navy dress blue uniform Original U.S. WWI US Navy Gunners Mate Service Dress Blue Uniform Set with  Named Pre-1933 U.S.S. Yorktown (PG-1) “Flat Cap”
SKU: 68601482019
navy dress blue uniform

navy dress blue uniform Original U.S. WWI US Navy Gunners Mate Service Dress Blue Uniform Set with Named Pre-1933 U.S.S. Yorktown (PG-1) “Flat Cap”

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navy dress blue uniform Original U.S. WWI US Navy Gunners Mate Service Dress Blue Uniform Set with Named Pre-1933 U.S.S. Yorktown (PG-1) “Flat Cap”Original Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid 40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only

 Original Items: Only One Set Available. The US Navy dress blues have been in service for over 150 years and are still worn today. On a couple of occasions the Navy tried to replace the uniform. First, in the mid-40s, an "Ike" style uniform featuring a short jacket was tried out and was soundly rejected after its trial period. Then, between 1973 and 1980 the uniform was, in fact, briefly replaced with a more contemporary suit and visor cap design only to return to the tried-and-true dress blues. The uniform's main qualities of comfort, practicality, and a distinctive design have endeared it to the sailor. Iconic in appearance, the primary WW2 dress blue outfit consisted of a beret style cap with a ribbon and bow around the band; a "V" neck jumper with a square sailor's collar; a silk neckerchief; and bellbottom trousers with a 13-button broadfall front. Although its design features evolved from needs that had long since passed into history and were archaic even by WW2 standards, the uniform provided the sailor with an instantly recognizable uniform that boosted morale, evoked esprit de corps, and honored the Navy's proud history.

Photos dating back to at least the early 1860s show US sailors wearing a blue wool uniform not too different from the WW2 design. Through much of its early years the uniform was worn at sea, but by WW2 it had become mainly a dress uniform used for more formal occasions such as in formations, ceremonial activities, or for special guard duty. It was also worn on shore leave in appropriate climates. In fact, during WW2 it is most often seen being worn in northern shore and training stations by new recruits. The shift from a practical working uniform to one used for dress occasions was inevitable as military doctrine was evolving during the 1930s and 40s by setting specific roles for uniforms and establishing clear distinctions between work, garrison, and combat attire. And by the end of WW2 the age of multi-use uniforms had passed.

The dress blue jumper and trouser combination was considered a winter uniform to be worn in cool temperatures. It was constructed of high quality 16-ounce Melton wool that had a fine nap and was relatively soft to the touch. There were appropriate accessories to keep sailors warm on colder days. These included an overcoat made of matching heavy-weight Melton, blue wool knit gloves, and a blue wool muffler. The Dress Blue Uniform was included as part of the enlisted man's initial clothing gratuity. In northern training stations it was issued at induction and in warmer areas not until graduation was complete and final assignment received.

The dress blue uniform underwent continuous refinement over the decades of its use as was typically the case with uniforms that existed for any length of time. This process continued during WW2 with some significant changes being made to the jumper and trousers at the end of 1943. At this time it was decided to shorten the length of the jumper by six inches and simplify the waistband area of the trousers. These changes were implemented primarily to realize savings in a wartime economy by reducing the amount of fabric required to make the uniform and to speed up production by simplifying the manufacturing process.

The Dress Blue Uniform Items In This Grouping:
- Patched Gunner’s Mate Jumper and Trousers: The Gunner's Mate rating is primarily surface warfare-based. Closely associated Naval occupational ratings are Fire Controlman (FC), Aviation Ordnanceman (AO), Missile Technician (MT), Mineman (MN). The Gunner's Mate rating is one of the original ratings created as a result of the Naval Armament Act of 1794. The others include Boatswain's Mate (BM), Quartermasters (QM), Master-at-Arms (MA), and Yeoman (YN). The rating is also among the top five source ratings for enlisted Naval Special Warfare candidates.

The left breast features a single pinned on ribbon for the WWI Victory Medal, in wonderful condition. The right upper sleeve has a strange combination “dual rated” type of patch. The rate insignia is what appears to be a Gunner’s Mate as well as a Quartermaster, one we have not encountered before! The right shoulder has a white branch mark present. Enlisted men below the rank of petty officer wore stripes around the shoulder of their dress blue jumpers called Branch Marks. These stripes were made of ⅜-inch-wide white or red braid. Men assigned to the Seaman Branch wore a white braid on the right shoulder and men assigned to the Artificer Branch (Engine Room Force) wore a red braid on the left shoulder. Branch Marks were worn until the rank of Petty Officer was achieved, after which a Rating Badge was worn on the sleeve of the jumper. The cuff stripes indicate the rank of a Seaman 1st Class. Both the trousers and jumper are in good condition with minor moth nips and no significant damage.

- Pre-1933 USS Yorktown Flat Cap: The blue cloth cap was remarkable for its longevity having served as an essential part of the enlisted sailor's uniform for over one hundred years. During its considerable time in service, the blue cap sailed on frigates, sloops, paddle wheels, submarines, battleships, and aircraft carriers. It was present for the transition from sails to steam to fuel oil, and even lived to see the advent of nuclear propulsion. But perhaps, most of all, the cap brings back memories of great armadas, the age of Dreadnoughts, and the historic conflicts they partook in. Recorded in the Navy Uniform Regulations as early as 1833, the blue cap was originally part of an ensemble of clothing prescribed for enlisted seamen to be worn outdoors in both cold and warm weather. Early regulations simply described a "Blue Cloth Cap" until the Civil War period when the wording was slightly changed to "Blue Cloth Cap, without visor".

The circumference of the pre-1933 cap was much larger and required a wire stiffener on the inside to help keep its shape. Just like a lot of other sailors, the stiffener was removed to attribute a saltier appearance. The 1933 cap had a front riser that lifted the crown well above the ribbon. Additionally, the crown of the 1933 cap was attached to the sides using a cord seam, which is not present on this one. Prior to 1941, the vessel's name or any one of a number of different shore station designations could be displayed on the ribbon. In this case it's the Gunboat USS Yorktown (PG-1). The cap is in lovely condition and is even named on the inside with H. H. EDMAN stenciled into the top lining. Unfortunately we have not been able to locate any service information, making for a wonderful research opportunity.

This is truly a wonderful set of an early US Navy Dress Blue Uniform with a ship tallied flat cap! Comes more than ready for research and display.

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5”
Shoulder to sleeve: 20”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17.5”
Chest width: 17.5”
Waist width: 18”
Hip width: 18”
Front length: 23.5"

Pants:
Waist:15.5"
Inseam: 28"

USS Yorktown (PG-1)
USS Yorktown was the lead ship of her class of steel-hulled, twin-screw gunboats in the United States Navy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was the second U.S. Navy ship named in honor of the American Revolutionary War's Battle of Yorktown.

Yorktown was laid down by William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia in May 1887 and launched in April 1888. She was just over 244 feet (74 m) long and 36 feet (11 m) abeam, and displaced 1,710 long tons (1,740 t). She was equipped with two steam engines which were supplemented with three schooner-rigged masts. The ship's main battery consisted of six 6-inch (15.2 cm) guns and was augmented by an assortment of smaller-caliber guns.

At launch, Yorktown joined the Squadron of Evolution of "New Navy" steel-hulled ships. Detached from that squadron, Yorktown, under the command of Robley D. Evans, sailed to Valparaíso, Chile, during the 1891 Baltimore Crisis and relieved USS Baltimore at that port. After that situation was resolved, Yorktown took part in the joint British–American sealing patrol in Alaskan waters and duty on the Asiatic Station before returning to the United States in 1898. Yorktown was out of commission during the Spanish–American War, but took part in actions in the Philippine–American War and the Boxer Rebellion in 1899 and 1900, respectively, after she had been recommissioned.

After three years out of commission from 1903 to 1906, Yorktown hosted the Secretary of the Navy on board when he greeted the Great White Fleet on its arrival in San Francisco in May 1908. Over the next five years, most of Yorktown's time was spent in sealing patrols in Alaska and duty in Latin American ports. From July 1912, Yorktown was out of commission for alterations, but resumed duties off the Mexican, Nicaraguan, and Honduran coasts beginning in April 1913. Through World War I, Yorktown continued in the same role, until she departed for the East Coast of the United States in April 1918. She served as an escort for one convoy headed to Halifax in August, and remained in coastal escort duties in the east until January 1919. After arrival at San Diego in February, she was decommissioned for the final time in June 1919, and was assigned the hull number PG-1 the following year. She was sold in 1921 to an Oakland, California firm and broke up that same year.

Recommissioned on 1 April 1913, with Commander George B. Bradshaw in command, Yorktown operated out of San Diego on shakedown into mid-April. She was soon back at Corinto, however, remaining in Nicaragua until 5 June. After a brief period of operations off the coast, she returned to Corinto on 21 June and remained there for over a month before departing on 31 July to coal at Salina Cruz, Mexico. She moved to Mazatlán on 10 August and there picked up mail, delivering it to the port of Topolobampo, Mexico, on the 11th. Yorktown remained there until mid-September.

For the remainder of 1913, Yorktown conducted local operations out of San Diego and San Francisco. In January 1914, though, the gunboat returned to Mexican waters and investigated local conditions at Ensenada between 3 and 6 January before moving, in subsequent months, to a succession of Mexican ports: Mazatlán, San Blas, Miramar, Topolobampo, and La Paz. Following an overhaul at Mare Island from 24 June to 2 September 1914, Yorktown served in Mexican waters again into June 1915. From that point until the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917, Yorktown continued her routine of patrols off Mexican, Nicaraguan, and Honduran ports with occasional repairs at Mare Island and maneuvers out of San Diego.

After the United States joined the Allies, Yorktown operated off the coast of Mexico until August 1917, when she paused briefly at San Diego. On 18 July 1917, Yorktown rescued the last surviving members of an abandoned guano mining settlement on Clipperton Island. From a peak population of roughly 100 in 1915, only four women and seven children survived. After her time off the Mexican coast, Yorktown then cruised off the west coasts of Central and South America into 1918. After a refit at Mare Island, Yorktown, sailed for the east coast on 28 April 1918, transiting the Panama Canal en route, and arrived at New York on 20 August. The gunboat escorted a coastal convoy to Halifax, soon there after before returning to New York. She performed local coastwise escort duties through the end of World War I. After a period of upkeep at the New York Navy Yard in December, she departed the east coast on 2 January 1919 on her last voyage to California.

Arriving at San Diego on 15 February 1919, Yorktown was placed out of commission at Mare Island on 12 June 1919. On 17 June 1920, she was assigned the hull number PG-1. The veteran steel-hulled gunboat was sold to the Union Hide Company of Oakland, California, on 30 September 1921; she was broken up in Oakland sometime after that.

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SKU: 68601482019

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Ivy D.
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
Format: Kindle
Another excellent entry: The Off-Campus series is among the very, very best in new adult romance and there is little that isn’t done well in this entry. Dean DiLaurentis is charged with watching out for Allie, Hannah’s roomie, one weekend while everyone is gone for various reasons - with, of course, the obligatory threats to his penis if he were to touch Allie. She’s just gone through a painful breakup with her boyfriend from book one, since they’ve had a fairly tempestuous relationship, she needs some time away from her apartment, where he’s been trying to get her to change her mind. Of course, Allie and Dean are young, hot, single and there’s tequila. When you do the math, it’s fairly obvious that yes, Slot A goes into Tab B, and yes, romance happens. I love their banter, the humor throughout really establishes these characters and their friendships and makes the ride all the more enjoyable. Speaking of riding... Dean’s what I expected: Dean’s the manho who beats all the previous manhoes in this series. He makes no apologies and I loved that he didn’t. He’s intrigued with Allie but he isn’t in love from the moment he lays eyes on her. When he falls, though it’s hard and it’s clearly life-altering. His moments with his friend Beau when they discuss his issues with little Dean (I can’t stop giggling at that silliness) were priceless. He has a good journey towards adulthood, though I was saddened by the events that led to this character growth. It was the perfect (sad yet realistic) touch of bitter to make the sweet all the richer. Allie was a surprise: I’ll admit, this is mostly because I didn’t remember her. Allie isn’t a big part of the first book and what I did remember of her was a bit flaky. I loved getting to know her and seeing what made her tick and as with Ms. Kennedy’s previous heroines, there is more than meets the eye. She’s concerned about being slut-shamed by the prospect of no-strings sex, considering she’s only ever been in committed, long term relationships, so I love that she has to learn to accept that there’s nothing wrong with two consenting adults doing what they want to do, damn public opinion. I found it an interesting twist that the only person truly slut-shamed is Dean, by other men and women. Beats played out as I expected: If I have any issues with this is, while it is entertaining, charming, and funny, it also felt the same as the earlier books, which were also entertaining, charming and funny. When the quality is so high, that’s not a horrible thing, but I can’t help but struggle to keep each set of heroes and heroines separate in my mind. That said... I’m really intrigued by where this series is going next: The setup for the next book is markedly different and it has me really eager to see how Ms. Kennedy handles it. The heroine for the next book is NOT in the mold of the earlier women and the hero is a bit of a wild card, since he has been more on the periphery so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what they have to contribute to this universe. The Bottom Line This is an excellent new adult romance with likeable characters, funny banter, hot sex scenes and room for the ‘verse to grow. If you haven’t read Ms. Kennedy’s series, I highly recommend it. **ARC provided by author for review**
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Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2016
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IslandDeb
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Ms. Kennedy Scores Again!
Format: Kindle
I am absolutely addicted to Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series. When I picked up The Deal last year I had no idea what to expect. I love her Navy SEAL series but a New Adult? I have to say, I fell so hard for that book it was ridiculous. Don’t tell anyone but I think I might even love this series more. Ack! I’m an adult. I’ve been out of college for more years than these characters have been alive! What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with me is I’m a sucker for young love stories that have substance, well-developed characters, witty dialogue, and just enough angst to make it interesting without making me want to kill myself. And this is exactly what we get with Off-Campus. It’s not a given that each book in a series will top the last, or even equal its predecessors, but Ms. Kennedy has blown that theory out of the water. The Deal, The Mistake, and now The Score are all deliciously entertaining. I can’t say I love one more than the other because they are all unique. Each book focuses on one of four members of Briar University’s hockey team, all roommates in what I imagine in my head to be a large, rambling off-campus house. These guys are hardcore athletes, so of course, they’re gorgeous, sculpted of yummy muscles, confident, and can pretty much snap their fingers and the girls come running. But under those pretty exteriors and horndog antics lie endearing personalities. The thing I love most about the four guys sharing the house is they all have each other’s backs no matter what the circumstances. When it’s time to man up, be mature, and offer advice they excel at it. I love these guys. They’re also hilarious as hell. The Score is book 3, featuring self-professed man-whore Dean Di Laurentis and Allie Hayes, Hannah’s best friend (from book 1, The Deal) . These two couldn’t be more different. According to The Life of Dean, there are no repeat performances with girls. Ever. He’s not remotely interested in anything that involves the dirty word relationship. Allie, on the other hand, has dated the same guy for four years. Granted, they’ve broken up four times but this time, it’s for real. She’s even high tailed it out of the dorm she shares with Hannah and is hiding out at the guys’ house for the weekend. The couples are out of town, which leaves only Dean at home. Allie can surely smack down on his ridiculous flirting. But after some well-deserved tequila shots and a joint or maybe two, things get blurry and… "The memories come crashing back in vivid Technicolor. The terrible movie. The tequila shots. The… rest. I slept with Dean last night. Twice. My heart beats faster as I stare up at the ceiling. I’m in Dean’s room. There’s an empty condom wrapper on the end table. And… yep, I’m naked." What surprises Allie, even more, is that she seems to recall enjoying herself. A Lot. She’s got a kinky streak that her ex wasn’t on board with but Dean…wow. Regardless, it was beyond wrong and Hannah will kill her if she finds out, so Dean and Allie make a pact to keep it between them. Only problem is, Dean can’t stop thinking about Allie. It surprises the crap out of him because this is certainly a first but he needs, at least, one more taste. "After last night’s performance, Allie Hayes proved that she’s fully capable of leaving her mark on a man. Jesus. That girl can f***. Damn, and now my dick is semi-hard. It’s been doing that all day, chubbing out every time I think about Allie." Likewise, Allie can’t stop thinking about Dean. When Dean begs for more, she’s shocked. Maybe what she needs is indeed a fling. She may be a card-carrying member of the Team Boyfriend, but it hasn’t done her any favors in the last few years. A change might be good. But can she handle it? Allie and Dean are hilarious together. She isn’t the starry-eyed coed type he’s used to. She doesn’t say How high? when he says Jump. Their verbal sparring is exquisite! It’s not only entertaining, it’s also revealing. The more she treats him with nonchalance the more he falls for her. She’s not being a tease. She’s being realistic. Dean isn’t a long term keeper. He’s rich, spoiled, and gets what he wants. He’s only hanging around because she isn’t begging for his attention. Besides, she’s spent four years as a drama major, she’ll be graduating soon, and needs to focus on her acting career. But Dean is relentless, being all adorable and sexy, watching French soap operas with her and generally making her forget about her ex. Plus, Dean is just so damn HOT it’s irresistible. Dean is on a fast track to win over Allie. He can’t explain this all-consuming fascination and need and he doesn’t care. What little Dean wants, big Dean does his best to procure. Allie might consider this thing between them merely a fling but that’s not how it’s going down if he can help it. She makes him want to be a better man and, I must admit the more we learn about Dean, the harder I fell in love with him. He’s put on a good act for a long time; a Richie Rich man-whore who skates by on his charm and looks when in fact, he’s extremely intelligent, caring, and kind. Ms. Kennedy has once again given us another exceptional story that is not only fun, witty, and chock full of sexy chemistry. Unexpected and shocking surprises deepen the tension and pull at the heartstrings yet are by no means superfluous. The writing is beautiful, tight, fast-paced, and so entertaining I didn’t want it to end.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2016
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Nmmomof4
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 4
4 stars
Format: Kindle
Overall Opinion: This was a fun read. I liked it. The banter and friendship these two had was great, and I loved how Allie knocked Dean off his feet. My main criticisms are that we really didn't need to experience the almost threesome at the beginning. I mean -- we get it...he's a Manho! BUT I didn't need to know descriptive details! The other is that I needed a jump ahead epilogue -- like I always do ;). They had some great things lined up for their futures, but I really wanted to see how it all went for them when they were older. Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Allie and Dean's story. Allie has (yet again) broken up with her boyfriend, and turns to her best friend Hannah (who we met in the first book The Deal). Hannah is out of town with her boyfriend, Garrett, and he offers to let Allie stay at his house to avoid the ex that keeps on texting and saying that he is coming over. That is when she runs in to Dean because he lives with Garrett. They spend the rest of the evening together with Dean being deemed her relationship coach with the job of keeping her from texting/calling her ex and taking him back. They end up getting drunk and sleeping together. Dean is ruined after that night for other women and is hooked on Allie. They start a friendship-with-benefits of sorts that of course turns into more. There are some laugh out loud moments, some sad moments, some sexy moments, and some sweet moments...and the couple get their HFN ending. POV: This alternated between Allie and Dean's POV. Overall Pace of Story: Good. It flowed well, and I didn't skim. The major drama did happen later in the book than usual, so it was cutting it close for things to get back to good IMO, but I felt like it was sufficiently addressed and handled. Instalove:No. They had some good development before they were into love status. H rating: 4 stars. Dean. I was surprised I'd like him so much, but I really did. We got to understand why he was the way he was regarding his sexual history, so that made him a lot more likable. I loved his interactions with the kids, and he was an overall good guy regardless of his past sexual acticities. h rating: 4.5 stars. Allie. I really liked her. She was super sweet, a wildcat in the bedroom, and she was really ambitious. Sadness level: Low/moderate. I had one time that I teared up, but I didn't need tissues and it didn't turn into an ugly cry. Heat level: Moderate. They had great chemistry and had some steamy times (some were just mentions of the experiences so it didn't become just about the sex). Descriptive sex: Yes. Safe sex: Yes. Condoms were used until they were in a committed relationship, and then testing and birth control discussions happened. OW/OM drama: Surprisingly no for OW, but yes for OM. The h's ex showed up and texted trying to win her back. Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes Closure: This didn't have enough closure for me at all. I really wanted a jump ahead epilogue to see their lives when they were older. I would call it a HFN ending (which I think is the norm with this series). How I got it: I paid the $4.99 on Amazon.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2016
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descartesrocks
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 3
Too Many Problems Deterred My Enjoyment
Format: Kindle
Elle Kennedy's was one of my favorite romances from 2015. I loved the progression of the relationship between the two leads and felt that the book handled the issue of past sexual assault really well compared to other books in the genre. Then came . The romance in this story was not as compelling to me, but I appreciated how the author really put thought and effort into portraying the hero's struggle with familial obligations versus the pursuit of his dreams. Both these previous books in the Off-Campus series depict college relationships and the struggles of emerging adulthood realistically--something that I feel is oftentimes missing in New Adult novels. It is rare for me to find books in the genre relatable (ironic, given that I was a college student less than a year ago and should theoretically be the readership these books are marketed to), which makes my enjoyment of Elle Kennedy's books especially precious. I was counting down the days to its release and finished it in a matter of hours. And it was...kind of meh. The published synopsis really does not properly describe the story, so let me first quickly summarize the key points anyone needs to know: Allie is an aspiring actress who is trying to figure out whether she should aim for a television or a stage career. She recently broke up with her on-again-off-again ex-boyfriend and in her heartbreak, she cannot even imagine getting into a relationship with anyone else. She has a one-night stand with Dean, a rich college hockey star, who is only after casual sex. They decide to have a fling, but must keep it a secret because they have many mutual friends. There were so many things that bothered me about this book, I actually had to make a list. 1. The gratuitous scene involving Dean in a threesome with two girls is unappealing and unnecessary. I am not marking this as a spoiler because it is a scene found at the very beginning of the book (2% into the Kindle version) and really does not have a point. I do not understand why this scene was not cut out or at least shortened in the editing process. What does it serve to do? To show that Dean is sexually promiscuous? It is pretty clear to the reader that Dean is sexually promiscuous. He mentions it all the time. Other characters mention it all the time. Girls hit on him and he flirts with them all the time. There is no need for us to read in explicit detail his fun fun times. Perhaps the scene is there to titillate the reader? It just made me feel very uncomfortable because I was wondering the entire time whether these two women were actually into each other or whether they were merely performing for his sexual satisfaction. We later find out that, yes, these two are in fact interested in having sex with each other as well, but that is later on. During the scene I remained unsure, which makes it kind of icky. 2. The old "she ruined my penis for other women" trope. This is a convention I hate in romances. Nothing pulls me out of the story faster than this because it is not realistic, nor do I find it particularly romantic that the hero cannot get sexually aroused by anyone but the heroine. People, no matter how in love (and Dean was most definitely not in love when this occurs in the story), can still be aroused by others. It is basic biology. No one has the voodoo genitalia that can prevent their partners from feeling sexual attraction to another person. It is whether your partner will act on this attraction that will make or break a relationship. This is especially important when your partner is someone like Dean, who makes it a point to never get into serious relationships. Whether he can actually commit to Allie is a serious question, but the author decides to wave this aside by giving Allie a magical vagina. I mean, if she's the only one his penis will respond to, is it any wonder they get together? She's his last hope! 3. Neither of the characters are particularly well fleshed out. It is as if Kennedy just listed a bunch of traits she wanted the characters to have in order to keep them interesting and then just decides to write in whatever plot points she wanted without bothering to explore the characters. For example, Dean is a rich playboy who does whatever he wants. His motto is to live by his own rules and desires and outside of a few incidents here and there, his life is pretty swell. The only potential problem in his life is that he plans to attend law school after college even though he does not have an interest in it. Dean honestly bores me to tears because for most of the book nothing is done with his character. He lives in his happy Dean world and if anything disturbs his world (Allie's magical, yet elusive vagina) he rushes to solve it with a gusto, and then settles back to his happy Dean life. I mean, does this guy even have any hobbies outside of hockey and sex? I guess the previous heroes in the series were caught up in hockey and sex too, but at least they were intensely serious about hockey. Dean isn't as interested in the sport, which is fine, but that means his main interest in life that we know of is sex. Which is kind of sad (this is the last time I will mention magical genitalia, I swear!), since Allie's basically ruined his willy from sex with other people. Seriously, though, Kennedy tries to give him more interesting things to do by having him volunteer to coach a boys' hockey team but this is really something his new assistant coach forces on him and even when he finds interest in doing it, it does not even begin to fill the blank canvas that is his life. The author then, again, tries to challenge and deepen Dean's character with the story's final conflict, but it just does not work for me (see below). Allie's character is more interesting, yet more frustrating because of all the wasted potential. She's an aspiring actress who is struggling with her future career plans and worrying about how to take care of her father, who has multiple-sclerosis. Making it as an actress depends a great deal on luck and opportunity and very talented people can spend years and years without getting anywhere. It is a very risky career choice, especially when you have a dependent who requires close care-taking and high medical costs. But does the story focus--nay even attempt to address these potential problems? Noooo. Instead, Allie spends most of her time debating whether she should look at casting offers in L.A. or trying to make it on Broadway. And banging Dean, of course. Her father vaguely factors into her worries about her career, but not to an extent that one would expect him to. I mean, I guess it is great and all for her to have so many opportunities as an actress, but, really, what is the point of making this career choice a part of her character if she does not even have to struggle with one of the most basic aspects of it? 4. Interesting relationship conflicts are brought up, but never resolved satisfactorily. An ongoing worry for Allie is her inability to separate sex from relationships. She cannot keep it casual and since adolescence she has never gone long being single. She even worries later in the story whether she has a co-dependency problem. It does not appear to me, personally, that she has a co-dependency problem, since she makes most of her life and career decisions with her own interests in mind and actually breaks up with her ex-boyfriend when he wanted to dictate her future for her. Nevertheless, I think it is perfectly valid and even healthy for someone who has always had long-term relationships to want to stay single for a while. Unfortunately, Allie does not get to experience this at all. She goes from breaking up with her ex to being sex buddies with Dean (since they decide to be exclusive and she admits she has a hard time separating sex from commitment, I do not count this as being single) to being Dean's girlfriend. She does experience a minor break from Dean toward the end of the book, but that is only for about a month before she is back with him again for their happily ever after. And since this is a romance, happily ever after means permanence. While an HEA is good and all, I am left feeling a bit sad that Allie never really got to experience adult life not being romantically attached to another person. The bigger conflict of the series is whether Dean, with his pampered life, will actually be able to support Allie when the times get rough. Allie's dad does not think so, which is a huge foreshadowing that Dean's ability to be there for her will be no doubt be tested by a Tragic Incident. I will not elaborate on the Tragic Incident, because spoilers, but suffice to say that it is definitely devastating for the people affected. However, the strange thing is...the incident does not affect Allie. Instead, it is an incident that is pertinent to Dean. And he falls apart and has a very hard time coping. And Allie makes a decision that, while I think is reasonable, ruins the entire climax of the story for me (see spoiler for details). **********SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!**************** After a few weeks of not being able to pull him from his grief, Allie just leaves Dean. I have two major problems with this: firstly, how on earth does this prove that Allie's dad is right in saying Dean would not be able to support Allie in trying times? If anything, this shows that Allie might not be the best pillar of support for Dean when tragedies happen. Secondly, I honestly understand why she leaves--she has her own life and she cannot and should not be jeopardizing her future to be his caretaker. That said, it really, really baffles me that she does not make any attempt to get him any help. She reasons that he is not in a bad enough state for professional help, but couldn't she at least contact his family? She knows his sister. She should have at least given her a call to make sure someone would be there for him rather than just leaving him to his own devices. Sure, he is still highly functional when she leaves him, but his behavior is also getting more and more self-destructive. This is kind of a terrible thing to do to anyone, never mind your boyfriend. Again, perhaps she really should have tried out that single life for a while. **********END OF SPOILERS**************** 5. The ending is way too pat. Everybody gets what they want and potential conflict (Dean's changes in future aspirations, having a long distance relationship after college, etc.) is completely resolved by the rosy wand of plot. I would rejoice at this if I actually felt that the story ever attempted to explore any of its major conflicts. Alas, it does not, so the fairy tale conclusion does not feel hard-earned and just makes me feel grumpy. Whew. That was really a long rant. Now briefly on to the good things: The saving grace of this book and why, to a certain extent, I understand why other people would give it a high score is that the characters actually fare much better when they are together than when they are apart. Not only do Dean and Allie develop a happy, loving relationship, but their relationship is also one based on mutual respect, communication, and trust. Fancy that! A romance novel where characters actually talk to each other and trust that their partners will keep their promises of commitment! I especially like how their feelings of love grow not from outside forces (like jealousy over potential suitors) but from extended time spent with one another. Their conversations are quirky and fun to read and you can tell how much they genuinely like and care about each other. If this is enough to satisfy you as a reader and you are not bothered by the things I mentioned above, you would like this book just fine. I think I just have a stronger bone to chew on regarding this one because the characters are so close in age to me, so I have a harder time waving away problems with my "But it's just fantasy!" hand. What is especially disappointing to me is that this was written by an author whose work I had really enjoyed in the past. Again, I am not a huge fan of New Adult romances. College is a time of great personal development and life transitions. I wish NA books will take this setting into more serious consideration. You can have romance and still have characters dealing with complex situations that are relevant to this stage in their lives. But c'est la vie, I suppose. Oh, by the way, since I guess I should mention it: the sex scenes are pretty steamy. Unfortunately, the squick I felt from the aforementioned threesome scene poisoned any hot lovin' the rest of the book had to offer, so I just skimmed. But there was a lot of skimming, so the book is packed for those who wish to know! Rating: B-
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2016
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★★★★★ 5
Daddy Dean & Allie Cat ❤️‍🔥
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Reading before the series begins. Dean and Allie became my favorite couple of the series. I this book so much. It’s a physical fast burn with an emotional slow burn and I was entertained throughout. The banter, the denial, the jealousy, the building of trust, the emotional aspect later and the heartache. Dean and Allie are so unapologetically themselves and 2 strong personalities clashing is fun. Dean needs someone like Allie to humble him. Each others perfect match.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026

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