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papercranestitches's review against another edition
3.0
"Brandon had no fucking idea how any of it had happened, but Alex's mouth was pressed against his.
He tasted like blue Slush Puppie."
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Brandon Mills was funny and awkward and cute (and funny because it was awkwardly cute). It was also dramatic (without being melodramatic) and heart-wrenching and at times incredibly thought-provoking. It wasn't a story about easy answers or quick fixes, but communication and healing and sweet, sweet progress (all wrapped in a semi-fluffy package). And it should come as no surprise that I loved all of the characters (even when they slipped dangerously close to caricature territory at times *cough* Blake *cough*).
Still, I wasn't as entranced by Brandon Mills as I was by Mark Cooper. What can I say? I love me an angry bunny with a penchant for kink and a snark that cuts. Thankfully, I hear rumours that Book 3 is a return to the kink, so I am already rubbing my hands together in glee and counting down the days.
He tasted like blue Slush Puppie."
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Brandon Mills was funny and awkward and cute (and funny because it was awkwardly cute). It was also dramatic (without being melodramatic) and heart-wrenching and at times incredibly thought-provoking. It wasn't a story about easy answers or quick fixes, but communication and healing and sweet, sweet progress (all wrapped in a semi-fluffy package). And it should come as no surprise that I loved all of the characters (even when they slipped dangerously close to caricature territory at times *cough* Blake *cough*).
Still, I wasn't as entranced by Brandon Mills as I was by Mark Cooper. What can I say? I love me an angry bunny with a penchant for kink and a snark that cuts. Thankfully, I hear rumours that Book 3 is a return to the kink, so I am already rubbing my hands together in glee and counting down the days.
fuzzywilson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
dys's review
4.0
Fantastic read, but not as good as the first one - and it's all Mark's fault.
I loved Mark in the first book. In this one however, he was made into a caricature of himself. It was Mark turned up to 11. Everything that was great about him in the first book, the snark, the accent, the often timid boy hidden behind a lot of bravado was ramped up to absurd levels. Mark provided the majority of the comedy in this book, but it was done in such outrageous, often scene stealing ways that I was often left wondering why they didn't just write another Mark and Deke book.
I wished more of the humor came in the form of Bran and Alex's dorkey, shy and accident prone encounters. When these moment happened, they were amazing. I don't care that they were nauseatingly sappy and cute. I fucking loved them to bits and wished Mark would just butt out and go be lame off page somewhere. Blake was also a lovely addition to this book. I was so happy to see his character given some depth and awesomeness.
I think where this book is lacking in compared to the first is it's slight lack in focus. The first was pretty much Deke and Mark, with other characters providing the right amount of support or conflict. Mark and Deke were both given really good back stories that were explored quite well. This book was a bit too broad for me, a few too many characters all fighting for attention. Less of all that and more Alex, Bran and the dinosaurs and I'd have been in love all over again.
The short version? Buy this book. It is laugh out loud hilarious while still managing to make you just feeeeeel. I can't wait for the next one.
I loved Mark in the first book. In this one however, he was made into a caricature of himself. It was Mark turned up to 11. Everything that was great about him in the first book, the snark, the accent, the often timid boy hidden behind a lot of bravado was ramped up to absurd levels. Mark provided the majority of the comedy in this book, but it was done in such outrageous, often scene stealing ways that I was often left wondering why they didn't just write another Mark and Deke book.
I wished more of the humor came in the form of Bran and Alex's dorkey, shy and accident prone encounters. When these moment happened, they were amazing. I don't care that they were nauseatingly sappy and cute. I fucking loved them to bits and wished Mark would just butt out and go be lame off page somewhere. Blake was also a lovely addition to this book. I was so happy to see his character given some depth and awesomeness.
I think where this book is lacking in compared to the first is it's slight lack in focus. The first was pretty much Deke and Mark, with other characters providing the right amount of support or conflict. Mark and Deke were both given really good back stories that were explored quite well. This book was a bit too broad for me, a few too many characters all fighting for attention. Less of all that and more Alex, Bran and the dinosaurs and I'd have been in love all over again.
The short version? Buy this book. It is laugh out loud hilarious while still managing to make you just feeeeeel. I can't wait for the next one.
ilovebakedgoods's review against another edition
5.0
So, this is the story of Brandon, introduced in the first book as Mark's co-pledge. Brandon meets Alex and together they are such sweet, adorable, awkward nerds who both happen to be virgins. Brandon has some issues from his past to work through and that part of the story, along with how these guys work through their relationship felt very real and authentic to me.
Highly recommended if you need sweet fluff with a bare minimum of angst.
Highly recommended if you need sweet fluff with a bare minimum of angst.
kiki124's review against another edition
4.0
This was deeper in some ways (previous trauma for one of the characters) than [b:Mark Cooper versus America|37791393|Mark Cooper versus America (Prescott College, #1)|Lisa Henry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1514841450l/37791393._SY75_.jpg|27682953].
In other ways, it lacked the depth of emotional (for me at least) depth and clarity. I really liked Brandon and I was so glad he worked through some of his problems--and that he wasn't magically cured by the end. I also really liked Alex--he grew up so much but stayed sweet.
I loved Blake so hard, and I really appreciated the way he was an ally and the way the notion of allyship (especially for fraternity member football players) was critiqued.
In other ways, it lacked the depth of emotional (for me at least) depth and clarity. I really liked Brandon and I was so glad he worked through some of his problems--and that he wasn't magically cured by the end. I also really liked Alex--he grew up so much but stayed sweet.
I loved Blake so hard, and I really appreciated the way he was an ally and the way the notion of allyship (especially for fraternity member football players) was critiqued.
linda_marian's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
shile87's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - 4 stars
-Cute, nerdy, funny and;
-That is the most realistic awkward sex scene I have ever read.
Story - 4 stars
-Cute, nerdy, funny and;
-That is the most realistic awkward sex scene I have ever read.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
Another well written, pacy story.
Set once again in that, for me, odd institution that is frat houses though the issues from Mark Cooper book didn’t appear here.
Brandon and Alex are super geeky, nerdy, odd balls etc. Mostly their intelligence sets them apart but Brandon is also dealing with severe anxiety caused by abuse as a child and it was good to see him learn coping techniques to deal with.
Blake becomes an interesting character in this one, Mark has an odd sort of comic injection role and Brandon’s family at the end redeem themselves a bit.
Set once again in that, for me, odd institution that is frat houses though the issues from Mark Cooper book didn’t appear here.
Brandon and Alex are super geeky, nerdy, odd balls etc. Mostly their intelligence sets them apart but Brandon is also dealing with severe anxiety caused by abuse as a child and it was good to see him learn coping techniques to deal with.
Blake becomes an interesting character in this one, Mark has an odd sort of comic injection role and Brandon’s family at the end redeem themselves a bit.