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3.5
First of all, I really liked the writing style, it's detailed and almost... lyrical? in the way it vividly depicts the emotions, moods and internal struggles that both MCs go through.
This could have been a great, great story for me, if it weren't for a couple of things that I'm going to detail below. Please note that there may be spoilers, so read with caution.
.
.
.
.
One of the reasons I'm not giving it 5 stars is the infidelity. I mean, I have no problem reading about it, what bothers me is how it was treated. One thing that amazes me is how in several reviews, they all say how one of the MCs cheating on his husband was treated and solved very well, when for me it's not the case. Obviously, I'm in the minority. And it's that during the story, we have pages and pages where Gavin plays with his wedding ring while he thinks about his husband and how he regrets cheating on him but that he cannot help it. Where he says that despite the fact that they have started to drift apart for a while, he still respects and cares the most about that person who for over a decade has not only been his husband, but his best friend. So I think, if he respects him so much and it's so important, how come he cheats on him? I don't want to imagine what it would be like with someone he doesn't respect or for whom he doesn't give two bucks. I understand the need to care for and protect his new "interest", I understand the deep attraction or connection he has with Zev. But he could have taken care of Zev without cheating on his husband, or put his cards on the table with Milo before doing so. After all, they had already started talking on the phone about the status of their relationship. I think that if he hadn't exaggerated the weight of the marriage so much, how much Milo meant to him, etc etc, it would have been better. After all, it would not be the first time that a married couple distanced themselves and are indifferent to each other, and that one person cheated on the other, and it will not be the last. So... I think that when the others refer to it as being well resolved, is it that when Gavin comes back to his house, he confesses to Milo that he cheated on him and that he wants a divorce? I mean, does the confession and description of the inevitability of his feelings for Zev make it acceptable to Milo? NOPE.
The other thing that amazes me, is how everyone says "Oh what good friends Dillon and Carmen are!" What?! How are they good friends? I mean, they were the party buddies, Dillon gave and shared drugs and drinks and had relationships with Zev (and apparently, Carmen was also another friend with benefits when the mood was up, or so Zev implies) and. .. well, just because when he comes back from the rehab and they accompany him they are good friends? If I see my friend fall into a self-destructive spiral, I don't give him drugs or accompany him to these parties/orgies, etc, etc etc...
I think I read a completely different book than most of the people who have reviewed it so far. Or did I completely misinterpret what I read? Obviously I don't understand English as well as I thought.
And finally, in this case, I'm not bothered by the kinks themselves, but by the lack of warning content. Yes, there are several triggers listed, including the Daddy/Boy dynamic, but there is also an element of sadomasochism to their interaction, and that is not contained in the TW.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
First of all, I really liked the writing style, it's detailed and almost... lyrical? in the way it vividly depicts the emotions, moods and internal struggles that both MCs go through.
This could have been a great, great story for me, if it weren't for a couple of things that I'm going to detail below. Please note that there may be spoilers, so read with caution.
.
.
.
.
One of the reasons I'm not giving it 5 stars is the infidelity. I mean, I have no problem reading about it, what bothers me is how it was treated. One thing that amazes me is how in several reviews, they all say how one of the MCs cheating on his husband was treated and solved very well, when for me it's not the case. Obviously, I'm in the minority. And it's that during the story, we have pages and pages where Gavin plays with his wedding ring while he thinks about his husband and how he regrets cheating on him but that he cannot help it. Where he says that despite the fact that they have started to drift apart for a while, he still respects and cares the most about that person who for over a decade has not only been his husband, but his best friend. So I think, if he respects him so much and it's so important, how come he cheats on him? I don't want to imagine what it would be like with someone he doesn't respect or for whom he doesn't give two bucks. I understand the need to care for and protect his new "interest", I understand the deep attraction or connection he has with Zev. But he could have taken care of Zev without cheating on his husband, or put his cards on the table with Milo before doing so. After all, they had already started talking on the phone about the status of their relationship. I think that if he hadn't exaggerated the weight of the marriage so much, how much Milo meant to him, etc etc, it would have been better. After all, it would not be the first time that a married couple distanced themselves and are indifferent to each other, and that one person cheated on the other, and it will not be the last. So... I think that when the others refer to it as being well resolved, is it that when Gavin comes back to his house, he confesses to Milo that he cheated on him and that he wants a divorce? I mean, does the confession and description of the inevitability of his feelings for Zev make it acceptable to Milo? NOPE.
