Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
These two characters are EVERYTHING! They have the funniest sort of ‘friendship meet cute’ and from there it’s like they’re never apart. They become co-workers at a gay bar to support their dreams and those dreams are HUGE. They’re sort of a triple threat seemingly before that was a thing with their ideas to go into documentary production, YouTube, podcasting and their do-it-all attitude/approach.
These two are best friends and seemingly oblivious to the fact that they’re only really alive with each other. Everything isn’t sunshine and roses though. Jake has anxiety attacks that come out of nowhere, but not really. There’s a reason, and when that reason becomes known, the tears were real.
This is a slow burn, with each man having other relationships at different points as they learn the real nature of their feelings for one another. It’s a duet so don’t expect the story to be resolved. I devoured every word in one sitting though and can’t even explain how eager I am for the rest!
These two are best friends and seemingly oblivious to the fact that they’re only really alive with each other. Everything isn’t sunshine and roses though. Jake has anxiety attacks that come out of nowhere, but not really. There’s a reason, and when that reason becomes known, the tears were real.
This is a slow burn, with each man having other relationships at different points as they learn the real nature of their feelings for one another. It’s a duet so don’t expect the story to be resolved. I devoured every word in one sitting though and can’t even explain how eager I am for the rest!
I know this will sound bad but I don't really remember much about this series, only that was okay and enjoyed enough to read the next one
Lot of technical information about their jobs, but I still found that interesting. Loved the pining and angst, it hurt so good!! I think Roe is a bit of an idiot to make that promise and keep it so long.
Read on kindle unlimited
Read on kindle unlimited
3.5 - liked it
This book follows Jake Denver, wannabe filmmaker—at least, he's a wannabe until a guy from his class approaches him with an idea for their final project.
This is the beginning of a lifelong friendship. It's Jake and Roe, his best friend, and their lives together. They go into filmmaking business together, inextricably tying their lives together, but it's more than that. They both have their girlfriends, but they're each other's BFFs. Roe is Jake's son's second father, basically.
And that's how it is...until years into their relationship, something happens that has both of them looking at each other a little differently.
This book kind of reminded me of the movie Love, Rosie. That movie has two BFFs being friends and having lives, but are so often like ships passing in the night. They just keep missing each other by a little bit each time, but it hurts every time it happens. Jake and Roe's relationship is so deep. They're best friends, they love each other's kids...they're basically married/dating, except for they're not. In this book, that was tolerable. But the HEA isn't until the next one.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I like tension and gay awakenings, though I don't think I'm as big a fan of just straight up angst.
This book follows Jake Denver, wannabe filmmaker—at least, he's a wannabe until a guy from his class approaches him with an idea for their final project.
This is the beginning of a lifelong friendship. It's Jake and Roe, his best friend, and their lives together. They go into filmmaking business together, inextricably tying their lives together, but it's more than that. They both have their girlfriends, but they're each other's BFFs. Roe is Jake's son's second father, basically.
And that's how it is...until years into their relationship, something happens that has both of them looking at each other a little differently.
This book kind of reminded me of the movie Love, Rosie. That movie has two BFFs being friends and having lives, but are so often like ships passing in the night. They just keep missing each other by a little bit each time, but it hurts every time it happens. Jake and Roe's relationship is so deep. They're best friends, they love each other's kids...they're basically married/dating, except for they're not. In this book, that was tolerable. But the HEA isn't until the next one.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I like tension and gay awakenings, though I don't think I'm as big a fan of just straight up angst.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
More like 2.5 ⭐️ because:
. The title is misleading. Where’s the hurt?
. So it’s gonna be miscommunication? Really?
. If the woman is portrayed as a bitch on the second book istg
Giving the next one a chance because it’s from Roe’s POV, but I don’t have high hopes.
. The title is misleading. Where’s the hurt?
. So it’s gonna be miscommunication? Really?
. If the woman is portrayed as a bitch on the second book istg
Giving the next one a chance because it’s from Roe’s POV, but I don’t have high hopes.
Let me just start by saying I devour everything Cara writes. She is an absolute one-click author for me, and I haven't read a book of hers yet that I didn't like. However, I am basically allergic to reading angst so when I found out this book had it and that it was titled "This Will Hurt"...gulp. Cara doesn't do me dirty, and if I can get through the first couple books of her Auctioned series, I know I can get through anything. But I'm not a darn masochist, Cara! Why do you wanna hurt me?!?
