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Acclamation #4
Proclamation
Book 4 in the Acclamation series, Proclamation takes readers throughout the fallout following the revelation of Michael and Dominic's relationship to Renee Butler. Separated by school and job, by family demands, perception of deceit and not in the least, the continents between them, Michael and Dominic must find new footing for their love story.
Medical school keeps Dominic busy, while living in Japan brings a new side of Michael to life. Letters, emails, texts, video calls fuel their relationship and they are determined to find a way to prove to their families that their love endures. Guilt weighs heavily though and a future together seems impossible without Renee's forgiveness, hardly forthcoming to either Michael or Dominic.
In the end though, with their love tested and found standing, finding home is the only answer.
Medical school keeps Dominic busy, while living in Japan brings a new side of Michael to life. Letters, emails, texts, video calls fuel their relationship and they are determined to find a way to prove to their families that their love endures. Guilt weighs heavily though and a future together seems impossible without Renee's forgiveness, hardly forthcoming to either Michael or Dominic.
In the end though, with their love tested and found standing, finding home is the only answer.
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First published December 18, 2013
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Vee Hoffman
5 books100 followersAuthor, enthusiast, and handsome devil living in Seattle.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 30, 2014
I want to cry.
I want to laugh.
I feel sad.
I feel stupid.
I feel happy.
I want to sit somewhere, alone, and think and wonder.
I never want to read another book again, ever.
I feel one million things that I'll never, ever find the proper words to express.
I'm simply overcome, and if I could give this book, this series, Vee Hoffman ALL THE STARS, I would.
I want to laugh.
I feel sad.
I feel stupid.
I feel happy.
I want to sit somewhere, alone, and think and wonder.
I never want to read another book again, ever.
I feel one million things that I'll never, ever find the proper words to express.
I'm simply overcome, and if I could give this book, this series, Vee Hoffman ALL THE STARS, I would.
December 28, 2013
What can I say? Vee Hoffman was born to write. Some authors you can really tell that they LEARNED how to write but Vee was born with the talent.
I might be a little bias with my review because I love the Japanese culture. I was just pleasantly surprised that 80% of the book took place in Japan. I love that she mentioned Densha Otoko, mochi, the game Soul Calibur and even the singer Sheena Ringo. Love it!
I find this a little lighter compared to the other 3 books. It reminded of those Japanese movies, which I love by the way, where the setting is in the country side and the plot is just about the daily lives of people. I think me and Vee will get along in real life, haha.
It might be a little wordy for some readers but I find that this is the strength of series. I feel like every word was written with care. It was just not written for the sake of writing an m/m romance. The fairytale part in book was just lovely and I cried towards the end.
My favorite M/M series of all time and Vee you're on the top of my list!
Please write more...
10000000000000/10000000000000 Stars!
I might be a little bias with my review because I love the Japanese culture. I was just pleasantly surprised that 80% of the book took place in Japan. I love that she mentioned Densha Otoko, mochi, the game Soul Calibur and even the singer Sheena Ringo. Love it!
I find this a little lighter compared to the other 3 books. It reminded of those Japanese movies, which I love by the way, where the setting is in the country side and the plot is just about the daily lives of people. I think me and Vee will get along in real life, haha.
It might be a little wordy for some readers but I find that this is the strength of series. I feel like every word was written with care. It was just not written for the sake of writing an m/m romance. The fairytale part in book was just lovely and I cried towards the end.
My favorite M/M series of all time and Vee you're on the top of my list!
Please write more...
10000000000000/10000000000000 Stars!
December 21, 2013
Unlike Michael, I have no talent with words. But I think I know it now. Yet, what I know still remains to be seen.
Acclamation is the starter, the build-up, the book that introduces us to Michael and Dominic, and the one that makes us fall in love with them (or at least for me). It is the first tentative step, the step that becomes more confident and stronger, only to shy back into Reclamation.
In Reclamation, the true character development begins. The shy step regains its confidence once more, getting bolder and bolder, trudging through the obstacles into Intimation.
In Intimation, we all now what must happen. Nothing lasts forever. Even after the brightest of sunshine, rain must fall.
Around five months ago, at this time, I raged, on and on about the ending of Intimation. I couldn't belive what I had just read. I still get angry when I read it again. But Proclamation made it worth it. Made it all Wworth it.