The other thing that amazes me, is how everyone says "Oh what good friends Dillon and Carmen are!" What?! How are they good friends? I mean, they were the party buddies, Dillon gave and shared drugs and drinks and had relationships with Zev (and apparently, Carmen was also another friend with benefits when the mood was up, or so Zev implies) and. .. well, just because when he comes back from the rehab and they accompany him they are good friends? If I see my friend fall into a self-destructive spiral, I don't give him drugs or accompany him to these parties/orgies, etc, etc etc...
I think I read a completely different book than most of the people who have reviewed it so far. Or did I completely misinterpret what I read? Obviously I don't understand English as well as I thought.
And finally, in this case, I'm not bothered by the kinks themselves, but by the lack of warning content. Yes, there are several triggers listed, including the Daddy/Boy dynamic, but there is also an element of sadomasochism to their interaction, and that is not contained in the TW.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Zevryn (Zev) ↯. Gavin
Out of context spoilers might appear:
- “I wish I could always float, stuck in a place where nothing exists.”
- .
- .
- “With every thought, I walk the line between reality and a dream-like fantasy until I plunge somewhere into the abysmal depths of nowhere.”
- .
- .
- “Because at least if he hates me, he’s thinking about me. And I need someone to.”
- .
- .
- “When did lying become easier than the truth?”
- .
- Marie you’re killing me softly with Milo and Gavin…the reality…
- .
- .
- “…and I’m unable to take my eyes off the boy filled with so much sorrow, I can feel it in my bones as it saturates the air we breathe.”
- .
- Dillon….
- .
- “If only for a glimpse into the real Zevryn—a boy who’s lost and alone in a world too big for him.”
- .
- .
- “It makes the lost, little boy inside me ache with abandon.”
- .
- “As I sink into unconsciousness, I relish in the innocent touch of another human.”
- .
- “Zevryn Carver is irrevocably broken, and I want nothing more than to hold him against me as I piece him back together.”
- .
- The tension. Tension (!!!)
- .
- .
- “….I would reach for him and find solace in his stability.”
- “It should’ve been jarring, but I’ve never felt a gentler touch in my life.”
- .
- “And it’s been nothing but a rapid descent into the abyss of betrayal as he gives me what I’ve always wanted.”
- .
- .
- Knew that Easter egg.
- .
- “His eyes reflect the water, creating a pool of crystal blue, amber-brown, and moss green.”
- .
- “The lines aren’t even blurred. They’re fucking obliterated.”
- .
- “….higher than I’d ever been, but in a much better, safer way.”
- .
- “But you keep pushing…”
- .
- .
- “Choice…I’ve never had one where Zevryn is concerned.”
- …….
- …….
- 13.
- …….
- …….
- “…but don’t lie to me.”
- .
- .
- “Never.”
- .
- .
- “His ring feels heavy against my back, the weight impossibly tangible, like the longer he holds me, the deeper the scar will become.”
- .
- That end of the call Gavin….
- .
- .
- “It’s like he stole the words right from the abysmal depths of my soul.”
- .
- “This connection between us may not be normal or even accepted by society’s standards, but it’s us. We both want it, and we can have it.”
- .
- .
- The end of 24…..I’m not ok.
- .
- .
- “Don’t be like this. Please.”
- Hurt.
- Hurt.
- Hurt.
- ……
- ……
- Milo.
- Tears.
- ……
- ……
- The last 20% is hurting me - for all.
- ……
- ……
- “Yeah, boy. I am now.”
- .
- “Doesn’t he know he has all the power here? I’m at his mercy—now and always.”
….
And we descant.
Marie.
I didn’t cry. Nope. No.
The amount of times I had to hold my breath or cover my mouth.
Your writing. This right here. The way you embraced us. The way I felt the main and side characters with every fiber of my being.
The trust builded. The understanding. The “I never stood a chance”. The wants and needs shown in a different type of format. The dynamic talk through. The fall of a marriage. Hurt like no other but put out with such respect. Life. Recovery. Every breath.
I am in awe Marie. For your courage. To go out. In all ranges. To bring out the real.
Very powerful.
Ps. The Pinterest board for this book is everything. I highly recommend before reading - especially the “words” section. (
Out of context spoilers might appear:
- “I wish I could always float, stuck in a place where nothing exists.”
- .
- .
- “With every thought, I walk the line between reality and a dream-like fantasy until I plunge somewhere into the abysmal depths of nowhere.”
- .
- .
