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Memories #1
Memories of the Heart
Ruthless, Controlling, A Loner. All words used to describe Dr. Micah Steinberg by the hospital staff for their next head of surgery. When a letter arrives from his grandmother’s friend at the assisted living facility, his orderly world tilts dangerously out of control.
Josh Rosen had everything until it was revealed much of his world was a lie. Forced to re-evaluate his life, Josh gives up his career and returns home to New York City to care for his beloved grandmother. What Josh didn’t figure on was an attraction to a man who on the surface, appears to be exactly like the life Josh chose to leave behind.
As Micah struggles with the reality of his grandmother’s illness, the bond these two share deepens, as Josh helps Micah heal, then open his heart. Micah discovers there is more to life than work, control and success. Josh is in deep but has yet to tell Micah who he really is.
When the fight for the hospital’s head of surgery turns ugly, Josh’s past and present collide. Micah must let go of the past and accept who he is, if his life is going to move forward.
Life is full of surprises, and as both Micah and Josh learn, love can happen whether you plan for it or not.
Josh Rosen had everything until it was revealed much of his world was a lie. Forced to re-evaluate his life, Josh gives up his career and returns home to New York City to care for his beloved grandmother. What Josh didn’t figure on was an attraction to a man who on the surface, appears to be exactly like the life Josh chose to leave behind.
As Micah struggles with the reality of his grandmother’s illness, the bond these two share deepens, as Josh helps Micah heal, then open his heart. Micah discovers there is more to life than work, control and success. Josh is in deep but has yet to tell Micah who he really is.
When the fight for the hospital’s head of surgery turns ugly, Josh’s past and present collide. Micah must let go of the past and accept who he is, if his life is going to move forward.
Life is full of surprises, and as both Micah and Josh learn, love can happen whether you plan for it or not.
255 pages, ebook
First published February 9, 2015
165 people are currently reading
1157 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
89 books1,716 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
March 3, 2015
Disclaimer: ranty review ahead
So many of my besties, people with whom I'm usually in full agreement regarding book likes and dislikes, loved this book, so this may well be a case of I'm breaking up with YOU because there's something wrong with ME.
This book read like one big, fat cliché.
There's the successful, hot, rich lawyer working at a coffee shop in New York and the successful, hot, rich surgeon who has a personality transplant overnight because he gets a good man and a good dog.
That's gotta be a country song, right?
The MCs were one-dimensional and the plot entirely predictable.
Josh is ever patient and adoring of Micah, and Micah throws petty, jealous hissy fits every few pages. And when does Micah actually perform surgery? A successful surgeon is booked months in advance. Did he just drop all his patients?
The grandmothers are both feisty and worship their grandsons. Micah's parents fought all the time, so he's somehow justified in being an arrogant arsehole who thinks everyone is beneath him.
Josh's parents are do-gooders, and yet they never call the grandmother.
Even Micah's grandmother's dementia felt false. I won't go into medical details, but dementia in a 90-year-old patient does not present in such a simplistic fashion.
The two Big, Bad Bullies at Micah's hospital were way over the top. Discrimination can happen at any level in any institution, but two doctors/administrators making derogatory remarks about Asians, queers, and women in a cafeteria where anyone walking by can hear? I don't buy it.
Plus, people who love their animal companions call them by name. I wanted to scream every time Micah and Josh referred to Lucky as "the dog."
Nothing really happened in this story, and the same conversations were had over and over and over again (about Josh's giving nature, Micah's buried heart of gold, Alex being such a great friend, etc.).
The hot vet was introduced and then dropped (just in case book two is about him and Alex).
Hell, even the sex was rote and perfunctory.
I'm usually a sucker for sweet stories, but this was maudlin, unbelievable, and sappy.
So many of my besties, people with whom I'm usually in full agreement regarding book likes and dislikes, loved this book, so this may well be a case of I'm breaking up with YOU because there's something wrong with ME.
This book read like one big, fat cliché.
There's the successful, hot, rich lawyer working at a coffee shop in New York and the successful, hot, rich surgeon who has a personality transplant overnight because he gets a good man and a good dog.
That's gotta be a country song, right?
The MCs were one-dimensional and the plot entirely predictable.
Josh is ever patient and adoring of Micah, and Micah throws petty, jealous hissy fits every few pages. And when does Micah actually perform surgery? A successful surgeon is booked months in advance. Did he just drop all his patients?
The grandmothers are both feisty and worship their grandsons. Micah's parents fought all the time, so he's somehow justified in being an arrogant arsehole who thinks everyone is beneath him.
Josh's parents are do-gooders, and yet they never call the grandmother.
Even Micah's grandmother's dementia felt false. I won't go into medical details, but dementia in a 90-year-old patient does not present in such a simplistic fashion.
The two Big, Bad Bullies at Micah's hospital were way over the top. Discrimination can happen at any level in any institution, but two doctors/administrators making derogatory remarks about Asians, queers, and women in a cafeteria where anyone walking by can hear? I don't buy it.
Plus, people who love their animal companions call them by name. I wanted to scream every time Micah and Josh referred to Lucky as "the dog."
Nothing really happened in this story, and the same conversations were had over and over and over again (about Josh's giving nature, Micah's buried heart of gold, Alex being such a great friend, etc.).
The hot vet was introduced and then dropped (just in case book two is about him and Alex).
Hell, even the sex was rote and perfunctory.
I'm usually a sucker for sweet stories, but this was maudlin, unbelievable, and sappy.
February 3, 2015
Such a fabulous story. I just adore Felice's writing style. These guys were just wonderful together.
November 22, 2017
*** 5 stars!***
See also my review here review
Guys, this is what I need in my MM books, the great chemistry between heroes, enough portion of angst (not over the top), flawed heroes, good family, pets, great friendship, and grannies!!!
So far this one is my favorite of the series, Felice Stevensnailed it this time. I was really glad I finally read this one, and I'm re-reading it now! So worth my precious time!
Micah and Joshua are so adorable together. And I loved how patience Josh to Micah, even Micah hurt his feeling a few times (and I really wanted to slap Micah's head at the time), guess Josh is just the right man for Micah.
i loved Micah with his flawed behavior, the jealousy and his love for Lucky, the dog. It's kinda funny, actually, when they had a fight, and Micah told Josh that he'll keep Josh because he can't live without Lucky! Awwwww..... These guys are really made for each other.
I love the Grannies! OMG! Ethel and all her bossy attitude, won my heart. And Alex....I know there's something he's hiding. I hope Felice would give him his own story. With Rafe, maybe? *wink*
Oh, and the sex was.... a panty wet worthy! Hot and sexy!
This is about friendship, love, acceptance, finding your true passion, family. This one is just... Complete!
I finished the book with a smile on my face, and still can't stop thinking about it. Beautiful!
I want to read more of this kind of story from Felice and my favorite authors.
Highly recommended!
See also my review here review
Guys, this is what I need in my MM books, the great chemistry between heroes, enough portion of angst (not over the top), flawed heroes, good family, pets, great friendship, and grannies!!!
So far this one is my favorite of the series, Felice Stevensnailed it this time. I was really glad I finally read this one, and I'm re-reading it now! So worth my precious time!
Micah and Joshua are so adorable together. And I loved how patience Josh to Micah, even Micah hurt his feeling a few times (and I really wanted to slap Micah's head at the time), guess Josh is just the right man for Micah.
i loved Micah with his flawed behavior, the jealousy and his love for Lucky, the dog. It's kinda funny, actually, when they had a fight, and Micah told Josh that he'll keep Josh because he can't live without Lucky! Awwwww..... These guys are really made for each other.
