What’s Devan to do when his cousin’s ships and the crew go missing? Set sail with Tan to figure it out.
What’s Tan to do when Devan finally makes a move? N.S.F.W. Many times. On many surfaces.
Damn creatures are trying to interrupt them. Murder ensues.
Tags:
The crack ship armada sails again, literally, Tan fell first, Devan fell harder, communication, because miscommunication is the devil’s trope, Devan puts himself first for once, Tan approves, LET THE PLANNING BEGIN!, unless Devan beckons you to bed, then planning can wait, relationship progress, flirty Devan has been released, Tan is thrilled, Wells feels betrayed, just lots of fluff in between murder, tipsy Tan does things to Devan, first kiss, The VOID explained
AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
While the action and intrigue in this part of the story felt a little more subdued than in the first parts, there was significant forward movement in their relationship.
The guys finally fell into bed together, for more than just sleeping, but Devan also admitted to Tan that he wanted to be with him, with them becoming a couple.
Devan also admitted that he was over the stress and bullshit of working for the (evil, asshole) princess, and started making plans to leave the castle for good.
So yeah, lots of plot progression, but the *oomph* of the previous parts was turned down a bit.
[My take on Devan...]
[My take on Tan...]
I'd rate this one at around 3 stars and will definitely continue with the rest of the novellas in the series.
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I loved this visit into Devan’s seaside hometown and meeting some of his family. Relationship is growing between our MCs 🔥 Ohhh and a little more back story I’ll have one gelatinous cube with fizz, please! Tan, where did your clothes go on the cover? 😂
“Let’s clean up a touch, cuddle, I’ll give you five minutes to recover”—even he could feel the leer on his face—“and then I want to ride you.” Devan gave him a matching leer. “Good plan. We’re not going to sleep tonight, are we?” “Sleep is for wimps.” “That’s what I thought.”
I really need more of this, I think 500 pages of just cuddles, kisses and lots and lots of sex between Tan and Devan would be really satisfying. Unfortunately, there are again only a few pages here, and scandalously, plot. 🧐🧐🧐 Bad, bad book. Well, no, this is like all parts so far, an amusing wonderfully written book and makes me very happy right now.
"He pulled Dan (=Devan's horse) to a stop next to Tan and slid lightly off, fully expecting— Yup. Devan grunted a little as Tan threw himself into his chest, hugging Devan around the waist. Tan gave a happy sigh as he latched on. “So much better. I like you within hugging distance.” "
I'm enjoying this series so much! And finally we got not only hugs but kisses and more, yay!
Didn't think this book would surprise me this way but... Devan is demisexual. How awesome is that?! For me to read obviously, and for both Tan and Devan because Devan is not enchanted by the sirens's song (he needs an emotional connection to feel desire? Hello, ring any bells??) I. LOVE. IT.
Last quote for this review (I have to share it's all so cute) : “Devan,” Tan murmured against his shoulder. Devan managed an inquiring noise. Words were not available at this time. So sorry, do play again. “I think…I think we need to soak in the onsen now. You know, the thing we came down here to do? I think we should do it next.” True. They’d almost made it, too. Except Devan had maybe flaunted a bit while stripping, which was akin to waving a red flag at a bull. Tan had been on him in seconds and, well, the rest was predictable history. “We should get food after soaking,” Devan mumbled. Oh wow, words! When did you come back? Welcome, welcome.
This latest adventure takes Devan and Tan on the high seas. Kinda. Devan's cousin reaches out to him for help because several ships have been capsized and the crews were missing. What is lurking out there?
My biggest takeaway of this book was that Devan and Tan finally consummated their relationship. All of the back and forth, the delicious sexual tension, and absolutely adorable banter brought us to the moment we had all been waiting for... hot sex!
Yes, there was plenty of action and adventure, I was surprised (and strangely excited) to see Tan in a rage, but I was happy to be here for all of it. Especially because Devan finally gave in to what was obviously between them.
Love is in the air people and I can't wait to see how it factors into the stories to come.
As is the norm with indie writing, the fun light story we started out with is devolving into repeated scenes of sex with little to no further character development and the crucial conflict of the plot being pushed off to the side into fewer and fewer pages. The cause, solution and outcome of the sailor disappearance was dealt with in about 10 pages, leaving the rest to sex, sex and some discussion of the future - which to be fair was well written.
The good + The romance and intimacy + Devan carefully considering all of his options + The way Devan explained he chose Tan + Tan's easy acceptance that his feelings for Devan will last forever + Tan explaining about his pining + Devan never hiding his affection for Tan in front of others, or pretending they're less than what they are + Devan taking consent seriously, and refusing to have sex while drunk + Tan's bouncy puppy vibes
The neutral o I didn't really understand what the big issue would be with Tan just accidentally disappearing princess Serenity... o Devan's horse is named Dan, and seeing that name and Tan's in one sentence is strange. Especially because Dan sounds like such a shipping name where two names are merged (like Devan + Tan = Dan)
The bad - I thought Tan was going to meet Devan's family, but this was rather tame...
Quotes x "The gods knew I'd be too powerful if I had an attention span." x "Tan, stop staring at my ass and get your brain above your beltline." "I wasn't staring at your ass." "Then stop plotting how to get it, and focus."
So many relationship developments! Hell yes, Devan is all in! Can't wait to see where it ends up, and what happens when they reveal their relationship to the general public. I'm stoked for the next installment.
4.5 stars. Audiobook. Fun and satisfying. Rated as a whole, series of novellas that I read all bundled together. Seamless transition from one installment to another. Big bad quirky wizard and palace knight go on adventures, great us-against-the-world vibes. Magic, portals, high fantasy, great world building, great writing. I adore that the hugely powerful wizard is actually bad a$$ and uses his power in the story. Immensely quirky, lovely shenanigans, excellent slow burn romance. Perfect amount of romance, story and spice. Thoroughly enjoyed.
HEA, m/m, high fantasy, low angst, low drama, medium spice, magic, knight.
This is not a drill! It is finally happening! After 15 years, Tan's patience and persistence finally paid off. It was as hot and sexy as I would expect from them, and I was just happy to see Devan put himself first. They both deserve to be happy, and I won't let that evil princess get in their way.
I guessed who the monster was rightly for once! I enjoyed their little adventure and meeting Devan's cousins. Seeing Tan go nucelar on the monsters was hilarious, and I just can't get enough of this series and these two.
Finally progress on Tan's side. I'd hoped for top Tan, so I'm glad that happened. I'd guessed siren but Tan's reaction was entertaining. The epilogue doesn't give much away for the next book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Still one of my favourite series. Still just as adorable, sassy, funny, and warm-hearted as the first book. The spice level skyrocketed in this one! Suuuper spicy, and I'm here for it. Devan and Tan are perfect together. I'm a bit sad Dan the horses didn't get any page time this time around. He's a great character. Overall, I still highly recommend this series.
It was fine. The plots are more of the same with what we've seen in the last few books: problem introduced, Devan and Tan spend more time flirting than focusing on it, but it's somehow still solved in a chapter or two with an obvious twist/conclusion. There's more development with the relationship, so if that's your focus, great, but it's starting to lose some of the magic for me.
*mild spoilers ahead*
I did not like the spicy scenes. The humorous prose remained, which ended up just making it weird. The word choices and odd descriptions just pulled me completely out of it and I was laughing in a "what on earth is this" way.
But for a bold knight, alas, it is not. I continue to enjoy these installments in Tan and Devan's story - this time, facing the was entertaining and I do enjoy seeing Tan get serious once in awhile.
Something that kind of niggled me was TBH I might have preferred if book 1 was their
"If you failed to appreciate it, that's your loss. I'm not climbing back up to give you a second chance." Tan lifted his head in a snooty way. Stepping in close, Devan leaned in to murmur near his ear, "I appreciated the view just fine the first time."
I liked flirty Devan, sweet and surprised Tan, and the spice finally got rolling in this installment! I love an like we got in this book.
At this point, I have to keep reading to see them get their HEA and thwart the true Evil Villain of the story.
This series is so much fun -- silly, cracky, hilarious, charming fun!
It's a super enjoyable light read!
I love Tan so much!
The transitions between the books in the series are really well done. Although I wouldn't consider them standalone books, each one transitions and works well as it's own episode, and the overall story is wonderful.
This was a truly delightful installment of the series where the wild and crazy had happened.......Tan meets Devan's family! In a turn of meeting the family without being a couple it still feels like a meet the family for the relationship and it does rather solidify things. Monsters are fought but it all boils back down to Devan and Tan and their future, which it looks like will be together. Which leaves the plans to make it happen for the next book!
“Only if I get to try another ale. Ooh, the banana ale sounded strange.” At least six different people in earshot all chorused, “Not the banana!” Personally, Devan thought the name itself was a good clue to not drink the former. Banana. Ale. Just no. The problem with brewers these days was that they asked could they, not should they.
This series has been getting progressively more and more fun. Now things are getting spicy between Devan & Tan. I can't wait to get to the next part. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version as well.
Great choice to read fluffy lit for my first few reads of 2024, but not too keen on how much they call the only female character with power in the book, a bitch. This book is betrayed a little bit by the author's dare I say, misogyny?
These books are giving me life right now. Seriously, my attention span is already terrible but this is all I've been able to focus on. Tan and Devan are the best.