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gillianw's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
I think the bones of a great story are here, but the characters aren't given nearly enough time to grow and develop. I really like Nikolai and Henri, but given the amount of time they spent in each other's company, I don't buy Henri flying half-way across the world to deliver news to Nikolai that could have been emailed. Nor do i buy that he flew 20 hrs for a booty call - especially when Nikolai told him just days earlier that he had no intentions of starting anything serious with Henri.
It was nice visiting with Vadim again, but I miss Dan. That Dan couldn't be included because of bad blood between two authors is something that needs to be resolved.
All in all, it was a good book that could have beeen better had a little more time been given for the story to be told.
I think the bones of a great story are here, but the characters aren't given nearly enough time to grow and develop. I really like Nikolai and Henri, but given the amount of time they spent in each other's company, I don't buy Henri flying half-way across the world to deliver news to Nikolai that could have been emailed. Nor do i buy that he flew 20 hrs for a booty call - especially when Nikolai told him just days earlier that he had no intentions of starting anything serious with Henri.
It was nice visiting with Vadim again, but I miss Dan. That Dan couldn't be included because of bad blood between two authors is something that needs to be resolved.
All in all, it was a good book that could have beeen better had a little more time been given for the story to be told.
paracosmere's review
5.0
This was surprisingly really wholesome to me. I did wonder what's up with the Krasnoradas after all that, good to know at least one of them was sane and on his way to have a better, happy life.
I don't exactly know why but I agree, Henri did sound cute af with the way he was written. And thank fuck they're both monogamous or I'm gonna lose my mind. Had enough (wayyy more than enough) of that in Soldiers. I won't be having none of that shit anymore.
The best kicker here, though, was Vadim, as usual. I still love that dude and bruh, I knew he's pretty much an intellectual but man the things he said to Nikolai there were really, really touching. He'd come around so well as a father. At least the paternity issues had been pretty much solved, too. Tough luck with Anya though lol.
Anywaysss, I really enjoyed reading this spin-off. Gotta love the calmer side of things sometimes.
I don't exactly know why but I agree, Henri did sound cute af with the way he was written. And thank fuck they're both monogamous or I'm gonna lose my mind. Had enough (wayyy more than enough) of that in Soldiers. I won't be having none of that shit anymore.
The best kicker here, though, was Vadim, as usual. I still love that dude and bruh, I knew he's pretty much an intellectual but man the things he said to Nikolai there were really, really touching. He'd come around so well as a father. At least the paternity issues had been pretty much solved, too. Tough luck with Anya though lol.
Anywaysss, I really enjoyed reading this spin-off. Gotta love the calmer side of things sometimes.
blupblup's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rosaelia's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
drizzlerains's review
3.0
well well... aku sudah lama pengen baca ini. karena si Vadim :D
tapi tapi... aku agak kecewa.
ps : Ari, terimakasih untuk bukunya :D
tapi tapi... aku agak kecewa.
ps : Ari, terimakasih untuk bukunya :D
mindforbooks's review
4.0
I enjoyed this, it helped with the withdrawal I'd been suffering since finishing 'Special Forces'.
This is a surprisingly upbeat and angst free read from this author whom I absolutely adore and am fast becoming obsessed with. I love his style of writing.
The development of Nikolai and Henri's relationship was very sweet and I liked Nikolai's attitude to life in general. I really liked how he accepted that he was attracted to Henri without a ton of drama, also how he dealt with the revelations about his family and Anya's general disgusting behavior. Henri was a sweetheart and I found him to be very brave even when Nikolai may have thought that he wasn't.
I wish it had of been a bit longer and I would of loved to have seen some of the other SF characters but I understand that there are copyright issues so it really can't be helped.
mearias's review
4.0
3.75 stars
I wish it was a bit longer. I really liked these characters and reading more of Vadim was a treat, but it felt a bit rushed. It's still a good story and recommended.
I wish it was a bit longer. I really liked these characters and reading more of Vadim was a treat, but it felt a bit rushed. It's still a good story and recommended.
poultrymunitions's review
3.0
A fun, compact read with plenty to titillate wistful Special Forces victims grappling with survivor's guilt.
Gently framed and smoothly executed. The sex was both sweet and hot, and the characters were appealing.
Although the dramatic impediments natural to globe-trotting industrialists weren't quite difficult or high-stakes enough to really spin a yarn as long as I'd have liked (it's my only complaint, you know—I liked these characters too much to be satisfied with random vignettes in various hotel suites), the resolution was still a satisfying conclusion to an elegant and understated story.
A worthy addition to the Voinov catalogue.
Gently framed and smoothly executed. The sex was both sweet and hot, and the characters were appealing.
Although the dramatic impediments natural to globe-trotting industrialists weren't quite difficult or high-stakes enough to really spin a yarn as long as I'd have liked (it's my only complaint, you know—I liked these characters too much to be satisfied with random vignettes in various hotel suites), the resolution was still a satisfying conclusion to an elegant and understated story.
A worthy addition to the Voinov catalogue.
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