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scoodle42's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Kingston Wells is a young DEA agent, trying to excel in his work while looking out for his brother and elderly grandmother and dealing with a complicated history with his incarcerated father. Dropping his brother off to class, he runs right into Tiffany Summers, and knows he wants her. But her first instinct is to resist. Tiffany has no time for games and with brothers like Grey and Blu she's doubtful anyone can apply the pressure she needs without being intimidated by them. But Kingston is different, and he doesn't give up easily.
I love me a young hothead with a slick ass mouth and Kingston have me goosebumps. He was on ten the entire book--serious about his desire for Tiffany, and about showing her he wouldn't back down when it came to getting her. Their relationship was so passionate and sweet. I giggled the entire time. I loved the way they bantered and eased into their comfort with each other. I love that Tiffany was so open, so optimistic even with all her caution. The Summers family and Kingston's grandmother as supporting cast was thought out and wonderful, even in the tense moments. It was overdone or overly dramatic, there was good balance there. August's subplot hit hard enough to give Kingston the layers his character needed as older brother, and you felt the emotion of what happened to their family. The drama with Tiffany's boss caught me as a tiny bit dramatic, but I got it and wasn't lost. And it introduced Dallas and Houston (I'm looking for them next, lol). It was a great story and I was fully engaged, and in love with their love.
I love me a young hothead with a slick ass mouth and Kingston have me goosebumps. He was on ten the entire book--serious about his desire for Tiffany, and about showing her he wouldn't back down when it came to getting her. Their relationship was so passionate and sweet. I giggled the entire time. I loved the way they bantered and eased into their comfort with each other. I love that Tiffany was so open, so optimistic even with all her caution. The Summers family and Kingston's grandmother as supporting cast was thought out and wonderful, even in the tense moments. It was overdone or overly dramatic, there was good balance there. August's subplot hit hard enough to give Kingston the layers his character needed as older brother, and you felt the emotion of what happened to their family. The drama with Tiffany's boss caught me as a tiny bit dramatic, but I got it and wasn't lost. And it introduced Dallas and Houston (I'm looking for them next, lol). It was a great story and I was fully engaged, and in love with their love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Sexual harassment
now_booking's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
I really like this author’s books. This one is the third book I’ve read from her linked to the Summers family after “Uncovering Love” and “Blu.” Featuring 3rd oldest Summers sibling, Tiffany, who we’ve gotten to know well over the previous two books, this standalone tells a painfully emotional story of Tiffany, cherished and protected by her family, trying to find her purpose and meeting and falling in love with Kingston, a drug enforce agent with a troubled family history, who’s still trying to reconcile the loss of his mother and his brother’s descent into dysfunction.
I think there were a lot of great things about this book- the instalove was well done, the action and drama were compelling. I still dispute that this was realistic from a law enforcement agent perspective and there were a few minor continuity issues here and there, but as a romantic suspense, it overall worked and was an enjoyable read. There were a couple of things that really bothered me however. One was Tiffany’s somewhat pick-me misogynistic tendencies- she is very willing to observe and accept brutally toxic behaviour from men but then is incredibly hard on women as a gender and on female friendships- it is very unappealing in a character especially one that seems otherwise smart. Furthermore, at the beginning, she makes some colourist statements in an attempt to try to hide her attraction to Kingston and I was already out off by her at that point. The other issue that bothered me is August and the fact that he was given no opportunity to grow up and face some consequences- I’m not saying Kingston shouldn’t protect him but I did not believe he changed because there was no impact of his behaviour- I would consider it a tragedy if Faith ended up with his immature self. I liked this book but these small things kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the book even though it’s still overall very entertaining.
I think there were a lot of great things about this book- the instalove was well done, the action and drama were compelling. I still dispute that this was realistic from a law enforcement agent perspective and there were a few minor continuity issues here and there, but as a romantic suspense, it overall worked and was an enjoyable read. There were a couple of things that really bothered me however. One was Tiffany’s somewhat pick-me misogynistic tendencies- she is very willing to observe and accept brutally toxic behaviour from men but then is incredibly hard on women as a gender and on female friendships- it is very unappealing in a character especially one that seems otherwise smart. Furthermore, at the beginning, she makes some colourist statements in an attempt to try to hide her attraction to Kingston and I was already out off by her at that point. The other issue that bothered me is August and the fact that he was given no opportunity to grow up and face some consequences- I’m not saying Kingston shouldn’t protect him but I did not believe he changed because there was no impact of his behaviour- I would consider it a tragedy if Faith ended up with his immature self. I liked this book but these small things kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the book even though it’s still overall very entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Body shaming and Abortion