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mschaeff's review
2.0
I think I want to note on this one that it was a two star read FOR ME, but I can absolutely see how someone else might feel differently on this one. It just wasn't it for me. I enjoyed the first book in this series, but oof. This one was tough. I think it's hard when you have two main characters who are both just fundamentally screwed up in ways that don't necessarily interface well together. The bullying in this one is really, really hard to read. (Note: I'm not holding that against the author, it's a pretty integral part of the story, but it's rough.) There's not much of a resolution to it, either. I also struggled with the idea of Adrian as a competent mental health professional, because we never see him in that role in this book. It was just kind of constantly sad, with very little upside and forward motion, and I struggled with that. Not a bad book, decently written, and like I said, I don't hold the tone against the author, it was realistic. Just not my jam.
ariaslibrary's review
3.0
heliophobia: a fear of the sun, sunlight, or any other bright lights.
I pictured Dr. Reid from Criminal Minds as Adrian the whole book. Okay, now this I enjoyed. Due to a traumatic event in the past, Rory lives in darkness, fearing even the artificial lights of his home. Worried, his friend encourages him to pursue help at a local centre and here we meet Adrian, a recent graduate in Psychology who has been employed at the centre. Thankfully, when they realise feelings are happening, their doctor-patient relationship is put to an end, so no unethical behaviour here…okay maybe a bit before they terminate their professional relationship.
This story is also about the effects of bullying and how even passively watching in the sidelines is detrimental to the victim. I really enjoyed this
I pictured Dr. Reid from Criminal Minds as Adrian the whole book. Okay, now this I enjoyed. Due to a traumatic event in the past, Rory lives in darkness, fearing even the artificial lights of his home. Worried, his friend encourages him to pursue help at a local centre and here we meet Adrian, a recent graduate in Psychology who has been employed at the centre. Thankfully, when they realise feelings are happening, their doctor-patient relationship is put to an end, so no unethical behaviour here…okay maybe a bit before they terminate their professional relationship.
This story is also about the effects of bullying and how even passively watching in the sidelines is detrimental to the victim. I really enjoyed this
enayqueerbooklover's review
5.0
Oh boy. This was intense, and beautiful, and tear-inducing. If you’ve ever been bullied, it’s a tough read, and heed the warnings. But the characters are painted so perfectly that you feel for them & cry with them. And their friend Krew is a firecracker & deserves a book! The peak of the angst & drama is really hard to read - you can see what’s coming, and it has you yelling at the world for how unfair & hideous some people can be. But the love that develops between the two MCs, Rory and Adrian, is worth all the build-up. Nicky James is bloody brilliant at writing about people with hard lives and mental health issues. And she makes you FEEL… in your gut and in your heart.
Addition - just realised Krew has a book!!
Addition - just realised Krew has a book!!
evelyn2015's review
5.0
4.5⭐️ Loved this fascinating, sweet, and heart-wrenching story about two men helping one another through hard times and psychological trauma. Rory and Adrian’s story deals with extreme anxiety, homophobia, and bullying.
Rory is the tattooed bad boy with a thick skin and a gruff attitude. He lives his entire life in complete darkness, only venturing outside under the cover of night due to his intense phobia of sunlight.
Adrian is the soft-spoken, inexperienced therapist sent to help Rory with his issues. As they get to know one another during sessions, they can’t help but notice their similarities and their growing attraction to one another.
I loved these two together.
Grumpy bad boy + virgin nerd is one of my favorite tropes.
I have yet to find a Nicky James book that isn’t brilliant and captivating.
Rory is the tattooed bad boy with a thick skin and a gruff attitude. He lives his entire life in complete darkness, only venturing outside under the cover of night due to his intense phobia of sunlight.
Adrian is the soft-spoken, inexperienced therapist sent to help Rory with his issues. As they get to know one another during sessions, they can’t help but notice their similarities and their growing attraction to one another.
I loved these two together.
Grumpy bad boy + virgin nerd is one of my favorite tropes.
I have yet to find a Nicky James book that isn’t brilliant and captivating.
semellark's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tobyryan's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
loulou87's review
4.0
I liked this book! But I would have liked to have more time with them daring and such. See some more progress for Rory.
I liked how Rory was sweet and considerate with Aiden.
All in all, I really enjoyed it.
Note: 5++++ stars for Adam Gold's narration ❤️❤️❤️
I liked how Rory was sweet and considerate with Aiden.
All in all, I really enjoyed it.
Note: 5++++ stars for Adam Gold's narration ❤️❤️❤️
reedkaye's review
5.0
I’m reviewing the audio edition. Every time I listen to/read one of this author’s stories I say it’s the best and yet again the next time I have to say this story grabbed me for different reasons. This author has the ability to take a character, give them such a description that I feel this story has to be real and then drags me through such emotional highs and lows, I’m exhausted at the end. This series has characters that are taken to their limits and somehow are able to find their way out.
Rory has suffered all his life in one way or another but six years ago a prank done to him was life threatening. He has such a fear that his bff convinces him to talk to a therapist.
Adrian has had more than his share of being bullied. His being gay has sent him to a college far away from everything he knew. The problem is that bullying followed him. His current roommates have done really mean things to him and they keep getting worse. The problem is his dad is paying for his housing and doesn’t listen. Things get out of hand and he is cornered trying to figure out how to deal with it. He starts a job that brings him into contact with Rory. From there the attraction grows until both are forced to deal with their issues.
This story is told in such a fashion is it easy to picture all these awful happenings as they occur. I have found few author’s that have the ability to bring characters and situations to life as well as this one can. I think Adam Gold’s narration did a good job representing these characters. I would highly recommend this series.
Rory has suffered all his life in one way or another but six years ago a prank done to him was life threatening. He has such a fear that his bff convinces him to talk to a therapist.
Adrian has had more than his share of being bullied. His being gay has sent him to a college far away from everything he knew. The problem is that bullying followed him. His current roommates have done really mean things to him and they keep getting worse. The problem is his dad is paying for his housing and doesn’t listen. Things get out of hand and he is cornered trying to figure out how to deal with it. He starts a job that brings him into contact with Rory. From there the attraction grows until both are forced to deal with their issues.
This story is told in such a fashion is it easy to picture all these awful happenings as they occur. I have found few author’s that have the ability to bring characters and situations to life as well as this one can. I think Adam Gold’s narration did a good job representing these characters. I would highly recommend this series.
alyssadokusho's review
4.0
[3.8] First things first, Adam Gold. *squeals* THE VOICE OF A GOD.
Ahem. ANYWAY.
Once again, Nicky James crafts a compelling story centering around mental health, this time about heliophobia—the fear of the sun, or in some cases, any bright light—which is a very real phobia Rory faces every single day. I absolutely loved how the condition was explained and described through his lifestyle and routine. Rory's a bit of a grumpy pants but he's also such a sweetheart, and when he reveals his vulnerable side, I'm- 😭💖💖
The whole "counselor-client relationship seeping into romantic territory" thing did have me a lil nervous when I first laid eyes on the blurb (there's just so many ways this uneven power dynamic could go wrong and my former healthcare experience had alarms blaring in my head), but thankfully it was dealt with pretty decently.
So why the 3.8 rating? Because Adrian's situation had me FUMING , and as I mentioned in another review, I've been reading too many stories lately with doormat MCs (it appears my patience has run thin 🤪) so listening to my heart and rating this close to 4* but not quite.
His parents were the first perpetrators, caring only about his grades in school and nothing about their son's actual well-being, and laid the groundwork for Adrian's silent tolerance of bullies who seem to be out to get him every chance they get—in this case, his evil roommates 🙄 Poor Adrian's bullied in so many ways, and witnessing how he endured this torture for 4+ years was horrific (although I can't completely fathom why he never snapped and left because that shiz was traumatizing af).
The mere thought of Adrian's roommates now has me ready to throw fists and spit literal fire so hearing about their so-called "pranks" in real time? I was full on LIVID .
Nothing quite like listening to an audiobook in bed to "wind down" for the night and instead stay up until 3am punching the pillow you should be resting your head on because certain despicable pieces of scum are treating your fictional child like trash 😤
Besides the very visceral reaction I had to the sheer cruelty of these bullies, I loved the ending (so touching and beautiful!), the sense of hope, and Krew's role in the book, especially toward the end with that whole cruel fiasco. Can't wait to read more from this series!
Ahem. ANYWAY.
Once again, Nicky James crafts a compelling story centering around mental health, this time about heliophobia—the fear of the sun, or in some cases, any bright light—which is a very real phobia Rory faces every single day. I absolutely loved how the condition was explained and described through his lifestyle and routine. Rory's a bit of a grumpy pants but he's also such a sweetheart, and when he reveals his vulnerable side, I'm- 😭💖💖
The whole "counselor-client relationship seeping into romantic territory" thing did have me a lil nervous when I first laid eyes on the blurb (there's just so many ways this uneven power dynamic could go wrong and my former healthcare experience had alarms blaring in my head), but thankfully it was dealt with pretty decently.
So why the 3.8 rating? Because Adrian's situation had me FUMING , and as I mentioned in another review, I've been reading too many stories lately with doormat MCs (it appears my patience has run thin 🤪) so listening to my heart and rating this close to 4* but not quite.
His parents were the first perpetrators, caring only about his grades in school and nothing about their son's actual well-being, and laid the groundwork for Adrian's silent tolerance of bullies who seem to be out to get him every chance they get—in this case, his evil roommates 🙄 Poor Adrian's bullied in so many ways, and witnessing how he endured this torture for 4+ years was horrific (although I can't completely fathom why he never snapped and left because that shiz was traumatizing af).
The mere thought of Adrian's roommates now has me ready to throw fists and spit literal fire so hearing about their so-called "pranks" in real time? I was full on LIVID .
Nothing quite like listening to an audiobook in bed to "wind down" for the night and instead stay up until 3am punching the pillow you should be resting your head on because certain despicable pieces of scum are treating your fictional child like trash 😤
Besides the very visceral reaction I had to the sheer cruelty of these bullies, I loved the ending (so touching and beautiful!), the sense of hope, and Krew's role in the book, especially toward the end with that whole cruel fiasco. Can't wait to read more from this series!