Head Above Water

Robbie & Sam #2

by Caitlin Ricci

Sequel to Weathering the Storm
Robbie & Book Two

Robbie’s life has improved since coming to Thornwood. Dan is safely behind bars where he can no longer hurt Robbie, his boyfriend, Sam, is loving and supportive, and he finds tranquility while riding his horse.

But Robbie still faces obstacles. Dan’s abuse haunts him, and the repercussions don’t end there. One brother’s pain and another’s rage threaten to rip Robbie’s family apart.

Sam cherishes his time riding with Robbie and the peace they find when they’re alone together. He’d do anything to preserve that happiness for Robbie, but the world and its problems are never far behind them—and they’ll need all their strength to deal with what might be their biggest challenge yet.

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2016

About the author

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiance and their dog. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Reviews

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Head Above Water (Robbie & Sam #2) by Caitlin Ricci
3.5 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Abuse, animal death
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

This is the second book in the Ricci series. While I was glad that this series has continued, this book had some definite ups and downs.

Daniel is still sour about his life, the direction it's headed and confused. Not only does he take it out on his youngest brother, but on Robbie, still, too. He is mean, unsympathetic and vindictive. It was a relief when he decided that he needed to leave.

Sam and Robbie are trying to navigate their relationship. It's new, but something that they both need and deserve. Even though there are some communication issues between the two, they seem to know when and how to push.

Sam knows that if he gives Robbie his full support, that even though Robbie is struggling right now, they will come through together. Robbie is it for Sam.

Robbie is struggling with what was revealed during the first book - his father's identity. Does he pursue a relationship with him? Will it help heal his broken heart?

This book reveals a lot more of the dynamic between brothers, Robbie and Sam's relationship and the relationship between the kids' guardian. The chemistry between the lovers was luke warm at best - but I think that this book was about more than their relationship. But, because this book was about more than their relationship, it seemed to have so much going on that there was a lot to digest in a short amount of time.

Overall, this was just OK for me.

[Mollien Fote Osterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Head Above Water
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Series: Robbie & Sam Book 2
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: November 17, 2016
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 168 pages
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Sequel to Weathering the Storm
Robbie & Sam: Book Two


Robbie’s life has improved since coming to Thornwood. Dan is safely behind bars where he can no longer hurt Robbie, his boyfriend, Sam, is loving and supportive, and he finds tranquility while riding his horse.


But Robbie still faces obstacles. Dan’s abuse haunts him, and the repercussions don’t end there. One brother’s pain and another’s rage threaten to rip Robbie’s family apart.


Sam cherishes his time riding with Robbie and the peace they find when they’re alone together. He’d do anything to preserve that happiness for Robbie, but the world and its problems are never far behind them—and they’ll need all their strength to deal with what might be their biggest challenge yet.

Review:
This is the second book of Robbie and Sam’s Story. After Robbie’s dad is sent to prison for the assault of Uncle Caleb and Robbie, things get a little better. Robbie is now however plagued with nightmares, and the relationship with Robbie’s brother Ben is getting worse by the day. Knowing that Dan wasn’t his biological father explains a lot to Robbie, but should he make contact with his real father? The chemistry between Robbie and Sam just keeps growing and getting better as they take their relationship to the next level. This book is easy to read, it is fast paced and pretty deep. The ending is good, but I don’t agree how it ended. Good character development throughout the series.


Categories
PLOT 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 4 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars


Review Copy of Head Above Water provided by the Dreamspinner Press I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club

[Steph ☀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

***3.88 stars***

If you want to read a feel good book, well except for a few parts, this book is for you! This story gave me so many warm fuzzies, and who doesn’t like warm fuzzies? I have to admit I had my doubts about this book at first, which is why I put it off in the beginning. Now, I am sitting here trying to remember why I put if off, because I was so wrong whatever the reason was. 
This was such a sweet story about not giving up, living despite what life throws at you; about the people who love and stand by your side no matter if you ask for it or not. IMO, the author does a good job with portraying adolescent love that eventually matures over time. You remember the awkwardness, insecurity and the hope that most seem to endure during that age? Well, these two characters maneuvered through all of this together. It might not have been perfect, but it made them stronger.

While this book does round out the series, I do hope that author will think about a possible third book in the future. That way we can maybe see how the relationship between Robbie and his biological father, Joe progresses. If Ben and Robbie’s brother Daniel ever comes around, and finally, if Robbie and Sam get to live their dream.

While I was able to follow along and fill in most of the gaps in the story, I would not recommend reading this book if you haven't read the first book in the series. For one thing, I am still trying to figure out the charges that sent Robbie’s dad to prison, how his Uncle Caleb came into his fortune and how Robbie and Sam came about. So needless to say, this girl will definitely be going back to read the first book: Weathering the Storm.

I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bad Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, it's a cute novel, a bit childish but it's young adult...
Now, there is one thing really bothering me: could we STOP with bi erasure and biphobia?
We go from "I'm bi" to "I would rather him be gay" and finally "we were both gay".
Stop making bisexuality a phase. Stop making it less than gay. I'm tired of mm authors.