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lalauren04's review against another edition
5.0
This book was everything I had hoped it would be! I am so happy that we got Gideon’s story... and not just because it meant we got to meet the wonderful Eli.
Gideon was the guy everyone loved to hate in the second book of this series, but I was sooooo up for reading his story and seeing a bit of redemption and character growth for such an arrogant and grumpy character. Even while reading Milo’s story when Gideon was being a total arse, I wanted to know more. I wanted to understand WHY he was acting the way he was, and I just knew there was a story there. In this book, I fell madly in love with Gideon. I loved his snarky, grumpy attitude. I feel like, underneath it all, he was a decent person (despite what he thought about himself). I have a real soft spot for those kinds of characters, and I just loved seeing him with Eli and watching him grow and fix himself and become the man he always was on the inside but was always too afraid to show.
Eli was a fantastic character and complimented Gideon so well. The two of them together was wonderful, and I feel like I could have quite happily read about the two of them for thousands of pages and never got bored.
Something I really love is banter, and there was plenty of that here between the main characters. I was grinned from ear to ear for many of the scenes, they were just so funny together. It was truly perfect!! These two might even be my favourite Lily Morton couple so far (and that’s really saying something, because I absolutely adore all of them and I was MAD about Milo and Niall in book two).
Many heartfelt moments (which made my heart actually MELT!) and lots of laughs, plus we got to see the rest of the gang here too... what more could you want?! Oh, and a fab little cameo from Asa, one of my absolute favourite characters from this author... and perhaps even in the whole genre! So that was super cool.
Gideon was the guy everyone loved to hate in the second book of this series, but I was sooooo up for reading his story and seeing a bit of redemption and character growth for such an arrogant and grumpy character. Even while reading Milo’s story when Gideon was being a total arse, I wanted to know more. I wanted to understand WHY he was acting the way he was, and I just knew there was a story there. In this book, I fell madly in love with Gideon. I loved his snarky, grumpy attitude. I feel like, underneath it all, he was a decent person (despite what he thought about himself). I have a real soft spot for those kinds of characters, and I just loved seeing him with Eli and watching him grow and fix himself and become the man he always was on the inside but was always too afraid to show.
Eli was a fantastic character and complimented Gideon so well. The two of them together was wonderful, and I feel like I could have quite happily read about the two of them for thousands of pages and never got bored.
Something I really love is banter, and there was plenty of that here between the main characters. I was grinned from ear to ear for many of the scenes, they were just so funny together. It was truly perfect!! These two might even be my favourite Lily Morton couple so far (and that’s really saying something, because I absolutely adore all of them and I was MAD about Milo and Niall in book two).
Many heartfelt moments (which made my heart actually MELT!) and lots of laughs, plus we got to see the rest of the gang here too... what more could you want?! Oh, and a fab little cameo from Asa, one of my absolute favourite characters from this author... and perhaps even in the whole genre! So that was super cool.
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
Oh, I absolutely adored this. After the last book, Gideon wasn't looking very good, not good at all, so I was wondering how Ms. Morton would redeem him and make him an enjoyable character. He really was an asshole in Milo's book.
But of course she was able to redeem him and more. Getting a character's POV and understanding their motivations and thoughts and desires really changes things. (Sometimes not if they're just a plain asshole, but most of the time it helps a lot - it certainly helps with Gideon.)
I understood him so much better in this, because before while it was understandable that Milo and Gideon's parents doted on Milo and barely thought of Gideon, that didn't make it fair for him to take it out on Milo, especially when Milo was nothing but sweet. But they get more scenes in this book and we learn it was more than what the other thought on both sides. For Milo their mother was actually smothering more than loving, and Milo points out good things Gideon has done for him, that Gideon wasn't always an asshole to him.
Plus, I really felt just how abandoned and alone Gideon truly felt in this. It doesn't excuse his behavior, but he apologizes for his actions in this and betters himself, which is what is most important when someone screws up. Gideon wanted to change, so he did - he wanted a better life for himself, so he did that. He wanted to be a better brother, friend - and then lover - so he did. But you really get how lonely he's been all this time in this book.
He drowned his loneliness in drugs, alcohol and meaningly sex, but it was never what he really wanted, but he was too scared to admit that and try to have a better life because to him he didn't deserve a better life and no one wanted him anyway, so what was the point? Even with Niall and Silas and Milo, he felt like he was on the outside looking in, like he didn't belong.
But Eli changed all that, with his kindness and firmness, and not putting up with Gideon's shit for a second. Even when Gideon tried to be an asshole to him, Eli held firm, and continued to be sweet and kind, and that through Gideon for a loop - enough for him to let Eli under his defenses.
I loved these two together, they were perfect together. Eli was patient and kind and never wavered, and he supported Gideon when he needed it most, and he got Gideon on the right path without even truly trying - I mean he wanted good things for Gideon, but I don't think it was a conscious thing for him to get Gideon to permanently stop his pervious lifestyle and change for the better - and Eli saw in Gideon a kindness, a goodness, that Gideon didn't believe he had, and showed it to him. Gideon made Eli happier than he had ever been.
The sex was also hot AF - I wanted so much more of it because these two were smokin' together - and their connection was amazing. The fact that Eli was something new in the bedroom that Gideon never knew he needed was a plus too.
I loved the other two couples from the previous books being so supportive of these two as well and being their awesome selves. (Also a short phone call appearance by Asa Jacobs from the Mixed Messages series - and probably my favorite Morton book to date - which was a nice surprise.)
I loved how things turned out for these two and how Gideon got to where he was - especially with the epilogue, that was years in the future as Morton does with her books. Eli was an important part of this story too, no doubt, as he was the primary reason for Gideon's change, but it was mainly about Gideon finding family, friends and a home.
To see where he was at the beginning, feeling so lonely and like no one wanted him, to where he was at the end with a plethora of love and family in his life, never to be lonely again? Was perfect. I absolutely adored it.
This book was just perfect, and I can't wait for more from this amazing author. I just love all of her stories, they make me so happy reading them, and they're always so well written with great main couples. I wonder who the next book will be about, and wonder if it will be in this series or we'll get a new one. There was Jesse, Eli's best friend, so I wonder if he's never. We'll see ;)
HIGHLY recommend this, it was amazing. Two massive thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***
But of course she was able to redeem him and more. Getting a character's POV and understanding their motivations and thoughts and desires really changes things. (Sometimes not if they're just a plain asshole, but most of the time it helps a lot - it certainly helps with Gideon.)
I understood him so much better in this, because before while it was understandable that Milo and Gideon's parents doted on Milo and barely thought of Gideon, that didn't make it fair for him to take it out on Milo, especially when Milo was nothing but sweet. But they get more scenes in this book and we learn it was more than what the other thought on both sides. For Milo their mother was actually smothering more than loving, and Milo points out good things Gideon has done for him, that Gideon wasn't always an asshole to him.
Plus, I really felt just how abandoned and alone Gideon truly felt in this. It doesn't excuse his behavior, but he apologizes for his actions in this and betters himself, which is what is most important when someone screws up. Gideon wanted to change, so he did - he wanted a better life for himself, so he did that. He wanted to be a better brother, friend - and then lover - so he did. But you really get how lonely he's been all this time in this book.
He drowned his loneliness in drugs, alcohol and meaningly sex, but it was never what he really wanted, but he was too scared to admit that and try to have a better life because to him he didn't deserve a better life and no one wanted him anyway, so what was the point? Even with Niall and Silas and Milo, he felt like he was on the outside looking in, like he didn't belong.
But Eli changed all that, with his kindness and firmness, and not putting up with Gideon's shit for a second. Even when Gideon tried to be an asshole to him, Eli held firm, and continued to be sweet and kind, and that through Gideon for a loop - enough for him to let Eli under his defenses.
I loved these two together, they were perfect together. Eli was patient and kind and never wavered, and he supported Gideon when he needed it most, and he got Gideon on the right path without even truly trying - I mean he wanted good things for Gideon, but I don't think it was a conscious thing for him to get Gideon to permanently stop his pervious lifestyle and change for the better - and Eli saw in Gideon a kindness, a goodness, that Gideon didn't believe he had, and showed it to him. Gideon made Eli happier than he had ever been.
The sex was also hot AF - I wanted so much more of it because these two were smokin' together - and their connection was amazing. The fact that Eli was something new in the bedroom that Gideon never knew he needed was a plus too.
I loved the other two couples from the previous books being so supportive of these two as well and being their awesome selves. (Also a short phone call appearance by Asa Jacobs from the Mixed Messages series - and probably my favorite Morton book to date - which was a nice surprise.)
I loved how things turned out for these two and how Gideon got to where he was - especially with the epilogue, that was years in the future as Morton does with her books. Eli was an important part of this story too, no doubt, as he was the primary reason for Gideon's change, but it was mainly about Gideon finding family, friends and a home.
To see where he was at the beginning, feeling so lonely and like no one wanted him, to where he was at the end with a plethora of love and family in his life, never to be lonely again? Was perfect. I absolutely adored it.
This book was just perfect, and I can't wait for more from this amazing author. I just love all of her stories, they make me so happy reading them, and they're always so well written with great main couples. I wonder who the next book will be about, and wonder if it will be in this series or we'll get a new one. There was Jesse, Eli's best friend, so I wonder if he's never. We'll see ;)
HIGHLY recommend this, it was amazing. Two massive thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review.***
bookish_notes's review
3.0
This was...fine? I actually really enjoyed the beginning of the book, all the way until the emails started. I mean. In this day and age, why didn’t they just exchange phone numbers and text? I know Gideon is nearing 40, but still.
I like Gideon and I like Eli. The whole story was a bit of a wash for me when they actually did get together and I just wasn’t into the story anymore.
Also, I’m not a fan of babies and children randomly showing up in epilogues?? I just really hate it. I’m oddly fine if children are a part of the story all along but randomly showing up at the end? It’s a no for me.
I like Gideon and I like Eli. The whole story was a bit of a wash for me when they actually did get together and I just wasn’t into the story anymore.
Also, I’m not a fan of babies and children randomly showing up in epilogues?? I just really hate it. I’m oddly fine if children are a part of the story all along but randomly showing up at the end? It’s a no for me.
marureviere's review
4.0
"...real love is infinite and perfectly capable of expanding without diluting anything."
4.25 stars!
Lily Morton's ever present snark that's evident in this book (and all of her other works that I've read) is very much appreciated. I just love the humour that she incorporates in her stories, her characters are never boring and easy to warm up to. I liked Gideon and Eli together. Plus a favourite character of mine from one of her books also made a cameo apperance that made me squeal a little since he's one half of my favourite couple created by Ms. Morton.
Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it for sure!
4.25 stars!
Lily Morton's ever present snark that's evident in this book (and all of her other works that I've read) is very much appreciated. I just love the humour that she incorporates in her stories, her characters are never boring and easy to warm up to. I liked Gideon and Eli together. Plus a favourite character of mine from one of her books also made a cameo apperance that made me squeal a little since he's one half of my favourite couple created by Ms. Morton.
Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it for sure!
robazizo's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely tale of redemption and finding your family in whatever shape or form. Both Eli and Gideon grew up with parents who had other priorities than giving their children the love they needed and deserved. Eli seemed to have dealt with it better, but instinctively understood where Gideon and his behaviour were coming from. I loved how naturally they ended up together and how they assimilated into the loving group at Chi an Mor. Their first time was all kinds of lovely. The epilogue was a bit overlong and on the sugary side, but in light of all that went on before, it was exactly what both men needed in the end.
rainbowbrarian's review against another edition
5.0
There is nothing I don’t love about this series! I love the way these stories wind into each other and we get to see past characters like old friends. The characterization is superb and the story flows like water. Love love love!
jfreud's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cheri_champagne's review against another edition
4.0
This novel was more than I expected it to be, particularly after Gideon's abhorrent behaviour in Milo. To my surprise, I actually liked Gideon and his character's gradual change as he became a better person. I really adored Eli's character; he was fresh and relatable.
Overall in the trilogy, the first (Oz) was my favourite, and this is a solid second.
Overall in the trilogy, the first (Oz) was my favourite, and this is a solid second.