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teresab78's review
5.0
Great novel
I really liked both mc’s. I felt connected with the characters. I loved that they took time to be friends. The emotional parts had me tearing up.
I really liked both mc’s. I felt connected with the characters. I loved that they took time to be friends. The emotional parts had me tearing up.
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this story because this is a love story that the author took time to develop. This story was well written and the main characters were constructed methodically.
Jacob “Jake” Kendricks was a man who let his temper get the best of him at times, which resulted in a stint in prison. When he was released, Jake resolved to lay low and piece his life back together starting with rebuilding his relationship with his nine-year-old daughter Caroline.
Jake found his neighbor Maxwell “Max” Wilson on the steps of their apartment building, beaten to a pulp. After Jake took Max took the hospital, Jake’s kind heart made him take pity on a young bullied guy. A sweet friendship developed ensued and later blossomed into love for Jake and Max.
This story was not a fast insta-love type of romance. It was a layered story where the author took her time to build up the characters. I felt invested in both Jake and Max as individual struggling with their various issues as well as their budding romance which was wrought with trust issues. Both characters had to learn to depend on the other as well as heal their own hearts from past hurts.
I haven’t read this author before, but I enjoyed the story-telling. I empathized with all the characters and couldn’t help but root for them. My only issue was the slow pace of the story. I understand it was necessary to really focus on individual struggles of both Jake and Max, but I was hoping for the romance to get underway a lot faster. It also took a while for the author to reveal why Jake spent in prison and I got impatient. Still, at the end I was left very satisfied with the ending. Jake and Max healing each other made everything worth it.
Jacob “Jake” Kendricks was a man who let his temper get the best of him at times, which resulted in a stint in prison. When he was released, Jake resolved to lay low and piece his life back together starting with rebuilding his relationship with his nine-year-old daughter Caroline.
Jake found his neighbor Maxwell “Max” Wilson on the steps of their apartment building, beaten to a pulp. After Jake took Max took the hospital, Jake’s kind heart made him take pity on a young bullied guy. A sweet friendship developed ensued and later blossomed into love for Jake and Max.
This story was not a fast insta-love type of romance. It was a layered story where the author took her time to build up the characters. I felt invested in both Jake and Max as individual struggling with their various issues as well as their budding romance which was wrought with trust issues. Both characters had to learn to depend on the other as well as heal their own hearts from past hurts.
I haven’t read this author before, but I enjoyed the story-telling. I empathized with all the characters and couldn’t help but root for them. My only issue was the slow pace of the story. I understand it was necessary to really focus on individual struggles of both Jake and Max, but I was hoping for the romance to get underway a lot faster. It also took a while for the author to reveal why Jake spent in prison and I got impatient. Still, at the end I was left very satisfied with the ending. Jake and Max healing each other made everything worth it.
kparrbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Found this book online a while back, then forgot the title and author, but the story still stuck with me! Flash forward several months, and I manage to find it again! Hallelujah! This time I bought it because I knew I would love it. Having read the book, I can say that yes, I did very much enjoy it! The tropes of ex-cons, guilt, characters gaining self-esteem, etc. are all right up my alley! Excellent writing, great characterization, lovely plot and world-building, delightful romance, and overall a wonderful read. Check it out if you can!
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
I’m not a big fan of purely character driven stories but this one was quite engaging and built up as it went on. (Though for me, it was perhaps a bit long).
As the story unfolds we get hints as to the issues both Jake and Max have both lived through. I did feel we got a full history on Jake eventually but Max remained more of a mystery.
Their friendship, born out of Max’s beating develops slowly as does any hint of romance. I did appreciate Max not bouncing straight back up from his head injuries, though he may have pushed too soon even so.
I did like the Kendricks and can see how Max would blossom in that environment.
I’m not a big fan of purely character driven stories but this one was quite engaging and built up as it went on. (Though for me, it was perhaps a bit long).
As the story unfolds we get hints as to the issues both Jake and Max have both lived through. I did feel we got a full history on Jake eventually but Max remained more of a mystery
Spoiler
other than his overbearing, bully of a father, psychological abuseTheir friendship, born out of Max’s beating develops slowly as does any hint of romance. I did appreciate Max not bouncing straight back up from his head injuries, though he may have pushed too soon even so.
I did like the Kendricks and can see how Max would blossom in that environment.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
4.0
Jake Kendricks is not your typical hero. He’s made mistakes—some of them more devastating than others. Recently, he’s been released from prison, is back at his construction job and trying to get his life back on track. When he finds a guy on his doorstep, he thinks it’s some drunk bum sleeping it off—until his hands come back covered in blood when he tries to move him. He calls his sister, who is an ER nurse, and he takes the guy to the hospital where he discovers it’s his neighbor who he’s never really even talked to.
Max has been beaten to a pulp, and, apparently, it’s far from the first time this has happened. He’s spent his whole life, up until now, as a bit of a punching bag for whatever bullies decide to go after him. He had a couple of good years at college, but then his mother’s illness forced him to come back home, and after he left home for good the year before and moved to Philly, he’s made his own way. When Jake insists that Max stay at his apartment to be watched over after his beating and concussion, Max is definitely reluctant, but he doesn’t have the strength to argue.
Jake is mad at himself that he didn’t make sure the lightbulb got changed in the alley, which he thinks might have deterred the guys who beat up Max. He feels guilty about it and decides that he’s going to look in on Max and make sure he’s healing and taking care of himself. Max is pretty prickly about Jake’s interference, but he also kind of likes it.
When Jake suggests that Max join him at his dojo to maybe pick up some self-defense moves, Max is not at all convinced that it’s a good idea. But he doesn’t exactly have anything else to do, so he goes along. By this point, Max has pretty much acknowledged, to himself at least, his growing attraction to Jake. For his part, Jake is feeling guilty that he hasn’t been upfront with Max about his sexuality, and since he has an ex and a daughter, Max has been free to draw his own conclusions. Jake is also a bit ambivalent about how his bisexuality has been viewed and commented on by those he has been honest with in the past, so it’s not like he’s itching to come out with it.
There are some miscommunications, though, and some not super helpful “help” from some of Jake’s friends when it comes to Jake being honest with Max, and things don’t go so well. Luckily there are other factors at work, and Jake also isn’t one to necessarily give up. It’s pretty clear that Max and Jake have some stuff to work through, and they need to work on being more open and honest with their feelings as well.
While Jake and Max’s friendship is building, there are a lot of other things that are going on with Jake’s family, the self-defense classes, and some disturbing information about who may have beaten Max. Jake once again finds himself riddled with guilt over a lot of things that he may or may not have any control over. And Max has difficulty dealing with his insecurity, feeling that he’s just some sort of do-gooder project for Jake. But really, Jake’s only concern is Max and making sure he is getting what he needs. When Max has another crisis, Jake blames himself and again nearly loses himself in his anger and fear. He’s got some good friends and family who help him through it, though. Certainly, Max and Jake have to work pretty hard for their happy ending.
I really liked this story. This is the first full-length novel I’ve read by this author, after enjoying her shorter stories. I have to say I’m a sucker for fucked up underdog characters, and this story has it in spades. Both main characters have had a rough go of it and have come out the other side. Jake and Max both worked hard to make some sort of a life for themselves that they view as successful and independent. I liked that they were very different types of guys, and Max’s prickly nature and Jake’s kindness and compassion really complement each other. Jake never wanted to push Max or make him feel like he has to do anything or wasn’t in charge of his own decisions. At times it was painful to watch them try to get it together, but it’s so worth it.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
Max has been beaten to a pulp, and, apparently, it’s far from the first time this has happened. He’s spent his whole life, up until now, as a bit of a punching bag for whatever bullies decide to go after him. He had a couple of good years at college, but then his mother’s illness forced him to come back home, and after he left home for good the year before and moved to Philly, he’s made his own way. When Jake insists that Max stay at his apartment to be watched over after his beating and concussion, Max is definitely reluctant, but he doesn’t have the strength to argue.
Jake is mad at himself that he didn’t make sure the lightbulb got changed in the alley, which he thinks might have deterred the guys who beat up Max. He feels guilty about it and decides that he’s going to look in on Max and make sure he’s healing and taking care of himself. Max is pretty prickly about Jake’s interference, but he also kind of likes it.
When Jake suggests that Max join him at his dojo to maybe pick up some self-defense moves, Max is not at all convinced that it’s a good idea. But he doesn’t exactly have anything else to do, so he goes along. By this point, Max has pretty much acknowledged, to himself at least, his growing attraction to Jake. For his part, Jake is feeling guilty that he hasn’t been upfront with Max about his sexuality, and since he has an ex and a daughter, Max has been free to draw his own conclusions. Jake is also a bit ambivalent about how his bisexuality has been viewed and commented on by those he has been honest with in the past, so it’s not like he’s itching to come out with it.
There are some miscommunications, though, and some not super helpful “help” from some of Jake’s friends when it comes to Jake being honest with Max, and things don’t go so well. Luckily there are other factors at work, and Jake also isn’t one to necessarily give up. It’s pretty clear that Max and Jake have some stuff to work through, and they need to work on being more open and honest with their feelings as well.
While Jake and Max’s friendship is building, there are a lot of other things that are going on with Jake’s family, the self-defense classes, and some disturbing information about who may have beaten Max. Jake once again finds himself riddled with guilt over a lot of things that he may or may not have any control over. And Max has difficulty dealing with his insecurity, feeling that he’s just some sort of do-gooder project for Jake. But really, Jake’s only concern is Max and making sure he is getting what he needs. When Max has another crisis, Jake blames himself and again nearly loses himself in his anger and fear. He’s got some good friends and family who help him through it, though. Certainly, Max and Jake have to work pretty hard for their happy ending.
I really liked this story. This is the first full-length novel I’ve read by this author, after enjoying her shorter stories. I have to say I’m a sucker for fucked up underdog characters, and this story has it in spades. Both main characters have had a rough go of it and have come out the other side. Jake and Max both worked hard to make some sort of a life for themselves that they view as successful and independent. I liked that they were very different types of guys, and Max’s prickly nature and Jake’s kindness and compassion really complement each other. Jake never wanted to push Max or make him feel like he has to do anything or wasn’t in charge of his own decisions. At times it was painful to watch them try to get it together, but it’s so worth it.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
rebecca_3's review against another edition
3.0
Max was sweet but I didnt care for Jake that much. Plus all the stuff with his ex was annoying. And it focused a lot more on Max's issues than on the romance.
susanscribs's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, probably my favorite Kelly Jensen book to date (including her [b:Chaos Station|23595481|Chaos Station (Chaos Station, #1)|Jenn Burke|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422552182s/23595481.jpg|43197919] series with Jenn Burke). It had everything going for it - sweetness, hurt/comfort, humor, heat - and a nice slow burn between the two MCs as their friendship developed into much more. My heart broke several times for both characters, and then Kelly Jensen neatly sewed it up back together. I really felt the two men fall in love and develop more faith in themselves through their relationship. If you like down-but-not-out MCs, and both family love (Jake's) and family angst (Max's), you should give this one a try.
terriaminute's review
5.0
I've read a lot of romances over the last almost two years. Some of them are among the finest books I've read, ever. This one isn't quite that perfect, but oh, it's close. It misses only because I'm a sf/f fan at heart, and this is contemporary. The evolution of the attraction through many stages is just amazingly well done. The delicacy the author displays in showing feelings is impressive; at one point it startled tears from my eyes. Every character is so well portrayed I feel like I've met them, like I'd know them on the street.
If you are in need of a very well written m/m romance, this is your book.
If you are in need of a very well written m/m romance, this is your book.
endemictoearth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
4.5
This book is pretty intense. Max in particular goes through a lot (and we find out, has been going through it for a long time.) It's slow burn, it's hurt/comfort, and it's compelling as hell. The book deals with a lot of injustice, and one of the resolutions to a situation (not the main relationship) is pretty hard to swallow, but it was definitely a memorable book that I might return to in future.
4/1/2022 - I did return to it! It was even better the second time I read it, too. Bumping it up to 4.5 stars.
4/1/2022 - I did return to it! It was even better the second time I read it, too. Bumping it up to 4.5 stars.
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