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Monday, July 3, 2017

Book Review: Mystery Man

Mystery Man (Dream Man #1)
Kristen Ashley

Release Date: December 11, 2012


Book Description:
Night time is the right time...

Gwendolyn Kidd has met the man of her dreams. He's hot, he's sexy, and what started as a no-names-exchanged night of passion has blossomed into a year and a half-long pleasure fest. Sure, it's a little strange that he only appears in her bed at night, but Gwen is so sure he's the one, she just can't turn him away...

Hawk Delgado knows more about Gwen than she could ever imagine. She's gorgeous, headstrong, and skittish about relationships. But Hawk is facing his own demons, demons that keep him from connecting with anyone. Yet when Gwen is drawn into Denver's lethal underground scene, Hawk's protective nature comes out full force. The problem is, when Gwen gets a dose of Hawk's Alpha attitude in the daylight, she's not so sure he's the one anymore....


Amazon US | Goodreads

Review:
3.5 stars

I'm struggling a bit here with how to honestly rate and review this novel... On one hand, I was pretty engrossed with the story. On the other, I had major issues with some plot details and characters' behavior. So I decided I needed a list to sort my feelings:

Good:
There were many great moments throughout the book, both touching and emotional, as well as humorous. I always enjoy humor and sarcasm - you have to be able to laugh at yourself and situations you are in. (I even noted a bit of self-promotion from the author on her other series, and it was done in a good, fun way. As Gwen would think it: "Nice!").

If you are a big fan of the Hot Alpha man trope then this book is certainly for you! There were plenty of alpha men here (yup! multiple alpha men, lots of them). Although, I think they might've be a tad too alpha for my taste.

Add hot, steamy sexy time galore! There was palpable chemistry on these pages. Gah!

It was an addicting read - my first KA, and I'm afraid aside all the problems I had with both hero and heroine, I would still read it. (Towards the end of the book I started thinking of it in terms of Ward's BDB series except without the paranormal [I used to roll my eyes at that series as well and look where it got me!])

Bad:
Did I mention? Hot alpha men everywhere - the testosterone was a little suffocating. Major control issues, caveman attitude with a bit of stalker syndrome mixed in. Yikes! -- Rein it in MM, would you!?

The heroine was a major problem for me. First, I don't really have a problem with one-night-stand turned epic-love storyline, but when that one night stand turns into [a year-and-a-half long sex-only relationship on a I-don't-need-to-know-your-name basis] I got an issue with that. Also, can someone please tell me what was so extra special about Gwen that everyone wanted to be with/save her? Can you say: damsel in distress?

And I can't even go into all the ridiculous nicknames, and over-the-top descriptions. It felt a bit cheesy, but again, when I started to think of it in BDB terms it seemed somehow okay...

***
So, would I read another KA book? I think the answer is "yes" - I am really tempted to know what happens to all the other alphas.

Proceed with caution! Fair warning: If phrases such as, "my woman"and "Badass World" make you cringe and throw away your beloved reading device/book, perhaps this book is not for you. *winks*

Dream Man Series:
Mystery Man (Dream Man #1)
Wild Man (Dream Man #2)
Law Man (Dream Man #3)
Motorcycle Man (Dream Man #4)
Merry and Bright (Dream Man #4.1)
Law Man Short Story (Dream Man #4.2)

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