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rihoward's review
5.0
After reading this year's Roulette, Finn and Ava were two of my favorite characters that I wanted to have a full story. I got my wish. There was something compelling about both of these characters in the short time they were in that book and in this book, it grew to even more.
There was a depth to Ava and Finn. Not just in them separately or together but also in the actual story around them that made it easier to connect with them. This was not just a story heavy on BDSM and light on context, it actually was well balanced. Being an Idaho girl, with a family ranch between Idaho and Montana, it was nice to see the attention to details in regards to ranch life. Again, not just for the characters, but also in the care and long hours contributed toward the running of a ranch and ensuring that livestock is healthy.
I was especially, happy with how it concluded and how much care was put into trying to curb Ava's addiction. I cannot even begin to truly understand what it must have been like for her to feel that deeply that what she did seemed like the only recourse. However, I am familiar with the demons of the mind in other ways and know that battle is difficult. I loved the patience, care, and understanding that Finn had. He is hands down, one of my favorites so far in this amazing series. The steamy times were hot and well-crafted. If I hadn't been part of this series since the beiginning I would have never known that she also hadn't been a part of it because her writing style and stories fit right in as if they belonged there.
I am not sure how this series gets better and better but it does. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I hope I see more from this author in the future. I like how she introduces scenes from the BDSM lifestyle that aren't as commonly talked about or practiced in romance books.
There was a depth to Ava and Finn. Not just in them separately or together but also in the actual story around them that made it easier to connect with them. This was not just a story heavy on BDSM and light on context, it actually was well balanced. Being an Idaho girl, with a family ranch between Idaho and Montana, it was nice to see the attention to details in regards to ranch life. Again, not just for the characters, but also in the care and long hours contributed toward the running of a ranch and ensuring that livestock is healthy.
I was especially, happy with how it concluded and how much care was put into trying to curb Ava's addiction. I cannot even begin to truly understand what it must have been like for her to feel that deeply that what she did seemed like the only recourse. However, I am familiar with the demons of the mind in other ways and know that battle is difficult. I loved the patience, care, and understanding that Finn had. He is hands down, one of my favorites so far in this amazing series. The steamy times were hot and well-crafted. If I hadn't been part of this series since the beiginning I would have never known that she also hadn't been a part of it because her writing style and stories fit right in as if they belonged there.
I am not sure how this series gets better and better but it does. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I hope I see more from this author in the future. I like how she introduces scenes from the BDSM lifestyle that aren't as commonly talked about or practiced in romance books.
mom2three's review
5.0
I'm not usually one for trigger warnings, and never for books that aren't dark reads, but I'm using one here. I beg readers not to let that stop them from reading the story. I just want them to be aware that the pain Ava experiences, the triggers of that inner pain, and the self harm she uses to battle that pain left me sobbing. It wasn't the quiet, no-one-will-know sobbing, either. It was the ugly, loud, curled up in a ball on the floor crying, that left me feeling drained and exhausted afterward. If you have experienced abuse, severe neglect, or suffer from your own ugly voices you may react the same way. It took me a few days to be able to pick the story back up and continue, but I had to know how it ended. I had to know where her journey was going to take her, and not just to the HEA I knew was coming. It's that story that leads me to encourage and plead with readers to please read this one. Having also been able to be on the other side of a darkness that I thought would consume me, Ava and Finn's romance reminded me of why we keep fighting. It was brutal but also beautiful. There are moments of humor, and Ava has a sassy streak a mile wide when she finally feels safe that had me happy dancing. There are also moments of intense passion and insightful love that made my heart swell.
All of the BL books are amazing, but this one was so much more for me.
All of the BL books are amazing, but this one was so much more for me.
mom2three's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually one for trigger warnings, and never for books that aren't dark reads, but I'm using one here. I beg readers not to let that stop them from reading the story. I just want them to be aware that the pain Ava experiences, the triggers of that inner pain, and the self harm she uses to battle that pain left me sobbing. It wasn't the quiet, no-one-will-know sobbing, either. It was the ugly, loud, curled up in a ball on the floor crying, that left me feeling drained and exhausted afterward. If you have experienced abuse, severe neglect, or suffer from your own ugly voices you may react the same way. It took me a few days to be able to pick the story back up and continue, but I had to know how it ended. I had to know where her journey was going to take her, and not just to the HEA I knew was coming. It's that story that leads me to encourage and plead with readers to please read this one. Having also been able to be on the other side of a darkness that I thought would consume me, Ava and Finn's romance reminded me of why we keep fighting. It was brutal but also beautiful. There are moments of humor, and Ava has a sassy streak a mile wide when she finally feels safe that had me happy dancing. There are also moments of intense passion and insightful love that made my heart swell.
All of the BL books are amazing, but this one was so much more for me.
All of the BL books are amazing, but this one was so much more for me.
kelly_reads_books's review
5.0
Absolutely stunning story!
Finn and Ava's story began at Roulette and I was so happy when their story continued in Branded.
Poor Ava with the voices in her head and devastation of her childhood. The demons she battles and struggles she has had to endure.
Finn is a steady giant of a man, with a huge heart to go with his size. He is supportive and calm, which is just what Ava needs.
The passion, love, and respect of this couple is an inspiration!
Finn and Ava's story began at Roulette and I was so happy when their story continued in Branded.
Poor Ava with the voices in her head and devastation of her childhood. The demons she battles and struggles she has had to endure.
Finn is a steady giant of a man, with a huge heart to go with his size. He is supportive and calm, which is just what Ava needs.
The passion, love, and respect of this couple is an inspiration!
kelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning story!
Finn and Ava's story began at Roulette and I was so happy when their story continued in Branded.
Poor Ava with the voices in her head and devastation of her childhood. The demons she battles and struggles she has had to endure.
Finn is a steady giant of a man, with a huge heart to go with his size. He is supportive and calm, which is just what Ava needs.
The passion, love, and respect of this couple is an inspiration!
Finn and Ava's story began at Roulette and I was so happy when their story continued in Branded.
Poor Ava with the voices in her head and devastation of her childhood. The demons she battles and struggles she has had to endure.
Finn is a steady giant of a man, with a huge heart to go with his size. He is supportive and calm, which is just what Ava needs.
The passion, love, and respect of this couple is an inspiration!
jigsawgirl's review
4.0
I started reading the book and realized that Finn and Ava had connected at a previous Roulette event. I guess I missed the last Roulette book, but I had to go back and read "Burn", where it all started for them. I don't think it's absolutely necessary to read that book first, but if you choose to, it gives you a more complete picture of Finn and Ava's relationship. If you decide to start out with this book, "Branded", there is enough backstory that you should be fine.
I really felt for Ava. I couldn't imagine living day to day with that constant demeaning, abusive voice in my head, and there was only one way she was able to find any relief.
I liked both Ava and Finn. They had an almost instant connection, and it morphed rapidly into so much more. I liked that Finn was so protective and supportive of Ava. I also appreciated that Finn recognized Ava needed more help than he could provide.
I liked that Ava's intelligence was highlighted, as well as her determination and warmth. It was surprising and kind of awesome the way she embraced life on Finn's cattle ranch. Also, the back and forth banter she shared with Finn was sweet. The whole thing with Lulu and the instructions was kind of funny.
There were a couple of interesting subplots. I could understand the one about Thomas and that situation. I wasn't so sure about the whole Marie Antoinette scene. I honestly thought that if it had been left out of the book, it wouldn't have been missed. It wasn't bad. It was kind of intriguing. I just didn't understand what purpose it was supposed to serve in the storyline.
This book dealt with some difficult issues. Mental, emotional, and animal abuse were discussed. The branding made my stomach flip flop. Characters from Black Light East and previous Roulette books made an appearance. Finn and Ava also got their HEA. Overall,A good read that kept me engaged from start to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I really felt for Ava. I couldn't imagine living day to day with that constant demeaning, abusive voice in my head, and there was only one way she was able to find any relief.
I liked both Ava and Finn. They had an almost instant connection, and it morphed rapidly into so much more. I liked that Finn was so protective and supportive of Ava. I also appreciated that Finn recognized Ava needed more help than he could provide.
I liked that Ava's intelligence was highlighted, as well as her determination and warmth. It was surprising and kind of awesome the way she embraced life on Finn's cattle ranch. Also, the back and forth banter she shared with Finn was sweet. The whole thing with Lulu and the instructions was kind of funny.
There were a couple of interesting subplots. I could understand the one about Thomas and that situation. I wasn't so sure about the whole Marie Antoinette scene. I honestly thought that if it had been left out of the book, it wouldn't have been missed. It wasn't bad. It was kind of intriguing. I just didn't understand what purpose it was supposed to serve in the storyline.
This book dealt with some difficult issues. Mental, emotional, and animal abuse were discussed. The branding made my stomach flip flop. Characters from Black Light East and previous Roulette books made an appearance. Finn and Ava also got their HEA. Overall,A good read that kept me engaged from start to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
tlea's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I loved this book! Having been a fan of the initial story with Finn and Ava in Black Light Roulette I couldn't wait to read their book. This starts immediately at the end of their BL story. However, it really picks up once they're both at the ranch in Montana. Ava struggles with self-harm. Finn struggles with what's best to help Ava away from a harmful practice. There was so much I loved. The characters were engaging - Ava was quirky and playful while Finn was caring and supportive. I admit I'm a sucker for cowboys so the ranch setting just did if for me and having (some) experience with cattle stations it seemed to be well researched and pretty accurately portrayed. I loved being allowed access to Ava'a thoughts in her struggles with her mental health. I loved the emotion that shines through this story and really made me engage with and take these characters to heart. I loved almost everything about this story.
But, there were things that I didn't. After the initial start, Finn goes back to Montana leaving Ava in DC to decide whether she wants to go with him. Next thing, Ava's in Montana and has been for a number of weeks. It would have been great to get Ava's initial reactions on ranch life. Also, once Ava's decided to seek treatment, it skips over a lot of her recovery. Given that we're given quite a lot of access into Ava's mindset in her illness, it would have been great if her recovery/treatment could have been granted the same.
The very fact that this story does cover some really heavy issues means that it may not be to everyone's taste or even suitable for them to read and it's by no means a perfect story. However, for me, the enjoyment I got from it far outweighs the few criticisms I have.
But, there were things that I didn't. After the initial start, Finn goes back to Montana leaving Ava in DC to decide whether she wants to go with him. Next thing, Ava's in Montana and has been for a number of weeks. It would have been great to get Ava's initial reactions on ranch life. Also, once Ava's decided to seek treatment, it skips over a lot of her recovery. Given that we're given quite a lot of access into Ava's mindset in her illness, it would have been great if her recovery/treatment could have been granted the same.
The very fact that this story does cover some really heavy issues means that it may not be to everyone's taste or even suitable for them to read and it's by no means a perfect story. However, for me, the enjoyment I got from it far outweighs the few criticisms I have.
serialromancelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: I pushed myself to finish. Not my cuppa. 4 stars for good writing. This was actually one of my least favorite couples from the previous book where we originally meet them. Also, this subject matter triggered me somewhat because I can relate (past me—I’m good now) to some of what the h felt about herself. Her inner dialogue made me uncomfortable and brought up feelings of shame.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s dual POV and the main conflict is self-harm. The h suffered child abuse at the hands of her deranged father and so she cuts. The book made a valiant effort at covering this subject in a sensitive, thoughtful way. However there were also some troubling aspects. As other readers have pointed out, Finn uses punishment as a method to dissuade Ava from further self harm, which I found problematic.
* What did you think about the main characters?: Finn isn’t arrogant, but he sets out to *fix* Ava because she has no self esteem. This book is instalove and like Ava, I have a hard time seeing what Finn really sees in her—the whole basis for their relationship doesn’t make sense to me. If you didn’t read the previous book, Finn fists(!!!) Ava in the club on the night they first meet each other (BDSM roulette wheel) and he INSTANTLY falls head-over-heels for her because she can take his kind of kink.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: The figging scene... just wow.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: BDSM, mental illness
* What did you think about the ending?: HEA
* What is your impression of the author?: excellent writer, the subject matter is just not for me
Triggers: self harm, animal abuse, child abuse, explicit sex
* How did the book make you feel?: I pushed myself to finish. Not my cuppa. 4 stars for good writing. This was actually one of my least favorite couples from the previous book where we originally meet them. Also, this subject matter triggered me somewhat because I can relate (past me—I’m good now) to some of what the h felt about herself. Her inner dialogue made me uncomfortable and brought up feelings of shame.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: It’s dual POV and the main conflict is self-harm. The h suffered child abuse at the hands of her deranged father and so she cuts. The book made a valiant effort at covering this subject in a sensitive, thoughtful way. However there were also some troubling aspects. As other readers have pointed out, Finn uses punishment as a method to dissuade Ava from further self harm, which I found problematic.
* What did you think about the main characters?: Finn isn’t arrogant, but he sets out to *fix* Ava because she has no self esteem. This book is instalove and like Ava, I have a hard time seeing what Finn really sees in her—the whole basis for their relationship doesn’t make sense to me. If you didn’t read the previous book, Finn fists(!!!) Ava in the club on the night they first meet each other (BDSM roulette wheel) and he INSTANTLY falls head-over-heels for her because she can take his kind of kink.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: The figging scene... just wow.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: BDSM, mental illness
* What did you think about the ending?: HEA
* What is your impression of the author?: excellent writer, the subject matter is just not for me
Triggers: self harm, animal abuse, child abuse, explicit sex
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