danny_bananny's review against another edition
c o n f l i c t e d
on the one hand I am really enjoying this series! nerdy shit, all kinds of representation, excellent
however I am struggling with how one-dimensional evil all the villains are, and there is a lot of the feelingspeak that happens over and over and over.
not that characters can’t have loads of angst; I feel like I see complaints about that in romance novel reviews and I’m like “have you ever stopped and considered how much humans agonise over EVERYTHING?” it’s more that the explosions of emotion when they are looking at each other happen a LOT and it starts to kinda lose its impact a bit over time.
having said that, Julian was frickin adorable and I would like to be his friend and I am moving right along to book 3 sooo
on the one hand I am really enjoying this series! nerdy shit, all kinds of representation, excellent
however I am struggling with how one-dimensional evil all the villains are, and there is a lot of the feelingspeak that happens over and over and over.
not that characters can’t have loads of angst; I feel like I see complaints about that in romance novel reviews and I’m like “have you ever stopped and considered how much humans agonise over EVERYTHING?” it’s more that the explosions of emotion when they are looking at each other happen a LOT and it starts to kinda lose its impact a bit over time.
having said that, Julian was frickin adorable and I would like to be his friend and I am moving right along to book 3 sooo
landragraf's review
5.0
Loved this book!
This book has a great story about taking a second chance on love and falling for the boss. Add in the found family, sexy-as-hell romance scenes, and plenty of emotional rollercoasters (McIntyre's speciality). There's good conflict, but where it may not be as angsty as some would like there is a subtle tone of reality weaved in. Where big conflicts are traded for smaller ones that cause internal avalanches. Great dialogue and sensory details provide a immersive, enjoyable ride on the way through the romance.
This book has a great story about taking a second chance on love and falling for the boss. Add in the found family, sexy-as-hell romance scenes, and plenty of emotional rollercoasters (McIntyre's speciality). There's good conflict, but where it may not be as angsty as some would like there is a subtle tone of reality weaved in. Where big conflicts are traded for smaller ones that cause internal avalanches. Great dialogue and sensory details provide a immersive, enjoyable ride on the way through the romance.
bookscoffeepie's review
4.0
Cal and Julian have amazing chemistry, Cal’s toddler is sweet and not annoying, and both Julian’s family and the found family of the cafe provide just enough support, complexity, and struggles to make the whole book a fabulous read. I wouldn’t say it was low-angst - stuff definitely happens, and choices have to be made that provide some bleakness - but the conflicts aren’t out of left field. Cal’s relationships with those outside of the cafe and Julian are - well, thank goodness for Julian and the cafe, is all. Looking forward to the next in the series!
book_lover_97's review
4.0
Cal and Julien have a wonderful story. I loved the way in which their relationship developed. Their dynamic is sweet and heartwarming. Along with being sweet the story has an emotional rollercoaster that will keep you glued to the pages.
itssarahc's review
5.0
Katherine McIntyre hooked me on her Dungeons and Dating series in the first book, and her Wisdom Check? It has further sank its claws into me and made me eager to read the next installment and discover what is next for the crew at the game shop.
Wisdom Check features Cal and Julian. Cal is one of the owners of the store, a recently divorced father who dotes on his little girl. Julian is the head chef, Cal's employee, and on paper, a bad idea. However, the two of them are drawn together with a deep attraction that feels more than surface deep. As the readers get to know them, they see how deep that connection really goes and how the two men share a lot of things in common.
I think what I enjoyed most about these two characters was the strength of their connection. They seemed to know, easily, what the other wanted and needed. They had a fairly good style of communication. Cal understood what Jules had going on in his life with his siblings and Jules was great with Cal's kid. I also love the found family of the game shop.
Now that's not to say that this book was without flaws - or more importantly, that the characters weren't. Jules sometimes had a hard time vocalizing certain things - which lead to some miscommunications in the back half. My biggest issue, though, was the portrayal of Cal's ex-wife. She was a complete ice queen and seemed to have little to no redeeming qualities. Just the way she was portrayed made me wonder why Cal had stayed for as long as he did. I think I would've enjoyed the story a bit more if the ex-wife weren't written as a one dimensional villain archetype.
Luckily, those small things were overpowered by the rest of this amazing novel and I didn't feel a need to knock it down a star.
Wisdom Check is relatively low angst, even with the ex-drama. It is told in a dual pov, which lets us get to know both MCs and what they're going to really well. You get a nice peek in at Roxie and Mel, as well as a cute tease for the next book sprinkled throughout the series. Both of the MCs have a good full life outside of their relationship, which I love, and makes the relationship seem like icing on the cake and not the whole meal. All in all, this book was a delight and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR AND THIS IS MY HONEST REVIEW **
Wisdom Check features Cal and Julian. Cal is one of the owners of the store, a recently divorced father who dotes on his little girl. Julian is the head chef, Cal's employee, and on paper, a bad idea. However, the two of them are drawn together with a deep attraction that feels more than surface deep. As the readers get to know them, they see how deep that connection really goes and how the two men share a lot of things in common.
I think what I enjoyed most about these two characters was the strength of their connection. They seemed to know, easily, what the other wanted and needed. They had a fairly good style of communication. Cal understood what Jules had going on in his life with his siblings and Jules was great with Cal's kid. I also love the found family of the game shop.
Now that's not to say that this book was without flaws - or more importantly, that the characters weren't. Jules sometimes had a hard time vocalizing certain things - which lead to some miscommunications in the back half. My biggest issue, though, was the portrayal of Cal's ex-wife. She was a complete ice queen and seemed to have little to no redeeming qualities. Just the way she was portrayed made me wonder why Cal had stayed for as long as he did. I think I would've enjoyed the story a bit more if the ex-wife weren't written as a one dimensional villain archetype.
Luckily, those small things were overpowered by the rest of this amazing novel and I didn't feel a need to knock it down a star.
Wisdom Check is relatively low angst, even with the ex-drama. It is told in a dual pov, which lets us get to know both MCs and what they're going to really well. You get a nice peek in at Roxie and Mel, as well as a cute tease for the next book sprinkled throughout the series. Both of the MCs have a good full life outside of their relationship, which I love, and makes the relationship seem like icing on the cake and not the whole meal. All in all, this book was a delight and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
** ARC PROVIDED BY GRR AND THIS IS MY HONEST REVIEW **
authorcpeace's review
5.0
I really wish I could give this more stars. Jules and Cal's story is just so sweet and so satisfying. I adore the organic way their relationship develops. Since I'd read the previous book in the series--Strength Check--I wanted Cal to find his happily ever after so badly, and Julian is perfect. McIntyre knows how to pull on the heart strings. I think this might be my favorite series of hers to date.
westvaleabby's review
3.0
I wanted to like this one, I started the book already invested in both characters and their happiness from the previous one, and I ended up practically skimming the latter half of the story.
It feels like almost every emotional moment is undercut by a full chapter of explicit sex, and I think we have at least four full scenes by the time we're 60% of the way through the book. This might be to some people's taste, but I found myself jumping through them after a few.
My second big complaint is that this relationship happens soooo quickly. I don't judge Cal for moving on from Sara quickly after a conflict filled marriage, but I do judge him for:
A. Bringing his maybe month old relationship into his two year old's life, especially when she's already struggling with her parents' recent divorce.
B. Asking Julian to move in with him and the aforementioned daughter after THREE MONTHS of dating
C. Having a mutual masturbation scene with Julian in the walk in freezer of his business's kitchen, while they're setting up for the day. Especially after recently struggling to pass a health inspection. Come on, that's just gross, do it in your office or something.
❤️❤️❤️
It feels like almost every emotional moment is undercut by a full chapter of explicit sex, and I think we have at least four full scenes by the time we're 60% of the way through the book. This might be to some people's taste, but I found myself jumping through them after a few.
My second big complaint is that this relationship happens soooo quickly. I don't judge Cal for moving on from Sara quickly after a conflict filled marriage, but I do judge him for:
A. Bringing his maybe month old relationship into his two year old's life, especially when she's already struggling with her parents' recent divorce.
B. Asking Julian to move in with him and the aforementioned daughter after THREE MONTHS of dating
C. Having a mutual masturbation scene with Julian in the walk in freezer of his business's kitchen, while they're setting up for the day. Especially after recently struggling to pass a health inspection. Come on, that's just gross, do it in your office or something.
❤️❤️❤️
aztlan's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed revisiting the staff and community of the Tabletop Tavern in Wisdom Check, the second book in the Dungeons & Dating series. In the previous book, Cal was one of my favourite characters in their little group, and so I was really glad to get to read a book featuring him. I was less familiar with Jules going in, but I quickly came to love him too.
McIntyre is really wonderful at creating characters with depth and personality, and especially showing us how they came to be the person they are. Cal and Jules both have rich histories as you would expect of adult men, and they interact with each other and the world in ways that align with that history.
I loved seeing the little family Cal and Jules created throughout this novel, and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
McIntyre is really wonderful at creating characters with depth and personality, and especially showing us how they came to be the person they are. Cal and Jules both have rich histories as you would expect of adult men, and they interact with each other and the world in ways that align with that history.
I loved seeing the little family Cal and Jules created throughout this novel, and I can't wait to read the next in the series.
traceyanderson's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
moonechika's review
5.0
this was..... so sweet!!!!! my heart is so full.
i really love Cal and Jules. their chemistry was really great, right from the start! i love their flirtyness and how they support and care for each other. it was sooo wholesome and satisfying.
i don't understand how dnd works, but it was a cool read about it.
anddd i also love the three repeats of words/sentences. it triple emphasize on things, and i think that was wonderful.
i only have one regret of why didnt i start this earlier?! honestly it was goodd.
i really love Cal and Jules. their chemistry was really great, right from the start! i love their flirtyness and how they support and care for each other. it was sooo wholesome and satisfying.
i don't understand how dnd works, but it was a cool read about it.
anddd i also love the three repeats of words/sentences. it triple emphasize on things, and i think that was wonderful.
i only have one regret of why didnt i start this earlier?! honestly it was goodd.