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kaity_b's review against another edition
5.0
Audio: 5 stars, Nick J Russo killin it!
Book: 5 stars
I loved this book more than book one and I saw book three ([b:Sunset|203652805|Sunset (Bonfires)|Amy Lane|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|209469295]) is coming out this year!! So I have enough time for another reread/relisten before that comes out!
I love this found/real family that keeps growing.
Aaron and Larx's adventures make me smile and love them a little more chapter by chapter.
If you haven't had the chance to pick up these two books I would recommend doing so or at least by the time book three comes out because even though this ends on a HFN, I think having the HEA of book three will really make the reading experience so much better.
Book: 5 stars
I loved this book more than book one and I saw book three ([b:Sunset|203652805|Sunset (Bonfires)|Amy Lane|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|209469295]) is coming out this year!! So I have enough time for another reread/relisten before that comes out!
I love this found/real family that keeps growing.
Aaron and Larx's adventures make me smile and love them a little more chapter by chapter.
If you haven't had the chance to pick up these two books I would recommend doing so or at least by the time book three comes out because even though this ends on a HFN, I think having the HEA of book three will really make the reading experience so much better.
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Steady Hearts - Buddy listen with LiaB!!!
I’m not one for angsty, and Amy Lane can get angsty. Thankfully, this was toned down from the first book, and I thought this was a consistent read.
The thing I appreciated the most was the mature relationship between Larx and Aaron. These men know what they want and are not afraid to communicate. They each have their own immense responsibilities, and they pull that off with aplomb, all the while juggling their blended family as well as the multiple strays they continue to take into their fold. Their relationship is a dream to read about, as it was not only sweetly sentimental but hot too. 40’s is the new 20’s, and I say *high five*!
This takes place a few months after the first book. The two families are in sync for the most part, and it’s just another day in the life of principal Larx and deputy Aaron, who continue to fix, maintain, and do good deeds in their fair town by keeping all in their care happy and safe. Despite being less anxiety inducing than the first book, this still had several challenges for Larx and Aaron to overcome. I’m not saying the real world doesn't have hate or bigotry or horrible depravity, but it just seems here a tad too extreme in how good the good people were contrasting blaringly with how bad the bad people were. At times, it was just a bit too much. However, the pros mentioned above definitely negated all my little niggles.
Narrated by Nick J. Russo, he does his typical fine job, though I must say I’m surprised by a blatant editing error. Regardless, I was very pleased, as Russo always gets the emotions just right.
So, if you’re up for a lovely continuation of Larx, Aaron, and a gaggle of “family” that boasts no less than 9 other individuals plus a loveable dog and a grandbaby on the way, then be prepared to be charmed!
I know I wouldn’t say no to more should Lane choose to continue with the love saga of Larx and Aaron, nor would I say no to any of the other side characters getting their own story for that matter! Keeping fingers crossed that Kellan and Isaiah are next!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review >/i>
I’m not one for angsty, and Amy Lane can get angsty. Thankfully, this was toned down from the first book, and I thought this was a consistent read.
The thing I appreciated the most was the mature relationship between Larx and Aaron. These men know what they want and are not afraid to communicate. They each have their own immense responsibilities, and they pull that off with aplomb, all the while juggling their blended family as well as the multiple strays they continue to take into their fold. Their relationship is a dream to read about, as it was not only sweetly sentimental but hot too. 40’s is the new 20’s, and I say *high five*!
This takes place a few months after the first book. The two families are in sync for the most part, and it’s just another day in the life of principal Larx and deputy Aaron, who continue to fix, maintain, and do good deeds in their fair town by keeping all in their care happy and safe. Despite being less anxiety inducing than the first book, this still had several challenges for Larx and Aaron to overcome. I’m not saying the real world doesn't have hate or bigotry or horrible depravity, but it just seems here a tad too extreme in how good the good people were contrasting blaringly with how bad the bad people were. At times, it was just a bit too much. However, the pros mentioned above definitely negated all my little niggles.
Narrated by Nick J. Russo, he does his typical fine job, though I must say I’m surprised by a blatant editing error. Regardless, I was very pleased, as Russo always gets the emotions just right.
So, if you’re up for a lovely continuation of Larx, Aaron, and a gaggle of “family” that boasts no less than 9 other individuals plus a loveable dog and a grandbaby on the way, then be prepared to be charmed!
I know I wouldn’t say no to more should Lane choose to continue with the love saga of Larx and Aaron, nor would I say no to any of the other side characters getting their own story for that matter! Keeping fingers crossed that Kellan and Isaiah are next!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review >/i>
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
This was so so good, I loved it!
Aaron and Larx continue their journey together in this installment, and there is more drama to be had in their professional lives and personal lives.
Larx's daughter Olivia is pregnant and clinically depressed...and she went back to school, but then comes back at the start of this book.
She is the big part in this book that Larx and Aaron deal with personally - the other kids (Kirby, Kellan, Christi are doing okay int his) - but Larx, always so kind, always so good, helps out a kid Jamie and his older brother, Berto, who are living on their own and have their own trauma to deal with, and it's Jamie who calls 911 on a house next door when he heard screaming and yelling.
Turns out, a girl is being sexually and physically abused, and she goes to Larx's school, the one he is the principal of, and Aaron was called on the 911 call, so they're both embroiled in that.
When Jamie calls one night telling Larx that the girl is hiding in a shed at his and Berto's house, Larx and Aaron rush there to help, and when Aaron gets hurt, it is up to Larx to hold the fort while Aaron heals and gets better - but Aaron doesn't want him to take the burden by himself.
So there's some slight drama there, and with Olivia' baby daddy coming in to town (the baby daddy is fine, nice even, but his parents...not so much) but the best thing is that Larx and Aaron work through it together.
They are a super parent team together. Together, they get it done, even when it's exhausting and hard. But they're not doing it alone anymore, and their relationship grows throughout this book.
Larx and Aaron continues to be amazing together in this, and showed that even when you're getting on in age...a healthy libido is still there ;).
There wasn't a ton of sexytimes int his what with all they had to deal with, but what we got was good, passionate, and hot. And also sweet because they two men are so in love with each other <3
Definitely recommend this! And I have a feeling that this series could go on, which I hope it does, because it's fun and entertaining and just plain awesome :D
Aaron and Larx continue their journey together in this installment, and there is more drama to be had in their professional lives and personal lives.
Larx's daughter Olivia is pregnant and clinically depressed...and she went back to school, but then comes back at the start of this book.
She is the big part in this book that Larx and Aaron deal with personally - the other kids (Kirby, Kellan, Christi are doing okay int his) - but Larx, always so kind, always so good, helps out a kid Jamie and his older brother, Berto, who are living on their own and have their own trauma to deal with, and it's Jamie who calls 911 on a house next door when he heard screaming and yelling.
Turns out, a girl is being sexually and physically abused, and she goes to Larx's school, the one he is the principal of, and Aaron was called on the 911 call, so they're both embroiled in that.
When Jamie calls one night telling Larx that the girl is hiding in a shed at his and Berto's house, Larx and Aaron rush there to help, and when Aaron gets hurt, it is up to Larx to hold the fort while Aaron heals and gets better - but Aaron doesn't want him to take the burden by himself.
So there's some slight drama there, and with Olivia' baby daddy coming in to town (the baby daddy is fine, nice even, but his parents...not so much) but the best thing is that Larx and Aaron work through it together.
They are a super parent team together. Together, they get it done, even when it's exhausting and hard. But they're not doing it alone anymore, and their relationship grows throughout this book.
Larx and Aaron continues to be amazing together in this, and showed that even when you're getting on in age...a healthy libido is still there ;).
There wasn't a ton of sexytimes int his what with all they had to deal with, but what we got was good, passionate, and hot. And also sweet because they two men are so in love with each other <3
Definitely recommend this! And I have a feeling that this series could go on, which I hope it does, because it's fun and entertaining and just plain awesome :D
liza5326's review
5.0
This is the highly anticipated sequel to [b:Bonfires|34389595|Bonfires (Bonfires #1)|Amy Lane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487978359s/34389595.jpg|55481669] and picks up pretty much right where book 1 left off. Aaron and Larx are barely settled into their relationship and Larx's daughter Olivia shows up pregnant. Add onto that, she's suffering from major depression and not handling it well at all. What I love best about Aaron and Larx and their assorted children, friends and family is how they come together when needed. And because this is an Amy Lane book, it isn't long before tragedy strikes them again and they are tested again. I could read her books forever. They draw me, the characters are always so dimensional and the stories engaging. I completely devoured this book. I love the family they have made for themselves, collecting strays as they go.
terriaminute's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
It took me a minute to get back into this world, and I'm pretty sure my continuing uncertainty re: Kellen and Kirby is due to an editing error, but ultimately I enjoyed this nearly as much as I enjoyed Bonfires, which is really all I can ask of a contemporary romance sequel.
I did skim 90% of the sex scene pages, more here for the romance and found family than anything else. I really appreciated the reality check of what a Kevlar vest does and does not prevent. And, I appreciated the realistic depression the daughter suffers. Best of all, I enjoyed once again how Lane sets her characters up to tackle real-world injustices. Just putting that out in the world is a net positive.
I did skim 90% of the sex scene pages, more here for the romance and found family than anything else. I really appreciated the reality check of what a Kevlar vest does and does not prevent. And, I appreciated the realistic depression the daughter suffers. Best of all, I enjoyed once again how Lane sets her characters up to tackle real-world injustices. Just putting that out in the world is a net positive.
suze_1624's review
4.0
I did enjoy [b:Bonfires|34389595|Bonfires (Bonfires #1)|Amy Lane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487978359s/34389595.jpg|55481669] and did enjoy this continuation of the stories in Bonfires - so not really a standalone read.
Such a lot happening in this, all of it really hitting Larx for left and right, top and bottom.
Olivia is home, with many issues that will last and are not quickly fixed - pregnancy being the least of them.
Kellan still grieving the demise at present of his relationship with Isiah.
Tiff still not on board with Aaron and Larx.
Aaron injured on duty.
School kids in jeopardy.
And then there is Wombat willie - spacey but good hearted! Aaron’s boss is also a stand up guy.
We do get a rounding of of most story threads so all good!
Such a lot happening in this, all of it really hitting Larx for left and right, top and bottom.
Olivia is home, with many issues that will last and are not quickly fixed - pregnancy being the least of them.
Kellan still grieving the demise at present of his relationship with Isiah.
Tiff still not on board with Aaron and Larx.
Aaron injured on duty.
School kids in jeopardy.
And then there is Wombat willie - spacey but good hearted! Aaron’s boss is also a stand up guy.
We do get a rounding of of most story threads so all good!
tichamm's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Didn't like it as much as the other one, but it was still pretty enjoyable to read. At least the crime part was better and more interesting.
Didn't like it as much as the other one, but it was still pretty enjoyable to read. At least the crime part was better and more interesting.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
This is the sequel to Bonfires, and they do need to be read in order. Larx and Aaron are a great couple - they talk and share, but also make mistakes and worry, and have to learn to accommodate each other's jobs and intensities. Neither one can really turn off their sense of responsibility, and they both end up over committed. The love is solid here, but there's plenty of other kinds of trouble brewing.
The mix of teens that round out their gradually blending family are good too. Olivia comes home with issues of her own that can't be solved with a hug and some good advice. Kellan is breaking his heart over Isaiah. Aaron's daughter Tiffany isn't coming round the way he'd hoped. And other young people catch Larx's open heart and Aaron's protective nature. There are some very real moments of trying to juggle different young people with conflicting needs.
The plot of this book felt even more busy than the first one, with both emotional and plot event hits coming from all quarters. I was sorry not to have a little more time with Kellan and Isaiah (although I believe we are promised their book to come.) I loved the theme of blending and creating family, although the complexities made it harder to stay really connected with so many characters. Still, I loved seeing two older guys falling further in love despite all the obstacles their busy lives can throw at them.
The mix of teens that round out their gradually blending family are good too. Olivia comes home with issues of her own that can't be solved with a hug and some good advice. Kellan is breaking his heart over Isaiah. Aaron's daughter Tiffany isn't coming round the way he'd hoped. And other young people catch Larx's open heart and Aaron's protective nature. There are some very real moments of trying to juggle different young people with conflicting needs.
The plot of this book felt even more busy than the first one, with both emotional and plot event hits coming from all quarters. I was sorry not to have a little more time with Kellan and Isaiah (although I believe we are promised their book to come.) I loved the theme of blending and creating family, although the complexities made it harder to stay really connected with so many characters. Still, I loved seeing two older guys falling further in love despite all the obstacles their busy lives can throw at them.