Forever by Shayla Kersten

Forever by Shayla Kersten
Stars: 3/5

Overall
An enjoyable story that continues the romance between Cavan and Biton as Cavan progresses from quivering slave to gentle submissive and Biton struggles to do what's best for his new lover. While a perfectly good story, it did nothing to amaze me into a higher score.

Strengths
Overall Story. Although I question why the Big Bad waited to strike until now, overall the plot was good. It could come across as slightly cheesy, but it wasn't enough to make me put the book down, mostly because the characters were enjoyable and I really do love Cavan. It was a good and necessary series of events that allowed Cavan to face his demons.

Character development. I really appreciated the amount of growth we see Cavan go through, especially compared to the first book where he's already beginning to make advances. This story gives us more content from Cavan's perspective and is several months later. He's re-learning to read and write and to be an individual person while still struggling with wanting to please Biton, both because of his former "training" and as a lover. The plot of this story really gives Cavan opportunity to show his strengths and how much progress he's made under Biton's loving care. I definitely felt more connected to Cavan in this story.

Weaknesses
The end plot was a little flimsy/Hollywood, but not bad enough to disturb me. It did make me roll my eyes, but I saw the need for it, so didn't complain.

Dr. Marten. Some people question how a psychiatrist could behave as she does, but it seemed believable to me. If you don't mind her being a bad example of her profession, then there shouldn't be a problem.

Minor peeve. In the first book Biton lives in a house and in this one he lives in an apartment with no discussion of moving. Did I miss something? Misread something? Not a big deal, but seems like a rather large inconsistency, even though it's not really plot-relevant. ETA: I was wrong, he did live in an apartment in the first book. I misunderstood.

Thirty Days by Shayla Kersten

Thirty Days by Shayla Kersten
Stars: 3/5

Overall
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, not that I didn't enjoy it. The characters, the plot, the situation, and their relationship all engaged me, but nothing drew me into the characters enough that I fell in love with them. I felt for Biton and the difficult situation he was in, and I definitely felt the pain he did when thinking of Erik, but I never felt his connection with Cavan (even while cheering for them to be together). (Side note, I was humdrum when reading this book [and several others], so take that into account with this review.)

Strengths
I liked the characters, especially Cavan. I wanted to wrap him up and take him home and nurse him back to health just like Biton was doing. He was beautiful, scarred, and broken, and it warmed my heart to see so many people care about him. I liked Biton and his earnest attempt to do what was best for Cavan. Four of the side characters (not the therapist) were understanding, considerate and I liked them and how they represented their part of their world. I didn't like the therapist, but I don't think I'm supposed to.

The writing was fairly good and kept me in the story. I'd be willing to give other stories by this author a chance, even if this one didn't win my heart completely.

Weaknesses
Oddly enough, although the seemingly random and inconsistent change in perspective normally bothers me, in this case I didn't mind. I felt Antonio was used just enough to show things from alternative perspectives, although I didn't feel the switch was completely necessary: What did the reader gain by seeing those flashes into his life?

Spoilers to follow, although nothing earth shattering
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Also, I would have liked to have seen more of Cavan's perspective, which probably added up to a page and a half total for the whole story. Our limited view inside his mind and the time jump left me unconvinced about Cavan's actual interest in Biton. (Not that I doubt that he is interested, but I didn't feel a connection. I didn't get excited about it. I said, "Aww, yay!" but was otherwise unmoved.)

I'm torn about whether to read the second story in the series. But if I come across it at a reasonable price, I'll definitely pick it up, as the premise interests me and I hope it explores the emotional/angsty conflict more.