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Take Me Home
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Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.
Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan’s ass—to get much done.
The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan’s new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.
When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.
Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan’s ass—to get much done.
The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan’s new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.
When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2011
55 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Sloan Parker
17 books655 followersAward-winning author Sloan Parker writes passionate, dramatic stories about two men (or more) falling in love. She enjoys writing in the fictional world because in fiction you can be anything, do anything—even fall in love for the first time over and over again. Sloan lives in Ohio with her partner and their neurotic cats. Her greatest moments in life are spent with her family, her friends, and her characters.
To contact Sloan, find out about her books that are available for purchase, and read free stories, visit: www.sloanparker.com. If you'd like to be notified of new releases and get exclusive sneak peeks, be sure to sign up to receive Sloan Parker's newsletter via her website.
To contact Sloan, find out about her books that are available for purchase, and read free stories, visit: www.sloanparker.com. If you'd like to be notified of new releases and get exclusive sneak peeks, be sure to sign up to receive Sloan Parker's newsletter via her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 12, 2014
I like the previous story from Ms. Parker, Breathe, and think that I can enjoy her writing style. So, I've been waiting for this one quite awhile (I will not touch her other book, since it's m/m/m and that is not my thing).
UNFORTUNATELY, this comes at a slight disappointment.
1) For a story with 247 pages, spending almost the whole book on push and pull about Kyle who is said cannot commit and Evan who is afraid to ruin that friendship is AGGRAVATING to say the least. In fact, right about 17%, I'm getting impatient with their constant inner fight.
This inner fight with themselves starts from page one, all the way while they're on the train, until they arrive on their destination. EVEN happen after they made love. And after 50% (my first reaction was, "wow, I made it to half the book!") I pretty much don't care about whether they're going to make it or not. It's just goes ON AND ON AND ON, I even make a wish I can go into the book and hit them both in the head so I can be done with it.
2) The "mystery" part, the one where Kyle stumbles into his grandfather's journal might be interesting, unfortunately it often being shoved behind for their inner fight.
3) Not even roadtrip can make me feel happy this time :(
I'm not giving up on Ms. Parker, but this one is definitely not aspiring ...
UNFORTUNATELY, this comes at a slight disappointment.
1) For a story with 247 pages, spending almost the whole book on push and pull about Kyle who is said cannot commit and Evan who is afraid to ruin that friendship is AGGRAVATING to say the least. In fact, right about 17%, I'm getting impatient with their constant inner fight.
This inner fight with themselves starts from page one, all the way while they're on the train, until they arrive on their destination. EVEN happen after they made love. And after 50% (my first reaction was, "wow, I made it to half the book!") I pretty much don't care about whether they're going to make it or not. It's just goes ON AND ON AND ON, I even make a wish I can go into the book and hit them both in the head so I can be done with it.
2) The "mystery" part, the one where Kyle stumbles into his grandfather's journal might be interesting, unfortunately it often being shoved behind for their inner fight.
3) Not even roadtrip can make me feel happy this time :(
I'm not giving up on Ms. Parker, but this one is definitely not aspiring ...
December 25, 2011
I’m not sure if this story qualifies as a big misunderstanding or not, because all the doubt and evasion is justified based on what Kyle and Evan knew of each other from their youth and the subsequent years. In this friends to lovers tale, every time they try to talk about the changes something interrupts them or they are otherwise derailed; they are talking, but damn, is it slow.
Kyle's always been the one who didn't want permanence, who went from man to man. Everyone in the story but he and Evan knows it's because Kyle really wants Evan. A youthful almost-relationship between them gets referred to often. Considering that Kyle had pushed Evan into situations he didn't want and that were extremely unsafe, abandoning the relationship early sounded like a really good idea to me, even if Kyle later took corrective action. That Evan would still be pining for Kyle even through a ten-year committed relationship with another man, enough to prompt certain actions from that man, seemed on the far edge of believable.
Kyle does some rethinking during the six months he has a post-breakup Evan in the guest room, but saves most of it for when we have to endure it. Listening to the endless dithering, which pervades the entire book, well past a place where it would be reasonable to have made a decision, gets rather old. Prolonged to the screaming point by the constant interruptions, it made me want to slap him and shake Evan, and tell them both to just get on with it already! Hours alone in a remote cabin should have given them the talk-time and moved the relationship farther forward. Why they were out at the cabin at all, and the visitor they had, also defied good sense.
The external plot, regarding Evan's screenwriting job and a journal left to Kyle, had both several unbelievable points to it and the most interesting part of the story. The journal, written by Kyle's grandfather, detailed an important year in his youth and the decisions he made, and I was left yearning to have read that story in full detail rather than the scattered journal entries. Another stretch—how everyone and their brother knew this journal just had to contain enough keys to the mystery to make a considerable amount of skullduggery from several parties worthwhile. A character Kyle refers to as 'Dickhead' had the most sensible reaction to the skullduggery's resolution, but Kyle and Evan went out to do something foolish instead.
So many plot points demanded more suspension of disbelief than I could muster that the style became a secondary issue. The voices of the two characters are very similar, and while I wasn't exactly seeing headhopping, it was sometimes hard to know who was POV. I found myself scrolling backwards to be sure I knew whose head we were in, because it felt like there was a change, although usually there wasn't. The read felt otherwise monotonous, probably due to the nearly unvarying sentence structure, and because certain plot elements repeated several times. And no, I do not want to know some stranger's gastro-intestinal problems with broccoli. This chunk is definitely part of the 15k bloat the book is carrying.
The ending, with all its frustrations, was satisfying; all the various subplots came together coherently. This is the strength of the book, even if it required contortions to get there. Kyle and Evan get their shot at an HEA, although I found myself not caring all that much, since I hadn't managed to like them all that much. My favorite characters were actually 'Dickhead,' for his willingness to act decisively if occasionally stupidly and his late interjections of good sense, and especially the deceased grandfather, who had romance and heartbreak in his journal snippets. I wanted to like this story, but mostly I was just glad it was over.
Kyle's always been the one who didn't want permanence, who went from man to man. Everyone in the story but he and Evan knows it's because Kyle really wants Evan. A youthful almost-relationship between them gets referred to often. Considering that Kyle had pushed Evan into situations he didn't want and that were extremely unsafe, abandoning the relationship early sounded like a really good idea to me, even if Kyle later took corrective action. That Evan would still be pining for Kyle even through a ten-year committed relationship with another man, enough to prompt certain actions from that man, seemed on the far edge of believable.
Kyle does some rethinking during the six months he has a post-breakup Evan in the guest room, but saves most of it for when we have to endure it. Listening to the endless dithering, which pervades the entire book, well past a place where it would be reasonable to have made a decision, gets rather old. Prolonged to the screaming point by the constant interruptions, it made me want to slap him and shake Evan, and tell them both to just get on with it already! Hours alone in a remote cabin should have given them the talk-time and moved the relationship farther forward. Why they were out at the cabin at all, and the visitor they had, also defied good sense.
The external plot, regarding Evan's screenwriting job and a journal left to Kyle, had both several unbelievable points to it and the most interesting part of the story. The journal, written by Kyle's grandfather, detailed an important year in his youth and the decisions he made, and I was left yearning to have read that story in full detail rather than the scattered journal entries. Another stretch—how everyone and their brother knew this journal just had to contain enough keys to the mystery to make a considerable amount of skullduggery from several parties worthwhile. A character Kyle refers to as 'Dickhead' had the most sensible reaction to the skullduggery's resolution, but Kyle and Evan went out to do something foolish instead.
So many plot points demanded more suspension of disbelief than I could muster that the style became a secondary issue. The voices of the two characters are very similar, and while I wasn't exactly seeing headhopping, it was sometimes hard to know who was POV. I found myself scrolling backwards to be sure I knew whose head we were in, because it felt like there was a change, although usually there wasn't. The read felt otherwise monotonous, probably due to the nearly unvarying sentence structure, and because certain plot elements repeated several times. And no, I do not want to know some stranger's gastro-intestinal problems with broccoli. This chunk is definitely part of the 15k bloat the book is carrying.
The ending, with all its frustrations, was satisfying; all the various subplots came together coherently. This is the strength of the book, even if it required contortions to get there. Kyle and Evan get their shot at an HEA, although I found myself not caring all that much, since I hadn't managed to like them all that much. My favorite characters were actually 'Dickhead,' for his willingness to act decisively if occasionally stupidly and his late interjections of good sense, and especially the deceased grandfather, who had romance and heartbreak in his journal snippets. I wanted to like this story, but mostly I was just glad it was over.
m-m
December 7, 2011My third novel. Best friends finding their way to forever in each other's arms
BOOK BLURB:
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.
Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan’s ass—to get much done.
The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan’s new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.
When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.
BOOK BLURB:
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.
Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan’s ass—to get much done.
The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan’s new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.
When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.
November 7, 2019
2.5 Stars I'm usually a fan of Sloan Parker but this book just didn't work for me. Evan and Kyle were both nice guys and had been best friends since high school. Evan has always had a thing for Kyle (supposedly even during his 10 year relationship with someone else). Now that Evan and his long time boyfriend have broken up he's moved in with Kyle. Kyle starts to notice his best friend in more than a friendly way but he doesn't do relationships. This is actually one of my least favorite plot points.
The two end up taking a trip together which ordinarily is one of my favorites. However, the continual conversations about Kyle not being a relationship guy and the whole I won't hurt you were so repetitive I began to not care whether they ended up together or not. Add to that the continuous disruptions and it just got a bit ridiculous. I just wanted them to get on with it or not. You would think traveling with each other and staying in a cabin during a blizzard they would have plenty of time to talk but it was so much talk, misunderstanding, interruption.
The two end up taking a trip together which ordinarily is one of my favorites. However, the continual conversations about Kyle not being a relationship guy and the whole I won't hurt you were so repetitive I began to not care whether they ended up together or not. Add to that the continuous disruptions and it just got a bit ridiculous. I just wanted them to get on with it or not. You would think traveling with each other and staying in a cabin during a blizzard they would have plenty of time to talk but it was so much talk, misunderstanding, interruption.
January 13, 2012
If you have been following my blog then you know by now that I LOVE Sloan Parker. She was the very first M/M author I read and I am thankful of that fact everyday. I have been waiting impatiently for Ms. Parker to release Take Me Home and was overjoyed when it finally occurred. All of her books are so fantastic! She has a way of grabbing her readers and making them want to never let go. I have truly fallen in love with all of the characters in her books so it was no surprise when I fell in love with Kyle and Evan of Take Me Home. Both of these men have personalities that will have you wanting to be a part of their lives.
Kyle and Evan have been friends since high school and have remained close. Evan has just ended a long term relationship and is currently living with Kyle. Evan of course believing in commitment and Kyle more of the free spirited type of guy. But what Kyle doesn't know is that Evan has been in love with him since day 1. But Evan is also well aware that Kyle is far from the commitment type and has been afraid to tell Kyle his true feelings. He wants to protect his heart at all costs.
It's not until Kyle talks to his sister that he starts to realize that maybe his feelings towards Evan is not all about lust. Can he actually have true feelings for Evan? Can he risk Evan's heart by trying to figure out what these new found feelings are? All he knows is that he thinks about Evan all the time and wants to definitely take their relationship to a new level.
What makes this book so incredible is that Ms. Parker adds mystery to the mix. Kyle's grandfather leaves an important journal that a lot of people want to get their hands on. But what could possibly be in an old journal that is making people a little nuts???
The chemistry between these two men is beyond hot. The sex scenes are incredibly erotic and left me a little breathless. :-) So yes....Ms. Parker is an expert at making her readers utilize their imaginations! The way she combines physical and emotional feelings is incredible.
So I can assure you that you will LOVE Take Me Home. This is a book that you will want to read over and over. Ms. Parker is an incredible writer and I have enjoyed every one of her books. But let me warn you...once you read her books you're hooked and will find yourself waiting impatiently for her next one.
Kyle and Evan have been friends since high school and have remained close. Evan has just ended a long term relationship and is currently living with Kyle. Evan of course believing in commitment and Kyle more of the free spirited type of guy. But what Kyle doesn't know is that Evan has been in love with him since day 1. But Evan is also well aware that Kyle is far from the commitment type and has been afraid to tell Kyle his true feelings. He wants to protect his heart at all costs.
It's not until Kyle talks to his sister that he starts to realize that maybe his feelings towards Evan is not all about lust. Can he actually have true feelings for Evan? Can he risk Evan's heart by trying to figure out what these new found feelings are? All he knows is that he thinks about Evan all the time and wants to definitely take their relationship to a new level.
What makes this book so incredible is that Ms. Parker adds mystery to the mix. Kyle's grandfather leaves an important journal that a lot of people want to get their hands on. But what could possibly be in an old journal that is making people a little nuts???
The chemistry between these two men is beyond hot. The sex scenes are incredibly erotic and left me a little breathless. :-) So yes....Ms. Parker is an expert at making her readers utilize their imaginations! The way she combines physical and emotional feelings is incredible.
So I can assure you that you will LOVE Take Me Home. This is a book that you will want to read over and over. Ms. Parker is an incredible writer and I have enjoyed every one of her books. But let me warn you...once you read her books you're hooked and will find yourself waiting impatiently for her next one.
December 15, 2011
1,5 stars
Unlikeable characters wallowing in self-tormenting thoughts,countless hard-ons and the worst head-hopping narration I`ve read in a while.
A huge disappointment and waste of time I could have spent reading a better book!
Might be a bit harsh but I`m peeved...
Unlikeable characters wallowing in self-tormenting thoughts,countless hard-ons and the worst head-hopping narration I`ve read in a while.
A huge disappointment and waste of time I could have spent reading a better book!
Might be a bit harsh but I`m peeved...
June 27, 2012
Oh how to review this.... I liked the relationship, until it became overdone/repetitive. Didn't like the subplot at all (soap opera-ey!) I have read, and liked other works from this author, so I'll just consider this a one-off, for me.
January 1, 2012
This review was originally posted on my blog Joyfully Jay.
Mystery writer Kyle Bennett has writer's block and he is hoping a trip home for the holidays (or even a move back to Ohio from California) might help break it. The problem isn't helped by the fact that he is totally hot for his best friend Evan Walker who is currently living with him after the breakup of Evan's long-term relationship. Kyle has always been a one night kind of guy, and he knows that Evan doesn't do the casual thing. Kyle realizes that he has strong feelings for Evan, and definitely wants him, but he doesn't want to hurt Evan.
Evan has been in love with Kyle since they met in high school years ago. Even with his relationship, his feelings for Kyle never really went away. The guys had one "not quite" night way back when they were young men traveling to college together, and Kyle's panic (and subsequent hook up with another guy) hurt Evan badly. Although he really wants Kyle, Evan worries whether he can trust him in any kind of commitment.
In addition to Kyle, Evan has some other problems as well. He has just been offered his dream job writing for a top television show. He is thrilled at the idea of finally making it in Hollywood after years of struggling, only to find that there may be more behind the offer than what it seems. Evan is approached by a top network executive who wants Evan to convince Kyle to share a journal he recently received from his grandfather's estate. The network believes there is valuable information in it that would help their amateur treasure hunters show and puts pressure on Evan to convince Kyle to share it or lose his job offer. Evan has no intention of selling Kyle out, but the added turmoil and potential loss of his dream job weigh heavily on him.
The guys had planned a trip home for the holidays by plane, but Evan decides to surprise Kyle with a trip on the train instead, hoping the more relaxing and time consuming trip will help break his writer's block. The trip turns out to be exactly what the guys need, despite a snowstorm and other travel delays. Days (and nights) together in a tiny sleeper car finally allow both guys to admit their feelings for one another and take their relationship forward. Yet problems are still lurking. It soon becomes clear that someone is after Kyle's grandfather's journal and they must find out what secrets are hidden there that someone wants so desperately to find. And Kyle and Evan must figure out what they really want from each other and whether Evan can trust Kyle to be there for him for the long haul as he has promised.
Oh, this was such a sweet, yummy friends-to-lovers story! I loved the setup of the two guys living together and then sharing the tiny train car, forcing all their feelings for each other to come to the surface. Even though I know intellectually that those little sleeper cars are probably cramped and uncomfortable, Parker does an amazing job showing the romance of the train, from the little bunks to the snowy scenery outside the observation car. I could totally believe in the magic of the trip and how it helps the guys finally admit how they feel for one another.
I thought their relationship dynamic was really interesting. Kyle is the one night stand kind of guy, so I really appreciated that we know right away that Kyle is in love with Evan (even if Evan doesn't). There is no question in the reader's mind about his commitment, it is really a question of whether he can admit his feelings for Evan and if Evan will believe him. Evan is more of a relationship guy, although he has been hurt many times (the worst most recently) and Kyle feels quite protective over him, something which started in high school. Yet even though Kyle is clearly the more confident one (both in general and in believing in their relationship), when they get together sexually Evan is the more dominant partner. I really liked this twist because it keeps a nice balance between the two guys and shows Evan can be a strong partner as well. And it makes for some smoking hot love scenes between the guys!
I loved the way the story incorporates the mystery element of Kyle's grandfather's past through the journal. As Kyle continues to read the journal we learn more about his grandfather and the secrets he hid his entire life. I enjoyed trying to anticipate what was really going on and trying to figure out who was after the journal. It definitely kept me guessing throughout the story. I also enjoyed the way reading about his grandfather's life offered guidance and parallels to Kyle and helped him work out his own feelings for Evan and what he really wants out of life. I think this part was really well done.
This is a friends-to-lovers story so there is an inherent "will they or won't they" element to this trope. I did feel it went on a bit long for me. Even once the guys ultimately get together, there was a lot of second guessing. Maybe it is just because I don't like any conflicts getting in the way of my guys! But I feel like some of the pacing in the early part of the book could have been picked up a bit if there wasn't so much indecision. I think the mystery plot and other story elements could have carried the book forward even if the commitment issue had been resolved earlier.
But overall I really loved this story. Great dynamic between the two guys with just the right combination of tender, sweet moments and scorching hot scenes, something Parker does so well in her books. I thought the intertwining mystery was great and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. And the train setting works wonderfully. I recall an old Amtrak commercial with the slogan "There's something about a train that's magic." And Take Me Home really highlights that beautifully. Great story, definitely recommend.
Mystery writer Kyle Bennett has writer's block and he is hoping a trip home for the holidays (or even a move back to Ohio from California) might help break it. The problem isn't helped by the fact that he is totally hot for his best friend Evan Walker who is currently living with him after the breakup of Evan's long-term relationship. Kyle has always been a one night kind of guy, and he knows that Evan doesn't do the casual thing. Kyle realizes that he has strong feelings for Evan, and definitely wants him, but he doesn't want to hurt Evan.
Evan has been in love with Kyle since they met in high school years ago. Even with his relationship, his feelings for Kyle never really went away. The guys had one "not quite" night way back when they were young men traveling to college together, and Kyle's panic (and subsequent hook up with another guy) hurt Evan badly. Although he really wants Kyle, Evan worries whether he can trust him in any kind of commitment.
In addition to Kyle, Evan has some other problems as well. He has just been offered his dream job writing for a top television show. He is thrilled at the idea of finally making it in Hollywood after years of struggling, only to find that there may be more behind the offer than what it seems. Evan is approached by a top network executive who wants Evan to convince Kyle to share a journal he recently received from his grandfather's estate. The network believes there is valuable information in it that would help their amateur treasure hunters show and puts pressure on Evan to convince Kyle to share it or lose his job offer. Evan has no intention of selling Kyle out, but the added turmoil and potential loss of his dream job weigh heavily on him.
The guys had planned a trip home for the holidays by plane, but Evan decides to surprise Kyle with a trip on the train instead, hoping the more relaxing and time consuming trip will help break his writer's block. The trip turns out to be exactly what the guys need, despite a snowstorm and other travel delays. Days (and nights) together in a tiny sleeper car finally allow both guys to admit their feelings for one another and take their relationship forward. Yet problems are still lurking. It soon becomes clear that someone is after Kyle's grandfather's journal and they must find out what secrets are hidden there that someone wants so desperately to find. And Kyle and Evan must figure out what they really want from each other and whether Evan can trust Kyle to be there for him for the long haul as he has promised.
Oh, this was such a sweet, yummy friends-to-lovers story! I loved the setup of the two guys living together and then sharing the tiny train car, forcing all their feelings for each other to come to the surface. Even though I know intellectually that those little sleeper cars are probably cramped and uncomfortable, Parker does an amazing job showing the romance of the train, from the little bunks to the snowy scenery outside the observation car. I could totally believe in the magic of the trip and how it helps the guys finally admit how they feel for one another.
I thought their relationship dynamic was really interesting. Kyle is the one night stand kind of guy, so I really appreciated that we know right away that Kyle is in love with Evan (even if Evan doesn't). There is no question in the reader's mind about his commitment, it is really a question of whether he can admit his feelings for Evan and if Evan will believe him. Evan is more of a relationship guy, although he has been hurt many times (the worst most recently) and Kyle feels quite protective over him, something which started in high school. Yet even though Kyle is clearly the more confident one (both in general and in believing in their relationship), when they get together sexually Evan is the more dominant partner. I really liked this twist because it keeps a nice balance between the two guys and shows Evan can be a strong partner as well. And it makes for some smoking hot love scenes between the guys!
I loved the way the story incorporates the mystery element of Kyle's grandfather's past through the journal. As Kyle continues to read the journal we learn more about his grandfather and the secrets he hid his entire life. I enjoyed trying to anticipate what was really going on and trying to figure out who was after the journal. It definitely kept me guessing throughout the story. I also enjoyed the way reading about his grandfather's life offered guidance and parallels to Kyle and helped him work out his own feelings for Evan and what he really wants out of life. I think this part was really well done.
This is a friends-to-lovers story so there is an inherent "will they or won't they" element to this trope. I did feel it went on a bit long for me. Even once the guys ultimately get together, there was a lot of second guessing. Maybe it is just because I don't like any conflicts getting in the way of my guys! But I feel like some of the pacing in the early part of the book could have been picked up a bit if there wasn't so much indecision. I think the mystery plot and other story elements could have carried the book forward even if the commitment issue had been resolved earlier.
But overall I really loved this story. Great dynamic between the two guys with just the right combination of tender, sweet moments and scorching hot scenes, something Parker does so well in her books. I thought the intertwining mystery was great and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. And the train setting works wonderfully. I recall an old Amtrak commercial with the slogan "There's something about a train that's magic." And Take Me Home really highlights that beautifully. Great story, definitely recommend.
probably-not-but-freebie
December 10, 2018Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Take-Me-Home...
March 19, 2015
I would have loved this book had it not dragged on and on and on. It never ceases to amaze me when an author expects his or her readers to believe a couple is going to make it in a relationship when they can't even begin to communicate with one another. This is not going to work out. Kyle and Evan are going to break up. It's going to be horrible, like crash and burn they both end up drunk for a year afterwards type of breakup. All because neither one of them knows the first thing about telling someone how they feel.
And that whole side plot about the damn money? There was too much and not enough going on. It's a disorienting, frustrating read.
And that whole side plot about the damn money? There was too much and not enough going on. It's a disorienting, frustrating read.
June 30, 2021
I dunno. I thought the story was interesting, but I could have done without about 50-75% of the endless introspection about THE RELATIONSHIP. 3 stars.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
February 13, 2012
This is a nicely written book with endearing characters. No great dramas, just nice character development and some meaning threaded throughout.
Evan and Kyle have known each other since school and Evan has loved Kyle pretty much from the beginning. Evan has been living with Kyle after a breakup 6 months ago with his long standing partner of 10 years, Dennis. They are going home for Christmas to Ohio to be with their families who are tight with one another. Kyle believes he will stay in Ohio for good once there. This time Evan organises a train trip, rather than a plane, to give them some more time on the journey home, as it may be their last time of any note together.
Before they go away Kyle's apartment is broken into and, then when they are on the train, their compartment is also broken into. The break-ins are done in such a way that they could seem random. However, because Kyle's Grandfathers journal has recently arrived and Evan is being 'blackmailed' to get it for a network he has just recently been hired as a writer for, you know they aren't coincidental.
What I enjoyed in this book was the reading of Kyle's grandfather's (Victor) journal. His relationship with another man, Joe, in the 50's after their stint in the Korean War is quite relevant to Kyle and Evan's current relationship. Kyle, who struggles with commitment, appreciates how hard it must have been for a man in the 1950's being gay, having to keep it locked away, he doesn't have to do that himself. Kyle's grandfather also knew his grandson well, knew he was the one to send it to, knew his grandson was gay and also knew about Evan. To me, that was a really nice part of this book.
There are a number of secondary characters and pretty much all are decent people. I felt for Evan's ex Dennis I must say. I liked that Kyle's sister Lorrie is a nice, caring person. Lorrie is not the usual shrew that can occur in M/M books, she loves her brother and wants to see him happy. There are no family dramas at all.
There is more to the book but mostly if you like a nice, unfurling, romantic story then Take Me Home is just that. There are a few tense moments but nothing in particular. It is more about life and what we make of it. We can make it complicated or not, we can see what is right in front of us and take a chance or not.
I have read two Sloan Parker books now, More and Take Me Home, and they are quite different. What they do have in common, though, is good writing and good characters. I found More sexier but Take Me Home more of a sweet romance. I guess if I had to choose More is still my preferred book, but I like both for different reasons. I will now move on to Breathe as I like Sloan's books and I believe it will be well worth reading too.
Evan and Kyle have known each other since school and Evan has loved Kyle pretty much from the beginning. Evan has been living with Kyle after a breakup 6 months ago with his long standing partner of 10 years, Dennis. They are going home for Christmas to Ohio to be with their families who are tight with one another. Kyle believes he will stay in Ohio for good once there. This time Evan organises a train trip, rather than a plane, to give them some more time on the journey home, as it may be their last time of any note together.
Before they go away Kyle's apartment is broken into and, then when they are on the train, their compartment is also broken into. The break-ins are done in such a way that they could seem random. However, because Kyle's Grandfathers journal has recently arrived and Evan is being 'blackmailed' to get it for a network he has just recently been hired as a writer for, you know they aren't coincidental.
What I enjoyed in this book was the reading of Kyle's grandfather's (Victor) journal. His relationship with another man, Joe, in the 50's after their stint in the Korean War is quite relevant to Kyle and Evan's current relationship. Kyle, who struggles with commitment, appreciates how hard it must have been for a man in the 1950's being gay, having to keep it locked away, he doesn't have to do that himself. Kyle's grandfather also knew his grandson well, knew he was the one to send it to, knew his grandson was gay and also knew about Evan. To me, that was a really nice part of this book.
There are a number of secondary characters and pretty much all are decent people. I felt for Evan's ex Dennis I must say. I liked that Kyle's sister Lorrie is a nice, caring person. Lorrie is not the usual shrew that can occur in M/M books, she loves her brother and wants to see him happy. There are no family dramas at all.
There is more to the book but mostly if you like a nice, unfurling, romantic story then Take Me Home is just that. There are a few tense moments but nothing in particular. It is more about life and what we make of it. We can make it complicated or not, we can see what is right in front of us and take a chance or not.
I have read two Sloan Parker books now, More and Take Me Home, and they are quite different. What they do have in common, though, is good writing and good characters. I found More sexier but Take Me Home more of a sweet romance. I guess if I had to choose More is still my preferred book, but I like both for different reasons. I will now move on to Breathe as I like Sloan's books and I believe it will be well worth reading too.
December 17, 2011
I am a huge Sloan Parker fan. She introduced me to more than just novellas in this genre. More was my first full-length m/m book. I don't like manage books (I actually REALLY hate them) but she totally made it work and I loved it. I loved Breathe even better. So I was anxiously awaiting the release of this book. I knew I would not be disappointed and I wasn't.
Evan and Kyle have been best friends for over 10 years. Evan has been in love with Kyle since high school but Kyle is not a one-man kind of guy and Evan knows this. So when Evan is 18 he gets involved with an older man (Dennis) and stays in that relationship for 10 years until Dennis breaks it off. Evan then moves in with Kyle and stays in his spare room. Kyle suddenly starts seeing Evan in a "more than friend" type of light. Kyle is a novelist. Evan is an aspiring screenwriter. Evan is given his chance... to write for the most popular reality-type show on TV, though in order to take the position he must do something that will hurt Kyle. They head toward home (Ohio) from L.A. for the holidays on a train and are stuck in very close quarters. There is mystery (the bad guy was a "duh!" moment.... I should have seen it but I didn't) involving Kyle's grandfather's journal and the secrets it held. A little danger. Sex, obviously. Jealousy and an ex boyfriend. Even really sweet and corny (in a good way) romance.
I have always loved friends-to-lovers stories. While there are a few times in the book where you want to pop both of the guys on the head, it still flowed pretty smoothly and came together well. I loved Evan. I loved Kyle. I really wanted to hate Dennis but I couldn't. The sex was there (and it was good) but it wasn't every other paragraph starting from the first page. There was build up and it was written very well. I have to admit that out of all the sex scenes my favorite in the entire book wasn't even a sex scene per se. It happened in the apartment without Kyle and Evan even being in the same room. If you read the book, you know what I'm talking about. That was hot.
Another great book by Sloan. I was happy with the ending and the build up to it. As always, I look forward to her new books and short stories in the future. She was my first (so to speak) and will always rank up there in my top 2 favorite authors of this genre.
Evan and Kyle have been best friends for over 10 years. Evan has been in love with Kyle since high school but Kyle is not a one-man kind of guy and Evan knows this. So when Evan is 18 he gets involved with an older man (Dennis) and stays in that relationship for 10 years until Dennis breaks it off. Evan then moves in with Kyle and stays in his spare room. Kyle suddenly starts seeing Evan in a "more than friend" type of light. Kyle is a novelist. Evan is an aspiring screenwriter. Evan is given his chance... to write for the most popular reality-type show on TV, though in order to take the position he must do something that will hurt Kyle. They head toward home (Ohio) from L.A. for the holidays on a train and are stuck in very close quarters. There is mystery (the bad guy was a "duh!" moment.... I should have seen it but I didn't) involving Kyle's grandfather's journal and the secrets it held. A little danger. Sex, obviously. Jealousy and an ex boyfriend. Even really sweet and corny (in a good way) romance.
