Reviews

Stick and Poke by E.M. Lindsey

ladymacbeth2024's review

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4.5

4.5 stars
I love this series so much and Wyatt and Mat are another favourite couple of mine.
Wyatt is been trhough a lot, but he's fiercely independent and strong and, despite being afraid to be vulnerable again, he loves Mat so hard.
And MAt is a freaking precious guy, honest, sweet, selfless: he never, not once, denied or tried to hide waht he felt for Wyatt.
They have both to deal with their disabilities that have made their life hell in the past; but now they can lean onto one another and build a wonderful life together. 

jjnb95's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mynameisprerna's review

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4.0

I appreciate the realistic attitude the characters have towards their own disabilities and traumas. They’re people are shaped by what they’ve experienced, and some of it is really great and some of it is awful. I like how both sides of that coin are acknowledged. 

I really liked how this book was about finding self-worth through relationship in a way that wasn’t just codependent. Both characters have been through so much, with exceptionally shitty families and exes, and they deserve the best. 

“And for what it’s worth, Ioan’s betrayal helped me find the one place I finally feel at home. So, I suppose what we went through made us a little bit of the men who were ready to fall in love with each other, eh?”

I really love the found family dynamic, and especially how supportive and unquestioningly accommodating they are of each other’s needs… 
“Are you certain you understand how important this is?” James laughed, but before Wyatt could become irritated, he leaned in and said, “Sugar, I got no legs. Well, I got some real fancy metal bits and pieces below my knees. One of my best buddies uses a wheelchair, and we got a guy who sometimes goes into a panic so bad he loses hours, if not days. When you tell me you need somethin’ to get by at home, I aim to make sure you have it.”

One thing I don’t love about these books is that they have a bit of a carceral lean. It’s not too overt, but the characters are quick to call police when something is wrong.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4: Great, calling it good doesn’t feel adequate. I really liked it and had a very good time reading it.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4: Brown Girl Spicy
Multiple descriptive and detailed open door scenes; smut is very prominent but it does not overtake plot

Perspective: third
Tense: past 
POV: dual

Source: KU

lazareen's review

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

camill3's review

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medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I started reading the whole series to then read this book, but i was a bit underwhelmed. It was a bit boring, and now, one day later, i can't really remember anything of the story (
other than when Wyatt said f u to his family and left, which i liked a lot.

freya_amber's review

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4.5

Really enjoyed the unique characters.

brenda30_hs's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

flamingo_punk's review

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emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

rainjrop's review against another edition

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3.0

As I've said before, I can only read one Irons and Works book (or other E.M. Lindsey work) in a row. If I try to read two back to back, my interest dwindles and I usually skim or drop the second book. There's something about them that doesn't lend itself to longevity or sustained interest. As I read Stick and Poke, I realized that part of that is because of the way Lindsey give us the cliff's notes version of each characters' lives in the beginning of the book up until current day. If I'm recalling correctly, all the books have that same format, and that's unfortunate. It leaves no mysteries and definitely undercuts the emotional impact of these characters struggles and backstories.

jaxsyms's review

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5