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nena909's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gatun's review against another edition
4.0
Have mercy was a lovely romance but at times it made me so mad. The main characters Kerry and Julian are both men dealing with damage. Julian has serious PTSD from dealing with tours of duty in the army. A year after discharge and still, at loose ends, he accepts an invitation to go to his cousin's ranch in Wyoming to help with a building project. He's lived in New York City all his life but visited Wyoming several times as a child.
Kerry is a man who did the right things for the wrong reasons. He bowed to his family's demand that their ranch is the center of his life. Although he knew in high school that he was most probably gay, he hid himself because he did not want to disappoint his family. He married his high school sweetheart and they had one child Ainsley. When Kerry's wife Sienna found out he was gay, it was not a smooth, happy coming out. It was followed immediately by his family shutting him out. And then his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Through all of this and continuing throughout the story, he has carried such a burden of guilt. That burden affects him just as much as Julian's PTSD affects him.
I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed the setting. The story was lovely. It was a gentle reaching of two men for each other and recognizing in each other the damage. What I did not like and what made me so mad was the pressure that was put on Kerry that even though he came out he still needed to keep quiet. He still needed to not date anybody. He still needed to make his family's ranch and now his and Sienna's farm the center of everything. The pressure on him to carry the burden of guilt and anger from everybody else. I just wanted to go slap his family upside the head.
Nick Russo did a nice job narrating. He has distinct voices for Kerry and Julian. I was somewhat surprised that Julian did not have a definite accent coming from New York. Other than that the voices were all very good and easy to understand. I received a copy of Have Mercy from Audible because I won a contest on Facebook run by the author. I listened to the book and then wrote an honest review. I am going to look for more from Christina Lee since I really enjoyed this story.
Kerry is a man who did the right things for the wrong reasons. He bowed to his family's demand that their ranch is the center of his life. Although he knew in high school that he was most probably gay, he hid himself because he did not want to disappoint his family. He married his high school sweetheart and they had one child Ainsley. When Kerry's wife Sienna found out he was gay, it was not a smooth, happy coming out. It was followed immediately by his family shutting him out. And then his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. Through all of this and continuing throughout the story, he has carried such a burden of guilt. That burden affects him just as much as Julian's PTSD affects him.
I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed the setting. The story was lovely. It was a gentle reaching of two men for each other and recognizing in each other the damage. What I did not like and what made me so mad was the pressure that was put on Kerry that even though he came out he still needed to keep quiet. He still needed to not date anybody. He still needed to make his family's ranch and now his and Sienna's farm the center of everything. The pressure on him to carry the burden of guilt and anger from everybody else. I just wanted to go slap his family upside the head.
Nick Russo did a nice job narrating. He has distinct voices for Kerry and Julian. I was somewhat surprised that Julian did not have a definite accent coming from New York. Other than that the voices were all very good and easy to understand. I received a copy of Have Mercy from Audible because I won a contest on Facebook run by the author. I listened to the book and then wrote an honest review. I am going to look for more from Christina Lee since I really enjoyed this story.
si_si's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
udyeet's review against another edition
2.0
good overall if u want a mid read but it lacks depth. it had potential if it were drawn out? maybe a two part series? idk.
layla87's review
5.0
I recieved an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review..
4.5 Swoony Stars
Ms. Lee is an expert with swoony characters, but this book takes the cake...or maybe it takes the horse! You'll see how the title is directly linked to the MCs' storyline and how it complements it perfectly.
So you have a cowboy... yum! And an damaged veteran...double yum
They get together and what do you imagine happens? #swoonfest
What I loved about the book...
1. The MCs...
Julian, the veteran soldier, is back stateside after being the victim of a roadside bomb. He is struggling with PTSD, and feels adrift. So, who better to tether him than a cowboy? #RopeMeIn
Kerry, the hunk of a cowboy, is Julian's cousin's ex. He came out, got divorced but is still on good terms with his ex for the sake of their daughter. Kerry is quickly attracted to Julian, baggage and all. #ILoveAllOfYou
2. The Push and Pull....
As you can imagine, Kerry and Julian can't really be together because they are "technically" family. They try to fight their attraction hard!
Ahem...Pun totally intended...
Ultimately, they find solace and comfort in each other's arms. #HoldMeTight
3. The Romance...
The stolen kisses, the discreet looks and the borrowed time they're on all comes together to create a beautifully romantic backdrop to their relationship. They talk, they laugh, and they bond. Kerry is there for Julian and brings him back to the present when he's stuck in his memories. Julian on the other hand, is the motivation Kerry needs to live his life to the fullest. #ThereForYou
4. The Healing...
Using the setting of the book, the farm, as a paveway for Julian's healing and a way for Julian and Kerry to bond was stroke of genius. Not only does Julian start his therapy, but he also finds a bew friend in the process. #YouveGotAFriendInMe
5. The HEA...
*Le Sigh* I mean, those guys are just so romantic together and so swoony, even in their sexy times. Their epilogue didn't disappoint as well, and they get therir much deserved HEA. #TommorowIsJustTheBeginning
6. That Cover...
It totally fits the mood of the book and its characters. I mean, can we say #CoverLust?
The only niggle I had was that I wanted to see them further into the future,....maybe married.
And what about Hunter and Zee..... #IGotVibes
#HappyReading
4.5 Swoony Stars
Ms. Lee is an expert with swoony characters, but this book takes the cake...or maybe it takes the horse! You'll see how the title is directly linked to the MCs' storyline and how it complements it perfectly.
So you have a cowboy... yum! And an damaged veteran...double yum
They get together and what do you imagine happens? #swoonfest
What I loved about the book...
1. The MCs...
Julian, the veteran soldier, is back stateside after being the victim of a roadside bomb. He is struggling with PTSD, and feels adrift. So, who better to tether him than a cowboy? #RopeMeIn
Kerry, the hunk of a cowboy, is Julian's cousin's ex. He came out, got divorced but is still on good terms with his ex for the sake of their daughter. Kerry is quickly attracted to Julian, baggage and all. #ILoveAllOfYou
2. The Push and Pull....
As you can imagine, Kerry and Julian can't really be together because they are "technically" family. They try to fight their attraction hard!
Ahem...Pun totally intended...
Ultimately, they find solace and comfort in each other's arms. #HoldMeTight
3. The Romance...
The stolen kisses, the discreet looks and the borrowed time they're on all comes together to create a beautifully romantic backdrop to their relationship. They talk, they laugh, and they bond. Kerry is there for Julian and brings him back to the present when he's stuck in his memories. Julian on the other hand, is the motivation Kerry needs to live his life to the fullest. #ThereForYou
4. The Healing...
Using the setting of the book, the farm, as a paveway for Julian's healing and a way for Julian and Kerry to bond was stroke of genius. Not only does Julian start his therapy, but he also finds a bew friend in the process. #YouveGotAFriendInMe
5. The HEA...
*Le Sigh* I mean, those guys are just so romantic together and so swoony, even in their sexy times. Their epilogue didn't disappoint as well, and they get therir much deserved HEA. #TommorowIsJustTheBeginning
6. That Cover...
It totally fits the mood of the book and its characters. I mean, can we say #CoverLust?
The only niggle I had was that I wanted to see them further into the future,....maybe married.
And what about Hunter and Zee..... #IGotVibes
#HappyReading
jamie_w's review
3.0
There is nothing wrong with this book but there is also nothing interesting about it either. I just don’t mesh with this author. I do kind of get the appeal but it’s not for me.
I never felt the attraction between Julian and Kerry. While both were good men, I didn’t feel like they were portrayed as multi-faceted. I don’t think we got enough about Jules time in the military and his PTSD - it was more telling than showing.
I also really hated how everyone demonized Kerry for coming out. That was basically his whole storyline. He was more than just his coming out but that wasn’t explored. He also acted like such a martyr.
I was just so bored. And the lack and quality of spice certainly didn’t help.
I never felt the attraction between Julian and Kerry. While both were good men, I didn’t feel like they were portrayed as multi-faceted. I don’t think we got enough about Jules time in the military and his PTSD - it was more telling than showing.
I also really hated how everyone demonized Kerry for coming out. That was basically his whole storyline. He was more than just his coming out but that wasn’t explored. He also acted like such a martyr.
I was just so bored. And the lack and quality of spice certainly didn’t help.
ofbooksandromance's review against another edition
4.0
Closer to 3.5 but I rounded it up.
I just wanted more really, there was nothing wrong with this story, it was lovely and these two guys are made for each other, but I just wanted way more of them being together.
But massive bonus points for how Julian’s PTSD was handled and how Kerry was always there for him, that was lovely and perfectly done.
I just wanted more really, there was nothing wrong with this story, it was lovely and these two guys are made for each other, but I just wanted way more of them being together.
But massive bonus points for how Julian’s PTSD was handled and how Kerry was always there for him, that was lovely and perfectly done.
dharshanirymond's review
4.0
The reason behind the title being 'Have Mercy' was beautiful.
This is a love story between an honorably discharged soldier and his ex-brother-in-law who came out of closet few years ago.
This is a love story between an honorably discharged soldier and his ex-brother-in-law who came out of closet few years ago.
hollisen's review against another edition
4.0
Slow Burn Cowboy
This is a MM Hallmark movie type romance with a slow burn. Trigger warning of PTSD symptoms. Absolutely loved the evolution of the relationship between the two main characters!
This is a MM Hallmark movie type romance with a slow burn. Trigger warning of PTSD symptoms. Absolutely loved the evolution of the relationship between the two main characters!
robazizo's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars (3.5 stars for the first half, which was slow and 4 stars for the second half). Not my favourite Christina Lee, but once the ball finally started rolling, it was a lovely quiet and soft story. Kerry's hesitations felt a bit over the top after having already broken up his marriage by coming out, but the connection between him and Julian was lovely and warm. I also liked the parallel story of Julian and Ainsley both healing through their equine therapy.