OYENTE

Amanda

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  • opiniones
  • 2
  • votos útiles
  • 99
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ANGSTY. Repetive. Boring. Flat. Not a "feel good" read.

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-20-25

First, I re-read 1 & 2...with the usual warm feeling in my heart, near constant smile on my face and frequent giggles.

I am a big fan of Sarina Bowen, but for whatever reason, or how far-fetched, I have a hard time believing this is 100, or even 75% her writing.

It's so "off-brand" for her, *especially* compared to 1 &2.

For me, it fell flat in pretty much every way possible....stilted, forced, boring, uncreative, half-hearted attempts at humor. Physical intimacy = weird, mostly uncreative "wash, rinse, repeat."

All plots/sub-plots were OTT angsty, sometimes to the point of depressing.

This wasn't a huge factor, but I personally couldn't get a coach-vibe from Teddy Hamilton, at all...and he's easily in my top 3 faves.

Despite my disappointment, I finished it.

I hate saying it, but I do not recommend this book.


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just entertaining enough to finish.

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-16-24

I'm in the minority I guess, cuz I like the initial BC book -- "A Hard Call" -- much better.

As so often happens with series, I found this one (1st book, 2nd series) lacking, rushed, too tropey.

I didn't connect with MCs at all, esp compared to Zane and Enzo.

For reasons like that, I haven't decided if I'm going to use a credit or pay $12/book and continue, as several of the 1st books were included in m'ship.

I wish they'd sell these older book series as collections. I'd have purchased the 1st series.

I just started the 1st book of 3rd series....

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Easy read, with a few OTT tropes.

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-04-24

(If you liked Ms Finleys "Fake BF" hockey series, this is a "stand alone" spin-off, with cameos, and more, from Noah's and Damon's found-family.)

Far from flawless, but decently written. Many feels. Likeable characters with some good banter.

~3/4 thru, the near constant sex (having, missing, whining, planning) got old and started feeling a bit cringey and juvenile.

In addition, as the 3 grew closer, thoughts of being together (a committed throuple) started forming and the 2nd-guessing/"what if?" inner monologue started and took off like kudzu. (WHY DO AUTHORS TORTURE US WITH THAT CEASLESS SHIT?! DRIVES ME MAD!)

My apologies, rant over...still a bit sensitive after purchasing a DNF series that consisted of torturous "inner dialogue." (shudder)

Anyway, I reccommend giving it a go, esp if you like the Fake BF/hockey based series.

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Underwhelming, inconsistent, REPETITIVE, and BORING AF. Seriously.

Total
1 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 10-24-24

I grew increasingly frustrated with books 1-3, skipped Gloam after more than a few reviews mentioned hours of Rigs' whiny inner monologue.

Then decided to give Moth a chance, only because the narration sounded most normal at 1.2. Hence shortening the time I figured I'd be wasting.

I think the only reason I finished it was the train-wreck effect and listening at 1.2.

It was worse than I figured, with the MAJORITY being a loop of Charlies (and Moth's) near incessant inner monologue:
whether to stay in the military,
growing feelings for Moth,
how hot Moth is,
assumptions>conclusions about Moth's feelings and what his plans are,
and the ever-present guilt, "miscommunication," 2nd-guessing.

...as they take a 2 month journey to find Cat.

The best part of the book was Moths "first time." Well-written with all the feels and just the right amount of spice, passion, vulnerability, eroticism. Perfect for the spank-bank it that's your thing.

Until it took a depressing trip down the shitter! It could've been recovered.

But it ended with Charlie's contra-dick-tory thoughts vs actions. It made no sense. Not his fault because he's a fictional character with an un/sub-concious hero-complex, and relationship expert.

It was nice learning more about Moth, on the rare occasions he was allowed some inner monologue time.

But overall it was awful.

I do not recommend this book, series, or author. Personally, I think there was more than a little "AI assistance" based on several signs including inconsistencies, barely-there-plot, REDUNDANCY and more.

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Not for me.

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 10-19-24

NOTE : <i>This is a series,</i> and would be very confusing and less enjoyable if read out of order, based on the numerous characters, events, tie-ins mentioned in at least 2 of the books. I skipped the first one because it wasn't included in my membership.

I do not reccommend this author, book, or series as explained below:

1) 3 books -- that I struggled to stick with --and I'm done. I mean no disrespect, but I can't think of one <i>consistent</i> redeeming quality about her writing. I liked Georgie's character a lot (#2) and <i>adored</i> the kind, compassionate, and brilliant Eleanor Standish 1.0 (#2.)

Eleanor Standish 2.0 is a different character (yes, I'm going to use the "L word")...<i>literally</i>. It's bizarre and really sucked because she was so engaging and likeable in LBA.

For me, very little dimension, substance, development, entertainment...

2) Her last several books are narrated by Joel Leslie, an automatic no for me..and there are plenty of reviewers that feel the same.

3) Excellently written rave reviews -- a few with near poetic-like-prose, almost more fitting for a ballet or opera performance -- and excellent grammar.

This is me, keeping it real, based on MY opinions.

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At least this one had a plot.

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 10-16-24

Not a re-read but mos def better than the the first 2.

Narrator enunciating a little more clearly would help...a little. For me, "Macaulay" often sounded kinda like "the collie." There are a few others I've forgotten.

The series overall 2

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VERY poor, overall, portrayal and depiction of tragic homophobic-based emotional and mental torture

Total
1 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
3 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 09-03-24

...by family, after his Mom died. IMO that kind of abuse requires deep research and exceptional writing, of which I sensed none.

It's honestly hard to describe: awkward, wobbly, stilted, a tad YAish. Weird! That's it...just plain "weird."

Despite, much rw'ing, pondering, and deep consideration I could not imagine, see, engage in MCs singularly, or as a couple. There were a few sweet, tender moments and words of affection but nothing memorable.

My fave characters: BFF, Ginger and Marilyn, the dog.

Sex scenes: a little more than average, and more oddly written, than not. Nothing overtly gross or distasteful.

IMO, definitely not award worthy, debut or otherwise.

I (audio)read this entire book and I personally do not recommend it.

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Could this all happen in real life. Yes. The odds 1:1,000,000,000

Total
1 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-31-24

I LOVED the social messaging about Prep, and the well written inner dialogue regarding the overall feeling of depression, hopelessness, absence of love after being cleaved from family because they CHOOSE to be uneducated, narrow-minded, homophobic assholes.
---------------------------------
Christian, very end of chapter 23, while performing what I assume is a play/musical,:
"...I pitch forward and vomit all over the stage." This is after royally fucking up a perfected dance routine by all, despite his years of on-the-job training as a dancer.

While antics like this likely happen to a small number of people somewhere in the world, and would make some great skits on SNL, it fails miserable in books of this nature. He'd already botched a step or 2, bumped into a fellow dancer, and just kept snowballing. Then he just had to VOMIT ON STAGE.

I marched to my phone, stopped the insanity, and took way too long writing this review.

That's when I had enough of the poorly, unrealistically written eprisodes of nerves, absence of confidence, spatial issues...resulting in domino effects involving the above, bloody noses, destroyed ice sculptures, a wedding cake, expensive rented suit, grabbing the wrong guy's ass, and more.

This does not touch on a number of questionable things like why Emile has a -- IMO, born and bred -- heavy posh British accent, when he was born in the US, lived in various locations (countries/regions, I assume,) then went to uni in England. At 26, he and his family are well estabished in Seattle. Again, not impossible, but based on the story -- with no further information -- it didn't sound like the Emile I was reading about.

As mentioned in a GR review I agreed with, it seems Ms. James loses her ability to engage and entertain without the sports/college trope.

I so wanted to like this, but it was truly awful...stilted, with poor flow, imagery, dimension, etc, etc, etc.

SPICE: at chapter 23/DNF, there'd been 2 relatively spicey, but not gross, scenes.

NARRATION: Teddy should have done it alone. His English accent was nearly perfect for the Emile, I imagined. I have no idea how old James Joseph is but he sounds a bit too old and just a tad "stuffy" to be narrating a 26 y/o, IMO.

Unapologetically, you could not give me a credit to endure the remainder, or reread a chapter, of this book.

AUTHORS: WHILE MM ROMANCE IS A FAR SMALLER GENRE, AND RARELY PROFESSIONALLY REVIEWED, WE ARE FORCED TO RELY ON BRIEF SUMMARIES, AND RANDOM REVIEWS. MANY POINTLESS, "BIASED," &/OR INCENTIVISED. WE DESERVE BETTER!

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Meh...

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
2 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-31-24

I enjoyed the first one, nice easy (audio)read. 2nd one was a bit OTT, but entertaining enough.

This one, I tried but didn't quite finish. The twin thing didn't bother me but it didn't feel genuine, at all. Towards the end I was rolling my eyes.

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Brilliant segue from "Slippery Creatures," and overall, as good or better.

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-28-24

I've been a lover of mysteries since I could read, so I love KJ Charles's delivery of seamlessly woven twists, turns, and "red herrings."

WHILST cultivating a complex(ish) "relationship" between 2 men -- both 20-something, gorgeous, and horny af for each other. One a bookstore owner and war veteran, who ikes to know where things stand. The other: a questionably employed, tight-lipped, shady "aristocrat" -- who's mutual and growing affection renders them unable not to seek one another out, exclusively. I'm hoping for the "L-word" in "Subtle Blood."

MC's 100% "ridiculous-free" and very believable relationship is like a breath of fresh air.

And they complement one another perfectly, with humor, banter, snark, interesting kinks (for the 1920s), and more.

"The Sugared Game" has no spice, but there's some recollections and on/off page about MC's "relationship," much of it very thought provoking and interesting.

This insanely gushing review is mine...independent and unsolicited. THAT is how much I love the 1st two Will Darling stories, and hopefully the 3rd!

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