As Spring gives way to the heat of Summer, Sidney Wilks and Grady Nash settle into their new lives in a Chicago suburb.
Trying to fit in to his new surroundings, Nash becomes friends with his co-workers at the garage. The only hitch is he has to go back into the closet he’d finally escaped. With Sidney working long hours, Nash doesn’t feel the need to expose his relationship to guys who wouldn’t understand. The dual-life leads to misunderstandings and hurt feelings, forcing Nash to make a life changing decisions.
With Nash battling to find a purpose away from the ranch he loved, Sidney’s busy enduring long hours in an office he hates. With his prize-winning building completed, Sidney’s creativity is put to use designing buildings that don’t inspire him. When an opportunity to design the building of his dreams presents itself, Sidney’s loyalties are put to the ultimate test. Will he reach for his dream and uproot Nash from a life he’s finally settling into, or will he sacrifice his personal goals for the good of the man he loves?
Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series as all four stories follow the lives of Sidney and Grady.
Book two!!! OMG how can this series get any better than book one?! I am now waiting for book three! I need to know more about Luke and Butch! Butch is such an interesting character, his past is going to be hard to overcome. I can't wait!
I loved that this story was still Nash and Sidney story. I loved that they had issues moving to the city. I wanted to see that and wanted them to create a place where both men fit in. LOVED IT!!
Days like this, I wish I were Carol Lynne's beta, so I could read ahead. Somehow, that still doesn't sound like enough.
I love this series and this second book even more than the first. I hadn't read the synopsis so I had no idea Sidney and Nash were the MC's again - thought it was like other series' of Carol's - but I was overjoyed that was the case.
There was a realistic vibe to this book and the relationship between Sidney and Nash was so much more grown-up. They dealt with real-life problems like adults, no one moving out or threatening to break-up or acting like a child (mostly), and they problem-solved and dealt with their issues in familiar real-life ways.
I admit I have a real soft spot for Nash - maybe it's his age, maybe it's his forever loyalty to Sidney, maybe it's his calm and reflection. In this book I gained more respect for him as well because he allowed some of his flaws to show and screwed up just like a normal man might.
Sidney is just a sweetheart and he jumps right off the page for me - his smile and overwhelming excitement. I love that he is so loyal to the Ballentines and they to him even after the tragedy that could have ripped them from each other. I also love it when he tops Nash. ;P
Since Luke has now moved to town and Butch is sniffing around him, I wonder if the next book will be about them or continue the story of my add-to-favorite-list couple. Either way, I can't wait.
Wow there is much going on in the lives of Nash and Sidney. They are now living in Chicago and attempting to make a life for themselves away from their ranch in Kansas. But all is not well and Nash needs a cowboy boot to his thick head in order to see thats he's hurting Sidney with some of his choices. Josh is still having some major issues and his life is in constant flux but Luke is making tremendous progress. Can't wait to read Fall and Winter. This series is a wonderful surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Loved the second book. So far the series is great! BUT I will be really upset if something bad happens to Nash in the 3rd book! I'm already fretting over the excerpt!
The saga of Sidney and Nash continues in the second installment of Seasons of Love, entitled 'Summer' by Carol Lynne. The couple faces more challenges which can either make or break them; but they are soul mates and totally dedicated to each other, assured that whatever the issue, they will solve it together. Now that they have found a way to forge a life together, they need to work on their relationship in a different way and are constantly reminded that being partners means more than being in love and having great sex. It's a lot of hard work, particularly in trusting each other and keeping the line of communication between them open.
In this sequel, we see more of Sidney's inner strength and how it allows him to overcome any obstacle put in his way. The prejudice of the outside world invades his self confidence. He finally achieves his dream of planning buildings, but not having the respect of his coworkers and not receiving credit for his creativity definitely takes the joy out of it. He's kind hearted, generous and forgiving. Sometimes he tries too hard to be understanding and ends up getting hurt, but that's part of the process of developing a lasting relationship.
Nash continues to be the stabilizing force in Sidney's life, the person he can always come to and feel loved, accepted and secure. Although he doesn't regret it, Nash is completely out of his element in the city. He struggles with what others think so he hides his relationship with Sidney in order to have the companionship of the men he works with. This bothers Nash because he knows that Sidney is his world and should always come first, but he gives in to peer pressure in order to be accepted in a new place. Sometimes Sidney and Nash are too protective of each other which causes misunderstandings. When they aren't honest with each other, it backfires every time. They both end up feeling inadequate in one way or another; instead of supporting each other and letting each man make his own mistakes and find his own solutions, they end up feeling as if the other has taken away an opportunity to show their capabilities, therefore making the relationship weaker rather than stronger.
Carol has done a superb job showing how life in for Sidney and Nash in the summer of their love. The bottom line for these two admirable men is that whatever befalls them, they have the intrinsic knowledge that they will remain together and work it out. Although this story could be read alone, it would be like standing across the street reading it; you would be missing a lot of the details which make the story richer. I'd strongly advise reading both 'Spring' and 'Summer' together for the ultimate reading experience. Thanks Carol for this wonderful, heartwarming story. I'm looking forward to reading more about Sidney and Nash in the next installments.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
It’s easy to fall in love, not so easy to make love work under the constant pressures of real, daily life. Summer picks up the lives of Sidney and Nash when they are trying to fit into their lives in Chicago. Each is having their own trouble adjusting and also coping with being a gay man in society. Sidney has a particularly hard time dealing with anti-gay prejudice in his chosen profession.
Again, depth of characterization makes this story stand out. Nash is so easy to love, he is so caring and understanding of the younger and more temperamental Sidney. Yet Nash is still very masculine and clearly an alpha. He needs space of his own to decompress yet inwardly craves intimacy. Sidney can be difficult but he is so warm hearted and open in his way of dealing with life, he’s easy to sympathize with as a character.
The sex has complex emotional depth yet still has that aspect of uncertainty and a feeling of high stakes, just as one would expect of a relationship of this length. The sexual scenes are well tied into the overall conflict between the two heroes. There are some aspects of rough sex and this story might not be for the faint hearted. I like the more raw aspects of their love; it makes this seem believable as the story between two complex and willful men. It shows their struggle to negotiate often-differing needs in an ongoing, developing relationship. This is the side of love so often neglected in love stories and it is a very refreshing story because of it.
This is a not-to-be-missed series and I am eagerly awaiting the release of the next book.
This is the second book in the four book Season’s of Love series. In this book we see that Nash and Sidney are committed to each other yet still hitting some rocky spots in their relationship.
I thought the issues and difficulties they faced were very realistic. I appreciate that they did not have a perfect relationship and that they made some very human mistakes. While certainly not perfect, they are deeply in love and their developing romance was beautiful to see. The emotions were stronger in this story compared to the first because there was more to lose if things fell apart for them. Their physical relationship is rough and hot and the sex scenes were great.
I also enjoyed the development of the secondary characters. Josh’s struggles were heartbreaking as much as Luke’s were inspiring. I was so happy that Nash found a friend in Butch. I was also glad Sidney found his own confidant in Bobbi.
These characters are definitely finding a place in my heart and I look forward to the rest of the series.
I really liked this second part of the Seasons of Love-storyline. So far I've enjoyed the way Carol Lynne is telling it with the time jumps.
In some ways I enjoyed this book more than the first one, though once again it was very short and I wanted more of certain characters or storylines, or just plain MORE.
I don't know. I'm assuming there are four books to this story, and my question is, why not make them one long book? Even make the novel's structure be four parts, but just...make the story whole before releasing it?
This way of reading is a bit annoying and takes away from the experience, I'm afraid, despite it being a really good story and certainly one of Carol Lynne's best otherwise.
Grady has moved to Chicago. Committed to being with Sydney, Grady has moved from the ranch he loves. There are rough spots, again because they don't communicate when needed, but neither wants to disappoint the other.
It's refreshing to read about aspects of this relationship that are not revolving around their just being gay. Nash spending so much time with his buddies at the bar. Syndney working long hours and leaving Nash alone too often. Friends problems impinging on the relationship. Their relationship is so much more than just that they are gay... it's about the fact that they are just human.
Nash and Sidney have left the ranch and are now living in Chicago. This story chronicles their struggles at work, and their battle to find balance in their relationship.
Honestly, not much happens here...but if you enjoyed Spring like I did, then you will enjoy catching up with the guys.
The continuation of Nash and Sidney's relationship. These two continue to grow together even with all the struggles that they go through. While in the city is hard on Nash, it isn't easy for Sidney either. Sidney isn't making friends and is being harassed at his job site. Nash is back in the closet at work and with his friends. The two are learning how to make their lives and relationships mesh. I am enjoying watching as this relationship undergoes all it's trials and growing pains.
No, there isn't some intense plot or mystery to solve, this book is purely about living day to day. I really loved seeing what life outside the ranch would be like for Sidney and especially Nash. This book takes us through the difficulties of life, love, family and friends...all shown through small snapshots in time. This style might not appeal to everyone, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.
So much excitement going on with these to sexy guys its unreal. They now live in Chicago and I was truly worried about Nash in the beginning but he seems to have adjusted okay after a few rocky asshat moments. Sidney is still a wonderfully loving character and their sex lives are just as steamy as ever. And holy hell who doesn't love themselves some Luke and Butch? And what the fuck is up with Josh?
A nice continuation to Sidney and Nash. A good strong start, but kinda lost momentum later on. As much as I'm enjoying Nash and Sidney, I'm not sure this lay out is working for me. Too many side characters are in play but with no real depth. Josh and Luke come and go but its more like padding out the story. For me I'd prefer them to get their own full story, instead of being told in dribs and drabs mixed in with Nash and Sidney's.
Ms. Lynne gives us just enough information to build hope for everyone reaching an HEA by the end of the series, and I am totally hooked. Will Nash and Sidney cool off in Fall? Oh, Ms. Lynne! Please say it’s not so! I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
Another great read! It was nice to see how Sidney and Nash adjust to their new life in Chicago and how they work through all their struggles and come out it even stronger. This one even made me cry at one time! I really enjoyed it. Already started on the next one!
Great storyline full of twists and turns and we got to see some new characters I really liked and I hope they will reappear in the next part of Nash´s and Sidney´s story.
I enjoyed reading the next chapter in Sidney and Nash's story. They've moved to the big city, started new jobs and are learning to negotiate the ups and downs of a relationship.