What do you think?
Rate this book
Memories #2.5
The Greatest Gift
After five years, Alex Stern and Rafe Hazelton have what seems to be the perfect marriage. Alex is entering his last years of residency and Rafe’s veterinary business is busier than ever. For Rafe, all that is missing is a child, but Alex, afraid of ending up to be a man like his father, isn’t as sure. He doesn't want to make any mistakes.
When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible.
Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine.
When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible.
Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine.
86 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2015
25 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
92 books1,722 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Read
December 5, 2017UPDATED 12/5/17
The Greatest Gift is ON SALE for 99 cents for the entire month of December. Pick up the Chanukah romance for the holidays!
The Greatest Gift is ON SALE for 99 cents for the entire month of December. Pick up the Chanukah romance for the holidays!
December 10, 2015
Review originally posted at Sinfully
There are two kinds of holiday stories, the lighthearted fun, happy ever after stories and the touching, tear jerking, bittersweet stories. This falls in the latter category and you’ll need that box of tissues handy, but it is also beautiful and uplifting and a lovely step forward for this wonderful couple.
The story picks up three years after the end of One Step Further. Rafe and Alex have been together for five years and Alex has just started a difficult oncology residency. While they are still as in love and as strong a couple as ever, Alex’s work keeps him away from Rafe more than he’d like. Rafe has made it known that he is ready to take the next step and add a child into their family, but Alex is hesitant. While outwardly his protest is that he is too busy finishing his residency, it’s really his fear of failing to be there for his child like his father failed him and hurting Rafe in the process. The issue is obviously weighing heavily on Rafe who has no doubt about what a good, loving father Alex would be. When Alex becomes involved in the life of Jude, a young single mother who doesn’t have long to live, and her son Dylan, both Alex and Rafe can’t help but to fall in love with the child whose life is about to be torn apart.
I loved Rafe and Alex when I first met them and my love for them was cemented here. It was so nice to see them following their dreams and still as hot for each other as before. Rafe has become confident and now has a full-fledged family of his own, bringing them all together hosting his first Chanukah celebration. Alex is living his life on his terms and has fully repaired his relationship with his mother. The one sticking point is having a child, but even their disagreement over that isn’t going to break them apart.
Felice Stevens did a wonderful job with the story. It was great to catch up with everyone from the series and even Micah seems to be mellowing with age. If you loved Rafe and Alex’s story you’re not going to want to miss this update. If you haven’t read their story, but like an emotional holiday read, you can jump right in. At the end of it all you’ll be smiling through your tears, knowing that two men who grew up each yearning for a happy family have all of that and so much more.
There are two kinds of holiday stories, the lighthearted fun, happy ever after stories and the touching, tear jerking, bittersweet stories. This falls in the latter category and you’ll need that box of tissues handy, but it is also beautiful and uplifting and a lovely step forward for this wonderful couple.
The story picks up three years after the end of One Step Further. Rafe and Alex have been together for five years and Alex has just started a difficult oncology residency. While they are still as in love and as strong a couple as ever, Alex’s work keeps him away from Rafe more than he’d like. Rafe has made it known that he is ready to take the next step and add a child into their family, but Alex is hesitant. While outwardly his protest is that he is too busy finishing his residency, it’s really his fear of failing to be there for his child like his father failed him and hurting Rafe in the process. The issue is obviously weighing heavily on Rafe who has no doubt about what a good, loving father Alex would be. When Alex becomes involved in the life of Jude, a young single mother who doesn’t have long to live, and her son Dylan, both Alex and Rafe can’t help but to fall in love with the child whose life is about to be torn apart.
I loved Rafe and Alex when I first met them and my love for them was cemented here. It was so nice to see them following their dreams and still as hot for each other as before. Rafe has become confident and now has a full-fledged family of his own, bringing them all together hosting his first Chanukah celebration. Alex is living his life on his terms and has fully repaired his relationship with his mother. The one sticking point is having a child, but even their disagreement over that isn’t going to break them apart.
Felice Stevens did a wonderful job with the story. It was great to catch up with everyone from the series and even Micah seems to be mellowing with age. If you loved Rafe and Alex’s story you’re not going to want to miss this update. If you haven’t read their story, but like an emotional holiday read, you can jump right in. At the end of it all you’ll be smiling through your tears, knowing that two men who grew up each yearning for a happy family have all of that and so much more.
November 12, 2017
This is a wonderful, heartwarming holiday novella featuring Alex and Rafe from One Step Further in the Memories series.
This holiday season, Alex has taken on a 3 year oncology residency, not content to simply be an internist. It takes him away from his husband Rafe, a veterinarian, more often than he'd like but it can't be helped. But what's worse is that Rafe is ready for children and Alex is not. Alex fears he'll turn out to be like his father, though Rafe doesn't believe that for a second.
When a young mother, suffering from terminal cancer, asks Alex if he and Rafe can take her 4 year old son to the zoo, something she'll never get to do, it sets in motion a series of events that ultimately ends in showing Alex that he is not his father.
It also brings about the family Rafe has always wanted, grants the mother's last wishes, and provides a sweet little boy with a loving set of daddies. Loved it!!!
This holiday season, Alex has taken on a 3 year oncology residency, not content to simply be an internist. It takes him away from his husband Rafe, a veterinarian, more often than he'd like but it can't be helped. But what's worse is that Rafe is ready for children and Alex is not. Alex fears he'll turn out to be like his father, though Rafe doesn't believe that for a second.
When a young mother, suffering from terminal cancer, asks Alex if he and Rafe can take her 4 year old son to the zoo, something she'll never get to do, it sets in motion a series of events that ultimately ends in showing Alex that he is not his father.
It also brings about the family Rafe has always wanted, grants the mother's last wishes, and provides a sweet little boy with a loving set of daddies. Loved it!!!
December 19, 2015
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
This is a follow up novella to One Step Further where we first met Alex and Rafe. They have now been happily together for five years and whilst Rafe is wanting to take the next step and become a family, Alex has external pressures completing his residency in a busy Oncology unit at the hospital. So although they are happily married, both are not currently on the same page but then Alex meets single young mother, Jude, on his ward and things take a drastic turnabout in all their lives.
This was an uplifting but at the same time a tearjerker of a novella that had me smiling with happiness in one moment then becoming a bit teary the next. Both feelings mainly due to young Dylan and the interaction he had with Rafe but also how he was able to inch his way in to Alex’s heart and show him the simplicity that life really is all about. Love.
A good holiday themed read that was sweet, reflective and left me feeling content at the end.
This is a follow up novella to One Step Further where we first met Alex and Rafe. They have now been happily together for five years and whilst Rafe is wanting to take the next step and become a family, Alex has external pressures completing his residency in a busy Oncology unit at the hospital. So although they are happily married, both are not currently on the same page but then Alex meets single young mother, Jude, on his ward and things take a drastic turnabout in all their lives.
This was an uplifting but at the same time a tearjerker of a novella that had me smiling with happiness in one moment then becoming a bit teary the next. Both feelings mainly due to young Dylan and the interaction he had with Rafe but also how he was able to inch his way in to Alex’s heart and show him the simplicity that life really is all about. Love.
A good holiday themed read that was sweet, reflective and left me feeling content at the end.
December 3, 2015
So I am sitting here writing this review with tears in my eyes because this book was just so beautiful but at the same time sad with what happened to Jude.
Rafe and Alex have been married for awhile and it has come to the point in their marriage were Rafe is ready for children but Alex is so busy at work and also has a fear of being like his father with his own children.
I want to say this author Felice Stevens did such a amazing job with this story! Between the love these two men have for each other and for Dylan. Then there was the ending which I thought was truly beautiful the way everything worked out for Rafe, Alex and Dylan.
I do not want to give away any spoilers because you really need to read this book for yourself it was just so good!
So I will leave this review with I really loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this Novella!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
Rafe and Alex have been married for awhile and it has come to the point in their marriage were Rafe is ready for children but Alex is so busy at work and also has a fear of being like his father with his own children.
I want to say this author Felice Stevens did such a amazing job with this story! Between the love these two men have for each other and for Dylan. Then there was the ending which I thought was truly beautiful the way everything worked out for Rafe, Alex and Dylan.
I do not want to give away any spoilers because you really need to read this book for yourself it was just so good!
So I will leave this review with I really loved this book!
I would definitely recommend this Novella!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
December 10, 2015
**copy provided to bayou book junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review**
In this story we revisit Rafe and Alex five years after they have been together. Now a married couple, Alex is doing a residency in Oncology, and Rafe still has his Veterinary clinic. Alex meets and gets to know Jude, a young patient on his oncology ward. He is reminded of his brother Seth. She is so young and the prognosis and outlook are grim for the young single mother.
This was a good continuation of Rafe and Alex's sorry, although Jude's part in the story is very sad. I loved the interaction between Rafe and Alex. Felice managed to recapture the chemistry we saw in One Step Further, their original story. I adored their interactions with Dylan, Jude's young son.
This was a sad, yet sweet holiday read. It was a very enjoyable, quick and easy read.
February 26, 2023
Une nouvelle qui peut se lire de façon indépendante, mais qui est la suite de l'histoire d'Alex et Rafe, dont l'histoire nous est racontée dans le tome 2 de la série Un pas en avant. Nous retrouvons aussi Micah et Josh, dont nous avons fait la connaissance dans le premier tome de la série, La mémoire du cœur.
Quand Alex, en internat dans un service d'oncologie, fait la connaissance de Jude, il ne sait pas encore que celle-ci va bouleverser leur vie à tout jamais.
C'est une lecture à la fois déchirante et tendre, déchirante par l'épreuve que va traverser Dylan, un petit garçon attachant, et tendre, avec tout cet amour qui va se construire autour de lui, en cette période de Hanoukka.
Quand Alex, en internat dans un service d'oncologie, fait la connaissance de Jude, il ne sait pas encore que celle-ci va bouleverser leur vie à tout jamais.
C'est une lecture à la fois déchirante et tendre, déchirante par l'épreuve que va traverser Dylan, un petit garçon attachant, et tendre, avec tout cet amour qui va se construire autour de lui, en cette période de Hanoukka.
June 4, 2021
Possible Spoiler Alert!
A sweet, emotional short about how husbands: Vet Dr. Rafe & Oncologist Dr. Alex expand their family. There are no surprises, but there could be eye leakage.
Although, the initial setup of the story did give me pause. I thought how compliant Jude was in handing her child to for all tense & purposes are strangers, though a Doctor stranger. And the fact that there was no discussion of Alex as part of a gay couple, seemed strange or a missing piece. I’m speaking strictly from a mother’s point of view.
That said, it’s still a cute read.
A sweet, emotional short about how husbands: Vet Dr. Rafe & Oncologist Dr. Alex expand their family. There are no surprises, but there could be eye leakage.
Although, the initial setup of the story did give me pause. I thought how compliant Jude was in handing her child to for all tense & purposes are strangers, though a Doctor stranger. And the fact that there was no discussion of Alex as part of a gay couple, seemed strange or a missing piece. I’m speaking strictly from a mother’s point of view.
That said, it’s still a cute read.
December 10, 2015
Seit 5 Jahren sind Alex und Rafe nun glücklich zusammen und verheiratet. Eigentlich könnte alles so gut - perfekt - sein. Doch in ihrem Leben fehlt etwas. Rafe wünscht sich Kinder. Auch Adoption ist eine Möglichkeit. Doch Alex ist noch nicht so weit und hegt die Befürchtung am Ende wie sein eigener Vater zu sein. Zudem nimmt ihn seine Ausbildung zum Arzt sehr in Anspruch. Alex will nicht, dass ihre Beziehung und Gefühle am Ende durch den Stress auf der Strecke bleiben.
Obwohl Rafe ihn unterstützt, zweifelt Alex immer wieder an seiner Berufung zum Arzt. Gegenwärtig arbeitet er auf einer onkologischen Abteilung und lernt dort die junge Jude kennen. Sie leidet an einer besonders aggressiv verlaufenden Krebserkrankung und es gibt kaum noch Hoffnung für die junge, alleinerziehende Mutter. Für Alex ist es schwer die berufliche Distanz zu wahren und lernt irgendwann auch Judes kleinen Sohn - Dylan - kennen.
Vielleicht ist es die Erinnerung an Alex' verstorbenen Bruder, vielleicht auch Liebe auf den ersten Blick. Alex fühlt sich sofort zu dem Kind hingezogen und auch Rafe kann Dylan kaum widerstehen. Aus einer Not heraus beginnen sie sich um Dylan zu kümmern und machen mit Dylan eine wunderbare Erfahrung. Doch Judes Krankheit schreitet voran und die Sorge um Dylan belasten die junge Mutter sehr.
Es ist sehr schön wieder von Alex, Rafe, aber auch Micah und Josh zu lesen. Interessant wie sie sich entwickelt haben und wohin sie das Leben geführt hat. Natürlich hat jeder seine kleineren und grösseren Probleme. Doch die Liebe, aber auch die unverbrüchliche Freundschaft spielen eine große Rolle für diese vier Männer und ihre Lieben.
Felice Stevens hat es wieder geschafft mich zu bezaubern und zu fesseln. Das Sequel zu "One Step Further" ist absolut gelungen und berührend. Die Geschichte um Dylan, Rafe und Alex hat mir fast das Herz gebrochen. Doch es ist auch eine großartige Geschichte über Vertrauen, Liebe, Freundschaft und Glaube. Familie und Liebe ist nicht immer eine Frage der Blutsverwandtschaft. Manchmal geht es darüber hinaus und ist umso ehrlicher und intensiver. Für dieses Buch sollte man sich auf jeden Fall ein paar Taschentücher bereit halten.
Obwohl Rafe ihn unterstützt, zweifelt Alex immer wieder an seiner Berufung zum Arzt. Gegenwärtig arbeitet er auf einer onkologischen Abteilung und lernt dort die junge Jude kennen. Sie leidet an einer besonders aggressiv verlaufenden Krebserkrankung und es gibt kaum noch Hoffnung für die junge, alleinerziehende Mutter. Für Alex ist es schwer die berufliche Distanz zu wahren und lernt irgendwann auch Judes kleinen Sohn - Dylan - kennen.
Vielleicht ist es die Erinnerung an Alex' verstorbenen Bruder, vielleicht auch Liebe auf den ersten Blick. Alex fühlt sich sofort zu dem Kind hingezogen und auch Rafe kann Dylan kaum widerstehen. Aus einer Not heraus beginnen sie sich um Dylan zu kümmern und machen mit Dylan eine wunderbare Erfahrung. Doch Judes Krankheit schreitet voran und die Sorge um Dylan belasten die junge Mutter sehr.
Es ist sehr schön wieder von Alex, Rafe, aber auch Micah und Josh zu lesen. Interessant wie sie sich entwickelt haben und wohin sie das Leben geführt hat. Natürlich hat jeder seine kleineren und grösseren Probleme. Doch die Liebe, aber auch die unverbrüchliche Freundschaft spielen eine große Rolle für diese vier Männer und ihre Lieben.
Felice Stevens hat es wieder geschafft mich zu bezaubern und zu fesseln. Das Sequel zu "One Step Further" ist absolut gelungen und berührend. Die Geschichte um Dylan, Rafe und Alex hat mir fast das Herz gebrochen. Doch es ist auch eine großartige Geschichte über Vertrauen, Liebe, Freundschaft und Glaube. Familie und Liebe ist nicht immer eine Frage der Blutsverwandtschaft. Manchmal geht es darüber hinaus und ist umso ehrlicher und intensiver. Für dieses Buch sollte man sich auf jeden Fall ein paar Taschentücher bereit halten.
November 22, 2017
This book is a perfect Hallmark Holiday story. Full of hope and love.
When I need something sweet in my current situation with my annoying sinus, Alex and Rafe came to my lap.
And Dylan.
I'm always a sucker for a perfect family Holiday story. This is not a fluffy sweet holiday story as usual.
Felice Stevens did a great job making this one, a not mainstream MM holiday story, with candy and fluffiness.
This book brought me to to tears, but also joy and hope.
Rafe and Alex are always one of my favorite couple, and they deserved what they craved for so long.
It's always a miracle when you least expected them, right?
Dylan is such a gift from heaven for Alex and Rafe, especially for Rafe since this year, he made a very big step converting his beliefs.
His first real Chanukah, with a perfect gift for him and Alex, couldn't ask for more !
And of course my other favorite couple, Micah and Josh are there to to celebrate.
This was a nice story (with tears), and a HEA !
ARC generously given by Author for a fair and unbiased review.
When I need something sweet in my current situation with my annoying sinus, Alex and Rafe came to my lap.
And Dylan.
I'm always a sucker for a perfect family Holiday story. This is not a fluffy sweet holiday story as usual.
Felice Stevens did a great job making this one, a not mainstream MM holiday story, with candy and fluffiness.
This book brought me to to tears, but also joy and hope.
Rafe and Alex are always one of my favorite couple, and they deserved what they craved for so long.
It's always a miracle when you least expected them, right?
Dylan is such a gift from heaven for Alex and Rafe, especially for Rafe since this year, he made a very big step converting his beliefs.
His first real Chanukah, with a perfect gift for him and Alex, couldn't ask for more !
And of course my other favorite couple, Micah and Josh are there to to celebrate.
This was a nice story (with tears), and a HEA !
ARC generously given by Author for a fair and unbiased review.
December 5, 2015
5 Stars +++
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book what so great I can hardly formulate what I want to say. I have no doubt that Felice Stevens has a gift for storytelling. First we clearly see and feel the everlasting love between Alex and Rafe. That's what Felice Stevens does within the pages of this book, she makes you feel. The best thing about Felice Stevens books are there originality. The whole book just seamlessly flows together and I didn't want to put it down.
I loved that Jude gave her blessing for Alex and Rafe to adopt Dylan. I cried when Dylan visited his mother especially right before she died but was glad to see that Ms. Stevens put that into the story. This shows that she isn't afraid to write the hard things. This story was an amazing and heartwarming and an excellent holiday story.
I would recommend this book to everyone because if you don't love a heartwarming story that is guaranteed to make love and cry then you have to be crazy.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book what so great I can hardly formulate what I want to say. I have no doubt that Felice Stevens has a gift for storytelling. First we clearly see and feel the everlasting love between Alex and Rafe. That's what Felice Stevens does within the pages of this book, she makes you feel. The best thing about Felice Stevens books are there originality. The whole book just seamlessly flows together and I didn't want to put it down.
I loved that Jude gave her blessing for Alex and Rafe to adopt Dylan. I cried when Dylan visited his mother especially right before she died but was glad to see that Ms. Stevens put that into the story. This shows that she isn't afraid to write the hard things. This story was an amazing and heartwarming and an excellent holiday story.
I would recommend this book to everyone because if you don't love a heartwarming story that is guaranteed to make love and cry then you have to be crazy.
January 21, 2016
This is an epilogue to both books one and two because we get to see both couples years after their marriage.
Josh and Micah have twins and are leading a happily married life, leaving Rafe a bit jealous. Alex, however, is in his residency and can’t see having kids yet (and maybe ever?) so the two are fighting a bit.
While on duty Alex meets Jude, a single mother with an aggressive cancer who has a four year old that needs attention. Alex and Rafe offer to spend time with the cutie and end up losing their hearts.
Will Alex decide it’s time to build a family? Will Jude give these guys something nobody would ever guess?
**
Such a delightful, sweet and tear-producing epilogue. I just love these couples and this was a big helping of sugary sweet wonderful deliciousness!
Josh and Micah have twins and are leading a happily married life, leaving Rafe a bit jealous. Alex, however, is in his residency and can’t see having kids yet (and maybe ever?) so the two are fighting a bit.
While on duty Alex meets Jude, a single mother with an aggressive cancer who has a four year old that needs attention. Alex and Rafe offer to spend time with the cutie and end up losing their hearts.
Will Alex decide it’s time to build a family? Will Jude give these guys something nobody would ever guess?
**
Such a delightful, sweet and tear-producing epilogue. I just love these couples and this was a big helping of sugary sweet wonderful deliciousness!
December 5, 2017
4.5 stars...
Just beautiful!! If you love Alex and Rafe like I do. This is a must read. It's an amazing follow up book to One Step Further. We get to see how the guys are doing and where life has take them. I didn't realize how much I missed them till I started reading.... Their love is soooo tangible and luminous! Both guys have an innate goodness within them and it shines through. Their is sadness but it is followed by complete joy..... I cried and smiled as my heart felt full of love. It made me love the guys even more!! I hope Felice continues to give us more from them in the future.....
Just beautiful!! If you love Alex and Rafe like I do. This is a must read. It's an amazing follow up book to One Step Further. We get to see how the guys are doing and where life has take them. I didn't realize how much I missed them till I started reading.... Their love is soooo tangible and luminous! Both guys have an innate goodness within them and it shines through. Their is sadness but it is followed by complete joy..... I cried and smiled as my heart felt full of love. It made me love the guys even more!! I hope Felice continues to give us more from them in the future.....
December 4, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
5 stars for this M/M
It was great seeing Alex and Rafe again and even Micah and Josh. This was a beautiful story about family and love. The characters could have been your family or friends and when you were reading the story you felt like you were right there next to them. Even though it was a short book it was filled with passion, love and a few tears, just like life.
5 stars for this M/M
It was great seeing Alex and Rafe again and even Micah and Josh. This was a beautiful story about family and love. The characters could have been your family or friends and when you were reading the story you felt like you were right there next to them. Even though it was a short book it was filled with passion, love and a few tears, just like life.
December 10, 2015
Breathtaking and Teary
This is going to be short. The last half of this book took my breath away and started the tear ducts popping. The last couple of chapters swelled my heart and my tears.
One of the most beautifully crafted, written and satisfying of all the books on this subject, and another triumph for a seriously terrific author.
This is going to be short. The last half of this book took my breath away and started the tear ducts popping. The last couple of chapters swelled my heart and my tears.
One of the most beautifully crafted, written and satisfying of all the books on this subject, and another triumph for a seriously terrific author.
December 4, 2015
Another hit from Felice! This novella was beautiful. Granted there are some sad parts, but in the end you are left with such a happy feeling.
review soon!
review soon!
December 13, 2015
A beautiful tear jerker... Such warmth and compassion.
June 28, 2017
The first two in this series were good. This one wasn't. The title alone suggests that the greatest give one can get is to give birth to, adopt and/or raise a child. And that is simply a bunch of crap.
And, if I read "after all these years" again when these two have been married a little more than 5 years but wayyyyy less than 10, I'd have thrown the book away. You don't get to say "after all these years until you at least 10 years, and probably closer to 15 years together.
Also, a 39 year old gay man lamenting that he might be too old for kids? Was the author HIGH when she wrote that? Men of all sexual orientations have kids well into their late 40's and even into their 50's.
Okay story. I wasn't feelin this one.
And, if I read "after all these years" again when these two have been married a little more than 5 years but wayyyyy less than 10, I'd have thrown the book away. You don't get to say "after all these years until you at least 10 years, and probably closer to 15 years together.
Also, a 39 year old gay man lamenting that he might be too old for kids? Was the author HIGH when she wrote that? Men of all sexual orientations have kids well into their late 40's and even into their 50's.
Okay story. I wasn't feelin this one.
October 29, 2024
This can be read as a stand alone as its been quite a number of years since I read the earlier 2 books in the series and I didn't feel like I missed much (perhaps some deeper connection to the MCs and their cohorts?).
MC Alex is blocking MC Rafe's attempts to discuss family and his work at the hospital is placing strain on their family in general. The burst of life and love that comes with looking after little Dylan is beautiful and fulfilling for both the MCs and the reader :)
Set in the lead up to Chanukah.
MC Alex is blocking MC Rafe's attempts to discuss family and his work at the hospital is placing strain on their family in general. The burst of life and love that comes with looking after little Dylan is beautiful and fulfilling for both the MCs and the reader :)
Set in the lead up to Chanukah.
September 24, 2017
💞💞💞💞💞 5 Heart Soaring Stars💞💞💞💞💞
Felice Stevens knows how to break a heart into a million pieces then just as quickly puts all those pieces back together so that heart is now a million times stronger. The Greatest Gift is a story of life and death, love and a little boy named Dylan. Alex and Rafe are given the greatest gift ever and their story will stay with me for a long time!
Felice Stevens knows how to break a heart into a million pieces then just as quickly puts all those pieces back together so that heart is now a million times stronger. The Greatest Gift is a story of life and death, love and a little boy named Dylan. Alex and Rafe are given the greatest gift ever and their story will stay with me for a long time!
February 9, 2018
3,5/5 stars. I picked this book up after months so I lost a little interest in it when I was picked it up again but I quickly entered the story and enjoyed myself but the first book was my favourite still !
December 30, 2018
Why did I wait?
This book is so good and I can’t believe I’m just getting around to reading it. It is a tearjerker though so have your tissues ready! I guess you probably could read it as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the whole series.
This book is so good and I can’t believe I’m just getting around to reading it. It is a tearjerker though so have your tissues ready! I guess you probably could read it as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the whole series.
June 16, 2023
A sad story but one of hope and love.
This story had me running for the Kleenex box. This is a beautiful beautiful story even though it's a sad one. Through a sad twist of fate or life, Alex and Race become a family.
This story had me running for the Kleenex box. This is a beautiful beautiful story even though it's a sad one. Through a sad twist of fate or life, Alex and Race become a family.
August 14, 2017
3.75 stars
March 15, 2018
I read this a while ago, but I remember it had an interesting mythology and a nice romance.
January 8, 2019
Warning a box of tissue needed
Oh goodness! Have a box of tissues ready when you open the cover to begin reading this book! I love this book so very much.
Oh goodness! Have a box of tissues ready when you open the cover to begin reading this book! I love this book so very much.
November 22, 2016
I enjoyed and would recommend this book. Such a sweet ending after everything
December 6, 2017
This was a sweet book, and a nice wrap up to the series. I really liked how Jude dealt with the supervising doctor at the hospital -- nice spirit! No big surprises here, but it's a lovely little holiday story.
December 24, 2015
5 out of 5 stars
Description~
After five years, Alex Stern and Rafe Hazelton have what seems to be the perfect marriage. Alex is entering his last years of residency and Rafe’s veterinary business is busier than ever. For Rafe, all that is missing is a child, but Alex, afraid of ending up to be a man like his father, isn’t as sure. He doesn't want to make any mistakes.
When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible.
Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine.
My Review ~
The Greatest Gift is the holiday short story that picks up 5 years into Alex and Rafe's relationship, who we met in One Step Further. While this is only about 86 pages, there is a lot of story packed into those pages.
Alex is now deep into his residency in the oncology department and he's struggling internally with if he's enough for Rafe. He doesn't feel that he's being fair to their relationship and that Rafe will eventually get tired of him not being there. Rafe, on the other hand, is okay with where they are except that he's very ready to start a family. Rafe's desire for a family puts Alex at a disadvantage because of how he already feels and it causes some issues between them. Then Alex meets a terminally ill young mother, Jude. Since it is a short story there are things beyond this basic description that could spoil it, so I'll stop there.
The Greatest Gift is what I'd call an 'epilogue' story where you catch up with a favorite couple x number of years down the road. While it is a catch up story, it's more than that also. It's a story that shows even after the happily ever after a relationship takes work. That the bumps in the road may or may not be solved easily. That you might still hurt each other but that the love you have is the reason you work on making things better again. It's also a little bit about confronting your fears and realizing that you've got them handled.
This story packs an emotional punch more than once so when you read it, cuddle up in your favorite reading spot, grab your drink of choice, and prepare to read it all in one sitting. You'll want some kleenex handy, because like any Felice Stevens story, your eyes might start leaking for no reason. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with both Rafe and Alex, Micah and Josh, and their grandmothers.
Description~
After five years, Alex Stern and Rafe Hazelton have what seems to be the perfect marriage. Alex is entering his last years of residency and Rafe’s veterinary business is busier than ever. For Rafe, all that is missing is a child, but Alex, afraid of ending up to be a man like his father, isn’t as sure. He doesn't want to make any mistakes.
When a new patient enters the hospital, Alex is drawn to the young, desperately ill single mother, who shares her fears for the future of her young son. Rafe worries about the toll on Alex becoming emotionally invested in a patient, yet he too can’t walk away once he meets the little boy, and together they vow to help in any way possible.
Families are not always born of blood— love is a gift no one can plan for. And sometimes from the darkest of tragedies, the brightest light will shine.
My Review ~
The Greatest Gift is the holiday short story that picks up 5 years into Alex and Rafe's relationship, who we met in One Step Further. While this is only about 86 pages, there is a lot of story packed into those pages.
Alex is now deep into his residency in the oncology department and he's struggling internally with if he's enough for Rafe. He doesn't feel that he's being fair to their relationship and that Rafe will eventually get tired of him not being there. Rafe, on the other hand, is okay with where they are except that he's very ready to start a family. Rafe's desire for a family puts Alex at a disadvantage because of how he already feels and it causes some issues between them. Then Alex meets a terminally ill young mother, Jude. Since it is a short story there are things beyond this basic description that could spoil it, so I'll stop there.
The Greatest Gift is what I'd call an 'epilogue' story where you catch up with a favorite couple x number of years down the road. While it is a catch up story, it's more than that also. It's a story that shows even after the happily ever after a relationship takes work. That the bumps in the road may or may not be solved easily. That you might still hurt each other but that the love you have is the reason you work on making things better again. It's also a little bit about confronting your fears and realizing that you've got them handled.
This story packs an emotional punch more than once so when you read it, cuddle up in your favorite reading spot, grab your drink of choice, and prepare to read it all in one sitting. You'll want some kleenex handy, because like any Felice Stevens story, your eyes might start leaking for no reason. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with both Rafe and Alex, Micah and Josh, and their grandmothers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews