SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Santerra's Sin" by Donna Kauffman

SUMMARY:
Diego Santerra is a operative in a super secret government covert op organization known as Dell's Dirty Dozen. Santerra is tasked with the security of his boss' daughter while he testifies against a major Miami kingpin. The need for secrecy is high because she thinks her father is dead. Blue Delgado is a bar owner in a small town in New Mexico. She is a smart, spunky, wounded, sharp shooter who rides a Harley. As a reader, you can imagine the possibilities with this story. 

REVIEW:
This book has great promise. The problem is that it falls flat in the execution. Some of the dialogue becomes a little too cheesy for the characters. 

"This is only the beginning, Blue. I promise you I'll work hard at being your husband as I've ever done anything else. I love you."

For a man who has only recently discovered that he had a heart, willing to dream of a future, and see himself as more than just an assassin, this type of statement does not ring true. Where did he find these words? 

IN A NUTSHELL:
Overall the story is good, although it lacks edginess. If you would like a nice, easy, escapist read and don't mind the cheese, this book might be for you. 

This book was provided courtesy of Netgalley.

SUSAN: BOOK REVIEW "The Angel" by Tiffany Reisz

SUMMARY:
No safe word can protect the heart

Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora's lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.

Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora's protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.

But while her flesh is willing, Nora's mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora's past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It's a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.

REVIEW:
Book 2 of the Original Sinners Series, sequel to "The Siren".

To truly appreciate the works of art that are Tiffany Reisz’s books, you have to remove yourself from your own belief system…approach these books as you would a paranormal or fantasy book. Because truth be told, very few of us share this reality. And if you’re unable to disengage from what you think is “right” or “appropriate” or “acceptable”, fearing that the subject-matter tests your “hard limits”, then you will find these stories reprehensible. 

But, if you are able to release yourself into this “alternate world”, you’ll find yourself in love… in love with Nora, a brazen, unrepentant, sex-obsessed, anti-heroine with a HUGE heart and confidence and bravado to be envied and respected. And you’ll want her to be happy with Soren, the PRIEST. And you’ll want her to enjoy sex with Griffen as he’s falling in love with a 17 yr old BOY. And you’ll want her to interact more with Kingsley, an underworld sex king in RIDING BOOTS. All so wrong in our vanilla worlds, but so right in this one.

And, if you’re like me, fiercely protective of Wesley, a part of you will hate her for loving him too and making him love her. 

“The Angel” is a hard book to read, much like “The Siren” was. Ms. Reisz takes you to the very edge of your limits but takes care of you while you're hanging half off! And it’s the pushing on…the pushing past what sometimes feels like the MOST FRUSTRATING book ever…because you just don’t UNDERSTAND why and how they do these things…that ultimately makes this book so satisfying. It is unapologetic in its content, yet filled with pain and confusion to make it human and relatable. The deeper dive into each of the characters’ pasts, especially Soren’s, was gut-wrenching and ultimately made me feel justified in making heroes out of those we’d typically label as despicable villains. 

PS - The one and only interaction/confrontation between Nora and Suzanne was such PERFECTION. Good riddance, Suzanne! You've got no chance against our girl! :)

Dear Ms. Reisz,
Damn you for the ending of this book. But, as you told me “YOU HAVE TO TRUST ME”, I will. Don’t hurt me in the end. Please…

IN A NUTSHELL:
Quite possibly one of the best books I’ve ever read.  BE CHALLENGED.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Daybreak" by Ellen Connor

CHARACTERS:

Penelope
Truman

SUMMARY: 

We still have a world in chaos after the Change. There are people who are infused with magic and shapeshifting skinwalkers that can change into a variety of animals - lions, baboons, crows, and even a marmot. People, for the most part, still do not live in organized societies except for the group led by O’Malley and one by Arturi. Whereas O’Malley is the group representing the worst part of humanity - criminal dealings in kidnapping and sexual exploitation of women and children, hoarding of resources, Arturi’s group symbolizes the best - different kinds of people (including skinwalkers and those with magic) living in harmony, peacefully. But as Edmund Burke is attributed as saying, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” It is Pen’s calling to rally Arturi’s people to defeat O’Malley.

