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Final Admission
James Trenchard is a dick. Everyone in Bingwell, Brock, and Bacon says so, and after Ethan’s first encounter with the man, he agrees. Ethan resolves to avoid James but ends up working closely with him and discovers the lawyer's hiding a secret from the world. Ethan also realizes he's falling too hard too fast. Ethan has to decide if he should help James and risk getting entangled in the mess James has gotten himself into, or move on. But walking away from love is never a simple decision to make.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2011
103 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Sue Brown
140 books838 followersHot guys, big hearts, Sue's world.
Sue Brown is a Londoner with a dream to live on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance with hot guys loving each other, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
Sue Brown is a Londoner with a dream to live on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance with hot guys loving each other, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
March 25, 2014
2 stars, for the potential this book actual had of being GREAT...and minus 3, for all the extra disappointment added along the way.
February 4, 2014
Ok, so here is another re-read that I completely changed my mind about. I remember really loving this one and how powerful the domestic violence storyline was to me during the first read almost two years ago. During this re-read I didn't even make it to 30% before giving up because I was so disgusted with how crass the two MCs were. MC James is a married man and his husband had suffered a head injury in an auto accident that caused a complete change in his personality and caused him to be violent. Instead of hospitalizing him, James takes the beatings over and over and now decides to have an affair with MC Ethan. I'm kind of surprised I was OK with this the first time around.
I'm a bit wishy-washy when it comes to the books I like and I'm convinced that a 5 star book one day could easily be a 3 star book the next, depending on my mood and what is going on around me. I really should stop with the re-reads, but it is fun to see these changes in my tastes. I originally give this book 5 stars but will be dropping it down to 4, only because I stopped the re-read at 30%. If I had finished, the rating probably would have been lower.
I'm a bit wishy-washy when it comes to the books I like and I'm convinced that a 5 star book one day could easily be a 3 star book the next, depending on my mood and what is going on around me. I really should stop with the re-reads, but it is fun to see these changes in my tastes. I originally give this book 5 stars but will be dropping it down to 4, only because I stopped the re-read at 30%. If I had finished, the rating probably would have been lower.
April 19, 2012
Ethan Williams is one of the newest junior team members in the advertising firm of Bingwell, Brock and Bacon. And already, he's heard about the infamous James Trenchard. The man must be a horrible person, judging from the amount of fascinated gossip flying around about him. And he's not even a partner - just an attorney. Well, lead attorney.
So when Mr. Trenchard starts flirting with him in his first staff meeting, what's a guy to do? Fight back of course, and let the man know he's nobody's fool. Except he can't really control his body's reaction to the man.
When he's forced to work a late night project with his boss and James, he gets a totally new perspective on the man. How firmly capable he is. Somehow, he comes to respect him. Which totally baffles him when James calls Ethan in the middle of the night to help him when he's drunk and injured.
What Ethan discovers, however, blows his mind. This strong, intelligent and powerful man is being abused. And allowing it to not only happen, but to continue.
As his feelings for the man continue to grow, Ethan finds himself in a quandary. Whether to let his feeling grow for a man who is involved with someone else, or stop? To fight his protective nature, or let James continue to suffer the abuse? And will James ever wise up and leave his abuser?
Sue Brown is known for taking on the difficult topics and delivering powerful and insightful stories around them. And she delivers one more time. This is an unflinching look at domestic abuse and the consequences not only for the abused but for the friends and loved ones involved. It's strikingly straightforward and unapologetic, and coldly powerful in its message.
Ethan is a love - strong, compassionate, fiercely loyal, yet so very vulnerable and honorable. He guards his heart, but is moved to give it away. Protective, he makes the perfect partner.
James, such a dear man. So many wonderful qualities - loyalty, deep and abiding love, passion. But wired so very very wrongly. He makes the reader want to shake him, then hug the stuffing out of him.
I've seen how horrible domestic abuse can be. My sister was a victim when I was a young man, and I could never accept how she could not only stay, but accept some responsibility for what happened. And defend my brother-in-law. I still shake my head, but having grown older and hopefully a little wiser, I understand the misguided sense of love and hopelessness that comes with it.
Hopefully, this work will do what some of us cannot - get through to some of those persons, men and women, who live with this horror and empower them to leave.
This is when writing makes a difference - when it touches lives. It certainly touches mine.
Tom
So when Mr. Trenchard starts flirting with him in his first staff meeting, what's a guy to do? Fight back of course, and let the man know he's nobody's fool. Except he can't really control his body's reaction to the man.
When he's forced to work a late night project with his boss and James, he gets a totally new perspective on the man. How firmly capable he is. Somehow, he comes to respect him. Which totally baffles him when James calls Ethan in the middle of the night to help him when he's drunk and injured.
What Ethan discovers, however, blows his mind. This strong, intelligent and powerful man is being abused. And allowing it to not only happen, but to continue.
As his feelings for the man continue to grow, Ethan finds himself in a quandary. Whether to let his feeling grow for a man who is involved with someone else, or stop? To fight his protective nature, or let James continue to suffer the abuse? And will James ever wise up and leave his abuser?
Sue Brown is known for taking on the difficult topics and delivering powerful and insightful stories around them. And she delivers one more time. This is an unflinching look at domestic abuse and the consequences not only for the abused but for the friends and loved ones involved. It's strikingly straightforward and unapologetic, and coldly powerful in its message.
Ethan is a love - strong, compassionate, fiercely loyal, yet so very vulnerable and honorable. He guards his heart, but is moved to give it away. Protective, he makes the perfect partner.
James, such a dear man. So many wonderful qualities - loyalty, deep and abiding love, passion. But wired so very very wrongly. He makes the reader want to shake him, then hug the stuffing out of him.
I've seen how horrible domestic abuse can be. My sister was a victim when I was a young man, and I could never accept how she could not only stay, but accept some responsibility for what happened. And defend my brother-in-law. I still shake my head, but having grown older and hopefully a little wiser, I understand the misguided sense of love and hopelessness that comes with it.
Hopefully, this work will do what some of us cannot - get through to some of those persons, men and women, who live with this horror and empower them to leave.
This is when writing makes a difference - when it touches lives. It certainly touches mine.
Tom
July 3, 2014
This book deals with a difficult subject and was quite an emotional read. On the one hand I could understand where everyone was coming from, but on the other hand I couldn't believe what I was reading.
I thought Ethan was a strong character and did what he had to do. It's not easy to love someone who refuses to help themselves or be helped and the decision to stay and watch or walk away to preserve yourself is not easy. I was angry with the families and the police and James, but again sometimes your hands are tied.
There is a lot of upsetting themes in the book, but there is also a lot of love and when Ethan and James are together it is fun and romantic. This book is not going to be for everyone but I found it worth the read.
I thought Ethan was a strong character and did what he had to do. It's not easy to love someone who refuses to help themselves or be helped and the decision to stay and watch or walk away to preserve yourself is not easy. I was angry with the families and the police and James, but again sometimes your hands are tied.
There is a lot of upsetting themes in the book, but there is also a lot of love and when Ethan and James are together it is fun and romantic. This book is not going to be for everyone but I found it worth the read.
May 23, 2014
Final Admission was an interesting story, you have to call it interesting when the first line introduces one of the main characters as a dick, right?
Ethan Williams meets James Trenchard, whose name is spoken in those italics quite often, as he is going in to a meeting at his new job with the agency. Trenchard has a reputation as a shameless flirt and while seated across the table from him, Ethan finds out just how shameless. Though attracted to Trenchard, Ethan decides the guy isn’t for him and attempts to blow him off. But you know how it is, that fine line between love and hate or in this case lust and loathing; these two dance on it for a bit and the dance is quite fun.
So, this starts the push and pull between Trenchard and Ethan until Ethan is assigned a case that has been pretty much screwed up. This case has him working with his new boss and the flirtatious lawyer, James Trenchard. The flirt turns into tease and the tease turns into a lovely yet short scene outside a bar that turns in to a call for help from Trenchard.
This is where the story starts to get really good, you see Trenchard has become James or in the sweetest moments, Jim and has called Ethan for help. The big strong shameless flirt needs to be taken to the hospital because he has been mugged, again, but when Ethan calls his boss to let her know, he learns a few secrets he is unprepared for, the most important that James is being abused by his husband. Ethan starts to see the real James and wants to protect him but how can he when James won’t leave?
There are a few factors in this story that I truly liked. I liked that Ms. Brown showed that domestic abuse can happen in any relationship for a number of reasons and gender/size are not always as clear cut as you would think. The fact that Ethan and James are intimate while James is still married…I am still in a gray area on that. I get it, what James needed and I was so happy that he found it in this oversized and younger man. It was lovely to see how Ethan went from indifferent to the champion and protector of James. I think my gray area has more to do with fear from the abuser than the cheating. It was cheating but the way both men handled it was what kept it from being sordid and tacky. I know, cheating is cheating Sara, but I am okay with things if they are done well and this was. Plus, um, Ethan is one sexy top and I liked it when James finally became a bit pushy and these boys were smoking hot…um yeah. I got off on a tangent there. Let me regroup.
The story does not go deep into the psychology of abusive relationships but it does go deep enough that it’s not superficial. James knows the why’s of staying and he knows the why’s of leaving but can’t seem to work out a way to get out of it all and still feel he is honoring his marriage and devotion to a man who has taken to using his face and body as a punching bag. Twisted right? Abuse usually is and this shows how twisted and dangerous it can become. I do love that James falls head over heels for Ethan and now has something live for but Ethan is not the reason James get better. As I have heard it said before, the magic cock did not heal James in this case. The abuse was real in the story and James took a real road to recovery.
Final Admission is my second book from this author and I have found I respect and admire her realism. Sure, the boys fall hard and fast but that is also a reality when it comes to love but her boys work things out. They keep things from each other, they miscommunicate at times but in the end, the communication and the real situations they get into make reading her stories so enjoyable for me.
3.5 stars
Ethan Williams meets James Trenchard, whose name is spoken in those italics quite often, as he is going in to a meeting at his new job with the agency. Trenchard has a reputation as a shameless flirt and while seated across the table from him, Ethan finds out just how shameless. Though attracted to Trenchard, Ethan decides the guy isn’t for him and attempts to blow him off. But you know how it is, that fine line between love and hate or in this case lust and loathing; these two dance on it for a bit and the dance is quite fun.
”Never mind, big guy, you and I can get intimate when this is all over.”
“In your dreams, Mr. Trenchard,” Ethan retorted.
“I’d rather fuck you when I’m awake.”
So, this starts the push and pull between Trenchard and Ethan until Ethan is assigned a case that has been pretty much screwed up. This case has him working with his new boss and the flirtatious lawyer, James Trenchard. The flirt turns into tease and the tease turns into a lovely yet short scene outside a bar that turns in to a call for help from Trenchard.
This is where the story starts to get really good, you see Trenchard has become James or in the sweetest moments, Jim and has called Ethan for help. The big strong shameless flirt needs to be taken to the hospital because he has been mugged, again, but when Ethan calls his boss to let her know, he learns a few secrets he is unprepared for, the most important that James is being abused by his husband. Ethan starts to see the real James and wants to protect him but how can he when James won’t leave?
There are a few factors in this story that I truly liked. I liked that Ms. Brown showed that domestic abuse can happen in any relationship for a number of reasons and gender/size are not always as clear cut as you would think. The fact that Ethan and James are intimate while James is still married…I am still in a gray area on that. I get it, what James needed and I was so happy that he found it in this oversized and younger man. It was lovely to see how Ethan went from indifferent to the champion and protector of James. I think my gray area has more to do with fear from the abuser than the cheating. It was cheating but the way both men handled it was what kept it from being sordid and tacky. I know, cheating is cheating Sara, but I am okay with things if they are done well and this was. Plus, um, Ethan is one sexy top and I liked it when James finally became a bit pushy and these boys were smoking hot…um yeah. I got off on a tangent there. Let me regroup.
The story does not go deep into the psychology of abusive relationships but it does go deep enough that it’s not superficial. James knows the why’s of staying and he knows the why’s of leaving but can’t seem to work out a way to get out of it all and still feel he is honoring his marriage and devotion to a man who has taken to using his face and body as a punching bag. Twisted right? Abuse usually is and this shows how twisted and dangerous it can become. I do love that James falls head over heels for Ethan and now has something live for but Ethan is not the reason James get better. As I have heard it said before, the magic cock did not heal James in this case. The abuse was real in the story and James took a real road to recovery.
Final Admission is my second book from this author and I have found I respect and admire her realism. Sure, the boys fall hard and fast but that is also a reality when it comes to love but her boys work things out. They keep things from each other, they miscommunicate at times but in the end, the communication and the real situations they get into make reading her stories so enjoyable for me.
3.5 stars
January 15, 2012
I love Sue Brown - there - I've said it. It's out there and I don't want to take it back. I have yet to read anything of hers that has left me feeling short-changed and when I picked up Final Admission, she didn't let me down.
The Queen of Angst strikes again in a poignant love story revolving around a devastatingly all too common situation, but one that is hardly ever mentioned - domestic violence on a man. Ms Brown handles it with flair and aplomb and the utmost sensitivity.
Your heart not only breaks for James, the abused, but you also want to cry a little for his abuser, whose personality changes after an accident. You can understand James' reluctance to condemn him, because he is desperately hoping the man he loved will return.
Meeting Ethan gives James a reason to want to live again. To love again. And the gentle way this big, muscled man soothes James' tired and empty heart, makes your own heart skip a beat and break for them.
I loved every word and could not put it down from start to finish, and will be adding it to my list of Sue Brown favourites and eagerly awaiting what she has in store for us next.
The Queen of Angst strikes again in a poignant love story revolving around a devastatingly all too common situation, but one that is hardly ever mentioned - domestic violence on a man. Ms Brown handles it with flair and aplomb and the utmost sensitivity.
Your heart not only breaks for James, the abused, but you also want to cry a little for his abuser, whose personality changes after an accident. You can understand James' reluctance to condemn him, because he is desperately hoping the man he loved will return.
Meeting Ethan gives James a reason to want to live again. To love again. And the gentle way this big, muscled man soothes James' tired and empty heart, makes your own heart skip a beat and break for them.
I loved every word and could not put it down from start to finish, and will be adding it to my list of Sue Brown favourites and eagerly awaiting what she has in store for us next.
December 22, 2015
My first book by this author (yay for $.99 promos!) and it definitely will not be the last. I don't read a lot of romances that stick to one POV, but it was perfect for this story. I laughed and I got mad and at the same time, could totally understand James's motivations (even if I didn't agree). Domestic violence is never an easy topic to tackle (nor should it be) and the author handled it extremely well. The final chapter was also adorably perfect.
April 7, 2012
Until about midway this was a 5 star book for me. It was very difficult to watch James and what he was going through. You hear a lot about abused women but you do not get the reality of a man being in the same position. You get that in this book and it's heartbreaking. Yes, James is a jerk but what he went through at home (somewhat) made up for it as far as the story goes. I felt for him and I felt for Ethan as he was trying desperately to help him. At that point, it was a great story.
Then...... the husband goes farther than just a beating and everything went down here from there. There was very little communication between James and Ethan. While I was under the impression that there was a relationship between the two, it did not seem so. James made a decision to leave for 6 months for rehab, etc. He did not feel the need to discuss this with Ethan apparently. Ethan had to find out on his own by seeing brochures and then it was discussed a little. And no communication during that 6 months at all? No phone calls? No anything? Ethan had to find out from Lulu that James was even back in town? That he was divorced? Not to mention the fact that there seemed to be no issue whatsoever in regards to each of them hooking up with other men during that time... though only Ethan actually did it (and bragged about it apparently). They each claim to love each other... though I never did see where they said the words TO EACH OTHER... but yet they were simply going to separate for the 6 months and whatever happens happens. For me, this was no relationship. This was James expecting Ethan to pull him out of whatever he was in with the husband and for them to have a sexual relationship while James was still married. Granted, James was married to a bastard but he was still married.
But I think the thing that really irked me the most is the fact that Ethan and James are SUPPOSED to be partners... and apparently they were living together at that point... but yet James didn't feel the need to discuss a major business decision that would affect both of them. 6 months of planning to start a new business but it wasn't necessary to discuss that with his partner? Ethan's feelings get hurt... quite a bit I might add... and James brushes him off like it's no biggie. And Ethan being the (apparent) wimp that he is just lets it go. Who would want to stay with someone who didn't even trust you to keep your mouth shut about something major? After all the secrets that Ethan kept in regards to James getting abused and James and the others still didn't trust him? That would have been game over for me.
I didn't feel the love between Ethan and James. As I said, it did not come across as a real relationship in any way other than sexual. I liked both of them during the first half of the book. Even though James came across as a jerk I had sympathy for his character and what he was going through. By the time I got to about 70% on my Kindle I couldn't stand either one of them and I stopped liking the story and where it was going.
I hate giving bad reviews. I had giving bad ratings. But this one didn't do it for me. Not at all after the first half of the book.
Also, there are some major editing issues as others have pointed out. The wrong names in places, words out of place, misspelled words in others. Because it wasn't every other sentence I was able to disregard most of them. Some, I had to go back and read the sentence several times before I got what it was saying. It wasn't enough for me to demand a refund from Amazon but it was still annoying.
This is my first by this author (I think) and my lack of love for this particular book will not prevent me from reading more.
Then...... the husband goes farther than just a beating and everything went down here from there. There was very little communication between James and Ethan. While I was under the impression that there was a relationship between the two, it did not seem so. James made a decision to leave for 6 months for rehab, etc. He did not feel the need to discuss this with Ethan apparently. Ethan had to find out on his own by seeing brochures and then it was discussed a little. And no communication during that 6 months at all? No phone calls? No anything? Ethan had to find out from Lulu that James was even back in town? That he was divorced? Not to mention the fact that there seemed to be no issue whatsoever in regards to each of them hooking up with other men during that time... though only Ethan actually did it (and bragged about it apparently). They each claim to love each other... though I never did see where they said the words TO EACH OTHER... but yet they were simply going to separate for the 6 months and whatever happens happens. For me, this was no relationship. This was James expecting Ethan to pull him out of whatever he was in with the husband and for them to have a sexual relationship while James was still married. Granted, James was married to a bastard but he was still married.
