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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
3.5
This book was quite a lot different than I expected. Not in a bad way, or anything. I am used to romance novels spanning the courtship of a couple. This novel spans 40 years. It starts in the present day with Avery in the hospital and we don't know if he comes out of it ok. We hope so, but we don't know. Then we travel back to 1975 and learn about their relationship from then to the present day. I love the rewritten history of a gay couple not only being among the first to take advantage of in vitro fertilization, but also Avery's Senate win and the Vice Presidency. Throughout the book, when dates were mentioned, I would mentally say "where was I then and what was I doing?".
All through the story I found myself feeling so bad for Kane. His upbringing really did a number on him. I think that he really bought all the religion he was taught and thought he was doomed to hell. Guilt caused him to continue to give to his family even when they were so awful to him. They threw him out and disowned him, when they should have supported him. And I wish things like that never happened, but they do and that makes my heart hurt. Thankfully, Kane found Paulie and Paulie was more of a father than Kane's own one ever was, so Kane was mostly ok.
Avery has had it much better. His family has always been accepting of him and his sexual orientation. That's how it should be.
While reading Always, I cheered, I laughed, I cried. I cried a lot. I wished for more. They loved each other for Always. Again, how it should be.
I do hope that if Kindle Alexander decides to write a book about Robert, that she doesn't span the entire relationship in the book. That was intense and I'm not sure my heart could take it.
This book was quite a lot different than I expected. Not in a bad way, or anything. I am used to romance novels spanning the courtship of a couple. This novel spans 40 years. It starts in the present day with Avery in the hospital and we don't know if he comes out of it ok. We hope so, but we don't know. Then we travel back to 1975 and learn about their relationship from then to the present day. I love the rewritten history of a gay couple not only being among the first to take advantage of in vitro fertilization, but also Avery's Senate win and the Vice Presidency. Throughout the book, when dates were mentioned, I would mentally say "where was I then and what was I doing?".
All through the story I found myself feeling so bad for Kane. His upbringing really did a number on him. I think that he really bought all the religion he was taught and thought he was doomed to hell. Guilt caused him to continue to give to his family even when they were so awful to him. They threw him out and disowned him, when they should have supported him. And I wish things like that never happened, but they do and that makes my heart hurt. Thankfully, Kane found Paulie and Paulie was more of a father than Kane's own one ever was, so Kane was mostly ok.
Avery has had it much better. His family has always been accepting of him and his sexual orientation. That's how it should be.
While reading Always, I cheered, I laughed, I cried. I cried a lot. I wished for more. They loved each other for Always. Again, how it should be.
I do hope that if Kindle Alexander decides to write a book about Robert, that she doesn't span the entire relationship in the book. That was intense and I'm not sure my heart could take it.
Spoiler
I wanted to add a few things after having had a few days to think about this book. I still can't think about Kane & Avery without fighting tears. While I thought Always was a phenomenal book, I don't really like contemplating or reading about the deaths of the MC's. I really prefer my MC's to have long lives ahead of them when they get their HEA's. The afterlife part, while beautiful, did not mitigate the sadness at all for me. I do still think Always is a 5 star book; it's been awhile since I was so moved by a story. I do hope, however, that this particular format isn't revisited.
This book just wasn’t for me and I feel kind of let down by the book blurb. It sounded like a story about a lawyer with familial political aspirations romancing a restauranteur with religious family issues. What I read was a meet cute, sex, talk, dinner, sex, HEA and at 25% I’m left wondering where was the actual story and what’s the rest of the book about? Little snippets into the rest of their lives. It was kind of like reading a long series shortened into one book. There was an awful lot missing in between. It had huge time jumps. Not what I was expecting.
All I can say is I'm glad I read this on Kindle Unlimited instead of buying it. I've read books by this author in the past and liked them a lot. I was excited to read this one. But I have to saw there was basically nothing I liked about this book. From the insta-love to the ending I pretty much was just hoping things would be over soon.
