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554 reviews
Angelo by Silvia Violet
2.0
2/5.
Angelo by Silvia Violet is a story of almost-second-chance-romance, enemies to lovers, and dubious consent from the get-go between the mafioso Angelo and the lawyer Cameron.
I did not enjoy this book. Part of this reason is not Violet's fault: I do not like second chance romance, I do not like enemies to lovers, and the dubious consent in this did not have dubious consent trigger warnings. You can look at my GR and see I read noncon and dubcon, so this issue is not that it exists, but the lack of content warnings for it. So, my personal issues with certain tropes aside, I do feel that some of it wasn't handled well.
Let's talk about enemies to lovers. The reason that Angelo hates Cam is because. That is the reason this man, now 30, has hated someone. Twelve years and he didn't get over one comment. Meanwhile, he storms into Cameron's bakery and That is a pretty fucking justified reason to hate someone, in my opinion, but that dubious consent situation only came about because Angelo wanted revenge over the prior spoiler. What? Are you still sixteen? Get over yourself. You can't pretend like people aren't going to have opinions of you, because you do kill people.
So, I found the "enemies to lovers" part of this unrealistic when the power imbalance is completely fucked, the justification for 'revenge' is some shitty comment from high school, and it was made out that Cameron was the bad person in all of this. Several times, Cameron eventually apologizes and realizes he misunderstood some things from high school. There is very little comfort spared for all the trials and tribulations he was going through as a kid and furthermore, like his that is never brought up. No, who gives a shit what Cameron was also struggling with, it is poor Angelo and his feelings because the boy he occasionally bullied didn't like him and his family for being known mafia criminals. What?
I don't know. It makes me angrier the more I think about it. Violet also once more leans into the kink here, which was hot. However, there is a lot of claims of "you don't want safewords, you just want me to control you" type shit, which. Hm. I'm not sure about that one, but it does pair up with dubious consent in this case I suppose. It's not that these men didn't eventually have tender moments, but the whole premise of this supposedly mutual hatred was asinine.
Finally, the editing. This book needs editing. Spelling errors, formatting issues, too many mis-typed quotation marks. I know Violet is a prolific author, and this book came out in 2020. It is not that old. What happened? Why are there so many issues here? It's a shame.
Angelo by Silvia Violet is a story of almost-second-chance-romance, enemies to lovers, and dubious consent from the get-go between the mafioso Angelo and the lawyer Cameron.
I did not enjoy this book. Part of this reason is not Violet's fault: I do not like second chance romance, I do not like enemies to lovers, and the dubious consent in this did not have dubious consent trigger warnings. You can look at my GR and see I read noncon and dubcon, so this issue is not that it exists, but the lack of content warnings for it. So, my personal issues with certain tropes aside, I do feel that some of it wasn't handled well.
Let's talk about enemies to lovers. The reason that Angelo hates Cam is because
Spoiler
Cam, when he was a fifteen year old, who had suffered a rough home life and bullying at school, did not let Angelo cheat off his math test and homework because he was a scholarship student and could get booted. When Angelo insisted he'd pay him to tutor him, he refused, calling his family out for being a dirty mafia who killed people. All of these things are true about Angelo's family, even if they didn't kill the person that had died recently.Spoiler
demands he either fuck him and do everything he says or he'll take the bakery from him. The one piece that Cameron has left of his grandparents, by the way.So, I found the "enemies to lovers" part of this unrealistic when the power imbalance is completely fucked, the justification for 'revenge' is some shitty comment from high school, and it was made out that Cameron was the bad person in all of this. Several times, Cameron eventually apologizes and realizes he misunderstood some things from high school. There is very little comfort spared for all the trials and tribulations he was going through as a kid and furthermore, like his
Spoiler
homophobic mother who prayed over him to not be gayI don't know. It makes me angrier the more I think about it. Violet also once more leans into the kink here, which was hot. However, there is a lot of claims of "you don't want safewords, you just want me to control you" type shit, which. Hm. I'm not sure about that one, but it does pair up with dubious consent in this case I suppose. It's not that these men didn't eventually have tender moments, but the whole premise of this supposedly mutual hatred was asinine.
Finally, the editing. This book needs editing. Spelling errors, formatting issues, too many mis-typed quotation marks. I know Violet is a prolific author, and this book came out in 2020. It is not that old. What happened? Why are there so many issues here? It's a shame.