But I think the thing that really irked me the most is the fact that Ethan and James are SUPPOSED to be partners... and apparently they were living together at that point... but yet James didn't feel the need to discuss a major business decision that would affect both of them. 6 months of planning to start a new business but it wasn't necessary to discuss that with his partner? Ethan's feelings get hurt... quite a bit I might add... and James brushes him off like it's no biggie. And Ethan being the (apparent) wimp that he is just lets it go. Who would want to stay with someone who didn't even trust you to keep your mouth shut about something major? After all the secrets that Ethan kept in regards to James getting abused and James and the others still didn't trust him? That would have been game over for me.
I didn't feel the love between Ethan and James. As I said, it did not come across as a real relationship in any way other than sexual. I liked both of them during the first half of the book. Even though James came across as a jerk I had sympathy for his character and what he was going through. By the time I got to about 70% on my Kindle I couldn't stand either one of them and I stopped liking the story and where it was going.
I hate giving bad reviews. I had giving bad ratings. But this one didn't do it for me. Not at all after the first half of the book.
Also, there are some major editing issues as others have pointed out. The wrong names in places, words out of place, misspelled words in others. Because it wasn't every other sentence I was able to disregard most of them. Some, I had to go back and read the sentence several times before I got what it was saying. It wasn't enough for me to demand a refund from Amazon but it was still annoying.
This is my first by this author (I think) and my lack of love for this particular book will not prevent me from reading more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2016
Kinda hard to say I actually liked this story because there were so many elements to it that made me uncomfortable or less than thrilled. First, stories that feature domestic violence are never easy and this one isn't a scene in passing for context. This is a front row seat with the reader as the helpless witness.
Ethan was the only one who had his head on reasonably well in this story. Sure I can understand the argument of slow escalation paralyzing people and them being in denial, but COME ON. This is not a smack or two. I want to feel sympathetic and throttle James at the same time. This was not Ethan's cross to bear, but he did it any way.
Needless to say, this elicits a lot of emotion and it is heavy at times. Characters make mistakes and you want to scream, "No!" I should mention for readers who are particularly sensitive to infidelity that this book features an MC engaging in sexual relations while bound by his marital vows and not with partner consent.
*Sigh*
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
Ethan was the only one who had his head on reasonably well in this story. Sure I can understand the argument of slow escalation paralyzing people and them being in denial, but COME ON. This is not a smack or two. I want to feel sympathetic and throttle James at the same time. This was not Ethan's cross to bear, but he did it any way.
Needless to say, this elicits a lot of emotion and it is heavy at times. Characters make mistakes and you want to scream, "No!" I should mention for readers who are particularly sensitive to infidelity that this book features an MC engaging in sexual relations while bound by his marital vows and not with partner consent.
*Sigh*
~~A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
~~~Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews~~~
February 1, 2013
I'm so torn. So rarely I read a book that makes me have to put it down because I'm genuinely upset. Once it's down, it's done. I put it down three times and even felt the need to talk about it at work. I got my HEA (unicorn, rainbows, and all) which is unusual for Sue Brown. Her HEA generally come with a few storm clouds. Final Admission felt more like a hurricane, much later I'm thinking to myself "What the fuck just happened?" I was genuinely bothered, but my friend pointed out that a good book challenges your thinking and gets you talking about it. Out of hundreds of books, I've talked about maybe two, this being one of them. Here's why....
Beware, possible SPOILERS
I couldn't reconcile being so devoted to a spouse that beats you senseless and then committing adultery. True love lifts you up, not literally beat you down. James truly thought Clay loved him. James also had to stay in his emotional commitment to Clay but could not stay faithful physically. I just couldn't make sense of this which had me keep reading. And then Ethan loves James, but becomes a slut once James is gone to get well? The way both men dealt with emotional pain threw me, disturbed me, and made me see love in a different way.
Will I reread this book? I honestly don't know. Not because it was bad or not worth my time, but because it was an emotional investment. I'll have to think about it...
Beware, possible SPOILERS
I couldn't reconcile being so devoted to a spouse that beats you senseless and then committing adultery. True love lifts you up, not literally beat you down. James truly thought Clay loved him. James also had to stay in his emotional commitment to Clay but could not stay faithful physically. I just couldn't make sense of this which had me keep reading. And then Ethan loves James, but becomes a slut once James is gone to get well? The way both men dealt with emotional pain threw me, disturbed me, and made me see love in a different way.
Will I reread this book? I honestly don't know. Not because it was bad or not worth my time, but because it was an emotional investment. I'll have to think about it...
February 10, 2012
I was a bit torn on this one. It was well written, tragic, hot, and funny, but the way James and his family handled his situation did not mesh well with how strong their personalities were portrayed. If that makes any sense?
The instant love, and how Ethan just jumped right into the whole debacle might have put me off even more if not for my own personal experiences:
I divorced my first husband January 1996 and planned to be a happily single mother..FOREVER!!! I had my first date with my current husband in August of 1996. By August 1997 we were celebrating our first month of marriage and had a 2month old son.(Yeah, do the math hehehe.) We are still in the honeymoon stage.
Sometimes the right person just happens out of the blue. Fits with you, and your family, and is just... perfect. I felt this with these two even though I could not imagine James or his family putting up with everything else as long as they did.
Overall, I really liked it! James was a sexy hot mess of a man and I am so glad everything worked out for him.
The instant love, and how Ethan just jumped right into the whole debacle might have put me off even more if not for my own personal experiences:
I divorced my first husband January 1996 and planned to be a happily single mother..FOREVER!!! I had my first date with my current husband in August of 1996. By August 1997 we were celebrating our first month of marriage and had a 2month old son.(Yeah, do the math hehehe.) We are still in the honeymoon stage.
Sometimes the right person just happens out of the blue. Fits with you, and your family, and is just... perfect. I felt this with these two even though I could not imagine James or his family putting up with everything else as long as they did.
Overall, I really liked it! James was a sexy hot mess of a man and I am so glad everything worked out for him.
November 18, 2011
Missing words and errors made it conflicting to rate this story and I debated on rating it lower than I had, however it was still a very good read and based on that; for that reason alone it warranted the rating I gave it.
April 6, 2012
Not a bad story but the editing leaves a lot to be desired.
June 29, 2014
Just the kind of books I like...loved it
October 28, 2020
Started off very good, first half was very heart wrenching but there’s cheating which I don’t care for at ALL!!! If you’re so miserable in your relationship, GET OUT!!! James had no excuse to stick around once the cheating starts, he was so determined to stick by his husband, yet he cheats?? Nope, not for me.
September 30, 2014
I decided to listen to an unabridged audio version of this story. And I have to admit, today I couldn't accept James as a character. His way of thinking was wrong and emotionally bad for him and for his husband. And then Ethan behaved irrational the same way as James. So overall, no, today I couldn't enjoy such a foolishly weak story!
2011/November/16 4 star rating
This story was emotionally well plotted drama. The emotions were so well written, that they made this story real. I really liked it. All the main created characters were pulling and made this story richer. The end was comical and we got an HEA. What more does a reader want.
2011/November/16 4 star rating
This story was emotionally well plotted drama. The emotions were so well written, that they made this story real. I really liked it. All the main created characters were pulling and made this story richer. The end was comical and we got an HEA. What more does a reader want.
March 11, 2014
I loved this book. It's a typical Sue Brown story, emotional, angsty, with a storyline that pulls no punches. I adored James and Ethan, and I understood James, maybe because a long time ago I was in a simialr type of relationship so I understood the emotional pull of a dying relationship, even one that is so distructive. I loved that Ethan hung in there and let James do what he had to do, even though he hated it and wanted nothing more than James safe. This was a very emotional satisfying book with a perfect HEA. Loved it, well worth 5 stars.
June 22, 2012
This was really good book. I was so wrapped up the the characters and what was going on and before I knew it half the day was gone and I was done. The author does a great job with the layering of emotions and reasoning behind why James stayed with his abusive husband that I could understand his friends and family help him cover it up.
This is the third book that I read by this author and all of them have been wonderful stories. She is becoming one of my favorites.
This is the third book that I read by this author and all of them have been wonderful stories. She is becoming one of my favorites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2012
Хорошая книга. Редкий взгляд на домашнее насилие со стороны того, кто становится следующим любовным интересом жертвы.
June 26, 2020
"Relationships are like glass. Sometimes it's better to leave them broken than to hurt yourself putting it back together." - Unknown
When Ethan Williams, of ‘Final Admission’ by Sue Brown, finally gets to meet the firm’s lawyer, James Trenchard, he has to admit that his office mates were not exaggerating when they described his infamous reputation as arrogant and self-confident. James Trenchard is one of the most obnoxious men Ethan has ever met. He is also one of the most attractive. Determined not to fall for his charm, considering James’s attitude, Ethan finds it easy to reject all of James’s advances, but as he gets to know him, Ethan realizes that the face James shows to the world is not a true reflection of the man himself.
After helping his boss, Ms. Leanne Cauldwell, who, as it turns out is James’s cousin, and James out of a very sticky situation at work, Ethan wins their eternal gratitude. It changes their relationship for the better. One night, Ethan receives a frantic call from James telling him that he has been mugged and asks if Ethan will come get him and take him home. Ethan is puzzled as to why James called him, but certainly isn’t going to refuse to help. It turns out that Leanne is out of town. When Ethan arrives, he realizes how badly James is hurt and he insists upon taking him to the hospital instead. The staff aren’t surprised to see him there. Apparently, James is “accident prone” and is a frequent visitor at the ER, causing Ethan to be even more concerned about James. James tells them that Ethan is his cousin, so the hospital staff asks Ethan to fill in James’s paperwork which he can’t do because he doesn’t know enough about James. He borrows his phone and calls Ms. Caldwell. She knows that Ethan is suspicious but insists that it is James’s story to tell. She does tell him that it is the fourth time he has been mugged in the last five months, leaving Ethan with more questions than answers, but he is determined to find out what is going on.
James asks Ethan to take him home, Ethan hesitates when he finds out that James’s husband is away. Feeling that James doesn’t need to be alone, Ethan makes a “command decision” to take him to his apartment instead. James is furious when he finds out that James called Leanne, especially when he realizes how many times he has been injured in such a short time. When Ethan presses him on it, he tells Ethan that it is none of his business. Not to be deterred, Ethan points out that if he had been mugged, he would not still have his phone and wallet. Unable to deny it any longer, James admits that he is in an abusive relationship with his husband, Clay, that it has been going on for years. When Ethan suggests that James must love Clay very much, his reply is that, yes, he must.
As frustrating as it was to everyone who cared about James there was nothing that they could do if James didn't want help. He had to be the one to say when enough is enough. Thanks, Sue, for bringing light to an important issue that is serious but difficult to understand. Thankfully, you were able to help James and Ethan find a solution.
When Ethan Williams, of ‘Final Admission’ by Sue Brown, finally gets to meet the firm’s lawyer, James Trenchard, he has to admit that his office mates were not exaggerating when they described his infamous reputation as arrogant and self-confident. James Trenchard is one of the most obnoxious men Ethan has ever met. He is also one of the most attractive. Determined not to fall for his charm, considering James’s attitude, Ethan finds it easy to reject all of James’s advances, but as he gets to know him, Ethan realizes that the face James shows to the world is not a true reflection of the man himself.
After helping his boss, Ms. Leanne Cauldwell, who, as it turns out is James’s cousin, and James out of a very sticky situation at work, Ethan wins their eternal gratitude. It changes their relationship for the better. One night, Ethan receives a frantic call from James telling him that he has been mugged and asks if Ethan will come get him and take him home. Ethan is puzzled as to why James called him, but certainly isn’t going to refuse to help. It turns out that Leanne is out of town. When Ethan arrives, he realizes how badly James is hurt and he insists upon taking him to the hospital instead. The staff aren’t surprised to see him there. Apparently, James is “accident prone” and is a frequent visitor at the ER, causing Ethan to be even more concerned about James. James tells them that Ethan is his cousin, so the hospital staff asks Ethan to fill in James’s paperwork which he can’t do because he doesn’t know enough about James. He borrows his phone and calls Ms. Caldwell. She knows that Ethan is suspicious but insists that it is James’s story to tell. She does tell him that it is the fourth time he has been mugged in the last five months, leaving Ethan with more questions than answers, but he is determined to find out what is going on.
James asks Ethan to take him home, Ethan hesitates when he finds out that James’s husband is away. Feeling that James doesn’t need to be alone, Ethan makes a “command decision” to take him to his apartment instead. James is furious when he finds out that James called Leanne, especially when he realizes how many times he has been injured in such a short time. When Ethan presses him on it, he tells Ethan that it is none of his business. Not to be deterred, Ethan points out that if he had been mugged, he would not still have his phone and wallet. Unable to deny it any longer, James admits that he is in an abusive relationship with his husband, Clay, that it has been going on for years. When Ethan suggests that James must love Clay very much, his reply is that, yes, he must.
As frustrating as it was to everyone who cared about James there was nothing that they could do if James didn't want help. He had to be the one to say when enough is enough. Thanks, Sue, for bringing light to an important issue that is serious but difficult to understand. Thankfully, you were able to help James and Ethan find a solution.
May 1, 2016
I'll be the first to admit, that when I first started reading m/m romance novels a few years ago, I wasn't expecting much from them. I had hoped I would be entertained by the stories, and at the least, be able to get lost in the romance unfolding on the page. I wasn't even all that concerned about the hotness of the sex scenes, as most of the time, I tend to just skim through them. I just wanted a few hours of mindless entertainment, and in a few cases, that's what I've gotten. More often than not though, I have discovered some of the best written fiction out there, and it's not mindless. So much of it explores themes I wasn't expecting in romance; abuse, drug addiction, mental illness, and a myriad of other subjects. My eyes were first opened to what this genre can be when I first read The Tin Box by Kim Fielding. As I've discovered additional authors, I've run across books that keeps opening my eyes, ones of those is Final Admission by Sue Brown
This isn't my first go around with this book, I've actually read it twice before, but because of some of the themes it explores, I was never ready to review it. Truthfully, I'm still not sure my brain is fully on board, so I'm not totally sure if this is really going to be a review, as much as a rambling narrative of what this book made me think about, and how I reacted to it. So I apologize if this post goes off on too many tangents, or ends up being incoherent.
Many of you guys know that I grew up in a rather abusive home. I've hinted at it in different reviews and in explanations for different Favorite Fictional Character posts. I've even let you guys in on the ongoing, internal conversation I have with myself as I try to figure out a way to let go of the pain of not only what my father did, but in the way I lost him. Physically abusive relationships have always been a trigger for me in my reading, and viewing for that matter. What I've never let you guys in on, is that for a brief moment in time, I found myself in an abusive relationship as well.
Much like James in Final Admission, I'm not a small guy, nor am I a pushover. I'm pretty determined in what I want, and normally have no issue standing up for myself, at least that's the adult version of who I am. Between 2000 and 2002, I was dating and living with a guy, that while I was never truly in love with him, I was never truly unhappy either. He was actually a lot of fun when we first started dating, but once we moved in together it changed. He would disappear for hours at time, sometimes until 5 or 6 in the morning. It was always, he was with a cousin, or in the prayer chapel at church, and I was dumb for not believing him. Needless to say, after almost a year of that, I went out with friends, and met a hot guy in the Air Force. Stupidly, I went home with him. In my mind, I was ending the relationship I was in, and I was ready for it.
When I got home that morning, I was met with a fist. Growing up in the home I was in, I always told myself I would never let that happen to me, but when you are confronted with it yourself, it's a different story altogether. This was not the first time I had a guy hit, or try and choke me, but that first time, I didn't feel as if I deserved it, so I got rid of him quick, and never looked back. But this time I froze, and while I won't drag you through all the details, it continued in this fashion for six months. A part of me felt as if I deserved it, as if I brought it on myself, and in that regard, I can understand some of what James was going through. Where James was feeling guilty for coming through the accident unscathed, when his husband not only had physical trauma, but brain damage as well, I blamed my actions for the way I was being treated. I brought it on myself for going home with someone else, even though my relationship had been dead for a while. What I didn't realize is that the emotional neglect, and I can say the emotional abuse, I had been living with for the prior year, conditioned me for the physical abuse that came later.
I never had to deal with the level of abuse James, or even my mom went through, so I know it could have been worse. And I did eventually start fighting back, something James never felt he could do, as the guilt was too thick. Where I'm a bit jealous of James, is in his relationship with Ethan. When he meets Ethan, a small part of him grabs the hope he represents. In Ethan, James, who has given up on being happy, and living to a degree, realizes that there is something else out there, another path to chose. It's not smooth sailing for them by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't imagine what Ethan was mentally going through, but the hope they instill in each other is beautiful to see unfold on the page.
It's actually something I have yet to allow myself to have. I have been completely single since 2002. I always want to blame my lack of time, my work schedule, or lack of interest, but it's really more about fear. It's not just a fear of putting myself out there again, it's a fear of what's behind the veneer, once it's wiped away. Everyone James works with, except for his cousin and his boss, thinks he has the perfect relationship with his husband. Yes he's a flirt, who enjoys the attention he gets from others, though he normally keeps it's to the girls, but everyone thinks he's truly happy in his marriage. I don't know if his husband was a controlling dick before the relationship, and the brain damage took it to a whole other, horrible level, or if the accident completely changed his personality. When your husband is trying to kill you, does it even matter. I'm not sure, given my family and personal history, when I'm going to be ready to take that risk again. I'm not sure you can ever truly know what another person is capable of, or of who they truly are. It's that uncertainty I have to let go of, and I have James as a role model to follow. And yes I know this is fiction, that James and Ethan aren't real people, but seeing a path forward, even a fictional one, is enough to give me hope that I'll be ready someday.
On the short review side of things, please don't think this is a dark or depressing book, because it's not. Yes, it does have some darker moments, but remember, this is a romance novel. In Ethan and James, you have two men who are drawn together, who truly do end up loving each other. I won't get into all the details, because I want you guys to read the story for yourselves, but it's a gorgeously written love story. There are a few hiccups along the way, other than those dealing with James' husband, and while I don't think I would have handled the separation in the way Ethan did, I get the reasons behind it. The nature of an office romance is well fleshed out, and the ending scene is brilliantly staged. This is a love story with hope at it's core, and it's one I know I'll end up reading a few more times.
This isn't my first go around with this book, I've actually read it twice before, but because of some of the themes it explores, I was never ready to review it. Truthfully, I'm still not sure my brain is fully on board, so I'm not totally sure if this is really going to be a review, as much as a rambling narrative of what this book made me think about, and how I reacted to it. So I apologize if this post goes off on too many tangents, or ends up being incoherent.
Many of you guys know that I grew up in a rather abusive home. I've hinted at it in different reviews and in explanations for different Favorite Fictional Character posts. I've even let you guys in on the ongoing, internal conversation I have with myself as I try to figure out a way to let go of the pain of not only what my father did, but in the way I lost him. Physically abusive relationships have always been a trigger for me in my reading, and viewing for that matter. What I've never let you guys in on, is that for a brief moment in time, I found myself in an abusive relationship as well.
Much like James in Final Admission, I'm not a small guy, nor am I a pushover. I'm pretty determined in what I want, and normally have no issue standing up for myself, at least that's the adult version of who I am. Between 2000 and 2002, I was dating and living with a guy, that while I was never truly in love with him, I was never truly unhappy either. He was actually a lot of fun when we first started dating, but once we moved in together it changed. He would disappear for hours at time, sometimes until 5 or 6 in the morning. It was always, he was with a cousin, or in the prayer chapel at church, and I was dumb for not believing him. Needless to say, after almost a year of that, I went out with friends, and met a hot guy in the Air Force. Stupidly, I went home with him. In my mind, I was ending the relationship I was in, and I was ready for it.
When I got home that morning, I was met with a fist. Growing up in the home I was in, I always told myself I would never let that happen to me, but when you are confronted with it yourself, it's a different story altogether. This was not the first time I had a guy hit, or try and choke me, but that first time, I didn't feel as if I deserved it, so I got rid of him quick, and never looked back. But this time I froze, and while I won't drag you through all the details, it continued in this fashion for six months. A part of me felt as if I deserved it, as if I brought it on myself, and in that regard, I can understand some of what James was going through. Where James was feeling guilty for coming through the accident unscathed, when his husband not only had physical trauma, but brain damage as well, I blamed my actions for the way I was being treated. I brought it on myself for going home with someone else, even though my relationship had been dead for a while. What I didn't realize is that the emotional neglect, and I can say the emotional abuse, I had been living with for the prior year, conditioned me for the physical abuse that came later.
I never had to deal with the level of abuse James, or even my mom went through, so I know it could have been worse. And I did eventually start fighting back, something James never felt he could do, as the guilt was too thick. Where I'm a bit jealous of James, is in his relationship with Ethan. When he meets Ethan, a small part of him grabs the hope he represents. In Ethan, James, who has given up on being happy, and living to a degree, realizes that there is something else out there, another path to chose. It's not smooth sailing for them by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't imagine what Ethan was mentally going through, but the hope they instill in each other is beautiful to see unfold on the page.
It's actually something I have yet to allow myself to have. I have been completely single since 2002. I always want to blame my lack of time, my work schedule, or lack of interest, but it's really more about fear. It's not just a fear of putting myself out there again, it's a fear of what's behind the veneer, once it's wiped away. Everyone James works with, except for his cousin and his boss, thinks he has the perfect relationship with his husband. Yes he's a flirt, who enjoys the attention he gets from others, though he normally keeps it's to the girls, but everyone thinks he's truly happy in his marriage. I don't know if his husband was a controlling dick before the relationship, and the brain damage took it to a whole other, horrible level, or if the accident completely changed his personality. When your husband is trying to kill you, does it even matter. I'm not sure, given my family and personal history, when I'm going to be ready to take that risk again. I'm not sure you can ever truly know what another person is capable of, or of who they truly are. It's that uncertainty I have to let go of, and I have James as a role model to follow. And yes I know this is fiction, that James and Ethan aren't real people, but seeing a path forward, even a fictional one, is enough to give me hope that I'll be ready someday.
On the short review side of things, please don't think this is a dark or depressing book, because it's not. Yes, it does have some darker moments, but remember, this is a romance novel. In Ethan and James, you have two men who are drawn together, who truly do end up loving each other. I won't get into all the details, because I want you guys to read the story for yourselves, but it's a gorgeously written love story. There are a few hiccups along the way, other than those dealing with James' husband, and while I don't think I would have handled the separation in the way Ethan did, I get the reasons behind it. The nature of an office romance is well fleshed out, and the ending scene is brilliantly staged. This is a love story with hope at it's core, and it's one I know I'll end up reading a few more times.
July 30, 2021
No for me. Had high hopes due to a couple of recommendations but it fell flat. Basically Ethan commuted adultery with James. I know the reason about James life but end of story Ethan should have held off. I didn’t feel any connection between them both either. And James had dislocated his shoulder. I’ve done that and I certainly couldn’t do “gymnastics” in bed. A shoulder like that is painful! And you have to strap it? Really struggled to connect with the whole thing and ending up not finishing the book.
December 14, 2021
Perfect
Sue Brown just gets me every time. Read it, you will love Ethan and James. What an emotional, sexy and endearing book,
Sue Brown just gets me every time. Read it, you will love Ethan and James. What an emotional, sexy and endearing book,
Read
February 28, 2014I can't rate this. Why? It wouldn't be fair to the author. On one hand I really enjoyed this and on the other I absolutely hated it.
I spent most of my time wanting to strangle James. Then the rest of the time I wanted to bitch slap Ethan. Okay, now that I got my anger out of the way, let's talk about the book.
I do not condone cheating. I actually do not read a book if it contains cheating. I had no idea cheating was involved in this, but I read on. Could I understand where James was coming from? I think so, yes. The bar scene though, I could not understand. I can see being a flirt. Some people have a flirtatious personality. Some people need that reassurance that they "still have it". I think James was both of those he had the personality and needed reassurance. Flirting is different than actually doing something about it. Then I think about Ethan, he KNEW, yet it still continued. Why not be a friend? Why not just be there for comfort? Why did it need to go to the next level? Hell, I could even understand holding/cuddling on the couch (for James and the peace he felt around Ethan).
I really liked Ethan until about 75% in. Then, I just said a big ole EFF YOU! and almost put the book down. I was hurt. I was pissed. I was sad for James. I wanted to punch Ethan in the throat, to be honest. Before then though, I thought he was great, loyal, and determined to get James to safety. I don't know what happened :(
James, I guess I would have liked to be inside of his head. What was he thinking? How was he dealing with things? Why Ethan?
Then we get the secrets bit, how can Ethan stand that? How can he forgive so easily? Why can't people talk/fight right then and there? Why does everything have to be put on hold and then never brought up again? Nothing ever gets accomplished that way. Spill it and then hash it out. I thought Ethan had a good point and James had a lousy excuse.
Overall, this book pissed me off so much. Where was the supposed family? How can one sit back and watch DV happen over and over again and not do anything? I don't give a shit if the person being battered is a hot shot lawyer. :(
I didn't feel the love between these two, at all. I don't know how you can say you love someone and do what Ethan did at around 75%. I don't know how you can say you love someone and do what James did at the end. If that's love, I don't want any part of it.
I spent most of my time wanting to strangle James. Then the rest of the time I wanted to bitch slap Ethan. Okay, now that I got my anger out of the way, let's talk about the book.
I do not condone cheating. I actually do not read a book if it contains cheating. I had no idea cheating was involved in this, but I read on. Could I understand where James was coming from? I think so, yes. The bar scene though, I could not understand. I can see being a flirt. Some people have a flirtatious personality. Some people need that reassurance that they "still have it". I think James was both of those he had the personality and needed reassurance. Flirting is different than actually doing something about it. Then I think about Ethan, he KNEW, yet it still continued. Why not be a friend? Why not just be there for comfort? Why did it need to go to the next level? Hell, I could even understand holding/cuddling on the couch (for James and the peace he felt around Ethan).
I really liked Ethan until about 75% in. Then, I just said a big ole EFF YOU! and almost put the book down. I was hurt. I was pissed. I was sad for James. I wanted to punch Ethan in the throat, to be honest. Before then though, I thought he was great, loyal, and determined to get James to safety. I don't know what happened :(
James, I guess I would have liked to be inside of his head. What was he thinking? How was he dealing with things? Why Ethan?
Then we get the secrets bit, how can Ethan stand that? How can he forgive so easily? Why can't people talk/fight right then and there? Why does everything have to be put on hold and then never brought up again? Nothing ever gets accomplished that way. Spill it and then hash it out. I thought Ethan had a good point and James had a lousy excuse.
Overall, this book pissed me off so much. Where was the supposed family? How can one sit back and watch DV happen over and over again and not do anything? I don't give a shit if the person being battered is a hot shot lawyer. :(
I didn't feel the love between these two, at all. I don't know how you can say you love someone and do what Ethan did at around 75%. I don't know how you can say you love someone and do what James did at the end. If that's love, I don't want any part of it.
February 8, 2014
There are aspects that are weird and kitschy that kind of ruined the entire thing a bit. And also, the initiation of sex was awkward.
James. What the fuck is up with James. Is he or isn't he a womanizer? And if he is, why did he so readily admit to having a husband? Was there some excu- *cough cough * explanation mixed in somewhere that I overlooked?
It weirded me out how Ethan started casually calling him Jim, and James was okay with it. I dunno...I have this thing were I guess certain nicknames are okay, and then others aren't. Like the Jim-James thing. To me, for some reason, those are separate names. Also Jim seems like a really derpy name to me and so I guess I don't really like it. I mean, Jim Moriarty is okay cuz Scott's Moriarty is, in a way, kind of derpy anyways.
It doesn't make sense for scars to be more sensitive, does it? Not unless they're just-healing scars.
Of course he would be secretly rich. Sheesh.
Blah, blah, blah, kitschy cheesy stuff that's prolly supposed to be all romantic-like and stuff, etc, etc, etc.
James. What the fuck is up with James. Is he or isn't he a womanizer? And if he is, why did he so readily admit to having a husband? Was there some excu- *cough cough * explanation mixed in somewhere that I overlooked?
It weirded me out how Ethan started casually calling him Jim, and James was okay with it. I dunno...I have this thing were I guess certain nicknames are okay, and then others aren't. Like the Jim-James thing. To me, for some reason, those are separate names. Also Jim seems like a really derpy name to me and so I guess I don't really like it. I mean, Jim Moriarty is okay cuz Scott's Moriarty is, in a way, kind of derpy anyways.
It doesn't make sense for scars to be more sensitive, does it? Not unless they're just-healing scars.
Of course he would be secretly rich. Sheesh.
Blah, blah, blah, kitschy cheesy stuff that's prolly supposed to be all romantic-like and stuff, etc, etc, etc.
March 24, 2014
I would like to take my hat off to Sue Brown for writing a story about such a difficult and heartbreaking subject. Spousal abuse is a serious problem, and this author handled it with love and care. We never know what is happening in someone else's life, and we can't know why they make the decisions that they do.
James was a man who stayed with his abusive partner, and his reasons may not make sense to you, but his decisions were his own and I could easily understand them. I didn't like it, but I did understand.
Ethan was the perfect man to show James what it was to love and feel safe again, and seeing them come together was beautiful.
This book will end up on my re-read shelf for sure.
James was a man who stayed with his abusive partner, and his reasons may not make sense to you, but his decisions were his own and I could easily understand them. I didn't like it, but I did understand.
Ethan was the perfect man to show James what it was to love and feel safe again, and seeing them come together was beautiful.
This book will end up on my re-read shelf for sure.
September 20, 2017
Sue Brown is a good writer who depresses the hell out of me, and this book is exactly why -- by the time this book comes to a conclusion, there is so much toxic history between the MCs that it's hard to imagine them ever being truly happy. In addition, Ethan is going to always have problems with James -- he's a high-maintenance, immature PITA who up until the end of the book has shown signs of immaturity and selfishness that show no signs of abating.
April 8, 2014
This was a book that I couldn't finish, but couldn't leave alone either. everytime I think I'm done and wont read any further, I come back for more. I loved it in the end! witty funny but also a lot of emotion in each page. ****
April 10, 2012
I hated to see that it took James so long to actually do something and that all of them just accepted it and didn't film it or James when he admited the abuse and then gone to the police with it.
December 6, 2015
The characters and the story didn't work for me, I felt them being kind of incosistent.
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