vicki_williams's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time. So very well written with perfect pacing that kept me turning the pages. I had to read this in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down.
Journey and Cameron are well developed, strong characters that are utterly likeable.
Watching them navigate their way from ex boyfriends to friends with benefits to an HEA was an absolute joy and the town gossips also enjoyed watching it all unfold as well! There were no huge obstacles to negotiate on the way to their HEA, just a couple of minor angsty moments.
The chemistry between Journey and Cameron almost sizzled off the page and once they decided to act upon it things really did heat up so there’s plenty of steamy scenes.
Lots of interesting side characters add to the plot and I include a couple of the pets in that description.
This is a truly enjoyable and engaging small town love story that includes family dynamics, gossips galore and a heartfelt second chance romance where some things changed but the important things stayed the same. Highly recommend you add this to your reading list.
Journey and Cameron are well developed, strong characters that are utterly likeable.
Watching them navigate their way from ex boyfriends to friends with benefits to an HEA was an absolute joy and the town gossips also enjoyed watching it all unfold as well! There were no huge obstacles to negotiate on the way to their HEA, just a couple of minor angsty moments.
The chemistry between Journey and Cameron almost sizzled off the page and once they decided to act upon it things really did heat up so there’s plenty of steamy scenes.
Lots of interesting side characters add to the plot and I include a couple of the pets in that description.
This is a truly enjoyable and engaging small town love story that includes family dynamics, gossips galore and a heartfelt second chance romance where some things changed but the important things stayed the same. Highly recommend you add this to your reading list.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars!
I absolutely adored this. Harmon's works have been really strong lately. Like the Spookology series, especially the third book, I find amazing, and this was amazing too. I just loved this second chance romance.
Journey Sutton has been a wildlife photographer for about 13, 14 years, ever since he left the love of his life Cameron Foster and his family behind.
But Journey had to grow up fast when he was about 14 years old when his mother died, and his father checked out for awhile, didn't take care of Journey and his three younger brothers the way he should have.
But the one constant for him was Cam, who he met when they were 14, and who was his best friend before they became more.
They have always loved each other, but sometimes love isn't enough, and also sometimes people are too young to get how to work at a relationship.
And well...when one wants to all the sudden up and leave and communication isn't used the way it should be, you get two people who are meant to be...break up. Even though they remain friends over the years, if distant, they both know that deep down they were the one that got away.
I think they both made mistakes in their break up, even though I do put most of the blame on Journey. Cam was blindsided and while Journey asked him to come with, that's a big ask, especially with such short notice, and when other factors come into it - like Journey apparently not wanting kids and Cam wanting them, and Cam being the opposite of Journey and wanting to stay settled and have roots - they just didn't make it.
But 13 or so years later, they're more mature, and when Journey is back in his hometown for the summer, the longest he's been around for probably more than a few days - because his dad has a stroke and he has to take care of him - they can't help fall back in love...or reconnect, as it were. I don't think they were ever really out of love with each other.
But the same problems are still there, and Cam is scared to get his heart broken again, so they agree to "casual" sex, even though they don't ever really have casual sex, not with each other.
And Journey wants to make it work this time, to compromise and make changes, so it doesn't have to be the be all, end all for either or. It just takes awhile for Cameron to get past his walls, his defenses and his fear to be ready to give them another chance.
I only give .5 off for the fewest of niggles. Just basically that I still had questions at the end. Like, when did they first get together all those years ago? Was it when they were teenagers and then they were together until they were 25? How long were they engaged? And also, I can't quite remember, but I don't the book did mentions if Journey and Cam figured out the issue of children.
Because it seems to me like Journey was so opposed to it just because he basically had to be a parent to his three younger brothers, but he teaches kids photography and seems to like them and maybe be changing his mind? But we don't know if he did for sure. It just would have been nice to know how these two figured out the kid issue.
It just some questions left dangling that I wanted answered and left me feeling a tad bereft at the end, so .5 off for that.
But other than that, I adored this, and seeing these two get that hard fought for HEA meant everything. I loved them, I loved their connection, I loved their chemistry and I just loved this book. It had me sucked in from the beginning and only much needed sleep made me put it down.
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Highly recommend it. I wouldn't mind more of these two, as well, just saying. I couldn't get enough of them. Absolutely loved this! ❤️
I absolutely adored this. Harmon's works have been really strong lately. Like the Spookology series, especially the third book, I find amazing, and this was amazing too. I just loved this second chance romance.
Journey Sutton has been a wildlife photographer for about 13, 14 years, ever since he left the love of his life Cameron Foster and his family behind.
