Spencer and Jesse forever… At least, that’s what Spencer used to doodle on the inside of all his notebooks when they were fifteen and completely in love. They were high school sweethearts, even planned on going to college together. They may not have been out and proud about it, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they were together. That was until Jesse screwed everything up. He ruined everything. Spencer moved on with his life. He went to college and became the trauma surgeon he set out to be. Now he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, living his dream. After a tragic accident involving a friend, Spencer is given time off to get his head back on straight. He goes home to spend some much needed time with his dad and step-dad. While out to dinner, Spencer gets a blast from his past. Jesse Matthews. The man who left him broken and devastated fifteen years ago. Has fate brought them back together for a reason? Because ever since Spencer has been home, he can’t seem to get rid of Jesse. The guy keeps colliding with him, bringing back all kinds of emotions that Spencer thought he had gotten rid of. There is no chance for reconciliation after what Jesse did to him, so why can’t he shake him or the feelings he evokes?
Andria Large is a traditionally published and self-published contemporary romance author. She doesn’t always follow the rules, so you will find both M/F and M/M books mixed into some of her series.
Henry from the Beck Brothers Series was the first book she self-published. Not expecting anything to really come of it, she was shocked to find the book caught wind and readers were asking for more. Writing books was not something she had set out to do. She wrote stories for herself, as a hobby. Now that it has become her career, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Andria grew up in Philadelphia, but now lives in New Jersey with her two daughters and wonderfully supportive husband, who frequently accompanies her at signings. The events that she attends every year are one of her favorite things about being an author. She loves meeting and conversing with her readers, but also enjoys finding new ones.
Andria considers herself open and friendly, so feel free to send her a message if you have a question or just want to chat.
The end. Oh, wait. Not yet. They're fucking again.
The end. Oh, wait. Not yet. They're fucking again.
The end. Oh, wait. Not yet. They're fucking again.
The end. Oh, wait. Not yet. They're fucking AGAIN.
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The first book, Ezra and Ferris', felt much less forced than this one.
Honestly, if the story had ended shortly after they got together again for good, instead of going all soap opera 'melodramatical', I'd have been very happy getting "The End" at that point.
And less fucking, because... sweet Jesus, dicks can be put away occasionally, fellas.
2.5 stars.
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Dammit, I really really want to read a fantastic second chance story. BUT I have this preconceived notion, that for a second-chance-romance to work, there needs to be REAL grovelling involved, if one of the MCs have been a douche. Sadly this book lacked the grovelling, also the back-and-forth between the MCs, was doing my head in. Jesse: I love you, I still want you. Spencer: I don't want anything to do with you, leave now. Jesse: I want more than sex, and if you can't give that, I don't want you. Spencer: I want sex, but nothing else. Jesse: I don't know what I want, you're a douche. Spencer: I want you. *rinse and repeat* So Spencer is a trauma surgeon in Pittsburg. He have been fighting to be on top, especially after Jesse's betrayal when they were young. This was not a 'misunderstanding' or 'miscommunication'. Jesse joined in on the 'gay-bashing' of Spencer (the book called it that) even though they were boyfriends, because Jesse was scared.
I get that coming-out is a hard process, and that nobody can tell you when or how to come out. But Jesse joining the bashing and the name-calling (cocksucker etc.) of Spencer, was disgusting. Also I HATE it when an MC thinks: "Well, I can't turn back time, what's done is done..." Yes, I get that you can't turn back time, but some sort of disappointment in themselves and some wish of being able to change things for a MC, would be nice for a change.
When Spencer returns home after a loss, his dad and step-dad welcome him with open arms, and the dads are being good-ol'-fashioned busy bodies. This annoyed me as well, since I felt, that they were pushing Spencer towards Jesse, *just because*. And we don't have to read very far to get to the first smexy scene (WITHOUT A CONDOM) between Jesse and Spencer.
This always disappoints me. I want the MC who have been slighted to have some stamina and back-bone, and when they say they don't want anything to do with the other, I want them to fucking mean it and not give in after the first 20% and NO grovelling. (There was some sort of apology but Jesse was in the hospital with a concussion at the time, and it just didn't feel... Right.) I know that the story needs to move forward, but for me that just doesn't work.
Lastly Spencer was actually a bit of a douche! He hooks up with this dude, Ian, first at a restaurant, where Jesse finds them in the bathroom, and Spencer doesn't defend Ian, when Jesse is being a dick. Next when they go out and Ian takes Spencer home, where Spencer gives Ian this nugget: "I am using you, to forget about someone else." WOW, what a prince... This second-chance book was not for me, and it ended up being a DNF. My search for a good second-chance story with decent MCs continue...
I thought the first book was bad, but this one was far worse. I was close to DNF and skimmed a bit.
Let me recap: ridiculous, overwrought, and contrived plot; piss-poor writing; no character development; and two 33-year-old men (one of whom is a trauma surgeon) who talk like middle school dropouts.
Sorry, but this is painful. Spencer pushed his teenage boyfriend Jesse away because of a stupid mistake, then doesn't talk to the guy for 15 years!!
And when they meet again Jesse is still all 'I love you', while Spencer sticks with 'I hate you' - even after all these years...
However, Jesse keeps pushing Spencer rather aggressively until they date again, but only after Spencer hurts every single person in his life - and I mean he sends them to the emergency room!! He's not violent, he's just literally bad luck.
Anyway, my question is:
Why is Jesse still in love with Spencer after 15 years of silence?! Spencer is a self-absorbed jerk who simply isn't able to commit to a relationship. So Jesse just waited around for 15 years in case he ever ran into Spencer again?! No way.
These guys were a cute teenage couple in the previous book about Spencer's dad, but as adults, they just give me the bad kind of goosebumps.
Even a HEA wouldn't fix what went wrong between them. So I'm just skipping this now.
3 stars (for poor Ezra and Ferris - who certainly intended to raise their son a bit differently, I guess...)
*** In Pittsburgh, Spencer is a doctor at the busy trauma Center. He has a job he loves and a great life. The only blot on his perfection is his teen love, Jesse, who betrayed him 15 years ago, when they were teens, and he can't forgive that. When his college and friend has breakfast with him, it's only hours later, when his friend is on his operating table after a horrific car crash. Spencer is devastated; he couldn't save him. He's given leave to recover and grieve, so he heads to his Dad and step-dad's home. While there he comes face to face with Jesse. Is there a spark? They have sex and talk and argue, but the feelings of love are still there, and Spencer fights it. Jesse ends up in the hospital twice, both Spencer's fault, sort of. They do spend some time together. Jesse is up front, open, and declares he is still in love. When a longtime friend is mugged and beaten in Pittsburgh, he goes back to be there for him. Much begins to happen, as Jesse follows him to Pittsburgh to try to make their love work out. We are thrown into a wild string of events, where Spencer's injured friend, Will, is found to be a schemer with a twisted mind. Poor Jesse is targeted, kidnapped, tortured, and rescued. This is well written and riveting, as we watch the tale unfold. I was miffed at Spencer in the beginning, but he redeemed himself later. We get an HEA, and a nice epilogue ! ENJOY ! ============
This book is predictable and boring to read. The writing is very simplistic and tiring. And all the plot twists are too quickly resolved and tied in a pretty bow each time. I also believe there's an unreasonable amount of drama that befalls Spencer. Instead of picking a single plot and putting effort into developing it and building an interesting journey for the reader, the author displays her true lack of talent by instead throwing a mound of tragedy at the MC's that is just unrealistic. And even in those circumstances, each is just a small hurdle because every instance just easily dissolves into simply fixed events. Great cover but don't be fooled...the writing is amateur quality at best and the story is DNF worthy.
Oh, my, it’s hard sometimes to leave a review after you’ve read a book that you’ve been anticipating for a long time. When it’s good, it stays with you for a long time and that’s how I still feel after reading How To Save Love. It’s written, Jesse and Spencer forever, and not only did Andria Large bring it, she brought it tenfold. I had trouble putting this story down, a story of second chances, righting wrongs, and a story of sometimes just saying “screw it” and going with where your heart leads.
Right off the bat, I was crying. Spencer leads a very open and fulfilling lifestyle, including becoming best friends with one of the doctors he works with. But in that first chapter, emotions give you the ride of your life when Spencer’s pleasantly chaotic life up-heaves and leaves him a mess that forces him to head home. A home where he left the love of his life after a very unsettling departure.
Jesse was only trying to protect himself all those years ago when he betrayed Spencer, but all the apologies in the world wouldn’t work. Fast forward well into adulthood and Jesse finally gets to see Spencer after all these years and it’s not a happy meet. From the instant you get to the book from Jesse’s point of view, the feelings and the sentimental moments just rip your heart apart. You want to take Jesse, hug him, and reassure him that things will be okay. But Spencer assures him that that’s not the case, that they will never be.
It’s a long journey for Spencer and Jesse, one that comes with trials, tribulations, and a nasty, jealous ex-lover that get in the way, but the wait is worth it for them. The road to redemption and love is never easy but Spencer and Jesse make it look flawless. This is more than a book about getting a second start at your forever love. It’s one of souls knowing their counterparts at a moment’s glance, one of acceptance and understanding, and one of fighting for what’s yours.
I absolutely can’t wait for people to read this book! Another outstanding book from Andria Large : )!
I have been waiting on this book since 'How to Save a Life' came out in May. Spencer and Jesse were prevalent in that book and I was so hopeful that they would end up being high school sweethearts. But alas – I can't always get what I want (or so my husband tells me). When we start the book Spencer is older, wiser, and almost commitment-phobic. After the way Jesse treated him while they were in school Spencer has shied away from any relationship, deciding to settle for one night stands. When these two run in to each other, it's almost like you as the reader can feel the tension build. Part of me was hoping that they'd kiss and make up (ok – I'll be honest, 100% of me was hoping for that) – but I'm a hopeless romantic. I always look for the happy endings and happily ever afters even if they don't make for the best books/stories. I don't want to spoil the book by any means – so I'll just say that Andria Large has done it again. Her writing has continuously blown me away. This book has all the steamy sex of an erotic piece, all the intensity of a drama and even some comedic moments that wouldn't be expected in a romance book. Obviously this is a Male/Male romance, so if that isn't your cup of tea – I'm sorry but you're missing out on a great book. The author writes this so that we can see both Jesse & Spencer's POVs throughout the entire thing. Like I mentioned before, these two start out in 'How to Save a Life' but you don't have to read that to understand the characters in this one. But if you have read that, you will catch up with Ezra & Ferris in this book as well. I tend to sway towards free books or $0.99 books on Amazon, but I think this book is one that is definitely worth the buy. I have read it at least once, and will probably read it again soon.
I really loved this story and when I saw it had been released I had no problem one clicking it and really couldn't wait to dive in and reconnect with Spencer, Jesse, Ezra and Ferris and it didn't disappoint. Although grown-up Spencer is a bit of a dick! or at least he was to start with.
The story itself hooked me in from the start and I quickly found myself devouring it and it did leave me with a smile on my face.
The development of the relationship between Spencer and Jesse was very believable, considering their shared history and how their childhood relationship fell apart but I loved through it all Jesse still got support from Ezra and Ferris and they gave him that final push to go and fight for Spencer.
Overall it was a fantastic story, with some really fun moments and hot ones too. There is also an emotional and suspenseful element that added an extra layer to the story and it's one I would happily recommend to others even if you've not read How to Save a Life (Ezra & Ferris's story) as this can easily be read as a standalone.
