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emilylovesbooks94's review against another edition
5.0
Archie and Owen's story destroyed me in the best way imaginable. I didn't even make it through the prologue before becoming completely and utterly addicted, and that feeling held for the whole rest of the book. The angst, the messiness, the best friends to lovers dynamic, all of it was completely captivating, and that was just in the first ten pages before I got to the second-chance storyline set ten years in the future. Archie and Owen were the perfect example of a romantic connection that felt so right but happened at the wrong time, and they both lived with deep regrets about how everything played out. Archie completely closed himself off to serious relationships after Owen, and though I didn't realize it until partway through the book, those feelings of guilt and regret were tangled up in a persistent love for Owen that never faded during their separation. When the two of them accidentally crossed paths again, it was immediately clear that Owen had been equally impacted by their time apart, and neither of them could resist the pull to take each other apart one more time. Everything felt so good and right when they were in each other's arms, but pesky guilts and responsibilities kept rearing up to remind them of all the reasons they shouldn't be together. Archie turned out to be SUCH a romantic at heart, and I swear my heart actually flew out of my chest when he made his elaborate love confessions to Owen. I get why Owen was hesitant to believe him at first, but as more time passed it was impossible to deny that Archie and Owen were gone for each other. Meeting the Trophy Doms, exploring their shared kinks, having hard conversations and even a sneaky date--everything felt like it was building into a connection that couldn't be broken. And the steaminess, my god were those long, drawn out edging sessions addictive to experience. Archie was ready to go all-in with Owen, but Owen couldn't let go of his guilt and need to "do the right thing" by suffering alone. I thought the two of them were going to break my heart into pieces, but after working through the last of their reservations from the past, they were finally ready for the happily ever after they sorely deserved.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
READ: Jun 2024
FORMAT: Digital
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.5 / 5⭐
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.75 / 5⭐
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
I want to say that towards the end of this book, I ran completely out of time or patience for Owen's character. This story became one of those romances where I was convinced that the love interests would be healthier/far-better-off splitting up for good rather than winding up back together. It also seriously annoys me when the family or friend-group of the injured party convinces him that he's somehow the one obligated to fight and make things better through some grand gesture, like he isn't owed the chance to feel his feelings and just take a damn breath or two.
FINAL – OVERALL: 3.5 / 5 ⭐
I want to say that towards the end of this book, I ran completely out of time or patience for Owen's character. This story became one of those romances where I was convinced that the love interests would be healthier/far-better-off splitting up for good rather than winding up back together. It also seriously annoys me when the family or friend-group of the injured party convinces him that he's somehow the one obligated to fight and make things better through some grand gesture, like he isn't owed the chance to feel his feelings and just take a damn breath or two.
cindaren's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Ugh. Ok I was irritated for most of this book and flat-out angry starting at chapter 29.
First of all, they were just so very immature. And Owen was supposedly into edging - to explain why he'd be at Rapture, I guess? - but he actually didn't seem to be into it until halfway through the book...?
Second, you can tell Archie is really the only main character. He gets the good banter; Owen gets the lame lines that are just setups for Archie. Archie is always cool and composed; Owen is always embarrassed and at a disadvantage.
I didn't DNF because of the sunk-cost fallacy but this is the worst of the three I've read so far. The writing wasn't great. "Archie thought it was hilarious... because he's never been able to make fun of himself." Well, which is it? Plus, misused or missed words, etc.
And then the conflict towards the end... I hate the miscommunication/no communication tropes more than anything, especially when one character is too cowardly to tell the truth (to his sister, in this case) but the book tries to make it seem like it's for some other reason altogether. Then everything legit comes together - thanks to Main Character Archie - and instead of being an adult about it, Owen is a little bitch, leading to a six-month time skip.
There is LITERALLY no reason for - spoiler alert - Owen to not at least acknowledge that Archie loves him; he clearly returns Archie's love, Archie already came clean to Mandy, and if NOTHING else, there's always long-distance. HOWEVER, long-distance wouldn't even be required because Archie ALREADY TOLD HIM he would move back.
But no. That's just not good enough. Gotta drag it out for 30 more pages.
First of all, they were just so very immature. And Owen was supposedly into edging - to explain why he'd be at Rapture, I guess? - but he actually didn't seem to be into it until halfway through the book...?
Second, you can tell Archie is really the only main character. He gets the good banter; Owen gets the lame lines that are just setups for Archie. Archie is always cool and composed; Owen is always embarrassed and at a disadvantage.
I didn't DNF because of the sunk-cost fallacy but this is the worst of the three I've read so far. The writing wasn't great. "Archie thought it was hilarious... because he's never been able to make fun of himself." Well, which is it? Plus, misused or missed words, etc.
And then the conflict towards the end... I hate the miscommunication/no communication tropes more than anything, especially when one character is too cowardly to tell the truth (to his sister, in this case) but the book tries to make it seem like it's for some other reason altogether. Then everything legit comes together - thanks to Main Character Archie - and instead of being an adult about it, Owen is a little bitch, leading to a six-month time skip.
There is LITERALLY no reason for - spoiler alert - Owen to not at least acknowledge that Archie loves him; he clearly returns Archie's love, Archie already came clean to Mandy, and if NOTHING else, there's always long-distance. HOWEVER, long-distance wouldn't even be required because Archie ALREADY TOLD HIM he would move back.
But no. That's just not good enough. Gotta drag it out for 30 more pages.
faithd's review
3.0
3.25 stars
This was just okay for me. The sex scenes were good, but the story, writing, and characters were just sort of...alright. The romance wasn't very believable. MMC1 (Archer) was so besotted that it lowered the stakes and made the whole thing seem very bland.
I get that this is meant to be erotica and not award winning fiction or whatever, but I think a more believable romance plot would have made the sex even hotter. Although to be fair, it was still pretty hot.
This was just okay for me. The sex scenes were good, but the story, writing, and characters were just sort of...alright. The romance wasn't very believable. MMC1 (Archer) was so besotted that it lowered the stakes and made the whole thing seem very bland.
I get that this is meant to be erotica and not award winning fiction or whatever, but I think a more believable romance plot would have made the sex even hotter. Although to be fair, it was still pretty hot.
sweetsistersadie's review
I didn’t like the way sex was approached in this book. It was too casual, and frankly, I’m tired too kink involving sex clubs in books.
krystal6's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
emilyexmas's review
4.0
angst
3.5*, rounded up to 4… because although it has issues, it was a satisfying read in the end.
The thing I take issue with the most: I really wanted Owen to take a bit more personal responsibility for their past. I felt like the vast majority of blame was placed on Archie.
Also, the seemed to serve no purpose for the plot. And at that point in the story there was no need for more angst imho.
On to the good stuff: the writing and editing were both great. The smut was well written, and the tension between the characters just made sense. Often I find authors try to ratchet up the angst with too many plot events. This was a simple one-night past mistake that had very far reaching consequences. It was very focussed and believable. And actually, even the issue i mentioned about regarding blame was believable. I WANTED that character to take responsibility because I cared so much about the other character.
3.5*, rounded up to 4… because although it has issues, it was a satisfying read in the end.
The thing I take issue with the most: I really wanted Owen to take a bit more personal responsibility for their past. I felt like the vast majority of blame was placed on Archie.
Also, the
Spoiler
6 month breakOn to the good stuff: the writing and editing were both great. The smut was well written, and the tension between the characters just made sense. Often I find authors try to ratchet up the angst with too many plot events. This was a simple one-night past mistake that had very far reaching consequences. It was very focussed and believable. And actually, even the issue i mentioned about regarding blame was believable. I WANTED that character to take responsibility because I cared so much about the other character.