Scan barcode
starfish422's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was, I think, my first book by this author. It was on my TBR for a while and when I realized the narrator was Joel Leslie I decided to dive in.
It was pretty well-edited, which is always important to me. The storyline itself was very much centered on the two MCs and the development of their relationship. Aside from the flashbacks, there was no real external plot development until the last 5% or so or the book. The characters were engaging enough, and I appreciated the gradual exposition of what happened in their past.
It was pretty well-edited, which is always important to me. The storyline itself was very much centered on the two MCs and the development of their relationship. Aside from the flashbacks, there was no real external plot development until the last 5% or so or the book. The characters were engaging enough, and I appreciated the gradual exposition of what happened in their past.
20sidedbi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very good (smutty) book, but MY GOD THE TRAUMA. My heart broke over and over for Roman and Leo, even as they healed and grew together. If you are not prepared to read some unflinching descriptions of homophobic violence, internalized homophobia, and PTSD, this might not be the book for you. If you can handle it, I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
annas_sweets_and_stories's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
CW: homophobia, assault, descriptor of assault, suicide, prison, death of parent, gangs, drugs
CW: homophobia, assault, descriptor of assault, suicide, prison, death of parent, gangs, drugs
kerrilee's review against another edition
5.0
Really liked this one!!! Love second chance romances. This one was super emotional and really stole my heart.
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
Oh lordy this book. I think it's possibly the most emotionally demanding second chance romance I've read. It takes your heart and squeezes it so tight you think you'll never feel a beat again.
The trauma Roman locked away so he could move on with his life while just a teenager is as heavy as a load of bricks landing on your shoulders. That he managed to move beyond his father and brother's actions and be a successful businessman is testament to his inner strength.
I fell for Roman so hard, but there wouldn't have been a Roman to love so much if there hadn't first been a Leo. Someone that could just be the rock standing strong against the wind, the safe harbour against the tide, the shelter Roman needed to break through the walls of his bubble.
My heart broke for the 16 year-olds, but it rejoiced for their 28 year-old selves when they reconnected and found a way past the poison which had infected their earlier love.
This is a gorgeous narrative, it's sexy too, emotional and driven with passion and a need for the story to reach its happy ending, and it's treated with respect. There's no magic dick cure here, Roman doesn't admit he's gay without any cost to his psyche.
But Leo is there to walk beside him and its as gorgeous as the image on the cover.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The trauma Roman locked away so he could move on with his life while just a teenager is as heavy as a load of bricks landing on your shoulders. That he managed to move beyond his father and brother's actions and be a successful businessman is testament to his inner strength.
I fell for Roman so hard, but there wouldn't have been a Roman to love so much if there hadn't first been a Leo. Someone that could just be the rock standing strong against the wind, the safe harbour against the tide, the shelter Roman needed to break through the walls of his bubble.
My heart broke for the 16 year-olds, but it rejoiced for their 28 year-old selves when they reconnected and found a way past the poison which had infected their earlier love.
This is a gorgeous narrative, it's sexy too, emotional and driven with passion and a need for the story to reach its happy ending, and it's treated with respect. There's no magic dick cure here, Roman doesn't admit he's gay without any cost to his psyche.
But Leo is there to walk beside him and its as gorgeous as the image on the cover.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
readingtoescapepeskyhumans's review against another edition
3.0
A little bit too much feelings and inner drama. Still pretty good tho.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars!
This was a solid installment from Riley Hart, and a beautifully told story. After my last read by Riley Hart, which didn't go well, I was happy to get back what I love about her writing in this story. It felt a tad angstier than what she usually does and she handled it well. I think getting actual professionals to look over it and give her tips and so on really helped.
I thought for a little bit that it went from Roman being not okay to okay pretty quickly, but then the further the story went along, the more Roman was still not okay, and I was actually glad for that, because he had a lot of shit he had to deal with. 12 years worth of repression as well as the issues from what happens to him when he's 16 that he never dealt with.
Leo and Roman fell in love when they were 15 and were together in secret for about a year. They were each other's first love, each other's only love, but when that horrible thing happens to Roman, Roman is traumatized and shuts Leo out, and ends things horribly, breaking Leo's heart.
And Leo hardens his heart, not letting anyone in and sticking to just sex, with any guy who he finds attractive and who is willing. There were a few instances of Leo with others in this early on - although thankfully not terribly detailed - but once he and Roman become a them again, it's just them, thankfully.
I never used to worry about Hart's MC's being with others while together, but ever since Jared's Evolution...ugh. Anyway, moving on ;)
I loved, ultimately, how Hart got these two to a fairly good place by the end of this book. I was scared for awhile there, but it all works out. Roman is eventually pushed to a point where he has to deal with his past - - and Leo and Roman start to learn how to communicate and lean on each other instead of push each other away and stand back instead of dealing with things.
I do think that.
This also could have been a little steamier, something that usually pretty lacking in Harts books for me is the sex, and not that it wasn't good, just that they were pretty fast, fairly glossed over sex scenes. These two were definitely intimate together, hot together, I just wanted more with the sex, more depth to it, like just as much depth as was given their romance, their love. If you're in love with someone, the sex should be an extension of that love, so treating it like just...sex, makes it a little lackluster for me.
But hey, that's just me :)
And anyway, this book was wonderful, I definitely recommend it. This is Hart's strongest solo work, for me, since [b:Depth of Field|35666651|Depth of Field (Last Chance, #1)|Riley Hart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499952188s/35666651.jpg|56876567].
This was a solid installment from Riley Hart, and a beautifully told story. After my last read by Riley Hart, which didn't go well, I was happy to get back what I love about her writing in this story. It felt a tad angstier than what she usually does and she handled it well. I think getting actual professionals to look over it and give her tips and so on really helped.
I thought for a little bit that it went from Roman being not okay to okay pretty quickly, but then the further the story went along, the more Roman was still not okay, and I was actually glad for that, because he had a lot of shit he had to deal with. 12 years worth of repression as well as the issues from what happens to him when he's 16 that he never dealt with.
Leo and Roman fell in love when they were 15 and were together in secret for about a year. They were each other's first love, each other's only love, but when that horrible thing happens to Roman, Roman is traumatized and shuts Leo out, and ends things horribly, breaking Leo's heart.
And Leo hardens his heart, not letting anyone in and sticking to just sex, with any guy who he finds attractive and who is willing. There were a few instances of Leo with others in this early on - although thankfully not terribly detailed - but once he and Roman become a them again, it's just them, thankfully.
I never used to worry about Hart's MC's being with others while together, but ever since Jared's Evolution...ugh. Anyway, moving on ;)
I loved, ultimately, how Hart got these two to a fairly good place by the end of this book. I was scared for awhile there, but it all works out. Roman is eventually pushed to a point where he has to deal with his past -
Spoiler
because of his brother returning.I do think that
Spoiler
the epilogue was going good until Roman said he'd give a chance for Anthony to try and have a relationship with him...and I really wish he wouldn't have. No matter how remorseful Anthony is, he still helped to beat Roman to within an inch of his life and was the one to rat Roman out in the first place. And then caused Roman 12 years of suffering, hell more than that, because of it. I don't think that should ever be forgiven, or given the chance to be. Okay, yeah, Anthony is remorseful and wants to make amends. Too bad. Couldn't Roman have been like "that's great for you, but I think its best we aren't in each other's lives. Good luck with that redemption" and then move on? Anthony doesn't deserve to be back in Roman's life, no matter what. Even if he redeemed himself. There's no going back from what he did, or making it better. Fuck him. So yeah, THAT is one thing that pissed me off at the end.This also could have been a little steamier, something that usually pretty lacking in Harts books for me is the sex, and not that it wasn't good, just that they were pretty fast, fairly glossed over sex scenes. These two were definitely intimate together, hot together, I just wanted more with the sex, more depth to it, like just as much depth as was given their romance, their love. If you're in love with someone, the sex should be an extension of that love, so treating it like just...sex, makes it a little lackluster for me.
But hey, that's just me :)
And anyway, this book was wonderful, I definitely recommend it. This is Hart's strongest solo work, for me, since [b:Depth of Field|35666651|Depth of Field (Last Chance, #1)|Riley Hart|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499952188s/35666651.jpg|56876567].
karentje's review against another edition
5.0
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful story.
