Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via Reading Alley. This has in no way influenced my review.*
This book was only about 200 pages, but it felt longer, and I mean that in a great way. There were developed characters that showed growth throughout the story, there was a sweet and sexy romance, there were touching family moments, there was a fairly simple but still solid plot, and there was even circus!
The author did a great job of making me understand and sympathize with these characters’ situations and emotions right away. Cory’s parents died years ago, and he gave up pretty much everything (except his education) in order to take care of his little sister, but being her guardian put a major strain on their relationship to the point that they pretty much just argued or didn’t talk at all, even though they’re the only family each other has left. Sanderson, on the other hand, grew up with a traveling circus family, but all he wants now is to leave that life and stay in one place where he can make friends and date and have some normalcy, and he’s tired of always being the one-night-stand but never the boyfriend. Then the two of them run into each other and fool around a couple times, but Cory can’t deal with complications and figures Sanderson will eventually tire of him, and Sanderson thinks Cory isn’t interested in anything more than sex. That’s basically where the story starts, and I loved how much depth the characters had as well as the way all these things and more were explored as the story progressed.
I also just love carnivals and circuses, so I especially liked that aspect of the book. Pretty much the whole book was set at The Moonlight Market, this magical-esque traveling fair with all sorts of vendors and acts. And even though the amount of actual circus-ness in the book was minimal, I was glad that the descriptions of Sanderson’s family’s act were realistic (well, I couldn’t quite figure out what was being described in some parts, but what I could figure out was realistic), and I especially loved that Sanderson had calluses! I know that’s a really specific thing to love, but he was also a gymnast, so he would have calluses, and as a former gymnast it made me happy that that detail was included.
As for the plot, that was, as I said above, fairly simple but still interesting, and it worked because this was a more character-focused book.
So to wrap this up… This book had romance, family, character growth, magic, and circus and was overall a touching and enjoyable read!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes character-focused books, sexy but sweet m/m romance, magic, and circus.
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I love when a book is shorter but offers a lot. Cory & Sanderson sound like characters I need to meet!
I tend to like longer books, actually I tend to like series, but this pleasantly surprised me! I hope you like the characters if you decide to read this 🙂
I think to feel like a book is longer in a good way is the best feeling 🙂 This sounds so intriguing and I love love the idea of the a circus setting!
It is a good feeling, especially since I like longer books lol. And I always love circus settings!
Circus! Right up your alley! I’m glad you enjoyed this one and it does sound good. Also, kudos to the author for well developed characters in a shorter novel. That’s always hard to do. This sounds pretty good to me so I’m headed to add it on GR now! Excellent review as always. ?❤️
Right?! That’s why I couldn’t resist lol. And I agree, it’s hard to develop characters in a short novel which is why I usually avoid them, but I’m glad I gave this one a chance. Thanks! I enjoyed the book. Let me know if you end up reading it!
The Moonlight Market sounds like the coolest thing- I like that name. The idea of a magical fair or carnival type thing has always appealed. Character focused too *nods*. And yay for calluses.
I don’t mind a shorter read once in while. It’s nice when not EVERY book is 300+ – and nice that it felt longer.
lol at “the quickie in the alley” from the blurb. This sounds funny. 🙂
Seriously I couldn’t resist when it had magic and circus AND such an awesome title/name for the carnival.
I mean, yeah, I do like to read shorter books every so often as kind of a break. But come on, 300 pages is that long! Lol.
No but see, it bothers me that the blurb mentions an alley when their quickie was actually in a janitor’s closet lol. And then a dorm room. There were no allies involved!
I love your comment on the book seeming way longer for a shorter book – and that it was a good thing! 🙂 I’m curious about the characters just from your review, Kristen. Cory seems like he’s had so much put on his shoulders and caring for a younger sibling is a big burden for someone so young. Sanderson’s had such a unique childhood. I can see that really affecting who you are – when you’re at the age of trying to figure out who you “are” and your place in the world, having lived nomadically would put a kink in things. That these two, who seem so different, are attracted to each other sounds rather fascinating. I bet they almost wish they could live each others’ lives in a way. And then there’s the Market!
So yeah, I’m thinking I’d like this story. *ha* (the cover is pretty too although it took a few minutes of looking at it to see that was a guy. I just liked the colors!)
It is a good thing! I was surprised there was able to be so much development. And I figured getting to know a little about the characters might help people decide about the book since it shows some of their depth, and I liked their unique struggles. You don’t see those kind of things in a lot of books. Lol yeah it is kind a confusing cover but also kind of magical-looking! I like the colors too.
Well developed characters, LGBT / PNR? Oh yes, please, pretty please, with sugar on top! This sounds really good, Kristen! I haven’t been able to find all that many PNR / LGBT stories, so I’m always extra happy when other bloggers point me in that direction. Adding to Mt. TBR 🙂
I hope you’re having a fantastic Friday.
Lol LGBT/PNR is probably the majority of what I read at this point (although it might be more like urban fantasy, less heavy on the romance). But of course I can’t think of any books to recommend at the moment. Anyway, this was a good one! Hope you like it if you do read it 🙂
Thanks, same to you!
That’s nice it felt longer because of the well developed characters. Sometimes it’s not as much about the exact length, but more about how the story is written if it works or not. And I know how much you like the circus settings so that does sound like a good thing this book had a circus.
That’s sad how being his sisters guardian worsens their relationship. How you described their relationship made me think of the calendar Girl series I’ve been reading where the opposite happens the sisters grow closer because they only had each other. I feel like both directions seem likely in such a situation. It sounds like there’s a lot of topics that get explored in this book with the different characters and their motivations.
Small details like how he had calluses can really add to a book as such a detail shows the author thought that through. Makes it fell more realistic. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one :).
I noticed you’re reading Damned if I Do! I am so curious to hear what you think of it!
Yeah, I was actually just surprised the author was able to fit and portray so much development and also include the circus and magic and all that in so few pages.
It was sad, but like you said, I can see either outcome being likely in a situation like that. They’re both realistic. And in this book, it was portrayed really well.
Exactly, it was a small detail, but it showed me that the author either knew what they were talking about or did research and thought it through, and it just made the book come to life more. Same for the circus descriptions. I’ve read other books in which the author clearly had not the slightest freaking idea what they were talking about and just made up things that weren’t even physically possible. So that’s why I liked the descriptions too.
I’m only like 30%, but I’m going to try and finish by Sunday 🙂