I love the Grannies! OMG! Ethel and all her bossy attitude, won my heart. And Alex....I know there's something he's hiding. I hope Felice would give him his own story. With Rafe, maybe? *wink*
Oh, and the sex was.... a panty wet worthy! Hot and sexy!
This is about friendship, love, acceptance, finding your true passion, family. This one is just... Complete!
I finished the book with a smile on my face, and still can't stop thinking about it. Beautiful!
I want to read more of this kind of story from Felice and my favorite authors.
Highly recommended!
November 9, 2022
*heart heart hear* Felice Stevens, her stories are always so heartwarming, what could be better? And Sean Crisden delivers a lovely performance.
March 4, 2015
Review shortly!
February 15, 2015
I do not enjoy giving bad reviews. Since I have a difficult time imagining myself ever being able to create and publish a book of any sort, it feels somehow wrong to criticize someone else's hard work.
As an avid reader, however, I depend very much on other readers' feedback when making my purchases. I bought Memories of the Heart based on its high rating and glowing reviews. Since I was extremely disappointed by this novel, I wanted to add another opinion to the mix here.
[If you are the author, this would be an advisable place to stop reading this review. Really!]
If you are a fan of over-the-top, highly sentimental, cliche-ridden stories, with unconvincing characters, insta-love, and horribly predictable plots, you should definitely buy this book! On the plus side, the grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation were better than average. Other than that, it is hard to find much to say in favor of this read. Contrary to what was said in at least one review, I failed to find even a scrap of redeeming humor. Unrelentingly schmaltzy, with lots of "tell" (cringe-worthy emotional declarations and descriptions) and not a lot of show.
The cliches were so prevalent that it would not take much more than a tongue-in-cheek rewrite with sarcasm to make this into a decent satire. You've got the a**hole with a love-starved childhood who only needs the love of a good man to completely change his entire personality. You've got the good man, who has completely transformed his own life by unrealistically giving up a career he loved in order to work in a coffee shop. You've got an adorable rescued puppy with one bent ear named Lucky. And you've got the sick but loving grandmother, who never loses faith in her grandson.
I don't know how better to explain my feeling about the characters other than to admit that I was hoping very much for them not to start their relationship, and to say I lost what little interest I had in the book after the first intimate scene. A first, for me, with a romance novel!
I am sure that there is an eager audience for this kind of storytelling. Witness the many sincere reviews of people who really enjoyed this novel. If you are more like me, however, and prefer books with realistic people, witty dialog, unexpected plot twists, and set at a varable emotional pitch rather than stuck permanently on eleven, you probably want to keep looking for your next buy.
Since this is only one person's opinion, here are some examples of the type of overly saccharine prose that I happen to find very unappealing, and which I eventually started highlighting as I worked my way to the completely unsurprising conclusion. (Possible spoilers ahead.)
______________
His eyes dimmed. “I used to dream of having a puppy when I was young. It would’ve made things easier; I wouldn’t have been so alone.”
All his life he’d wanted a dog and now with Josh and this dog, he could almost say he was happy. All he needed was for his grandmother to get better.
“You make me feel things I’d forgotten. Things that I once thought possible.” He swallowed hard. “Things I never dreamed of.”
“Everyone needs to be shown a little love. Even those we throw away and treat like garbage are most often jewels in the rough that simply need a bit of shining up to sparkle.
From past experience Josh knew how much mental wreckage floated around now in Micah’s head, bumping into his brain, bruising his tender emotional insides. The guilt of Micah’s mistakes was on the brink of crushing his proud spirit.
“I wanted you to want me. Just Josh. Not Josh the lawyer who went to fancy private schools and won big lawsuits. No one’s ever wanted me for who I am—”he tapped his chest—“in here.”
Underneath the veneer of confidence and arrogance lived a man trapped by a lifetime of solitude. A man who’d only known a grandmother’s love so late in life that the damage done had almost destroyed his soul and his psyche.
I see it, why can’t you? Look at you with your grandmother, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to help her. Last night you took care of Alex because he was hurting. Don’t you think that’s the sign of a man with a heart? And even Lucky has been the beneficiary of your goodness.”
“I want a little girl, so I can take her for a pony ride and buy her dolls. I see fathers walking down the street holding hands with their daughters and they’re chattering away a mile a minute. I look at them and want that too.”Josh couldn’t help but smile. He could see Micah with a little girl, her hair in pigtails and him holding tight to her hand.
Josh had said he loved him, but it wasn’t enough anymore; he deserved to be loved in return. There was something missing in Micah that wouldn’t let him open up, give himself over freely and find his happiness and give in return. Once again, Micah had been left alone. But this time, he only had himself to blame.
The shattering glass didn’t make him feel one bit better. His sneakers crunched as he walked over broken shards, each step crushing his heart.
“I fell in love with the man you hide from the world, but I’m lucky enough to see. A man who gives up his life to watch over his grandmother, who treats a stray dog like a princess.”
“No, not like a keeper. Like a friend. Over the years I saw through your bullshit and understood how alone and scared you really were.
“I fought it but you’re a hard person to leave. Even when we didn’t speak, when I thought we’d never find our way back to each other, you left your fingerprints on my heart, so you were always with me.”
“It was waiting all these years for me to get my head on straight and remember what was important in my life.” He returned to sit down next to her. “And did you, my darling?” “I think so. It’s family, friends and the love that binds us all.”
______
That's all I have to say. Ah well -- onto the next read!
As an avid reader, however, I depend very much on other readers' feedback when making my purchases. I bought Memories of the Heart based on its high rating and glowing reviews. Since I was extremely disappointed by this novel, I wanted to add another opinion to the mix here.
[If you are the author, this would be an advisable place to stop reading this review. Really!]
If you are a fan of over-the-top, highly sentimental, cliche-ridden stories, with unconvincing characters, insta-love, and horribly predictable plots, you should definitely buy this book! On the plus side, the grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation were better than average. Other than that, it is hard to find much to say in favor of this read. Contrary to what was said in at least one review, I failed to find even a scrap of redeeming humor. Unrelentingly schmaltzy, with lots of "tell" (cringe-worthy emotional declarations and descriptions) and not a lot of show.
The cliches were so prevalent that it would not take much more than a tongue-in-cheek rewrite with sarcasm to make this into a decent satire. You've got the a**hole with a love-starved childhood who only needs the love of a good man to completely change his entire personality. You've got the good man, who has completely transformed his own life by unrealistically giving up a career he loved in order to work in a coffee shop. You've got an adorable rescued puppy with one bent ear named Lucky. And you've got the sick but loving grandmother, who never loses faith in her grandson.
I don't know how better to explain my feeling about the characters other than to admit that I was hoping very much for them not to start their relationship, and to say I lost what little interest I had in the book after the first intimate scene. A first, for me, with a romance novel!
I am sure that there is an eager audience for this kind of storytelling. Witness the many sincere reviews of people who really enjoyed this novel. If you are more like me, however, and prefer books with realistic people, witty dialog, unexpected plot twists, and set at a varable emotional pitch rather than stuck permanently on eleven, you probably want to keep looking for your next buy.
Since this is only one person's opinion, here are some examples of the type of overly saccharine prose that I happen to find very unappealing, and which I eventually started highlighting as I worked my way to the completely unsurprising conclusion. (Possible spoilers ahead.)
______________
His eyes dimmed. “I used to dream of having a puppy when I was young. It would’ve made things easier; I wouldn’t have been so alone.”
All his life he’d wanted a dog and now with Josh and this dog, he could almost say he was happy. All he needed was for his grandmother to get better.
“You make me feel things I’d forgotten. Things that I once thought possible.” He swallowed hard. “Things I never dreamed of.”
“Everyone needs to be shown a little love. Even those we throw away and treat like garbage are most often jewels in the rough that simply need a bit of shining up to sparkle.
From past experience Josh knew how much mental wreckage floated around now in Micah’s head, bumping into his brain, bruising his tender emotional insides. The guilt of Micah’s mistakes was on the brink of crushing his proud spirit.
“I wanted you to want me. Just Josh. Not Josh the lawyer who went to fancy private schools and won big lawsuits. No one’s ever wanted me for who I am—”he tapped his chest—“in here.”
Underneath the veneer of confidence and arrogance lived a man trapped by a lifetime of solitude. A man who’d only known a grandmother’s love so late in life that the damage done had almost destroyed his soul and his psyche.
I see it, why can’t you? Look at you with your grandmother, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to help her. Last night you took care of Alex because he was hurting. Don’t you think that’s the sign of a man with a heart? And even Lucky has been the beneficiary of your goodness.”
“I want a little girl, so I can take her for a pony ride and buy her dolls. I see fathers walking down the street holding hands with their daughters and they’re chattering away a mile a minute. I look at them and want that too.”Josh couldn’t help but smile. He could see Micah with a little girl, her hair in pigtails and him holding tight to her hand.
Josh had said he loved him, but it wasn’t enough anymore; he deserved to be loved in return. There was something missing in Micah that wouldn’t let him open up, give himself over freely and find his happiness and give in return. Once again, Micah had been left alone. But this time, he only had himself to blame.
The shattering glass didn’t make him feel one bit better. His sneakers crunched as he walked over broken shards, each step crushing his heart.
“I fell in love with the man you hide from the world, but I’m lucky enough to see. A man who gives up his life to watch over his grandmother, who treats a stray dog like a princess.”
“No, not like a keeper. Like a friend. Over the years I saw through your bullshit and understood how alone and scared you really were.
“I fought it but you’re a hard person to leave. Even when we didn’t speak, when I thought we’d never find our way back to each other, you left your fingerprints on my heart, so you were always with me.”
“It was waiting all these years for me to get my head on straight and remember what was important in my life.” He returned to sit down next to her. “And did you, my darling?” “I think so. It’s family, friends and the love that binds us all.”
______
That's all I have to say. Ah well -- onto the next read!
January 6, 2017
3.5 sweet sugary stars for Micah & Josh. This was a real romance, sweep you off your feet and all those beautiful things. Josh was almost too perfect but I guess he needed to be with Micah being such a stubborn ass at times. I really loved Alex the best friend and he balanced things out. I just found it a little hard to see the driven Micah suddenly changing so quickly after only knowing Josh for days - workaholic control freaks usually need more time LOL - anyway still very enjoyable. If wishes were true, Josh really was one out of the box ! Adorable
February 17, 2015
4 STARS!
This was a really good story. Nowadays, I was having a hard time getting my attention caught by a book but this one definitely did.
The story was about Doctor Micah Steinberg and Josh Rosen. They met because of their grandmothers and they started to like each other and fell in love. I also fell in love with them and everyone (who's not an asshole) in it.
I loved that the story was dual POV. I always loved reading both of the MCs' thoughts. Micah was amazingly douche-y yet likable at the start. His douche-ness came from his bad past which Josh helped him overcome. Josh was really good too to read but I was more into Micah's mind.
The grannies were an awesome part of the book. I almost felt the pain Micah and Josh felt at some points of the story. It was very heartwarming. They weren't bothersome or overtaking the story. They fitted perfectly in there. A huge part that made Micah and Josh realized their feelings for each other.
The secondary characters were amazing. Alex was an amazing best friend to Micah. Rafe was a nice addition. Cynthia too and even Laura Chang. But Lucky was my favourite. That dog just made me love Micah even more.
I understood the kind of insta-relationship (on timeline I guess not the pages in the book) because Micah craved to be loved underneath all of his facades. I also loved that the book incorporated "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost. That was one of my favourites.
I hated the two older misogynistic, sexit and homophobic doctors. I wanted them to get sued so bad.
Anyway, the epilogue was so perfect for the story. I thought it was sweet and just right. Nothing extravagant.
Overall, a great read.
This was a really good story. Nowadays, I was having a hard time getting my attention caught by a book but this one definitely did.
The story was about Doctor Micah Steinberg and Josh Rosen. They met because of their grandmothers and they started to like each other and fell in love. I also fell in love with them and everyone (who's not an asshole) in it.
I loved that the story was dual POV. I always loved reading both of the MCs' thoughts. Micah was amazingly douche-y yet likable at the start. His douche-ness came from his bad past which Josh helped him overcome. Josh was really good too to read but I was more into Micah's mind.
The grannies were an awesome part of the book. I almost felt the pain Micah and Josh felt at some points of the story. It was very heartwarming. They weren't bothersome or overtaking the story. They fitted perfectly in there. A huge part that made Micah and Josh realized their feelings for each other.
The secondary characters were amazing. Alex was an amazing best friend to Micah. Rafe was a nice addition. Cynthia too and even Laura Chang. But Lucky was my favourite. That dog just made me love Micah even more.
I understood the kind of insta-relationship (on timeline I guess not the pages in the book) because Micah craved to be loved underneath all of his facades. I also loved that the book incorporated "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost. That was one of my favourites.
"Sometimes you choose a path that leads you down a road you never thought of taking and it changes your entire world. It becomes a path of challenges and you question everything in your life, and the reasons behind why things happen."
I hated the two older misogynistic, sexit and homophobic doctors. I wanted them to get sued so bad.
Anyway, the epilogue was so perfect for the story. I thought it was sweet and just right. Nothing extravagant.
Overall, a great read.
February 15, 2015
Felice Stevens and i click.Yes we do.Her writing speaks to my heart.
This was the story of Micah and Josh.Micah is an arrogant,controlling asshole and i wanted to crawl in my kindle and bitch slap him.Josh is a sweetheart and i liked that he didn't put up with Micah's bullshit.
What i would have liked was more slow-burn.At first this is an enemies to lovers story, and they pulled off the enemies part SO well!They genuinly disliked each other but at the same time they shared an undeniable attraction.Considering this, i felt that Micah opened up to Josh pretty fast and they got together too early for my liking.
Other than that i loved the book. It had funny moments, hot sex, dirty talk and the right amount of angst.The grandmothers stole my heart, especially Ethel.My jaw dropped when i read the letter she sent to Micah
"I know a lot about you, Dr. Steinberg.
All I have to say is Shame on You. Your grandmother is the sweetest , most loving woman in the world and I don’t understand how you can live in the same city as her and ignore that she exists."
This book made me miss my own granma who passed away years ago.
Micah, you were an asshole, but in the epilogue, oh man...,you made me forget it all !
P.S I always read dedications and Acknowledgments in books, and the one in this book made me tear up.Well done miss Stevens
This was the story of Micah and Josh.Micah is an arrogant,controlling asshole and i wanted to crawl in my kindle and bitch slap him.Josh is a sweetheart and i liked that he didn't put up with Micah's bullshit.
What i would have liked was more slow-burn.At first this is an enemies to lovers story, and they pulled off the enemies part SO well!They genuinly disliked each other but at the same time they shared an undeniable attraction.Considering this, i felt that Micah opened up to Josh pretty fast and they got together too early for my liking.
Other than that i loved the book. It had funny moments, hot sex, dirty talk and the right amount of angst.The grandmothers stole my heart, especially Ethel.My jaw dropped when i read the letter she sent to Micah
"I know a lot about you, Dr. Steinberg.
All I have to say is Shame on You. Your grandmother is the sweetest , most loving woman in the world and I don’t understand how you can live in the same city as her and ignore that she exists."
This book made me miss my own granma who passed away years ago.
Micah, you were an asshole, but in the epilogue, oh man...,you made me forget it all !
P.S I always read dedications and Acknowledgments in books, and the one in this book made me tear up.Well done miss Stevens
April 1, 2017
This is a beautiful, fulfilling, endearing M/M romance !! Neurosurgeon, Micah is a sad, unhappy man. His childhood was unloving because of his parents. He tried loving once and it was a disaster. Little did he know that getting coffee one morning, he'd meet the man who's turn his world around, barista, Joshua. Josh is really a Lawyer taking a break from work and a recent break up. When Micah is rude, Josh calls him an asshole. Great beginning !! These deep characters are lovable and realistic. The plot is fast moving, interesting and has plenty of energy. The hot, sizzling sex was a wonderful bonus. This tale was well written, steamy, creative, loving, full of family, friends and emotion. Felice Stevens has a perfect understanding of the pulse of her people. Her stories are a thrill to read. I have trouble putting them down.
Highly recommend !! E N J O Y !!!
Highly recommend !! E N J O Y !!!
July 19, 2019
3.5 Stars
Okay, here's the thing: I might have enjoyed this more if Hoopla's audio edition hadn't been as jacked up as it was. See, for some reason the chapters were all out of order and since there are no chapter divisions for playback I got spoiled on a LOT of what happens in this romance. As such, my rating is based more on the story potential and elements I could effectively critique...which might be a disservice to the book/author but it's all I have to go on right now.
So, I think I'm going to put this one on the "re-read" shelf and see if my library has it, then listen to that version.
Okay, here's the thing: I might have enjoyed this more if Hoopla's audio edition hadn't been as jacked up as it was. See, for some reason the chapters were all out of order and since there are no chapter divisions for playback I got spoiled on a LOT of what happens in this romance. As such, my rating is based more on the story potential and elements I could effectively critique...which might be a disservice to the book/author but it's all I have to go on right now.
So, I think I'm going to put this one on the "re-read" shelf and see if my library has it, then listen to that version.
December 20, 2021
3,5 stars
October 27, 2015
- Narrator: Sean Crisden*2,5 stars for story"
*0,5 stars EXTRA for Sean Crisden.
Halleluja!!! I could not have read this book without Sean Crisden narrating this... His different voices for the grandma's was great.
But man, the story was tiresome.
I didn't like Micah at all. He was an annoying, whining girl!! I was ready to throw him under the bus. Chappeau for Josh for putting up with him.
That's it....
November 15, 2020
***3.5***
Micah & Josh are perfect examples of what I've come to think of as Felice Stevens's specialty niche: nice NYC Jewish boys (men), mostly professionals with varying degrees of success, who find themselves flailing through adulthood until Eros brings them that special someone. Their tales happen in and around New York and it's such a relief to read stories realistically rooted in time and place. The other aspect is the beneficent presence of family, particularly grandmothers who are relentless in their love. All good things.
Josh abandoned a successful law practice in Boston along with a cheating ex. He's taking a sabbatical and working as a barista while he regroups. One day the personification of arrogant doctor comes to Josh's coffee shop in the body of Micah. The Fates further bring them together having both their grandmothers as residents of the same assisted living facility.
The relationship develops as you might expect. There's a physical attraction and I loved how the bedroom dynamics were not what you'd expect. What I wasn't so down for was that though he has "reasons" Micah went overboard in his dickish behavior one too many times and I thought Josh was far too tolerant of his tantrums having known him for such a brief period of time. Micah needed to grovel a bit or have some humble pie. But that's just me. I have a black heart.
The AB is by Sean Crisden and he does his usual cool thing.
Micah & Josh are perfect examples of what I've come to think of as Felice Stevens's specialty niche: nice NYC Jewish boys (men), mostly professionals with varying degrees of success, who find themselves flailing through adulthood until Eros brings them that special someone. Their tales happen in and around New York and it's such a relief to read stories realistically rooted in time and place. The other aspect is the beneficent presence of family, particularly grandmothers who are relentless in their love. All good things.
Josh abandoned a successful law practice in Boston along with a cheating ex. He's taking a sabbatical and working as a barista while he regroups. One day the personification of arrogant doctor comes to Josh's coffee shop in the body of Micah. The Fates further bring them together having both their grandmothers as residents of the same assisted living facility.
The relationship develops as you might expect. There's a physical attraction and I loved how the bedroom dynamics were not what you'd expect. What I wasn't so down for was that though he has "reasons" Micah went overboard in his dickish behavior one too many times and I thought Josh was far too tolerant of his tantrums having known him for such a brief period of time. Micah needed to grovel a bit or have some humble pie. But that's just me. I have a black heart.
The AB is by Sean Crisden and he does his usual cool thing.
February 11, 2015
STARS: 5
POV: Third
SERIES: No
CLIFFHANGER: No
OMG SUCH AN AMAZING BOOK! I didn’t want it to end! I loved every minute of it!
Micah is your typical stick in the mud. Arrogant, stiff, and controlling. I want to run up to him and mess with his hair just to watch the steam come out of his nose with anger. He was just a jackass basically. Well at least this is how he is when we first meet him. He was so focused on his career to become a doctor that he forgot to actually have a life outsides of the hospital. All work and no play makes Micah an ill tempered lonely boy. Micah is not open with the world about his sexual orientation and I think that adds to his temperament. Also means that he does not do relationships.
Josh on the other hand is full of life. He is easygoing and laid back. He’s an all around lovable guy that is easy to be around. Josh is open about his sexuality, loves love, a family man and has dreams of the white picket fence with the man of his dreams and a family of his own. He is not a one night stand type of guy. He just left his old life behind to start over. After a long relationship, he walked in on his boyfriend cheating on him. To make matters worse, his boyfriend was also his business partner in their law firm. So Josh left it all behind and started working as a coffee barista at the hospital’s cafe with his ex boyfriend’s sister at the hospital.
The first time Micah and Josh meet, I instantly fell in love. Micah was being his usual ill self and Josh was having fun with the rude sexy doctor. Both were immediately sexually attracted to one another but Josh doesn’t do one night stands and Micah isn’t going to just walk away from the sexy man serving him coffee.
The coffee shop is only the first disaster for the two. You see Josh’s grandmother is best friends in a nursing home with Micah’s grandmother. Josh’s grandmother sends a very hilarious point blank letter to the good doctor. She basically called him out for being a sorry excuse of a man for just dumping his grandmother in a home and never visiting. I loved Josh’s grandmother! She was a riot. Well it did not sit well with Micah that this old lady was telling him off and he went to the home to talk with the administrators about it. That’s when the proverbial feces hits the fan. Micah and Josh realize the bond between their grandmothers. Josh backs his grandmother up with how low Micah has treated his grandmother. We’ll just say that punches were thrown.
I could go on and on about this story. I truly loved it so much. Josh challenges everything inside Micah. Josh knows he is falling for the man but tries his best not to because his heart is still so tender. Micah is not sure what to do. He wants Josh more than anything but is not a hearts and flowers type of man.
The thing about the book that ripped at the heart strings was the story with Micah and his grandmother. Her mental facilities were fading and Micah has wasted so much time with her already. When he realizes his faults, he tries his best to make up for lost time, but is it already too late? My heart ached for them both. It’s so tragic to see families go through this same scenario. Hug your loved ones people! Tomorrow is not promised!
Writing? Amazing! Characters? LOVED!! Story? Beautiful! It is a MUST read! 1-click it. Read it. Love it! I want more and more and more! Oh and don’t forget there is some very hot and steamy in this book! Almost burned my hands trying to hold onto the kindle while reading! SWOON!
POV: Third
SERIES: No
CLIFFHANGER: No
OMG SUCH AN AMAZING BOOK! I didn’t want it to end! I loved every minute of it!
Micah is your typical stick in the mud. Arrogant, stiff, and controlling. I want to run up to him and mess with his hair just to watch the steam come out of his nose with anger. He was just a jackass basically. Well at least this is how he is when we first meet him. He was so focused on his career to become a doctor that he forgot to actually have a life outsides of the hospital. All work and no play makes Micah an ill tempered lonely boy. Micah is not open with the world about his sexual orientation and I think that adds to his temperament. Also means that he does not do relationships.
Josh on the other hand is full of life. He is easygoing and laid back. He’s an all around lovable guy that is easy to be around. Josh is open about his sexuality, loves love, a family man and has dreams of the white picket fence with the man of his dreams and a family of his own. He is not a one night stand type of guy. He just left his old life behind to start over. After a long relationship, he walked in on his boyfriend cheating on him. To make matters worse, his boyfriend was also his business partner in their law firm. So Josh left it all behind and started working as a coffee barista at the hospital’s cafe with his ex boyfriend’s sister at the hospital.
The first time Micah and Josh meet, I instantly fell in love. Micah was being his usual ill self and Josh was having fun with the rude sexy doctor. Both were immediately sexually attracted to one another but Josh doesn’t do one night stands and Micah isn’t going to just walk away from the sexy man serving him coffee.
The coffee shop is only the first disaster for the two. You see Josh’s grandmother is best friends in a nursing home with Micah’s grandmother. Josh’s grandmother sends a very hilarious point blank letter to the good doctor. She basically called him out for being a sorry excuse of a man for just dumping his grandmother in a home and never visiting. I loved Josh’s grandmother! She was a riot. Well it did not sit well with Micah that this old lady was telling him off and he went to the home to talk with the administrators about it. That’s when the proverbial feces hits the fan. Micah and Josh realize the bond between their grandmothers. Josh backs his grandmother up with how low Micah has treated his grandmother. We’ll just say that punches were thrown.
I could go on and on about this story. I truly loved it so much. Josh challenges everything inside Micah. Josh knows he is falling for the man but tries his best not to because his heart is still so tender. Micah is not sure what to do. He wants Josh more than anything but is not a hearts and flowers type of man.
The thing about the book that ripped at the heart strings was the story with Micah and his grandmother. Her mental facilities were fading and Micah has wasted so much time with her already. When he realizes his faults, he tries his best to make up for lost time, but is it already too late? My heart ached for them both. It’s so tragic to see families go through this same scenario. Hug your loved ones people! Tomorrow is not promised!
Writing? Amazing! Characters? LOVED!! Story? Beautiful! It is a MUST read! 1-click it. Read it. Love it! I want more and more and more! Oh and don’t forget there is some very hot and steamy in this book! Almost burned my hands trying to hold onto the kindle while reading! SWOON!
July 19, 2015
The push and pull was very interesting. The pacing was mighty steady until it neared the ending where I thought it became rushed. The main characters were just so beautiful and dynamic. The back story and the emotional baggage they each carry moved me and supported the development of their rocky relationship, for lack of a better term. The family theme among others was a welcomed breath of fresh air. I definitely love it when the story revolves around family. It's something I feel deeply about. The writing, though, is worth commending on. At first, I felt it was average but it will surprise you as you move on from page to page. Oddly, it feels like home. Hmmm... like being wrapped up in your favorite blanket on a rainy afternoon. Felice Stevens' work is definitely something to look forward to.
February 11, 2015
http://amzn.to/1EY2wwK #mustclick
4.5 star review to come
I loved this book
Micah and Josh captured my heart!!
Full review to come soon
#mustclick
Ps I hope Alex's Micah's best friend gets a story next
4.5 star review to come
I loved this book
Micah and Josh captured my heart!!
Full review to come soon
#mustclick
Ps I hope Alex's Micah's best friend gets a story next
May 26, 2015
4.5 Stars
It's been almost a week since I finished this and decided I should/could write my review. Felice Stevens has quickly become an "auto-buy" author for me. Her stories suck me in. This was no different. Why did I round down? There were times when it kind of dragged for me. I can't say exactly when because I'm not sure. I know I skimmed parts and I've never done that before with this author. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to read such a story? I don't know.
I LOVED Josh and Micah (once he thawed out a bit) both. I actually did NOT like Rena. I also really liked Alex and I hope we get his story next :) I don't understand how he could be friends with someone like Micah before Josh came around, but somehow he was.
My Grandma is still alive, but I live 3 states away from her. I lost my Grandpa is October of 2014 and it wasn't easy. It's NOT easy. I think I was really upset with Micah because he lived in the same city as his Nana and only visited once or twice a year. It made me sad. It made me jealous, because I wish I could live in the same city as my Grandma. I would be there everyday visiting. Even if it was ust to pop in an say "hi". When I go back home, I'm at her house for hours--then my kids start acting up and I take them away so my Grandma doesn't have to hear them fighting with each other. I didn't understand how Micah could think his behavior was okay. :(
I've never dealt with dementia or Alzheimer's, but I can imagine this is one ugly disease. One heartbreaking disease. My heart broke for Micah at times.
Micah and his jealousy threw me a bit. It was kind of scary. I'm glad things didn't drag out though
Overall, I want more!
It's been almost a week since I finished this and decided I should/could write my review. Felice Stevens has quickly become an "auto-buy" author for me. Her stories suck me in. This was no different. Why did I round down? There were times when it kind of dragged for me. I can't say exactly when because I'm not sure. I know I skimmed parts and I've never done that before with this author. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to read such a story? I don't know.
I LOVED Josh and Micah (once he thawed out a bit) both. I actually did NOT like Rena. I also really liked Alex and I hope we get his story next :) I don't understand how he could be friends with someone like Micah before Josh came around, but somehow he was.
My Grandma is still alive, but I live 3 states away from her. I lost my Grandpa is October of 2014 and it wasn't easy. It's NOT easy. I think I was really upset with Micah because he lived in the same city as his Nana and only visited once or twice a year. It made me sad. It made me jealous, because I wish I could live in the same city as my Grandma. I would be there everyday visiting. Even if it was ust to pop in an say "hi". When I go back home, I'm at her house for hours--then my kids start acting up and I take them away so my Grandma doesn't have to hear them fighting with each other. I didn't understand how Micah could think his behavior was okay. :(
I've never dealt with dementia or Alzheimer's, but I can imagine this is one ugly disease. One heartbreaking disease. My heart broke for Micah at times.
Micah and his jealousy threw me a bit. It was kind of scary. I'm glad things didn't drag out though
Overall, I want more!
March 18, 2015
Originally posted on http://mikkysworldofbooks.blogspot.fr...
What can I say? I loved it! Micah and Josh captured my heart from the beginning.
Never receiving love from his parents during his childhood, Micah grew up to face more disappointment and now he keeps everyone at arm‘s length. He is unable to feel and doesn’t even want to try. His job is his life and he’s happy with how things are going.
Josh is trying to get his life back on track after being betrayed by the man he saw himself grow old with. He’s not ready for another relationship and he doesn’t want a man who reminds him of his ex.
But Josh meets arrogant, cold hearted Micah and sparks fly in more ways than one.
I liked Josh’s strength. He’s ready to fight for what he wants even if there is no certainty that he won’t end up with his heart in pieces.
He fights for Micah and he doesn’t give up even when he’s pushed to the limit.
How can you not love a guy like that? His life hasn’t been easy either, but he never lost hope. He’s a fighter through and through.
Micah has his moments and Josh brings out something in him he never thought he had. He knows he can change and, deep down, he knows he can trust Josh but he’s too stubborn and, yes, afraid too.
There’s only so much rejection someone can handle before losing faith completely.
My heart hurt for him especially when he shows the enthusiasm of a child for a puppy. He craves love and attention but he doesn’t know how to handle them. He puts the walls up as soon as he’s out of his comfort zone.
Their story it’s beautiful and it will fill your heart with hope and warmth.
I love Felice’s books. She writes beautifully and her stories have a way to touch your soul and make you lose yourself in them until you feel like you’ve always known the characters. Their sadness brings you sadness and when they’re happy, you’re happy as well.
I can’t wait to read whatever story she’ll write next. Well done, Felice!
Happy Reading!!
What can I say? I loved it! Micah and Josh captured my heart from the beginning.
Never receiving love from his parents during his childhood, Micah grew up to face more disappointment and now he keeps everyone at arm‘s length. He is unable to feel and doesn’t even want to try. His job is his life and he’s happy with how things are going.
Josh is trying to get his life back on track after being betrayed by the man he saw himself grow old with. He’s not ready for another relationship and he doesn’t want a man who reminds him of his ex.
But Josh meets arrogant, cold hearted Micah and sparks fly in more ways than one.
I liked Josh’s strength. He’s ready to fight for what he wants even if there is no certainty that he won’t end up with his heart in pieces.
He fights for Micah and he doesn’t give up even when he’s pushed to the limit.
How can you not love a guy like that? His life hasn’t been easy either, but he never lost hope. He’s a fighter through and through.
Micah has his moments and Josh brings out something in him he never thought he had. He knows he can change and, deep down, he knows he can trust Josh but he’s too stubborn and, yes, afraid too.
There’s only so much rejection someone can handle before losing faith completely.
My heart hurt for him especially when he shows the enthusiasm of a child for a puppy. He craves love and attention but he doesn’t know how to handle them. He puts the walls up as soon as he’s out of his comfort zone.
Their story it’s beautiful and it will fill your heart with hope and warmth.
I love Felice’s books. She writes beautifully and her stories have a way to touch your soul and make you lose yourself in them until you feel like you’ve always known the characters. Their sadness brings you sadness and when they’re happy, you’re happy as well.
I can’t wait to read whatever story she’ll write next. Well done, Felice!
Happy Reading!!
April 21, 2016
My first thought after finishing this was: "How wonderful. Everything just as it's supposed to be."
My second thought was: "I miss my grandmother."
Although this was a romance between the sweet and kind-hearted Josh and the - at least in the beginning - not so very likeable Micah, it was also a story about family.
Whereas my grandmother used to be the core of our family holding everything together, Josh and Micah's grandmothers are their only family. The ones who will always be there for their grandsons when the rest of the family seems to not care a whole lot. And those two ladies are amazing. They are best friends and they have seen and heard enough crap in their lives to know what really counts. Josh and his grandmother Ethel are very close, but Micah has lost focus and forgotten what is important in life.
Through the intervention of Ethel, Micah starts reconnecting with Ruth and gets to know and get closer to Josh in the process.
Luckily, Josh seems to be blessed with a patience that can only be considered as beyond human, because it sure is a long and hard process to convince Micah that happiness is, in fact, obtainable.
I got the very sweet ending I have gotten used to from this author and I am very much looking forward to the next book. Alex's story maybe? Keep'em coming Ms. Stevens.
My second thought was: "I miss my grandmother."
Although this was a romance between the sweet and kind-hearted Josh and the - at least in the beginning - not so very likeable Micah, it was also a story about family.
Whereas my grandmother used to be the core of our family holding everything together, Josh and Micah's grandmothers are their only family. The ones who will always be there for their grandsons when the rest of the family seems to not care a whole lot. And those two ladies are amazing. They are best friends and they have seen and heard enough crap in their lives to know what really counts. Josh and his grandmother Ethel are very close, but Micah has lost focus and forgotten what is important in life.
Through the intervention of Ethel, Micah starts reconnecting with Ruth and gets to know and get closer to Josh in the process.
Luckily, Josh seems to be blessed with a patience that can only be considered as beyond human, because it sure is a long and hard process to convince Micah that happiness is, in fact, obtainable.
I got the very sweet ending I have gotten used to from this author and I am very much looking forward to the next book. Alex's story maybe? Keep'em coming Ms. Stevens.
July 20, 2015
DNF at 42%. Just not working for me. I couldn't connect with the MCs. I thought Micah's behaviour towards his grandmother was inexcusable and Josh's hiding of his past seemed completely unnecessary. I hate when there's dishonesty between the MCs!!
February 14, 2015
Another wonderful Felice Stevens story!!
June 17, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I just love Sean Crisden's narrations.
June 28, 2017
DNF at 25%
March 6, 2018
Sean Crisden saved the day on this one...
I'm getting reviewed out here and truthfully I listened to this one because I felt like it and for no other reason...thank you once again Audible.com Romance Package. So I'm going to try and keep this one short and sweet.
First off there are already some really good reviews out there for this book both for and against so to speak. Truthfully for me the story was maybe 2 or 2.5 stars with the rest of the stars that make up my 3 stars rating being for Sean Crisden and the awesome job that he did on the narration of this one.
I needed the story to be a little tighter...which translates to a bit shorter to get rid of some of what felt like repetitive thoughts/ideas/conversations. I needed Micah to just generally be different...not as whiny, with a more believable transition to being the kind, courteous person that he became.
I needed the 2 hospital administrators who were such huge dicks to just generally not exist because along with just generally being a**holes, they were TSTL!!!
And let's not even discuss Josh's ex and his sister who owned/ran the coffee shop where Josh worked because truthfully I'm not sure which one of these two idiots I liked less and then we have Micah's best friend Alex and Rafe the vet who took care of the dog that Josh found...seriously I probably liked these two characters the most and we saw them the least.
So, quick summary I loved the narration on this because Sean Crisden...he's another fave of mine, the story was good in theory and fell short in execution and book #2 'One Step Further' and #3 'The Greatest Gift' are both centered around Alex and Rafe...so bizarre as it seems because I really liked these two men, I'm probably going to at least give 'One Step Further' a chance to see how it goes and then we'll see if there's a book #3 in my future.
I'm getting reviewed out here and truthfully I listened to this one because I felt like it and for no other reason...thank you once again Audible.com Romance Package. So I'm going to try and keep this one short and sweet.
First off there are already some really good reviews out there for this book both for and against so to speak. Truthfully for me the story was maybe 2 or 2.5 stars with the rest of the stars that make up my 3 stars rating being for Sean Crisden and the awesome job that he did on the narration of this one.
I needed the story to be a little tighter...which translates to a bit shorter to get rid of some of what felt like repetitive thoughts/ideas/conversations. I needed Micah to just generally be different...not as whiny, with a more believable transition to being the kind, courteous person that he became.
I needed the 2 hospital administrators who were such huge dicks to just generally not exist because along with just generally being a**holes, they were TSTL!!!
And let's not even discuss Josh's ex and his sister who owned/ran the coffee shop where Josh worked because truthfully I'm not sure which one of these two idiots I liked less and then we have Micah's best friend Alex and Rafe the vet who took care of the dog that Josh found...seriously I probably liked these two characters the most and we saw them the least.
So, quick summary I loved the narration on this because Sean Crisden...he's another fave of mine, the story was good in theory and fell short in execution and book #2 'One Step Further' and #3 'The Greatest Gift' are both centered around Alex and Rafe...so bizarre as it seems because I really liked these two men, I'm probably going to at least give 'One Step Further' a chance to see how it goes and then we'll see if there's a book #3 in my future.
February 23, 2015
4.5 out of 5 stars
Description ~
Ruthless, Controlling, A Loner. All words used to describe Dr. Micah Steinberg by the hospital staff for their next head of surgery. When a letter arrives from his grandmother’s friend at the assisted living facility, his orderly world tilts dangerously out of control.
Josh Rosen had everything until it was revealed much of his world was a lie. Forced to re-evaluate his life, Josh gives up his career and returns home to New York City to care for his beloved grandmother. What Josh didn’t figure on was an attraction to a man who on the surface, appears to be exactly like the life Josh chose to leave behind.
As Micah struggles with the reality of his grandmother’s illness, the bond these two share deepens, as Josh helps Micah heal, then open his heart. Micah discovers there is more to life than work, control and success. Josh is in deep but has yet to tell Micah who he really is.
When the fight for the hospital’s head of surgery turns ugly, Josh’s past and present collide. Micah must let go of the past and accept who he is, if his life is going to move forward.
Life is full of surprises, and as both Micah and Josh learn, love can happen whether you plan for it or not.
My Review ~
Memories of the Heart is a fantastic story showing that it's never to late to change and allow love, both romantic and family, be the guiding force in your life.
Micah is what everyone imagines a surgeon might be, he's dedicated to the job to the point where he's excluded everything else from his life. His grandmother, who helped raise him, is almost an afterthought. Relationships outside of random one night hookups in a bar don't exist for Micah. He has one close friend, Alex, whom he shares most everything with but even then doesn't always make time for him. His carefully ordered and maintained world is thrown for a loop when he receives a scathing letter from his grandmother's friend, Ethel, in the nursing home where they reside. For someone like Micah, this just pisses him the hell off, how dare someone tell him he's not a good grandson. Micah heads off to the nursing home to give this older woman and her grandson, mentioned in the letter, a piece of his mind.
Josh, Ethel's grandson, has had his life swept out from underneath him. He's moved back home to rethink his life and what he wants from it. Unfortunately his grandmother's letter puts him directly in the path of Hurricane Micah. Which in the long run actually ends up being a good thing for both Micah and Josh. Josh is able to be the solid emotional connection that Micah won't let himself need until it's right in front of his face. Micah accepts Josh for who he is, even before knowing what Josh gave up.
In this story you see Micah, who's crafted a distanced persona directly related to the trauma of his youth. Then you have Josh, who was at the top of his game with everything in his grasp when the floor fell out from under his feet and left him hanging. Two more disparate men are able to be what the other needs, and in that help the other person find their best self. In Micah's case, it allows him to open up and show emotions again. For Josh, it brings him full circle back to the job he loved doing and gives him the real love that he deserves.
This book is another example of why Felice Stevens has quickly become one of my new favorite authors. Memories of the Heart is a very well-written, completely character driven story, and for this reader that's exactly what I love to read. Felice is able to create strong characters and a story that showcases both their faults and their strengths. I have to add, she seems to love giving us the adorable animal in her stories. This is no different with the sweet rescued pup, Lucky who captures both Josh and Micah's hearts. This all makes Memories of the Heart one of my best reads so far this year.
I highly recommend this story for those that like their characters a little broken but willing to work to fix themselves and allow someone else into their lives.
Description ~
Ruthless, Controlling, A Loner. All words used to describe Dr. Micah Steinberg by the hospital staff for their next head of surgery. When a letter arrives from his grandmother’s friend at the assisted living facility, his orderly world tilts dangerously out of control.
Josh Rosen had everything until it was revealed much of his world was a lie. Forced to re-evaluate his life, Josh gives up his career and returns home to New York City to care for his beloved grandmother. What Josh didn’t figure on was an attraction to a man who on the surface, appears to be exactly like the life Josh chose to leave behind.
As Micah struggles with the reality of his grandmother’s illness, the bond these two share deepens, as Josh helps Micah heal, then open his heart. Micah discovers there is more to life than work, control and success. Josh is in deep but has yet to tell Micah who he really is.
When the fight for the hospital’s head of surgery turns ugly, Josh’s past and present collide. Micah must let go of the past and accept who he is, if his life is going to move forward.
Life is full of surprises, and as both Micah and Josh learn, love can happen whether you plan for it or not.
My Review ~
Memories of the Heart is a fantastic story showing that it's never to late to change and allow love, both romantic and family, be the guiding force in your life.
Micah is what everyone imagines a surgeon might be, he's dedicated to the job to the point where he's excluded everything else from his life. His grandmother, who helped raise him, is almost an afterthought. Relationships outside of random one night hookups in a bar don't exist for Micah. He has one close friend, Alex, whom he shares most everything with but even then doesn't always make time for him. His carefully ordered and maintained world is thrown for a loop when he receives a scathing letter from his grandmother's friend, Ethel, in the nursing home where they reside. For someone like Micah, this just pisses him the hell off, how dare someone tell him he's not a good grandson. Micah heads off to the nursing home to give this older woman and her grandson, mentioned in the letter, a piece of his mind.
Josh, Ethel's grandson, has had his life swept out from underneath him. He's moved back home to rethink his life and what he wants from it. Unfortunately his grandmother's letter puts him directly in the path of Hurricane Micah. Which in the long run actually ends up being a good thing for both Micah and Josh. Josh is able to be the solid emotional connection that Micah won't let himself need until it's right in front of his face. Micah accepts Josh for who he is, even before knowing what Josh gave up.
In this story you see Micah, who's crafted a distanced persona directly related to the trauma of his youth. Then you have Josh, who was at the top of his game with everything in his grasp when the floor fell out from under his feet and left him hanging. Two more disparate men are able to be what the other needs, and in that help the other person find their best self. In Micah's case, it allows him to open up and show emotions again. For Josh, it brings him full circle back to the job he loved doing and gives him the real love that he deserves.
This book is another example of why Felice Stevens has quickly become one of my new favorite authors. Memories of the Heart is a very well-written, completely character driven story, and for this reader that's exactly what I love to read. Felice is able to create strong characters and a story that showcases both their faults and their strengths. I have to add, she seems to love giving us the adorable animal in her stories. This is no different with the sweet rescued pup, Lucky who captures both Josh and Micah's hearts. This all makes Memories of the Heart one of my best reads so far this year.
I highly recommend this story for those that like their characters a little broken but willing to work to fix themselves and allow someone else into their lives.
August 30, 2015
There are so many great things I could say about this touching romance. The writing is solid; the arc of the relationship is formulaic (which is precisely why you see all the 4 and 5 star reviews - readers tend to rate a romance book on that factor alone, whether or not they buy into the love story that's presented). There is a beautiful, happy ending. And the romantic scenes and sex are incredible--really touched my heart.
The stumbling block for me... which I repeatedly tripped over, to the point of frustration... was the disconnect from reality. Please, don't hate on me for saying this because I realize the statement itself is probably going to come across as hypocritical. I like all kinds of unbelievable stories. Vampires, werewolves, shifters, sci-fi, etc. But what I can't accept is a super busy, career-driven neurosurgeon who has no patients, who never keeps office hours or has any scheduled appointments, who never performs patient rounds at the hospital, who can come and go as he pleases without ever being interrupted by a phone call from work or without ever having a medical emergency (except for his grandmother). Who goes into work at nine or ten o'clock in the morning and leaves a few hours later without even talking to a single patient or consulting with any other doctor about his patients. To me, this is not a real doctor. This is a soap opera doctor.
I also don't know of any retail establishment that allows employees to just call without warning and say "I'm not coming to work today... or tomorrow... or maybe ever, because my boyfriend's grandma is in the hospital."
This type of disconnect drove me insane throughout the story. And when Micah did not even know the dangers an elderly patient with dementia would face recovering from surgery (it had to be explained to him by HER surgeon), that's where I just started (LITERALLY) screaming almost at the top of my lungs: PLOT HOLE! PLOT HOLE! That makes zero sense. He's not only a doctor, but a neurosurgeon. He would have operated on hundreds of elderly patients.
Where is the editor? Where are the beta readers?
Now let's assume that Doctor Micah clears his schedule in order to focus on his grandma. That seemed to be the implication. I just don't buy that a doctor can do that, not in this way. If he's as busy as he was supposed to be, he would not be able to just cancel all appointments for days on end. What are his patients supposed to do? Who is handling their prescription refills? Who is checking on them after surgery? What about follow-up visits? On more than one occasion it's stated that he has a backlog of email. I would think that in real life a surgeon would not have much time for email to begin with. He'd probably have staff that handled email. He'd be busy with patients.
Have you ever been to a doctor's office... or a surgeon's, specifically? They are almost always booked so solid that you don't even make it into the actual office until at least a half hour after your appointment time. A real doctor does nothing but move from one patient to the next all day long until at least five or six o'clock in the evening. Then they usually go back to the hospital for patient rounds. They do patient rounds again in the morning before even going to their offices, so they start their days really, really early and work until late into the evening. And this doctor specifically was supposed to be even busier than normal. He was said to be "married to his job".
Maybe I'm too hung up on the details. I loved the romance. I loved the writing style. I loved the sex. I just didn't see how it worked within the story's setting. Micah didn't seem like a doctor to me. (And please don't get me started on the lawsuit... that's another whole issue).
I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's books. Like I said, I think the writing is great. I just had some issues with this particular plot.
The stumbling block for me... which I repeatedly tripped over, to the point of frustration... was the disconnect from reality. Please, don't hate on me for saying this because I realize the statement itself is probably going to come across as hypocritical. I like all kinds of unbelievable stories. Vampires, werewolves, shifters, sci-fi, etc. But what I can't accept is a super busy, career-driven neurosurgeon who has no patients, who never keeps office hours or has any scheduled appointments, who never performs patient rounds at the hospital, who can come and go as he pleases without ever being interrupted by a phone call from work or without ever having a medical emergency (except for his grandmother). Who goes into work at nine or ten o'clock in the morning and leaves a few hours later without even talking to a single patient or consulting with any other doctor about his patients. To me, this is not a real doctor. This is a soap opera doctor.
I also don't know of any retail establishment that allows employees to just call without warning and say "I'm not coming to work today... or tomorrow... or maybe ever, because my boyfriend's grandma is in the hospital."
This type of disconnect drove me insane throughout the story. And when Micah did not even know the dangers an elderly patient with dementia would face recovering from surgery (it had to be explained to him by HER surgeon), that's where I just started (LITERALLY) screaming almost at the top of my lungs: PLOT HOLE! PLOT HOLE! That makes zero sense. He's not only a doctor, but a neurosurgeon. He would have operated on hundreds of elderly patients.
Where is the editor? Where are the beta readers?
Now let's assume that Doctor Micah clears his schedule in order to focus on his grandma. That seemed to be the implication. I just don't buy that a doctor can do that, not in this way. If he's as busy as he was supposed to be, he would not be able to just cancel all appointments for days on end. What are his patients supposed to do? Who is handling their prescription refills? Who is checking on them after surgery? What about follow-up visits? On more than one occasion it's stated that he has a backlog of email. I would think that in real life a surgeon would not have much time for email to begin with. He'd probably have staff that handled email. He'd be busy with patients.
Have you ever been to a doctor's office... or a surgeon's, specifically? They are almost always booked so solid that you don't even make it into the actual office until at least a half hour after your appointment time. A real doctor does nothing but move from one patient to the next all day long until at least five or six o'clock in the evening. Then they usually go back to the hospital for patient rounds. They do patient rounds again in the morning before even going to their offices, so they start their days really, really early and work until late into the evening. And this doctor specifically was supposed to be even busier than normal. He was said to be "married to his job".
Maybe I'm too hung up on the details. I loved the romance. I loved the writing style. I loved the sex. I just didn't see how it worked within the story's setting. Micah didn't seem like a doctor to me. (And please don't get me started on the lawsuit... that's another whole issue).
I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's books. Like I said, I think the writing is great. I just had some issues with this particular plot.
April 29, 2018
This book is really sweet, and I also really enjoyed the Audio version of it with Sean’s narration! It’s a book I would be ok listening to several times and not get bored with this story.
Micah is a Doctor in line to become head of surgery. He’s standoffish and Angry, a workaholic who doesn’t do relationships. He just doesn’t have the time. And doesn’t care to put in the effort or emotions needed for one.
Josh is the total opposite of Micah. He gave up the prestige and money he was making as a big time lawyer to just spend more time with his grandma living the quiet life and not taking anything for granted. He wants a partner and love and family.
Josh and Micah hate each other from the minute they meet even after sparks try to fly between them. Both men make bad assumptions about the other, until a tentative relationship forms and the decide to open up to each other and reveal what’s hidden beneath. Cute book and great narration.
Micah is a Doctor in line to become head of surgery. He’s standoffish and Angry, a workaholic who doesn’t do relationships. He just doesn’t have the time. And doesn’t care to put in the effort or emotions needed for one.
Josh is the total opposite of Micah. He gave up the prestige and money he was making as a big time lawyer to just spend more time with his grandma living the quiet life and not taking anything for granted. He wants a partner and love and family.
Josh and Micah hate each other from the minute they meet even after sparks try to fly between them. Both men make bad assumptions about the other, until a tentative relationship forms and the decide to open up to each other and reveal what’s hidden beneath. Cute book and great narration.
December 2, 2017
My first ever DNF!
Had to give up at 42%. Checking up on the author's other titles, I see I read another novel by her, to which I awarded a very generous 3 stars.
All I can say is this author's style is not for me.
Free download via Amazon. I shan't be downloading anymore by Ms Stevens, free or not.
Had to give up at 42%. Checking up on the author's other titles, I see I read another novel by her, to which I awarded a very generous 3 stars.
All I can say is this author's style is not for me.
Free download via Amazon. I shan't be downloading anymore by Ms Stevens, free or not.
February 15, 2015
This was such a sweet read. Loved it!
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