by Megan Derr
rating:☆☆ 1/2
published: 13th July 2016
spoilers? yes
Goodreads
He hadn't expected ever to hear that voice again. His heart pounded in his ears. It couldn't be his pirate. But he remembered that rough-edged voice, like years at sea had stripped the softness from it. He couldn't forget it even if he tried - because he had tried. Some things simply refused to be forgotten.
Galley provided by publisher
Actual rating 2.5
To be honest, I was kind of disappointed by this book. I was hoping for something more (second chance romance is such a good trope, and that's mainly what drew me to this book). I'm being a little harsh in my rating by rounding it down, but there is a reason for that (even if maybe I could justify giving it three stars).
Firstly, the plot. I don't want to say there was none, because there was, but from the Megan Derr books I've read, I've found they all seem to be a little plot-light (The King's Harem very much so). And this is no different. The kidnapping right at the beginning set it up very nicely, but then within about 40 pages that was resolved. Then, there was no real attempt at any sort of investigation into who did it, until suddenly the answer is (almost literally) dropped into their laps, with another 40 pages to go. The romance also seemed to have not so much development, with the first romance-y parts happening on page 30. Like, I'm all for it happening quickly (sometimes), but there's a limit. (Although that's a general problem I find with LGBT+ new adult stuff...) Actually, in general, everything could be drawn out a little longer. They could spend longer escaping the kidnappers, or fighting in that tavern, or following Lesto's poisoning (where he blacks out, and next thing you know, he's a-OK and healthy again).
Then there's their initial hookup, pre-start of the book. It is... dubious, say the least. Shemal is, at this point, a prisoner, while Lesto is the High Commander (can you see where this is going?). And the way it is described is:
"[he had] dragged Shemal into an empty room, pulled him to the floor, and all but demanded that Shemal fuck him."
How, exactly, in this situation, is Shemal supposed to say no? When this guy is totally in charge of what happens to him. Especially when, preceding this, Shemal had punched Lesto. For all he knows, this could be some perverse punishment. And he can't say no. Hence why I found it dodgy.
Also, it would have been nice to have some context of things like the political situation, or who's in charge where, before the important things start to happen. Like, we only learn about the situation in the culprit country when their ambassador's explaining why there are mercenaries running willy-nilly about Sarrica's land, and it's a little hard to follow when there's not really been any context about it beforehand. I don't know - it could equally just have been that I wasn't paying enough attention.
Anyway, it was nice otherwise. I'm only really rating down for that dubious consent scene.
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