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wendylynnm's review
4.0
This is a quick, sweet second chance love story. Young teenage boys fall in love and are pulled apart by one set of parents but sixteen years later Cory comes looking for his one and only true love. He is shocked to find that Asher, his best friend all those years ago still is in love with him. Cory, who was the one to move away is dealing with overbearing, strict parents, even though he is a grown man, and is suffering from severe depression takes his life back once and for all now that he is with Asher again.
Sweet, low angst and cute second chance at love. Great secondary characters, I liked Asher's Dad.
Sweet, low angst and cute second chance at love. Great secondary characters, I liked Asher's Dad.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
This is the second story I’ve read by Nell Iris in the past month or so, and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the last one. Like Unconditionally, Cinnamon Eyes is full of emotion, and features two main characters whose love absolutely jumps off the page. Friends-to-lovers stories are my jam, so I’m picky about them, but this one was well-done and heart-warming.
Depression is such a terrible illness. Many people in my life, including myself, have been affected by it in some capacity, and it can be a sensitive subject to tackle in a story. When we first meet Cory, he is dealing with his severe depression through self-care, by way of quitting the job that was contributing to making him miserable, medication, and with therapy. He has recently gotten to a little bit better place, mentally, and his therapist suggests taking that even further by asking him if he could do one thing that would make him truly happy, what would it be? And, by challenging him to do that thing. The thing he wants most is to see his childhood best friend, and first love, again. I loved this. And, I loved the fact that he didn’t even have to think about what would make him happy… Asher. He knew without question that he needed Asher back in his life.
Though it has been sixteen years since they’ve seen each other, or had any contact, it’s obvious that Asher has been pining for Cory as well. When Cory gets up the courage to go into the bar that Asher owns, he sees Ash up on stage singing a song that clearly seems to be about a lost love. About Cory. The boy with the cinnamon eyes. After being reunited—I loved the reunion scene—and talking for a bit, they discover that they were each in love with each other as teenagers, and that their connection is just as easy and deep as it was before.
These guys worked so well together. And, truly brought out the best in each other. I loved how Cory helped mend the relationship between Ash and his father. And I loved so much how Asher drew out strength and determination in Cory that he had forgotten he had. Cory’s family are all selfish assholes who don’t really care a thing about him, but his desire to be with Asher helps him find it within him to stand up for himself when he really has to.
This was an enjoyable, quick read that is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something sweet, but with some nice depth and emotion. I’ll be keeping on eye on this author for sure!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
Depression is such a terrible illness. Many people in my life, including myself, have been affected by it in some capacity, and it can be a sensitive subject to tackle in a story. When we first meet Cory, he is dealing with his severe depression through self-care, by way of quitting the job that was contributing to making him miserable, medication, and with therapy. He has recently gotten to a little bit better place, mentally, and his therapist suggests taking that even further by asking him if he could do one thing that would make him truly happy, what would it be? And, by challenging him to do that thing. The thing he wants most is to see his childhood best friend, and first love, again. I loved this. And, I loved the fact that he didn’t even have to think about what would make him happy… Asher. He knew without question that he needed Asher back in his life.
Though it has been sixteen years since they’ve seen each other, or had any contact, it’s obvious that Asher has been pining for Cory as well. When Cory gets up the courage to go into the bar that Asher owns, he sees Ash up on stage singing a song that clearly seems to be about a lost love. About Cory. The boy with the cinnamon eyes. After being reunited—I loved the reunion scene—and talking for a bit, they discover that they were each in love with each other as teenagers, and that their connection is just as easy and deep as it was before.
These guys worked so well together. And, truly brought out the best in each other. I loved how Cory helped mend the relationship between Ash and his father. And I loved so much how Asher drew out strength and determination in Cory that he had forgotten he had. Cory’s family are all selfish assholes who don’t really care a thing about him, but his desire to be with Asher helps him find it within him to stand up for himself when he really has to.
This was an enjoyable, quick read that is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something sweet, but with some nice depth and emotion. I’ll be keeping on eye on this author for sure!
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach
anitalouise's review
5.0
Nell Iris writes some of the most romantic, sweet and sexy romances I've read recently. This lovely shortie is about Asher and Cory who grew up together and were best friends until Cory's stuck up, unfeeling parents moved Cory to NYC. Fast forward 16 years and Cory is dealing with depression and wants to be happy again. When was the last time he was happy? Such a lovely engaging story about two guys who parted 16 years ago but just reconnect as if they'd always been together. Cory's depression is handled well and with sensitivity. Liked the focus on the Asher's dad and how that turns out. Just swooned at the way this ends. And we see Benjy the twintender again! Yayyy! So, uh, do we ever get a book about him???
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