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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Got very graphic in ways I wasn't expecting. Was still good but not what I was looking for
Ended up finishing it and it was so slow and so long (yes it was about 230 pages) and had so much sex
Ended up finishing it and it was so slow and so long (yes it was about 230 pages) and had so much sex
funny
lighthearted
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
lighthearted
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
No
Dylan Drakes' Cubs and Campfires earns five stars from me. And it’s one of the easiest 5-stars I’ve ever given.
The story opens with a bang, with some social commentary on the conservative movement and anti-prurience. We follow Luca, a recent graduate and aspiring journalist, who’s determined to make change by publishing sex-positive, uplifting stories. His work feels like a blend of a Carrie Bradshaw column and Humans of New York. Despite his passion, Luca struggles to find a job because his writing is seen as “too much spice, not enough nice.”
Then there’s Artair. A wanderlust-driven adventurer and musician, he’s loud in his presence but quietly confident in his talents and adorably bashful when praised. Set in the mid-noughts, where it’s possible for Artair to have avoided digital communication - he doesn’t have an email address or a phone. I’d love to see a flash-forward of him today, just to know if he’s joined the digital age.These two men made this an unforgettable read.
Cubs and Campfires is deftly written. Drakes is a master of his craft. His prose is deliciously descriptive, decadent even, creating a story that is both laugh-out-loud funny and heart-warming. I found myself highlighting passages just to be able to relive the gorgeous writing. The book feels like a warm (and delightfully dirty) hug – rich, lush, and evocative.
I also appreciated the chonkiness of these men. As a disabled person, body diversity makes me feel more connected to a story, and it’s especially needed in MM Romance, where it’s often lacking.
I cried when I finished this book, from the sheer beauty of the story and the sadness of it being over. This is a book that will stay with me.
Even the cover art is stunning, perfectly capturing Luca and Artair. My only complaint? I have to wait until 2025 for the next Sweet and Stocky story!
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Porn
Mini Book Review: This was a random read that I was influenced by my Bookstagram friends to read. It was never on my radar but as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it! It is not very often (if none at all) that there is a romance between to larger male bodies. I applaud Dylan for creating a series that will center around larger bodied males.
"If all the forest was full of sexy men, I'd still be spending my days with you, Luca Torres."
Now about the book, this book was SPICY! I have read other male/male books before and this reminded me of the ones I read by MA Wardell but also different. Some of the descriptions made me giggle such as (view spoiler). There was some plot but most of this was about Luca's lust for Artair once they met and then of course all their intimate moments. OH and this book had a bunch of funny moments that had me laughing out loud.
I love that this book took place in 2005 where internet was still barely new and cell phones weren't needed. I don't think it would have worked if it would take place in current time. This took place in the woods and was giving such a vibe as we approach the fall and made me miss hiking!!
This is a short book just under 300 pages BUT parts did feel long and I think it was because the chapters were just so LONG. My kindle at one point read 40 minutes until the next chapter - whew. That is probably my biggest issue with the book.
If you are looking for a spicy male/male romance that takes place in woods over the summer - give this a read!
"If all the forest was full of sexy men, I'd still be spending my days with you, Luca Torres."
Now about the book, this book was SPICY! I have read other male/male books before and this reminded me of the ones I read by MA Wardell but also different. Some of the descriptions made me giggle such as (view spoiler). There was some plot but most of this was about Luca's lust for Artair once they met and then of course all their intimate moments. OH and this book had a bunch of funny moments that had me laughing out loud.
I love that this book took place in 2005 where internet was still barely new and cell phones weren't needed. I don't think it would have worked if it would take place in current time. This took place in the woods and was giving such a vibe as we approach the fall and made me miss hiking!!
This is a short book just under 300 pages BUT parts did feel long and I think it was because the chapters were just so LONG. My kindle at one point read 40 minutes until the next chapter - whew. That is probably my biggest issue with the book.
If you are looking for a spicy male/male romance that takes place in woods over the summer - give this a read!
Beautifully descriptive with so much detail about everything - yes, everything.
Cubs & Campfires is the first in the Sweet & Stocky Series. It is the story of Luca and Artair and is mostly set in the forests of Washington State in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of the US. It is told from Luca’s point of view.
Cubs & Campfires is set in the Spring and Summer of 2005. I loved that it was recent, but not that recent and referenced some technology and social issues of the day. 2005 is nearly 20 years ago. Does that make this a historical romance?
My goodness! The descriptive writing in the book was everything! [a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] created so many idyllic settings for this story. I highlighted so many beautiful passages as I was reading.
Luca and Artair are such a lovely couple, appreciating each other for who they are with no judgement. And they communicate!
This story also made me think. It made statements about body positivity. And an amazing passage about it being important to write stories about every type of person, so people can see themselves and not spend their lives in the shadows hiding from who they really are. ([a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] says this so much better than me). And who said romance books are light and fluffy.
Thank you [a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Cubs & Campfires is the first in the Sweet & Stocky Series. It is the story of Luca and Artair and is mostly set in the forests of Washington State in the beautiful Pacific Northwest of the US. It is told from Luca’s point of view.
Cubs & Campfires is set in the Spring and Summer of 2005. I loved that it was recent, but not that recent and referenced some technology and social issues of the day. 2005 is nearly 20 years ago. Does that make this a historical romance?
My goodness! The descriptive writing in the book was everything! [a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] created so many idyllic settings for this story. I highlighted so many beautiful passages as I was reading.
Luca and Artair are such a lovely couple, appreciating each other for who they are with no judgement. And they communicate!
This story also made me think. It made statements about body positivity. And an amazing passage about it being important to write stories about every type of person, so people can see themselves and not spend their lives in the shadows hiding from who they really are. ([a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] says this so much better than me). And who said romance books are light and fluffy.
Thank you [a:Dylan Drakes|22205437|Dylan Drakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1668625725p2/22205437.jpg] for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.