The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a gripping historical fiction novel that follows the life of the iconic and enigmatic Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo. Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, the book explores themes of fame, love, ambition, identity, and the cost of success. Told through a dual narrative structure, the story unfolds as Evelyn recounts her scandalous life story to an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, revealing the truth behind her seven marriages and the great love of her life.Monique Grant, a struggling journalist, is unexpectedly chosen by legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo to write her exclusive biography. As Evelyn recounts her rise to fame, her seven marriages, and the love she had to keep hidden, Monique realizes that Evelyn’s story is not just about glamour and ambition—but also deeply connected to her own past. Evelyn’s true love was Celia St. James, but due to Hollywood’s homophobia, she had to marry strategically to protect her career and secrets. As Monique listens, she uncovers shocking truths, including Evelyn’s involvement in a tragedy that changed Monique’s life. In the end, Evelyn, always in control of her own fate, makes a final, irreversible decision, leaving Monique to tell the world her real story, her way.Evelyn Hugo is one of the most compelling and multi-dimensional characters in modern fiction. She is ambitious, strategic, and unapologetically ruthless, willing to manipulate, seduce, and sacrifice to achieve success. Yet, despite her cold calculation, she is also deeply vulnerable, shaped by trauma, love, and the harsh realities of the Hollywood industry. Evelyn’s decision to marry certain men wasn’t always about love but for power, protection, or survival in an industry that often discarded women once they lost their youth. Her ability to adapt, lie, and reinvent herself showcases her resilience in a world designed to exploit her beauty.Monique is a relatively unknown journalist chosen by Evelyn to write her biography. As Evelyn recounts her story, Monique not only discovers hidden Hollywood scandals but also unravels a deeply personal truth that connects her to Evelyn in an unexpected way. Monique struggles with self-worth and identity, especially after her divorce. Through Evelyn’s story, she learns about agency, ambition, and the importance of owning one’s choices.Harry Cameron is one of Evelyn’s greatest loves—not romantically, but as a soul-deep friendship. As a closeted gay man in Hollywood, he understands the necessity of keeping secrets, and their relationship highlights the theme of found family and the sacrifices required to live authentically. Their marriage, though not based on romantic love, is one of Evelyn’s most genuine and supportive relationships. He provides her with safety in an industry where honesty about identity was dangerous.Celia St. James is a talented actress and the person Evelyn truly loves, but their relationship is fraught with challenges due to societal expectations, career ambitions, and personal insecurities. Their on-again, off-again romance is filled with passion, but also miscommunication and pain, making it one of the most tragic yet realistic love stories in the book. Evelyn’s fear of public scandal and losing her career leads her to make decisions that deeply hurt Celia. The tension between love and ambition is at the heart of their relationship.The novel spans several decades, from the 1950s to the present day, capturing the glamour and cruelty of Hollywood. Reid does an excellent job of portraying the oppressive gender roles, homophobia, and racism of the time, showing how stars like Evelyn had to navigate these barriers to succeed. Example: Evelyn, a Cuban-American woman, changes her identity by bleaching her hair blonde and changing her last name, highlighting the racial erasure required to succeed in Hollywood.Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is engaging, immersive, and deeply emotional, making the novel feel like a real-life memoir rather than fiction.She masterfully balances glamour and heartbreak, delivering a story that is both intoxicating and painfully raw. Reid uses a dual timeline structure, alternating between Monique’s present-day perspective and Evelyn’s past, creating a sense of mystery that keeps the reader engaged. The framing device of Evelyn recounting her life story to Monique adds a documentary-like feel, as if the reader is uncovering a secret Hollywood scandal alongside Monique. The book opens with Monique, an unknown journalist, being unexpectedly chosen by Evelyn for an exclusive interview. The question of “Why Monique?” becomes a driving force, adding suspense to the story.Reid’s writing style is cinematic, painting vivid images of 1950s-1980s Hollywood glamour, the struggles of LGBTQ+ actors, and the toxic beauty standards of the era. She describes fashion, settings, and emotions in a way that makes the reader feel like they are stepping back in time. Example: Evelyn’s entrance at the Oscars, described in lush detail, makes the reader feel as if they’re watching a movie scene:”The emerald-green gown shimmered under the flashbulbs, hugging my curves in a way that made men gape and women whisper.”Reid’s prose is clean, accessible, and fast-paced, making the book unputdownable. She avoids overly flowery language, instead using sharp, direct sentences that deliver maximum impact. This makes even the slower, emotional moments feel urgent and compelling. Reid’s writing shines in its emotional authenticity. She explores themes of love, identity, ambition, and regret with deep psychological insight, making even the most glamorous moments feel intimate and personal. When Evelyn finally reflects on her life’s choices, her words feel like a confession to the reader:”I spent years pretending to be someone else, only to realize I lost the real me in the process.”This kind of introspection gives the novel a powerful emotional core, making Evelyn’s story not just entertaining but deeply moving.At its core, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about identity, sacrifice, and the complexity of human relationships. It is a portrait of a flawed but compelling woman who refuses to be defined by others. The novel raises profound questions:Is success worth losing yourself for?Can love survive when hidden in the shadows?How do we decide which version of ourselves to present to the world?Evelyn Hugo’s life is messy, heartbreaking, and inspiring—just like real life. Through her, Reid crafts a story that is not just about Hollywood, but about the universal struggles of love, ambition, and self-acceptanceStrengths:✅ Engaging & Addictive Prose – The novel reads effortlessly, with short, impactful sentences that make it hard to put down.✅ Cinematic Descriptions – The world of old Hollywood is brought to life with vivid, immersive details.✅ Strong Character Voice – Evelyn’s narration is bold, unapologetic, and full of personality, making her one of the most memorable protagonists in modern fiction.✅ Emotional Resonance – The book isn’t just about Hollywood glamour—it’s a deeply human story about love, sacrifice, and regret.The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a masterfully crafted story about love, ambition, and the price of fame. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates a bold and unforgettable protagonist in Evelyn, a woman who is neither purely good nor evil but entirely human. The novel is both a glamorous Hollywood scandal and a deeply moving story about identity, sacrifice, and regret.✅ Highly recommended for:Readers who love historical fiction and celebrity scandals.Fans of complex, morally gray protagonists.Those looking for strong LGBTQ+ representation in fiction.

“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”This is one of the best books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. It is probably in the top five for best books I’ve ever read in my entire life. I have been looking for a book like this my entire life, and no combination of words I’m about to type, and you’re about to read, is going to do this masterpiece justice. But I will say that Gabby, Joce, Amelie, and Elyse were all right, and I’m so happy I listened to them, because this book is worth every single ounce of hype.And when I say that this book is lifechanging, I truly mean it. This book is sold as a historical romance, where you learn about a fictional, famous, old Hollywood actress and all her marriages. What you get is a book that stars a bisexual, Cuban woman who was never allowed to talk about the love of her life; her wife. And when I say I cried during this book, I truly mean that I probably need to buy a new copy because I was the biggest mess you’ve ever seen.“And it will be the tragedy of my life that I cannot love you enough to make you mine. That you cannot be loved enough to be anyone’s.”On top of this being a powerful book about race, sexuality, misogyny, and having to conform to societies norms, the true meaning I took from this book is that life is short, so damn short, and we shouldn’t spend it pretending to be something we aren’t. And we shouldn’t spend it doing anything less than loving the people who are worthy and deserving of our love.“I didn’t need boys in order to feel good. And that realization gave me great power.”We follow Evelyn from the very start; losing her mother very young, her body developing very quickly, noticing others noticing her developing body, marrying a man so she can leave the dead-end city she grew up in, so she can become something more. Evelyn is unapologetic with her actions, and it is one of the most empowering things I’ve ever read. She plays so many more parts than the roles she is cast in. And Evelyn learns really quickly how to play each and every man she is forced to interact with, and she quickly learns what she can gain from each and every one of them, too.This story is told from two different timelines and two different points of view. One from Monique Grant, who is a biracial (white and African-American) woman who is going through a fresh divorce and trying to make something of herself in the journalism field. And her life changes the day her editor tells her how Evelyn Hugo is demanding her, and only her, to write something for her.“Heartbreak is loss. Divorce is a piece of paper.”The other timeline(s) are all the different times in Evelyn’s life, and the different seven husbands that she had, while she is recounting the events that lead her to be telling Monique this story. Evelyn has lived a very full life, and is in her late seventies now, and is finally ready to talk about her life. But the entire book we are guessing why she has chosen only Monique for this job.“Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.”If you guys have been following my reviews, you’ll probably know that I talk about found family and how important it is to me a lot, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the epitome of how beautiful a found family can be. Evelyn and Harry’s friendship in this was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read in my entire reading life.“When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.”And the romance? The true romance in this book is the most romantic thing I have ever read in my entire life. And you guys know I’ve read a ton of romances, but they are all lesser to this. Every single one of them can’t compare with the romance in this book. I feel like every time I’ve used the word “perfect” to describe something that wasn’t the romance in this book, then I used the word wrong.“Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.”How many Evelyn and Celias are there in the world? How many are still playing the role that Evelyn was forced to play? I cry for every single person who must hide who they are, and who they want to love. And this book talks about many big things in LGBTQIAP+ history; from the Stonewall riots to the disgusting Reagan administration, but life still isn’t anywhere close to equal in 2018. The prejudices, the discrimination, the virus/syndrome blaming, the looks I’ve experienced holding a girl’s hand while walking into a restaurant? Those are still in 2018, in the United States, but people act like none of those things exists because marriage is legalized, begrudgingly. I’m not writing this review to get on my soapbox, but I promise, we have a lot more work to do. And this book, this book lit a fire under me.I personally identify as pansexual, but I felt like the bisexual rep in this was a tier above anything my eyes have ever seen. Seeing Evelyn love all the parts of her, and all the different parts of her love, was something so awe-inspiring. I am still so overwhelmed with feelings, but if you identify as bi or pan, this is a love letter to you, I promise.“I was a lesbian when she loved me and a straight woman when she hated me.”This book also focuses a huge importance on motherhood throughout the entirety of this book, and then I read the acknowledgement and started weeping all over again. Taylor Jenkins Reid was able to evoke the strongest emotions from me, and I just pray that things will be different for the generation of kids being raised right now.This was the first thing I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I will buy every single new thing she produces. The writing was so lyrical and addicting. I mean, I have a quote between almost every paragraph. This whole book deserves to be highlighted. The characters, well, my mind has now forever imagined that these are real people now, so there is that. The topics, themes, and discussions are beyond important. This book just makes me feel so passionately. This book is one of the most empowering pieces of literature I’ve ever consumed. And I am not the same person I was before this book.“I told her every single day that her life had been the world’s greatest gift to me, that I believed I was put on earth not to make movies or wear emerald-green gowns and wave at crowds but to be her mother.”If you guys ever take a recommendation from me; please have it be The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Please, I’m actually begging you. I promise, this book is lifechanging, and I equally promise you that this book changed mine. There is magic between these four-hundred-pages. Pure magic. This story is addicting, enthralling, and so important. And if you’re an Evelyn, in 2018, I see you, but I hope it doesn’t take you as long as it took her to be happy. This will forever be one of the best books of my life, and I’ll cherish it forever.“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me”—that’s intimacy.”Trigger/Content Warnings: death of a loved one, death of a child, talk of suicide, unhealthy dieting, underage sex with an adult, abortion, talk of miscarriage, a lot of physical abuse, cheating, dunk driving, and homophobic slurs.

The cover on this. It’s magical. The description appealed, but that art was compelling as well.What a surprise this book was, writing that fought successfully against sleep and everything else I should have been doing.There will be a spoiler in this, which I don’t think I’ve ever done before. But really, I extrapolated and expected that bit based on the available and it was lovely. Brilliantly written. If you are the sort of person (as I am usually ????????‍♀️) that feels it will diminish enjoying the book to know anything key in advance, please read no further than the ‘Spoiler’ heading and give your attention to this amazing tale instead.I don’t know that I’ve found an author in years that made me *feel* quite so much. I quite literally cried in many spots, sometimes laughing at the same time.The development of characters is incredibly well done, they turned real in the story in a very short time. Often an author can flesh out a character or two very well, but to use a visual metaphor, the other characters are slightly fuzzy and out of focus. Every person the author writes about in this is in clear focus, there is no ‘main’ character polished to the detriment of others. Even when only given a few sentences, characters breathe on the page. I must say, my benchmark for this style of writing is Bujold, and she is a very high bar to even approach in my opinion. TJ Clune has made me love these characters, and be hungry for more, in just the same eagerness to know how they fare.**Spoiler ahead!**I believe in supporting authors writing about gay experience as I feel that if people just are open to learning about different people it should surely get better? Well, I’d hope. That said, I almost wish that review quote wasn’t on the cover.While this IS a moving and beautiful tale where two main characters fall in love – that happen to be men – it deserves more than to be thrust in a box as “about” homosexuality. While this author treats this just as deserved (we are all just people), and it is moving, this story is so much more than just the deft handling of a lovely romance.For context, I’m an old lady, long married to an old man. I beg you, if that cover quote made you feel this might not be the story for you, reconsider.I’m off to buy the second book, as well as anything else this author might have written. A book that makes an old and tired woman simply get lost in feelings like this one did, what a treasure. ❤️ I hope you love it too.

