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bitchie's review against another edition
3.0
ETA 2014: I did end up rereading this to refresh myself before reading the next book in the series. I had the same issues : buying that teen Lex could really crush on the guy who treated him like shit, and then that grown up Tally would risk everything to
Spoiler
fit back in with his douche nozzle high school buddy. He hated it in high school, why try to go back when his future with Lex looks so good? <\spoiler>3.5 stars- not QUITE good enough to get the bump up to 4. Solid story, doubt I'll want to reread it.
gloame's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that when my friend described this book as Draco Malfoy/Neville Longbottom, I was not down, but she gave it such a good review and then another friend did as well, so I gave it a shot. And I'm really glad I did! I ended up devouring this book. I should've known it would be good since she liked it!
I loved just about everything about it, from the setting, to the characters, to the little plots that moved it along. Everything felt real and everything made me feel, too, which is great. A definite recommend for this genre.
I loved just about everything about it, from the setting, to the characters, to the little plots that moved it along. Everything felt real and everything made me feel, too, which is great. A definite recommend for this genre.
rose_d's review against another edition
5.0
So much drama! So much love! Then some more drama!
So yeah, I really like this one. Whenever you thought it was all fine and well, something else happened and the story kept going! A lot of the times, that actually annoys me, but here I was excited, because I didn't want to say goodbye to Lex and Tally yet.
I also think the 'villain' characters in the book were great. It really showed how homophobia is such a big thing and just how hateful some people actually can be.
lolly460's review against another edition
4.0
It was everything that I wanted. Sweet hot men becomming each others.
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
This was a "just one more chapter" book for me. I couldn't put it down. I loved this story! Yet another example of putting off a book that been on my TBR FOREVER and kicking myself after because it was so good!
Tally was the BMOC in high school and pretty much the biggest ass. But he has come home, tail tucked between his legs, to stay with his grandmother. No one in town will hire him because of his family's less than savory history and the only person who does is the one he was worst to in school. Lex has a big heart, but Tally wrecked him in high school. To make it worse, he doesn't even remember who Lex is. I don't think I could be as forgiving as Lex, but I'm vindictive like that! The sexual tension, the romance, the laughs, all were great. The drama didn't really start until they were together. Then all hell broke lose... And I loved it!
Tally was the BMOC in high school and pretty much the biggest ass. But he has come home, tail tucked between his legs, to stay with his grandmother. No one in town will hire him because of his family's less than savory history and the only person who does is the one he was worst to in school. Lex has a big heart, but Tally wrecked him in high school. To make it worse, he doesn't even remember who Lex is. I don't think I could be as forgiving as Lex, but I'm vindictive like that! The sexual tension, the romance, the laughs, all were great. The drama didn't really start until they were together. Then all hell broke lose... And I loved it!
jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
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This was one of those books that someone I was seeing gave me when they were cleaning out their bookcase. Never really put much thought into it or even really noticed it until I picked it up one morning to read on the way to work.
The book follows the classic romance novel path of instant attraction, tragic backstory, get closer, have a fight, break up, get back together. It was pretty much a stereotypical gay romance novel. Noting too new or exciting, except for the huge emphasis on condom use for partners until everyone tests negative (though really the only test they really mention is HIV, which is by far the only STI/STD). Though I was perturbed that the ultimate expression of togetherness was condomless sex. Why is this the end all be all of closeness?
The characters were cute. I liked that the tragic backstory was mostly in the past, but had created these rifts in the present. What I didn’t like was Tally’s old friend coming out as bi. That was a cop-out and a way to lessen the blow of the tragic backstory. That and the condom thing are the main reasons this book wasn’t perfect.
The actual romance was very cute. Tally tried really hard, Lex was driven by his body. He had lusted after Tally all his life. It made for a dramatic and very intriguing romance.
This was one of those books that someone I was seeing gave me when they were cleaning out their bookcase. Never really put much thought into it or even really noticed it until I picked it up one morning to read on the way to work.
The book follows the classic romance novel path of instant attraction, tragic backstory, get closer, have a fight, break up, get back together. It was pretty much a stereotypical gay romance novel. Noting too new or exciting, except for the huge emphasis on condom use for partners until everyone tests negative (though really the only test they really mention is HIV, which is by far the only STI/STD). Though I was perturbed that the ultimate expression of togetherness was condomless sex. Why is this the end all be all of closeness?
The characters were cute. I liked that the tragic backstory was mostly in the past, but had created these rifts in the present. What I didn’t like was Tally’s old friend coming out as bi. That was a cop-out and a way to lessen the blow of the tragic backstory. That and the condom thing are the main reasons this book wasn’t perfect.
The actual romance was very cute. Tally tried really hard, Lex was driven by his body. He had lusted after Tally all his life. It made for a dramatic and very intriguing romance.
daydreamer45's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
Nice, even if it developed bit too easy and too contrived (yeah, at the same time, how is that even possible?)
Too much "baby"-ing. Too boring sex scenes. I found myself skipping some! Unnecessary bits.
Nice, even if it developed bit too easy and too contrived (yeah, at the same time, how is that even possible?)
Too much "baby"-ing. Too boring sex scenes. I found myself skipping some! Unnecessary bits.
nicola949's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a nice way to spend an afternoon! I loved both the main characters. The plot kept moving, drama interspersed with the romance of Lex and Tallis.
Lex was attracted to Tallis in high school (Tallis must have been extraordinarily good looking for Lex to be attracted despite how Tallis treated him!) but Tally was a terrible bully. Things go badly for Tally and after losing his job and home, he returns to town. Lex is such a wonderful and forgiving man that he offers Tally a job, despite the reaction of his friends, family and rest of town.
Very quickly Lex recognises that Tally has changed but not everyone thinks so because Tally has also been tarnished by his father's actions. Lex looks beyond their past and sees the man that Tally is now."He couldn't believe Lex was publicly going to bat for him. Why? He understood that Lex had to stand by his business decisions, but it felt so personal. Like a victory."
Both men quickly realise that they love each other but in true romance fashion, don't want to admit their feelings. "Just tell him how you feel." She grinned. "Why do men have to make things so difficult?" Just tell him. Sure. Easy as pie.
The story reflects on the past, how the characters behaved in high school, including Brock who used to be Tally's good friend. Brock is an influential man in the town, although he is a drunk, a womanizer and still gives Lex a hard time about his sexuality. Tally plays along with him, delaying coming and out and in the meantime, not standing by Lex. This was the main part of the story that I couldn't understand. For a man in love, Tally behaved pretty appallingly! Interesting, when you read the second book, it makes more sense. The timeline of the second book [b:Letting Go|15833729|Letting Go (Rock Bay, #2)|M.J. O'Shea|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345238488s/15833729.jpg|21570222] overlaps with this first book of the series, and provides more insight into Tally's actions as Drew explains what he asked Tally to do for him.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, loved the characters and it ticked the boxes for a happy ever after ending! 3.5 stars
Lex was attracted to Tallis in high school (Tallis must have been extraordinarily good looking for Lex to be attracted despite how Tallis treated him!) but Tally was a terrible bully. Things go badly for Tally and after losing his job and home, he returns to town. Lex is such a wonderful and forgiving man that he offers Tally a job, despite the reaction of his friends, family and rest of town.
Very quickly Lex recognises that Tally has changed but not everyone thinks so because Tally has also been tarnished by his father's actions. Lex looks beyond their past and sees the man that Tally is now."He couldn't believe Lex was publicly going to bat for him. Why? He understood that Lex had to stand by his business decisions, but it felt so personal. Like a victory."
Both men quickly realise that they love each other but in true romance fashion, don't want to admit their feelings. "Just tell him how you feel." She grinned. "Why do men have to make things so difficult?" Just tell him. Sure. Easy as pie.
The story reflects on the past, how the characters behaved in high school, including Brock who used to be Tally's good friend. Brock is an influential man in the town, although he is a drunk, a womanizer and still gives Lex a hard time about his sexuality. Tally plays along with him, delaying coming and out and in the meantime, not standing by Lex. This was the main part of the story that I couldn't understand. For a man in love, Tally behaved pretty appallingly! Interesting, when you read the second book, it makes more sense. The timeline of the second book [b:Letting Go|15833729|Letting Go (Rock Bay, #2)|M.J. O'Shea|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345238488s/15833729.jpg|21570222] overlaps with this first book of the series, and provides more insight into Tally's actions as Drew explains what he asked Tally to do for him.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, loved the characters and it ticked the boxes for a happy ever after ending! 3.5 stars