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madscientistcat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Religious bigotry
roryta86reads's review against another edition
5.0
I chose activity no.1 because I’ve been thinking about achieving the ideal day for a while. It was challenging to figure out how I would draw this because I had to get clear about my ideal day first. I wanted to simplify the exercise, so I thought about the feelings I want to experience most days. Or the things I wanted to do. I want balance, movement and creativity in my daily life. Any ideal day, would include those three things.
While I was painting, I realized that it’s a lot easier to have those experiences often, and that what holds me back is fear of failure or fear of not doing it consistently and perfectly. The realization that I’m hard on myself and that I don’t always allow myself to enjoy good experiences. Because I always feel like there’s more work to do.
I also think I have a lot of fears that I haven’t been able to name yet. More to explore in the future.
While I was painting, I realized that it’s a lot easier to have those experiences often, and that what holds me back is fear of failure or fear of not doing it consistently and perfectly. The realization that I’m hard on myself and that I don’t always allow myself to enjoy good experiences. Because I always feel like there’s more work to do.
I also think I have a lot of fears that I haven’t been able to name yet. More to explore in the future.
slee907's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
cherryblossomreads's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
haletostilinski1's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one.
Caleb, the friend that Shane talks about in the first book who was taken away by his family one day, finally returns to Last Chance, to start his life over, in a way, and get back his friendship with Shane. What he isn't expecting is Ryan, who he meets in the 24-hour diner in town late one night because they both have insomnia and can't sleep.
Ryan, Shane's friend and coworker at the car shop from book one, believes he's straight, because he has an ex-wife who he loved and was attracted to. And while Caleb notices Ryan and thinks he's cute and good looking, Ryan doesn't notice that about Caleb at first.
But turns out that that is because Ryan is demisexual, but he and Caleb don't find out after well into their friendship. This whole time, Ryan thought he was broken because he'd never really been attracted to people before his ex-wife or interested in sex. But he thought he was "cured" with his ex, until they divorced and he hasn't felt that sexual spark again. Until Caleb.
I liked these two together. It was a little slow going, but that is understandable because Ryan had to feel an emotional connection to Caleb before he thought of him sexually or romantically. It just took me a bit to get into, though. The chemistry was on a low simmer for these two throughout for me. I didn't quite get as much sizzle and passion and sexual tension as with Shane and Van, but I still enjoyed them together. They were cute and adorable and hot at times.
I did love reading about Ryan discovering how good sex with a man could be for the first time.
This has fairly low angst (as more Riley Hart books do, and I love her books for that fact. Some times low-angst is sorely needed!) but what angst there is didn't feel manufactured, and we get to that wonderful HEA by the end (and get a bonus chapter with Shane and Van, woot woot!).
I very much enjoyed this second installment, and hope there is more to come! (although I have no idea who the next couple would be in this series). Definitely recommend! :D
Caleb, the friend that Shane talks about in the first book who was taken away by his family one day, finally returns to Last Chance, to start his life over, in a way, and get back his friendship with Shane. What he isn't expecting is Ryan, who he meets in the 24-hour diner in town late one night because they both have insomnia and can't sleep.
Ryan, Shane's friend and coworker at the car shop from book one, believes he's straight, because he has an ex-wife who he loved and was attracted to. And while Caleb notices Ryan and thinks he's cute and good looking, Ryan doesn't notice that about Caleb at first.
But turns out that that is because Ryan is demisexual, but he and Caleb don't find out after well into their friendship. This whole time, Ryan thought he was broken because he'd never really been attracted to people before his ex-wife or interested in sex. But he thought he was "cured" with his ex, until they divorced and he hasn't felt that sexual spark again. Until Caleb.
I liked these two together. It was a little slow going, but that is understandable because Ryan had to feel an emotional connection to Caleb before he thought of him sexually or romantically. It just took me a bit to get into, though. The chemistry was on a low simmer for these two throughout for me. I didn't quite get as much sizzle and passion and sexual tension as with Shane and Van, but I still enjoyed them together. They were cute and adorable and hot at times.
I did love reading about Ryan discovering how good sex with a man could be for the first time.
This has fairly low angst (as more Riley Hart books do, and I love her books for that fact. Some times low-angst is sorely needed!) but what angst there is didn't feel manufactured, and we get to that wonderful HEA by the end (and get a bonus chapter with Shane and Van, woot woot!).
I very much enjoyed this second installment, and hope there is more to come! (although I have no idea who the next couple would be in this series). Definitely recommend! :D
tltravis's review
5.0
Unsuspecting hearts
Life is full of curve balls - death, job losses, eviction and finally, love. The one thing that can make or break you.
This book covered many bases, and very well. It will leave you with a heart filled to overflowing.
Life is full of curve balls - death, job losses, eviction and finally, love. The one thing that can make or break you.
This book covered many bases, and very well. It will leave you with a heart filled to overflowing.
enayqueerbooklover's review
4.0
4.5 stars! Sweet & swoony, sexy & sensual - I loved Caleb & Ryan’s story a lot. Hit me in the heart with all the feels. Both boys have been through a lot of tragedy in life before meeting each other, and deserve their HEA. Particularly liked their families seeing the error in their ways with the poor relationships over the years, and making amends. And I loved the “found family” that the boys created with Shane & Van from the first book in the series, “Depth of Field”, as well as other friends in the town.
dirtydewey's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars…
Damn this one was a bit of a bummer. I really liked Ryan from the first book and I thought I wasn’t going to like Caleb because I was a little nervous he’d still be in love with Shane or something but really I felt the opposite.
I was not a Ryan fan for this entire book. Now I know what Ryan went though was hard and figuring out his sexuality is hard and I’m never mad at people for trying to find themselves and having a hard time and needing time or doing it late in life but I felt like he treated Caleb like an after thought the entire book while Caleb only thought of Ryan.
I felt the whole book like he wasn’t over his ex. I know what he went through was traumatic and difficult but maybe he wasn’t ready to move on. He barely even seemed to like Caleb and don’t even get me going on the last 20% of this book. Felt like Ryan was going to leave Caleb and run off into the sunset with his ex. I don’t think I would have stayed if I was Caleb. Especially after hearing about the baby’s dad… yeah I would have packed up and wished Ryan a good life.
Don’t think Ryan was ready for a relationship or in love with Caleb and you really can’t convince me otherwise. I’m all for finding yourself but not at the expense of someone who loves you.
2/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears. Hope Caleb leaves him…
Damn this one was a bit of a bummer. I really liked Ryan from the first book and I thought I wasn’t going to like Caleb because I was a little nervous he’d still be in love with Shane or something but really I felt the opposite.
I was not a Ryan fan for this entire book. Now I know what Ryan went though was hard and figuring out his sexuality is hard and I’m never mad at people for trying to find themselves and having a hard time and needing time or doing it late in life but I felt like he treated Caleb like an after thought the entire book while Caleb only thought of Ryan.
I felt the whole book like he wasn’t over his ex. I know what he went through was traumatic and difficult but maybe he wasn’t ready to move on. He barely even seemed to like Caleb and don’t even get me going on the last 20% of this book. Felt like Ryan was going to leave Caleb and run off into the sunset with his ex. I don’t think I would have stayed if I was Caleb. Especially after hearing about the baby’s dad… yeah I would have packed up and wished Ryan a good life.
Don’t think Ryan was ready for a relationship or in love with Caleb and you really can’t convince me otherwise. I’m all for finding yourself but not at the expense of someone who loves you.
2/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears. Hope Caleb leaves him…
messyreading's review
5.0
Auch beim zweiten mal noch sehr berührend und cute. So viel besser als der 1. Band!
jennybuysbooks's review against another edition
3.75
This was really cute, as I expect from Riley Hart. Loved the Demi rep and having a Demi/bi awakening. It was super sweet to read. Both MCs were sweet and I liked watching them fall in love. Some of the dialog was a little cringe at some points but I am extra sensitive to that so most people probably wouldn’t mind it. Steam was also a good mix of steamy + sweet. Also this almost made me cry so there is that!