What do you think?
Rate this book
On Solid Ground #3
Unsteady
Micah Hudson and Jude MacMillian were both lonely teenagers. One the new kid and one the target of relentless bullying, they quickly became friends. But when friendship grew into more, the relationship was too much for either to handle. As their tenuous bond was tested, everything tumbled down, leaving them lonely once again.
A decade later, Micah is on the brink of losing his will to live. Beyond exhausted from lying to everyone, including himself, Micah thinks of the one person who knows his deepest secret. Desperate and alone, Micah makes the only decision he feels he has: he must leave. But his need for closure depends on one thing.
Can Jude make room in his Unsteady life for Micah once again?
A decade later, Micah is on the brink of losing his will to live. Beyond exhausted from lying to everyone, including himself, Micah thinks of the one person who knows his deepest secret. Desperate and alone, Micah makes the only decision he feels he has: he must leave. But his need for closure depends on one thing.
Can Jude make room in his Unsteady life for Micah once again?
323 pages, ebook
First published April 28, 2017
168 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Collins
29 books1,302 followersMelissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.
Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.
Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
May 7, 2017
This author has a philosophy: why use one word when ten will do? This story is buried under tortured, angst-filled internal monologues.
I cannot get behind cheating, EVER. When Micah gets together with Jude, he is STILL MARRIED to a woman. He leaves her and his young son and eventually tells her he's gay, but they are not officially separated and certainly not divorced.
Micah is selfish and spineless, and I couldn't muster up much sympathy for him.
The whole thing with Jude's student and the boy's crazy dad was too much. The drama made my head hurt.
Plus, when we find out that Micah's wife is pregnant again, I was sort of disgusted. Dude, put a glove on it.
I'm in the minority here, but this book didn't work for me at all.
I cannot get behind cheating, EVER. When Micah gets together with Jude, he is STILL MARRIED to a woman. He leaves her and his young son and eventually tells her he's gay, but they are not officially separated and certainly not divorced.
Micah is selfish and spineless, and I couldn't muster up much sympathy for him.
The whole thing with Jude's student and the boy's crazy dad was too much. The drama made my head hurt.
Plus, when we find out that Micah's wife is pregnant again, I was sort of disgusted. Dude, put a glove on it.
I'm in the minority here, but this book didn't work for me at all.
Want to read
April 28, 2017NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY OR FREE TO READ WITH KU --> http://mc-author.com/unsteady-cr
April 22, 2017
Unsteady is actually my first Melissa Collins read, and only my second M/M read! I happened to really enjoy it!
Micah is a veteran who suffers from PTSD. On top of that he is living a lie. A HUGE lie. He has so many feelings that he has buried down deep and on top of the PTSD he's barely treading water.
Jude is someone who was Micah's best friend for awhile during their last years of high school. He has been taking care of his alcoholic father for a very long time, and spent the rest of it hiding who he really is. When Micah comes back into his life, both of those things change.
Micah and Jude coming back together is sad and beautiful at the same time. What they had in the past was so much more than friendship, but Micah isn't sure things will still be the same when he leaves the life he's torn apart about and goes back to his one time hometown to see Jude.
Both of these men are hiding things. When those things come to light so much angsty stuff happens. This story is extremely well written, and it was a page turner for sure. At some points I got aggravated with the characters, but I think that was the point. They were both flawed, and they were both likable. They felt real, and I really enjoy that in an angsty read like this one.
The intimate scenes were emotional, but didn't get me hot and bothered. This was more about the couples connection and I think Collins showed that well!
All in all this was an enjoyable read. If you enjoy angsty M/M romance, I would highly recommend this one!
Micah is a veteran who suffers from PTSD. On top of that he is living a lie. A HUGE lie. He has so many feelings that he has buried down deep and on top of the PTSD he's barely treading water.
Jude is someone who was Micah's best friend for awhile during their last years of high school. He has been taking care of his alcoholic father for a very long time, and spent the rest of it hiding who he really is. When Micah comes back into his life, both of those things change.
Micah and Jude coming back together is sad and beautiful at the same time. What they had in the past was so much more than friendship, but Micah isn't sure things will still be the same when he leaves the life he's torn apart about and goes back to his one time hometown to see Jude.
Both of these men are hiding things. When those things come to light so much angsty stuff happens. This story is extremely well written, and it was a page turner for sure. At some points I got aggravated with the characters, but I think that was the point. They were both flawed, and they were both likable. They felt real, and I really enjoy that in an angsty read like this one.
The intimate scenes were emotional, but didn't get me hot and bothered. This was more about the couples connection and I think Collins showed that well!
All in all this was an enjoyable read. If you enjoy angsty M/M romance, I would highly recommend this one!
April 24, 2017
4.5 Stars
Micah is one of those characters that I didn't care for. I didn't care for him because he threatened Dax and Beck's relationship by kissing Dax. But I was also intrigued by him and wanted to know what his story was. I wanted to know where he came from and where he was going and although I was upset with him, I still wanted to see him get his HEA. As I picked up this book and started reading, I started to learn about, and quickly fell in love with, both Micah and Jude.
I love second chance romances. It's my absolute favorite trope. I love that two people who have loved one another so deeply and lost that love can get another chance at a happy ending. Micah and Jude are both hurting when they meet in high school. Micah, whose father is military, is always the new kid and Jude is the fat kid who is continually bullied by the football players at school. When Micah comes to Jude's defense against said football players these two loners quickly form a friendship. Over time, that friendship grows into so much more. They become lovers, but in a small conservative Texas town where bigotry runs rampant, they'll have to keep their love a secret. After a misunderstanding, Micah leaves for good. Now ten years later, even more broken and alone Micah runs back to the only person he's ever loved, Jude.
I really enjoyed this story. I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what I didn't like and get it over with. I didn't like the back and forth from past to present. I really wish the past and present had been told in separate sections rather than swinging back and forth between the two. I found this to be not only disruptive, but also confusing at times. It made the flow of the book choppy by jumping back and forth. Now, I'll tell you what I absolutely loved. Everything else! lol
I loved seeing how Micah and Jude fell in love for the first time. The progression of their relationship was realistic and smooth. It wasn't rushed. They truly took their time becoming best-friends and confidants before they moved on to lovers. The chemistry both in the past and the present was off the charts and electric. When they finally fell into bed, it was sweet, passionate and beyond hot.
Although I didn't like the choppiness of the back and forth, I do love Melissa's writing. She draws you into Jude and Micah's world and makes it hard to put them down. I wanted them to get their HEA, but I wasn't ready for their story to be over. These are well developed and likable characters you can root for, although I wanted to shake some sense into Micah. I knew without him being honest things would blowup in his face eventually, and it did, but I absolutely loved the resolution and their HEA. This book is filled with passion, love, hurt, healing and so much more. I can't tell you enough to go one-click this story and if you haven't met Beck and Dax, you definitely need to get On Solid Ground and On Higher Ground. While we meet Micah in On Higher Ground, and Unsteady can technically be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it. A big part of his character development and his dealing with his PSTD comes from that book and I think you'd be missing out on pertinent information if you didn't read the previous two books in the series. Besides Beck and Dax have an amazing story to tell and you won't want to miss out. The whole series is highly recommendable!!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*
Micah is one of those characters that I didn't care for. I didn't care for him because he threatened Dax and Beck's relationship by kissing Dax. But I was also intrigued by him and wanted to know what his story was. I wanted to know where he came from and where he was going and although I was upset with him, I still wanted to see him get his HEA. As I picked up this book and started reading, I started to learn about, and quickly fell in love with, both Micah and Jude.
I love second chance romances. It's my absolute favorite trope. I love that two people who have loved one another so deeply and lost that love can get another chance at a happy ending. Micah and Jude are both hurting when they meet in high school. Micah, whose father is military, is always the new kid and Jude is the fat kid who is continually bullied by the football players at school. When Micah comes to Jude's defense against said football players these two loners quickly form a friendship. Over time, that friendship grows into so much more. They become lovers, but in a small conservative Texas town where bigotry runs rampant, they'll have to keep their love a secret. After a misunderstanding, Micah leaves for good. Now ten years later, even more broken and alone Micah runs back to the only person he's ever loved, Jude.
I really enjoyed this story. I'm gonna go ahead and tell you what I didn't like and get it over with. I didn't like the back and forth from past to present. I really wish the past and present had been told in separate sections rather than swinging back and forth between the two. I found this to be not only disruptive, but also confusing at times. It made the flow of the book choppy by jumping back and forth. Now, I'll tell you what I absolutely loved. Everything else! lol
I loved seeing how Micah and Jude fell in love for the first time. The progression of their relationship was realistic and smooth. It wasn't rushed. They truly took their time becoming best-friends and confidants before they moved on to lovers. The chemistry both in the past and the present was off the charts and electric. When they finally fell into bed, it was sweet, passionate and beyond hot.
Although I didn't like the choppiness of the back and forth, I do love Melissa's writing. She draws you into Jude and Micah's world and makes it hard to put them down. I wanted them to get their HEA, but I wasn't ready for their story to be over. These are well developed and likable characters you can root for, although I wanted to shake some sense into Micah. I knew without him being honest things would blowup in his face eventually, and it did, but I absolutely loved the resolution and their HEA. This book is filled with passion, love, hurt, healing and so much more. I can't tell you enough to go one-click this story and if you haven't met Beck and Dax, you definitely need to get On Solid Ground and On Higher Ground. While we meet Micah in On Higher Ground, and Unsteady can technically be read as a standalone, I don't recommend it. A big part of his character development and his dealing with his PSTD comes from that book and I think you'd be missing out on pertinent information if you didn't read the previous two books in the series. Besides Beck and Dax have an amazing story to tell and you won't want to miss out. The whole series is highly recommendable!!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*
April 26, 2017
If you have read the other books in this series you've already met Micah but you didn't have get half of his story.I was so curious to read of this complicated character and it didn't disappoint me.
Micah and Jude were high school best friends but after their graduation their lives took them to different places until they meet again after ten years and maybe this time they will find the courage to fight for their relationship and they will trust each other and their love.
Melissa Collins has once again wonderfully portrayed the life of a former soldier suffering of PTSD,his struggles to have a life worth living and to make peace with his past choices.
Her writing pulled me into the pages and I couldn't reach the end fast enough in order to go back to breathe normally.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
April 24, 2017
Full Review Closer to Release.
April 28, 2017
Hey, hot cover! :)
I love this series.. I already knew, from the other two stories, that it was going to be a tearjerker for me. It was…
Micha and Jude… let’s discuss.
After losing his mom, Jude and his dad hit a rough patch… one turned to food while the other turned to alcohol and, it just seemed that they both just got so lost that they didn’t know how to find their way back. The bullying in this, made me sick to my stomach and I hated that the bully just got away with being terrible. I hate when that happens… Fortunately, the new kid, Micah, was Jude’s saving grace. Not only did he befriend him and help him in so many ways, he became Jude’s best friend....
Micah had his own baggage, mainly with his father. He was a jerk plain and simple. You won’t like him, I’ll point that out right now. But I feel like, he was the biggest part of why Micah was the way he was. Even though I’m not a fan of the going back and forth from past to present… it worked here. We needed it, for the story to work, but I was broken hearted by the time we made it back to the present.
After losing touch for ten years, knowing that their friendship was well beyond friendship and that they loved each other so much….it was hard to see Micah as anything other than the strong one like he had been when they were younger; but the tables turned and now Micah needed Jude to be the strong one.
And he was….
Things are great with them for a while, though I wanted to reach in and slap Micha upside the head for keeping so much from Jude. I knew it was going to end badly when all the secrets came out, there was no way around it. I did understand why he kept the secrets, but I hated that he did…for everyone involved. (I mean, I have to just leave that there, cuz I don’t wanna spoil it)
This is truly a second chance romance and if I have ever needed two people to work out like they did.. it was these two. Their chemistry and passion and love for each other was evident from the very beginning and it never quit. I wanted to cry for them several times and just say “you have to work out! You just have to!”…. In all fairness, I knew they would… but it was a rough road getting there.
I loved this story… I loved the hurt/comfort and the realness of each character and… sigh… I just love them as a couple. It’s hands down, an excellent addition to an amazing series, although it’s a standalone and you don’t technically need to read the other two… you just should… just because they’re amazing too. But this one… easy 5 stars….Don’t miss it.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the promise of an honest an unbiased review*
I love this series.. I already knew, from the other two stories, that it was going to be a tearjerker for me. It was…
Micha and Jude… let’s discuss.
After losing his mom, Jude and his dad hit a rough patch… one turned to food while the other turned to alcohol and, it just seemed that they both just got so lost that they didn’t know how to find their way back. The bullying in this, made me sick to my stomach and I hated that the bully just got away with being terrible. I hate when that happens… Fortunately, the new kid, Micah, was Jude’s saving grace. Not only did he befriend him and help him in so many ways, he became Jude’s best friend....
Micah had his own baggage, mainly with his father. He was a jerk plain and simple. You won’t like him, I’ll point that out right now. But I feel like, he was the biggest part of why Micah was the way he was. Even though I’m not a fan of the going back and forth from past to present… it worked here. We needed it, for the story to work, but I was broken hearted by the time we made it back to the present.
After losing touch for ten years, knowing that their friendship was well beyond friendship and that they loved each other so much….it was hard to see Micah as anything other than the strong one like he had been when they were younger; but the tables turned and now Micah needed Jude to be the strong one.
And he was….
Things are great with them for a while, though I wanted to reach in and slap Micha upside the head for keeping so much from Jude. I knew it was going to end badly when all the secrets came out, there was no way around it. I did understand why he kept the secrets, but I hated that he did…for everyone involved. (I mean, I have to just leave that there, cuz I don’t wanna spoil it)
This is truly a second chance romance and if I have ever needed two people to work out like they did.. it was these two. Their chemistry and passion and love for each other was evident from the very beginning and it never quit. I wanted to cry for them several times and just say “you have to work out! You just have to!”…. In all fairness, I knew they would… but it was a rough road getting there.
I loved this story… I loved the hurt/comfort and the realness of each character and… sigh… I just love them as a couple. It’s hands down, an excellent addition to an amazing series, although it’s a standalone and you don’t technically need to read the other two… you just should… just because they’re amazing too. But this one… easy 5 stars….Don’t miss it.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher with the promise of an honest an unbiased review*
April 30, 2017
Want an amazing second chance romance?? How about friends to lovers? Well then this is the book for you. Micah and Jude’s story spans more than 10 years and is just perfect!
The new kid at school and the overweight kid who’s getting bullied, who would have thought that this would be the beginning of a love story. The way that Micah and Jude support one another is simply heartwarming. They are there for each other no matter what the situation calls for. Reading about their past as young boys, learning who they were and the struggles that they were going through made me reminisce my youth and I was able to sympathize with some of their pain. Being a teenager is hard enough without other obstacles in they way.
When things don’t go as planned Micah and Jude end up apart for a long time. So much has changed in that time and Micah seeks out Jude to make things right.
“He’d come back home, back to me, looking for something.”
Their reunion was not what I was expecting, as we learn more and more about the past the present begins to make more sense. You will see how all of the pieces in the puzzle fall into place and fit perfectly with one another. It’s almost as if no time has passed and on the other hand that ten years feels like twenty. But when things are meant to be, it will all work out.
“Jude was definitely not only someone I had know a long time ago. he represented everything I thought I needed dot make my life complete, and honest.”
When the angst hits you with this one, you will feel it deep. You will feel lost along side of them while they try to heal. Micah and Jude are my new favorite M/M couple for sure!!!
The new kid at school and the overweight kid who’s getting bullied, who would have thought that this would be the beginning of a love story. The way that Micah and Jude support one another is simply heartwarming. They are there for each other no matter what the situation calls for. Reading about their past as young boys, learning who they were and the struggles that they were going through made me reminisce my youth and I was able to sympathize with some of their pain. Being a teenager is hard enough without other obstacles in they way.
When things don’t go as planned Micah and Jude end up apart for a long time. So much has changed in that time and Micah seeks out Jude to make things right.
“He’d come back home, back to me, looking for something.”
Their reunion was not what I was expecting, as we learn more and more about the past the present begins to make more sense. You will see how all of the pieces in the puzzle fall into place and fit perfectly with one another. It’s almost as if no time has passed and on the other hand that ten years feels like twenty. But when things are meant to be, it will all work out.
“Jude was definitely not only someone I had know a long time ago. he represented everything I thought I needed dot make my life complete, and honest.”
