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Forces of Nature #1
Bound by Nature
Five years ago, under a full moon, Hayden Garrett rolled the dice. He owned up to his near-lifelong attraction to Josh Peterson...with life-shattering and damning results. Now, five years later and Hayden's back in town--and out of prison--and Officer Josh Peterson is the last wolf Hayden wants to face. Only problem? Their council has given Hayden and Josh a mandate. They must mate to unite their warring packs. The other problem? Josh isn't gay.
Hayden never got over his embarrassing attraction to his very straight alpha rival, Josh Peterson. So when the council announced that he and Josh will be forced to bond and unite their packs? Nothing fills Hayden with more desire--or more dread. The past between them has always been rocky, and that one moonlit night five years ago changed things between them forever.
Despite Josh's confirmed reputation as a lady's man around Jackson, Wyoming, he's always cared about Hayden. In a different world, they might have been friends. Not enemies. Now, face to face after so long, the bitterness in Hayden's eyes fills Josh with regret for what could have been--should have been.
As Hayden and Josh journey through rituals--and intimacies--that will knit their souls for life, passion and anger flares, revealing a powerful secret. The truth about a long-ago sharing of hearts, bodies and souls that ended in tragedy...
A male/male, gay-for-you, enemies-to-lovers, reunion romance. High heat level. Guaranteed HEA.
Bound by Nature is Book One of the Forces of Nature series by New York Times bestselling author Deidre Knight, writing as Cooper Davis. More books are planned in the series, but this is a stand-alone, HEA paranormal (PNR) romance novel.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2010
26 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Cooper Davis
12 books138 followersCooper Davis first discovered the allure of m/m storytelling when she, pulse aflutter, watched My Beautiful Laundrette with a college roommate. Later, her passion for stories about men falling in love and finding their HEA together was stoked by online slash fiction. After years as an avid fan of m/m and slash, Cooper finally decided to try her hand at penning her own stories about same-gender romance and love.
A voracious reader across all subgenres of m/m fiction, Cooper is particularly fond of courtships set against the backdrop of breathless scandal and intrigue found in period drawing rooms. She is thrilled that her first historically-themed m/m romance series debuts this December with A KING UNDONE (Samhain).
A voracious reader across all subgenres of m/m fiction, Cooper is particularly fond of courtships set against the backdrop of breathless scandal and intrigue found in period drawing rooms. She is thrilled that her first historically-themed m/m romance series debuts this December with A KING UNDONE (Samhain).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
March 24, 2010
I was really excited to read this novella by Davis since I enjoyed her previous book quite a bit. Although it seems werewolf books are becoming generic and predictable, there is something about Davis’ writing and the emotion to the relationships that I was willing to suspend disbelief and dive into the characters and plot offered. Unfortunately while the actual writing is decent, the plot has so many holes that I found myself throwing the book several times. This is especially frustrating because I like parts of the book. I guessed the big secret/ending very early on and as the book progressed I got more apprehensive that I would be right – and very much wanted to be wrong. Sadly the plot takes a decent and intriguing idea and turns it into the most clichéd, ridiculous ending. So much that while I like the author still, I can’t recommend this at all.
The story is told in two parts from both Hayden and Josh’s point of view. The book opens with a prologue that establishes the two alpha wolves and their prickly relationship. Hayden is very attracted to the straight Josh and feels that Josh mocks that unwitting attraction. The two finally agree to spend the night of the full moon together over Christmas break and this has consequences that end up ruining both mens’ lives until they can find their way back to each other. If the plot hadn’t taken the easiest, most ludacris way of resolving this, the concept is actually interesting with a clever reveal.
From the opening prologue the story jumps from the present time to the night in question, gradually giving the reader more clues about that momentous night. The reader slowly learns that the two shared a passionate kiss, but later were involved in a horrific accident that led to Josh testifying that Hayden was drunk driving and sent to jail for vehicular manslaughter. Now five years later after that horrible night, including two years Hayden spent in jail, Josh wants to claim the broken man as his mate. The story slowly builds as Josh struggles to slowly give out clues at a snail’s pace since Hayden doesn’t remember that night at all. There are many more issues involved of course and here the story starts to jump the shark in a big way and never recovers.
The plot has significant holes from the beginning but most of these could be ignored if the ending isn’t so ridiculous. The first is that the story continually calls Hayden a Dartmouth graduate yet he went to jail before he could finish his degree. Then Hayden supposedly was heavily intoxicated yet there is no blood alcohol analysis of this and later events show Hayden hadn’t drunk at all so this conviction stretches belief already. Furthermore Hayden sustained a severe head injury in the events of the night (trying not to give too many details away) and his later miraculous memory recovery is impossible. He could have remembered any number of details up to his injury, but he also suddenly remembers every single detail from the time he was unconscious and almost dead from a head injury that put him in a 6 week coma.
Additional problems include the fact that Josh sends Hayden to prison to protect him. Not only does this completely jump the shark but it makes absolutely no sense. There was no other way to protect the man? He couldn’t leave the state, the country? What about the werewolf packs that supposedly are large and powerful? Why couldn’t they tell the police? Not to mention the severe mental and emotional damage that is done to Hayden as a result of going to prison and thinking he killed someone, none of that is even considered or resolved. Instead as soon as Hayden remembers, he feels sorry for Josh, forgives him, and is desperately in love with the man, instantly healing all the issues and problems the time apart had caused. I’m willing to suspend disbelief and go with a story that has some stupid moments – even when the boyfriend does things for the “good” of the other person – but the lengths involved in this are unbelievable. The lack of any reasonable response to this, anger, pain, betrayal, is all ignored and if anything, Hayden is blamed for not realizing what was going on sooner and getting together with Josh.
What makes the story even more frustrating is that without the clichéd and obvious aspects, the story could have been really interesting. The characters are decently fleshed out and there is a strong emotional and romantic connection that allows for young love but still common sense in getting to know one another. The clever way of offering a few details from the past and then the future keeps the tension and suspense high. The reader is left trying to guess what happened and why alongside Hayden while the confused and not too bright Josh laments his poor choices. Even this could be forgiven if the choices hadn’t been so incredibly stupid and then instantly forgiven. I guessed the cause early on and kept hoping I was wrong and the story wouldn’t take the most obvious and easy road.
Sadly due to the ending, I wanted to throw my ebook several times. I was shocked at how the characters fell apart as more and more plot holes were revealed. The ending is romantic and sweet but makes no sense considering everything these two men had been through and done to each other, they simply ignored it all and moved on. Admirable in some ways but I just couldn’t believe it anymore and thus the book totally lost me. I’d say reader reaction is going to vary as I’d still rate this one with a decent rating because up until those problems, I was fully invested and interested in the book. If readers can buy into going to any lengths to save the one you love, no matter the costs to that person or yourself such as jail, then perhaps they’ll really like this offering. If the story had explained or forgiven the actions due to youth, immaturity, poor choices, or anything, then perhaps I could have too. Unfortunately I was left with two men who didn’t seem to learn anything and were magically healed with the power of true love. As much as I want to read the fantasy, I just couldn’t buy into it here. You decide though.
The story is told in two parts from both Hayden and Josh’s point of view. The book opens with a prologue that establishes the two alpha wolves and their prickly relationship. Hayden is very attracted to the straight Josh and feels that Josh mocks that unwitting attraction. The two finally agree to spend the night of the full moon together over Christmas break and this has consequences that end up ruining both mens’ lives until they can find their way back to each other. If the plot hadn’t taken the easiest, most ludacris way of resolving this, the concept is actually interesting with a clever reveal.
From the opening prologue the story jumps from the present time to the night in question, gradually giving the reader more clues about that momentous night. The reader slowly learns that the two shared a passionate kiss, but later were involved in a horrific accident that led to Josh testifying that Hayden was drunk driving and sent to jail for vehicular manslaughter. Now five years later after that horrible night, including two years Hayden spent in jail, Josh wants to claim the broken man as his mate. The story slowly builds as Josh struggles to slowly give out clues at a snail’s pace since Hayden doesn’t remember that night at all. There are many more issues involved of course and here the story starts to jump the shark in a big way and never recovers.
The plot has significant holes from the beginning but most of these could be ignored if the ending isn’t so ridiculous. The first is that the story continually calls Hayden a Dartmouth graduate yet he went to jail before he could finish his degree. Then Hayden supposedly was heavily intoxicated yet there is no blood alcohol analysis of this and later events show Hayden hadn’t drunk at all so this conviction stretches belief already. Furthermore Hayden sustained a severe head injury in the events of the night (trying not to give too many details away) and his later miraculous memory recovery is impossible. He could have remembered any number of details up to his injury, but he also suddenly remembers every single detail from the time he was unconscious and almost dead from a head injury that put him in a 6 week coma.
Additional problems include the fact that Josh sends Hayden to prison to protect him. Not only does this completely jump the shark but it makes absolutely no sense. There was no other way to protect the man? He couldn’t leave the state, the country? What about the werewolf packs that supposedly are large and powerful? Why couldn’t they tell the police? Not to mention the severe mental and emotional damage that is done to Hayden as a result of going to prison and thinking he killed someone, none of that is even considered or resolved. Instead as soon as Hayden remembers, he feels sorry for Josh, forgives him, and is desperately in love with the man, instantly healing all the issues and problems the time apart had caused. I’m willing to suspend disbelief and go with a story that has some stupid moments – even when the boyfriend does things for the “good” of the other person – but the lengths involved in this are unbelievable. The lack of any reasonable response to this, anger, pain, betrayal, is all ignored and if anything, Hayden is blamed for not realizing what was going on sooner and getting together with Josh.
What makes the story even more frustrating is that without the clichéd and obvious aspects, the story could have been really interesting. The characters are decently fleshed out and there is a strong emotional and romantic connection that allows for young love but still common sense in getting to know one another. The clever way of offering a few details from the past and then the future keeps the tension and suspense high. The reader is left trying to guess what happened and why alongside Hayden while the confused and not too bright Josh laments his poor choices. Even this could be forgiven if the choices hadn’t been so incredibly stupid and then instantly forgiven. I guessed the cause early on and kept hoping I was wrong and the story wouldn’t take the most obvious and easy road.
Sadly due to the ending, I wanted to throw my ebook several times. I was shocked at how the characters fell apart as more and more plot holes were revealed. The ending is romantic and sweet but makes no sense considering everything these two men had been through and done to each other, they simply ignored it all and moved on. Admirable in some ways but I just couldn’t believe it anymore and thus the book totally lost me. I’d say reader reaction is going to vary as I’d still rate this one with a decent rating because up until those problems, I was fully invested and interested in the book. If readers can buy into going to any lengths to save the one you love, no matter the costs to that person or yourself such as jail, then perhaps they’ll really like this offering. If the story had explained or forgiven the actions due to youth, immaturity, poor choices, or anything, then perhaps I could have too. Unfortunately I was left with two men who didn’t seem to learn anything and were magically healed with the power of true love. As much as I want to read the fantasy, I just couldn’t buy into it here. You decide though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2024
Ahhh, pretty, updated cover! Now we just need a new book in the series...
I just finished re-reading this after a first read last fall. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, why wasn't this one on my "fuck yeah!" shelf? Well, it is now! This was beyond fantastic!! It had GFY, shifters, big, strong Alpha males from rival packs, sexual tension you could taste, hurt/healing/comfort coming out of your ears, mind boggling sex, a man in uniform, beautiful, heartfelt romance and a HEA that will have you wanting to run through a field of spring poppies.
Damn, I fucking loved this book! Just read it already!
I just finished re-reading this after a first read last fall. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, why wasn't this one on my "fuck yeah!" shelf? Well, it is now! This was beyond fantastic!! It had GFY, shifters, big, strong Alpha males from rival packs, sexual tension you could taste, hurt/healing/comfort coming out of your ears, mind boggling sex, a man in uniform, beautiful, heartfelt romance and a HEA that will have you wanting to run through a field of spring poppies.
Damn, I fucking loved this book! Just read it already!
November 14, 2015
I want to start this review by saying " I totally blame Susan" lol. Her review and updates had me so freaking curious that I just had to read it !!
I really enjoyed reading this one...although "enjoy" might not be the right word here..since parts also killed me and pissed me off. That's not neccesarely a bad thing, since I like it when books can make me feel things...and this one sure as hell delivered on that note !!
It is pretty heavy on the angst, but I have read way way worse.
I'm not gonna go into the storyline, because that would ruin it for anyone, who wants to read it. There is not a lot of sex between the alpha's in this book, but what was there was done very well. It was more than just sex between them....they really had a connection and were very sweet to each other :)
3,5 -4 stars from me.
I cant give it a full 4 because eventough the timejump in this book didn't bother me....I still wanted a little more info on the 5 years that passed.
I always hate it when there is a big timejump and we don't get to really read what happend during those years.
I really enjoyed reading this one...although "enjoy" might not be the right word here..since parts also killed me and pissed me off. That's not neccesarely a bad thing, since I like it when books can make me feel things...and this one sure as hell delivered on that note !!
It is pretty heavy on the angst, but I have read way way worse.
I'm not gonna go into the storyline, because that would ruin it for anyone, who wants to read it. There is not a lot of sex between the alpha's in this book, but what was there was done very well. It was more than just sex between them....they really had a connection and were very sweet to each other :)
3,5 -4 stars from me.
I cant give it a full 4 because eventough the timejump in this book didn't bother me....I still wanted a little more info on the 5 years that passed.
I always hate it when there is a big timejump and we don't get to really read what happend during those years.
August 25, 2016
☝☝☝This pretty much sums up my whole reaction to this book. It was just so stunning, engaging, marvelous, and I never wanted it to end. I definitely know a book is good when I get utterly pissed off that I have to go to bed and must stop reading.
First, Ms. Davis' writing was spot-on and just flowed so smoothly that my attention never wavered, not even for a second. She did a fantastic job in expressing her MCs' emotions and getting us into their heads. I truly feel that all of this book was always showing and never telling, making the connection between Josh and Hayden completely believable. Kudos for that.
Josh and Hayden just hugged at my heartstrings the whole damn time. Their reunion and the rekindling of their connection, after being brutally torn apart years ago from circumstances beyond their control, was breathtaking, tender, sweet, and highly satisfying. I just couldn't help but root for both Josh, Hayden, and their HEA. If anyone deserved it, it was these two.
A good portion of the book was told in flashbacks. I didn't mind at all because Ms. Davis did it so splendidly. The flashbacks were crucial to the development of the story and only enhanced the story, not hindered it.
I really don't have anything bad to say about this book, and I enjoyed it immensely. It will definitely be a re-read in the future for me.
***Warning***
November 14, 2015
BR with Elsbeth
(Who could handle the angst way better than I could)
This book was not bad at all. But….. the ANGST. The overwhelming ANGST.
I’m not a big fan of relationship angst and this book was filled with it right up until 70%. That. Is. A. Lot. Of. Angst.
This book switches between present time and 5 years ago throughout most of the book. It was not badly done in this story. I think it worked (just not for me). I’m not a big fan of time jumps, I want to be there for the whole thing, not skip stuff and then get back to it.
Hayden and Josh are the sons of rival Alpha packs. Hayden is gay and has always had a major crush on Josh. Josh doesn’t know how to feel around Hayden, but he does want to be friends.
Then some stuff happens… some BIG stuff. Fast forward 5 years. Hayden is a bitter man, now 27 years old and he resents Joshua, big time. Something happened 5 years ago, but Hayden can’t remember that night. He just knows Josh betrayed him. Or at least that’s what he thinks.
Once we find out what happened, I was shocked. It totally ripped my heart out.
It was also completely unrealistic that things happened that way. Especially was too much for me. And Josh’s reasons for letting that happen….. nope…. not buying that.
But okay, after all the ANGST, these wolves were pretty sweet together. But by the time I was at 70% and things got easier for them, I was still recovering from my heart attacks.
Did I mention this book has a lot of ANGST??
(Who could handle the angst way better than I could)
This book was not bad at all. But….. the ANGST. The overwhelming ANGST.
I’m not a big fan of relationship angst and this book was filled with it right up until 70%. That. Is. A. Lot. Of. Angst.
This book switches between present time and 5 years ago throughout most of the book. It was not badly done in this story. I think it worked (just not for me). I’m not a big fan of time jumps, I want to be there for the whole thing, not skip stuff and then get back to it.
Hayden and Josh are the sons of rival Alpha packs. Hayden is gay and has always had a major crush on Josh. Josh doesn’t know how to feel around Hayden, but he does want to be friends.
Then some stuff happens… some BIG stuff. Fast forward 5 years. Hayden is a bitter man, now 27 years old and he resents Joshua, big time. Something happened 5 years ago, but Hayden can’t remember that night. He just knows Josh betrayed him. Or at least that’s what he thinks.
Once we find out what happened, I was shocked. It totally ripped my heart out.
It was also completely unrealistic that things happened that way. Especially was too much for me. And Josh’s reasons for letting that happen….. nope…. not buying that.
But okay, after all the ANGST, these wolves were pretty sweet together. But by the time I was at 70% and things got easier for them, I was still recovering from my heart attacks.
Did I mention this book has a lot of ANGST??
February 3, 2011
What I learned from this book:
Hard-ons occur at alarming frequency with no real stimulus and this causes tightening pants that are uncomfortable at all times. Anything will cause these MCs to pop a tent and then deflate without incident.
Repeating the word "Alpha" does not, contrary to the author's belief, make me, as a reader, believe that the two MCs are Alphas. It only annoys me enough to wish I could throw an ebook every time that word is used as a noun, adjective, or verb.
Alpha = hot-headed, overly-emotional moron in this book. Not dominant or leader material.
Plot holes are these things that should be thought through and filled long before a reader gets tired of constantly tripping over them. Shallowly contrived plot devices are even more annoying. Having the MC run back to his defenseless lover while being pursued by nasty trouble, instead of continuing on to the known Alpha (I hate that word now) pair of his pack made no sense whatsoever.
Constantly reiterating stated facts means either the author can't remember his/her own story, or believes the reader is an idiot. Seriously, I only needed to be told once that they were Alphas, that they were both "heir apparent" to their clan, and that their clans were rivals. I didn't need it repeated ad nauseam.
The cover is hot.
Hard-ons occur at alarming frequency with no real stimulus and this causes tightening pants that are uncomfortable at all times. Anything will cause these MCs to pop a tent and then deflate without incident.
Repeating the word "Alpha" does not, contrary to the author's belief, make me, as a reader, believe that the two MCs are Alphas. It only annoys me enough to wish I could throw an ebook every time that word is used as a noun, adjective, or verb.
Alpha = hot-headed, overly-emotional moron in this book. Not dominant or leader material.
Plot holes are these things that should be thought through and filled long before a reader gets tired of constantly tripping over them. Shallowly contrived plot devices are even more annoying. Having the MC run back to his defenseless lover while being pursued by nasty trouble, instead of continuing on to the known Alpha (I hate that word now) pair of his pack made no sense whatsoever.
Constantly reiterating stated facts means either the author can't remember his/her own story, or believes the reader is an idiot. Seriously, I only needed to be told once that they were Alphas, that they were both "heir apparent" to their clan, and that their clans were rivals. I didn't need it repeated ad nauseam.
The cover is hot.
September 10, 2011
I really enjoyed everything about this book. Even though each chapter flipped back and forth from present day back to 5 years ago, I didn't have any issues with it. To be honest, I really liked it because it seemed like I was getting 2 love stories in one and it helped build up the suspense and sexual tension as the mystery and romance unfold. I especially liked that Joshua and Hayden were both Alphas from rival packs, so it slightly fits into my favorite theme of enemies-to-lovers. Overall, the story didn't actually have a lot of sex scenes, but the few it had were very long! Plus it was heavy on the sex talk and sexual tension.
I recommend this to anyone who doesn't flip out with flashbacks and has patience for a little bit of mystery.
I recommend this to anyone who doesn't flip out with flashbacks and has patience for a little bit of mystery.
November 13, 2015
BR, November 13th with Susan.
This was quite an angsty ride!!
It had all ingredients I love; shifters, big Alpha males, GFY, hurt and comfort and a lot of sexual tension!!
Josh and Hayden being apart 5 years was painful and especially learning what happened to them. Their coming together again was oh so sweet.
"It's like this, Garret. We're gonna date a while, right? Because I want to know everything about you and because I want to woo you. Just like I promised I would a couple of months ago. We were robbed of that, and I'm gonna give you every damned thing that was stolen from you."
Loved it. ♡♡♡
April 7, 2010
I'm so suttle in my reviews but not giving away any spoilers. Much. :grins:
After reading others reviews I read this book myself to proclaim my own views and thoughts. How I perceive this story and in my perspective goes like this... I see:
What happened? Was tragic. What became from this tragedy and how it resulted? Indescribable passion and beauty. A touching, breathtaking union between the 2 characters came from it all as a result. A touching love story of 2 souls torn apart and the need to be reunited.
Hayden and Josh had it all, but it was a struggle to regain it back. One wanted to protect the other from pain, hurt and possible death at the hands of their tormentors from 5 years back. The other who felt he'd paid the price felt betrayed, hurt and got lost within his grief and sorrow at loss of memory that created a black cloud which forbid him to move forward and on. At one point in the story there was a seriously dark rough patch that even had me stepping away from the story to just take deep breaths, but I respect the author in that Cooper did not make that moment a pile of specified details that would have made the reader feel worse and unable to go forward in reading. But to have this detailed to a minimum and still garner the same affects as if it had been word for word written? That's talent.
Throughout the book I was succumbed to a war of emotional banter within myself on all levels. This story from the beginning right to the very end had me gripped and riveted to every word. This is very well written, I believe although both men are wolves that they could have been normal mortals who were still meant to be soul mates. I decree this due to not many scenes where they were actual in wolf form other than that the story was on the basis of clan and both men were Alphas of said clans.
I look forward to reading more by Cooper. Two thumbs up dude!
Note: I could return to add more to this review having much to say and might return at a later time or date to add to it. Maybe, maybe not.
After reading others reviews I read this book myself to proclaim my own views and thoughts. How I perceive this story and in my perspective goes like this... I see:
What happened? Was tragic. What became from this tragedy and how it resulted? Indescribable passion and beauty. A touching, breathtaking union between the 2 characters came from it all as a result. A touching love story of 2 souls torn apart and the need to be reunited.
Hayden and Josh had it all, but it was a struggle to regain it back. One wanted to protect the other from pain, hurt and possible death at the hands of their tormentors from 5 years back. The other who felt he'd paid the price felt betrayed, hurt and got lost within his grief and sorrow at loss of memory that created a black cloud which forbid him to move forward and on. At one point in the story there was a seriously dark rough patch that even had me stepping away from the story to just take deep breaths, but I respect the author in that Cooper did not make that moment a pile of specified details that would have made the reader feel worse and unable to go forward in reading. But to have this detailed to a minimum and still garner the same affects as if it had been word for word written? That's talent.
Throughout the book I was succumbed to a war of emotional banter within myself on all levels. This story from the beginning right to the very end had me gripped and riveted to every word. This is very well written, I believe although both men are wolves that they could have been normal mortals who were still meant to be soul mates. I decree this due to not many scenes where they were actual in wolf form other than that the story was on the basis of clan and both men were Alphas of said clans.
I look forward to reading more by Cooper. Two thumbs up dude!
Note: I could return to add more to this review having much to say and might return at a later time or date to add to it. Maybe, maybe not.
July 31, 2012
I liked this story, the love the MC's had for each other was sweet.
But I had a few issues that just wouldn't let me enjoy it without reservation.
You have two Alpha wolves, he's because of what had just happened between them they can't shift, but AFTER the 6 weeks in a coma, Josh couldn't get the two Alpha fathers together and tell them all that had happened and make the baddies disappear!
He let his mate go to jail for 2 years to protect him? When he had 2 packs at his disposal to either protect them from the humans or deal with the human some other way! Hayden had a brilliant career ahead of him and a life and you loved him, and this is the choice you made for him out of love?
I mean it's all well and good to work within the law, but to lose 5 years with your mate, watching him with others..when you could have dealt with it just didn't work for me.
And I think the elders mandate should have just been left out, make it Josh wanting to get Hayden back, not like he was finally forced to make a move.
But I had a few issues that just wouldn't let me enjoy it without reservation.
You have two Alpha wolves, he's because of what had just happened between them they can't shift, but AFTER the 6 weeks in a coma, Josh couldn't get the two Alpha fathers together and tell them all that had happened and make the baddies disappear!
He let his mate go to jail for 2 years to protect him? When he had 2 packs at his disposal to either protect them from the humans or deal with the human some other way! Hayden had a brilliant career ahead of him and a life and you loved him, and this is the choice you made for him out of love?
I mean it's all well and good to work within the law, but to lose 5 years with your mate, watching him with others..when you could have dealt with it just didn't work for me.
And I think the elders mandate should have just been left out, make it Josh wanting to get Hayden back, not like he was finally forced to make a move.
April 22, 2017
This one tugged on my heartstrings.
Full review coming soon!
Full review coming soon!
January 3, 2019
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
3.5 stelle
Cinque anni sono passati da una notte fatidica dove tutto è cambiato. Hayden da allora non è più lo spensierato lupo con un futuro promettente, non ricorda quasi nulla di quella notte, non sa perché la sua vita si è disintegrata. Il suo unico ricordo è una corsa sotto la luna piena con Josh, l'Alpha che ha sempre amato ma da cui non è mai stato corrisposto e che lo ha tradito nel momento del bisogno. La storia è raccontata in modo semplice e fluido, un po' veloce per i miei gusti; passato e presente si alternano facendoci scoprire ciò che è successo quella notte maledetta. i protagonisti sono ben delineati grazie ai pov alternati. Hayden è arrabbiato, vuole la verità e rinnega l'attrazione bruciante verso Josh, una vera lotta imperversa tra la ragione e il suo istinto da lupo. Anche Josh è cambiato: un grande dolore lo attanaglia, il bisogno di proteggere e di dire la verità ad Hayden, il bisogno di reclamarlo come compagno ci farà scoprire un uomo con le sue fragilità. La storia è davvero molto dolce e passionale, ci sono dei momenti di suspense e di sofferenza, i segreti vengono alla luce lasciando il lettore spiazzato facendo provare empatia per questi due giovani, ma la dolcezza è sicuramente predominante su tutto. Ci sono diverse cose che però mi hanno lasciato perplessa sia nell'evoluzione della storia troppo frettolosa e superficiale in punti cruciali, sia perché si parla di due lupi Alpha. Se il libro fosse stato un contemporaneo, avrei potuto concepire di più quello che hanno passato, le conseguenze, i caratteri e comportamenti ma la storia parla di lupi Alpha che secondo i canoni del genere hanno determinate caratteristiche che qui non esistono, sia sulla forza fisica e potere sia caratterialmente. I protagonisti sono lupi ma questo viene fuori solo nel bisogno di correre sotto la luna piena o nell'accoppiamento, per il resto sono ragazzi normali nelle loro estrema fragilità e questo mi ha un po' destabilizzato, a mio avviso pur appartenendo al genere paranormal non ne rispetta fino in fondo i canoni che ci si aspetterebbe da un genere con Alpha e creature fantastiche mentre appare come un normale contemporaneo con sprazzi di paranormal. Probabilmente l'autore ha preso il mondo dei lupi per raccontare una storia tra due ragazzi che nonostante le differenze inconciliabili e le avversità superano gli ostacoli grazie all'amore, il potere dell'attrazione ed il rituale dell'accoppiamento oltrepassano anche anni di dolore e perdita…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
3.5 stelle
Cinque anni sono passati da una notte fatidica dove tutto è cambiato. Hayden da allora non è più lo spensierato lupo con un futuro promettente, non ricorda quasi nulla di quella notte, non sa perché la sua vita si è disintegrata. Il suo unico ricordo è una corsa sotto la luna piena con Josh, l'Alpha che ha sempre amato ma da cui non è mai stato corrisposto e che lo ha tradito nel momento del bisogno. La storia è raccontata in modo semplice e fluido, un po' veloce per i miei gusti; passato e presente si alternano facendoci scoprire ciò che è successo quella notte maledetta. i protagonisti sono ben delineati grazie ai pov alternati. Hayden è arrabbiato, vuole la verità e rinnega l'attrazione bruciante verso Josh, una vera lotta imperversa tra la ragione e il suo istinto da lupo. Anche Josh è cambiato: un grande dolore lo attanaglia, il bisogno di proteggere e di dire la verità ad Hayden, il bisogno di reclamarlo come compagno ci farà scoprire un uomo con le sue fragilità. La storia è davvero molto dolce e passionale, ci sono dei momenti di suspense e di sofferenza, i segreti vengono alla luce lasciando il lettore spiazzato facendo provare empatia per questi due giovani, ma la dolcezza è sicuramente predominante su tutto. Ci sono diverse cose che però mi hanno lasciato perplessa sia nell'evoluzione della storia troppo frettolosa e superficiale in punti cruciali, sia perché si parla di due lupi Alpha. Se il libro fosse stato un contemporaneo, avrei potuto concepire di più quello che hanno passato, le conseguenze, i caratteri e comportamenti ma la storia parla di lupi Alpha che secondo i canoni del genere hanno determinate caratteristiche che qui non esistono, sia sulla forza fisica e potere sia caratterialmente. I protagonisti sono lupi ma questo viene fuori solo nel bisogno di correre sotto la luna piena o nell'accoppiamento, per il resto sono ragazzi normali nelle loro estrema fragilità e questo mi ha un po' destabilizzato, a mio avviso pur appartenendo al genere paranormal non ne rispetta fino in fondo i canoni che ci si aspetterebbe da un genere con Alpha e creature fantastiche mentre appare come un normale contemporaneo con sprazzi di paranormal. Probabilmente l'autore ha preso il mondo dei lupi per raccontare una storia tra due ragazzi che nonostante le differenze inconciliabili e le avversità superano gli ostacoli grazie all'amore, il potere dell'attrazione ed il rituale dell'accoppiamento oltrepassano anche anni di dolore e perdita…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
December 28, 2018
Dopo innumerevoli libri M/M sui licantropi, avevo un’idea piuttosto chiara di cosa avrei trovato in questo libro, ma devo dire che sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa da come l’autrice sia riuscita a inserire, in una storia come tante altre, una connotazione misteriosa che mi ha tenuta incollata al libro dall’inizio alla fine.
Brevi le descrizioni del paesaggio e dei personaggi secondari, ma buona la caratterizzazione dei due giovani protagonisti, che fin da subito rapiscono il cuore del lettore, che non può rimanere insensibile alle tenere dichiarazioni d’amore di questi giovani innamorati. Alla dolce storia d’amore dei due lupi Alfa di branchi spesso in contrasto, si oppone un segreto oscuro che viene svelato pian piano al lettore attraverso un buon uso del flashback. L’amnesia di uno dei due protagonisti diventa così l’escamotage perfetto per raccontarci i fatti di quella fatidica notte di cinque anni prima, in cui alla dolcissima e appassionata “prima volta” dei due giovani, si contrappone un terribile racconto di violenza che rappresenta la chiave di lettura dell’intreccio.
Una lettura breve (duecento pagine) ma non scontata, con dialoghi a volte un po’ ripetitivi nei contenuti, ma non noiosi. Lo stile è scorrevole e leggero, adatto a chi non cerca una lettura impegnata ma necessita di un po’ di quella lupesca passione che scalda il cuore. Se, come me, siete appassionate di sexy licantropi, non potete perdervelo!
.
Buffy - per RFS
Brevi le descrizioni del paesaggio e dei personaggi secondari, ma buona la caratterizzazione dei due giovani protagonisti, che fin da subito rapiscono il cuore del lettore, che non può rimanere insensibile alle tenere dichiarazioni d’amore di questi giovani innamorati. Alla dolce storia d’amore dei due lupi Alfa di branchi spesso in contrasto, si oppone un segreto oscuro che viene svelato pian piano al lettore attraverso un buon uso del flashback. L’amnesia di uno dei due protagonisti diventa così l’escamotage perfetto per raccontarci i fatti di quella fatidica notte di cinque anni prima, in cui alla dolcissima e appassionata “prima volta” dei due giovani, si contrappone un terribile racconto di violenza che rappresenta la chiave di lettura dell’intreccio.
Una lettura breve (duecento pagine) ma non scontata, con dialoghi a volte un po’ ripetitivi nei contenuti, ma non noiosi. Lo stile è scorrevole e leggero, adatto a chi non cerca una lettura impegnata ma necessita di un po’ di quella lupesca passione che scalda il cuore. Se, come me, siete appassionate di sexy licantropi, non potete perdervelo!
.
Buffy - per RFS
February 12, 2018
This didn't work for me. I get why the timeline is doing back and forth, but even in a good book it irritates me. Here tho, when memories rush back and the present and the past finally syncs, it only adds to a huge disappointment. Josh particularly acted stupid and in-alpha like, imho.
SPOILER ISH.
When someone is freaking out in your house screaming to cal 911, you better damn call 911. Two bad alphas against two thugs. Medical personal and forensics not doing their job to figure out the scene. Josh going with the thug's plan. This whole mess is on Josh, he victimized Hey twice, in my opinion.
SPOILER ISH.
When someone is freaking out in your house screaming to cal 911, you better damn call 911. Two bad alphas against two thugs. Medical personal and forensics not doing their job to figure out the scene. Josh going with the thug's plan. This whole mess is on Josh, he victimized Hey twice, in my opinion.
Read
March 30, 2010I totally agree with Kassa that at some points, I just wanted to throw the ebook into something and make a loud noise for the God's sake. It left me both heartbroken and frustrated at the same time. And I can't stop feeling annoyed even after I have finished it for a while.
The story starts fine and is supposed to have a bright and light vibe with it. Then, suddenly it turns all dark and frustrating. It should have become a brilliant first-crush story which leaves a silly, loves-truck smile on your face. Instead, it creates a gloomy shadow all over your mood.
I don't understand the point of pushing the story to the darkest tragedy and then completely falling down to a forced happy ending. I would totally prefer to have a lighter, less complex but moving plot.
The story starts fine and is supposed to have a bright and light vibe with it. Then, suddenly it turns all dark and frustrating. It should have become a brilliant first-crush story which leaves a silly, loves-truck smile on your face. Instead, it creates a gloomy shadow all over your mood.
I don't understand the point of pushing the story to the darkest tragedy and then completely falling down to a forced happy ending. I would totally prefer to have a lighter, less complex but moving plot.
September 7, 2014
Disappointing read, both men are Alphas but were more like betas especially with the weak plot twist. Potential was never met. It's not worth even describing. I've read better m/m shifter stories.
June 21, 2015
6/20/2015
I accidentally started reading this again because it was on Scribd and it has a different cover and mostly, I didn't remember reading it all, so I started reading it again. I got about 14% in but apparently now is a good time to stop. The rest of what I see in this review and Fossilfriendly's (linked below) disappoint me, because like I actually kind of like parts of it? Parts of it are actually pretty not-badly written, if only the author would stop with the self-congratulatory bullshit and let the story happen instead of trying to make that effect they're going for happen. ...okay, that was harsh of me. But idk, it does sort of feel like a story is trying to happen, but the author's like "No, I want this story to happen" and it's choking out the parts that I thought were actually quite compellingly written
Anyway, here's what I commented this time as I read:
...why does everything always have to revolve around sex? Like, something about this is just weird and intrusive to me. They're having a feelsy moment, but feels are reflected in sexual arousal? ...man, I forgot this about mainstream ideation. I just...feel like we should be able to have our wistful, bittersweet pining moment without the need to have sexual arousal be a marker of regard. but then idk, maybe that's how most people actually are.
And there's this one moment that's just...weird and tacky to me. Bc, author, it's okay to tell aside-like anecdotes and have no time have passed in the narration. I mean, I guess it's fine to acknowledge the time passed as "daydream," but it felt unnecessary and not really a part of the character's characterization-building but rather just there bc the author felt they needed to acknowledge the time it took for them to tell the anecdote. That's what makes this tacky to me.
Other than that, it really was a nice anecdote.
What the fuck. There it is again. They're having like a moment, and then suddenly, random thing about Hayden feeling the burn of desire through his body. Like, they were having a moment. And it was a nice moment. And it was coming to a close and MC feels the familiar burn of arousal through is body or whatever.
What.
I just...feel this is weird. Random and weird. You already conveyed the emotion, author. You do not need to push arousal as a marker of conveyance of emotion. Also arousal does not convey emotion. It conveys arousal. That is all. and in this moment it is not needed.
It's just weird for me, these moments when I feel like authors put in arousal as a "look MC is feeling for LI" moment. Like, yes, he is feeling but it is not pertinent feeling bc you want emotional/romantic feeling but arousal is literally just arousal." But, I mean I can't technically fault the author bc that's how the mainstream thinks. Sure, it, to me, is a weirdly juvenile, unenlightened way of thinking, but I also have to admit this lack of ability/experience to distinguish emotional from arousal is very conventional. Very sadly conventional. It's like when I got blindsided in class when I realized people didn't understand that sexuality and gender are not counterparts bc they're not really determinative or reflective and technically operate quite separately.
But anyway, that's just me waxing philosophic.
Hmm...but then, see, the arousal here makes sense. And it creates a pretty nice delayed gratification sort of thing. ...so I guess the weird arousal interjections from before kind of set up for this...?
Eh, idk.
...wtf. Aw, now it's tacky.
....and then this foray into Josh's POV. ...I can only foresee it as being cringeworthy.
Update: Yes, it was cringeworthy.
Literally, why is this necessary? The author wants to...what, write a "no homo" moment for Josh? Like this "Look at how oblivious I am. But I want to be friends. Maybe we could be more. But no homo. But I want to be friends and I will humor his little infatuation. No homo, but we could be something great together. And sure, maybe it's dirty of me to use his 'obvious infatuation,' but this weird end or something I foresee will clearly justify the means. No homo." Like. Why, author?
I mean, at least they acknowledged that internal narration can happen for pages in text and almost no time passed in narration. WHERE WAS THIS EARLIER, AUTHOR?
Okay but seriously, why did this section exist? It was nowhere near endearing. It would have been better if the author had written Josh as actually oblivious. It would have been a bit cliche, but at least it would have been less stupid and gross. I sort of want Josh to be actually earnest instead of playing at earnestness.
...what a weird section. It kind of feels like Josh wanted to acknowledge his gay thoughts but Author was like "Nope, not yet not the effect I'm going for and kept bringing him back to no homo.
Like, cuz it just keeps cycling around that.
Josh: man, gay thoughts
Author: Nope, not yet. No homo
Josh: but... but gay thoughts
Author: no, not the effect i'm going for. no homo, remember?
Josh: but I want to get close to the MC. ...what if...I "pretend" to flirt?
All right, that's exactly what happened. This works. I no longer feel uncharitable towards Josh.
Poor Josh. I hope you beat the system soon and get to indulge in your gay thoughts all you want.
"He kept telling himself unity was the only reason he’d practically chased Hayden Garrett across the airport, was why he kept humming holiday tunes to himself with particular enthusiasm."
DON'T LISTEN TO THAT VOICE
THAT IS THE AUTHOR WHISPERING IN YOUR MIND
FIGHT IT JOSH
LET YOUR GAY THOUGHTS OUT
Author follows up with more no homo. Just dudes being bros, right?
@Author that is literally some of the gayest stuff I've read since reading any of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers talking about/to each other.
...wtf "Five Years Later"?
@Author what the fuck game are you playing?
Blah blah blah, manufactured situation to get them together,
(1) What does brooding have to do with anything
(2) don't believe it Hayden that's Author's fault not Josh's. Josh wants to let his gay thoughts happen. Author's like nah not yet.
(this is the point where I decide to look it up on GR bc I don't remember what the blurb says and don't want to go back to the beginning of the doc, and discover that I'd actually marked this dnr (oops).
Well, now it gets que-lastima too.
6/1/2013
Whenever there's stuff about large bulging muscles or whatever, I always picture stuff like this (NSFW): http://albron.wordpress.com/3d-group-...
It's quite awkward because honestly, body builders are really damn freaky. They kind of pass the line (or gulf) between attractively buff and over-large, swollen monstrosities.
The cover image people are nowhere as buff as the descriptions would lead you to believe.
Apparently, they get even larger O_o
The time jump is awful.
It starts in the past and is all nice and stuff, but then suddenly jumps into the future. You have to rebuild context (of which there is little)
Actually, no. No, no, no, no, no.
It was pretty good until the first time skip. And then it fell apart.
The time skips are horrible. It forces the sense of suspense and drama. Add to it all the horribly purpleness of what's going on now, the story doesn't seem to develop naturally. There's no need for all of the pseudo-suspense created from this purposeful withholding of information while obfuscating like crazy.
Part of it may be the formatting. For the flashbacks to work or even be marginally effective - especially given all of the soap opera gimmicks the author stuck in - it has to be a bit more romanticized. A bit better embedding, maybe. Making it part of the narration instead of having such clear cuts to and fro.
There is also a case of mistaken identity, which is one of my top pet peeves. Josh's boss suddenly goes from talking to Josh on the phone to Hayden, who magically morphs into Josh again.
Hayden's characterization and character death doesn't make sense.
There's too much melodrama going on. I think what the author created is - can be - strong enough to stand on its own without all of the stupid posturing that's going on. And I think that especially the first Big Reveal would have been a lot more impactful if it had been more plainly stated. The purpleness makes it melodramatic, whiny, and just godawfully annoying in general. The parts where the author lets all of the melodrama go are quite good. They're impactful and actually quite effectively appeal to pathos.
Alas. Those moments are brief, short-lived, and ephemeral as a soap-bubble butterfly.
And then you get awkward, stilted repetition. The author is relying on crutches.
Argh. Another time skip. These things are getting very seriously annoying. And unnecessary.
And logic. What logic? The window is unlocked and slightly open. The reasonable course of action, of course, would be then to jump through the window into the house, smashing all of the glass. If there were a burglar, this is the best course of action for stealth. If you were just wanting to break in, this is also the best course of action for stealth. This is the best course of action, period.
Argh. Their character dynamics are so damn annoying. I just want to bitch-slap them both. SHUT. UP. STOP YOUR FUCKING WHINING. NOBODY GIVES A DAMN.
TSTL all around and incontrollable word vomit.
OH, GOD. STOP IT WITH THE FUCKING TIME JUMPS.
Yes, at some point, this became a comment-as-I-go.
TMI - too many italics. Gah. It's like a comic book =_=
Blah, blah, blah. I don't care. Skip, skip, skip. (Honestly, you already said it happened. You don't have to backtrack and give us pages and pages of excruciating detail.)
This whole "reclaiming of memory" thing is, frankly, kind of stupid. It's all mythicized dramaticized. It became a manga-epic-journey-into-the-wilderness-in-search-of-memory-tokens-that-will-reabsorb-into-your-being.
And I really wanted Hayden to bottom, ever since he was first introduced.
Okay, I think the random italics is some kind of weird encoding issue.
Ah, fuck. And here I was, thinking all of the time skips were over. Nope. Another trip back to the past-land, where no one really needs to be anyways.
Gah. The "big reveal" is probably the stupidest thing I've ever read. It probably isn't, but that's how it feels right now.
Really, really stupid.
Argh. Thank goodness this particular time skip is over.
