Scan barcode
arickman's review against another edition
4.0
This was a 3.5 star read for me. I knew going in this was a novella but I still not only wanted but needed more. I very much enjoy the work of Mary Calmes and would recommend her work to others.
walford's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read: Okay, this is going right on the Comfort Read shelf. I love the everyone-loves-the-protagonist-but-he-just-didn't-know-it trope. My other Calmes fave,'When the Dust Settles' also uses this.
Having just bashed Mary's latest title (Muscle and Bone) I wanted another taste of what she does Really Well, I guess, and to show her some love and appreciation. May need to go through her back catalogue for more re-readables.
Original review: Calmes Concentrate. How did I miss this one? Went straight to my sweet spot.
Having just bashed Mary's latest title (Muscle and Bone) I wanted another taste of what she does Really Well, I guess, and to show her some love and appreciation. May need to go through her back catalogue for more re-readables.
Original review: Calmes Concentrate. How did I miss this one? Went straight to my sweet spot.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
4.0
Story Rating: 3.5 Stars
Narration Rating: 4 Stars
I’ve probably said this a billion times before, but I’ll say it again: I LOVE a good second chance story. I dig watching two characters work together to stitch their lives back together, finding out where they can compromise to get back to the love of their life. The dance of negotiation and the sweet resulting reunion are just about my favorite things in a romance story.
This short is really just a quick bite of a reunion, but it’s pretty satisfying for all that. This audiobook clocks in at two hours and with the quick intro, spans about six years in the life of Noah Wheeler and Dante Cerreto. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and this short story mostly manages to do it all with aplomb. The only thing I really felt was lacking was a proper comeuppance for the orchestrator of Noah and Dante’s separation. But since the focus of the short is really on Noah and Dante’s reunion, it’s an understandable choice.
The characters are generally likeable and compelling, though Noah was by far my favorite of the MCs. Mary Calmes is well known for her alpha males, and Dante is definitely formed in that alpha mold. So much so, that I was a bit disgruntled by the distinct lack of groveling and some unilateral decisions Dante makes for both Noah and their daughter while Noah is sleeping. I would have liked to see them rebuilding their family together instead of Noah just getting told how it would be. That communication is, after all, my favorite part of a second chance romance. Of course, if it’s the alpha character that turns your key, fasten your seatbelt, because Dante will absolutely rev your engine.
Nick J. Russo gives his usual competent performance. He performs character voices and emotions well. He finds the comedy in the text and brings the tenderer emotions to life. I’m always happy to see his name on an audiobook because I know he’s a consistently outstanding narrator, and I have no complaints with his work here.
Overall, this book was a fun two hours. I may have wanted vengeance for the separation and a more communicative and cooperative spirit from Dante, but even without those things, I enjoyed the story. If you’re a fan of Mary Calmes’s other books (especially with those alpha male characters), you’ll want to add this book to your audio library.
Reviewed by Cassie for The Novel Approach
Narration Rating: 4 Stars
I’ve probably said this a billion times before, but I’ll say it again: I LOVE a good second chance story. I dig watching two characters work together to stitch their lives back together, finding out where they can compromise to get back to the love of their life. The dance of negotiation and the sweet resulting reunion are just about my favorite things in a romance story.
This short is really just a quick bite of a reunion, but it’s pretty satisfying for all that. This audiobook clocks in at two hours and with the quick intro, spans about six years in the life of Noah Wheeler and Dante Cerreto. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and this short story mostly manages to do it all with aplomb. The only thing I really felt was lacking was a proper comeuppance for the orchestrator of Noah and Dante’s separation. But since the focus of the short is really on Noah and Dante’s reunion, it’s an understandable choice.
The characters are generally likeable and compelling, though Noah was by far my favorite of the MCs. Mary Calmes is well known for her alpha males, and Dante is definitely formed in that alpha mold. So much so, that I was a bit disgruntled by the distinct lack of groveling and some unilateral decisions Dante makes for both Noah and their daughter while Noah is sleeping. I would have liked to see them rebuilding their family together instead of Noah just getting told how it would be. That communication is, after all, my favorite part of a second chance romance. Of course, if it’s the alpha character that turns your key, fasten your seatbelt, because Dante will absolutely rev your engine.
Nick J. Russo gives his usual competent performance. He performs character voices and emotions well. He finds the comedy in the text and brings the tenderer emotions to life. I’m always happy to see his name on an audiobook because I know he’s a consistently outstanding narrator, and I have no complaints with his work here.
Overall, this book was a fun two hours. I may have wanted vengeance for the separation and a more communicative and cooperative spirit from Dante, but even without those things, I enjoyed the story. If you’re a fan of Mary Calmes’s other books (especially with those alpha male characters), you’ll want to add this book to your audio library.
Reviewed by Cassie for The Novel Approach
teenykins's review
5.0
2nd re-listen. Upping my rating from 4 stars to 5 stars.
I have to say that this is one of the best performances of Nick J. Russo's. The throaty voice for Dante is to die for.
Story wise this is heart wrenching in the beginning, heart warming throughout and really really hot. Loved it!!!
I have to say that this is one of the best performances of Nick J. Russo's. The throaty voice for Dante is to die for.
Story wise this is heart wrenching in the beginning, heart warming throughout and really really hot. Loved it!!!
rissa53's review
4.0
I love second chances! I love when love never dies, when it's still there, and never went away! This author knows how to write that and write it well! I knew there had to be a reason for it all. Noah was lovely and I liked Dante 's not going to back down, take charge attitude. Like they said, it happened for a reason! ;)
ktomp17's review
4.0
I wanted to beat both Noah and Dante for believing the other could stop loving them when they were so clearly in love with each other. Gracie was a totally adorable little girl and it was great watching these 2 guys see each other again and realize that their connection was not gone. I was at first feeling a little bad for the "boyfriend" when Dante came back in the picture but Mary took care of him nicely by making him out to be such an ass that I was glad Noah didn't pick him. Lol. Very cute story.
hushsee's review
3.0
Meh... it was a bit too rushed... I would have probably make the rating higher if there were more building up...and stuff. But Mary Calmes's writing is quite calming and nice. I didn't hate the book, I was like like meh when I finished. It won't stay with me forever...so yeah 3 stars.
relly's review
2.0
2 Stars
Re Read - Audio review
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I have read this book so many times and each time I start it I think that maybe last time I just wasn't in the right frame of mind or mood for it, or maybe I just didn't get it, as others love this book. So this time as I'm doing an audio read of Matter of time series and it came up as a loosely connected book I figured I'd give it a ry on audio, it didn't make it any better.
I hate Dante and his family. Dante is the biggest douche Mary's ever written. He tries to come across as all alpha and yet his doucheness just shines on through. I didn't buy the break up storyline (from Noah's side I can see it happening to an extent, but Dante no way) But to see the guy after 5 years and just expect you can railroad him into being with you again. WTF. And Noah, please put up a little bit of a fight. Jory at least tried to stay away from Sam, but this guy just gave in, in like 5 minutes.
His family bombarded a 6 year child. The kid doesn't know you, give her some time to get used to you.
Note to self - Don't do it again. You will never like this book stop trying to
Re Read - Audio review
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I have read this book so many times and each time I start it I think that maybe last time I just wasn't in the right frame of mind or mood for it, or maybe I just didn't get it, as others love this book. So this time as I'm doing an audio read of Matter of time series and it came up as a loosely connected book I figured I'd give it a ry on audio, it didn't make it any better.
I hate Dante and his family. Dante is the biggest douche Mary's ever written. He tries to come across as all alpha and yet his doucheness just shines on through. I didn't buy the break up storyline (from Noah's side I can see it happening to an extent, but Dante no way) But to see the guy after 5 years and just expect you can railroad him into being with you again. WTF. And Noah, please put up a little bit of a fight. Jory at least tried to stay away from Sam, but this guy just gave in, in like 5 minutes.
His family bombarded a 6 year child. The kid doesn't know you, give her some time to get used to you.
Note to self - Don't do it again. You will never like this book stop trying to