Kate SherwoodBesprekingen

Ho letto questo libro in maniera estemporanea, giusto perché l’ho comprato nel lontano 2013 e giaceva abbandonato nell’ereader (e ce ne sono un sacco così, magari il 2019 è l’anno buono per smaltire qualche vecchio acquisto). Essendo passato così tanto tempo, non mi ricordavo nemmeno di che parlava – e figuriamoci se mi scomodavo a rileggere la trama…

Devo dire che i tre uomini in copertina avrebbero dovuto essere un indizio sufficiente, ma nondimeno ho impiegato diverse pagine a capire che Sherwood mi stava raccontando la storia dell’inizio di una relazione poliamorosa – quanto a percettività faccio a gara con Dan, la voce narrante.

Infatti, Dan si ritrova a essere attratto da Evan e Jeff, una coppia aperta in cerca di un nuovo equilibrio per la loro relazione. Non si nomina mai il poliamore, cosa che – un po’ a malincuore – ammetto avere senso, visto che nessuno dei tre personaggi ha ben chiaro in cosa si sta avventurando (reso ben chiaro da Evan con la storia dell’idraulico, del miliardario e del fattorino della pizza).

È un romanzo che racconta di diversi tipi di ostacoli che si possono incontrare nel costruire una relazione: alcuni meno tipici di altri, ma comunque oltre alle sfide tipiche di una relazione poliamorosa in una società che prevede solo quelle monogame, ce ne sono altre che riguardano lo specifico background che ognuno dei personaggi si porta dietro. Mi ha fatto proprio venire voglia di leggere gli altri romanzi della trilogia.

Ho finito per apprezzare il fatto che Sherwood abbia deciso di raccontare la storia usando il presente: a dispetto del fastidio iniziare, data dalla sensazione di leggere il tema di una bambina, devo ammettere che alla fine ben si sposa con il carattere naїf di Dan e me lo ha reso simpatico (nonostante la sua prodigiosa capacità di farsi seghe mentali per qualsiasi cosa, finisce davvero per essere molto tenero).

Charming FTL tale; the hats are an absolutely adorable detail.

3,5 stars.

One hand extended, one opportune word, somebody that really see you...

This was heartbreaking.

The author keeps on using the present-tense, this time not in third person but in second person; for me that made it seem a long psychoanalysis session, after the dude in the armchair says to you: "Tell me your life..." ;)

If you follow the series sequence as it is indicated here on GR -which is what I'm doing-, when one begins this story already knows that heartbreaking facts will happen, no during the development of this story but in the future. I strongly suggest to respect this order, to read this shortie as a prequel will cause surely an irreversible state of sorrow.

Knowing that almost unconsciously I embarked on this story with a certain detachment so it didn't wreck me. So far so good, but that didn't spare me the anguish due to Dan's reluctance that clearly lets to glimpse a heavy baggage.

Otherwise, this story shows off the same virtues that [b:Dark Horse|8262408|Dark Horse (Dark Horse, #1)|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348228294s/8262408.jpg|13110316]: a fabulous work with the characters, an equally concern for the context. Finally, with this series I'm learning more than in all my life about horses in general and equestrian sports in particular!

4,5 stars.

God, this made me cry a river.

Sex, lots of it; hot and deeply moving sex.

Without the previous books and shorties this story doesn't make much sense, with them this story is the icing on the cake in terms of the threesome consolidation.

3,5 stars

One of my all-time favorite series. And this omnibus edition has three short stories that I haven't read, yay!

4,5 stars.

A magnificent novel, in great part a character-driven story about the slow building of a threesome. And a book nothing easy to read and less easy to forget.

I'm truly marveled by the exquisite construction of all the characters, horses included. The physical data are few and sporadic; what's marvelous is that characters develop from within, layer upon layer, until they acquire corporeality and soul in front of the reader's eyes. There are singularity and a terrific consistency in them; In each one of them I found coherent body language, attitudes, mood changes, and ways of speaking.

I suppose that in next installments we'll know more about Evan and Jeff.. Until now the series mainly focuses on Dan and with good reason (please note that at the moment of writing this review I already read [b:Sometimes You Just Know|12979664|Sometimes You Just Know (Dark Horse, #1.1)|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319955890s/12979664.jpg|18138655] and [b:Rough Broke|12991357|Rough Broke (Dark Horse, #1.2)|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328186976s/12991357.jpg|18151413]), Dan is an amazing character, he's a phoenix, being reborn time after time of an horrid past full of pain and losses.

Well, then cause not 5 stars? Because in a moment, toward the ending of the first part I experienced a focus loss, as if the step would have become too tiresome.

I take the opportunity to repeat my opinion and defense on the verb tense used. The present tense isn't a bad thing. Definitely, getting accustomed takes a little time, but as its effect is that the action happens while you read, reinforce the empathy with the characters. At least that way it's for me, and in such sense the present-tense adds to the virtues of this book.

A look at the beginnings of Jeff and Evan as couple. On the basis of what I already knew from [b:Dark Horse|8262408|Dark Horse (Dark Horse, #1)|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348228294s/8262408.jpg|13110316], only two things surprised me and both regarding Jeff which now, being already fully in the reading of [b:Out of the Darkness|8588702|Out of the Darkness (Dark Horse, #2)|Kate Sherwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348365633s/8588702.jpg|13458155], starts to seem not so confident.

