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A review by see_sadie_read
Broken Bonds by Lex Valentine
2.0
2.5
Ok, here's the thing with Christmas shorts, they always strive to artificially tug the heart strings. And they often turn out too saccharine to stand; unfortunately that's the case here. I just couldn't bear it. And that's after not being able to let go of how horribly Kellen treated Haven. Oh great, he had an epiphany and realized how horrible he was to his sub, good for him. But why exactly was Haven willing to take him back. Nothing had changed from his end and it had only been a couple hours?
This is labeled #1 in a series, but it feels like a sequel. It feels like book two, with book one having dealt with Nick and Mica's relationship. Not to mention the beginnings of Haven and Kellens or the world-building to explain angels and the oft-mentioned leather club. So, is it a spin-off or something?
Lastly, the writing is ok, if a little clumsy in the dialogue. But I am extremely picky about stories that utilize titles in formalized sexual relationships, the Sir, Master, Dominant, Sub, etc that characters say to one another. I have no idea how this works in real life, but in books I find it often comes across as cheesy and unnatural if not written...well, the way I like, I don't know. But often it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't. Here I cringed every times someone said something like, "Can we keep him, Master," or "I'm a dominant, I don't..."
All in all, not horrible, but not a real winner for me. Chris Chambers did a fine job of the narration though.
Ok, here's the thing with Christmas shorts, they always strive to artificially tug the heart strings. And they often turn out too saccharine to stand; unfortunately that's the case here. I just couldn't bear it. And that's after not being able to let go of how horribly Kellen treated Haven. Oh great, he had an epiphany and realized how horrible he was to his sub, good for him. But why exactly was Haven willing to take him back. Nothing had changed from his end and it had only been a couple hours?
This is labeled #1 in a series, but it feels like a sequel. It feels like book two, with book one having dealt with Nick and Mica's relationship. Not to mention the beginnings of Haven and Kellens or the world-building to explain angels and the oft-mentioned leather club. So, is it a spin-off or something?
Lastly, the writing is ok, if a little clumsy in the dialogue. But I am extremely picky about stories that utilize titles in formalized sexual relationships, the Sir, Master, Dominant, Sub, etc that characters say to one another. I have no idea how this works in real life, but in books I find it often comes across as cheesy and unnatural if not written...well, the way I like, I don't know. But often it bothers me, sometimes it doesn't. Here I cringed every times someone said something like, "Can we keep him, Master," or "I'm a dominant, I don't..."
All in all, not horrible, but not a real winner for me. Chris Chambers did a fine job of the narration though.