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Chronicles of City M #1
Hidden Gem
The sparkling jewel of the Hidden Gem, City M’s most renowned brothel, Misaki “Aki” Itou is living the good life. He’s not subjected to torture for his psi abilities, he has a roof over his head, food to eat, and all the sparkly shoes he could dream about. He also has one particular regular he can’t get enough of, Shane McNaughton, even if Shane occasionally asks for Aki’s help on a case.
Shane is a cop specializing in missing persons. He’s good at finding people, not just because of his years as a seasoned detective, but because he survived the Third World War and resulting plague with a few supernatural abilities himself. Mutated by the virus that wiped out two thirds of the world’s population, Shane no longer considers himself human. Which is why he limits his visits to a very breakable psi companion when not working a case, no matter how much he might want Aki.
When a high ranking official’s daughter goes missing and feared dead, Shane has no choice but to ask Aki to use his abilities to help him track down the kidnapper. The case opens a door to a past Aki thought he had escaped. Will Shane’s love be enough to save them all when something dark is awakened inside of Aki?
Note: Re-edited, but content still the same. Short fiction added to the end.
Shane is a cop specializing in missing persons. He’s good at finding people, not just because of his years as a seasoned detective, but because he survived the Third World War and resulting plague with a few supernatural abilities himself. Mutated by the virus that wiped out two thirds of the world’s population, Shane no longer considers himself human. Which is why he limits his visits to a very breakable psi companion when not working a case, no matter how much he might want Aki.
When a high ranking official’s daughter goes missing and feared dead, Shane has no choice but to ask Aki to use his abilities to help him track down the kidnapper. The case opens a door to a past Aki thought he had escaped. Will Shane’s love be enough to save them all when something dark is awakened inside of Aki?
Note: Re-edited, but content still the same. Short fiction added to the end.
Audiobook
First published September 26, 2014
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About the author
Lissa Kasey
73 books671 followersLissa Kasey is Ace/Aro and ENBY. Lissa's storytelling specializes in in-depth characters, detailed world building, sweet and spicy romance, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to the page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
February 7, 2017
The book that held me hostage.
4.5 Exhilarating and Frenetic Stars
This is one of those books that "happened" for me. It reeled me in from the beginning. I tried to resist, tried to read something else, but even when we separated I couldn't stop thinking about it. I guess you could say I became a little obsessed.
Hidden Gem has two story lines-the post-apocalyptic/dystopian world in which these characters live with all its political machinations and the serial killer case. The romance between Shane and Aki is interwoven between the two and provides respite from the frenetic pace, but if you're looking for oodles of romance, look elsewhere.
Aki fascinated me from the start. I knew he had to be the link between these two story lines. Damned if I could figure out how, but I do like a challenge. I also like puzzles and there are a million pieces to be put together in this story. Loads of information is thrown out and at times I felt a little overwhelmed. Even up until the very end my head was still spinning. I like when a book can surprise me again and again. Who wants dull?
Aki is a companion at the Hidden Gem. He's the most sought out companion owing, ostensibly, to his great beauty. His psi abilities preclude him from touching someone due to his clairvoyance, so no sex. Lots of gloves-both kinds. Aki has been feminized by the club to increase his desirability which means… yup! You guessed it. MANTIES!!!!!!!!!!! He also has a shoe fetish. More bonus points there.
Shane has been working missing persons for so long he has attained legendary status. He's been called in to track down a serial killer targeting wealthy kids. Shane has been utilizing Aki's services for two years. They've grown fond of each other, though Aki is wary of Shane. Aki is also submissive. The BDSM elements are mild D/s, nothing that'll send anyone screaming for the hills, but a large component of Aki's reluctance to get closer to Shane is his uncertainty that Shane will be able to provide the structure, dominance and discipline he needs.
They live in the North in City M. All cities are only designated by letters now. The North and South are in discord. The governments have launched countless projects over the years which have resulted in numerous mutations. Layer upon layer is added to the world building, each more astounding. The story is woven together so intricately. I picked up threads here, there and yon all of which had meaning, but I failed to put it together completely.
Paris was the standout secondary character for me. I'd love to know more about him. I'd also love to know what went down at his country home between him and Shane. Kinda fussy that all went down off the page. Candy has his charms and adds to the tension. I love that he's not what he appears at first glance.
Why not give it 5 Hearts then? I still have questions. I'm not sure if that's purposeful or an oversight. Plus, the overarching message conveyed in this book is 'the government knows everything' which seems to be contradicted. I have trouble believing an omnipotent entity would've lost track of something so unique and potentially lethal. Nevertheless, I cannot in good faith go lower than 4.5 Hearts because of the journey that Ms. Kasey took me on, the world she showed me and how much it captivated me or held me hostage. Tomato. Tomahto.
Truth be told, I'm still thinking about it. I'd really like to re-read it and see what I missed things or if things make more sense now that I "know". I bet thhis would make for an excellent discussion/buddy read book.
Post-apocalyptic, dystopian and thriller fans get ready to sink your teeth into this one.
Don't forget to check out Ms. Kasey's short story called First Glimpse which is a prelude to Hidden Gem. If you leave a comment and your email, you'll be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card!
October 5, 2014
*3.5 stars*
What an interesting, creative little book this was! While the world-building was top notch, the romance left a lot to be desired.
This is a complex book about a mysterious psychic prostitute, a shapeshifting policeman, and a series of gruesome murders. It reminded me in vague ways of Hell & High Water: It is like its less snarky, more intense older brother.
What this book does exceedingly well is atmosphere. This was an awesome and somewhat terrifying futuristic world where people have been irrevocably altered during a fictional WWIII. The concept was really well executed. You could tell that Lissa Kasey did some serious brainstorming with this one. I was pretty surprised by both the thoroughness of the plot and the uniqueness of the concepts throughout the story. The mystery had a lot of twists and turns, but made total sense at the end. Though there were a few plot elements left dangling and issues that went unresolved, overall the storyline was very strong.
The characters were interesting too. Aki, with his sparkly shoe fetish and his affinity for pretty things, and Shane, with his gruff masculinity, made an odd but wonderful match. This is a book for lovers of men on the more femme side of the gender spectrum, to be sure.
While this book was incredibly fascinating, it didn't quite work for me as a romance. I never really got a sense of why Aki and Shane liked one another. Aki felt distant and dispassionate, and I was never sure if he actually liked Shane as more than just a sexual partner. Also, I HATED the BDSM element. I thought it felt like an awkward fit for the story and it felt like it was just thrown in there to add a sexual element that wasn't really needed.
In the end, I liked this story a great deal, but had some issues with it that kept my rating below 4 stars. I think Lissa Kasey's imagination shone in this book, and fans of Sci-fi and fantasy will really get into this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
What an interesting, creative little book this was! While the world-building was top notch, the romance left a lot to be desired.
This is a complex book about a mysterious psychic prostitute, a shapeshifting policeman, and a series of gruesome murders. It reminded me in vague ways of Hell & High Water: It is like its less snarky, more intense older brother.
What this book does exceedingly well is atmosphere. This was an awesome and somewhat terrifying futuristic world where people have been irrevocably altered during a fictional WWIII. The concept was really well executed. You could tell that Lissa Kasey did some serious brainstorming with this one. I was pretty surprised by both the thoroughness of the plot and the uniqueness of the concepts throughout the story. The mystery had a lot of twists and turns, but made total sense at the end. Though there were a few plot elements left dangling and issues that went unresolved, overall the storyline was very strong.
The characters were interesting too. Aki, with his sparkly shoe fetish and his affinity for pretty things, and Shane, with his gruff masculinity, made an odd but wonderful match. This is a book for lovers of men on the more femme side of the gender spectrum, to be sure.
While this book was incredibly fascinating, it didn't quite work for me as a romance. I never really got a sense of why Aki and Shane liked one another. Aki felt distant and dispassionate, and I was never sure if he actually liked Shane as more than just a sexual partner. Also, I HATED the BDSM element. I thought it felt like an awkward fit for the story and it felt like it was just thrown in there to add a sexual element that wasn't really needed.
In the end, I liked this story a great deal, but had some issues with it that kept my rating below 4 stars. I think Lissa Kasey's imagination shone in this book, and fans of Sci-fi and fantasy will really get into this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
April 28, 2015
It's a solid 3 stars from me. I did enjoy this, but not as much as I hoped. What makes it particularly difficult is that Aki and Shane are the narrative focalizers, but not the protagonists. It is not Aki's actions that drive the plot. Aki drives only the profits of his local Just Shoes. Shane, the detective, is supposed to be the protagonist at the beginning, but he ends up having nothing to do with solving the mystery, nor does he make the decisions about his and Aki's relationship - Paris does.
This is because the actual protagonist is Paris: the entire plot is driven by his decisions. . But because Paris is not a focal character, it all comes across incredibly Deus ex machina. Shane and Aki just kind of bounce around the storyworld like pinballs, buying shoes and remodelling pre-war buildings (and even then, Paris pays for a large part of it and directs all security features).
This leaves me so distanced from the romantic MCs that it deprives me of the emotional intensity I'm supposed to feel.
The overall plot was a great idea, but wasn't implemented as well as I could have hoped. Plot development came, for the most part, in chunks of exposition.
People who I really admire LOVE this book, and I rec anyone to read Optimist King's Wench's review. Perhaps it's just Lissa Kassey's style that doesn't work for me.
This is because the actual protagonist is Paris: the entire plot is driven by his decisions. . But because Paris is not a focal character, it all comes across incredibly Deus ex machina. Shane and Aki just kind of bounce around the storyworld like pinballs, buying shoes and remodelling pre-war buildings (and even then, Paris pays for a large part of it and directs all security features).
This leaves me so distanced from the romantic MCs that it deprives me of the emotional intensity I'm supposed to feel.
The overall plot was a great idea, but wasn't implemented as well as I could have hoped. Plot development came, for the most part, in chunks of exposition.
People who I really admire LOVE this book, and I rec anyone to read Optimist King's Wench's review. Perhaps it's just Lissa Kassey's style that doesn't work for me.
August 20, 2024
I absolutely love this book. It's truly unique and a gem, even if it's not quite perfect.
What you should like to read this: a dystopian world, science, fantasy, bloody violent scenes and definitely a plot driven story.
My goodness, there's a lot in here and a lot that surprised me and I had a pounding heart with excitement the whole time. ... not what I actually like, I prefer it a bit calmer.
That's probably my only criticism, I would have needed two more quiet scenes at the end to come down. Before that, everything was wonderfully balanced, but the last 20 pages felt too rushed. But I've looked into the follow-up books and just trust that Aki and Shane will still get enough space, because their story is impossible at the end. Also, the world that has been created here is so incredibly interwoven, you have to keep reading if you want answers ... I will.
Aki and Shane ... A couple made in heaven, more likely in hell. Oh, they are so beautiful together. Gorgeous. Few sexual scenes and rather subtle romance but still heart-melting.
Detective McNaughton was tall, dark, and Irish. His face all angles, hair heavy and dark brown, five o’clock shadow coarse like sandpaper, he looked like he could have come out of an old storybook with men in kilts. 🫠🖤🫠
Aki wanted to go home to the comfort of his tiny room and his closet of sparkly shoes. He’d pretend he was a lost prince or maybe a sultan’s concubine and that the past had never really happened. 🥺🌈🥺
Note to self: running bad, drinking too much bad, waking up with a sexy Irishman good. 💎🤩💎
What you should like to read this: a dystopian world, science, fantasy, bloody violent scenes and definitely a plot driven story.
My goodness, there's a lot in here and a lot that surprised me and I had a pounding heart with excitement the whole time. ... not what I actually like, I prefer it a bit calmer.
That's probably my only criticism, I would have needed two more quiet scenes at the end to come down. Before that, everything was wonderfully balanced, but the last 20 pages felt too rushed. But I've looked into the follow-up books and just trust that Aki and Shane will still get enough space, because their story is impossible at the end. Also, the world that has been created here is so incredibly interwoven, you have to keep reading if you want answers ... I will.
Aki and Shane ... A couple made in heaven, more likely in hell. Oh, they are so beautiful together. Gorgeous. Few sexual scenes and rather subtle romance but still heart-melting.
Detective McNaughton was tall, dark, and Irish. His face all angles, hair heavy and dark brown, five o’clock shadow coarse like sandpaper, he looked like he could have come out of an old storybook with men in kilts. 🫠🖤🫠
Aki wanted to go home to the comfort of his tiny room and his closet of sparkly shoes. He’d pretend he was a lost prince or maybe a sultan’s concubine and that the past had never really happened. 🥺🌈🥺
Note to self: running bad, drinking too much bad, waking up with a sexy Irishman good. 💎🤩💎
dnf
May 9, 2020Audio 5 Stars
Story dnf @ 39%
So far the focus is on everything but the couple and relationship development. There has been very little interaction between the MCs. What little there has been felt very impersonal. Not my kind of romance. 😑
Story dnf @ 39%
So far the focus is on everything but the couple and relationship development. There has been very little interaction between the MCs. What little there has been felt very impersonal. Not my kind of romance. 😑
October 26, 2015
AMAZING BOOK 5 HUGE STARS!
This book is a gem in it’s own right, as sparkly and shiny as a pair of Aki’s shoes. I came away from this book excited and exhilarated so happy I had read a book that was a complete surprise and not at all what I was expecting, and at the same time I was gutted it had finished after being so totally captivated, I didn’t want it to end.
You can read my review over at Sinfully where you can also read a short story introducing the adorable Aki and the bad ass Shane.
February 20, 2015
I read this practically in one sitting and if the sequel had been out would have gobbled it up the same day. The characters really shine in this one, not just the leads, who are great, but the whole ensemble. For a book set mostly in a brothel there was less sex than you might expect, but Casey made up for it with the supercharged dynamic, between Shane and Aki obviously, but also between Aki and Paris, his trainer, and one of my favorite characters. My main complaint was that I found the world-building busy and info-dumpy--especially as we got close to the climax, which is not the best place for huge, confusing revelations. Frustratingly, I wanted more details about the overall dystopian setting, especially the split between the North and the South.
But still, this is an entertaining, sizzling hot read, with great characters. I can't wait for book two.
But still, this is an entertaining, sizzling hot read, with great characters. I can't wait for book two.
August 29, 2015
Main Character Aki (Of course I am thinking of The Finder Series!), is a rent-boy and a Psi with amazing, off the scale abilities (Think Among the Living.)
Every once in a while Aki helps one of his clients, Shane, a detective and a shifter (Think Prey. There is even a Paris, but not in the same capacity.), with murder investigations by connecting with the victims through their personal objects.
Aki is very fragile not only in shape and stature, but mentally as well. He went through hell in one of the South concentration camps for people with his abilities, but by some miracle survived and was able to escape. He ends up on the streets of a northern City M, starving and freezing. Local brothel owners, Paris and Bart, found Aki just in time to save his life and took him in. They trained the boy to be the highest paid rent boy in the entire city.
Life is easy and comfortable for Aki. He specializes in blowjobs and blowjobs only, flirts with the other rent boys, has a nice collection of pretty shoes and enjoys himself most of the time. He loves his job, the security of it, thinks of all the other boys and the owner as his family and the brothel as his home (Teahouse comes to mind).
But life is never simple. Aki is in great danger, because someone from the South, someone who resembles Aki close enough to be his brother, is looking for his friend/roommate/coworker for an unknown reason (never truly explained), while someone else is murdering kids with psi abilities.
For a while we were allowed to be a step ahead of the characters, which didn't bother me at first, but started getting on the way of reading as the book progressed.
The story turns very weird and complicated in the end, with an unhealthy amount of contradictions. I didn't care much for the ending, but at the same time could have used a few more pages just to see the dust settle.
UPDATE:
Re-read my review and realized that there was not enough (or too much, depends on the way you look at it) of Detective Ino. Why was he even in the book? At one point we get a lot of information about him, a sense of danger, but ultimately his role in the story is one of the very minor ones. Was he intended for something grander originally?
I am torn between 3 and 4 stars.
Every once in a while Aki helps one of his clients, Shane, a detective and a shifter (Think Prey. There is even a Paris, but not in the same capacity.), with murder investigations by connecting with the victims through their personal objects.
Aki is very fragile not only in shape and stature, but mentally as well. He went through hell in one of the South concentration camps for people with his abilities, but by some miracle survived and was able to escape. He ends up on the streets of a northern City M, starving and freezing. Local brothel owners, Paris and Bart, found Aki just in time to save his life and took him in. They trained the boy to be the highest paid rent boy in the entire city.
Life is easy and comfortable for Aki. He specializes in blowjobs and blowjobs only, flirts with the other rent boys, has a nice collection of pretty shoes and enjoys himself most of the time. He loves his job, the security of it, thinks of all the other boys and the owner as his family and the brothel as his home (Teahouse comes to mind).
But life is never simple. Aki is in great danger, because someone from the South, someone who resembles Aki close enough to be his brother, is looking for his friend/roommate/coworker for an unknown reason (never truly explained), while someone else is murdering kids with psi abilities.
For a while we were allowed to be a step ahead of the characters, which didn't bother me at first, but started getting on the way of reading as the book progressed.
The story turns very weird and complicated in the end, with an unhealthy amount of contradictions. I didn't care much for the ending, but at the same time could have used a few more pages just to see the dust settle.
UPDATE:
Re-read my review and realized that there was not enough (or too much, depends on the way you look at it) of Detective Ino. Why was he even in the book? At one point we get a lot of information about him, a sense of danger, but ultimately his role in the story is one of the very minor ones. Was he intended for something grander originally?
I am torn between 3 and 4 stars.
February 8, 2017
4.5 shifting stars rounded down because still no 1/2 stars here on GR and that's it still no 1/2 stars.
Definitely not your typical romance...
I've been making grabby hands at this one for a while now. I bought the e-book back in...ok, never mind I bought the e-book ok. Then I was offered the opportunity to review the audio book so I jumped at it and am I ever happy I did that little thing.
This story is...awesome? Mind blowing? Fascinating? Ok, let's just say I thought it was pretty damned amazing.
Misaki “Aki” Itou is a psi, he's also a highly paid whore and he's in love with Shane McNaughton who happens to be a police officer and a survivor of the third world war. Only Shane didn't survive totally unscathed. His genes were mutated so now he's a shifter. People don't know about his 'kind' and he doesn't want anyone seeing the monster he guards so closely but Shane's in love with Aki and he wants him in his life all the time.
In a nutshell there's a romance in this story it's good and in a lot of ways it's really, really sweet. I love these two but their romance is definitely not the main focus of this story. Although I never felt like it got thrown to the wayside, it was subtle and understated at times.
'Hidden Gem' is the name of the house where Aki works along with his best friend 'Candy' (but you have to wait until book 3 for Candy's story). Strange as it seems Aki is grateful to have the life he has. When he was found by Bart, the man who holds his contract and own's the Hidden Gem and Paris, the man who trained him to work for Bart and himself a former whore until he bought out his own contract, Aki was living on borrowed time and had no idea how he was going to survive.
To say that life as a whore is challenging for Aki is an understatement given that his psi power is that he sees other peoples memories and feels their emotions when he touches them and he's never been trained to manage his powers, but, while there are limits on what he can and will do Aki is beautiful and men want him. So where there's a want there's a way and as Paris promised he soon becomes one of Bart's top earning whores.
Given that fantasy/scifi/dystopian/post-apocolyptic/paranormal/shifter type stories while something that I'm cautious with have also been genres that have fairly consistently drawn me in, as well, it doesn't surprise that I enjoyed this one. What does surprise me is how much I enjoyed this story.
I loved the world building...it was fabulous, I loved so a many of the secondary characters Paris (his story is next), Candy, Bart, Shane's partner...Jackson Taylor (another MC for book 3). If books 2 and 3 hook me in as well as this one has...well, I'm a happy, happy girl.
So while the book was damned near perfect I have to admit I'm not quite as over the moon about the narration but having said that I was so enchanted with the story that the narrator really didn't seem to detract from it either. I honestly have to admit I may have to give this audiobook a second go round because I was so focused on the story that I'm not truly convinced that I gave Adam McLaughlin, the narrator in question a fair listen but since he definitely didn't spoil the story for me I'm going to give him 4 stars.
So that's 4 stars for the narrator, 5 stars for the story leaving us with a happy median of 4.5 stars and a happy me with two more stories awaiting my time.
Was this a perfect story...probably not, but, it was a story that worked perfectly for me.
*******************
An audiobook of 'Hidden Gem' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Definitely not your typical romance...
I've been making grabby hands at this one for a while now. I bought the e-book back in...ok, never mind I bought the e-book ok. Then I was offered the opportunity to review the audio book so I jumped at it and am I ever happy I did that little thing.
This story is...awesome? Mind blowing? Fascinating? Ok, let's just say I thought it was pretty damned amazing.
Misaki “Aki” Itou is a psi, he's also a highly paid whore and he's in love with Shane McNaughton who happens to be a police officer and a survivor of the third world war. Only Shane didn't survive totally unscathed. His genes were mutated so now he's a shifter. People don't know about his 'kind' and he doesn't want anyone seeing the monster he guards so closely but Shane's in love with Aki and he wants him in his life all the time.
In a nutshell there's a romance in this story it's good and in a lot of ways it's really, really sweet. I love these two but their romance is definitely not the main focus of this story. Although I never felt like it got thrown to the wayside, it was subtle and understated at times.
'Hidden Gem' is the name of the house where Aki works along with his best friend 'Candy' (but you have to wait until book 3 for Candy's story). Strange as it seems Aki is grateful to have the life he has. When he was found by Bart, the man who holds his contract and own's the Hidden Gem and Paris, the man who trained him to work for Bart and himself a former whore until he bought out his own contract, Aki was living on borrowed time and had no idea how he was going to survive.
To say that life as a whore is challenging for Aki is an understatement given that his psi power is that he sees other peoples memories and feels their emotions when he touches them and he's never been trained to manage his powers, but, while there are limits on what he can and will do Aki is beautiful and men want him. So where there's a want there's a way and as Paris promised he soon becomes one of Bart's top earning whores.
Given that fantasy/scifi/dystopian/post-apocolyptic/paranormal/shifter type stories while something that I'm cautious with have also been genres that have fairly consistently drawn me in, as well, it doesn't surprise that I enjoyed this one. What does surprise me is how much I enjoyed this story.
I loved the world building...it was fabulous, I loved so a many of the secondary characters Paris (his story is next), Candy, Bart, Shane's partner...Jackson Taylor (another MC for book 3). If books 2 and 3 hook me in as well as this one has...well, I'm a happy, happy girl.
So while the book was damned near perfect I have to admit I'm not quite as over the moon about the narration but having said that I was so enchanted with the story that the narrator really didn't seem to detract from it either. I honestly have to admit I may have to give this audiobook a second go round because I was so focused on the story that I'm not truly convinced that I gave Adam McLaughlin, the narrator in question a fair listen but since he definitely didn't spoil the story for me I'm going to give him 4 stars.
So that's 4 stars for the narrator, 5 stars for the story leaving us with a happy median of 4.5 stars and a happy me with two more stories awaiting my time.
Was this a perfect story...probably not, but, it was a story that worked perfectly for me.
*******************
An audiobook of 'Hidden Gem' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2014
OMG OMG! THIS WAS AWESOME!! OMG OMG!!
I loved everything about this story, the world-building, the characters, the story, the writing. Aki and Shane are my current fav characters at the mo. *sigh*
I coud not put this down except to FaceTime with Macky, and then I stayed awake till i reached the end!!!!
Would highly recommend!!
I loved everything about this story, the world-building, the characters, the story, the writing. Aki and Shane are my current fav characters at the mo. *sigh*
I coud not put this down except to FaceTime with Macky, and then I stayed awake till i reached the end!!!!
Would highly recommend!!
February 15, 2020
4.25 Stars
Oh man, you have no idea how much torture it was to only listen to this is fits & starts all week. TORTURE.
I was immediately sucked in; the world-building was amazing and the story kept me on the edge of my seat. Also, Adam McLaughlin did a great job of narrating.
That said, I wasn't so enamored of the BDSM aspect. It felt almost...IDK, gratuitous? Like it was just there to give it an edge (that it didn't need because it was edgy and dark enough!). But the image of Aki in lingerie and skirts - repeatedly - and all those high-heeled shoes *fans self* was too hot, so I can't complain (much).
Will definitely read the next books in the series.
Oh man, you have no idea how much torture it was to only listen to this is fits & starts all week. TORTURE.
I was immediately sucked in; the world-building was amazing and the story kept me on the edge of my seat. Also, Adam McLaughlin did a great job of narrating.
That said, I wasn't so enamored of the BDSM aspect. It felt almost...IDK, gratuitous? Like it was just there to give it an edge (that it didn't need because it was edgy and dark enough!). But the image of Aki in lingerie and skirts - repeatedly - and all those high-heeled shoes *fans self* was too hot, so I can't complain (much).
Will definitely read the next books in the series.
September 6, 2016
2.75 stars rounded up
Imagine my emotional connection to a book like a car gear. It always stays at neutral before I begin. It can stay that way, which usually results in my 3-3.5 stars. It can move ahead, when I care more about the characters that sometimes I disregard any other weaknesses. But it can also move in reverse, when I feel detached with the characters or their turmoils.
This book falls into the latter category. While I admired Aki for being unapologetic about who he is or Shane for being unpretentious about what he sees in Aki -- at least in the beginning, where I also thought of him as an asshole -- but that behavior also made feel cold towards everyone and what had been going on. I didn't sympathize with what happened to them.
In other words, I just didn't feel the supposedly romantic element -- and definitely, did NOT believe that Shane could suddenly feel lovey-dovey towards Aki. Or heck, did Aki really love Shane? When THAT happened? So the romance part, or anything related to Shane and Aki as a unit, was a total failure for me.
Then the BDSM or D/s part. Boy, I hated that part. It felt like a weird interruption to the whole story flow. I didn't understand why it was needed. I surely didn't enjoy reading it. That session between Aki and Paris? Really? Was that even necessary?
Oh, and I also felt that the other characters got a little too many page-time. They will get their own book, won't they? So why couldn't we have those pages dedication instead for Shane and Aki to build their relationship? At least maybe it will help me believe in them in the end.
In addition, there were too many distraction to the serial killer case. If I feel emotionally dispassionate to the characters, sometimes I focus on something else. I want to focus on the mystery aspect of this story ... mainly the murder case. Alas, not many investigation going on. Which again was a total disappointment.
BUT ... I can still rounded this story up to my 3-stars category because I thought the futuristic setting was interesting. The idea of world after Third World War, the mutated DNA, the psi, ... those parts were quite creative.
I also liked the feminine part of Aki and Candy, with their shoe fetish and the colored hair ... although at the same time, I need to ask why the whores are the feminine ones, and the detectives are the masculine gruff ones? Isn't that somewhat stereotype-y?
I loved Kasey's previous works -- but it might also had to do with my preference at that time. Who knows what I will think about it now. All I know, I am not feeling this one. So, I am not certain that I want to continue with the next one. We'll see in time *shrugs*
Part of my involvement in Joyfully Jay Reading Challenge Month 2016 Week 1: TBR Pile Challenge (Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for at least a year)
Imagine my emotional connection to a book like a car gear. It always stays at neutral before I begin. It can stay that way, which usually results in my 3-3.5 stars. It can move ahead, when I care more about the characters that sometimes I disregard any other weaknesses. But it can also move in reverse, when I feel detached with the characters or their turmoils.
This book falls into the latter category. While I admired Aki for being unapologetic about who he is or Shane for being unpretentious about what he sees in Aki -- at least in the beginning, where I also thought of him as an asshole -- but that behavior also made feel cold towards everyone and what had been going on. I didn't sympathize with what happened to them.
In other words, I just didn't feel the supposedly romantic element -- and definitely, did NOT believe that Shane could suddenly feel lovey-dovey towards Aki. Or heck, did Aki really love Shane? When THAT happened? So the romance part, or anything related to Shane and Aki as a unit, was a total failure for me.
Then the BDSM or D/s part. Boy, I hated that part. It felt like a weird interruption to the whole story flow. I didn't understand why it was needed. I surely didn't enjoy reading it. That session between Aki and Paris? Really? Was that even necessary?
Oh, and I also felt that the other characters got a little too many page-time. They will get their own book, won't they? So why couldn't we have those pages dedication instead for Shane and Aki to build their relationship? At least maybe it will help me believe in them in the end.
In addition, there were too many distraction to the serial killer case. If I feel emotionally dispassionate to the characters, sometimes I focus on something else. I want to focus on the mystery aspect of this story ... mainly the murder case. Alas, not many investigation going on. Which again was a total disappointment.
BUT ... I can still rounded this story up to my 3-stars category because I thought the futuristic setting was interesting. The idea of world after Third World War, the mutated DNA, the psi, ... those parts were quite creative.
I also liked the feminine part of Aki and Candy, with their shoe fetish and the colored hair ... although at the same time, I need to ask why the whores are the feminine ones, and the detectives are the masculine gruff ones? Isn't that somewhat stereotype-y?
I loved Kasey's previous works -- but it might also had to do with my preference at that time. Who knows what I will think about it now. All I know, I am not feeling this one. So, I am not certain that I want to continue with the next one. We'll see in time *shrugs*
Part of my involvement in Joyfully Jay Reading Challenge Month 2016 Week 1: TBR Pile Challenge (Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for at least a year)
November 3, 2014
Aki is a paid companion, a sex-worker in an exclusive brothel. Beautiful, fey, and in touch with his feminine side… the guy has a serious shoe fetish. But what sets him truly apart is that Aki is a ‘psi’ -- a genetically altered human with an extra sensory ability. It allows him to tap into other people’s darkest thoughts, memories, desires whenever he touches them.
A serious hazard considering his job. And there’s the conundrum. Aki wears gloves to work. He can have no skin-to-skin contact when he’s ‘servicing’ his clients. He can’t have penetrative sex. Not even with the man he has feelings for, Detective Shane McNaughton. So, the sex is really minimal in the story. And, we’re asked to believe that Aki’s physical attributes are enough to make him the Numero Uno whore in town, with scads of horny men lining up for… gloved hand jobs. Hmmm…
The plot… With a vicious serial killer targeting psi’s, Aki and Shane do get closer as Shane works to protect Aki and nab the bad guy. Aki is in danger and kept in the dark about a lot through much of the story.
I really liked the idea of super-secret government experiments on humans and soldiers, trying to engineer super-beings. That had real potential. But the idea is much more engaging than the story’s characters. Actually, Shane’s detective partner, Jackson Taylor, was much more likable and seemed to be doing all the caring things for Aki that Shane never got around to.
I really liked Jackson… was thinking for a bit, there, that he might be the better man for Aki.
I think the whole no-touching thing was supposed to set up a big slow burn, but unfortunately, I didn’t feel the sexual tension between Shane and Aki. Or any real romance, even. It seems that Shane has his own secrets and he comes across as a thoughtless lout for a large part of the story, mostly treating Aki like a sex object. Then, Shane miraculously morphs into this kinder, more caring guy at the end.
So, it’s a jumble. I remember feeling this with the only other story I’ve read by this author, Inheritance. The premise is great but the delivery doesn’t hold up. The writing has some syntax/edit problems-- particularly pronoun issues, ie: who’s doing what to whom, and that irritating ‘the man’ syndrome. The final chapter in Hidden Gem kind of leaves things up in the air for Aki. To me, it reads as an HFN. The author also fails to include the two lovers together in the final scene. That doesn’t help at all.
September 30, 2014
This deals with complex issues, however the writing makes it more than easy to get on board and keep up with all the happenings. You could argue (if you were being mean) that it's a tiny bit repetitive.
But Aki is so gorgeous and Shane is so noble that it's hard to worry about that. These boys are damaged, keep secrets and desperately want to find a place in this crazy mixed up world.
The serial killer plotline was well constructed, solved cleverly, with a dose of tension and danger. Aki's secrets finally come to light and Shane (mostly) saves the day.
But that last chapter - Gosh what does all that mean?
But Aki is so gorgeous and Shane is so noble that it's hard to worry about that. These boys are damaged, keep secrets and desperately want to find a place in this crazy mixed up world.
The serial killer plotline was well constructed, solved cleverly, with a dose of tension and danger. Aki's secrets finally come to light and Shane (mostly) saves the day.
But that last chapter - Gosh what does all that mean?
December 29, 2014
BDSM, Mystery, Paranormal, Sci-Fi to name a few...I never had a chance. Waaaay too much going on here for my brain to process without getting hurt. It eventually shut down in self defense.
September 25, 2014
A nightmare. Aki’s entire life has been nothing short of a nightmare. Tortured, experimented on, abused and helplessly doomed to a life where even human touch causes inexplicable pain, Aki now lives as a pampered companion—a whore and, amazingly, is grateful for even that. Aki is the most wretched of genetic mutations to surface after the Third World War which has ravaged his world. He is a psi—one who is able, via touch, to see a person’s life, their suffering, their darkest secrets, and the evil that lurks inside. Only two people are able to touch Aki without throwing him into a convulsive, hysterical state—his best friend and fellow companion, Candy; and the man who took him off the street and made him the companion he is today, Paris.
In all this, there is one brief ray of sunshine for Aki, one of his clients, Detective Shane McNaughton. While theirs is not an ideal relationship, both men have feelings for each other, and it is this that leads Aki to help Shane with his current investigation. Someone is murdering psi’s and Shane must stop them. Shane himself is a genetic mutation who must systematically revert to his animal form in order to keep from losing his grasp on sanity entirely. From this unusual match comes a taut, action packed story that I must admit kept me awake well into the night so that I could finish the book.
So many questions, so many worries—would Aki become the disturbingly psychotic killer’s next victim? Why can’t Aki remember how he managed to be the sole survivor of the death camp he was in for all those years? Is he the only survivor, or will those who ran the camp of torture and experimentation be back for him someday? Can Aki ever possibly touch Shane fully enough to have any kind of real, intimate relationship with him? I had to know. I needed to see and this book kept me absolutely spellbound to the very last word. And then? I wanted to write the author and cry out one word: sequel! Please?
I’m going to begin this review with something I rarely do and that is mention artist, Shobana Appavu, for the stunning cover art. I rarely look closely at covers, as they are never the reason I decide to read a book, but this one was just beautiful and fit the story perfectly. Then I could go on and mention the incredible world building the author created, and confess how I felt immersed in a city that does not exist and a lifestyle I have never experienced firsthand. The world in which these men lived almost became a third character; it had such life and was so rich in such a visceral way. When Shane visits the ravaged and chemically deadened south, I felt as though I had entered a barren wasteland with him and could feel the filth and deathly stillness of the area. I feel as though Aki’s wardrobe and makeup and shoes—oh golly, those shoes—should receive a nod due to the fact that each time any of these trappings were mentioned, it gave us, the readers, another window into what made Aki tick, how he thought, and the things, simple and shallow as they may appear, that kept him sane and gave him those few rare moments of happiness he so desperately deserved.
You see, there was just so much to author Lissa Kasey’s novel, so many layers of subtext and plot twists that left me racing to learn more about Shane and Aki, Candy and Paris, and, yes, just who was torturing, dismembering, and killing the poor victims. Shane, so gruff and aloof, yet so determined to see justice done, to save his precious Aki and to maintain some semblance of his own humanity when the beast inside threatened to consume him every moment. The gentle and loving way he thought of Aki, the deep desire to save him, see him pampered and taken care of, kept safe, was so lovely. This was not your typical romance. Sex between Aki and Shane could kill Aki, or leave him hospitalized, so Shane wooed him instead. He became the take-charge partner that Aki needed and the lover he desired. Such a careful dance between these two men that played out in this amazing story, it was nothing short of beautiful.
Hidden Gem is a stunning thriller that left me breathless! If there were flaws here, I could not find them, for this story was just that good. I highly recommend this incredible novel to you.
In all this, there is one brief ray of sunshine for Aki, one of his clients, Detective Shane McNaughton. While theirs is not an ideal relationship, both men have feelings for each other, and it is this that leads Aki to help Shane with his current investigation. Someone is murdering psi’s and Shane must stop them. Shane himself is a genetic mutation who must systematically revert to his animal form in order to keep from losing his grasp on sanity entirely. From this unusual match comes a taut, action packed story that I must admit kept me awake well into the night so that I could finish the book.
So many questions, so many worries—would Aki become the disturbingly psychotic killer’s next victim? Why can’t Aki remember how he managed to be the sole survivor of the death camp he was in for all those years? Is he the only survivor, or will those who ran the camp of torture and experimentation be back for him someday? Can Aki ever possibly touch Shane fully enough to have any kind of real, intimate relationship with him? I had to know. I needed to see and this book kept me absolutely spellbound to the very last word. And then? I wanted to write the author and cry out one word: sequel! Please?
I’m going to begin this review with something I rarely do and that is mention artist, Shobana Appavu, for the stunning cover art. I rarely look closely at covers, as they are never the reason I decide to read a book, but this one was just beautiful and fit the story perfectly. Then I could go on and mention the incredible world building the author created, and confess how I felt immersed in a city that does not exist and a lifestyle I have never experienced firsthand. The world in which these men lived almost became a third character; it had such life and was so rich in such a visceral way. When Shane visits the ravaged and chemically deadened south, I felt as though I had entered a barren wasteland with him and could feel the filth and deathly stillness of the area. I feel as though Aki’s wardrobe and makeup and shoes—oh golly, those shoes—should receive a nod due to the fact that each time any of these trappings were mentioned, it gave us, the readers, another window into what made Aki tick, how he thought, and the things, simple and shallow as they may appear, that kept him sane and gave him those few rare moments of happiness he so desperately deserved.
You see, there was just so much to author Lissa Kasey’s novel, so many layers of subtext and plot twists that left me racing to learn more about Shane and Aki, Candy and Paris, and, yes, just who was torturing, dismembering, and killing the poor victims. Shane, so gruff and aloof, yet so determined to see justice done, to save his precious Aki and to maintain some semblance of his own humanity when the beast inside threatened to consume him every moment. The gentle and loving way he thought of Aki, the deep desire to save him, see him pampered and taken care of, kept safe, was so lovely. This was not your typical romance. Sex between Aki and Shane could kill Aki, or leave him hospitalized, so Shane wooed him instead. He became the take-charge partner that Aki needed and the lover he desired. Such a careful dance between these two men that played out in this amazing story, it was nothing short of beautiful.
Hidden Gem is a stunning thriller that left me breathless! If there were flaws here, I could not find them, for this story was just that good. I highly recommend this incredible novel to you.
October 22, 2016
3 - 3.5 estrellas
Me ha gustado el mundo y sus personajes. La investigación e intriga están bien.
No le doy más nota porque el romance ha escaseado. Para mi al final le faltaba algo más. Un poco apresurado.
Supongo que lo ha dejado así porque en los siguientes libros veré más de DM y Aki.
Me ha gustado el mundo y sus personajes. La investigación e intriga están bien.
No le doy más nota porque el romance ha escaseado. Para mi al final le faltaba algo más. Un poco apresurado.
Supongo que lo ha dejado así porque en los siguientes libros veré más de DM y Aki.
October 19, 2014
3.5 stars This was so hard to rate, I loved the first 100+ pages. Great world building, unique premise, dynamic characters. I'm not one for pre-existing relationships, but I liked how when the story starts Shane has been a client of Aki's for two years. Being privy to the fact that this was a romance, I was interested to know what was going to change to bring them together. Unfortunately, the answer is kinda, nothing.
The first we hear from Aki about Shane talks about how he's full of violence. You can tell he doesn't dislike the man, but is wary of him. That's fine, but nothing really happened before Aki was changing his tune and everyone talked about how they knew Aki liked him. Huh? Aki is understandably hesitant about accepting Shane's offer of 'more', but it takes almost the whole story for them to get together as more than client/companion. Then as soon as they do, BAM! Climax. It didn't leave me time to enjoy it.
The BDSM element also felt off to me. Forced and unnecessary, it just didn't work. And I actually ended up skipping the 'training' scenes with Paris because I just didn't care.
The murder mystery was good. I did guess who the villain was but it was cool to see things evolve and progress. But I thought there were a lot of questions left unanswered, both with the mystery and in general I'm thinking that there will be another book, hopefully with one of the secondary characters getting a love interest and a peek into Aki and Shane's lives. I will definitely be interested to see where this story goes and read more about this world, hopefully with some answers to my questions!
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
The first we hear from Aki about Shane talks about how he's full of violence. You can tell he doesn't dislike the man, but is wary of him. That's fine, but nothing really happened before Aki was changing his tune and everyone talked about how they knew Aki liked him. Huh? Aki is understandably hesitant about accepting Shane's offer of 'more', but it takes almost the whole story for them to get together as more than client/companion. Then as soon as they do, BAM! Climax. It didn't leave me time to enjoy it.
The BDSM element also felt off to me. Forced and unnecessary, it just didn't work. And I actually ended up skipping the 'training' scenes with Paris because I just didn't care.
The murder mystery was good. I did guess who the villain was but it was cool to see things evolve and progress. But I thought there were a lot of questions left unanswered, both with the mystery and in general I'm thinking that there will be another book, hopefully with one of the secondary characters getting a love interest and a peek into Aki and Shane's lives. I will definitely be interested to see where this story goes and read more about this world, hopefully with some answers to my questions!
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
February 24, 2017
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
The Hidden Gem was one of those stories that as a reader I really didn’t like to begin with. I think a combination of a new to me narrator and a storyline that was slow and hard to ‘get into’ had me nearly giving up on a story that I actually I ended up really enjoying.
So first off we get a new world. A dystopian world set after world war 3 where the North and South are set apart and are very different places to live – it actually reminded me a little of the Hunger Games with the separate districts. We are in district M in the North. Alongside the different world is a different type of person. Be it through testing, abhorrent labs or something in the atmosphere a lot of people have mutated DNA and how this has affected them varies greatly – I would hazard a guess that as this series expands we will see even more variations.
Aki is a psi with psychic abilities and a character that is very easy to like. He is a contracted companion, a whore, but he is very clear and strict on what he will and won’t do. He’s a mysterious character who likes shiny shoes and has a soft spot for a certain Irish Detective even if he scares him. He also comes with a great group of friends who hopefully we will see more of later in the series.
Shane is the Irish Detective that spends his day tracking down missing people. His DNA is also changed and his beast determines his schedule and is not something he is very open about. His relationship with Aki initially is difficult and I didn’t take to Shane until probably half way through the book – he is definitely not as easy to like as the lovely Aki.
There is a lot of information in The Hidden Gem but that is likely due to it being the first book in a series and you will need to concentrate to take it all in. Aki and Shane seem to hop from one challenge to the next but they do get their hard earned HEA and leave the story wide open for the next instalment.
Narration Review:
Adam McLaughlin was a new to me narrator and it took a bit of time for me to get comfortable with his voice. He was not always easy to listen to but on reflection I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job so by the end of the book he was winner for me.
The Hidden Gem was one of those stories that as a reader I really didn’t like to begin with. I think a combination of a new to me narrator and a storyline that was slow and hard to ‘get into’ had me nearly giving up on a story that I actually I ended up really enjoying.
So first off we get a new world. A dystopian world set after world war 3 where the North and South are set apart and are very different places to live – it actually reminded me a little of the Hunger Games with the separate districts. We are in district M in the North. Alongside the different world is a different type of person. Be it through testing, abhorrent labs or something in the atmosphere a lot of people have mutated DNA and how this has affected them varies greatly – I would hazard a guess that as this series expands we will see even more variations.
Aki is a psi with psychic abilities and a character that is very easy to like. He is a contracted companion, a whore, but he is very clear and strict on what he will and won’t do. He’s a mysterious character who likes shiny shoes and has a soft spot for a certain Irish Detective even if he scares him. He also comes with a great group of friends who hopefully we will see more of later in the series.
Shane is the Irish Detective that spends his day tracking down missing people. His DNA is also changed and his beast determines his schedule and is not something he is very open about. His relationship with Aki initially is difficult and I didn’t take to Shane until probably half way through the book – he is definitely not as easy to like as the lovely Aki.
There is a lot of information in The Hidden Gem but that is likely due to it being the first book in a series and you will need to concentrate to take it all in. Aki and Shane seem to hop from one challenge to the next but they do get their hard earned HEA and leave the story wide open for the next instalment.
Narration Review:
Adam McLaughlin was a new to me narrator and it took a bit of time for me to get comfortable with his voice. He was not always easy to listen to but on reflection I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job so by the end of the book he was winner for me.
March 9, 2015
I wish Goodreads had more stars than just five because I would use them all to rate this book.
Hidden Gem is set in a post-apocalyptic world forty years after World War III. The Third, as it is called, included the development of lethal technology that changed people into weapons that ultimately careened out of control and turned on their creators. Once genetics are involved evolution proceeds at its own pace, sometimes quietly concealed, sometimes hidden in plain sight, but often veiled in secrecy by the very government that switched it on in the first place.
Lissa Kasey is an extremely talented writer whose world building is incomparable. She kicks this book off with a bit of recognizable horror, a homeless waif who is freezing and starving, wishing for an escape into death until he is rescued. Or is he?
Aki was born a cognitive psi, the result of genetic mutation experiments during the war. His in-born skills are such that he cannot touch others skin-to-skin without transmitting to him their most unbearable, darkest thoughts and memories. This leaves him very limited in what he can offer his clients sexually but nevertheless he has over the past two years become recognized as the jewel of the Hidden Gem brothel, the most desired and highly paid whore in the house. This is where Ms. Kasey’s next talent as a writer is revealed, her character development. Aki is protected by the brothel owner, Bart and is happy because he has food, shelter, and a family of friends and co-workers. Aki and his best friend Candy are male “companions” who dress as girls to appeal to men who prefer that kink. Aki has secrets that are kept from everyone, most especially Aki himself. Why is there no record, in a time of vast databases, of Aki prior to two years ago? Why does he have no memories of his own past? One of Aki’s best clients is Shane McNaughton, a police detective with a dark secret of his own.
Which leads us to the next skill of this amazing author, writing a story of police investigation that is by turns gruesome and mind-bendingly exciting. A serial killer is on the loose. What seems obvious is not as it seems and those who are in a position to know what is happening are sworn to secrecy, even from the police, to avoid alarming the general public. This is when public protection crosses the line into deception gone amok.
We’re brought back to the man who saved Aki from death on the frozen streets of “City M”, Senator Paris Hansworth, former prostitute, now an extremely wealthy politician. Paris has a personal goal to use his position in government and his own money to rescue people like Aki. He is a Dom who trains prostitutes for the brothel as a preferred lifestyle. Is Paris a good guy or a bad guy? Assume nothing while reading this novel.
And now we come to yet another talent of the amazing Ms. Kasey, turning a character-driven novel into a complex puzzle of a plot with many twists and turns that she manages to keep the reins on so the reader does not become lost in the intricate story that would be simple if not for the paranormal elements introduced by the wartime experiments. What are memories, what are nightmares, and what are the realities?
The final revelation of the killer’s identity is a breathtaking account that left me wanting to sleep with the lights on.
Wildly exciting, beautifully written, and with characters who will stay with you long after the conclusion of this long novel, Hidden Gem is truly a gem of a book that I cannot recommend highly enough. While the ending is not a cliffhanger (I say this for benefit of those for whom this would be an unwelcome finale), there are some unanswered questions for the curious reader and a sequel is coming. I for one can hardly wait for it! Lissa Kasey is now one of my top one-click auto buys, that is for sure.
Hidden Gem is set in a post-apocalyptic world forty years after World War III. The Third, as it is called, included the development of lethal technology that changed people into weapons that ultimately careened out of control and turned on their creators. Once genetics are involved evolution proceeds at its own pace, sometimes quietly concealed, sometimes hidden in plain sight, but often veiled in secrecy by the very government that switched it on in the first place.
Lissa Kasey is an extremely talented writer whose world building is incomparable. She kicks this book off with a bit of recognizable horror, a homeless waif who is freezing and starving, wishing for an escape into death until he is rescued. Or is he?
Aki was born a cognitive psi, the result of genetic mutation experiments during the war. His in-born skills are such that he cannot touch others skin-to-skin without transmitting to him their most unbearable, darkest thoughts and memories. This leaves him very limited in what he can offer his clients sexually but nevertheless he has over the past two years become recognized as the jewel of the Hidden Gem brothel, the most desired and highly paid whore in the house. This is where Ms. Kasey’s next talent as a writer is revealed, her character development. Aki is protected by the brothel owner, Bart and is happy because he has food, shelter, and a family of friends and co-workers. Aki and his best friend Candy are male “companions” who dress as girls to appeal to men who prefer that kink. Aki has secrets that are kept from everyone, most especially Aki himself. Why is there no record, in a time of vast databases, of Aki prior to two years ago? Why does he have no memories of his own past? One of Aki’s best clients is Shane McNaughton, a police detective with a dark secret of his own.
Which leads us to the next skill of this amazing author, writing a story of police investigation that is by turns gruesome and mind-bendingly exciting. A serial killer is on the loose. What seems obvious is not as it seems and those who are in a position to know what is happening are sworn to secrecy, even from the police, to avoid alarming the general public. This is when public protection crosses the line into deception gone amok.
We’re brought back to the man who saved Aki from death on the frozen streets of “City M”, Senator Paris Hansworth, former prostitute, now an extremely wealthy politician. Paris has a personal goal to use his position in government and his own money to rescue people like Aki. He is a Dom who trains prostitutes for the brothel as a preferred lifestyle. Is Paris a good guy or a bad guy? Assume nothing while reading this novel.
And now we come to yet another talent of the amazing Ms. Kasey, turning a character-driven novel into a complex puzzle of a plot with many twists and turns that she manages to keep the reins on so the reader does not become lost in the intricate story that would be simple if not for the paranormal elements introduced by the wartime experiments. What are memories, what are nightmares, and what are the realities?
The final revelation of the killer’s identity is a breathtaking account that left me wanting to sleep with the lights on.
Wildly exciting, beautifully written, and with characters who will stay with you long after the conclusion of this long novel, Hidden Gem is truly a gem of a book that I cannot recommend highly enough. While the ending is not a cliffhanger (I say this for benefit of those for whom this would be an unwelcome finale), there are some unanswered questions for the curious reader and a sequel is coming. I for one can hardly wait for it! Lissa Kasey is now one of my top one-click auto buys, that is for sure.
January 26, 2025
I originally read this book in October 2014 at which time I wrote a review but never published it so I am now fixing that huge error in judgment. The following is my original review but my feelings have not changed. In fact, I only think more highly of this author’s prowess as I have read everything she has written and consistently am astounded at her ability.
As luck would have it, it turns out that Lissa Kasey is going to be one of my roommates at this year's GRL. Now, of course, when I realized that I'd get the honor of another author in my room, I immediately asked her which book of hers I should read before I meet her. She made it plain that I was, in no way, shape, or form obligated to read any of her works, or even discuss them when I meet her. Well, um, I'm thinking she knows as much about me as I do about her, since everyone knows I never feel obligated to do anything, and reading a book is definitely not a punishment! So, I ran right out and grabbed 'Hidden Gem', which, funnily enough, I already had on my To Be Read shelf. It's fate, I tell you. Fate! I am a huge fan of fantasy and paranormal, and I knew, within the first ten pages, that I'd stumbled upon something truly unique. Intricate worldbuilding is a skill that not all writers can accomplish. I'm happy to say, this one can.
"You want me to be a prostitute?” Misaki couldn’t see anyone wanting the battered shell he was, starved, emaciated, ugly. Who would pay for that? And then there was his curse. “I can’t touch people. I see things….”
The older man sighed. “Useless, Paris. If you want a charity case, so be it. But I don’t know how I can use him.”
“Six weeks, Bart. What is your name, child?” the younger man, Paris, asked.
“Misaki. Misaki Itou.” Please take me with you. Or kill me. Anything but leave me in this misery for one more day.
“A shining star indeed. Six weeks, Bart, and you’ll be unable to hide the brightness of this little gem.”
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
As luck would have it, it turns out that Lissa Kasey is going to be one of my roommates at this year's GRL. Now, of course, when I realized that I'd get the honor of another author in my room, I immediately asked her which book of hers I should read before I meet her. She made it plain that I was, in no way, shape, or form obligated to read any of her works, or even discuss them when I meet her. Well, um, I'm thinking she knows as much about me as I do about her, since everyone knows I never feel obligated to do anything, and reading a book is definitely not a punishment! So, I ran right out and grabbed 'Hidden Gem', which, funnily enough, I already had on my To Be Read shelf. It's fate, I tell you. Fate! I am a huge fan of fantasy and paranormal, and I knew, within the first ten pages, that I'd stumbled upon something truly unique. Intricate worldbuilding is a skill that not all writers can accomplish. I'm happy to say, this one can.
"You want me to be a prostitute?” Misaki couldn’t see anyone wanting the battered shell he was, starved, emaciated, ugly. Who would pay for that? And then there was his curse. “I can’t touch people. I see things….”
The older man sighed. “Useless, Paris. If you want a charity case, so be it. But I don’t know how I can use him.”
“Six weeks, Bart. What is your name, child?” the younger man, Paris, asked.
“Misaki. Misaki Itou.” Please take me with you. Or kill me. Anything but leave me in this misery for one more day.
“A shining star indeed. Six weeks, Bart, and you’ll be unable to hide the brightness of this little gem.”
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
September 26, 2014
Read full review and the rest of the fun for our Happy Happy Release Day Book Blast eARC Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Hidden Gem by Lissa Kasey
For M/M Sci-Fi Lovers
It is the world after World War III and the consequences of the wars not only mutated the planet, but the very animals, including humans, living on it. As some are unaffected, more are but remain hidden for fear of fear itself. One of those who stays hidden, as a pleasure companion, is Aki Itou.
Aki remembers devastation, torture, violence, and a loss so profound his mind could not comprehend it. His savior is someone who knows that the world they now lived in is very different from the past. These days, power not only comes in the form of money, but in information. Trained by the best, now contracted to the best, Aki is Hidden Gem's top companion everyone sought. But fear met him everywhere he turns for his eyes betrays his mutation. He is a psi.
For M/M Sci-Fi Lovers
It is the world after World War III and the consequences of the wars not only mutated the planet, but the very animals, including humans, living on it. As some are unaffected, more are but remain hidden for fear of fear itself. One of those who stays hidden, as a pleasure companion, is Aki Itou.
Aki remembers devastation, torture, violence, and a loss so profound his mind could not comprehend it. His savior is someone who knows that the world they now lived in is very different from the past. These days, power not only comes in the form of money, but in information. Trained by the best, now contracted to the best, Aki is Hidden Gem's top companion everyone sought. But fear met him everywhere he turns for his eyes betrays his mutation. He is a psi.
October 9, 2014
Okay, I'm not sure what I expected when I started this book. The cover is gorgeous, and I'm familiar with the author's work, but this book was something else.
There wasn't a character I did not like. In fact, there were many I fell for. This book has incredible world building, and I look forward to seeing more of all/any of these characters.
There wasn't a character I did not like. In fact, there were many I fell for. This book has incredible world building, and I look forward to seeing more of all/any of these characters.
October 6, 2020
This was truly an amazing story! I was glued to the screen of my e-reader. An incredible story with such imaginative world building and truly sympathetic characters. I've already been a huge fan of Lissa Kasey's and this just added to my admiration of her abilities.
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June 1, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/1/2021)! 🎁
July 20, 2022
I enjoyed this, but it's choppy and ultimately felt unfinished. I often felt like I was playing catch up like I'd missed something.
I'm reading the omnibus and there are two short stories (after book 1 and before book 2) but neither gives us any more insight or proper conclusion to Aki and Shane's relationship and plot. Book two moves the POV on to River and book three to Candy, which smkes me sad because I want the finish to their story now.
I'm reading the omnibus and there are two short stories (after book 1 and before book 2) but neither gives us any more insight or proper conclusion to Aki and Shane's relationship and plot. Book two moves the POV on to River and book three to Candy, which smkes me sad because I want the finish to their story now.
February 15, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
4.5 stars
This book is loaded with with things I like to read about. I love a mystery. Dystopian societies. Dark pasts. Baddies who are sick and twisted. Likable characters and a great love story. I was lost in this world from the first few pages. If you’re reading for an escape this is a good one!
Aki is the shining star of the brothel. He makes good money despite his limitations. He’s a Psi. His Psi power is that he can see a person’s memories if his skin comes in contact with another persons. Most are too much for him to take. So he has no skin to skin contact with his customers. For the most part that’s okay. Aki is just happy to have food and a home. He’s found on the street starving after years of torture. So becoming a prostitute doesn’t seem so bad.
Aki’s favorite client is detective Shane McNaughton. Shane always comes back to him and there’s just something there between them. They once shared a kissed and Aki saw the dark and violence lurking inside Shane. Aki knows there’s no real future with Shane. Shane has a very successful track record for solving cases. He wants to see Aki on a personal level as often as possible. Shane is working on a particularly brutal serial killer case. When a high profile person is kidnapped, Shane feels pressure to ask for Aki’s help solving a case. This proves disastrous for Aki. Delving into the mind of a person being tortured to death messes him up for a bit. And everyone blames Shane.
Shane knows he shouldn’t have asked for Aki’s help, but the killer is escalating. Shane is hiding his own secret from Aki. He’s an A-M. Animal Mutation affected a portion of the population resulting in them turning into animals on a regular cycle. At first Shane feels Aki is and even refers to Aki as a prostitute. Somewhere along the line he accepts he cares about Aki and things change. Shane is a very tough and gruff character. Except when it comes to Aki.
There is so much world building and twists and turns there’s no way to put it all in this review. I really enjoyed how complex the characters and the story lines were. The romantic element built as the story went along. Both men had sort of emotional and mental blocks to overcome before they could accept they had feelings for each other. Aki thinks he has no chance at a real relationship given his job and the physical restrictions of his abilities. Shane sort of buys into his persona of being a cold son of a bitch. He works too much and has his secrets to protect. Which is why he sought out Aki in the first place. It’s all just kind of tragic but wonderful to read about. There’s just something satisfying reading about these characters finding love.
The secondary characters are great. Paris was damn sexy. Confident and in charge. Does some things you don’t like but can’t help but like him anyway. There is a little bit of D/s in this book. Candy is freaking adorable and I’d love to get both of their books eventually.
I think the only niggle I had was with Aki not being about to touch a person without soaking up their memories, but after two sessions with the doctor he can have sex. I was as ready for it as Aki and Shane, but I was left wondering how Aki gained the ability to put up a shield that strong that quickly.
I really enjoyed this book. Really vivid world building. Intriguing story lines. Although some might consider the romance the feature of the book I think days later the world building was still pretty complex as well. Maybe because the characters’ pasts and the fact they’re so screwed up. The political element was interesting, but Paris is your only glimpse into that. I’m looking forward to more from this world.
4.5 stars
This book is loaded with with things I like to read about. I love a mystery. Dystopian societies. Dark pasts. Baddies who are sick and twisted. Likable characters and a great love story. I was lost in this world from the first few pages. If you’re reading for an escape this is a good one!
Aki is the shining star of the brothel. He makes good money despite his limitations. He’s a Psi. His Psi power is that he can see a person’s memories if his skin comes in contact with another persons. Most are too much for him to take. So he has no skin to skin contact with his customers. For the most part that’s okay. Aki is just happy to have food and a home. He’s found on the street starving after years of torture. So becoming a prostitute doesn’t seem so bad.
Aki’s favorite client is detective Shane McNaughton. Shane always comes back to him and there’s just something there between them. They once shared a kissed and Aki saw the dark and violence lurking inside Shane. Aki knows there’s no real future with Shane. Shane has a very successful track record for solving cases. He wants to see Aki on a personal level as often as possible. Shane is working on a particularly brutal serial killer case. When a high profile person is kidnapped, Shane feels pressure to ask for Aki’s help solving a case. This proves disastrous for Aki. Delving into the mind of a person being tortured to death messes him up for a bit. And everyone blames Shane.
Shane knows he shouldn’t have asked for Aki’s help, but the killer is escalating. Shane is hiding his own secret from Aki. He’s an A-M. Animal Mutation affected a portion of the population resulting in them turning into animals on a regular cycle. At first Shane feels Aki is and even refers to Aki as a prostitute. Somewhere along the line he accepts he cares about Aki and things change. Shane is a very tough and gruff character. Except when it comes to Aki.
There is so much world building and twists and turns there’s no way to put it all in this review. I really enjoyed how complex the characters and the story lines were. The romantic element built as the story went along. Both men had sort of emotional and mental blocks to overcome before they could accept they had feelings for each other. Aki thinks he has no chance at a real relationship given his job and the physical restrictions of his abilities. Shane sort of buys into his persona of being a cold son of a bitch. He works too much and has his secrets to protect. Which is why he sought out Aki in the first place. It’s all just kind of tragic but wonderful to read about. There’s just something satisfying reading about these characters finding love.
The secondary characters are great. Paris was damn sexy. Confident and in charge. Does some things you don’t like but can’t help but like him anyway. There is a little bit of D/s in this book. Candy is freaking adorable and I’d love to get both of their books eventually.
I think the only niggle I had was with Aki not being about to touch a person without soaking up their memories, but after two sessions with the doctor he can have sex. I was as ready for it as Aki and Shane, but I was left wondering how Aki gained the ability to put up a shield that strong that quickly.
I really enjoyed this book. Really vivid world building. Intriguing story lines. Although some might consider the romance the feature of the book I think days later the world building was still pretty complex as well. Maybe because the characters’ pasts and the fact they’re so screwed up. The political element was interesting, but Paris is your only glimpse into that. I’m looking forward to more from this world.
April 14, 2017
The narration – This is a new-to-me narrator, and at first I struggled with him, as he sounded quite gruff and a bit older than I expected. But that all disappeared as he started doing the various character voices and I warmed up to him quite quickly, especially with his brogue for Shane. I really hope he is selected for the rest of the series and that they go to audio as well.
The story – I honestly thought this was a new-to-me author as well. It wasn’t til I read her Goodread profile, and saw my checklist that I realized she also wrote the Dominion series. I had purchased them long ago, but they got lost in my tbr pile. I will say, after listening to thus book, she will definitely be going higher on my list of authors.
First off, this book does have a warning of mild BDSM, and that definitely is what it is – mild. But not at all off putting as it works well with the worldbuilding and rank structure in this, I guess you’d say ‘brothel’ but not to the full extent. Due to his abilities Aki does not have to do what the others do, and his beauty as well as the skills he has make him highly sought after, even for others to be in his presence.
Well, unless of course you are a client scared of or prejudiced against a psi such as he, very obvious from the color of his eyes. The backstory in Aki is very fascinating and tidbits are revealed slowly, letting us as the reader know there is more to him even than he seems to know himself. I loved the pacing and the way things were hinted at without feeling like I was being ‘fed’ the storyline. I got to feel it all along with the character.
POVs do change but the majority is from Aki’s point of view, and it works well because so much of what he knows is buried in his psyche and is fascinating as the layers peel away.
Shane is just what he is. A rough around the edges cop/shifter that has a softness in his heart for Aki. It doesn’t seem so at first and I almost got mad at the way he was so accepting of Aki’s lifestyle and the pain Aki had to endure to be of use in the detective’s investigation. But as more is revealed, it pretty much had to be that way. It was something he discussed with Aki, and he didn’t want to ‘clip his wings’ so to say, making sure Aki felt free to do what he needed after a life of servitude. Aki’s past is extremely traumatic, and I could see why certain things had to be handled delicately.
There are many villains in this story, and many supporting characters to begin to care about. Honestly, after finishing this book the first thing I did was go out and purchase the next 2 in the series, as the MCs in them are both characters we get to know in this first book.
There were some scary and heart in my throat moments, and even a few times I teared up a little. The things they each did and had to understand about the others’ vulnerabilities and scary strengths really got me to thinking. I even went and relistened to the book a few weeks after and enjoyed it just as much!
If you are someone that enjoys coming across something a bit different, enjoy paranormal and dystopian elements, this book is a winner for you! I just hope the publisher decides to complete the other books in the series as audiobooks. I LOVED this book, enough for a relisten a few weeks after my initial investment. A serious winner here!
I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
P.S. The audiobook has a 4.70 out of 5 star rating in Audible.
9.5/10 Pots of Gold (95% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars
The story – I honestly thought this was a new-to-me author as well. It wasn’t til I read her Goodread profile, and saw my checklist that I realized she also wrote the Dominion series. I had purchased them long ago, but they got lost in my tbr pile. I will say, after listening to thus book, she will definitely be going higher on my list of authors.
First off, this book does have a warning of mild BDSM, and that definitely is what it is – mild. But not at all off putting as it works well with the worldbuilding and rank structure in this, I guess you’d say ‘brothel’ but not to the full extent. Due to his abilities Aki does not have to do what the others do, and his beauty as well as the skills he has make him highly sought after, even for others to be in his presence.
Well, unless of course you are a client scared of or prejudiced against a psi such as he, very obvious from the color of his eyes. The backstory in Aki is very fascinating and tidbits are revealed slowly, letting us as the reader know there is more to him even than he seems to know himself. I loved the pacing and the way things were hinted at without feeling like I was being ‘fed’ the storyline. I got to feel it all along with the character.
POVs do change but the majority is from Aki’s point of view, and it works well because so much of what he knows is buried in his psyche and is fascinating as the layers peel away.
Shane is just what he is. A rough around the edges cop/shifter that has a softness in his heart for Aki. It doesn’t seem so at first and I almost got mad at the way he was so accepting of Aki’s lifestyle and the pain Aki had to endure to be of use in the detective’s investigation. But as more is revealed, it pretty much had to be that way. It was something he discussed with Aki, and he didn’t want to ‘clip his wings’ so to say, making sure Aki felt free to do what he needed after a life of servitude. Aki’s past is extremely traumatic, and I could see why certain things had to be handled delicately.
There are many villains in this story, and many supporting characters to begin to care about. Honestly, after finishing this book the first thing I did was go out and purchase the next 2 in the series, as the MCs in them are both characters we get to know in this first book.
There were some scary and heart in my throat moments, and even a few times I teared up a little. The things they each did and had to understand about the others’ vulnerabilities and scary strengths really got me to thinking. I even went and relistened to the book a few weeks after and enjoyed it just as much!
If you are someone that enjoys coming across something a bit different, enjoy paranormal and dystopian elements, this book is a winner for you! I just hope the publisher decides to complete the other books in the series as audiobooks. I LOVED this book, enough for a relisten a few weeks after my initial investment. A serious winner here!
I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
P.S. The audiobook has a 4.70 out of 5 star rating in Audible.
9.5/10 Pots of Gold (95% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars
April 13, 2015
4 heart review by Dan
Hidden Gem was one of those books that I wasn’t sure about at first. It took me a little while to figure out what was going on with the story and the characters. But once it clicked, I didn’t put the book down.
At the beginning of the book we meet Misaki, a refugee from a prison camp in the South who has made his way over the border into the North. He is lost, cold and starving when two men find him on the street. Paris and Bart are from the Gem, a whorehouse in City M. Paris bets Bart that he can make something from the lost boy and turn him into the prize of the Gem. The only problem…Misaki is a Psi, a mutant product of the last world war’s effects on genetics, most of those effects brought on by greedy men in the South during the war.
One thing that I never got a good handle on in the book was World War Three and the sides. It appears from the book that the southern half of the US and northern half were enemies and that nuclear weapons and genetic weapons were used, but the background is pretty vague. I would like to have seen some sort of world building somewhere, but didn’t find it.
After Misaki is rescued, we jump forward a couple years. “Aki” is now the Hidden Gem. The most sought after, but most unattainable whore at the Gem. He, his friend Candy and two other boys dress as girls, and provide their services to the wealthy men who come to the establishment.
One of Aki’s regular clients is a detective named Shane McNaughton. Shane also has a mutation from World War Three. His came from a plague that the south released against the north which mutated the survivors into shape shifting mutants. Shane becomes a large wolf. Unlike werewolf stories, the shifts don’t get easier. Every time there is lots of blood, lots of skin and bones tearing apart and lots and lots of pain. Shane, like every other mutant of his kind, has a safe room in his basement where he locks himself during his shift so he doesn’t hurt anyone.
Shane has been seeing Aki for two years, both for sex and also for help from his Psi abilities. Now Shane is working on a case where kids are disappearing, then being found dead with their eyes torn out. He comes to Aki for help, but what Aki sees is so bad that it causes him to end up in the hospital hemorrhaging blood through his nose.
When the powers that be come down on Shane and he has to make a change, can he make a change that includes Aki? I really enjoyed the start of a relationship between these two men. One a huge, hairy, rude, wolf shifting mutant, cop; and the other a cross dressing, pretty, Psi mutant, whore.
The story got better and better the closer it came to the end. All I can say is that it better not be over! I’m really hoping for a sequel to tell us what happens next! I’m really hoping to know what happens with Shane and Aki, and how Candy’s plans come out! I recommend you give this book a read if you’re into post-apocalyptic sci-fi with mutants, cops and bad guys!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Hidden Gem was one of those books that I wasn’t sure about at first. It took me a little while to figure out what was going on with the story and the characters. But once it clicked, I didn’t put the book down.
At the beginning of the book we meet Misaki, a refugee from a prison camp in the South who has made his way over the border into the North. He is lost, cold and starving when two men find him on the street. Paris and Bart are from the Gem, a whorehouse in City M. Paris bets Bart that he can make something from the lost boy and turn him into the prize of the Gem. The only problem…Misaki is a Psi, a mutant product of the last world war’s effects on genetics, most of those effects brought on by greedy men in the South during the war.
One thing that I never got a good handle on in the book was World War Three and the sides. It appears from the book that the southern half of the US and northern half were enemies and that nuclear weapons and genetic weapons were used, but the background is pretty vague. I would like to have seen some sort of world building somewhere, but didn’t find it.
After Misaki is rescued, we jump forward a couple years. “Aki” is now the Hidden Gem. The most sought after, but most unattainable whore at the Gem. He, his friend Candy and two other boys dress as girls, and provide their services to the wealthy men who come to the establishment.
One of Aki’s regular clients is a detective named Shane McNaughton. Shane also has a mutation from World War Three. His came from a plague that the south released against the north which mutated the survivors into shape shifting mutants. Shane becomes a large wolf. Unlike werewolf stories, the shifts don’t get easier. Every time there is lots of blood, lots of skin and bones tearing apart and lots and lots of pain. Shane, like every other mutant of his kind, has a safe room in his basement where he locks himself during his shift so he doesn’t hurt anyone.
Shane has been seeing Aki for two years, both for sex and also for help from his Psi abilities. Now Shane is working on a case where kids are disappearing, then being found dead with their eyes torn out. He comes to Aki for help, but what Aki sees is so bad that it causes him to end up in the hospital hemorrhaging blood through his nose.
When the powers that be come down on Shane and he has to make a change, can he make a change that includes Aki? I really enjoyed the start of a relationship between these two men. One a huge, hairy, rude, wolf shifting mutant, cop; and the other a cross dressing, pretty, Psi mutant, whore.
The story got better and better the closer it came to the end. All I can say is that it better not be over! I’m really hoping for a sequel to tell us what happens next! I’m really hoping to know what happens with Shane and Aki, and how Candy’s plans come out! I recommend you give this book a read if you’re into post-apocalyptic sci-fi with mutants, cops and bad guys!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
October 11, 2016
FIRST RE-READ 10 October 2016
I've had #2 in my TBR pile waiting for a chance to re-read this one. I love that I loved it just as much the second time through. I love the world and this interpretation of what a post WWIII dystopia might be like.
And I still adore Aki. And Shane. And them together. And Candy! Basically I still loved all of the characters.
I can't wait to finally get to #2!
Some New Favorite Quotes:
Hope was by far the cruelest of emotions.
"I'm talking to a man who changes into a big dog and you ask me if clones are real. Nothing is a fairytale anymore."
ORIGINAL REVIEW 10 October 2014
4.5 stars
This was such an incredible story. The characters were brilliant and just so spectacularly well-drawn. I loved how slowly we got to know them, and how slowly they got to know each other. It gave the story such a gentle, smooth vibe. And the background that we slowly got to know about so many of the characters was fantastic, original, brilliant and just perfectly-paced so it felt neither like an info-dump nor like a tease.
The fact that Shane cared enough about Aki to take the advice and guidance he needed to make himself worthy of Aki was beautiful. The changes he made in his life to provide a home for Aki were just so, so sweet.
The ONLY thing I wish had been a little different was
Overall, though, one of the most beautiful stories I've read recently! Spectacular!
Favorite Quotes:
He walked all the way home in those heels feeling like a princess.
It was as ordinary as he could be and still feel like he wasn't putting on a costume.
I've had #2 in my TBR pile waiting for a chance to re-read this one. I love that I loved it just as much the second time through. I love the world and this interpretation of what a post WWIII dystopia might be like.
And I still adore Aki. And Shane. And them together. And Candy! Basically I still loved all of the characters.
I can't wait to finally get to #2!
Some New Favorite Quotes:
Hope was by far the cruelest of emotions.
"I'm talking to a man who changes into a big dog and you ask me if clones are real. Nothing is a fairytale anymore."
ORIGINAL REVIEW 10 October 2014
4.5 stars
This was such an incredible story. The characters were brilliant and just so spectacularly well-drawn. I loved how slowly we got to know them, and how slowly they got to know each other. It gave the story such a gentle, smooth vibe. And the background that we slowly got to know about so many of the characters was fantastic, original, brilliant and just perfectly-paced so it felt neither like an info-dump nor like a tease.
The fact that Shane cared enough about Aki to take the advice and guidance he needed to make himself worthy of Aki was beautiful. The changes he made in his life to provide a home for Aki were just so, so sweet.
The ONLY thing I wish had been a little different was
Overall, though, one of the most beautiful stories I've read recently! Spectacular!
Favorite Quotes:
He walked all the way home in those heels feeling like a princess.
It was as ordinary as he could be and still feel like he wasn't putting on a costume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews