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lurker_stalker's review
3.0
Still keeping it at 3 stars after finishing the re-read of the published version.
netgyrl's review
5.0
5 Stars - slowest of slow burns
Review of the ENTIRE SERIES THRU BOOK 24 - Oct2022
Well, my friends, it's been quite the journey. When I started book one in August, little did I know my reading life was about to revolve solely around Jamie and Ryan (and their families and friends) for the next 14 weeks. Susan Meagher, for me, is the perfect sapphic romance writer. Her stories are compelling even when they are about ordinary people. Her characters are well-rounded with positive and negative traits and ultimately likable people you'd be blessed to have as friends. She also is not afraid to write a spicy scene or two. :)
TWENTY-FOUR BOOKS tell the story of 5 years in their lives and really it's 23 books for 2 years because the very last book jumps forward 3 years in the timeline.
In 24 books you really get to know these characters, and you become emotionally involved in all the ups and downs, joys, and drama. You are in their day-to-day lives and you might think, "OMG, how the h*ll do you keep the story interesting??" I don't know what to tell you but I read these books like eating popcorn. I finished one and just immediately wanted (and did) start the next one and they were (and I swear I kid you not) all 5-star reads for me. I KNOW!! I can't believe it either. It might be because the whole series reads like one giant story. Until the last book, there are no gaps between books. The other reason is the decision to make one of the main characters uber-rich. Having money be no object opens up a lot of plot and story choices that kept stuff interesting. She balances it out by making the other MC very frugal and the play between the two is fun to read through the whole book.
It actually took me a while to get into the last book because of the time jump. I was dragging my feet because some very major plot points just got dumped on me without getting to read it, but I can kinda understand why she did it. Because here is the miracle of all these 24 books - there are never any dark periods based on the normal tropes. The stories are interesting, the characters struggle and there is drama but it's all understandable and the characters really work at their relationships and issues. They talk, and they go to therapy. It's amazing! lol. But there was a black period on the horizon for one of the secondary couples and the 3-year jump lets the author "skip" over what would have been something really hard to read and lets us just get to experience the redemption arc. It was truly lovely to read and I did tear up a bit.
Anyway - I thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole series. I get the feeling there will be more books and I will read those too. Susan X Meagher is my kinda writer and I will be working my way through her extensive catalog of books. But I might just give a couple of other authors some of my time and money for a bit. Only seems fair.
Highly recommend.
Original Review - Aug2022
I have yet to meet a Susan X Meagher book I have not loved. This book is no exception. I am 99.99999% sure this series started as an uber Xena fanfic, but that's ok.
There are 24? books in the series so the author is taking her time telling the story. Like, you get their first real kiss at the end of book 1. They don't have sex until book 3. That is taking the time to let you get to know these characters and their families well. I, personally am enjoying the ride.
Meagher has such a way with her storytelling that I am not finding myself bored at all (yet) and have just picked up the next book right away (now on book 4). I might have to take a bit of a break because she is not a KU author, so it's getting a bit pricey.
If you are looking to sink your teeth into a grand epic love story with great characters and follow them on their journey full of ups and downs (I know there are going to be some downs and I am NOT looking forward to it) then I can highly recommend this series (so far).
side note: this story takes place in and around San Francisco in the early 2000 and reading about the AIDS Ride and SF Pride is such a freaking blast to the past for me as I can recall all the sets she is calling out: The Castro, Dykes on Bikes, The Lesbian March the day before pride, the dive bars and one-night lesbian ladies DJ dance nights. It's been fun reminiscing.
Review of the ENTIRE SERIES THRU BOOK 24 - Oct2022
Well, my friends, it's been quite the journey. When I started book one in August, little did I know my reading life was about to revolve solely around Jamie and Ryan (and their families and friends) for the next 14 weeks. Susan Meagher, for me, is the perfect sapphic romance writer. Her stories are compelling even when they are about ordinary people. Her characters are well-rounded with positive and negative traits and ultimately likable people you'd be blessed to have as friends. She also is not afraid to write a spicy scene or two. :)
TWENTY-FOUR BOOKS tell the story of 5 years in their lives and really it's 23 books for 2 years because the very last book jumps forward 3 years in the timeline.
In 24 books you really get to know these characters, and you become emotionally involved in all the ups and downs, joys, and drama. You are in their day-to-day lives and you might think, "OMG, how the h*ll do you keep the story interesting??" I don't know what to tell you but I read these books like eating popcorn. I finished one and just immediately wanted (and did) start the next one and they were (and I swear I kid you not) all 5-star reads for me. I KNOW!! I can't believe it either. It might be because the whole series reads like one giant story. Until the last book, there are no gaps between books. The other reason is the decision to make one of the main characters uber-rich. Having money be no object opens up a lot of plot and story choices that kept stuff interesting. She balances it out by making the other MC very frugal and the play between the two is fun to read through the whole book.
It actually took me a while to get into the last book because of the time jump. I was dragging my feet because some very major plot points just got dumped on me without getting to read it, but I can kinda understand why she did it. Because here is the miracle of all these 24 books - there are never any dark periods based on the normal tropes. The stories are interesting, the characters struggle and there is drama but it's all understandable and the characters really work at their relationships and issues. They talk, and they go to therapy. It's amazing! lol. But there was a black period on the horizon for one of the secondary couples and the 3-year jump lets the author "skip" over what would have been something really hard to read and lets us just get to experience the redemption arc. It was truly lovely to read and I did tear up a bit.
Anyway - I thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole series. I get the feeling there will be more books and I will read those too. Susan X Meagher is my kinda writer and I will be working my way through her extensive catalog of books. But I might just give a couple of other authors some of my time and money for a bit. Only seems fair.
Highly recommend.
Original Review - Aug2022
I have yet to meet a Susan X Meagher book I have not loved. This book is no exception. I am 99.99999% sure this series started as an uber Xena fanfic, but that's ok.
There are 24? books in the series so the author is taking her time telling the story. Like, you get their first real kiss at the end of book 1. They don't have sex until book 3. That is taking the time to let you get to know these characters and their families well. I, personally am enjoying the ride.
Meagher has such a way with her storytelling that I am not finding myself bored at all (yet) and have just picked up the next book right away (now on book 4). I might have to take a bit of a break because she is not a KU author, so it's getting a bit pricey.
If you are looking to sink your teeth into a grand epic love story with great characters and follow them on their journey full of ups and downs (I know there are going to be some downs and I am NOT looking forward to it) then I can highly recommend this series (so far).
side note: this story takes place in and around San Francisco in the early 2000 and reading about the AIDS Ride and SF Pride is such a freaking blast to the past for me as I can recall all the sets she is calling out: The Castro, Dykes on Bikes, The Lesbian March the day before pride, the dive bars and one-night lesbian ladies DJ dance nights. It's been fun reminiscing.
ralexa's review
3.0
It is a nice romantic novel. The building friendship between Jamie and Ryan really amazed me. But I didn't like the way they decided to be together. I guess it was more of a Jamie's POV, so I didn't really understand what Ryan was feeling.
It also is a frustratingly long book with A LOT of unnesessary details. I kept reading just because I convinced myself that it would be worth it eventually. But I really didn't like the end, unfortunatelly. However, I can't just stop, I need to know how they develop their love. So, I hope the second book will be better.
Spoiler
It surprized me that she so easily forgave Jamie after what she suggested at the end of the book about to have sex to know what she feels. I get that Jamie was confused, but really! If Ryan loves her so much how can she just forget the whole thing so soon. I just don't get it.It also is a frustratingly long book with A LOT of unnesessary details. I kept reading just because I convinced myself that it would be worth it eventually. But I really didn't like the end, unfortunatelly. However, I can't just stop, I need to know how they develop their love. So, I hope the second book will be better.
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