What do you think?
Rate this book
Separate Ways #2
Oceans Apart
It’s been two years since Lord Jamie Mainwaring and Detective Remy Remington worked and loved their way through their one and only case before going their separate ways. Now Jamie is once again mixing agency business with pleasure as he and his partner, Agent Ryan Whiteside, are assigned to a case involving piracy in the Caribbean. Remy and his old friend Miggy are still detectives, but they’ve gone private in Phoenix. When their biggest client sends them to supervise an unusual diamond transfer, they think their toughest challenge will be maintaining their cover as a gay couple on a barefoot-style cruise.When murder connects the dots between the two cases, the four men must learn to work together as relationships and loyalties are tested amid misunderstandings and memories on the high seas.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2012
5 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 31, 2012
***Disclaimer. Laura Harner is my writing partner with our series Altered States. However, I am a reader and reviewer first, and I put aside all my personal feelings and friendships when I review. This is the second in the Separate Ways series, and I recommend you read Continental Divide prior to reading this book. If not, there are potential spoilers for that book below. Now, let's take a look...***
Two years after walking away from Lord Jamie Mainwaring, Colt "Remy" Remington has a whole new life. He returned to Arizona with Miggy, his undercover cop friend who lost himself in drugs. Now, he and Remy own a private security business, are foster parents to Toby, the young man Remy teamed with Jamie to rescue from the underground sex trade. They have a home, a business, and a family.
After reluctantly accepting a job guarding the owner of $15 million in diamonds on a gay barefoot cruise, Remy and Miggy-the very straight Miggy-pose as lovers. And run directly into Jamie and his new partner Ryan, who are also on an undercover assignment.
Add in an uncooperative client, murder, pirates, and the sudden and unexpected attraction between two friends, and Remy and Jamie are forced to confront their new relationships. Will either man admit what he lost, and what he has? Can the four men safeguard the diamonds and solve the case? Or will they become victims on the high seas?
This is the second of four books in the Separate Ways series, and Ms. Harner has taken the two heroes and shown then in a very new, and profound light. In Continental Divide, we are left hanging. Remy walks away from the stunned Jamie, and everything is left up in the air. Jamie is ready for a relationship, and Remy isn't. Miggy is an addict, and Toby is somewhere in limbo.
Now, Remy has built himself a home and an ersatz family without even realizing it. He and Miggy have slowly put themselves together comfortably with Toby as their son, and Remy and Miggy have to deal with the dawning realization that their relationship may be more complex than they first thought.
And Jamie. He has once again partnered himself with his work partner. He's built a comfortable life with Ryan, but finds himself reluctant to fully commit and say those three words every person wants to hear. Ryan is fully aware of it, and his pain is plain. Jamie comes to realize what is in his way and how he's repeating a pattern he started and duplicated with Remy.
This is a very mature, thoughtful work, and I loved how we got to see each of our men, broken and healing, examining themselves. There are no easy answers or fixes, and these guys, unlike so many we see, are willing to do the hard cold examination it takes to truly make changes.
Jamie and Miggy, especially, take very hard looks at themselves, and Ms. Harner gives us glimpses into the men they could and want to be. I already loved Remy, but by the end of this wonderful, literate book, I fell a little more in love with Jamie. And I just can't not want to take Miggy home with me. I am waiting impatiently for book three to see where his story takes him.
This is a solid, well-conceived and beautifully plotted work in what is shaping up to be one of my favorite must-read series.
Great job!
Tom
Two years after walking away from Lord Jamie Mainwaring, Colt "Remy" Remington has a whole new life. He returned to Arizona with Miggy, his undercover cop friend who lost himself in drugs. Now, he and Remy own a private security business, are foster parents to Toby, the young man Remy teamed with Jamie to rescue from the underground sex trade. They have a home, a business, and a family.
After reluctantly accepting a job guarding the owner of $15 million in diamonds on a gay barefoot cruise, Remy and Miggy-the very straight Miggy-pose as lovers. And run directly into Jamie and his new partner Ryan, who are also on an undercover assignment.
Add in an uncooperative client, murder, pirates, and the sudden and unexpected attraction between two friends, and Remy and Jamie are forced to confront their new relationships. Will either man admit what he lost, and what he has? Can the four men safeguard the diamonds and solve the case? Or will they become victims on the high seas?
This is the second of four books in the Separate Ways series, and Ms. Harner has taken the two heroes and shown then in a very new, and profound light. In Continental Divide, we are left hanging. Remy walks away from the stunned Jamie, and everything is left up in the air. Jamie is ready for a relationship, and Remy isn't. Miggy is an addict, and Toby is somewhere in limbo.
Now, Remy has built himself a home and an ersatz family without even realizing it. He and Miggy have slowly put themselves together comfortably with Toby as their son, and Remy and Miggy have to deal with the dawning realization that their relationship may be more complex than they first thought.
And Jamie. He has once again partnered himself with his work partner. He's built a comfortable life with Ryan, but finds himself reluctant to fully commit and say those three words every person wants to hear. Ryan is fully aware of it, and his pain is plain. Jamie comes to realize what is in his way and how he's repeating a pattern he started and duplicated with Remy.
This is a very mature, thoughtful work, and I loved how we got to see each of our men, broken and healing, examining themselves. There are no easy answers or fixes, and these guys, unlike so many we see, are willing to do the hard cold examination it takes to truly make changes.
Jamie and Miggy, especially, take very hard looks at themselves, and Ms. Harner gives us glimpses into the men they could and want to be. I already loved Remy, but by the end of this wonderful, literate book, I fell a little more in love with Jamie. And I just can't not want to take Miggy home with me. I am waiting impatiently for book three to see where his story takes him.
This is a solid, well-conceived and beautifully plotted work in what is shaping up to be one of my favorite must-read series.
Great job!
Tom
April 17, 2013
Book number two in the Separate Ways series by Laura Harner featuring Brit Jamie Mainwaring (don't forget..pronounced Mannering, yep, go figure..) and American Colt Remington. 4.5 stars and a total keeper again
In this story, which takes place 2 years after the first, Jamie has a new partner Ryan...whom I was immediately suspicious of. Undercover, they are involved in trying to crack a diamond smuggling ring, and guess what, the main suspect is taking a holiday on board an exclusive cruise ship
(a schooner, and of course everyone's gay!!) and who is tasked with protecting him...yep, Colt Remington!! There were so many twists and turns in this story I'm not going to go into a huge amount of detail, but safe to say, the chemistry between Jamie and Colt is definitely still there 
, even though Colt is on board with Miggy (Miguel from the first story) and they are pretending to be a gay couple...and the more Miggy thinks about it, the more the thought of actually being lovers with Colt really turns him on.That's all I'm saying for now, but I've been told that there will be another book
, so I'm happy about that!!
November 15, 2013
I will admit that when this book was first released, I just couldn't read it. You see, I had read the description and I knew my Remy and Jamie weren't fated to be together and I just couldn't stand that idea. Well, I put on my big girl panties and dove in, for better or worse. Now I'm mad at myself for not reading it sooner, because I should have had more faith in Laura Harner. 'Oceans Apart' is just as incredible as the first book in the 'Separate Ways' series and I'm more in love with the storyline than ever before.
It's been two years since Remy and Jamie went their separate ways and I wanted to hate Jamie's new partner, Ryan. Jamie still works for the obscure branch of Interpol with Ryan as his partner and his lover for the past twelve months. They've just been sent undercover on a small cruise through the Caribbean to keep an eye on a large diamond sale with possible piracy conflicts. Remy has done quite well in the past two years. He dragged his best friend Miggy home to Phoenix where they share a home as roommates and a personal security business along with the job of raising Toby, the young rent boy whom Remy and Jamie saved. Remy and Miggy get hired to escort and act as bodyguards for a man carrying fifteen million in diamonds on a seven day gay cruise through the Caribbean. Now I know how the four men end up on the same boat. What I don't know is what is going on with Miggy lately who seems to be watching Remy in a more than straight friend manner. So, when Miggy tells Remy that he's looked at him like that for the fifteen years of their friendship but didn't know what to do or how to handle it? Remy blows a gasket because, dammit, he doesn't sleep with friends and he doesn't do relationships.
I liked the taste of Miggy that I had in the first book, but I completely fell in love with him here. He's Remy's best friend and the two of them, with Toby, have a family and there is no way that Remy is going to risk the friendship they have, no matter what Miggy says. Uncomfortable is about the only word I can use to describe these four meeting on the ship. Miggy figures the game is up. He can't be what Jamie was to Remy. Ryan knows that Jamie won't love him because he figures Jamie still loves Remy. Remy and Jamie are stunned to see each other, but they're with new partners and now they all just have to figure out how to make it through the next week. Oh, to be a fly on that wall! Definitely to be a fly on the wall of Remy and Miggy's cabin, because damn. I thought Remy and Jamie were hot? Jamie's got nothing on Miggy.
Wow. Just, wow. I'm in stunned shock and awe over this amazing continuation of the series and now I'm really kicking myself for not having read it when it released. I'm sorry, Laura. The whodunit portion of the book was beautifully intertwined with the two romances and the mastermind behind the diamond theft caught me somewhat by surprise. I had narrowed it down to two possibilities, but I'm really glad the author took the direction that she did. However, she left me hanging a little bit, so I'm going to have to jump into the next book fairly quickly. Thank you, Laura, for a great read!
It's been two years since Remy and Jamie went their separate ways and I wanted to hate Jamie's new partner, Ryan. Jamie still works for the obscure branch of Interpol with Ryan as his partner and his lover for the past twelve months. They've just been sent undercover on a small cruise through the Caribbean to keep an eye on a large diamond sale with possible piracy conflicts. Remy has done quite well in the past two years. He dragged his best friend Miggy home to Phoenix where they share a home as roommates and a personal security business along with the job of raising Toby, the young rent boy whom Remy and Jamie saved. Remy and Miggy get hired to escort and act as bodyguards for a man carrying fifteen million in diamonds on a seven day gay cruise through the Caribbean. Now I know how the four men end up on the same boat. What I don't know is what is going on with Miggy lately who seems to be watching Remy in a more than straight friend manner. So, when Miggy tells Remy that he's looked at him like that for the fifteen years of their friendship but didn't know what to do or how to handle it? Remy blows a gasket because, dammit, he doesn't sleep with friends and he doesn't do relationships.
I liked the taste of Miggy that I had in the first book, but I completely fell in love with him here. He's Remy's best friend and the two of them, with Toby, have a family and there is no way that Remy is going to risk the friendship they have, no matter what Miggy says. Uncomfortable is about the only word I can use to describe these four meeting on the ship. Miggy figures the game is up. He can't be what Jamie was to Remy. Ryan knows that Jamie won't love him because he figures Jamie still loves Remy. Remy and Jamie are stunned to see each other, but they're with new partners and now they all just have to figure out how to make it through the next week. Oh, to be a fly on that wall! Definitely to be a fly on the wall of Remy and Miggy's cabin, because damn. I thought Remy and Jamie were hot? Jamie's got nothing on Miggy.
Wow. Just, wow. I'm in stunned shock and awe over this amazing continuation of the series and now I'm really kicking myself for not having read it when it released. I'm sorry, Laura. The whodunit portion of the book was beautifully intertwined with the two romances and the mastermind behind the diamond theft caught me somewhat by surprise. I had narrowed it down to two possibilities, but I'm really glad the author took the direction that she did. However, she left me hanging a little bit, so I'm going to have to jump into the next book fairly quickly. Thank you, Laura, for a great read!
