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bibliophile24's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best I've read! I loved these two guys!
devalabra's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
nasaje's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This wasn't a whirlwind romance but I like stories like that, because they seem a little more believable. The story had a healthy dose of drama, but not juvenile misunderstandings-drama. Loved the added storyline of bringing in John's kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
3.0
When Ryan Ward's career as a firefighter ended due to an injury, everything in his life changed. But in trying to make the best of it, he enrolled in medical school and moved across the country. And things seem to be getting back on track. John Barrett's life also went through a major change recently--after his wife divorced him and moved to a new town, he left his own career to follow them and take up a job as the groundskeeper of the local college. And then Cynthia moved the kids across the country, leaving John behind. So when Ryan and John meet, both of them are in a place of possibility. Both both men, who have a history of relationships with women, are surprised when that possibility leads them to consider what it might be for the two of them to be together. And if they decide to act on it, there's not only all of the work they need to do themselves but then they have to try to explain it to the world. But maybe it doesn't matter what the world thinks at all...
I went back and forth in terms of how I feel about this one. There are some great moments. But then there are some moments that really drag. And there are some minor issues that take up large portions of the story and complex issues that just sort of get left behind or resolve without much explanation. But it's still an interesting read, complete even with some unexpected action-like scenes near the end of the book.
I went back and forth in terms of how I feel about this one. There are some great moments. But then there are some moments that really drag. And there are some minor issues that take up large portions of the story and complex issues that just sort of get left behind or resolve without much explanation. But it's still an interesting read, complete even with some unexpected action-like scenes near the end of the book.
kitausu's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I enjoyed it, but the murder element really was a bit of a wild card haha
bookaddict1975's review against another edition
4.0
🎧 Audio Review 🎧
Ryan and John are a complete swoon worthy couple. This is a little bit friends to lovers, a little bit Gay for you and a lot of a sweet love story with some action and excitement to boot. Both men are straight when they meet but getting to know each other changes that fairly quickly. I loved how the author made this romance into a little bit of a thriller and added an awesome family dynamic too. I loved both Ryan and John equally. Ryan is an ex-firefighter turned med student and John is a father of two who works at the college. I really liked that the couple didn't spend a bunch of time convincing themselves that the relationship was "wrong", they felt it and jumped in with both feet. The ending is a bit of a cliffy but not really, more of a lead into the next book. I already bought books 2 & 3 cause I need to see where their story goes.
This was my first Gomaz Pugh and will not be my last! He really did a great job with these characters and will the kids.
Ryan and John are a complete swoon worthy couple. This is a little bit friends to lovers, a little bit Gay for you and a lot of a sweet love story with some action and excitement to boot. Both men are straight when they meet but getting to know each other changes that fairly quickly. I loved how the author made this romance into a little bit of a thriller and added an awesome family dynamic too. I loved both Ryan and John equally. Ryan is an ex-firefighter turned med student and John is a father of two who works at the college. I really liked that the couple didn't spend a bunch of time convincing themselves that the relationship was "wrong", they felt it and jumped in with both feet. The ending is a bit of a cliffy but not really, more of a lead into the next book. I already bought books 2 & 3 cause I need to see where their story goes.
This was my first Gomaz Pugh and will not be my last! He really did a great job with these characters and will the kids.
readingwithamy's review against another edition
DNF at 60%
This book wasn’t bad it was just too long and drawn out for me. I found that I stop caring for the characters sadly. It was interesting at time but just not as much to make me want to finish off this book.
This book wasn’t bad it was just too long and drawn out for me. I found that I stop caring for the characters sadly. It was interesting at time but just not as much to make me want to finish off this book.
weronika_airsicklowlander's review against another edition
2.0
What I learnt from this novel is that I should be less anxious about dnfing.
I kind of enjoyed this book, but I felt it fails at managing reader's expectations.
Some scenes feel that they come out of nowhere, without any buildup, and are not grounded elsewhere in the plot, e.g. Ryan's brother visit, the suspicions around the deaths on campus towards John. Another thing is Ryan's change of heart about being in a relationship: from the very start, we're hammered with the idea that Ryan doesn't want to be in a relationship; this doesn't change when he meets John. Then suddenly he's confessing his love and he wants to build a life with someone. I felt this could be explored a little more, so it wouldn't seem to come out of nowhere.
Then, there's a lot of buildup for things that later happen off-page, e.g. John going to California to spend time with his kids, Ryan meeting his family for Christmas. Both these things are discussed at length and then there's a time skip and a simple run down of what happened.
It's something you don't notice if it's done well and simply can't overlook when it's done poorly.
A lot of random events were strung together on page to somehow move the plot along; a lot of scenes felt out of place and didn't mesh in well with the rest of the story - I felt like the author really wanted to reinforce their ideas, but each point they had to make was reinforced by a new scene. A good thing would be to lump some of those points and mix them into one scene - then the novel wouldn't appear so lengthy and wouldn't drag on as it did.
Also the plotline with drugs/deaths wasn't mixed properly with the romance plotline. I was surprised to see how much page time was dedicated to its resolution, taking into account how insignificant it felt all through the rest of the story.
One more problem I had while reading was with John's ex-wife and her new husband. If there ever was a starter pack meme for bad exes, I think she would hit all the boxes.
I kind of enjoyed this book, but I felt it fails at managing reader's expectations.
Some scenes feel that they come out of nowhere, without any buildup, and are not grounded elsewhere in the plot, e.g. Ryan's brother visit, the suspicions around the deaths on campus towards John. Another thing is Ryan's change of heart about being in a relationship: from the very start, we're hammered with the idea that Ryan doesn't want to be in a relationship; this doesn't change when he meets John. Then suddenly he's confessing his love and he wants to build a life with someone. I felt this could be explored a little more, so it wouldn't seem to come out of nowhere.
Then, there's a lot of buildup for things that later happen off-page, e.g. John going to California to spend time with his kids, Ryan meeting his family for Christmas. Both these things are discussed at length and then there's a time skip and a simple run down of what happened.
It's something you don't notice if it's done well and simply can't overlook when it's done poorly.
A lot of random events were strung together on page to somehow move the plot along; a lot of scenes felt out of place and didn't mesh in well with the rest of the story - I felt like the author really wanted to reinforce their ideas, but each point they had to make was reinforced by a new scene. A good thing would be to lump some of those points and mix them into one scene - then the novel wouldn't appear so lengthy and wouldn't drag on as it did.
Also the plotline with drugs/deaths wasn't mixed properly with the romance plotline. I was surprised to see how much page time was dedicated to its resolution, taking into account how insignificant it felt all through the rest of the story.
One more problem I had while reading was with John's ex-wife and her new husband. If there ever was a starter pack meme for bad exes, I think she would hit all the boxes.
badboysandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Probably my biggest issue with this book involves the models on the cover. I think they (or at least one of them) look far too old. The MCs are 37 and 30. The one guy looks like he's 50-60. It sort of messed with my head. I'm reading the book and I'm having a hard time connecting the MCs in the book with the MCs on the cover.
Anyways, overall I liked the book, I do plan to read the next one and I enjoyed the side story involving the campus mystery and how great Ryan was with Mark.
I absolutely hated Carlisle. What an asshole. And Cynthia was equally terrible, but I do feel like maybe Carlisle had a hand in that.
Initially, the dialogue felt a little choppy or something to me, but it didn't really seem to be an issue at the end. And part of me wonders if it stems from my issues with the cover affecting my ability to relate to the characters.
I realize I've complained a lot here, but I did enjoy the book and the sexy times were hot.
Anyways, overall I liked the book, I do plan to read the next one and I enjoyed the side story involving the campus mystery and how great Ryan was with Mark.
I absolutely hated Carlisle. What an asshole. And Cynthia was equally terrible, but I do feel like maybe Carlisle had a hand in that.
Initially, the dialogue felt a little choppy or something to me, but it didn't really seem to be an issue at the end. And part of me wonders if it stems from my issues with the cover affecting my ability to relate to the characters.
I realize I've complained a lot here, but I did enjoy the book and the sexy times were hot.