I don't like insta-love in general, but when it's done poorly I can barely stand it. Avery comes across as predatory to me, and a domineering guy in all the worst ways. The first time Avery and Kane sleep together is dubious consent in my opinion. Here let me give you alcohol cause I know you really want me and of course Kane caves. Everything was on Avery's terms through the entire story and Kane became less and less of his own person until all he was was what Avery needed him to be. Kane felt like the worst house wife of the 1950's in the way his life was managed. He even looses his career he's worked so hard for in this story with basically no protest.
On top of that the timeline for this story felt like the least probable time period imaginable. There's a slim possibility that these guys could have been accepted in the 1970's-1980's but at the level that this story presents it. Not really buyable -- Gay men in the 80's having a minister marry them, be allowed to adopt children as one of the first test tube babies. I mean, I don't care how much of America's darling family Avery came from, it just doesn't work for me. There's no angst, no issues between these two other than a minor, "oh my religious beliefs" that Kane basically throws aside for his first night with Avery because the connection was just sooooo strong.
I'm sorry, but no. This one just doesn't work for me at all.
I don't like insta-love in general, but when it's done poorly I can barely stand it. Avery comes across as predatory to me, and a domineering guy in all the worst ways. The first time Avery and Kane sleep together is dubious consent in my opinion. Here let me give you alcohol cause I know you really want me and of course Kane caves. Everything was on Avery's terms through the entire story and Kane became less and less of his own person until all he was was what Avery needed him to be. Kane felt like the worst house wife of the 1950's in the way his life was managed. He even looses his career he's worked so hard for in this story with basically no protest.
On top of that the timeline for this story felt like the least probable time period imaginable. There's a slim possibility that these guys could have been accepted in the 1970's-1980's but at the level that this story presents it. Not really buyable -- Gay men in the 80's having a minister marry them, be allowed to adopt children as one of the first test tube babies. I mean, I don't care how much of America's darling family Avery came from, it just doesn't work for me. There's no angst, no issues between these two other than a minor, "oh my religious beliefs" that Kane basically throws aside for his first night with Avery because the connection was just sooooo strong.
I'm sorry, but no. This one just doesn't work for me at all.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
emotional
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
5 stars
If you dont get misty eyed at least once during this book then you must be a robot. This book is the epitome of a sweet loving romance that spans over the lifetime after the two MCs meet.
The first part of the book is where the MCs meet. Its a quick fall between two strong men who tend to be workaholics. From first sight Avery knows Kane is for him. Kane takes a bit, but not much, more convincing. He is a christian and has a hard time allowing himself to be happy due to his sexuality.
The second phase of the book focused on their lives moving forward after they have been together for years. Their jobs progress or change altogether. Their family grows and they navigate this new part of their life while still being sickening sweetly in love. This part of the book was a slower read than the first mainly due to my not caring for the political aspects of Avery's job.
The last part of the book is the growing old together. There is little angst in this book, although there are some obstacles the MCs must overcome. Most of the book is spent in the thoughts of how much these men truly cherish each other. It follows the span of their lives. I liked this aspect because instead of ending and giving an epilogue like most books we as the reader get to enjoy the full story. I never felt jipped or wanting for more. The author covered the bases and ended the story beautifully.
I also might not be alone in hoping we get to hear their son Roberts story at some point.
If you dont get misty eyed at least once during this book then you must be a robot. This book is the epitome of a sweet loving romance that spans over the lifetime after the two MCs meet.
The first part of the book is where the MCs meet. Its a quick fall between two strong men who tend to be workaholics. From first sight Avery knows Kane is for him. Kane takes a bit, but not much, more convincing. He is a christian and has a hard time allowing himself to be happy due to his sexuality.
The second phase of the book focused on their lives moving forward after they have been together for years. Their jobs progress or change altogether. Their family grows and they navigate this new part of their life while still being sickening sweetly in love. This part of the book was a slower read than the first mainly due to my not caring for the political aspects of Avery's job.
The last part of the book is the growing old together. There is little angst in this book, although there are some obstacles the MCs must overcome. Most of the book is spent in the thoughts of how much these men truly cherish each other. It follows the span of their lives. I liked this aspect because instead of ending and giving an epilogue like most books we as the reader get to enjoy the full story. I never felt jipped or wanting for more. The author covered the bases and ended the story beautifully.
I also might not be alone in hoping we get to hear their son Roberts story at some point.
Words cannot really describe the emotional turmoil this book created in me. Always is not a romance.. it's so much more! It is a LOVE STORY!
It tells the lifelong love of two men, Kane ans Avery from the first day they met to their old ages.
Avery is a lawyer from a wealthy political family with big ambitions. He is a player and he never thought he will be left speechless by the handsome restaurant owner in Minneapolis.
Kane struggled his whole life to reach his goals and run a successful italian restaurant. But he did it! And now the important guest at table thirty-four might cause his whole life to turn upside down!
In addition to showing true love between two men, this book talks about so much more! The story starts in 1975, which means gay rights and acceptance is practically non-existent so Kane and Avery's relatiomship is far from easy. They struggle to live out and happy, especially Kane who still fights his conservative southern upbringing and religion.
We can see his inner battle... does the Bible truly sais he lives in sin, or can he embrace his sexuality and himself to be with the love of his life.
Then, there's the question of having children as a gay couple, having a family. Test tube babies are just becoming a possibility in the seventies ans eighties and as a gay couple chances are low to be accepted. And then comes the part where they have to raise a child with two fathers and teach them to be resilient towards haters and those who think it's not right.
And to top all the hardships with one more issue. Avery wants to go into politics to follow his grandfather. You can imagine how people take a gay leader, and the amount of pressure it puts on the family.
So many aspects of living as gay men. So many beutiful parts. Of course, there are a lot of hot scenes too!
I cried on the first page and then I cried some more, and than I cried and sobbed and had breathing issues during the last 30 pages. This story was heartwrenching and I could hardly survive the miriads of emotions I felt while reading!
This is a truly amazing and beautiful love story! Read it!
It tells the lifelong love of two men, Kane ans Avery from the first day they met to their old ages.
Avery is a lawyer from a wealthy political family with big ambitions. He is a player and he never thought he will be left speechless by the handsome restaurant owner in Minneapolis.
Kane struggled his whole life to reach his goals and run a successful italian restaurant. But he did it! And now the important guest at table thirty-four might cause his whole life to turn upside down!
In addition to showing true love between two men, this book talks about so much more! The story starts in 1975, which means gay rights and acceptance is practically non-existent so Kane and Avery's relatiomship is far from easy. They struggle to live out and happy, especially Kane who still fights his conservative southern upbringing and religion.
We can see his inner battle... does the Bible truly sais he lives in sin, or can he embrace his sexuality and himself to be with the love of his life.
Then, there's the question of having children as a gay couple, having a family. Test tube babies are just becoming a possibility in the seventies ans eighties and as a gay couple chances are low to be accepted. And then comes the part where they have to raise a child with two fathers and teach them to be resilient towards haters and those who think it's not right.
And to top all the hardships with one more issue. Avery wants to go into politics to follow his grandfather. You can imagine how people take a gay leader, and the amount of pressure it puts on the family.
So many aspects of living as gay men. So many beutiful parts. Of course, there are a lot of hot scenes too!
I cried on the first page and then I cried some more, and than I cried and sobbed and had breathing issues during the last 30 pages. This story was heartwrenching and I could hardly survive the miriads of emotions I felt while reading!
This is a truly amazing and beautiful love story! Read it!
A love story that spans decades
I have no idea why I waited so long to read this, but I am kicking myself for it now. This is the GREATEST "ugly cry" love story that I have ever come across. If I weren't already a fan of Kindle Alexander, I would be now.
I have no idea why I waited so long to read this, but I am kicking myself for it now. This is the GREATEST "ugly cry" love story that I have ever come across. If I weren't already a fan of Kindle Alexander, I would be now.