notguilty's review
5.0
Con Riley writes another masterful tale in the Learning to Love series.
Who doesn’t love a redemption story? And Austin was due his, which was beautiful, mushy, and sexy. This was a story that reminds us that running from our traumas won't make it go away and living life based on past expectations isn't’ going to bring happiness.
In Austin, he falls for Dom (along with the rest of us) and his daughter Maisy. They are a wonderful pair with a beautiful chance at a future once he gets out of his own way. A story that involves healing, forgiveness, and laughter. And though they’ve both been dealt some blows and there is sadness throughout - the book maintains a lightness that makes it an uplifting and bewitching story.
“Still, desire crackled to life out of nowhere–Austin awake in a way he’d almost forgotten.”
Love these two completely.
Who doesn’t love a redemption story? And Austin was due his, which was beautiful, mushy, and sexy. This was a story that reminds us that running from our traumas won't make it go away and living life based on past expectations isn't’ going to bring happiness.
In Austin, he falls for Dom (along with the rest of us) and his daughter Maisy. They are a wonderful pair with a beautiful chance at a future once he gets out of his own way. A story that involves healing, forgiveness, and laughter. And though they’ve both been dealt some blows and there is sadness throughout - the book maintains a lightness that makes it an uplifting and bewitching story.
“Still, desire crackled to life out of nowhere–Austin awake in a way he’d almost forgotten.”
Love these two completely.
tinkcourtney's review
5.0
Oh, that was LOVELY! We get to see Austin, who started out as a bit of a villain (from what we knew, though by the end of Luke’s book he was much more approachable and sympathetic), really come into his own in this book, thanks in no small part to Dom, Maisie’s dad, who is PERFECT for him.
Though this book was lighter than some others in the series, it still had my emotions at the surface, from tears when Austin explains a tragic event in his past to laughter (especially anytime Charles is involved). I was SO invested in these characters, and it was wonderful to see so many from previous books. I don’t want to see the series end, but if this is the final one, it’s a warm and fulfilling conclusion. (Though maybe we can get Cameron a few years on? I’m not quite ready to let go lol)
Though this book was lighter than some others in the series, it still had my emotions at the surface, from tears when Austin explains a tragic event in his past to laughter (especially anytime Charles is involved). I was SO invested in these characters, and it was wonderful to see so many from previous books. I don’t want to see the series end, but if this is the final one, it’s a warm and fulfilling conclusion. (Though maybe we can get Cameron a few years on? I’m not quite ready to let go lol)
larissa_s's review
5.0
I’ve yet to encounter a Con Riley book I didn’t love and Austin, the fourth book in Riley’s Learning to Love series, resoundingly carries on that streak. The entire Learning to Love series is emotionally potent, unique, and compelling, probing into issues like punishing ourselves and others with judgments, grudges and presumptions. Forgive yourself and be open to forgive others. Be kind. These are the deep, heartwarming things we encounter in these books.
In Austin, we see these themes play out in spectacular fashion with Austin, the new bursar of Glynn Harber and Luke’s former adversary in the prior series book, Luke. Austin staggers beneath guilt and self-flagellation, and Dom is also weighed down by guilt from a very different source. Both battle with self-awareness and acceptance. Then at the intersection of the plot that brings Austin and Dom together is Dom’s daughter Maisie.
Riley does an excellent job weaving textured subplots into a riveting central romantic relationship. It’s one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much. Nothing is superficial. There’s depth, meaning, and factors at work we don’t always anticipate until we ride out the colorful, captivating journeys she creates for her characters. I highly recommend this whole series and Austin contends for the title of best in series.
In Austin, we see these themes play out in spectacular fashion with Austin, the new bursar of Glynn Harber and Luke’s former adversary in the prior series book, Luke. Austin staggers beneath guilt and self-flagellation, and Dom is also weighed down by guilt from a very different source. Both battle with self-awareness and acceptance. Then at the intersection of the plot that brings Austin and Dom together is Dom’s daughter Maisie.
Riley does an excellent job weaving textured subplots into a riveting central romantic relationship. It’s one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much. Nothing is superficial. There’s depth, meaning, and factors at work we don’t always anticipate until we ride out the colorful, captivating journeys she creates for her characters. I highly recommend this whole series and Austin contends for the title of best in series.
kiki124's review
4.0
Not the same Austin.
Sparkling story with heroes,
friends, kids, sex, guilt, swoon.
Sparkling story with heroes,
friends, kids, sex, guilt, swoon.
cadiva's review
5.0
Dom Dymond is my absolute favourite character Con Riley has created and we don't even get his PoV in this book.
Anyone who's familiar with Con's expanded world will have seen Dom's name crop up in Be My Best Man or True Brit, Jude and Rob also cross paths with him in the Bonus Scene for His Horizon.
But, until now, he's been a nebulous figure, our most common interactions with him have been in Luke's book as Austin repeatedly tells him off for always being late to pick up his delightful daughter Maisie.
So, what happens when a prickly school bursar with a secret guilt that stops him from forming attachments crashes headlong into Dom's orbit?
We get this book, the very best in what has been a quite outstanding series, and a love story which is all about learning not only to love someone else, but learning how to forgive too. For Austin, it's learning to let go of an incident in his past which has basically hung a noose around his neck for many years.
When their paths cross, it sends both men on a journey which is delivered in inimitable Con Riley style, filled with wonderful snappy dialogue, smoking hot sexy times, emotional feels all over the spectrum from rage to grief, guilt to passion and a whole big load of love.
This is the least angsty book in the series but Con still brings enough tension into the narrative as we slowly find out what causes Austin's caustic nature and why Dom's been late to pick up Maisie from school.
We get to discover that the snappy and terrierlike Austin, with his determination that Glynn Harber isn't the place for him, is actually a man desperately trying to make amends for an accident that wasn't even his fault.
We find out Dom isn't a feckless father, but a man who's given up everything to be there for Maisie whenever she needs him.
And we see that, together, these two men are a force as bright as a supernova, absolutely perfect for each other and both willing to take a chance at a lifetime of happiness.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Disclaimer: As ever, I alpha read this book for Con.
Anyone who's familiar with Con's expanded world will have seen Dom's name crop up in Be My Best Man or True Brit, Jude and Rob also cross paths with him in the Bonus Scene for His Horizon.
But, until now, he's been a nebulous figure, our most common interactions with him have been in Luke's book as Austin repeatedly tells him off for always being late to pick up his delightful daughter Maisie.
So, what happens when a prickly school bursar with a secret guilt that stops him from forming attachments crashes headlong into Dom's orbit?
We get this book, the very best in what has been a quite outstanding series, and a love story which is all about learning not only to love someone else, but learning how to forgive too. For Austin, it's learning to let go of an incident in his past which has basically hung a noose around his neck for many years.
When their paths cross, it sends both men on a journey which is delivered in inimitable Con Riley style, filled with wonderful snappy dialogue, smoking hot sexy times, emotional feels all over the spectrum from rage to grief, guilt to passion and a whole big load of love.
This is the least angsty book in the series but Con still brings enough tension into the narrative as we slowly find out what causes Austin's caustic nature and why Dom's been late to pick up Maisie from school.
We get to discover that the snappy and terrierlike Austin, with his determination that Glynn Harber isn't the place for him, is actually a man desperately trying to make amends for an accident that wasn't even his fault.
We find out Dom isn't a feckless father, but a man who's given up everything to be there for Maisie whenever she needs him.
And we see that, together, these two men are a force as bright as a supernova, absolutely perfect for each other and both willing to take a chance at a lifetime of happiness.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Disclaimer: As ever, I alpha read this book for Con.
nim22_'s review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
madroxreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
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