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kyliecreads's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really remember much about this series, only that was okay and minimally enjoyable
wildbeebooks's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't want to read these books until part 2 came out, and I'm so happy I waited because I'm impatient, and I devoured these books. This book is everything I look for when reading Cara Dee's books. I have a book hangover because of the emotional turmoil I was put through. I liked that this part is told from Roe's perspective, and this picks up a few months after the first one. We go on a journey of Roe and Jake and trying to find their HEA. I don't want to give away too much, but Cara makes them work to be together, and I screamed when they finally won.
bdavies17's review against another edition
5.0
So well written and loved the angst and pining! I also loved the jealousy with Greer, kind of wish there had been a little more of it. I do think Roe was crazy to stay as long as he did and try for more kids. I also thought their show concept was really cool.
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oofie's review against another edition
3.0
3 - was ok
This book is the second in a duology and follows Roe. Roe is one of two best friends and filmmakers, and in the previous book, became best friends and business partners with Jake. They supported each other throughout the years, through girlfriends and new children being added to their respective (and, in a way, collective) broods.
What we find out in this book is that, though we already knew Roe was bi, we find out that he discovered that through falling in love with Jake. And he's been in love with Jake for years.
Unfortunately, though Jake is single, he's also straight, and hasn't expressed any interest except for a 30th birthday party dalliance between the two. And to complicate things further, Roe is stuck in an unhappy marriage with a depressed wife.
This book is...a lot of things. It's a lot of angst. It's not a happy book. Jake and Roe finally decided to be together, but they do it while Roe is still married, so Roe ends up cheating with Jake. Repeatedly. Emotionally and physically. I understand why the author has him stay married—Sandra has hella postpartum depression—but still, cheating was...a choice.
Another thing that bugs me about this book is that everyone just KEEPS HAVING CHILDREN. ESPECIALLY YOU, ROE. Why are you and your wife having more kids when you're pining over your best friend? Why are there so many kids in these books? STOP HAVING KIDS WHEN YOUR MARRIAGE IS DEAD.
I also both admire and am irritated with the level of support for these basically single parents. Jake and Roe have a hell of a network that willingly help them take care of their kids. It's awesome...and, I fear, pretty unrealistic. I don't know a single parent who has that level of unwavering support. I suppose this book isn't required to be realistic, but the author said in the afterword that they prefer to write realistic characters, so I imagine they like realistic situations as well?
I also like how these books take place over years and am annoyed with it. This book lasted forever. Jake and Roe didn't get their HEA for SO LONG. I think that, just personally, I like the tension and buildup to a relationship forming as opposed to the angst after feelings are acknowledged and not actually getting into that relationship for a long time.
All that to say that I don't think I was the biggest fan of this book. Like I did read it, and I'm glad there was the eventual HEA, but getting there was rough.
This book is the second in a duology and follows Roe. Roe is one of two best friends and filmmakers, and in the previous book, became best friends and business partners with Jake. They supported each other throughout the years, through girlfriends and new children being added to their respective (and, in a way, collective) broods.
What we find out in this book is that, though we already knew Roe was bi, we find out that he discovered that through falling in love with Jake. And he's been in love with Jake for years.
Unfortunately, though Jake is single, he's also straight, and hasn't expressed any interest except for a 30th birthday party dalliance between the two. And to complicate things further, Roe is stuck in an unhappy marriage with a depressed wife.
This book is...a lot of things. It's a lot of angst. It's not a happy book. Jake and Roe finally decided to be together, but they do it while Roe is still married, so Roe ends up cheating with Jake. Repeatedly. Emotionally and physically. I understand why the author has him stay married—Sandra has hella postpartum depression—but still, cheating was...a choice.
Another thing that bugs me about this book is that everyone just KEEPS HAVING CHILDREN. ESPECIALLY YOU, ROE. Why are you and your wife having more kids when you're pining over your best friend? Why are there so many kids in these books? STOP HAVING KIDS WHEN YOUR MARRIAGE IS DEAD.
I also both admire and am irritated with the level of support for these basically single parents. Jake and Roe have a hell of a network that willingly help them take care of their kids. It's awesome...and, I fear, pretty unrealistic. I don't know a single parent who has that level of unwavering support. I suppose this book isn't required to be realistic, but the author said in the afterword that they prefer to write realistic characters, so I imagine they like realistic situations as well?
I also like how these books take place over years and am annoyed with it. This book lasted forever. Jake and Roe didn't get their HEA for SO LONG. I think that, just personally, I like the tension and buildup to a relationship forming as opposed to the angst after feelings are acknowledged and not actually getting into that relationship for a long time.
All that to say that I don't think I was the biggest fan of this book. Like I did read it, and I'm glad there was the eventual HEA, but getting there was rough.
raeoflight_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
neep66's review against another edition
5.0
Just wow. This is one of the most realistic journeys of love I have ever read. A friendship so close and so full of love that does not cross the line in time. This is angsty but full of so much potential love I could not stop reading. I will admit my heart was all about Jake's hurt. I needed Jake and Roe to be together. This was a complex and frustrating story that will give you that hard won happy ending.
tara_brew's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, but it was so. damn. long. I felt like there were a lot of extra side things that were unnecessarily put into the story to try to tie into previous characters. I really loved Jake's character, and in the beginning, really loved Roe until the whole Sandra storyline happened. I know it was for the purpose of the story, but it always felt off and forced. The time jumps were sometimes hard to follow, and the flow would get thrown off. Then, the last few years were all sort of crammed into the end to try to tie up all loose ends.
dancingterracephantom's review against another edition
4.0
There was a month between reading book one and two in this series, and the hurt never faded. Roe and Jake had my heart in a chokehold because they were denying themselves, and I HATE that. I guess I'm selfish, but I just want characters to make happy choices, okay? Because sometimes in real life we don't and it makes me sad. But at the same time, these characters and their story felt so real because of all the hurts and the happiness mixed together.
This book wasn't easy. It wasn't all hurt in book one and all happiness in book two. Roe and Jake still had a lot to process about themselves and choices to make and decisions to stand behind. This book spanned years, just like the first. They take steps forward and steps back. They love and they hurt. They finally get their HEA, but the path is a long one.
I still really love their jobs, and it was cool to read the evolution of how they started to the huge success they were by the end of this book. That's one advantage to a book written over so much time, even if it's not my favorite way to read a story.
Cara is my favorite MM author hands down, and I loved all the cameos from her other books. So many of my favs were mentioned, even if just briefly, which I adored.
Overall, the HEA that Roe and Jake fought for was hard but worth it. I'm off to read their novella length epilogue, and I'm curious to see how much more I like this series when I do a re-read eventually.
This book wasn't easy. It wasn't all hurt in book one and all happiness in book two. Roe and Jake still had a lot to process about themselves and choices to make and decisions to stand behind. This book spanned years, just like the first. They take steps forward and steps back. They love and they hurt. They finally get their HEA, but the path is a long one.
I still really love their jobs, and it was cool to read the evolution of how they started to the huge success they were by the end of this book. That's one advantage to a book written over so much time, even if it's not my favorite way to read a story.
Cara is my favorite MM author hands down, and I loved all the cameos from her other books. So many of my favs were mentioned, even if just briefly, which I adored.
Overall, the HEA that Roe and Jake fought for was hard but worth it. I'm off to read their novella length epilogue, and I'm curious to see how much more I like this series when I do a re-read eventually.
jpbooklife's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, Cara Dee, for putting back together what you broke in book one... Namely, my heart. This book hurt also, but it also healed. Watching Jake and Roe create this extended family and thrive as fathers was so touching. The relationship between Sandra and Roe was painful and heartbreaking. I didn't hate her because none of it was her fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. But I did want to shake her at times.
The stuff with Jake's family was infuriating and difficult to read, but I love how we get to see Roe and company rally to protect Jake and stand up for him.
Jake and Roe's relationship is complicated and difficult, but it's also beautiful and pure. It's impossible to not root for them and love love (#JAYROE)! This book brought some laughs, plenty of angst, and so much heart that it hurts ( pun unintended!).
The stuff with Jake's family was infuriating and difficult to read, but I love how we get to see Roe and company rally to protect Jake and stand up for him.
Jake and Roe's relationship is complicated and difficult, but it's also beautiful and pure. It's impossible to not root for them and love love (#JAYROE)! This book brought some laughs, plenty of angst, and so much heart that it hurts ( pun unintended!).
wisecraic's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0