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emilylovesbooks94's review against another edition
5.0
Levi and James are everything I didn't know I needed. I'm a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers books, so the aggressive tension between these two hit all the right notes for me. If you haven't read Book 1 of this series, I highly recommend you do so first because there are some spoilers for it in this one (also because it's just an amazing book).
When Levi sees James for the first time, he's not impressed. He refuses to sell him anything, claiming he doesn't do business with a**holes. James, for his part, is infuriated by how arrogant and cocky Levi is. In their initial interactions, I could practically see daggers shooting out of their eyeballs towards each other. Their banter is snarky and snippy and I loved it. Levi doesn't take any of James's sh*t, and it was so satisfying to see him put James in his place.
Much to Levi and James's dismay, their mutual dislike isn't enough to stop the intense physical attraction they have for each other. "I can't be around you without wanting to choke you to death with my dick, James. That's not a healthy working relationship." When Levi and James do come together for the first time, it's incredibly erotic, intense, messy, and a touch desperate. "Levi's eyes screamed I hate you, screamed I want to take it out on you in all the ways you need." The way James goes soft and compliant when Levi verbally humiliates him is so hot.
What I loved just as much as the intense, steamy sex was how Levi and James's relationship evolved over the book. At the beginning, the only thing between them was hatred. Slowly, over time, hints of something more started to expose themselves: Levi feeling compelled to make sure James is okay at the clinic; James nearly panicking in his rush to apologize to Levi for something he said; Levi bringing James comfort food when he's having a bad day. I loved seeing how the initial flare of passion developed into something much deeper than hate sex and shared kink.
When things did start to get serious between James and Levi, everything started falling apart. Levi wants every part of James, but James is still struggling to accept the darker parts of himself. Levi is terrified to love James for real because he's never gotten to keep the things he loves. These two broke my heart as the struggled to accept their love. At the same time, Levi and his brother Simon are working through some difficult issues. The dynamic between these brothers helped me understand a lot of Levi's reactions throughout the book. I can't wait to read Simon's full story--Rocco the cat vs. Rocco the man is going to be hilarious.
By the end of the book, James and Levi are almost unrecognizable from how they acted towards each other in the beginning. James has figured out how to accept himself and give Levi all of his love, and Levi has what he's always wanted: to be the most important thing to someone.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Levi sees James for the first time, he's not impressed. He refuses to sell him anything, claiming he doesn't do business with a**holes. James, for his part, is infuriated by how arrogant and cocky Levi is. In their initial interactions, I could practically see daggers shooting out of their eyeballs towards each other. Their banter is snarky and snippy and I loved it. Levi doesn't take any of James's sh*t, and it was so satisfying to see him put James in his place.
Much to Levi and James's dismay, their mutual dislike isn't enough to stop the intense physical attraction they have for each other. "I can't be around you without wanting to choke you to death with my dick, James. That's not a healthy working relationship." When Levi and James do come together for the first time, it's incredibly erotic, intense, messy, and a touch desperate. "Levi's eyes screamed I hate you, screamed I want to take it out on you in all the ways you need." The way James goes soft and compliant when Levi verbally humiliates him is so hot.
What I loved just as much as the intense, steamy sex was how Levi and James's relationship evolved over the book. At the beginning, the only thing between them was hatred. Slowly, over time, hints of something more started to expose themselves: Levi feeling compelled to make sure James is okay at the clinic; James nearly panicking in his rush to apologize to Levi for something he said; Levi bringing James comfort food when he's having a bad day. I loved seeing how the initial flare of passion developed into something much deeper than hate sex and shared kink.
When things did start to get serious between James and Levi, everything started falling apart. Levi wants every part of James, but James is still struggling to accept the darker parts of himself. Levi is terrified to love James for real because he's never gotten to keep the things he loves. These two broke my heart as the struggled to accept their love. At the same time, Levi and his brother Simon are working through some difficult issues. The dynamic between these brothers helped me understand a lot of Levi's reactions throughout the book. I can't wait to read Simon's full story--Rocco the cat vs. Rocco the man is going to be hilarious.
By the end of the book, James and Levi are almost unrecognizable from how they acted towards each other in the beginning. James has figured out how to accept himself and give Levi all of his love, and Levi has what he's always wanted: to be the most important thing to someone.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
razzlet83's review
5.0
A total scorcher. Levi enjoys putting James Motel in his place, and James craves subjugation. Enemies to lovers with a splash of humiliation. Absolutly one of my favorite books by Kate Hawthorne. 5/5
piperclover's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I cant believe how unsatisfying this book was. The end was abrupt and shallow, there's more to be resolved between Levi and his brother Simon, I have no idea how Levi and James are in love, just that they're in major lust, and we never saw if Levi actually starts the food truck Simon bought him or if it works out or anything. The piss kink was great and I wish there was more but the humiliation kink was too spiteful and mean to be enjoyable.
bookschaosnart's review against another edition
3.0
The story on a whole didn't connect with me. It was well written but I wasn't able to enjoy either of the main characters. I'm not sure why hence the 3 star review. It wasn't actively un-enjoyable but at the same time, I couldn't explain why I liked any of the characters or story either.
kaitlin_durante's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars for a story where I didn't connect with either character.
julianicole's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a first for me in many ways. My first story with a truly Bi character (not just bi-curious or confused). My first book with the kink being humiliation (there was also one scene of piss play and fisting--both a first for me to read). So if none of that is something you are interested in reading then I wouldn't bother with this book.
That being said I thought this was a great book of two people starting out hating each other and having hate sex to falling in love. They both go through a journey of excepting the kinky sex they want to have and realizing it's okay.
Side note--there does seem to be a lot of Jewish customs and traditions included in this story. Of which I know nothing about so I can't say if anything is accurate or anything. As a reader with no real knowledge, I feel like we were given enough information for it to make sense for the struggles of the character.
In all, I enjoyed this book. It was fast passed and fun.--Don't take how long it took me to read it compared to the first a sign I didn't enjoy it. I got really sick right in the middle! Otherwise, I would have finished it sooner.
That being said I thought this was a great book of two people starting out hating each other and having hate sex to falling in love. They both go through a journey of excepting the kinky sex they want to have and realizing it's okay.
Side note--there does seem to be a lot of Jewish customs and traditions included in this story. Of which I know nothing about so I can't say if anything is accurate or anything. As a reader with no real knowledge, I feel like we were given enough information for it to make sense for the struggles of the character.
In all, I enjoyed this book. It was fast passed and fun.--Don't take how long it took me to read it compared to the first a sign I didn't enjoy it. I got really sick right in the middle! Otherwise, I would have finished it sooner.
karentje's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing!! How did I not know about this book before!! Love this story, the characters, and so pleasantly surprised by the delicious, not so mainstream, kinks the MC's discover together.
friends2lovers's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
_isabel_'s review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
One of my favourite reads of the year so far.
"Heartless" is utterly fantastic and it screams "ME" so much I'm firmly convinced Kate Hawthorne wrote it with yours truly in mind.
Kidding, but seriously: "Heartless" has everything I usually love in romances, and then some stuff I didn't think I'd love, but here you go... *wags eyebrows*
This book is another reminder of why I read romances so much: it gave me freaking everything. And I already know this one is going to be my favourite of the series (and probably of Kate Hawthorne's entire backlist).
James and Levi's story is what my reading dreams are made of: enemies-to-lovers and hate sex extraordinaire (plus a double dose of "you infuriate me, but I can't stop thinking of you"), a whole lot of steam and kink (ft. a few kinks I didn't think I'd love but here we go: degradation kink, water sports, fisting), the dirtiest dirty talk I've ever had the pleasure of reading about, two absolutely insufferable, stubborn and ridiculously lovable idiot MCs (grumpy X grumpy at its finest!), found family, banter and a good dose of angst.
I loved every single second I got to spend with James and Levi, and I never wanted to leave: even when they were being childish and mean and stubborn, I loved them.
Their dynamic was addictive, explosive and so damn fun, and I adored them together: I loved how reluctantly obsessed they were with one another, how the hate slowly transformed into love, how even when they were firmly in the lovers phase of their relationship, their dynamic was still mean (but consensually™) and brutal, but also infused by love and care and affection. GAH, I just loved them so damn much.
And the found family! The Motel brothers individual and group relationships are never easy and simple, but the love and affection between them comes through loud and clear. And Simon and Levi's relationship is equally complex and believable: I know Simon is supposed to have a story somewhere, I need to look into that, and I know there're a few more books in this series left, but the bond between these two left me deeply heartbroken, but also hopeful they'll finally and thoroughly mend their relationship in the future.
I loved the writing, I loved every single side character, and I cannot wait to read Charlie's story. I'm beyond excited for him to finally get his chance at a HEA.
"Heartless" is utterly fantastic and it screams "ME" so much I'm firmly convinced Kate Hawthorne wrote it with yours truly in mind.
Kidding, but seriously: "Heartless" has everything I usually love in romances, and then some stuff I didn't think I'd love, but here you go... *wags eyebrows*
This book is another reminder of why I read romances so much: it gave me freaking everything. And I already know this one is going to be my favourite of the series (and probably of Kate Hawthorne's entire backlist).
James and Levi's story is what my reading dreams are made of: enemies-to-lovers and hate sex extraordinaire (plus a double dose of "you infuriate me, but I can't stop thinking of you"), a whole lot of steam and kink (ft. a few kinks I didn't think I'd love but here we go: degradation kink, water sports, fisting), the dirtiest dirty talk I've ever had the pleasure of reading about, two absolutely insufferable, stubborn and ridiculously lovable idiot MCs (grumpy X grumpy at its finest!), found family, banter and a good dose of angst.
I loved every single second I got to spend with James and Levi, and I never wanted to leave: even when they were being childish and mean and stubborn, I loved them.
Their dynamic was addictive, explosive and so damn fun, and I adored them together: I loved how reluctantly obsessed they were with one another, how the hate slowly transformed into love, how even when they were firmly in the lovers phase of their relationship, their dynamic was still mean (but consensually™) and brutal, but also infused by love and care and affection. GAH, I just loved them so damn much.
And the found family! The Motel brothers individual and group relationships are never easy and simple, but the love and affection between them comes through loud and clear. And Simon and Levi's relationship is equally complex and believable: I know Simon is supposed to have a story somewhere, I need to look into that, and I know there're a few more books in this series left, but the bond between these two left me deeply heartbroken, but also hopeful they'll finally and thoroughly mend their relationship in the future.
I loved the writing, I loved every single side character, and I cannot wait to read Charlie's story. I'm beyond excited for him to finally get his chance at a HEA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
k8books's review
4.0
The second book in this compelling series was written just as well as the first! Ms. Hawthorne has a way of making her characters sexy and relatable.
James - The asshole brother in the family. Pushing everyone's buttons because he can...Until Levi.
Levi - The amazing baker, complicated family dynamic and newly found friend of Cameron's.
Levi pushes James to the point of breaking, but in a way that James never expected. Now James is questioning what he thinks of himself and wondering if he has always been this way or if he has finally found someone who can give him what he needs. While Levi is able to give James what he needs he finds himself resisting that this might be more then a quick moment.
Although I enjoyed reading the journey of James and Levi, the kink in the book pushed passed my limit of comfort. I truly enjoy the main parts of their story and was able to work past some of the scenes I had issues with because Kate is such a wonderful writer. I cannot wait for the next one in the series!
James - The asshole brother in the family. Pushing everyone's buttons because he can...Until Levi.
Levi - The amazing baker, complicated family dynamic and newly found friend of Cameron's.
Levi pushes James to the point of breaking, but in a way that James never expected. Now James is questioning what he thinks of himself and wondering if he has always been this way or if he has finally found someone who can give him what he needs. While Levi is able to give James what he needs he finds himself resisting that this might be more then a quick moment.
Although I enjoyed reading the journey of James and Levi, the kink in the book pushed passed my limit of comfort. I truly enjoy the main parts of their story and was able to work past some of the scenes I had issues with because Kate is such a wonderful writer. I cannot wait for the next one in the series!