Book Review – Mine by Katy Evans

Mine (The REAL series book #2) *slight spoiler alert* If you have not yet read book #1, skip this review as this is the sequel. If you love MMA fighter super-stars that are uber-alphas and are big with the whole “claiming” thing… if you love lots of angst and drama, this series just might be for you! (Here’s my review of “Real” —> book #1)

Mostly… I really liked it, because of Remy. He made my stomach swirl and my heart skip beats with his extreme-intense self. His big, sad, LOVING heart. His overwhelming heart. But being overwhelmed by a character like Remy just seems to work for me.

Maryse: I’m reading “Mine” by Katy Evans (I’m at 33% right now) and I’ve gotta say… Remy’s intensity is just as awesome in this one, as in book #1 (Real). I’m in!!

MaryLou: Love!!!

Krystal: Love !!!!

Kelly: Oh my me 2.. can’t put it down … thank God I got it in audible so I can keep doing my chores

Maryse’s Book Blog: A just hit a part I wasn’t expecting. Now I “get” the synopsis and I’m loving it even more…

Susan: I love this one!!

Lauren: I read it and can’t wait for the 3rd book remy that’s out anytime now!

Sandy: Totally agree! Wait till you read Remy. Being inside his head was so interesting and hot. Did I mention that he’s HAWT Maryse’s Book Blog (Paranormal & Urban Fantasy)! Lol.

Christine: Loved mine so much….bring on Remy

Billie: I listen to audible and on Nov. 26th book 3 (Remy) comes out. I love this series! Its just intense!

Candice: I think Remy is one of the most intense heroes I’ve ever read

Maryse’s Book Blog: I swear I’ve had to mini anxiety attacks already! Yah… Let’s just say right now I’m in love… And fuming!!! my favorite (in books)

I’ll admit, I was slightly worried that Remy’s intensity and the romantic angst might not match (or maybe even come close) to book #1′s extreme emotion and need. There was just something so potent about book #1. Not just regarding Remy’s power, strength and rock-star persona, but the incredible urgency in his desire for “Brooke”. Sure, there was that obvious attraction that many might even consider “insta-love” (he saw her from the fighting ring and leaped over the ropes to pursue her, and didn’t quit pursuing her until he had her). But we were teased and seduced page by page, building that same longing within us (not “giving it up”, right away). There was steam. Ohhhhhhh there was steam. But we didn’t get right down to business. Instead, Remy made us (and her) work for it. HE wanted to make sure it was real. And I loved that. I loved how it came through.

I have an occasional craving (okay more than occasional ) for characters like Remy, with their over-the-top compulsion (obsession for that one girl) that in real life, might make us scream “RUN AWAY and don’t look back!!” (I mean.. whoa. The co-dependancy between the two was undeniable), and a bit scary in it’s urgency. But in my book-life, I couldn’t help but melt with his er…  ”lionly ways”. HIS mate. Knowing that despite all of his needs (emotionally and psychologically) there was no harm to come from him to what he claimed as his. Remy would sooner die than hurt (or not fully protect) his mate. He only offers incredible love, and security.

So I went with it then, and I did it again, right here. I let myself indulge, and melt into his gooey-sticky-super-sweet (but VERY manly) love and the author proved there was plenty more where that came from.

Nothing matters but him, his arms around me and my arms around him. I think a part of him still can’t believe I’m in his arms again, because he’s squeezing me so tight I can hardly breathe, but I don’t want to breathe. I’m so affected by his scent, the feel of his powerful arms around me, when just two months ago I’d stupidly given up on him, I can barely take it.

“I love you,” I whisper, and when he doesn’t respond, I open my eyes and shiver when I see his fierce gaze trained on me. He rubs my bottom lip with his thumb again, then tucks me back into his chest as if I’m precious. He lowers his head, his lips to my ewer:

“You’re mine now.”

But I will also say that amongst the Remy-rich love and angst that we were drowning in (yes… it’s an extreme word, but I felt like I was happily drowning in his love in SO many scenes), there were plenty of little things surrounding that incredible intimacy that had a fluffy quality to it that didn’t quite work for me. Which is why I can’t say I loved this book (like I love some of my other favorites).

At times I felt like I was dealing with more of a teenage boy-crazy mentality, when it came to her and her friends, and that of his entourage and fans. But the hardest for me was her own personal reactions to him. She was as star-struck as the rest of them, and I felt a disconnect from her each time she yet mooned over him (again and again) as if she didn’t even know him. The scenes went from serious and private, tapping into some very special moments to sometimes… silly.

Kelli: I love the characters, but I had a hard time getting through it. I got tired of hearing how hot, and sexy Remy was. Ok, description is nice, but when every other sentence describes how hot he is, or his “eight pack” it becomes overkill. I was so disappointed. It took over a week to read this b/c o had to keep forcing myself to finish it.

Maryse’s Book Blog: There is a lot of that, I agree… But it’s the jealous intense emotions considering his entourage and touring (groupies and her reasoning) that is REALLY getting me…Let’s just say I’ve been pretty growly myself through this.

Avery: I still liked it. The heroine annoys me, as usual, but it was quick fun read for me… And I have a soft spot for slightly crazy alpha males.

I mean, I know (and I get) that Brook couldn’t believe her luck that he was hers. I get that she couldn’t believe how gorgeous and famous and physically perfect Remy was. But I dunno. There’s just something about her own personal thoughts that just took the maturity level down a few notches and kind of kept it there. These are not high-school students, but often, it felt that way. Their reactions were at times, over exaggerated, as if they were parodies of themselves. It’s hard to explain other than when you read it, I think some might see where I’m coming from.

That, along with a few let’s just say… “irresponsible” Brook moments that had me wondering where she left her common sense. And that of her parents (one scene involving them gave me an actual mini-anxiety attack). And that of her friends. Common sense was lacking many-a-time here, and I suspect it was for the sake of extra drama and excitement. At times I connected to her so perfectly, and at times I had to grit my teeth, and… er… skim a little.

And yet even with that, anything that involved “Remy” personally, held my attention so well that I just shrugged off the more “fan-girl” moments. I had to, ’cause HIS kind of intensity is what I love in bad-boy uber-alpha books, and I didn’t want to lose my connection to him, because of my occasional disconnect to the others.

And what about the angst? There was STILL PLENTY of it (almost as angsty… maybe even AS angsty, as book #1)! And surprisingly, I connected to almost every aspect of the crazy stuff that happened (that was within reason). Her crazy jealousy? Yep. Got it, was right there with her.

…my insides squeeze with hurt even though I try to reason with myself that I have no right to feel this way.

There were plenty of moments that, it seemed, he wasn’t even apologetic for and you know what? It infuriated me. And made me love it even more.

He says he’s mine, but I know that there’s a part of Remington Tate nobody will ever have. I am his, but he is untamable and unconquerable.

Her… ummm… “situation”? Yep. I believed most of that too (a few parts had me too angry to believe it, but overall, I could “see” this).

Why put an established couple through all of that angst again, when they’ve already been through it in book #1? Why not? After all, these two are not your typical “stable” couple, and being as new as they were, there is still plenty of get-to-know-you stuff that could still rear it’s ugly head. Make it’s unavoidable presence known.

His smile remains on his face, but the light in his eyes has dimmed, and now there’s a fierce intensity in his stare. “What would you have done if you were here? Stopped it?”

“Yes!”

“But where were you?”

My breath comes in jerks.

He lowers his head and looks deep into my eyes, now curious. “Where were you, Brooke?” One big, warm hand curls around my throat, and he strokes his thumb across my pulse point.

“I was broken,” I cry in a mix of anger and pain. “You broke me.”

“No. You. Your letter. Broke me.”

*oomph* OOOOOMPH!!!!!! Wow, and THIS (moments like this, and there are plenty) are why I love this character.

I LOVE that we went there, again. Properly. OMG I could just re-read that over and over again. The dialogue while at times, fluffy between Brooke and others… between Brooke and Remy? Simply amazing!!! Pure. Raw. Honest. I love it!

Some might wonder how I could enjoy a book where the jealousy was so extreme (not just his jealousy… but hers, too)? Where the “claiming” was so intense and the professions of “I’ll die without yous” were constant, unashamed and heartfelt (and I believed and felt them!!). Where the obvious co-dependency was front row and center? *shrug*

My home is now this man. And I need to accept the fact that loving him might break me. Over and over, loving Remington is going to break me.

Well, all I can tell you is… they’re perfect for each other (almost as if they complete each other – at least their needs for now), and this ride is fun to read. So I’m not gonna worry about the actual reality of it where this kind of “love” might be unhealthy. Where reality dictates that therapy (and medication) is a must, and that her giving her dreams up to follow him might not be a good idea so soon in their game.

Real life, sure. I get it that this is not ideal. Even bad for them. But I’m in this book to live that crazy consequences-be-damned intensity. I want to pretend and have that “hope” that their love just might be enough to cure all that ails them. I want to believe that they’re GOOD for each other (and lucky to have found each other), and that logic doesn’t matter so much when it comes to soul-mates. Realistic? Probably not. But fun to pretend it is? Absolutely! Ahhhh… blame the hopeless romantic in me.

3 to 3.5 stars

So here’s the breakdown —> 3 stars, and maybe even less for many of the sillier “fan-girly moments” amongst her and her crew. I didn’t particularly like them much. 4.5 stars for anything Remy. His intensity… their intensity when they are together and she’s not fan-girling. His need. *sigh* And hers. I believed it and I LOVED it. Four stars for bringing the angst and making me believe it would actually happen this way if it were real. They’re just SO into each other (and both so insecure at times) that I didin’t doubt any of the uglier emotions (and reactions) amidst all of that intense primal love. With a couple like this, completely dependent on each other’s love for their happiness, this obsessed with each other… the angst felt real. And while I certainly skimmed some parts, I pretty much didn’t put this one down.

Would I recommend it? If you love this kind of alpha, over-the-top intensity with some really ummm… original personal moments that are so VERY primal , and you don’t mind (or can shrug off) the fluffier stuff, then absolutely. Remy is something else! And if you loved book #1, than you’ll likely love this one, too.

P.S. Thank you to the author/publisher for sending me a review copy!

Tagged as: 3.5 stars, alpha males, bad boys, contemporary romance, fighters, MMA