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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
This was a five star series all around but if you look at the number of highlights for the rest compared to the 148 for this one we have a clear winner. Not catching love is my favorite one and Zander and Derek gave everything I wanted them to give. This was cute, sweet, sexy, romantic, heartwarming and just everything. I loved them so much. I’m sad the series is over 😭😭💙
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not ready for this series to be over. If anything the book was too short. Hopefully within the sadenverse we see Bertha's Boys again. Lovely book to end the series. As always, incredibly well done.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not Catching Love is book 5 in the Accidental Love series, with each book featuring a different roommate living in the Big Bertha house. Book 5 ix Xander and Derek's book. Xander is struggling with a number of undiagnosed, unmedicated and untreated conditions that leave him anxious, with frequent panic attacks and constant self doubt/hatred. He's had a rough childhood and has major abandonment issues. When his favourite hunky nurse Derek finally begs him to get help, Xander has to decide if the possibility of a future together is worth fighting with his own brain chemistry.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for you. Just you. I’m not going anywhere.”
I really appreciated the thoughtful way Saxon researched and wrote Xander's story. I wasn't sure I'd like his book because I haven't always liked him throughout the first 4 books in the series. This is an unconventional love story that perfectly suits the unconventional men in the series. Overall I felt it was quite good and an emotional read. However, I did very much feel as though it was primarily Xander's story. Most of the book was focussed on him working to reach a place where he was mentally healthier, and could be a decent partner to Derek. His character development was interesting and quite remarkable. Derek was somewhat less interesting because his major development was less dramatic - setting boundaries for Xander and then having trouble following them himself.
Not Catching Love is a great example of a writer showing, not telling. We see snippets of Xander's character development but we don't need to see each therapy appointment or know every detail (keeping things vague here to avoid spoilers). I think that Saxon did a fabulous job delivering a story that was enjoyable and satisfying to read, with characters I didn't love making choices I didn't always agree with. To me, that's the measure of a good author. Xander's story needed to be told and I'm glad I got to read it.
Rating: 3.75 stars
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 2/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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:
Yes
Saxon James is one of my favorite authors, and one I've been following for a while now, having already reviewed several of her books. Whenever I'm feeling down or need to lift my spirits a bit, I always try to read something by her, because I know it's a sure way to end the day with a smile.
Now, I have to say that I'm not sure if this is one of my favorite stories by her (I DID like it, but there are others that I liked more) but I can say that it's one of the best I've read in terms of how to deal with mental issues and how they affect the person who suffers from them and those around this person. I mean, I think she did a great job of showing the inside of the mind of someone with such problems, how they see themselves, how they see others, and how it affects their relationships with the people around them. It also shows that those problems don't magically get solved just because someone loves them or supports them. Yes, that's a huge help. It's an incredible, huge help, but it's not enough. Healing takes a lot of effort, a lot of work and sacrifice, and it's painful, and it takes time, and most of the times, it needs the help of people who are trained to do it.
And also, in this story, Saxon shows us that when someone suffers from mental issues, it's not just that person who suffers from them, but also the family, friends or romantic partners. That it affects everyone, in one way or another, that it's painful for everyone, and how when everyone works together, the results are incredible.
Sorry, I didn't want to make some kind of lecture about this. It was supposed to be a simple review, but I really wanted to highlight what she did here, which I found amazing and worth mentioning.
I would love to recommend not only this book, but the entire series. Each story contributes something, and while it may not be for everyone's taste, I think everyone can still enjoy it.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Now, I have to say that I'm not sure if this is one of my favorite stories by her (I DID like it, but there are others that I liked more) but I can say that it's one of the best I've read in terms of how to deal with mental issues and how they affect the person who suffers from them and those around this person. I mean, I think she did a great job of showing the inside of the mind of someone with such problems, how they see themselves, how they see others, and how it affects their relationships with the people around them. It also shows that those problems don't magically get solved just because someone loves them or supports them. Yes, that's a huge help. It's an incredible, huge help, but it's not enough. Healing takes a lot of effort, a lot of work and sacrifice, and it's painful, and it takes time, and most of the times, it needs the help of people who are trained to do it.
And also, in this story, Saxon shows us that when someone suffers from mental issues, it's not just that person who suffers from them, but also the family, friends or romantic partners. That it affects everyone, in one way or another, that it's painful for everyone, and how when everyone works together, the results are incredible.
Sorry, I didn't want to make some kind of lecture about this. It was supposed to be a simple review, but I really wanted to highlight what she did here, which I found amazing and worth mentioning.
I would love to recommend not only this book, but the entire series. Each story contributes something, and while it may not be for everyone's taste, I think everyone can still enjoy it.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a big fan of Saxon James (and the Other One 😉, Eden Finley). These ladies write the best banter, top notch dirty talk, and low angst swoony MM romance. Shit, I don't know how to put it in words, but they poor something in their characters that make me root for them so hard. You want them to find their love. Saxon and Eden give them their imperfectly perfect matches. And surround them with found family.
Their books have giving me comfort during times of loss. These stories reminde me that I deserve love and respect like that, even in messy times with messy feelings.
The most special series for me is Accidental Love series by Saxon James. All the boys have their baggage, quirks and lot of love to give. They have each other.
I don't want this series to end, but it is. (It is very chaos gremlin style to review the last book first, but eh.) I want to riot, but change is the logical thing. All the boys grew so much and they earned their next stage. It is done beautifully.
This book gave everything what I love about this series.
Xander has attachment trauma. Derek is a nurse that needs to learn not to put his own life on hold for others. They grow and figuring stuff out. And it glorious to see them to be surrounded by so much love and support that from the characters I already know from the other books.
I went through this book like an unhinged feral addict, snorting up the words. And now it is done.
So I propose a toast: to snark, to therapy and to love where you are not a burden but a breath of fresh air.
Their books have giving me comfort during times of loss. These stories reminde me that I deserve love and respect like that, even in messy times with messy feelings.
The most special series for me is Accidental Love series by Saxon James. All the boys have their baggage, quirks and lot of love to give. They have each other.
I don't want this series to end, but it is. (It is very chaos gremlin style to review the last book first, but eh.) I want to riot, but change is the logical thing. All the boys grew so much and they earned their next stage. It is done beautifully.
This book gave everything what I love about this series.
Xander has attachment trauma. Derek is a nurse that needs to learn not to put his own life on hold for others. They grow and figuring stuff out. And it glorious to see them to be surrounded by so much love and support that from the characters I already know from the other books.
I went through this book like an unhinged feral addict, snorting up the words. And now it is done.
So I propose a toast: to snark, to therapy and to love where you are not a burden but a breath of fresh air.