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Holland Brothers #4
Forbidden Mate
Finding his mate should have been Patrick Holland's greatest day, instead it turned into a nightmare with one phone call. His mate didn't want him. His heart broke, but at sixteen he was too young to do anything. The next ten years-ten long years- of Patrick's life are spent at odds with his mate. Split by forces he can't comprehend and a long line of misunderstandings, Patrick doubts he'll ever get the man he's both loved and hated.
Jake Richmond never expected to come home from Uni to find the youngest Holland brother was his mate. Knowing the news might uplift his still grieving father, Jake shares the news only to have his young mate threatened. Jake does the only thing he can think of, protect Patrick. The next ten years are nothing but torture for Jake as he watches his mate grow into a remarkable young man.
They say time heals all wounds, but how much time?
Please note: FM has been reedited, and expanded by about 50,000 words.
Jake Richmond never expected to come home from Uni to find the youngest Holland brother was his mate. Knowing the news might uplift his still grieving father, Jake shares the news only to have his young mate threatened. Jake does the only thing he can think of, protect Patrick. The next ten years are nothing but torture for Jake as he watches his mate grow into a remarkable young man.
They say time heals all wounds, but how much time?
Please note: FM has been reedited, and expanded by about 50,000 words.
310 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
About the author
Toni Griffin
47 books510 followersToni Griffin lives in Darwin, the smallest of Australia’s capital cities. Born and raised in the state she’s a Territorian through and through. Growing up Toni hated English with a passion (as her editors can probably attest to) and found her strength lies with numbers.
Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.
Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.
Now, though, she loves escaping to the worlds she creates and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. She’s a single mother of one and works full time. When she’s not writing you can just about guarantee that she will be reading one of the many MM authors she loves.
Feel free to drop her a line at info@tonigriffin.net anytime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
August 17, 2016
If I could give this negative stars, I would.
If I could find every copy and burn or erase them all, I would.
If I could get back the hours of my life that I wasted on this story, I would.
Oh, but you read it, Belen...I can hear you whisper. Yes. Yes, I did. Long after I should have DNFed this piece of garbage, I didn't. I continued to read in rage and in hate.
And you know what? That's on me. I read this without even reading the blurb or the reviews, just jumping straight in after reading Protective Mate. That's all on me too. Mea culpa. I'm stupid for just jumping ahead blindly with a series.
You see, it's my fault because this series has been almost frighteningly the same. A very much rinse, lather, repeat, kind of fine that lulled me into a sense of complacency. I just assumed this story would be much of the same. And like the saying goes, I totally made an ass out of myself with that thinking.
So why did I hate it so much? Let me tell you. MISCOMMUNICATION and GROSS STUPIDITY.
I could go further, but I've already lost hours of my life to this and I can't...I just...can't. If you want to read this I cannot even with you either. Don't blame me when you realize this is garbage.
If I could find every copy and burn or erase them all, I would.
If I could get back the hours of my life that I wasted on this story, I would.
Oh, but you read it, Belen...I can hear you whisper. Yes. Yes, I did. Long after I should have DNFed this piece of garbage, I didn't. I continued to read in rage and in hate.
And you know what? That's on me. I read this without even reading the blurb or the reviews, just jumping straight in after reading Protective Mate. That's all on me too. Mea culpa. I'm stupid for just jumping ahead blindly with a series.
You see, it's my fault because this series has been almost frighteningly the same. A very much rinse, lather, repeat, kind of fine that lulled me into a sense of complacency. I just assumed this story would be much of the same. And like the saying goes, I totally made an ass out of myself with that thinking.
So why did I hate it so much? Let me tell you. MISCOMMUNICATION and GROSS STUPIDITY.
I could go further, but I've already lost hours of my life to this and I can't...I just...can't. If you want to read this I cannot even with you either. Don't blame me when you realize this is garbage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2016
I was only going to give this one 2 stars because it treated the women in the book so badly, but I'm such a sucker for the they-have-to-stay-separated-to-protect-each-other trope.
After reading all 4 books, I can say that the sex in each book was exactly the same. It was kinda creepy, considering this is a series about brothers.
After reading all 4 books, I can say that the sex in each book was exactly the same. It was kinda creepy, considering this is a series about brothers.
October 2, 2011
eh the whole reason for rejecting his mate was so weak it was roll your eyes stupid. the flashback scene was super annoying IMO it should have been a prologue not a flash back and still it was just roll you eyes
September 30, 2011
In this final book we gets to read about the Baby brother Rick and the reason why his mate Jake have not claimed him for the last 10 years. At the same time it is about the sub-plot or co-main plot of Brian's pregnancy.
I find that Jake's reasoning is rather weak. The Big reason was that after Jake told his father that his mate is Rick, the father threaten to kill Rick is Jake ever claimed him. Jake's father was also the third strongest wolf in the pack. I simply do not understand why Jake did not just tell the Alpha (at that time it was the brothers' father) of this. Surely the alpha would be mighty pissed that one of the pack member threaten to kill his baby boy.
There were some inconsistency as well, to me at least anyway. Jake's intention for more than half of the book seems to be about never ever claim his mate (assuming that at least until his father died from whatever cause) because of his father's threat and his fear that he had been such a jerk to Rick for so long that Rick no longer wants him.
So for me the conflict seems weak. Jake did not behave like a powerful Beta wolf. I suppose I find it hard to believe that it took 10 years to solve this conflict when the it could have been solve much much earlier.
I find that Jake's reasoning is rather weak. The Big reason was that after Jake told his father that his mate is Rick, the father threaten to kill Rick is Jake ever claimed him. Jake's father was also the third strongest wolf in the pack. I simply do not understand why Jake did not just tell the Alpha (at that time it was the brothers' father) of this. Surely the alpha would be mighty pissed that one of the pack member threaten to kill his baby boy.
There were some inconsistency as well, to me at least anyway. Jake's intention for more than half of the book seems to be about never ever claim his mate (assuming that at least until his father died from whatever cause) because of his father's threat and his fear that he had been such a jerk to Rick for so long that Rick no longer wants him.
So for me the conflict seems weak. Jake did not behave like a powerful Beta wolf. I suppose I find it hard to believe that it took 10 years to solve this conflict when the it could have been solve much much earlier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2011
Well, the series is done and will not be revisited, at least by me. This last book was just silly. Forbidden Mate? Really? How about "Held At Arms Length for No Good Reason Mate. The premise that Jake and the 4th brother, Rick's bonding was rejected by Jake for a remarkably (denied for 10 YEARS yet) ill-conceived reason was just dumb. After a couple of years as someone else stated maybe, but once both men had matured and Rick's brother became Alpha (and his father was a supportive Alpha), to have continued to deny their bond just made no sense other than the author said so. And then in an instant, all that was gone, they bonded, issue taken care of, book over. Too bad really because the series had such promise in the beginning.
January 14, 2019
I can't believe this shitty plotted reason for 10 years of waiting and staying unmated. My advice to this author, stop writing if your imagination for 10 years of misery stops at this plot. I'm so disappointed I could kick this authors ass.
October 3, 2011
The biggest issue that I had with this was the constant rejection and because they are mates then it’s immediately forgiven. Ten years of torture and daily rejection and there is no consequence. Jake could have gotten help. Being a part of a pack means you get to lean on each other and help each other out. That this wasn't done say much about Jake. There was no reason that he couldn't trust in both Alphas’ who had proven their acceptance and tolerance over and over again.
July 15, 2024
I'm sorry you got stuck with the worst mate ever, Rick.
I hated this. I skimmed most of it.
Jake rejected Rick and treated him like trash for T.E.N YEARS to "Keep him safe" from his homophobic dad....
He did a terrible job!
Why wouldn't he tell Rick's brother (his best friend) or their dad, THE ALPHA what his dad threatened and did to him?! Rick could have died in that car crash, and he still rejected him and didn't tell the truth about what was going on.
Let's be real. He kept his dad safe.
Shitty mate behavior.
Omg! And Rick forgave him so fast. No groveling? It's bc of the tattoo, huh 🙄
I hate him.
The only thing I liked was the ending with Marcus and Brian. They're parents 🥹
I hated this. I skimmed most of it.
Jake rejected Rick and treated him like trash for T.E.N YEARS to "Keep him safe" from his homophobic dad....
He did a terrible job!
Why wouldn't he tell Rick's brother (his best friend) or their dad, THE ALPHA what his dad threatened and did to him?! Rick could have died in that car crash, and he still rejected him and didn't tell the truth about what was going on.
Let's be real. He kept his dad safe.
Shitty mate behavior.
Omg! And Rick forgave him so fast. No groveling? It's bc of the tattoo, huh 🙄
I hate him.
The only thing I liked was the ending with Marcus and Brian. They're parents 🥹
August 27, 2014
I waited how long to read this? UGH! 58% of this was a "flashback". I could have done without all of that. Sure the beginning was fine, but after 10 years it got old. Speaking of 10 years. TEN FUCKING YEARS!!!!!!! Jack you are a douche. So he didn't tell Joe or Alex what was going on, not to mention Patrick. He let Patrick think he hated him for 10 years. It took away from the story for me. The reasoning behind the separation was dumb and unbelievable. When we finally got to the present it flew by and was kind of focused on Brian and Marcus, which is fine, but I wanted more of Jake and Patrick.
Oh well. I cried a lot. My heart wept for Patrick.
Oh well. I cried a lot. My heart wept for Patrick.
May 11, 2012
The whole series is crack. Baby twink wolf mpreg crack. Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
February 20, 2018
3.5 Stars
November 8, 2015
2.5 stars
This book was different from all the others. I have a feeling this author does know how to write because the writing was so much better than in the other books.
But I had a hard time liking Rick and Jake. I liked the fact that the author tried to do something else this time, but it didn’t really hold my interest.
Jake and Rick have known that they are mates for the past 10 years, expect Jake doesn’t want Rick. Or so Rick thinks.
The plot why Jake rejected Rick was VEEEERY unlikely. I can understand the fact that you’re afraid of your dad when you’re only 21, but when you’re older and have lots of strong wolves as friends…. yeah, not that plausible anymore..
This book was different from all the others. I have a feeling this author does know how to write because the writing was so much better than in the other books.
But I had a hard time liking Rick and Jake. I liked the fact that the author tried to do something else this time, but it didn’t really hold my interest.
Jake and Rick have known that they are mates for the past 10 years, expect Jake doesn’t want Rick. Or so Rick thinks.
The plot why Jake rejected Rick was VEEEERY unlikely. I can understand the fact that you’re afraid of your dad when you’re only 21, but when you’re older and have lots of strong wolves as friends…. yeah, not that plausible anymore..
January 14, 2023
Voto: 3.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
Aspettavo questo volume sin da quando lessi il primo, e sono contenta di constatare che, nonostante non mi abbia convinta al cento per cento, sia comunque superiore agli altri, sia come storia e corposità, sia come caratterizzazione e sviluppo.
Certo, non ho particolarmente apprezzato il cambio di idee che mi è parso un po’ troppo repentino e basato sul niente, ma al contempo l’autrice l’aveva tirata anche abbastanza per le lunghe, facendo patire questi due poveretti per oltre dieci anni, quindi era anche ora che avessero il loro lieto fine!
Mi è piaciuto che abbia raccontato tutte le fasi salienti della loro relazione, anche se sono stata un po’ delusa dallo scoprire subito quale fosse il motivo per cui Jake rifiuta Patrick come Compagno Predestinato. Mi sarebbe piaciuta un po’ più di suspense!
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI SLANIF
Aspettavo questo volume sin da quando lessi il primo, e sono contenta di constatare che, nonostante non mi abbia convinta al cento per cento, sia comunque superiore agli altri, sia come storia e corposità, sia come caratterizzazione e sviluppo.
Certo, non ho particolarmente apprezzato il cambio di idee che mi è parso un po’ troppo repentino e basato sul niente, ma al contempo l’autrice l’aveva tirata anche abbastanza per le lunghe, facendo patire questi due poveretti per oltre dieci anni, quindi era anche ora che avessero il loro lieto fine!
Mi è piaciuto che abbia raccontato tutte le fasi salienti della loro relazione, anche se sono stata un po’ delusa dallo scoprire subito quale fosse il motivo per cui Jake rifiuta Patrick come Compagno Predestinato. Mi sarebbe piaciuta un po’ più di suspense!
Continua sul nostro blog!
August 5, 2016
Let me warn you: if you thought book three was tough on your emotions, you are in for an even more emotional ride with this fourth volume. Based on the blurb, as well as the hints about Patrick in previous books, I did not expect an easy ride by any means. I mean, to be denied by his mate, the one man who is supposed to love him unconditionally, for ten years is just cruel, right? Well, let me tell you, once it becomes obvious why Jake is doing what he is doing, I felt for him as well. What a mess! And yet, these two men prove to be strong, honorable, and manage to be there for each other when it counts. A perfectly heartwrenching romance!
Patrick is very young, only sixteen, when he realizes his oldest brother Alex’s best friend and the man he has had sort of a crush on for years, is his mate. They share one amazing kiss before deciding to delay claiming each other until Patrick is done with high school and Jake has his degree. But that is when disaster strikes, and Jake suddenly rejects Patrick. Since they cannot totally avoid seeing each other, especially once Alex becomes pack alpha and makes Jake his beta, the heartbreak is repeated over and over again. Patrick is still attracted to Jake even after ten years of being rebuffed and hurt, and he cannot get close to another man even though he tries his best, because his wolf rebels and he ends up vomiting every time. And then Alex sends the two of them on a weeklong trip together – hell on Earth, right?
Jake is in an awful situation. He is elated that he has found his mate, and falls in love with Patrick over the next few years, but he knows that any sign of approaching him will risk Patrick’s life. Jake’s father is slowly losing touch with reality and, since he wants grandpups, is determined to make Jake “ungay” and get him to marry a girl. It takes Jake a long time to realize how wrong his father is, and to work up the courage to stand up to the idiot. Even though he has given up all hope that Patrick can ever forgive him, when the beta of the pack they go to visit on their weeklong trip hits in Patrick, Jake sees red. Enough is enough. But when he finally mans up, all hell breaks lose for both of them…
If you like stories about men who have had to deny the one they love for longer than either of them thinks is possible, if you enjoy reading about a young man who comes into his own despite being hurt over and over again by the man he has fallen for, and if you’re looking for an emotional romance full of pain, longing, some nail-biting tension, and an emotionally charged happy ending, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Patrick is very young, only sixteen, when he realizes his oldest brother Alex’s best friend and the man he has had sort of a crush on for years, is his mate. They share one amazing kiss before deciding to delay claiming each other until Patrick is done with high school and Jake has his degree. But that is when disaster strikes, and Jake suddenly rejects Patrick. Since they cannot totally avoid seeing each other, especially once Alex becomes pack alpha and makes Jake his beta, the heartbreak is repeated over and over again. Patrick is still attracted to Jake even after ten years of being rebuffed and hurt, and he cannot get close to another man even though he tries his best, because his wolf rebels and he ends up vomiting every time. And then Alex sends the two of them on a weeklong trip together – hell on Earth, right?
Jake is in an awful situation. He is elated that he has found his mate, and falls in love with Patrick over the next few years, but he knows that any sign of approaching him will risk Patrick’s life. Jake’s father is slowly losing touch with reality and, since he wants grandpups, is determined to make Jake “ungay” and get him to marry a girl. It takes Jake a long time to realize how wrong his father is, and to work up the courage to stand up to the idiot. Even though he has given up all hope that Patrick can ever forgive him, when the beta of the pack they go to visit on their weeklong trip hits in Patrick, Jake sees red. Enough is enough. But when he finally mans up, all hell breaks lose for both of them…
If you like stories about men who have had to deny the one they love for longer than either of them thinks is possible, if you enjoy reading about a young man who comes into his own despite being hurt over and over again by the man he has fallen for, and if you’re looking for an emotional romance full of pain, longing, some nail-biting tension, and an emotionally charged happy ending, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
February 8, 2017
Voto: 4.5 stelline
Anche se non me la sento di dare 5 stelle piene, perché non è una storia che definirei eccelsa, dei quattro libri che compongono la saga degli Holland, per quanto mi riguarda, questo si è rivelato il migliore: è quello che mi ha coinvolta di più e la costruzione della vicenda abbraccia un arco di tempo maggiore, rendendola completa, e ho notato una specie di ‘maturazione’ dell’autrice, rispetto ai primi libri.
Avevamo già intuito dai precedenti che la storia di Patrick e Jake sarebbe stata la più sofferta e così è stato. Ho amato la loro reciproca devozione, anche a distanza di anni, la fedeltà che rimane, l’uno nel mantenere il segreto sul loro legame e l’altro per non aver mai cercato nessun altro e averlo protetto per tanti anni. A loro modo, si sono sacrificati entrambi, l’uno per l’altro. E poi sono dolcissimi insieme.
La gestione del ‘cattivo’ è forse la parte più debole della trama, secondo me. Sia per l’espediente che per la tempistica, che trovo un po’ forzati. (C’erano i mezzi per renderlo innocuo molto prima, secondo me).
Mi piace l’effetto corale del libro e la conclusione che dà spazio anche agli altri fratelli.
Mamma e papà Holland sono sempre meravigliosi, niente da dire.
Spero vengano tradotte anche le due novelle che restano (su Natale e San Valentino), perché non sono ancora pronta a salutarli.
Anche se non me la sento di dare 5 stelle piene, perché non è una storia che definirei eccelsa, dei quattro libri che compongono la saga degli Holland, per quanto mi riguarda, questo si è rivelato il migliore: è quello che mi ha coinvolta di più e la costruzione della vicenda abbraccia un arco di tempo maggiore, rendendola completa, e ho notato una specie di ‘maturazione’ dell’autrice, rispetto ai primi libri.
Avevamo già intuito dai precedenti che la storia di Patrick e Jake sarebbe stata la più sofferta e così è stato. Ho amato la loro reciproca devozione, anche a distanza di anni, la fedeltà che rimane, l’uno nel mantenere il segreto sul loro legame e l’altro per non aver mai cercato nessun altro e averlo protetto per tanti anni. A loro modo, si sono sacrificati entrambi, l’uno per l’altro. E poi sono dolcissimi insieme.
La gestione del ‘cattivo’ è forse la parte più debole della trama, secondo me. Sia per l’espediente che per la tempistica, che trovo un po’ forzati. (C’erano i mezzi per renderlo innocuo molto prima, secondo me).
Mi piace l’effetto corale del libro e la conclusione che dà spazio anche agli altri fratelli.
Mamma e papà Holland sono sempre meravigliosi, niente da dire.
Spero vengano tradotte anche le due novelle che restano (su Natale e San Valentino), perché non sono ancora pronta a salutarli.
October 4, 2011
2.75 stars.
The fourth book in the Holland Brothers series. And while I wanted to rate this higher, there were some overwhelming issues that prevented me from doing that. Number one, too many POV shifts and the epilogue needed to be completely re-written. I understand the author wanted to wrap up the series in a round-up of how all the characters were doing, but the jarring POV shifts did not work.
Number two,
Number three, as with every other person who posted about one particular plot point: ten years? Way too long to drag out the tension between Patrick and Jake. 5 years I might have bought, but ten? Not so much.
However, I did like the
Overall, I enjoyed the series. It is not the best werewolf series I have ever read, but it had potential.
The fourth book in the Holland Brothers series. And while I wanted to rate this higher, there were some overwhelming issues that prevented me from doing that. Number one, too many POV shifts and the epilogue needed to be completely re-written. I understand the author wanted to wrap up the series in a round-up of how all the characters were doing, but the jarring POV shifts did not work.
Number two,
Number three, as with every other person who posted about one particular plot point: ten years? Way too long to drag out the tension between Patrick and Jake. 5 years I might have bought, but ten? Not so much.
However, I did like the
Overall, I enjoyed the series. It is not the best werewolf series I have ever read, but it had potential.
May 15, 2012
My favorite out of the series because I liked the whole rejecting aspect of the story.
I liked the angst that was caused because of Jake and Rick's ten year separation. The fact they are forced into being in close quarters for almost a week created some tension I desperately needed. But I loved the way Rick and Jake acted and how Liam had a part in it all.
Of course, this story isn't without its faults. The reason Jake rejected Rick was a little ridiculous and the conflict associated with Jake's father was one of those what the f*ck moments. It was just... stupid.
Still, I really enjoyed this one. I liked how it involved more of understanding the mpreg portion of the series. I was sad Rick didn't get pregnant. I really want him to get pregnant damnit! He'd be so cute. ^_^
I'd recommend this series, though, because they are addicting even if they aren't exactly extraordinary.
I liked the angst that was caused because of Jake and Rick's ten year separation. The fact they are forced into being in close quarters for almost a week created some tension I desperately needed. But I loved the way Rick and Jake acted and how Liam had a part in it all.
Of course, this story isn't without its faults. The reason Jake rejected Rick was a little ridiculous and the conflict associated with Jake's father was one of those what the f*ck moments. It was just... stupid.
Still, I really enjoyed this one. I liked how it involved more of understanding the mpreg portion of the series. I was sad Rick didn't get pregnant. I really want him to get pregnant damnit! He'd be so cute. ^_^
I'd recommend this series, though, because they are addicting even if they aren't exactly extraordinary.
October 2, 2011
2.5
I liked the beginning of this series.
This one the way she tied up the mpeg was good,(at least a reason was made, which was my problem before, when it came out of the blue)
I agree that the reason for the 10 year was pretty lame, he should have told the then Alpha or new Alpha especially when he became a beta.
To me it showed his lack of trust for his leader, and best friend. I can see Rick forgiving him easily (cause he loves him), but not Rick's dad and brother Alex, cause as his beta he has to be able to trust him, and keeping that from him that would put a Big crack in his trust. (should have at least)
(But then that would make more sense and that is like saying "don't go into the basement" in a horror movie when the lights are out and they always do anyhow.)
I liked the beginning of this series.
This one the way she tied up the mpeg was good,(at least a reason was made, which was my problem before, when it came out of the blue)
I agree that the reason for the 10 year was pretty lame, he should have told the then Alpha or new Alpha especially when he became a beta.
To me it showed his lack of trust for his leader, and best friend. I can see Rick forgiving him easily (cause he loves him), but not Rick's dad and brother Alex, cause as his beta he has to be able to trust him, and keeping that from him that would put a Big crack in his trust. (should have at least)
(But then that would make more sense and that is like saying "don't go into the basement" in a horror movie when the lights are out and they always do anyhow.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2017
Forbidden Mate (Holland Brothers, #4) by Toni Griffin
Jake and Patrick's story, reading the other books in this series you can see something has happened to these two.
I really enjoyed this story. Fast quick enjoyable fun reads.
Jake and Patrick's story, reading the other books in this series you can see something has happened to these two.
I really enjoyed this story. Fast quick enjoyable fun reads.
December 21, 2016
http://bianchianita1971.blogspot.it/2...
Se possibile, la storia di Patrick e Jake è stata ancora più intensa, rispetto a tutte le precedenti della serie! Sapevo che non sarebbe stata una passeggiata, sapevo che i due avevano un passato, sicuramente doloroso, e sapevo che avrei sofferto ma devo rassicurarvi sul fatto che, si, si soffre ma ci si emoziona molto anche positivamente!
Questo romanzo abbraccia un arco temporale di dieci anni: viviamo con Rick e Jake la scoperta di essere compagni predestinati, il dolore della separazione, la rabbia, la crescita e i cambiamenti avvenuti, in loro e all'interno del branco. Soffriamo con il più giovane degli Holland mentre vede i suoi fratelli accoppiarsi felicemente sapendo che il suo compagno invece non lo vuole, e vediamo la sua corsa verso l'auto-distruzione, tutto ciò che avevamo solo sfiorato nei libri precedenti.
Come vi dicevo, è un romanzo davvero molto intenso, ricco di emozioni (contrastanti) e di sorprese, ma è anche un libro corale che vede, accanto a Jake e Rick, tutti i protagonisti che ho amato nelle storie precedenti; ci sono delle rivelazioni inaspettate e delle svolte molto dolci e delicate... insomma, se avete amato gli Holland fin'ora, non potete perdervi "Un Compagno Proibito"!
Se possibile, la storia di Patrick e Jake è stata ancora più intensa, rispetto a tutte le precedenti della serie! Sapevo che non sarebbe stata una passeggiata, sapevo che i due avevano un passato, sicuramente doloroso, e sapevo che avrei sofferto ma devo rassicurarvi sul fatto che, si, si soffre ma ci si emoziona molto anche positivamente!
Questo romanzo abbraccia un arco temporale di dieci anni: viviamo con Rick e Jake la scoperta di essere compagni predestinati, il dolore della separazione, la rabbia, la crescita e i cambiamenti avvenuti, in loro e all'interno del branco. Soffriamo con il più giovane degli Holland mentre vede i suoi fratelli accoppiarsi felicemente sapendo che il suo compagno invece non lo vuole, e vediamo la sua corsa verso l'auto-distruzione, tutto ciò che avevamo solo sfiorato nei libri precedenti.
Come vi dicevo, è un romanzo davvero molto intenso, ricco di emozioni (contrastanti) e di sorprese, ma è anche un libro corale che vede, accanto a Jake e Rick, tutti i protagonisti che ho amato nelle storie precedenti; ci sono delle rivelazioni inaspettate e delle svolte molto dolci e delicate... insomma, se avete amato gli Holland fin'ora, non potete perdervi "Un Compagno Proibito"!
October 3, 2011
I have to admit that the whole reason behind Jake "rejecting" Patrick was annoying and I couldn't fathom him doing that. As a result I found the book confusing, unconvincing and the plot simply made no sense to me.
April 14, 2019
I think, in all honesty, this was my favorite of the series. Hard for it not to be when I knew from the first book that there was something going on between Jake and Patrick. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they were mates, but I wanted the whole story along with the why! When I read this and realized these two men had gone TEN YEARS knowing they were mates and Jake denying Patrick and poor Patrick dying a little more every day......I couldn't keep reading fast enough to figure out why!
Plus, I really had to get the answers about Marcus, Brian and his mpreg. Cause who doesn't love that, I ask you? Once again, I admire Toni Griffin for constructing a plausible explanation for how a male wolf shifter can get pregnant. Kudos!
Loved the ending! It was a perfect way to wrap up the stories of these brothers and their mates.
Plus, I really had to get the answers about Marcus, Brian and his mpreg. Cause who doesn't love that, I ask you? Once again, I admire Toni Griffin for constructing a plausible explanation for how a male wolf shifter can get pregnant. Kudos!
Loved the ending! It was a perfect way to wrap up the stories of these brothers and their mates.
November 20, 2017
Dei quattro libri della serie è quello che ho trovato più... ricco: credo, principalmente perché la storia tra Rick e Jake è più lunga, ovvero non si incontrano e praticamente subito si innamorano, ma si conoscono sin da giovani e quando si scoprono compagni le circostanze li separano.
March 2, 2016
Review to come
March 12, 2025
Miscommunication and misogyny should be the alternative title. Overall not a fan.
December 7, 2016
Wow. It feels like all other the previous books were a build up to this one.... What a mess Jake and Rick are.
Rick is the fourth and youngest Holland brother. We have seen over the last three books that he has something going on, but not what. He's been drinking and moody, but won't talk to anyone, just lives in misery. As this book starts we learn that when he was sixteen, he and Jake discovered they were mates. Jake acknowledges this initially, but tells Rick that he won't claim until he is eighteen, and Jake has returned from school. Rick understands this. Then later that night, Jake calls and tells him they can never be together, and he doesn't want him. Rick is devastated. He tries for the next ten years to get over Jake, and live his life, but he never does. Their close association through Alex does NOT help.
Jake has been a part of the Holland family for years, since his mother died, and has always liked Patrick, the youngest brother. He comes home from Uni and is pleasantly surprised to discover that Rick is his mate, but knows he is too young to claim, so he decides to wait until he returns from school. He decides this is the time to tell his father he's gay, and has found his mate. Unfortunately his dad is not as accepting as Jake seems to think he'll be and threatens to kill Rick if Jake touches him, much less claims him as his mate. Jake is forced to break the heart of a sixteen year old, and lives with that for the next ten years. His own heart is equally as damaged, but at least Rick has been relatively safe. Alex, his best friend, takes over as Alpha of the pack and asks Jake to be his Beta. Jake is happy to step in to this role, but it means he can't leave, and will see Patrick more often, making it worse for both of them.
A good portion of this story is the angst and drama of the ten years between Jakes rejection of Patrick, and is quite hard to read. I wanted to slap one or the other of them, or both of them! It's what creates the story, but it drove me crazy. This happens to me as a reader quite often. We can see both sides of the story, and what the lack of communication between them is doing, but obviously can't do anything about it. I so wanted them to talk! I get why Jake made the decision he did, I don't agree with it, but I see what he was thinking. But. Talk to him! Talk to your Alpha. Talk to Rick's family! There had to be another way to deal with this other than making two people miserable for ten freaking years! Anyway. Drama, angst, sadness, gah.... It's all in this one. The last books mostly had drama that occurred before the couple meet, this all happens between them. It is wonderful.
Jake and Rick are painfully in love, apart and together. They equally hate and love each other. It was a fabulous story to read, and I was very emotionally involved. In a good way and a bad way! There is good drama between them, as well as some outside crap that affects them directly. The other brothers are around, interfering as usual, plus Rick has a friend at Uni that I liked. Wished we had seen more of him! But the Jake and Rick story works well and I loved it.
So aside from the Jake and Rick mess, other interesting things happened to this family. We find out more about what is happening with Brian and it is huge. I won't say here, I wasn't aware thst this plot point was in this series even as I was reading the early books until I saw it mentioned on Facebook, so I won't spoil it for someone who hasn't heard. But it is well done, sometimes I have issues with this particular "thing", and it being unrealistic, but it worked in this world very well. My only issue was that we saw it from the outside, not the inside. I would like to have had a book about Marcus and Brian and what happened to them, but we watch it happen through Jake and Rick's eye. Fun, but not the same!
I liked this one best, I liked that the drama was current, we saw it happen, instead of one mate bringing baggage, these two created their own. And boy did they create drama! Not that I didn't like the others, but this was great!
A copy of this book was provided for reviewing. This and many other reviews can be found at www.lovebytesreviews.com!
Rick is the fourth and youngest Holland brother. We have seen over the last three books that he has something going on, but not what. He's been drinking and moody, but won't talk to anyone, just lives in misery. As this book starts we learn that when he was sixteen, he and Jake discovered they were mates. Jake acknowledges this initially, but tells Rick that he won't claim until he is eighteen, and Jake has returned from school. Rick understands this. Then later that night, Jake calls and tells him they can never be together, and he doesn't want him. Rick is devastated. He tries for the next ten years to get over Jake, and live his life, but he never does. Their close association through Alex does NOT help.
