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anny99's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
roryta86reads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved them so much. Damon is so gruff and caring, and Enzo is a little lost but sweet. They just worked so well together.
mellanie_rourke's review against another edition
5.0
Enzo and Damin will break your heart...in all the best ways.
Enzo and Damon shared a tragic history that makes both of their lives meaningless.
Until they find each other, and learn that after the storm is the calm, and after the sorrow there can still be joy.
Enzo and Damon shared a tragic history that makes both of their lives meaningless.
Until they find each other, and learn that after the storm is the calm, and after the sorrow there can still be joy.
karentje's review against another edition
5.0
This story touched me deeply and brought actual tears to my eyes. Both MC's have lost a sibling and are struggling to deal with their grief and survivor's guilt. There's a beautifully written, haunting sadness in this book, a sense of such deep sorrow. The connection and growing love between Enzo and Damon was epic and incredibly powerful, building slowly from friendship to a gradual awareness of an even deeper, stronger feeling. What I loved the most was how safe they feel with each other at all times and how inevitable and meant-to-be their love is.
syka's review
2.0
I don't think the friendship was anywhere near well developed for the other stuff to feel convincing and there's not much of a period of yearning or "wtf am I bi/gay now". Dialogue is super cringe-worthy at times. Pretty surface level overall.
sarful's review
2.0
This book grabbed me right away, with these two men dealing with grief and not even very well. They see in each other a mirror of themselves and find peace with each other they’d never thought possible. They fall in love pretty quickly and both grapple with a new identity as they discover each other more intimately. They both had identified as straight, and while they can’t explain their feelings, they refuse to deny this happiness. I adored how this relationship grew organically and that they helped each other grow and be more honest with themselves. Plus, hot.
The story itself was really interesting and beautiful. However, about halfway through it kind of slowed down for me and it felt a bit redundant and repetitive after awhile. I understand they’re surprised with how deep they love a man, and had never entertained the notion, but it felt repeated too often.
This review is also maybe a little unfair as I’m not a fan of this kind of simple and straightforward kind of writing. It felt a bit too wordy. Which isn’t to say the writing is bad in the least, because it isn’t, it’s just not my favorite kind of writing. I don’t even know if this makes sense but, but there you go.
The story itself was really interesting and beautiful. However, about halfway through it kind of slowed down for me and it felt a bit redundant and repetitive after awhile. I understand they’re surprised with how deep they love a man, and had never entertained the notion, but it felt repeated too often.
This review is also maybe a little unfair as I’m not a fan of this kind of simple and straightforward kind of writing. It felt a bit too wordy. Which isn’t to say the writing is bad in the least, because it isn’t, it’s just not my favorite kind of writing. I don’t even know if this makes sense but, but there you go.
laul's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.5
loishojmark's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I think this was my favorite book from Riley Hart. It had all the emotional depth and angst I love. And two times first-time-gay-for-you (this term isn't the best, but somehow it fits with this story).
It was an emotional and tearful story, but loved how the angst wasn't centered around Enzo and Damon's relationship - which was near perfect. They felt strong together right from the start.
So, Ms. Hart, please give me more like this.
I think this was my favorite book from Riley Hart. It had all the emotional depth and angst I love. And two times first-time-gay-for-you (this term isn't the best, but somehow it fits with this story).
It was an emotional and tearful story, but loved how the angst wasn't centered around Enzo and Damon's relationship - which was near perfect. They felt strong together right from the start.
So, Ms. Hart, please give me more like this.
10111111111's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars (8/10), 💥💥💥
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I know only two things going in - it is a Riley Hart book, which I always love, and someone suggested this book if you liked Marley Valentine's Without You you would probably like this. I definitely enjoyed the discussions on grief in that book, as well as the somewhat forbidden romance, so I was definitely interested in this. I think the biggest thing I appreciated about this book was the lack of internal conflict between the two MCs. Yes, there were moments where they said or did something, and they had to work through it, but they were such bedrocks for each other and I really enjoyed watching them come to terms with surviving and survivor's grief, as well as having their first attraction to a male ever in their 30s. I appreciated that they opened up to each other and tried to use open communication, even when it was difficult, especially for Enzo. I enjoyed seeing Enzo find a way to feel like he was worthy of being loved and didn't have to prove how he was worth Damon, and I loved watching Damon be cared for and for his support of Enzo as he dealt with his family. There were so many complexities in both of their scenarios, and they weaved together so beautifully. They very much felt inevitable, and I loved how they both embraced their relationship and where it went, both caring for the other when they really needed it, and we saw both of them need it and go through tough times. I found Enzo's conversation with his mum, and also his little conversation with his nephew in the epilogue, so touching and really sad and it was so hard to not cry at both times. Having little Ricky talk about how his dad talked about Enzo, and also Enzo's mum open up about her life, and how protective she tried to be of Enzo which just ended up pushing him away, it was really well handled and I loved it. I also appreciated that the book didn't have some grand gesture like proposal or marriage, as it really didn't need it. They moved in together and their lives were moving forward together, and it was lovely to see everyone over for Sauce. I think I would have liked the novel to be a little longer to more fully explore some of the topics that came up, but I think everything was handled sensitively and with care, and these two men are just such beautiful souls and their relationship is beautiful. I always love the men Riley Hart writes
This was a pleasant surprise of a book. I know only two things going in - it is a Riley Hart book, which I always love, and someone suggested this book if you liked Marley Valentine's Without You you would probably like this. I definitely enjoyed the discussions on grief in that book, as well as the somewhat forbidden romance, so I was definitely interested in this. I think the biggest thing I appreciated about this book was the lack of internal conflict between the two MCs. Yes, there were moments where they said or did something, and they had to work through it, but they were such bedrocks for each other and I really enjoyed watching them come to terms with surviving and survivor's grief, as well as having their first attraction to a male ever in their 30s. I appreciated that they opened up to each other and tried to use open communication, even when it was difficult, especially for Enzo. I enjoyed seeing Enzo find a way to feel like he was worthy of being loved and didn't have to prove how he was worth Damon, and I loved watching Damon be cared for and for his support of Enzo as he dealt with his family. There were so many complexities in both of their scenarios, and they weaved together so beautifully. They very much felt inevitable, and I loved how they both embraced their relationship and where it went, both caring for the other when they really needed it, and we saw both of them need it and go through tough times. I found Enzo's conversation with his mum, and also his little conversation with his nephew in the epilogue, so touching and really sad and it was so hard to not cry at both times. Having little Ricky talk about how his dad talked about Enzo, and also Enzo's mum open up about her life, and how protective she tried to be of Enzo which just ended up pushing him away, it was really well handled and I loved it. I also appreciated that the book didn't have some grand gesture like proposal or marriage, as it really didn't need it. They moved in together and their lives were moving forward together, and it was lovely to see everyone over for Sauce. I think I would have liked the novel to be a little longer to more fully explore some of the topics that came up, but I think everything was handled sensitively and with care, and these two men are just such beautiful souls and their relationship is beautiful. I always love the men Riley Hart writes
emilydye's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0