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Aqua Vista #2
Dear John
Micah
When I wrote the Dear John letter, I never imagined six years would pass before I laid eyes on my husband again. It takes my grandfather’s death to bring me back to Aqua Vista. And to John McCoy, the only man I ever loved. We parted ways on mutual terms to chase our dreams. John’s plan was to open his bar, and mine was to make it in Hollywood. I’m still waiting for my big break, but John’s business is a success, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Seeing him brings it all back—our love, attraction, and fondness for each other—and we couldn’t stay away even if we tried.
John
As soon as Micah walks into my bar, the memories come flooding back, and I have the urge to hold him close, if only to make sure I’m not dreaming. I’ll be here for him during this difficult time because that’s what we do, what we’ve always done for each other. Soon enough we fall back into a routine that feels as natural as breathing. Reminiscing, providing support, making love. I’ve ached for his mouth and body for so long, there’s no way I can refuse either of us.
When Micah rediscovers his favorite childhood interests, I try to tamp down my hopes. He’ll return to LA once his grandfather’s property is sold, and we’ll move on with our separate lives. Loving each other was never our issue, but we finally do the responsible thing regarding our divorce. Guess that saying is true—when you love something, set it free. The only problem? This time it’s for good, and I’m still not sure I can let him go.
When I wrote the Dear John letter, I never imagined six years would pass before I laid eyes on my husband again. It takes my grandfather’s death to bring me back to Aqua Vista. And to John McCoy, the only man I ever loved. We parted ways on mutual terms to chase our dreams. John’s plan was to open his bar, and mine was to make it in Hollywood. I’m still waiting for my big break, but John’s business is a success, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Seeing him brings it all back—our love, attraction, and fondness for each other—and we couldn’t stay away even if we tried.
John
As soon as Micah walks into my bar, the memories come flooding back, and I have the urge to hold him close, if only to make sure I’m not dreaming. I’ll be here for him during this difficult time because that’s what we do, what we’ve always done for each other. Soon enough we fall back into a routine that feels as natural as breathing. Reminiscing, providing support, making love. I’ve ached for his mouth and body for so long, there’s no way I can refuse either of us.
When Micah rediscovers his favorite childhood interests, I try to tamp down my hopes. He’ll return to LA once his grandfather’s property is sold, and we’ll move on with our separate lives. Loving each other was never our issue, but we finally do the responsible thing regarding our divorce. Guess that saying is true—when you love something, set it free. The only problem? This time it’s for good, and I’m still not sure I can let him go.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
42 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 23, 2025
I enjoyed this second book in this series. It was low angst but very sweet. This concept of a married couple who have been separated for years, but still love each other, was something I haven’t read before. There was no animosity between John and Micah. They both were still in love with each other but because of Micah following his dream he was in L.A. while John stayed in Aqua Vista. They were very mature for making this decision and still respecting each other. That was nice to see.
I do think this may not be exciting enough for sone readers. The book has such a calm feeling to it and it may not resonate with some, which I completely understand. I loved the family aspect as I did in the first book also. The middle of the story dragged a tiny bit but it picked up rather quickly until the end.
I expect the next book in this series to be more angsty and I’m looking forward to it!!!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I do think this may not be exciting enough for sone readers. The book has such a calm feeling to it and it may not resonate with some, which I completely understand. I loved the family aspect as I did in the first book also. The middle of the story dragged a tiny bit but it picked up rather quickly until the end.
I expect the next book in this series to be more angsty and I’m looking forward to it!!!
ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own
April 24, 2025
As a whole I liked this book. The writing is good, and the story is sweet. I like the mc’s, I understand their issues and I love that they get together so young and get married so young. And I thought it was beautiful how John lets Micah persue his dream. I even got why they drifted apart and why they separated.
Stop reading if you don’t want any spoilers….
What I really didn’t understand is that after we get swept away in all their emotions throughout the whole book (after a while I even got anxious: we know there’s a happy ending, but it takes so long to get there, I really got nervous about how the author was going to pull it off in the little amount of pages there were left at some point), and then we MISS the decision 😱 Right at the moment it matters the very most, we get the wrong pov! And don’t get me wrong, I love John and what he did for Micah. But why don’t we see what Micah goes through when he makes his life altering choice? Such a missed opportunity.
Still love the book enough for a lot of stars. Just not five. Sorry…
Thanks to GRR for supplying me with this ARC!
Stop reading if you don’t want any spoilers….
What I really didn’t understand is that after we get swept away in all their emotions throughout the whole book (after a while I even got anxious: we know there’s a happy ending, but it takes so long to get there, I really got nervous about how the author was going to pull it off in the little amount of pages there were left at some point), and then we MISS the decision 😱 Right at the moment it matters the very most, we get the wrong pov! And don’t get me wrong, I love John and what he did for Micah. But why don’t we see what Micah goes through when he makes his life altering choice? Such a missed opportunity.
Still love the book enough for a lot of stars. Just not five. Sorry…
Thanks to GRR for supplying me with this ARC!
May 4, 2025
3 stars
I wanted to read John’s story since the previous book because I liked him very much, he’s a wonderful brother to Jack and June, he’s very close to his family, he’s dedicated to his job and his community.
About 8 years before the start of the story, John married his best friend and love of his life, Micah, during a trip to Vegas. They loved each other very much and John’s family was very supportive of them. After almost 2 years of marriage, John is about to open his bar, while Micah struggles to fulfill his dreams and he’s restless. Micah had a rough childhood and he found himself in a lot of troubles growing up; after a big mistake in his teen years, John pushed him to take acting classes and Micah discovered his passion.
But there’s no future for him in Aqua Vista, so John sets him free by encouraging him to go to L.A. when he can find better opportunities. That will be the end of their marriage.
There’s no villain in this story, they really loved one another but they just couldn’t find their place and their happiness in each other’s city: Aqua Vista was small and suffocating for Micah, while Los Angeles was huge and cold for John.
Despite all the love, they couldn’t find a way to stay together.
When Micah returns to Aqua Vista because of his grandfather’s death, it’s very clear that they still have feelings for each other, even if nothing has changed. While renovating and setting his grandfather's house up for sale, Micah has the chance to take a walk down memory lane, thinking back to all the good times he had with John and reflecting on his relationship with his grandfather.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
I think what didn’t work for me was the fact that from the moment Micah and John meet again, it’s clear that there will be no hope for them to work things out and every interaction, every sweet talk and physical connection is tainted by an overwhelming feeling of sadness. They're both firmly believe that there's no way for them to be husbands again and the divorce papers are like an invisible barrier between them.
We have to wait almost until the end of the book to see them finally together. And despite their happy ending, I still felt a lingering impression that their reconnection wasn't meant to be.
Anyway, I'm going to keep reading this series because I’m so so curious about Rocco and Frank, I’ve been rooting for them since they became business partners in the first book.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
I wanted to read John’s story since the previous book because I liked him very much, he’s a wonderful brother to Jack and June, he’s very close to his family, he’s dedicated to his job and his community.
About 8 years before the start of the story, John married his best friend and love of his life, Micah, during a trip to Vegas. They loved each other very much and John’s family was very supportive of them. After almost 2 years of marriage, John is about to open his bar, while Micah struggles to fulfill his dreams and he’s restless. Micah had a rough childhood and he found himself in a lot of troubles growing up; after a big mistake in his teen years, John pushed him to take acting classes and Micah discovered his passion.
