Ugh, these reviews are going to get super short. I’m hate reading the rest of the series since I paid for them and there are some (but very few) parts that are enjoyable. I continue to wonder whether Ellis has ever met had a conversation with a gay man or if this is all just her imagination.
The biggest problem with this book is that Braeton, first introduced in Bryan & Jase, is nothing like his character in that book. I mean sure he dresses the same and is flamboyant, but he comes across as a total ass in the first part of this book. He never came across as an ass in that first one.
I also continue to wonder whether Ellis has EVER met a gay men, let alone had a conversation with one. With gems like these, I’m surprised I made it through:
“You know, I always thought the guys on your team understood fashion and hair and all that crap. You clearly missed the day they gave lessons on that.” (Loc. 8,603)
“I’m all over that shit like glitter on a drag queen. But, let’s grab some food first. I need sustenance if I’m going to complete your total makeover.” (Loc. 8,671)
“And, just like that, Braeton entered my life like a rainbow freight train.” (Loc. 8,679)
“I hooked up with any and every guy to look my way.” (Loc. 8,900)
“Dating and relationships are hard no matter what, but the gay side of things sometimes makes it even more difficult, so we know the struggles he’s facing…” (Loc. 10,822)
I mean I get it, for a book/movie/etc. you need to create universals and thus depend on stereotypes to get those across. These, however, were just too much, especially in a book like this in which the whole point was opposites attract and stereotypes shouldn’t matter. But even doing that she just leans in to even more stereotypes,
“So I don’t like shopping, I don’t love fashion, I don’t go gaga for Cher. I’d rather drink a few beers in a sports bar than drink some frou-frou drink in a gay bar or some uppity straight bar. Give me a pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt and I’m happy.” (Loc. 8,995)
And then when you add in more continuity/copy edits I’m like WTF!? The following scene happens and it’s pretty clear Braeton has a tattoo,
“The hint of a lower back tattoo teased from the waist band of his jeans. ‘Mmm, what sexy pretties do you have hidden under there?’ I ran my fingers over the inked design before bending down to kiss it. Running my tongue along the tattoo, I squeezed Braeton’s ass in my hands. Moving to stand, I placed a gentle bite against one ass cheek. Braeton shuddered before grabbing my hand and hauling me down to the next floor.” (Loc. 9,290)
And then a few chapters later, there’s a long conversation about neither of them having tattoos, but wanting to them for meaningful reasons.
“‘I guess I’ve been thinking about a tattoo for a pretty long time, but I’m like you. I want it to mean something.’ Drew hedged and I got the feeling he wanted to say more.” (Loc. 10,780)
I mean this would be great, because the tattoos they got were cute and made sense, but they would’ve been so much better if they actually were the first tattoos they got, but unfortunately because Ellis (or her editor) can’t keep track it was just sort of meh.
Recommendation: Not worth it. None of these have been. I’ve probably been overly generous with two stars. The stories could be great with a better author/editor, but the writing is hokey, the characters one dimensional and the stereotypes overwhelming.
Opening Line: “Posh. The high-end Indianapolis salon’s name was sleek and sophisticated on the sign.”
Closing Line: “Together we’d forever be never too much and always enough.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)
Other Books in the Something About Him Series
Additional Quotes from Braeton & Drew*
“Last time I fell hard for a guy, his love-of-a-lifetime showed up in town, and I bowed out gracefully. What else was I supposed to do? I mean, I’m not one to stand in the way of soulmates and all that jazz. I’m still friends with him. Bryan and his husband, Jase, are good guys.” (Loc. 8,719)
“Under the “Imported Beers” I only saw Sam Adams. Yeah, because Boston is clearly a foreign country.” (Loc. 9,678)
“If my heart hadn’t already been flip-flopping over the man, watching him join in to Gray’s game so easily when I knew it was actually a source of anxiety for him was enough to burrow him into my heart even deeper. I smiled at him over Gray’s head as we departed the elevator.” (Loc. 9,947)
“But, then again, no one said life was fair. It wasn’t fair that people didn’t believe I was gay because I didn’t love shopping or sing show tunes. It wasn’t fair that people thought Braeton was too gay because of his sometimes overzealous zest for life. Judging because of skin color or religion or gender wasn’t fair. Little kids living in extreme poverty and watching their parents succumb to drug and alcohol addiction again and again wasn’t fair. People living lives full of physical and emotional and verbal abuse wasn’t fair. I wasn’t the only person in the world living with injustice.” (Loc. 10,617)
*These books came in a compendium on Kindle so the page/location numbers are different than if you purchase them individually.
the obvious question – if you are disliking these so much why bother to continue reading them? I know you paid for them and maybe don’t want to waste money but there’s also the waste of your time to take into account. Time you could spend on something more enjoyable?? Only saying 🙂
Mostly I kept reading them because I read so fast and they were all less than 200 pages. I also read these when we were on vacation and I didn’t have the ARC/galleys I planned to read after with me. That and being a completionist works against me in so many ways.
Plus you clearly have more patience than I do. i’d have chucked them by now….