One Funeral
Author: Kat & Stone Bastion
Reviewer: VampBard
Rating: A+
What I’m Talking About:
Devoured. That’s how I read One Funeral, the second title in Kat & Stone Bastion’s No Weddings series. This humorous, yet oh-so-serious series is already on my list of favorites, and I can’t wait for the next title, Two Bar Mitzvahs. I’m eager to see what happens between Hannah and Cade.
First, if you haven’t read No Weddings, the first book in the No Weddings series, READ IT FIRST. There’s no option, really. Otherwise, a reader would be hopelessly lost. The backstory is quite important to the plot of book two, and while things are hinted at, I don’t think they’re explicit enough to get a reader up to speed. Besides, you won’t want to miss a second of Cade & Hannah goodness anyway.
This title is narrated by Hannah, while No Weddings was from Cade’s POV. I was floored by how much I got out of things from Hannah’s perspective. I kinda like this alternating narrators thing the Bastions have going on with this series. I thought I knew Hannah from the first title in the series, but I found that I really didn’t know her, I just knew what Cade saw. I really like Hannah now. I mean, I liked her before. Now? I could totally go hang out with her for an afternoon, acting as though we’ve known one another for our entire lives. I like the way that Hannah attends therapy to work through her issues. Instead of relying on Cade to always make everything better. The fact that she’s a strong, independent woman was driven home even harder throughout One Funeral. And… *gasp* she has a life outside her man! What kind of blasphemy is this? Oh, and he doesn’t get jealous of all the time she spends doing business, either.
Getting to know Hannah better – especially her past – really solidified her for me as a character. It gave her credence as a legit participant in the story – not just a created entity that was secondary to the plot. Hannah is definitely a major participant in the novel and series. I think that reading a title from her perspective will help me to have her ‘voice’ in my head when I read the next title, Two Bar Mitzvahs. Her perspectives and views on her non-dating friend, Cade, were fresh and introspective. Even when she questioned things, ultimately she ended up trusting her instincts.
Cade is a HOPELESS ROMANTIC when it comes to Hannah. Seriously. Be prepared to sigh contentedly, repeatedly, while reading One Funeral. What I like most about Cade is that he is a real dude. I mean, we aren’t seeing him fart in front of Hannah yet, but it feels like that is something that could potentially happen soon. I like the way he is moving toward something significant with Hannah, and isn’t rushing into the physical intimacy aspect. I think that guys, and girls too, are eager to jump into bed, side-stepping the emotional connection needed to make physical intimacy that much more powerful. From Hannah’s perspective, Cade is perfect for her. He has just finished graduate school, earning an MBA. He already owns a successful business, partners with his sisters for Invitation Only, and has a great relationship with his friends and family. He surrounds himself with seemingly genuine people. This is a boon for Hannah because she doesn’t have any family left. And, she craves that familial bond. Did I mention that Cade seems perfect? Because, yeah. He seems to be too good to be true about now. From Hannah’s perspective. It would be interesting to read Cade’s POV for this book. Especially the end.
I still like the easy relationship between Cade and Hannah. The humor that is infused in their interactions. That whole ‘talk dirty to me’ thing. And, I still have a rough time with ellipses in literature. Random giggling may ensue. What I’m most impressed with, however, is their ‘let’s wait’ approach to physical intimacy. And yes. They DO ‘seal the deal’ in this book.
My favorite line of dialogue is this gem, said by Cade to Hannah: “We’re caught in each other’s gravity.” I think I seriously swooned there. And, I think that watching this non-insta-love series evolve, hopefully we’ll get more and more authors agreeing that it’s okay to not immediately jump in bed. It’s okay to get to know your partner, become friends.
My Rating: A+ Personal Favorite
About the Book:
The stakes climb higher in this second book in the No Weddings Series for Hannah Martin, a woman restrained by her past, and Cade Michaelson, the man who could help set her free.
I’m drawn to Cade as he charms his way into more of my life and offers me something I truly haven’t ever had: a friend. Yet his humor, patience, and drop-dead sexiness take my breath away, and I know my heart is at risk. I want to move forward but am terrified I can’t.
Cade seems to have it together from his own devastating heartache. His subtle actions, however, suggest a different story. And even though he says he wants more, I wonder if he’s able to trust in our developing relationship.
As we navigate through our tangled feelings, we vow to take it slow. Yet no matter how careful we try to be, things between us intensify—and there’s nothing we can do, or want to do, to stop it.
But the biggest question remains: Is chemistry enough to move beyond the past and toward a future together?
Release Date: September 29, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Series: No Weddings #2
ISBN: 978-0692023792
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (229 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
One Funeral (No Weddings #2)
Reviews in the Series:
No Weddings by Kat & Stone Bastion (No Weddings #1)