But Journey had to grow up fast when he was about 14 years old when his mother died, and his father checked out for awhile, didn't take care of Journey and his three younger brothers the way he should have.
But the one constant for him was Cam, who he met when they were 14, and who was his best friend before they became more.
They have always loved each other, but sometimes love isn't enough, and also sometimes people are too young to get how to work at a relationship.
And well...when one wants to all the sudden up and leave and communication isn't used the way it should be, you get two people who are meant to be...break up. Even though they remain friends over the years, if distant, they both know that deep down they were the one that got away.
I think they both made mistakes in their break up, even though I do put most of the blame on Journey. Cam was blindsided and while Journey asked him to come with, that's a big ask, especially with such short notice, and when other factors come into it - like Journey apparently not wanting kids and Cam wanting them, and Cam being the opposite of Journey and wanting to stay settled and have roots - they just didn't make it.
But 13 or so years later, they're more mature, and when Journey is back in his hometown for the summer, the longest he's been around for probably more than a few days - because his dad has a stroke and he has to take care of him - they can't help fall back in love...or reconnect, as it were. I don't think they were ever really out of love with each other.
But the same problems are still there, and Cam is scared to get his heart broken again, so they agree to "casual" sex, even though they don't ever really have casual sex, not with each other.
And Journey wants to make it work this time, to compromise and make changes, so it doesn't have to be the be all, end all for either or. It just takes awhile for Cameron to get past his walls, his defenses and his fear to be ready to give them another chance.
I only give .5 off for the fewest of niggles. Just basically that I still had questions at the end. Like, when did they first get together all those years ago? Was it when they were teenagers and then they were together until they were 25? How long were they engaged? And also, I can't quite remember, but I don't the book did mentions if Journey and Cam figured out the issue of children.
Because it seems to me like Journey was so opposed to it just because he basically had to be a parent to his three younger brothers, but he teaches kids photography and seems to like them and maybe be changing his mind? But we don't know if he did for sure. It just would have been nice to know how these two figured out the kid issue.
It just some questions left dangling that I wanted answered and left me feeling a tad bereft at the end, so .5 off for that.
But other than that, I adored this, and seeing these two get that hard fought for HEA meant everything. I loved them, I loved their connection, I loved their chemistry and I just loved this book. It had me sucked in from the beginning and only much needed sleep made me put it down.
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Highly recommend it. I wouldn't mind more of these two, as well, just saying. I couldn't get enough of them. Absolutely loved this! ❤️
jasonmar's review
4.0
This was really really good. The characters were so well written—flawed but both very likable. I was rooting for them the entire time and I was able to understand and empathize with both perspectives of the two main characters. The book has so many aspects that I enjoy—small town ambiance, beachy vibes, a guy returning to his hometown and family after a long absence, and a second chance love story. I definitely want to try something else from this author.
malex117's review
4.0
This book was so much fun and heartfelt moments
This is a small town, second chance romance with a ton of humour and hotness. I loved the characters the dialogues the plot and the MC’s history. The animals was a huge bonus too☺️ I could do without the misunderstanding break up at 80% and the public display when they make up was a bit too much too, but I highlighted at least 10 parts of the books and had so much fun reading it
This is a small town, second chance romance with a ton of humour and hotness. I loved the characters the dialogues the plot and the MC’s history. The animals was a huge bonus too☺️ I could do without the misunderstanding break up at 80% and the public display when they make up was a bit too much too, but I highlighted at least 10 parts of the books and had so much fun reading it
endemictoearth's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This had been on my KU checkouts for a looong time, and I finally got around to it. Another great second chance romance (been reading a lot of those lately, hmmm) with great characterization and dialogue. Also refreshing to read a standalone without wondering if every side character has been in another book or is destined for a story of their own.
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, this is not, at all, a bad book. But I have so many issues with the way in which Journey was treated all the time!
I loved his big heart and his passion, but everybody around him acted as if he was the most inconsiderate man on Earth. His family is toxic to levels that would make me fly from them just to keep me sane. *shudders*
And Cameron wasn't any better, not really. He kept talking A LOT about how much he loved Journey, but when push came to shove, nothing. Zip. Nada. Zero.
So I was pretty much royally pissed off at everybody and my only wish was that Journey went the fuck away from all of them.
Which didn't happen, curses!
So there, that's why I didn't like it and yet I had to, at least, give it 3 stars for all the cursing involved while listening to it :P
I loved his big heart and his passion, but everybody around him acted as if he was the most inconsiderate man on Earth. His family is toxic to levels that would make me fly from them just to keep me sane. *shudders*
And Cameron wasn't any better, not really. He kept talking A LOT about how much he loved Journey, but when push came to shove, nothing. Zip. Nada. Zero.
So I was pretty much royally pissed off at everybody and my only wish was that Journey went the fuck away from all of them.
Which didn't happen, curses!
So there, that's why I didn't like it and yet I had to, at least, give it 3 stars for all the cursing involved while listening to it :P
evelyn2015's review
4.0
4⭐️ Cute and funny second chance romance about learning how to balance your dreams, goals, responsibilities, family, and life partner.
Journey left home over a decade ago to travel the world as a wildlife photographer. The only problem? He had to leave behind the love of his life.
Then family responsibilities call Journey back to his home town in southern Florida, and his ex, veterinarian Cam, is there by his side again… But can they make their relationship work this time around?
I loved all the animals and the family dynamic. Just an all-around sweet and hilarious, low-angst story.
Journey left home over a decade ago to travel the world as a wildlife photographer. The only problem? He had to leave behind the love of his life.
Then family responsibilities call Journey back to his home town in southern Florida, and his ex, veterinarian Cam, is there by his side again… But can they make their relationship work this time around?
I loved all the animals and the family dynamic. Just an all-around sweet and hilarious, low-angst story.
bharmonyauthor's review
5.0
Ahhh, finding the words to describe how much I loved this book is not going to be easy.
Second chance romances are always a favorite trope of mine, and rarely, if ever, have I found one that didn't provide the background of the main couple at the beginning of the story or in a prologue. Rather, this author weaved the history throughout the book, with bit and pieces of past conversations, emotions, and actions to further invest the reader into their journey. This book was every bit as angsty as a decent second chance should be, with copious amounts of snark and humor. I can't tell you if I loved Journey and his father's relationship more than Journey and Cameron, but nevertheless, every single character in this book was well written. The HEA was so sweet and I just loved it.
10/5 stars.
Second chance romances are always a favorite trope of mine, and rarely, if ever, have I found one that didn't provide the background of the main couple at the beginning of the story or in a prologue. Rather, this author weaved the history throughout the book, with bit and pieces of past conversations, emotions, and actions to further invest the reader into their journey. This book was every bit as angsty as a decent second chance should be, with copious amounts of snark and humor. I can't tell you if I loved Journey and his father's relationship more than Journey and Cameron, but nevertheless, every single character in this book was well written. The HEA was so sweet and I just loved it.
10/5 stars.
loulou87's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded up...
I wanted to love this book. It's SE Harmon and I adore her writing, but there was something missing for me.
What I loved..
- The trademark humor and dry banter
- Journey's Dad. He was a hoot
- Both MCs were lovable if a little frustrating
Niggles...
It seems like we were going in circles the whole book. I didn't feel the connection or the epic love between the two MCs. It all felt very Surface-Deep... the original breakup, the friendship, the FWB situation going on and then again with the same issue of Journey wanting to travel.
There were also inconsistencies with the characters... like Journey saying that Cameron was an animal in bed which we don't really see, and then him blushing about everything which doesn't really seem toppy for me. The sex scenes were all a bit weird and off.
The whole family drama stuff was also superficial and glossed over. Journey being a doormat one minute and obtuse the next.
I dont want this review to seem ranty so I'll stop here. I'll just say that I expected more and it fell flat.
ETA... this book was in desperate need of editing and proofing, and even formatting issues.
I wanted to love this book. It's SE Harmon and I adore her writing, but there was something missing for me.
What I loved..
- The trademark humor and dry banter
- Journey's Dad. He was a hoot
- Both MCs were lovable if a little frustrating
Niggles...
It seems like we were going in circles the whole book. I didn't feel the connection or the epic love between the two MCs. It all felt very Surface-Deep... the original breakup, the friendship, the FWB situation going on and then again with the same issue of Journey wanting to travel.
There were also inconsistencies with the characters... like Journey saying that Cameron was an animal in bed which we don't really see, and then him blushing about everything which doesn't really seem toppy for me. The sex scenes were all a bit weird and off.
The whole family drama stuff was also superficial and glossed over. Journey being a doormat one minute and obtuse the next.
I dont want this review to seem ranty so I'll stop here. I'll just say that I expected more and it fell flat.
ETA... this book was in desperate need of editing and proofing, and even formatting issues.
reading_rainy's review
3.0
This story was really sweet. It reminded me of those small town romances where everyone knows everyone else and there is the token gossipy old ladies. Not up to the level of heart or steam that I’m used to from this author.