September 21, 2019
4*
This one was better than the 1st, even if the MCs are in different relationships. It seem more organic, though the characterizations were off sometimes for me and some editing errors put me off in places. I’ll continue this series, though I’m very conflicted since I like Remy’s currently relationship with Miggy so much...
This one was better than the 1st, even if the MCs are in different relationships. It seem more organic, though the characterizations were off sometimes for me and some editing errors put me off in places. I’ll continue this series, though I’m very conflicted since I like Remy’s currently relationship with Miggy so much...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2012
***Spoilers for the first book, Continental Divide***
In the first book, disgraced English lord Jamie Mainwaring and American cop "Remy" Remington met and fell in love over a child prostitution case, but in the end, Remy left Jamie since he didn't feel ready for a relationship. Now it's two years later and both have moved on. Jamie, still with an Interpol special ops group, is in a committed relationship with a colleague, Ryan. Remy has his own private security firm together with his (straight) best friend Miggy; in addition, they "adopted" one of the former rentboys from book one, Toby, who thinks of them as his fathers.
Things are as good as can be for both Jamie and Remy (aside from the fact that they're both still secretly pining for each other)until their paths cross unexpectedly on a small cruise ship in the Caribbean--Remy and Miggy are there as bodyguards for a diamond merchant who is traveling with 15 mio$ worth in gemstones, intended to sell them to a secret buyer during the cruise; Jamie and Ryan are there because someone tipped Interpol off on a possible pirate attack on said diamond trade.
Emotions boil high once Remy and Jamie meet again. But not only for the two of them. Ryan has been fighting Remy's ghost for more than a year, and seeing his rival in the flesh only heightens his determination to keep Jamie for himself. Miggy already shares a life with Remy--for all intents and purposes, they are as good as married, minus the sex. However, since they're masking as a gay couple during this all-gay cruise, Miggy realizes that he might not as straight as he thought...
The background plot which consisted of a complicated, far-fetched mystery, a villain out of the box, a plethora of red herrings and the hackneyed trope of yet another two men posing as a gay couple, was quite banal, its only saving grace the Caribbean setting. However, for all the issues I had with it, it was fast paced and written compellingly enough that it didn't get boring.
The romance part of the book, on the other hand...the emotions jumped off the pages, real and palpable. I could relate to any of the four men involved. Remy and Jamie, realizing the old pain and anger was still there, but also the blind trust and mutual silent understandig that used to make them such a good team. Miggy, struggling with the new reality of developing a sexual interest in his best friend, in addition to seeing how much love was still left between Remy and Jamie. And Ryan's insecurity and jealousy. Beautifully done, full of cliches and incredulities and yet so powerfully written, almost over the top but not quite.
I didn't know who I'd rather see end up together, and I'll definitely read the sequel once it's going to be written....
In the first book, disgraced English lord Jamie Mainwaring and American cop "Remy" Remington met and fell in love over a child prostitution case, but in the end, Remy left Jamie since he didn't feel ready for a relationship. Now it's two years later and both have moved on. Jamie, still with an Interpol special ops group, is in a committed relationship with a colleague, Ryan. Remy has his own private security firm together with his (straight) best friend Miggy; in addition, they "adopted" one of the former rentboys from book one, Toby, who thinks of them as his fathers.
Things are as good as can be for both Jamie and Remy (aside from the fact that they're both still secretly pining for each other)until their paths cross unexpectedly on a small cruise ship in the Caribbean--Remy and Miggy are there as bodyguards for a diamond merchant who is traveling with 15 mio$ worth in gemstones, intended to sell them to a secret buyer during the cruise; Jamie and Ryan are there because someone tipped Interpol off on a possible pirate attack on said diamond trade.
Emotions boil high once Remy and Jamie meet again. But not only for the two of them. Ryan has been fighting Remy's ghost for more than a year, and seeing his rival in the flesh only heightens his determination to keep Jamie for himself. Miggy already shares a life with Remy--for all intents and purposes, they are as good as married, minus the sex. However, since they're masking as a gay couple during this all-gay cruise, Miggy realizes that he might not as straight as he thought...
The background plot which consisted of a complicated, far-fetched mystery, a villain out of the box, a plethora of red herrings and the hackneyed trope of yet another two men posing as a gay couple, was quite banal, its only saving grace the Caribbean setting. However, for all the issues I had with it, it was fast paced and written compellingly enough that it didn't get boring.
The romance part of the book, on the other hand...the emotions jumped off the pages, real and palpable. I could relate to any of the four men involved. Remy and Jamie, realizing the old pain and anger was still there, but also the blind trust and mutual silent understandig that used to make them such a good team. Miggy, struggling with the new reality of developing a sexual interest in his best friend, in addition to seeing how much love was still left between Remy and Jamie. And Ryan's insecurity and jealousy. Beautifully done, full of cliches and incredulities and yet so powerfully written, almost over the top but not quite.
I didn't know who I'd rather see end up together, and I'll definitely read the sequel once it's going to be written....
Want to read
November 4, 2012Crap. Crap. Crap. I so wanted to read this book. But am way too vanilla about my reading. I don't like too many surprises. I don't like HFNs. I don't like bitter sweet endings. I like HEAs. I want Prince Charming and Prince Handsome to live happily ever after. But reading the blurb and the reviews, don't see that happening :(
October 25, 2012
Oh, this book! First of all, I have to rave about the cover. Beautiful, fitting for this story.
I'd been waiting anxiously for this book ever since reading Continental Divide, and it was well worth the wait.
Yes, I have a feeling I was no exception as to where I thought this book would lead, but I loved the direction it took and where the wonderful path ended. It was simply perfection.
We'd been introduced to Remy's long-time friend Miguel in Continental Divide, and---oh, come on, you know me and my love for Latino men---I devoured him in this book, where Harner brought him to beautiful technicolor life.
One thing that touched me about this book, the element that clung to me because of its familiarity and true-to-life tenderness, is the meeting of past lovers. The pain, the bitterness, the finally letting go and accepting that life must indeed have other plans for us.
The mystery/suspense is well crafted. The characters oare fleshed beautifully. Remy is gorgeous and down-to-earth and macho as ever. Jamie is sweet and sexy as we remember him from Contintal Divide.
And then there's Miggy. For me, this is his story, his coming to terms with his seuxality, which Harner sketched with love and gentleness, and had the reader rooting for him to accept himself.
The journey both Remy and Miggy undertake---not only in their own relationship but their new role as guradians---is believable and the ending to the book is made-to-order for all concerned.
Sexy story. Heartfelt story. Intriguing story. Highly recommended.
I'd been waiting anxiously for this book ever since reading Continental Divide, and it was well worth the wait.
Yes, I have a feeling I was no exception as to where I thought this book would lead, but I loved the direction it took and where the wonderful path ended. It was simply perfection.
We'd been introduced to Remy's long-time friend Miguel in Continental Divide, and---oh, come on, you know me and my love for Latino men---I devoured him in this book, where Harner brought him to beautiful technicolor life.
One thing that touched me about this book, the element that clung to me because of its familiarity and true-to-life tenderness, is the meeting of past lovers. The pain, the bitterness, the finally letting go and accepting that life must indeed have other plans for us.
The mystery/suspense is well crafted. The characters oare fleshed beautifully. Remy is gorgeous and down-to-earth and macho as ever. Jamie is sweet and sexy as we remember him from Contintal Divide.
And then there's Miggy. For me, this is his story, his coming to terms with his seuxality, which Harner sketched with love and gentleness, and had the reader rooting for him to accept himself.
The journey both Remy and Miggy undertake---not only in their own relationship but their new role as guradians---is believable and the ending to the book is made-to-order for all concerned.
Sexy story. Heartfelt story. Intriguing story. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2012
Not your ordinary love story by a long shot! Harner delivers an unexpected story in her sequel to Continental Divide. I admit I struggled to understand why this story developed the way it did, but I really had no reason to worry. Trust this author to deliver a great read!
dnf
October 26, 2013DNF
I totally forgot I started to read this until I saw the third book was coming out. I liked the first book well enough when Lisa Worrall was writing with Ms. Harner, but when Ms. Worrall left the series, I couldn't connect with this book because it felt as though the flavor of the series dramatically changed.
However, if you like your main characters hooking up with other people, no HEA in sight (as of yet) and it looking more and more like this might turn into a m/m/m in the end, this will be the series for you. Myself, while I don't need a HEA, am okay with HFN, but I don't like it when the primary couple break-up and get together with other people. So this wasn't for me. YMMV.
I totally forgot I started to read this until I saw the third book was coming out. I liked the first book well enough when Lisa Worrall was writing with Ms. Harner, but when Ms. Worrall left the series, I couldn't connect with this book because it felt as though the flavor of the series dramatically changed.
However, if you like your main characters hooking up with other people, no HEA in sight (as of yet) and it looking more and more like this might turn into a m/m/m in the end, this will be the series for you. Myself, while I don't need a HEA, am okay with HFN, but I don't like it when the primary couple break-up and get together with other people. So this wasn't for me. YMMV.
June 16, 2015
4.5 STARS for book two of this series!!!!!!
July 21, 2013
Oh no the hell she didn’t! I read the first book, Continental Divide, and was devastated by the ending. I wanted Jamie and Remington to get their happily ever after. I craved it. But, no. Laura Harner wouldn’t let me have that. Instead she had them walk away from each other.
Two years later we find that each of them is with someone new. I instantly hated the new partners because Remy was meant to be with Jamie. I pictured their demise in horrible, awful ways. My heart and head both hurt. I didn’t want to like them. I refused. Then it happened. I actually fell in love with the new guys and couldn’t see them being separated.
Now I’m confused. This is book two of four. I have no idea where it will end, and believe me, I begged Ms. Harner to give me SOME clue, but she’s remaining tight-lipped over the whole thing. So read this book, fall in love with some great characters, and delve into a mystery of sex, diamonds, and betrayal.
I honestly didn’t see this coming. My jaw dropped and I was screaming at my Nook (I do that on occasion, don’t judge me!) Oh no the hell she didn’t (again!).
The author has said that this is going to be a four book series. I’m not sure how it’s going to end, but I know that whatever path she takes, someone will be unhappy. I’m not sure who it will be, but I don’t envy the author. She’s remaining true to her characters and the vision she has laid out. I’m eager to see how it works out, even though I know it’s going to cost me a piece of my heart when it’s done.
Lucky's 5 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
Two years later we find that each of them is with someone new. I instantly hated the new partners because Remy was meant to be with Jamie. I pictured their demise in horrible, awful ways. My heart and head both hurt. I didn’t want to like them. I refused. Then it happened. I actually fell in love with the new guys and couldn’t see them being separated.
Now I’m confused. This is book two of four. I have no idea where it will end, and believe me, I begged Ms. Harner to give me SOME clue, but she’s remaining tight-lipped over the whole thing. So read this book, fall in love with some great characters, and delve into a mystery of sex, diamonds, and betrayal.
I honestly didn’t see this coming. My jaw dropped and I was screaming at my Nook (I do that on occasion, don’t judge me!) Oh no the hell she didn’t (again!).
The author has said that this is going to be a four book series. I’m not sure how it’s going to end, but I know that whatever path she takes, someone will be unhappy. I’m not sure who it will be, but I don’t envy the author. She’s remaining true to her characters and the vision she has laid out. I’m eager to see how it works out, even though I know it’s going to cost me a piece of my heart when it’s done.
Lucky's 5 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
March 30, 2013
Wow, this was a surprise. I admit to hoping for different outcome, but that in no way diminishes this book. Jamie the snarky, gorgeous Brit Lord, and Remy the Phoenix cowboy cop are back. This time 2 years have passed, Jamie is in a relationship with Ryan his partner. Remy is still no doing a relationship, but has bought a house with Miggy, started their own business and brought Toby to live with them. (See book #1, Continental Divide) All is good, till a security assignment on a small schooner vacationing in the Caribbean throws, the four men together. The plot twists and turns, as much as the relationships of the four men. It's a sexy, intense, over too soon read.
This set a record for me, second time in a week I cried over a book.
" Day by day, we let love just walk away
And I'll be the first to say, I was glad to see it go
And day by day, ever since you went away
I find that I'm still missin' you, and I've just got to know
Does that blue moon ever shine on you
I want to hold you close to me, feel just like it used to be
And baby, if you feel like I do
You can come to me
Does that blue moon ever shine on you" Toby Keith
I give it a sailing schooner full of stars.
This set a record for me, second time in a week I cried over a book.
" Day by day, we let love just walk away
And I'll be the first to say, I was glad to see it go
And day by day, ever since you went away
I find that I'm still missin' you, and I've just got to know
Does that blue moon ever shine on you
I want to hold you close to me, feel just like it used to be
And baby, if you feel like I do
You can come to me
Does that blue moon ever shine on you" Toby Keith
I give it a sailing schooner full of stars.
December 6, 2012
wtf?? I mean, wtFFFF??
;-)
Yes, I was taken aback. No, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Yes, I'm still disgruntled. Hmph.
This installment of the series is more complex and less fun than the first. It focuses more on the relationships, and less on the "mystery" -- and the mystery makes even less sense this time around than in the first book. And the relationships don't always make sense, either. Nonetheless I *have* enjoyed the reading experience for both these two books, despite my disgruntlement.
I may consider forgiving Harner, depending on how the rest of the series works out. Only time will tell.
3.5 stars for now, rounding up to 4.
;-)
Yes, I was taken aback. No, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Yes, I'm still disgruntled. Hmph.
This installment of the series is more complex and less fun than the first. It focuses more on the relationships, and less on the "mystery" -- and the mystery makes even less sense this time around than in the first book. And the relationships don't always make sense, either. Nonetheless I *have* enjoyed the reading experience for both these two books, despite my disgruntlement.
I may consider forgiving Harner, depending on how the rest of the series works out. Only time will tell.
3.5 stars for now, rounding up to 4.
June 23, 2013
I hated it. Awful. Horrible. Terrible. Mean.
After book one I was devastated. To see Jamie and Remington part ways just about killed me. Then book two came along and I found myself not really wanting them to be together anymore because I liked the people they ended up with.
Then she does THAT?!?!?!?!
OMG. So much anger and pain and....you'd better not mess this up, that's all I'm gonna say.
After book one I was devastated. To see Jamie and Remington part ways just about killed me. Then book two came along and I found myself not really wanting them to be together anymore because I liked the people they ended up with.
Then she does THAT?!?!?!?!
OMG. So much anger and pain and....you'd better not mess this up, that's all I'm gonna say.
September 13, 2013
I started out sad about Jamie and Remy. But buy the end, I was cheering for Miguel to get his man.Jamie who?? And then, What the duece? Ryan what?? And now Jamie and Remy have a chance again? Oh hell no! Team Miggy!!!
BTW
I realize this review made no sense. I'm upset right now.
No HEA for anyone :(
BTW
I realize this review made no sense. I'm upset right now.
No HEA for anyone :(
April 17, 2013
I'm surprised how much I like this story, though nothing turned out as I had hoped.... For now. There has got o be a third book in the offing!
December 15, 2014
I'm finished with Oceans Apart: Good, but these endings are killing me!!!!! I'm glutton for punishment, I guess. Getting fed up, though. 3.5-->4.0
never-again
October 29, 2015I no longer wish to read something from a person who plaigarizes
December 29, 2021
So Good I Broke
Immediately upon completing book 1 I purchased and read book 2 in this series.
I promptly died of extreme wounds to the soul.
It’s been two years since Remy shattered all of us with his choice. Jamie is finally OK, and hopping aboard a cruise with his partner, Ryan, to do some investigating.
Remy, we learn, did what he needed to do, and we can sort of forgive him for the ending of the last book. But now enter Miggy. Oh Miggy. Miggy is great, his timing is not.
Emotions! Feelings! Memories galore!
Remy and Miggy are protecting, Jamie and Ryan are detecting, their cases are interwoven, everything comes crashing together, betrayal occurs, and the reader is never the same again.
Look elsewhere for your HEA, because it will not be found here.
I immediately purchased book 3, but had to wait 1 week upon completion of this book to read it in order to let my mangled heart heal a bit before inflicting it with more wounds.
The message I sent to Kristen regarding my book break: “I had to take a pause from Jamie Remy and it crushed me but I knew that there were TWO MORE BOOKS THAT WOULD F****** FIX IT MAYBE I HOPED VERY VERY HARD”.
Yeah, I was not OK.
Immediately upon completing book 1 I purchased and read book 2 in this series.
I promptly died of extreme wounds to the soul.
It’s been two years since Remy shattered all of us with his choice. Jamie is finally OK, and hopping aboard a cruise with his partner, Ryan, to do some investigating.
Remy, we learn, did what he needed to do, and we can sort of forgive him for the ending of the last book. But now enter Miggy. Oh Miggy. Miggy is great, his timing is not.
Emotions! Feelings! Memories galore!
Remy and Miggy are protecting, Jamie and Ryan are detecting, their cases are interwoven, everything comes crashing together, betrayal occurs, and the reader is never the same again.
Look elsewhere for your HEA, because it will not be found here.
I immediately purchased book 3, but had to wait 1 week upon completion of this book to read it in order to let my mangled heart heal a bit before inflicting it with more wounds.
The message I sent to Kristen regarding my book break: “I had to take a pause from Jamie Remy and it crushed me but I knew that there were TWO MORE BOOKS THAT WOULD F****** FIX IT MAYBE I HOPED VERY VERY HARD”.
Yeah, I was not OK.
dnf-series
February 14, 2024While I enjoyed book one, I hate cliffhangers and unnecessary angst. Reading the reviews for the rest of the series, it has it in spades. I just can't handle that. So I will not be reading any further in this series....
September 28, 2021
So, I rated this book 5 stars the first time I read it and while I still liked it a lot, I think that 4 stars is a better reflection of my reading experience.
This book has a fascinating premise. We follow Jamie and Remy as they're both getting comfortable in new relationships and that is certainly the most novel concept ever. The best thing about it is that these relationships aren't placeholder ones, these are serious relationships that for the most part seem to work really well. But, despite all of that, neither can deny that whatever happened between them for a short while two years ago was something special that changed who they are as people, in Remy's case it's obvious that loving Jamie has made him so much more open to the possibility of love.
This book also does way way better in the plot department though things do seem to be fairly well paced initially and then happen all at once towards the end. But, still I enjoyed it. Though the fact that I was reading it for the second time meant that I already knew who the perpetrator was.
I really loved Remy and Miguel's developing relationship and the family they have built with Toby. Miguel is a much more developed character in this one than in the last one and it finally feels like we are getting to know him. I loved how Miguel and Remy get together, their relationship is a friends to lovers thing and I love that dynamic. It was also really clear from the start just how solid Remy and Miguel are and I was all for them finding new equations with each other.
While Remy and Jamie's relationship made Remy open up to love it had the opposite effect on Jamie and it was amazing to see him come to the realisation that he was ignoring something tangibly wonderful for the possibility of a nebulous something. I really liked the fact that Jamie calls out the improbability of Remy and Jamie actually working out considering the circumstances that brought them together the first time around.
While I loved the direction the book has taken, I also supremely enjoyed the crumbs we got along the way. There is no denying that Jamie and Remy have a crackling chemistry and that translates very well into their new found friendship. I have hope for these two even though I probably shouldn't.
This book is also really hot between Ryan's submissive tendencies and Miguel's virgin ones, this book really sets fire to the sheets.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I can't rave enough about the novel direction things have taken.
This book has a fascinating premise. We follow Jamie and Remy as they're both getting comfortable in new relationships and that is certainly the most novel concept ever. The best thing about it is that these relationships aren't placeholder ones, these are serious relationships that for the most part seem to work really well. But, despite all of that, neither can deny that whatever happened between them for a short while two years ago was something special that changed who they are as people, in Remy's case it's obvious that loving Jamie has made him so much more open to the possibility of love.
This book also does way way better in the plot department though things do seem to be fairly well paced initially and then happen all at once towards the end. But, still I enjoyed it. Though the fact that I was reading it for the second time meant that I already knew who the perpetrator was.
I really loved Remy and Miguel's developing relationship and the family they have built with Toby. Miguel is a much more developed character in this one than in the last one and it finally feels like we are getting to know him. I loved how Miguel and Remy get together, their relationship is a friends to lovers thing and I love that dynamic. It was also really clear from the start just how solid Remy and Miguel are and I was all for them finding new equations with each other.
While Remy and Jamie's relationship made Remy open up to love it had the opposite effect on Jamie and it was amazing to see him come to the realisation that he was ignoring something tangibly wonderful for the possibility of a nebulous something. I really liked the fact that Jamie calls out the improbability of Remy and Jamie actually working out considering the circumstances that brought them together the first time around.
While I loved the direction the book has taken, I also supremely enjoyed the crumbs we got along the way. There is no denying that Jamie and Remy have a crackling chemistry and that translates very well into their new found friendship. I have hope for these two even though I probably shouldn't.
This book is also really hot between Ryan's submissive tendencies and Miguel's virgin ones, this book really sets fire to the sheets.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I can't rave enough about the novel direction things have taken.
March 26, 2016
I read Continental Divide a few months ago ago, and loved it, but decided to hold off on reading the rest of the series until the fourth book came out, for a couple of reasons:
1) When Remy walked away from Jamie at the end of the first book, breaking Jamie's heart, it made me want to shake Remy. What they had was so good and to just just walk away from it tells you just how broken Remy was.
2) I knew that going into book two that both Remy and Jamie would be in different relationships and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I didn't really like the idea, but I know that life and love don't always seem terribly linear and so while I was sort of open to it, I didn't want to chance getting to the end of book three and feeling like chucking my Kindle across the room.
So I waited.
Well, now that book four is out, I feel I can go ahead and continue reading about Jamie and Remy and their journey, even though it will likely be awhile before they find their way back to each other (or in my case, a couple days). And, wow. Much like the first book, I had a lot of trouble putting this one down. I found that I didn't mind Remy and Jamie being in different relationships as much as I thought I would. I still kind of want to shake Remy, though. And Miggy -- damn, I really like him. I didn't want to, but I can't help it. He's really a likable guy.
When we go into this book, Remy and Miggy aren't in a romantic relationship. They have purchased a house together and run a business together and are raising Toby, one of the boys rescued during the first book. They are a family in every sense but one. For two years Miggy has kept his attraction to Remy in check, but things are changing and it's getting more difficult to ignore these feelings. Miggy has always been straight, so he's not sure what to do with these feelings. Plus, Remy isn't over Jamie. Not by a long shot. But Remy has resigned himself to not being in a relationship because he thinks he would not be good at it.
And right when Miggy and Remy decide to give things a go, here comes Jamie (and Ryan). Awk-ward!
So what we get here are jealous boyfriends, island adventure and rum punch. Not all is as it seems, though, and nothing can ever go smoothly or we wouldn't have much of a plot. Can't say I'm terribly surprised by the ending, since I have read the blurb for the third book, but still kinda wow.
1) When Remy walked away from Jamie at the end of the first book, breaking Jamie's heart, it made me want to shake Remy. What they had was so good and to just just walk away from it tells you just how broken Remy was.
2) I knew that going into book two that both Remy and Jamie would be in different relationships and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I didn't really like the idea, but I know that life and love don't always seem terribly linear and so while I was sort of open to it, I didn't want to chance getting to the end of book three and feeling like chucking my Kindle across the room.
So I waited.
Well, now that book four is out, I feel I can go ahead and continue reading about Jamie and Remy and their journey, even though it will likely be awhile before they find their way back to each other (or in my case, a couple days). And, wow. Much like the first book, I had a lot of trouble putting this one down. I found that I didn't mind Remy and Jamie being in different relationships as much as I thought I would. I still kind of want to shake Remy, though. And Miggy -- damn, I really like him. I didn't want to, but I can't help it. He's really a likable guy.
When we go into this book, Remy and Miggy aren't in a romantic relationship. They have purchased a house together and run a business together and are raising Toby, one of the boys rescued during the first book. They are a family in every sense but one. For two years Miggy has kept his attraction to Remy in check, but things are changing and it's getting more difficult to ignore these feelings. Miggy has always been straight, so he's not sure what to do with these feelings. Plus, Remy isn't over Jamie. Not by a long shot. But Remy has resigned himself to not being in a relationship because he thinks he would not be good at it.
And right when Miggy and Remy decide to give things a go, here comes Jamie (and Ryan). Awk-ward!
So what we get here are jealous boyfriends, island adventure and rum punch. Not all is as it seems, though, and nothing can ever go smoothly or we wouldn't have much of a plot. Can't say I'm terribly surprised by the ending, since I have read the blurb for the third book, but still kinda wow.
June 24, 2015
Reviewed by Jason Collett for QUEERcentric Books
3.7 Stars
This is the second book in a three-part series revolving around the main characters, Detective Colt Remington and Lord Jamie Mainwaring. There is a delicious clash of cultures in these stories: Detective Remington is from Arizona, while Lord Mainwaring is from London, England.
In the first book, we find the characters investigating several boys who wind up missing. Remy discovers a connection between his active cases and the missing boys in London. The two men team up to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This book takes place two years later after Jamie and Remy solved their cases and parted ways. Remy has returned to Arizona and has partnered with his long time friend, fellow Detective Miggy. As private detectives, Remy and Miggy are raising Toby, one of the missing boys they rescued from the previous book.
Jamie has returned to London and is working with the organization that paired him and Remy up to investigate the missing boys in the first book. He is now dating his work partner, Agent Ryan Whiteside. The two men have been assigned to investigate piracy during an all-gay cruise in the Caribbean.
Unbeknown to them, Remy and Miggy have been hired by one of their biggest clients to oversee the diamond transfer that is occurring on the same cruise. The four men must work together to solve the case while their relationships are tested along the twists and turns of the plot.
Since its publication, this book has received mixed reviews. Some people didn’t like the storyline, while others did. Yet, one review said that they pretty much stopped their social life until they finished the book. That enticed me to read the book--and I am glad that I did.
Read the entire review on QUEERcentric Books
3.7 Stars
This is the second book in a three-part series revolving around the main characters, Detective Colt Remington and Lord Jamie Mainwaring. There is a delicious clash of cultures in these stories: Detective Remington is from Arizona, while Lord Mainwaring is from London, England.
A DELICIOUS CLASH OF CULTURES
In the first book, we find the characters investigating several boys who wind up missing. Remy discovers a connection between his active cases and the missing boys in London. The two men team up to get to the bottom of the mystery.
This book takes place two years later after Jamie and Remy solved their cases and parted ways. Remy has returned to Arizona and has partnered with his long time friend, fellow Detective Miggy. As private detectives, Remy and Miggy are raising Toby, one of the missing boys they rescued from the previous book.
Jamie has returned to London and is working with the organization that paired him and Remy up to investigate the missing boys in the first book. He is now dating his work partner, Agent Ryan Whiteside. The two men have been assigned to investigate piracy during an all-gay cruise in the Caribbean.
RELATIONSHIPS ARE TESTED
Unbeknown to them, Remy and Miggy have been hired by one of their biggest clients to oversee the diamond transfer that is occurring on the same cruise. The four men must work together to solve the case while their relationships are tested along the twists and turns of the plot.
Since its publication, this book has received mixed reviews. Some people didn’t like the storyline, while others did. Yet, one review said that they pretty much stopped their social life until they finished the book. That enticed me to read the book--and I am glad that I did.
Read the entire review on QUEERcentric Books
May 26, 2015
It's hard to review each of the four novels of this series separately because they really do create one long arc. Remmy and Jamie are a heart-breaking pair who explode together. The tension between them from the word go belies an underlying connection that both so desperately need but neither can really fathom indulging. That connection, and the tension it causes both men, as well as others in their lives, play out amidst a backdrop of ongoing mystery and danger as both men try to move forward with their lives in their individual law enforcement fields.
Ocean's Apart finds both Jamie and Remmy seemingly having moved on with their lives after their short but intense partnership ended with Remmy walking away for what he saw as Jamie's benefit. Jamie has excelled in his new position with Interpol and Remmy has built himself a semi-quiet life as a PI back in the desert. But a new case puts them right back in the thick of things together, and tests the new relationships they've formed, as well as the decisions both made about each other.
Tragedy and betrayal both serve to strengthen the bond they have with each other, but also force them to recognize that they may have missed their shot because neither was really ready for the other. Ocean's Apart is several hard steps on their journey and so deftly shows both men's strengths and their flaws. In the end, as the reader, you can only hope that somehow, these two strong independent men can somehow, through some miracle, find their way back to each other.
Ocean's Apart finds both Jamie and Remmy seemingly having moved on with their lives after their short but intense partnership ended with Remmy walking away for what he saw as Jamie's benefit. Jamie has excelled in his new position with Interpol and Remmy has built himself a semi-quiet life as a PI back in the desert. But a new case puts them right back in the thick of things together, and tests the new relationships they've formed, as well as the decisions both made about each other.
Tragedy and betrayal both serve to strengthen the bond they have with each other, but also force them to recognize that they may have missed their shot because neither was really ready for the other. Ocean's Apart is several hard steps on their journey and so deftly shows both men's strengths and their flaws. In the end, as the reader, you can only hope that somehow, these two strong independent men can somehow, through some miracle, find their way back to each other.
September 16, 2013
Oh, my--Harner has done it again! I told myself to wait a while before beginning this book. I was so torn apart by the ending of the first book in the series, and according to the blurb and reviews, this one wasn't going to bring Remy and Jamie back together again--so, why bother. Of course, I started it anyway and as the pages flew by, I began to accept the new lay of the land. I actually liked the players--new and old--was ready to see things continue in this new direction, and then BAM! Wow, things changed in an instant, and as with the end of the last book, I'm once again in turmoil.
I loved this book. It is even better than the first. The writing is again excellent. The editing, once again however, leaves a bit to be desired. The love scenes are generous and hot. The mystery was very good, and when solved, I was taken by surprise--something that does not happen often.
This series has catapulted Harner to the top layer of my "automatically to read" authors. Both of these books have dialogs and scenes that are still able to bring me to tears when I remember them days later. I will gladly read anything Harner has to offer and sincerely hope that books 3 and 4 come out before too much longer.
I loved this book. It is even better than the first. The writing is again excellent. The editing, once again however, leaves a bit to be desired. The love scenes are generous and hot. The mystery was very good, and when solved, I was taken by surprise--something that does not happen often.
This series has catapulted Harner to the top layer of my "automatically to read" authors. Both of these books have dialogs and scenes that are still able to bring me to tears when I remember them days later. I will gladly read anything Harner has to offer and sincerely hope that books 3 and 4 come out before too much longer.
January 18, 2014
Once again the series features an action plot that's riddled with holes, so many that the narrative looks as incompetent as the characters and the government agencies they work for. It's not worth me enumerating the problems here. Instead, I'll just explain why I still enjoyed the book. Laura Harner has set up an interesting dilemma for the reader. Remy and his business partner Miggy have set up a household together. They are raising a son together. They are starting to fall in love. Yet we want Remy to be with Jamie. For his part, Jamie's involved with his new partner Ryan, although that relationship is less engaging. (Ryan reads like a milquetoast and Jamie like a domineering jerk.) If you can skim the nonsense of the action, there's a romance plot that is complicated and interesting, because there are no good answers. Many writers won't let themselves venture into this territory, and I appreciate what Harner has done.
February 8, 2014
This followup to Continental Divide was filled with conflicts, both in external plot and internal character interaction. The plot was a good framework for old love interest vs new love interest for the four MCs. Yes, four MCs. And I gotta say, this author handled all four character arcs very well.
Tension between the characters made me anxious--which also gave the story that page-turning edge. No easy solutions here. I like the depth this tension gave to the story.
After the story ended, looking back, I can see the skillful, subtle way the author set up the antagonist. I waver between wishing she had been a bit more heavy-handed there to realizing any more would have given away the story goal.
So, on to book number three...
Tension between the characters made me anxious--which also gave the story that page-turning edge. No easy solutions here. I like the depth this tension gave to the story.
After the story ended, looking back, I can see the skillful, subtle way the author set up the antagonist. I waver between wishing she had been a bit more heavy-handed there to realizing any more would have given away the story goal.
So, on to book number three...
Read
June 9, 2014Wow, these four guys, Remy & Miggy and Jamie & Ryan all working the same case from different angles?? As usual, WHAT a coincidence. Except... is it really a coincidence? I think that someone is pulling strings from behind the scene and causing a whole lot of trouble.
I was going to be really upset with this other guys horning in between Remy and Jamie, but I found that I really got to like them... for better or worse.
It was great to hear about Toby and how Remy was taking steps to move forward finally. Jamie was pretty stuck but finally woke up and realized that he had a second chance to be loved with Ryan.
Good story even though the ending was NOT what I was expecting. But that's a good thing, right?
I was going to be really upset with this other guys horning in between Remy and Jamie, but I found that I really got to like them... for better or worse.
It was great to hear about Toby and how Remy was taking steps to move forward finally. Jamie was pretty stuck but finally woke up and realized that he had a second chance to be loved with Ryan.
Good story even though the ending was NOT what I was expecting. But that's a good thing, right?
January 31, 2016
I'm a pragmatic romantic. I don't necessarily equate real love with just intense passion, because that tends to burn out without a foundation. Thus, Rem's realization that just a few weeks of intense passion did not make a sustainable relationship (especially not for two people who lived very different lives, grew up very differently, and even live on different continents) rung true to me without even counting the fact that Rem was not emotionally healthy and had purposely been smeared in the press in Britain for their case. How do you build a lasting relationship on that? My only problem was I don't read romance for reality ;o) I love him and Miggy. I am thrilled there is a couple with a strong foundation finding their way and building a family. I loved this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews