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prgchrqltma's review
4.0
Characters: tattoo artist, tattoo artist/player
World Building: tattooing
Plot: internal, friends to lovers with angst
Sex: Medium - expresses the characters
Read another: Yes
World Building: tattooing
Plot: internal, friends to lovers with angst
Sex: Medium - expresses the characters
Read another: Yes
theladyinreds's review
4.0
This book blindsided me and hit me with all of the feels. ALL OF THE FEELS. This is a friends-to-lovers romance and it's such a damn good one. They love each other so much and their friendship is so integral to their loves that I totally understand why they were afraid to change things. But OMG did I want them to.
This might rival "Her Best Worst Mistake" for my affections. But I won't know for sure unless I read it four bazillion more times. Guess I better get on that.
This might rival "Her Best Worst Mistake" for my affections. But I won't know for sure unless I read it four bazillion more times. Guess I better get on that.
anacoqui's review
5.0
Just loved it. Great friends to lovers.
Blue and Eddie have been friends for over 10 years. Ten years of denial and want. When a close call shakes their world, they can no longer keep those feelings boxed up.
Beautiful, genuine emotional journey.
Full review below:
Blue and Eddie have been friends for over 10 years. Ten years of working side by side. Ten years of games, laughter and tears. Ten years of denial and want. When a close call shakes their world, they can no longer keep those feelings boxed up.
Ten years is a long time to know each other. Within hours of having met they both made a choice to ignore their sexual attraction and build a friendship instead. Lovers have come and gone from both their lives but their friendship has endured even as it has been tested over the years.
Blue grew up in a series of group and foster homes since the sudden accidental death of her parents when she was 6 years old. Life on the move has made her a minimalist. She resists attachments to places, people and things. She keeps a spartan apartment & keeps most people at distance, investing in only a few close friends, Eddie being the most important one.
Eddie is rarely alone. His easy smiles and seductive charms means he is always in demand. No sooner does he break up with one woman, that another is looking to take her place. Sex and romance has always come easily to Eddie, but his relationships are short and fleeting never moving beyond casual. But outside of his brother the most important person in his life has always been Blue even if he has taken her for granted. Seeing Blue's body fly across the payment after being hit by motorcycle made him realize how empty his life would be without Blue. But breaking down 10 years of habits and walls is not easy especially when Blue is terrified of losing everything they have together if it goes wrong.
This novel hit all my emotional buttons. I've wanted Blue and Eddie's story since they first appeared in Satisfaction. They interacted in such fun affectionate ways that like Maggie I wanted to know their story, the why behind their are they or aren't they vibe.
The story starts off with a bang, and I loved how Mayberry let the repercussions and emotions build over time. Their story stretches out over months and months, and I loved that. Both Eddie and Blue have serious feelings they need to work through and I would have not believed in the story unless they had the time to sort through and evaluate their feelings. Even as Blue drags her feet and resists Eddie's determined assault on her heart even when surrendering to her physical need for him over the months it takes for them get together, the book never drags.
I loved the journey Mayberry crafted because none of it was easy. I loved that while their sexual chemistry is off the charts, they struggle to read each other emotionally. One of the most painful and real scenes for me in the book happens early on. Eddie has bullied Blue into staying at his house during her recovery. Blue, emotionally raw doesn't want to be there because she feels like a emotional mess. Eddie goes all out to make her feel comfortable in his home, to show her how much she means to him, but he still screws up because he hasn't quite realized that he can't do that, and let other women walk into his life and steal his attention. He didn't do anything to intentionally hurt Blue, but it does and Blue can't watch it happen anymore, not still she has her feelings under control. That moment is wake up call to both of them. For Eddie it makes him realize that his feeling for Blue go beyond her being his best-friend, and for Blue that she loves him to much to lose him over her feelings so she needs to bottled them back up. That conflict is central to the rest of the novel. I love heroes in hot-pursuit and Eddie is fantastic in the role. The depth of his commitment to pursuing Blue surprises everyone in their life. I loved that he had to overcome his own feelings of insecurity about his inexperience at relationships before being able to confront Blue on her own. He doesn't do everything right, Blue is infuriating at times in her resistance but every bit of it felt real.
