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ladylexicon's review
5.0
AHHH!
What a Rollercoaster of emotions! Everything about this book pulled me in, from start to finish! All I want is more Thalia & Alejo!!! So happy I read this novel!
What a Rollercoaster of emotions! Everything about this book pulled me in, from start to finish! All I want is more Thalia & Alejo!!! So happy I read this novel!
profromance's review against another edition
5.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is nothing like reading a romance about a forbidden relationship. For me, I both hate turning the page while feeling a deep need to turn it. I know as the page turns more is revealed, and the hero and heroine are always one step away from discovery and the potential destruction of their relationship. When an author writes this type of romance well, you feel it deep in your stomach. It makes your heart race. It makes you feel alive as you progress through their story. Even more, what makes a forbidden relationship romance important is its resolution. For most of these types of romances, the characters realize their happy ending, and the tension you felt as you read the “misses” of their relationship is released into the happiness for the characters. Karina Halle’s The Younger Man (TYM) epitomizes this situation.
Honestly, as I was reading TYM, it felt as though I was moving slowly through the pages. Halle does a brilliant job of slowly building the story between Thalia and Alejo. Yet, at the same time, she compels you forward. These characters are special for two very reasons. Here’s the deal:
For me, Alejo is the true star of this book. Honestly, THE STAR. From the first chapter where we meet him, I fell. Vi Keeland wrote a book earlier in the year, All Grown Up. Like TYM, it’s an older woman/younger man taboo romance. What I found interesting about that book, as well as in The Younger Man, is the hero, who is obviously younger than the female, is more emotionally mature than the heroine who has many more years on him. It’s been astounding to read this type of hero. As Keeland did, Halle easily accomplishes this with Alejo’s background. It makes sense that he’s mature for a twenty-three/twenty-four-year-old. What I love about him is his ability to feed Thalia’s soul. He’s a lion in bed. When these two couple, it’s hot AF, like steam up your glasses hot. Yet, what Alejo does that I love in swoony heroes is he sees
Thalia, and he feeds her emotional need. It’s this part of his character that I fell in love with the most. Yes, he’s an attractive, talented professional soccer player, but it’s his emotional depth and his ability to use that depth to help Thalia heal and find her strength again that is the highlight of this book.
Thalia. Halle crafts her character to remind her readers to live in their truth, I think. Thalia has endured loss in a variety of ways, and it has left her unmoored. It would be reductive to say that Alejo “completes” her or makes her less broken. Because that isn’t the reality that Halle is creating here. Instead, as she finds internal strength again through her career and with the inspiration of Alejo, Thalia heals. She holds the power over this; Alejo simply supports and recognizes her in a way that challenges her to see herself more distinctly. I think it’s Halle’s way of showing us that a true love inspires; it doesn’t fully define you.
As a reader, how do you know you should be reading Karina Halle’s The Younger Man? Well, this reader, for one, isn’t a soccer fan. I’m intrigued by it, but I don’t tune in to watch it. However, I was entranced with Halle’s storytelling of this world. I found myself looking up teams and players for reference. Secondly, I am interested in the older woman/younger man trope as I don’t see it written often enough. Given the breadth of age for romance readers, I find that we should read this trope more often. For me, finding yourself represented in romance seems essential. No, I’m not youthfully beautiful in my late 40s, but I recognize the struggle to determine my happiness and my future characterized in Thalia. That’s my intersection with her representation. I imagine there are plenty of women like me who would love to find some part of them in the characters or the story. And this sub-trope, I think, would go further to make that connection. Halle has written this well. Thalia and Alejo are 100% believable, and you can’t help but root for them as they struggle to find their happiness together.
Yes, there were several times when, like one would do when watching a horror movie, I wanted to peek through my fingers at the page. I invested myself easily into Alejo and Thalia’s story because Halle insisted it be so with her storytelling. Knowing that pain would be a part of their romance, still, I forged ahead, and it has a huge payoff in the end. Halle has crafted a story in The Younger Man that forces us to recognize the truth that “love is love is love” whether it’s between an older woman and a younger man or whether it’s a love for ourselves.
There is nothing like reading a romance about a forbidden relationship. For me, I both hate turning the page while feeling a deep need to turn it. I know as the page turns more is revealed, and the hero and heroine are always one step away from discovery and the potential destruction of their relationship. When an author writes this type of romance well, you feel it deep in your stomach. It makes your heart race. It makes you feel alive as you progress through their story. Even more, what makes a forbidden relationship romance important is its resolution. For most of these types of romances, the characters realize their happy ending, and the tension you felt as you read the “misses” of their relationship is released into the happiness for the characters. Karina Halle’s The Younger Man (TYM) epitomizes this situation.
Honestly, as I was reading TYM, it felt as though I was moving slowly through the pages. Halle does a brilliant job of slowly building the story between Thalia and Alejo. Yet, at the same time, she compels you forward. These characters are special for two very reasons. Here’s the deal:
For me, Alejo is the true star of this book. Honestly, THE STAR. From the first chapter where we meet him, I fell. Vi Keeland wrote a book earlier in the year, All Grown Up. Like TYM, it’s an older woman/younger man taboo romance. What I found interesting about that book, as well as in The Younger Man, is the hero, who is obviously younger than the female, is more emotionally mature than the heroine who has many more years on him. It’s been astounding to read this type of hero. As Keeland did, Halle easily accomplishes this with Alejo’s background. It makes sense that he’s mature for a twenty-three/twenty-four-year-old. What I love about him is his ability to feed Thalia’s soul. He’s a lion in bed. When these two couple, it’s hot AF, like steam up your glasses hot. Yet, what Alejo does that I love in swoony heroes is he sees
Thalia, and he feeds her emotional need. It’s this part of his character that I fell in love with the most. Yes, he’s an attractive, talented professional soccer player, but it’s his emotional depth and his ability to use that depth to help Thalia heal and find her strength again that is the highlight of this book.
Thalia. Halle crafts her character to remind her readers to live in their truth, I think. Thalia has endured loss in a variety of ways, and it has left her unmoored. It would be reductive to say that Alejo “completes” her or makes her less broken. Because that isn’t the reality that Halle is creating here. Instead, as she finds internal strength again through her career and with the inspiration of Alejo, Thalia heals. She holds the power over this; Alejo simply supports and recognizes her in a way that challenges her to see herself more distinctly. I think it’s Halle’s way of showing us that a true love inspires; it doesn’t fully define you.
As a reader, how do you know you should be reading Karina Halle’s The Younger Man? Well, this reader, for one, isn’t a soccer fan. I’m intrigued by it, but I don’t tune in to watch it. However, I was entranced with Halle’s storytelling of this world. I found myself looking up teams and players for reference. Secondly, I am interested in the older woman/younger man trope as I don’t see it written often enough. Given the breadth of age for romance readers, I find that we should read this trope more often. For me, finding yourself represented in romance seems essential. No, I’m not youthfully beautiful in my late 40s, but I recognize the struggle to determine my happiness and my future characterized in Thalia. That’s my intersection with her representation. I imagine there are plenty of women like me who would love to find some part of them in the characters or the story. And this sub-trope, I think, would go further to make that connection. Halle has written this well. Thalia and Alejo are 100% believable, and you can’t help but root for them as they struggle to find their happiness together.
Yes, there were several times when, like one would do when watching a horror movie, I wanted to peek through my fingers at the page. I invested myself easily into Alejo and Thalia’s story because Halle insisted it be so with her storytelling. Knowing that pain would be a part of their romance, still, I forged ahead, and it has a huge payoff in the end. Halle has crafted a story in The Younger Man that forces us to recognize the truth that “love is love is love” whether it’s between an older woman and a younger man or whether it’s a love for ourselves.
marureviere's review against another edition
5.0
5+++++ STARS
ALEJO ALEJO ALEJO. ALEJO ALEJOOO. THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE REVIEW.