What Really Matters by M.A. Innes
3.0
3.5/5.
What Really Matters is a funny, sweet story about an established couple discovering ABDL and age play within their relationship, and how it brings them closer together.
I think for me "established relationships" as a trope is not my favorite, but I found this one believable and funny. Not only are the characters in love and sweet together, but the way their day-to-day dynamic comes to be is rather entertaining. I loved Zac's investment into romance books and the hilarity that comes from how much he is into the different genres - the line about Antonio the biker is one that still makes me chuckle.
This book is good for those new to daddy kink and age play I think, because it runs the gamut on activities and explores a lot about why both for Daddy and little this is something they enjoy. This does make it rather fluffy, and for beginners, but even diaper use is brought up so its got that depth and substance. We get some hot scenes between them, *and* we also see their balance as just being husbands and why the kink brings them closer together. There is also a lovely switch scene where Zac tops and it is great!
I like Innes instalove and I think the reason this wasn't a four star for me is that I like her books about new relationships better than something established. This almost was too sweet for me, but I dd enjoy reading it and am glad this book exists.
What Really Matters is a funny, sweet story about an established couple discovering ABDL and age play within their relationship, and how it brings them closer together.
I think for me "established relationships" as a trope is not my favorite, but I found this one believable and funny. Not only are the characters in love and sweet together, but the way their day-to-day dynamic comes to be is rather entertaining. I loved Zac's investment into romance books and the hilarity that comes from how much he is into the different genres - the line about Antonio the biker is one that still makes me chuckle.
This book is good for those new to daddy kink and age play I think, because it runs the gamut on activities and explores a lot about why both for Daddy and little this is something they enjoy. This does make it rather fluffy, and for beginners, but even diaper use is brought up so its got that depth and substance. We get some hot scenes between them, *and* we also see their balance as just being husbands and why the kink brings them closer together. There is also a lovely switch scene where Zac tops and it is great!
I like Innes instalove and I think the reason this wasn't a four star for me is that I like her books about new relationships better than something established. This almost was too sweet for me, but I dd enjoy reading it and am glad this book exists.
Secrets in the Dark by M.A. Innes
3.0
2.5/5.
Secrets in the Dark has an interesting premise of daddy and boy meeting at blind date in the dark - though they weren't paired together. Logan is an older lawyer who is formal and traditional, and Mason is a younger freelancer who has a hard time talking about his desires.
This book was just okay. Logan read as ND to me because of his habits and relying on formality when struggling with a social situation, which isn't a bad thing. Mason didn't express his desires well at first for fear of judgement, understandably, but is able to open up to Logan through therapeutic exercises that Logan is advised to use.
It was kinda weird that the therapist was talked to without Mason's consent, and he was never invited into those conversations when they are all about him. Now of course people talk about their significant others with their therapists but this guy is like... a BDSM/sex therapist? So I think it's a bit different. My main issue though is that while this is called an age-play book, there is only one age play scene at the very end. This is more accurately a book about daddy kink and orgasm denial. That is fine, but I wish it had been clear in the blurb so my expectations were not for something else.
Another issue I had is that this book cuts off weirdly. These two meet, get in a relationship, get deep in the dynamic in a couple of weeks and then... it ends. no "I love yous", no marriage, no moving-in-together. It ends with a chapter-long age play + sex scene. So I guess its a HFN, but it felt like the book was clipped off more than it was wrapped up nicely. A shame.
Secrets in the Dark has an interesting premise of daddy and boy meeting at blind date in the dark - though they weren't paired together. Logan is an older lawyer who is formal and traditional, and Mason is a younger freelancer who has a hard time talking about his desires.
This book was just okay. Logan read as ND to me because of his habits and relying on formality when struggling with a social situation, which isn't a bad thing. Mason didn't express his desires well at first for fear of judgement, understandably, but is able to open up to Logan through therapeutic exercises that Logan is advised to use.
It was kinda weird that the therapist was talked to without Mason's consent, and he was never invited into those conversations when they are all about him. Now of course people talk about their significant others with their therapists but this guy is like... a BDSM/sex therapist? So I think it's a bit different. My main issue though is that while this is called an age-play book, there is only one age play scene at the very end. This is more accurately a book about daddy kink and orgasm denial. That is fine, but I wish it had been clear in the blurb so my expectations were not for something else.
Another issue I had is that this book cuts off weirdly. These two meet, get in a relationship, get deep in the dynamic in a couple of weeks and then... it ends. no "I love yous", no marriage, no moving-in-together. It ends with a chapter-long age play + sex scene. So I guess its a HFN, but it felt like the book was clipped off more than it was wrapped up nicely. A shame.
Honeymoon for One by Keira Andrews
5.0
5/5.
Honeymoon for One is an age-gap, hurt/comfort romance set mostly in Australia.
Keira Andrews is a new author to me, and I love the way she writes. Dual POV, 3rd person, and just works so well for me. I got immediately invested into the characters and their emotions, especially for Ethan. The writing wasn't purple prose/super flowery and I really liked that aspect to it. She is also good with descriptions, as I could see in my mind what she was describing of Australia and how both the characters look. Very rarely am I thinking "wow, he is hot." Clay and his aviators were definitely hot.
Clay and Ethan... oh man. I have so many things to say but don't want this chock full of spoilers. Ethan was so sad in the beginning and I felt it. While I do not have the same struggles Ethan has, I do relate to spiraling anxiety/paranoia, the "what did I do wrong?" or "I'm probably just being annoying, and now everyone thinks I'm a fool, and and and...". It was too relatable. He was also so kind, endearing, and vulnerable. Clay picks up on that but it's never in the way that is creepy or a little unsettling like some age gap romances can be, you know? They're both still individuals and show great character growth over the span of this book (despite it being short time-wise).
The awakening for Clay felt genuine, realistic, and I'm glad didn't dip into the angst of turning angrily on the person who made you realize something about yourself. There's the scenes of showing a bit of a generational gap in acceptance of one's sexuality, like around the word queer, and while I could feel the tension and pain it was just written so right. All the family interactions, too. It was so good. The representation of Ethan being HOH also felt very genuine and I know the author had personal experience with a family member having the same disability. Honestly, it feels like every detail of this book was well-written.
The romance itself was whirlwind due to its timeframe, but I did not doubt it for a second. The first kiss. The sex scenes. Everything was sweet, swoony, emotional, that I just felt it running off the pages. Small insecurities that are kissed away, protectiveness and heat -- all of it, so good. The COMFORT they find in each other when dealing with hard things, where they both find ways to rely on each other. Amazing. How they eventually came to be together and committed, and that WONDERFUL epilogue. Just, wow.
I highly recommend this book, it is so well done.
“Then he caught Clay’s lips with his, and they kissed and kissed, and Clay loved so many things about Ethan and how he made him feel that he didn’t have a clue where to start counting.”
Honeymoon for One is an age-gap, hurt/comfort romance set mostly in Australia.
Keira Andrews is a new author to me, and I love the way she writes. Dual POV, 3rd person, and just works so well for me. I got immediately invested into the characters and their emotions, especially for Ethan. The writing wasn't purple prose/super flowery and I really liked that aspect to it. She is also good with descriptions, as I could see in my mind what she was describing of Australia and how both the characters look. Very rarely am I thinking "wow, he is hot." Clay and his aviators were definitely hot.
Clay and Ethan... oh man. I have so many things to say but don't want this chock full of spoilers. Ethan was so sad in the beginning and I felt it. While I do not have the same struggles Ethan has, I do relate to spiraling anxiety/paranoia, the "what did I do wrong?" or "I'm probably just being annoying, and now everyone thinks I'm a fool, and and and...". It was too relatable. He was also so kind, endearing, and vulnerable. Clay picks up on that but it's never in the way that is creepy or a little unsettling like some age gap romances can be, you know? They're both still individuals and show great character growth over the span of this book (despite it being short time-wise).
The awakening for Clay felt genuine, realistic, and I'm glad didn't dip into the angst of turning angrily on the person who made you realize something about yourself. There's the scenes of showing a bit of a generational gap in acceptance of one's sexuality, like around the word queer, and while I could feel the tension and pain it was just written so right. All the family interactions, too. It was so good. The representation of Ethan being HOH also felt very genuine and I know the author had personal experience with a family member having the same disability. Honestly, it feels like every detail of this book was well-written.
