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A review by kp_hobbitreads
Stripped by K.M. Neuhold
5.0
#1 Caulky: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#2 Nailed: ★★★★✮ | 4.5 stars
#3 Hardwood: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#4 Screwed: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
#5 Stud: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#6 Stripped: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
I've been looking forward to Miller getting his HEA since he was introduced in Book 4. A trans man in his late 30s getting a love story with a nerdy bear professor? Yes, please.
Miller runs into his childhood summer camp crush while working a construction job at the local college (talk about an A++ meet cute). He shoots his shot and asks him on a date. Unfortunately for him, Demetri says no. After being torn down in relationship after relationship, Dem has sworn off dating. But, the two strike up a friendship that includes workouts at the gym, nights at home watching re-runs, and tortoise fashion shows. And little by little, Miller breaks down Demetri's walls, and Dem has to decide if he's willing to place his trust in someone else again.
I loved all the rep in this book. Miller is trans and though there are discussion of bottom dysphoria, he is happy with his body which I appreciated a lot. While I can understand the importance of discussions about body/bottom dysphoria in books, I'm always a little leery of cis-identifying people writing those stories. And, it can be triggering as a trans person to constantly be in the head of a trans character dealing with those issues. I also really loved the ADHD rep. Reading about Miller as his thoughts jump from topic to topic was so incredibly relatable. Basically I adore everything about his character (even if I agree with Demetri about the gym being a horrible place. Haha.)
Demetri was also incredibly sweet (even if it is a little unrealistic that literally everyone but his best friend had a crush on him.) But, I really liked that we got a hero that was a little chubby and just wanted to hang out at home and knit outfits for his tortoise. Yes, he spent a lot of time being down on himself, but I think that's also realistic for someone who had a string of emotionally abusive exes. It's natural to internalize those thoughts when you hear other people telling them to you all the time. I was so proud of him when he finally stood up for himself.
I love both of these characters individually and I love them together. The way Miller brings Demetri out of his shell without trying to change him is wonderful. And Demetri's only concern about being intimate with Miller is making sure that it's good for him was wonderful to read. They were both so kind and supportive of the other person.
Three Thoughts:
1. The fact that Miller is not deadnamed or outed a single time in this book made my heart happy. (I know it's literally the bare minimum, but I've read it too many times to take it for granted.) KM Neuhold thanks her trans sensitivity readers in the book, and the fact that she took that step definitely shows in the quality of the representation.
2. I would really, really like to be invited to a tortoise fashion show.
3. That epilogue was literally everything. So. freaking. romantic.
While I think Ollie and Daniel's story is still my favorite of the series, this is a VERY close second.
content warnings: negative self-talk (internalized fatphobia), emotional abuse (previous relationships), discussion of bottom dysphoria, sex (on page) discussions about weight loss
#2 Nailed: ★★★★✮ | 4.5 stars
#3 Hardwood: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#4 Screwed: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
#5 Stud: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#6 Stripped: ★★★★★ | 5 stars
I've been looking forward to Miller getting his HEA since he was introduced in Book 4. A trans man in his late 30s getting a love story with a nerdy bear professor? Yes, please.
Miller runs into his childhood summer camp crush while working a construction job at the local college (talk about an A++ meet cute). He shoots his shot and asks him on a date. Unfortunately for him, Demetri says no. After being torn down in relationship after relationship, Dem has sworn off dating. But, the two strike up a friendship that includes workouts at the gym, nights at home watching re-runs, and tortoise fashion shows. And little by little, Miller breaks down Demetri's walls, and Dem has to decide if he's willing to place his trust in someone else again.
I loved all the rep in this book. Miller is trans and though there are discussion of bottom dysphoria, he is happy with his body which I appreciated a lot. While I can understand the importance of discussions about body/bottom dysphoria in books, I'm always a little leery of cis-identifying people writing those stories. And, it can be triggering as a trans person to constantly be in the head of a trans character dealing with those issues. I also really loved the ADHD rep. Reading about Miller as his thoughts jump from topic to topic was so incredibly relatable. Basically I adore everything about his character (even if I agree with Demetri about the gym being a horrible place. Haha.)
Demetri was also incredibly sweet (even if it is a little unrealistic that literally everyone but his best friend had a crush on him.) But, I really liked that we got a hero that was a little chubby and just wanted to hang out at home and knit outfits for his tortoise. Yes, he spent a lot of time being down on himself, but I think that's also realistic for someone who had a string of emotionally abusive exes. It's natural to internalize those thoughts when you hear other people telling them to you all the time. I was so proud of him when he finally stood up for himself.
I love both of these characters individually and I love them together. The way Miller brings Demetri out of his shell without trying to change him is wonderful. And Demetri's only concern about being intimate with Miller is making sure that it's good for him was wonderful to read. They were both so kind and supportive of the other person.
Three Thoughts:
1. The fact that Miller is not deadnamed or outed a single time in this book made my heart happy. (I know it's literally the bare minimum, but I've read it too many times to take it for granted.) KM Neuhold thanks her trans sensitivity readers in the book, and the fact that she took that step definitely shows in the quality of the representation.
2. I would really, really like to be invited to a tortoise fashion show.
3. That epilogue was literally everything. So. freaking. romantic.
While I think Ollie and Daniel's story is still my favorite of the series, this is a VERY close second.
content warnings: negative self-talk (internalized fatphobia), emotional abuse (previous relationships), discussion of bottom dysphoria, sex (on page) discussions about weight loss