In Anticipation, Mayberry crafts a passionate & genuine emotional journey through friendship, sexual tension and love for Blue and Eddie that was worth waiting for.
Blue and Eddie have been friends for over 10 years. Ten years of denial and want. When a close call shakes their world, they can no longer keep those feelings boxed up.
Beautiful, genuine emotional journey.
Full review below:
Blue and Eddie have been friends for over 10 years. Ten years of working side by side. Ten years of games, laughter and tears. Ten years of denial and want. When a close call shakes their world, they can no longer keep those feelings boxed up.
Ten years is a long time to know each other. Within hours of having met they both made a choice to ignore their sexual attraction and build a friendship instead. Lovers have come and gone from both their lives but their friendship has endured even as it has been tested over the years.
Blue grew up in a series of group and foster homes since the sudden accidental death of her parents when she was 6 years old. Life on the move has made her a minimalist. She resists attachments to places, people and things. She keeps a spartan apartment & keeps most people at distance, investing in only a few close friends, Eddie being the most important one.
Eddie is rarely alone. His easy smiles and seductive charms means he is always in demand. No sooner does he break up with one woman, that another is looking to take her place. Sex and romance has always come easily to Eddie, but his relationships are short and fleeting never moving beyond casual. But outside of his brother the most important person in his life has always been Blue even if he has taken her for granted. Seeing Blue's body fly across the payment after being hit by motorcycle made him realize how empty his life would be without Blue. But breaking down 10 years of habits and walls is not easy especially when Blue is terrified of losing everything they have together if it goes wrong.
This novel hit all my emotional buttons. I've wanted Blue and Eddie's story since they first appeared in Satisfaction. They interacted in such fun affectionate ways that like Maggie I wanted to know their story, the why behind their are they or aren't they vibe.
The story starts off with a bang, and I loved how Mayberry let the repercussions and emotions build over time. Their story stretches out over months and months, and I loved that. Both Eddie and Blue have serious feelings they need to work through and I would have not believed in the story unless they had the time to sort through and evaluate their feelings. Even as Blue drags her feet and resists Eddie's determined assault on her heart even when surrendering to her physical need for him over the months it takes for them get together, the book never drags.
I loved the journey Mayberry crafted because none of it was easy. I loved that while their sexual chemistry is off the charts, they struggle to read each other emotionally. One of the most painful and real scenes for me in the book happens early on. Eddie has bullied Blue into staying at his house during her recovery. Blue, emotionally raw doesn't want to be there because she feels like a emotional mess. Eddie goes all out to make her feel comfortable in his home, to show her how much she means to him, but he still screws up because he hasn't quite realized that he can't do that, and let other women walk into his life and steal his attention. He didn't do anything to intentionally hurt Blue, but it does and Blue can't watch it happen anymore, not still she has her feelings under control. That moment is wake up call to both of them. For Eddie it makes him realize that his feeling for Blue go beyond her being his best-friend, and for Blue that she loves him to much to lose him over her feelings so she needs to bottled them back up. That conflict is central to the rest of the novel. I love heroes in hot-pursuit and Eddie is fantastic in the role. The depth of his commitment to pursuing Blue surprises everyone in their life. I loved that he had to overcome his own feelings of insecurity about his inexperience at relationships before being able to confront Blue on her own. He doesn't do everything right, Blue is infuriating at times in her resistance but every bit of it felt real.
In Anticipation, Mayberry crafts a passionate & genuine emotional journey through friendship, sexual tension and love for Blue and Eddie that was worth waiting for.
shell74's review
4.0
Who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers trope, right? Anticipation was just that. This was written with all of the longing and passion I hope for, and with the addition of two very colorful characters who were simply destined to be together.