- “Because at least if he hates me, he’s thinking about me. And I need someone to.”
- .
- .
- “When did lying become easier than the truth?”
- .
- Marie you’re killing me softly with Milo and Gavin…the reality…
- .
- .
- “…and I’m unable to take my eyes off the boy filled with so much sorrow, I can feel it in my bones as it saturates the air we breathe.”
- .
- Dillon….
- .
- “If only for a glimpse into the real Zevryn—a boy who’s lost and alone in a world too big for him.”
- .
- .
- “It makes the lost, little boy inside me ache with abandon.”
- .
- “As I sink into unconsciousness, I relish in the innocent touch of another human.”
- .
- “Zevryn Carver is irrevocably broken, and I want nothing more than to hold him against me as I piece him back together.”
- .
- The tension. Tension (!!!)
- .
- .
- “….I would reach for him and find solace in his stability.”
- “It should’ve been jarring, but I’ve never felt a gentler touch in my life.”
- .
- “And it’s been nothing but a rapid descent into the abyss of betrayal as he gives me what I’ve always wanted.”
- .
- .
- Knew that Easter egg.
- .
- “His eyes reflect the water, creating a pool of crystal blue, amber-brown, and moss green.”
- .
- “The lines aren’t even blurred. They’re fucking obliterated.”
- .
- “….higher than I’d ever been, but in a much better, safer way.”
- .
- “But you keep pushing…”
- .
- .
- “Choice…I’ve never had one where Zevryn is concerned.”
- …….
- …….
- 13.
- …….
- …….
- “…but don’t lie to me.”
- .
- .
- “Never.”
- .
- .
- “His ring feels heavy against my back, the weight impossibly tangible, like the longer he holds me, the deeper the scar will become.”
- .
- That end of the call Gavin….
- .
- .
- “It’s like he stole the words right from the abysmal depths of my soul.”
- .
- “This connection between us may not be normal or even accepted by society’s standards, but it’s us. We both want it, and we can have it.”
- .
- .
- The end of 24…..I’m not ok.
- .
- .
- “Don’t be like this. Please.”
- Hurt.
- Hurt.
- Hurt.
- ……
- ……
- Milo.
- Tears.
- ……
- ……
- The last 20% is hurting me - for all.
- ……
- ……
- “Yeah, boy. I am now.”
- .
- “Doesn’t he know he has all the power here? I’m at his mercy—now and always.”
….
And we descant.
Marie.
I didn’t cry. Nope. No.
The amount of times I had to hold my breath or cover my mouth.
Your writing. This right here. The way you embraced us. The way I felt the main and side characters with every fiber of my being.
The trust builded. The understanding. The “I never stood a chance”. The wants and needs shown in a different type of format. The dynamic talk through. The fall of a marriage. Hurt like no other but put out with such respect. Life. Recovery. Every breath.
I am in awe Marie. For your courage. To go out. In all ranges. To bring out the real.
Very powerful.
Ps. The Pinterest board for this book is everything. I highly recommend before reading - especially the “words” section. (
This book was good like the all serie.
Zevryn story and journey was so heartbreaking. I wanted to give him a hug and protect it the whole time.
Gavin is a teddy bear Daddy looking to protect his boy, even though their story was cute and heartbreaking. The cheating cut it out for me a little bit.
I lost a little bit the magic of their relation because of it.
The all thing was very well written. I had to put the book down sometime just to take a breath and process emotions.
It’s a good discovery of daddy/boy relation in its early stage.
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zevryn story and journey was so heartbreaking. I wanted to give him a hug and protect it the whole time.
Gavin is a teddy bear Daddy looking to protect his boy, even though their story was cute and heartbreaking. The cheating cut it out for me a little bit.
I lost a little bit the magic of their relation because of it.
The all thing was very well written. I had to put the book down sometime just to take a breath and process emotions.
It’s a good discovery of daddy/boy relation in its early stage.
I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was yet another great edition to the Unlucky series. I loved the MCs in this book. I feel as though Zev and Gavin were made for one another .
Wow! I loved this book so much!! The writing was beautiful and heart felt. You could tell how much the author loved these characters.
I can’t really discuss my love for the book without possibly revealing something that someone would consider a spoiler, hence the spoiler setting.
First, let me say that Daddy/Little stories are usually not my jam. I think it’s mainly because they are often over-the-top or don’t provide enough build up to pull me in. This book though, brought that element into the story in such a gentle, organic way that it truly feels like this is who the characters are and it’s a beautiful (and let’s be real, hot as f**k) thing to read about them discovering this side of themselves together.
