3.5 Stars - Play it again, Charlie...


The second book in the series and I can pretty much insert my review of the first story here.

Again, the blurb really drew me in. I'm a sucker for reunited lovers and the accompanying conflicts. Don't know why, but that trope gets to me every time. It was the same here. Axel and Caxton were caught making out in a religious summer camp six years ago, and never had any contact after that. Six years later Axel is looking for a fresh start, with a glimpse of his past giving him the nudge he needs to decide on his new job. So, after all this time, when the two men meet again, sparks fly. Accompanied by guilt, hurt and a lot of other feelings.

Like the first one, this book was solid. The writing was good, the characters likable, the plot not your everyday blah blah. I enjoyed it, and yet... It comes back to the potential again.

The ideas were good, the steam was great, but overall I found the story to be somewhat lacking. Deep conflicts - on the inside and outside - were simplified to a point where I was shaking my head instead of feeling for the MCs. Cax "transformation" came too fast for me. I would have liked to see a little more of his actual change instead of just the results. The bashing of Axel, the family and friends, the father, the coming out - it all had potential, but in the end, the execution left me with too many open questions, plot holes and loose ends. Also, some of the justifications and explanations of Cax actions over the years, and the "investigation" following the assault on Axel were too weak for me, and some even downright insane.

Overall, at the risk of repeating myself too much, all I can say is that I was hoping for a little more, and could not shake the tiny sense of vague disappointment after finishing the story. It was good, but I didn't fall for it like many other readers did.

Sweet, good on the sports facts, but otherwise kind of... forgettable. Literally. I completely forgot I read this already while looking at in the kindly store. It took me another review to realize which story it was and when I read it.

So, yeah. Nice, and after reading about the characters again, I rembered the story. But the fact that I forgot the MCs and their story in the first place? Not impressing. So, that would be 2 stars. Okay, but nothing more.

Well, this one covered a lot of complex issues in just a few pages.


Chris, a young and promising athlete, needs a scholarship in order to not leave college with a debt as high as Mount Everest. But a sports scholarship and coming out just doesn't seem to go together, no matter how much you're wishing for a loophole. Add the pressure of a man-ly man as a father and the guy you're in love with (and just can't shove back in the closet as if it's nothing),and Chris has more than one full plate to deal with.

And shit happens. And everything comes to a head. And we get to watch it all.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Chris' desperation on so many levels - career, money, love - felt real and understandable to me. Matt was a sweatheart, he tried so hard to do the right thing again and again without losing himself. Watching these two struggling through real life problems of new adults was heart-breakingly real. Plus, the whole story line with Chris' parents was a great illustration of the power of words & the power parents' actions and casual remarks have over their children and their inner strenght or strife.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and was very happy with the way things worked out. It definitely got me interested in reading the next Saugatuck story.

Aaaand the final one in my Personal bundle.

I'm glad to say: This one was a lot better than the other two. I actually really enjoyed this. Huge part of it, was of course, Ed. I adore this guy! He made me laugh, he broke my heart and he made it all better.

Because, I have to be honest, KC Wells' writing just doesn't do it for me. Even though I did feel better about this one, in the grand scheme of things, her style doesn't really speak to me. It's more the little things now, instead of basically everything in the books prior, but there is still a lot of telling going on. A lot of conversations and thoughts that felt artificial and forced to me. But I really liked the characters here. Ed was my favorite guy so far, with Colin coming in a close second. But Ed was the star. I liked how he had to work hard to open himself up for Colin and the possiblity of being with a man. The little misunderstandings weren't terribly original, but at least these guys were able to open their mouths and TALK.

So, yeah. Writing still not my cup of tea. But the rest of it was pretty good.

3 happy-and-farewell stars from me.