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With or Without #3
With Abandon
Love was never part of his plan…until it pounced.
As heir to an old and proud heritage, Aubrey Reynolds works and lives for his family, his employees and his pack. Agreeing to watch after a visiting werewolf is no big deal—until he discovers the newcomer is his mate. His very male mate…which is a very big deal, indeed. Revealing his sexuality was never part of Aubrey’s well-ordered life plan.
Much as he loved caring for his eight younger brothers, Matt Mahihkan knows it’s time to grab the opportunity to attend college in Atlanta. Realizing Aubrey is his mate should have been a delightful experience…except Aubrey treats him more like a dirty little secret than a lover. Yet Matt is a patient man. Aubrey can’t stay in the closet forever. Can he?
In time, they settle into a comfortable, if complicated, routine. Until a rogue werewolf with an axe to grind forces Aubrey to add to the wedge of secrets driving him and Matt apart, leaving Matt exposed to danger…and Aubrey forced to choose between love and duty.
Product Warnings: Contains color abuse with a really bad sense of fashion, a southern accent from hell, sex on antique furniture, a pouncing playful werewolf, obnoxious siblings, liberal use of a color identifier and impatient sex. No lightning bugs were harmed in the making of this book.
As heir to an old and proud heritage, Aubrey Reynolds works and lives for his family, his employees and his pack. Agreeing to watch after a visiting werewolf is no big deal—until he discovers the newcomer is his mate. His very male mate…which is a very big deal, indeed. Revealing his sexuality was never part of Aubrey’s well-ordered life plan.
Much as he loved caring for his eight younger brothers, Matt Mahihkan knows it’s time to grab the opportunity to attend college in Atlanta. Realizing Aubrey is his mate should have been a delightful experience…except Aubrey treats him more like a dirty little secret than a lover. Yet Matt is a patient man. Aubrey can’t stay in the closet forever. Can he?
In time, they settle into a comfortable, if complicated, routine. Until a rogue werewolf with an axe to grind forces Aubrey to add to the wedge of secrets driving him and Matt apart, leaving Matt exposed to danger…and Aubrey forced to choose between love and duty.
Product Warnings: Contains color abuse with a really bad sense of fashion, a southern accent from hell, sex on antique furniture, a pouncing playful werewolf, obnoxious siblings, liberal use of a color identifier and impatient sex. No lightning bugs were harmed in the making of this book.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2011
47 people are currently reading
1332 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Langley
31 books1,868 followersJL has been talking since she was about seven months old. To those who know her it comes as no surprise, in fact, most will tell you she hasn’t shut up since. At eighteen months, she was speaking in full sentences. Imagine if you will the surprise of her admirers when they complimented her mother on “what a cute little boy” she had and received a fierce glare from said little boy and a very loud correction of “I’m a girl!” Oddly enough, JL still finds herself saying that exact phrase thirty-some-odd years later.
Along with the motormouth, JL also displayed a very vivid imagination and artistic ability. The artist first surfaced in way of drawing and painting, then became more apparent with dance. JL was a member of the National Art Honor Society in high school and has won several regional and national titles in dance, specifically tap and jazz. In college she majored in Graphic Art, but chose to make dance her profession. She taught tap, jazz and ballet for fifteen years before settling into her career as a writer.
Today JL is a full-time writer, with over ten novels to her credit. Among her hobbies she includes reading, practicing her marksmanship (she happens to be a great shot), gardening, working out (although she despises cardio), searching for the perfect chocolate dessert (so far as she can tell ALL chocolate is perfect, but it requires more research) and arguing with her husband over who the air compressor and nail gun really belongs to (they belong to JL, although she might be willing to trade him for his new chainsaw).
She also writes under the name Jeigh Lynn
Along with the motormouth, JL also displayed a very vivid imagination and artistic ability. The artist first surfaced in way of drawing and painting, then became more apparent with dance. JL was a member of the National Art Honor Society in high school and has won several regional and national titles in dance, specifically tap and jazz. In college she majored in Graphic Art, but chose to make dance her profession. She taught tap, jazz and ballet for fifteen years before settling into her career as a writer.
Today JL is a full-time writer, with over ten novels to her credit. Among her hobbies she includes reading, practicing her marksmanship (she happens to be a great shot), gardening, working out (although she despises cardio), searching for the perfect chocolate dessert (so far as she can tell ALL chocolate is perfect, but it requires more research) and arguing with her husband over who the air compressor and nail gun really belongs to (they belong to JL, although she might be willing to trade him for his new chainsaw).
She also writes under the name Jeigh Lynn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
January 30, 2012
This is from when I read the book the first time from 03/21/11 to 03/22/11
Review Part One: Aubrey is an Asshole
Aubrey was a giant asshole *
Matt was sweet and lovable
Aubrey was still an asshole
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Matt accepts his role as Asshole's doormat
Aubrey grew and became an even bigger asshole. Upgrade to ‘Assface Douche’
Matt apologizes for being himself
Everyone loves and accepts Matt, except his mate, asshole
There was a great side character named Jordon, I was hoping Matt and Jordon would get together
Asshole is a complete asshole up to the very end where I am sure he will still be a huge asshole but now everyone knows his mate is Matt. Lucky Matt got the worst mate of the series besides possibly Carson. I hope Carson does not get a book I did not like Slutty Carson or his psycho mate.
THAT SAID I did like the book overall. How could I not with Matt there? For every horrible inconsiderate thing Asshole did there was sweet innocent Matt to keep me enjoying the story. Along with Tara and Matts family there were plenty of good characters to kind of offset how awful Asshole was. And Asshole was not all bad, as he told Matt "can’t afford a mate in my life, Matt, but I’d love to have another friend." so at least he kind of told him up front that he was going to be a sucky mate. And he did buy Matt the color indicator, not sure if it was really for Matt though since he seemed embarrassed by Matt probably didn't want people to see them and have Matt in clothes that were not matched.
I wish Matt would have stood up for himself more but I understand that he was used to taking care of people and wanted everyone to be happy and like him but still he should have told Asshole to stop being such a prick.
It is really hard for me to say why I like the book since it is obvious I don't like most of what Asshole did and he never redeems himself, but still I liked it. Asshole was just an awful mate and seemed like an equally sucky leader so I feel really bad for Matt being stuck with an insecure asshole.
I liked Asshole less than both of the crazy psychotic stalkers in the book but still never hated Asshole; he just seemed like a child in how he thought and what he did…
~~~~~~~~~~~~(pretty squiggles) ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review from here on out from when I read book 01/27/12 to 01/29/12 … This time I highlighted and stuff. I want to say a lot more than I will write, but I am just so fucking Lazy and already said a lot…
Review Part Two: Love Matt,Asshole Aubrey is still an Asshole
Some of you are gonna be all like “B, why the fuck did you read this twice?” And well, all I can say is I had to for a bingo challenge because this (yes this book) was the only one on the list even remotely decent, IMHO.
On a second read through I still liked the writing and found it engaging and it’s a smooth easy read. Honestly this would be a pretty great book if Aubrey just wasn’t such an unlikeable asshole.
The rest of the review will be pretty much bad stuff and what I didn’t like. There were no aww moments for me or “oh that’s so sweet he does care” Asshole did buy Matt a bag of M&M’s aww how sweet, wait no not really that sweet I buy my dog better treats. So yeah if you don’t want to read my negative sarcastic comments stop reading right the FUCK NOW! Because like I said before I don’t know why I liked this I just did. Matt is really cute. His mom’s a bitch though.
I’ll even put it under a spoiler tag so only read if you’re an adult and aren’t going to bitch about what you read.
So Matt’s under 21 and doesn’t drink yet every time there is a problem Aubrey makes him drink even though he doesn’t like it? WTF Why? And then Aubrey’s dad also make him drink, it’s not enough they are both always drinking no matter the time but Matt has to be sipping brandy all day too?
”His conscience ate at him. He should be looking for a wife, not playing with Matt.” … Wait you’re feeling guilty because you’re wasting time not finding a wife, but have no problem using Matt and leading him on and just lying to him the whole book? Yeah you’re a real winner, Asshole.
Even though Aubrey promised not to Lie to Matt he lies through the whole book. Some by omission but most he just flat out lies to him. Why should we like or relate to this guy?
Then there is Carson he tells Matt he rarely sees Carson and even more infrequently has sex with him but then the next day hires Carson to be his assistant. Then he gets mad at Matt when Matt commented on how he said he never saw him. Matt barley asks or says anything to Aubrey because he fears it will make Aubrey mad. Yeah how romantic.
Then Carson is saying all this sexual stuff about Aubrey in front of Matt then Carson tells Aubrey he ought to have Matt fuck him because he Knows Aubrey likes to watch. Of course this upsets Matt and he fears Aubrey will want to watch him have sex with other people and stuff but he is to sacred to say anything about. Then this is never mentioned again so why the fuck mention it here. It was never expanded upon and Matt nor Aubrey thing of it again. SO WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS?
This is about Aubrey’s rich family. ”Matt liked how they treated the servants as part of the family. It said a lot about them.” You know what else says a lot? That the ONLY black characters areslaves servants. But it’s ok cause the slaves servants were treated like family. And it’s ok because it was pointed out that the slave quarters were torn down during remodels so servants can stay in the house. (there was a very brief scene where Matt asks the black lady at the airport gift shop where the exit is but the fact it points out she was black seemed weird since other side characters weren't described by skin color)
God Aubrey was an asshole. ”If Matt was a virgin, he didn't want to know that either, especially if Matt saved himself for his mate. Because how shitty was it that Aubrey would gladly take that honor and not give a commitment in return?” Well asshole that's very shitty and sure didn't stop you from doing it. Then when they were having sex Aubrey thought how good Matt tasted and how Matt would be a hard act for other guys to follow. Taking Mates virginity and already thinking about other guys. How caring and honorable.
Then there was the other slutty Carson issue with psycho wolf stalking him. After Alpha Asshole orders psycho to leave Carson along Alpha watches psycho assault Carson in his office and all he does is ask Carson if he is ok. Then at the party He watched psycho not only attacking Carson but hit his own mate in the face and cut his face open. What does alpha asshole do? He just gives the same order he has already watched the psycho disobey twice! What you just keep issuing orders and hope they will follow them if you repeat them enough? What a shitty asshole Alpha.
I mentioned this in review part one but they go to an office party and Aubrey doesn't tell Matt he found him a female date!?! WTF of course Matt is crushed but doesn't say anything and then he tells Tara she is so hot he might rethink being gay and Aubrey yells at him and tells him he can't be gay and can't tell people he is gay. Of course Matt thinks ”He wanted Matt to be something he wasn't” but instead of standing up for himself or saying anything he just stays miserably quiet and goes to the dinner thing. Then to apologize Aubrey gives him a blow job and then went to bed and “pretended sleep to keep from having to talk.” wow what a winner. He is just an absolutely awful mate in the way he treats Matt and just all around an asshole.
What the fuck happened at the end?
Everyone is always defending Aubrey saying he only an asshole cause he has to be in control and because he cares... yeah right that's just bullshit
Then Logan is the one defending Aubrey and giving Matt this advice and saying all this stuff about how Aubrey never planned to really do the stuff he said or thought. HOW? He hasn’t even met Aubrey! Like the reader should just believe he never meant any of the shit he thought because LOGAN SAID Aubrey was lying, even to himself. Oh thank you psychic Logan for filling us all in on that Aubrey only an asshole because he is such an asshole he even lies to himself. That makes up for how he treated Matt and used him the whole book. Then end Matt just forgets everything he suffered through and blah blah HEA
Review Part Three: Bambigate
WTF we get Bambi’s book next? IT better not be about his mate because his mate seems worse than Aubrey. And his mate better not be Eric Mahihkan (Gadget, Matt’s dad) because that would just be stupid even though it does seem Like Bambi and Gadget are real close it better be just friends.
I’m serious if they are Mates I will write JL a letter it will say “Dear JL that was so stupid” and that’s it because it will be too stupid for words. If Bambi and Gadget aren’t mates but get together now that Gadget is single I might tolerate it but still stupid.
I already dislike Bambi for pushing back Rhys and Sterling’s book and after sterling I will probably just not read this author. Her series are good but they are soooooo slow coming it’s just not worth the anticipation just to be let down with shit like this book or another stupid character no one cares about getting a book before the character people do care about… STUPID
And I'm not saying don't read it, it is well written and if someone wants to try and find something nice to say about Asshole and write a good review about him and balance out my review, well I say good luck
Review Part One: Aubrey is an Asshole
Aubrey was a giant asshole *
Matt was sweet and lovable
Aubrey was still an asshole
[image error]
Matt accepts his role as Asshole's doormat
Aubrey grew and became an even bigger asshole. Upgrade to ‘Assface Douche’
Matt apologizes for being himself
Everyone loves and accepts Matt, except his mate, asshole
There was a great side character named Jordon, I was hoping Matt and Jordon would get together
Asshole is a complete asshole up to the very end where I am sure he will still be a huge asshole but now everyone knows his mate is Matt. Lucky Matt got the worst mate of the series besides possibly Carson. I hope Carson does not get a book I did not like Slutty Carson or his psycho mate.
THAT SAID I did like the book overall. How could I not with Matt there? For every horrible inconsiderate thing Asshole did there was sweet innocent Matt to keep me enjoying the story. Along with Tara and Matts family there were plenty of good characters to kind of offset how awful Asshole was. And Asshole was not all bad, as he told Matt "can’t afford a mate in my life, Matt, but I’d love to have another friend." so at least he kind of told him up front that he was going to be a sucky mate. And he did buy Matt the color indicator, not sure if it was really for Matt though since he seemed embarrassed by Matt probably didn't want people to see them and have Matt in clothes that were not matched.
I wish Matt would have stood up for himself more but I understand that he was used to taking care of people and wanted everyone to be happy and like him but still he should have told Asshole to stop being such a prick.
It is really hard for me to say why I like the book since it is obvious I don't like most of what Asshole did and he never redeems himself, but still I liked it. Asshole was just an awful mate and seemed like an equally sucky leader so I feel really bad for Matt being stuck with an insecure asshole.
I liked Asshole less than both of the crazy psychotic stalkers in the book but still never hated Asshole; he just seemed like a child in how he thought and what he did…
~~~~~~~~~~~~(pretty squiggles) ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review from here on out from when I read book 01/27/12 to 01/29/12 … This time I highlighted and stuff. I want to say a lot more than I will write, but I am just so fucking Lazy and already said a lot…
Review Part Two: Love Matt,
Some of you are gonna be all like “B, why the fuck did you read this twice?” And well, all I can say is I had to for a bingo challenge because this (yes this book) was the only one on the list even remotely decent, IMHO.
On a second read through I still liked the writing and found it engaging and it’s a smooth easy read. Honestly this would be a pretty great book if Aubrey just wasn’t such an unlikeable asshole.
The rest of the review will be pretty much bad stuff and what I didn’t like. There were no aww moments for me or “oh that’s so sweet he does care” Asshole did buy Matt a bag of M&M’s aww how sweet, wait no not really that sweet I buy my dog better treats. So yeah if you don’t want to read my negative sarcastic comments stop reading right the FUCK NOW! Because like I said before I don’t know why I liked this I just did. Matt is really cute. His mom’s a bitch though.
I’ll even put it under a spoiler tag so only read if you’re an adult and aren’t going to bitch about what you read.
So Matt’s under 21 and doesn’t drink yet every time there is a problem Aubrey makes him drink even though he doesn’t like it? WTF Why? And then Aubrey’s dad also make him drink, it’s not enough they are both always drinking no matter the time but Matt has to be sipping brandy all day too?
”His conscience ate at him. He should be looking for a wife, not playing with Matt.” … Wait you’re feeling guilty because you’re wasting time not finding a wife, but have no problem using Matt and leading him on and just lying to him the whole book? Yeah you’re a real winner, Asshole.
Even though Aubrey promised not to Lie to Matt he lies through the whole book. Some by omission but most he just flat out lies to him. Why should we like or relate to this guy?
Then there is Carson he tells Matt he rarely sees Carson and even more infrequently has sex with him but then the next day hires Carson to be his assistant. Then he gets mad at Matt when Matt commented on how he said he never saw him. Matt barley asks or says anything to Aubrey because he fears it will make Aubrey mad. Yeah how romantic.
Then Carson is saying all this sexual stuff about Aubrey in front of Matt then Carson tells Aubrey he ought to have Matt fuck him because he Knows Aubrey likes to watch. Of course this upsets Matt and he fears Aubrey will want to watch him have sex with other people and stuff but he is to sacred to say anything about. Then this is never mentioned again so why the fuck mention it here. It was never expanded upon and Matt nor Aubrey thing of it again. SO WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS?
This is about Aubrey’s rich family. ”Matt liked how they treated the servants as part of the family. It said a lot about them.” You know what else says a lot? That the ONLY black characters are
God Aubrey was an asshole. ”If Matt was a virgin, he didn't want to know that either, especially if Matt saved himself for his mate. Because how shitty was it that Aubrey would gladly take that honor and not give a commitment in return?” Well asshole that's very shitty and sure didn't stop you from doing it. Then when they were having sex Aubrey thought how good Matt tasted and how Matt would be a hard act for other guys to follow. Taking Mates virginity and already thinking about other guys. How caring and honorable.
Then there was the other slutty Carson issue with psycho wolf stalking him. After Alpha Asshole orders psycho to leave Carson along Alpha watches psycho assault Carson in his office and all he does is ask Carson if he is ok. Then at the party He watched psycho not only attacking Carson but hit his own mate in the face and cut his face open. What does alpha asshole do? He just gives the same order he has already watched the psycho disobey twice! What you just keep issuing orders and hope they will follow them if you repeat them enough? What a shitty asshole Alpha.
I mentioned this in review part one but they go to an office party and Aubrey doesn't tell Matt he found him a female date!?! WTF of course Matt is crushed but doesn't say anything and then he tells Tara she is so hot he might rethink being gay and Aubrey yells at him and tells him he can't be gay and can't tell people he is gay. Of course Matt thinks ”He wanted Matt to be something he wasn't” but instead of standing up for himself or saying anything he just stays miserably quiet and goes to the dinner thing. Then to apologize Aubrey gives him a blow job and then went to bed and “pretended sleep to keep from having to talk.” wow what a winner. He is just an absolutely awful mate in the way he treats Matt and just all around an asshole.
What the fuck happened at the end?
Everyone is always defending Aubrey saying he only an asshole cause he has to be in control and because he cares... yeah right that's just bullshit
Then Logan is the one defending Aubrey and giving Matt this advice and saying all this stuff about how Aubrey never planned to really do the stuff he said or thought. HOW? He hasn’t even met Aubrey! Like the reader should just believe he never meant any of the shit he thought because LOGAN SAID Aubrey was lying, even to himself. Oh thank you psychic Logan for filling us all in on that Aubrey only an asshole because he is such an asshole he even lies to himself. That makes up for how he treated Matt and used him the whole book. Then end Matt just forgets everything he suffered through and blah blah HEA
Review Part Three: Bambigate
WTF we get Bambi’s book next? IT better not be about his mate because his mate seems worse than Aubrey. And his mate better not be Eric Mahihkan (Gadget, Matt’s dad) because that would just be stupid even though it does seem Like Bambi and Gadget are real close it better be just friends.
I’m serious if they are Mates I will write JL a letter it will say “Dear JL that was so stupid” and that’s it because it will be too stupid for words. If Bambi and Gadget aren’t mates but get together now that Gadget is single I might tolerate it but still stupid.
I already dislike Bambi for pushing back Rhys and Sterling’s book and after sterling I will probably just not read this author. Her series are good but they are soooooo slow coming it’s just not worth the anticipation just to be let down with shit like this book or another stupid character no one cares about getting a book before the character people do care about… STUPID
And I'm not saying don't read it, it is well written and if someone wants to try and find something nice to say about Asshole and write a good review about him and balance out my review, well I say good luck
April 2, 2011
A tough one this.
Langley is amazing, this book is a wonderful read: charming detail, witty diction, tight plotting, phenomenal love interest in Matt.
The problem is of course Aubrey, snide, petty, and detached throughout. I know that in interviiews she has confessed her great affection for him, but I'm here to tell you, he is a capital-P PRICK. He read like a prick. He ended like a prick, and his endless prick-ness did not make the ending of this book satisfying.
I have no trouble with prick protags. Langley's own Remi from the previous installation in theis series was a humdinger, but she got under his skin and made him vulnerable and events forced him to change. In WITH ABANDON, I think the single failing is that Aubrey is not forced to change because the entire world is just standing around cutting him slack. It's so constant that his parents PRE-APPROVE his gay mating and then "allow" him to fret about it for a couple hundred pages. This has the weird effect of lowering stakes and making him seem even more blind and obnoxious (no small feat) than he already does. The LACK of change in her uberprick hero makes this book less successful than others she's written. Is it a dealkiller, no. BUt if I met this bastard in the street we'd have words. LOL
Other stuff... The crush of names from previous and forthcoming books got to be a bit much. It's a lot to juggle, and she does it deftly. The reversals and red herrings and cliffhangers were handled superbly. La Langley does know how to structure a pageturner and she gets better with each new book. But Aubrey sucks, and if he died in a future book and Matt was given someone worthy, I'd dance naked at noon on Fifth Avenue.
Will I read this again? Sure. I love the WITH/WITHOUT series (2 and 3 especially). Langley's writing is like mac-n-cheese: rich and comforting and a little bit of a guilty pleasure. She gets away with things she shouldn't because she's so generous in her prose. There's a warmth and humor that permeates her choices.
But Aubrey is a flat-out, stone-cold, spoiled prick. And I'd lay dollars to donuts that everyone who reads this book is going to grumble about the happy ending (and selfless mate) handed to him on a platter.
I recommend it strongly, but slather on your prick-screen.
Langley is amazing, this book is a wonderful read: charming detail, witty diction, tight plotting, phenomenal love interest in Matt.
The problem is of course Aubrey, snide, petty, and detached throughout. I know that in interviiews she has confessed her great affection for him, but I'm here to tell you, he is a capital-P PRICK. He read like a prick. He ended like a prick, and his endless prick-ness did not make the ending of this book satisfying.
I have no trouble with prick protags. Langley's own Remi from the previous installation in theis series was a humdinger, but she got under his skin and made him vulnerable and events forced him to change. In WITH ABANDON, I think the single failing is that Aubrey is not forced to change because the entire world is just standing around cutting him slack. It's so constant that his parents PRE-APPROVE his gay mating and then "allow" him to fret about it for a couple hundred pages. This has the weird effect of lowering stakes and making him seem even more blind and obnoxious (no small feat) than he already does. The LACK of change in her uberprick hero makes this book less successful than others she's written. Is it a dealkiller, no. BUt if I met this bastard in the street we'd have words. LOL
Other stuff... The crush of names from previous and forthcoming books got to be a bit much. It's a lot to juggle, and she does it deftly. The reversals and red herrings and cliffhangers were handled superbly. La Langley does know how to structure a pageturner and she gets better with each new book. But Aubrey sucks, and if he died in a future book and Matt was given someone worthy, I'd dance naked at noon on Fifth Avenue.
Will I read this again? Sure. I love the WITH/WITHOUT series (2 and 3 especially). Langley's writing is like mac-n-cheese: rich and comforting and a little bit of a guilty pleasure. She gets away with things she shouldn't because she's so generous in her prose. There's a warmth and humor that permeates her choices.
But Aubrey is a flat-out, stone-cold, spoiled prick. And I'd lay dollars to donuts that everyone who reads this book is going to grumble about the happy ending (and selfless mate) handed to him on a platter.
I recommend it strongly, but slather on your prick-screen.
May 12, 2011
Before I started reading I really wanted to give With Abandon 5 stars. Then, as I began to read I wanted to give it 4 stars. Really I did, but there were so many nasty little thoughts coming from Aubrey that I found it impossible.
The problem wasn’t the fact that Aubrey treated Matt as his dirty little secret. That I could have put up with. He was in serious denial; his parents knew it, I knew it, everybody new it, and that was all right because eventually he was going to pull his head out of his ass. What I did have a problem with was thoughts such as:
He should be looking for a wife, not playing with Matt. Was it so bad that he wanted to enjoy Matt for a little bit? He could let Matt go when the time came.
But no way could he allow Matt to take the role Aubrey’s future wife would have to take.
He’d known Matt wasn’t happy with him hiring Carson as his EA, but he didn’t know what to do about it. He wasn’t going to let Matt dictate his decisions. The sooner Matt understood how things were going to be, the better off they’d both be.
Yet Matt is supposed to stay quiet about being gay because Aubrey says so. Hypocrisy anyone?
Especially when he’d have a sort of epiphany out of the blue (considering his usual posture on the matter) which would put a smile back on my face:
Together their self-control flew out the window. It was a natural mating instinct and fighting it was futile. Surely Matt realized that. Who would’ve thought being with one’s mate would feel like this…so powerful.
Remarks which then seemed to mean nothing as he went back to his plans of abandoning Matt and thoughts of playing house with his future wife.
A couple of times in the book, references were made to the difference between being a made wolf and a born wolf. Aubrey specifically said that made wolves accepted their instincts and trusted in them. While made wolves fought them.
Uh, apparently not! Am I the only that sees there’s something wrong with that statement? Does Aubrey not realise he is acting like a made wolf? This is what made it so difficult for me to wrap my head around Aubrey calling what he had with Matt an infatuation, or saying it was just sex… He knows, and has known from day one what a mate means to a wolf, how they are the other half of ones soul, how some never find their mates, I could go on and on but I won’t. And yet he completely disregards Matt and his place in his life.
I mean, we have Remi, who just happens to be a made wolf, who gave in to the mate bond a lot quicker than Aubrey and I found his reasons for holding back a lot more believable and respectable. Aubrey was protecting nobody but himself, had not been through a traumatic experience and had no real opposition from anyone.
As for Matt’s part in the relationship, he got very sound advice from Aubrey’s dad about how to deal with his relationship. He completely ignored it. I still don’t understand what the point of that conversation was. Other than to make readers even more frustrated.
Thebeetle on the dung heap cherry on the cake, was Aubrey’s comment the first time they have actual sex:
Goodness, Matt even tasted better than other men. He was going to be a hard act to follow.
So what exactly was he thinking here? That he was going to give Matt up, marry a woman, have kids and have male lovers on the side while Matt’s back in New Mexico? And was he honestly thinking about the sex he was going to have with other men after he abandoned Matt – In the middle of having sex with his mate for the very first time??
I also didn't appreaciate the times when Carson made Matt feel uncomfortable by talking about his past with Aubrey. I don't think that's something Matt should have had to put up with, that was his mate he was talking about.
Too much stuff like this didn’t allow me to fully enjoy a story I’d been looking forward to for ages because I was too busy getting angry at Aubrey. Book 5 better be everything I’m hoping it’ll be to make up for this one.
EDIT: I'd initially rated this with 3 stars because I love this author and particularly this series. However, if I'm completely honest with myself I didn't enjoy this book. I know this because while normally a JL Langley story would have me counting the pages worried that it was going to be over too soon, this one had me counting them for a completely different reason. And groaning to myself because one more page of Aubrey was one too many and wanting the book to be over, doesn't warrant 3 stars.
The problem wasn’t the fact that Aubrey treated Matt as his dirty little secret. That I could have put up with. He was in serious denial; his parents knew it, I knew it, everybody new it, and that was all right because eventually he was going to pull his head out of his ass. What I did have a problem with was thoughts such as:
He should be looking for a wife, not playing with Matt. Was it so bad that he wanted to enjoy Matt for a little bit? He could let Matt go when the time came.
or
But no way could he allow Matt to take the role Aubrey’s future wife would have to take.
or
He’d known Matt wasn’t happy with him hiring Carson as his EA, but he didn’t know what to do about it. He wasn’t going to let Matt dictate his decisions. The sooner Matt understood how things were going to be, the better off they’d both be.
Yet Matt is supposed to stay quiet about being gay because Aubrey says so. Hypocrisy anyone?
Especially when he’d have a sort of epiphany out of the blue (considering his usual posture on the matter) which would put a smile back on my face:
Together their self-control flew out the window. It was a natural mating instinct and fighting it was futile. Surely Matt realized that. Who would’ve thought being with one’s mate would feel like this…so powerful.
Remarks which then seemed to mean nothing as he went back to his plans of abandoning Matt and thoughts of playing house with his future wife.
A couple of times in the book, references were made to the difference between being a made wolf and a born wolf. Aubrey specifically said that made wolves accepted their instincts and trusted in them. While made wolves fought them.
Uh, apparently not! Am I the only that sees there’s something wrong with that statement? Does Aubrey not realise he is acting like a made wolf? This is what made it so difficult for me to wrap my head around Aubrey calling what he had with Matt an infatuation, or saying it was just sex… He knows, and has known from day one what a mate means to a wolf, how they are the other half of ones soul, how some never find their mates, I could go on and on but I won’t. And yet he completely disregards Matt and his place in his life.
I mean, we have Remi, who just happens to be a made wolf, who gave in to the mate bond a lot quicker than Aubrey and I found his reasons for holding back a lot more believable and respectable. Aubrey was protecting nobody but himself, had not been through a traumatic experience and had no real opposition from anyone.
As for Matt’s part in the relationship, he got very sound advice from Aubrey’s dad about how to deal with his relationship. He completely ignored it. I still don’t understand what the point of that conversation was. Other than to make readers even more frustrated.
The
Goodness, Matt even tasted better than other men. He was going to be a hard act to follow.
So what exactly was he thinking here? That he was going to give Matt up, marry a woman, have kids and have male lovers on the side while Matt’s back in New Mexico? And was he honestly thinking about the sex he was going to have with other men after he abandoned Matt – In the middle of having sex with his mate for the very first time??
I also didn't appreaciate the times when Carson made Matt feel uncomfortable by talking about his past with Aubrey. I don't think that's something Matt should have had to put up with, that was his mate he was talking about.
Too much stuff like this didn’t allow me to fully enjoy a story I’d been looking forward to for ages because I was too busy getting angry at Aubrey. Book 5 better be everything I’m hoping it’ll be to make up for this one.
EDIT: I'd initially rated this with 3 stars because I love this author and particularly this series. However, if I'm completely honest with myself I didn't enjoy this book. I know this because while normally a JL Langley story would have me counting the pages worried that it was going to be over too soon, this one had me counting them for a completely different reason. And groaning to myself because one more page of Aubrey was one too many and wanting the book to be over, doesn't warrant 3 stars.
March 26, 2011
This was a 4.5 star read for me. I know many of my friends have said things against Aubrey and it is possible I'll be the only one saying this, but I loved him. I loved Matt as well, of course. Who wouldn't love Matt? He was sweet, playful and kind. Aubrey on the other hand is older, disciplined, and has arranged his entire life around responsibilities; his responsibilities to his pack, his family and his company. Then, in walks Matt, his mate, his one chance at real love, but in order to embrace the life he can have with Matt he has to turn his back on a duty he has convinced himself is his bare.
I found Aubrey and Matt endearingly sweet together and although it took Aubrey some time, he did come to his senses by the end and figured out that a life without Matt wouldn't be much of a life at all. This was an excellent addition to JL's With or Without Series. Now could I have Sterling's story, please?
I found Aubrey and Matt endearingly sweet together and although it took Aubrey some time, he did come to his senses by the end and figured out that a life without Matt wouldn't be much of a life at all. This was an excellent addition to JL's With or Without Series. Now could I have Sterling's story, please?
January 8, 2018
3,5 stars and now the wait is on for Sterling's book .....
March 26, 2011
First of all I recommend you to check my buddy review because it's the best EVER way to explain also my fellings about this book Click here to B's (the pissing rainbow unicorn) review
so to add more comments about the main character of the story, Bubbles used the term"asshole"... well... someone should also tell him that he is a Jerk
and a insensitive
So my question is; why I must give more than 3 stars to this book if:
1)Aubrey was a f@cking moron? He annoy me!
2)Matt was the cutest and stupidest man on earth! Why be so damn stupid supporting such moron (his mate, I know but WTF? A bitch slap someone is useful if who you love is an asshole!). Or he could ignore Aubrey, no???
Just to be a man with balls that show how much he deserve a better mate! No? He could do that (even if I support the bitch slap theory, if someone is such an asshole as Aubrey).
3)Nothing really happened in this book... and there is some quick action near the end but was veeeeeeery quick, and didn't add nothing to calm me down after pages and pages with such asshole, moron, bastard as the main character.
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No, I didn't like the end... and Aubrey is still a moron in my view... no way he redeem himself after all his jerk moments.
3 stars and I can't wait to read the next book
, because Sterling can't be SUCH a Jerk and i KNOW that Rhys is not! So well, I will just ignore this book... this book really annoy the hell of me!
AUBREY IS A JERK!
so to add more comments about the main character of the story, Bubbles used the term"asshole"... well... someone should also tell him that he is a Jerk
[image error]
a Moron
and a insensitive
bastard
So my question is; why I must give more than 3 stars to this book if:
1)Aubrey was a f@cking moron? He annoy me!
2)Matt was the cutest and stupidest man on earth! Why be so damn stupid supporting such moron (his mate, I know but WTF? A bitch slap someone is useful if who you love is an asshole!). Or he could ignore Aubrey, no???
Just to be a man with balls that show how much he deserve a better mate! No? He could do that (even if I support the bitch slap theory, if someone is such an asshole as Aubrey).
3)Nothing really happened in this book... and there is some quick action near the end but was veeeeeeery quick, and didn't add nothing to calm me down after pages and pages with such asshole, moron, bastard as the main character.
[image error]
No, I didn't like the end... and Aubrey is still a moron in my view... no way he redeem himself after all his jerk moments.
3 stars and I can't wait to read the next book
, because Sterling can't be SUCH a Jerk and i KNOW that Rhys is not! So well, I will just ignore this book... this book really annoy the hell of me!
March 15, 2011
^^FINALLY!^^
4.5
With Abandon, is the highly anticipated book four in the With or Without series. I am a fan that has been waiting impatiently for the latest instalment in this highly addictive series, and this book does not disappoint. However, my least favourite in the series, it was still a pleasure to read.
For those who are reading this review with no idea what the series is about, well it’s simple. Shifter males finding their mate, their equally male mate. The series is not without its vicissitudes, there is mystery, laughter and some of the hottest sex you will ever read. Just like only J.L Langley does it. I would recommend you read the first three, only because you shouldn’t miss out on them, and definitely, cus book four is a sort of continuation to book three.
Aubrey Reynolds is a dedicated man, dedicated to his company and his family. He has a legacy to uphold, get married, raise some children and run his fathers company. There is only one thing wrong with the whole situation, Aubrey is gay and no one must know. In his world of business, his sexual orientation will look like a weakness, and only the strong survive. Everyone thinks he is hooking up with his best friend who is girl, which makes him happy, because it keeps suspicion away from what gender he really likes to get naked with. Finding his mate is not in the cards, but faith has a way of intervening when you least expect it. Aubrey gets his mate, but he is unsure of if he wants to keep him.
Matt is finally leaving home, away from his eight younger brothers, and the terrible relationship of his parents. Things are about to be different and quieter when Matt leaves to attend college. To say that he would miss his brothers is an understatement, but this time away will let him spread his wings. Getting to know Aubrey over the phone has been some good times, Aubrey will be his roommate during the duration of his college years. When Aubrey girlfriend picks him up from the airport, the scent he is getting from her says she is his mate. Faith can’t be so cruel can it? giving Matt a female mate when he is clearly gay. He is going by the scent and its saying that she is. When he gets to apartment he will be sharing with Aubrey, the scent is a lot more concentrated. When Aubrey walks through the door, he gets his answer. Aubrey is his mate, and his girlfriend just smelt a little like him. Things just got seriously complicated.
The book then becomes a story of Aubrey’s struggle with wanting his mate, and his persistence in fulfilling his family duty. Matt struggles with being second best, but he is hoping that eventually Aubrey will come around. The two together are very sweet, and they got to know each other a lot better while fighting the sexual urges that come forth around a mate.
The book offers up some nice conflicts, a little sex relationship gone badly between a couple of Aubrey’s employees. Also a little menace, in the form of someone stalking Matt and then sending pictures to Aubrey. Matt and Aubrey are not without issues of their own, and it’s a bit of struggle for them to reach their HEA. A nice twist was added, and I never saw it coming and I did even cry a little. Wished it didn’t end quite that bad.
The sex is a lot less in this one, and honestly not as hot as to be expected from Langley, I do believe this one was all about the story. Matt is shining in his fluorescent socks, and pink polo shirts. His dress shoes and shorts are out in big way, you gotta love him. Aubrey is more than he appears and I am glad I got to know him, he is not the asshole I thought he was. Overall, a great addiction to this wonderful series, and I am once again impatiently waiting for book five.
Read it!
4.5
With Abandon, is the highly anticipated book four in the With or Without series. I am a fan that has been waiting impatiently for the latest instalment in this highly addictive series, and this book does not disappoint. However, my least favourite in the series, it was still a pleasure to read.
For those who are reading this review with no idea what the series is about, well it’s simple. Shifter males finding their mate, their equally male mate. The series is not without its vicissitudes, there is mystery, laughter and some of the hottest sex you will ever read. Just like only J.L Langley does it. I would recommend you read the first three, only because you shouldn’t miss out on them, and definitely, cus book four is a sort of continuation to book three.
Aubrey Reynolds is a dedicated man, dedicated to his company and his family. He has a legacy to uphold, get married, raise some children and run his fathers company. There is only one thing wrong with the whole situation, Aubrey is gay and no one must know. In his world of business, his sexual orientation will look like a weakness, and only the strong survive. Everyone thinks he is hooking up with his best friend who is girl, which makes him happy, because it keeps suspicion away from what gender he really likes to get naked with. Finding his mate is not in the cards, but faith has a way of intervening when you least expect it. Aubrey gets his mate, but he is unsure of if he wants to keep him.
Matt is finally leaving home, away from his eight younger brothers, and the terrible relationship of his parents. Things are about to be different and quieter when Matt leaves to attend college. To say that he would miss his brothers is an understatement, but this time away will let him spread his wings. Getting to know Aubrey over the phone has been some good times, Aubrey will be his roommate during the duration of his college years. When Aubrey girlfriend picks him up from the airport, the scent he is getting from her says she is his mate. Faith can’t be so cruel can it? giving Matt a female mate when he is clearly gay. He is going by the scent and its saying that she is. When he gets to apartment he will be sharing with Aubrey, the scent is a lot more concentrated. When Aubrey walks through the door, he gets his answer. Aubrey is his mate, and his girlfriend just smelt a little like him. Things just got seriously complicated.
