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Sunrises & Salvation
Hunter is ready to start over.
After a brutal high school experience, outed by his best friend, tormented by his peers, and left emotionally wrecked, he’s desperate for a fresh start. College is supposed to be that for him, a new town, new faces, and no one who knows the version of him he’s trying to leave behind. Here, he can finally breathe. Study what he loves. Build a life on his own terms, maybe some friends who finally see him. Maybe just maybe, be loved the way he’s always openly, fiercely, first. The way he’s only ever read about in dog-eared paperbacks. But he definitely wasn’t expecting Adam—ice blue eyes, sharp edges, and a presence that hits like gravity.
Adam has no interest in starting over.
Or starting anything at that. Born into privilege but raised without warmth, he’s always known love as something conditional, transactional, a means to an end. Now, orphaned and wealthy, If he wants access to his inheritance, he has to earn a degree and marry the childhood best friend he shares no real future with. It’s a calculated trap. But Adam wants that inheritance, to protect it from the greedy hands waiting to twist it into something ugly. He doesn’t want a connection. Doesn’t believe in the kind of love that asks for nothing. But when a brown-eyed boy with a soft voice and a hopeful heart crashes into his world, Adam starts to wonder if he’s allowed to want more. If maybe he’s not too far gone to feel something real.
What begins as an unexpected connection grows into something deeper. Brighter. Real. Neither are ready for what happens when their worlds collide. But some things, no matter how messy, how complicated, how impossible, work out in the most remarkable ways.
One is searching.
One is hiding.
But some stories aren’t written—they’re lived.
After a brutal high school experience, outed by his best friend, tormented by his peers, and left emotionally wrecked, he’s desperate for a fresh start. College is supposed to be that for him, a new town, new faces, and no one who knows the version of him he’s trying to leave behind. Here, he can finally breathe. Study what he loves. Build a life on his own terms, maybe some friends who finally see him. Maybe just maybe, be loved the way he’s always openly, fiercely, first. The way he’s only ever read about in dog-eared paperbacks. But he definitely wasn’t expecting Adam—ice blue eyes, sharp edges, and a presence that hits like gravity.
Adam has no interest in starting over.
Or starting anything at that. Born into privilege but raised without warmth, he’s always known love as something conditional, transactional, a means to an end. Now, orphaned and wealthy, If he wants access to his inheritance, he has to earn a degree and marry the childhood best friend he shares no real future with. It’s a calculated trap. But Adam wants that inheritance, to protect it from the greedy hands waiting to twist it into something ugly. He doesn’t want a connection. Doesn’t believe in the kind of love that asks for nothing. But when a brown-eyed boy with a soft voice and a hopeful heart crashes into his world, Adam starts to wonder if he’s allowed to want more. If maybe he’s not too far gone to feel something real.
What begins as an unexpected connection grows into something deeper. Brighter. Real. Neither are ready for what happens when their worlds collide. But some things, no matter how messy, how complicated, how impossible, work out in the most remarkable ways.
One is searching.
One is hiding.
But some stories aren’t written—they’re lived.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
5 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC REVIEW
This story was chaos messy, heartbreaking, and beautiful all at once. And honestly? I ate up every single page.
Hunter’s just starting college, trying to figure out who he is, but the weight of his past is crushing. He’s so used to being hurt that he expects disappointment before it even happens. My heart broke for him again and again; you can feel the ache of his loneliness and his constant fear of being unwanted.
Then there’s Adam. He doesn’t mean to make things harder, but his own struggles collide with Hunter’s in ways that make their connection feel impossible. Watching them stumble, pull back, and still yearn for each other made the whole book feel raw and painfully real.
Four hundred pages of raw, unfiltered emotion. The author writes heartbreak and healing in a way that cuts deep, yet still leaves you clinging to hope for that hard-won HEA.
ARC REVIEW
This story was chaos messy, heartbreaking, and beautiful all at once. And honestly? I ate up every single page.
Hunter’s just starting college, trying to figure out who he is, but the weight of his past is crushing. He’s so used to being hurt that he expects disappointment before it even happens. My heart broke for him again and again; you can feel the ache of his loneliness and his constant fear of being unwanted.
Then there’s Adam. He doesn’t mean to make things harder, but his own struggles collide with Hunter’s in ways that make their connection feel impossible. Watching them stumble, pull back, and still yearn for each other made the whole book feel raw and painfully real.
Four hundred pages of raw, unfiltered emotion. The author writes heartbreak and healing in a way that cuts deep, yet still leaves you clinging to hope for that hard-won HEA.
September 7, 2025
I wanted to love this, but it didn’t hit just right for me. I did enjoy the story- I thought Adam and Kian had a beautiful hard fought HEA. But there were things that kept me from absolutely loving the book overall.
Even though it was first person POV, I felt like it read like third person. I didn’t always feel the inner monologue/emotions of the character. I also got confused by who was talking quite a few times and that only ever happens to me when reading third person.
There was too much detail around things that did not need it and not enough for things that did.
I got to 80% and it thought it would only be that chapter and en epilogue left but there was still 20%. I think I would have enjoyed it much more if it was shorter.
Everyone responds to writing styles differently, so with that I do recommend it because it really is a good second chance love story.
Even though it was first person POV, I felt like it read like third person. I didn’t always feel the inner monologue/emotions of the character. I also got confused by who was talking quite a few times and that only ever happens to me when reading third person.
There was too much detail around things that did not need it and not enough for things that did.
I got to 80% and it thought it would only be that chapter and en epilogue left but there was still 20%. I think I would have enjoyed it much more if it was shorter.
Everyone responds to writing styles differently, so with that I do recommend it because it really is a good second chance love story.
September 13, 2025
I’d like to start this off by saying I believe this book should be classified as book two in a series. Under The Texas Sky is Tatum’s debut, and Sunrises & Salvation is her second and latest release. There are characters and crossover scenes in this one that you may feel a little lost through without having the context of book one.
The beginning of this book does a good job at establishing our main characters, who they are, and their backgrounds. Hunter is running away from his hometown after being outed and ostracized by his high school peers, and believes college in a different town will be a fresh start for him. He is understandably skittish around new people and unsure how to discern whether someone is being real with him or not. He closes himself off to new opportunities and keeps mostly to himself. Adam is a rich kid going to school at the same college, albeit a year ahead of Hunter. They meet at orientation and right off the bat we have miscommunication. Hunter believes that Adam dislikes him because he is gay, even though one of Adam’s closest friends is a girl in a relationship with another girl. Hunter is so unsure of himself that he avoids any and all interactions with the friend group, and tries to keep to himself.
That doesn’t really work though, Adam and Hunter reconcile, and then eventually start fooling around. Adam is going through his own stuff regarding his inheritance and has a “girlfriend”, but develops feelings for Hunter. It is pretty obvious to the reader what is going on. The characters in the story? Not so much. We get to experience a good handful of miscommunication cues that then lead to our MC’s separating and years passing.
Hunter is probably the most frustrating thing about this book. He refuses to listen to other people when they are explaining something to him, then makes decisions that are wildly off character for him because he’s basing his actions off of assumed information that is incorrect. For example, when he blocked Adam. I literally did a double take, it was so off for him that I had to take a break from the book. On the same page, he says “a sense of wrongness washes over me”. I’m sitting here like ‘gee I wonder why’ because it made zero sense for this. They agreed to meet up after the date with Thomas. Hunter agreed that he wanted to go forward with Adam and not Thomas. He goes on the date. Then ghosts Adam? What?
Also, there’s a scene that Adam goes by Matt’s house but then nothing ever comes of it. There’s no explanation of what Adam does there or if there was ever any interaction with Matt. This was a loose end that I actually wanted tied up.
The latter half of the book is when the characters from Under the Texas Sky are involved. This is the second chance portion of the book. I feel like the first part of the book could have been cut down and more time could have been spent on the second chance aspect of the story. There was a lot of angst for angst’s sake, and the entire issue that caused the missed communication from the first half solved itself off page and was kind of disregarded. It was almost like we had two books in one.
I know I had a lot to say about this one, but I did enjoy it. As mentioned earlier, I think these two books should be grouped together in a series. I think the author has a good start here, but might need to spend a little more time during editing on things that maybe need to be elaborated on a little further and others that could be cut altogether. The story was good though, and succeeded in getting me as a reader invested in the outcome. I will return for more of Ms. Bailey’s works in the future.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
The beginning of this book does a good job at establishing our main characters, who they are, and their backgrounds. Hunter is running away from his hometown after being outed and ostracized by his high school peers, and believes college in a different town will be a fresh start for him. He is understandably skittish around new people and unsure how to discern whether someone is being real with him or not. He closes himself off to new opportunities and keeps mostly to himself. Adam is a rich kid going to school at the same college, albeit a year ahead of Hunter. They meet at orientation and right off the bat we have miscommunication. Hunter believes that Adam dislikes him because he is gay, even though one of Adam’s closest friends is a girl in a relationship with another girl. Hunter is so unsure of himself that he avoids any and all interactions with the friend group, and tries to keep to himself.
That doesn’t really work though, Adam and Hunter reconcile, and then eventually start fooling around. Adam is going through his own stuff regarding his inheritance and has a “girlfriend”, but develops feelings for Hunter. It is pretty obvious to the reader what is going on. The characters in the story? Not so much. We get to experience a good handful of miscommunication cues that then lead to our MC’s separating and years passing.
Hunter is probably the most frustrating thing about this book. He refuses to listen to other people when they are explaining something to him, then makes decisions that are wildly off character for him because he’s basing his actions off of assumed information that is incorrect. For example, when he blocked Adam. I literally did a double take, it was so off for him that I had to take a break from the book. On the same page, he says “a sense of wrongness washes over me”. I’m sitting here like ‘gee I wonder why’ because it made zero sense for this. They agreed to meet up after the date with Thomas. Hunter agreed that he wanted to go forward with Adam and not Thomas. He goes on the date. Then ghosts Adam? What?
Also, there’s a scene that Adam goes by Matt’s house but then nothing ever comes of it. There’s no explanation of what Adam does there or if there was ever any interaction with Matt. This was a loose end that I actually wanted tied up.
The latter half of the book is when the characters from Under the Texas Sky are involved. This is the second chance portion of the book. I feel like the first part of the book could have been cut down and more time could have been spent on the second chance aspect of the story. There was a lot of angst for angst’s sake, and the entire issue that caused the missed communication from the first half solved itself off page and was kind of disregarded. It was almost like we had two books in one.
I know I had a lot to say about this one, but I did enjoy it. As mentioned earlier, I think these two books should be grouped together in a series. I think the author has a good start here, but might need to spend a little more time during editing on things that maybe need to be elaborated on a little further and others that could be cut altogether. The story was good though, and succeeded in getting me as a reader invested in the outcome. I will return for more of Ms. Bailey’s works in the future.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
Sunrises and Salvation is the second book by author Tatum Bailey. Although it's not really listed as book two in the series, it should be read after 'Under the Texas Sky' because there is overlap. It took me far too long to put two and two together while reading but after my third head scratch over why the side characters sounded so familiar it finally clicked! lol. Reading Under the Texas Sky will certainly help in adding context, especially with the side characters and their journey as well.
Anyway, Sunrises and Salvation is told in two parts. The first part takes place when both MMC's are in college. The second takes place after a time jump when both MMC's are out and about, living their lives in the big wide world.
The first part, when they are in college is the start of their 'friendship' and inevitable slide into more than friends. Adam is our hot mess MMC who we love to hate (at first). He's in a situationship with a girl but it's complicated. His family is complicated. Life's not been the kindest to him and he's a little snarky, a little bit prickly and a bit of a d**che really.
Hunter, on the other hand, is looking for a fresh start and hoping that College is that fresh start that he needs after a terrible high school experience. He meets a small group of people and they are nice and friendly and welcoming. Well, all of them except Adam. Adam is anything but nice to Hunter, especially when they first meet. He comes off hot and cold and poor Hunter is left with whiplash given how quick Adam is to snap and lash out whenever Hunter does something he can't handle. The back and forth continues until Hunter's kindness and innocence slowly begins to thaw Adam's icy exterior. Then it was on like donkey Kong.
I really struggled with Adam during that first part of the book. You only get glimpses and peeks into why he is the way he is which made it difficult to give him a bit of grace. Once he stops denying his feelings for Hunter though he does begin to improve and slowly redeem himself. Things happen though and the two part in rather dramatic fashion.
We fast forward quite a few years and get a glimpse into how the boys have grown up and are now living. Adam's running a business and Hunter's been keeping himself busy. He's also in the process of moving back into town to open his own bookstore. As much as I would have preferred they didn't need to have the separation the way that they did, I do think it was necessary. They were very much right person, wrong time in College and the maturity and where they were each at in their lives would have made sustaining any sort of relationship very challenging. When they come back together as adults though... That's where the magic can truly happen and where the two of them can realise that yeah. They were always meant to be together.
The second half after the time jump is also where Adam does some of his best work, growing as a character. He has been somewhat obsessed with Hunter over the years, quietly pinning away and holding himself back from anyone or anything that might affect his ability to form a connection with him. He believes they are inevitable and knows that nobody is going to measure up to Hunter. He just has to prove that to Hunter and Hunter does not make it easy for him in the slightest. lol.
Give this a go if you are a fan of the second chance romance, if you like your redemption arcs and if you like things angsty and filled with pinning and longing spanning years (essentially if you're a fan of edging yourself... you'll probably enjoy this lol).
Check trigger warnings. Both MMC's come packing a lot of baggage and then their relationship itself doesn't start out on the most positive note either. Once you've checked those, strap yourself in and enjoy!
Anyway, Sunrises and Salvation is told in two parts. The first part takes place when both MMC's are in college. The second takes place after a time jump when both MMC's are out and about, living their lives in the big wide world.
The first part, when they are in college is the start of their 'friendship' and inevitable slide into more than friends. Adam is our hot mess MMC who we love to hate (at first). He's in a situationship with a girl but it's complicated. His family is complicated. Life's not been the kindest to him and he's a little snarky, a little bit prickly and a bit of a d**che really.
Hunter, on the other hand, is looking for a fresh start and hoping that College is that fresh start that he needs after a terrible high school experience. He meets a small group of people and they are nice and friendly and welcoming. Well, all of them except Adam. Adam is anything but nice to Hunter, especially when they first meet. He comes off hot and cold and poor Hunter is left with whiplash given how quick Adam is to snap and lash out whenever Hunter does something he can't handle. The back and forth continues until Hunter's kindness and innocence slowly begins to thaw Adam's icy exterior. Then it was on like donkey Kong.
I really struggled with Adam during that first part of the book. You only get glimpses and peeks into why he is the way he is which made it difficult to give him a bit of grace. Once he stops denying his feelings for Hunter though he does begin to improve and slowly redeem himself. Things happen though and the two part in rather dramatic fashion.
We fast forward quite a few years and get a glimpse into how the boys have grown up and are now living. Adam's running a business and Hunter's been keeping himself busy. He's also in the process of moving back into town to open his own bookstore. As much as I would have preferred they didn't need to have the separation the way that they did, I do think it was necessary. They were very much right person, wrong time in College and the maturity and where they were each at in their lives would have made sustaining any sort of relationship very challenging. When they come back together as adults though... That's where the magic can truly happen and where the two of them can realise that yeah. They were always meant to be together.
The second half after the time jump is also where Adam does some of his best work, growing as a character. He has been somewhat obsessed with Hunter over the years, quietly pinning away and holding himself back from anyone or anything that might affect his ability to form a connection with him. He believes they are inevitable and knows that nobody is going to measure up to Hunter. He just has to prove that to Hunter and Hunter does not make it easy for him in the slightest. lol.
Give this a go if you are a fan of the second chance romance, if you like your redemption arcs and if you like things angsty and filled with pinning and longing spanning years (essentially if you're a fan of edging yourself... you'll probably enjoy this lol).
Check trigger warnings. Both MMC's come packing a lot of baggage and then their relationship itself doesn't start out on the most positive note either. Once you've checked those, strap yourself in and enjoy!
September 8, 2025
Be prepared to be taken on an emotional journey when you pick this one up.
My gosh, I wanted to hug Hunter so much at the beginning! I really felt for him when he seems so lost; his deep sense of loneliness and isolation, and that desire for companionship is so relatable. My heart broke for him as we see his hope to make friends and subsequent disappointment when people don’t give him a chance, or when he is finally given the opportunity but feels he is unable to take it. He’s adorably awkward and clearly doesn’t quite know what’s socially acceptable, which made him even more endearing to me.
While confused and frustrated about his feelings for Hunter at first, which consequently make him act rather meanly towards the other man – especially when old memories surface – Adam eventually accepts that there’s something drawing him to Hunter and is determined to win him for himself.
“That’s changed now; something in me is calling out to Hunter. With his brown eyes and the slight scar on his upper lip. I yearn for him, and for his bright smiles that I wish were truthful. Maybe that’s what this is, my pain recognizes him. We’re two peas in a pod in this fucked up world, meant to stay by each other and keep each other secure and protected.” (Adam)
Adam had such a difficult childhood and is still fighting his demons from it. He’s grumpy, defensive and prickly on the surface but underneath that, he’s longing for approval after being let down by his parents. It took a bit of time for Adam to grow on me but once he had, I became a strong supporter, keenly hoping for a happy ending for him. I loved the way he sees Hunter and how he notices all the little details that make him beautiful.
Their relationship had the odds against them from the start – it’s painful and messy and complicated, and they both make mistakes while trying to keep it secret. Though their connection is unquestionable, I think their extended journey was the right one for them; they both needed to do some growing up before they could be their best selves. And despite the fact my heart ached for them both, especially for Hunter – it really felt like he couldn’t catch a break for a long time – when they finally come together again, the fact that they are so sure about each other proves that everything was worth it. I loved that Adam had never given up on Hunter.
I also have to mention Hunter’s parents before I finish: they’re the most wonderful people – affectionate, supportive and caring to Hunter, and they give Adam a chance, giving him some people to lean on when he’s feeling lost in the world. I really feel as though they had a big influence on helping Adam to heal from everything from his past, so they deserve this special mention.
Also, please note the TW before you read this; it does involve the MMCs cheating on their partners to be together.
My gosh, I wanted to hug Hunter so much at the beginning! I really felt for him when he seems so lost; his deep sense of loneliness and isolation, and that desire for companionship is so relatable. My heart broke for him as we see his hope to make friends and subsequent disappointment when people don’t give him a chance, or when he is finally given the opportunity but feels he is unable to take it. He’s adorably awkward and clearly doesn’t quite know what’s socially acceptable, which made him even more endearing to me.
While confused and frustrated about his feelings for Hunter at first, which consequently make him act rather meanly towards the other man – especially when old memories surface – Adam eventually accepts that there’s something drawing him to Hunter and is determined to win him for himself.
“That’s changed now; something in me is calling out to Hunter. With his brown eyes and the slight scar on his upper lip. I yearn for him, and for his bright smiles that I wish were truthful. Maybe that’s what this is, my pain recognizes him. We’re two peas in a pod in this fucked up world, meant to stay by each other and keep each other secure and protected.” (Adam)
Adam had such a difficult childhood and is still fighting his demons from it. He’s grumpy, defensive and prickly on the surface but underneath that, he’s longing for approval after being let down by his parents. It took a bit of time for Adam to grow on me but once he had, I became a strong supporter, keenly hoping for a happy ending for him. I loved the way he sees Hunter and how he notices all the little details that make him beautiful.
Their relationship had the odds against them from the start – it’s painful and messy and complicated, and they both make mistakes while trying to keep it secret. Though their connection is unquestionable, I think their extended journey was the right one for them; they both needed to do some growing up before they could be their best selves. And despite the fact my heart ached for them both, especially for Hunter – it really felt like he couldn’t catch a break for a long time – when they finally come together again, the fact that they are so sure about each other proves that everything was worth it. I loved that Adam had never given up on Hunter.
I also have to mention Hunter’s parents before I finish: they’re the most wonderful people – affectionate, supportive and caring to Hunter, and they give Adam a chance, giving him some people to lean on when he’s feeling lost in the world. I really feel as though they had a big influence on helping Adam to heal from everything from his past, so they deserve this special mention.
Also, please note the TW before you read this; it does involve the MMCs cheating on their partners to be together.
September 7, 2025
𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚜 & 𝚂𝚊𝚕𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
𝚋𝚢 @authortatumbailey
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
↓↓
Oh my. I was not prepared for the emotions this book put me through, not one bit.
I just knew I was going to love Hunter with my whole heart about 5% in. He is just a kind pure soul that has been through it. You want to hug him, hold him and tell him how amazing he is. He feels so big and loves so deep.
He wants nothing more that have a fresh start at college and I felt for him throughout the beginning. I wanted him to find those friends, find his people, find what he has been missing. Unfortunately, he didn't really get that at all. He got some people that seemed like they wanted to be friends but just disappeared and didn't try hard enough to be his friend. And that hurt me.
Learning of Adam's childhood and what happened was heartbreaking and it explained a little about why he was so back and forth in the beginning. He put Hunter through it with his words and actions but when he finally accepted his feelings and wanted more, I was so happy. I was a little bummed with how things had to be hidden but their relationship really did turn in to something that neither of them were prepared for. My heart hurt for Hunter with what he heard from Adam buuuuuuut he acted extremely harsh and just ran without talking or anything when they were doing so good in their relationship 😭
Adam and Hunter really had to fight for their love and HEA. They were put through it and tested so many times but time after time they always found their way back to each. I loved watching them fall back in love after being apart for so many years. I loved that Hunter got his dream of his bookstore. I just loved these two and their journey, while rocky and emotional, it was still beautiful.
I don't know what's next but I hope we get more in this world, I'm not ready to say goodbye to these couples just yet.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🌅Cheating to be together
🌅Second chance
🌅Touch starved
🌅Grumpy x Sunshine
🌅Broken boys
🌅Found family
🌅First times
🌅Hurt/ comfort
🌅Trauma
🌅Instant attraction
𝚋𝚢 @authortatumbailey
🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
↓↓
Oh my. I was not prepared for the emotions this book put me through, not one bit.
I just knew I was going to love Hunter with my whole heart about 5% in. He is just a kind pure soul that has been through it. You want to hug him, hold him and tell him how amazing he is. He feels so big and loves so deep.
He wants nothing more that have a fresh start at college and I felt for him throughout the beginning. I wanted him to find those friends, find his people, find what he has been missing. Unfortunately, he didn't really get that at all. He got some people that seemed like they wanted to be friends but just disappeared and didn't try hard enough to be his friend. And that hurt me.
Learning of Adam's childhood and what happened was heartbreaking and it explained a little about why he was so back and forth in the beginning. He put Hunter through it with his words and actions but when he finally accepted his feelings and wanted more, I was so happy. I was a little bummed with how things had to be hidden but their relationship really did turn in to something that neither of them were prepared for. My heart hurt for Hunter with what he heard from Adam buuuuuuut he acted extremely harsh and just ran without talking or anything when they were doing so good in their relationship 😭
Adam and Hunter really had to fight for their love and HEA. They were put through it and tested so many times but time after time they always found their way back to each. I loved watching them fall back in love after being apart for so many years. I loved that Hunter got his dream of his bookstore. I just loved these two and their journey, while rocky and emotional, it was still beautiful.
I don't know what's next but I hope we get more in this world, I'm not ready to say goodbye to these couples just yet.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 / 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🌅Cheating to be together
🌅Second chance
🌅Touch starved
🌅Grumpy x Sunshine
🌅Broken boys
🌅Found family
🌅First times
🌅Hurt/ comfort
🌅Trauma
🌅Instant attraction
August 16, 2025
✨️📚 Arc - Review 📚✨️
Hunter & Adam
Rating: 5 ⭐️
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Hurt/ Comfort
- Found Family
- Praise Kink
- Broken Boys
- Insta- Attraction
- Second Chance
- Touch Starved
Ugh.
Look.
This made me cry.
This whole story is a fucking mess.
And I loved every second of it.
Hunter just came to college & tries to be himself/ find himself. He's hurting so, so bad from his past that he immediately assumes the worst in every situation.
(I cried so hard for him at times, because I could just feel his fear of rejection & how he constantly feels like he doesn't belong..)
And in comes Adam - who makes it even harder for Hunter, not intentionally, but still.
Adam has his own issues, and by trying to deal with them he makes the relationship he so badly wants with Hunter nearly impossible...
The whole vibe reminded me of "Finding Delaware" by Bree Wiley.
Not the story, but the feeling of constantly tearing up over these boys.
This book is 400 pages of pure, real, unfiltered emotions.
I could go on & on about it, but I really don't want to spoiler anything for you.
Once I was finished with this I immediately read the previous one (Under the Texas Sky).
I can't believe that Tatum Bailey's books don't get more recognition.
She just knows how to write emotional damage (in the best way, with a HEA) ❤️
Content Warnings:
- child abuse
- aversion to drinks due to poisoning
- death of parents
- bullying
- homophobia
- cheating (to be together)
- mentions of suicidal ideation
Verse: Yes
HEA: Yes
POV: Duo/ 1st Person
Breakup: Yes
Cheat: Yes/ No (not to each other)
Hunter & Adam
Rating: 5 ⭐️
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Hurt/ Comfort
- Found Family
- Praise Kink
- Broken Boys
- Insta- Attraction
- Second Chance
- Touch Starved
Ugh.
Look.
This made me cry.
This whole story is a fucking mess.
And I loved every second of it.
Hunter just came to college & tries to be himself/ find himself. He's hurting so, so bad from his past that he immediately assumes the worst in every situation.
(I cried so hard for him at times, because I could just feel his fear of rejection & how he constantly feels like he doesn't belong..)
And in comes Adam - who makes it even harder for Hunter, not intentionally, but still.
Adam has his own issues, and by trying to deal with them he makes the relationship he so badly wants with Hunter nearly impossible...
The whole vibe reminded me of "Finding Delaware" by Bree Wiley.
Not the story, but the feeling of constantly tearing up over these boys.
This book is 400 pages of pure, real, unfiltered emotions.
I could go on & on about it, but I really don't want to spoiler anything for you.
Once I was finished with this I immediately read the previous one (Under the Texas Sky).
I can't believe that Tatum Bailey's books don't get more recognition.
She just knows how to write emotional damage (in the best way, with a HEA) ❤️
Content Warnings:
- child abuse
- aversion to drinks due to poisoning
- death of parents
- bullying
- homophobia
- cheating (to be together)
- mentions of suicidal ideation
Verse: Yes
HEA: Yes
POV: Duo/ 1st Person
Breakup: Yes
Cheat: Yes/ No (not to each other)
September 11, 2025
🌤
📚
💰
*phew* This was a journey!! The road to Hunter and Adam's HEA was, rough.
Hunter and Adam both have a lot of trauma. Hunter was outed by a friend in high school. He was tormented, bullied to the extreme, and physically beat up. Adam had a childhood full of neglect and emotional damage. He was orphaned at a young age in a devastating way.
These two meet in college on move-in day when Hunter is a freshman and Adam is a sophomore....
From here it's an emotional roller-coaster. The trauma they were each dealing with made things even more complicated. Adam and Hunter had this pull towards each other that they couldn't deny, but should have due to certain circumstances regarding Adam. They didn’t and eventually hidden truths and misunderstandings break them apart.
When Adam and Hunter finally find their way back to each other it's messy and a little complicated but that pull is undeniable. And their ending is so very sweet.
If you like...
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Hurt/ Comfort
- Touch Starved
- First Times
- Found Family
- Praise Kink
- Insta Attraction
- Second Chance
Then this book is for you!!
Started: September 3rd, 2025
Finished: September 5th, 2025
Format: Kindle
So why the three-star rating? As much as I liked Adam and Hunter, the book felt kind of off. I felt like the first 63% was a completely different story from the last 37%. It felt like two different plots about the same people. Neither part was bad at all, but the 1st part of the book didn't really feel finished.
📚
💰
*phew* This was a journey!! The road to Hunter and Adam's HEA was, rough.
Hunter and Adam both have a lot of trauma. Hunter was outed by a friend in high school. He was tormented, bullied to the extreme, and physically beat up. Adam had a childhood full of neglect and emotional damage. He was orphaned at a young age in a devastating way.
These two meet in college on move-in day when Hunter is a freshman and Adam is a sophomore....
From here it's an emotional roller-coaster. The trauma they were each dealing with made things even more complicated. Adam and Hunter had this pull towards each other that they couldn't deny, but should have due to certain circumstances regarding Adam. They didn’t and eventually hidden truths and misunderstandings break them apart.
When Adam and Hunter finally find their way back to each other it's messy and a little complicated but that pull is undeniable. And their ending is so very sweet.
If you like...
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Hurt/ Comfort
- Touch Starved
- First Times
- Found Family
- Praise Kink
- Insta Attraction
- Second Chance
Then this book is for you!!
Started: September 3rd, 2025
Finished: September 5th, 2025
Format: Kindle
So why the three-star rating? As much as I liked Adam and Hunter, the book felt kind of off. I felt like the first 63% was a completely different story from the last 37%. It felt like two different plots about the same people. Neither part was bad at all, but the 1st part of the book didn't really feel finished.
August 22, 2025
Boy was this a love hard fought for!!! Adam and Hunter went through so many ups and downs to find their way to each other.
Learning about their backgrounds and how much hurt and betrayal they had to go through sometimes from those who should have been there to help protect them was hard to read at times but them finding each other and doing what it takes to work through it was great to see. I appreciated that we saw Hunter get the professional help he needed to help him cope and that he put in the effort to get to a healthier place it life.
I loved seeing Hunter’s dreams/life goals come to fruition. And it was sweet how involved those around him were in helping make this happen in different ways.
Hunter and Adam together was so good. There were so many cute moments with sunrises, kisses, crapes and kittens!
I loved Hunter’s parents and how supportive they always were of him and his choices. Love him mom and her cookies. The riddles were a good time and a unique idea and the owners were adorable. The letter…so heartwarming. I would read more from Tatum Bailey.
☑️ Trigger Warnings.
💜ARC REVIEW🧡
Learning about their backgrounds and how much hurt and betrayal they had to go through sometimes from those who should have been there to help protect them was hard to read at times but them finding each other and doing what it takes to work through it was great to see. I appreciated that we saw Hunter get the professional help he needed to help him cope and that he put in the effort to get to a healthier place it life.
I loved seeing Hunter’s dreams/life goals come to fruition. And it was sweet how involved those around him were in helping make this happen in different ways.
Hunter and Adam together was so good. There were so many cute moments with sunrises, kisses, crapes and kittens!
I loved Hunter’s parents and how supportive they always were of him and his choices. Love him mom and her cookies. The riddles were a good time and a unique idea and the owners were adorable. The letter…so heartwarming. I would read more from Tatum Bailey.
☑️ Trigger Warnings.
💜ARC REVIEW🧡
August 31, 2025
What an emotional rollercoaster this was. I knew I was in for it when I was crying 10% in. I’m a crier, sue me! My heart hurt for Hunter and while this book did hurt my feelings at times, this hard earned HEA was well worth it in the end. I still have to go back and read Under The Texas Sky so while it’s not necessary to read it first, they do make an appearance in this book. This was giving us second chance romance vibes with strangers to lovers back to strangers to lovers again. See what I mean, rollercoaster!
Hunter has always had a hard time making friends and he’s looking for a fresh start now that he’s in college. Life hasn’t been always been kind to him and when he meets Adam for the first time, he’s certainly no exception. Adam doesn’t want to want Hunter, they’re from different worlds and he has rules he has to follow if he wants his inheritance. What begins as an unexpected connection grows into something deeper. Brighter. Real. Neither of them were prepared for what happens when they finally give in to what they could be. But some stories aren’t written—they’re lived.
annas.bookcase
Hunter has always had a hard time making friends and he’s looking for a fresh start now that he’s in college. Life hasn’t been always been kind to him and when he meets Adam for the first time, he’s certainly no exception. Adam doesn’t want to want Hunter, they’re from different worlds and he has rules he has to follow if he wants his inheritance. What begins as an unexpected connection grows into something deeper. Brighter. Real. Neither of them were prepared for what happens when they finally give in to what they could be. But some stories aren’t written—they’re lived.
annas.bookcase
August 27, 2025
After reading Under The Texas Sky, I was really excited for Hunter’s and Adam’s story. Tatum Bailey knows how to write second chance romance so well and I love her writing.
Adam’s and Hunter’s journey wasn’t easy, they went through a lot of ups and downs and it was very emotional but I loved learning about their past and how they met. Hunter had my whole heart, he was so sweet and my heart broke for him because of what he went through. Adam took a while for him to grow on me. I felt bad for him and what he had to go through as a child so I understood why he was the way he was but he pulled through in the end and I loved Hunter and Adam together
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, this book was emotional and definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to read and review.
Adam’s and Hunter’s journey wasn’t easy, they went through a lot of ups and downs and it was very emotional but I loved learning about their past and how they met. Hunter had my whole heart, he was so sweet and my heart broke for him because of what he went through. Adam took a while for him to grow on me. I felt bad for him and what he had to go through as a child so I understood why he was the way he was but he pulled through in the end and I loved Hunter and Adam together
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, this book was emotional and definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to read and review.
September 15, 2025
I had to sit on my thoughts a bit before rating this.
While there were definitely parts that I loved, like Adam’s friends, there was just something that I couldn’t vibe with. Even now, a week later, I still can’t really put my finger on why this book didn’t hit with me. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it.
But I will say that if you love angst, hurt/comfort, slow burn, and broken boys, this might be the story for you. These two went on a journey of pain and heartache, but the end of it was well worth it.
*This is connected to Under the Texas Sky, but you don’t necessarily need to read them in order.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
While there were definitely parts that I loved, like Adam’s friends, there was just something that I couldn’t vibe with. Even now, a week later, I still can’t really put my finger on why this book didn’t hit with me. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it.
But I will say that if you love angst, hurt/comfort, slow burn, and broken boys, this might be the story for you. These two went on a journey of pain and heartache, but the end of it was well worth it.
*This is connected to Under the Texas Sky, but you don’t necessarily need to read them in order.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
September 9, 2025
This book broke my heart honestly. But it put it back together by the end.
I loved Hunter and Adam. They really were so sweet together.
I wasn’t sure where we would end up after the time jump, my heart was in my throat with the anticipation.
I have so much I want to say but I can’t without spoiling anything.
Tatum Bailey deserves serious recognition and I immediately added Under the Texas Sky to my TBR because that’s a must read! I can’t wait to see what Tatum does in the future because this book was truly divine.
I loved Hunter and Adam. They really were so sweet together.
I wasn’t sure where we would end up after the time jump, my heart was in my throat with the anticipation.
I have so much I want to say but I can’t without spoiling anything.
Tatum Bailey deserves serious recognition and I immediately added Under the Texas Sky to my TBR because that’s a must read! I can’t wait to see what Tatum does in the future because this book was truly divine.
August 17, 2025
This was an emotional read, but I really enjoyed the relationship between Adam and Hunter. The long term relationship, and the changes it went through, showed a lot of changes and growth and led to a lot of depth overall. I really liked both main characters, and I wanted to give both Hunter and Adam a hug for different reasons. I wish we had a bit more of them as adults, just because I'm greedy, but it was a great story overall.
September 7, 2025
I loved this book from the minute I started it! It was messy, angsty and lots of feelings along the way. This book is the kind of story that I love!
Hunter and Adam meet in college and their paths was not that easy nor it was clean and linear. Hunter is trying to be himself and Adam has his own issues. They lived through some heavy things and to find the way to each other took a lot of healing and works from them. I love both characters and how they evolved through the story. It was real and emotional. They had to fight for their happy ending and I loved witnessing it all.
If you like:
Cheating to be together
Second chance
Broken boys
First time
Trauma and healing
Fast pace and instant attraction
Hunter and Adam meet in college and their paths was not that easy nor it was clean and linear. Hunter is trying to be himself and Adam has his own issues. They lived through some heavy things and to find the way to each other took a lot of healing and works from them. I love both characters and how they evolved through the story. It was real and emotional. They had to fight for their happy ending and I loved witnessing it all.
If you like:
Cheating to be together
Second chance
Broken boys
First time
Trauma and healing
Fast pace and instant attraction
September 10, 2025
I AM SO HAPPY TO BE REUNITED WITH HUNTER!
This Second chance romance has it all:
The pining, the tenderness, the ‘it’s always been you’, the found family!!!!, (&Trent!)…
I am a sucker for Second Chance, adding the found family makes it that much more enticing!
It develops the found family SO FREAKING WELL! I ate that up ✨
The story is set up to crack your soul a bit; & it certainly delivers.
The writing flows super well & it’s well-paced!
This Second chance romance has it all:
The pining, the tenderness, the ‘it’s always been you’, the found family!!!!, (&Trent!)…
I am a sucker for Second Chance, adding the found family makes it that much more enticing!
It develops the found family SO FREAKING WELL! I ate that up ✨
The story is set up to crack your soul a bit; & it certainly delivers.
The writing flows super well & it’s well-paced!
September 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 🌶️💦
This book!! What a read!
I couldn't even put it down bec I just needed these two to be happy. I loved them both, like usually there's one I prefer more but in this case I really loved both our MCs.
This book gets messy in a good way. It hurts, it heals, it swoons—a romance that makes you ache for the moment love finally wins. 🥹
3 🌶️💦
This book!! What a read!
I couldn't even put it down bec I just needed these two to be happy. I loved them both, like usually there's one I prefer more but in this case I really loved both our MCs.
This book gets messy in a good way. It hurts, it heals, it swoons—a romance that makes you ache for the moment love finally wins. 🥹
September 24, 2025
5⭐️ all the way
I did not expect this book to wreck my heart. What an amazing story of love and devotion to another person. No matter what who you’re meant to be with will come along in the right time. READ THIS BOOK!
I did not expect this book to wreck my heart. What an amazing story of love and devotion to another person. No matter what who you’re meant to be with will come along in the right time. READ THIS BOOK!
September 9, 2025
This book had me in its grip from the first chapter to the last. Hunter and Adam had my heart in a chokehold the whole time!! I felt for them and what they were each going through. The emotions were so vivid, they jumped off the page and you couldn’t help but feel right alongside the characters! This was such an amazing book and I highly recommend it!!
August 18, 2025
Oh Hunter and Adam how I love you both!
I might have shed many tears. I had all the emotions in this book. I did not want this book to end. I felt so attached to these characters.
Tatum really outdid her self with this book. I just love her writing.
TATUM DID IT AGAIN 5 STAR BOOK!!!!!
I might have shed many tears. I had all the emotions in this book. I did not want this book to end. I felt so attached to these characters.
Tatum really outdid her self with this book. I just love her writing.
TATUM DID IT AGAIN 5 STAR BOOK!!!!!
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Much like her first book Under the Texas Sky, Tatum Bailey is excellent at writing characters who absolutely grind for their HEA. Not only that but also characters who, despite their shortcomings, you can’t help but fall in love with. You know when a book makes you feel so many overwhelming emotions even within the first few pages that it’s going to be a good read.
Hunter and Adam meet in college but their path to true love isn’t linear. Both men have lived through devastating trauma which requires an extraordinary amount of healing on both sides. But their individual accomplishments makes it even sweeter when they come together.
TL;DR
✨MM
✨Grumpy sunshine
✨Second chance
✨Hurt comfort
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(I received an ARC book to review)
Much like her first book Under the Texas Sky, Tatum Bailey is excellent at writing characters who absolutely grind for their HEA. Not only that but also characters who, despite their shortcomings, you can’t help but fall in love with. You know when a book makes you feel so many overwhelming emotions even within the first few pages that it’s going to be a good read.
Hunter and Adam meet in college but their path to true love isn’t linear. Both men have lived through devastating trauma which requires an extraordinary amount of healing on both sides. But their individual accomplishments makes it even sweeter when they come together.
TL;DR
✨MM
✨Grumpy sunshine
✨Second chance
✨Hurt comfort
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(I received an ARC book to review)
October 1, 2025
4.25⭐️ 2🌶
I love a good angst filled messy story, and this one is full of it. Hunter and Adam are broken and lost for most of the story, but I was fully invested. The growth they had to go through and the healing they needed to do was worth the tears and anxiety. They are so sweet together. I love Adams persistence and Hunters drive to get better. And Hunters parents are everything.
I love watching Tatums writing grow. Loved how we see characters from the first book.
Thank you, Tatum, for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.
I love a good angst filled messy story, and this one is full of it. Hunter and Adam are broken and lost for most of the story, but I was fully invested. The growth they had to go through and the healing they needed to do was worth the tears and anxiety. They are so sweet together. I love Adams persistence and Hunters drive to get better. And Hunters parents are everything.
I love watching Tatums writing grow. Loved how we see characters from the first book.
Thank you, Tatum, for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.
September 9, 2025
Thank you Tatum Bailey for this ARC. This review is entirely my own.
We meet both Hunter and Adam in Under a Texas Sky and I was intrigued by these two men. Reading their story is a punch to the heart and a hug to make it all better rolled into one.
Hunter is a freshman in college and has spent him life being bullied and being known as weird. He hopes college is a new start. As time goes by he wonders if this was the fresh start that he was looking for when he begins to make friends and meets Adam.
Adam is walking a fine line between what he wants and what is expected and he finds the noose is tightening when Hunter walks into his life.
These two are fighting an attraction and it causes some issues but as they get to know each other we see how these two are perfect for each other. One misunderstanding blows everything for both of these men.
When they meet years later, will the past hold them hostage or can they break free?
This book is angst, spice and love. We see familiar faces and root for Hunter and Adam. This book will have you not wanting to put the book down until the last word and then all you want to do is go back and reread it again.
We meet both Hunter and Adam in Under a Texas Sky and I was intrigued by these two men. Reading their story is a punch to the heart and a hug to make it all better rolled into one.
Hunter is a freshman in college and has spent him life being bullied and being known as weird. He hopes college is a new start. As time goes by he wonders if this was the fresh start that he was looking for when he begins to make friends and meets Adam.
Adam is walking a fine line between what he wants and what is expected and he finds the noose is tightening when Hunter walks into his life.
These two are fighting an attraction and it causes some issues but as they get to know each other we see how these two are perfect for each other. One misunderstanding blows everything for both of these men.
When they meet years later, will the past hold them hostage or can they break free?
This book is angst, spice and love. We see familiar faces and root for Hunter and Adam. This book will have you not wanting to put the book down until the last word and then all you want to do is go back and reread it again.
September 11, 2025
Really enjoyed Tatum's first book, Under the Texas Sky. So was very happy when the news of this book was announced. This book is a bully romance. It had been a minute since I read one and this did not disappoint! Hunter & Adam's story was quite the emotional rollercoaster. Loved them both!
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