But there’s no future for him in Aqua Vista, so John sets him free by encouraging him to go to L.A. when he can find better opportunities. That will be the end of their marriage.
There’s no villain in this story, they really loved one another but they just couldn’t find their place and their happiness in each other’s city: Aqua Vista was small and suffocating for Micah, while Los Angeles was huge and cold for John.
Despite all the love, they couldn’t find a way to stay together.
When Micah returns to Aqua Vista because of his grandfather’s death, it’s very clear that they still have feelings for each other, even if nothing has changed. While renovating and setting his grandfather's house up for sale, Micah has the chance to take a walk down memory lane, thinking back to all the good times he had with John and reflecting on his relationship with his grandfather.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
I think what didn’t work for me was the fact that from the moment Micah and John meet again, it’s clear that there will be no hope for them to work things out and every interaction, every sweet talk and physical connection is tainted by an overwhelming feeling of sadness. They're both firmly believe that there's no way for them to be husbands again and the divorce papers are like an invisible barrier between them.
We have to wait almost until the end of the book to see them finally together. And despite their happy ending, I still felt a lingering impression that their reconnection wasn't meant to be.
Anyway, I'm going to keep reading this series because I’m so so curious about Rocco and Frank, I’ve been rooting for them since they became business partners in the first book.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
August 1, 2025
nice, but the first one was better imo!
can't wait for the next one
can't wait for the next one
April 23, 2025
This book made me sad, and it made me want to eat fried fish.
I wanted to take Micah Malone and John McCoy and give them a big telling off. They married young, after falling in love as kids. Best friends to lovers and madly in love with each other, but Micah has dreams of Hollywood stardom and John loves small town life and running his own bar.
Aqua Vista is too small to contain Micah and his dreams so away he goes, leaving the love of his life behind. My poor, sad, little heart hurt. I honestly wanted to bang their heads together.
When Micah’s grandpa dies, he comes back to Aqua Vista to take care of the sale of his house and boat. Micah is caught between two worlds. He loves acting but he hasn’t had much success. He loves John, but he can’t have his LA life and John. Sad. Sad. Sad. Sad. Sad!
I have absolute faith that Christina Lee will make everything ok in the end and leave me with a happy heart.
I wanted to take Micah Malone and John McCoy and give them a big telling off. They married young, after falling in love as kids. Best friends to lovers and madly in love with each other, but Micah has dreams of Hollywood stardom and John loves small town life and running his own bar.
Aqua Vista is too small to contain Micah and his dreams so away he goes, leaving the love of his life behind. My poor, sad, little heart hurt. I honestly wanted to bang their heads together.
When Micah’s grandpa dies, he comes back to Aqua Vista to take care of the sale of his house and boat. Micah is caught between two worlds. He loves acting but he hasn’t had much success. He loves John, but he can’t have his LA life and John. Sad. Sad. Sad. Sad. Sad!
I have absolute faith that Christina Lee will make everything ok in the end and leave me with a happy heart.
dnf
August 25, 2025🎧dnf@26% because it's depressing! The MCs fall in love young, they get married, one moves away to pursue his acting dreams...and they just date other people for years (i assume??) and then...idk because I dnf'd! No thanks I need more commitment from my MCs!!!!
May 10, 2025
I love second chance but this was missing a bit of yearning for me idk?
May 27, 2025
Took me a bit to get into it but then I was all in.
It's been a while since this happened but I even shed a tear or two and their pinning was perfect, therefore the 4*.
It's been a while since this happened but I even shed a tear or two and their pinning was perfect, therefore the 4*.
September 20, 2025
Two guys who fall in love and marry when they're very young, find that their love's not enough to keep them together. Honestly, I wanted to smack Micah! He leaves John to pursue a dream, gets up to goodness knows what, to pursue that dream, and spends six years away! I know I sound like an unfeeling bitch, but I felt so sorry for John, and the way Micah treated him. I know they were young etc. but it just didn't sit well with me. Also, I felt that all could've been resolved sooner, it was just so full of sad, it honestly made me feel slightly depressed 😔😭 I'm a long time fan of this lady's work, but this one, although well written, didn't do it for me.
May 10, 2025
Dear John by Christina Lee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
📚 The Second Book in Aqua Vista Series
👉 Can Be Read As A Standalone
⬆️ Ebook ARC
😏 Adult MM Contemporary Small Town Romance 🏡
📖 Second Chance Sweet Story 💕
💔 Hurt/Comfort w/ Healing Vibes
🏡 Found Family & Familiar Faces
🌊 Small Beach Town w/ California Energy
🔀 Dual First-Person POV
🏡 Small Town x Big City 🏙
🌅 Return to Hometown
😜 Childhood Friends 🚲... to Lovers… Again
💞 Soulmates
💍 Still Married but Separated
🔥 Lust-at-First-Sight w/ Emotional Build-Up
❤️🔥 Rekindled Relationship
🔥 Sizzling Chemistry & Sexual Tension
🥵 Steamy Moments & Emotional Reconnection
🔥 Spicy Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
MC's:
🥃🌅💔🔥👉 John 'Johnny' McCoy, or 'J' as Micah calls him:
🥃 A 29yo, bar owner of The Witching Hour (😏🤭), with light brown hair (shaggy on top), and a beard that makes him look effortlessly sexy...
🥃 Calm, loyal, and emotionally guarded, but with a tender side he hides well.
🥃 Opening his own bar was his teenage dream... and he made it a reality.
🥃 John was Micah’s first love, and even after six years apart he never truly moved on.
🥃 When Micah returns, old feelings come rushing back… they hit hard.
🎭🌴🌊👉 Micah Malone:
🎭 29yo, dark brown hair, and warm caramel eyes.
🎭 He's an actor. Life in LA hasn’t been easy for him... bit parts, tough auditions. Still, he kept going, landing small roles while paying rent by working nights at a restaurant, like many actors do.
🎭 He grew up with an abusive father and a distant grandfather, but John and acting were his safe havens.
🎭 John was his first real love… and his husband.
🎭 Now, back in town after a death in the family, Micah has to face everything he left behind... including John, the man who still holds his heart...
⚠️ Content Warnings:
⚠️ Medium-Angst
👉 Descriptions Of Meals
⚠️ Alcohol Consumption
👉 No Cheating Happens
⚠️ Abandonment by a Parent (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Parental Neglect & Physical Abuse (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Parental Drunk Driving Causing Death (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Death in a Boat Accident (Family Members, Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Death of a Family Member (Off-Page, Past)
⚠️ References to Emotional Trauma & Coping w/ Grief
👉 Found Family
👏 Solid Character Development
💯 Best Side Characters
😍 Love The Ending
😍 HEA
Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
💬 My Thoughts:
👉 Dear John is beautifully written.
It’s one of those cozy reads that feel light and comforting. Full of emotion, longing, and that bittersweet feeling of loving someone who was never really gone from your heart. The writing flows naturally and captures every emotion without being over the top.
❤️🔥John and Micah’s chemistry was undeniable, and their connection feels so real.
The love between them is still so strong, and I love how they just can’t keep their hands off each other...😏 Undeniable heat between them. 🥵
💫🏠 The story explores what it means to let go, to grow, and maybe find your way back to the one who always felt like home.
⏳ I really liked how the book handled second chances, and the emotional push and pull between wanting to hold on and needing to let go.
😍 There’s a real found family vibe thanks to the iconic town characters.
I loved seeing familiar faces from Aqua Vista.
▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎
👍Highly recommend for fans of the small-town trope and emotional stories.
💯 I'm looking forward to reading the following books in this Series
😉 Thanks for reading hope this helps you out!
I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
StoryGraph Review
BookBub Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
📚 The Second Book in Aqua Vista Series
👉 Can Be Read As A Standalone
⬆️ Ebook ARC
😏 Adult MM Contemporary Small Town Romance 🏡
📖 Second Chance Sweet Story 💕
💔 Hurt/Comfort w/ Healing Vibes
🏡 Found Family & Familiar Faces
🌊 Small Beach Town w/ California Energy
🔀 Dual First-Person POV
🏡 Small Town x Big City 🏙
🌅 Return to Hometown
😜 Childhood Friends 🚲... to Lovers… Again
💞 Soulmates
💍 Still Married but Separated
🔥 Lust-at-First-Sight w/ Emotional Build-Up
❤️🔥 Rekindled Relationship
🔥 Sizzling Chemistry & Sexual Tension
🥵 Steamy Moments & Emotional Reconnection
🔥 Spicy Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
MC's:
🥃🌅💔🔥👉 John 'Johnny' McCoy, or 'J' as Micah calls him:
🥃 A 29yo, bar owner of The Witching Hour (😏🤭), with light brown hair (shaggy on top), and a beard that makes him look effortlessly sexy...
🥃 Calm, loyal, and emotionally guarded, but with a tender side he hides well.
🥃 Opening his own bar was his teenage dream... and he made it a reality.
🥃 John was Micah’s first love, and even after six years apart he never truly moved on.
🥃 When Micah returns, old feelings come rushing back… they hit hard.
🎭🌴🌊👉 Micah Malone:
🎭 29yo, dark brown hair, and warm caramel eyes.
🎭 He's an actor. Life in LA hasn’t been easy for him... bit parts, tough auditions. Still, he kept going, landing small roles while paying rent by working nights at a restaurant, like many actors do.
🎭 He grew up with an abusive father and a distant grandfather, but John and acting were his safe havens.
🎭 John was his first real love… and his husband.
🎭 Now, back in town after a death in the family, Micah has to face everything he left behind... including John, the man who still holds his heart...
⚠️ Content Warnings:
⚠️ Medium-Angst
👉 Descriptions Of Meals
⚠️ Alcohol Consumption
👉 No Cheating Happens
⚠️ Abandonment by a Parent (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Parental Neglect & Physical Abuse (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Parental Drunk Driving Causing Death (Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Death in a Boat Accident (Family Members, Past, Mentioned)
⚠️ Death of a Family Member (Off-Page, Past)
⚠️ References to Emotional Trauma & Coping w/ Grief
👉 Found Family
👏 Solid Character Development
💯 Best Side Characters
😍 Love The Ending
😍 HEA
Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
💬 My Thoughts:
👉 Dear John is beautifully written.
It’s one of those cozy reads that feel light and comforting. Full of emotion, longing, and that bittersweet feeling of loving someone who was never really gone from your heart. The writing flows naturally and captures every emotion without being over the top.
❤️🔥John and Micah’s chemistry was undeniable, and their connection feels so real.
The love between them is still so strong, and I love how they just can’t keep their hands off each other...😏 Undeniable heat between them. 🥵
💫🏠 The story explores what it means to let go, to grow, and maybe find your way back to the one who always felt like home.
⏳ I really liked how the book handled second chances, and the emotional push and pull between wanting to hold on and needing to let go.
😍 There’s a real found family vibe thanks to the iconic town characters.
I loved seeing familiar faces from Aqua Vista.
▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎
■ 'Our lips meet in a tender brush, like a quiet hello. There you are. The missing piece of me. It’s like coming home.'
■ '“We’re not the sun and the ocean.” He steals a glance. “I’m the ocean, and you’re the moon.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the moon has a gravitational pull on the ocean. And no matter how far I’ve spun away, you’ve always brought me center.”
I kiss the top of his head. “Home is where you always needed to be.”
“Home is you.” Micah’s fingers find mine, and he laces them together. “I’ve always been sure of that. Sure of you.”'
👍Highly recommend for fans of the small-town trope and emotional stories.
💯 I'm looking forward to reading the following books in this Series
😉 Thanks for reading hope this helps you out!
I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
StoryGraph Review
BookBub Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials
April 26, 2025
John has deep roots in Aqua Vista with his family and business. Then his one-that-got-away, Micah Malone, walks back into his bar. It’s been years, but he’s back to settle his grandfather‘s estate.
Micah always loved John, which was why they got married when they were twenty-one. But unfortunately, they’ve been separated for most of their marriage because Micah was chasing his dreams of being an actor in LA. John understood he had to go and didn’t want to tie him down. And they just kind of drifted apart and lived separate lives.
But now that they’re together again, their connection and chemistry are as strong as ever, and these two truly feel like soulmates, but with different callings for their careers and lives. I really liked them together. I felt bad for both of them, but especially for John, because he’s just so worried about the time when Micah is going to leave again and how badly his heart’s going to get broken.
They have both had past family dynamics that caused them pain, and their separation broke their hearts as well. Micah felt he had to go before to follow his dreams, and John was never going to beg him to stay and stand in his way. But it is a double-edged sword because Micah also felt he let him go without a fight.
So will they do the responsible thing this time and actually sign the divorce papers, or will they find some way that they can both find a way to be fulfilled and be together?
This brings back a couple from the first book, John’s brother, Jack, and his significant other, Aaron, and their family and small town friends. It’s a one that got away, second chance, small town versus big city, soulmates romance. It sets up the couple in the next book as well.
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Micah always loved John, which was why they got married when they were twenty-one. But unfortunately, they’ve been separated for most of their marriage because Micah was chasing his dreams of being an actor in LA. John understood he had to go and didn’t want to tie him down. And they just kind of drifted apart and lived separate lives.
But now that they’re together again, their connection and chemistry are as strong as ever, and these two truly feel like soulmates, but with different callings for their careers and lives. I really liked them together. I felt bad for both of them, but especially for John, because he’s just so worried about the time when Micah is going to leave again and how badly his heart’s going to get broken.
They have both had past family dynamics that caused them pain, and their separation broke their hearts as well. Micah felt he had to go before to follow his dreams, and John was never going to beg him to stay and stand in his way. But it is a double-edged sword because Micah also felt he let him go without a fight.
So will they do the responsible thing this time and actually sign the divorce papers, or will they find some way that they can both find a way to be fulfilled and be together?
This brings back a couple from the first book, John’s brother, Jack, and his significant other, Aaron, and their family and small town friends. It’s a one that got away, second chance, small town versus big city, soulmates romance. It sets up the couple in the next book as well.
May 7, 2025
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I KNEW that this installment was going to make me melt just from reading the blurb, and my intuition was sooooo on point because i loved this!!! Lee has managed another solid winner here, and this series just keeps doing everything right to make me have the smushiest sweetest reading experience i could ever ask for in a small town romance! And Dear John went even further by doing my favourite thing, which was to emphasize that the LOVE was NEVER the issue, and that the circumstances keeping the baes apart were the necessary parts of the journey that would eventually lead them back to each other in the end.
