Reviews

Interlude: First Noel by Tal Bauer

fresholivebread's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

In this Christmas novella, Jack and Ethan struggle with the world's reaction and a long distance relationship due to Ethan's exile. I loved all their sweetness and fluffiness - the interactions, the texts and phone calls. Their love for each other is wonderful, and they remained steadfast despite a load of judgey crap. Steamy times are *steamy*!  And it's lovely to see Ethan's Secret Service friends supporting them. There's also angst, politics and suspense but Jack and Ethan's romance stands out, and I loved every moment of them together. Romance at its best! 

trudi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

junior_18's review

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dark emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.75

fae_princess_in_space's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

4.75

orangeandmilk's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

so_many_books's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I'm amazed every time I read a Tal Bauer book. The words are weaved together in a way that always catches me off guard, grabs me by my heart, and squeezes so hard I have no choice but to be invested. Even in this shorter story, I felt close to the characters.
I felt like I was there with Ethan struggling to navigate a long-distance relationship while still effected by the paparazzi speculating about his love life and other agents thinking he has nothing else to give now that he broke every rule.
I felt close to Jack making hard decisions to save the world while missing the love of his life almost every day.

Their first christmas together was sweet and emotional. The way these two men seem to love each other unconditionally is so pure and definitely something to protect.

And while this was sweet and heartachingly lovely. I know there's some stuff coming in the upcoming books to mess with my feelings. I need to be ready.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readingvoyage's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

amyisis7's review

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emotional hopeful

4.0

taleisin's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

downtown_kb's review against another edition

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emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Some very sweet moments, lots of steamy moments, some angst and a little bit of a mystery with a counterfeiting case. This one made me feel for Ethan so much, dealing with all of the fall out and the press, and made me like Jack even more. 

If I ever meet Agent Shepherd I will punch his face.