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liza5326's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book even better the second time around. A cynical divorce lawyer and a hopeless romantic wedding planner, you can't get any more opposites attract than that! I love how Wylde didn't let Jacob's gruffness put him off and took time to understand why he was the way he was. This was definitely a story of Jacob's growth and understanding that your past doesn't have to define you. And of course the hot sexy times that I love from AE Via!
roryta86reads's review against another edition
3.0
The first few chapters made it difficult to connect with the character. I'm not sure if it was chapters or otherwise since I listened to this on Audiobook. I just mean that the first section was long. I think it would've made more sense if it was a shorter Prologue, but I also get that we needed to know Jacob's history. This author is really amazing, I've read a lot of her books, so I knew it was all going to go somewhere worth it.
Loved both characters. it was a sweet story.
Loved both characters. it was a sweet story.
myzanm's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this.
Wylde was snarky and fun. Jacob cranky and gruff, but with a heart buried deep beneath that assholishness.... Because really, he was a first class jerk and I somewhat felt he turned good guy to soon and to easy. But hey, it’s make-believe so I can live with that!
Also the ending turned out to be a bit too sweet for my taste. But I still enjoyed how it tied up the loose ends.
Wylde was snarky and fun. Jacob cranky and gruff, but with a heart buried deep beneath that assholishness.... Because really, he was a first class jerk and I somewhat felt he turned good guy to soon and to easy. But hey, it’s make-believe so I can live with that!
Also the ending turned out to be a bit too sweet for my taste. But I still enjoyed how it tied up the loose ends.
reading_rainy's review against another edition
3.0
Let’s start with the good. Tor Thom did a great job at narrating the multiple characters in the story.
The two main characters don’t meet until around the 30% mark. It gives plenty of time to get to understand these heroes and their personalities before they become a couple. Please be aware that one of the main characters is in another relationship beginning of the story.
The main relationship here was written very well, and I liked these two men. Polar opposites, a wedding planner and a divorce attorney. What made the story uncomfortable was Jacob’s previous partners continue to be a part of his current life. For over five years he basically has a friends with benefits buddy. Whenever Jacob calls or texts him, they hook up.
Jacob’s reasoning for becoming closed off and heart-hardened against any kind of loving relationship feels slightly contrived. His mother left when he was a boy. He has a couple shitty relationships that ends in heartache.
Wylde is a carefree, fun to be around kind a guy that you’d expect to find in a wedding planner. He is used to drama in his profession, so when he meets Jacob, and Jacob is a complete ass, Wylde isn’t bothered by him at all. There is an instant attraction between the two of them, that slowly becomes more.
What really made the story crash and burn was the ending.
Huge spoilers below:
Are you really telling me the entire reason Jacob’s mother left him is a young boy and her loving husband is because she had cancer? She didn’t want them to watch her suffer? So instead she left them both heartbroken to the point or Jacob’s father never recovered, and became a raging alcoholic, and a terrible father? What an incredibly selfish mother and wife!!!
The cherry on top is the fact that Jacob’s man from the beginning of the story, has become a somewhat famous songwriter, and writes a song for Jacob and Wylde’s wedding. Jacob also defends his ex (who cheated on him and then married the dirtbag) during his divorce. BUT WAIT…Jacob’s best man standing right next to him when he is getting married just happens to be his friends with benefits call-me-when-you-want-to-fuck buddy. Most. Romantic. Wedding. Ever.
The two main characters don’t meet until around the 30% mark. It gives plenty of time to get to understand these heroes and their personalities before they become a couple. Please be aware that one of the main characters is in another relationship beginning of the story.
The main relationship here was written very well, and I liked these two men. Polar opposites, a wedding planner and a divorce attorney. What made the story uncomfortable was Jacob’s previous partners continue to be a part of his current life. For over five years he basically has a friends with benefits buddy. Whenever Jacob calls or texts him, they hook up.
Jacob’s reasoning for becoming closed off and heart-hardened against any kind of loving relationship feels slightly contrived. His mother left when he was a boy. He has a couple shitty relationships that ends in heartache.
