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Call Me Daniel
Story now complete!
The new regular at Rise n' Grind is handsome, sophisticated and miraculously, interested in Lake. Lake accepts Everett's invitation to dinner while wondering what a down-on-his-luck barista has to offer this charming and successful older man...
Call Me Daniel is a novella-length, age-gap romance about two men testing boundaries and working through their control issues. A little bit kinky.
The new regular at Rise n' Grind is handsome, sophisticated and miraculously, interested in Lake. Lake accepts Everett's invitation to dinner while wondering what a down-on-his-luck barista has to offer this charming and successful older man...
Call Me Daniel is a novella-length, age-gap romance about two men testing boundaries and working through their control issues. A little bit kinky.
Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2021
2 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Laura Lascarso
31 books500 followersMM+ AUTHOR | Romance so good it hurts
Laura Lascarso wants you to stay up way past your bedtime reading her stories. She aims to inspire more questions than answers in her fiction and believes in the power of storytelling to heal and transform a society.
When not writing, Laura can be found screaming “finish” on the soccer fields, rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and trying to convince politicians to act on climate change. She lives in North Florida with her darling husband and two kids. She loves hearing from readers, and she’d be delighted to hear from you.
Join her Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/LaurasLounge
Sign up for her newsletter at www.lauralascarso.com
Laura Lascarso wants you to stay up way past your bedtime reading her stories. She aims to inspire more questions than answers in her fiction and believes in the power of storytelling to heal and transform a society.
When not writing, Laura can be found screaming “finish” on the soccer fields, rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and trying to convince politicians to act on climate change. She lives in North Florida with her darling husband and two kids. She loves hearing from readers, and she’d be delighted to hear from you.
Join her Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/LaurasLounge
Sign up for her newsletter at www.lauralascarso.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 20, 2020
Huh! Look who found this book romantic! Yaaap, it's me! 🤭🤔I suprise myself sometimes. 😂😂
Where is the rest? I want more of Lake and Everett.
They were hot together. Lake is darling, Everett is creepy, i freaking want Everett in my life. 🙈🤭
At this point, i just want to marry Laura and persuade her to tell me all about the beautiful dysfunctional relationships stories she is hiding in her head. That's how much i love her writing.
Anyhoo, that aside, this book is freaking hot. I enjoyed it so much, too bad it was short.
Where is the rest? I want more of Lake and Everett.
They were hot together. Lake is darling, Everett is creepy, i freaking want Everett in my life. 🙈🤭
At this point, i just want to marry Laura and persuade her to tell me all about the beautiful dysfunctional relationships stories she is hiding in her head. That's how much i love her writing.
Anyhoo, that aside, this book is freaking hot. I enjoyed it so much, too bad it was short.
Read
December 16, 20203.5 stars ⭐️
Wow, this story was equal parts sweet and creepy 😂
Call Me Daniel has a very different writing style from the books I usually read. However, I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you Laura Lascarso for the free novella ♥️
P.S. I had no idea if I should round up or down the star rating, so I just left it blank, cuz I'm a rebel like that 😂
“I want to be with you, Everett,” Lake says, then holds his breath. He’s not used to asking for things, and he’d be devastated if Everett rejected him at this moment, but Everett only smiles and kisses his forehead.
“Babe, you already are.”
Wow, this story was equal parts sweet and creepy 😂
Call Me Daniel has a very different writing style from the books I usually read. However, I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you Laura Lascarso for the free novella ♥️
P.S. I had no idea if I should round up or down the star rating, so I just left it blank, cuz I'm a rebel like that 😂
November 16, 2020
***** 4.5 stars *****
This will probably sound bizarre, considering the number of books I read, but I've never asked myself what's more important to me in a story, character or plot? Both? 🤔
Well, I've got my answer today. I'm team character-driven because there wasn't much going on here plot-wise, and yet I was fascinated by this story.
The blurb is very vague and to give a chance to other readers to go in blind, I'll write under spoiler tag what and why I loved this novella.
Call Me Daniel is filthy, hot, intriguing, a little edgy, a bit creepy, has a delicious age gap, a good dose of tension, a dash of humiliation kink and it's free.
What's not to like????????????????????????
This will probably sound bizarre, considering the number of books I read, but I've never asked myself what's more important to me in a story, character or plot? Both? 🤔
Well, I've got my answer today. I'm team character-driven because there wasn't much going on here plot-wise, and yet I was fascinated by this story.
The blurb is very vague and to give a chance to other readers to go in blind, I'll write under spoiler tag what and why I loved this novella.
Call Me Daniel is filthy, hot, intriguing, a little edgy, a bit creepy, has a delicious age gap, a good dose of tension, a dash of humiliation kink and it's free.
What's not to like????????????????????????
Read
November 18, 2020Oh dear, I have no idea how to rate this one. 😀
I read this story because some of this author's books are among my favourites, I love her writing style and it was free (Thank you, Laura Lascarso!).
I have to admit, it is a compelling story and the characters are very intriguing. Especially Everett. I loved the parts of the story that were only about him and I loved how they were written. I also really liked Lake's character. He is kind of sweet and nice.
Their relationship is very … interesting. It is well-written, even though I couldn't relate and the intimate scenes are not my thing at all. There was one particular thing about their relationship that I found really weird, but at the same time I wasn't put off by it.
I read this story because some of this author's books are among my favourites, I love her writing style and it was free (Thank you, Laura Lascarso!).
I have to admit, it is a compelling story and the characters are very intriguing. Especially Everett. I loved the parts of the story that were only about him and I loved how they were written. I also really liked Lake's character. He is kind of sweet and nice.
Their relationship is very … interesting. It is well-written, even though I couldn't relate and the intimate scenes are not my thing at all. There was one particular thing about their relationship that I found really weird, but at the same time I wasn't put off by it.
November 23, 2020
I should’ve DNFed long before the halfway mark, but considering my previous experience with this author, I really thought the book would turn around for me, that I would stop feeling disturbed and creeped out and everything would start to make sense, that the “romance” would start to feel right, unlikely as it seemed. Alternatively, I hoped—
Then I finished and I was disappointed. My version of
I had other problems with this book, especially but not only how , but since they are all more or less related to the weakness of Lake’s characterization, I won’t go into more details. Let’s just say that very little of this book worked for me. Actually, the only thing I can think of are the And when I say “worked for me” I mean that I appreciated the good writing, not that I enjoyed the content in any way. Maybe in another context, with a different relationship development and with another resolution, certainly not like this.
I should count as an achievement that for the first time I can recall I managed to finish a book written in third person present tense, but it’s hard to appreciate it given the circumstances.
Then I finished and I was disappointed. My version of
I had other problems with this book, especially but not only how , but since they are all more or less related to the weakness of Lake’s characterization, I won’t go into more details. Let’s just say that very little of this book worked for me. Actually, the only thing I can think of are the And when I say “worked for me” I mean that I appreciated the good writing, not that I enjoyed the content in any way. Maybe in another context, with a different relationship development and with another resolution, certainly not like this.
I should count as an achievement that for the first time I can recall I managed to finish a book written in third person present tense, but it’s hard to appreciate it given the circumstances.
May 22, 2021
Girrrrrlllllll(s)... (and boys)
To quote Lil Nas X: "nope."
I was so bored I need a new word for bored. But I kept going because I've travelled down Lascarso Lane before and was girding my loins for the sucker punch or the gut punch or the WTAF punch. Any punch would've done but...
Said punch never came. What came was some schmoozy weirdness divided by a snoozefest that left me with some scrunchiness in my facial quadrant.
As always my opinions are my own and YMMV.
But again (for me), "nope".
To quote Lil Nas X: "nope."
I was so bored I need a new word for bored. But I kept going because I've travelled down Lascarso Lane before and was girding my loins for the sucker punch or the gut punch or the WTAF punch. Any punch would've done but...
Said punch never came. What came was some schmoozy weirdness divided by a snoozefest that left me with some scrunchiness in my facial quadrant.
As always my opinions are my own and YMMV.
But again (for me), "nope".
November 21, 2020
Where has Laura Lascarso been all my life? I read this in one sitting when I woke up this morning and I have a huge smile on my face.
