Heart by Garrett Leigh

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5551

heartBlurb

Cornish pastry chef Seb Wright dreads the summer tourist season. The cash injection to his artisan fudge pantry is more than welcome, the extra work, less so. Then one summer, a shadowy Good Samaritan catches his eye. Irish Traveller Dex is bewitching, a beautiful sullen enigma who turns Seb’s world upside down until he disappears in the night, vanishing like a mystical summer rain.

Twelve months later Dex is in the midst of a dark storm. A slave to his master, ‘Uncle’ Braden, he spends his days cleaning caravans and his nights working in Braden’s other businesses. His short summer with Seb seems a lifetime ago. Lost in the savage violence of the murky underworld, he doesn’t dare dream he’ll ever find his way back, until one night, a brutal crime opens the door for a chance escape. A new life beckons, old faces emerge, and immersed in the heady vibe of London’s East End, new love begins to heal his fractured heart.

Review

(Sort of spoilery…)

I kept putting this off, not because it’s not a wonderful book, but because it is so… hard.

Seb is a normal guy, he inherits a fudge shop from his grandfather. It’s a bit boring and lonely but he feels obligated to carry it on for his grandfather’s memory. One day he meets Dex.

God. Dex.

Dex is a Traveller (Gypsy) who is being sold as a prostitute by his uncle (and beaten, tortured, etc.). Dex and Seb have one night, a beautiful interlude where Dex learns what love feels like, then Dex disappears.

(There are several chapters here in the middle I skimmed because they were too hard to read. Stories of Dex being abused and used… too much for my sensitive heart.)

Dex manages to escape his uncle and goes into hiding in London, where a kind restaurant owner teaches him the trade and then, as luck would have it, hires Seb to be his pastry chef.

For months Dex and Seb dance around their attraction but when they give in it looks like Dex is really on the road to healing. He’s learning a trade, learning to read, earning money, opening up (a little tiny bit) about his life. When suddenly he is re-captured.

UGH!

Fortunately, this part of the story is quick and we find Dex in a hospital recovering from wounds and now, finally, he’s free forever of his uncle’s influence.

**

There is no denying that Garrett Leigh is an amazing writer. Her characters are well developed, her writing flawless, her storylines deeply moving and always able to elicit a deep emotional response.

Though I can’t say I enjoyed this (it was so, so hard to read), I was glad I had. Dex and Seb deserve their very HEA and I was so happy to be part of it.

(Warning some animal abuse mentioned.)

Writing/Editing 5/5
Romance 4/5
Storyline 4/5
World Building Characterization 5/5

Overall 4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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Black John (Johnnies #4) by Amy Lane

Dreampsinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5982

black johnBlurb

John Carey is just out of rehab and dying inside when he gets word that Tory, the guy who loved him and broke him, has removed himself from the world in the most bitter way possible—and left John to clean up his mess.

Forced back to his hometown in Florida, John’s craving a hit with every memory when he meets Tory’s neighbor. Spacey and judgmental, Galen Henderson has been rotting in his crappy apartment since a motorcycle accident robbed him of his mobility, his looks, and his boyfriend all in one mistake. Galen’s been hiding at the bottom of an oxy bottle, but when John shows up, he feels obligated to help wade through the wreckage of Tory’s life.

The last thing John needs is another relationship with an addict, and the last thing Galen wants is a conscience. Both of them are shocked when they find that their battered souls can learn from and heal one another. It doesn’t hurt that they’re both getting a crash course on how growing up and getting past your worst mistakes sure beats the alternative—and that true love is something to fight to keep if your lover is fighting to love you back.

Review

Where to start….
Well, first we all know Johnnies right? – the made up porn studio that introduced us to Chase and Tommy, Dex and Kane, Ethan and Jonah and in a related way, Alejandro and Donny. We LOVE Johnnies. John… we didn’t love so much. He was a coke-head-douche in Dex in Blue and though he had glimmers of the kinda guy Dex might befriend, by the time we actually meet him, he’s gone over the edge.

This is his story.

