nasaje's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
This is as much a story of Ronan's self-discovery, as well as his and Lucas' parental relationships, as it is a romance.
It is a pleasant read on the feel-good end of the angst-spectrum. You get to experience Amsterdam alongside Ronan, but I can imagine you would enjoy this more than I did if you know of the city.
The story is fast paced, and at times a little on the superficial side to fit more time (and self-realization, and for real emotions to form), which I didn't love since I like to see the characters develop on page rather than off, but I understand the choice since the main theme is (as I see it) Ronan's self-discovery.
This is as much a story of Ronan's self-discovery, as well as his and Lucas' parental relationships, as it is a romance.
It is a pleasant read on the feel-good end of the angst-spectrum. You get to experience Amsterdam alongside Ronan, but I can imagine you would enjoy this more than I did if you know of the city.
The story is fast paced, and at times a little on the superficial side to fit more time (and self-realization, and for real emotions to form), which I didn't love since I like to see the characters develop on page rather than off, but I understand the choice since the main theme is (as I see it) Ronan's self-discovery.
xanthe87's review
4.0
This is my first read by this author and I'll happily look out for future books from her. Even without the characters we got a lovely tour around Amsterdam as Lucas played tour guide to Ronan. Wonderfully written allowing readers to easily fall into the setting of the story.
Ronan discovers his father's identity and passing when he receives a letter about the man's will and what Ronan has been left. He subsequently makes the trip to Amsterdam where his father had became a successful business owner.
Lucas lives in the house of his friend and boss, Peter, who passed away recently. Grateful for everything he's been given he's now unsure of his future as the man's son is coming over and has the overall decision of what will be happening with it all.
The surprise that comes is the attraction they both feel after their expected initial hesitation.
Ronan's decision to give everything 6 months for him to decide allows him to experience the business that, shockingly, is the same career that he chose for himself. But it also allows a relationship to build between himself and Lucas, Ronan's first gay experience after keeping it secret for his whole life so far.
This is an enjoyable story giving Ronan the chance to explore the side of himself he's never been able to do before. Having someone with him he's insanely attracted to is just a major bonus. Though their troubles exist with what Ronan will decide about the business and home that Lucas works for and lives in. It keeps a constant "what if" between them until Ronan makes his choice.
The characters are well written and I like their interaction. Allowing Ronan to explore himself in a new city is something I'm sure a lot of people long to experience and Helena writes the wariness and acceptance very well.
Ronan and Lucas are pretty much the only characters we have with occasional input by Ronan's mum which includes some family drama, adding to the emotional aspect of the story.
I'd recommend this for people looking for an easy romance, sweet and first time.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Ronan discovers his father's identity and passing when he receives a letter about the man's will and what Ronan has been left. He subsequently makes the trip to Amsterdam where his father had became a successful business owner.
Lucas lives in the house of his friend and boss, Peter, who passed away recently. Grateful for everything he's been given he's now unsure of his future as the man's son is coming over and has the overall decision of what will be happening with it all.
The surprise that comes is the attraction they both feel after their expected initial hesitation.
Ronan's decision to give everything 6 months for him to decide allows him to experience the business that, shockingly, is the same career that he chose for himself. But it also allows a relationship to build between himself and Lucas, Ronan's first gay experience after keeping it secret for his whole life so far.
This is an enjoyable story giving Ronan the chance to explore the side of himself he's never been able to do before. Having someone with him he's insanely attracted to is just a major bonus. Though their troubles exist with what Ronan will decide about the business and home that Lucas works for and lives in. It keeps a constant "what if" between them until Ronan makes his choice.
The characters are well written and I like their interaction. Allowing Ronan to explore himself in a new city is something I'm sure a lot of people long to experience and Helena writes the wariness and acceptance very well.
Ronan and Lucas are pretty much the only characters we have with occasional input by Ronan's mum which includes some family drama, adding to the emotional aspect of the story.
I'd recommend this for people looking for an easy romance, sweet and first time.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
broomesbooks's review
4.0
Ronan inherits both a home and business in Amsterdam when his father had passed away unexpectedly. Ronan never expected to receive anything from his father because he hadn’t ever had his father in his life. It’s always been he and his mother back in Dublin. Even at twenty-eight he still lives at home with his mother and keeps parts of himself hidden from view because he fears upsetting his mother.
Amsterdam represents an opportunity Ronan never thought he would have. He’d get to know who his father was and he’s experience life away from his mother and a small town. He doesn’t expect the attraction to his father’s business partner and tenant, Lucas.
What I enjoyed about this was how much I could relate to Ronan. You live in the boundaries you think are set out for you. You do what you expect your parents expect of you. Ronan not only uses his time in Amsterdam to figure out his professional future but he starts to discover who he truly is.
The pacing of Ronan and Lucas’s romance and attraction is well done. It’s not a fast jump in to a relationship. There was an ebb and flow to it. I liked the internal thought process that was included for both characters. When something happened, Ronan thought it out to exhaustion. When you’re new and experiencing all these situations at a later age, you do that. Lucas weighed all variations of what could happen with Ronan. Would this be okay or would pursuing a romantic relationship with his business partner end up in heartache?
This is a sweet, moving story and I enjoyed it every bit.
Amsterdam represents an opportunity Ronan never thought he would have. He’d get to know who his father was and he’s experience life away from his mother and a small town. He doesn’t expect the attraction to his father’s business partner and tenant, Lucas.
What I enjoyed about this was how much I could relate to Ronan. You live in the boundaries you think are set out for you. You do what you expect your parents expect of you. Ronan not only uses his time in Amsterdam to figure out his professional future but he starts to discover who he truly is.
The pacing of Ronan and Lucas’s romance and attraction is well done. It’s not a fast jump in to a relationship. There was an ebb and flow to it. I liked the internal thought process that was included for both characters. When something happened, Ronan thought it out to exhaustion. When you’re new and experiencing all these situations at a later age, you do that. Lucas weighed all variations of what could happen with Ronan. Would this be okay or would pursuing a romantic relationship with his business partner end up in heartache?
This is a sweet, moving story and I enjoyed it every bit.
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