**This review is a collaboration**
4 Stars
Tracy: Ugh, I’m torn because I loved Hugo and Kevin and I couldn’t wait to get to the next installment of their story. There were things I really enjoyed about the story. I’m kinda scared to write this review because I have a feeling it’ll turn into a bitchfest.
Mari: You and me both, Tracy. While I loved many aspects of this book, there are others that made me want to throw my kindle at something (or someone *cough* Kevin *cough*)
Tracy: I love Hugo and he is just an absolutely amazing, sweet and caring man. He was so nurturing to not only Kevin, who of course as his boyfriend it’s expected, but the way he cared for Erin, Finn and Brooke, well, it was just so heartwarming. I only have one question for Ms. Roberts, where can I find my very own Hugo?
Mari: Hugo was awesome, definitely the best part of this book. The way he cared for everyone in Kevin's family, even when they (Kevin, Erin and their friends and family) sometimes didn't exactly make him feel like a part of it, was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. He just gave so much of himself and I think they didn't quite appreciate him as much as they should have.
Tracy: Kevin, oh gosh, there were times I wanted to punch him in the face. I know he spent years married to Erin and she is the mother of his children, and I love that he cared for her and did everything he could to help her and make her last part of her life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. But what irked me to no end, was his use of the word wife. I know on paper they were technically still married, but as a reader, reading a MM story, frankly, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like it was continuously thrown in my face and at times I wanted to scream.
Mari: I completely agree with you about that, Tracy. I was expecting more of Kevin, you know? To see some growth in him now that he wasn't under his father's thumb, but even when he came out he did it through FB and I felt he wasn't quite to the level of commitment that Hugo deserved.
Tracy: I also sort of felt that it took too long for Kevin and Erin to explain who Hugo really was. It angered me the way their friends and family treated him at times, and while, yes they did defend Hugo, I felt it was still a slap in the face that he was just “a friend of the family”.
Mari: Definitely, while I sort of get that Erin was going through a lot, Kevin didn't have that excuse.
Tracy: What Ms. Roberts did manage to do well, was to recapture the chemistry and heat between Kevin and Hugo. It was simply off the charts and smoking hot. I loved the interaction between the Kevin, Hugo, Erin and the kids and I absolutely adore Russell and Summer. But at times Erin’s illness seemed to take over the story and it was all too much.
Mari: The chemistry was out of this world, and the sex scenes were passionate and intense. My favorite part was Hugo's relationship with Summer, though, she was a great friend to him and a fantastic support system when Hugo needed her the most. I wish we could've seen more interactions between Hugo and the kids, I loved seeing how well they seemed to fit whenever they were together.
Erin's illness was dealt with objectively and in a sensitive manner, however, I also felt as if it took the story over, overshadowing Hugo and Kevin's relationship.
Tracy: The story is well-written, but please bring your tissues to the party because it’s heavy and sad throughout most of the story. Still, it’s very recommendable.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for our reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***