karentje's review
4.0
*3.5 stars*
This is a NA friends to lovers story set in the wonderful new world created in Rainbow Place, the first book in this series.
I usually love friends to lovers stories, but I was a bit bummed by how this particular friendship started out. Cam and Alex have noticed each other already in the first book in the series, with Alex crushing on the cute, slightly older guy who seems way out of his league.
Cam is equally drawn to Alex, however, and they spend a lovely evening together.
Everything seems to be going great, until suddenly it doesn't anymore, when Cam finds out Alex's father is a local, prominent homophobe and does a sudden about-face. This really rubbed me the wrong way.
Ostensibly it's about protecting Alex, but to me it felt more like Cam wanting to avoid complications, giving in to his own fears and running away from a potentially great relationship. This doesn't exactly scream romance. Throughout the story he rejects Alex more than once, while giving him mixed signals. Cam's extreme reluctance to act on (or even admit to) his feelings for Alex makes it hard for me as reader to believe in the strength of his love.
I did like that Cam and Alex became friends under difficult circumstances and I was completely charmed by the secondary characters... seeing Seb and Jason again was amazing and the others like Sophia, Amber, Hayden and Wicksy are a great bunch of friends and I'd love to see more of them in the following books.
Still I would have liked to have seen more of Alex and Cam as an actual item. They only get together at the very end of the story, so we don't really see them grow as a couple.
This is a NA friends to lovers story set in the wonderful new world created in Rainbow Place, the first book in this series.
I usually love friends to lovers stories, but I was a bit bummed by how this particular friendship started out. Cam and Alex have noticed each other already in the first book in the series, with Alex crushing on the cute, slightly older guy who seems way out of his league.
Cam is equally drawn to Alex, however, and they spend a lovely evening together.
Everything seems to be going great, until suddenly it doesn't anymore, when Cam finds out Alex's father is a local, prominent homophobe and does a sudden about-face. This really rubbed me the wrong way.
Ostensibly it's about protecting Alex, but to me it felt more like Cam wanting to avoid complications, giving in to his own fears and running away from a potentially great relationship. This doesn't exactly scream romance. Throughout the story he rejects Alex more than once, while giving him mixed signals. Cam's extreme reluctance to act on (or even admit to) his feelings for Alex makes it hard for me as reader to believe in the strength of his love.
I did like that Cam and Alex became friends under difficult circumstances and I was completely charmed by the secondary characters... seeing Seb and Jason again was amazing and the others like Sophia, Amber, Hayden and Wicksy are a great bunch of friends and I'd love to see more of them in the following books.
Still I would have liked to have seen more of Alex and Cam as an actual item. They only get together at the very end of the story, so we don't really see them grow as a couple.
Spoiler
Unless a story is a ménage romance, I also really dislike it when a third gets too close to one of the MC's... and at about 50% in a love story the connection between the MC's should be strong enough that something like that is just unthinkable.Spoiler
karentje's review against another edition
4.0
I really love friends to lovers stories, but I was a bit bummed by the slow, long-winding road this couple had to take to get to their HFN. Cam and Alex have noticed each other already in the first book in the series, with Alex crushing on the cute, slightly older guy who seems way out of his league. Cam's extremely reluctant to act on (or even admit to) his feelings for Alex, and even though he definitely has his reasons, it still made it a bit difficult for me as reader to believe in the strength of his love.
I did like that Cam and Alex became friends under difficult circumstances and I was completely charmed by the secondary characters... seeing Seb and Jason again was amazing and the others like Sophia, Amber, Hayden and Wicksy are a great bunch of friends and I'd love to see more of them in the following books.
I also would have liked to have seen more of Alex and Cam as an actual item. They only get together at the very end of the story, so we don't really see them grow as a couple.
Narration: This is the first audiobook by Hamish Long that I've listened to and I absolutely loved how he brought the characters to life. He has an amazing voice, very warm and pleasant to listen to, and the English accent is just so charming! I loved his interpretation of Cam and Alex's voices, making Alex sound slightly younger than Cam without making him sound juvenile. All in all, an excellent narration that really added to my enjoyment of this story.
I did like that Cam and Alex became friends under difficult circumstances and I was completely charmed by the secondary characters... seeing Seb and Jason again was amazing and the others like Sophia, Amber, Hayden and Wicksy are a great bunch of friends and I'd love to see more of them in the following books.
I also would have liked to have seen more of Alex and Cam as an actual item. They only get together at the very end of the story, so we don't really see them grow as a couple.
Narration: This is the first audiobook by Hamish Long that I've listened to and I absolutely loved how he brought the characters to life. He has an amazing voice, very warm and pleasant to listen to, and the English accent is just so charming! I loved his interpretation of Cam and Alex's voices, making Alex sound slightly younger than Cam without making him sound juvenile. All in all, an excellent narration that really added to my enjoyment of this story.
tltravis's review against another edition
5.0
Rainbow Place
Came to this town at the right time, giving those in need a safe place to be themselves in a town where homophobia is prevalent and it’s residents are in need of an escape.
The stories in this series are very moving, and your heart goes out to those living in fear.
Came to this town at the right time, giving those in need a safe place to be themselves in a town where homophobia is prevalent and it’s residents are in need of an escape.
The stories in this series are very moving, and your heart goes out to those living in fear.
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
5.0
It was a given I was going to listen to the next book because I enjoyed the first one so much. I think I loved these characters more if that is even possible. Alex is so authentically himself but for when it comes to being himself at home. You can’t really blame him though, growing up with knowing you would never be accepted. I can’t even think of such a thing, breaks my heart frankly.
Cam, oh Cam, I get why he puts up all the barriers he is afraid to love and lose something that to him is so precious. He stole my heart too I can’t help it these book make me have all the feels.
Alex’s family ohh this was hard for me. I think because I have a Bi daughter and always knew no matter who my children grew up to be I would love them no matter what. This was especially hard to listen to, the hate for your own child. I can’t fathom it. I wish this didn’t happen in real life or in fiction but sadly it does, my hope for our future is for people to educate themselves and put yourself in your child’s place for 1 second.
Again the narration is dreamy, I can’t explain it better than that his voice, his accent yes please, more, please.
Cam, oh Cam, I get why he puts up all the barriers he is afraid to love and lose something that to him is so precious. He stole my heart too I can’t help it these book make me have all the feels.
Alex’s family ohh this was hard for me. I think because I have a Bi daughter and always knew no matter who my children grew up to be I would love them no matter what. This was especially hard to listen to, the hate for your own child. I can’t fathom it. I wish this didn’t happen in real life or in fiction but sadly it does, my hope for our future is for people to educate themselves and put yourself in your child’s place for 1 second.
Again the narration is dreamy, I can’t explain it better than that his voice, his accent yes please, more, please.
soficaccia's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
novel_nomad's review against another edition
3.0
Such a cute romance, but the tension and the wait they forced themselves to endure was frustrating. Understandable but frustrating.
wendylynnm's review against another edition
4.0
A nice "coming out" story about a young man with a homophobic father and his first love. While I enjoyed the book I had a few moments of "WHT?", why did Alex continue to fawn over Cam after Cam rejected him. It was like they were running hot and cold a few times. Slow-burn is not how I would describe it, more along the lines of "this is taking forever to happen". I liked the book, I think the first one was better but I needed more of a connection between the two guys. The age difference didn't matter to me, it was the way Cam handled Alex that ticked me off a little, that is what I mean by the hot and cold.
I've always enjoyed Jay's books and I do look forward to the next one in this series. "he writes it, I will read it"
I've always enjoyed Jay's books and I do look forward to the next one in this series. "he writes it, I will read it"
love_bookswillbetheendofme's review against another edition
4.0
There were so many points in this book where I wished I could jump in and A) give Alex a hug and B) beat the crap out of his father! I'm so glad that Cam was able to be there for him. I think it was important for them to start out as friends, since Alex already had a lot to deal with. I loved seeing snippets of Seb and Jason throughout the story. I love that Seb was willing to help Alex out, even though he didn't know him that well. This book showed how much Rainbow Place was needed, and it seems to be bringing together a great queer-friendly community!