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Unlikely Heroes #5
Home Is Where You Make It
Dean is used to being alone. He's been that way his entire life. Being lied to, left and abandoned is his version of normal. What happens when he finds one person that wants to change all that, but it comes with conditions?
Dodger is back in his hometown after the passing of his bigoted father. He's kept himself hidden for so long, that when he meets neighborhood psychiatrist Dean Carpenter, he's suddenly rethinking the lifetime he's spent hiding who he is.
A letter from Dean's past and could be future, sends him into an uncertain situation and although he's got plenty of friends to call on, he finds comfort in Dodger, who just might be willing to take everything on for a man he cares deeply about.
Come join the rest of the guys from this series and meet some new ones along the way. You won't regret it. :)
This story has strong language and mature situations; not intended for under 18.
It also does not contain a cliffhanger and you all know I deliver the HEA.
Dodger is back in his hometown after the passing of his bigoted father. He's kept himself hidden for so long, that when he meets neighborhood psychiatrist Dean Carpenter, he's suddenly rethinking the lifetime he's spent hiding who he is.
A letter from Dean's past and could be future, sends him into an uncertain situation and although he's got plenty of friends to call on, he finds comfort in Dodger, who just might be willing to take everything on for a man he cares deeply about.
Come join the rest of the guys from this series and meet some new ones along the way. You won't regret it. :)
This story has strong language and mature situations; not intended for under 18.
It also does not contain a cliffhanger and you all know I deliver the HEA.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2016
50 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Wood
26 books309 followersJenny Wood- Stay at home mom with two amazing kids and the most supportive, ridiculously good looking, husband. :P
My love of writing comes from my love of reading and I count myself incredibly lucky to live in a place where I can do what I love and
hopefully, make some people happy while I do it.
Happy Reading!
My love of writing comes from my love of reading and I count myself incredibly lucky to live in a place where I can do what I love and
hopefully, make some people happy while I do it.
Happy Reading!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 8, 2021
re-read Feb 5, 2021
*** Our men in this story are very special. Each one doing the best they can, but knowing their life wasn't complete.
* Calm and easy going Dean,
is a Psychiatrist working with Vets at "The House", and at the LGBT Youth Center. He's tired of being alone.
* Dodger has come from bustling NY to be near his Mom and maybe, if what he's seen is true and real, he will be able to be openly gay and find a life he longs for.
If you recall, Dodger is the man who knocked out the guy that was attacking Lincoln in the last story. That night he'd seen Dean, alone, shaken, and watching his friend taken by the EMTs. Now, he sees Dean again as the group of gay men are mourning the loss of a fallen warrior. The two men text, have dinner, and they are getting know each other. Dean's tale is a sad one, and Dodger's dead Dad was a bigot, a hate filled, mean man.
In each other they find a sense of peace, a HOME, a calmness.
Dean has a bombshell dropped in his lap, that rocks him, and Dodger is beside him all the way, and so are their friends.
I love this series, each terrific tale is different; the deep characters will warm your heart, and you'll be a happy reader. We get super sexy times with these men, and it's intense, full of emotions. There is awareness of issues and of course, true love. Their hurdles are high and we get to watch them overcome them, together.
Litter of Corgi pups...
I love Jenny Wood's lovable guys, heartwarming and beautifully written stories.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
============================
*** Our men in this story are very special. Each one doing the best they can, but knowing their life wasn't complete.
* Calm and easy going Dean,
is a Psychiatrist working with Vets at "The House", and at the LGBT Youth Center. He's tired of being alone.
* Dodger has come from bustling NY to be near his Mom and maybe, if what he's seen is true and real, he will be able to be openly gay and find a life he longs for.
If you recall, Dodger is the man who knocked out the guy that was attacking Lincoln in the last story. That night he'd seen Dean, alone, shaken, and watching his friend taken by the EMTs. Now, he sees Dean again as the group of gay men are mourning the loss of a fallen warrior. The two men text, have dinner, and they are getting know each other. Dean's tale is a sad one, and Dodger's dead Dad was a bigot, a hate filled, mean man.
In each other they find a sense of peace, a HOME, a calmness.
Dean has a bombshell dropped in his lap, that rocks him, and Dodger is beside him all the way, and so are their friends.
I love this series, each terrific tale is different; the deep characters will warm your heart, and you'll be a happy reader. We get super sexy times with these men, and it's intense, full of emotions. There is awareness of issues and of course, true love. Their hurdles are high and we get to watch them overcome them, together.
Litter of Corgi pups...
I love Jenny Wood's lovable guys, heartwarming and beautifully written stories.
Highly recommended ! ENJOY !
============================
January 19, 2017
3.5 stars. This one wasn't my favorite of the series. I still liked it but it was missing something for me. I'm not even sure what it was. It was still good though and I'm really looking forward to the next book.
January 5, 2020
Again, it would've easily been a 4-star read if not for the lack of proofreading and those annoying typo and factual mistakes :( They simply take me away from the pleasure of reading...
This instalment of Unlikely Heroes is again pretty dramatic, but, on the other hand, it also has quite a few secondary characters I liked ;)
Dodger is the bartender who helped Lincoln in the previous book, after Jordan's partner had been beaten in the toilet of his bar. Dean is the psychiatrist in The House for army veterans, and Jordan's doctor/friend.
