cleo_reads's review
4.5
4.5 stars, B+/A-
The set up required a big suspension of disbelief, but once I relaxed into it, I really enjoyed this mm romance between two financial planners working on a big proposal.
This is my 4th and favorite Jayce Ellis romance. I’ve enjoyed her characters and her portrayal of family and community, particularly Black and queer community, in all of her books, but this is the first one where I really bought into the romance too.
It just hit all my sweet spots. I love a romance where the h/h help each other work out things with their families and the family scenes in this were particularly great. I also liked watching them figure out how to make their relationship work.
The set up required a big suspension of disbelief, but once I relaxed into it, I really enjoyed this mm romance between two financial planners working on a big proposal.
This is my 4th and favorite Jayce Ellis romance. I’ve enjoyed her characters and her portrayal of family and community, particularly Black and queer community, in all of her books, but this is the first one where I really bought into the romance too.
It just hit all my sweet spots. I love a romance where the h/h help each other work out things with their families and the family scenes in this were particularly great. I also liked watching them figure out how to make their relationship work.
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
I am neither a gay man or a person of colour but that didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this book and I am so glad to see more diverse representation within the MM world.
Book one in this series really surprised me, but this one was even better, very low angst, some internal conflict over what it means to be a gay black man and a bit of outside interference is all that was needed to create tension.
This felt completely real, both André and Marcus were fully fleshed out characters, their personalities distinct and their experiences different. There's a small age gap between them and it worked completely for the narrative.
A hook-up turned into a work relationship, into friendship and then into a true partnership, with all the hurdles to overcome on the way. With a fabulous cast of secondary characters, a teeny guest appearance from Collin and Jeremiah from book one which make me squeal just a bit
Book one in this series really surprised me, but this one was even better, very low angst, some internal conflict over what it means to be a gay black man and a bit of outside interference is all that was needed to create tension.
This felt completely real, both André and Marcus were fully fleshed out characters, their personalities distinct and their experiences different. There's a small age gap between them and it worked completely for the narrative.
A hook-up turned into a work relationship, into friendship and then into a true partnership, with all the hurdles to overcome on the way. With a fabulous cast of secondary characters, a teeny guest appearance from Collin and Jeremiah from book one which make me squeal just a bit
doll2021's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pam_h's review
3.0
I liked so much about this and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for great POC rep in a romance that's all about the romance.
This is a POC author writing two POC MCs, and it's the hundreds of little details that really distinguishes it as ownvoices rep. Even better, there's no hand-holding for readers like me -- who had to google what siddity meant
This is a POC author writing two POC MCs, and it's the hundreds of little details that really distinguishes it as ownvoices rep. Even better, there's no hand-holding for readers like me -- who had to google what siddity meant
regencyfan93's review
4.0
I felt like Harold was an Obi-Wan Kenobi character. He made sure that people were in the right place for their career.
I enjoyed seeing Phil in the last scene with Mrs. Pennington.
I appreciated seeing all of the African-American characters in professional jobs. Of course they would be financial advisors, not the one token to show diversity. I am probably not saying this well, that I am glad to see a world where white isn't the default setting.
From what I know of DC, I wonder if I worked in that office building. Also, are Fiona and Mr. Johnson in other books in this series? I'd like to see more of them.
__________________
My rating - 5 outstanding, 4 - I liked this and will re-read it, 3 - I enjoyed it though may not re-read, 2 - I kept going because I had to see how it ended, 1 - Whatever time I spent with this book is time I'll never get back to my regret.
I enjoyed seeing Phil in the last scene with Mrs. Pennington.
I appreciated seeing all of the African-American characters in professional jobs. Of course they would be financial advisors, not the one token to show diversity. I am probably not saying this well, that I am glad to see a world where white isn't the default setting.
From what I know of DC, I wonder if I worked in that office building. Also, are Fiona and Mr. Johnson in other books in this series? I'd like to see more of them.
__________________
My rating - 5 outstanding, 4 - I liked this and will re-read it, 3 - I enjoyed it though may not re-read, 2 - I kept going because I had to see how it ended, 1 - Whatever time I spent with this book is time I'll never get back to my regret.
bookschaosnart's review
5.0
This was excellent. I loved the way that both the main characters were allowed to know themselves as they escaped the boxes they had placed themselves in. It's such a great demonstration of why books need POC characters. The emotions and how Marcus and André showed both weakness as well as their strength is so important to their story and also something I feel like is often missing from contemporary stories. The story and plot as a whole is a masterpiece it is both well written and relatable. I can't wait to read more from the author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina press for the ARC
Thanks to NetGalley and Carina press for the ARC
terriaminute's review
Liked the height difference, but, that wasn't enough.
I stopped reading this many days ago, bored with the trope (oh no, you're my boss?), bored with a sex scene. I tried to get back into it, but I'm not interested in these characters.
Obviously, I am not this novel's target audience. But also, that's one of the tiredest of tired tropes in romance.
I stopped reading this many days ago, bored with the trope (oh no, you're my boss?), bored with a sex scene. I tried to get back into it, but I'm not interested in these characters.
Obviously, I am not this novel's target audience. But also, that's one of the tiredest of tired tropes in romance.
bandherbooks's review
4.0
André and Marcus both go outside of their comfort zones for a rare night out ending in the best one-night stand of their lives. Both think oh, what could have been, until Marcus walks into André's office as his new intern.
Trying to put aside their desire so they can work on the project that could mean everything for André's financial advising business only works so long before these two explode into something that could mean forever. But past professional and personal hurts haunt both André and Marcus, making their HEA both hard won and a all the more satisfying.
The exploration of the power dynamics in both business and bed was exquisite. Ellis's characters are so well drawn and thoughtfully portrayed, including the secondary characters. You don't need to read Jeremiah first but you should!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
CW: casual homophobia from family, harassing language, past blackmail with a sex tape, parental death (in the past).
Trying to put aside their desire so they can work on the project that could mean everything for André's financial advising business only works so long before these two explode into something that could mean forever. But past professional and personal hurts haunt both André and Marcus, making their HEA both hard won and a all the more satisfying.
The exploration of the power dynamics in both business and bed was exquisite. Ellis's characters are so well drawn and thoughtfully portrayed, including the secondary characters. You don't need to read Jeremiah first but you should!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy!
CW: casual homophobia from family, harassing language, past blackmail with a sex tape, parental death (in the past).
shellyzev's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
soooo good!
sinamile's review
4.0
ARC Review: Received for free via NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
CW/TW: mention of unconcented recording, mention of unconcented sex tape sharing, mention of partner emotional abuse, allusion to homomisia, ableist slurs, employer/employee, mention of cheating
I really enjoyed this book and that last 20% effed me up in the best way. I was so scared of the inevitable breakup and you know what, wasn't even mad about it because the build up to the making up was just top notch make my eyes water, make me put down my phone so I can take a moment kind of cute. And man oh man, do I luurve it. Wow.
CW/TW: mention of unconcented recording, mention of unconcented sex tape sharing, mention of partner emotional abuse, allusion to homomisia, ableist slurs, employer/employee, mention of cheating
I really enjoyed this book and that last 20% effed me up in the best way. I was so scared of the inevitable breakup and you know what, wasn't even mad about it because the build up to the making up was just top notch make my eyes water, make me put down my phone so I can take a moment kind of cute. And man oh man, do I luurve it. Wow.