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bitchie's review
3.0
Second book I've read in this series, and it just doesn't do it for me, especially not like THIRDs did. Too much sex, and most of the "Action" all takes place in the last chapter or two. Just no edge of your seat thrills, here, folks. Even the bad guy was easy to figure out, if a bit totally freaking crazy.
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3 Consistent Cochet Fluff Stars
I can totally see both sides for those who love and don’t love this series, and I’ll basically leave it at that.
What made this story was Red. He is the biggest teddy bear who ever teddied, and he’s been crushing hard on fashion photographer Laz. When someone wants Laz dead, it’s the perfect opportunity for Red to get close to protect the man he’s falling hard for.
Light on the angst despite some heavy topics, this was never short on the smexy and had some nice dashes of dirty. This also had some good group dynamics which were expanded upon more here and always brought out the fun and mischief.
It can be a boon or a bane when reading a favorite author, and when it’s not part of said author’s most well loved work, there’s a chance for the latter. For me, everything else doesn’t come close in comparison, as this is not and never will be THIRDS. Is it fair? No… but it is what it is and overall, this sufficed. Regardless, I for sure am not missing Mason and Lucky’s story which is up next!
Original Series - Four Kings Security
0.5. Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts - 2.5 Stars
1. Love in Spades - 3.5 Stars
1.5. Ante Up - 4 Stars
2. Be Still My Heart - 3 Stars
3. Join the Club - 3.5 Stars
4. Diamond in the Rough - 4 Stars
4.5. In the Cards - 3.5 Stars
The Kings: Wild Cards
1. Stacking the Deck - 3.5 Stars
2. Raising the Ante - 3 Stars
3. Sleight of Hand - 3.5 Stars
The Kings: A Treemendous
1. Not So Silent Night - 3.5 Stars
2. Sleigh It Ain’t So - 3.5 Stars
3. Home for the Howlidays - 4 Stars
4. Rebel Without a Claus - 4 Stars
I can totally see both sides for those who love and don’t love this series, and I’ll basically leave it at that.
What made this story was Red. He is the biggest teddy bear who ever teddied, and he’s been crushing hard on fashion photographer Laz. When someone wants Laz dead, it’s the perfect opportunity for Red to get close to protect the man he’s falling hard for.
Light on the angst despite some heavy topics, this was never short on the smexy and had some nice dashes of dirty. This also had some good group dynamics which were expanded upon more here and always brought out the fun and mischief.
It can be a boon or a bane when reading a favorite author, and when it’s not part of said author’s most well loved work, there’s a chance for the latter. For me, everything else doesn’t come close in comparison, as this is not and never will be THIRDS. Is it fair? No… but it is what it is and overall, this sufficed. Regardless, I for sure am not missing Mason and Lucky’s story which is up next!
Original Series - Four Kings Security
0.5. Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts - 2.5 Stars
1. Love in Spades - 3.5 Stars
1.5. Ante Up - 4 Stars
2. Be Still My Heart - 3 Stars
3. Join the Club - 3.5 Stars
4. Diamond in the Rough - 4 Stars
4.5. In the Cards - 3.5 Stars
The Kings: Wild Cards
1. Stacking the Deck - 3.5 Stars
2. Raising the Ante - 3 Stars
3. Sleight of Hand - 3.5 Stars
The Kings: A Treemendous
1. Not So Silent Night - 3.5 Stars
2. Sleigh It Ain’t So - 3.5 Stars
3. Home for the Howlidays - 4 Stars
4. Rebel Without a Claus - 4 Stars
kirbyj_'s review against another edition
4.0
this one was too sweet! red and laz just give me all the warm fuzzies.
bhavyamarya's review against another edition
3.0
“Oh my God, he cooks too? Why aren’t you chaining him to your radiator?”
“First, this is Florida. Where am I going to find a radiator? Second, because that would be illegal.”
So, I didn't really have a problem with the romance in this book. I actually kind of liked it. It's not gonna be my favourite but it was definitely better than the first one.
I also loved the amazing group of friends this book has and their relationships with each other. Their interactions with each other were making me smile throughout the book. To say it was OTT would be an understatement. But not gonna lie, I didn't hate it.
Now, let's come to the reason this book is not getting more stars. The mystery/plot in this book was so weak I could almost cry. Literally saw that coming from a mile away. It was probably the most obvious plot twist I have ever read.
Honestly the only thing that's gonna make me read the next book is my curiosity about the next couple. I'm sensing a pattern here. Charlie cochet is just giving me breadcrumbs of the next relationship so I can't help but read the next book in the series even though I'm not in love with the previous books. Also, there's my compulsive need to finish a series once I've started it. So ig there's two reasons. ✨
booksafety's review
4.0
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.
Red (Russel) is the character I’ve been most excited about after reading the other two books. He’s a gentle giant, redhead, freckled, and infamous puppy eyes that can get him whatever he wants. He’s got PTSD, but he also listens to and dances to disco when cooking. I loved him. He met Laz in book 1, and they had an instant connection and good chemistry which definitely kept going in this one. These books are just straight up easy entertainment. Fun, hot and, atleast in this one, a better mystery/suspense than in book 1.
Greg Boudreaux did a fantastic job on the audiobook as usual.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Bodyguard, murder attempt, fashion photographer, private security, PTSD, nightmares, therapy, miscommunication (nothing absolutely horrible), asshole ex boyfriend, forced proximity, friends to lovers
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Cheating ex boyfriend (not on-page)
Abusive ex boyfriend
Violence
Attempted murder
Explicit sexual content
Recalling war situation
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: Yes, mildly
Third-act breakup: Almost?
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Red (Russel) is the character I’ve been most excited about after reading the other two books. He’s a gentle giant, redhead, freckled, and infamous puppy eyes that can get him whatever he wants. He’s got PTSD, but he also listens to and dances to disco when cooking. I loved him. He met Laz in book 1, and they had an instant connection and good chemistry which definitely kept going in this one. These books are just straight up easy entertainment. Fun, hot and, atleast in this one, a better mystery/suspense than in book 1.
Greg Boudreaux did a fantastic job on the audiobook as usual.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Bodyguard, murder attempt, fashion photographer, private security, PTSD, nightmares, therapy, miscommunication (nothing absolutely horrible), asshole ex boyfriend, forced proximity, friends to lovers
⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Cheating ex boyfriend (not on-page)
Abusive ex boyfriend
Violence
Attempted murder
Explicit sexual content
Recalling war situation
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: Yes, mildly
Third-act breakup: Almost?
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
wisecraic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
wildfaeriecaps's review
5.0
Red and Laz are so freaking sweet my teeth hurt. I love how this book stressed communication and working through problems. That's something so great about this series. Mental health is taken seriously and seeking help is praised. Love it. Also the rant Laz goes on about artists deserving to be paid. I approve.
re-read: red is too pure for this world.
re-re-read: Still very much love this book, though the villain gets a bit cornier every time I read it.
re-read: red is too pure for this world.
re-re-read: Still very much love this book, though the villain gets a bit cornier every time I read it.
mxdeannaf's review
4.0
I was lucky enough to win an ARC for this book. I love these characters and I can’t wait to read more in this series. I enjoyed reading Laz and Red’s story. More people should know about ptsd and its effects.