because I generally only think of Walker’s works when I’m in the mood for something more lighthearted. I never should have doubted this book, because while it absolutely deals with some rough themes and topics, it never does so in a way that feels anything less than hopeful, determined to progress and heal a little more at every turn. There are a number of scenes within that do demonstrate the utter unfairness of victims experiencing trauma, and one scene in particular mentions some especially heinous abuses, but it’s never done in a way that feels cruel to the reader.
I’m grateful that Walker chose to combine the three parts of this story into a single release, exactly as I felt should have been done for their other series I’ve read in the past (Thomas Elkin, Spencer Cohen, Red Dirt Heart, etc.). I enjoyed the inclusion of a little light Daddy kink, and while I’m not completely on board with Walker’s portrayal of the lifestyle spectrum, it’s far from the worst depiction I’ve seen to date. I guess if there’s any nit to truly pick about this book, it would be how literally everything just seems to fall into place for Yanni, with just about every dream coming true. It’s true he does have his backslides and regressions, but there isn’t a single outside force to truly trip him up, and he’s surrounded by people ready to hand over everything he’s ever wanted.
This book has representation for gays, bisexuals, and lesbians. A character with Down syndrome is depicted in a respectful role. Multiple characters are portrayed as non-white.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
This book contains: past and off-page emotional and physical abuses; mentions of past rapes and sexual violence; past homophobia leading to homelessness; panic attacks and anxiety; mentions of alcoholism; past parent death (heart attack); off-page PTSD response, panic attack; mentions of past cult-related atrocities including gang rape, incest; past suicide attempt; off-page assault, injuries, blood; past domestic abuse towards wife and child; mention of suicide; and, bullying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Bullying, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood, Child abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, Violence, Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Incest, Medical content, and Suicide
missysreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
Just Read It!
This story was simply perfection. Everything about it was great. I'm so glad Yanni and his roommates got their happy endings. I never wanted to hug a fictional character as much as I wanted to hug Yanni. I won't spoil the book too much. If you enjoyed the first three books in this series, you'll enjoy this one.
This story was simply perfection. Everything about it was great. I'm so glad Yanni and his roommates got their happy endings. I never wanted to hug a fictional character as much as I wanted to hug Yanni. I won't spoil the book too much. If you enjoyed the first three books in this series, you'll enjoy this one.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very enjoyable, solid 4 star read for me.
Yanni and Peter were both possibly the most adorable, or among the most adorable, characters I've ever read about. Yanni was incredibly kind, sweet, adorable, and good. He just embodied what is good in this world, which makes what happened to him even more heartbreaking. Peter is just as kind and sweet and gentle. The care with which he treats Yanni is incredible. He's the perfect person for Yanni after what happened.
This is the story of how they got to together and how Yanni got better, how he became happy and healed - not whole, but in a much better place. The main action takes place over about a year, maybe a little less, and it goes over Yanni's healing process - he has a wonderful therapist and everything - and the slow process of him and Peter falling in love. And it had to be slow because of what Yanni went through and how much he had to heal. And how Peter himself had to get over his broken heart with his last boyfriend who dumped him.
There is a mild Daddy kink in this - and when I say mild, I mean mild. Nothing much goes on with the kink other than when they're doing sexual things together or are alone and feel in the mood for it, and when they are in that Daddy/Son kink mode, it's mostly Peter saying "You're such a good boy" and Yanni going "Yes, Daddy, please, I've been a good boy" or something like that. Or Peter calling him a "sweet boy." Mostly, the kink for them is about Peter loving to take care of him - Peter is a homebody, a caregiver (and is so sweet) - and the more he falls for Yanni the more he wants to take care of him, and also about Yanni needing, or wanting, to be taken care of, and to feel safe - especially after having been in an abusive relationship - and to please Peter, but like in way that makes Yanni feel good too, not bad.
I've admitted that I enjoy the Daddy kink, so I wouldn't have minded if there had been more ;) but I know its not for everyone so Walker was probs just keeping it light for those who don't like it lol. But the Daddy kink in this is like...the sweetest type of Daddy kink, like they're just soft and sweet and loving together.
Overall this is a good, fun book, with two adorably sweet characters who are just too cute together, and have the sweetest love story - it was nice. Not all characters we read about have to be such assholes with a heart of gold underneath it all. Sometimes they can just be sweet, inside and out, without armor. I love reading about characters like that too, and these both were like that in spades.