REVIEW:

I loved this book but for completely different reasons than the others in the series. The context is the same but the trilogy seems to move from dark to light. The tone of the first book is gritty, terrifying and desperate. This story takes place 12 years later. And there is more stability in the world. The demon dogs are no longer an ever-present threat. The greatest threat is from other people. Although the world is still dark, there a moment of light and hope.

This is the story about how people are transformed and survive The Change. The spotlight of the story is the relationship between Pen and Tru. It’s a love story. They know each other as kids, but they are wholly different adults.

Penny (Pen) was 9 years old at the end of the first book. Since then, she is using her magic to try and help heal people, give them a sense of hope and although she is uncomfortable, she is an icon they call the Orchid. Being that icon is a safe place to hide; where she can act the part of heroine, but not really have to engage with people. She can give her life without having any personal connection to any one person. Tru left Mason and Jenna to find his place in the world where he finds love, tragedy, and a cool little ability to shift into a Lion. The tragedy he has experienced has marred his soul and he is unwilling to take a chance again, so he wanders through life mostly as lion rarely transforming back. They both struggle with getting too close.

Pen and Tru’s relationship is not always straightforward. There are a few twists and turns that keeps this story interesting. Pen’s proclivity to hide behind her “hero” status is adds an interesting layer to the dilemma.

IN A NUTSHELL:

This is a story you want to read if you want to know “what happened to the others.” If you are looking for the conclusion of the trilogy and want the HEA, you will not be disappointed.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Ruled" by Caragh O'Brien

CHARACTERS:

Leon Gray
Gaia Stone

SUMMARY (From Goodreads):
The bracelet sits in his pocket, patiently waiting to be slipped around Gaia’s wrist. Leon needs to see her again. He finds out that Gaia is delivering a baby in the village, and he makes the trip to visit the sixteen-year-old midwife—only to find that the birth is not going too well. The bracelet—and what it means to the both of them—will have to wait.

This short story takes place during the time between the second book in the Birthmarked trilogy (Prized) and the final book (Promised) and offers a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of Leon Grey.

REVIEW:

First, if you haven't read  or , you must. It is a dystopian story. The societies in these two books are twisted, but what sets these books apart is the quiet stream of emotion that weaves around the story. Gaia is not your typical kick ass heroine. She doesn't fight with her fists, but rather by the strength of her convictions that gives her purpose and makes her brave and strong. This short is book 2.5. Here we get the POV of Leon Gray after living through the drama of Promised. This story reveals the emotional side of Leon. What we get to understand is his tenderness, insecurities, loneliness, and his need to feel special. Gaia has so many responsibilities, it is easy to see how he might feel like a second priority. Thanks to Caragh O'Brien for sharing this story. It adds another wonderful layer to complicated fellow that is Leon Gray.

IN A NUTSHELL:

For Birthmarked fans, soul-satisfying.

fla

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Stolen" by Shiloh Walker

CHARACTERS:
Shay Morgan
Elliot Winter

SUMMARY:
Shay Morgan is a survivor.  She survives a horrific childhood but not unscathed.  As an adult she survives by limiting her contact with the world, interacting mostly through the books she writes and through the internet.  But that makes her susceptible to identity theft...and that's exactly what happens, someone is trying to take over her life.

Elliot Winter just wants Shay to let him in, to share who she was to understand better why she is almost a recluse.  But the walls that Shay has put around her are impenetrable and that leaves Elliot no choice but to walk away.

Then Shay discovers that someone has been stealing her emails, has fired her literary agent, and is going to bookstores pretending to be her.  Woven into this mystery is the tragedy of her past and how it comes to play in her present.

REVIEW:
One of the things I like about Shiloh Walker is her ability to set a mood. She writes with the uncanny ability to stretch your emotions, especially fear, until you are ready to snap.  She does this masterfully in her Ash series and now again in Stolen.

As a reader, I am pressed with the horror of a stolen identity, how victims can feel helpless as someone takes over their lives.  And as if that isn't scary enough, Shay's life devolves into this murder mystery.

This book is relentlessly dark.  And for me, it was almost too much. In Ms. Walkers' other books, there is always tension, but it is punctuated by bright, tender moments.  In this story, there is hardly any reprieve.

IN A NUTSHELL:
Overall, I can't say I "enjoyed" this book.  It left me exhausted.  However, I will say it was a good read and would recommend it to those who want a highly suspenseful page turner (but be prepared to knead those knots in your shoulders away from the tension).

TAG TEAM: BOOK REVIEW "On Dublin Street" by Samantha Young

SUMMARY:
Four years ago, Jocelyn Butler left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Edinburgh. Burying the grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without any real attachments has worked well for her so far but when Joss moves into a fantastic apartment on Dublin Street, her carefully guarded world is shaken to its core by her new roommate's sexy older brother.

Braden Carmichael is a man who always gets what he wants. And what he wants is Jocelyn in his bed. Knowing how skittish Joss is concerning any kind of relationship, Braden proposes a sexual arrangement that should satisfy the intense attraction between them without it developing into anything 'more'. An intrigued Jocelyn agrees, completely unprepared for the Scotsman and his single-minded determination to strip the stubborn young woman bare... to the very soul

REVIEW:
Q: So...did you enjoy the book?
Sunny: Yes, I liked the book.  On the sweet meter, it was between those Love Swept books and Kristen Ashley
Susan: I loved it. Something about it resonated with me. I probably couldn't even tell you why exactly, but I just really loved it.

Q; What did you think of the main characters, Joss & Braden?
Sunny: Together, I thought they balanced on another very well.  Separately, I don't know if I could be friends with her.  She was really high maintenance.  She hurt a lot of people with her emotional distance.  If you want to be her friend, you will really have to be prepared for that. 
Susan: Joss is typically the kind of female character I can't stand...too "broken" to love anyone...waaa, waaa, waaa.  BUT, I actually didn't find her as annoying as others. Maybe because she owned up to it and called herself out on it. Braden, well, DREAM MAN...'nuff said.

Q: I've read Braden being compared to some of Kristen Ashley's alpha male leads.  Would you agree with this?
Sunny: I actually didn't think of any of KA's boys.  Excuse my pun, but to me he had shade of Christian Gray - successful businessman, controlling caveman tendencies, and looks hot in a suit, and oh yeah, let to text naughty things. 
Susan: I don't know that I'd even describe Braden as a typical alpha.  In the end, he's just a big pushover and loves his woman fiercely. I think his caveman tendencies read more as a joke in reality...almost endearing (yeah, clearly I'm smitten)

Q: How did you feel about Joss continuously pushing Braden away? 
Sunny: I could see how that would annoy some people, but it seemed perfectly in character to me.  As a teenager, she loses every one she loves and that makes her absolutely paranoid, waiting constantly for the other shoe to drop.  We should be surprised that she keeps pushing him away.  The change comes when she does it from her selfish motive of not wanting to get hurt to not wanting to saddle him with her unpredictable behavior.  If you try to get into her brain, you can have some sympathy for her behavior. 
Susan: The one thing that bugged me was the whole "go away" "no, come back", "no, go away"...game.  That gets old.

Q: Was there anything exceptional/original about the book?  
Sunny: When I learned this was the author's first adult contemporary book, having successfully written only YA before, I was impressed. However, you can tell her YA background - the teenage prologue (which I thought was completely unnecessary) to the fact that it was her teenage trauma with death and loss (isn't that a common YA theme?). It didn't detract, in fact, I thought it was insightful. 
Susan: One line - "I never kid about blowjobs"

Q: Would you recommend it?
Sunny: Wholeheartedly
Susan: Without a doubt. I might even read it again.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Nightfall" by Ellen Connor

The Characters:

Jenna Barclay

Mason
Tru
Penny
Chris
Angela

Summary:

Magic takes over the world and the world is transformed.  It is now just hitting the western half of the United States.  Jenna Barclay, whose father has been prophisizing this change, is kidnapped by ex-Marine, Mason.  He is fulfilling a promise to Jenna’s deceased dad to protect her.  Add to this mix, a teenage boy, a brilliant scientist, a mother and her withdrawn daughter. This is a story about survival at the most primal level as they are pursued by the changlings - humans who are turning into rabid animals.

Review:

When I think of this book, one word comes to mind “PRIMAL.”  In this book, the world gets pared down to the most fundamental levels - finesse is out, luxury is out, technology is out.  People and animals survive on instinct.  

The premise and setting of this story are dark.  Ellen Connor does amazing job building a world in which the characters survive by a thread.  There are threats all around them - starvation, death due to freezing cold temperatures, transformation by being bitten by one of the rabid animals and turning into a monster. There is serious tension throughout this book.  There are so many moments in which, if this were a movie, you’d be peeking between your fingers as you held your hands to your face.  