The book then becomes a story of Aubrey’s struggle with wanting his mate, and his persistence in fulfilling his family duty. Matt struggles with being second best, but he is hoping that eventually Aubrey will come around. The two together are very sweet, and they got to know each other a lot better while fighting the sexual urges that come forth around a mate.
The book offers up some nice conflicts, a little sex relationship gone badly between a couple of Aubrey’s employees. Also a little menace, in the form of someone stalking Matt and then sending pictures to Aubrey. Matt and Aubrey are not without issues of their own, and it’s a bit of struggle for them to reach their HEA. A nice twist was added, and I never saw it coming and I did even cry a little. Wished it didn’t end quite that bad.
The sex is a lot less in this one, and honestly not as hot as to be expected from Langley, I do believe this one was all about the story. Matt is shining in his fluorescent socks, and pink polo shirts. His dress shoes and shorts are out in big way, you gotta love him. Aubrey is more than he appears and I am glad I got to know him, he is not the asshole I thought he was. Overall, a great addiction to this wonderful series, and I am once again impatiently waiting for book five.
Read it!
March 23, 2011
Pretty good, yet somewhat disappointing paranormal m/m romance about a closeted alpha werewolf who's convinced himself that he can secretly enjoy his male mate for a few years, then let him go with no one the wiser. I never warmed to the alpha... and there was a stalker, which is what, the second or third in this series already?! Definitely time to find something else to add external tension.
June 21, 2011
Mmmmh, I'm disappointed. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I was really mad at Aubrey. Did he redeem himself at the end for what he made Matt go through? I don't think so.
Now, I can put up with assholish characters if they are:
a) truly and irredeemably assholes and that's what they are and you have to suck it up and live with it - I have no idea if I've just written something very vulgar, forgive me;
b) assholes because life has made them so, but they struggle and grovel and at the end they win the reader over. Aubrey was nothing of the sort.
He had this inner struggle, but he didn't deal with it with integrity. I know that he isn't denying his sexuality to himself, so that's something, but in insisting on staying in the closet he doesn't take the needs of his mate into account. On the contrary, he just takes advantage of him. It's really hard to accept, because you can decide to renounce your happiness, but you can't make someone else that miserable. There isn't a moment when he thinks about Matt - ok, he buys him the color identifier and chocolate, but it's nothing - there's always someone else thinking about Matt (Keaton, Tara, Aubrey's parents, even Jordan!!!)
At the end, what did Aubrey do to deserve Matt? I am afraid the answer is nothing.
Matt was super-cute in his clumsiness. He is truly adorable, maybe too much. I had a few Mary Calmes' moments in this book - I'm referring to those perfect characters everyone is obliged to love. He should have made Aubrey sweat it a little bit more.
It's a book which is very easy to read and it has its nice and sexy moments, but it was like a meal which looks great but tastes average.
Now, I can put up with assholish characters if they are:
a) truly and irredeemably assholes and that's what they are and you have to suck it up and live with it - I have no idea if I've just written something very vulgar, forgive me;
b) assholes because life has made them so, but they struggle and grovel and at the end they win the reader over. Aubrey was nothing of the sort.
He had this inner struggle, but he didn't deal with it with integrity. I know that he isn't denying his sexuality to himself, so that's something, but in insisting on staying in the closet he doesn't take the needs of his mate into account. On the contrary, he just takes advantage of him. It's really hard to accept, because you can decide to renounce your happiness, but you can't make someone else that miserable. There isn't a moment when he thinks about Matt - ok, he buys him the color identifier and chocolate, but it's nothing - there's always someone else thinking about Matt (Keaton, Tara, Aubrey's parents, even Jordan!!!)
At the end, what did Aubrey do to deserve Matt? I am afraid the answer is nothing.
Matt was super-cute in his clumsiness. He is truly adorable, maybe too much. I had a few Mary Calmes' moments in this book - I'm referring to those perfect characters everyone is obliged to love. He should have made Aubrey sweat it a little bit more.
It's a book which is very easy to read and it has its nice and sexy moments, but it was like a meal which looks great but tastes average.
March 23, 2011
I'm not really sure what I think about this one. I was hooked the moment I started reading it, but I was aggravated and frustrated the majority of the time.
Matt was so adorable, but I wish he would have been more assertive and stood up for himself. Aubrey kept pissing me off! I mean, I did like the guy, but enough is enough. I didn't like how he expected Matt to hide his sexuality and wanting him to stay his dirty little secret. But I'm happy that it all worked out in the end.
I think my favorite part was seeing Keaton an Chay again. I never realized before how much I liked those two. Too bad they didn't bring Pita along with them.
I missed reading more about the wolves and their interactions within the pack. There wasn't much of that in this book. Also, there weren't many laugh out loud moments like I remember from the earlier books of the series.
I now need to read Matt and Aubrey's short stories.
I can't wait for Rhys and Sterling's book next!!!
Matt was so adorable, but I wish he would have been more assertive and stood up for himself. Aubrey kept pissing me off! I mean, I did like the guy, but enough is enough. I didn't like how he expected Matt to hide his sexuality and wanting him to stay his dirty little secret. But I'm happy that it all worked out in the end.
I think my favorite part was seeing Keaton an Chay again. I never realized before how much I liked those two. Too bad they didn't bring Pita along with them.
I missed reading more about the wolves and their interactions within the pack. There wasn't much of that in this book. Also, there weren't many laugh out loud moments like I remember from the earlier books of the series.
I now need to read Matt and Aubrey's short stories.
I can't wait for Rhys and Sterling's book next!!!
September 6, 2015
I did enjoy this next book in the series. I wanted to beat Aubrey but I think most people will want to. I was a little disappointed with not really liking Aubrey through most of the book even in the end he isn't as likable as most characters in the series. Overall though it was a good read. There just was something missing. It didn't hold my attention like some of the others had. I had hoped for more from this story. Matt in the other books was such a character and he seemed to lose a little of that in this one. Still this was a good read and really developed the overall series even more. We find out more about Aubrey's family and the packs there. We see more of Matt's family and their dynamics. I will be interested in seeing more in the series.
dnf
March 27, 2013I don't even actually finish this one. I made it to about 1/4 of it, skimming, when I decide to just jump into the last chapters. I think my biggest problem with this, is that I don't care with the MCs. I never pay attention to Matt or Aubrey, and I never think that they're memorable enough to get their own book.
I'm sure J.L. Langley's writing is good (like always) but I just don't get emotionally invested to actually want to read their story. Maybe I will revisit the story someday and it will be able to hook me.
I'm sure J.L. Langley's writing is good (like always) but I just don't get emotionally invested to actually want to read their story. Maybe I will revisit the story someday and it will be able to hook me.
April 16, 2011
I've read a lot of good and bad things about this book and though it isn't my fave in the series, I still enjoyed it. Matt is adorable and I love it when all his brothers are featured in a scene - he'd be the perfect mate for anyone. Aubrey is the one most reviewers had problems with and though he's not one of my favourite characters and he's totally messed-up and ass-backwards in a lot of ways, I still respected J.L. for writing him with continuity. He didn't go through any big revelations or changes that would have turned his character into someone else - he made the small changes he needed to do to be with the mate he knew he loved. I may be in the minority in my thinking but I found Aubrey to be a very interesting, complex character to read. And of course, I loved seeing Keaton and Chay again since they still remain my fave pairing and Little Bit my fave character.
September 24, 2015
I expected to love this but I didn't! The plot wasn't very good and the characters were wishy washy and a lot of things were introduced without any conclusions for them.
December 4, 2017
I wanted more angst like Matt breaking up with Aubrey and trying to move on.
May 4, 2011
Maybe a more realistic rating for this book would be three stars, something I was considering, but in the end just couldn't do.
My reasons? Well, the book starts with Aubrey being a prick. I mean he was really terrible at first and I had a thought that the book would go in a direction I wasn't really interested in (He's gay but he's gonna hide it and the whole plot will revolve around that and his bad treatment of Matt.). Now? I think I would have liked that direction better, simply because this plot fell flat.
I barely got the feeling of wolves as I read it, all the instincts and behavior were mixed up and popped up in all the wrong moments. The relationship between the two MCs was uneventful and sort of boring. Aubrey's every negative action caused almost no reaction from Matt, because that guy - no matter how cute, adorable and good-hearted he is - is a wuss. Aubrey does something wrong, but Matt is the one who apologizes, because of course, he can see Aubrey feels bad about what he did/said. Stupid.
There was barely any mention of pack, and the Alpha conveniently disappeared after saying his two sentences of pure wisdom. Aubrey might be confident and whatever, but his Alpha posture or behavior - nonexistent. The same was with his work, his friend, his brother. Everything was mentioned but nothing was worked through. Frustrating to say the least.
Then you have the plot. My first question would be - what was this book about? What was the point? It's not about Aubrey admitting his sexuality, because he apparently had no problem with that by the end of the book. I have no idea what the time frame is, but I do know that at one point he's all secretive and rude, but in the next he's saying 'mate' at every step and being obvious. People (or wolves) just don't do that. It wasn't about the kidnapping, because that happens only in the last 20 pages and is quite frankly ridiculous. 'Hey, I'm gonna kidnap the mate of the guy who killed my mate. But Matt is so sweet and kind and there is no way I could ever kill him. My mate was a prick anyway. It's best I just off myself.' - Come on!!!
It also wasn't about Carson and the guy stalking/abusing him. I honestly have no idea why that was even in the book. It certainly wasn't resolved.
I also wanted to read more about Matt's family, but that part of the book also wasn't finished. This whole book was just a combination of 6-7 different and unfinished plots. Individually they would have probably been amazing, all of them put together make an unconnected mess which just leaves the reader unsatisfied.
At the beginning Aubrey's work was a big deal. He basically said - you can't be gay here, and then we were given that newspaper example why that is. But at the end, there was no resolution for it. Why wasn't it okay at the beginning but at the end it wasn't even mentioned as an issue?
This book did nothing for me. I didn't enjoy the characters (except Matt a little), I hated the plot, could barely keep my focus when it came to sex scenes, and have more questions now then I did at the beginning. As such I do not recommend it. But I also think the first three are a must read;)
I honestly hated writing this review. I'm a big Langley fan, and she was one of the first m/m authors I've read. With or Without Series is wonderful, the characters, the storytelling, the plots. She knows how to create chemistry, keep the reader on his/her toes and she easily brings certain freshness to the genre.
This book had none of it, and I'm more disappointed than anything else. I expected so much more, especially considering other weak shifters series I read on daily basis. I can't believe this author gave me the same.
This review is not a personal attack against the author(whom I do respect). It's simply an opinion about a book and I do not advise anyone to base their decision about the purchase of the said book on my words only.
My reasons? Well, the book starts with Aubrey being a prick. I mean he was really terrible at first and I had a thought that the book would go in a direction I wasn't really interested in (He's gay but he's gonna hide it and the whole plot will revolve around that and his bad treatment of Matt.). Now? I think I would have liked that direction better, simply because this plot fell flat.
I barely got the feeling of wolves as I read it, all the instincts and behavior were mixed up and popped up in all the wrong moments. The relationship between the two MCs was uneventful and sort of boring. Aubrey's every negative action caused almost no reaction from Matt, because that guy - no matter how cute, adorable and good-hearted he is - is a wuss. Aubrey does something wrong, but Matt is the one who apologizes, because of course, he can see Aubrey feels bad about what he did/said. Stupid.
There was barely any mention of pack, and the Alpha conveniently disappeared after saying his two sentences of pure wisdom. Aubrey might be confident and whatever, but his Alpha posture or behavior - nonexistent. The same was with his work, his friend, his brother. Everything was mentioned but nothing was worked through. Frustrating to say the least.
Then you have the plot. My first question would be - what was this book about? What was the point? It's not about Aubrey admitting his sexuality, because he apparently had no problem with that by the end of the book. I have no idea what the time frame is, but I do know that at one point he's all secretive and rude, but in the next he's saying 'mate' at every step and being obvious. People (or wolves) just don't do that. It wasn't about the kidnapping, because that happens only in the last 20 pages and is quite frankly ridiculous. 'Hey, I'm gonna kidnap the mate of the guy who killed my mate. But Matt is so sweet and kind and there is no way I could ever kill him. My mate was a prick anyway. It's best I just off myself.' - Come on!!!
It also wasn't about Carson and the guy stalking/abusing him. I honestly have no idea why that was even in the book. It certainly wasn't resolved.
I also wanted to read more about Matt's family, but that part of the book also wasn't finished. This whole book was just a combination of 6-7 different and unfinished plots. Individually they would have probably been amazing, all of them put together make an unconnected mess which just leaves the reader unsatisfied.
At the beginning Aubrey's work was a big deal. He basically said - you can't be gay here, and then we were given that newspaper example why that is. But at the end, there was no resolution for it. Why wasn't it okay at the beginning but at the end it wasn't even mentioned as an issue?
This book did nothing for me. I didn't enjoy the characters (except Matt a little), I hated the plot, could barely keep my focus when it came to sex scenes, and have more questions now then I did at the beginning. As such I do not recommend it. But I also think the first three are a must read;)
I honestly hated writing this review. I'm a big Langley fan, and she was one of the first m/m authors I've read. With or Without Series is wonderful, the characters, the storytelling, the plots. She knows how to create chemistry, keep the reader on his/her toes and she easily brings certain freshness to the genre.
This book had none of it, and I'm more disappointed than anything else. I expected so much more, especially considering other weak shifters series I read on daily basis. I can't believe this author gave me the same.
This review is not a personal attack against the author(whom I do respect). It's simply an opinion about a book and I do not advise anyone to base their decision about the purchase of the said book on my words only.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2018
2.8 Stars
I know it's been a while since I read the first books in this series but this installment didn't measure up in the same way. Like, at all.
Mostly, I was annoyed that Aubrey planned to just enjoy Matt (secretly, for 4 years) all the while planning to marry & have babies with a nebulous, unnamed someone else (relegating the days when Matt was done with school to something he'd think about later. Points for the Scarlet O'Hara impression there; apropos given the setting.) I was willing to wait that out, to see how he'd mess up, almost lose Matt, realize his mistake and then publicly claim him.
Except...things started to go downhill when Aubrey's dad said he wouldn't tell his son that he knew he was gay and that it didn't matter. See, if Aubrey knew he had an ally in the company and that he wasn't expected to be the perfect heir, wouldn't things have been a little less stressful for the man? Yes, I understand the "reasoning" was for Aubrey to come to this conclusion on his own but to make an informed decision one needs all the fucking facts, right?
Also, in same conversation with Mr. Reynolds, Matt was told not to be a pushover, to stand up to Aubrey. Yeah, that happened, didn't it? Exactly Zero times. (Running away to NM to help out family isn't making a stand or whatever.)
That bit with Mr. Boskie and Carson, at the end. What. The Actual. Fuck? That shit IS NOT okay. Other than than moving Carson to Atlanta and making him his Executive Assistant, Aubrey handled NONE of that mess well, especially with the frequent mindset of trying to keep out of it because it was a "work" matter. Uh, Aubrey is the CEO; both of the others in that ordeal are employees...that's the ONE thing he SHOULD be interfering in and putting a deliberate stop to. That doing so might mess with his plans to update the hotels should NOT come before protecting Carson. Now the poor boy FUCK THAT NOISE. Not given the scenes here in this book, with the abuse and man-handling and stalking and threats and harassment. *HulkSmash*
Finally, that ending. What a hot mess. Not just the blink and you miss it resolution with Jordan (seriously, was that necessary?) but the Mom's leaving and whatnot. Thanks for the explanation/clarification on that one. Not.
Ugh, I dropped the rating twice writing this review because good sex scenes do not make up for the rest. Also, OMFG I hate it when writers write out the Southern accent. Worsh, Caint, Wont, Darlin' etc. Just, no. NO. Stop doing that. If you tell us the character is from the south and remind us sporadically* that he has an accent, then that annoyance isn't necessary. (Also, I hear the accent in my head already if you tell me someone has that accent.) Can we also stop with the ridiculous product placement? It's one thing to say someone rides a Ducati and leave it there - with a slight description or the character's reaction to driving it - and another thing to practically make all the mentions into a commercial spot. (Same goes for the other cars.)
I just...what happened here? I'm tempted to not read any of those novellas and short stories now.
(*I love it when I can shoe-horn in a Clueless reference.)
I know it's been a while since I read the first books in this series but this installment didn't measure up in the same way. Like, at all.
Mostly, I was annoyed that Aubrey planned to just enjoy Matt (secretly, for 4 years) all the while planning to marry & have babies with a nebulous, unnamed someone else (relegating the days when Matt was done with school to something he'd think about later. Points for the Scarlet O'Hara impression there; apropos given the setting.) I was willing to wait that out, to see how he'd mess up, almost lose Matt, realize his mistake and then publicly claim him.
Except...things started to go downhill when Aubrey's dad said he wouldn't tell his son that he knew he was gay and that it didn't matter. See, if Aubrey knew he had an ally in the company and that he wasn't expected to be the perfect heir, wouldn't things have been a little less stressful for the man? Yes, I understand the "reasoning" was for Aubrey to come to this conclusion on his own but to make an informed decision one needs all the fucking facts, right?
Also, in same conversation with Mr. Reynolds, Matt was told not to be a pushover, to stand up to Aubrey. Yeah, that happened, didn't it? Exactly Zero times. (Running away to NM to help out family isn't making a stand or whatever.)
That bit with Mr. Boskie and Carson, at the end. What. The Actual. Fuck? That shit IS NOT okay. Other than than moving Carson to Atlanta and making him his Executive Assistant, Aubrey handled NONE of that mess well, especially with the frequent mindset of trying to keep out of it because it was a "work" matter. Uh, Aubrey is the CEO; both of the others in that ordeal are employees...that's the ONE thing he SHOULD be interfering in and putting a deliberate stop to. That doing so might mess with his plans to update the hotels should NOT come before protecting Carson. Now the poor boy FUCK THAT NOISE. Not given the scenes here in this book, with the abuse and man-handling and stalking and threats and harassment. *HulkSmash*
Finally, that ending. What a hot mess. Not just the blink and you miss it resolution with Jordan (seriously, was that necessary?) but the Mom's leaving and whatnot. Thanks for the explanation/clarification on that one. Not.
Ugh, I dropped the rating twice writing this review because good sex scenes do not make up for the rest. Also, OMFG I hate it when writers write out the Southern accent. Worsh, Caint, Wont, Darlin' etc. Just, no. NO. Stop doing that. If you tell us the character is from the south and remind us sporadically* that he has an accent, then that annoyance isn't necessary. (Also, I hear the accent in my head already if you tell me someone has that accent.) Can we also stop with the ridiculous product placement? It's one thing to say someone rides a Ducati and leave it there - with a slight description or the character's reaction to driving it - and another thing to practically make all the mentions into a commercial spot. (Same goes for the other cars.)
I just...what happened here? I'm tempted to not read any of those novellas and short stories now.
(*I love it when I can shoe-horn in a Clueless reference.)
March 23, 2011
Overall I really enjoyed this fourth book in the "With or Without" series but I can't give it 5 stars as it doesn't quite match up to Without Reservations or With Caution which set the bar pretty high for Ms Langley.
Matt was just adorable and I loved his playful side (especially when he was using his "colour indicator"!) and I liked the way he interacted with his brothers and Aubrey's friends (Logan was great!). Aubrey, on the other hand was harder to like at times and about two thirds of the way through I wanted to smack him upside the head for being such a muppet and hurting Matt with his whole "you can't tell anyone you are gay" thing (WTF?).
It was good to see some familiar characters (Rhys, Chay, Keaton, Gadget) and I was kind of intrigued by Bambi's character near the end and whether there is more to his story and his obvious vulnerabilities and hints that he was maybe rejected by his mate at some point in his past (perhaps we will see more of him?).
I felt that the last part of the book let it down as things seem to tie up too quickly with Matt forgiving Aubrey too easily in my view without really resolving all of their issues. However, it was still a good read and like all of Langley's books I devoured it pretty quickly (work permitting!).
Please let the next book be Sterling and Rhys' story (Without Fear) or else I might cry (as we all know that is the one we have all been waiting for!). Make it come soon!!!!
Matt was just adorable and I loved his playful side (especially when he was using his "colour indicator"!) and I liked the way he interacted with his brothers and Aubrey's friends (Logan was great!). Aubrey, on the other hand was harder to like at times and about two thirds of the way through I wanted to smack him upside the head for being such a muppet and hurting Matt with his whole "you can't tell anyone you are gay" thing (WTF?).
It was good to see some familiar characters (Rhys, Chay, Keaton, Gadget) and I was kind of intrigued by Bambi's character near the end and whether there is more to his story and his obvious vulnerabilities and hints that he was maybe rejected by his mate at some point in his past (perhaps we will see more of him?).
I felt that the last part of the book let it down as things seem to tie up too quickly with Matt forgiving Aubrey too easily in my view without really resolving all of their issues. However, it was still a good read and like all of Langley's books I devoured it pretty quickly (work permitting!).
Please let the next book be Sterling and Rhys' story (Without Fear) or else I might cry (as we all know that is the one we have all been waiting for!). Make it come soon!!!!
April 4, 2011
This was another great read, loved Matt thought Aubrey was a dick, but all is good!!
I can't wait for the next book!!!
Oh and who thinks that Logan and tee would be awesome together!!! I loved Matts brothers! What a sucky mum they have!! Oh and hello bambi!!
I can't wait for the next book!!!
Oh and who thinks that Logan and tee would be awesome together!!! I loved Matts brothers! What a sucky mum they have!! Oh and hello bambi!!
December 25, 2015
I really did not like this book. I loved the other 2 books in this series, but this one really aggravated me.
I have trouble respecting people when they let what other people think define the way they live their lives. If a person is gay but deeply in the closet because, ‘Oh my, what would other people think’, I just cannot respect that. Or if they think their business won’t survive them being gay. Or if they feel like they need to live up to their parents expectations…. Get over it, it is all in your own head! The person you are does not change with how other people see you. You determine who you are, not other people. Being yourself is always something to be proud of.
This is the story of Aubrey and Matt. Matt is moving to Georgia to attend Georgia State. He will be staying with Keaton’s brother Aubrey. When the two of them meet, it is instant…the attraction…the want.. They are mates. Matt is thrilled he has found his mate. Aubrey cannot fight his feelings for Matt, but he is determined he will always be in the closet. He won’t even consider coming out for his mate… He is worried his parents will never approve with him being gay. And he thinks his business will go down the drain with a ‘scandal’ like this. So Aubrey just has to let Matt go…
To say I didn’t like Aubrey would be an understatement. Matt was so young and so trusting. He was willing to wait however long it took for Aubrey to accept him as his mate, publicly.
I couldn’t believe Matt, he just let Aubrey use him like that. He let himself be hurt by him over and over again. When Aubrey got mad at Matt for not hiding his own sexuality I was like:
And just when I thought Aubrey was gonna get it now… Matt just accepted it and even said he was sorry. Excuse me??? Sorry for being himself?? Even when Aubrey apologized later, there wasn’t nearly as much groveling as should have been!
After Aubrey was having Matt kept as his dirty secret for some time I was not even happy when Aubrey did come out. He so did not deserve happiness with Matt.
If you can get over these sort of issues, you might enjoy this book more than I did.
I have trouble respecting people when they let what other people think define the way they live their lives. If a person is gay but deeply in the closet because, ‘Oh my, what would other people think’, I just cannot respect that. Or if they think their business won’t survive them being gay. Or if they feel like they need to live up to their parents expectations…. Get over it, it is all in your own head! The person you are does not change with how other people see you. You determine who you are, not other people. Being yourself is always something to be proud of.
This is the story of Aubrey and Matt. Matt is moving to Georgia to attend Georgia State. He will be staying with Keaton’s brother Aubrey. When the two of them meet, it is instant…the attraction…the want.. They are mates. Matt is thrilled he has found his mate. Aubrey cannot fight his feelings for Matt, but he is determined he will always be in the closet. He won’t even consider coming out for his mate… He is worried his parents will never approve with him being gay. And he thinks his business will go down the drain with a ‘scandal’ like this. So Aubrey just has to let Matt go…
To say I didn’t like Aubrey would be an understatement. Matt was so young and so trusting. He was willing to wait however long it took for Aubrey to accept him as his mate, publicly.
I couldn’t believe Matt, he just let Aubrey use him like that. He let himself be hurt by him over and over again. When Aubrey got mad at Matt for not hiding his own sexuality I was like:
And just when I thought Aubrey was gonna get it now… Matt just accepted it and even said he was sorry. Excuse me??? Sorry for being himself?? Even when Aubrey apologized later, there wasn’t nearly as much groveling as should have been!
After Aubrey was having Matt kept as his dirty secret for some time I was not even happy when Aubrey did come out. He so did not deserve happiness with Matt.
If you can get over these sort of issues, you might enjoy this book more than I did.
October 12, 2016
I was reading the other reviews for this book and I stand by mine.
Put it in this way, the author made this for us to understand (to a certain point) how a deeply closeted gay man thinks. Please don't hate on Aubrey for being a douche on Matt, he probably hate himself even more than you probably do.
Think about that, especially when dealing with potential closeted people you meet. Don't force them to come out, they will when they're ready. What you can do is to help them to get ready. :D
First read on January 2014
Great addition to the series!
Oh gosh, I'm gonna miss the With or Without universe. The wolves, Alpha, Beta, Omega, the mating... Lol!
Still loved Langley's writing. Probably one of the better (if not best) in the genre. (almost mainstream writing, if you got what I mean.) Oh my, another set of great characters. I know some of you hated Aubrey, but I liked him. He may be an asshole, but I understand him. And Matt is very admirable. I liked the secondary characters as well! (I liked Tara, Aubrey's parents, etc) A better plot. It has really good love scenes too. (With Caution though was hotter.) But, the epilogue could've been a little more if you know what I mean.
I'm really gonna miss the series. (Withdrawal mode on again.)
It was a really really good one. To be honest I never thought I would like it but I really did. (I'm not much into fantasy and shifters.)
I recommend this book and the whole WITH OR WITHOUT SERIES to M/M Rom fans. It really is a good one! ;)
Langley, hurry up with Book 4! :D
Put it in this way, the author made this for us to understand (to a certain point) how a deeply closeted gay man thinks. Please don't hate on Aubrey for being a douche on Matt, he probably hate himself even more than you probably do.
Think about that, especially when dealing with potential closeted people you meet. Don't force them to come out, they will when they're ready. What you can do is to help them to get ready. :D
First read on January 2014
Great addition to the series!
Oh gosh, I'm gonna miss the With or Without universe. The wolves, Alpha, Beta, Omega, the mating... Lol!
Still loved Langley's writing. Probably one of the better (if not best) in the genre. (almost mainstream writing, if you got what I mean.) Oh my, another set of great characters. I know some of you hated Aubrey, but I liked him. He may be an asshole, but I understand him. And Matt is very admirable. I liked the secondary characters as well! (I liked Tara, Aubrey's parents, etc) A better plot. It has really good love scenes too. (With Caution though was hotter.) But, the epilogue could've been a little more if you know what I mean.
I'm really gonna miss the series. (Withdrawal mode on again.)
It was a really really good one. To be honest I never thought I would like it but I really did. (I'm not much into fantasy and shifters.)
I recommend this book and the whole WITH OR WITHOUT SERIES to M/M Rom fans. It really is a good one! ;)
Langley, hurry up with Book 4! :D
March 24, 2011
I hate to say this because I LOVE J.L.'s work, but this book just didn't work for me. It wasn't horrible, but compared to J.L.'s other work it fell short in many areas. After all the wait and all the anticipation, I found this book to be predictable (I figured out the plot from the start!) and way too fluffy. Cut half the book and you get a much better, faster paced story. There was sex, sex and more sex. I love books with tons of sex, but there needs to be either more plot or stronger chemistry/ sensuality to make it work for me.
I could have done without most of the Tara bits. She should have faded into oblivion right after Matt realized Aubrey was his mate. When she didn't, I thought maybe she was being set up to be a surrogate for Matt and Aubrey. I am glad that wasn't the case in this book and I hope it is never the case. Later on I though she was being set up to be Logan's mate. Could be?
The main conflict in the story revolves around Aubrey's internal struggle between remaining safely in the closet and embracing a life with his mate. This conflict lasted way longer than was believable for me. In addition, Matt was told by more than one trustworthy charachter to stand up to Aubrey from the start, yet he behaved like a pushover the whole time. Ugh! Both Matt and Aubrey needed to grow some balls.
There were some entertaining bits in the secondary plotlines, but not enough to make up for the weaknesses in Matt and Aubrey's romantic story. I want Rhys and Sterling! Like... now! LOLOLOL
I am still looking forward to future books in the series, but I don't see myself re-reading this one.
I could have done without most of the Tara bits. She should have faded into oblivion right after Matt realized Aubrey was his mate. When she didn't, I thought maybe she was being set up to be a surrogate for Matt and Aubrey. I am glad that wasn't the case in this book and I hope it is never the case. Later on I though she was being set up to be Logan's mate. Could be?