I'm kidding.
I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I'm also a bit teary from giddiness. GAAAAHHH.
THIS WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL BOOK. I immersed myself into their world and it's goddamn beautiful. One of the best love stories I've read in awhile. ALEJO was so wonderful!!! This man. HE WAS INCREDIBLE. My god. Book husband material.
Thalia was amazing too!!! She was so likeable, and I felt for her. If only more people valued her for who she is. She deserves all the love she was given. She deserved Alejo.
I loved them both and I loved this story. I read this as slowly as I could, but alas, it's over.
I wanna read it again!!!!
Ugh. Massive book hangover.
One of my top reads this year (and that's saying something since I've read almost 800 books this year alone).
ALEJO ALEJO ALEJO. ALEJO ALEJOOO. THAT'S IT. THAT'S THE REVIEW.
I'm kidding.
I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I'm also a bit teary from giddiness. GAAAAHHH.
THIS WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL BOOK. I immersed myself into their world and it's goddamn beautiful. One of the best love stories I've read in awhile. ALEJO was so wonderful!!! This man. HE WAS INCREDIBLE. My god. Book husband material.
Thalia was amazing too!!! She was so likeable, and I felt for her. If only more people valued her for who she is. She deserves all the love she was given. She deserved Alejo.
I loved them both and I loved this story. I read this as slowly as I could, but alas, it's over.
I wanna read it again!!!!
Ugh. Massive book hangover.
One of my top reads this year (and that's saying something since I've read almost 800 books this year alone).
bibliophile90's review against another edition
4.0
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
The Younger Man is a very sensual, and straight to the point contemporary (a little bit taboo) romance. I loved that there was a big age difference (17 years) between Thalia and Alejo. What I also really liked was that you could sometimes really feel that there was an age difference. Even though Alejo is a young football player, he has been through a lot and had to mature earlier than most people. I think that was the main reason why he and Thalia connected so greatly. He was so passionate and didn't play games. I admired and fell in love with his personality and heart. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Thalia, but I understood her reservations about the relationship. She just started her new job and getting involved with a much younger player is definitely frowned upon (and not allowed). But it was just hard for her to resist Alejo's charms. And he definitely didn't let anything stop him from pursuing her.
"You mean everything to me. You are the world. More than the world, you are the sun, Thalia. El Sol. And the sun doesn't worry about being too bright for the moon or the stars, it just burns and shines. Just like you. You shine. You're el sol de mi corazon."
The chemistry between them was so hot, and the sex scenes were phenomenal. I loved that this book was long, because it gave me time to really connect to the characters. It also gave the charters time to grow as individuals, and deal with some personal things. I didn't feel rushed and the author really took the time to set an atmosphere for the story. I also loved how she described all the beautiful places the characters visited. It felt like I was there with the characters. I loved Alejo's team players, and I especially was intrigued by the team captain Luciano and the womanizer Rene. This was also the first time I was introduced to Matteo and Vera, who are the main characters in Love, in English. I really look forward to read their story and how they managed to get their HEA. The Younger Man is a great contemporary romance, that I think readers would enjoy a lot. The taboo aspect was great, and it added another layer to the story.
The Younger Man is a very sensual, and straight to the point contemporary (a little bit taboo) romance. I loved that there was a big age difference (17 years) between Thalia and Alejo. What I also really liked was that you could sometimes really feel that there was an age difference. Even though Alejo is a young football player, he has been through a lot and had to mature earlier than most people. I think that was the main reason why he and Thalia connected so greatly. He was so passionate and didn't play games. I admired and fell in love with his personality and heart. It took me a bit longer to warm up to Thalia, but I understood her reservations about the relationship. She just started her new job and getting involved with a much younger player is definitely frowned upon (and not allowed). But it was just hard for her to resist Alejo's charms. And he definitely didn't let anything stop him from pursuing her.
"You mean everything to me. You are the world. More than the world, you are the sun, Thalia. El Sol. And the sun doesn't worry about being too bright for the moon or the stars, it just burns and shines. Just like you. You shine. You're el sol de mi corazon."
The chemistry between them was so hot, and the sex scenes were phenomenal. I loved that this book was long, because it gave me time to really connect to the characters. It also gave the charters time to grow as individuals, and deal with some personal things. I didn't feel rushed and the author really took the time to set an atmosphere for the story. I also loved how she described all the beautiful places the characters visited. It felt like I was there with the characters. I loved Alejo's team players, and I especially was intrigued by the team captain Luciano and the womanizer Rene. This was also the first time I was introduced to Matteo and Vera, who are the main characters in Love, in English. I really look forward to read their story and how they managed to get their HEA. The Younger Man is a great contemporary romance, that I think readers would enjoy a lot. The taboo aspect was great, and it added another layer to the story.
amandamarie793's review
2.0
I don’t read many sport-romance books but have been on a kick with football players so decided to try this KU read about a soccer player and his physical therapist.
I think the age gap bothered me only because the soccer star was so young and had money, looks and fame so it seemed out of character for him to fall for a 40 year old divorcee but I suppose weirder things have happened!
I think the age gap bothered me only because the soccer star was so young and had money, looks and fame so it seemed out of character for him to fall for a 40 year old divorcee but I suppose weirder things have happened!
imlisaok's review against another edition
3.0
I loved 60% of the story, but then it dragged a little. It could have been 4 or 5 stars if it was shortened.
cassire's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 STARS
I didn’t really love or hate The Younger Man. There were parts I really enjoyed. Some parts I just didn’t care about. The language is beautifully written. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was shorter and the problems weren’t as repetitive. I enjoyed our glimpse of Vera and Mateo. Their story starts with Love in English if you want to read about them. I tend to dislike the best friend that becomes the enemy in a snap trope. I know I’ve been grumpy and picky lately. The Younger Man was a decent read.
Trigger warnings- suicide and miscarriage
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I didn’t really love or hate The Younger Man. There were parts I really enjoyed. Some parts I just didn’t care about. The language is beautifully written. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was shorter and the problems weren’t as repetitive. I enjoyed our glimpse of Vera and Mateo. Their story starts with Love in English if you want to read about them. I tend to dislike the best friend that becomes the enemy in a snap trope. I know I’ve been grumpy and picky lately. The Younger Man was a decent read.
Trigger warnings- suicide and miscarriage
I voluntarily read an early copy.
lisamh68's review
4.0
I enjoyed the story. I have a hard time when there is another language and I have to use translate to figure out what they are saying.. Takes away from the story for me.
lisamh68's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story. I have a hard time when there is another language and I have to use translate to figure out what they are saying.. Takes away from the story for me.
cherryredsreads's review against another edition
5.0
Oh My Alejo!
He stole my heart just like he did to Thalia.
Author Karina Halle's best book to date.
It is full of love, finding oneself, seeing the world with a new view and never wanting to go back to what you saw in the past.
I loved the characters, the development, the forbidden and just everything this book delivered.
This book gave me such feels.
I got goosebumps, tingles and my heart soared with soo much love.
True love can be found whether you are the older woman & the younger man as long as you fight for it and are ready to accept any challenge or obstacle that comes your way.
This book does it all!
A Top 2019 Must Read book!
5
He stole my heart just like he did to Thalia.
Author Karina Halle's best book to date.
It is full of love, finding oneself, seeing the world with a new view and never wanting to go back to what you saw in the past.
I loved the characters, the development, the forbidden and just everything this book delivered.
This book gave me such feels.
I got goosebumps, tingles and my heart soared with soo much love.
True love can be found whether you are the older woman & the younger man as long as you fight for it and are ready to accept any challenge or obstacle that comes your way.
This book does it all!
A Top 2019 Must Read book!
5