What do you think?
London Love #1.5
Exhale
What do you do when your relationship falls apart? Well, you bury yourself in a deep hole of grief, one you have so carelessly dug for yourself. Jamie Walters needs to find a way out of the mess his life has become, but the way forward is not as straight as he thought it would have been. What's the point anyway? Women are off the menu but Jamie still wants the entire textbook fairy-tale. The romantic dates and the flowers and holding hands in the dark, and Grindr certainly isn't the place to find your happily ever after...
Catch up with Jamie and the rest of the Walters family in this sweet little insta-love fairy-tale where Jamie finally gets his happily ever after, Originally published as part of the Love is All Anthology, Exhale has been reedited and extended to the quirky little fairy-tale it was always meant to be.
London Love 1.5
Exhale is a standalone novella but is best enjoyed after reading Breathe.
Trigger warnings: Brief mention of pregnancy loss.
Catch up with Jamie and the rest of the Walters family in this sweet little insta-love fairy-tale where Jamie finally gets his happily ever after, Originally published as part of the Love is All Anthology, Exhale has been reedited and extended to the quirky little fairy-tale it was always meant to be.
London Love 1.5
Exhale is a standalone novella but is best enjoyed after reading Breathe.
Trigger warnings: Brief mention of pregnancy loss.
Unknown Binding
About the author
Sophia Soames
39 books249 followersAuthor of Contemporary M/M romance with all the feels. This is where flawed men discover happy endings, in truly European fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 12, 2021
BREATHE was the first book I read by Sophia Soames and I was really overwhelmed with feelings and with how much I loved her writing, the way she unfolds a story. I loved the characters and how the author described their feelings and inner world.
So when I got the opportunity to read an ARC of this novella, I immediately took it. And I haven't got any regrets.
This is a beautifully told, sweet story about Jamie Walters, Luke Walters' twin, who wants to find real love. To find somebody to love and someone who will love him. Someone he feels comfortable with, someone he can share his life with. And even though this was very much insta love (and that's a trope I usually dislike), it was written in a way that I surprisingly did not mind the insta love like at all! On the contrary - I thought it was sweet and touchy and it felt very organic!
I really fell in love with Jamie and Leo - they were so sweet together! They were just perfect and I loved seeing how Leo easily fitted into the Walter's family - that strange, loving family that takes care of each other and that welcomes every new member with open arms. I loved seeing Olive again, loved seeing Luke and Ryan.
This novella is best enjoyed after you read Breathe, and I highly recommend.
I kindly received an ARC from Gay book promotions and this is my voluntary, unbiased review
So when I got the opportunity to read an ARC of this novella, I immediately took it. And I haven't got any regrets.
This is a beautifully told, sweet story about Jamie Walters, Luke Walters' twin, who wants to find real love. To find somebody to love and someone who will love him. Someone he feels comfortable with, someone he can share his life with. And even though this was very much insta love (and that's a trope I usually dislike), it was written in a way that I surprisingly did not mind the insta love like at all! On the contrary - I thought it was sweet and touchy and it felt very organic!
I really fell in love with Jamie and Leo - they were so sweet together! They were just perfect and I loved seeing how Leo easily fitted into the Walter's family - that strange, loving family that takes care of each other and that welcomes every new member with open arms. I loved seeing Olive again, loved seeing Luke and Ryan.
This novella is best enjoyed after you read Breathe, and I highly recommend.
I kindly received an ARC from Gay book promotions and this is my voluntary, unbiased review
October 27, 2024
This was really cute, and love at first meeting. I think some would say it was totally unrealistic, but for me it felt normal / possible, because I've definitely been in the situation where you meet someone and you just know straight away and ignore all the 'rules' about how long every stage of your relationship should take 😂
Jamie and Leo are both so anxious about finding their person, they both struggle with self-esteem and overthink things, and they fall for each other so quickly. I loved the way Leo had interview questions on hand for a potential boyfriend, I loved how they were both going to hookups but failing to go through with them because they were really looking for a boyfriend and not to be used for sex. They were both neurotic but they fit together so well, their values really aligned, and they felt right for each other straight away.
I also liked the three week period where they were apart because they were both overthinking and both thought they'd scared the other off 😂 I'd love to be part of this group of characters because they're all so friendly and warm - it feels like a big hug!
The way Leo just packs his stuff though, including his cat, and rocks up on Jamie's doorstep not even knowing if they were still even a thing was so cute, maybe a little unhinged, but it really fit for the Walters family! The way everyone instantly adopts him into the family was so cute too and I'm going to miss these characters if they don't pop up in the rest of the series.
Jamie and Leo are both so anxious about finding their person, they both struggle with self-esteem and overthink things, and they fall for each other so quickly. I loved the way Leo had interview questions on hand for a potential boyfriend, I loved how they were both going to hookups but failing to go through with them because they were really looking for a boyfriend and not to be used for sex. They were both neurotic but they fit together so well, their values really aligned, and they felt right for each other straight away.
I also liked the three week period where they were apart because they were both overthinking and both thought they'd scared the other off 😂 I'd love to be part of this group of characters because they're all so friendly and warm - it feels like a big hug!
The way Leo just packs his stuff though, including his cat, and rocks up on Jamie's doorstep not even knowing if they were still even a thing was so cute, maybe a little unhinged, but it really fit for the Walters family! The way everyone instantly adopts him into the family was so cute too and I'm going to miss these characters if they don't pop up in the rest of the series.
Read
October 28, 2021Lovely, Sophia. A sweet story about two absolute poppets! Everything I needed this week, and looking forward to the next one. xxx
October 11, 2021
Sophia Soames has a way of digging deep into the feelings even when writing a sweet, low-angst story on the shorter side. Jamie and Leo are great characters, both looking for their “forever after” and that fairy tale love. Both of them long for a forever kind of love so much and yet they are both scared to believe they have found it so easily.
Adorable, sweet and quirky!
Adorable, sweet and quirky!
November 2, 2021
Sophia Soames allows us to dip our toes back into her London Love universe in her novella, Exhale. Exhale introduces us to Jamie and Leo, two men desperate for a fairy tale romance in a world that tells them that happily ever after is for everyone else.
They meet up on Grindr and have an instantaneous connection, one that burns hot and bright. There is not a lot of tension between these two men, despite the stuff that they work up in their own heads. It is a cute and quick story about instalove and making your happily ever after.
There are a few things I would've liked to see more of: their relationship is a big one. I think I would've loved to see more of the growing pains that were referenced in the book, but unfortunately the novella format does not allow for that. I would've liked to get to know a little more about the characters as well, because Soames writes such amazing and beautiful characters that always leave me wanting to know more about them.
I loved seeing the rest of Jamie's siblings again. I loved seeing all of the beautiful and bright characters from Breathe and getting the quick update on Luke and Ryan from book one.
This book is very low angst and a lovely quick read. It can be read as a standalone, but I think you'll find a lot more enjoyment if you've read book one of the series.
They meet up on Grindr and have an instantaneous connection, one that burns hot and bright. There is not a lot of tension between these two men, despite the stuff that they work up in their own heads. It is a cute and quick story about instalove and making your happily ever after.
There are a few things I would've liked to see more of: their relationship is a big one. I think I would've loved to see more of the growing pains that were referenced in the book, but unfortunately the novella format does not allow for that. I would've liked to get to know a little more about the characters as well, because Soames writes such amazing and beautiful characters that always leave me wanting to know more about them.
I loved seeing the rest of Jamie's siblings again. I loved seeing all of the beautiful and bright characters from Breathe and getting the quick update on Luke and Ryan from book one.
This book is very low angst and a lovely quick read. It can be read as a standalone, but I think you'll find a lot more enjoyment if you've read book one of the series.
October 25, 2021
Plain and simple, I loved the story! The writing, the characters, the overall feel were just right! Another great title from this author.
July 18, 2023
Novella 1.5 (Exhale)
This is a short follow up novella about Jaime Walters, twin brother of Luke from ‘Exhale’ Book 1 of London Love series.
Jaime and his girlfriend Kizzy had been together for a while and were expecting a baby which they were so happy about. Unfortunately they were devastated when something went wrong. The disappointment and stress took its toll on Jaime and Kizzy and they eventually decided they weren’t meant for each other. They still remained best friends.
Before he met Kizzy, Jaime had a string of girlfriends, none lasted long and he felt a bit ambiguous about his sexuality, not quite fitting into any of the common labels, gay, bi, pan. Now he wants to find out and has been looking on Grindr for awhile but hadn’t found anyone he wanted to meet.
Until now. He agreed to meet up with a guy around his own age, 24, a student at local Uni, Leo Jacques Leblond. They meet on the platform of the train station and both of them relaxed within minutes, feeling the tension and nerves drop away.
These are two surprisingly sappy guys, one feels like a Prince and he’s found his Princeling. Oh, plus a cat named Hulk. Can they each be what the other is looking for?
Recommend reading ‘Breathe’ Book 1 before this novella, just to get the background on where Jaime is coming from.
I want to compliment the artist who designed the covers for this ‘London Love’ Series, so much emotion is conveyed in the drawings. More appealing than the usual posed models on many MM books.
This is a short follow up novella about Jaime Walters, twin brother of Luke from ‘Exhale’ Book 1 of London Love series.
Jaime and his girlfriend Kizzy had been together for a while and were expecting a baby which they were so happy about. Unfortunately they were devastated when something went wrong. The disappointment and stress took its toll on Jaime and Kizzy and they eventually decided they weren’t meant for each other. They still remained best friends.
Before he met Kizzy, Jaime had a string of girlfriends, none lasted long and he felt a bit ambiguous about his sexuality, not quite fitting into any of the common labels, gay, bi, pan. Now he wants to find out and has been looking on Grindr for awhile but hadn’t found anyone he wanted to meet.
Until now. He agreed to meet up with a guy around his own age, 24, a student at local Uni, Leo Jacques Leblond. They meet on the platform of the train station and both of them relaxed within minutes, feeling the tension and nerves drop away.
These are two surprisingly sappy guys, one feels like a Prince and he’s found his Princeling. Oh, plus a cat named Hulk. Can they each be what the other is looking for?
Recommend reading ‘Breathe’ Book 1 before this novella, just to get the background on where Jaime is coming from.
I want to compliment the artist who designed the covers for this ‘London Love’ Series, so much emotion is conveyed in the drawings. More appealing than the usual posed models on many MM books.
October 26, 2021
Exhale is a quirky story, just like it’s stars, Jamie and Leo. They both want the fairytale, which is exactly how this book plays out, with talk of princes and knights and dragons.
We met Jamie as Luke’s twin brother in Breathe. Based on Jamie's age – almost twenty-four – this novella occurs at the end of Breathe before the two epilogues that total four years. Not all the events line up quite right, but that’s not a big deal. It seems Sophia Soames must have decided to write Exhale after completing Breathe so some details had to be changed, like Jamie's relationship with his girlfriend, Kizzy.
Jamie is an impulsive, intense guy who feels deeply. He senses that he’s never quite fit in although he craves it. He wants to fit into a box that gives him an identity beyond brother. Now that his siblings (with the exception of twelve-year-old Olive) have all paired up, he laments that he hasn’t met his one true love yet. He wants his happy ending. His most recent relationship with Kizzy ended on a devastating note, but they’re still the best of friends. However, Jamie still mourns for the type of future they could’ve had.
He needs a break from women so he’s on Grindr looking for a hookup. Since he’s trying to find “his person”, it may not be the logical choice. He’s always known he was bi, but has been too scared to act on his attraction to men … until now. Jamie swipes right on Leo, a funny, flirty, very lonely student. He's looking for a soulmate, too, someone to love and share his life with. Dates, hookups, relationships – nothing has worked for Leo. Men have called him needy, demanding, and controlling. He’s a nervous wreck when he meets Jamie; in fact, they’re both a mess of nerves. They’re so much alike, I can’t imagine how they could be successful together – both neurotic and astoundingly insecure.
Questionable things to say to your hookup shortly after meeting them: “I want someone like you,” he said, echoing my thoughts. The desperate edge to a voice made me want to cry. “Someone who will look at me like you just did and then fucking love me forever.” As you can see, Exhale is insta-love on steroids, which is never my cup of tea. Within an hour or two of meeting each other, they're exchanging I Love You and begging each other to stay together forever. It’s all just a little odd with the fairytale imaginings and wildly over the top proclamations. I love sweet, fluffy romances, but this one is too saccharine for my taste.
ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
We met Jamie as Luke’s twin brother in Breathe. Based on Jamie's age – almost twenty-four – this novella occurs at the end of Breathe before the two epilogues that total four years. Not all the events line up quite right, but that’s not a big deal. It seems Sophia Soames must have decided to write Exhale after completing Breathe so some details had to be changed, like Jamie's relationship with his girlfriend, Kizzy.
Jamie is an impulsive, intense guy who feels deeply. He senses that he’s never quite fit in although he craves it. He wants to fit into a box that gives him an identity beyond brother. Now that his siblings (with the exception of twelve-year-old Olive) have all paired up, he laments that he hasn’t met his one true love yet. He wants his happy ending. His most recent relationship with Kizzy ended on a devastating note, but they’re still the best of friends. However, Jamie still mourns for the type of future they could’ve had.
He needs a break from women so he’s on Grindr looking for a hookup. Since he’s trying to find “his person”, it may not be the logical choice. He’s always known he was bi, but has been too scared to act on his attraction to men … until now. Jamie swipes right on Leo, a funny, flirty, very lonely student. He's looking for a soulmate, too, someone to love and share his life with. Dates, hookups, relationships – nothing has worked for Leo. Men have called him needy, demanding, and controlling. He’s a nervous wreck when he meets Jamie; in fact, they’re both a mess of nerves. They’re so much alike, I can’t imagine how they could be successful together – both neurotic and astoundingly insecure.
Questionable things to say to your hookup shortly after meeting them: “I want someone like you,” he said, echoing my thoughts. The desperate edge to a voice made me want to cry. “Someone who will look at me like you just did and then fucking love me forever.” As you can see, Exhale is insta-love on steroids, which is never my cup of tea. Within an hour or two of meeting each other, they're exchanging I Love You and begging each other to stay together forever. It’s all just a little odd with the fairytale imaginings and wildly over the top proclamations. I love sweet, fluffy romances, but this one is too saccharine for my taste.
ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2021
This book has been provided for free by the author. The review below has also been published on Rainbow Book Reviews.
I think I wrote once that I was no big fan of novellas because, in general, I found them either too short (often suffering from a lack of plot and character development) or too long (as compared to short stories, which follow their own rules). They are hybrids I couldn’t really warm up to. Well, please consider me corrected, atoned, redeemed. Because after this masterful novella written by Sophia Soames, I might just change my mind. And if I don’t, I at least can unashamedly admit I not only dug this one—I outright loved it.
Plot-wise, imagine a Grindr hook-up going awfully (and at the same time wonderfully) wrong. Jamie Walters, whom I have already encountered in book one of the London Love series (he is the main character Luke’s twin brother), has split up with his girlfriend some time ago. They’ve remained best friends, but he has the impression something is missing in his life. And at twenty-three, he starts being afraid he’ll never ever meet his other half, never ever find happiness. His friends, though, tell him to stop moping and to enjoy being young, enjoy London, enjoy life instead. That’s why, on a whim, he opens a Grindr account—he wants to find out what the slightly queer side of his personality could offer him. But each time he is about to meet one of the guys who contact him, he chickens out at the last moment. In fact, he realizes that what he wants and needs is not (only) an honest and good shag. No, he wants so much more: to be held, and hugged, and kissed, and told that he is loved, that he is someone’s Prince Charming. And he wants to pour the full load of love he has inside on someone, too.
So, maybe, Grindr is not the best option right now… Yet, when Leo messages him with loads of strange emojis, he feels something stir inside. After exchanging several texts on Grindr, the two young men finally decide it’s time to meet and, well, hook up (the ultimate goal of any Grindr contact, after all). And when they meet… nothing goes according to the unwritten Grindr-script. No short debate about who tops, who bottoms, and where they should go, but two young guys who upon seeing each other recognize something of themselves in the other person, open their hearts, and spill out, helter-skelter, all the chaotic, messy, inavowable contents they’ve stacked up inside. Loneliness, fear, hopes of love and romantic scenes, all put on the table (literally—they have coffee in a café) in less than half an hour. And inexorably, when two souls show themselves unashamedly in all their beauty and glory, what follows is one of the first believable insta-love stories I’ve ever read.
Does the plot sound weird? Does it sound unrealistic? It probably is. Do you dislike insta-love stories as much as I (normally) do? You’ll be in good hands. Trust the author. Because, once again, Sophia Soames pulls it off. Magistrally. With her trademark messy yet mature-despite-their-young-age characters (spoiler alert: the newcomer Leo therefore blends in perfectly with the rest of the messy Walters family in the end), light (and yet profound) banter, meaningful, nigh soulful messages delivered during a first meeting, with honesty, tenderness, and a sense for creating warm, fuzzy feelings in the reader’s chest (in mine, at least, she did), Sophia has written yet another story where I couldn’t help but sighing again and again, “Aw! So cute!”
Recommended (don’t miss out on the first book of the series, ‘Breathe’), and you’re welcome. Now, I’m sorry, but I’m off to read London Love book two.
I think I wrote once that I was no big fan of novellas because, in general, I found them either too short (often suffering from a lack of plot and character development) or too long (as compared to short stories, which follow their own rules). They are hybrids I couldn’t really warm up to. Well, please consider me corrected, atoned, redeemed. Because after this masterful novella written by Sophia Soames, I might just change my mind. And if I don’t, I at least can unashamedly admit I not only dug this one—I outright loved it.
Plot-wise, imagine a Grindr hook-up going awfully (and at the same time wonderfully) wrong. Jamie Walters, whom I have already encountered in book one of the London Love series (he is the main character Luke’s twin brother), has split up with his girlfriend some time ago. They’ve remained best friends, but he has the impression something is missing in his life. And at twenty-three, he starts being afraid he’ll never ever meet his other half, never ever find happiness. His friends, though, tell him to stop moping and to enjoy being young, enjoy London, enjoy life instead. That’s why, on a whim, he opens a Grindr account—he wants to find out what the slightly queer side of his personality could offer him. But each time he is about to meet one of the guys who contact him, he chickens out at the last moment. In fact, he realizes that what he wants and needs is not (only) an honest and good shag. No, he wants so much more: to be held, and hugged, and kissed, and told that he is loved, that he is someone’s Prince Charming. And he wants to pour the full load of love he has inside on someone, too.
So, maybe, Grindr is not the best option right now… Yet, when Leo messages him with loads of strange emojis, he feels something stir inside. After exchanging several texts on Grindr, the two young men finally decide it’s time to meet and, well, hook up (the ultimate goal of any Grindr contact, after all). And when they meet… nothing goes according to the unwritten Grindr-script. No short debate about who tops, who bottoms, and where they should go, but two young guys who upon seeing each other recognize something of themselves in the other person, open their hearts, and spill out, helter-skelter, all the chaotic, messy, inavowable contents they’ve stacked up inside. Loneliness, fear, hopes of love and romantic scenes, all put on the table (literally—they have coffee in a café) in less than half an hour. And inexorably, when two souls show themselves unashamedly in all their beauty and glory, what follows is one of the first believable insta-love stories I’ve ever read.
Does the plot sound weird? Does it sound unrealistic? It probably is. Do you dislike insta-love stories as much as I (normally) do? You’ll be in good hands. Trust the author. Because, once again, Sophia Soames pulls it off. Magistrally. With her trademark messy yet mature-despite-their-young-age characters (spoiler alert: the newcomer Leo therefore blends in perfectly with the rest of the messy Walters family in the end), light (and yet profound) banter, meaningful, nigh soulful messages delivered during a first meeting, with honesty, tenderness, and a sense for creating warm, fuzzy feelings in the reader’s chest (in mine, at least, she did), Sophia has written yet another story where I couldn’t help but sighing again and again, “Aw! So cute!”
Recommended (don’t miss out on the first book of the series, ‘Breathe’), and you’re welcome. Now, I’m sorry, but I’m off to read London Love book two.
January 18, 2024
Exhale by Sophia Soames is a short but explosive read from the London Love universe and I was so happy to read Jamie's story. 💙
We know him as Luke's twin from book one and his sexual awakining in this novella is all I could wish for him after all the struggles he went through to finally find his real self.
The missing piece of the jigsaw is Leo, who has basically given up finding love - but had rethink everything asap because he is immediately blown away by Jamie.
And you get this insta-love kind falling in love moment, in front of a coffe and a coke, and yeah, it's the moments that reminds you that love can be so beautiful.
They were completely wiped away from the first second they meet and I usually do not fully enjoy this kind of stories. But in this case, Sophia Soames was able to add complexity and this deep nuance of honest feelings on the pages and I really enoyed this read and I can only recomend you this book. 💙
Exhale, London Love #1.5 - Sophia Soames
Read Breathe fiest to fully enjoy this novella!
We know him as Luke's twin from book one and his sexual awakining in this novella is all I could wish for him after all the struggles he went through to finally find his real self.
The missing piece of the jigsaw is Leo, who has basically given up finding love - but had rethink everything asap because he is immediately blown away by Jamie.
And you get this insta-love kind falling in love moment, in front of a coffe and a coke, and yeah, it's the moments that reminds you that love can be so beautiful.
They were completely wiped away from the first second they meet and I usually do not fully enjoy this kind of stories. But in this case, Sophia Soames was able to add complexity and this deep nuance of honest feelings on the pages and I really enoyed this read and I can only recomend you this book. 💙
Exhale, London Love #1.5 - Sophia Soames
Read Breathe fiest to fully enjoy this novella!
October 26, 2021
C'est bien ce que je pensais l'esprit de S. Soames est wow. Je n'ai pas mots.
Une belle histoire de tendresse, un beau conte de fée avec une famille rêvée et aucunement le besoin de se définir dans une catégorie ou orientation sexuelle.
Juste celui de prendre des risques, faire preuve de courage et d'accepter d'aimer son alter ego pour qui il est .
Bravo, maintenant je sais quoi mettre dans ma lettre à l'Univers.
Merci Sophia pour ce cadeau.
Ai-je dit que je n'avais jamais autant ri ? 🤭
_____
That's what I thought the mind of S. Soames is wow. I have no words.
A beautiful story of tenderness, a beautiful fairy tale with a dream family and no need to define oneself in a category or sexual orientation.
Just the need of taking risks, showing courage and accepting to love his alter ego for who he is.
Well done, now I know what to put in my letter to the Universe.
Thank you Sophia for this gift.
Did I forget to say how hilarious this story was ? 🤭
Une belle histoire de tendresse, un beau conte de fée avec une famille rêvée et aucunement le besoin de se définir dans une catégorie ou orientation sexuelle.
Juste celui de prendre des risques, faire preuve de courage et d'accepter d'aimer son alter ego pour qui il est .
Bravo, maintenant je sais quoi mettre dans ma lettre à l'Univers.
Merci Sophia pour ce cadeau.
Ai-je dit que je n'avais jamais autant ri ? 🤭
_____
That's what I thought the mind of S. Soames is wow. I have no words.
A beautiful story of tenderness, a beautiful fairy tale with a dream family and no need to define oneself in a category or sexual orientation.
Just the need of taking risks, showing courage and accepting to love his alter ego for who he is.
Well done, now I know what to put in my letter to the Universe.
Thank you Sophia for this gift.
Did I forget to say how hilarious this story was ? 🤭
October 25, 2021
This was unbelievably sweet and lovely and just such a good read for me. It's a story of trust earned and unexpected love that comes slowly to those that need and deserve it.
I just love everything about this book. Beautiful elements, endearing and real characters, so many thoughtful moments between Jamie and Leo as they explore their relationship and future.
From poignant to adorable to funny to sexy, Exhale was a delight from start to finish.
I just love everything about this book. Beautiful elements, endearing and real characters, so many thoughtful moments between Jamie and Leo as they explore their relationship and future.
From poignant to adorable to funny to sexy, Exhale was a delight from start to finish.
October 30, 2021
It's amazing how many feelings are packed into this short work. Jamie and Leo find each other at just the right time in both their lives and their jagged, broken pieces fit together just like a jigsaw puzzle. It is always great to see any of the characters from Breathe again as well.
October 19, 2021
Jamie and Leo are so cute together! At first they are both insecure, but they fall in love instantly and find their places in each other's lives. It's the first gay relationship for Jamie, but he is so exited to get to know that part of himself.
If you have read Breathe, Jamie is the twin brother of Luke. The whole Walters family is back and they are still chaotic and awesome! Sophia really knows how to write amazing families, who support all the people around them.
I read the book in one go, you don't want to put it away when you start!
If you have read Breathe, Jamie is the twin brother of Luke. The whole Walters family is back and they are still chaotic and awesome! Sophia really knows how to write amazing families, who support all the people around them.
I read the book in one go, you don't want to put it away when you start!
October 21, 2021
Aww, Jamie and Leo were just so adorable 💕 This insta love story was really sweet and written in Sophia's usual quirky style. We met Jamie in the first book of this series and I was delighted to read this novella about Jamie finding love. To some extend Jamie and Leo are different but they are both insecure. Some funny parts but I adored reading this sweet story 💜
October 21, 2021
I love the characters thar Sophia writes. These two were absolutely adorable. They were quirky and fun. Seeing all the characters together feels like home. This was a quick read and a nice fit in the series.
October 12, 2021
Sometimes it doesn't take a tome to tell everything that needs to be said. Exhale is a jewel of a book, a story of love borne of need and necessity. From the first chapter, I was in love with the language and the journey of these two beautifully flawed men who sought completion in each other. I was also captivated by the marvelous Walters clan once again. I'm going to go back and re-read Breathe (which you really do want to read first). Thank you, Sophia, for this delectable morsel!!!
October 11, 2021
From the first page I was drawn into this beautiful, sweet story! Both Jamie and Leo are longing for a relationship and to be loved and cherished. I fell so in love with their love!
This is a sweet, low angst story with a cherry on the top, and I adore the way Sophia wrote this story. So well written, and with amazing characters! Hot sex scenes are always a big plus in my opinion, and it’s written with lots of feels.
Highly recommend this, can’t wait to read the next.
This is a sweet, low angst story with a cherry on the top, and I adore the way Sophia wrote this story. So well written, and with amazing characters! Hot sex scenes are always a big plus in my opinion, and it’s written with lots of feels.
Highly recommend this, can’t wait to read the next.
October 23, 2021
Leo and Jamie’s intensity and connection make the story work as a standalone, but a better understanding of Jamie’s family and the HEA he and Leo build in lighting-short time can be found by reading the first book in this series, so if you haven’t already, I highly recommend it! I loved the way this story makes readers feel for both Leo and Jamie, and how very very intensely they want to find love, and someone too love. They fit together beautifully, instantaneously, and it’s clearly a love-at-first-sight situation, which is powerful enough, but I think the real beauty of the story comes when both of them start doubting, in spite or perhaps because of how much they want their own hopes and dreams of each other to pan out, that they can work. That they make it past these doubts, in true heroic fashion (There’s a quest. And a cat. Always take the cat on the quest), just makes the whole story that much sweeter.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2024
5 stars
Too insta love but I really loved this! Since Jamie appeared in Breathe, I hoped for a (bi)sexual awakening for him: when I read that this novella was about him, I had to start it immediately after Breathe.
Leo and Jamie are so much sweet, adorable, tender, sexy and clingy to each other. I adored their first meeting/date, their reunion and their first time. It was a swoony fairy tale!
I have to mention Jamie's ex girlfriend as one of the most supportive, non meddling best friend ever. Her relationship with his ex-boyfriend was not diminished after Jamie's sexual awakening and she was very nice with Leo too.
You can technically read this as standalone (but you will miss Jamie's big messy family), especially if you need something sweet and adorable.
Too insta love but I really loved this! Since Jamie appeared in Breathe, I hoped for a (bi)sexual awakening for him: when I read that this novella was about him, I had to start it immediately after Breathe.
Leo and Jamie are so much sweet, adorable, tender, sexy and clingy to each other. I adored their first meeting/date, their reunion and their first time. It was a swoony fairy tale!
I have to mention Jamie's ex girlfriend as one of the most supportive, non meddling best friend ever. Her relationship with his ex-boyfriend was not diminished after Jamie's sexual awakening and she was very nice with Leo too.
You can technically read this as standalone (but you will miss Jamie's big messy family), especially if you need something sweet and adorable.
Read
March 13, 2026I think I wrote once that I was no big fan of novellas because, in general, I found them either too short (often suffering from a lack of plot and character development) or too long (as compared to short stories, which follow their own rules). They are hybrids I couldn’t really warm up to. Well, please consider me corrected, atoned, redeemed. Because after this masterful novella written by Sophia Soames, I might just change my mind. And if I don’t, I at least can unashamedly admit I not only dug this one—I outright loved it.
Plot-wise, imagine a Grindr hook-up going awfully (and at the same time wonderfully) wrong. Jamie Walters, whom I have already encountered in book one of the London Love series (he is the main character Luke’s twin brother), has split up with his girlfriend some time ago. They’ve remained best friends, but he has the impression something is missing in his life. And at twenty-three, he starts being afraid he’ll never ever meet his other half, never ever find happiness. His friends, though, tell him to stop moping and to enjoy being young, enjoy London, enjoy life instead. That’s why, on a whim, he opens a Grindr account—he wants to find out what the slightly queer side of his personality could offer him. But each time he is about to meet one of the guys who contact him, he chickens out at the last moment. In fact, he realizes that what he wants and needs is not (only) an honest and good shag. No, he wants so much more: to be held, and hugged, and kissed, and told that he is loved, that he is someone’s Prince Charming. And he wants to pour the full load of love he has inside on someone, too.
So, maybe, Grindr is not the best option right now… Yet, when Leo messages him with loads of strange emojis, he feels something stir inside. After exchanging several texts on Grindr, the two young men finally decide it’s time to meet and, well, hook up (the ultimate goal of any Grindr contact, after all). And when they meet… nothing goes according to the unwritten Grindr-script. No short debate about who tops, who bottoms, and where they should go, but two young guys who upon seeing each other recognize something of themselves in the other person, open their hearts, and spill out, helter-skelter, all the chaotic, messy, inavowable contents they’ve stacked up inside. Loneliness, fear, hopes of love and romantic scenes, all put on the table (literally—they have coffee in a café) in less than half an hour. And inexorably, when two souls show themselves unashamedly in all their beauty and glory, what follows is one of the first believable insta-love stories I’ve ever read.
Does the plot sound weird? Does it sound unrealistic? It probably is. Do you dislike insta-love stories as much as I (normally) do? You’ll be in good hands. Trust the author. Because, once again, Sophia Soames pulls it off. Magistrally. With her trademark messy yet mature-despite-their-young-age characters (spoiler alert: the newcomer Leo therefore blends in perfectly with the rest of the messy Walters family in the end), light (and yet profound) banter, meaningful, nigh soulful messages delivered during a first meeting, with honesty, tenderness, and a sense for creating warm, fuzzy feelings in the reader’s chest (in mine, at least, she did), Sophia has written yet another story where I couldn’t help but sighing again and again, “Aw! So cute!”
Recommended (don’t miss out on the first book of the series, ‘Breathe’), and you’re welcome. Now, I’m sorry, but I’m off to read London Love book two.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
Plot-wise, imagine a Grindr hook-up going awfully (and at the same time wonderfully) wrong. Jamie Walters, whom I have already encountered in book one of the London Love series (he is the main character Luke’s twin brother), has split up with his girlfriend some time ago. They’ve remained best friends, but he has the impression something is missing in his life. And at twenty-three, he starts being afraid he’ll never ever meet his other half, never ever find happiness. His friends, though, tell him to stop moping and to enjoy being young, enjoy London, enjoy life instead. That’s why, on a whim, he opens a Grindr account—he wants to find out what the slightly queer side of his personality could offer him. But each time he is about to meet one of the guys who contact him, he chickens out at the last moment. In fact, he realizes that what he wants and needs is not (only) an honest and good shag. No, he wants so much more: to be held, and hugged, and kissed, and told that he is loved, that he is someone’s Prince Charming. And he wants to pour the full load of love he has inside on someone, too.
So, maybe, Grindr is not the best option right now… Yet, when Leo messages him with loads of strange emojis, he feels something stir inside. After exchanging several texts on Grindr, the two young men finally decide it’s time to meet and, well, hook up (the ultimate goal of any Grindr contact, after all). And when they meet… nothing goes according to the unwritten Grindr-script. No short debate about who tops, who bottoms, and where they should go, but two young guys who upon seeing each other recognize something of themselves in the other person, open their hearts, and spill out, helter-skelter, all the chaotic, messy, inavowable contents they’ve stacked up inside. Loneliness, fear, hopes of love and romantic scenes, all put on the table (literally—they have coffee in a café) in less than half an hour. And inexorably, when two souls show themselves unashamedly in all their beauty and glory, what follows is one of the first believable insta-love stories I’ve ever read.
Does the plot sound weird? Does it sound unrealistic? It probably is. Do you dislike insta-love stories as much as I (normally) do? You’ll be in good hands. Trust the author. Because, once again, Sophia Soames pulls it off. Magistrally. With her trademark messy yet mature-despite-their-young-age characters (spoiler alert: the newcomer Leo therefore blends in perfectly with the rest of the messy Walters family in the end), light (and yet profound) banter, meaningful, nigh soulful messages delivered during a first meeting, with honesty, tenderness, and a sense for creating warm, fuzzy feelings in the reader’s chest (in mine, at least, she did), Sophia has written yet another story where I couldn’t help but sighing again and again, “Aw! So cute!”
Recommended (don’t miss out on the first book of the series, ‘Breathe’), and you’re welcome. Now, I’m sorry, but I’m off to read London Love book two.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
October 26, 2021
I adored every manic and beautiful second of this novella. This short story takes place after Breathe and centers around Luke's twin brother, Jamie. I absolutely loved him in the first book, but thought he had already found his forever person and was surprised by his reinforced single status.
Having known all of his life that he didn't fit into any of the prescribed sexuality boxes, Jamie decided to focus his renewed search for his fairytale ending on men. After a few failed attempts to connect through apps, he happened upon a sweet, quirky guy named Leo.
I am not a fan of insta-love by any means, but there was something about the way it was handled in this story that made it acceptable for me. Jamie and Leo wanted the same things and were so alike that it was almost as if they'd found kindred spirits in each other. It was really moving. I loved the tactile nature of their interactions and I love that this author is willing to write about awkward moments, insecurities and people who are less than perfect, but perfect for each other.
Jamie and Kizzy's friendship made me very happy. I might be generalizing, but I feel like there are a lot of gay relationships that easily transition to friendship when the romantic aspect doesn't work out, while straight relationships tend to just wither and die. What Jamie and Kizzy were able to maintain was really special and the way she treated Leo was incredibly kind.
It was so much fun getting to spend a little more time within the crazy, hectic walls of the Walters household. There was so much love packed into that tiny house on the wrong side of the tracks. What they shared was the epitome of biological family meets found family and it made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside.
Having known all of his life that he didn't fit into any of the prescribed sexuality boxes, Jamie decided to focus his renewed search for his fairytale ending on men. After a few failed attempts to connect through apps, he happened upon a sweet, quirky guy named Leo.
I am not a fan of insta-love by any means, but there was something about the way it was handled in this story that made it acceptable for me. Jamie and Leo wanted the same things and were so alike that it was almost as if they'd found kindred spirits in each other. It was really moving. I loved the tactile nature of their interactions and I love that this author is willing to write about awkward moments, insecurities and people who are less than perfect, but perfect for each other.
Jamie and Kizzy's friendship made me very happy. I might be generalizing, but I feel like there are a lot of gay relationships that easily transition to friendship when the romantic aspect doesn't work out, while straight relationships tend to just wither and die. What Jamie and Kizzy were able to maintain was really special and the way she treated Leo was incredibly kind.
It was so much fun getting to spend a little more time within the crazy, hectic walls of the Walters household. There was so much love packed into that tiny house on the wrong side of the tracks. What they shared was the epitome of biological family meets found family and it made me feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside.
January 9, 2022
1 Star for Leo !
Even though I didn’t like that he was the one who run to Jamie to fix things. Jamie was an ass for ghosting him for 3 weeks because he has stupid doubts.
This book is a mess, the MCs are a mess, the side characters are a mess. Everything in this book is a mess 😁
Jamie had a very long time girlfriend who is now his best friend (and practically lives with him and his brothers sisters and their partners) , they broke up after they lost the baby. Then he said he had many hook ups and relationships and he’s only 25 !!!
Honestly Leo deserved better than Jamie. The guy decided to be bi after his long time relationships with his ex girlfriend was over. He wanted to meet his soulmate, he use a hook up app for that.. All he wanted is have sex with a man to try and see if he’s really bi or gay or whatever.
Then he met Leo and after 15 min in a coffee shop he decided to be his boyfriend because he wanted someone like him. It’s not even insta love or insta lust, just a fucked up man who was still mourning the break up with his gf and wanting to try something new.
They went to Leo’s home, fucked for hours, he didn’t have any problem bottoming for the 1st time because he had anal sex with many girls :eye roll:
He made many promises to poor Leo than he was serious, he was never gonna let him him down and love him forever ( yep they talked about love that 1st and only night they met) then he kinda ghosted him for weeks and Leo was heartbroken.
But he was the one who run to “poor” Jamie and fixed things which is a pet peeve of mine since it wasn’t his fault and didn’t do anything to deserve that. And they decided to live happily together with all the family in the same house. Cute 😏
I skipped the 1st book and definitely won read the next one.
I don’t recommend
Even though I didn’t like that he was the one who run to Jamie to fix things. Jamie was an ass for ghosting him for 3 weeks because he has stupid doubts.
This book is a mess, the MCs are a mess, the side characters are a mess. Everything in this book is a mess 😁
Jamie had a very long time girlfriend who is now his best friend (and practically lives with him and his brothers sisters and their partners) , they broke up after they lost the baby. Then he said he had many hook ups and relationships and he’s only 25 !!!
Honestly Leo deserved better than Jamie. The guy decided to be bi after his long time relationships with his ex girlfriend was over. He wanted to meet his soulmate, he use a hook up app for that.. All he wanted is have sex with a man to try and see if he’s really bi or gay or whatever.
Then he met Leo and after 15 min in a coffee shop he decided to be his boyfriend because he wanted someone like him. It’s not even insta love or insta lust, just a fucked up man who was still mourning the break up with his gf and wanting to try something new.
They went to Leo’s home, fucked for hours, he didn’t have any problem bottoming for the 1st time because he had anal sex with many girls :eye roll:
He made many promises to poor Leo than he was serious, he was never gonna let him him down and love him forever ( yep they talked about love that 1st and only night they met) then he kinda ghosted him for weeks and Leo was heartbroken.
But he was the one who run to “poor” Jamie and fixed things which is a pet peeve of mine since it wasn’t his fault and didn’t do anything to deserve that. And they decided to live happily together with all the family in the same house. Cute 😏
I skipped the 1st book and definitely won read the next one.
I don’t recommend
January 31, 2022
3 stars
So I wasn't going to read this, because I read "Breathe" just the other day and I had too many conflicting thoughts about it. But a bookish friend told me that this was her favourite in the series and I thought I'd give it a go. Well, it is now clear that this author is not for me. Sorry :(
I mean, the story is ok - but the delivery is just so juvenile that I couldn't get to like it more. I get instalove and actually enjoy it most of the time, but these two men weren't for me.
I kind of like the ending, though, how Leo fitted so well within Jamie's family. Absolutely crazy family but that was like my favourite part of Breathe and now Exhale too. Ryan's mum is still my absolute favourite character.
Oh and one last thought. This cover is sooooo good. Probably one of my most favourite book covers ever.
So I wasn't going to read this, because I read "Breathe" just the other day and I had too many conflicting thoughts about it. But a bookish friend told me that this was her favourite in the series and I thought I'd give it a go. Well, it is now clear that this author is not for me. Sorry :(
I mean, the story is ok - but the delivery is just so juvenile that I couldn't get to like it more. I get instalove and actually enjoy it most of the time, but these two men weren't for me.
I kind of like the ending, though, how Leo fitted so well within Jamie's family. Absolutely crazy family but that was like my favourite part of Breathe and now Exhale too. Ryan's mum is still my absolute favourite character.
Oh and one last thought. This cover is sooooo good. Probably one of my most favourite book covers ever.
October 25, 2021
There’s a fragile beauty to this romance that completely mesmerized me. I have never before read a love at first sight story that felt so dreamy and angsty all at once. Just delicious! The writing is brilliant, evocative and thoughtful, bringing us two MCs that are both endearing and complex. And so incredibly right for each other. I'm in awe at how the author managed to write such heartfelt, deep emotion and nuanced character development into a relatively short story.
Jamie was quite the surprise, so very intense and earnest, needy but so full of love and openly affectionate, le sigh. I also loved his friendship with Kizzy and the way they are still there for each other, even if it’s in a different way than before.
Leo has insecurities of his own, and I was almost giddy at seeing him get such a dreamy boyfriend, just when he’d seemed to have given up on finding love. When they hit the proverbial bump in the road, I was thrilled to see Leo be so brave and go after his man.
A lovely bonus is that we get to reconnect with Jamie’s (extended) family—especially Luke, Ryan and Olive. But the whole family’s dynamic, and the way they accept and welcome Leo, was fun and simply heartwarming to read
Jamie was quite the surprise, so very intense and earnest, needy but so full of love and openly affectionate, le sigh. I also loved his friendship with Kizzy and the way they are still there for each other, even if it’s in a different way than before.
Leo has insecurities of his own, and I was almost giddy at seeing him get such a dreamy boyfriend, just when he’d seemed to have given up on finding love. When they hit the proverbial bump in the road, I was thrilled to see Leo be so brave and go after his man.
A lovely bonus is that we get to reconnect with Jamie’s (extended) family—especially Luke, Ryan and Olive. But the whole family’s dynamic, and the way they accept and welcome Leo, was fun and simply heartwarming to read
October 26, 2021
I love this lady's work, I've read all of her books and love both their realness and quirkiness respectively. This story is just as good as all of her previous stories, lovely, emotional and uplifting. The Walters family are as crazy and as charming as ever, as they welcome Leo into their arms. As usual, Ms Soames has written an entertaining story, with comical and sad moments and, above all, with loveable characters. To quote Jamie, all is, ' just perfectly, beautifully imperfect.' Go read all of her books, you won't be disappointed. So highly recommended.
Merged review:
Sweet romance
I love this lady's work, I've read all of her books and love both their realness and quirkiness respectively. This story is just as good as all of her previous stories, lovely, emotional and uplifting. The Walters family are as crazy and as charming as ever, as they welcome Leo into their arms. As usual, Ms Soames has written an entertaining story, with comical and sad moments and, above all, with loveable characters. To quote Jamie, all is, ' just perfectly, beautifully imperfect.' Go read all of her books, you won't be disappointed. So highly recommended.
Merged review:
Sweet romance
I love this lady's work, I've read all of her books and love both their realness and quirkiness respectively. This story is just as good as all of her previous stories, lovely, emotional and uplifting. The Walters family are as crazy and as charming as ever, as they welcome Leo into their arms. As usual, Ms Soames has written an entertaining story, with comical and sad moments and, above all, with loveable characters. To quote Jamie, all is, ' just perfectly, beautifully imperfect.' Go read all of her books, you won't be disappointed. So highly recommended.
October 24, 2021
Not going to lie, I was a little nervous going into Exhale. I love this author’s works because of her ability to weave emotional stories laden with tons of chemistry and I worried that wouldn’t be possible in a novella-length story. On top of that, I just finished and LOVED Breathe…so Exhale had a lot to live up to.
Exhale features the story of Jamie, the twin of Luke who is a main character in Breathe, who is desperate to define himself a bit more and find a new love. While technically this novella could work on its own, I don’t think a reader would be able to fully appreciate the Walters family without having read their development in Breathe. I also think having the backstory of Jamie, even as a secondary character in Breathe, allowed me to appreciate his relationship in Exhale without it feeling rushed.
Things do move rather quickly in Exhale, but I definitely didn’t feel shorted on the emotional development of Jamie or Leo. Overall, I enjoyed this short story. I liked how Jamie and Leo were so similar and the “baggage or needs” they found most worrisome about bringing to a relationship were readily accepted by the other. And of course, I loved getting to see the ever-expanding Walters family. If you read and enjoyed Breathe, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t enjoy spending time among these wonderful characters again.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Exhale features the story of Jamie, the twin of Luke who is a main character in Breathe, who is desperate to define himself a bit more and find a new love. While technically this novella could work on its own, I don’t think a reader would be able to fully appreciate the Walters family without having read their development in Breathe. I also think having the backstory of Jamie, even as a secondary character in Breathe, allowed me to appreciate his relationship in Exhale without it feeling rushed.
Things do move rather quickly in Exhale, but I definitely didn’t feel shorted on the emotional development of Jamie or Leo. Overall, I enjoyed this short story. I liked how Jamie and Leo were so similar and the “baggage or needs” they found most worrisome about bringing to a relationship were readily accepted by the other. And of course, I loved getting to see the ever-expanding Walters family. If you read and enjoyed Breathe, I can’t imagine you wouldn’t enjoy spending time among these wonderful characters again.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
October 28, 2021
Exhale is a novella in the London Love series by Sophia Soames.
I love the first book in the series, Breathe, but I have to admit, this one is a little much at first. It's beautiful, it's sweet, and it's dreamy. But it was a bit too much for me during the beginning portion.
Yes, it's all like a fairy tale, and they fall for that fairy tale hook, line, and sinker. I enjoyed it, but I was also a little uncomfortable by the intensity.
What was supposed to be a hook up became super intense from the start. And, yes, there are manties!
Of course, there's a lot more to this story. Thus, I am glad I kept reading.
In the end, Exhale is a wonderful story. Definitely check out this Sophia Soames tale the next time you're in the mood for a dreamy, fairy tale type read
I love the first book in the series, Breathe, but I have to admit, this one is a little much at first. It's beautiful, it's sweet, and it's dreamy. But it was a bit too much for me during the beginning portion.
Yes, it's all like a fairy tale, and they fall for that fairy tale hook, line, and sinker. I enjoyed it, but I was also a little uncomfortable by the intensity.
What was supposed to be a hook up became super intense from the start. And, yes, there are manties!
Of course, there's a lot more to this story. Thus, I am glad I kept reading.
In the end, Exhale is a wonderful story. Definitely check out this Sophia Soames tale the next time you're in the mood for a dreamy, fairy tale type read
October 26, 2021
Sophia Soames is one of the authors where I read everything they publish, and this time was no exception.
Two boys who are both looking for a relationship, looking for love 💚
Sophia is so good at writing about feelings, I always get so drawn in!
If your looking for a book that you can’t put down, this is the one!
Merged review:
Im in love
Sophia Soames is one of the authors where I read everything they publish, and this time was no exception.
Two boys who are both looking for a relationship, looking for love 💚
Sophia is so good at writing about feelings, I always get so drawn in!
If your looking for a book that you can’t put down, this is the one!
Two boys who are both looking for a relationship, looking for love 💚
Sophia is so good at writing about feelings, I always get so drawn in!
If your looking for a book that you can’t put down, this is the one!
Merged review:
Im in love
Sophia Soames is one of the authors where I read everything they publish, and this time was no exception.
Two boys who are both looking for a relationship, looking for love 💚
Sophia is so good at writing about feelings, I always get so drawn in!
If your looking for a book that you can’t put down, this is the one!
October 29, 2021
Jamie wants that someone special. That one person to love and have all that special moments with and to spend the rest of his life with.
Leo has almost given up finding his someone special.
When they meet it’s an instant love that brings them both all of the joy and love that they were always hoping for and wanting.
This was a sweet, low angst read. I loved seeing these characters get to have what they always desired. I loved how Leo steeped up as well and went after his man.
The seamless way the Walters family accepted Leo was fantastic and to get to catch up with the previous characters was a real treat as well.
A lovely, enjoyable read.
Leo has almost given up finding his someone special.
When they meet it’s an instant love that brings them both all of the joy and love that they were always hoping for and wanting.
This was a sweet, low angst read. I loved seeing these characters get to have what they always desired. I loved how Leo steeped up as well and went after his man.
The seamless way the Walters family accepted Leo was fantastic and to get to catch up with the previous characters was a real treat as well.
A lovely, enjoyable read.
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