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A review by nose_in_a_book
Carnal Cryptids 2: Southeast by Vera Valentine
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
🌶️🌶️
This had all of the good parts of the first one without any of the problematic ones. Consent is no longer blatantly disregarded which is welcome and any CNC is very clearly agreed upon by everyone involved.
My biggest complaint about this book is actually that it wasn’t long enough. There were so many juicy plot points and while the pacing didn’t feel forced, I finished the book wishing more of them had the chance to flourish. I want Finn to have the opportunity to process all the changes in his life rather than simply list them. I want Eli to explore what it’s like to be both the first and last one in the pack. I want Jess to experience the joyful discomfort of finding people that care about you and how that shines a light on the people that didn’t. There was more meat on the bone, so to speak.
But most of all, I wanted more of Dov’s inner conflict between recognizing patterns that stem from abuse and the vulnerability that comes from learning who you want to be without someone else’s influence. Unlike most similar why choose romances where there is one woman and multiple men, the primary point of view is his. He is the glue that brings them all together and his POV is rich with relatable insecurities, especially as a queer person myself.
If this is the direction that the series is headed in, I cannot wait until the next installment and whatever that brings. Valentine is by far my favorite author for exploring emotional vulnerability and I look forward to wherever she takes me next.
This had all of the good parts of the first one without any of the problematic ones. Consent is no longer blatantly disregarded which is welcome and any CNC is very clearly agreed upon by everyone involved.
My biggest complaint about this book is actually that it wasn’t long enough. There were so many juicy plot points and while the pacing didn’t feel forced, I finished the book wishing more of them had the chance to flourish. I want Finn to have the opportunity to process all the changes in his life rather than simply list them. I want Eli to explore what it’s like to be both the first and last one in the pack. I want Jess to experience the joyful discomfort of finding people that care about you and how that shines a light on the people that didn’t. There was more meat on the bone, so to speak.
But most of all, I wanted more of Dov’s inner conflict between recognizing patterns that stem from abuse and the vulnerability that comes from learning who you want to be without someone else’s influence. Unlike most similar why choose romances where there is one woman and multiple men, the primary point of view is his. He is the glue that brings them all together and his POV is rich with relatable insecurities, especially as a queer person myself.
If this is the direction that the series is headed in, I cannot wait until the next installment and whatever that brings. Valentine is by far my favorite author for exploring emotional vulnerability and I look forward to wherever she takes me next.