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Love in Xxchange #4
What Matters Most
Sometimes it takes losing everything to find out what matters most.
Josh has a fondness for hot pink, penguins…and one wicked man he knows he shouldn't trust. Nick is a confused, angry man, one who has been denied the opportunity to know his half-siblings, who was ignored and treated less than second best—until the fair-haired children fell out of favor with a resounding thud. Now Nick has something he isn't sure he wants—a ranch left to him by a father who never cared for him, and a fascination with a certain hot-pink, penguin printed, scrub wearing nurse who makes his blood boil in a way no woman ever had.
But Josh left him hurting on the floor the last time he dared touch the man. Nick had never thought the attractive dark-haired man with the jewel-bright eyes would be anything other than a tool to spy on his half-siblings, but somehow, Josh has gotten under Nick's skin, and Nick isn't sure he ever wants it any other way.
But the choice isn't just his, and it's more than just their futures that are at risk… And Nick doesn't know if he can get past Josh turning away from him once again, or if he can be strong enough to reach for what matters most…
Josh has a fondness for hot pink, penguins…and one wicked man he knows he shouldn't trust. Nick is a confused, angry man, one who has been denied the opportunity to know his half-siblings, who was ignored and treated less than second best—until the fair-haired children fell out of favor with a resounding thud. Now Nick has something he isn't sure he wants—a ranch left to him by a father who never cared for him, and a fascination with a certain hot-pink, penguin printed, scrub wearing nurse who makes his blood boil in a way no woman ever had.
But Josh left him hurting on the floor the last time he dared touch the man. Nick had never thought the attractive dark-haired man with the jewel-bright eyes would be anything other than a tool to spy on his half-siblings, but somehow, Josh has gotten under Nick's skin, and Nick isn't sure he ever wants it any other way.
But the choice isn't just his, and it's more than just their futures that are at risk… And Nick doesn't know if he can get past Josh turning away from him once again, or if he can be strong enough to reach for what matters most…
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2011
5 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Bailey Bradford
191 books552 followersA few things about me...
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
I am a married mom of four who spends most of the day writing, either on stories or at the blog. I love to write as much as I love to read. I am generally quiet and laid back, choosing to let things slide off me rather than stick and irritate me.
And it's really hard trying to think of descriptives for myself, so I'll just let y'all e-mail me or comment at the blog if there's something specific you'd like to know, and spare you from reading a boring bio:D
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 25, 2012
It was ok. I really like Josh and Nick so wanted more of them. This was supposed to be their book. It felt more like Annabelle's book. For one, I can't stand her. I didn't like her in book 2. She had her own book in 3 and now she took up most of this one. WTF? I really hope she is not going to be in the rest of them like this. Its making me not want to read the rest of them, which is a shame since I've already purchased them. These are supposed to be M/M books. What the hell is all this Annabelle face time about? Especially, when it takes away from the MCs. It's a shame really.
January 29, 2022
I thought that this book was okay
December 24, 2022
I was very intrigued at the beginning of this fourth installment in Bailey Bradford's 'Love in Xxchange' series mainly because the stage had been set so beautifully for Josh and Nick in the previous book. This was the first time where the main characters had had more than just minimal contact prior to their story. So, I was excited to see how the author was going to hold my attention. I had already fallen in love with Josh so I wanted him to find his happy ever after and the man who would complete him. I was wary about Nick, but I had confidence that Bailey would not let me down. And, she didn't!
Josh grew up a lot in this story and watching him do it was a blast from the past. I know what it feels like to be the younger sibling and to always be treated as if you're incapable of taking care of yourself and making adult decisions. It didn't help Josh that he wanted to be viewed one way, but still allowed his inner teenager out sometimes and made childish choices. It's hard to be taken seriously, and have your opinions matter, when hot pink is your favorite color and you love penguins! To give him credit, Josh was trying to protect the people he loved while at the same time dealing with how Nick made him feel.
I actually felt sorry for Nick. I mean, yeah, he made a lot of stupid decisions that often came back and bit him in the rear, but all he really wanted was a family. His dad always told him his mom wasn't good enough to marry because she was Hispanic and that Nick should have never been born. Nick is older than Rory and Annabelle and Nick grew up knowing about them, while he was never mentioned. So many of his decisions came from just wanting to get to know his siblings and maybe have some type of relationship with them. After meeting his mother, it was easy to see the sheer hell he grew up in, and I was rooting for him to get the family he always wanted. Even though I kind of wanted to laugh a few times at Nick's utter confusion over his body's response to a guy, I thought it was really sweet how he tried to handle it all. He dealt with his love for Josh in a very practical, mature manner, which isn't always seen.
Josh and Nick have drama, drama, drama happening from page one of their story. They have so many miscommunications and both of them making stupid decisions because of their own fears. Their story was the most exciting (so far) from the very start, and I loved it. It was filled with angst, but I thought the author did a great job handling it and not making the story too depressing. 'What Matters Most' is an apt title because I think that's what both Josh and Nick discovered. At some point in life, you have to decide what is the most important thing, what you're willing to fight for, and what really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I think this has been my favorite of the series so far.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total E-Bound for the purpose of a review
Josh grew up a lot in this story and watching him do it was a blast from the past. I know what it feels like to be the younger sibling and to always be treated as if you're incapable of taking care of yourself and making adult decisions. It didn't help Josh that he wanted to be viewed one way, but still allowed his inner teenager out sometimes and made childish choices. It's hard to be taken seriously, and have your opinions matter, when hot pink is your favorite color and you love penguins! To give him credit, Josh was trying to protect the people he loved while at the same time dealing with how Nick made him feel.
I actually felt sorry for Nick. I mean, yeah, he made a lot of stupid decisions that often came back and bit him in the rear, but all he really wanted was a family. His dad always told him his mom wasn't good enough to marry because she was Hispanic and that Nick should have never been born. Nick is older than Rory and Annabelle and Nick grew up knowing about them, while he was never mentioned. So many of his decisions came from just wanting to get to know his siblings and maybe have some type of relationship with them. After meeting his mother, it was easy to see the sheer hell he grew up in, and I was rooting for him to get the family he always wanted. Even though I kind of wanted to laugh a few times at Nick's utter confusion over his body's response to a guy, I thought it was really sweet how he tried to handle it all. He dealt with his love for Josh in a very practical, mature manner, which isn't always seen.
Josh and Nick have drama, drama, drama happening from page one of their story. They have so many miscommunications and both of them making stupid decisions because of their own fears. Their story was the most exciting (so far) from the very start, and I loved it. It was filled with angst, but I thought the author did a great job handling it and not making the story too depressing. 'What Matters Most' is an apt title because I think that's what both Josh and Nick discovered. At some point in life, you have to decide what is the most important thing, what you're willing to fight for, and what really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I think this has been my favorite of the series so far.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total E-Bound for the purpose of a review
August 28, 2011
'What Matters Most' is a fitting title for this thought provoking book by Bailey Bradford. There are several characters in this story who are faced with deciding what is most important in their lives. The best advice anyone could ever give when confronted by this issue is that you need to set priorities; you need to realize that regardless of the consequences, your happiness is determined by following your heart and seeking out what matters most.
I love Josh. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him mature during this story. He faces several challenges where he has to choose whether to let go of the past and accept new ideas or to continue to hold on to his old ways and possibly lose a great deal in the process. This is not easy for someone who is used to having to fight to maintain his dignity. He wants people to see him for his depth, ambition, passion, and maturity instead of a pretty boy who likes hot pink and penguins.
I have to admit that I didn't know what to think of Nick at first, but as more is revealed, I grew to admire him. Even with all the missteps he takes, his intentions are honorable. Nick wants what he's never had, a real family. Before this happens, however, Nick's world is turned upside down and he faces each challenge as it comes with determination.
Although I've read all of the books in the 'Love in Xxchange' series, this is my favorite. Bailey Bradford has amazed me with her skill to tie up the loose ends, explaining things which were previously confusing and bringing her characters together in ways which I wouldn't have believed possible. So many things in the other books had me wondering more often than not why the story was unfolding in the way it did. I feel so much better now that I understand why the stories were written the way they were—all leading up to the fantastic culmination in the series so far.
'What Matters Most' can be read alone, but if you read the four previous books, you will cry harder, be angrier, laugh heartier, and cheer more fervently for Josh, Nick, Annabelle, Justin, Evan and all the other wonderful characters in this series. Thank you, Bailey; I heartily enjoyed your way of expertly sorting out the series in this fantastic story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
I love Josh. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him mature during this story. He faces several challenges where he has to choose whether to let go of the past and accept new ideas or to continue to hold on to his old ways and possibly lose a great deal in the process. This is not easy for someone who is used to having to fight to maintain his dignity. He wants people to see him for his depth, ambition, passion, and maturity instead of a pretty boy who likes hot pink and penguins.
I have to admit that I didn't know what to think of Nick at first, but as more is revealed, I grew to admire him. Even with all the missteps he takes, his intentions are honorable. Nick wants what he's never had, a real family. Before this happens, however, Nick's world is turned upside down and he faces each challenge as it comes with determination.
Although I've read all of the books in the 'Love in Xxchange' series, this is my favorite. Bailey Bradford has amazed me with her skill to tie up the loose ends, explaining things which were previously confusing and bringing her characters together in ways which I wouldn't have believed possible. So many things in the other books had me wondering more often than not why the story was unfolding in the way it did. I feel so much better now that I understand why the stories were written the way they were—all leading up to the fantastic culmination in the series so far.
'What Matters Most' can be read alone, but if you read the four previous books, you will cry harder, be angrier, laugh heartier, and cheer more fervently for Josh, Nick, Annabelle, Justin, Evan and all the other wonderful characters in this series. Thank you, Bailey; I heartily enjoyed your way of expertly sorting out the series in this fantastic story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 28, 2015
2014 Re-read:
Oh yes. So worth reading the previous book to get to this one. Despite really needing a good round of proofreading, this is one of those deeply satisfying super-fluffy fluff things. Just pure happiness.
Or rather, the perfect balance between the funny (Josh’s internal monologue glorious) and the emotionally intense – all the mushiness and extreme loving but in a way that can feel deliciously good if you let it.
Something I truly enjoyed here was that lack of rage against the characters.
People, including our protagonists, did stupid things which acerbated bad situations. Quite a lot actually. But it never made me want to yell at them. It felt like the stuff people do, for whatever momentary reason, so the apologizing and grovelling or whatever followed worked for me. This is a great example of the right way to employ character faults as plot drivers. I was not always happy with people’s actions, but never irritated, and the payoff invariably was great.
Also, as much as the triad didn’t do it for me in the previous volume, they worked a lot better as background characters here. Especially Evan collected lots of points. But really, these two books are one story, which on the one hand is a pity since it forces me to push through the first part every time I want to enjoy the second, but on the other hand extends the story.
I do remember that a lot of the themes and pairing types we’ve seen thus far in the series are going to repeat from now on (maybe have started already). At the moment I feel fine with that, but if it ever becomes too much, hey! Taking a break should fix that. I think I’m going to like at least the next one as well. After that, I don’t remember as clearly as one would think. But oh yes, torture and horrible abuse coming up soon.
2011 Review:
Oh my. Yep. This really needed to be read together with the previous one. I suppose it makes up for having to sludge through that. This was Josh’s book. Totally. At least for the first half or so, when Nick became an equal partner. But I was laughing so hard there, dear god. XD That horrible, horrible day Josh had. ^^; God.
Anyway, I don’t know how this relationship happened but for some reason it all made perfect sense while reading it. This was intense, passionate, revelling in its mushiness and making fun of itself, and all the while retaining a hint of the real, enough to not discard it as complete fluff, or anything. A nicely written book with a smattering of depth. The copy-editing, if there was any at all, clearly had been rushed though.
Ah. Seriously, this was awesome. So lovely. Even the sex scenes (and I could have done with less there at the end) still conveyed something unique to those two guys and made surprising sense, considering their predispositions.
Oh yes. So worth reading the previous book to get to this one. Despite really needing a good round of proofreading, this is one of those deeply satisfying super-fluffy fluff things. Just pure happiness.
Or rather, the perfect balance between the funny (Josh’s internal monologue glorious) and the emotionally intense – all the mushiness and extreme loving but in a way that can feel deliciously good if you let it.
Something I truly enjoyed here was that lack of rage against the characters.
People, including our protagonists, did stupid things which acerbated bad situations. Quite a lot actually. But it never made me want to yell at them. It felt like the stuff people do, for whatever momentary reason, so the apologizing and grovelling or whatever followed worked for me. This is a great example of the right way to employ character faults as plot drivers. I was not always happy with people’s actions, but never irritated, and the payoff invariably was great.
Also, as much as the triad didn’t do it for me in the previous volume, they worked a lot better as background characters here. Especially Evan collected lots of points. But really, these two books are one story, which on the one hand is a pity since it forces me to push through the first part every time I want to enjoy the second, but on the other hand extends the story.
I do remember that a lot of the themes and pairing types we’ve seen thus far in the series are going to repeat from now on (maybe have started already). At the moment I feel fine with that, but if it ever becomes too much, hey! Taking a break should fix that. I think I’m going to like at least the next one as well. After that, I don’t remember as clearly as one would think. But oh yes, torture and horrible abuse coming up soon.
2011 Review:
Oh my. Yep. This really needed to be read together with the previous one. I suppose it makes up for having to sludge through that. This was Josh’s book. Totally. At least for the first half or so, when Nick became an equal partner. But I was laughing so hard there, dear god. XD That horrible, horrible day Josh had. ^^; God.
Anyway, I don’t know how this relationship happened but for some reason it all made perfect sense while reading it. This was intense, passionate, revelling in its mushiness and making fun of itself, and all the while retaining a hint of the real, enough to not discard it as complete fluff, or anything. A nicely written book with a smattering of depth. The copy-editing, if there was any at all, clearly had been rushed though.
Ah. Seriously, this was awesome. So lovely. Even the sex scenes (and I could have done with less there at the end) still conveyed something unique to those two guys and made surprising sense, considering their predispositions.
May 15, 2012
4 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Josh is a nurse who will do anything to protect his family, even if it means keeping secrets from them. When he figures out the truth about Nick he is really not pleased. Nick wants to know more about his half-siblings but he can’t contact them directly so he comes up with a plan. A plan to get close to Josh and find out about them, his main problem though is he’s not gay.
I had mixed feelings about this at first when I learned that Nick was straight but the more we get to know him and how he was brought up and his reaction to Josh the better I felt about it. I felt really sorry for Josh and the way he was treated by his brothers, Justin and Nick. But Nick redeemed himself nicely though I can’t say the same for Justin. Josh had to go through a lot of angst before things worked out for him and Nick had a lot of soul-searching to do as well.
These two MCs had a lot of angst for different reasons. Nick because he only inherited as his father, Ian Calhoun, wanted to hurt his other two children, his mother’s attitude towards him and the stipulations in the will, when all he wants is to know his brother and sister. Josh because he feels used by Nick and he is also keeping secrets from Annabelle and Rory about who Nick is. We see quite a few misunderstandings on both sides before they eventually sort themselves out.
I would recommend this book to those who like strong characters, hot men, hot sex, angst and a well written story.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Josh is a nurse who will do anything to protect his family, even if it means keeping secrets from them. When he figures out the truth about Nick he is really not pleased. Nick wants to know more about his half-siblings but he can’t contact them directly so he comes up with a plan. A plan to get close to Josh and find out about them, his main problem though is he’s not gay.
I had mixed feelings about this at first when I learned that Nick was straight but the more we get to know him and how he was brought up and his reaction to Josh the better I felt about it. I felt really sorry for Josh and the way he was treated by his brothers, Justin and Nick. But Nick redeemed himself nicely though I can’t say the same for Justin. Josh had to go through a lot of angst before things worked out for him and Nick had a lot of soul-searching to do as well.
These two MCs had a lot of angst for different reasons. Nick because he only inherited as his father, Ian Calhoun, wanted to hurt his other two children, his mother’s attitude towards him and the stipulations in the will, when all he wants is to know his brother and sister. Josh because he feels used by Nick and he is also keeping secrets from Annabelle and Rory about who Nick is. We see quite a few misunderstandings on both sides before they eventually sort themselves out.
I would recommend this book to those who like strong characters, hot men, hot sex, angst and a well written story.
January 16, 2019
Since I didn't read the previous installments, my rating may not be a fair one. I believe that most of the secondary characters were the subjects of the first three novels. I didn't love the story, but it was definitely hot with dollops of cuteness interspersed throughout. However, I wasn't taken with those previously mentioned secondary characters, so I don't believe I'll be reading further.
September 27, 2019
Well, after five months of waiting to write my review on this one, it proved to be too much time. This clearly didn’t register with me as a plus or minus, so I’m going down the middle with my rating since I’m sure I enjoyed it, but didn’t have enough lasting memories (other than the pink penguin scrubs) to warrant more than that.
April 17, 2018
People lose their tempers or have a short fuse but when all of the characters hit first and barely think at all it’s time to add some anger management training. It’s not sexy when adults act like toddlers.
September 13, 2011
I'm thinking that this angst filled story is my new series favorite. I liked Josh when he was introduced previously but getting to know more about him and watching him grow and mature was nice. And while the story progresss we also got to see more of his sister Annabelle and her two lovers Evan and Justin. She wove these other characters into the story seamlessly, adding depth to the story and showing growth of all the relationships. Then there's Nick who can't even decide if he's gay but knows he wants Josh like he needs his next breath. The poor man is so confused.
Needless to say,there's a lot going on with this story but Ms. Bradford skillfully wove all the threads together and come out on the other end with a believable and heartwarming story. I like this couple and hope to see more of them in the future. Enjoy.
Needless to say,there's a lot going on with this story but Ms. Bradford skillfully wove all the threads together and come out on the other end with a believable and heartwarming story. I like this couple and hope to see more of them in the future. Enjoy.
June 15, 2012
Josh is a sweetie and while Nick didn't grab me as much I did like their story. I've got to go back and read book 2 since I skipped it somehow although I'm going to pass on book 3 due to the m/f/m storyline.
March 30, 2012
I was rooting for Josh from the first time he showed up in this series. I'm so glad he got his own book! Nick was a guy in need of emotional healing and Nurse Josh was the perfect healer. I loved how Nick couldn't seem to stop himself from gravitating right to Josh every time.
September 6, 2011
Definitely one of my favorites...I absolutely adored Josh and everything about his character.
August 24, 2011
Great story. Skipped Bend, not a menage fan but didn't fell liked I'd missed too much and it didn't impact my enjoyment of Nick and Josh's story.
November 12, 2011
This is a gay for you story, funny and sweet.
July 8, 2014
Just finished, and I have to say this is my favorite until now - loved Josh and after Nick made up his mind I came to love him too.
November 12, 2013
Josh is the kind of guy a person wants as a friend. It was fun watching this pink and penguin-loving guy go after the man he wants.
September 28, 2016
3 stars
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews