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Sometimes Never #4.5
Let It Be
I’m the happy one. The dependable one.
The shoulder. The anchor. The pillar. The rock. The matchmaker.
I’m the one you call when you’ve had a bad day. When you need to vent, or scream, or cry. I will always be there to comfort you. It’s a gift. A talent. A role I’ve happily played. I’ve helped my friends become who they were meant to be. I’ve watched them move away, find love, start their lives.
But what about me?
When does my life start? Where is my happily-ever-after?
My name is Guy Handlin, and this is my story.
*This novella is a New Adult M/M romance. Recommended for 17+ due to harsh language, sexual situations, and adult themes.
**Let It Be is a companion novella to the Sometimes Never series, however, it can be read as a stand-alone book.
***Please note this novella deals with dark subject matter.
The shoulder. The anchor. The pillar. The rock. The matchmaker.
I’m the one you call when you’ve had a bad day. When you need to vent, or scream, or cry. I will always be there to comfort you. It’s a gift. A talent. A role I’ve happily played. I’ve helped my friends become who they were meant to be. I’ve watched them move away, find love, start their lives.
But what about me?
When does my life start? Where is my happily-ever-after?
My name is Guy Handlin, and this is my story.
*This novella is a New Adult M/M romance. Recommended for 17+ due to harsh language, sexual situations, and adult themes.
**Let It Be is a companion novella to the Sometimes Never series, however, it can be read as a stand-alone book.
***Please note this novella deals with dark subject matter.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2014
32 people are currently reading
1317 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl McIntyre
37 books2,160 followersStay up to date on all of Cheryl’s new releases by joining her newsletter here:
http://bit.ly/1C2azm3
Cheryl McIntyre is the author of the bestselling Sometimes Never series, as well as the Dirty series, Infinitely, Dark Calling, Villain, and HARD. She resides in Ohio with her high school sweetheart, their two sons, one daughter, one fur son, and a hamster.
You can follow her author page on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter—though she has not yet mastered the art of tweeting—on Amazon, BookBub, tsū, Instagram, Pinterest, or on her website. You can also join her newsletter to receive information about new releases and current sales.
Find Cheryl
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http://bit.ly/1C2azm3
Cheryl McIntyre is the author of the bestselling Sometimes Never series, as well as the Dirty series, Infinitely, Dark Calling, Villain, and HARD. She resides in Ohio with her high school sweetheart, their two sons, one daughter, one fur son, and a hamster.
You can follow her author page on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter—though she has not yet mastered the art of tweeting—on Amazon, BookBub, tsū, Instagram, Pinterest, or on her website. You can also join her newsletter to receive information about new releases and current sales.
Find Cheryl
Website:
http://cherylmcintyrebooks.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CherylMcInty...
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CherylHMcIntyre
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon Author Central page:
http://www.amazon.com/CherylMcIntyre/...
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chery...
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cherylmcint...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/chm22480/
tsū:
https://www.tsu.co/CherylMcIntyreAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 20, 2014
I feel like I want to rate lower because it was too short and I have too many unanswered questions but that wouldn't be fair because I really enjoyed hearing about Guy.
Guy has left his best friends wedding to rush Ian to hospital and we get a past/present dual POV from Guy at the hospital reminiscing and Ian in the past talking of how in love he is with his roommate Guy. The only problem is he's not out, and on top of that he suffers from depression.
Will Ian pull through and be able to claim Guy as his boyfriend?
They were really sweet together, I would have enjoyed a full length book about these two, it was far too short!
Guy has left his best friends wedding to rush Ian to hospital and we get a past/present dual POV from Guy at the hospital reminiscing and Ian in the past talking of how in love he is with his roommate Guy. The only problem is he's not out, and on top of that he suffers from depression.
Will Ian pull through and be able to claim Guy as his boyfriend?
They were really sweet together, I would have enjoyed a full length book about these two, it was far too short!
September 3, 2014
Why does guy only get a novella??
August 26, 2014
Beautiful Love Story Beyond The Borders Of Gender.
Wow, she did it.
This is the first love story I've read with the main focus on a gay couple, and being that they are men, I foresaw all kinds of issues. How could a lady give them a convincing voice? How could she pull off their love, even their steamy encounters in a natural and beautiful way? Then again--this is Cheryl, so she had my vote of confidence before I started reading it: I expected her to change, revise, and polish draft after draft of "Let It Be" like she does with all of her works before she releases them. And she did. Yes, she DID! I believe that love sprouts between souls. Whether these souls are female-male, male-male, female-female doesn't mean a thing, and "Let It Be" showcases this perfectly.
Guy's story is sweet. Sad. Happy. And even funny sometimes--especially when my favorite guys Mason and Chase make their hilarious guest appearances, lol! Already on page three, I cried a little bit--the good kind of crying, because it's touching, and you know the author is bringing you through the conflict for a reason. As a reader, you need to read on ASAP because you trust that this is going in the right direction.
Anyway. I am sad that the Sometimes Never series is over with this novella. I loved every book. Every page.
Wow, she did it.
This is the first love story I've read with the main focus on a gay couple, and being that they are men, I foresaw all kinds of issues. How could a lady give them a convincing voice? How could she pull off their love, even their steamy encounters in a natural and beautiful way? Then again--this is Cheryl, so she had my vote of confidence before I started reading it: I expected her to change, revise, and polish draft after draft of "Let It Be" like she does with all of her works before she releases them. And she did. Yes, she DID! I believe that love sprouts between souls. Whether these souls are female-male, male-male, female-female doesn't mean a thing, and "Let It Be" showcases this perfectly.
Guy's story is sweet. Sad. Happy. And even funny sometimes--especially when my favorite guys Mason and Chase make their hilarious guest appearances, lol! Already on page three, I cried a little bit--the good kind of crying, because it's touching, and you know the author is bringing you through the conflict for a reason. As a reader, you need to read on ASAP because you trust that this is going in the right direction.
Anyway. I am sad that the Sometimes Never series is over with this novella. I loved every book. Every page.
August 20, 2014
I am so sad to see this series end...I've loved it from the beginning and what a bittersweet ending for it. Guy has always been one of my favorite characters, I'm so happy he got his novella! A short but sweet read! The only negative comment I have is, it wasn't long enough, I wanted more but all good things must come to an end. Thank you Cheryl McIntyre for a fantastic series with great characters who became good friends!
January 13, 2016
As always, beautifully written.
I especially enjoyed Ian's POV. The way he described his feelings and depression was beautiful and quite spot on. There are only two flaws to this book.
1- It is only a novella. I wanted Guy's full story. He is my favorite in the series and I am greedy and would like an entire 300 pages-long book about him. So that's not so much a flaw as the author being so good that the reader wants more! : )
2 - I would say the book felt a bit too much like a manual about depression. There actually are different types of depression and different reasons for depression, not all of which can be explained by a mere brain imbalance. Hope cannot know that it is, in fact, an imbalance causing the depression without seeing Ian's results...
But, with that being said, this book did NOT stigmatize the illness, nor was it an attempt at capitalizing on it (as I have seen some other novels do) and the author did her best to explain what depression is and what it feels like. Ian's description of the symptoms was perfect.
As always, huge kudos! I love this author!
Can we please have a whole novel about Guy?
I especially enjoyed Ian's POV. The way he described his feelings and depression was beautiful and quite spot on. There are only two flaws to this book.
1- It is only a novella. I wanted Guy's full story. He is my favorite in the series and I am greedy and would like an entire 300 pages-long book about him. So that's not so much a flaw as the author being so good that the reader wants more! : )
2 - I would say the book felt a bit too much like a manual about depression. There actually are different types of depression and different reasons for depression, not all of which can be explained by a mere brain imbalance. Hope cannot know that it is, in fact, an imbalance causing the depression without seeing Ian's results...
But, with that being said, this book did NOT stigmatize the illness, nor was it an attempt at capitalizing on it (as I have seen some other novels do) and the author did her best to explain what depression is and what it feels like. Ian's description of the symptoms was perfect.
As always, huge kudos! I love this author!
Can we please have a whole novel about Guy?
January 6, 2015
This was my third mm romance read (and the second that I finished reading). It's a sweet love story with a heavy subject and very well written by Cheryl McIntyre, an author that I appreciate. It's a short novella but it's enough to make you like the MCs and route for their happiness :)
March 11, 2015
Wow, what can I say?!?! I was so beyond disappointed with Guy's book. Actually I'm rather
over this.
I've loved Guy since book 1. He's been my FAV of the series. This was the book that pushed me to read the entire series in a week and this is what I get. It is like a complete new character was thrown in with the same name. Nothing about this says this is the same Guy from the previous 5 books other than being best friends with Hope.
I was mad when I seen he only got a novella, but it's a good thing cause there is no fuckin way I could read a full length of this. So, so , so fucking sad, for something that should have been GREAT.
Reading Order
Sometimes Never(Sometimes Never book 1)
Blackbird (Sometimes Never novella 1.5)
Before Now (Sometimes Never book 2)
Long After (Sometimes Never book 3)
Always Forever (Sometimes Never book 4)
Let It Be (Sometimes Never novella 4.5)
Sometimes Never: The Series Box Set 1-4.5
March 27, 2015
Man, I am so bummed. I love Guy and he is a significant character and his book is so short and we are totally cheated out of all the beautiful parts of his story. All of McIntyre's books in this series (though I did skip the 4th) are pretty serious, bad things happen or have happened, these kids have issues. I'm okay with that. But the other books balance it all out better, we get to watch the characters fall in love and interact with their friends and yes, we watch them fall apart as well.
This was sad. Sad and the little flashbacks of moments were not enough. I wanted to watch Ian and Guy meet and stumble awkwardly around each other and fall in love and become serious and then start falling apart. :(
I love that there were alternating POV, and the writing is good, its always good. And I don't mind the idea of having
Then ending felt rushed, not that
Mostly I just think that it was too short. If it had been longer than Now, I reckon I have missed a thing or two because I didn't read number 4 and I know this ties in a bit, but
So yeah...just kind of bummed that their story was so short and missing the euphoria of falling in love.
This was sad. Sad and the little flashbacks of moments were not enough. I wanted to watch Ian and Guy meet and stumble awkwardly around each other and fall in love and become serious and then start falling apart. :(
I love that there were alternating POV, and the writing is good, its always good. And I don't mind the idea of having
Then ending felt rushed, not that
Mostly I just think that it was too short. If it had been longer than Now, I reckon I have missed a thing or two because I didn't read number 4 and I know this ties in a bit, but
So yeah...just kind of bummed that their story was so short and missing the euphoria of falling in love.
August 7, 2016
Gahhh I love this series and every book by Cheryl.
From the start you can tell this is going to be a bit gloomy. Also if you know the characters at all. If you haven't read the series I highly suggest you should just to get a back story and a feel for the characters. I loved also having Park, Chase and Hope in here. I love them all and it's always nice when they come in and support their friends. Ian attempted suicide and is in rough condition. He has been battling his demons and Guy isn't sure he will pull through so he stays by his side and reminisces back to an unconscious Ian some of their memories. It was very, very sad and was playing at the heart strings. You really didn't know if he would wake up or not. And I am not going to tell you if he does or doesn't. It was sad and beautiful and I loved every second .Cheryl does it yet again. Amazing, short read! I highly recommend everyone read this amazing series. The writing is flawless and the characters are transfixing.
"I want him. All of him. For now. For tomorrow. Forever."
"You're perfect. You're perfect to me. You're perfect for me."
"I love you," I say. "Five-ever" I nod. "Because forever isn't long enough."
From the start you can tell this is going to be a bit gloomy. Also if you know the characters at all. If you haven't read the series I highly suggest you should just to get a back story and a feel for the characters. I loved also having Park, Chase and Hope in here. I love them all and it's always nice when they come in and support their friends. Ian attempted suicide and is in rough condition. He has been battling his demons and Guy isn't sure he will pull through so he stays by his side and reminisces back to an unconscious Ian some of their memories. It was very, very sad and was playing at the heart strings. You really didn't know if he would wake up or not. And I am not going to tell you if he does or doesn't. It was sad and beautiful and I loved every second .Cheryl does it yet again. Amazing, short read! I highly recommend everyone read this amazing series. The writing is flawless and the characters are transfixing.
"I want him. All of him. For now. For tomorrow. Forever."
"You're perfect. You're perfect to me. You're perfect for me."
"I love you," I say. "Five-ever" I nod. "Because forever isn't long enough."
June 7, 2015
A lovely novella by a very talented author. Angst, love, great characters and serious topics handled well. Review is up on the blog but more of a review here later in the morning.
Pop on in for a giveaway of the terrific Let It Be Oct 17th-19th and interview with Cheryl McIntyre
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
Pop on in for a giveaway of the terrific Let It Be Oct 17th-19th and interview with Cheryl McIntyre
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
June 1, 2015
Wow, that was really, really good. I haven't read the rest of the series because they're m/f but it didn't feel necessary. Helpful maybe but not necessary. I'd save this one for times when a little eye leakage sounds appealing. I think I leaked through 98% of the damned thing. :)
August 22, 2014
Guy's story!
December 21, 2015
Not deep enough and too short to deal properly with coming out, depression and attempted suicide.
October 27, 2014
5 'heartbreakingly beautiful' stars.
I love this series, was slightly disappointed by the last book but the only thing that disappointed me with this one was it was way too short, I could have kept reading about Guy and his love, Ian, 'fivever'.
The poignant way it dealt with the very real issues that these two young lovers were faced with. One's fear of being true to who they were, needing to hide their love and the others struggle with having to do that. It's just such a painful reality for some and it broke my heart.
I have loved the happy go lucky, always there for everyone else, Guy throughout the series and I have not cried so much in ages!
May have dropped the rating half a star because of its length but its Guy people, I can't do that, he deserves 5 stars.
Love Guy, Love Ian. LOVED THIS BOOK!
Hope it's not the last we see of them!
"I was a person who just wanted one thing out of my life. The same thing everyone wants. Happiness. And you can't be happy living a lie. I decided being different was a blessing - not a mistake, not a curse, not a disease. And I had every right to that happiness." - Guy
I love this series, was slightly disappointed by the last book but the only thing that disappointed me with this one was it was way too short, I could have kept reading about Guy and his love, Ian, 'fivever'.
The poignant way it dealt with the very real issues that these two young lovers were faced with. One's fear of being true to who they were, needing to hide their love and the others struggle with having to do that. It's just such a painful reality for some and it broke my heart.
I have loved the happy go lucky, always there for everyone else, Guy throughout the series and I have not cried so much in ages!
May have dropped the rating half a star because of its length but its Guy people, I can't do that, he deserves 5 stars.
Love Guy, Love Ian. LOVED THIS BOOK!
Hope it's not the last we see of them!
"I was a person who just wanted one thing out of my life. The same thing everyone wants. Happiness. And you can't be happy living a lie. I decided being different was a blessing - not a mistake, not a curse, not a disease. And I had every right to that happiness." - Guy
August 19, 2014
I am conflicted about whether I should give Let It Be two stars or three stars, I did not like it per se.
I love Guy and I'm glad he found his other half but I really wasn't into the book. Despite the fact that it has a good storyline and that the topic it focuses on is deep and interesting, I couldn't get myself to enjoy the book.
I actually liked the part where the friends were there, because we get to see the usual Guy who is happy and fun. We're not used to sad and hurting Guy so it was kind of hard to get into the story.
So, I guess it's a 2.5 stars for Let It Be. I'm sorry Guy, I tried but it's a neutral for me. I chose three mostly because of the message it sends off about life, well, and because I like Guy.
I love Guy and I'm glad he found his other half but I really wasn't into the book. Despite the fact that it has a good storyline and that the topic it focuses on is deep and interesting, I couldn't get myself to enjoy the book.
I actually liked the part where the friends were there, because we get to see the usual Guy who is happy and fun. We're not used to sad and hurting Guy so it was kind of hard to get into the story.
So, I guess it's a 2.5 stars for Let It Be. I'm sorry Guy, I tried but it's a neutral for me. I chose three mostly because of the message it sends off about life, well, and because I like Guy.
April 26, 2015
I love Cheryl McIntyre's writing and have loved the 'Sometimes Never' series. When I heard that Guy would be getting his own book I was really excited but unfortunately I found it a bit disappointing. Although Cheryl's writing was still very good, I just found it too short to really get to know the characters properly and I felt that much of their story was skipped over.
Although this can be read as a stand alone I wouldn't recommend it, as without having read the previous books you would have even less of an understanding of who the characters are.
Although this can be read as a stand alone I wouldn't recommend it, as without having read the previous books you would have even less of an understanding of who the characters are.
August 23, 2014
Guy has always been my favorite character in the series, but I always considered "Long After" my favorite book in the series. Not anymore. Even though it is the shortest in the series, it has now become my favorite.
I promise you, you will cry through this entire novella. This story is about Guy and Ian. It starts out sad, but ends happy.
After helping all of his friends to get their HEA, Guy finally gets his.
I promise you, you will cry through this entire novella. This story is about Guy and Ian. It starts out sad, but ends happy.
After helping all of his friends to get their HEA, Guy finally gets his.
September 20, 2014
I read this book because I was curious and the price was appealing. I loved Guy from the moment he was introduced in the series but I wasn't too sure I wanted to read a gay love story(not a homophobe its just not my style of reading). I'm glad I did though as even though it has sex scenes it was not explicit. I'm happy for Guy and Ian that they were able to save each other.
March 24, 2015
this novella was too sweet. Too cute. Too short.
I loved Let it Be from page 1 and through all the book tears of understanding fell from my eyes.
I love Guy and Ian's story and I wish we could have seen more. But what we got was precious. We get to know a little Guy and a little Hope and we get a peek into the life of the other protagonists of this serie.
Five-ever
I loved Let it Be from page 1 and through all the book tears of understanding fell from my eyes.
I love Guy and Ian's story and I wish we could have seen more. But what we got was precious. We get to know a little Guy and a little Hope and we get a peek into the life of the other protagonists of this serie.
Five-ever
March 27, 2015
Let It Be by Cheryl McIntyre is a moody story written with a distinctive style. Read from two points of view we meet Ian and Guy. We watch a short patch in their life that is the make or break moment in a relationship. It's not overly sappy but there is a real intensity that is used simply and clearly.
I might have to check out more of this writer’s works.
I might have to check out more of this writer’s works.
September 7, 2014
LOVED this novella! Like, absolutely, completely loved it. My only complaint is that I wish it was a full-length novel. But I have a feeling even if it was a novel I still would wish it was longer. Never want Cheryl McIntyre's books to end!
September 23, 2014
I really love how this book addressed depression and anxiety. Being bi-poloar with acute anxiety myself I could completely relate to the story. The whole situation was handled perfectly. Excellent!!
September 10, 2017
I never write reviews. I was really disappointed. I've been waiting for Guy's story and this was too short and felt too rushed.