Not only was the narrative as multi-faceted as the first book, but the LOVING was such a formidable anchor that it was very easy to stay rooted in the value of John and Micah's relationship, even while they were living their lives apart. Their love shone so bright and i ached for them both, but their journey back to each other and their HEA was so much more powerful because of it! John and Micah's story was the act of allowing the flow of living and growing with unassailable love at the core. And John's living in that achy acceptance while the love of his life went off to explore his own potential had me really emotional! And i really felt Micah in my bones because of the way he had to navigate what home and belonging meant, especially because of the trauma that defined him in the past!
This series just keeps getting better and better and the vibes were truly everything i need in my life rn! Happy this series has been such a cozy swoony winner for me, and i'm very much looking forward to Book 3 because Rocco and Frank are already blasting off in my brain!! i can't wait for the super spicy reveal behind their electric connection, and OFC all the drama THAT's gonna cause in their business partnership and Rocco's impending wedding!! I KNOW!! It's gonna be a hot one and the release date for Perfectly Frank can't come soon enough!
I KNEW that this installment was going to make me melt just from reading the blurb, and my intuition was sooooo on point because i loved this!!! Lee has managed another solid winner here, and this series just keeps doing everything right to make me have the smushiest sweetest reading experience i could ever ask for in a small town romance! And Dear John went even further by doing my favourite thing, which was to emphasize that the LOVE was NEVER the issue, and that the circumstances keeping the baes apart were the necessary parts of the journey that would eventually lead them back to each other in the end.
Not only was the narrative as multi-faceted as the first book, but the LOVING was such a formidable anchor that it was very easy to stay rooted in the value of John and Micah's relationship, even while they were living their lives apart. Their love shone so bright and i ached for them both, but their journey back to each other and their HEA was so much more powerful because of it! John and Micah's story was the act of allowing the flow of living and growing with unassailable love at the core. And John's living in that achy acceptance while the love of his life went off to explore his own potential had me really emotional! And i really felt Micah in my bones because of the way he had to navigate what home and belonging meant, especially because of the trauma that defined him in the past!
This series just keeps getting better and better and the vibes were truly everything i need in my life rn! Happy this series has been such a cozy swoony winner for me, and i'm very much looking forward to Book 3 because Rocco and Frank are already blasting off in my brain!! i can't wait for the super spicy reveal behind their electric connection, and OFC all the drama THAT's gonna cause in their business partnership and Rocco's impending wedding!! I KNOW!! It's gonna be a hot one and the release date for Perfectly Frank can't come soon enough!
May 1, 2025
A beautifully written romance of two best friends who fell in love. They married on an impulse during a trip to Vegas. Both were too young and overly optimistic to realize they had different paths to travel.
John fulfills his dream by opening a bar in their hometown while the men live at John’s parents’ home. Micah is restless, even though he adores John and has no regrets in their marriage. John is very selfless and feels Micah needs the opportunity to learn his craft of acting. He encourages Micah to go to L A. Both men think it will be short-term. John even tried spending time there with his husband, but felt claustrophobic with big city life.
Before long, they are living apart and barely see each other. Micah feels he can’t return home as he gave up so much, and will look like a failure. John believes, if you set someone free, if it’s meant to be, they will return.
I won’t lie, this book at times frustrated me. The two clearly adore each other but are now legally separated. Neither has the nerve to go ahead with a divorce, which leaves them both in limbo. Micah returns home after his grandfather passes. He finds that he has been left his grandfather’s home and boat. The house is in disarray, and Gramps was a pack rat. Micah’s goal is to clean up everything, sell, and finalize their divorce papers. This may seem silly at first. Micah still hasn’t made it big, and both men are deeply in love. They’re wanting the best for each other, and the need to prove their devotion makes them ignore their most important needs. This pattern has become the norm for them.
Maybe it’s time to stop worrying about goals set eight years ago and just listen to their hearts. This book was a tender and thoughtful look at a couple that both suffered personal tragedies, but learn that nothing is set in stone, and they can perhaps find a new path they can both travel. Happy reading.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement*
John fulfills his dream by opening a bar in their hometown while the men live at John’s parents’ home. Micah is restless, even though he adores John and has no regrets in their marriage. John is very selfless and feels Micah needs the opportunity to learn his craft of acting. He encourages Micah to go to L A. Both men think it will be short-term. John even tried spending time there with his husband, but felt claustrophobic with big city life.
Before long, they are living apart and barely see each other. Micah feels he can’t return home as he gave up so much, and will look like a failure. John believes, if you set someone free, if it’s meant to be, they will return.
I won’t lie, this book at times frustrated me. The two clearly adore each other but are now legally separated. Neither has the nerve to go ahead with a divorce, which leaves them both in limbo. Micah returns home after his grandfather passes. He finds that he has been left his grandfather’s home and boat. The house is in disarray, and Gramps was a pack rat. Micah’s goal is to clean up everything, sell, and finalize their divorce papers. This may seem silly at first. Micah still hasn’t made it big, and both men are deeply in love. They’re wanting the best for each other, and the need to prove their devotion makes them ignore their most important needs. This pattern has become the norm for them.
Maybe it’s time to stop worrying about goals set eight years ago and just listen to their hearts. This book was a tender and thoughtful look at a couple that both suffered personal tragedies, but learn that nothing is set in stone, and they can perhaps find a new path they can both travel. Happy reading.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement*
May 2, 2025
Second book in the Aqua Vista series and it's just as enjoyable a read as the first. This one does deal with grief as Micah is back in Aqua Vista after his grandfather has passed away, to deal with his estate, along with mention of John's parents passing several years previously.
Micah and John are a perfect couple together, except for Micah wanting to be an actor and needing to escape small town life, the life that John was born into and made for. John encourages Micah to try living in LA and get his break, not wanting him to be miserable in town and loving him enough to let him be where he needs to be. Unfortunately, six years pass before Micah is in town for an extended time and, this time, he brings divorce papers that have been vaguely discussed.
What is unexpected, over the time he spends in Aqua Vista is noticing the things that he's missed and makes him feel more whole than he has in a long time. John has missed him like crazy and would love for him to be here, but not if he will be unhappy. They still have amazing chemistry and are totally in love with each other. It's just figuring out if that is enough.
I enjoyed the story overall. There is a bit of tension between the two as they relearn how to be around each other again, but there is no misstep when it comes to being together. It's like no time has passed. The folk from around town still remember Micah and welcome him back, even John's family who find the whole situation a bit odd. The people around town are what I love about small town romance, several with their quirky traits that you can't help but smile at. There's always at least one curmudgeonly old man, someone with an opinion you don't want, and many nosy people who all want to know the gossip.
Another recommended read from Christina and I am looking forward to seeing what's to come in book three.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Micah and John are a perfect couple together, except for Micah wanting to be an actor and needing to escape small town life, the life that John was born into and made for. John encourages Micah to try living in LA and get his break, not wanting him to be miserable in town and loving him enough to let him be where he needs to be. Unfortunately, six years pass before Micah is in town for an extended time and, this time, he brings divorce papers that have been vaguely discussed.
What is unexpected, over the time he spends in Aqua Vista is noticing the things that he's missed and makes him feel more whole than he has in a long time. John has missed him like crazy and would love for him to be here, but not if he will be unhappy. They still have amazing chemistry and are totally in love with each other. It's just figuring out if that is enough.
