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Thornwood #1
One More Time
A Thornwood Novel Wanting to start over after breaking off a relationship with his married boss, Caleb Robinson is happy to move from Los Angeles to Thornwood, Colorado. He can barely find the town on a map, which is just the kind of place Caleb needs. He's not looking for a relationship, and Thornwood looks to be the perfect place to get lost in his art. But when Thornwood’s local police officer, Trent Williams, knocks on Caleb’s front door, both men have an instant attraction to each other, and Caleb’s plans for solitude might have to change.But he soon learns that Trent is a legendary one-night-stand man for a very special reason. His boyfriend has been kept on life support for the past five years after a serious skiing accident. Even though Simon isn’t expected to wake up and Trent says he’s trying to get past him, he won’t entertain anything that comes close to commitment. As compelling as their attraction is, Caleb doesn't want to be just another hook-up, and he won't be the other man. But Trent isn't sure he can risk the pain of losing someone else he cares about, no matter how intense the chemistry between him and Caleb.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2015
17 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Ricci
291 books174 followersCaitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiance and their dog. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 19, 2015
This is a hard book for me to review. I just plain did NOT like One More Time. It is almost impossible to like a book when one of the main characters drives you nuts, but when BOTH main characters are unlikable, it is a double whammy.
Caleb Robinson is a new resident of Thornwood, Colorado. He moved to get as far away from his boyfriend of three years as possible. That boyfriend was not only his boss but married to a woman (yes, Caleb is aware of the wife) who runs Caleb over with her car when she finds out about the affair. Caleb receives a huge settlement with the insurance company after the "accident", which is how he affords his new, luxurious ranch house with horse stables in Colorado.
Trent Williams is a police officer in the small town of Thornwood and seems to have a sex addiction. He uses men for sex to calm him down and relax him when the tension in his life gets to much to bear. He kicks them out after the deed is done and never hooks up with the same man twice. He is thrilled to meet Caleb, who he targets as his next bed-buddy, but Caleb is gun-shy after his affair and only wants to have sex with a man he is in a relationship with.
There is sexual tension, but not the fun, looking-forward-to-the-act kind. There is actually a scene in the book where Trent tries to seduce Caleb after a rough day at work and when Caleb shuts him down, he hooks up with another guy to ease his stress.
It turns out that Trent had a serious boyfriend named Simon five years ago but a freak skiing accident has left Simon in a vegetative coma. He is brain-dead but his family decides to keep him on life support. After five long years, they call Trent and ask him to come to the hospital to witness Simon's death when they turn off the life support. Trent asks Caleb to go with him as a friend for support.
So, after Simon dies, Trent is especially upset and needs sex to calm him down and numb his feelings. Caleb feels obligated to provide that sex since if he refuses, Trent will just find a stranger to hook up worth. So, they have sex.
And the dancing around each other continues with Trent refusing to commit and Caleb falling into bed with him anyway.
Like I said, this is a hard review for me. Both characters rubbed me the wrong way. Also, there were a few side plots that were never resolved including one where Caleb was concerned about his sister and her kids' relationship with their husband/father and another about rescue horses and a bullied friend's son who comes to stay with him for a few weeks. He invites the family to stay and live it his huge house and, just like that, they agree. Also, Trent's apparent sex addiction is never addressed. I suppose since this is a series, we'll get resolution in future books?
I cannot recommend this one. There was just too much to dislike and a glaring lack of romance.
Advanced review copy of One More Time provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at Jessewave
Caleb Robinson is a new resident of Thornwood, Colorado. He moved to get as far away from his boyfriend of three years as possible. That boyfriend was not only his boss but married to a woman (yes, Caleb is aware of the wife) who runs Caleb over with her car when she finds out about the affair. Caleb receives a huge settlement with the insurance company after the "accident", which is how he affords his new, luxurious ranch house with horse stables in Colorado.
Trent Williams is a police officer in the small town of Thornwood and seems to have a sex addiction. He uses men for sex to calm him down and relax him when the tension in his life gets to much to bear. He kicks them out after the deed is done and never hooks up with the same man twice. He is thrilled to meet Caleb, who he targets as his next bed-buddy, but Caleb is gun-shy after his affair and only wants to have sex with a man he is in a relationship with.
There is sexual tension, but not the fun, looking-forward-to-the-act kind. There is actually a scene in the book where Trent tries to seduce Caleb after a rough day at work and when Caleb shuts him down, he hooks up with another guy to ease his stress.
It turns out that Trent had a serious boyfriend named Simon five years ago but a freak skiing accident has left Simon in a vegetative coma. He is brain-dead but his family decides to keep him on life support. After five long years, they call Trent and ask him to come to the hospital to witness Simon's death when they turn off the life support. Trent asks Caleb to go with him as a friend for support.
So, after Simon dies, Trent is especially upset and needs sex to calm him down and numb his feelings. Caleb feels obligated to provide that sex since if he refuses, Trent will just find a stranger to hook up worth. So, they have sex.
And the dancing around each other continues with Trent refusing to commit and Caleb falling into bed with him anyway.
Like I said, this is a hard review for me. Both characters rubbed me the wrong way. Also, there were a few side plots that were never resolved including one where Caleb was concerned about his sister and her kids' relationship with their husband/father and another about rescue horses and a bullied friend's son who comes to stay with him for a few weeks. He invites the family to stay and live it his huge house and, just like that, they agree. Also, Trent's apparent sex addiction is never addressed. I suppose since this is a series, we'll get resolution in future books?
I cannot recommend this one. There was just too much to dislike and a glaring lack of romance.
Advanced review copy of One More Time provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at Jessewave
October 4, 2015
DNF. I cannot. I refuse. I'm going cross-eyed...I am literally sitting here squinting....trying to deal with these unlikable characters. Caleb is one of the most neurotic, nitpicking, histrionic characters I've read in a while. Is he bipolar? Coming out of a bad relationship is not an excuse for his behavior. Trent, though emotionally stunted, and in the process of letting his now deceased ex go (he was on life support for 5 years), was still a more relatable character than Caleb. His 'I need to run out and have sex with random, faceless men every time I get upset because it 'relaxes me' got a bit old' but still, when he was begging Caleb for another chance I felt like going, dude, give it up and don't even bother.
The story started off well enough and, though I found the characters' way of speaking a bit wooden and overly explanatory, I was still enjoying them. A red flag went up with Caleb, however, when Trent told him about his ex being taken off life support the next week and Caleb's sole reaction was to ask Trent to get out of his house because 'he was in love with someone else' and hadn't told him. Huh?? I'm sorry, did you miss the part about the man he loved taking his last breath at a specific day and time? When did this become about you? He told you he couldn't do a relationship. He'd only known you a few days. The 'why' of it was none of your damn business.
The whole attempt to be 'friends' while they were both attracted to each other and dry humping each other at any opportunity felt slightly ridiculous, and I CANNOT STAND characters like Caleb who always want answers to questions which only serve to justify their indulgence in a whirlwind of butt hurt. YOU, Caleb, offered to sleep with Trent, KNOWING he only does casual sex, because you couldn't bear the thought of him with anyone else. You did that. He didn't approach you; he said I'm going out to get laid; just wanted you to know so you don't worry when you knock on my hotel door and I don't answer. YOU threw yourself on the coc...uh sword...cause you didn't want him going to a stranger off a hookup app. Yet here we go... Am I different from the other guys? How many guys have you slept with? Do you like what I do more than what they do?? Do you kiss them? Do you do with them what you're doing with me? Seriously, are you 15?? Every one knows these are trap questions with no correct answer. Either the person asking doesn't believe you if you say something good, or they get all bent out of shape when you tell them the truth they don't want to hear.
Caleb was a complete mess and totally ruined this story and any chance it ever had of being taken seriously. After the whiplash conversation where Trent admits that he hasn't had casual sex with anyone since Caleb because it reminded him of how things were with this ex (something any normal, rational person would have taken to mean it reminded him of how it felt to be in a relationship), Caleb says 'You just told me that being with me is like having sex with your dead ex. That's the worst thing I've heard in a long time. I have to go. Excuse me, what?? Are you on drugs?? Then he huffs off because he can't do casual sex blah blah blah, but then invites Trent to dinner at his house with friends two pages later. I threw up my hands, took a bow and,at 75%,said, 'Curtains!" I had to exit stage left on this foolishness.
It's obvious a lot of work went into this book and it's well edited, grammatically and spelling wise, but it's not one I could recommend...or even finish. Sorry.
The story started off well enough and, though I found the characters' way of speaking a bit wooden and overly explanatory, I was still enjoying them. A red flag went up with Caleb, however, when Trent told him about his ex being taken off life support the next week and Caleb's sole reaction was to ask Trent to get out of his house because 'he was in love with someone else' and hadn't told him. Huh?? I'm sorry, did you miss the part about the man he loved taking his last breath at a specific day and time? When did this become about you? He told you he couldn't do a relationship. He'd only known you a few days. The 'why' of it was none of your damn business.
The whole attempt to be 'friends' while they were both attracted to each other and dry humping each other at any opportunity felt slightly ridiculous, and I CANNOT STAND characters like Caleb who always want answers to questions which only serve to justify their indulgence in a whirlwind of butt hurt. YOU, Caleb, offered to sleep with Trent, KNOWING he only does casual sex, because you couldn't bear the thought of him with anyone else. You did that. He didn't approach you; he said I'm going out to get laid; just wanted you to know so you don't worry when you knock on my hotel door and I don't answer. YOU threw yourself on the coc...uh sword...cause you didn't want him going to a stranger off a hookup app. Yet here we go... Am I different from the other guys? How many guys have you slept with? Do you like what I do more than what they do?? Do you kiss them? Do you do with them what you're doing with me? Seriously, are you 15?? Every one knows these are trap questions with no correct answer. Either the person asking doesn't believe you if you say something good, or they get all bent out of shape when you tell them the truth they don't want to hear.
Caleb was a complete mess and totally ruined this story and any chance it ever had of being taken seriously. After the whiplash conversation where Trent admits that he hasn't had casual sex with anyone since Caleb because it reminded him of how things were with this ex (something any normal, rational person would have taken to mean it reminded him of how it felt to be in a relationship), Caleb says 'You just told me that being with me is like having sex with your dead ex. That's the worst thing I've heard in a long time. I have to go. Excuse me, what?? Are you on drugs?? Then he huffs off because he can't do casual sex blah blah blah, but then invites Trent to dinner at his house with friends two pages later. I threw up my hands, took a bow and,at 75%,said, 'Curtains!" I had to exit stage left on this foolishness.
It's obvious a lot of work went into this book and it's well edited, grammatically and spelling wise, but it's not one I could recommend...or even finish. Sorry.
April 3, 2016
When two men meet and are attracted to each other, but one wants a no-strings-attached affair while the other wishes for commitment but will settle for being friends, trouble is bound to follow. This is what the two men in this novel face. Caleb is a graphic designer who left LA to escape a three-year relationship with his cheating married boss, and he longs for a committed relationship with an honest partner. Trent is a small town cop whose former lover has been in a coma for five years, and he can’t bear to think about a relationship at all, for fear of losing that man, just like he lost Simon. The result is a great story with believable characters, emotional depth, and lots of (sometimes painful) growth for both men. They each have their own set of issues they struggle with, but being together, despite all the ups and downs, turns out to be better than being apart.
Caleb is desperate to get way from his past, so he moves from LA to a small town in Colorado. He has bought a former horse ranch and loves the big house, but has no clue abut living “in the mountains” as his sister calls it. His first encounter hearing noises outside at night, thinking it must be a bear and calling his new cop friend for help, only to find out it was raccoons, made me laugh. But he is determined to make it work. And when I found out more about the lying ex as the story unfolded, I could see why. It’s pretty sad that Caleb only wants “someone not to lie to him” and to make sure that doesn’t happen, he does his best not to have a relationship at all. But Trent is tempting, and Caleb has to fight hard to remind himself to stay away.
Trent is scarred from losing his boyfriend, Simon, of one year in a ski accident – not to death, but to a coma. His family decides to keep Simon on life support – and that is where he still is five years later. While Trent realizes it is over, and moves on physically to one hookup after the other – he has a much more difficult time emotionally. Not that he understands this until he meets Caleb, for whom commitment is as much a “must” as it is a “no go zone” for Trent. How is he supposed to deal with potentially losing another man if he lets himself fall in love?
If you like character-driven stories with lots of psychological issues and personal growth, if you want to know more about two men who figure out that they are better off together than on their own, and if you’re looking for a read that is emotional, fascinating, and ends on a hopeful note, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Caleb is desperate to get way from his past, so he moves from LA to a small town in Colorado. He has bought a former horse ranch and loves the big house, but has no clue abut living “in the mountains” as his sister calls it. His first encounter hearing noises outside at night, thinking it must be a bear and calling his new cop friend for help, only to find out it was raccoons, made me laugh. But he is determined to make it work. And when I found out more about the lying ex as the story unfolded, I could see why. It’s pretty sad that Caleb only wants “someone not to lie to him” and to make sure that doesn’t happen, he does his best not to have a relationship at all. But Trent is tempting, and Caleb has to fight hard to remind himself to stay away.
Trent is scarred from losing his boyfriend, Simon, of one year in a ski accident – not to death, but to a coma. His family decides to keep Simon on life support – and that is where he still is five years later. While Trent realizes it is over, and moves on physically to one hookup after the other – he has a much more difficult time emotionally. Not that he understands this until he meets Caleb, for whom commitment is as much a “must” as it is a “no go zone” for Trent. How is he supposed to deal with potentially losing another man if he lets himself fall in love?
If you like character-driven stories with lots of psychological issues and personal growth, if you want to know more about two men who figure out that they are better off together than on their own, and if you’re looking for a read that is emotional, fascinating, and ends on a hopeful note, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 12, 2016
Reviewed for QUEERcentric Books Blog
Teaser
One More Time by Caitlin Ricci is definitely worth the chance. It takes until about halfway through the book to travel the confusing vibes, but once you do, you are able to see that this is a story of men, whose pasts have them struggling for a future. It is definitely not a pretty or fluffy scenario and it is not hearts and flowers. It is men, being men, and trying to traverse through their feelings. But when they both decide to confront their thoughts, their passions and each other - it works!
See Full Review At:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/one...
Teaser
One More Time by Caitlin Ricci is definitely worth the chance. It takes until about halfway through the book to travel the confusing vibes, but once you do, you are able to see that this is a story of men, whose pasts have them struggling for a future. It is definitely not a pretty or fluffy scenario and it is not hearts and flowers. It is men, being men, and trying to traverse through their feelings. But when they both decide to confront their thoughts, their passions and each other - it works!
See Full Review At:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/one...
Read
April 1, 2016Total ramble of a review. I warn you.
Trent has a lot of sexual partners and sex has become his drug to numb the pain of losing the man he loved to an accident, though the man he loved hasn't died, he's just been in a coma for the last five years. I can't imagine trying to move on from that. With trying to deal with the fact that the man you loved is gone, and wouldn't want to be kept alive by machines but his body is still physically here... breathing and yeah. Talk about a total head game and in a way, I can see why Trent would do the random hookups to get off and feel better for the moment. But just like with any form of addiction, there is more beyond the coping mechanism - this being sex - that a person is looking for with their drug.
Caleb, good lord. I think I was more upset with him for having a three year relationship with a married man. At least he had a random thought or two on how the wife must have felt after he found out his boss, aka the married man, was not monogamous with Caleb either. Caleb confused me at first because he seemed to be this guy who had morals when it came to Trent and yet we now he had a relationship with a married man. It was a head scratcher moment but I just went with it.
Let me get this out - The amount of dick in this book was a lot though not all of them peeked out from their owners pants but between the number of men Caleb’s boss was with to the number of hook-ups Trent had, there was dick aplenty between the two men. - Okay. I'm done.
Now…the story. Caleb moves to the quaint mountain town of Thornwood, Colorado to get away from the relationship and break up with his married boss. I like how he chose the town, total point and go, and Thornwood reads like and idyllic small town that I would love to visit. It’s one of those towns that when new folk move in, the welcome wagon is sent to greet them and this welcome wagon comes in the form of Trent.
Trent is a cop, whose daddy is the chief and knows everyone in town so of course he is the one sent to the newbie horse ranch owner Caleb as a welcome but Trent immediately wants more from Caleb. Actually more than he even realizes.
I like how the men forge a relationship, both of them flirting with the sexual tension and attraction but Caleb putting a halt to it because he doesn’t want causal sex (BUT he wants Trent) nor a relationship at the moment. We know Trent uses sex to numb the pain but it was nice to see him try, in the best way he could to be friends with Caleb no matter how bad he wanted to jump his bones.
When Trent gets a phone call, telling him of decisions that will be made concerning Simon, his partner in a coma, I felt awful for him. You can try to trick you brain into a whole out of sight, out of mind deal but when it gets down to reality kicking you in the nards, it’s tough.
So I have said a lot though said nothing. This book was good, I actually liked meeting everyone in it from Trent and Caleb, to Eli, to Caleb’s Dad and the folks at Rosie’s to Dean, Nat and Sam and of course Caleb’s nephews. I’ve learned there are a couple books I need to check out to get more of the family stories and I am definitely going to do that. I’m too intrigued not to.
At the end of it all, One More Time was really a story about two men with shitty pasts who don’t know how to deal with trusting another person or really themselves to take the risk of falling in love. It’s a story about being comfortably numb with your current situation but needing the pins and needles to GTFO.
Oh, and there is this…
I needed someone to screw and never have to look at again. I needed someone who would let me treat them like a sex toy to vent my frustration about what had happened to Simon, about losing the only person I’d loved.
Trent has a lot of sexual partners and sex has become his drug to numb the pain of losing the man he loved to an accident, though the man he loved hasn't died, he's just been in a coma for the last five years. I can't imagine trying to move on from that. With trying to deal with the fact that the man you loved is gone, and wouldn't want to be kept alive by machines but his body is still physically here... breathing and yeah. Talk about a total head game and in a way, I can see why Trent would do the random hookups to get off and feel better for the moment. But just like with any form of addiction, there is more beyond the coping mechanism - this being sex - that a person is looking for with their drug.
“I do like you, Trent, but I can’t have sex with you after just a week. That’s not how I am.”
Caleb, good lord. I think I was more upset with him for having a three year relationship with a married man. At least he had a random thought or two on how the wife must have felt after he found out his boss, aka the married man, was not monogamous with Caleb either. Caleb confused me at first because he seemed to be this guy who had morals when it came to Trent and yet we now he had a relationship with a married man. It was a head scratcher moment but I just went with it.
Let me get this out - The amount of dick in this book was a lot though not all of them peeked out from their owners pants but between the number of men Caleb’s boss was with to the number of hook-ups Trent had, there was dick aplenty between the two men. - Okay. I'm done.
Now…the story. Caleb moves to the quaint mountain town of Thornwood, Colorado to get away from the relationship and break up with his married boss. I like how he chose the town, total point and go, and Thornwood reads like and idyllic small town that I would love to visit. It’s one of those towns that when new folk move in, the welcome wagon is sent to greet them and this welcome wagon comes in the form of Trent.
Trent is a cop, whose daddy is the chief and knows everyone in town so of course he is the one sent to the newbie horse ranch owner Caleb as a welcome but Trent immediately wants more from Caleb. Actually more than he even realizes.
I like how the men forge a relationship, both of them flirting with the sexual tension and attraction but Caleb putting a halt to it because he doesn’t want causal sex (BUT he wants Trent) nor a relationship at the moment. We know Trent uses sex to numb the pain but it was nice to see him try, in the best way he could to be friends with Caleb no matter how bad he wanted to jump his bones.
I rubbed my thumb over his knuckles and wished there was something, anything to let me know he was still around, that he knew I was with him. But I got no response, and maybe that was the most merciful thing of all.
When Trent gets a phone call, telling him of decisions that will be made concerning Simon, his partner in a coma, I felt awful for him. You can try to trick you brain into a whole out of sight, out of mind deal but when it gets down to reality kicking you in the nards, it’s tough.
So I have said a lot though said nothing. This book was good, I actually liked meeting everyone in it from Trent and Caleb, to Eli, to Caleb’s Dad and the folks at Rosie’s to Dean, Nat and Sam and of course Caleb’s nephews. I’ve learned there are a couple books I need to check out to get more of the family stories and I am definitely going to do that. I’m too intrigued not to.
At the end of it all, One More Time was really a story about two men with shitty pasts who don’t know how to deal with trusting another person or really themselves to take the risk of falling in love. It’s a story about being comfortably numb with your current situation but needing the pins and needles to GTFO.
Oh, and there is this…
“I forgot what it was like to care about someone I was with, It hurts in a way that being with random people doesn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because it reminds me of what I lost.”
October 12, 2015
If you like self centered MC's this book is for you and Caleb is a prime example. I tried I really tried and I just couldn't get pass the idea of him watching Trent's ex lover/parter being taken off life support and having to read his pitti party in his mind like it was about HIM...it was just awful how he made everything about himself when it wasn't. I should have known better when Trent told him about Simon and that his family was taking him from life support and Caleb's reaction was just to kick him out and feel sorry for HIMSElF instead of Trent or Simon's family. THAT should've clued me in right away.
October 22, 2017
I am well aware that judging a book from its plot is not the right way to evalutate it. The story is as it is, and if it's well organized and well described or written, what are the MC's choices or actions and why they're acting that way is none of the reader's business. The reader can only find the narration not real or plausible but cannot judge the author's decisions or ask for different solutions. So, in this review I will not look at the MC behaviours of judge them. But I still need to refer to both MC's choices to express my dislike in this book. Book well written, situations even interesting and appealing and plot rather intriguing. But... there is a big "but". Caleb is out a messy and wrong relationship with his ex-boss who also was his ex-lover. He was aware he was married but ignored the committment of his lover since he hoped one day he will settle and take responsability of their love. It didn't happen, his lover's wife reacted badly at the discovery, Caleb flew away leaving even his town and his job for a new start. Nothing bad about that. Common situation. Lots of people do stupid things out of love, Caleb is not the only one who was let down by his lover, nor he had and affair with his boss.
Trent is a broken man. He lost the love of his life in an accident even if the man has been in a coma for 5 years, so not really dead. Still alive but dead anyway. He refuses to move on. He still has strings with his lover and does not want a new relationship or a new love. He uses other men as tools to release himself, no contact other than sex, brutal and fast, no dialogues, no relationship not even friendship. He's a lonely man and kind of dry.
But then Caleb arrives in town and things change. He is drawn to Trent in the same way Trent is attracted to him. Not a bad thing.
The problem of all this story is that Caleb is willing to have a new relationship but Trent is not, and Caleb indulge into the relationship that becomes hot since the beginning. And he has just broken a sick relationship with his ex just 2 months ago. Might be too soon even for Caleb to trust another man, and expecially impossible to trust a man like Trent that is almost the same as his previous lover.
Trent is a dry and selfish man unless related to Caleb. With Caleb he's sensitive and almost emotional. I think this is rather not real. This "good only for you" thing did not attract me at all.
Caleb asks Trent about his speedy lovers almost continuosly. I got annoyed about this questioning almost immediately but Trent answers him with a patience that makes him a saint almost. He got hurt but supposed Trent's fucks even if he doesn't have any right to be jealous. Caleb is always understanding, supportive, kind and acts like a friend and not a wannabe-lover who has been cheated and disposed upon just recently.
Everybody in the small town is supportive and fan of this possibile new relationship. Too supportive. Even Trent's almost dying lover's sister rage is just described as passing by. No angst, no struggle, no fight for the love each MC in this book should deserve.
There's no thrill. No difficulties. Just some weeks passing by and speech that too easily was ended by some sex play.
This is why I did not like this book.
And the end is owful. No pathos, no emotion, just a simple and as-a-matter-of-faclty statement.
Big no-no for a potential wonderful book.
Trent is a broken man. He lost the love of his life in an accident even if the man has been in a coma for 5 years, so not really dead. Still alive but dead anyway. He refuses to move on. He still has strings with his lover and does not want a new relationship or a new love. He uses other men as tools to release himself, no contact other than sex, brutal and fast, no dialogues, no relationship not even friendship. He's a lonely man and kind of dry.
But then Caleb arrives in town and things change. He is drawn to Trent in the same way Trent is attracted to him. Not a bad thing.
The problem of all this story is that Caleb is willing to have a new relationship but Trent is not, and Caleb indulge into the relationship that becomes hot since the beginning. And he has just broken a sick relationship with his ex just 2 months ago. Might be too soon even for Caleb to trust another man, and expecially impossible to trust a man like Trent that is almost the same as his previous lover.
Trent is a dry and selfish man unless related to Caleb. With Caleb he's sensitive and almost emotional. I think this is rather not real. This "good only for you" thing did not attract me at all.
Caleb asks Trent about his speedy lovers almost continuosly. I got annoyed about this questioning almost immediately but Trent answers him with a patience that makes him a saint almost. He got hurt but supposed Trent's fucks even if he doesn't have any right to be jealous. Caleb is always understanding, supportive, kind and acts like a friend and not a wannabe-lover who has been cheated and disposed upon just recently.
Everybody in the small town is supportive and fan of this possibile new relationship. Too supportive. Even Trent's almost dying lover's sister rage is just described as passing by. No angst, no struggle, no fight for the love each MC in this book should deserve.
There's no thrill. No difficulties. Just some weeks passing by and speech that too easily was ended by some sex play.
This is why I did not like this book.
And the end is owful. No pathos, no emotion, just a simple and as-a-matter-of-faclty statement.
Big no-no for a potential wonderful book.
Read
January 1, 2018I got through this, but I wasn't thrilled with the protagonists. Caleb seemed pretty selfish and self-centered at times. I can understand that he'd want to have a real commitment, but he could try to understand better what Trent means and feels when Trent talks about how his ex-boyfriend is on life support.
Trent was relatively straightforward in his thinking. He didn't realize that his "no strings attached" hookups could emotionally affect his partners, but just ignored the men if they were being "clingy." As even Caleb said, perhaps Trent should let himself feel his emotional pain and process it instead of having sex to distract himself from having feelings. Trent did seem to be pretty much a sex addict.
So they're pretty much both messes, but straighten themselves out somewhat. The ending makes reference to the future, but doesn't show those emotional beats. There seemed to be time skips all through the book, and I wasn't always sure how many weeks or months were skipped at a time. I could have used a time line.
Trent was relatively straightforward in his thinking. He didn't realize that his "no strings attached" hookups could emotionally affect his partners, but just ignored the men if they were being "clingy." As even Caleb said, perhaps Trent should let himself feel his emotional pain and process it instead of having sex to distract himself from having feelings. Trent did seem to be pretty much a sex addict.
So they're pretty much both messes, but straighten themselves out somewhat. The ending makes reference to the future, but doesn't show those emotional beats. There seemed to be time skips all through the book, and I wasn't always sure how many weeks or months were skipped at a time. I could have used a time line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
This was an M/M-ROM story about two men falling in love, even though it seems like it may not happen at first. One is an inexperienced sweetheart, the other is a hot-yet-jaded cop who (as we are led to believe) lost his one true love to an accident years ago. The kicker is that the accident did not outright kill the victim, but the poor soul has been unresponsive and on life support for far too long. Because of this, the MC doesn't fall for anyone and uses sex as therapy for his angst. When the two MCs finally accept that they are great together, and the poor soul on life support is finally let go, there is a nice sense of a happy-ever-after. I liked this book for what it was- a sweet-yet-spicy love story.
April 21, 2024
I am not sure how I feel about this one.
Caleb deserves so much better than he has been dealt. He is tired of secrets and men who sleep around but somehow he winds up with another one in Trent. At least Trent is honest. He has some deep seated issues though that he really needed to get help with. I can’t really make up my mind if I liked this one or not. Trent is a nice guy with a sex addiction that keeps him from dealing with his feelings. Honestly, I think he is a jerk, but Caleb cares about him. He just refuses to be a notch on a bedpost. It just feels like something was missing from this story for me. Trent felt very pushy about sex with Caleb. And he has no idea how a friendship works. I would probably honestly give this 2 and a half stars.
Caleb deserves so much better than he has been dealt. He is tired of secrets and men who sleep around but somehow he winds up with another one in Trent. At least Trent is honest. He has some deep seated issues though that he really needed to get help with. I can’t really make up my mind if I liked this one or not. Trent is a nice guy with a sex addiction that keeps him from dealing with his feelings. Honestly, I think he is a jerk, but Caleb cares about him. He just refuses to be a notch on a bedpost. It just feels like something was missing from this story for me. Trent felt very pushy about sex with Caleb. And he has no idea how a friendship works. I would probably honestly give this 2 and a half stars.
October 29, 2017
3,5 stars
January 10, 2018
I really liked this story. Caleb and Trent are a good match, the characters are interesting and sweet.
October 24, 2015
3.5 stars
First of all,I liked this story...it has its flaws,yes,but I for one liked the notion "we know we should be friends,but..." that author played well,in my opinion. Characters were likable,especially Caleb,at least to me...and I really liked the setting - small town surrounded by mountains with its friendly people,where everyone know everyone. The story is told from dual POV, but,in my honest opinion,POVs should've been written better. In the first 40% it was sometimes impossible to differentiate Caleb from Trent if you somehow miss the name at the heading. Their voices,their way of thinking was almost identical,and I struggled to form some kind of picture of them in my head due to their similarity. Later,it was significantly easier to read as they interacted more,but still...
The reason why I gave story 3 stars,and not more is the ending. It's HEA...of sorts. Lets say that instead of ending the story with perfectly fine HFN,author decided to give us one lousy HEA end. Basically,she told us (more accuratelly Caleb told us) in one sentence how (somewhere in the future) they're still going strong and that they love each other. You may say "Well,that's not a bad thing right?",but in my book yes it is. Why? Because they didn't even exchanged the L word,they were at the very beginning of their relationship,and than instead of ending it right there,or giving us 30 pages more in which we can actually SEE their relalationship evolving into love,we are TOLD about it in one sentence,the sentence which literaly came out of nowhere. I felt robbed...robbed of their whole relationship. I'd prefer it if author never gave us that sentence,I really would.
Overall,this was not a bad story...if you can overlook the end (or maybe you don't have to,if you're real sucker for HEA,no matter the quality of it) than I'd say go for it and read this book.
First of all,I liked this story...it has its flaws,yes,but I for one liked the notion "we know we should be friends,but..." that author played well,in my opinion. Characters were likable,especially Caleb,at least to me...and I really liked the setting - small town surrounded by mountains with its friendly people,where everyone know everyone. The story is told from dual POV, but,in my honest opinion,POVs should've been written better. In the first 40% it was sometimes impossible to differentiate Caleb from Trent if you somehow miss the name at the heading. Their voices,their way of thinking was almost identical,and I struggled to form some kind of picture of them in my head due to their similarity. Later,it was significantly easier to read as they interacted more,but still...
The reason why I gave story 3 stars,and not more is the ending. It's HEA...of sorts. Lets say that instead of ending the story with perfectly fine HFN,author decided to give us one lousy HEA end. Basically,she told us (more accuratelly Caleb told us) in one sentence how (somewhere in the future) they're still going strong and that they love each other. You may say "Well,that's not a bad thing right?",but in my book yes it is. Why? Because they didn't even exchanged the L word,they were at the very beginning of their relationship,and than instead of ending it right there,or giving us 30 pages more in which we can actually SEE their relalationship evolving into love,we are TOLD about it in one sentence,the sentence which literaly came out of nowhere. I felt robbed...robbed of their whole relationship. I'd prefer it if author never gave us that sentence,I really would.
Overall,this was not a bad story...if you can overlook the end (or maybe you don't have to,if you're real sucker for HEA,no matter the quality of it) than I'd say go for it and read this book.
October 16, 2015
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (rounded up for this site)
I have very mixed feelings about this novel. It's a really sweet story about two men who are both struggling to understand their attraction to one another, and who have both been hurt in the past by relationships. But there were also things about both characters that prevented me from enjoying the story.
Caleb's last relationship was with his boss in LA... his married boss, whose wife was less than pleased (understatement!) when she found out about her husband's cheating. Trent has been hurt in a different way, though; his last serious relationship was with the love of his life, who has now been in a coma for several years. But Trent is unable to move on from that loss, and fills his life with meaningless sex as a way of coping.
One of the things I really loved about this novel was the pacing. It was excellently written, and Caitlin makes sure not to rush to put Trent and Caleb in a relationship together. It feels very organic, and Caleb constantly questions his feelings toward Trent and whether he is ready to get into another relationship.
Keep reading this review on Just Love!
I have very mixed feelings about this novel. It's a really sweet story about two men who are both struggling to understand their attraction to one another, and who have both been hurt in the past by relationships. But there were also things about both characters that prevented me from enjoying the story.
Caleb's last relationship was with his boss in LA... his married boss, whose wife was less than pleased (understatement!) when she found out about her husband's cheating. Trent has been hurt in a different way, though; his last serious relationship was with the love of his life, who has now been in a coma for several years. But Trent is unable to move on from that loss, and fills his life with meaningless sex as a way of coping.
One of the things I really loved about this novel was the pacing. It was excellently written, and Caitlin makes sure not to rush to put Trent and Caleb in a relationship together. It feels very organic, and Caleb constantly questions his feelings toward Trent and whether he is ready to get into another relationship.
He got back into his car, and I stood there wishing I could have said yes to whatever he'd been offering. But two months was not long enough to get over someone and start something new, so I let him go and went back inside to my TV, my attention-hungry clients, and the box of cookies I'd call dinner.
Keep reading this review on Just Love!
October 30, 2015
3.5 stars
I think the town stole the show for me with this book. Thornwood Colorado might just be the perfect small town.
The handsome, friendly police officer might add to the attraction but I was a little hot and cold with Trent all the way through. I loved his friendship and tentative relationship with Caleb, but I struggled with his string of one-night stands. His relationship with his father, and his relationship with Simon gave me hope, but his need for casual sex was off-putting.
But if Trent was a little bit slutty, Caleb came off as an uptight prude at times. It is only when we start to see him relax with his friends that he becomes more relaxed and a little bit fun.
This is a very angsty story. Sex and the decision to have sex or not to have sex causes huge conflict. I’m sure there are promise ring wearing teenagers who find sex less complicated and probably more enjoyable than Trent and Caleb do through much of this story. Both men come with sexual baggage and the result is a sexual minefield.
So - overall, I loved the feel-good hometown. I love the setting in the Rockies and I love watching Caleb make the transition from LA life to small-town living. I liked the characters, but I didn’t fall for them completely. I think I would have preferred more sex and less angst, but this was still an engaging story.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
I think the town stole the show for me with this book. Thornwood Colorado might just be the perfect small town.
The handsome, friendly police officer might add to the attraction but I was a little hot and cold with Trent all the way through. I loved his friendship and tentative relationship with Caleb, but I struggled with his string of one-night stands. His relationship with his father, and his relationship with Simon gave me hope, but his need for casual sex was off-putting.
But if Trent was a little bit slutty, Caleb came off as an uptight prude at times. It is only when we start to see him relax with his friends that he becomes more relaxed and a little bit fun.
This is a very angsty story. Sex and the decision to have sex or not to have sex causes huge conflict. I’m sure there are promise ring wearing teenagers who find sex less complicated and probably more enjoyable than Trent and Caleb do through much of this story. Both men come with sexual baggage and the result is a sexual minefield.
So - overall, I loved the feel-good hometown. I love the setting in the Rockies and I love watching Caleb make the transition from LA life to small-town living. I liked the characters, but I didn’t fall for them completely. I think I would have preferred more sex and less angst, but this was still an engaging story.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
April 13, 2016
Reviewed by Kimmers for QUEERcentric Books
One More Time by Caitlin Ricci is a book about two of the most unlikely of men discovering one another.
Caleb has just moved to the small mountain town of Thornwood, Colorado. He has upended his entire life to start fresh after the recent breakup of a long term relationship with his married boss.
As a result of his shame over the affair, he has sworn off relationships for the foreseeable future.
But things are about to change when small town cop, Trent, enters the picture.
Trent is comfortable spending his days in the only town he has ever known, where everyone knows him, and he knows everyone. But at night, he enjoys easing his desires with random hook-ups.
Read Kimmers' full review at QUEERcentric Books!
One More Time by Caitlin Ricci is a book about two of the most unlikely of men discovering one another.
Caleb has just moved to the small mountain town of Thornwood, Colorado. He has upended his entire life to start fresh after the recent breakup of a long term relationship with his married boss.
As a result of his shame over the affair, he has sworn off relationships for the foreseeable future.
But things are about to change when small town cop, Trent, enters the picture.
Trent is comfortable spending his days in the only town he has ever known, where everyone knows him, and he knows everyone. But at night, he enjoys easing his desires with random hook-ups.
Read Kimmers' full review at QUEERcentric Books!
Want to read
November 11, 20153.5 Stars
This book just came across totally weird. Trent was so slutty I almost could finish the book. Caleb was so stuffy you had to wonder if he has a stick up his a** but he decided to leave LA and picked Thornwood to move to. There was some humor in the book so at least I got a laugh every once in a while. But there was also sorrow and heartache also. Overall it wasn’t a bad book the author writing style was good. I always say that the writing style of the book can make or break it. This is the only reason I really could finish the book was because to the authors writing style.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book just came across totally weird. Trent was so slutty I almost could finish the book. Caleb was so stuffy you had to wonder if he has a stick up his a** but he decided to leave LA and picked Thornwood to move to. There was some humor in the book so at least I got a laugh every once in a while. But there was also sorrow and heartache also. Overall it wasn’t a bad book the author writing style was good. I always say that the writing style of the book can make or break it. This is the only reason I really could finish the book was because to the authors writing style.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2016
A fairly fast paced, easy to read story.
Caleb is relocating to remove himself from a poisonous relationship but doesn't seem to have thought it through. He also does and doesn't want amrelationship with Trent, local cop.
Trent is being held back by his old lover being on life support, not able to cope and only having anonymous sex.
Whilst they both had good points and bad, I did think Trent a bit pushy and them both a bit childish at times.
The ending was very abrupt - I even thiught I'd skipped a chapter somehow.
Caleb is relocating to remove himself from a poisonous relationship but doesn't seem to have thought it through. He also does and doesn't want amrelationship with Trent, local cop.
Trent is being held back by his old lover being on life support, not able to cope and only having anonymous sex.
Whilst they both had good points and bad, I did think Trent a bit pushy and them both a bit childish at times.
The ending was very abrupt - I even thiught I'd skipped a chapter somehow.
May 13, 2016
This book was both heart wrenching and infuriating. I had to put it down several times because I was so irritated by how selfish the MCs were. I really wanted to like them, but it was hard. There was a lot of emotions, but sometimes it felt shallow.
For me the ending was the most disappointing thing about the whole book. It sort of just starts over, but never really finishes.
For me the ending was the most disappointing thing about the whole book. It sort of just starts over, but never really finishes.
January 21, 2016
2.5 stars
I didn't like the Mc's I hate cheating
I couldn't relate to Trent's hook up reasons.
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