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Hollywood Creatures #1
Broken Fangs
AUTHORS NOTE: Since there was some confusion when the book was first released, I want to make it clear that this is a DARK M/M urban fantasy paranormal romance. It contains action, adventure, LGBT romance, intensive world building, lots of laughter, and has an HEA. However, it also contains violence, abuse, and sexual situations that readers looking for a happy, romantic read may not be comfortable with. Be sure and read the Content Warning at the beginning. Thanks so much for reading!
If a wicked witch offers to show you his magic wand, just say no.
The father of all vamps learned that lesson the hard way, and now he’s stuck playing kept boy to the meanest mob boss in town.
Reality TV isn’t great for hiding, but when offered a spot on a dating show with the only werewolf the Celtic mafia fears, he sees his chance to escape.
All he needs is a little help from Hollywood’s baddest Alpha.
Too bad the first line of the show’s contract reads, “no vampires on set.”
This paranormal drama is about to get real…
If a wicked witch offers to show you his magic wand, just say no.
The father of all vamps learned that lesson the hard way, and now he’s stuck playing kept boy to the meanest mob boss in town.
Reality TV isn’t great for hiding, but when offered a spot on a dating show with the only werewolf the Celtic mafia fears, he sees his chance to escape.
All he needs is a little help from Hollywood’s baddest Alpha.
Too bad the first line of the show’s contract reads, “no vampires on set.”
This paranormal drama is about to get real…
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2021
66 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Skylar Sweeney
17 books89 followersSkylar Sweeney is an author of M/M romance of all varieties (with a couple of transgender M/F and gender fluid ones thrown in!). He specializes in darkly sweet stories with quirky characters placed in usual situations.
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Skylar-Sweeney/
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/SkylarSweeneyWriter
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Skylar-Sweeney/
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/SkylarSweeneyWriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 3, 2021
Que bagulho foi esse véio? Eu aqui achando que big brother, vai dar namoro e power couple eram reality shows inúteis, não até conhecer The stag kkkkkk esse livro foi uma comédia pastelão 😂 serviu só para rir dos personagens fazendo tanta coisa inútil num reality show bizarro dirigido por um diretor vida louka pior que o boninho do bbb😂 o romance foi meia boka, mas gostei da comédia pastelão, só serviu mesmo para rir. Achei que o autor quis inovar em muita coisa mas acabou se perdendo no caminho, tinha tudo para ser uma história impactante mas foi mal aproveitada e ficou só na comédia ( uma pena)
June 6, 2021
I didn't have very high expectations for this book, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Still, while I had a lot of fun reading this book, I now recognize some of its problems.
I have a great soft spot for vampire-werewolf relationships, and that's why I chose this book. And I wasn't disappointed about that.
Gus, the vampire, is definitely a tortured hero and seeks safety from the werewolf Rick. He and Rick are characters that are easy to like. Rick's son was killed by a vampire, making him hate them. Of course, this creates a conflict with Gus. Both of them are taking part in the reality show called The Stag - Rick is to have a relationship with one of the participants at the end of the program, and one of the candidates is Gus. This is a very interesting and original idea. Though it's probably not quite something for me. I have not watched this type of programs on TV for a long time and while I think it is an interesting idea for the plot of the book, it is not something that I particularly like.
Rick and Gus are sexually interested in each other from the beginning. Though it's Rick who wants Gus more than the other way around. Actually, I'm not sure if Gus is really interested in Rock at first or if he's just looking for safety with him. Especially since Rick's touch hurts him (this happens to all vampires in contact with werewolves). And while Gus likes to mix pain with pleasure, it seems he is unable to get the full enjoyment out of sex with Rick without some medical help.
Generally, there is a lot of violence in this book. Gus's ex-boyfriend abuses him cruelly, the story actually begins with a scene of torture. There are also some hints that having sex with Rick is also painful for him and perhaps he is not enjoying it, and that it is too violent for him. And even that Gus wasn't really interested in having sex with Rick at the moment, but he accepts it because he's in a hopeless situation or he's afraid.
I expected this story to be sweeter. I'd rather be in no doubt that Gus is getting all the pleasure out of his relationship with Rick and that he really wants it, and not just looking for a way out of his difficult situation.
Maybe I'll read more books in this series, and maybe not. Btw, the cover of this one is just beautiful. It's a pity it doesn't capture the darker aspects of the story. I think that's why I was expecting a sweet story.
I have a great soft spot for vampire-werewolf relationships, and that's why I chose this book. And I wasn't disappointed about that.
Gus, the vampire, is definitely a tortured hero and seeks safety from the werewolf Rick. He and Rick are characters that are easy to like. Rick's son was killed by a vampire, making him hate them. Of course, this creates a conflict with Gus. Both of them are taking part in the reality show called The Stag - Rick is to have a relationship with one of the participants at the end of the program, and one of the candidates is Gus. This is a very interesting and original idea. Though it's probably not quite something for me. I have not watched this type of programs on TV for a long time and while I think it is an interesting idea for the plot of the book, it is not something that I particularly like.
Rick and Gus are sexually interested in each other from the beginning. Though it's Rick who wants Gus more than the other way around. Actually, I'm not sure if Gus is really interested in Rock at first or if he's just looking for safety with him. Especially since Rick's touch hurts him (this happens to all vampires in contact with werewolves). And while Gus likes to mix pain with pleasure, it seems he is unable to get the full enjoyment out of sex with Rick without some medical help.
Generally, there is a lot of violence in this book. Gus's ex-boyfriend abuses him cruelly, the story actually begins with a scene of torture. There are also some hints that having sex with Rick is also painful for him and perhaps he is not enjoying it, and that it is too violent for him. And even that Gus wasn't really interested in having sex with Rick at the moment, but he accepts it because he's in a hopeless situation or he's afraid.
I expected this story to be sweeter. I'd rather be in no doubt that Gus is getting all the pleasure out of his relationship with Rick and that he really wants it, and not just looking for a way out of his difficult situation.
Maybe I'll read more books in this series, and maybe not. Btw, the cover of this one is just beautiful. It's a pity it doesn't capture the darker aspects of the story. I think that's why I was expecting a sweet story.
April 1, 2022
The idea of this story is fun: a vampire going on a dating show to win the heart of a werewolf. I expected a fun story set in a world filled with paranormal creatures and while that is the case the story started off pretty rough. I was bothered by the amount of abuse Gus, the vampire, suffers at the hands of his lover. I don’t get bothered too easily by certain triggers but this bothered me. I found I could not sit and read a lot of the first part of this book.
Another issue I had was Gus’s age. Even as a vampire who is thousands of years old he is only a teenager. It’s mentioned multiple times how young he looks. I found the sex between Gus and Rick disturbing to a degree, especially when Rick called Gus “son”. This is another thing I have never run across before that bothered me.
I never warmed up to Rick and I didn’t ever feel a real connection between him and Gus. Gus was a caring vampire, which is so different than the norm, and I liked him but I didn’t totally understand why he was that way. I just felt like something was missing.
There are a lot of characters in this and I felt off kilter from the beginning. This just didn’t work for me. The premise is good but the execution, for me, didn’t work at all.
ARC provided in exchange for review
Another issue I had was Gus’s age. Even as a vampire who is thousands of years old he is only a teenager. It’s mentioned multiple times how young he looks. I found the sex between Gus and Rick disturbing to a degree, especially when Rick called Gus “son”. This is another thing I have never run across before that bothered me.
I never warmed up to Rick and I didn’t ever feel a real connection between him and Gus. Gus was a caring vampire, which is so different than the norm, and I liked him but I didn’t totally understand why he was that way. I just felt like something was missing.
There are a lot of characters in this and I felt off kilter from the beginning. This just didn’t work for me. The premise is good but the execution, for me, didn’t work at all.
ARC provided in exchange for review
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July 14, 2021
The blurb that convinced me to request this ARC was fundamentally misleading. I thought it was going to be campy. It's not. Luckily, that blurb has changed, and content warnings are there now. Because, let me tell you, they were super necessary.
Within the first SENTENCE, you know this book is not going to fun or light. An angel and a demon are driving slaves. Yes, slaves. Shortly thereafter, they create the first vampire from an underage kid who has just been crucified and then, we learn, spend the next millennia mistreating him over and over.
Unfortunately for this vampire, Gus, current day isn't treating him much better: his "partner" is an abusive (and I mean, ABUSIVE) witch in the Celtic witch mafia of LA, and even though Gus has literal celestial powers, he's helpless and kicked around (again, literally). His only way out is to join the cast of this gay "Bachelor" show, staring the city's ex-Alpha/adult film star, Rick.
Gus's ex wants to make him pay for running away, Rick fundamentally hates vampires because one killed his son a year before. From the start, I didn't buy Rick as anything close to a romantic lead. He's a jerk, and he's terrible to Gus. He uses him, hurts him and is just plain mean. I didn't like him at all. Gus is kind to a fault, and I mean that literally. He would rather be hurt than risk hurting anyone, including the person who is hurting him. This has been his philosophy for over 2,000 years, and I found it frustratingly unrealistic.
The producer for the show, who kept on putting Gus in physical danger, didn't get any pushback, including from other paranormal creatures very capable of taking him on. Rick abuses Gus in a very similar way to his ex, and his apology was a JOKE. And that's putting it kindly.
I stuck around despite my disgust for Rick and frustration with Gus because there are enough plot threads that are established that made it interesting enough to want to keep going. I wanted to see the icky vampire mayor pay for killing Rick's son; I wanted to see Gus's ex pay for being the worst; I wanted Rick to finally stop being so thick and figure out what was happening.
Side note on Rick: he was the city's werewolf Alpha, head of the paranormal division of the LAPD AND a very, very successful adult film star? Where did he find the time to do all that? Also, how did he get no flack for being in the adult film industry? Not saying that adult film stars should be shamed, but it's definitely part of society. Anyway, it felt like a weird thing that didn't have any baring on the plot or his character, and I didn't get it. Side note on Gus: He was created when he was underage (yes, at the time he was created, he was considered an adult. It doesn't matter). I WISH, even though at the time of the actual plot, Gus is millennia old, the author had just made him 18 or 19. How hard would that have been to take away the ickiness of his initial age? Combine that with that fact Gus is like, 5'2" and very slight and also works in the adult film industry in, ahem, videos that take advantage of his youthful appearance? It's gross. I couldn't get over it.
The best parts of this were the side characters: the actual Merlin, the actual genie in the bottle with the actual Aladdin, the Bogeyman producer, even Rick's hag manager. They had more life to them than either Rick or Gus. I'm going to see what happens in the next book, which is about Jensen the jinn and Aladdin.
The writing is good, which is why this still has three stars. I just didn't care for the main characters, which is always a problem with a book. But I admit that could be a me thing. And it's not like I'm a stranger to a "dark romance." I love pretty much anything KA Merikan has ever written, and their plots always include morally grey characters, themes of abuse and violence. So it's not a principle thing. I don't know. Perhaps the book would have been better served by dropping the gay "Bachelor" set-up, because it really is, at its core, a fun, campy thing. And it clashes HARD with the darker elements of the book, and with how terrible a person Rick is. He sucks. Seriously. Gus would be better off on his own, helping out his boy Merlin or Jensen, who were both super great to Gus. Rick's "grand gesture" at the end was WEAK.
| I received and ARC and this is my honest review. |
Within the first SENTENCE, you know this book is not going to fun or light. An angel and a demon are driving slaves. Yes, slaves. Shortly thereafter, they create the first vampire from an underage kid who has just been crucified and then, we learn, spend the next millennia mistreating him over and over.
Unfortunately for this vampire, Gus, current day isn't treating him much better: his "partner" is an abusive (and I mean, ABUSIVE) witch in the Celtic witch mafia of LA, and even though Gus has literal celestial powers, he's helpless and kicked around (again, literally). His only way out is to join the cast of this gay "Bachelor" show, staring the city's ex-Alpha/adult film star, Rick.
Gus's ex wants to make him pay for running away, Rick fundamentally hates vampires because one killed his son a year before. From the start, I didn't buy Rick as anything close to a romantic lead. He's a jerk, and he's terrible to Gus. He uses him, hurts him and is just plain mean. I didn't like him at all. Gus is kind to a fault, and I mean that literally. He would rather be hurt than risk hurting anyone, including the person who is hurting him. This has been his philosophy for over 2,000 years, and I found it frustratingly unrealistic.
The producer for the show, who kept on putting Gus in physical danger, didn't get any pushback, including from other paranormal creatures very capable of taking him on. Rick abuses Gus in a very similar way to his ex, and his apology was a JOKE. And that's putting it kindly.
I stuck around despite my disgust for Rick and frustration with Gus because there are enough plot threads that are established that made it interesting enough to want to keep going. I wanted to see the icky vampire mayor pay for killing Rick's son; I wanted to see Gus's ex pay for being the worst; I wanted Rick to finally stop being so thick and figure out what was happening.
Side note on Rick: he was the city's werewolf Alpha, head of the paranormal division of the LAPD AND a very, very successful adult film star? Where did he find the time to do all that? Also, how did he get no flack for being in the adult film industry? Not saying that adult film stars should be shamed, but it's definitely part of society. Anyway, it felt like a weird thing that didn't have any baring on the plot or his character, and I didn't get it. Side note on Gus: He was created when he was underage (yes, at the time he was created, he was considered an adult. It doesn't matter). I WISH, even though at the time of the actual plot, Gus is millennia old, the author had just made him 18 or 19. How hard would that have been to take away the ickiness of his initial age? Combine that with that fact Gus is like, 5'2" and very slight and also works in the adult film industry in, ahem, videos that take advantage of his youthful appearance? It's gross. I couldn't get over it.
The best parts of this were the side characters: the actual Merlin, the actual genie in the bottle with the actual Aladdin, the Bogeyman producer, even Rick's hag manager. They had more life to them than either Rick or Gus. I'm going to see what happens in the next book, which is about Jensen the jinn and Aladdin.
The writing is good, which is why this still has three stars. I just didn't care for the main characters, which is always a problem with a book. But I admit that could be a me thing. And it's not like I'm a stranger to a "dark romance." I love pretty much anything KA Merikan has ever written, and their plots always include morally grey characters, themes of abuse and violence. So it's not a principle thing. I don't know. Perhaps the book would have been better served by dropping the gay "Bachelor" set-up, because it really is, at its core, a fun, campy thing. And it clashes HARD with the darker elements of the book, and with how terrible a person Rick is. He sucks. Seriously. Gus would be better off on his own, helping out his boy Merlin or Jensen, who were both super great to Gus. Rick's "grand gesture" at the end was WEAK.
| I received and ARC and this is my honest review. |
June 18, 2021
The story started as a very dark story, even depressive and abusive. But once the “reality TV” show started, it turned into a crazy even hilarious riot! I have to say Rick is not my favorite character. He has too much of a jock’s attitude. And I absolutely loved the idea of Gus being a healer, for a vampire that’s a first for me. Overall, I enjoyed this rollercoaster riot of craziness!
June 5, 2021
Has some great parts
I liked this and finished it for Gus alone. He was the antithesis of what a vampire should be, especially with his gifts. He cared and others cared about him.
There are a few things that are problematic though, the constant references to Gus being a teenager. If you are going to pass him off as 18 then don't refer to his teenaged parts. It came off a little creepy after a while especially when Rick was calling him little boy. I had to firmly hold in my head that Gus was over 2 thousand years old.
Then there was the sheer amount of abuse Gus suffered, not just in his past, from Killian (which was hard going) but also from Rick.
After Killian I just couldn't see why Gus would accept that from Rick.
Rick himself was frustrating. Parts of him I liked but he was just so stupid he was like a caricature at times.
All the world building though, the mix of supes and just the sweetness of Gus made me overlook a lot and I'd probably read another of this series
I liked this and finished it for Gus alone. He was the antithesis of what a vampire should be, especially with his gifts. He cared and others cared about him.
There are a few things that are problematic though, the constant references to Gus being a teenager. If you are going to pass him off as 18 then don't refer to his teenaged parts. It came off a little creepy after a while especially when Rick was calling him little boy. I had to firmly hold in my head that Gus was over 2 thousand years old.
Then there was the sheer amount of abuse Gus suffered, not just in his past, from Killian (which was hard going) but also from Rick.
After Killian I just couldn't see why Gus would accept that from Rick.
Rick himself was frustrating. Parts of him I liked but he was just so stupid he was like a caricature at times.
All the world building though, the mix of supes and just the sweetness of Gus made me overlook a lot and I'd probably read another of this series
June 13, 2021
oh this one is very difficult to rate - on the one hand I was fascinated with the characters and the story and didn't want to stop, on the other hand I really had some troubles with the characters and especially how the story was told that I thought not one about DNF this book.
Gus is a very difficult character for me as I really feel for him due to his history, which is horrifying and his life was not easy. nevertheless, he is a bit of a doormat.
Rick is as Gus said, a bit on the blonde side. he has my sympathy for what happend to his son but that doesn't make his temper tantrums easier to swallow.
regarding the story - I got the impression that the author could not decide if this book should be a comedy or a tragedy. as I said Gus history is horrifying but on the other hand the book tries to be funny with the way it was set up.
the relationship development is interesting but there is a point where I am not sure, Gus is really with Rick because he wants to.
this book is long, which is ok - but the ending is a bit rushed, and I think it would have been ok, if the last developments were a bit longer told.
all in all, an interesting story and I think I want to read the next one in this series. but it is not one of my favorite books
Gus is a very difficult character for me as I really feel for him due to his history, which is horrifying and his life was not easy. nevertheless, he is a bit of a doormat.
Rick is as Gus said, a bit on the blonde side. he has my sympathy for what happend to his son but that doesn't make his temper tantrums easier to swallow.
regarding the story - I got the impression that the author could not decide if this book should be a comedy or a tragedy. as I said Gus history is horrifying but on the other hand the book tries to be funny with the way it was set up.
the relationship development is interesting but there is a point where I am not sure, Gus is really with Rick because he wants to.
this book is long, which is ok - but the ending is a bit rushed, and I think it would have been ok, if the last developments were a bit longer told.
all in all, an interesting story and I think I want to read the next one in this series. but it is not one of my favorite books
June 2, 2021
This book seems to have a little bit of everything paranormal that the reader can think of, encased in the unexpected approach of a reality TV show. Gus, an ancient vampire, is trying to avoid his abusive ex Killian. Killian wasn’t only a man. He was a very powerful witch with a wand that controlled Gus, and the cruel witch was in charge of one of the biggest magical crime syndicates in the city. But if Gus can join the cast of a reality dating show, there is no magic allowed and he would be safe for a short time. Here he meets Rick Brickhard, an alpha werewolf, apparently the only werewolf the Celtic mafia fears, and for the first time he sees a possible chance to escape. For the first time, he feels … hope.
I really disliked Killian’s abuse and found it difficult to accept that a powerful vampire could not walk away from the situation – or worse yet, that he thought he “loved” Killian. But the story is action-packed and well-written. I liked the characters and look forward to the next book in the series.
I really disliked Killian’s abuse and found it difficult to accept that a powerful vampire could not walk away from the situation – or worse yet, that he thought he “loved” Killian. But the story is action-packed and well-written. I liked the characters and look forward to the next book in the series.
June 6, 2021
2.5 stars
Well this is awkward.
When I read the blurb for this one I thought it would be a good afternoon's read and an enjoyable romp, wow how wrong I was. This had moments of comic relief but mainly it was quite dark due to the subject matter. I like dark and don't have any problems with reading it, but I also like to know going in that it is going be dark. This one produced some major issues for me and it was hard to actually finish it at one point.
I'll start with the things I liked
I loved Gus. The first 1/4 of the book was hard to get through as we were being told how powerful Gus was but he never fought back, and I wanted him to. He came across as really beaten down and I felt for him. Once he got to the reality set, things made more sense as his personality really shone through.
I loved the side characters, and how their history was woven into the storyline, this was well done. Merlin, Jensen, Aladdin, Odin and Bogey were all highlights. Its a shame that I didn't like this one as much because I would really like to know what happens in their own stories.
I liked the set up of the reality TV show but not the actual execution, more on that later.
What I disliked
Rick, I didn't like him at all, he was so childlike in his tantrums and sulking. I understood his pain at losing his child, but the way he carried on at the reality set showed him to be very immature.
Donal - he basically set a character up to be mauled and raped after being told what would happen in the situation he put them in and yet there were no consequences for him. He was annoying and the fact that he turned the reality show into a basic porn show was disappointing.
The fact that the two m/c's were porn stars before the reality show. It wasn't needed and turned the reality show into the porn show, it was just silly in my opinion.
Now for he major issue - Gus's age when he was turned. I do give credit for the author sticking to historical accuracy as when Gus was turned people were married and had children at a lot earlier age, but it was stated that Gus was 15 at the time of death. So basically through out the whole book people were having sex with a character that looked 15. This was a major ick factor for me. When we met Gus in present day he is filming what is basically underage porn, playing the teenager because that's how old he looks. Does't matter to me that he is actually 2000 years old. I emotionally turned off and in my mind made him 20 to 22 but it was like the author couldn't resist banging home how old he looked as they continually called him the kid, teenager or boy and reference was made repeatedly to how young he looked. It was very off putting, and to be honest I very nearly stopped a number of times because if this, it was only that I felt I should give it a good go due to being an arc that I continued.
Will I continue with the rest of the series, honestly I don't know. Like I've previously said, I really liked Jenson, Aladdin and Merlin and want to see how their story pans out, but I think I'll wait for reviews first.
***Arc provided by GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review ***
Well this is awkward.
When I read the blurb for this one I thought it would be a good afternoon's read and an enjoyable romp, wow how wrong I was. This had moments of comic relief but mainly it was quite dark due to the subject matter. I like dark and don't have any problems with reading it, but I also like to know going in that it is going be dark. This one produced some major issues for me and it was hard to actually finish it at one point.
I'll start with the things I liked
I loved Gus. The first 1/4 of the book was hard to get through as we were being told how powerful Gus was but he never fought back, and I wanted him to. He came across as really beaten down and I felt for him. Once he got to the reality set, things made more sense as his personality really shone through.
I loved the side characters, and how their history was woven into the storyline, this was well done. Merlin, Jensen, Aladdin, Odin and Bogey were all highlights. Its a shame that I didn't like this one as much because I would really like to know what happens in their own stories.
I liked the set up of the reality TV show but not the actual execution, more on that later.
What I disliked
Rick, I didn't like him at all, he was so childlike in his tantrums and sulking. I understood his pain at losing his child, but the way he carried on at the reality set showed him to be very immature.
Donal - he basically set a character up to be mauled and raped after being told what would happen in the situation he put them in and yet there were no consequences for him. He was annoying and the fact that he turned the reality show into a basic porn show was disappointing.
The fact that the two m/c's were porn stars before the reality show. It wasn't needed and turned the reality show into the porn show, it was just silly in my opinion.
Now for he major issue - Gus's age when he was turned. I do give credit for the author sticking to historical accuracy as when Gus was turned people were married and had children at a lot earlier age, but it was stated that Gus was 15 at the time of death. So basically through out the whole book people were having sex with a character that looked 15. This was a major ick factor for me. When we met Gus in present day he is filming what is basically underage porn, playing the teenager because that's how old he looks. Does't matter to me that he is actually 2000 years old. I emotionally turned off and in my mind made him 20 to 22 but it was like the author couldn't resist banging home how old he looked as they continually called him the kid, teenager or boy and reference was made repeatedly to how young he looked. It was very off putting, and to be honest I very nearly stopped a number of times because if this, it was only that I felt I should give it a good go due to being an arc that I continued.
Will I continue with the rest of the series, honestly I don't know. Like I've previously said, I really liked Jenson, Aladdin and Merlin and want to see how their story pans out, but I think I'll wait for reviews first.
***Arc provided by GRR. This is my honest and voluntary review ***
June 25, 2021
I hated this. I forced myself to read it because of a book challenge but many regrets.
I will never find child porn funny or acceptable. Period.
I will never find child porn funny or acceptable. Period.
June 2, 2021
I’m not sure how to feel about this book. On one hand: it lays out a richly detailed paranormal universe, filled with recognizable figures (hags, jinns, wizards of Arthurian legend) adapted to a modern world, and it’s pretty darn mesmerizing. There are some truly funny moments, as you’d expect from a bunch of magical beings and unwitting humans filming a reality dating show where the prize bachelor is also a porn star. On the other hand: all of these compelling ideas and interesting characters have some truly, truly sharp edges. There is A LOT of darkness in this story— there’s suffering, abuse, and a level of martyrdom for Gus that reaches almost biblical proportions. I’m pretty sure that’s the point, but for me it made for an uncomfortable blend — it was hard to enjoy the lighter touches when there was so much underlying pain and despair. Gus has unworldly power, and has been systematically preyed on for years beyond counting, and that….really really sucks, in a distinctly unfunny way. Given the depth and extent of his trauma, and the enormous sacrifice he ends up making, I don’t know if I was 100% on board with the HEA. That said, however, it’s an interesting book, and if the blurb hooks you, I’d say give it a try.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2021
This is definitely an interesting read. I really do like the world that Skylar Sweeney has created and this storyline is interesting. Gus and Rick definitely didn't have a good start but it was nice to see how their relationship develops. This had twist and turns and I can't wait to read the next story.
June 5, 2021
interesting new series... i think this author is new to me.. good writing.. good characters.. a new type of plot. i enjoyed it
June 15, 2021
Loved the idea of Gus going on reality TV to try to prevent his abusive ex from trying to drag him back. Seemed like a flawed plan until we learned the "bachelor", Rick, was a Paranormal Police officer. Ok, I thought this sounds like a much better plan. Then we discover Rick hates vampires. There were parts of this book that definitely merited the label dark, but for me the author was so clever in setting up roadblock after roadblock for these guys and showing us how they fought through them to be together that I was hooked immediately.
May 29, 2021
Fantastic story
OMG I have no words for this story. Gus is trying to hide from his ex and joins the cast a reality show. Think of a gay version of The Bachelor but with paranormal creatures included. This story was hilarious and outrageous. The world building was fantastic and the characters were awesome. I completely enjoyed every minute of this book and I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely fantastic.
OMG I have no words for this story. Gus is trying to hide from his ex and joins the cast a reality show. Think of a gay version of The Bachelor but with paranormal creatures included. This story was hilarious and outrageous. The world building was fantastic and the characters were awesome. I completely enjoyed every minute of this book and I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely fantastic.
October 10, 2021
I liked the book a lot.
It was fun to read.
Rick is a terribly unlikable character ... childish, bigoted, sorta ignorant. He is never really redeemed for this. That conversation in the beginning about how he threatens to rape people just to intimidate them but is horrified when they think he means it, and still can't see how wrong that is sorta sums up his entire character. In that scene he doesn't even recognize or acknowledge he's dealing with what he thinks is a kid - physically IS one if not in years - coming out of an abused relationship. Who is an actual DV victim of what 100 years? 50? I can't recall. It wasn't clear. But that's who he threatened to rape and he still just acted bewildered and tonally deaf to the situation. Meh, this didn't impress me and he never really redeemed himself. Sure he helps out by way of manpower to keep Gus safe but that is mostly him being managed by Merlin and Jensen and Aladdin, Hagatha, Mick, and Gus himself. Gus being 2k years old and a really good person/ maybe too passive due to abuse is really what saves his own damn self in this story. A nice twist, he's no fainting maiden, but I find the fact Rick never really measures up to being worthy of such a character as Augustus Carthage really distasteful. I liked Gus. I didn't like that did didn't get someone as wonderful in return.
Augustus "Gus" is a delight of a character. It's mostly shown in how people respond to him, the loyalty and care, help and healing, he's given them is returned. He makes good decisions - apart from those made out of an abused mindset - and he's genuinely sweet and someone I'd look up to. I think this story might have been too small for him. I think he was never properly vindicated for his perceived wrong actions, and he literally kills for the first time in his entire 2 thousand years for no reason. He could have delivered the man to the courts or even Rick himself instead. And it hurts him, and that hurt is never acknowledged. For such a good person I think this was a crummy decision and makes me dislike Rick all the more.
A single discordant note in the author's ability to write a story came with Rick's blowup in the face of the lie reveal at the end. It read like a bad fanfiction. Over the top, unrealistic, written by a 14 year old. Author should have rewritten that scene. Literally the exact same thing could have played out in a believable way if it had been written well. It took me out of the story and lost two stars when I would have marked this higher. It almost made me mark the while damn book 1 star. Edit people. Rewrite.
The world building is a nice. The ancient familiar characters offended me slightly at first because mythic Merlin is rather dear to me... But eventually grew on me. I love Jensen. The books also lowkey mocks PC culture which I adored.
All in all, I did enjoy this book. It just had some problems which might have been driven by Rick's character or by the author's poor skill. Either way Gus made up for it.
It was fun to read.
Rick is a terribly unlikable character ... childish, bigoted, sorta ignorant. He is never really redeemed for this. That conversation in the beginning about how he threatens to rape people just to intimidate them but is horrified when they think he means it, and still can't see how wrong that is sorta sums up his entire character. In that scene he doesn't even recognize or acknowledge he's dealing with what he thinks is a kid - physically IS one if not in years - coming out of an abused relationship. Who is an actual DV victim of what 100 years? 50? I can't recall. It wasn't clear. But that's who he threatened to rape and he still just acted bewildered and tonally deaf to the situation. Meh, this didn't impress me and he never really redeemed himself. Sure he helps out by way of manpower to keep Gus safe but that is mostly him being managed by Merlin and Jensen and Aladdin, Hagatha, Mick, and Gus himself. Gus being 2k years old and a really good person/ maybe too passive due to abuse is really what saves his own damn self in this story. A nice twist, he's no fainting maiden, but I find the fact Rick never really measures up to being worthy of such a character as Augustus Carthage really distasteful. I liked Gus. I didn't like that did didn't get someone as wonderful in return.
Augustus "Gus" is a delight of a character. It's mostly shown in how people respond to him, the loyalty and care, help and healing, he's given them is returned. He makes good decisions - apart from those made out of an abused mindset - and he's genuinely sweet and someone I'd look up to. I think this story might have been too small for him. I think he was never properly vindicated for his perceived wrong actions, and he literally kills for the first time in his entire 2 thousand years for no reason. He could have delivered the man to the courts or even Rick himself instead. And it hurts him, and that hurt is never acknowledged. For such a good person I think this was a crummy decision and makes me dislike Rick all the more.
A single discordant note in the author's ability to write a story came with Rick's blowup in the face of the lie reveal at the end. It read like a bad fanfiction. Over the top, unrealistic, written by a 14 year old. Author should have rewritten that scene. Literally the exact same thing could have played out in a believable way if it had been written well. It took me out of the story and lost two stars when I would have marked this higher. It almost made me mark the while damn book 1 star. Edit people. Rewrite.
The world building is a nice. The ancient familiar characters offended me slightly at first because mythic Merlin is rather dear to me... But eventually grew on me. I love Jensen. The books also lowkey mocks PC culture which I adored.
All in all, I did enjoy this book. It just had some problems which might have been driven by Rick's character or by the author's poor skill. Either way Gus made up for it.
June 9, 2021
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Gus is a vampire, created a long time ago. He needs to hide in plain sight, from his ex, who wants Gus back. Rick is an Alpha werewolf, disposed from his position of head Alpha in the city. He’s also the star of the latest paranormal version of The Batchelor. But Rick hates vampires, and Gus isn’t just a vampire, he is the father of ALL the vampires. Things are about to get interesting!
I don’t know where my mind went when I read the blurb for this book, I really don’t. But something about it piqued my interest so I jumped in.
And was pleasantly surprised, but not totally blown away. Good, don’t get me wrong, but something doesn’t quite work for me.
I *think* it’s probably the level of violence that is depicted here. It is described in great detail, both when telling of Gus’ beginnings, and when he meets those other characters who are important to him, but also what he suffers at the hands of Killian, the witch he is hiding from.
Gus is sweet, even for a vampire who is over 2 millennia old, and he doesn’t really come across as someone so old. Many times, in the book, it mentions how young he looks, and it’s true he was but a teenager when turned, but you’d think his SOUL would be old, you know? He would be able to spot trouble a mile away, and be able to deal with it. But Gus isn’t and doesn’t, and that’s why he’s in this mess.
Rick, on the other hand, is an Alpha, with power and he knows it. He knows how to use it to get what he wants. Except to get his position back as head Alpha of the city. And I’m still not convinced as to WHY he let himself be railroaded into the farce of a TV show. Because, let's face it, that show really is a farce from start to finish. Gus joining in just made the produces aware of what Gus is suffering from.
I didn’t feel there was much of a romance between Gus and Rick. Sexual attraction and powerful chemistry, yes, but ROMANCE? Nope, none at all, I thought!
Some interesting supporting characters. Maybe I’ll read further books, I don’t know. It’s all gonna depend on the blurb grabbing me, but it’s going to have to work extra hard to do that.
First I’ve read of this author. A quick look shows me some M/F pairing books, so I might try one of those in due course.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Gus is a vampire, created a long time ago. He needs to hide in plain sight, from his ex, who wants Gus back. Rick is an Alpha werewolf, disposed from his position of head Alpha in the city. He’s also the star of the latest paranormal version of The Batchelor. But Rick hates vampires, and Gus isn’t just a vampire, he is the father of ALL the vampires. Things are about to get interesting!
I don’t know where my mind went when I read the blurb for this book, I really don’t. But something about it piqued my interest so I jumped in.
And was pleasantly surprised, but not totally blown away. Good, don’t get me wrong, but something doesn’t quite work for me.
I *think* it’s probably the level of violence that is depicted here. It is described in great detail, both when telling of Gus’ beginnings, and when he meets those other characters who are important to him, but also what he suffers at the hands of Killian, the witch he is hiding from.
Gus is sweet, even for a vampire who is over 2 millennia old, and he doesn’t really come across as someone so old. Many times, in the book, it mentions how young he looks, and it’s true he was but a teenager when turned, but you’d think his SOUL would be old, you know? He would be able to spot trouble a mile away, and be able to deal with it. But Gus isn’t and doesn’t, and that’s why he’s in this mess.
Rick, on the other hand, is an Alpha, with power and he knows it. He knows how to use it to get what he wants. Except to get his position back as head Alpha of the city. And I’m still not convinced as to WHY he let himself be railroaded into the farce of a TV show. Because, let's face it, that show really is a farce from start to finish. Gus joining in just made the produces aware of what Gus is suffering from.
I didn’t feel there was much of a romance between Gus and Rick. Sexual attraction and powerful chemistry, yes, but ROMANCE? Nope, none at all, I thought!
Some interesting supporting characters. Maybe I’ll read further books, I don’t know. It’s all gonna depend on the blurb grabbing me, but it’s going to have to work extra hard to do that.
First I’ve read of this author. A quick look shows me some M/F pairing books, so I might try one of those in due course.
3 good, but not brilliant, stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
July 21, 2021
Promises
This is a dark romance and I would caution readers to make sure and read the warnings as there are some scenes involving abuse with that are difficult and heartbreaking to read. All in all, I liked this book. It had elements of humor and of course, I'm a sucker for PNR. I loved the side characters and am looking forward to the next book because who doesn't love jinn. I'm also hoping the AD gets a book and gets rid of his current paramour as I think he's worthless and am disappointed that there seemed to be no consequences to his actions, but perhaps that will come later. Now, let's talk about Gus, whom I adore. He really is saint-like, to his detriment at times, but what a fantastic and intriguing character he makes. I absolutely cheered for him and his later actions. In fact, I did a little dance of joy once he finally found his place. On to Rick, I'll admit quite a few of his scenes made me angry, but I also know that he's grieving and people grieving don't always act rationally. I gave him some leeway because of this and while his apologies could have had more oomph, he is someone who cares deeply and has a lot of heart. I'd want him on my side any day. "I'll take anything you want to give me. And I'll give you anything you want to take." Talk about fiery, Gus and Rick burn through the pages. These two are intense and I can guarantee that no one will ever tear them apart. The characters will evoke a spectrum of emotions while reading, but you'll be smiling by the end.
This is a dark romance and I would caution readers to make sure and read the warnings as there are some scenes involving abuse with that are difficult and heartbreaking to read. All in all, I liked this book. It had elements of humor and of course, I'm a sucker for PNR. I loved the side characters and am looking forward to the next book because who doesn't love jinn. I'm also hoping the AD gets a book and gets rid of his current paramour as I think he's worthless and am disappointed that there seemed to be no consequences to his actions, but perhaps that will come later. Now, let's talk about Gus, whom I adore. He really is saint-like, to his detriment at times, but what a fantastic and intriguing character he makes. I absolutely cheered for him and his later actions. In fact, I did a little dance of joy once he finally found his place. On to Rick, I'll admit quite a few of his scenes made me angry, but I also know that he's grieving and people grieving don't always act rationally. I gave him some leeway because of this and while his apologies could have had more oomph, he is someone who cares deeply and has a lot of heart. I'd want him on my side any day. "I'll take anything you want to give me. And I'll give you anything you want to take." Talk about fiery, Gus and Rick burn through the pages. These two are intense and I can guarantee that no one will ever tear them apart. The characters will evoke a spectrum of emotions while reading, but you'll be smiling by the end.
June 3, 2021
The first half of this book was harder to read but by the time you get to the main part with Rick the Bachelor Alpha wolf and Gus the Ancient Vampire know as the father it picked up. There is allot of side things going on criminal acts, murder, abuse, and torture you also have Gus flashing back to different times in his life and how he knows all these different powerful creatures and Mythos from literature and no matter how much he's suffered he still cares about supes and humans. And his past mistakes in romance have gotten him in trouble his current abusive relationship has him hiding out on well the equivalent of a gay bachelor and there's a huge problem the bachelor Rick hates Vampires. Rick has lost his only child to the city's mayor lost his job and now he's on a stupid reality show. Rick's character would be a little better if he wasn't so temperamental all the time he also judged allot before hearing why someone was hiding things the chemistry between Rick and Gus was intense but the death of some of the bad guys was a little anticlimactic but still and interesting take on modern Vampire/Wearwolf story. I will say this there is allot of emotional and physical abuse so if you are triggered in anyway by this then I would skip this book or your going to skip over at least the first half of the book when reading it.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
June 13, 2021
So I really liked the premise of this book: a thousand-year-old vampire porn star Augustus “Gus” who goes onto a Bachelor type show called The Stag to get away from his abusive ex Killiam. The world-building was interesting and I liked the side characters (honestly more than the MCs). Some of them are very unusual mixes for PNR like Jinn and Aladdin and also Bogeyman and Merlin. It was an interesting mix. There was also Fae and gods. I mean it was an interesting world that the author created. It was the execution of this book where some of the problems came. There was a lot of abuse, and torture way more than I think I thought there would be. I mean Gus went through the wringer. Major trigger warnings needed. But mostly for me, you would think a 2000-year-old vampire who was supposedly one of the first supes would beat a witch who he said was not even that powerful but nope. That was hard for me to understand. Also, for someone who had been around for so long, you would think Gus would not be so naive and think that Killian loved him. I also just didn't feel much of a connection between Rick and Gus. I think the secondary characters saved this book.
But, I am interested in how this series goes with the secondary characters. I saw that Merlin is getting a story that should be really interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
But, I am interested in how this series goes with the secondary characters. I saw that Merlin is getting a story that should be really interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 3, 2021
So let's start this review with a TRIGGER WARNING in relation to the coercive control and abusive relationship one of the main characters suffers. Let's also mention that this is a work of fiction and some of it is dated back to the time when crucifixion and gladiators were a thing; there are no such things as werewolves and the extreme violence mentioned within this book is just words written on a page, not between real people, it's made up in the mind of the writer!
But on the book... I loved this book. It has a bit of everything for me. Great characters, funny lines, lots of snarky comments, glitzy and glamour, a sexy Hag, a magic wand, a VIP Colour Room, Merlin in a sparkly wheelchair, The Genie in a water bottle, meetings in a sewage works, The Boogeyman, a Paranormal Council, the youngest Last Father, and the weirdest version of The Bachelor EVER!!!!!
Although we have the two main characters of an ancient 2000 year old Vampire and a 200 year old Werewolf with instant chemistry, we also have an amazing ensemble cast of secondary characters who will make a home in your heart. There are just so many and I can see that there will be so many books to follow to bring them all back together. I loved how each of the characters have been weaved from the ancient to the present day to make them relevant and not just who you think they are when you hear the name.
The story is madness itself, flowing from the pages almost jumping out at you like the paranormal characters within. It has great pace and plenty of heat along the way to keep everyone interested.
I totally loved this book, it had me engaged from page one and I read it in one sitting. I'm totally recommending you add this to your Kindle today xx
I received an arc copy of this book via Booksprout and provide my honest review voluntarily
But on the book... I loved this book. It has a bit of everything for me. Great characters, funny lines, lots of snarky comments, glitzy and glamour, a sexy Hag, a magic wand, a VIP Colour Room, Merlin in a sparkly wheelchair, The Genie in a water bottle, meetings in a sewage works, The Boogeyman, a Paranormal Council, the youngest Last Father, and the weirdest version of The Bachelor EVER!!!!!
Although we have the two main characters of an ancient 2000 year old Vampire and a 200 year old Werewolf with instant chemistry, we also have an amazing ensemble cast of secondary characters who will make a home in your heart. There are just so many and I can see that there will be so many books to follow to bring them all back together. I loved how each of the characters have been weaved from the ancient to the present day to make them relevant and not just who you think they are when you hear the name.
The story is madness itself, flowing from the pages almost jumping out at you like the paranormal characters within. It has great pace and plenty of heat along the way to keep everyone interested.
I totally loved this book, it had me engaged from page one and I read it in one sitting. I'm totally recommending you add this to your Kindle today xx
I received an arc copy of this book via Booksprout and provide my honest review voluntarily
June 13, 2021
This is an amazing story. Once you start it, you will not be able to put it down!
Gus, the father of all vampires, has had it with his boyfriend but leaving him is not easy. He joins the cast of a reality show, thinking he should be safe there. After all there are all kinds of paranormal individuals there. The alpha werewolf is like the bachelor, and he’s the only one his hopefully ex-boyfriend may fear. Hop on the ride with Gus and many others as he tries to escape but also not let anyone get hurt.
You cannot help but fall in love with Gus. He is such an amazing person and he just wants to be loved. He helps everyone and now he needs help. Rick can be a bit of jerk but he has been dealt a few tragedies and is trying to cope the only way he knows how. They seem to belong together but there are so many obstacles. Can they over come them all? Buy this one to find out. You will be glad you did.
Gus, the father of all vampires, has had it with his boyfriend but leaving him is not easy. He joins the cast of a reality show, thinking he should be safe there. After all there are all kinds of paranormal individuals there. The alpha werewolf is like the bachelor, and he’s the only one his hopefully ex-boyfriend may fear. Hop on the ride with Gus and many others as he tries to escape but also not let anyone get hurt.
You cannot help but fall in love with Gus. He is such an amazing person and he just wants to be loved. He helps everyone and now he needs help. Rick can be a bit of jerk but he has been dealt a few tragedies and is trying to cope the only way he knows how. They seem to belong together but there are so many obstacles. Can they over come them all? Buy this one to find out. You will be glad you did.
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June 14, 2021I received an ARC of this book from the Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review - or, this time, only the trigger warnings.
In my opinion, this book classifies as a dark romance and should be treated like one. I don't understand the author's decision of making it look like a lighthearted romance when it's not - but I'm not going to say that it was a bad book. Or a good book. I decided to DNF it because it was not my cup of tea, but I'm sure it can be someone's else flavor.
TW: Adult/minor relationship (Gus isn't exactly a minor, but he behaves and looks like one, and it makes it creepy), Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Murder, Pedophilia (not exact, but mentioned, especially with Gus), Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence. (As a bonus: we have someone nailed to a cross.)
In my opinion, this book classifies as a dark romance and should be treated like one. I don't understand the author's decision of making it look like a lighthearted romance when it's not - but I'm not going to say that it was a bad book. Or a good book. I decided to DNF it because it was not my cup of tea, but I'm sure it can be someone's else flavor.
TW: Adult/minor relationship (Gus isn't exactly a minor, but he behaves and looks like one, and it makes it creepy), Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Murder, Pedophilia (not exact, but mentioned, especially with Gus), Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence. (As a bonus: we have someone nailed to a cross.)
August 2, 2022
3.5
För lite sex, men bra story. Lite för lång, men helt klart värd att läsa om!
Den ena hjälten var lite väl mesig, å vägrade försvara sig själv - även om han höll på dö?! Vilket var väldigt frustrerande. Han var extremt over powered, men stannade ändå som slav i över 100 år, till en vekare person han lätt kunde tagit ut "men han ville inte göra nån illa."
Bitch please. Han sydde ihop dina läppar, torterade dig på alla möjliga vis, dödade dina kompisar, du är 2000år gammal, men du vill inte "skada" en super-evil person?! Tillslut när du låter en sådan rutten person gå lös å skada andra, fast du kunde gjort nåt åt det.. Tillslut är allt evil dom gör - on you!
Å den andra huvudrollen som skulle vara typ 40, betedde sig lite väl barnsligt eller himbo ibland, vilket också var lite störande.
Trots dessa problem tyckte jag om den, skulle jag läsa om den, och kommer jag Att läsa nästa bok.
För lite sex, men bra story. Lite för lång, men helt klart värd att läsa om!
Den ena hjälten var lite väl mesig, å vägrade försvara sig själv - även om han höll på dö?! Vilket var väldigt frustrerande. Han var extremt over powered, men stannade ändå som slav i över 100 år, till en vekare person han lätt kunde tagit ut "men han ville inte göra nån illa."
Bitch please. Han sydde ihop dina läppar, torterade dig på alla möjliga vis, dödade dina kompisar, du är 2000år gammal, men du vill inte "skada" en super-evil person?! Tillslut när du låter en sådan rutten person gå lös å skada andra, fast du kunde gjort nåt åt det.. Tillslut är allt evil dom gör - on you!
Å den andra huvudrollen som skulle vara typ 40, betedde sig lite väl barnsligt eller himbo ibland, vilket också var lite störande.
Trots dessa problem tyckte jag om den, skulle jag läsa om den, och kommer jag Att läsa nästa bok.
October 11, 2023
Reality TV, Supernatural Dating and Hope
There are some editorial errors and technical issues otherwise I'd easily give this five out of five.
Gus is a two thousand years old vampire in the body of an eighteen year old who is seeping power and being abused by his witch boyfriend Killian.
His human friend Joey has an answer - join a three month reality dating show - The Stag - a gay version of The Bachelor, where there are always cameras, and stay safe while he leaves his boyfriend.
The "stag" is werewolf Rick, who is grieving the loss of his son to a vampire and the loss of his job as Alpha of LA.
Most of the action takes place on the show with a number of paranormals and lots of oblivious humans.
And those scenes are hilarious.
Despite hating Vampires, the vampire 'kid' is growing on Rick.
There's steam, romance, lots of laughter, anger, violence and a HEA.
Jensen the djinn and Bogey are particularly good fun
There are some editorial errors and technical issues otherwise I'd easily give this five out of five.
Gus is a two thousand years old vampire in the body of an eighteen year old who is seeping power and being abused by his witch boyfriend Killian.
His human friend Joey has an answer - join a three month reality dating show - The Stag - a gay version of The Bachelor, where there are always cameras, and stay safe while he leaves his boyfriend.
The "stag" is werewolf Rick, who is grieving the loss of his son to a vampire and the loss of his job as Alpha of LA.
Most of the action takes place on the show with a number of paranormals and lots of oblivious humans.
And those scenes are hilarious.
Despite hating Vampires, the vampire 'kid' is growing on Rick.
There's steam, romance, lots of laughter, anger, violence and a HEA.
Jensen the djinn and Bogey are particularly good fun
June 14, 2021
The beginning of this book was quite dark and even though I did expect some darkness, I could’ve used some sweetness for balance.
I really liked the whole premise of the book and the supernatural world the author built here, it had so many interesting angles. I liked it when Gus and Dirk finally meet and there are some very steamy moments. there’s also a lot of funny bits as you would expect with this story line and so many different species (including mere humans) thrown together for a TV show in Hollywood.
I wanted Gus and Dirk’s relationship to be a little more emotional and romantic, but maybe the author has that in store for another book. I just want Gus to be happy after all he’s endured in his 2000year life, he really deserves it.
I will read the next book in the series and I do recommend this one for it’s imaginative storyline and worldbuilding.
I really liked the whole premise of the book and the supernatural world the author built here, it had so many interesting angles. I liked it when Gus and Dirk finally meet and there are some very steamy moments. there’s also a lot of funny bits as you would expect with this story line and so many different species (including mere humans) thrown together for a TV show in Hollywood.
I wanted Gus and Dirk’s relationship to be a little more emotional and romantic, but maybe the author has that in store for another book. I just want Gus to be happy after all he’s endured in his 2000year life, he really deserves it.
I will read the next book in the series and I do recommend this one for it’s imaginative storyline and worldbuilding.
October 2, 2021
No matter how big and strong you think you are, Mom can put you in your place. Infinite cycles of chaos. A lot going on in this story. Lots of characters, lots of conflicts between and among the characters. Folks making choices that have causes and effects that create more conflict. Gus, hates his circumstances, his abusive boyfriend Killian is not even remotely nice or salvagable. Gus is not only an old vampire, he's the Father of vampires, a member of the ruling Congress.r. His bankability was his youthful looks so he could star in kiddie porn at the mercy of his boyfriend Killian. Rick was on top of the world one day, then he lost it all his job, his pack, his son Tyler and his mate. Can Rick ever recover? Does Gus ever step into his role? Interesting story. Looking forward to how everyone moves forward. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2021
Rate: 3.5
I like the world building around the story, creative in the sense that it’s familiar. We were given glimpse of how famous ancient character would live like in Hollywood, working like the average guy around you. It had different approach to the usual vamps, werewolf, and other magical things.
There’s lots of action and fun in the story, however I didn’t feel the intimacy between the two MC. There’s much of falling in lust and less of romance for me. I feel like the story had a lot of potentials to go deeper in the plot and explore more complicated scenes. But everything’s solved easily and was a bit anti-climatic. Some things didn’t make sense for me even though some reason was explained. Still, this was an enjoyable read for me!
I like the world building around the story, creative in the sense that it’s familiar. We were given glimpse of how famous ancient character would live like in Hollywood, working like the average guy around you. It had different approach to the usual vamps, werewolf, and other magical things.
There’s lots of action and fun in the story, however I didn’t feel the intimacy between the two MC. There’s much of falling in lust and less of romance for me. I feel like the story had a lot of potentials to go deeper in the plot and explore more complicated scenes. But everything’s solved easily and was a bit anti-climatic. Some things didn’t make sense for me even though some reason was explained. Still, this was an enjoyable read for me!
June 6, 2021
I can’t totally decide whether I liked this book or not. There were some parts of it that were quite dark, and I didn’t expect that going in. I really liked the character of Gus, though I could have done without the multiple references to his “teenaged cock” as it was a little creepy. I get that he was turned when he was a teenager, but at over 2,000 years old, nothing about him should still be described as teenaged anything. I don’t necessarily think that he and Rick were the best match, but at least he got him away from Killian. And I was REALLY relieved that Rick didn’t subject Gus to his greatest nightmare, that he had enough control to do that at least.
Overall, I think I liked it, the AU is interesting enough that I will check out the next book at least.
Overall, I think I liked it, the AU is interesting enough that I will check out the next book at least.
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