And every bit as great as I knew it was going to be. My expectations for a Riley Hart book are always high, and she never disappoints.
Though both Leo and Roman had a difficult childhood, each in their own way, Roman's life especially has been brutal. Reading about his struggle to find himself, his truth, and to overcome the trauma in his past, was heart-wrenching.
The love Leo and Roman have for each other is incredible. It comes across so true and strong! So elementally a part of their very being! It touched me to the core.
I was especially glad with the epilogue. I loved that redemption was deemed possible for Roman's brother ( I confess to being curious about his story as well). The book leaves the reader with a feeling of hope and a great belief in the power of love.
I am in awe of Riley Hart's talent, to be able to write such a deeply moving story and such compelling MC's, and in such a respectful, emphatic and honest way. Taking the time to let this story grow, taking advice from therapists and psychologists to get everything right...wow.
You cannot read this book without feeling the love, dedication and hard work that went into writing it.
This story reminded me of Broken pieces, because of the overal tone and mood, the troubled youth of (some of) the MC's, the childhood friendship turning to love and the use of flashbacks to tell the story.
Both are stories that stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
And every bit as great as I knew it was going to be. My expectations for a Riley Hart book are always high, and she never disappoints.
Though both Leo and Roman had a difficult childhood, each in their own way, Roman's life especially has been brutal. Reading about his struggle to find himself, his truth, and to overcome the trauma in his past, was heart-wrenching.
The love Leo and Roman have for each other is incredible. It comes across so true and strong! So elementally a part of their very being! It touched me to the core.
I was especially glad with the epilogue. I loved that redemption was deemed possible for Roman's brother ( I confess to being curious about his story as well). The book leaves the reader with a feeling of hope and a great belief in the power of love.
I am in awe of Riley Hart's talent, to be able to write such a deeply moving story and such compelling MC's, and in such a respectful, emphatic and honest way. Taking the time to let this story grow, taking advice from therapists and psychologists to get everything right...wow.
You cannot read this book without feeling the love, dedication and hard work that went into writing it.
This story reminded me of Broken pieces, because of the overal tone and mood, the troubled youth of (some of) the MC's, the childhood friendship turning to love and the use of flashbacks to tell the story.
Both are stories that stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
Oh lordy this book. I think it's possibly the most emotionally demanding second chance romance I've read. It takes your heart and squeezes it so tight you think you'll never feel a beat again.
The trauma Roman locked away so he could move on with his life while just a teenager is as heavy as a load of bricks landing on your shoulders. That he managed to move beyond his father and brother's actions and be a successful businessman is testament to his inner strength.
I fell for Roman so hard, but there wouldn't have been a Roman to love so much if there hadn't first been a Leo. Someone that could just be the rock standing strong against the wind, the safe harbour against the tide, the shelter Roman needed to break through the walls of his bubble.
My heart broke for the 16 year-olds, but it rejoiced for their 28 year-old selves when they reconnected and found a way past the poison which had infected their earlier love.
This is a gorgeous narrative, it's sexy too, emotional and driven with passion and a need for the story to reach its happy ending, and it's treated with respect. There's no magic dick cure here, Roman doesn't admit he's gay without any cost to his psyche.
But Leo is there to walk beside him and its as gorgeous as the image on the cover.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The trauma Roman locked away so he could move on with his life while just a teenager is as heavy as a load of bricks landing on your shoulders. That he managed to move beyond his father and brother's actions and be a successful businessman is testament to his inner strength.
I fell for Roman so hard, but there wouldn't have been a Roman to love so much if there hadn't first been a Leo. Someone that could just be the rock standing strong against the wind, the safe harbour against the tide, the shelter Roman needed to break through the walls of his bubble.
My heart broke for the 16 year-olds, but it rejoiced for their 28 year-old selves when they reconnected and found a way past the poison which had infected their earlier love.
This is a gorgeous narrative, it's sexy too, emotional and driven with passion and a need for the story to reach its happy ending, and it's treated with respect. There's no magic dick cure here, Roman doesn't admit he's gay without any cost to his psyche.
But Leo is there to walk beside him and its as gorgeous as the image on the cover.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
squirrely007's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. It was heartbreaking and beautiful.