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Post by alohaTHOR on May 27, 2015 1:12:43 GMT -5
Hmm... I have mixed feelings about episode 4... It's the last of this season, right?
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Post by alohaTHOR on May 14, 2015 4:12:13 GMT -5
So, I'm really liking Season 2 so far I think there is a lot more depth to the series this time around which I absolutely love. Looking forward to the last 2 (?) episodes.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 26, 2015 0:52:14 GMT -5
So, over the course of a couple weeks, I've read multiple books but I've been too lazy to do reviews on them. So I think from now on I will just review on the ones I like better. Spoilers
#1 - Try by Ella Frank
Try by Ella Frank is a sexy and raunchy erotic novel about two men who begin a relationship. There is Logan, a sex on legs lawyer, with a silver tongue and then there is Tate who is equally irresistible and a bit hard-headed. The thing is Logan doesn't do relationships and Tate has never been with a man before. They both navigate their fears as they come to terms that their relationship is turning into something more than just sex.
Rating - 4.5 / 5 Man, it took me awhile to get through this book. As compelling as it was, it was just too much for me at times (not in a bad way). There is undeniable chemistry between Tate and Logan. Every time they are together, they are unable to keep their hands and eyes off each other. The way they banter back and forth is extremely sexy, and man does Logan have a mouth. And as said before, their chemistry is so great that the sexual tension between them could be cut with a knife. I'm sure that 90% of the book is just sex yet the MCs are fleshed out well and I completely adore them. Not to mention it is pretty well written.
#2 - Fearless by Chris O' Guinn
Fearless by Chris O Guinn is a coming of age story about a cynical 15 year old boy named Justin. Justin is a social outcast by choice but finds himself striving for more in life when he reluctantly befriends the bad boy stoner, Liam. Justin is thrust into a world he's never known before, one where he has friends and is actually good at something, one where he can fall in love and that's exactly what he does. But when he comes to learn a shocking truth about Liam, his new world begins to dim.
Rating - 3. 75 / 5 The friendship between Liam and Justin is absolutely adorable. I loved just about everything about this book until... well the secret came out (I'd already had a hunch)... It wasn't so much that I disliked it but it became sort of predictable to me. That didn't stop me from tearing up but that's just because I cry at just about anything and everything. Anway, the whole thing with Justin and his IM buddy... just wasn't... my cup of tea (?) I just don't know...
#3 - The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd is a coming of age story about Dade Hamilton, whose life isn't necessarily easy. His mom is constantly popping pills as to chase away her problems and his father is almost always absent. His secret fling with star jock, Pablo Soto, just blew up in his face and Dade can easily say that he has no friends. Until he meets Alex, an older boy with a mysterious aura that immediately attracts him. Dade finds himself falling in love with Alex but as the summer's end draws near, neither boys are sure of their future. All Dade knows is that it's anywhere but Cedarville.
Rating - 3 / 5 I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. I guess that it had potential because it certainly did. It just fell a bit flat for me. Not that it was bad in any way in particular but I just found myself wanting more and I'm still a bit confused on parts of the book so that doesn't really help either. So... let's all get this out there... SPOILERS ARE ABOUT TO COME:
1 - Alex is a drug dealer 2 - Apparently doing drugs is okay 3 - What's up with the straight people in this book? They're all written as either obnoxious or completely dysfunctional 4 - There wasn't enough Alex / Dade time for me to actually ship them 5 - WTF was up with the Jenny Moore story line? 6 - Err... Pablo? 7 - What's this book about... like really... like... is it supposed to be some epiphanic telling that Dade needs to find happiness within himself rather than in someone else? Cuz I totally didn't get that even though that's what the book says (?)