This Kira person. She is plot device. That all. Flat. Underdeveloped. Wholly awk. She's making me type in broken English.
Plot inconsistencies?
So, these wolves have heightened smell in human form, yet need to transform into wolf form for heightened sight?
*sigh
I wanted Josh to be a lot stronger. He's a woman in the full sense of paternalism and orientalism.
Gah. Gender theory depresses me. I don't know how Emma does it.
I...pretty much didn't read the last 10 pages or so. It was boring. I started thinking about garlic fries I was so uninterested.
Another good point brought up by Fossilfriendly that I hadn't realized: The "bait and switch" comment. It's true. This book leads you to believe it's about something it's not. I mean, maybe if you squint, but I still think the past issue is not a present issue.
Also, the past problem never quite seems fully resolved. Maybe I just missed it in all my skimming. Either way, they're both really weak and ineffectual, no one more so than Josh. Josh is Padme Amidala. We get glimpses of his maybe-BA potential, but it all goes down the drain when he falls for Anikin-douchebag-Hayden. *sigh
I accidentally started reading this again because it was on Scribd and it has a different cover and mostly, I didn't remember reading it all, so I started reading it again. I got about 14% in but apparently now is a good time to stop. The rest of what I see in this review and Fossilfriendly's (linked below) disappoint me, because like I actually kind of like parts of it? Parts of it are actually pretty not-badly written, if only the author would stop with the self-congratulatory bullshit and let the story happen instead of trying to make that effect they're going for happen. ...okay, that was harsh of me. But idk, it does sort of feel like a story is trying to happen, but the author's like "No, I want this story to happen" and it's choking out the parts that I thought were actually quite compellingly written
Anyway, here's what I commented this time as I read:
...why does everything always have to revolve around sex? Like, something about this is just weird and intrusive to me. They're having a feelsy moment, but feels are reflected in sexual arousal? ...man, I forgot this about mainstream ideation. I just...feel like we should be able to have our wistful, bittersweet pining moment without the need to have sexual arousal be a marker of regard. but then idk, maybe that's how most people actually are.
And there's this one moment that's just...weird and tacky to me. Bc, author, it's okay to tell aside-like anecdotes and have no time have passed in the narration. I mean, I guess it's fine to acknowledge the time passed as "daydream," but it felt unnecessary and not really a part of the character's characterization-building but rather just there bc the author felt they needed to acknowledge the time it took for them to tell the anecdote. That's what makes this tacky to me.
Other than that, it really was a nice anecdote.
What the fuck. There it is again. They're having like a moment, and then suddenly, random thing about Hayden feeling the burn of desire through his body. Like, they were having a moment. And it was a nice moment. And it was coming to a close and MC feels the familiar burn of arousal through is body or whatever.
What.
I just...feel this is weird. Random and weird. You already conveyed the emotion, author. You do not need to push arousal as a marker of conveyance of emotion. Also arousal does not convey emotion. It conveys arousal. That is all. and in this moment it is not needed.
It's just weird for me, these moments when I feel like authors put in arousal as a "look MC is feeling for LI" moment. Like, yes, he is feeling but it is not pertinent feeling bc you want emotional/romantic feeling but arousal is literally just arousal." But, I mean I can't technically fault the author bc that's how the mainstream thinks. Sure, it, to me, is a weirdly juvenile, unenlightened way of thinking, but I also have to admit this lack of ability/experience to distinguish emotional from arousal is very conventional. Very sadly conventional. It's like when I got blindsided in class when I realized people didn't understand that sexuality and gender are not counterparts bc they're not really determinative or reflective and technically operate quite separately.
But anyway, that's just me waxing philosophic.
Hmm...but then, see, the arousal here makes sense. And it creates a pretty nice delayed gratification sort of thing. ...so I guess the weird arousal interjections from before kind of set up for this...?
Eh, idk.
...wtf. Aw, now it's tacky.
....and then this foray into Josh's POV. ...I can only foresee it as being cringeworthy.
Update: Yes, it was cringeworthy.
Literally, why is this necessary? The author wants to...what, write a "no homo" moment for Josh? Like this "Look at how oblivious I am. But I want to be friends. Maybe we could be more. But no homo. But I want to be friends and I will humor his little infatuation. No homo, but we could be something great together. And sure, maybe it's dirty of me to use his 'obvious infatuation,' but this weird end or something I foresee will clearly justify the means. No homo." Like. Why, author?
I mean, at least they acknowledged that internal narration can happen for pages in text and almost no time passed in narration. WHERE WAS THIS EARLIER, AUTHOR?
Okay but seriously, why did this section exist? It was nowhere near endearing. It would have been better if the author had written Josh as actually oblivious. It would have been a bit cliche, but at least it would have been less stupid and gross. I sort of want Josh to be actually earnest instead of playing at earnestness.
...what a weird section. It kind of feels like Josh wanted to acknowledge his gay thoughts but Author was like "Nope, not yet not the effect I'm going for and kept bringing him back to no homo.
Like, cuz it just keeps cycling around that.
Josh: man, gay thoughts
Author: Nope, not yet. No homo
Josh: but... but gay thoughts
Author: no, not the effect i'm going for. no homo, remember?
Josh: but I want to get close to the MC. ...what if...I "pretend" to flirt?
All right, that's exactly what happened. This works. I no longer feel uncharitable towards Josh.
Poor Josh. I hope you beat the system soon and get to indulge in your gay thoughts all you want.
"He kept telling himself unity was the only reason he’d practically chased Hayden Garrett across the airport, was why he kept humming holiday tunes to himself with particular enthusiasm."
DON'T LISTEN TO THAT VOICE
THAT IS THE AUTHOR WHISPERING IN YOUR MIND
FIGHT IT JOSH
LET YOUR GAY THOUGHTS OUT
But as he moved bags all afternoon, his nostrils kept burning with those strong scents of arousal and seduction, the ones Hayden had given off like intoxicating, musky cologne. In fact, it almost seemed as if Hayden’s powerful wolf scent had permeated his own skin somehow, had woven its way deep into the wool of his sweater and the fibers of his faded jeans and the cotton of his long johns.Author needs to stop and just let Josh let his gay thoughts happen.
Author follows up with more no homo. Just dudes being bros, right?
@Author that is literally some of the gayest stuff I've read since reading any of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers talking about/to each other.
...wtf "Five Years Later"?
@Author what the fuck game are you playing?
Blah blah blah, manufactured situation to get them together,
Josh, on the other hand, was a strong, brooding alpha male who—although also unmated—probably didn’t have a gay hair in his fur. At least not one he’d willingly own up to.
(1) What does brooding have to do with anything
(2) don't believe it Hayden that's Author's fault not Josh's. Josh wants to let his gay thoughts happen. Author's like nah not yet.
(this is the point where I decide to look it up on GR bc I don't remember what the blurb says and don't want to go back to the beginning of the doc, and discover that I'd actually marked this dnr (oops).
Well, now it gets que-lastima too.
6/1/2013
Whenever there's stuff about large bulging muscles or whatever, I always picture stuff like this (NSFW): http://albron.wordpress.com/3d-group-...
It's quite awkward because honestly, body builders are really damn freaky. They kind of pass the line (or gulf) between attractively buff and over-large, swollen monstrosities.
The cover image people are nowhere as buff as the descriptions would lead you to believe.
Apparently, they get even larger O_o
The time jump is awful.
It starts in the past and is all nice and stuff, but then suddenly jumps into the future. You have to rebuild context (of which there is little)
Actually, no. No, no, no, no, no.
It was pretty good until the first time skip. And then it fell apart.
The time skips are horrible. It forces the sense of suspense and drama. Add to it all the horribly purpleness of what's going on now, the story doesn't seem to develop naturally. There's no need for all of the pseudo-suspense created from this purposeful withholding of information while obfuscating like crazy.
Part of it may be the formatting. For the flashbacks to work or even be marginally effective - especially given all of the soap opera gimmicks the author stuck in - it has to be a bit more romanticized. A bit better embedding, maybe. Making it part of the narration instead of having such clear cuts to and fro.
There is also a case of mistaken identity, which is one of my top pet peeves. Josh's boss suddenly goes from talking to Josh on the phone to Hayden, who magically morphs into Josh again.
Hayden's characterization and character death doesn't make sense.
There's too much melodrama going on. I think what the author created is - can be - strong enough to stand on its own without all of the stupid posturing that's going on. And I think that especially the first Big Reveal would have been a lot more impactful if it had been more plainly stated. The purpleness makes it melodramatic, whiny, and just godawfully annoying in general. The parts where the author lets all of the melodrama go are quite good. They're impactful and actually quite effectively appeal to pathos.
Alas. Those moments are brief, short-lived, and ephemeral as a soap-bubble butterfly.
And then you get awkward, stilted repetition. The author is relying on crutches.
Argh. Another time skip. These things are getting very seriously annoying. And unnecessary.