I had a lot of fun reading Satisfaction, book one in the Brothers Ink series, when we got to know the Oliveira brothers (twins!) and the rest of the crew. I am equally impressed this time with Eddie and Blue’s story. The way author Sarah Mayberry describes their feelings, their thought process, and their lust for each other is spot on. I loved those angsty moments they both had when they of course were waffling between remaining friends or confessing their feelings. Ms. Mayberry made those scenes so real and so heartfelt that it was very easy to become wrapped up in their struggle. Love that!
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I had a lot of fun reading Satisfaction, book one in the Brothers Ink series, when we got to know the Oliveira brothers (twins!) and the rest of the crew. I am equally impressed this time with Eddie and Blue’s story. The way author Sarah Mayberry describes their feelings, their thought process, and their lust for each other is spot on. I loved those angsty moments they both had when they of course were waffling between remaining friends or confessing their feelings. Ms. Mayberry made those scenes so real and so heartfelt that it was very easy to become wrapped up in their struggle. Love that!
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stephkmcg's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
anitalouise's review
5.0
Yet another unbelievably awesome book from the master (or mistress) of romance. Brilliant friends to lovers trope. Ms. Mayberry does that so well!! Just a word - I would not read this as a standalone. Much more meaningful if you read [b:Satisfaction|20933353|Satisfaction (Brothers Ink, #1)|Sarah Mayberry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393558367s/20933353.jpg|41219842] first. That book introduces you to the characters and gives you some background. I have to say that I had some doubts in the beginning of the book. I didn't like Blue that much in [b:Satisfaction|20933353|Satisfaction (Brothers Ink, #1)|Sarah Mayberry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393558367s/20933353.jpg|41219842] and I definitely didn't like her much as I started this book. Much too prickly and brittle. As more of her past is revealed, I understood but I still found her unpleasant. Then Ms. Mayberry took the book in a direction I was NOT expecting and I was blown away. Escalated from the 3 stars I was feeling to way over 5 stars for me. Eddie, Eddie, Eddie! Just saved the book for me!! His character, his words, just his struggle and decisions and his growth really impressed me. The author's brilliant mix of humor, strong character driven plot and terrific writing coupled with her ability to just steam up the room made this a real winner for me. Loved seeing Raf and Maggie again. I grudgingly enjoyed seeing Blue unthaw some. Very surprised to hear from Lena and whatever is happening with her. I understand there is another book in this series. If it's with Lena, I have to just jump in and hope I am saved by Ms. Mayberry. I was NOT loving Lena in the first book and I was not terribly sympathetic to her in this book but we'll see....
gerireads's review
4.0
4.5 stars!!
***This review may contain mild spoilers for book one***
One of the things I like about Sarah Mayberry is that she writes great unrequited friends-to-lovers love stories . She knows how to capture the longing, the hope, the hurt...everything that makes this trope work.
Anticipation is the second book of Sara Mayberry's Brothers Ink series. This is Eddie and Blue's story. Eddie is Rafel's twin brother. The wild one, the one who can't settle down, the one who like the ladies too much to settle down with one. Blue is his best friend and employee at Brothers Ink. She has been a constant in Eddie's life the moment they met 10 years ago and Blue has been in love with Eddie for just as long.
Blue for all her desire for Eddie had been content to play the sidekick. She knew Eddie would never look at her like more than a friend. Then a freak accident changes everything. Suddenly, Eddie was confronted with the possibility that he might lose Blue and he didn't like that at all. It was then that the author sort of flipped the script that it became a lot less about Blue having unrequited feelings for Eddie and more about Eddie's pursuing Blue and proving to her that he's the one for her.
I loved how I was showed Eddie's growing feelings for Blue without the constant telling. Of course, Eddie did admit later on but it was great to see it because I, as the reader, recognized his feelings for what it is even before he even realized and acknowledged it. It was the best kind of swoon.
A man in pursuit is always hot but Eddie Oliveiros in pursuit of the object of heart is even HOTTER...plus, it was really cute. The title was very apt because I was definitely anticipating the time when they finally get over their stubbornness and just give in to their growing attraction. The sexual tension just sizzled. Steam was coming off the page. It was so potent I had to message a friend about it.