I absolutely adored this book!The first and most important thing about this book are the characters. I genuinely loved and cared about each and every one of these characters (and I sort of feel so protective of them that I swear I would die for any one of them). Linus Baker, our protagonist, is living a quiet life working for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) as a Case Worker. He seems to mostly enjoy his job, but it’s clear to readers that despite whatever Linus chooses to tell himself about his life, he isn’t really living and to say he’s ‘happy’ seems a stretch. Linus is one of those characters that you sort of just want to hug (although you probably wouldn’t because he doesn’t seem like the type to enjoy hugs from random people) and watching him embark on an experience unlike any he’s ever been on, where he learns new things about himself and the world around him, was remarkable. I was so drawn to Linus’ character and found that so many of the things he struggled with were applicable to my own–such as realizing that sometimes ‘good enough’ isn’t really enough–and I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful character to follow. He isn’t the most enthusiastic sort of person, but he has this fantastic dry wit for his sense of humor that I couldn’t get enough of.In addition to Linus is the rest of our phenomenal cast of characters: there’s Arthur Parnassus, the man in charge of the orphanage Linus visits; the magical youth living at the orphanage: Chauncey, Lucy, Sal, Talia, Phee, and Theodore; the resident island sprite, Zoe; and, of course, we can’t forget Linus’ cat, Calliope. I fell so hard for all of these characters and sincerely loved all of them. Each one was so carefully crafted with such distinct and wide-ranging personalities–it’s rare to see such amazing characterization that holds strong and true for each and every character, but I can tell that characters must be Klune’s strong point because they were all so well-written. I would try to pinpoint one of my favorites, but honestly, I think they are all my favorites. Linus’ cat, Calliope, truly steals every scene she’s in, though. Altogether, each and every one of these extremely varied and rather odd characters makes up the most perfect mismatched family and I have never want to be a part of a family as much as I wanted to be a part of this one!Klune also appears to be a master at writing dialogue, and the banter among all of the youth easily became of the most enjoyable parts of this book. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book and I felt so fulfilled and happy every time I picked it up and put it down. The way that he captures what it’s like for an adult like Linus to be interacting with such a wild and unpredictable group of magical youth was a true delight. Additionally, the more serious dialogue that occurred for more serious and difficult topics was also carefully done and felt both authentic and full of impact. Klune is really good at maneuvering within a huge variety of topics in such a deft way that never makes it feel difficult to get through or understand.I don’t want to spoil anything specific about the plot, but I can tell you that one of the reasons that I think I liked this so much is because of it’s sort of ‘slice-of-life’ feel, where there aren’t really intense action-packed scenes or anything, but rather it is following Linus as he observes and tries to understand how things at Mr. Parnassus’ orphanage work and about the youth that live there. The pacing was perfect for me and was what I would call very steady–not too slow, but not too fast, either, just very continuously moving forward while still taking the time to focus on certain topics and scenes whenever necessary. There is also a tiny bit of romance in this book and it is so beautiful and innocent and truly made my cold black heart just melt. It doesn’t take over the story, but it fits in like the perfect final piece of a puzzle–small, but vital to the completion of the entire puzzle.This story handles some extremely heavy but very important topics and I think Klune weaved all of those elements into the story so smoothly so that they never felt overwhelming, but they were very clear and easily understood. Honestly, this book is just beautiful. I laughed and teared up (for both happy and sad reasons) and I also found myself subconsciously reading this book so slooowly because I don’t think I ever wanted to finish. It was hard for me to move on from this book and get my headspace ready for another book after because it just made me feel so good to read this book. It spoke to me not only from a personally relevant standpoint, but because it’s such a wonderful story of love, acceptance, and what it means to be a family.This is easily going to be a book that I re-read and re-read over and and over, especially when I’m struggling a lot with depression or anxiety because it made me feel so at home and content and happy. I really can’t recommend this story enough–it’s bittersweet at times, but also hilarious, relevant, and full of life and love and family.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐When I was a teenage boy, grappling with the complexities of my own identity, I felt isolated and misunderstood. The world around me seemed to echo only one message—that being different was something to hide. But then I stumbled upon the story of Patroclus and Achilles, two legendary figures from ancient Greece whose bond transcended friendship. Their courage, loyalty, and deep affection for each other painted a picture of love that was both fierce and unapologetic.Learning about them was like finding a beacon in the dark. Their story didn’t just speak of heroics on the battlefield but of the profound connection they shared, a love that defied the expectations of their time. This realization planted a seed of hope within me. It showed me that love, in all its forms, has always existed and has been honored in history’s most epic tales.Patroclus and Achilles’ story saved me because it made me feel seen. It whispered that I wasn’t alone, that my feelings were not new or wrong—they were part of the same human tapestry that wove through time. Because of them, I found the strength to embrace who I was, to believe that my identity was not a burden but a part of my own story worth telling.The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an exquisite retelling of a timeless tale, breathing new life into the epic story from The Iliad. Miller’s lyrical prose and deep character development transform the mythological narrative into an intimate, heartfelt journey. The love story between Achilles and Patroclus is depicted with such beauty and authenticity that it lingers long after the final page. This novel not only honors Homer’s classic but adds a profound emotional layer, making ancient history feel vivid and relatable. A truly unforgettable masterpiece that captivates both heart and mind.

I absolutely loved this book. Amazing descriptions, character development, and storytelling. I’ve always loved Greek mythology and thought this was a beautifully written, modern retelling of a classic story.

Beautifully written and researched book. What a phenomenal job of bringing literary characters to life and telling such an epic story through the lens of a minor character. As with all stories, creative license was taken and sometimes in ways I didn’t love. But, the story never felt untrue to the original tales. It felt more like a curtain was being pulled back to show more about characters we thought we knew, such as Odysseus or Achilles. Also, although I understand the interpretation that supports a romantic love between Patroclus and Achilles, I can also see the love of brotherhood, men in arms, and friendship that would justify Achilles response as well. Nonetheless, the scene of Patroclus at war is so well done that it rivals the description in the Iliad of Hector’s and Achilles’ battle.

I must confess I could never read Homer’s poems. That kind of writing has always felt just out of reach for me. Most of what I know about Greek mythology comes from summaries, retellings, and stories like this one. But it’s fine, because The Song of Achilles didn’t require me to know the Iliad, it just demanded my heart, my soul, and every last tear in my body.This is a retelling of the Trojan War, but more than that, it’s the story of Achilles, told through the eyes of Patroclus. We follow them from awkward adolescence to hard-earned glory to inevitable tragedy. And even though I knew how it would end, even though history has been shouting it at us for centuries, it didn’t stop me from falling headfirst in love with both of them, and wishing—hysterically, desperately, irrationally—for a different ending.I still begged the story to choose mercy. It did not.This book didn’t just break me, it unmade me. It left me in pieces. Soaked me in vinegar. Burned me. And it didn’t even have the decency to put me back together again. It will haunt me for a long time—and I’m grateful for it.Because this kind of suffering, this beautifully written, soul-destroying agony is a privilege.5 ⭐️ and a piece of my heart I’ll never get back.

???? God of Fury by Rina KentRating: ★★★★★Well, well, well… looks like Rina Kent decided to ruin my life again, and I said “thank you” like the emotional masochist I am.Let’s be honest, I dove into this book like it was the last chocolate in the box – with zero restraint and absolutely no regrets. Kent’s dark MM romance delivers the kind of possessive, steamy madness that had me clutching my pearls while simultaneously begging for more. Brandon and Nikolai’s relationship is like watching a beautiful car crash in slow motion – you know it’s going to wreck you, but you can’t look away.Brandon’s journey from self-loathing artist to someone who can actually accept love is the kind of character development that makes my cold, dead heart grow three sizes. His mental health struggles and sexual identity exploration aren’t just plot devices – they’re brilliantly executed emotional landmines that Kent strategically places for maximum reader destruction.And Nikolai? That unhinged, possessive mafia heir had me at “You’re mine now, baby.” The way he pursues Brandon with the single-minded determination of a toddler who’s spotted the last cookie is both terrifying and swoon-worthy. Only Rina Kent could make me root for someone who probably has “red flags” listed as a hobby on his dating profile.The push-pull dynamic between these two damaged souls creates this delicious tension that had me turning pages faster than I could process my own emotional breakdown. When Nikolai says, “Even if you hate yourself, I’ll love you for the both of us,” I may have actually clutched my chest and whispered “how dare you” to my Kindle.This book doesn’t just flirt with darkness – it takes darkness out for an expensive dinner, brings it home, and does unspeakable things to it all night long. And I was here for every second of it.???? What to Expect???? Dark MM Romance???? Steamy, Possessive Love???? Mental Health Struggles???? Art as Emotional Expression???? Trauma Healing????️ Emotional Rollercoaster⚔️ Mafia Elements???? Book TagsKeywords: MM Romance, Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, College Romance, Mental Health, Self-Discovery, HealingTropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Possessive Hero, Identity Exploration, Forced Proximity, Hurt/ComfortTriggers: Self-harm, Depression, Anxiety, Violence, Sexual Content???? Final ThoughtsIf you enjoy your romance with a side of psychological damage and healing wrapped in a steamy, possessive package, cancel your plans and prepare to be emotionally wrecked. Kent rules dark romance, hands down, and I’m just sitting here in the rubble of my emotions waiting for her next literary assault.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.Book Evaluation:Plot: ????️????️????️????️????️World Building:????????????????????Cover:????????????????????Intimacy Level: ????????????????Relationship Building: ????????????????Heart & Feels:????????????????Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ????????????????Page Turner Level:????????????Ending:????????????????????Overall View: ✨✨✨✨5First ImpressionsGod of Fury is the fifth installment in the “Legacy of Gods” series and this series has completely blew me away and I was so curious to see how this author would handle a MM romance as this is her very first novel in this type of romantic interest and she knocked this aspect right out of the park. God of Fury is a story that I think may push some readers and may not exactly work for everyone but I was so fascinated in the growth that we see our couple go through within this story. I had such a fun time with this match up because on the surface you wouldn’t think that these two would have anything in common, but when it comes to the heart and mind….they truly find what they need in each other but their journey is a battle.First LineWhat am I doing here?SummarySo the setup of the story is that we have our two male protoganists: Bran and Niko. Niko is the psychopath of the two. He is such an alpha male, and he has his eye on Bran and wants him more than anything. So much so that he is losing interest in what he normally has interest in. Then we have Bran, who has his own mental struggles he has been battling it, and is more of a demisexual. So we see how struggles being in relationships…until Niko. Niko has him feeling things especially more sexually that he has never really experienced but he has always considered himself straight, and doesn’t know how to face up to being attracted to Niko in the way that he is. There is this pull and push between Niko and Bran on what they have and if its worth fighting for….will Bran be able to fight for Niko and their love before Niko gives up on him completely?What I LovedWow! this book packed such a punch and I was there for the ride that this author takes us on. I absolutely adored Niko so much. He was a hoot. Seriously this character had me laughing all over the place. He is such a anti hero and its delicious. I have always loved Niko though and if you have read the other books in the series you are very familiar with his crazy. Then we have Bran who is the prentious prideful of his group of friends. Bran has been the character that we have seen to be the most mysterious. We just know he is the serious twin, but his character is more in the background. In God of Fury we get to see his story and see his background and his story melted my heart and broke it just a bit. What we see Bran struggle with was so heartbreaking. Through much of the story you aren’t sure what he is struggling with exactly or what trauma he was dealt, but you know its pretty bad and you know his family is ignorant of it. He has kept it hidden and for years has been dealing with severe depression and is on the verge of being suicidal. I really connected with his character and his struggles. I think if any reader has dealt with depression of any kind, they will be able to see so much of themselves within Bran’s character.So the romance is very push and pull. Bran is always on the run and Niko is the one chasing. But there is so much more happeni9ng with Bran than meets the eye. Niko knows that there is something deeper driving Bran’s fear then just him coming out of the closet as gay. But Bran is on the run not just sexually or physically but also very emotionally. Niko is pretty patient considering the fact that he is a bit of a psychopath. We see how much he is having to deal with but also knowing that their relationship is practically forbidden and that Bran’s twin is his greatest enemy. What we see being developed within the plot was so superb. It kept me on edge all the way through. What will really carry the reader through though is the depth of their relationship. I loved the feel of cat and mouse play game that these two go through and the third act was simply perfection. I knew going into this what was ahead for this one and its hard to see but Rina Kent really handled this scene so very well. I was highly impressed with how it was handled, and seeing how the family and especially Niko deals with it, just breaks your heart. But these two come out on top in the happily ever after and Kent has created such a unique dynamic romance that melted my heart from beginning to end.Spoiler(view spoiler)What I Struggled WithThe pacing in this book dragged a bit in some parts. The middle section of the story kinda was a bit slow at times. So I feel like there were aspects to the battle between Niko and Bran going back and forth that could have been reduced just a bit because it did get slightly repetitive. But I only knocked off half a star for this element as the rest of the story was a win for me.Overall ViewGod of Fury is a powerful story that tugs at your heartstrings and melts your heart at the deep vibrant emotion that carries the romance through. Its a story of identity, growth and learning to heal past wounds and embrace the love that is steady and impactful.Favorite Quote(s)Seems that Bran runs way deeper than I thought, but as he hangs on to me as if I’m his only anchor, I know that I’ll never let him go. Not even if I burn with him. For him. In him. I’d willingly catch fire if he so much as asked me to.Book Details (also in my shelves)Sub Genre: Dark Romance, New AdultCharacter Types: Alpha Male, Anti Hero, Athlete, PsycopathThemes: LGBTQ, Hot Smexy Times, PTSD, SecretsTropes: Forbidden Love, Unrequited Love, Enemies to LoversBook PerspectiveDuo POVRelationship Conflict vs Plot ConflictA Mix of BothSong This Book Inspiresk( all I got to say) by NUVILICESRecommendation For Reading OrderYou can read as standalones, as the events intermingle with all books in the series

This was my first Rina Kent book, I wanted to see what the fuss was all about and came in feeling skeptical. Well…turns out this book deserves all the hype it gets! I love Niko and Bran, and their story. It touched me in so many ways, I laughed and cried and I couldn’t get enough of it.

My heart was completely shattered ???? by the love pouring out from every page of this book. The author wrote it with such passion and dedication ????️???? that the emotions feel almost real. Niko is officially my favorite character ever ???? at first, I thought I was in love with his father ????, but Niko is truly the reflection and soul of him.Brandon’s pain broke me ????. His internal struggles, the guilt he carried, and how he couldn’t open up to anyone it all hit so deep ????. But then came Niko ????… the perfect balance, the antidote he didn’t know he needed. Both of them battled their demons ????????️, and their bond was everything.This book instantly became my all-time favorite ????????. I admit I haven’t been reading the series in order (oops ????), but that didn’t stop me from loving every word. Don’t walk ????‍♀️, don’t run ????‍♀️ FLY ✈️ and get this book now! It’s an absolute masterpiece ???????? with a spice level that’s off the charts ????️????️????️!Beyond the romance, it beautifully explores mental health ???????? showing how therapy really works ????️???? and reminding us how important family support truly is ????????.

????✨ Please don’t skip this book! If it’s on your TBR list stop everything and read it right now! ????????Okay, I’ll admit it… I totally skipped a few steps ???? I know I should’ve read the other books in order, but I just had to read this one first. And OMG, I regret nothing! After this, I’m definitely going back to read her entire universe because WOW ????❤️This book is incredibly spicy ????????️????️????️????️ and the fact that every character is narrated by a different voice made it even more amazing ????✨ It dives into real topics like mental health ???????? and sexual assault but Rina Kent handled them beautifully.Out of everything, this book is an absolute masterpiece ???????? She brought these characters to life so vividly that I could feel every emotion, every heartbeat ❤️‍???? And the fact that it’s an MM romance? Total bonus! ????????Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent is pure art. I literally couldn’t put it down! ???? I started reading at 7:30 p.m. and didn’t stop until morning ????☕ I also listened to the audiobook while reading because I love to follow along ???????? and it was just awesome!The spice level? Through. The. Roof. ???????? Gareth and Kayden completely stole my heart ❤️ Their love for each other is so deep, so healing they chase away each other’s darkness and complete one another ????????The love was literally leaking off the pages ???????? I’m still in awe this book is a true work of art ????????

Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent was everything I hoped for—dark, twisted, and completely addictive. Kayden and Gareth’s story had me hooked from the very first page, and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end. Their relationship was the perfect mix of tension, obsession, and raw emotion, making every interaction between them feel electric.Rina Kent has a way of crafting characters that feel so real, so deeply flawed, yet impossible not to root for. Gareth was intense, calculated, and full of contradictions, while Kayden was his perfect match—challenging him in ways no one else could. Their dynamic was a constant push and pull, filled with moments that had me holding my breath.”You think you can escape me? You were mine before you even knew it.”The writing was captivating, pulling me deeper into their twisted world with every chapter. The plot kept me on edge, with secrets unraveling and unexpected twists that had my heart racing. And the romance? It was everything—angsty, passionate, and just the right amount of forbidden.”I’d destroy the world if it meant keeping you.”This book reminded me why I love Rina Kent’s stories so much. She never fails to deliver characters who are complex, relationships that burn with intensity, and plots that keep you guessing. Kiss the Villain was another incredible read, and I already can’t wait for my next book from her.⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

BRACE YOURSELVES FRIENDS! WE ARE BACK IN THE LOG WORLD….with a twist. And OMG did this story consume me. It’s intense and chaotic and full of fire and vitriol and PAIN. But it’s so devastatingly beautiful and emotional. It’s dark (Niko-Bran fans should know this relationship dynamic is much darker) but it’s also got the most compelling wholesomeness to it also. It’s endearing…with EPIC TEETH. I just was ADDICTED to their dynamic, to both of these characters, to their toxic chaos. I just love them SO SO much. And it WRECKED ME in every way. I wanted to throw things, I cried, and I was wonderfully consumed by every word. I spent half the time freaking out, and the rest being eaten whole by all of them.I don’t want to say too much, because this one is full of so many surprises, twists and turns. But from their first meeting, these two are straight cataclysmic explosive fire. There are SO many layers to their dynamic, even from the start. Their chemistry is compelling and chaotic and toxic and sweet and endearing and violent and gentle all at once LOL. But they do truly feel like SOUL MATES. TRULY. They complete each other, improve each other, make it safe for the other, and accept each other. Their love is somehow completely toxic but healing to them both.The psychology and power dynamics are FASCINATING! Golden boy Gareth is REVELATION- I never anticipated after reading LOG I would be as obsessed with him as I am, but truly I love him as one of my top Rina men. He’s nothing like what I expected, and Kayden sees him better than everyone- and I love that he sees the worst in Kayden and loves him for it. And Kayden- HOLY SMOKES. Holy alpha psycho energy. He’s like a hurricane of dominant energy- and we’re all merciless to his pull.Again, this story is every bit as beautiful as it is toxic. I cried, multiple times. Their story is so INTENSE- truly emotionally chaotic. And I felt it so deeply- the anger, the sadness, the hurt, the confusion. But most of all, the pain. There are a lot of twists and turns, secrets and hurdles….but I loved most of all that at the core this is a story of two men finding themselves in each other. Two strong, menacing men quieting each other’s chaos…bringing each other to their knees, finding vulnerability and safety in the place they least expect. Which ultimately frees them – not only frees them the worlds that bind them, but also frees their ultimate selves. AND I COULD NOT LOVE THEM MORE.The audio is FAN FREAKING TASTIC. A large cast (because we have a few cameos), beautiful duet style narration, and the two main narrators of Kayden and Gareth bring SO MUCH emotion and energy to the performances. I was swept away in the powerful words and the brilliant vocal interpretation. Chef’s kiss for the audio.

5⭐️ ????️4Kiss the Villian is the perfect title for the book. Gareth and Kayden’s story completely captivated me. Reading until 3 a.m., knowing I had to get up at 530, was difficult but well worth it. Gareth was unexpectedly complex, and the banter between him and Kayden created an electric tension that made the book hard to put down. Both characters are toxic, obsessed, and filled with longing, making their chemistry both crazy and compelling. I enjoy how obsessed they are from the start, the perfect enemies to lovers. The plot was gripping, with expertly woven connections and moments from other books like God of Fury with my crazy man Niko has enhanced the experience. Rina Kent excels at writing dark romances with unapologetic villains, and I loved every second of it. Just make sure to heed the trigger warnings provided. Now, I’m eagerly anticipating Hunt the Villain!y

THEY NEVER LEARN [2020] By Layne FargoMy Review 5.0 Stars Out Of 5.0My partner calls me a revenge aficionado and after very little consideration I would agree with that assessment. It is not clear to me how I missed this gem of a novel when it was released three years ago, but it snagged my interest immediately when I saw the title popping up in current newsletters reveling in murder and mayhem. Fargo was a new-to-me author but the premise of the story prompted me to hit the “Buy Now” button with no hesitation.The story is about a respected English Professor named Dr. Scarlett Clark who teaches by day and plans the extermination of deserving young male predators by night. The small elite Gorman University campus is also the new home of freshman student Carly Schiller, a young girl who is uncomfortable in her own skin. She has finally escaped the prison of her dysfunctional family, but feels like she has stepped into an alien new world. The plot is unfolded using two First-Person Narrators, juxtaposing the chapters titled “Scarlett” and “Carly.” Dr. Clark is brilliant, focused, and calculating, having fine-tuned the skill of stalking and singling out male prey who deserve killing. She has been plying her trade for sixteen years when the book begins, and Scarlett is cognizant that her annual annihilations of men in such a relatively small geographic area is accompanied by certain risks. It is fortuitous that she had meticulously researched each target and managed to mask her cold-blooded assassinations as unfortunate accidents or suicides.Meanwhile, we are vested in the plight of the young Carly who is alone and anxious in her new environment, at least until the sun shines when her gorgeous, confident sophomore roommate takes an interest in her. The self-assured and beautiful Allison takes Carly under her wing, introduces her to best friend, “like-a-brother” Ted, and her more current friends on campus. Carly had isolated herself from everyone until this point and in this brave new world she finds herself struggling with her own sexual identity. The compelling complexity of Carly’s journey to find herself, to identity her own personal demons, and to make fledgling attempts to wield her internal rage like a sword when Allison is drugged, bruised, and fondled by an uncaring fraternity boy is unflinchingly carved into the narrative.The emotionally charged storylines mirror one another as the tension escalates and the action cascades into an avalanche of anger and unadulterated rage. This skillfully crafted and brilliantly executed plot is riveting from its explosive beginning and manages to get a chokehold on the reader that is only released by allowing a breath here and there until the end of the last sentence. The novel is utterly unputdownable from the very first page until its riveting climactic conclusion.The genre designations for this sophomore work by Layne Fargo include “Women’s Psychological Fiction” and “Serial Killer Thrillers.” Ironically, “They Never Learn” was the designated book for a discussion group while back, but I had not read it by the time the thread ended. Factually I am interested in both true crime fiction and serial killer thrillers, but perhaps even more keenly attracted by the portrayal of sociopaths in popular fiction. There are perhaps only a handful of talented authors who can incisively as a laser target our emotional response and somehow render morally bankrupt if not outright chilling sociopaths into sympathetic protagonists. Personally, I view the brilliant Dr. Scarlett Clark as an iconic figure, but nevertheless a pure sociopath. Her internal dialogue in the novel is indicative that she suffers no delusions about her true nature and motivations to kill. That is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, because comparisons are made between Scarlett and a female vigilante or (a particularly deadly) social justice avenging crusader of sorts. Second, there is a precise point in the novel where the reader can ask himself (or herself) whether he or she wants Scarlett to be apprehended by the authorities and held accountable by the judicial system for her crimes.I honestly went back and forth, like an internal debate team was animatedly making arguments for and against Dr. Clark making a clean getaway. I paused (with the jury still out) and finished reading the novel. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending and the denouement. That ipso facto (speaks for itself). Fargo apparently enjoys the topic of writing Unlikable Narrators. The author succeeded with me perhaps beyond her actual expectations.Highly recommend this novel to readers who genuinely enjoy reading dark and profound psychological thrillers with complex, sensual characters and brilliantly deployed plot techniques.

Grabs you right away! Loved the build up and twists this book has. Twist 1, how the author intertwined the two characters storylines … Didn’t see that coming!! I did get a little annoyed with Carly and her issues and I felt her ending was rushed. Scarlets ending I could see a mile away, except for the twist of who to blame. Over all worth the read, great story, amazing twists!

It took me forever to get into the book- I was about 45% done with the book before it started to get interesting. Normally, I like the back and forth story, with every chapter being narrated by the opposite character, but this one was sometimes hard to keep up with. Once I made the connection, it was enjoyable & an easier read. My favorite character ended up being Mina, with Drew being second.✨Spoiler alert..✨I know they’re the same person, but I couldn’t stand Carly, but Scarlett did make it up to my top 3 of favorite characters.

I love her writing style. Also read The Favorites by her. She makes you want to keep reading because there are so many twists and turns in the story.

If you love a good ‘woman fighting for vengeance by murdering bad men’ this is for you!Scarlett is a big wig, super intelligent English professor at Gormon University, who spends her free time murdering those men who feel the need to do ‘bad things’ and get away with it. – who doesn’t wish they could do that?! I mean, c’mon! – Anyway, while she does her ‘research’ on her next victim you learn she’s a little more unhinged than she realizes. You’re watching her make these plans but we can see how completely OBVIOUS these plans are going to make her!Carly, is a freshman at Gormon University, she made me a little uncomfortable a few different times. (this does all come together and make more sense later & I honestly don’t do well with second-hand embarrassment type things hahaha) She catches her roommate being assaulted and she spirals. The whole I was asking my girlfriend, wait is she going to be a murderer?! she’s got to be right!? SHE HASN’T READ THE BOOK! hahahahahahah! I was just so invested in ‘why are you this way!?’The end has Scarlett & Carly coming together in the most twisted way and I FREAKING LOVED IT! The ‘gasp’ I ‘gasped’ was so loud my dog jumped :DYou guys NEED TO READ THIS! Thrillers are my jam and this checked every box I needed it too.I gave 4 stars though because Carly’s chapters were sometimes…. ehh.

In school, reading poetry invoked groans and the dread of having to find the meaning in every line. It felt like a chore, and it’s a genre I steered clear of well into adulthood. But… as an avid reader I realized maybe it’s time to give poetry another chance. It can’t all be the rhyming, structured, nonsensical stuff my teachers made us read. Somehow I stumbled across Andrea’s name and decided to order this book. After only reading the first poem in this collection, I realized I can’t burn through this book in one sitting like I normally would. It’s meant to be savored. I read one poem, read it a second time, and then sit with it for a while. Andrea’s poems are nothing short of beautiful and each time I finish reading one I’m a little sad that I’ll never again read it for the first time. This collection is open, raw, vulnerable, thought-provoking, powerful, and (I’ll say it again – because I’m no poet) beautiful. I’ve already ordered another one of their books.

This book is a lifeline for me. Cannot recommend their poetry enough.

Gorgeous words bring me to tears every time I open this book.

There is lightening between the covers of this book. Every time I read it again I am struck by something I missed, or struck again by something I can’t shake.I’m a collector. I have more books than walls so every room in our house is a miniature library. Of course, like all good stewards, I have my quirks… and the most stringent rule is to never break a spine. They always look new and enticing, as if they are all still untapped wilds waiting to be explored. I pride myself on the control of reading through a book without ever opening it wide enough to crack. When it came in the male I was thrilled, turned it over on its side and smiled. Andrea Gibson You Better Be Lightening Button Poetry tucked into the stars of a pristine, night sky spine.I carried it around for a few days, peaking now and then, choosing a poem at random…I think I broke their record for goosebumps on the first day. This morning I sat on the back porch with my Saturday morning coffee and the last nasty habit I can’t quite shake, finally able to read it from cover to cover, page by delicious page. I was so lit by the words echoing off my heart I couldn’t bear to set it aside, even to reach for the coffee… without hesitation I balanced the precious book in one hand, using two fingers on either side of the spine for balance, I slipped the other two fingers inside and with my thumb as leverage, opened it wide.It happened with a cloud of smoke ringing my head while I breathed over the steamy cup, sighing at the lightening flash of insight into my crippling time traveling addiction. I don’t know if I felt it or heard it… you know how it is when you twist your body some way and something happens in your back, something so subtle you aren’t even sure how you know…and for an eternity of a second you’re hovering on the edge of pain and relief…. is it broken?… or is it just a feel-good crack back into place?…Devastation washed over me, and like my life flashing before my yes I traveled back 20 years, my 30-something-year-old self, smiling through the back breaking weight of an untenable situation, waiting to steel moments of escape between the pages of a book, and the fantasy of a world where spines are never broken.LighteningI wandered into the house in a haze and found myself on the floor my office holding one of the only books in my collection that is … marred… I’ve had it since I was 12. A wonder, an age-inappropriate treat, taken from a woman I babysat for… It’s damage suddenly looked like the art of love… white lines of use running up and down the spine, scars I created with careless abandon as I whipped myself into a frenzy of forbidden knowledge and ideas. … Somewhere along the way, I stopped having enough gratitude for simply living to Truly love, and indulge in, a good story… I think this cracked spine is just the beginning of finding something I lost within myself a long time ago.I hope others, who need it, will read this book and find the courage to stop fearing the storm and just decide to be the lightening….Thank you Andrea Gibson, your words are reaching people in a way you might never have imagined.

This is a lovely, wonderful book of poetry. There is something important to read on every page.

I think I’ll need to revisit this collection again to understand it further. I’m sad that I wasn’t aware of Andrea Gibson until after their passing.

My favorite poet who lived life as a poem and invites readers to see the beauty in everything, even in pain. “Let your heart break so your spirit doesn’t.”

Amazing performance by brilliant poet lost to us too soon. Get the audio too

Max and Zoe have been married for nine years. The majority of their married life has been consumed by their pursuit to get pregnant. When both of them prove to have fertility problems, they begin the arduous IVF treatments. When the book opens, Zoe is 24 weeks into her pregnancy, when she suddenly begins to bleed heavily. The baby has died and the doctor induces labor. Of course, they are inconsolable, but Zoe wants to try again with the remaining 3 embryos which have been frozen. Max confesses he can’t go through this anymore and wants a divorce. The reader then learns more about Max and his ever present insecurities and his alcoholism. When Max has a nearly fatal accident because he is driving drunk through a major snow storm, he is visited by the pastor of his big brother’s evangelical church. Max finds solace in the church and his brother and his wife. Meanwhile, Zoe, who is a music therapist, makes friends with Vanessa who is a high school guidance counselor. Vanessa asks Zoe to work with a girl who has tried suicide and is difficult to reach. Zoe and Vanessa become close friends and look forward to spending time together. Vanessa is a lesbian , but knows she shouldn’t fall for Zoe. One day, however, Zoe realizes she loves Vanessa and they fall deeply in love. They get married, which when this book was written, was still allowed only in certain states. They travel to Massachusetts because they live in Rhode Island. They start making plans and decide to take the 3 frozen embryos and Vanessa will carry the baby. But Max must consent. Now things get really complicated. The result is a trial to see who should get the embryos. Heart-rending and very messy. I like the way the author presents both sides and the reader can feel sympathy for both of them. The author speaks to the fact that homosexuality is not a choice, but a very human condition. The gay couple has a right to love each other and make a family just as much as a heterosexual couple. Many people still have a problem accepting these relationships and I am sure this type of situation has actually occurred. I believe MS Picoult is a strong advocate for any one has a right to love and make a family with anyone who makes them happy. However, the situation is quite difficult and someone is bound to be hurt. But, as fraught as the story is with hurt and pain, we want to keep reading because the reader wants to know how things will be resolved. It is a good story and well written.

Sixteen years ago, I wrote a novel about a custody fight over the child of a lesbian couple after the birth mother was killed. (In a Family Way, available from Amazon as a paperback or Kindle e-book.) Her surviving partner and co-mother, one of three contestants for their baby, was a woman in her mid-forties who had lost custody of her older children solely because of her sexual orientation.Since that time, great strides have been made toward achieving equal rights for Americans who are lesbian or gay, including the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the passage of same-sex marriage in six states plus the District of Columbia. Yet although much has changed, Jodi Picoult’s gripping novel highlights how much bigotry and discrimination still exist. For in her very current novel, the mother’s fitness to parent children is also challenged solely because she is a lesbian, married to another woman.Over two hundred readers have already posted reviews, and it strikes me on skimming them that quite a few seem to regard the book in a positive or negative light depending on their attitudes toward homosexuality and equal rights for GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual or Transgender) people. So I’ll state my own views up-front: one of my two wonderful daughters is a lesbian, and my husband and I also have a gay nephew who, with his partner, is doing a first-rate job of parenting their adopted son. And I certainly believe that my daughter and nephew deserve equal rights!Sing You Home is definitely an “issue book” in the proud tradition of older novels like Gentlemen’s Agreement or Consenting Adults; as another reader put it, it shows a “political agenda” on Picoult’s part. This is an agenda that Picoult forthrightly admits, as the proud mother of a beloved gay son, and to me it is a plus rather than a minus. Picoult does a great job of portraying Zoe and Vanessa as normal people, with all the virtues and flaws that other ordinary people have. And I was happy to see other readers say that the novel had opened their eyes to the roadblocks and injustices faced by GLBT people.But readers familiar with Jodi Picoult’s earlier novels know that this author never writes books that are simply tracts, but rather well-plotted, compelling reads. Her latest is no exception.In Sing You Home, the custody fight is not over a baby or child who has already been born, but over three fertilized embryos being kept in storage at the fertility clinic where Zoe Baxter and her ex-husband Max have spent much time, and thousands of dollars they could ill afford, in hopes of having a baby. The story is told by three viewpoint characters: Zoe and her ex-husband Max, who are the contesting parties for the embroyos, plus Vanessa, the school guidance counselor whose relationship with Zoe starts with friendship but develops into love and marriage.As far as their readiness to be parents, the cards would seem to be stacked against Max. Zoe is a graduate of a prestigious school of music, who uses her talents in the helping profession of music therapist. (I was not familiar with this field and found the description of her work moving and fascinating.) Max, on the other hand, is a recovering alcoholic, with a faltering landscaping business, who walks out on Zoe after her most recent pregnancy comes heartbreakingly close to a successful delivery. But Max has an ace up his sleeve in the fight for their embryos. He doesn’t intend to parent the potential baby or babies himself; instead he has found a couple with impeccable Christian morality, who he and his lawyers are sure will trump the standing of a lesbian couple.I found all three to be well-developed characters, though Max and Zoe interested me more than Vanessa, as both of them experienced profound changes in their self-identity during the course of the book. (Vanessa is most compelling in describing the pain of having to hide her true identity through much of her life.) Max is driven by a life-threatening accident to becoming a born-again Christian, and Zoe is stunned to realize that she is fully capable of falling in love with another woman. And though other readers have criticized Picoult for characterizing Vanessa and Zoe as nearly perfect, I didn’t find them to be so.A number of other readers have criticized Zoe’s outspoken intolerance of religion, and I agree with them. Walking out on Christmas dinner because Max’s brother and sister-in-law emphasized the religious aspects of the holiday was not only rude but hurtful to both her in-laws and Max. (I tend to doubt that Jodi Picoult meant this to reflect her own views on religion; as a fiction writer I know that characters reveal themselves to writers, warts and all, rather than being made up from whole cloth.)But I also thought that Zoe’s insistence on wanting to try to get pregnant again after the stillbirth — even though her doctor strongly advised against it, saying another pregnancy would be life-threatening — was a flaw on Zoe’s part. Her demand that they go through another IVF cycle was the “straw” that prompted Max to leave her at such a traumatic time for her, but Zoe should have realized that his lapses back into drinking — something she was aware of but ignored — made him a poor source of emotional support.Max is weak, though hardly evil, and his account of the peace and support he finds as a newly born-again Christian fascinated me. Unfortunately, despite the support and acceptance he finds, the pastor of his congregation is virulently anti-gay, and it is largely at his insistence that Max goes to court to deny custody of the stored embryos to Zoe.I didn’t feel, as some reviewers did, that the author condemned all Christians without distinction, but only the fundamentalist, right-wing churches that would demonize Jodi Picoult’s child and mine for the orientation they were born with. The outlook of the congregation Max joins is closer to that of the Westboro Baptist Church, headed by Fred Phelps, which specializes in picketing funerals of fallen American service members, than to most mainstream congregations that I’m familiar with. And indeed, I have numerous friends who belong to accepting, welcoming Christian churches.Phelps’ group came to my mind, incidentally, because Jodi Picoult placed them as onlookers in the courtroom, rooting for Max and his conservative lawyers to win. (This was something that surprised me – not that Phelps and his congregation would be against a lesbian couple raising a child, but that there was a large audience sitting in court throughout the trial. When I did research for the courtroom scenes of In a Family Way, I asked to sit in on a family court custody hearing, but was told the courtroom was closed to all but parties involved in the case.)It also surprised me that Picoult gave both Zoe and the woman Max announced his intention of donating the embryos to the same infertility problem of multiple miscarriages. Though it was acknowledged that the latter might not be able to carry the embryos to term should she become pregnant with one or more of them, it was brushed aside by her husband saying, “but maybe she can.” I thought the conflict might have been stronger if she had an infertility issue that kept her from becoming pregnant to begin with, but not in carrying a baby to term.And I also — again, like other readers — would have liked to know what happened to Lucy, though as she had only a year-and-a-half till her 18th birthday, she had probably left home for a better environment by the time of the epilog that ended the story six years later.But these are minor quibbles. I couldn’t stop turning pages — a turn of phrase only, as I was actually clicking the Next Page button on my Kindle — to see how this conflict would be resolved. And maybe it’s only because the endings to my own books have the same kind of twists, but I loved the ending Picoult came up with.

I appreciate the different views in this boom regarding gays. I had a sister that was of that perswaytion p!us I now have a granddaughter who lives that life. She is happy, ignoring the stupid looks that normal people give and lives her life. This book was great

I would first like to start out by saying that this book came highly recommended to me by MULTIPLE people. Seriously, even on Bookstagram, people were telling me it was a “must read”. Everyone talked about how much they loved Avi and Kyran’s story and how HOT this book was. I wholeheartedly agree with those statements…HOWEVER, one thing I am so disappointed in, is how NO ONE mentions how deep and emotional this story is. Here are my thoughts:Kyran is our HGB (iykyk ????), who off the bat hates Avi upon meeting him and harbors (pun intended) some strong hatred and feelings for Avi. You see right off the bat, that he has a strained relationship with his dad. To those who have never experienced trauma or don’t have any sort of experience with it personally or with a family, friend/loved one, it’s easy to miss the signs. What baffles me is how LOUD these signs were but most people kept skipping over it to get to the hate/sexual tension/hot s*x that these men had.There are legit very prominent clues as to the status of Kyran’s mental health and the fact that he endured such horrible trauma. I legit highlighted almost every single clue Nyla left in the book. So to hear “how hot this book was” and that’s all people have to say, really makes me mad, because this book was so much more than that. Kyran’s personal growth, acceptance, and even his struggle was beautiful. It was raw, it was real. It was pretty much what I look for when you have a very heavy mental health Rep in a book.My favorite part? No, it wasn’t the spice (shocker- though it was delicious). It’s the fact that Nyla showed you LOVE DOES NOT CURE ALL. Kyran did what was necessary to get the help he needed and even then, Avi accepted and KNEW that Kyran wasn’t “fixed”, that he would still struggle and you know what this man decided? THAT HE WOULD LOVE HIM THROUGH IT ALL. That’s what makes an epic love story. That’s what makes me want to scream with happiness. They got their HEA but it was REALISTIC and I am HERE FOR IT.Avi is our nerdy, artistic emo who feels lost in life. He has no direction. Instead of getting serious about it, he hid behind the facade of jokes and humor. He was truly so insecure that it broke my heart for him. His love with Kyran shaped who he was and in turn, he found himself. He stood true to himself in all ways, and also helped to tear down that brick wall that Ky built so high. While tearing down his walls, he slowly realized that he was also tearing down his own, allowing Ky to see a rare vulnerability in him as well.Their story was EVERYTHING to me. My heart broke for both of these broken boys. I cried, laughed, and became one of their fans. The spice was delicious but the emotional impact is really what sold this to me. The fact that it’s glossed over by so many readers makes me so sad.Thank you Nyla for an amazing story. This has been promoted to a comfort read and one of my fav reads this year (so far). Aviel and Kyran have a permanent spot in my heart and will live rent free in my head.

For the fans is a great book to read. It’s riveting, sexy, sensuous, and captivating. It’s hard to put down once you have started. The author’s style of writing is easy to follow.

I finally got the chance to listen to For The Fans and I can totally understand why this is such a great book!Let me just say that this book was wonderfully written. The character development and growth was absolutely phenomenal. Kyran and Avi went from hating each other with a passion to full blown passionate loving.Avi’s mom married Kyran’s father and the two became instant enemies. Kyran “hated” Avi on sight without any reason. He hated everything about him because he was everything he couldn’t be: free.Kyran suffered a major childhood trauma that completely closed him off and in its place was a masked man who never let his true self show. Kyran couldn’t accept the person he was for fear of being rejected.Avi wasn’t faced by Kyran’s personality in the slightest. On the contrary, he thrived on pushing his buttons. He didn’t let the grumpy jerk get to him. Avi saw right through him.After a bad decision by their father, Avi and Kyran find themselves needing money to pay for their school and living expenses. That’s when Avi suggests teaming up to create content for his Only Fans account. What happens next is the hottest, most down right sexy thing ever. The two of them set the platform on fire.They gave their fans the spiciest content imaginable. They went from hate intimacy to the most tender love making. Hooking their fans into the real them. Not two people getting it on on camera, but honest to God falling in love in front of it. Their fans became invested in their relationship and how they showed their true selves without even realizing it.It might have started as a means to get money, but it ended up being a way to find the love of their lives.I loved how Kyran finally stood up to his parents and let them know how failed him. Loved how he finally took the initiative to heal himself in order to give Avi the real him. He finally embraced who he really was and that what happened to him didn’t make him less of a person.I absolutely loved that Avi was there for him and showed him how much he was loved. The two of them might have started out as enemies but they both found a love so strong that nothing could break them.