Exina's Readings

  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Reviews by Author

January 4, 2016 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: Unwrapping Hank by Eli Easton

Title: Unwrapping Hank
Series: Unwrapping Hank #1
Author: Eli Easton
Genre: New Adult / MM Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

_______________________________________________________________
Blurb

Sloane loves a good mystery. He grew up as the son of two psychiatrists, so he finds most people tediously easy to figure out. He finds his way to Pennsylvania State University, longing for a rural experience, and ends up being lured into joining a frat by Micah Springfield, the hippest guy on campus.

Nothing in Sloane’s classes is as intriguing as Hank Springfield, Micah’s brother and fellow frat house member. Hank looks like a tough guy—big muscles, tatts, and a beard—but his eyes are soft and sweet. He acts dumb, but he’s a philosophy major. He’s presumably straight, but then why does Sloane feel such crazy chemistry whenever Hank is around? And why does Hank hate Sloane so much?

When Sloane ends up stuck on campus over Christmas, Micah invites him to spend the holidays at their family farm in Amish country. It’s a chance to experience a true Americana Christmas–and further investigate the mystery that is Hank Springfield. Can Sloane unlock the secrets of this family and unwrap the heart hidden inside the beefcake?
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

The Story

Sloane and Hank are quite opposites – not only in appearance, but in personality too. Sloane is interested in Hank, seeing him as a puzzle to solve, and also attracted to him. Hank is totally unaware of his sexuality, he is so deep in denial that he doesn’t even admit it to himself. The openly gay Sloane irritates him, makes him uncomfortable, his mere existence provokes animosity from him toward Sloane.

So Hank’s brother, Micah, determined to smooth this situation over, makes them to organize the Christmas party together, hoping if they get to know each other, maybe they will get along better.

It’s partly a hate-to-love, and also an opposites-attract story.

Sloane and me, we were like oil and water, or maybe a bottled home-made brew and some prissy champagne.

Characters

Sloane is extroverted, very social and everyone likes him. He is intelligent, sharp-tongued and perceptive; trendy, cute, and delicate.

Hank is introverted, more silent, deep thinking, a huge guy with big muscles, tatts and a beard. He is also very smart, majors in philosophy, and according to Sloane, he is full of contradictions. But I didn’t find Hank as intriguing as Sloane did.

I liked Micah though, and his little intrigue. I always like situations where characters are forced to be together, to interact and to get to know each other.

Writing Style

The writing is great and engaging, filled with humor, witty and smooth dialogues, and fun banters. The dual point of view in first person is nicely done too.

Romance and Erotica

I have a problem with the structure of the plot.

The main part of the story is the build-up, the anticipation. Actually we are just waiting for Hank to pull his head out of his ass. It is very elongated and I don’t like to wait.

In order to set the wheels in motion, the jealousy card is played – I don’t like that either.

The first kiss is at 82%!! It is amazingly written, yes, but… at 82%??!!

The first (and only) sex scene is at the end. Actually, it is the last scene. It is not credible. After years of denial, ignoring and oppressing his feelings and desires, Hank wants it all – for the first time. Not really believable, but hey, maybe he wanted to make up for the long wait.

Hank admitting himself he might be gay, admitting his attraction to Sloane, acting on this revelation and attraction (first kiss and first sex), becoming emotionally committed, and being out and proud all happened pretty much in a couple of days. After that much build-up and denial it is just too fast.

All in all, 2.5 stars for the enjoyable moments and for the great writing. 

See my favorite quotes on my Tumblr page,
Daily Quotes by Exina.

Exina signature

Filed Under: MM Romance

December 31, 2015 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: Blame It on the Mistletoe by Eli Easton

Title: Blame It on the Mistletoe
Series: Blame It on the Mistletoe #1
Author: Eli Easton
Genre: New Adult / MM Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

_______________________________________________________________
Blurb

When physics grad student Fielding Monroe and skirt-chaser and football player Mick Colman become college housemates, they’re both in for a whole new education. Mick looks out for the absent-minded genius, and he helps Fielding clean up his appearance and discover all the silly pleasures his strict upbringing as a child prodigy denied him. They become best friends.

It’s all well and good until they run into a cheerleader who calls Mick the ‘best kisser on campus.’ Fielding has never been kissed, and he decides Mick and only Mick can teach him how it’s done. After all, the physics department’s Christmas party is coming up with its dreaded mistletoe. Fielding wants to impress his peers and look cool for once in his life. The thing about Fielding is, once he locks onto an idea, it’s almost impossible to get him to change his mind. And he just doesn’t understand why his straight best friend would have a problem providing a little demonstration.

Mick knows kissing is a dangerous game. If he gives in, it would take a miracle for the thing not to turn into a disaster. Then again, if the kissing lessons get out of hand they can always blame it on the mistletoe.
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

Blame It on the Mistletoe is one of the cutest, sweetest, HOTTEST gay-for-you stories I’ve ever read.

It is my last book in 2015 and I’m delighted it proved to be a 5-star read.

As for the story, the blurb says it all.

The characters are unique and adorable, the romance and the plot are brilliantly structured, the erotic scenes are heavily charged with emotions and seriously makes you hot – considering it is actually a gay-for-each-other story, it is very surprising – and they have the best first kiss ever. No, I’m not going to quote it. You have to read it yourself. But maybe I’m just reading it again now. For about the tenth time.

See my cast and favorite quotes on my Tumblr page,
Daily Quotes by Exina.

Exina signature

Filed Under: MM Romance

December 30, 2015 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: Three to Tango by L.C. Chase & Chloe Cole

Title: Three to Tango
Author: L.C. Chase & Chloe Cole
Genre: Contemporary / Erotic Romance / Polyamory
Goodreads

My Rating:

_______________________________________________________________
Blurb

Best friends and roommates, Jace and Melody have been inseparable since middle school. Although Mel knows Jace is gay, she has yet to find a man who can compare. When they decide to add a third roommate to their nest, things heat up as they both find themselves falling for him. Agreeing Alec should be the one to choose, they begin a heated competition for a place in Alec’s bed and his heart. Winner take all, no hard feelings…

Alec has lived with his two gorgeous roomies for six months. So far, he’s managed to relegate his desire for each of them to his daydreams. When he discovers that they both want him and have decided to compete for his attention, he sets out to prove that it can be win-win situation for all of them, and he shouldn’t have to choose.
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

Three friends, all of them are attracted to and/or in love with each other, but neither of them dares to act on it in fear they’d ruin the great friendship they have.

The story was light and hot! The ending rushed a little bit, everything wrapped up too easily. I wish it was longer.

Three to Tango gif

(This gif has not much to do with the characters or the story, other than it is also a threesome; it’s just way too sweet not to put it here. 🙂 )

See my cast and favorite quotes on my Tumblr page,
Daily Quotes by Exina.

Exina signature

Filed Under: Polyamory, Polyromance

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 60
  • Next Page »

Exina's Readings