Tag Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Shades Of Gray – Brooke McKinley

via goodreads

via goodreads

 I actually half-expected this to be as good as its review rating so I was sorely disappointed that it didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Miller Sutton, a by-the-book FBI agent, is starting to see some troubling shades of gray in his black-and-white world. He comes face-to-face with his doubts in the person of Danny Butler, a mid-level drug runner Miller hopes to use to catch a much larger fish: Roberto Hinestroza, a drug lord Miller has pursued for years. Danny has no interest in being a witness against his boss, both out of a sense of twisted loyalty and because he knows double-crossing Hinestroza is a sure death sentence. But he reluctantly agrees to cooperate, and as he suspects, it doesn’t take long for Hinestroza to figure out the betrayal. Miller is surprised to discover Danny’s not the career-criminal lowlife he expected; at the same time, Danny finds himself helplessly attracted to Miller’s innate goodness. They barely begin to explore the sparking attraction between them when Hinestroza’s hitman tracks them down, and then they’re on the run, both for their lives and for any kind of love. Via Goodreads

I guess my main concern about the book is how the author dragged the latter part of the story that ultimately resulted to a weak ending rendering its conflict forced and almost unnecessary. I wished I could’ve given this a higher rating but it just didn’t work for me. Danny Butler would’ve been an amazing character if not for the story’s weak storyline.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Obsidian (Lux #1) – Jennifer L. Armentrout

via goodreads

via goodreads

Bunch of beautiful aliens and Bella Swan-like female mc and you’ll get Obsidian. I think by now I’m over female mc’s who are almost always ogling their male counterpart who all seemed to look like male supermodels from Brazil. Like seriously?

This is my very first book by Jennifer L. Armentrout and I really am disappointed with it having all the cliché of a young adult pseudo-non human romantic story (perhaps in honor of Twilight, Hush Hush and the likes?)

I didn’t exactly hate it since I find the whole X Files / Roswell vibe in it interesting but for the love of E.T., I feel like taking a stroll in clicheville trying my darnest to make it through the far end of it.

To keep this short, if you’re some spare time during commercial breaks of your favorite TV series, perhaps you can try scanning this one. So there, consider yourself warned!

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Into Deep Waters – Kaje Harper

via goodreads

via goodreads

Into Deep Waters is a story between two men whose love has endured the test of time. They were young, gay, in love and in the midst of war. This Kaje Harper penned novel is sweet, beautiful and almost melancholic as its relives a part of that ugly World War Two era while narrating the love that ensues between the gorgeous California babe Daniel Acardi and the sweet, scrawny and sensitive Jersey boy Jacob Segal.

What readers like myself would enjoy about this book is the great pacing of the story. Harper quickly and smoothly transitioned from one chapter of this two men’s journey to another spanning over six decades. Most conflicts were played down which I deemed very pleasant as the story centers mostly on the beauty of their enduring love.

If you’re up for a quick and feel good reading, you can download this free ebook on this LINK via Goodreads. Enjoy you guys!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Where You Are – J.H. Trumble

via goodreads

via goodreads

I’ve read this book right after finishing “Don’t Let Me Go” by the same author. Luke a secondary character from “Don’t Let Me Go” was also present here. (I actually lost my copy of Luke’s story  – Just Between Us but I ought to buy it one of these days) This for me is way better than Ms. Trumble’s debut novel because it’s more controversial, it’s rich and feels more utterly authentic.

I for one believe that student-teacher relationship should and must remain strictly professional regardless of any nature. Andrew should’ve been more responsible being the adult in the relationship. I don’t however in anyway disregard the fact that they truly loved each other. I was like, can this shit wait for just four more months? But ofcourse, it’s a book so where’s the fun in that right? The school environment in this book also made me think how different the scenario is from the public school I came from with regards to student-teacher relationship ( (at least from my high school) where it’s almost too personal (which I really didn’t like at all. LOL) US schools are too structural for my taste and this book just enhanced that belief for me. I’m not saying that is bad but I’m sure glad that it’s so unlike my high school.

Overall, Where You Are scrutinized a controversial issue that will leave its readers with polarizing views but with a consensus that it is a truthful, well written book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Don’t Let Me Go – J.H. Trumble

via goodreads

via goodreads

Don’t Let Me Go is an emotionally charged book that encompasses the joy and perils of young love between homosexual teens. I’ve a lot of difficulty reading this book because it felt too heavy – yeah, it’s just hitting closer to home I guess. More than half of the story was in flashback and I usually find that annoying but in this book, I’ve this intense feeling of wanting to know more about Adam and Nate.

There’s just so much of a reality in this book that at one point, I find myself grinding my teeth in annoyance and perhaps anger. [I just don’t get parents who couldn’t give conditional love to their child]

I loved how the character of Danial puts it about how short life is: “You don’t have to understand. You don’t have to agree. Just leave people alone. When I look at the moon and planets and stars, all that narrow-mindedness and hate seem so petty. The universe is such a big place. One hundred thousand light years just from one end of the Milky Way to the other. One hundred. Thousand. Light years. In the time it’s taken for light to travel from one end of our galaxy

to the other, thousands of generations have passed. It really makes you realize how small we are, doesn’t it? How short our time on earth is.”

Don’t Let Me Go is a stirring narrative of young love, fear, forgiveness, acceptance, defiance, ignorance and most of all – truth. A book that’s worth every second of your time!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: The Coil – L.A Gilbert

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Utterly realistic and a bit depressing, The Coil tackles a lot of things – the joy and struggles of raising a special child, making ends meet, reaching for your goals, letting go and finally giving yourself a second chance at love and life. Mattie is illiterate and works in a diner making sandwiches. To make ends meet, he also succumb to prostitution on the side. Simon, a successful writer is raising his special child and is not ready (does not allow himself) to fall in love in order to protect his child and himself. Overtime as their world collide, these two men gravitated to each other  and tried to forge a new life with all their issues hanging. Will they be able to carry on or will they have to sacrifice everything they have worked for?

I thought the whole scenario about Mattie’s life  was just bleak. It’s too depressing and even his success at the end doesn’t even feel much of a consolation. I loved the use of “If you love someone, set them free” and I wish there were more dialogues in it or a narration from either character perhaps.

The middle part of the book was like a dripping faucet. It was alright but it was too slow-paced. I keep on hoping that the whole “flashbacks” of the book will be split in the middle and will continue at the end but unfortunately, it didn’t go that way. Overall, I thought the book was consistent enough with its mood, though, it became boring at some parts, it still have a pull from the readers to finish it. It’s not exactly my thing but it was an okay read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published October 10th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

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Book Review:How to Save a Life (The Haven #1) – Sloan Parker

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

This is the second book I’ve read by Sloan Parker and I’ve to say how impressed I am with the consistency of her writing style.  So far the story of this one centers on two men who met on a sex club trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of its club members who are mostly younger men. Walter is a retired cop handling the security of the club and is determined to find out the truth about the missing members. Kevin, a klutzy reporter going undercover is dead set on unraveling the truth about the club. With their combined effort to catch the culprit, Walter and Kevin also developed a deep passion for each other but with some complications. Kevin is closeted and Walter can’t get past their relatively wide age gap.

I loved the fact that Sloan Parker isn’t ageist! (+ points! I love me some older guys) I for one find it so hot whenever the story involves a May-December affair. That’s not weird at all right? Walter Simon is apparently a secondary character in Parker’s “More” novel which I haven’t read and I’m glad that he’s such an interesting character that he got his own story! Kevin Price on the other hand is simply the most adorable character ever! Like seriously, being klutzy and all those boxers are just fucking cute!

It’s nice that the story is quick-paced and does not involve unnecessary dramas (repetitive plot lines prolonging the story just because the author can.) I’m not sure about its second book (I guess it’s about Vargas and Seth – guess I’ll have to see about that). This I promised is worth-every-penny read so get your copy now! Yay!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: The Darker Side Of Trey Grey – Tara Spears

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

This book is an unfathomable and almost ominous story recounting the young life of Trey Grey. Sexually abused by his stepfather since he was twelve, Trey has developed an obsessive compulsive disorder and can’t seem to escape his past – now working as a prostitute to support himself while schooling. Heavily burdened by his abusive past, Trey foray into a relationship with Justin – a sweet young man who’s suffering from manic-depressive and anxiety disorder similarly caused by an abuse as a child. Sharing something in common, Trey saw a glimpse of hope of finally moving forward with his life and finding love that will help him escape the darker side of his life.

The book is a stark portrayal of teenage abuse that is quite difficult to swallow because of its gravity. I wasn’t moved to tears by the writing and reading it but it got me awfully mad because I know that these sort of things happens in real life. I loved how the author has offer a lot of “love interest” options for Trey ending it with probably the most suited no matter how unstable the other guy is. I loved that there was no sugar coating in presenting Trey’s flesh gig and ordeal that I could almost feel what’s going in his head.

With an utterly realistic rendition of Trey’s character, this book will take you to that darker side of this young boy’s life and will make you feel hopeful somehow – about things, love, life or just about anything.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: The Backup Boyfriend (The Boyfriend Chronicles #1) – River Jaymes

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

The Backup Boyfriend is my first book by River Jaymes and I’m just floored by how good her writing style is. Here she’s got amazing characters delivering amazing lines. I have been bitching for sometime now about one of the MC’s suddenly realizing their sexuality and I think I disregarded the fact that there are people who are truly bisexuals – thus the creation of bisexual characters. Thought I’m not really buying the idea in this book – within the confines of the ideal world woven in the literary world. This is a really good story with interesting, witty and drool worthy characters!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Six Degrees of Lust (By Degrees #1) – Taylor V. Donovan

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Now, I’ve to tell you how I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. At first, I was hesitant to give it a go because of its awful book cover but when I started reading it, I can’t seem to stop until I reach its last page. There’s obviously so much about this book having like a gazillion secondary characters which made me almost confused at times. Although sandwiched by tons of supporting characters, I loved that the central characters still have the spotlight for themselves.

Sam’s character can get pretty annoying at times but the funny thing is how he almost always contradicts himself when it comes to Mac that it’s almost adorable. Mac on the other hand is a wet dream personified. I just wished that he’s not such a power bottom for Sam. Oops. LOL

Anyhoo, this is the first book from the “By Degrees” series and yes, the book ain’t finish and sadly – no resolution was concluded with all the amazing characters in it but it was still a very nice read of course. It’s like am appetizer to the main course. Now I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars