Review: Very sweet with a good world and interesting concept but no edge whatsoever!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 3, 2013
OK - word. When you take a very alpha male and you need the reader to believe he is a real alpha he cannot be more emotional and feelings oriented than most of the women I know. I really thought Blayde was a female in a guys skin. I get it is a mate thing - but he is a bounty hunter. He should be a real hard you-know-what!It was so sweet and sappy in places you could bottle it and label it maple syrup with out a problem. "Honey", "baby", "sweetheart", "sweet little mate", etc etc etc. All about comfort of Ryan. The concept is great - I LOVE a good slave type story and this one where the bounty hunter gets the guy and finds out he is his mate is super. The beginning started off really promising. Then the minute they become mates Blayde becomes this guy spewing platitudes and endearments all over and it was so off putting to me. because it just didn't fit in with my concept of what a bounty hunter is and how he would act. In Ms. West's other series Dark Hollow Wolf Pack (e.g., The Alpha's Pet) it is true the men sometimes come off as overly emotional but not to the extent of Blayde. There were some great moments (esp. towards the end) and I did like how Ryan stood up for himself. When Blayde actually took Ryan "in hand" and laid down the law it felt more natural since he was an alpha. I did enjoy the caring Blayde did for Ryan as it showed a tender side but it just reinforced that everything is about Ryan. The last 25% saved this as once we get to the part where Blayde actually really disciplines Ryan and sets expectations that are consistent with an alpha and mate then the relationship starts to feel more balanced and on track. If you remember how Marco and Nicky were in her other series where Nicky would be a super brat and then Marco would still be all "oh baby" and all that.I know this author's books are my guilty pleasure...and I *need* the harsh edge that some of the men have with their mates because they are men (not children). At places Blayde has this edge but then he opens his mouth and Elvis-has-left-the-building.If you enjoy a very (VERY!) sweet romance with a bit of conflict (not much) you may like this one. Some other reviewers didn't like West's other books thinking them harsh and the men cruel. I am happy to recommend this book to them. I myself need some edge.