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alrightieaphroditie's review against another edition
5.0
”don’t think i’ve ever really been happy. not until there was you.” ♡₊˚
i’m sorry but for some reason this book had me panting like a dog. like the mix of the age gap, forced proximity, and desperation between the two of them… i ate this up. i looooved this book so damn much, i read it in one sitting and i already feel like rereading it. rachel cracked me up with her moody self, and i loved cal bc he literally was so joel miller coded, which i think is a reason why i loved it so much! this was so much fun to read and i definitely need more from this couple, please and thank you <3
i’m sorry but for some reason this book had me panting like a dog. like the mix of the age gap, forced proximity, and desperation between the two of them… i ate this up. i looooved this book so damn much, i read it in one sitting and i already feel like rereading it. rachel cracked me up with her moody self, and i loved cal bc he literally was so joel miller coded, which i think is a reason why i loved it so much! this was so much fun to read and i definitely need more from this couple, please and thank you <3
marcyellen555's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
marelles's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I knew this was probably going to be an age-gap romance, but the fact that Rachel and Cal met when she was 17 and Cal was around forty (his actual age is never said) and he called Rachel kid (one time right after fingered her) gave me the biggest ick. To clarify they didn't do anything until she was 20. They just reminded me of Joel and Ellie from The Last Of Us with how Cal took care of Rachel and called her kid or girl. For the first half of the book, I felt like Rachel acted quite childish, so I'm really glad that they spent time apart and Rachel could come more into her own. The ending was so anticlimactic but Rachel and Cal were pretty cute together.
I knew this was probably going to be an age-gap romance, but the fact that Rachel and Cal met when she was 17 and Cal was around forty (his actual age is never said) and he called Rachel kid (one time right after fingered her) gave me the biggest ick. To clarify they didn't do anything until she was 20. They just reminded me of Joel and Ellie from The Last Of Us with how Cal took care of Rachel and called her kid or girl. For the first half of the book, I felt like Rachel acted quite childish, so I'm really glad that they spent time apart and Rachel could come more into her own. The ending was so anticlimactic but Rachel and Cal were pretty cute together.
amberreadsromance28's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable read, although it took longer for me to get through for a novella.
Cal really frustrated me. Claire Kent writes the same type of H that doesn't think he is good enough for the h.
It was a sweet book with a good grovel, and I am always there for that.
Cal really frustrated me. Claire Kent writes the same type of H that doesn't think he is good enough for the h.
It was a sweet book with a good grovel, and I am always there for that.
triciamaeve's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
britlitnerd's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
msh_2552's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ornella30's review
4.0
*Thank you Netgallery and Claire Kent for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own*
This book really hit the spot for me.
I just love when an author can sell me an age gap romance. So many fail, but Claire Kent gets it right.
I really enjoy the Kindled series overall.
When I first began the series, with "Haven", I went in with no expectations and then I was basically blown away by how good it was and by how much I enjoyed it. The apocalyptic scenario is an interesting one and what I also liked was that, for me, it still maintains a low anxiety factor while reading.
So, I was really excited to read this new entry.
I have to say, sometimes I struggle with 1st pov writing but never in Claire Kent's books.
I absolutely adored the domestic atmosphere in "Embers". Them staying up the mountain, taking care of chores everyday, not being able to go outside during winter because of the cold temperatures, when they slept in the same the bed and shared body heat to fight the cold. And the hot bits... Arghh soo good. These books are quickly becoming comfort rereads for me. And I'm gonna be rereading this one as well.
It was a difficult dynamic, with a big age gap of 20 years, and he was the father of her boyfriend (who dies) and I appreciate that Cal was very very conflicted for a long time. Maybe Rachel was a bit immature at times but whatever, for me, it wasn't that bad.
I think there are a few parts and mentions here and there that will make more sense if you've been following the series however. I definitely recommend it. Do yourself a favor and after finishing this book, go back to read the entire series, starting from "Haven", a sort of spin off, and then starting from book one "Last light", which is another great entry with an age gap trope.
Can't wait to read the next installment, "Hero" coming out in December.
This book really hit the spot for me.
I just love when an author can sell me an age gap romance. So many fail, but Claire Kent gets it right.
I really enjoy the Kindled series overall.
When I first began the series, with "Haven", I went in with no expectations and then I was basically blown away by how good it was and by how much I enjoyed it. The apocalyptic scenario is an interesting one and what I also liked was that, for me, it still maintains a low anxiety factor while reading.
So, I was really excited to read this new entry.
I have to say, sometimes I struggle with 1st pov writing but never in Claire Kent's books.
I absolutely adored the domestic atmosphere in "Embers". Them staying up the mountain, taking care of chores everyday, not being able to go outside during winter because of the cold temperatures, when they slept in the same the bed and shared body heat to fight the cold. And the hot bits... Arghh soo good. These books are quickly becoming comfort rereads for me. And I'm gonna be rereading this one as well.
It was a difficult dynamic, with a big age gap of 20 years, and he was the father of her boyfriend (who dies) and I appreciate that Cal was very very conflicted for a long time. Maybe Rachel was a bit immature at times but whatever, for me, it wasn't that bad.
I think there are a few parts and mentions here and there that will make more sense if you've been following the series however. I definitely recommend it. Do yourself a favor and after finishing this book, go back to read the entire series, starting from "Haven", a sort of spin off, and then starting from book one "Last light", which is another great entry with an age gap trope.
Can't wait to read the next installment, "Hero" coming out in December.
ewgrossthesun's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
smuttymcbookface's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Although this has been my least favourite of the books so far (and not because of who the characters are), Claire Kent has, as always, done an amazing job of developing a romance so real that you can almost feel it as you read it.
With the taboo of their connection to each other, Cal being the father of Rachel's (now dead) boyfriend, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to root for these two. But, as always, I do.
The relationship is developed slowly, over so many years that it's easy to picture why these two would gravitate together. They provide safety, security and happiness for each other in an awful world. It's frustrating reading about the sexually frustrated and well-communicating Rachel get turned down and stone-walled. It was even harder to read about how she felt like she had to walk around eggshells just so she wouldn't be emotionally cut off. And although you can, in a sense, understand why Cal is doing this, it works wonderfully in to normalise their relationship in your head.
Third act breakups are something I typically struggle with. It's hard to believe that a main character able to walk out on their love interest can really provide a happy ever after. And it was even harder in this scenario where Rachel communicated her feelings perfectly, opening up, and Cal still chose to leave her the night after admitting her was considering it. And although I still didn't like it here, I felt I could understand the reasonings behind it.
My biggest hang up with Embers is that some of their dialogue didn't feel genuine to me. I appreciated the openness of Rachel, and that it needed to be this way for us to be comfortable that she's just as in control of the relationship as Cal is, but that meant that their conversations felt like plot points at time.
With the taboo of their connection to each other, Cal being the father of Rachel's (now dead) boyfriend, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to root for these two. But, as always, I do.
The relationship is developed slowly, over so many years that it's easy to picture why these two would gravitate together. They provide safety, security and happiness for each other in an awful world. It's frustrating reading about the sexually frustrated and well-communicating Rachel get turned down and stone-walled. It was even harder to read about how she felt like she had to walk around eggshells just so she wouldn't be emotionally cut off. And although you can, in a sense, understand why Cal is doing this, it works wonderfully in to normalise their relationship in your head.
Third act breakups are something I typically struggle with. It's hard to believe that a main character able to walk out on their love interest can really provide a happy ever after. And it was even harder in this scenario where Rachel communicated her feelings perfectly, opening up, and Cal still chose to leave her the night after admitting her was considering it. And although I still didn't like it here, I felt I could understand the reasonings behind it.
My biggest hang up with Embers is that some of their dialogue didn't feel genuine to me. I appreciated the openness of Rachel, and that it needed to be this way for us to be comfortable that she's just as in control of the relationship as Cal is, but that meant that their conversations felt like plot points at time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy