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els17's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
malhmk's review
5.0
This book was so good. I read it straight through in a day. It’s sweet and steamy and tells a story of characters that feel very real, good men struggling to overcome their limiting patterns when they find each other and feel an undeniable draw that makes taking a risk on each other worthwhile.
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expect
* Strangers to lovers
* Opposites attract
* Grumpy sunshine
* Disability rep
* Mental health rep
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Cold case mystery
* Kink exploration : bondage, restraint, edging, o-control, dirty talk, praise kink.
I was in awe of Holden - so unbelievably resilient, patient, kind and yet struggling with his own hurts and coping mechanisms, needing to be seen as more than the extrovert who lightens situations. And Cal, so strong and still carrying all that pain and loss and grief, so prickly and so lonely with such a big heart trying to do all he can for those who need him, looking to put his burdens down for a bit, finally finding a place to belong to in Holden and Safe Harbour
The story is so heart warming, these two men, completely at odds at first but joint in the mission for justice and then a strong friendship which tips into so much more. That first kink scene was sublime. The way their dynamic builds and grows deeper, adding to their attachment to each other and helping them overcome what’s holding them back was beautiful to read, concluding in what felt inevitable.
The author doesn’t slacken the pace at all and handles a line up of themes around loss, ptsd as well as chronic physical pain and impairment with gentle sensitivity and empathy, and a realistic depiction of the limitations it can place and how impacted by both physical and metal stressors these conditions are.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
cruelsummers's review
3.25
It was good and I liked the characters but for some reason it didn’t catch me as much as the first one did and the ending felt kind of drawn out
vicki_williams's review against another edition
4.0
Cal is such a grumpy, prickly, irritable and stubborn man who crept into my heart pretty much immediately. His soul is burdened with many wounds that haunt him and I just wanted to hug him. Holden is a wheelchair user living with chronic pain which he hides from others by being the town comedian.
Circumstances bring Cal to Safe Harbor and his first meeting with Holden whose later assessment is that “angry cats have nothing on Cal”. Although Holden does feel somewhat of a connection to Cal and takes it upon himself to win his trust and make him smile. It takes a while for them to let down some of their walls but being roommates gives them plenty of time for their friendship to grow into more. Which includes a “kink awakening” for Holden as Cal explores his love of rope play.
I really enjoyed the journey these two mature characters travelled to get their HEA. They certainly had some ups and downs but they left me smiling at the end after giving me some feels along the way. Cal plays an integral role in moving the criminal mystery from the previous book further ahead and I’m looking forward to how that all plays out in the next instalment of the series.
Circumstances bring Cal to Safe Harbor and his first meeting with Holden whose later assessment is that “angry cats have nothing on Cal”. Although Holden does feel somewhat of a connection to Cal and takes it upon himself to win his trust and make him smile. It takes a while for them to let down some of their walls but being roommates gives them plenty of time for their friendship to grow into more. Which includes a “kink awakening” for Holden as Cal explores his love of rope play.
I really enjoyed the journey these two mature characters travelled to get their HEA. They certainly had some ups and downs but they left me smiling at the end after giving me some feels along the way. Cal plays an integral role in moving the criminal mystery from the previous book further ahead and I’m looking forward to how that all plays out in the next instalment of the series.
lunariver's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jenndmitis's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Super cute grumpy to happy lovers tale is worth the read.
wandereaderr's review
3.0
Very very sweet.
I’m so glad I finished this in my car on my lunch break. (Obvi I wasn’t driving). I sobbbbbed at the end. It was so cute and emotional.
I loved how prickly Cal was and how Holden never let that deter him. I definitely understand how Cal was feeling the entire time.
Ugh the emotions. There were so many and they were all so beautiful.
A solid addition to the series for sure. Super excited for Sam’s book next!
I’m so glad I finished this in my car on my lunch break. (Obvi I wasn’t driving). I sobbbbbed at the end. It was so cute and emotional.
I loved how prickly Cal was and how Holden never let that deter him. I definitely understand how Cal was feeling the entire time.
Ugh the emotions. There were so many and they were all so beautiful.
A solid addition to the series for sure. Super excited for Sam’s book next!