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javalenciaph's review
4.0
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Xavier and Doran were two men who seemed to be perfect for each other--Xavier liked being in control and Doran liked giving it up. But with this kind of relationship, communication is always key and there are limits that must be set and agreed upon if there's any hope for it to flourish. Doran may be submissive in the bedroom but he can be very evasive and defensive outside of it, often refusing to divulge what's going on in his head, and Xavier has a thing about secrecy and lying. Doran has a lot of complications in his life while Xavier's life is far simpler and the whole idea of control becomes a more encompassing thing with Xavier wanting Doran to make the right decisions and choices for his life and not fall back into gambling.
The story was good and I liked how readers are given glimpses into the lives of Xavier and Doran separately, even after they became a couple, enabling us to see how things have changed once they got together. Doran's addiction wasn't something that was handled lightly and his constant struggle with it and his need to find a program that fit him showed that there is no easy or singular fix to this sort of situation. Doran is, and I suspect, will always be a work in progress, as is his relationship with Xavier, but the story is one about hope and trust, and anything's possible for as long as the two people involved are willing to put in the work and remain patient and understanding. When to Hold Them receives four out of five stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Xavier and Doran were two men who seemed to be perfect for each other--Xavier liked being in control and Doran liked giving it up. But with this kind of relationship, communication is always key and there are limits that must be set and agreed upon if there's any hope for it to flourish. Doran may be submissive in the bedroom but he can be very evasive and defensive outside of it, often refusing to divulge what's going on in his head, and Xavier has a thing about secrecy and lying. Doran has a lot of complications in his life while Xavier's life is far simpler and the whole idea of control becomes a more encompassing thing with Xavier wanting Doran to make the right decisions and choices for his life and not fall back into gambling.
The story was good and I liked how readers are given glimpses into the lives of Xavier and Doran separately, even after they became a couple, enabling us to see how things have changed once they got together. Doran's addiction wasn't something that was handled lightly and his constant struggle with it and his need to find a program that fit him showed that there is no easy or singular fix to this sort of situation. Doran is, and I suspect, will always be a work in progress, as is his relationship with Xavier, but the story is one about hope and trust, and anything's possible for as long as the two people involved are willing to put in the work and remain patient and understanding. When to Hold Them receives four out of five stars. ♥
geeknb's review
4.0
Another great addition to the Bluewater Bay series.
The drama when it came (and you knew it was coming) wasn't too OTT. This was more about figuring out the dynamics of a relationship and figuring out how that fits with your own desires.
And hell, those boys were hot together.
First class hurt/comfort.
The drama when it came (and you knew it was coming) wasn't too OTT. This was more about figuring out the dynamics of a relationship and figuring out how that fits with your own desires.
And hell, those boys were hot together.
First class hurt/comfort.
lezreadalot's review
3.0
Pretty okay. It got a few raised eyebrows out of me sometimes, especially re: Xavier's OTT controlling nature, but at least it was addressed. The romance wasn't like... amazingly believable, and it all happened really fast. But it was cute, a good way to spend a few hours.
teresab78's review
4.0
There was more sex in this book than any of the others in this series, at times it felt like too much, but I loved the care that Xavier took with Doran.
Very BDSM lite but there was definitely a power exchange.
I liked the tension we got and the little bit of action.
Very BDSM lite but there was definitely a power exchange.
I liked the tension we got and the little bit of action.
siria's review
3.0
A slightly odd book. G.B. Gordon does a fairly good job at sketching out the two main characters—Doran, newly arrived in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, alone and struggling with overcoming his gambling addiction; Xavier, a biracial park ranger who's somewhat of a loner. I bought their chemistry together, and liked that Gordon set up a dominant-submissive power dynamic between them that wasn't particularly stylised or centered around pain. However, I didn't buy the speed with which the relationship progressed—the ending in particular felt unearned. Since Doran often reads a lot more like a teenager than a guy in his early twenties, I really wanted someone to tell him to back off and slow down when he proposes moving in with an older, dominant guy whom he's known, what... a month? Two? Especially when Xavier is at times weirdly demanding in ways that don't quite feel in character or like how most people would behave in a given situation.
obviousthings's review
The writing itself was pretty good, and I liked the characters, but the dynamic between them really put me off.
lillian_francis's review
4.0
Another great addition to the Bluewater Bay series.
The drama when it came (and you knew it was coming) wasn't too OTT. This was more about figuring out the dynamics of a relationship and figuring out how that fits with your own desires.
And hell, those boys were hot together.
First class hurt/comfort.
The drama when it came (and you knew it was coming) wasn't too OTT. This was more about figuring out the dynamics of a relationship and figuring out how that fits with your own desires.
And hell, those boys were hot together.
First class hurt/comfort.
cadiva's review
4.0
Holy cow this book's hot and steamy and seductive with just enough sharpness to stop it becoming all a bit too much.
The two MCs are studies in contrasts and I loved the family acceptance and backbone of strength which allowed Xavier the freedom to be his own man.
Doran's unhappy upbringing also worked as the driving force for his need to find acceptance and a place to call home.
As a pair they were magnificent and even the slightly unbelievable element of the cardshark and his goon chasing them through the wilderness didn't distract from what was a really good tale.
And it's another cover of epic win.
The two MCs are studies in contrasts and I loved the family acceptance and backbone of strength which allowed Xavier the freedom to be his own man.
Doran's unhappy upbringing also worked as the driving force for his need to find acceptance and a place to call home.
As a pair they were magnificent and even the slightly unbelievable element of the cardshark and his goon chasing them through the wilderness didn't distract from what was a really good tale.
And it's another cover of epic win.
terriaminute's review
5.0
This is a great example of divergent personalities figuring out why they work and how to fit the odd pieces into place. I know people who've struggled with the old versions of AA and the like, so those observations made me laugh, because, yeah. Valid issues for many. LOVED X's parents. And loved seeing them from a different pov, too. There are a lot of little touches throughout this story that are really beautifully done. And? It ends like the last note of a great song. Perfect.