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ladymacbeth2024's reviews
432 reviews
On the Edge by J.J. Mulder
5.0
5 stars
Another fantastic story from JJ Mulder, she's so so good and I love her writing.
Henri Vasel is one of the most precious character in MM romance: he's so attentive, caring, thoughtful, even with strangers, like Atlas. I adored that his first thought was that maybe he needed a friend. Henri is a gentle soul and he deserves all the love his friends have for him (the way Carter is protective of him, gahh!).
I could easily connect with him and his struggles with the English language since it wasn't the language I was raised with, just like him. I felt every ounce of his embarrassment every time he chose the wrong word or his every hesitation to speak.
Atlas is really a feral stray cat: I hate that his past made him like that, I hate how much he suffered and I completely understand his struggles to let people in; despite being grumpy and feeling unworthy, though, he cares about people, we can see that when he spends time with his little brothers or when he bickers with Nate.
And Henri's kindness, care and affection will break the wall around his heart little by little.
I loved how the author described Henri's sexuality (he's ace) and especially how Atlas never, ever, pushed him or belittled him for that. I loved that Henri's sexuality was never an obstacle between them.
The epilogue is one of the most fantastic ever, it made me literally cry. It was perfect, so very perfect for their story!
And of course, seeing all the other guys has been awesome.
Sadly, I'm in withdrawal right now, I hope JJ won't make us wait a long time for her next story.
So so much recommended!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
Another fantastic story from JJ Mulder, she's so so good and I love her writing.
Henri Vasel is one of the most precious character in MM romance: he's so attentive, caring, thoughtful, even with strangers, like Atlas. I adored that his first thought was that maybe he needed a friend. Henri is a gentle soul and he deserves all the love his friends have for him (the way Carter is protective of him, gahh!).
I could easily connect with him and his struggles with the English language since it wasn't the language I was raised with, just like him. I felt every ounce of his embarrassment every time he chose the wrong word or his every hesitation to speak.
Atlas is really a feral stray cat: I hate that his past made him like that, I hate how much he suffered and I completely understand his struggles to let people in; despite being grumpy and feeling unworthy, though, he cares about people, we can see that when he spends time with his little brothers or when he bickers with Nate.
And Henri's kindness, care and affection will break the wall around his heart little by little.
I loved how the author described Henri's sexuality (he's ace) and especially how Atlas never, ever, pushed him or belittled him for that. I loved that Henri's sexuality was never an obstacle between them.
The epilogue is one of the most fantastic ever, it made me literally cry. It was perfect, so very perfect for their story!
And of course, seeing all the other guys has been awesome.
Sadly, I'm in withdrawal right now, I hope JJ won't make us wait a long time for her next story.
So so much recommended!
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
The Prince and the Player by Nora Phoenix
4.0
4 stars
Very nice story! Since a famous book with an European Prince and an American boy came out, every MM books with prince/commoner trope has been compared with it and I find it very unfair.
Nora Phoenix's story has his original side and I enjoyed it very much.
I didn't connect with Farron at first but the I loved his development throughout the story: Tore's arrival on the team forced him to revaluate all his beliefs about rich people. Yes, he was terribly unfair and judgemental towards him and didn't always treat him right after their physical exploration, but after getting to know him better, he changed his mind and I adored how smitten he was with him. I also loved how he made himself vulnerable and open by showing Tore his home and introducing him to his family.
Tore was adorable: I loved his language, his openness, his kindness. I really liked how he showed nothing but tenderness and love to Farron and waited for him to give their relationship a chance. Sometimes he seemed a pushover, but in reality he was forgiving and mature.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate
I found a little unbelievable that Tore could keep his identity a secret: in times like these, where everything and everyone is on the internet, I honestly thought someone would have googled him.
Moreover, I didn't like Tore's poor decision to let his charade going that far.
I liked very much Farron's teammates and how they became friends with Tore's too. I don't know if we'll get to see them again, but I hope to.
I also loved the friendship between the four Princes and their banter and I'm surely going to read their books.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review
Very nice story! Since a famous book with an European Prince and an American boy came out, every MM books with prince/commoner trope has been compared with it and I find it very unfair.
Nora Phoenix's story has his original side and I enjoyed it very much.
I didn't connect with Farron at first but the I loved his development throughout the story: Tore's arrival on the team forced him to revaluate all his beliefs about rich people. Yes, he was terribly unfair and judgemental towards him and didn't always treat him right after their physical exploration, but after getting to know him better, he changed his mind and I adored how smitten he was with him. I also loved how he made himself vulnerable and open by showing Tore his home and introducing him to his family.
Tore was adorable: I loved his language, his openness, his kindness. I really liked how he showed nothing but tenderness and love to Farron and waited for him to give their relationship a chance. Sometimes he seemed a pushover, but in reality he was forgiving and mature.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate
I found a little unbelievable that Tore could keep his identity a secret: in times like these, where everything and everyone is on the internet, I honestly thought someone would have googled him.
Moreover, I didn't like Tore's poor decision to let his charade going that far.
I liked very much Farron's teammates and how they became friends with Tore's too. I don't know if we'll get to see them again, but I hope to.
I also loved the friendship between the four Princes and their banter and I'm surely going to read their books.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review
Ourselves and Immortality by Logan Sage Adams
4.5
4.5 stars
Another sweet historical love story from Logan Sage Adams and I really enjoyed it.
I immediately fell in love with John: he's gentle and kind, he loves working alone, he's quiet and reserved, he's very different from his brother Michael and, sometimes, he feels uncomfortable around him, like he's afraid to do the wrong thing, but he loves him deeply. John is not big on changes, but accepts to move away with him and 2 years later after the first chapter (1902) he becomes a mortician.
Calvin is the opposite: he's a con man used to trick people to survive, he's a thief, he's very good at reading people and he's openly friendly. Calvin is also very poor and lives in misery. He finds himself being offered a position as John's assistant and he accepts gladly (even if he's quite uneasy with Michael's attitude towards him).
So, John and Calvin live and work together and develop a solid friendship, helping each other and making the business grow. But they also learn how to be better and improve themselves: John becomes more confident about his job and being around people, while Calvin starts to value honesty more and to be aware of the consequences of his actions.
John and Michael's confrontation about their past and their grief was absolutely heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time: I'm so very glad that they could mend things and being close again.
Katherine is an amazing person: she's supportive and sweet and I really appreciated such a positive female character in a MM romance. Her friendship with Calvin is unique and beautiful, it was like Calvin had a loving sister to his own.
What prevented me from giving five full stars:
I completely understand why Calvin thought David so often, but I would have preferred to not still read about him that late in the story
This book has a very beautiful prose: I loved the pace (even if it took me a little while to get into it at first) and the slow burn between Calvin and John. I adored the way the author describes their physical interactions and all their sweet times together: those moments were always so intimate and precious and I felt like I was intruding, like I didn't want to disturb them.
I hope to read another story by this author soon. In the meantime I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Another sweet historical love story from Logan Sage Adams and I really enjoyed it.
I immediately fell in love with John: he's gentle and kind, he loves working alone, he's quiet and reserved, he's very different from his brother Michael and, sometimes, he feels uncomfortable around him, like he's afraid to do the wrong thing, but he loves him deeply. John is not big on changes, but accepts to move away with him and 2 years later after the first chapter (1902) he becomes a mortician.
Calvin is the opposite: he's a con man used to trick people to survive, he's a thief, he's very good at reading people and he's openly friendly. Calvin is also very poor and lives in misery. He finds himself being offered a position as John's assistant and he accepts gladly (even if he's quite uneasy with Michael's attitude towards him).
So, John and Calvin live and work together and develop a solid friendship, helping each other and making the business grow. But they also learn how to be better and improve themselves: John becomes more confident about his job and being around people, while Calvin starts to value honesty more and to be aware of the consequences of his actions.
John and Michael's confrontation about their past and their grief was absolutely heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time: I'm so very glad that they could mend things and being close again.
Katherine is an amazing person: she's supportive and sweet and I really appreciated such a positive female character in a MM romance. Her friendship with Calvin is unique and beautiful, it was like Calvin had a loving sister to his own.
What prevented me from giving five full stars:
I completely understand why Calvin thought David so often, but I would have preferred to not still read about him that late in the story
This book has a very beautiful prose: I loved the pace (even if it took me a little while to get into it at first) and the slow burn between Calvin and John. I adored the way the author describes their physical interactions and all their sweet times together: those moments were always so intimate and precious and I felt like I was intruding, like I didn't want to disturb them.
I hope to read another story by this author soon. In the meantime I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Love and Defects: perfectly imperfect series by West Greene
3.5
3.5 stars
This was a nice story of two best friends who are also roommates who fall in love.
Sterling has to deal with trauma due to a horrible past (read the TWs because it's a very heavy theme) and Graham helps him face his nightmares and panic attacks. They were crushing on each other for a long time and finally, after a kiss, they confess their feelings.
I liked both of them, but the story felt a little flat, I prefer other stories written by West Greene.
This was a nice story of two best friends who are also roommates who fall in love.
Sterling has to deal with trauma due to a horrible past (read the TWs because it's a very heavy theme) and Graham helps him face his nightmares and panic attacks. They were crushing on each other for a long time and finally, after a kiss, they confess their feelings.
I liked both of them, but the story felt a little flat, I prefer other stories written by West Greene.
The Long Refrain by Maya Jean
5.0
5 stars
A couple of necessary clarifications:
Like clearly listed in the TWs at the start of the book, this story contains suicidal ideation and on page suicidal attempt (not graphic): if these topics trigger you, don't read this. If you still decide to read this, it's highly unfair to the author to rate this story low because of them.
Moreover, mental illnesses, coping mechanism and healing are a personal journey. You don't get to label the author's choices as not credible just because they don't match your own experiences.
This was the hardest story of the series, but also the most beautiful (sorry Beau and Trevor!).
Nolan and Benji's is a journey towards love for themselves, for each other, for their friends. It's a journey of healing, for both of them, even if in very different ways.
Nolan didn't have an easy childhood and teenage years, he wasn't able handle his huge success, he tried to cope with alcohol first and rough sex later, he had depression and suicidal thought. He's very talented but also so very lost.
Benji is easygoing and extroverted, he's friendly and caring, but he's also scared to lose the people he loves, because of a trauma in his past.
When they met each other, they have an instant connection, even if neither of them recognised it, they're like 2 pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly.
Benji wants to erase all the pain from Nolan's life and finds a way to give him what he needs without hurting him, while Nolan feels like he can lean on Benji, he can open up to him, very slowly and with a lot of difficulty, but still he let Benji see the real him. With Benji, finally Nolan can feels safe.
The scene at the hotel is heartbreaking, highly emotional, painful, but also so very beautifully written: Beni and Nolan's feelings are intense and raw and all the situation made me cry ugly tears.
I really loved that, even when Nolan started therapy, he still had bad days and a lot of doubts, like it wasn't all suddenly resolved, like Benji's love wasn't the solutions to all his problems, but that he had to work hard to get better. Their HEA doesn't come out of the blue, neither their love declaration: when they finally say their I love yous, it's exactly the right time.
I also adored how supportive all the guys were: obviously, they were concerned about Benji, when he was on tour, but the moment they met Nolan, they took him under their wings and helped him getting the help he needed. They also offered something Nolan never had, a real friendship, with down to earth people who didn't care about fame or money (I really adored Nolan and Harper's relationship, Nolan was carefree with him).
Chris is worth mentioning too, he acted like a guardian angel over Nolan since he started working for him.
The series ends with this book, we don't know if Maya Jean will bring us back to Clay Springs again in the future. I'm sad but I'm also very curious to read what she'll write next. I hope we'll have a new story soon.
Highly recommended
A couple of necessary clarifications:
Like clearly listed in the TWs at the start of the book, this story contains suicidal ideation and on page suicidal attempt (not graphic): if these topics trigger you, don't read this. If you still decide to read this, it's highly unfair to the author to rate this story low because of them.
Moreover, mental illnesses, coping mechanism and healing are a personal journey. You don't get to label the author's choices as not credible just because they don't match your own experiences.
This was the hardest story of the series, but also the most beautiful (sorry Beau and Trevor!).
Nolan and Benji's is a journey towards love for themselves, for each other, for their friends. It's a journey of healing, for both of them, even if in very different ways.
Nolan didn't have an easy childhood and teenage years, he wasn't able handle his huge success, he tried to cope with alcohol first and rough sex later, he had depression and suicidal thought. He's very talented but also so very lost.
Benji is easygoing and extroverted, he's friendly and caring, but he's also scared to lose the people he loves, because of a trauma in his past.
When they met each other, they have an instant connection, even if neither of them recognised it, they're like 2 pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly.
Benji wants to erase all the pain from Nolan's life and finds a way to give him what he needs without hurting him, while Nolan feels like he can lean on Benji, he can open up to him, very slowly and with a lot of difficulty, but still he let Benji see the real him. With Benji, finally Nolan can feels safe.
The scene at the hotel is heartbreaking, highly emotional, painful, but also so very beautifully written: Beni and Nolan's feelings are intense and raw and all the situation made me cry ugly tears.
I really loved that, even when Nolan started therapy, he still had bad days and a lot of doubts, like it wasn't all suddenly resolved, like Benji's love wasn't the solutions to all his problems, but that he had to work hard to get better. Their HEA doesn't come out of the blue, neither their love declaration: when they finally say their I love yous, it's exactly the right time.
I also adored how supportive all the guys were: obviously, they were concerned about Benji, when he was on tour, but the moment they met Nolan, they took him under their wings and helped him getting the help he needed. They also offered something Nolan never had, a real friendship, with down to earth people who didn't care about fame or money (I really adored Nolan and Harper's relationship, Nolan was carefree with him).
Chris is worth mentioning too, he acted like a guardian angel over Nolan since he started working for him.
The series ends with this book, we don't know if Maya Jean will bring us back to Clay Springs again in the future. I'm sad but I'm also very curious to read what she'll write next. I hope we'll have a new story soon.
Highly recommended
Closing Time by Maia Kinley
3.0
3 stars
Nice story set in the same universe as Camrose U: the two MCs work at Stella's, a popular cafè on campus.
It was nice, but it ends right after Xaden and Eli get together. I definitely wanted to have more of them, especially because there's just a little romance in the story and Eli's grumpiness is overwhelming. The repeated hints to previous hookups didn't help either.
Nice story set in the same universe as Camrose U: the two MCs work at Stella's, a popular cafè on campus.
It was nice, but it ends right after Xaden and Eli get together. I definitely wanted to have more of them, especially because there's just a little romance in the story and Eli's grumpiness is overwhelming. The repeated hints to previous hookups didn't help either.
Zone Entry by Maia Kinley
5.0
5 stars
This was my first book by Maia Kinley and I loved it!
Zone Entry is a low angst love story between two hockey players in their senior year of college, who unexpectedly become teammates and roommates. Their animosity turns into a sort of friendship and then love.
Caleb is such a sweet guy under his arrogant exterior, he adores his family and his best friend, even if he hides his love behind sarcasm and huffiness.
Nick is adorable and shy, he was confused by his new feelings toward Caleb, but he was very brave and never denied his affection.
Nick personal history and his difficulties to speak up for himself don't make him the most talkative guy and that cause tension between him and Caleb. But even with the lack of communication, they still find their way towards each other.
I really liked the slow burn: Nick's sexual awakening is slow and unsure and initially their relationship is more focused on them being friends. The physical side is not rushed and that let them enjoy their closeness by being cuddling and affectionate too. Their relationship was very tender: there are very steamy moments, of course, but overall the emotions play a bigger part in this book. Their first time is so very special.
The guys on the team and Maddox, Caleb's best friend, are all awesome and supportive and I can't wait to read their stories too.
Very much recommended
<i>I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review</i>
This was my first book by Maia Kinley and I loved it!
