![Only See You (Only Colorado Book 2) by [Chambers, JD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51shjTQrqGL.jpg)
Knowing who and what you are is the first step. The next step is accepting yourself. After that? No one knows what ups and downs are in store but when you find yourself fighting to be who you are you have to wonder if the fight is worth it. If it is? Fight harder. It's even better when you find someone willing to fight just as hard by your side.
Mal is non-binary and I love them. They have courage, fierceness, and even when life gets them down they have the foundation of love and acceptance from themselves, their mom, and a network of great friends. Romance-wise, though, they're getting a little lonely. When an initial attraction to Ben doesn't pan out like they think it will they're surprised by the kindness and attraction they find in Ben's roommate.
Parker has coasted through life trying to please everyone but himself. His parents, his soon-to-be ex-wife, his colleagues...no one ever thought to ask him what he wanted, how he feels. And after they all turn on his shy but snarky and nice cousin in explosive fashion he's ready to cut ties with all of them. But reinventing yourself is hard when you're not really sure who you are anymore without all the trappings of someone else's expectations.
I loved Parker. His earnestness and eagerness to live life anew was contagious. You can also see how undercut he was his whole life because when the chips fall and he has to choose between love and family obligation he wants both but can't find the courage to fight for both. What I do admire, though, is his insistence that he can no longer keep up appearances even if it'll make other people happy. He's discovering that the core of who he is is worth more to him than falling in line. The way he's so open, honest, and transparent with Mal is sweet.
And when the pressure mounts and decisions need to be made, it's Parker praying for a solution he can't find and Mal cutting ties before things get hard that spell the end of their relationship. What began as a wonderful date with honesty, growing feelings, and intense attraction ended with Mal taking the easy way out and not helping Parker see beyond his divorce proceedings, to see what his decision would be costing Mal and how it would make them feel. Parker fell into the same trap by letting the situation stand because he was too mired to see beyond familial obligation and guilt and a bit of self-righteousness. With neither one willing to bridge the gap they try to move on. But fate has a way of maneuvering ideal partners back together.
Words of wisdom and acceptance and an accident combine to send Parker running back to Mal. From there they work out their own happy ending with patience, tenderness, passion, and love. I loved reading about these two people that had lives, struggles, frustrations and with their relationship they were able to find a partner who truly got them. The story showed a slower build for the relationship but was set well within the context of their lives so that, to me, it was apparent that their romance was more than just what they could do between the sheets (or in the back of a car, or on the side of a trail, or on a couch...=]), but how they could complement and support one another during trials and triumphs in life.
Mal is non-binary and I love them. They have courage, fierceness, and even when life gets them down they have the foundation of love and acceptance from themselves, their mom, and a network of great friends. Romance-wise, though, they're getting a little lonely. When an initial attraction to Ben doesn't pan out like they think it will they're surprised by the kindness and attraction they find in Ben's roommate.
Parker has coasted through life trying to please everyone but himself. His parents, his soon-to-be ex-wife, his colleagues...no one ever thought to ask him what he wanted, how he feels. And after they all turn on his shy but snarky and nice cousin in explosive fashion he's ready to cut ties with all of them. But reinventing yourself is hard when you're not really sure who you are anymore without all the trappings of someone else's expectations.
I loved Parker. His earnestness and eagerness to live life anew was contagious. You can also see how undercut he was his whole life because when the chips fall and he has to choose between love and family obligation he wants both but can't find the courage to fight for both. What I do admire, though, is his insistence that he can no longer keep up appearances even if it'll make other people happy. He's discovering that the core of who he is is worth more to him than falling in line. The way he's so open, honest, and transparent with Mal is sweet.
And when the pressure mounts and decisions need to be made, it's Parker praying for a solution he can't find and Mal cutting ties before things get hard that spell the end of their relationship. What began as a wonderful date with honesty, growing feelings, and intense attraction ended with Mal taking the easy way out and not helping Parker see beyond his divorce proceedings, to see what his decision would be costing Mal and how it would make them feel. Parker fell into the same trap by letting the situation stand because he was too mired to see beyond familial obligation and guilt and a bit of self-righteousness. With neither one willing to bridge the gap they try to move on. But fate has a way of maneuvering ideal partners back together.
Words of wisdom and acceptance and an accident combine to send Parker running back to Mal. From there they work out their own happy ending with patience, tenderness, passion, and love. I loved reading about these two people that had lives, struggles, frustrations and with their relationship they were able to find a partner who truly got them. The story showed a slower build for the relationship but was set well within the context of their lives so that, to me, it was apparent that their romance was more than just what they could do between the sheets (or in the back of a car, or on the side of a trail, or on a couch...=]), but how they could complement and support one another during trials and triumphs in life.
"Now, however you want to look, whatever you want to wear, whoever you want to be, you do it. And you own that shit. Because that's what makes you special and unique and you." She looks like she's thinking about it for a second and adds, "Although give me a little warning, just in case I'm going to need to have my ass-kicking shoes on."
-Mal's rockin' mom
*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!
*Find out why Zach was jealous of Mal
and why Zach and Craig can't seem to keep their eyes
and hands off of one another in Only with You...
![Only with You (Only Colorado Book 1) by [Chambers, JD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410wrJZgnAL.jpg)
“I guess if the worst thing I’m doomed to in life is mediocre sex, my life isn’t too bad.”
Self-starter and business analyst Zach Keller is living his dream life. He spends his days working from home in his favorite Tolkien t-shirts and pajamas while mothering his best friend-slash-roommate. The fact that his sex life is a bust and his love life is nonexistent? Unimportant. After his college boyfriend berated him for his unconventional desires, Zach doesn’t plan on sharing that part of himself ever again, anyway.
“I’m tired of feeling like I missed out on something by not going to college.”
Craig Pela isn’t lonely. He has tons of friends and weekends packed with activity. He hasn’t needed anyone since he left home at eighteen and never looked back. But everyone around him is moving forward in life, while he still works the same retail job at the same video game store, and it’s making him question his life choices. After all, he doesn’t want to be the loser still playing video games at fifty, does he?
As their relationship develops, Zach’s shy nature melts away to reveal an irrepressible geek that charms the pants off Craig. And Craig’s kind patience and ability to match him obscure quote for quote leaves Zach wondering if he’s finally met the man he can be his true self with. After all, how can someone else love you when you keep a part of yourself hidden?
Self-starter and business analyst Zach Keller is living his dream life. He spends his days working from home in his favorite Tolkien t-shirts and pajamas while mothering his best friend-slash-roommate. The fact that his sex life is a bust and his love life is nonexistent? Unimportant. After his college boyfriend berated him for his unconventional desires, Zach doesn’t plan on sharing that part of himself ever again, anyway.
“I’m tired of feeling like I missed out on something by not going to college.”
Craig Pela isn’t lonely. He has tons of friends and weekends packed with activity. He hasn’t needed anyone since he left home at eighteen and never looked back. But everyone around him is moving forward in life, while he still works the same retail job at the same video game store, and it’s making him question his life choices. After all, he doesn’t want to be the loser still playing video games at fifty, does he?
As their relationship develops, Zach’s shy nature melts away to reveal an irrepressible geek that charms the pants off Craig. And Craig’s kind patience and ability to match him obscure quote for quote leaves Zach wondering if he’s finally met the man he can be his true self with. After all, how can someone else love you when you keep a part of yourself hidden?
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