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Cadbury #1
Strength to Forgive
After a devastating fire takes their parents, nineteen-year-old Aeron Turner and his autistic twin brother, Aiden, are starting over. Attempting to escape the painful memories and relentless guilt, the twins journey to Cadbury, Oklahoma in hopes that the family they barely know can help keep them together.
Luke Daniels struggles every day with his painful past, just trying to piece his life back together again. Running his diner gives him an escape from the haunting memories, but ghosts never stay buried for long and old wounds leave scars that make it hard to forget.
When a random encounter brings Aeron and Luke together, they must learn to overcome their pasts or be lost in them forever.
Luke Daniels struggles every day with his painful past, just trying to piece his life back together again. Running his diner gives him an escape from the haunting memories, but ghosts never stay buried for long and old wounds leave scars that make it hard to forget.
When a random encounter brings Aeron and Luke together, they must learn to overcome their pasts or be lost in them forever.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2016
52 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Jaclyn Osborn
50 books1,777 followersAs an avid reader and coffee addict, Jaclyn Osborn can always be found with either a book in her hand or one being written on her laptop. The men in her stories mean the world to her, and she's thankful for each day she's able to do this as a career.
She writes M/M romance across all genres and worlds, including contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal.
She writes M/M romance across all genres and worlds, including contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 20, 2016
This was a sweet read. Emotional layers throughout the story that added to angst and lots of " what's ifs"
Aeron and Luke had something special. While I found Luke to be quite the asshole at times, I realize he was carrying pain. Aeron on the other hand was a beautiful light. The way he loved his brother was stunning and his acceptance of others was pure. The chemistry between these two was a slow build and them both finding peace and joy was certainly well deserved.
Aeron and Luke had something special. While I found Luke to be quite the asshole at times, I realize he was carrying pain. Aeron on the other hand was a beautiful light. The way he loved his brother was stunning and his acceptance of others was pure. The chemistry between these two was a slow build and them both finding peace and joy was certainly well deserved.
Want to read
August 9, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2018)!💝
Blurb:
After a devastating fire takes their parents, nineteen-year-old Aeron Turner and his autistic twin brother, Aiden, are starting over. Attempting to escape the painful memories and relentless guilt, the twins journey to Cadbury, Oklahoma in hopes that the family they barely know can help keep them together.
Luke Daniels struggles every day with his painful past, just trying to piece his life back together again. Running his diner gives him an escape from the haunting memories, but ghosts never stay buried for long and old wounds leave scars that make it hard to forget.
When a random encounter brings Aeron and Luke together, they must learn to overcome their pasts or be lost in them forever.
Blurb:
After a devastating fire takes their parents, nineteen-year-old Aeron Turner and his autistic twin brother, Aiden, are starting over. Attempting to escape the painful memories and relentless guilt, the twins journey to Cadbury, Oklahoma in hopes that the family they barely know can help keep them together.
Luke Daniels struggles every day with his painful past, just trying to piece his life back together again. Running his diner gives him an escape from the haunting memories, but ghosts never stay buried for long and old wounds leave scars that make it hard to forget.
When a random encounter brings Aeron and Luke together, they must learn to overcome their pasts or be lost in them forever.
October 2, 2017
Rzadko kiedy zdarza mi się darzyć taką sympatią bohatera książki. Jakbym dorwała Aerona w swoje łapki to tak bym go wyściskała, że by mu gałki oczne na wierzch wylazły 😂
maybe
August 9, 2018Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://www.amazon.com/Strength-Forgi...
January 31, 2017
From the reading the blurb, I should have loved this book.
So many things kept me from loving it. The first being that none of the characters felt real. They were all right on the cusp of being believable but there was something about ever one of them which kept from getting there. The dialogue kept explaining the reason for the actions of the characters or giving the backstory. It was strange and didn't feel natural. It also didn't help that I never liked Luke. He treated everyone like crap and they all forgave him no matter what. I still don't like him. The whole scene at the end of Luke finally gifting Aeron with his love just made me want to tell Aeron to walk away because he could do so much better.
Yeah, after going through all that... I realize I didn't like the book. It's a 1.5 for me because I did like Peyton more than anyone else.
So many things kept me from loving it. The first being that none of the characters felt real. They were all right on the cusp of being believable but there was something about ever one of them which kept from getting there. The dialogue kept explaining the reason for the actions of the characters or giving the backstory. It was strange and didn't feel natural. It also didn't help that I never liked Luke. He treated everyone like crap and they all forgave him no matter what. I still don't like him. The whole scene at the end of Luke finally gifting Aeron with his love just made me want to tell Aeron to walk away because he could do so much better.
Yeah, after going through all that... I realize I didn't like the book. It's a 1.5 for me because I did like Peyton more than anyone else.
April 5, 2016
Yet another winner from Jaclyn Osborn!! From the very first page I was drawn into this story. The characters of Luke and Aeron just pull you into their individual lives with a touching story of family, hurt, death and finally love. Aeron is fun loving and you can feel his youthfulness, his life has been anything but easy, it has revolved around his brother (Aeron's twin brother Aidan is autistic and as the mother of an autistic son, I can tell you Jaclyn Osborn has done her research.) and while Aeron would never begrudge anyone else, you can really feel his innocence shine through. Luke has had more to overcome to believe in the love he feels for Aeron. His life has been destroyed by someone who should never have hurt him. When he finally gives in and tells Aeron his story, I couldn't help but cry for him and hope he would allow Aeron in to heal his heart. For me the biggest impact of this book comes from Aidan. The accetance that Luke shows to Aeron and his dedication to Aidan just made my heart smile. I really love how it is reiterated throughout how each person with autism is different and unique. So for being a secondary character Aidan has also stolen a huge piece of my heart!! I don't want to give any spoilers in telling you how much I love this book so I will leave you with saying I HIGHLY recommend this book! All I can say is keep up the great work Jaclyn and I can't wait to see where book 2 in your Cadbury Novel series takes us (maybe Peyton's story?? **Hint Hint**
September 24, 2018
set aside at 10%
Adrienne Wilder's In the Absence of Light and Heidi Cullinan's Carry the Ocean set a high bar for writing about characters on the spectrum.
Adrienne Wilder's In the Absence of Light and Heidi Cullinan's Carry the Ocean set a high bar for writing about characters on the spectrum.
January 1, 2021
The story was ok but it dragged for me. I felt that Luke was overly burdened by his past.
August 6, 2017
2.5 stars. I did not like it very much.
The MCs did not appeal to me. The first couple chapters they seemed fine. Aeron seemed like a good guy who love and took care of his brother. Luke seemed like a guy with a dark background but still a nice guy. But then they went off the rail. The way Aeron spoke made me wonder what decade he was born in. It also made me wonder if the author has ever been to California, no one talks like that here. As for Luke he turned out be a real jerk who liked toying with people's emotions. He had the whole woah is me attitude going on and I was not feeling it one bit. Also, I could not feel a connection with the two of them. When you have Luke being a constant jerk you have to wonder why Aeron was attracted to him in the first place. I am not into that whole asshole thing Luke had going on. Its not attractive to me. Needless to say the story and the characters just did not work for me.
I can say the author has become increasingly better with her story telling.
The MCs did not appeal to me. The first couple chapters they seemed fine. Aeron seemed like a good guy who love and took care of his brother. Luke seemed like a guy with a dark background but still a nice guy. But then they went off the rail. The way Aeron spoke made me wonder what decade he was born in. It also made me wonder if the author has ever been to California, no one talks like that here. As for Luke he turned out be a real jerk who liked toying with people's emotions. He had the whole woah is me attitude going on and I was not feeling it one bit. Also, I could not feel a connection with the two of them. When you have Luke being a constant jerk you have to wonder why Aeron was attracted to him in the first place. I am not into that whole asshole thing Luke had going on. Its not attractive to me. Needless to say the story and the characters just did not work for me.
I can say the author has become increasingly better with her story telling.
December 31, 2022
*2 stars*
August 19, 2018
New to me author. This is a mm contemporary story. From places of darkness love can grown for Luke and Aeron. I’ll read more of this series and more from this author.
April 11, 2020
Don't get me wrong, this book was well written and I loved the twins and my baby Peyton. BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATED LUKE. He was just one of those characters that are all too common in unhealthy relationships. You know the ones I'm talking about; they play the push and pull game, they treat people like garbage but are instantly forgiven because "they had a bad thing happen to them once upon a time." Well, Luke was that kinda guy. He said the most hurtful things and he was always calling the guy he was emotionally torturing "kid" which demeaned him and quite frankly disgusted me. Luke was 25 and his inexperienced and naive love interest was 19. Aeron sometimes behaved like a child as well and that seemed to be what attracted Luke to him. The whole "love story" was total bullshit and I felt nothing but apathy as to whether or not they ended up together. They lacked chemistry, and I don't even know why they became boyfriends when they literally had nothing in common, were at different phases of adulthood, and spent 80% of the book being unhappy and miserable because Luke was a prick. The two stars I'm giving this book is more than it deserves but Peyton, Aeron, and Aiden deserve better even if Luke made me hate this book.
read-shelved
September 13, 2020The book started out so good. We got to know and love Arron and his brother. I thought they were portrayed well. But I found the Luke character to be less than believable. Then about 1/3 of the way through the story, Aeron's character started being less and less like the person we were introduced to and more and more just a cookie cutter "twink".
I really wanted to like this book because it started out so well, but in the end I couldn't finish it.
I really wanted to like this book because it started out so well, but in the end I couldn't finish it.
March 1, 2019
Hitting reset
To be honest, I struggled with this book. I should have been invested in the two main characters, Luke and Aeron. Instead I had all my feels with Peyton and Aidan. The start of the book was great. I thought I’d be reading about twins adjusting to a new environment. Instead it was about a lot of little stories and I wasn’t sure what was important to the plot. Good news is book 2 follows Peyton. Maybe that one will be worth the homework. 3.0 for ice cream.
To be honest, I struggled with this book. I should have been invested in the two main characters, Luke and Aeron. Instead I had all my feels with Peyton and Aidan. The start of the book was great. I thought I’d be reading about twins adjusting to a new environment. Instead it was about a lot of little stories and I wasn’t sure what was important to the plot. Good news is book 2 follows Peyton. Maybe that one will be worth the homework. 3.0 for ice cream.
March 1, 2017
DNF at about 15% - So many issues with this book and only within the first 15% of the book. Gave up...
October 12, 2018
One more great book from Jaclyn <3
August 31, 2018
Luke was an ass.
November 16, 2020
Zzzzzzz
I usually love Jacyln’s books but this book really was one of her worst one. I tried to like Aeron but at times he came off as nosey and pushy. Like Aeron finds out that Peyton and Luke use to date and Aeron is now becoming friends with Peyton and as Peyton tells Aeron about his relationship with Luke you can tell Peyton still loves Luke but Aeron doesn’t care for anyone else’s feelings except his own and Aidens. So what’s the first thing Aeron goes and do? He goes and sleeps with Luke.
Luke’s description was described handsome but the only flaw with him was his personality. I didn’t like Luke as a person he dated Peyton for over a year and just broke it off and barely knowing Aeron he’s already opening up and feeling something towards him but Luke doesn’t know why and as readers we also don’t know why because other than just taking care of Aiden, Aeron lacks a personality like he comes off shy but at the same time he’s very pushy and likes Luke just because he’s exotic looking.
I feel like Luke’s love for his ex bf Danny was stronger than his love for Aeron. To not be able to move on after 7 years? I stopped half way through the book. I just couldn’t read anymore because even when your half way they still don’t get together or even have a moment where you feel a connection towards either character.
Book was too bland for me and I was so disappointed since the author did write 2 amazing books called “Axios” & “Eryx”
I usually love Jacyln’s books but this book really was one of her worst one. I tried to like Aeron but at times he came off as nosey and pushy. Like Aeron finds out that Peyton and Luke use to date and Aeron is now becoming friends with Peyton and as Peyton tells Aeron about his relationship with Luke you can tell Peyton still loves Luke but Aeron doesn’t care for anyone else’s feelings except his own and Aidens. So what’s the first thing Aeron goes and do? He goes and sleeps with Luke.
Luke’s description was described handsome but the only flaw with him was his personality. I didn’t like Luke as a person he dated Peyton for over a year and just broke it off and barely knowing Aeron he’s already opening up and feeling something towards him but Luke doesn’t know why and as readers we also don’t know why because other than just taking care of Aiden, Aeron lacks a personality like he comes off shy but at the same time he’s very pushy and likes Luke just because he’s exotic looking.
I feel like Luke’s love for his ex bf Danny was stronger than his love for Aeron. To not be able to move on after 7 years? I stopped half way through the book. I just couldn’t read anymore because even when your half way they still don’t get together or even have a moment where you feel a connection towards either character.
Book was too bland for me and I was so disappointed since the author did write 2 amazing books called “Axios” & “Eryx”
June 13, 2020
The story itself wasn’t too bad. I loved Aidan, the autistic twin brother who loves to paint, and the twins’ older half-brother, Kevin. Luke, the love interest, was problematic and needed a therapist desperately. I struggled to root for the main couple to get together, because their chemistry was faint at best. Be prepared for Insta-Love and an asshole love interest.
As far as the actual writing goes, the author shows how inexperienced she is in the deep and vast narrative distance between the readers and the story itself. The stilted dialogue was jarring. I read it for free through kindle unlimited, but I’ve read and loved some of Osborne’s other works (Noah’s Song and Reaching Avery were excellent), so I had my hopes up. I’m sorry to say I was disappointed. I’m glad I didn’t spend any money on this.
As far as the actual writing goes, the author shows how inexperienced she is in the deep and vast narrative distance between the readers and the story itself. The stilted dialogue was jarring. I read it for free through kindle unlimited, but I’ve read and loved some of Osborne’s other works (Noah’s Song and Reaching Avery were excellent), so I had my hopes up. I’m sorry to say I was disappointed. I’m glad I didn’t spend any money on this.
December 16, 2018
Good read!
I read the blurb and wasn't sure if I wanted to read the book, but I like Jaclyn so I thought, why not?! I was in no way disappointed! The dynamic between Luke and Aeron was sweet and cute and the way he took care of his twin endearing. I have twin boys myself and I always hope their relationship will be like this one.
I read the blurb and wasn't sure if I wanted to read the book, but I like Jaclyn so I thought, why not?! I was in no way disappointed! The dynamic between Luke and Aeron was sweet and cute and the way he took care of his twin endearing. I have twin boys myself and I always hope their relationship will be like this one.
October 26, 2020
3.25
Ohhhh boy, even though I enjoyed this for the most part, there were some moments that had me scratching my head. Like when Aeron says he and Luke have been seeing each other on and off for weeks...but they really hadn't. And Luke as a character was kind of an inconsiderate jerk, he kind of comes around in the end but my comment stands.
Ohhhh boy, even though I enjoyed this for the most part, there were some moments that had me scratching my head. Like when Aeron says he and Luke have been seeing each other on and off for weeks...but they really hadn't. And Luke as a character was kind of an inconsiderate jerk, he kind of comes around in the end but my comment stands.
August 25, 2018
Beautiful story.
A very emotional story, one full of heartache and grieving but also full of hope , learning how to trust and open up to love again. Sweet Aeron burst into Luke's life, slowly breaking down the anger and grief surrounding his heart.
A very emotional story, one full of heartache and grieving but also full of hope , learning how to trust and open up to love again. Sweet Aeron burst into Luke's life, slowly breaking down the anger and grief surrounding his heart.
August 28, 2018
Very sweet story.
Lots of angst, the characters are funny and a bit dramatic but those moments are tempered with tenderness and understanding. A great lesson in forgiveness and the power of love. I'm off to read the second book in the series directly.
Lots of angst, the characters are funny and a bit dramatic but those moments are tempered with tenderness and understanding. A great lesson in forgiveness and the power of love. I'm off to read the second book in the series directly.
April 30, 2020
Loved it!
Another great book by Jaclyn Osborn. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Aeron and Luke and I didn't want their story to end. The secondary characters were awesome too. Loved it!
Another great book by Jaclyn Osborn. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Aeron and Luke and I didn't want their story to end. The secondary characters were awesome too. Loved it!
May 1, 2020
Amaizing!!👌👌👌
I love Aeron and Luke, how Arson with his extrovert personality won Luke's heart. I love Aidan, Aeron's brother, what at incredible boy, with his autism, I loved his personality and the relationship between the twins.
Amaizing book
I love Aeron and Luke, how Arson with his extrovert personality won Luke's heart. I love Aidan, Aeron's brother, what at incredible boy, with his autism, I loved his personality and the relationship between the twins.
Amaizing book
November 8, 2020
2.5* No puedo decir que fue una historia conmovedora a pesar de la profundidad de los temas; fue un relato que contenía tristeza y mucho afecto, con personajes que no lograron emocionarme. Solo estuvo bien.
July 17, 2021
Interesante pero me pareció un poco lento.
Muy buena introducción del personaje con autismo, es algo refrescante y muy buen tratando en el libro.
Muy buena introducción del personaje con autismo, es algo refrescante y muy buen tratando en el libro.
Read
October 2, 2023Where can I read this? It seems like it has been pulled from everywhere (not even on amazon) and there is only the audio version...
April 20, 2016
I have mixed emotions about this one... let's see if I can work out why...
Aeron and his autistic brother Aiden are sent to live with his brother after the death of their parents. I would say this was a traumatic event in their lives and I guess in the nature of how they died was traumatic, their parents were awful people and they were both much better off without them. They got to be with real family when they moved in with their older half brother Kevin and his wife and son. They were the picture perfect, southern couple. I was glad they had them.
I also loved the way Aeron was with Aiden. The relationship between the two was so sweet and I loved how Aeron took care of Aiden, how sweet he was and how much he loved him. He was so mature in the way that he took care of Aiden and when it came to being someone another person could depend on... However, Aeron was still very much a kid to me. I know Luke called him kid all the time and that didn't help in making him seem any older. The way he talked and the way he acted around anyone else BUT Aiden, he was very much a kid to me. I couldnt get over that.
And Luke, he had some baggage, loads of it actually, content on pushing people away when they'd get close to him he was good at hurting people before they hurt him. A few times I'd liked to have wacked him upside the head. I wished Peyton would have gotten some better closure, Luke was really nasty to him and some of the things he'd said to him were just.... so sad, Peyton didn't deserve that and I really felt for him. I hope he gets a book and finds someone amazing.
Also, Luke's relationship with his dad... and his faith... it was interesting to read about his relationship with God and religion, I agree'd with him wholeheartedly and it really made up for some of the things he'd do and say. like he knew he wasn't being right but his anger and grief and guilt got the better of him; at least he was working it out, or trying to... And his father, accidents happen, even if the situations could have been prevented. I can see where his head was at and why he was hurting so bad, I'm glad Luke chose to forgive him eventually.
Overall, the story was very sweet, the only part I didn't like was how Aeron came across so young when was supposed to be 19 and then 20. The words he used and his dialogue was more of that of a 12 or 13 year old, it was off-putting. Other than that though, it was good story and I'd probably read the next one, hoping they didn't use words like "wicked" and "stellar" and "cool beans"or "coolness"... blah
3.5 stars for me
Aeron and his autistic brother Aiden are sent to live with his brother after the death of their parents. I would say this was a traumatic event in their lives and I guess in the nature of how they died was traumatic, their parents were awful people and they were both much better off without them. They got to be with real family when they moved in with their older half brother Kevin and his wife and son. They were the picture perfect, southern couple. I was glad they had them.
I also loved the way Aeron was with Aiden. The relationship between the two was so sweet and I loved how Aeron took care of Aiden, how sweet he was and how much he loved him. He was so mature in the way that he took care of Aiden and when it came to being someone another person could depend on... However, Aeron was still very much a kid to me. I know Luke called him kid all the time and that didn't help in making him seem any older. The way he talked and the way he acted around anyone else BUT Aiden, he was very much a kid to me. I couldnt get over that.
And Luke, he had some baggage, loads of it actually, content on pushing people away when they'd get close to him he was good at hurting people before they hurt him. A few times I'd liked to have wacked him upside the head. I wished Peyton would have gotten some better closure, Luke was really nasty to him and some of the things he'd said to him were just.... so sad, Peyton didn't deserve that and I really felt for him. I hope he gets a book and finds someone amazing.
Also, Luke's relationship with his dad... and his faith... it was interesting to read about his relationship with God and religion, I agree'd with him wholeheartedly and it really made up for some of the things he'd do and say. like he knew he wasn't being right but his anger and grief and guilt got the better of him; at least he was working it out, or trying to... And his father, accidents happen, even if the situations could have been prevented. I can see where his head was at and why he was hurting so bad, I'm glad Luke chose to forgive him eventually.
Overall, the story was very sweet, the only part I didn't like was how Aeron came across so young when was supposed to be 19 and then 20. The words he used and his dialogue was more of that of a 12 or 13 year old, it was off-putting. Other than that though, it was good story and I'd probably read the next one, hoping they didn't use words like "wicked" and "stellar" and "cool beans"or "coolness"... blah
3.5 stars for me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews