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Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Rule of Thirds in Books
Apr 17, 2018
some darker moments, but brilliant!
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I have to admit, when I read the blurb for this book, I had no idea what AI meant, it did not click. Once it's made clear, very early on?? Well, now it made total sense!
Jason is suffering from PTSD and Chase and Shade are his AI companions to help with that. But not only Jason suffers, Shade does too and its left to Chase to keep everyone together.
Very quickly, you lose the fact that Chase and Shade are, for want of a better word, robots. They feel as much as humans do, they want all the same things. The fact that we lose that, is a testament to the skill of the author, it really is.
Just as Jason suffers from his torture, Shade suffers from the modifications made to him against his wishes. Shade may NEVER fully recover, but being around Jason, broken though he is, begins to bring Shade out of his trauma, just as Shade and Chase bring Jason out of his.
I have a soft spot for 3 way relationship, especially if they are hot and heavy. This book is NOT hot and heavy. This book is not about that. this book is EMOTIONALLY heavy, for all three men. You feel for both Shade and Jason every time something sets them off, something triggers for them. And you feel for Chase, trying to keep them all together. And you feel it, right here in your heart when Jason finally begins to let Chase and Shade in.
There has been a huge amount of research into PTSD for this book. You can't get the depth of felling and emotion across without a massive amount of work. Very VERY well done, Aidan Wayne!
I haven't read anything by Wayne before, but the author is on my hit list now!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I have to admit, when I read the blurb for this book, I had no idea what AI meant, it did not click. Once it's made clear, very early on?? Well, now it made total sense!
Jason is suffering from PTSD and Chase and Shade are his AI companions to help with that. But not only Jason suffers, Shade does too and its left to Chase to keep everyone together.
Very quickly, you lose the fact that Chase and Shade are, for want of a better word, robots. They feel as much as humans do, they want all the same things. The fact that we lose that, is a testament to the skill of the author, it really is.
Just as Jason suffers from his torture, Shade suffers from the modifications made to him against his wishes. Shade may NEVER fully recover, but being around Jason, broken though he is, begins to bring Shade out of his trauma, just as Shade and Chase bring Jason out of his.
I have a soft spot for 3 way relationship, especially if they are hot and heavy. This book is NOT hot and heavy. This book is not about that. this book is EMOTIONALLY heavy, for all three men. You feel for both Shade and Jason every time something sets them off, something triggers for them. And you feel for Chase, trying to keep them all together. And you feel it, right here in your heart when Jason finally begins to let Chase and Shade in.
There has been a huge amount of research into PTSD for this book. You can't get the depth of felling and emotion across without a massive amount of work. Very VERY well done, Aidan Wayne!
I haven't read anything by Wayne before, but the author is on my hit list now!
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1) in Books
Jun 30, 2018
3 good solid stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
First person, present tense is the reason why I very nearly didn't finish this one. Not my favourite way for a book to be written, and I make no apologies for having dumped books before upon finding out they are written this way.
But I didn't dump this one. I kept at it, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this. I did not love it though.
Evelyn has secrets and has been hiding from the world, existing say to day. Getting held up in a bank, and meeting Adam Black made her start living. But those secrets are hard to share, and she doesn't know if Adam will share his secrets too.
Aside from the present tense thing, I wanted Adam to have a voice, I really did and he doesn't. And because he doesn't, Evelyn began to grate on my nerves. I've no particular idea WHY, she just did. That's what I'm left felling and ya'll know I'm all about sharing my feelings!
This is book one in the Uninhibited trilogy. This is, as far as I can see, also book one for this author. Do I want to read more of the trilogy?? I don't know yet. I'm waiting to find out if Adam gets a say. I'm not sure I can face two more long (400 odd pages) full only of Evelyn.
The book comes with a BDSM tag, but I saw no evidence of that. I've tagged it over 18, and darker/grittier, because of what Evelyn went through and is still dealing with. Some readers may find it difficult reading. I'm not saying here, because that is a HUGE spoiler, but feel free to message me if you wish to know.
BUT!!
For a first time author, something must have clicked because I got past the present tense thing and read it all. So well done for that!
3 solid GOOD stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
First person, present tense is the reason why I very nearly didn't finish this one. Not my favourite way for a book to be written, and I make no apologies for having dumped books before upon finding out they are written this way.
But I didn't dump this one. I kept at it, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this. I did not love it though.
Evelyn has secrets and has been hiding from the world, existing say to day. Getting held up in a bank, and meeting Adam Black made her start living. But those secrets are hard to share, and she doesn't know if Adam will share his secrets too.
Aside from the present tense thing, I wanted Adam to have a voice, I really did and he doesn't. And because he doesn't, Evelyn began to grate on my nerves. I've no particular idea WHY, she just did. That's what I'm left felling and ya'll know I'm all about sharing my feelings!
This is book one in the Uninhibited trilogy. This is, as far as I can see, also book one for this author. Do I want to read more of the trilogy?? I don't know yet. I'm waiting to find out if Adam gets a say. I'm not sure I can face two more long (400 odd pages) full only of Evelyn.
The book comes with a BDSM tag, but I saw no evidence of that. I've tagged it over 18, and darker/grittier, because of what Evelyn went through and is still dealing with. Some readers may find it difficult reading. I'm not saying here, because that is a HUGE spoiler, but feel free to message me if you wish to know.
BUT!!
For a first time author, something must have clicked because I got past the present tense thing and read it all. So well done for that!
3 solid GOOD stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Royally Arranged (The Royal Series #2) in Books
May 22, 2024
sometimes, you need to see whats coming at ya!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Royal Series. I have not read book one, Royally Screwed and a quick read of that blurb tells me you don't need to read that one before this. Those characters do not appear in this book. It's also the first book I've read of Mallory's. I'll come back to that.
Rafe needs a wife, a temporary arrangement, while his twin brother, his ELDER twin, gets a clean bill of health. A business arrangement which Astoria enters, with a shelf life to the arrangement. At least it started as such.
I liked this. It follows a proven track: an arranged marriage; they have sex (which wasn't part of the arrangement) there is a major fall out, and then a make up, and all is happy in the world. And sometimes you need to see what's coming at ya, like a freight train, and ain't nothin' you can do to stop it. And I LIKED that in this book!
It's steamy in places, but I didn't find it overly heavy on the smexy times. I didn't find it particularly emotional, either. Rafe lost his wife and son, but you don't FEEL that pain from him.
I think that is what I missed the most in the book: emotional connection. Yes, they have smex and do all the things they are supposed to, but I didn't find an EMOTIONAL connection between them. They do say those three little words, but again, I didn't FEEL the love between them.
As I said, my first book by Mallory. I'd like to delve into the backlist of this author to see if I can find that connection. Might just be how the author writes, is all.
So, because I felt that was missing, I gave this book
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Royal Series. I have not read book one, Royally Screwed and a quick read of that blurb tells me you don't need to read that one before this. Those characters do not appear in this book. It's also the first book I've read of Mallory's. I'll come back to that.
Rafe needs a wife, a temporary arrangement, while his twin brother, his ELDER twin, gets a clean bill of health. A business arrangement which Astoria enters, with a shelf life to the arrangement. At least it started as such.
I liked this. It follows a proven track: an arranged marriage; they have sex (which wasn't part of the arrangement) there is a major fall out, and then a make up, and all is happy in the world. And sometimes you need to see what's coming at ya, like a freight train, and ain't nothin' you can do to stop it. And I LIKED that in this book!
It's steamy in places, but I didn't find it overly heavy on the smexy times. I didn't find it particularly emotional, either. Rafe lost his wife and son, but you don't FEEL that pain from him.
I think that is what I missed the most in the book: emotional connection. Yes, they have smex and do all the things they are supposed to, but I didn't find an EMOTIONAL connection between them. They do say those three little words, but again, I didn't FEEL the love between them.
As I said, my first book by Mallory. I'd like to delve into the backlist of this author to see if I can find that connection. Might just be how the author writes, is all.
So, because I felt that was missing, I gave this book
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated Make Them Cry (Pretty Deadly Things #2) in Books
Dec 9, 2025
really enjoying these books!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Pretty Deadly Things series, but it's not necessary to read Make Them Bleed, book 1, first. Recommended by me, but not necessary.
River works with Gage, but he gets under her skin, not in a good way. When the online harassment gets personal and much closer to her than before, she turns to the dark web for help. Enter Mask, who promises he can make them cry. But who is he really, and just who can River trust, when people are dying?
I am really REALLY enjoying these books, this author in general!
One point I will make: there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of technical stuff in this one. There is a little directory at the beginning, but I will be honest and kinda glazed over those bits. Far too complicated computer lingo for me to follow but I really don't think I missed anything by not fully understanding.
I liked that it took a bit of time for River to figure out it was Gage behind the mask. I liked that it took time for them to get together, hence the slow burn tag.
It took time for the person behind it all to be revealed, and I did like that I did not see that coming. I thought there might be *some* redemption for a certain character, but she made her bed, now needs to deal with the fall out.
I liked that the scene is set for book 3. Comments made here lay out who is next, so I can't wait to read that!
Loved catching up with Juno and Arrow, and the guys at Maddox Security along with the BRAVO team.
This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. Not easy reads, sometimes the subject matter is difficult, but they easy TO read, you know? I know what I mean :-)
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Pretty Deadly Things series, but it's not necessary to read Make Them Bleed, book 1, first. Recommended by me, but not necessary.
River works with Gage, but he gets under her skin, not in a good way. When the online harassment gets personal and much closer to her than before, she turns to the dark web for help. Enter Mask, who promises he can make them cry. But who is he really, and just who can River trust, when people are dying?
I am really REALLY enjoying these books, this author in general!
One point I will make: there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of technical stuff in this one. There is a little directory at the beginning, but I will be honest and kinda glazed over those bits. Far too complicated computer lingo for me to follow but I really don't think I missed anything by not fully understanding.
I liked that it took a bit of time for River to figure out it was Gage behind the mask. I liked that it took time for them to get together, hence the slow burn tag.
It took time for the person behind it all to be revealed, and I did like that I did not see that coming. I thought there might be *some* redemption for a certain character, but she made her bed, now needs to deal with the fall out.
I liked that the scene is set for book 3. Comments made here lay out who is next, so I can't wait to read that!
Loved catching up with Juno and Arrow, and the guys at Maddox Security along with the BRAVO team.
This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. Not easy reads, sometimes the subject matter is difficult, but they easy TO read, you know? I know what I mean :-)
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1753 KP) rated A Job Well Done in Books
Dec 22, 2025
a relatively easy read.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Alex is a hit man, sent to eliminate a witness for a crime lord. But meeting Bryce makes Alex question everything. Then the pair of them have a target on their backs, and neither man will walk away unscathed.
I liked this, I liked this A LOT.
It's a little bit steamy, a little bit emotional, full of drama, and intrigue, danger and some funny moments too.
I liked that Bryce didn't really question his attraction to Alex, only the timing. Bryce had not come out as bi, and had not done anything with another man either, and his attraction and growing feelings for Alex were solid and he wasn't questioning them too closely. The situation isn't ideal, though!
I liked the way the story flowed, and I loved that both men had a voice.
I liked how this author tells her tales. I can only see one other, a much older book, than this, so I'm not sure how many books this author has written. It's clear she has skill and I would like to read something else. I would LOVE to read books about Alex' brothers, Michael, Luke and Abe and Bryce's brother, Clay. They all play a part here, even minor, but Abe and Clay piqued my interest!
However.
I did find that there were quite a few points that names were not used in the correct manner. For example, at one point, Bryce is speaking, and he says "Look, Bryce, about that . . " and another point, Alex looks into the water, but can see no sign of Alex. Minor points, but enough to make them stand out and for me to notice them, and make the comment about them.
I did enjoy it, though, apart from this point. It was a relatively easy read, that hit quite a few positive buttons.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Alex is a hit man, sent to eliminate a witness for a crime lord. But meeting Bryce makes Alex question everything. Then the pair of them have a target on their backs, and neither man will walk away unscathed.
I liked this, I liked this A LOT.
It's a little bit steamy, a little bit emotional, full of drama, and intrigue, danger and some funny moments too.
I liked that Bryce didn't really question his attraction to Alex, only the timing. Bryce had not come out as bi, and had not done anything with another man either, and his attraction and growing feelings for Alex were solid and he wasn't questioning them too closely. The situation isn't ideal, though!
I liked the way the story flowed, and I loved that both men had a voice.
I liked how this author tells her tales. I can only see one other, a much older book, than this, so I'm not sure how many books this author has written. It's clear she has skill and I would like to read something else. I would LOVE to read books about Alex' brothers, Michael, Luke and Abe and Bryce's brother, Clay. They all play a part here, even minor, but Abe and Clay piqued my interest!
However.
I did find that there were quite a few points that names were not used in the correct manner. For example, at one point, Bryce is speaking, and he says "Look, Bryce, about that . . " and another point, Alex looks into the water, but can see no sign of Alex. Minor points, but enough to make them stand out and for me to notice them, and make the comment about them.
I did enjoy it, though, apart from this point. It was a relatively easy read, that hit quite a few positive buttons.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere