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To The End
Not yet published
Expected 20 Nov 26True love is never transactional.
In the winter of 1994, twenty-nine-year-old Jamie Hollis is left reeling when he inherits a fortune in the wake of his estranged father's death. On the way home from the funeral, he spies a young hustler on a frozen street corner...and makes an impulsive decision.
Ben Greer is surviving one night at a time. At twenty-four, he’s bitter, burnt out, and barely scraping by on the streets of Providence. With no family to speak of and bearing the scars of liaisons gone wrong, he’s long since stopped believing in happy endings.
Their arrangement is supposed to be simple - Jamie wants exclusivity, and the money's too good for Ben to refuse. But as the weeks pass, what begins as transactional gives way to unexpected intimacy. Beyond Ben’s barbed defenses is someone Jamie is desperate to protect, and beneath Jamie’s haughty isolation is the first person Ben’s trusted in years.
But when Jamie is dragged back into old family drama he once thought he escaped, Ben will have to decide what matters more to him - money...or love?
TO THE END is a class gap MM romance set against the nostalgic backdrop of the mid-90s. Serving as a standalone prequel to WISH WE WERE HERE, TO THE END features a cast of familiar faces and a poignant HFN.
In the winter of 1994, twenty-nine-year-old Jamie Hollis is left reeling when he inherits a fortune in the wake of his estranged father's death. On the way home from the funeral, he spies a young hustler on a frozen street corner...and makes an impulsive decision.
Ben Greer is surviving one night at a time. At twenty-four, he’s bitter, burnt out, and barely scraping by on the streets of Providence. With no family to speak of and bearing the scars of liaisons gone wrong, he’s long since stopped believing in happy endings.
Their arrangement is supposed to be simple - Jamie wants exclusivity, and the money's too good for Ben to refuse. But as the weeks pass, what begins as transactional gives way to unexpected intimacy. Beyond Ben’s barbed defenses is someone Jamie is desperate to protect, and beneath Jamie’s haughty isolation is the first person Ben’s trusted in years.
But when Jamie is dragged back into old family drama he once thought he escaped, Ben will have to decide what matters more to him - money...or love?
TO THE END is a class gap MM romance set against the nostalgic backdrop of the mid-90s. Serving as a standalone prequel to WISH WE WERE HERE, TO THE END features a cast of familiar faces and a poignant HFN.
- GenresM M RomanceRomance
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 20, 2026
About the author
Risa Cruise
7 books128 followersRisa Cruise (she/they) writes queer romance that centers messy, tender and deeply human narratives. Originally from Massachusetts, they mysteriously wound up in Australia, where they currently reside with their partner and two rescue cats. Neurodivergence fuels both their chaos and their creativity, and they have a soft spot for exceptionally flawed characters with big feelings.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 23, 2026
I was immediately intrigued because I just love when there's character art in books. I gotta get some use out of this Kindle Colorsoft Signature. I also love a romance with sex workers. Sue me.
Seeing them get out of their hopeless situations and find love always warms my cold heart. And these two needed every soft moment they could get.
Omg the 90s setting here was fun. I had some throwbacks. I totally forgot about Delilah! Makes me feel like I'm in the back of my parents car half awake while some stranger calls in to dedicate a song to their missed connection from the subway 5 years ago. This was definitely a core memory for me.
Their relationship is a slow, quiet development. This was sweet, but it did cause some pacing issues for me. I also didn't read the novel after this prequel, and I feel like that may have affected my experience.
And knowing what's coming makes every soft moment feel like an absolutely needed gift. He loved and was loved and he deserved every single bit of it. This is fiction, but it's not. It's a hundred thousand men who didn't get to keep their Ben.
If you're looking for a sweet natural relationship development, this is a good pick. It's well written. This author's prose is nice. There's not much external conflict. Most of the conflict comes from the characters internal battles.
I am going to go into the next book, but I need a second, because I'm certain it will crush my heart for our main characters here.
Anyone else ever pick up a book being 100% certain it’ll break your heart? Someone tell me how good the next one is!
Seeing them get out of their hopeless situations and find love always warms my cold heart. And these two needed every soft moment they could get.
Omg the 90s setting here was fun. I had some throwbacks. I totally forgot about Delilah! Makes me feel like I'm in the back of my parents car half awake while some stranger calls in to dedicate a song to their missed connection from the subway 5 years ago. This was definitely a core memory for me.
Their relationship is a slow, quiet development. This was sweet, but it did cause some pacing issues for me. I also didn't read the novel after this prequel, and I feel like that may have affected my experience.
And knowing what's coming makes every soft moment feel like an absolutely needed gift. He loved and was loved and he deserved every single bit of it. This is fiction, but it's not. It's a hundred thousand men who didn't get to keep their Ben.
If you're looking for a sweet natural relationship development, this is a good pick. It's well written. This author's prose is nice. There's not much external conflict. Most of the conflict comes from the characters internal battles.
I am going to go into the next book, but I need a second, because I'm certain it will crush my heart for our main characters here.
Anyone else ever pick up a book being 100% certain it’ll break your heart? Someone tell me how good the next one is!
Review of advance copy received from Author
For the generation we lost.
I don’t think I will ever be okay enough to write a proper review for this book… I want scream to the winds for the unfairness of this…
I’ve cried reading so many books, felt so many emotions, but this one was different. The tears were saltier, the emotions rawer, and my heart? COMPLETELY DESTROYED. 💔
I will love Ben and Jamie to the end!
“It’s forward momentum. It’s progress.
It’s us.
I’m not scared of anything anymore.
I reach for his hand over the center console and he gives it to me. His fingers are warm, like his smile. Like his gaze. Like his love.
If this is the last thing I ever have, it’s enough.
Me and him. Him and me.
To the end.”
I don’t think I will ever be okay enough to write a proper review for this book… I want scream to the winds for the unfairness of this…
I’ve cried reading so many books, felt so many emotions, but this one was different. The tears were saltier, the emotions rawer, and my heart? COMPLETELY DESTROYED. 💔
I will love Ben and Jamie to the end!
“It’s forward momentum. It’s progress.
It’s us.
I’m not scared of anything anymore.
I reach for his hand over the center console and he gives it to me. His fingers are warm, like his smile. Like his gaze. Like his love.
If this is the last thing I ever have, it’s enough.
Me and him. Him and me.
To the end.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
rtc, legit crying so hard i’ll be sick
Review of advance copy received from Author
Best ( or not 🤭) to read - Wish we were here first.
This is Ben’s story. We meet him in WWWH.
This book : 10/10 — no notes! Infinite stars ♾️⭐️
Except for bawling my eyes out, feeling completely wrecked, and like my heart has been ripped right out of my chest. 😭😩
The love I have for Ben and Jamie… These two found each other when they both felt like they would never find anyone. They fit together so perfectly. Ben’s wish came true. He went to Miami with the love of his life, and my heart is so full and i’m so happy for them.🥹
And yet… I’m also so incredibly sad.
I’ve read a lot of books. A LOT of hurt/comfort, and plenty of books that have made me cry.
But NO other author can make me feel this much the way Risa does.
The way Risa writes about raw emotions. About shitty times, being hurt, and going through things that feel impossible to overcome , yet somehow Risa makes me feel so deeply for these boys. Makes me root for them. Hope for them. Hope that they can make the world a little less shitty.
And somehow, Risa has the ability to make me feel ALL of it.
My heart hurts. My heart is full. And I’m absolutely emotionally destroyed. 🥹❤️
But i’m happy about it. And thankful that i got the chance to BETA read This beautiful book.
I will keep recommending Risa’s books always and forever.
And all their books are SO good. And the Sugar Pill duet is my fav duet. But i must admit… this book…
This book has me in a chokehold and i can’t escape…
READ it. READ it. READ it.
That’s all i can say. My words will never be enough to describe how amazing this book, ( and Risa) is 💖💖
Review of advance copy received from Author
My review will be divided into two parts.
In the first, I’ll talk about the book itself, the writing style, the story, and the character development, trying to be as objective as possible, even though, of course, this is still my personal perspective. In the second, I’ll share some personal feelings that have nothing to do with the book’s quality and didn’t affect my final rating. (This part contains a major spoiler that only readers of the first book in the series will know.)
Part 1) This book was a genuinely enjoyable read!
The story is set primarily in the 1990s, against a backdrop of urban decay and severe social hardship. One of the protagonists lives in extreme poverty and is forced to engage in street prostitution to survive, while the other comes from a more comfortable, middle-class background. Two young men with very different experiences and opportunities who meet and begin to build something together.
One of the reasons I chose this book was the setting itself. I absolutely love the atmosphere of the 1990s, and since I was born at the beginning of that decade, coming across little details that take me back to my childhood always feels special.
Given the subject matter, I expected a darker story, perhaps one with a stronger emotional impact. Instead, I found a tender, sweet story about two people growing closer despite the differences between them. It focuses mainly on their feelings and the possibility of finding something beautiful even in difficult circumstances. Both characters have already been through so much, and they find in each other the warmth they’ve been longing for. The sweetness and spontaneity of their interactions warmed my heart.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, which is simple and easy to follow. The story flows naturally, without ever becoming heavy or difficult to get through. I also really enjoyed the scenes with Ben’s roommates, especially the moments between Ben and Ash.
I liked both protagonists, although I would have preferred more in-depth characterization. Their inner worlds are explored mainly through their present experiences, with some repetition, and I found myself wishing the story had paid more attention to their pasts and the experiences that shaped them into the people we meet on the page. I would have liked a more complete picture of both characters beyond the events of the story.
The smut scenes, on the other hand, get a perfect ten out of ten. I loved every single one of them. They’re well written, fit seamlessly into the story, and, most importantly, feel different from one another, without the repetitive quality that sometimes creeps into this kind of scene.
Overall, this is a sweet, enjoyable story that I was happy to read and would recommend. It’s perfect for anyone who loves reading about green flags with black cat x golden retriever vibes.
Part 2 — A Personal Note (SPOILER WARNING)
This part isn’t about the book’s quality, but about how I experienced it. I think it’s important to share this with readers who, like me, tend to get emotionally attached to characters and prefer stories with a happy ending.
The author makes it clear from the very first lines that this is a happy for now. This is the second book in a series, and in the previous installment, we already learn that Ben will die of AIDS shortly after the events told in this story.
I wanted to know his story, partly because I wanted to pay tribute to a character whose fate I already knew. And yet, knowing how things would end made it impossible for me to fully enjoy the reading experience.
Every time Ben expressed a hope or imagined a happy future, I couldn’t fully live in that moment without thinking about what was waiting for him. Knowing that those dreams would never come true made it difficult to feel happy alongside him, and, by the end, sadness had overshadowed the tenderness the story was meant to leave me with.
I don’t read stories without happy endings, but I made an exception because of the themes explored and the meaning the author wanted to give this story.
I’m glad I got to know Ben’s story, even if I couldn’t experience it with the lightness and peace of mind I would have wanted.
My personal reaction doesn’t change my opinion of the book, but I think it’s only fair to give a heads-up to readers who approach stories the way I do. If you also struggle to separate yourself from a character’s fate and need a happy ending to fully enjoy a story, knowing what will happen to Ben may stay with you throughout the book and shape the way you experience it.
In the first, I’ll talk about the book itself, the writing style, the story, and the character development, trying to be as objective as possible, even though, of course, this is still my personal perspective. In the second, I’ll share some personal feelings that have nothing to do with the book’s quality and didn’t affect my final rating. (This part contains a major spoiler that only readers of the first book in the series will know.)
Part 1) This book was a genuinely enjoyable read!
The story is set primarily in the 1990s, against a backdrop of urban decay and severe social hardship. One of the protagonists lives in extreme poverty and is forced to engage in street prostitution to survive, while the other comes from a more comfortable, middle-class background. Two young men with very different experiences and opportunities who meet and begin to build something together.
One of the reasons I chose this book was the setting itself. I absolutely love the atmosphere of the 1990s, and since I was born at the beginning of that decade, coming across little details that take me back to my childhood always feels special.
Given the subject matter, I expected a darker story, perhaps one with a stronger emotional impact. Instead, I found a tender, sweet story about two people growing closer despite the differences between them. It focuses mainly on their feelings and the possibility of finding something beautiful even in difficult circumstances. Both characters have already been through so much, and they find in each other the warmth they’ve been longing for. The sweetness and spontaneity of their interactions warmed my heart.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, which is simple and easy to follow. The story flows naturally, without ever becoming heavy or difficult to get through. I also really enjoyed the scenes with Ben’s roommates, especially the moments between Ben and Ash.
I liked both protagonists, although I would have preferred more in-depth characterization. Their inner worlds are explored mainly through their present experiences, with some repetition, and I found myself wishing the story had paid more attention to their pasts and the experiences that shaped them into the people we meet on the page. I would have liked a more complete picture of both characters beyond the events of the story.
The smut scenes, on the other hand, get a perfect ten out of ten. I loved every single one of them. They’re well written, fit seamlessly into the story, and, most importantly, feel different from one another, without the repetitive quality that sometimes creeps into this kind of scene.
Overall, this is a sweet, enjoyable story that I was happy to read and would recommend. It’s perfect for anyone who loves reading about green flags with black cat x golden retriever vibes.
Part 2 — A Personal Note (SPOILER WARNING)
This part isn’t about the book’s quality, but about how I experienced it. I think it’s important to share this with readers who, like me, tend to get emotionally attached to characters and prefer stories with a happy ending.
The author makes it clear from the very first lines that this is a happy for now. This is the second book in a series, and in the previous installment, we already learn that Ben will die of AIDS shortly after the events told in this story.
I wanted to know his story, partly because I wanted to pay tribute to a character whose fate I already knew. And yet, knowing how things would end made it impossible for me to fully enjoy the reading experience.
Every time Ben expressed a hope or imagined a happy future, I couldn’t fully live in that moment without thinking about what was waiting for him. Knowing that those dreams would never come true made it difficult to feel happy alongside him, and, by the end, sadness had overshadowed the tenderness the story was meant to leave me with.
I don’t read stories without happy endings, but I made an exception because of the themes explored and the meaning the author wanted to give this story.
I’m glad I got to know Ben’s story, even if I couldn’t experience it with the lightness and peace of mind I would have wanted.
My personal reaction doesn’t change my opinion of the book, but I think it’s only fair to give a heads-up to readers who approach stories the way I do. If you also struggle to separate yourself from a character’s fate and need a happy ending to fully enjoy a story, knowing what will happen to Ben may stay with you throughout the book and shape the way you experience it.
October 24, 2026
ARC Review
This book is a masterpiece. 6⭐️
Every moment with Ben and Jamie felt like a gift. This book delivered the most beautiful, tender, and heartbreaking story. Highly recommend reading WWWH first because it makes this all the more touching and emotional. The love between these two was incredibly special and I savored every word. Risa writing is immersive, real and raw. The topics and harshness of the time period called for an unfiltered reality and this is a rollercoaster. There is nothing glamorous about sex work, not knowing if you’ll be able to feed yourself or pay your rent or if your next trick is going to send you to the hospital. Risa writes to make you feel the raw emotion of everything.
These characters are incredibly special. Ben is a product of his environment- turning tricks just to scrape a few bucks together to get by. Pessimistic about what he deserves with incredibly low self worth. In spite of all that he’s so kind, fiercely loyal to his friends- their ultimate protector and a goofy little gremlin. He’s guarded and mean to himself, which is incredibly painful to read. He hides behind a smart mouth to shield his feelings from the wounds of his past and present. He’s very much in the trenches and has never known anything else.
Enter Jamie, such a sweet man who recently lost his father and has come into money. But why does this beautiful man need to score himself a hustler to get some? Jamie’s character is an engaging and deep exploration of a queer man’s experience in the 90s. The emotional turmoil that comes from being rejected by your family for simply who you are up against the self hated that comes with living a life of not being true to yourself. In spite of his own demons, he’s so gentle and loving.
Risa Cruise’s Love On Rewind series, at its core, seems to have a running theme. Two people meet on a chance encounter, completely different backgrounds, class standing, and they simply fit together. They take care of each other in ways no one else can. They teach each other the meaning of true love, devotion, and caretaking. They give each other life lessons from the other side. And in that process, they learn about themselves.
This book also dives deep into the crisis of the LGBTQ+ community specifically in the 90s. It’s incredibly important to talk about because unfortunately, 30 years after this story, it’s still a huge issue that needs to be discussed.
Can we talk about the presence of Ash, Mike and Jules too? I love them. I love them. This found family is beautiful. The way they are there for each other plus getting more of their personalities was the icing on the cake. PLEASE, I am begging for a Mike story. Glimpses of his life absolutely gutted me. I need more.
Thank you Risa for this beautiful story. I am not a book crier but so many tears were shed for all of them. I loved it so so much.
This book is a masterpiece. 6⭐️
Every moment with Ben and Jamie felt like a gift. This book delivered the most beautiful, tender, and heartbreaking story. Highly recommend reading WWWH first because it makes this all the more touching and emotional. The love between these two was incredibly special and I savored every word. Risa writing is immersive, real and raw. The topics and harshness of the time period called for an unfiltered reality and this is a rollercoaster. There is nothing glamorous about sex work, not knowing if you’ll be able to feed yourself or pay your rent or if your next trick is going to send you to the hospital. Risa writes to make you feel the raw emotion of everything.
These characters are incredibly special. Ben is a product of his environment- turning tricks just to scrape a few bucks together to get by. Pessimistic about what he deserves with incredibly low self worth. In spite of all that he’s so kind, fiercely loyal to his friends- their ultimate protector and a goofy little gremlin. He’s guarded and mean to himself, which is incredibly painful to read. He hides behind a smart mouth to shield his feelings from the wounds of his past and present. He’s very much in the trenches and has never known anything else.
Enter Jamie, such a sweet man who recently lost his father and has come into money. But why does this beautiful man need to score himself a hustler to get some? Jamie’s character is an engaging and deep exploration of a queer man’s experience in the 90s. The emotional turmoil that comes from being rejected by your family for simply who you are up against the self hated that comes with living a life of not being true to yourself. In spite of his own demons, he’s so gentle and loving.
Risa Cruise’s Love On Rewind series, at its core, seems to have a running theme. Two people meet on a chance encounter, completely different backgrounds, class standing, and they simply fit together. They take care of each other in ways no one else can. They teach each other the meaning of true love, devotion, and caretaking. They give each other life lessons from the other side. And in that process, they learn about themselves.
This book also dives deep into the crisis of the LGBTQ+ community specifically in the 90s. It’s incredibly important to talk about because unfortunately, 30 years after this story, it’s still a huge issue that needs to be discussed.
Can we talk about the presence of Ash, Mike and Jules too? I love them. I love them. This found family is beautiful. The way they are there for each other plus getting more of their personalities was the icing on the cake. PLEASE, I am begging for a Mike story. Glimpses of his life absolutely gutted me. I need more.
Thank you Risa for this beautiful story. I am not a book crier but so many tears were shed for all of them. I loved it so so much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ugh. It was so sad reading this knowing about what happens in the future, but it was great.
I love Ben and Jamie so much. Both of them had rough lives just in different ways. My heart absolutely broke for both of them. They both deserved soooo much better than they got.
Adored Ben's friendship with Ash.
The pacing was just right and felt so natural. Jamie was absolutely perfect. All he wanted to do was take care of Ben and make him happy. Ben basically spent a huge part of his life looking after and taking care of others. I wanted so badly for him to take that leap and finally do something for himself and to actually be happy.
I really liked this book, but looking at the dates from the letter at the end and the date at the very beginning... ugh... I so wish they got more time. 😭
I love Ben and Jamie so much. Both of them had rough lives just in different ways. My heart absolutely broke for both of them. They both deserved soooo much better than they got.
Adored Ben's friendship with Ash.
The pacing was just right and felt so natural. Jamie was absolutely perfect. All he wanted to do was take care of Ben and make him happy. Ben basically spent a huge part of his life looking after and taking care of others. I wanted so badly for him to take that leap and finally do something for himself and to actually be happy.
I really liked this book, but looking at the dates from the letter at the end and the date at the very beginning... ugh... I so wish they got more time. 😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
This was a story of broken boys from different walks of life that found each other and fell in love. It was such a great story and I enjoyed seeing Ben & Jamie’s journey. I did feel melancholy reading this as if you have read Wish You Were Here you know Bens story, but I absolutely loved this book.
It’s made laugh, cry and I felt for the side characters also.
MM Romance
90s Setting
Smex Worker & Rich Librarian
Hurt/Comfort
Found Family
3🌶️
This was a story of broken boys from different walks of life that found each other and fell in love. It was such a great story and I enjoyed seeing Ben & Jamie’s journey. I did feel melancholy reading this as if you have read Wish You Were Here you know Bens story, but I absolutely loved this book.
It’s made laugh, cry and I felt for the side characters also.
MM Romance
90s Setting
Smex Worker & Rich Librarian
Hurt/Comfort
Found Family
Want to Read
October 23, 2026Risa Cruise writing anything Yes Please. Even sex workers work for me w her. Looking forward to being immersed in this one when it comes out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"If this is the last thing I ever have, it’s enough. Me and him. Him and me. To the end."
First of all I do need to stress, despite how the review sounds, To The End does have a HEA/HFN. Ben and Jamie are together and oh so in love when the book ends.
But f*ck am I crying even writing that sentence.
To The End is the prequel to Wish We Were Here. If you haven't read that I suggest, to get the full emotional experience of To The End, that you read that first. Otherwise you will read To The End and get a modern day Pretty Woman story. It a beautiful story with lots of tender moments and wonderful characters that you cannot help but love. If you read in release date order, To The End becomes something so much bigger.
To The End is full of 90s nostalgia - references to songs, films and events, fashion and hairstyles that, it you grew up in that time, you can't help but smile about. It also reminds us that, even in a time that many readers will be able to remember fondly, it still wasn't easy or even safe to be anything other then cishet. Risa pushed the rewind button even further for me by referencing the Robert Frost poem that I had memorised from watching and reading The Outsiders countless times. A book and film responsible for my love of the whole broken boys trope. There were tears. It fit Ben's story as perfectly as it fit The Outsiders
" Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower,
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
As Eden sank to grief.
As dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay"
Ben is absolutely pure, solid gold. He may start out all jagged edges and snark but we see how he loves and protects his best friend Ash (MC from Wish We Were Here) that he loves big and he loves hard. Jamie may have money but that is all he has in life and he needs more. He needs someone to love and to be loved by. He sees Ben for who he really is and vows to make his life better.
I had built this story up in my head from the moment I'd learned of its existence to be super angsty and heartbreaking. It had its hard and raw moments for both MCs but in reality, it was probably the least angsty of Risa's books. It really is the MM version of Pretty Woman where the prince rescues the prince, and he rescues him right back.
I am so grateful we got to see these two beautiful boys happy together, living the life they'd both imagined for themselves.
“We have a good thing going right now,” I say quietly. “Don’t we? You don’t have to poke holes in it. You can just let it be.” You can just let us fall in love."
First of all I do need to stress, despite how the review sounds, To The End does have a HEA/HFN. Ben and Jamie are together and oh so in love when the book ends.
But f*ck am I crying even writing that sentence.
To The End is the prequel to Wish We Were Here. If you haven't read that I suggest, to get the full emotional experience of To The End, that you read that first. Otherwise you will read To The End and get a modern day Pretty Woman story. It a beautiful story with lots of tender moments and wonderful characters that you cannot help but love. If you read in release date order, To The End becomes something so much bigger.
To The End is full of 90s nostalgia - references to songs, films and events, fashion and hairstyles that, it you grew up in that time, you can't help but smile about. It also reminds us that, even in a time that many readers will be able to remember fondly, it still wasn't easy or even safe to be anything other then cishet. Risa pushed the rewind button even further for me by referencing the Robert Frost poem that I had memorised from watching and reading The Outsiders countless times. A book and film responsible for my love of the whole broken boys trope. There were tears. It fit Ben's story as perfectly as it fit The Outsiders
" Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower,
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
As Eden sank to grief.
As dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay"
Ben is absolutely pure, solid gold. He may start out all jagged edges and snark but we see how he loves and protects his best friend Ash (MC from Wish We Were Here) that he loves big and he loves hard. Jamie may have money but that is all he has in life and he needs more. He needs someone to love and to be loved by. He sees Ben for who he really is and vows to make his life better.
I had built this story up in my head from the moment I'd learned of its existence to be super angsty and heartbreaking. It had its hard and raw moments for both MCs but in reality, it was probably the least angsty of Risa's books. It really is the MM version of Pretty Woman where the prince rescues the prince, and he rescues him right back.
I am so grateful we got to see these two beautiful boys happy together, living the life they'd both imagined for themselves.
“We have a good thing going right now,” I say quietly. “Don’t we? You don’t have to poke holes in it. You can just let it be.” You can just let us fall in love."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gosh....where do I start with this review? Might take me a little time to recover from this book :'(
This book is about Jamie and Ben, and it was just utterly beautiful and heartbreaking. It is a prequel to "Wish We Were Here", and if you have read that one, then you absolutely know why 'To The End' would be one hell of an emotional ride.
And it was.... IT WAS!!!
Jamie loses his father to a heart attack, and his father leaves all of his assets to him, even though they had been estranged for many years because Jamie came out as gay. Ben is a hustler, lost his parents at a young age, bouncing around homes in foster care until he was old enough to sell his body for money. Jamie was just the sweetest, most patient man ever and Ben? Oh Ben. Ben had a hard and tough exterior, but he really was just a sweet gushy cinnamon roll deep down.
These two both deserved so much happiness and peace after the turmoil they had been through. I can't lie; it was hard to read about how isolating and lonely it was in the 90's for a queer person to just exist. But I think books like this are important. Even though this is a piece of fiction, and to some its just another romance novel. But the fact remains that these scenarios very well DID happen (and very well still do in many communities), in some way or another. However, there was still a beautiful love story at the root of it all. Jamie and Ben brought the best out of each other. They taught each other how to trust, how to love, how to be vulnerable and how to LIVE. Live life instead of just going through the day-to-day motions.
This book has definitely left a stamp on my soul. I loved it so much and everything it represented.
5 Stars.
Amazing.
Highly recommend.
This book is about Jamie and Ben, and it was just utterly beautiful and heartbreaking. It is a prequel to "Wish We Were Here", and if you have read that one, then you absolutely know why 'To The End' would be one hell of an emotional ride.
And it was.... IT WAS!!!
Jamie loses his father to a heart attack, and his father leaves all of his assets to him, even though they had been estranged for many years because Jamie came out as gay. Ben is a hustler, lost his parents at a young age, bouncing around homes in foster care until he was old enough to sell his body for money. Jamie was just the sweetest, most patient man ever and Ben? Oh Ben. Ben had a hard and tough exterior, but he really was just a sweet gushy cinnamon roll deep down.
These two both deserved so much happiness and peace after the turmoil they had been through. I can't lie; it was hard to read about how isolating and lonely it was in the 90's for a queer person to just exist. But I think books like this are important. Even though this is a piece of fiction, and to some its just another romance novel. But the fact remains that these scenarios very well DID happen (and very well still do in many communities), in some way or another. However, there was still a beautiful love story at the root of it all. Jamie and Ben brought the best out of each other. They taught each other how to trust, how to love, how to be vulnerable and how to LIVE. Live life instead of just going through the day-to-day motions.
This book has definitely left a stamp on my soul. I loved it so much and everything it represented.
5 Stars.
Amazing.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Two unlikely men, one unexpected love, and a world that makes it anything but easy. ❤️
Ben is doing whatever he can to survive, carrying the scars of a past that has left him guarded, distrustful and reluctant to let anyone get too close. Jamie is gentle, kind and openly loving, despite the family rejection he has experienced after coming out. When their paths cross, what begins as a simple arrangement soon becomes something neither man could have expected. And honestly, who saw that coming? 😂❤️
These two couldn't be more different, yet somehow, they just work. Watching their connection develop and seeing the walls around Ben slowly begin to crack was one of my favourite parts of this story.
What really made this book stand out for me was its rawness and realism. Set in the 1990s, it captures the very real struggles gay men faced during a time when being openly yourself could mean prejudice, rejection, secrecy and heartache. Risa Cruise doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the era, making this love story feel all the more powerful and authentic.
This is more than a romance. It's a story about trust, vulnerability, courage and finding love when life has given you every reason to stop believing in it. These characters deserved so much happiness, and I was genuinely invested in their journey.
I absolutely loved this book. It was emotional, honest and a beautiful reminder that love has always existed, even when the world made it difficult to embrace.
❤️ Highly recommend this one to my fellow MM romance readers who love their stories raw, realistic and full of hard-earned love.
Ben is doing whatever he can to survive, carrying the scars of a past that has left him guarded, distrustful and reluctant to let anyone get too close. Jamie is gentle, kind and openly loving, despite the family rejection he has experienced after coming out. When their paths cross, what begins as a simple arrangement soon becomes something neither man could have expected. And honestly, who saw that coming? 😂❤️
These two couldn't be more different, yet somehow, they just work. Watching their connection develop and seeing the walls around Ben slowly begin to crack was one of my favourite parts of this story.
What really made this book stand out for me was its rawness and realism. Set in the 1990s, it captures the very real struggles gay men faced during a time when being openly yourself could mean prejudice, rejection, secrecy and heartache. Risa Cruise doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the era, making this love story feel all the more powerful and authentic.
This is more than a romance. It's a story about trust, vulnerability, courage and finding love when life has given you every reason to stop believing in it. These characters deserved so much happiness, and I was genuinely invested in their journey.
I absolutely loved this book. It was emotional, honest and a beautiful reminder that love has always existed, even when the world made it difficult to embrace.
❤️ Highly recommend this one to my fellow MM romance readers who love their stories raw, realistic and full of hard-earned love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Just gonna try typing a review with tears hitting my phone.
I truly gaslit myself into reading this knowing Ben's fate. But..I don't regret it. What a beautiful story. Risa never fails to showcase true raw emotions. Broken people finding eachother and not fixing eachother but choosing to love all their broken pieces.
I don't even know what to say, just thinking about it all makes me sob. Ben and Jamie were everything. They found eachother at a time they both needed. They saved eachother. Showed eachother what love was. They got out, and Ben at least went knowing he was truly loved.
I think i just have to go forward telling myself that Jamie never sent that letter. They lived happily ever after and Ash went to Miami where they were besties for life.
I truly gaslit myself into reading this knowing Ben's fate. But..I don't regret it. What a beautiful story. Risa never fails to showcase true raw emotions. Broken people finding eachother and not fixing eachother but choosing to love all their broken pieces.
I don't even know what to say, just thinking about it all makes me sob. Ben and Jamie were everything. They found eachother at a time they both needed. They saved eachother. Showed eachother what love was. They got out, and Ben at least went knowing he was truly loved.
I think i just have to go forward telling myself that Jamie never sent that letter. They lived happily ever after and Ash went to Miami where they were besties for life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love being taken back to the 90's and seeing this time from a different perspective. I was a kid so some of the social commentary didn't resonate with me at the time as I was exiting in my kid world and playing with my light bright but looking back is so interesting.
Ben and Jamie were opposites from one another when it came to their economic background as well as their life experiences but what they did have in common is loneliness and the want for more in life. As they slowly got closer and Ben began to let Jamie in their dynamic became a cute one.
I enjoyed see more of Ben's family and the bond they had was unbreakable and amazing.
🖤ARC REVIEW💙
Ben and Jamie were opposites from one another when it came to their economic background as well as their life experiences but what they did have in common is loneliness and the want for more in life. As they slowly got closer and Ben began to let Jamie in their dynamic became a cute one.
I enjoyed see more of Ben's family and the bond they had was unbreakable and amazing.
🖤ARC REVIEW💙
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta read.
Absolute perfection, as always. Such a stunning addition to this nostalgic series.
Absolute perfection, as always. Such a stunning addition to this nostalgic series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta read. Just .. perfection. If you read book 1 , you will cry .. and this comes from a person who doesn’t cry while reading.
“Never,” he promises. “It’s you and me. Forever. To the end.” To the end.”
“Never,” he promises. “It’s you and me. Forever. To the end.” To the end.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
God this story was amazing as expected going into this I knew what the ending was but I needed it anyway and my emotions were all over the place! As I’m writing this review and giving it the 5 stars it deserves I’m continuously wiping away tears bc Ben’s story absolutely needed to be told after seeing tidbits of him talked about in wish you were here I’m so glad we got to see his story be told and how he lived and to see he got the beautiful most deserving happy ending with Jamie. These 2 were absolutely perfect together you could feel the connection and the chemistry between them they were a comfort to each other a safe place a HOME. In all reality they both saved each other in different ways and it was beautiful to watch them grow and to open up to each other and find that safe place within each other specially a time when both thought they would never find anyone to love! The way Risa writes her books the raw and strong emotions the hurt and awful struggles that seem like impossible things to over come and yet have amazing endings!! I love this series so much and can’t wait to see what else is to come!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dear Risa,
you made me cry like a baby 😭. That being said, I absolutely understand why you had to write Ben's story. He was a flawed character with a pure soul and the story of his life and love was one that needed and deserved to be told. Thank you for sharing it with us. I adored every second I had with these two MMCs who made a permanent place for themselves in my heart.
Jamie and Ben shared such a rare and beautiful connection and the way they embraced it to the fullest was everything.
Getting to accompany them on their journey of ups and downs really put my heart through the wringer because the story was just so incredibly full of life and so real, that it made every emotion hit that much harder.
Even as I'm sitting here typing this, I can't stop thinking about these two and tearing up. This story is going to take a while to digest, but it was so worth it.
you made me cry like a baby 😭. That being said, I absolutely understand why you had to write Ben's story. He was a flawed character with a pure soul and the story of his life and love was one that needed and deserved to be told. Thank you for sharing it with us. I adored every second I had with these two MMCs who made a permanent place for themselves in my heart.
Jamie and Ben shared such a rare and beautiful connection and the way they embraced it to the fullest was everything.
Getting to accompany them on their journey of ups and downs really put my heart through the wringer because the story was just so incredibly full of life and so real, that it made every emotion hit that much harder.
Even as I'm sitting here typing this, I can't stop thinking about these two and tearing up. This story is going to take a while to digest, but it was so worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I hurt.
I would never normally read a book knowing one MC is no longer with us (you learn this in book 1) but as I had no emotional connection to Ben, and I went into this knowing the outcome, I assumed I would be fine. And you know what they say about assuming.
Omg I broke. Ben, my poor sweet Ben. By the end I was praying his death in book 1 was just a sick joke 😭 and Jamie, oh I hurt for Jamie so much more than I expected. Knowing he finally won Ben over, made his dream come true, got a taste of love only to have it ripped away so sadly.
I repeat, I hurt. But this was outstanding.
I would never normally read a book knowing one MC is no longer with us (you learn this in book 1) but as I had no emotional connection to Ben, and I went into this knowing the outcome, I assumed I would be fine. And you know what they say about assuming.
Omg I broke. Ben, my poor sweet Ben. By the end I was praying his death in book 1 was just a sick joke 😭 and Jamie, oh I hurt for Jamie so much more than I expected. Knowing he finally won Ben over, made his dream come true, got a taste of love only to have it ripped away so sadly.
I repeat, I hurt. But this was outstanding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! This book was absolutely freaking amazing and even knowing what happens in the other book Ben and Jamie’s story is absolutely beautiful! It is heartbreaking, devastating and utterly wonderful! The life Jamie and Ben lived together after everything was beautiful! This is a book that is gonna stick with me for a long time. I highly recommend everyone read Wish We Were Here as well as this prequel cause they are amazing!
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