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A review by kp_hobbitreads
Domesticated Beast by Onley James
4.0
#1 Endangered Species: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
#2 Dangerous Breed: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Domesticated Beast: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
This was another great book in the series, but while I think all of Onley James's books deal with heavy topics this one was the hardest for me emotionally. And, I think that's because the trauma was so recent.
Javier de la Fuente is spending is time post-prison rescuing abused animals and advocating for child abuse victims. And, when he's standing in the interview waiting on one of his chargers to get done, he's immediately taken by the beautiful man who storms into the police station demanding justice. Bowie Baker is a ballet dancer attempting to make it in his LA dance company. When he gets an opportunity to meet with a sponsor, he elated. But, that dream quickly turns into a nightmare when he's violently assaulted. And, to make matters worse, the police are claiming they can't do anything because the man who did it, has diplomatic immunity. Javier decides on the spot he's going to protect Bowie, but those actions have consequences. And soon the two of them are thrust into a situation neither of them expected. And, they have to decide what they are willing to do to get their happily ever after.
I loved both Bowie and Javier as characters individually and the way they were together. When you're reading this you can't help but feel for Bowie. What he went through was horrific - and he did everything right. He reported the assault, and sat through the invasive exam, and still he got no justice. The helplessness he feels will break your heart. And, Javier's support of Bowie is just....lovely. The man is the King of consent and communication. The way he supports Bowie has he works through his trauma is just *chef's kiss*. And, I loved Javier's family - especially his aunt. It was a nice change of pace for so much of this book to take place in a different location - and rely on Javier's family for justice rather than Elite.
Three Thoughts:
1. The "touch him and die" vibes in here are immaculate.
2. I'm a sucker for a dangerous man who is a marshmallow for his person, and this book is no exception.
3. “You made a split-second decision to murder three people?” Wyatt asked, eyes wide as he looked to Linc. “You should introduce him to Shepherd. They’d get along so well.”
So glad that we got Javier's story, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of these days we get Lawson's too.
content warnings: recent sexual assault (off page, some graphic descriptions), PTSD, violence, murder, sex (on page), kidnapping, homophobia, homophobic parents of a queer character (mentioned, not shown)
#2 Dangerous Breed: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Domesticated Beast: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
This was another great book in the series, but while I think all of Onley James's books deal with heavy topics this one was the hardest for me emotionally. And, I think that's because the trauma was so recent.
Javier de la Fuente is spending is time post-prison rescuing abused animals and advocating for child abuse victims. And, when he's standing in the interview waiting on one of his chargers to get done, he's immediately taken by the beautiful man who storms into the police station demanding justice. Bowie Baker is a ballet dancer attempting to make it in his LA dance company. When he gets an opportunity to meet with a sponsor, he elated. But, that dream quickly turns into a nightmare when he's violently assaulted. And, to make matters worse, the police are claiming they can't do anything because the man who did it, has diplomatic immunity. Javier decides on the spot he's going to protect Bowie, but those actions have consequences. And soon the two of them are thrust into a situation neither of them expected. And, they have to decide what they are willing to do to get their happily ever after.
I loved both Bowie and Javier as characters individually and the way they were together. When you're reading this you can't help but feel for Bowie. What he went through was horrific - and he did everything right. He reported the assault, and sat through the invasive exam, and still he got no justice. The helplessness he feels will break your heart. And, Javier's support of Bowie is just....lovely. The man is the King of consent and communication. The way he supports Bowie has he works through his trauma is just *chef's kiss*. And, I loved Javier's family - especially his aunt. It was a nice change of pace for so much of this book to take place in a different location - and rely on Javier's family for justice rather than Elite.
Three Thoughts:
1. The "touch him and die" vibes in here are immaculate.
2. I'm a sucker for a dangerous man who is a marshmallow for his person, and this book is no exception.
3. “You made a split-second decision to murder three people?” Wyatt asked, eyes wide as he looked to Linc. “You should introduce him to Shepherd. They’d get along so well.”
So glad that we got Javier's story, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of these days we get Lawson's too.
content warnings: recent sexual assault (off page, some graphic descriptions), PTSD, violence, murder, sex (on page), kidnapping, homophobia, homophobic parents of a queer character (mentioned, not shown)