PRE-RELEASE REVIEW: “Sharp Love” by Ava March
ABOUT:
London, 1822
William Drake has lived among thieves, bastards and beggars all his life, doing what’s necessary to survive. As a young orphan, that included looking after his best friend, Jack Morgan. But as they grew older, Jack took the honest path, leaving Will behind to fend for himself the only ways he knows how.
When an unsavory errand for his employer brings Jack back to London’s underbelly, he needs Will’s help. It’s there, among the alleys they ran through as children, that the love he’s always felt for Will returns. As their nights together grow hotter, Will discovers something new about his old friend—Jack’s need to serve extends into the bedchamber.
Will has never fully abandoned his dream of escaping London with Jack. But what could the Duke’s driver want with a dishonest cheat like him, beyond a bit of rough sex? It takes the gamble of Will’s life to find out if he can win Jack’s heart…
REVIEW:
Sharp Love is the second installment from Ava March’s historical “Gambling on Love” series. Overlapping with the first book, this story features Jack Morgan, the driver of Duke of Pelham (from the first book) and his childhood friend, Will Drake. They grew up together until Jake left to get work ‘in a honest’ way
While for the most part, I did enjoy this – hey, there’s pining and UST, and that is always delicious – I also thought the to-and-fro internal conflict from both men became a bit exhausting after awhile.
In addition, I wasn’t very much feeling nice towards Jack. Truthfully, I thought Jack was being judgmental towards Will’s situation (and his way of living). For someone who never looked back, and never really contacted Will until he needed Will’s help, Jack was quick to give his piece of mind. Also, Jack’s reason for never really contacted Will – that he was afraid that he would find Will dead – was lame! Hey Jack, if you really cared about Will, you would WANT to know how he was doing! I was pretty annoyed with Jack throughout and it influenced my enjoying this story.
Will, on the other hand, I liked. Sure, he found his way to make money by cheating (sort of – well, he was good in counting cards), but Will did it to get away from London. At the same time he was still willing to help Jack when he needed Will’s help. At times though, I wished Will would just cut Jack out – which made one of the ‘big’ fights in the middle of the book quite satisfying. You tell him, Will!! Jack did make up for his mistake though and the resolution to their situation was acceptable (yay, Max!).
As for the sex, I thought, the BDSM part was rather light and those who are not particularly BDSM lovers could still enjoy this. It was mainly Jack being a more submissive in the bedroom but never went truly hardcore.
All in all, it was quite a good addition to the series, although I did enjoy the first book better. Definitely intrigued for the third book.
RATING: 3.5 STARS
BOOK INFO:
Title: Sharp Love (Gambling on Love #2)
Author: Ava March
Publisher: Carina Press
Words: 77,000
Release Date: June 9th, 2014
Purchase Links:
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