Intoxicating

This was such a good story!! Two broken people find each other and fall in love. BUT their love doesn’t fix their problems which I think is one of my favorite parts about the book, so many romances have the couples problems just go away when they get together but that is just not the case. Another excellent read by Onley James

I loved both Wyatt and Linc. They were great. I'm glad they got their HEA. I do think that the story went on for longer than it needed to, but overall was done well.

Just so everyone knows, the trigger warnings are real with this one.

I absolutely loved this book. There was a hero, a villain, an awesome bestie and a broken boy in need of love.

So it took a bit to get into this story, but I really enjoyed it. Daddy kink is a bit new to me, but it was sexy. The story was both endearing and sad. I was rooting for these guys.

This book had a lot of serious parts. I love these types, the suspense, protection, love and savior theme. However it was right on the border of too much trauma. Not because I couldn’t handle the content but because both main characters had very deep issues. It almost felt like how could they possibly get through all of it? It may have been more balanced if at least one of the guy’s problems was slightly less intense. I never say things have to be ‘realistic’ in fiction books, hell I even love fantasy…but when it just seems like more and more hits on every other page, it made it feel like too much. And usually when I read Daddy books, the protector/Daddy can handle it all. In this one, that character is suffering also and makes it off kilter. How can he be the protector but not that great at it? It feels wrong to say because I like him, but it felt off. I struggled to believe their love could have happened in the timeframe of one story and somehow emotional stability occurred too. All that said, it was well written with amazing characters and it still is my favorite trope. So, I did like it and I do think it’s definitely worth a read. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. But I wanted to be honest in case anyone considering is triggered at all—-there is a whole lot abuse and if you are looking for an epic turnaround, it is kind of a battlefield to get there.

Spoiled, broken rich kid meets hunky, haunted, ex-military bodyguard. This was such a heartbreaking, but also extremely hot book! The only thing I kinda couldn’t get into was their dynamic. I’m all for a good Daddy/boy book, but in this case, Linc felt like too much of a dad to Wyatt, it just didn’t seem like a relationship both were getting things out off, even though there were some moments where you could see it.
I did adore Charlie, the best best friend in the world.
And I would love to read the next book, just not at the moment.

I realize I'm very late to this party. Everyone and their mother knows this book is amazing and or has been singing its praises to anyone with ears. So instead of rehashing what has already been said a thousand times over, this review is going to focus on something a little bit different.

I don't think anything I'm about to say is a spoiler. It can all be inferred from the first two chapters. Hell, even the prologue and the blurb give a lot away. There's even a trigger warning to prep you. However, I understand if you want to go into this fairly blind. So, to summarize; this book has great multi-dimensional characters, a gut-wrenching yet swoony romance, and a truly accurate and respectful representation of mental illness. It's beautifully written, it's really smutty, and so worth your time.

Now to the fun part. Trauma and how it's depicted here.

This could have very easily been a dark romance. However, because we only see the aftermath of what Wyatt and Linc have gone through instead of going through it with them on page, the book is so angsty. One of the angstiest reads I have ever read (and I've read a lot). It all comes down to how this book handles trauma. Spoiler alert, it's handled exceptionally well.

I've read a lot of books that attempt to tackle mental illness. Not many of them do it well and of those few, even less mention the importance of therapy like this one does. That alone makes this book stand out. But where it shines is showing that there is no magical Band-Aid that can fix them because they are not "damaged goods" or "broken". They are hurting, they are trying. Sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. And through it all the book never makes a mockery of their pain. The trauma isn't who they are, just a part of their reality. Take notes guys gals and non-binary pals. THIS is how you write trauma. You give your characters a support system outside of the relationship, while still showing them supporting and helping each other. You show them hurting but still trying, and sometimes succeeding at functioning. And most importantly you DO NOT trivialize what they've gone through by using their trauma as a plot device/ plot twist and sugarcoat the ending with some love conquers all bull.

If I still haven't convinced you why this book is amazing, allow me to continue. This book overall is very well done. It's political without being preachy, witty without seeming like it's trying, and so unbelievably hot. Seriously. This book has no chill when it comes to the sex and subsequent Daddy kink. As a lover and connoisseur of smut, can I just say... zamn Daddy Linc, I knew you were fine I was not ready! Anyways, ten stars, this book was really beautiful. That and I high key want Charlie to be my best friend. We would get into it.

It is a shame when you can't be who you are and loved by your parents. Thank goodness Linc came into his life and help him come into his own. Wyatt was suffering until Linc, reckless self abusive, and suicidal. But when he realized all he needed was a Daddy all bets were off and he got the daddy he needed. The more they played the more they fell in love.I love a age gap story. I truly enjoyed this book.