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jamieb_19's Reviews (275)
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m all for being a bit of a fool, but there’s playing with fire, and then there’s playing with Ben Stirling.
Only one of those things is survivable.
If ever a book was written that included everything I love about reading romance, it was this one. I swooned, I laughed, I giggled and kicked my feet in glee, I cried, and I fell head over heels in love with Ben, Luca, and Jeremiah. This book took a difficult topic - the loss of a loved one - and handled it with realism and such care. Ben’s grief was palpable, and my heart hurt for him and his son Luca as they tried to move on from their loss. But instead of bogging the story down with sadness, it was perfectly balanced by the entry of Jeremiah into their lives. He was a ball of sunshine with a heart of gold, and he was smitten with Ben and Luca from the moment he met them. Without him even really trying, Jeremiah became the balm the Stirlings needed to mend their broken hearts.
"Thank you for asking if I’m okay and for knowing I might not be.”
This book was the best kind of slow burn. I loved seeing the easy way Jeremiah became integrated into Ben and Luca’s daily lives. The three of them were adorable, and it felt so organic. I wouldn’t call Ben grumpy, he was just sad, but even so, he was still so kind toward Jeremiah right from the start. The way they bonded and the way Ben grew to trust him and began opening up to him was simply beautiful. There’s one scene where everything Ben’s kept bottled up finally bubbles over, and the way Jeremiah is there for him during it brought tears to my eyes.
These two were so perfect together. I couldn’t get over how sweet they were. I was giddy for a good portion of this book, they were just the cutest. The pining from Jeremiah was sooooooo good. And the way Ben’s bi-awakening was handled was fantastic. It was gradual and natural and felt totally believable. And most importantly, it was handled in a way that didn’t invalidate Ben’s love for his late wife. I loved everything about it.
I also loved Jeremiah (aka Jelly) and Luca’s relationship. I’m a total sucker for the love interest falling in love with the kid as much as they love the parent and that’s exactly what happened here. Some of my favorite scenes in the book were when Ben, Luca, and Jelly were all together. These three made the sweetest family! I could keep rambling about this book; there was so much I loved about it, but instead, I’ll just urge you to grab a copy and check it out for yourself. It really is something special!
"I’m not going to love you like I have time. I’m going to love you like every day is our last day. Our first day. Our only day.”
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
LOVED this book when I first read it and it was even better in audiobook! Teddy Hamilton and JF Harding were perfect as Clay and Jethro!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jamie Durand makes me feel a million different things and I both love it and fucking hate it.
Well, I was looking for an angsty book, and this one sure delivered. There are a lot of heavy topics covered in this book, many of them playing out on page, so if you’re concerned about that, please be sure to check the list of trigger warnings beforehand. At its heart, though, this is a story of two broken people learning to live again and finding love where they least expect it. It wasn’t always easy, my heart broke and tears were shed more than once, but seeing Jamie and Caiden find their way from the darkness and getting their HEA was worth all the heartache and angst we experienced along the way.
"Whatever paths we took led us here, to this moment where I'm with you, sunshine. You.”
The story is told in three parts. The first part is the before, the second part is “that one moment” that changes everything, and part 3 is a few years later, where Jamie and Caiden are still trying to pick up the pieces after their lives imploded that night. My heart hurt for Caiden throughout the entire book. Even before that life-changing moment, he had it rough. His twin, Cooper, was the bright, sunny one, the one everyone was drawn to. Meanwhile, Caiden was darker and moodier, after being continually let down by the people who should have been there for him. He had such a good heart and wanted so badly for someone to choose him; it hurt every time someone mistreated him.
Why did it have to be this man? Why did my stupid heart have to trip and land in his hands?
Even though Jamie was dating Cooper initially, and he and Caiden didn’t exactly get along, there were still little moments that showed Jamie had a soft spot for him. I’m glad we got to see that because it made everything that happened afterward make sense. Jamie always thought Cooper was his one big love and was left reeling after Cooper was taken from them. But when he’s called back into Caiden’s life, there’s something that keeps drawing him back. To me, as these two began to connect and ultimately fall for each other, it never felt as though Jamie was using Caiden to fill the Cooper-shaped hole in his life. The love he and Cooper shared was big and pure, but it was almost like puppy love. Whereas what he and Caiden shared was messy and raw but still true and hard-won.
There were a lot of ups and downs and loads of hurt/comfort as Jamie and Caiden helped each other figure out how to finally move on, and how to do that together. I thought this was a really lovely story and I was so happy to see these broken boys finally get their HEA!
I begin to wonder if I’ve been wrong all along. What if it’s possible to fall in love more than once?
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why the fuck did I ever waste my time hooking up with my contemporaries? Older men are where it’s at, clearly. Gimme those sweet, sweet daddy issues.
I was pumped when A.J. Truman announced he was writing a hockey book. And not your usual hockey book, but a hockey book about dudes in their 40s looking to relive their glory days. Then he added an age gap, a single dad, and rivals to lovers to sweeten the pot. The result? A sweet, funny, and sexy story that I had so much fun reading!
From the first chapter, with Griffin’s friends’ creative attempt to get him to join their team, I loved this group of guys. They all had ups and downs over the years, but it was great seeing their friendship persist, and it was easy to root for them as they made their big comeback. And what’s a sports romance without a good rivalry? The pranks between the Blades and the Comebacks were hilarious and exactly what you might expect from a bunch of competitive guys. I also enjoyed the personal rivalry between Griffin and Jack. It created a delicious tension between them that was bound to combust!
Griffin is quickly turning from a bull I want to ride to a floppy eared dog I want to nurse back to health.
I loved Griffin and Jack together. They got off to a rocky start which created a lot of the tension but underneath the animosity there was always something a little softer that kept drawing them back together. Their tension finally boiled over and they couldn’t keep their hands off each other - they had great chemistry! As time went on, they also started to understand each other on a deeper level and there were some sweet moments along the way that made me swoon.
There was a bit of angst thanks to a little twist thrown into their dynamic, and from the rivalry on the ice. I had a lot of fun seeing how it all played out, and I loved seeing Griffin and Jack ultimately having each other’s backs through it all. I thought this was a great start to this new series, and I look forward to seeing what’s next!
It’s not the juju.
It’s him.
It’s always been him.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was very short, only 4 chapters, but it was adorable! I’d love to read more about Rainey and Nick someday, should the author ever choose to expand their story!!
“Feel me. Pretend we’re back there, nothing in the world but us.” His forehead rests against mine as his voice drops even more, until I can barely make out the words. “I was waiting there for you this whole time.”
Oliver Shaw and Jackson Moreno first meet as the only two survivors of a terrifying tunnel collapse. The two men form an unlikely bond as they are trapped together in the pitch black for days while they await a rescue that may or may not come. They are men whose paths would probably never have crossed otherwise but when they have to rely upon each other if they have any hope of survival, they form a connection that only they would understand. When rescue finally comes, they are ripped from each other’s lives as quickly as they entered and Oliver is left with nothing but questions about the man he’s come to love. Their paths don’t cross again until one fateful day six years later when Jackson shows up looking for a job at the bank where Oliver works. Time and circumstance have changed a lot for both men over the years but the one thing that’s stayed the same is the connection they formed back in that tunnel. But Jackson still has secrets that threaten to rip him away from Oliver again. Sometimes, though, people are simply destined to be together and will find each other again and again until they can finally have forever.
This book immediately sucked me in as our quiet, nerdy Oliver finds himself trapped in the dark on a train after the tunnel they were traveling through collapses. It’s not long before the only other survivor, gruff and grumpy Jackson finds him and the two have to rely on each other to try and survive until they are rescued. I thought this part was really well written. The fear and hopelessness of the situation were so well executed. These men were very different but they certainly bonded over their shared trauma, all without ever laying eyes on each other due to their pitch-black surroundings. It’s hinted early on that Jackson has had a rough life but having to look out for Oliver brings out his protective nature and you get to see that despite whatever he’s mixed up in outside the tunnel, he’s a good person at his core. Poor Oliver was, understandably, a wreck down there but managed to draw on his parenting experiences to remain calm in certain situations when Jackson needed him most. It’s heartbreaking when they are torn apart immediately upon being rescued and the chapter that covers the time jump was so sad.
Seeing the aftermath of the accident on Oliver’s mental health was also heartbreaking. He was doing his best but really struggling when we pick up six years later. Then Jackson reenters his life and they quickly find the solace in each other’s presence that they felt all those years ago. I don’t want to give any spoilers but there was one thing about their reunion that seemed a little unlikely. But aside from that, I loved seeing them come together again. They balanced each other well, Oliver softened Jackson’s edges and Jackson helped Oliver rediscover the strength that he had within him. The romance between them was really sweet. This part of the story was also stressful, though, because Jackson gets himself mixed up in stuff that leaves you waiting for the other shoe to drop.
There were a few other minor things that I thought were unnecessary or not exactly realistic but overall I thought this was a lovely, heartwarming romance. It was my first time reading a book from this author and I’ll definitely be seeking out more. In particular, I’ll be going back to read Gray and Jonah’s book because I really liked them as secondary characters here and was excited to see they had their own book!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why the fuck did I care what this man thought? Why did I suddenly want to cry and drop to my knees and beg him to teach me how to be good?
Aleric King is looking to resurrect his acting career after a disastrous fall from grace years earlier. He’s pinning his hopes on the new series he’s been cast in playing the second-born Prince of Caverna. He’s not expecting to have to deal with the Prince himself, who has been hired as a wheelchair consultant. Prince Camillo is surly and not at all thrilled that Aleric was cast in the role instead of a disabled actor. But as they spend more time together, they realize they understand one another more than anyone ever has. Aleric is just starting to regain his footing in an industry that’s historically been unforgiving. Will his career survive if it comes out that he’s fallen in love with the Prince?
I didn’t want to feel anything for him. But he was charming. Good-looking, sure, but there was something else about him. Something a little lonely and hurt and lost. It was too familiar.
I loved Aleric and Camillo! They were so good for each other. I loved how at first they didn’t like each other, and made that fact well known, and even as they started to understand each other better, they still kept up that combative banter. But then they became so sweet. They each had reasons why they never let people get close, but they developed a level of trust that was beautiful to see. They were so soft and caring with one another. I loved how healing their relationship was for both of them.
As you’d expect from an E.M. Lindsey novel, the disability rep was top tier. It was interesting and eye opening to see how Camillo navigated day-to-day life after his injuries. Aleric may have started off unintentionally ableist but I loved how he made the effort to learn what Camillo needed and what he didn’t.
There was a bit of angst and drama circling these guys, and my only gripe about the book was that I wish the big external conflict that was hinted at near the end had been fleshed out a little more. It is resolved, at least, but it was quick, and I would have liked to see more of how Aleric and Camillo formed a united front to face it. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and was happy to see these guys get their HEA!
I wanted to bend for him.
To break for him.
And only because I knew he would never try to break me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book when it first came out and fell head over heels in love with Brad and his Joey-Roo, so I wasn't going to miss out on experiencing it again when the audiobook was released. This book was just as good the second time around, and Nick J. Russo did a phenomenal job bringing these beloved characters to life!
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
This was a cute story. I liked the setting. Storybook Endings Resort sounded like a fun place, and I thought the story of why Ethan and his then-wife, Amy, created it was very sweet. Taylor, Amy’s assistant, is sent to the Catskills location where Ethan works to help prep for Ethan and Amy's daughter’s sweet sixteen party. It’s his first time meeting Ethan, and the two hit it off pretty quickly. I enjoyed seeing them get to know each other and the little ways they helped each other out. There was a bit of an age gap between them, which I didn’t notice most of the time because Taylor was fairly mature for his age. Probably as a result of having to care for his siblings as they were growing up. Every so often, the age gap would be mentioned, and I would be like "oh yeah”.
After his divorce, Ethan had been skeptical of finding love again, so it was nice to see him open his heart to Taylor. There was the predictable angst in the third act. If you read the blurb, I’m sure you can guess exactly what happens. The ending was sweet, though. I was happy with how everything turned out.
I really liked Ethan’s daughter, Samara, and I especially liked her relationship with Taylor. I was less a fan of Ethan’s ex-wife, Amy. I didn’t like the way she treated Ethan or the way she spoke about him to others. Taylor was continually surprised by the reality of Ethan vs what he thought he’d be like based on what Amy said about him. She also wasn’t that great to Taylor, and she certainly didn’t appreciate him enough for all he did for her. She sort of redeems herself by the end, but I still wasn’t her biggest fan. Aside from that, though, overall this was a sweet and easy read, and I was glad Ethan and Taylor got their HEA.
After his divorce, Ethan had been skeptical of finding love again, so it was nice to see him open his heart to Taylor. There was the predictable angst in the third act. If you read the blurb, I’m sure you can guess exactly what happens. The ending was sweet, though. I was happy with how everything turned out.
I really liked Ethan’s daughter, Samara, and I especially liked her relationship with Taylor. I was less a fan of Ethan’s ex-wife, Amy. I didn’t like the way she treated Ethan or the way she spoke about him to others. Taylor was continually surprised by the reality of Ethan vs what he thought he’d be like based on what Amy said about him. She also wasn’t that great to Taylor, and she certainly didn’t appreciate him enough for all he did for her. She sort of redeems herself by the end, but I still wasn’t her biggest fan. Aside from that, though, overall this was a sweet and easy read, and I was glad Ethan and Taylor got their HEA.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Matthew and Liam were childhood enemies, tormenting each other throughout school. They've since gone their separate ways but are shocked when Liam turns up as the date Matthew hired for his company's weeklong Hawaiian retreat. Now they've got to figure out how to fool Matthew's colleagues for a week and not slip back into their antagonistic ways. But in doing so, they begin to see each other in a new light and wonder if it's possible to actually fall in love with your former arch enemy.
After finishing The Revenge Game, about Matthew's friend, Andrew, I had to go back and read Matthew and Liam's story. I thought this was a very enjoyable novella. It was fun hearing about all the ways these two tormented each other back in school, there were some truly creative pranks. And I loved how all that old animosity ultimately boiled over into fiery chemistry. As they leaned into their sexual chemistry, they began to grow closer in other ways. Making it hard to part ways at the end of the week. They were really sweet together, and I loved how it all came full circle in the last chapter - such a perfect ending!
After finishing The Revenge Game, about Matthew's friend, Andrew, I had to go back and read Matthew and Liam's story. I thought this was a very enjoyable novella. It was fun hearing about all the ways these two tormented each other back in school, there were some truly creative pranks. And I loved how all that old animosity ultimately boiled over into fiery chemistry. As they leaned into their sexual chemistry, they began to grow closer in other ways. Making it hard to part ways at the end of the week. They were really sweet together, and I loved how it all came full circle in the last chapter - such a perfect ending!