We start out with John getting out of rehab, he’s still pretty shaky, but determined to stay clean, only to find out that this newly sober John has to fly to Florida (across the world practically) to help clean out the apartment and distribute the remains of his first love, Tory, who has committed suicide.

Uh…Thanks Amy for taking it easy on us. NOT!

Tory and John grew up together, realized they were gay together, started doing porn together but I can’t really say they loved each other because Tory never treated John like someone he loved.

As time passes Tory descends down a spiral of sex and drugs and after several years and three trips to rehab John decides Tory needs to try things on his own, because whatever John is doing, isn’t helping.

Thus the birth of Johnnies.

Flash back to today, John is at Tory’s apartment where he meets the neighbor, Galen. Galen is a lawyer who had a terrible accident three years ago, and has since been caught up in a cycle of depression and pain med addiction.

So… of course John is super attracted to Galen, but really – Can he? Should he? Is it remotely smart for him to take on another addict?

**

If I were to rank my favorite Johnnies books the order would be Dex, Super Sock Man, Chase, John, Ethan…. Black John is a good book, Amy doesn’t write anything bad. The angst is so painful. Tory hurt John so much. Dex (inadvertently) hurt John so much. But… the one piece I missed with Black John that Chase and Dex and even Super Sock Man had was a bit more of a connection between the lovers.

I loved that John could finally help Galen and that Galen wanted to be strong enough to show John he deserved someone whole. But I didn’t see them as a couple long enough to feel as attached to them as I have in other Amy Lane books.

On the other hand I absolutely loved that we got to see more of Dex and Kane again and I hope to see more in this series — Bobby and Reg perhaps???

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 3.5

Sex/Heat 3.5

Storyline 5

World Building/Characterizations 5

Overall, 4.5 hearts!

4.5

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The Wrong Man (Right and Wrong #2) by Lane Hayes

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6000

wrong manBlurb

Successful owner of an upscale boutique in fabulous West Hollywood, Brandon Good swears by his personal edict to “live in the present.” After a bad breakup, he agrees to dog-sit to keep his mind off his ex. Never did he expect the dog to belong to a man from his past, the only man to ever truly break his heart.

When Jake Westley relocates to join the WeHo fire department, the last thing he anticipates is reuniting with his secret high school love. Thrilled with the prospect of reconnecting with Bran, Jake feels no guilt in using his charming old dog as an unwitting matchmaker. As he and Bran rekindle their friendship, it becomes clear the intense attraction they once felt is stronger than ever. But as hard as they try to leave the past behind, painful memories resurface. Bran will have to confront his fears and consider the possibility that the man he swore was absolutely the wrong one might be perfect after all.

Review

Jake and Brandon have a past. Jake was Brandon’s closeted high school boyfriend who was too scared to come out back then, so he lost Brandon.

Twelve years later he runs into Brandon again and lots has changed. Brandon is now out and proud, a fireman with a great old dog, and an ex.

Their relationship starts off as friends. Brandon helping Jake with his dog, Mack. Jake helping Bran with his ex, Trevor.

It gets steamy and more involved from there fairly quickly.

But… it’s not that easy. Bran is pretty walled off. He’s been hurt in the past and is unwilling to let anyone in. Jake, however, is more than ready for the challenge.

**

Oh man. Call me a sucker, but the dog totally did it for me. He was wonderful. He acted as a catalyst for these guys in more ways than one. First, he was the entrée for Jake back into Brandon’s life. Then, he was the four legged chaperone that gave them common ground and an excuse to be together without pressure. Finally, he represented that age old dilemma that to have love, you have to be prepared for potential loss and complications and that nothing great comes without risk.

We get to see the boys from book one, but this is definitely a stand-alone novel. The writing is excellent and the sex is really hot.

Be assured though you may cry anyway, the dog makes it!

I really enjoyed this book and all Lane Hayes novels.

