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A review by pam_h
Earthly Pleasures by Sera Trevor
4.0
3.5 stars (maybe even 3.75 stars, for the low-key examination of organized religion :)
This was a nice palate-cleanser after a frustrating reading experience. A very easy-breezy, undemanding read. The first half is mostly just the steam and the buildup to the steam, but then it takes a pretty interesting turn in the second half.
We jump right into the plot that brings the two MCs together, and after getting off to a horrible start, Paurick is determined to make things right. His sincere attempts to make the most out of a bad situation make it easy to see why Laurel would be charmed so quickly. And it is pretty quick -- like, two days. And then we get the next three days of them together before jumping to the point where Paurick decides he needs to figure out a way to convince Laurel to stay with him after their required time together is over. And then another jump -- and they're declaring their love. So that's why I can't quite commit to four stars, BUT...
I loved them together. Their honesty with each other was refreshing and key to forming their deep connection, and it was very easy to see what they each brought to the relationship and why they would want to stay together. But I would have liked to actually witness those moments where their lust and affection/humor/friendliness became something deeper. That's always my favorite part, and we jumped right over it.
I still completely bought in to the sincerity of their emotions, and I think my favorite part was the point where I would usually get annoyed -- the dreaded Big Conflict
This was where things got interesting, and that's something rare for me. But here, it was necessary in order for each of them to grow into the people they were supposed to become. And not overly angsty. It was a very low-grade sadness. Because Laurel 100% made the right decision!!! This WAS a whirlwind relationship, and he would have been crazy to jump from a deep, sincere commitment to a goddess he was truly connected to and risk everything in order to be completely dependent on Paurick. They ended up in a much better place as equals, and it was lovely to see.
The whole conversation around Laurel's piousness and organized religion was also very interesting while still maintaining a light touch. Subjects I have spent countless hours contemplating, and as low-key as this whole story was, it still gave me a new perspective. Impressive. Definitely checking out more from this author.
This was a nice palate-cleanser after a frustrating reading experience. A very easy-breezy, undemanding read. The first half is mostly just the steam and the buildup to the steam, but then it takes a pretty interesting turn in the second half.
We jump right into the plot that brings the two MCs together, and after getting off to a horrible start, Paurick is determined to make things right. His sincere attempts to make the most out of a bad situation make it easy to see why Laurel would be charmed so quickly. And it is pretty quick -- like, two days. And then we get the next three days of them together before jumping to the point where Paurick decides he needs to figure out a way to convince Laurel to stay with him after their required time together is over. And then another jump -- and they're declaring their love. So that's why I can't quite commit to four stars, BUT...
I loved them together. Their honesty with each other was refreshing and key to forming their deep connection, and it was very easy to see what they each brought to the relationship and why they would want to stay together. But I would have liked to actually witness those moments where their lust and affection/humor/friendliness became something deeper. That's always my favorite part, and we jumped right over it.
I still completely bought in to the sincerity of their emotions, and I think my favorite part was the point where I would usually get annoyed -- the dreaded Big Conflict
Spoiler
, which led to them being separated for a full quarter of the book.This was where things got interesting, and that's something rare for me.
Spoiler
The characters' separation is a very important part of their story and did not feel forced or false in any way. And I actually enjoyed reading about it, when oftentimes this is where I will skim ahead to find out how quickly they're back together before deciding if I'm gonna slog back through it. I have no tolerance for the forced separation trope if it doesn't ring 100% true.The whole conversation around Laurel's piousness and organized religion was also very interesting while still maintaining a light touch. Subjects I have spent countless hours contemplating, and as low-key as this whole story was, it still gave me a new perspective. Impressive. Definitely checking out more from this author.