Scan barcode
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars!
No one is more shocked by how much this story affected me because really, with such an awful cheesy cover such as this, understandably, expectations were very low. However, in an effort to get through my paid list, this has been languishing on my shelf for years, and I’m thrilled this was a win as I finished it one sitting, a true reading rarity.
What I really want to convey here is that Vaughn wonderfully depicts Ollie and Sam’s relationship quite beautifully. I really felt their love connection and happiness and when that’s ripped away, it made the loss so acutely and deeply felt. Often second chance, dead spouse romances perhaps gloss over the little details and rush things unrealistically but here, Vaughn painfully and meticulously allows the reader to see Ollie’s devastation - how it seems nigh impossible to get over but slowly, torturously, he picks himself up and day by day, struggles to survive and eventually thrive.
This also focuses on Thomas, who has been desperately in love with Ollie for years, who never ever was supposed to have even a possibility of a chance with Ollie and now, struggles to move on with his life as well, because how do you even present yourself as an option for a new future? This man was amazing inside and out and wins the seldom given hubby award, as Thomas’s raw desperate feelings and ensuing vulnerability is showcased over and over with tender precision.
There’s definitely plenty of roadblocks and obstacles, and Vaughn never shies away from the tough topics as she thoroughly picks apart grief and healing and the paralytic fear and overwhelming guilt and fragile hope that life just may carry on. Beware the extra strife with Sam's selfish parents and peripheral besties with their own weighty issues, not to mention Thomas’s baby mama drama.
Regardless, the take away point is, at its soulful core, this was truly an affecting love story for two captivating individuals who deserve all the happiness, making the penultimate culmination and fitting ending well worth the angst ridden wait. Suffice it to say, this was the best second chance romance I’ve read to date and if you like this trope, don’t miss out!
No one is more shocked by how much this story affected me because really, with such an awful cheesy cover such as this, understandably, expectations were very low. However, in an effort to get through my paid list, this has been languishing on my shelf for years, and I’m thrilled this was a win as I finished it one sitting, a true reading rarity.
What I really want to convey here is that Vaughn wonderfully depicts Ollie and Sam’s relationship quite beautifully. I really felt their love connection and happiness and when that’s ripped away, it made the loss so acutely and deeply felt. Often second chance, dead spouse romances perhaps gloss over the little details and rush things unrealistically but here, Vaughn painfully and meticulously allows the reader to see Ollie’s devastation - how it seems nigh impossible to get over but slowly, torturously, he picks himself up and day by day, struggles to survive and eventually thrive.
This also focuses on Thomas, who has been desperately in love with Ollie for years, who never ever was supposed to have even a possibility of a chance with Ollie and now, struggles to move on with his life as well, because how do you even present yourself as an option for a new future? This man was amazing inside and out and wins the seldom given hubby award, as Thomas’s raw desperate feelings and ensuing vulnerability is showcased over and over with tender precision.
There’s definitely plenty of roadblocks and obstacles, and Vaughn never shies away from the tough topics as she thoroughly picks apart grief and healing and the paralytic fear and overwhelming guilt and fragile hope that life just may carry on. Beware the extra strife with Sam's selfish parents and peripheral besties with their own weighty issues, not to mention Thomas’s baby mama drama.
Regardless, the take away point is, at its soulful core, this was truly an affecting love story for two captivating individuals who deserve all the happiness, making the penultimate culmination and fitting ending well worth the angst ridden wait. Suffice it to say, this was the best second chance romance I’ve read to date and if you like this trope, don’t miss out!
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
An emotional rollercoaster that I loved from beginning to end. Ollie has suffered one of the worst losses possible. The love of his life, Sam, is murdered just before their wedding in a mugging gone wrong. How can he possibly move on from that? The one thing I love about this story is that it doesn't spend a lot of time wallowing in Ollie's loss. It is all about moving forward and how confusing and crazy that can be. There are time jumps, which made it a lot easier to deal with. I loved how Thomas and Ollie came together and little Milo was perfect. Just about died when he peed in Ollie's face. It definitely made me glad I had a girl, not a boy!
missawn's review against another edition
5.0
Horrible cover ... excellent book!
I loved the dedication that opened this book:
So apt and so fitting ... the perfect opener for this very poignant book.
Indra Vaughn no doubt understands the geography of the human heart. This book is an absolute gem that so gracefully weaves a magical spell of love and heartbreak ... hope and the indomitable human spirit ...
I loved this even though I was concerned that it might be a little too sad/angsty for what I was looking for. Yes, it's sad but it's also sweet, joyful and hopeful. I came away from this magnificently written book with a smile and a hopeful, happy heart. Don't give this book a miss because its really, really good. Any book by Indra Vaughn is an auto buy for me from now on ...
I loved the dedication that opened this book:
This is to everyone who has had their butts kicked by life, and who kept going anyway.
So apt and so fitting ... the perfect opener for this very poignant book.
Indra Vaughn no doubt understands the geography of the human heart. This book is an absolute gem that so gracefully weaves a magical spell of love and heartbreak ... hope and the indomitable human spirit ...
I loved this even though I was concerned that it might be a little too sad/angsty for what I was looking for. Yes, it's sad but it's also sweet, joyful and hopeful. I came away from this magnificently written book with a smile and a hopeful, happy heart. Don't give this book a miss because its really, really good. Any book by Indra Vaughn is an auto buy for me from now on ...
toshi21's review
4.0
Sweet story of finding second love
This book was sweet and heartbreaking.
You could feel everything that Ollie was feeling as he went through the motions of grief.
But I didn’t expect to the feel the same feelings for Thomas.
The story is a slow build of emotions as both men learn to deal with the sticky stuff.
I wanted to smack Samuel’s parents.
I loved this story.
This book was sweet and heartbreaking.
You could feel everything that Ollie was feeling as he went through the motions of grief.
But I didn’t expect to the feel the same feelings for Thomas.
The story is a slow build of emotions as both men learn to deal with the sticky stuff.
I wanted to smack Samuel’s parents.
I loved this story.
karlijnmerle's review against another edition
4.0
See Wendy her beautiful review for my opinion :) Because she writes exactly my thoughts. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1453851350?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
claudia_is_reading's review
4.0
A really good romance, with credible issues and relatable characters, this is a story well-told and that never stops being captivating.
chocolatemeerkat's review
4.0
So this book and I did not see eye to eye at all from the very beginning. I made the mistake of not reading the blurb and took it at face value of the cover. A cover which makes me think its a cute starting a family book with probably some baby drama because babies. This is not a cute warm fuzzy family book it's a let's fridge lover trope with murder so we can get him out of the way and move on to the real couple. I normally have no issue with this trope at all (except when death involves a luggage tram at an airport but that's a totally different book) but like I said I went in with Sam and Ollie and got a very dead Sam with very shitty parents.
As a person who has lost three human relatives and three cats in the span of two years I know how powerful grief can be and how shitty the experience can be. So I identified strongly with poor Ollie and wanted to punch Sam's father in the face with a meat cleaver. Probably the only strong emotion I got out of this book other than that I didn't care about Cloe or Imran. Thomas I enjoyed somewhat but over I couldn't connect with any of them very deeply let alone enjoy any of the sex scenes.
This is not a bad book at all its just did not mesh with me at all which is sad. I spent more time being pissed at the side characters and waiting for the magic baby to drop on them. Sorry Milo you are magic plot baby no matter how cute you are with flinging avocados.
As a person who has lost three human relatives and three cats in the span of two years I know how powerful grief can be and how shitty the experience can be. So I identified strongly with poor Ollie and wanted to punch Sam's father in the face with a meat cleaver. Probably the only strong emotion I got out of this book other than that I didn't care about Cloe or Imran. Thomas I enjoyed somewhat but over I couldn't connect with any of them very deeply let alone enjoy any of the sex scenes.
This is not a bad book at all its just did not mesh with me at all which is sad. I spent more time being pissed at the side characters and waiting for the magic baby to drop on them. Sorry Milo you are magic plot baby no matter how cute you are with flinging avocados.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
A fairly quick paced story that I did enjoy.
Ollie has his share of grief with the death of Sam and I could feel his despair and how lost he was.
Though Thomas actually garnered more of my sympathy as his level of committment to Ollie became apparent as the tale unfolded.
Thomas hides his feelings well but does go through his own turmoil.
There is humour, sadness, hope despair and outright meanness from Sam's father.
A journey of growth for all thise involved, even Cleo.
Ollie has his share of grief with the death of Sam and I could feel his despair and how lost he was.
Though Thomas actually garnered more of my sympathy as his level of committment to Ollie became apparent as the tale unfolded.
Thomas hides his feelings well but does go through his own turmoil.
There is humour, sadness, hope despair and outright meanness from Sam's father.
A journey of growth for all thise involved, even Cleo.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
4.0
Make sure you have the tissues handy for the first quarter! My first book by this author and I look forward to reading more of her work. I kept waiting for a bolt of lightning to hit Sam's Dad but unfortunately it didn't happen! What an a#%*hole! Liked how true to real life the story was, a baby definitely changes how your life runs.
A solid 4 star read.
A solid 4 star read.