REVIEW: Mature Content by Santino Hassell and Megan Erickson

OUR REVIEW:

Shel: So here I am on vacation...a real vacation...and it's the first one I've had in a year. Somehow, someway I taught the entire school year and didn't take a day off. What. The Hell. Right? Right. I'm certifiable, I know. So on my first vacation this year to the sugar sand beaches and emerald green waters of the Gulf Coast, what do I take as my reward for all of my days of work? Mature Content. And let me just say right now it was the best freaking reward; I mean I willingly exiled myself from the beautiful sights and sounds of the beach so that I could dig in to Zane and Beau's story and once I had, I couldnot stop reading. (My fam is probably like WTF, woman?! but I just couldn't stop). Court: I find this to be a good choice, especially as we spend several times a week how much we love "MegTino" or the writing duo that brings us this book. And many that we have enjoyed immensely. So, woot for another great pick my dear.

Shel: Mature Content took me more deeply into the world of YouTube personalities and, I know I'm showing my age here, I honestly had no idea at how big of deal or world this was until this series. I found it interesting to have Beau, seemingly Mr. Squeaky Clean, juxtaposed with Zane, Mr. Messy, and all their shade throwin', hate fucking, enemies to lovers had me nervously laughing and angsty as hell. Reading about two characters, who obviously have this simmering tension between them, smolder and burn from interaction to interaction and then have them have this amazingly explosive chemistry is part of what makes this book so damned hard to put down; but it's not just that for me. It's also the discourse that takes place between them (and about them) with other characters. It's about Santino and Megan (I hope it's not disrespectful to refer to you by first names) creating the characters of Beau and Zane who allow themselves to evolve in their thinking in the ways that they perceived the other and having funny/hard/uncomfortable moments between them that just hang there like they do in real life. I loved the uncomfortable moments as much as the funny and sexy ones because for me this series always gives me an air of authenticity and truth that adds depth and flavor to an already interesting set of  diverse characters and conflicts. Court: Yes. And as we've said before...only personalities really reel us in. Because, while we're not #trending types like Beau or overly out there like Zane...we do our own version/bloggy thing online, and met online so we LOVE online relationships between people that crossover to real life relationships (like ours) and loved seeing these two tweet, and post their videos and all of the angst that they put into their lives, and like Shelley said...their own perceived realities to broaden and let in a different point of view.                                   

                                                    

Shel: This series has been one that is an automatic rec for me and one that I find I think about days, weeks, and months after I've read one of the books. The characters live on in my head; they're these fully formed people that feel so real that I sometimes forget that they aren't --which is a total credit to #MegTino and the way they've crafted the characters, the dialogue and the plot. Without exception, each book in this series gives me things to contemplate about our cyber world and never fails to widen my view of things. This ability to open my eyes, have such authenticity in the plot and characters, and have me enjoy the ride while doing all that are just a few of the many reasons why I literally rejoice when I see something come across my social media about the Cyberlove series. Court: Yep. They're go to, because we know that we are going to get a deep story with well developed characters and what we've come to know as brilliant writing. I really enjoy their work separately, and for sure together and is this a good time to say keep'em'coming? Because, y'all...you should try out this series. Our MC's obviously are deeply opinionated, and it was a lot of fun reading them. And then...emotional side of things with family issues, and accepting oneself? Yep, you can't go wrong. 

Shel: It may be a while before we see anything else with the characters from this series but both Megan Erickson and Santino Hassell have so many great things coming out that the wait time will feel less agonizing, I know. In the meantime, let me just reiterate the absolute adoration I have for Mature Content and the Cyberlove series--much love to these writers and their characters for always giving me something to ponder about love in the modern age. Court: It is an ever evolving thing isn't it? Modern love. Grasping adulthood in this day in age is something I think everyone can relate to. #adultingishard --- I liked both Beau and Zane's individual style and channels and how they connect with their audience, the You Tube aspect, their banter and there is just so much to get into in this one. So, do that. Get it! 

BUY IT: http://amzn.to/2s8H6dy

Synopsis:

My life plan is to be brutally honest all the way to the bank. Don't believe me? I run a popular YouTube channel called TrashyZane, and my claim to fame is oversharing about every aspect of my personal life. Sometimes while tipsy. Not everyone loves my style, but I have a long history of icing out people who can't handle me. I have no time for judgmental foolishness.

Except, apparently, when it comes to Beau Starr. His channel is the polar opposite of mine, and so is he. Wholesome, inspirational, and clean-cut. Everything about him should turn me off, but when we hook up following a confrontation at a convention, my world flips upside down. Not only does Beau Starr turn me on, he uses the exact combination of dirty talk and roughness needed to turn me out. 

But we still hate each other. I think.