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sarahcophagus's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god this book… be. still. my. heart. I literally couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure this would work for everyone, especially since the MCs spend most of the page time with other people or actively avoiding each other, but some of my favorite romance tropes are here and they just sing beautifully. The angst! The longing! The devastating heartbreak. ♥️The intensely awkward interaction during every scene with all three of Nathaniel, Caspian and Arden were just *chef’s kiss* perfect cringe. From the “surprise your ex is engaged to someone else so fast!”, to being forced to interview them about their love story, to the oh dear god that dinner scene was as delicious for me to read as any fancy dish that Nathaniel could have possibly cooked up. I love the emphasis on Ardy’s heartbreak and range of side character relationships that are so affectionately developed in his time apart from Caspian. And don’t get me started on Caspian’s big “Lydia ran away with Mr. Wickham let me save the day” moment that gave me all the swoony feels. I loved everything about this with maybe the exception that it ended too soon and I am not ready to let any of these fantastic characters go.
caseyjarryn's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
I can absolutely understand why this book isn't for everyone, the fact that Caspian and Arden are seperated, not to mention sleeping with other people, for the majority of book makes it atypical for a 'romance' novel. And while I was a little taken aback by Arden and George's relationship at first - I kept expecting Arden to realise it didn't feel right before they had sex - but I actually didn't mind it after the initial shock. Maybe because I absolutely loved George, I wish there was an entire book about her, and it was refreshing that it didn't follow the usual structure where the main protagonsit is celibate during a seperation while the love interest isn't.
I will say, I really disliked Caspian for a fair chunk of this book - I get that he has a lot of trauma, but I feel like he needed to do a whole lot of grovelling. I also feel like his change of heart between being determined to stay with Nathaniel, and taking Arden back the night of the sex party happened really fast. And while I have mixed feelings about Nathaniel, especially after his stunt at the sex party, I do feel bad for him being dropped so fast.
The main thing that missing from this novel was, just... more! I need a whole nother book where Caspian and Arden are actually together! Learning to navigate life as an actual couple, Caspian accepting himself and his kink and actually finding joy in it with Arden instead hating himself for it, Caspian's relationship with Ellery (yet another side character I would love a whole book for!), Lancaster Steyne getting his comeuppance, more Bellerose (can we have Bellerose book too?), the list could go on! I love all characters these books introduced us to and I wish I could spend more time with them.
I can absolutely understand why this book isn't for everyone, the fact that Caspian and Arden are seperated, not to mention sleeping with other people, for the majority of book makes it atypical for a 'romance' novel. And while I was a little taken aback by Arden and George's relationship at first - I kept expecting Arden to realise it didn't feel right before they had sex - but I actually didn't mind it after the initial shock. Maybe because I absolutely loved George, I wish there was an entire book about her, and it was refreshing that it didn't follow the usual structure where the main protagonsit is celibate during a seperation while the love interest isn't.
I will say, I really disliked Caspian for a fair chunk of this book - I get that he has a lot of trauma, but I feel like he needed to do a whole lot of grovelling. I also feel like his change of heart between being determined to stay with Nathaniel, and taking Arden back the night of the sex party happened really fast. And while I have mixed feelings about Nathaniel, especially after his stunt at the sex party, I do feel bad for him being dropped so fast.
The main thing that missing from this novel was, just... more! I need a whole nother book where Caspian and Arden are actually together! Learning to navigate life as an actual couple, Caspian accepting himself and his kink and actually finding joy in it with Arden instead hating himself for it, Caspian's relationship with Ellery (yet another side character I would love a whole book for!), Lancaster Steyne getting his comeuppance, more Bellerose (can we have Bellerose book too?), the list could go on! I love all characters these books introduced us to and I wish I could spend more time with them.
kathrinpassig's review against another edition
2.0
Ich kann mich nicht wirklich beschweren, weil: wer sich in den BDSM-Milliardärs-Liebesroman begibt, muss es halt ausbaden. Ich würde aber gern.
Update: Ich habe noch mal nachgedacht und eingesehen, dass es so nicht geht. Früher hat die Rechtsprechung in Deutschland entschieden, dass Versterben bei Asphyxiepraktiken im Dominastudio das Ergebnis eines Todeswunsches ist und nicht juristisch verfolgt werden soll[1], das war falsch und mein Urteil ist auf dieselbe Art falsch. Auch als Leserin von Milliardärsromanen darf man Erwartungen haben, und auch Autor*innen von Milliardärsromanen haben ein Anrecht auf Bewertungen, die nicht nur "von dem Genre darf man halt grundsätzlich nichts erwarten" lauten.
