I’ve been eagerly anticipating Jen Devon’s next book ever since finishing the beautifully angsty Bend Toward the Sun. This is a slow burn second chancI’ve been eagerly anticipating Jen Devon’s next book ever since finishing the beautifully angsty Bend Toward the Sun. This is a slow burn second chance romance, laden with pining. It’s best to read BTtS first to get the full effect, otherwise readers might get lost.
Let me first say I really enjoyed this. It’s a strong sophomore effort that could have used another round of developmental edits to address logistical issues so it could really shine. But even when I was confused, I was very into Duncan and Temperance’s dynamic. I was rooting for them. I believed in their chemistry and their love for each other just as much as I believed they needed to get out of their own way. It was a joy to see the Brady family again and see what was happening with the vineyard.
I also appreciated that this is a second chance romance without many flashbacks. I have to wonder, however, if there’s a version of the manuscript where flashbacks were initially included because I have a lot of questions about what happened when they broke up. There are some hints here and there throughout the book but they never really hash it out so I’m still confused about what actually went down. (view spoiler)[Her parents paid him to stay away but he wasn’t planning on staying away but then she didn’t show up when they were supposed to meet up that night. So is that when they broke up, because she didn't show up for some reason? Also he never told her about what her parents did and then I’m not 100% sure how her chronic illness factors in, in part because we’re never clearly told what it is. It’s a blood platelet disorder but which one? How did it affect her after the diagnosis vs. now when it seems like something she just has to be aware of? It’s a factor in the breakup, at least on Duncan’s side because he worried about being able to pay any medical bills. But it doesn’t seem like they ever communicated about any of this and since their relationship was a secret (also still not clear why!), none of their friends or family could force them to deal with their issues as they were mostly none the wiser. (hide spoiler)] All this to say, it’s hard to know what to make of their second chance when I’m still unclear on what drove them apart or why they were still able to occasionally have sex over the years in spite of this.
It all speaks to unhealthy patterns. They have sex instead of communicating. Duncan never says no to her about anything. I needed to know why Temperance kept pushing him away but then going to him for sex. I also needed to know why Duncan didn’t try to win her back sooner if he’s been in love with her the whole time. They keep secrets from each other and from the Bradys and those omissions have ramifications. I really hope they go to couple’s counseling because there’s no evidence that these patterns won’t repeat themselves.
Temperance is also in an unhealthy pattern with her toxic parents. The book didn’t do enough to confront this and in fact even whitewashes their relationship. (view spoiler)[Her parents show up at the winery grand opening even though they weren’t invited. Then she and her sister become foundation board members, even though Maren has been estranged from them for years. What evidence do we have that they’re going to turn over a new leaf? How are they going to make up for decades of neglect and control? I didn’t buy any of it. Some parents need to stay estranged. (hide spoiler)]
The plot is meandering, which I didn’t entirely mind. It also pulled its punches when it came to the angst potential, which I minded greatly. Had we gotten more answers about Duncan and Temperance’s past, then their emotional arcs would have worked well for me. But since I was left with so many questions, I kept waiting for something to happen. Temperance hardly ever goes to work, spending a lot of time at the farm for being a doctor. This has the benefit of forcing her to interact with Duncan but left me without a clear idea of what her life actually looks like or how it can fit with Duncan’s. Additionally, there were timeline issues with what their ages are purported to be, if they did indeed break up 14 years ago.
Okay so that was a lot of where the book fell short but I did really enjoy this one. Duncan calls her “Teacup”, which made me giddy. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!
Characters: Temperance is a 34 year old white pediatrician who wears glasses. Duncan is a 35 year old white farmer, family business manager, artist, and community college student. They broke up when they were 18. This is set in Linden and Vesper Valley, PA.
Content notes: nightmares, blood platelet disorder, vertigo, vomit, sprained wrist and mild concussion from being hit by falling tree limb, toxic parents, past emotional neglect and outsourced parenting, FMC’s sister is estranged from their parents, past bribery (view spoiler)[FMC’s parents paid MMC to stay away from her and he took it, intending to use it to beat them at their own game but it turned into a real breakup (hide spoiler)], possible orthorexia (FMC runs an awful lot), Addison’s disease (secondary character’s mother), past harassment by secondary character’s ex-husband, secondary character uses a cane (past accident), pregnant secondary character, secondary character has sole custody of his daughter, past death of grandparents (mention), past death of pet dog (mention), family planning discussion, on page sex, public sex, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, pipe (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction...more
A very twin-forward installment. We get Yakov and Theo’s romance and a subplot about the romance between Yakov’s twin Pavel and his boyfriend Arwen. PA very twin-forward installment. We get Yakov and Theo’s romance and a subplot about the romance between Yakov’s twin Pavel and his boyfriend Arwen. Plus, Theo’s twin brother Pax plays a role and will likely be a future MMC himself. I loved being back with the bear shifters! It was interesting to learn more about the way these pairs of twins functioned and the special connection they have to each other, which came in very handy as the plot unfolded.
However, the twin connection contributed to a plot imbalance. There was so much happening here and so many characters and POVs to keep track of. There were times Nalini gave us the wrong POV (e.g. being in Arwen’s head when Theo met Yakov’s family instead of us getting to see her take it all in). The world-building is starting to confuse me when it comes to the PsyNet and the Scarabs. I appreciated the great-grandfather’s letters with his sister before and after Silence but wonder at their inclusion now vs. earlier in the series. I’m sad the series is starting to get unwieldy for me but I will continue regardless.
The treatment of mental illness unfortunately was quite ableist and upsetting. In addition to Theo’s internalized ableism, we got the Mentally Ill Villain trope and one of the worst versions of it, since it didn’t even make sense. It’s just lazy writing. While I’ve struggled with the depiction of mental illness through this series, I would hope it would have improved by now instead of constantly ebbing and flowing.
Lastly, while it was nice to see a romance subplot for a queer couple, Arwen and Pavel’s love story felt very underdeveloped compared to other books that feature two couples. Part of this could be because we’ve slowly seen it develop in the background of other books but it would have been nice to get a complete story for them, especially since they’re the first queer characters in the series. I would like to have a better sense of how queerness is treated in this world in general, especially since this is set in Russia. It must be a much more inclusive Russia than the one we know today. At least I hope.
Characters: Yakov is a 5’8 mixed race Russian dominant StoneWater bear shifter and alpha’s second. His twin brother Pavel is a gay hacker who wears glasses and is dating Arwen, a Psy empath. Theodora is a 28 year old white Psy telekinetic, former medical device technician, and a virgin. Her twin brother is Pax, a powerful Psy with Scarab Syndrome. This is set in 2083 Moscow.
Content notes: nightmares, panic attack, rage attack (FMC throws MMC against a wall, bites him, and pelts him with object. While functionally this is partner violence, she is completely unaware of her actions and unable to stop, as a function of past medical experimentation. MMC manages to demobilize her until she comes back to herself), codependency, past mental, physical, and medical abuse by FMC’s grandfather (her parents did not intervene), past nonconsensual medical experimentation as a child (goal was to make people pliable so FMC’s grandfather could use them at will), FMC’s grandfather used her skills to murder people (past), serial killer, murder, attempted murder, dying MCs (recover), physical assault, FMC’s twin brother is slowly dying of Scarab Syndrome (no cure), Mentally Ill Villain trope, overt and casual ableism, internalized ableism, secondary character takes advantage of mentally ill character for their own gain, eugenics (Medical Center performed lobotomies and killed Psy they deemed “broken”), past cardiac arrest for FMC and her twin when FMC was being tortured by grandfather, aunt’s twin brother died in the womb (she treats him as if he’s inside of her still), past forced family separation (FMC and twin separated at age 7; FMC was raised by foster mom and erased from the family), past and present family estrangement, FMC’s estranged mother plans her assassination, brief toxic masculinity, past assassination of FMC’s grandfather, past attempted child abduction (MMC’s mother killed the men who tried), past exposure of secondary character to drugs in utero, past death of secondary character’s mom by overdose, needle (injection), shock bracelet, scarred back, bird carcass, FMC and her brother healed a dying bird (past), past death of great-uncle by suicide, pregnant secondary character, family pressure for grandchildren, family planning discussion, on page sex, alcohol, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around inebriation...more
Another intense installment! I hope Kate and Curran can take a break someday from all this constant fighting and almost dying. It’s going to be intereAnother intense installment! I hope Kate and Curran can take a break someday from all this constant fighting and almost dying. It’s going to be interesting to see how their post-Pack life continues to evolve.
Characters: Kate is a 27 year old mercenary and city guardian with tan skin. She’s the guardian of Julie, a 15 year old white girl. She has an “attack poodle” Grendel and a 10 ft tall donkey named Cuddles. Curran is a 33 year old white Beast Lord and lion shifter. This is set in Atlanta.
Content notes: suicide (ghoul evading capture), dying MC (intracranial hemorrhage and stroke; recovers), self-harm for blood magic, missing person, abduction (secondary characters), imprisonment in cage (secondary character), murder, attempted murder, physical assault, gore, body horror, lacerations, severe skin burns, immolation (secondary character), necromancers, ghouls, reanimative metamorphosis (e.g. after they kill a wolf griffin, it transforms into a giant wind scorpion), high speed car chase and crash, past plague, vomit, past parental intimate partner violence (FMC’s biological father killed her mother who was trying to prevent him from killing FMC), past massacre of MMC’s family (he survived the attack), past death of FMC’s parents and guardian, secondary character recounts past attempted partner violence by colleague’s husband, bigotry and speciesism toward shape-shifters, casual and overt ableism, ableist slur, secondary character with one arm (cut off while protecting a pregnant woman), mentally ill secondary character, family estrangement (secondary characters), pregnant secondary character, on page sex, small penis insult, classist pejorative, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism (somewhat countered), ableist language, use of “buried the hatchet”, mention of man who flashed customers at the casino...more
Minor league baseball + rivals-to-lovers + the first openly trans player…good golly, I couldn’t have loved this more!
Gene is the heart and soul of thiMinor league baseball + rivals-to-lovers + the first openly trans player…good golly, I couldn’t have loved this more!
Gene is the heart and soul of this contemporary romance. He’s the shortstop for the Beaverton Beavers, the Triple A minor league team for the Portland Lumberjacks. That is, he’s the shortstop until his rival Luis is traded to the Beavers and takes his position, leaving Gene to play second base instead. They haven’t seen each other since playing in college. Gene thinks Luis is a miserable grump but really Luis is dealing with severe anxiety…and a secret crush on Gene, just as Gene as been secretly crushing on him too!!! I loved watching these two fall for each other and then figure out whether and how they can make it work as baseball players who could potentially get traded at any time.
The story doesn’t shy away from the harder things of life, like anxiety, figuring out how or when to come out, and systemic transphobia in the baseball world. But the camaraderie of the Beavers and Gene’s skill on the field also shines a light on how inclusive baseball could become. It was fun to read a book set on a minor league team and the specific pressures (and low pay) those players face. Initially, Gene thinks he’s gone as far up in baseball as he’ll be able to go due to perception of trans players but that’s also a way that he doesn’t get his hopes up. The exploration of hope for both Gene and Luis was my favorite part of the story.
Just an absolute delight of a debut! I can’t wait to see what Hoffman writes next.
Characters: Gene is a 26 year old gay trans white Jewish Romanian American second baseman, photographer, and vegetarian with ADHD. Luis is a 28 year old gay Mexican American shortstop with severe anxiety. He has an emotional support dog named Dodger. This is set in Portland and Beaverton, OR.
Content notes: anxiety/panic disorder, panic attacks, Xanax, ER visit after fainting (dehydrated on top of a panic attack), medical privacy violation (Gene tells the manager about Luis going to the ER without asking permission to share. He apologizes after and Luis isn’t upset about it.), closeted MC (no forced outing; comes out to accepting family), overt and systemic transphobia, past deadnaming, misogyny (fan tweets), systemic racism, ageism, baseball injury (secondary character), past car accident (Luis had a panic attack while driving), past death of Luis’s father, scars from top surgery, needles (testosterone injection; ear piercing), secondary character with hearing aids who prefers ASL, Luis’s sister has Down syndrome, past adoption (Gene’s dad is his uncle; his birth mom was an alcoholic and left when Gene was young and his dad adopted him), unsafe sex practices (Luis rips open condom packet with his teeth), on page sex, locker room shower sex, strap-on harness, alcohol, inebriation (secondary character), cigarettes (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, ableist language...more
New favorite Olivia Dade. While she’s known for her humor, I cried through at least half of this antagonistic neighbors-to-lovers romance. It’s not a New favorite Olivia Dade. While she’s known for her humor, I cried through at least half of this antagonistic neighbors-to-lovers romance. It’s not a romcom; it’s a gut-punch of feelings. And I loved it.
It’s too close to my heart to properly review it but I do want to address the way this deals with Athena’s depression. In many ways, this is a tale of wish fulfillment. Matthew and many of the townspeople immediately notice that Athena has been holing up in her home and not leaving. On day 7, Matthew figures out a way to break in via her 3rd floor window that’s been left ajar so that he can check on her. Now this is only possible in a small town and even then, it’s an extremely fast timeline to notice something might be wrong. However, the townspeople’s concern is the way people should respond to someone who might be depressed, breaking and entering aside. I can’t even tell you how much it meant to see people noticing and then taking action to help Athena. So often the follow through is missing when it comes to coming alongside someone with depression, if people even notice in the first place, and that can intensify and confirm the feelings depressed people have about themselves. Obviously, there’s more to it than that; we can’t be responsible for everyone and it takes more than good friends to lift someone out of an episode. But when people can show up, it means the world. Truly.
There is one aspect that was a bit of a gray area for me. When Matthew breaks in, he first ascertains that Athena is okay and then he helps her make some small decisions, like giving him permission to set up an appointment with a therapist and getting medication, and then he starts cleaning her house and making her food. The next day he gently suggests she take a shower or a bath. And when that prospect is overwhelming, he offers to help bathe her. At this point, they’ve become friendlier but Athena still views him as the jerk who broke off her engagement to his brother. It was surprising that she’d want his help bathing, even if he promised to remain aboveboard. I wasn’t certain whether she was too depressed to properly consent; it was certainly of how much she was struggling. But at the same time, this goes back to a very specific kind of fantasy and so I rolled with it. He helps her, they talk through how she’s feeling, and it wound up being a very moving scene. It might not work for everyone but it ultimately worked for me.
Characters: Athena is a 37 year old fat white bakery clerk and library temp who wears glasses. Matthew is a 39 year old white pediatrician and a virgin. This is set in Harlot’s Bay, MD.
Content notes: depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, sibling parentification, codependency, past death of MMC’s toddler brother (pseudoephedrine intoxication), MMC breaks into FMC’s house due to concern of illness or harm, fear of storms, fear of heights, creepy dolls, cuticle picking, vaccination shots (patient), past child neglect (MMC’s parents gave up after his brother died; he took care of Johnny and no one took care of him), parental estrangement, past parental divorce (blamed each other for their son’s death), past death of MMC’s grandmother (emphysema), on page sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism, erotic dream, monster-f*cking audiobooks, alcohol, inebriation, past marijuana, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of pediatric patients who have died...more
I bought this before I’d read the first three books in the series. While I really enjoyed the first book, I hated the third and haven’t been interesteI bought this before I’d read the first three books in the series. While I really enjoyed the first book, I hated the third and haven’t been interested in any attempt to redeem Macalister. However, Sloane does write undeniably hot sex scenes so I figured this was worth reading for that and I could clear it off my digital library.
The almost 30 year age gap is a whole lot to take and I didn’t care for the plot choices toward the end but I liked how Sophia put him in his place. No one else can stand up to him and he sorely needed it. They were a good team in many ways.
At the same time, Macalister does nothing to redeem himself of his own volition. Sophia tells him what to do to turn his reputation around in the community and he does it. He doesn’t do anything to atone for what he did to his daughter-in-law and son. In fact, he rationalizes and underplays what he actually did to Marist, which includes (view spoiler)[sexual assault (hide spoiler)]. This was unforgivable to me. Does it seem like his time in prison changed him? Yes, but not to the degree that was necessary given where he started from. He makes some small efforts with his sons toward the end, like hugging Vance for the first time…ever? But that was too little, too late. If there was ever a man whose family needed to sever all ties with him, it’s Macalister. To that end, I couldn’t root for an HEA with Sophia. She deserved better.
Characters: Sophia is a 26 year old white executive assistant and former Olympic shooting athlete with a VCH piercing. Macalister is a 55 year old white bank president. He has two adult sons and has taken in Royce’s cat Lucifer. This is set in Cape Hill, MA.
Content notes: near-death experience (view spoiler)[FMC is knocked overboard and nearly drowns; she’s revived after CPR (hide spoiler)], sexual harassment, secondary character talks to a friend about planning to drug and rape FMC (overheard of MMC and he calls him out; FMC is never at risk), past incarceration for involuntary manslaughter (MMC pushed second wife away after she attempted to kill his daughter-in-law and she fell off the roof to her death), past attempted murder of MMC’s daughter-in-law by his second wife (poisoned drink and tried to push Marist off a roof), past death of MMC’s first wife (horse riding accident), family estrangement (MMC’s sons are low contact with him), past emotional abuse of sons by MMC, past infidelity (MMC’s second wife cheated with his son and with a board member; MMC tried to steal his son’s girlfriend-now-wife), past parental infidelity (FMC’s mom slept with someone else and he is her biological father; he rejected her and her adoptive father is emotionally distant once he learns the truth of her paternity), misogyny, workplace sexism, racism, classism, boss-employee relationship, internet bullying and fatshaming, loss of weight and muscle tone while incarcerated, insomnia, seasickness, past breast cancer (FMC’s mom), board member kicked his son out after he came out as gay (past), death of secondary character’s mother, past death of secondary character’s husband (plane crash), skeet shooting, pregnant secondary character, family planning discussion, unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion; FMC is on the pill and they have both exchanged STI test results), on page sex, D/s, impact play, pain play, Daddy kink, office kink, sex toys, alcohol, cocaine (secondary characters), p-in-v sex is the only “real” sex, STI jokes, small penis insult, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, casual use of “slave”, casual use of addiction (FMC says she’s addicted to MMC’s dominance), mention of PTSD (secondary character’s brother)
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle) Purchased: 2021...more
The sweetest epistolary historical fantasy romance you’ll ever read. Admittedly, epistolary lit can be a hard sell for me but this avoided most of my The sweetest epistolary historical fantasy romance you’ll ever read. Admittedly, epistolary lit can be a hard sell for me but this avoided most of my pet peeves with the form. Plus, Gavin was such a compelling buttoned up demisexual MC. He’s extremely private, to the point of not telling anyone what his persuasion (e.g. sexuality) is, so it was fascinating to watch what he revealed in his letters and what he held back. He primarily writes to his sister Gerry (the best!) but there are letters to other family members and, most importantly, to Charles.
Charles, who is known to have a bit of a reputation but is only ever kind to Gavin and keeps seeking him out for reasons Gavin cannot understand. (LOL.) There’s a fantastic bedside vigil, interesting magic spells (I need that warming spell for my tea stat), and a unique play on the rules of the Regency period. This is an inclusive world with POC and queer characters, including a nonbinary Dukex. The concept of bisexuality isn’t well-known for whatever reason but Charles is bi so Gerry and Gavin don’t stay in ignorance for long. I just really loved reading a historical fantasy world that doesn’t have bigotry baked in it. I wish more fantasy authors would follow suit.
Looking forward to reading more in this series!
Characters: Gavin is a 25 year old white demisexual gay second son and amateur spellcaster. Charles is a 27 year old bisexual white esquire. This is set in 1815 London.
Content notes: Dragon Fever, toxic brother, physical assault, gambling, bierasure, slut-shaming, sex worker secondary character, pregnant secondary character, past death of Charles’s parents, alcohol, inebriation, laudanum (prescribed for illness), gendered pejorative, ableist language
Zoe York’s books are easy enough to read but I almost always want more from them. In the case of this second chance romance, I wanted Rafe to grovel mZoe York’s books are easy enough to read but I almost always want more from them. In the case of this second chance romance, I wanted Rafe to grovel more and bring an actual plan of how he was going to do better going forward. I wasn’t convinced he was actually going to change his workaholic, mama’s boy ways. He and Olivia never really addressed their issues or what changes they would implement, which was frustrating. Rafe at least eventually raised the idea of going to counseling so I hope they follow through on that. Good sex is not enough to undo all the damage from the way their marriage ended; otherwise they never would have divorced in the first place.
Note: this is a cishet white town and Rafe is a cop and in the army reserve. It’s a small town so there are different issues but it’s still pretty pro-police and military. There was also an unfortunate amount of casual misogyny and compulsory sexuality, which rubbed me the wrong way.
Characters: Olivia is a 28 year old white diner waitress and local contact for a movie production studio. Rafe is a 31 year old white police officer and army reserve member. They were together 4 years and divorced two years ago. This is set in Pine Harbour, ON.
Content notes: drug trafficking case, officer-involved shooting (drug bust gone bad), MMC injured in the line of duty (shot in shoulder), murder of FMC’s friend (shot during drug bust), past divorce, sexism, toxic mother, past death of FMC’s father, vomit, family planning discussion, family pressure for grandchildren, pregnancy epilogue, on page sex, mild breeding kink, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, marijuana (secondary character), compulsory sexuality, casual misogyny, gender essentialist language, ableist language
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Nook) Purchased: 2018...more
Am I tired of “ticking time bomb in your brain” plots? Yes. Did this work really well for me anyway? Also yes. Ivan and Soleil are a dream team and I Am I tired of “ticking time bomb in your brain” plots? Yes. Did this work really well for me anyway? Also yes. Ivan and Soleil are a dream team and I love the possibilities their relationship (and Ivan’s gift) opened up for the humans, changelings, and Psy.
Note: I didn’t love the way the characters talk about people dealing with substance abuse so please be aware if this is a sensitive issue.
Characters: Ivan is a 32 year old neurodiverse white Psy security specialist, mercenary, and a virgin. Soleil is a 27 year old mixed race ocelot changeling and healer. This is set in 2083 San Francisco and Moscow.
Content notes: substance abuse (parents; mother took drug in utero and gave it to MMC as a child), Jax (drug) epidemic, past child abuse/neglect, past abusive alphas (including FMC’s grandfather), massacre (PsyNet rupture/psychic infection), murder of packmates, FMC attacked with an ax (recovers), past vigilante justice (MMC murders drug dealers and other bad people), memory loss, spider imagery, lacerations, suturing, weight loss due to malnourishment, hallucinations (sees dead friend), seizure (secondary character), blood bond, off page heart attack (secondary character, recovers), internalized ableism, past death of MMC’s mother (overdose when he was 8), past child homelessness, past foster care (eventually taken in by FMC’s grandfather), injured woman goes into premature labor (safe delivery), facial scar (car accident as a child), past death of FMC’s parents (car accident during hurricane), MMC never knew father’s identity (view spoiler)[he finds him at the end of the book and they meet (hide spoiler)], unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention; unclear what is necessary in cross-species relationships), on page sex, casual ableism around mental illness, casual acephobia, gendered pejorative, gender essentialist language, ableist language, use of “junkie” and “clean” when discussing substance abuse...more
3.5 stars. Huh. This was probably never going to be my favorite Kate Daniels book since I’d rather not read about pregnancy and the whole plot is devo3.5 stars. Huh. This was probably never going to be my favorite Kate Daniels book since I’d rather not read about pregnancy and the whole plot is devoted to Kate and Curran being hired to protect a pregnant shifter. But I figured I’d at least get Kate’s badassery (true), the world-building would deepen (yep), and her relationship with Curran would progress (*record scratch*).