I have always loved friends-to-lovers stories. While there are a few times in the book where you want to pop both of the guys on the head, it still flowed pretty smoothly and came together well. I loved Evan. I loved Kyle. I really wanted to hate Dennis but I couldn't. The sex was there (and it was good) but it wasn't every other paragraph starting from the first page. There was build up and it was written very well. I have to admit that out of all the sex scenes my favorite in the entire book wasn't even a sex scene per se. It happened in the apartment without Kyle and Evan even being in the same room. If you read the book, you know what I'm talking about. That was hot.
Another great book by Sloan. I was happy with the ending and the build up to it. As always, I look forward to her new books and short stories in the future. She was my first (so to speak) and will always rank up there in my top 2 favorite authors of this genre.
November 30, 2013
2.5 stars I can describe this book in one word...
Overly Complicated. OK, two words. The basic story is that Evan has been in love with his friend Kyle since high-school, but Kyle is a slut, so Evan dated someone else. The book starts 6 months after Evan got dumped by his boyfriend of 10 years and has been staying with Kyle. They decide they will take a train to their hometown for Christmas, obviously love ensues on said train, and that's that. Good story right? An unrequited friends-to-lovers with an ex thrown in for some drama.
But alas, Ms. Parker just couldn't leave well enough alone. Throw in a mystery journal from a dead relative, a secret gay love-affair, a black-mailing TV exec, a buried treasure, and a mad-man wielding a hay-hook. The more the better, right?!?! Yeah, not so much.
I didn't really care for any of the subplots, they were all just so ludicrous and unnecessary. But unfortunately I couldn't cut them out and only read the main story so I increasingly started speed reading to get through to the end and, while I enjoyed it, I think it would have been a solid 3 to 3.5 star if it had stayed true to it's main love story.
But on that note, they did draw out the will-they-won't-they, he-loves-me-he-loves-me-not, I-can-trust-him-no-I-can't-trust-him bullshit.
Overly Complicated. OK, two words. The basic story is that Evan has been in love with his friend Kyle since high-school, but Kyle is a slut, so Evan dated someone else. The book starts 6 months after Evan got dumped by his boyfriend of 10 years and has been staying with Kyle. They decide they will take a train to their hometown for Christmas, obviously love ensues on said train, and that's that. Good story right? An unrequited friends-to-lovers with an ex thrown in for some drama.
But alas, Ms. Parker just couldn't leave well enough alone. Throw in a mystery journal from a dead relative, a secret gay love-affair, a black-mailing TV exec, a buried treasure, and a mad-man wielding a hay-hook. The more the better, right?!?! Yeah, not so much.
I didn't really care for any of the subplots, they were all just so ludicrous and unnecessary. But unfortunately I couldn't cut them out and only read the main story so I increasingly started speed reading to get through to the end and, while I enjoyed it, I think it would have been a solid 3 to 3.5 star if it had stayed true to it's main love story.
But on that note, they did draw out the will-they-won't-they, he-loves-me-he-loves-me-not, I-can-trust-him-no-I-can't-trust-him bullshit.
Want to read
December 10, 201812/10/18 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
December 25, 2012
Originally posted at Rarely Dusty Books
Genre & Keywords:
M/M Romance, Contemporary, Suspense, Mystery, Friends become Lovers, Hollywood, Writer, Train trip, Snow storm, Holidays
~~~~~
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 out of 3
~~~~~
Writing a review about a book that you absolutely loved and read in almost one sitting is never easy. Doing so, when it concerns a book from an author whose other work you also couldn’t put down and totally adored, is even more difficult. What makes it hard is to find the right (and new) words to express how enjoyable and emotionally satisfying the book was. Sloan Parker is becoming one of those authors who I doubt can ever disappoint me with her writing. I love her voice, her plots, her flawed, three-dimensional heroes and their chemistry, the emotional impact her books have on me, and the intensely gratifying sexual tension and hot love scenes her stories have no lack of.
I was thinking that maybe her third novel, Take Me Home, wouldn’t be able to live up to the high expectations I had after loving her first two novels, More and Breathe, so much. I even postponed reading it for a bit, because I didn’t want to be disappointed. However, I should’ve known that she would deliver again, even while I had my extra critical glasses on. Looking through those glasses I only noticed a little bit of too much perfection – if that is even possible – regarding the pace of the mystery plot in this book. So, if I had to mention one niggle it would’ve been that it felt sort of over-plotted when it comes to the mystery. Parker is using the old trick of the mystery genre of handing out bits and pieces of information at well-planned moments, and especially the holding back that goes along with that trick becomes a bit frustrating at some points. However, this paradoxically enhanced the reading enjoyment this book offered for me too.
Let’s talk about the heroes of Take Me Home. Evan and Kyle are old friends that once shared a hot kiss about ten years ago. Since then, Evan has been in a relationship that ended 6 months ago, while Kyle never had a serious relationship during those ten years. They seem to want opposite things when it comes to commitment and that’s what kept them apart all those years. Now, however, Evan stays in Kyle’s guest room after the breakup and the sexual tension between them is building steadily. When they make plans to travel home for the holidays together by train, which means sharing a small sleeper car for days, there’s bound to happen something between them. Problem is, Evan thinks Kyle isn’t interested in a long term relationship, while Evan isn’t looking for a temporary hot fling, especially not with his best friend Kyle, whose friendship he could lose over it.
Fortunately, we know from an early stage in the story, that Kyle’s one-night-stand behavior is rooted in his love for Evan. It just took him years to admit those feelings to himself. And now he only has to share them with Evan, were it not that whenever they are alone ‘the talk’ that would clear up all the misunderstandings, gets delayed by one reason or another.
A great deal of the suspense in this story is caused by that postponed ‘moment of truth’ between the two lovers. Thankfully, they don’t hold back on the hot sex on their way there! Another part of the suspense stems from the fragmentized delivery of the journal entries from Kyle’s grandfather. There’s a secret to be revealed in the journal, we know that much because a TV show is after the journal and wants it bad, while at the same time mysterious things happen on the train ride. So, external factors keep derailing Evan and Kyle from their big moment of revelations regarding their feelings. At the same time their intimate scenes keep us readers on the edge of our seats every time they interrupt the mystery plot. It’s a fine balance Parker is trying to hold, and as I said before, it gets quite frustrating at times because she forces her readers to be patient on both levels. The snow storm only adds to that suspense arc. The ‘break’ during that storm that led them to the cabin where they stayed one night, started out rather nerve-racking. I admit, I loved that Parker is so incredibly in control of the pacing, to the point of frustration.
Another well directed aspect of this story is the richness of the secondary cast. There are just enough characters to keep it accessible and at the same time interesting enough regarding the riddle who the ‘bad guy’ is. Also, Evan’s ex-boyfriend wasn’t just a figure in the background, but came out to play a small role and functions as a catalyst as well. I liked that. As much as I liked the glimpses we got from Kyle’s grandfather’s life through his journal entries.
Additionally, the scenery of the train ride, the landscape and the frightening snow storm were all described in a colorful and expressive way. For me they added to the enjoyable reading experience that this book provided as well.
In the end the heroes arrive at their parents’ houses right in time for the holiday celebrations. There all the plot threads come together in a very satisfying solution. The wrap up is perfectly done, no open ends are left, and Kyle and Evan finally get their hard-worked for HEA! It took them a while to get there, but in the meantime we got treated to buckets full of sexual tension, delicious anticipation, suspense, wonderful emotional build-up, hot smexing and finally ultimate satisfaction. This couple and their adventures still cross my mind every now and then, months after I read the book. It’s their chemistry as much as the feelings they put me through that makes them unforgettable.
Related posts:
Guest post by Sloan Parker 'Location, Location, Location' about Take Me Home
Review: Breathe by Sloan Parker
Guest post by Sloan Parker about the heroes of Breathe
Guest post by Sloan Parker 'One Author’s POV on POV' about More
High Five, Low Five Review of More by Sloan Parker
Genre & Keywords:
M/M Romance, Contemporary, Suspense, Mystery, Friends become Lovers, Hollywood, Writer, Train trip, Snow storm, Holidays
~~~~~
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 2.5 out of 3
~~~~~
Writing a review about a book that you absolutely loved and read in almost one sitting is never easy. Doing so, when it concerns a book from an author whose other work you also couldn’t put down and totally adored, is even more difficult. What makes it hard is to find the right (and new) words to express how enjoyable and emotionally satisfying the book was. Sloan Parker is becoming one of those authors who I doubt can ever disappoint me with her writing. I love her voice, her plots, her flawed, three-dimensional heroes and their chemistry, the emotional impact her books have on me, and the intensely gratifying sexual tension and hot love scenes her stories have no lack of.
I was thinking that maybe her third novel, Take Me Home, wouldn’t be able to live up to the high expectations I had after loving her first two novels, More and Breathe, so much. I even postponed reading it for a bit, because I didn’t want to be disappointed. However, I should’ve known that she would deliver again, even while I had my extra critical glasses on. Looking through those glasses I only noticed a little bit of too much perfection – if that is even possible – regarding the pace of the mystery plot in this book. So, if I had to mention one niggle it would’ve been that it felt sort of over-plotted when it comes to the mystery. Parker is using the old trick of the mystery genre of handing out bits and pieces of information at well-planned moments, and especially the holding back that goes along with that trick becomes a bit frustrating at some points. However, this paradoxically enhanced the reading enjoyment this book offered for me too.
Let’s talk about the heroes of Take Me Home. Evan and Kyle are old friends that once shared a hot kiss about ten years ago. Since then, Evan has been in a relationship that ended 6 months ago, while Kyle never had a serious relationship during those ten years. They seem to want opposite things when it comes to commitment and that’s what kept them apart all those years. Now, however, Evan stays in Kyle’s guest room after the breakup and the sexual tension between them is building steadily. When they make plans to travel home for the holidays together by train, which means sharing a small sleeper car for days, there’s bound to happen something between them. Problem is, Evan thinks Kyle isn’t interested in a long term relationship, while Evan isn’t looking for a temporary hot fling, especially not with his best friend Kyle, whose friendship he could lose over it.
Fortunately, we know from an early stage in the story, that Kyle’s one-night-stand behavior is rooted in his love for Evan. It just took him years to admit those feelings to himself. And now he only has to share them with Evan, were it not that whenever they are alone ‘the talk’ that would clear up all the misunderstandings, gets delayed by one reason or another.
A great deal of the suspense in this story is caused by that postponed ‘moment of truth’ between the two lovers. Thankfully, they don’t hold back on the hot sex on their way there! Another part of the suspense stems from the fragmentized delivery of the journal entries from Kyle’s grandfather. There’s a secret to be revealed in the journal, we know that much because a TV show is after the journal and wants it bad, while at the same time mysterious things happen on the train ride. So, external factors keep derailing Evan and Kyle from their big moment of revelations regarding their feelings. At the same time their intimate scenes keep us readers on the edge of our seats every time they interrupt the mystery plot. It’s a fine balance Parker is trying to hold, and as I said before, it gets quite frustrating at times because she forces her readers to be patient on both levels. The snow storm only adds to that suspense arc. The ‘break’ during that storm that led them to the cabin where they stayed one night, started out rather nerve-racking. I admit, I loved that Parker is so incredibly in control of the pacing, to the point of frustration.
Another well directed aspect of this story is the richness of the secondary cast. There are just enough characters to keep it accessible and at the same time interesting enough regarding the riddle who the ‘bad guy’ is. Also, Evan’s ex-boyfriend wasn’t just a figure in the background, but came out to play a small role and functions as a catalyst as well. I liked that. As much as I liked the glimpses we got from Kyle’s grandfather’s life through his journal entries.
Additionally, the scenery of the train ride, the landscape and the frightening snow storm were all described in a colorful and expressive way. For me they added to the enjoyable reading experience that this book provided as well.
In the end the heroes arrive at their parents’ houses right in time for the holiday celebrations. There all the plot threads come together in a very satisfying solution. The wrap up is perfectly done, no open ends are left, and Kyle and Evan finally get their hard-worked for HEA! It took them a while to get there, but in the meantime we got treated to buckets full of sexual tension, delicious anticipation, suspense, wonderful emotional build-up, hot smexing and finally ultimate satisfaction. This couple and their adventures still cross my mind every now and then, months after I read the book. It’s their chemistry as much as the feelings they put me through that makes them unforgettable.
Related posts:
Guest post by Sloan Parker 'Location, Location, Location' about Take Me Home
Review: Breathe by Sloan Parker
Guest post by Sloan Parker about the heroes of Breathe
Guest post by Sloan Parker 'One Author’s POV on POV' about More
High Five, Low Five Review of More by Sloan Parker
October 17, 2017
This was a pretty good read. Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend Kyle Bennett since they were in high school, but Kyle doesn't do boyfriends. Kyle is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer's block so decides to take a cross country trip home to Ohio for the holidays. They are both from Ohio and moved to LA 10 years ago Evan who boyfriend of 10 dumped him wants to find his dream partner he has just been hired to be a screenwriter on a popular television show. I liked both of these character's a lot they each wanted the other. When receives a journal which his deceased grandfather right before they make their journey they get caught up in a mystery. I found myself wanting to read the journal as well. I also liked the secondary character's as well. These two have some hot sex. I have read this author before this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
March 23, 2012
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.
I don't actually love as many authors as it might seem to someone who regularly reads my reviews, but I do tend to pick books from authors whose work I've already read and have a positive opinion about. Sloan Parker is one of those authors and I absolutely love her stories. From the novels with heavy emotional side to the short ones with just enough of heat to keep me warm from the first page to the last. I love her characters and the depth she gives them without straying from the path they were meant to take when she first envisioned them.
In this one, we have Evan who is a television writer and is recovering from a break up after a ten year relationship. He's staying with his best friend Kyle for six months since he ended things with his ex, Dennis, and it hasn't been easy. Evan has always had a crush on Kyle, and the first time things ended badly between them, he nurtured a broken heart for a long time. But Kyle is a guy who doesn't do relationships or commitments, and even if he were willing, can Evan trust him with his heart again?
Kyle also feels more than he figured was possible. Not wanting a relationship isn't just something he says out of habit, he truly believes it and as a man who has never loved or had his feelings hurt on that level, he doesn't know how to handle the undercurrent of emotions stirring beneath his uncontrollable attraction toward Evan. After all, the man has been living with him for six months and he's not made of stone. Maybe sex will solve his issues.
Then a journal from his deceased grandfather comes into the picture and their confused relationship turns into something even more unpredictable. The best way to solve things is a prolonged train journey home for Christmas, after all, what could be better than getting snowed in in the middle of nowhere when you're not sure if you want to kick your best friend's ass or kiss all his pains away?
