The Truth of Our Past: Alternate Cover

Unframed Art MM #2

by Heather Leighson

He’s a contradiction I can’t walk away from

Alec:
Von––the uptight, gorgeous, Swede––wants nothing to do with me, and I’m obsessed.

The sullen man isn’t interested, and I don’t chase.

When I’m confronted with heart-crushing truths from my past, he’s a steady rock caring for me. But I refuse to reveal what no one else knows. In my experience, relationships end in shattered trust. So I avoid them.

With Von, all my defenses crumble. I burn for his fierce protectiveness. For the first time in my life, my heart wants more. More than a quickie––I break all my rules.
But love is out of the question. Love leads to certain heartbreak.

Von:
Dimples attached to an obnoxious man threaten to derail everything.

I’m desperate to escape my grief and suffocating media scrutiny.

I long for anonymity and solitude, but ache for Alec’s kindness and effortless joy. The man who embodies sunshine reminds me of my loss. So I keep my distance, afraid my emptiness will contaminate his sunshine. Until I realize his charm hides a darkness lurking underneath.

The unwaveringly loyal man proposes a pretend relationship with spicy, passionate bedroom activities. And it’s hard to remember this will only ever be temporary. I’m leaving.

My damaged heart won’t survive losing him.

The Truth of Our Past is the second book in the Unframed Art MM Romance series, including spicy angst with a bit of kink. Tropes: off-limits, hurt/comfort, and first love. See my website for more tropes and trigger warnings.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Fake Dating, Contemporary

274 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2024

About the author

Heather has always been an obsessive reader and is prone to staying up all night to binge books. Follow me on BooKBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heath...

She’s a skeptic, a hopeless romantic, a jaded book addict, and in love with love.

Heather's books contain spicy scenes with a bit of kink, lots of heart, and angst to make the happily ever after even sweeter. Heather falls madly in love with her leading men and hopes you will too. She creates stories to take readers on a journey of broken men finding and accepting love. She believes everyone deserves their happy ending especially people who have been hurt or denied love in the past. Love is the best human experience.

Heather read her first romance that she snuck off her mother’s bookshelf as a pre-teen. Her favorite books break her heart and then put it back together. She wants to do the same, so her goal is to write books that unbreak your heart.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I didn’t think it could measure up to the love I had for book one, but I was wrong. I loved Alec and his Viking Von, they were so good together. I never knew a book could make me cry over a piece of art, but I definitely did. If you loved the first book, do yourself a favor and read this!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sweet Alec and the brooding Swede 😭

Both men are anti-commitment and “don’t have time” for a relationship. Until… 🫣

The grand gestures. The obvious love. The Swedish terms of endearment. The tattoos. The farm.

All of it was so perfect and fitting. I don’t mean perfect in a way that it was easy, I mean perfect in that it made sense for them.

This book and the one before it spoke so loud to me. I didn’t place why until about halfway through this book when I realized that they’re just…real. The characters make bad decisions that are within the realm of possibility. The timeline of the relationship is realistic. The fights are realistic. It genuinely seems like more of a biography than a fiction novel.

I know a lot of people won’t agree, but me and my suitcases of trauma have experienced these scenarios and the writing just brought it to life 😭🖤

I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my honest and voluntary review!🖤

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanna thank netgalley for this ARC in exhange of an honest review. And I also wanna thank the author for this copy of the book:

This book was very good too, don't know which one I liked better, this one or the first one. Who knew behind Alec's smile he was fighting some demons? Von was too, and they fought for each other to overcame what was necessary. They both were there for the other and tried to do their best in any way they could. Von was very reserved and Alec tore his walls done one by one. Alec was afraid too, so afraid that he almost lost Von because of it. I really liked it when he went after him and wouldn't give up until they were both happy. They belonged together and I loved seeing it. It was a very emotional book but so good

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know. I’m literally still speechless. This book was god I can’t even explain it. At first it was a bit hard to get the hang of it. But the more I read, the more I couldn’t put the book down. It for sure was a rollercoaster of emotions. VON AND ALEC ARE FOREVER MY BABIES!!!!! The challenges they had to overcome were so intense and real. The ways in which they both understood each other but were still afraid to be apart was truly terrifying and beautiful. No spoilers but I couldn’t stop crying at the last couple of chapters. I couldn’t read past my tears because it was too beautiful and heartbreaking. I had to take a breather and pause. My sobbing was outta control but the end was worth it and it was everything.

[Bernice Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍︎
I love this book but it put me through it,this is the first book I’ve read from this author and I was not disappointed,even though I did not read book one of the Unframed Art series,I was able to enjoy the story.Reading this book has convinced me to read the first book in the series.

✍︎

Von and Alec are both so precious,I loved them but they made me want to enter the book and knock some sense into them,especially Alec.Von is a kind but troubled man,who is running away from his past that haunts him ,to start a new life in New York.And that’s where he met Alec,the sweet,friendly,kind and always ready to help beautiful man.Alec is all smiles,sunshine and happiness while’s Von is gloomy and devoid of happiness.But these two had something in common and that is they carry a lot of hurt and guilt from their past.

✍︎

This is a story of healing and hope and found family,It’s about meeting people who will show you unconditional love,that you will have no choice but to open yourself and heart to them,it’s finding the people you can trust and lean on when things goes wrong and celebrate with them,when good things happens to you.I’m such a sucker for found family😭🤣.

✍︎

The love Von and Alec have for each other was admirable,and their love was not easy to attain but they worked hard for it, and they deserved the happy ending they got.

✍︎

𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷’𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓜𝓪𝓭𝔂𝓭𝓸𝓷,𝓙𝓪𝔂𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓔𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓽’𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂.♥︎

[Dino Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: anxiety, cheating, death of a child (recounted), depression, drug addiction, grief, mentions of homeless youth, homophobia, mentions of overdose and rehab, parental abandonment, religious trauma, mentions of suicide, toxic masculinity, troubled pasts, vomit
Kink CWs: 69, breeding kink, dirty talk, docking, Dom/sub dynamics, oral, lingerie, mirror sex, praise, rimming, snowballing, spanking, switching
standalone: book 2 of Unframed Arts series (can be read as interconnected standalone)
final thoughts: What. A. Ride. After running from their past and present, they give into their mutual attraction Von and Alec fight hard for their HEA, but it’s well deserved. I never knew where the story was going to go- were they going to heal separately, together, or not at all? - and was left feeling every emotion as I was reading.
This book was such a rollercoaster and hot everything I love in a hurt/comfort contemporary novel. There is a 3rd act breakup which had a grand gesture and groveling- YAY! I feel like there is never enough groveling in novels, but this book did the characters and the situation justice

read this book if you love

😬 angst
🧑‍🎨 blue collar MMC (artist)
🍿 celebrity
🥵 dirty talk
💏 fake dating
🏝️ forced proximity (same living arrangements)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 great side characters
😡 grumpy/sunshine
🤫 hidden secrets
🩹 hurt/comfort
😏 kinky
🌈 LGBT+ representation
💞 mutual pining
🥰 nicknames
💤 nightmare comfort
🔀 opposites attract
😜 jealous, possessive MMC
🙏 praise
🤜 rivals-to-lovers
💓 slowburn
⚽ sports romance (soccer)
💔 third act breakup
🌍 world building

[Bellamina Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT, HOT, HOT! I fell in love with Von and Alec, even more than Shane and Cole from The Truth of Loving You. I felt their obsessive need to be together in my core. It transported me back to a time I experienced an all-consuming love. I can not give any higher praise.
I look forward to the author's next book in the series!

[etoile1996 · Rating 2 out of 5]

so much stereotyping

I have a couple of issues with this book, but my biggest is that the Swedish character is both a stereotype and proceeds to stereotype so many of the other characters. Also no one in this book has a measured reaction to anything. Like everyone is such a drama llama

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought it wasn't going to be as good as "The truth of loving you." Shane and Cole have my heart forever. But then it was four in the morning and I was still glued to this pages
.
.
Von Blixt arrived in the United States heartbroken by the loss and grief of someone very important to him, and decided to focus on his art, if only he could focus enough to work on it.
But the first obstacle he must cross is to get the sexy friend of the gallery owner with whom he has just signed a contract to work for, Alec Ivy out of his mind.
.
Alec is totally his opposite, the talented tattoo artist of unframed art who also works part time in the gallery is always hitting on any man who passes close to him, with his impossible charm, his bright eyes and two more stunning dimples flashing and making everyone fall for him.
.
Unfortunately Alec doesn't do relationships and Von isn't ready to put his heart on the line, especially when he struggles to regain his inspiration. But after putting prejudices aside, both find that their instant attraction is not the only thing they have to fight to keep them centered, when some truths reveals about the past that are difficult to go through on their own
.
Ahh this book !!…left me with tears in my eyes, my heart ached for Von so much, and then Alec made me sigh with his impossible way of be there for everyone and show how he can loves fiercely that I completely forgot what time it was, it was mesmerizing
.
This series is a love letter to New York, to its queer community, to art in any medium but it leaves you with a lot of inspiration to fill your skin with ink.
.
Deeply broken hearts with great pain finds its way into the most heart aching dialogues that will leave you sighing, and don’t get me started in the steamy scenes where you can feel the characters soul blending together.
.
There’s a little fake date, the beautiful energy between a grump-sunshine and so much chemistry. Also we get to see Cole and Shane and read how they complete each other so well. You can read this book like a stand alone but believe me when I tell you you're going to want to read the entire series
.
My only intrigue is Madyson, Jayce and Emmett...I need to know what's going on there, my head was filled with different plots and it was a pain relief when I got to the little expert knowing that Heather Leighson is going to fill in the blanks, I can't wait to read it!
.
.
Thanks to Heather Leighson for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay for Alec's story! He's charming and funny and a great friend to Cole in the first book, so I was dying to see him find his person. Von is pretty much Alec's opposite, but they work well together and give a good balance.

This has some wild ups and downs and both men really had to work at their relationship. I liked that things weren't always easy and we saw the characters work through their past grief and forge ahead. Plus, there's now an interesting dynamic with a potential throuple that I'm looking forward to!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to HL Books and NetGalley for the copy.

[Jess.bookrecs]

DNF @ 48%
I picked this one up because one of the MMC’s have long hair.. In retrospect, I understand that it may have been a stupid reason but DAMN IT! I can’t help myself 😭
I’m a whore for long hair😭
I’m 300 pages into this and not only is it damn long, I’m just not vibing with it. I told myself it’ll get better but it kept on being boring and once I picked up another book, I knew it was a lost cause.
I want to say I’ll come back because I really don’t like DNF’ ing books but mehn life is too damn short!

[Siân PJsAndBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Heather for this eARC.

The Truth of Our Past is the first book I've read by Heather and I will definitely be reading more. I loved the use of Swedish words when Von couldn't or shouldn't express himself. Alec and Von both have trauma in their pasts which makes them nervous to open their hearts. I was rooting for their HEA.

Things I Loved
🇺🇸 International love
🇸🇪 Dual POV
🇺🇸 HEA
🇸🇪 Artists
🇺🇸 Tattoos
🇸🇪 Past Trauma
🇺🇸 Manties
🇸🇪 Hurt/Comfort

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A surprisingly touching double hurt/comfort with two appealing MCs. The way they hurt each other due to difficult past issues was really understandable if painful and there was no instant forgiveness from either side which fit well. I haven't read the first book so I am certain this works well as a standalone. The ending was particularly appealing.

[Blandrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, I really enjoyed. I was expecting a fairly standard MM romance, with a bit of pining, a 3rd act breakup and a bit of “New York is the best place in the world to live ever” propaganda.

However, what I GOT was two complicated and well-formed men who were doing their absolute best, but life isn’t easy. Von is in New York, obviously hiding from something and trying to make a new start, hesitant to do anything too permanent because he’s not sure what he wants to do with his life. Alec uses sunshine and casual hookups as a defence mechanism, but he is doing is best to heal from hurts in his past. I really enjoyed the relationship because it felt very real. None of the issues they were facing were a miscommunication that could be sorted out with one conversation. The issues include family expectations and judgements, public pressures, friends who hurt even when they are trying to help, and visa paperwork. And how they both try to navigate that while trying to both be open to each other and still protect their hearts was very well written.

There is also a fully formed supporting cast. I hate an “Interfering Best Friend” character as a plot device, but I really loved Mads, because she was so much more than a cardboard cutout trope. She loves her friends and really wants to help, but her insistence that she knows what’s best for everyone hurts the people around her. She hurts Alec, badly, but it’s not glossed over, they both spend a lot of time trying to bounce back from that. I really appreciated the realism of that, having friends that you love, but who hurt you and trying to recover from it. From the setup, I’m also expecting Mads to get her own book in the future.

Themes I loved: Found family, grand gesture apologies that don’t work out like a movie, trying to do something nice and having it hurt people, but mostly people finding their person and working hard to make it work!

All in all, this was a great book, and it will live rent free in my mind for a long time.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[E · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF (MORE OF COULD NOT FINISH): THE WRITING IS SO OBNOXIOUS

Okay, I was so eager to take on this; the premise, though quite boring, was somewhat unique so it piqued my interest nevertheless. But then, right at the beginning, I get bombed with so many things that extinguished whatever zest I had for this because the writing just came off like I was reading an amateur fanfiction or watching a teeny-bopper cartoon.

1. INFORMATION DUMP LEFT & RIGHT
Right at the onset we get told too much all at once by both MCs like they almost wanted to unload 50% of their entire life story in one go. Which is really weird when you consider this is 1st-person POV, and it also done in a very off-putting meta execution, almost like the MCs knew of the readers’ existence and were in such a hurry to explain themselves in one big exposition dump after another.

2. TOO MUCH TELLING & HARDLY ANY SHOWING
Instead of being shown how the characters feel, we are repeatedly told what they think. In fact, the telling-telling-telling is so bad, I feel oppressed by how much the characters are trying so hard to nag me into believing something that I am not being shown (not insulting to one’s intelligence at all, uh-huh). It almost felt like I was watching a stiff theatre presentation where the actors were not acting out their parts but just dictating it. My ears were hurting from being boxed in so much and my imagination was so bored it almost died because nothing was really left for it to do.

3. ONE MC IS A WHINY, JUDGEMENTAL PRICK WITH A SUPERIORITY COMPLEX
Okay. I get it. He has issues. But c’mon, traumas don’t make people arseholes. He is on the cusp of such a wonderful job offer and what does he do? He admits he needs his benefactors but can’t stop internally judging them and being somewhat of a racist. Then while doing this, he also manages to still pity himself that he is somehow forced to sign a contract to a perfectly convenient job that, I dunno, MORE THAN HALF THE POPULATION NEVER GET A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AND HARLDY HAVE ENOUGH TO FEED THEMSELVES EVERY DAY?? Traumas and problems don’t make someone a brat; that’s down to a person’s attitude. And yes, I get it, this guy isn’t the likeable kind and it’s all part of his whole thing, and yes, others will be able to tolerate him and maybe even like him, but as for me? I’ll pass. I have no sympathy for people with main character syndrome who always think they’re the victim even when they have so much more than most average and underprivileged but JUST AS DESERVING people of the world.

4. THE OTHER MC IS A SELF-RIGHTEOUS PREDATORY HYPOCRITE
Helping out queer youth via charities - wow, that’s very noble, right? We need more people like this in the world now more than ever! But wait! When he sees a man he likes, he AUTOMATICALLY—SHAMELESSLY AND CRASSLY—OBJECTIFIES HIM, ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, TO HIGH HEAVEN (or should I say the lowest pits of hell?). He’s already stripping and doing all sorts of sexual things to this guy (and enjoying every bit of his real-time fantasy) and immediately puts a target on him as: MY NEXT FUCK. Wow. Like. What. The. Bloody. Eff??? This is a man whom we’re supposed to TRUST AROUND QUEER YOUTHS??? He’s a narcissistic predator! OH MY GOD. Please no.

Jesus. How romantic. They’re so perfect for each other. Hurray. I’m really feeling the love. Well, to anyone who enjoys following the story of two jerks falling in love, this is your book! But I’d rather not endanger my brain cells by even attempting to get beyond the 5% of this (which must be a record because I am usually able to bear reading more no matter how bad the writing is). Or maybe I am just all out of neurones to spare because I just recovered from some unpleasant experiences.

In all honesty, I am not blaming the author. More than anything, what I’m confused about is: DID THIS NOT GO THROUGH AN EDITOR (WHO CARES)? If it had, the writing would probably have come off as less insufferable, and I probably would have been able to see the merits of this plot and its characters. Sadly, that was not to be.

Maybe if this were revised someday under the guidance of a good editor, I’ll give it another go. But for now, I am sorry. For the sake of my own sanity and mental well-being, I regrettably need to bail.

All the same: Thanks to the author and Booksprout for this ARC. I hope this finds its target audience!

[Delissio7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Truth of Loving You in February so it took me a bit longer than I would have liked to place some of the secondary characters as well as what I could remember about the MMCs from that read. That said, it did not take away from my enjoyment. One could read this without having read the first instalment and they would be fine.

I always worry about spoilers when writing reviews as I really want people to know how much I enjoyed a book and why BUT I also want their reading experience to be as untainted as possible going into it. I have marked spoilers on the review and while some may think there are none here I also believe that book blurbs are the blurbs for a reason and anything more than what the author chooses to share in advance could be considered a spoiler.

I absolutely loved Alec. His character had depth and I found myself chuckling at his inner monologue more than once. He is a true blue friend that isn’t aware of his true value. We should all hope for friends like him (and let’s be sure to tell them how awesome they are!). Although there was mention of homophobia, substance abuse and trauma that ultimately shaped Alec into the man he is, I think the author did a good job balancing things so that it was not the main focus as is so often the case. It was important to know but it wasn’t everything. This however is my opinion and it could feel different to someone else through their own personal experiences.

I was pleasantly surprised how I was able to tell that Von was Swedish. The writing was so well done I was able to sense the accent before it was even mentioned. It really helped to put me in the story. I loved the funny moments when he struggled with English idioms as well as when he provided some of his own. Through most of the first half of the book I really thought that although it was clear he was dealing with his own issues he seemed so well put together and stoic. The last half of the book clearly shows not all is as it seems. He has his own share of trauma and certainly has reason for any trust issues you might sense.

These two characters really played well off of each other and both had opportunities to be the rock for the other OR an absolute hot mess. Also I just love them together. They really seemed to be exactly what the other needed. It took some doing but YAY we got there in the end.

I am also REALLY excited for the next book! I hope we see more of Alec and Von as well as Cole and Shane. That said I am so ready to find out what the heck is going on with J,M & E!!

Happy reading everyone!

[Claudia Degen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Cole & Shane’s story so Alec & Von had big shoes to fill!

I’ll be honest, it took me a little longer to get into this book than the previous one, but once I was hooked, I WAS HOOKED!

Gosh, Alec & Von’s story is such a beautiful one in their own way.
We’re having a Swedish grump and an American f-boy who meet and know that they can never be.

Von doesn’t do one-night stands and Alec never comes back for a repeat. Add Madyson into the mix and they’re set to stay away from each other.

But when Von sees that loud American in an alley, lost and devastated, he takes care of him and is intrigued by this different side of Alec. Maybe he’s not that superficial after all?

And for the first time in his life, Alec feels what it is to be taken care of. To feel safe and cared for. Which is a completely new experience for him.
(Yes, my heart broke so many times for him while reading this book.)

Add Alec’s horrible parents in the mix and Von’s protective side was triggered.

And although it took time for me to warm up to Alec, just like Cole, it was the little things he did that won me over.
(Something with a toothbrush and a razor that I will never, ever forget. 🥹)

Both characters shined amazingly in their own way and this 3rd act breakup left me heartbroken. Mainly because it wasn’t anyone’s “fault” or something like that.

Luckily they made it in the end and I couldn’t be happier for them.

The only thing I didn’t fully like in the book was the amount of drama between Mady, Jayce, and Em.
I somewhat understand that it’s necessary to lead into the next book, but personally, I could have done with less. I felt that it sometimes took away from my lovebirds in the book.

And I’ll be honest, Madyson has her work cut out for her to redeem herself in the next book. She might have a 6 sense and stuff, but who was she to keep my lovebirds apart? Obviously, Von and Alec are perfect for each other…

One gem that I can’t thank Heather enough for is Alec’s reaction to having kids because… I have the exact same reaction hahaha. Or well, the female version of it. 🤣

And Heather, sharing Von’s views on Americans was bold! But as someone from Europe… I can't deny it. 🫣

Tropes
✨ MM Romance
✨ Reformed F-boy
✨ Grief
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Hurt Comfort

All in all, I absolutely loved their story and can’t wait to get a physical copy in my hands so I can reread it. 🤩

Alec & Von get 4.5 ⭐️ 2.5🌶️.

[Amy O’Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC.

If you enjoy MM romance, good banter, found family, and more than a grand speech gravel, this book is for you. Alec and Von have such a great connection. Their banter will keep you laughing and full of angst. The plot on its own is also good. It’s not just continuous spice, but the spice is so good. The supporting characters are also done really well and the set up for the next book leaves you wanting. Can’t wait for Jayce, Madyson, and Em’s story.

The an issue I had with this book is that every single character had some kind of death trauma they are working through. I personally feel that it’s unrealistic for THAT many people in a friend group to have that trauma at the same time, especially when they aren’t grieving over the same person. It made it a little depressing and repetitive. However, the main issue I had was the MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE. Omg. Every problem could have been solved by talking. That’s it. Sometimes the miscommunication trope can be done well, but it fell flat for me this time. I will say the groveling was great though. It actually took work. I can’t stand a single grand gesture and they take the person back. No, you gotta work for it.

Overall, it was a cute book. I give it a 3.5

[Kaylee · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF!

This book has way too much of the author’s personal views and beliefs that even I felt slightly offended LOL

I also just couldn’t get into it, at first it was promising had such potential to be super angsty and heartbreaking but after the 76th time of reading about how much von (mmc) hates/ doesn’t like americans (the other mmc is literally an american), how stupid the bible and how they’d create a camp just to show kids how wrong the bible is, it just couldn’t do it anymore.
I was initially hoping that was just for the sake of alec parents story line yknow to show how these people do exist and how strong homophobia can be but unfortunately not. after the comments about making a place to show kids how wrong the bible is i knew this was simply personal feelings

It was overall a queer youth facility but that’s what the author went with to decide what it would be for ..

What seal the deal for the DNF at about 30% in when von (mmc) GATHERED HIS FORESKIN AND COVERED ALEC WITH IT. and I am SOO serious too.

“Then straight out of my wildest fantasy, he positions himself high above me as he gathers up his foreskin and covers the tip of my — with it.”

EXCUSE ME ?!?!
I genuinely sat there like this 😖 I don’t do alot of smut to begin with but that just WAS NOT for me.

[Brooke Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I had a very young Dolph Lundgren (think Ivan Drago, but less violent and with a man bun) in my head for Viking Von. Von left Sweden to come to New York in search of a new life and to run from his past. He was so shy and closed off until Hurricane Alec blew through. Alec was a complete 180 from Von. He was loud and fun. They both came with their own traumas and helped each other heal and realize what happened to them wasn't their fault. Von was Alec's peace. Alec brought out Von's repressed creative side. The ending conflict was one big misunderstanding and could have been avoided had Alec just stopped long enough to listen to Von. His abandonment issues reared their ugly heads. Alec also didn't have to grovel long enough to suit me. Von let him off the hook too easily. That was my only complaint with the book. I also really didn't like Madyson. She was too selfish and money hungry for my taste. I want to read Cole and Shane's book, but will probably pass on Madyson, Jayce and Emmett's book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“None of us get out of life alive and if we don’t get our heart broken, it means we never loved anyone.”

Holy Moly This one grabbed me and took my emotions on a rollercoaster ride. I could not put it down.
This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more.

Alec and Von have a wonderful connection and unlock each other’s hearts and minds like no one else have been able to do. I thought they made a beautiful match together and loved that they were both artists, one with ink and one with recycled material.

“I’ve viewed love as a steady comfort like my parents. A quiet affection that will strengthen over time. Alec decimated that idea. My feelings for him are not quiet or steady or comforting. They’re wild, unpredictable, ever-changing, and all-consuming. A love so big, eternity is near long enough. I’m starting to feel insane. Maybe it’s not love, maybe I’m going insane.”

*Complex Characters
*Hurt comfort
*MM Romance
*High Heat
*Angst

[Books and Gems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Von and Alec

— opposites
— hurt/comfort
— grumpy/sunshine
— found family

Von recently moved to the US after the loss of someone very important to him. He takes a short term contract job working as a sculptor for an art gallery. He’s very reserved, processing his grief.

Alec is a tattoo artist, and he’s the king of one night stands and no commitment. Alec as well as Von have a lot of past trauma. Alec immediately is attracted to Von when he first sees him, but it wouldn’t be smart for them to get involved for numerous reasons.

These boys have both been through the wringer, and both have hang ups when it comes to relationships and commitment. They both push and pull at times, and they make lots of mistakes along the way. However, neither can resist the pull towards each other.

Alec and Von both struggle with breaking down walls, learning to trust again and letting someone in. They definitely had to fight their way to their HEA, but it was a beautiful journey.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of the story is interesting. Two artists, one who makes metal sculptures and one tattoo artist meet. They both are not looking for a relationship and are in a position where getting together would be ill advised.
After a while they get closer and cannot escape the other's pull any longer and they end up in bed but also as friends who are there for each other in difficult situations when past issues come up.
I did have a few issues with the characters, and the dialogues, though. I felt some of their characteristics felt more told than shown (esp the sunshine happy flirty person. The taciturn character was better written imo), the conflict overblown and the resolution slightly creepy stalkery and all over the place.
The book did have promise though.
I must admit I DNF'd it. Maybe I will give it another chance one day but I am not in a suitable frame of mind for that right now.

[bookedwith_sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

I enjoyed this book but didn’t love it as much as the first one in the series. I was super excited to read about Alec and he didn’t disappoint. However, I didn’t really connect with Vons character. He didn’t really have much of a personality besides being “broody”. They were still cute together though and had some sweet moments.

With that being said, I cannot wait to read the next book about Jayce/Emmet/Mads! The little excerpt of Jayce’s POV in their book has me searching for a MMF book to read next lol


“None of us can choose how and when we get our hearts broken, but we can choose who we give the chance to break it. And I choose you, Viking. I don’t know if you’ll break my heart now, in five years, or in fifty years, but I want every single minute you’ll allow me in your life. Loving you has changed me for the better. And being loved by you is a gift and a privilege. I need you to break my heart” 🩷🥹

[Fuuma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 16%. I am just not enjoying myself.

I was hoping this would be more standalone, but I keep getting confused about who is what is where when they reference the previous book's happenings. It's frustrating.

The characters are tropes who act tropey or are supposed to be subversive whenever the author wants the plot to go a certain way. Their characterizations have not been consistent, but they have been obvious. I'm not endeared to anyone.

The writing pace is fast as lightning but the plot pace has been slow as molasses. For example, the thoughts jump forward and concepts that could be fleshed out are covered in a single sentence, but we're going through every conversation and detailing who is coming and who is going with nothing really happening. It's not my vibe.

If you want a mindless, mysteriously angsty romance where the characters are really into each others' faces, then you'll probably like this. But I'm very not into it.

[A reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% worth the read, author is definitely not a one hit wonder, did not disappoint with the 2nd book. She is an auto read for me now.

Great character development, strong, emotional connection between the MMCs, top tier steamy scenes (srsly🧎🏻‍♀️🌶️🔥🥵), and, unnngh, the romance!

Mangerie, "mine", and Swedish pet names/endearments - swoooooon! Alec & Von, of course, had some challenges to overcome for their very deserving HEA. Stoic, grumpy marshmallow meets boisterous sunshine/secret sad boy. One of my fave couples ever 🫶

Lol at the Seinfeld reference and page "seven".

Could be read as a standalone IMO, if you haven't read the first book in the series, The Truth of Loving You (Shane & Cole), highly recommend starting there, especially for the added context/history about Alec and other characters.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to Alec's story after reading The truth of Loving You. The cheery tattooist who had a heart of gold and who was willing to help anyone. "Happy" with hookups until he met Von. The brooding Swede who had a secret and had come to New York to hide and pursue his art. Von sounded amazing.
Slowly we learn what had happened to both and I thought I had gone through the ringer after reading book 1 but Alec and Von's emotional journey was just as intense.
I loved seeing Alec chip away at the wall Von had put up and seeing the person that Von had been before and I started to really like the pair. But there is one scene that although Alec had his reason, I did not like what he did and whilst at the end I was team Von and Alec it took me slightly longer to get past it.
Tattoos played an important part and one of my favourite things is to know why folk got a certain tattoo, so I really enjoyed those scenes.
Expect to cry, cheer and be in for another rollercoaster of a story.
I am curious to find out what has happened with his best friend as that did take up a fair bit of this book.

[Lee Anne Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth of Our Past

Great sequel to Alex and Cole’s book. Von is an intriguing character, broody and very talented. While Alex is a true artist in his own right, his most prominent traits are his outgoing personality, flirtatious demeanor and his gift for talk. To say there are sparks would be putting it mildly. They are dancing around interest and attraction while outwardly hating and resenting one another. The flames ignite with the first time they succumb. There’s no way out after that, though denial and fear run rampant. Their story is not for the faint of heart. Loss runs deep and different. But kind hearted people that they are, they truly are filled with goodness. While it is painted throughout, you see the true depth of their generosity and heart in the last chapters.

I look forward to Mady, Jayce and Em!!

[Nicole D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't expecting to run into one of my least favorite book devices - the possibility of a temporary long distance relationship, and characters immediately melting down, assuming the worst and refusing to talk about any possibility besides the relationship being over. *heavily sighs*

I went on a bit of a roller coaster with this one - the writing wasn't great in the first half, but I did get drawn into the characters and how their relationship was going. Then the long distance situation happened, which I found almost unbearable, but it occurred a bit earlier than the standard third act breakup, so I read on. I was glad that the last 30% of the book was better - characters showed some actual growth, talked to each other, and did better apologizing than you see in most romances.

It was fine. Nothing terrible, nothing exceptional.

[Michael B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you fall for the man who doesn’t do relationships?

What happens when you don’t do relationships but fall for the handsome foreigner that you can’t get your mind off of?

Von and Alec were a fun pairing. They brought out the best in each other and helped each other through their rougher parts.

The book really pulled me in and got me interested in their story (and their escapades). There are so many emotions that the reader will experience with this one, and the rollercoaster was amazing.

I haven’t read the first book in the series, but I’m definitely going to have to look it up now (it has a different pairing in it, so you can safely read this book without reading the first one).