High School Principal “Larx” Larkin was pretty sure he'd hit the jackpot when Deputy Sherriff Aaron George moved in with him, merging their two families as seamlessly as the chaos around them could possibly allow.
But when Larx’s pregnant daughter comes home unexpectedly and two of Larx’s students are put in danger, their tentative beginning comes crashing down around their ears.
Larx thought he was okay with the dangers of Aaron’s job, and Aaron thought he was okay with Larx's daughter—who is not okay—but when their worst fears are almost realized, it puts their hearts and their lives to the test. Larx and Aaron have never wanted anything as badly as they want a life together. Will they be able to make it work when the world is working hard to keep them apart?
Listening Time: 8 hrs and 32 min
Narrator: Nick J. Russo
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| 3.375 average! |
R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3.5 Steady Hearts - Buddy listen with LiaB!!
I’m not one for angsty, and Amy Lane can get angsty. Thankfully, this was toned down from the first book, and I thought this was a consistent read.
The thing I appreciated the most was the mature relationship between Larx and Aaron. These men know what they want and are not afraid to communicate. They each have their own immense responsibilities, and they pull that off with aplomb, all the while juggling their blended family as well as the multiple strays they continue to take into their fold. Their relationship is a dream to read about, as it was not only sweetly sentimental but hot too. 40’s is the new 20’s, and I say *high five*!
This takes place a few months after the first book. The two families are in sync for the most part, and it’s just another day in the life of principal Larx and deputy Aaron, who continue to fix, maintain, and do good deeds in their fair town by keeping all in their care happy and safe. Despite being less anxiety inducing than the first book, this still had several challenges for Larx and Aaron to overcome. I’m not saying the real world doesn't have hate or bigotry or horrible depravity, but it just seems here a tad too extreme in how good the good people were contrasting blaringly with how bad the bad people were. At times, it seemed almost fantastical. However, the pros mentioned above definitely negated all my little niggles.
Narrated by Nick J. Russo, he does his typical fine job, though I must say I’m surprised by a blatant editing error. Regardless, I was very pleased, as Russo always gets the emotions just right.
So, if you’re up for a lovely continuation of Larx, Aaron, and a gaggle of “family” that boasts no less than 9 other individuals plus a loveable dog and a grandbaby on the way, then be prepared to be charmed. I know I wouldn’t say no to more should Lane choose to continue with the love saga of Larx and Aaron, nor would I say not to any of the other side characters for that matter! Keeping fingers crossed that Kellan and Isaiah are next!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for an honest review
Lost in a Book - 3.25 Hearts
“Saying ‘I love you’ doesn’t guarantee peace or a happy ending.”
That’s for damn sure when it comes to Crocus and all of the drammmmmmmmaaaaaaaa that took place.
Just a little house keeping before we get started- If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Bonfires I recommend that you do. This isn’t a standalone. At all. If it’s been more than a month since you’ve read the first book, I HIGHLY recommend you revisit your notes/review/etc… because this jumps right into Aaron and Larx’s chaotic life. So many names were dropping and I couldn’t pick them up right away. Thank goodness I had R along for the buddy reading ride and between my old review and her character maps, we were able to sort it out. I think.
As I mentioned, we jump right into the Aaron/Larx household. Everything is going pretty well considering they still have the pregnant daughter, blended family, dangerous job, and a safe haven for the lost and lonely kid thing going on.
As the blurb mentions, Larx has some students that find themselves in trouble and both Aaron and Larx play roles in trying to get them to safety. The troubled student story line has serious implications on Larx and Aaron’s safety, sanity, and sex life. One of my issues with the story is that there’s a TON going on. There were already lots of continuing characters with their own baggage and Crocus adds many more along with doubling the drama. On one hand, the MC relationship has very mild growing pains as they are an established couple living together. They are able to be steadfast with the comfort of being partners while each having their own moments to be vulnerable. On the other, their coupledom was so far from focus that I’m not sure what I would classify this as. They had some sexy moments slipped in but I wanted more of them as a couple and less when life gives you lemons type of angst.
Have you ever read a book where the good characters are insanely good and the bad are really fucking bad? No room for gray? That’s how Crocus read to me. The kids, Larx, and Aaron are PERFECT. Even in their worst moments, they're so respectable, likable, and teaching life lessons like a boss- especially the kids. The bad characters are absolute assholes (which is probably not harsh enough). The other characters are very likable but a tad too perfect. I know there are loads of readers that will love this because reading is definitely an escape. Sometimes though, I want a tad bit of realness. If you’re gonna lose your shit, lose it epically. Pretty please, for me.
Nick Russo did a decent job narrating but another edit for the audio would help. There are inconsistent character name pronunciations along with some character voice missteps that could use tightening up. My narration complaint about Aaron’s “voice” in book one seems to have been adjusted for this book or it’s the exact same and I’ve been desensitized by increased exposure. Either way, the voices were more enjoyable.
Let’s talk triggers. There should be trigger warnings for rape on a minor (not detailed on page but important to the story), homophobia, depression, abortion, racism.
If you adored the first, Crocus will probably read much the same for you. I’m in the minority with my rating, YMMV. It’s written well with likable MCs who get their HEA. This will be the end of the Larx and Aaron road for me but I’d read Kellan’s story.
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