Everett is a rich controlling widower. He is struggling with relationships and he can’t find someone to replace Daniel.
Lake is a poor student barista, trying to figure out his life.
They are both fucked up and they are so perfect for each other. A match made in erotic heaven.
This was so good. Just leave your scruples and judgment at the door and enjoy the ride. 😘
Everett is a rich controlling widower. He is struggling with relationships and he can’t find someone to replace Daniel.
Lake is a poor student barista, trying to figure out his life.
They are both fucked up and they are so perfect for each other. A match made in erotic heaven.
This was so good. Just leave your scruples and judgment at the door and enjoy the ride. 😘
Read
November 22, 2020I’m 100% with my friend Snjez and have no idea how to rate this.
It was just plain weird. And a bit creepy honestly.
I’m not sure I even liked it. Yet.... I don’t think I disliked it.
It was just plain weird. And a bit creepy honestly.
I’m not sure I even liked it. Yet.... I don’t think I disliked it.
February 28, 2021
3.75 stars-- I dug this. Wasn't in love with this and I can't pinpoint why.
37 y.o. widower and tech whiz Everett Shaw sees 20 y.o. barista Laken Fellows and it reminds him of his dead husband. And he proceeds to stalk and improve Lake's life. Lake's had a shit life-- raised by a single drug abusing mother who fucked him up in the head, the kid's just a barrel of low self esteem. He tries though. He's softer and shy, sweet kid with dreams but life's already dumped on him. Everett fixes that...creepily.
If I met a guy like Everett, I'd run far away.
But his stalking works in an odd way for Lake. And I've read more controlling MC's before so he didn't ping high on my scale of cray; he's like a 1 or 2 for me. (I actually wouldn't have minded if he brought up the intensity and climbed up that scale to a 6 or 7. I feel like Everett has potential to get scary.)
The kinks were nice *whispers* someone likes control and watching.
And I enjoyed the communication aspect when it finally happens. I think the couple will be together forever because Everett wouldn't have it any other way. ;)
Thanks to the author for the freebie.
37 y.o. widower and tech whiz Everett Shaw sees 20 y.o. barista Laken Fellows and it reminds him of his dead husband. And he proceeds to stalk and improve Lake's life. Lake's had a shit life-- raised by a single drug abusing mother who fucked him up in the head, the kid's just a barrel of low self esteem. He tries though. He's softer and shy, sweet kid with dreams but life's already dumped on him. Everett fixes that...creepily.
If I met a guy like Everett, I'd run far away.
But his stalking works in an odd way for Lake. And I've read more controlling MC's before so he didn't ping high on my scale of cray; he's like a 1 or 2 for me. (I actually wouldn't have minded if he brought up the intensity and climbed up that scale to a 6 or 7. I feel like Everett has potential to get scary.)
The kinks were nice *whispers* someone likes control and watching.
And I enjoyed the communication aspect when it finally happens. I think the couple will be together forever because Everett wouldn't have it any other way. ;)
Thanks to the author for the freebie.
November 23, 2020
Well, I’d expected this to be a bit darker. Maybe because at the beginning, Everett was giving off this creepy vibe (Everett’s sessions with his therapist were a nice touch) that mellowed out later, instead of escalating. That might be good or bad depending on what you like; I was in the mood for something dark so I’m a little disappointed.
The kink was pretty mild here, in my opinion. Light D/s and some humiliation play. Personally, I’m partial to the second half of the BDSM acronym, so it was pretty vanilla to me — HOT vanilla, but still. The power imbalance in Lake and Everett’s relationship was very interesting, though, as was Everett’s character study.
Laura Lascarso is a phenomenal writer with a distinctive, amazing voice, and for me, all of her books are 5-star material. Call me Daniel didn’t hit me the way her Mortal and Divine series had, but then again, I used my special 6-star rating for that one. 😉
I highly recommend this freebie as a sample of Laura’s incredible writing skills!
The kink was pretty mild here, in my opinion. Light D/s and some humiliation play. Personally, I’m partial to the second half of the BDSM acronym, so it was pretty vanilla to me — HOT vanilla, but still. The power imbalance in Lake and Everett’s relationship was very interesting, though, as was Everett’s character study.
Laura Lascarso is a phenomenal writer with a distinctive, amazing voice, and for me, all of her books are 5-star material. Call me Daniel didn’t hit me the way her Mortal and Divine series had, but then again, I used my special 6-star rating for that one. 😉
I highly recommend this freebie as a sample of Laura’s incredible writing skills!
November 23, 2020
I love Laura Lascarso! Hiroku is still one of my favorite MM books and I am surprised her books don't have more ratings and reviews. For sure they deserve more attention and readers.
Call Me Daniel is short age-gap novella with such passion and eroticism. On only 125 pages author develops remarkably deep love story between Everett and Lake who generate fairly dysfunctional relationship.
You can download free copy in exchange for receiving author's newsletter here:
my link text
I highly recommend it to all MM lovers, give it a try, you won't regret it!
Call Me Daniel is short age-gap novella with such passion and eroticism. On only 125 pages author develops remarkably deep love story between Everett and Lake who generate fairly dysfunctional relationship.
You can download free copy in exchange for receiving author's newsletter here:
my link text
I highly recommend it to all MM lovers, give it a try, you won't regret it!
November 15, 2020
I met a man today who reminded me of Daniel.
I received Laura’s email for a free novella at 1:14am AEST and on my morning off, I devoured the story in one go. It was, as ever, absolutely a delight to read - anything written by Lascarso is a joy (even the bittersweet ones).
I would have gladly paid for this and despite it being a novella, it was perfectly paced. The narration was interesting and while there is no plot per say, you can’t help but want to know what happens next. I really want more stories like this from the author because she does it so well! As I’ve said before in my past reviews of her books, she’s one of the rare MM writers who has a different spin on the genre which is greatly appreciated.
I would definitely encourage ya’ll to give it a go - it’s free, it’s hot, it’s absolutely endearing and refreshing. But it’s not sickenly sweet or fluffy (I’m sorry, I can’t stand those kinds of stories!!) Like Laura says, there is no cheating, no threesomes, and has quite a satisfying HEA (but I will say I did yearn for more).
Love, love, love!
I received Laura’s email for a free novella at 1:14am AEST and on my morning off, I devoured the story in one go. It was, as ever, absolutely a delight to read - anything written by Lascarso is a joy (even the bittersweet ones).
I would have gladly paid for this and despite it being a novella, it was perfectly paced. The narration was interesting and while there is no plot per say, you can’t help but want to know what happens next. I really want more stories like this from the author because she does it so well! As I’ve said before in my past reviews of her books, she’s one of the rare MM writers who has a different spin on the genre which is greatly appreciated.
I would definitely encourage ya’ll to give it a go - it’s free, it’s hot, it’s absolutely endearing and refreshing. But it’s not sickenly sweet or fluffy (I’m sorry, I can’t stand those kinds of stories!!) Like Laura says, there is no cheating, no threesomes, and has quite a satisfying HEA (but I will say I did yearn for more).
Love, love, love!
November 17, 2020
I curse the day I grew up! In my teens I would have loved this but all my mind could think of was: RED FLAGS EVERYWHERE! 😩❤
It was an interesting story, from the first line I got intrigued, we are instantly introduced to Everett's character and he's a mystery right away. He falls for a barista (Lake) from the coffe shop in front of his job who reminds him of his past, so he starts to romance him. I had issues with Lake's personality or the way he was written, he was just too compliant on everything. I understand that some people need/are like that, but he was soooo flexible with things that I felt he lost himself until he got to defend himself.
For me this book awesomeness is responsibility of Everett, he was a good psyco, loved him. And since the red flags were solved at the end, I liked the story overall. So yeah, its a good one and it's free. 🤭🥰❤
It was an interesting story, from the first line I got intrigued, we are instantly introduced to Everett's character and he's a mystery right away. He falls for a barista (Lake) from the coffe shop in front of his job who reminds him of his past, so he starts to romance him. I had issues with Lake's personality or the way he was written, he was just too compliant on everything. I understand that some people need/are like that, but he was soooo flexible with things that I felt he lost himself until he got to defend himself.
For me this book awesomeness is responsibility of Everett, he was a good psyco, loved him. And since the red flags were solved at the end, I liked the story overall. So yeah, its a good one and it's free. 🤭🥰❤
July 12, 2022
I can certainly understand why some reviewers had a difficult time with Everett, but I’ve read other books with much more controlling Doms. I found this a fascinating book.
November 22, 2020
The dual nature of these characters was everything. A hard novella to review for fear of spoiling it.
Laura Lascarso writes another intriguing and grey-shades story with Call Me Daniel.
Two disparate characters are the MCs in this novella but the author knows how to create this right-wrong dynamic and make it work so well.
Good writing, both technical and creative, intriguing storyline, emotional tug, and a fulfilling ending.
Blog review at-
Laura Lascarso writes another intriguing and grey-shades story with Call Me Daniel.
Two disparate characters are the MCs in this novella but the author knows how to create this right-wrong dynamic and make it work so well.
Good writing, both technical and creative, intriguing storyline, emotional tug, and a fulfilling ending.
Blog review at-
October 4, 2024
4.75⭐️
Age gape, Rich and controlling MC , edging and degradation kink.
Is this book perfect? Probably not
Is the occasional mimicking of Everett’s late husband(Daniel) creepy? YES
Is the MC controlling and obsessive? YES
But in acceptable doses 😜
Is their relationship traditional? NO.
But the communication between them was direct and honest, sort of.
Are there red flags everywhere? YES.
But he is in therapy, shouldn’t that count for something?.
Do I love it despite its flaws? Hell YES😍.
It had the ability to keep my sleep deprived brain active and interested from start to finished.
Age gape, Rich and controlling MC , edging and degradation kink.
Is this book perfect? Probably not
Is the occasional mimicking of Everett’s late husband(Daniel) creepy? YES
Is the MC controlling and obsessive? YES
But in acceptable doses 😜
Is their relationship traditional? NO.
But the communication between them was direct and honest, sort of.
Are there red flags everywhere? YES.
But he is in therapy, shouldn’t that count for something?.
Do I love it despite its flaws? Hell YES😍.
It had the ability to keep my sleep deprived brain active and interested from start to finished.
July 14, 2022
I liked it, just wished it were a bit longer though.
November 22, 2020
3,75/5
Voilà bien longtemps que je n'avais pas lu de roman de Laura Lascarso. En voyant ce roman passer dans mon fil goodreads, j'ai eu terriblement envie de le découvrir !
Nous allons suivre Everett et Lake et l'évolution de leur couple, du moins la faculté d'Everett à gérer l'absence de son mari décédé et son attirance pour le jeune Lake.
Le roman est très étonnant. Déjà de part la façon dont il est construit. L'auteur nous offre les échanges d'Everett avec son psy et ses rencontres, interactions avec Lake. J'ai peur de trop en dire, donc je vais m'arrêter là, mais oui ce livre est étonnant et étrange aussi.
La plume de l'auteur est vraiment top et elle a réussi à créer une atmosphère vraiment particulière dans ce roman. La relation entre les deux hommes est très étrange, leur dynamique l'est tout autant. Je pense qu'il faut lire ce livre sans trop se poser de questions. L'auteur a choisi de nous offrir que certains moments dans leur vie de couple, je pense que même si ça fait partie de l'originalité du roman, c'est que ce qui m'a empêcher de me fondre complètement dans leur quotidien.
C'est bizarre aussi, car au final je ne sais pas quoi penser de ce livre. J'ai tiqué, mais alors bien tiqué à la fin, juste sur une phrase, mais LA phrase qui veut tout dire. C'est un truc qui ne passe pas trop chez moi en fait...
J'ai failli baisser ma note pour cette toute fin mais non. Je trouve que l'auteur a bien mené son histoire et dans un sens, j'ai trouvé osé la façon de traiter ce couple.
Voilà bien longtemps que je n'avais pas lu de roman de Laura Lascarso. En voyant ce roman passer dans mon fil goodreads, j'ai eu terriblement envie de le découvrir !
Nous allons suivre Everett et Lake et l'évolution de leur couple, du moins la faculté d'Everett à gérer l'absence de son mari décédé et son attirance pour le jeune Lake.
Le roman est très étonnant. Déjà de part la façon dont il est construit. L'auteur nous offre les échanges d'Everett avec son psy et ses rencontres, interactions avec Lake. J'ai peur de trop en dire, donc je vais m'arrêter là, mais oui ce livre est étonnant et étrange aussi.
La plume de l'auteur est vraiment top et elle a réussi à créer une atmosphère vraiment particulière dans ce roman. La relation entre les deux hommes est très étrange, leur dynamique l'est tout autant. Je pense qu'il faut lire ce livre sans trop se poser de questions. L'auteur a choisi de nous offrir que certains moments dans leur vie de couple, je pense que même si ça fait partie de l'originalité du roman, c'est que ce qui m'a empêcher de me fondre complètement dans leur quotidien.
C'est bizarre aussi, car au final je ne sais pas quoi penser de ce livre. J'ai tiqué, mais alors bien tiqué à la fin, juste sur une phrase, mais LA phrase qui veut tout dire. C'est un truc qui ne passe pas trop chez moi en fait...
J'ai failli baisser ma note pour cette toute fin mais non. Je trouve que l'auteur a bien mené son histoire et dans un sens, j'ai trouvé osé la façon de traiter ce couple.
September 17, 2022
This novella walks a fine line between romance and psychological thriller. It's intense and even a bit creepy, but both characters are compelling. Everett, who is dealing with the grief of losing his husband in not so healthy ways, is a man whose need to control masks his fear, but also scares others away. His conversations with his therapist are fascinating. And then there's Lake, much younger than Everett, who sees the world through the eyes of theater performances and staging. I wish the psychology had been explored even more in depth, but I was captivated by what we did get. I also wish the ending had leaned into the darkness a bit more, as some elements of the HEA felt abrupt. Nevertheless, this was very well done and I definitely want to read more from this author.
November 22, 2020
4,5/5
Disturbingly delicious read.
Absolutely fantastic characters; both creepy and fucked up in their own way, but at the same time... relatable and extremely likeable. Oh, and hot.
Disturbingly delicious read.
Absolutely fantastic characters; both creepy and fucked up in their own way, but at the same time... relatable and extremely likeable. Oh, and hot.
October 28, 2021
“You can call me Daniel.”
Hot and weird AF.
Hot and weird AF.
November 19, 2020
An elegant, twisted love story - this novella is an absolute gem that I had the privilege of getting to beta-read in advance of its publication.
Without wanting to spoiler anything, this is a tale of manipulation, control, compromise and growth, written in a way that had me holding my breath in places. Neither the naive young artist or the rather menacing older professional are what they seem on the surface, and the character development and ultimate conclusion are incredibly satisfying. 'Be careful what you wish for' is very apt for this one.
Laura Lascarso's writing is very different in tone to a lot of contemporary m/m romance that I've read, and I enjoy her beautiful, flowing prose as much as her thought-provoking and often challenging character relationships.
This is also available to read for free, so you really can't lose!
Without wanting to spoiler anything, this is a tale of manipulation, control, compromise and growth, written in a way that had me holding my breath in places. Neither the naive young artist or the rather menacing older professional are what they seem on the surface, and the character development and ultimate conclusion are incredibly satisfying. 'Be careful what you wish for' is very apt for this one.
Laura Lascarso's writing is very different in tone to a lot of contemporary m/m romance that I've read, and I enjoy her beautiful, flowing prose as much as her thought-provoking and often challenging character relationships.
This is also available to read for free, so you really can't lose!
October 21, 2021
Oh I loved this one… After being in such a long book funk, this was a pleasure to read. I love Laken, Everett and even Daniel.
March 23, 2023
I had a hard time getting Everett, for me he came across as a touch creepy at first, but Everett is really a man who likes to be in charge, he's loving and caring to the point of controlling. This story is not to everyone's tastes but I found it touching, sexy and, at times, sad.
November 24, 2020
Well this was wonderfully fucked up haha
November 18, 2020
I don’t know how I made it through this one. I was uncomfortable nearly the whole time.
I was supposed to believe that Everett is dominant and wants to be in control (yeah, ok, no trouble believing that) and that Lake needs and wants someone to take charge, take over, and tell him what to do.
It worked to a point, but whenever they got to the naked times, I constantly had the feeling Lake didn’t actually like what Everett did to him or told him to do. Sure, he didn’t say no and he got off. Plenty of books try to make me believe that is apparently enough for guys. As long as you get off, everything is fine. Is it, though? To me it didn’t feel that way here.
And the other stuff Everett did was just so way past crossing so many lines it was definitely not funny.
I also had the title of the book in the back of my mind while reading. Dreading what that would mean. I was right and it wast 'eww', just 'no'.
So no, this was not my cup of tea.
I was supposed to believe that Everett is dominant and wants to be in control (yeah, ok, no trouble believing that) and that Lake needs and wants someone to take charge, take over, and tell him what to do.
It worked to a point, but whenever they got to the naked times, I constantly had the feeling Lake didn’t actually like what Everett did to him or told him to do. Sure, he didn’t say no and he got off. Plenty of books try to make me believe that is apparently enough for guys. As long as you get off, everything is fine. Is it, though? To me it didn’t feel that way here.
And the other stuff Everett did was just so way past crossing so many lines it was definitely not funny.
I also had the title of the book in the back of my mind while reading. Dreading what that would mean. I was right and it wast 'eww', just 'no'.
So no, this was not my cup of tea.
December 11, 2020
4.5
I waffled with the rating on this, could a been a 2 :/ This is an odd story but it is done well.
Just about everyone in this novella is severely mentally ill, but umm.. sometimes it be like that?
Creepy jarring vibe to the whole thing. It's written in third person present tense which is weird as hell. I felt like someone was talking about themselves in the third person and it threw me off more than once. I don't think I'd be into reading many books in this tense but it added an unsettling element that was ok in this case. I don't think anything would have been lost in the telling if it had been written in a less wonky tense.
Somehow this story was still kinda sweet? Modern dark fairytale vibes.
Plot: 5/5 - creepy and romantic at the same time. I think another reviewer made a reference to the show You and I felt that as well.
Romance: 4/5 - Everett never got quite as into his feels as I would have liked, but the romance was still solid.
Steam: 3.5/5 - Explicit but not my cup of tea. The humiliation was light here but I didn't like it. If you're into that, I'm thinkin it'd be a 5.
Character development: 3/5 There's growth but also not :/
I might read this again? The tense was kind of a slog but I devoured this book with a quickness so it wasn't insurmountable.
I will likely read something else by this author but I don't know that I'd be real into it if it had the whole third person present thing happening. It gave me a pretentious overindulgent vibe that fit the story in this case, but I feel like I'd huff and DNF if the next one is like that.
Also a warning to myself to read reviews and make sure the darkness levels won't be too heavy for me.
One reviewer who said this one wasn't dark enough for her mentioned that Mortal and Devine (I think that's what it was, close enough) was perfect for her so I'm thinkin I should probably not read that one.
I waffled with the rating on this, could a been a 2 :/ This is an odd story but it is done well.
Just about everyone in this novella is severely mentally ill, but umm.. sometimes it be like that?
Creepy jarring vibe to the whole thing. It's written in third person present tense which is weird as hell. I felt like someone was talking about themselves in the third person and it threw me off more than once. I don't think I'd be into reading many books in this tense but it added an unsettling element that was ok in this case. I don't think anything would have been lost in the telling if it had been written in a less wonky tense.
Somehow this story was still kinda sweet? Modern dark fairytale vibes.
Plot: 5/5 - creepy and romantic at the same time. I think another reviewer made a reference to the show You and I felt that as well.
Romance: 4/5 - Everett never got quite as into his feels as I would have liked, but the romance was still solid.
Steam: 3.5/5 - Explicit but not my cup of tea. The humiliation was light here but I didn't like it. If you're into that, I'm thinkin it'd be a 5.
Character development: 3/5 There's growth but also not :/
I might read this again? The tense was kind of a slog but I devoured this book with a quickness so it wasn't insurmountable.
I will likely read something else by this author but I don't know that I'd be real into it if it had the whole third person present thing happening. It gave me a pretentious overindulgent vibe that fit the story in this case, but I feel like I'd huff and DNF if the next one is like that.
Also a warning to myself to read reviews and make sure the darkness levels won't be too heavy for me.
One reviewer who said this one wasn't dark enough for her mentioned that Mortal and Devine (I think that's what it was, close enough) was perfect for her so I'm thinkin I should probably not read that one.
November 23, 2020
Much like many of my fellow reviewers, I am at a loss as to how to rate this book.
Neither Everett nor Lake were likeable characters, with Everett being a manipulative and controlling stalker, and Lake having more than enough disturbing and creepy thoughts of his own. Their relationship was 100% toxic and I still don't know how I feel about them . There is so much wrong with their relationship and their behavior that I don't even know where to start. (To all the reviewers who said they liked Everett and/or wanted him in their lives... ARE YOU OKAY? I worry about you.)
But - and here's the thing - Laura Lascarso's writing is brilliant as always and her writing style is exquisite. She does NOT romanticize the MC's unhealthy relationship in any way, and there is something about the way she writes her characters that is absolutely addictive and just makes me want to read more about them. I absolutely couldn't put this novella down; I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
So would I recommend this book? I don't know.
Did I like it? I don't know.
But what I do know is that I couldn't put it down and that I'll keep reading anything Laura Lascarso writes. 4 stars.
Neither Everett nor Lake were likeable characters, with Everett being a manipulative and controlling stalker, and Lake having more than enough disturbing and creepy thoughts of his own. Their relationship was 100% toxic and I still don't know how I feel about them . There is so much wrong with their relationship and their behavior that I don't even know where to start. (To all the reviewers who said they liked Everett and/or wanted him in their lives... ARE YOU OKAY? I worry about you.)
But - and here's the thing - Laura Lascarso's writing is brilliant as always and her writing style is exquisite. She does NOT romanticize the MC's unhealthy relationship in any way, and there is something about the way she writes her characters that is absolutely addictive and just makes me want to read more about them. I absolutely couldn't put this novella down; I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
So would I recommend this book? I don't know.
Did I like it? I don't know.
But what I do know is that I couldn't put it down and that I'll keep reading anything Laura Lascarso writes. 4 stars.
November 23, 2020
4.5 Stars
This little gem has been all over my feed this past week so I just had to give it a try and its free…..bonus.
I found this intriguing and very addictive once I started I could not put it down. It is full of manipulation and need for control and at times I was worried where the story would go. Everett is dark, mysterious, and a little bit menacing (which I loved). Then there is Lake who is much younger and he is shy and insecure. At first the relationship seems very unbalanced but all it not what it seems.
This is first thing I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.
This little gem has been all over my feed this past week so I just had to give it a try and its free…..bonus.
I found this intriguing and very addictive once I started I could not put it down. It is full of manipulation and need for control and at times I was worried where the story would go. Everett is dark, mysterious, and a little bit menacing (which I loved). Then there is Lake who is much younger and he is shy and insecure. At first the relationship seems very unbalanced but all it not what it seems.
This is first thing I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.
December 6, 2020
I got so much more than I was expecting with this book and I loved it. The possessiveness, the lingering grief, the way it is written. Down and dirty kinky times with humiliation and control.
There was so many possibilities for how this book could turn out when I started reading, and it did not disappoint.
Everett's conversation with his psychiatrist was so cleverly done, and not a way I have seen it be done in other books, it made it different and I liked it.
I would recommend this to anyone in to humiliation kink and controlling boyfriends with some strangeness on the side.
There was so many possibilities for how this book could turn out when I started reading, and it did not disappoint.
Everett's conversation with his psychiatrist was so cleverly done, and not a way I have seen it be done in other books, it made it different and I liked it.
I would recommend this to anyone in to humiliation kink and controlling boyfriends with some strangeness on the side.
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