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Family #3
More Than Everything
A Book in the Family Series
As a teenager, Charlie "Chase" Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he's living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott moves unexpectedly and doesn't return. Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. When they're still together after eight months, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But then the time comes to be open about their relationship, and Adan walks away instead.
Time heals all wounds but when Charlie runs into Scott and Adan and realizes the only two men he's ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn't know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. And even if he can, why would Scott and Adan want Charlie when they already have everything with each other?
As a teenager, Charlie "Chase" Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he's living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott moves unexpectedly and doesn't return. Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. When they're still together after eight months, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But then the time comes to be open about their relationship, and Adan walks away instead.
Time heals all wounds but when Charlie runs into Scott and Adan and realizes the only two men he's ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn't know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. And even if he can, why would Scott and Adan want Charlie when they already have everything with each other?
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2013
225 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Cardeno C.
69 books2,376 followersCardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
May 31, 2017
CC is my go-to author for sexy, low-key romance. I’ve read nearly all of Cardeno’s book but picked up this one on Kindle Unlimited just this week.
I found the relationship between the three men, not to mention between Charlie and Scott, as well as Charlie and Adan, to be very superficial.
When Adan and Scott see Charlie again (this meeting felt entirely contrived), their first thought is that they want to fuck him. Both Adan and Scott are tops and not entirely compatible in the bedroom, while Charlie’s a willing bottom.
I wasn’t feeling the love; the lust, yes, but the romance didn’t work for me at all.
I also didn’t like the many femme stereotypes. Charlie is happy cooking and cleaning, while the two tops bring home the bacon.
The times lapses in the story left gaping holes in the narrative. Charlie loses his sister and becomes a guardian to his young niece and nephew. This is a major life change, but it’s summarized in a couple sentences.
Had I read this book when it first came out, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but I’m a more critical reader now. CC’s more recent stories have been big wins for me; this one was not.
I found the relationship between the three men, not to mention between Charlie and Scott, as well as Charlie and Adan, to be very superficial.
When Adan and Scott see Charlie again (this meeting felt entirely contrived), their first thought is that they want to fuck him. Both Adan and Scott are tops and not entirely compatible in the bedroom, while Charlie’s a willing bottom.
I wasn’t feeling the love; the lust, yes, but the romance didn’t work for me at all.
I also didn’t like the many femme stereotypes. Charlie is happy cooking and cleaning, while the two tops bring home the bacon.
The times lapses in the story left gaping holes in the narrative. Charlie loses his sister and becomes a guardian to his young niece and nephew. This is a major life change, but it’s summarized in a couple sentences.
Had I read this book when it first came out, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but I’m a more critical reader now. CC’s more recent stories have been big wins for me; this one was not.
March 8, 2025
I liked it, a lot more than I thought I would, actually. Allow me to explain: it takes a really great storyteller to make me not only believe, but root for, a threesome. (Mostly because I spend a lot of time fantasizing thinking about the logistics.) Cardeno makes me believe this is absolutely not only possible, but that it makes total sense.
More Than Everything is actually three love stories in one. Charlie and Scott, Chase and Adan, and then, finally, Charlie, Scott and Adan.
Each third of the story is told from a different POV, but each chapter is introduced by Charlie with a picture of their lives as he adds it to a scrap-book and his explanation of each photo and memory.
I absolutely adored this story. I was completely and totally entranced from page one. I loved Charlie's perspective and his snarky asides. I'm a real sucker for that kind of character, and Cardeno writes them perfectly.
Cardeno C. is my crack. Seriously.
Recommended!
P.S.: You ever wonder where Daniel went at the end of Something in the Way He Needs? You find out here!
Note: All stories in the Family Collection may be read as stand-alones.
Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
1st ed.
I liked it, a lot more than I thought I would, actually.
I'd put off reading this for a long, long time because the blurb just didn't appeal...but, oh, how wrong I was to wait!
Cardeno C. and Mary Calmes are my crack. Seriously.
P.S.: You ever wonder where Daniel went at the end of Something in the Way He Needs? You find out here!
Read: 02/2015, 10/2015
More Than Everything is actually three love stories in one. Charlie and Scott, Chase and Adan, and then, finally, Charlie, Scott and Adan.
Each third of the story is told from a different POV, but each chapter is introduced by Charlie with a picture of their lives as he adds it to a scrap-book and his explanation of each photo and memory.
I absolutely adored this story. I was completely and totally entranced from page one. I loved Charlie's perspective and his snarky asides. I'm a real sucker for that kind of character, and Cardeno writes them perfectly.
Cardeno C. is my crack. Seriously.
Recommended!
P.S.: You ever wonder where Daniel went at the end of Something in the Way He Needs? You find out here!
Note: All stories in the Family Collection may be read as stand-alones.
Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
********************
1st ed.
I liked it, a lot more than I thought I would, actually.
I'd put off reading this for a long, long time because the blurb just didn't appeal...but, oh, how wrong I was to wait!
Cardeno C. and Mary Calmes are my crack. Seriously.
P.S.: You ever wonder where Daniel went at the end of Something in the Way He Needs? You find out here!
Read: 02/2015, 10/2015
October 27, 2015
Sigh...
Cardeno C has once again managed to take me to my fluffy happy place. I haven't read many menage books and I did wonder of Cardeno would be able to pull it off, but I shouldn't have worried because she nailed it.
What I loved:
*I love how she broke down the story into three different sections: Charlie & Scotty, Charlie & Adan, and Scotty, Adan & Charlie. She gave us a glimpse into the dynamics of each relationship and why they worked.
*I love that their love story spanned almost twenty years. We were able to feel the joy of your first love and the heartbreak of losing it between Scotty and Charlie. Also, a more mature love between Charlie and Adan. Adan who was at a place where he was still allowing the pain of not having his family's approval blind him.
*The humor. I loved their banter and Charlie's inner monologues.
*Although, the story is written predominantly from Charlie's POV, we are also treated to Scotty's and Adan's POVs.
*The steam. HOLY. COW. I'll leave it at that.
*The story had great easy pace.
*I love how their story made me feel their highs and lows.
*The epilogue.
My only quibble:
*I just wish we could've gotten a little bit of Scotty and Adan together. I understood why we didn't- this was Charlie's story- but the greedy reader in me wished for a little bit more of their relationship.
All in all an excellent story from Cardeno C. Love the characters and the way their love story was told. 4.5 Stars. Highly recommended.
***A copy of this book was kindly provided by the author for an honest review.**
**This review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.**
April 1, 2022
There are some narrators who are bad, some who are okay, some who are good, and a few who are great. For me, Ezekiel Robison is great. I have consistently been impressed with his narrative skills.
It's just that he uses such great characters voices to draw me into the story. Then his narrative flow is so spot on and pitched so well that I am immediately immersed in the story. Listening to him is a real experience; one to be enjoyed and savored.
Robison is also particularly good at taking the extra steamy scenes that Cardeno C. does oh so well, and ratchets up the heat making the sexy times super sultry and delightful to listen to.
I could wax on for a while...but I'll refrain. Instead I'll tell you to go buy this audio. Seriously. Go.
My full review of More Than Everything.
I absolutely adored this story. I was completely and totally entranced from page one. I loved Charlie's perspective and his snarky asides. I'm a real sucker for that kind of character, and Cardeno writes them perfectly.
Recommended!
Audio copy of More Than Everything provided by Author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
October 23, 2015
2.5 stars
If you’ve read the blurb you know when you start this book there will be 2 break ups. I don’t do break ups well. They weren’t overly angsty, but my heart still broke each time.
Most of this book is told by Charlie. I loved Charlie. He was sweet, he was so full of life and he loved with his whole being.
The first 40% consists of Charlie and Scott falling in love at 16. They are together until Scott moves away when they’re about 20.
I loved the relationship between Charlie and Scott. They were so in love. I loved them together.
I did have a major problem with the fact that these two never had penetrative sex because ‘they were so young’. No I don’t buy that. You have been together for 4 years, you’re young and you’re horny. So no, that was really unrealistic.
And I really didn’t get that Scott would simply move away to leave Charlie behind. It was very out of character for Scott.
When Charlie meets Adan I was still mourning for Scott. And yes, Adan was an asshole, but that wasn’t my main problem with him. I just felt Charlie and Scott should have been together.
When Adan and Charlie broke up I was relieved. But when the three of them meet again years later I REALLY didn’t buy the fact that Scott and Adan were in a loving relationship for the past 5 years.
They just didn’t fit. I never saw the love they had for each other.
I did like the fact that they both wanted Charlie so bad. But I secretly still wanted Scott and Charlie to make a run for it together…
A book with good parts and bad parts, but overall it left me feeling empty and a bit sad, despite the HEA.
If you’ve read the blurb you know when you start this book there will be 2 break ups. I don’t do break ups well. They weren’t overly angsty, but my heart still broke each time.
Most of this book is told by Charlie. I loved Charlie. He was sweet, he was so full of life and he loved with his whole being.
The first 40% consists of Charlie and Scott falling in love at 16. They are together until Scott moves away when they’re about 20.
I loved the relationship between Charlie and Scott. They were so in love. I loved them together.
I did have a major problem with the fact that these two never had penetrative sex because ‘they were so young’. No I don’t buy that. You have been together for 4 years, you’re young and you’re horny. So no, that was really unrealistic.
And I really didn’t get that Scott would simply move away to leave Charlie behind. It was very out of character for Scott.
When Charlie meets Adan I was still mourning for Scott. And yes, Adan was an asshole, but that wasn’t my main problem with him. I just felt Charlie and Scott should have been together.
When Adan and Charlie broke up I was relieved. But when the three of them meet again years later I REALLY didn’t buy the fact that Scott and Adan were in a loving relationship for the past 5 years.
They just didn’t fit. I never saw the love they had for each other.
I did like the fact that they both wanted Charlie so bad. But I secretly still wanted Scott and Charlie to make a run for it together…
A book with good parts and bad parts, but overall it left me feeling empty and a bit sad, despite the HEA.
January 17, 2016
In her review, my girl Mish laid out her emotional response to this book. It went a little something like this:
First: Hopeful
Then: Happy
Then: Heartbroken
Then: Angry
Then: Resigned
Then: WTF?
Then: HEA
Somewhere before the "angry/resigned" period, I also came upon a level of acceptance and cautious hope, but other than that... my reactions were nearly identical.
This book was heavily in the 4.5 star territory until the clunkiest transition known to man took us all to Menage Town. I fully appreciate an author trying to take a less predictable route to get there, but the coincidences needed in order to make it happen stretched the bounds of belief far too far. Which dropped that section of the story immediately to a 2 star rating. But, once I had a shot or two of vodka and accepted the relationship as the new normal, it was back to the sweet, funny, relatively angst-free book I had enjoyed so much in the beginning.
Side note: The anniversary scene was pure, hilarious slapstick.
I can easily see how this book wouldn't be a favourite of some, but I really loved the fact that the story was told through flashbacks and that each flashback was prompted by a different picture our narrator, Charlie, was putting in a scrapbook of his life. Thankfully, the books in this series can be read as standalones, so if you aren't a fan of menage, or would-never-happen-in-real-life plot twists, then you can feel free to skip this one and move on to your next dose of CC's particular brand of fluff.
Happy reading!
First: Hopeful
Then: Happy
Then: Heartbroken
Then: Angry
Then: Resigned
Then: WTF?
Then: HEA
Somewhere before the "angry/resigned" period, I also came upon a level of acceptance and cautious hope, but other than that... my reactions were nearly identical.
This book was heavily in the 4.5 star territory until the clunkiest transition known to man took us all to Menage Town. I fully appreciate an author trying to take a less predictable route to get there, but the coincidences needed in order to make it happen stretched the bounds of belief far too far. Which dropped that section of the story immediately to a 2 star rating. But, once I had a shot or two of vodka and accepted the relationship as the new normal, it was back to the sweet, funny, relatively angst-free book I had enjoyed so much in the beginning.
Side note: The anniversary scene was pure, hilarious slapstick.
I can easily see how this book wouldn't be a favourite of some, but I really loved the fact that the story was told through flashbacks and that each flashback was prompted by a different picture our narrator, Charlie, was putting in a scrapbook of his life. Thankfully, the books in this series can be read as standalones, so if you aren't a fan of menage, or would-never-happen-in-real-life plot twists, then you can feel free to skip this one and move on to your next dose of CC's particular brand of fluff.
Happy reading!
May 26, 2016
4 Hearts!!
I love my polyamorous books and ‘More Than Everything’ delivered on a lot of the aspects I love about them, but before I get into the story I really want to talk about the narration.
Ezekiel Robison is AMAZING. I was so lost in the story because he was reading it to me. I haven’t been able to say this about an audiobook yet, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed that book nearly as much if it wasn’t in audio.
Ezekiel somehow manages to do voices for an effeminate man, a husky growly alpha, a low tenor and a host of side characters (including females), and I could always tell who was speaking! Everyone had individual voices, which is SUCH talent to be able to pull off!! Also he didn’t make me feel awkward during the sex scenes. All the moaning and dirty talk….it was HOT! I will definitely be buying any audio's he does!
Ok, so the story is about Charlie. We meet Charlie when he’s 16 and has a massive crush on his new neighbour Scott. He and Scott fall in love and date for 2 years but when Scott has to move across the country, the long-distance relationship fails, Charlie has to move on. Enter Adan, who Charlie meets when he’s 25. They date for 8 months and then that ends very badly (Adan is a bit of a prick, but I'll get to that later). Then when Charlie is 35, unexpected circumstances find him face to face with Scott and Adan happily living together, well you can probably guess what happens then.
I really enjoyed the way this was written. How Charlie talked to us, the reader, at the beginning of each chapter about the important moments in his life with Scott and Adan. Having Ezekiel read to me as Charlie in the first person made me connect with Charlie all that much more.
Charlie was a very likeable character, as was Scott, and I guess that makes it ok that Adan was a little bit of a prick in the beginning. It would have been pretty boring if everyone was sweet and considerate. Pretty much Adan was ashamed of being gay when we first meet him, he wants to be as ‘straight’ as possible while liking men. He also resents being lobbed into the same ‘group’ as effeminate men for the same reason. So you could see how he sort of hates Charlie for who he is at the beginning. Doesn’t stop him wanting to bone him though. I felt like Adan does make up for it when they meet again years later. He is a very changed man when he comes back into Charlie's life and is very very remorseful, which was good to see.
The build-up of Charlie and his relationships with both Scott and Adan was great, but it made it feel more empty when we see Scott and Adan together. I couldn’t really get their connection and why they worked together.
The main factor in this being a 4 heart book and nothing higher was that it wasn't really a threesome book. These three didn't get together until the end of the book, and I personally like to see my polyamorous couples get together much sooner. I mean what is better than two hot guys making out? Three hot guys making out!
There were a lot of funny moments where I found myself giggling out loud and looking like an idiot, like when Scott and Adan went shopping for dinner, and Adan’s drunken,“sriusly”.. .ahhh…*wipes away tear*, you really had to be there.
If I could rate this on the narration alone it would be 5 hearts, easily!!! But although I do recommend this because I had a lot of fun with it, I have read better threesome books that I’d recommend first.
I love my polyamorous books and ‘More Than Everything’ delivered on a lot of the aspects I love about them, but before I get into the story I really want to talk about the narration.
Ezekiel Robison is AMAZING. I was so lost in the story because he was reading it to me. I haven’t been able to say this about an audiobook yet, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed that book nearly as much if it wasn’t in audio.
Ezekiel somehow manages to do voices for an effeminate man, a husky growly alpha, a low tenor and a host of side characters (including females), and I could always tell who was speaking! Everyone had individual voices, which is SUCH talent to be able to pull off!! Also he didn’t make me feel awkward during the sex scenes. All the moaning and dirty talk….it was HOT! I will definitely be buying any audio's he does!
Ok, so the story is about Charlie. We meet Charlie when he’s 16 and has a massive crush on his new neighbour Scott. He and Scott fall in love and date for 2 years but when Scott has to move across the country, the long-distance relationship fails, Charlie has to move on. Enter Adan, who Charlie meets when he’s 25. They date for 8 months and then that ends very badly (Adan is a bit of a prick, but I'll get to that later). Then when Charlie is 35, unexpected circumstances find him face to face with Scott and Adan happily living together, well you can probably guess what happens then.
I really enjoyed the way this was written. How Charlie talked to us, the reader, at the beginning of each chapter about the important moments in his life with Scott and Adan. Having Ezekiel read to me as Charlie in the first person made me connect with Charlie all that much more.
Charlie was a very likeable character, as was Scott, and I guess that makes it ok that Adan was a little bit of a prick in the beginning. It would have been pretty boring if everyone was sweet and considerate. Pretty much Adan was ashamed of being gay when we first meet him, he wants to be as ‘straight’ as possible while liking men. He also resents being lobbed into the same ‘group’ as effeminate men for the same reason. So you could see how he sort of hates Charlie for who he is at the beginning. Doesn’t stop him wanting to bone him though. I felt like Adan does make up for it when they meet again years later. He is a very changed man when he comes back into Charlie's life and is very very remorseful, which was good to see.
The build-up of Charlie and his relationships with both Scott and Adan was great, but it made it feel more empty when we see Scott and Adan together. I couldn’t really get their connection and why they worked together.
The main factor in this being a 4 heart book and nothing higher was that it wasn't really a threesome book. These three didn't get together until the end of the book, and I personally like to see my polyamorous couples get together much sooner. I mean what is better than two hot guys making out? Three hot guys making out!
