Title: As You Wish
Author: Isobel Starling
Series: Shatterproof Bond #0.5
Publisher: Amazon
Release Date: Oct. 5, 2015
Stars: 4 out of 5
Flames: 4 out of 5
So I saw this one and I was like, yeah, novella, okay, I’m crunching on time here but I think I can sneak that one in.
Novella… mhmm. Okay, Isobel Starling, I see the game you’re playing here. I’ll just have to make sure I clear my schedule for the week before I start that “full length” novel of yours.
In all seriousness though, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I was going to! I was immediately drawn to Sam as an MC because he was quirky and lighthearted. His character made me laugh, and that’s always something I love in a book.
I’ll be the first to admit, I have a thing for the name Declan. I may or may not have decided to read this based entirely on that fact (you will never know). Declan as a character? Eeehhhhhhh, not my favorite. Not bad, but he’s just not my cup of tea.
Now, Declan and Sam together?
“He was sick last night too. I went up to check on him, and there were terrible moans coming from his room.”
“Oh, I know. He kept me up all night.” Sam informed her. “He said something about overindulging on sausage… from the buffet.”
Declan and Sam were on fire. I absolutely loved their slightly childish and dorky movie references despite The Princess Bride being my least favorite movie ever. The references and quotes in this book were easy to follow and actually rather endearing. Maybe the next time I’m forced into watching it at a family gathering I won’t hate it so much…
I was also pleased to see an author take a not-so-serious slant on sex, especially in a romance novel that was otherwise very passionate and serious. Actually, I think their playful bedroom banter is what made me keep reading the novel (despite having a long list of things to do).
When it was just him and Sam tangled in one another’s limbs, satiated from a session of lovemaking, there was no gender; it was just beating hearts, ragged breaths, and the exchange of long looks that spoke of words they could not yet say.
These two MC’s were embarrassingly cute and hilarious to read, but they were also passionate and wildly hungry for each other. Starling can write some seriously steamy (and wildly unexpected) stuff. I do have to say, I loved every bit of it.
And can we just talk about men in kilts for a moment?
Actually, you know, I don’t think we even need to talk. Just seeing that is enough to make me want to crack open this novel for another read.
There’s a very special place, in both my heart and on my bookshelf, for GFY novels (especially GFY with kilts and cute boys). I think this one is going to fit in rather perfectly.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