The romance itself was whirlwind due to its timeframe, but I did not doubt it for a second. The first kiss. The sex scenes. Everything was sweet, swoony, emotional, that I just felt it running off the pages. Small insecurities that are kissed away, protectiveness and heat -- all of it, so good. The COMFORT they find in each other when dealing with hard things, where they both find ways to rely on each other. Amazing. How they eventually came to be together and committed, and that WONDERFUL epilogue. Just, wow.
I highly recommend this book, it is so well done.
Bad Daddy by Jayda Marx
4.0
4/5, this was really good!! Steamy, cute, and a surprising move by the shy and innocent twink!
Tropes:
✅ May/December age gap
✅ Big top x Small Bottom
✅ Daddy kink
✅ Instalove
✅ Eternity collars and more!
I really really loved this. For one, Westin was so damn cute. Sweet and open, and the fact he was just so ready and willing to learn and trust Colt. Colt was also very sweet and his story of why he was in prison was heart wrenching. I liked how they were just falling so naturally into it, nothing felt forced about the story at all. They established hand signals to use in public and I loved that, just a little thing but it showed a way of managing a power dynamic and safety in public without having their kink out there where people don’t want to witness it without consent. I also liked the discussions about wants and needs, safe words, safety. All of it was so well done and healthy IMO.
The conflict that came up was not as intense as some of the other books in Jayda’s works, but it made sense. What Westin did to solve it was super surprising for what you assume about him but I loved it!
The book itself is well written, honestly, I’m glad I read this. Super sweet, steamy, it just hit right for me! Have no complaints.
Tropes:
✅ May/December age gap
✅ Big top x Small Bottom
✅ Daddy kink
✅ Instalove
✅ Eternity collars and more!
I really really loved this. For one, Westin was so damn cute. Sweet and open, and the fact he was just so ready and willing to learn and trust Colt. Colt was also very sweet and his story of why he was in prison was heart wrenching. I liked how they were just falling so naturally into it, nothing felt forced about the story at all. They established hand signals to use in public and I loved that, just a little thing but it showed a way of managing a power dynamic and safety in public without having their kink out there where people don’t want to witness it without consent. I also liked the discussions about wants and needs, safe words, safety. All of it was so well done and healthy IMO.
The conflict that came up was not as intense as some of the other books in Jayda’s works, but it made sense. What Westin did to solve it was super surprising for what you assume about him but I loved it!
The book itself is well written, honestly, I’m glad I read this. Super sweet, steamy, it just hit right for me! Have no complaints.
His Secret Omega Co-ed by Ava Beringer
4.0
3.5/5.
His Secret Omega Co-ed by Ava Beringer is a slice-of-life, nonshifter omegaverse enemies-to-lovers romance. It features mpreg, college campuses, fated mates, and funny banter.
Beringer's writing is quite realistic when it comes to dialogue between twenty year olds, family dynamics, and it is pretty funny. There are pop culture references but I didn't think they were too egregious, and made sense for the characters themselves. Also, maybe it is because I like Blink-182. Pacing wise, it was a little slow at points, and this book aims to go from enemies-to-friends-to-boyfriends-to-husbands throughout the whole book. There are time skips, revenge is dolled out, and an adorable epilogue. However, it was difficult for me to get into the book because I found the writing a tad clunky and dialogue wasn't always properly formatted.
Cody and Grayson were adorable. Honestly, it was nice to read a book like this where fated mates wasn't instalove (at least, not the typical way it is done), where there was courting, and trepidation at first when it came down to figuring out how to navigate from pent-up fighting and dislike to something more. Grayson redeems himself from his frat bro image, and Cody also learns to stop being such a brat at times. I liked that Cody is not the usual type we see as an omega (very short and feminine, though I love those omegas too), but just some skater kid who is almost as tall as Grayson. While there was no switching in their sex, they were definitely very equal as partners. Even with Grayson's 'protect my omega' instincts.
The book is slice-of-life in where you learn about family members and friends, get a glimpse into the big group project for his school year, and even going to a robotics convention. It is not just about Grayson and Cody, its about their world around them and the bonds they have. I found that very sweet. There is tension and a little bit of twingey angst, but overall it was low-angst without being too sweet. The side characters were also amazing - I want to read Sam and Jamison's book, I want to learn more about Aarav and Dre, basically everyone mentioned. So good!
I definitely recommend this read.
His Secret Omega Co-ed by Ava Beringer is a slice-of-life, nonshifter omegaverse enemies-to-lovers romance. It features mpreg, college campuses, fated mates, and funny banter.
Beringer's writing is quite realistic when it comes to dialogue between twenty year olds, family dynamics, and it is pretty funny. There are pop culture references but I didn't think they were too egregious, and made sense for the characters themselves. Also, maybe it is because I like Blink-182. Pacing wise, it was a little slow at points, and this book aims to go from enemies-to-friends-to-boyfriends-to-husbands throughout the whole book. There are time skips, revenge is dolled out, and an adorable epilogue. However, it was difficult for me to get into the book because I found the writing a tad clunky and dialogue wasn't always properly formatted.
Cody and Grayson were adorable. Honestly, it was nice to read a book like this where fated mates wasn't instalove (at least, not the typical way it is done), where there was courting, and trepidation at first when it came down to figuring out how to navigate from pent-up fighting and dislike to something more. Grayson redeems himself from his frat bro image, and Cody also learns to stop being such a brat at times. I liked that Cody is not the usual type we see as an omega (very short and feminine, though I love those omegas too), but just some skater kid who is almost as tall as Grayson. While there was no switching in their sex, they were definitely very equal as partners. Even with Grayson's 'protect my omega' instincts.
The book is slice-of-life in where you learn about family members and friends, get a glimpse into the big group project for his school year, and even going to a robotics convention. It is not just about Grayson and Cody, its about their world around them and the bonds they have. I found that very sweet. There is tension and a little bit of twingey angst, but overall it was low-angst without being too sweet. The side characters were also amazing - I want to read Sam and Jamison's book, I want to learn more about Aarav and Dre, basically everyone mentioned. So good!
I definitely recommend this read.
Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC by K.A. Merikan
5.0
4.5/5.
Gutter Mind by K.A. Merikan is a crazy, surprisingly saccharine, explosive romance between 37-year-old Mike and 18-year-old Arden. Arden is femme, unapologetic, vulnerable, and icy due to his past experiences. Mike is a playboy who’s life has been decided for him in his plot for penance and revenge, and decidedly very straight. When they come together, glitter and lace flies.
The lust and attraction were instant but the actual relationship - the feelings, the way these two dug under each other’s skin - was slow. At first it was a passing challenge and joke for Mike, but it became more when he realized the fear Arden had of an ex and stepped in to protect him, with a fake relationship. Vulnerabilities were shown, fun was had, and Arden was stalwart in his means to not get into another relationship and get hurt again. Mike respected it but also teased at the edges until he learned the truth, all while trying to figure out his own sexual identity.
Merikan does a great job creating this gritty atmosphere of this outlaw biker lifestyle. Some of them are queer, but you can tell there’s still some old-fashioned attitudes that even Mike found himself guilty of, and how it comes to impact exploring his relationship with Arden at first. I found the roughness and harshness believable, but the authors also don’t just let you lie in some sort of offensive-toeing GFY. These labels are questioned and explored, identity and gender are wrestled with, and while there might not be an apt label for Mike, Arden is not ever seen as ‘well I can pretend he’s a girl’. He is revered and loved for his confidence, for all aspects of himself, and for being who he wants to be.
The way Arden and Mike are written together, we peel the layers back of Mike and his own vulnerabilities, but also his sweetness. He is a fierce protector and holds a lot of room for Arden in his heart. Consent is always key to their sex, and there are all too many sweet moments just to prove how important Arden is to him. Arden is also there to give him comfort and open his arms for him. To hold him when he needs to cry, and to also bring fun into his life that him isn’t just random sex. There are doubts, of course, but this relationship was hard won with every crazy plot that came at them. Arden at one point rightfully calls out Mike for something he did totally wrong - and it is explosive in that fight. Blood is spilled, bottles broken, tears shed. I feared for them, but it was also a catalyst for dealing with their reality. I also like how Merikan handled the past sexual abuse Arden suffered under and how that impacted their relationship, without it being a ‘magic dick’ moment at all.
Their love is not perfect and their love is all-consuming of one another. Yet, it is beautiful and radiant like the glitter and shimmer Arden dearly loves. The way this ragtag family surrounds them all with support and the ribbing involved, even the epilogue was entirely amazing and fitting for them -- that which is claimed by fingernail polish is important.
“Arden’s kiss was a match, and Mike—a pool of gasoline. The moment their mouths clashed again, the flames scorched everything they touched.”
Gutter Mind by K.A. Merikan is a crazy, surprisingly saccharine, explosive romance between 37-year-old Mike and 18-year-old Arden. Arden is femme, unapologetic, vulnerable, and icy due to his past experiences. Mike is a playboy who’s life has been decided for him in his plot for penance and revenge, and decidedly very straight. When they come together, glitter and lace flies.
The lust and attraction were instant but the actual relationship - the feelings, the way these two dug under each other’s skin - was slow. At first it was a passing challenge and joke for Mike, but it became more when he realized the fear Arden had of an ex and stepped in to protect him, with a fake relationship. Vulnerabilities were shown, fun was had, and Arden was stalwart in his means to not get into another relationship and get hurt again. Mike respected it but also teased at the edges until he learned the truth, all while trying to figure out his own sexual identity.
Merikan does a great job creating this gritty atmosphere of this outlaw biker lifestyle. Some of them are queer, but you can tell there’s still some old-fashioned attitudes that even Mike found himself guilty of, and how it comes to impact exploring his relationship with Arden at first. I found the roughness and harshness believable, but the authors also don’t just let you lie in some sort of offensive-toeing GFY. These labels are questioned and explored, identity and gender are wrestled with, and while there might not be an apt label for Mike, Arden is not ever seen as ‘well I can pretend he’s a girl’. He is revered and loved for his confidence, for all aspects of himself, and for being who he wants to be.
The way Arden and Mike are written together, we peel the layers back of Mike and his own vulnerabilities, but also his sweetness. He is a fierce protector and holds a lot of room for Arden in his heart. Consent is always key to their sex, and there are all too many sweet moments just to prove how important Arden is to him. Arden is also there to give him comfort and open his arms for him. To hold him when he needs to cry, and to also bring fun into his life that him isn’t just random sex. There are doubts, of course, but this relationship was hard won with every crazy plot that came at them. Arden at one point rightfully calls out Mike for something he did totally wrong - and it is explosive in that fight. Blood is spilled, bottles broken, tears shed. I feared for them, but it was also a catalyst for dealing with their reality. I also like how Merikan handled the past sexual abuse Arden suffered under and how that impacted their relationship, without it being a ‘magic dick’ moment at all.
Their love is not perfect and their love is all-consuming of one another. Yet, it is beautiful and radiant like the glitter and shimmer Arden dearly loves. The way this ragtag family surrounds them all with support and the ribbing involved, even the epilogue was entirely amazing and fitting for them -- that which is claimed by fingernail polish is important.
Accidentally Omega by Samantha Cayto
4.0
4/5.
No quote for this one— there was a lot more soft silence than swoony quotes and I think that works just great for them.
Cayto’s writing turns up the angst a notch in this one - I remember reaching the 60% mark and audibly gasping because I hadn’t expected the plot twist and was heartbroken! I seriously cried. While these characters are thrown together sexually early, the romance is very much a slowburn. I enjoyed it though, I wasn’t upset by this fact at all.
Joey and Liam are friends, and Liam has had some inkling of feelings for Joey and vice versa, but assume because of their roles and sexualities it just won’t work out. Yet because Joey is actually an omega, which if they don’t breed they die, Liam steps up to take care of him so Lorcan doesn’t have to. Personally this story was great, even though usually “GFY” mate stories don’t work for me. I think this one did because it didn’t dwell on that fact and because these shifters aren’t so human.
What I mean by that is this shifter world with biological and socially constructed hierarchies is only further expanded upon on in the book and gives us a glimpse into a world where the situation with Joey and Liam make sense. I like how them being animals (part-wolf, is how they put it) shows up in how concepts of love aren’t precedent for relationships. The idea of progressiveness in a pack is to open up to some more human ideas. While Joey aptly points out humans are complex and contradictory so shifters can be too, we also see how these hierarchies and statuses affect everyone. The submission and dominance that each one holds, the roles they play, and how their packs work together based on this - the collective versus the individual.
In fact, the parent who impregnates is named the “sire”, while the one who carries the child is the father or mother. This shows how their understanding of relationships isn’t the same as how we understand nuclear families. I just find this aspect so interesting! Although I wonder how ‘good’ of it is that a book leans into ideas like “omegas are just naturally sensitive” or “gammas are more brawn and apt to violence” and that inhibits the characters, Cayto writes it in a convincing and dimensional way for me.
There's an inconsistency where the first book states that omegas who are mated can't orgasm without being penetrated, but that wasn't true for Joey. This book needs some editing - some typos made me laugh - and there were some scenes I would’ve liked to be shown rather than told, but it was overall a good book. Onto the next!
No quote for this one— there was a lot more soft silence than swoony quotes and I think that works just great for them.
Cayto’s writing turns up the angst a notch in this one - I remember reaching the 60% mark and audibly gasping because I hadn’t expected the plot twist and was heartbroken! I seriously cried. While these characters are thrown together sexually early, the romance is very much a slowburn. I enjoyed it though, I wasn’t upset by this fact at all.
Joey and Liam are friends, and Liam has had some inkling of feelings for Joey and vice versa, but assume because of their roles and sexualities it just won’t work out. Yet because Joey is actually an omega, which if they don’t breed they die, Liam steps up to take care of him so Lorcan doesn’t have to. Personally this story was great, even though usually “GFY” mate stories don’t work for me. I think this one did because it didn’t dwell on that fact and because these shifters aren’t so human.
What I mean by that is this shifter world with biological and socially constructed hierarchies is only further expanded upon on in the book and gives us a glimpse into a world where the situation with Joey and Liam make sense. I like how them being animals (part-wolf, is how they put it) shows up in how concepts of love aren’t precedent for relationships. The idea of progressiveness in a pack is to open up to some more human ideas. While Joey aptly points out humans are complex and contradictory so shifters can be too, we also see how these hierarchies and statuses affect everyone. The submission and dominance that each one holds, the roles they play, and how their packs work together based on this - the collective versus the individual.
In fact, the parent who impregnates is named the “sire”, while the one who carries the child is the father or mother. This shows how their understanding of relationships isn’t the same as how we understand nuclear families. I just find this aspect so interesting! Although I wonder how ‘good’ of it is that a book leans into ideas like “omegas are just naturally sensitive” or “gammas are more brawn and apt to violence” and that inhibits the characters, Cayto writes it in a convincing and dimensional way for me.
There's an inconsistency where the first book states that omegas who are mated can't orgasm without being penetrated, but that wasn't true for Joey. This book needs some editing - some typos made me laugh - and there were some scenes I would’ve liked to be shown rather than told, but it was overall a good book. Onto the next!
EXPOSED by NOT A BOOK
2.0
This book is part of the 2022 YBBB giveaway.
2/5
I really have enjoyed books by Jamie Luther, so I was excited to read this novella. However, there were many reasons this did not work for me. I realize this is a free book and so I wasn’t expecting perfection, but this was not the writing I was used to from this author.
The concept itself - a mafia man, a submissive to a beautiful femme Dom - was great! The conflict that led them to breaking up also made a lot of sense. I don’t often read second chance romance but this one seemed interesting. I enjoyed Penn’s character a lot, he was sweet and fierce, and Torrance was interesting as well.
The issues I had was the flashback POVs (in general I don’t like flashbacks but the way it was sometimes sprinkled in amongst normal POVs was odd), the quotes in chapters (I love quotes for chapters but quoting your own blurb or the Buddha felt really tacky to me), and there was some editing issues that did not get caught that caused for some of this to read poorly.
Overall, I’m not a fan of this one though I’m willing to read the first book of the series as I expect it’ll be more in line with the writing I expected from the Age Play Daddies series.
2/5
I really have enjoyed books by Jamie Luther, so I was excited to read this novella. However, there were many reasons this did not work for me. I realize this is a free book and so I wasn’t expecting perfection, but this was not the writing I was used to from this author.
The concept itself - a mafia man, a submissive to a beautiful femme Dom - was great! The conflict that led them to breaking up also made a lot of sense. I don’t often read second chance romance but this one seemed interesting. I enjoyed Penn’s character a lot, he was sweet and fierce, and Torrance was interesting as well.
The issues I had was the flashback POVs (in general I don’t like flashbacks but the way it was sometimes sprinkled in amongst normal POVs was odd), the quotes in chapters (I love quotes for chapters but quoting your own blurb or the Buddha felt really tacky to me), and there was some editing issues that did not get caught that caused for some of this to read poorly.
Overall, I’m not a fan of this one though I’m willing to read the first book of the series as I expect it’ll be more in line with the writing I expected from the Age Play Daddies series.
All That Is Gold by Sebastian O'Connor
4.0
4/5.
This book was pretty interesting, to say the least. Sebastian O’Connor is a new author to me but I’m definitely intrigued to read the rest of his catalogue and see how it compares to this one. There were some editing issues - some things that were italicized that shouldn’t have been, some misspellings - but otherwise I didn’t find any problems mechanically. I felt the POVs were not the strongest but they were different enough for me to be able to understand what was going on. I do think that there should be a content warning for child abuse.
Carter and Greyson were an interesting couple. For one, Greyson is a Dominant who has a specific fetish of “debasing beautiful and expensive objects”, mainly his cars but also his expensive clothing and things like that. He’s also in the car business and knowledge about it is prevalent throughout the book. Carter is a Submissive but more than that, he’s younger, down on his luck, but puts a smile on despite the trauma he carries with him. Despite his past though, he is never written as incapable and I appreciate that about his characterization.
The romance itself is a slow burn by my definitions. Intimacy between them doesn’t come until 70%, but it’s smooth going pretty much after that. They get together and learn to communicate with only minor bumps in the road and big successes. The ending is a pretty open-ended HFN that suggests the eventual HEA, for sure. However, this does have something other readers might hate: explicit scenes of the MCs having sex with other people before they get together. I do understand why someone would not want to read it, and I was surprised myself, but it didn’t bother me that much. It did make the story feel a tad ‘realistic’ in that way. They were both single adult men who wanted to have sex and didn’t think it was appropriate to cross the professional line between boss/employee.
That’s not to say there aren’t unrealistic aspects of this book. Personal assistants aren’t hired they way Carter was hired, nor do they have the same benefits that Greyson hired him on. It was fine though, because it worked out for them.
I did thoroughly enjoy reading this story. I do wish the hurt/comfort just had a bit more time on it besides a few scenes, and some more ‘swoony’ moments I suppose. Otherwise, it was pretty good!
This book was pretty interesting, to say the least. Sebastian O’Connor is a new author to me but I’m definitely intrigued to read the rest of his catalogue and see how it compares to this one. There were some editing issues - some things that were italicized that shouldn’t have been, some misspellings - but otherwise I didn’t find any problems mechanically. I felt the POVs were not the strongest but they were different enough for me to be able to understand what was going on. I do think that there should be a content warning for child abuse.
Carter and Greyson were an interesting couple. For one, Greyson is a Dominant who has a specific fetish of “debasing beautiful and expensive objects”, mainly his cars but also his expensive clothing and things like that. He’s also in the car business and knowledge about it is prevalent throughout the book. Carter is a Submissive but more than that, he’s younger, down on his luck, but puts a smile on despite the trauma he carries with him. Despite his past though, he is never written as incapable and I appreciate that about his characterization.
The romance itself is a slow burn by my definitions. Intimacy between them doesn’t come until 70%, but it’s smooth going pretty much after that. They get together and learn to communicate with only minor bumps in the road and big successes. The ending is a pretty open-ended HFN that suggests the eventual HEA, for sure. However, this does have something other readers might hate: explicit scenes of the MCs having sex with other people before they get together. I do understand why someone would not want to read it, and I was surprised myself, but it didn’t bother me that much. It did make the story feel a tad ‘realistic’ in that way. They were both single adult men who wanted to have sex and didn’t think it was appropriate to cross the professional line between boss/employee.
That’s not to say there aren’t unrealistic aspects of this book. Personal assistants aren’t hired they way Carter was hired, nor do they have the same benefits that Greyson hired him on. It was fine though, because it worked out for them.
I did thoroughly enjoy reading this story. I do wish the hurt/comfort just had a bit more time on it besides a few scenes, and some more ‘swoony’ moments I suppose. Otherwise, it was pretty good!