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n8b's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bfdbookblog's review
4.0
This is a quick read and I would agree with other reviewers that it is beautiful…heartbreaking at times and sweet at times. It is a surprisingly complete story although there were a couple of things I could have done without and a couple of things I would like to have seen added.
Both characters are flawed in different ways. Joe has a very low self-esteem and no self-worth mostly because of other people. Alex has suffered through a tragedy. They’re good for each other; balance each other. I know Alex would help boost Joe’s self-esteem and worth. Joe would help Alex forget what he’s seen. They get each other.
I would have liked to have Joe’s POV. I would have liked to have seen what continues between them. I didn’t care for the addition of William. That seemed unnecessary to me.
Overall, definitely worth the time to read.
Both characters are flawed in different ways. Joe has a very low self-esteem and no self-worth mostly because of other people. Alex has suffered through a tragedy. They’re good for each other; balance each other. I know Alex would help boost Joe’s self-esteem and worth. Joe would help Alex forget what he’s seen. They get each other.
I would have liked to have Joe’s POV. I would have liked to have seen what continues between them. I didn’t care for the addition of William. That seemed unnecessary to me.
Overall, definitely worth the time to read.
achillespatroclus's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
endemictoearth's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Very sweet age gap romance, with two damaged men. Some fairly graphic descriptions of a very traumatic event, but we need them to understand Alex’s issues. Joe’s shyness and communicating through comics is tres adorable. I did balk slightly at paying $4.99 for a 94 page novella, but I was desperate for more by Lee Welch, and the follow-up story was free on her website.
cadiva's review
4.0
This book is beautiful, that's the best way I can describe it. I've not read anything by Lee Welch before but I'll be looking for her other stuff now.
For a novella she manages to create such a rich and compelling storyline with two fully developed characters and a pitch perfect setting. It's only not a 5* read for me because I wanted more than just a short peak to Alex and Joe.
These two richly portrayed men are both scarred, one in body, one in his soul and it takes a long slow almost torturous build up to get them together. By the time that happens, and it's mutual blow jobs only, the book ends, but with such a promise of joy and happiness going forward.
I loved this, it just brought happiness to my heart.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
For a novella she manages to create such a rich and compelling storyline with two fully developed characters and a pitch perfect setting. It's only not a 5* read for me because I wanted more than just a short peak to Alex and Joe.
These two richly portrayed men are both scarred, one in body, one in his soul and it takes a long slow almost torturous build up to get them together. By the time that happens, and it's mutual blow jobs only, the book ends, but with such a promise of joy and happiness going forward.
I loved this, it just brought happiness to my heart.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
susanscribs's review
4.0
Very sweet slow burn romance between a 45 year old PTSD survivor and the shy younger man he meets when he moves to a small New Zealand town. Lots of pining and "he can't possibly want me, I'm too old and damaged" and a bit of a mystery about why the younger guy is so skittish. Lovely lyrical writing that puts me in mind of [a:Harper Fox|4059028|Harper Fox|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1308927760p2/4059028.jpg]'s best work. Almost lost a full star at the end due to an unnecessary external obstacle is placed in the MCs path, and an explicit sex scene that seems jarring after all of the chaste pining that took place before it.
I read this several months after [b:Salt Magic, Skin Magic|40722060|Salt Magic, Skin Magic|Lee Welch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1530750775s/40722060.jpg|63344403], and although it's not as polished as Welch's breakout novel, it's interesting to see how she got her start. She definitely showed a lot of promise with this debut, and I'm glad the promise was fulfilled.
I read this several months after [b:Salt Magic, Skin Magic|40722060|Salt Magic, Skin Magic|Lee Welch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1530750775s/40722060.jpg|63344403], and although it's not as polished as Welch's breakout novel, it's interesting to see how she got her start. She definitely showed a lot of promise with this debut, and I'm glad the promise was fulfilled.
amyaislin's review
4.0
This was very sweet and I very much enjoyed it. Lee Welch manages to pack a lot into this novella. Alex and Joe, so perfectly flawed, and yet that's what makes them perfect for each other.
The story ends in such a way that left me wanting an epilogue a year later to see how they're doing, yet at the same time it gave me such a feeling of hope.
I highly recommend this novella if you're looking for two sweet MCs, great writing, and a lovely story.
The story ends in such a way that left me wanting an epilogue a year later to see how they're doing, yet at the same time it gave me such a feeling of hope.
I highly recommend this novella if you're looking for two sweet MCs, great writing, and a lovely story.
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