This series is not just a story about two people falling in love against societies norms, and the people their love affects, it's a look inside peoples lives. It is all out on display to you, ready for you to judge into the tiniest of details if you wish - all you have to do is look. It is a humbling experience, and that is what reading this series has been for me. An extremely humbling experience.
Read it. Even if it feels lengthy and too wordy in the beginning (as it did for me), you will get used to the style, and fall in love with it. You will fall in love with the characters, you will feel your heart swell with emotion, and you will most definetely feel your heart break into pieces so many times. But it's worth it. All the hours you will put into these books, all the time you want to give up or throw it out of the window because it's hurting you so, it. Is. Worth. It.
Acclamation is the starter, the build-up, the book that introduces us to Michael and Dominic, and the one that makes us fall in love with them (or at least for me). It is the first tentative step, the step that becomes more confident and stronger, only to shy back into Reclamation.
In Reclamation, the true character development begins. The shy step regains its confidence once more, getting bolder and bolder, trudging through the obstacles into Intimation.
In Intimation, we all now what must happen. Nothing lasts forever. Even after the brightest of sunshine, rain must fall.
Around five months ago, at this time, I raged, on and on about the ending of Intimation. I couldn't belive what I had just read. I still get angry when I read it again. But Proclamation made it worth it. Made it all Wworth it.
This series is not just a story about two people falling in love against societies norms, and the people their love affects, it's a look inside peoples lives. It is all out on display to you, ready for you to judge into the tiniest of details if you wish - all you have to do is look. It is a humbling experience, and that is what reading this series has been for me. An extremely humbling experience.
Read it. Even if it feels lengthy and too wordy in the beginning (as it did for me), you will get used to the style, and fall in love with it. You will fall in love with the characters, you will feel your heart swell with emotion, and you will most definetely feel your heart break into pieces so many times. But it's worth it. All the hours you will put into these books, all the time you want to give up or throw it out of the window because it's hurting you so, it. Is. Worth. It.
January 1, 2014
Well, this book has been a long time coming to this concluding volume. I have watched on the sidelines as it was sculpted into this work of beauty and read each volume hungrily as it was released. I can count on two hands the books that have made such an impact on my life that it has been irrevocably changed. This, for very personal reasons, is one of those books.
How this book concludes is real and raw. Watching both Michael and Dominic grow individually and as a couple is realistic and at times heart wrenching. Their love is absolute. I challenge anyone to not recognise something of themselves or their relationships in this. It saddens me to think there is no more to read of their story.
Thank you, Vee.
How this book concludes is real and raw. Watching both Michael and Dominic grow individually and as a couple is realistic and at times heart wrenching. Their love is absolute. I challenge anyone to not recognise something of themselves or their relationships in this. It saddens me to think there is no more to read of their story.
Thank you, Vee.
June 22, 2017
While I didn't like the writing style that much, I've loved this story from the very first words I read. I’m loving in even more 4,5 books later. This story made me feel all sorts of things, made me think about things I had never really thought about before. I am very happy about how it ended, in a rush of years, summarising a lifetime of love. In the end, love is all that matters.
January 8, 2014
Congratulations, Vee! Such a beautiful book, such a beautiful series.
If you read the previous three books, you know that the exquisite language is one of the best qualities of the series. I enjoyed it greatly in Proclamation as well.
The novelty in this part is the setting. I loved that we got to know Japan a bit through Michael. It was also nice to see the evolution of our beloved characters and their relationship.
I expected the ending to be different, but it turned out better.
If you read the previous three books, you know that the exquisite language is one of the best qualities of the series. I enjoyed it greatly in Proclamation as well.
The novelty in this part is the setting. I loved that we got to know Japan a bit through Michael. It was also nice to see the evolution of our beloved characters and their relationship.
I expected the ending to be different, but it turned out better.
December 24, 2013
Big shoes to fill, especially after I felt confused, shocked, and betrayed by the ending of book three.
This book is about growing up (even when you are older), maturing, understanding yourself, embracing love, embracing others, so much to learn from this last book. It was so wonderfully done.
I love the letters that really allow Michael and Dominic to feel freedom in the words unspoken.
This series has had me so stressed out because of the moral component and the heavy air of guilt that has weighed heavily in book 1-3. This is the perfect book to the end of the series because once that weight is removed, you get to see all that is left and the road to happiness and love.
This book is about growing up (even when you are older), maturing, understanding yourself, embracing love, embracing others, so much to learn from this last book. It was so wonderfully done.
I love the letters that really allow Michael and Dominic to feel freedom in the words unspoken.
This series has had me so stressed out because of the moral component and the heavy air of guilt that has weighed heavily in book 1-3. This is the perfect book to the end of the series because once that weight is removed, you get to see all that is left and the road to happiness and love.
January 15, 2014
*‘Proclamation’ is the last book in the 4 part ‘Acclamation’ series by Vee Hoffman. My review is in most part for the whole series*
“Sometimes, a resolution isn’t monumental. There isn’t a definitive, dramatic moment that sews it all up with perfect closure. Wounds stay open, doubts can breathe. Sometimes the heart and the mind relax at a whisper, and there is a calm that is determination rather than resignation.”
Thank you Vee Hoffman for making some very Taboo subjects into an unsuspectingly amazing series.
Thank you for forcing me to look past the religious cover art.
And finally, thank you Vee Hoffman for creating Michael. An incredibly flawed yet real narrator, that despite his imperfections is quite beautiful. He has a way with words in all senses (including, as he calls it “vocal debauchery”) and tells the story of him and Dominick as almost a fairytale for the reader.
I truly felt Michael’s pain, happiness and grief. And it’s in Michael’s real moments with himself that I think readers can really understand him. He goes thru so much in his life and finds that learning to be happy means completely starting over.
“…It means that if I’d wanted anyone else, I could have been fucked raw any time and you’d have never known a thing about it. I’ve cheated on every single person I’ve been with. I’ve cheated bad before. And I hate doing it. But that’s who I am. Thanks for making me remember my nature…But thank god I didn’t say those words…”
Then there is Dominick. A boy trying to be man. Drawn into a taboo relationship with his teacher. His story is an entirely different one from Michael. First Loves, First loss and coming into his own. And while we get most of Dominick’s story told thru Michael, we get glimpses and snapshots of the true Dominick in their most intimate moments.
Vee also gives us lovely side characters. Michael’s dead lover, Scott, who we get tiny glimpses of. Scott’s wonderful and quirky mom, Makoto and also Dominik’s mom Rene. (and a cast of smaller yet important roles in Michael’s story)
This series was written with so much love and care that practically every line is quote worthy. In my opinion the first 3 books (4 including the short from Dominick’s POV) were really amazing. This final book (Proclamation) was intense and dramatic. The story practically all takes place in Japan, and you can almost feel and sense the country from the words. However, subject matter that should have taken a paragraph to tie up took chapters, and moments I thought would have had a bigger impact took sentences to formulate. Love letters from England to Japan take up most of this book, and it is at times exhausting. This being said, I would not change at all how the book ended.
At its very core, Michael’s story isn’t just a love story. It’s about grief, finding your true happiness and believing in something greater than yourself.
“…Move your fucking feet. Be a man. No, don’t be a man. Be a decent human being. Be an adult. Be yourself. Be the person you know you can be, the person you keep claiming this place helped you become. Don’t fail him, don’t fail yourself. Just stand up, just run. You have everything to lose and you have everything to gain. Fuck pride, fuck who’s right and who’s wrong. There’s none of that left. There is only the two of you. Move…”
“Sometimes, a resolution isn’t monumental. There isn’t a definitive, dramatic moment that sews it all up with perfect closure. Wounds stay open, doubts can breathe. Sometimes the heart and the mind relax at a whisper, and there is a calm that is determination rather than resignation.”
Thank you Vee Hoffman for making some very Taboo subjects into an unsuspectingly amazing series.
Thank you for forcing me to look past the religious cover art.
And finally, thank you Vee Hoffman for creating Michael. An incredibly flawed yet real narrator, that despite his imperfections is quite beautiful. He has a way with words in all senses (including, as he calls it “vocal debauchery”) and tells the story of him and Dominick as almost a fairytale for the reader.
I truly felt Michael’s pain, happiness and grief. And it’s in Michael’s real moments with himself that I think readers can really understand him. He goes thru so much in his life and finds that learning to be happy means completely starting over.
“…It means that if I’d wanted anyone else, I could have been fucked raw any time and you’d have never known a thing about it. I’ve cheated on every single person I’ve been with. I’ve cheated bad before. And I hate doing it. But that’s who I am. Thanks for making me remember my nature…But thank god I didn’t say those words…”
Then there is Dominick. A boy trying to be man. Drawn into a taboo relationship with his teacher. His story is an entirely different one from Michael. First Loves, First loss and coming into his own. And while we get most of Dominick’s story told thru Michael, we get glimpses and snapshots of the true Dominick in their most intimate moments.
Vee also gives us lovely side characters. Michael’s dead lover, Scott, who we get tiny glimpses of. Scott’s wonderful and quirky mom, Makoto and also Dominik’s mom Rene. (and a cast of smaller yet important roles in Michael’s story)
This series was written with so much love and care that practically every line is quote worthy. In my opinion the first 3 books (4 including the short from Dominick’s POV) were really amazing. This final book (Proclamation) was intense and dramatic. The story practically all takes place in Japan, and you can almost feel and sense the country from the words. However, subject matter that should have taken a paragraph to tie up took chapters, and moments I thought would have had a bigger impact took sentences to formulate. Love letters from England to Japan take up most of this book, and it is at times exhausting. This being said, I would not change at all how the book ended.
At its very core, Michael’s story isn’t just a love story. It’s about grief, finding your true happiness and believing in something greater than yourself.
“…Move your fucking feet. Be a man. No, don’t be a man. Be a decent human being. Be an adult. Be yourself. Be the person you know you can be, the person you keep claiming this place helped you become. Don’t fail him, don’t fail yourself. Just stand up, just run. You have everything to lose and you have everything to gain. Fuck pride, fuck who’s right and who’s wrong. There’s none of that left. There is only the two of you. Move…”
March 20, 2014
Wow. What an amazing end to an incredible series. I feel like I can't rate this book all on its own (although I truly enjoyed this book more than others) so this review does kind of incorporate them all.
First, a warning: all of these books are long, introspective, full of beautiful descriptive narrative, and amazing characterization. This is nothing like the usual MM romance I've seen out there. It took effort to read these books, but it was so well worth it -- I felt challenged and questioning at times, uplifted and transported at others. These are books that I am looking forward to rereading, to find all the nuances I missed the first time around, because I know they are there. And I'll probably want to rate them even higher then. . .
In Proclamation, we see the resolution to all the pain and angst that Michael and Dominic have gone through. Their clandestine relationship was finally revealed at the end of the second book, leaving Michael feeling as if he had betrayed not only Dominic's mother Renee, but also Dominic and ultimately even himself. He was left to question whether pursuing their love affair was the right and moral thing to do, and what kind of man he was for loving Dominic, as well as for leaving him. He moved to Japan, sure of the depth of his love for Dominic, hopeful that they could one day reunite, but still unsure of how to move forward. The time in Japan was revelatory for him though, and I loved the way Ms. Hoffman described his ongoing epiphanies about who he is and how he becomes the best man he can be. It wasn't just like knowing Michael, it was like being him.
Dominic is now attending Oxford, living on his own, struggling with loneliness and uncertainty, and the loss not only of Michael's presence and guidance, but also of the extraordinarily close relationship he had with his mother. The letters that he and Michael exchanged exposed Dominic's fears and pain, but also the depth of his strength. Michael had recognized the potential for that moral and emotional strength, but seeing it develop, seeing Dominic grow into his own was breathtaking. When they are finally able to reunite, their sexual intimacy changes, as the power difference between them finally balances; the role of teacher, protector, and experienced lover introducing Dominic into the wonder of sex (where Michael always topped) has become a true give and take. I loved the symbolism, and had to admit that I was waiting for the moment when Michael would bottom for Dominic, knowing that would announce that they were truly equals. All the squeamishness I had in reading the first two books -- when I felt that their sexual relationship was somewhat exploitative -- was gone in the reading of this one.
And the ending? Turned out to be all that I hoped it would be and more. The epilogue was perhaps a bit unnecessary, but I enjoyed it all the same. The very happiest of HEAs.
And as lovely as the story was, I have to say that my favorite thing about this book and the others in the series is the amazing writing. It is profound, exquisite, and yet so effortless. Truly poetic. The type of writing that pulls you in and floats you along, and the type of writing I would aspire to if I was an author.
First, a warning: all of these books are long, introspective, full of beautiful descriptive narrative, and amazing characterization. This is nothing like the usual MM romance I've seen out there. It took effort to read these books, but it was so well worth it -- I felt challenged and questioning at times, uplifted and transported at others. These are books that I am looking forward to rereading, to find all the nuances I missed the first time around, because I know they are there. And I'll probably want to rate them even higher then. . .
In Proclamation, we see the resolution to all the pain and angst that Michael and Dominic have gone through. Their clandestine relationship was finally revealed at the end of the second book, leaving Michael feeling as if he had betrayed not only Dominic's mother Renee, but also Dominic and ultimately even himself. He was left to question whether pursuing their love affair was the right and moral thing to do, and what kind of man he was for loving Dominic, as well as for leaving him. He moved to Japan, sure of the depth of his love for Dominic, hopeful that they could one day reunite, but still unsure of how to move forward. The time in Japan was revelatory for him though, and I loved the way Ms. Hoffman described his ongoing epiphanies about who he is and how he becomes the best man he can be. It wasn't just like knowing Michael, it was like being him.
Dominic is now attending Oxford, living on his own, struggling with loneliness and uncertainty, and the loss not only of Michael's presence and guidance, but also of the extraordinarily close relationship he had with his mother. The letters that he and Michael exchanged exposed Dominic's fears and pain, but also the depth of his strength. Michael had recognized the potential for that moral and emotional strength, but seeing it develop, seeing Dominic grow into his own was breathtaking. When they are finally able to reunite, their sexual intimacy changes, as the power difference between them finally balances; the role of teacher, protector, and experienced lover introducing Dominic into the wonder of sex (where Michael always topped) has become a true give and take. I loved the symbolism, and had to admit that I was waiting for the moment when Michael would bottom for Dominic, knowing that would announce that they were truly equals. All the squeamishness I had in reading the first two books -- when I felt that their sexual relationship was somewhat exploitative -- was gone in the reading of this one.
And the ending? Turned out to be all that I hoped it would be and more. The epilogue was perhaps a bit unnecessary, but I enjoyed it all the same. The very happiest of HEAs.
And as lovely as the story was, I have to say that my favorite thing about this book and the others in the series is the amazing writing. It is profound, exquisite, and yet so effortless. Truly poetic. The type of writing that pulls you in and floats you along, and the type of writing I would aspire to if I was an author.
January 3, 2014
I absolutely love this book. As soon as I finished this I proceeded to read the rest of the series not stopping until they were all read. The writing took me to places in the world I've never been and made me look at parts of myself I'd never seen. This series will always be on my favourites list. And want to forget it all so I can discover it again. These characters will stay with me for a long time.
December 28, 2013
Such a beautiful series. I'm actually sad it's over. Loved this book (and the others) so much.
February 5, 2017
Due to the heartbreak that Intimation produced on me, it took me a whole year to be able to read this. And I think it was a wise choice, because it allowed me to savour it better.
What to say about the Acclamation saga? I loved these books, the relationship between Michael and Dominic is just fascinating and I'm in awe at how much they develop as the books go on. Proclamation has been just the cherry on top of the cake to this wonderful story.
However, I must say I didn't like it as much as the previous one. I think it's because of Michael living abroad, I had got so used to the constant (physically) presence of Dominic that having them apart for such a long time was a bit odd. Still, it only made their relationship evolve into the next stage, a much greater one that allowed everything to come full circle and wrap up the events of Intimation and their personal journey, and I loved it.
Proclamation has great new characters that I loved, and the descriptions of Japan just made me more and more interested about visiting this country someday. The style of Hoffman is, like in the previous books, just mesmerising and admirable, although I still think sometimes it gets *too* much and that affects the natural progression of the narrative.
I also have to point out that this books has way less sex scenes than its predecessors, but that doesn't deminish its value at all, rather it makes it even better and makes a difference against other m/m romances that are only a porn fest. Here, every sex scene is cherished and has a deep impact for the characters' relationship, and I love that.
To sum up, I'm in love with this saga and these characters!
What to say about the Acclamation saga? I loved these books, the relationship between Michael and Dominic is just fascinating and I'm in awe at how much they develop as the books go on. Proclamation has been just the cherry on top of the cake to this wonderful story.
