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haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
This was one of the best, if not the best Riley Hart book I've read. Shane and Van had an amazing connection, that I felt throughout this novel, and there was just something about them together that I loved. Aside from amazing chemistry - between the sheets and out of them - they also understood each other so amazingly well, and they turned what was a bad relationship - when they were younger and Van bullied Shane - into one of the healthiest relationships out there.
Seriously, there's one point where Shane lets his fear get the best of him - and that felt both out of left field and not at the same time, because we could tell Shane was holding back from the start of their relationship, especially once Van goes back to LA (but they keep doing long distance) and looked for the first sign of something going wrong before breaking it off, but it also feels like "Wait, huh?" in the moment because he takes this one issue and blows it up enough to be the end of their relationship (for like two or three weeks, thank god it doesn't last long). And while it definitely isn't a good thing, what Shane finds out Van did, it wasn't enough to end their relationship. Something that needed to be talked about, for sure, which Shane did not allow to happen - but anyway, there is that one part, but for the most part these two communicated - so much so that Van knew right away, during the phone call, what Shane was trying to do, and they were only apart because Van knew that Shane had to work through his shit himself, not for Van and that not even Van loving him could "fix" those issues.
Just Van knowing that made me so happy, and of course Shane shows up pretty soon after and it's all good. Their separation was like the least angst-filled separation I've ever read, just because I knew Shane would come to his senses, I felt that even as he was breaking up with Van, and I knew they would work it out. Usually yes, I know that if they break up near the end, that they will get back together in books, more often than not, but usually I'm still like "oh shit oh shit oh shit, HOW is this going to be fixed?? Crap!" and I didn't feel that dread with these two. They got this ;)
I felt so sad for both Shane and Van, and I was happy at the same time that Shane didn't just excuse Van's behavior away, even though what he was going through was completely understandable (and heartbreaking :( ). Still, Van was a kid and he didn't handle it well, and he did wrong by Shane, and I'm glad he owns up that and he changes and he treats Shane so beautifully as an adult.
Most of the time in real life, a bully won't stop being a bully, or at the very least, they won't be remorseful - or they hide any remorse very well - and I have no sympathy for them. But if a former bully can change, can show how sorry and remorseful they are and actively be better, and show that they want to be a better person, then I love those stories, those characters are interesting. Doesn't excuse what they did in the past, but an understanding can come from them growing, being better, and it can be forgiven. Van did everything possible, while trying and not trying at all at the same time, to redeem himself - owning up to his past bullshit was a really good start and I loved him by the end of this.
Van and Shane just *happy sigh* made my heart melt. Also, the sex scenes in this are super steamy and hot and mhmm. The taking pictures of each other naked/during sex with each other doesn't hurt either ;) Like damnnn. HOT.
I loved these two together, I loved this story, I loved this book. Definitely a Riley Hart favorite of mine, and probably her best work, I think.
Definitely recommend <333
This was one of the best, if not the best Riley Hart book I've read. Shane and Van had an amazing connection, that I felt throughout this novel, and there was just something about them together that I loved. Aside from amazing chemistry - between the sheets and out of them - they also understood each other so amazingly well, and they turned what was a bad relationship - when they were younger and Van bullied Shane - into one of the healthiest relationships out there.
Seriously, there's one point where Shane lets his fear get the best of him - and that felt both out of left field and not at the same time, because we could tell Shane was holding back from the start of their relationship, especially once Van goes back to LA (but they keep doing long distance) and looked for the first sign of something going wrong before breaking it off, but it also feels like "Wait, huh?" in the moment because he takes this one issue and blows it up enough to be the end of their relationship (for like two or three weeks, thank god it doesn't last long). And while it definitely isn't a good thing, what Shane finds out Van did, it wasn't enough to end their relationship. Something that needed to be talked about, for sure, which Shane did not allow to happen - but anyway, there is that one part, but for the most part these two communicated - so much so that Van knew right away, during the phone call, what Shane was trying to do, and they were only apart because Van knew that Shane had to work through his shit himself, not for Van and that not even Van loving him could "fix" those issues.
Just Van knowing that made me so happy, and of course Shane shows up pretty soon after and it's all good. Their separation was like the least angst-filled separation I've ever read, just because I knew Shane would come to his senses, I felt that even as he was breaking up with Van, and I knew they would work it out. Usually yes, I know that if they break up near the end, that they will get back together in books, more often than not, but usually I'm still like "oh shit oh shit oh shit, HOW is this going to be fixed?? Crap!" and I didn't feel that dread with these two. They got this ;)
I felt so sad for both Shane and Van, and I was happy at the same time that Shane didn't just excuse Van's behavior away, even though what he was going through was completely understandable (and heartbreaking :( ). Still, Van was a kid and he didn't handle it well, and he did wrong by Shane, and I'm glad he owns up that and he changes and he treats Shane so beautifully as an adult.
Most of the time in real life, a bully won't stop being a bully, or at the very least, they won't be remorseful - or they hide any remorse very well - and I have no sympathy for them. But if a former bully can change, can show how sorry and remorseful they are and actively be better, and show that they want to be a better person, then I love those stories, those characters are interesting. Doesn't excuse what they did in the past, but an understanding can come from them growing, being better, and it can be forgiven. Van did everything possible, while trying and not trying at all at the same time, to redeem himself - owning up to his past bullshit was a really good start and I loved him by the end of this.
Van and Shane just *happy sigh* made my heart melt. Also, the sex scenes in this are super steamy and hot and mhmm. The taking pictures of each other naked/during sex with each other doesn't hurt either ;) Like damnnn. HOT.
I loved these two together, I loved this story, I loved this book. Definitely a Riley Hart favorite of mine, and probably her best work, I think.
Definitely recommend <333
tltravis's review against another edition
5.0
Forgiveness is freeing
When done respectfully and with full honesty. The issues these two had to endure, were overwhelming and unfortunately, all too real.
I was drawn to them from the onset, routing for them the entire way. This was so wee written and I found myself unable to put it down before reaching the end.
When done respectfully and with full honesty. The issues these two had to endure, were overwhelming and unfortunately, all too real.
I was drawn to them from the onset, routing for them the entire way. This was so wee written and I found myself unable to put it down before reaching the end.
achillespatroclus's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
andro_meda's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
dirtydewey's review
4.0
4 stars…
I really loved Van and Shane. Vans family was awful and for the whole book I kept thinking somehow there would be a bit of redemption but there really wasn’t. Wasnt a fan of the conflict at the end with Shane and Caleb… didn’t like how much Shane seemed to care more about his friend from over a decade ago than his boyfriend. I think Van never should have left but whatever. Kinda going to ignore the end part.
Also I know Caleb’s book is next but I’d rather hear about Ryan y’all… but the videography/art/photos was kinky and hot. Big fan.
2/5 on spice. 2/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
I really loved Van and Shane. Vans family was awful and for the whole book I kept thinking somehow there would be a bit of redemption but there really wasn’t. Wasnt a fan of the conflict at the end with Shane and Caleb… didn’t like how much Shane seemed to care more about his friend from over a decade ago than his boyfriend. I think Van never should have left but whatever. Kinda going to ignore the end part.
Also I know Caleb’s book is next but I’d rather hear about Ryan y’all… but the videography/art/photos was kinky and hot. Big fan.
2/5 on spice. 2/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
messyreading's review
3.0
Nice, but the humor was missing for me... and maybe thngs developed to quickly for my taste.
jennybuysbooks's review
4.0
What the heck? This almost made me cry! Riley is so good at writing stories that are cute and steamy but will also rip your heart out!
Loved both MCs and I am foaming at the mouth to start book 2!!!
Loved both MCs and I am foaming at the mouth to start book 2!!!
buffyloverlori's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5