I do not write reviews as often as I should. I feel guilty about my laziness, considering how much creative energy so many of my favorite authors put into building the stories I compulsively consume like so many chips. In my defense, I read so much that a great proportion of what passes before my eyes (or through my ears) fails to leave a lasting impression, especially with genre fiction which is often so trope-laden and formulaic that it all blurs together with little to distinguish it.
Not so the Arden St. Ives series. Ever since Glitterland, Alexis Hall has been one of favorite authors, whose every release is an auto-buy. But even among all the superlative novels I’ve enjoyed from this source, these three stand out.
I’ve been waiting to pounce on this final installment ever since the end of the second book, “How to Blow It With a Billionaire.” So much so that when I woke up at 3:00 a.m. on release day, I had to get up and download the new book and start listening right away (which pretty much put paid to any more sleep.) With so much anticipation on my part, one might predict that the reality would be disappointing in some aspect or another. Seriously, though — the only complaint I can come up with was that it was not nearly long enough!
This series keeps the reader engaged in every way. The language alone is enough to make me swoon. I want to roll wantonly around in the rich and sensuous vocabulary. The characters are so well-drawn that it is hard to believe they are constructed rather than birthed. The plotting deftly avoids the usual cliches, and I was delighted not to be able to predict the ways in which the story unfolded. The emotional dynamics had me snorting with laughter one minute, only to tear up at a poignant moment later in the very same scene. The themes of shame and identity (among many others) added multiple layers to one’s experience of the story. It might be easy to look at a plot synopsis of this series and dismiss it as just another porny gay romance. As someone who once earned an English degree, I would be happy to classify it as literature. It just happens to be literature which explores complex aspects of the human condition through kinky sex. (And hot kinky sex, at that!)
When the book ended, I found myself sitting listening to the silence through my earbuds for a while, vainly wishing for more. While the HEA was very satisfying indeed on the main character front, I would have very much enjoyed seeing some additional scenes with all the other key players. I can’t help but hope for an Ardy Aftermath that would distribute measures of deliverance and retribution, as deserved. (Even if it might be a little predictable.) It is just hard to say goodbye without knowing the actual details of what happens next. However, even if no more of the Arden St. Ives story is forthcoming, I can at least appreciate my imperfect memory in that I can look forward to many enjoyable re-reads. Thank you, Mr. Hall, for the many hours of reading pleasure you have delivered to this very grateful reader!