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cipotalectora's review against another edition
1.0
others: *rounding up their ratings to be gracious*
me: *graciously slaps 1 star*
me: *graciously slaps 1 star*
jxzmine's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
readingfrankly's review against another edition
I had a feeling I wouldn't like this so I'm not surprised, but as it was a rec by a friend I wanted to give it a fair try.
But yeah, it didn't work for me. I wanted to throttle Jasper. His husband is an ass, yes, but that is such a lazy excuse. And he is just so unbearably whiny and selfish and annoying and the martyr that no one wants or needs. Including himself. I really couldn't with him. And of course I did DNF relatively early, but i couldn't for the life of me see what Cole saw in Jasper. There's nothing special about the dude just because you say there is. Show me. Do not just tell me.
And maybe that's part of the issue. This almost could be a part 2. It starts out so bleak and unlikable and I guess expects you to be patient while you're fed their story in bits and pieces, but no, sorry I don't have time to suffer through their current state in order to try to care about their past. No one should have to suffer Jasper. That's just cruel.
But yeah, it didn't work for me. I wanted to throttle Jasper. His husband is an ass, yes, but that is such a lazy excuse. And he is just so unbearably whiny and selfish and annoying and the martyr that no one wants or needs. Including himself. I really couldn't with him. And of course I did DNF relatively early, but i couldn't for the life of me see what Cole saw in Jasper. There's nothing special about the dude just because you say there is. Show me. Do not just tell me.
And maybe that's part of the issue. This almost could be a part 2. It starts out so bleak and unlikable and I guess expects you to be patient while you're fed their story in bits and pieces, but no, sorry I don't have time to suffer through their current state in order to try to care about their past. No one should have to suffer Jasper. That's just cruel.
goodbooksandtastytea's review against another edition
Way too slow. Couldn’t connect
ramblingbookworm's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jankben's review against another edition
I tried to read it twice. I wasn't connecting with the characters, especially Jasper, who was just too self absorbed and selfish. His martyr complex got annoying.
breelakkuma9's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kindlemmromancereader's review against another edition
5.0
When I first heard about this book, I was on the fence. I’ve read all of C.P. Harris’s other books, but the cheating trope made me pause. Then Harris sent out a newsletter with a little sneak peek and I tried to remember why I was on the fence. Harris is such a strong and compelling writer, she made it impossible for me to deny this book. That said, if cheating in fiction isn’t your thing, though it’s not between the MCs, you might want to pass on this one.
Jasper and Cole are former stepbrothers who have almost always had a strong connection. Cole was resistant to having a new brother at first, but Jasper wiggled his way into his heart. Even at a young age, these two always had to touch one another when near. Things don’t develop into *more* until they are older though. Something big happens when both MCs are home from college and their relationship is discovered. It rocks their entire world and shakes them to their core. Jasper carries a lot of guilt for it. Cole does as well. Cole seeks out therapy. Jasper torments himself.
Years later, the pair reunite in New York. Things are tense. It’s obvious that they are still drawn to one another. Jasper is married to Daniel. Cole is still in love with Jasper. They decide to try and be friends. It’s obvious from a mile away there is no way that is happening. They try to resist it, but the way these two gravitate towards one another is on another level. Cole turns Jasper away a couple of times, wanting him to have a clear head about committing infidelity. When they do come back together though, oh my gah, it’s such a raw and visceral coupling. Their steamy scenes are ridiculously good. There is so much passion between the two of them! They share their kinks (including some blood play), but what really comes through is how much these two love and care for one another.
Can I just say, the possessiveness and jealousy in this novel is intense! You sense it when they are in high school. It’s really palpable when they reunite as adults. Cole and Jasper only want each other. Put someone else in the room with them (doesn’t matter how innocent or inconspicuous) and their desire to claim the other caveman style is at the forefront.
Cole is likable from the start, even though you know he’s the one who’s going to come between Jasper and Daniel’s marriage. Cole is such a kind and caring person, especially when it comes to Jasper. Daniel is a piece of work. He cares about getting ahead…and that’s it folks. I appreciated the handful of chapters from Daniel’s P.O.V. but there was nothing redeemable about him. Jasper is resistant to imploding his marriage from the start. Even when him and Cole start their affair, he doesn’t want to give more than his body. As Jasper struggles to forgive himself for the events of the past and Cole struggles to maintain his mental health by only having a part of Jasper, you realize how much these two actually crave and need the other. So when they take a step back from their affair, you can feel how painful it is for them. But they both need to heal. Jasper realizes how beneficial therapy might be.
Now, when Jasper comes back to Cole, all bets are off. My jaw was on the floor during Chapter 27. Daniel discovers them and. it. doesn’t. stop them. Harris’s writing is purely magnetic. It’s beyond captivating. It’s addictive. It’s a talent. Daniel shows his true colors, but he gets what’s coming to him. Cole and Jasper get each other and their very hard-earned HEA. The epilogue is so darn good! Read this book!
Franklin (Cole’s dad), Selene (Jasper’s mom), Leland (Cole’s assistant and friend), Sofia and Camille are great additions to the cast of characters as well. I am so intrigued to see what is going on with Franklin and Leland!!!! Suffice it to say, I’ll be reading every book in this series!
Jasper and Cole are former stepbrothers who have almost always had a strong connection. Cole was resistant to having a new brother at first, but Jasper wiggled his way into his heart. Even at a young age, these two always had to touch one another when near. Things don’t develop into *more* until they are older though. Something big happens when both MCs are home from college and their relationship is discovered. It rocks their entire world and shakes them to their core. Jasper carries a lot of guilt for it. Cole does as well. Cole seeks out therapy. Jasper torments himself.
Years later, the pair reunite in New York. Things are tense. It’s obvious that they are still drawn to one another. Jasper is married to Daniel. Cole is still in love with Jasper. They decide to try and be friends. It’s obvious from a mile away there is no way that is happening. They try to resist it, but the way these two gravitate towards one another is on another level. Cole turns Jasper away a couple of times, wanting him to have a clear head about committing infidelity. When they do come back together though, oh my gah, it’s such a raw and visceral coupling. Their steamy scenes are ridiculously good. There is so much passion between the two of them! They share their kinks (including some blood play), but what really comes through is how much these two love and care for one another.
Can I just say, the possessiveness and jealousy in this novel is intense! You sense it when they are in high school. It’s really palpable when they reunite as adults. Cole and Jasper only want each other. Put someone else in the room with them (doesn’t matter how innocent or inconspicuous) and their desire to claim the other caveman style is at the forefront.
Cole is likable from the start, even though you know he’s the one who’s going to come between Jasper and Daniel’s marriage. Cole is such a kind and caring person, especially when it comes to Jasper. Daniel is a piece of work. He cares about getting ahead…and that’s it folks. I appreciated the handful of chapters from Daniel’s P.O.V. but there was nothing redeemable about him. Jasper is resistant to imploding his marriage from the start. Even when him and Cole start their affair, he doesn’t want to give more than his body. As Jasper struggles to forgive himself for the events of the past and Cole struggles to maintain his mental health by only having a part of Jasper, you realize how much these two actually crave and need the other. So when they take a step back from their affair, you can feel how painful it is for them. But they both need to heal. Jasper realizes how beneficial therapy might be.
Now, when Jasper comes back to Cole, all bets are off. My jaw was on the floor during Chapter 27. Daniel discovers them and. it. doesn’t. stop them. Harris’s writing is purely magnetic. It’s beyond captivating. It’s addictive. It’s a talent. Daniel shows his true colors, but he gets what’s coming to him. Cole and Jasper get each other and their very hard-earned HEA. The epilogue is so darn good! Read this book!
Franklin (Cole’s dad), Selene (Jasper’s mom), Leland (Cole’s assistant and friend), Sofia and Camille are great additions to the cast of characters as well. I am so intrigued to see what is going on with Franklin and Leland!!!! Suffice it to say, I’ll be reading every book in this series!
littleredbook's review
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hbrady43's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0