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Candy Hearts (Volume 2): An LGBTQIA2S+ Charity Anthology by Chantal Mer, Lee Blair, London Price, Stella Rainbow, D.K. Sutton, Becca Seymour, Beck Grey, Minerva Howe, Bix Barrow, Victoria Gillilan, E.M. Denning, Jem Wendel, Merry Farmer, CD Rachels, Marie Sinclair, Susan Scott Shelley, Zoe Lee, David Gray, Riley Long, B.A. Tortuga, Rye Cox, Anna Sparrows, Hinsel Meyer, BL Maxwell
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
A fun and fantastic anthology!
I love a good anthology. It gives you the chance to discover new authors and have bite-sized adventures.
This second volume of the Candy Hearts anthology is all about numbers, more specifically, wrong numbers. The theme is funny and brings just a little bit of serendipity into the romance stories.
IT MUST BE FATE - LEE BLAIR
This is my first story by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Lex and Garrison's story is based on multiple chance encounters that are starting to look like a move from Mother Fate herself.
They bump into each other randomly every other day, and the scenes are hilarious. A singing telegram delivered to the wrong office, sandwiches, a bachelor party, and even a dog play a crucial part in their relationship. It results in a slightly chaotic but mostly serendipitous romance that will make you smile.
(More reviews to come.)
* I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
I love a good anthology. It gives you the chance to discover new authors and have bite-sized adventures.
This second volume of the Candy Hearts anthology is all about numbers, more specifically, wrong numbers. The theme is funny and brings just a little bit of serendipity into the romance stories.
IT MUST BE FATE - LEE BLAIR
This is my first story by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Lex and Garrison's story is based on multiple chance encounters that are starting to look like a move from Mother Fate herself.
They bump into each other randomly every other day, and the scenes are hilarious. A singing telegram delivered to the wrong office, sandwiches, a bachelor party, and even a dog play a crucial part in their relationship. It results in a slightly chaotic but mostly serendipitous romance that will make you smile.
(More reviews to come.)
* I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
The Falcon and the Foe by A.J. Truman
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A very average palette-cleanser book. It was funny, and I quite liked the characters. It's a very nice lighthearted book.
Just one thing and a TW: be aware that this book has references to HP. Authors, do better!
Just one thing and a TW: be aware that this book has references to HP. Authors, do better!
Content Warnings
The book has HP references.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't know how to describe this book. I love the vibes and the macabre beauty of it. I hate the story itself wholeheartedly. I love the devastating love story behind it. I kinda loathe Andrew, the main character. I love how beautifully it's written. I hate how it ends.
I hate it, but I can also appreciate its beauty and extraordinary nature. It rejects many aspects of what romance and horror usually mean and redefines it into something unique and soulcrushing. It's not just a horror because of the eldritch monsters. It's a horror because it makes you hope and believe, and then it shows what darkness truly lurks behind everything.
Don't get me wrong, I know that the point of this book is to show a monster in a pretty way. Maybe I didn't know it at the beginning, but I realized it around halfway to the end. But I was still foolish enough to hope for a happy ending. I know it's stupid of me because it literally states on the cover that "Not every fairy tale has a happy ending." I know. It's entirely my fault that I was not prepared for it. Though I probably wouldn't have read this book if I looked into it more. I went with the vibes.
And the vibes are vibing. It is truly beautiful, horrifying, pretty, and macabre. I felt so much reading it.
The first part of the story is when the author lulls you. It's slow, and I really thought the whole book just be vibes and no plot. I should've known better because the second part of the book is a heartbreaking, devastating mess that buries you in the forest with all the horrors inside it.
Andrew is a very confusing main character. On the one hand, his pain and struggle are so relatable. On the other hand, that pain and that struggle morphs him into something cruel. And I didn't like him for that. He broke my heart into a myriad of pieces for so many reasons. I won't ever forgive him for that. But I also cannot forget him for how tumultuous and crushing his feelings are.
It's been a minute since I literally sobbed over a book. Like I cried so much, I could barely breathe. I just leave it at that.
I would give this book 5 stars, but I have to substruct 1 just because I truly hate how this book made me feel. Call it spite, or whatever.
I hate it, but I can also appreciate its beauty and extraordinary nature. It rejects many aspects of what romance and horror usually mean and redefines it into something unique and soulcrushing. It's not just a horror because of the eldritch monsters. It's a horror because it makes you hope and believe, and then it shows what darkness truly lurks behind everything.
Don't get me wrong, I know that the point of this book is to show a monster in a pretty way. Maybe I didn't know it at the beginning, but I realized it around halfway to the end. But I was still foolish enough to hope for a happy ending. I know it's stupid of me because it literally states on the cover that "Not every fairy tale has a happy ending." I know. It's entirely my fault that I was not prepared for it. Though I probably wouldn't have read this book if I looked into it more. I went with the vibes.
And the vibes are vibing. It is truly beautiful, horrifying, pretty, and macabre. I felt so much reading it.
The first part of the story is when the author lulls you. It's slow, and I really thought the whole book just be vibes and no plot. I should've known better because the second part of the book is a heartbreaking, devastating mess that buries you in the forest with all the horrors inside it.
Andrew is a very confusing main character. On the one hand, his pain and struggle are so relatable. On the other hand, that pain and that struggle morphs him into something cruel. And I didn't like him for that. He broke my heart into a myriad of pieces for so many reasons. I won't ever forgive him for that. But I also cannot forget him for how tumultuous and crushing his feelings are.
It's been a minute since I literally sobbed over a book. Like I cried so much, I could barely breathe. I just leave it at that.
I would give this book 5 stars, but I have to substruct 1 just because I truly hate how this book made me feel. Call it spite, or whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia
Bean by Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I'm going with 3.5 stars for this one. I really enjoyed it, but there were some things that bugged me or just simply was not to my preference in romance books.
I really love this series and all the characters. It's quite frankly heartbreaking to see these men try to learn to live again after their injuries. (Note: I'm not the biggest fan of soldier romances because of my pacifist heart. So, it doesn't really add or take away that the injuries happened in the army.)
Bean is such a sweet guy. He has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects his short-term memory a lot. He often forgets stuff, and he needs to keep a notebook to remind himself of what happened every day. I think the authors did a wonderful job portraying him and his struggles. It was compassionate but honest, and it did not try to hide how messed up TBI can be.
Jarek is also so sweet and patient. He has his own baggage, but he's also simply a good person. He's not judgemental about Bean's TBI. He wants to learn about it and live with it rather than ignore it or make Bean out to be incapable of living, like how Bean's mother does. I also appreciated a lot that Jarek's best friend is a trans woman. Ivy's such a hoot and the bestest friend to Jarek.
His baggage is his ex and his failed marriage. Though we don't really get too many details, it's obvious he struggles with how he-s been treated, and he let himself be treated for so long.
Bean and Jarek's connection is so powerful from the very first moment. And even though Bean doesn't really remember him at the beginning, it just make their bond that much stronger.
There are lots of spicy scenes as one of the aspect of their friendship with benefits is that Jarek teaches Bean about gay pleasure. The lots of spice is one of the aspects leading to a lower star rating. I am just simply not a fan of too much spice in my books and the whole "experienced lover/newbie" trope.
The other thing that bothered me was the miscommunication and third-act break-up based on a misunderstanding and jumping to conclusions. I saw it coming from miles away, and I did not appreciate it. It's not a good plot point. Especially when you write about a character who has to rely on his friends and family to fill in the blanks of his leaky memory. It almost seemed cruel from Jarek even if his feelings were understandable.
My favourite part of the book and the series are obviously the friendships. Especially between Nash and Bean. It's just so wonderful to see a male friendship bloom like theirs.
Overall, the book is good. It has its faults, it's far from perfect, but it's enjoyable, and the characters are worth it.
I really love this series and all the characters. It's quite frankly heartbreaking to see these men try to learn to live again after their injuries. (Note: I'm not the biggest fan of soldier romances because of my pacifist heart. So, it doesn't really add or take away that the injuries happened in the army.)
Bean is such a sweet guy. He has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects his short-term memory a lot. He often forgets stuff, and he needs to keep a notebook to remind himself of what happened every day. I think the authors did a wonderful job portraying him and his struggles. It was compassionate but honest, and it did not try to hide how messed up TBI can be.
Jarek is also so sweet and patient. He has his own baggage, but he's also simply a good person. He's not judgemental about Bean's TBI. He wants to learn about it and live with it rather than ignore it or make Bean out to be incapable of living, like how Bean's mother does. I also appreciated a lot that Jarek's best friend is a trans woman. Ivy's such a hoot and the bestest friend to Jarek.
His baggage is his ex and his failed marriage. Though we don't really get too many details, it's obvious he struggles with how he-s been treated, and he let himself be treated for so long.
Bean and Jarek's connection is so powerful from the very first moment. And even though Bean doesn't really remember him at the beginning, it just make their bond that much stronger.
There are lots of spicy scenes as one of the aspect of their friendship with benefits is that Jarek teaches Bean about gay pleasure. The lots of spice is one of the aspects leading to a lower star rating. I am just simply not a fan of too much spice in my books and the whole "experienced lover/newbie" trope.
The other thing that bothered me was the miscommunication and third-act break-up based on a misunderstanding and jumping to conclusions. I saw it coming from miles away, and I did not appreciate it. It's not a good plot point. Especially when you write about a character who has to rely on his friends and family to fill in the blanks of his leaky memory. It almost seemed cruel from Jarek even if his feelings were understandable.
My favourite part of the book and the series are obviously the friendships. Especially between Nash and Bean. It's just so wonderful to see a male friendship bloom like theirs.
Overall, the book is good. It has its faults, it's far from perfect, but it's enjoyable, and the characters are worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Royal Scoundrel by Saxon James
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Wow. This one turned out pretty amazing.
Royal Scoundrel is the prequel to the Frat Wars series, more specifically Presidential Chaos. It's about Charles' dad's, Das and Archie, and how they met and fell in love in college.
I adore this book. I knew to expect fun and laughter after the Frat Wars series, but Royal Scoundrel also brought heartaching angst and so many emotions.
Archie is a Kappa exec in his junior year in college. He's set up for life coming from a rich and powerful family. All he has to do is keep in line and follow the path that was set out for him. Finish school, become a lawyer, and marry a pretty girl. Even though it's killing him a little inside, he's managed to keep his sexuality under lock to satisfy his father's plans. Up until Dash Lewis performs a drunken strip show on the roof of a party and makes Archie question everything.
Dash is a scholarship student who's not only there to study but to live out his best life as a gay man. He parties, he hooks up, and he watches Archie from afar. The man who has a demanding presence but is out of his reach. Until he's not anymore.
I loved their story so much. Yes, they are different. They walk different paths, and yet they somehow fit. Although it starts out as a one-off to satisfy Archie's curiosity, it quickly morphs into a series of hook-ups and then pretend-boyfriends. They know there's an end date, that Archie's not out and will never be. Yet they fall. Fall very, very hard. They have a magnetic connection. Passion sizzles between them, but a quiet understanding and trust also grow slowly. Despite their differences, they are on the same level when they are together.
The emotions are plentiful. There's Archie's constant struggle that only intensifies as he experiences what true attraction and love feels like. And there's Dash's heartache as he falls for a man he knows can never really be his. I admittedly cried a lot because I just wanted them to be together and happy, but it's not an easy road.
All in all, I enjoyed this book sooooo much. It's basically a longer novella, but the author managed to squeeze in everything that needed to be told. Expect scorching hot passion, guys growing soft for each other, and love that's worth fighting for.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
Royal Scoundrel is the prequel to the Frat Wars series, more specifically Presidential Chaos. It's about Charles' dad's, Das and Archie, and how they met and fell in love in college.
I adore this book. I knew to expect fun and laughter after the Frat Wars series, but Royal Scoundrel also brought heartaching angst and so many emotions.
Archie is a Kappa exec in his junior year in college. He's set up for life coming from a rich and powerful family. All he has to do is keep in line and follow the path that was set out for him. Finish school, become a lawyer, and marry a pretty girl. Even though it's killing him a little inside, he's managed to keep his sexuality under lock to satisfy his father's plans. Up until Dash Lewis performs a drunken strip show on the roof of a party and makes Archie question everything.
Dash is a scholarship student who's not only there to study but to live out his best life as a gay man. He parties, he hooks up, and he watches Archie from afar. The man who has a demanding presence but is out of his reach. Until he's not anymore.
I loved their story so much. Yes, they are different. They walk different paths, and yet they somehow fit. Although it starts out as a one-off to satisfy Archie's curiosity, it quickly morphs into a series of hook-ups and then pretend-boyfriends. They know there's an end date, that Archie's not out and will never be. Yet they fall. Fall very, very hard. They have a magnetic connection. Passion sizzles between them, but a quiet understanding and trust also grow slowly. Despite their differences, they are on the same level when they are together.