And logic. What logic? The window is unlocked and slightly open. The reasonable course of action, of course, would be then to jump through the window into the house, smashing all of the glass. If there were a burglar, this is the best course of action for stealth. If you were just wanting to break in, this is also the best course of action for stealth. This is the best course of action, period.
Argh. Their character dynamics are so damn annoying. I just want to bitch-slap them both. SHUT. UP. STOP YOUR FUCKING WHINING. NOBODY GIVES A DAMN.
TSTL all around and incontrollable word vomit.
OH, GOD. STOP IT WITH THE FUCKING TIME JUMPS.
Yes, at some point, this became a comment-as-I-go.
TMI - too many italics. Gah. It's like a comic book =_=
Blah, blah, blah. I don't care. Skip, skip, skip. (Honestly, you already said it happened. You don't have to backtrack and give us pages and pages of excruciating detail.)
This whole "reclaiming of memory" thing is, frankly, kind of stupid. It's all mythicized dramaticized. It became a manga-epic-journey-into-the-wilderness-in-search-of-memory-tokens-that-will-reabsorb-into-your-being.
And I really wanted Hayden to bottom, ever since he was first introduced.
Okay, I think the random italics is some kind of weird encoding issue.
Ah, fuck. And here I was, thinking all of the time skips were over. Nope. Another trip back to the past-land, where no one really needs to be anyways.
Gah. The "big reveal" is probably the stupidest thing I've ever read. It probably isn't, but that's how it feels right now.
Really, really stupid.
Argh. Thank goodness this particular time skip is over.
This Kira person. She is plot device. That all. Flat. Underdeveloped. Wholly awk. She's making me type in broken English.
Plot inconsistencies?
So, these wolves have heightened smell in human form, yet need to transform into wolf form for heightened sight?
*sigh
I wanted Josh to be a lot stronger. He's a woman in the full sense of paternalism and orientalism.
Gah. Gender theory depresses me. I don't know how Emma does it.
I...pretty much didn't read the last 10 pages or so. It was boring. I started thinking about garlic fries I was so uninterested.
Another good point brought up by Fossilfriendly that I hadn't realized: The "bait and switch" comment. It's true. This book leads you to believe it's about something it's not. I mean, maybe if you squint, but I still think the past issue is not a present issue.
Also, the past problem never quite seems fully resolved. Maybe I just missed it in all my skimming. Either way, they're both really weak and ineffectual, no one more so than Josh. Josh is Padme Amidala. We get glimpses of his maybe-BA potential, but it all goes down the drain when he falls for Anikin-douchebag-Hayden. *sigh
October 18, 2010
I really liked Boys of Summer by Cooper Davis. Alas, this m/m werewolf romance does not measure up well. While I don't mind books in which flashbacks are used well (such as in A.M. Riley's books Amor En Retrogrado and Son of a Gun), the alternating chapters of present and past in this book drove me nuts. As did a glaring continuity error in which one character puts on his glasses... and then picks up and puts on his glasses a paragraph later. How many simultaneous pairs of glasses can one person wear?! *ahem* Anyway.
December 11, 2012
A gay werewolf cliche-fest. Insta-love on top (irresistable mate smell included...). There was pretty much nothing about this book that I liked.
Both MCs were Alpha (althoug constantly callilng each other "babe" or "baby", an "alpha" or "cowboy" thrown in once or twice...arrrghhh) - no real dynamic in the relationship. They fell in love based on physical appearance, and of course because they are meant to be mates. There was a convoluted back-story about some werewolf clan feud, which never really was explained and simply ceased to exist - surprisingly - in the aftermath of the happily ever after.
Also thrown in the mix: a strange crime plot (including the mutliple rape of one of the MCs) which didn't make any sense whatsoever for the story - also aggravating: the culprits obviously didn't have two brain cells to rub together.
Both MCs were Alpha (althoug constantly callilng each other "babe" or "baby", an "alpha" or "cowboy" thrown in once or twice...arrrghhh) - no real dynamic in the relationship. They fell in love based on physical appearance, and of course because they are meant to be mates. There was a convoluted back-story about some werewolf clan feud, which never really was explained and simply ceased to exist - surprisingly - in the aftermath of the happily ever after.
Also thrown in the mix: a strange crime plot (including the mutliple rape of one of the MCs) which didn't make any sense whatsoever for the story - also aggravating: the culprits obviously didn't have two brain cells to rub together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2010
I enjoyed this book, especially the seemingly overpowering bond between Hayden and Joshua. It has all the elements of a great romance - plenty of angst, hurt, comfort, misunderstanding, drama and most of all love. I loved the way the boys marked each other, how they both postulated what the other "must" be thinking and feeling. Together these two wolves are a force to be reckoned with and I can't see anything stand in the way of their bond. I'm hoping the author is going to let us see a little more of them if this indeed becomes a series.
no-or-probably-never
November 15, 2015I will probably never read this. Almost entirely because of this review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If even half the things happen, and aren't exaggerated (which I have been assured they are not), I would flip my shit if I read this. I'm saving myself rage and heartache by saying "no" now.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If even half the things happen, and aren't exaggerated (which I have been assured they are not), I would flip my shit if I read this. I'm saving myself rage and heartache by saying "no" now.
October 30, 2021
Bei protagonisti, bella l'evoluzione della storia, sottotrama interessante, ben scritto.
September 5, 2011
This book started off strong. The author is an extremely gifted storyteller and we are immediately thrown into the heat that is Hayden's attraction to Josh. Her descriptions are stellar and you can literally 'see' the characters, feel the sexual tension and frustration and empathize with Hayden when he thinks his love is unrequited. You care about the protagonists and you're already chomping at the bit at the end of the first few pages. She writes flirtation and passion really, really well and you will definitely be glued to the pages hungry for more.
So why only 3 stars? There are a few problems.
*The author seems to love italics. They're peppered all through the book for no apparent reason and I had to repeatedly stop myself from altering my 'mind voice' at words that didn't really need emphasis.
* I agree with others who have said that the back and forth in the timelines makes for a choppy read. Just as you're getting into a certain timeline, you're jolted back to another. It gets confusing as to what happened five years ago and what is present day.
However, I took these in stride. They were not huge issues. For me, the biggest downfall of the book was the anti-climatic backstory.
SPOILER ALERT!!
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*************SPOILER ALERT***********
The layup was weak and the story only got weaker. The attack on Hayden and Josh was not believable. It pushes the boundaries of plausability for me that two werewolves, ALPHAS at that, even in human form, could not fend off a simple attack from two humans. Josh and Hayden supposedly stand at 6'1 and 6'6, yet even with weres' increased strength, speed and natural survival instinct, our protaganists somehow turn into pre-teen girls who can't figure out how to a) call for help and/or b) defend themselves. I think even Anne Rice's gentle-hearted vampire, Louis, would have gotten a broken arm in.
Also unbelievable was the reason Josh gave for allowing the things he did and for staying away during the 5yr lapse. After reading his weeping account, all I could say was, 'Really??' It just made no sense and I was really disappointed with that entire storyline. Finally, so much was made of the court case and the book ended without a resolution in that regard. Why? The book held such promise!!
Others have mentioned the rape scene. It was not a problem for me as it took all of one paragraph, was only mentioned in passing and was not described in any way. My problem was that I really didn't see the point of it as it didn't add anything to the story.
*******************************************************
Alas, after 9 wonderful chapters of meaningful conversations, toe curling and warm-fuzzy-inducing flashbacks and sizzling - and I mean HOT - chemistry and sexual tension between Hayden and Josh, Chapter 10 catapulted me into a world of syrupy, cheesy and eye rolling dialogue from which I never escaped. Alphas were supposedly still alphas, except now not so much and I found myself skipping around the sex scenes. Something I wouldn't dare do earlier in the book!
All in all, this was an enjoyable book which I will definitely read again, but after Chapter 9 it will be skip around city.
So why only 3 stars? There are a few problems.
*The author seems to love italics. They're peppered all through the book for no apparent reason and I had to repeatedly stop myself from altering my 'mind voice' at words that didn't really need emphasis.
* I agree with others who have said that the back and forth in the timelines makes for a choppy read. Just as you're getting into a certain timeline, you're jolted back to another. It gets confusing as to what happened five years ago and what is present day.
However, I took these in stride. They were not huge issues. For me, the biggest downfall of the book was the anti-climatic backstory.
SPOILER ALERT!!
>
>
>
>
>
>
*************SPOILER ALERT***********
The layup was weak and the story only got weaker. The attack on Hayden and Josh was not believable. It pushes the boundaries of plausability for me that two werewolves, ALPHAS at that, even in human form, could not fend off a simple attack from two humans. Josh and Hayden supposedly stand at 6'1 and 6'6, yet even with weres' increased strength, speed and natural survival instinct, our protaganists somehow turn into pre-teen girls who can't figure out how to a) call for help and/or b) defend themselves. I think even Anne Rice's gentle-hearted vampire, Louis, would have gotten a broken arm in.
Also unbelievable was the reason Josh gave for allowing the things he did and for staying away during the 5yr lapse. After reading his weeping account, all I could say was, 'Really??' It just made no sense and I was really disappointed with that entire storyline. Finally, so much was made of the court case and the book ended without a resolution in that regard. Why? The book held such promise!!
Others have mentioned the rape scene. It was not a problem for me as it took all of one paragraph, was only mentioned in passing and was not described in any way. My problem was that I really didn't see the point of it as it didn't add anything to the story.
*******************************************************
Alas, after 9 wonderful chapters of meaningful conversations, toe curling and warm-fuzzy-inducing flashbacks and sizzling - and I mean HOT - chemistry and sexual tension between Hayden and Josh, Chapter 10 catapulted me into a world of syrupy, cheesy and eye rolling dialogue from which I never escaped. Alphas were supposedly still alphas, except now not so much and I found myself skipping around the sex scenes. Something I wouldn't dare do earlier in the book!
All in all, this was an enjoyable book which I will definitely read again, but after Chapter 9 it will be skip around city.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2010
This was an excellent book. Josh and Hayden are alphas of rival packs. Hayden has been in love with Joshua since early high school. Now 27, Hayden is a bitter drunk who feels that Joshua has betrayed him but he just can't remember why.
This twisty story kept me on my toes. I did have trouble with this at the beginning because Hayden's bitterness was just oozing off the page giving me a pissy-broken-heart. I actually put it down for several weeks before I picked it back up today (no back reading necessary because it was still very vivid in my mind). The book goes back and forth between present day and five years ago as things are remembered. At one point where Hayden freaks out, goes wolf and takes off...the next thing I know we are back in the past again, making me quite frustrated because I wanted to follow what was going on right now, right now, now...but I didn't skip forward and read through and was glad I did.
Be forewarned, this does have some gritty violence that may be offensive to some readers. My only regret and the reason that I didn't give this a five is because I needed more closure than the book gave. I may be a little demented because I like it when the bad guys stomped, you know, what's coming to them mob style. Especially these sleaze balls. I kept expecting an hired assassin to come out at the end so I could get me my wish. Yah, didn't happen. :-( Great book anyway, I am looking forward to #2.
This twisty story kept me on my toes. I did have trouble with this at the beginning because Hayden's bitterness was just oozing off the page giving me a pissy-broken-heart. I actually put it down for several weeks before I picked it back up today (no back reading necessary because it was still very vivid in my mind). The book goes back and forth between present day and five years ago as things are remembered. At one point where Hayden freaks out, goes wolf and takes off...the next thing I know we are back in the past again, making me quite frustrated because I wanted to follow what was going on right now, right now, now...but I didn't skip forward and read through and was glad I did.
Be forewarned, this does have some gritty violence that may be offensive to some readers. My only regret and the reason that I didn't give this a five is because I needed more closure than the book gave. I may be a little demented because I like it when the bad guys stomped, you know, what's coming to them mob style. Especially these sleaze balls. I kept expecting an hired assassin to come out at the end so I could get me my wish. Yah, didn't happen. :-( Great book anyway, I am looking forward to #2.
May 29, 2012
4.5 Stars
I just finished scanning the ratings for this book and I have to say I’m surprised by a lot of them. I loved this book! Yes there were a few little niggles that didn’t quite work but overall it was a great story.
I’m not a fan of books that are written moving from past to present to past etc, usually they leave me feeling confused which in turn makes me annoyed, but this one worked. I was never confused, it actually made the mystery part of the story intriguing. Each section left me with just enough information to move on to the next but also left enough unanswered that I needed to read on to find out what was going to happen. Well done Cooper Davis!
The idea of having two Alpha Males as mates was great, you don’t see that often in shifter books, it made for some funny situations and conversations between Hayden and Josh. I loved them just not everything that happened to them, so along with the laughter there were a lot of tears, thankfully not all of them sad.
If I have one annoyance with this book it's the ending and even though it has a HEA, I hated it! I was hoping for a Book 2 but sadly I don’t see one, this story desperately needs a Book 2 in my opinion! I will be putting this book on my favorite shelf, there were just not enough negatives to not have it there!
Now that I’m finished with this review I’m curious to find out why some readers didn’t think this story worked.
I just finished scanning the ratings for this book and I have to say I’m surprised by a lot of them. I loved this book! Yes there were a few little niggles that didn’t quite work but overall it was a great story.
I’m not a fan of books that are written moving from past to present to past etc, usually they leave me feeling confused which in turn makes me annoyed, but this one worked. I was never confused, it actually made the mystery part of the story intriguing. Each section left me with just enough information to move on to the next but also left enough unanswered that I needed to read on to find out what was going to happen. Well done Cooper Davis!
The idea of having two Alpha Males as mates was great, you don’t see that often in shifter books, it made for some funny situations and conversations between Hayden and Josh. I loved them just not everything that happened to them, so along with the laughter there were a lot of tears, thankfully not all of them sad.
If I have one annoyance with this book it's the ending and even though it has a HEA, I hated it! I was hoping for a Book 2 but sadly I don’t see one, this story desperately needs a Book 2 in my opinion! I will be putting this book on my favorite shelf, there were just not enough negatives to not have it there!
Now that I’m finished with this review I’m curious to find out why some readers didn’t think this story worked.
January 27, 2016
Apparently I went on a little Alpha binge read these past couple days and I have no regrets. Bound By Nature was sweet, frustrating and hot all in one. I knew going in there would be some angst and therefore had no issue with it as it seems a lot of others did.
I thought the premise of Hayden not remembering what happened that fateful day would be an issue for me but I actually really enjoyed experiencing him remembering what happened. It was not for the faint of heart and made me feel all the feels, but I liked that Cooper Davis went there. It was hard to read that certain chapter but it made me understand why exactly Hayden felt the way he did and why he didn't remember.
My only qualm is that we are told about pack drama in the beginning of the book and we don't really get any resolution other than that they gather together at the end and were mingling. I was really hoping there would be a second book already written but I will have to wait patiently I guess :)
On to the next!
I thought the premise of Hayden not remembering what happened that fateful day would be an issue for me but I actually really enjoyed experiencing him remembering what happened. It was not for the faint of heart and made me feel all the feels, but I liked that Cooper Davis went there. It was hard to read that certain chapter but it made me understand why exactly Hayden felt the way he did and why he didn't remember.
My only qualm is that we are told about pack drama in the beginning of the book and we don't really get any resolution other than that they gather together at the end and were mingling. I was really hoping there would be a second book already written but I will have to wait patiently I guess :)
On to the next!
January 23, 2011
The blurb of this book does not do it justice. Te premise is an interesting one, and different than most in the same genre: a budding romance between two Alphas.
To be sure, this is not a very light read. The plot takes a very dark twist and is hard to stomach--emotionally--at times (perhaps this is the reason for the undeserved low ratings by readers here who expected otherwise). But I really appreciate it nonetheless. It is very rare that an author can masterfully take her reader on a believable roller coaster ride--and I believe Davis just did.
She writes beautifully with very raw emotions that linger with you. They are masterfully shown, not told. Her sex scenes are very passionate; the surreal, mysterious mating "process" described passionately.
Read it without expecting to read lightly, or treating it as a cheap fluff piece, and you will not be disappointed.
To be sure, this is not a very light read. The plot takes a very dark twist and is hard to stomach--emotionally--at times (perhaps this is the reason for the undeserved low ratings by readers here who expected otherwise). But I really appreciate it nonetheless. It is very rare that an author can masterfully take her reader on a believable roller coaster ride--and I believe Davis just did.
She writes beautifully with very raw emotions that linger with you. They are masterfully shown, not told. Her sex scenes are very passionate; the surreal, mysterious mating "process" described passionately.
Read it without expecting to read lightly, or treating it as a cheap fluff piece, and you will not be disappointed.
April 17, 2014
Well I liked this one! Typically a story told with a series of flashbacks gets on my nerves a bit, but the author did such a great job of conveying the emotional state (anger, coldness, longing, hurt) of the characters prior to revealing all of the "whys" that it completely worked for me. By the time things were resolved, I was still glued to the pages and happy for Josh and Hayden. I thoroughly enjoyed the angst in this one too. Instead of being beaten over the head with angst, it was hidden and snuck up on you. Nicely done. :)
June 23, 2017
I was really kind of disappointed in this one; I expected so much more from the description than what was actually given. By the time I was done, because if I start something I always try to finish it, I regretted the waste of time. I mean really, I just feel like I was misled about the entire thing.
December 4, 2014
Ok story. I didn't like the flipping past and present. I kept getting confused and having to re-read part of the story. Don't know that I would read anything else be the author.
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