Wylde is a carefree, fun to be around kind a guy that you’d expect to find in a wedding planner. He is used to drama in his profession, so when he meets Jacob, and Jacob is a complete ass, Wylde isn’t bothered by him at all. There is an instant attraction between the two of them, that slowly becomes more.
What really made the story crash and burn was the ending.
Huge spoilers below:
Are you really telling me the entire reason Jacob’s mother left him is a young boy and her loving husband is because she had cancer? She didn’t want them to watch her suffer? So instead she left them both heartbroken to the point or Jacob’s father never recovered, and became a raging alcoholic, and a terrible father? What an incredibly selfish mother and wife!!!
The cherry on top is the fact that Jacob’s man from the beginning of the story, has become a somewhat famous songwriter, and writes a song for Jacob and Wylde’s wedding. Jacob also defends his ex (who cheated on him and then married the dirtbag) during his divorce. BUT WAIT…Jacob’s best man standing right next to him when he is getting married just happens to be his friends with benefits call-me-when-you-want-to-fuck buddy. Most. Romantic. Wedding. Ever.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first book by AE Via and I loved it. Her writing is emotional, witty and addictive. The characters are extremely well developed with in depth background that kept me intrigued from the first page. Jacob has had bad luck in love. Everyone he has loved has either left him or broken his heart. He's become a successful divorce attorney without any help from anyone. He worked hard through his entire life to get where he is and his life is just the way he wants it. Or so he thought until he met Wylde. Even his name made his cold heart flutter. What are the chances a wedding planner would move into his building? A divorce attorney and a wedding planner? Perfect. Wylde is new in town and loving his new home. He's even drawn to the cranky lawyer in his building. There's something about his scowl that calls to him. He wants to do something to make him smile. Wylde knows heartbreak, but he's a hopeless romantic. He believes in love. He knows he's going to find it one day. After a few run ins with his new neighbor, Jacob surprises him. No man has ever listened to him and known what he needed. Jacob has never met a man who challenges him. Speaks his mind and still makes him want him. Can Jacob forget his past and be happy in his present? Is Wylde the man he's been waiting for? I love this couple! They are funny, silly, smart, sexy and have amazing chemistry. Wylde is confident, stylish and can we talk about the hair? Oh, the hair! Jacob is built, sexy and knows how to wear a suit. They are just perfect for each other!
"I won't. I'll definitely be back to take some dick-tation, counselor," Wylde murmured seductively, before he chuckled at his own joke. Jacob shook his head, holding back his own laugh.
"You're so damn corny."
"I won't. I'll definitely be back to take some dick-tation, counselor," Wylde murmured seductively, before he chuckled at his own joke. Jacob shook his head, holding back his own laugh.
"You're so damn corny."
anya_doesntmatter's review against another edition
4.0
The key to my heart is a good romance. Throw in a romance featuring a grumpy tortured hero and I’m your reading slave for life!
I love reading about tortured heroes and their struggles in accepting / recognizing love and happiness when it comes their way. It makes their HEA (after a lifetime of disappointment and heartbreak) that more deeply felt and appreciated. I cry at the drop of a hat over stories like this. A.E. Via, writes characters that are a cross between Mary Calmes/ Amy Lane with some Kindle and Kade to spice it up. They're intense and captivating. She has yet to write a character that annoys me in some way which is an impressive feat considering the number of books she currently has under her belt. Simply put, I Love her books, love the happy headspace I'm always in and looking forward to more!
Haven’t read A.E. Via? Here are my favorite recommendations! you’re welcome ;)
[bc:You Can See Me|30742981|You Can See Me|A.E. Via|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466773249s/30742981.jpg|29501750]
[bc:Nothing Special|25784634|Nothing Special (Nothing Special, #1)|A.E. Via|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435122976s/25784634.jpg|40161672]
***Update***
I read this statement in another review and I thought about it long and hard but figured I'd post what I wrote as my comment to her understandable rant here. This quote sparked a rant and I understand the hurt but I want to get to a point where we all are actively talking to each other to resolve issues that hurts whenever we encounter them in books. Below is the book quote and my take on it.
"The biggest problem was Ken was bisexual. Wylde preferred to be with a gay man. Last thing he needed was his man to suddenly request a woman to join them in bed."
*My posted response:*
I had at first taken issue with it until I thought to myself "Is she voicing something that is a ugly stigma within the LGBTQ community?"
To be fair, I have heard men and women alike say this about bisexual people. It's a brutal, insensitive and unfortunately, a common stereotype! The fear of losing a partner or sharing a partner because a gay person "can't compete" is a common one I've heard. It sucks. It's hurtful but it's real. It especially hurts for the person who is bi because the implication is that he/ she doesn't know how to be faithful or he/ she is incapable of falling in love because they find both men and women alluring. Just some food for thought. Dialogue and healthy discussions welcome!
I love reading about tortured heroes and their struggles in accepting / recognizing love and happiness when it comes their way. It makes their HEA (after a lifetime of disappointment and heartbreak) that more deeply felt and appreciated. I cry at the drop of a hat over stories like this. A.E. Via, writes characters that are a cross between Mary Calmes/ Amy Lane with some Kindle and Kade to spice it up. They're intense and captivating. She has yet to write a character that annoys me in some way which is an impressive feat considering the number of books she currently has under her belt. Simply put, I Love her books, love the happy headspace I'm always in and looking forward to more!
Haven’t read A.E. Via? Here are my favorite recommendations! you’re welcome ;)
[bc:You Can See Me|30742981|You Can See Me|A.E. Via|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466773249s/30742981.jpg|29501750]
[bc:Nothing Special|25784634|Nothing Special (Nothing Special, #1)|A.E. Via|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435122976s/25784634.jpg|40161672]
***Update***
I read this statement in another review and I thought about it long and hard but figured I'd post what I wrote as my comment to her understandable rant here. This quote sparked a rant and I understand the hurt but I want to get to a point where we all are actively talking to each other to resolve issues that hurts whenever we encounter them in books. Below is the book quote and my take on it.
"The biggest problem was Ken was bisexual. Wylde preferred to be with a gay man. Last thing he needed was his man to suddenly request a woman to join them in bed."
*My posted response:*
I had at first taken issue with it until I thought to myself "Is she voicing something that is a ugly stigma within the LGBTQ community?"
To be fair, I have heard men and women alike say this about bisexual people. It's a brutal, insensitive and unfortunately, a common stereotype! The fear of losing a partner or sharing a partner because a gay person "can't compete" is a common one I've heard. It sucks. It's hurtful but it's real. It especially hurts for the person who is bi because the implication is that he/ she doesn't know how to be faithful or he/ she is incapable of falling in love because they find both men and women alluring. Just some food for thought. Dialogue and healthy discussions welcome!
acious's review against another edition
3.0
Stigmatized Bisexuality
It really bothered me when Wylde listed being bisexual as one of the main reasons he wouldn’t continue to date someone. “The biggest problem was Ken was bisexual. Wylde preferred to be with a gay man. Last thing he needed was his man to suddenly request a woman to join them in bed (p. 100).” I almost stopped reading at that point. I was completely blown away that an author in the LGBTQ+ genre would include such stigma in their book. The amount of bias, even bordering on disgust included in that statement is unbelievable. The more I write about this, the more I realize I should have stopped reading at that point. It was a good story but not worth supporting those kinds of beliefs in what should be a safe space.
It really bothered me when Wylde listed being bisexual as one of the main reasons he wouldn’t continue to date someone. “The biggest problem was Ken was bisexual. Wylde preferred to be with a gay man. Last thing he needed was his man to suddenly request a woman to join them in bed (p. 100).” I almost stopped reading at that point. I was completely blown away that an author in the LGBTQ+ genre would include such stigma in their book. The amount of bias, even bordering on disgust included in that statement is unbelievable. The more I write about this, the more I realize I should have stopped reading at that point. It was a good story but not worth supporting those kinds of beliefs in what should be a safe space.
lexee9's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this story! It was interesting to see these two come together and interact. I loved how Wylde took Jacob's attitude and didn't just assume or shut him down and out over it. He was able to see past it and help the guy out when he needed it, which in turn showed Jacob that people could and would be there. Wylde has a happy personality and Jacob is your grump. He was handed some bad circumstances multiple times and it really affected how he saw the world and love. I loved how Wylde was able to show him different. This was a fun story to listen to and I really enjoyed it.
axy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0