Tag Archives: friendship

Cara wraps this duet up with a glorious second entry

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This-Will-Hurt-II-coverThis Will Hurt II by Cara Dee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I’m not gonna lie, but I wish #StreamingAboutJayroe was a thing because I am head over heels for Monroe Samuel Finlay & Jacob Casper Denver đź’—

Personally, though, I think #Roke would make a better shipname, and their fans should have thought a bit more simply #JustSaying 🤣

Book two of Cara’s stunningly brilliant This Will Hurt Duet puts us in Roe’s head three months after the birth of his son and following the marriage to Sandra we saw happen at the end of book one.

When he discovers Jake’s therapy journal and sees the first entry, he’s staggered. Roe’s still dealing with his feelings for his best friend, but he’s also determined that he’ll make a go of his marriage.

So, finding out Jake’s thoughts about how he feels for Roe is a shock to both head and heart, and he doesn’t know how to process it.

You won’t get any detailed plot spoilers in this review, I’ll just say that the journey both men and their expanded family go on is a tumultuous one.

There are highs and lows, and both men really go through the mill, but it never feels like the drama is piled on for effect.

The section dealing with Roe and Sandra’s relationship is superbly done and feels like a realistic and very plausible path for them to end up on.

I love that there’s no “good guys/bad guys” here. Sandra isn’t a villain, Roe isn’t a hero. The only people worthy of the scorn and disgust heaped upon them are Jake’s rotten parents.

The narrative unfolds in its own steady way as the successes of their podcasts and shows continue to grow, and new members are added to their extensive family in ways which are organic and relatable.

I love how I thought both of these books would be more angsty than they turned out to be.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’re moments when you’ll just want to wrap them both up and hide them from the hurt.

But, for me anyway, it never reached an oppressive or dragging feeling of hopelessness. I always knew they’d end up together because their love was too steady and soul deep not to find a way.

I was also very happy to read there will be more, an extended Epilogue available on Cara’s website after release!

This duet has gone right behind If We Could Go Back as my number two all-time favourite Cara story.

It’s a long, hard road to happiness for #Jayroe but the outcome is worth every painful step.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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Release Blitz: Hawthorn Manor by Bryan T. Clark

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Hawthorn Manor | Bryan T. Clark

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Release Date: May 4th, 2023

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1KKWL4L | Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hawthorne-Manor-Bryan-T-Clark-ebook/dp/B0C1KKWL4L

Barns and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940166043047

Apple/iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6447376092

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/125192247-hawthorne-manor

HawthorneManor-RGB300dpi High__ resolution for printed ads and swag

Blurb

Mikael Ferreira seems to have it all—a great career, looks, intelligence, and charm to boot. But his work as a full-time caregiver at Hawthorne Manor barely leaves him time to breathe, let alone date. Then a new employee arrives at the manor and makes Mikael question whether he’s been living at all or merely existing…

Elliot Olsson is Mikael’s polar opposite. Elliot’s autism has always made him feel isolated. Until now. Mikael truly sees Elliot in a way no one ever has. Elliot wants to open his heart to Mikael and connect with him on a deeper level. But wanting won’t make it any easier to overcome the obstacles Elliot knows they’ll face as a couple…

As Mikael and Elliot’s story is beginning, eighty-eight-year-old Walter Hawthorne’s is coming to an end. But while his health is failing, Walter’s mind is sharp as ever—and he has a thing or two to share about life, intimacy, and love with the two young men who seem to know nothing about any of it . . .

Hawthorne Manor, a contemporary LGBTQ+ romantic novel, is an exploration of the foibles of aging, friendship, love, and the beauty that can exist in a found family. It features a house full of eccentric characters, witty banter, and a deeply emotional M/M romance. HEA guaranteed. 

Excerpt

“You mean you can tell if someone is gay?”

Mr. Hawthorne took two sips of his juice. “Honey, can’t you tell?”

Elliot shook his head.

“Then I guess you probably haven’t figured out that Mikael has the hots for you.”

“He does?” So this meant his intuition may have been right… Mikael was flirting with him. A smile parted his lips.

“Oh, Lord!” Mr. Hawthorne twirled his finger.

“How do you know?” He needed to know exactly and commit it to memory.

“Honey, have you not paid attention to the way he looks at you? When the two of you are in here, that damn boy hardly notices that I’m dying over here.”

“You’re not dying.” Elliot rolled his eyes at Mr. Hawthorne’s theatrics.

“If Mikael likes me, then we could be boyfriends.

Mr. Hawthorne adjusted his comforter on his lap. “I tell you, with you at his side, Nurse Becky is as useless as a screen door on a submarine.”

You couldn’t use a screen door on a submarine. The picture Elliot conjured in his head made him smile… and calling Mikael Nurse Becky made him chuckle.

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About The Author

Bryan T. Clark is a Bestselling multi-published award-winning author of gay romance, and contemporary books. In his early in life, Bryan learned that he was different from everyone else in his world. As a young African American boy, he was the second to the youngest of seven children.

Long before hormones kicked in and the realization of same sex attraction, it was his light skin and blond hair that made him different from those around him. Teased within his own race for being lighter than everyone else, the kids on the playground called him “Cornbread”.

As a writer, Bryan has taken back the power once given up to those schoolyard bullies. He is committed to bringing his readers stories of real life, with multicultural characters, riveting plots, and where the underdog always wins. He is the founder of Cornbread Publishing: the name empowers him and is a constant reminder that life can have a Happily-Ever-After.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Bryan and his husband of thirty-six years, have made their home and life in the Central Valley of California.

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Social Media

Website: https://www.btclark.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BryanTClarkx2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btclarkauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthor

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Brilliant opener in Nora’s new small town silver foxes series

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Renovating the Model coverRenovating the Model by Nora Phoenix

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a grown up romance and by that I don’t mean just the age of one of the protagonist.

This is just a pleasure to read, there’s no stupid drama, no miscommunication, no lack of conversation all just to create tension.

Instead, Nora gives the reader a beautiful romance between two most unlikely men but who are absolutely perfect for each other.

Tiago is a world-famous model, alongside his twin brother Tomás, returning to the small home town they left 30 years previously for a high school reunion. It’s been five years since they were last back and lots has changed in that time.

As they catch up with their friends, they reminisce about old times, talk about the death of one of their friends who was a Marine killed in Iraq in the Gulf War, and, for Tiago, ponder their future.

The meet/cute between Tiago and Cas is pretty funny, I won’t spoil it but it had me smiling. Their paths cross once again and it’s pretty clear there’s an instant attraction which leads to a pretty smoking hot hook-up.

Cas is 18 years younger but he’s a definite old soul and had a very mature attitude which feels completely realistic given his background. I loved that while he had a bit of a freak out at the fact a gorgeous model thought he was attractive, it wasn’t dwelled on once Cas accepted it was the truth.

Watching them slowly fall in love while thinking they’re just having a friends with occasional benefits relationship is a pleasure.

This whole book is a pleasure really, it’s great to read about love with MCs who are nearer my own age!

I also very much adored the wee map of Forestville at the start of the book too, I’m such a sucker for them and I’m really looking forward to seeing who will be up next.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

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