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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I read this as a part of the Secret Santa anthology, fell in love with it and bought Maddox and Ravi's book. Naturally, I still haven't gotten to it yet but at least I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of Stanley's story again :) I was so happy to see Stanley and Justin's story expand into a novella because the short story had so much potential. And I was also hoping for some NSFW stuff we didn't get before *winks* Angus and Justin are as adorable as they were the first time, if not more so. Overall I liked it and this has inspired me to stop procastinating and finally read Maddox's book haha.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm surprised how none of the other reviews mention how terrible Justin is. As a grief councillor and a therapist you'd assume he'd not be, but he's such a diva. He doesn't communicate well, he's constantly setting arbitrary time limits on how fast things have to happen and he is way too involved with a child who is his client before they properly end the client/therapist relationship. He doesn't let Stanley make his own mistakes, and he's judgemental and goes from wanting to have sex and emotional connection to completely shutting down in seconds flat, to the point the child he should be supporting is subjected to uncomfortable tense situations where Stanley tries to communicate like an adult while Justin sulks worse than the grieving child they're caring for.
Add to it the constant repetitions of things like "could I fall in love this fast" or "Angus seems calm now but it won't last". Like... for most of the book it's been less than a week since his father died. Of course he's in the beginning of a long grieving process, but the adults seem shocked when he expresses such emotions as "I miss my Dad". This book does not benefit from the time limit of being a Christmas book. I mean there's no hurry to move in together in a week when they live in the same city. Maybe a multiple Christmas book, setting both the grieving and the development of the relationship over a few years? But this didn't work.
The best bits are when Stanley and Angus develop their new make-shift family relationship. I wish they asked Angus more questions about what he wants and how he's feeling, where he wants to live or if he wants a dog etc.
I wish Stanley and Justin would have had more adult conversations about Stanley's complicated feelings about his own parents and his step-brother, and the end of his life in Vancouver and created emotional conflict that way instead of the Justin sulk show. Stanley had such an interesting history of parental abandonment and broken connections, but those were brushed off to focus on pointless drama.
Add to it the constant repetitions of things like "could I fall in love this fast" or "Angus seems calm now but it won't last". Like... for most of the book it's been less than a week since his father died. Of course he's in the beginning of a long grieving process, but the adults seem shocked when he expresses such emotions as "I miss my Dad". This book does not benefit from the time limit of being a Christmas book. I mean there's no hurry to move in together in a week when they live in the same city. Maybe a multiple Christmas book, setting both the grieving and the development of the relationship over a few years? But this didn't work.
The best bits are when Stanley and Angus develop their new make-shift family relationship. I wish they asked Angus more questions about what he wants and how he's feeling, where he wants to live or if he wants a dog etc.
I wish Stanley and Justin would have had more adult conversations about Stanley's complicated feelings about his own parents and his step-brother, and the end of his life in Vancouver and created emotional conflict that way instead of the Justin sulk show. Stanley had such an interesting history of parental abandonment and broken connections, but those were brushed off to focus on pointless drama.
This is what I call a palate cleanser. I usually read books with either lots of angst or lots of suspense so, now and then, I need some sweet, straightforward story to clear my head.
This book is like that, nothing too complicated, with just enough drama to avoid being overly fluffy; add to that a cute kid in need of love and comfort and you have a nice, soothing story.
The romance, too, is simple and uncomplicated and the cherry on top is an ex who, for once, isn't a psycho *laughs*
My main complaint is the narrator. Michael Dean range is very limited, his voices are all similar, and, at least for me, his narration is boring.
Other than that, this is a lovely story.
This book is like that, nothing too complicated, with just enough drama to avoid being overly fluffy; add to that a cute kid in need of love and comfort and you have a nice, soothing story.
The romance, too, is simple and uncomplicated and the cherry on top is an ex who, for once, isn't a psycho *laughs*
My main complaint is the narrator. Michael Dean range is very limited, his voices are all similar, and, at least for me, his narration is boring.
Other than that, this is a lovely story.
This is a slow burn romance between Stanley & Justin. Stanley has just found out that his half brother has died so he goes to settle his estate.When Stanley gets to town he finds out that his half brother has an 8 year old son Angus which Stanley is now charged with taking care of. Stanley has to go out to the ranch to meet his Angus & this is where he meets Justin who is a therapist. There is an immediate spark of desire between Justin & Stanley.
This story is about how Stanley & Justin build a relationship whilst dealing with doubts, insecurities & wondering if they can be enough for each other whilst raising Stanley's nephew Angus. This town also holds memories for Stanley which they deal with along the way.
A good book to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is about how Stanley & Justin build a relationship whilst dealing with doubts, insecurities & wondering if they can be enough for each other whilst raising Stanley's nephew Angus. This town also holds memories for Stanley which they deal with along the way.
A good book to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m reviewing the audio version. This story took a guy who was settled in his life and unsettled him. He gets notified that his half-brother has passed away and he has to return to his hometown to settle his half brother’s affairs. When he gets there, he finds he has a nephew and his half-brother left his care to Stanley. He doesn’t really want a kid. He doesn’t feel qualified to raise a child. His interactions with Justin, his nephew’s therapist is tense. Stanley’s meeting with his ex is not what he expects. It would have been better if I had read Ginger Snapping All the Way since this is the background for the relationships between some of these characters. I feel the by Michael Dean added a lot to make these characters real.
A very touching story about love, loss, and second chances.
Christmas is marred by the loss of a long-lost brother and the discovery that Stanley is now the guardian of a nephew he knew nothing about. The 8-year-old comes with a very protective and loving counselor. And Stanley and Justin can’t deny that they aren’t just attached to young Angus. Suddenly the possibility of them all becoming a family is very real.
Not without fears and tension that all these changes bring. And there’s an ex that Stanley needs to make amends with. And the fact that his life is in Vancouver, not Mission City. Not to mention that Justin doesn’t have a say in any of the decisions, he only knows what the heart wants. They just need to take the leap and trust in the beautiful thing they are building, even if it’s quick.
This was a lovely story that very tenderly handles grieving and the power of finding the people who love you and build a family with you. It’s an insta-love story but those early days really forged a bond and made it feel less sudden.
< ARC provided by Booksprout and this is my honest review >
Christmas is marred by the loss of a long-lost brother and the discovery that Stanley is now the guardian of a nephew he knew nothing about. The 8-year-old comes with a very protective and loving counselor. And Stanley and Justin can’t deny that they aren’t just attached to young Angus. Suddenly the possibility of them all becoming a family is very real.
Not without fears and tension that all these changes bring. And there’s an ex that Stanley needs to make amends with. And the fact that his life is in Vancouver, not Mission City. Not to mention that Justin doesn’t have a say in any of the decisions, he only knows what the heart wants. They just need to take the leap and trust in the beautiful thing they are building, even if it’s quick.
This was a lovely story that very tenderly handles grieving and the power of finding the people who love you and build a family with you. It’s an insta-love story but those early days really forged a bond and made it feel less sudden.
< ARC provided by Booksprout and this is my honest review >
This book is such a great follow up to Ginger Snapping All The Way. Stanley was not the man of the hour there, having left Maddox in his hour of need. This time, Stanley steps up to the plate after finding out his half brother died and he has left Stanley as guardian to his eight-year-old nephew. Considering kids has never been in his life plans, it's a huge shock but in steps Justin, Angus's counselor and friend of the family.
There is an instant spark between the two but they both focus on the most important thing, Angus and his grief. They work well together and, though it's only a short space of time, they grow close and create quite a strong bond. It's also a story of redemption for Stanley after how things ended with Maddox. It's great seeing this other side to a character after the way they are perceived as the bad guy. He's just as deserving of love and happiness though he doesn't feel as if he deserves it. Justin is someone who hopes for a family of his own, hopefully with several children. They had very different plans for their separate futures but now, with becoming so close over their care for Angus and looking after each other, they become entwined.
This is quite an emotional and heartwarming story. My heart absolutely broke for Angus and what he's been through but both Justin and Stanley show that love and support can help to get you through the hard times.
Michael Dean's narration is, again, fantastic. The emotion came through strongly for all characters and I really felt a part of their story. The only issue I had was that there were several occasions where I could clearly hear when words or a sentence had been replaced with the voice sounding slightly different - lighter, quieter etc.
There is an instant spark between the two but they both focus on the most important thing, Angus and his grief. They work well together and, though it's only a short space of time, they grow close and create quite a strong bond. It's also a story of redemption for Stanley after how things ended with Maddox. It's great seeing this other side to a character after the way they are perceived as the bad guy. He's just as deserving of love and happiness though he doesn't feel as if he deserves it. Justin is someone who hopes for a family of his own, hopefully with several children. They had very different plans for their separate futures but now, with becoming so close over their care for Angus and looking after each other, they become entwined.
This is quite an emotional and heartwarming story. My heart absolutely broke for Angus and what he's been through but both Justin and Stanley show that love and support can help to get you through the hard times.
Michael Dean's narration is, again, fantastic. The emotion came through strongly for all characters and I really felt a part of their story. The only issue I had was that there were several occasions where I could clearly hear when words or a sentence had been replaced with the voice sounding slightly different - lighter, quieter etc.