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 10, 2015 21:00:20 GMT -5
I recently read just about every short story / book Eli Easton has written, they range from 50 pages to 200 pages, and although they are short they have really well developed characters and plot lines.I definitely recommend them! Here's a list of the ones I have read so far: Superhero Blame It on the Mistletoe Unwrapping Hank How To Howl At The Moon Before I Wake The Trouble with Tony (Sex in Seattle #1) The Enlightenment of Daniel (Sex in Seattle #2) The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle #3) Puzzle Me This The Lion and The Crow
The Lion and The Crow is probably my favorite of the bunch.
Still on the To-Read list: A Prairie Dog's Love Song
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 6, 2015 13:28:50 GMT -5
Please correct me if I'm wrong, this movie is about 2 brothers who go looking for their father after their mother dies? One is gay? Yes, you're right Ody is straight, Dany (the more flamboyant one) is gay. It's a nice feel-good movie, despite some dark moments. It's sooo good, trust me. I've seen it a dozen times already. I wish there was a sequel, but it reads very much as a stand-alone movie. I just want to see more of Dany. You can't help but to fall in love with him during the movie. He's stealing all the scenes he's in. Kostas Nikouli is a fantastic actor. Both the brothers are doing such a good job in the movie, but Kostas has the stand-out role. Here is the plot: After the death of his mother, sixteen-year-old Dany (Kostas Nikouli) leaves Crete to find his older brother Odysseas (Nikos Gelia), who now lives in Athens. With Dany's pet rabbit in tow, the brothers embark on an odyssey that will take them from Athens to Thessaloniki in search of their biological father, a Greek who never married their Albanian mother. They intend to persuade the old man, by pleading or blackmail, to grant them some sort of official recognition (and maybe some money while he's at it) and finally put an end to their stateless status. But the journey has some surprises in store, as they find themselves making arduous repairs to their broken brotherly relationship, and having some surprising encounters with people and ghosts from the past. www.tiff.net/festivals/thefestival/programmes/contemporary-world-cinema/xeniaKostas Nikouli is so cute and Nikos Gelia is so rugged <3
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 6, 2015 10:32:33 GMT -5
Please correct me if I'm wrong, this movie is about 2 brothers who go looking for their father after their mother dies? One is gay?
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 4, 2015 22:09:56 GMT -5
Peter by Kate Walker Synopsis: Peter is a pretty average teen boy, a bit rebellious and doesn't get along with his older brother Vince. When he meets David, a friend of Vince's, Peter begins to wonder why he feels so comfortable in David's embrace, leading him to explore his sexuality. Rating: 3.5 / 5I wanted to like this story because it held such potential. From the get go, I knew it was going to be a coming of age story but it fell flat for me. There is clear chemistry between Peter and David but it was brushed off by their 5 years age difference (David is 20 and Peter is 15) and Peter's confusion of if he is or isn't gay, although Peter admits he likes David. I mean, I understand that Peter might be too young for David but what is up with all winks and smiles and tender caresses only to lead to David basically saying "Sorry, can't be in a relationship with you but if you ever need anything, I'll be there for you." It just didn't mesh well with me. I've read some reviews that speculate that perhaps Peter isn't gay at all and simply likes David because David seems to be the only one who actually cares about him and is kind to him but I don't think that is the case. Peter, David, and Vince are the only characters in the book I cared for, Peter's mother I could tolerate. Everyone else came off so... unlikeable... whether it was Tony, Peter's best friend, who can only think of "getting off", Peter's image obsessed and homophobic father, or the all-too-quick-to-back-stab-Peter runt of the bikers, Eddy. One thing that was really great about this book was the dialogues. They felt natural and realistic, I can imagine actually having conversations like them. The book is told in a sensitive and delicate way and really explores Peter's mind as it grips the reality of what everyone expects him to be like and what he actually wants to be / who he is. I think the book was well-written, just the plot was unsatisfying.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 4, 2015 7:55:51 GMT -5
Pull Me Under by Zarah Detand
Synopsis: After snapshots of him are captured at a gay club, Benedict Jimmer, a star footballer (soccer), is thrust into the spotlight. To ease the process of coming out and fight tabloids of him being a promiscuous and sexual deviant, Ben's manager and friend, Aaron, suggests a fake relationship. With much reluctance, Ben agrees but as he slowly gets to know Henry,he finds that the line between his fake relationship and his true feelings is a very thin and blurred one.
Rating: 4 / 5
This book is ridiculously good. Okay, I might be over-exaggerating but nonetheless, it's wonderful. Both Ben and Henry are hilarious and sexy and cute and adorable and so much more. Every second Ben and Henry were together had me smiling.
Ben is amazing and he really grows throughout the book although he does retain some of his naivete til the end. It's clear from the near beginning that Ben feelings for Henry are more than just friendship and it's both great and torturous to see him come to terms with that.
I love Ben's interactions with Jake, his best friend and teammate. I wish that I could hear and see his "Irish charm" as he keeps mentioning.
Anyway, the reasons why this didn't get a higher rating is that it's slow-paced, much too slow for my taste but other's might like the slow-pace. I was anxious throughout the book because Detand really knows how to build tension and then not address it for like.. ever! There is a plus side to this though, we really get to know Ben and Henry and I mean REALLY REALLY get to know them. Their wit and banter and remarks and how well they know each other, it's all elaborately displayed.
Ending? Not bad but not great.
Would I re-read this? I'm not sure if I could get through the slow bits again but it is definitely worth reading at least once.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Apr 2, 2015 7:12:51 GMT -5
Rock by Anyta Sunday
Synopsis: Anger, confusion, sadness; these are just a few emotions Cooper feels when he learns his parents are divorcing and that his father has had another life for the past five years. Slowly but surely, Cooper becomes accustomed to his new family but things become strained when he begins to fall for Jace, his "step-brother".
Rating: 4.5 / 5
I don't think there was anything I disliked about this book. It had nice pacing, it was well-written, and the characters were amazing. I felt for Cooper and Jace, they were both strong characters and I loved their quirks. Cooper and his vast knowledge of geology was interesting to read about and how much it was interwoven in the story was an interesting idea that worked for me. His inner monologues were often insightful and you can clearly see how much he loved Jace. Jace, my heart bled for. It isn't hard to find yourself smiling at their intimate moments and there are quite a few funny scenes. It definitely makes my re-read list.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 29, 2015 9:09:00 GMT -5
Ethan, Who Loved Carter by Ryan Loveless
Synopsis: Hoping to settle into a quieter and more inconspicuous life style, Carter Stevenson moves from the busy city of Los Angeles to the quiet and peaceful town of Santa Josephina. Afraid of what people will think of him, Carter hides himself and his Tourette's away. However, Carter's life begins to change when he meets Ethan Hart, the man who lives next door, who is tall, handsome, kind, and sensitive. Although worried that Carter won't see past his damaged brain, Ethan makes his feelings known to Carter and hopes that with time, Carter can come to love him too.
Rating: 4 / 5
I loved it! It was sweet and sappy all the way through and I just had to read it in one sitting. But I guess I should warn you now, some of you might be uncomfortable reading this. Ethan has suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). So, although he has the body and libido of a 27 year old man, his mental state is that more of a child and teenager. He can't control his feelings and is forgetful, sometimes requiring lists of steps to remind him how to do certain things. His mannerisms and speech are also child-like in some aspects. Even so, I loved him and Carter together. At first I was worried that maybe I could only see that Ethan was a child while Carter was a man but as I kept reading, all I could see was love, their ever present and never ending love for one another. Their connection through music was beautiful and how they changed and bettered one another was well-written and developed. There's no love triangle, so that's a plus. The story focused on Ethan and Carter and their "conditions" which was nice and refreshing.
I don't know why, but the little brothers of the main characters' are always my favorite or near favorite, so I have to mention Elliot (Ethan's 15 year old brother). He was totally adorable in that overprotective but annoying punk of a brother way.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 28, 2015 22:07:04 GMT -5
Life After Joe by Harper Fox
Synopsis: After an out-of-the-blue breakup with his longtime boyfriend, Matt tailspins into a life of sex, drugs, and alcohol. But then he meets Aaron, who isn't just looking for a hookup and he begins to wonder when and how his life had become so messed up. But as he falls in love with Aaron, the insecurities that arose from his breakup with Joe pushes Matt to question the solidarity of their relationship, especially when it seems Aaron is hiding something from him.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
Another short story I worked in. I had hopes for this story, it got some good ratings on GoodReads but I was utterly disappointed. MELODRAMATIC to say the least. Matt is engulfed in self pity after his boyfriend of like.. 15 years breaks up with him for a woman... His alcoholic tendencies are touched upon and bam... almost instantaneously disappears. He can't bring himself to trust anyone after Joe. Basically, Matt is annoying and paranoid like... all the time. I still felt like this story could have gone through another look at editing. The whole issue with Aaron was ... I just didn't like how it was dealt with. Matt's friend = horrible. Joe = horrible. Matt = horrible. Aaron = semi-tolerable.
There was a lot not expanded on that could have made the story better.
Not even the sex scenes could get me to re-read this and if I'm perfectly honest, they weren't even that great.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 28, 2015 7:23:00 GMT -5
Love Is In The Title by RJ Scott
Synopsis: A short story about a boy who requests songs on the radio to be played for his crush.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
A very short and cute story about Luke, a tall and lanky math nerd, who is openly gay (or at least everyone knows/thinks he's gay) who constantly requests songs to be played on the radio in hopes that his crush, Cameron, the captain of the football team, will turn his way.
Coming Home by M.J. O'Shea
Synopsis: After 14 years, Tallis "Tally" Carrington returns to his hometown Rock Bay, Washington after losing his job and being evicted. Starting again in the town that hates his family, Tally lands a job in a coffee shop owned by Lex, a man he used to bully in high school, although unbeknownst to him. As they continue to run the shop together, Tally and Lex find it harder and harder to keep their hands off one another and that their feelings might be more than just lust.
Rating: 3.75 / 5
I liked it. Nothing groundbreaking or heart wrenching, just a cute story about two guys who fall in love. There are cliches of course but there are always cliches. Both characters were well-developed and the minor characters just as wonderful. The playful banter between best friends, in this case - Lex and Amy, is always welcomed and the overprotective-ness from the best friend is always great too - at one point Tally tells Lex that Amy was going to rip off his balls if he hurt Lex and Lex responds by saying she doesn't even know what balls are.
Not sure if I will pick up the 2nd and 3rd though, I've heard they are not nearly as good as this one. Hm...
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 28, 2015 6:41:25 GMT -5
Latakia by JF Peterson
I read this a couple of weeks ago but I forgot to write a review for some reason.
Synopsis: Matt is a good guy, sometimes too much so for his own good. He wants to be a better boyfriend and love so much more, even when his boyfriend is the least deserving of it. When a trip out of the country puts Matt's life in danger, this resolve solidifies. But then he meets the handsome and sometimes aloof Travis, a navy seal, who saves his life multiple times and finds it all that much harder to keep his promise.
Rating: 4 / 5
I loved reading this. The story is nicely paced and has really strong characters that are extremely memorable. You just can't hep but smile when they are all together. The only things I dislike is that Matt is too naive at times(I nicknamed him DoorMatt) and that Matt's friends are a bit stereotypical portrayals of gay men - sex crazed and effeminate. Otherwise, it was pretty great all around.
The Last Days of Summer by JF Peterson
Synopsis: Rett is used to running away and when his boyfriend asks him to move in, that's exactly what he does. He takes the first job offered to him in another city and breaks it off. Now single and alone, Matt begins his new job as a physical therapist for the MLB team the Mobile Joes. There he meets sexy, funny, and optimistic Cory, the new recruit and finds himself falling in love with not only the talented baseball player, but the game itself, something he never thought possible.
Rating: 4 / 5
JF Peterson must like baseball, I say this because this novel is heavily influenced by baseball and Latakia also had a bit of it thrown in there. Anyway, the beginning and the middle were great but I felt it getting severely repetitive when it neared the ending. It rehashed a lot about Rett's insecurity, to the point I was bored with it. Maybe it was just me... idk... other than that I loved the characters, where do I sign up for a guy like Cory? I loved how they acted around each other you could definitely see that Cory really loved Rett. But I think my favorite character has to be Jerry, Cory's father. He was really funny. Two thumbs up.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 28, 2015 6:04:35 GMT -5
Doug Locke - This Could Be Us Wow... This music video... had me at tears D: The song is catchy too!
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 24, 2015 10:29:49 GMT -5
Remember My Name by Chase Potter
Synopsis: Estranged twin brothers, Jackson and Ben are reunited when Ben is forced to stay the summer with Jackson and their father. Neither quite knowing how to act around one another, Jackson and Ben are confronted by how 8 years has affected their relationship. But as the months go on, they find that there may still be sparkles of hope at regaining their once close and inseparable kinship.
Rating: 4 / 5
First and foremost, this is not a romance novel. Sure, it has romance in it but it is not the focus of the book. The book is centered around Jackson and Ben, twin brothers who have not seen one another in 8 years and their struggle to find common ground. The novel is told in alternating perspectives and Potter has a much better grasp on plot progression compared to his first novel, it moves at a much better pace. So, you're probably wondering why this book made it onto this page now. Jackson is gay and Ben isn't, which adds another element to their relationship. We do get to explore Jackson's sexuality through his relationship with Matt, an older boy.
Although I wasn't rushing to finish the book, I did like it. I liked that Jackson and Ben both had their own voice, that they were different but very similar. I liked how they were there for each other and how much they love each other. I was smiling at their texts near the end. They do share some intimate moments bordering homoerotic, which made me often question how the book would end but ultimately I am glad it didn't go that way. A pleasurable read!
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 23, 2015 22:22:21 GMT -5
Oh no! I can't wait til Summer to find out what happens! Jake (Jesus) is taking his leave from The Fosters, right? But I want to know what happened to Marianna, from the looks of it she wasn't wearing her seat belt...
And yay, Jonnor is official! Yay, Callie Quinn Jacob Adams Foster! (Gosh, I feel sorry every time she will have to write her full name!)
And how Brandon stopped playing... D:
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 22, 2015 12:09:02 GMT -5
Hushed by Kelley York
Synopsis: Archer is willing to do anything for his best friend Vivian, even if it is murder. Crossing name after name off his hit list, Archer believes that this will finally get Vivian to see him as the only man who's ever loved her. But then he meets Evan and begins to strive for his touch, his comfort and warmth, his love, causing Archer to question if he is too much of a monster to be saved.
Rating: (not completely sure) / 5
I thought I was frustrated reading Collide by JR Lenk... I hated Archer... but found myself loving him too, he was adorable in his own way and his interactions with Evan made him all that more likable... I hated Vivian, felt sorry for her but hated her guts nonetheless. She was bat-shit crazy. I hated how the story progressed, things just... didn't feel right in almost any aspect. Things were too over the top, too melodramatic. Sure the book has a dark tone and all, but too much happened in so little time. I didn't feel like I had enough time to digest one event before being thrust into the next. The saving grace for me in this book was Evan,even though he was a little too perfect but that might have been just because every other character was so damn dysfunctional. Where can I find me my own 'Evan'? The ending wasn't so bad either. Don't quite know if I hated the book or not... Maybe I'll come back later once it's all settled.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 21, 2015 22:31:26 GMT -5
Superhero by Eli Easton
Synopsis: Owen and Jordan are best friends, have been since they were kids. But their relationship slowly starts to change when Jordan becomes aware of his 'more than a friend' feelings for Owen and comes out to him. Set on a path for a wrestling scholarship and career, Owen doesn't know how to take this news even when it and Jordan is all he can think about. With college looming closer, Owen and Jordan must face the reality that their dreams might not include one another.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
A really cute short story, equipped with likable characters, nice pacing, and a warm feel.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 21, 2015 11:40:50 GMT -5
Inseparable and When Adam Kissed Me by Chris Scully
Okay, so these are two short stories (I think about 150 pages or so together) that are companion stories (?).
Synopsis: Inseparable - Waking up in a hospital with no memories, Adam's fear quickly rises. But when a man named Joe, who claims to be his roommate and best friend, is around, that fear is driven away and he is left with a warm and giddy feeling. As he tries to regain his memories and recover from his accident, Adam can't help but feel there is something more to his relationship with Joe. When Adam kissed Me is the detailed account of the aftermath of Inseparable, written in Joe's perspective.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I wish it were longer. That's my problem with short stories I guess. They give me a taste of something good but it's never enough, even when it is expanded into another short story. These short stories are a cute, emotional, sexy telling of a relationship of two men in their late 20s. I loved all the minor characters, definitely loved Adam and Joe. I just wish it were longer... Simple as that.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 21, 2015 11:30:26 GMT -5
Plan B by SJD Peterson Synopsis: Out and proud, Danny isn't afraid to be who he is. If that happens to be a slightly androgynous man who wears makeup, tight fitting clothes and knee high boots, then so be it. He loves that he turns heads when he walks into a room, whether it be for good or bad reasons. But when he catches the eye of Lance Lenard, a handsome straight football player, and begins to fall for him, Danny can't help but second guess if Lance is attracted to him or his feminine demeanor. When neither party has a 'plan b' and their 'plan a' doesn't include the other, can their relationship survive? Review: 3.5 / 5You know, at first I wasn't sure I was going to like this. I hope no one takes any offense to this but I'm just not into guys who wear make-up or are overly feminine, which Danny happens to be. But that didn't stop me from liking the novel. First off, I like when characters fight. For some strange reason, I feel like if a couple doesn't then it is too perfect... too crafted... I'm not sure if I make any sense... Anyway, there are things I love about this book simply because things happened the way I wanted them to, not necessarily to the 't' but in the general vicinity. The ending was a bit... sudden? If it were eased into more slowly I would have given a higher rating but nonetheless it concluded the story well. The characters were great, I mean.. they are who make the story right? You could give me a book with horrible plot but great characters and I'd probably fall in love with it. The relationship Danny has with his best friend Bo is truly cute, I wish there was more interaction with him. I'd also have love to see more of Lance's relationship with his sister Katie. Danny has some hilarious quips and quirks. Overall a nice book to read, the steamy sexy scenes certainly helped
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 20, 2015 5:08:47 GMT -5
Then The Stars Fell by Brandon Witt
This is actually book # 2 in the El Dorado Springs Chronicles... So once again I've read a series out of order... seems to have become a habit of mine...
Synopsis: Trying to recollect himself and get a hold of his life, Wesley Ryan moves to the small town of El Dorado Springs, a place full of happy childhood memories. Taking over the local veterinary clinic, Wesley tries his best to adjust into his new life but when he meets handsome, gruff, and masculine widower Travis Bennett, his heart begins to beat to a different rhythm.
Review: 4 / 5
While reading this book, all I could think of was that this was a m/m version of a Nicholas Sparks novel. I don't know why, I've never even read one of Sparks' novels (except for half of Dear John). It was well written, the perspective changing each chapter, mainly between Travis and Wesley (told in 3rd person), and sometimes giving us insight to the other characters around them: Travis' family (his sister and three children). It was an interesting way to learn more about the main characters and how they affected everyone else, we don't get to see that often in books. But at the same time, we don't get to see as much progression between the relationship of Travis and Wesley, which is a bummer. There are no explicit scenes, which isn't necessarily bad because that left the intimate moments of their relationship to be about anything but sex. The book focused a lot on the relationships Travis has with his family and his deceased wife and Wesley's relationship to Travis' family. Speaking of Travis' family, I instantly fell in love with his youngest son, Mason, probably the cutest little boy ever written into existence. Overall, it was nice change of pace from the Y/A books I usually read, definitely worth reading.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 17, 2015 1:07:26 GMT -5
Aristotle and Dante Learn the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Synopsis: Aristotle (Ari) is a loner by choice. He doesn't quite understand the world around him: boys, girls, his parents, his siblings and because of that he keeps to himself. Although everyone around him thinks of him as lonely and sad but he is content all by his lonesome. And then he meets Dante who loves to draw, and paint, and read literature and poems, someone who feels with all of himself, someone unlike any other Ari has ever met. Their lives have changed forever.
Review: 4.5 / 5 First and foremost, forgive me for this poorly written review that is about to come. I am not sure I could ever come up with the words that describe how I feel about this book.
Ari & Dante is eloquently written yet simple, that much is true. I was in love with the writing style from the first two lines of the book.
"One summer night I fell asleep, hoping the world would be different when I woke. In the morning, when I opened my eyes, the world was the same."
A huge majority of this book is about friendship, family, trust, loyalty, and Ari and Dante's journey to finding themselves. For Ari, he feels as if the life he lives is not the one he has chosen for himself. He is lost in a world of not feeling anything but rage, rage that his parent's don't speak about his brother, that he doesn't understand his father, that his mother hovers over him. For Dante, he deals with the acknowledgement of being different and how this difference affects his personal life. Both characters were written well and have such a deep bond, the conversations they have are as if they had been best friends for decades rather than just weeks/months. It's easily seen how they fall into rhythm with one another, almost understanding each other more than they do themselves.
"He'd captured the afternoon light streaming into the room, the way the shadows fell on the chair and gave it depth and made it appear as if it was something more than an inanimate object. There was something sad and solitary about the sketch and I wondered if that's the way he saw the world or if that's the way he saw my world. I stared at the sketch for a long time. It scared me. Because there was something true about it."
Dante makes everything better. I truly believe he is the star of the novel. He has such a unique and special way of seeing the world and everything about him is just wonderful. I don't think there is a single thing I didn't like about Dante.
Overall, this book is actually quite deep. It's philosophical in a way. There was a lot to think about, the "secrets of the universe" to be learned. A great coming of age novel, a great story of love and friendship and of familial bonds. I will definitely be picking up more books by Saenz if all his writing is like this.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 11, 2015 10:21:39 GMT -5
I found some descriptions of the next two episodes: Thank you for that information! I just got done watching tonight's episode and I was shocked at what the promo was hinting at. And I am so sure Monte likes Lena now, I mean, come on... that hug? I've been getting the same vibe from Monte, but I don't feel it being reciprocated. However, I do think the communication issues between Stef and Lena could make it easy for someone to get between them. That was clear in the last episode when Stef found out the Lena was having personal conversations with Monte. What's happening in the next episode will be a continuation of that. On the spring Finale, my guess is that Jude stands up to Connors father. The question is who will Callie be living with at the end of the episode? I hope that Callie will be staying with the Fosters. Although they had that fight in the promo, Jude seems like he needs Callie more so now than ever. Strangely enough, he never talks to her at all about his feelings.
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 9, 2015 23:26:08 GMT -5
Just quoting this because the preview for next week. Jonnor is going to important next year because Connor will be around, not because Jude is dealing with the aftermath of this episode. I can't even... nope nope nope. I'm not going to let misleading promos get to me. Whatever happened, Connor is going to be fine. That is all. I'm editing this post to not double post. I rewatched the promo, and it definitely appears to be a deceiving promo, at least to me. If Connor were dead Callie's interaction with Jude at the end would just be way out of line. So I'm good now. Thank you for that information! I just got done watching tonight's episode and I was shocked at what the promo was hinting at. And I am so sure Monte likes Lena now, I mean, come on... that hug?
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Post by alohaTHOR on Mar 6, 2015 23:18:51 GMT -5
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