Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Lover, Lover
Author: Liv Olteano
Series: Dreamcatchers #1; Dreamspun Beyond #14
Heroes: Drew & Angelo
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 195 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 20, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Twin souls reunited.
Drew’s always been a fighter: first in martial arts competitions, and now as a dreamcatcher—keeping the people of Seattle safe from spaga attacks that would drain their life force in their sleep. All he has to do to become a full member of Team 32 is complete his first mission.
But the first person he must defend is his ex, Angelo… the only man Drew ever loved, even if he was the one to leave. Drew never got over Angelo, and it seems Angelo might feel the same, despite the heartbreak he suffered at Drew’s hands.
As the chase after a powerful and resourceful caster hits close to home, old feelings resurface. But if Angelo learns of the dreamcatchers, he’ll be a target for the spaga. And how can he trust Drew now that Drew’s keeping bigger secrets than ever?
Review:
When Drew is finally given the chance to become a full-fledged dreamcatcher and go on his first mission, he’s ecstatic to vanquish his first spaga until he realizes his ex, Angelo, is the victim the spaga was draining. Now his life is turned upside down when the connection between them flares back to life. Drew’s life is all about secrecy, though, and Angelo knows whenever Drew is lying. Will Drew be able to have a life outside his dreamcatcher duties and be the man he’s always wanted to be for Angelo or will their second chance be over before it can even begin?
This story starts off with a little info dump as you try to maneuver through what the spaga and dreamcatchers are. It doesn’t last long because I feel like the author did a pretty good job of explaining everything without dragging it all on. It really captured my attention from the beginning and made me jones to get deeper into the story. The characters are quite intriguing as well. For me, Taka was my favorite, I can’t wait to get his book but this one is about Drew, the newest dreamcatcher and his ex, Angelo, who he hasn’t seen for five years. I liked that this was a second chances story and I loved that Drew and Angelo had such a deep connection that it was hard for them to be apart. I really enjoyed them together as a couple.
This one had a lot of potential. I was really enjoying the flow of the story and how the author was weaving the world so well. However, when Angelo and Drew started getting closer, it got too sappy for me. I mean Angelo was all about not picking things up where they left off and being still hurt by what Drew did and not even a day later everything is great and they’re love-sick again. I get that they had this strong connection but I felt like Drew needed to grovel A LOT considering he just left without even saying goodbye and FIVE YEARS LATER shows up wanting to have a relationship again. I expected more and I expected less I love yous and more how are you going to make this up to me or more prove to me your different, which I didn’t exactly get to see much of.
Add to that, I felt like the overall issue with the spaga and casters was just left hanging. There was this huge adrenaline rush and then everything was great and they were celebrating… but the evil was still out there so it felt too open-ended for how much of the story was dedicated to this specific problem.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. I adored the characters and I’m really intrigued by world and how much Angelo and Drew had changed. I liked them together but their sappiness became a bit too much for me. I wanted them to talk and work out their issues instead of just acting like everything was back to normal. Add to that, the ending was too open-ended for me on the big spaga problem. Still, if you’re looking for a story a little different than the normal werewolves and vampires, definitely give this one a go!
Overall Impression: I liked it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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