Love Can't Conquer

Love Can't #1

by Kim Fielding

A Love Can't Novel

Bullied as a child in small-town Kansas, Jeremy Cox ultimately escaped to Portland, Oregon. Now in his forties, he’s an urban park ranger who does his best to rescue runaways and other street people. His ex-boyfriend, Donny—lost to drinking and drugs six years earlier—appears on his doorstep and inadvertently drags Jeremy into danger. As if dealing with Donny’s issues doesn’t cause enough turmoil, Jeremy meets a fascinating but enigmatic man who carries more than his fair share of problems.

Qayin Hill has almost nothing but skeletons in his closet and demons in his head. A former addict who struggles with anxiety and depression, Qay doesn’t know which of his secrets to reveal to Jeremy—or how to react when Jeremy wants to save him from himself.

Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Abuse, Addiction, Fiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2016

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.

Reviews

[len ❀[ia bc of school] · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You can’t conquer everything with love. But it sure makes a hell of an ally.”

When I say this, I mean it in the best way possible, but I don’t have any mutuals here who I can trust. While some of us may share some books in common, I think it’s fair to say that neither of us (as in, you and I) have similar tastes that always align. I don’t have anyone I could go to and say, “If you liked this, I’m sure I will too!” However, there are many authors I’ve heard a lot about, and no matter what my friends say, I always end up curious to try their books because of the love, praise, and hype they receive from everyone. Kim Fielding is one of the few.

I’ve heard a lot about this author’s writing and stories, but sadly, I haven’t have the best luck with her since I’ve only read three novellas–Alaska, which I gave two stars; The Dog Days of December, which I gave three stars; and Corruption, which I gave one star. My experience with her has been through novellas only, which I don’t think is fair. I figured this was a good choice, considering I found out it was classified as a slow burn, features mature, ‘older’ characters, and has some mental health representation. And I have to say, despite my three-star meh rating, this story was more than just average. If I were someone who gave half-star ratings, I’d most likely settle on 3.5 but rounded up.

This story is lovely. I’m unsure if this is a thing, but I’d consider this a quiet romance. Reading it made me peaceful, very content with life and everything happening around me as if it was just me and the book. It took me a while to read it, despite its short length, but I never found myself bored or hoping for something to happen. It was a quiet romance in how peaceful it was—no meaningless drama, no lack of communication for the sake of it, no dramatic moments, no family drama, no insulting comments that add nothing to the story, but instead, a somewhat second, new chance at love our two main characters get in their 40s. It was a lovely break from my usual reads, with it being somewhat angsty but nothing overly sentimental. The beginning has some homophobia, but it doesn’t continue for the rest of the book.

Kim’s writing is strong, matching the tone of the book, with no dramatic prose that tries too hard. There is plenty of showing and telling, a good balance between the two to give the reader an idea of what her characters look like, what they’re doing, and what they think. I never found myself bored between segments, feeling like the author was overdoing it with her descriptions of characters and settings. There are very tiny, minor time jumps, where we go from seeing the characters in one location and then are told they are in another, but nothing aggravating. The author balances the timeline well, never missing essential details but not dumping too much on us.

The characters are authentic. I had heard from others about Kim’s characters and how real they feel, and I agree. This being my first full-length novel from her (although not my first contemporary romance), I found their voices very distinguishable, heartfelt, and as authentic as possible. With both men in their mid-40s, there isn’t worry about them acting childish and throwing tantrums in between. Luckily, Kim keeps her characters as realistic as possible, never making them be who they aren’t. They were both mature, provided necessary communication, stumbled during the correct times, and showed understanding regarding boundaries. Their love is incredibly heartfelt, beautiful in a quiet way, never feeling over the top, and managing to be original. They had their ups and downs, confusion, and minor heartbreak, but nothing too conflicting. With how Qay and Jeremey were dealt hardships in their childhoods and adult life, there is a lot the two missed out on, which both deal with together, providing some light-hearted moments to their relationship. I love it when older characters have this sort of new chance or beginning at something like romance because they missed it when they were younger, either due to unfortunate circumstances they couldn't control or because no one appeared in their life. Their relationship and emotional connection was excellent. I could feel the chemistry and passion between them. Their dates added to it, and I loved seeing them getting to know each other. The author keeps the relationship light-hearted but doesn’t ignore the demons both men still face, especially Qay.

I was a big fan of Kim keeping the title real. Love can’t conquer all. Qay and Jeremy are similar in the lives they were given but different in the torments. Qay and Jeremy weren’t friends in school, but they were both outcasts, driven to similar harsh decisions and facades for survival. Qay grows to be more impulsive, insecure, and complex, while Jeremy becomes a community member looking for runaways after being bullied in his childhood. Their lives were interwoven when they were younger, but they were never allowed to explore the possibility of friendship. They’re opposites, with their attitudes sometimes clashing. Qay’s personality is more spontaneous, with not as much thinking done before acting, but Jeremy’s patient and caring self doesn’t let him get away. The author doesn’t brush away Qay’s past of being an alcoholic, and while we’re reminded Qay has been clean for seven years, she doesn’t hide the possibility of relapse. We see him struggle when he is near drinks and pills, showing a realistic portrayal of deterioration. It also shows how his insecurities aren’t something that goes away at the touch of a man he’s growing to love and appreciate.

The characterization of both characters is beautiful, with Qay lacking confidence due to his scarring and for being a ‘junkie.’ Jeremy doesn’t have the same worries but has his own insecurities, feeling like he isn’t doing enough for those he loves. Despite this, we see how Jeremy doesn’t try to save Qay at any point and instead wants to help him. This differentiation is significant, which the author makes clear and doesn’t disregard. Jeremy’s want and need to enable Qay isn’t for his own sake and to give him a boost for a savior complex but because he genuinely cares. Qay’s lack of confidence can become a little burdensome, but depending on how the reader takes it, I think the author intends to show how love doesn’t cure him of everything he went through. His self-negligence made sense, with the bit of love he had been shown growing up, lack of praise and encouragement, and misfortune of relying on substances. When a man like Jeremy is interested in him, it’s difficult for him to believe and accept it.

And that was it, wasn’t it? For almost thirty years, Qay had not set foot in Kansas. But then he found Jeremy, who was one of his few youthful memories not tinged with pain. Jeremy was home, but with all the bitterness and sorrow winnowed away. That was why Qay knew him so well. That was why Qay loved him.

There’s also a tiny side-plot of mystery in the background, but nothing that overtook the story's originality. It’s not meant to keep readers on the edge of their seats and never try to be exceptionally thrilling, but it adds suspense to the story. Fortunately, it doesn’t become the story’s focus, and we get more moments between Qay and Jeremy than anything else, including the side mystery, so there’s a lot to appreciate between them. Considering I was reading this for the romance and had no interest in any mystery or investigation, I was worried it would become aggravating and feel like it became a central focus of the story, but it didn’t.

The sex in this is very mild. Not high steam at all and not graphic either. It’s not exactly fade to black, but it’s not considered smut. Not sure if this is common in this author’s other works, but for me, this works our fine. We’re still aware of what’s happening, and it’s not entirely a clean romance whatsoever.

I also must mention that I’m glad Jeremy never forgave his family. I think too often, we’re supposed to accept families and members can be forgiven for what they did, yet sometimes they do not deserve it, no matter what. Jeremy’s parents were selfish and didn’t deserve Jeremy’s love, and I’m not sure if anything changes in the future, but from what we know about this, he didn’t welcome them into his life. He didn’t forgive them, he didn’t forget what happened, he didn’t excuse their neglectful behavior, he didn’t ask for a second chance, he didn’t stay home. I love characters who stand up to their families, putting them in their place. Honestly, I’m glad we don’t see Jeremy spending time with his family, only towards the end when he goes home for reasons but doesn’t give his time and energy to those who don’t deserve it.

A few things deterred my enjoyment a little bit, but nothing in large quantities. As I said initially, I would give this a half rating if I used those rounded up, considering how much I enjoyed it. With that being said, a few niggles presented themselves.

For starters, I’m genuinely curious how Jeremy paid for his stay at the hotel he was staying at. With him being a park ranger, his salary is nothing huge, and he wasn’t staying at some wonky hotel but at a Marriott. It might be that he received a discount, or maybe he didn’t need to pay since he’s a park ranger well-known in the community whose apartment was trashed, but we’ve never mentioned this. And with his trashed apartment, we know he has insurance for it, but what about anything that isn’t covered or smaller costs like the things he needs to buy for his place? This isn’t a big deal, and I know many people ignore minor details like these, so I don’t doubt this won’t affect everyone. It’s just tiny things I notice and pay attention to, and as I make progress through the novel, I can’t help but still feel confused about how it’s all happening. It’s not so much that I don’t think Jeremy can afford it, given he can afford rent and utilities of his apartment, it’s just that I wish we were given enough explanation and detail on this, especially the cost of the hotel room (also, rates change every day?) and the the addition of room service on specific times.

Another quibble I had is a personal one, and that’s that I always wonder how characters end up having sex when one of them should be in recovery. This is a me thing, as I’m sure it’s realistic, but it just sounds…painful to me. Jeremy got hurt, with his left hand’s fingers being broken, his shoulder has a gunshot wound, he wears a sling, and he can’t bathe/wash himself in the shower without help (from Qay, in this case), so I simply wonder how sex happens and takes place. I get that for some, sex can release natural endorphins and help you relax and decompress, but Jeremy being physically hurt feels like his body isn’t ready for such activity. I know Qay was careful, and I know Jeremy also took some precautions and didn’t use his hurt hand, but I still think it would be uncomfortable and a little tiresome. This isn’t the first time this has happened in a romance novel, and I always notice and wonder about it. Does it not hurt? Is your body not tired? I always wondered why it seems like every time a character gets hurt, their libido appears to grow as if their need for rest makes them hornier. Is it because you technically aren’t allowed to that you grow the need to do it? Maybe it’s just me though, as I wouldn’t know. Again, personal quibble, nothing too serious or something that defines the book.

As for my last point, while I loved Qay and how the author didn’t ignore his struggles, I think there was a little bit of a lack of character development. This lack of development led to the somewhat third-act conflict at the ~80% mark, which was a little too far-fetched for me. It was realistic how Qay struggles with his self-esteem, and we see this throughout the novel, but it felt a little too hasty. I’m all for angst, and with this not being a complete low-angst story, it made sense and doesn’t mean it wasn’t not necessary. I just wish there was more time for it to be explored. His relapse and abruption towards the end felt a little too sudden as if it was simply waiting to happen. This would’ve been more acceptable and easier to ignore had Qay shown some character development throughout the novel, but I think it was missing a little. At some moments, he accepted someone like Jeremy liked him and wanted him (because Qay couldn’t believe someone like him was worth loving), but not enough thought was given. And then, as we’re reaching the end, literally the 97% mark, Qay has this “epiphany” of who he needs to be. To an extent, I got it, but with this being at the end with 3% left of the story, I was underwhelmed and over it.

“I’m with you,” he said quietly. “Right where you are.”
“You feel the same way?”
“Yes. And it fucking terrifies me.” There. He’d just handed his raw, vulnerable heart right over.
Jeremy pulled him tighter. “Love doesn’t have to be scary, Qay. We’re in it together, right?”

With that being said, some of my issues aren’t issues regarding the story itself but more “me things” that I can’t ignore. Some things are probably not as severe as I put them to be, but it’s how I took them, and I can’t shrug off how I’m feeling. I still think this is a lovely romance and one worth reading.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another gorgeous contemporary love story from Kim Fielding, whom I blame for many, many sleepless nights. I can't put her books down, and this one was no exception.

Love Can't Conquer reminds me of Fielding's Rattlesnake, which ended up on my top 10 books of 2015 list. If you liked Rattlesnake, you will like this book, which also features two very real, imperfect MCs, heartwrenching angst, strong secondary characters, and a hard-earned HEA.

Jeremy Cox, a park ranger in Portland whom everyone calls "Chief," is sure he knows Qayin (transliteration for Hebrew קָ֫יִן or Cain) from somewhere and is drawn to the quiet man who doesn't like to talk about his past.

Bullied as a kid, Jeremy stands up for the helpless, the homeless, the rejected. When his troubled ex-boyfriend shows up bruised and battered on his doorstep, Jeremy patches him up, lets him spend the night, and sends him on his way with all the cash in his wallet. This is probably more than the ex deserves, but Jeremy is kind like that.

Jeremy sees something special in Qay, and Qay is in awe of Jeremy, whom he dubs Captain Caffeine (the men meet in a coffee shop owned by Jeremy's friend Rhoda).

A former addict, Qay's been in jail and on the streets. He knows hard times and suffers from severe anxiety and distorted thought patterns that spiral out of control. Holding down a steady job at a glass factory and going to school to earn his associate degree, Qay still feels worthless.

Qay can't believe someone as accomplished and handsome as Jeremy would ever want him. But Jeremy loves Qay just the way he is and sees beyond Qay's dumpy flat, well used clothes, and host of mental issues to the smart, caring, and funny man Qay is at heart.

The relationship between Jeremy and Qay is sweet beyond measure. Both men are over 40; both are lonely. Jeremy has a few close friends, but Qay is all alone in the world. As their friendship develops, Jeremy takes Qay hiking and out to dinner. Qay always insists on paying his fair share, because he's proud like that and refuses to depend on anyone.



While the story is very much relationship focused, the plot weaves in suspense with a dash of mystery. Jeremy's ex was involved with some unsavory people, and Jeremy is in danger by association. His flat is ransacked, and the police tell him to watch his back.

The angst stems for Qay's insecurities and his brutal past. The last few chapters are at once tense and incredibly poignant. When Jeremy is badly hurt, Qay can't hold it together.

My heart broke for both Qay, who lashes out in anger and pain, and Jeremy, who tries so desperately to save the man he loves.



I loved Jeremy's friends Rhoda and Nevin. Rhoda is feisty, supportive, and stubborn. Her coffee shop overflows with color and light. Nevin, despite his filthy mouth and boundless sarcasm, is fiercely loyal.

Honorable mention goes to Qay's awesome professor and Elijah, who was a standout despite being present on only a few pages.

There's not a lot of steam here, but the love shines through. Kim Fielding is one of the few authors who makes me feel connected to the characters even if the sexy action is subdued.

As Qay says, You can't conquer everything with love. But it sure makes a hell of an ally.



A new series from Kim Fielding?



Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all.

It's Kim Fielding, so the answer is YES, yes, love conquers all. And sex doesn't hurt either.

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's release day! This is in my top 10 for the year. Highly recommended!



I just LOVE a good book about selfless, honest, dependable, kind, caring, nurturing men. The kind of man who sees all the good in people and never judges. Well, get ready for Jeremy Cox! He is Love Can't Conquer's answer to Shane Little from Rattlesnake. If you loved Shane, you will love Jeremy. If you loved Rattlesnake, you will love Love Can't Conquer.

Qayin Hill has led a disaster of a life. His childhood and teen years were filled with shame brought on my his overly religious parents and he eventually took solace in drugs and alcohol to medicate his pain. He gets clean and sober and relocates to Portland with dreams of an education and a place to call his own.

Jeremy Cox! Oh, my book boyfriend Jeremy Cox. A park ranger with a heart of gold. No, heart of platinum. He is good down to his bones and takes a shine to Qay when they meet in a local coffeehouse. They start as friends and romance eventually comes into the picture and it is glorious! Jeremy has so much patience with Qay and does everything in his power to help Qay realize his dreams without taking over his life. He knows Qay needs to come into his own under his own power and offers assistance by being a supportive friend. Fuck, but I loved Jeremy!

This is an absolutely beautiful love story. The HEA will bring tears to your eyes and you WILL fall in book-boyfriend-love with Jeremy. He is all that is good and pure in this world and the healing/comfort he offers Qay will make your heart sing.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews



Advanced review copy of Love Can’t Conquer provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am the HUGEST fan of Kim Fielding, but this book took a lot out of me. I've read dozens of books with romances between former addicts, but Love Can't Conquer sort of took it to another level. If it wasn't for Fielding's slick, polished writing, I think I would have DNFed this one.

This story has a lot of surprises in it, few of them good for the characters. There are a lot of twists and turns, and I would actually classify this book as a romantic suspense/contemporary hybrid. I'm not a big fan of romantic suspense, so the action aspect of this story didn't appeal to me. Some of the surprises not mentioned in the blurb were interesting coincidences, and really appealed to the romance reader in me. However, I was constantly dragged down by Qayin's character, who I thought really drained Jeremy.

Jeremy was a bit of the typical romance savior type. He seemed to be able to do no wrong. He helps homeless, volunteers his time with the needy, and has an aid-type job. He also is the fit, strong, kind person that romances are built-on. I found him to be a bit too perfect, even with his angsty past.

Qayin was a complex character, but I didn't love him. I found him to be really morose, and though I know his past was dark and led to his current issues, I had a hard time identifying with him. I also thought he was too callus with Jeremy, which I struggled with.

What I loved about this book was the atmospheric writing and the lovely secondary characters. Kim Fielding always does a great job with her secondary characters, and they really shined here. I would be interested in reading about many of them in the future, if they got their own stand-alone stories.

I've read so many amazing Kim Fielding books that I'm sad that this wasn't a home-run for me. I just think I wasn't in the mood for a story of this nature.

*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Meep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this though I didn't like it quite as much as the second book in the series. The tone is more subdued due to the themes, namely addiction, which I thought were covered well. Has a similar vibe to Rattlesnake if you enjoyed that there's a good chance you'll like this. Both books can be read as standalones, though if you read out of order *guilty* you'll be spoiled for big plot events.

Jeremy has an element of too good to be true about him, but in romance world sometimes a larger than life, Latin spouting, heart of purest gold character is what you're after. And, I think helping people was a need for him; Captain Caffeine's (Qay's name for him) cloak might be billowing heroically but there was more to it than that. AND how awesome is that for a superhero name? *slurps coffee*

Qay is more difficult. Lots of problems, felt for him but he's very down on himself meaning there's a warped image it can be hard to know how others saw him. I think it came across how strong he was, while Jeremy is eager to support him it can only work because Qay is fighting his battles daily because of that strength. Loved the glimpse of the little nick-nacks.

The writing was good but to me not always as smooth as in the sequel. Pace is slow and I fell for Jeremy when he decided to step back to have something deeper than lust between them. Early forties they acted like grown men instead of testosterone driven bunnies - their attraction for each other was very clear though. The four date rule amused me.

Wondering who'll star in the next book. There's been a few people dangled in front of reader's noses eye-patch man, Rhoda's son, Ptolomy maybe, though not every character is gay. Having already read Nevan's story seeing him made me laugh. Looking forward to the next book.

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I just rated a Kim Fielding book 3.75 stars. You need to know that I'm literally cringing while looking at that number, cuz.......KIM FIELDING! I've pretty much adored everything I've read by her.

This was about MY issues though. The writing is as superb as ever. But I wasn't aware that the story would have the pet peeves of mine that it did. And I can't ignore those.....I just can't.



Readers need to pay close attention to the title. It not only gives you a glimpse into the theme, which I knew going in, but it also gives the overlying mood of the entire book. No subtlety about it.

The first three-quarters are somber, but still quite compelling. Fielding is a master, and I couldn't put it down, just waiting for the happy that was building with every page. Jeremy and Qay seem so perfectly matched and compatible. And it was breathtaking to watch Qay finally have something to believe in. He was a phoenix for the first time in his life.

And then the last quarter happened. Was it realistic? Absolutely. Was there anything GOOD about it? Nope.

Some of this:


And some of this:


And more of this:


Add in some doormat behavior, and I was really aggravated. It was also very heavy on the theme of addiction. Is there an eventual HEA? Yes, but it was about 0.05% of my reading experience. Not nearly enough to bring me back from the mood of the book.

So now I'm just drained and morose.


If it wasn't for Fielding's writing, this would've been 2.5-3 stars for me. It's a beautiful story with amazing writing. I just can't with the heavy addiction and such a heavy MOOD throughout the whole thing. I read mm to escape and get some happy. Not fluff, mind you, but I need a solid HEA after the angst. There was just too much angst. Nothing that will have you crying........just a steady bleakness that hangs over the reading experience. Matching the Portland setting's weather exactly.

The author accomplished exactly what she was trying to do, in my opinion. Kudos to her for that. I just probably won't continue with this series with this type of recurring theme. I want to put my head in the oven.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I look for in a book with a character whose past was dark and painful, like Qay's was, is a real acknowledgement of how hard that is to overcome. Qay left his past when he was a teen by literally killing off the boy he was, and remaking himself.

But I liked that he didn't do it in a picturesque way. He did it with detours via drugs, and mental illness, and petty crime, and he fell to the drugs for a long time. He didn't "find himself" without a long slow climb out of the depths, and his hold on his new life is sometimes tenuous. He doubts himself and his worth, from years and years of not being the kind of guy anyone can trust. I adored Qay, and his real lost boy inside the battered man. The story benefits from the realism of that. It's a fight against darkness, not just angst.

Jeremy Cox is a bit too good to be true - if he'd been more flawed, more needy and uncertain, I think this would have been 5 stars for me. He has a past with some bullying and indifferent parents, but he grew up and remade himself in a more typical fashion. He works out and is hot and fit, does a job he loves that lets him caretaker for everyone who crosses his path, and has an ex who still runs to him when he's in trouble. Because everyone can lean on Jeremy. In fact, the one moment when he acts like an over-reactive self-centered ass for a little early relationship drama grated on me because he was so perfect. He could patch up his alcoholic ex's injuries, but not give Qay the benefit of a moment's doubt? It didn't fit, and I'd have preferred that it did, because he needed that flaw.

But he makes a sweet, strong foil for Qay. They are lovely together. And if he doesn't seem to need Qay in quite the way he is needed, well, no two people ever have a perfectly balanced relationship. His need to be a savior is clearly ingrained. I liked the story arc that didn't deal in redeeming everyone in sight, or in much melodrama. (It did deal in some thriller-like action, which worked well enough, and a happy, almost too neat ending. I loved that Qay fell, and blew his educational situation. I'd have liked that to have more consequences and the need to rebuild trust with his teacher.) This will probably be a reread for me, because of Qay.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You can’t conquer everything with love. But it sure makes a hell of an ally"

What a beautiful and wise saying -- and that is the core of this story about two men in their forties, each with their own baggage, who found each other and in that sense also help each other (it had a rather happenstance circumstances to it, which always wonderful in romance). It was in the same vein of another Fielding's book, Rattlesnake, which was released last year.

I found this to be well-written and grounded; a love story that has substance. Sure, it has moody tone as well considering what both Jeremy and Qay had been through; especially Qay who survived an abusive home and years of being drug addict. This is what I love from Fielding's story. Her characters might start in a not a good place (sometimes even being in pain or tortured!!), or has endured loneliness, or feeling okay but not completely happy ... but Fielding always infused a hopeful feel to it.

So despite me having to read about Jeremy, handling his bloody ex-boyfriend, then finding out that his ex is dead, or about Qay and that awful situation with his family, including the death of his brother, I know that they will be fine in the end. That what makes Fielding's story so engaging. I didn't even take a detour by reading other titles when I read this. I wanted to see how Jeremy and Qay grab their happiness.

It is a gorgeous, lovely, real love story, and it definitely lingers with me even after I reached the last page.

PS: I did wonder about where the hell Donny kept that USB drive! It brought Jeremy to a very bad situation, so I was a little disappointed that my curiosity didn't get any answer.

[Kim]

I have a Noisy Neighbor. Every weekend when the weather is nice--most of the year around here--he blasts music in his back yard. Luckily, I don't hate all of his musical choices, although I have to admit that sometimes I'm tempted to play Sex Pistols or maybe Dubioza Kolektiv REALLY LOUD in self defense. But I have him to thank for this book, because one day last fall he was treating the neighborhood to Bobbie Gentry singing "Ode to Billie Joe"--and a huge plot bunny landed right in my lap.

That plot bunny became Love Can't Conquer, my 14th novel. Which I'm now very excited to be able to share with you. I've fallen for Jeremy and Qay, two guys with a few years on them and some heavy baggage--but these two men yearn for love despite the obstacles life throws at them.

I plan for this to be the first in a series. The setting is Portland, Oregon, and if you read very closely, you might also spot a quick cameo appearance or two.

[Ele · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5 stars~

It pains me. It pains me that I didn't just love this book.

Kim Fielding is such a talented storyteller and her writing speaks to my soul each and every time. In that aspect, Love Can't Conquer was no exception. The characters are very well-sketched and come alive through the pages, the writing is evocative, and the setting is perfect.

So technically, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the story. It just didn't appeal to me all that much. I lost interest somewhere along the way and I never got it back.

The characters' internal monologues and thoughts exhausted me. There are addiction issues, so the mood is naturally heavy. There are also references about mental illness that were not explored. This part was extremely well done and realistic but it kept on and on until the very end. And then it was the happy ending. I 've said it before; I don't mind abrupt endings as long as I have enjoyed the journey. Here, I didn't dislike it, but it felt just meh (and I can't believe I just used the word "meh" for a Kim Fileding story).

At first I liked the slow burn. But later on, all this fuss about their first time just dragged the story out. I loved that it was such a big deal to them and planned it carefuly, but the "four dates" felt silly after a while. They were all over each other, how does holding back for just a few more hours make a difference? And when the first time eventually happened, it felt unsatisfactory and undescriptive.

Again, these are my issues, and, objectively, I can appreciate this story. It just didn't wow me. And it pains me so much.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this story didn't grab me.
The writing is stellar though.

One thing I really appreciated but at the same time found it weird, is that these guys actually communicated, no secrets, no shyness. Maybe it's an age thing, they both are over 40, and thought they won't waste their time being all mysterious, instead putting all their cards on the table.
Jeremy was like 'Dude, I like you, let's date' and 'I want to fuck but I also don't want to fuck it up, so let's wait with sex', which by the way made it feel really planned and forced to me.
Qay wasn't holding back on his secrets for too long, he came clean right after the first date and warned Jeremy 'I'm fucked up, sure you want to do this, I'm bad news'.
They were upfront with each other.
Bud the rest of the story just didn't work for me.

Contains mentions of abuse, addiction, suicide and mental health issues.

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 5 out of 5]

***4.5 Stars***

"You can’t conquer everything with love. But it sure makes a hell of an ally."

Although I loved this a tiny little bit less than Rattlesnake, Love Can't Conquer is another wonderful and heartwarming tale about two damaged souls who must battle their inner demons to have a second chance of happiness.

It is a story about guilt and self-forgiveness. A story about inner strength, despite temptation lurking around each corner and about not giving up, against all odds. It is a story about friendship, support and love.

The best books for me are those that contain a message and Kim Fielding performs this task in spades by creating stories that not only impress me with an excellent writing style, but make me become engrossed in the storyline from the very beginning. She makes me feel like I would take part in the life of the characters, who make me laugh, cry and sympathize. Each and every one of them just feels real. But she also reminds me that every human being is fascinating in its own way, despite - or maybe because of - the baggage it carries.

Inside every man was the boy he used to be. No matter how much bigger he'd grown or how many miles he'd traveled. No matter how high the bridge from which he'd leaped.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Can't Conquer is yet another beautiful story by the amazing Kim Fielding. Two men, both of whom have seen more than their fair of shadows. Both of whom carry baggage. Both of whom are survivors. Plus, both MC's are in their 40's, which I loved. They felt real to me.

Jeremy Cox was bullied a lot when he was growing up in Small Town America in the 1980's. He was pudgy and nerdy and an easy target for other boys who felt that knocking others down was the way to be a man. So he bided his time and when he graduated high school, he got a scholarship to a college in Oregon and he hit the road and didn't look back. Jeremy did make something of himself, but he also made many mistakes along the way. He has such a good heart and he spends his life helping others. Even faced with an ex-boyfriend he hasn't seen in five years, he still can't help but try to help Donny. It's just who Jeremy is.

Qay Hill has more baggage than a luggage outlet. He's an alcoholic and a junkie who has managed to stay clean for the past seven years. It's a struggle, though. He's been told all his life that he would never be anything else. He was abandoned by his family when he needed them most, so it really is no wonder he struggles. He thinks he's beyond redemption and that he doesn't deserve a chance with a man like Jeremy. What Qay doesn't see, though, is that he is the one that got himself out of the hole he was in. Did he need help? Sure he did, but none of it would have happened if he hadn't made such an enormous effort. Maybe it will always be a struggle for him, but he's made it this far.

Jeremy and Qay really are symbiotic. Jeremy needs to be able to help others in order to feel like he's worthy of anyone. And Qay needs to let someone in, needs someone to lean on, someone he can trust to be there, even if he falls. But nothing worth keeping comes so easy. Learning to trust - not only someone else, but also yourself, takes work and courage. Qay's first instinct when faced with something good is to run before everyone figures out what a fraud he is. But he's not a fraud, he's just scared.

Love Can't Conquer is a beautiful love story, full of hope and hurt and finding your way through life. It's about making mistakes, but also overcoming them. And it's about learning that it's ok to love and be loved.

Maybe love can't conquer on its own. But maybe, just maybe, it can help you get there yourself.

-----
ARC of Love Can't Conquer was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a good start to Kim Fielding's new series.

Jeremy Cox, an urban park ranger, is intrigued by the quiet stranger he meets at a his favourite coffee shop, and soon asks him out on a date. Qay Hill is a former addict trying to turn his life around, but his anxiety makes it difficult for him to interact with others. He's sure it won't take long for Jeremy to come to his senses and realize that Qay isn't a catch.

Jeremy is a fairly stereotypical do-gooder romance lead. His childhood wasn't the best, but he's handsome, has a good job, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He's a bit too perfect, but I liked him.

Qay is the one who really tugged at my heartstrings. His childhood and the effects of it on the rest of his life were difficult to read, but it provided context for many of his actions. I think what I liked most about him was that he tried, even when his past and his issues were trying to convince him to give up early on.

The romance develops fairly quickly. Jeremy and Qay click from the first date. It was easy to understand why the two fell for each other, and the wooing was sweet. I thought that the author did a good job of addressing Qay's addictions. It was realistic, though it did make the story very sombre at times.

This isn't a particularly steamy book, but it is very romantic. It was easy for me to root for this couple.

What I wasn't a fan of was the side story with Donny, Jeremy's ex. I thought it needlessly bogged down the plot, without adding much. It seems like it was there just to add some extra drama and potential angst, which I don't believe the story needed.

Also, I wasn't too happy with the conclusion. There was an abrupt jump from angst-and-despair to a fluffy HEA. I would have liked some more fleshing out at the end.

Overall, 'Love Can't Conquer' was an enjoyable read, with a sweet romance and MCs that overcome addiction and broken childhoods to find their happy ending.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darum geht’s:

Nach einer schwierigen Jugend im ländlichen Kansas hat sich Jeremy in Portland ein gutes Leben eingerichtet. Mit Mitte 40 hat er einen Job, den er liebt, gute Freunde als Ersatz-Familie und eine schöne Wohnung. Nur sein Ex-Freund Donny macht ihm Sorgen, denn er kommt von den Drogen nicht los und scheint in großen Schwierigkeiten zu stecken, als er blutend und verzweifelt vor Jeremys Tür steht.

Trotz der einschlägigen Erfahrungen mit Donny schreckt Jeremy nicht davor zurück, den interessanten Qay näher kennenzulernen, der sehr schnell seine drogenbelastete kriminelle Vergangenheit und seine psychischen Probleme beichtet.

Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier

[Agla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was GREAT until it wasn't. I LOVED the relationship development, both MCs were fleshed out. I also liked that they acted their age (mid-40s). The sense of found family was great. The mystery was also nicely done. They fit well together and clearly belong together so everything was amazing until the last 15% that didn't really make sense to me. It didn't ruin the book by any means but I wish it had been something else. I would still recommend the book because the way they meet, get to know each other and date was really great. another niggle: the sex. I mean they decide to wait which built up tension/angst (that would not have been my choice, I would have preferred their first time to happen organically but I wasn't too bothered) and then the scene itself lacked the emotional punch. It's not that it didn't fit the character but it was that detailed or emotional. It was very short and that was a miss here. A really small niggle but after that great build up I wanted more .

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. I'll admit I was a bit surprised, not that I liked it, after reading other reviews I was afraid it was going to be much more angsty and dark than I actually found it to be.

I loved Jeremy and Qay and all the other characters. The story flows easily, and there's plenty of feels, which makes up for the low steam.

The one thing that rankled me during the whole story is Jeremy's money...Was it an inheritance? I can't imagine a Park Ranger makes much. I don't know, maybe I missed the part where it was discussed, but I just kept wondering how Jeremy could afford everything.

Regardless, this was a wonderful story with lovingly drawn characters. I can see re-reading it sometime in the future.

[Line · Rating 4 out of 5]

Price drop at amazon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Love-Cant-Co...

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

Maybe this is a case of my expectations being too high for this book because I loved Motel.Pool and Rattlesnake. In any event, I liked this book well enough but I didn't love it.

Qay and Jeremy had so much history, so much potential for a deep connection, but it wasn't mined all the way. Qay's name, for example (unless that was just the author using a deft touch when I was looking for a sledgehammer). What I missed most was the two of them working things out together. For much of the story, each man was in his own head, alone, or physically removed from the other. While this may have been intentional (proving that love can't conquer, a person needs to fight his own battles), it didn't make for a strong-feeling connection between the two. Sometimes stories using this style make up for it with heat between the two, but that wasn't done here. The vast majority of the intimacy was fade to black or glossed over (which is fine, I'm just saying that it was not then available to bridge the separation).

Rhoda, Nevin, Elijah, even Patrick were solid secondary characters. I could see them being set up for future books but it did not feel gratuitous.

I will definitely read more in this series and Kim Fielding is still an auto buy for me. They can't all be my faves.

[River · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why it took me so long to read this book, It was so good I couldn't stop reading.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose"
~ Amanda McBroom

I can honestly admit that I was a little hesitant when I read the description of 'Love Can't Conquer', Kim Fielding's newest release. Not because it didn't sound good, but because I worried that I would become way too emotionally invested in it, and end up a basket case by the end. However, from the very first book of Ms. Fielding's that I read, the author has taken me on many journeys and even knowing this might be highly emotional, I wanted to experience the sheer genius of her storytelling.

Jeremy and Qayin have more history in common than they realize when they first meet. Jeremy is an urban park ranger in his early forties who has only ever had two serious relationships in his life, the last one ending five years prior. He's a kind, compassionate man who seems to be in a bit of a funk, probably resulting from all of the homelessness and addiction he sees on a daily basis. When he comes home one night to find his ex beaten and bloody on his doorstep, Jeremy cleans him up, gives him a place to sleep overnight, clothes, and money to get to California to his sister’s. Donny shows up murdered the following evening sending Jeremy spinning with "what-ifs".

Qay is an ex-con, recovering addict, recovering alcoholic, with severe anxiety and depression, and a former patient at mental institutions. He's trying hard to keep his life on the straight and narrow, but an abusive childhood with cold, unfeeling parents and a family tragedy he was blamed for left their mark on Qay at an early age. And yet here he is, holding a job, having gone years drug and alcohol free, has a small apartment that isn't much but it's his, and he's taking classes at the community college. He's reminding himself daily about what it means to be a good, decent person. The strength of the human spirit is a powerful thing.

"Inside every man was the boy he used to be. No matter how much bigger he’d grown or how many miles he’d traveled. No matter how high the bridge from which he’d leaped."

I like the fact that I can never predict what's going to happen in a story by this author. I really liked it that the subplot revolving around Donny and the guy who killed him and then was after Jeremy didn't take center-stage. Mainly because, in my opinion, this book is a love story and that is the primary focus. Jeremy and Qay have lived very different lives, but they're both honorable and loyal men, who deserve to have a lover who thinks the sun rises and sets in their eyes.

An emotional journey and a wonderful character study, Kim Fielding reminded me that we’re not perfect, none of us are, but being perfect for each other is the only thing that truly matters.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

[Nerea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and hard story ~ 3.75*

The two main characters had been broken at their childhood but take a very different path. One, becoming a model role in the society and the other drooling at life's dark side.

But the destiny reunites them in some difficult situations and must get over several obstacles that would define their lifestyle and of course their relationship.

I think is a really good book, a super interesting plot, some surprises and lovely characters (Not only the MCs, we get to know some amazing secondaries!! ) BUT I must confess that I feel the narration very heavy and slow in some parts. Maybe a lot of characters repeating thoughts and descriptions? Still, good one! Really want to read more of the series :)

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending his high school years being bullied Jeremy goes away to college in Oregen. There he meets a man in the local coffee shop and after a while starts a relationship with him.
Qay has demons of his own, sober for seven years he struggles to get through.
However, he has a secret.
I liked this book. It was gritty whilst not being over the top and depressing. I was rooting for Jeremy and Qay to get their HEA.
Loved the cast of secondary characters and can't wait to find out what happens next in this series.

[Mathilda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wenn Kim Fielding eins kann, dann sind es gefühlvolle Dramen. Auch ihr Buch »Liebe ist nicht allmächtig« reiht sich nahtlos in diese Sparte ein, denn die Geschichte um Qay und Jeremy ist keine leichte und es dauert, bis beide ihr wohl verdientes Happy End bekommen.

Ich war mir eine Zeitlang nicht mal sicher, ob es überhaupt dazu reicht, denn auch wenn Jeremy von Anfang an etwas Längerfristiges sucht und sich selbiges mit Qay gut vorstellen kann, ist sehr lange nicht sicher, ob Qay mit seiner psychischen Erkrankung dazu in der Lage sein wird. Denn Qay hat ständig mit seinen eigenen Dämonen zu kämpfen, die ihm sagen, dass ein toller Kerl wie Jeremy niemals mit einem irren Süchtigen zusammen sein will. Jedenfalls nicht dauerhaft.

Aber Jeremy will genau das, denn er sieht hinter die Narben und das Wirrwarr in Qays Kopf, und er tut das so gut, dass er dabei sich selbst gerne mal vergisst, was ihn schlussendlich fast Kopf und Kragen kostet, denn es gibt einen Nebenplot mit einer Krimigeschichte, die Qays Nervenkostüm schlussendlich überstrapaziert und es passiert, was passieren musste – ein Absturz.

Eine wirklich großartige Geschichte, ich verstehe gar nicht, wieso die so lange ungelesen auf meinem Reader herumdümpelte.

[Chappy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply satisfied after inhaling this book. I'm a big fan of Kim Fielding and she doesn't disappoint.

Jeremy has such a good heart and a body to match. He wants to help people and to hopefully make a difference. Qay on the other hand is struggling through life and can't rely on anyone. These 2 hit a few potholes along the way but eventually break through to something real. **sigh**

[Aerin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kim Fielding writes my favorite kind of books, full of feelings and emotions, with real characters who are not perfect nor do they strive to be. Her books are not as steamy as I'd like and yet the storytelling and the writing make up for the little things that are lacking. Who needs sex in every chapter when they get characters that are real and so easy to relate to?

Jeremy and Qayin are not young chickens who experiment with love; they're both in their 40's and they feel very single one of those years, especially Qayin. Qay is a recovering addict with a closet full of secrets and skeletons. Life has not been kind to him, and the only way he managed to drown his anxiety and depression was by losing himself in a world of booze, drugs and sex. Qay managed to get his life turned around and he's one of those lucky people who actually learned something from his past mistakes.

Qay's past still haunts him every single day, but he's determined to finish college so that he can better himself. I have so much admiration for people who overcome their struggles and this was one of the things I loved the most about Qay. Yet regardless of his determination, Qay doesn't think much of himself and he knows he's not good enough for someone like Jeremy.

Jeremy is a park ranger who's like a modern version of a super hero: Super-Ranger to the rescue! Jeremy's childhood was hell; he was bullied and made fun of, his parents were cold and indifferent, and the one person he felt didn't hate him jumped off a bridge in an effort to kill himself. When Jeremy got the opportunity to move away to Portland for college, he left and never looked back. Jeremy is all about helping people, especially LGBT homeless teens, and the respect everyone has for him is easy to see. Jeremy has an innate goodness that not many people possess, and that goodness prevents him from turning his back on his drug-addict ex boyfriend Donny, when he shows up at his door beaten up and bloody.

Jeremy finds himself the target of some nefarious dealers his ex socialized with, while trying to pursue a relationship with Qay and save the world all at the same time. The plot itself was thriller-like and well done; the relationship between Qay and Jeremy was sweet and full of feelings. In all honesty I felt like this plot and the relationship between these two didn't go together very well. I ended up being overwhelmed because Qay's relapse and his difficulty in accepting Jeremy's feelings took all my focus and all my heart. The bad guys needed to go because the last thing I needed to keep up with was Jeremy getting shot and all the craziness that came with that.

This was a great book, I really enjoyed reading it! I am so very excited to read the next one in this series because NEVIN!!!! He was my favorite secondary character, I liked him even more than I liked Rhoda, and she was a kickass woman! Nevin with his filthy mouth and an even filthier personality will probably get his own book and I'm going to love every single page of that bad boy falling in love.

[justanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is reading about MC’s hooking up with their crushes years after high school. There’s something special IMO about someone knowing you when you weren’t at your best. That torturous time in your life when you were vulnerable, insecure and felt like it would define who you are forever….

Love Can’t Conquer begins with our MC’s meeting each other in high school. Jeremy was a young, scrawny bullied underclassmen who couldn’t help blushing whenever he made eye contact with Keith/ Qay, an upperclassmen struggling both in school and at home. One day, unable to take it anymore, Keith jumps off a bridge and disappeared out of Jeremy’s life.

Forward decades later. Jeremy is no longer a scrawny kid. He’s 6 ft of muscle with a heart of gold. Keith, well Keith didn’t fair so well. Keith grew up to be a junkie and an addict, unable to come to terms with the demons that drove him to jump off the bridge.

I love this story! Both Qay and Jeremy, have grown and changed immensely since their high school years. Both are lonely. Qay, struggles w/ his demons and Jeremy struggles with trying to save Qay, to show Qay that he’s a person worth loving.

There’s a lot of sad in this book. There are moments I felt overwhelmed by it and caught myself wondering as I read if these two were ever going to catch a break. Ironically, I both loved and hated that aspect of the book. I kept thinking: “ Come on Kim! Give my guys a break already!” LOL. That’s the only “complaint” I have. There isn’t a lot of sex, so if you’re looking for a “steamy” read you won’t find that here. What you will find however is a well written story, filled with wonderful characters that you can’t help but love.

*ARC provided for review*

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Fielding is an author I always forget I like, so when I pick up a new book from her I'm generally utterly pleasantly surprised by it. I totally need to keep her more on my radar because with enjoyable reads like Love Can't Conquer she really should be an auto buy author for me.

This is the kind of angst I like. It's very... person orientated. Drama for the sake of drama is a big turn off for me, any drama and angst needs to be a part of the story, part of the characters, and not just there to rack up tension for the sake of it. In order for me to love a story I need to be able to feel the characters and for that to happen I have to trust them. However they act on paper I have to understand the reasoning behind actions and reactions. This author does this well.

Drink, drugs and an unhappy childhood coalesce to make this an intricate story balancing pain with hope. The part of the blurb that really drew me in was the last lines "Despite the pasts that continue to haunt them, Jeremy and Qay find passion, friendship, and a tentative hope for the future. Now they need to decide whether love is truly a powerful thing or if, despite the old adage, love can’t conquer all." and it encompasses the whole feel of the story for me. The tentative flowering of trust and friendship that lights the way through a dark past. A great read.

Review previously at bmbr.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a boring read; the start of it was okay, with Jeremy rescuing Toad. I did feel like that Jeremy was out of touch and just a tad bit too good to be true, like I said boring. Reading about his childhood could maybe make his character more believable; the lack of his parents's involvement in his life and the bullying he suffered made him grow up to be a strong person who respected, and was respected, by everyone, although also a bit over-the-top. Qay's past of child abuse was indeed a sad one too, but in the end I could not feel the connection between these two.
And wtf about the four dates-thing. Really? In this day and age?????
What made me not DNF the book was greatly because of Rhoda and a bit because of Ptolemy. And let's not forget about detective Nevin Ng, I just loved his foul mouth. I would love to read his story!
This book just didn't work for me, really did not care for the writing - even the sex was boring.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - two damaged souls eventually finding peace. Both carried pain from their childhood and yet both Jeremy & Qay dealt with this pain in vastly different ways.
This book is all about love, forgiveness and redemption. While there were dramas aplenty, it was the threaded theme that captured me - friendship and compassion, which is something we should all consider before we too quickly judge ❤️