Blowing It Kindle Edition

I had high hopes for this book since I love, love, love Aaron's Slave/Soldier/Master series. They are among my favorite books. I knew Blowing It, as a contemporary, would be completely different, obviously. So, verdict? I liked Blowing It, but it doesn't move into my favs. I liked the relationship between Magnus and Owen (though Magnus was just a bit too perfect) and I liked how their relationship grew. There were a couple of minor things that bugged me, though, and took me out of the story from time to time.Magnus' niece Abigail: based on how she acted and was reacted to, I thought she was about 4. Seriously. Imagine my surprise when she turned out to be 10. Sorry, a 10 year old does not watch Tinker Bell over and over and mouth along with the words and ALSO read a novel-length sci-fi based trilogy with aliens. The age and characteristics for the child were just all wrong, very immature in the way she spoke etc. Also, at one point the girl's mother ("a small, tired looking woman") carries her. Must be the tiniest 10 year old ever.The other thing that bugged me is that children's books and YA books are NOT the same and not interchangeable. Owen wasn't a children's book author at all, even though he's called that repeatedly throughout the book. YA books, themes and reading difficulty are geared toward 13-17 - YOUNG ADULTS and beyond. No one would ever call Hunger Games a "children's book." But Aaron made it seem like Owen wrote books for small children. It was all very confusing and made me think Aaron has no idea what a YA book is and who the audience is.But, overall, those were small issues and I did enjoy the book enough to put the sequel on my wishlist. Mostly bc I liked the two MCs.I should add that I've started 3 or 4 other books in the past week or so and have stopped all of them after just a few chapters because they were just so ridiculous (in one, the MC's parents moved and didn't tell him for two years and the mom was a horrible caricature. In another, the MC answered a call from his ex BF on his cell phone and had a long conversation while chasing a bad guy. Just stupid). So, the fact that I finished Blowing It is at least a plus.

Owen was very immature character, his behavior shown as almost childish, for someone in their late 20’s. It was okay reading, just somewhat annoying.

It seemed like every character here was taking turns being an a**: from Owen, to Magnus, to Max, to Becky, Magnus' dad, even Magnus' niece. Especially Owen and Magnus. They just made me think of petulant kids when they argued, especially Owen who had a tendency to push an argument way past the point of making sense. When Owen wasn't acting like a big kid, he was being a little kid and letting others change his mind or opinion for him.There was very little character development, I felt no emotion unless someone was arguing, and the aspect of Owen not talking to his parents in who knows how long, not because they didn't accept his sexuality but because they just "lost touch" was ridiculous. What bothers me the most is that after the vast majority of the book being about Owen fighting not to lose his sexual identity (his agent forcing him back into the closet), we never find out what happens! He comes out, but we're only told that Max won't risk dumping him as a client, we never find out if he does; we never know how his publishing company feels or whether his readership suffers. The epilogue takes place within a couple of hours of the award ceremony. I read over 300 pages only to not know what happens? I am so lucky that I found this when it was free. And I got book 2 for 99 cents but I don't even know if I want to read it based on the fact that I don't really like any of the characters.

There is a bit of romantic fantasy in the fame of the protagonist (an award nominated successful author) and a little bit overblown agent and beard, setting up the tension and dramatic plot points in a lightly sweet romance. The ending, too, had typically pleasant but pat and quick wrap up. Overall, the plot and characters and relationship seemed typically enjoyable for this genre.What I found more exceptional was actually how realistic some of the relationship and intimate details were. The characters had a satisfying physical relationship without the full penetration considered to be essential by many in the genre. (Indeed, the first time for that connection was very late, drunken, and somewhere between mediocre and very bad.) Add Owen's physical health into the mix, and the author almost "matter-of-faculty" includes some semi-gritty and/or unpleasant but realistic aspects of gay relationships that are usually excluded in male/male romance.

This book took a little bit longer than I thought it would to read. I felt reading the blurb that this was one book I would not be able to put down. Life got a bit in the way, and the start was slower than I wanted it to be. I loved Magnus and Owen, their pasts leading them to be Leary of jumping in was very well written and the secondary characters were fantastic. I love Ryan and sameer and the introduction of Becky was great. This book made me stop and think a lot about what people really go through when they have image clauses. Is this a real requirement and who are we to judge? Funny thing is I never pay attention nor do I know anything about the lives of authors that I love to read, am I in the minority here?

The theme of the inner workings of the publishing world, and a m/m story set in London, were intriguing enough to catch my eye and buy the book. However the character development, the dialog, were flat. The description of the London scene read like an uninspiring travelogue. This reads like a YA story -wait, maybe was the intention all along? Both main characters had previous failed relationships - yawn, who doesn't? There was no real emotional depth in the characters, just the description of it. Much of the book reads like a plot outline for a book the author is trying to sell to a publisher - more irony? The best part was the underwear. Sorry, I can't recommend this. One can only hope the author improves in time or begins to write for adults.

A heart warming somewhat predictable story that keeps you reading. No part of the story drags and you enjoy the characters that are brought to life. I do get disheartened that a good gay fiction story must include graphic sexual details when sometimes the nature of the story can be carried by leaving bits to the imagination and it allows the characters to stay real and not be brought down to a sexual level. Nevertheless looking forward to the next edition...

Snark and London what more can I say - love it

I love Owen and Magnus they are great characters who you really feel for. The author writes very well and you can't not like the whole story. Can't wait to read book 2.

not really for mr

Read this in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down. Love Kate Aaron's writing and this no exception.