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A review by bluebeereads
Turning Tides by E.M. Denning
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
E.M. Denning is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. After loving her Walking Disasters duet, I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book and, surprise!, I loved this as well. What a wonderful story!
Shane and Archer are such amazing characters. Shane is a very kind, generous person - sometimes too generous - but he's also a bit lonely. Archer is a feisty, spiky hedgehog of a guy - and a tattoo artist - who's a bit lost when he meets Shane. The two of them are exactly what the other needs. They are perfect for each other in every way. The only thing that holds both of them back is Archer's brother Cyrus. Cyrus is also Shane's friend and works as the cook in Shane's bar. And he's very protective over his brother, maybe a bit too much. While I understood why he was like that, I also found him a mix of an overbearing parent and a petulant child.
Despite that, though, this was a low angst story. And Cyrus' behavior never became annoying because we also find out why he is the way he is. But that's the thing I love about E.M. Denning's stories. The romance is very uncomplicated in some ways. Yes, there are obstacles to overcome, but they're always realistic. There's no angst just for the sake of it. It's just a beautiful story about two people finding their person, a story that feels real. Like I can just hop on a plane and travel to Shane's bar if I wanted to.
Also a highlight I have to mention: the spice. Good lord, it was something else in this book. I really love the smaller top/bigger bottom trope and it was done excellently. Add to that the fact that the smaller top (Archer) is feisty and take charge and has an absolute filthy mouth on him and Shane is desperate for everything and anything Archer is willing to give and you get absolutely explosive chemistry. Normally I don't really like books with a lot of spicy scenes, but it actually made sense in this one because neither of them had really gotten what they needed in that regard in so long, maybe ever. But, needless to say it was hot. Very hot.
Overall, this was another wonderful book and I am so eager for Shane's brothers' stories! I'm also going to pick up E.M.'s Breakfast at Bennett's series now, since this is a spin-off and it made me curious about some of the characters that popped up in this one. Safe to say, I highly recommend this one.
Shane and Archer are such amazing characters. Shane is a very kind, generous person - sometimes too generous - but he's also a bit lonely. Archer is a feisty, spiky hedgehog of a guy - and a tattoo artist - who's a bit lost when he meets Shane. The two of them are exactly what the other needs. They are perfect for each other in every way. The only thing that holds both of them back is Archer's brother Cyrus. Cyrus is also Shane's friend and works as the cook in Shane's bar. And he's very protective over his brother, maybe a bit too much. While I understood why he was like that, I also found him a mix of an overbearing parent and a petulant child.
Despite that, though, this was a low angst story. And Cyrus' behavior never became annoying because we also find out why he is the way he is. But that's the thing I love about E.M. Denning's stories. The romance is very uncomplicated in some ways. Yes, there are obstacles to overcome, but they're always realistic. There's no angst just for the sake of it. It's just a beautiful story about two people finding their person, a story that feels real. Like I can just hop on a plane and travel to Shane's bar if I wanted to.
Also a highlight I have to mention: the spice. Good lord, it was something else in this book. I really love the smaller top/bigger bottom trope and it was done excellently. Add to that the fact that the smaller top (Archer) is feisty and take charge and has an absolute filthy mouth on him and Shane is desperate for everything and anything Archer is willing to give and you get absolutely explosive chemistry. Normally I don't really like books with a lot of spicy scenes, but it actually made sense in this one because neither of them had really gotten what they needed in that regard in so long, maybe ever. But, needless to say it was hot. Very hot.
Overall, this was another wonderful book and I am so eager for Shane's brothers' stories! I'm also going to pick up E.M.'s Breakfast at Bennett's series now, since this is a spin-off and it made me curious about some of the characters that popped up in this one. Safe to say, I highly recommend this one.