tartbarbie's review against another edition
4.0
Leveled is the story of two men finding what they needed each with something broken that together they can fix. Dom is a cop and when his injury has forced him to be in physical therapy he knows that if he can’t pass his test his life may be over. His only hope is that Orlando can help him heal the injury and return to work. Lando hasn’t stopped feeling guilty for Remy’s accident they had been having a fight and he left to help his brother. Lando doesn’t think he deserves a chance at love after the loss of his prior love, but that may just change when Dom comes in being his next client.
Neither guy can deny the attraction that they have for each other but acting on it is whole different game. When they guys take the chance turning it from a working relationship Lando decides he’s not ready to talk about Remy and just gives Dom that it ended badly. The more time they spend together they find themselves developing deeper feelings but when feelings get hurt, trust is questioned will the guys be able to figure it out and save the one important thing in their lives or will they just let it go.
I like Lando he’s got issues which I think anyone would have after what’s happened to him. However I think Dom is just the perfect guy to give Lando what he really needs and maybe he just hasn’t figured it out for himself. I also think the Lando complements Dom well to the point that it just works. The chemistry between these two is hot and sizzling and I’m happy that they found each other. While this is a relationship between to men don't let that turn you away it's so well done.
Leveled is the novella that connects the Marked Men to The Saints of Denver which is the new series by Jay Crownover. I received Built for review from the publisher but I had to read the prequel because I refuse to skip or read out of order. I admit that Leveled did take me out of my comfort zone when it comes to choosing books to read but it honestly works. I haven’t read the Marked Men yet but I feel that need to more than ever. The author does a great job creating a captivating novel with new and old characters (after glancing at the titles of the Marked Men I can see where the other characters come from. I got the impression that this ties up loose ends for that series by giving all the characters a happy ever after at least I hope. I really enjoyed the writing style it’s well written and beautifully done it touched my heart and I’m still in aww at how much I enjoyed it. This is my first novel by the author and I look forward to reading Marked Men so I can enjoy all these characters stories.
Neither guy can deny the attraction that they have for each other but acting on it is whole different game. When they guys take the chance turning it from a working relationship Lando decides he’s not ready to talk about Remy and just gives Dom that it ended badly. The more time they spend together they find themselves developing deeper feelings but when feelings get hurt, trust is questioned will the guys be able to figure it out and save the one important thing in their lives or will they just let it go.
I like Lando he’s got issues which I think anyone would have after what’s happened to him. However I think Dom is just the perfect guy to give Lando what he really needs and maybe he just hasn’t figured it out for himself. I also think the Lando complements Dom well to the point that it just works. The chemistry between these two is hot and sizzling and I’m happy that they found each other. While this is a relationship between to men don't let that turn you away it's so well done.
Leveled is the novella that connects the Marked Men to The Saints of Denver which is the new series by Jay Crownover. I received Built for review from the publisher but I had to read the prequel because I refuse to skip or read out of order. I admit that Leveled did take me out of my comfort zone when it comes to choosing books to read but it honestly works. I haven’t read the Marked Men yet but I feel that need to more than ever. The author does a great job creating a captivating novel with new and old characters (after glancing at the titles of the Marked Men I can see where the other characters come from. I got the impression that this ties up loose ends for that series by giving all the characters a happy ever after at least I hope. I really enjoyed the writing style it’s well written and beautifully done it touched my heart and I’m still in aww at how much I enjoyed it. This is my first novel by the author and I look forward to reading Marked Men so I can enjoy all these characters stories.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Leveled has me questioning why I haven't read a Crownover series before now! I was enchanted, and she now has a new fan! Lando and Dom were both characters that made me feel, and their development through this story was truly well done.
I read Leveled as part of my Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge, and I have read all the Saints of Denver series in June. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the secrets, and also the very strong sense of family and friendship. Dom and Lando both thought they weren't deserving of love and a real relationship. Until there was no way for either of them to resist any longer.
Lando lived with a secret that had kept him from being fully happy before, but when he started to have feelings for Dom, everything kind of changed for him. Leveled brought him some much needed closure, and it was really nice to see that he had met someone who loved all the parts of him, and who could be proud to be seen with him everywhere.
Leveled also showed a different side of the Marked Men, which was a very good one, in my opinion. Dom and Lando slowly built a new relationship, while also keeping up with their various friends, some of whom they had in common. A great start to the series, and one that also made me go back to read the whole Marked Men series as well.
Written in first person past tense, dual point of view from both Lando's and Dom's perspective, Leveled brought out the feels big time.
I always played my cards close to my chest. Being a cop was already a hard job. Being a gay cop made the job that much more challenging, so I learned early on that my personal life wasn't a topic of conversation I wanted open for discussion.
He rolled his heavy shoulders and turned to walk over to the hooks on the wall that held his discarded clothes. "Most things that are easy aren't worth much. It's the thing you have to work for that matter the most."
I leaned forward so I could kiss him, so I could show him that I didn't care who or what or why just as long as it was me and him. He kissed me back, but it was softly, reverently. It was a kiss that said thank you for something I didn't even know that I did.
Leveled has me questioning why I haven't read a Crownover series before now! I was enchanted, and she now has a new fan! Lando and Dom were both characters that made me feel, and their development through this story was truly well done.
I read Leveled as part of my Can You Read a Series in a Month challenge, and I have read all the Saints of Denver series in June. I enjoyed the characters, the story, the secrets, and also the very strong sense of family and friendship. Dom and Lando both thought they weren't deserving of love and a real relationship. Until there was no way for either of them to resist any longer.