Sigh. But of course I still grabbed the ARC for this book because I'm not stupid. And honestly my fears were unwarranted because while there WAS angst, it wasn't overwhelming. It was kind of like the whole boiling a frog thing. I jumped in the pot while the water was cool and she just slowly turned up the heat until whoops...I'm boiling in this darn angst! But then it was the end of the book sooooo. Now I get to take a break from it, and simultaneously suffer through wanting to know how everything gets resolved. And from Roe's perspective! Which, heck yes. I'm excited for.
I don't want to give spoilers so I'll keep it simple. This book spans a few years (which normally I'm not a fan of whatsoever but it was all linear at least so I coped). We get to see the evolution of Roe and Jake's friendship and their business. Sidenote: can I just say I LOVED their business; it's "in the business" like in Noah, but not really. I liked seeing it from the ground up.
We also get to see the evolution of how these two are in relationships. With women. That's where things start to hurt. I absolutely loved how Jake and Nikki's relationship evolved; I am sick of OW drama and how catty women can be shown in situations like theirs so it was refreshing to read.
And through the book, we learn of a memory that Jake has repressed for a long time, and him coming to terms with it. Rampant homophobia, especially internalized homophobia, is a topic I typically steer clear of because...angst. And it does hurt. Cara's not wrong.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'll enjoy it more when the sequel is out because I HATE cliffhangers and waiting. I typically avoid reading duets or series until everything is out, but again, it's obvious that Cara has me breaking all my rules. Thankfully the next book comes out really soon so I won't have to wait long!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sigh. But of course I still grabbed the ARC for this book because I'm not stupid. And honestly my fears were unwarranted because while there WAS angst, it wasn't overwhelming. It was kind of like the whole boiling a frog thing. I jumped in the pot while the water was cool and she just slowly turned up the heat until whoops...I'm boiling in this darn angst! But then it was the end of the book sooooo. Now I get to take a break from it, and simultaneously suffer through wanting to know how everything gets resolved. And from Roe's perspective! Which, heck yes. I'm excited for.
I don't want to give spoilers so I'll keep it simple. This book spans a few years (which normally I'm not a fan of whatsoever but it was all linear at least so I coped). We get to see the evolution of Roe and Jake's friendship and their business. Sidenote: can I just say I LOVED their business; it's "in the business" like in Noah, but not really. I liked seeing it from the ground up.
We also get to see the evolution of how these two are in relationships. With women. That's where things start to hurt. I absolutely loved how Jake and Nikki's relationship evolved; I am sick of OW drama and how catty women can be shown in situations like theirs so it was refreshing to read.
And through the book, we learn of a memory that Jake has repressed for a long time, and him coming to terms with it. Rampant homophobia, especially internalized homophobia, is a topic I typically steer clear of because...angst. And it does hurt. Cara's not wrong.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'll enjoy it more when the sequel is out because I HATE cliffhangers and waiting. I typically avoid reading duets or series until everything is out, but again, it's obvious that Cara has me breaking all my rules. Thankfully the next book comes out really soon so I won't have to wait long!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Well, this definitely lives up to its name. My eyes are still puffy from the tears.
Jake and Roe have such an amazing journey to their relationship in this book. The wonderfully quirky way they meet, the friendship they form, and the emotions and feelings they both have all add up to a perfect story. The build-up in this book is incredible. It's a delicate simmer until it boils over. And Roe and Jake are freaking magic.
My heart is still not ok from that ending, and I'm ready for part two.
Jake and Roe have such an amazing journey to their relationship in this book. The wonderfully quirky way they meet, the friendship they form, and the emotions and feelings they both have all add up to a perfect story. The build-up in this book is incredible. It's a delicate simmer until it boils over. And Roe and Jake are freaking magic.
My heart is still not ok from that ending, and I'm ready for part two.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book did hurt. The reason? It was just a long prequel! Did I love it? Yes. Does it remind me of “If we could go back”? A little. Should it exist? A case could be made for no.
I truly believe that part I and II of this story could have just been one long book. But that didn’t take away from my love for Roe and Jake and the angst, pining, and torture they’re going to go through next book towards their happily ever after.
I truly believe that part I and II of this story could have just been one long book. But that didn’t take away from my love for Roe and Jake and the angst, pining, and torture they’re going to go through next book towards their happily ever after.