Scan barcode
A review by _isabel_
Relief Valve by JL Merrow
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Utterly fantastic sequel. I'm completely hooked on this series and I'm already dreading the day I'll have to leave Tom (and yes, alright, Phil) behind.
I'm not sure if I loved this more than "Pressure Head" or not, because in some ways they're very similar and a lot different.
Tom and Phil's relationship is progressing nicely, with some minor hiccups (mainly Phil acting like a mean dick at times and Tom being a bit scared of what could happen between them if he finally lowers his walls), but all in all, I really loved them. Tom was, as usual, my favourite: he's snarky and down-to-earth, responsible and nice and charming, and I really appreciated seeing a bit more of his emotional hang-ups and his insecurities about his education and general "rough" exterior. I wanted to simultaneously kick him for being daft and hug him to death. Phil, the assoholish comments he could have easily avoided aside, is slowly growing on me: I really loved seeing him being all protective and alpha-man over Tom, and he CAN be charming when he wants to. I'm really intrigued about his, still somewhat secret, past, and his relationship with his family and the Mysterious Mark: I'm hoping we'll see a bit more of that in the next one.
The mystery plot was even more bonkers than the last one: completely unhinged and riveting at the same time, and as usual, I was left guessing up until the end. The one thing I truly loved of this second novel, though, was its side characters: Gary and Darren continue to steal the show, as Arthur and Merlin, but what I really loved was seeing Tom's family, finally. Cherry was an absolutely surprising character, and I ended up really loving her, and the Reverend Greg? ICONIC: Tom's commentary every time he appeared, their interactions and dialogues, were so hilarious I found myself sobbing from laughter. JL Merrow is a witty, capable storyteller and I'm so happy I have an extensive backlist to explore as soon as I finish this series.
That ending though? I gasped and swooned and now I really cannot wait to dive into the third book.
I'm not sure if I loved this more than "Pressure Head" or not, because in some ways they're very similar and a lot different.
Tom and Phil's relationship is progressing nicely, with some minor hiccups (mainly Phil acting like a mean dick at times and Tom being a bit scared of what could happen between them if he finally lowers his walls), but all in all, I really loved them. Tom was, as usual, my favourite: he's snarky and down-to-earth, responsible and nice and charming, and I really appreciated seeing a bit more of his emotional hang-ups and his insecurities about his education and general "rough" exterior. I wanted to simultaneously kick him for being daft and hug him to death. Phil, the assoholish comments he could have easily avoided aside, is slowly growing on me: I really loved seeing him being all protective and alpha-man over Tom, and he CAN be charming when he wants to. I'm really intrigued about his, still somewhat secret, past, and his relationship with his family and the Mysterious Mark: I'm hoping we'll see a bit more of that in the next one.
The mystery plot was even more bonkers than the last one: completely unhinged and riveting at the same time, and as usual, I was left guessing up until the end. The one thing I truly loved of this second novel, though, was its side characters: Gary and Darren continue to steal the show, as Arthur and Merlin, but what I really loved was seeing Tom's family, finally. Cherry was an absolutely surprising character, and I ended up really loving her, and the Reverend Greg? ICONIC: Tom's commentary every time he appeared, their interactions and dialogues, were so hilarious I found myself sobbing from laughter. JL Merrow is a witty, capable storyteller and I'm so happy I have an extensive backlist to explore as soon as I finish this series.
That ending though? I gasped and swooned and now I really cannot wait to dive into the third book.