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jamieb_19's Reviews (284)
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
Miles was something special, and he was determined to see if they could finally have the missing piece in their almost completed puzzle.
I was so glad to see that what was once the short story, After, had been turned into a full-length novel! I read After last year and enjoyed it, but felt like it would benefit from getting all three men’s POVs because the dynamic between them was very interesting and complex, and it was kind of jarring to just be thrown into it during the short version of this story. I thought this expanded version of Miles, Emmett, and Cosimo’s story did a great job of explaining what each man needed and how they were able to get that from the other two.
The story ended up being much more of a slow burn than I expected based on the short story. But I’m glad it was. I appreciated getting a chance to understand the dynamics and needs of the characters before diving into the kinky stuff. BDSM, humiliation, and Daddy kink may not be my thing, but I understood why it worked for these guys. Cosimo had very specific needs that, over the years, Emmett had gotten used to fulfilling for him. But, there were things that Emmett needed, like being able to care for and dote on someone, that Cosimo was not great at giving. When they meet Miles, it’s as if he were the perfect puzzle piece they had been waiting for. Miles, who was used to being abandoned and treated poorly, secretly longed for someone to care for him and keep him. Which was a perfect match for what Emmett had to give. But I also enjoyed seeing them figure out what that meant for Miles and Cosimo and what they would ultimately be to each other. There was a lot of great communication throughout, and even when there were missteps, they would come together to talk about it. This was critical to making an arrangement like theirs work.
“You make sense Miles. You make a lot of sense here. And I can’t tell you how glad I am that you didn’t run.”
The whole Selene aspect was also interesting. She was a monster, and I had forgotten just how badly she treated Miles. I remember when I read After being confused how someone as awful as her came from people as decent as Emmett and Cosimo. I felt bad for the two of them as they wondered how things went so wrong, but I applauded their actions. Tough love isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s the only thing that works. Being that Miles was Selene’s ex added an interesting wrinkle to the dynamic, but I’m glad it didn’t cause too much trouble for them.
Anyway, I’m glad this story was expanded. I really enjoyed it, and I am glad that sweet Miles finally found not one, but two, people to love and care for him the way he deserves!
They could have lived like that the rest of their lives and never known that there was a piece missing.
Except now they had it. They had him.
And it was absolutely, completely, and utterly perfect.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This powerful, charismatic man is a terrible person in all the ways that matter, but then again, maybe I am too. Regardless of why I’m here or how much I despise him—or myself—it doesn’t change the fact that I crave him.
When Dean was a child and witnessed Sloan O’Shea kill his father, he made it his mission to get vengeance. Putting his computer skills to use, Dean has stalked Sloan’s son, Tiernan, online for years. Setting in motion a plan to get close to Tiernan so he can ultimately get close enough to Sloan to kill him and get revenge for his father’s death. Dean doesn’t expect to find that he fits with Tiernan and his closest friends, and he doesn’t expect to fall for Tiernan, but that’s what happens. But electing the revenge he’s spent his whole life pursuing could end up costing him everything.
I’d felt so fucking alive last night. With him. How could I feel so alive with the person I’m supposed to hate?
If you’re into possessive and obsessive MCs, then I think you’ll like Dean and Tiernan. Pretty much from the first time they met, they couldn’t stay away from each other. Even when they hated each other, they were continually drawn back together. I liked how Dean went toe-to-toe with Tiernan. I think that was one thing that attracted Tiernan to him. Dean was fearless and spoke to Tiernan unlike anyone else dared to. These guys really were very similar, even though Dean wasn’t raised in the lifestyle like Tiernan was. But it helped validate that Dean fit, and I did enjoy seeing him find some sort of family after being largely alone for his whole life.
“This is where I belong… with you… in you… filled with you… protecting you, partners with you.”
Honestly, not much comes of the revenge plot until very late in the book. Most of the book is just Dean and Tiernan going at it like rabbits. Truly, they were obsessed with each other. But things do eventually come to a head, and I liked how it played out. I just wish that maybe there had been a little more woven throughout instead of all hitting at once. But anyway, for a group of morally bankrupt characters, they showed just enough goodness to make me not hate them. I look forward to what’s in store next for the series.
We’re not good, any of us, but we’re not all bad either. There are layers and nuances to all of us, and we’re all just doing the best we can.
emotional
funny
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
Was bossy lawyer kink a thing? Because if it was, I had it. I’d approach his bench any time.
Wait, that was a judge.
Still, I’d examine his briefs if he asked me.
I’m becoming a big fan of this author duo! Their books are sweet, quick reads that are just plain fun to read. This newest release was no exception. If you read Road Trip, you’d have gotten a little glimpse of the town of Goose Run and the cute gas station worker, Danny Hall. It’s a quirky little town that most people only ever drive through, but for Danny Hall and his housemates, it’s home. For better or worse. Lately, it's been leaning more toward worse, though, thanks to their ornery neighbor. When the neighbor takes things too far, Danny finds himself in need of a lawyer. Enter Miller Clarke. For Miller, his time in Virginia is just a pit stop to gain experience before moving on to become a lawyer at a firm in a bigger city. But in the meantime, might as well enjoy a few casual hookups with the cute gas station attendant. Catching feelings with a guy from a small nowhere town is not in the plan. But what will Miller do when that’s exactly what happens?
Danny and Miller were so good together! On paper, they were complete opposites, but they worked so well. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts! This book was much spicier than we usually get from this author duo. But I’m not complaining! Their relationship was mainly physical at first, but we see them gradually starting to develop real feelings, and it was very sweet. But there’s the whole issue of Miller not planning on sticking around. He never led Danny on, but it was still a little sad having that hanging over them. I loved how it all worked out, though!
I also loved the found family between Danny and his friends, Wilder, Cash, and Chase. They were an eclectic bunch, but they had each other’s backs, and I was glad they all had each other. And it was so sweet seeing Miller become part of the group, too. All these guys had such big hearts. The bonus story about the couch actually made me a little misty-eyed. Once you finish this book, you definitely need to download and read that! I’m happy that this is the start of a series because I’m looking forward to spending more time with this group.
Oh! And if you’re an Alpha Tau fan, you’re in for a treat with a cameo from one of our favorite frat bros! Honestly, the book would have been worth reading for that cameo alone.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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 loved him and I always had, even when I was too dumb to realize it.
This was such a cute friends-to-lovers, coming-of-age story. Jacob and Matt have been best friends for most of their lives. They’re practically inseparable, but now that high school is done and they are set to go to different colleges in the fall, they’re facing the reality that things are going to be very different for them. Matt suggests a cross-country road trip as one last hurrah before they have to face their new reality, and Jacob agrees. But Matt’s been keeping a few secrets from Jacob, like the fact that he’s gay and has been pining over Jacob for a few years. He’s also not been completely honest about the true reason for this road trip.
The story was a bit angstier than I was expecting based on the blurb, but that’s not a bad thing! My heart hurt for Matt a lot during this story. He was sarcastic and closed off a lot of the time, but they were defense mechanisms after continually being let down by the people who were supposed to be there for him. I loved seeing how different he was with Jacob, though. Jacob was the one person he could be completely true with. I thought all the pining was done very well. Matt was down bad for Jacob, but never said anything because he assumed Jacob was straight.
Jacob’s bi-awakening was sweet. He clearly loved Matt, and as he began to reflect on some of their history, it made sense that he’d realize it probably wasn’t always platonic love. They were cute as they experimented together and got used to this new dynamic in their relationship. Everything was tinged with a little sadness, though, because of all the uncertainty looming at the end of their road trip. Even though I had guessed what was going to happen, it still hit me in the feels, and my heart hurt for Matt. But Jacob’s family was wonderful, and the way they stepped in for Matt warmed my heart.
A few other random bits I enjoyed - I was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face from Alpha Tau when I started the book. I wasn’t aware it was interconnected, so that was fun to see. And I also loved the art that was included throughout. What a fun little touch!
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a lot of thoughts about this one, but unfortunately, it would be spoilerish if I said most of them. For the most part, I enjoyed this story, but there were certainly parts that didn't work as well for me. Starting with the things I did like, I enjoyed the rowing aspect and learning about what it's like to attend Cambridge. I know nothing about either of those things, so it was interesting to learn more about them. I have no idea if it was accurate, but as a reader, it felt like they were.
I also liked George. He was a bit of a himbo, dumb jock character, but it was sweet and a little sad how badly he wanted to please everyone (often to his own detriment). Yes, in a lot of ways, he's had an easy ride and had things handed to him just because of his looks and athletic prowess, but I thought he genuinely wanted to be better and work hard to earn what he got.
My feelings toward Lucas ran hot and cold. I didn't care for him much at first; he was kind of a whiny jerk. But once George pins him down and gets him to agree to tutor him in exchange for helping Lucas woo his crush, we got to see another side of him, and he wasn't so bad. I actually quite liked this portion of the book as George and Lucas's friendship grew. There were some funny and sweet moments here.
But then something happens (which I can't get into details on since it's a major spoiler), and I was so disappointed. In my mind, it was a genuinely unforgivable act, and I'm not sure there was enough grovelling for this character to earn the other's forgiveness. I wish the angst had been anything other than this.
There were a few other things I didn't totally love, but I didn't mind in the grand scheme of things. I did like how things turned out in the last chapter (despite my feelings that there should have been more grovelling before that point), and the epilogue was cute.
So yeah, this was a mixed bag for me, but I'm still glad I gave it a shot! The writing itself was good even if some of the plot points didn't hit for me.
I also liked George. He was a bit of a himbo, dumb jock character, but it was sweet and a little sad how badly he wanted to please everyone (often to his own detriment). Yes, in a lot of ways, he's had an easy ride and had things handed to him just because of his looks and athletic prowess, but I thought he genuinely wanted to be better and work hard to earn what he got.
My feelings toward Lucas ran hot and cold. I didn't care for him much at first; he was kind of a whiny jerk. But once George pins him down and gets him to agree to tutor him in exchange for helping Lucas woo his crush, we got to see another side of him, and he wasn't so bad. I actually quite liked this portion of the book as George and Lucas's friendship grew. There were some funny and sweet moments here.
But then something happens (which I can't get into details on since it's a major spoiler), and I was so disappointed. In my mind, it was a genuinely unforgivable act, and I'm not sure there was enough grovelling for this character to earn the other's forgiveness. I wish the angst had been anything other than this.
There were a few other things I didn't totally love, but I didn't mind in the grand scheme of things. I did like how things turned out in the last chapter (despite my feelings that there should have been more grovelling before that point), and the epilogue was cute.
So yeah, this was a mixed bag for me, but I'm still glad I gave it a shot! The writing itself was good even if some of the plot points didn't hit for me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
This was a re-read for me. I love this book so much. This time, I listened to the audiobook, and it was great!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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 don’t know why I want this man to see me as more than just a playboy prince. I don’t understand why his particular judgment cuts deeper than any tabloid headline, why I find myself performing for an audience of one who refuses to applaud.
If you’ve read The Unlikely Pair, then you’ll remember that the answer to who was behind Toby and Harry’s predicament was left up in the air. This book picks up shortly after that, as Prince Nicholas, the royal spare, is set to embark on a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand, but Scotland Yard has picked up on an increase in suspicious activity. Leading them to believe that whoever was behind what happened to Toby and Harry is gearing up to make a move on Nicholas. Enter Officer Eion O’Connell, one of Scotland Yard’s top undercover agents. He’s assigned to Prince Nicholas’s security detail, where he’ll play the role of bodyguard all while trying to unravel the terrorist threat and uncover the traitor in their midst. Falling for the man he’s supposed to be protecting was definitely not on the agenda.
My training has prepared me for many scenarios, but nothing in the Scotland Yard manual covers how to handle the sudden shortness of breath when Prince Nicholas looks at me like this, the laughter fading but his eyes lingering on mine, blue and bright.
I loved Nicholas and Eion; they were both great characters. Nicholas, in particular, was such a good character. There were so many layers to him and so much more beneath the posh royal facade he mostly showed to the world. In the words of Eion - he contained multitudes. I won’t spoil anything, but some of the decisions he made throughout the story were surprising but in a good way that only made me like him more. And I liked Eion as the protector. He had a tough task, but he was good at his job, and I loved his dedication to keeping Nicholas safe, even when he wasn’t sure if he liked the guy.
I liked them together too, although I was missing some of the more swoony moments that the first two books had. Though I suppose being on the run from international terrorists who want you dead doesn’t leave much time for romance. Definitely download the bonus epilogue, though, that was full of swoon. I loved it and was glad we got that little glimpse!
The suspense and the mystery of trying to figure out who was after them were fun! There were some good twists that I wasn’t expecting. The last third or so was pretty non-stop in terms of action. It was fun seeing it all come together. I also enjoyed all the thought-provoking parts pertaining to British colonialism. It added another dimension to not only Nicholas and Eion’s relationship, but to the story as a whole.
...somehow I seem to simultaneously want to protect him and possess him. And I’m not sure where that places me in the rankings of the threats against him.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
N/A
I'm so sad I have to say goodbye to these guys now! But I absolutely loved reading through these collected bonus stories and the new reunion short story. The first 4 bonus stories found in this collection are available for free through links at the end of the main books, but it was nice having them all compiled into this one collection. And to cap it off, we're treated to a brand new short story that's set 10 years after the main series. I loved catching up with everyone and seeing where life had taken them. I got a little misty-eyed a few times while reading that. Especially when everyone was together at the wedding, and it was like a little full-circle moment from the opening scene of the series. It was just perfect.
Outside of the reunion story, my favorite was probably Marty and Dalton's bonus story. I alternated between laughing and saying "oh no" through much of it. It was so funny! Marty really did try his best to romance Dalton, but things never quite went to plan. The ending, though? OMG, so sweet. I love those two!
I also loved Bro Jobs to see how Scout and Trey got together. That was super sweet. Casey and Briar's story was sexy and sweet, and I enjoyed seeing Nash find the Daddy of his dreams in Pinch Hitter!
I'm really going to miss these guys!
Outside of the reunion story, my favorite was probably Marty and Dalton's bonus story. I alternated between laughing and saying "oh no" through much of it. It was so funny! Marty really did try his best to romance Dalton, but things never quite went to plan. The ending, though? OMG, so sweet. I love those two!
I also loved Bro Jobs to see how Scout and Trey got together. That was super sweet. Casey and Briar's story was sexy and sweet, and I enjoyed seeing Nash find the Daddy of his dreams in Pinch Hitter!
I'm really going to miss these guys!
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
This was my second time reading this book, the first time listening on audio, though. I still loved Ant and Robbie's story as much as I did the first time, and I thought Liam DiCosimo and Tim Paige did a nice job with the narration. Rating purely on the experience, I preferred reading the book to listening to it. The book itself has some flowery/over-the-top prose that came off a little cheesy in audio, but I didn't mind when I eyeball read it. In any event, the overall story was still a lot of fun, and I'm glad I got to experience it again!
funny
lighthearted
fast-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’m not exactly fighting guys off with a stick. I’m nobody’s idea of a wet dream, Tanner.”
“You’re mine.”
I’m sad this is the last book in the series. I’m going to miss these guys! At least (at the time of writing this), I still have the collection of short stories to read. I’m looking forward to one last hurrah with this group of characters. As far as this book goes, I thought it was adorable. I loved Charlie when we met him in the last book. I felt bad for what he had to deal with, but loved how his brothers stepped up to help him. So I was glad that he was featured in this last installment of the series.
The book is told from Tanner’s POV, though. He’s Colt’s little brother, and if you remember Colt from book 2, then you’ll remember he was a total asshole. Fortunately, Tanner was the complete opposite of his brother and was also not a fan of him. Tanner was actually the sweetest, most awkward guy, and I really loved him. I thought the book did a great job of capturing what that adjustment is like for a college freshman when you suddenly have all these competing priorities and you’re on your own to figure it all out. His experience was further complicated by his rigorous schedule for baseball. I enjoyed how all of that was portrayed; it felt very realistic.
We were good together. We felt right. And this was probably the first time in my whole life that I felt like I had everything I wanted.
As if he didn’t have enough on his plate already, Tanner was determined to get Charlie to be his boyfriend. They were both so cute and awkward together. They were both inexperienced, and I loved how they learned and explored together. But there was a slight complication: they each belonged to rival fraternities, and there was a history there that Tanner wasn’t privy to. So they had to keep things mostly under wraps. The parallels between their story and Romeo and Juliet (which Tanner’s English class was learning about) were a lot of fun. Thank goodness they had a better ending than R+J did!
Having just read the previous book, I was able to easily figure out what made Charlie so hesitant to start something, but poor Tanner had no clue, and I felt bad for him when things went sideways and he had no idea why. But I loved seeing Briar step in and help them both out. And I loved Tanner’s friend, Nash, and the way he was there to support him, too. Everything works out in the end, and I loved how it all wrapped up!
It looked like I’d gotten what I’d wished for after all.
I had what Romeo had—minus the drama and minus the dying.