Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*
I read this when I wanted something that would be quick and uncomplicated but still enjoyable, and this book fulfilled that purpose nicely. This was in fact a quick and easy read, and it had a sweet romance with characters who maybe didn’t leave the biggest impression on me but were still likeable while I was reading about them. And even with the inclusion of mental illness (Nathan had anxiety that was sometimes so bad he could hardly go out or be around people), it managed to stay pretty light.
I’m not really sure how well the mental illness aspect was handled; the descriptions that showed how he felt and how anxious he got about certain things were great, and he started seeing a therapist he liked, but then it almost seemed like he ran away from his problems in the end. But he did improve his mental health in some ways and explained it in a way that sounded like he was facing his fears. So that’s why I’m not sure and will let someone who’s had more experience with depression and anxiety comment on that. I do however feel like I should mention that *SPOILER & TRIGGER WARNING* Nathan kinda possibly attempted suicide twice? I’m not sure they were truly suicide attempts though. The first time, he was drunk (and I don’t think he even remembered it when he woke the next day). The second time, once revived, he said he didn’t want to die, he just wanted a rest from the constant struggle, and he knew it was a stupid decision. And he never had suicidal thoughts, they were both just kind of spontaneous happenings. *END SPOILER & TRIGGER WARNING*
As for Brume, it was fun to see his perception of human things since he wasn’t human. It’s not in the blurb but you find out around 10% (so I don’t consider this a spoiler), the first time you get his POV, that he’s an In-Between Person, which means he has a human form during the night but turns into water and is part of the ocean during the day. That was something different I’d never read about.
So overall, this was enjoyable as a quick, sweet paranormal romance.
Recommended For:
Anyone looking for a quick, sweet, M/M paranormal romance. Anyone who wants to read about a main character with anxiety.
It’s interesting that one of the characters had a mental illness but the book still managed to stay relatively light hearted. I don’t know that this one would be for me given that I don’t tend to read books that just have a sweet love story (I enjoy those, but I want there to be a bigger plot around them!). It’s cool that it’s from the perspective of a paranormal character, though!! I haven’t read a book like that before, though there are a few I know of that I want to read!
I feel like this wasn’t the first book I’ve read that was light even with mental illness included? But I can’t actually remember any specific others, so idk lol. Sweet isn’t my usual either, but these types of books are good palate cleansers for me. And for that purpose, it was good! I always like when a find a book that has a really non-human POV character.
I’ll admit I’m not loving the cover – but I’m glad that this was a relatively good read for you!
I think the art is pretty, but overall as a cover it could be better. Thanks!
Sounds like this was one of those reads which is great when you’re reading but may not necessarily have the greatest impact once you finish. Those kind of reads are great, I mean, this was obviously a really short read anyway so it doesn’t have as much time to stick with you but it was obviously enjoyable while it lasted and isn’t that what you want when you read? Brume sounds like a really weird kind of paranormal creature in that he only sometimes has an actual physical body. If nothing else that is original and it would be pretty cool seeing the human world from that POV.
Yep, that’s pretty much what it was lol. These kinds of books are good palate cleansers for me. Yeah, I had never read about a creature who only had a human body sometimes, I don’t think, so that was different. And I love getting to read the POV of really non-human creatures who don’t quite understand human stuff!
This does sound cute — and an easy read. I am loving the artwork!
Sometimes cute and easy is just what you need, and that’s exactly what it was 🙂 I like the art too!
Glad to see this was just what you were looking for at the time! I love quickie reads when I just can’t fit in something else at that point.
Nice review.
Thanks! Yeah, they’re just so perfect for those times.