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A review by karentje
Rogue Nights by Annabeth Albert, Ainsley Booth, Robin Covington, Rebecca Crowley, Hudson Lin, Shae Connor, Talia Hibbert
4.0
This is an anthology where one or both of the characters are involved in political activism in one small way or another. It has a little something for everyone with f/m, m/m and f/f couples all finding their HEA.
The first story is the one that spoke to me the most. Resisting Desire by Talia Hibbert is a very passionate story and even though it’s only a short one, it still has so much emotion and pent-up longing in it. James is head over heels in love with his best friend’s little sister, but really messes up his chances with her in a misguided, and belated, attempt at “chivalry”. Nina is terribly hurt by his apparent rejection and resolved to stay away from him, but dangerous circumstances bring the couple some much needed forced proximity and the chance to make things right.
In Dropped Stitches Annabeth Albert brings us a very sweet story about two women finding love with their high school crushes. At first glance it’s very much an opposites attract story, but it’s always dangerous to assume… a lesson Bea has some trouble learning. This was a very enjoyable read, but I missed the emotional intensity and the chemistry that I’ve come to expect from this author. I did love the knitting, and it inspired me to take up one of my own unfinished projects again.
Parking Lot Cowboy is a story that brings up one of the more ugly sides of political activism with pro-life protesters intimidating and harassing women & teenage girls going to family planning clinics for help. I loathe these people. I especially liked shy Tyler with his big heart . Margot was intellectual and very energetic, exactly what was needed to draw Tyler out.
Dare to Dream by Hudson Lin was also a great story. The whole Dreamer aspect making it very relevant and very much a HFN story with the realistic, though hopeful ending. I can certainly understand Diego’s fear and reluctance to draw attention. Derek could have been a little more understanding of that, I think.
The Coffee Shop Around the Corner is based on the ever cute “you’ve got mail” trope, but I wasn’t convinced by the connection the main characters built up, either via e-mail or in real life. Once they meet everything gets intense too fast, in my opinion.
Love Your Face was also not for me. I like the idea of best friends becoming lovers, who doesn’t? But it started off a bit wrong for me with one of the characters implying that most straight women are bi-curious unless they are internalizing misogyny…? I also didn’t like the interactions with the family’s. It felt too all or nothing for me, and I especially couldn’t understand Ami’s decision to basically avoid her family because she didn’t like their meddling or questions. Seems a silly reason, she could also just be upfront about her life and give them a chance to deal with that. She does stand up for Fred, which was lovely, but I just didn’t feel it with this couple.
Sacred Son by Robin Covington was another one of the stories that stood out to me, in a good way. It was interesting to read more about the issues Native Americans face. And nothing is cuter than a single dad who is devoted to his kid. Not to mention the former bad boy trying to make a new life for himself. The only thing that bothered me a little were some of the typo’s, the editing could have been better.
The first story is the one that spoke to me the most. Resisting Desire by Talia Hibbert is a very passionate story and even though it’s only a short one, it still has so much emotion and pent-up longing in it. James is head over heels in love with his best friend’s little sister, but really messes up his chances with her in a misguided, and belated, attempt at “chivalry”. Nina is terribly hurt by his apparent rejection and resolved to stay away from him, but dangerous circumstances bring the couple some much needed forced proximity and the chance to make things right.
In Dropped Stitches Annabeth Albert brings us a very sweet story about two women finding love with their high school crushes. At first glance it’s very much an opposites attract story, but it’s always dangerous to assume… a lesson Bea has some trouble learning. This was a very enjoyable read, but I missed the emotional intensity and the chemistry that I’ve come to expect from this author. I did love the knitting, and it inspired me to take up one of my own unfinished projects again.
Parking Lot Cowboy is a story that brings up one of the more ugly sides of political activism with pro-life protesters intimidating and harassing women & teenage girls going to family planning clinics for help. I loathe these people. I especially liked shy Tyler with his big heart . Margot was intellectual and very energetic, exactly what was needed to draw Tyler out.
Dare to Dream by Hudson Lin was also a great story. The whole Dreamer aspect making it very relevant and very much a HFN story with the realistic, though hopeful ending. I can certainly understand Diego’s fear and reluctance to draw attention. Derek could have been a little more understanding of that, I think.
The Coffee Shop Around the Corner is based on the ever cute “you’ve got mail” trope, but I wasn’t convinced by the connection the main characters built up, either via e-mail or in real life. Once they meet everything gets intense too fast, in my opinion.
Love Your Face was also not for me. I like the idea of best friends becoming lovers, who doesn’t? But it started off a bit wrong for me with one of the characters implying that most straight women are bi-curious unless they are internalizing misogyny…? I also didn’t like the interactions with the family’s. It felt too all or nothing for me, and I especially couldn’t understand Ami’s decision to basically avoid her family because she didn’t like their meddling or questions. Seems a silly reason, she could also just be upfront about her life and give them a chance to deal with that. She does stand up for Fred, which was lovely, but I just didn’t feel it with this couple.
Sacred Son by Robin Covington was another one of the stories that stood out to me, in a good way. It was interesting to read more about the issues Native Americans face. And nothing is cuter than a single dad who is devoted to his kid. Not to mention the former bad boy trying to make a new life for himself. The only thing that bothered me a little were some of the typo’s, the editing could have been better.