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rme2020's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this story. Felt like it was a different perspective than I’ve been reading. That being said, the story did lag a bit after the halfway point but finished strong. It has all the feels. It’s funny, heartbreaking, angsty. It’s a long book and probably didn’t need to be that long but at the same time, I couldn’t put it down.
missysreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
The Longest Slow Burn Ever!
I started this book over a year ago and stopped because it was so long and the burn was so slow. However, I decided to give it another try recently and I loved it. I wish the story was shorter but it was great. I like how Harp and Parker seemed completely opposite in the beginning of the story but turned out to be similar. Sure, they were at different points in their lives and had much different life experiences. I enjoyed seeing the relationship grow and click without missing a single detail.
I started this book over a year ago and stopped because it was so long and the burn was so slow. However, I decided to give it another try recently and I loved it. I wish the story was shorter but it was great. I like how Harp and Parker seemed completely opposite in the beginning of the story but turned out to be similar. Sure, they were at different points in their lives and had much different life experiences. I enjoyed seeing the relationship grow and click without missing a single detail.
cotes's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this and didn’t expect to. Big age gap, client/practitioner, snowed in—lots of red flags. And yet I adored it, because it took all of those things and acknowledged them. It’s more a romance about how to be in a relationship than about how to get together, although it’s so long that the actual getting together takes a while.
karentje's review against another edition
5.0
Best book ever!
This book caught me completely off guard and utterly blew me away. I feel as if I'm still catching my breath. Be still my beating heart.
I loved this book so much! Loved both Harper and Parker! Loved Mindy! Loved the dogs! Loved to hate Parker's family and even Gil, Harper's brother, at times.
This was such an emotional, character-driven story. Unlike anything I have ever read.
Both authors were new to me, but I'm going to have to read more of their work. Can't believe I've been missing out on such amazing writing.
I loved that these characters, at first glance, have nothing in common, and still find a way to touch each other. To see who the other truly is.
Their patience with each other's quirks and anxieties, and the loving care they give one another is so inspiring and lovely to read!
This is such an emotional story, angst-filled and incredibly slow-burn, with beautifully written dialogue, excellent pacing and amazing character development... I can't throw in enough adjectives to do this story justice.
Brilliantly done!
This book caught me completely off guard and utterly blew me away. I feel as if I'm still catching my breath. Be still my beating heart.
I loved this book so much! Loved both Harper and Parker! Loved Mindy! Loved the dogs! Loved to hate Parker's family and even Gil, Harper's brother, at times.
This was such an emotional, character-driven story. Unlike anything I have ever read.
Both authors were new to me, but I'm going to have to read more of their work. Can't believe I've been missing out on such amazing writing.
I loved that these characters, at first glance, have nothing in common, and still find a way to touch each other. To see who the other truly is.
Their patience with each other's quirks and anxieties, and the loving care they give one another is so inspiring and lovely to read!
This is such an emotional story, angst-filled and incredibly slow-burn, with beautifully written dialogue, excellent pacing and amazing character development... I can't throw in enough adjectives to do this story justice.
Brilliantly done!
xanthe87's review against another edition
4.0
OK, so I will agree with a lot of other reviewers in that this book is reeeally long. But I did enjoy the story, angst, setting and characters.
Harp has become a recluse in the mountains, keeping to himself after a horribly failed marriage and a tragic childhood event, both of which have led to him having panic attacks in social situations.
Parker keeps himself upbeat with his great job as a massage therapist and living with his best friend Mindy. He definitely doesn't focus on his recently failed relationship, the horrible things his ex said or the put downs constantly sent his way by his family.
Their initial meeting of Parker visiting Harp at his cabin for a massage session starts on the worst foot with Harp just stood in greeting with an ax, forgetting Parker was coming, which makes his anxiety worse even in his own home.
Things happen slowly in this book and you have to put in the work/effort to get through it but I did really enjoy reading it. I loved the way that through the whole book we flit between POV's of the MC's within chapters, it's clear when it happens. There is a lot of talk of anxiety, stress, depression and bullying from both characters and how it has shaped who they are today. It's wonderful to see them both learn to trust and lean on each other slowly but surely.
The setting for the book, especially the mountain where Harp's cabin is based sounds beautiful. I can easily picture myself and the MC's there.
I'm not sure if I'd go for another book of this length but I'd still always read a book from Ruthie Lunhow and Kay Simone.
I'd recommend this book for those who love a slow burner, may/december relationships. Not those looking for a book to read in one night/sitting.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review
Harp has become a recluse in the mountains, keeping to himself after a horribly failed marriage and a tragic childhood event, both of which have led to him having panic attacks in social situations.
Parker keeps himself upbeat with his great job as a massage therapist and living with his best friend Mindy. He definitely doesn't focus on his recently failed relationship, the horrible things his ex said or the put downs constantly sent his way by his family.
Their initial meeting of Parker visiting Harp at his cabin for a massage session starts on the worst foot with Harp just stood in greeting with an ax, forgetting Parker was coming, which makes his anxiety worse even in his own home.
Things happen slowly in this book and you have to put in the work/effort to get through it but I did really enjoy reading it. I loved the way that through the whole book we flit between POV's of the MC's within chapters, it's clear when it happens. There is a lot of talk of anxiety, stress, depression and bullying from both characters and how it has shaped who they are today. It's wonderful to see them both learn to trust and lean on each other slowly but surely.
The setting for the book, especially the mountain where Harp's cabin is based sounds beautiful. I can easily picture myself and the MC's there.
I'm not sure if I'd go for another book of this length but I'd still always read a book from Ruthie Lunhow and Kay Simone.
I'd recommend this book for those who love a slow burner, may/december relationships. Not those looking for a book to read in one night/sitting.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
It's a 4* for me simply because of the length, I felt the same situation arose over and over (the internal monologuing and second guessing of the other persons' thoughts and feelings just got a bit wearing for me personally).
But, that aside, the rest of this book is a beautifully written exploration of how two completely different and disparate people can actually turn out to be perfect for each other and just "understand" how the other one ticks and know how to comfort and support them.
Both Kay Simone and Ruthie Luhnow have written books I've previously 5*ed and thoroughly enjoyed and I thought this collaboration between the two of them highlighted and showcased both of their great writing skills for both a sense of place and in the beautiful language used.
It's written in first person present, which can be a little difficult to get your head around and is one of the reasons for me that the first quarter of the book just felt like it was going on forever with very little happening.
However, once Harp and Parker actually admit to their blossoming feelings, the pace kicks up a gear and we start to see some real character development as Harp gets over his insular nature and Parker begins to stand up for himself and not feel quite so unworthy. Both men have suffered from the slings and arrows of life so it's joyful to see them start to open up to each other.
There are hurdles along the way though, and this means there's a lot of angsty and only a little steam - which actually makes sense given the unique natures of each individual man.
I love a good May to December and Harp is almost two decades older than Parker (who is 26), which again leads to a whole other level of anxiety and insecurities and what I liked about this story is that the relationship didn't all of a sudden remove all those characteristics.
Both men remained anxious at times, insecure at times, fearful and with all their hang ups, but they also grow and adapt, learn to be flexible and rely on the other.
I think this will appeal to readers who enjoy a slow burn, it is glacial at times, but because of the quality of the writing, it's something you (generic) can live with as it marches on to what's a bit of swoony epilogue.
#ARC kindly received from the authors in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
But, that aside, the rest of this book is a beautifully written exploration of how two completely different and disparate people can actually turn out to be perfect for each other and just "understand" how the other one ticks and know how to comfort and support them.
Both Kay Simone and Ruthie Luhnow have written books I've previously 5*ed and thoroughly enjoyed and I thought this collaboration between the two of them highlighted and showcased both of their great writing skills for both a sense of place and in the beautiful language used.
It's written in first person present, which can be a little difficult to get your head around and is one of the reasons for me that the first quarter of the book just felt like it was going on forever with very little happening.
However, once Harp and Parker actually admit to their blossoming feelings, the pace kicks up a gear and we start to see some real character development as Harp gets over his insular nature and Parker begins to stand up for himself and not feel quite so unworthy. Both men have suffered from the slings and arrows of life so it's joyful to see them start to open up to each other.
There are hurdles along the way though, and this means there's a lot of angsty and only a little steam - which actually makes sense given the unique natures of each individual man.
I love a good May to December and Harp is almost two decades older than Parker (who is 26), which again leads to a whole other level of anxiety and insecurities and what I liked about this story is that the relationship didn't all of a sudden remove all those characteristics.
Both men remained anxious at times, insecure at times, fearful and with all their hang ups, but they also grow and adapt, learn to be flexible and rely on the other.
I think this will appeal to readers who enjoy a slow burn, it is glacial at times, but because of the quality of the writing, it's something you (generic) can live with as it marches on to what's a bit of swoony epilogue.
#ARC kindly received from the authors in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
If you love slow-burn romance, this is the book for you.
As always with both, Ruthie Luhow and Kay Simone, the book flows beautifully, the characters are compelling and the story is sweet and yet hot. The way the characters try to hide their insecurities is realistic, the way their upbringing and their families, particularly Parker's one, influence them is something with we all can relate.
So, yes, this is a great book, one you will truly enjoy.
As always with both, Ruthie Luhow and Kay Simone, the book flows beautifully, the characters are compelling and the story is sweet and yet hot. The way the characters try to hide their insecurities is realistic, the way their upbringing and their families, particularly Parker's one, influence them is something with we all can relate.
So, yes, this is a great book, one you will truly enjoy.
ctsquirrel's review against another edition
3.0
This says about 700 pages on my reader and it felt long. I skipped over a bit since they seemed to keep going back and forth (mostly I skipped from after the snowed-in bit to when Gil showed up). I've never really liked the present tense story-telling and couldn't get into that. Then also the random gaps on the page were annoying. Usually these would indicate a change in POV, but the POV changes often on the same page with no gaps. Also this probably added to the page count. This felt like when a college student needed to make a page count and changed the margins around and added spaces. They weren't necessary and detracted from the flow of the story.
I liked the characters alright and the dogs, but I had to work too hard to stay into the story.
I liked the characters alright and the dogs, but I had to work too hard to stay into the story.
natureofreading's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is long and the story isn't that in-depth for such a long book. But, I still very much enjoyed the slow moving way this book was written. The authors do a great job at character development and plot development.
It was sweet and the two MCs are absolutely adorable. There are many sweet moments as they navigate how to mesh their two personalities and flaws together.
One thing that took getting used to whole reading this book is the constant point of view switch. Usually, if the POV switches, it's every chapter. In this book, it's every few paragraphs. It's a neat way to write scenes, but it takes some getting used to.
If you like books that use a lot of words and descriptions, this is for you.
It was sweet and the two MCs are absolutely adorable. There are many sweet moments as they navigate how to mesh their two personalities and flaws together.
One thing that took getting used to whole reading this book is the constant point of view switch. Usually, if the POV switches, it's every chapter. In this book, it's every few paragraphs. It's a neat way to write scenes, but it takes some getting used to.
If you like books that use a lot of words and descriptions, this is for you.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
4.0
A slow May/September romance - written in first person present and thus definitely not everyone's cup of tea. The story is overlong and drawn out as we get to hear EVERY thought running through each MC's mind. Eventually the story starts moving but it does take a while.
Overall I did enjoy seeing the guys work through their insecurities and reach their HEA but I did feel as though I had felt every pebble on the road to their final destination.
Overall I did enjoy seeing the guys work through their insecurities and reach their HEA but I did feel as though I had felt every pebble on the road to their final destination.