KouriArashi

3.5 stars

Part two of this series picks up where [b:To Those Who Wait|23595279|To Those Who Wait (All the Rewards, #1)|KouriArashi|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|43197716] leaves off. Still told from Stiles' POV, this installment is a bit of a reflection on his part, like the morning after what ifs" after you hooked up with your crush for the first time. Are you dating? Are you friends with benefits? How should you act around them? Is this a one shot deal? I think we have all been plagued with those awkward questions at one point.

Part of the reason I like this series is it reminds me of those young adult/ new adult moments in life when you are just learning how to navigate attraction and relationships and crushes and yet are also on the brink of realizing that anything is attainable depending on how you go about it. Like you are actively choosing what person you are going to be: Are you going to be the person who acts on their crushes and makes themselves vulnerable? Or the person who admires from afar? Could you be content as just friends plus? Or are you going to risk it to live a dream? I remember as a young lass coming to the realization that if you feel something for someone it is more probable than not that they feel it too and it was like this discovery that I wasn't just living in my head - it was a whole enlightenment for me. I feel like this fic captures that wonderment well and keeps Stiles pretty in character as he tentatively navigates the predicament."… (més)

This is actually a reread for me, but I am going to review each installment as I go this time. I remember really enjoying this series overall and I am normally not a fan of KouriArashi's.

So in this first installment Derek is under the influence of a spell that makes him, ahem ... amorous. Because Scott's not the brightest bulb in the box he leaves Stiles alone to handle this predicament. Stiles exercises amazing will power (and moral fortitude) in this situation preventing Derek and he from venturing down any dubcon paths. However, once the spell is broken, things get awkward. Luckily the boys are adult enough to work things out by the end to reap all the rewards for waiting.

I really liked the set up and pacing in this. One of the things I really liked about the series as a whole actually was the pacing and progression of the relationship. The new spin on the magic-made-us-do-it" trope is managed nicely with the "consent-issues-red-flag" and "thank-goodness-Stiles-is-moral" aspect. There is great tension from awkward moments as well as from a "reasonable" misunderstanding.

This is a fun read on its own as well as a great start to the series."… (més)