My heart ached for Zev through so much of this book and the way Gavin felt protective over him from the very first moment they met was just perfect! I really never wanted the book to end and loved every minute of it.
I can’t really discuss my love for the book without possibly revealing something that someone would consider a spoiler, hence the spoiler setting.
First, let me say that Daddy/Little stories are usually not my jam. I think it’s mainly because they are often over-the-top or don’t provide enough build up to pull me in. This book though, brought that element into the story in such a gentle, organic way that it truly feels like this is who the characters are and it’s a beautiful (and let’s be real, hot as f**k) thing to read about them discovering this side of themselves together.
My heart ached for Zev through so much of this book and the way Gavin felt protective over him from the very first moment they met was just perfect! I really never wanted the book to end and loved every minute of it.
This is book 8 in the Unlucky 13 Universe. All books can be read separately in any order.
I've never read as true DD/lb book before but after this one I can say I get the appeal. The relationship dynamic between Zev and Gavin was beautiful.
Zev is a severely damaged, spoiled boy with a toxic relationship with father using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Gavin is a man with a failing relationship, more married to his job than his husband at this point. When the two meet Gavin sees through Zevs self destructive behaviours to the broken boy beneath the surface and just wants to help save him. The two form an unlikely relationship both finding themselves in eachother. Zevs journey to healing/recovery was beautifully written showing the highs and lows of addiction. Gavin's support through all of it was perfect.
This is the first full story of Marie Ann's that I've read (found her through the unworthy antho and loved her writing style) even though I have plenty on my TBR that I will definitely be reading sooner rather than later
I've never read as true DD/lb book before but after this one I can say I get the appeal. The relationship dynamic between Zev and Gavin was beautiful.
Zev is a severely damaged, spoiled boy with a toxic relationship with father using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Gavin is a man with a failing relationship, more married to his job than his husband at this point. When the two meet Gavin sees through Zevs self destructive behaviours to the broken boy beneath the surface and just wants to help save him. The two form an unlikely relationship both finding themselves in eachother. Zevs journey to healing/recovery was beautifully written showing the highs and lows of addiction. Gavin's support through all of it was perfect.
This is the first full story of Marie Ann's that I've read (found her through the unworthy antho and loved her writing style) even though I have plenty on my TBR that I will definitely be reading sooner rather than later
DNF @ 63%
I honestly tried to finish this one. I’m sorry, please don’t be offended by my review. It’s ok to disagree about a book and to not get the same perspective from it.
Abysmal by Marie Ann is part of the Unlucky 13 series but can be read as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the others and I had no issues following the story.
Age-gap (33/19)
Bodyguard
Hurt/comfort
Daddy/boy
Forbidden
Forced proximity
Cheating
Alcohol/drug abuse
Death
Cringe, cringe, cringe……. I need a romance novel with a bodyguard that doesn’t make me cringe because the last two I’ve tried to read ain’t it. Please send me some recommendations if you have any.
At first, I was following this story, I was invested and intrigued. Then, it was like a new book started in the middle of this one. I was like where did we go and how did we get here? Did I do coke or go to boozefest with these damn characters because I’m confused.
I honestly tried to finish this one. I’m sorry, please don’t be offended by my review. It’s ok to disagree about a book and to not get the same perspective from it.
Abysmal by Marie Ann is part of the Unlucky 13 series but can be read as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the others and I had no issues following the story.
Age-gap (33/19)
Bodyguard
Hurt/comfort
Daddy/boy
Forbidden
Forced proximity
Cheating
Alcohol/drug abuse
Death
Cringe, cringe, cringe……. I need a romance novel with a bodyguard that doesn’t make me cringe because the last two I’ve tried to read ain’t it. Please send me some recommendations if you have any.
At first, I was following this story, I was invested and intrigued. Then, it was like a new book started in the middle of this one. I was like where did we go and how did we get here? Did I do coke or go to boozefest with these damn characters because I’m confused.
Abysmal
Gavin and Zevryn
Loved their story. I chose not to read the authors warnings and went in blind and I'm glad I did. I love that Zev was able to overcome his addiction. The story was well written, and it was definitely a good read.
Gavin and Zevryn
Loved their story. I chose not to read the authors warnings and went in blind and I'm glad I did. I love that Zev was able to overcome his addiction. The story was well written, and it was definitely a good read.