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 4.5

Sex/Heat 4.5

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterizations 5

Overall 4.5 of 5 hearts

4.5

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This is Not a Love Story: A Hacker and his Hero by AE Lawless

Loose Id presents: http://www.loose-id.com/this-is-not-a-love-story-the-hacker-and-his-hero.html

HackersBlurb

Ever since Gran’s death, Zander’s been using his skills as an elite computer hacker to help put criminals behind bars. Surprisingly enough, there’s also another vigilante running around his city helping folks out in the more traditional way. The press likes to pretend they’re rivals, but Zander likes to think that he and the Night Angel are working together; they want the same things at least.

When a tough case forces the two vigilantes to actually work together, Zander’s insistent fascination with the Night Angel becomes powerful attraction. It wouldn’t be a problem, except Zander’s also fooling around with his boss at the day job, Reese. They both give him something the other can’t, but both of them are also holding something he needs back from him. Zander knows he has to choose, but he just doesn’t see any way to make a good choice.

A break in the case reveals not only the master plot, but more about Zander’s true nature than he ever expected to learn. Afterwards, Zander is seeing the world in a new light and realizes he may not have to sacrifice anything he needs; he may not have to make a choice after all

Review

I don’t want to give a re-cap of the story because it’s a “mystery” and any summing up could give away key elements.

In deciding if this is the book for you, you should consider the following:
Do you mind on – page violence/torture?
Do you need lovey dovey emotional scenes and “I love yous”?
Do you mind long-winded tales, with perhaps a bit too much writing and not enough editing?
Do you want a romance that is more about the relationship than the mystery?

If you answered yes to the above, this is not the book for you.

On the other hand:
Do you like complicated, dark characters?
Do you like intelligent writing and complex plotting?
Do you like twists and turns and a romance that relies heavily on the “mystery”?
Do you like longer stories?
Do you like flawed MCs?
Do you like rough, hot sex?

If so this is the story for you.

As for me – it was ok. There were parts I liked (the alpha characters, the sex scenes, the intelligence of the characters, their flaws). There were parts I didn’t (the length – I felt an editor would be a great thing here), the “mystery” didn’t compel me, the violence wasn’t my taste and there weren’t enough emotions between the MCs for my taste, either.

These are preferences, however.

So, to rate it:
Writing/Editing 3.5/5
Romance 2.5/5
Storyline 4/5
World Buidling/Characterization 5/5

I will definitely look for more from this author in the future.

Overall 3.75 of 5 hearts

3.5

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Shadowboxing (Arbor Heights #9) By Diana DeRicci

MLR Press Presents http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DDRSHADO

shadowboxingBlurb

Wayne Hightower has lived with a secret since he was a teenager. Debilitating to relationships, his condition stands in the way of his father’s ultimate expectation: Finding a woman to marry. Of course, if he could do that, he’d have the grandchildren his mother was craving. And everyone would be happy happy happy. Or so he’d been raised to believe. If he could find her. If he could get over his problem.

Ditched by his brother for their planned night of sibling bonding, Erich Villalobos invites Wayne out instead as a simple act of friendship. One night that throws Wayne into an environment he’d never been exposed to and revealing a playfully animated side of Wayne Erich had never imagined. One that he quickly learns he’s actually attracted to.

Secrets. Everyone has them. Wayne. Erich. Even Wayne’s parents. If Wayne’s brother Curtis were still alive, he could tell Wayne the cause of his condition and how to cure it. But dead men don’t talk.

Review

Erich and Wayne are friends and co-workers. On the night Wayne gets dumped (yet again) by his girlfriend, Erich invites him to a night on the town to drown his sorrows. Since Erich is gay, he invites Wayne to a gay bar and tells him, “Just tell any man who might hit on you that you are straight, they’ll leave you alone.” Right.

As the night progresses, Wayne does get drunk, and ends up both telling Erich his big secret (he thinks he’s impotent) and asking Erich to kiss him.

We only see things from Wayne’s POV, so I can only guess at Erich’s motivations, but he then later invites Wayne to go camping, and the two become closer friends. Yes, still friends. But after another night on the town and some definitely more-than-friends groping and kissing, Wayne freaks out and forces Erich to leave. But… after a few minutes, Erich returns and the two have sex.

Erich has some of his own secrets and we learn more about why Wayne never once “considered” he might be gay. (Huge, ugly family drama.)

In the end the couple finds their way, stands up to Wayne’s folks and we get a pretty solid HEA.

**

So – the first thing you have to do is ignore the elephant in the room. Why in the world didn’t Erich and WAYNE not even consider he might be gay when Wayne can masturbate but fails to get an erection in the presence of women. And really, no doctor suggested this?! Ok. Fiction. Just accept it and move on.

Once we get past that, the rest of the story is sweet and the sex is steamy. I though the drama with the family was a little too… dramatic, but again… fiction… move on.

I liked Erich and Wayne as a couple and enjoyed this book. (I haven’t read anything else in the Arbor Heights series, and I think this stands well on it’s own, but I am interested in looking at the others in the series now that I’ve read this.)

All in all I enjoyed this and give it 3.5 of 5 hearts

3.5

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Wrestling Demons by Xavier Mayne

Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4854

wrestling demonsBlurb

Jonah Fischer’s high school wrestling career has been stellar, but now he’s the unwilling star of a series of videos that have hit the web. The whole world may have seen the evidence that his best friend turns him on. Jonah’s conservative family wants him cured, and his conventional town and school want him normal. The only person who still wants him just the way he is is Casey Melville, the same best friend who turned him on for all the world to see. Meanwhile, Casey begins to wonder if there’s more to his feelings for Jonah than he thought.

Officers Brandt and Donnelly—lovers as well as partners on the job—have been assigned to find the culprit who posted the video. While investigating the case, they also help Jonah and Casey find their way through their feelings, and steer them toward refuge when Jonah’s family turns against him. But the mystery remains: who wants to hurt Jonah badly enough to post those videos, and why? Thank goodness Jonah and Casey have found friends—they’re going to need all the help and support they can get.

Review

Jonah is the target of a malicious campaign that exposes his “interest” (read: boner) for his best friend, Casey. Both are high school seniors and have been best friends forever.

When the video hits the internet, Jonah almost ends his life in front of a train. Brandt and Donelly and Casey help him to see that though this is tough, it’s not worth dying for.

Casey stands steadfastly beside Jonah so far as to even allow himself to be open to the possibility of a relationship with Jonah. Casey helps Jonah to learn more about being gay and takes him to visit our friends in “the gay part of town” where we meet Bryce and Nestor again. (Yay!)

Brandt and Donelly investigate the video and uncover corruption.

Casey and Jonah realize they are more than friends and explore their relationship.

Brandt and Donelly are amazingly lovey dovey and move their relationship onto more permanent grounds.

Bryce and Nestor provide continuous and hilarious back-up support.

**

This is another great book in the series. I love how we see more of Brandt and Donelly and their relationship. I thought the boys’ relationship was handled appropriately (for their ages) and was really sweet and touching.

Of course I giggled outrageously every time Bryce and Nestor were on page and really enjoyed their contribution – especially the room of sex that they offer to Jonah and Casey when they are “on the run”.

I can’t recommend this series enough and hope all the books (now 3) will soon become audio books.

5 of 5 hearts

5

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Blood and Thunder (T.H.I.R.D.S, 2)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press 

When a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center, injuring members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta, and causing a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie, peace seems unattainable. Especially when a new and frightening group, the Order of Adrasteia, appears to always be a step ahead. With panic and intolerance spreading and streets becoming littered with the Order’s propaganda, hostility between Humans and Therians grows daily. Dex and Sloane, along with the rest of the team, are determined to take down the Order and restore peace, not to mention settle a personal score. But the deeper the team investigates the bombings, the more they believe there’s a more sinister motive than a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.

Discovering the frightful truth behind the Order’s intent forces Sloane to confront secrets from a past he thought he’d left behind for good, a past that could not only destroy him and his career, but also the reputation of the organization that made him all he is today. Now more than ever, Dex and Sloane need each other, and, along with trust, the strength of their bond will mean the difference between justice and all-out war.

(null) 

This is the second part two in a great series featuring the THIRDS agents. Dex and Sloan’s relationship heats up along with the war with between the Order, Therians and the THIRDS agents. In this book, You learn more about the other agents, what’s going on with them and such. I absolutely love this series. Dex and Sloane are perfect together even though they are total opposites. Dex is a light to Sloane’s darkness. In this book, you learn more about Sloane’s and Ash’s past and really find out why he is the way he is. This case brought a lot of Sloane’s demons to the surface but I think this time he was able to gain some form of closure or at least able to make some form of peace with his past. Even though this book is about shifter, it’s unlike any other shifter book I’ve read before. Even the name of the shifters in this book is unique. This book has the perfect blend of action and suspense mixed in with hot man on man love. There are explosions and shoot outs and all that good stuff. I love how this author leaves the ending open. It’s not a HEA but a HFN ending that fits perfectly with the story. I definitely recommend this series! 

Rated it: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Mercant of Death (Playing the Fool #2) by Lisa Henry

Riptide Presents (On Feb 2nd)  http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/merchant-of-death

merchantBlurb

All’s fair in love and war.

There’s something rotten in the state of Indiana. When con man Henry Page takes it upon himself to investigate the death of an elderly patient at a care facility, he does so in true Shakespearean tradition: dressed as a girl.

FBI Agent Ryan “Mac” McGuinness has more to worry about than Henry’s latest crazy idea. Someone is trying to send him a message—via a corpse with a couple of bullets in it. He needs to figure out who’s trying to set him up before he gets arrested, and he really doesn’t have time for Henry’s shenanigans. Then again, he’d probably be able to focus better if Henry didn’t look so damn distracting in a babydoll dress and a wig.

But when Mac discovers that Henry has been keeping a secret that connects the cases, he has to find a way to live on the right side of the law when he just might be in love with the wrong sort of man.

Review

OMG this series just gets better and better. In this book we see Mac and Henry still dancing around their attraction. The bad guy is in jail, but there’s still danger following Mac, and Henry just might end up saving Mac this time. In addition, we learn about Henry’s sister Viola and through a series of hysterical “mini-cons” we solve another little mystery but not before Henry goes in drag and Mac has to save him from a syringe wielding “angel of death”.

**
This is not a story you skim. It is fast paced and rich in detail and every line is important.

I love the depth with which the characters are drawn and though my heart bleeds for all the sad life stories in this story, I am rooting for them wholeheartedly.

The romance moves forward in a very satisfying way as does their emotional bond.

I am really enjoying this series and I’m grateful I can move right on to book three!

5 of 5 hearts

5

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Rise & Fall (THIRDS #4) by Charlie Cochet

Dreamspinner presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5933

rise and fallBlurb

After an attack by the Coalition leaves THIRDS Team Leader Sloane Brodie critically injured, agent Dexter J. Daley swears to make Beck Hogan pay for what he’s done. But Dex’s plans for retribution are short-lived. With Ash still on leave with his own injuries, Sloane in the hospital, and Destructive Delta in the Coalition’s crosshairs, Lieutenant Sparks isn’t taking any chances. Dex’s team is pulled from the case, with the investigation handed to Team Leader Sebastian Hobbs. Dex refuses to stand by while another team goes after Hogan, and decides to put his old HPF detective skills to work to find Hogan before Theta Destructive, no matter the cost.

With a lengthy and painful recovery ahead of him, the last thing Sloane needs is his partner out scouring the city, especially when the lies—however well intentioned—begin to spiral out of control. Sloane is all too familiar with the desire to retaliate, but some things are more important, like the man who’s pledged to stand beside him. As Dex starts down a dark path, it’s up to Sloane to show him what’s at stake, and finally put a name to what’s in his heart.

Review

Wow. Just wow. This book is sooooo full of good feels.

Sloane and Dex are so wonderfully gushy and sweet in this book. Their relationship is definitely cemented by the end.

We get a peek into the mystery that is Hobbs and an amazingly sexy and funny scene between him and Calvin.

Ash is looking like less and less of a hard ass and more and more like the love of Cael’s life.

All of the relationship stuff is amazing. The dialog, like always is hysterical. The spying done is both naughty and funny. The danger… well this isn’t really that “tense” of a book.

The biggest “hurdle” in this story is Dex trying to avenge Sloane’s attack. Predictably, Sloane doesn’t want him involved, and in fact, the team has been ordered to stand down. But… Dex is determined to capture the culprit himself, in Sloane’s name.

I kinda wanted to shake Dex, and totally understood Sloane’s feelings about it. I liked, however, that this was the first time we saw Dex as the guy who might screw up the relationship, and Sloane was doing everything “right” for a change.

All in all this totally appealed to my every romantic sensibility and tickled my funny bone.

I can’t wait for the next installment and I really hope Calvin and Hobbs get their own book J

Writing/Editing 5

Romance 5

Sex/Heat 4.5

Storyline 4

World Building/Characterization 4.5

Overall, 4.5 of 5 hearts!

4.5

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Slide Audiobook by Garrett Leigh Narrated by Michael Lesley

Dreamspinner presents: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Slide-Audiobook/B00O9FOHKQ/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1422386962&sr=1-1

slideBlurb

Don’t look back. Don’t you ever look back…

Shy tattoo artist Ash has a troubled past. Years of neglect, drug abuse, and life on the streets have taken their toll, and sometimes it seems the deep, unspoken bond with his lover is the only balm for wounds he doesn’t quite understand.

Chicago paramedic Pete is warmth, love, and strength—things Ash never knew he could have, and never even knew he wanted until Pete showed him. But fate is a cruel, cruel mistress, and when nightmares collide with the present, their tentatively built world comes crashing down.

Traumatic events in Pete’s work life distance him from home, and he doesn’t realize until it’s too late that Ash has slipped away. Betrayal, secrets, and lies unfold, and when a devastating coincidence takes hold, Pete must fight with all he has to save the love of his life.

Review

Ash and Pete become roommates through a mutual friend. Neither “knows” the other is gay (or bi) but both are crushing on the other.

Pete is stoic, works hard, plays a little, and is the perfect foil for Ash.

Ash is broken. He’s had a very, very hard life and we learn bits and pieces of it as the story develops. From an abusive childhood, to living on the street, to self-mutilation.

After a particularly bad night, Ash and Pete move their relationship forward and become lovers. It isn’t an easy road. Ash isn’t an “easy” boyfriend. But Pete is strong enough to handle almost anything – but not cheating.

Pete comes home one night and finds Ash in the arms of another man. He essentially kicks Ash out and doesn’t hear from him for weeks. Suddenly, Pete receives a call from a mutual health-care worker friend reporting that Ash is in the hospital and Pete is listed as his Emergency Contact.

When Pete finds Ash a new world of information opens up and he realizes there is more to Ash than he was led to believe.

Now it is up to the both of them to try to find a place where Ash can heal and Pete and Ash can find their place – as partners.

**

This is a book I put off reading for a long time. It looked so heavy. But it kept getting really amazing reviews and I knew I “wanted” to read it, but I needed to be in the right head-space for it. So… I waited until I was trapped in a car for a long drive and listened to the audiobook.

It didn’t disappoint on the “heavy” factor. It is a hard book to read(listen to). It is angsty and painful and tough. But… it is really good. The writing is excellent. The descriptions are rich and powerful. The MCs are fully developed and very three dimensional.

That being said… I didn’t love it. Though I could appreciate the writing and the world building and give those high marks, I didn’t really feel that attached to the relationship between the two MCs.

I know there is a sequel and I am planning on listening to it, and I have hopes that it will cement (for me) their bond and let me feel more for them as a couple than I do for them as individuals.

The narration was amazing! Michael Lesley who I first heard in Tell Me It’s Real is fantastic. His Ash is totally different from Pete and the emotions are well played and very real. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this (as far as entertainment value goes) and think that I was glad I waited for the audio version before tackling this book.

So: Writing 5 of 5 hearts, World Building 5 of 5 hearts, Storyline 4 of 5 hearts, Romance 2 of 5 hearts, Narration 5 of 5 hearts

Overall 4.2 hearts

4

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