hpstrangelove's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. Damaged characters, lots of head-games going on; better plot/sex ratio (at least I didn't find myself wishing a sex scene would be over with so I could find out what happens next).
Dark story dealing with sexual abuse and rape. Liked the author's style of getting into the characters' heads and their flashbacks. I couldn't help feeling sorry for Marcus in a way. I'd love to know how he became the person he was.
At times there seemed to be a bit too much 'telling' rather than 'showing', but overall, I think this is the author's best work.
Dark story dealing with sexual abuse and rape. Liked the author's style of getting into the characters' heads and their flashbacks. I couldn't help feeling sorry for Marcus in a way. I'd love to know how he became the person he was.
At times there seemed to be a bit too much 'telling' rather than 'showing', but overall, I think this is the author's best work.
leelah's review against another edition
4.0
It's not always that obvious, but with some books I just have this feeling that telling this particular story... about these particular characters meant a great deal to author. That there is something special involved.
I had that same feeling here- Kelling poured her very soul in this and delivered, in my opinion, her best work yet.
Possible triggers -
Spoiler
noncon sex, dubious consent sex, violence(stabbing)Ok.
Basic premise of this story is not terribly inventive for romance: Dixon who is a cop, falls for Jaye who just came out of prison.
Things I liked:
1)Well, Kelling and FFS imprint are known for delivering dark, unsettling reads. I don't mind dark and painful and I am an angstwhore, but I realized in past year or two, I do need one tiny speck of hope; something positive to hold on for me to enjoy it. This was one emotional, high-stakes love story that ended on positive note.
2)Setting
3)Dynamic between characters - This was my favorite thing. Dix is this big, strong cop with loving sister and stable job. He just left his ex boyfriend because he had enough of his behavior. Jaye on the other hand is only 21, he is slim and too pretty for his own good. He has several tattoos on his body, including a teardrop under his eye, a telltale sign of his criminal record. He endured hell in prison and he survived only by agreeing to be a property of another guy who in return provided him protection. Now, you would think that Jaye is the one who needs saving and Dix will be his hero....right?
It's definitely not that simple and everything needs a second, deeper look. Power was exchanged several times and given back again, which made this couple unpredictable and much interesting to read. This includes sex scenes as well- we have kink, but it's actually meaningful- it's not written for the sake of kink, but because it felt like the thing character needed. Sexual healing and all that jazz...
4)Jaye- Ok, both characters are great, but Jaye stole my heart here. This kid is only 21 and his sheer will to survive was one part admiration/one part terror to read. From the scene that got him to prison to the way he survived there we were constantly reminded just how focused he was on getting out of every shit that life throws at him alive. He is a total badass, but so damn vulnerable when it comes to small acts of kindness. You just want to take him and put him in some place and hiss at anyone who dares looking at him in bad way.
5)Depicting domestic violence- domestic violence is in people's mind so firmly attached to picture of husband beating his wife and her wearing glasses and lying about her bruises. In reality, this is an offense that's covering more than just marital relationship- it involves also partners who are living together or are in a romantic and/or sexual relationship- Unfortunately, this is a fact I find often, both in fiction and practice overlooked. I liked it was shown here in all its ugly glory covering everything from physical,sexual, economical abuse to the warped psychological state of mind victims often share regarding their abuser. Which ties to...
6) Both Jaye's and Dixon's issues didn't miraculously vanish at the end. It was pointed out they still have a lot to work on and that their demons are not gone..which is normal considering what they went through.
(Just a few) Things I didn't like:
1)at 75% story dragged a bit with some scenes, but also I think that repeating, rehashing same things over and over again slowed pace at certain places.
2) minor plot inconsistencies
Spoiler
what the hack happened to Jaye's stab wound? At one point it was said he got another one on the same side as the one he got when they tried to kill him. It was implied it was fairly recent considering it hurt him and made him limping at the beginning. It wasn't mentioned later at all and I think that some gymnastic they did in bed would hurt like bitch if you're sporting a wound. Just holding his hips for a rough fuck wouldn't be really working, imo.. -__-All in all, really great read. :D
p.s. I saw author mentioning she signed for prequel story about Jaye. I am conflicted... I don't know if I can read this, my protective mode is already activated.
:thinks about Jaye's life before Alaska:
.
.
.
...I need a hug. :(
atheresa's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. Didn't care to keep reading. At first look, Jaye appeared to be the MC that was the most messed up. But Dixon was a bully-victim and I didn't like him. Yes, he had a soft heart and helped others. Yes, he allowed himself to be bullied by Marcus. He stayed with him too long, got worn down and didn't have the strength to break up with him. But conversely, Dixon turned around and bullied Jaye. He even bullied his fuck buddy Sacha. Jaye with all of his mental issues, was actually the stronger of the two. I may pick this book back up and finish it later.
The sex was hot and the Alaskan backdrop was way too cool. Free 2016 Xmas present from publisher.
The sex was hot and the Alaskan backdrop was way too cool. Free 2016 Xmas present from publisher.
knutsoel's review
4.0
On the one hand I want to rate it with 5 stars, because it was good story and very wel written.
On the other hand I want to rate it with 3 stars:
1: I just have a strong personal dislike for books that have this sense of foreboding of something dark, violent, traumatizing or otherwise negative thing, I know is going to happen later in the book.
2: Is almost the same as the one above. The second reason however has more to do with other (romance) novels, as for once it did fit very neatly in the story. So it would be unfair to deduct a point for that.
(In the mentioned 'other novels', there often happens something BIG (kidnapping, violence, accident, rape, etc.) about three quarters in the story, that the MC's have absolutely no control over. Which to me, the story could have easily done without. Even more depressing is that it is quite often used as the crux for at least one of the MC's to figure out he/she does indeed love the other.
To me it is a sign of lesser story telling skills.
It is one of my biggest pet peeves.)
Oh and trigger warnings in the blurb would have been nice.
On the other hand I want to rate it with 3 stars:
1: I just have a strong personal dislike for books that have this sense of foreboding of something dark, violent, traumatizing or otherwise negative thing, I know is going to happen later in the book.
2: Is almost the same as the one above. The second reason however has more to do with other (romance) novels, as for once it did fit very neatly in the story. So it would be unfair to deduct a point for that.
(In the mentioned 'other novels', there often happens something BIG (kidnapping, violence, accident, rape, etc.) about three quarters in the story, that the MC's have absolutely no control over. Which to me, the story could have easily done without. Even more depressing is that it is quite often used as the crux for at least one of the MC's to figure out he/she does indeed love the other.
To me it is a sign of lesser story telling skills.
It is one of my biggest pet peeves.)
Oh and trigger warnings in the blurb would have been nice.
anitalouise's review
4.0
Setting - Alaska
Good golly, this was brutal! In the author's notes, the author states that "these guys have been living simultaneously in heaven and hell for years." And that right there sums up the lives of Dixon and Jaye. OMG these two guys have suffered for their own desires, wants and bad habits but come out of their very dark experiences with a love so strong. The setting, the writing, the deeply drawn characters, even the secondary characters make this book superb! There were times I cringed at the brutality of their existence - you could see the vast emptiness of the Alaskan town they lived in. You could just see the menace surrounding Marcus. And J-bird - I could see the tattoos and his beautiful eyes. Lynn Kelling does damaged guys with odd kinks so well. I felt like I'd been dragged through a hedge backward by the time I finished. Just terrific.
Good golly, this was brutal! In the author's notes, the author states that "these guys have been living simultaneously in heaven and hell for years." And that right there sums up the lives of Dixon and Jaye. OMG these two guys have suffered for their own desires, wants and bad habits but come out of their very dark experiences with a love so strong. The setting, the writing, the deeply drawn characters, even the secondary characters make this book superb! There were times I cringed at the brutality of their existence - you could see the vast emptiness of the Alaskan town they lived in. You could just see the menace surrounding Marcus. And J-bird - I could see the tattoos and his beautiful eyes. Lynn Kelling does damaged guys with odd kinks so well. I felt like I'd been dragged through a hedge backward by the time I finished. Just terrific.
relly's review
4.0
I read this one after Caging Jaye. So to me it was an easier read and not as brutal as first reading Jaye's experiences
In this one we see Jaye after he has done his time and trying to return to normal life. His time in jail has marked him and shaped him into the person he is today. He knows he did what he had to, to survive but he is still trying to deal with the actual events. Jaye is still one of the strongest characters I've read. He is a survivor. I liked his sense of justice and how protective he was of Dixon.
He meets Dixon who is also marked by his experiences. I liked Dixon, he was such a mass of contractions. At times forceful and dominant and then other times submissive and unable to cope.
Jaye and Dixon were a good fit. They each had opportunities to show their strengths and to help the other through their ghosts.
Great read
In this one we see Jaye after he has done his time and trying to return to normal life. His time in jail has marked him and shaped him into the person he is today. He knows he did what he had to, to survive but he is still trying to deal with the actual events. Jaye is still one of the strongest characters I've read. He is a survivor. I liked his sense of justice and how protective he was of Dixon.
He meets Dixon who is also marked by his experiences. I liked Dixon, he was such a mass of contractions. At times forceful and dominant and then other times submissive and unable to cope.
Jaye and Dixon were a good fit. They each had opportunities to show their strengths and to help the other through their ghosts.
Great read
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