Review: Lessons learned, liked the story, not a fan of Jude
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 5, 2013
I liked the story, and that it expanded the universe and moved some plots along.  I like the various gatherings that bring back old favorites, but I'm a little tired of the fawning over Nik.  I don't like the addition of all the new under age boys, who are immediately paired up with older adults, it's icky.  On the other hand, maybe I'm grasping at straws hoping for Ross and Stuart to get together.  Spoilerish ****  I like Hayden, though he is kind of too perfect, but I don't really like Jude (except for his ferociousness) because he was kind of a dick and doesn't seem nearly as invested as Hayden, he actually ran away from the mate bond.  I can understand Hayden's doubt.  I was also a little uncomfortable with his loving his abuser, when he was in middle school, it's unhealthy.  And, he seemed slutty, saddling up for reverse cowboy the first time they had sex seems more like porn star gymnastics.  It seemed so casual for him, but clearly not for Hayden.  He got jealous, as well as thought he should've been Hayden's first top, but luckily for him, Hayden never even gave a thought to him with anyone else.  I, personally, would have much preferred the non-stereotypical 6 foot five hyper-masculine ex-SEAL embracing being a bottom than the "fragile", "porcelain", "pretty little thing" with violet eyes.  YMMV on all that. I didn't like Nik's studly whorishness either, of which he is still proud, and keeps being mentioned.  I was surprised by the change from having the mates immediately recognize each other by smell, to having an actual manifestation of the mate bond hitting them after they found love.  So, I liked the story, but it seemed wasted on a character I didn't really like.