What surprised me was:
* Jeff's relation with art, that he obviously retakes after getting involved with Evan.
* Jeff's dominant vein, that would flourish also as part of his relation with Evan.

So what? Is Evan the Great Catalyst?
We'll see...

I was not expecting the complexity I found here, or the compelling conflicts. Or the several times Tristan made me laugh. This is a rare low-erotic romance, relatively, which is funny considering Tristan's profession. I loved and felt deep sympathy for Simon, and the respect he shows Tristan is endearing. There's also a short, sweet afterword with Noah and Shane. I am delighted to have found another author whose work leaves me smiling and happy.

I've rarely read a romance in which the separation before reunion felt more visceral and necessary than this one, and in which the characters fight their way through their challenges not to run into each others' arms, but to seek out how the other is. It's beautiful, tender and careful without being at all sappy. I loved this story. I loved all the bits at the end, too. This found family is great and I want all their stories.

This on the face of it may seem predictable, but the subtle dance of perspectives was so well done that I read it nearly without stopping. My only complaint is how soon it ended (for the characters), but this is book 1 of 4, so I am hoping that means we see these two in the next books as side characters.

Trey must have been a challenge to write. I expected Seb's evolution, but Trey is far more stubborn, and the way his self respect hangs on his one skill is a serious roadblock. The plot felt very organic, not contrived and not over-simplified. As a reader, I am grateful for both. My favorite aspect of this series is the friendships in this found family, how each relationship shifts the dynamics but that core of caring remains strong.

dnf @ 52%

Sad to say I wasn’t able to enjoy this one as much as some of my friends here did. I tried.

Very cute, light-hearted story. I enjoyed it much.



I enjoyed the two mc's Cody and Jayden and pretty much figured out that Jayden was the brother of Cody's future brother in law right off the bat. The awkward breakfast the morning after was hilarious :D

Jayden was a sweetheart that Cody underestimated. For some reason as soon as I started reading the story, I got this impression that Cody was a bit effeminate, but that feeling grew less as the story progressed.

Loved the HEA. Good job :)

DNF. So many paragraphs devoted to "gay is a forbidden fruit." Old fashioned stuff.

I liked the MCs and the story, but it didn't really grip me like I expected it to. The ace part was done well - I love it when it's just incorporated into the story without making a big deal out of it.

This is a slow burn series, and surprisingly addictive.

This series hinges on the suspense more than the romance, and that suited me just fine. Generally, it moved along in an interesting but not overwhelming clip.

The romance structure was really interesting though. Like really interesting.

I'll say more about that after I lodge one little thing (or more, who knows) about this installment: it was frighteningly reminiscent,a bit too much for me, of militia/etc activity in this country recently. All that to say, the author likely did her homework, but I do not, in any respect, enjoy local LE vs federal vs citizens. That's pretty much isolated to book 4, and there's nothing wrong with it overall per se, except the fact I feel like there are no real heroes and only losers and I'm not really into civil wars going hot. That and an avengers style last stand made me scoff a bit, aside from the fact that so many regular citizens show up which ok I can totally see happening in some regions. But I frankly didn't enjoy the action in this particular installment, by and large, at all. Like I said, too remeniscent, too insidious, and finally too trigger-happy.

but what about the romance

Oh, so glad you asked. I will have to hand it to the author here, the romance was a high level of intense with a slow pace. It was second chance but didn't really rely on the past and flashbacks, but similarly, throughout the story, there isn't much actual on-page time. So why this reader felt so strongly about Jericho (the cop) and Wade (the robber)? I can only say because it was curiously well-executed and incredibly intense emotionally.

"It's not like I'm stupid."

That's an interesting turn of phrase. Because I would definitely say that you're not stupid, overall. But at the same time, it often does seem very much like you're stupid. I mean, from the outside, watching the things you do-I can see how someone might reach the wrong conclusion about your intelligence."

See, the first book established that Jericho, former* (*kind of) hellion returns bc of his father. It's been 15 years and he's changed in the way he channels his energy (for good, whatever he feels that is) his ex-lover Wade had also been successful in channeling his energy, but a while lot of mystery surrounds just what and who is he is involved in... This pretty much hits its climax (ahem, we're all adults here but yes in this case it might have double meaning) in the third installment if I'm keeping them straight, which honestly you should just read this as one book, in this kitchen scene. And all the complications and rewards are there. See there's one thing that Wade is vulnerable about and around, and even Jericho can't really read him. He just has this primal charisma and intense self-reliance that's really well done in this series.

"You didn't like my 'run away' plan. Now don't tell me you don't like my 'blow shit up' plan, either, or my feelings will be hurt."

If you're in the mood for what I can only call "an Omar Little archetype" (because I don't know what it's actually called) A self-serving, but somehow moral, unapologetic mystery of a character with a dash of vigilante who also carefully executes on plans, you'll probably get along with this book.

Jericho is no less interesting by any means but Wade makes the books. And when they are on-page together, even the small doses:

Reviewed under Book #4, 4* for series.

Reviewed under Book #4, 4* for series

I'm withholding any kind of review or rating, since this is a smaller part of a larger series.
But: nice writing so far. Two: I really, really love the title, and it's fitting.

(Series: 4*, on final book)

3.25 stars

This was just okay, I don't know if i will continue with the series or not.

With a bit more passion, this could have been a great short story.