I came around on Curran after the last couple of books and this one dashed all that progress to pieces. Instead of trusting his partner and telling her his plan with Lorelei, he instead let Kate think he was either a) cheating on her or b) planning to leave her. He lets Lorelei behave in extremely disrespectful ways and even encourages it. Meanwhile all these rival packs are picking on Kate since she’s not married to Curran and can see how Lorelei is blatantly trying to replace her. While I can see why Curran rationalized his actions as a way of protecting Kate, he never would have been okay if the tables were turned and he was watching Kate do that to him. Plus, the idea that Kate doesn’t know how to lie and that’s why he didn’t clue her in is LAUGHABLE.
Is it wrong that I want Kate to wind up with Hugh instead now? That sword fight, y’all!!! Yes, yes, they’re probably going to try to kill each other at some point but there’s no reason that couldn’t be turned into a hell of a redemption arc instead. She has way more chemistry with Hugh and he’s not any more duplicitous than Curran. Sigh. I know it’s not going to happen but I have no idea if I’ll ever warm back up to Curran at this point. They do not at all have a healthy relationship—including (view spoiler)[intimate partner violence (hide spoiler)] that is not acknowledged as such by the book—and that’s such a bummer.
I also didn’t care with the amount of casual ableism, especially regarding Christopher, or the choices made with Doolittle and Aunt B. I hope the next book will work better for me.
Characters: Kate is a 26 year old mercenary with tan skin. She’s the guardian of Julie, a 14 year old white girl. She has an “attack poodle” Grendel. Curran is a 32 year old white Beast Lord and lion shifter. This is set in Atlanta (in the US) and Gagra, Georgia (the country).
Content notes: attacker threatens rape, sexual harassment, suicide (attacker), intimate partner violence (FMC punches MMC. The book does not treat this as partner violence but it is. MMC is jealous and controlling. FMC’s biological father killed her mother when she was young.), nightmare, inhumane treatment of prisoner (set free), mentally ill secondary character, abusive pack leader secondary character (uses adult daughter as a bargaining chip), self-harm for blood magic, death of secondary character’s mother (sacrifices herself so others can escape), murder, patricide, attempted murder, gore, cannibalism (secondary characters), off-page massacre of village, physical assault, pirate attack, monster attacks, fire, past war, spinal cord injury (secondary character, (view spoiler)[nearly dies but comes through, however he is paralyzed and now uses a wheelchair (hide spoiler)]), lacerations, broken bones, secondary character loses her arm, loupism (a virus that causes shapeshifters to become physically and mentally ill, to the point where most must be exterminated so they won’t kill or rape anyone as a result of the illness), many shapeshifter child and teen shapeshifters die young from loupism, drug assault (sedative laced in water given to FMC after injuries), induced-coma for teen secondary character who went loup, pregnant secondary characters, C-section, family planning discussion, off-page hunt, mother slaps adult son (secondary characters), bigotry and speciesism toward shape-shifters, slut-shaming, secondary character transforms from male to female and back again (identifies as male), past death of FMC’s parents and guardian, past death of spouses and children (secondary characters), pressure for grandchildren (secondary character), vomit, seasickness, on page sex, shower sex, alcohol, pipe (secondary character), diet culture, casual ableism, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide...more
LOL obviously I’m going to say more. When sex worker Poppy wakes up and discovers she’CW: intimate partner violence
Sapphic vampires, need I say more?
LOL obviously I’m going to say more. When sex worker Poppy wakes up and discovers she’s been turned into a vampire, her first reaction is to bemoan not being able to eat or drink anymore and querying what she’ll do for work if she can’t give blow jobs anymore. Such a refreshing change of pace! Poppy is a hopeful yet chaotic soul and adds some levity, as well as a good counter for buttoned up Roisin.
Alas, there were pacing issues throughout the middle. It was more vibes than plot until we get toward the end when the action kicked into high gear. Poppy and Roisin are away from each other for the bulk of it, while Roisin tries to go after Cane, her abusive ex and the vampire who originally took Poppy. It was difficult for me to buy the depth of feeling Poppy had for Roisin or to believe Roisin returned those feelings and they could be sustained after so many years apart. Part of that was due to how much of a martyr Roisin was and how impatient and self-centered Poppy was.
The ending went off the rails a bit too much for me. (view spoiler)[I totally called that Cane spied through the evil eye that Sarah wore as a necklace. They should have buried that thing or tossed it in the sea! Not kept it around for all their planning sessions and travels. (hide spoiler)] After all those pages, I wish more of the story had focused on trauma recovery for all of the characters and that we could have seen what normal day to day life was like for Poppy and Roisin now that they’re on a more even playing ground.
The secondary characters that make up The Brood are superb, especially Valentin, Sarah, and Carmen. Carmen is trans and stole just about every scene she’s in. She was riveting and I’d read a whole book about her.
While this wasn’t as strong of a vampire romance as I’d prefer, there’s a lot of promise in the writing. I look forward to seeing what this author does next.
Note: this heavily deals with partner violence, primarily by Roisin’s ex and the hold Cane continues to have over her. But Roisin also hits Poppy during an argument. They’re not together but this occurs during Poppy’s first year as a vampire and Roisin knows Poppy wants her. It’s not treated as partner violence but it absolutely is. Nothing happens along those again between them but they’re also apart for most of the middle of the story. I really wish that had not been included or if it was purposeful, that it had been dealt with more overtly.
Characters: Poppy is a 20 year old fat (possibly bisexual) white British sex worker, newly turned vampire, Switch, and future (view spoiler)[baker/chef (hide spoiler)]. She has dyslexia. Roisin is a 218 year old (appears to be in 20s) lesbian white Irish vampire and submissive. This is set in 1837 rural England and London, 1853 Dorset, 1868 Paris, and 1871 Transylvania.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (view spoiler)[Roisin hit Poppy before they’re involved but they both have feelings for each other. Roisin’s ex was emotionally abusive and erased her memories of her childhood and family, killed her girlfriend in front of her and kills similar-looking young girls to mess with Roisin since she left (hide spoiler)], Roisin plans to die by suicide if she has to go back to her ex, self-harm (secondary character), past enslavement by villain/ex-partner (kept Roisin in her thrall), murder, attempted murder, physical assault, burning from sunlight, institutionalization (friends break her out), mesmerism/control by villain, possession (secondary character), corpse, animal death, butchering animals, broken bones, blood drinking, hemorrhaging, Poppy was turned into a vampire without her consent (Cane almost killed her, (view spoiler)[as a way of tormenting Roisin. Roisin turned Poppy (hide spoiler)]), MC with previously undiagnosed dyslexia, internalized ableism, past ableism by teacher, past fatshaming, past death of families, past plague, tattoo, vomit, Roisin frequently dresses in men’s clothes, cross-dressing secondary characters (women dressed in men’s clothes), trans secondary character, sex worker MC and secondary character, past war, past childhood poverty, on page sex, D/s, praise kink, edging, harness and strap-on, beach sex, masturbation, alcohol, gendered pejoratives, ableist language...more
It’s not fair to compare a standalone spinoff to the first three books in the Villains and Virtues series but Celeste and Reeve lacked the same spark It’s not fair to compare a standalone spinoff to the first three books in the Villains and Virtues series but Celeste and Reeve lacked the same spark as Damien and Amma. Celeste and Reeve had potential as characters but didn’t quite come together for me. I didn’t care about the problem of Syphon and felt Celeste’s history of abuse at her sister’s hand needed a defter touch. This was also unfortunately riddled with intellectual ableism.
That’s not to say it was all bad. Plum the wyvern stole my heart and I loved the way Reeve went out of his way to take care of Celeste (once he got past thinking she was evil and wanting to kill her, that is.) The townspeople were good additions too.
I’m excited Xander gets the next spinoff! Hopefully it’ll work better than this one did.
Characters: Celeste is a 26 year old white nox-touched woman. She has a pet wyvern named Plum. Reeve is a 26 year old Holy Knight of Valcord and a virgin. He has a talking sword named Sid.
Content notes: verbal abuse by villain, MMC tries to kill FMC and she imprisons him (he initially believes she’s evil), recent death of FMC’s sister, FMC’s sister was emotionally abusive, FMC’s sister enslaved her ex-boyfriend and sexually and physically abused him (past), past child physical abuse (some of whom died in the temple), murder, explosion, physical assault, missing child (found safe and sound), coma, lacerations, past plague (many children were orphaned), animal death (boar), animal and human corpses, intellectual ableism (not countered), secondary character with memory loss, past death of fellow knights, past execution of FMC’s parents, MMCs parents gave him away to the temple because they thought he was possessed, on page sex, bondage, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, “manhood” as euphemism, gender essentialism, ableist language...more
3.5 stars. Ryat is the quintessential “touch her and die” MMC. That hasn’t really appealed to me before but maybe I just haven’t read books that execu3.5 stars. Ryat is the quintessential “touch her and die” MMC. That hasn’t really appealed to me before but maybe I just haven’t read books that executed it well. On the one hand, Ryat is going to treat Blakely however the hell he wants. On the other hand, he’s not going to let anyone else hurt her. That includes her parents: I loved how he told both of them off. Her mom was the true monster but her dad enabled a whole lot of BS too. I’m not 100% convinced Ryat and Blake have a good relationship—I wish she had way more agency—but it was satisfying to read and I’m glad she had at least one person in her corner.
I read this series completely out of order and it didn’t matter in the least. I thought I might struggle with the college setting so I wanted to save this one for last but it turns out I enjoyed Ryat and Blakely’s dynamic the most. It helped that Ryat does not at all seem like a college student and they don’t spend much time going to class past the beginning. As much as I enjoyed these characters, the plot didn't hold up, hence rating it a little lower than the others.
The world of the Lords is completely antithetical to everything I believe in and yet I find myself completely entranced by it anyway. Perhaps because the Lords as an entity embody my worst nightmare and I’m always trying to figure out what they’re actually doing with their power when they’re not killing each other off.
However, so many plot choices undermine the Lords’ supposed power. (view spoiler)[The Lords should have killed Matt after the botched assignment. They’ve never needed proof in the past and given the reveal at the end that the woman never actually died, wouldn’t she have just told them what Matt did? There’s no purpose in keeping that quiet or keeping Matt around unless the Lords aren’t as infallible as they want to appear. And if that’s true, then the entire organization should have collapsed by now. (hide spoiler)]
Not to mention, it’s already difficult to believe they give college students as much responsibility and power as they do. Ryat is supposed to be a judge someday and he’ll graduate from college even if he doesn’t go to classes. That is a terrifying notion. Particularly because it seems like he doesn’t even have to go to law school?? Like WHAT?! It’s not surprising how many mediocre white men fail upward but it’s a leap to believe they would be able to maintain these networks without at least properly attending college. Especially since they’re already guaranteed to get into Barrington and probably didn’t even do the bare minimum to graduate high school.
This needed a much stronger developmental edit. There’s an over-reliance on flashbacks for things that just happened or don’t add to the narrative. The plot completely went off the rails at the end and I still can’t make heads or tails of it. (view spoiler)[How did her parents hide the fact that they were a Lord and Lady her whole life? How was her biological mother in hiding and covering up her death (to what purpose?!) while also orchestrating this whole thing? I’m still not clear why the Lords would have made Blakely's biological mom give her up as an infant in order to go undercover and “marry” another guy…and then stay with him for 20 years?! How did her adoptive mother turn against Blakely so thoroughly that she would plan for Matt to abduct and rape her? (hide spoiler)] Tessier’s plots aren’t her strong suit but I keep hoping for improvement.
Lastly, this is a completely white cishet world. Not surprising given how much similarity the Lords have with Republicans but just as concerning.
Characters: Ryat is a white college senior and Lord. Blakely is a 20 year old white college junior and virgin with glasses and a naval piercing. This is set at Barrington University in Pennsylvania.
Content notes: attempted rape by FMC’s ex-boyfriend, rape by MMC (view spoiler)[somnophilia that occurs while she’s drugged; anal fingering and plug while she’s drugged (hide spoiler)], intent of reproductive assault (view spoiler)[MMC was going to replace FMC’s birth control with placebos but she ran away and left her birth control behind so it didn’t matter (hide spoiler)], drug assaults by MMC, intimate partner violence (ex-boyfriend attempts to kill FMC but MMC jumps in front of the bullet, ex-boyfriend then abducts her), MMC was shot 4 times and FMC believes him to be dead (friends found him and got him to hospital in time), video cameras record FMC without her knowledge, MMC implanted a tracker in FMC without her knowledge, controlling MMC, MMC is physically aggressive with FMC, sexual assault (view spoiler)[secondary character (who is FMC’s ex) gropes a woman who’s asleep and intends to rape her (hide spoiler)], stalking by MMC, infidelity (FMC’s boyfriend is cheating on her), murder, attempted murder, torture, physical assault, branding, solitary confinement, accidental murder of secondary character’s child (hit was intended for him), wound cauterization, broken nose, FMC’s mom slaps her (never done it before), learning a parent isn’t the biological parent (view spoiler)[FMC’s biological mother was forced to give her up and leave her husband so she could do undercover work for the Lords, it was supposed be temporary but dad remarried and she believed her adoptive mom was her mom (hide spoiler)], unplanned pregnancy (view spoiler)[with twins (hide spoiler)], (view spoiler)[FMC’s mom (hide spoiler)] plans on stealing her baby once it’s born, toxic parents, misogyny (including slurs), purity culture, slut-shaming, internalized kink-shaming, past kink-shaming by ex, past rehab for drugs and alcohol in HS (secondary character, still partakes), past arrest of neighbor for drugs, vomit, unsafe sex practices (no condom used for penetrative sex without discussion of pregnancy or STI discussion; he knows she’s on the Pill from snooping in her apartment), dubious consent (FMC is very drunk; MMC does not explain or obtain consent for most of what he does to her or ensure they’re playing safely), on page sex, D/s, CNC, breath play, choking, impact play, bondage, praise kink, fluid exchange, voyeurism, mirror sex, sex next to dead body, sex ritual/public sex, sex tape, hood, mask, blindfold, gag, biting, anal play, sex toys, masturbation, alcohol, underage drinking, excessive drinking, inebriation, hangover, prison rape jokes, STD stigma, p-in-v sex is only “real” sex, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, sex compared to addiction, mention of past pregnancy complications in epilogue (view spoiler)[emergency C-section and hysterectomy after the birth of third child (hide spoiler)]...more
My new favorite Anita Kelly. I savored this contemporary romance, not wanting it to end. It almost feels too personal to review; it made me cry almostMy new favorite Anita Kelly. I savored this contemporary romance, not wanting it to end. It almost feels too personal to review; it made me cry almost every time I picked it up because of the relatability. But it also had so many delightful moments. First and foremost: we don’t get the “dating lessons” trope nearly often enough!
High school basketball coach Julie can’t believe her eyes when her long-time crush-from-afar walks into the gym. Elle is a foster parent for her cousin’s daughter Vanessa who has newly joined the team and a former WNBA player. Julie eventually ropes Elle into becoming her assistant coach. They start spending more time together and when Julie confesses she’s never dated or been sure she wanted to, Elle suggests they give dating lessons a try.
This had such a gentle approach to Julie figuring out her sexuality. She’s on the asexual-spectrum, possibly demisexual but possibly something else. I liked that this leaves things open-ended. Labels can be very helpful to people but they’re not necessary for everyone. What does become clear is that she has feelings for Elle and those feelings are worth exploring. It was lovely to watch play out and to see Elle accept Julie as she is regardless of inexperience and uncertainty. Julie is Julie and she’s enough.
This centers the role and importance of friendship when you’re single. It delves into the ways Julie’s friendships have changed and are changing with Ben moving away and how she’s no one’s first phone call anymore. Or when a loved one doesn’t share important news with you at all and you realize you’re not as important to them as you think. Julie is happy that her loved ones have found partners but she also feels left out. Friendship/found family is even more important when you don’t have a partner and this really gets at the uncertainty of these changes. I felt all of this so deeply.
While I primarily related to Julie, Elle’s storyline also got me because of the depiction of her depression. Mine manifests differently but there are some similarities. Mostly what I loved about it was the way Julie took care of her without Elle even asking, sometimes in spite of Elle’s protests. It was a great example of partnership and coming alongside someone during their darkest hours and loving them through it.
And then there’s the actual romance. Julie and Elle were so dang good together! Elle’s patience, Julie’s curiosity and open-heartedness. They’re great coaches and foster parents (OK Julie isn’t an official foster parent but she’s very involved with Vanessa’s care). And they have fantastic chemistry. Getting to watch Julie experience everything for the first time was such a treat. Also loved the Julie's cat Snoozles, the Nashville setting, as I lived there for five years, and all the secondary characters living out their HEAs. This book is going to have a special place in my heart for a long, long time.
Characters: Julie is a 28 year old white HS basketball coach and Vanderbilt alumni relations administrative assistant. She’s on the asexual spectrum, possibly demisexual, but hasn’t landed on a label. She has a cat named Snoozles. Elle is a 32 year old lesbian white Vanderbilt medical billing clerk and ex-WNBA player. She’s the temporary foster parent for her cousin Karly’s teen daughter Vanessa. This is set in Nashville.
Content notes: depression, Elle is a foster parent for cousin’s teen daughter, cousin in rehab for substance abuse, child neglect (teen secondary character), chronic migraines, Elle’s mom has fibromyalgia, top surgery (secondary character), sick cat and emergency vet visit (recovers), acknowledgment of homophobic and transphobic politics and legislation in TN, gender binary in sports and assumption the players are all girls, suspected infidelity (Elle’s ex-girlfriend), past career-ending injury (ACL), family planning discussion (fostering queer teens someday), Elle isn’t drinking alcohol while she’s a foster parent, past death of grandparents, Elle never knew her father, on page sex, alcohol (epilogue), inebriation (secondary characters), ageist jokes, diet culture, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, mention of former assistant coach being treated for ovarian cancer, mention of past player who dealt with disordered eating
Disclosure: I’m friendly with the author online, who provided this ARC....more
Whew, this story did not quit. The stakes keep getting higher and higher for Kate and company and I was horrified when the villains’ end game was reveWhew, this story did not quit. The stakes keep getting higher and higher for Kate and company and I was horrified when the villains’ end game was revealed. I wish Kate and Curran would communicate in ways that did not involve physically fighting one another. Is it sparring and fighting or is it intimate partner violence? Like I think they’re okay and yet it still makes me uncomfortable.
Characters: Kate is a 26 year old mercenary with tan skin. She’s the guardian of Julie, a 13 year old white girl. She is adopted by an “attack poodle” Grendel. Curran is a 30 year old white Beast Lord and lion shifter. This is set in Atlanta.
Content notes: self-harm for blood magic, mass murder, attempted extermination of all magical beings, past sexual assault of secondary character (packmate grabbed his balls to taunt him, he punched her to get her off, then she shifted to kill him but he killed her first), intimate partner violence (FMC physically fights MMC during arguments. MMC is controlling and possessive, especially if he thinks another man gets too close to FMC. The book does not treat their dynamic as partner violence but it is. FMC’s biological father killed her mother when she was young.), past childhood abuse, teen secondary character infected by shapeshifter and near death (view spoiler)[she recovers after FMC does a blood transfusion that knocks out the loup virus (hide spoiler)], police violence and abuse of power (including killing a civilian), ritual rune for human sacrifice, murder, attempted murder, suicide (minor character), gore, body horror, explosives, corpse, physical assault, blood transfusion (secondary character), necromancy, teargas, lacerations, recurring knee injury (FMC), gunshot wounds (secondary characters), bullet-shattered knee resulting in amputation (secondary character), past terrorist bombing of hospital (terrorist died by suicide), sleep bomb (affected secondary characters), death of Pack members, anti-magic bigotry, slut-shaming, casual and overt ableism, missing person case, case involving naked shifter who broke into woman’s apartment to “court” her and she shot him thinking he was a predator, workplace discrimination (secondary character), past abduction of secondary character as an infant by his father and then raised in a cult (eventually reunited with his mom), teen ward runs away from school, attack by smoke dog, dead ants, animal harm, vandalism, dog vomit, past death of secondary character’s wife (diabetes and kidney failure), past death of FMC’s parents and guardian, past massacre of MMC’s family (he survived the attack), past infidelity (secondary character’s mom), pregnant secondary character, on page sex, alcohol, anti-fat bias, acephobia/compulsory sexuality, casual ageism, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language (including the use of the R-word as a description), hyperbolic language around suicide, FMC tells teen ward she’ll be her “slave” at the office...more
This monster romance series has offered diminishing returns on investment but I was curious enough to see how Birsha would finally be dealt with. ThisThis monster romance series has offered diminishing returns on investment but I was curious enough to see how Birsha would finally be dealt with. This was far too long, with not much action (by which I mean actually challenging Birsha) until the last 50 or so pages. Evanthia’s (view spoiler)[past rape and imprisonment as a trafficking victim (hide spoiler)] was pretty much forgotten by the second half. Moon is better at writing sex scenes than she is at characterization or plotting but I didn't find them to be all that hot here. There was no real connection between Evanthia and her men. They all barely have personalities beyond sexist possessiveness. I likely won’t read her beyond this.
This did at least have one of the best renderings of “sleep better with you”: Hywel watches over Evanthia while she sleeps so she won’t have nightmares.
Characters: Evanthia is a 500+ year old white sex worker and demigoddess who needs néktar (sexual pleasure) to survive. Asterion is a brown minotaur and the King of the Labyrinth. Conall aka The Red Wolf is a bisexual white Irish werewolf king. Laszlo is a bisexual gryphon and the King of Clouds who wears spectacles. Laszlo and Hywell are mates. Hywel is a bisexual Welsh dragon and the King of Dreams who has two dicks.
Content notes: PTSD, nightmares, past rape (FMC was a trafficking victim), past abduction and 200+ years of imprisonment, past physical abuse, imprisonment, off page torture, attempted abduction, murder, monster ambush, near-death experience (view spoiler)[FMC breaks window and falls out while having a nightmare (hide spoiler)], sexism, slut-shaming, animal harm (Centicore was chained with a sword stuck in it), past starvation and weight loss, weight regained, past death of Conall’s parents (killed in werewolf challenge), past child abduction (Conall kidnapped after parents died and chose to be exiled), past maternal abandonment (FMC left with sex workers as an infant), blind secondary character, vomit, unsafe sex practices (no condom used without discussion of pregnancy or STI prevention despite multiple partners; unclear how birth control works in this world), dubious consent, on page sex, primal play, somnophilia (one instance not pre-negotiated (view spoiler)[Laszlo invites FMC to help him wake up Hywel but Hywel has been hibernating for centuries and had not consented for FMC to do this, although he’s completely into it once he wakes up (hide spoiler)], breath play, dragon sex, DP, menage and group sex, knotting, orgy, voyeurism/exhibitionism, spanking, erogenous oil, mating bites, rimming, anal play, alcohol, gendered pejorative, gender essentialism, ableist language, secondary character compares néktar to cocaine...more
It was so good to be back in the paladin world! This series has become such a comfort to me. The moment I saw this would be about Marguerite, I was thIt was so good to be back in the paladin world! This series has become such a comfort to me. The moment I saw this would be about Marguerite, I was thrilled. I was hoping we’d get her story after the role she played in the first book. I didn’t remember much about paladin Shane prior to starting this but I was nonetheless ready to learn about him as well.
This installment is more fantasy than fantasy romance. While we do get a love story between Marguerite and Shane, it’s much more of a subplot with the bulk of the book focused on the quest. Although I should note (view spoiler)[there is a fantastic sex scene involving thread that was so perfect for these two. Loved seeing Marguerite take charge! (hide spoiler)] There’s a fascinating expansion of the world-building with some intriguing possibilities about the gods and demons that I cannot wait to see play out.
The structure reminded me of the Clocktaur War duology, what with its motley crew on a quest and dealing with various calamities as they traveled. There are even references to Lord Caliban to boot! (view spoiler)[All of which become clearer due to events at the end. (hide spoiler)] However, this was much more meandering and long. It would have benefited from tighter pacing and less set up for whatever the larger arc is going to be next. The secondary characters are great: I have got to know if Wren and Davith will be paired together in their own book. And I obviously need to know everything about Judith!!!
Characters: Marguerite is a fat spy with tawny skin. Shade is a 36 year old white bodyguard and berserker paladin. Wren is a bodyguard and berserker paladin. Davith is a rival spy.
Content notes: general lecherous behavior by sexual harasser/possible rapist secondary character, FMC has history of sexual coercion (sex/sexual acts in order to get information out of targets), demon possession, thwarted suicide attempt to escape being used by a demon, recent abduction of secondary character’s teen niece, brief child physical abuse (kidnapped children), bounty on FMC’s head, murder attempted murder, past assassination attempt, physical assault, imprisonment, attempted robbery, past murder of patron (staged as suicide), animal harm and death (including cow possessed by demon), scalp wound, consumption (secondary character), sexism (MMC doesn’t treat female paladin as a true equal), past death of god, past death of secondary character’s husband (it was a marriage of convenience), secondary character with prosthetic foot (war injury), secondary character who uses a cane, vomit, unsafe sex practices (no condom used for penetrative sex; they use pullout method. Afterward FMC says she takes “silphium powder” to prevent pregnancy.), on page sex, power exchange, bondage, alcohol, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, reference to woman who died in childbirth
I don’t know what it is about Tessier’s books that work so well for me but I could not put this down. All 600+ pages flew by and it wasn’t even becausI don’t know what it is about Tessier’s books that work so well for me but I could not put this down. All 600+ pages flew by and it wasn’t even because I was dying to know about who was targeting Lake and Tyson. I was in it to see how their relationship could possibly evolve from where it started (forced marriage orchestrated by Tyson!) and whether his revenge plot was actually a good idea.
This book consumed me despite its overuse of flashbacks and inconsistent characterization for Laikyn. I thought she was going to be a feisty badass when we first met her, ready to push back against the Lords despite the very real limitations in place for her. Instead, that feistiness pretty much disappeared and she often seemed surprised by Tyson’s actions despite him not being all that different from her father or brother. Her mistreatment at Tyson’s hands is certainly different from what she experienced growing up but at the same time, women are groomed to be used and discarded in this world.
She does try to push back in some small ways, like not immediately obeying Tyson’s orders, and one big way: she’s very clear that she doesn’t want kids. I found that to be refreshing because I’ve wondered about this myself. Why would you want to doom your children to be either a Lord or married to one if you are generally a good-hearted person? The only reason to keep having kids is to keep amassing power, which is going to mean you’re not a good parent. Even Tyson is okay with her decision, although his methodology of ensuring this wasn’t great. (view spoiler)[He has a doctor come to the hotel after they get married to give her the birth control shot. She had recently had her period so technically she was protected but it’s still generally recommended you use condoms for a week after to be safe. The doctor does not tell them that last bit and Tyson is adamant that he never wants to use condoms with his wife so they don’t. Now I knew there was something fishy the moment the doctor appeared on page because it wasn’t the person Tyson had requested. And yet despite what a fearsome person he is supposed to be, he doesn’t make sure this guy is legit. And so this all leads to reproductive assault. The doctor was sabotaging them and it wasn’t the birth control shot he administered but hormones instead. Lake gets pregnant. She and Tyson never discuss abortion. They completely reverse course on their earlier conversation where they were adamant about not wanting kids. All of a sudden Lake is talking about how she always wanted to have a family. This made no sense to me because their kids are still going to grow up in this world. Nothing has changed. Unless they have some master plan to topple this entire organization, which they don’t. To not even mention terminating the pregnancy was a confounding choice. It should have been on the table and Lake deciding to continue the pregnancy needed to be better foregrounded given their previous discussion. (hide spoiler)]
The mystery didn’t make a whole lot of sense. My questions are unending: (view spoiler)[ why did they make Lake wait three years if they were just going to traffick her? What was the point of spending all that money on breast augmentation and dying her hair, etc.? She would have been even more desirable in that market at 18, instead of 21. Why was Whitney playing dead all this time and what did she get out of this? Why did their dad come up with this whole plot to begin with? Obviously the dad, sister, and brother are vile but how could they do this to their own family member? Related: I knew Miller deserved to die the very first scene he was in. I wish Lake had tested Tyson and said she wouldn’t get married just so he would have had to follow through on killing her brother. Why did she have to be abducted and raped on top of everything else? It would have been easy to omit that. (hide spoiler)]
Lake deciding she was into Tyson came out of nowhere. I’m still not sure what changed but I think it can probably be attributed to a misunderstanding of arousal nonconcordance and inconsistent characterization. Similarly, I wasn’t sure when Tyson’s feelings for her changed. He (view spoiler)[was initially motivated by revenge and that doesn’t change once they’re married. But he’s very possessive in ways that can’t be explained away given the way most Lords behave. (hide spoiler)] I wish we’d gotten to see more of them together outside of sex scenes so we could see how they’ll function as a couple and what they offer to each other. It’s not that I don’t think they’ll be a good team. I simply wanted to see it on page, especially after all that happens to Lake.
While I’ve focused more on what didn’t work, it’s only because I see how much stronger this could be with a good developmental edit that has an eye toward logistics. The world of the Lords is a fascinating albeit disturbing one. It’s not difficult for me to imagine a secret society just like this that wields great power over society today. Honestly, it would explain a lot about the past several years.
The Lords and Ladies are conditioned from birth for their eventual service. The Lords may eventually get power but they’re also kept in line by the mysterious leaders who could have them taken out at any time. It’s a raw deal to be female under these contexts: no power, no fidelity from their husbands, often no choice even in who they marry. The MMCs of this series are slightly different from the rest of the Lords in that they ultimately come to love the FMCs regardless of they started out. They also don’t completely trust the higher ups or go along with whatever they’re told. Personally, I would love to see them try to take down the Lords from the inside. I’m still not clear how there can be as many Lords as there are or how it’s kept quiet when Barrington University doesn’t seem like it’s set in some major city. How did this become the center of power? It’ll be interesting to see how or if Tessier develops the world from here with the Carnage Brothers.
Note: this continues to be a white cishet world. Given the conservative leanings of the Lords, it’s not difficult to understand why but I’m not sure it’s that intentional of a choice on the author’s part either.
Characters: Laikyn is a 21 year old Lady, cocktail waitress, and virgin. Tyson is a Lord and club owner with a penis piercing.
