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A review by _isabel_
Overtime by Marina Vivancos
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
MARINA VIVANCOS, THE THINGS YOU DO TO ME. You gorgeous, evil, brilliant genius of a writer.
"Overtime" is a GEM of a book; it's, by far, one of my favourite reads of the year, and quite possibly one of my favourite Marina Vivancos books to date. I loved it to bits, soul and heart.
It's so steamy I needed multiple showers; it's so sweet and gut-wrenching my soul literally hurt; it's so good I'm quite tempted to start it again. And again.
Ishir and Zee's story stole my heart: I'd literally die for them.
Marina Vivancos makes every single trope better, and this book is no exception: best-friends to lovers, with a side dish of secret (and not so secret), soul-wrenching pining? Forbidden-ish Alpha x Alpha relationship? Ruts, scenting, marking, knotting and the delicious, expected Alpha possessiveness and protectiveness (but multiplied by 10, because whew, Zee is unbelievably possessive omg *fans herself*)? D/s dynamics, with edging, spanking, orgasm control, deliciously rough sex and jealousy used as foreplay?
I think this book was made for me.
I loved it so much, every single bit of it.
< Zee wrapped around him, rubbing his cheek against Ishir’s neck. “You smell like other people. You’re not allowed to go on any more road trips without me,” Zee grumbled.
Ishir let his head fall back, exposing more skin to be scented.
“You’re so possessive.” “You’re mine.” It was said jokingly, but the words still curled up in the pit of Ishir’s stomach, a hot coil. >
I loved both main characters to bits. We mostly get Ishir's POV, but I still managed to fall for both of them: Ishir was so damn lovable, sweet and fierce, and his insecurities and pining made me want to wrap him up in blankets; and Zee? Even though we don't get his POV, his character still appears multilayered and complex: he's funny and childish and soft, but also protective and possessive and sliiiightly unhinged. I loved him so much.
AND their friendship was everything: bff-to-lovers has become a favourite trope of mine, and I've been so lucky to read so many authors who handle this trope beautifully. The pining broke my heart, their devotion made me tear up, and tension between them was unbelievable: so, so, so hot and sooooo perfectly done.
< Zee shoved Ishir in an ironic parody of wrestling as kids. Instead of a headlock, however, the move was followed by another kiss. Another bite, another chunk of Ishir’s skin and soul between Zee’s teeth. >
I admit, they weren't the best at communicating but I found their behavior quite justified: both of them are young, and I can't even begin to imagine how one is supposed to handle such an all-encompassing bond and dynamic. They were deliciously devoted to one another, codependant and attentive and affectionate, and yes, even deliciously (and consensually!) toxic at times. I loved them so much, and I adored every single aspect of their dynamic.
I literally could not get enough.
"Overtime" was made even better by the fact that we even got to witness a bit more of Levy and Olive, and Orion and Gabby; I'm still desperate for a few short stories or novellas about their life, after their respective HEA, but I was so happy with the glimpses we got.
And if their books had a, somewhat, abrupt ending, fear not, because "Overtime" has the most satisfying ending: it left me feeling happy and whole, and I could not have wished for more.
I loved seeing more glimpses of the team, and the team dynamic was great: fun and hilarious and endearing. I'm so curious to see what else Marina Vivancos has planned for her characters: I can't wait to see who will steal my soul next, and I seriously hope this omegaverse + hockey series never ends.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
CWs: possible trigger for some, so Ishir sleeps with a few people before getting together with Zee, but it's part of their weird (and hot) reward system, and it stops as soon as they start getting more involved with one another; I usually abhor sharing and cheating of any kind, but this didn't bother me so much, since it's all done before they "get" together and it was part of their game.
"Overtime" is a GEM of a book; it's, by far, one of my favourite reads of the year, and quite possibly one of my favourite Marina Vivancos books to date. I loved it to bits, soul and heart.
It's so steamy I needed multiple showers; it's so sweet and gut-wrenching my soul literally hurt; it's so good I'm quite tempted to start it again. And again.
Ishir and Zee's story stole my heart: I'd literally die for them.
Marina Vivancos makes every single trope better, and this book is no exception: best-friends to lovers, with a side dish of secret (and not so secret), soul-wrenching pining? Forbidden-ish Alpha x Alpha relationship? Ruts, scenting, marking, knotting and the delicious, expected Alpha possessiveness and protectiveness (but multiplied by 10, because whew, Zee is unbelievably possessive omg *fans herself*)? D/s dynamics, with edging, spanking, orgasm control, deliciously rough sex and jealousy used as foreplay?
I think this book was made for me.
I loved it so much, every single bit of it.
< Zee wrapped around him, rubbing his cheek against Ishir’s neck. “You smell like other people. You’re not allowed to go on any more road trips without me,” Zee grumbled.
Ishir let his head fall back, exposing more skin to be scented.
“You’re so possessive.” “You’re mine.” It was said jokingly, but the words still curled up in the pit of Ishir’s stomach, a hot coil. >
I loved both main characters to bits. We mostly get Ishir's POV, but I still managed to fall for both of them: Ishir was so damn lovable, sweet and fierce, and his insecurities and pining made me want to wrap him up in blankets; and Zee? Even though we don't get his POV, his character still appears multilayered and complex: he's funny and childish and soft, but also protective and possessive and sliiiightly unhinged. I loved him so much.
AND their friendship was everything: bff-to-lovers has become a favourite trope of mine, and I've been so lucky to read so many authors who handle this trope beautifully. The pining broke my heart, their devotion made me tear up, and tension between them was unbelievable: so, so, so hot and sooooo perfectly done.
< Zee shoved Ishir in an ironic parody of wrestling as kids. Instead of a headlock, however, the move was followed by another kiss. Another bite, another chunk of Ishir’s skin and soul between Zee’s teeth. >
I admit, they weren't the best at communicating but I found their behavior quite justified: both of them are young, and I can't even begin to imagine how one is supposed to handle such an all-encompassing bond and dynamic. They were deliciously devoted to one another, codependant and attentive and affectionate, and yes, even deliciously (and consensually!) toxic at times. I loved them so much, and I adored every single aspect of their dynamic.
I literally could not get enough.
"Overtime" was made even better by the fact that we even got to witness a bit more of Levy and Olive, and Orion and Gabby; I'm still desperate for a few short stories or novellas about their life, after their respective HEA, but I was so happy with the glimpses we got.
And if their books had a, somewhat, abrupt ending, fear not, because "Overtime" has the most satisfying ending: it left me feeling happy and whole, and I could not have wished for more.
I loved seeing more glimpses of the team, and the team dynamic was great: fun and hilarious and endearing. I'm so curious to see what else Marina Vivancos has planned for her characters: I can't wait to see who will steal my soul next, and I seriously hope this omegaverse + hockey series never ends.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
CWs: possible trigger for some, so