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haletostilinski1's review
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. It grabbed my attention from the first page, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Enzo is a 30 year old carpenter, who specializes in doing cabinets, and loves what he does. But he feels like he's never good enough compared to his older brother Ricky, who seems to be perfect, and who his mother seems to compare him to and want him to aspire to be instead of being who he is. It affects Enzo greatly over his life, and when Ricky dies in a fire at the night club Enzo asked him to come to him with, it adds on guilt and grief.
Damon in a 37 year old hospital administrator who makes a good amount of money. He doesn't get out a lot and is dedicated to his work, but his younger sister Katie managed to get him to come out with her that night at that club, and she died in the fire at the night club as well.
Both Enzo and Damon are not only suffering from the grief of losing their siblings, but from misplaced guilt as well. About nine months after the fire, Damon is trying to will himself to go into a bar, still not able to since the fire, when he sees Enzo across the street seeming to go hook up with a woman in an alley, with three men then following them into the alley.
Turns out they were trying to rob Enzo, and Damon gets them to back off. From there these two form a friendship, and they get even closer when they find out that they both experienced the fire at the nightclub, and then both lost siblings as well.
Thing is, they both thought they were straight before they met each other. They had only even been attracted to women, but the more they fall for each other - and realize they're falling - the more attracted they are to each other.
I liked how low the freak outs were for these two. Enzo got uncomfortable at times and freaked out majorly once, but for the most part these two were okay with being with each other, with a man, and just going with it. I mean certainly, they went slow, explored each other and what the other liked, and got more settled into their relationship before they ever even told anyone, but it was a nice change of pace for there not to be a "i don't like guys, stay away from me" moment. Enzo had more of a "we're moving too fast, this is too much" moment, but that's understandable.
These two were just amazing together, and I loved every moment they were together. They weren't perfect, but they were perfect for each other.
Also, I can't say how happy I am that
Overall this was just an amazing story, with a great main couple who had amazing chemistry - I felt it when that first kiss came, and I was into all their smutty scenes, they just worked so well together - and an amazing romance. The secondary characters were good too and complemented the story so well.
Two big thumbs up for me, this was a win for me. Highly recommend!
Enzo is a 30 year old carpenter, who specializes in doing cabinets, and loves what he does. But he feels like he's never good enough compared to his older brother Ricky, who seems to be perfect, and who his mother seems to compare him to and want him to aspire to be instead of being who he is. It affects Enzo greatly over his life, and when Ricky dies in a fire at the night club Enzo asked him to come to him with, it adds on guilt and grief.
Damon in a 37 year old hospital administrator who makes a good amount of money. He doesn't get out a lot and is dedicated to his work, but his younger sister Katie managed to get him to come out with her that night at that club, and she died in the fire at the night club as well.
Both Enzo and Damon are not only suffering from the grief of losing their siblings, but from misplaced guilt as well. About nine months after the fire, Damon is trying to will himself to go into a bar, still not able to since the fire, when he sees Enzo across the street seeming to go hook up with a woman in an alley, with three men then following them into the alley.
Turns out they were trying to rob Enzo, and Damon gets them to back off. From there these two form a friendship, and they get even closer when they find out that they both experienced the fire at the nightclub, and then both lost siblings as well.
Thing is, they both thought they were straight before they met each other. They had only even been attracted to women, but the more they fall for each other - and realize they're falling - the more attracted they are to each other.
I liked how low the freak outs were for these two. Enzo got uncomfortable at times and freaked out majorly once, but for the most part these two were okay with being with each other, with a man, and just going with it. I mean certainly, they went slow, explored each other and what the other liked, and got more settled into their relationship before they ever even told anyone, but it was a nice change of pace for there not to be a "i don't like guys, stay away from me" moment. Enzo had more of a "we're moving too fast, this is too much" moment, but that's understandable.
These two were just amazing together, and I loved every moment they were together. They weren't perfect, but they were perfect for each other.
Also, I can't say how happy I am that
Spoiler
both of these guys got into therapy, and they decided to go on their own. They both needed it and without I feared they would become too dependent on each other for their happiness. I'm happy they got help in a healthy way.Overall this was just an amazing story, with a great main couple who had amazing chemistry - I felt it when that first kiss came, and I was into all their smutty scenes, they just worked so well together - and an amazing romance. The secondary characters were good too and complemented the story so well.
Two big thumbs up for me, this was a win for me. Highly recommend!
jennavdsteen's review against another edition
5.0
This one was actually amazing. Dealt with so many topics so well. The grief didn’t overwhelm the overall story, which is good because it is still supposed to be a love story.
Loved it !!
Loved it !!
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.
caithh's review
DNF 50%
Too heavy and angsty for me. I read romance books to get away from the really deep heavy feelings. I have enough of my own. Only light angst for me.
At 32% I had to skim through almost the whole book to see the biggest problems, meaning the book was super triggering to my anxiety.
As much as her books may be recommended, I’m afraid Riley Hart books may not be for me. I’m going to give one or two more of her books a try before giving up.
Too heavy and angsty for me. I read romance books to get away from the really deep heavy feelings. I have enough of my own. Only light angst for me.
At 32% I had to skim through almost the whole book to see the biggest problems, meaning the book was super triggering to my anxiety.
As much as her books may be recommended, I’m afraid Riley Hart books may not be for me. I’m going to give one or two more of her books a try before giving up.
allieginn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
This was very cute and really did nothing wrong,,, I just unfortunately don't love fluffy romances RIP
kelbee's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars!
Like I said in my update this really reminded me of Riley’s early work (which was my favorite) so I enjoyed it a lot. The connection and steam were there along with a more mature tone that I’ve missed from her recent work.
Like I said in my update this really reminded me of Riley’s early work (which was my favorite) so I enjoyed it a lot. The connection and steam were there along with a more mature tone that I’ve missed from her recent work.
corvinacalloway's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25