Lando lived with a secret that had kept him from being fully happy before, but when he started to have feelings for Dom, everything kind of changed for him. Leveled brought him some much needed closure, and it was really nice to see that he had met someone who loved all the parts of him, and who could be proud to be seen with him everywhere.
Leveled also showed a different side of the Marked Men, which was a very good one, in my opinion. Dom and Lando slowly built a new relationship, while also keeping up with their various friends, some of whom they had in common. A great start to the series, and one that also made me go back to read the whole Marked Men series as well.
Written in first person past tense, dual point of view from both Lando's and Dom's perspective, Leveled brought out the feels big time.
I always played my cards close to my chest. Being a cop was already a hard job. Being a gay cop made the job that much more challenging, so I learned early on that my personal life wasn't a topic of conversation I wanted open for discussion.
He rolled his heavy shoulders and turned to walk over to the hooks on the wall that held his discarded clothes. "Most things that are easy aren't worth much. It's the thing you have to work for that matter the most."
I leaned forward so I could kiss him, so I could show him that I didn't care who or what or why just as long as it was me and him. He kissed me back, but it was softly, reverently. It was a kiss that said thank you for something I didn't even know that I did.
seffra's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 disappointed stars
Spoilers!
I was really looking forward to this books because I wanted Lando to get his happily ever after and after meeting Dom, I really liked him too! This book started off good and hooked me in. But that's when it went downhill.
Lando...WHAT HAPPENED!?!?! I really liked you through the Marked Men series and then WHAT!?!? He acted really selfish and his reasons weren't that great. He didn't want to chance it with Dom because he didn't want Dom to put his job first instead of him. A job that was his passion and he worked so hard for.
That got me really mad.
But of course, Dom didn't feel the same when he went back and wanted a much 'safer' position...I wonder who put that in your mind, Dom???
This book also had much M/M clichés in it and I really tried to like it because Dom really won me over but No...... it is a 2.5 read for me.
Spoilers!
I was really looking forward to this books because I wanted Lando to get his happily ever after and after meeting Dom, I really liked him too! This book started off good and hooked me in. But that's when it went downhill.
Lando...WHAT HAPPENED!?!?! I really liked you through the Marked Men series and then WHAT!?!? He acted really selfish and his reasons weren't that great. He didn't want to chance it with Dom because he didn't want Dom to put his job first instead of him. A job that was his passion and he worked so hard for.
That got me really mad.
But of course, Dom didn't feel the same when he went back and wanted a much 'safer' position...I wonder who put that in your mind, Dom???
This book also had much M/M clichés in it and I really tried to like it because Dom really won me over but No...... it is a 2.5 read for me.
amor_fati's review against another edition
5.0
love is beautiful
This is a true story of love. Love is love and when you find someone you fight for it. You fight yourself, the one you love and the many who love and want the best for you. That is what makes Dominic and Orlando story so wonderful. It a story of two men fighting their past to get to their future. It packed full of all the friends and family we loved from The Men of Ink series and a glimpse of what is to come. And it clearly shows us that love is letting go of one thing to make the most important thing yours.
This is a true story of love. Love is love and when you find someone you fight for it. You fight yourself, the one you love and the many who love and want the best for you. That is what makes Dominic and Orlando story so wonderful. It a story of two men fighting their past to get to their future. It packed full of all the friends and family we loved from The Men of Ink series and a glimpse of what is to come. And it clearly shows us that love is letting go of one thing to make the most important thing yours.
nikamajig's review against another edition
5.0
If you have any hesitation in reading this book because it's m/m romance, put aside your apprehension. This is Jay Crownover and once again, she has written a beautiful emotional roller coaster of a book. It is absolutely the perfect bridge from the Marked Men to the Saints of Denver with some of our favorite characters from the MM series making a guest appearance. Dom & Lando got their own story which was well deserved and I am so glad Jay decided to gift us with this unexpected delight.
So, drop what you're doing and go pick it up if you haven't already. Seriously, it's only $2.99 and you won't be disappointed!
So, drop what you're doing and go pick it up if you haven't already. Seriously, it's only $2.99 and you won't be disappointed!
iggyebab's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this as the book to link this new spin off. Remy's death kicked a lot of these crossover characters in the teeth. His inability to admit who he was to those who loved him most was hard on everyone. I was glad to see Lando take a step forward and Dom connect in with Royals new family.
greylandreviews's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
it was okay...
11/20/2015 To the person who is bitching about how I review books↓↓↓↓↓
it was okay...
11/20/2015 To the person who is bitching about how I review books↓↓↓↓↓
booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Crownover got this segue between her Marked Series, and the start of The Saints spot on right. I knew Lando was going to get his story, and what a bittersweet one it is. For him and Dom. These two guys were just perfect, and you'd think the author knew them both in RL... maybe she does! *shrug* I cried and laughed in this story, and my heart broke in all the right places. I love that the previous characters got a "say" in this story, and I am really excited about the newest in this series.
dami_96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
yepitsjen22's review against another edition
5.0
Just what I need to start saying "goodbye" to the Mark Men. I realize this technically is a Saints of Denver story but my favorite men were still there!
A must read if you are obsessed with the Archer men and need a little more of them in your life!
This was the perfect book to bridge the two series together
A must read if you are obsessed with the Archer men and need a little more of them in your life!
This was the perfect book to bridge the two series together