Jake has been a part of the Holland family for years, since his mother died, and has always liked Patrick, the youngest brother. He comes home from Uni and is pleasantly surprised to discover that Rick is his mate, but knows he is too young to claim, so he decides to wait until he returns from school. He decides this is the time to tell his father he's gay, and has found his mate. Unfortunately his dad is not as accepting as Jake seems to think he'll be and threatens to kill Rick if Jake touches him, much less claims him as his mate. Jake is forced to break the heart of a sixteen year old, and lives with that for the next ten years. His own heart is equally as damaged, but at least Rick has been relatively safe. Alex, his best friend, takes over as Alpha of the pack and asks Jake to be his Beta. Jake is happy to step in to this role, but it means he can't leave, and will see Patrick more often, making it worse for both of them.
A good portion of this story is the angst and drama of the ten years between Jakes rejection of Patrick, and is quite hard to read. I wanted to slap one or the other of them, or both of them! It's what creates the story, but it drove me crazy. This happens to me as a reader quite often. We can see both sides of the story, and what the lack of communication between them is doing, but obviously can't do anything about it. I so wanted them to talk! I get why Jake made the decision he did, I don't agree with it, but I see what he was thinking. But. Talk to him! Talk to your Alpha. Talk to Rick's family! There had to be another way to deal with this other than making two people miserable for ten freaking years! Anyway. Drama, angst, sadness, gah.... It's all in this one. The last books mostly had drama that occurred before the couple meet, this all happens between them. It is wonderful.
Jake and Rick are painfully in love, apart and together. They equally hate and love each other. It was a fabulous story to read, and I was very emotionally involved. In a good way and a bad way! There is good drama between them, as well as some outside crap that affects them directly. The other brothers are around, interfering as usual, plus Rick has a friend at Uni that I liked. Wished we had seen more of him! But the Jake and Rick story works well and I loved it.
So aside from the Jake and Rick mess, other interesting things happened to this family. We find out more about what is happening with Brian and it is huge. I won't say here, I wasn't aware thst this plot point was in this series even as I was reading the early books until I saw it mentioned on Facebook, so I won't spoil it for someone who hasn't heard. But it is well done, sometimes I have issues with this particular "thing", and it being unrealistic, but it worked in this world very well. My only issue was that we saw it from the outside, not the inside. I would like to have had a book about Marcus and Brian and what happened to them, but we watch it happen through Jake and Rick's eye. Fun, but not the same!
I liked this one best, I liked that the drama was current, we saw it happen, instead of one mate bringing baggage, these two created their own. And boy did they create drama! Not that I didn't like the others, but this was great!
A copy of this book was provided for reviewing. This and many other reviews can be found at www.lovebytesreviews.com!
November 16, 2016
Well, we’ve been waiting for Patrick/Rick’s story for awhile now. He’s been looking sad and mysterious and now we get to understand why.
Here’s where this book will either work for you or it won’t. It’s a common plot angle: keep the lovers apart by threatening to kill the boyfriend/girlfriend/their families etc. For me, this totally worked for the first part of the book. I think Jake was truly scared (his father is a PSYCHO!) and he was young and so was Patrick. But… after he grows a bit this wore really thin. At some point he needed to reach out to Patrick and/or the Pack to at least help or explain things. His being a jerk should not have been a “thing” because he should have just explained himself.
However, once that part was settled I really appreciated that both Jake (and the author) admit HOW STUPID that was and how ridiculous it was not to just come clean and that had he been more mature he would have handled things differently. That felt very real and like something that could have happened. (We’ve all been young and dumb!)
On the plus side, I loved the entrée into the Atherton Pack stories that we get here – learning about the babies and meeting the pack members BEFORE they’re mated – FUN!
This is definitely best read/listened to in order and I highly recommend this and the series to fans of shifter romances!
4.5 of 5 stars
Audio
Dominic McCartney has been narrating this entire series and that is wonderful for at least two reasons. One, we get a consistent set of voices for all the brothers as they come and go throughout all the stories and it’s nice to hear the same voices. Two, he’s really good. He’s got great timing, nice voice quality, knows how to modulate for emotional scenes and has a great Australian accent. Highly Recommeneded.
5 of 5 stars
Here’s where this book will either work for you or it won’t. It’s a common plot angle: keep the lovers apart by threatening to kill the boyfriend/girlfriend/their families etc. For me, this totally worked for the first part of the book. I think Jake was truly scared (his father is a PSYCHO!) and he was young and so was Patrick. But… after he grows a bit this wore really thin. At some point he needed to reach out to Patrick and/or the Pack to at least help or explain things. His being a jerk should not have been a “thing” because he should have just explained himself.
However, once that part was settled I really appreciated that both Jake (and the author) admit HOW STUPID that was and how ridiculous it was not to just come clean and that had he been more mature he would have handled things differently. That felt very real and like something that could have happened. (We’ve all been young and dumb!)
On the plus side, I loved the entrée into the Atherton Pack stories that we get here – learning about the babies and meeting the pack members BEFORE they’re mated – FUN!
This is definitely best read/listened to in order and I highly recommend this and the series to fans of shifter romances!
4.5 of 5 stars
Audio
Dominic McCartney has been narrating this entire series and that is wonderful for at least two reasons. One, we get a consistent set of voices for all the brothers as they come and go throughout all the stories and it’s nice to hear the same voices. Two, he’s really good. He’s got great timing, nice voice quality, knows how to modulate for emotional scenes and has a great Australian accent. Highly Recommeneded.
5 of 5 stars
May 9, 2016
Gross gross gross gross gross. I don't care what the age of consent is in Victoria province. It's still gross to me.
Why didn't he tell his mate the truth? I don't get it.
I thought we'd just get what happened in the past and then jump to the present not a blue by blow if the intervening years. It's heartbreaking.
Sometimes typos are annoying. Other times they're just funny:
"...Alex said and then ran a hand through his head."
"...his father's deteriorating metal status."
I think this is supposed to be sexual tension but it's really just heart wrenching.
Jake is both an ass and an idiot.
The gay population in Australia is thought to be 3%? Yeah, right. I think that has way more to do with the macho mentality than reality. No way would it be so drastically different there than in other industrialized countries, especially considering the white population are direct genetic descendants of Europeans.
Okay that's the first ever explanation of MPEG that makes a bit of sense--that as shifters, their bodies realign themselves all the time.
Heteronormative again. Rick has slid neatly into the woman role. He of course would be the one to have children. He's the one who has to be defended. No he hasn't had all his questions answered about why Jake denied him but Jake can go ahead and talk to the other men about it without Rick present. He also should still be pissed as hell. He should have been told he was in danger after that car accident.
Jake didn't watch over him--for many years he wasn't even in the same area code.
Okay, that's better.
Um yes, actually, it is entirely Jake's fault. Rick might have allowed things to happen that hurt Jake but the whole situation was all Jake.
Babies aren't born with brown eyes right?
Great angst and peril.
3.95 stars
Why didn't he tell his mate the truth? I don't get it.
I thought we'd just get what happened in the past and then jump to the present not a blue by blow if the intervening years. It's heartbreaking.
Sometimes typos are annoying. Other times they're just funny:
"...Alex said and then ran a hand through his head."
"...his father's deteriorating metal status."
I think this is supposed to be sexual tension but it's really just heart wrenching.
Jake is both an ass and an idiot.
The gay population in Australia is thought to be 3%? Yeah, right. I think that has way more to do with the macho mentality than reality. No way would it be so drastically different there than in other industrialized countries, especially considering the white population are direct genetic descendants of Europeans.
Okay that's the first ever explanation of MPEG that makes a bit of sense--that as shifters, their bodies realign themselves all the time.
Heteronormative again. Rick has slid neatly into the woman role. He of course would be the one to have children. He's the one who has to be defended. No he hasn't had all his questions answered about why Jake denied him but Jake can go ahead and talk to the other men about it without Rick present. He also should still be pissed as hell. He should have been told he was in danger after that car accident.
Jake didn't watch over him--for many years he wasn't even in the same area code.
Okay, that's better.
Um yes, actually, it is entirely Jake's fault. Rick might have allowed things to happen that hurt Jake but the whole situation was all Jake.
Babies aren't born with brown eyes right?
Great angst and peril.
3.95 stars
December 14, 2016
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Audiobook Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This is a wonderful addition to the Holland Brothers series. Throughout the other books in the series I could tell there was something about Jake and Patrick, but didn’t know for sure. Patrick and Jake have known each other forever and when they learn they are mates they are ecstatic, but Jake pushes Patrick away to protect him causing them both years of pain.
Jake has been watching over his mate from afar for years, hurting himself knowing he was hurting Patrick. Both of them have reached their limit, Patrick can’t take his heart breaking over and over anymore and Jake decides to deal with his father and see if he has any chance for a future with his mate. This story is heartbreaking to watch these two danced around each other, but still keeping everything a secret. It’s a bit hard for me to believe the brothers never noticed anything, but I still loved this story.
Dominic M. McCartney did a wonderful job narrating this story. I was able to understand the characters through the voices and emotions he portrayed. The voices didn’t quite match what I had thought of for the characters, but it didn’t hurt the storytelling. Even though this is a book I have read it felt new to me listening to him tell it.
Cover art looks great and follows the pattern for the series.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
This is a wonderful addition to the Holland Brothers series. Throughout the other books in the series I could tell there was something about Jake and Patrick, but didn’t know for sure. Patrick and Jake have known each other forever and when they learn they are mates they are ecstatic, but Jake pushes Patrick away to protect him causing them both years of pain.
Jake has been watching over his mate from afar for years, hurting himself knowing he was hurting Patrick. Both of them have reached their limit, Patrick can’t take his heart breaking over and over anymore and Jake decides to deal with his father and see if he has any chance for a future with his mate. This story is heartbreaking to watch these two danced around each other, but still keeping everything a secret. It’s a bit hard for me to believe the brothers never noticed anything, but I still loved this story.
Dominic M. McCartney did a wonderful job narrating this story. I was able to understand the characters through the voices and emotions he portrayed. The voices didn’t quite match what I had thought of for the characters, but it didn’t hurt the storytelling. Even though this is a book I have read it felt new to me listening to him tell it.
Cover art looks great and follows the pattern for the series.
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