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evethingiread's review against another edition
5.0
Yes yes yes. This was beautiful. Both Ryan and John are wonderful. And the drama is just right.
The way their relationship progresses made me so happy. I didn’t want to put this book down. There was a certain level of matter of fact from both characters that felt right. Felt real. They were always so honest with each other.
I loved it
The way their relationship progresses made me so happy. I didn’t want to put this book down. There was a certain level of matter of fact from both characters that felt right. Felt real. They were always so honest with each other.
I loved it
drez80's review against another edition
3.0
This one was slow to get started, and while I appreciated both men's struggles in coming to terms with being gay, and it was great that they did actually struggle instead of just giving in and living HEA, it was too long, and the weird campus murder aspect was just random.
theoguinto's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this was a really nice and emotional read!
Ryan and John's friends to lovers was really sweet and filled with just the most emotional moments.
Them bonding over people they've lost and then John just immediately kissing Ryan from out of nowhere made me literally scream.
I love how they quickly formed a family unit when John's son Mark came to them.
Really not a fan of homophobia and wish that it wasn't such a big part of the conflict with John's family (Mark calling them fags, his ex and her husband calling them perverts)
They also did Torey dirty by having her stay with his ex and the emotionally abusive husband under the pretense that "girls need their mothers." Bullshit. Get her out of there dog.
The climax where Ryan rescues Mark from the burning building was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat.
The weird murder mystery subplot with the dead students was alright? I thought it would play more into the story (maybe John was being looked into as more of an actual suspect) but it ended up just being a way to get Mark into a burning building. It was then just plot dumped away at the end so it didn't really feel that well integrated into the story imo.
Still a good read. Could do without the harsh queerphobia from John's family though.
Ryan and John's friends to lovers was really sweet and filled with just the most emotional moments.
Them bonding over people they've lost and then John just immediately kissing Ryan from out of nowhere made me literally scream.
I love how they quickly formed a family unit when John's son Mark came to them.
Really not a fan of homophobia and wish that it wasn't such a big part of the conflict with John's family (Mark calling them fags, his ex and her husband calling them perverts)
They also did Torey dirty by having her stay with his ex and the emotionally abusive husband under the pretense that "girls need their mothers." Bullshit. Get her out of there dog.
The climax where Ryan rescues Mark from the burning building was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat.
The weird murder mystery subplot with the dead students was alright? I thought it would play more into the story (maybe John was being looked into as more of an actual suspect) but it ended up just being a way to get Mark into a burning building. It was then just plot dumped away at the end so it didn't really feel that well integrated into the story imo.
Still a good read. Could do without the harsh queerphobia from John's family though.
sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
4.0
What a lovely read. The Rebuilding Year is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I really really liked it.
It was refreshing that there was no major drama between John and Ryan. The GFY trope is something I shy away from because with very few exceptions (Tate and Logan from Ella Frank's "Temptation" series, or "Body Caught" by German author Chris P. Rolls) it just doesn't come across in a believable manner. While the ease with which Ryan and John accept their mutual attraction may be a frowner for other readers, I was quite OK with it. Why, I don't really know, but I think it's because they both come across as down-to-earth, pragmatic men who both are secure enough with their masculinity. I cannot say for sure how often this happens in real life, but for some reason I was comfortable with how it happened here. Also, there's no hissy fits, no massive misunderstandings, now beating around the bush - they understand each other, they respect each other, they communicate. I loved both of them, fiercely.
I liked how easily Ryan handled John's teenage kids, how he treated them as actual people instead of talking down to them the way adults often do. The way he handled Marcus after Marcus had witnessed his Dad kissing another man? Very smooth (although I held my breath for a moment when he mentions how he hopes John won't have to choose between him, Ryan, and his children. That could have gone very, very wrong.).
I didn't like the ex-wife coming across as the bitchy ex-wife, and her husband being the homophobic shit threatening to sue... this could have been a little less thickly layered but OK. On the other hand, the crisis towards the end, the one where Ryan has to face his demons, could have been blown up into a massively angsty bit but it wasn't.
Four out of five stars. If I'm not mistaken, there's a second book, and if yes, it goes straight on my must-read list.
It was refreshing that there was no major drama between John and Ryan. The GFY trope is something I shy away from because with very few exceptions (Tate and Logan from Ella Frank's "Temptation" series, or "Body Caught" by German author Chris P. Rolls) it just doesn't come across in a believable manner. While the ease with which Ryan and John accept their mutual attraction may be a frowner for other readers, I was quite OK with it. Why, I don't really know, but I think it's because they both come across as down-to-earth, pragmatic men who both are secure enough with their masculinity. I cannot say for sure how often this happens in real life, but for some reason I was comfortable with how it happened here. Also, there's no hissy fits, no massive misunderstandings, now beating around the bush - they understand each other, they respect each other, they communicate. I loved both of them, fiercely.
I liked how easily Ryan handled John's teenage kids, how he treated them as actual people instead of talking down to them the way adults often do. The way he handled Marcus after Marcus had witnessed his Dad kissing another man? Very smooth (although I held my breath for a moment when he mentions how he hopes John won't have to choose between him, Ryan, and his children. That could have gone very, very wrong.).
I didn't like the ex-wife coming across as the bitchy ex-wife, and her husband being the homophobic shit threatening to sue... this could have been a little less thickly layered but OK. On the other hand, the crisis towards the end, the one where Ryan has to face his demons, could have been blown up into a massively angsty bit but it wasn't.
Four out of five stars. If I'm not mistaken, there's a second book, and if yes, it goes straight on my must-read list.
tricia03053's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely story, interesting plot. Characters with depth, sexual tension, and excellent story pacing. Gotta try this author again.
teresab78's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I loved this book. The characters felt real, there was conflict without overwhelming angst and the sex scenes were steamy!
shemi's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable and easy read. A little problematic in some of the wording. Enjoyed the premise. Gave me faith and fidelity vibes, in a good way.
missawn's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second series by Kaje Harper. I absolutely adored the Life Lessons and quickly devoured this two-book series as well. This author can write and is able to create undeniable chemistry. Kaje Harper has decidedly earned a well deserved place among my very favorite authors in this genre ...
The MCs in this series were interesting and relatable. One thing that Kaje Harper does very well is families ... she is able to capture that dynamic in a way that is incredibly endearing and totally heartwarming. Few writers are able to do that without it being too syrupy sweet or annoying (particularly if children are involved). Somehow the author is able to create these amazing "found" families with perfectly balanced tension, drama and a who lot of lovely love ...
I liked both MCs very much. I found that they got under my skin and will live with me for a long time. However, I did struggle with the mechanics of Ryan's firefighter to med school transition. Also, his strangely antagonistic response to his family when it came to his brand new relationship. Of course it was a shock for them and they had reason for concern. Their relationship did progress surprisingly quickly (perhaps a little unbelievably so) ... I am not sure why he didn't feel like they needed time to adjust and expected them to accept everything instantaneously. He quickly moved into accusatory territory which at times made me uncomfortable. It made me at times question his motivations and character ... was he doing this for the shock value, to get back at his family? Especially since his family appeared to be supportive and caring? I ultimately don't think that was the case but at times it did come across that way unfortunately ...
Also, there was quite a bit of bi-erasure happening by using gay and bisexual interchangeable throughout the book. It is unfortunate because there are not a lot of bi MCs right now and this is otherwise an excellently written book. Bonus points for the rare mention of asexual as a valid sexual orientation ... and for avoiding annoying GFY cliches and tropes.
I am forever a fan ... and plan on reading more books by this author. She changed my mind about kids ... let's see if she can do the same for werewolves?
The MCs in this series were interesting and relatable. One thing that Kaje Harper does very well is families ... she is able to capture that dynamic in a way that is incredibly endearing and totally heartwarming. Few writers are able to do that without it being too syrupy sweet or annoying (particularly if children are involved). Somehow the author is able to create these amazing "found" families with perfectly balanced tension, drama and a who lot of lovely love ...
I liked both MCs very much. I found that they got under my skin and will live with me for a long time. However, I did struggle with the mechanics of Ryan's firefighter to med school transition. Also, his strangely antagonistic response to his family when it came to his brand new relationship. Of course it was a shock for them and they had reason for concern. Their relationship did progress surprisingly quickly (perhaps a little unbelievably so) ... I am not sure why he didn't feel like they needed time to adjust and expected them to accept everything instantaneously. He quickly moved into accusatory territory which at times made me uncomfortable. It made me at times question his motivations and character ... was he doing this for the shock value, to get back at his family? Especially since his family appeared to be supportive and caring? I ultimately don't think that was the case but at times it did come across that way unfortunately ...
Also, there was quite a bit of bi-erasure happening by using gay and bisexual interchangeable throughout the book. It is unfortunate because there are not a lot of bi MCs right now and this is otherwise an excellently written book. Bonus points for the rare mention of asexual as a valid sexual orientation ... and for avoiding annoying GFY cliches and tropes.
I am forever a fan ... and plan on reading more books by this author. She changed my mind about kids ... let's see if she can do the same for werewolves?
meganharnett's review against another edition
4.0
Ryan Ward is recovering from an accident that he was involved in as a firefighter. He has lost most of the use of his leg and walks around with a cane. Since he can't be a firefighter anymore he is going back to school to become a doctor. On his first day of school he slips on a stair and is rescued by John Barrett. John is the head landscape designer on campus and is older than Ryan. Over a series of run ins John and Ryan become friends. Ryan is living in an apartment with a college boy that has a trail full of women coming through the apartment at all hours, which is hard for Ryan since he needs quiet for studying. John owns a large house that is empty due to his ex-wife and children moving across the country a few years back. John offers his home to Ryan to be his roommate where the atmosphere will be better for him. Ryan accepts and becomes his roommate at first. Even though both men are straight as their friendship grows and they enjoy each other they learn to get over their fears and be with the person they love.
I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet and slow but it worked out in the end. I liked the characters especially Ryan and John. I only wished the story was a little longer but otherwise it was great. I felt for the struggle the characters went through when they both were trying to figure out if they were gay or not. This is one of the few stories I have read where both characters are straight and they realize they are in love with men. It makes the story have depth too, which always keeps me interested.
I give this story 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet and slow but it worked out in the end. I liked the characters especially Ryan and John. I only wished the story was a little longer but otherwise it was great. I felt for the struggle the characters went through when they both were trying to figure out if they were gay or not. This is one of the few stories I have read where both characters are straight and they realize they are in love with men. It makes the story have depth too, which always keeps me interested.
I give this story 4 stars.
elle_reads_lots's review
5.0
Loved a lot about this book. It's a mixed plot of mm romance but also telling the story of murder and other crimes, and the year rebuilding the life of the 2 MC. One is divorced and dealing with children and an ex-wife, the other is an ex-firefighter-turned-med-student who has been through traumatic accident. Lots going on, but the relationship between the MC is tender and touching. Side characters also interesting so I would defo read again. The writing is great such that it's so easy to read and grabs your attention. Oh and the ex-wife and her new husband are horrific characters who you love to hate!