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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Once again Ella Frank pulls me into her world and I loved it! Finley is not your typical student teacher illicit love story where two people meet, fall in love, and then live happily ever after. Instead, you see the slew of emotions both main characters deal with as they try to figure out love and life.
Finn, fell in love with one of his professors in college and immediately started to seduce him. It worked because Brantley finally gave in, and everything was paradise until Brantley pushed Finn out the door and told him to go to law school in Chicago. Years have passed since and Finn has been called back by his previous lover. He’ll come, but everything they do going forward is going to be on his terms and nothing else; however, the only problem with that plan, he still loves Brantley even though he has been nursing his hurt and anger at what the other man did to break them apart. Brantley thought he was doing what was best for his lover. Can they work through their issues and heal the hurts, mistrust, and anger? Will love once again bring their hearts together? Read to find out!
I had to grab a tissue or two with this one, and once I started it was hard to put down. 4 Stars! I really hope she writes about Derek and Jordan next!! I have to know what is going on with those two!! Finley had just the right amount of angst and the push and pull between the main characters…you understand both sides and find yourself going back and forth between them. It’s one I highly recommend. Get to one clicking!
Finn, fell in love with one of his professors in college and immediately started to seduce him. It worked because Brantley finally gave in, and everything was paradise until Brantley pushed Finn out the door and told him to go to law school in Chicago. Years have passed since and Finn has been called back by his previous lover. He’ll come, but everything they do going forward is going to be on his terms and nothing else; however, the only problem with that plan, he still loves Brantley even though he has been nursing his hurt and anger at what the other man did to break them apart. Brantley thought he was doing what was best for his lover. Can they work through their issues and heal the hurts, mistrust, and anger? Will love once again bring their hearts together? Read to find out!
I had to grab a tissue or two with this one, and once I started it was hard to put down. 4 Stars! I really hope she writes about Derek and Jordan next!! I have to know what is going on with those two!! Finley had just the right amount of angst and the push and pull between the main characters…you understand both sides and find yourself going back and forth between them. It’s one I highly recommend. Get to one clicking!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Finley had the potential to be a very taboo teacher/student book, but the way it was written turned it into a sweet slow romance. Finn and Brantley have known each other since Finn was in college. Brantley was a new professor and Finn was alarmingly beautiful. Brantley made every effect to stay away from him...until he couldn't. What could have been a long term romance turned out to be a devastating loss to Finn. Brantley thought he was doing what was best, Finn resented every minute of it. After seven years six words change the course of both of their lives.
"It's time to come home, Finn."
Will they both find what they are looking for? Were they better off apart? Will Finn carry that anger of being pushed away around forever? Are two weeks enough?
Such an enjoyable read. It's sweet and sexy. Frustrating at times, but worth the ride to get to the ending. I can't wait to know more about Jordan and Derek!!
Finley had the potential to be a very taboo teacher/student book, but the way it was written turned it into a sweet slow romance. Finn and Brantley have known each other since Finn was in college. Brantley was a new professor and Finn was alarmingly beautiful. Brantley made every effect to stay away from him...until he couldn't. What could have been a long term romance turned out to be a devastating loss to Finn. Brantley thought he was doing what was best, Finn resented every minute of it. After seven years six words change the course of both of their lives.
"It's time to come home, Finn."
Will they both find what they are looking for? Were they better off apart? Will Finn carry that anger of being pushed away around forever? Are two weeks enough?
Such an enjoyable read. It's sweet and sexy. Frustrating at times, but worth the ride to get to the ending. I can't wait to know more about Jordan and Derek!!
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Between the Sheets Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a well-written story of love, but not really of love lost that's been found again because the love between Finn and Brantley was always there, even in the midst of all the negative feelings Finn had swirling within him. He changes during the years they were apart, but the one thing that never did was how much he loved Brantley, even though he couldn't fully fathom or accept what Brantley did. Their story is told from a third person point of view and with flashbacks. The glimpses into their past were lovely to read because we get to see how they met and fell in love and how their relationship progressed and why it came to an end. Everything that happens in present time shows Brantley trying to regain Finn's trust and seeking redemption, even though his reasons for sending Finn away were not malicious. This was a book about finding the one, doing what you believed was right by letting go, then fighting like hell to win that love back. See why I'm highly recommending Finley and am so obsessed with all things Finn and Brantley?
I loved Finn and I felt for the guy because he was so badly hurt by what happened seven years ago and yet there's no denying how much he still feels for Brantley. I admit that there was a part of me that was none to happy with dear, old professor because I felt that his actions then were both selfless and selfish. Selfless because he wanted to offer Finn the opportunities he believed Finn was denying himself because of their relationship; selfish because he stayed in Florida to stay on track as far as his teaching career was concerned and without the distraction that was Finn. Of course, my cynicism may be due, in large part, to Finn becoming Daniel--the detached version of himself. Yes, yes, I admit it. I liked Finn just a teeny, tiny bit more than Brantley, but the latter won me over with what he did in the final two chapters of the book. I'm itching to find out about the curious pair of Derek Pearson and Jordan Devaney, Finn's best friend and Brantley's best friend, respectively, but my Finley hangover is all about Finn and Brantley. Five-plus stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Between the Sheets Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a well-written story of love, but not really of love lost that's been found again because the love between Finn and Brantley was always there, even in the midst of all the negative feelings Finn had swirling within him. He changes during the years they were apart, but the one thing that never did was how much he loved Brantley, even though he couldn't fully fathom or accept what Brantley did. Their story is told from a third person point of view and with flashbacks. The glimpses into their past were lovely to read because we get to see how they met and fell in love and how their relationship progressed and why it came to an end. Everything that happens in present time shows Brantley trying to regain Finn's trust and seeking redemption, even though his reasons for sending Finn away were not malicious. This was a book about finding the one, doing what you believed was right by letting go, then fighting like hell to win that love back. See why I'm highly recommending Finley and am so obsessed with all things Finn and Brantley?
I loved Finn and I felt for the guy because he was so badly hurt by what happened seven years ago and yet there's no denying how much he still feels for Brantley. I admit that there was a part of me that was none to happy with dear, old professor because I felt that his actions then were both selfless and selfish. Selfless because he wanted to offer Finn the opportunities he believed Finn was denying himself because of their relationship; selfish because he stayed in Florida to stay on track as far as his teaching career was concerned and without the distraction that was Finn. Of course, my cynicism may be due, in large part, to Finn becoming Daniel--the detached version of himself. Yes, yes, I admit it. I liked Finn just a teeny, tiny bit more than Brantley, but the latter won me over with what he did in the final two chapters of the book. I'm itching to find out about the curious pair of Derek Pearson and Jordan Devaney, Finn's best friend and Brantley's best friend, respectively, but my Finley hangover is all about Finn and Brantley. Five-plus stars. ♥
4.5 stars...wow! what a surprise he was :)
We've met Finley in previous books, so I has happy to hear he was getting his own story!! He had a relationship with his professor Brantley (who is 10 years older) while in college. Its been 7 years since they've seen each other because at the time Brantley felt he was doing what was best for Finn . As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grown fonder. He sent Finn a note that it was time to come home and from there we have an amazing story.
You can tell the love they had for each other never went away, but Finn was still angry with how things were left and told himself that he would only be visiting for 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks turned out to be an eyeopener for the both of them. We get flashbacks of their relationship and it was a beautiful story. This is one you must read!! It was all that and so much more. I can't wait to see what Ella has in store for us next. ( I need more about Derek and....) Oh and their visit to that bar at the end? LOVED it :)
We've met Finley in previous books, so I has happy to hear he was getting his own story!! He had a relationship with his professor Brantley (who is 10 years older) while in college. Its been 7 years since they've seen each other because at the time Brantley felt he was doing what was best for Finn . As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grown fonder. He sent Finn a note that it was time to come home and from there we have an amazing story.
You can tell the love they had for each other never went away, but Finn was still angry with how things were left and told himself that he would only be visiting for 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks turned out to be an eyeopener for the both of them. We get flashbacks of their relationship and it was a beautiful story. This is one you must read!! It was all that and so much more. I can't wait to see what Ella has in store for us next. ( I need more about Derek and....) Oh and their visit to that bar at the end? LOVED it :)
DNF 48% I found this book too full of repetition. Too much inner dialogue. The author seems to think this inner dialogue is somehow automatically translated from one MC to the other. Perhaps I will try again later.
DNF @ 20%
After listening to 1hr and 36minutes of what was mostly inner musings, I haven't gathered any kind of interest about Bradley's and Daniel's (Finley) relationship, prior or otherwise. Also this is where I'll part ways with Ella Frank because me and her writing style are just not a good match (I can handle only so many erections tenting shorts/pants etc at the drop of a hat, that try to be hidden).
After listening to 1hr and 36minutes of what was mostly inner musings, I haven't gathered any kind of interest about Bradley's and Daniel's (Finley) relationship, prior or otherwise. Also this is where I'll part ways with Ella Frank because me and her writing style are just not a good match (I can handle only so many erections tenting shorts/pants etc at the drop of a hat, that try to be hidden).
emotional
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:
N/A
When Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida to become one of Chicago's top lawyers, he left more than his family behind; he also left his heart with Brantley Hayes, his professor and his first true love. When Brantley asks him to come home after being separated for seven years, Finn is excited to reunite with his former lover. But Finn has changed from the young pre-law student Brantley once knew and both men need to figure out if the feelings they once had for each other are as strong as ever, or if reuniting after such a long absence will be a case "too little, too late".
I did enjoy this book, despite Ella Frank's trademark angst. Finn and Brantley had excellent chemistry together and I liked how Frank wove in scenes from their past with the events surrounding their present day reconciliation. I particularly enjoyed Finn's transformation from cheeky, inexperienced college student to forthright, slightly domineering lawyer. I also enjoyed the unexpected change in Brantley as well. His eagerness to get on board with the new take-charge Finn was hot and was a nice change from the typical older-man-as-dominant trope.
The ending was the only thing that really let me down. Fans of the Temptation series might enjoy the cameo from Logan and Tate from Try but I found the scene a little awkward and unnecessary.
All in all, this was an entertaining read and if you like Ella Frank, you're sure to enjoy this one as well. 3.5 stars rounded up
I did enjoy this book, despite Ella Frank's trademark angst. Finn and Brantley had excellent chemistry together and I liked how Frank wove in scenes from their past with the events surrounding their present day reconciliation. I particularly enjoyed Finn's transformation from cheeky, inexperienced college student to forthright, slightly domineering lawyer. I also enjoyed the unexpected change in Brantley as well. His eagerness to get on board with the new take-charge Finn was hot and was a nice change from the typical older-man-as-dominant trope.
The ending was the only thing that really let me down. Fans of the Temptation series might enjoy the cameo from Logan and Tate from Try but I found the scene a little awkward and unnecessary.
All in all, this was an entertaining read and if you like Ella Frank, you're sure to enjoy this one as well. 3.5 stars rounded up
J'avais passionnément aimé (et j'aime toujours passionnément, d'ailleurs) la série d'Ella sur Logan et Tate et j'avais été charmée et intriguée par Daniel, cet avocat arrogant mais ô combien sexy, et j'avais tout aussi hâte que peur de découvrir ce nouveau M/M.
Peur que ça ne soit pas aussi bien, peur de ne pas tomber amoureuse de ce nouveau couple, peur d'être déçue, tout simplement ...
Seulement, Ella est une magicienne des mots, et la magie, donc, a opéré de nouveau.
Finley est une somptueuse, une merveilleuse, une délicate, douce, tendre et douce-amère histoire de seconde chance, entre deux hommes qui se sont passionnément aimés, que la vie a séparés, et qui se retrouvent.
On suit en parallèle, et avec déchirement, leur histoire dans le passé, lorsque Finn (c'est le surnom de Daniel) était un jeune étudiant (majeur, je le précise) en fac de droit et que Brantley était un de ses profs, et leurs retrouvailles, sept ans plus tard.
Provocant, diablement sexy et n'ayant pas froid aux yeux, Finn a poursuivi son prof de ses assiduités et celui-ci a évidemment fini par craquer, mais comment pourrait-il en être autrement ?
On connait dès le début les raisons de leur séparation, raisons que je vous laisse le soin de découvrir. Sept ans plus tard, il suffit de six mots écrits par Brant pour que Finn prenne des vacances bien méritées et rentre chez lui, en Floride, pour quelques jours.
Après sept ans d'absence, sans aucun contact dans l'intervalle, Finn et Brant vont se retrouver. Et je n'en dirai pas plus sur l'intrigue.
Au moment où j'écris cette chronique, deux jours après avoir terminé le livre, et à quelques jours de la sortie officielle, je suis émue, ces personnages ne m'ont pas quitté depuis que j'ai lu les derniers mots. Cette histoire m'a émue, transportée, bouleversée. La mélancolie de leur amour, le côté fugace de ces retrouvailles avec un compte à rebours à la clé m'a serré le cœur. Ils se sont follement aimés, bien loin d'une banale relation prof/élève uniquement basée sur le sexe. Non, Finn et Brant sont deux âmes sœurs, ni plus ni moins.
On pourrait se dire que vu la façon dont leur histoire s'est terminée, leurs retrouvailles pourraient être teintées d'amertume, d'une petite pointe vengeresse, mais pas du tout. Il y a une infinie tendresse et un amour beau, pur et profond entre ces deux-là.
Les voir douter, avoir peur, se redécouvrir, se questionner est émouvant, vraiment. On est loin du côté hautement inflammable de la série Temptation. Ici, chaque caresse a la légèreté et la fragilité d'un battement d'aile de papillon. Chaque soupir, chaque baiser, chaque regard est d'une douceur infinie ... Les scènes érotiques ne sont pas très nombreuses et pas explicites comme elles pouvaient l'être dans la série Temptation, mais, justement, cela fait sens.
J'ai adoré leur vulnérabilité, le fait que justement, ils ne la cachent pas à l'autre, au contraire. On sent vraiment la profondeur et la beauté de leur relation, et sept années ont beau s'être écoulées, leur amour et leurs émotions sont toujours là, en plus exacerbés, évidemment.
J'ai craqué pour l'arrogance et le côté autoritaire de Finn, qui a bien changé depuis ses jeunes années, mais qui, au fond, reste ce beach boy simple, loin de l'avocat tiré à quatre épingles. C'est étonnant de le découvrir vulnérable, alors que dans ses apparitions précédentes, il avait plutôt un côté tête à claques, uber-sexy et tout le tralala. Et Brant ... Lui aussi a un côté sexy, moins autoritaire certes, mais quel homme. Ses propres interrogations sont touchantes et apportent une dimension réelle à son personnage, ce qui donne à Finn toute latitude pour le détromper et lui remettre les idées bien au clair concernant un sujet en particulier ...
J'ai eu un énorme coup de cœur pour la maman de Finn, que j'ai eu envie de serrer fort dans mes bras à plusieurs reprises. C'est une femme merveilleuse, aux propos qui font mouche, qui n'est pas née de la dernière pluie et dispose de trésors d'amour.
Derek et Jordan sont assez marrants dans leur genre, et j'ai hâte de voir ce que l'auteur a en réserve les concernant !
Et LA question qui brûle les lèvres ? Quid de Logan et Tate ? Disons qu' Ella a encore une fois dégainé la perfection, je n'en dirai pas plus, si ce n'est le fait qu'il est possible qu'à un certain moment, je me sois retrouvée debout sur le canapé à hurler comme une ado hystérique ... ;)
Ahlalala quel déluge d'émotions que ce livre !!! J'ai parfois eu les larmes aux yeux (mon dieu, l'art de distiller certains détails légers en apparence mais tellement, TELLEMENT porteurs de sens et vecteurs d'une foultitude de sensations pour nous, pauvres lecteurs), mon petit cœur s'est tout autant serré du fait de cette mélancolie, que dilaté de swoon et de bonheur , bref, des émotions fortes que seuls les meilleurs livres ont le pouvoir de nous faire vivre.
Peur que ça ne soit pas aussi bien, peur de ne pas tomber amoureuse de ce nouveau couple, peur d'être déçue, tout simplement ...
Seulement, Ella est une magicienne des mots, et la magie, donc, a opéré de nouveau.
Finley est une somptueuse, une merveilleuse, une délicate, douce, tendre et douce-amère histoire de seconde chance, entre deux hommes qui se sont passionnément aimés, que la vie a séparés, et qui se retrouvent.
"I want to forget. Forget how much it hurts when I'm not with you. Help me forget."
On suit en parallèle, et avec déchirement, leur histoire dans le passé, lorsque Finn (c'est le surnom de Daniel) était un jeune étudiant (majeur, je le précise) en fac de droit et que Brantley était un de ses profs, et leurs retrouvailles, sept ans plus tard.
Provocant, diablement sexy et n'ayant pas froid aux yeux, Finn a poursuivi son prof de ses assiduités et celui-ci a évidemment fini par craquer, mais comment pourrait-il en être autrement ?
"It's always been you."
On connait dès le début les raisons de leur séparation, raisons que je vous laisse le soin de découvrir. Sept ans plus tard, il suffit de six mots écrits par Brant pour que Finn prenne des vacances bien méritées et rentre chez lui, en Floride, pour quelques jours.
Après sept ans d'absence, sans aucun contact dans l'intervalle, Finn et Brant vont se retrouver. Et je n'en dirai pas plus sur l'intrigue.
Au moment où j'écris cette chronique, deux jours après avoir terminé le livre, et à quelques jours de la sortie officielle, je suis émue, ces personnages ne m'ont pas quitté depuis que j'ai lu les derniers mots. Cette histoire m'a émue, transportée, bouleversée. La mélancolie de leur amour, le côté fugace de ces retrouvailles avec un compte à rebours à la clé m'a serré le cœur. Ils se sont follement aimés, bien loin d'une banale relation prof/élève uniquement basée sur le sexe. Non, Finn et Brant sont deux âmes sœurs, ni plus ni moins.
"How I'd ever get through seven years without you ?"
On pourrait se dire que vu la façon dont leur histoire s'est terminée, leurs retrouvailles pourraient être teintées d'amertume, d'une petite pointe vengeresse, mais pas du tout. Il y a une infinie tendresse et un amour beau, pur et profond entre ces deux-là.
"-I needed to know if you remembered. Or if you'd moved on.
- I couldn't move on (...). No matter what I did or who I did it with, you were always there. There wasn't one single thing I ever forgot."
Les voir douter, avoir peur, se redécouvrir, se questionner est émouvant, vraiment. On est loin du côté hautement inflammable de la série Temptation. Ici, chaque caresse a la légèreté et la fragilité d'un battement d'aile de papillon. Chaque soupir, chaque baiser, chaque regard est d'une douceur infinie ... Les scènes érotiques ne sont pas très nombreuses et pas explicites comme elles pouvaient l'être dans la série Temptation, mais, justement, cela fait sens.
J'ai adoré leur vulnérabilité, le fait que justement, ils ne la cachent pas à l'autre, au contraire. On sent vraiment la profondeur et la beauté de leur relation, et sept années ont beau s'être écoulées, leur amour et leurs émotions sont toujours là, en plus exacerbés, évidemment.
J'ai craqué pour l'arrogance et le côté autoritaire de Finn, qui a bien changé depuis ses jeunes années, mais qui, au fond, reste ce beach boy simple, loin de l'avocat tiré à quatre épingles. C'est étonnant de le découvrir vulnérable, alors que dans ses apparitions précédentes, il avait plutôt un côté tête à claques, uber-sexy et tout le tralala. Et Brant ... Lui aussi a un côté sexy, moins autoritaire certes, mais quel homme. Ses propres interrogations sont touchantes et apportent une dimension réelle à son personnage, ce qui donne à Finn toute latitude pour le détromper et lui remettre les idées bien au clair concernant un sujet en particulier ...
J'ai eu un énorme coup de cœur pour la maman de Finn, que j'ai eu envie de serrer fort dans mes bras à plusieurs reprises. C'est une femme merveilleuse, aux propos qui font mouche, qui n'est pas née de la dernière pluie et dispose de trésors d'amour.
Derek et Jordan sont assez marrants dans leur genre, et j'ai hâte de voir ce que l'auteur a en réserve les concernant !
Et LA question qui brûle les lèvres ? Quid de Logan et Tate ? Disons qu' Ella a encore une fois dégainé la perfection, je n'en dirai pas plus, si ce n'est le fait qu'il est possible qu'à un certain moment, je me sois retrouvée debout sur le canapé à hurler comme une ado hystérique ... ;)
Ahlalala quel déluge d'émotions que ce livre !!! J'ai parfois eu les larmes aux yeux (mon dieu, l'art de distiller certains détails légers en apparence mais tellement, TELLEMENT porteurs de sens et vecteurs d'une foultitude de sensations pour nous, pauvres lecteurs), mon petit cœur s'est tout autant serré du fait de cette mélancolie, que dilaté de swoon et de bonheur , bref, des émotions fortes que seuls les meilleurs livres ont le pouvoir de nous faire vivre.