Also: Die erste Hälfte dieses dritten Bandes handelt von Ardens Leben nach der Trennung vom Milliardär (die ich übersprungen habe, weil Band 2 mit Spanking im Privatjet anfing AUF EINEM INLANDSFLUG, diese Schweine). Arden ist eine sympathische Figur und ich habe das mit Interesse verfolgt. In der zweiten Hälfte muss er dann aber schnell wieder mit dem Milliardär zusammenfinden, und dieser Teil wirkt mühsam hingebogen und lässt alle Beteiligten unsympathisch wirken. Ich habe jetzt die Funktion der Milliarden im Milliardärsroman verstanden: Es ist die von Magie in anderen Büchern, man kann damit einfach jedes Problem lösen. Was ja okay ist, aber dann möchte ich lieber Magie, da muss ich weniger über die realen Klassen-, Geld- und Über-dem-Gesetz-steh-Fragen nachdenken, die diese Problemlösungen aufwerfen. Ich habe aber aus diesem Buch gelernt, dass man cheese toasties auch in der Pfanne zubereiten kann und gar kein Spezialgerät braucht, sogar die Details wurden erklärt. Life-changing! Dafür hat sich das alles gelohnt.
[1] "Spättod nach Strangulation (Erhängen)", H. Maxeiner. Archiv für Kriminologie 180 (5-6), 1987, 161-171, leider nicht online, deswegen hier nur aus der Erinnerung zitiert.
Update: Ich habe noch mal nachgedacht und eingesehen, dass es so nicht geht. Früher hat die Rechtsprechung in Deutschland entschieden, dass Versterben bei Asphyxiepraktiken im Dominastudio das Ergebnis eines Todeswunsches ist und nicht juristisch verfolgt werden soll[1], das war falsch und mein Urteil ist auf dieselbe Art falsch. Auch als Leserin von Milliardärsromanen darf man Erwartungen haben, und auch Autor*innen von Milliardärsromanen haben ein Anrecht auf Bewertungen, die nicht nur "von dem Genre darf man halt grundsätzlich nichts erwarten" lauten.
Also: Die erste Hälfte dieses dritten Bandes handelt von Ardens Leben nach der Trennung vom Milliardär (die ich übersprungen habe, weil Band 2 mit Spanking im Privatjet anfing AUF EINEM INLANDSFLUG, diese Schweine). Arden ist eine sympathische Figur und ich habe das mit Interesse verfolgt. In der zweiten Hälfte muss er dann aber schnell wieder mit dem Milliardär zusammenfinden, und dieser Teil wirkt mühsam hingebogen und lässt alle Beteiligten unsympathisch wirken. Ich habe jetzt die Funktion der Milliarden im Milliardärsroman verstanden: Es ist die von Magie in anderen Büchern, man kann damit einfach jedes Problem lösen. Was ja okay ist, aber dann möchte ich lieber Magie, da muss ich weniger über die realen Klassen-, Geld- und Über-dem-Gesetz-steh-Fragen nachdenken, die diese Problemlösungen aufwerfen. Ich habe aber aus diesem Buch gelernt, dass man cheese toasties auch in der Pfanne zubereiten kann und gar kein Spezialgerät braucht, sogar die Details wurden erklärt. Life-changing! Dafür hat sich das alles gelohnt.
[1] "Spättod nach Strangulation (Erhängen)", H. Maxeiner. Archiv für Kriminologie 180 (5-6), 1987, 161-171, leider nicht online, deswegen hier nur aus der Erinnerung zitiert.
annabithebook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot tell you how Arden-tly I love this series. If you love MM romance filled with witty banter, beautifully addressed trauma, deeply impactful messages of who gets to determine who and what you are, brilliantly strong character growth, and the absolute Best Manic Pixie Dream Gay™️ that has ever been. Caspian Hart and Arden St. Ives are for you.
This was my second read of the series and on reflection, there is actually quite a bit less on page sex and specifically much less heavy BDSM than I remember from the first read through. Not that it is not there, but the emotional growth and plot carries the bulk of the book, rather than being spice held together by the wisp of a plot. The way Alexis Hall makes you love these deeply flawed and imperfect characters through their imperfection is simply masterful.
