Official Review: Old Sins by Jaylynn Wylie

[Diana Lowery]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Old Sins" by Jaylynn Wylie.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Even though Jaylynn Wylie took me on a delightful journey with her romance novel Old Sins, the road was so full of mistakes that I felt like there was a pothole every few feet. I am glad that I hung on for the bumpy ride because the main characters were endearing, but I did think of giving up several times.

Rye and Cat are the stars in this saga. Overcoming obstacles and holding on when the odds are against you is a familiar theme, but this one has a bit of a twist. Unlike characters who come of age in a bildungsroman, this couple is well past the age of puberty. Rye, an attractive man, suffers from low self-esteem due to being raised in a motorcycle gang. He is stoic and often speaks in a caveman dialect by eliminating personal pronouns. Rye was a Ranger in Afghanistan and spent 17 days stranded behind enemy lines helping an injured buddy to escape. He is now an attractive, successful business owner. Cat, also attractive, suffers in a different way as a result of her childhood and uses sarcasm and humor to hide her pain. She, too, is a veteran. Cat is currently a medical assistant and spends her shifts in a helicopter transporting dying patients; sometimes they don't make it. These two meet accidentally when Cat literally runs into Rye in a bar when she is out with her two best girlfriends. The sparks continue to fly as the couple tries to negotiate their way into each other's lives.

The first 10 chapters could be considered foreplay with the first climax taking place in chapter 11, and then multiple climaxes occur in almost every chapter after that first one. While the sex was hot and steamy, it wasn't vulgar or overly erotic. Euphemisms were sometimes used such as "lady bits" for female anatomy. Symbolically, the growth of the relationship is echoed in the couple's physical antics. Reading these parts also helped to explain how their "old sins" affected their current lives. The sexual component was my least favorite part of the story. I personally think the story would have been better without the bedroom play-by-play, but I am sure it will appeal to some readers.

My favorite part was the sensory writing style. I could visualize Rye's run-down trailer house, his custom car shop, and the scene at Cat's house when her parents arrive unexpectedly and meet Rye for the first time. I could feel the emotional release as Rye shared his backstory with Cat and the fear he felt when he thought he had lost her. Wylie also uses scent in clever ways such as when Rye sniffs Cat's unique smell of the day from her various fruit shampoos and body washes. Since both characters own and ride motorcycles, all the sounds associated with them are included. Of course, all five senses are authentically described in the intimate scenes.

Due to its profanity and sexual content, I can only recommend this to readers who enjoy R-rated entertainment. Because I found more than ten errors in the first five pages, and the number increased exponentially in the remaining 30 chapters, I am deducting one star for lack of editing and another star for readability. Sentences such as: "The primary reason was he was enjoying it was Cat..." and "The drinks and laughter we flowing liberally..." hindered comprehension. The author's intention appears to be to start a series since this one is referred to as book one in the Old Series. I hope Wylie finds an editor before the next book comes out. If she does, her rating should be higher than the two out of four that I am giving her.

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Old Sins
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[AnnOgochukwu]

This is indeed a twist to the usual romance stories. I'd like to give it a trial (preferably after it's been edited). This should be an interesting series.
And, this review is a really good one. I could feel the characters through this review. Nice job.

[Ify_Reviewer]

I like your writing style. Well-done

[ValeriaU]

This sounds like an interesting romantic story, it's a shame about the lack of editing. I enjoyed the review, it was very clear and engaging.

[SamaylaM]

A good take on the romance genre with the plot but I might skip it. Your rating and the reasons for the rating were explained honestly and in-depth so I really appreciate the review. Really great work!

[Diana Lowery]

This is indeed a twist to the usual romance stories. I'd like to give it a trial (preferably after it's been edited). This should be an interesting series.
And, this review is a really good one. I could feel the characters through this review. Nice job.

What a sweet comment. Thank you.

[Diana Lowery]

I like your writing style. Well-done

Thank you for your comment.

[Diana Lowery]

This sounds like an interesting romantic story, it's a shame about the lack of editing. I enjoyed the review, it was very clear and engaging.

I hope that the author has it edited. She is a talented author.

[Diana Lowery]

A good take on the romance genre with the plot but I might skip it. Your rating and the reasons for the rating were explained honestly and in-depth so I really appreciate the review. Really great work!

I wish I could have rated it higher, but there were just too many errors. Thanks for commenting.

[Abi_kanda]

"But I am sure it will appeal to some readers". Well I am that reader. Great review!

[Tarilan]

Great review! I hope the editing problem has been fixed because I want to give the book a try.

[HannahsReads]

I love your description of the errors in the book as feeling like potholes in a road! This sounds like such an engaging, character-driven book. Hopefully the author will have it edited.

[Luluwa79]

I love romance novel so much that i would have loved to read this, but i will bypass till it's edited.
Nice review.

[saru_mwamburi]

I am definitely getting this book, after it has been edited that is. The fact that both main characters are veterans makes it interesting. Can't wait.