Status Updates From Heart to Hart (Gaslight Mys...

This is a horrible cover, just saying. The book had promise and I will continue with book two at some point.

*3.5 Stars* rounded down

Lots of potential here, and it may well be that my difficulties are of the "it's not you, it's me" variety. I don't like either MC yet -- but that's not a dealbreaker as long as I find at least one of them compelling or intriguing. I did, at first. But at almost halfway now, I don't feel I've gained any real insight into either of them, so I'm slowly losing my motivation to keep going.

Some of these early sexual encounters certainly feel close to bordering on dubious consent.

Simon refers to it as damn near rape and then he feels ashamed and angry for getting aroused and submitting. Dub. Con. I'm done. I hear that Michael finally learns that's not the approach that works with Simon, but the fact he thinks it's okay means I will never be able to root for him no matter how great a detective he is.

Let me clarify: it's not just saying no; Simin's struggling and fighting Michael. Yes Simon's conflicted but I don't believe being forced like this would help this character. Plus, it's disrespectful.

No means no. Repeated noes means dub con. I don't care how the body reacts so the person finally gives in. It's coercion and it's not okay in my book, especially when it's not supposed to be that type of story. I hate Michael.

I don't need exact details about every article of clothing he is wearing. I also feel like the author did a bunch of research and is trying to include everything she found out whether needed or not. I still can't stand Michael.

I can't stand Michael. Please tell me he gets nicer. He's brazen and slimy and rude and pushy and has no boundaries.

Egads, do I love books with great dialogue.

I LOVE this story! It's soooo charming! Fantastic writing and characters.

Ummm... hot? yeah. ummm... anything else? not so much with the yeah. and as quickly as their cocks swelled to exploding, the sex scenes were over just as quickly.

I'm unsure about this one as of yet, but they are 'spending' and 'releasing' like nobody's bidness and it's hot.

Another arbitrary box checked: CHEEKY.

Let the second round begin, indeed! Mmmmm hmmmmmmmm!!

Well, this is bawdy and intriguing right out of the gate. The set up is doing nothing less than demanding a complicated struggle of an explosion between these two. I hope that's what we get.