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missawn's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really lovely summer read for me. A lot of reviews refer to this as a slow burn romance when in reality it is love and first sight but the relationship progresses at a glacial pace. I kind of liked that and the juxtaposition of this against the fast paced surging drama that happens at the same time. The setting ... the beaches and blue ocean ... is worth the price of admission. Loved all of it! The MCs relationship moved painstakingly slowly until it didn't. The ending did not carry the weight of this beautifully written story ... and I almost wished I had not read the epilogue. Things take a dramatic turn when it comes to pacing and the delightful airy narration suddenly started to plod along and being dense in ways the earlier parts of the book were not. A strange mishmash but not significant enough to take away from this magical and wonderful read. Refreshingly charming and delightfully engaging. This was the perfect summer read I was looking for ...
moodreaderhan's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
5 SKY AND OCEAN STARS!
my brief summary:
Meet James: Our golden blonde who doesn’t share much is the up and coming local surfing pro who secretly has a crush on his one and only friend. With a mysterious past he doesn’t like to share about after coming from Vietnam, Jimmy Campbell is looking (while also doubting himself) to be the next surfing champion, even if he is a decade older than most of the other competitors.
Meet Sydney: Two-time winning Billabong Pipeline Masters Champion known by everyone as Danny Moore who always wears his hair or his aviators on his face from Oahu. He is a proud and intriguing asshole, and one of the only known gay surfers.
Our story set in the late 70s is about two men, one ocean, many waves and a love found in the middle of curiosity, tension, many bantering sessions and a heart for surfing. After a competition, where the previously winning champ loses to the rookie. Danny/Sydney volunteers to help Jimmy/James win the next Billabong Pipeline Masters. The push and pull of these two leads them into uncharted waters they haven’t been in before.
Thoughts:
To say I adored this book, and its characters is an understatement. If there is one thing anyone knows about me, it’s that angst books are part of my genetic make-up. This book gives you more than just angst though. It brings the sweetness, tenderness, and goofiness that makes my face turn into the happy pout or heart eye emoji. There are serious topics dealt with, but in such a careful way while not brushing it aside, which is so wonderful to see.
I could rave about Sydney and James all day! Their flirtation and banter is so pure and adorable. I laughed aloud and burrowed into my blankets at home happily while reading to just stay in their world. There are a lot of repeated phrases in this book, but they filled my heart so much each time they were said. For those in love for the first time who don’t always have a chance to express their love openly in front of others, they deserve every touch and soft phrase said a million times.
This book is read at a slower/medium-ish pace like waves crashing on the shore. It is to be absorbed while consuming. If you are in search of a love story with all the feels and a happy ever after, look no further!
I did my best to describe how this book made me feel, but words cannot do it justice. I loved it with all my heart!
Would I recommend this and to who:
YES - THIS IS A LOVE STORY THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-Book - Kindle Unlimited
How did I discover this:
My love, lila - I WAS BLESSED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION! IN LILA I ALWAYS TRUST! <3
Pace:
Medium overall
POV:
James and Sydney
Quotes: (As per usual I will not apologize for how many quotes I have! I hope this entices you to read it, but be mindful this gives some spoilers of course!)
“You were brave”
“You want this,” Danny breathes, his voice uncharacteristically shaking. James’ answer falls effortlessly from his lips. “Yes.” Danny swallows hard and blinks. “With me?” The question is so small, so tiny and fragile in the air. The unspoken “and not Rob” hands like a trembling secret between them. James closes his eyes and thinks of holding a picture of a curly-haired little boy in his hands. “God, Sydney, yes. More than anything.”
“So, genius, is there anything you can’t take one look at and know fucking everything about?” Sydney knows he’s joking, but the answer that falls immediately from his lips comes from the truest pit of his chest. “You.”
“But honestly, that’s not even the insane thing. The insane thing is that I so badly just wanna say ‘fuck the Billabong,’ and fuck all those things that I wanted, because what I want more than anything right now is to stay here and kiss every inch of you.”
“You are a marvel.”
“Come on, man, tease me. Be cocky like that because I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, and you fucking got me.”
yes, I am here, can’t you see that it would physically hurt me to leave you? That the trails of kisses you left on my back would split open and bleed if I turned away? That I can’t ever go back?
