MINE (Real #2) by KATY EVANS

Reviewed by Jenny and Gitte

 Gitte:  3.5 Stars
Jenny: 3.5 Stars

Gitte: How excited were we Jenny to get our hands on more Remy? This man is so complex and different to so many hero’s out there and let’s not forget the fighter status! I have to say that in ‘Mine’, my favourite scenes were the ones with Remy in the ring. Katy Evans is the writing queen of the MMA fighter scenes in my opinion. They are detailed and so well written and I applaud her for that!

‘He comes into my line of vision, a flash of red, and swings up into the ring, so lithe and muscled, so sleek and agile. The lights shine down on him as he gets rid of his red robe, and suddenly he’s there. So masculine and raw. Every woman’s fantasy…..’

So, it breaks my heart to say that ‘Mine’ just didn’t wow me. I wish with all my heart that I loved it, because I love Remy and I love this Author. But the story line just didn’t work for me, because there wasn’t much of one in my opinion and also, Brooke sadly frustrated the hell out of me through most of the book.

Basically, Mine became all about Brooke’s anxieties and her sister, again. It became all about nookie, Brooke and Nora. There was no huge drama or suspense. Saying that though, mostly the nookie was hot and any scene with Remy in it, training or fighting was lush!

The only secondary character I really loved was Mel. LOVED her. She was so funny and real and she spoke her mind with abandon!

“Riptide is a bit of a Neanderthal, isn’t he? He’s so fucking primal….” – Mel

I don’t really know how to explain it other than to say, that for me, ‘Mine’ dragged a bit, it became repetitive and I wanted to skim any scene with Brooke moaning and bitching.

Gah, I feel awful but I have to be honest, I just didn’t get it, this is a follow up book but we didn’t really get anywhere! I know I’m not a lone voice in this because you felt the same didn’t you Jenny?

Jenny:  You’re definitely not a lone voice G and I have to be honest and say in all my time of reviewing  this review is one of the most painful I’ve had to write because I loved Real and was so excited for this book. In fact I would go so far as to say it was one of my most anticipated upcoming releases.  I was dying to see how Brooke and Remy fared and what life had in store for them. How they progressed and how they were overcoming their problems etc. I guess what I expected from Mine was a progression and I just don’t feel that was accomplished.

“You’re blinded because you’re mine.”
“No, I see you because I’m yours.”

We’ve discussed Mine at length with each other and unfortunately we are of the same opinion that this one just didn’t wow us.  We did enjoy it enough to follow it through to the end and felt the last part of the book brought it home but sadly for me also, it was a little to late.  Mine lacked the impact we had anticipated from this story.  I wanted to blame it on my mood, tiredness…..anything, and in fact I’ve been dragging my heels finalising this review trying to decipher what  it was exactly that didn’t work for me and like you I found it repetitive, awkward at times, Brooke’s characters appeared to have changed her constant bemoaning and internal dialogue made the story drag for me  and the felt a little too similar to Real at times..

Towards the end of the book there were some emotional scenes that grabbed me and I totally agree that Katy Evans can write an amazing MMA fight scene that is full of gripping imagery for the reader.

I found the whole sniffing, petting and carry on to be awkward and not endearing or sexy though there certainly were some bloody hot scenes in Mine that’s for sure! Wowzers!

Gitte: Now, Remy….

“That’s right, ladies and gentlemen! Bitches and manwhores! Girls and fucking boys! You want him? You got him! Say hello tonight to yourrrrrr one, yourrrrr only, Remington Tate, RRRRIIIIITIDE!!”

All I have to say is, this man is still so very lush. I give this man five Stars for being a fierce, passionate, protective, ripped fighting machine with a heart of gold and having the patience of a bloody saint. All this and he still deals so well with the memories of a fucked up childhood and his black episodes.

“I want him like my next breath….I want every fragmented part of him. I want his body. His mind. His heart. His beautiful soul.” – Brooke

TRUTH!!!!!

Remy’s story still makes me cry big fat ugly tears.

Jenny:  Remy really shone for me in this one even though I do feel he was kind of given a bum ride. To say I’m eagerly awaiting his book is an understatement because I’m so ready to hear from the man himself.  Geez G, I totally agree that this man certainly needs to be commended on his patience because he certainly cops a lot of crap from all directions and showed great fortitude when dealing with it all.

“Stop fucking punishing me, Brooke. I love you.” – Remy

He’s such a beautifully written character and my heart goes out to him time and time again. To rise above all the adversity he has faced really melts your heart and connects you to this character.

Gitte: Then we have Brooke.

“I know what I’ve got, and you’re a little handful of trouble, that’s who you are.” – Remy

What the heck happened to her Jenny? If I was meant to feel sorry for her, sympathise with her, understand her…well something went wrong because I didn’t get her at all. I haven’t really got much to say. I loved her strength, attitude and devotion in Real, but in ‘Mine’ it was a whole different Brooke. Yeah I just don’t know what to say Jenny, it breaks my heart and I feel like the world’s biggest meanie right now sadly but I wanted to kick her in the shins through most of ‘Mine’, well until about eighty percent anyway….

Jenny: Brooke, Brooke, Brooke…….I have no idea what happened to her in Mine but I really did want to slap her a couple of times.  I really liked Brooke in Real also. She was strong, compassionate and funny but something happened to her in Mine and I found her to be pretty high maintenance and whiny, though I wonder if this had more to do with my feelings being so strong for Remy and what he had to contend with on all levels.

“Did you think there wouldn’t be days where I loathed you more than I loved you for tearing me apart? Did you?”

I’m still conflicted on that one.

Gitte:  Right then, so sadly I didn’t love ‘Mine’, the last third of the book was fab but it was too late for me, but I still love Remy. He was given a bum deal in ‘Mine’, yet he shone and showed real heart despite this. I can’t wait for the next book where we get to hear his voice!! So my 3.5 stars go directly to RIIIIIIPPPPTIDE!!!!

Jenny:  I agree G.  The last third of Mine was fantastic. It was moving, beautiful and these two really connected at that point but like you it was just a tad too late because my irritation with certain aspects of the story were already ingrained in me.  Geez I hate writing reviews like this but as always we have to honestly convey our thoughts and even though Mine wasn’t a standout read it was still a book I enjoyed. I just didn’t love it.

I have to say I’m counting down the days until Remy is released because I am DYING for that book.  To hear from Remy, to feel him through his voice is something I’ve been anticipating since first reading Real. Bring on Riiiiiiiiiiiptide!!!!!

‘Hard, lean, and perfect, he is all dangerous, all beautiful and all mine.’ – Brooke

He is indeed Brooke!!!

Check out and purchase the REAL SERIES here; 

Real (The REAL series)

Mine (The REAL series)

Pre Order : Remy (The REAL series)

Release Date for Remy : 26th November 2013

Pre – Order Ripped (The REAL series) – Release Date: 29th April 2014

Pre – Order