There were a lot of funny moments where I found myself giggling out loud and looking like an idiot, like when Scott and Adan went shopping for dinner, and Adan’s drunken,“sriusly”.. .ahhh…*wipes away tear*, you really had to be there.
If I could rate this on the narration alone it would be 5 hearts, easily!!! But although I do recommend this because I had a lot of fun with it, I have read better threesome books that I’d recommend first.
October 20, 2023
A sweet romance, very Cardeno C. in tone. I enjoyed the way Charlie's snapshot journal helps with events and shows the passage of time.
I loved the romance between Charlie and Scott. Very much the best part of the book for me. Their friends to lovers was paced so perfectly, and then when they slowly add the physical romance in... it's just perfect!
I didn't think that darn Adan was good enough for Chase >:[... okay, he went through a lot of changes, but I held onto my grudge way longer than Charlie did.
I'm not going to spoil anything whey I say how glad I am that Charlie gets his happily ever after though, that part is very nicely done.
The audio is performed by Ezekiel Robison who does a really great job. He drew me in perfectly with the youthfulness of Charlie and Scott. Then he shows the characters maturing in their voices and their manner of speaking with each other. It definitely works.
thank you to the author for generously providing me with an audiobook copy of More Than Everything, all opinions are my own
I loved the romance between Charlie and Scott. Very much the best part of the book for me. Their friends to lovers was paced so perfectly, and then when they slowly add the physical romance in... it's just perfect!
I didn't think that darn Adan was good enough for Chase >:[... okay, he went through a lot of changes, but I held onto my grudge way longer than Charlie did.
I'm not going to spoil anything whey I say how glad I am that Charlie gets his happily ever after though, that part is very nicely done.
The audio is performed by Ezekiel Robison who does a really great job. He drew me in perfectly with the youthfulness of Charlie and Scott. Then he shows the characters maturing in their voices and their manner of speaking with each other. It definitely works.
thank you to the author for generously providing me with an audiobook copy of More Than Everything, all opinions are my own
August 5, 2017
Had this on my kindle already...saw a recommend somewhere and goshhh read it three times in a row....
What can I say about the story.....I think the blurb says it all
What can I say about how i felt and what I thought while reading....
I read the last 40% five times....and the whole story three times.
Amazing read...excellent build up...wonderful written....funny, emotional and honest.
The pov's very well done!
A must read when you love m/m/m . It worked beautifully. I just loved it.
One tiny tiny thing. I would have loved it when there was some more hurt/comfort before Charlie surrendered....
"the day I stopped trusting ...... ...., and, what’s worse, the day I stopped trusting myself"
What can I say about the story.....I think the blurb says it all
What can I say about how i felt and what I thought while reading....
I read the last 40% five times....and the whole story three times.
Amazing read...excellent build up...wonderful written....funny, emotional and honest.
The pov's very well done!
A must read when you love m/m/m . It worked beautifully. I just loved it.
One tiny tiny thing. I would have loved it when there was some more hurt/comfort before Charlie surrendered....
"the day I stopped trusting ...... ...., and, what’s worse, the day I stopped trusting myself"
March 1, 2016
5+ Stars for this story & Audiobook!! The story is hot, full of Feelz and lots of heat!!! Ezekial Robison does a PERFECT narration!!
love this book and audio is fucking brilliant
love this book and audio is fucking brilliant
February 27, 2018
*** This magnificent tale is about Charlie Chase Rhodes, ballet dancer...
We see his history unfold as he tells his life story while compiling his photo album, sort of. The storytelling is brilliant, the sex is smokin' and the life is absolutely engaging.
* While a youngster, Charlie met new neighbor, tall, athletic, gorgeous Scott, and he wanted a picture. He ends up in a pile of boxes at his feet.
With his golden blonde hair, and hazel eyes, Scott...
he was a dream come true for small, thin, brown haired, blue eyed Charlie. Through their school years they talked nearly every day, or night through their windows. But fate steps in and Scott moves away. Shattered and broken hearted, Charlie picked up the pieces and went on to become the ballet dancer he had trained to be. * Five years later he meets black haired, brown eyed , golden skinned Adan.
He's closeted, a Lawyer and from a staunch homophobic upbringing, even after he came out to family. Now 25, Charlie goes by the name Chase for his career.
Finally realizing that he never meets family or friends, the conversation goes very wrong.
Adan says hurtful things and Chase finds himself self alone, devastated, and decides to tour with a ballet company and saturate himself in work and travel.
* About ten years later he began choreography, as a normal transition for aging dancers.
One day, notice comes that his sister died, leaving him two children, so off to Nevada he goes. Got a Vegas show job, and began his life as a dad. Strange things happen in life, and Charlie was looking at Scott and Adan, now partners, standing at his door.
Scott knew the kids through his sister, and the shock was unbelievable.
* Charlie's photo album was very full, and he captured every big life happiness and sadness. This is a story of finding a ménage relationship, so I'll not tell you any more. This story is hilarious, tender, tragic, and heartwarming.
Mistakes are made, hearts broken, but one truth remained, and that was their love never died. It may seem like I've told you too much, but you don't realize there are funny and moving anecdotes to each and every event.
This is a full bodied story you'll love, and I've only hinted at the shell.
I highly recommend this brilliantly written tale of a full, at times, lonely life, finally reaching the goal of true love.
ENJOY !
===========
We see his history unfold as he tells his life story while compiling his photo album, sort of. The storytelling is brilliant, the sex is smokin' and the life is absolutely engaging.
* While a youngster, Charlie met new neighbor, tall, athletic, gorgeous Scott, and he wanted a picture. He ends up in a pile of boxes at his feet.
With his golden blonde hair, and hazel eyes, Scott...
he was a dream come true for small, thin, brown haired, blue eyed Charlie. Through their school years they talked nearly every day, or night through their windows. But fate steps in and Scott moves away. Shattered and broken hearted, Charlie picked up the pieces and went on to become the ballet dancer he had trained to be. * Five years later he meets black haired, brown eyed , golden skinned Adan.
He's closeted, a Lawyer and from a staunch homophobic upbringing, even after he came out to family. Now 25, Charlie goes by the name Chase for his career.
Finally realizing that he never meets family or friends, the conversation goes very wrong.
Adan says hurtful things and Chase finds himself self alone, devastated, and decides to tour with a ballet company and saturate himself in work and travel.
* About ten years later he began choreography, as a normal transition for aging dancers.
One day, notice comes that his sister died, leaving him two children, so off to Nevada he goes. Got a Vegas show job, and began his life as a dad. Strange things happen in life, and Charlie was looking at Scott and Adan, now partners, standing at his door.
Scott knew the kids through his sister, and the shock was unbelievable.
* Charlie's photo album was very full, and he captured every big life happiness and sadness. This is a story of finding a ménage relationship, so I'll not tell you any more. This story is hilarious, tender, tragic, and heartwarming.
Mistakes are made, hearts broken, but one truth remained, and that was their love never died. It may seem like I've told you too much, but you don't realize there are funny and moving anecdotes to each and every event.
This is a full bodied story you'll love, and I've only hinted at the shell.
I highly recommend this brilliantly written tale of a full, at times, lonely life, finally reaching the goal of true love.
ENJOY !
===========
December 7, 2017
Phew ! That's really something else. But works for me somehow.
Between a heartwarming and pain, between love and hurts.
This is Charlie's story about his first love, his second love and both were disappointed him , hurt him, pained him, because love hurts.
I didn't mind about how he and Scott broke up, they're very young at the time, but I was kinda pissed at Adan.
He's homophobic, arrogant and denials. Aggh ! He made me wanna hit him on the face with chair for what he did to Charlie, and I was glad Charlie came to his senses to kicked him.
But Charlie, the sweetest person on earth, the soft heart Charlie, in his own way he loves Scott and Adan still.
And seeing them 'together, together' was a shock for him..go figure.
But from the first introduction we're already have a clue about the three of them, so, I wasn't surprise. It's a flashback, so this story won't hurt so much.
Still, I cried over what happened with Charlie in the past.
Forever in happiness is what he deserves. And Scott and Adan owed it to Charlie.
I'm glad this end well. And finally, makes me smile.
This is CC's fluffy story with a twist. Rare. But beautiful. Loved it !
Between a heartwarming and pain, between love and hurts.
This is Charlie's story about his first love, his second love and both were disappointed him , hurt him, pained him, because love hurts.
I didn't mind about how he and Scott broke up, they're very young at the time, but I was kinda pissed at Adan.
He's homophobic, arrogant and denials. Aggh ! He made me wanna hit him on the face with chair for what he did to Charlie, and I was glad Charlie came to his senses to kicked him.
But Charlie, the sweetest person on earth, the soft heart Charlie, in his own way he loves Scott and Adan still.
And seeing them 'together, together' was a shock for him..go figure.
But from the first introduction we're already have a clue about the three of them, so, I wasn't surprise. It's a flashback, so this story won't hurt so much.
Still, I cried over what happened with Charlie in the past.
Forever in happiness is what he deserves. And Scott and Adan owed it to Charlie.
I'm glad this end well. And finally, makes me smile.
This is CC's fluffy story with a twist. Rare. But beautiful. Loved it !
June 27, 2016
MAN OH MAN... I really really wanted to like this story, Charlie/Chase was freaking epic, and this book was so much fun! I laughed a lot and really thought Charlie/Chase was an awesome character.
But
So yeah great book, but some pet peeves of mine ruined it for me, but would recommend for really funny read!
But
So yeah great book, but some pet peeves of mine ruined it for me, but would recommend for really funny read!
March 1, 2016
***audio review only***
I will admit, as a Cardeno C fan, this story is not my favorite (Adan could take a flying leap off a short pier). Ezekiel Robinson was able to make me forget that. He did such a wonderful job with the narration that I was engaged the entire time. I still hated Adan, but I was able to push beyond that. I have enjoyed all of narrations for this series. I can't wait to hear more collaborations of Cardeno and Ezekiel.
I will admit, as a Cardeno C fan, this story is not my favorite (Adan could take a flying leap off a short pier). Ezekiel Robinson was able to make me forget that. He did such a wonderful job with the narration that I was engaged the entire time. I still hated Adan, but I was able to push beyond that. I have enjoyed all of narrations for this series. I can't wait to hear more collaborations of Cardeno and Ezekiel.
January 29, 2022
I loved Charlie. He deserved more. Though technically he certainly got more in the end, I still feel like he deserved more. They needed to grovel waaaaay more
April 22, 2014
Wow!!!! What an amazing book...I loved it....makes me want to read it again, again and again
November 14, 2015
2.5 Meh stars!
March 19, 2024
Amo questo libro, lo rileggo spesso. Mi piace che il libro progredisca nella narrazione attraverso foto scattate negli anni da uno dei protagonisti.
April 17, 2017
There are some authors that I’ve come to rely on when I’m looking to loose myself in a feel-good MM or MMM romance novel that makes me *sigh*. Cardeno C. is one of those authors. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way with this book. I’ve only read a handful of MMM romance novels, and this one, so far, has proven to be the most disappointing.
First of all, the entire book is flashback themed. That alone added a disconnecting quality to the storytelling. Secondly, Adan was one of the biggest assholes and Charlie was too quick to forgive him. It was ridiculous. Lastly, what’s the point of an MMM romance, if you only get part of the relationship development? We’re given, Charlie and Scott’s story and Charlie and Adan’s story but not Scott and Adan’s story. Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling the chemistry at all between Scott and Adan. If anything, I found them being a couple to be incredibly unbelievable.
2 stars instead of one because parts of this book did have me laughing out loud.
First of all, the entire book is flashback themed. That alone added a disconnecting quality to the storytelling. Secondly, Adan was one of the biggest assholes and Charlie was too quick to forgive him. It was ridiculous. Lastly, what’s the point of an MMM romance, if you only get part of the relationship development? We’re given, Charlie and Scott’s story and Charlie and Adan’s story but not Scott and Adan’s story. Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling the chemistry at all between Scott and Adan. If anything, I found them being a couple to be incredibly unbelievable.
2 stars instead of one because parts of this book did have me laughing out loud.
August 7, 2019
Reread: 7 August 2019
Ditto to my earlier review.
Read: 27 October 2016
Whilst told from MC Charlie/Chase viewpoint predominantly, we do have insights and POVs from the other two MCs, Scott and Adan which are necessary to forgiving those two from the hurt and turmoil inflicted on Charlie IMO (Adan more so than Scott).
The whole journey covers about 20 years from Charlie and Scott meeting as neighbours, through Charlie's period dancing in NY and meeting Adan and then Charlie moving to Las Vegas and meeting his 'loves' again. Individually as couples and together in a threesome they are very well-matched. And I loved the diverse personalities - they were deftly characterised and portrayed.
I fear when I read these sort of books that I'm not a good person. I just don't know if I could forgive the same incidents that Charlie manages to overcome!
Ditto to my earlier review.
Read: 27 October 2016
Whilst told from MC Charlie/Chase viewpoint predominantly, we do have insights and POVs from the other two MCs, Scott and Adan which are necessary to forgiving those two from the hurt and turmoil inflicted on Charlie IMO (Adan more so than Scott).
The whole journey covers about 20 years from Charlie and Scott meeting as neighbours, through Charlie's period dancing in NY and meeting Adan and then Charlie moving to Las Vegas and meeting his 'loves' again. Individually as couples and together in a threesome they are very well-matched. And I loved the diverse personalities - they were deftly characterised and portrayed.
I fear when I read these sort of books that I'm not a good person. I just don't know if I could forgive the same incidents that Charlie manages to overcome!
September 14, 2022
I wanted to read a MMM second chance novel, but this is not it. The first third is a chronological, detailed tale of a highschool affair we know will end. Then we move on to the next detailed MM affair we know will end. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. From the second they meet, Adan is jealous, possessive, has no sense of humor and makes sexual innuendo 's. He is a total creep and I fail to fool myself this is restrained true love.
The totally boring plot (is a time line a plot?) is insufferable when waiting for an occurrence not already revealed in the blurb.
Narration is good.
The totally boring plot (is a time line a plot?) is insufferable when waiting for an occurrence not already revealed in the blurb.
Narration is good.
April 2, 2016
This was really good. The first half was sad and poor Charlie didn't have any luck with Scott or Adan but when they all met up again, it was great. I loved them all together, very sweet and hot.
December 31, 2019
4 . 5 Absolutely adored it stars!
Source: Audible Copy for Honest Review Courtesy of Author
Genre: MMM Contemporary Romance
Part 3 of a series but can be a Standalone
My More Than Everything Review . . .
From the first word I had a huge smile on my face. I normally listen to my audio books while walking and I think some people may think I'm slightly deranged if they saw me listen to this book. I was full out teeth smiling and laughing out lout with this story.
By far this has been my favorite Ezekiel Robison narration. He absolutely nailed this story. I have such a mad crush on Cardeno C, because I have loved every story that CC has written. And now listening to them via audio has upped my CC experiences.
Charlie “Chase” Rhodes stole my heart. As we go on the journey of Charlie/Chase's love story its near impossible not to fall for him and wanting him to have his well deserved HEA. At first he falls in love with Scott Boone. Who was his neighbor, best friend and first love. However, first loves don't always work out so when Scott disappears from his life I was rooting for Charlie to find love again.
Thankfully a few years later he falls in love again. This time with Adan
Navarro. Adan is the polar opposite to Scott but he brings something out of Chase that Scott didn't. The more Chase falls for Adan the more Adan freaks because he's having a hard time being his true self.
After Adan breaks Chase's heart I didn't know how it was all going to work out, but for Charlie/Chase life carries on. For him he has a career and responsibilities which causes him to move across the country to take care of his sisters kids. It also brings Scott and Adan back into his life. But not is all smooth sailing because Scott and Adan are now a package deal and Chase has to navigate through this new complication.
I absolutely adored this story and loved it from beginning to end.
Source: Audible Copy for Honest Review Courtesy of Author
Genre: MMM Contemporary Romance
Part 3 of a series but can be a Standalone
My More Than Everything Review . . .
From the first word I had a huge smile on my face. I normally listen to my audio books while walking and I think some people may think I'm slightly deranged if they saw me listen to this book. I was full out teeth smiling and laughing out lout with this story.
By far this has been my favorite Ezekiel Robison narration. He absolutely nailed this story. I have such a mad crush on Cardeno C, because I have loved every story that CC has written. And now listening to them via audio has upped my CC experiences.
Charlie “Chase” Rhodes stole my heart. As we go on the journey of Charlie/Chase's love story its near impossible not to fall for him and wanting him to have his well deserved HEA. At first he falls in love with Scott Boone. Who was his neighbor, best friend and first love. However, first loves don't always work out so when Scott disappears from his life I was rooting for Charlie to find love again.
Thankfully a few years later he falls in love again. This time with Adan
Navarro. Adan is the polar opposite to Scott but he brings something out of Chase that Scott didn't. The more Chase falls for Adan the more Adan freaks because he's having a hard time being his true self.
After Adan breaks Chase's heart I didn't know how it was all going to work out, but for Charlie/Chase life carries on. For him he has a career and responsibilities which causes him to move across the country to take care of his sisters kids. It also brings Scott and Adan back into his life. But not is all smooth sailing because Scott and Adan are now a package deal and Chase has to navigate through this new complication.
I absolutely adored this story and loved it from beginning to end.
January 16, 2022
I really really loved this book and especially Charlie maybe Scott too but not Adan. He was a dick to Charlie for most of the book. I loved the writing style and the little introductions made me feel connected to Charlie. It was a lovely book.
I was slightly disappointed when Charlie didn't describe how he felt during those break-ups. That's the only negative thing I could think about this book.
I teared up when he said he needed to feel that he mattered to someone and the times when Adan spoke hard words to Charlie. I was so happy to read about the journey of his life, though I wished I got all parts of him.
I don't like Adan. I wanted to strangle him when he saw Chase just as a piece of meat he wanted to fuck. He wasn't ready to acknowledge that he's attracted to him more than one way. I thought Adan was finally accepting Chase but he didn't. He didn't go out with him because of his gayness and dressing style. He's casually saying that he has gotten his fill.
I was slightly disappointed when Charlie didn't describe how he felt during those break-ups. That's the only negative thing I could think about this book.
I teared up when he said he needed to feel that he mattered to someone and the times when Adan spoke hard words to Charlie. I was so happy to read about the journey of his life, though I wished I got all parts of him.
I don't like Adan. I wanted to strangle him when he saw Chase just as a piece of meat he wanted to fuck. He wasn't ready to acknowledge that he's attracted to him more than one way. I thought Adan was finally accepting Chase but he didn't. He didn't go out with him because of his gayness and dressing style. He's casually saying that he has gotten his fill.
December 17, 2015
1.5- 2 stars
Mild spoilers....
Ughhh... I feel so bad about not liking this book! I've been a big fan of Cardeno's books. I've read a lot of them. But I just couldn't see past certain things in this book.
But, just because I didn't care for this one.... Doesn't mean I'll never read any of her books again.
Nope... I'm A lifetime fan! (I've read 16 of her books already!!)
This book was just really hard for me to read. I loved the beginning of the book. But it pretty much went down hill for me when Adan came into the picture.
After that... It was hard to fully enjoy the book. Because... I just didn't want the main characters to be together!
I'll just jump right into my review.
I loved loved loved Scott and Charlie's beginning! Omg.... It was just everything. I had butterflies in my stomach, I felt all the excitement of their first's every things. I just loved it. I loved how they just came together.
The relationship at the end broke my heart. How it all ended between them. I felt like crying. I felt Charlie's pain! First loves are always the hardest to get over.
I really wasn't feeling Adan. I wasn't feeling how they met. And I wasn't feeling how Adan acted towards Chase. The things he would say. "Case Rhodes was fruity and Flamey and Flamboyant". That wasn't even the worst of it!
And.... I probably wouldn't think anything about it... But since I already couldn't stand him from the beginning. I just felt like he thought he was better than him & he only wanted him for one thing.
I mean... He was thinking of Chase as a trick... Not a person! Just someone he can have sex with!
Ughhhh... No thank you!
I seriously wanted to skim his parts. Everything that came out of his mouth was just getting me angrier and angrier.
Then reading the next part of the story. Where Scott and Adan are together.
I'm sorry... I was not feeling it at all. I actually hated it. I can understand Scott. They were young when they broke up. They drifted apart.
But Adan.... No. He had no redeeming quality to him at all. And the fact that they are together now...
Is just like a slap to the face.
When Scott and Adan started to describe their relationship...
Omg... It sounded like they needed a bottom for their relationship. It seemed Scott & Adan bottomed here and there. But, didn't really enjoy it. They just did it when they wanted to be inside each other.
So right away I saw Charlie as their solution. Towards the end of the book... That's really what it felt like.
I wasn't buying how happy Charlie was to be with two tops.
or maybe he was happy and it just bugged me....lol
Oh man....
I was not feeling it at all!
And right from the start.... Both Adan and Scott wanted to jump right into something with Charlie!
I mean... It's been 5 years! And they just saw each other that day & they want Charlie back.
Adan's apology didn't do anything for me. He had said and did too much to forgive.
I truly feel Charlie should have ended up with someone else. And just be friends with Adan and Scott.
I truly wasn't feeling Scott or Adan for Charlie at all.
So 67% in... I checked out.
When Scott and Adan bought the house... I was so annoyed. Why couldn't they have included Charlie in the whole process. Make him feel like an equal in the relationship. It just felt like they have the money... They make the decisions.
To be honest.... I wish it was only Scott & Charlie getting back together. Adan brought nothing to the relationship in my book. He was rude, and obnoxious. And Scott should have broken up with him once he found out how he acted and treated Charlie when they were together.
I'm sorry but this book was a miss for me.
*ARC provided by author for an honest review*
Mild spoilers....
Ughhh... I feel so bad about not liking this book! I've been a big fan of Cardeno's books. I've read a lot of them. But I just couldn't see past certain things in this book.
But, just because I didn't care for this one.... Doesn't mean I'll never read any of her books again.
Nope... I'm A lifetime fan! (I've read 16 of her books already!!)
This book was just really hard for me to read. I loved the beginning of the book. But it pretty much went down hill for me when Adan came into the picture.
After that... It was hard to fully enjoy the book. Because... I just didn't want the main characters to be together!
I'll just jump right into my review.
I loved loved loved Scott and Charlie's beginning! Omg.... It was just everything. I had butterflies in my stomach, I felt all the excitement of their first's every things. I just loved it. I loved how they just came together.
The relationship at the end broke my heart. How it all ended between them. I felt like crying. I felt Charlie's pain! First loves are always the hardest to get over.
I really wasn't feeling Adan. I wasn't feeling how they met. And I wasn't feeling how Adan acted towards Chase. The things he would say. "Case Rhodes was fruity and Flamey and Flamboyant". That wasn't even the worst of it!
And.... I probably wouldn't think anything about it... But since I already couldn't stand him from the beginning. I just felt like he thought he was better than him & he only wanted him for one thing.
I mean... He was thinking of Chase as a trick... Not a person! Just someone he can have sex with!
Ughhhh... No thank you!
I seriously wanted to skim his parts. Everything that came out of his mouth was just getting me angrier and angrier.
Then reading the next part of the story. Where Scott and Adan are together.
I'm sorry... I was not feeling it at all. I actually hated it. I can understand Scott. They were young when they broke up. They drifted apart.
But Adan.... No. He had no redeeming quality to him at all. And the fact that they are together now...
Is just like a slap to the face.
When Scott and Adan started to describe their relationship...
Omg... It sounded like they needed a bottom for their relationship. It seemed Scott & Adan bottomed here and there. But, didn't really enjoy it. They just did it when they wanted to be inside each other.
So right away I saw Charlie as their solution. Towards the end of the book... That's really what it felt like.
I wasn't buying how happy Charlie was to be with two tops.
or maybe he was happy and it just bugged me....lol
Oh man....
I was not feeling it at all!
And right from the start.... Both Adan and Scott wanted to jump right into something with Charlie!
I mean... It's been 5 years! And they just saw each other that day & they want Charlie back.
Adan's apology didn't do anything for me. He had said and did too much to forgive.
I truly feel Charlie should have ended up with someone else. And just be friends with Adan and Scott.
I truly wasn't feeling Scott or Adan for Charlie at all.
So 67% in... I checked out.
When Scott and Adan bought the house... I was so annoyed. Why couldn't they have included Charlie in the whole process. Make him feel like an equal in the relationship. It just felt like they have the money... They make the decisions.
To be honest.... I wish it was only Scott & Charlie getting back together. Adan brought nothing to the relationship in my book. He was rude, and obnoxious. And Scott should have broken up with him once he found out how he acted and treated Charlie when they were together.
I'm sorry but this book was a miss for me.
*ARC provided by author for an honest review*
March 8, 2016
I'll admit - I was wary going into this one. I'm always a little unsure about MMM since I can't fathom how not to be jealous of the third person and worry that someone is always a little less loved than the other pair. After reading the blurb I wasn't sure I could stand the possibility of the betrayal that Charlie/Chase would feel seeing his two past loves turn up together - and when it happened it was like being STABBED THROUGH THE HEART...
But - I should have trusted Cardeno C to look after my heart from the start because the building back up of Chase/Scott/Adan's relationship was beautiful and believable. Chase, whilst clearly still in love with the pair was no pushover and made them work for it, and Scott and Adan did their penance as a pair, and their time together sans Chase wasn't rubbed in our faces after they reconnected (it would have felt a bit like cheating if it had been more prominent).
So, overall, whilst I'm not a big MMM reader, I was happy to have read this one. I totally got these three as a threesome, not a pair-plus-one, and although I cried a little in the middle, I had happy tears by the end.
But - I should have trusted Cardeno C to look after my heart from the start because the building back up of Chase/Scott/Adan's relationship was beautiful and believable. Chase, whilst clearly still in love with the pair was no pushover and made them work for it, and Scott and Adan did their penance as a pair, and their time together sans Chase wasn't rubbed in our faces after they reconnected (it would have felt a bit like cheating if it had been more prominent).
So, overall, whilst I'm not a big MMM reader, I was happy to have read this one. I totally got these three as a threesome, not a pair-plus-one, and although I cried a little in the middle, I had happy tears by the end.
June 11, 2019
I listened to this on audible, and the narrator took a while to get used too.
The author plays up the stereotypes of the femme bottom being the more domestic one, cooking and cleaning while the masculine men that Charlie dates bring home the bacon.
I didn't care for his relationship with Adan, more so because we know from the get-go it's purely sexual, and by this point we want Charlie to find someone to be happy with. His beloved first boyfriend Scott is long out of the picture, losing touch with him when going off to college.
So when Adan promptly leaves Charlie and conveniently ends up with Scott years down the road, we're supposed to believe within moments of the three reuniting that all hurt feelings are going to be tossed aside and let the sex party begin?
Charlie has had a major life change at this point, put in charge of his niece and nephew when his sister passes, and suddenly Adan and Scott reappear and it's all supposed to be a big happy family? It felt like a huge stretch to me.
The author plays up the stereotypes of the femme bottom being the more domestic one, cooking and cleaning while the masculine men that Charlie dates bring home the bacon.
I didn't care for his relationship with Adan, more so because we know from the get-go it's purely sexual, and by this point we want Charlie to find someone to be happy with. His beloved first boyfriend Scott is long out of the picture, losing touch with him when going off to college.
So when Adan promptly leaves Charlie and conveniently ends up with Scott years down the road, we're supposed to believe within moments of the three reuniting that all hurt feelings are going to be tossed aside and let the sex party begin?
Charlie has had a major life change at this point, put in charge of his niece and nephew when his sister passes, and suddenly Adan and Scott reappear and it's all supposed to be a big happy family? It felt like a huge stretch to me.
May 23, 2017
I love me some CC, and I love triads, so this was a match made in heaven.
I really liked how it was set up, Charlie is the main narrator, going through pictures of his life with Scott and Adan in the present, then we get a flashback or memory that relates to the picture. They each narrate a time period of flashbacks.
The one thing I didn't like was the lack of communication between Adan and Charlie, which ultimately led to their break up, and between him and Scott. They're partners in love and work for 5 years before reuniting with Charlie, but in all that time they never discussed past relationships? Also, I think Charlie was maybe too forgiving initially, particularly towards Adan.
I really liked how it was set up, Charlie is the main narrator, going through pictures of his life with Scott and Adan in the present, then we get a flashback or memory that relates to the picture. They each narrate a time period of flashbacks.
The one thing I didn't like was the lack of communication between Adan and Charlie, which ultimately led to their break up, and between him and Scott. They're partners in love and work for 5 years before reuniting with Charlie, but in all that time they never discussed past relationships? Also, I think Charlie was maybe too forgiving initially, particularly towards Adan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 22, 2017
September 25, 2020
I loved this book, the guys are lovely and jerky all at the same time
They fit
And the reunion scene..... Just about ripped my heart out!
Still such a sweet ending :)
Can't wait for the next one!
They fit
And the reunion scene..... Just about ripped my heart out!
Still such a sweet ending :)
Can't wait for the next one!
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