suze_1624's review
4.0
Ah, always a grand story from this author.
John and Chris - big, burly John, the gentle giant and Chris, snarky, independent, always in someones face. Two such opposite characters that just work.
A wedding looms, with all the issues that that brings. Add renovating and moving house, a mum that’s grieving herself and keeping Chris at bay and we have a grand family drama.
John is stalwart as ever.
Chris has the drama - his health issues continue but are more in the background to his issues with his Mum and Dad, especially Mum. He and his dad develop a better closeness and his Mum does come round in the end, and just in time for the big event. Sorry we missed the party !!!
John and Chris - big, burly John, the gentle giant and Chris, snarky, independent, always in someones face. Two such opposite characters that just work.
A wedding looms, with all the issues that that brings. Add renovating and moving house, a mum that’s grieving herself and keeping Chris at bay and we have a grand family drama.
John is stalwart as ever.
Chris has the drama - his health issues continue but are more in the background to his issues with his Mum and Dad, especially Mum. He and his dad develop a better closeness and his Mum does come round in the end, and just in time for the big event. Sorry we missed the party !!!
kaje_harper's review
4.0
This is a sweet and warm coda to the story in [b:Tea|43391084|Tea (A Cup of John, #1)|Matthew J. Metzger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546093062l/43391084._SY75_.jpg|67415982] - John's self-confidence has come a long way; Chris is still prickly and defensive and independent, but a couple of years with a man who truly loves him have given him some certainty. When Chris's stepfather dies and leaves him a dilapidated old house, it opens up both possibilities and family wounds.
The conflict here is lower-key and external to the solid, wonderful relationship of these two men. I very much enjoyed watching them together. The moments of banter and the moments of love are both part of a warm relationship that is made to last. We learn more about Chris, his past and how it played out within his family, and about the man he is now. It was lovely to spend time with these two guys, and to watch their future take shape.
The conflict here is lower-key and external to the solid, wonderful relationship of these two men. I very much enjoyed watching them together. The moments of banter and the moments of love are both part of a warm relationship that is made to last. We learn more about Chris, his past and how it played out within his family, and about the man he is now. It was lovely to spend time with these two guys, and to watch their future take shape.
frothy's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you haven’t already, read Tea first.
Metzger is one of my favourite authors. This book is consistent with his other work. I have recently had favourite authors release books I have not liked at all - so it’s not a given for me.
I love books like this - it’s a romance about people already in a relationship, about how they both deal with what happens next. The story is set a few years after the last one ends.
Metzger writes wonderful people. I adored this couple from the first book. This one is told from Chris’ point of view. I like the way he depicts people in all their complexity, living in a complex world.
If you haven’t already, read Tea first.
Metzger is one of my favourite authors. This book is consistent with his other work. I have recently had favourite authors release books I have not liked at all - so it’s not a given for me.
I love books like this - it’s a romance about people already in a relationship, about how they both deal with what happens next. The story is set a few years after the last one ends.
Metzger writes wonderful people. I adored this couple from the first book. This one is told from Chris’ point of view. I like the way he depicts people in all their complexity, living in a complex world.
tanouska's review
4.0
Very enjoyable sequel to 'Tea'. It was nice to see the characters a few years on, see how things had developed further and what new challenges they faced. The way the passing of a loved one with a degenerative disease was handled, in terms of the feelings around it, was very realistic. The way mental health was handled in both of these books was also really well done (in my opinion :P).
Chris and John are very cute together, and it was a joy to read more about them.
I would like to remind everyone who reads this book that soap is meant for external use only :P
Chris and John are very cute together, and it was a joy to read more about them.
I would like to remind everyone who reads this book that soap is meant for external use only :P
charkinzie's review
4.0
I love these books! Let me start off by saying that it was an absolute delight to read a book about a main character who is trans and blind and living with a significant illness. There’s so much in these books that makes me feel as though there’s someone out there in the world who gets it and that is amazing! These books are a real gift to the queer community!
So Chris and John bump into each other in book one – literally – and are instantly attracted. I loved the way that their issues and challenges didn’t play into their initial meeting. They met on neutral territory and even ground… it was fantastic. I was instantly drawn in by their connection… I have developed such a soft spot for John. He’s the kind of man that people judge when they see him… and that speaks to me on many levels. Chris doesn’t judge him…. he just takes a chance on him.
Their relationship progresses quickly even though John is still healing from a very negative experience that ended his previous relationship. As a result, John is already in deep when Chris reveals that he is transgender. This is an #ownvoices novel so it’s no wonder that the reveal was written realistically and in a great way. Now, I’m a Cisgender woman but I have spent a lot of time reading reviews and non-fiction books written by members of the trans community. I feel as though the authentic voice of author, Metzger is the kind of voice that the trans community needs to be hearing from.
Chris is an independent young man who is still discovering some things about himself while, at the same time, being certain of who he is in many ways. As the relationship grows stronger, John and Chris work through so many issues that are relevant to those of us living a queer life or a life that is affected by illness or disability. Bravo Matthew J. Metzger!
There are many things revealed about these two characters in the first book and I don’t want to go into them all. I really want people to be able to read this series and let it unfold naturally. The way the first book is written, the relationship grows and blossoms in a very organic way.
The second book in this series, Coffee, is due to be released on August 19! In the second book, John and Chris have been together for four years. Again, the couple faces grief when Chris’ step-father, Jack, finally succumbs to Parkinson’s. It’s Chris’ mum who struggles the most when Chris decides that he is ready for the next step with John – and proposes.
The author’s exploration of grief and the way that a person processes losing their partner read truth to me. Grief is a very individuals experience but Metzger does a great job of allowing all the characters to experience grief and loss in a different way. Chris’ mum’s resistance to the marriage of the two main characters is painful and yet again, Chris faces off with someone who believes that his disabilities will be too much for someone to love him.
Metzger is a great writer, treating many delicate issues with respect and finesse when necessary and humor and forth-rightness when it works. Great combination!
I highly recommend this series!
So Chris and John bump into each other in book one – literally – and are instantly attracted. I loved the way that their issues and challenges didn’t play into their initial meeting. They met on neutral territory and even ground… it was fantastic. I was instantly drawn in by their connection… I have developed such a soft spot for John. He’s the kind of man that people judge when they see him… and that speaks to me on many levels. Chris doesn’t judge him…. he just takes a chance on him.
Their relationship progresses quickly even though John is still healing from a very negative experience that ended his previous relationship. As a result, John is already in deep when Chris reveals that he is transgender. This is an #ownvoices novel so it’s no wonder that the reveal was written realistically and in a great way. Now, I’m a Cisgender woman but I have spent a lot of time reading reviews and non-fiction books written by members of the trans community. I feel as though the authentic voice of author, Metzger is the kind of voice that the trans community needs to be hearing from.
Chris is an independent young man who is still discovering some things about himself while, at the same time, being certain of who he is in many ways. As the relationship grows stronger, John and Chris work through so many issues that are relevant to those of us living a queer life or a life that is affected by illness or disability. Bravo Matthew J. Metzger!
There are many things revealed about these two characters in the first book and I don’t want to go into them all. I really want people to be able to read this series and let it unfold naturally. The way the first book is written, the relationship grows and blossoms in a very organic way.
The second book in this series, Coffee, is due to be released on August 19! In the second book, John and Chris have been together for four years. Again, the couple faces grief when Chris’ step-father, Jack, finally succumbs to Parkinson’s. It’s Chris’ mum who struggles the most when Chris decides that he is ready for the next step with John – and proposes.
The author’s exploration of grief and the way that a person processes losing their partner read truth to me. Grief is a very individuals experience but Metzger does a great job of allowing all the characters to experience grief and loss in a different way. Chris’ mum’s resistance to the marriage of the two main characters is painful and yet again, Chris faces off with someone who believes that his disabilities will be too much for someone to love him.
Metzger is a great writer, treating many delicate issues with respect and finesse when necessary and humor and forth-rightness when it works. Great combination!
I highly recommend this series!
rhodered's review
2.0
Aside from a smallish story arc, this is an angst-free, lovey-dovey, extended epilogue to the first book. I can see how if you adored the first volume and/or this couple, it would be fun and sweet for you.
It did have an old house fixup in it, but sadly no details because the book is from Chris’ POV and he doesn’t care about fix ups. Wasted opportunity, but true to character.
After a while I began feeling less enthused about Chris overall though. Aside from existing as a disabled person and planning one event, he has no active life. He doesn’t contribute to society in any way. I get that he can’t maintain a job, but how about doing something for charity? How about a hobby? He is essentially aimless. We hear a great deal about him being beloved and cosseted by a wide number of people. We hear about him getting massages, head rubs, foot rubs, a day at a spa. John works his ass off at work and home, plus he is on a sports team and actively looks after family members. But Chris? Chris just kind of drifts along being loved.
After a while it was too one-sided for me. So, meh.
It did have an old house fixup in it, but sadly no details because the book is from Chris’ POV and he doesn’t care about fix ups. Wasted opportunity, but true to character.
After a while I began feeling less enthused about Chris overall though. Aside from existing as a disabled person and planning one event, he has no active life. He doesn’t contribute to society in any way. I get that he can’t maintain a job, but how about doing something for charity? How about a hobby? He is essentially aimless. We hear a great deal about him being beloved and cosseted by a wide number of people. We hear about him getting massages, head rubs, foot rubs, a day at a spa. John works his ass off at work and home, plus he is on a sports team and actively looks after family members. But Chris? Chris just kind of drifts along being loved.
After a while it was too one-sided for me. So, meh.
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