The main conflict in the story revolves around Aubrey's internal struggle between remaining safely in the closet and embracing a life with his mate. This conflict lasted way longer than was believable for me. In addition, Matt was told by more than one trustworthy charachter to stand up to Aubrey from the start, yet he behaved like a pushover the whole time. Ugh! Both Matt and Aubrey needed to grow some balls.
There were some entertaining bits in the secondary plotlines, but not enough to make up for the weaknesses in Matt and Aubrey's romantic story. I want Rhys and Sterling! Like... now! LOLOLOL
I am still looking forward to future books in the series, but I don't see myself re-reading this one.
March 25, 2011
Love Matt have from the very beginning in bk 2 when he tripped over Rhys legs, Aubrey does take longer to like.
I would have liked to seen more of them together after Aubrey admitted that they were mates. But that was to really to family only so far.
Wasn't my favorite, too many questions left unanswered in this one.
like: does Aubrey tell his pack and business?,
what about Carson what will happen to him?,
and what about Boskie? (gotta say (imo) he gave Boskie to many warnings, one more time,one more time. For being his pack leader and business boss he let him get away with too much)
will the story line stay in Georgia or back to NM? or back and forth?
and what's up with Bambi??
Some of these probably will be answered (maybe) in future books in this series in the Years to come. Didn't feel as finished(settled) as the others.
I would have liked to seen more of them together after Aubrey admitted that they were mates. But that was to really to family only so far.
Wasn't my favorite, too many questions left unanswered in this one.
like: does Aubrey tell his pack and business?,
what about Carson what will happen to him?,
and what about Boskie? (gotta say (imo) he gave Boskie to many warnings, one more time,one more time. For being his pack leader and business boss he let him get away with too much)
will the story line stay in Georgia or back to NM? or back and forth?
and what's up with Bambi??
Some of these probably will be answered (maybe) in future books in this series in the Years to come. Didn't feel as finished(settled) as the others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2014
After being such an arse all the time, Aubrey was actually a nice guy!! He was confused and burdened with the responsibility to his buisness and family. He thought by being gay and accepting Matt as his mate, he would jeopardise his and his family’s future… Matt was great and verrrry patient with Aubrey.
The sex was as usually HOTTTTT
The plot was better thia time. I was pleasantly surprised even. Didn’t see that twist coming!
Now we going have to waite for book 4!! Sterling’s and Rhys’s story. Can’t wait for that one....
The sex was as usually HOTTTTT
The plot was better thia time. I was pleasantly surprised even. Didn’t see that twist coming!
Now we going have to waite for book 4!! Sterling’s and Rhys’s story. Can’t wait for that one....
November 1, 2011
My favorite in the series so far. I love Matt. (i am glad I was not writing while I write this or I may have been confused). This is funny and cute andi think I need to learn more adjectives. Cleaver. Yummy..... Lol. Anyway. I think the chemistry between Matt and Aubrey is good. Definite re read!!! I have it in ebook, but may just buy the paperback too. (i liked it that much) if you haven't read it, go now! Read!
March 7, 2021
Loved this book, I sooo love the characters JL Langley creates (although Aubrey was a bit of an annoying ahole lol) then the sad discovery that the author has disappeared (I totally couldn’t find any info about them anywhere and all the websites/social accounts are deleted 😭, I so hope they didn’t pass away...) so I’m probably never going to meet the other characters and see their HEA 🥺 still such a lovely series! Great quick reads with sexy time and a plot to keep you reading and wondering 😌
October 19, 2020
Sweet with a touch of drama. Aubrey wasn't very lovable or even likable character, but Matt was a sweetheart. I did feel they were well matched in the end though.
June 1, 2019
Nachdem ich Band 1 und 2 gelesen habe, wollte ich auch gleich Band 3 lesen.
Aubrey war mir aus Band 1 nicht so sympathisch, und ich muss sagen, auch in seinem Band hat es etwas gedauert^^ Wie ich gelesen habe, ging es so wohl ein paar Lesern. Ach, manchmal wollte man ihn einfach gerne mal etwas schütteln. Er verhält sich Matt gegenüber nicht immer so toll.
Matt ist lieb uns süß, ihn mochte ich gleich. Sehr goldig fand ich die Sache mit den Farben und wie er reagiert hat, da musste ich öfters schmunzeln.
Die Geschichte hat mir gut gefallen, sie ähnelt im groben auch den anderen Geschichten. Es gibt einige heiße Szenen zwischen den beiden.
Am Ende wurde es dann spannend, wobei ich mir da etwas anderes gewünscht hätte.
Und nun hoffe ich, dass es bald mit der Reihe weiter geht.
Aubrey war mir aus Band 1 nicht so sympathisch, und ich muss sagen, auch in seinem Band hat es etwas gedauert^^ Wie ich gelesen habe, ging es so wohl ein paar Lesern. Ach, manchmal wollte man ihn einfach gerne mal etwas schütteln. Er verhält sich Matt gegenüber nicht immer so toll.
Matt ist lieb uns süß, ihn mochte ich gleich. Sehr goldig fand ich die Sache mit den Farben und wie er reagiert hat, da musste ich öfters schmunzeln.
Die Geschichte hat mir gut gefallen, sie ähnelt im groben auch den anderen Geschichten. Es gibt einige heiße Szenen zwischen den beiden.
Am Ende wurde es dann spannend, wobei ich mir da etwas anderes gewünscht hätte.
Und nun hoffe ich, dass es bald mit der Reihe weiter geht.
March 25, 2011
With Abandon gets 4 stars instead of 5 because I "really liked" it, but it wasn't "amazing." It was almost like puzzle pieces were forced into place to complete it instead of the right ones being used. Even so, Langley is very talented and I did enjoy reading this book. Keep that in mind if you go on to read my commentary. It may come across...negative. lol
Not meant to be an actual review...this is just my random commentary.
Not meant to be an actual review...this is just my random commentary.
March 27, 2011
this book was such a let down...well the story was good (that's why I gave it 3) but she could have done a lot better (about the plot). I read her other books I kind of know what she's capable of.
First of all, I like the characters. A lot of people may not like Aubrey because he's a jerk but he's not that bad. I like how he is depicted but it wouldn't have hurt a bit to have a better convincing explanation about his refusal of the mating (don't know why it felt kind of shallow when i read it but now that i think about it not so much, maybe the way it was written gave me this feeling) or more interactions with his pack members or maybe a little more alpha-like situations (he is an alpha but there's actually almost no scenes when the reader really feel his alpha status).
About Matt, his quirkiness was well depicted. I laughed a lot at his antics.
My main problem was the plot. How can a werewolf mistake the scent of his mate? because of a baseball cap?
gosh, Matt is a werewolf with a really developed sense of smell and he mistake Aubrey's scent with Tara's and it took him a long long time, a little drama and Aubrey appearance to get it right.
Then there the story with Carson and the other werewolf (I don't remember his name). It wasn't that bad but it could have been better. I kind of get it that the mate-thing don't always turn right and all but it could have been good to know this beforehand because in her other books, she gave the feeling that the matings always turn out in a HEA and then now out of the blue (literally) it turns out to be like a typical relationship (don't know if u get it or not it difficult to explains but I understand myself thank god for small favors).
And last, the Jordan's part was totally and utterly messed up. It came out of the blue...really. I knew that Jordan would have his bit in the story but it came and went so fast, I didn't and I still don't see the need to bring him up. It feels like he was an afterthought.
There was a lot of other little things that make it wrong for me and I don't really want to spend more time on it. All in all the book wasn't bad but I was expecting much more from the author, that's probably what make the book such a waste for me. I was anticipated this book so much but, I feel that she hasn't put as much thought and effort in this one than in its predecessors. It's bad saying that but it's just the feeling I have after reading it (I finished not even an hour ago). And seriously I'm starting to fear for Rhys and Sterling story. I'll read it but I hope it will be better.
First of all, I like the characters. A lot of people may not like Aubrey because he's a jerk but he's not that bad. I like how he is depicted but it wouldn't have hurt a bit to have a better convincing explanation about his refusal of the mating (don't know why it felt kind of shallow when i read it but now that i think about it not so much, maybe the way it was written gave me this feeling) or more interactions with his pack members or maybe a little more alpha-like situations (he is an alpha but there's actually almost no scenes when the reader really feel his alpha status).
About Matt, his quirkiness was well depicted. I laughed a lot at his antics.
My main problem was the plot. How can a werewolf mistake the scent of his mate? because of a baseball cap?
gosh, Matt is a werewolf with a really developed sense of smell and he mistake Aubrey's scent with Tara's and it took him a long long time, a little drama and Aubrey appearance to get it right.
Then there the story with Carson and the other werewolf (I don't remember his name). It wasn't that bad but it could have been better. I kind of get it that the mate-thing don't always turn right and all but it could have been good to know this beforehand because in her other books, she gave the feeling that the matings always turn out in a HEA and then now out of the blue (literally) it turns out to be like a typical relationship (don't know if u get it or not it difficult to explains but I understand myself thank god for small favors).
And last, the Jordan's part was totally and utterly messed up. It came out of the blue...really. I knew that Jordan would have his bit in the story but it came and went so fast, I didn't and I still don't see the need to bring him up. It feels like he was an afterthought.
There was a lot of other little things that make it wrong for me and I don't really want to spend more time on it. All in all the book wasn't bad but I was expecting much more from the author, that's probably what make the book such a waste for me. I was anticipated this book so much but, I feel that she hasn't put as much thought and effort in this one than in its predecessors. It's bad saying that but it's just the feeling I have after reading it (I finished not even an hour ago). And seriously I'm starting to fear for Rhys and Sterling story. I'll read it but I hope it will be better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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