Exina's Readings

  • Home
  • About
  • Reviews
    • Reviews by Author
    • Reviews by Title
    • Reviews by Rating
      • 5-star Reviews
      • 4-star Reviews
      • 3-star Reviews
      • 2-star Reviews
      • 1-star Reviews
  • Series
    • All Series
    • Favorite Series
      • Brooklyn Sinners by Avril Ashton
      • Out of Uniform by Elle Kennedy
      • Dark-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon
      • Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter
      • Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole
      • Cassandra Palmer by Karen Chance
      • Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost
      • Undead by MaryJanice Davidson
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Andie
    • Lex
  • Cover Love
  • Daily Quotes

Archives for January 2017

January 20, 2017 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: Cut & Run by Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban

Title: Cut & Run
Series: Cut & Run #1
Author: Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban
Genre: Contemporary / MM Romantic Suspense
Goodreads

My Rating:

_______________________________________________________________
Blurb

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it’s hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliche: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

I hate adding books to my everyone-liked-but-me shelf, believe me. It was my second try to read it actually: it couldn’t engage me for the first time, and I thought I just was not in the mood, so I put it aside. For the second time, it was still boring. But I didn’t give up and tried to find those amazing qualities the positive reviews mention. Sadly, with no avail.

gun divider

Both Ty and Zane irritated me, and the jumping viewpoint made them indistinguishable.

The continuous banter tired me, the suspense bored me to death, I felt the chemistry forced.

Romance – what romance?

Poor writing, full of repetitions: heads were cocked 31 times, eyebrows were raised 40 times, eyebrows climbed in surprise twice!, heads were tilted 25 times, and eyes were narrowed 47 times. And there was a glorious moment when two of these were in the same sentence:

“Wait wait, let me guess,” Ty said as he held out his hand toward Zane. “Psychology major with a…,” he narrowed his eyes and cocked his head, “political science minor,” he guessed.

Yes, I love statistics.

Anyway, it was a disappointment. I have no interest in the following books.

Exina signature

Filed Under: MM Romance

January 9, 2017 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: Please Don’t Go by Felice Stevens

Title: Please Don’t Go
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: MM Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

______________________________________________________________

Blurb

Danny Friedman knows all about loss. His father left to start a new family and now that his mother passed away, he’s even more certain love is only temporary. People always disappoint him in the end, a lesson he learned years ago when his summer camp best friend and secret crush disappeared without a trace, never to be heard from again. Until now. 

Fifteen years ago, Paul Merola left everything behind when he ran away with his mother to escape his abusive father. He lived life on the run for years, but never forgot his best friend, Danny. When his job transfers him to the New York City office, the past collides with the present, as Paul finds himself face to face with Danny, who works there as well. To Paul’s dismay, a reluctant Danny makes it clear he has little desire to rekindle their friendship. 

Despite Danny’s desire to learn what happened all those years ago, he refuses to fall victim to Paul’s charm, fearing he’s being used to get ahead. Paul, finally secure enough to stay and put down roots, must convince Danny that there is more to them than a broken promise. Not only does he want to be friends again, he wants love. He wants forever. And he wants it all with Danny. 
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

This story somehow doesn’t fit the line of friends-to-lovers stories in the It Was Always You anthology. Danny and Paul met in a summer camp when they were kids.

We don’t how many summer camps they spent together, but one summer Paul didn’t come back. He disappeared without trace, and Danny – though never stopped hoping he’d see Paul again – never forgave him either.

Then fifteen years later, Paul shows up at Danny’s workplace, as a new employee and immediately wants to reconnect.

I didn’t like either of the main characters. Paul was pushy and stalker-ish, Danny behaved like a petulant child, refused to talk and made only (wrong) assumptions.

I liked the summer camp theme – some flashbacks would have been great – but not the execution. Trashy dirty talk, too fast development of the relationship, everything was wrapped up too easily.

Exina signature

Filed Under: MM Romance

January 3, 2017 by Exina Leave a Comment

REVIEW: The Sweetest Goodbye by Christina Lee

Title: The Sweetest Goodbye
Author: Christina Lee
Genre: MM Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

______________________________________________________________

Blurb

Billie Montgomery was always known as the sick kid with the therapy dog. Dylan Bowden never had two nickels to rub together, let alone a true home to call his own. The two have been best friends since high school. They’re always there for each other, so when Billie opens his own bakery called Montgomery’s Sweets no one supports him better than Dylan.

The business is a success, and Billie figures he’s got everything he needs. Everything except the guy he’s been saving himself for, no matter how often Dylan tells him it’s time to move on. After a night out turns into a sexy exchange between the best friends, they pretend like nothing happened. Besides, Billie’s still holding a torch for somebody else, and Dylan has always been a considerable flirt.

When Billie’s first love unexpectedly breezes through town and life throws him a pretty rough curve ball, will Billie seek solace in the one man he’s pining for, or the only guy who’s ever protected his heart?
______________________________________________________________________

My Review

It was such a beautiful story! Dylan and Billie are best friends, they work together at Billie’s little bakery, and Dylan has a serious crush on Billie. But Billie is totally obsessed with his first lover, Leo, even after the four years they separated. I wasn’t surprised when Leo appeared, but his character was not what I expected.

The Sweetest Goodbye is a wonderful, hot, and surprising read, with great characters and enjoyable writing. Recommended!

Exina signature

Filed Under: MM Romance

Follow Exina on

Daily quotes logo

2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge
Exina has
read 15 books toward
her goal of
99 books.
hide

15 of 99 (15%)
view books

Recent Posts

  • Sterek fanfics by Fr333bird
  • REVIEW: Double Up by Vanessa North
  • REVIEW: Pillow Talk by J.H. Knight
  • REVIEW: Cold Feet by Jay Northcote
  • REVIEW: Cut & Run by Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban

Categories

  • Chick Lit
  • Classics
  • Contemporary Romance
  • Daily Quotes
  • Erotica
  • Fairy Tale Retelling
  • Fantasy
  • Guest Review
  • Historical Romance
  • Humor
  • Miscellaneous
  • MM Romance
  • New Adult
  • Non-Fiction
  • Paranormal Romance
  • Polyamory
  • Polyromance
  • Relationships
  • Science Fiction
  • Series
  • Sexuality
  • Urban Fantasy
  • Young Adult

Archives

  • May 2018 (1)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (2)
  • January 2017 (3)
  • December 2016 (2)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (5)
  • August 2016 (3)
  • July 2016 (2)
  • June 2016 (1)
  • May 2016 (6)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • March 2016 (2)
  • February 2016 (9)
  • January 2016 (4)
  • December 2015 (5)
  • November 2015 (5)
  • October 2015 (7)
  • September 2015 (13)
  • August 2015 (6)
  • July 2015 (4)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (3)
  • February 2015 (3)
  • January 2015 (14)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (5)
  • September 2014 (5)
  • August 2014 (6)
  • July 2014 (6)
  • June 2014 (12)
  • May 2014 (13)
  • April 2014 (5)
  • March 2014 (8)
  • February 2014 (10)
  • January 2014 (17)
  • December 2013 (4)
  • November 2013 (15)
  • October 2013 (11)
  • September 2013 (10)
  • August 2013 (7)
  • July 2013 (14)
  • June 2013 (1)
  • May 2013 (8)
  • April 2013 (9)
  • March 2013 (10)
  • February 2013 (19)
  • January 2013 (9)
  • December 2012 (8)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • September 2012 (9)
  • August 2012 (11)
  • July 2012 (7)
  • June 2012 (11)
  • May 2012 (6)

Grab My Button

Exina's Readings