Smash & Grab: RELIC Book 1, Maz Maddox

Seriously, dinosaur stuff and paleontology?  Pink mohawks?  A deep love of kids?  Why has no one yet written a dinosaur shifter that is both cute and fierce?  Dalton is absolutely adorable as well as being a punk.  He's thoughtful and considerate even while pushing Simon's buttons.  Well, to be honest, he pushes everyone's buttons, but he knows when enough's enough.

His pretty Simon takes a little while to come around to things, but when he does his devotion to Dalton is just as strong as Dalton's is for him.  I'm completely in love with this story, not just because of the novelty, but also because it was well-written, the pacing was right for the characters and the situation, the relationship was believable, and the set up for a series was really well done. I'm just sold. I cannot wait to see who finds their person next!

*$4.99 on Amazon

My standard issued lab badge reads 'Simon' but it really should say 'unexciting nerd with no social life'

Don’t get me wrong -- I love what I do with a passion, but it doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else.

Especially romance.

While chipping away at my work, I’m suddenly the person between hired cartel muscle and the fossil that will define my career.

Which isn’t the most insane part of the story.

My savior is a chaotic, bat-wielding punk with a bubble gum pink mohawk and a killer smile.

In a mad dash to escape the thieves, my knight in studded armor sweeps me across the country while hitting every tourist trap along the way.

While smuggling a fossil, might I add.

Oh, and did I mention this pink punk can shift into a dinosaur?

Make Me Trust You: Omega Celibacy Club Book 3, Angel Knots

Opposites attract, ugly duckling, fated mates...so many tropes to love in this book.  This was a successful story with very little angst, a whole lot of intimacy of all kinds, and watching two men find their place in life and with each other.

I was charmed immediately by the bumbling Emmett in book one.  I've always been a sucker for the Ugly Duckling trope and while Emmett is the only one who describes himself as plain, his awkwardness and incredible intelligence definitely set him apart from the other members of the OCC.  When Bryce shows up to claim him, he begins to see that there's someone who could want him for all that he really is and I loved that for him.

Bryce was a little harder to love right away.  His youth was apparent in many ways and it nearly kept him from keeping Emmett.  Once he finally expressed how he felt and his conviction that Emmett was his one and only, it got a lot better.  He had his one big "denial" moment, but in his young mind it was to protect what he was building with Emmett and I could see how a very naive 19 year old would think that.  It was also something he needed to go through to grow apart from the dreams of his father and to find his own path.  For being the typical jock, he was also the most tender, expressive, earnest young man and by the end of the story I was fully in love with his character.

The two men together spent a lot of time getting to know the more carnal side of their pairing, as expected from this series and sub-genre, and I would have liked to see a little more balance between getting to know one another and seeing them find shared interests outside the bedroom.  One thing that stood out and really sold me on the story was watching the evolution of Bryce's relationship with his father.  His father wasn't the enemy and seeing them have their moment of reckoning and resolution really brought this story forward and added depth to the conclusion.  Overall this was an absolutely pleasant read that fits with the series and drew me in right away.  I'm incredibly intrigued about Tristan's alpha and will likely be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Welcome to Preston College. A top-ranked biology program? Check. Division One football? Check. A shy genius and a hot jock both stuck on campus for the summer? Now things are heating up...

EMMETT
Last year, the cutting edge research project my biology professor tapped me for confirmed that fated mates are real... and despite the odds (and the fact that we're all members of a celibacy club!!) two of my roommates met theirs.

I met someone last year, too. He was an alpha. He was a football player. He was gorgeous and funny and really, really nice. Besides science, he was basically the only thing I could think about all year long. But alphas don't notice me and sports just confuse me, so now that Bryce Connors doesn't need me to tutor him anymore, I'll probably never see him again.

Too bad it will probably take longer than that to stop wishing I could...

BRYCE
Nineteen years ago, my dad gave up his pro football career to raise me, and ever since the first time he handed me a ball I've only had one priority: realizing the dreams he never had a chance to. But don't get me wrong, I'm not just gonna make it for him. I most definitely love football, too. In fact, up until last year, I would've said that outside of my dad, it was the only thing I loved.

And okay, all right, maybe "love" is too big of a word for my new #1 priority, the crazy-smart omega who saved my scholarship last year, Emmett Christianson... but then again, the way I haven't been able to get him off my mind? Maybe it's not.

That's why, when I head back to campus for summer workouts, I've got a plan...

Stark Memory: Stupid, Awesome Love Book 3, Ceri Grenelle

Their summer together changed everything, and then she disappeared.  Almost two decades later and Santiago catches a ghost in his arms, a ghost who has no clue who he is or what they meant to one another.  When Opal is given a chance to live her dreams she slowly comes to the realization that she'll need to address the memories of the past that she's been running from; and who better to help her sift through it all than the handsome blast from her past?  Together they traverse memories, heartache, and find a love that rivals the one of their youth.  But it'll take more than courage to forge ahead, they'll have to find and gift others with the forgiveness that they've been denying themselves and so many others.

Santiago was a pretty solid character from start to finish and his endless patience definitely won me over in the face of Opal's vacillation.  I liked that he was so completely honest with her from the very beginning, that he didn't hide himself away or his growing, changing feelings.  Even knowing when Opal wasn't ready he came out and warned her that to discuss certain things further was deeper for him and would upset her.  It layered their interactions with a complicated kind of hesitant transparency that wasn't expected.  His stubbornness and refusal to forgive his family time and time again was frustrating, especially in the face of his two best friends that had lost so much.  He eventually pulled it out, though, and gave him greater perspective for when he finally came to terms with his separation from Opal.

Where Santiago was consistent and stable, Opal was back and forth, fearful, and a bit too dismissive.  She was also quite damaged and I didn't fault her for running away.  Doesn't mean I liked it, just that I can understand and don't judge her too harshly for it.  When she did begin to open up and let Santiago help her work through her memories and feelings, though, she softened and became much more relatable.

Throughout the entire story I had a problem with the inconsistent feeling between their voice and how much time was supposed to have passed.  It felt more like everyone should have been in their mid-twenties rather than their late thirties.  That alone gave it a frustrating element of juvenility where I was expecting something more staid and grown-up.  Feeling like that never went away, by the way, it was a disconnect that lasted from start to finish.  Along with Opal's insistence at avoiding her memories and then her reluctance to come clean about having them, and I had a lot of moments that I felt as if my eyes would get stuck in their rolled position.

But there were so many gems!  I caught myself smiling many times when there were small revelations, confessions that about broke my heart with how much feeling was expressed, and the interplay between friends and family.  I'm so in love with the night Opal and Santiago met.  The awkwardness, the interest, the humor, the banter, their youth, and the excitement and promise of a happy future.  It's what makes their situation that much more devastating and the ending so tenderly triumphant.  The journey is pretty long with a few divergent paths on Santiago's part that lengthen the story.  Overall, though, the story is as painful as it is sweet and I enjoyed reading it in its entirety.

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Author Bio

Ceri is the author of quirky and sexy contemporary romance novels. She has a major weakness for sappy cuddle moments as much as hot and steamy sex scenes, and a penchant for writing snappy and sarcastic dialogue. She loves romance that isn't afraid to be awkward and uncouth, and thrives on flawed characters with big hearts.

A New York native, Ceri now lives in California with her two cats, Mercy and Eugene Fitzherbert, who should be very thankful she didn't name him frying pan. She is a proud functioning introvert and lover of all things geeky. You can find her haunting the Twitter machine or posting pictures of her ridiculous cats on Instagram.

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Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology Volume 2

Forget Paris, R.G. Alexander:

Forced to organize the anniversary charity event in Toronto instead of his dreamed-of moment in Paris, Martin is undeniably testy.  Despite the bluster, short temper, and sniping he captures the attention of Luke, the very helpful and very attractive bartender.  After accepting an offer to experience a bit more of Toronto before Martin has to leave, he discovers that there might be something more to Toronto for him than Paris...but his little adventure is just beginning.  The start of Martin and Luke's story has an interesting beginning and goes from mopey to sexy very quickly.  We'll get to see their "conclusion" at the end of the anthology...

Los Angeles, A.E. Wasp:

Kurtis and Zane are very cute together.  I accepted the characters without in-depth background or well-established motives because their hearts were so very obvious.  They also didn't play games.  The honesty and desire for depth and something lasting was very clear from the get-go.  At first meeting they were adorable, from Kurt's lack of smooth to Zane's upfront honesty.  I will say that the back and forth between present and Kurt's flashback-ish moments was a bit difficult to get into at first, but it grew on me and became a nice change from the story line progression normally used.  While the end came a little too soon for me, there was such a great connection between Kurt and one of his patients in addition to what he was building with Zane that the sentiment and intimation of something long-lasting and expanding was fantastic.  I just really wanted more.  3.5 stars.

(ARC of this book was provided by this author)

Cincinnati, Aimee Nicole Walker:

This story was merely okay for me.  It wasn't as transformative as I hoped.  We get to know Evan through Lucas' eyes and the picture isn't exactly pretty despite their long-lasting friendship.  Evan is sweet, kind, but a playboy and Luke is a late-blooming virgin in love with Evan, his best friend.  A lot of time was spent defining stereotypes which felt like a waste of page space since we're all pretty well aware of the myriad of stereotypes ascribed to gay men.  It didn't enhance the story or Luke's situation at all.  Why were they best friends?  Why are we just told that Evan did a lot of proving to Luke but we didn't get to see any of that at all when the main thing we know about Evan was that he willingly bedded a lot of women prior to the big revelation moment?  Without the actual evolution of their relationship the sweetness of the epilogue is lackluster and more like a gloss-over with an overview.  2 stars. 

Oakland, Alexa Land:

Rick and Ryan's first meeting was definitely less than stellar and first impressions are difficult to change.  At their second meeting, though, it doesn't take long for their situation to bring out the best and the damaged parts of them and both men end up yearning for more.  Their separation was predictable based on what we learn in a letter but it's the way Rick goes about seeking a reunion with Ryan that has me falling for him so hard.  Their reunion was cute and while it was an HFN it held so much promise.  3.5 stars.

Cape Town, Alison Hendricks:

This story had a really great start.  We really got to know both men very well right away which laid out their biggest individual vulnerabilities and insecurities.  It ended quite abruptly though.  With a vague mention of more but a sweet sense of hope to accompany it I can't say it was unsatisfying, but I can't say it was the best point to end on either.  The dual POV was nice but I might have been willing to sacrifice that for more of a story than a super nice first date with vague mentions of maybes and possiblys regarding career and romance.  Mitchell and Lucas had a ton of potential with such a great set-up that the story just seemed too short.  It was nice but I just wanted more.  3.5 stars.

Boston, Annabella Michaels:

Harry and Milo were surprisingly awesome.  I was immediately interested and then when they really meet for the first time I became enchanted.  The surprise was both in their abilities and warmth for one another and I couldn't get enough.  The ending felt natural for a segue between the end of their date and a hint toward their future.  I genuinely liked both men but more in a general sense that they were both very good men and almost made for one another.  I'd love to see this couple in a longer story.  3.5 stars.

Athens, Charlie Cochet:

Nico was an archaeologist lamenting his unknown nemesis only to find out that his nemesis could very well be his forever love.  Aedan is a thief pursuing something he's willing to let Nico do all the work to acquire and yet there's something that makes him second-guess his life's profession.  There was more a sense of yearning than actual conflict between these men and with all the sexual chemistry added to that it was difficult for me to sink deep into their story.  The resolution was nice, not a lot of a plan for the career move or repercussions of defiance, but the gesture toward a happy future together was a good one.  I liked that both men were changed by their encounter before they were reunited.  3 stars.

Denver, E. Davies:

Jaden and Henry were so real and honest.  I enjoyed the honesty and forthright nature of both men especially concerning Henry's revelation.  That questions and desires could be discussed and shared went a long way to making their relationship believable.  We really got to know both men well by the end, enough to know that they truly fit and complemented one another.  It was fantastic that there was no magic cure at the end, but that the progress was there and it felt organic and real.  4.5 stars.

Melbourne, Eden Finley:

The individual motivations in this story was quite different from the others we've read thus far and I have to say I really liked the direction it took.  The sniping between Marty and Luce was more amusing than grating and they were very sexy together.  Their dynamic was slightly unexpected and really hot.  Their story's "end" was very cute and had loads of potential.  4 stars.

San Francisco, Hailey Turner:

Right from the beginning I felt like I was there with them.  From a cute beginning to great characters to a nice ending that was very light-hearted and hopeful, I enjoyed reading this one.  The donuts meeting their doom was funny and the best part was the consumption the next morning.  Eliot's love of sweets and Bernard's love of rum give a quirky-cute vibe to both men that make them memorable.  3 stars.

"Cavities are an acceptable risk for deliciousness."

Scotland, K.M. Neuhold:

Maverick was much more of a free spirit than Tucker but both men seemed to genuinely fit together.  They were good characters that I truly liked.  Specifically, which character ended up making the life change felt natural and believable for their personalities and inner wants despite the practicalities.  Those were skipped in favor of story length giving us another HFN rather than an HEA, but it was their intimacy progression that felt the most fitting for the story.  It wasn't rushed and it was more subtle while still maintaining the spice.  3.5 stars.

Washington, Lucy Lennox:

I really, really liked these men.  Cam and Josh were amusing and caring, very warm right from the start.  Their sexual chemistry was there also but it felt more comfortable than incendiary.  They were awkward at times yet so honest and sweet.  Tender and flirty and all the things.  The ending was a good combination of sexy and sweet and with only three sentences we're shown how they tied together for now and forever.  4.5 stars.

New Orleans, Macy Blake:

Antonio and Paxton's beginning was quite awkward.  I almost cringed when Antonio shot off at the mouth, but the immediacy of the making-nice to apologize was really good.  My initial impressions of the men were that Antonio was shallow and arrogant but for his family while Paxton was a downer and pessimistic.  Those impressions quickly changed, though, and their interactions felt much more fluid and interesting.  While I'm not exactly sure how much I liked the cousin's visit I won't deny that it was pretty sweet and gave a sense of the family's inclusion of Paxton going a long way to making me believe that their romance would become pretty solid.  3 stars.

Toronto, Max Walker:

The drama here was much bigger than the story length could accommodate.  It felt contrived.  Between Brody's family tragedy and mascot trouble to the poaching it felt like there was way too much to resolve in such a short time.  Not enough attention was given to the couple.  Jordan and Brody's connection was definitely there but I didn't find the humor to be, well, humorous, and their interactions felt more awkward than anything.  The dinner scene was nice and while the setting was a bit more fantasy than I expected, it was trying to fit in all that crazy that made it less special than it could have been.  Aside from everyone and everything feeling like it was all trying too hard, there was potential there between Jordan and Brody that I would have liked more of.  2 stars.

Boston, May Archer:

An unfortunate first impression gives way to something more, something deeper, something neither Taika nor Ethan ever expected.  I kind of liked their awkward start because while their contention felt juvenile (age-wise) with their temperaments and reactions, it felt relatable.  Their back-and-forth was highly amusing, especially their ridiculously cute texting and their confessions were beyond adorable because they were so heartfelt coming from men who were pretty untried in the serious-relationship department.  Their dynamic for being together and making things work out was very right for the characters.  And that epilogue?  Cute and much appreciated.  4 stars.

Baltimore, Ruthie Luhnow:

I was slow to warm up to both Michael and Adam.  Michael never really grew true confidence outside of the sexy times.  It was as if Adam had the potential to bring it out in him, but I'm not convinced that it'll last and encourage Michael to want to make individual changes to grow as a person.  Adam seemed to tap into something softer and a small change that could lead to something more between them was there, the seed just needed germination.  By the end I was kind of on the fence about the two both individually and together, but they were still intriguing enough that I hoped they'd get everything they needed and would find a way to make a future between them work.  2.5 stars.

Atlanta, Sloane Kennedy:

I was a little apprehensive as to where this story was going when we first meet Ryan and Knox.  There was a little awkwardness but Knox endeared me to him straight away.  It's clear at the outset that there are some really big issues in both of their pasts that both align and could keep them apart.  There was a lot of healing, sweetness, and tenderness between the two men (and I'm always a sucker for a big, bad, tatted hottie that's a giant marshmallow inside).  The big reveal was all kinds of awkward despite the good intentions and I'm not sure if I liked how that all played out.  The sentiments and sentimentality was there from the instigator, it was just cringey-awkward as all get out.  The ending was sweet with a hope for more.  3 stars.

Oh...Canada, R.G. Alexander:
Martin and Luke find their first connection is definitely the type to last longer than Martin's business trip.  But it's also clear that lots of sex didn't cure his neuroses completely.  Luke's humorous take on the level of bluntness necessary to get through to Martin really saved both their romance as well as the written story.  I kind of liked the men, more Luke than Martin, but their final "scene" was where it brought their initial meeting and the entire anthology full-circle.  The guest-list additions were awkward at best; tossing a mention of other couples invited to the event last-minute despite not really being near them in location nor were they even formerly acquainted was more out of place than the author intended, I feel.  Overall the happiness was there even if we didn't really get a chance to see how they progressed outside of the overview we got as an explanation for why Martin extended his trip.  3 stars.

**I have to admit that I was generous with these star ratings most of the time because I felt it was my own dislike of an HFN ending rather than something that felt like a solid potential for an HEA that affected my feelings for the stories.  Once I realized all of them would be HFN's, despite being surprised by a couple epilogues, I tried to not be so upset by that.  Some stories caught me off guard with their lack of depth and ability to grasp and keep my attention because many of the authors are ones I enjoy.  So make of that what you will...Volume 1 was FAR better than volume 2.

*$4.99 on Amazon!

*All proceeds from the sale of Heart2Heart Vol. 2

are going to the authors' favorite charities

which include:

Trans Lifeline

Rainbow Railroad

The Ali Forney Center

Bond: Forbidden Desires Book 2, Piper Scott and Virginia Kelly

Harry witnessed something he shouldn't have and it's up to Everard Drake to rectify the situation.  But when he encounters an endlessly curious and quietly beautiful beta he can't seem to incinerate him on the spot.  What they grow between them goes beyond anything either expected and for Harry, it's a dream-come-true on so many levels.  Everard is given a task by his father and leader of their clan and with the help of Harry they're able to make progress on the mystery of mates and low numbers of clutches.  It's the magic and discovery between them that goes farther to solve that mystery and challenge each and every belief the dragons have had for millennia upon millennia and it will pave the way for the impossible.  The bond between them will come into question and if they can't embrace the changes or the possibility of a bond between an alpha and a beta all the progress and tender feelings between them may be lost.

Everard was endearing in Clutch with his cute pet names for everyone.  In his own story all his pet names for Harry are food-related and because he uses them all the time I have to say it gets a little distracting somewhere in the middle.  I love it in the beginning, am over it in the middle, and am both desensitized and back to thinking it's cute by the end.  I'm not exactly a huge fan of how his tolerance of Harry comes off as a bit dismissive, manipulative, and annoyed in the beginning, but as he realizes just how much Harry means to him the change is subtle and much deeper.  I really enjoy how he changes in this story and how much a talkative brainiac influences that change.

Speaking of that brainiac, Harry really is brilliant.  His constantly thinking mind flits from one thing to the next, always making connections, gleaning information, filling in blanks.  Because of this he's instrumental in pushing forward the dragons' genetic situation.  The quirks of that mind make him seem flighty and silly and while he is a bit of those things, he's much more than that.  The changes he goes through are in the realm of impossible and yet it's possible here.  His acceptance of it and assimilation of all it means is pretty astounding.  And the way he lays all the science down on the clan head?  Solid.

Both of the men together were really meant for one another.  I liked how the story played out and how much of the magic was emphasized here but also that science and genetics played a complementary role.  That it wasn't just all chalked up to the unknowable magic; the results and the history can be studied, answered, improved, and most importantly, it can evolve to correct old ways and beliefs to make way for a brilliant future.  One brother is having a little trouble with the new direction though, and I have a feeling we'll get a lot more angst in Geoffrey's story, Mate.

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Lost and Found: The Forgotten Book 2, Lexi Blake

Lexi's Lost Boys get another shot

at solving their personal mysteries,

and at love.

Coming February 26, 2019...

Owen Shaw and his “brothers” lost everything, their entire existence erased. Science had robbed he and all the Lost Boys of their memories and their past, but not their future. Hunted by every intelligence agency in the world, they are focused on two goals: find a cure for what was done to them and ensure that the technology that ruined their lives doesn’t get out into the world. Rebecca Walsh might be the key to achieving both. Owen has been studying her closely, living in her building, and he cannot resolve how such a beautiful, giving woman could have helped design the evil process that destroyed his past.

Dr. Rebecca Walsh has dedicated her life to researching the secrets of the mind. Her atmospheric rise in her field was fueled by the horror of watching her mother’s agonizing journey into madness at the hands of a disease with no cure. She vowed to never rest until she finds it. But obsession takes a heavy toll, and when Owen moves into her building she realizes how much of her life she has missed out on. Owen opens her eyes to a whole new world, filled with joy, laughter, and possibly love.

Owen and Rebecca grow closer, unraveling more about each other and the mysteries surrounding her connection to Hope McDonald. As the sinister forces working against the Lost Boys descend on Toronto, secrets long buried are uncovered that could shatter the bonds holding the Lost Boys together and cost Rebecca her life.

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Author Bio

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

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Level Up: #Gaymers Book 4, Annabeth Albert

Sweet, awkward, difficult, endearing.  Both Bailey and Landon are made for one another but their future will only happen if they can find it in themselves to take a risk, face their fear, and just be together.

Sometimes is as simple as that.  Other times it's not.  Landon has a heap of baggage keeping him from moving forward with Bailey.  Well, with anyone really.  When his assumptions about who Bailey is are proven false he's immediately on the defensive.  But it's not really because he's disappointed or upset, it's more because his body and head are now at war.  His baggage is what he has to battle to give in to the promise of love with a good man.

Bailey is eager to meet Landon.  In getting to know one another through emails he's more than just attracted to him.  Their first meeting is a bit of a struggle.  Posing nude for a calendar and realizing that the man you're crushing on was expecting a woman...not exactly a recipe for a successful relationship.  But if he's patient, he just might find the love of a lifetime.

They both have what the other person needs.  I loved Landon's bumbling apology and explanation of why he did what he did as well as why they could and should be together.  He used both geek-speak and heartfelt explanations to describe all the why's.  Seeing his heart laid bare after seeing just how amazing their chemistry is you can't not root for them.

The evolution of the relationship played out well in the length of the story with most of the exposition being adequately covered and were well-placed and concisely described.  Both men were likable and together they were both sweetly-awkward and passionate.  I loved that there wasn't a "magically cured" moment, it was a much more real, accessible, and believable story because of the lack of one.  This was a short story so there isn't a lot of drawn out angsting or reconciliation but it's no less moving than if it had had another 20,000 words or more.  Absolutely enjoyable.