I do think that Yanni was interesting in his recovery though. It was like...a lot of time was taken for him to recover, but at the same time it didn't seem like he was all that...broken by it? Which is weird to say when it took forever for Yanni to even sleep alone with the light off, and he had panic attacks several times throughout this. But I guess it felt like...even with all that he was such a sweet, hopeful, positive person, so uplifting, and this story contained a lot of fluff for one about such a heavy subject, and I guess that just means Yanni is that way, but...I guess maybe a little more angst/darker tones at times would have still be good for this? Because it does come off a tad unrealistic when Yanni doesn't seam as damaged as he should be. Idk. Maybe if Walker expounded on the emotional and mental bruises and cracks when they came up, I guess they didn't feel as explored as they could have been. The story still dealt with the abuse Yanni went through throughout the book until the very end, but it still felt...a little glossed over, maybe? At times. Idk, it was a feeling I got.
I also really really wish the sex had been more detailed. There are full on sex scenes between the two, but it felt like it got from the start to orgasm too quickly in all their sex scenes. Kinda perfunctory, and I wanted to feel so much more for their sex scenes because I felt so much for these two everywhere else. Bring on more of the passion, please. Plus, a few fade to black sex scenes where I would have loved to read them bummed me out. I mean, for me Walker is never particularly strong with her sex scenes - except for a few exceptions - but even the sex scenes in this one felt less than what Walker usually does, imo.
Overall a very enjoyable book, with a cute as fuck may/december love story that I simply adored. These two deserved their happy ending and they got it, and it was a fluffy, cavity inducing (in the best way) ending. LOVED it :D
Definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
Yanni and Peter were both possibly the most adorable, or among the most adorable, characters I've ever read about. Yanni was incredibly kind, sweet, adorable, and good. He just embodied what is good in this world, which makes what happened to him even more heartbreaking. Peter is just as kind and sweet and gentle. The care with which he treats Yanni is incredible. He's the perfect person for Yanni after what happened.
This is the story of how they got to together and how Yanni got better, how he became happy and healed - not whole, but in a much better place. The main action takes place over about a year, maybe a little less, and it goes over Yanni's healing process - he has a wonderful therapist and everything - and the slow process of him and Peter falling in love. And it had to be slow because of what Yanni went through and how much he had to heal. And how Peter himself had to get over his broken heart with his last boyfriend who dumped him.
There is a mild Daddy kink in this - and when I say mild, I mean mild. Nothing much goes on with the kink other than when they're doing sexual things together or are alone and feel in the mood for it, and when they are in that Daddy/Son kink mode, it's mostly Peter saying "You're such a good boy" and Yanni going "Yes, Daddy, please, I've been a good boy" or something like that. Or Peter calling him a "sweet boy." Mostly, the kink for them is about Peter loving to take care of him - Peter is a homebody, a caregiver (and is so sweet) - and the more he falls for Yanni the more he wants to take care of him, and also about Yanni needing, or wanting, to be taken care of, and to feel safe - especially after having been in an abusive relationship - and to please Peter, but like in way that makes Yanni feel good too, not bad.
I've admitted that I enjoy the Daddy kink, so I wouldn't have minded if there had been more ;) but I know its not for everyone so Walker was probs just keeping it light for those who don't like it lol. But the Daddy kink in this is like...the sweetest type of Daddy kink, like they're just soft and sweet and loving together.
Overall this is a good, fun book, with two adorably sweet characters who are just too cute together, and have the sweetest love story - it was nice. Not all characters we read about have to be such assholes with a heart of gold underneath it all. Sometimes they can just be sweet, inside and out, without armor. I love reading about characters like that too, and these both were like that in spades.
I do think that Yanni was interesting in his recovery though. It was like...a lot of time was taken for him to recover, but at the same time it didn't seem like he was all that...broken by it? Which is weird to say when it took forever for Yanni to even sleep alone with the light off, and he had panic attacks several times throughout this. But I guess it felt like...even with all that he was such a sweet, hopeful, positive person, so uplifting, and this story contained a lot of fluff for one about such a heavy subject, and I guess that just means Yanni is that way, but...I guess maybe a little more angst/darker tones at times would have still be good for this? Because it does come off a tad unrealistic when Yanni doesn't seam as damaged as he should be. Idk. Maybe if Walker expounded on the emotional and mental bruises and cracks when they came up, I guess they didn't feel as explored as they could have been. The story still dealt with the abuse Yanni went through throughout the book until the very end, but it still felt...a little glossed over, maybe? At times. Idk, it was a feeling I got.
I also really really wish the sex had been more detailed. There are full on sex scenes between the two, but it felt like it got from the start to orgasm too quickly in all their sex scenes. Kinda perfunctory, and I wanted to feel so much more for their sex scenes because I felt so much for these two everywhere else. Bring on more of the passion, please. Plus, a few fade to black sex scenes where I would have loved to read them bummed me out. I mean, for me Walker is never particularly strong with her sex scenes - except for a few exceptions - but even the sex scenes in this one felt less than what Walker usually does, imo.
Overall a very enjoyable book, with a cute as fuck may/december love story that I simply adored. These two deserved their happy ending and they got it, and it was a fluffy, cavity inducing (in the best way) ending. LOVED it :D
Definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
iam's review against another edition
3.0
I liked how slow-paced this was and that there was close to no angst, instead focusing on Yanni recovering and taking back control over his own life.
Content warnings include: panic/anxiety attacks, therapy sessions, injury, daddy kink (no BDSM), bullying, ableism; mentions and partly graphic descriptions of: abusive relationships, domestic partner violence, rape, religious cult, homophobic parents kicking out child, arranged marriage, denial of food.
The story begins when Yanni meets Spencer from the Spencer Cohen series and after he has already been disowned by his family and left the abusive relationship. There is some overlap with what happenes in the Spencer Cohen books, and the beginning feels a bit rushed because of it, but the focus here is wholly on Yanni, his recovery and his relationship with Peter.
It was easy to read, but the editing was sorely lacking. There were several consistency errors, like Peter introducing himself as a wine lover just to later reveal he doesn't touch alcohol at all, or one moment Yanni is in his third year of college and the next he is in his second year. Some of the dialogue also felt disconnected to what was happening and what was said before.
I'm impartial towards daddy kink, but found it a bit different here than in most other books. It's hard to pin down why, maybe because of the way it is defined - one moment they say it's all about the age difference, the next they say it's about the difference in body type, just to then go and say there are all sorts of couples who like this kink. I did like that BDSM was no part of their relationship, and wasn't part of what they wanted with this kink in general.
But can we PLEASE not call the not-Daddy guy/person of the couple "son"?????? Because sometimes in this book they call it a "Daddy/son" relationship which..... um, no????? Please don'tß??? They don't do it all the time and mostly call it "Daddy/boy" but the few times they used the son descriptor.... yeah no. Luckily even when they talk about how the Daddy-guy taking on a father-figure role they make very clear their relationship is one of equal footing.
Content warnings include: panic/anxiety attacks, therapy sessions, injury, daddy kink (no BDSM), bullying, ableism; mentions and partly graphic descriptions of: abusive relationships, domestic partner violence, rape, religious cult, homophobic parents kicking out child, arranged marriage, denial of food.
The story begins when Yanni meets Spencer from the Spencer Cohen series and after he has already been disowned by his family and left the abusive relationship. There is some overlap with what happenes in the Spencer Cohen books, and the beginning feels a bit rushed because of it, but the focus here is wholly on Yanni, his recovery and his relationship with Peter.
It was easy to read, but the editing was sorely lacking. There were several consistency errors, like Peter introducing himself as a wine lover just to later reveal he doesn't touch alcohol at all, or one moment Yanni is in his third year of college and the next he is in his second year. Some of the dialogue also felt disconnected to what was happening and what was said before.
I'm impartial towards daddy kink, but found it a bit different here than in most other books. It's hard to pin down why, maybe because of the way it is defined - one moment they say it's all about the age difference, the next they say it's about the difference in body type, just to then go and say there are all sorts of couples who like this kink. I did like that BDSM was no part of their relationship, and wasn't part of what they wanted with this kink in general.
But can we PLEASE not call the not-Daddy guy/person of the couple "son"?????? Because sometimes in this book they call it a "Daddy/son" relationship which..... um, no????? Please don'tß??? They don't do it all the time and mostly call it "Daddy/boy" but the few times they used the son descriptor.... yeah no. Luckily even when they talk about how the Daddy-guy taking on a father-figure role they make very clear their relationship is one of equal footing.
a_manning11's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Religious bigotry, Incest, Homophobia, Stalking, Bullying, Alcoholism, and Lesbophobia
Content warning for: homelessness, PTSD.lilyantigone's review against another edition
5.0
Can be read as a stand-alone book. Features daddy/son role play, rather than the more common daddy/boy dynamic. No age play.
cheri_champagne's review against another edition
3.0
**CONTENT WARNING** This book contains a protagonist (and side-characters) that is recovering from sexual assault and physical battery from a significant other.
Firstly, apparently my library-borrowed audiobook was an abridged copy, and three hours was missing. A lot of issues stemmed from this, as in those hours, new characters were introduced and apparently big character development and plot events happened that I never got to read, which made me confused for most of the second half of the book. I'll have to let my library know that their copy isn't very good.
That aside, my feelings about this book can be divided into two categories: 1. Yanni's growth, recovery, and simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming story, and 2. The ick factor.
I found Yanni's journey to reclaiming his power beautiful and heart wrenching, and everything it should be. It was very slow, but absolutely necessary for his growth. I got a little choked up several times, particularly when it came to Peter's instinct to help him, and in Yanni's lovely interactions with the Landons.
That, however, is pretty much where my good feelings about this book end. The relationship between Peter and Yanni was ok, but whenever the "Daddy" and "Boy" endearments/roles were brought into it, I cringed. I don't think that there's anything wrong with this kind of romance, but I hear my kids call my husband daddy all the time, and in my brain, the sexy stuff just wasn't working. Maybe I can re-visit it when my kids are way older and don't use that word anymore. For the time being, though, this book just isn't for me.
Firstly, apparently my library-borrowed audiobook was an abridged copy, and three hours was missing. A lot of issues stemmed from this, as in those hours, new characters were introduced and apparently big character development and plot events happened that I never got to read, which made me confused for most of the second half of the book. I'll have to let my library know that their copy isn't very good.
That aside, my feelings about this book can be divided into two categories: 1. Yanni's growth, recovery, and simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming story, and 2. The ick factor.
I found Yanni's journey to reclaiming his power beautiful and heart wrenching, and everything it should be. It was very slow, but absolutely necessary for his growth. I got a little choked up several times, particularly when it came to Peter's instinct to help him, and in Yanni's lovely interactions with the Landons.
That, however, is pretty much where my good feelings about this book end. The relationship between Peter and Yanni was ok, but whenever the "Daddy" and "Boy" endearments/roles were brought into it, I cringed. I don't think that there's anything wrong with this kind of romance, but I hear my kids call my husband daddy all the time, and in my brain, the sexy stuff just wasn't working. Maybe I can re-visit it when my kids are way older and don't use that word anymore. For the time being, though, this book just isn't for me.
papercranestitches's review
2.0
I love N.R. Walker's books. There's been a few 'misses' over the years, but most of the time, her work is my happy place - her books make me laugh and cry and sigh and blush and sometimes even wiggle with excitement.
Not that kind of excitement, you pervs!
Although... Come to think of it... Sometimes that kind of excitement too. ;)
Her Red Dirt Heart series is - and probably always will be - one of my favourite romance series of all time.
That's why, even when I don't totally love one of her books, I still feel weirdly protective of her. So I'm 2-starring Yanni's Story because that's the rating that reflects my reading experience, but you should all know that it pains me to do so.
Yanni's was a lovely story that needed to be told, and I think that Walker approached it with a great deal of sensitivity. I appreciated that the Yanni's character took strives forward, faced setbacks, and triumphed over them with the help of those around him and by calling on an inner strength he didn't realize he had before he needed it. I also appreciated the inclusion of the therapy sessions; scenes like these need to make their way into more authors' work so that we can help destigmatize issues surrounding mental health.
And, since I'm a dirty bird, I liked the daddy kink very much. Lol. Walker managed to make hot what could easily turn creepy.
But ultimately, the characters in this novel - with the notable exception of the scum of the earth Lance Nader - were too perfect. Their actions, their interactions, their language... It all came across scripted and unnatural.
I also found the pacing of this story excruciatingly slow. I struggled with appreciating that Walker was allowing the story time to develop and avoiding having an abuse victim just magically snap back from their trauma and fall in love, with wanting something - anything - exciting to happen. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want over the top Mary Calmes drama (there's no need for someone in a pea coat to get shot in the final pages of the book by a crazy ex), but I just needed... something more.
So, this one was a bit of a disappointment, but I am very much looking forward to Walker's next book, whatever it may be.
Not that kind of excitement, you pervs!
Although... Come to think of it... Sometimes that kind of excitement too. ;)
Her Red Dirt Heart series is - and probably always will be - one of my favourite romance series of all time.
That's why, even when I don't totally love one of her books, I still feel weirdly protective of her. So I'm 2-starring Yanni's Story because that's the rating that reflects my reading experience, but you should all know that it pains me to do so.
Yanni's was a lovely story that needed to be told, and I think that Walker approached it with a great deal of sensitivity. I appreciated that the Yanni's character took strives forward, faced setbacks, and triumphed over them with the help of those around him and by calling on an inner strength he didn't realize he had before he needed it. I also appreciated the inclusion of the therapy sessions; scenes like these need to make their way into more authors' work so that we can help destigmatize issues surrounding mental health.
And, since I'm a dirty bird, I liked the daddy kink very much. Lol. Walker managed to make hot what could easily turn creepy.
But ultimately, the characters in this novel - with the notable exception of the scum of the earth Lance Nader - were too perfect. Their actions, their interactions, their language... It all came across scripted and unnatural.
I also found the pacing of this story excruciatingly slow. I struggled with appreciating that Walker was allowing the story time to develop and avoiding having an abuse victim just magically snap back from their trauma and fall in love, with wanting something - anything - exciting to happen. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want over the top Mary Calmes drama (there's no need for someone in a pea coat to get shot in the final pages of the book by a crazy ex), but I just needed... something more.
So, this one was a bit of a disappointment, but I am very much looking forward to Walker's next book, whatever it may be.