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Full Circle
It may be better to have loved and lost, twice, than never loved at all, but it sure as hell gets lonely. Jamison Severs is sitting in a bar contemplating his past as a failed lover, failed doctor, failed drunkard, and a fading old man, trying to find a reason not to lift that glass. Then a beautiful blond boy walks in the door, bringing reminders of Jamie’s past with him. Meeting the son of Jamie’s former lover, Toller, brings back the good old days, and the bad. And maybe it’s finally time for Jamie to come to terms with all the things that brought him and Toller together, and the things that broke them apart.
81 pages, ebook
First published September 14, 2011
1 person is currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Kaje Harper
91 books2,727 followersI get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 19, 2013
4 bittersweet stars.****Review posted July 19, 2013
I closed the book with mixed feelings. It's a beautiful little read but it made me a tiny bit sad. My review is going to be short and sweet.
Chicago, present day
Jamison Seavers, close to sixty, is in a bar nursing his Coke when a very young man addresses him. It's Heath Grange, the adopted son of Toller Grange. Toller is Jamison's former protégée and lover, and they parted ways ages ago when Toller had to start college and became a Now Heath is here to hear his father's "story" because they've had an argument over his choice of academic study and in the heat of the moment Heath's dad told him that Jamison knew everything about him.
"You have two dads?"
"Sure. Toller and Tris. Dad is gay." The boy's smooth forehead wrinkled perplexedly. "You know that. You are Jamie?"
"Guess so." Better, that was a least better. "I just figured there was a woman in there somewhere. I did study biology once."
****
Jamison didn't want to hit on Toller. On top of that he wasn't even sure if Toller was gay…
"What do you think of those two?" I asked, about to comment on the size double-Es.
"Way too much muscle," Toller said. "I don't like guys who look so top-heavy they might tip over. Although the little jazz beard was cute."
"The blonde was kind of pretty," I said mildly.
"I guess. I didn't really notice."
I grinned to myself and put that worry away. My boy was gay, all right.
Full Circle tells us the story how Jamison met Toller. Both of them had their own demons to deal with and 'healed' each other during a timespan of 300 days. The author did a very good job adding depth to the plot as well as the characters within fifty-five pages. Written very solidly, this little emotional and heartwarming read provides a bittersweet ending. Reading the blurb reveals a lot, and yet I wasn't prepared for the impact the book had on me. Somehow I didn't expect to feel sad
Let's make good memories because they will tide us over when things aren't that great and we will always remember. It's a precious gift.
Recommended read.
P.S.
The name Seavers seems to be misspelled in the blurb (Severs). I did a check, and Seavers has been mentioned four times in the book.
I closed the book with mixed feelings. It's a beautiful little read but it made me a tiny bit sad. My review is going to be short and sweet.
Chicago, present day
Jamison Seavers, close to sixty, is in a bar nursing his Coke when a very young man addresses him. It's Heath Grange, the adopted son of Toller Grange. Toller is Jamison's former protégée and lover, and they parted ways ages ago when Toller had to start college and became a Now Heath is here to hear his father's "story" because they've had an argument over his choice of academic study and in the heat of the moment Heath's dad told him that Jamison knew everything about him.
"You have two dads?"
"Sure. Toller and Tris. Dad is gay." The boy's smooth forehead wrinkled perplexedly. "You know that. You are Jamie?"
"Guess so." Better, that was a least better. "I just figured there was a woman in there somewhere. I did study biology once."
****
Jamison didn't want to hit on Toller. On top of that he wasn't even sure if Toller was gay…
"What do you think of those two?" I asked, about to comment on the size double-Es.
"Way too much muscle," Toller said. "I don't like guys who look so top-heavy they might tip over. Although the little jazz beard was cute."
"The blonde was kind of pretty," I said mildly.
"I guess. I didn't really notice."
I grinned to myself and put that worry away. My boy was gay, all right.
Full Circle tells us the story how Jamison met Toller. Both of them had their own demons to deal with and 'healed' each other during a timespan of 300 days. The author did a very good job adding depth to the plot as well as the characters within fifty-five pages. Written very solidly, this little emotional and heartwarming read provides a bittersweet ending. Reading the blurb reveals a lot, and yet I wasn't prepared for the impact the book had on me. Somehow I didn't expect to feel sad
Let's make good memories because they will tide us over when things aren't that great and we will always remember. It's a precious gift.
Recommended read.
P.S.
The name Seavers seems to be misspelled in the blurb (Severs). I did a check, and Seavers has been mentioned four times in the book.
May 26, 2019
5 all the stars!
Who says you need a bunch of pages to get the feel of a story well, Kaje Harper says you don’t. This book may have been less than 100 pages but it was utterly beautiful and so freaking emotional. Jamison, this wonderful man, what he did? What he sacrificed? Dam. I loved the realness of this story. This author has such a way of conveying her words and making you feel them all the way to your bones. I was thinking of giving this book 4 stars but when Jamison and Toller talked that’s when I really understood the full meaning of full circle. Beautiful, real, heartbreaking and bittersweet those are the words I would use to describe this book. Well done Kaje Harper.
PS. This is only the second time I’ve ever given 5 stars to a novella, but this is how much I loved it. ♥️
Who says you need a bunch of pages to get the feel of a story well, Kaje Harper says you don’t. This book may have been less than 100 pages but it was utterly beautiful and so freaking emotional. Jamison, this wonderful man, what he did? What he sacrificed? Dam. I loved the realness of this story. This author has such a way of conveying her words and making you feel them all the way to your bones. I was thinking of giving this book 4 stars but when Jamison and Toller talked that’s when I really understood the full meaning of full circle. Beautiful, real, heartbreaking and bittersweet those are the words I would use to describe this book. Well done Kaje Harper.
PS. This is only the second time I’ve ever given 5 stars to a novella, but this is how much I loved it. ♥️
December 5, 2014
My first Kaje Harper read and she knocked my socks right off!!!
Wow this book was beautiful. It is true what other reviewers say, this is NOT a romance. This is a story about love, loss, and overcoming all of the awful, terrible $hit that life throws your way.
At only 55 pages, this book packs an emotional punch. I was crying by the end with an ugly, crinkle-face. And even though I hate reading about , this book was so powerful that I'm glad that I didn't pass it up. Kaje, girl, you can write!! Though this book was incredibly bittersweet, I left it feeling happy and sad and hopeful and just... so full of emotion. It elicited that kind of overwhelming response from me. Just a great, great read.
Wow this book was beautiful. It is true what other reviewers say, this is NOT a romance. This is a story about love, loss, and overcoming all of the awful, terrible $hit that life throws your way.
At only 55 pages, this book packs an emotional punch. I was crying by the end with an ugly, crinkle-face. And even though I hate reading about , this book was so powerful that I'm glad that I didn't pass it up. Kaje, girl, you can write!! Though this book was incredibly bittersweet, I left it feeling happy and sad and hopeful and just... so full of emotion. It elicited that kind of overwhelming response from me. Just a great, great read.
May 21, 2019
55 pages packed with feelings.
Moving. Captivating.
That aura of longing and yearning so hard to capture in a story, sprinkled with a little dose of melancholia and sorrow.
It always gets to me.
All done in 55 magical pages.
June 1, 2019
So here's what happened. Approximately 35 hours ago, I read a review for this book and it spoke to me. I wanted to read the story right-the-fuck now. Then. Whatever.
I went and looked, and $3.99 for 55 pages? Hello? So ok, I'll wait for a sale. And then, because this woman is a gem among gems, a nifty little Smashwords gift was waiting for me when I woke up the next morning. Which was this morning. Cue sniffles of gratitude.
And then tonight, at 2am because this is my cross to bear, I decided to crack it open. Flash forward to now (an hour and a half later), and I'm a puddle of emotions and I FLEW PAST "SNIFFLES" A DOZEN TISSUES AGO and Annery, I have such a bone to pick with you. You and Jan both. Your faults. 😭
Sleep deprivation and emotional drainage plus puffy eyes do not make for the best reviews, so just go read Annery's. It's perfect and it's the one that made me go down this path anyway.
I went and looked, and $3.99 for 55 pages? Hello? So ok, I'll wait for a sale. And then, because this woman is a gem among gems, a nifty little Smashwords gift was waiting for me when I woke up the next morning. Which was this morning. Cue sniffles of gratitude.
And then tonight, at 2am because this is my cross to bear, I decided to crack it open. Flash forward to now (an hour and a half later), and I'm a puddle of emotions and I FLEW PAST "SNIFFLES" A DOZEN TISSUES AGO and Annery, I have such a bone to pick with you. You and Jan both. Your faults. 😭
Sleep deprivation and emotional drainage plus puffy eyes do not make for the best reviews, so just go read Annery's. It's perfect and it's the one that made me go down this path anyway.
April 28, 2013
4.5 Stars
WOW. I didn’t have this one on my radar. What a pleasant surprise!
Full Circle is a poignant, beautiful story…a story about hurt, loss, healing…and mostly, about love.
Jamie was a broken man rescued from his own grief and self-destruction by a young Toller who he saves off the streets, battling his own demons and abuse. They grow to care about each other and both start on the road to healing. 23 years later, we get to hear their tale…
An amazing story told in <100 pages. Tears shed…this will stick with me for some time, I'm certain.
Not your traditional HEA, but one nonetheless...in it's own way...
If you're curious, but uncertain about what I mean, read the author's own comments about the book...she says it best: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Read
September 19, 2011I thought it might be helpful to prospective readers for me to put a note out here saying that this is not really a romance short in the classic sense. There is romance here and sex and pain and love and even a happy ending. But this is not a story about two men who find each other forever. If you need a HEA, don't read this one. If you like a bittersweet story about the different ways love can work itself out, then give Full Circle a try.
September 15, 2012
BEAUTIFUL! This is not a romance, it is a LOVE story. It's short, but every word holds meaning. I was overjoyed for Toller, but when I read what Jamie had done with his life, it took the breath right out of me, and that's when the full impact of the story hit me. The book's title promises and delivers...two lives that come full circle!
May 18, 2019
... and this is how you do it ...
After my last read I needed to wash the sour taste from my mouth. I remembered I had this, had listened to the AB, but forgot to post, and decided to go back and make sure that my prior enjoyment was still warranted. It was. The AB by Holden Madagame is ... okay, however Kaje Harper's depiction of two broken men, how they heal each other, and where their lives end up is almost masterful in the telling. This isn't a romance, with a HEA or even a HFN, for the MCs, but it is a love story, with loss, and triumph of spirit along the way. And there is happiness for them, just not in the traditional romance way.
The story is short but it packs an emotional punch that many 700 page tomes should envy. Toller and Jamie meet at a point in their lives where they're both on a, perhaps irreparable, downward spiral, but somehow manage to rescue each each other instead. There isn't a false note or deus ex machina thrown in to solve anything. The characters fight for every step they gain and past traumas aren't brushed under the rug or solved by wishful thinking or Magic D.
I loved it. These characters were alive to me and will definitely linger.
December 2, 2019
When part of what sells you as a recommendation is "enjoy the ending through your tears".. well, hi, I'm here. And hi, I did do.
This was such an unexpected (despite the warning) little book. The emotions did get me, kind of crept up on me, near the end, but for the most part this was mostly enjoyable because of how very different it was. It was a snapshot of life, of love, and loss, and two very different people bouncing back from two very different circumstances and finding the strength to heal. And move on.
I love this for how unique it is, the interesting way it began, and yeah, I got quite in my feels. I'll admit the middle was mostly just good, not great, but definitely served a purpose in the grand scheme of things. This is definitely an author I want to read more of but dear god the covers will be the death of my reader tastebuds. Yuck. But we shall persevere.
Thank you to Moons for pushing this on me!
3.5 stars
This was such an unexpected (despite the warning) little book. The emotions did get me, kind of crept up on me, near the end, but for the most part this was mostly enjoyable because of how very different it was. It was a snapshot of life, of love, and loss, and two very different people bouncing back from two very different circumstances and finding the strength to heal. And move on.
I love this for how unique it is, the interesting way it began, and yeah, I got quite in my feels. I'll admit the middle was mostly just good, not great, but definitely served a purpose in the grand scheme of things. This is definitely an author I want to read more of but dear god the covers will be the death of my reader tastebuds. Yuck. But we shall persevere.
Thank you to Moons for pushing this on me!
3.5 stars
July 16, 2013
This book just left me feeling sad and depressed. It's not your typical love story and there's no HEA for our main character. There is sex, but it's not terribly hot or romantic. This is a story about lost love, grief, illness, addiction, child abuse, and loneliness.
It was very well written and so full of emotion for being such a short novella. I will definitely read more from Kaje Harper!
It was very well written and so full of emotion for being such a short novella. I will definitely read more from Kaje Harper!
April 24, 2013
What a treasure this was...definitely not a romance, this is a story of abuse, anger, loss and hopefully some sort of redemption for the main character.
The main character Jamie has a past of his own which explains why he is like he is, but this story also features Toller and Toller's adopted son Heath. It's a beautiful, beautiful story...yes, it made me weep...with sadness and with happiness at the end. Very highly recommended, thanks Kaje.
September 23, 2011
Excellent, poignant short m/m story about a drunk who rescues a very sick and homeless young man from the street. While the story covers a lot more ground, you really need to just let this tale of redemption unfold for you. I did spend the last third of the book crying... and be aware that the ending, while not a conventional HEA, is hopeful.
September 16, 2011
This is a beautiful and thoughtful piece of writing. But before I get to my opinion, I need to put a HUGE warning. No, this is not a romance (not traditional kind anyway). You will not find a story of boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, and boy lives happily ever after with boy. This story is a remisnicent of love that "might be" and how in the end, it still might come as full circle.
Jamison Severs, 50+ years director, of a free clinic only has two great loves in his life. One died of AIDS. The other one, he let go 23 years ago. Now, the teenage son of that second love came to him in searching for a full story about what had happened to his Dad, and it brings Jamison back in memory to those 300-days of loving Toller Grange.
Jamison was already in his early 30's when he met Toller. An 18-year old teenager who experienced abuse and Jamie helped Toller back to his feet, and lived. Those days of being with Toller, how Jamie cared for him, the first kiss, the first lovemaking, the decision to let Toller found his life in university, those were like gorgeous pictures and squeezed my heart.
So, any of you ever watched "500 Days of Summer"? If you have, you will understand the melancholia I feel when I read this story. It's beautiful but at the same time, you get the melancholy sense, knowing that no, Jamison and Toller are not together at present. That Toller has his life and happy. But I think, in the end, I would like to think that Jamison is content as well, and having Toller's son approached him brings Jamison to become another set of a future, where he is back to the life of his beloved, as friend, a family.
It's a lovely writing and I definitely will have Kaje Harper on my top-authors list.
Jamison Severs, 50+ years director, of a free clinic only has two great loves in his life. One died of AIDS. The other one, he let go 23 years ago. Now, the teenage son of that second love came to him in searching for a full story about what had happened to his Dad, and it brings Jamison back in memory to those 300-days of loving Toller Grange.
Jamison was already in his early 30's when he met Toller. An 18-year old teenager who experienced abuse and Jamie helped Toller back to his feet, and lived. Those days of being with Toller, how Jamie cared for him, the first kiss, the first lovemaking, the decision to let Toller found his life in university, those were like gorgeous pictures and squeezed my heart.
So, any of you ever watched "500 Days of Summer"? If you have, you will understand the melancholia I feel when I read this story. It's beautiful but at the same time, you get the melancholy sense, knowing that no, Jamison and Toller are not together at present. That Toller has his life and happy. But I think, in the end, I would like to think that Jamison is content as well, and having Toller's son approached him brings Jamison to become another set of a future, where he is back to the life of his beloved, as friend, a family.
It's a lovely writing and I definitely will have Kaje Harper on my top-authors list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2018
There are stories that rip my heart apart and make me cry, yet they are also so good I want to read them again immediately after having suffered through them the first time – because they are so good. ‘Full Circle’ is an excellent example of this type of tale. It’s a story about love, and despair, and hope, and reconciliation. It had me wanting the kind of ending I knew it could never have, and even though I was “disappointed” because I did not get what I wished for, I have to admit that what I got instead was so much better. It’s not a traditional happy ending, it had me crying for what Jaime lost, and yet is was perfect just the way it was.
Giving any more details about this emotional roller coaster would spoil the story, so you’ll have to read it yourself for the full effect. I think it is amazing and I know that I won’t soon forget it.
NOTE: This book was provided by MLR Press for the purpose of a review.
Giving any more details about this emotional roller coaster would spoil the story, so you’ll have to read it yourself for the full effect. I think it is amazing and I know that I won’t soon forget it.
NOTE: This book was provided by MLR Press for the purpose of a review.
October 23, 2016
Beautiful little novella. Kaje writes some lovely stuff. This is more about the healing than romance though. The ending was pretty painfully bittersweet, but I'm glad I read this. There's a lot to this for being so short. The characters go through a pretty incredible journey, overcoming trauma, addiction, and loss. If you feel like a short read and a good cry, this is a good one. Biggest complaint is that it's 4 bucks for an eighty something page novella.
April 19, 2015
Full reviewage on Prism Book Alliance® on retro read Saturday
Kaje Harper knows how to weave a tale. It’s true of this story and any other of hers I’ve read. She sucked me into this one with the initial meeting between Jamie and Heath. She held me there with Jamie’s telling of how he and Heath’s father, Toller, met, and more.
The first time I looked up while reading this, I was nearly half way through. Like I said, she got me.
The bulk of this story is Jamie recounting the how, where, why, and what then of the time he and Toller spent together. The challenges of dealing with major loss and suffering, how easy it is to fail, and how some of those failures, even if not truly their fault, lead to paths filled with more pain. He also gives Heath the truth about triumph, love and all of the many layers it can hold, and that we try to make the best decisions we can.
I’m finding it difficult to express much more than this, both in fear of giving too much away and for the lump in my throat.
This is emotional, gripping, and ultimately hopeful. A life-changing chapter in the lives of two people, which then leads to possibilities and opportunities taken by many in the future.
I stayed awake the whole night through, storing each breath and each touch to remember.
Thank you, Kaje Harper, for this loving, bittersweet, and important story about forgiveness and reconnection. My only wish is that there had been more.
PS: Soooooo, think we’ll ever get more of these fantastic characters?
Kaje Harper knows how to weave a tale. It’s true of this story and any other of hers I’ve read. She sucked me into this one with the initial meeting between Jamie and Heath. She held me there with Jamie’s telling of how he and Heath’s father, Toller, met, and more.
The first time I looked up while reading this, I was nearly half way through. Like I said, she got me.
The bulk of this story is Jamie recounting the how, where, why, and what then of the time he and Toller spent together. The challenges of dealing with major loss and suffering, how easy it is to fail, and how some of those failures, even if not truly their fault, lead to paths filled with more pain. He also gives Heath the truth about triumph, love and all of the many layers it can hold, and that we try to make the best decisions we can.
I’m finding it difficult to express much more than this, both in fear of giving too much away and for the lump in my throat.
This is emotional, gripping, and ultimately hopeful. A life-changing chapter in the lives of two people, which then leads to possibilities and opportunities taken by many in the future.
I stayed awake the whole night through, storing each breath and each touch to remember.
Thank you, Kaje Harper, for this loving, bittersweet, and important story about forgiveness and reconnection. My only wish is that there had been more.
PS: Soooooo, think we’ll ever get more of these fantastic characters?
May 14, 2016
Well, this one is a difficult one.
It really squicked me, left a bitter taste in my mouth - and I have a hard time telling you exactly why.
What it comes down to for me is that massive trauma and abuse was, I felt, used as a cheap vehicle for romanticized hurt-comfort-sexual-healing-redemption dramalama that was entirely superficial and at times massively tone deaf. And Toller's reactions and interactions during their relationship are entirely unbelievable.
We spend the book in Jamison's head and quite a few of his thoughts are inappropriate, intrusive and transgressive, both towards Toller and also his son – but the way the story is written there seems to be no awareness that we are veering dangerously close to yucky territory (and, in my opinion, overstepping the boundaries quite a few times), instead Jamison’s actions are sold as true love and selfless, self-sacrificing curing efforts.
And that conclusion is doubled down upon at the end when Toller’s .
I believe this is not intentional at all. And that’s what made it worse, not better, because it speaks of, at best, rudimentary knowledge of the long-term effects of this kind of abuse and at worst of appropriative negligence in service of cheap melodrama.
Sorry for sounding so harsh, but this one somehow really squicked me, badly.
It really squicked me, left a bitter taste in my mouth - and I have a hard time telling you exactly why.
What it comes down to for me is that massive trauma and abuse was, I felt, used as a cheap vehicle for romanticized hurt-comfort-sexual-healing-redemption dramalama that was entirely superficial and at times massively tone deaf. And Toller's reactions and interactions during their relationship are entirely unbelievable.
We spend the book in Jamison's head and quite a few of his thoughts are inappropriate, intrusive and transgressive, both towards Toller and also his son – but the way the story is written there seems to be no awareness that we are veering dangerously close to yucky territory (and, in my opinion, overstepping the boundaries quite a few times), instead Jamison’s actions are sold as true love and selfless, self-sacrificing curing efforts.
And that conclusion is doubled down upon at the end when Toller’s .
I believe this is not intentional at all. And that’s what made it worse, not better, because it speaks of, at best, rudimentary knowledge of the long-term effects of this kind of abuse and at worst of appropriative negligence in service of cheap melodrama.
Sorry for sounding so harsh, but this one somehow really squicked me, badly.
January 22, 2015
Needless to say this again after having read and adored the Life Lessons series, but Kaje Harper is a master of romance writing.
I loved this!!! I loved how it's not a typical HEA romance too. 6 stars from me ;-)
I loved this!!! I loved how it's not a typical HEA romance too. 6 stars from me ;-)
November 17, 2021
4.5 stars
A novella that packs a very emotional punch. If you're looking for a typical HEA, this is not your book. The MC's selfless love literally makes me wanna stare at a wall and cry for hours on end.
A novella that packs a very emotional punch. If you're looking for a typical HEA, this is not your book. The MC's selfless love literally makes me wanna stare at a wall and cry for hours on end.
October 4, 2011
As the author said it herself, this is not a romance, though it has romantic elements and, not to be forgotten, some hot erotic scenes. This story is all about hurt/ comfort and the healing powers of love, and yet it’s as different from the usual similarly-themed fare as night from day. Where other stories use the “if you love it, set it free” trope merely to create some angst in preparation of the big reunion, this story follows through with it to the bitter end. I found this admirably consequent, realistic, and very, very well done. Convincing, too – it fits both characters to the minute detail.
Although the characterizations were as consistent as the plot, I had slight problems with the character of Jamie. Though he changed from a self-pitying, self-destructive Saulus to a mature, reasonable Paulus, and though this process was beautiful to watch, he lost me later with his self-inflicted loneliness. Some kind of love/hate issue with a character, I guess, and it was probably only me, but I just don’t do martyrs. It was really mostly the way he interacted with Heath, Toller’s son, what saved Jamie for me.
Toller, on the other hand, was fantastic. Given room to grow, he unfolded like a flower, and I could totally believe him turning into the proud, self-sufficient man as who he was pictured in the end. He’s someone who doesn’t want nor need charity, but can accept a generous gift with grace and put it to the best use, his own and the giver’s. A personality you’d like to see your own kids grow up to be.
The writing was gripping, smooth and well-paced; the story pulled me in right from the first sentence. Toller’s dreadful past isn’t glossed over, but revealed little by little, which made it bearable for me – alongside with the characters. Again, very well done. And if the forefinger of morale shows time and again, what about it? It fits the story. If I have one niggle it was that the characters had to suffer so much – I wanted to shout, too much! – even if I’m aware there are even worse fates out there.
This isn’t a light and fluffy read, the book deals with serious issues like loss of loved ones, AIDS, rape, abuse, and addiction, and it DOES have a nontraditional (though hopeful and positive) ending. It was still a beautiful story, and it certainly will stay with me for a long time. Warmly recommended.
Full review at www.reviewsbyjessewave.com
Although the characterizations were as consistent as the plot, I had slight problems with the character of Jamie. Though he changed from a self-pitying, self-destructive Saulus to a mature, reasonable Paulus, and though this process was beautiful to watch, he lost me later with his self-inflicted loneliness. Some kind of love/hate issue with a character, I guess, and it was probably only me, but I just don’t do martyrs. It was really mostly the way he interacted with Heath, Toller’s son, what saved Jamie for me.
Toller, on the other hand, was fantastic. Given room to grow, he unfolded like a flower, and I could totally believe him turning into the proud, self-sufficient man as who he was pictured in the end. He’s someone who doesn’t want nor need charity, but can accept a generous gift with grace and put it to the best use, his own and the giver’s. A personality you’d like to see your own kids grow up to be.
The writing was gripping, smooth and well-paced; the story pulled me in right from the first sentence. Toller’s dreadful past isn’t glossed over, but revealed little by little, which made it bearable for me – alongside with the characters. Again, very well done. And if the forefinger of morale shows time and again, what about it? It fits the story. If I have one niggle it was that the characters had to suffer so much – I wanted to shout, too much! – even if I’m aware there are even worse fates out there.
This isn’t a light and fluffy read, the book deals with serious issues like loss of loved ones, AIDS, rape, abuse, and addiction, and it DOES have a nontraditional (though hopeful and positive) ending. It was still a beautiful story, and it certainly will stay with me for a long time. Warmly recommended.
Full review at www.reviewsbyjessewave.com
June 7, 2018
I think regret might just be the most horrendous of all emotions, surpassing that of even guilt. Jamie certainly has far more than his share loading him down. When Heath, the son of Jamie’s former lover, Toller, comes to see him with questions, Jamie is spun down the memories of time with all the resulting emotions, both good and bad, tearing at him along the way.
When Jamie’s partner, Henri, died, Jamie’s world imploded and his career as an emergency room doctor exploded. Jamie was in his thirties sliding along the road of alcoholism with all the trappings of that life when he met eighteen-year-old Toller. Toller, who was living on the streets, didn’t want to talk about his family, and would have died from pneumonia if Jamie hadn’t helped him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
When Jamie’s partner, Henri, died, Jamie’s world imploded and his career as an emergency room doctor exploded. Jamie was in his thirties sliding along the road of alcoholism with all the trappings of that life when he met eighteen-year-old Toller. Toller, who was living on the streets, didn’t want to talk about his family, and would have died from pneumonia if Jamie hadn’t helped him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
August 10, 2016
Reading for 2014 Pushing Boundaries Challenge. I had to read a story that didn't have an HFN or HEA. NOT one of my favorite things. But I got lucky and chose Kaje Harper's Full Circle from the list.
Great characters. I felt so bad for Jamie but even though he was broken he couldn't pass by someone who needed help. Toller got lucky when Jamie almost tripped over him. The fact that Toller had a happy ending was good for me and hopefully now that they are talking I'm hoping they can be friends!!
So kind of a HEA
Great characters. I felt so bad for Jamie but even though he was broken he couldn't pass by someone who needed help. Toller got lucky when Jamie almost tripped over him. The fact that Toller had a happy ending was good for me and hopefully now that they are talking I'm hoping they can be friends!!
So kind of a HEA
February 19, 2015
What a heartrending story this was! But I have to say that in the hands of this author it was handled beautifully. Abuse is always hard to read about, but it was balanced with amazing kindness and a relationship that was sweet, tender and self sacrificing. Gah, this one really got to me. Many have tagged this as bittersweet and I understand that, but I see a future happy ending for these amazing men. The author gave us hope that everything will be as it should be, with no one left out.
October 21, 2011
Wow, heart-breaking and uplifiting at the same time. I cried. A lot. But they were mostly good tears. And although I could wish Jamie found someone of his own, the story was so real and so beautiful exactly as it is, it's hard to wish for anything different. For this story, anyway. I would dearly, dearly love to see a companion novel (yes, full-length, pretty please!) that gives us Toller's story, including a little bit after this story ends so we can see his HEA.
December 27, 2014
Bitter-sweet multi-generational love story about the healing powers of love. It is typically wonderful, engaging and exciting Kaje Harper at her best. This story is simply a must read and I highly recommend it to everyone I know.
May 10, 2013
4.5 hearthbreaking stars
January 4, 2016
One of the saddest and most inspiring stories I have read in quite some time.
July 24, 2017
It may be better to have loved and lost, twice, than never loved at all, but it sure as hell gets lonely.
In just 55 pages, KH manages to leave me heartbroken and with an enormous emotional knot in my stomach. I was choked up and feeling so drained, it stayed with me the whole day. This story was so captivating, so powerful and so beautiful.
Such an amazing read.
June 4, 2019
Beautiful story. Terrible cover tho.
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