When the angst hits you with this one, you will feel it deep. You will feel lost along side of them while they try to heal. Micah and Jude are my new favorite M/M couple for sure!!!
April 28, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of The Book Boyfriend Addict (www.bookboyfriendaddict.com). A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I had to go after Jude once and for all. I had to take back everything that was mine all those years ago.
As lonely teenagers, new kid, Micah Hudson, and perpetually bullied, Jude MacMillian, formed a fast friendship. The more time they spent together, the deeper their bond became until what started as friendship gradually became more. In the shadows, they became each other’s everything, but in their close-minded Southern town, they stood to lose a lot if their secret was ever revealed. External pressures and misunderstandings ultimately drove these two apart and set their lives on very different paths. Ten years later and Micah is close to giving up, he’s so tired of living a lie and longs for the only person who knows who he truly is. In a last ditch effort to salvage the wreckage of his life, he sets off to find closure with the only man he’s ever loved. To say that Jude is shocked when Micah returns to town would be an understatement and even though this Micah at his door is wildly different than the man he once knew, there’s no denying the chemistry and connection that still exists. As these two men start to bond again, will they be able to make a relationship work now? Or will old prejudices and new secrets only drive them apart again?
“Nothing made sense before. It was all gray. Existing. Going to work, coming home to a damn empty house. And then one day you show up, and everything is color again. I didn’t realize how much I was drowning until you came back.”
I love a good second chance love story and recently I’ve really been enjoying M/M romances, Unsteady combines these two things and the result is a really sweet story that’ll pull at your heart strings and have you rooting for Jude and Micah to overcome the obstacles in front of them so they can find their HEA! I haven’t read On Solid Ground yet (it’s on my TBR, though!) so I wasn’t familiar with Micah, but my heart went out to him right away when I learned all he was going through. When things went bad between him and Jude years ago, he found himself in an impossible situation and did the only thing he knew to do in order to make it right. The decision turned out to have some pretty massive consequences that would forever alter him and I was sad for him that he was trapped living this lie for so long. While I didn’t totally agree with the way he up and left things in his former life, it was great seeing him finally trying to figure out how he could be himself. He wasn’t doing anyone any favors living how he’d been living. I loved seeing him reconnect with Jude and seeing how far Jude had come since they were teens. The flashbacks were well done and really helped paint the picture of what they meant to each other back then, which only made you want to see them make it work now even more. Their path forward is definitely a bumpy one, Micah has some serious issues that he’s dealing with and one whopper of a secret that could change everything. I gotta say, I really enjoyed this “complication” of Micah’s past, it was unexpected and will really make your heart ache and also keep you a little on edge waiting for the bomb to drop!
He was the beauty my life had been missing as I’d swam through a colorless ocean, heading to the bottom, fast.
I really enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Jude and Micah was super-hot and watching them find their way back to one another will give you all the feels! I loved how it all wrapped up, the epilogue was great and made me a little teary-eyed. This was the second M/M book I’ve read from Melissa Collins, the first being Repaired, but I definitely need to go back and check out her others because I think she has a real knack for this sub-genre! If you’re looking for a great second chance love story with plenty of heart and loads of heat, then definitely check this out!
“I need you,” Jude muttered into my neck, gripping my hair to expose my skin to his lips. “All my life I’ve needed you. And here you are.”
I had to go after Jude once and for all. I had to take back everything that was mine all those years ago.
As lonely teenagers, new kid, Micah Hudson, and perpetually bullied, Jude MacMillian, formed a fast friendship. The more time they spent together, the deeper their bond became until what started as friendship gradually became more. In the shadows, they became each other’s everything, but in their close-minded Southern town, they stood to lose a lot if their secret was ever revealed. External pressures and misunderstandings ultimately drove these two apart and set their lives on very different paths. Ten years later and Micah is close to giving up, he’s so tired of living a lie and longs for the only person who knows who he truly is. In a last ditch effort to salvage the wreckage of his life, he sets off to find closure with the only man he’s ever loved. To say that Jude is shocked when Micah returns to town would be an understatement and even though this Micah at his door is wildly different than the man he once knew, there’s no denying the chemistry and connection that still exists. As these two men start to bond again, will they be able to make a relationship work now? Or will old prejudices and new secrets only drive them apart again?
“Nothing made sense before. It was all gray. Existing. Going to work, coming home to a damn empty house. And then one day you show up, and everything is color again. I didn’t realize how much I was drowning until you came back.”
I love a good second chance love story and recently I’ve really been enjoying M/M romances, Unsteady combines these two things and the result is a really sweet story that’ll pull at your heart strings and have you rooting for Jude and Micah to overcome the obstacles in front of them so they can find their HEA! I haven’t read On Solid Ground yet (it’s on my TBR, though!) so I wasn’t familiar with Micah, but my heart went out to him right away when I learned all he was going through. When things went bad between him and Jude years ago, he found himself in an impossible situation and did the only thing he knew to do in order to make it right. The decision turned out to have some pretty massive consequences that would forever alter him and I was sad for him that he was trapped living this lie for so long. While I didn’t totally agree with the way he up and left things in his former life, it was great seeing him finally trying to figure out how he could be himself. He wasn’t doing anyone any favors living how he’d been living. I loved seeing him reconnect with Jude and seeing how far Jude had come since they were teens. The flashbacks were well done and really helped paint the picture of what they meant to each other back then, which only made you want to see them make it work now even more. Their path forward is definitely a bumpy one, Micah has some serious issues that he’s dealing with and one whopper of a secret that could change everything. I gotta say, I really enjoyed this “complication” of Micah’s past, it was unexpected and will really make your heart ache and also keep you a little on edge waiting for the bomb to drop!
He was the beauty my life had been missing as I’d swam through a colorless ocean, heading to the bottom, fast.
I really enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Jude and Micah was super-hot and watching them find their way back to one another will give you all the feels! I loved how it all wrapped up, the epilogue was great and made me a little teary-eyed. This was the second M/M book I’ve read from Melissa Collins, the first being Repaired, but I definitely need to go back and check out her others because I think she has a real knack for this sub-genre! If you’re looking for a great second chance love story with plenty of heart and loads of heat, then definitely check this out!
“I need you,” Jude muttered into my neck, gripping my hair to expose my skin to his lips. “All my life I’ve needed you. And here you are.”
April 25, 2017
***4.5 Stars
Unsteady is the third book in the amazing On Solid Ground series. It can be read as a complete standalone. If you read the second book then you might remember Micah. If you didn't meet him there then it's totally fine. It was a slight introduction into his life but now this is the full story...
Micah had to run. He had to get away from the life he was living. He knew it would be better this way. He wasn't sure where he was going but once he made up his mind. He knew he was going back to the place he thought he would never see again. His hometown in Texas. To the boy he left behind that was now a man. A man he has only shared a few lines of words over the last ten years. He wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do. Just call out of the blue and show up on his doorstep with his dog, Sarge by his side. Always by his side since the day he met him. He helped with his anxiety. The anxiety of war. Losing his arm. Living a life he didn't want to live. It was all too much but maybe once he saw Jude again, he would have more answers.
Jude was nervous to see Micah again. They only knew each other for a year but it was a fast friendship that turned into more. Then it was over in a flash. It was a year he would never forget with a boy he couldn't forget. It was love. He was sure of it. After he left, things were never the same. It was now ten years later. He didn't know why Micah called him but he was just glad he did. He didn't know why he was here but he knew to give him time to explain. He could sense that it was something big but he didn't want to scare off the only man he ever cared about.
Micah and Jude live in their bubble but what was going to happen when it pops? Micah can't hide forever. And Jude can't let him. His walls have to fall sometime. His secrets will surface. Will Jude be able to handle the reason for his sudden visit?
Damn...Melissa knows how to write a story! This series is not an easy one either. It has love, heat, and sweetness but it also delves into PTSD, depression, and war. Unsteady has all that and more. Micah has life-changing decisions to make. Jude also has some to make. With they be made together for apart? Will their love be enough?
Overall...the book is a wonderful addition to the series! I liked Micah in On Higher Ground. I am so glad Melissa told his story. The writing is awesome. The characters are lovable, sexy, and strong. It's a emotional and hot read with serious situations. Not going lie...I was pissed at Micah at times but I knew he was pissed at himself as well.
Quotes:
“It’s Friday night. You can’t just sit at home. What are you going to do, sip wine and watch Lifetime? Wait for your periods to sync up?”
He was a predator and I was his prey, and I didn’t care about being eaten alive.
“Not even a fucking war, all the way on the other side of the world could ever erase those words from my memory.”
Unsteady is the third book in the amazing On Solid Ground series. It can be read as a complete standalone. If you read the second book then you might remember Micah. If you didn't meet him there then it's totally fine. It was a slight introduction into his life but now this is the full story...
Micah had to run. He had to get away from the life he was living. He knew it would be better this way. He wasn't sure where he was going but once he made up his mind. He knew he was going back to the place he thought he would never see again. His hometown in Texas. To the boy he left behind that was now a man. A man he has only shared a few lines of words over the last ten years. He wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do. Just call out of the blue and show up on his doorstep with his dog, Sarge by his side. Always by his side since the day he met him. He helped with his anxiety. The anxiety of war. Losing his arm. Living a life he didn't want to live. It was all too much but maybe once he saw Jude again, he would have more answers.
Jude was nervous to see Micah again. They only knew each other for a year but it was a fast friendship that turned into more. Then it was over in a flash. It was a year he would never forget with a boy he couldn't forget. It was love. He was sure of it. After he left, things were never the same. It was now ten years later. He didn't know why Micah called him but he was just glad he did. He didn't know why he was here but he knew to give him time to explain. He could sense that it was something big but he didn't want to scare off the only man he ever cared about.
Micah and Jude live in their bubble but what was going to happen when it pops? Micah can't hide forever. And Jude can't let him. His walls have to fall sometime. His secrets will surface. Will Jude be able to handle the reason for his sudden visit?
Damn...Melissa knows how to write a story! This series is not an easy one either. It has love, heat, and sweetness but it also delves into PTSD, depression, and war. Unsteady has all that and more. Micah has life-changing decisions to make. Jude also has some to make. With they be made together for apart? Will their love be enough?
Overall...the book is a wonderful addition to the series! I liked Micah in On Higher Ground. I am so glad Melissa told his story. The writing is awesome. The characters are lovable, sexy, and strong. It's a emotional and hot read with serious situations. Not going lie...I was pissed at Micah at times but I knew he was pissed at himself as well.
Quotes:
“It’s Friday night. You can’t just sit at home. What are you going to do, sip wine and watch Lifetime? Wait for your periods to sync up?”
He was a predator and I was his prey, and I didn’t care about being eaten alive.
“Not even a fucking war, all the way on the other side of the world could ever erase those words from my memory.”
April 26, 2017
4.5 stars for book three in the On Solid Ground series. I really enjoyed this book!
This book is Micah and Jude's story. These two were childhood friends that lead to childhood sweethearts. After a misunderstanding and some bitter words they have a ten year separation. Jude stays in the small Texas town where they met, he's working as a teacher and taking care of his alcoholic father. Following his abrupt departure from Texas Micah had a short go at college then when his college girlfriend got pregnant enlisted in the army.
"I didn’t realize how much I was drowning until you came back.”
This book is Micah and Jude's story. These two were childhood friends that lead to childhood sweethearts. After a misunderstanding and some bitter words they have a ten year separation. Jude stays in the small Texas town where they met, he's working as a teacher and taking care of his alcoholic father. Following his abrupt departure from Texas Micah had a short go at college then when his college girlfriend got pregnant enlisted in the army.
"I didn’t realize how much I was drowning until you came back.”
Micah is now out of the army and with a prosthetic arm, a service dog and severe mental health problems he runs away to Texas to find Jude and the only happiness he's ever known. This story is really sweet and at times heart breaking. They are so good together and supportive of each other's baggage. I felt disappointed in Micah when he didn't tell Jude about his wife and son and I must admit I was getting more and more annoyed at Micah for just leaving his young son and not calling him at all!
“I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. You make me a better person, simply by being you."
Secondary characters in this book were great. I loved Jude's Dad and his decision to get himself the help he needed was admirable. I thought all things considered Micah's wife Delilah was very understanding and I loved the ending.
“You make me feel whole again. I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it."
This has been such a good series and I hope there's more to come!
Reviewed by Lulu from Alpha Book Club 
April 28, 2017
4.5 stars!
Getting into this book, I wan't expecting much because I hadn't read the first two books in the series but I was surprised when the prologue it self hooked me in. Not many books have the ability to do that, make you cry or just feel before the story even starts.
Jude and Micah. One was bullied and the other was the new kid. An unlikely bond formed between them when they were in high school. Until something tragic tore them apart. Ten years later, they meet again and holy hell! Their chemistry is hotter than ever and connection is even stronger.
There are so many secrets and twists that you don't see coming that will surprise you! I've read books by Melissa before and if possible, I loved this so much more than the others.
I would have liked to see the story flow more between the past and present. I felt it was a bit choppy at times and that did take a bit away from enjoying the story. Aside from that I loved how the story wasn't just focused on the sex side. It was focused on the couple aspect, growing, learning to live again and being happy.
I can't wait to see what Melissa brings us in the future in terms of more M/M books!
An arc was provided in exchange for an honest review!
Walking up in the morning isn't much of a choice. It just happens. Air fills your lungs and your feet move, even if you don't really want them to.
Getting into this book, I wan't expecting much because I hadn't read the first two books in the series but I was surprised when the prologue it self hooked me in. Not many books have the ability to do that, make you cry or just feel before the story even starts.
Jude and Micah. One was bullied and the other was the new kid. An unlikely bond formed between them when they were in high school. Until something tragic tore them apart. Ten years later, they meet again and holy hell! Their chemistry is hotter than ever and connection is even stronger.
For now, the possibility of a better tomorrow was a hell of a lot better than focusing on the grim days of our past.
There are so many secrets and twists that you don't see coming that will surprise you! I've read books by Melissa before and if possible, I loved this so much more than the others.
I would have liked to see the story flow more between the past and present. I felt it was a bit choppy at times and that did take a bit away from enjoying the story. Aside from that I loved how the story wasn't just focused on the sex side. It was focused on the couple aspect, growing, learning to live again and being happy.
I can't wait to see what Melissa brings us in the future in terms of more M/M books!
An arc was provided in exchange for an honest review!
April 30, 2017
3.5-4 Stars.
I was late to the game reading on Higher Ground and originally meeting Micah, so I didn't have to waist as long to get his story but I knew there had to be one helluva back story to this invasive character we met briefly.
I am still kinda uncertain on how I feel once I finished this book, it took me on a roller coaster of emotions that's for sure, but there is a few issues I found that is stopping me from loving it that way I felt like I should.
For one, I am not a big fan of miscommunication or in these guys sake, just not talking communicating about what really matters in general, so much wasted time for them both just because they didn't actually talk about stuff.
The second, was the issue of Micah's wife and son - I am not one for putting spoilers in reviews so I won't go in to too much detail over this but I found this whole situation made me dislike Micah and his relationship with Jude regardless of what was going on with his home life.
The third, I feel like the last 20% to 25% was rushed and had many loose ends. Like how Deliah's parents are so unwelcoming when he first arrives at the hospital but we don't get to see no real understanding formed between them all before the end of the book, also I don't get how Deliah was so anti-gay to all of sudden being all hunky dory. I may of missed something, but I think I would of liked seeing a meeting between Micah, Jude and Deliah and some sort of agreement being met, considering she was one of the main sources of angst for Micah.
Also would of liked to see Dax and Micah seeing eachother again, didn't have to be a full on conversation, just a nod across a park, just to give Dax that piece of mind after Micah ran off from him...
I loved the happily ever after, and loved Melissa's writing as per, I just wasn't really feeling this one.
I was late to the game reading on Higher Ground and originally meeting Micah, so I didn't have to waist as long to get his story but I knew there had to be one helluva back story to this invasive character we met briefly.
I am still kinda uncertain on how I feel once I finished this book, it took me on a roller coaster of emotions that's for sure, but there is a few issues I found that is stopping me from loving it that way I felt like I should.
For one, I am not a big fan of miscommunication or in these guys sake, just not talking communicating about what really matters in general, so much wasted time for them both just because they didn't actually talk about stuff.
The second, was the issue of Micah's wife and son - I am not one for putting spoilers in reviews so I won't go in to too much detail over this but I found this whole situation made me dislike Micah and his relationship with Jude regardless of what was going on with his home life.
The third, I feel like the last 20% to 25% was rushed and had many loose ends. Like how Deliah's parents are so unwelcoming when he first arrives at the hospital but we don't get to see no real understanding formed between them all before the end of the book, also I don't get how Deliah was so anti-gay to all of sudden being all hunky dory. I may of missed something, but I think I would of liked seeing a meeting between Micah, Jude and Deliah and some sort of agreement being met, considering she was one of the main sources of angst for Micah.
Also would of liked to see Dax and Micah seeing eachother again, didn't have to be a full on conversation, just a nod across a park, just to give Dax that piece of mind after Micah ran off from him...
I loved the happily ever after, and loved Melissa's writing as per, I just wasn't really feeling this one.
April 24, 2017
5 out of 5 stars
Micah and Jude….two damaged souls bound together in high school and lost for ten years to reconnect somewhat more damaged. Melissa does M/m romances so, so good! I can’t believe how deep I get lost in her books.
This story is no different! Micah stole a little piece of my heart in On Higher Ground, but then I was sort of mad at him while reading this story….not a lot mad, just a little and he more than redeemed himself in the end. Jude was so great as a high school football coach who takes care of his dad and allowing Micah back into his life without question.
In two words, this is simply a wonderful story!!! I love how the characters fought their inner demons and connected on such a deep level. I like how Micah redeemed himself and Jude didn’t quit fighting for what he really wanted. This story just left me breathless and I can’t wait for more from this author!!!
*** I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Micah and Jude….two damaged souls bound together in high school and lost for ten years to reconnect somewhat more damaged. Melissa does M/m romances so, so good! I can’t believe how deep I get lost in her books.
This story is no different! Micah stole a little piece of my heart in On Higher Ground, but then I was sort of mad at him while reading this story….not a lot mad, just a little and he more than redeemed himself in the end. Jude was so great as a high school football coach who takes care of his dad and allowing Micah back into his life without question.
In two words, this is simply a wonderful story!!! I love how the characters fought their inner demons and connected on such a deep level. I like how Micah redeemed himself and Jude didn’t quit fighting for what he really wanted. This story just left me breathless and I can’t wait for more from this author!!!
*** I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
April 27, 2017
Let me just say Melissa Collins you may have made us wait to know Micah's story but my goodness was it worth it!! What an absolutely beautiful second chance to true happiness. The reality of both ptsd and the oftentimes crippling effects of severe anxiety were spot on for me. Micah and Jude both struggled to find a place of steady, but it wasn't until they reconnected that they both found what was missing. There's absolutely nothing I didn't love about this book, from cover to epilogue I had so many emotions. Micah and Jude made my heart so happy! So if you loved On Solid Ground and On Higher Ground, buckle in because this next in the series hits every note!
April 23, 2017
Jude hands down stole my heart in this book. For some reason I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. He was sexy, lost but confident, helpful and drained, also thoughtful and loving. Yeah I know that seems like it was a lot but if you read his story you would definitely relate. He had enough love to show for him and Micah combined.
Jude for the win!!!!!
Jude for the win!!!!!
April 28, 2017
AHHHHHH ALL THE FEELS!!! That prologue alone? Killer. Amazing.
This is a MUST READ book, I seriously could not stop reading and I just adored Micah and Jude, right from the first page. Their story flips between chapters set in the present and ones set in the past when they first met in high school. The chapters also flip between a 1st person POV for both Micah and Jude, and there are even flashbacks during the present-set chapters. All of these things together could have been a train wreck and confusing, but Melissa Collins is a superb author and it just flowed so seamlessly for me.
We met Micah in the previous book in the series, although this one could very easily stand on its own. Micah is suffering from depression, PTSD, an injury from his time at war, and he is just lost. He heads back to the only person he can think of, his old high school love and the one thing that he still yearns for. Although things between Micah and Jude start off well living together in their own bubble of sorts, Micah has secrets - MAJOR ones - that come out at a bad time, and threaten their rekindled relationship.
There are so many things in this story I loved, from Jude regaining a positive relationship with his dad, their talk together outside, the insanely hot chemistry between Micah and Jude, the flashbacks of them fumbling together and in love in high school, and all the feels. It truly is Micah and Jude against the world and their journey was incredibly emotional. Also? Adored Sarge, Micah's service dog!
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I don't want to give anything major away, but these guys get an AWESOME epic HEA, and now I totally want just a fluffy future short story with them with NOTHING but fluff! Well worth the wait for this one, and I can't wait to see what this author thinks up next.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a MUST READ book, I seriously could not stop reading and I just adored Micah and Jude, right from the first page. Their story flips between chapters set in the present and ones set in the past when they first met in high school. The chapters also flip between a 1st person POV for both Micah and Jude, and there are even flashbacks during the present-set chapters. All of these things together could have been a train wreck and confusing, but Melissa Collins is a superb author and it just flowed so seamlessly for me.
We met Micah in the previous book in the series, although this one could very easily stand on its own. Micah is suffering from depression, PTSD, an injury from his time at war, and he is just lost. He heads back to the only person he can think of, his old high school love and the one thing that he still yearns for. Although things between Micah and Jude start off well living together in their own bubble of sorts, Micah has secrets - MAJOR ones - that come out at a bad time, and threaten their rekindled relationship.
There are so many things in this story I loved, from Jude regaining a positive relationship with his dad, their talk together outside, the insanely hot chemistry between Micah and Jude, the flashbacks of them fumbling together and in love in high school, and all the feels. It truly is Micah and Jude against the world and their journey was incredibly emotional. Also? Adored Sarge, Micah's service dog!
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I don't want to give anything major away, but these guys get an AWESOME epic HEA, and now I totally want just a fluffy future short story with them with NOTHING but fluff! Well worth the wait for this one, and I can't wait to see what this author thinks up next.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2017
This book was filled with unnecessary miscommunication. It was juvenile and easily avoidable had Jude and Micah talked/listened to one another.
Micah is no better than that t.v. dad that goes to the gas station for a carton of smokes and a six pack and never returns. He was a and an all around selfish douche-bag asshole. I depised him and wanted nothing more than for him to end up alone. He manipulated those around him just because he could. He was cruel.
Having PTSD doesn't give you a green light to treat those you supposedly love like they're insignificant. His serious diagnosis was nothing but an excuse because apart from the sand at the beach and what allegedly happened during a fireworks display (that didn't happen on-page) nothing throughout the entire book triggered him, Micah being a dick was all him. He was constantly passing judgement on Jude and even his dad for their life-choices. Hypocrite much?
Jude deserved so much better than Micah. First loves are a weakness for many people but I honestly felt like Jude loved Micah more than Micah loved him. I walked away from this book heavy-hearted, wanting more for Jude.
Micah is no better than that t.v. dad that goes to the gas station for a carton of smokes and a six pack and never returns. He was a and an all around selfish douche-bag asshole. I depised him and wanted nothing more than for him to end up alone. He manipulated those around him just because he could. He was cruel.
Having PTSD doesn't give you a green light to treat those you supposedly love like they're insignificant. His serious diagnosis was nothing but an excuse because apart from the sand at the beach and what allegedly happened during a fireworks display (that didn't happen on-page) nothing throughout the entire book triggered him, Micah being a dick was all him. He was constantly passing judgement on Jude and even his dad for their life-choices. Hypocrite much?
Jude deserved so much better than Micah. First loves are a weakness for many people but I honestly felt like Jude loved Micah more than Micah loved him. I walked away from this book heavy-hearted, wanting more for Jude.
April 30, 2017
OMG.This story will grab your attention from the prologue. Micah is in so much pain and doesn't know what to do. He is hurting and doesn't want to bring is family down so he runs away and not sure what to do or where to go. Micah starts driving and finds himself back in Texas where his family final settled down when he was younger. He calls his old high school friend Jude. He needs to see Jude to find out what really happened when they were younger and a fight torn them apart.
Jude was Micah's secret crush in high school. Micah was Jude's secret crush as well.
Jude was picked bullied a lot in school.
Micah was always the new kid, his father was in the military and they moved around all the time. When Micah saw Jude in trouble he jumped in to help and they became best friends. Jude put on weight after his mother pasted away and didn't know how to cope with the loss. Micah helped Jude lose the weight and in the process they became very close. Jude finally admitted to Micah that he was gay and then Micah admitted to Jude that he was too and that he had feelings for him. They start a relationship that was so cute and became each others first love until something tore them apart.
Micah ran away and joined the army with a broken heart. He got married and had a son but was never happy with his live. He was always holding a secret. He loves his son but feels he is no good for him. Micah also lost his arm and finds he is drowning in depression. He doesn't know what to do and is close to taking his own life. He knows he needs to go see Jude and find out what happened to them all those years ago.
Now Jude's life has not been easy since Micah left. He has to take care of his drunken father and has really never had a relationship since Micah left. He has had hook ups but no one has stayed. Jude is also in the closet so no one knows that he is gay, Jude is tired of hiding so when Micah calls him , he cant wait to see him and set things straight.
This story has everything..romance, angst and some really hot love scenes.
When Micah finally comes clean with Jude, Jude can't handle the lie at first. Micah goes back home to get on with his life and make things right with his son. He finds out something and decides to move ahead even though Jude wont be in it. He misses him but doesn't want to call him and try to explain. Jude makes the first move and they reunite. I really loved this story and hope Melissa write more in this genre. The HEA she gives there 2 is amazing....
*ARC provided by Melissa Collins in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
Jude was Micah's secret crush in high school. Micah was Jude's secret crush as well.
Jude was picked bullied a lot in school.
Micah was always the new kid, his father was in the military and they moved around all the time. When Micah saw Jude in trouble he jumped in to help and they became best friends. Jude put on weight after his mother pasted away and didn't know how to cope with the loss. Micah helped Jude lose the weight and in the process they became very close. Jude finally admitted to Micah that he was gay and then Micah admitted to Jude that he was too and that he had feelings for him. They start a relationship that was so cute and became each others first love until something tore them apart.
Micah ran away and joined the army with a broken heart. He got married and had a son but was never happy with his live. He was always holding a secret. He loves his son but feels he is no good for him. Micah also lost his arm and finds he is drowning in depression. He doesn't know what to do and is close to taking his own life. He knows he needs to go see Jude and find out what happened to them all those years ago.
Now Jude's life has not been easy since Micah left. He has to take care of his drunken father and has really never had a relationship since Micah left. He has had hook ups but no one has stayed. Jude is also in the closet so no one knows that he is gay, Jude is tired of hiding so when Micah calls him , he cant wait to see him and set things straight.
This story has everything..romance, angst and some really hot love scenes.
When Micah finally comes clean with Jude, Jude can't handle the lie at first. Micah goes back home to get on with his life and make things right with his son. He finds out something and decides to move ahead even though Jude wont be in it. He misses him but doesn't want to call him and try to explain. Jude makes the first move and they reunite. I really loved this story and hope Melissa write more in this genre. The HEA she gives there 2 is amazing....
*ARC provided by Melissa Collins in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
April 23, 2017
WOW – When the Prologue has you in tears, slightly sobbing, you know you are about to read a book that is going to tear you apart but you’re not sure if you are going to be put back together. Unsteady lived up to its name especially after such a passionate and powerful prologue.
Micah was introduced in On Higher Ground (Dax & Bec). There was something very intriguing and mysterious about him. I squealed when I heard he was getting a story.
Unsteady is somewhat of a 2 part story as Jude and Micah were best friends back in high school. In a previous book of hers (Let Love Live) part one was the past while part two was the present. With Unsteady it is mixed together and I have never seen an author do this with such effortlessness as Collins does. You will never feel lost or feel like it is not part of the story. There are not many “flashbacks” and each one is valid and added at the precise spot it should be. It gives it an endearing quality to see what happened to separate 2 people who were so in love with each.
Micah has secrets….TONS of secrets but he is also feeling dejected so he finds solace with the only person he has ever loved…..Jude. Collins writing is off the charts remarkable and the story flows with simplicity. It’s hard to find a writer than creates such a broken character and does it with dignity and pride.
I fell in love with Collins writing back in 2014. Even though I know her stories will leave me needing tissues and lots of wine I will always read what she writes. Her love of writing shows in the stories she shares with us and they will hit you in the heart and take up residence there – For that alone I adore her.
If you are looking for a well-developed story with 2 broken souls, some sexy romance and a bit of unsteady issues (<- - - see what I did there…lol) – Than this read is for you. If you don’t like to cry or get sentimental while reading than pretend I didn’t state that (I tend to get emotionally over some topics) and give it a try.
A HUGE thank you to Melissa Collins for writing a heartfelt and beautiful story of 2 misplaced souls finding each other again. I am now naming you the QUEEN of prologues – No one has ever made me shed a tear with in the first 3 pages. Kudos to you on such an astounding book.
PS: That is one drool-worthy cover and it represents Micah and Jude to a T
5 STARS – Reviewed for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
Micah was introduced in On Higher Ground (Dax & Bec). There was something very intriguing and mysterious about him. I squealed when I heard he was getting a story.
Unsteady is somewhat of a 2 part story as Jude and Micah were best friends back in high school. In a previous book of hers (Let Love Live) part one was the past while part two was the present. With Unsteady it is mixed together and I have never seen an author do this with such effortlessness as Collins does. You will never feel lost or feel like it is not part of the story. There are not many “flashbacks” and each one is valid and added at the precise spot it should be. It gives it an endearing quality to see what happened to separate 2 people who were so in love with each.
Micah has secrets….TONS of secrets but he is also feeling dejected so he finds solace with the only person he has ever loved…..Jude. Collins writing is off the charts remarkable and the story flows with simplicity. It’s hard to find a writer than creates such a broken character and does it with dignity and pride.
I fell in love with Collins writing back in 2014. Even though I know her stories will leave me needing tissues and lots of wine I will always read what she writes. Her love of writing shows in the stories she shares with us and they will hit you in the heart and take up residence there – For that alone I adore her.
If you are looking for a well-developed story with 2 broken souls, some sexy romance and a bit of unsteady issues (<- - - see what I did there…lol) – Than this read is for you. If you don’t like to cry or get sentimental while reading than pretend I didn’t state that (I tend to get emotionally over some topics) and give it a try.
A HUGE thank you to Melissa Collins for writing a heartfelt and beautiful story of 2 misplaced souls finding each other again. I am now naming you the QUEEN of prologues – No one has ever made me shed a tear with in the first 3 pages. Kudos to you on such an astounding book.
PS: That is one drool-worthy cover and it represents Micah and Jude to a T
5 STARS – Reviewed for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
August 19, 2017
Unsteady is the third volume in the
On Solid Ground
series, but it's not about the same couple therefore it can be read as a standalone. This sequel follows Micah's journey, who was introduced in
On Higher Ground
to us. He's an ex-soldier with a troubled past and a struggling present so of course, he captured my attention right away despite he dared to kiss Dax who was with Beck already at that time.
So I was glad to finally be able to find out how Micah’s life works out, besides the premise of this novel sounded great. It's not just a second chance M/M romance but also best friends turned lovers story too which is one of my favorite tropes. I’m ready to admit this piece of beauty was like catnip to me and I was over the moon excited to lay my hands on it. However, my feelings are a little more complicated now after reading.
On the one hand, the hidden depth of this powerful story gripped me plus I was satisfied by the writing. Moreover, I was pleased with the more haunted and darker tone as well as I liked how the book switches back and forth from the past to present and allows us to understand the heroes much better. Truth be told it was a raw and beautiful tale. It has shown nicely how painful can be trying to overcome tonnes of secrets and fighting for true love.
But on the other hand, I felt the pace of the plot a bit slow. It got on my nerve how long took for Micah to tell Jude the true also I think miscommunication or rather lack of communication brought unnecessary angst while there was way enough dramatic twist without that. Furthermore, everything was wrapped up pretty fast for my taste despite the weight of their secrets and life-changing decisions to make.
All in all Unsteady was enjoyable and entertaining. It told a passionate and intense love story which is worth to read though be prepared for a tumultuous ride.
My favorite quote:
➤ Galveston (Texas)
Songs mentioned in this book:
♪ Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
♪ Everclear - Father Of Mine
✚ My review in Hungarian.
So I was glad to finally be able to find out how Micah’s life works out, besides the premise of this novel sounded great. It's not just a second chance M/M romance but also best friends turned lovers story too which is one of my favorite tropes. I’m ready to admit this piece of beauty was like catnip to me and I was over the moon excited to lay my hands on it. However, my feelings are a little more complicated now after reading.
On the one hand, the hidden depth of this powerful story gripped me plus I was satisfied by the writing. Moreover, I was pleased with the more haunted and darker tone as well as I liked how the book switches back and forth from the past to present and allows us to understand the heroes much better. Truth be told it was a raw and beautiful tale. It has shown nicely how painful can be trying to overcome tonnes of secrets and fighting for true love.
But on the other hand, I felt the pace of the plot a bit slow. It got on my nerve how long took for Micah to tell Jude the true also I think miscommunication or rather lack of communication brought unnecessary angst while there was way enough dramatic twist without that. Furthermore, everything was wrapped up pretty fast for my taste despite the weight of their secrets and life-changing decisions to make.
All in all Unsteady was enjoyable and entertaining. It told a passionate and intense love story which is worth to read though be prepared for a tumultuous ride.
My favorite quote:
“Despite the unsteady times, when uncertainty haunted our dreams, we would be there for each other, weathering the most chaotic of storms.”
#contemporary #dual-pov #M/M #military #too-much-drama❤ Micah Hudson & Jude MacMillian
➤ Galveston (Texas)
Songs mentioned in this book:
♪ Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
♪ Everclear - Father Of Mine
✚ My review in Hungarian.
April 27, 2017
Micah and Jude become friend after Micah comes to Jude's rescue after being bullied by the quarterback of the football team, a boy who use to be his friend.
Micah is new to new to town and see's a kindred spirit in Jude and decides to help him gain some confidence and lose some weight. The two become close over the summer and both start to develop feeling for the other, without them knowing. But when the truth comes out, both are surprised and dive straight into a relationship... be it hidden from those around them.
Jude and Micah decide after graduation to take their relationship further. Micah goes against his father's wishes of joining the Army and stay in Galveston with Jude. But things don't always pan out the way they are meant to be.
When Jude is confronted with what he thinks is him and Micah being outed he tells Micah to stay and way and never contact him again.
Now 10 years later, Micah finds himself on the doorstep to Jude's house. He just needs to see his old friend to see if he can make any sense of this life that he just has lost the will to live. Micah is a changed man from the boy who left the island all those years ago. And he has a BIG secret.
As the two men reconnect, old flames start anew. But will Jude be able to see past the last 10 years and see the love that these two have never faded?
This book is full of emotions and spans over their teen years and then 10 years later. Both men has their own burdens to bring to the relationship but you can feel the connection and the love between the two of them. Both blame things that they each did to their 10 year separation and letting go of the past is a hard thing to do. Another great read from Melissa.
Micah is new to new to town and see's a kindred spirit in Jude and decides to help him gain some confidence and lose some weight. The two become close over the summer and both start to develop feeling for the other, without them knowing. But when the truth comes out, both are surprised and dive straight into a relationship... be it hidden from those around them.
Jude and Micah decide after graduation to take their relationship further. Micah goes against his father's wishes of joining the Army and stay in Galveston with Jude. But things don't always pan out the way they are meant to be.
When Jude is confronted with what he thinks is him and Micah being outed he tells Micah to stay and way and never contact him again.
Now 10 years later, Micah finds himself on the doorstep to Jude's house. He just needs to see his old friend to see if he can make any sense of this life that he just has lost the will to live. Micah is a changed man from the boy who left the island all those years ago. And he has a BIG secret.
As the two men reconnect, old flames start anew. But will Jude be able to see past the last 10 years and see the love that these two have never faded?
This book is full of emotions and spans over their teen years and then 10 years later. Both men has their own burdens to bring to the relationship but you can feel the connection and the love between the two of them. Both blame things that they each did to their 10 year separation and letting go of the past is a hard thing to do. Another great read from Melissa.
April 21, 2017
3.5 stars -I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Angst. Steamy, weepy, heartbreaking angst. The world is against Jude and Micah from the moment Micah meets Jude in a high school locker room. They only manage to share a few fumbling, tender moments before fate intervenes and separates them for more than a decade. This is the story of their reunion but a series of disjointed flashbacks allows readers to understand their journeys back to each other.
As an adult, Micah is a war vet, an amputee and somehow he has also become a husband and a father. His responsibilities are overwhelming and as much as he just wants to escape everything to be with Jude, he can’t leave his son behind. Jude is still tied to his past. He still lives in the same town and he still cares for his alcoholic father. Life in the closet is lonely, but he fears losing his job if he comes out.
There are so many barriers between Micah and Jude and only readers who thrive on angst will really appreciate the full-on emotional drama in this book. Both men are constantly remembering and reflecting. Neither man shares secrets, emotions or thoughts easily so there is a whole world of miscommunication brewing between these two. Personally, the melodrama was a little OTT - even before the gunfight, the car crash and the lawsuit.
I struggle with heteronormative white-picket-fence plotlines in gay romance. Here, the sweet domesticity at the end of this story feels slightly emasculating and it changes the tone of the whole book - it didn’t quite work for me. I also felt that too much was concluded too quickly at the end of this story. Jude and Micah go from hopeless to HEA in a few pages with an epilogue offering a quick summary of the HEA. I needed a little bit more to fully believe in their life together.
Angst. Steamy, weepy, heartbreaking angst. The world is against Jude and Micah from the moment Micah meets Jude in a high school locker room. They only manage to share a few fumbling, tender moments before fate intervenes and separates them for more than a decade. This is the story of their reunion but a series of disjointed flashbacks allows readers to understand their journeys back to each other.
As an adult, Micah is a war vet, an amputee and somehow he has also become a husband and a father. His responsibilities are overwhelming and as much as he just wants to escape everything to be with Jude, he can’t leave his son behind. Jude is still tied to his past. He still lives in the same town and he still cares for his alcoholic father. Life in the closet is lonely, but he fears losing his job if he comes out.
There are so many barriers between Micah and Jude and only readers who thrive on angst will really appreciate the full-on emotional drama in this book. Both men are constantly remembering and reflecting. Neither man shares secrets, emotions or thoughts easily so there is a whole world of miscommunication brewing between these two. Personally, the melodrama was a little OTT - even before the gunfight, the car crash and the lawsuit.
I struggle with heteronormative white-picket-fence plotlines in gay romance. Here, the sweet domesticity at the end of this story feels slightly emasculating and it changes the tone of the whole book - it didn’t quite work for me. I also felt that too much was concluded too quickly at the end of this story. Jude and Micah go from hopeless to HEA in a few pages with an epilogue offering a quick summary of the HEA. I needed a little bit more to fully believe in their life together.
April 25, 2017
4.5
I’m a big fan of Melissa. I know when I read one of her books I'm going to be sucked into an emotional story. The writing is fantastic and I love these characters! Unsteady the third book in the On Solid Ground series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is darker and sadder than some of her other books. We met Micah in On Higher Ground. Micah's life is a mess. The weight of his secrets is taking a toll on his soul and he's ready to end it all. He never forgot his only friend and the one man who knew about him. Jude. So, when Micah runs from his life, he runs to Jude. It was a shock to hear from Micah, but the years have not erased his feelings for the man. He looks haunted and Jude just wants to make him happy again. He knows he has secrets, but he's not going to push him. He's going to enjoy having him back in his life. When Jude confesses his feelings is Micah going to run like he always does? Can they make it work this time around? I really enjoyed this story! Poor Micah needs so many hugs! Jude is sweet, sexy and dominating and together they are hot!
Passion weakened my knees, boiled my blood, blurred my vision.
I was falling.
Hard.
And there was nothing I wanted to do to stop it.
I’m a big fan of Melissa. I know when I read one of her books I'm going to be sucked into an emotional story. The writing is fantastic and I love these characters! Unsteady the third book in the On Solid Ground series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is darker and sadder than some of her other books. We met Micah in On Higher Ground. Micah's life is a mess. The weight of his secrets is taking a toll on his soul and he's ready to end it all. He never forgot his only friend and the one man who knew about him. Jude. So, when Micah runs from his life, he runs to Jude. It was a shock to hear from Micah, but the years have not erased his feelings for the man. He looks haunted and Jude just wants to make him happy again. He knows he has secrets, but he's not going to push him. He's going to enjoy having him back in his life. When Jude confesses his feelings is Micah going to run like he always does? Can they make it work this time around? I really enjoyed this story! Poor Micah needs so many hugs! Jude is sweet, sexy and dominating and together they are hot!
Passion weakened my knees, boiled my blood, blurred my vision.
I was falling.
Hard.
And there was nothing I wanted to do to stop it.
April 28, 2017
Melissa Collins does it again. I had a good feeling that Unsteady was going to be an amazing story but I didn't expect the level of writing that would surpassed my already high expectations. This is a 5 star heartfelt journey for Micah and Jude.
Micah as always known he was gay but more then 10 years ago he suffered rejection from the only person who knew and was in love with, Jude. Now 10 years later, with a ton load of baggage he goes back to Jude. Now he's full of secrets and suffers from PTSD. Jude has never forgotten his first love and never moved on from rejecting Micah. Now that Micah is back, can they right the wrongs they made?
This is simply a love story between people who gets a second chance to make it right after it was broken. This story was so intense and heartbreaking. It captured my heart and didn't let go until the end. The stigma that goes around that make people hide their love for each other. This story delivers a powerful message. Love is love as long as it's healthy. Beautifully written with an amazing storyline that flowed well.
What makes a story stand out, for me are the characters. These ones were perfectly created with flaws that made them more human. Which made me feel some very intense emotions. Bottom line is that this is a must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. Micah was first introduced in On Higher Ground, I believe if my memory serves me right. The readers can safely read this one without felling confused. I strongly recommend this story.
April 28, 2017
4.5 stars
Unsteady is Melissa Collins latest M/M standalone. It's a spin-off of On Solid Ground and On Higher Ground but reads perfectly by itself as Dax and Beck aren't mentioned much at all. With that being said, I kind of wish they were.
Unsteady is the story of Micah and Jude. They were best friends in high school, Micah helping Jude come out of his shell and into his own, and realized that they were also attracted to each other. After severe miscommunication and distrust, Micah left Texas and life as he knew it.
We're met with Micah on the verge of a complete downward spiral. His life is in shambles due to his severe PTSD and coming to terms with losing his arm in combat. He doesn't know how to make heads or tails of his life so he goes back to the place he's only ever called home, Texas and Jude.
Jude takes Micah in without question. His love never waned, but he knows Micah is keeping secrets. Jude is easy going and takes it day-by-day with Micah until the other shoe drops and it drops in a big way.
I love Melissa Collins M/M books. They're real and so very heartfelt. Melissa writes from the heart and you can just feel the emotion poured into the words and characters. With that being said, I enjoyed Unsteady immensely. Jude and Micah have a great story to tell. I kind of wish, as I said before, that Dax and Beck were in the picture even a little. Micah grows up a little and they befriend each other. Who knows, maybe they will and we just don't know it. I also would have liked maybe a confrontation between Micah and his parents? That's just me. Overall, Melissa's writing was once again stellar and Unsteady is a solid piece of reading material.
Unsteady is Melissa Collins latest M/M standalone. It's a spin-off of On Solid Ground and On Higher Ground but reads perfectly by itself as Dax and Beck aren't mentioned much at all. With that being said, I kind of wish they were.
Unsteady is the story of Micah and Jude. They were best friends in high school, Micah helping Jude come out of his shell and into his own, and realized that they were also attracted to each other. After severe miscommunication and distrust, Micah left Texas and life as he knew it.
We're met with Micah on the verge of a complete downward spiral. His life is in shambles due to his severe PTSD and coming to terms with losing his arm in combat. He doesn't know how to make heads or tails of his life so he goes back to the place he's only ever called home, Texas and Jude.
Jude takes Micah in without question. His love never waned, but he knows Micah is keeping secrets. Jude is easy going and takes it day-by-day with Micah until the other shoe drops and it drops in a big way.
I love Melissa Collins M/M books. They're real and so very heartfelt. Melissa writes from the heart and you can just feel the emotion poured into the words and characters. With that being said, I enjoyed Unsteady immensely. Jude and Micah have a great story to tell. I kind of wish, as I said before, that Dax and Beck were in the picture even a little. Micah grows up a little and they befriend each other. Who knows, maybe they will and we just don't know it. I also would have liked maybe a confrontation between Micah and his parents? That's just me. Overall, Melissa's writing was once again stellar and Unsteady is a solid piece of reading material.
April 27, 2017
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Unsteady is a second chance romance story and can be read as a standalone.
Micah and Jude met in high school. Jude put on weight between middle school and high school, the friends he thought he had turned on him. He became the butt of the joke until the new kid stuck up for him, became his friend and helped get him back in shape. Having a common bond over dad issue and working out, Jude never expected Micah to feel the same way about him.
Micah didn't plan on falling in love with his best friend but when it happened it was the best thing in his life until Jude's rejection of him. Micah's life turned upside down and he tried living a lie but couldn't do it. When Micah finally can't take it anymore he jumps in the car with his therapy dog and heads toward Texas the only place/person he didn't have to hide from.
Jude's shocked to see Micah after ten years. So much has changed but can things be like they were? Is there enough between them to get past the secrets of the past?
Unsteady is such a good read. I love the emotion that Ms. Collins puts into the characters. She writes some of the best m/m I've ever read.
Unsteady is a second chance romance story and can be read as a standalone.
Micah and Jude met in high school. Jude put on weight between middle school and high school, the friends he thought he had turned on him. He became the butt of the joke until the new kid stuck up for him, became his friend and helped get him back in shape. Having a common bond over dad issue and working out, Jude never expected Micah to feel the same way about him.
Micah didn't plan on falling in love with his best friend but when it happened it was the best thing in his life until Jude's rejection of him. Micah's life turned upside down and he tried living a lie but couldn't do it. When Micah finally can't take it anymore he jumps in the car with his therapy dog and heads toward Texas the only place/person he didn't have to hide from.
Jude's shocked to see Micah after ten years. So much has changed but can things be like they were? Is there enough between them to get past the secrets of the past?
Unsteady is such a good read. I love the emotion that Ms. Collins puts into the characters. She writes some of the best m/m I've ever read.
April 26, 2017
Soooo I'm going to try not to spoil anything so here it is.
I've read every book by this author. She has a way of sucking me in and never letting go. Her words are so beautiful, powerful and heart stopping. Micah and Jude's story was a hard on to read. Every heart string you have will be pulled. You are going to need tissues for this on. Every horrible thing these two had to go through was hard to read but Micah truly broke my heart. I was a blubbering mess from the beginning and the ending made my heart smile so big. Their story will stick with me for a long time an I wouldn't have it any other way.
" Life had certainly dealt us our ups and downs, but it was only when we were together we felt the most complete."
Thank you Melissa Collins for all that you do and please, please keeping writing amazing ,beautiful , emotional stories like this! Can't wait to see what comes next.
I've read every book by this author. She has a way of sucking me in and never letting go. Her words are so beautiful, powerful and heart stopping. Micah and Jude's story was a hard on to read. Every heart string you have will be pulled. You are going to need tissues for this on. Every horrible thing these two had to go through was hard to read but Micah truly broke my heart. I was a blubbering mess from the beginning and the ending made my heart smile so big. Their story will stick with me for a long time an I wouldn't have it any other way.
" Life had certainly dealt us our ups and downs, but it was only when we were together we felt the most complete."
Thank you Melissa Collins for all that you do and please, please keeping writing amazing ,beautiful , emotional stories like this! Can't wait to see what comes next.
April 27, 2017
Every so often I'm lucky enough to read a book that literally blows my mind where the words in the story just call to me and this book this story is at the top of a very short list.
The author has written a story that made me feel every emotion with Jude and Micah, I've never read such a beautiful emotional love story. Micah and Jude were close friends in school but as we read flashbacks we discover that they were so much more. You get a sense of their confusion when their feelings toward each other begin to change. I really feel the author has done a fantastic job conveying those feelings to the reader, at times the words feel like poetry, I cried at the beauty of them several times.
I don't want to give anything away about the story because it spans years and is told from both Jude and Micha's perspective which gives us a brilliant understanding of their story. This is a story of friendship, of pain, of love and acceptance and is one of my favourite reads this year.
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
The author has written a story that made me feel every emotion with Jude and Micah, I've never read such a beautiful emotional love story. Micah and Jude were close friends in school but as we read flashbacks we discover that they were so much more. You get a sense of their confusion when their feelings toward each other begin to change. I really feel the author has done a fantastic job conveying those feelings to the reader, at times the words feel like poetry, I cried at the beauty of them several times.
I don't want to give anything away about the story because it spans years and is told from both Jude and Micha's perspective which gives us a brilliant understanding of their story. This is a story of friendship, of pain, of love and acceptance and is one of my favourite reads this year.
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews