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kit90's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
naiadtales's review
4.0
I think my favorite things about some gay romances is that the MC always assumes the LI who has been making come f*ck me eyes at them since introduction is straight ðŸ¤
imme_van_gorp's review against another edition
3.0
|| 3.0 stars ||
This story is about a divorced ‘straight’ father, Knox, who falls in love with the caring and sweet gay man, Callum, who manages to develop an instant connection with Knox’s son, Logan.
Knox is a caring father, but his son seems to be struggling and he doesn’t know how to get his son to open up about his issues. However, when Callum and Logan meet they seem to share a kindred spirit, and where Knox was unable to connect with his son in some ways, Callum seems to know exactly what to do or say. Logan becomes more confident and happier the more Callum becomes a permanent fixture in their lives. But of course it is not just Logan who feels a connection with Callum. Knox starts to appreciate and adore him as well, and they slowly start to form their own little family.
I thought this was a very sweet book. Callum was a true darling, and Knox was an absolutely great guy as well. Both were super likeable characters and their relationship felt genuine. They didn’t rush into things, and I appreciated the slower pace of them getting closer and of them having any kind of physical relationship. Their chemistry was apparent and I definitely liked them together.
I also liked Logan a lot. I thought his connection with Callum was very endearing, and I liked his relationship with Knox too. He was a big part of this story, so if you don’t like kids in your romance books, then this one will not be for you. Nonetheless, despite me loving Logan, I hated the other kid in this book. Knox also had a daughter, Charlie, and she pissed me the hell off. She was an entitled little brat who tried to make Callum’s life miserable, and she annoyed me a lot. Luckily she was only present in the book near the end, since she lives with her mom, but it still ruined the vibe a little for me.
All in all, I really liked this couple, since I thought their feelings were very sweet, well-developed and loving. However, I do have to say that I wasn’t completely over the moon with this book as a whole. Something about it was just a little mweh, but I can’t really put my finger on what that was. Maybe it was a bit repetitive? Or maybe there was something else about this story that did not grip me entirely? I’m not sure, but it is what it is.
'Havenwood' series:
1. Giving Chase - 3.5 stars
2. Murphy's Law - 2.5 stars
3. Hard Knox - 3.0 stars
4. Griff's Place - 2.5 stars
This story is about a divorced ‘straight’ father, Knox, who falls in love with the caring and sweet gay man, Callum, who manages to develop an instant connection with Knox’s son, Logan.
Knox is a caring father, but his son seems to be struggling and he doesn’t know how to get his son to open up about his issues. However, when Callum and Logan meet they seem to share a kindred spirit, and where Knox was unable to connect with his son in some ways, Callum seems to know exactly what to do or say. Logan becomes more confident and happier the more Callum becomes a permanent fixture in their lives. But of course it is not just Logan who feels a connection with Callum. Knox starts to appreciate and adore him as well, and they slowly start to form their own little family.
I thought this was a very sweet book. Callum was a true darling, and Knox was an absolutely great guy as well. Both were super likeable characters and their relationship felt genuine. They didn’t rush into things, and I appreciated the slower pace of them getting closer and of them having any kind of physical relationship. Their chemistry was apparent and I definitely liked them together.
I also liked Logan a lot. I thought his connection with Callum was very endearing, and I liked his relationship with Knox too. He was a big part of this story, so if you don’t like kids in your romance books, then this one will not be for you. Nonetheless, despite me loving Logan, I hated the other kid in this book. Knox also had a daughter, Charlie, and she pissed me the hell off. She was an entitled little brat who tried to make Callum’s life miserable, and she annoyed me a lot. Luckily she was only present in the book near the end, since she lives with her mom, but it still ruined the vibe a little for me.
All in all, I really liked this couple, since I thought their feelings were very sweet, well-developed and loving. However, I do have to say that I wasn’t completely over the moon with this book as a whole. Something about it was just a little mweh, but I can’t really put my finger on what that was. Maybe it was a bit repetitive? Or maybe there was something else about this story that did not grip me entirely? I’m not sure, but it is what it is.
'Havenwood' series:
1. Giving Chase - 3.5 stars
2. Murphy's Law - 2.5 stars
3. Hard Knox - 3.0 stars
4. Griff's Place - 2.5 stars
madalyngeorge's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite Riley Hart books from one of my favorite series in the genre! These two captured my heart as they found their way to capturing each others.
booksafety's review against another edition
5.0
Book safety, tropes and tags down below.
I’m a sucker for the single dad trope, and this is one of my favorites.
The story touched on the difficulties of figuring out your sexuality as a middle aged man, and the troubles that can come from introducing a new partner into your kids’ lives. And even though it wasn’t smooth sailing, the book wasn’t completely angst-ridden either. I’d say it was appropriately angsty (coming from a person that can hardly stand the littlest bit of relationship angst).
«‘Sexuality isn’t cut-and-paste. It’s not the same for everyone. I think the most important question isn’t why you didn’t know, but are you okay with it now? Because that’s what matters. That’s what affects you going forward.’»
I also enjoyed the friendship between Knox and Callum. It felt real, and like they had actual chemistry both as friends and lovers. Their interactions made me smile a whole hell of a lot, which I’d say is a great indicator for a good book lol.
Kale Williams did a really good job narrating the book too. I loved the book when I read it, and I thought he only added to it.
I will most definitely read this book again. If you enjoy these tropes, I highly recommend it.
«We’d just finished a section, and he lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. Holy fuck, his abs. It took everything in me not to whimper. He ended up pulling the dark tee off and tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans. Knox’s green gaze caught mine, and I was pretty sure my cheeks reddened. [...] He smiled. ‘What?’ Oh, bless his heart. He was so oblivious. It didn’t even compute with him that he attracted me.»
Book safety!
Cheating: No. Callum’s ex cheated on him. Not on-page.
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of. After their first kiss, they don’t really see or talk to each other for about two weeks. After they get together properly, they stay together. It’s not very angsty.
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: No switching on-page, but Knox talks about switching in the future. I’d say the characters are versatile.
TW/CW: explicit sexual content, stitches, asthma attack, hospitalization
Tropes & tags
Single dad, age gap (11 years), bisexual awakening, nurse/handyman, makeup, divorced, small town, child with chronic illness
I’m a sucker for the single dad trope, and this is one of my favorites.
The story touched on the difficulties of figuring out your sexuality as a middle aged man, and the troubles that can come from introducing a new partner into your kids’ lives. And even though it wasn’t smooth sailing, the book wasn’t completely angst-ridden either. I’d say it was appropriately angsty (coming from a person that can hardly stand the littlest bit of relationship angst).
«‘Sexuality isn’t cut-and-paste. It’s not the same for everyone. I think the most important question isn’t why you didn’t know, but are you okay with it now? Because that’s what matters. That’s what affects you going forward.’»
I also enjoyed the friendship between Knox and Callum. It felt real, and like they had actual chemistry both as friends and lovers. Their interactions made me smile a whole hell of a lot, which I’d say is a great indicator for a good book lol.
Kale Williams did a really good job narrating the book too. I loved the book when I read it, and I thought he only added to it.
I will most definitely read this book again. If you enjoy these tropes, I highly recommend it.
«We’d just finished a section, and he lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. Holy fuck, his abs. It took everything in me not to whimper. He ended up pulling the dark tee off and tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans. Knox’s green gaze caught mine, and I was pretty sure my cheeks reddened. [...] He smiled. ‘What?’ Oh, bless his heart. He was so oblivious. It didn’t even compute with him that he attracted me.»
Book safety!
Spoiler
Cheating: No. Callum’s ex cheated on him. Not on-page.
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of. After their first kiss, they don’t really see or talk to each other for about two weeks. After they get together properly, they stay together. It’s not very angsty.
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: No switching on-page, but Knox talks about switching in the future. I’d say the characters are versatile.
TW/CW: explicit sexual content, stitches, asthma attack, hospitalization
Tropes & tags
Spoiler
Single dad, age gap (11 years), bisexual awakening, nurse/handyman, makeup, divorced, small town, child with chronic illness
monismmreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Kellan (from the first book of this series) won’t be the only resident twink in Havenwood after this story. Young Callum moves to the small town in search of the one thing so many people find in there, peace. Trying to mend his relationship with his mother and nurse his heart after a cheating boyfriend, he finds friendship with sexy lumberjack Knox and a reflection of his young self in Knox’s teen son, Logan.
I admired this story because it showed how committed Knox was as a parent, and how incredibly hard he worked on being always there for his kids. Knox’s friendship with Cal is amazing from the start, it gently grows into something so much more even though Cal is really trying hard not to fall for the straight guy. He effortlessly fits into Knox's life and makes him crave touches and kisses from a man for the first time ever. They admire each other for so many reasons, they are two incredibly lovely characters. I loved the slow, respectful way they learned so much about each other, I loved Knox’s openness to talk to his friend when he needed advice, I loved Cal for the kindness he showed to everyone, and how he cherished his relationship with his mother. While I wouldn’t say this story had lots of angst, it had just enough to squeeze your heart a bit, just to show you it’s not always easy to take the right steps even when people know what they should be. This series has been such a joy to read, I’m actually sad the next book will be the last one … even if it is one that I’ve been looking forward to since I was introduced to this group of friends.
Friends to Lovers
Bi Awake
Single Dad
Slowish Burn
Small Town
Steamy
I admired this story because it showed how committed Knox was as a parent, and how incredibly hard he worked on being always there for his kids. Knox’s friendship with Cal is amazing from the start, it gently grows into something so much more even though Cal is really trying hard not to fall for the straight guy. He effortlessly fits into Knox's life and makes him crave touches and kisses from a man for the first time ever. They admire each other for so many reasons, they are two incredibly lovely characters. I loved the slow, respectful way they learned so much about each other, I loved Knox’s openness to talk to his friend when he needed advice, I loved Cal for the kindness he showed to everyone, and how he cherished his relationship with his mother. While I wouldn’t say this story had lots of angst, it had just enough to squeeze your heart a bit, just to show you it’s not always easy to take the right steps even when people know what they should be. This series has been such a joy to read, I’m actually sad the next book will be the last one … even if it is one that I’ve been looking forward to since I was introduced to this group of friends.
Friends to Lovers
Bi Awake
Single Dad
Slowish Burn
Small Town
Steamy
danielargl's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jamie_w's review
5.0
This was an absolutely wonderful book! I wanted something with low angst but tons of emotions.
This was beautiful story of found family and finding oneself later in life. It was also about acceptance and forgiveness.
Knox and Callum were a dream. They started as friends and found they both wanted more. Their strong friendship became an incredible love.
Callum moved to Havenwood to start fresh from a bad relationship in LA. He also wanted to work on his relationship with his mom. He didn’t come to town looking for a special someone. He wanted to have some fun and establish his career in medicine. He was a sweet, kind person. Callum never intended to find future walking into a bar that first night in town. He was so open and friendly with Knox but trying to keep a bit of distance since Knox was straight and he didn’t want to have an unrequited love. However, everything about Knox made him so happy.
Knox had been living in Havenwood after his divorce from his wife. She had moved to Colorado with their two children. He and his ex had a wonderful, supportive relationship. They were facing some challenges with their son, who decided he wanted to live with his dad. While Knox was thrilled about this move, he always worried he want giving his son enough. Callum helped bridge that cap while becoming someone truly important to Knox and his son. He never anticipated his feelings of friendship for Callum to turn into a love so deep he didn’t want to live without it.
This wasn’t super spicy but those scenes were just perfection. These two men together found such love and safety in the other. Their passion radiated off the page!
This was the third book in this series and I will absolutely read the others!
This was beautiful story of found family and finding oneself later in life. It was also about acceptance and forgiveness.
Knox and Callum were a dream. They started as friends and found they both wanted more. Their strong friendship became an incredible love.
Callum moved to Havenwood to start fresh from a bad relationship in LA. He also wanted to work on his relationship with his mom. He didn’t come to town looking for a special someone. He wanted to have some fun and establish his career in medicine. He was a sweet, kind person. Callum never intended to find future walking into a bar that first night in town. He was so open and friendly with Knox but trying to keep a bit of distance since Knox was straight and he didn’t want to have an unrequited love. However, everything about Knox made him so happy.
Knox had been living in Havenwood after his divorce from his wife. She had moved to Colorado with their two children. He and his ex had a wonderful, supportive relationship. They were facing some challenges with their son, who decided he wanted to live with his dad. While Knox was thrilled about this move, he always worried he want giving his son enough. Callum helped bridge that cap while becoming someone truly important to Knox and his son. He never anticipated his feelings of friendship for Callum to turn into a love so deep he didn’t want to live without it.
This wasn’t super spicy but those scenes were just perfection. These two men together found such love and safety in the other. Their passion radiated off the page!
This was the third book in this series and I will absolutely read the others!