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Labels & Lace #1

The Formation of Us

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Banished from the reservation before the fires even died down,
my guilt and shadows followed me.
My hands stained in blood, a friendly soul helped me get back on my feet.
Through the lens of a friend's camera, my eyes catch the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
She wasn’t the kind of woman who let me admire her from afar.
Her confidence pulled me in, her strength helped break me out of my shell.
A slice of heaven I probably didn’t deserve.
When the dark stain on my soul rears its ugly head, will she be strong enough to remain by my side? Or will she leave it all behind like ashes in the wind?




Courtesy Warning: This book may contain triggers for some. Triggers include but not limited to: domestic violence, violence, non con/dub con

Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2021

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About the author

Y.D. La Mar

69 books604 followers
I'm a reader, first and foremost. Just like everyone else.

I love books that are just out there. From fluffy to pitch-black darkness. Monsters and aliens to the men who haunt your dreams painting the walls in red.

My love for reading and writing reviews has led me down the road of becoming a writer myself, thanks to the encouragement of others!

I'm not sure where this journey will lead me, but I hope I can breathe life into words the way so many others have done for me when I needed an escape.

Stalk me! https://ydlamar.carrd.co
www.ydlamar.com

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5 stars
22 (64%)
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5 (14%)
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5 (14%)
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2 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Y.D. Mar.
Author 69 books604 followers
September 2, 2021
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I was tasked by a reader to do a nonstereotypical nerd book. My reader group voted on the ethnicities.

This one's for you Kristin.
September 1, 2021
This nerd will incinerate your panties

*giggles uncontrollably* This was the cutest read!

Mat is the perfect combo of nerdy, innocent and alpha while Atsuko completes him by being vulnerable yet sassy. Even the side characters, their best friends Akmal and Vero, are written to perfection. I'm so excited for Akmal's story, he seems even more innocent than Mat but I just know he's got an alpha inside him 😈.
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,012 reviews91 followers
September 9, 2021
The couple: Mat and Atsuko

Romance genre: contemporary
Series: Labels and Lace
Length: 263 pages

Plot: Mat is living but not necessarily thriving. He's been banished from his reservation and he's working a job he doesn't particularly like. He's looking for something, but he doesn't know exactly what. Atsuko is happy enough with her life but is coasting along. She has an on-again/off-again boyfriend, a part-time minimum wage job, and in the plus column, a great best friend and some side gigs modeling. When these two meet, it's beautiful, but there are secrets that threaten to bring them down.

Commentary: Mat suffered trauma and is continuing to suffer. I felt so angry on his behalf because of his job and what it was forcing on him. I believe that his boss knew full well what was happening when he sent him out on those calls. But Mat is resilient; he wasn't ready to just take the hand life had dealt him. I loved that about him. Atsuko needed a little of that motivation because she seemed kind of stuck. But Mat was just what she needed1 Mat is billed as a nerd, but a super hot, smart, fit guy who will rage out to protect you? Sign me up for Nerd-land, I guess!

Next book in the series: The Conception of Us
Profile Image for Maria.
122 reviews15 followers
July 19, 2021
I'm a sucker for a nerdy Hero, Mat was perfect shy all blushing around the heroine Atsuko . She's a sultry character forward, Mat has a sadness around him something is happening to him which he is trying to get away from. Looking forward to what the rest of the series brings.
Profile Image for Holly Grays.
198 reviews4 followers
September 3, 2021
I went on an emotional rollercoaster as I was reading. The world building is excellent. I highly recommend this book and Author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Glowstars.
185 reviews10 followers
August 26, 2021
Let's start out by saying I only seem to read three types of books: dark, kinky, or starring a raging alpha. If a book can combine all three then I'm in love. Last time I picked up a book that didn't have at least one of these aspects my delicate sensibilities were so offended I nearly didn't finish it. I might have well have picked up a clean romance!

I won an ARC copy of The Formation of Us in a giveaway and if it hadn't been written but such an awesome author I probably never would have picked it up to read. On Facebook, YD LaMar is always such fun and I've seen that come through in some of her other work so I figured I'd give this one a go. I'm glad I did.

Although a contemporary romance this book does have dark and kinky elements in it, but not so much that they start to take over the story. They're like little sub-stories running underneath and enhancing this amazing love story.

LaMar beautifully captures Mat's despair and despondency before he meets Atsuko and presents her life in pre-Mat in a completely relatable way. There are moments of gut-wrenching sadness, sassy laughter and YD's personality shining through her writing. Not only has she managed to sensitively include multiple cultures, but she's also left me not feeling like the usual pervy MILF by giving us a heroine in her mid-thirties.

I can't wait to get my hands on Vero and Akmal's story because I reckon it's gonna be even more fun than this was!
Profile Image for Phyllis Farmer .
583 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2021
Controlled Chaos

YD La Mar’s first book in her contemporary romance ‘Labels and Lace’ series has some unexpected surprises. It has an unusual concept, that I find highly unlikely in this day and age, of men in their mid-late twenties that are still virgins. Mat and his friend, Akmal, work for the same company as IT guys. Atmal has a side job as a photographer and gets Mat to come along to help him on a photo shoot. Atsuko and her BFF, Veronica (Vero for short), just happen to be the models for that particular shoot. When boys meet girls, sparks start to fly with tongue hanging out. One thing that did irritate me about Mat was his lack of communication. If he had just explained things more clearly and precise, there would have been less heartache. Other than that, this was such an interesting and riveting book that it was hard to put down. I absolutely loved it! Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
Profile Image for Anita.
2 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2021
Y.D. La Mar took the challenge of going outside her comfort zone to write a more contemporary romance, and she hit a home run. I love finding heroes that are not the stereotypical alpha, who show more vulnerability, and have a great dose of nerd in them. And Mat is exactly that. A sweet, caring, HOT, awkward man who discovers his inner alpha.

Atsuko is a confident badass bitch who needs to find a man that will treat her like the queen she is. Luckily she meets Mat and they compliment each other so well. Their love for each other is absolutely beautiful.

I really loved everything about this book. Especially how Y.D. showcases insecurities and flaws within each character. And how you can never judge a book by its cover.

So excited Y.D. turned this into a series. We need more diverse love stories!
Profile Image for SilentHeather.
75 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2022
Contemporary romance? Pff, boring.

Right....? Wrong. WRONG.

This was so cute and SO heckin hot, I was left hot in the face and along my... arms? That's a thing? I'd put this down because it's break time but 5 minutes later I'm going back because what? I'm suppose to just do something else???

The things I really appreciated seeing in this
Poc geeks
All the main characters were poc
Native American representation
Men who are virgins
The male character is the one struggling as the victim of abuse.

There were a lot of moments that hit me in the heart that had me so incredibly sad which made Atsuko's and Mat's connections that much more passionate, that much sweeter.
Oh and I love a good 😽 eating scene, what can I say? 🤷🏽‍♀️

I'm glad I read this, I almost wasn't going to.
A slight lack of faith I won't let waiver again, for shame.
Profile Image for Tia Fanning.
Author 36 books121 followers
September 1, 2021
Intense Emotional Drama w/ HOT-HOT Intimacy

This is an intense read on the emotional side. Not necessarily burning consuming hot volcanic rage or grief, but the kind of strong emotion that overwhelms and drowns you, like rising waters of a tsunami. It’s almost unexpected. You suddenly realize you’re holding your breath. It’s that first love. It’s that first heartbreak. It’s the intensity of seeing the darker, more selfish sides of everyday people. The author does not shock you with real-life monsters here, but captures you in the knowledge that these characters could very-well be you, your friends, your family, your co-workers. The intimate scenes are HOT in this book, well-written and titillating.
17 reviews
July 17, 2021
Who new that the all consuming darkness of one's past, and the tortures they face in current times, could open and bloom into such a beautiful romance?
Mat didn't, that's for sure. When Mat first sees Atsuko, he wants her. Does he deserve her? He doesn't think so, but that won't stop him.
A newbie to the dating scene, Mat trips and stumbles along with Atsuko. The couple have their ups and downs, with their friends there to back them up.
Can the well experienced and the newbie to love make it work with all they are faced with? Their own inner darkness breaking free at times....
You will have to read to find out.... but I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
5,921 reviews35 followers
August 20, 2021
Matt and Atsuko take us on a wild hilarious ride! Matt is obsessed with Atsuko the moment he first sees her, but he doesnt feel worthy of her. As the nerdy newbie to relationships Matt discovers more about the world of relationships through more experianced Atsuko, and also their friends Vero and Akmal. Well written with an engaging story line ell developed characters that draw you in. This story is quite different from the dark previous works by YD La Mar, but certainly shows the versatility of the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kiki.
65 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2021
Wow.. This story is so different from Y.D's previous work and really shows her range as an author. I love a nerd H and Mat delivers on all the adorable nerdiness while still being an alpha. There wasn't a single loveable character. This book was sweet, heartwarming, funny, and at times, heartbreaking. I also loved the diversity of all the characters.
Profile Image for TINA WILLIAMS.
1,825 reviews21 followers
August 31, 2021
This book was a very unique read with a nerdy alpha and a beautiful model. They have instant chemistry and can’t keep their hands off each other. They end up being exactly what the other one needs. Throw in some drama and you have one interesting story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gloria Thomas.
35 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2021
This book is absolutely amazing. Matt and Atsuko are amazing together. They have an instant chemistry. Matt is a beautiful, gentle, protective H. Atsuko helps him discover his true self. She is an amazing author. A must follow!!!!!!
Profile Image for Selena Michaels.
Author 24 books360 followers
September 1, 2021
Mat!

Yes! I’ve been anticipating this book for a while. I love a good nerd and mar delivers! I just want to lick him. Honestly the buffeSt, smartest nerd I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait until the next one!
Profile Image for Wicked Fox ✨️.
416 reviews105 followers
August 7, 2023
I found the dynamic of Mat and Atsuko absolutely wonderful while reading this book. The passion, angst and frustration that is presented throughout the book fits the couple perfectly, conveying the good and bad times these two have been through. They're obsessesive in their love, with being jealous during appropriate times and understanding when Mat opened up about his past while Atsuko was there to comfort him.

Mat's conflict and struggle at the beginning is one of the major themes in The Formation of Us. His helplessness and fear was expressed expertly, making you as a reader, feel Mat's heartbreaking emotions while your own heart squeeze with the same helplessness he was experiencing himself.

I was thankful to find that he had a friend of his own, Akmal, to share his struggles with, and that he didn't have to face everything on his own because he could be as normal as he wanted with him by sharing the same interests, as friends would.

Atsuko, a mature, girlboss of her own, is definitely someone I admire. I love the relationship she has with Vero, which also kind of reminds me of my own friends, because we literally have no filter at all 😂, same as Atsuko and Vero. There was no fakery between the two, which is refreshing to see how Vero wasn't only a two-dimensional character that puts Atsuko in a better spotlight, as some authors tended to do. They're supportive of each other's decisions, and calling each other out when needed.

Did I mention how I love how POC was represented in this book? You don't really see that it in the world of the dark romance genre :)

*I had the pleasure of being a Beta reader and am voluntarily leaving a review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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