September 26, 2017
For as short as it was, it was a tedious read. The writing was a bit juvenile.
October 27, 2018
When the love you have for someone remains a secret all it does is build walls of doubt. These two characters are happy together, yet they aren’t ready to share that happiness with family and friends. This secret causes a strain on the relationship.
There are moments when I’m completely engaged in the storyline and other times I’m mindlessly skimming, anxious to get back to the good parts where they connect.
I struggled in the beginning. The transition from eleven year old Guy to twenty-five year old Guy wasn’t smooth. There was a huge gap of time that needed to be filled in. A better introduction for Ian would have helped with that gap of time.
The story took an unexpected turn, one I wasn’t prepared for. Midway through the story was when I finally accepted what Cheryl was trying to say.
Overall, Cheryl’s issue made its point.
When an author writes about a topic of this caliber it’s helpful to have a developed backstory. In this case with this being a short story that backstory was cut short. Had a more extensive backstory been created this story could have had the potential to become something spectacular.
There are moments when I’m completely engaged in the storyline and other times I’m mindlessly skimming, anxious to get back to the good parts where they connect.
I struggled in the beginning. The transition from eleven year old Guy to twenty-five year old Guy wasn’t smooth. There was a huge gap of time that needed to be filled in. A better introduction for Ian would have helped with that gap of time.
The story took an unexpected turn, one I wasn’t prepared for. Midway through the story was when I finally accepted what Cheryl was trying to say.
Overall, Cheryl’s issue made its point.
When an author writes about a topic of this caliber it’s helpful to have a developed backstory. In this case with this being a short story that backstory was cut short. Had a more extensive backstory been created this story could have had the potential to become something spectacular.
January 24, 2018
This had a pretty good story to it for being a novella.
I wanted these boys to make it.
I wanted these boys to make it.
October 30, 2018
Sad but good ending
This book will make you said, I almost felt a tear coming, this book is about a young man coming to terms with being gay and suffers from depression.
This book will make you said, I almost felt a tear coming, this book is about a young man coming to terms with being gay and suffers from depression.
December 9, 2018
Blew me away
Wow! It brought me to tears and I felt the pain both Ian and Guy were going through. Sometimes hiding hurts more than you expect. Live out loud and be you.
Wow! It brought me to tears and I felt the pain both Ian and Guy were going through. Sometimes hiding hurts more than you expect. Live out loud and be you.
Read
November 29, 2019I know this can be read as a standalone, but there wasn't enough here for me to connect with the characters. This was a DNF for me.
September 4, 2014
Guy is one of my favorite characters in the Sometimes Never series. He’s the one who makes you laugh when you’re sad and hold you when you fall. But even though we get to see pieces of him in each book of the series, we’ve never gotten Guy’s story until now.
This book was nothing and everything that I expected. What do I mean? Well, I knew Guy’s story would be amazing. He’s got this incredible presence you can’t ignore. But I never imagined the depth of emotions I would feel. I bawled so much while reading Let It Be that it would be easier to count the pages I didn’t cry.
The story is told in alternating points of view between Guy and his boyfriend Ian. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel that does alternating pov so well. You just sink into the voices of Guy and Ian. I felt surrounded by the emotion of each character, like I was a little part of them in their head as they told their story. I can’t even choose which of them I loved more. Guy seems so put together and sure of himself, but the desperation he feels just gutted me. Ian, . . . oh God, Ian. It was almost painful to hear the thoughts inside his head. The way he loved Guy, how he blamed himself for everything. It killed me to see how much he was dying inside.
This book, oh this book! I want to gift everyone I know a copy and stand over them to make sure they read it. It’s absolutely perfect. A spectacular story of strength, loss, and love. It may be my favorite book this year.
“I think you stole a piece of my heart within those first few seconds. You took it and never gave it back. But that’s okay. I don’t want it back. It’s yours to keep.”
Review posted at Love Between the Sheets
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews