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Cicadas: A Totally Ordinary Epic Love Story
What if you had a second chance at a second chance?
One day in 1987
Budding scientist Joel and cowboy-quarterback Danny meet amid the arrival of seventeen-year cicadas. Like the loud, lusty insects, the boys bond through song, reveling in the heat and hope of early summer—until fate tears them apart.
One night in 2004
During the next wave of cicadas, Joel and Dan find their connection stronger than ever. Boyhood fascination becomes an irresistible (and inconvenient!) passion, one that will unite and divide them for another seventeen years.
One love to last a lifetime
At the dawn of 2021, Joel and Daniel reach out, and in a heartbeat, the years and miles between them fall away. But to make their next reunion last forever, they must face their troubled pasts and embrace their boundless future.
Cicadas is a uniquely American, ridiculously romantic tale about memory, nostalgia, and the courage to dance into an untold tomorrow.
One day in 1987
Budding scientist Joel and cowboy-quarterback Danny meet amid the arrival of seventeen-year cicadas. Like the loud, lusty insects, the boys bond through song, reveling in the heat and hope of early summer—until fate tears them apart.
One night in 2004
During the next wave of cicadas, Joel and Dan find their connection stronger than ever. Boyhood fascination becomes an irresistible (and inconvenient!) passion, one that will unite and divide them for another seventeen years.
One love to last a lifetime
At the dawn of 2021, Joel and Daniel reach out, and in a heartbeat, the years and miles between them fall away. But to make their next reunion last forever, they must face their troubled pasts and embrace their boundless future.
Cicadas is a uniquely American, ridiculously romantic tale about memory, nostalgia, and the courage to dance into an untold tomorrow.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2024
29 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Avery Cockburn
18 books501 followersAvery Cockburn (rhymes with Savory Slow Churn) lives in the great State of Maryland with one infinitely patient man and two infinitely impatient cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 19, 2024
5 Stars
The subtitle doesn’t lie, this is a totally ordinary epic love story.
And you know what? Those are my absolute favourite kinds of love stories. The ones set in the everyday. The ones that are messy but profound; simple yet inspiring… and so hope-sparkingly (not a word, but go with it) possible.
The ones that speak to what it means to be human.
Broken into three parts, Cicadas begins in 1987, on a fateful day in small-town Maryland, when 17-year-old boys Joel and Daniel meet and spend a life-impacting afternoon together, connecting in ways some people don’t achieve even after years of knowing someone.
But fate is a cruel mistress, and one afternoon as swiftly love-struck teens is all Joel and Danny get before tragedy breaks them apart.
The next time they meet, it’s 2004. Their lives are good, their careers fulfilling. Reuniting should be a simple thing of old friends reminiscing on their shared moment of youth and reflecting on their futures, but their connection is still immediate and all-consuming, leading to the kind of profound night that most people don’t get to experience even once in their lives.
But choices are made in the aftermath that, once again, render them apart. At the time, probably for the best, however heartbreaking.
The final part of the story sees Joel and Danny reconnecting in 2021. Now in their early fifties, with a lot of life and experiences behind them, they know exactly what it is they once shared and how rare a thing it is—a bond so deep neither have every truly moved on from the what-ifs of it all—and, thankfully, this time, they’re determined to make every single moment count.
If you’ve had the pleasure of reading an Avery Cockburn story before, you already know the kind of things to expect here. We’re talking emotionally subtle, but exquisitely emotive writing. We’re talking fully formed characters of depth, intelligence, and relatability. We’re talking social and political commentary (that Cockburn is renowned for) that reflects the times, makes you stop and makes you THINK.
We're talking a romance that feels tender and honest; true and lasting. Honestly, the stuff of soulmates.
This may have been a 450+ page book, which basically consisted of two characters on page (and mostly ONLY THEM) talking, but I never once tired of their discussions. Whether they were geeking out over their personal love of entomology (Joel) or photography (Danny), lamenting the losses of their lives, rejoicing in their favourite music, arguing their political opinions, or sharing deep, personal truths—I loved it all.
I laughed, I cried, I got pissed off, I cried again, and through the ordinary epicness of it all, I was riveted.
If you need some comparisons, think movies like Before Sunrise and books like One Day. If you vibe with those stories, you’ll vibe with this one.
Cicadas is instantly an M/M favourite and officially—for now at least—takes the mantle of my favourite new read of 2024, which, honestly, will be a hard one to bet. I adored these boys/men so damn much that it’s taking some serious self-control on my part not to simply throw other obligations aside and restart it immediately.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! <3
***A special thanks to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The subtitle doesn’t lie, this is a totally ordinary epic love story.
And you know what? Those are my absolute favourite kinds of love stories. The ones set in the everyday. The ones that are messy but profound; simple yet inspiring… and so hope-sparkingly (not a word, but go with it) possible.
The ones that speak to what it means to be human.
Broken into three parts, Cicadas begins in 1987, on a fateful day in small-town Maryland, when 17-year-old boys Joel and Daniel meet and spend a life-impacting afternoon together, connecting in ways some people don’t achieve even after years of knowing someone.
But fate is a cruel mistress, and one afternoon as swiftly love-struck teens is all Joel and Danny get before tragedy breaks them apart.
The next time they meet, it’s 2004. Their lives are good, their careers fulfilling. Reuniting should be a simple thing of old friends reminiscing on their shared moment of youth and reflecting on their futures, but their connection is still immediate and all-consuming, leading to the kind of profound night that most people don’t get to experience even once in their lives.
But choices are made in the aftermath that, once again, render them apart. At the time, probably for the best, however heartbreaking.
The final part of the story sees Joel and Danny reconnecting in 2021. Now in their early fifties, with a lot of life and experiences behind them, they know exactly what it is they once shared and how rare a thing it is—a bond so deep neither have every truly moved on from the what-ifs of it all—and, thankfully, this time, they’re determined to make every single moment count.
If you’ve had the pleasure of reading an Avery Cockburn story before, you already know the kind of things to expect here. We’re talking emotionally subtle, but exquisitely emotive writing. We’re talking fully formed characters of depth, intelligence, and relatability. We’re talking social and political commentary (that Cockburn is renowned for) that reflects the times, makes you stop and makes you THINK.
We're talking a romance that feels tender and honest; true and lasting. Honestly, the stuff of soulmates.
This may have been a 450+ page book, which basically consisted of two characters on page (and mostly ONLY THEM) talking, but I never once tired of their discussions. Whether they were geeking out over their personal love of entomology (Joel) or photography (Danny), lamenting the losses of their lives, rejoicing in their favourite music, arguing their political opinions, or sharing deep, personal truths—I loved it all.
I laughed, I cried, I got pissed off, I cried again, and through the ordinary epicness of it all, I was riveted.
If you need some comparisons, think movies like Before Sunrise and books like One Day. If you vibe with those stories, you’ll vibe with this one.
Cicadas is instantly an M/M favourite and officially—for now at least—takes the mantle of my favourite new read of 2024, which, honestly, will be a hard one to bet. I adored these boys/men so damn much that it’s taking some serious self-control on my part not to simply throw other obligations aside and restart it immediately.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! <3
***A special thanks to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2024
Beautiful and touching story, awesome writing. I loved it.
5 stars.
I recently read the first two books in the Glasgow Lads series and was impressed how well politics were included, so I wasn't surprised that in this book it was similar. I have to admit that reading this romance within the Covid- and US-politics- context was impactful. It's a testament to the author's writing skills how well balanced the three parts of the story (1987, 2004 and 2021) were, and that the romance felt much more real because of the political context. I loved that.
It surprised me how much I believed in the connection between Joel and Danny, despite the improbable, nearly unrealistic premises of 1 day together, 17 years apart, 1 day together, 17 years apart.
I felt that there was something special between them, and I loved watching their story unfold, their romance was so very satisfying to read.
Plus, it's not often a romance author doesn't diminish the value of past relationships, and I loved that Avery Cockburn made that statement.
Another thing I loved is that the MCs (in 2021) were around my age! Yay! That happens so rarely..
One last thought, I appreciated how the author didn't put a (negative) focus on Joel being vegan, but just showed it as one of the many aspects/parts that made him who he was.
“Soon we’ll be making contact with a lot more than our eyes.” Joel’s smile faded. “But I gotta warn you about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Joel looked serious—seriously serious, not fake-serious. “I haven’t hugged anyone in fifteen months. So I might not remember how.”
“How to hug?”
“How to let go.”
Daniel reached out to the screen to touch Joel’s virtual face. “Then don’t.”
5 stars.
I recently read the first two books in the Glasgow Lads series and was impressed how well politics were included, so I wasn't surprised that in this book it was similar. I have to admit that reading this romance within the Covid- and US-politics- context was impactful. It's a testament to the author's writing skills how well balanced the three parts of the story (1987, 2004 and 2021) were, and that the romance felt much more real because of the political context. I loved that.
It surprised me how much I believed in the connection between Joel and Danny, despite the improbable, nearly unrealistic premises of 1 day together, 17 years apart, 1 day together, 17 years apart.
I felt that there was something special between them, and I loved watching their story unfold, their romance was so very satisfying to read.
Plus, it's not often a romance author doesn't diminish the value of past relationships, and I loved that Avery Cockburn made that statement.
Another thing I loved is that the MCs (in 2021) were around my age! Yay! That happens so rarely..
One last thought, I appreciated how the author didn't put a (negative) focus on Joel being vegan, but just showed it as one of the many aspects/parts that made him who he was.
“Soon we’ll be making contact with a lot more than our eyes.” Joel’s smile faded. “But I gotta warn you about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Joel looked serious—seriously serious, not fake-serious. “I haven’t hugged anyone in fifteen months. So I might not remember how.”
“How to hug?”
“How to let go.”
Daniel reached out to the screen to touch Joel’s virtual face. “Then don’t.”
August 4, 2024
I know I really can't leave reviewing as long as a week or so after I finish a book, so I’m sorry to say it happened here. Hence trying to gather all my thoughts in short:
.) I’m usually not a huge fan of romance that spans over so many decades, but I really liked Avery Cockburn’s writing. I was well captivated all the way.
.) The idea of using the '17 year cicadas phenomenon' in a romance is highly original and well executed. However, when I googled, I must admit that I could not conjure up the same enthusiasm for them as Joel. The thought of 75000 beasties in my back yard is simply too horrifying! 😥😬
.) I agree with some readers that I enjoyed the first two parts more than the third one.
Joel and Daniel as young lads of 17 sound authentic and real. I loved how a connection sparks between them deep enough for them to reconnect 17 years later to find that that bond is still there. But time isn’t ‘right’ or, to be more exact, Joel isn’t in a space to fully acknowledge his feelings then.
17 years on again, with Joel and Daniel in their early 50s, life has moved on for both of them. Relationships, health issues etc all left a mark. I found it almost too good to be true for them to fall back into their banter/their emotional pull so easily.
Admittedly, Joel is hesitant to rush into a relationship, but somehow, something didn’t quite add up emotionally for me. tbh I was almost shocked when a
I kept asking myself why both guys waited another 17 years to get into touch. That’s a looooong time to hold the torch for someone, a lot of time together to miss, a good chunk of your life gone and so many opportunities missed. It made me sad, tbh.
I also wasn’t too keen on the pandemic and the attack on the Capitol play a huge roll here. It felt like being in a documentary rather than a novel at times.
Speaking of which … while a lot of detail about the cicadas is rather fascinating, it kept coming throughout the book again and again and again. I’m sure insect lovers will have had a ball, but I would have been quite content with less knowledge on that subject. 😂
I genuinely liked this story, Joel and Daniel, and their engaging ‘epic’ love story, but would have preferred part 3 to roll out a little differently.
.) I’m usually not a huge fan of romance that spans over so many decades, but I really liked Avery Cockburn’s writing. I was well captivated all the way.
.) The idea of using the '17 year cicadas phenomenon' in a romance is highly original and well executed. However, when I googled, I must admit that I could not conjure up the same enthusiasm for them as Joel. The thought of 75000 beasties in my back yard is simply too horrifying! 😥😬
.) I agree with some readers that I enjoyed the first two parts more than the third one.
Joel and Daniel as young lads of 17 sound authentic and real. I loved how a connection sparks between them deep enough for them to reconnect 17 years later to find that that bond is still there. But time isn’t ‘right’ or, to be more exact, Joel isn’t in a space to fully acknowledge his feelings then.
17 years on again, with Joel and Daniel in their early 50s, life has moved on for both of them. Relationships, health issues etc all left a mark. I found it almost too good to be true for them to fall back into their banter/their emotional pull so easily.
Admittedly, Joel is hesitant to rush into a relationship, but somehow, something didn’t quite add up emotionally for me. tbh I was almost shocked when a
I kept asking myself why both guys waited another 17 years to get into touch. That’s a looooong time to hold the torch for someone, a lot of time together to miss, a good chunk of your life gone and so many opportunities missed. It made me sad, tbh.
I also wasn’t too keen on the pandemic and the attack on the Capitol play a huge roll here. It felt like being in a documentary rather than a novel at times.
Speaking of which … while a lot of detail about the cicadas is rather fascinating, it kept coming throughout the book again and again and again. I’m sure insect lovers will have had a ball, but I would have been quite content with less knowledge on that subject. 😂
I genuinely liked this story, Joel and Daniel, and their engaging ‘epic’ love story, but would have preferred part 3 to roll out a little differently.
June 25, 2024
Alright ya’ll.
First of all, you know I’m a cranky reader so I’m just going to say you should read this book. Because my issues are mostly insignificant. All ya’ll loved those new mid century Cat Sebastian books and I was a minority and was disappointed. But I DID enjoy this overall. A few things I want to mention before I get into grumpy spoiler territory.
This is a very political book. It starts in the middle of the AIDS epidemic and the last half is set in 2021 so there is talk of the pandemic and other brutal political shit. It is not favorable commentary to a particular political party in this country, which ya know.. in the queer community is… haha. Life. So I guess if you are on the other side of the political spectrum from the majority of the queer community (but seriously if you are why the fuck do you read about queer people? I mean I guess fetishizing and objectification is a thing…) don’t read this…
Aaaaanyway…
This book was set in my home state and my mom’s home state, so this was a joy to read. Colorado and Maryland are my places.
I love their love story. I think it could have been improved with some angst and some plot holes filled, but I truly loved these men and reading about them.
After reading thousands of MM books, I can say that this is 100% unique. I have never read this story before. There is so much fun and brightness and new things around the corner that I managed to get through a 440 page book in a few days after months of not finishing a single full length book. Like… whoa.
Even with my issues, I’ll probably get this in paperback. It just made me happy.
Ok, ya know I have to be a cranky bitch about a few things…
SPOILERS *****************
- If you’re going to throw AIDS in the narrative in 1987 (as you should), in 2004, they shouldn’t be swallowing each other’s come when both have been with others and partner has been with others, since meds were still in their early stages and PreP wasn’t a thing yet. I don’t know why MM authors don’t understand that swallowing come is the same as unprotected anal sex. I don’t care if it’s because no one wants to read about BJ’s with condoms. If you’re going to use condoms for anal sex for a reason, they should be used for oral as well.
- their reunions weren’t as epic as I expected. I needed a little more umph… a little more passion. This was VERY low steam and what was there was pretty underwhelming. I did still enjoy the story despite that though.
- the reasoning for their long absences felt more like a plot device than something intentional within the story. The reasons for them not getting in touch with each other were… kinda flimsy? At least the second time around.
- the second half dragged a bit and I feel like the last few chapters were a bit chaotic. There is a lot going on in this book with nearly zero side characters. It is ALL these two men. Joel is Jewish and it’s thrown in randomly, which is fine, but there were SO MANY other “things” about and between these men, certain things felt like a disconnection. The cicadas, their first meeting, the music… those things would have sufficed but there was just a lot of extra filler that just made it a bit confusing in the second half.
- you’re killing me with no epilogue, man. 😭
**************************
I think I have more issues but I honestly don’t want them to overshadow the fact that this was a good book and I am happy to have read it.
First of all, you know I’m a cranky reader so I’m just going to say you should read this book. Because my issues are mostly insignificant. All ya’ll loved those new mid century Cat Sebastian books and I was a minority and was disappointed. But I DID enjoy this overall. A few things I want to mention before I get into grumpy spoiler territory.
This is a very political book. It starts in the middle of the AIDS epidemic and the last half is set in 2021 so there is talk of the pandemic and other brutal political shit. It is not favorable commentary to a particular political party in this country, which ya know.. in the queer community is… haha. Life. So I guess if you are on the other side of the political spectrum from the majority of the queer community (but seriously if you are why the fuck do you read about queer people? I mean I guess fetishizing and objectification is a thing…) don’t read this…
Aaaaanyway…
This book was set in my home state and my mom’s home state, so this was a joy to read. Colorado and Maryland are my places.
I love their love story. I think it could have been improved with some angst and some plot holes filled, but I truly loved these men and reading about them.
After reading thousands of MM books, I can say that this is 100% unique. I have never read this story before. There is so much fun and brightness and new things around the corner that I managed to get through a 440 page book in a few days after months of not finishing a single full length book. Like… whoa.
Even with my issues, I’ll probably get this in paperback. It just made me happy.
Ok, ya know I have to be a cranky bitch about a few things…
SPOILERS *****************
- If you’re going to throw AIDS in the narrative in 1987 (as you should), in 2004, they shouldn’t be swallowing each other’s come when both have been with others and partner has been with others, since meds were still in their early stages and PreP wasn’t a thing yet. I don’t know why MM authors don’t understand that swallowing come is the same as unprotected anal sex. I don’t care if it’s because no one wants to read about BJ’s with condoms. If you’re going to use condoms for anal sex for a reason, they should be used for oral as well.
- their reunions weren’t as epic as I expected. I needed a little more umph… a little more passion. This was VERY low steam and what was there was pretty underwhelming. I did still enjoy the story despite that though.
- the reasoning for their long absences felt more like a plot device than something intentional within the story. The reasons for them not getting in touch with each other were… kinda flimsy? At least the second time around.
- the second half dragged a bit and I feel like the last few chapters were a bit chaotic. There is a lot going on in this book with nearly zero side characters. It is ALL these two men. Joel is Jewish and it’s thrown in randomly, which is fine, but there were SO MANY other “things” about and between these men, certain things felt like a disconnection. The cicadas, their first meeting, the music… those things would have sufficed but there was just a lot of extra filler that just made it a bit confusing in the second half.
- you’re killing me with no epilogue, man. 😭
**************************
I think I have more issues but I honestly don’t want them to overshadow the fact that this was a good book and I am happy to have read it.
July 12, 2024
This started as a 5 star read. The initial meeting, at 17, was beautiful, incredibly fun and just overall epic in the way teenagers only can feel. The second meeting, at 34, was full of emotions and second chances. The night they shared was once again epic.
I was so excited for them to meet again. But 17 years is a long time. Twice 17 years is too long.
SPOILER and venting
Daniel got married. TWICE. It’s hard to believe that he held a place in his heart for Joel through all that. Enough that they could just jump back in? Forever? It makes no sense.
The pandemic and the politics. Too soon? I don’t know. It was too much. Too many details. Too angering.
The pacing. The third part was all over the place. Fast, instant connection, then slowing down, then instalove, but very slow development. I got bored. Again. And again.
Still a super cute book, but it fell flat imo. Started as a 5. Ended as a 1. So I’m going for middle with a 3.
I was so excited for them to meet again. But 17 years is a long time. Twice 17 years is too long.
SPOILER and venting
Daniel got married. TWICE. It’s hard to believe that he held a place in his heart for Joel through all that. Enough that they could just jump back in? Forever? It makes no sense.
The pandemic and the politics. Too soon? I don’t know. It was too much. Too many details. Too angering.
The pacing. The third part was all over the place. Fast, instant connection, then slowing down, then instalove, but very slow development. I got bored. Again. And again.
Still a super cute book, but it fell flat imo. Started as a 5. Ended as a 1. So I’m going for middle with a 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2024
This was such a unique and interesting concept for a book. I think the author did an incredible job of looking at historical events through this periodical lens of the cicadas lifespan. I feel like I actually learned a lot about bugs in this book 😂
It took me a little bit to get into it initially and at one point I was ready to have an actual fight with Joel but he also had me laughing out loud with his quick wit.
My favourite part was part 3, I totally devoured this section.
I can imagine that parts of this book would be enjoyed more by a US audience (I’m from the UK) because some of the historical events that I think might elicit more of an emotional reaction from an American went a bit over my head.
The story is beautifully written and I was really impressed with how you meet them as 17 year olds and the author managed to really stay true to their characters while letting them authentically grow up in a way that felt really realistic.
Overall, very enjoyable read although some parts felt a little bit slow in pace.
It took me a little bit to get into it initially and at one point I was ready to have an actual fight with Joel but he also had me laughing out loud with his quick wit.
My favourite part was part 3, I totally devoured this section.
I can imagine that parts of this book would be enjoyed more by a US audience (I’m from the UK) because some of the historical events that I think might elicit more of an emotional reaction from an American went a bit over my head.
The story is beautifully written and I was really impressed with how you meet them as 17 year olds and the author managed to really stay true to their characters while letting them authentically grow up in a way that felt really realistic.
Overall, very enjoyable read although some parts felt a little bit slow in pace.
June 25, 2024
Somehow, I didn't think I was going to cry. I made it through 75% of the book without shedding any tears, but then it got me three times. A tiny tearing up to start, a 'hang on let me blink at the ceiling for a minute so i don't actually shed a tear' moment, and then just 'no, i'm crying i can't pretend i'm not crying' right near the end.
This book is a lot of things, and also incredibly focused. The premise, two boys, later men, meeting every seventeen years around the cicadas is almost . . . audacious. What a weird, wild premise. What a niche thing to do.
I loved it, partly because I currently live where these stupid cicadas do and have experienced the week of havoc they wreak, and partly because I am not too much younger than these fellows, and get a lot of the references. And also because this is just a freaking top notch example of what novels and narrative structure and storytelling in general can do.
Much of this book is improbable, but it is not implausible. It hovers in that sweet spot of 'this probably wouldn't happen but oh man what if it actually DID tho?' To paraphrase one of my favorite movies (L.A. Story) - "[It] may not be the truth, but is what we wish were true."
I will admit, the third section (by far the longest) started off a little rocky for me. There is a LOT of very visceral COVID stuff. There had to be, given the time (early 2021), but Joel's situation makes it all the more serious. We go through the January 6th stuff and get a considerable amount of political talk. I can understand if you don't want that in your romance, but I also think it is 1000% worth reading through that to get to one of the most satisfying and hopeful endings I've read since (oh shit, I guess it's since yesterday when I finished The Prospects by KT Hoffman, but listen . . . ) Ever Read. Folks . . . it's a banger. It does what I want more books to do . . . it goes big. It's is a Big Book about two guys who just might be soulmates who have to wait 34 years to get their chance. Aaaaannnnd, I'm tearing up again.
Books like this don't come along very often. I'm genuinely a bit upset that this book likely won't get the audience it deserves, but I will also recommend it to lots of people, so it will get at least a tiny fraction of the audience it deserves.
If any of this sounds intriguing, even if you don't like books to get political, and you don't want to dwell on this whole Panny-D we just experienced and are still reeling from . . . please try it. Skim a few bits, but make it to the end with these two. I really really think it's worth it.
The closest book I can think to compare it to is One Giant Leap by Kay Simone. It's not a perfect comp, but it has the same sort of Big Feels and Can Do Attitude (mostly courtesy of Danny/Dan/Daniel lol) and Casual Philosophizing (this is more Joel's department), which are all very my brand. Despite the (understandable, it's hard for indie authors!) clip art cover, I'm probably going have to buy this in paperback like tomorrow.
Copious thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC, but I'm glad I waited until it was on KU to start reading and now can keep my 55 highlights (and that was me holding back) to check on GR.
This book is a lot of things, and also incredibly focused. The premise, two boys, later men, meeting every seventeen years around the cicadas is almost . . . audacious. What a weird, wild premise. What a niche thing to do.
I loved it, partly because I currently live where these stupid cicadas do and have experienced the week of havoc they wreak, and partly because I am not too much younger than these fellows, and get a lot of the references. And also because this is just a freaking top notch example of what novels and narrative structure and storytelling in general can do.
Much of this book is improbable, but it is not implausible. It hovers in that sweet spot of 'this probably wouldn't happen but oh man what if it actually DID tho?' To paraphrase one of my favorite movies (L.A. Story) - "[It] may not be the truth, but is what we wish were true."
I will admit, the third section (by far the longest) started off a little rocky for me. There is a LOT of very visceral COVID stuff. There had to be, given the time (early 2021), but Joel's situation makes it all the more serious. We go through the January 6th stuff and get a considerable amount of political talk. I can understand if you don't want that in your romance, but I also think it is 1000% worth reading through that to get to one of the most satisfying and hopeful endings I've read since (oh shit, I guess it's since yesterday when I finished The Prospects by KT Hoffman, but listen . . . ) Ever Read. Folks . . . it's a banger. It does what I want more books to do . . . it goes big. It's is a Big Book about two guys who just might be soulmates who have to wait 34 years to get their chance. Aaaaannnnd, I'm tearing up again.
Books like this don't come along very often. I'm genuinely a bit upset that this book likely won't get the audience it deserves, but I will also recommend it to lots of people, so it will get at least a tiny fraction of the audience it deserves.
If any of this sounds intriguing, even if you don't like books to get political, and you don't want to dwell on this whole Panny-D we just experienced and are still reeling from . . . please try it. Skim a few bits, but make it to the end with these two. I really really think it's worth it.
The closest book I can think to compare it to is One Giant Leap by Kay Simone. It's not a perfect comp, but it has the same sort of Big Feels and Can Do Attitude (mostly courtesy of Danny/Dan/Daniel lol) and Casual Philosophizing (this is more Joel's department), which are all very my brand. Despite the (understandable, it's hard for indie authors!) clip art cover, I'm probably going have to buy this in paperback like tomorrow.
Copious thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC, but I'm glad I waited until it was on KU to start reading and now can keep my 55 highlights (and that was me holding back) to check on GR.
July 24, 2025
When I first learned about the idea of this story, I had doubts that I would enjoy reading it. Two guys spending two days together with a 17-year gap in between and then getting a third chance after 17 more years seemed either an unrealistic setup for a romance (how could those two days be so significant to make them still care enough about each other after one 17-years gap, let alone two?) or such a sad story for the time lost in between those meetings, if they really were the ones for each other.
I liked everything else I’ve read by this author, though, so when I saw this book in the Smashwords sale, I thought, why not, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
The story is split into three parts, the first two cover Daniel and Joel’s first two meetings, one day each, while the third part is set in the present (sort of, 2021) and it’s about half of the entire book, covering several months.
I was a little on the fence during the first two parts. The characters were nice and well-suited for each other and, while I had to suspend disbelief a little about the chance that they would both remember and care enough about the other after that much time and with so little time spent together, it was a good story. I was pretty mad at how I have to admit that I didn’t have much hope for that particular aspect to be salvaged in the last part. I mean, if I had other issues, but they pretty much all came down to this: if their connection was so special that they would still give a damn after two lifetimes apart, why did they have to stay out of contact for 17 years? Apart from the need on the author’s part to sync their story with the cicadas timeline, I mean.
The third part is the one that carried the book for me, it all came together in a way that just worked. Daniel and Joel in the present had a different vibe than their 17 and 34 year-old selves, obviously, and I found the way their past was slowly revealed as they got to know each other again well done. Just like I expected, at times it was bittersweet to see how much life they had lived without each other, but I liked how the author handled it, it never felt depressing, there was just the right amount of realism and romance, and everything that happened to them, the choices they made, fit their personalities and the circumstances of their lives.
This was also the first time I read about the pandemic in a romance without it throwing me out of the story, which might be counterintuitive since the pandemic depiction was so realistic that it took me back to that time like it was yesterday. That and the characters’ reactions to “current” (2021) events felt so much like real life that, while I was reading the news the days after, I found myself wondering what Joel and Daniel would make of it. It went a long way toward balancing the more romantic/less realistic bits, like . I’m not complaining, those fit the story, too, I just appreciated the overall balance of both aspects.
I also appreciated the ending, for a while I was worried
I liked everything else I’ve read by this author, though, so when I saw this book in the Smashwords sale, I thought, why not, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
The story is split into three parts, the first two cover Daniel and Joel’s first two meetings, one day each, while the third part is set in the present (sort of, 2021) and it’s about half of the entire book, covering several months.
I was a little on the fence during the first two parts. The characters were nice and well-suited for each other and, while I had to suspend disbelief a little about the chance that they would both remember and care enough about the other after that much time and with so little time spent together, it was a good story. I was pretty mad at how I have to admit that I didn’t have much hope for that particular aspect to be salvaged in the last part. I mean, if I had other issues, but they pretty much all came down to this: if their connection was so special that they would still give a damn after two lifetimes apart, why did they have to stay out of contact for 17 years? Apart from the need on the author’s part to sync their story with the cicadas timeline, I mean.
The third part is the one that carried the book for me, it all came together in a way that just worked. Daniel and Joel in the present had a different vibe than their 17 and 34 year-old selves, obviously, and I found the way their past was slowly revealed as they got to know each other again well done. Just like I expected, at times it was bittersweet to see how much life they had lived without each other, but I liked how the author handled it, it never felt depressing, there was just the right amount of realism and romance, and everything that happened to them, the choices they made, fit their personalities and the circumstances of their lives.
This was also the first time I read about the pandemic in a romance without it throwing me out of the story, which might be counterintuitive since the pandemic depiction was so realistic that it took me back to that time like it was yesterday. That and the characters’ reactions to “current” (2021) events felt so much like real life that, while I was reading the news the days after, I found myself wondering what Joel and Daniel would make of it. It went a long way toward balancing the more romantic/less realistic bits, like . I’m not complaining, those fit the story, too, I just appreciated the overall balance of both aspects.
I also appreciated the ending, for a while I was worried
June 13, 2024
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - MM Really Extraordinary Love Story
No way can this be called an ordinary love story. It is definitely a slow burn but that’s what was so beautiful about Daniel and Joel’s life from when they met for the first time for a few hours at 17 years of age and waltzed in the woods. It was slow but I was happy because it made the story last longer.
What these two very different guys lived through was amazing. This is the first book I’ve read that deals with the start of COVID pandemic and how it impacted the lives of two young men. Young men who had fallen in love at 17 years old, (they didn’t realise it at the time) and the same day one of them had to deal with a tragedy that left another mark on that memorable day.
Joel is an entomologist, his life spent studying and preserving Cicadas who provided a background of sounds in his life, even through his love of music. Plus you will learn so many new words, many unpronounceable, in relation to the sex lives of Cicadas and why they make all those noises. Mmmm, sounds like humans. ☺️🥰 Music of the 80’s play a significant role in Joel and Daniel’s life. It makes me want to download all the songs mentioned throughout the book. I like it when authors provide Playlists that accompanied their writing hours.
Without wanting to disclose anything that could be a ‘ Spoiler’, let me just say that Daniel and Joel’s relationship is not ordinary, it is a thing of beauty to read. Daniel had a difficult childhood due to his mothers’ activism in ground level politics and stepfathers’ abusive behaviours. Joel had a much more joyful life yet he was the most difficult character for me to understand but he had issues of a different kind.
There’s were so many factors impacting their life stories between the age of 17 till their current time in life as mature men. Adding all those together is what made this story one that will remain in my heart for a long time. It is one that I will read again because I enjoyed the writing and storytelling skills of Avery Cockburn, plus the way she kept building up these characters as they went through their lives at the varying stages. Plus, the amount of research that had to be done into Entomology was astounding.
I’m not sure if this a complete departure from her usual trope. I already had several of her books in the Glasgow Lads series on my WTR list.
If you like slow burns and in-depth coverage of the whys and wherefores that people are who they are this might be just the book for you. I’d highly recommend adding it to your shelves on launch day, June 20th.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from BookSirens and this is my honest, unbiased review.
No way can this be called an ordinary love story. It is definitely a slow burn but that’s what was so beautiful about Daniel and Joel’s life from when they met for the first time for a few hours at 17 years of age and waltzed in the woods. It was slow but I was happy because it made the story last longer.
What these two very different guys lived through was amazing. This is the first book I’ve read that deals with the start of COVID pandemic and how it impacted the lives of two young men. Young men who had fallen in love at 17 years old, (they didn’t realise it at the time) and the same day one of them had to deal with a tragedy that left another mark on that memorable day.
Joel is an entomologist, his life spent studying and preserving Cicadas who provided a background of sounds in his life, even through his love of music. Plus you will learn so many new words, many unpronounceable, in relation to the sex lives of Cicadas and why they make all those noises. Mmmm, sounds like humans. ☺️🥰 Music of the 80’s play a significant role in Joel and Daniel’s life. It makes me want to download all the songs mentioned throughout the book. I like it when authors provide Playlists that accompanied their writing hours.
Without wanting to disclose anything that could be a ‘ Spoiler’, let me just say that Daniel and Joel’s relationship is not ordinary, it is a thing of beauty to read. Daniel had a difficult childhood due to his mothers’ activism in ground level politics and stepfathers’ abusive behaviours. Joel had a much more joyful life yet he was the most difficult character for me to understand but he had issues of a different kind.
There’s were so many factors impacting their life stories between the age of 17 till their current time in life as mature men. Adding all those together is what made this story one that will remain in my heart for a long time. It is one that I will read again because I enjoyed the writing and storytelling skills of Avery Cockburn, plus the way she kept building up these characters as they went through their lives at the varying stages. Plus, the amount of research that had to be done into Entomology was astounding.
I’m not sure if this a complete departure from her usual trope. I already had several of her books in the Glasgow Lads series on my WTR list.
If you like slow burns and in-depth coverage of the whys and wherefores that people are who they are this might be just the book for you. I’d highly recommend adding it to your shelves on launch day, June 20th.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from BookSirens and this is my honest, unbiased review.
August 31, 2024
i hate to dnf this :(( i really did try to read more of it (i started before summer & read it on and off) but i just couldn't get in the rhythm.
this book spans a lot of years, and i never have enough patience to get through enormous time jumps. 😅 i didn't really get why they had to wait 17 years? like i know its to fit the cicada life cycle, but it's just...why. the time jumps were also basically before 50% and the 2 mc's will probably just reconnect in the second half. i stopped at ~60% cos it got boring tbh.
plus the generation gap (between character and reader) was a problem cos the book has a lot of references to bands and people i don't know and probably only millennials and older people will get them.
the incorporation of cicadas into a romance book is definitely a fun, new idea. the characters are relatively well-written and their first meeting was absolutely magical. it was a blast reading about them getting high in the woods and their shenanigans, but it kind of deteriorated after the time skips and ultimately i just lost interest. 😓 this is totally a me issue, so please don't not read this just bc of my review.
this book spans a lot of years, and i never have enough patience to get through enormous time jumps. 😅 i didn't really get why they had to wait 17 years? like i know its to fit the cicada life cycle, but it's just...why. the time jumps were also basically before 50% and the 2 mc's will probably just reconnect in the second half. i stopped at ~60% cos it got boring tbh.
plus the generation gap (between character and reader) was a problem cos the book has a lot of references to bands and people i don't know and probably only millennials and older people will get them.
the incorporation of cicadas into a romance book is definitely a fun, new idea. the characters are relatively well-written and their first meeting was absolutely magical. it was a blast reading about them getting high in the woods and their shenanigans, but it kind of deteriorated after the time skips and ultimately i just lost interest. 😓 this is totally a me issue, so please don't not read this just bc of my review.
Read
July 19, 2024Same Time, Next Year or 28 Summers, but make it 17-year cicada cycles.
DNF, skimmed through last 50%. I liked both MCs, but there was not enough plot to sustain a 400+ page book. Also, maybe it's not such a great idea to include recent political events in your "epic love story." I was not in the mood for reminders of COVID's first terrible year or the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Plus the Democrat = good, Republican = bad theme seems so naively simple in the summer of 2024.
Finally, having recently lived through the Brood XIX emergence in Missouri, I have a hard time finding anything about cicadas romantic. YMMV if you didn't have to shovel their dead bodies off your driveway, or suspend your daily walk outdoors for fear of bombardment.
DNF, skimmed through last 50%. I liked both MCs, but there was not enough plot to sustain a 400+ page book. Also, maybe it's not such a great idea to include recent political events in your "epic love story." I was not in the mood for reminders of COVID's first terrible year or the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Plus the Democrat = good, Republican = bad theme seems so naively simple in the summer of 2024.
Finally, having recently lived through the Brood XIX emergence in Missouri, I have a hard time finding anything about cicadas romantic. YMMV if you didn't have to shovel their dead bodies off your driveway, or suspend your daily walk outdoors for fear of bombardment.
June 29, 2024
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I decided now was the time because I had seen several reviews of this book show up on my GR feed and I thought between the blurb and their reviews, this was a good book to try.
It's a sweet romance for sure, and I liked how the story was arranged (timeline) and how their relationship developed, though at times it felt a little implausible that they would be so close having only known each other a few days (through the timeline). I didn't mind that so much because the author did a pretty good job showing their first connection/meeting being something unique and memorable. They were teenagers and spent a crazy day together. The end of that day was sad (no spoilers), and they didn't see each other again until 17 years later. I'm not really sure why aside from it has nice symmetry with the cicadas appearing. Regardless, they see each other after 17 years and it's as if no time has really passed, they almost pick up right where they had left off. It was fun, I laughed, then I was bummed because of how they parted this time. And then they find each other again after 17 years. Quite the roller coaster.
What I didn't care for (and I've mentioned this about other books) is the real world being brought in to my fiction world. I don't want to hear about COVID and people dying, or the January 6th riot and family being drawn into conspiracies. I read fiction to escape that very thing and it really brings me down to see that and have to relive that in a fiction book. When I want to read about real world events, I absolutely do that and it's called non-fiction. Because of that I ended up skipping several sections of the book because I had not expected that to come into the story and I did not want to read it. I read enough to understand where the characters were coming from, but I didn't read it all.
The ending was sweet, and it was good to see these two finally be together and get their everlasting HEA.
Overall this was a nice story and I liked the characters. Real world elements aside, I didn't find anything that didn't work for me. 3 stars (because the real world was still a factor).
This is the first book I've read by this author and I decided now was the time because I had seen several reviews of this book show up on my GR feed and I thought between the blurb and their reviews, this was a good book to try.
It's a sweet romance for sure, and I liked how the story was arranged (timeline) and how their relationship developed, though at times it felt a little implausible that they would be so close having only known each other a few days (through the timeline). I didn't mind that so much because the author did a pretty good job showing their first connection/meeting being something unique and memorable. They were teenagers and spent a crazy day together. The end of that day was sad (no spoilers), and they didn't see each other again until 17 years later. I'm not really sure why aside from it has nice symmetry with the cicadas appearing. Regardless, they see each other after 17 years and it's as if no time has really passed, they almost pick up right where they had left off. It was fun, I laughed, then I was bummed because of how they parted this time. And then they find each other again after 17 years. Quite the roller coaster.
What I didn't care for (and I've mentioned this about other books) is the real world being brought in to my fiction world. I don't want to hear about COVID and people dying, or the January 6th riot and family being drawn into conspiracies. I read fiction to escape that very thing and it really brings me down to see that and have to relive that in a fiction book. When I want to read about real world events, I absolutely do that and it's called non-fiction. Because of that I ended up skipping several sections of the book because I had not expected that to come into the story and I did not want to read it. I read enough to understand where the characters were coming from, but I didn't read it all.
The ending was sweet, and it was good to see these two finally be together and get their everlasting HEA.
Overall this was a nice story and I liked the characters. Real world elements aside, I didn't find anything that didn't work for me. 3 stars (because the real world was still a factor).
September 20, 2025
3.5 stars
I've been asking for a second-chance romance where the MCs actually live full and interesting lives in between their first and second (and in this case, third) meetings. I find it hard to get behind MCs that just hopelessly pine away for their one-true love but wait 20 years to do anything about it. And I kind of got it here.
This starts in 1987, then jumps to 2004, then lastly jumps to 2021. I was onboard with it for the first jump. Joel and Daniel had fond memories of their brief time spent together, and their instant connection was strong enough that it made sense they'd occasionally think about each other. When the opportunity comes to meet up again, Daniel goes for it - and finds Joel in another relationship.
I had a bit more trouble with the second jump to 2021. That was a bit too close to my pet peeves with second-chance romances as expressed above, despite Daniel at least being in other relationship in between. Joel's recovery from a health crisis making him both more bold but more timid felt like it was there just to create an artificial barrier to kind of slow them down a little, and I didn't really feel it was needed. Add in all the stuff with the pandemic and BLM and other terrible stuff that happened in 2021 that we're still feeling the after-effects of, and I really struggled with the third part. But there was no denying that these two were meant to be together, and I ultimately liked how it was all resolved.
I've been asking for a second-chance romance where the MCs actually live full and interesting lives in between their first and second (and in this case, third) meetings. I find it hard to get behind MCs that just hopelessly pine away for their one-true love but wait 20 years to do anything about it. And I kind of got it here.
This starts in 1987, then jumps to 2004, then lastly jumps to 2021. I was onboard with it for the first jump. Joel and Daniel had fond memories of their brief time spent together, and their instant connection was strong enough that it made sense they'd occasionally think about each other. When the opportunity comes to meet up again, Daniel goes for it - and finds Joel in another relationship.
I had a bit more trouble with the second jump to 2021. That was a bit too close to my pet peeves with second-chance romances as expressed above, despite Daniel at least being in other relationship in between. Joel's recovery from a health crisis making him both more bold but more timid felt like it was there just to create an artificial barrier to kind of slow them down a little, and I didn't really feel it was needed. Add in all the stuff with the pandemic and BLM and other terrible stuff that happened in 2021 that we're still feeling the after-effects of, and I really struggled with the third part. But there was no denying that these two were meant to be together, and I ultimately liked how it was all resolved.
August 14, 2024
A- at AAR / 4.5 stars rounded up.
Avery Cockburn’s Cicadas is subtitled “a totally epic ordinary love story” – and while it probably is epic, it’s anything but ordinary. It’s a classic ‘right-person-wrong-time’ romance filled with warmth and joy and heartbreak that is quite unlike anything else I’ve read recently.
“Ever since these bugs’ grandparents serenaded us thirty-four years ago today, I’ve never not been in love with you.”
The story begins in May 1987, and seventeen-year-old Joel Mendel’s mother has called the local exterminator to get rid of the cicadas singing from the trees in the woods surrounding their back yard. A budding entomologist, Joel doesn’t share his mother’s dislike of nature and wishes she’d just leave the cicadas to do their thing, and as he watches from his bedroom window, he sees a young man of about his own age sliding out of the other side of the van, his body language clearly signalling that he’d rather be anywhere else than here. Joel heads downstairs to see what’s going on (and to check out the hot guy), and his mom tells him to “entertain” Danny for a bit while Danny’s dad gets on with the job.
Joel and Danny spend a crazy, memorable day together, talking - about school, about music, about the cicadas and Joel’s ambitions to study entomology - listening to music, getting high… and, in both PoVs, we see mutual attraction and a strong connection developing between them. But their time together ends abruptly and sadly, and they don’t see each other again.
Seventeen years later finds Joel, an adjunct professor of entomology, delivering a lecture at CicadaCon. Right at the end, a tall man standing at the back raises his hand to ask a question – and Joel almost can’t believe his eyes. It can’t be Danny, not after all this time? It must his mind playing tricks because cicadas still remind him of the day his seventeen-year-old self had decided it had met its soulmate. But there are no tricks, and it really is Danny. Except now, he’s Dan, and he makes his living as a travel photographer. Over dinner, they talk and laugh together almost as though no time has passed, but while a lot has changed in the world and in their lives, there’s no denying that the strong pull they’d felt towards each other when they were teens is as strong as ever. They spend a wonderful evening and night together – but when Dan wakes the next morning, Joel is gone and only a handwritten note that ends “See you in 17 years” - shows he was ever there.
It’s January 2021 when a Facebook friend request from Daniel Evans pops up on Joel’s feed. He can’t quite believe it, but he accepts it, and after a few light-hearted messages, they arrange to meet up on Zoom a few days later. Now fifty going on fifty-one, both men have been around the block a few times when it comes to relationships, health and work – they’re older and wiser, but the one thing that hasn’t changed – still - is the strength of their emotional connection. But it’s going to take a bit more than that for things to work between them this time around; some brutally honest conversations and soul-searching is needed for both of them to work out what it is they truly want – and if that really is each other.
The author frames the story in a really interesting way, the seventeen year separations paralleled by the life cycle of the cicadas that provide the reason for Joel and Daniel’s very first meeting in 1987. The amount of research the author must have done into entomology is impressive, and the same goes for the historical background to her chosen time periods. I’ll add a short note here to warn anyone who prefers not to have real-life events feature in their romance novels that Covid is very present in the final section of the story and there is some discussion of the effects of the pandemic on the individual and on society as a whole. Also, the January 6th insurrection plays out on their computer screens, which leads to a degree of political discussion. Nothing is heavy or tub-thumping, but it’s more than a glancing mention.
I admit that I’m normally sceptical about second chance romances where the characters pick up where they left off after not having seen each other for a very long time – but I felt none of that here because the author does such an incredible job of showing how Joel and Daniel’s connection, while forged in such a short time, leaves a lasting, indelible mark on their lives, and then of revealing how they’ve grown and changed as a result of their lived experiences. They just ‘get’ each other in ways nobody else does or ever has, and I loved that they’re not bitter about the ‘lost’ years and instead see them as having been necessary to get to where they are now:
Joel and Daniel are beautifully drawn, complex characters, and their journey from awkward teens to battered, middle-aged survivors captivated me from start to finish (although I will admit that the final section feels a mite too long). Cicadas is a fabulous read, a moving, funny and unique second chance at a second chance love story that will bring a smile to your lips, a tear to your eye and a sigh from your heart. I'm delighted to give it a very strong recommendation.
Avery Cockburn’s Cicadas is subtitled “a totally epic ordinary love story” – and while it probably is epic, it’s anything but ordinary. It’s a classic ‘right-person-wrong-time’ romance filled with warmth and joy and heartbreak that is quite unlike anything else I’ve read recently.
“Ever since these bugs’ grandparents serenaded us thirty-four years ago today, I’ve never not been in love with you.”
The story begins in May 1987, and seventeen-year-old Joel Mendel’s mother has called the local exterminator to get rid of the cicadas singing from the trees in the woods surrounding their back yard. A budding entomologist, Joel doesn’t share his mother’s dislike of nature and wishes she’d just leave the cicadas to do their thing, and as he watches from his bedroom window, he sees a young man of about his own age sliding out of the other side of the van, his body language clearly signalling that he’d rather be anywhere else than here. Joel heads downstairs to see what’s going on (and to check out the hot guy), and his mom tells him to “entertain” Danny for a bit while Danny’s dad gets on with the job.
Joel and Danny spend a crazy, memorable day together, talking - about school, about music, about the cicadas and Joel’s ambitions to study entomology - listening to music, getting high… and, in both PoVs, we see mutual attraction and a strong connection developing between them. But their time together ends abruptly and sadly, and they don’t see each other again.
Seventeen years later finds Joel, an adjunct professor of entomology, delivering a lecture at CicadaCon. Right at the end, a tall man standing at the back raises his hand to ask a question – and Joel almost can’t believe his eyes. It can’t be Danny, not after all this time? It must his mind playing tricks because cicadas still remind him of the day his seventeen-year-old self had decided it had met its soulmate. But there are no tricks, and it really is Danny. Except now, he’s Dan, and he makes his living as a travel photographer. Over dinner, they talk and laugh together almost as though no time has passed, but while a lot has changed in the world and in their lives, there’s no denying that the strong pull they’d felt towards each other when they were teens is as strong as ever. They spend a wonderful evening and night together – but when Dan wakes the next morning, Joel is gone and only a handwritten note that ends “See you in 17 years” - shows he was ever there.
It’s January 2021 when a Facebook friend request from Daniel Evans pops up on Joel’s feed. He can’t quite believe it, but he accepts it, and after a few light-hearted messages, they arrange to meet up on Zoom a few days later. Now fifty going on fifty-one, both men have been around the block a few times when it comes to relationships, health and work – they’re older and wiser, but the one thing that hasn’t changed – still - is the strength of their emotional connection. But it’s going to take a bit more than that for things to work between them this time around; some brutally honest conversations and soul-searching is needed for both of them to work out what it is they truly want – and if that really is each other.
The author frames the story in a really interesting way, the seventeen year separations paralleled by the life cycle of the cicadas that provide the reason for Joel and Daniel’s very first meeting in 1987. The amount of research the author must have done into entomology is impressive, and the same goes for the historical background to her chosen time periods. I’ll add a short note here to warn anyone who prefers not to have real-life events feature in their romance novels that Covid is very present in the final section of the story and there is some discussion of the effects of the pandemic on the individual and on society as a whole. Also, the January 6th insurrection plays out on their computer screens, which leads to a degree of political discussion. Nothing is heavy or tub-thumping, but it’s more than a glancing mention.
I admit that I’m normally sceptical about second chance romances where the characters pick up where they left off after not having seen each other for a very long time – but I felt none of that here because the author does such an incredible job of showing how Joel and Daniel’s connection, while forged in such a short time, leaves a lasting, indelible mark on their lives, and then of revealing how they’ve grown and changed as a result of their lived experiences. They just ‘get’ each other in ways nobody else does or ever has, and I loved that they’re not bitter about the ‘lost’ years and instead see them as having been necessary to get to where they are now:
“… those years had made the two of them the people they were this evening, so perhaps not a single day had truly been wasted.”
Joel and Daniel are beautifully drawn, complex characters, and their journey from awkward teens to battered, middle-aged survivors captivated me from start to finish (although I will admit that the final section feels a mite too long). Cicadas is a fabulous read, a moving, funny and unique second chance at a second chance love story that will bring a smile to your lips, a tear to your eye and a sigh from your heart. I'm delighted to give it a very strong recommendation.
June 30, 2024
“Daniel, I’d give anything to go back in time and give us a long life together, but in this universe, time only moves forward.”
Cicadas: A Totally Ordinary Epic Love Story by Avery Cockburn is the first book I read by this author and I’ve fallen in love with it. I have had the Glasgow Lads series in my TBR since forever, and I think they won’t be there for too long.
This book is such a beautiful love story that has captivated me since the beginning. It stands out for the slow-burn romance between Daniel and Joel. Their journey starts when they first meet at 17. That connection, that only lasted a few hours, left a lasting mark on their lives, a bond that never broke up. Live goes by and they meet again at 34, also only for a few hours, and they last reunite at 50. These time lapses of 17 years is the life’s cycle of the cicadas.
“Funny, it’s been forever since we were together, but you feel so familiar. Probably because I never truly stopped thinking about you. I kept you alive in my head.”
“I know what you mean. I was always aware of you, out there, as this distant possibility.”
The characters are really charming. Daniel had a tough childhood, and Joel has a complex personality. Their love story is far from ordinary, it’s filled with joy, heartbreak, and it feels genuinely real. I also loved the story because it has some similarities with mine, although I don’t have a HEA with my Daniel. We are still friends, but he lives in America and I live in Europe.
“Every single layout was done with the thought, ‘Wish you were here.’ Because I never stopped wishing you were with me. Sometimes that feeling was quiet, in the back of my mind, and sometimes it was so loud I couldn’t hear myself think.”
Cicadas: A Totally Ordinary Epic Love Story, is an awesome exploration of love, time, and resilience. I shed so many tears with this story, that I had to stop now and again unable to continue reading. I finished reading it some days ago and it still lingers in my mind and heart. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC from GGR for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Read
February 22, 2025I'm not going to lie. There may have been a window of time to read this book, but the one I chose isn't it (the day before inauguration!?!). It is gorgeous and somewhat meandering in many ways but the main thing I feel reading it was grief. (And grief is a heavy theme here regardless)
And not the cathartic type. This book was likely written and published in that wedge of Biden's presidency - and it's a lot to get vignettes of the decades prior. But none so much as the past one. I set this aside after the J6 chapter for a really long time. And then I could only stomach snippets - the relief and joy of inauguration, the promise of democracy triumphing.
Every chapter was a new wound of life returning to its promise and these two people finding their way back to one another. Reading it though, knowing then that it was fragile and hopeful, knowing where it ends after the book, was like rubbing salt and sandpaper on already open wounds.
So anyway, I can't recommend it at this time. Unless you're into that kind of thing. Unrated.
And not the cathartic type. This book was likely written and published in that wedge of Biden's presidency - and it's a lot to get vignettes of the decades prior. But none so much as the past one. I set this aside after the J6 chapter for a really long time. And then I could only stomach snippets - the relief and joy of inauguration, the promise of democracy triumphing.
Every chapter was a new wound of life returning to its promise and these two people finding their way back to one another. Reading it though, knowing then that it was fragile and hopeful, knowing where it ends after the book, was like rubbing salt and sandpaper on already open wounds.
So anyway, I can't recommend it at this time. Unless you're into that kind of thing. Unrated.
July 16, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
2 stars
The description of this book was intriguing, as I liked the idea of the men meeting every 17 years. There was instant attraction when Joel and Danny first meet, but the men were hesitant due to their age and the year. They were just getting to know each other when tragedy intervened and it wasn’t easy to keep in touch in the late 80s when you barely knew where to start to find someone. After that, this book took a lot of wrong turns for me and each page was a struggle.
The characters were not well developed and, for most of the book, Joel and Danny are not together. They spend a handful of hours together and, while that could have been profound, I didn’t really care for either man and I never did see them as life partners. This book was lacking for me in many areas, which made for an unsatisfying read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
2 stars
The description of this book was intriguing, as I liked the idea of the men meeting every 17 years. There was instant attraction when Joel and Danny first meet, but the men were hesitant due to their age and the year. They were just getting to know each other when tragedy intervened and it wasn’t easy to keep in touch in the late 80s when you barely knew where to start to find someone. After that, this book took a lot of wrong turns for me and each page was a struggle.
The characters were not well developed and, for most of the book, Joel and Danny are not together. They spend a handful of hours together and, while that could have been profound, I didn’t really care for either man and I never did see them as life partners. This book was lacking for me in many areas, which made for an unsatisfying read.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
July 15, 2024
3.5* rounded up. Took me a bit to get through this, not sure why as I enjoyed it. But it was hard going in the way that they were apart for so long and how in the 3rd part too much of the real world was described.
I did not enjoy the long separation and it put me off a bit, I must say. Also, how Joel ended their 2nd meeting, it just felt wrong and not very believable. But I did enjoy the premise and the ending was pretty good, even if we are missing an epilogue. I live for the epilogues.
I did not enjoy the long separation and it put me off a bit, I must say. Also, how Joel ended their 2nd meeting, it just felt wrong and not very believable. But I did enjoy the premise and the ending was pretty good, even if we are missing an epilogue. I live for the epilogues.
June 19, 2024
Avery Cockburn weaves a classic right person, wrong time love story in this unique second chance at a second chance romance. If you enjoy stories that span across time, you’ll love the connection between Joel Mendel and Danny-Dan-Daniel Evans that’s decades in the making. Don’t be bugged out by the cicadas - there’s nothing gross about this epic love story.
In short, I loved this book. I went into it enamored with the idea of a story unfolding concurrent to the septendecennial Brood X cicadas, particularly as I sit in the midst of a 17-year cicada invasion in the Midwest. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I wasn’t prepared for a beautiful, complex love story that doubles as an evolutionary study of American society. It’s heartfelt, engaging, and emotional, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I laughed, I cried (a lot), and even when it was hard, I loved it all.
Joel & Danny’s story is told in parts with 17-year gaps, beginning when they meet as teens in 1987. It’s the height of cicada mania, and they’re full of all the hope and possibility that comes with having your whole life ahead of you. It’s just one example of Cockburn’s tremendous ability to convey and elicit complex emotions in her work. Words matter, and she's a master at making even small details like Danny’s name have a huge impact that resonates.
As a Gen Xer, I’m here for all the nostalgia packed into Cicadas. The 17-year gaps are a gift - a window to times gone by and a world that no longer exists, forever changed by politics, war, and a global pandemic. Cockburn truly captures each era: being carefree and coming of age in the late 80’s, the fear and uncertainty after 9/11, and the isolation and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I won't lie - it’s hard to read at times, both because of what’s happening on the page and the memories it evokes.
A common theme throughout the story is the more things change, the more they stay the same. We go through life waiting for it to get better or easier, or the problems to become smaller, but it has a way of evolving right along with us. The challenges may look different even if they’re inherently the same.
I realize I didn’t say much about the specifics of Joel & Danny’s journey, and I could have. I could have talked about the moments that made me gasp. Or the ones that made me cry. Or how sometimes they plastered a cheesy smile across my face. The thing is, you have to experience it for yourself. It’s poignant, moving, complex, and layered in a way that’s hard to capture with words. But I strongly recommend finding out for yourself all the ways their story reminds us life is too short.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
In short, I loved this book. I went into it enamored with the idea of a story unfolding concurrent to the septendecennial Brood X cicadas, particularly as I sit in the midst of a 17-year cicada invasion in the Midwest. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I wasn’t prepared for a beautiful, complex love story that doubles as an evolutionary study of American society. It’s heartfelt, engaging, and emotional, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I laughed, I cried (a lot), and even when it was hard, I loved it all.
Joel & Danny’s story is told in parts with 17-year gaps, beginning when they meet as teens in 1987. It’s the height of cicada mania, and they’re full of all the hope and possibility that comes with having your whole life ahead of you. It’s just one example of Cockburn’s tremendous ability to convey and elicit complex emotions in her work. Words matter, and she's a master at making even small details like Danny’s name have a huge impact that resonates.
As a Gen Xer, I’m here for all the nostalgia packed into Cicadas. The 17-year gaps are a gift - a window to times gone by and a world that no longer exists, forever changed by politics, war, and a global pandemic. Cockburn truly captures each era: being carefree and coming of age in the late 80’s, the fear and uncertainty after 9/11, and the isolation and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I won't lie - it’s hard to read at times, both because of what’s happening on the page and the memories it evokes.
A common theme throughout the story is the more things change, the more they stay the same. We go through life waiting for it to get better or easier, or the problems to become smaller, but it has a way of evolving right along with us. The challenges may look different even if they’re inherently the same.
I realize I didn’t say much about the specifics of Joel & Danny’s journey, and I could have. I could have talked about the moments that made me gasp. Or the ones that made me cry. Or how sometimes they plastered a cheesy smile across my face. The thing is, you have to experience it for yourself. It’s poignant, moving, complex, and layered in a way that’s hard to capture with words. But I strongly recommend finding out for yourself all the ways their story reminds us life is too short.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
Read
July 12, 2024I won't rate, because this is entirely me, and not the book (I guess?)
But when I bought it, I believed this was a *real* second chance romance. In the sense that the romance had a first chance, you know.
Instead here we're talking about two guys who meet FOR A DAY in 1987, don't see each other for SEVENTEEN YEARS, then meet again FOR A DAY, fuck, and then disappear again from each other's lives for another 17 years.
You see, to me that's just not plausible. I can't even fucking remember people I had a crush on for a day seventeen years ago. So yeah, I can't relate. Sorry. I don't believe in soulmates, so that's me. I believe that love is made by intimacy and vulnerability and struggling together, and learning to live together. Sorry. I just don't find romantic that an infatuation would carry a story for 34 years. It seems a little ludicrous.
So this is my issue. Totally a me issue. Which is a shame, because I loved the premise of a "non-epic love story". As a papyrologist I am always most fascinated with the lives of ordinary people. And the idea of telling an amazing love story who just happened to two regular guys was great. But this book doesn't manage to tell a love story, IMHO, nor to make it epic or ordinary. It's just... blah.
I had not liked the Glasgow Lads series from this author (which is a shame since I am always looking for books about football) and this confirms it. Not for me.
But when I bought it, I believed this was a *real* second chance romance. In the sense that the romance had a first chance, you know.
Instead here we're talking about two guys who meet FOR A DAY in 1987, don't see each other for SEVENTEEN YEARS, then meet again FOR A DAY, fuck, and then disappear again from each other's lives for another 17 years.
You see, to me that's just not plausible. I can't even fucking remember people I had a crush on for a day seventeen years ago. So yeah, I can't relate. Sorry. I don't believe in soulmates, so that's me. I believe that love is made by intimacy and vulnerability and struggling together, and learning to live together. Sorry. I just don't find romantic that an infatuation would carry a story for 34 years. It seems a little ludicrous.
So this is my issue. Totally a me issue. Which is a shame, because I loved the premise of a "non-epic love story". As a papyrologist I am always most fascinated with the lives of ordinary people. And the idea of telling an amazing love story who just happened to two regular guys was great. But this book doesn't manage to tell a love story, IMHO, nor to make it epic or ordinary. It's just... blah.
I had not liked the Glasgow Lads series from this author (which is a shame since I am always looking for books about football) and this confirms it. Not for me.
June 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this-okay I guess I’m a good target audience. I grew up in northern Virginia where I live again. I am gen x. I have a favorable view of cicadas and was in this area for the 1987, 2004 and 2021 emergences. That being said, this was a really nice, immersive romance. We could follow the characters, their development and how history unfolded and influenced them. I even got a little sentimental at the end. It deals with COVID and TFG, so interesting to see that in perspective right now. Really nicely done.
July 22, 2024
This was like magic in book form.
June 16, 2024
I’ll be the first to admit insects are not my thing (I’m a tiny bit (hugely) petrified of them) but epic, beautifully written, touching love stories absolutely are my thing and this one was completely that. I am not sure I can do justice to how amazing this book is while writing a review but I’m going to try. Love across time is one of my favourite things and so is second chance romance brimming with swoon and this had that in spades.
Danny-Dan-Daniel Evans and Joel Mendel were stunning characters and these men and their love story spanning decades is gripping and heartbreaking and emotional and feels entirely authentic and these characters have a hold on me even now. As life keeps pulling them apart and bringing them back together it keeps underlining the message that while time may have been lost, they are the people they were meant to be and they were meant to be together.
I loved how the story gently touches on political, social and cultural discourse and realities of the times Daniel and Joel come together and not only as a backdrop but as aspects of their developing connection. I surprisingly also loved the passion with which Joel talks about entomology and aspects of the life cycle of cicadas kind of paralleled the ebb and flow of this love story. Loved Joel’s mom and also Hailey. Also Those lyrics sprinkled throughout the book, absolutely loved them.
Expect:
* An unshakeable connection forged at 17
* Second chances
* Music as a love language
* Slow burn
* Adorable pets
* Banter and humour
* Swoony
Danny-Dan-Daniel Evans and Joel Mendel were stunning characters and these men and their love story spanning decades is gripping and heartbreaking and emotional and feels entirely authentic and these characters have a hold on me even now. As life keeps pulling them apart and bringing them back together it keeps underlining the message that while time may have been lost, they are the people they were meant to be and they were meant to be together.
I loved how the story gently touches on political, social and cultural discourse and realities of the times Daniel and Joel come together and not only as a backdrop but as aspects of their developing connection. I surprisingly also loved the passion with which Joel talks about entomology and aspects of the life cycle of cicadas kind of paralleled the ebb and flow of this love story. Loved Joel’s mom and also Hailey. Also Those lyrics sprinkled throughout the book, absolutely loved them.
Expect:
* An unshakeable connection forged at 17
* Second chances
* Music as a love language
* Slow burn
* Adorable pets
* Banter and humour
* Swoony
June 20, 2024
There are already so many great reviews here, with plenty of spoilers….
But for me my ARC copy was a straight 5 stars, emotional, a soul deep connection between the two MC’s and everything and more we have come to expect from Avery, creative sensitive social interactions, fabulous social commentary on current music, lifestyles and more….I urge you all to go grab yourself a copy!
But for me my ARC copy was a straight 5 stars, emotional, a soul deep connection between the two MC’s and everything and more we have come to expect from Avery, creative sensitive social interactions, fabulous social commentary on current music, lifestyles and more….I urge you all to go grab yourself a copy!
June 11, 2024
This was a beautifully written book. The first half for me was a 5 star read. I loved the first meeting in 1987 and the first second chance in 2004. The cicada metaphors were perfect and I really did love the idea of them coming back together every time the cicadas came back. I also adored how the ending brought them full circle to where they first met, I did get a lil teary eyed!
My only issue: the second second chance in 2021 was 50% of the book and it was a lot of Covid-19 and politics talk which bored me because it felt like reliving it all over again which was not fun! By the time they got back in touch they were both 50 and it just felt like so much wasted time, I mean one of them had just had a knee replacement and it really hit home how old they were🤦🏼♀️
This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did but I wish there was less pandemic talk!! I am a sucker for books over a long time span and this was literally 34 years which is wild.
✨ I received an arc from GRR and this is my honest review✨
My only issue: the second second chance in 2021 was 50% of the book and it was a lot of Covid-19 and politics talk which bored me because it felt like reliving it all over again which was not fun! By the time they got back in touch they were both 50 and it just felt like so much wasted time, I mean one of them had just had a knee replacement and it really hit home how old they were🤦🏼♀️
This is not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did but I wish there was less pandemic talk!! I am a sucker for books over a long time span and this was literally 34 years which is wild.
✨ I received an arc from GRR and this is my honest review✨
July 24, 2024
DNF @ 52%
I felt like this book was both too long, yet not enough. To clarify, what was written was fine (sans weird plot things I don't agree with), but too much of the development was hidden between the seventeen year timeskips. It really just felt like we were supposed to assume that Joel and Dan kept on staying hung up on each other, but still pursued other relationships or whatever.
The premise of Joel and Dan meeting each other every seventeen years was interesting to hook, but in practice just left a lot of plot holes I couldn't really ignore.
You're telling me that Joel and Dan became so hung up on each other after spending a few hours together in 1984? And even though they couldn't stop thinking of each other, neither of them looked each other up in seventeen years?
The time they did spend in 2001 was very sweet, even if a little confusing to read since it stretched a day out for so long. The note Joel left was also appropriately devastating. Skipping forward another seventeen years afterwards though really feels like a missed opportunity because we don't get to see the fallout of their separation. Sure, Joel goes back to Sam but like what does that even mean? We don't really know what his relationship is, who Sam is to him, and what he lost because we never see it. Similarly, Dan's life is an enigma outside of his attraction to Joel, so it's hard to see him as a full character.
Then we get to 2021 and I completely lost interest. Using political commentary and covid stuff as the medium for Joel and Dan's conversations turned me off in a major way primarily because I like my books to provide an escape from the dreary reality of right wingnuts and the pandemi. Also, who gives a shit about Dan's mom? Again, I probably would've been ok with it, but we don't know who she is as a character and what she means to Dan, so the whole subplot (if you can call it that) was just tedious to read.
TL;DR I don't buy Joel and Dan's supposed attraction to each other. They spent hours with each other and that seemingly sustained a crush to span 17 years? Yeah right.
Too much important info was just handwaved away into the 17 year gaps and I didn't care enough for the politcal aspects of the second half yo keep on reading.
I felt like this book was both too long, yet not enough. To clarify, what was written was fine (sans weird plot things I don't agree with), but too much of the development was hidden between the seventeen year timeskips. It really just felt like we were supposed to assume that Joel and Dan kept on staying hung up on each other, but still pursued other relationships or whatever.
The premise of Joel and Dan meeting each other every seventeen years was interesting to hook, but in practice just left a lot of plot holes I couldn't really ignore.
You're telling me that Joel and Dan became so hung up on each other after spending a few hours together in 1984? And even though they couldn't stop thinking of each other, neither of them looked each other up in seventeen years?
The time they did spend in 2001 was very sweet, even if a little confusing to read since it stretched a day out for so long. The note Joel left was also appropriately devastating. Skipping forward another seventeen years afterwards though really feels like a missed opportunity because we don't get to see the fallout of their separation. Sure, Joel goes back to Sam but like what does that even mean? We don't really know what his relationship is, who Sam is to him, and what he lost because we never see it. Similarly, Dan's life is an enigma outside of his attraction to Joel, so it's hard to see him as a full character.
Then we get to 2021 and I completely lost interest. Using political commentary and covid stuff as the medium for Joel and Dan's conversations turned me off in a major way primarily because I like my books to provide an escape from the dreary reality of right wingnuts and the pandemi. Also, who gives a shit about Dan's mom? Again, I probably would've been ok with it, but we don't know who she is as a character and what she means to Dan, so the whole subplot (if you can call it that) was just tedious to read.
TL;DR I don't buy Joel and Dan's supposed attraction to each other. They spent hours with each other and that seemingly sustained a crush to span 17 years? Yeah right.
Too much important info was just handwaved away into the 17 year gaps and I didn't care enough for the politcal aspects of the second half yo keep on reading.
June 17, 2024
This is far from an ordinary love story... Epic, yes, but no where near ordinary.
I want to start out by saying I loved this book. I loved the two main characters. I loved the premise. But I was also a bit infuriated. Not with the author, or the story, but with the characters - one in particular.
We meet Joel and Danny, aged 17, on a beautiful almost summer day in a year the cicadas emerge. They click almost instantly spending a fun filled day like two best friends who just met and so starts the sweet slow burn of teenagers who are immediately smitten with each other, but not sure where the other stands. And it doesn't help that they are both boys. What should have been the start of something very beautiful was cut short by tragedy (of the kind I really hope Cockburn wouldn't give us, but she went there), and although I knew the premise of their story, I really hoped that was not the end of their first meeting.
Fast forward 17 years to the next summer of the cicada.
The meeting this time takes the sweet slow burn of adolescence and kicks it up to scorching proportions. It is the obvious next step in their, any, relationship and Cockburn does not disappoint. *fans self* It is almost like the previous 17 years never happened, and the boys, now men, started right from where they left off. But naturally there are obstacles in the way - slight hurdles, nothing that cannot be jumped, but unfortunately half of the couple is not athletic - so what should have been the perfect second change turned into heartbreak. Not just for one of the characters, either, but for the reader as well. And this is where my infuriation came in... Sometimes you just want to jump into the pages of a book and slap some sense into people.
Another 17 years flies by - so much more has happened to Daniel and Joel in this 17 year span, but again the two once again connect like they have never been apart. But now they are in the midst of Covid and the Jan 6 insurrection. With this second chance at a second chance, can Daniel and Joel finally make it work, or is it just never meant to be?
Usually I write reviews right after reading something.... that isn't always the best idea. And since I was trusted by the author to be granted an ARC for reading and reviewing I wanted to make sure I really thought it over instead of just writing based on the "just finished this amazing book" emotion, and I am glad I did. It made me really see and feel the characters for who they actually were, at least to me.
************* possible spoilers? *****************
In the beginning we see Joel, who knows he's gay, has had some experience, but still is not comfortable enough in his own skin to answer truthfully when asked about his sexuality. Danny also knows he is gay, but coming from a conservative upbringing and being the popular, football cowboy, can't express it... until he meets someone who might understand and accept him.
If not for the tragedy that befell them, maybe they could have helped each other come out from their respective closets...
As time moves on, regardless of upbringing or life experiences, we see that they are no longer on equal footing... Even though Dan still doesn't seem to be quick to want to out himself, or classify himself, he seems to be the more stable one out of the two of them. He knows exactly what he wants, and he isn't afraid to go for it. While Joel, seemingly well put together, in his dream job, comfortable in his own sexuality, is afraid - afraid to go for what he really wants; afraid to feel, afraid to trust not only others, but himself.
It takes another cicada cycle for Joel to allow himself to experience what life could have, should have, been had he just let himself live it. But this is only after experiencing one set back after another. While Dan, even knowing what he really wanted and resigning himself to the fact that he might not ever have it, allowed himself to live.. really live, not just exist as it seems Joel had been doing - regardless of his outward appearances.
I really wish, for the two of them, that things would have worked out better. That they could have had more time.
One of the themes is, they would not be who they were today, and it wouldn't have worked out the same way if things hadn't happened how they did.... but on the other hand, what if... what if things worked out when they were 17, would it have lasted? Maybe, maybe not. But to think of a world where the two of them got to grow, and explore, and live, I wonder how things could have been different.
I want to start out by saying I loved this book. I loved the two main characters. I loved the premise. But I was also a bit infuriated. Not with the author, or the story, but with the characters - one in particular.
We meet Joel and Danny, aged 17, on a beautiful almost summer day in a year the cicadas emerge. They click almost instantly spending a fun filled day like two best friends who just met and so starts the sweet slow burn of teenagers who are immediately smitten with each other, but not sure where the other stands. And it doesn't help that they are both boys. What should have been the start of something very beautiful was cut short by tragedy (of the kind I really hope Cockburn wouldn't give us, but she went there), and although I knew the premise of their story, I really hoped that was not the end of their first meeting.
Fast forward 17 years to the next summer of the cicada.
The meeting this time takes the sweet slow burn of adolescence and kicks it up to scorching proportions. It is the obvious next step in their, any, relationship and Cockburn does not disappoint. *fans self* It is almost like the previous 17 years never happened, and the boys, now men, started right from where they left off. But naturally there are obstacles in the way - slight hurdles, nothing that cannot be jumped, but unfortunately half of the couple is not athletic - so what should have been the perfect second change turned into heartbreak. Not just for one of the characters, either, but for the reader as well. And this is where my infuriation came in... Sometimes you just want to jump into the pages of a book and slap some sense into people.
Another 17 years flies by - so much more has happened to Daniel and Joel in this 17 year span, but again the two once again connect like they have never been apart. But now they are in the midst of Covid and the Jan 6 insurrection. With this second chance at a second chance, can Daniel and Joel finally make it work, or is it just never meant to be?
Usually I write reviews right after reading something.... that isn't always the best idea. And since I was trusted by the author to be granted an ARC for reading and reviewing I wanted to make sure I really thought it over instead of just writing based on the "just finished this amazing book" emotion, and I am glad I did. It made me really see and feel the characters for who they actually were, at least to me.
************* possible spoilers? *****************
In the beginning we see Joel, who knows he's gay, has had some experience, but still is not comfortable enough in his own skin to answer truthfully when asked about his sexuality. Danny also knows he is gay, but coming from a conservative upbringing and being the popular, football cowboy, can't express it... until he meets someone who might understand and accept him.
If not for the tragedy that befell them, maybe they could have helped each other come out from their respective closets...
As time moves on, regardless of upbringing or life experiences, we see that they are no longer on equal footing... Even though Dan still doesn't seem to be quick to want to out himself, or classify himself, he seems to be the more stable one out of the two of them. He knows exactly what he wants, and he isn't afraid to go for it. While Joel, seemingly well put together, in his dream job, comfortable in his own sexuality, is afraid - afraid to go for what he really wants; afraid to feel, afraid to trust not only others, but himself.
It takes another cicada cycle for Joel to allow himself to experience what life could have, should have, been had he just let himself live it. But this is only after experiencing one set back after another. While Dan, even knowing what he really wanted and resigning himself to the fact that he might not ever have it, allowed himself to live.. really live, not just exist as it seems Joel had been doing - regardless of his outward appearances.
I really wish, for the two of them, that things would have worked out better. That they could have had more time.
One of the themes is, they would not be who they were today, and it wouldn't have worked out the same way if things hadn't happened how they did.... but on the other hand, what if... what if things worked out when they were 17, would it have lasted? Maybe, maybe not. But to think of a world where the two of them got to grow, and explore, and live, I wonder how things could have been different.
June 23, 2024
5 ⭐️
- 1/2 ⭐️ for political CW below
4 1/2 ⭐️ rounded up
GAH!! This was good. So Good. I love the way Avery Cockburn writes and this book was simply beautiful :)
There are a few deeply sad parts (see TW below). There is some relationship conflict due to fears. There are many smiles and lots of laughter! And of course, there are some really nice sexy times
I loved both Joel and Danny. They were imperfect humans that managed to either figure themselves out or managed to get out of their own ways in order to find their Happy Ending. I really enjoyed the fact that they were both born a year after me 😁 I graduated from HS in 1987 and it was fun reading about characters that were “contemporaries”! While I cried through a couple of the cultural references, I laughed out loud at others.
TW: death of parent and parental relationship angst
TW: Joel has an open relationship at one of the
CW: Joel is Interested in politics and governance. I’m not a fan of having political events discussed/dissected in books 🫤 so parts of the story got fairly bogged down for a bit as the book ranges from 1987 to 2021. If you’re familiar with US history, you will know that there is A LOT that happens during that time period and that most of it does not reflect on the US positively. 😟
YMMV ❤️
- 1/2 ⭐️ for political CW below
4 1/2 ⭐️ rounded up
GAH!! This was good. So Good. I love the way Avery Cockburn writes and this book was simply beautiful :)
There are a few deeply sad parts (see TW below). There is some relationship conflict due to fears. There are many smiles and lots of laughter! And of course, there are some really nice sexy times
I loved both Joel and Danny. They were imperfect humans that managed to either figure themselves out or managed to get out of their own ways in order to find their Happy Ending. I really enjoyed the fact that they were both born a year after me 😁 I graduated from HS in 1987 and it was fun reading about characters that were “contemporaries”! While I cried through a couple of the cultural references, I laughed out loud at others.
TW: death of parent and parental relationship angst
TW: Joel has an open relationship at one of the
CW: Joel is Interested in politics and governance. I’m not a fan of having political events discussed/dissected in books 🫤 so parts of the story got fairly bogged down for a bit as the book ranges from 1987 to 2021. If you’re familiar with US history, you will know that there is A LOT that happens during that time period and that most of it does not reflect on the US positively. 😟
YMMV ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Beautiful and emotional
Joel and Daniel have been in love for years.
Somehow, the timing never seems right, and circumstances keep tearing them apart.
You meet that one person and suddenly life is beautiful and everything is right with the world.
They grew up and never forgot about each other throughout life.
Ups and downs, good and bad, they always kept a flame alive for one another.
Life has tossed them to and fro, like the ebbing tide.
They're no longer young, and some of the shine has worn off of the romance.
They're mature and sure of themselves and their love.
I loved everything about this book, and it was written beautifully.
Joel and Daniel have been in love for years.
Somehow, the timing never seems right, and circumstances keep tearing them apart.
You meet that one person and suddenly life is beautiful and everything is right with the world.
They grew up and never forgot about each other throughout life.
Ups and downs, good and bad, they always kept a flame alive for one another.
Life has tossed them to and fro, like the ebbing tide.
They're no longer young, and some of the shine has worn off of the romance.
They're mature and sure of themselves and their love.
I loved everything about this book, and it was written beautifully.
March 24, 2025
At first, I was charmed. At around page fifty or so, I realized that I had begun on a more epic journey than I was prepared for. By the middle of the story, I was thinking "this is just too much for me". But by the time I got to the end, it turns out that is is just right. Although my impatient self might have been more pleased if some of the tale had been whittled down a bit, overall, it's magical, and filled with things that resonate with my soul. Extra goodness: I am thrilled that there's so much information about cicadas in this story, and am on a hunt to learn more! A beautiful love story, with extra entomological goodness: win!
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