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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
emotional
fast-paced
Alright so this one is back to being a little bit darker again. We met Oliver in Gray and Jonah's book. He was the one that survived a tunnel collapse and sued because of negligence. Gray could never quite get a read on Oliver's feelings for Jackson.
So after the tunnel collapse, Oliver and Jackson are the only two survivors and are stuck in complete dark for days. They have to scavenge what they can find that other people were carrying on the train to survive. It's dark. They cling to each other to stay safe and have no idea what the other looks like until well after they are rescued.
Years go by and they accidentally run into each other and become friends in a new town, new life, and neither of them realized who the other one is.
The quote that hurt me the most in this book was Jackson being frustrated that Oliver thinks he isn't wanted because Jackson fell in love with him twice.
These two men just go through it beginning to end in this book and it's painful that they couldn't find safety unless they were together when they spent so many years apart.
I also hate Kay. That is all.
So after the tunnel collapse, Oliver and Jackson are the only two survivors and are stuck in complete dark for days. They have to scavenge what they can find that other people were carrying on the train to survive. It's dark. They cling to each other to stay safe and have no idea what the other looks like until well after they are rescued.
Years go by and they accidentally run into each other and become friends in a new town, new life, and neither of them realized who the other one is.
The quote that hurt me the most in this book was Jackson being frustrated that Oliver thinks he isn't wanted because Jackson fell in love with him twice.
These two men just go through it beginning to end in this book and it's painful that they couldn't find safety unless they were together when they spent so many years apart.
I also hate Kay. That is all.
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5/5. This book hurt. It took a lot out of me. We had to fight so hard to get that happy sending for Jackson and Oliver. I love those men though and they deserve all the happiness. Their story was a fight. I loved it, but the intensity was a lot. I also hate time jumps because they make me sad so that’s a personal reason for the lower rating. I loved both men’s relationship with Megan as well as each other. I like the mental health rep, too. 2.5/5 spice levels.
Notes: hurt/comfort in a way, bi rep, gfy times two, nerd and bad boy
Notes: hurt/comfort in a way, bi rep, gfy times two, nerd and bad boy
It probably ranks closer to 4.5/5 stars if I have to be honest and critical, but I want to be Delulu because this book was so different and unique and truly everything I want in a love story—a unique story line, compelling characters, and quiet moments of prose.
This was the best usage of the second chance trope that I have come across in a while, and also of "right person, wrong time.". I would also argue that this is a double demisexual awakening for both characters, with Oliver being someone who had an intense attraction to Jackson and Jackson only experiencing that attraction with Oliver as well (though Oliver is a dad with a partner named Kay, we learn quickly at the beginning that his relationship with Kay is emotionally abusive and that besides the conception of their daughter for monetary reasons from Kay, they have never been in a loving relationship).
Both Oliver and Jackson are on a train in Syracuse when the tunnel collapses and kills everyone on board except for the two of them, and they are trapped together. Jackson is accepting of his fate, whereas Oliver is panicking, only thinking about getting back to his daughter, and that slowly sways Jackson into helping keep them both alive. Over the course of 72+ hours or so, the two bond (and bone [like I said, I was feeling delulu]) and eventually are rescued, though at this time, neither has seen what the other looks like, and that is also when Oliver discovers the truth about Jackson—that he is a convicted felon who also violated his probation and was on the run.
The book then takes a time jump where we see that while Oliver attempted to get in touch with Jackson and hear his side of the story/help him, Jackson avoided contact, believing himself not worthy of someone as good as Oliver and not wanting to contaminate him with his "darkness.".
The story goes (in a way, it is a form of slow burn as the two meet again and separate), and while they do get a HEA together, I would argue that Nash abruptly speeds up that process compared to the other time jumps in the novel.
While you don't need to read the other books in the series, a few characters from the series appear and make guest appearances.
This was the best usage of the second chance trope that I have come across in a while, and also of "right person, wrong time.". I would also argue that this is a double demisexual awakening for both characters, with Oliver being someone who had an intense attraction to Jackson and Jackson only experiencing that attraction with Oliver as well (though Oliver is a dad with a partner named Kay, we learn quickly at the beginning that his relationship with Kay is emotionally abusive and that besides the conception of their daughter for monetary reasons from Kay, they have never been in a loving relationship).
Both Oliver and Jackson are on a train in Syracuse when the tunnel collapses and kills everyone on board except for the two of them, and they are trapped together. Jackson is accepting of his fate, whereas Oliver is panicking, only thinking about getting back to his daughter, and that slowly sways Jackson into helping keep them both alive. Over the course of 72+ hours or so, the two bond (and bone [like I said, I was feeling delulu]) and eventually are rescued, though at this time, neither has seen what the other looks like, and that is also when Oliver discovers the truth about Jackson—that he is a convicted felon who also violated his probation and was on the run.
The book then takes a time jump where we see that while Oliver attempted to get in touch with Jackson and hear his side of the story/help him, Jackson avoided contact, believing himself not worthy of someone as good as Oliver and not wanting to contaminate him with his "darkness.".
The story goes (in a way, it is a form of slow burn as the two meet again and separate), and while they do get a HEA together, I would argue that Nash abruptly speeds up that process compared to the other time jumps in the novel.
While you don't need to read the other books in the series, a few characters from the series appear and make guest appearances.
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3/5
This book is the definition of right person wrong time, but not one wrong time as usual, but more wrong times. But did I still like it? Yes.
Oliver’s and Jackson love story was beautiful and heartwarming, but at the same time I wanted to go inside the book at just do something because I couldn’t just read and see them so heartbroken, sad and struggling everyday. Oliver was the most precious person in the world with the heart of gold, he deserved everything. Same goes for Jackson, if I had the chance to hug him, I probably wouldn't let him go. The moments when they were homey and cozy with each other were my favorites.
Now you would ask me why my rating is three stars even though I like Riley Nash's writing and Oliver and Jackson stole my heart? There are actually a few things here that I didn't understand or just didn't like the way they were handled. So let’s move to them.
one Why didn't they realize after the first meeting that it could be them? They didn't even suspect it.
- They literally said their names. Jackson said JaX but that’s basically the same.
- Jackson saw Oliver’s red hair color.
- Then Jackson find out Oliver has a daughter?
Listen, how is it possible for two people named Oliver and Jackson to meet and one of them is similar in description to the person you got stuck in a tunnel (yes, I know it was dark) and none of them even suspect anything.
- Oliver liked to knit, and even when Jackson found out about it, he didn't even suspect that it could be him? How many red-haired men with a daughter like to knit? They were so dumb, I swear.
two I don’t judge, maybe it was their way of reacting on stress when they were trapped in the tunnel, but how they can even think about s*x in that situation? Oliver was anxious, stressed and worried that he will never see his daughter again and then boom! They are banging. I would probably cry and try to survive in their place, but ok.
three I know the time skips were necessary, I know. But, why so much of them? Every time each letter was written months or years later I wanted to curl into a blanket and cry.
four It's a bit weird that Oliver and his friends welcomed Jax so well. After not answering him for years for his letters, he suddenly stumbled upon Oliver and everything is fine? He didn't even look for him when they were apart. I know he had his problems, but Oliver had them too, and yet he somehow tried to look for him while Jax did nothing.
five And one last thing, please don't take examples from their intimate life. I'm pretty sure these men have never heard of lube.
I think the idea behind this book was amazing, I still really liked it, but I definitely would have enjoyed it more if what I said above had been done differently. I’m pretty sure I could have rated it five stars if it weren't for these things.
This book is the definition of right person wrong time, but not one wrong time as usual, but more wrong times. But did I still like it? Yes.
Oliver’s and Jackson love story was beautiful and heartwarming, but at the same time I wanted to go inside the book at just do something because I couldn’t just read and see them so heartbroken, sad and struggling everyday. Oliver was the most precious person in the world with the heart of gold, he deserved everything. Same goes for Jackson, if I had the chance to hug him, I probably wouldn't let him go. The moments when they were homey and cozy with each other were my favorites.
“I can be your boyfriend. I’m not ashamed of that.” To my surprise, he frowns. “It sounds cheap. It’s not enough.”
“What, then?”
“You’re…” He rests his fist on his chest, over his heart, like it’s clutched in his palm. “You’re this. You’re the reason it’s still beating. But I don’t have a word for it.”
Now you would ask me why my rating is three stars even though I like Riley Nash's writing and Oliver and Jackson stole my heart? There are actually a few things here that I didn't understand or just didn't like the way they were handled. So let’s move to them.
one Why didn't they realize after the first meeting that it could be them? They didn't even suspect it.
- They literally said their names. Jackson said JaX but that’s basically the same.
- Jackson saw Oliver’s red hair color.
- Then Jackson find out Oliver has a daughter?
Listen, how is it possible for two people named Oliver and Jackson to meet and one of them is similar in description to the person you got stuck in a tunnel (yes, I know it was dark) and none of them even suspect anything.
- Oliver liked to knit, and even when Jackson found out about it, he didn't even suspect that it could be him? How many red-haired men with a daughter like to knit? They were so dumb, I swear.
two I don’t judge, maybe it was their way of reacting on stress when they were trapped in the tunnel, but how they can even think about s*x in that situation? Oliver was anxious, stressed and worried that he will never see his daughter again and then boom! They are banging. I would probably cry and try to survive in their place, but ok.
three I know the time skips were necessary, I know. But, why so much of them? Every time each letter was written months or years later I wanted to curl into a blanket and cry.
four It's a bit weird that Oliver and his friends welcomed Jax so well. After not answering him for years for his letters, he suddenly stumbled upon Oliver and everything is fine? He didn't even look for him when they were apart. I know he had his problems, but Oliver had them too, and yet he somehow tried to look for him while Jax did nothing.
five And one last thing, please don't take examples from their intimate life. I'm pretty sure these men have never heard of lube.
I think the idea behind this book was amazing, I still really liked it, but I definitely would have enjoyed it more if what I said above had been done differently. I’m pretty sure I could have rated it five stars if it weren't for these things.