This is a second chance love story. Jesse and Spencer were in love during high school but Jesse did something really stupid and Spencer left town. When Spencer left for college he decided to live somewhere else after finishing college and medical school. Fifteen years later after he loses a friend he goes home to grieve for a short time. He runs into Jesse and Spencer is going to hate him forever. Grab this story and see if they will be able to overcome the past. Really enjoyed the story.
I immediately fell in love with both Spencer and Jesse in this book. The hurt they both endured from their past had carried over into their adult interactions. While it was heart breaking to read what they went through, it was so rewarding to read of their interactions at this point in their life. Of course, having appearances from Spencer's parents were also quite enjoyable. This was very well done.
This was a great follow up to Hoe to Save a Life. In this book Ezra's son Spencer is all grown up and dealing with the after math of losing his high school sweetheart. This story takes place 15 years after that and Spencer and Jesse's path crossed again what follows is a story of forgiveness, and second chances...
This was a great book, I loved it!! Love Jesse & Spencer :) This book was emotional, heartbreaking, sweet & hot!! There was a bit of omg moment & a no way this can't be happening moment... I shed some tears too:( Loved the epilogue... sneaky ;)lol, but so good! A TBR for sure!
Loved it! I've been waiting for this since reading Ezra and Ferris' book! It was so good and there was an unexpected twist that I really enjoyed. Totally recommend this especially if you read the first one!
This was beautiful/ amazing all wrapped in one, I'm all for second chance love stories , but i like the fact that this second chance did not come easy for either men, but the struggle Definitely Paid off, loved it! 5 stars from me.
I loved the first book and I loved this book just as much as the first one. Thanks Andria! It was a great read. Jesse and Spencer are the type of characters that you hope as you are reading will find there happily ever after. No spoilers.
Ugh the feels!!! I love Spencer and Jesse in Hoe to Save a life and this one here soooo good!!! Plus to catch up with Ezra and Ferris sigh....I love Andria and her writing she is amazeballs!!!
This was such a beautiful, funny and sexy story, so let me try to write a review that is practical for the people that are interested in reading it.
Jesse and Spencer were high-school sweet hearts but some shitty thing happened so they broke up and start living separate ways. Spencer is a doctor in Philadelphia and Jesse works in the real state in Jersey. So they pretty much move on with their lives. They have succesful careers but their love life is just not that good to begin with. No matter how many people they meet, they just don't feel it's right. At least, until they meet again. A friend of Spencer dies on an accident so he takes a week off from his job and after 15 years, he meets Jesse again. And of course it's a mess. Spencer was really hurt and he did not want to be around him anymore but you know how destiny has its own way to draw people together. So, yeah, this is the story that is all about second chances. And reassures that when two people are meant to be together, they will find a way of making it so.
I enjoyed every single chapter and for the first time in a while I was laughing so hard at the inside jokes. I think they have a beautiful relationship, blessed with good parents and amazing friends that support them in every way.
I don't want to talk about that asshole called Will, 'cause he just fucking got what he deserved. But I will say though that there are people out there just like him, so watch out. Jesse was saved before something really bad could happen, but not everyone is just as lucky as he was....
Finally, I want to thank the author because I really loved her story, her characters and of course, their love for each other.
Also, I want to give credit to Ezra and Ferris, who are the best parents ever! I wish I had someone like them too.
I'm looking forward to read the next book in the series.
I loved this book so much. It is my first read from this author. This a story I like to read. Young love, conflict, breaking apart, coming together. Spencer an ER doctor in Pittsburgh I have tears in my eyes writing this. Realtor Jesse were young lovers in high school Jesse betrays Spencer in a hurtful way that Spencer hasn't gotten over yet. He realizes this when he visits his hometown and runs into Jesse, funny sweet meeting. I root for these two throughout the entire book. I don't want to say too much read the sweetness for yourself. There was a very suspenseful part in the book that had me gasping. My mom said put the book away its thanksgiving and I couldn't I had to know what happened. I immediately purchased several more of her books because I loved this one so very much.