RELEASE BLITZ

Title: Crave

Series: The Gibson Boys #3

Author: Adriana Locke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sarah’s Musings…

3 CROWNS

This going to a bit of a abnormal review for me, because I honestly don’t know how to review it. There are aspects that I loved, but there are parts that took me out of the story, so I’m going to review parts.

The characters – 4/5 I absolutely adored these characters. I didn’t expect the self loathing of Machlan. It was an interesting aspect to his character, which explained a lot of what motivates him. I enjoyed Hadley’s tenacity. I wish the evolution of their characters would have been a bit quicker and not so back and forth, but where these two end up are magical.

Chemistry – 4/5 I love these two together. I like the push and the pull, although it got to be a bit too much as the story progressed. I love when they finally connect and explosion that ensues. I very much enjoyed Mach’s dirty mouth as well as the romantic one. I wanted more of his dirty mouth and ultimately more romance

Story – 5/5 There are aspects of their story that for spoiler reasons will not be mentioned, but it really brought a lot to the their history and the conflict keeping these two from being together. It explains character motivation and creates reader sympathy, but it also creates respect for these two for how unselfish they are. It also shines a light on the everlasting struggles endured by people like Mach and Hadley.

Pacing – 2/5 This is where the story kind of falters a bit for me. The secret that has been keeping them a part is a bit too drawn out for me. I found myself losing interest, which is unfortunate because it is a great reason, and Adriana Locke depicts the lasting struggle perfectly. The happy before the eventual fallout was too short. Readers wait so long for these two to come back together, and it is magical when they do. Then, bam, it is over, and I was just left feeling bereft. I didn’t get time to revel in their happiness for at least a couple chapters. I just needed some reprieve from the angst and the back and forth and the hurt.

I overall enjoyed the story. Adriana Locke’s writing is beautiful as always. The Gibson boys are my favorites with their antics and sense of family with all the secondary characters. This series is the pure essence of small town romance.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Tricia’s Musings…

3.5 CROWNS

I have to admit when I first started reading Crave, I was a little confused. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to know why Machlan and Hadley weren’t together and thought I may have missed something. Not the case. The why was part of the mystery, which gradually revealed itself over the course of the book. It did take a while to figure out. I loved Machlan with his growly, alpha personality. I felt his pain, his longing for Hadley and his confusion. His indecisiveness made for one heck of a rollercoaster ride. He would push her away one minute, then be unable to deny himself the next.

Well written, the sexual tension jumps from the pages and hits you in the heart but the angst is almost too much to bear at times. Machlan’s stubbornness and overthinking was frustrating and I just wanted to shake him. This back and forth part of the story did drag for me and there was just too much of it for my personal taste. I would also really have liked to know how old they each were and I found not knowing was strangely distracting.

Hadley was a hugely likeable character in my eyes. Some may feel she was too weak, too much of a pushover but I just saw her as a young woman in love and I had great sympathy for her. She knew what she wanted and continued to put her heart on the line. However, everyone has a breaking point and I wondered just how long she would continue to fight.

I particularly enjoyed the last third of the book. There was plenty of interaction with and from a great cast of really great supporting characters. I haven’t had grandparents in my life for many years but if I had, I would love to have someone like Nana. Overall, even though there was a little too much angst for me, Crave is a good read, well written and fans of this interconnected series I’m sure will not be disappointed. Continue Reading →