The Boyfriend Subscription

So, I love how they have a natural attraction to each other right off the bat and that it didn't start immediately with the offer to play boyfriend. That set the story up to be better, I think. 

I love we get to experience each of their views, too. Get a better understanding of each character. I will say though that Teddy is probably my favorite because I relate to him a little more than Cole, but that's neither here nor there!

Throughout the book there's moments of humor too that help keep you attached to the characters and wanting to read more. I love the relationships that is shown throughout the book too, such as between Kit and Teddy, Cole and Mallory. There's a lot of building of familial bonds again at the end of the book, which was much needed, and you get a better insight into a man that you may initially not think of well. 

There is intimacy, but it's not super spicy. There are snippets of things that happen between them, but nothing super descriptive. Honestly, sometimes just the little things feel more intimate than full-blown sex anyways, so it had an underlying feeling of love throughout the whole book, I think.

 

Spoiler: Jason is a total douche canoe. Do not like, do not trust. Just, do not. Honestly, I didn't like his sleeziness at all, but you will find you will have a great reason to hate him. 

Renovating the Model

Okay, not going to lie. At first I thought the silver-fox was going to be Cas, the contractor. To find out it's truly Tiago pictured.... Consider me sold and in love.

I really loved this book because of how Tiago is coming out of his shell, breaking free of the invisible rings tying him to letting his twin make all the decisions for the both of them. He's finally going to do what he truly wants to do instead of sitting in the background and following his twin because he was okay with simply following. 

Cas - hot contractor man - is a goofy, strong man who upholds his word and takes care of those he loves. He has a little work to do, becoming more confident in himself and believing he is enough for the older, silver-fox who shows an interest in him. 

The chemistry between these two is fire, and I love how they both treat each other with so much respect. They truly talk to each other, and they find ways to work together through situations. I love how Cas does simple things to help Tiago gain more of his own confidence in decision-making as well as realizing ways to help Tiago without having confirmation about what he may or may not need. If you don't realize it, Cas is very observant and is great at being discreet about observations. 

This was a great book and I recommend to anyone who loves small-town homecomings mixed with the characters going through transformations to better themselves. Also, spice is great but not overwhelming. There's some great build up!

ARC Review of "A Soul to Protect"

 

How to even start... 

I read this as an ARC reader, and I finished the book a few days ago, but I've needed time to put my thoughts together. This book touched parts of my soul and mind that I didn't realize needed to be exposed and touched. It helped me think in ways of things that I haven't let myself think about in a long time. Opal mentions in her author's note that this may be her favorite book of the series... I'm here to say that it's 100% my favorite. 

Nathair has a high-level of humanity that surpasses the others, I believe, but that also made him much more compelling as he dueled that humanity with his Duskwalker nature. His humanity has also made it so much harder for him to even live, though. Nathair struggles mentally in a way that makes you worry for not just his Bride, but for him. The chapters from his point-of-view definitely make it feel like you're closer to him and able to sympathize more with him. Or at least I did. You get the front row seat into what his mind is like during these struggles, and the way it's explained makes it almost like you're right there with him, experiencing it at the same time. It's amazing the way Opal was able to make this come across the way she did. 

Linh. Strong, determined, smiling but utterly wrecked, and in pieces on the inside. Linh is the literary rendition of how I am when I'm struggling with my own mental issues, and I am absolutely in love with her. Linh is the face of so, so many women who have faced the same trauma that she did. She is a representation of the strength and determination it takes to face the trauma in a way that doesn't hurt the healing process. It looks different for everyone, the way to getting past the trauma enough to still be able to live. Her quiet strength and resilience, and the fact that she smiles for herself, was almost heartbreaking because of the view the reader gets into her thoughts and emotions. 

These two together may not seem to be able to work, but they both have a strength that ensures they are able to help each other when they stumble and use the strength of each other to continue on. The bond they form as they both work through their individual traumas is strong, even before Linh becomes Nathair's bride. I love the way they tease one another, the way they're able to use humor to help hold each other up. 

This book is amazing. And I can't wait to get it in a physical format, because it will definitely be re-read more than once. If you don't read any of the other Duskwalker books, you should at least read this one. There will be names mentioned that you won't know, but this book could stand alone in the series. It doesn't continue much of the background story line that included the demon king and that, but honestly, I expected that because of how Nathair came to be back in the living world.

All in all, this was an amazing book and I had a hard time putting it down in order to be an adult. The background story of the Duskwalkers with the demon king isn't mentioned or continued in this book, but honestly, I don't think that's an awful thing. Getting to read about Nathair and Linh breaking through their barriers is a beam of hope for some of us who struggle mentally too.

Also, spice content is 👌🤤

Another absolutely fantastic read from Reyne! I can't wait for the next one!