“Stop thinking for five seconds and come fuck me,”
“Who the hell are you?”
“I love you.” Lost immediately to the rushing hiss of the water. “God, I love you.”
“No, no, no, this whole ‘captain’ thing has gotta go. Right now. Gone.” “Yes, Cap’n,” Sydney smirks.
“You are something else,”
“I’m not sure what the hell I did to deserve you.” James huffs as he runs his hands up Sydney’s spine. “I’m not sure either, because you can be a fucking asshole sometimes.”
“I wanted to see you again,” he whispers, and James draws in a breath at the raw sound of Sydney’s words. Sydney traces the scar. “I thought you were beautiful, and I wanted to see you, and I wondered what it would be like to hold you,
“You saved me,” he says, throat tight. “And I love you.”
Triggers:
Homophobia, Sexual Content, Mental Illness, War, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief, Injury, Death, Near-Death Experience, Trauma, etc.
🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
__________________________
RTC - Sydney and James may have not invented love, but they reinvented it!!
This might hands down be one of the best books I have read all year!
🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
__________________________
@49% and had to mark this quote: "yes, I am here, can't you see that it would physically hurt me to leave you? That the trails of kisses you left on my back would split open and bleed if I turned away? That I can't ever go back?' 🥺😭 THEM!
Apparently I'm not reading enough books at one time! 🙃
psssst - lila made me do it!
my brief summary:
Meet James: Our golden blonde who doesn’t share much is the up and coming local surfing pro who secretly has a crush on his one and only friend. With a mysterious past he doesn’t like to share about after coming from Vietnam, Jimmy Campbell is looking (while also doubting himself) to be the next surfing champion, even if he is a decade older than most of the other competitors.
Meet Sydney: Two-time winning Billabong Pipeline Masters Champion known by everyone as Danny Moore who always wears his hair or his aviators on his face from Oahu. He is a proud and intriguing asshole, and one of the only known gay surfers.
Our story set in the late 70s is about two men, one ocean, many waves and a love found in the middle of curiosity, tension, many bantering sessions and a heart for surfing. After a competition, where the previously winning champ loses to the rookie. Danny/Sydney volunteers to help Jimmy/James win the next Billabong Pipeline Masters. The push and pull of these two leads them into uncharted waters they haven’t been in before.
Thoughts:
To say I adored this book, and its characters is an understatement. If there is one thing anyone knows about me, it’s that angst books are part of my genetic make-up. This book gives you more than just angst though. It brings the sweetness, tenderness, and goofiness that makes my face turn into the happy pout or heart eye emoji. There are serious topics dealt with, but in such a careful way while not brushing it aside, which is so wonderful to see.
I could rave about Sydney and James all day! Their flirtation and banter is so pure and adorable. I laughed aloud and burrowed into my blankets at home happily while reading to just stay in their world. There are a lot of repeated phrases in this book, but they filled my heart so much each time they were said. For those in love for the first time who don’t always have a chance to express their love openly in front of others, they deserve every touch and soft phrase said a million times.
This book is read at a slower/medium-ish pace like waves crashing on the shore. It is to be absorbed while consuming. If you are in search of a love story with all the feels and a happy ever after, look no further!
I did my best to describe how this book made me feel, but words cannot do it justice. I loved it with all my heart!
Would I recommend this and to who:
YES - THIS IS A LOVE STORY THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-Book - Kindle Unlimited
How did I discover this:
My love, lila - I WAS BLESSED WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION! IN LILA I ALWAYS TRUST! <3
Pace:
Medium overall
POV:
James and Sydney
Quotes: (As per usual I will not apologize for how many quotes I have! I hope this entices you to read it, but be mindful this gives some spoilers of course!)
“You were brave”
“You want this,” Danny breathes, his voice uncharacteristically shaking. James’ answer falls effortlessly from his lips. “Yes.” Danny swallows hard and blinks. “With me?” The question is so small, so tiny and fragile in the air. The unspoken “and not Rob” hands like a trembling secret between them. James closes his eyes and thinks of holding a picture of a curly-haired little boy in his hands. “God, Sydney, yes. More than anything.”
“So, genius, is there anything you can’t take one look at and know fucking everything about?” Sydney knows he’s joking, but the answer that falls immediately from his lips comes from the truest pit of his chest. “You.”
“But honestly, that’s not even the insane thing. The insane thing is that I so badly just wanna say ‘fuck the Billabong,’ and fuck all those things that I wanted, because what I want more than anything right now is to stay here and kiss every inch of you.”
“You are a marvel.”
“Come on, man, tease me. Be cocky like that because I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, and you fucking got me.”
yes, I am here, can’t you see that it would physically hurt me to leave you? That the trails of kisses you left on my back would split open and bleed if I turned away? That I can’t ever go back?
“Stop thinking for five seconds and come fuck me,”
“Who the hell are you?”
“I love you.” Lost immediately to the rushing hiss of the water. “God, I love you.”
“No, no, no, this whole ‘captain’ thing has gotta go. Right now. Gone.” “Yes, Cap’n,” Sydney smirks.
“You are something else,”
“I’m not sure what the hell I did to deserve you.” James huffs as he runs his hands up Sydney’s spine. “I’m not sure either, because you can be a fucking asshole sometimes.”
“I wanted to see you again,” he whispers, and James draws in a breath at the raw sound of Sydney’s words. Sydney traces the scar. “I thought you were beautiful, and I wanted to see you, and I wondered what it would be like to hold you,
“You saved me,” he says, throat tight. “And I love you.”
Triggers:
Homophobia, Sexual Content, Mental Illness, War, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief, Injury, Death, Near-Death Experience, Trauma, etc.
🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
__________________________
RTC - Sydney and James may have not invented love, but they reinvented it!!
This might hands down be one of the best books I have read all year!
🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
__________________________
@49% and had to mark this quote: "yes, I am here, can't you see that it would physically hurt me to leave you? That the trails of kisses you left on my back would split open and bleed if I turned away? That I can't ever go back?' 🥺😭 THEM!
Apparently I'm not reading enough books at one time! 🙃
psssst - lila made me do it!
sevireene's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aimora's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this and almost gave it 5 stars. Why it is 4 stars (for me):
The entire book, both main characters need constant reassurance. If they don't get it, they flail and panic and think the world is ending. Both overthink their own actions to the extreme.
The sex scenes were too long. Weird right?? I assume this is a me thing and not a fault of the book.
I adored the detail and storyline. Will probably read again some day.
The entire book, both main characters need constant reassurance. If they don't get it, they flail and panic and think the world is ending. Both overthink their own actions to the extreme.
The sex scenes were too long. Weird right?? I assume this is a me thing and not a fault of the book.
I adored the detail and storyline. Will probably read again some day.
paracosmere's review against another edition
5.0
I am sad. I am so sad that it's all over now. I haven't cried this much in a long time over a book and it's such a heavy yet light feeling. Like how lucky am I to read such a marvelous writing? It's quite difficult to process how to even properly construct a review, and I can't help but use sea-related metaphors because how could I not? It's only appropriate.
The flow of the story feels much like being in the ocean. You couldn't expect it to go one way only, they meet, fall in love, conflict comes in, they solve it, the end, happy ending. No. We're taken along for a very bumpy ride, one moment we're at the calm waters and then suddenly we're cresting the peak of this gigantic fucking wave, with too many feelings at once, exhilarating and somehow not encompassing enough because it always overflows, just like the tears in my eyes every time Sydney doubted himself and apologized multiple times. Or when James thinks he didn't deserve any of it. Or when they each had to hold back from holding onto each other in public cos then people would see. But somehow, they always manage to land on their feet, or in their case, survive a fucking wave and not wipe out. Time after time. It was never a gentle rock on a boat, it's always either struggling to stay afloat or finally seeing land in the middle this immeasurable body of water. There's no in between. How many times have I said in my annotations that I cried? Too many fucking times.
With how slow the pace was going you'd think the two of them would never ever get there but they did. If you didn't stop and think about it, it's like all of it didn't happen in just a little over a month. It was excruciating. Each moment passing too quick yet too slow at the same time, felt too much yet not enough. My heart always rattled in my chest wanting to burst out because ugh! Just please be happy! They crawled their asses off to get to where they'd gotten in that relationship. They got out of that fog. It always pained me every time they let insecurity pull them down, but then, they finally found their grounding force, the safety net, in each other. They were like unmoored, lost debris out at sea and then by chance, by mere fucking chance they crossed each over that vast water, laid eyes on each other. And that was it, fate sealed. Made once hollowed out shells into insurmountable something that became everything. And that tattoo, man, Sydney's final tattoo. Lemme just roll on the floor and cry again!
I thought the sweet, sweet angst was the best part. Because when Sydney and James overcame that, it's like fucking heaven, they didn't just deserve it but most of all earn it. I'm glad I got to bawl my eyes out countless times.
I've written this much but I don't even know if any of it made sense. I may be overreacting but I just beyond myself right not lol and I'm just letting my overwhelmed mind run free I feel so scatterbrained after that read. Somehow I wish I could completely forget everything I just read and felt for this book just so I could experience it all over again. What a marvelous ride, indeed.
The flow of the story feels much like being in the ocean. You couldn't expect it to go one way only, they meet, fall in love, conflict comes in, they solve it, the end, happy ending. No. We're taken along for a very bumpy ride, one moment we're at the calm waters and then suddenly we're cresting the peak of this gigantic fucking wave, with too many feelings at once, exhilarating and somehow not encompassing enough because it always overflows, just like the tears in my eyes every time Sydney doubted himself and apologized multiple times. Or when James thinks he didn't deserve any of it. Or when they each had to hold back from holding onto each other in public cos then people would see. But somehow, they always manage to land on their feet, or in their case, survive a fucking wave and not wipe out. Time after time. It was never a gentle rock on a boat, it's always either struggling to stay afloat or finally seeing land in the middle this immeasurable body of water. There's no in between. How many times have I said in my annotations that I cried? Too many fucking times.
With how slow the pace was going you'd think the two of them would never ever get there but they did. If you didn't stop and think about it, it's like all of it didn't happen in just a little over a month. It was excruciating. Each moment passing too quick yet too slow at the same time, felt too much yet not enough. My heart always rattled in my chest wanting to burst out because ugh! Just please be happy! They crawled their asses off to get to where they'd gotten in that relationship. They got out of that fog. It always pained me every time they let insecurity pull them down, but then, they finally found their grounding force, the safety net, in each other. They were like unmoored, lost debris out at sea and then by chance, by mere fucking chance they crossed each over that vast water, laid eyes on each other. And that was it, fate sealed. Made once hollowed out shells into insurmountable something that became everything. And that tattoo, man, Sydney's final tattoo. Lemme just roll on the floor and cry again!
I thought the sweet, sweet angst was the best part. Because when Sydney and James overcame that, it's like fucking heaven, they didn't just deserve it but most of all earn it. I'm glad I got to bawl my eyes out countless times.
I've written this much but I don't even know if any of it made sense. I may be overreacting but I just beyond myself right not lol and I'm just letting my overwhelmed mind run free I feel so scatterbrained after that read. Somehow I wish I could completely forget everything I just read and felt for this book just so I could experience it all over again. What a marvelous ride, indeed.
krin's review
5.0
Whoa. This book made me FEEL so much. It's not perfect - it's at least 10% too long and could use some tighter editing but it's an indie book so I can give that a pass - but it was just gorgeous. It has skyrocketed to my top three books of the year.
artareadsatnight's review
5.0
This book is slow. This book is lyrical. This book is beautiful. Heartfelt. Fragile. Deep. And (once again) beautiful. If you want action and thrill, choose something else. But definitely read it if you enjoy beauty of nature as such and nature of humans and progression of their emotions, relationships and lives.
I really loved progression of Jimmy’s feelings and internal relationship with Rob.
I loved the way you could see Jimmy’s struggle with his decisions in the past. The way you see (and he knows) he didn’t have much choice but continues to struggle. It seemed so real and profound.
Also, dichotomy of Sydney and Danny, his relationship with the world and internal struggle was masterfully done.
I really loved progression of Jimmy’s feelings and internal relationship with Rob.
I loved the way you could see Jimmy’s struggle with his decisions in the past. The way you see (and he knows) he didn’t have much choice but continues to struggle. It seemed so real and profound.
Also, dichotomy of Sydney and Danny, his relationship with the world and internal struggle was masterfully done.
bee1009's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
The book dragged in the last half. It was just way too long. I would have really enjoyed it if it had been edited down a bit.
lindsayb09's review
5.0
This book is EPIC. That's the only word that does it justice. The night I started reading it I stayed up till nearly 4AM because I couldn't stop. I read it for free on Kindle Unlimited and then paid for a copy because I want to keep it in my digital library and re-read it forever.
It's a bit of a slow burn, but the tension builds in such a delicious way, and when it finally breaks it's incredible. Sydney and James are one of my favorite couples ever, complimenting each other so perfectly, each offering what the other needs. Sydney needs someone to draw him out of himself, and to call him on his bullshit; James needs someone who understands the things he can't always bring himself to say, who accepts every part of him. They push and they tease and they support each other and just make each other better and stronger.
The plot is interesting, and includes plenty of details about surfing. Sometimes in romance stories like this I want to gloss over the not-strictly-romantic parts because they feel like pointless filler. But I loved the descriptions of the competitions. I felt Sydney's tension as he watched James compete in the Billabong, couldn't wait to see how each heat would play out.
And the WRITING! There are so many gorgeous phrases and descriptions, I did a lot of highlighting.
The book is long for the genre (over 500 pages I think?) but it never felt like it was dragging, and I never wanted it to end. I loved what comes after they get together just as much as the build up before, which is rare for me. You watch their relationship evolve slowly, and then grow stronger and stronger, and it's just such a joy. The epilogue was a nice little tie-up that left me with all the warm fuzzies.
I really don't have adequate words for how I feel about this book. I honestly can't believe this is the author's first novel, and it makes me excited to see what she'll do next. On my auto-buy list for sure.
It's a bit of a slow burn, but the tension builds in such a delicious way, and when it finally breaks it's incredible. Sydney and James are one of my favorite couples ever, complimenting each other so perfectly, each offering what the other needs. Sydney needs someone to draw him out of himself, and to call him on his bullshit; James needs someone who understands the things he can't always bring himself to say, who accepts every part of him. They push and they tease and they support each other and just make each other better and stronger.
The plot is interesting, and includes plenty of details about surfing. Sometimes in romance stories like this I want to gloss over the not-strictly-romantic parts because they feel like pointless filler. But I loved the descriptions of the competitions. I felt Sydney's tension as he watched James compete in the Billabong, couldn't wait to see how each heat would play out.
And the WRITING! There are so many gorgeous phrases and descriptions, I did a lot of highlighting.
The book is long for the genre (over 500 pages I think?) but it never felt like it was dragging, and I never wanted it to end. I loved what comes after they get together just as much as the build up before, which is rare for me. You watch their relationship evolve slowly, and then grow stronger and stronger, and it's just such a joy. The epilogue was a nice little tie-up that left me with all the warm fuzzies.
I really don't have adequate words for how I feel about this book. I honestly can't believe this is the author's first novel, and it makes me excited to see what she'll do next. On my auto-buy list for sure.
estelleisreading's review
3.0
It's well written, the characters are interesting, the romance is quick (saying i love you after two weeks) but believable given the time period and context. I feel so bad rating this 3 stars because it's obviously a really good book. The research behind it all, the atmosphere, the tenderness. It deserves more but it's just way too long ...
It's a slooooow read, you need to take breaks and come back to it to really enjoy it. Nothing really happens but I like these kind of books usually. It's just that when it takes 4 pages to describe one thing it gets tiring.
Tbh I skimmed the last 20%. It really should have ended at 60% when James came back and it would have been the perfect 5 stars book :(
It's a slooooow read, you need to take breaks and come back to it to really enjoy it. Nothing really happens but I like these kind of books usually. It's just that when it takes 4 pages to describe one thing it gets tiring.
Tbh I skimmed the last 20%. It really should have ended at 60% when James came back and it would have been the perfect 5 stars book :(