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endemictoearth's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Super romantic and over the top, but so lovely. At first, I took issue with the fact that both protagonists were so young; I thought the story could have been better served by having them be a bit older, but as the story went on, it was clear that this was a very deliberate choice.
r43_3's review against another edition
4.0
A writer who's kink-conscious, TW-aware and open, sex work-positive, and writes characters who actually communicate? Not to mention the diversity in the MCs (this review is also somewhat for His Cocky Valet), the inclusion of men dismantling toxic masculinity, and openness about how problematic the super rich are - be still my heart, I'm in love.
Spoiler
and even having the billionaire do something about it?!_ashton_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this couple a bit more than the first book. Their dynamic was
kharlan3's review
hopeful
mysterious
5.0
Top contemporary romance of 2023. I wish the audio narrator had shared an identity more closely with our main character.
iam's review against another edition
5.0
Aaaaah this was amazing!!! I'm totally in love!
Content warnings include: A comprehensive list can be found in the book itself, available in the preview on amazon.
I truly enjoyed reading this. I was totally enamoured by Amani from the very beginning, which made me relate to Vic a lot. Though Vic was also a great character in his own right.
The setup of the novel made me wary at first, but it worked out so well, especially with the two characters who were amazing: Amani, who is Moroccan-American, black, Dom, femme, student, masseuse, cellist, and Vic, who is British-American, white, billionaire, CEO, masc, convinced he's straight and totally unawares of what else he likes in bed.
Not just their sexual dynamic was great, I also loved the conversations they had about class, as in the detachment of rich people from the life of the actual 99%. More conversations or at least side remarks about religion, racism, toxic masculinity and of course kink were also present, and I thought handled very well.
The writing was truly beautiful as well, almost poetic at times without being overbearing, but raw and emotional. I especially enjoyed the describtions of clothing, which were presented so naturally and engaging that I didn't just skim over them.
What I found curious was the age of the characters. Amani is 20 and Vic is 24, and I found it fascinating to see their life and their personal experiences at an age I can immediately relate to and compare, yet which were so fundamentally different from my own. For some reason, I was more aware of this in this book than any others I've read recently.
The one thing I would have wished for was more glimpses into the characters' lives around their relationship and how those two things impact each other. Maybe this would have distracted from the actual plot, but I liked reading about Amani and Vic so much that I just wanted to know more about their day to day life.
Content warnings include:
Spoiler
BDSM involding pain play, D/s, orgasm denial; sex on-page, chronic illness; mentions of sexual assault, bullying, racism, classism.I truly enjoyed reading this. I was totally enamoured by Amani from the very beginning, which made me relate to Vic a lot. Though Vic was also a great character in his own right.
The setup of the novel made me wary at first, but it worked out so well, especially with the two characters who were amazing: Amani, who is Moroccan-American, black, Dom, femme, student, masseuse, cellist, and Vic, who is British-American, white, billionaire, CEO, masc, convinced he's straight and totally unawares of what else he likes in bed.
Not just their sexual dynamic was great, I also loved the conversations they had about class, as in the detachment of rich people from the life of the actual 99%. More conversations or at least side remarks about religion, racism, toxic masculinity and of course kink were also present, and I thought handled very well.
The writing was truly beautiful as well, almost poetic at times without being overbearing, but raw and emotional. I especially enjoyed the describtions of clothing, which were presented so naturally and engaging that I didn't just skim over them.
What I found curious was the age of the characters. Amani is 20 and Vic is 24, and I found it fascinating to see their life and their personal experiences at an age I can immediately relate to and compare, yet which were so fundamentally different from my own. For some reason, I was more aware of this in this book than any others I've read recently.
The one thing I would have wished for was more glimpses into the characters' lives around their relationship and how those two things impact each other. Maybe this would have distracted from the actual plot, but I liked reading about Amani and Vic so much that I just wanted to know more about their day to day life.
robazizo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I liked the second half more than the first half. In the first half the kink took over the romance (Ash and Brand's story was more balanced in this regard) and I was a bit surprised how easily Vic slid into his bisexuality immediately. The issue with his brother fizzled out in the end and the way both Ash and Vic worked themselves to the bone out of some misguided notion of responsibility baffled me. Still, the second half was lovely and romantic and anything to do with classical musicians always gets bonus points from me. Book 3 doesn't sound like it's up my alley, so I'll skip that one.
duchessmerry's review against another edition
4.0
Amani & Vic.
I love them. I love this series the more I read of it.
I love how their relationship was forged over music and the gift it is.
I love them. I love this series the more I read of it.
I love how their relationship was forged over music and the gift it is.
natcatsbookishcafe's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story and the discussions that these characters had, they were really raw and honest. Sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary and I really appreciated that. I loved the descriptions of Amani beautiful clothing and how he was secure in being male, while also loving and embracing his more feminine side.
I enjoyed Vic's character development, he came to terms with his new found sexuality and desire to be submissive rather quickly, but it took him some time to release control, to let go and truly live his own life.
The sex scenes were really great. This is only my second BDSM book, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I would say this is a comfortable level for me ( a newbie)
It did take me over 50% of the book before I really started feeling strongly for these characters, which is why I could only give it 4 stars.
TW: author lists them at the start of the book, but here are a few that stood out: Pain for pleasure, hypertensive crisis, mention of past sexual assault/drugging that ended in pregnancy, mention of death of a parent
I enjoyed Vic's character development, he came to terms with his new found sexuality and desire to be submissive rather quickly, but it took him some time to release control, to let go and truly live his own life.
The sex scenes were really great. This is only my second BDSM book, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I would say this is a comfortable level for me ( a newbie)
It did take me over 50% of the book before I really started feeling strongly for these characters, which is why I could only give it 4 stars.
TW: author lists them at the start of the book, but here are a few that stood out: Pain for pleasure, hypertensive crisis, mention of past sexual assault/drugging that ended in pregnancy, mention of death of a parent
cocoabearcupcake's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
nic55's review
5.0
What do you get when you have a romance between a rich “straight” white submissive man and a Black femme dominant man who doesn’t take his shit? This GEM of a book.
I ate this shit UP! Both Victor and Amani are gonna live in my head rent mf free. The TENSION?! The back and forth?? Victor being literally obsessed from the beginning?? So so good. I’m not even a BDSM girlie tbh but this story balanced that dynamic with their relationship outside of the bedroom so well. So, every steamy scene seemed to simultaneously build up their character & relationship development, which is the kinda shit I live for. I already want to reread
I also love that Amani was very straight up with how he felt about Victor’s wealth, didn’t make excuses for him, and that Victor came to terms with what he was saying in a way that didn’t feel “white savior”-ish. I just recognized that a lot of care was put into that aspect of the relationship in a way that didn’t feel gross.
Yeaaaah this is a new fave, much better than the first (which I liked!). Also it has become clear that I need to read Cole McCade’s entire backlist :)
I ate this shit UP! Both Victor and Amani are gonna live in my head rent mf free. The TENSION?! The back and forth?? Victor being literally obsessed from the beginning?? So so good. I’m not even a BDSM girlie tbh but this story balanced that dynamic with their relationship outside of the bedroom so well. So, every steamy scene seemed to simultaneously build up their character & relationship development, which is the kinda shit I live for. I already want to reread
I also love that Amani was very straight up with how he felt about Victor’s wealth, didn’t make excuses for him, and that Victor came to terms with what he was saying in a way that didn’t feel “white savior”-ish. I just recognized that a lot of care was put into that aspect of the relationship in a way that didn’t feel gross.
Yeaaaah this is a new fave, much better than the first (which I liked!). Also it has become clear that I need to read Cole McCade’s entire backlist :)