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hemmel_mol's review
4.0
For now, I think 4 stars. I am a bit in doubt. Stephen was so very dull and the narrator performed him as such. The lack of emotion bothered me a bit but I believe only a good author can write a personality so convincingly. Candice was very annoying and a bit ott in her disregard of boundaries.
There was a lot of office talk and colleagues interacting and I was very happy about this memory of life before Covid.
There was a lot of office talk and colleagues interacting and I was very happy about this memory of life before Covid.
sheznb's review
4.0
My first book by this author and I really enjoyed it!
Who wouldn't enjoy it when you have an office relationship and may/dec! 2 of my favourite things!
It's so easy to fall in love with Max! So sweet and caring and goes out of his way to show Stephen he wants to be with him.
But Stephen is a workaholic. He lives for his job and when push comes to shove, it may just push Max away!
But when Stephen is given an ultimatum, he realises that something is more important than his job, he realises he needs to change some things in order to get that back!
I can't wait for the next book!!
Who wouldn't enjoy it when you have an office relationship and may/dec! 2 of my favourite things!
It's so easy to fall in love with Max! So sweet and caring and goes out of his way to show Stephen he wants to be with him.
But Stephen is a workaholic. He lives for his job and when push comes to shove, it may just push Max away!
But when Stephen is given an ultimatum, he realises that something is more important than his job, he realises he needs to change some things in order to get that back!
I can't wait for the next book!!
geeknb's review
5.0
This was excellent.
Unlike Brave for you, which was a very slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers story, this one started with a sexual relationship that developed into something more.
This is an age difference story that didn't actually focus too much on that aspect, focusing more on their social differences and Stephen's belief that he isn't 'relationship material' or good enough.
I cried for a good portion of the last third of the book, as Stephen talked himself into 'doing what's best' and things fell apart.
I loved Stephen and Max as a couple. And I also appreciated that the author made no attempted to cure Stephen's grumpiness just because he fell in love, and that Max embraced that part of him.
I listened to the audio for this book and the narrator did an excellent job.
Unlike Brave for you, which was a very slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers story, this one started with a sexual relationship that developed into something more.
This is an age difference story that didn't actually focus too much on that aspect, focusing more on their social differences and Stephen's belief that he isn't 'relationship material' or good enough.
I cried for a good portion of the last third of the book, as Stephen talked himself into 'doing what's best' and things fell apart.
I loved Stephen and Max as a couple. And I also appreciated that the author made no attempted to cure Stephen's grumpiness just because he fell in love, and that Max embraced that part of him.
I listened to the audio for this book and the narrator did an excellent job.
valerieullmerauthor's review
5.0
I truly enjoyed getting to know Max and Stephen. Stephen is a bit jaded because of a past relationship with his co-worker going badly. He'd spent three years since his relationship ended without getting attached to anyone, until Max. When Max starts an internship, Stephen is intrigued by the musician/accountant from the first moment he spotted him. Max is young, but he works hard, he's smart, and he knows what he wants...Stephen. As you learn more about the two men and read how tangible and hot their chemistry is, you can't help but root for these two. And the more Stephen tries to push Max away, the harder he finds himself clinging to him. I loved the book, it's sexy and loving, smart and funny, and I can't recommend it highly enough!!
ajcollignon's review
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up
I was very uncomfortable with how Max and Stephen got together. I don't care about an age gap or office romance, but the power dynamic was so unbalanced. I don't care how into the relationship Max was, Stephen is his boss, and he's just an intern.
It infuriates me when characters won't just talk to each other. I get that Max was sure if he was clear about his feelings that Stephen would leave him, and Stephen had issues from his past, but good lord, give me a little something.
I was very uncomfortable with how Max and Stephen got together. I don't care about an age gap or office romance, but the power dynamic was so unbalanced. I don't care how into the relationship Max was, Stephen is his boss, and he's just an intern.
It infuriates me when characters won't just talk to each other. I get that Max was sure if he was clear about his feelings that Stephen would leave him, and Stephen had issues from his past, but good lord, give me a little something.
thosemedalingkidsss's review
4.0
Very cute grumpy - sunshine romance. I loved Max's grandma and want to make something with Spam now!
endemictoearth's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Another book that doesn’t do anything particularly revolutionary, but more does what it is doing really well. I get the sense that these were written by someone who’s read a lot of mm and wanted to include more diversity and representation in the genre, and these do that very well, to my mind. Age gap, workplace romance with a very satisfying ending. No groveling, but the suggestion of a grand gesture that felt like enough.
alexleo13's review
4.0
Great second book of the series Oahu Lovers, that may be read as a stand alone because the MCs of the first book appear only in the Epilogue of this one. Max and Stephen may seem an odd couple, with Max's thoughts often slipping out of his mouth without any filter and Stephen being quite a contradictory character as far as his work-life balance is concerned. There is quite an age gap between the two, but Max never actually bothered and Stephen's passion for board games shows that he still is young at heart, though he is the one struggling most with the age difference and his role as boss to Max.
I can't give 5* to this story because there were several time inconsistencies throughout the plot and it took me up to 1/3 of the book to connect with the characters and appreciate their link and growing feelings; most probably due to Stephen's contradictions and Max behaving sometimes all grown-up and other times more like the 21 year old student at his first work experience.
I can't give 5* to this story because there were several time inconsistencies throughout the plot and it took me up to 1/3 of the book to connect with the characters and appreciate their link and growing feelings; most probably due to Stephen's contradictions and Max behaving sometimes all grown-up and other times more like the 21 year old student at his first work experience.
kimberlymichelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Sweet and steamy romance.