The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
intheinkpot's review
4.0
Gary was absolutely adorable, hilarious, and naive. Magnus was uncompromisingly romantic.
This was an incredibly short mm romance, but it was heartwarming. The banter between Magnus and Gary was wonderful. I think Gary’s introspection during moments that made no sense to him had me roaring in laughter.
This was an enjoyable and humorous read.
This was an incredibly short mm romance, but it was heartwarming. The banter between Magnus and Gary was wonderful. I think Gary’s introspection during moments that made no sense to him had me roaring in laughter.
This was an enjoyable and humorous read.
cindaren's review
4.5
3/10/2023 Reread after reading Love Lessons, A Gary and Magnus Short from Isabel's newsletter. Still love it, it's so funny and sooo sweet.
This book was precious! I really liked it. Love this author.
This book was precious! I really liked it. Love this author.
slee907's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
flattrash's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
1.0
Gary(28) Magnus(38+) bondmates
brittaniethekid's review
2.0
This read like fan fiction in that the writing is a bit juvenile and unpolished and, after establishing the background and setting, went straight into plot-less porn with a side of cheese. Not really my thing but it was a low-stakes quick read in-between books.
Gary is supposed to be a 20-something aristocrat that was placed on the throne after all his brothers and family before him had been assassinated one by one. For obvious reasons Gary is very reluctant to ascend but is forced from his home and taken to the capital for the crown. A few months and several assassination attempts later, the assassins nearly succeed and Gary is able to abscond secretly out of the city where he's then unsure just what to do next. Against all odds, his family's horse master has not only followed him to the capital and protected him in any way he could, but then finds him along the road leading out of town and the two are reunited and almost immediately begin a sexually-charged relationship. This is despite Gary being a very naive and childish virgin with previously no real interest in sex - but, of course, as soon as he gets his hands literally on the horse master, it's all go from there.
There's no grief for all his brothers though we're told they didn't have a horrible relationship. There's no real grief for his entire estate being taken by the "crown" and given to another family (though we're told Gary's family's entire staff ransacked the place and fled out of loyalty for Gary). We get a very sexually charged relationship that has no real basis or chemistry. Gary's childishness made me uncomfortable in contrast with the very experienced and older horse master (that I can't even remember the name of).
Overall, it was short enough to finish but even then I was very close to abandoning it. It needed a lot more work-shopping before publishing to flesh out just what the point of the story was. This is the second of Murray's books I've read and, while I enjoyed [b:Catch and Release|58804623|Catch and Release|Isabel Murray|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629335550l/58804623._SY75_.jpg|92603663] enough, this will probably be the last.
Gary is supposed to be a 20-something aristocrat that was placed on the throne after all his brothers and family before him had been assassinated one by one. For obvious reasons Gary is very reluctant to ascend but is forced from his home and taken to the capital for the crown. A few months and several assassination attempts later, the assassins nearly succeed and Gary is able to abscond secretly out of the city where he's then unsure just what to do next. Against all odds, his family's horse master has not only followed him to the capital and protected him in any way he could, but then finds him along the road leading out of town and the two are reunited and almost immediately begin a sexually-charged relationship. This is despite Gary being a very naive and childish virgin with previously no real interest in sex - but, of course, as soon as he gets his hands literally on the horse master, it's all go from there.
There's no grief for all his brothers though we're told they didn't have a horrible relationship. There's no real grief for his entire estate being taken by the "crown" and given to another family (though we're told Gary's family's entire staff ransacked the place and fled out of loyalty for Gary). We get a very sexually charged relationship that has no real basis or chemistry. Gary's childishness made me uncomfortable in contrast with the very experienced and older horse master (that I can't even remember the name of).
Overall, it was short enough to finish but even then I was very close to abandoning it. It needed a lot more work-shopping before publishing to flesh out just what the point of the story was. This is the second of Murray's books I've read and, while I enjoyed [b:Catch and Release|58804623|Catch and Release|Isabel Murray|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629335550l/58804623._SY75_.jpg|92603663] enough, this will probably be the last.
awolf's review
5.0
Adorable and hilarious. I wish the book was twice as long so I could have had more of the backstory and their adventures as they escaped, but it was really sweet and I loved the story.
bookjunkie1975's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5