lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Leveled has me questioning why I haven't read a Crownover series before now! I was enchanted, and she now has a new fan! Lando and Dom were both characters that made me feel, and their development through this story was truly well done.
I read Leveled as part of my Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge, and I have read all the Saints of Denver series in June. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the secrets, and also the very strong sense of family and friendship. Dom and Lando both thought they weren't deserving of love and a real relationship. Until there was no way for either of them to resist any longer.
Lando lived with a secret that had kept him from being fully happy before, but when he started to have feelings for Dom, everything kind of changed for him. Leveled brought him some much needed closure, and it was really nice to see that he had met someone who loved all the parts of him, and who could be proud to be seen with him everywhere.
Leveled also showed a different side of the Marked Men, which was a very good one, in my opinion. Dom and Lando slowly built a new relationship, while also keeping up with their various friends, some of whom they had in common. A great start to the series, and one that also made me go back to read the whole Marked Men series as well.
Written in first person past tense, dual point of view from both Lando's and Dom's perspective, Leveled brought out the feels big time.
I always played my cards close to my chest. Being a cop was already a hard job. Being a gay cop made the job that much more challenging, so I learned early on that my personal life wasn't a topic of conversation I wanted open for discussion.
He rolled his heavy shoulders and turned to walk over to the hooks on the wall that held his discarded clothes. "Most things that are easy aren't worth much. It's the thing you have to work for that matter the most."
I leaned forward so I could kiss him, so I could show him that I didn't care who or what or why just as long as it was me and him. He kissed me back, but it was softly, reverently. It was a kiss that said thank you for something I didn't even know that I did.
Leveled has me questioning why I haven't read a Crownover series before now! I was enchanted, and she now has a new fan! Lando and Dom were both characters that made me feel, and their development through this story was truly well done.
I read Leveled as part of my Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge, and I have read all the Saints of Denver series in June. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the secrets, and also the very strong sense of family and friendship. Dom and Lando both thought they weren't deserving of love and a real relationship. Until there was no way for either of them to resist any longer.
Lando lived with a secret that had kept him from being fully happy before, but when he started to have feelings for Dom, everything kind of changed for him. Leveled brought him some much needed closure, and it was really nice to see that he had met someone who loved all the parts of him, and who could be proud to be seen with him everywhere.
Leveled also showed a different side of the Marked Men, which was a very good one, in my opinion. Dom and Lando slowly built a new relationship, while also keeping up with their various friends, some of whom they had in common. A great start to the series, and one that also made me go back to read the whole Marked Men series as well.
Written in first person past tense, dual point of view from both Lando's and Dom's perspective, Leveled brought out the feels big time.
I always played my cards close to my chest. Being a cop was already a hard job. Being a gay cop made the job that much more challenging, so I learned early on that my personal life wasn't a topic of conversation I wanted open for discussion.
He rolled his heavy shoulders and turned to walk over to the hooks on the wall that held his discarded clothes. "Most things that are easy aren't worth much. It's the thing you have to work for that matter the most."
I leaned forward so I could kiss him, so I could show him that I didn't care who or what or why just as long as it was me and him. He kissed me back, but it was softly, reverently. It was a kiss that said thank you for something I didn't even know that I did.
seffra's review
3.0
2.5 disappointed stars
Spoilers!
I was really looking forward to this books because I wanted Lando to get his happily ever after and after meeting Dom, I really liked him too! This book started off good and hooked me in. But that's when it went downhill.
Lando...WHAT HAPPENED!?!?! I really liked you through the Marked Men series and then WHAT!?!? He acted really selfish and his reasons weren't that great. He didn't want to chance it with Dom because he didn't want Dom to put his job first instead of him. A job that was his passion and he worked so hard for.
That got me really mad.
But of course, Dom didn't feel the same when he went back and wanted a much 'safer' position...I wonder who put that in your mind, Dom???
This book also had much M/M clichés in it and I really tried to like it because Dom really won me over but No...... it is a 2.5 read for me.
Spoilers!
I was really looking forward to this books because I wanted Lando to get his happily ever after and after meeting Dom, I really liked him too! This book started off good and hooked me in. But that's when it went downhill.
Lando...WHAT HAPPENED!?!?! I really liked you through the Marked Men series and then WHAT!?!? He acted really selfish and his reasons weren't that great. He didn't want to chance it with Dom because he didn't want Dom to put his job first instead of him. A job that was his passion and he worked so hard for.
That got me really mad.
But of course, Dom didn't feel the same when he went back and wanted a much 'safer' position...I wonder who put that in your mind, Dom???
This book also had much M/M clichés in it and I really tried to like it because Dom really won me over but No...... it is a 2.5 read for me.
amor_fati's review
5.0
love is beautiful
This is a true story of love. Love is love and when you find someone you fight for it. You fight yourself, the one you love and the many who love and want the best for you. That is what makes Dominic and Orlando story so wonderful. It a story of two men fighting their past to get to their future. It packed full of all the friends and family we loved from The Men of Ink series and a glimpse of what is to come. And it clearly shows us that love is letting go of one thing to make the most important thing yours.
This is a true story of love. Love is love and when you find someone you fight for it. You fight yourself, the one you love and the many who love and want the best for you. That is what makes Dominic and Orlando story so wonderful. It a story of two men fighting their past to get to their future. It packed full of all the friends and family we loved from The Men of Ink series and a glimpse of what is to come. And it clearly shows us that love is letting go of one thing to make the most important thing yours.
nikamajig's review
5.0
If you have any hesitation in reading this book because it's m/m romance, put aside your apprehension. This is Jay Crownover and once again, she has written a beautiful emotional roller coaster of a book. It is absolutely the perfect bridge from the Marked Men to the Saints of Denver with some of our favorite characters from the MM series making a guest appearance. Dom & Lando got their own story which was well deserved and I am so glad Jay decided to gift us with this unexpected delight.
So, drop what you're doing and go pick it up if you haven't already. Seriously, it's only $2.99 and you won't be disappointed!
So, drop what you're doing and go pick it up if you haven't already. Seriously, it's only $2.99 and you won't be disappointed!
iggyebab's review
3.0
I liked this as the book to link this new spin off. Remy's death kicked a lot of these crossover characters in the teeth. His inability to admit who he was to those who loved him most was hard on everyone. I was glad to see Lando take a step forward and Dom connect in with Royals new family.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
it was okay...
11/20/2015 To the person who is bitching about how I review books↓↓↓↓↓
it was okay...
11/20/2015 To the person who is bitching about how I review books↓↓↓↓↓
booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Crownover got this segue between her Marked Series, and the start of The Saints spot on right. I knew Lando was going to get his story, and what a bittersweet one it is. For him and Dom. These two guys were just perfect, and you'd think the author knew them both in RL... maybe she does! *shrug* I cried and laughed in this story, and my heart broke in all the right places. I love that the previous characters got a "say" in this story, and I am really excited about the newest in this series.
dami_96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
yepitsjen22's review against another edition
5.0
Just what I need to start saying "goodbye" to the Mark Men. I realize this technically is a Saints of Denver story but my favorite men were still there!
A must read if you are obsessed with the Archer men and need a little more of them in your life!
This was the perfect book to bridge the two series together
A must read if you are obsessed with the Archer men and need a little more of them in your life!
This was the perfect book to bridge the two series together
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
5.0
5 Leveled Stars
I have been a fan of the Marked Men Series since I first read Rule.
I have read the rest of the Saints of Denver Series but how I didn’t know about this Novella is a mystery. But I sure am glad I picked it up and read it.
It really does bring in elements from the M M Series and the S of D Series. It also gives me some measure of closer. I always had this doubt and wonder about what happened to Orlando, because he was such a big part of Rule’s book even if others might not think so he was to me.
Orlando was Remy’s boyfriend no one knew about. And Shaw was Remy’s beard. It was sad and heart breaking learning of their story but for me it was more, because I felt so much for Orlando way back in that book.
So getting to know Lando and Dominic in this book it was a mending of hearts there and mine. Yep I get that “into” my books what can I say. Jay Crownover can write the heck out of some hunky hot fellas and make me come back for more.
The struggle both of these men go through in this book is inspiring. Lando is struggling with loving someone with his whole heart and being so afraid of losing that kind of love again. Dominic is afraid to love and beloved in return for who and what he is whether it’s a police officer or a former police officer hurt on the job. He never had to put his heart out on the line and hope it would be returned.
Magical and Sweet and HOT… Oh they very much steam up the pages. This book is the perfect balance of the old and the new series. Love it, love it, loved it .. Would it be corny if I said it Leveled me. ;)
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I have been a fan of the Marked Men Series since I first read Rule.
I have read the rest of the Saints of Denver Series but how I didn’t know about this Novella is a mystery. But I sure am glad I picked it up and read it.
It really does bring in elements from the M M Series and the S of D Series. It also gives me some measure of closer. I always had this doubt and wonder about what happened to Orlando, because he was such a big part of Rule’s book even if others might not think so he was to me.
Orlando was Remy’s boyfriend no one knew about. And Shaw was Remy’s beard. It was sad and heart breaking learning of their story but for me it was more, because I felt so much for Orlando way back in that book.
So getting to know Lando and Dominic in this book it was a mending of hearts there and mine. Yep I get that “into” my books what can I say. Jay Crownover can write the heck out of some hunky hot fellas and make me come back for more.
The struggle both of these men go through in this book is inspiring. Lando is struggling with loving someone with his whole heart and being so afraid of losing that kind of love again. Dominic is afraid to love and beloved in return for who and what he is whether it’s a police officer or a former police officer hurt on the job. He never had to put his heart out on the line and hope it would be returned.
Magical and Sweet and HOT… Oh they very much steam up the pages. This book is the perfect balance of the old and the new series. Love it, love it, loved it .. Would it be corny if I said it Leveled me. ;)
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*