Their chemistry was off the charts. I know I've said this during the first book but it bears repeating here because like Rafel and Maggie, Eddie and Blue also has some insane chemistry. And just when I thought Rafel was it for me, Eddie, I think was even better because the moment he realized who Blue is to him, he just went into pursuit mode. And Blue, I think, was perfect for him. She had a lot of hurt. Her back story was very sad and it explained a lot about who she is and why she made the decisions she did.
Just the like the first book, this one is also filled with great dialogue and banter. And we also get to meet a few of the Brothers Ink employee this time around. And like the first book, I wanted more from the ending. It wasn't as rushed as the first book but I sort of didn't want it to end yet. I wanted to read more. Other than that, this one was another wonderful read from Sarah Mayberry.
ARC provided by Sarah Mayberry in exchange for an honest review.
***This review may contain mild spoilers for book one***
One of the things I like about Sarah Mayberry is that she writes great unrequited friends-to-lovers love stories . She knows how to capture the longing, the hope, the hurt...everything that makes this trope work.
Anticipation is the second book of Sara Mayberry's Brothers Ink series. This is Eddie and Blue's story. Eddie is Rafel's twin brother. The wild one, the one who can't settle down, the one who like the ladies too much to settle down with one. Blue is his best friend and employee at Brothers Ink. She has been a constant in Eddie's life the moment they met 10 years ago and Blue has been in love with Eddie for just as long.
Blue for all her desire for Eddie had been content to play the sidekick. She knew Eddie would never look at her like more than a friend. Then a freak accident changes everything. Suddenly, Eddie was confronted with the possibility that he might lose Blue and he didn't like that at all. It was then that the author sort of flipped the script that it became a lot less about Blue having unrequited feelings for Eddie and more about Eddie's pursuing Blue and proving to her that he's the one for her.
I loved how I was showed Eddie's growing feelings for Blue without the constant telling. Of course, Eddie did admit later on but it was great to see it because I, as the reader, recognized his feelings for what it is even before he even realized and acknowledged it. It was the best kind of swoon.
Her call drew Eddie’s attention, and he glanced at them, his face lighting up when he caught sight of Blue. She raised her hand in greeting and tried to ignore the warm glow in her belly that was inspired by his very obvious happiness that she’d shown up.
“That’s a Huxtaburger bag, isn’t it?” Raf said shrewdly.
“You drove all the way into Fitzroy to get her favorite burger for lunch, didn’t you?”
“This could be my lunch for all you know, smart-ass,” Eddie said, even though he could feel the tips of his ears turning red.
It was none of their business if he’d chosen to eschew the perfectly good burger place around the corner in favor of making a twenty-minute round trip to bring Blue her favorite burger in all of Melbourne. If he wanted to spoil her a little, he was perfectly within his rights to do so, and the rest of them could all taking a flying leap.
A man in pursuit is always hot but Eddie Oliveiros in pursuit of the object of heart is even HOTTER...plus, it was really cute. The title was very apt because I was definitely anticipating the time when they finally get over their stubbornness and just give in to their growing attraction. The sexual tension just sizzled. Steam was coming off the page. It was so potent I had to message a friend about it.
Their chemistry was off the charts. I know I've said this during the first book but it bears repeating here because like Rafel and Maggie, Eddie and Blue also has some insane chemistry. And just when I thought Rafel was it for me, Eddie, I think was even better because the moment he realized who Blue is to him, he just went into pursuit mode. And Blue, I think, was perfect for him. She had a lot of hurt. Her back story was very sad and it explained a lot about who she is and why she made the decisions she did.
If he could, he’d tear down the world and remake it for her so that she had all the things she needed and deserved - parents who loved her, a childhood full of laughter, the knowledge that no matter what, she could always go home.
Just the like the first book, this one is also filled with great dialogue and banter. And we also get to meet a few of the Brothers Ink employee this time around. And like the first book, I wanted more from the ending. It wasn't as rushed as the first book but I sort of didn't want it to end yet. I wanted to read more. Other than that, this one was another wonderful read from Sarah Mayberry.
ARC provided by Sarah Mayberry in exchange for an honest review.