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katmoreid's review
4.0
I don't know that I was in the best mental space to read this book but I read it anyway. The beginning was a bit confusing, I wasn't sure what was happening. Henley is hiding from life and going through the motions. He's got no life in him. The so-called relationship he has with Gabriel goes along with the life he's living. Gabriel is a d*ck, a user, and as small a role as he has in the story, I really did hate him.
The kidnapping was where the story picked up for me. It sparked life into Henley. Surviving that, he stopped just existing and began living. The kidnapping scarred him and he's messed up but he also is driven to start DOING something with his life. Henley isn't going along with what others what anymore, he's living his own life. He grew some balls! Yes!
Mason is his own set of messed up. Lots of guilt and shame, pride mixed in there too. He has been hiding from his baggage for a long time, the kidnapping just added to it.
Henley and Mason's romance is a little too instalove for this storyline. Don't get me wrong, I adore instalove and I can understand how they could have intense feelings but I wish they had a little more time before the "I love you's" came out. This may be clouded by the fact that I kept thinking about both of them probably needing therapy, instead of just toughing it out/going their own way. Maybe that is another reason they fell so fast? I don't know. Despite the quick fall, I love them together. They are a great couple, they push each other in a good way. They are caring and supportive.
The dogs were great additions to the story. No one loves like a dog. I cried. It wasn't unexpected but anyone who has lost a beloved dog knows the grief of it. Even the old must be grieved for the love and joy they've given.
As much as I questioned why they didn't get therapy of some sort, Mason and Henley did work out their personal issues their own way, in their own time. They learned what they needed to learn, maybe how they needed to.
My mind space got me stuck on some things but I did enjoy this story. Henley (the alive, non-pushover one) and Mason are great characters. Both are lovable but flawed. Strong but vulnerable. Uncle Teddy was a great side character with a believable, yet tragic side story. Two big, strong, beautiful, black dogs. This is a story of surviving, of living, of loving, of changing, of grief, and of remembering.
The kidnapping was where the story picked up for me. It sparked life into Henley. Surviving that, he stopped just existing and began living. The kidnapping scarred him and he's messed up but he also is driven to start DOING something with his life. Henley isn't going along with what others what anymore, he's living his own life. He grew some balls! Yes!
Mason is his own set of messed up. Lots of guilt and shame, pride mixed in there too. He has been hiding from his baggage for a long time, the kidnapping just added to it.
Henley and Mason's romance is a little too instalove for this storyline. Don't get me wrong, I adore instalove and I can understand how they could have intense feelings but I wish they had a little more time before the "I love you's" came out. This may be clouded by the fact that I kept thinking about both of them probably needing therapy, instead of just toughing it out/going their own way. Maybe that is another reason they fell so fast? I don't know. Despite the quick fall, I love them together. They are a great couple, they push each other in a good way. They are caring and supportive.
The dogs were great additions to the story. No one loves like a dog. I cried. It wasn't unexpected but anyone who has lost a beloved dog knows the grief of it. Even the old must be grieved for the love and joy they've given.
As much as I questioned why they didn't get therapy of some sort, Mason and Henley did work out their personal issues their own way, in their own time. They learned what they needed to learn, maybe how they needed to.
My mind space got me stuck on some things but I did enjoy this story. Henley (the alive, non-pushover one) and Mason are great characters. Both are lovable but flawed. Strong but vulnerable. Uncle Teddy was a great side character with a believable, yet tragic side story. Two big, strong, beautiful, black dogs. This is a story of surviving, of living, of loving, of changing, of grief, and of remembering.
suze_1624's review
3.0
A hurt/comfort read that read Ok but I felt at times that the background between the two was skipped a bit.
Henley’s kidnapping is quite emotive and you do get a feel for the panic he is in, and the instability of the kidnappers.
Then we jump forward a bit, as Henley tries to come to terms and seeks out Mason. Here Henley becomes the stronger as Mason battles old demons.
Henley’s kidnapping is quite emotive and you do get a feel for the panic he is in, and the instability of the kidnappers.
Then we jump forward a bit, as Henley tries to come to terms and seeks out Mason. Here Henley becomes the stronger as Mason battles old demons.
regencyfan93's review
4.0
Mel can write a death scene. I cried!
There were places that needed editing. But not enough to stoo me from reading.
I won this book in a giveaway on Book Reviews and More by Kathy. Thank you Kathy!
There were places that needed editing. But not enough to stoo me from reading.
I won this book in a giveaway on Book Reviews and More by Kathy. Thank you Kathy!
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