However, I must say I didn't like it as much as the previous one. I think it's because of Michael living abroad, I had got so used to the constant (physically) presence of Dominic that having them apart for such a long time was a bit odd. Still, it only made their relationship evolve into the next stage, a much greater one that allowed everything to come full circle and wrap up the events of Intimation and their personal journey, and I loved it.
Proclamation has great new characters that I loved, and the descriptions of Japan just made me more and more interested about visiting this country someday. The style of Hoffman is, like in the previous books, just mesmerising and admirable, although I still think sometimes it gets *too* much and that affects the natural progression of the narrative.
I also have to point out that this books has way less sex scenes than its predecessors, but that doesn't deminish its value at all, rather it makes it even better and makes a difference against other m/m romances that are only a porn fest. Here, every sex scene is cherished and has a deep impact for the characters' relationship, and I love that.
To sum up, I'm in love with this saga and these characters!
April 22, 2018
This book, this entire series, really, is about the writing more than the story. Don't get me wrong, the story is great, but the writing is just beautiful. It's not often I can so thoroughly enjoy reading about the minutiae of someone's average day. And that's just the average days. The way exceptional days are written here are breathtaking. The way love is written here is transformative. I would have happily read many, many more books detailing Michael and Dominic's further adventures.
May 3, 2022
Holy shit, I am emotionally exhausted.
January 31, 2014
What a liked about this author was her narrative style, that she actually wrote a gay romance and not a gay porno romance like the majority of authors of the genre tend to do, I like how she developed Dominic's character, we can really see him maturing, growing.
What I didn't like, and thats the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5, is, first of all I dont like authors that state trough their stories what is "good" and what is "crap"...like they are forcing us their taste in music and books.
The second one was Michael, didnt like the character at all, in my eyes he was very immature, and it was ridiculous how being him a child, demanded Dominic to behave like an adult, his constantly needing of love (I need that Scott love me, I need Dominic to love me, I need my friends to love me, I need Renee to love me) without giving absolutely nothing, I did feel sorry for Dominic, in fact poor Dominic had to grow to fast so he could keep Michael...the whole going to Japan, didnt look like a decision but like wanting to run away, probably if it depended on Mike the whole relationship would have gone to the toilet...he had all beautiful words but no actions. He show lacked of responsibility from day one. It was hard for me to feel any love coming from him, except lust. He just wanted things nice and easy. Michale and Dominic keep mentioning how Japan had done great things for him, had he had grown up, but I never saw it, what I saw was a kid running away bc he was to afraid to confront what he had done in England. Oh and another thing I didnt like is how Michael goes round and round about the same topics once and again, there are many parts that could have been skipped bc we already knew them, plus all the quoting in my opinion was totally inecessary.
The third one, its the unrealistic plot, yes, romance between and teacher do happen, but Im talking about the mother's acceptance, Michale broke a very big taboo, had sex with someone who he was role model to, the sex totally unrealistic unless they were females and not men. All the story about not having sex for months and years and not being close to cheat each other, its nice but not real at all, after all they are men, men think of sex almost 24/7, in fact male couples have the less rate on being monogamic, bc it just doesnt work for them, plus Dominic was suppose to be this hottie, but no serious rival came between them...I mean there is a reason why distance relationships are hard, and its not only the trust, but also the temptation, the need to be touched.
The other thing that was a lie, was about japan accepting gays, which it is a total lie according to the forums of ppl living in japan about being homosexual and transvesty. First of all homosexual behavior it is well accepted in japanese culture during the teenage years, and adult showing that behavior is considered immature, lets not forget how important it is for japan to get married, and have heirs, continue the bloodline, I mean there is a reason why in Japan same-sex marriage hasnt been accepted.
I felt the plot was excellent, for a gay romance, in fact one of the best, but if I were to compared to any other book, I would say it lacks realism and maturity.
I do think that gay romance authors should try to emulate this author and the few like her, it is really dissapointing seeing the many gay romance authors who win awards for their book, when it is only bad written porn. So I do advised to read it and enjoy it.
What I didn't like, and thats the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4 or 5, is, first of all I dont like authors that state trough their stories what is "good" and what is "crap"...like they are forcing us their taste in music and books.
The second one was Michael, didnt like the character at all, in my eyes he was very immature, and it was ridiculous how being him a child, demanded Dominic to behave like an adult, his constantly needing of love (I need that Scott love me, I need Dominic to love me, I need my friends to love me, I need Renee to love me) without giving absolutely nothing, I did feel sorry for Dominic, in fact poor Dominic had to grow to fast so he could keep Michael...the whole going to Japan, didnt look like a decision but like wanting to run away, probably if it depended on Mike the whole relationship would have gone to the toilet...he had all beautiful words but no actions. He show lacked of responsibility from day one. It was hard for me to feel any love coming from him, except lust. He just wanted things nice and easy. Michale and Dominic keep mentioning how Japan had done great things for him, had he had grown up, but I never saw it, what I saw was a kid running away bc he was to afraid to confront what he had done in England. Oh and another thing I didnt like is how Michael goes round and round about the same topics once and again, there are many parts that could have been skipped bc we already knew them, plus all the quoting in my opinion was totally inecessary.
The third one, its the unrealistic plot, yes, romance between and teacher do happen, but Im talking about the mother's acceptance, Michale broke a very big taboo, had sex with someone who he was role model to, the sex totally unrealistic unless they were females and not men. All the story about not having sex for months and years and not being close to cheat each other, its nice but not real at all, after all they are men, men think of sex almost 24/7, in fact male couples have the less rate on being monogamic, bc it just doesnt work for them, plus Dominic was suppose to be this hottie, but no serious rival came between them...I mean there is a reason why distance relationships are hard, and its not only the trust, but also the temptation, the need to be touched.
The other thing that was a lie, was about japan accepting gays, which it is a total lie according to the forums of ppl living in japan about being homosexual and transvesty. First of all homosexual behavior it is well accepted in japanese culture during the teenage years, and adult showing that behavior is considered immature, lets not forget how important it is for japan to get married, and have heirs, continue the bloodline, I mean there is a reason why in Japan same-sex marriage hasnt been accepted.
I felt the plot was excellent, for a gay romance, in fact one of the best, but if I were to compared to any other book, I would say it lacks realism and maturity.
I do think that gay romance authors should try to emulate this author and the few like her, it is really dissapointing seeing the many gay romance authors who win awards for their book, when it is only bad written porn. So I do advised to read it and enjoy it.
September 10, 2017
This book brought tears to my eyes more than once. This is a story that breaks the mold and I'm so glad the author had the courage and the opportunity to not be what the publishing world sets in very rigid rules. She has the rare ability of putting exactly the emotion she wants to evoke in beautifully written words, and this is exactly what we readers crave. And because I don't have the same magic touch, I borrow a few of her words to thank her for preferring
"to live inside what (you) wrote. That was always harder to do when the story was short, when descriptions were reduced to epithets: ‘a strange feeling’, or ‘a lovely day’, with no quality and no depth of substance. For those who read – really read, in the way that I always tended to, losing myself in worlds and starting a new life and a new journey with every book cracked open - something short and concise often feels like living too fast and dying too early."
"to live inside what (you) wrote. That was always harder to do when the story was short, when descriptions were reduced to epithets: ‘a strange feeling’, or ‘a lovely day’, with no quality and no depth of substance. For those who read – really read, in the way that I always tended to, losing myself in worlds and starting a new life and a new journey with every book cracked open - something short and concise often feels like living too fast and dying too early."
October 11, 2023
Also Read this back on September. but was too caught up reading mangas.
I loved this book so much, I dont care that the mojority of the book Michael was on Japan and Dominic in UK. I think after book 3 , Michael needed his own time and just be himself for a while until he could just get back to the UK. Loved how everything ended and as always I loved reading Michael thoughts he just expresses himself so pefectly. I also could see the transition in dominic, from teenager to a young adult. He was very mature in some aspects but he polished that while being away from Michael and leaving on College dorms. Certainly he did experience his own things, had a very personal growth. You cannot deny how much these two love each other. And they fought for their love and persevere. It was quite lovely to see the development of thins. . I enjoyed reading this series so much. will definitely reread it.
I am sucker for HEA's.
I loved this book so much, I dont care that the mojority of the book Michael was on Japan and Dominic in UK. I think after book 3 , Michael needed his own time and just be himself for a while until he could just get back to the UK. Loved how everything ended and as always I loved reading Michael thoughts he just expresses himself so pefectly. I also could see the transition in dominic, from teenager to a young adult. He was very mature in some aspects but he polished that while being away from Michael and leaving on College dorms. Certainly he did experience his own things, had a very personal growth. You cannot deny how much these two love each other. And they fought for their love and persevere. It was quite lovely to see the development of thins. . I enjoyed reading this series so much. will definitely reread it.
I am sucker for HEA's.
December 10, 2017
6 'I was so scared in this book. Scared of what would happen with this couple who have quickly made it into my fave couple list, scared of it ending becasue I don't want it to. What a journey. This is forbidden love done so beautifully and tastefully I absolutley loved, adored this series and highly recommend it. Devastated this has come to an end' stars.
September 29, 2018
I’ve been in actual book heaven for the past few days. This series has been such a pleasure to read. I’m in awe of it all. Just wonderful.
June 25, 2015
3.5 stars This series is so hard for me to rate. On the emotional turmoil aspect, I want to give it 5 stars. When they come to important scenes, they are so well done, so beautifully written and so insightful. My problem is that they are so few and far between. While I enjoyed taking a journey with Michael and Dominic, experiencing things with them and watching their love grow, I felt the sword of Damocles hanging over my head the whole time.
I have never been so tempted to say "fuck it", and just jump to the last 5o pages to read the climax. Both this and the last book, Intimation, had something dramatic that we knew was going to happen. And in both it doesn't happen until the very end. This makes it hard to enjoy the journey. I sped through these last two books, not because I was so drawn in by the beautiful prose, but because I wanted to get it over with. I was trying to scarf down my veggies without tasting them so I could get to desert.
These would be great to go back and read again at some point, when I can enjoy the subtle nuisances and not be worried about the end game. But as beautiful as it was, there was too much filler in each book after always a dramatic cliffhanger, and I found myself resentful of having to go immediately to the next book for resolution of the story-line.
Edit: Later the same day - I had initially rounded down to 3 stars due to the issues I listed above, but the fact of the matter is that I cannot stop thinking about this book. Reliving arguments and tender moments and fucking, imagining scenes that never happened or have yet to happen of arguments or tender moments or fucking. It stayed with me, so for that, I have to give Vee Hoffman credit. I'm a little depressed, a little hopeful, a little troubled. I'm looking up flight info to travel somewhere, anywhere. I feel somewhat inspired, so I'd say that deserves a rounding up.
I have never been so tempted to say "fuck it", and just jump to the last 5o pages to read the climax. Both this and the last book, Intimation, had something dramatic that we knew was going to happen. And in both it doesn't happen until the very end. This makes it hard to enjoy the journey. I sped through these last two books, not because I was so drawn in by the beautiful prose, but because I wanted to get it over with. I was trying to scarf down my veggies without tasting them so I could get to desert.
These would be great to go back and read again at some point, when I can enjoy the subtle nuisances and not be worried about the end game. But as beautiful as it was, there was too much filler in each book after always a dramatic cliffhanger, and I found myself resentful of having to go immediately to the next book for resolution of the story-line.
Edit: Later the same day - I had initially rounded down to 3 stars due to the issues I listed above, but the fact of the matter is that I cannot stop thinking about this book. Reliving arguments and tender moments and fucking, imagining scenes that never happened or have yet to happen of arguments or tender moments or fucking. It stayed with me, so for that, I have to give Vee Hoffman credit. I'm a little depressed, a little hopeful, a little troubled. I'm looking up flight info to travel somewhere, anywhere. I feel somewhat inspired, so I'd say that deserves a rounding up.
May 29, 2014
The whole series is a great read, it's a solid 4*.
The story is beautifully written, but it dragged at times. I skipped most of the sex scenes because there are just too many for my liking. I like Dominic very much, he is very mature in such a young age. Michael is the older one in the relationship. I don't like him at all, he's selfish and acted like a child.
I am pleased that it ended with HEA. I am looking forward to more stories by this author.
The story is beautifully written, but it dragged at times. I skipped most of the sex scenes because there are just too many for my liking. I like Dominic very much, he is very mature in such a young age. Michael is the older one in the relationship. I don't like him at all, he's selfish and acted like a child.
I am pleased that it ended with HEA. I am looking forward to more stories by this author.
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