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bfdbookblog's review
4.0
As I started reading this book, I was drawn in by the emotions and backstory of both characters. I just knew it would be a 5 star read from the beginning. However, as the book progressed the pacing of the rest of the story didn’t match the beginning – it felt rushed and big chunks of story were missing. Even the angst near the end felt a little rushed. The story was still good, I just felt like it was on fast forward through half of it – it would have been one of my favorites of the year if the second half had been more developed. If you don’t mind the rushed pace, you will love this story. There are a few heavy issues to deal with – familial, loss of a partner, sexual identity and discovery.
Phineas is mourning the loss of his longtime partner and basically not living – he’s kind of stuck in the past. Providing a refuge for Sandy brings him back to the living. Phineas at first appears to be kind of an old man – too serious, a little bit of a homebody and somewhat emotional. He’s very sweet, good to his friends and awesome with Sandy. But when we meet his alter ego – Phanny Hill – we realize he can be fierce and unstoppable. He seems to need Cody’s calmness and easy going personality to cam and balance him.
Cody claims to be a bit of a free spirit – he never stays in one place for too long which is how he ends up in Portland. He’s had a bad run with relationships and is a bit afraid of commitment. He wears his heart on his sleeve a bit and rushes into relationships. He’s immediately drawn to both Cody and Sandy and is a good complement to that family.
I liked all of the characters and will definitely read the next book in the series should there be one.
Phineas is mourning the loss of his longtime partner and basically not living – he’s kind of stuck in the past. Providing a refuge for Sandy brings him back to the living. Phineas at first appears to be kind of an old man – too serious, a little bit of a homebody and somewhat emotional. He’s very sweet, good to his friends and awesome with Sandy. But when we meet his alter ego – Phanny Hill – we realize he can be fierce and unstoppable. He seems to need Cody’s calmness and easy going personality to cam and balance him.
Cody claims to be a bit of a free spirit – he never stays in one place for too long which is how he ends up in Portland. He’s had a bad run with relationships and is a bit afraid of commitment. He wears his heart on his sleeve a bit and rushes into relationships. He’s immediately drawn to both Cody and Sandy and is a good complement to that family.
I liked all of the characters and will definitely read the next book in the series should there be one.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
Technically There You Are is the second story in this series, but I think it could be read as a standalone novel; although, there are spoilers for the first story. For better context around Cody’s relationships and his friends in DC, read these two books in order.
This story takes place just after the events of Wild and Precious, and begins where Cody left off in that book. Wanting to quench what he sees as his wanderlust, he has an opportunity to go to Portland to join another band. He jumps at the chance, much to the chagrin of his BFFs, Aurora and Bette, who call him on his running away again. But he’s anxious to make the change, and so what if maybe it does have a little something to do with Brent?
While on the train to Portland from Chicago, he meets up with Sandy, who is running away—well, he’s eighteen so technically, that’s not entirely accurate, but he’s leaving his family and heading to his gay uncle in Portland because he can’t deal with his parents—they want him to go someplace to “pray the gay away,” even though Sandy is pretty sure he’s bisexual. Turns out Sandy’s uncle is friends with the guy in the band that Cody is meeting at the train station. Uncle Phineas is nothing like Cody expected—he’s gorgeous and sad. Plucks right at Cody’s heartstrings . . . and possibly other places as well.
But alas, of course true love is never easy. Phineas has been in mourning for four years, since his partner, Allen, died. Cody is the first one to make him feel anything since then. But of course, there is the guilt about that as well. Phineas has also given up his drag persona, Fanny Hill, since Allen’s death. But Cody seems to bring back his desire to perform again.
Sandy, Phineas’s nephew, has some growing up to do, but he seems to really love his uncle and is grateful to have a safe place to land. Cody and Phineas both do their best for Sandy. Phineas feels a bit overwhelmed at times—he never wanted to be a parent and is terrified of messing up. His shrew of a sister, Sandy’s mother, is no help, certainly.
We do get a cameo appearance from Bette and Aurora in a visit. They miss Cody but seem to really like Phineas, and they are happy that Cody is finally happy. They are worried that he’ll somehow screw it up, though—possibly with good reason (and a ring-side view for Cody’s previous relationship implosions).
The focus of the story really, though, is Cody figuring out who he is, what he wants and what he is willing to do to achieve that. And it’s funny because the insight that comes to him is really not at all in a dramatic way, but through a quiet epiphany coaxed from him by a stranger. It was great to see him comes to terms with himself.
Overall, I really liked all the characters in There You Are. Cody grows up a lot in this book and has to work hard to get his happiness, and maybe it doesn’t look exactly like he thought it would. I liked watching Phineas come to terms with his loss and what moving on would really mean, despite the guilt and sadness that has held him back. Sandy is a fresh young character, a special kid, and he’s going to be fine, I think, with all of his cheerleaders. I really hope there are more stories to come because these characters are a pleasure to follow and I’d love to see what comes next for them,
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-there-you-are-by-cjane-elliott/
This story takes place just after the events of Wild and Precious, and begins where Cody left off in that book. Wanting to quench what he sees as his wanderlust, he has an opportunity to go to Portland to join another band. He jumps at the chance, much to the chagrin of his BFFs, Aurora and Bette, who call him on his running away again. But he’s anxious to make the change, and so what if maybe it does have a little something to do with Brent?
While on the train to Portland from Chicago, he meets up with Sandy, who is running away—well, he’s eighteen so technically, that’s not entirely accurate, but he’s leaving his family and heading to his gay uncle in Portland because he can’t deal with his parents—they want him to go someplace to “pray the gay away,” even though Sandy is pretty sure he’s bisexual. Turns out Sandy’s uncle is friends with the guy in the band that Cody is meeting at the train station. Uncle Phineas is nothing like Cody expected—he’s gorgeous and sad. Plucks right at Cody’s heartstrings . . . and possibly other places as well.
But alas, of course true love is never easy. Phineas has been in mourning for four years, since his partner, Allen, died. Cody is the first one to make him feel anything since then. But of course, there is the guilt about that as well. Phineas has also given up his drag persona, Fanny Hill, since Allen’s death. But Cody seems to bring back his desire to perform again.
Sandy, Phineas’s nephew, has some growing up to do, but he seems to really love his uncle and is grateful to have a safe place to land. Cody and Phineas both do their best for Sandy. Phineas feels a bit overwhelmed at times—he never wanted to be a parent and is terrified of messing up. His shrew of a sister, Sandy’s mother, is no help, certainly.
We do get a cameo appearance from Bette and Aurora in a visit. They miss Cody but seem to really like Phineas, and they are happy that Cody is finally happy. They are worried that he’ll somehow screw it up, though—possibly with good reason (and a ring-side view for Cody’s previous relationship implosions).
The focus of the story really, though, is Cody figuring out who he is, what he wants and what he is willing to do to achieve that. And it’s funny because the insight that comes to him is really not at all in a dramatic way, but through a quiet epiphany coaxed from him by a stranger. It was great to see him comes to terms with himself.
Overall, I really liked all the characters in There You Are. Cody grows up a lot in this book and has to work hard to get his happiness, and maybe it doesn’t look exactly like he thought it would. I liked watching Phineas come to terms with his loss and what moving on would really mean, despite the guilt and sadness that has held him back. Sandy is a fresh young character, a special kid, and he’s going to be fine, I think, with all of his cheerleaders. I really hope there are more stories to come because these characters are a pleasure to follow and I’d love to see what comes next for them,
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/review-there-you-are-by-cjane-elliott/
ktomp17's review
4.0
I liked this so much more than the last book in the series! I really liked Cody in that book, so I was disappointed in how it all played out with him and Brent. It actually broke my heart a little bit to see how affected by Brent he was even though he didn’t appear to be that much in the last book.
Cody has decided to get away from DC and head to Portland, Oregon for a music gig. On his train ride across country, he meets Sandy, an 18-year-old running away from his ultra conservative parents. He’s heading to stay with his Uncle Phinneas, who just happens to be BFF’s with a band mate of Cody. Phinney and Cody become very close and fall in love. Of course, the trail isn’t always so smooth as Cody starts to feel insecure and starts to feel confined. Luckily all works out, and there wasn’t a ton of angst to make me twitchy, so it was great. I loved these guys together. Phinney was just as great as Cody. I also loved Phanny Hill, Phinney’s drag alter ego. Awesome book.
I almost wish I could’ve seen a little more of these guys and their future, but it looks like book 3 will pick up where this left off, so that makes me happy.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews>
Cody has decided to get away from DC and head to Portland, Oregon for a music gig. On his train ride across country, he meets Sandy, an 18-year-old running away from his ultra conservative parents. He’s heading to stay with his Uncle Phinneas, who just happens to be BFF’s with a band mate of Cody. Phinney and Cody become very close and fall in love. Of course, the trail isn’t always so smooth as Cody starts to feel insecure and starts to feel confined. Luckily all works out, and there wasn’t a ton of angst to make me twitchy, so it was great. I loved these guys together. Phinney was just as great as Cody. I also loved Phanny Hill, Phinney’s drag alter ego. Awesome book.
I almost wish I could’ve seen a little more of these guys and their future, but it looks like book 3 will pick up where this left off, so that makes me happy.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews>
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