$2.99 on Amazon!

Quick Reads and Quick Reviews 19

  

• Sapphire Embers: The Beginning of Dragons, Jadyn Chase
• From Bodyguard to Boyfriend, Wyatt Isaac
• Promise Me We'll Be Okay, Nell Iris

For being so short the author packed a lot of stuff in here.  Heartbreak, dragons, war, apocalyptic meteors, shifting, confusing clones, "save the species" mating, insta-love, angry townsfolk, dramatic sacrifice, and a kind of open ending...and that's not even everything.  I think there were too many elements to sufficiently do any of them justice.  The writing style is also not really my cup of tea.  It was far too flowery and surface-skimming rather than direct, moving, and the kind that delves deep enough to captivate you and keep your attention.  When it came to the long-lost-love aspect of the relationship it wasn't really believable.  There were quite a few things that you had to suspend reality for in the story but the relationship part shouldn't have been one of them.  It should have been the focus instead of feeling like an add-on to a complicated shifter/birth of dragons/post-apocalyptic world type of story.  I was quite underwhelmed and disappointed after being quite interested when I read the synopsis.  In fact, if you read the synopsis you pretty much read the condensed version of the story.  Needless to say, I was hoping for something a little more but got a little less.  2 stars.

Attracted from the start, Gabriel and Jensen dance around it and forge a tentative friendship while they get to know one another.  But one night in Honduras changes things for them.  As they learn to navigate their new dynamics it's their fear and uncertainty that will drive them apart if they don't admit to themselves and each other what really matters.  We're given a pretty good picture about each of these men right in the beginning.  Even up to their first time together we get a sense of why they would be good for one another.  From that point, though, things become a little muddy.  What we're led to believe is their main obstacle is given a token moment of consideration before determination that it's not what matters overwhelms it.  But then near the end it becomes the giant wedge between them and is addressed poorly.  Gabriel's other concerns were more natural and organic to their relationship drama and I feel that age was what was expected to be the problem even though it really wasn't.  There were also some awkward moments I came across that made me feel like I was missing something.  The dinner at Carly's house near the beginning felt out of place despite giving us the first moment of "contact" and hinting at something more than just a crush on a coworker.  Overall I felt the story lacked a read-through that could have caught the lack of fluidity in the relationship's progression before their falling out.  The ending, though, that was tender, sweet, and well thought out.  It made me want to forgive the other issues I came across.  And adding in the touching epilogue brought it up to where it should have been all the way through.  3 stars.

When the pressure of family and appearances becomes too much for Vincent he sheds what's causing him the most stress.  At least that's what he thinks he's doing when he leaves Jude.  He had no idea how wrong that decision would be until the only person he loved almost as much as Jude is taken from him.  With nothing left worth losing he finds the courage to knock on the door to his past, and hopefully his future.  Jude is doing his best to move on.  But being left is far different from doing the leaving.  Half of his heart is gone and he's reaching a point where he's going to break if he can't move forward and away from the devastation of Vincent leaving him behind.  And then a knock on his door one night changes everything.  If he can forgive, if Vincent can prove he's changed, they might stand a chance against their fears and insecurities and be able to build a future far better than they could have imagined.

Both men had their faults and they were each likable at their core.  I do wish there had been more groveling, more explanations.  What was there was sufficient but it also felt like it was lacking something, a punch of some kind.  And I'm not saying a physical altercation between the men.  There are quite a few moments where one or both of them put the explanations off.  Saying they needed to talk, they needed answers, and then not really getting back to it wasn't really satisfying.  And while the end was absolutely sweet, spontaneous, secret, and cute, it was a little bit of a shock.  With something in-between their reconciliation and the ending, some kind of settling, this could have been an even more enjoyable story.  As it was it was good but it could have been great with a little more detail, a little streamlining, and maybe a little more directed focus.  3 stars.