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kindlemmromancereader's review against another edition
5.0
***ARC Review***
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
Y’all, this book is beautiful. It’s truly lovely. It focuses heavily on emotions and I was 100% here for it. So much so, that I read it twice!
Luka and Rook have been best friends since they were 9 years old. Present day, both MCs are in their early 30s and it has been five years since they’ve last spoken. Luka’s dad is ill, so Luka returns to Hemlock Harbor to mend fences with his family and former best friend, Rook.
Other than going off to college, Rook has stayed close to his hometown of Hemlock Harbor. He is a certified nurse-midwife at his dad’s medical practice. Hemlock Harbor is comforting Its familiar. It’s home. Rook sees no reason to leave. The only downside is people trying to set him up with a local girl named Stacey.
Luka is a photographer. He thinks he’s failed at life and is too ashamed to admit it to his loved ones. Johnson reveals the real reason Luka stayed away for so long. A conversation is definitely long overdue between Luka and Rook.
The pair have a rocky start as they reunite, but decades of friendship is hard to ignore and they naturally gravitate to one another. Plus, Rook is such an empathetic character, that he can’t find it within himself to stay mad at Luka.
Johnson highlights gray asexuality in this book. Rook’s sparse romantic interactions with women are complicated, because he does what he assumes is supposed to be done. He wonders why he isn’t like most guys. The next steps don’t necessarily feel good or natural. Just so-so. During a conversation with his friend Ron, Rook begins to identify as demisexual. Johnson does an amazing job of unraveling his complex emotions in real time as he deals with his confusion about his sexuality and the realization that he may be feeling something new for Luka. Rook discovers and experiences attraction and desire for the first time with Luka.
The emotional connection between Luka and Rook is really endearing. It’s profound. These men have honest and vulnerable conversations. This book is a slow burn. The MCs share their first kiss at the 43% mark. Things get a little steamier at the 53% mark. When things do get more physical, I appreciated how Luka checked in with Rook to make sure that they weren’t rushing into things. But more than anything, I loved how genuine their affection and adoration for one another feels. It shines through in all of their interactions.
This novel, above everything else, is a love story. It’s about childhood best friends who find they way back to one another as fractured adults. It’s about two men reconciling and smoothing away any fractured edges of loneliness. It’s about acceptance and loving someone through brokenness and hard times. It’s also about grief. Both men have suffered as a result of their separation. Luka’s father (and his illness) is a big presence in the story as well. I’m glad him and Luka were able to have a bit of time together to comfort and heal. I teared up at different moments in the book, but the last page or so of the last chapter (and the epilogue) made me cry.
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
Y’all, this book is beautiful. It’s truly lovely. It focuses heavily on emotions and I was 100% here for it. So much so, that I read it twice!
Luka and Rook have been best friends since they were 9 years old. Present day, both MCs are in their early 30s and it has been five years since they’ve last spoken. Luka’s dad is ill, so Luka returns to Hemlock Harbor to mend fences with his family and former best friend, Rook.
Other than going off to college, Rook has stayed close to his hometown of Hemlock Harbor. He is a certified nurse-midwife at his dad’s medical practice. Hemlock Harbor is comforting Its familiar. It’s home. Rook sees no reason to leave. The only downside is people trying to set him up with a local girl named Stacey.
Luka is a photographer. He thinks he’s failed at life and is too ashamed to admit it to his loved ones. Johnson reveals the real reason Luka stayed away for so long. A conversation is definitely long overdue between Luka and Rook.
The pair have a rocky start as they reunite, but decades of friendship is hard to ignore and they naturally gravitate to one another. Plus, Rook is such an empathetic character, that he can’t find it within himself to stay mad at Luka.
Johnson highlights gray asexuality in this book. Rook’s sparse romantic interactions with women are complicated, because he does what he assumes is supposed to be done. He wonders why he isn’t like most guys. The next steps don’t necessarily feel good or natural. Just so-so. During a conversation with his friend Ron, Rook begins to identify as demisexual. Johnson does an amazing job of unraveling his complex emotions in real time as he deals with his confusion about his sexuality and the realization that he may be feeling something new for Luka. Rook discovers and experiences attraction and desire for the first time with Luka.
The emotional connection between Luka and Rook is really endearing. It’s profound. These men have honest and vulnerable conversations. This book is a slow burn. The MCs share their first kiss at the 43% mark. Things get a little steamier at the 53% mark. When things do get more physical, I appreciated how Luka checked in with Rook to make sure that they weren’t rushing into things. But more than anything, I loved how genuine their affection and adoration for one another feels. It shines through in all of their interactions.
This novel, above everything else, is a love story. It’s about childhood best friends who find they way back to one another as fractured adults. It’s about two men reconciling and smoothing away any fractured edges of loneliness. It’s about acceptance and loving someone through brokenness and hard times. It’s also about grief. Both men have suffered as a result of their separation. Luka’s father (and his illness) is a big presence in the story as well. I’m glad him and Luka were able to have a bit of time together to comfort and heal. I teared up at different moments in the book, but the last page or so of the last chapter (and the epilogue) made me cry.
torinori's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully heartbreaking. I am in love! I felt so emotionally raw after this book. It’s a lot to deal with. Depression, anxiety, death. It’s heavy but it’s also so amazing. The characters pull you in and hold you there until the very end.
becksgoesbookish's review against another edition
5.0
So I knew I would love this book because A.M. Johnson always hits, but this was truly such a poetic and beautifully written story of two best friends who have lost touch over the years despite the fact that they were always each other's everything. Though they were never previously romantically involved, the love they had for each other throughout their childhoods and teen years is undeniable. However, after five years of estrangement due to Luka moving away for college and ever-increasing amounts of distance between them, Luka returns home to Hemlock Harbor and we get to see the story unfold from there.
I also really loved that despite many emotionally heavy things happening to the characters, they always communicated, and remained open and honest with each other as best as they could.
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Y’all I’m in a glass case of emotion
I also really loved that despite many emotionally heavy things happening to the characters, they always communicated, and remained open and honest with each other as best as they could.
------
Y’all I’m in a glass case of emotion
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
4.0
Rook and Luka are childhood best friends who are trying to reconnect after five years apart.
It’s a poetically written story that has a melancholic tone to it. The setting, story and vibe all match that feeling really well.
I love the flashbacks of the two as boys, it gave me a good sense of their close connection.
The Demi orientation representation was great as I’ve never read about in a book previously.
The two have individual struggles that are portrayed clearly. I understood what they both were feeling.
The secondary characters were really likable and I enjoyed the warmth and community feeling they added.
There was more struggle, longing and confusion than romance in my opinion.
It’s a beautiful story that was interesting and heartfelt, it moved a bit slow for me. I liked the characters and felt it was an interesting emotional journey for them.
I wanted more conversations, interactions to really love their romance story.
Again, it’s a beautifully written and a unique story.
It’s a poetically written story that has a melancholic tone to it. The setting, story and vibe all match that feeling really well.
I love the flashbacks of the two as boys, it gave me a good sense of their close connection.
The Demi orientation representation was great as I’ve never read about in a book previously.
The two have individual struggles that are portrayed clearly. I understood what they both were feeling.
The secondary characters were really likable and I enjoyed the warmth and community feeling they added.
There was more struggle, longing and confusion than romance in my opinion.
It’s a beautiful story that was interesting and heartfelt, it moved a bit slow for me. I liked the characters and felt it was an interesting emotional journey for them.
I wanted more conversations, interactions to really love their romance story.
Again, it’s a beautifully written and a unique story.
nadine_booklover's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Oh dear, A.M. Johnson did it again! With Luka and Rook she gave us two characters that started rivaling Camden and Royal (from Let There Be Light) for their place in my heart right from the beginning. I fell in love with both from the very first page and was super sad I had to let them go again after finished reading their beyond beautiful and beautifully written story.
I loved how deep the characters are and their connection is sparkling off the pages like shooting stars.
Absolutely highly recommended and one of my fav reads in 2023!
Oh dear, A.M. Johnson did it again! With Luka and Rook she gave us two characters that started rivaling Camden and Royal (from Let There Be Light) for their place in my heart right from the beginning. I fell in love with both from the very first page and was super sad I had to let them go again after finished reading their beyond beautiful and beautifully written story.
I loved how deep the characters are and their connection is sparkling off the pages like shooting stars.
Absolutely highly recommended and one of my fav reads in 2023!
brim010's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
_bookish_lauren's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Overall: 4.5/5
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation: interracial MM, MC Luka is gay and MC Rook is demisexual
CW: parental illness, parental death (off page)
This childhood best friends to lovers story was damn near perfect. The connection between Rook and Luka felt effortless from their very first time meeting as kids. They had the best friendship story I've seen written in a long time.
And the way the author navigated Rook's sexuality and his self-discovery was done with such care and compassion.
This was truly a beautiful story and is one of my favorites for 2024 so far.
I appreciated that the author kept the parental death off page but took care in showing the characters processing their grief alone and in community. It was so important to their development.
Overall, I had no real criticism for this book. It was so well done! Johnson's writing is always beautifully emotional. With just a touch of spice.
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: childhood best friends to lovers, small town
Representation: interracial MM, MC Luka is gay and MC Rook is demisexual
CW: parental illness, parental death (off page)
This childhood best friends to lovers story was damn near perfect. The connection between Rook and Luka felt effortless from their very first time meeting as kids. They had the best friendship story I've seen written in a long time.
And the way the author navigated Rook's sexuality and his self-discovery was done with such care and compassion.
This was truly a beautiful story and is one of my favorites for 2024 so far.
I appreciated that the author kept the parental death off page but took care in showing the characters processing their grief alone and in community. It was so important to their development.
Overall, I had no real criticism for this book. It was so well done! Johnson's writing is always beautifully emotional. With just a touch of spice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death of parent
kjnrose's review against another edition
5.0
OML, what an absolutely wonderful story. This was hard to read at times it's so emotional, but that's not a bad thing. I love Luka and Rook and the love they go through. This story tells of their friendship from beginning to their HEA. Can't wait to see what's next.
_amy_leigh_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.75
Super sweet, small town, best childhood friends to lovers romance