Jenna and Mason’s relationship epitomizes the dual definitions of primal. First, their relationship meets their primitive needs.  There is no wooing, no finessing, just hard-driven desire to be needed and loved. Secondly, they become each others primary - the first in importance, each others one and only.   Watching this develop, especially watching Mason unfurl leaves me so satisfied. It is the best part of watching an alpha develop his “sweet.”

As readers, we should not be surprise by the level of expertise.  Ellen Connor is authors Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty.  You can see both their influences in the story.  There is hard driven action, highly suspenseful moments and some of the hottest bedroom scenes (although it doesn’t really happen that much in a bedroom).  

In A Nutshell:

If you a fan of Ann Aguirre or Carrie Lofty, even if you are not, and if you want to read a highly satisfying, suspenseful book set in a dark, dystopian world, you must read this book.

SUSAN: BOOK REVIEW "Skybound" by Aleksandr Voinov

SUMMARY:

Germany, 1945. The Third Reich is on its knees as Allied forces bomb Berlin to break the last resistance. Yet on an airfield near Berlin, the battle is far from over for a young mechanic, Felix, who’s attached to a squadron of fighter pilots. He’s especially attached to fighter ace Baldur Vogt, a man he admires and secretly loves. But there’s no room for love at the end of the world, never mind in Nazi Germany.

When Baldur narrowly cheats death, Felix pulls him from his plane, and the pilot makes his riskiest move yet. He takes a few days’ leave to recover, and he takes Felix with him. Away from the pressures of the airfield, their bond deepens, and Baldur shows Felix the kind of brotherhood he’d only ever dreamed of before.

But there’s no escaping the war, and when they return, Baldur joins the fray again in the skies over Berlin. As the Allies close in on the airfield where Felix waits for his lover, Baldur must face the truth that he is no longer the only one in mortal danger.

REVIEW:

I should be angry with Aleksandr Voinov for writing such SHORT "books", not even novellas...pamphlets, maybe. BUT, it would be impossible to be angry with Aleksandr Voinov because he could write ONE sentence and you'd love it, it would be THAT good.

"Skybound" felt like one sentence long...started and ended way too quickly. But it was beautiful. I don't classify it in any one genre (historical, M/M, romance, political)...but rather, a love letter, maybe, written from one to another. Where I'd normally get frustrated that I didn't get to know enough about the characters of Felix and Baldur in such a short read, I feel like I was actually rewarded with simply a strong sense of longing and love between the two. I felt almost voyeuristic into something so intimate shared between glances, clicks of a safety belt, shared cigarettes with much deeper meaning.

IN A NUTSHELL:
All in all, hard to describe how something so short could be so good. But it was...so, so good.  Beautiful and quick read.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Seduction and Snacks" by Tara Sivec

CHARACTERS: 
Carter, Claire, Liz, Jim, Jenny and Drew

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):
Claire is a twenty-something, single mom that grudgingly helps her best friend sell sex toys while she attempts to make enough money to start her own business to give her foul-mouthed, but extremely loveable (when he’s asleep) toddler a better life. 

When Carter, the one-night-stand from her past that changed her life forever, shows up in her hometown bar without any recollection of her besides her unique chocolate scent, Claire will make it a point that he remembers her this time. 

With Carter’s undisguised shock at suddenly finding out he has a four-year-old son and Claire’s panic that her stretch marks and slim to none bedroom experience will send the man of her dreams heading for the hills, the pair will do whatever they can to get their happily ever after.

REVIEW:
I was intrigued by this book because of the buzz it was getting on Goodreads. I didn’t know what it was about, I just knew that people were talking about it. I love stories about food - Like Water for Chocolate and Eat, Drink, Man, Woman are some of my favorites. Food is sensual. Food can be erotic. 

So, I was a little surprised at what this story is really about best explained by the chapter headings: 
1. Arby’s Anyone?
2. Beer Pong May Cause Pregnancy
3. Have You Seen This Sperm Donor?
4. Sex and Chocolate
5. Snickers Finger Arm Teeth
6. I Got A Big Wiener 

and so on.....

This is the story about a young girl (virgin), Claire, who has a one-night stand at a frat party with a boy, Carter, with whom she has an instant connection. She gets pregnant only to realize she doesn’t even know his name; has the baby; gives up her college career; is given a second chance by her bestfriend to fulfill her dreams; and coincidentally meets up with the baby daddy years later. And it is perfect. For a tough subject, the story is surprisingly poignant. It is genuine and genuinely funny. Most the humor comes from a good old, time-honored place, out of the mouths of babes. Actually it comes from Claire’s four year old toddler, Gavin. With lines like: “Hey, I forgot your name. Can I call you dog poop?” and “Hey, Mommy, Carter has a HUGE wiener,” the laughs come out loud. I still have a stitch in my side from the discussion about “Barney Boner.” 

Balanced with the humor is the story of two people finding and discovering each other as adults. The strong mutual attraction between Claire and Carter, the insecurities of being a single mom and dating a single mom, the challenge of being thrust into parenthood and integrating into a family, are gracefully written by Tara Sivec. And it was just so darn funny. Did I mention that already? 

But what really hooked me were the references to the movies Heathers and The Legend of Billy Jean. Any author who can weave those references into a story, gets me and gets my respect. 

IN A NUTSHELL: 
I love this story. It is sweet (and not just in reference to the title). It is fun and it is highly recommendable.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Playing to Win" by Jaci Burton

CHARACTERS:
Cole Riley
Savannah Brooks
 
SUMMARY: 
Cole Riley is a hotshot Wide Receiver for a fictional St. Louis Traders NFL team. He’s been recently traded despite having a record season with Green Bay. The problem? He’s got an image problem. His reputation as a hothead, narcissistic, egoist has worked against him. He wants his stats to speak for him, but his defensive reaction to the media has made him a team liability. In comes Savannah Brooks, an image specialist. She is hired by Cole’s new agent, Elizabeth Darnell (from Changing the Game) to rehabilitate his image.

REVIEW
This book is a departure from the previous three in the series. The sexual encounters do not drive this story. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of hot, steamy scenes, but it doesn’t dominate the narrative. The story is not complicated. Cole and Savannah’s attraction is instantaneous and physical, but they also share a fear of abandonment. Cole doesn’t make friends or put down roots with any team because he feels that the teams he has been on in the past have not fully committed to him. Savannah has a difficult childhood where her neglectful mother has abandoned her. The joy is watching these two figure out this journey together.

Jaci Burton has really hit her stride with this one. One of the most common critiques I have about sports romances is when an author doesn’t do anything with the sports angle. In more than a few stories, the occupation is incidental, not integral. The hero could be a cop, firefighter, soldier, etc. The fact that he/she is an athlete doesn’t mean much to the story except as an occasional filler. Jaci Burton, however, knows how to weave the athlete’s story into the narrative. Granted, there is probably less sports in this story than in her last, but the amount felt right - organic, not contrived. has really hit her stride with this one.
 
IN A NUTSHELL
Jaci Burton has arguably the hottest covers in her Play By Play series.  Really, I think I'd buy the book just for its cover.  Luckily, this book is a great blend of sports and romance. This was a sweet read and I would recommend this to others. I am excited about the next installment, Thrown for a Curve.

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Endgame" by Ann Aguirre

CHARACTERS:

Sirantha Jax

March

Vel

Loras

<Warning:  Spoilers Ahead>

SUMMARY:

Sirantha Jax is on the planet of  La ’heng fulfilling a promise to Loras helping him free his people from the oppressive rule of the Nicuan.  Since being conquered by the outside world, the La'hengrin are poisoned by sedation and are living with the  shinai-bond - a bond that suppresses any aggressive impulse and forces them into submission to whoever "owns" them.  It is a slave colony no matter how "paternalistic" the Nicuan claim to be.  Jax has the cure to release the bond.  After many attempts to get the government to "do the right thing" and distribute the cure, Jax and crew are left with the only option possible - instigate a revolution.  

REVIEW:

The Sirantha Jax series was the first series I read after Harry Potter and the Hunger Games. I cut my Ann Aguirre teeth on Enclave and was seeking another book in which to lose myself. I was thrilled to find stories that were as good as my then favorites, Harry Potter and Katniss Everdeen. 

In past books, Sirantha Jax fights corruption, evil warlords, the terrifying Morguts, and the even the betrayal of one her own. I love Jax’s commitment to do what is right as she hurls herself headlong into the fray. Unfortunately, her willingness to sacrifice all to do the right thing is always at the cost of a loved one. But that’s what makes her life so heartbreaking. It is a sacrifice to those she loves as well. 

But, this is not that book. This is a book about redemption. The redemption of planet La ’heng, the redemption of her relationship with Loras, the redemption of her relationship with March. 

This isn’t the Jax story filled with wild escapes, chases, terrifying creatures and unbearable loss. Despite the fact that the backdrop of this story of is the fight for freedom from the oppressive rule of the Nicuan, it is a love story. There is more romance here than all five previous books combined. It is the reconciliation of Jax and March. And this one is deep. They literally get to the heart of the matter - why it is so difficult to love one another so deeply but keep hurting each other so profoundly? It is also the clarification of the love between Sirantha and Vel. 

Some might claim that Ann Aguirre ties up the end of this series too nicely. Maybe she does. This book does not evoke the roller coaster emotions that is associated with fear and loss as some of the others in the series. Half the time in this book, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.  In the end, there is no drop dead shocker and really, thank goodness for that. Because when it comes down to it, with everything that Jax has gone through, doesn’t she deserve a happily ever after? I, for one, am not going to begrudge her that. If you are new to Sirantha Jax, I would not recommend starting with this book. It will not accurately represent the heart of the series. Instead this book is truly the concluding episode in the evolution of Sirantha Jax.

MEMORABLE QUOTE:

This is not a love story.

This is about my life, and as such, there is love, loss, war, death, and sacrifice.  It's about things that needed to be done and choices made.  I regret nothing. 

IN A NUTSHELL: 

This is the perfect ending to an amazing journey with Sirantha Jax.  I will miss you, but am so happy you have found your way "home." 

SUSAN: BOOK REVIEW - "Afflicted" by Brandon Shire

SUMMARY:
A high priced male escort and a blind gay man meet by chance. What ensues is a hot, steamy romance by two men looking for something more than a one night stand. But can they reach beyond their own insecurities to grasp what they really desire?

Meet Hunter Stephens. He’s gay, tall, dark haired, and he’s hot. Very hot. But he doesn’t rely on the visual cues when appraising a man because he’s also blind. He listens to the timbre of their voice, trembles at the touch of their skin, and luxuriates in the deep richness of the aroma of man. He’s hard of the hand because he’s a black belt and takes no shit, but soft of the heart because he’s lonely and has been for a while.

Until he meets Dillon.

Dillon Chambers is straight man candy. He’s a high priced male escort that works with an exclusive agency who handles only the wealthiest of clients. But it wasn’t always like that for him. At sixteen he was thrown out of the house for being gay and struggled to survive, turning tricks on the street and finding food and a place to sleep wherever he could. He met two people that changed his life, but he has never met anyone who could change his heart.

REVIEW:
Kudos to you, Brandon Shire. This book was lovely and the way it was written felt LYRICAL.

I really enjoyed the angle of Hunter as a blind lead. The way things were described down to the tiniest detail permeated from the pages. Things we take for granted as "sightlings", had to be written from such a different perspective (smell, touch, sound) that it I almost wished I could have read this book with my eyes closed!

At first, it took some getting used to how VERY descriptive passages were:"...the menagerie of odors that came with the entrance of each group...Vicks VapoRub, deodorized tampons, car grease, Kool Aid, grape chewing gum, sweat, leater, hair grease, more sweat, oranges, the curdle of sour breast milk, urine, Icy Hot, and a whole other host of industrialized miasma he couldn't even name..." (I mean, c'mon...yuck!). 

BUT, it is amazing how once you get used to it, those very details are what placed you smack dab into the middle of Hunter's POV. Suddenly, lines like:"He smelled of feet and armpits and ball sweat and Hunter wanted to taste every single one of those flavors." came across as ROMANTIC! (I wouldn't believe me either...until I read it!)

Dillon's and Hunter's relationship was beautiful and I loved getting to know the trauma and hardships of their pasts and seeing how it manifested into the insecurities for their present and future with each other. Very touching...

IN A NUTSHELL:
If you've never read M/M, this probably isn't the book for you. But, this book is beautiful and it's not only to be read, but to be experienced.  Perfectly dark & light, hard & soft, happy & sad...so good...