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nicola949's review
4.0
On the whole enjoyed the book but found the character of Dylan a bit annoying. I didn't think the issue of how or why he finally accepted he was gay was fully explained. However, the story was well paced with good dialogue and Mike was a great guy. Read in one sitting so something definitely had me turning the pages!
reenz38's review
3.0
The thing about this, but after I finished reading it that I still felt that Mike and Dylan still had so many issues to work through and that not enough had been resolved for me. Some parts were really funny but I wouldn't rate the conflict between them to be something I hadn't seen before. Dylan obviously had a lot to go through and with the added judgment and Aarons relationship as an example, he couldn't decide between the dream that he wanted and something that he could really have which was Mike. I overall enjoyed this book.
elvenavari's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This book had some fantastic character development. I really enjoyed Mike & Dylan's relationship and how it developed, though there were parts of it that made me cringe...though not in a bad way, if that makes any sense, just personal tastes. The ending sure jumped out at me, I wasn't expecting that at all.
whitneydr's review
4.0
I probably should’ve reread the first three books in the series, but this was good as a stand alone.
I’m not sure how I feel about so much emphasis being put on Dylan’s race, but I found him to be authentic. I’m glad we wasn’t overly stereotypical and that Mitchell didn’t attempt to write him speaking in AAVE (African-American Vernacular English). And he wasn’t wrong about cops not being helpful when it comes to being black, especially being black AND queer.
Mitchell always writes really good sex scenes. The book was going into more-sex-than-plot territory, but about 1/4 of the way through, the plot really gets underway. I liked the overall plot once we got to it.
I felt bad for Dylan; it seemed he was kind of like the black sheep of the family and was treated accordingly even though you could tell he was loved. I could relate to that. I wanted to punch Darryl in the face for being a jerk the whole time. I kind of wanted to know more about Mike’s past and his relationship with his family, but it didn’t hinder the telling of the story. I didn’t feel like I was missing much without it being there.
I want Mitchell to come back to these two. I want to see if Dylan became a graphic artist of cook or became something completely different. I also want to see Mike and Dylan’s future kids.
I give this 4 stars out of 5.
I’m not sure how I feel about so much emphasis being put on Dylan’s race, but I found him to be authentic. I’m glad we wasn’t overly stereotypical and that Mitchell didn’t attempt to write him speaking in AAVE (African-American Vernacular English). And he wasn’t wrong about cops not being helpful when it comes to being black, especially being black AND queer.
Mitchell always writes really good sex scenes. The book was going into more-sex-than-plot territory, but about 1/4 of the way through, the plot really gets underway. I liked the overall plot once we got to it.
I felt bad for Dylan; it seemed he was kind of like the black sheep of the family and was treated accordingly even though you could tell he was loved. I could relate to that. I wanted to punch Darryl in the face for being a jerk the whole time. I kind of wanted to know more about Mike’s past and his relationship with his family, but it didn’t hinder the telling of the story. I didn’t feel like I was missing much without it being there.
I want Mitchell to come back to these two. I want to see if Dylan became a graphic artist of cook or became something completely different. I also want to see Mike and Dylan’s future kids.
I give this 4 stars out of 5.
minesayrejoice's review
5.0
Oh, the emotions! The drama! I teared up quite a few times.
But the sexy times more than make up for that. Mm, mm, mm, hot!
But the sexy times more than make up for that. Mm, mm, mm, hot!
mousegoddess's review
3.0
Solid entry. Would have like a little more on the anti-bi erasure end of things. Because it felt like everyone kept brushing off the bi-ness because if you're with a guy you must be gay. Sigh. The rest of the story was okay though, so still kept it at a 3 instead of dropping to a two.
anitalouise's review
4.0
Setting - Primarily in Texas
So I am sure there is a pun in there somewhere but Dylan is a dick! A obnoxious jerk. There is a line around the 75% point where Mike says about Dylan "this from someone who can't say gay even with a mouthful of dick." And that is Dylan through pretty much the entire book. Poor guy had SO many issues - felt inferior to his twin brother, thought that his family considered him a screw-up and on top of that, struggled with his sexuality. While I liked this one in the Florida series, I was frustrated with Dylan and his hangups. Get over it already - so you're gay or maybe bi! So what?! And that decision to "help" Darryl and Mike close the end of the book - monumentally stupid! I mean, what was he doing - fighting a duel?! What saved the book for me was the stellar writing, Aaron and Joey and the rest of the family from book 3, and of course, Mike, although he has his stupid moments, too. And Tate! Do we get a book about Tate, Mike's roommate?? I really liked him and would love to read about his adventures. Rats, just read the author's web site - no book about Tate :( But just love this series. While you don't have to read them in order, it's way more fun to do so...
