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cindaren's review
3.0
This was nice and quick, maybe a bit too quick. I get not wanting to be too detailed and I don't have a problem with that, it just seemed to jump ahead in time so rapidly that I barely had time to invest in the story.
I really liked Andrew in all the books though so I was glad to see his HEA (although I had a hard time remembering who else was who). He did seem a bit more awkward and hands-off with the kids than I would expect from a therapist but I guess it works in the context of the book. He was more about the, "you can talk to me" than about addressing anything they did say.
The repetitive phrases were kind of distracting. "He's been through hell," and then a few sentences later the same thing. Or, "he's too damn adorable," and same thing a few sentences later. Slows the momentum when I'm like wait, did I just reread a section? Although I guess slowing the momentum would at least give a sense of the passage of time lol.
Really I'm just being nitpicky though. This is a perfectly good book in a perfectly good series that is interesting and has likeable characters.
Lord have mercy though, "I crave his sexy musty scent."
I really liked Andrew in all the books though so I was glad to see his HEA (although I had a hard time remembering who else was who). He did seem a bit more awkward and hands-off with the kids than I would expect from a therapist but I guess it works in the context of the book. He was more about the, "you can talk to me" than about addressing anything they did say.
The repetitive phrases were kind of distracting. "He's been through hell," and then a few sentences later the same thing. Or, "he's too damn adorable," and same thing a few sentences later. Slows the momentum when I'm like wait, did I just reread a section? Although I guess slowing the momentum would at least give a sense of the passage of time lol.
Really I'm just being nitpicky though. This is a perfectly good book in a perfectly good series that is interesting and has likeable characters.
Lord have mercy though, "I crave his sexy musty scent."
manda24176's review against another edition
5.0
Crushed But Not Defeated
Andrew and Miles
Finally, Andrews story! It was fast-paced but well written, and I absolutely love how it played out. This was an amazing series.
Andrew and Miles
Finally, Andrews story! It was fast-paced but well written, and I absolutely love how it played out. This was an amazing series.
mmromancereviewed's review against another edition
5.0
Mixed emotions - so happy that Andrew finally gets a hard won HEA, but sad to be leaving the Spark of Hope Crew. I also love that we finally get to explore Andrew's humanity... his foibles and fears that were only hinted at in previous books...
Miles is lovely - holding out a spark of hope for years that eventually Andrew will come back to him and accepting the man unconditionally when he does. It was also sweet to see Evan and Oliver find the family they deserved when they were each adopted into Andrew and Miles' family.
This book balanced the steamy, the sweet, the trauma and the love beautifully and was a fitting finale for the Spark of Hope series, although now I'm curious about the next generation as Evan finds friends that may need help and hope.... Nicole, I hope you're writing more stories in a spin off universe ... because Evan will need his HEA soon!
Miles is lovely - holding out a spark of hope for years that eventually Andrew will come back to him and accepting the man unconditionally when he does. It was also sweet to see Evan and Oliver find the family they deserved when they were each adopted into Andrew and Miles' family.
This book balanced the steamy, the sweet, the trauma and the love beautifully and was a fitting finale for the Spark of Hope series, although now I'm curious about the next generation as Evan finds friends that may need help and hope.... Nicole, I hope you're writing more stories in a spin off universe ... because Evan will need his HEA soon!
malhmk's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a beautiful, low angst, second chance romance. I loved the care and sensitivity with which the author wrote Miles and Andrew’s story.
The book deals with some heavy subjects, specifically around childhood trauma. While the author doesn’t go deep on page, both past references for the MCs and of the children they are supporting and adopting, are gently handled throughout the story.
It’s a true second chance story for me because while the MCs were estranged for a long while they can come back to each other having worked on and dealt with the issues that triggered the fissure initially, then being able to hold dichotomous perspectives.
While there is initial resistance to communication, that doesn’t last long because they put the children’s needs first and for me it felt like the story is written to begin where the healing between the two MCs begins. This suits the fast pace of the book.
Expect:
- Opposites attract
- Second chance
- Found family
- Hurt comfort
- One Bed
- Fake Dating
- Adoptive Parents
I loved Andrew’s big, generous, resilient heart. It was believable to see how he may have felt abandoned by Miles, how he recognises that and then deals with his own guilt regarding his reactions to make his way back to Miles.
I loved Miles for the unconditional love he has for Andrew, how he always wants to repair and build a future for them.
Also I love blunt Roman :)
Both MCs have heartbreaking starts in life with childhood abandonment, abuse and trauma. The author chose to show them overcoming that and perpetuating better cycles when choosing to adopt and parent first Evan and then Oliver, both of whom come from horrific circumstances.
CW: Childhood trauma, neglect, abandonment.
The book deals with some heavy subjects, specifically around childhood trauma. While the author doesn’t go deep on page, both past references for the MCs and of the children they are supporting and adopting, are gently handled throughout the story.
It’s a true second chance story for me because while the MCs were estranged for a long while they can come back to each other having worked on and dealt with the issues that triggered the fissure initially, then being able to hold dichotomous perspectives.
While there is initial resistance to communication, that doesn’t last long because they put the children’s needs first and for me it felt like the story is written to begin where the healing between the two MCs begins. This suits the fast pace of the book.
Expect:
- Opposites attract
- Second chance
- Found family
- Hurt comfort
- One Bed
- Fake Dating
- Adoptive Parents
I loved Andrew’s big, generous, resilient heart. It was believable to see how he may have felt abandoned by Miles, how he recognises that and then deals with his own guilt regarding his reactions to make his way back to Miles.
I loved Miles for the unconditional love he has for Andrew, how he always wants to repair and build a future for them.
Also I love blunt Roman :)
Both MCs have heartbreaking starts in life with childhood abandonment, abuse and trauma. The author chose to show them overcoming that and perpetuating better cycles when choosing to adopt and parent first Evan and then Oliver, both of whom come from horrific circumstances.
CW: Childhood trauma, neglect, abandonment.
dirtydewey's review
4.0
4 stars…
This was by far the best of the books. It was kinda friends to lovers to enemies to friends to lovers which I like. I like the second chance stuff and their past although I feel like I really wanted more background and info about their first time together… like how did Roman not know? Seems odd to me but whatever.
I think my biggest complaint about this was Andrew just getting absolutely demolished by his friends for not forgiving Miles and it feels like he never forgives himself… I think it’s fair he held the person he loves to a higher standard than everyone else and I feel like it was fair of him to get understandably upset and feel like Miles was abandoning a future he saw. I think they weren’t on the same page or in the right place and probably needed to grow separately before being together but I think making Andrew seem like a villain was a bit much to say the least.
Overall this series was not my fav and I kinda hate read it but it went quick, I was always hoping to get more depth out of these but it never happened.
1/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
This was by far the best of the books. It was kinda friends to lovers to enemies to friends to lovers which I like. I like the second chance stuff and their past although I feel like I really wanted more background and info about their first time together… like how did Roman not know? Seems odd to me but whatever.
I think my biggest complaint about this was Andrew just getting absolutely demolished by his friends for not forgiving Miles and it feels like he never forgives himself… I think it’s fair he held the person he loves to a higher standard than everyone else and I feel like it was fair of him to get understandably upset and feel like Miles was abandoning a future he saw. I think they weren’t on the same page or in the right place and probably needed to grow separately before being together but I think making Andrew seem like a villain was a bit much to say the least.
Overall this series was not my fav and I kinda hate read it but it went quick, I was always hoping to get more depth out of these but it never happened.
1/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears.
catfoy's review
3.5
It was cute, I wish we’d gotten a little more angst with Miles and feeling abandoned by Andrew but I did enjoy them adopting Evan and Oliver. Very cute if a little boring
beeisreadingromance's review
5.0
I think Crushed But Not Defeated is my fave in the series because it was such a nice little wrap up. I love an angsty book but one thing I love about Nicole Dykes books is that they touch on angst but don't focus on it, they are always good easy reads for me and I know I'm going to love it!
This one has a lot of focus on children but I still loved it, it wasn't babies and pregnancies lol.
I really like Andrew and Miles, I actually didn't think much of Andrew from the previous books, I was intrigued by him but I always found him a bit stuffy! But now reading his book I loveeee him. I love that there wasn't too much focus on the history of them, their relationship was solid and the focus was on the future.
This was a great end to the series and I'd love more books from this little universe, I loved seeing more of the previous characters!
I always want more with NDs books, not because they are lacking but because I am greedy and I just love the characters.
Can't wait for the next releases!!
✨ARC received from Chaotic Creative and this is my honest review✨
This one has a lot of focus on children but I still loved it, it wasn't babies and pregnancies lol.
I really like Andrew and Miles, I actually didn't think much of Andrew from the previous books, I was intrigued by him but I always found him a bit stuffy! But now reading his book I loveeee him. I love that there wasn't too much focus on the history of them, their relationship was solid and the focus was on the future.
This was a great end to the series and I'd love more books from this little universe, I loved seeing more of the previous characters!
I always want more with NDs books, not because they are lacking but because I am greedy and I just love the characters.
Can't wait for the next releases!!
✨ARC received from Chaotic Creative and this is my honest review✨
miki__reads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Hmm, I'm disappointed in this one. It was my most anticipated in this series. For a second chance romance, it had surprisingly little angst, and the kid sub-plot could have been done so much better. I felt like none of this was fleshed out, I didn't feel anything, I was just being told what was happening rather than being shown why these 2 love eachother. I know she likes to keep them somewhat cute and fluffy, but this was a miss for me. It was just all too surface level.
Miles is sweet, though.
Miles is sweet, though.
britts_bookish_bliss's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬!!
5/5 ⭐ ＯＶＥＲＡＬＬ
3/5 🌶 ＳＴＥＡＭ
"𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒎𝒂𝒏. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈, 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒘, 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒈. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆. 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆."
If you enjoy:
- Second Chance
- MM Romance
- Fake Boyfriend
- Emotional Reads
- Interconnected Series
This series ended so wonderfully!! I knew I was going to love this book because I had a soft spot for Andrew, but I was pleasantly surprised when that soft spot turned more for Miles. Miles was EVERYTHING!!
I'm not the biggest fan of second chance, so for me to give one 5 stars just take my word for it, it was that dang good. As always, we can always count on Nicole Dykes for bring us an emotional read and she does so well with it. She touches tough subjects with care and making it a smooth read. I can imagine this isn't an easy task to accomplish so kudos to her.
If you're looking for the above tropes and aspects in a book go snag this one. You don't have to read the entire series as each book follows a different couple, but I can't recommend the series enough. Also available with KU which is always a plus!
Happy Reading! ❤️
5/5 ⭐ ＯＶＥＲＡＬＬ
3/5 🌶 ＳＴＥＡＭ
"𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒎𝒂𝒏. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈, 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒘, 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒈. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚. 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆. 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆."
If you enjoy:
- Second Chance
- MM Romance
- Fake Boyfriend
- Emotional Reads
- Interconnected Series
This series ended so wonderfully!! I knew I was going to love this book because I had a soft spot for Andrew, but I was pleasantly surprised when that soft spot turned more for Miles. Miles was EVERYTHING!!
I'm not the biggest fan of second chance, so for me to give one 5 stars just take my word for it, it was that dang good. As always, we can always count on Nicole Dykes for bring us an emotional read and she does so well with it. She touches tough subjects with care and making it a smooth read. I can imagine this isn't an easy task to accomplish so kudos to her.
If you're looking for the above tropes and aspects in a book go snag this one. You don't have to read the entire series as each book follows a different couple, but I can't recommend the series enough. Also available with KU which is always a plus!
Happy Reading! ❤️