LAST YEAR I WAS READING…(February 23, 2022)
Here are the rules:
Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to?
This meme was created by Reading Marie. It’s a great meme because it’s nice and easy to do.
This Year I Am Reading…
Nikita Ravenov
It was supposed to be a simple job—tail the Italian for an evening, see if he was up to anything shady, and report back to the Bratva.
But I didn’t expect him to go into gay bars. Is someone trying to out me to the Bratva? Am I being set up?
And what the hell do I do now that my mark knows I’m following him?
Lorenzo Ferrari
It’s insulting, really. My organization wants to do business with the Russians, but they’re putting tails on me? That’s just bad manners.
But when that tail get a beating from his own for failing to tell them everything he knows about me, I know something is up.
Now we’re both in way over our heads. Our only hope is working together.
And even then, I’m not so sure we’re getting out of this.
CW: On-page drug use, active addiction, graphic violence, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse.
Bookshop: US
Amazon Buy Links: Kindle| Audiobook
Amazon UK Buy Links: Kindle| Audiobook
Not my favorite from this writer duo. It lacked that intensity their books usually have. But still twisty-turny enough and made better by the always brilliant narration of Michael Ferraiuolo.
Last Year I Was Reading…
Gentry Kane is a rockstar I’ve been half in love with my whole life. And now he’s my patient.
When Winter Waites knocks on the door to the snowy cabin where his next physical therapy patient awaits him, he has no idea his dream celebrity is on the other side. Gentry Kane is everything Winter has always fantasized about. But it was only a fantasy. What happens when Winter is faced with the flesh and blood man who wants more than physical therapy? Can one night in a cozy cabin lead to more? And how will that affect Winter’s growing career in the tiny, charming town of Aster Valley?
Amazon Buy Links: Kindle| Audiobook
Amazon UK Buy Links: Audiobook
A very romantic premise and an equally wonderful execution that made it one of my favorite Aster Valley books.
My 4-star review here.
Today we have two contemporary stories set in different worlds. The current takes us to the shady and very dangerous world of organized crime. The tone is more suspenseful and serious. It tackles the difficult subjects of drug addiction, domestic abuse, and homophobia. Last year’s book takes us on-stage, to the glitz and glamour of entertainment. The tone is lighter and fluffier.
Both books involve searching or following while the romances touch upon the ‘against all odds’ theme. The current has one of the MCs tailing the other. They have a forbidden love affair that has to survive not only the fact that they are from two opposing groups, not to mention the homophobia, but they also have to overcome drug addiction
Last year’s book is a celebrity/regular guy trope where the chances of ever finding that person you spotted in the crowd once again are one in a million. Other than that, there’s not much conflict here.
You Had One Job starts with the reluctant bratva operative, Nikita Ravenov, tailing the Italian mafioso, Lorenzo Ferrari, right into gay bars. Nikita is a drug addict who had to take a hit in the toilet, only to be cornered by Lorenzo. To save his neck, he tells the man he was following him because he was attracted to him. The two ended up banging, then parted ways. The next day, Lorenzo had talks with one of the bratva bosses. On his way out, he bumps into none other than Nikita.
Nikita was forced into the bratva by his abusive ex, who continues to manipulate him. The three queer characters had to keep their sexuality on the down-low because being outed has deadly consequences. Lorenzo took in Nikita after he was badly beaten. Later, as they became more intimate, the Italian promised to help the other man overcome his addiction. Drug addiction is portrayed explicitly but still handled well by the authors.
Winter Waites is about rock star Gentry Kane, spotting that one man in the audience, who made his world tilt on its axis. So much so that he stopped in the middle of the show to run after the guy. Only to lose sight of him just outside the stadium.
Occupational therapist Winter Waites has been a fan of Gentry Kane and his folk-rock band since they were playing on college campuses. He had followed the band’s career until their rise to the top. So what are the chances that the rock star of his dreams would one day show up on his doorstep as his patient?
This is the series prequel novella so it’s a short read. How things would play out was obvious, but the way the author ramped up that awkward, tension-filled meet-cute, I got goosebumps!
Between mafiosos in dimly-lit bars and rock stars on brightly-lit stages, one would kill for you, the other makes your dreams come true.
I’m ending the post with a book I’m looking forward to reading.
Julian:
I’ve been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindgergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became… nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.
And now there’s no point. All is lost. He’s gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can’t even fault. She’s great. We’ve all been friends forever. I know he’ll be happy with Erin, just not… just not as happy as he could be with me.
Parker:
I’ll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn’t have any food. Or when I’d needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I’d used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family…
But for the first time in my life I’m facing something that’s not at all easy. It’s my wedding weekend and I’ve just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian’s been keeping secrets. Big secrets.
The kind of secrets that lead to hot experimental kisses in front of a blazing fire, tentative physical exploration in a way I’d never imagined before, and the kind of intimate, true confessions I’d never even dreamed of between me and the one person who’s always been my true home.
But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There’s no easy button this time, but I’m willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.
Amazon Buy Links: Kindle
I love the cover!
More Aster Valley goodness with our boy Julian finally getting the spotlight. So excited for this *grabby hands*
What were you reading this time last year?
(I hope it’s as riveting as Morticia’s book)
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