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loulou87's review against another edition
5.0
Reread via audiobook
4.5 stars rounded up for the narration.
I absolutely loved this book.
Ireland's phobia is truly heartbreaking. How much do we truly touch other people, people we love, without really thinking about it.
Intimacy is instinct and touch is part of that.
For Ireland.. touch is pain and wrong and hurt.
Enter Raven, the perfect boyfriend who has patience by the buckets. I adored him.
This book is completely relationship driven as with all the books in this series and I loved seeing them IN a relationship as they work out the kinks.
Adam Gold is just perfect in this one. Love love love his narration.
4.5 stars rounded up for the narration.
I absolutely loved this book.
Ireland's phobia is truly heartbreaking. How much do we truly touch other people, people we love, without really thinking about it.
Intimacy is instinct and touch is part of that.
For Ireland.. touch is pain and wrong and hurt.
Enter Raven, the perfect boyfriend who has patience by the buckets. I adored him.
This book is completely relationship driven as with all the books in this series and I loved seeing them IN a relationship as they work out the kinks.
Adam Gold is just perfect in this one. Love love love his narration.
foesandlovers's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
Another great read in this series!! Loved both Raven and Ireland. I think my only tiny issue was that Raven is supposed to be 40 and he acted much younger in some parts of the book, but at the same time, he's the kinda guy who'll have a young soul all his life so it makes sense.
CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE! I'm mighty intrigued. Krew and a silver fox? Fuck meeee, yes!!!!!
Another great read in this series!! Loved both Raven and Ireland. I think my only tiny issue was that Raven is supposed to be 40 and he acted much younger in some parts of the book, but at the same time, he's the kinda guy who'll have a young soul all his life so it makes sense.
CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE! I'm mighty intrigued. Krew and a silver fox? Fuck meeee, yes!!!!!
hartchor's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
alyssadokusho's review against another edition
5.0
***apologies but there will be spoilers throughout!***
[4.8] Haphephobia - a fear of touching or of being touched.
Ahhhhh my favorite one so far! Each installment follows a similar recipe so this being the third in the series, well, I could predict for the most part how the plot would progress and what setbacks they'd face, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment because the execution was *chef's kiss*.
I'm a complete sucker for romantic relationships built on a foundation of friendship and trust, and the limits on physical touch undeniably amplified the experience.
When it comes down to it, there's still an instalove element of sorts, but their progression from strangers to friends to lovers hit differently with the emphasis placed almost entirely on their emotional bond and path to mutual understanding.
There were a handful of scenes that had my heart squeezing in my chest and me running around in circles because what else does one do when the MCs are being SO GOSH DARN WHOLESOME??
[4.8] Haphephobia - a fear of touching or of being touched.
Ahhhhh my favorite one so far! Each installment follows a similar recipe so this being the third in the series, well, I could predict for the most part how the plot would progress and what setbacks they'd face, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment because the execution was *chef's kiss*.
I'm a complete sucker for romantic relationships built on a foundation of friendship and trust, and the limits on physical touch undeniably amplified the experience.
When it comes down to it, there's still an instalove element of sorts, but their progression from strangers to friends to lovers hit differently with the emphasis placed almost entirely on their emotional bond and path to mutual understanding.
There were a handful of scenes that had my heart squeezing in my chest and me running around in circles because what else does one do when the MCs are being SO GOSH DARN WHOLESOME??
Using the momentum I'd created, forcing myself further, despite his close proximity, I lifted my fingers to my lips, kissed them, and placed them feather-light against his own.
He sighed and closed his eyes; his breath ghosted my hand, and he kissed them back ever so delicately. When he opened his eyes again, I pressed his kiss to my lips in return.
SO SOFT!!! Indirect kisses ftw 😍
And of course, the scenes with Raven's hoodie.
Then, he removed his hoodie and placed it on the foot of my bed.
“I know I can’t hold you right now, but if you need comfort, maybe this can bridge our gap. If you want.”
He backed toward the door again, paused, blew me a kiss, and left. My heart lurched, and the moment he was gone, as stupid and juvenile as it was, I caught the kiss and pressed it to my lips with a choked sob.
Add on how Raven asked his sister's kids to teach him how to play cat's cradle.....
At this point only gifs can accurately represent my feelings
----
A quote to describe Ireland:
Instead of progress, he saw constant failure. Instead of being proud of what he'd achieved, he focused on all the things too far out of reach.
(UHHH I see myself in this and I don't like it 😂)
Ireland's fixation on achieving an illusory "normalcy" while also surrendering to the "impossibility" of a lifelong relationship (because to him everyone will eventually give up and leave 😔) begets plenty of frustration and self-hatred.
Five steps forward, one giant leap back—his slow progress demoralizes him and at times has him pushing himself too far, too fast.
The situation with his mother was heartbreaking. She'd gone through hell and back with Ireland's abusive father and consequently forced her fear of touch onto Ireland from an early age. Now jump to present day, and on one hand, she's a major trigger for him, but on the other, he feels an obligation to visit her (even though she doesn't recognize him due to her worsening Alzheimer's), otherwise he's eaten up by this all-consuming guilt for neglecting her.
As for his questionable choice of profession, I could understand his initial reasons for pursuing a nursing career (wanting to learn more about his phobia, believing he could conquer his fear of touch by sheer willpower and exposure, kind of like some improperly executed immersion therapy), but as someone who's gone through nursing school, it's incredibly hands-on and you are more than often right up in the patient's space, so I have no idea how he passed clinicals 😅 Not sure why he insists on working on the floor either when he could've fairly easily pivoted into a health admin/case manager/etc. role in the meantime BUT I DIGRESS.
All in all, I loved both Ireland and Raven (I cut out my gushing over Raven but just know that I'd marry someone like him in a heartbeat LOL), and it was a treat watching the two of them grow into something more. Never have gentle, soft touches felt so intimate and beautiful 🥺
And as always, Adam Gold's narration delivered and brought the story to life!
anna_0612's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
onceupon_a_bookdream's review against another edition
4.0
“I’m going to start banning that word from your vocabulary. What we have is perfect for us. There is no normal in life. No two people are the same.”
Touch of Love is another great addition to the Trials of Fears series. Ireland is a nurse whose afraid of physical touches, both being touched and initiating it himself. He works with his therapist to make strides to cope with his phobia. Even with his constant set backs his continually effort is admirable. Raven handled Ireland and his phobia extrenely well, and his thoughtful and gestures to show his love without touch were lovely. Also, the ending to their story was absolutely perfect!
"I’d touched him. Willingly. Purposefully. …and yearned to do it again."
Touch of Love is another great addition to the Trials of Fears series. Ireland is a nurse whose afraid of physical touches, both being touched and initiating it himself. He works with his therapist to make strides to cope with his phobia. Even with his constant set backs his continually effort is admirable. Raven handled Ireland and his phobia extrenely well, and his thoughtful and gestures to show his love without touch were lovely. Also, the ending to their story was absolutely perfect!
"I’d touched him. Willingly. Purposefully. …and yearned to do it again."
lightisreading's review against another edition
5.0
My hearto.
5/5 with a kiss on the top.
.
I want to hug and kiss Raven from now to infinity - he is a royal rock.
When I started reading this one, I asked my friend if they met/in a relationship with someone who’s in the same situation as Ireland would they stand their ground? Or will they run?
I hate Ireland ex with all my heart - I’m emotional I would never give up on him -
.
Best character//
“Ireland “- He is a fighter! Others would just slip away with their fears - he fought it since the beginning. It is hard to fight a memory that is stuck inside your head
5/5 with a kiss on the top.
.
I want to hug and kiss Raven from now to infinity - he is a royal rock.
When I started reading this one, I asked my friend if they met/in a relationship with someone who’s in the same situation as Ireland would they stand their ground? Or will they run?
I hate Ireland ex with all my heart - I’m emotional I would never give up on him -
.
Best character//
“Ireland “- He is a fighter! Others would just slip away with their fears - he fought it since the beginning. It is hard to fight a memory that is stuck inside your head
suzy76's review against another edition
4.0
I cannot imagine having a phobia like Ireland suffers, I mean touch is...well touch. My heart broke from his struggles. I was so glad when Raven arrived on the scene and started to show Ireland that "normal" isn't the only way you can live a life. The first scene with the Ravens hoodie just melted me.
kaity_b's review against another edition
5.0
Reread/listen
I still stand by the my original review, this book is my favorite and Raven and Ireland are just so perfect for one another.
I will say having Adam Gold narrate these books really makes the experience that much better! He does an amazing job and its like experiencing these books anew.
Highly recommend the audiobooks for this series you won't regret it!
4.5-5 stars
Honestly this one is my favorite out of all the books so far. Just thinking about what Ireland has to go through on a daily basis because of his phobia is heartbreaking.
Ireland is such a strong character and I love love love how patient Raven is.
I wished we got more interaction with Ravens family and band mates but overall this book was great!
I still stand by the my original review, this book is my favorite and Raven and Ireland are just so perfect for one another.
I will say having Adam Gold narrate these books really makes the experience that much better! He does an amazing job and its like experiencing these books anew.
Highly recommend the audiobooks for this series you won't regret it!
4.5-5 stars
Honestly this one is my favorite out of all the books so far. Just thinking about what Ireland has to go through on a daily basis because of his phobia is heartbreaking.
Ireland is such a strong character and I love love love how patient Raven is.
I wished we got more interaction with Ravens family and band mates but overall this book was great!