Content notes: reproductive assault (view spoiler)[doctor did not actually give FMC the birth control shot but a hormone to help her ovulate instead. She gets pregnant as a result. In the past, Whitney poked holes in the condoms she used with MMC and claimed to have gotten pregnant. (hide spoiler)], unplanned pregnancy (view spoiler)[as a result of reproductive assault, there is no options discussion. Despite previously saying she didn’t want kids, FMC immediately knows she wants to continue the pregnancy. Later it’s revealed she’s having twins. (hide spoiler)], rape (recounted afterward, (view spoiler)[secondary character rapes FMC while she is sedated and institutionalized against her will. He gropes and penetrates her vaginally with his fingers while she is still conscious. (hide spoiler)], FMC’s fiancé intended to drug and rape her on their wedding night, attempted trafficking of FMC, attempted rape (secondary character), intimate partner violence (MMC controls FMC’s whereabouts and access to people, chokes her and forces her to wear a shock collar. FMC slaps MMC. Former girlfriend slaps MMC), image-based sexual abuse (view spoiler)[MMC livestreams sex with his chosen (not FMC). FMC’s father watched her have sex in the hotel room due to installing cameras without their knowledge. (hide spoiler)], abduction, forced institutionalization, institutionalized abuse, drug assault (view spoiler)[FMC laces MMC’s drink (hide spoiler)], physical and emotional abuse by FMC’s father, alcoholic mother, toxic family, forced marriage (MMC threatens to kill FMC’s brother if she doesn’t marry him), past death of FMC’s sister/MMC’s pregnant girlfriend (view spoiler)[except it turns out she’s been alive this whole time and the pregnancy was a lie (hide spoiler)], missing women (view spoiler)[some are trafficked, some are raped, tortured, and murdered (hide spoiler)], murder, attempted murder (including attempt by brother), torture, waterboarding (secondary character), physical assault, physical abuse of employees, bar brawl, arson, immolation (secondary character), assault of officers (trying to prevent MMC from entering burning building), stabbing, knife wounds, tooth removed without anesthesia, tracker implanted without consent or knowledge, branding, blood oath, misogyny, sexism, purity culture, slut-shaming by FMC’s dad and brother, infidelity (secondary characters, including MCs’ fathers), fatphobia (not countered), past bodyshaming by fiancé, past breast augmentation (arranged by fiancé), past diet and weight loss, needle (birth control shot), enema (preparation for anal sex), vomit, pregnant secondary characters, internalized kink-shaming, dubious consent (wedding night), excessive bleeding after sex the first time (view spoiler)[it’s not a normal amount, as in it’s fictional embellishment. The bed is described as looking like a crime scene. (hide spoiler)], unsafe sex practices (no STI discussion, sex without a condom immediately after getting birth control shot), on page sex, D/s, painful and rough sex, degradation play, breath play, pain play, impact play, wax and candle play, exhibitionism/voyeurism, bondage, praise kink, sensory play and deprivation (ice cube, gag, hood), nipple suctioning and banding, clit suctioning, clit enhancer oil, mask, public sex, orgasm denial, anal play, sex tape, sex toys, alcohol, inebriation, excessive drinking, drugs (clubbers), alcohol, inebriation, excessive drinking, sedative, small penis insult, gendered pejoratives, ableist language, sex compared to a drug, mention of FMC’s mother being only 17 years old when she married FMC’s 23 year old father, mention of Lords marrying 15 year old girls ...more
I've been on a "romance in space" kick this year. I’m so glad I remembered this was languishing in my digital TBR! It turned out not to be really set I've been on a "romance in space" kick this year. I’m so glad I remembered this was languishing in my digital TBR! It turned out not to be really set in space; Calliope is a planet but ships are primarily used to get across town. It’s not much of a Cinderella retelling: she’s poor, he’s rich, he has to run off the night they meet and has difficulty tracking her down after.
All that aside, I had a hard time putting this down…but I was also annoyed by a lot of the choices. #LogisticsWithLeigh and all that. It was mostly a matter of inconsistent characterization. Aurora is a Mary Sue. She functions more like an 18 year old than a 26 year old. She’s beyond naive, always being nice to the worst people, including her sexist coworkers and the woman who sabotaged her career. Make it make sense. She’s constantly blushing and biting her lip and acting shy. Magnus’s reaction to her was giving big Not Like Other Girls energy, which isn’t helped by the fact that she only has one friend. Admittedly, her best friend Naia is amazing but otherwise Aurora is socially isolated.
She grew up poor but there are inconsistencies there. We’re told she regularly skips meal due to work but then later she talks about how much she loves food because they had unappetizing meal bars on her home planet. As someone who grew up in a blue collar family who had to scrimp and save, that makes no sense to me. It is extremely rare for me to miss a meal and I had much better food options than whatever Aurora grew up eating. That’s one small example. The bigger example comes from her unwillingness to ask for help when the stakes are her parents and home planet will die. She tries to tie this back to her mother’s lesson about pride but I think she extrapolated the wrong takeaway. Obviously she shouldn’t use someone for their wealth but Magnus is literally always asking her what she needs and that’s well before he knows the full story. Do whatever you need to do to save your planet, Aurora!
I wish we’d gotten to know more about pre-book Magnus. He’s an impressive scientist in his own right but most of the interesting things he does happen off page, to my chagrin. I’m not entirely sure what Magnus and Aurora have in common outside of liking to talk about their research and being really horny for each other. But maybe I was too annoyed by Aurora’s choices and inexplicable carelessness to properly appreciate it. To end on a more positive note, I loved hearing about Aurora’s terraform research and all the science-y problem-solving. It doesn’t look like the author has written anything else since this but I hope she will eventually. There were a lot of intriguing sequel-bait secondary characters!
Characters: Aurora is a 26 year old terraforming researcher and systems biologist. Magnus is a spacer (space marine veteran), cyborg, slipsteam inventor, and propulsion physics professor. This is set on the planet Calliope.
Content notes: panic attack, nightmare, FMC’s ex-boyfriend cheated and was emotionally abusive (past), abuse of power (multiple professors and university leaders), professional sabotage, workplace sexism, attempted illegal deportation, guard violence, lab explosion (gives FMC a concussion, cracked ribs, ruptured eardrum), attempted murder, physical assault, past murder of women’s cousin staged as a suicide, discussion of suicide as main cause of death on the planet, smoke poisoning, sprained ankle, sleep deprivation, skipping meals due to work, FMC’s home colony (where her parents live) is dying, space colonization, slut-shaming, classism, poverty, formerly enslaved secondary character, MMC’s parents have a toxic marriage, genetically engineered humans and animals, past death of secondary character’s wife, cat vomit, unsafe sex practices (no condom during penetrative sex without discussion of STI or pregnancy prevention), on page sex, bathtub sex, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), hangover (secondary character), p-in-v sex is the only “real” sex, sex worker stigma (not countered), casual ableism, casual acephobia/compulsory sexuality, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle)
Purchased: 2019 Why did I buy it? Aarya’s recommendation...more
It took me four books but I’m officially hooked on this series. I’ve been impressed with Kate from the get-go but I’ve been wanting more of a characteIt took me four books but I’m officially hooked on this series. I’ve been impressed with Kate from the get-go but I’ve been wanting more of a character arc for her. This installment more than delivered. Kate has let more people into her life which is contrary to how her stepfather raised her and here we see the pressure points. Every friendship has ups and downs when it comes to communication but Kate has the additional concern that everyone she cares about could die because of her if and when her biological father learns of her existence. I loved watching Kate push through that old conditioning and always stepping up to the plate to help those in need, whether it’s making sure Julie is okay, protecting the Pack from those trying to kill them, or hunting down a disease-spreading villain for the good of Atlanta. I’m never going to tire of her badassery. It was great to learn more about her upbringing but there’s so much that’s still a mystery.
Curran, I’m still not completely sure about. I have accepted that he’s the endgame love interest but their relationship has tinges of abuse on both sides. She punches and hits him and frequently fantasizes about killing him, while he’s controlling and mercurial. Neither Curran or Kate view the other’s actions as abusive but that kind of behavior is always going to raise alarm bells for me. Curran does seem to be learning how to compromise, which is the only way this thing is ever going to work. Only time will tell.
One downside: this was unfortunately aggressively gender essentialist, as well as casually ableist around mental illness. The former is likely a product of the time it was written but the latter persists in publishing today.
Characters: Kate is a 26 year old mercenary with tan skin. She’s the guardian of Julie, a 13 year old white girl. She is adopted by an “attack poodle” Grendel. Curran is a 30 year old white Beast Lord and lion shifter. This is set in Atlanta.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (view spoiler)[FMC punches and hits MMC. He’s controlling and possessive and threatens to kill any man she talks to. The book does not treat this as partner violence but it is. FMC’s biological father killed her mother when she was young. (hide spoiler)], threat of various epidemics, undead mages, Mentally Ill Villain trope, murder, immolation, attempted murder, gore, physical assault, lacerations, coma (MMC), concussion, broken bones (including shattered kneecap that might result in permanent damage), blood transfusion, past filicide (secondary character), past massacre of MMC’s family (he survived the attack), past death of FMC’s parents and guardian, sexual deviant secondary character (Saiman), homophobia toward secondary character, bigotry and speciesism toward shape-shifters, “half-breed” as slur for shape-shifters, slut-shaming, animal harm, animal death (mule), legally blind secondary character who still drives, rescued stray dog, vomit (dog and human), on page sex, alcohol, excessive drinking and inebriation (secondary character), casual ableism, casual misogyny, erectile dysfunction joke, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, mention of people who died by suicide...more
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