Between Homes

Post-finale reread: I do love a story that justifies its tropes, and BETWEEN HOMES does that beautifully. In this book Pet is determined to strike out on her own, refusing to accept the sort of protection that refuses to consult her wishes or conscience but just expects her to obey in silence. It seems a bit reductive to say this, but in a lot of ways this series really does seem to be engaging with what it's like to grow up as a woman in the conservative church, deeply loving the men around you even as you struggle to find an identity and a voice independently of them. Of course, the applicability of the series goes far beyond that - this is firmly in the subtext and the closest we get to an overt reference to religion is the holy water Pet is always threatening to put in the vampire's food - but the particularly powerful thing about the series is how it handles trying to assert your humanity with people you're bound to, people who in conscience you must recognise as brothers, people who you see have the capacity to change. I honestly don't know another series that does this, and it's part of what makes the feels in this book so particularly poignant. <br /><br />That, and the immortal exchange -<br /><br />"My body is a weapon." - "So is your flamin' perfume!" <br /><br />--<br /><br />There's a scene in this book where two attractively paranormal blokes start fighting each other over our vulnerable female protagonist. One wants to attack her; the other is defending her and it's this massive, explosive moment in the story. I keep thinking of how many times - mostly in trashy vintage swashbucklers by Rafael Sabatini or trashy contemporary YA romances like TWILIGHT - I've seen something like this happen, and how much a part of me always loves it. And yet, there's always a problem with it. It always seems fairly over the top and forced, usually because all the characters have the hots for each other and are just doing this on the basis of some silly, momentary infatuation.<br /><br />Yeah? Yeah. So in this book...IT WORKS.<br /><br />It's all catnip, no niggling sense of idiocy.<br /><br />And there are probably a few reasons for this, but probably the main reason is that in these books, the hots have been surgically removed, leaving deep, genuine, complicated relationships. Pet's relationships with the paranormal blokes in her life are, on her side at least (<input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="930e7dca-96a8-4c37-9866-e0503dbb5b4e" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="930e7dca-96a8-4c37-9866-e0503dbb5b4e">we get just the FAINTEST hint that one of them might ACTUALLY be falling for her, but obviously he would die rather than show it</label>) genuinely platonic, in the sense that she clearly cares for them deeply in a completely non-erotic manner. <br /><br />Which means that this book is a peculiar thing: it reads like a romance (or rather: like I WISH romances read), just...without any romance. (At least, without OVERT romance. One of my favourite things about this series is HOW MUCH emotion Wendee packs into the TINIEST details - like a button left undone, or the changing shade of someone's eyes. Heck, it takes absolutely rock-solid character work to be able to do that at all).<br /><br />And that ENDING. HEARTBREAKING. NOOOO.<br /><br />A year ago when I started reading this series with the first book, I decided it was Wendee's best so far. Now I consider it the weakest in a series that has exploded every expectation. Wonderful stuff.

<em>This is fifth in a UF series that builds character and plot arcs over time so I definitely recommend reading in order.</em><br /><br />And yeah, I'm binging on these somewhat. What can I say, it's a long weekend and <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/54962427.The_Book_of_Destiny__The_Last_Oracle___9_" title="The Book of Destiny (The Last Oracle, #9) by Melissa McShane" rel="noopener">The Book of Destiny</a> is due out in hours so I need something to distract me!<br /><br />Anyway, by this time in a series, you know if you're in or not and this one does such a fantastic job with the plot and a spanking pace and I <strong>love</strong> that Pet is starting to gain confidence and a better feel for her place in the mixed up world she lives in. Also, the worldbuilding comes in with a decent reason why this area of Tasmania has become such a hotbed of Behindkind activity.<br /><br />There are some excellent character moments in this and I was engaged throughout. I particularly liked the development with Pet and her psychos coming to something like an understanding. I can't wait to see how that develops going forward. So yeah, five stars and I'm still all-in.<br /><br /><strong>A note about Chaste</strong>: I'm happy to say that there continues to be no romance, let alone sex. So it's "chaste", but in a way that it doesn't really matter. I'm a bit nervous about the pretty wheelchair boy who is looking like a potential romance interest, but that's very downplayed so far.

I should have made this book last, but I was an absolute <i>GLUTTON</i> and read the whole thing in one sitting. How I am supposed to wait for the next one is beyond me.

<b> <i> <blockquote>“Don’t think I’ve ever been normal,” I said. “Not much use starting now."</blockquote> </i> </b><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1606366683ra/30429963.gif" width="300" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>A lot is going down in this one! <br><br>Pet is out of the house and staying with lycanthrope Daniel, and her new friend Morgana. Now the new house in itself is strange- what with the 'kids' running around and staying out of sight as well as Morgana's seemingly absent parents. But as usual Pet kind of just rolls with the...<i>unusual.</i><br><br>However, leaving the safety of the nest hasn't stopped Behindkind from seeking Pet out. These visits come from the shady Upper management, and a new client by the moniker <b>North</b> (As in the North Wind)<br><br>She asks for Pets help in dissolving a contract between Behindkind and a human girl- but shes not the only one one the case. With Zero and Altheas working a different angle it's up to Pet and her friends (plus JinYeong coming over to her side) they have to stay out of harms way while throwing themselves into trouble.<br><br><br><br>Also...<input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="779bcd80-3186-4d6d-8154-01c41dbfba52" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="779bcd80-3186-4d6d-8154-01c41dbfba52"> I'm still pulling for Pet to figure out whats going on between her and JinYeong<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1586291309ra/29250360.gif" width="300" height="200" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Or Zero for that matter...but I'm still pulling for JinYeong especially since she's no longer <i> his</i> pet. <br><br><b><i><blockquote>“I’m not gunna be his pet.” JinYeong’s brows went up, but to my surprise, he seemed amused instead of annoyed. No, not amused. He was smugly, purringly pleased. Heck. What had I done that I didn’t know about? “Kurae, johah,” he said exultantly. And then, very clearly, he told me, “I don’t want you as a pet.”</blockquote></i></b><br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1496334136ra/22902401.gif" width="300" height="250" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br></label></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

This series is fantastic. Every time a new one comes out, I read it within two days no matter what else is going on. I love Pet and all of the other characters, particularly the three psychos. While this book was not as enjoyable as the last one, due to two of the three psychos not being in it as much, this point in the story was very important to Pet's character development.<br /><br />I'm so excited for when the next book is released and can't wait to see which (if any) of my theories pan out. I'm hoping for Pet and JinYeong to get together, but maybe in the end he'll just be too annoying.<br /><br />I have provided an honest review after having received an ARC copy of the book from the author.

List of thoughts:<br /><br /> • Daniel is the Concerned and Protective Big Brother and I love it so much.<br /> • The Sneaky Mosquito and Pet are actually friends now…<br /> • Morgana educating Pet about makeup was hilarious.<br /> • JinYeong…oh, good grief. What a peacock. (He nearly made me choke on my dinner a couple times.) But okay, I admit it: he is growing on me.<br /> • It’s becoming more and more obvious that Zero actually does care for Pet! Aww!<br /> • THE HUGS!<br /><br />This book has more evident themes of prejudice and not dehumanizing others, and it is brilliant. In <i>Between Jobs,</i> Pet was so starved for interaction that she snapped up the chance to be a pet, to be cared for in the barest way. But now she’s learning to stand on her own and how to cultivate good relationships with others, ones where she is truly valued and not taken advantage of. And none of this occurs too rapidly to be unbelievable. <br /><br /><i>“Because Athelas and even sometimes Zero, had begun to call me she instead of it.”</i> <br /><br />As I continue through this series, I’m seeing more and more how no character is extraneous, and I absolutely love that. Things are slowly building on each other and meandering agonizingly until the brilliant, jaw-dropping revelations emerge.<br /><br />Every aspect of this series is written with care, and my jaw has dropped numerous times at the author’s skill.<br /><br />I don’t know how I got to loving this series so much, but I most certainly do love it. Well done, W.R. Gingell.<br /><br />Content: references to a kiss between characters, another kiss between said characters, violence and gore (the gore is again not quite as heavy as in earlier installments)<br />

What a whirlwind of a book.<br /><br />Tbh, I feel like the only fan here who isn't also a fan of the JinYeoung-and-Pet ship. Pet is genuinely awesome, guys, ESPECIALLY in this book (in the earlier ones there were times when I just got annoyed with her... heheh).<br /><br />JinYeoung just genuinely annoys me. Like, all the time. Okay, so maaayyybeee I'm a bit biased here, but I have this huge thing against guys-- especially Asian guys-- being called pretty boys because in Asia that is an aCTUAL THING (I know it is everywhere else, too, but that's not what I mean, exactly). And he reminds me way too much of a guy who belongs in a K-Drama. (Okay but seriously, even his dialogue is K-Drama. Believe it or not, I can actually read the romanized Korean, and I can understand it, and... I'm definitely not gonna fault the author for this, since her portrayal of a teenaged vampire that never grew up is pretty spot-on accurate. It's in the book, even.) <br /><br />Plus I just do not like his general personality, but that's just me, so yeah.<br /><br />EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS BOOK THOUGH. Wowza. I didn't love it but I liked it. I missed the three psychos in this one (... except for a certain vampire, because I couldn't exactly miss a vampire who's there all the time). Zero and Athelas... *shakes head* Especially Zero. *shakes head again*<br /><br />Also, I loved reading Pet's interactions with Daniel and his crazy pack. Daniel is awesome and Morgana is just sweet and I really hope we see more of them in the future.<br /><br />(Btw, every time Pet walks into the coffeeshop and exchanges smiles with a certain merman I have to smile too. Idk why. It's contagious and kind of scary.)

Another amazing book in this series. So. Much. Fun! <br />Love the characters, love the interactions and ongoing drama between Pet and her Troika--and a few new characters and revelations in the mix.<br />I like JinYeong much more after this book. He is really developing as a character, and he and Pet have a delightful dynamic. The occasional glimpses of Athelas and Zero only whetted my appetite for book #6, which will probably leave me hanging even more painfully--but who cares? I love it!<br />One of my favorite things about W.R. Gingell's writing is her use of subtext. It fascinates me! I have my shipping theories, but I trust the author to satisfy me on that account. And there is so much more food for speculation here!<br />So, here I sit speculating, and counting the months, weeks, and days before the next book releases. :-)

Time to reread the entire damn thing and cry the entire time. God Bless you W.R. Gingell

Another great installment. The world continues to open up for exploring and the characters become more endearing.