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mdee's review against another edition
2.0
2.25 stars
My least favorite of the series so far. I really liked the first two books, but not so much this one. I found myself skimming over quite a few of the parts. The story, along with Thomas and Alex's relationship, was just too boring and couldn't hold my attention. Hoping things improve in book 4.
My least favorite of the series so far. I really liked the first two books, but not so much this one. I found myself skimming over quite a few of the parts. The story, along with Thomas and Alex's relationship, was just too boring and couldn't hold my attention. Hoping things improve in book 4.
lezreadalot's review
3.0
A cute, simple, second chance romance between high school sweethearts. I had thought this might be my favourite in the series so far, since we've had a chance to get to know both Thomas and Alex in the first two books, and the fact that they have history means that it didn't feel quite as rushed and insta-love as the other two. But sadly it's my least favourite so far. Well, "sadly". I didn't think it was bad. But now that we finally got his POV, I found Alex to be kind of annoying? His confident, teasing bit didn't come off half as charming as it was meant to. Instead, it was just a little irritating. It doesn't help that I found the reason for the breakup in the past to be kind of maddening. I'm sorry, but ghosting someone because they aren't ready to come out of the closet is so scummy imo. I mean, I get his reasons, I understand that the closet isn't for him and he didn't want that for a relationship. And he's more mature and understanding in the current timeline. Still, he just never grew on me. I wish that he's done a bit more grovelling, or at least had to work a little bit harder to get back into Thomas' good graces. Especially after the first two books. But Thomas starts falling for him relatively easily. And it was fine, they were very cute. The chemistry was there, even if it wasn't particularly ground-breaking. I kinda wanted more for Thomas though.
Another thing that's sorta bugging me the more I read this series is how mature all these young guys are. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because I mean, I don't really enjoy reading about university aged kids anyway. But it's more that they read as if they're in their 30s, in terms of that they're up to in their lives. Thomas is what, 22, and already up for big promotions at the bank? Alex is 24 and having this much (relative) success as a PI? Not to mention all the brothers being able to buy houses. I guess I don't know what the housing market is like in this small Canadian town, but having a mortgage in your early 20s is wild. Idk, it's not a flaw, and it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. I'm just here for the romance! But it did keep percolating in my head like... huh.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Michael Dean; a pleasure as always. Because I'm listening to these books in relatively close succession, I can't help but notice that his voices for some of the characters sound kinda different (especially Thomas, in this one) but it wasn't enough to break immersion. I'll probably take a bit of a break from the series now, especially since all the next few books seem to be even shorter, and so they'll probably be even more insta-love.
Another thing that's sorta bugging me the more I read this series is how mature all these young guys are. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because I mean, I don't really enjoy reading about university aged kids anyway. But it's more that they read as if they're in their 30s, in terms of that they're up to in their lives. Thomas is what, 22, and already up for big promotions at the bank? Alex is 24 and having this much (relative) success as a PI? Not to mention all the brothers being able to buy houses. I guess I don't know what the housing market is like in this small Canadian town, but having a mortgage in your early 20s is wild. Idk, it's not a flaw, and it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. I'm just here for the romance! But it did keep percolating in my head like... huh.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Michael Dean; a pleasure as always. Because I'm listening to these books in relatively close succession, I can't help but notice that his voices for some of the characters sound kinda different (especially Thomas, in this one) but it wasn't enough to break immersion. I'll probably take a bit of a break from the series now, especially since all the next few books seem to be even shorter, and so they'll probably be even more insta-love.
tltravis's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot get enough of this series
I have deeply fallen in love with not only the Riley brothers, but their partners as well. Each bringing to the table their own baggage to be worked through.
Off to read book 4!
I have deeply fallen in love with not only the Riley brothers, but their partners as well. Each bringing to the table their own baggage to be worked through.
Off to read book 4!
novel_nomad's review
3.0
The old flame returns to town and Thomas is not sure if he wants to tell him where to go or jump his bones (obviously the second option is the more persuasive). It was another cute romance, not as intense as book two but I did enjoy them as a couple.
avsfan08's review
3.0
Really just the same as the previous books. Ongoing errors, storylines that don't really lead anywhere. I do like the characters but just feel that they're really not given enough to really develop them.
cadiva's review
4.0
An improvement in the series for me, probably because I liked all the drama in this one which dragged back in both of Thomas' brothers (and subjects from the previous two books) into a huge ball of flaming trouble.
crazychriss93's review
4.0
Fyi, this is the third book in this series and I haven’t read the others :D
Now it’s about Thomas, the younger brother. His ex-boyfriend is back in town. They were boyfriends in school. Several years after, he used Thomas to find out stuff about his brothers. Well, suffice to say, Thomas is not very amused that he is back. Alex’s clients taught him he should not trust relationships. But there is this crazy feeling in his stomach whenever Thomas is around. Will they give in to it?
In the beginning, I really wanted to hate and dislike Alex. I mean, gosh, this guy used people – continually and didn’t even feel bad about it. Nope, he totally enjoyed his lifestyle, going out, seducing people, … Plus, he is an arrogant bastard and laughed at times when it was totally inappropriate to do so.
To begin with, the way he broke up with Thomas? Wow, way to be a coward. He can't blame Thomas that he needed time but in a way, that's just what he did. I dislked Alex 'cause he was so smug all the time, he provoked Thomas, he poked and prodded him. But if he wants to rekindle things with Thomas, why has he being such an ass? Seriously, I can hardly understand why Thomas talked to him.
Also, I hated that he didn't come back to this town to win Thomas back. Nope, first thing he did - sleeping with other guys. Great. Thanks.
However, then I learned more about him and he really isn’t the bad guy he is being depicted as in the beginning.
Thomas and Alex are both kind-hearted, they have their pride, however, that sometimes stands in their way.
I love them as a couple – especially towards the ending when they really open up to each other.
Good read! (even though the beginning was really confusing for me and I really disliked Alex)
Writing style: good (some mistakes, unfortunately + some confusion about who said what)
Characters: good
Plot: good
Now it’s about Thomas, the younger brother. His ex-boyfriend is back in town. They were boyfriends in school. Several years after, he used Thomas to find out stuff about his brothers. Well, suffice to say, Thomas is not very amused that he is back. Alex’s clients taught him he should not trust relationships. But there is this crazy feeling in his stomach whenever Thomas is around. Will they give in to it?
In the beginning, I really wanted to hate and dislike Alex. I mean, gosh, this guy used people – continually and didn’t even feel bad about it. Nope, he totally enjoyed his lifestyle, going out, seducing people, … Plus, he is an arrogant bastard and laughed at times when it was totally inappropriate to do so.
To begin with, the way he broke up with Thomas? Wow, way to be a coward. He can't blame Thomas that he needed time but in a way, that's just what he did. I dislked Alex 'cause he was so smug all the time, he provoked Thomas, he poked and prodded him. But if he wants to rekindle things with Thomas, why has he being such an ass? Seriously, I can hardly understand why Thomas talked to him.
Also, I hated that he didn't come back to this town to win Thomas back. Nope, first thing he did - sleeping with other guys. Great. Thanks.
However, then I learned more about him and he really isn’t the bad guy he is being depicted as in the beginning.
Thomas and Alex are both kind-hearted, they have their pride, however, that sometimes stands in their way.
I love them as a couple – especially towards the ending when they really open up to each other.
Good read! (even though the beginning was really confusing for me and I really disliked Alex)
Writing style: good (some mistakes, unfortunately + some confusion about who said what)
Characters: good
Plot: good
ktomp17's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this! The end of book 2 had me wondering who the heck Thomas was talking to. When I all of a sudden saw Alex's name, I thought "WHOA!!! I didn't see that coming!".
We finally see Thomas getting his happy ever after. He is such a quiet person, especially compared to his brothers. He struggled with finding personal happiness, and he closed himself off from finding it much by focusing on his professional happiness. Alex is a PI who has realized that he finally wants to settle down and have a relationship. He sees Thomas after a few years away, and finds the man he hasn't stopped thinking about. Thomas tried to stay away, but he couldn't either.
I liked finding out about Thomas and his history. I do wish I had more information about Alex's past. It refers a lot to being run out of Toronto, but we don't get a lot of details about that. I love the relationship between the brothers. You can tell they adore and love each other very much, and it is refreshing to read about positive family relationships.
There wasn't a ton of angst in this story. There was a bit of resolution for some characters from the first 2 books, and we get a glimpse at Floyd needing help from Alex. Maybe this is book 4? I'm looking forward to this, and am so glad that the series will continue!
Edited to add audio review
I have to say that Michael Pauley breathes so much amazing life into this series. I love the stories of this series on its own, but Michael is soooooo good as a narrator. I will re-listen to this series so many times now that I have it.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author
We finally see Thomas getting his happy ever after. He is such a quiet person, especially compared to his brothers. He struggled with finding personal happiness, and he closed himself off from finding it much by focusing on his professional happiness. Alex is a PI who has realized that he finally wants to settle down and have a relationship. He sees Thomas after a few years away, and finds the man he hasn't stopped thinking about. Thomas tried to stay away, but he couldn't either.
I liked finding out about Thomas and his history. I do wish I had more information about Alex's past. It refers a lot to being run out of Toronto, but we don't get a lot of details about that. I love the relationship between the brothers. You can tell they adore and love each other very much, and it is refreshing to read about positive family relationships.
There wasn't a ton of angst in this story. There was a bit of resolution for some characters from the first 2 books, and we get a glimpse at Floyd needing help from Alex. Maybe this is book 4? I'm looking forward to this, and am so glad that the series will continue!
Edited to add audio review
I have to say that Michael Pauley breathes so much amazing life into this series. I love the stories of this series on its own, but Michael is soooooo good as a narrator. I will re-listen to this series so many times now that I have it.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
An improvement in the series for me, probably because I liked all the drama in this one which dragged back in both of Thomas' brothers (and subjects from the previous two books) into a huge ball of flaming trouble.
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