I enjoyed the story overall. There is a bit of tension between the two as they relearn how to be around each other again, but there is no misstep when it comes to being together. It's like no time has passed. The folk from around town still remember Micah and welcome him back, even John's family who find the whole situation a bit odd. The people around town are what I love about small town romance, several with their quirky traits that you can't help but smile at. There's always at least one curmudgeonly old man, someone with an opinion you don't want, and many nosy people who all want to know the gossip.
Another recommended read from Christina and I am looking forward to seeing what's to come in book three.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
May 6, 2025
4 Stars!
This book was a surprisingly low angst story of Micah and John, who have been separated for years, but still love each other deeply. I would almost call it a second chance romance, but it's got a different feel than most of those. Micah and John have an amazing, strong connection, but can't figure out how to make their dreams come true in the same town.
I think there will be readers who will have a hard time with the back and forth nature of Micah and John's relationship, but I found that I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would initially. I understood why John's family wanted him to move on, but when you see Micah and John together it's hard to imagine them apart forever. While the circumstance to this latest reunion was unfortunate, I think the right timing made things much better for them in the end. I was glad that Micah got to know Aaron, who has had his own issues with location, success, and finding happiness. While I was glad that John didn't pressure Micah and vice versa, I was sad that they really couldn't find a better way before this. John's connection to his town, family, and business is part of who he is, and I understand that Micah had dreams that he didn't think he could fulfill in town. I was glad that Micah finally saw that he had ties to the town, more so than he had ever noticed before. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Micah's perspective once he had his epiphany, but was glad that he found his way to be both with John and have a job he loved.
The glimpses of Rocco and Frank throughout the last two books has me so intrigued, and I'm glad that they are getting the next book. I can't wait to read it.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
This book was a surprisingly low angst story of Micah and John, who have been separated for years, but still love each other deeply. I would almost call it a second chance romance, but it's got a different feel than most of those. Micah and John have an amazing, strong connection, but can't figure out how to make their dreams come true in the same town.
I think there will be readers who will have a hard time with the back and forth nature of Micah and John's relationship, but I found that I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would initially. I understood why John's family wanted him to move on, but when you see Micah and John together it's hard to imagine them apart forever. While the circumstance to this latest reunion was unfortunate, I think the right timing made things much better for them in the end. I was glad that Micah got to know Aaron, who has had his own issues with location, success, and finding happiness. While I was glad that John didn't pressure Micah and vice versa, I was sad that they really couldn't find a better way before this. John's connection to his town, family, and business is part of who he is, and I understand that Micah had dreams that he didn't think he could fulfill in town. I was glad that Micah finally saw that he had ties to the town, more so than he had ever noticed before. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Micah's perspective once he had his epiphany, but was glad that he found his way to be both with John and have a job he loved.
The glimpses of Rocco and Frank throughout the last two books has me so intrigued, and I'm glad that they are getting the next book. I can't wait to read it.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
May 9, 2025
*I received an ARC copy of this book and this review is my honest opinion*
Book - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶🌶
"He’s here. I can feel him. Always could. It doesn’t matter that Beth told me she spotted Micah rolling into town. It’s as if my heart is a homing device, clenching, beating, searching, wanting him near."
“There’s definitely plenty of love.” That’s never been our hardship."
I read alot of 2nd chance romance aspect its one of my fave genres. This book was a little different then the ones that I normally read in this genre as it was pretty low angst. Both halves of the couple understood why they'd broken up and were on reasonably good terms with one another. I did enjoy the book but personally I like a bit not angst in this kind of story for me. Despite the fact that they had broken up, so Micah could try and make it on LA while John stayed in their home town, they obviously still loved each other even though they both understood why they had needed to break up/ couldn't stay together.
I knew that the book had a happy ending however for a big portion of the book I wasnt sure how that HEA was going to look. The characters themselves seemed to think that they had an end date to their reunion - after Micah had come back to town to sort out his grandfather's house after his death - and couldn't see a way for them to work things out without one of them compromising. Like a review has already said on here, I liked the HEA but I would have liked to have seen things from Micah's POV to really understand why/ how he decided to stay in town and make such a huge change in his life.
However I did really enjoy this book and this author's take on this genre. I was rooting for both MMCs and I loved how they got to their HEA ending together.
Book - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶🌶
"He’s here. I can feel him. Always could. It doesn’t matter that Beth told me she spotted Micah rolling into town. It’s as if my heart is a homing device, clenching, beating, searching, wanting him near."
“There’s definitely plenty of love.” That’s never been our hardship."
I read alot of 2nd chance romance aspect its one of my fave genres. This book was a little different then the ones that I normally read in this genre as it was pretty low angst. Both halves of the couple understood why they'd broken up and were on reasonably good terms with one another. I did enjoy the book but personally I like a bit not angst in this kind of story for me. Despite the fact that they had broken up, so Micah could try and make it on LA while John stayed in their home town, they obviously still loved each other even though they both understood why they had needed to break up/ couldn't stay together.
I knew that the book had a happy ending however for a big portion of the book I wasnt sure how that HEA was going to look. The characters themselves seemed to think that they had an end date to their reunion - after Micah had come back to town to sort out his grandfather's house after his death - and couldn't see a way for them to work things out without one of them compromising. Like a review has already said on here, I liked the HEA but I would have liked to have seen things from Micah's POV to really understand why/ how he decided to stay in town and make such a huge change in his life.
However I did really enjoy this book and this author's take on this genre. I was rooting for both MMCs and I loved how they got to their HEA ending together.
May 10, 2025
SWEET & POIGNANT WITH SAD DEPICTIONS!💕
The second book of the Aqua Vista series had my stomach in knots for these two poor souls 😢
“Dear John,
Yours forever, Micah
A letter left after a beautiful love was discovered between two best friends John McCoy and Mica Malone will be imprinted on them forever…
Micah leaves for the bright lights of LA with his husband John’s blessing to pursue his dreams of acting…
They separate legally but don’t divorce until Micah returns to Aqua Vista 8 years later to sort out his deceased grandfather’s estate and their inevitable divorce…
This is truly an engaging sad love story about two entwined souls destined to love each other but unfortunately they are like two ships that pass in the night only see each other when they need each other in a family crises…
“real love is eternal. It keeps you rooted even when you’re split apart.”
They reconnect emotionally and physically to say goodbye to what they had knowing they will always love each other no matter what…
However there may be a way to be together if they are willing to compromise… but Micah hates Aqua Vista and John hates LA….
I loved them as exes who try to spend as much time together as possible even on a boat… or a road trip to LA… knowing their time will soon be over 😢💕
I look forward to Rocco and Frank’s story next!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review,
The second book of the Aqua Vista series had my stomach in knots for these two poor souls 😢
“Dear John,
Yours forever, Micah
A letter left after a beautiful love was discovered between two best friends John McCoy and Mica Malone will be imprinted on them forever…
Micah leaves for the bright lights of LA with his husband John’s blessing to pursue his dreams of acting…
They separate legally but don’t divorce until Micah returns to Aqua Vista 8 years later to sort out his deceased grandfather’s estate and their inevitable divorce…
This is truly an engaging sad love story about two entwined souls destined to love each other but unfortunately they are like two ships that pass in the night only see each other when they need each other in a family crises…
“real love is eternal. It keeps you rooted even when you’re split apart.”
They reconnect emotionally and physically to say goodbye to what they had knowing they will always love each other no matter what…
However there may be a way to be together if they are willing to compromise… but Micah hates Aqua Vista and John hates LA….
I loved them as exes who try to spend as much time together as possible even on a boat… or a road trip to LA… knowing their time will soon be over 😢💕
I look forward to Rocco and Frank’s story next!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review,
May 10, 2025
Dear John by Christina Lee is a quiet, emotionally tender second-chance romance that explores what happens when love alone isn’t enough—or at least, not at the right time.
Micah and John married young, full of hope and devotion, but diverging dreams pulled them apart. Micah chased acting in L.A., while John stayed rooted in their small hometown of Aqua Vista. Years later, with unresolved feelings and no bad blood between them, their reunion brings a poignant reminder of how deep love can run—even after time and distance.
This story is low-angst and contemplative, with a calm, almost meditative tone. It may feel slow for readers craving more dramatic tension, especially during the middle stretch, but it offers rewarding emotional depth for those who enjoy introspective, character-driven storytelling. The family dynamics and small-town setting add richness, as do the lingering what-ifs that define Micah and John’s relationship.
Micah’s choices may frustrate some readers, and it's hard not to feel for John, who stayed behind with an aching heart. But ultimately, this is a story about growth, forgiveness, and love finding its way home.
Tropes & Themes:
- Second chance romance
- Married but separated
- Small town vs big city dreams
- Found family
- Emotional maturity
- Low angst
- Slow burn reunion
Micah and John married young, full of hope and devotion, but diverging dreams pulled them apart. Micah chased acting in L.A., while John stayed rooted in their small hometown of Aqua Vista. Years later, with unresolved feelings and no bad blood between them, their reunion brings a poignant reminder of how deep love can run—even after time and distance.
This story is low-angst and contemplative, with a calm, almost meditative tone. It may feel slow for readers craving more dramatic tension, especially during the middle stretch, but it offers rewarding emotional depth for those who enjoy introspective, character-driven storytelling. The family dynamics and small-town setting add richness, as do the lingering what-ifs that define Micah and John’s relationship.
Micah’s choices may frustrate some readers, and it's hard not to feel for John, who stayed behind with an aching heart. But ultimately, this is a story about growth, forgiveness, and love finding its way home.
Tropes & Themes:
- Second chance romance
- Married but separated
- Small town vs big city dreams
- Found family
- Emotional maturity
- Low angst
- Slow burn reunion
May 11, 2025
I thought this latest book in Lee's Aqua Vista series was entertaining, overall, but I might have to classify it as a near miss.
John and Micah are interesting characters and the situation was an unusual one, with the two of them having married young but separating when they realize that they each have dreams that will take them in opposite directions. While I sympathized with them, I also wanted to knock some heads together- it's one of those books where you know they'll work it out eventually but it's frustrating waiting for them to come to that realization.
What saves this tale is Lee's writing style. She does an excellent job of not letting the angst of the situation overwhelm the story, even if it is ever present in the background. And the author convinced me that these two men did love one another even if they were too stubborn to work out their situations. One thing that struck me about the book was an intriguing air of almost melancholy regarding the situation, beautifully written in my opinion but could possibly be seen as just plain slow by others.
Still, the characters are well depicted and thought out, with the town of Aqua Vista almost a character unto itself. There are some hints of a new couple in the next book with Frank and Rocco, and I have to admit that I'm looking forward to a return trip to this quirky California town.
John and Micah are interesting characters and the situation was an unusual one, with the two of them having married young but separating when they realize that they each have dreams that will take them in opposite directions. While I sympathized with them, I also wanted to knock some heads together- it's one of those books where you know they'll work it out eventually but it's frustrating waiting for them to come to that realization.
What saves this tale is Lee's writing style. She does an excellent job of not letting the angst of the situation overwhelm the story, even if it is ever present in the background. And the author convinced me that these two men did love one another even if they were too stubborn to work out their situations. One thing that struck me about the book was an intriguing air of almost melancholy regarding the situation, beautifully written in my opinion but could possibly be seen as just plain slow by others.
Still, the characters are well depicted and thought out, with the town of Aqua Vista almost a character unto itself. There are some hints of a new couple in the next book with Frank and Rocco, and I have to admit that I'm looking forward to a return trip to this quirky California town.
May 2, 2025
Mr Anal Retentive, nauseating PDA, 'Vitamin Sea', beef broccoli, Mr Leaf Burner, Slice of Life pie bribe, Mr Leaf Burner
This is about a deep enduring love between John McCoy and Micah Malone, in love with each other since high school. They got married on a whim in Las Vegas at age 19. John is Jack's brother from Book 1. Seven years ago, Micah left Aqua Vista for LA to pursue his dream of acting in Hollywood at John's urging. Micah got just bit parts and commercials with the hope of getting his big break. Micah returns to Aqua Vista to take care of his grandfather's matters when he passes away. John and Micah reconnect and find their love hasn't diminished after all this time. But both MCs know John will return to LA after things are settled. Even though it will crush them, they rekindle their relationship.
As we revisit Aqua Vista, we see many people from Book 1 in this story. It helps to have read Book 1 prior to reading this book. Things will make more sense if you do. Also, your experience will be enhanced. There aren't many new characters introduced. The imagery is vividly painted and is visually stunning. I enjoyed everything about this story. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I avidly recommend this book.
This is about a deep enduring love between John McCoy and Micah Malone, in love with each other since high school. They got married on a whim in Las Vegas at age 19. John is Jack's brother from Book 1. Seven years ago, Micah left Aqua Vista for LA to pursue his dream of acting in Hollywood at John's urging. Micah got just bit parts and commercials with the hope of getting his big break. Micah returns to Aqua Vista to take care of his grandfather's matters when he passes away. John and Micah reconnect and find their love hasn't diminished after all this time. But both MCs know John will return to LA after things are settled. Even though it will crush them, they rekindle their relationship.
As we revisit Aqua Vista, we see many people from Book 1 in this story. It helps to have read Book 1 prior to reading this book. Things will make more sense if you do. Also, your experience will be enhanced. There aren't many new characters introduced. The imagery is vividly painted and is visually stunning. I enjoyed everything about this story. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I avidly recommend this book.
May 8, 2025
I had really high hopes for this story, especially when I first started reading it. Micah and John got married so young, and John told Micah to move and follow his dreams, and they got legally separated a few years ago, and now Micah is back in town to deal with his grandfather’s property. A perfect chance for them to reunite, right?
And don’t get me wrong, I mostly enjoyed this story. But it’s really sad; every time the two MCs are together feels like the last time and the divorce papers Micah brought with him are constantly hanging over them. I knew, as a romance, it would have a happy ending, but it always felt like it was so far away.
STOP READING NOW IF YOU DON’T WANT A SPOILER FOR THE ENDING.
This could’ve been a 4 star for me - but one thing really felt like a missed opportunity, and that was that the most critical moment, the moment when Micah decides to come back to Aqua Vista and to John for good, we don’t get to see his thoughts leading up to and making the decision, because we’re with John in his POV. I feel like that made the decision much less impactful or emotional, which sadly is what made me give this story 3 stars.
I will read the next book when that one is out though. I’m committed to this series now!
And don’t get me wrong, I mostly enjoyed this story. But it’s really sad; every time the two MCs are together feels like the last time and the divorce papers Micah brought with him are constantly hanging over them. I knew, as a romance, it would have a happy ending, but it always felt like it was so far away.
STOP READING NOW IF YOU DON’T WANT A SPOILER FOR THE ENDING.
This could’ve been a 4 star for me - but one thing really felt like a missed opportunity, and that was that the most critical moment, the moment when Micah decides to come back to Aqua Vista and to John for good, we don’t get to see his thoughts leading up to and making the decision, because we’re with John in his POV. I feel like that made the decision much less impactful or emotional, which sadly is what made me give this story 3 stars.
I will read the next book when that one is out though. I’m committed to this series now!
May 1, 2025
This is one of those books where you know from beginning to end that the couple love each other, but it’s whether they can overcome the circumstances that have separated them until now.
The John of “Dear John” is Johnny from book 1 - Jack’s brother. Although it’s closely connected to Just Jack it works as a stand alone story. We also get some glimpses of Jack & Aaron’s happy ever after, which I always like to see.
John is living in Aqua Vista running his bar and living alone whilst still married to his high school sweetheart Micah, who went off to LA to find his fame and fortune years earlier. The book picks up 6 years after they last saw each other when Micah returns to deal with his grandfather’s estate after he passes away. Needless to say the same old feelings return very quickly as they start spending time together.
This is not a book with misunderstandings over feelings and if the main characters want to be together, it’s watching them as older men trying to figure out if they can overcome the “right person, wrong place” issue. I really enjoyed watching them get to their HEA, and this was a great second book in the series.
The John of “Dear John” is Johnny from book 1 - Jack’s brother. Although it’s closely connected to Just Jack it works as a stand alone story. We also get some glimpses of Jack & Aaron’s happy ever after, which I always like to see.
John is living in Aqua Vista running his bar and living alone whilst still married to his high school sweetheart Micah, who went off to LA to find his fame and fortune years earlier. The book picks up 6 years after they last saw each other when Micah returns to deal with his grandfather’s estate after he passes away. Needless to say the same old feelings return very quickly as they start spending time together.
This is not a book with misunderstandings over feelings and if the main characters want to be together, it’s watching them as older men trying to figure out if they can overcome the “right person, wrong place” issue. I really enjoyed watching them get to their HEA, and this was a great second book in the series.
May 10, 2025
We're back in the small Californian town of Aqua Vista with the second book in the series by the same name. Dear John is a second chance M/M romance from Christina Lee, and if you've read the series starter, Just Jack, then you would have remembered John McCoy, younger brother of that book's titular character, Jack. Now, John has only ever loved one man--his husband, Micah Malone. They were only twenty-one when they exchanged vows, but eight years ago, John encouraged Micah to follow his dreams, even if it meant John staying in Aqua Vista to take care of the bar he opened and Micah being in Los Angeles to try and make it in Hollywood. Neither thought they would be apart for as long as they were, leading separate lives. The death of Micah's grandfather has him returning to Aqua Vista. Will this be the last call for John and Micah's marriage or will they finally have a happy ending?
Who doesn't love a couple who are each other's first love have an opportunity to get things right and have their happily-ever-after, especially since the reason for the separation wasn't anything one would deem unforgivable or irrepairable. There was no denying that John and Micah still loved each other, even with the time that's passed and the physical distance between them, but I appreciated that life also went on for these two. There was a firm understanding of where their relationship stood--they may have been married, but they were also legally separated, so it was clear that they were not holding each other hostage with the vows they had exchanged eight years prior. Unnecessary drama was nowhere to be found, because at the end of the day, John and Micah were adults who had things to figure out and they did, earning and deserving their HEA. Dear John garners four stars.
Who doesn't love a couple who are each other's first love have an opportunity to get things right and have their happily-ever-after, especially since the reason for the separation wasn't anything one would deem unforgivable or irrepairable. There was no denying that John and Micah still loved each other, even with the time that's passed and the physical distance between them, but I appreciated that life also went on for these two. There was a firm understanding of where their relationship stood--they may have been married, but they were also legally separated, so it was clear that they were not holding each other hostage with the vows they had exchanged eight years prior. Unnecessary drama was nowhere to be found, because at the end of the day, John and Micah were adults who had things to figure out and they did, earning and deserving their HEA. Dear John garners four stars.
May 16, 2025
4.5 stars
I was looking forward to reading John and Micah’s story, as it was well set up in book 1. A six year separation from their marriage was a long time to be apart, but the feelings were still there for each other the whole time. I felt that if they had been more honest with each other over that time, they might have reconnected sooner, but it was more a case of right circumstances, right place, right time. I was almost in tears when Micah came back and found John in the last place he expected, and whatever the mojo was in Aqua Vista, it worked out for them. The epilogue worked out much as I was thinking could be a plan, and the ending was really satisfying for me. I look forward to reading Frank’s book next, and hope to find out about Rocco, too, either there or in a future book. I just kept feeling something was going on with those two behind the scenes, so next book may tell the tale.
The characters were engaging and there were enough twists to keep me interested and rooting for Micah and John to work things out, they definitely belonged together, and I was happy how it played out.
I received an advance copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.
I was looking forward to reading John and Micah’s story, as it was well set up in book 1. A six year separation from their marriage was a long time to be apart, but the feelings were still there for each other the whole time. I felt that if they had been more honest with each other over that time, they might have reconnected sooner, but it was more a case of right circumstances, right place, right time. I was almost in tears when Micah came back and found John in the last place he expected, and whatever the mojo was in Aqua Vista, it worked out for them. The epilogue worked out much as I was thinking could be a plan, and the ending was really satisfying for me. I look forward to reading Frank’s book next, and hope to find out about Rocco, too, either there or in a future book. I just kept feeling something was going on with those two behind the scenes, so next book may tell the tale.
The characters were engaging and there were enough twists to keep me interested and rooting for Micah and John to work things out, they definitely belonged together, and I was happy how it played out.
I received an advance copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.
May 1, 2025
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Be still my heart. These two intertwined souls are so perfect together, and yet oh so impossible. It’s sweet that they care so deeply that they are willing to let the other go to follow their dreams, but you also want to bang their heads together because really?
I love this small town nestled between the mountains and the coast. And getting to experience it through John and Micah’s story was wonderful. John comes from a family that is sewn into the fabric of Aqua Vista, whereas Micah came to town to live with his grandfather when things with his crappy father come to ahead. Micah’s experience with the town back then was rocky at best. So his journey coming back to town is very healing.
Such a sweet story.
Now gimmee, gimmee, gimmee Frank and Rocco!
Be still my heart. These two intertwined souls are so perfect together, and yet oh so impossible. It’s sweet that they care so deeply that they are willing to let the other go to follow their dreams, but you also want to bang their heads together because really?
I love this small town nestled between the mountains and the coast. And getting to experience it through John and Micah’s story was wonderful. John comes from a family that is sewn into the fabric of Aqua Vista, whereas Micah came to town to live with his grandfather when things with his crappy father come to ahead. Micah’s experience with the town back then was rocky at best. So his journey coming back to town is very healing.
Such a sweet story.
Now gimmee, gimmee, gimmee Frank and Rocco!
May 2, 2025
💙 𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗 💙
𝚋𝚢 @authorchristinalee
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
3.5/5 ⭐️
↓↓
I had really high hopes for this one but I feel a bit let down. I didn't feel a connection to either of the characters and with them being separated for 8 years, I was expecting more angst, more I don't know, something but I just felt nothing, it felt a bit flat for me.
Don't get me wrong these two were cute and they have a love that many could only hope for. But how did Micah leave and have a few small roles in things, be back in Aqua Vista for a few weeks and magically be in love with the place all over again and no longer want to be in LA pursuing an acting career. It didn't make much sense to me.
While this one was not my favorite in the series, I am looking forward to the next book. Both Frank and Rocco intrigue me so I'm wondering how their story will play out.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💙Hurt/Comfort
💙Soulmates
💙Quirky Coastal Town
💙Childhood Sweetheart
💙Still married but separated
💙Second Chance
𝚋𝚢 @authorchristinalee
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
3.5/5 ⭐️
↓↓
I had really high hopes for this one but I feel a bit let down. I didn't feel a connection to either of the characters and with them being separated for 8 years, I was expecting more angst, more I don't know, something but I just felt nothing, it felt a bit flat for me.
Don't get me wrong these two were cute and they have a love that many could only hope for. But how did Micah leave and have a few small roles in things, be back in Aqua Vista for a few weeks and magically be in love with the place all over again and no longer want to be in LA pursuing an acting career. It didn't make much sense to me.
While this one was not my favorite in the series, I am looking forward to the next book. Both Frank and Rocco intrigue me so I'm wondering how their story will play out.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💙Hurt/Comfort
💙Soulmates
💙Quirky Coastal Town
💙Childhood Sweetheart
💙Still married but separated
💙Second Chance
May 7, 2025
I loved this story! I love John and Micah and I was rooting so hard for their happily ever after and I'm so, so glad it finally happened for them.
Dear John had a slightly melancholic feel to it, just because these two had been separated for so long. But for the most part it was a sweet, low angst love story.
Second chance love stories are truly my favorites, even if they tend to hurt my heart- especially in cases like John and Micah's. They loved each other so much they risked their hearts so the other one could live out their dream.
I really liked seeing how Micah reconciled what he thought he wanted out of life, with what truly was most important to him. And I felt so much for John, willing to give up the love of his life even if it broke his heart. I enjoyed their story so much. I loved seeing them together, even if it felt bittersweet, thinking it wasn't going to last. I was very happy with the way things worked out for them in the end, particularly for Michah, who finally seemed to find peace within himself.
Dear John had a slightly melancholic feel to it, just because these two had been separated for so long. But for the most part it was a sweet, low angst love story.
Second chance love stories are truly my favorites, even if they tend to hurt my heart- especially in cases like John and Micah's. They loved each other so much they risked their hearts so the other one could live out their dream.
I really liked seeing how Micah reconciled what he thought he wanted out of life, with what truly was most important to him. And I felt so much for John, willing to give up the love of his life even if it broke his heart. I enjoyed their story so much. I loved seeing them together, even if it felt bittersweet, thinking it wasn't going to last. I was very happy with the way things worked out for them in the end, particularly for Michah, who finally seemed to find peace within himself.
April 20, 2025
Rating: 4⭐️
Emotion: 2.5🥹
Spice: 2.5🌶️
Dear John is book two in Cristina’s Aqua Vista series and while it can be read as a standalone many characters from Just Jack make an appearance, so like all series I prefer to read them in order.
John & Michas love for each other was never a question, but sometimes you need to set love free and hope that one day it will come back. John and Micah both knew this all too well.
After almost a decade apart John & Micah reconnect when Micah returns to the sleepy coastal town of Aqua Vista to settle his late grandfathers affairs and it isn’t long before old feelings resurface.
Their journey back to each other wasn’t easy but they more than deserved their HEA.
Dear John was a cozy read, the perfect book to enjoy when you need something light but still hits you in the feels.
I loved seeing so many familiar characters and this is a series I am excited to continue and would recommend it.
I received an ARC of Dear John in exchange for an honest review
Emotion: 2.5🥹
Spice: 2.5🌶️
Dear John is book two in Cristina’s Aqua Vista series and while it can be read as a standalone many characters from Just Jack make an appearance, so like all series I prefer to read them in order.
John & Michas love for each other was never a question, but sometimes you need to set love free and hope that one day it will come back. John and Micah both knew this all too well.
After almost a decade apart John & Micah reconnect when Micah returns to the sleepy coastal town of Aqua Vista to settle his late grandfathers affairs and it isn’t long before old feelings resurface.
Their journey back to each other wasn’t easy but they more than deserved their HEA.
Dear John was a cozy read, the perfect book to enjoy when you need something light but still hits you in the feels.
I loved seeing so many familiar characters and this is a series I am excited to continue and would recommend it.
I received an ARC of Dear John in exchange for an honest review
May 2, 2025
4.5 Stars
My goodness, this book was heartbreaking, I cried through the whole book but happy tears at the end at least. Poor John and Micah, married young, live in a small town, both have family roots there but Micha feels like he doesn’t belong and is meant for big things liking going to LA and become an actor, John wants to stay home and open his Bar he dreamt apart owning. They both love each other unconditionally but go their separate ways, it’s hard, they manage to move on and live their lives but still loving each other and hooking up and doing other things together when Micah comes back to settle his Grandfather’s affairs . So heartbreaking though and then Micah leaves again and it breaks me because he hurts him and John, so sad… Something happens and then changes for the better and, yay, happy tears. I love John and Micah, their story was beautiful and heartbreaking and now very happy and so loving.
My goodness, this book was heartbreaking, I cried through the whole book but happy tears at the end at least. Poor John and Micah, married young, live in a small town, both have family roots there but Micha feels like he doesn’t belong and is meant for big things liking going to LA and become an actor, John wants to stay home and open his Bar he dreamt apart owning. They both love each other unconditionally but go their separate ways, it’s hard, they manage to move on and live their lives but still loving each other and hooking up and doing other things together when Micah comes back to settle his Grandfather’s affairs . So heartbreaking though and then Micah leaves again and it breaks me because he hurts him and John, so sad… Something happens and then changes for the better and, yay, happy tears. I love John and Micah, their story was beautiful and heartbreaking and now very happy and so loving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2025
story of John and Micah
This is a second chance romance, featuring John and Micah, and is book two in the Aqua Vista series.
Micah returns to his hometown for his grandfather’s funeral and is reunited with his estranged husband, John, rekindling old feelings. Love still burns between them, but with Micah planning to return to LA, they must face the painful reality that love alone might not be enough to keep them together.
This story is a slow burn and full of these two finding their way back to each other. It was sweet and the flashbacks of how their relationship built was a great insight into their connection and how deep their love goes.
I’m so looking forward to book three.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM romance
Small town
Slow burn
Right person / Wrong time
Estranged husbands
Second chance
Hurt / Comfort
Some spice
Lots of pining
Flashbacks
Found family
HEA
This is a second chance romance, featuring John and Micah, and is book two in the Aqua Vista series.
Micah returns to his hometown for his grandfather’s funeral and is reunited with his estranged husband, John, rekindling old feelings. Love still burns between them, but with Micah planning to return to LA, they must face the painful reality that love alone might not be enough to keep them together.
This story is a slow burn and full of these two finding their way back to each other. It was sweet and the flashbacks of how their relationship built was a great insight into their connection and how deep their love goes.
I’m so looking forward to book three.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM romance
Small town
Slow burn
Right person / Wrong time
Estranged husbands
Second chance
Hurt / Comfort
Some spice
Lots of pining
Flashbacks
Found family
HEA
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