I liked the guys well enough and their relationship struck more than a few sparks, but overall I thought it could have been better. I read most of it in one sitting, circumstances allowing, but I didn't read it with undivided attention and gripping curiosity at what might happen next. There was a tad too much pulling and pushing for my taste and after a while there comes a point where you just want them to get on with it. Kyle and Evan had a hundred of those type of situations/conversations, where one minute everything was certain and alright and the next they were so doubtful, uncertain and ready to give up. I kept thinking they were friends for forever and they should have known each other better despite not being in a relationship.
Aside from that, there was the whole mystery thing related to Kyle's grandfather. Surprisingly enough, I thought it refreshing and even the diary entries didn't bother me. I would have liked to meet his grandfather at a time when he was happiest and his relationship with Joe is something I would be curious to read about – provided there is a different ending to it of course.
However, the resolution of the mystery part left me kind of sad and also a bit disbelieving. There are selfless people out there in the world, but only a rare few who would take the route Kyle had chosen. This is fiction, but his decision still didn't sit right with me because I saw a few more alternatives that would have worked for everyone. It also left me sad and that is another reason why I've decided to go with three stars instead of four, while the real rating lies somewhere in the middle. Despite the happy ending, I didn't feel really happy when I finished it and there was a certain bitter taste entwined with the words that I just couldn't get past.
I did like the story, but unlike other of Ms Sloan's books, this one dragged a bit and the characters weren't strong enough to keep it on the right track. By the time I reached the ending I wanted a threesome, and I would love to chat with anyone who thought the same thing when Dennis came back into the picture at the end of the story. Don't worry, there is no cheating. I just liked him a lot and wish he'd had a bigger role here. He so deserves someone more worthy for him. Or at least I think so.
TAKE ME HOME is a solid story about love and trust, which is written really well and has all a great book needs. So I think that if you're going to like it or not depends solely on personal taste.
I don't actually love as many authors as it might seem to someone who regularly reads my reviews, but I do tend to pick books from authors whose work I've already read and have a positive opinion about. Sloan Parker is one of those authors and I absolutely love her stories. From the novels with heavy emotional side to the short ones with just enough of heat to keep me warm from the first page to the last. I love her characters and the depth she gives them without straying from the path they were meant to take when she first envisioned them.
In this one, we have Evan who is a television writer and is recovering from a break up after a ten year relationship. He's staying with his best friend Kyle for six months since he ended things with his ex, Dennis, and it hasn't been easy. Evan has always had a crush on Kyle, and the first time things ended badly between them, he nurtured a broken heart for a long time. But Kyle is a guy who doesn't do relationships or commitments, and even if he were willing, can Evan trust him with his heart again?
Kyle also feels more than he figured was possible. Not wanting a relationship isn't just something he says out of habit, he truly believes it and as a man who has never loved or had his feelings hurt on that level, he doesn't know how to handle the undercurrent of emotions stirring beneath his uncontrollable attraction toward Evan. After all, the man has been living with him for six months and he's not made of stone. Maybe sex will solve his issues.
Then a journal from his deceased grandfather comes into the picture and their confused relationship turns into something even more unpredictable. The best way to solve things is a prolonged train journey home for Christmas, after all, what could be better than getting snowed in in the middle of nowhere when you're not sure if you want to kick your best friend's ass or kiss all his pains away?
I liked the guys well enough and their relationship struck more than a few sparks, but overall I thought it could have been better. I read most of it in one sitting, circumstances allowing, but I didn't read it with undivided attention and gripping curiosity at what might happen next. There was a tad too much pulling and pushing for my taste and after a while there comes a point where you just want them to get on with it. Kyle and Evan had a hundred of those type of situations/conversations, where one minute everything was certain and alright and the next they were so doubtful, uncertain and ready to give up. I kept thinking they were friends for forever and they should have known each other better despite not being in a relationship.
Aside from that, there was the whole mystery thing related to Kyle's grandfather. Surprisingly enough, I thought it refreshing and even the diary entries didn't bother me. I would have liked to meet his grandfather at a time when he was happiest and his relationship with Joe is something I would be curious to read about – provided there is a different ending to it of course.
However, the resolution of the mystery part left me kind of sad and also a bit disbelieving. There are selfless people out there in the world, but only a rare few who would take the route Kyle had chosen. This is fiction, but his decision still didn't sit right with me because I saw a few more alternatives that would have worked for everyone. It also left me sad and that is another reason why I've decided to go with three stars instead of four, while the real rating lies somewhere in the middle. Despite the happy ending, I didn't feel really happy when I finished it and there was a certain bitter taste entwined with the words that I just couldn't get past.
I did like the story, but unlike other of Ms Sloan's books, this one dragged a bit and the characters weren't strong enough to keep it on the right track. By the time I reached the ending I wanted a threesome, and I would love to chat with anyone who thought the same thing when Dennis came back into the picture at the end of the story. Don't worry, there is no cheating. I just liked him a lot and wish he'd had a bigger role here. He so deserves someone more worthy for him. Or at least I think so.
TAKE ME HOME is a solid story about love and trust, which is written really well and has all a great book needs. So I think that if you're going to like it or not depends solely on personal taste.
October 20, 2013
It is definitely 3.5 stars!
I was intrigued enough daily that I hated the fact that I had to put it down to do things like sleep and work because I was enjoying the mystery part. It was the relationship part that lowered my enjoyment. And not that the main characters would get together, but the reasons they have been apart for so long. Maybe I just cant wrap my head around it. But there were some distinct problems that I need to believe to really go along with the book.
Also despite seeing both characters POV, I had trouble telling them apart at times because their voice is so similar. There was a lot of And lastly, and this is simply an editing thing that may be screwy in my version of the ebook, but the scene/pov would change without any indication. No asterisks or capitalizing the first words or anything. And because their voice was so similar, I would sometimes not realize it had changed POV until I was a few sentences in and then I would need to readjust and start the section over once I realized.
But the mystery was fun and I was rooting for the two. Although even the mystery had a sort of wonky conclusion...
I was intrigued enough daily that I hated the fact that I had to put it down to do things like sleep and work because I was enjoying the mystery part. It was the relationship part that lowered my enjoyment. And not that the main characters would get together, but the reasons they have been apart for so long. Maybe I just cant wrap my head around it. But there were some distinct problems that I need to believe to really go along with the book.
Also despite seeing both characters POV, I had trouble telling them apart at times because their voice is so similar. There was a lot of And lastly, and this is simply an editing thing that may be screwy in my version of the ebook, but the scene/pov would change without any indication. No asterisks or capitalizing the first words or anything. And because their voice was so similar, I would sometimes not realize it had changed POV until I was a few sentences in and then I would need to readjust and start the section over once I realized.
But the mystery was fun and I was rooting for the two. Although even the mystery had a sort of wonky conclusion...
March 9, 2012
Take me Home absolutely rocked my world! And I wasn't even expecting it.
A challenge for me like any book written in 3rd person, they are always harder for me to read and I have to be really focus in it.
Evan and Kyle's story took my breath away. Once you get to smack some sense into Kyle's head and he gets hold of his feelings...My God their connection, their love, each moment they spend in each other's arms left me breathless.
I want a train ride to Ohio so bad!
The mystery that runs in the back of their love story was a huge surprise. It has you thinking who these people are, what they want.
And last but not least Kyle's grandfather, that tells a whole different story in a different time when choices were made, and maybe not the right ones.
Take Me Home is about love, family, taking chances, trusting your feelings and move forward with the one you love.
A challenge for me like any book written in 3rd person, they are always harder for me to read and I have to be really focus in it.
Evan and Kyle's story took my breath away. Once you get to smack some sense into Kyle's head and he gets hold of his feelings...My God their connection, their love, each moment they spend in each other's arms left me breathless.
I want a train ride to Ohio so bad!
The mystery that runs in the back of their love story was a huge surprise. It has you thinking who these people are, what they want.
And last but not least Kyle's grandfather, that tells a whole different story in a different time when choices were made, and maybe not the right ones.
Take Me Home is about love, family, taking chances, trusting your feelings and move forward with the one you love.
December 26, 2011
3.5 stars. Good m/m romantic suspense about an author and a screenwriter who've been best friends since high school, even after a night together years ago left one brokenhearted and the other moving from guy to guy to avoid intimacy. As they take the train back to Ohio from Los Angeles for Christmas, they try to sort out the decades old mystery they've fallen into while figuring out whether they can trust each other if their relationship changes...
April 18, 2012
Oh boy, where do I start? This book was amazing, it had everything I love in a story; A nice sexy ex. A friendship strong and real, lust, love, misunderstandings, fight, make up, and a mistery. All written superbly. I am a big fan of Sloan's and I just can't get enough of her stories. I highly recommennd this book. PS, Sloan, can you give the sexy ex a story too? :)
March 24, 2019
Nice
This was a cute story. It had a little bit of angst just the right amount for best friends falling in love with each other. I liked the mystery portion and brief flashback into Kyle's grandfather's life. I really liked both characters!
This was a cute story. It had a little bit of angst just the right amount for best friends falling in love with each other. I liked the mystery portion and brief flashback into Kyle's grandfather's life. I really liked both characters!
December 21, 2011
4.25 stars
February 8, 2012
I don't know why, but i just LOVE the cover..amazing because there are NO abs ANYWHERE! Very sweet story.
November 12, 2012
I liked the book, but did not love it. :)
January 8, 2018
3.5 Stars rounded up for me. I struggled with rating this one for GdRds. In my personal ratings, I rated it higher, but here it's about readers as a whole - helping others figure out where to spend their hard earned money or decide which book in their library to read depending on their mood etc... That is where I struggled with this story.
A lot of readers will struggle with how much "1 step forward, 2 back" goes on between our 2 m/c's. Having ended up married to my literal HS BF (9 years later), it gives me a different perspective. What I can relate to is how hard it is to make that transition. It is not an easy decision to make, even more so, knowing it will effect others (family and friends) especially if it implodes. It took me (us?) months of back and forth, and I'm typically a very decisive person. Yet, I know many readers will feel the m/c's should make their decision and get on with it. Isn't that why we read romance? Basically, I see both sides. They both had insecurities that sometimes got in the way. They'd have a spat and /or grow quiet to reflect, before eventually coming together to communicate / reassess / reassure. There is a lot to work through.
The GF's journal is heartbreakingly poignant. It is also a reminder of how "life can turn on a dime". Sometimes we find ourselves facing dangers that could never be expected. Kyle also had his own wake up call that helped put things in perspective.
I found Dennis' character more complex than expected. That was a surprise. There were lots of other little touches or twists that brought more depth to the characters or the story. Parker did a great job showing Kyle's growth and changes in perspective. One example being with him finally seeing and understanding his sister and her choices.
There are a few heart stopping moments and definitely some suspense, but this is a story that requires patience that will eventually be rewarded. It's about the struggle to take a leap of faith when it changes your whole world.
A lot of readers will struggle with how much "1 step forward, 2 back" goes on between our 2 m/c's. Having ended up married to my literal HS BF (9 years later), it gives me a different perspective. What I can relate to is how hard it is to make that transition. It is not an easy decision to make, even more so, knowing it will effect others (family and friends) especially if it implodes. It took me (us?) months of back and forth, and I'm typically a very decisive person. Yet, I know many readers will feel the m/c's should make their decision and get on with it. Isn't that why we read romance? Basically, I see both sides. They both had insecurities that sometimes got in the way. They'd have a spat and /or grow quiet to reflect, before eventually coming together to communicate / reassess / reassure. There is a lot to work through.
The GF's journal is heartbreakingly poignant. It is also a reminder of how "life can turn on a dime". Sometimes we find ourselves facing dangers that could never be expected. Kyle also had his own wake up call that helped put things in perspective.
I found Dennis' character more complex than expected. That was a surprise. There were lots of other little touches or twists that brought more depth to the characters or the story. Parker did a great job showing Kyle's growth and changes in perspective. One example being with him finally seeing and understanding his sister and her choices.
There are a few heart stopping moments and definitely some suspense, but this is a story that requires patience that will eventually be rewarded. It's about the struggle to take a leap of faith when it changes your whole world.
November 30, 2018
what if you loved or liked one person for so many years of your life, and he was with someone - for years? And you were with a lot of nobody somebodies - a big turn off for him, but you could hardly be with anyone seriously when you were in love with him.
He thinks you are unable and unwilling to commit, when really he has had your heart the whole time.
how annoying.
finally, they have a chance, while travelling home, to get together. they survive an avalanche, fall into a creek, a night in an abandoned cabin - but can they hold onto hope, faith and trust?
It seems a lot harder when they are with friends, family, the long term ex.
Hope, trust and love are what they have to hold onto - and a bit of the past passed on by an unexpected source.
A moving read - about lots of things - but a lot about taking chances, again and again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He thinks you are unable and unwilling to commit, when really he has had your heart the whole time.
how annoying.
finally, they have a chance, while travelling home, to get together. they survive an avalanche, fall into a creek, a night in an abandoned cabin - but can they hold onto hope, faith and trust?
It seems a lot harder when they are with friends, family, the long term ex.
Hope, trust and love are what they have to hold onto - and a bit of the past passed on by an unexpected source.
A moving read - about lots of things - but a lot about taking chances, again and again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 14, 2018
Evan Walker & Kyle Bennett has known each other since high school and they loved across the Road. At the age of 18 they fooled around in a hotel room, til Kyle panicked and left. Now, it's 6 months that Evan is living in Kyle's guestbedroom and Kyle wants him, but is afraid to loose his friendship. Dennis having Broken up with Evan. Kyle having An heart to heart conversation with his sister face-to-face on his laptop, confess to her his wants, but It's his sister who'll will open his eyes about what he feels for Evan, but he's still afraid to open up and try for a relationship instead of one night stand. He's ready to take his friendship to next level with his best friends ?
And why did he recieve his grandparent journal 2 y after his funeral ?
Evan his planning a train trip to their parents for X-MAS, 3days and 2 nights in this restrictief space that's their sleeping compartiment on the train.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
And why did he recieve his grandparent journal 2 y after his funeral ?
Evan his planning a train trip to their parents for X-MAS, 3days and 2 nights in this restrictief space that's their sleeping compartiment on the train.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 28, 2018
Evan has been in love with Kyle since HS, but Kyle only plays the feild. So Evan got in a long term relationship, after 10 years his boyfriend dumps him and he goes to stay with Kyle.
Kyle is an author with writers block. He has decided to move home but has not yet told Evan. While they have been living together he has been reevaluatin his feelings for Evan and Evans for him.
On the train home can they find the courage to move forward?
Great characters with in depth emotions and a lot of aganst.
As usual Sloan Parker has done it again, I know her books won't be shallow, easy, everything perfect stories but more believable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kyle is an author with writers block. He has decided to move home but has not yet told Evan. While they have been living together he has been reevaluatin his feelings for Evan and Evans for him.
On the train home can they find the courage to move forward?
Great characters with in depth emotions and a lot of aganst.
As usual Sloan Parker has done it again, I know her books won't be shallow, easy, everything perfect stories but more believable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews