James Connell is adamant—he’s not getting involved. The forty-two-year-old bookstore owner’s life is governed by respectability, order, and a dash of OCD—just the way he likes it. There is absolutely no place in his life for a way-too-young, sexy, carefree guy like Ash. What would people think?
Ash Bradley-Mills is determined—he wants James. Traveling the world testing snowboards and sports equipment has been great fun for Ash, but he’s ready for something more. He wants an adrenaline rush of a different kind, and tall, dark, handsome, and older James fits the criteria perfectly. Now all Ash needs to do is break through James’s defenses and lifelong fear of judgment. Easy! He’s got the perfect plan to push James out of his comfort zone and into his arms.
CM Corett is an Australian author of Gay M/M romance who has given up on trying to limit herself to one sub-genre. She writes contemporary, historical, sci-fi and time travel… and she may have a few paranormal drafts hidden under the bed!
She has lived in the USA and traveled the world gathering inspiration for her stories, but the beautiful beaches of Western Australia will always be her home.
An avid reader of love between men, her M/M writing obsession began with Jack and Ianto, characters from the TV series ‘Torchwood’ (BBC TV Wales) This lead to the discovery of Torchwood Fanfiction and subsequently, her desire to write M/M became all consuming.
Her other obsessions are reading, movies, superheroes, and video games with awesome graphics.
She hates housework and anyone who expects her to notice (or care about) the dust on top of the fridge.
It started very nice, pulled me right in, although the whole thing was a bit muddled (why did he learn skiing, out of the blue, did he live nearby or not) nevertheless I liked it a lot. At least until the big break. One moment Ash and James are happy together and Ash is on the verge of leaving for some heli-skiing thingy that sounded rather hare-brained, the next moment the big disaster struck, but either I missed it or it really wasn't explained what exactly happened.
Without trying to tell too much - from that point on the storyline became muddled and disjointed and somehow I lost my interest. The chapters felt like snippets, missing the common thread. Each part alone was nice, but the time jumps in between left some vacuum. That was especially annoying regarding the epilogue.
There was way too much story here. I think it could have made a fantastic full-length novel, but cramming all of this into so few pages just didn't really work.
This book started really well, but then it fizzled. I would have rather seen their progression of their relationship instead of the time jump. I also hate amnesia story lines!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“You didn't ask for this... It's your messed up family tree. And all your left with all these questions. Are you gonna be like your father was and his father was? Do you have to carry what they've handed down? No, this is not your legacy...your destiny. Yesterday does not define you. This is not your meant to be...” ~ Matthew West (Family Tree)
During a ski trip with his sister, James Connell, of 'Bindings and Books' by C.M. Cornell, has an accident on the slopes and is “rescued” by a handsome young man called Ash. James is attracted to his “knight in shining armor”, but immediately disregards the notion because he thinks Ash is too young for him. James figures he will never see Ash again, but he is wrong. James runs into Ash later that night. Ash engages James in conversation and makes it clear that he's interested. James wants Ash, but is still reticent, telling Ash that he only dates men his own age. Ash isn't a boy even though he looks younger than his twenty-eight years. If James can't let go of the “he's too young for me” attitude, there is no chance of them getting together.
James has sworn to himself not to get involved with anyone as young-looking as Ash. He remembers the humiliation and embarrassment his own father caused the family by dating young girls. James adamantly refuses to follow in his father's footsteps. James tries to ignore his feelings for Ash and avoids him as much as possible. Although Ash doesn't exactly understand James's “rule”, he's determined to put up a good fight. He starts turning up in unexpected places where he just “happens” to run into James. It's obvious that Ash is trying to wear James down and get him to agree to date him after all. At first, James is irritated, but he soon finds himself looking forward to seeing Ash. Eventually, he gives in to his feelings and he and Ash become a couple.
After a serious accident, Ash suffers from memory loss and James and everyone in Ash's life is now a stranger. Even without being able to remember, Ash instinctively knows that James is important in his life and is attracted to him. As advised by the doctors, James first tells Ash that they are very close friends and live together. When Ash starts having sexual feelings for James, without remembering that he and James are gay, he is very concerned. Even if James tells Ash, there is no guarantee that he will feel the same way he did before his accident. Is it possible to fall in love twice with the same person?
This is an interesting story about two men and their hard earned love. It's well written with great main characters and supporting characters as well, especially James's sister, Rachel. Without her nagging encouragement, James would have drifted through life, not knowing what love could be like. If you enjoy stories about leaving the past behind, not worrying about what other people think, amnesia, and following your feelings, then you may like this story. Thanks, CM, for the reminder to live in the present and let the past go.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
James is 42, trying to learn to ski for the first time ever, when he is rescued by the very hot, very young adventure-enthusiast, Ash.
Ash is immediately attracted to James, who has reasons for avoiding younger guys. Ash ends up running into James over and over at his bookstore and eventually James gives in and dates Ash.
Things look like they might be working out ok, though James is always waiting for the other shoe to drop, when Ash is in a terrible accident and it looks like James may just lose Ash for good.
**
This is a novella, a bit longer than some of the other shorts in the Daily Dose series. It tries to do A LOT. We have older/younger, past issues of shame and hurt, a jealous ex, a serious injury, vastly different lifestyles… the list just goes on and on.
I was seriously compelled by the blurb and really enjoying this story – right up until the point where James and Ash begin their relationship. Suddenly things are feeling a little too much like a soap opera and outlandish. I’m not sure why there needed to be SO MANY obstacles for our poor couple, it almost feels like the author wanted to try out all these different story-lines and they all just got jammed together in this one novella.
I thought the writing was nice and the editing good. I was really enjoying James as a character, as well as his sister. I didn’t feel like I understood Ash very well, nor did I appreciate his rather obvious ex/friend. I could have given these a pass, and given a rating well above a 3, but the injury Ash receives at the end and the way it’s handled, including the conclusion, just didn’t work for me. Without spoiling the ending, I want to say that I appreciated the unique take on a common story-line the author attempted and I appreciated that Ash “fell in love again” with James, as evidence of their “rightness”, but it was too much for this short story to handle with sufficient grace.
It was really hard to finish this one... I almost cried when I realized there was an epilogue when I thought I was finally done!
One of the reason why I couldn't like this is the characters just didn't connect with me, I know the older man is exactly my age, but his insecurities sounded much younger (even teenage...) and the maturity didn't show at all.
I also think the story tried to be too many things a may-december romance (I didn't think there was any chemistry between the main characters), plus it was way too long. I saw someone make the suggestion in their review that this should have been better as a novel; I think with all the subjects the author felt like including this probably would have been a better option.
On the plus side, I think it was mainly well written, nice vocabulary. I hate giving a one-star because I think the author shows promise and I hope to read other things by her, but when I'm rolling my eyes and counting the pages until the end... I can't give a better rating.
Age differences can stand in the way of many things, and a potential relationship is one of them. For James, who has experienced his father lusting after much younger women despite the fact he was married, the one line he never wanted to cross was to fall for a younger man. When he meets Ash, who is almost thirty (so no child), James is determined to keep his distance. They cannot be right for each other.
But all of James's efforts are in vain. Ash is more stubborn than he ever expected. It takes Ash's stubbornness and then some to get them together, and when they finally make it, a disastrous accident destroys everything they have worked for. This is one loving relationship that gets tested in the worst way!
If you like May/December romances, if you want to find out what James and Ash have to face before they can truly settle down, and if you're looking for an intense story with lovers facing more obstacles than should be allowed then you might like this novella.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
James Connell likes his life a certain way and it seems he is almost terrified of anything changing. He owns a bookstore, everything in it is over organised, and he has little or no social life and spends a lot of time counting things to keep himself calm. His OCD extends to every area of his life.
Whilst on a ski holiday with his sister he lands, literally, on the lap of Ash Bradley-Mills. Ash is younger, a bit of an extrovert and into extreme sports but inwardly he craves a quieter life and someone to settle down with.
Getting James to accept the fact that Ash wants him is tricky and he has to conspire with friends and family to make the man realise that he should give them a chance. Ash is determined and James is flustered but as time passes both men can’t stay away from each other. Just as it looks like they might stand a chance circumstances change and things may never be the same again.
: For a story less than 100 pages CM Corett managed to grab my attention from the first paragraph and keep it the entire book. There were several twists, I cried and I cheered each of these characters along the way. James rejected Ashes advances in the beginning but you have to applaud Ash on going after what he wanted. Then through a tragic twist James much pursue the man he fell in love with. I would have loved to seen this spread out and some blanks filled in. I would have loved more details on Ashes job and adventures and would have loved more about Brody and Ashes history. Yes I loved this story so much I just wanted more! I will definitely be looking for more from this author! If you like sweet romance, extreme sports, books, older men/younger men, some twists, some moderate but sensual loving man-sex this is definitely for you!
Started off really good, then it went bat-crap crazy and plummeted. For a story of this length, the age difference was enough to give tension/drama without adding anything extra.
It starts like a romantic comedy of friends and family getting together. Ash and James together but it takes a dramatic turn that resets the story into loving even when it hurts.
Particularly loved the courtship with the gorgeous Ash ambushing James, and James stumbling around, tongue-tied and uncertain and awkward. Beautifully done. Great characters and a fun read.
This was a really interesting read for me because I was conflicted with the characters but then towards the end the conflict switched completely so, I had to take a day and let this settle so I could really think about it.
James Connell is a 42 year old, set in his ways, bookstore owner. For some reason he decides that he finally wants to learn how to ski. Surprisingly enough (sarcasm) this ended disastrously but he was able to meet expert-test skier/ski boarder Ash Bradley-Mills. Ash is very obvious very early on. His interest is laid out on his sleeve. The only person that doesn’t know about Ash’s interest is James. He chooses to deny all the signs, all the cues, and all the set ups. He has very deep seeded reasons as to why he can never, ever pursue a relationship with someone younger and Ash is suffering the repercussions.
Ash is PERSISTENT!! He is the epitome of persistent. The moment he sees James, he’s interested and wants to explore the attraction he feels for this older man. But James wants nothing to do with a younger man, no matter who it is, he has a young man phobia that has been decades in the making.
But these two do eventually come together and it is hot. I struggled a lot with James. Even after I knew his issues his reasoning bothered me. Then there was a dramatic shift in the stories and James became extremely likeable and supportive and I loved it.
Overall, this was good but I did have some issues. I would however read other stories by this author because they did grad my attention and kept it.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
4.5 Stars ‘Never Too Late’ is such a wonderful story topic for this year’s Dreamspinner Press Daily Dose. I’m a firm believer that it really is never too late when it comes to love. May-December romances are just as sweet, and loving, regardless of the sexualities of the people involved, and I think that’s what has always drawn me to them.
What a way to meet! James has finally decided to learn how to ski at age forty-two, but deigns the beginner slope and heads right out, and right into quite a tumble and fall. Who comes to his rescue, but the young, and gorgeous, Ash. Ash works for an outdoor gear company and has spent his life testing snowboards, skis, water skis, mountain climbing gear, and more. In James’ mind, this gorgeous, stunning, twenty-eight year old, with an exciting, adventurous life, couldn’t possibly be interested in James and his fuddy-duddy life. Of course, James also has twenty plus years of guilt and fear that he’s trying to put in the past, and being with Ash just keeps them in the forefront. Fortunately, there are people in James’ life who aren’t going to allow his preconceived notions to stop him from being with the man who is meant for him.
What a wonderful book, with a very surprising twist! The author has written two fabulous characters, an intriguing, and surprising plot, and just enough heat to keep you reading. If this is what CM Corett is usually like, then I’ll be back for more, I can guarantee that!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review
In lieu of writing reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing some of the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters or stories where I hated the characters but the author had me hooked. For stories that had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried. In short…. these ones rocked my world!!! 4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more. 3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off. 2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end. 1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
4.5 stars - I rounded up cause it's a novella with an actual plot! Plus all the good bits. Nice writing style.
James Connell is adamant—he’s not getting involved. The forty-two-year-old bookstore owner’s life is governed by respectability, order, and a dash of OCD—just the way he likes it. There is absolutely no place in his life for a way-too-young, sexy, carefree guy like Ash. What would people think?
Ash Bradley-Mills is determined—he wants James. Traveling the world testing snowboards and sports equipment has been great fun for Ash, but he’s ready for something more. He wants an adrenaline rush of a different kind, and tall, dark, handsome, and older James fits the criteria perfectly. Now all Ash needs to do is break through James’s defenses and lifelong fear of judgment. Easy! He’s got the perfect plan to push James out of his comfort zone and into his arms
-This was a well-written book. Poor James. His OCD and sense of order gets thrown by Ash and he is set to stay away. Kind of hard when your family and friends don’t make that possible. The author poured in a heaping of drama and a ex-boyfriend who I seriously want to punch. Can I hit Brody? PLEASE?
If you’re like me, you’ll adore James, try to decide which Ash you like more – the first one or the second one – and all-in-all, like the story.
4 stars.
Reviewed by a-nony-mouse for Crystal’s Many Reviewers *Copy provided for review*
James on a ski trip learning to ski but has an small accident in comes ash 28 years old to the rescue. First it looks like things will be ok but then james turns ash down. But ash doesn't give up finds James again, and finds out why james turned him down. Now it looked like they can be happy after a few months down the line ash has an accident and then things get hard. Will they have their happy ever read and find out if you like some sweet shorty and an twist of fate.
Bindings and Books is ne of those stories that could have been a nice enough quick read, if not for the fact that after a promising start it ended up being all over the place. It felt more like the blurp of an 80s miniseries than a romantic short story.
I can't connect with all MCs and a writing style. After Ash kissed James at the bookstore, they suddenly jumped to three months living together. And I can't stand James. Just. No.