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Lost Brothers #1
Lost Brothers
Can coping mechanisms piece you back together and keep you whole?
The Randall brothers escaped their father, but not the trauma haunting them deep into their marrow. No matter how agonizing, their coping mechanisms are how they survived. Unwilling to relinquish them, they let the world move around them rather than moving to suit the world.
They are the enchained, the abandoned, and the unloved. The family they built through strife is all they need.
Julius Vincenzo, famous ballet dancer, moves to town after a horrific assault ends his ballet career.
Wyatt Reeves wanted to hide from everyone after the cutthroat life as a marine spit him out.
When these men collide with the Randalls and disrupt the fragile balance of the house, old wounds bleed to the surface and spill out raw.
“Nothing buried stays buried and comes to life as a molting parrot zombie to suck out your brains—or something like that,” Darius said—yeah, he said that.
Love is claustrophobic. Love is responsible. Love binds us whether we like it or not.
But it’s also the only thing that means anything.
Is healing real? Or is it another socially constructed illusion? If it’s all an illusion anyway, maybe it’s best we manufacture our own.
Lost Brothers is an MM dark romance trilogy featuring age-gap, second chances, brother bonds, found family, a sizzling dancer duo, a taciturn marine man, and the special love and care dynamics that Mock is known for.
**NOTE** if you are NOT familiar with TiH, HoH and DD dynamics, this is NOT the book to get acquainted with them for the first time. Like, for instance, if you don't know what those acronyms mean, try my Xavier's School series for a run down.
They are not a requirement for reading, but if you want to know more, you'll have to seek other literature.
Thanks!
Mock
The Randall brothers escaped their father, but not the trauma haunting them deep into their marrow. No matter how agonizing, their coping mechanisms are how they survived. Unwilling to relinquish them, they let the world move around them rather than moving to suit the world.
They are the enchained, the abandoned, and the unloved. The family they built through strife is all they need.
Julius Vincenzo, famous ballet dancer, moves to town after a horrific assault ends his ballet career.
Wyatt Reeves wanted to hide from everyone after the cutthroat life as a marine spit him out.
When these men collide with the Randalls and disrupt the fragile balance of the house, old wounds bleed to the surface and spill out raw.
“Nothing buried stays buried and comes to life as a molting parrot zombie to suck out your brains—or something like that,” Darius said—yeah, he said that.
Love is claustrophobic. Love is responsible. Love binds us whether we like it or not.
But it’s also the only thing that means anything.
Is healing real? Or is it another socially constructed illusion? If it’s all an illusion anyway, maybe it’s best we manufacture our own.
Lost Brothers is an MM dark romance trilogy featuring age-gap, second chances, brother bonds, found family, a sizzling dancer duo, a taciturn marine man, and the special love and care dynamics that Mock is known for.
**NOTE** if you are NOT familiar with TiH, HoH and DD dynamics, this is NOT the book to get acquainted with them for the first time. Like, for instance, if you don't know what those acronyms mean, try my Xavier's School series for a run down.
They are not a requirement for reading, but if you want to know more, you'll have to seek other literature.
Thanks!
Mock
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2022
61 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
S. Legend
25 books375 followersSome of you know her as Mock, others as S. Legend, or Miss S. She welcomes all names but will often go by Mock, a name given to her by her readers.
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
Mock is an ambitious creative, weaving the most precious aspects of her soul into stories. She is an architect, building fascinating worlds, designed from inquiry, rooted in worldly wonderings. It’s an intuitive process where she is the scribe, the translator, the conduit.
It helped that storytelling was the language spoken at home. One simply didn’t say, “We have an ant infestation,” in Mock’s family it was, “I was on my way to the living room, when a peculiar ant crossed my path. I looked to my right, a suspicious line of them marched toward the pantry. In that moment I knew; my kitchen was under siege.” The natural flow of conversation always took this form.
And so.
When Mock wrote her first novel, she didn’t plan it chapter by chapter, there was no outline, no “plotting” to speak of. But she didn’t “pants” it either, she didn’t make it up as she went along. She knew how the story felt, where it curved in places and hollowed in others; she knew the destination it rushed toward. Instead of orchestrating, she let the world inspire her, and held space for the words to come, trusting the characters knew what they were doing. All she had to do was tell a story, as she always had done; like breathing.
This is her peace, her healing and solace: Gifts better shared.
Mock’s works are the comfort you seek when you need to come home. Her unique writing style will take you, wayfaring reader, to unexpected destinations.
She always says, “I’m not in the business of making up stories, I couldn’t if I tired. I’m lucky enough to get picked to share someone else’s story when I ask a question to the universe. Someone answers; I write it down.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 23, 2024
“𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆, 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓?”
Lost Brothers is a rare & painful masterpiece. If I could rate it infinite stars, I would. It’s the perfect example of why I read. Of what I search for and hope to find when I pour through bookshelves & recs alike. Of what I hope to feel when I open up a book. The perfect storm. It hits you hard and deep, with characters that stick with you like glue and invade your mind like the very demons they all can't seem to shake. I'm not even worried about overhyping b/c I firmly believe that to be impossible. No matter what I say about these characters & their individual stories it will never be enough or do it justice. It is top tier.
What I’m sure will end up being a v long & thorough review is a WIP at the moment. 🤌🏽I have so many thoughts & words after finishing, with no idea how to organize them in my mind. Everytime I try to summarize it all, I get sucked back into every tiny intricate yet impactful detail and can’t figure out how to leave *any of it* out.
TL;DR
This book is a study on love, the wide ranging spectrum in which a person can devote themselves to another, and types of relationships born of those bonds. From romantic (monogamous + polyamorous) to parental bonds, co-parental and brotherhood bonds, soulmates and twin flames. Trauma bonds & co-dependency. All of it exists among the MC's in LB. No matter what form their love / bond, the one thing they all have in common is their loyalty to the found fam, brotherhood unit they've created.
Now if you're still interested in reading what else I have to say, buckle up and get comfortable!
Characters
This is kind of like an ensemble cast.
The Found Fam group at the core of this book is 6 men (1 absent) The Randall Boys - Silas, Darius, & Oliver, plus Simon, Shane and three of their SO's. That's a total of 9 men. My math isn't terrible. There is one missing party but #nospoilers. Of them, there are 6 POV's but we'll get to that later.
Family Dynamics
To put it simply, the dynamic is this: Boundaries do not exist. There is one and only one moment where something is said, a line is crossed, and things are momentarily dark between two of the guys. Even then though, they work it out and understand the why's of the others actions.
First, here's what you need to know IMO about each character in the least amount of words possible:
Silas Randall - Oldest Bro
39 year old unofficial patriarch of this found family.
When he was 15, the youngest Randall, was born & explicitly became his responsibility. Every single day since then - every breath, thought, action, decision - all of it, has been done for that little bundle in mind. Basically, Silas has one - and only one - priority. Oliver. He rules with a domineering iron fist, doesn't smile. The rest of the guys look to him for order & orders.
Lakshan Randall - Husband of Silas.
Wielder of knives. Martial Arts powerhouse.
Ollie internally refers to as 'step dad' as he too is, of course, devoted to protecting the youngest Randall.
Silas and Lak live a lifestyle of domestic servitude. I repeat - LIFESTYLE. Not kink. Yeah there is kink, but that's another thing (like Lak's cockcage). Lak is the s to the D. However, it v quickly becomes clear that without him, Silas's very powerful self begins to crumble under the weight of everything.
Darius Randall - Middle Brother
Mid-30's. Is Poly. Fam wildcard. Father of Parrots. Would be the classic middle child in every way, but with the added characteristics of childhood trauma which includes being abandoned to foster care by a father that hated him after the death of his mother... while both his brothers (Silas + Oliver) remained at home. He references his abandonment issues frequently, and with confidence.
Devoted to his brothers, most of all Silas. On more than one occasion it's said he would follow Silas into battle, and no matter what he believes in his older brother with unshakable faith. That being said he feels out of place with the closeness shared by Ollie + Silas at times, and that's where Wyatt comes in. Darius is in a poly relationship, a soulmate kind of thing, with Simon. They met at the group home while in foster care, along with Shane. Darius has a bedroom at both 'Randall Central' and Simon/Shane's house.
Wyatt - Love Interest of Darius
Marine War Veteran. Patient as hell. Has a quiet but commanding energy similar to Shane. He is the only person that can rein Darius in, and D who is outspoken, keeps things private from his fam at first. When they do meet Wyatt, everyone, even Silas, is a fan. Has a thing for putting Darius in his own (much to big) clothes a soon as he walks in the door. It's weirdly cute & almost everyone wonders about it at some point.
Oliver Randall - Youngest Bro
The baby, 24 year old professional ballerino.
Coddled, loved, lives life on the pedestal Silas placed him on. He is the sun, Silas, the deadly UV rays surrounding him, the rest of the men make up the planets in this solar system. All revolves around Ollie. If you think that makes Ollie annoying, you'd be wrong. He is a delight, specifically the way he never walks ANYWHERE but pirouettes or simply 'dances' in or away from any scene. It's endearing and entertaining.
Julius Vincenzo - #1 on Silas watchlist
Oliver's ballet instructor. Oliver hates Juli. Juli hates Oli.
Then, like all good angsty matches, they kiss. It’s perfection. Silas nearly blows a gd gasket, naturally.
Somehow a miracle occurs and they become an item. Silas is not thrilled. He tests Juli endlessly and at some point that became okay b/c J will do anything to be with Ollie. Just when you think 'No. That's the breaking point. Too much.' you are quickly proven wrong.
Simon
Mid-30's. "The Glue" of this found family. Vet School student. Has been known to crawl into bed and sleep between Lak + Silas. Met Darius when they lived in the group home where they were roommates & BFFLs. Craves rules and structure, & is well behaved - the exact opposite of Darius's bratty energy.
Simon's relationship w each member of the fam is v. different & unique is very specific ways. That’s how he’s the glue, & SOOO important.
- Darius: Lover, bffls, soulmates. 2 halves of 1 whole.
- Shane: Romantic life partner, they'll be married.
- Oliver: 'Mama'. Held the nurturer role in his upbringing.
- Silas: Probably the most unique. They have Co-parent energy & developed a v interesting, unbreakable bond.
- Lak: Quiet supporters. Where Simon is the glue, Lak is the supporting beams making sure everything doesn’t crumble. They hold it down without the Alpha energy or loud presence others might.
Shane
Late 30's. Essentially 2nd in command to Silas. Disciplinarian of Darius and Simon since they met in the group home. Live in BF & future husband of Simon. The man never talks, he's a powerful steadfast, stable presence for the boys when things are feeling out of control. We don't know his story, don't get his POV, & still you can't help but love the guy.
2023 update - just came here to edit so this is shared again on socials. I never want this series to not be seen/read/shared/known about. All the attention. All the hype. All the awards. The hate if you can't get into the darker side of fiction which is totally fine because I love this more than anything but at the same time it's written so well that you hate the circumstances at the very least as well (more so in #2) so ya even if you have hate to give, as long as it's not the writing itself, we can relate I bet bc this is nothing if not DRAMA. And I would die for every single one of these characters. Would bow at Majors feet. Feed Octavius any time needed. Obey daddy Silas. Do whatever Lak said. Make heart eyes at Shane and Simon. Sweat my ass off in the presence of the Italian ballerino. Giggle with Oliver.
I love them so much and have reread at least six times and #noregrets.
2024 update
Still chasing the emotional storm these books brought and literal years later nothing compares. Still.
Lost Brothers is a rare & painful masterpiece. If I could rate it infinite stars, I would. It’s the perfect example of why I read. Of what I search for and hope to find when I pour through bookshelves & recs alike. Of what I hope to feel when I open up a book. The perfect storm. It hits you hard and deep, with characters that stick with you like glue and invade your mind like the very demons they all can't seem to shake. I'm not even worried about overhyping b/c I firmly believe that to be impossible. No matter what I say about these characters & their individual stories it will never be enough or do it justice. It is top tier.
What I’m sure will end up being a v long & thorough review is a WIP at the moment. 🤌🏽I have so many thoughts & words after finishing, with no idea how to organize them in my mind. Everytime I try to summarize it all, I get sucked back into every tiny intricate yet impactful detail and can’t figure out how to leave *any of it* out.
TL;DR
This book is a study on love, the wide ranging spectrum in which a person can devote themselves to another, and types of relationships born of those bonds. From romantic (monogamous + polyamorous) to parental bonds, co-parental and brotherhood bonds, soulmates and twin flames. Trauma bonds & co-dependency. All of it exists among the MC's in LB. No matter what form their love / bond, the one thing they all have in common is their loyalty to the found fam, brotherhood unit they've created.
Now if you're still interested in reading what else I have to say, buckle up and get comfortable!
Characters
This is kind of like an ensemble cast.
The Found Fam group at the core of this book is 6 men (1 absent) The Randall Boys - Silas, Darius, & Oliver, plus Simon, Shane and three of their SO's. That's a total of 9 men. My math isn't terrible. There is one missing party but #nospoilers. Of them, there are 6 POV's but we'll get to that later.
Family Dynamics
To put it simply, the dynamic is this: Boundaries do not exist. There is one and only one moment where something is said, a line is crossed, and things are momentarily dark between two of the guys. Even then though, they work it out and understand the why's of the others actions.
First, here's what you need to know IMO about each character in the least amount of words possible:
Silas Randall - Oldest Bro
39 year old unofficial patriarch of this found family.
When he was 15, the youngest Randall, was born & explicitly became his responsibility. Every single day since then - every breath, thought, action, decision - all of it, has been done for that little bundle in mind. Basically, Silas has one - and only one - priority. Oliver. He rules with a domineering iron fist, doesn't smile. The rest of the guys look to him for order & orders.
Lakshan Randall - Husband of Silas.
Wielder of knives. Martial Arts powerhouse.
Ollie internally refers to as 'step dad' as he too is, of course, devoted to protecting the youngest Randall.
Silas and Lak live a lifestyle of domestic servitude. I repeat - LIFESTYLE. Not kink. Yeah there is kink, but that's another thing (like Lak's cockcage). Lak is the s to the D. However, it v quickly becomes clear that without him, Silas's very powerful self begins to crumble under the weight of everything.
Darius Randall - Middle Brother
Mid-30's. Is Poly. Fam wildcard. Father of Parrots. Would be the classic middle child in every way, but with the added characteristics of childhood trauma which includes being abandoned to foster care by a father that hated him after the death of his mother... while both his brothers (Silas + Oliver) remained at home. He references his abandonment issues frequently, and with confidence.
Devoted to his brothers, most of all Silas. On more than one occasion it's said he would follow Silas into battle, and no matter what he believes in his older brother with unshakable faith. That being said he feels out of place with the closeness shared by Ollie + Silas at times, and that's where Wyatt comes in. Darius is in a poly relationship, a soulmate kind of thing, with Simon. They met at the group home while in foster care, along with Shane. Darius has a bedroom at both 'Randall Central' and Simon/Shane's house.
Wyatt - Love Interest of Darius
Marine War Veteran. Patient as hell. Has a quiet but commanding energy similar to Shane. He is the only person that can rein Darius in, and D who is outspoken, keeps things private from his fam at first. When they do meet Wyatt, everyone, even Silas, is a fan. Has a thing for putting Darius in his own (much to big) clothes a soon as he walks in the door. It's weirdly cute & almost everyone wonders about it at some point.
Oliver Randall - Youngest Bro
The baby, 24 year old professional ballerino.
Coddled, loved, lives life on the pedestal Silas placed him on. He is the sun, Silas, the deadly UV rays surrounding him, the rest of the men make up the planets in this solar system. All revolves around Ollie. If you think that makes Ollie annoying, you'd be wrong. He is a delight, specifically the way he never walks ANYWHERE but pirouettes or simply 'dances' in or away from any scene. It's endearing and entertaining.
Julius Vincenzo - #1 on Silas watchlist
Oliver's ballet instructor. Oliver hates Juli. Juli hates Oli.
Then, like all good angsty matches, they kiss. It’s perfection. Silas nearly blows a gd gasket, naturally.
Somehow a miracle occurs and they become an item. Silas is not thrilled. He tests Juli endlessly and at some point that became okay b/c J will do anything to be with Ollie. Just when you think 'No. That's the breaking point. Too much.' you are quickly proven wrong.
Simon
Mid-30's. "The Glue" of this found family. Vet School student. Has been known to crawl into bed and sleep between Lak + Silas. Met Darius when they lived in the group home where they were roommates & BFFLs. Craves rules and structure, & is well behaved - the exact opposite of Darius's bratty energy.
Simon's relationship w each member of the fam is v. different & unique is very specific ways. That’s how he’s the glue, & SOOO important.
- Darius: Lover, bffls, soulmates. 2 halves of 1 whole.
- Shane: Romantic life partner, they'll be married.
- Oliver: 'Mama'. Held the nurturer role in his upbringing.
- Silas: Probably the most unique. They have Co-parent energy & developed a v interesting, unbreakable bond.
- Lak: Quiet supporters. Where Simon is the glue, Lak is the supporting beams making sure everything doesn’t crumble. They hold it down without the Alpha energy or loud presence others might.
Shane
Late 30's. Essentially 2nd in command to Silas. Disciplinarian of Darius and Simon since they met in the group home. Live in BF & future husband of Simon. The man never talks, he's a powerful steadfast, stable presence for the boys when things are feeling out of control. We don't know his story, don't get his POV, & still you can't help but love the guy.
2023 update - just came here to edit so this is shared again on socials. I never want this series to not be seen/read/shared/known about. All the attention. All the hype. All the awards. The hate if you can't get into the darker side of fiction which is totally fine because I love this more than anything but at the same time it's written so well that you hate the circumstances at the very least as well (more so in #2) so ya even if you have hate to give, as long as it's not the writing itself, we can relate I bet bc this is nothing if not DRAMA. And I would die for every single one of these characters. Would bow at Majors feet. Feed Octavius any time needed. Obey daddy Silas. Do whatever Lak said. Make heart eyes at Shane and Simon. Sweat my ass off in the presence of the Italian ballerino. Giggle with Oliver.
I love them so much and have reread at least six times and #noregrets.
2024 update
Still chasing the emotional storm these books brought and literal years later nothing compares. Still.
May 16, 2022
Lost Brothers is a story about brotherhood first and romance second. I had a chance to read this story as a fan-fiction last year and I knew then that I needed more from these guys and boy did S. Legend deliver.
The way these men relied on each other to survive was very interesting to read. And by the end of this book, I felt like I learned a lot of things about trauma, coping mechanisms, and the permanent scars it leaves those who were affected.
Lost Brothers is an amazing gay love story told in multiple POV. Don’t expect flowers and sunshine though. There were happy and poignant moments here, but those were weaved into raw and sometimes ugly scenes needed to tell the full story.
There was something magical about reading stories about broken men and their quest to happiness and S. Legend gave us not one, not two, but a gang of men all deserving of HEA.
Thank you for sharing your voice to the world. Stories like this could easily get lost in the crowd, but I hope more readers get to read it because I truly love every word.
I’ll be sitting here (impatiently) for book two.
The way these men relied on each other to survive was very interesting to read. And by the end of this book, I felt like I learned a lot of things about trauma, coping mechanisms, and the permanent scars it leaves those who were affected.
Lost Brothers is an amazing gay love story told in multiple POV. Don’t expect flowers and sunshine though. There were happy and poignant moments here, but those were weaved into raw and sometimes ugly scenes needed to tell the full story.
There was something magical about reading stories about broken men and their quest to happiness and S. Legend gave us not one, not two, but a gang of men all deserving of HEA.
Thank you for sharing your voice to the world. Stories like this could easily get lost in the crowd, but I hope more readers get to read it because I truly love every word.
I’ll be sitting here (impatiently) for book two.
September 18, 2023
Really god and tragic book❤️ Three brothers and their found family from foster care. Several POV and it was a little daunting in the beginning, but after a while it was a good flow in the book. Two couples falling in love in this book. And we get glimpses of their not so good upbringing.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 19, 2022
Love love loved this book!!
So I probably should have written this review before reading book 2 as now my brain's all fried and the two books are in there whirling around together...hence the Eeyore at the top of my edit. It really should have went with book 2 but there's no going back now lol!😂 (And don't let it fool you...this is definitely not a kids book. It's a joke about rating Silas's mood from Eeyore to Terminator).
Anyways, I started reading this when it was only a wee little blog on the author's website. (Haha if you know this author you'll know nothing she writes is "wee little" ...she has a huge writing voice that you'll never tire of.) Well at that time I fell in love with Wyatt and Darius....AND... I still am! Omg I just love them together!! They both seem to calm each other from Wyatt's shaking hands to Darius imbibing too much and so on... they'll steal your heart! Not to mention all the other characters! Which leads me to say, these books do not have one main couple as the main characters.
We have three blood brother's (Silas, Darius, and Oliver/Ollie) and their significant others and/or chosen brother's/bff's (Simon, Shane, Asher, and Wyatt). You're going to see them in this book in the present and understand some of their dynamics, mh issues, traumas, etc but it is in the next book that you'll truly understand why and how their stories are entwined and the love and respect they have for each other especially Silas...and their over protectiveness of Ollie. I love how the author shows in little pieces at a time the profound connection these men have with each other individually and as a unit.
Their stories will break your heart, make you cry, laugh, swoon, and *fan yourself too. You can't help but feel all the emotions while reading this book and series!!
I highly recommend you give this series a try just make sure if you have triggers of any kind that you check the CW's and you can even reach out to the author she's very honest and helpful.
So I probably should have written this review before reading book 2 as now my brain's all fried and the two books are in there whirling around together...hence the Eeyore at the top of my edit. It really should have went with book 2 but there's no going back now lol!😂 (And don't let it fool you...this is definitely not a kids book. It's a joke about rating Silas's mood from Eeyore to Terminator).
Anyways, I started reading this when it was only a wee little blog on the author's website. (Haha if you know this author you'll know nothing she writes is "wee little" ...she has a huge writing voice that you'll never tire of.) Well at that time I fell in love with Wyatt and Darius....AND... I still am! Omg I just love them together!! They both seem to calm each other from Wyatt's shaking hands to Darius imbibing too much and so on... they'll steal your heart! Not to mention all the other characters! Which leads me to say, these books do not have one main couple as the main characters.
We have three blood brother's (Silas, Darius, and Oliver/Ollie) and their significant others and/or chosen brother's/bff's (Simon, Shane, Asher, and Wyatt). You're going to see them in this book in the present and understand some of their dynamics, mh issues, traumas, etc but it is in the next book that you'll truly understand why and how their stories are entwined and the love and respect they have for each other especially Silas...and their over protectiveness of Ollie. I love how the author shows in little pieces at a time the profound connection these men have with each other individually and as a unit.
Their stories will break your heart, make you cry, laugh, swoon, and *fan yourself too. You can't help but feel all the emotions while reading this book and series!!
I highly recommend you give this series a try just make sure if you have triggers of any kind that you check the CW's and you can even reach out to the author she's very honest and helpful.
August 22, 2023
Complicated
Intense, complicated, challenging, but also entertaining.
I feel like I really got to know the characters in this. There's a lot of pov changing so I got to see most of the sides.
The Randall's are complicated, Kinky, and also loving.
It's going to be hard to read the 2nd book with their dad
Intense, complicated, challenging, but also entertaining.
I feel like I really got to know the characters in this. There's a lot of pov changing so I got to see most of the sides.
The Randall's are complicated, Kinky, and also loving.
It's going to be hard to read the 2nd book with their dad
September 26, 2023
Well. This was AMAZING! There are so many different dynamics going on here and I love them all!!!!
WYATT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.
💜 Codependency
♥️ Polyamory
💜 Age Gap
♥️ Daddy Kink
💜 Found Family
♥️ Dom/Sub
💜 Hurt Comfort
WYATT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.
💜 Codependency
♥️ Polyamory
💜 Age Gap
♥️ Daddy Kink
💜 Found Family
♥️ Dom/Sub
💜 Hurt Comfort
May 15, 2022
A group of men. A complicated mix of family by blood and family by choice. To this motley crew add two new members who need to quickly learn to navigate and find where they fit into the world created by the prefabricated family that comes with the men they love. This is easier for one, than the other.
These are complicated men with even more complicated relationships. Their lives and loves shaped by the traumas that tries to demand its pound of flesh, we are given ringside seats as they work individually and together to cope and adapt.
Each character is written fully, multifaceted and as interesting as they are beautiful. There is a richness here, creating enough fodder for each character to have their own novel.
Relationship dynamics are explored and secrets brought into the light. We spend time with these men and the author invites you behind the curtains, allowing the reader to see the choreography of the dance that is their collective lives.
I found myself connecting emotionally most, to the three brothers. The enmeshed relationship between Oliver and Silas had me greedily devouring their parts in the story, their particular brand of codependency melting my heart. What that says about me, I don’t care. I’m here for it. But it’s Darius and the different ways the men closest to him are drawn into his orbit that has me riveted. He seems to compartmentalize his life, drawing in people who not only can provide for him the things he needs but also the things he needs to be able to share.
In their own ways, each of these men have been dragged through the mire by life. The may be scarred, however, they have each other to make sure that they aren’t defeated and as a reader, you hope that it’s enough.
I’ve already tried to find out when I can expect the second part to this series. I’m invested.
If you aren’t already a fan of S. Legend, The Lost Brothers is an excellent place to start. Pro-tip: While you wait for Book Two of this series, make your way over to the Ashley Family Rules series. You’ll thank me.
These are complicated men with even more complicated relationships. Their lives and loves shaped by the traumas that tries to demand its pound of flesh, we are given ringside seats as they work individually and together to cope and adapt.
Each character is written fully, multifaceted and as interesting as they are beautiful. There is a richness here, creating enough fodder for each character to have their own novel.
Relationship dynamics are explored and secrets brought into the light. We spend time with these men and the author invites you behind the curtains, allowing the reader to see the choreography of the dance that is their collective lives.
I found myself connecting emotionally most, to the three brothers. The enmeshed relationship between Oliver and Silas had me greedily devouring their parts in the story, their particular brand of codependency melting my heart. What that says about me, I don’t care. I’m here for it. But it’s Darius and the different ways the men closest to him are drawn into his orbit that has me riveted. He seems to compartmentalize his life, drawing in people who not only can provide for him the things he needs but also the things he needs to be able to share.
In their own ways, each of these men have been dragged through the mire by life. The may be scarred, however, they have each other to make sure that they aren’t defeated and as a reader, you hope that it’s enough.
I’ve already tried to find out when I can expect the second part to this series. I’m invested.
If you aren’t already a fan of S. Legend, The Lost Brothers is an excellent place to start. Pro-tip: While you wait for Book Two of this series, make your way over to the Ashley Family Rules series. You’ll thank me.
February 28, 2024
I saw this series on Instagram under a post about taboo books and decided I wanted to give it a try. I don't read many truly taboo books and I wanted to see how I liked them. These had great reviews on Goodreads so I dove in. This first book isn't really taboo, that starts in the second book. The taboo relationship is hinted at in this one but that is the extent of it. There are A LOT of characters and their POVs in this but I took a few notes and I found that it didn't get overwhelming. You have the 3 Randall brothers (Silas, Darius, & Oliver), Silas's husband (Lakshan), the brother's found family (Shane & Simon), Darius's love interest (Wyatt), and Oliver's love interest (Julius). Another character is also mentioned, but we don't meet him until book 2. These characters live various kink lifestyles and are extremely close. Basically, zero boundaries exist within this family, especially with the patriarch Silas, and the youngest brother Oliver. There were times when Silas drove me crazy. I hated his brand of control but once I got further into the series I completely understood where it stemmed from. To no one's surprise Oliver, the beautiful ballerina, was my favorite character followed closely by Darius. The relationships in this book are beautiful, even if somewhat toxic. You fall in love with these flawed characters in this book, even the ones that make you mad, which makes the next two books quite a ride.
The tug at the corner of his lips gives him away. The man doesn’t smile, but if you look for long enough, you can catch the ghost of what his smile might have looked like before the demons took it.
Demons, his asshole father—same thing.
He yanks me by the back of my neck, standing as en pointe as you can get without pointe shoes, to kiss me.
It’s just as before. Like kissing a bolt of lightning. My body is as alive as it is when I’m dancing.
My poor Lakshan and his haunted eyes. But unlike other people, hearts and roses is not the way to help him. Not in this case. As much as he’s the glue to my fractured sanity, maybe ironically, I’m his uncompromising firmness. The line he knows he can’t cross.
He fought back, making me work for forgiveness. He wasn’t going to submit to me again—not after what I’d done—unless I proved to him that I was the alpha male he thought I was. The softer sex scared the life out of him. That’s not why he chose me. He chose me for who I really am, not the version I thought I should be, the version I wished I was sometimes.
Darius has his pleased, proud expression spread across his face. He’s also removed his blazer and he’s still holding hands with Wyatt whose hands have tremored less during the evening rather than more. It’s as if Darius eases him. Even the few times Wyatt’s had to pull Darius back to line didn’t frazzle him. It empowered him. Confidence fed to him as small bite-sized pieces of Darius’s chaos, eaten away to leave behind tranquility.
He rocks back and forth on his bare feet, suddenly shy. He’s a beautiful unicorn. A rare creature. I never knew anyone like him existed and now I kick myself for not looking for him anyway.
“Why are you so ready to drown with them? Have you considered that you’re their buoy of hope? Not that you have a responsibility to be anything, but maybe watching you do everything gives them what they’ll never have.”
Oliver coming is what the best dances are composed of. He’s the perfect combination of beauty and strength. His cheeks flushed. His lips soft.
Something unexplainable happens when you experience unbelievable strife with other people. There was an invincibility, a closeness, a fellowship.
“Different always happens. Expecting them to stay the same is how we breed people who lose the ability to think for themselves. Certainty doesn’t result in the safety people are promised. It results in stagnation. Stagnation is a slow and mediocre death.”
“I’m cynical for sure and have had rampant alcoholism for years. But since meeting you? I drink half as much as I used to which is not cured, but it’s a start. Alcohol is a means of escaping reality. Since you, I have nothing to escape. I want to be here. I waited until I found the one and followed him home like a puppy.” He leans in for a kiss.
“A drunken puppy.”
“I feel like I haven’t done enough for Darius and am responsible for what happened to Silas.”
“Normal, but have you considered that by taking blame and feeling guilty you render their choices less meaningful? They wanted to do those things for you. Darius might bring it up at times when his anger gets the best of him, but overall, he likes that you’re ignorant to his plights. He tells me all the time about the darkness that lives in him and how you don’t have it.”
I have this memory that plays over and over. A dumb one. A non-important one. Him with perfect hair, tall and solid, standing in front of the rows of tetra packaged juices and doing the math. He didn’t like Oliver having sugary juices, but we couldn’t afford the less-processed kind. The other kids at school got a juice with their lunch, Oliver wanted one too. Silas had finally found an organic brand with no sugar added, one that didn’t cost a fortune.
And then they changed the price by three dollars. A whole fucking three dollars more for a package of three. We needed roughly twenty juices for a month for Oliver. That was about twenty bucks more to the budget, which was a lot for us back then.
I watched him eye Oliver who was waiting by the cart and look back to the juice.
He took a breath and put the juice in the cart.
“Sye,” I began. He didn’t let me finish. I was sure between me, Shane, and Simon, we could come up with the extra money.
“I’ll walk to work. I should walk anyway.”
He pushed the cart away and that was the end of it.
I don’t know what the memory means to me or why my brain keeps it. It’s not like there aren’t a thousand examples of the things Silas gives up for Oliver.
Any dancer would die to dance in Italy or Paris, or … or … or—”
“—sshh.” He combs hands through my hair. “I’ve already done all that. I have no wish to do it again.”
“Because of me?”
“Yes, because of you. I found something that makes me happier than dancing.”
“That can’t be true. I’ve seen your face when you’re dancing.”
“Then I’m disappointed because I would have hoped you’d see my face when I look at you.”
We collapse on the sprung floor, side by side, panting hard, reaching for each other’s hands. He’s focused intently on the ceiling.
“What are you staring at?” I ask.
“The stars. I will dance with you until all the stars fall out of the sky.”
“Um, baby? We’re inside.”
“When I dance with you, they are everywhere.” He kisses my hand.
The tug at the corner of his lips gives him away. The man doesn’t smile, but if you look for long enough, you can catch the ghost of what his smile might have looked like before the demons took it.
Demons, his asshole father—same thing.
He yanks me by the back of my neck, standing as en pointe as you can get without pointe shoes, to kiss me.
It’s just as before. Like kissing a bolt of lightning. My body is as alive as it is when I’m dancing.
My poor Lakshan and his haunted eyes. But unlike other people, hearts and roses is not the way to help him. Not in this case. As much as he’s the glue to my fractured sanity, maybe ironically, I’m his uncompromising firmness. The line he knows he can’t cross.
He fought back, making me work for forgiveness. He wasn’t going to submit to me again—not after what I’d done—unless I proved to him that I was the alpha male he thought I was. The softer sex scared the life out of him. That’s not why he chose me. He chose me for who I really am, not the version I thought I should be, the version I wished I was sometimes.
Darius has his pleased, proud expression spread across his face. He’s also removed his blazer and he’s still holding hands with Wyatt whose hands have tremored less during the evening rather than more. It’s as if Darius eases him. Even the few times Wyatt’s had to pull Darius back to line didn’t frazzle him. It empowered him. Confidence fed to him as small bite-sized pieces of Darius’s chaos, eaten away to leave behind tranquility.
He rocks back and forth on his bare feet, suddenly shy. He’s a beautiful unicorn. A rare creature. I never knew anyone like him existed and now I kick myself for not looking for him anyway.
“Why are you so ready to drown with them? Have you considered that you’re their buoy of hope? Not that you have a responsibility to be anything, but maybe watching you do everything gives them what they’ll never have.”
Oliver coming is what the best dances are composed of. He’s the perfect combination of beauty and strength. His cheeks flushed. His lips soft.
Something unexplainable happens when you experience unbelievable strife with other people. There was an invincibility, a closeness, a fellowship.
“Different always happens. Expecting them to stay the same is how we breed people who lose the ability to think for themselves. Certainty doesn’t result in the safety people are promised. It results in stagnation. Stagnation is a slow and mediocre death.”
“I’m cynical for sure and have had rampant alcoholism for years. But since meeting you? I drink half as much as I used to which is not cured, but it’s a start. Alcohol is a means of escaping reality. Since you, I have nothing to escape. I want to be here. I waited until I found the one and followed him home like a puppy.” He leans in for a kiss.
“A drunken puppy.”
“I feel like I haven’t done enough for Darius and am responsible for what happened to Silas.”
“Normal, but have you considered that by taking blame and feeling guilty you render their choices less meaningful? They wanted to do those things for you. Darius might bring it up at times when his anger gets the best of him, but overall, he likes that you’re ignorant to his plights. He tells me all the time about the darkness that lives in him and how you don’t have it.”
I have this memory that plays over and over. A dumb one. A non-important one. Him with perfect hair, tall and solid, standing in front of the rows of tetra packaged juices and doing the math. He didn’t like Oliver having sugary juices, but we couldn’t afford the less-processed kind. The other kids at school got a juice with their lunch, Oliver wanted one too. Silas had finally found an organic brand with no sugar added, one that didn’t cost a fortune.
And then they changed the price by three dollars. A whole fucking three dollars more for a package of three. We needed roughly twenty juices for a month for Oliver. That was about twenty bucks more to the budget, which was a lot for us back then.
I watched him eye Oliver who was waiting by the cart and look back to the juice.
He took a breath and put the juice in the cart.
“Sye,” I began. He didn’t let me finish. I was sure between me, Shane, and Simon, we could come up with the extra money.
“I’ll walk to work. I should walk anyway.”
He pushed the cart away and that was the end of it.
I don’t know what the memory means to me or why my brain keeps it. It’s not like there aren’t a thousand examples of the things Silas gives up for Oliver.
Any dancer would die to dance in Italy or Paris, or … or … or—”
“—sshh.” He combs hands through my hair. “I’ve already done all that. I have no wish to do it again.”
“Because of me?”
“Yes, because of you. I found something that makes me happier than dancing.”
“That can’t be true. I’ve seen your face when you’re dancing.”
“Then I’m disappointed because I would have hoped you’d see my face when I look at you.”
We collapse on the sprung floor, side by side, panting hard, reaching for each other’s hands. He’s focused intently on the ceiling.
“What are you staring at?” I ask.
“The stars. I will dance with you until all the stars fall out of the sky.”
“Um, baby? We’re inside.”
“When I dance with you, they are everywhere.” He kisses my hand.
Want to read
September 9, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/9/2022)! 🎁
dnf
April 19, 2023Bust out the marshmallows. We're gonna get roasting.
This book comes with several warnings. It doesn't warn of the real problem: the mess. The jumping, most of all. I got lost somewhere around the xth POV change, not in the plot, but the emotions. There were none. I didn't care about Brother 2 or 3 or had time to get to know Brother 1. You're given plenty of helpful adjectives and descriptions to speed up the process, so our little brains can quickly absorb the personality of said character before we're yanked somewhere else. And that's on top of everyone being so damn same with their dynamic and needs and behaviour.
Dynamic you obviously need to read upon. I don't see why. I am no expert on kink shirt but you have nothing I haven't seen before. I have been around the block but I do so rarely and I was still far from shocked or whatever I was supposed to be. "Oh, this is no kink, this me, this my life, me so special." Says every other character ever. When they're not using the word kink to excuse plot/character choices. I won't get into the moral implications of the family aspect of it - no, I don't mean that particular can of cats, but I mentioned it in that Wild Ash review and I actually liked that one. I will say to either do it or get off the fracking horse.
Oliver? You're a gooddarn adult, act like it. You want to listen to your brother? Let them both restrict your choices and accept anything they dish out because they raised you? And hang yourself on a man you idolized then hated the first week when you met him? Then stop apologizing. Stop explaining and overexplaining. It's your life, your freaking choice. For a book that tells you to eff off if you don't understand their special precious little labels, it sure acts all defensive all the time about being what it is. It's all "it works for us" and "people would not understand".
But even if I ignore all of this, my first complaint still stands. I detested the annoying brat. I kind of started to kind of like him so... next brother, please. Or person. And then switch to the next one. And if we stay with one person, say, a certain drill sergeant, let's focus on overexplaining his past and how he punishes himself for being in pain and surviving Trauma. Because I adore learning about someone's past when I barely care about their present.
I could have probably found more but I didn't get that far, I... don't actually know how far I came. There was no point in reading more when I kept getting lost in who is who's brother or lover and couldn't find my way back/ sort them out in my mind with how similarly they think, I knew it was time to pull out. It wasn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't actually that interesting and my strongest emotions were annoyance or even anger. So why push it?
And I am saying that as someone who enjoyed the living heck out of the newest book and gave it five stars. I give five stars once on a blue moon. As someone who liked the Ranch series. So take that.
This book comes with several warnings. It doesn't warn of the real problem: the mess. The jumping, most of all. I got lost somewhere around the xth POV change, not in the plot, but the emotions. There were none. I didn't care about Brother 2 or 3 or had time to get to know Brother 1. You're given plenty of helpful adjectives and descriptions to speed up the process, so our little brains can quickly absorb the personality of said character before we're yanked somewhere else. And that's on top of everyone being so damn same with their dynamic and needs and behaviour.
Dynamic you obviously need to read upon. I don't see why. I am no expert on kink shirt but you have nothing I haven't seen before. I have been around the block but I do so rarely and I was still far from shocked or whatever I was supposed to be. "Oh, this is no kink, this me, this my life, me so special." Says every other character ever. When they're not using the word kink to excuse plot/character choices. I won't get into the moral implications of the family aspect of it - no, I don't mean that particular can of cats, but I mentioned it in that Wild Ash review and I actually liked that one. I will say to either do it or get off the fracking horse.
Oliver? You're a gooddarn adult, act like it. You want to listen to your brother? Let them both restrict your choices and accept anything they dish out because they raised you? And hang yourself on a man you idolized then hated the first week when you met him? Then stop apologizing. Stop explaining and overexplaining. It's your life, your freaking choice. For a book that tells you to eff off if you don't understand their special precious little labels, it sure acts all defensive all the time about being what it is. It's all "it works for us" and "people would not understand".
But even if I ignore all of this, my first complaint still stands. I detested the annoying brat. I kind of started to kind of like him so... next brother, please. Or person. And then switch to the next one. And if we stay with one person, say, a certain drill sergeant, let's focus on overexplaining his past and how he punishes himself for being in pain and surviving Trauma. Because I adore learning about someone's past when I barely care about their present.
I could have probably found more but I didn't get that far, I... don't actually know how far I came. There was no point in reading more when I kept getting lost in who is who's brother or lover and couldn't find my way back/ sort them out in my mind with how similarly they think, I knew it was time to pull out. It wasn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't actually that interesting and my strongest emotions were annoyance or even anger. So why push it?
And I am saying that as someone who enjoyed the living heck out of the newest book and gave it five stars. I give five stars once on a blue moon. As someone who liked the Ranch series. So take that.
September 15, 2022
This was too much. Too long, too many characters, too many ideas, too much broad strokes characterization. Don't look for any plot. There's a blorbo to latch onto for everyone, so the author definitely has her bases covered. There are the Randall brothers. Silas, Darius and Oliver. Then there are the boyfriends/husbands of the brothers. Wyatt, Lakshan and Julius. Then there are the foster brothers Simon, Shane and Asher.
All of them are dialed up to a 10 at all times. They all get one big note to play and do not waste an opportunity to do so. Silas is the most possessive alpha patriarch to ever be possessive, Oliver is always doing the MOST at being a ballet dancer, and so on and so on.
Conveniently everyone is kinky and into what the author calls a "Taken In Hand" dynamic. Which is the first time I head-tilted a little because Silas and Lakshan seem to be taking it much further than that. They pretty much live TPE 24/7 while the rest of the brothers keep their kinkiness mostly to the bedroom. But maybe that's the problem here. I usually complain about BDSM 101 lectures in my kinky books but a little guidance here would have been nice.
It's really hard to follow the story because the first person narrator keeps switching either right when it gets interesting OR (even worse) keeps focusing on boring minutiae instead of getting on with the plot. Which is another problem. There is no plot. The story is really about these brothers and their significant others dealing with their childhood trauma and the way it influences their lives and dynamics into adulthood.
I was honestly more drawn to Silas and Lakshan and started skimming the Oliver scenes towards the end. Elfin ballet dancing twinks who need to be coddled and taken care of are simply not my bag but I could literally feel fan!girls squealing over Oliver.
I forced myself to finish this and now I feel like a have bad book hangover.
All of them are dialed up to a 10 at all times. They all get one big note to play and do not waste an opportunity to do so. Silas is the most possessive alpha patriarch to ever be possessive, Oliver is always doing the MOST at being a ballet dancer, and so on and so on.
Conveniently everyone is kinky and into what the author calls a "Taken In Hand" dynamic. Which is the first time I head-tilted a little because Silas and Lakshan seem to be taking it much further than that. They pretty much live TPE 24/7 while the rest of the brothers keep their kinkiness mostly to the bedroom. But maybe that's the problem here. I usually complain about BDSM 101 lectures in my kinky books but a little guidance here would have been nice.
It's really hard to follow the story because the first person narrator keeps switching either right when it gets interesting OR (even worse) keeps focusing on boring minutiae instead of getting on with the plot. Which is another problem. There is no plot. The story is really about these brothers and their significant others dealing with their childhood trauma and the way it influences their lives and dynamics into adulthood.
I was honestly more drawn to Silas and Lakshan and started skimming the Oliver scenes towards the end. Elfin ballet dancing twinks who need to be coddled and taken care of are simply not my bag but I could literally feel fan!girls squealing over Oliver.
I forced myself to finish this and now I feel like a have bad book hangover.
May 4, 2022
I received this book as an ARC review.
The writing in this book was fantastic. This story was a lot to deal with, more than I was expecting so you should prepare for emotional turmoil. This book deals with a lot of sensitive topics, and I must admit I did feel a little uncomfortable at some points because of the unconventional ways the boys deal with what has happened to them. I liked that though as I like to be surprised by the way a story is going and that everyone has a different perception on what or why things happen. I’ve not read anything close to this before, it’s a bunch of guys who are just basically one big fucked up mess and trying to survive life and it’s really endearing and beautiful.
This review is very hard to do as if I mention characters then I may give things away, and this is a story that needs fresh eyes without any hints. I’ll just say I loved Oliver and Julius’ relationship. Wyatt is by far my favourite, he called to me on some level and I felt protective of him and I am totally head over heels for him. The rest of the characters are also so complex that I won’t delve too much, but I did sway a lot in my opinions by the end of the book. This is a fantastic story, I loved it, it’s a must read!
The writing in this book was fantastic. This story was a lot to deal with, more than I was expecting so you should prepare for emotional turmoil. This book deals with a lot of sensitive topics, and I must admit I did feel a little uncomfortable at some points because of the unconventional ways the boys deal with what has happened to them. I liked that though as I like to be surprised by the way a story is going and that everyone has a different perception on what or why things happen. I’ve not read anything close to this before, it’s a bunch of guys who are just basically one big fucked up mess and trying to survive life and it’s really endearing and beautiful.
This review is very hard to do as if I mention characters then I may give things away, and this is a story that needs fresh eyes without any hints. I’ll just say I loved Oliver and Julius’ relationship. Wyatt is by far my favourite, he called to me on some level and I felt protective of him and I am totally head over heels for him. The rest of the characters are also so complex that I won’t delve too much, but I did sway a lot in my opinions by the end of the book. This is a fantastic story, I loved it, it’s a must read!
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May 10, 2024DNF @ 37%
I just don't think this is going to work for me.
We are following 4 couples which is a lot. And since it's book one I haven't really gotten attached to any of them because the story is moving so slowly (except Darius & Wyatt I would read a whole book about them). This is a long book and at 37% there still has been zero plot.
There is some real extreme brother bonds here (and found family) which is lovely to see but it's also codependent as fuck and idk what the direction will be moving forward.
And lastly, this is just too much lifestyle kink for me. There is sooooooo much emphasis on spanking. Every couple. Every couple has some sort of dom/sub dynamic developing. Don't even know what to say about Silas. Long drawn out spanking scenes, talking about spanking, setting up their relationship dynamics. But the weird thing is... The sex scenes are so quick. And unsatisfying? I don't know. Not to kink shame and if this works for them or any real people out there you do you. But I am putting this book down and moving on.
Too much is going on. Too many characters. Too much emphasis on spanking and this kink lifestyle. Not enough romance or plot. And too long.
I'm going to stick to this author's hockey series because I absolutely adored the first two in that one.
I just don't think this is going to work for me.
We are following 4 couples which is a lot. And since it's book one I haven't really gotten attached to any of them because the story is moving so slowly (except Darius & Wyatt I would read a whole book about them). This is a long book and at 37% there still has been zero plot.
There is some real extreme brother bonds here (and found family) which is lovely to see but it's also codependent as fuck and idk what the direction will be moving forward.
And lastly, this is just too much lifestyle kink for me. There is sooooooo much emphasis on spanking. Every couple. Every couple has some sort of dom/sub dynamic developing. Don't even know what to say about Silas. Long drawn out spanking scenes, talking about spanking, setting up their relationship dynamics. But the weird thing is... The sex scenes are so quick. And unsatisfying? I don't know. Not to kink shame and if this works for them or any real people out there you do you. But I am putting this book down and moving on.
Too much is going on. Too many characters. Too much emphasis on spanking and this kink lifestyle. Not enough romance or plot. And too long.
I'm going to stick to this author's hockey series because I absolutely adored the first two in that one.
May 8, 2022
This book, what these men went through so early in life. I have no words to explain how I feel. But I know this much, S. Legend has been added to my very short list of authors that have made me ugly cry.
I can usually devour her books in three days, but this one, I had to take breaks. My emotions got the better of me and I needed to take a breather.
I feel for Silas. I know what it's like to have a sick parent and raise your younger siblings. I've been there. My baby sister (who's now 30) still calls me mom from time to time. Especially when I ask "mom" questions. Like "have you eaten" and "do you need anything."
The relationship between these men was built on trauma and it's a very real, very sad reality for a lot of people. But seeing how they interact and take care of each other despite everything they've been through is a breath of fresh air.
You get quick peeks into the past of the Randall brothers but it leaves you wanting to know more and I want to know more. I have a feeling this series is going to get very deep when the past comes out and I'm very curious to find out how their past shaped their futures.
I can usually devour her books in three days, but this one, I had to take breaks. My emotions got the better of me and I needed to take a breather.
I feel for Silas. I know what it's like to have a sick parent and raise your younger siblings. I've been there. My baby sister (who's now 30) still calls me mom from time to time. Especially when I ask "mom" questions. Like "have you eaten" and "do you need anything."
The relationship between these men was built on trauma and it's a very real, very sad reality for a lot of people. But seeing how they interact and take care of each other despite everything they've been through is a breath of fresh air.
You get quick peeks into the past of the Randall brothers but it leaves you wanting to know more and I want to know more. I have a feeling this series is going to get very deep when the past comes out and I'm very curious to find out how their past shaped their futures.
May 13, 2022
Silas: The Leader
Lakshan: The Peacemaker
Darius: The Wild Card
Oliver: The Baby
Simon: The Bleeding Heart
Shane: The Stoic
These five men are the foundation of the Randall family. They may not all be related by blood, but they are family none the less. They’ve all been through trauma and struggle, but the one thing that remains is their love and support of each other.
But life is changing for the family. Oliver is growing up, Darius is barely holding on, and Silas doesn’t know what do to keep them safe. His job was always to keep them safe, and it’s one he refuses to fail at. But his brothers are finding protectors of their own, and the family is off-balance. Combined with the cuts and scars of their pasts, the brothers have to find a way to make it all work or their foundation will crumble.
This book is very emotional. The brothers have all had rough, painful pasts, and they’re all trying to find their own way to deal with it. They are complex but beautiful characters that don’t always do the right thing, but they do always try.
This a beautiful and haunting story of a chosen family who will do everything in their power to protect those they love, even to their own detriment.
Lakshan: The Peacemaker
Darius: The Wild Card
Oliver: The Baby
Simon: The Bleeding Heart
Shane: The Stoic
These five men are the foundation of the Randall family. They may not all be related by blood, but they are family none the less. They’ve all been through trauma and struggle, but the one thing that remains is their love and support of each other.
But life is changing for the family. Oliver is growing up, Darius is barely holding on, and Silas doesn’t know what do to keep them safe. His job was always to keep them safe, and it’s one he refuses to fail at. But his brothers are finding protectors of their own, and the family is off-balance. Combined with the cuts and scars of their pasts, the brothers have to find a way to make it all work or their foundation will crumble.
This book is very emotional. The brothers have all had rough, painful pasts, and they’re all trying to find their own way to deal with it. They are complex but beautiful characters that don’t always do the right thing, but they do always try.
This a beautiful and haunting story of a chosen family who will do everything in their power to protect those they love, even to their own detriment.
February 26, 2024
3.5
Y'all this book was looooong and you know how I feel about those. However with multiple POVs and different couples to invest in the story didn't really sag. Except I was kind of missing the plot 😂 like if someone asked what's the book about I couldn't do anything except describe the brothers and their dynamic. I mean I enjoyed it but really wanted some actual drama or suspense to the story line.
While I would love to continue the series I don't think I would be able to handle the other books level of taboo 😂
All the characters were 5 stars but I loved Wyatt and I loved Oliver they were my favorite characters 🥰
Y'all this book was looooong and you know how I feel about those. However with multiple POVs and different couples to invest in the story didn't really sag. Except I was kind of missing the plot 😂 like if someone asked what's the book about I couldn't do anything except describe the brothers and their dynamic. I mean I enjoyed it but really wanted some actual drama or suspense to the story line.
While I would love to continue the series I don't think I would be able to handle the other books level of taboo 😂
All the characters were 5 stars but I loved Wyatt and I loved Oliver they were my favorite characters 🥰
May 24, 2022
ARC read
This book is an adventure of emotion and striving for your best life with what you've been given. This group of guys aren't the type that have it all together. They've had some pretty screwed up lives and been screwed up by that. Every character has issues, but also an endearing quality that makes you want to know more; to want more for them. The family they've formed is really beautiful. They all know they matter to each other. Even if some (and their behinds) wished they didn't matter so much. 😁
Of the many characters, Oliver is my favorite, he's such a sweetheart. His romance with Julius is sweet and sexy. Julius is dreamy. The aspect of having the chance to love your idol made it all the better. I have a weakness for dancers so this hit all the buttons.
There are some deeper, somewhat darker elements in this book and at times, it got to me. But at the same time it challenged me and made me open my mind a bit more.
The characters are realistic. A Marine with PTSD, a dancer who is working toward independence and success, a couple whose Dom/sub lifestyle is challenging to read. Things are not made perfect or magically healed through the course of the book. Again, realistic.
Like all S Legend books, this sucked me in from the first sentence and didn't let me up until it was finished. You live in their world with them and feel what they are feeling and going through. Intense, but so worth it!!
This book is an adventure of emotion and striving for your best life with what you've been given. This group of guys aren't the type that have it all together. They've had some pretty screwed up lives and been screwed up by that. Every character has issues, but also an endearing quality that makes you want to know more; to want more for them. The family they've formed is really beautiful. They all know they matter to each other. Even if some (and their behinds) wished they didn't matter so much. 😁
Of the many characters, Oliver is my favorite, he's such a sweetheart. His romance with Julius is sweet and sexy. Julius is dreamy. The aspect of having the chance to love your idol made it all the better. I have a weakness for dancers so this hit all the buttons.
There are some deeper, somewhat darker elements in this book and at times, it got to me. But at the same time it challenged me and made me open my mind a bit more.
The characters are realistic. A Marine with PTSD, a dancer who is working toward independence and success, a couple whose Dom/sub lifestyle is challenging to read. Things are not made perfect or magically healed through the course of the book. Again, realistic.
Like all S Legend books, this sucked me in from the first sentence and didn't let me up until it was finished. You live in their world with them and feel what they are feeling and going through. Intense, but so worth it!!
October 5, 2022
So I needed a few days to think about this book once I finished it! I needed processing time!! When I first started it I did think, wow this is a lot of main characters how will I keep up! But let me tell you, I stayed on track!! It’s a page turner!
I just can’t get enough of the Randall brothers, you learn about each one just enough in this book to understand the deep rooted trauma that they went through to protect Oliver, I can’t wait to see them in more depth in the following books.
Let me tell you this group of men that have formed a found family are bloody amazing, they all play their roll in the family perfectly, they are still unpacking all the trauma and emotions from the past and dealing with the present going through their own struggles but still being there for each other is just so emotional and heartwarming.
Big brother Silas is my favourite I just want to hug him so bad (even tho he’d hate me for it)! He’s taken on so much to keep his family together that it’s sometimes to much. We start to see him let some of the truth come out and let his family see what he went through to get where he is today, they then also start to share their experiences and how it affected them, they do all this for Oliver the baby, the princess, the Eaglet.
Oliver is a perfect bratty princess dancer who has had a pretty sheltered life due to certain circumstances and his brothers overly protective and possessive nature that he don’t really understand, but they have started to share just enough with him so he starts to be a little bit more understanding of why everyone is so protective of him.
I could talk about this book for days on end there are so many family members that all deserve to be talked about but I won’t do them any justice so please just go pick up this book and read it, you’ll then understand yourself that it’s difficult to write about and portray how much this book is just everything!! It even has spankings, I mean It makes me wanna disappear for a few days so I can get some Shane punishment!! And Lak is just….well I love him so much too, and Simon, Darry, Wyatt, Julius and Asher! Just go read the book if you haven’t, oh and it’s a series next book out Sept 27th!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
I just can’t get enough of the Randall brothers, you learn about each one just enough in this book to understand the deep rooted trauma that they went through to protect Oliver, I can’t wait to see them in more depth in the following books.
Let me tell you this group of men that have formed a found family are bloody amazing, they all play their roll in the family perfectly, they are still unpacking all the trauma and emotions from the past and dealing with the present going through their own struggles but still being there for each other is just so emotional and heartwarming.
Big brother Silas is my favourite I just want to hug him so bad (even tho he’d hate me for it)! He’s taken on so much to keep his family together that it’s sometimes to much. We start to see him let some of the truth come out and let his family see what he went through to get where he is today, they then also start to share their experiences and how it affected them, they do all this for Oliver the baby, the princess, the Eaglet.
Oliver is a perfect bratty princess dancer who has had a pretty sheltered life due to certain circumstances and his brothers overly protective and possessive nature that he don’t really understand, but they have started to share just enough with him so he starts to be a little bit more understanding of why everyone is so protective of him.
I could talk about this book for days on end there are so many family members that all deserve to be talked about but I won’t do them any justice so please just go pick up this book and read it, you’ll then understand yourself that it’s difficult to write about and portray how much this book is just everything!! It even has spankings, I mean It makes me wanna disappear for a few days so I can get some Shane punishment!! And Lak is just….well I love him so much too, and Simon, Darry, Wyatt, Julius and Asher! Just go read the book if you haven’t, oh and it’s a series next book out Sept 27th!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
January 5, 2023
If there's a relationship that rivaled a romantic one, it's always the familial one, especially if it had to go up against what the Randalls had gone through. It's a bond nobody could ever break. However I must admit it wasn't hard to think as a reader that Silas and Oliver's co-dependency might be a tiiiiny bit fucked up but it was simply a byproduct of their sicko upbringing.
Can't help but play favorites with Darius though, it's just the utter loneliness and helplessness fighting a war alone he felt and him being honest about it made me weep. His two brothers had their own kinda thing and when getting into his head, it wasn't difficult to feel left out. What a devastating thought that must have been for him, Wyatt was just the man he needed. With a mix of Asher, curious wait to see how their dynamic would eventually play out. Good thing he has two boyfriends now who at least try to keep him in line and maybe a bit nearer the less shitty side of life.
I felt like I need to mention that the unsung hero had been Shane though. He kept Simon sane which in turn kept the whole family from entirely breaking down. They're all fucked up but they're my precious fucked ups. Baby steps Randalls, baby steps.
Thinking about it, this was the first time I've read a m/m book with such number of povs and i appreciated how we're able to delve into each of the characters' thoughts, like not being left out of what everybody had to say. It kinda gives a change of pace from other books.
Anyways, I am really curious about what Silas and Darius do for work that they got that much money. Will it be revealed later on or did I miss it? It wasn't a big deal but I'm looking forward if it ever gets told later on.
Overall, it checked all the boxes and was an excellent read for me.
Can't help but play favorites with Darius though, it's just the utter loneliness and helplessness fighting a war alone he felt and him being honest about it made me weep. His two brothers had their own kinda thing and when getting into his head, it wasn't difficult to feel left out. What a devastating thought that must have been for him, Wyatt was just the man he needed. With a mix of Asher, curious wait to see how their dynamic would eventually play out. Good thing he has two boyfriends now who at least try to keep him in line and maybe a bit nearer the less shitty side of life.
I felt like I need to mention that the unsung hero had been Shane though. He kept Simon sane which in turn kept the whole family from entirely breaking down. They're all fucked up but they're my precious fucked ups. Baby steps Randalls, baby steps.
Thinking about it, this was the first time I've read a m/m book with such number of povs and i appreciated how we're able to delve into each of the characters' thoughts, like not being left out of what everybody had to say. It kinda gives a change of pace from other books.
Anyways, I am really curious about what Silas and Darius do for work that they got that much money. Will it be revealed later on or did I miss it? It wasn't a big deal but I'm looking forward if it ever gets told later on.
Overall, it checked all the boxes and was an excellent read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2022
Wow! What a book! This is probably one of my favorite books read this year. The story was dark and emotional, yet had many sweet and tender moments as well.
The story centers around 3 brothers who have developed an unshakeable bond between each other having survived the nightmare of growing up in an abusive and unhealthy environment. Each character battles his own demons while trying to move forward with their lives.
Silas, the eldest brother is the so-called Patriarch of the family. He ensures that everyone is safe and taken care of. Darius, the middle brother, helps Silas execute his duties while battling his own demons daily. Then there is Oliver, the youngest brother. While he has spent his life being protected by his two elder brothers, he must battle his own internal turmoil as he begins to discover just how much his brothers have done to protect him as a child and give him the happy life that he currently enjoys. Some of these moments are just heartbreaking. While this book centers around several dark themes, the book also has its lighter moments -primarily the budding romances when Darius and Oliver both meet the men of their dreams. The love story that develops has several sweet and tender moments, as well as a few kinkier moments as well. In true Legend fashion, what is romance without a little discipline?
I have to say, that each character in this book has such a unique and interesting backstory that you almost want each character to have their own book. Seriously, this book is so well written, that you will want to dive right into Book 2 the moment you are finished with Book 1
The story centers around 3 brothers who have developed an unshakeable bond between each other having survived the nightmare of growing up in an abusive and unhealthy environment. Each character battles his own demons while trying to move forward with their lives.
Silas, the eldest brother is the so-called Patriarch of the family. He ensures that everyone is safe and taken care of. Darius, the middle brother, helps Silas execute his duties while battling his own demons daily. Then there is Oliver, the youngest brother. While he has spent his life being protected by his two elder brothers, he must battle his own internal turmoil as he begins to discover just how much his brothers have done to protect him as a child and give him the happy life that he currently enjoys. Some of these moments are just heartbreaking. While this book centers around several dark themes, the book also has its lighter moments -primarily the budding romances when Darius and Oliver both meet the men of their dreams. The love story that develops has several sweet and tender moments, as well as a few kinkier moments as well. In true Legend fashion, what is romance without a little discipline?
I have to say, that each character in this book has such a unique and interesting backstory that you almost want each character to have their own book. Seriously, this book is so well written, that you will want to dive right into Book 2 the moment you are finished with Book 1
September 12, 2023
(ARC Review)
I follow this author on Instagram and from the moment she started sharing things about this book, she intrigued me and I knew she had to read it. Luckily, I had the opportunity to do it.
This is not a book for everyone. Not only because of the triggers/warnings but because of the different POVs and temporary changes. But these situations, far from discouraging me, made me pay more attention to the story.
I have to say, I'm not a big fan of poly. Not because I see it as a bad thing. Love is love in all its expressions and it is something I learned to respect. However, by nature, I don't like to share, so I usually have a hard time reading it (So... Darius is mine. Sorry).
One thing I loved is that the "heroes" in this story are not your typical conventional heroes in shining armor and spirited steed. No. They were hurt, they are damaged. They still carry and deal with the pain of their past every day, but from that pain they draw strength and survive.
I hope the day comes soon when "The Story of You" (book 2) reaches our hands, and I can read the story of how these men came to be what they are today.
I follow this author on Instagram and from the moment she started sharing things about this book, she intrigued me and I knew she had to read it. Luckily, I had the opportunity to do it.
This is not a book for everyone. Not only because of the triggers/warnings but because of the different POVs and temporary changes. But these situations, far from discouraging me, made me pay more attention to the story.
I have to say, I'm not a big fan of poly. Not because I see it as a bad thing. Love is love in all its expressions and it is something I learned to respect. However, by nature, I don't like to share, so I usually have a hard time reading it (So... Darius is mine. Sorry).
One thing I loved is that the "heroes" in this story are not your typical conventional heroes in shining armor and spirited steed. No. They were hurt, they are damaged. They still carry and deal with the pain of their past every day, but from that pain they draw strength and survive.
I hope the day comes soon when "The Story of You" (book 2) reaches our hands, and I can read the story of how these men came to be what they are today.
May 18, 2022
This book was such a good read. Not going to lie it make me a little anxious in places reading it and I had to set it down and go walk my dog so I could keep reading but these characters are so real and so interesting I just want to know more about them. The relationship between family, found or by blood but definitely chosen, is so complex in this book. As a much younger sibling myself in the real world that line between parent and sibling is a weird one and with this traumatic background it just gets even more confusing. But these characters handle it with love at every turn. Letting go, changing, adding new people to your lives. Themes we can all relate to and feel. Just because these are more intense than most doesn’t make it any less relatable. If anything it makes it all the more heartbreaking to think about. But I love how real these guys all feel. I love their interactions. Their kinky fun. Their dynamics. I want to read more.
August 30, 2023
I was a little bit skeptical before reading but then I start…. This book is just amazing.
The storyline is smooth, I was quickly into it.
Everything makes sens in a way, even though we are talking about taboo subject.
I though that the writing of the author matured, like she found her pace :) (compared to the first volume of Tristan)
I fall in love of each characters, even the annoying one haha. What I really love about Mock is that she write about found family and I have this warm feeling inside when I read ~ I’m like a 100% into the story 🥰 like I’m inside as well.
This book reminds everyone that life is not about thing being right or wrong, but just about being us and trying to be happy.
The storyline is smooth, I was quickly into it.
Everything makes sens in a way, even though we are talking about taboo subject.
I though that the writing of the author matured, like she found her pace :) (compared to the first volume of Tristan)
I fall in love of each characters, even the annoying one haha. What I really love about Mock is that she write about found family and I have this warm feeling inside when I read ~ I’m like a 100% into the story 🥰 like I’m inside as well.
This book reminds everyone that life is not about thing being right or wrong, but just about being us and trying to be happy.
November 22, 2022
This book hit me in ALL the feels!! There are so many ways that I can relate to aspects of it. In this book you follow a group of men who have become the family they all so desperately need. While they all may have some issues, they fiercely love and protect each other. Probably my favorite quote of the book is from Oliver. "There is some hurt there too. I believed Simon and Shane when they said Silas didn't do any of it for a thank you, but it's got to be hurtful when you do all he did for someone, and you get the boy, whom you consider your kid telling you he's leaving for good."S. Legend. Stunning!! Absolutely stunning!!
June 7, 2022
fantastic book
I can’t tell you how much I loved this all of the characters were amazingly well written and I loved the feeling of this tight knit family and while they all have flaws and issues to get through they’re all extremely lovable and real because of them I’m happy with the way the story ended not everything is answered but there’s no big cliff hangers the happy for now was great but I still wish the wait for the next book was nonexistent because I’m going to miss all the characters until the next one is out
I can’t tell you how much I loved this all of the characters were amazingly well written and I loved the feeling of this tight knit family and while they all have flaws and issues to get through they’re all extremely lovable and real because of them I’m happy with the way the story ended not everything is answered but there’s no big cliff hangers the happy for now was great but I still wish the wait for the next book was nonexistent because I’m going to miss all the characters until the next one is out
October 4, 2022
This book is very much about family and relationships. First and foremost the brothers, Silas, Darius and Oliver and their partners/potential partners, Lakshan, Wyatt and Julius. Then we have their found family in Shane, Simon and Asher.
The book centres more around Oliver but the story belongs to each of them. These men all belong together and need each other in varying degrees.
The writing unapologetically takes us through some difficult situations and emotions but it is worth every word.
The book centres more around Oliver but the story belongs to each of them. These men all belong together and need each other in varying degrees.
The writing unapologetically takes us through some difficult situations and emotions but it is worth every word.
November 14, 2022
This book is a lot to take in. So much information, so many characters, complicated relationships, different povs and me in the middle trying to figure shit about fuck.
First of all. This author's style has become a favourite of mine. All this spanking and polyamory? I LOVE it. But it is not just that. This book is nothing like I've ever read before ❤️
All the characters are broken in one way or another. There are those who are doms and those who are subs. But not just in a sexual way. I'm talking about lifestyle here. The power game in this story is nuts.
If you think it's easy for me to explain what I've read then you're so wrong. Like.. the plot itself is SO dense.
One moment I was reading about one character's deep shit and then right after that.. I was given important information for another character. Like wait a fucking second there love. I'm trying to catch up.
The three main characters of this story are Silas, Darius and Oliver. They're brothers. Excuse me if I'm mispelling their names or sth but these three fuckers have literally 100 different name variations and nicknames depending who you ask!
The oldest one is Silas and he is.. the toughest motherfucker I've ever seen. He is an alpha. Domineering as hell. What he says is law or sth. You don't get to question him or defy him because you're gonna get it good 👋 Yes they love this kind of shit there.. don't worry.
Darius is the middle brother and the actual definition of brat. He lives to make snarky comments even if he knows that those will bring him trouble later. He's one kinky little shit if you ask me 👀
Oliver is the youngest and the favourite of them all. They all treat him like a little princess. Oh well.. that little, delicate princess is getting fucked like a bitch by "her" ballet teacher but anyway.
As for the side characters? I love Simon, Shane, Wyatt, Julius and Lakshan. Asher? Not so much. I don't care about your excuses and your fish bitch. You don't get to come and go destroying other people's lives while doing so. Fuck off.
Confused yet? I would be! This story has me so intrigued and I want to see where it will take me. On to book 2..
May 15, 2022
I almost feel like I need to hold off until I've read the whole series to leave a review because so much can (and likely will) change. I fluctuate between liking the book and feeling incomplete.
I liked the writing and the found family (this author is always amazing at that). I enjoyed getting to know all the brothers and their partners. But I wish I'd gotten to dive into their relationships more. Because it is written through so many POVs, I felt like it skimmed so much. I didn't get to revel in Wyatt and Darren, many scenes between them I'm told what happened rather than get to see. It also went lightning fast between Julius and Oliver. The book starts and by the end two brothers are in relationships deep enough their partners are moving in with them. It was all a bit...quick. For example, I loved the way Wyatt and Darren met the tension that was happening between them. I would have liked more of that getting to know you. How will we be together energy. Same Julius and Oliver, the hate/love tension they had at the start, would have been so nice to feel more of that and see them move slowly into their dynamic.
I also am on the fence about Silas. I get his dynamic with everyone. So I can accept him from one angle. I get what he's meant to be and how he's meant to play out in the other people's lives. But from another angle he seemed like such a wedge between Oliver and Julius. It was at times hard to see how deeply he cut into their story as it unfolded and left me wishing he wasn't such and intense and immovable presence. Because their HoH and TiH dynamic felt watered down because of it. I did enjoy him as himself and in his relationship with Lak but just can't say I loved his looming presence otherwise.
It also seemed like quite a jump to have two tops move into the house with Silas because their partners wanted them to. Again, from the dynamics being crafted and the plot being written standpoint, I get it. But I was also like would these people really want to give up their freedom and existence to live under the thumb of someone (Silas) they barely know. Like Lak took Silas's last name. With the way this story is going it seems like that's Wyatt and Julius's fate as well. And that seems unsatisfying. Maybe because I like to see a HoH/ TiH dynamic flourish with the HoH really setting the rules and boundaries and feeling that tension between the two. With this book it feels like the only HoH is Silas and I didn't get to marinate in the dynamic with the other two brothers the way I had hoped.
All that to say, I'll be waiting with bated breath for more in this series so I can get the full picture and better see how I feel about it all. Still looking forward. Just currently, incomplete.
I liked the writing and the found family (this author is always amazing at that). I enjoyed getting to know all the brothers and their partners. But I wish I'd gotten to dive into their relationships more. Because it is written through so many POVs, I felt like it skimmed so much. I didn't get to revel in Wyatt and Darren, many scenes between them I'm told what happened rather than get to see. It also went lightning fast between Julius and Oliver. The book starts and by the end two brothers are in relationships deep enough their partners are moving in with them. It was all a bit...quick. For example, I loved the way Wyatt and Darren met the tension that was happening between them. I would have liked more of that getting to know you. How will we be together energy. Same Julius and Oliver, the hate/love tension they had at the start, would have been so nice to feel more of that and see them move slowly into their dynamic.
I also am on the fence about Silas. I get his dynamic with everyone. So I can accept him from one angle. I get what he's meant to be and how he's meant to play out in the other people's lives. But from another angle he seemed like such a wedge between Oliver and Julius. It was at times hard to see how deeply he cut into their story as it unfolded and left me wishing he wasn't such and intense and immovable presence. Because their HoH and TiH dynamic felt watered down because of it. I did enjoy him as himself and in his relationship with Lak but just can't say I loved his looming presence otherwise.
It also seemed like quite a jump to have two tops move into the house with Silas because their partners wanted them to. Again, from the dynamics being crafted and the plot being written standpoint, I get it. But I was also like would these people really want to give up their freedom and existence to live under the thumb of someone (Silas) they barely know. Like Lak took Silas's last name. With the way this story is going it seems like that's Wyatt and Julius's fate as well. And that seems unsatisfying. Maybe because I like to see a HoH/ TiH dynamic flourish with the HoH really setting the rules and boundaries and feeling that tension between the two. With this book it feels like the only HoH is Silas and I didn't get to marinate in the dynamic with the other two brothers the way I had hoped.
All that to say, I'll be waiting with bated breath for more in this series so I can get the full picture and better see how I feel about it all. Still looking forward. Just currently, incomplete.
May 21, 2022
There's always something special about a Mock Masterpiece.
Every word is gripping, every sentence is beautifully written and every chapter leaves you on the edge of your seat!!
The emotion poured into every inch, every nook and cranny of this book hits you deep in the gut and you feel everything as if it is your own, and it's so raw.
As usual, the characters feel so real and alive and as I'm reading I feel like a part of their little family. I don't feel like an outsider looking in, I feel like I'm living this life with them.
Mock was kind enough to gift me an ARC of Lost Brothers, and I am extremely grateful. It was so fun to read and I found it impossible to put down. There are many characters, but it is so easy to follow them all and understand what is happening without getting whiplash - I feel like this is something Mock is an expert at doing, always.
When Mock first announced this series, she mentioned how the second book was going to be set in the past. Quite far in the past, exploring the character's childhoods and all the struggles they've been through. I admit to finding this bizarre and a little backwards - because surely it would make more sense to have that first? And how could you so seamlessly go from a book in the 'present' to a book in the past so quickly without it seeming strange and like the books weren't as connected as they're supposed to be? But now I've read this first book and I can see just what Mock has up her sleeve to make it work SOOOO well, and I can easily say I'm impressed!! It's clever and different and I love it!!
There are some mentions of things in this book that might be quite triggering to some people, so please bear this in mind if you choose to read (which you should - it's sooo good!!). I know things are about to get even darker in book two, but in a weird, strange way I am here for it, and so ready.
I just wanna wrap all the characters in a blanket and protect them from everything (*whispers* especially you Ollie. You're my favourite. Don't tell the others!!)
I am so eager for the next one!!
P.S. I am now forever grateful I don't like peanut butter that much!!
Every word is gripping, every sentence is beautifully written and every chapter leaves you on the edge of your seat!!
The emotion poured into every inch, every nook and cranny of this book hits you deep in the gut and you feel everything as if it is your own, and it's so raw.
As usual, the characters feel so real and alive and as I'm reading I feel like a part of their little family. I don't feel like an outsider looking in, I feel like I'm living this life with them.
Mock was kind enough to gift me an ARC of Lost Brothers, and I am extremely grateful. It was so fun to read and I found it impossible to put down. There are many characters, but it is so easy to follow them all and understand what is happening without getting whiplash - I feel like this is something Mock is an expert at doing, always.
When Mock first announced this series, she mentioned how the second book was going to be set in the past. Quite far in the past, exploring the character's childhoods and all the struggles they've been through. I admit to finding this bizarre and a little backwards - because surely it would make more sense to have that first? And how could you so seamlessly go from a book in the 'present' to a book in the past so quickly without it seeming strange and like the books weren't as connected as they're supposed to be? But now I've read this first book and I can see just what Mock has up her sleeve to make it work SOOOO well, and I can easily say I'm impressed!! It's clever and different and I love it!!
There are some mentions of things in this book that might be quite triggering to some people, so please bear this in mind if you choose to read (which you should - it's sooo good!!). I know things are about to get even darker in book two, but in a weird, strange way I am here for it, and so ready.
I just wanna wrap all the characters in a blanket and protect them from everything (*whispers* especially you Ollie. You're my favourite. Don't tell the others!!)
I am so eager for the next one!!
P.S. I am now forever grateful I don't like peanut butter that much!!
May 25, 2022
I loved it🖤
Let me start by saying, that this book is setting the foundations for the series and you get to meet the whole cast, and that in itself was amazing and it overwhelmed with curiosity about their every move🖤 I couldn't put it down. I just had to know more🖤
There are simply no plain, ordinary or normal men in this story and I feel the author makes sure the reader is fully aware that that in itself is perfectly fine.🖤 that the pursuit of "normal" is not all that amazing and if anything, it could break a good thing. Not all relationships are meant to fit in a perfect box, and not all love is meant to be defined. Sometimes love simply is. And in the harsh world the Randall's have grown up in, having love, any kind of love, is what keeps them sane and afloat🖤
Silas was...I know they were all looking up to him, giving him all that power over their lives, but I think Lak was the only one to truly see him for who he was and their deep and meaningful connection was beautiful. From the first scene they share together, the reader can feel the love between them, and it gave me this feeling of a bond tried and tested, unbreakable. 🖤
Oliver is the baby in this cast, and let me tell you, they fight tooth and nail to protect him. As the story progresses, it becomes clear, they don't try prevent him from growing up, but simply try to save him from becoming jaded, bitter and angry. Something Dari is struggling on the daily and thank freaking God for the gift that Wyatt is. That beautiful man stole my heart before I was half way through with his chapter. 🖤 Julius 🖤
Simon and Shane, oh my god that fantastic dynamic between them was just next level. Those two were so aware of each other, so in tune it was mesmerising. Shane is like a Silas but absolutely Zen and unmoving and it is no wonder as he is a carer and a nurturer, but he is yet to shoulder the responsibility Silas has been through all of his life.🖤
I wasn't ready for Asher and neither will you be so brace yourself for that freaking storm, as it will rock the fragile happiness between two of my most favourite people in this book🖤
Let me start by saying, that this book is setting the foundations for the series and you get to meet the whole cast, and that in itself was amazing and it overwhelmed with curiosity about their every move🖤 I couldn't put it down. I just had to know more🖤
There are simply no plain, ordinary or normal men in this story and I feel the author makes sure the reader is fully aware that that in itself is perfectly fine.🖤 that the pursuit of "normal" is not all that amazing and if anything, it could break a good thing. Not all relationships are meant to fit in a perfect box, and not all love is meant to be defined. Sometimes love simply is. And in the harsh world the Randall's have grown up in, having love, any kind of love, is what keeps them sane and afloat🖤
Silas was...I know they were all looking up to him, giving him all that power over their lives, but I think Lak was the only one to truly see him for who he was and their deep and meaningful connection was beautiful. From the first scene they share together, the reader can feel the love between them, and it gave me this feeling of a bond tried and tested, unbreakable. 🖤
Oliver is the baby in this cast, and let me tell you, they fight tooth and nail to protect him. As the story progresses, it becomes clear, they don't try prevent him from growing up, but simply try to save him from becoming jaded, bitter and angry. Something Dari is struggling on the daily and thank freaking God for the gift that Wyatt is. That beautiful man stole my heart before I was half way through with his chapter. 🖤 Julius 🖤
Simon and Shane, oh my god that fantastic dynamic between them was just next level. Those two were so aware of each other, so in tune it was mesmerising. Shane is like a Silas but absolutely Zen and unmoving and it is no wonder as he is a carer and a nurturer, but he is yet to shoulder the responsibility Silas has been through all of his life.🖤
I wasn't ready for Asher and neither will you be so brace yourself for that freaking storm, as it will rock the fragile happiness between two of my most favourite people in this book🖤
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