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birdee_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
drez80's review against another edition
3.0
OK so I didn't love this book because while I understand that it would be difficult to decide you're gay in your 30s (were they 30s or late 20s?!), so I can appreciate Cooper's struggles, I can't understand Noah's willingness to do anything Cooper wants at anytime. So right now, Cooper wants Noah, but 3 hours later, he's freaking and they're over. Noah just easily goes along, and even though he tells Cooper it's the last time cuz he can't do it and he won't go back in the closet for anyone based on the issues with his ex, he goes back into the closet and gives in to Cooper every time anyway. He should have moved out and told Cooper when he got things figured out to come talk to him instead of allowing Coop's wishy-washiness to affect him and make him go against his promise to not go back in the closet. The sex was hot, but it got old because I just found myself bothered by both MCs. Again, I get Cooper being freaked, but you're being a d!ck to your best friend, and Noah seriously need to tell him where to go. Esp. after . He didn't even tell them you were back and friends again. And the Uncle... UGH! Someone should have kicked his a$$ at the end. I had expected Mr. High Horse to have some secret gay thing that Autumn somehow knew about, not , but seriously, I HATE people like him. You don't get be all high and mighty when you're the one who was actually shady and created the mess in the first place.
Spoiler
the fire and the argument with the aunt and uncleSpoiler
the affair with Noah's momsuzysuzy34's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book, but I didn't. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Noah and Coop and the writing style was poor IMO. The other thing I struggled with is Coop suddenly realising he loved Noah, he was straight his whole life then suddenly Noah is the one, I just didn't feel it. (Also Noah calling Coop baby, didn't like it). I don't mind straight guys suddenly falling for another man, for instance Ella Franks Try was blooming fantastic, maybe I'm comparing to that. Saying that I am interested in Wes's story and at some point I think I will try this author again.
wintergirl94's review against another edition
4.0
This was just what I needed! I wanted a gorgeous friends to lovers with a beautiful shared last and that’s what I got.
Noah and Cooper were just wonderful and I really liked the little community they were beginning to build around them.
Noah and Cooper were just wonderful and I really liked the little community they were beginning to build around them.
beckyrendon's review against another edition
5.0
I was "introduced" to this authors work by another author. Leslie McAdam was singing praises about Riley Hart. She even gave me a Riley Hart book. I smiled and said I'd love to read it. However, this is my first foray into Riley Harts work. An Audible sale snared me and bow I want to kick my own ass for the delay!
Collide is fantastic. Well written and everything you need and want in a romance!!!! The feels, the chemistry, the longing...Sigh! Don't even get me started on the self doubt, the insecurities. These two are real, sexy, and unfortunately not interested in what I have to offer! Lol.
Riley Hart has given Black Creek and epic start. I am absolutely going to devour the rest of this series as fast as I can download them!
Did I mention, Cooper is a hot fireman...? Oh sorry, and that Noah, is former military... Now you're starting to picture it. Instead of imagining all the hot, delectable things and the intense chemistry, rough hands....Just buy it!!!!
Collide is fantastic. Well written and everything you need and want in a romance!!!! The feels, the chemistry, the longing...Sigh! Don't even get me started on the self doubt, the insecurities. These two are real, sexy, and unfortunately not interested in what I have to offer! Lol.
Riley Hart has given Black Creek and epic start. I am absolutely going to devour the rest of this series as fast as I can download them!
Did I mention, Cooper is a hot fireman...? Oh sorry, and that Noah, is former military... Now you're starting to picture it. Instead of imagining all the hot, delectable things and the intense chemistry, rough hands....Just buy it!!!!
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Car accident
caseroo7's review against another edition
5.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
I have to admit that I have sort of been on a M/M kick lately and have pretty much devoured any of them I can get my hands on. I am pretty new to this genre, but the more of it I read the more I love it. There is just something hot about two guys together. I never thought that I would enjoy this genre as much as I do. When I first read the blurb about Collide by Riley Hart, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad that I read this story. I really enjoyed this one, and I cannot wait to read more from Riley Hart. This was a great start to her Blackcreek series, and I can't wait to get Wes and Braden's story next.
Noah and Cooper were best friends as soon as they happened to collide while going for the same football at age ten. Noah grew up moving around constantly, but finally felt like he had found a home in Blackcreek. Not only did he feel at home, but he also met Cooper there. Cooper was the only real friend he ever had. But one day while Coop is out of town with his aunt, Noah's parents up and leave taking Noah with them. Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to the other. Seventeen years later though, Noah returns to Blackcreek and literally collides with Coop again. Noah is looking for a place to settle, and Blackcreek was the only place he ever felt at home. Not only is Noah suffering from being cheated on, but then his car breaks down. As he begins the walk into town, he is hit by a truck. Coop just so happens to be driving the truck that hits him. Not having a place to stay, Coop offers to let Noah stay with him for the time being. Coop and Noah pick their friendship back up where they left off, but things are different after all these years. When Coop finds out that Noah is gay, he is very surprised but also curious. As the two spend more time together, their feelings for each other grow. Noah knows that Coop has always been straight, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be with his best friend. Coop has never been attracted to a man before, but this is Noah and they have always had a strong connection to each other. Noah and Coop begin to explore their new relationship and see where things go. But when secrets from the past are revealed and people begin to find out about the two of them, can they have the relationship they both want? Or will they end up being torn apart?
I really loved both Coop and Noah. Coop is a sexy firefighter who has never done commitment. He lost his parents to a fire when he was young and was raised by his aunt and uncle. He grew up being told by his uncle to move on and the only person he was ever really able to open up to about everything was Noah. Coop was vulnerable, but he was able to really connect with Noah even at a young age. I loved that he really cared about Noah and was able to accept Noah for who he was. At first Coop tries to fight his feelings, but I loved that he quickly realized that his feelings were real and that he didn't waste a lot more time by continuing to fight it. Noah was strong and proud. He wasn't afraid to be who he was and was very clear about not caring what others thought. I loved that he didn't push too hard with Coop, and that he really was there to support him through everything. Noah and Coop were really great together, and I loved that their connection to each other went so deep. They both felt like they were the best friends they had ever had and felt a comfort and ease with each other that they never found with anyone else. I think their relationship seemed so real and natural because they had such a great foundation and friendship. I loved how hot these guys were together, and they had such amazing chemistry.
Overall, I really felt like Coop and Noah were absolutely perfect for each other. They were friends first, but truly became partners in every sense of the word. I loved watching as they took their relationship from friendship to lovers as their love grew. I really felt their love and connection to each other. I was immediately invested in these characters and thought that they were extremely likable. They were funny and I loved how they gave each other a hard time and were able to banter. As much as I liked Cooper and Noah, I also really liked Wes and Braden. I am really excited to get their story next, and to get to know them both better. I am definitely a fan of Riley Hart after reading this great story, and I really liked her writing style. I would recommend this story to any fan of romance, but I think that this is a must read for fans of the M/M genre. Regardless of what you might at first think about reading a M/M book though, this book is really just a story about love and friendship which just happens to be between two men.
I have to admit that I have sort of been on a M/M kick lately and have pretty much devoured any of them I can get my hands on. I am pretty new to this genre, but the more of it I read the more I love it. There is just something hot about two guys together. I never thought that I would enjoy this genre as much as I do. When I first read the blurb about Collide by Riley Hart, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad that I read this story. I really enjoyed this one, and I cannot wait to read more from Riley Hart. This was a great start to her Blackcreek series, and I can't wait to get Wes and Braden's story next.
Noah and Cooper were best friends as soon as they happened to collide while going for the same football at age ten. Noah grew up moving around constantly, but finally felt like he had found a home in Blackcreek. Not only did he feel at home, but he also met Cooper there. Cooper was the only real friend he ever had. But one day while Coop is out of town with his aunt, Noah's parents up and leave taking Noah with them. Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to the other. Seventeen years later though, Noah returns to Blackcreek and literally collides with Coop again. Noah is looking for a place to settle, and Blackcreek was the only place he ever felt at home. Not only is Noah suffering from being cheated on, but then his car breaks down. As he begins the walk into town, he is hit by a truck. Coop just so happens to be driving the truck that hits him. Not having a place to stay, Coop offers to let Noah stay with him for the time being. Coop and Noah pick their friendship back up where they left off, but things are different after all these years. When Coop finds out that Noah is gay, he is very surprised but also curious. As the two spend more time together, their feelings for each other grow. Noah knows that Coop has always been straight, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to be with his best friend. Coop has never been attracted to a man before, but this is Noah and they have always had a strong connection to each other. Noah and Coop begin to explore their new relationship and see where things go. But when secrets from the past are revealed and people begin to find out about the two of them, can they have the relationship they both want? Or will they end up being torn apart?
I really loved both Coop and Noah. Coop is a sexy firefighter who has never done commitment. He lost his parents to a fire when he was young and was raised by his aunt and uncle. He grew up being told by his uncle to move on and the only person he was ever really able to open up to about everything was Noah. Coop was vulnerable, but he was able to really connect with Noah even at a young age. I loved that he really cared about Noah and was able to accept Noah for who he was. At first Coop tries to fight his feelings, but I loved that he quickly realized that his feelings were real and that he didn't waste a lot more time by continuing to fight it. Noah was strong and proud. He wasn't afraid to be who he was and was very clear about not caring what others thought. I loved that he didn't push too hard with Coop, and that he really was there to support him through everything. Noah and Coop were really great together, and I loved that their connection to each other went so deep. They both felt like they were the best friends they had ever had and felt a comfort and ease with each other that they never found with anyone else. I think their relationship seemed so real and natural because they had such a great foundation and friendship. I loved how hot these guys were together, and they had such amazing chemistry.
Overall, I really felt like Coop and Noah were absolutely perfect for each other. They were friends first, but truly became partners in every sense of the word. I loved watching as they took their relationship from friendship to lovers as their love grew. I really felt their love and connection to each other. I was immediately invested in these characters and thought that they were extremely likable. They were funny and I loved how they gave each other a hard time and were able to banter. As much as I liked Cooper and Noah, I also really liked Wes and Braden. I am really excited to get their story next, and to get to know them both better. I am definitely a fan of Riley Hart after reading this great story, and I really liked her writing style. I would recommend this story to any fan of romance, but I think that this is a must read for fans of the M/M genre. Regardless of what you might at first think about reading a M/M book though, this book is really just a story about love and friendship which just happens to be between two men.
sil_the_lobster's review against another edition
1.0
I wasn’t sure about downloading this one. I’m not too wild about the whole ‘Gay for You’ trope but I’m a sucker for ‘Friends to Lovers’, and I really like the whole m/m genre and am always happy to discover new and promising authors. Add a reasonable price, and I’m in.
Boy, was I ever wrong. No, wait. It’s not the story itself that put me off. Both characters are likeable enough, and although I could have done with less flashbacks to emphasize their great childhood friendship they didn’t really hurt, either. What did hurt, however, and what did spoil the book for me and made me close it without finishing… the language. Editing, anybody? Spelling and grammar? When it comes to indie books or SP works, I’m a lot more forgiving than with books that come from major publishers, but when I actually pay for a book (as opposed to reading, say, fanfiction), I expect a certain quality of speech, and I expect an author to know his/her language, meaning: there’s a difference between the characters’ dialogues, their inner monologues, and the narrative part of a story.
When the characters talk to each other, it’s perfectly OK to use everyday speech, street slang, whatever you want to call it. It will make the character more believable, more colourful and realistic. It’s also OK to use that kind of language when reflecting that person’s inner thoughts. But sentences like “… Cooper felt like a fucking idiot for even thinking that…”, “Did he already fuck-up somehow?”, “…begging him to hurry the fuck up…” just make me cringe. It’s a bit too much of fucking this and fucking that, no matter how often it’s used in real life. Besides, both men make their entrance by uttering “Motherfucker” as their first word ever in that story. Just because J.R. Ward uses fast-paced street slang for her Black Dagger novels doesn’t mean everyone can do it. Well, everyone has a right to do it, of course, but look at how she switches from street slang to a more neutral speech, depending on the situation. Read and learn. Or better yet, pick up a Stephen King novel and learn from the Master himself.
As for the sex scenes… no. Just, no. Not working for me. It’s like the author’s trying so hard to write steamy, dirty man-on-man sex, she’s overdosing on the vocabulary and neglects one of the key elements of good sex scenes which is… emotion. Quipping about touching a prick that is not one’s own just isn’t enough. What does it all feel like? What does it smell, taste like? What is it about Noah that makes Cooper want to have sex with him, a man? His abdominal V? Purlease. Why would a man who’s been straight all of his life suddenly desire another man? Not being prone to homophobia doesn’t equal the sudden desire to bed one’s best friend. And for me, that’s the key point of a GFY story, and a point that’s usually neglected for the sake of steamy sex scenes (and that’s why I don’t particularly like that trope).
And yet, I would have given the author another try because I’m all for supporting indie authors and promoting the m/m genre but when I browse the reviews of some of her other books I see the language issue still hasn’t been solved and too many readers still criticize her storytelling/characterization abilities. I tend to make up my own mind about things but if too many people repeatedly point their fingers at the exact same things that put me off, too… well, sorry, but I don’t think I’m going to read another one of her novels.
Boy, was I ever wrong. No, wait. It’s not the story itself that put me off. Both characters are likeable enough, and although I could have done with less flashbacks to emphasize their great childhood friendship they didn’t really hurt, either. What did hurt, however, and what did spoil the book for me and made me close it without finishing… the language. Editing, anybody? Spelling and grammar? When it comes to indie books or SP works, I’m a lot more forgiving than with books that come from major publishers, but when I actually pay for a book (as opposed to reading, say, fanfiction), I expect a certain quality of speech, and I expect an author to know his/her language, meaning: there’s a difference between the characters’ dialogues, their inner monologues, and the narrative part of a story.
When the characters talk to each other, it’s perfectly OK to use everyday speech, street slang, whatever you want to call it. It will make the character more believable, more colourful and realistic. It’s also OK to use that kind of language when reflecting that person’s inner thoughts. But sentences like “… Cooper felt like a fucking idiot for even thinking that…”, “Did he already fuck-up somehow?”, “…begging him to hurry the fuck up…” just make me cringe. It’s a bit too much of fucking this and fucking that, no matter how often it’s used in real life. Besides, both men make their entrance by uttering “Motherfucker” as their first word ever in that story. Just because J.R. Ward uses fast-paced street slang for her Black Dagger novels doesn’t mean everyone can do it. Well, everyone has a right to do it, of course, but look at how she switches from street slang to a more neutral speech, depending on the situation. Read and learn. Or better yet, pick up a Stephen King novel and learn from the Master himself.
As for the sex scenes… no. Just, no. Not working for me. It’s like the author’s trying so hard to write steamy, dirty man-on-man sex, she’s overdosing on the vocabulary and neglects one of the key elements of good sex scenes which is… emotion. Quipping about touching a prick that is not one’s own just isn’t enough. What does it all feel like? What does it smell, taste like? What is it about Noah that makes Cooper want to have sex with him, a man? His abdominal V? Purlease. Why would a man who’s been straight all of his life suddenly desire another man? Not being prone to homophobia doesn’t equal the sudden desire to bed one’s best friend. And for me, that’s the key point of a GFY story, and a point that’s usually neglected for the sake of steamy sex scenes (and that’s why I don’t particularly like that trope).
And yet, I would have given the author another try because I’m all for supporting indie authors and promoting the m/m genre but when I browse the reviews of some of her other books I see the language issue still hasn’t been solved and too many readers still criticize her storytelling/characterization abilities. I tend to make up my own mind about things but if too many people repeatedly point their fingers at the exact same things that put me off, too… well, sorry, but I don’t think I’m going to read another one of her novels.