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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
Audiobook - 5+++++ stars
Story - 4.35 stars
I had so much fun with this one. Wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into but it worked out for the better.
Nick and Jazz had the best hot chemistry. I enjoyed their easy conversations and their banter. Loved them together.
The side characters were likable enough others not so much but at least they were tolerable.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it a lot.
Story - 4.35 stars
I had so much fun with this one. Wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into but it worked out for the better.
Nick and Jazz had the best hot chemistry. I enjoyed their easy conversations and their banter. Loved them together.
The side characters were likable enough others not so much but at least they were tolerable.
Overall, I ended up enjoying it a lot.
While i am not a big fan of leta blakes writing style (do not kill me) i decided to give this book a go. All i can say is OMG...... THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. it had me laughing, smiling then in tears. read this book people!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
interesting M/M novel. really enjoyed the tension between the characters.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I struggled at first to get into this book, but after a few chapters, I got the hang it and found that the love story between a priest and rock star could actually work, especially when they grew up together since childhood.
Father Jasper "Jazz" Hendricks is an out gay church practitioner whose calling to God made him abandon his bestfriend/lover and took up a cause for the greater good. Nothing wrong with this, but the one person he purportedly loved, couldn't handle his absence and Nicholas "Nico Blue" Bluefield had been pining ever since and spiraling towards destruction through drugs.
Their bittersweet love story, along with the other arcs ( Jazz operating an LGBTQ shelter and Nicky's embattlement with addiction) while poignant and meaningful, were repetitive and droll at times.
While I do appreciate the lessons being imparted in the novel, I do feel it a little bit preachy. But what does one expect from a book involving a priest?
I certainly did not expect them to shout Holy Mother of God F**king Jesus Christ during sex.
Father Jasper "Jazz" Hendricks is an out gay church practitioner whose calling to God made him abandon his bestfriend/lover and took up a cause for the greater good. Nothing wrong with this, but the one person he purportedly loved, couldn't handle his absence and Nicholas "Nico Blue" Bluefield had been pining ever since and spiraling towards destruction through drugs.
Their bittersweet love story, along with the other arcs ( Jazz operating an LGBTQ shelter and Nicky's embattlement with addiction) while poignant and meaningful, were repetitive and droll at times.
While I do appreciate the lessons being imparted in the novel, I do feel it a little bit preachy. But what does one expect from a book involving a priest?
I certainly did not expect them to shout Holy Mother of God F**king Jesus Christ during sex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Homophobia
Moderate: Self harm, Blood, Vomit
I was a bit dubious starting this as while I am not religious I don't like to see people's beliefs belittled. But I needn't have worried as it was well handled by the authors.
Nicholas was very lucky in the parent department and realised how what he had been doing reflected back badly on them. I doubt he would have made it without the safe haven that they provided.It was them and other strong secondary characters that played an important part in this story and added to its fullness.
A great 2nd chance at love story and highly recommended.
Nicholas was very lucky in the parent department and realised how what he had been doing reflected back badly on them. I doubt he would have made it without the safe haven that they provided.It was them and other strong secondary characters that played an important part in this story and added to its fullness.
A great 2nd chance at love story and highly recommended.
And the prize for best supporting characters in a book goes to Adrian and Miriam Blumfeld. They are the sweetest, most compassionate, loving and patient parents ever in the history of book parents. Their love for Nicky is like a hug and a warm blanket.
A junkie rock star (Nicky) and a benevolent priest (Jasper aka Jazz) sounds like a car crash of a plot but it worked so well because of the additional intricacies of the story.
Nicky and Jazz were best friends who became lovers but Jazz was called by God and Nicky became Nico Blue.
When life spins out of control Nicky goes home to the warm hug of Adrian and Miriam and back to all the memories of Jazz.
Jazz is a wonderful man. Not only creating a safe haven for LGBT kids but for not giving up on Nicky.
I loved all of the characters in this book. I loved the story and the back story. The settings, oh the island and the fort! I loved the angry lyrics and the sad ones.
A great book and an example of why I should check out the unread on my kindle because I have hidden gems.
A junkie rock star (Nicky) and a benevolent priest (Jasper aka Jazz) sounds like a car crash of a plot but it worked so well because of the additional intricacies of the story.
Nicky and Jazz were best friends who became lovers but Jazz was called by God and Nicky became Nico Blue.
When life spins out of control Nicky goes home to the warm hug of Adrian and Miriam and back to all the memories of Jazz.
Jazz is a wonderful man. Not only creating a safe haven for LGBT kids but for not giving up on Nicky.
I loved all of the characters in this book. I loved the story and the back story. The settings, oh the island and the fort! I loved the angry lyrics and the sad ones.
A great book and an example of why I should check out the unread on my kindle because I have hidden gems.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
Interesting and compelling read- my first romance that deals a lot with religion and one of the love interests, Jasper, literally being a priest, the conflict that it presents, so on. There's a lot of angst and repressed feelings in this one, darker topics with rock star Nicky being in recovery from addiction pushed on by his evil management team, but Jazz and Nicky's second chance romance here really was lovely, you really did feel their bond- I do have a weakness for this particular trope and their dynamic was particularly cute. The religion aspect of Jazz's belief in God and his calling to serve, was handled quite well I thought- it got across his point of view, his internal turmoil in a nuanced manner, and didn't seem reductive or titillating for the sake of it, which I had had initial reservations about. The side characters were a nice touch too, like Nicky's bandmates particularly Ramona, Jazz's group of kids at his LGBTQ foster home like Lizzie and Gus, stern secretary Mrs. Wells, Nicky's loving parents Adrian and Miriam, etc. I didn't like, though, how the conflict nearing the ending of the book played out at all- the drama of it, the circumstances of events that led to their happy ending and things being resolved, at the narrative expense of someone else's trajectory. Didn't think it was portrayed as something more beyond plot convenience that allowed Nicky to get away from his draconian label and pursue a lighter tour load, allow him to be more with Jazz, and have Nicky maintain his sobriety. In contrast, the decision made by Jasper to be defrocked and leave the priesthood, independently run his shelter and fully be with Nicky was dealt with in a better way.