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jamieb_19's Reviews (273)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marty was like junk food. You knew you should avoid it, but that sugar rush felt so damn good.
One word: Marty!!! I knew from the second he was introduced in the first book that I was going to love him. And I was so pumped when I learned this book was about him. He was the best character! Absolutely chaotic, up for anything, massive golden retriever energy, with a heart of gold. I will say, I think it was a smart decision to have the book be mainly Dalton’s POV. Being in Marty’s head for an entire book probably would have been insane, but experiencing the wonder that is Marty from Dalton’s POV was perfect. They could not have been more opposite, but you know what they say about opposites attracting. They balanced each other so well and really were the sweetest boyfriends. I loved them so much!
Being Marty’s boyfriend was a wild fucking ride. There was no map, and there were no brakes.
I loved how easily Dalton fell into Marty’s orbit, even if the original request for Dalton to teach Marty how to be gay was outlandish on the surface. Marty helped Dalton learn how to loosen up a bit and have fun, and Dalton helped rein in some of Marty’s chaos (aka his undiagnosed ADHD). Marty really was just a go-with-the-flow kind of guy; he was completely open to experimenting with Dalton, and lucky for both of them, he ended up being totally into it!
It was easy for people to write Marty off as a dumb frat bro, but Dalton saw through that almost immediately, and I loved how protective he was of Dalton. Marty didn’t need Dalton defending him, but he clearly appreciated having Dalton in his corner. And anytime we got a glimpse of Marty’s vulnerable side, my heart just melted. Honestly, these two were just adorable, and I had so much fun reading this book! I swooned a lot and laughed even more!
Marty reminded me there was life outside of study and exams, and I tempered some of his impulsiveness. We met somewhere in the middle, and we fit.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I’m either dumb enough or desperate enough to go along with this stupid plan of yours. Find me a frat boy boyfriend, Archer Calloway, and he’d better be perfect.”
“He’s going to be so great,” I said. “He’s going to be the best boyfriend ever.”
This book had the exact vibes I was looking for! I wanted something light and funny with sweet, lovable characters, and it delivered right from the first chapter. The Alpha Tau guys were such a fun group of characters, and their frat boy shenanigans were so much fun. The book was told from Archer’s POV (except for the epilogue), and he was such a good character. He had a bit of golden retriever energy going on, and he would do anything to help a friend. It was sweet how committed he was to finding his new pal, Eli, a boyfriend - even if it was obvious to everyone but Archer that he was the perfect guy for Eli all along.
I loved Eli, too! He was a little snarky and was a good sport, going along with Archer’s crazy plans. I loved the banter between Eli and Archer; it was so much fun. Seeing all the little things Archer started noticing about Eli, and the extra ways he’d “help” Eli out, all while still maintaining he was straight and just helping out a bro, Archer was so oblivious! I loved how all his frat bros joined the quest of finding Eli a boyfriend and the role they played in finally opening Archer’s eyes. The book was a quick and easy read. It was sweet, funny, swoony, and low angst, and was the perfect palate cleanser for me. I look forward to continuing the series!
“What the hell is a Bromeo?”
“You are, obviously. What else would you call a bro who turns into your own personal Romeo?”
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this short story. It's only 2 chapters, but it gave a great introduction to James and Leon. I'm honestly very impressed by how fleshed out both characters were in under 50 pages. The premise of them being feuding co-workers who are sent to conflict mediation but inadvertently end up in couples therapy was a fun idea. And I'm excited that D.C. Emerson has a series of novellas coming out that will expand on their story. I look forward to reading them!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You’re still the same old Novi. You act tough and joke about being a delightful ray of sunshine, but the truth is, you’re not joking at all. Deep down, you’re a gentle sweetheart who wants to be loved for who he is.”
I’m such a big fan of The Puckboys series. I know I’m always in for a good time whenever I pick one up. The love stories still feel fresh, and as The Queer Collective keeps growing, their shenanigans only get better and better. This newest installment was so good, it’s definitely one of my favorites in the series. Colby and Novi were so perfect for one another, and I loved seeing them figure out how to have their happily ever after - one that was 17 years in the making!
“Ty zastavlyaesh’ menya poteryat’ kontrol’.”
You make me lose control.
Novi was such a great character! I loved how everyone was kind of scared of him, but in his mind, he was a delight (spoiler alert: he actually was a delight!). I loved his confidence; he had the cocky Russian thing down pat. I loved his selective language barrier and the game he’d play trying to catch people correcting his English. But for all his confidence and larger-than-life personality, my heart hurt for him having to hide away his sexuality thanks to a complex situation with his home country. Seeing the toll that having to hide such a big side of himself took on him was very sad.
"I want you. I want you now. And if I have to face the reality I’ve been hiding from for the last seventeen years to have you, then I will."
But, once Colby came back into his life, he was not going to let his chance slip away again, and with every taste he got of the life he’d only dreamt about, the more and more he fully came alive. I loved how all-in he was and how confident he was in their relationship. Even with all the odds stacked against them, Novi was willing to do whatever it took to have a future with Colby. It was so sweet (even if Novi’s idea of romantic gestures needed a little work hahaha).
One thing I especially loved about this book was the way Colby and Novi communicated. Perhaps it’s because they were older and more mature characters, but they communicated so well. They had a lot of obstacles to their HEA, but they talked things through, and there were never any games between them. Okay, so maybe Novi blindsided Colby a few times, but it was never anything bad and was very true to his character (and highly amusing).
“I deserve to exist too, even if in secret.”
I can’t finish this review without mentioning all the amazing cameos we had from the other Collective members. Oskar and Lane were featured heavily, thanks to their proximity to LA, where the book took place, and I loved seeing them again. Ezra and Anton were also in it a lot, since Ezra and Novi were besties (which was hilarious btw). And the epilogue was pure Collective chaos, and I loved every second of it! I have no idea who the next Puckboy will be, but you can be sure that I’ll be there on release day, ready to devour it!
“I never thought this would happen,” he rasps.
“I’m sorry.” I kiss my way along his jaw. “I was a stubborn man who missed out on so much.”
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had picked up the audiobook for this when it was on sale because Cooper North is one of my go-to narrators. I enjoyed the story, and Cooper North did a great job doing the narration, as usual. It was worth the price I paid to hear him say "yes, daddy" 🤷🏻♀️
Seriously, though, I thought Joe and Levi were sweet together. Their kinks were compatible, and there was no shortage of spice in this book! But they also proved to be compatible outside the bedroom as well. It was sweet seeing them grow closer and how they helped each other with certain things. There's a little angst near the end but it's short-lived and everything wraps up nicely in the end.
Seriously, though, I thought Joe and Levi were sweet together. Their kinks were compatible, and there was no shortage of spice in this book! But they also proved to be compatible outside the bedroom as well. It was sweet seeing them grow closer and how they helped each other with certain things. There's a little angst near the end but it's short-lived and everything wraps up nicely in the end.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed Benny and Sam's second chance story. Sam had broken Benny's heart when they were younger, but now Sam's back on Rainbow Ranch, and Benny has to decide whether to risk his heart again. They had good banter, and I liked how quickly they fell back into their friendship. Sam had a lot to work through in terms of his sexuality, and Benny ended up helping him a lot. Because of this, though, this book had more angst than the first two, but it wasn't too much.
There were some weird continuity issues that kept pulling me out of the story, unfortunately, but overall I did enjoy the story and these characters.
There were some weird continuity issues that kept pulling me out of the story, unfortunately, but overall I did enjoy the story and these characters.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A storm was brewing between the three of us.
I just hoped we’d still be standing at the end of it.
This was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed being back amongst the Rainbow Ranch fam. This book featured Beau Adams and his two love interests, longtime friend and ranch gardener, Priscilla, and newcomer stormchaser, Sky. It was certainly insta-lust between the three, and even though Beau and Priscilla apparently pined for each other for years, I'd say it was insta-love too. But the three were cute together, and the book was quite spicy. Let's just say the three of them were quite compatible when it came to their sexual preferences. The story was low angst with a cute ending.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to object, want to scream “NO!” and run home, but . . . potatoes.
I’m not sure this book could have been any more adorable if it tried. It was so sweet and full of warm, happy vibes. I was giddy throughout most of it! I know next to nothing about rugby, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this story. It actually made me want to go and watch some matches now. I loved Owen and Mathias, and I love the little community we got to know in Owen’s small village. The Little Thatch and its patrons were as important to this story as Owen and Mathias were. They were very easy to fall in love with!
Potatoes and Owen Bosley blushing because of me are two extremely welcome bonuses I did not expect to happen today.
Mathias Jones’ rookie year was marred by an unfortunate play that ended up with him accidentally ending rugby legend Owen Bosley’s career. Several years later, Mathias is signed to the team Owen used to play for, despite the fans still holding a grudge over what happened to Owen. As if dealing with the fans’ ire wasn’t enough, Mathias quickly learns that the landlord for the cottage he’s renting is none other than Owen Bosley himself.
Mathias was, understandably, very skittish at the start of the book, but I loved seeing Owen’s friendly nature disarm him and draw him in. Owen just kept showing up and being kind, and Mathias couldn’t resist. The copious amount of potatoes on offer didn’t hurt either. It was adorable that Mathias would do basically anything if potatoes were involved. These two were so cute as they started to hang out and become friends. They both had crushes on each other even before they became neighbors, so the sexual tension was there from the start. And I loved seeing them start to give in to their crushes. There was one scene early on in their physical relationship that was probably the most innocent yet sexiest shower scene I’ve ever read. So good!
As I mentioned earlier, I also loved the whole community. The Sunday sevens crew, the pub quiz crew, the other Cents lads, Owen’s daughters, Lando - they were all such great characters, and it was so sweet seeing how much they loved and supported Owen and were willing to pitch in to help when he needed them most. And seeing Mathias find his place amongst this community warmed my heart. The author’s note said she wanted this book to be like a warm hug, and I think she more than accomplished that mission!
“I’m just checking the ETA of my potatoes.”
Fuck, why is that the most adorable sentence ever uttered?
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book got off to a good start, but sort of fell off for me the further I got. I enjoyed Jamie and Adrian's first meeting and hookup, and the initial scandal when the photos were leaked. But then they agree to the fake dating arrangement as damage control, and suddenly it's a few months later, and they haven't even seen each other. I think a lot of their initial relationship-building was just glossed over. All of a sudden, they both had crushes and ended up deciding to date for real. It didn't give me much chance to connect to the characters or believe their chemistry. I would have loved to have seen more longing or tension between them to help build up their relationship progression. The concept was good and the ending was sweet, but the overall execution didn't quite hit for me.