sharingthebooklove's review
3.0
I found this a long read that I had to keep coming back to.
I've read and enjoyed other books by this author but this one I struggled with!
Whole parts of this story could have been removed and it would not have affected the storyline at all including the character Skyler. He really didn't seem to be needed at all. It just seemed to drag for me
BUT I did like Bishop and Edison and their relationship with each other and their families. Each of them has insecurities but they are stronger together.
This is why I ended up giving the book 3 stars.
I've read and enjoyed other books by this author but this one I struggled with!
Whole parts of this story could have been removed and it would not have affected the storyline at all including the character Skyler. He really didn't seem to be needed at all. It just seemed to drag for me
BUT I did like Bishop and Edison and their relationship with each other and their families. Each of them has insecurities but they are stronger together.
This is why I ended up giving the book 3 stars.
avalydia's review against another edition
2.5
Full disclosure: I skimmed through most of this, so it's quite possible the author did a better job of setting the scene than I realized, but I could not figure out when this book was supposed to take place. Like, the social media references were incredibly dated - they were talking about Facebook or "whatever young people use these days" (not a direct quote, just the gist of a comment Edison made) - but also all the "homie" dialogue felt like it was straight out of an early to mid 2000s movie. And it was extra confusing because Bishop and his father were described with a lot of the cliches that are typically used to portray Black men (especially in those early to mid 2000s movies), but I'm pretty sure the author said Bishop was just white with a tan? So that was kind of a weird choice.
And then Edison came off like someone from the fifties or the sixties, the dude was 26 and acted nowhere near like a 26-year-old in the modern era. Like he was so "gosh" and "golly" in a way that just did not work for a book taking place in the 21st century, regardless of how mature he was meant to be.
So I basically spent most of the book trying to figure out when the hell this book was supposed to be taking place lol, and then I come on here and it was published in 2019?!?! Yeah no. Nope. None of this book felt like it belonged in the TikTok era.
After all that complaining, though, I will say that I really appreciated how Bishop and Edison did not let the usual romance-book drama come between them, and they were (mostly) very open and communicative about their needs, and quick to provide reassurance to each other about their feelings. So that was super refreshing! And I enjoyed watching Edison's growth as he learned to stand up for himself more, as well as Bishop's as he pushed himself both professionally and academically. Hence why I kept skimming. :)
And then Edison came off like someone from the fifties or the sixties, the dude was 26 and acted nowhere near like a 26-year-old in the modern era. Like he was so "gosh" and "golly" in a way that just did not work for a book taking place in the 21st century, regardless of how mature he was meant to be.
So I basically spent most of the book trying to figure out when the hell this book was supposed to be taking place lol, and then I come on here and it was published in 2019?!?! Yeah no. Nope. None of this book felt like it belonged in the TikTok era.
After all that complaining, though, I will say that I really appreciated how Bishop and Edison did not let the usual romance-book drama come between them, and they were (mostly) very open and communicative about their needs, and quick to provide reassurance to each other about their feelings. So that was super refreshing! And I enjoyed watching Edison's growth as he learned to stand up for himself more, as well as Bishop's as he pushed himself both professionally and academically. Hence why I kept skimming. :)
artareadsatnight's review
4.0
This wasn’t bad. Deeper, more detailed than other books of the author I’ve read so far. Bits and pieces seemed a bit naive and a bit unrealistic in it’s sweetness, heroes (once again) was a bit too black and white. But. I liked it nevertheless.
I really loved the sex aspect. It was hot but not very sex and anal cantered. I adored the balance in that. And insecurities of characters was done quite nicely.
Anti-hero was a total wtf moment. Are there really grownups who show their affections this way?
I really loved the sex aspect. It was hot but not very sex and anal cantered. I adored the balance in that. And insecurities of characters was done quite nicely.
Anti-hero was a total wtf moment. Are there really grownups who show their affections this way?
kira_dance's review
2.0
Even though this author and narrator were both new to me, I still had high expectations. I had seen positive reviews and the blurb sounded interesting. But, unfortunately, I ended up really disappointed.
It started strong, with main characters I hadn’t seen before, but it went downhill from there. Honestly, if you took the sex out, what would be left? There are very few other characters, and the plot is extremely limited. The deranged co-worker plot device didn’t work for me at all - the whole thing seemed ludicrous and silly. And for me, sex scenes can add to a great book, but they can’t redeem a poor one. Maybe other readers/listeners feel differently.
It started strong, with main characters I hadn’t seen before, but it went downhill from there. Honestly, if you took the sex out, what would be left? There are very few other characters, and the plot is extremely limited. The deranged co-worker plot device didn’t work for me at all - the whole thing seemed ludicrous and silly. And for me, sex scenes can add to a great book, but they can’t redeem a poor one. Maybe other readers/listeners feel differently.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Bishop is the first book in a new series by the fabulous AE Via. I'm still so in love with many of AE's men and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these new characters who are so different from her others. Bishop is out of prison and trying to get his life back. He's a different man now and he wants to make better choices. He's free, but he's still struggling. He's thirty-two-years old and can't read or write. He's working for his father's landscaping company and he's extremely talented in landscape design. When he meets Edison, he not only wants to get to know him but he wants to be a better man. For himself and for Edison. It's time. Edison isn't a social butterfly, but he's smart, dedicated and very good at his job. It's his life. He's working out, eating right and just being himself. He sees something in Bishop other than a gorgeous bad boy. He's attentive, sexy, smart and serious. Their attraction is quick, but their budding romance is a slow burn. Edison hires Bishop for a landscaping job at his house. They share meals, stories about their lives and get closer and closer. Bishop wants to take his time with Edison physically, he deserves it. This story is packed with emotion, humor and foreplay! Bishop's dad, Mike, is hilarious! He was a very young father and wanted them to be friends. Now he's stepping up and being the dad Bishop needs. Trent, Bishop's best friend cracked me up and I can't wait to learn more about him. Overall, I loved it. I loved the slow burn and the relationship Bishop and Edison formed. I loved watching Bishop become more comfortable, open up and laugh. He's sexy as sin! Edison is so sweet and cute! And I loved that he's a little bigger, and that Bishop loved his body!
blue_noise's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iriswestallen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
— Insecurities were believable and character growth was steady and sweet.
— Enjoyable side characters.
— Didn’t avoid the hard topics
— Sweet romance between the two main characters
— Acted like adults
— Skyler’s behavior at the very end coming to the main character’s home was a little much. I think I could have done without that part. Also, I’m so shocked that Edison had basically no shock response to the fact that Skyler was in love with him the entire time! Whaaa?!
— Insecurities were believable and character growth was steady and sweet.
— Enjoyable side characters.
— Didn’t avoid the hard topics
— Sweet romance between the two main characters
— Acted like adults
— Skyler’s behavior at the very end coming to the main character’s home was a little much. I think I could have done without that part. Also, I’m so shocked that Edison had basically no shock response to the fact that Skyler was in love with him the entire time! Whaaa?!