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traceyanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
ellelainey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
TRIGGERS: off-page past domestic violence, abusive relationship, including coercive control, physical violence, rape; discussions about death from cancer, surgery/lung cyst. Mentions of drug and alcohol use/abuse, and casual sex, mentions of an incomplete foursome, PTSD, grief and depression.
When Things Happen Together is a lovely story of two halves. The first is all about that rush of emotion, the flush of excitement about a new romance, while the second is the unfortunate fall from the high, the way we're forced to face reality even when all we want to do is burrow away and hide from it forever.
I came into this one having read Such A Small World first and I don't think that was a problem, despite the events of this book happening first. The books *can* be read as standalones - which, as someone who can't bear to read a series out of order, is rare for me to say - though I will admit that I'm glad I read SASW first, because the first half of this book was a bit more saccharine and romantic than I was expecting and I wasn't really in the head space for that. But, because I loved SASW so much, I persevered through it and that was a great thing. The book switched vibes halfway into more of what I'd been expecting and that really held my attention more than the first half.
The main characters - Thomas and Bruno - were brilliant. Thomas was full of hope and positivity, while Bruno was a little more sensible but eager to go out and live his life. Then the big twist dropped and my heart ached for these two, who were holding onto pains from the past they'd never really dealt with.
There's not much I can without spoiling the story, so I'm just going to make some vague comments:
I loved seeing Mackenzie again, after reading SASW first, though this story took place before he got his HEA and offered a little insight into the pre-SASW Mackenzie. I loved Tommy's dad and Abigail, Courtney was amazing, and I kind of wish we'd seen more positive support on-page from Bruno's friends - though I'm hoping the follow-up short, The Way We Are, might fill in some of those gaps.
There was a bit more reflective storytelling here than in SASW - the "little did we realise what lay ahead" kind of thing - but that fitted the story. The book literally begins 6 months before events, with a dramatic beginning, so the reflective part makes a lot of sense.
Similarly to SASW, there were a lot of flashback moments, that describe emotional or historic moments of importance. They all felt important, none of them feeling unnecessary or filler.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story that went from hopeful and romantic to bittersweet and emotional. Both main characters had their own battle to fight and I think the final resolution was right for them and for the story. I really loved the moment when we learned the meaning of the title, which is a little snippet that I look for in every book and often adds more to the overall feel of the story. This one definitely did.
Finally, I only have three things to say that won't spoil the story, because you really should read it for yourself -
1) Dominoes!
2) 11:22
3) Call me by your middle name.
That's it. That's all you get. Now go read it!
~
Favourite Quote:
"I fell for you like a waterfall."
"We had our own demons to kill."
When Things Happen Together is a lovely story of two halves. The first is all about that rush of emotion, the flush of excitement about a new romance, while the second is the unfortunate fall from the high, the way we're forced to face reality even when all we want to do is burrow away and hide from it forever.
I came into this one having read Such A Small World first and I don't think that was a problem, despite the events of this book happening first. The books *can* be read as standalones - which, as someone who can't bear to read a series out of order, is rare for me to say - though I will admit that I'm glad I read SASW first, because the first half of this book was a bit more saccharine and romantic than I was expecting and I wasn't really in the head space for that. But, because I loved SASW so much, I persevered through it and that was a great thing. The book switched vibes halfway into more of what I'd been expecting and that really held my attention more than the first half.
The main characters - Thomas and Bruno - were brilliant. Thomas was full of hope and positivity, while Bruno was a little more sensible but eager to go out and live his life. Then the big twist dropped and my heart ached for these two, who were holding onto pains from the past they'd never really dealt with.
There's not much I can without spoiling the story, so I'm just going to make some vague comments:
I loved seeing Mackenzie again, after reading SASW first, though this story took place before he got his HEA and offered a little insight into the pre-SASW Mackenzie. I loved Tommy's dad and Abigail, Courtney was amazing, and I kind of wish we'd seen more positive support on-page from Bruno's friends - though I'm hoping the follow-up short, The Way We Are, might fill in some of those gaps.
There was a bit more reflective storytelling here than in SASW - the "little did we realise what lay ahead" kind of thing - but that fitted the story. The book literally begins 6 months before events, with a dramatic beginning, so the reflective part makes a lot of sense.
Similarly to SASW, there were a lot of flashback moments, that describe emotional or historic moments of importance. They all felt important, none of them feeling unnecessary or filler.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story that went from hopeful and romantic to bittersweet and emotional. Both main characters had their own battle to fight and I think the final resolution was right for them and for the story. I really loved the moment when we learned the meaning of the title, which is a little snippet that I look for in every book and often adds more to the overall feel of the story. This one definitely did.
Finally, I only have three things to say that won't spoil the story, because you really should read it for yourself -
1) Dominoes!
2) 11:22
3) Call me by your middle name.
That's it. That's all you get. Now go read it!
~
Favourite Quote:
"I fell for you like a waterfall."
"We had our own demons to kill."
claire_melanie's review against another edition
Terrible writing and immediately unlikeable characters
drakoulis's review against another edition
4.0
A rather unique book in prose and overall messaging.
I'm quite split on it: the majority of it was very sweet, with a main character POV who was fully in love and following his enthusiasm for his new chapter in life and his blossoming relationship.
This was mixed with a sense of doom from the first chapter and the intervening comments of present-day Thomas. The author did a very good job with creating a convincing red herring (so good that I had doubts if I should finish the book since I hate this particular trope that was the red herring) and keeping the suspense about how the love story is going to end.
About that, I was not sold or particularly moved by the individual struggles of Thomas and Bruce. They came way too randomly and without a buildup for me, while some of the descriptions were quite baffling. And the paranormal aspect with 1122 was very strange to me, it should either be skipped or the story to lean more in it (in the end there was something supernatural happening from what I understood, but most of the story gave vibes that it was an allegory).
Overall the story is sweet and the Australian landscape gives it a very different vibe than the usual road trip romances (which take place mostly in USA) and made for a pleasant read.
I'm quite split on it: the majority of it was very sweet, with a main character POV who was fully in love and following his enthusiasm for his new chapter in life and his blossoming relationship.
This was mixed with a sense of doom from the first chapter and the intervening comments of present-day Thomas. The author did a very good job with creating a convincing red herring (so good that I had doubts if I should finish the book since I hate this particular trope that was the red herring) and keeping the suspense about how the love story is going to end.
About that, I was not sold or particularly moved by the individual struggles of Thomas and Bruce. They came way too randomly and without a buildup for me, while some of the descriptions were quite baffling. And the paranormal aspect with 1122 was very strange to me, it should either be skipped or the story to lean more in it (in the end there was something supernatural happening from what I understood, but most of the story gave vibes that it was an allegory).
Overall the story is sweet and the Australian landscape gives it a very different vibe than the usual road trip romances (which take place mostly in USA) and made for a pleasant read.
netslummer's review against another edition
3.0
This book was entirely not what I expected based on the description. This book did not, in the end, work for me very well but I expect that there is definitely an audience for this. I expected this to be a nice cute romance. Its more a story of growth that happens to center around a relationship.
My biggest gripe with this novel actually was the pacing. Instead of experiencing anything that happened for the first 75% of the book with the characters in any detail, it feels like the main character Thomas is just giving a brief overview of events to us. Weeks pass between the end of a chapter and the start of the next. Because of this pacing the relationship between Bruce and Thomas seems super quick and highly unrealistic.
I'm not upset that I've read this book but if I had had a better understanding of what it was going to be I would not have selected this. It was a bit of a slog to get through and I only didn't DNF it because I feel an obligation to always finish ARCs to provide feedback.
As previously stated I was not the right audience for this book. I prefer warm fuzzies not angsty romance. There absolutely IS an audience for this book that will love it far more than I did.
I received an advance review copy for free from Deep Desires Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My biggest gripe with this novel actually was the pacing. Instead of experiencing anything that happened for the first 75% of the book with the characters in any detail, it feels like the main character Thomas is just giving a brief overview of events to us. Weeks pass between the end of a chapter and the start of the next. Because of this pacing the relationship between Bruce and Thomas seems super quick and highly unrealistic.
I'm not upset that I've read this book but if I had had a better understanding of what it was going to be I would not have selected this. It was a bit of a slog to get through and I only didn't DNF it because I feel an obligation to always finish ARCs to provide feedback.
As previously stated I was not the right audience for this book. I prefer warm fuzzies not angsty romance. There absolutely IS an audience for this book that will love it far more than I did.
I received an advance review copy for free from Deep Desires Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
lexieloux's review against another edition
4.0
I met Jordan at a restaurant launch party when he and his friend joined the table I was parked at. Over cocktails and canapés I learned he was a writer and his friend an artist. So how special it is that I now hold in my hands his words, and Jack’s art! I devoured When Things Happen Together on my flight. It’s a juicy, raw and open queer love story about finding love, hope and self-discovery. I particularly enjoyed the reflective, inner monologues of the protagonist, Thomas, throughout the novel. It’s deeply relatable and kept a suspenseful edge to the reading experience (when oh when is it all going to go wrong?!).
chronic_reader's review against another edition
4.0
*Huge thanks to the author for reaching out and letting me know about his book, and sending me an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review*
Wow! What a raw and emotional journey this book is! We follow the blossoming love story of Thomas and Bruce as they leave the East Coast of Australia and travel right down the middle of Australia. Bumps in the road aplenty, this is a story about perseverance, finding yourself, and even being your own hero in healing from past traumas.
I love love love stories set in my home country, ESPECIALLY in my local city and places I’m so familiar with! I could visualise this story so well with the descriptive and emotive writing.
Something I really enjoyed was that I really didn’t know where this story was going for most of the book. As much as we all love a predictable cliche read, it’s refreshing to have a book where you want to keep reading because you have no idea what is going to happen next! A well-rounded novel that I’m so glad I read.
Now I really want to go on a road trip!
margiebythebookcase's review against another edition
5.0
I requested an ARC of When Things Happen Together by Jordan Clayden-Lewis for the cover alone. It was beautiful and lead me to believe it would be a wonderful M|M romance.
It's not often I go in blind without looking into the synopsis, but I did that here and I am so glad I did. This was a ride that I didn't know I had bought a ticket for. It is so much more than M|M romance fluff. It's a story of acceptance, love, trauma growth and if course, steamy, spicy moments between Thomas and Bruce.
Jordan's writing was so well done, I found myself flying through the pages. Feeling every emotion as if I was one of the main characters myself. The mystery behind the numbers was a journey that could have gone in so many different directions, but the ending was perfection. I'd read another book by Clayden-Lewis in a heartbeat and I cannot recommend this book enough!
*Please check TW.*
Merged review:
I requested an ARC of When Things Happen Together by Jordan Clayden-Lewis for the cover alone. It was beautiful and lead me to believe it would be a wonderful M|M romance.
It's not often I go in blind without looking into the synopsis, but I did that here and I am so glad I did. This was a ride that I didn't know I had bought a ticket for. It is so much more than M|M romance fluff. It's a story of acceptance, love, trauma growth and if course, steamy, spicy moments between Thomas and Bruce.
Jordan's writing was so well done, I found myself flying through the pages. Feeling every emotion as if I was one of the main characters myself. The mystery behind the numbers was a journey that could have gone in so many different directions, but the ending was perfection. I'd read another book by Clayden-Lewis in a heartbeat and I cannot recommend this book enough!
*Please check TW.*
It's not often I go in blind without looking into the synopsis, but I did that here and I am so glad I did. This was a ride that I didn't know I had bought a ticket for. It is so much more than M|M romance fluff. It's a story of acceptance, love, trauma growth and if course, steamy, spicy moments between Thomas and Bruce.
Jordan's writing was so well done, I found myself flying through the pages. Feeling every emotion as if I was one of the main characters myself. The mystery behind the numbers was a journey that could have gone in so many different directions, but the ending was perfection. I'd read another book by Clayden-Lewis in a heartbeat and I cannot recommend this book enough!
*Please check TW.*
Merged review:
I requested an ARC of When Things Happen Together by Jordan Clayden-Lewis for the cover alone. It was beautiful and lead me to believe it would be a wonderful M|M romance.
It's not often I go in blind without looking into the synopsis, but I did that here and I am so glad I did. This was a ride that I didn't know I had bought a ticket for. It is so much more than M|M romance fluff. It's a story of acceptance, love, trauma growth and if course, steamy, spicy moments between Thomas and Bruce.
Jordan's writing was so well done, I found myself flying through the pages. Feeling every emotion as if I was one of the main characters myself. The mystery behind the numbers was a journey that could have gone in so many different directions, but the ending was perfection. I'd read another book by Clayden-Lewis in a heartbeat and I cannot recommend this book enough!
*Please check TW.*
hayleysnextpage's review against another edition
4.0
“You fell right into my arms, where you belonged.”
When Things Happen Together is an MM romance between a Brit & an Irishman on individual Australian working holidays. An artist & aspiring writer respectively, Thomas and Bruce have an instant and effortless connection, where they were so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
This book takes you on a journey in more ways than one. As their relationship progresses, the pair travel around SE Queensland to the Northern Territory and beyond. I loved the Aussie setting! But it's through these spontaneous travels that we learn they both have things to overcome individually before they can fully commit to each other. For example, Bruce was still reeling from an abusive previous relationship and the accompanying highs and lows.
At its core, When Things Happen Together is about finding home, seizing the moment, embracing love and finding personal growth in the most unexpected places. I loved the character growth, the ending and how the magic number 1122 serendipitously tied into their story.
Thank you to Jordan for the early copy of the book.
When Things Happen Together is an MM romance between a Brit & an Irishman on individual Australian working holidays. An artist & aspiring writer respectively, Thomas and Bruce have an instant and effortless connection, where they were so comfortable with each other from the beginning.
This book takes you on a journey in more ways than one. As their relationship progresses, the pair travel around SE Queensland to the Northern Territory and beyond. I loved the Aussie setting! But it's through these spontaneous travels that we learn they both have things to overcome individually before they can fully commit to each other. For example, Bruce was still reeling from an abusive previous relationship and the accompanying highs and lows.
At its core, When Things Happen Together is about finding home, seizing the moment, embracing love and finding personal growth in the most unexpected places. I loved the character growth, the ending and how the magic number 1122 serendipitously tied into their story.
Thank you to Jordan for the early copy of the book.