Alexis Hall is my all time favorite author and this is one of, if not my favorite series from him. 👏🏻
This was my second read of the series and on reflection, there is actually quite a bit less on page sex and specifically much less heavy BDSM than I remember from the first read through. Not that it is not there, but the emotional growth and plot carries the bulk of the book, rather than being spice held together by the wisp of a plot. The way Alexis Hall makes you love these deeply flawed and imperfect characters through their imperfection is simply masterful.
Alexis Hall is my all time favorite author and this is one of, if not my favorite series from him. 👏🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
Minor: Dysphoria and Rape
liza5326's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Arden, my Arden! This last installment is most definitely Arden's journey. And it is beautiful and wonderful. Caspian and Arden are still separated for most of the book, so we get to enjoy the beautiful chaos that is Arden St Ives. There was so much to be frustrated about, but I knew that the end would be worth all the hurt and frustration and oh boy was it!!!! The reunion and the end of this incredible ride was so worth it. And it is 1000 times better when experienced in Joel Leslie's narration. Because he is amazing!
hannahb1533's review against another edition
5.0
Review for series as a whole:
I picked the series up for 3 reasons. 1. I love Alexis Hall and his writing style 2. The first book was on sale for $2.99 and 3. I read it pitched as “gay 50 Shades, but better” and I was instantly intrigued.
Yes there is smut and yes the story is centered around Dom/sub tendencies and practices and kink, BUT this series is so layered and so nuanced that you walk away with so much more. Part of the reason I love Hall’s writing is because of the depth he is able to bring to characters, no matter how many times we see them. Every character woven into this series has a purpose, has depth, and plays an important role in the progression of the main characters.
Arden St. Ives is a graduating Oxford student who gets wrangled into working a donor phone banking night and gets the task of calling Caspian Hart, the UK’s third richest man, Oxford alum, and mysterious enigma. From that phone call Arden finds himself wrapped up in Caspian’s world, being drawn to Caspian’s dominant tendencies, and being one of the few people who can break his serious facade. Throughout the three books you learn the history that has led Caspian to his resistant nature, you see Arden gain more confidence as a person, and you go on a journey of scandal, heartbreak, and love.
Arden is a character written in a way that you can’t help but love him. He is clumsy and unsure of himself but throughout his story he gains confidence and he learns to go for what he wants. The side characters are diverse and provide support and nuance for Arden and Caspian’s journey. Caspian leads a life of privilege but because of the intense and intricate backstory he is given, you won’t find yourself annoyed by his wealth.
Do heed the content warnings. These books contain BDSM themes, sexual abuse, parental abandonment, manipulation, drug use, and kink.
The series becomes intense at times, but if you are able to read through these topics you will be in for a great surprise and probably a deep love for Arden St. Ives.
I picked the series up for 3 reasons. 1. I love Alexis Hall and his writing style 2. The first book was on sale for $2.99 and 3. I read it pitched as “gay 50 Shades, but better” and I was instantly intrigued.
Yes there is smut and yes the story is centered around Dom/sub tendencies and practices and kink, BUT this series is so layered and so nuanced that you walk away with so much more. Part of the reason I love Hall’s writing is because of the depth he is able to bring to characters, no matter how many times we see them. Every character woven into this series has a purpose, has depth, and plays an important role in the progression of the main characters.
Arden St. Ives is a graduating Oxford student who gets wrangled into working a donor phone banking night and gets the task of calling Caspian Hart, the UK’s third richest man, Oxford alum, and mysterious enigma. From that phone call Arden finds himself wrapped up in Caspian’s world, being drawn to Caspian’s dominant tendencies, and being one of the few people who can break his serious facade. Throughout the three books you learn the history that has led Caspian to his resistant nature, you see Arden gain more confidence as a person, and you go on a journey of scandal, heartbreak, and love.
Arden is a character written in a way that you can’t help but love him. He is clumsy and unsure of himself but throughout his story he gains confidence and he learns to go for what he wants. The side characters are diverse and provide support and nuance for Arden and Caspian’s journey. Caspian leads a life of privilege but because of the intense and intricate backstory he is given, you won’t find yourself annoyed by his wealth.
Do heed the content warnings. These books contain BDSM themes, sexual abuse, parental abandonment, manipulation, drug use, and kink.
The series becomes intense at times, but if you are able to read through these topics you will be in for a great surprise and probably a deep love for Arden St. Ives.
itsjustjane's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like this one as much as the other two books, but I'm still giving it the same rating. I was invested enough that I barely put it down, but at the same time, there were so many random storylines that I didn't really think did much for the overall story.
iam's review against another edition
3.0
The very different than expected and a little weird finale to this mostly enjoyable series.
Content warnings include: drug use, sex on-page, BDSM (bondage, impact play, D/s), graphic attempted rape, cheating; mentions of abusive relationship, sexual abuse of a minor, death of a parent.
What most surprised me about this was how very little Caspian appeared in this book. For most of the book, Arden simply continues on with his life after the breakup. Which was fine - I mostly enjoyed what was going on with him, his relationship with his friends and parents and his job. But that made the inevitable ending of the book - Caspian and Arden getting back together - seem sort of abrupt and even... I hestitate to call it unfitting? I can just say that I enjoyed myself more reading about the parts where Arden was single than the parts where he got back together with Caspian.
The ending was also very underwhelming. It was short and didn't really resolve anything, it didn't really feel like the main conflict was properly talked out and huge parts of it were simply ignored??? Most of this could easily have been made better by extending the ending and giving it a proper epilogue but... nope.
I adored the side characters (George, Ilya, Poppy and Finesilver <3) and I wished they had gotten more page time as well. Others, like Nathaniel, felt sort of weird to me, but that might be because I had wholly different expectations for his character than what he turned out to be, and that's on me.
Overall I just feel extremely puzzled by pretty much all decisions about how this book was handled, the choices that were made in regards to writing and what to focus on, what to expand and what roles to give different characters. Which isn't a really pleasant feeling, even if I would say my experience with the series was largely positive.
Content warnings include: drug use, sex on-page, BDSM (bondage, impact play, D/s), graphic attempted rape, cheating; mentions of abusive relationship, sexual abuse of a minor, death of a parent.
What most surprised me about this was how very little Caspian appeared in this book. For most of the book, Arden simply continues on with his life after the breakup. Which was fine - I mostly enjoyed what was going on with him, his relationship with his friends and parents and his job. But that made the inevitable ending of the book - Caspian and Arden getting back together - seem sort of abrupt and even... I hestitate to call it unfitting? I can just say that I enjoyed myself more reading about the parts where Arden was single than the parts where he got back together with Caspian.
The ending was also very underwhelming. It was short and didn't really resolve anything, it didn't really feel like the main conflict was properly talked out and huge parts of it were simply ignored??? Most of this could easily have been made better by extending the ending and giving it a proper epilogue but... nope.
I adored the side characters (George, Ilya, Poppy and Finesilver <3) and I wished they had gotten more page time as well. Others, like Nathaniel, felt sort of weird to me, but that might be because I had wholly different expectations for his character than what he turned out to be, and that's on me.
Overall I just feel extremely puzzled by pretty much all decisions about how this book was handled, the choices that were made in regards to writing and what to focus on, what to expand and what roles to give different characters. Which isn't a really pleasant feeling, even if I would say my experience with the series was largely positive.
madieve's review against another edition
my first read of the year was a self-indulgent romance novel which really sums me up right now
cotes's review against another edition
4.0
At university, I quickly learned that the way to find the best classes was to pick them by the professor. That even if it wasn’t a subject I was inclined toward, if it was a professor who I loved, the class would end up being magical, transporting me to other worlds and opening up my world. This is also how I feel about Alexis Hall books. Normally a trilogy focused on kink with one of the heroes being a billionaire is not my cup of tea. But these books are the anti-50 shades, so well-written that you end up liking them in spite of the conceit.
The books aren’t perfect. Plot points don’t get resolved or strain credulity a little too much. But they ring so true, and I found myself crying while reading each of the three. Arden is a wonderful main character. And while Caspian isn’t nearly as interesting as Arden thinks, the details were given about him make him more than a stock character.
I think Hall does kink & d/s better in For Real, part of the Spires series. Still, well worth reading.
The books aren’t perfect. Plot points don’t get resolved or strain credulity a little too much. But they ring so true, and I found myself crying while reading each of the three. Arden is a wonderful main character. And while Caspian isn’t nearly as interesting as Arden thinks, the details were given about him make him more than a stock character.
I think Hall does kink & d/s better in For Real, part of the Spires series. Still, well worth reading.