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rainjrop's review
3.0
I think after reading four of these books, I've finally managed to pinpoint what is so annoying about them. I like them enough to keep reading them, but that doesn't mean they're perfect by a long shot. First of all, the characters have sex any time, anywhere. Or it'd be more accurate to say AT ALL TIMES, EVERYWHERE. I don't think it's humanly possible to have a libido as strong as any of the characters in this series. With the amount of blood rushing south at any given time, I'm surprised there isn't a rash of faintings. There's too much damn sex, enough to disrupt the progression of the plot in my opinion.
Similarly, the writing is choked to death with superfluous adjectives. Stuff like: "...and then he looked at the dark, molten eyes of the strong, sexy paramedic across the room..." First of all, the authors have a serious problem with using "sexy" as a descriptor at every possible opportunity. I GET IT. Every character in this series is the sexiest person ever to have existed and gives everyone who isn't a perfect 0 on the Kinsey Scale a permanent boner. Additionally, I don't need a reminder every time a character is mentioned! I didn't forget how sexy they were since the last time they had dialogue. I also didn't forget how much everyone wants to bone each other and how madly in love they are, so I don't need a reminder every three paragraphs. If you cut that shit out and actually forwarded the plot, these books would be half the size.
I don't think the authors have managed to hit that sweet spot between mushy emotionalism, plot, and sex, and that's too bad.
Similarly, the writing is choked to death with superfluous adjectives. Stuff like: "...and then he looked at the dark, molten eyes of the strong, sexy paramedic across the room..." First of all, the authors have a serious problem with using "sexy" as a descriptor at every possible opportunity. I GET IT. Every character in this series is the sexiest person ever to have existed and gives everyone who isn't a perfect 0 on the Kinsey Scale a permanent boner. Additionally, I don't need a reminder every time a character is mentioned! I didn't forget how sexy they were since the last time they had dialogue. I also didn't forget how much everyone wants to bone each other and how madly in love they are, so I don't need a reminder every three paragraphs. If you cut that shit out and actually forwarded the plot, these books would be half the size.
I don't think the authors have managed to hit that sweet spot between mushy emotionalism, plot, and sex, and that's too bad.
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
Un très bon quatrième tome !! Il y a vraiment de tout dans ce livre : humour, amour, moments super caliente, et action à gogo !!
J'ai vraiment aimé le passage en mode mission commando, c'était un vrai kiff de voir ces mecs en pleine action, et j'ai apprécié la touche d'humour qui fait redescendre la pression, avec ce chatterton si spécial (et là, j'ai pensé à Gimli & Legolas qui fait la compèt' quand ils comptent le nombre d'orques qu'ils dégomment ^^). Autant dans les autres tomes, je trouvais ces scènes un peu tirées par les cheveux et pas toujours bien réussies, autant là, j'ai vraiment trouvé que les autrices avaient parfaitement réussi leur coup ! Si Ian & Hollis ne donnent pas leur part au chat, Rowe & Noah sont absolument extraordinaires ! John McLane n'a qu'à bien se tenir, car la relève est assurée !
Ce que j'ai aimé aussi dans ce tome, c'est de voir Ian taper du poing sur la table ! Il y a eu des moments où j'étais à deux doigts de crier pour l'encourager (vous savez, comme quand on regarde une course à la télé, et qu'on encourage les sportifs ...). Ian a une résilience incroyable, et me prendre de pleine face les sévices qu'il a endurées a été rude. C'est un sacré personnage, pas facile pour lui de trouver sa place au sein de cette fratrie, car oui, ses frères de coeur l'aiment, mais à force de vouloir tellement le protéger, ils en viennent presque à "l'étouffer" et à lui couper les ailes. Là, il reprend le pouvoir, et c'est aussi grâce à la présence de Hollis à ses côtés qu'il peut franchir ce cap.
Hollis est tout simplement délicieux. J'adore son humour, ce regard qu'il pose sur Ian. S'il est protecteur, il ne traite non plus son chéri comme une petite chose fragile, et j'ai aimé cette égalité entre eux. J'attendais depuis tellement longtemps que leur histoire décolle ... Ça marche vraiment tout de suite entre eux, en même temps, ça fait plus d'un an qu'ils se tournent autour, donc là, ils ne vont pas perdre du temps et se poser 50.000 questions. Et Hollis, comme les autres "pièces rapportées" trouve bien sa place au sein de cette famille peu commune.
La romance m'a charmée et ravie, mais ils n'ont pas fait battre mon coeur aussi fort que Jude & Snow (ceux-là sont définitivement mes favoris).
Certaines petites choses m'ont laissée sur ma faim, mais globalement, j'ai passé un très bon moment, et je vais me garder bien au chaud le recueil de nouvelles qui suit ce tome pour dans quelques jours, histoire de prolonger un peu le plaisir, et sortir de mon état post binge-reading !
J'ai vraiment aimé le passage en mode mission commando, c'était un vrai kiff de voir ces mecs en pleine action, et j'ai apprécié la touche d'humour qui fait redescendre la pression, avec ce chatterton si spécial (et là, j'ai pensé à Gimli & Legolas qui fait la compèt' quand ils comptent le nombre d'orques qu'ils dégomment ^^). Autant dans les autres tomes, je trouvais ces scènes un peu tirées par les cheveux et pas toujours bien réussies, autant là, j'ai vraiment trouvé que les autrices avaient parfaitement réussi leur coup ! Si Ian & Hollis ne donnent pas leur part au chat, Rowe & Noah sont absolument extraordinaires ! John McLane n'a qu'à bien se tenir, car la relève est assurée !
Ce que j'ai aimé aussi dans ce tome, c'est de voir Ian taper du poing sur la table ! Il y a eu des moments où j'étais à deux doigts de crier pour l'encourager (vous savez, comme quand on regarde une course à la télé, et qu'on encourage les sportifs ...). Ian a une résilience incroyable, et me prendre de pleine face les sévices qu'il a endurées a été rude. C'est un sacré personnage, pas facile pour lui de trouver sa place au sein de cette fratrie, car oui, ses frères de coeur l'aiment, mais à force de vouloir tellement le protéger, ils en viennent presque à "l'étouffer" et à lui couper les ailes. Là, il reprend le pouvoir, et c'est aussi grâce à la présence de Hollis à ses côtés qu'il peut franchir ce cap.
Hollis est tout simplement délicieux. J'adore son humour, ce regard qu'il pose sur Ian. S'il est protecteur, il ne traite non plus son chéri comme une petite chose fragile, et j'ai aimé cette égalité entre eux. J'attendais depuis tellement longtemps que leur histoire décolle ... Ça marche vraiment tout de suite entre eux, en même temps, ça fait plus d'un an qu'ils se tournent autour, donc là, ils ne vont pas perdre du temps et se poser 50.000 questions. Et Hollis, comme les autres "pièces rapportées" trouve bien sa place au sein de cette famille peu commune.
La romance m'a charmée et ravie, mais ils n'ont pas fait battre mon coeur aussi fort que Jude & Snow (ceux-là sont définitivement mes favoris).
Certaines petites choses m'ont laissée sur ma faim, mais globalement, j'ai passé un très bon moment, et je vais me garder bien au chaud le recueil de nouvelles qui suit ce tome pour dans quelques jours, histoire de prolonger un peu le plaisir, et sortir de mon état post binge-reading !
bitchie's review against another edition
5.0
This series is excellent, and I thought all the loose ends were tied up nicely. Initially, I was ticked because I thought Rowe's book came too soon, and he fell in love too soon after Mel, but now, I realize that Ian's book HAD to come last, because everything really revolved around him, and what happened to him. I've watched Ian and Hollis Banner dance around each other since the first book, and my, were they explosive once they got together. I loved that they were all in, no silly misunderstands or lack of communication or undue angst, other than the guy after them all.
My only real complaint here is I didn't get enough Snow this time around. I dunno why, but I really loved him in books 1 and 2, but I didn't get nearly enough of him after he got his HEA. But that's a mild complaint, so I'm standing by my 4.5 stars.
My only real complaint here is I didn't get enough Snow this time around. I dunno why, but I really loved him in books 1 and 2, but I didn't get nearly enough of him after he got his HEA. But that's a mild complaint, so I'm standing by my 4.5 stars.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars!
A great conclusion to a great series!
This is not the type of series one can read out of order, and I urge you to start at the beginning so you can fully appreciate how the tale of these 4 men who call each other family, defeat a truly evil enemy that’s been haunting them for almost a decade.
Here, Ian finally gets his due and when cop Hollis Banner who’s been invading his fantasies for months finally returns from a covert op, Ian’s not going to lose his chance to tell him how he feels. What sets this apart from the others is truly the interactions and the dynamic between Ian and Hollis and it really played perfectly in how I like gentle giants portrayed. Hollis is protective and devoted, and the care in which he shows Ian just how much he means to him was quite stunning. Ian in turn is no weakling. He’s been through terrible terrible things and when his past resurfaces to destroy all that he loves, he’s determined to conquer the evil man who just won’t let things go.
I melted everytime these two were on page together and the smex?? Yowza. Again, a fabulous series that grew on me with each entry, and I can safely say this ended with a very memorable love story that was my favorite of the bunch.
A great conclusion to a great series!
This is not the type of series one can read out of order, and I urge you to start at the beginning so you can fully appreciate how the tale of these 4 men who call each other family, defeat a truly evil enemy that’s been haunting them for almost a decade.
Here, Ian finally gets his due and when cop Hollis Banner who’s been invading his fantasies for months finally returns from a covert op, Ian’s not going to lose his chance to tell him how he feels. What sets this apart from the others is truly the interactions and the dynamic between Ian and Hollis and it really played perfectly in how I like gentle giants portrayed. Hollis is protective and devoted, and the care in which he shows Ian just how much he means to him was quite stunning. Ian in turn is no weakling. He’s been through terrible terrible things and when his past resurfaces to destroy all that he loves, he’s determined to conquer the evil man who just won’t let things go.
I melted everytime these two were on page together and the smex?? Yowza. Again, a fabulous series that grew on me with each entry, and I can safely say this ended with a very memorable love story that was my favorite of the bunch.
lydiaaa's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
fresholivebread's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Big Bad is out for blood, and Ian/Hollis go into hiding with Rowe/Noah while they all work to take him down. I've adored this pair since book 1; my sweet, sensitive but traumatised Ian and the rough, brash Hollis with the biggest, most protective heart. Their chemistry and romance are explosive and tender at the same time, and Hollis' support and love for Ian are all kinds of wonderful. Ian is strong as hell and his journey of healing with Hollis and the rest of the guys is beautifully done.
I loved how tightly Hollis holds onto Ian, and how Ian trusts him without reserve. The steamy scenes are hot as fuck, and loved that Ian is a bossy bottom! The rest of the guys get some moments to shine, this group and their bond is just the absolute best. Exciting action and suspense tops it all off, I simply loved this book. CW:child sexual abuse, rape, child sex trafficking
I loved how tightly Hollis holds onto Ian, and how Ian trusts him without reserve. The steamy scenes are hot as fuck, and loved that Ian is a bossy bottom! The rest of the guys get some moments to shine, this group and their bond is just the absolute best. Exciting action and suspense tops it all off, I simply loved this book. CW:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape
jmn19's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
eman97's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0