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chiarob's reviews
940 reviews
Hellion by Lisa Henry
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Wow, I'm surprised by how awful this was. I never had the urge to give a star rating for a DNF, but this time I wish this app had this option. Simon is not a brat, he is simply a young man doing what he loves instead of what it's expected of a gentleman. Oliver could have been a redeemable character if the message of the book wasn't spanking Simon for being who he is instead of who Oliver wants him to be. Also, there isn't a TW for the first spanking scene, which is essentially a noncon scene.
A Match Made In Evan: An MM Friends-To-Lovers Romance by Anna Sparrows
4.5
Anna Sparrows has the great talent of writing low-angst romances that are never boring. They're the perfect length to have character development without slow moments. Bi-awakening (especially double, like in this case) combined with low-angst can be tricky to handle, but the author does it perfectly here: the MCs take in stride their newfound sexual attraction, they don't dismiss their sexuality with a GFY plot, and acknowledge that they were repressing their feelings for one another.
The ruse that starts their relationship is a bit of a problem (it's not the best to fake your sexuality so that your daughter can get into her dream school). Fortunately, the MCs know that what they're doing is not exactly right, and the author doesn't focus too much on the reasons behind their fake relationship but just on the relationship itself. My being a bit uncomfortable at first is why this story is not a full 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
The ruse that starts their relationship is a bit of a problem (it's not the best to fake your sexuality so that your daughter can get into her dream school). Fortunately, the MCs know that what they're doing is not exactly right, and the author doesn't focus too much on the reasons behind their fake relationship but just on the relationship itself. My being a bit uncomfortable at first is why this story is not a full 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
A Den Mate for Dylan by Emory Winters
5.0
This was such a lovely and sappy book, I had a smile on my face most of the time reading it. This story is made up of three parts. The first part focuses on Dylan's POV when he is a teenager in love with Axel, the second part is about Axel's reaction to Dylan coming back home after uni, and the third part is where we see their relationship.
I really loved how the author managed to keep the best parts of omegaverse, but at the same time handled well the most problematic parts. Axel is jealous and possessive throughout the story (pretty common for alphas in omegaverse), but Dylan has no problem telling him off. Also, Dylan takes care of Axel, not only the other way around (*cough* thoroughly taking care of him *cough*).
I think everything I loved about this book can be simply summarized: I loved Dylan. He is such an exuberant, emotional, and dramatic character, commanding every scene.
I generally dislike when adult romances have chapters about the MCs during their teenage years, it's always difficult to pull off well. But I think this book does it well: it's more about world-building, and understanding a bit the MCs, without focusing too much on Dylan having a crush on older Axel. I especially appreciated Adam during this first part, and how Dylan feels like a well-rounded character and not simply "I'm obsessed with Axel and that's all there is about me".
Another thing that is well done and generally can be tricky to handle well, is the setup for the two MCs of the next book in the series. It made me super interested in the next book (just a great quote from this part: "I felt like I was at the zoo watching a very obscure animal mating ritual". God, Dylan, I love you).
I really loved how the author managed to keep the best parts of omegaverse, but at the same time handled well the most problematic parts. Axel is jealous and possessive throughout the story (pretty common for alphas in omegaverse), but Dylan has no problem telling him off. Also, Dylan takes care of Axel, not only the other way around (*cough* thoroughly taking care of him *cough*).
I think everything I loved about this book can be simply summarized: I loved Dylan. He is such an exuberant, emotional, and dramatic character, commanding every scene.
I generally dislike when adult romances have chapters about the MCs during their teenage years, it's always difficult to pull off well. But I think this book does it well: it's more about world-building, and understanding a bit the MCs, without focusing too much on Dylan having a crush on older Axel. I especially appreciated Adam during this first part, and how Dylan feels like a well-rounded character and not simply "I'm obsessed with Axel and that's all there is about me".
Another thing that is well done and generally can be tricky to handle well, is the setup for the two MCs of the next book in the series. It made me super interested in the next book (just a great quote from this part: "I felt like I was at the zoo watching a very obscure animal mating ritual". God, Dylan, I love you).
I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.
Most of You by E.M. Lindsey
3.75
Like the previous book, the insta-love makes well-written characters and plot seem less interesting
A Walrus & A Gentleman by Emmaline Strange
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I wanted to love this. Everything about the premise of this book was great, especially the idea of a walrus shifter. But this is not a grumpy x sunshine story. Kel was awful to Ragnar a lot of times, without apologizing, and much of his behavior didn't make any sense, constantly changing his mind. I can be sympathetic towards a anxious and abused MC, but he didn't show any remorse for the way he treated Ragnar and I couldn't continue. Ragner deserved better
Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews
3.0
The problem with this story is that, being a novella, there are too many topics which should be discussed more which are barely talked about: the daddy kink is not negotiated, the 20+ years age-gap is completely ignored, and the same for the fact that they're boss and employee. I'm okay with reading a romance with power imbalance, but in a cute Christmas novella where they're completely ignored, it doesn't make any sense. Obviously Keira is a great romance writer, so I still give it 3 stars, especially the grumpy x sunshine and the sex scenes (even if non negotiated) were great, but I expected something better.
Summer Catch by Beth Bolden
3.5
I really liked the way Kieran is okay with their relationship being a secret for a while. I feel like too many MM sport romances have this has a big problem in the relationship when they've been seeing each other for two seconds, which I hate.
3.5 stars because other than that I don't feel like it was memorable enough
3.5 stars because other than that I don't feel like it was memorable enough
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles
5.0
Ahhhh, I love this book. It's probably the fluffiest book by KJ Charles (together with Band Sinister), but that's probably why I love it so much. The side characters are charming and you can't help but fall in love with the two MCs. The added story from Giles' POV is the perfect addition to the book.