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Simple Things
Carter Darling’s life has been a whirlwind since his mother was elected to the senate when he was a teen. From private school to joining the military, he tried to forge his own path while making as few ripples as possible. But an injury forced him to figure out new goals for his life. After his parents were involved in a sex scandal, he decided to go back home to Tennessee to get some distance and get away from the madness.
He didn’t bargain on Jeremy Beck returning at the same time.
Jeremy was finally past the rich boy angst that made for some dramatic teenage years, but he hadn’t earned back much respect from his parents by playing in an indie band. Now that his band was on hiatus, Jeremy was looking for space from his unhealthy non-relationship with a band mate, so returning home to figure out his next step seemed like the way to go.
Their initial reunion turned awkward. Carter was still holding on to hurts from their last meeting and Jeremy was trying to convince himself that Carter was still just his sister’s closeted little friend. But when they open up to one another again and decide a staycation fling would be a nice distraction, they may get more than they bargained for.
For two guys who’ve had so much drama in their lives, it might surprise them to find that sometimes love is found in the simple things. Who knew?
He didn’t bargain on Jeremy Beck returning at the same time.
Jeremy was finally past the rich boy angst that made for some dramatic teenage years, but he hadn’t earned back much respect from his parents by playing in an indie band. Now that his band was on hiatus, Jeremy was looking for space from his unhealthy non-relationship with a band mate, so returning home to figure out his next step seemed like the way to go.
Their initial reunion turned awkward. Carter was still holding on to hurts from their last meeting and Jeremy was trying to convince himself that Carter was still just his sister’s closeted little friend. But when they open up to one another again and decide a staycation fling would be a nice distraction, they may get more than they bargained for.
For two guys who’ve had so much drama in their lives, it might surprise them to find that sometimes love is found in the simple things. Who knew?
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2016
22 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Kade Boehme
37 books1,046 followersKade Boehme is the epitome of dorkdom, only watching TV when Rachel Maddow or one of his sports teams is on. Most of his free time is spent dancing, arguing politics or with his nose in a book. He is also a hardcore Britney Spears fangirl and has an addiction to glitter.
It was after writing a short story about boys who loved each other for a less than reputable adult website that he found his true calling, and hopefully a bit more class. He hopes to write about all the romance that he personally finds himself allergic to but that others can fall in love with. He maintains that life is real and the stories should be, as well.
It was after writing a short story about boys who loved each other for a less than reputable adult website that he found his true calling, and hopefully a bit more class. He hopes to write about all the romance that he personally finds himself allergic to but that others can fall in love with. He maintains that life is real and the stories should be, as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
March 30, 2016
***3.75 Stars***
Carter and Jeremy grew up together but something happened that put a strain on their friendship.
Carter is an Army Veteran and student.His mother has a political career and is in the public eye and Carter has always tried to be a model son,even pretending to have a girlfriend even though he's gay.
When his parents are involved in a scandal he's had enough.He wants to distance himself so returns to the small town he grew up in.
Jeremy is a bit of a bad boy.Covered in tattoos,part of a band and is involved in a complicated three way relationship.He's a bit jaded with life....not sure he wants to stay in the band and definitely not sure about the relationship he's involved in,so he decides to take some time off and returns home.
Both men did not expect to run into each other......
This is a sweet,sexy M/M story.Some great secondary characters.Two very likeable main characters,hot sex scenes and dirty talk....perfect!!
Carter and Jeremy grew up together but something happened that put a strain on their friendship.
Carter is an Army Veteran and student.His mother has a political career and is in the public eye and Carter has always tried to be a model son,even pretending to have a girlfriend even though he's gay.
When his parents are involved in a scandal he's had enough.He wants to distance himself so returns to the small town he grew up in.
Jeremy is a bit of a bad boy.Covered in tattoos,part of a band and is involved in a complicated three way relationship.He's a bit jaded with life....not sure he wants to stay in the band and definitely not sure about the relationship he's involved in,so he decides to take some time off and returns home.
Both men did not expect to run into each other......
This is a sweet,sexy M/M story.Some great secondary characters.Two very likeable main characters,hot sex scenes and dirty talk....perfect!!
March 21, 2016
~4.25~
Play-by-the-rules Ginger & tattooed bad boy.
They used to be friends, but Jeremy was too high and too reckless to appreciate Carter's quiet presence. For all of Jeremy's mantra about keeping things simple, he plays in high drama and gambles on threesomes with his fellow musician Troy and Troy's girlfriend.
Then there's Carter, Army veteran, amateur boxer, student, caught up in his mother's political career until the shit hits the fan. Carter's had it with his parents' self-serving rules. He reconnects with his friend Sarah, Jeremy's sister, and returns to the simple life on Sarah's family ranch, at least for a little while.
This is a low-key story about two former friends becoming in-the-moment lovers and then something more.
The sexual chemistry between the men is explosive, and, hot damn, but does Kade know how to write a sex scene. We have a butt-sex virgin here, y'all, and the deflowering is all that and a bowl of cherries! Down & dirty & so very, very good.
I loved the lightly snarky dialogue in this book, the give and take between Jeremy and Carter.
There is a blip of angst towards the end when Troy, Jeremy's complicated crush, shows up at the same time as Carter's former unofficial "girlfriend" (read: beard).
There's jealousy all around and the potential for a Big Misunderstanding that—hallelujah!—never materializes.
Jeremy finally sees that love doesn't have to be hard and messy and painful.
When you strip it all away, there's only this: the quiet moments ... support and friendship and wanting to be with someone because they feel like home.
I heart these MCs and their HEA. This is a sweet little story, one of my favorites by Kade and highly recommended for a quick comfort read.
Play-by-the-rules Ginger & tattooed bad boy.
They used to be friends, but Jeremy was too high and too reckless to appreciate Carter's quiet presence. For all of Jeremy's mantra about keeping things simple, he plays in high drama and gambles on threesomes with his fellow musician Troy and Troy's girlfriend.
Then there's Carter, Army veteran, amateur boxer, student, caught up in his mother's political career until the shit hits the fan. Carter's had it with his parents' self-serving rules. He reconnects with his friend Sarah, Jeremy's sister, and returns to the simple life on Sarah's family ranch, at least for a little while.
This is a low-key story about two former friends becoming in-the-moment lovers and then something more.
The sexual chemistry between the men is explosive, and, hot damn, but does Kade know how to write a sex scene. We have a butt-sex virgin here, y'all, and the deflowering is all that and a bowl of cherries! Down & dirty & so very, very good.
I loved the lightly snarky dialogue in this book, the give and take between Jeremy and Carter.
There is a blip of angst towards the end when Troy, Jeremy's complicated crush, shows up at the same time as Carter's former unofficial "girlfriend" (read: beard).
There's jealousy all around and the potential for a Big Misunderstanding that—hallelujah!—never materializes.
Jeremy finally sees that love doesn't have to be hard and messy and painful.
When you strip it all away, there's only this: the quiet moments ... support and friendship and wanting to be with someone because they feel like home.
I heart these MCs and their HEA. This is a sweet little story, one of my favorites by Kade and highly recommended for a quick comfort read.
March 16, 2016
**4.5 stars**
This is how it's done, y'all!
Oh how I love Kade Boehme's "quiet" stories. Simple things is....simple! It's light and easy, yet real and engaging.
Swoon worthy in the end without being OTT. Simple but meaningful.
Big bonus: the cutest ginger ever! I am a goner for Carter. Not just because of his bright red hair, blue eyes, and all that smooth pale skin (dear lord!). But also, because he was kind-hearted, forgiving and compassionate. Boyfriend material!
After Carter's parents get involved in a sex scandal, he decides to lay low and stay with his childhood friend, Sarah, for a little while, back in Tenesee. He doesn't expect Jeremy, Sarah's brother and Carter's old crush, back home too.
Jeremy is a musician and a bad, bad boy. So deliciously bad and tattooed all over.
But Jeremy has his own problems to deal with, and there are some hurt feelings involved from the past . Again, nothing that causes drama.
So at first it's just sex. Sex so hot it burns. I can't say that the feelings came later, because to me it was clear that these men loved each since long ago. But now they fall in love with each other and these feelings become so much stronger.
What makes this book stand out, is that it takes all these issues that could cause a major angst fest and...simplifies them. Carter and Jeremy realise that love doesn't always have to be complicated, difficult and hurtful. It can be easy too, as long as you open yourself up. But this doesn't mean it's not real.
Extra points for Jeremy's absolutely swoon-worthy (and funny too) declaration of love.
Highly recommended if you 're looking for a sexy, angst-free but still emotional story.
*Review cross-posted on Gay Book Reviews*
This is how it's done, y'all!
Oh how I love Kade Boehme's "quiet" stories. Simple things is....simple! It's light and easy, yet real and engaging.
Swoon worthy in the end without being OTT. Simple but meaningful.
Big bonus: the cutest ginger ever! I am a goner for Carter. Not just because of his bright red hair, blue eyes, and all that smooth pale skin (dear lord!). But also, because he was kind-hearted, forgiving and compassionate. Boyfriend material!
After Carter's parents get involved in a sex scandal, he decides to lay low and stay with his childhood friend, Sarah, for a little while, back in Tenesee. He doesn't expect Jeremy, Sarah's brother and Carter's old crush, back home too.
Jeremy is a musician and a bad, bad boy. So deliciously bad and tattooed all over.
But Jeremy has his own problems to deal with, and there are some hurt feelings involved from the past . Again, nothing that causes drama.
So at first it's just sex. Sex so hot it burns. I can't say that the feelings came later, because to me it was clear that these men loved each since long ago. But now they fall in love with each other and these feelings become so much stronger.
"You’re the fucking stars and home and I’m not going to marry you tomorrow, but you’re that love I found when I was too young to get it. And I thought love was supposed to hurt, and because you never hurt me, it was hard to see you.[...]
I see you, Carter."
What makes this book stand out, is that it takes all these issues that could cause a major angst fest and...simplifies them. Carter and Jeremy realise that love doesn't always have to be complicated, difficult and hurtful. It can be easy too, as long as you open yourself up. But this doesn't mean it's not real.
“Sometimes love is just in the quiet moments, it’s in support and friendship and wanting to be with someone because they feel like home.[...]
Sometimes love is found in the simple things, the simple times. When you find a love that doesn’t hurt, that doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Extra points for Jeremy's absolutely swoon-worthy (and funny too) declaration of love.
Highly recommended if you 're looking for a sexy, angst-free but still emotional story.
*Review cross-posted on Gay Book Reviews*
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March 15, 2016Woo hoo, they're live! [Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Things-K...]
March 16, 2016
Omg, this book was flufforable! And don't let me forget to mention:
Best friend's brother ✔
Friends to lovers ✔
Two of my favorite tropes to read and the delivery will have you swooning and smiling like an idiot!♥
Growing up Carter always harbored a secret crush on Jeremy, but as they grew older, Jeremy distanced himself and began to spiral out of control. But it was an encounter with Carter that helped clean him up. Fast forward years later and the two men meet again where it all began while they both find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.
My highlights:
· Carter. #1- he's a ginger! And he's just adorable. He's got this big heart and a great personality.
· Jeremy. Who doesn't love a bad boy and wishes they could be the one to help him heal?
· The plot. Nice little slice of life story. There's no unnecessary drama or evil villain that pops out of nowhere. It's two men who help each other heal and fall in love. And you know what- sometimes these are the hardest stories to write.
· Steam was hawt- but it's Kade so no surprise there.
· Dual POV.
· The pace of the story was effortless. Flowed like buttah!
· And the epilogue---> super sweet!
I can't recommend this one enough, guys! If you love sexy, low angst, feel-good stories go 1- click this book right away! 5 Stars!
ARC kindly provided by Kade Boehme for an honest review. This review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
March 21, 2016
3.5 Stars!
Real life was really busy last week, so it took me longer than I had hoped to read this one. I think reading it in bits and pieces kind of took me out of the story, so while I liked this one I didn't love it.
Really nothing wrong with it, but it just never really sucked me in.
It was a low angst, easy read with some nice stream. Exactly what I have come to expect and love from Kade. He's definitely an auto-buy author for me.
If you're a fan of Kade, then I definitely recommend this one.
Real life was really busy last week, so it took me longer than I had hoped to read this one. I think reading it in bits and pieces kind of took me out of the story, so while I liked this one I didn't love it.
Really nothing wrong with it, but it just never really sucked me in.
It was a low angst, easy read with some nice stream. Exactly what I have come to expect and love from Kade. He's definitely an auto-buy author for me.
If you're a fan of Kade, then I definitely recommend this one.
March 18, 2016
Wow....5 stars from me ;)
Carter and Jeremy used to be friends. When they were younger it used to be the three of them, Carter, Jeremy and Jeremy's sister Sarah.
Time however changed everything. Carter moved away, with his politician parents and grew more and more introvert. He's the good boy, joining the army, never taking a step out of line and hiding his gay sexuality, because his parents didn't want to risk a big scandal. Now his parents are the subject of a big scandal...oh the irony......Carter is so pissed, that he decides to leave and spend time with his oldest friend Sarah. What he didn't count on was Jeremy being home. The last time the of them were together, they didn't exactly part on good terms. Carter is still upset about this, since they used to be good friends and he has always had a crush on Jeremy.
Jeremy's life has been spiraling out of control for a long time. He's the family's bad boy, covered in tatoos, playing in a rock band and not taking anything seriously. He has been struggeling with drugs in the past and is in a fucked up relationship with one of his bandmates. A relationship, he really doesn't want to be in anymore. He needs time, to get his life straight again...time to think. So he decides to go home to his family and take some time for himself. The last person he expected to be there was Carter. Jeremy has always liked Carter, but he also feels ashamed about their last meeting...and about his behavior. To make things worse...Carter shows up, at the same time, as Jeremy's fuckbuddies are leaving.....akward...
Both these boys are tired of the shitfest that is their life. Both want something different ..and they find that something, with each other.
These guys were so freaking hot together...damn !!! We get virgin butt sex..and dirty talk !!!
This was such a sweet read. I loved both the MC's, although I did like Jeremy a bit more. What can I say...I like em a bit on the bad side ;) I loved the fact that eventhough there was little angst in this one, it never got boring. They were perfect together.
A delicious little read...I just wished it was longer !!! 5 stars !!
Carter and Jeremy used to be friends. When they were younger it used to be the three of them, Carter, Jeremy and Jeremy's sister Sarah.
Time however changed everything. Carter moved away, with his politician parents and grew more and more introvert. He's the good boy, joining the army, never taking a step out of line and hiding his gay sexuality, because his parents didn't want to risk a big scandal. Now his parents are the subject of a big scandal...oh the irony......Carter is so pissed, that he decides to leave and spend time with his oldest friend Sarah. What he didn't count on was Jeremy being home. The last time the of them were together, they didn't exactly part on good terms. Carter is still upset about this, since they used to be good friends and he has always had a crush on Jeremy.
Jeremy's life has been spiraling out of control for a long time. He's the family's bad boy, covered in tatoos, playing in a rock band and not taking anything seriously. He has been struggeling with drugs in the past and is in a fucked up relationship with one of his bandmates. A relationship, he really doesn't want to be in anymore. He needs time, to get his life straight again...time to think. So he decides to go home to his family and take some time for himself. The last person he expected to be there was Carter. Jeremy has always liked Carter, but he also feels ashamed about their last meeting...and about his behavior. To make things worse...Carter shows up, at the same time, as Jeremy's fuckbuddies are leaving.....akward...
Both these boys are tired of the shitfest that is their life. Both want something different ..and they find that something, with each other.
These guys were so freaking hot together...damn !!! We get virgin butt sex..and dirty talk !!!
This was such a sweet read. I loved both the MC's, although I did like Jeremy a bit more. What can I say...I like em a bit on the bad side ;) I loved the fact that eventhough there was little angst in this one, it never got boring. They were perfect together.
A delicious little read...I just wished it was longer !!! 5 stars !!
May 4, 2017
***3 Stars***
This was a light and easy, low-angst and steamy read. Nothing really stood out to make it pop, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Jeremy and Carter were cute and hot together, but I never fully connected or got invested in either guy's backstory. Carter's family issues and Jeremy's drug use and feeling like an "outsider" in his own family lacked the emotion I think the author was going for to really draw me into their history. It all just fell flat for me.
But I loved the Becks family dynamic. Especially the maid/housekeeper/second mother, Daphne. She had me cracking up with her "I know, hear and see everything" looks and comments.
Overall, I did enjoy the story, even if it was lacking that extra oomph. A nice easy breezy read.
March 28, 2016
4 Stars
March 19, 2016
*3,5 stars*
A Simple Sweet Read. Perfect for a saturday afternoon!!
"Sometimes love is just in the quiet moments, it's in support and friendship and wanting to be with someone because they feel like home. Sometimes love is found in the simple things, the simple times."
June 2, 2016
I'd been looking forward to reading this for some time and I'm disappointed with how everything turned out. If you're looking for something with depth and believable development, I don't feel it can be found here. I felt that everything was pretty shallow and I never connected with either character. On top of that, I didn't feel a connection between the two protagonists. Their characterization dithers quite a bit, with them saying one thing and then doing and thinking another. These inconsistencies extended to more than just characterization. Combine that with quite a number of editing errors, and you can see why I might have been just a tad annoyed.
I've read one other novel by Boehme that I enjoyed well enough, but I'm thinking his writing just might not be for me. He likes to allude to certain happenings in the character's lives, but doesn't go on to state them or clarify what they are until later. That started to annoy me when the characters would keep talking about something but never outright state what. In the beginning, Carter talks about a big scandal with his parents. He mentions is more than once but doesn't outright state what it is until a ways in. It irritated me a bit, but it didn't ruin things. And then there's mention of Carter's accident, something that sent Jeremy into a panic during the time they weren't speaking...but all we know about it is that it ended his military career and that it was a biking accident. I'm pretty sure the author was supposed to add more because there was a "[describe accident]" in the text, but there's no further talk or elaboration on or about it.
Then, both Jeremy and Carter keep talking about what happened between them three years ago...while never actually showing the scene or telling us what it is until later. And even then, we're only partially told about what happens. Why aren't we told about it in full? It was a pivotal point in their friendship, something that caused them to stop speaking for years...and we don't get a flashback? We got a flashback for another completely unnecessary scene, but we don't for this all-important, rift-causing one...? It didn't make sense to me.
So, yeah...I absolutely can't stand when authors make mention of something but don't elaborate on it until further in. It irritates me to no end, especially when characters keep citing said thing over and over again, yet still leave the reader in the dark about it. If you're not going to tell the reader yet, just don't talk about it.
Another part was Boehme's tendency to tell and not show in his writing. He tells us exactly how the characters are feeling and reacting rather than showing it through emotions or actions and allowing the reader to feel along with them. When subtle actions are shown, the author also tells the reader exactly what those actions are trying to convey ("Carter lifted a brow, mostly to keep himself from saying coming from you."). Almost every thought process is told to the reader in a character's POV; every emotion that they feel told to us outright. I just wish the author had stuck more to showing rather than telling.
I also didn't feel there was any..."marination period," I guess you could say, between events in the book. The revelations and reveals come pretty fast and quick, with no real development period in between. Carter comes back and they're awkward and Jeremy goes out and gets a bj by some random dude because of REASONS. And then soon after, Carter and Jeremy are going at it with one another. Things seem like they're going to get awkward, adding some angst...and then they're going at it again non-stop. Jeremy suggests they keep it "simple," but then they're both thinking long-term. There's no UST, imo, because they're jumping one another's bones pretty quickly.
The thing that irritated me most of all in this book, though, is the use of the manwhore/virgin trope. Jeremy is a total manwhore who's been doing anything and everyone, including fellow bandmates, Troy and Milo. He has some menage-but-not-really thing going on with Troy and his girlfriend, Macy. He was also fuck buddies with another bandmate, Milo, for a while, but they broke that off once Milo joined the band. We're also treated to a completely unnecessary blowjob scene with Jeremy and some random guy he doesn't even catch the name of. (Which pissed me off SO MUCH. How you gonna introduce your character's POV to me with him getting blown by some random nobody...? I absolutely HATE this in romance books.)
Carter, on the other hand, is pretty much a complete virgin. He's gotten a blowjob once, and hand jobs from a couple of guys, but that's absolutely it. In the beginning, Carter says that he was afraid to do anything further because, after coming out, his parents told him to stay in the closet because of their political aspirations. Despite being Liberals, it wouldn't reflect well on them. And this...makes no sense to me. You have A-list celebrities hooking up like mad, actresses getting pregnant and no one knowing who the baby daddy is, all these high-profile celebs doing who knows what with everyone...and they don't get caught. But the author wants me to believe that Carter, the low-profile son of a Tennessee junior senator, while living in New York, a city of literally millions upon millions, is under a microscope...? Why in the fuck would ANYONE care about some nobody bitch like Carter?! It makes absolutely NO SENSE.
And then if that weren't bad enough, Carter later changes his reasoning behind his virginity. While he was saying it was because of the paparazzi before, he then starts saying it's because he wasn't "sure about getting fucked." He's tried other things by himself, but he's still not sure about anal sex. Okay, not a big deal. Why, then, did Carter not state in the beginning that he had more than one reason behind not having sex? He made it seem like it was all because of his parents' careers and not wanting it to get to the press that he didn't do anything more...and now he's saying it's because he's not sure about sex. It felt like an inconsistency to me. It also didn't help that he then went back to talking about the paparazzi and his parents a while later. And then after that, he talked about wanting his firsts to be special, which is why he asks Jeremy. Like I said, it felt like an inconsistency.
So the political reasoning was pretty flimsy, imo, so I'm going to assume it's more the last, which is wanting it to be with Jeremy because he's had a mad crush on him for ages. That then leads to further annoyance because it's then an example of the virginal character waiting around for the manwhore to come to their senses. I've read plenty of romances, so I'm not new to this idiotic trope. And the thing is, Carter KNOWS Jeremy's a big manwhore and sleeps around, so it's not news to him. And he still waited around for this dude. Ugh.
AND. (And, yes, I am still going on about the virginity thing.) And...there's another aspect of Carter's virginity that left a bad taste. Jeremy's a big manwhore, which we see first-hand when he's getting that bj in Chapter Three. (This random guy gives great head, btw, because that's information I really needed in a romance book about someone who isn't part of the romantic pairing.) Before that, though, when Carter first arrives back after years away, he sees Jeremy with Macy. We also meet Milo, the ex-fuck buddy of Jeremy's. (And he ALSO gives great head, btw. Just in case you wanted to know.) Jeremy also talks about his drug addicted coke past, which is what caused the rift between him and Carter. He also sleeps around with plenty of other people, which is mentioned, as well. Now...why do I mention this? Because Carter is made to be so sweet and wholesome and virginal in comparison. While reading and having all these details about Jeremy thrown at me over and over again, I couldn't help but feel that Carter's "purity," being the practically-untouched virgin that he is, is used as a way to "sanitize," if you will, Jeremy of his past. Maybe the author didn't mean it that way and that it was just done subconsciously, but I couldn't help but feel the implication was there.
When I read m/f romances that feature the virgin/manwhore trope, the virginal heroine is usually used as a means of healing the damaged manwhore of his past; her purity used as a means to "save" the manwhore H. In this case, while Carter has done certain things, the details of his past are nowhere near to Jeremy's. While Carter's sexual past is just slightly mentioned, we hear about the plenty of other people he's been with, meet a couple of his sex partners, have a scene of him actually participating in a sex act with someone else. As soon as Carter is back in Jeremy's life, he starts changing things. Even a few years ago, Carter catching him doing drugs and losing his hero-worship of Jeremy is what triggered him to kick the habit. Whenever Carter is mentioned in the book, it's Jeremy reflecting on his sweetness, his goodness, his wholesomeness and happiness and etc etc etc. Just the total opposite of Jeremy.
Carter is placed on his purity and goodness pedestal, raised further by every bad mention of Jeremy and/or every good mention of Carter. You take Jeremy's past, with his drug habit, plethora of fuck buddies, indiscriminate sex, threesomes (etc)...all of these "sins" of his, and you put them against Carter, with his purity and sweetness, and it felt like his virginity was simply used as a means to cleanse Jeremy of his "depraved" past, giving him a clean slate. It's like Carter is Sailor Moon, Moon Healing Escalation-ing Jeremy with his pure and untouched wand.
Other than it just not making sense with the reasoning provided, this is part of why the virginity aspect bothered me so much. It's not like I expected Carter to run around having gay orgies or something, but I just found his virginity difficult to accept due to the circumstances. I absolutely can't stand the manwhore/virgin trope because there's usually never a good reasoning for it, and this is one of those cases. It's just Carter waiting around for Jeremy to finally notice him, essentially. If Jeremy hadn't been such a manwhore or if Carter hadn't been so virginal, I may not have had such an issue, but that wasn't the case. I absolutely hate that virginity, something that isn't even a real thing, is upheld as such an all-important thing in romance.
Along with Carter's reasoning for not pursing anyone while in New York, Jeremy not pursing Carter didn't make sense to me either. At first I thought that maybe Jeremy never noticed that Carter had a crush on him, but he does. He mentions more than once that he thought Carter was a closet case, on his side of the Kinsey scale, and that Carter totally had a crush on him and he knew it. And then I assumed that maybe Jeremy hadn't come to accepting his attraction to men, but that was quickly kicked to the curb when Jeremy's POV rolls around and he's getting blown by some random dude. (And look, I know I keep mentioning that. I'm not pitching a fit for no reason here. The scene in the beginning with this absolutely random nobody was completely unnecessary. It added nothing to the narrative. After this, he compliments that dude's oral skills and then he goes to the bathroom and starts thinking about other stuff. This scene with the dude added absolutely ZERO to the book.) We also find out he's had sex with plenty of other dudes, so it's not like he's in denial about his sexuality.
Next, I figured that maybe he just thought Carter was too good for him, but Jeremy quickly waves that away. THEN, I figured that he probably just didn't reciprocate Carter's feelings, which is totally fine. BUT nope. There are multiple scenes mentioning him feeling something—a flutter, an itch—for Carter all these years, but there's not quite a point put on it. When Carter sees a photo partway through the book, he takes notice of how Jeremy's looking at him in the photo like he's got a crush on Carter. Jeremy was also mentioned to go into a panic when he heard about Carter's accident years ago.
So. Jeremy accepts his sexuality, doesn't think Carter's too good for him, realizes that Carter's gay and has a crush on him, and seemingly reciprocates Carter's feelings. So what the fuck is the problem? Why in the fuck is he sleeping around and doing all this other bullshit? I really don't fucking get it. All of this, and Carter is still waiting around for him on his virginal pedestal.
Maybe that's because of the character inconsistencies, which wouldn't surprise me. Jeremy acts surprised to find out Carter is gay, even though he thinks more than once that he's a closet case. (And then turns around and starts thinking he's straight again.) He mentions that he now feels an "itch" that he realizes Carter's gay, but he felt that itch earlier when he was getting a bj. He says "he’d felt a little pathetic and kind of dirty" after he'd "found out Carter had seen Troy and Macy leaving after their last band rehearsal slash hookup," so he followed that up by doing something of a similar calibre and getting a blowjob at a party by some guy he doesn't even know the name of? (Yeah, because that makes sense.) He says he wants to keep things simple with Carter, then, not even a half hour later, makes a decision that he knows will complicate things between them. He tells Carter not to freak out post-sex, but then he's freaking out. He says he doesn't want to fuck up Carter, but then he seems to get over those reservations pretty quickly and is the one who initiates sex between them a couple days into Carter's stay. It was just inconsistency after inconsistency with his characterization.
At one point, Carter says that "nothing with Jeremy was as shallow as he would lead you to believe with his easy manner and confident swagger" and I just shook my head. No, no...I'm pretty sure it is. Jeremy is shallow, shallow, shallow, running around with his #RichPeopleProblems that he solves quickly, one after the other. He's also pretty fickle. He went from supposedly being infatuated with Troy for YEARS to fantasizing about Carter within days. He went from hinting at maybe having had an attraction to Carter to denying to feeling fluttery for Carter to denying again. He says one thing and does another. And then he has quickfire revelations and suddenly changes his behaviour. At least Carter's a little better than him, but even he's pretty shallow in the development and depth department.
And while still talking about inconsistencies, I think the timeline/ages needed some real checking. I wasn't quite sure how old each character was supposed to be, so I checked the author's website. On there, it says that Carter is supposed to be 21 and Jeremy is 24. However, I already know that's off because in Chapter Two, it says that Jeremy is 25. At one point in the book, Carter looks at a photo and recalls being 16 in it...and Jeremy's said to be 18. So they're now two years apart...? And, Carter mentions having been in the military for three years (though he says at one point that he thought he'd be in for "at least another five years," which I found to be weird phrasing because that implies he's been in for five already and thought he'd be in for ANOTHER five years). However, in Chapter One, he says he started college three years ago. Was he doing college and the military concurrently...? I don't believe that it's stated that way, only that his military career ended and he started school. (But I don't see how he could've done school at the same time because he mentions travelling a lot as part of the military.) If he wasn't doing it at the same time, then shouldn't he be around 24 y/o (three years for military, three for college, starting at 18)...? And throughout the book, it mentions that their rift was caused three years ago. However, in Chapter Four, Jeremy mentions that it was five years ago. The timeline and their ages are all over the place.
And like I mentioned earlier, there were other noticeable editing errors. Things like "fully belly" and some other mistakes. And at one point:
And for the first time, Carter could admit to himself that he was missing his life. He loved the break, he loved his time home, but he missed his apartment and his things, and he missed the routine of classes and the gym. And pretty images of Jeremy in his bed having wine and cheese with Carter and Ella on Fridays was enough to chase Jeremy into a restful, if a little hopeful, sleep.
That's supposed to be Carter at the end, right? Not Jeremy? And at another point, Jeremy notes Carter rolling his eyes...even though it's mentioned just before that that Carter's eyes are closed and his head is thrown back. There are also formatting errors, with the text going from double to single spaced at times. And, as mentioned earlier, there was also a "[describe accident]" in the text at one point. Basically, there were just a lot of errors.
I was going back and forth as to whether to give this a one or a two, but now that I consider all of this, I've given better books a one. And I really didn't like this for the most part, so one it is.
March 20, 2016
This was cute enough, I liked both characters, and Jeremy's family, but I guess I wanted more. The editing wasn't great, there was even a time when {describe accident} or something similar, was left in, although the accident was never described! Carter was hurt while in the Army, apparently in a bike accident that was never detailed, at all.
Another thing I didn't get was Carter's family. Carter's mom is a senator from Tennessee, possibly going to run for president, but even now, the press follow them everywhere. Seriously? I can't think of a single time I've seen the child of one of my senators on the news or in the papers. Maybe if they were actually running for president, but does anyone care about the children of senators? Maybe if they kill someone, or were in a horrible accident. Otherwise, does anyone really even care?
The names kept throwing me, because it was Carter Darling and Jeremy Beck. A few years ago, there was a tv show, Dirty Sexy Money, and one of my favorite characters was Jeremy Darling, so I wanted Jeremy to be the Darling here!
All in all, this was a sweet story, nothing really special, but it would have shined if it had gotten a better edit. I've seen worse editing from this author, but it's frustrating to still see issues cropping up this far into his writing career.
Another thing I didn't get was Carter's family. Carter's mom is a senator from Tennessee, possibly going to run for president, but even now, the press follow them everywhere. Seriously? I can't think of a single time I've seen the child of one of my senators on the news or in the papers. Maybe if they were actually running for president, but does anyone care about the children of senators? Maybe if they kill someone, or were in a horrible accident. Otherwise, does anyone really even care?
The names kept throwing me, because it was Carter Darling and Jeremy Beck. A few years ago, there was a tv show, Dirty Sexy Money, and one of my favorite characters was Jeremy Darling, so I wanted Jeremy to be the Darling here!
All in all, this was a sweet story, nothing really special, but it would have shined if it had gotten a better edit. I've seen worse editing from this author, but it's frustrating to still see issues cropping up this far into his writing career.
March 15, 2016
In a world where relationships tend to be meassured by a hollywoodesque love, it was refreshing to read about two guys who just happened to love each other. Two guys that maybe were too caught up in the concept of love that it's often shown in movies, tv shows, and the media in general, that they missed the fact that most of the times life doesn't go that way, and that we don't have to make it that way to be happy. That love doesn't mean expensive gifts, big jealousy dramas, or maybe a proposal in front of all your loved ones. They were missing the fact that none of those things, as appealing and amazing as they may sound, guarantee a happily ever after. So when they didn't see those things, they thought... that maybe it was more a fling than love.
Carter is the son of two politicians. He's closeted, but not for choice but because he was asked to stay in the closet so he wouldn't mess up his parents' carreer. I know, awful. After a scandal in which his parents are involved, he decides to take some time off and visit his friend Sarah back home. He picks up his stuff and leaves - the idea is to stay there a few monts, to disconnect himself from the mess as much as he can. What he's not counting with, is his teenage crush, Jeremy.
Jeremy is your bad boy. He's Sarah's brother and he is a musician and plays with a band - they are known but not famous. After having been involved in a relationship drama with one of his bandmates, and his bandmate's girlfriend, he decides that he needs a break. See, it's funny, how sometimes we do things that hurt us, but we can't stop doing them, and I think that that was something that Jeremy was living, and it came to a point where he saw that he either stopped it, or he'd risk it to hit rock bottom... but, he wasn't getting much back, so the risk wasn't worth it. Then Carter came along.
Carter and Jeremy were friends when they were younger. But an experience that left one of them worried and a bit disappointed, and the other one feeling alone, and like an asshole, changed their dynamic, and for a long time they didn't speak to each other. There's no drama (even though I thought it would be, for how Jeremy saw things), there's just a lot of shame on one side, and a need to give and take space on the other side. After they meet again, Jeremy and Carter start hanging out. None of them is out to the other. Jeremy is out, Carter is not, but technically, they don't know about the other.
There's a lovely camaderie between them. I enjoyed seeing their friendship and how much they enjoyed each others' company. I also enjoyed seeing that they brought the best in each other. I loved seeing that there was tons of admiration on both sides.
I think both MCs are complex in their own way. Jeremy, while smartass and funny, has that side in which he gets lost in thought and you get to see a bit more of what's truly inside him. He's at constant war with himself. He doesn't feel good enough, at times. He doesn't feel strong enough, at times. He feels like his past marked him, and he feels like he's in a hole with his bandmate Troy, and what they got going on. The lack of recognition from his dad has played a big part in his life. He doesn't 'show' these things though, he keeps them guarded, at least most of the times.
Carter is too controlled. Like, everything with him is contained. Everything with him has a line that must be followed, but this is not because that's who he is, but because that's who he has to be for his parents, so when he gets together with Jeremy, he loosens up, and finally start living. Actually, Carter is pretty much a virgin. He's had experiences in the past, but not many, and I found this an interesting change in the narrative.
In the end, and after something very close to a heart attack (for me), they sorted what little differences they had, out. Fun fact: I'm not one of wordy declarations of love, and I normally go on endless eye rolling when I read them (I am a cynic with a romantic heart), but what I read here worked for me, which I found surprising. Maybe it was the simplicity of Jeremy's words, because while it was heartfelt, it didn't feel overdone. Or maybe it's because I've heard similar words from others and they always make me smile, so it felt relatable. I teared up a bit, it was really, really sweet.
I have a couple of things that didn't work a lot for me, though.
Ella, who is a friend of Carter's and who appears in the beginning of the book and at the end of the book feels... rushed? like, she was supposed to be Carter's best friend, but we don't see much of her, and she and Carter had things to fix and did it too fast too easy.
Jeremy pinning for Troy. It was clear all along that Jeremy wasn't in love with Troy, but he went there (as in thinking about their situation) a lot. Now, this is normal, and it's a common thing I would expect from someone who has just left a toxic relationship, but my heart felt for Carter, because while Carter knew the deal, it was still sad to read. It worked out in the end, given that gorgeous love declaration on Jeremy's part.
The Mother... Oh. The. Mother. Carter's mother, that is. From having him closeted she went and had a sudden change of heart after having talked to Ella. It would've been more believable to me if she had come to understand her son on her own, and not on someone else's indication, even if it had taken her longer.
On Ella and Carter's mom. This is a tiny niggle that I always have in books. I'm very possessive of my own life and how I live it, and how I feel and how I go through it, so I normally take offense if someone gives away something that it was mine to say, for when I was ready to say it. Ella kinda violated this by speaking to Carter's mom so in depth, even though it didn't happen on page. I understand her reasons. She was protecting a friend and trying to help, but NO!. LOL Again, it's a personal thing because it reflects on me.
That all being said, I do recommend this. It's a nice story, basically angst free, which is perfect for a sunday read. Enjoy!
Carter is the son of two politicians. He's closeted, but not for choice but because he was asked to stay in the closet so he wouldn't mess up his parents' carreer. I know, awful. After a scandal in which his parents are involved, he decides to take some time off and visit his friend Sarah back home. He picks up his stuff and leaves - the idea is to stay there a few monts, to disconnect himself from the mess as much as he can. What he's not counting with, is his teenage crush, Jeremy.
Jeremy is your bad boy. He's Sarah's brother and he is a musician and plays with a band - they are known but not famous. After having been involved in a relationship drama with one of his bandmates, and his bandmate's girlfriend, he decides that he needs a break. See, it's funny, how sometimes we do things that hurt us, but we can't stop doing them, and I think that that was something that Jeremy was living, and it came to a point where he saw that he either stopped it, or he'd risk it to hit rock bottom... but, he wasn't getting much back, so the risk wasn't worth it. Then Carter came along.
Carter and Jeremy were friends when they were younger. But an experience that left one of them worried and a bit disappointed, and the other one feeling alone, and like an asshole, changed their dynamic, and for a long time they didn't speak to each other. There's no drama (even though I thought it would be, for how Jeremy saw things), there's just a lot of shame on one side, and a need to give and take space on the other side. After they meet again, Jeremy and Carter start hanging out. None of them is out to the other. Jeremy is out, Carter is not, but technically, they don't know about the other.
There's a lovely camaderie between them. I enjoyed seeing their friendship and how much they enjoyed each others' company. I also enjoyed seeing that they brought the best in each other. I loved seeing that there was tons of admiration on both sides.
I think both MCs are complex in their own way. Jeremy, while smartass and funny, has that side in which he gets lost in thought and you get to see a bit more of what's truly inside him. He's at constant war with himself. He doesn't feel good enough, at times. He doesn't feel strong enough, at times. He feels like his past marked him, and he feels like he's in a hole with his bandmate Troy, and what they got going on. The lack of recognition from his dad has played a big part in his life. He doesn't 'show' these things though, he keeps them guarded, at least most of the times.
Carter is too controlled. Like, everything with him is contained. Everything with him has a line that must be followed, but this is not because that's who he is, but because that's who he has to be for his parents, so when he gets together with Jeremy, he loosens up, and finally start living. Actually, Carter is pretty much a virgin. He's had experiences in the past, but not many, and I found this an interesting change in the narrative.
In the end, and after something very close to a heart attack (for me), they sorted what little differences they had, out. Fun fact: I'm not one of wordy declarations of love, and I normally go on endless eye rolling when I read them (I am a cynic with a romantic heart), but what I read here worked for me, which I found surprising. Maybe it was the simplicity of Jeremy's words, because while it was heartfelt, it didn't feel overdone. Or maybe it's because I've heard similar words from others and they always make me smile, so it felt relatable. I teared up a bit, it was really, really sweet.
I have a couple of things that didn't work a lot for me, though.
Ella, who is a friend of Carter's and who appears in the beginning of the book and at the end of the book feels... rushed? like, she was supposed to be Carter's best friend, but we don't see much of her, and she and Carter had things to fix and did it too fast too easy.
Jeremy pinning for Troy. It was clear all along that Jeremy wasn't in love with Troy, but he went there (as in thinking about their situation) a lot. Now, this is normal, and it's a common thing I would expect from someone who has just left a toxic relationship, but my heart felt for Carter, because while Carter knew the deal, it was still sad to read. It worked out in the end, given that gorgeous love declaration on Jeremy's part.
The Mother... Oh. The. Mother. Carter's mother, that is. From having him closeted she went and had a sudden change of heart after having talked to Ella. It would've been more believable to me if she had come to understand her son on her own, and not on someone else's indication, even if it had taken her longer.
On Ella and Carter's mom. This is a tiny niggle that I always have in books. I'm very possessive of my own life and how I live it, and how I feel and how I go through it, so I normally take offense if someone gives away something that it was mine to say, for when I was ready to say it. Ella kinda violated this by speaking to Carter's mom so in depth, even though it didn't happen on page. I understand her reasons. She was protecting a friend and trying to help, but NO!. LOL Again, it's a personal thing because it reflects on me.
That all being said, I do recommend this. It's a nice story, basically angst free, which is perfect for a sunday read. Enjoy!
March 21, 2016
4 stars. Cute read from Kade about life, love and second chances at friendship and more. So happy that Jem left his toxic trio relationship behind to concentrate on learning to love Carter without feeling guilty for doing so. Oh, and nice to see smoking hot sex scenes too in this one.
Unfortunately, a recurring theme with Kade's stories is problematic editing and even with a change of editor, there were typos and whole chapters of formatting niggles in this one too, groans. And I would just point out....Jem and Carter listening to the radio in the car with the station playing classic rock...Springsteen and Dillon?? I'm assuming you meant Dylan as in Bob Dylan....**shame on you**
March 19, 2016
Simple Things
A 'simple' sweet book. Did read it in one breath. It's was good smooth written.
I missed some depth. It was a light read.
Sorry to say I was a little disappointed..... Knowing other books by this author
But in my home we say 'the bow can not always be tense'
Still loved it....
A 'simple' sweet book. Did read it in one breath. It's was good smooth written.
I missed some depth. It was a light read.
Sorry to say I was a little disappointed..... Knowing other books by this author
But in my home we say 'the bow can not always be tense'
Still loved it....
March 19, 2016
full rtc. :)
March 25, 2016
I really liked this one. Jeremy and Carter were fun from the beginning. I liked the rough spots, loved the smooth places, and holy hell were they hot together! My only complaint is that I wish this was longer, but that's just me being greedy because I loved these two and didn't want the story to end.
March 19, 2016
4.25 stars
Although initially worried about the poor rich boy angle, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a lovely, low-angst, sweet yet sexy romance.
Although initially worried about the poor rich boy angle, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a lovely, low-angst, sweet yet sexy romance.
March 16, 2016
Awww I loved this! It was such a sweet romance, between Carter and Jeremy. I loved them both and dang they were hot together.
February 11, 2022
Very cliché and predictable.
Nothing really happens. Just a drawn out love story that was fun to read in snippets.
Nothing really happens. Just a drawn out love story that was fun to read in snippets.
May 3, 2016
This was the perfect feel good story. Carter and Jesse were both carrying personal baggage and had known each other for a good long while. The angst was low, the guy's interaction with Sarah and Daphne was wonderful to read. The story was a fairly uncomplicated, easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Boehme's writing style and plan on searching out more of her books..
October 17, 2016
Mejor de lo que esperaba, el final un poco apresurado.
March 26, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.75 stars
I really, really need to make the time to read more of author Kade Boehme's backlist; Simple Things is the second book I've read by him and I am once again impressed with his realistic look at life and love. The first book I read, Borrowing Trouble, was about two middle aged men both at kind of a crossroads in their lives, but this book tackles two men in their mid-twenties trying to figure out what to do with their lives. The fact that he was able to write both books with such insight, with very low angst, and such a clear attention to the characters wants and needs just proves what a gifted writer he is.
After playing the dutiful son most of his life Carter Darling has had it; as the news spreads of his parent's extra-curricular activities, Carter decides he needs a break from his life and he heads "home" to Tennessee to his roots and to the family of his best friend, the family he always wished was his own. What he doesn't expect is for his best friend's brother to be home too, the man who made him feel like a fool several years back and the man whose life has been one crazy mess after another and a man who Carter has lusted after for years.
Jeremy Beck was not expecting to see Carter Darling at his family's equestrian ranch or to know that Carter saw his "friends with benefits" leaving in the wee hours of the morning. As much as he'd like to pretend it doesn't matter to him, the fact is it does because after one really intense argument with Carter years ago Jeremy knew he never wanted to see that look of disappointment in Carter's eyes again. Jeremy knows he's had a fairly easy life yet he couldn't get past the rich kid angst to see it and it has always bothered him how easily Carter fits in his own family, but having him back and seeing him again has filled him with the hope that perhaps those bridges can be mended.
To say these two have a tumultuous relationship is putting it mildly; while they tolerated each other for the sake of Carter's best friend and Jeremy's little sister, Sarah, there was always something simmering just beneath the surface between them. While Jeremy was out and proud, Carter's sexuality was a mystery but not of his own choosing, no that was decided by his Senator mother and her advisors. As they reconnect with the Beck family, the land and each other it becomes obvious their attraction to one another won't be denied. I enjoyed watching these two try and figure out how to be together and keep it simple without any promises but falling for one another more and more each day. They way they couldn't wait to be together again, the way they were always thinking of one another when they were apart, and the way one simple look or brush between them burned so brightly. While there were a few moments of doubt and inner turmoil for the most part these two were very happy to just "be" with one another and enjoy each other fully.
This book takes place over several months and I appreciated that we saw both of these young men grow during this time. They both took a good, hard look at themselves and began to figure out what they wanted in life and made strides to work towards their goals. To be honest this is my one criticism of this story; I would have liked to see them at least talk about what they wanted for their future with one another, not necessarily as a couple, but individually. They were very close both as friends and lovers, so to me it would have made sense for them to talk about what they were thinking about doing with their lives.
Finishing this book I felt satisfied and happy and honestly wondering what this author was working on for his next release, and that my friends is the sign of a truly satisfied reader. Simple Things is everything I love about romance; easy to like characters, an attraction you can't deny, steamy sexy times, low on angst and high on being that one special person to one another.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.75 stars
I really, really need to make the time to read more of author Kade Boehme's backlist; Simple Things is the second book I've read by him and I am once again impressed with his realistic look at life and love. The first book I read, Borrowing Trouble, was about two middle aged men both at kind of a crossroads in their lives, but this book tackles two men in their mid-twenties trying to figure out what to do with their lives. The fact that he was able to write both books with such insight, with very low angst, and such a clear attention to the characters wants and needs just proves what a gifted writer he is.
After playing the dutiful son most of his life Carter Darling has had it; as the news spreads of his parent's extra-curricular activities, Carter decides he needs a break from his life and he heads "home" to Tennessee to his roots and to the family of his best friend, the family he always wished was his own. What he doesn't expect is for his best friend's brother to be home too, the man who made him feel like a fool several years back and the man whose life has been one crazy mess after another and a man who Carter has lusted after for years.
Jeremy Beck was not expecting to see Carter Darling at his family's equestrian ranch or to know that Carter saw his "friends with benefits" leaving in the wee hours of the morning. As much as he'd like to pretend it doesn't matter to him, the fact is it does because after one really intense argument with Carter years ago Jeremy knew he never wanted to see that look of disappointment in Carter's eyes again. Jeremy knows he's had a fairly easy life yet he couldn't get past the rich kid angst to see it and it has always bothered him how easily Carter fits in his own family, but having him back and seeing him again has filled him with the hope that perhaps those bridges can be mended.
To say these two have a tumultuous relationship is putting it mildly; while they tolerated each other for the sake of Carter's best friend and Jeremy's little sister, Sarah, there was always something simmering just beneath the surface between them. While Jeremy was out and proud, Carter's sexuality was a mystery but not of his own choosing, no that was decided by his Senator mother and her advisors. As they reconnect with the Beck family, the land and each other it becomes obvious their attraction to one another won't be denied. I enjoyed watching these two try and figure out how to be together and keep it simple without any promises but falling for one another more and more each day. They way they couldn't wait to be together again, the way they were always thinking of one another when they were apart, and the way one simple look or brush between them burned so brightly. While there were a few moments of doubt and inner turmoil for the most part these two were very happy to just "be" with one another and enjoy each other fully.
This book takes place over several months and I appreciated that we saw both of these young men grow during this time. They both took a good, hard look at themselves and began to figure out what they wanted in life and made strides to work towards their goals. To be honest this is my one criticism of this story; I would have liked to see them at least talk about what they wanted for their future with one another, not necessarily as a couple, but individually. They were very close both as friends and lovers, so to me it would have made sense for them to talk about what they were thinking about doing with their lives.
Finishing this book I felt satisfied and happy and honestly wondering what this author was working on for his next release, and that my friends is the sign of a truly satisfied reader. Simple Things is everything I love about romance; easy to like characters, an attraction you can't deny, steamy sexy times, low on angst and high on being that one special person to one another.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
March 26, 2016
Okay, so this wasn't my favorite from this author. Boehme is one of my go-to feel good reads, but this didn't do it for silly, fixable reasons.
Let's start with the good. I like the characters. Like the ones in many of his books, they feel like people I can relate to. There's a realism in the personalities that allows me to connect. I especially adored Jeremy's sexy goofiness. The supporting characters were great too. As with his other books, the women in the story were great. They didn't fall into the traps of being the villain or the fountains of wisdom.
I appreciate the style of writing and how it feels appropriate for the age of the characters. The dialogue feels right for them. There are far too many books out there that sound more like the daytime soaps my mom watches. Not so with these dudes. They're a little goofy and screwed up, but they remind me of people I know and like. People who've pissed me off. Sometimes of myself.
Okay, the bad.. The bones of the story and the style were great, but when the editing (editing? What editing?) is a mess, I get completely distracted. There were issues with clarity. I found myself rereading many paragraphs to try to figure out who said what. There was a lot of repetition. Inconsistencies, typos, grammatical issues, and things that just didn't sit right were throughout the book. This is just the stuff noticed by a non-writer/editor, and I wanted to go at it high school teacher style with a red pen.
Again, I liked the fluffiness and the bones of the story, but it needed some serious polishing.
Let's start with the good. I like the characters. Like the ones in many of his books, they feel like people I can relate to. There's a realism in the personalities that allows me to connect. I especially adored Jeremy's sexy goofiness. The supporting characters were great too. As with his other books, the women in the story were great. They didn't fall into the traps of being the villain or the fountains of wisdom.
I appreciate the style of writing and how it feels appropriate for the age of the characters. The dialogue feels right for them. There are far too many books out there that sound more like the daytime soaps my mom watches. Not so with these dudes. They're a little goofy and screwed up, but they remind me of people I know and like. People who've pissed me off. Sometimes of myself.
Okay, the bad.. The bones of the story and the style were great, but when the editing (editing? What editing?) is a mess, I get completely distracted. There were issues with clarity. I found myself rereading many paragraphs to try to figure out who said what. There was a lot of repetition. Inconsistencies, typos, grammatical issues, and things that just didn't sit right were throughout the book. This is just the stuff noticed by a non-writer/editor, and I wanted to go at it high school teacher style with a red pen.
Again, I liked the fluffiness and the bones of the story, but it needed some serious polishing.
October 25, 2016
Cute and fun!
March 16, 2016
"And they kissed. Full of home and stars, and it was simple and it was good."
This is my first book by this author and I actually loved it a whole lot. I was smiling so much the whole way through.
"And maybe, while we're here, we don't have to be so alone. Because around you, I don't feel alone, never had."
So, there's Jeremy bad boy with a past that still follows him around a little. Oh and let's be honest he's totally an asshole at times. You know the kind where he says something assholey and you smirk and then kinda fall in love with him. Not just me, right?? I doubt it heh.
Then we have Carter who does what is asked of him, putting others first even if it jeopardises who he is, well at least until he has enough and decides to take things into his own hands.
It sounds like a cliché, bad boy tamed by the good guy (personally, I love clichés. I mean we love them for a reason.) But for me this actually wasn't one. It didn't read like one at all. There was no theatrics to play into a cliché, this story just was what it was, a simple love story, no theatrics needed in this one.
Which made my angst phobia heart happy. Heh.
"It was always just about the right person."
Jeremy is a musician and sorting things out in his life, trying to choose what's right for him. He has his whole bad boy thing going on but omg were there those times I wanted to cry and hug him when it came to tensions within his family and his past. Such vulnerable moments with him. Ahhhh!
I loved these two together and how their relationship progresses through friends to lovers and seeing them work through things that were going on. And I mean, they were hot as fuck together. And that scene with them chasing eachother *heart melts*. Another thing I loved about this book was the characters and how they were written, most of the characters had the good and 'bad' sides to them, they weren't just one thing. The decisions made and things said weren't always the right ones but it was hard to fully dislike any of the characters. (except Ella. First impressions and all that. I just never warmed up to her. Lol.) I loved how they were all written and how the title fitted this story beautifully. Without a doubt I'll be checking out more of Kade Boehme's books!
This is my first book by this author and I actually loved it a whole lot. I was smiling so much the whole way through.
"And maybe, while we're here, we don't have to be so alone. Because around you, I don't feel alone, never had."
So, there's Jeremy bad boy with a past that still follows him around a little. Oh and let's be honest he's totally an asshole at times. You know the kind where he says something assholey and you smirk and then kinda fall in love with him. Not just me, right?? I doubt it heh.
Then we have Carter who does what is asked of him, putting others first even if it jeopardises who he is, well at least until he has enough and decides to take things into his own hands.
It sounds like a cliché, bad boy tamed by the good guy (personally, I love clichés. I mean we love them for a reason.) But for me this actually wasn't one. It didn't read like one at all. There was no theatrics to play into a cliché, this story just was what it was, a simple love story, no theatrics needed in this one.
Which made my angst phobia heart happy. Heh.
"It was always just about the right person."
Jeremy is a musician and sorting things out in his life, trying to choose what's right for him. He has his whole bad boy thing going on but omg were there those times I wanted to cry and hug him when it came to tensions within his family and his past. Such vulnerable moments with him. Ahhhh!
I loved these two together and how their relationship progresses through friends to lovers and seeing them work through things that were going on. And I mean, they were hot as fuck together. And that scene with them chasing eachother *heart melts*. Another thing I loved about this book was the characters and how they were written, most of the characters had the good and 'bad' sides to them, they weren't just one thing. The decisions made and things said weren't always the right ones but it was hard to fully dislike any of the characters. (except Ella. First impressions and all that. I just never warmed up to her. Lol.) I loved how they were all written and how the title fitted this story beautifully. Without a doubt I'll be checking out more of Kade Boehme's books!
March 19, 2016
A great comfort read : 2 opposite characters who complete each other, a simple but steamy romance, simple in the best kind of way, with no drama. The kind of story I enjoy reading while seating comfortably with a cup of cocoa and let the good feelings envelop me.
Carter is a shy and gentle young man who lives according to the standards imposed by his parents and even agrees not to come out, much to his frustration. But a political scandal involving his parents made him reassess all this and he decides to spend a few weeks on the family ranch of her best friend Sarah. There, he finds Jeremy, Sarah's big brother, for whom he had a big crush when he was a teenager.
Jeremy, a “bad boy”, also needs to think about his life, his singing career, his toxic relationship with a member of his rock band and his rebellious side linked to his difficulty in finding a place in his family. And he remembers well Carter's fascination for him, although he thought that Carter is straight.
The attraction between these 2 is undeniable and palpable (the scenes at the pool,…*sigh*). I’m not good at writing reviews and there are a lot about this book that said it all and better that I could do. I just want to add that I like the way the relationship between Carter and Jeremy evolves, with thoughtfulness and a mature way
Kade Boehme definitely becomes an “auto-by” author for me.
Carter is a shy and gentle young man who lives according to the standards imposed by his parents and even agrees not to come out, much to his frustration. But a political scandal involving his parents made him reassess all this and he decides to spend a few weeks on the family ranch of her best friend Sarah. There, he finds Jeremy, Sarah's big brother, for whom he had a big crush when he was a teenager.
Jeremy, a “bad boy”, also needs to think about his life, his singing career, his toxic relationship with a member of his rock band and his rebellious side linked to his difficulty in finding a place in his family. And he remembers well Carter's fascination for him, although he thought that Carter is straight.
The attraction between these 2 is undeniable and palpable (the scenes at the pool,…*sigh*). I’m not good at writing reviews and there are a lot about this book that said it all and better that I could do. I just want to add that I like the way the relationship between Carter and Jeremy evolves, with thoughtfulness and a mature way
Kade Boehme definitely becomes an “auto-by” author for me.
March 19, 2016
Some books are works of art that paint gorgeous pictures and they serve as escapes into another world. Others are fun and sexy and seem like real life (kinda) but saucier and interesting. This book is the latter. Carter and Jeremy do a whole lot of nothing in this book (it's not boring - it's awesome), but have sex and figure things out and have more sex.
What I liked best about this book was the voice. The two MCs sounded like normal guys - the way they talked to each other made me certain that I would want to be friends with the author.
"“Carter, shut up.” “I didn’t—” “Your face is doing a hundred things. It’s loud. Stop. Freak out in the morning.”
"Then Jeremy slipped his cold hand in and held Carter’s junk, making him jump. “Hey!” “Warm up my hand, bae.” “Don’t call me ‘bae’, bae.” “Hush, the show’s starting.”
"God, shake it off. He was being a weirdo."
"I’m sorry you have to even ask.” He took Carter’s hand and pulled him toward his truck, letting the tailgate down. Our redneck love affair.
This is my favorite book from this author, definitely.
What I liked best about this book was the voice. The two MCs sounded like normal guys - the way they talked to each other made me certain that I would want to be friends with the author.
"“Carter, shut up.” “I didn’t—” “Your face is doing a hundred things. It’s loud. Stop. Freak out in the morning.”
"Then Jeremy slipped his cold hand in and held Carter’s junk, making him jump. “Hey!” “Warm up my hand, bae.” “Don’t call me ‘bae’, bae.” “Hush, the show’s starting.”
"God, shake it off. He was being a weirdo."
"I’m sorry you have to even ask.” He took Carter’s hand and pulled him toward his truck, letting the tailgate down. Our redneck love affair.
This is my favorite book from this author, definitely.
March 18, 2016
Carter is taking a little break from life and heading back home. Home actually to his oldest friends family farm. Jeremy's band is on a break also and he decided to head home to his families farm to figure out what he wants to do with his life. What started out as a simple fling turns into more than either planned.
There were parts that could have turned in to drama or major angst but, shocker of all shocker, they didn't. Each of the MCs handled each emotion, situation or hard conversation with maturity and a level head. Now i do love my angst but sometimes it is so refreshing not to have a stupid misunderstanding last for 15% of the book.
There was emotion and love between Carter and Jeremy that you just believe in. Definitely recommended :-)
There were parts that could have turned in to drama or major angst but, shocker of all shocker, they didn't. Each of the MCs handled each emotion, situation or hard conversation with maturity and a level head. Now i do love my angst but sometimes it is so refreshing not to have a stupid misunderstanding last for 15% of the book.
There was emotion and love between Carter and Jeremy that you just believe in. Definitely recommended :-)
October 13, 2018
2.5 stars
Maybe it was bad timing, but I found this incredibly boring and I ended up skimming the last 30%, including the remaining sex scenes (gasp!). I usually enjoy the "simple romance" type of book but this failed to keep my attention. There was something about Jeremy being 25 but reading more like 17 that felt off. The writing style seemed to lean more towards introspection than active dialogue which didn't help considering nothing really happened other than being on the ranch, family meals, and sex in Jeremy's room.
All in all, a relatively quiet romance that was mostly uninspiring to me as I didn't feel like I connected with either character.
Maybe it was bad timing, but I found this incredibly boring and I ended up skimming the last 30%, including the remaining sex scenes (gasp!). I usually enjoy the "simple romance" type of book but this failed to keep my attention. There was something about Jeremy being 25 but reading more like 17 that felt off. The writing style seemed to lean more towards introspection than active dialogue which didn't help considering nothing really happened other than being on the ranch, family meals, and sex in Jeremy's room.
All in all, a relatively quiet romance that was mostly uninspiring to me as I didn't feel like I connected with either character.
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