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karentje's review against another edition
5.0
Achingly sweet love story. Very moving.
Jason is still deep in the closet when he meets Seb, an out & proud business owner who wants his new café-bar, Rainbow Place, to be an LGBT-friendly place.
Both men instantly feel a connection and start seeing each other... in secret. Seb hates having to hide his budding relationship with Jason, but he decides to take the risk. Against all odds and common sense, hoping for more.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Jason's upbringing and grow to understand his fear of coming out better, as well as his internalised homophobia, which runs very deep. This is not something that is often touched upon in gay romance novels, and I very much appreciate Jay Northcote's insight and talented writing when addressing this type of underlying motivations for his characters' actions so sensibly and sensitively.
At a certain point in the book, there is a situation... a defining moment in the couple's relationship, where we'd expect Jason to overcome his fear of coming out, to step up and save the day for Seb. Or at least to be there for him. But he doesn't... In fact, he lets Seb down quite spectacularly.
Another brave, unexpected choice of the author. Jason makes a mistake, out of fear,... as (real) people are wont to do.
Will love prevail when the object of one's affection isn't without his faults?
This plot twist upped the stakes quite a bit. I absolutely couldn't put the book (my e-reader rather) down at that point.
Apologies wouldn't cut it for this particular error. A grand gesture was clearly in order.
I tend to be a bit apprehensive when it becomes obvious a character is going to try a "grand gesture" to sweep their love off their feet. It can often come accross as contrived and over the top.
I needn't have worried in this case, of course. Because Jay's MC's & stories are always delightfully genuine and authentic. So when Jason went all out with a grand romantic gesture out of love for Seb, it just felt incredibly sincere and I waited with bated breath for Seb's response. Magnificent scene!
I always love Jay Northcote's books, but I felt like he took it to a whole other level with this one!
I adored both MC's and I loved the storyline and the amazing world Jay created for this new series.
The writing itself was wonderful, full of the most delightful imagery and metaphors, which made this book a true joy to read! At times, it felt almost poetic.
Impressive!
Jason is still deep in the closet when he meets Seb, an out & proud business owner who wants his new café-bar, Rainbow Place, to be an LGBT-friendly place.
Both men instantly feel a connection and start seeing each other... in secret. Seb hates having to hide his budding relationship with Jason, but he decides to take the risk. Against all odds and common sense, hoping for more.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Jason's upbringing and grow to understand his fear of coming out better, as well as his internalised homophobia, which runs very deep. This is not something that is often touched upon in gay romance novels, and I very much appreciate Jay Northcote's insight and talented writing when addressing this type of underlying motivations for his characters' actions so sensibly and sensitively.
At a certain point in the book, there is a situation... a defining moment in the couple's relationship, where we'd expect Jason to overcome his fear of coming out, to step up and save the day for Seb. Or at least to be there for him. But he doesn't... In fact, he lets Seb down quite spectacularly.
Another brave, unexpected choice of the author. Jason makes a mistake, out of fear,... as (real) people are wont to do.
Will love prevail when the object of one's affection isn't without his faults?
This plot twist upped the stakes quite a bit. I absolutely couldn't put the book (my e-reader rather) down at that point.
Apologies wouldn't cut it for this particular error. A grand gesture was clearly in order.
I tend to be a bit apprehensive when it becomes obvious a character is going to try a "grand gesture" to sweep their love off their feet. It can often come accross as contrived and over the top.
I needn't have worried in this case, of course. Because Jay's MC's & stories are always delightfully genuine and authentic. So when Jason went all out with a grand romantic gesture out of love for Seb, it just felt incredibly sincere and I waited with bated breath for Seb's response. Magnificent scene!
I always love Jay Northcote's books, but I felt like he took it to a whole other level with this one!
I adored both MC's and I loved the storyline and the amazing world Jay created for this new series.
The writing itself was wonderful, full of the most delightful imagery and metaphors, which made this book a true joy to read! At times, it felt almost poetic.
Impressive!
tltravis's review against another edition
4.0
Community pride!
I love a good story where pride in ones community shows through as it did in this one. Everyone banding together for a noble cause, refusing to let the haters drag them down.
I love a good story where pride in ones community shows through as it did in this one. Everyone banding together for a noble cause, refusing to let the haters drag them down.
jlwright04's review against another edition
3.0
I could not get past chapter one. The narrator grated on me. ☹️
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
4.0
You know when you start a book that feeling like you know you won’t want to stop it. This book gave me that feeling right from the very beginning these characters stole my heart. Jason’s inability to be out struck a nerve for me. Maybe if he had a supportive family, something I personally strive to be for my own children. Maybe that is why I felt so deeply for Jason. I wanted his growing up years to be a safe place. But it wasn’t and that is ultimately that is why he was still so against being who he was to anyone that might know him.
I did love that his ex-wife was so supportive. She was the hero in this book for me.
Seb is a great guy but I do wish he had been a little more understanding at parts. He said he knew what it was like to be bullied growing up. So maybe if he had thought about that and what it would be like at his age he might have seen why it was so hard for Jason.
Overall I loved the message in this book. It’s what I as a parent of a Bi daughter want. For her and her friends to feel 100% safe to be whoever they are. No judgment here.
The narration was lovely, I am a huge fan of the way this book was written and with the mix of the perfect person to narrate it was a huge hit for me. More, please! Just MORE.
I did love that his ex-wife was so supportive. She was the hero in this book for me.
Seb is a great guy but I do wish he had been a little more understanding at parts. He said he knew what it was like to be bullied growing up. So maybe if he had thought about that and what it would be like at his age he might have seen why it was so hard for Jason.
Overall I loved the message in this book. It’s what I as a parent of a Bi daughter want. For her and her friends to feel 100% safe to be whoever they are. No judgment here.
The narration was lovely, I am a huge fan of the way this book was written and with the mix of the perfect person to narrate it was a huge hit for me. More, please! Just MORE.
hazelrayson's review
emotional
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
4.5
novel_nomad's review against another edition
3.0
A super cute romance which honestly broke my heart in places - but mended it by the end and I utterly adored it.
xanthe87's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic new series!
Love the characters, the story line, the setting of this book. I'm a big fan of Jay's anyway so this book was a 1 click buy and it doesn't disappoint.
Setting up an LGBT+ friendly cafe/bar in a small Cornish town was always going to be a risk for Seb but the biggest risk was his heart when he meets Jason, the man doing the work in his new building. There's an instant attraction but with Jason in the closet it can only lead to heartbreak.
This story deals well with homophobia experienced in the public eye but also the fighting spirit of a local community.
The attraction between the MC's is well written and I love the way that everything plays out for the two men.
Looking forward to book two!
Love the characters, the story line, the setting of this book. I'm a big fan of Jay's anyway so this book was a 1 click buy and it doesn't disappoint.
Setting up an LGBT+ friendly cafe/bar in a small Cornish town was always going to be a risk for Seb but the biggest risk was his heart when he meets Jason, the man doing the work in his new building. There's an instant attraction but with Jason in the closet it can only lead to heartbreak.
This story deals well with homophobia experienced in the public eye but also the fighting spirit of a local community.
The attraction between the MC's is well written and I love the way that everything plays out for the two men.
Looking forward to book two!