spacepulsar0269's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
roryta86reads's review against another edition
3.0
Such an angsty book. Good story, great writing, but pretty sad. The audiobook was really intense. His voice was always just so fucking sad. I don’t know what else to say about this
jfreud's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
wandereaderr's review against another edition
4.0
This was so intense! I thought Riley did such an amazing job handling the serious side of the novel. The sex dialogue, however, was so cheesy...... but overall, SO. GOOD.
loishojmark's review against another edition
5.0
I think this was the best Riley Hart book. I've read a few and there's always been something a little off for me in her stories. But this one was good. Maybe it's because this one took a while for her to write. It wasn't rushed.
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].
katrina81476's review against another edition
5.0
This book is full of angst and could be triggering but it is an amazing read. Roman and Leo where just fifteen when the met and fell in love. Leo, the son of a judge was a good boy with a rich family and Roman was poor with a father that was a criminal. Together they shared their love and made plans for the future.
Unfortunately they didn't plan on being seen by Roman's brother and Roman suffered trauma as a result of loving another boy. In order to protect himself be buries his feeling for 12 years, leaving Leo behind and feeling unloved.
12 years later they met again. This is a 2nd chance romance where Roman and Leo have to work through childhood abuse and mental health issues to come out on the otherside. IT's an emotional journey well worth the read.
Unfortunately they didn't plan on being seen by Roman's brother and Roman suffered trauma as a result of loving another boy. In order to protect himself be buries his feeling for 12 years, leaving Leo behind and feeling unloved.
12 years later they met again. This is a 2nd chance romance where Roman and Leo have to work through childhood abuse and mental health issues to come out on the otherside. IT's an emotional journey well worth the read.
paulaa96's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
3.5
lais1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
good book but the end was very rushed