So I am sure there is a pun in there somewhere but Dylan is a dick! A obnoxious jerk. There is a line around the 75% point where Mike says about Dylan "this from someone who can't say gay even with a mouthful of dick." And that is Dylan through pretty much the entire book. Poor guy had SO many issues - felt inferior to his twin brother, thought that his family considered him a screw-up and on top of that, struggled with his sexuality. While I liked this one in the Florida series, I was frustrated with Dylan and his hangups. Get over it already - so you're gay or maybe bi! So what?! And that decision to "help" Darryl and Mike close the end of the book - monumentally stupid! I mean, what was he doing - fighting a duel?! What saved the book for me was the stellar writing, Aaron and Joey and the rest of the family from book 3, and of course, Mike, although he has his stupid moments, too. And Tate! Do we get a book about Tate, Mike's roommate?? I really liked him and would love to read about his adventures. Rats, just read the author's web site - no book about Tate :( But just love this series. While you don't have to read them in order, it's way more fun to do so...
lauraadriana78's review
4.0
3.75 Stars
I liked this book, didn't LOVE it. But I did LIKE it. First of all KA Mitchell can write up some quality hotness that I know, and I was not disappointed there. I thought she did a GREAT job of writing the character of Dylan as well. Dylan is a young black man that is DEEPLY in denial about his homosexuality. He has sexual encounters with men, but he is NOT gay.
So, after his twin brother is victim of a gay bashing at a park where Dylan frequently goes looking for hook ups...His worlds collide, and the guilt from thinking that his brother's attack might have been partly his fault is a very hard pill to swallow. He already is the "fuck-up" of the two...While Darryl is the honor student, Dylan is the line cook at a restaurant who has no more aspirations than to follow Darryl wherever he goes.
To add to the mix, the guy that helped Darryl during the attack...A white guy named Mike (a very HOT white guy) is well...VERY interested in Dylan...Dylan is interested back. In just fucking of course, since HE IS NOT GAY!!!.
Mike who is a trainer for the UT Austin football team (and also totally cool with keeping things on the d/l since he wants to keep his job) and not looking for a relationship, goes along with Dylan's fuckery of not even acknowledging he could be gay, the sex is good, the kid is hot, and well he really can't help himself.
Dylan has a LOT of shit going on, his family treats him like a fuck up, he's losing his brother, the guilt is killing him and on top of that he's pretty much on this side of "totally smitten'...With a dude.
Things are complicated, but Mike starts getting under Dylan's skin...Little by little with a LOT of fucking to lubricate his self-loathing issues, until he can admit that "yes he likes cock", especially Mike's.
This story for the most part worked for me, there was a lot of sex, that is true, but #1 It's KA Mitched so I expected that and #2 these guys were fucking and nothing else to begin with, and they are dudes so, it is reasonable that the sex will be coming (pun intended) in large quantities.
Dylan was immature, and SO STUBBORN, but I thought his character was really well. African American men, especially those with Dylan's background would not deal well with being gay, even if his family is accepting, the streets are not. So, I liked how he was portrayed.
Mike I understood a bit less, but I liked him well enough.
All in all, I wish this book would have been a few chapters longer, I was right there with them until the deus ex machina, and then the progression was WAY too fast for me.
I liked it. The erotica was HOT.
Hope Tate's book is next.
Re-Read July 24, 2013 I have to up this to 4 Stars
The second time around this book was WAY better than the first for me...I've come to realize with KA Mitchell I'm so juiced for the smut when she comes out with a book that I have a hard time actually focusing...Granted sometimes the story is just not there (Bad Attitude) so the sexy is really the star, and sometimes the perfection is so overwhelmingly awesome (Bad Boyfriend) that everything is good. But this book was pretty damn good with the story and with the smut equally specially the interacial thing...I didn't give thsi enough praise in my initial review. I really liked this book, I'd recommend a re-read!
I liked this book, didn't LOVE it. But I did LIKE it. First of all KA Mitchell can write up some quality hotness that I know, and I was not disappointed there. I thought she did a GREAT job of writing the character of Dylan as well. Dylan is a young black man that is DEEPLY in denial about his homosexuality. He has sexual encounters with men, but he is NOT gay.
So, after his twin brother is victim of a gay bashing at a park where Dylan frequently goes looking for hook ups...His worlds collide, and the guilt from thinking that his brother's attack might have been partly his fault is a very hard pill to swallow. He already is the "fuck-up" of the two...While Darryl is the honor student, Dylan is the line cook at a restaurant who has no more aspirations than to follow Darryl wherever he goes.
To add to the mix, the guy that helped Darryl during the attack...A white guy named Mike (a very HOT white guy) is well...VERY interested in Dylan...Dylan is interested back. In just fucking of course, since HE IS NOT GAY!!!.
Mike who is a trainer for the UT Austin football team (and also totally cool with keeping things on the d/l since he wants to keep his job) and not looking for a relationship, goes along with Dylan's fuckery of not even acknowledging he could be gay, the sex is good, the kid is hot, and well he really can't help himself.
Dylan has a LOT of shit going on, his family treats him like a fuck up, he's losing his brother, the guilt is killing him and on top of that he's pretty much on this side of "totally smitten'...With a dude.
Things are complicated, but Mike starts getting under Dylan's skin...Little by little with a LOT of fucking to lubricate his self-loathing issues, until he can admit that "yes he likes cock", especially Mike's.
This story for the most part worked for me, there was a lot of sex, that is true, but #1 It's KA Mitched so I expected that and #2 these guys were fucking and nothing else to begin with, and they are dudes so, it is reasonable that the sex will be coming (pun intended) in large quantities.
Dylan was immature, and SO STUBBORN, but I thought his character was really well. African American men, especially those with Dylan's background would not deal well with being gay, even if his family is accepting, the streets are not. So, I liked how he was portrayed.
Mike I understood a bit less, but I liked him well enough.
All in all, I wish this book would have been a few chapters longer, I was right there with them until the deus ex machina, and then the progression was WAY too fast for me.
I liked it. The erotica was HOT.
Hope Tate's book is next.
Re-Read July 24, 2013 I have to up this to 4 Stars
The second time around this book was WAY better than the first for me...I've come to realize with KA Mitchell I'm so juiced for the smut when she comes out with a book that I have a hard time actually focusing...Granted sometimes the story is just not there (Bad Attitude) so the sexy is really the star, and sometimes the perfection is so overwhelmingly awesome (Bad Boyfriend) that everything is good. But this book was pretty damn good with the story and with the smut equally specially the interacial thing...I didn't give thsi enough praise in my initial review. I really liked this book, I'd recommend a re-read!
catevari's review
4.0
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of K. A. Mitchell, but if you read any of my reviews, you'll also see that I'm just as critical to my favorites as I am to any other author. But one of the reasons I am such a huge fan of Mitchell is because she keeps writing consistently good romances with characters I can't help but care about.
Prickly protagonists, in particular, are her stock in trade and she delivers in spades in the character of Dylan, a biracial hothead who has more in common with his brother Aaron (from Collision Course) than with his more easy-going twin, Darryl. Dylan is a mess in more ways than one at the book's open: confused and in denial about his sexuality and his future, he masks his insecurity and guilt with sarcasm and anger, especially when his twin gets hate-bashed in a case of mistaken identity.
One of the things I like best about Mitchell's writing is that, though Dylan goes through dramatic mental and emotional change, across the course of the story, she doesn't make Dylan into a different character. He changes—he matures—but he remains the same snarky guy you meet at the start of the story.
Mike, Dylan's romantic foil, has a less dramatic journey than Dylan; though closeted for his job, he's more at peace with himself and his homosexuality than Dylan…but though Mike's storyline isn't as showy as Dylan's, he has his own struggles to go through and future to come to terms with. Sometimes 'peace' is just a hole we've hidden ourselves inside, trying to insulate ourselves from change and pain.
Mitchell roots her stories in conflicts between personalities, in the internal and external struggle that happens when attraction is not—quite—enough to forge long-term and lasting love, and she does so without cheating: taking the time to build relationships brick by brick, from molten attraction, to seriously steamy sex to the real and sometimes heartbreaking struggles to make it all work. Which is why her books work for me, every time.
Mitchell doesn't tell me that the characters are in love and just expect me to believe it; she shows me, she does the work, as much as her characters do. And watching them struggle—watching Dylan and Mike struggle, in this particular instance—through ghosts and pains of the past, shame and homophobia (internalized and from the outside world) makes you root for them. You want them to succeed because you've seen how much they've been through to get to this point. And, though the HEA (Happy Ever After) is kind of a given for the genre, Mitchell always sticks her landing in giving us a palpable sense of relief and accomplishment, when her protagonists eventually find their way there.
I feel like I should also say something about the interracial aspect of the romance; with a lot of writers, I am VERY leery of seeing them take on characters of color, especially in interracial relationships. More authors do it badly than not. But I felt that Mitchell avoided both the obvious pitfalls and the less obvious ones. Never did the characters or the situations fall into the expected cliches, never did I feel like Mitchell was giving her characters anything other than full, textural and fleshy lives, internal and external. I was hopeful, of course, being a Mitchell fan, that this would be the case, but it was an incredible relief, even so, to see that hopefulness borne out. It so often isn't.
Prickly protagonists, in particular, are her stock in trade and she delivers in spades in the character of Dylan, a biracial hothead who has more in common with his brother Aaron (from Collision Course) than with his more easy-going twin, Darryl. Dylan is a mess in more ways than one at the book's open: confused and in denial about his sexuality and his future, he masks his insecurity and guilt with sarcasm and anger, especially when his twin gets hate-bashed in a case of mistaken identity.
One of the things I like best about Mitchell's writing is that, though Dylan goes through dramatic mental and emotional change, across the course of the story, she doesn't make Dylan into a different character. He changes—he matures—but he remains the same snarky guy you meet at the start of the story.
Mike, Dylan's romantic foil, has a less dramatic journey than Dylan; though closeted for his job, he's more at peace with himself and his homosexuality than Dylan…but though Mike's storyline isn't as showy as Dylan's, he has his own struggles to go through and future to come to terms with. Sometimes 'peace' is just a hole we've hidden ourselves inside, trying to insulate ourselves from change and pain.
Mitchell roots her stories in conflicts between personalities, in the internal and external struggle that happens when attraction is not—quite—enough to forge long-term and lasting love, and she does so without cheating: taking the time to build relationships brick by brick, from molten attraction, to seriously steamy sex to the real and sometimes heartbreaking struggles to make it all work. Which is why her books work for me, every time.
Mitchell doesn't tell me that the characters are in love and just expect me to believe it; she shows me, she does the work, as much as her characters do. And watching them struggle—watching Dylan and Mike struggle, in this particular instance—through ghosts and pains of the past, shame and homophobia (internalized and from the outside world) makes you root for them. You want them to succeed because you've seen how much they've been through to get to this point. And, though the HEA (Happy Ever After) is kind of a given for the genre, Mitchell always sticks her landing in giving us a palpable sense of relief and accomplishment, when her protagonists eventually find their way there.
I feel like I should also say something about the interracial aspect of the romance; with a lot of writers, I am VERY leery of seeing them take on characters of color, especially in interracial relationships. More authors do it badly than not. But I felt that Mitchell avoided both the obvious pitfalls and the less obvious ones. Never did the characters or the situations fall into the expected cliches, never did I feel like Mitchell was giving her characters anything other than full, textural and fleshy lives, internal and external. I was hopeful, of course, being a Mitchell fan, that this would be the case, but it was an incredible relief, even so, to see that hopefulness borne out. It so often isn't.