Zone Entry is a low angst love story between two hockey players in their senior year of college, who unexpectedly become teammates and roommates. Their animosity turns into a sort of friendship and then love.
Caleb is such a sweet guy under his arrogant exterior, he adores his family and his best friend, even if he hides his love behind sarcasm and huffiness.
Nick is adorable and shy, he was confused by his new feelings toward Caleb, but he was very brave and never denied his affection.
Nick personal history and his difficulties to speak up for himself don't make him the most talkative guy and that cause tension between him and Caleb. But even with the lack of communication, they still find their way towards each other.
I really liked the slow burn: Nick's sexual awakening is slow and unsure and initially their relationship is more focused on them being friends. The physical side is not rushed and that let them enjoy their closeness by being cuddling and affectionate too. Their relationship was very tender: there are very steamy moments, of course, but overall the emotions play a bigger part in this book. Their first time is so very special.
The guys on the team and Maddox, Caleb's best friend, are all awesome and supportive and I can't wait to read their stories too.
Very much recommended
<i>I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review</i>
Saving You by E.M. Lindsey
5.0
5 stars
Another five stars story from E.M. Lindsey, I'm so very much in love with this series and all the characters.
Ridge is the firefighter who works with Adele, he and his Deaf little girl, Ina, moved into town a couple of years before and they were immediately adopted by the guys of the Single Dads Club.
Oz is Rex's Deaf mentor, and he's been working with Ina too. Oz has a terrible family who did not accept his disability and made his life miserable.
Both the men have a crush on each other, without the other knowing, but, after a kiss to keep up the appearances that they're a couple (to keep Oz's overbearing family at bay), they start to be a little more open about their interest towards one another.
I felt so sorry for Oz and for what he has been through: his frustration, fears, sense of inadequacy and failure are very well written by the author, his pain is so real. I loved his development, how he learned to allow himself to be loved by true friends, how he decided to stand up for himself and have the life he deserved. He was very brave and fought for his happiness.
Ridge is awesome: he took care of Oz without babying him, without making him feel broken, without giving him the impression he wanted to fix him. I adored his light dominance in bed: he took charge not to control or possess Oz, but to giving him what he needed, even if the man himself was struggling to recognise his own cravings. Ridge was patient and steady, he never wavered, always at Oz's side.
I obviously love this found family, where all the members do not hesitate to show up for each other, to support, to step in, to love. Adele and Gage were wonderful and I liked very much how grown up Gage spent time with his little bestie Ina.
I was just a little disappointed to not see several of the other guys, especially Renato. Since both Frey and Rex were there and seeing the development of the story, I thought we could have had him too.
I hope the author will consider to give Grady his own happy ending because the man needs it badly. I'm so freaking excited because the next story will be about Lucas and I adore that guy, I really can't wait to read it.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
Another five stars story from E.M. Lindsey, I'm so very much in love with this series and all the characters.
Ridge is the firefighter who works with Adele, he and his Deaf little girl, Ina, moved into town a couple of years before and they were immediately adopted by the guys of the Single Dads Club.
Oz is Rex's Deaf mentor, and he's been working with Ina too. Oz has a terrible family who did not accept his disability and made his life miserable.
Both the men have a crush on each other, without the other knowing, but, after a kiss to keep up the appearances that they're a couple (to keep Oz's overbearing family at bay), they start to be a little more open about their interest towards one another.
I felt so sorry for Oz and for what he has been through: his frustration, fears, sense of inadequacy and failure are very well written by the author, his pain is so real. I loved his development, how he learned to allow himself to be loved by true friends, how he decided to stand up for himself and have the life he deserved. He was very brave and fought for his happiness.
Ridge is awesome: he took care of Oz without babying him, without making him feel broken, without giving him the impression he wanted to fix him. I adored his light dominance in bed: he took charge not to control or possess Oz, but to giving him what he needed, even if the man himself was struggling to recognise his own cravings. Ridge was patient and steady, he never wavered, always at Oz's side.
I obviously love this found family, where all the members do not hesitate to show up for each other, to support, to step in, to love. Adele and Gage were wonderful and I liked very much how grown up Gage spent time with his little bestie Ina.
I was just a little disappointed to not see several of the other guys, especially Renato. Since both Frey and Rex were there and seeing the development of the story, I thought we could have had him too.
I hope the author will consider to give Grady his own happy ending because the man needs it badly. I'm so freaking excited because the next story will be about Lucas and I adore that guy, I really can't wait to read it.
Highly recommended
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
What You Need by Whit Ryan
3.0
3 stars
This was a good story, I think the author nailed the cuckolding kink (even if I found out that I don't enjoy it very much): the description of Dylan's emotions while watching his husband with another man were intense and quite believable.
I also really really appreciated that the author always kept things sweet and tender between them. There’s no degradation, no mean domination or toy boys here, it was all nice and respectful. The three men are great and, during the intercourse, they always check on each other to assure that everyone is comfortable with what they're doing.
The problem for me, the one that made me rate this book only three stars despite I honestly liked the MCs, was the awful feeling that Dylan was being cuckolded outside the bedroom too.
It was Dylan’s fantasy and Oliver’s wish to fulfill it that brought them to the club to find a third and Leon has always been very thoughtful and caring, but I felt like Dylan and Oliver put their relationship on hold to give more importance to Leon and Oliver’s physical connection.
The scene at the hotel, when Leon and Oliver shared a bed, while Dylan slept on the couch, bothered me to no end. Their making love the morning after was worse, it was clear that Oliver and Leo were falling in love with each other and it seemed to me that the two husbands didn't talk enough about the possibility of Oliver catching feelings for his bull.
Basically all the sex scenes in this book (and they are a lot) involve only Leon and Oliver. There’s just one with Dylan and his husband where they also agree to not talk about the other man in order to reconnect (like Leo was so part of their dynamic at that point that they had to explicitly decide to not mention him).
And even if Leon admits to himself that he’s attracted to Dylan too, the feelings between them come too late in the book (we have to wait until the third part to see their first kiss).
I really really loved Leon and Dylan’s first time together, it was like finally Dylan was taken care of too. I think that, despite Oliver always saying his encounters with Leon were a fulfillment of his husband's fantasy, I always felt like Dylan was emotionally left behind, like his feelings were put aside.
But suring their first time, Leon was so attentive, affectionate and tender (even with their kink exploration) that all the scene showed how much Leo cared for Dylan too. But sadly it wasn't enough.
At the end, I still believed there was too much unbalance between the three of them, that Leon and Oliver’s bond was taking way more space: for example, when Ollie had a very bad day, he sought Leon’s comfort. In truth, Dylan was on a trip and obviously couldn’t physically be there for him like Leon was, but did Oliver have to put on Leon’s clothes to feel safe? Did he had to have sex with Leon in his and Dylan’s bed instead of all of them videochatting together?
And, above all, why Leo and Oliver never mentioned Dylan during sex, like Dylan and Leon did about Ollie during their first time alone?
So, I loved the characters, but not their dynamic. I also liked very much this author's writing and I hope to read more about them in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
This was a good story, I think the author nailed the cuckolding kink (even if I found out that I don't enjoy it very much): the description of Dylan's emotions while watching his husband with another man were intense and quite believable.
I also really really appreciated that the author always kept things sweet and tender between them. There’s no degradation, no mean domination or toy boys here, it was all nice and respectful. The three men are great and, during the intercourse, they always check on each other to assure that everyone is comfortable with what they're doing.
The problem for me, the one that made me rate this book only three stars despite I honestly liked the MCs, was the awful feeling that Dylan was being cuckolded outside the bedroom too.
It was Dylan’s fantasy and Oliver’s wish to fulfill it that brought them to the club to find a third and Leon has always been very thoughtful and caring, but I felt like Dylan and Oliver put their relationship on hold to give more importance to Leon and Oliver’s physical connection.
The scene at the hotel, when Leon and Oliver shared a bed, while Dylan slept on the couch, bothered me to no end. Their making love the morning after was worse, it was clear that Oliver and Leo were falling in love with each other and it seemed to me that the two husbands didn't talk enough about the possibility of Oliver catching feelings for his bull.
Basically all the sex scenes in this book (and they are a lot) involve only Leon and Oliver. There’s just one with Dylan and his husband where they also agree to not talk about the other man in order to reconnect (like Leo was so part of their dynamic at that point that they had to explicitly decide to not mention him).
And even if Leon admits to himself that he’s attracted to Dylan too, the feelings between them come too late in the book (we have to wait until the third part to see their first kiss).
I really really loved Leon and Dylan’s first time together, it was like finally Dylan was taken care of too. I think that, despite Oliver always saying his encounters with Leon were a fulfillment of his husband's fantasy, I always felt like Dylan was emotionally left behind, like his feelings were put aside.
But suring their first time, Leon was so attentive, affectionate and tender (even with their kink exploration) that all the scene showed how much Leo cared for Dylan too. But sadly it wasn't enough.
At the end, I still believed there was too much unbalance between the three of them, that Leon and Oliver’s bond was taking way more space: for example, when Ollie had a very bad day, he sought Leon’s comfort. In truth, Dylan was on a trip and obviously couldn’t physically be there for him like Leon was, but did Oliver have to put on Leon’s clothes to feel safe? Did he had to have sex with Leon in his and Dylan’s bed instead of all of them videochatting together?
And, above all, why Leo and Oliver never mentioned Dylan during sex, like Dylan and Leon did about Ollie during their first time alone?
So, I loved the characters, but not their dynamic. I also liked very much this author's writing and I hope to read more about them in the future.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
Never Too Late by H.L Day
4.0
4 stars
Usually in second chance stories, we have two MCs who are in a relationship, one of them is unsatisfied, there's the third act break up and then the last few chapters when one of them makes amends and then there's the HEA.
Here, the story begins with the break up and I loved this unusual start!
Finn and Cillian have been dating for 6 months and Finn has reached his breaking point: he's tired to always come second to Cillian, who's completely devoted to his job (no dinners, no evenings, no weekends pass by without them being interrupted by a phone call) and he sadly realises that their relationship is nothing more than a hookup arrangements.
So Finn decides to accept a job in Paris and leaves. After a couple of months a devastated Cillian knock on Finn's door asking for a second chance.
I liked very much all their conversation, when they finally were open and honest with each other and talked about what went wrong: Cillian was genuinely shocked and upset when he realised that he'd been an awful boyfriend and that he took Finn for granted. I liked that Finn awknowledged his own responsibility too and I particularly appreciated that Cillian didn't have all the answers, that he didn't make all their problems magically disapper and that Finn took his time and hesitate before agreeing to try again.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
The part when they're actually able to make things work seemed a little flat compared to the most part of the book when the emotions and the feelings are more intense and strong.
The epilogue is sweet and I look forward for Laurent to have his own book too.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
Usually in second chance stories, we have two MCs who are in a relationship, one of them is unsatisfied, there's the third act break up and then the last few chapters when one of them makes amends and then there's the HEA.
Here, the story begins with the break up and I loved this unusual start!
Finn and Cillian have been dating for 6 months and Finn has reached his breaking point: he's tired to always come second to Cillian, who's completely devoted to his job (no dinners, no evenings, no weekends pass by without them being interrupted by a phone call) and he sadly realises that their relationship is nothing more than a hookup arrangements.
So Finn decides to accept a job in Paris and leaves. After a couple of months a devastated Cillian knock on Finn's door asking for a second chance.
I liked very much all their conversation, when they finally were open and honest with each other and talked about what went wrong: Cillian was genuinely shocked and upset when he realised that he'd been an awful boyfriend and that he took Finn for granted. I liked that Finn awknowledged his own responsibility too and I particularly appreciated that Cillian didn't have all the answers, that he didn't make all their problems magically disapper and that Finn took his time and hesitate before agreeing to try again.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
The part when they're actually able to make things work seemed a little flat compared to the most part of the book when the emotions and the feelings are more intense and strong.
The epilogue is sweet and I look forward for Laurent to have his own book too.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review