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A review by write_of_passages
Hug It Out by Davidson King
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I enjoyed coming back to the town of Haven Hart! Not only do we have a new pairing that are definitely likeable, but we also get to see characters from book one as well, which I absolutely adore. The way Teddy and Riordan meet is quite different and fascinating! They are very much a meeting of two very different worlds and directly tackles themes of heart, love, softness in the midst of a life that would appear to have no room for it.
Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: As a professional hugger, Teddy's character is one that we don't often see in books, although many of his traits are subconsciously given to characters. So it was fascinating to read those traits given to us so blatantly! He's truly someone you would never expect to get caught up in the 'dark' world of crime/murder/assassinations. Riordan's part of the 'dark' network as a professional assassin, but it wasn't a job he set out wanting. Rather he 'stumbled'/was forced into it and that discrepancy has finally caught up with him. His strict moral code kept him from truly integrating all parts of himself, even those he felt ashamed of. The intersection of these two worlds and worldviews is the highlight of this book, in my opinion. Not so much as unexplored territory, but the setting allows us to explore these themes in a brand new way.
PLOT: An action/romance in which the collision of two different worlds leaves us with one part delving into the depths of the human psyche and one part the action and high stakes of underground crime world. Teddy helps people through grief and healing and Riordan's grief has finally caught up with him. As an assassin, it's not expected that he'd have these moments of vulnerability, but watching the journey through healing within this high stakes world of whodunit and danger leaves the pair fighting for their lives and for the relationship they both desperately want to discover together.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
3:5/medium. While still a light read, there are some truly deep themes occurring in a setting that could consist of several TWs depending on the reader. This one felt deeper to me.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
90%. I do with we got to spend more time in the climactic moment and immediate aftermath, but I'm always saying that. They have their HEA and you do feel like they fought for it! And the way they finally get together in the end is truly quite priceless. I utterly adored how new and different some of the 'tropes' were in this book!
Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book
CHARACTERS: As a professional hugger, Teddy's character is one that we don't often see in books, although many of his traits are subconsciously given to characters. So it was fascinating to read those traits given to us so blatantly! He's truly someone you would never expect to get caught up in the 'dark' world of crime/murder/assassinations. Riordan's part of the 'dark' network as a professional assassin, but it wasn't a job he set out wanting. Rather he 'stumbled'/was forced into it and that discrepancy has finally caught up with him. His strict moral code kept him from truly integrating all parts of himself, even those he felt ashamed of. The intersection of these two worlds and worldviews is the highlight of this book, in my opinion. Not so much as unexplored territory, but the setting allows us to explore these themes in a brand new way.
PLOT: An action/romance in which the collision of two different worlds leaves us with one part delving into the depths of the human psyche and one part the action and high stakes of underground crime world. Teddy helps people through grief and healing and Riordan's grief has finally caught up with him. As an assassin, it's not expected that he'd have these moments of vulnerability, but watching the journey through healing within this high stakes world of whodunit and danger leaves the pair fighting for their lives and for the relationship they both desperately want to discover together.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
3:5/medium. While still a light read, there are some truly deep themes occurring in a setting that could consist of several TWs depending on the reader. This one felt deeper to me.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
90%. I do with we got to spend more time in the climactic moment and immediate aftermath, but I'm always saying that. They have their HEA and you do feel like they fought for it! And the way they finally get together in the end is truly quite priceless. I utterly adored how new and different some of the 'tropes' were in this book!