The emotions are plentiful. There's Archie's constant struggle that only intensifies as he experiences what true attraction and love feels like. And there's Dash's heartache as he falls for a man he knows can never really be his. I admittedly cried a lot because I just wanted them to be together and happy, but it's not an easy road.
All in all, I enjoyed this book sooooo much. It's basically a longer novella, but the author managed to squeeze in everything that needed to be told. Expect scorching hot passion, guys growing soft for each other, and love that's worth fighting for.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Not Catching Love by Saxon James
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a ride this series has been!
I'm glad this book turned out so good because it is the perfect ending to the series while also giving the perfect story to Xander.
I am probably not alone when I say I've been waiting for Xander's story from the very beginning. In a way, his story has been in the works since book 1, and now we finally get the conclusion.
I was a tad worried about the mental health aspect and feared that the author might not be able to portray it with the seriousness it deserves. But I am pleasantly surprised by how emotional and deep this book is.
Xander is the attention-seeking needy gremlin of the Bertha Boys. He has severe abandonment issues, medical anxiety, and panic attacks, and he has very little self-love. In the other books in the series, we've seen him struggle and self-destruct more. We've seen how the others suffer because he refuses to get help and get better. And it was not an easy journey. Even if he is a unique and lovely person, his mental illnesses damaged a lot about him and his relationships. This story is largely focused on his mental health journey with the help of his found family, therapy, and a Derek. A goal he needs to step on the right road.
Derek's been a safe place for Xander, and his medical anxiety induced panic attack for years. And in that time, lines have blurred a little between his profession as a nurse and a man who cares way too much. Derek's dilemma is another focal point of the book. Even though he and Xander both know that no lines were actually crossed and nothing untoward happened, it's not easy to be objective with so many feelings in the way. I appreciated the effort Derek put into seeing things from a distance and made sure his feelings were real and his ethics were not compromised.
Their relationship developed slowly, but not rushing into things was crucial for both of them. For Derek to make sure his feelings and Xander's feelings were both real. And for Xander, to develop a healthy relationship.
It wasn't an easy read. I cried several times when Xander's mental health struggles and his trauma were mentioned. I rooted for him when he acted badly, but it was not easy to see how destructive he could get. I shed happy tears when he finally took steps to get better with therapy and face his issues.
I loved that it was acknowledged that Seven, the brother he found along the way, is not a solution, and he also struggled with caring for Xander.
Overall, kudos for portraying mental illness, healing, and a support system so well.
As a series-ending book, we got glimpses of the other Bertha Boys too, how they fared, how they remained a family even after moving away. It was a bittersweet epilogue but a good one.
Can't wait for Perry's story.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
I'm glad this book turned out so good because it is the perfect ending to the series while also giving the perfect story to Xander.
I am probably not alone when I say I've been waiting for Xander's story from the very beginning. In a way, his story has been in the works since book 1, and now we finally get the conclusion.
I was a tad worried about the mental health aspect and feared that the author might not be able to portray it with the seriousness it deserves. But I am pleasantly surprised by how emotional and deep this book is.
Xander is the attention-seeking needy gremlin of the Bertha Boys. He has severe abandonment issues, medical anxiety, and panic attacks, and he has very little self-love. In the other books in the series, we've seen him struggle and self-destruct more. We've seen how the others suffer because he refuses to get help and get better. And it was not an easy journey. Even if he is a unique and lovely person, his mental illnesses damaged a lot about him and his relationships. This story is largely focused on his mental health journey with the help of his found family, therapy, and a Derek. A goal he needs to step on the right road.
Derek's been a safe place for Xander, and his medical anxiety induced panic attack for years. And in that time, lines have blurred a little between his profession as a nurse and a man who cares way too much. Derek's dilemma is another focal point of the book. Even though he and Xander both know that no lines were actually crossed and nothing untoward happened, it's not easy to be objective with so many feelings in the way. I appreciated the effort Derek put into seeing things from a distance and made sure his feelings were real and his ethics were not compromised.
Their relationship developed slowly, but not rushing into things was crucial for both of them. For Derek to make sure his feelings and Xander's feelings were both real. And for Xander, to develop a healthy relationship.
It wasn't an easy read. I cried several times when Xander's mental health struggles and his trauma were mentioned. I rooted for him when he acted badly, but it was not easy to see how destructive he could get. I shed happy tears when he finally took steps to get better with therapy and face his issues.
I loved that it was acknowledged that Seven, the brother he found along the way, is not a solution, and he also struggled with caring for Xander.
Overall, kudos for portraying mental illness, healing, and a support system so well.
As a series-ending book, we got glimpses of the other Bertha Boys too, how they fared, how they remained a family even after moving away. It was a bittersweet epilogue but a good one.
Can't wait for Perry's story.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book to share my honest review.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, and Abandonment
The Haunting Between Us by Paul Michael Winters
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you're in the mood for something spooky but not terrifying, then this is the book for you. I like a bit of spookyness in my books, but I'm not a fan of overly terrifying ones, so I'm glad The Haunting Between Us turned out to be just what I liked.
This book definitely keeps you on your toes when it comes to the mysterious Crimson House, also known as Hugo's new home. It's haunted for sure, and I have chills just by thinking someone lives there with a not so nice ghost. I would have freaked out way before Hugo did.
Our other MC is Cameron, who lives across the street from Crimson House, and he also has a history with the haunted house. He's also a sweet guy who develops crushes way too easily. Like he falls just a little bit for his new neighbour when he sees him for the first time. It's just simply sweet.
Their story does not start the easiest, but the hauntings in the old house quickly bring them close.
The book is YA, which means we get a healthy dose of teenage angst, high school bullies, and the healing power of school theatre. We also have a wonderful friendship group complete with a paranormal investigator (Abby), a psychic (Chloe), her girlfriend (Maya), a sweet social non-binary friend (Taylor), and the token straight friend (Matty). I absolutely love them as a bunch.
The story definitely focuses on the Crimson House and hauntings that go on within it, but it's nicely rounded out with a bit of teenage romance and friendships that I very much appreciate. Yes, there are some spooky, slightly scary things going on, but I don't feel like the book actively tries to scare me.
The mystery of the house is the key to the whole story, and in my opinion, it wasn't that hard to solve. The book did include quite a few twists, but I saw them coming a mile away. Which is not bad. It just maybe means the author has some improvement when it comes to plot.
I appreciate that the history of the house and its inhabitants is so involved in the mystery. It added a much needed second layer to all that was going on.
As for the romance, it is very ordinary. The attraction between Hugo and Cameron is clear from the beginning, but once they get together, it's way too fast. Their relationship goes from zero to 100 in a matter of days, which is something I generally don't like in romances.
I did love their bond, though. It's nice to see young men being vulnerable and open with each other instead of repressing their problems.
Overall, I think this is a very enjoyable book. It's spooky, it's mysterious but it's also fun.
I listened to the audiobook, too, and it's great, and I loved the narrator.
This book definitely keeps you on your toes when it comes to the mysterious Crimson House, also known as Hugo's new home. It's haunted for sure, and I have chills just by thinking someone lives there with a not so nice ghost. I would have freaked out way before Hugo did.
Our other MC is Cameron, who lives across the street from Crimson House, and he also has a history with the haunted house. He's also a sweet guy who develops crushes way too easily. Like he falls just a little bit for his new neighbour when he sees him for the first time. It's just simply sweet.
Their story does not start the easiest, but the hauntings in the old house quickly bring them close.
The book is YA, which means we get a healthy dose of teenage angst, high school bullies, and the healing power of school theatre. We also have a wonderful friendship group complete with a paranormal investigator (Abby), a psychic (Chloe), her girlfriend (Maya), a sweet social non-binary friend (Taylor), and the token straight friend (Matty). I absolutely love them as a bunch.
The story definitely focuses on the Crimson House and hauntings that go on within it, but it's nicely rounded out with a bit of teenage romance and friendships that I very much appreciate. Yes, there are some spooky, slightly scary things going on, but I don't feel like the book actively tries to scare me.
The mystery of the house is the key to the whole story, and in my opinion, it wasn't that hard to solve. The book did include quite a few twists, but I saw them coming a mile away. Which is not bad. It just maybe means the author has some improvement when it comes to plot.
I appreciate that the history of the house and its inhabitants is so involved in the mystery. It added a much needed second layer to all that was going on.
As for the romance, it is very ordinary. The attraction between Hugo and Cameron is clear from the beginning, but once they get together, it's way too fast. Their relationship goes from zero to 100 in a matter of days, which is something I generally don't like in romances.
I did love their bond, though. It's nice to see young men being vulnerable and open with each other instead of repressing their problems.
Overall, I think this is a very enjoyable book. It's spooky, it's mysterious but it's also fun.
I listened to the audiobook, too, and it's great, and I loved the narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Car accident
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
dark
funny
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? No
3.0
I'm always so wary of hyped books, I never know what to expect, so I try to go in as blind as I can. And I did this with Assitstant to the Villain, too. I knew very little about what's the story about apart from it being a booktok sensation and everyone raving about it.
Assistant to the Villain is a very average book for me. I think I have an idea why it is so well-loved, but I do not feel the excitement. It is a good story, I might even say original in the way it presents the villain. However, it also lacks purpose. From the very beginning, it is very clear where the story goes. It just takes an unexpectedly serpentine road to get there with some plot points that don't really go anywhere. The plot development is very, very elementary. It is clear from the beginning that there is something unknown, the villains' story or plans, for example. And it is revealed very slowly presented as surprises. But they it is not really shocking because we always knew that something was there. In a way, the twists in the story don't feel very twisty. So, all in all, it is not the story that keeps the reader continuing.
It's the characters that make this story interesting. Evie is a very ordinary main character for most of the story. She falls for his boss, but of course she doesn't realize it, she takes too much upon herself, and she expects respect naively from a person she knows is the Villain and then throws a tantrum when she doesn't get it. Just the usual.
A promising character is the Villain. We also have some of his POV chapters, which definitely makes the story a lot more interesting. He is really villainous when it comes to unaliving and doing very bad things to people. That is a fact. Even if it's clear, he has an origin story that made him like that.
I think this wickedness and cruelty mixed in with his growing tenderness towards his assistant is what most readers are captivated by. Let's be honest, the 'bad boy' trope is beloved by a lot and the 'bad boy tamed by the ordinary girl' trope is one most women have daydreamed about at least a couple times in their lives.
The book is definitely trying to be humorous. It was a hit or miss for me. Some jokes and situations were funny or even endearing. Others, mostly Evie's sarcastic comments, not so much. It felt forced sometimes that made it a little bit cringe.
I appreciate the wide set of supporting characters. They definitely propelled the story forward. My favourite is definitely Kingsley, the frog. He's a much needed comedic relief with his signs.
Overall, it is an okay story. And I think the second book has potential after the ending of this one.
Assistant to the Villain is a very average book for me. I think I have an idea why it is so well-loved, but I do not feel the excitement. It is a good story, I might even say original in the way it presents the villain. However, it also lacks purpose. From the very beginning, it is very clear where the story goes. It just takes an unexpectedly serpentine road to get there with some plot points that don't really go anywhere. The plot development is very, very elementary. It is clear from the beginning that there is something unknown, the villains' story or plans, for example. And it is revealed very slowly presented as surprises. But they it is not really shocking because we always knew that something was there. In a way, the twists in the story don't feel very twisty. So, all in all, it is not the story that keeps the reader continuing.
It's the characters that make this story interesting. Evie is a very ordinary main character for most of the story. She falls for his boss, but of course she doesn't realize it, she takes too much upon herself, and she expects respect naively from a person she knows is the Villain and then throws a tantrum when she doesn't get it. Just the usual.
A promising character is the Villain. We also have some of his POV chapters, which definitely makes the story a lot more interesting. He is really villainous when it comes to unaliving and doing very bad things to people. That is a fact. Even if it's clear, he has an origin story that made him like that.
I think this wickedness and cruelty mixed in with his growing tenderness towards his assistant is what most readers are captivated by. Let's be honest, the 'bad boy' trope is beloved by a lot and the 'bad boy tamed by the ordinary girl' trope is one most women have daydreamed about at least a couple times in their lives.
The book is definitely trying to be humorous. It was a hit or miss for me. Some jokes and situations were funny or even endearing. Others, mostly Evie's sarcastic comments, not so much. It felt forced sometimes that made it a little bit cringe.
I appreciate the wide set of supporting characters. They definitely propelled the story forward. My favourite is definitely Kingsley, the frog. He's a much needed comedic relief with his signs.
Overall, it is an okay story. And I think the second book has potential after the ending of this one.
I'm Not Your Pet! by Fae Quin
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a fun and sweet alien romance, something I was not sure I'd be on board with just a few years ago, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Hugo and Roark's story is much more heartfelt and loving than I expected, and it definitely leans more towards romance than sci-fi. Though with countless alien species, space travel, and great world building, it is no doubt science fiction.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Hugo is a human abducted from Earth, now serving as a stripper on a pleasure planet. But he is soon rescued by Roark, a Sahrk, a sharklike pink alien, and brought on his ship.
We have dual POV chapters, so as readers, we are always aware of both of their thoughts. However, it is not the case for them. They do not have a common language, so the communication between them is basically non-existent. Roark doesn't have the words to explain that Hugo is more special to him than anyone else, and Hugo cannot express his doubts and needs to feel valued.
Seeing them learn to listen and care in their own ways is such a heartwarming experience. Their connection is much more sweet and cosy than I expected it to be. Roark is a big softie, and Hugo is just as caring. The way they learn to protect and love each other has warmed migh heart all over.
Obviously, there is much trauma that Hugo needs to work through, but interestingly, most come from his life on Earth and not from his abduction. Roark also has his past grief to work through, especially because he needs to be whole to take care of Hugo the way he longs to. They help each other heal, and it's kinda beautiful to watch.
I especially liked how we get to discover this alien world through Hugo's eyes. He sees wonder everywhere, which he wants to understand with his clever brain. The planets, the tech, the people, he's interested in everything. I would love to see even more of the world in other books.
A set of interesting side-characters round out the picture, both Sahrks and humans. Roark's friends quickly become Hugo's friends because the species is a friendly bunch. Plus, they love to see their captain finally open his heart for love.
Though the book is mostly mellow and cosy, there is a little bit of drama and excitement at the end. It is a bit out of nowhere, and I would have liked a bit more gravity to it. It got resolved fast and easily without much drama despite it being a very serious situation. It does not quite match the tone of the book before that. However, it does not take away from the experience at all.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this book. I was not always invested. Maybe it just had a tad less excitement than I needed. But nothing else is amiss. We get a beautiful romance, alien spice, if that's something you need, great characters, and awesome world building. It is a lot of fun!
Hugo and Roark's story is much more heartfelt and loving than I expected, and it definitely leans more towards romance than sci-fi. Though with countless alien species, space travel, and great world building, it is no doubt science fiction.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Hugo is a human abducted from Earth, now serving as a stripper on a pleasure planet. But he is soon rescued by Roark, a Sahrk, a sharklike pink alien, and brought on his ship.
We have dual POV chapters, so as readers, we are always aware of both of their thoughts. However, it is not the case for them. They do not have a common language, so the communication between them is basically non-existent. Roark doesn't have the words to explain that Hugo is more special to him than anyone else, and Hugo cannot express his doubts and needs to feel valued.
Seeing them learn to listen and care in their own ways is such a heartwarming experience. Their connection is much more sweet and cosy than I expected it to be. Roark is a big softie, and Hugo is just as caring. The way they learn to protect and love each other has warmed migh heart all over.
Obviously, there is much trauma that Hugo needs to work through, but interestingly, most come from his life on Earth and not from his abduction. Roark also has his past grief to work through, especially because he needs to be whole to take care of Hugo the way he longs to. They help each other heal, and it's kinda beautiful to watch.
I especially liked how we get to discover this alien world through Hugo's eyes. He sees wonder everywhere, which he wants to understand with his clever brain. The planets, the tech, the people, he's interested in everything. I would love to see even more of the world in other books.
A set of interesting side-characters round out the picture, both Sahrks and humans. Roark's friends quickly become Hugo's friends because the species is a friendly bunch. Plus, they love to see their captain finally open his heart for love.
Though the book is mostly mellow and cosy, there is a little bit of drama and excitement at the end. It is a bit out of nowhere, and I would have liked a bit more gravity to it. It got resolved fast and easily without much drama despite it being a very serious situation. It does not quite match the tone of the book before that. However, it does not take away from the experience at all.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this book. I was not always invested. Maybe it just had a tad less excitement than I needed. But nothing else is amiss. We get a beautiful romance, alien spice, if that's something you need, great characters, and awesome world building. It is a lot of fun!