I liked both our MCs very much. Dean had been alone. Almost his whole life :( His mum passed away at childbirth, then his grandma when he was around 11, his dad (suspecting that Dean was gay) abandoned him at the age of 13. Then foster family after foster family, and a man that Dean thought had loved him. No wonder he escaped at the age of 17 and never looked back...
And thank God he was found by Harlan, the man who had founded The House and who'd seen so much potential in Dean.
After some devastating news, Dean, now a psychiatrist, goes with the guys to a bar and meets Dodger - a muscled, tattooed, tall bartender.
Dodger is gay but nobody knows it. He loves his mum but is afraid to admit his sexual orientation to her because his dad was a homophobic bigot. And so he struggles... With himself and with the way gay people seem so open, natural and 'not hiding' in his new town - where no-one seems to mind them ;)
Anyway, Dodger and Dean worked perfect together. Even though Dodger tried to hide his relationship with Dean from his mum at first. I laughed when Karen finally 'made him' confess to her ;)
I also loved it that Dean, despite everything he'd gone through in his childhood, is such a strong and caring character. Actually, he's one of my favourite Unlikely Heroes guys :)
All the secondary characters (also from previous books) were great, but I especially liked that Harlan and Karen decided to be together at the end.
The overly dramatic ending made me cry so much but I'm also glad to meet Trenton, Dean's half-brother, as I think he's the next book's hero.
A great book, highly recommended to hurt/comfort fans!
This instalment of Unlikely Heroes is again pretty dramatic, but, on the other hand, it also has quite a few secondary characters I liked ;)
Dodger is the bartender who helped Lincoln in the previous book, after Jordan's partner had been beaten in the toilet of his bar. Dean is the psychiatrist in The House for army veterans, and Jordan's doctor/friend.
I liked both our MCs very much. Dean had been alone. Almost his whole life :( His mum passed away at childbirth, then his grandma when he was around 11, his dad (suspecting that Dean was gay) abandoned him at the age of 13. Then foster family after foster family, and a man that Dean thought had loved him. No wonder he escaped at the age of 17 and never looked back...
And thank God he was found by Harlan, the man who had founded The House and who'd seen so much potential in Dean.
After some devastating news, Dean, now a psychiatrist, goes with the guys to a bar and meets Dodger - a muscled, tattooed, tall bartender.
Dodger is gay but nobody knows it. He loves his mum but is afraid to admit his sexual orientation to her because his dad was a homophobic bigot. And so he struggles... With himself and with the way gay people seem so open, natural and 'not hiding' in his new town - where no-one seems to mind them ;)
Anyway, Dodger and Dean worked perfect together. Even though Dodger tried to hide his relationship with Dean from his mum at first. I laughed when Karen finally 'made him' confess to her ;)
I also loved it that Dean, despite everything he'd gone through in his childhood, is such a strong and caring character. Actually, he's one of my favourite Unlikely Heroes guys :)
All the secondary characters (also from previous books) were great, but I especially liked that Harlan and Karen decided to be together at the end.
The overly dramatic ending made me cry so much but I'm also glad to meet Trenton, Dean's half-brother, as I think he's the next book's hero.
A great book, highly recommended to hurt/comfort fans!
February 1, 2017
So, I didn't like this one as much as the others. I felt Dean was a different character than in the other books. I can't put my finger on it, but he was just different, not as self assured maybe. I also wasn't real thrilled that Dodger wasn't "out" and wanted to keep Dean a secret initially. I love gfy and ofy books but it just didn't seem to really work for me here.
I also didn't like the whole setup with Dean's father. I read a few other reviews and I totally agree that I think all was forgiven a little too easily. I know Dean is a giving, selfless person but I think what his father did was just swept under the rug and it didn't set well with me. I was glad though that
All that being said, I have enjoyed this series and look forward to the next one. There light, easy reads...no real depth but I'm not really looking for that right now so they work for me. I did notice some plot holes where things were one way in previous books and another in this one. But like I said, I'm enjoying them for what they are.
I also didn't like the whole setup with Dean's father. I read a few other reviews and I totally agree that I think all was forgiven a little too easily. I know Dean is a giving, selfless person but I think what his father did was just swept under the rug and it didn't set well with me. I was glad though that
All that being said, I have enjoyed this series and look forward to the next one. There light, easy reads...no real depth but I'm not really looking for that right now so they work for me. I did notice some plot holes where things were one way in previous books and another in this one. But like I said, I'm enjoying them for what they are.
February 16, 2017
2.5 Stars
This one fell a bit short for me when compared to the other stories. I've either marathoned this series too hard this week and burned out, or the focus couple in this story (Dean and Dodger) just weren't as captivating for me as the previous couples. Hmm.
Dean was introduced in the previous book (The Only Thing I Need), initially as Jordan's psychiatrist and then later as his friend. He also works at the veteran halfway house, called 'The House,' along with many other characters from this series. Dean has some abandonment issues after having been deserted by his father when he was just 13 years old, after which he spent the next few years bouncing from foster home to foster home, until he finally ran away and ended up meeting Harlan (the older man who runs 'The House') who helped him turn his life around.
Dodger spent over a decade living and working in New York, but has recently returned to town to be closer to his newly widowed mother. He was initially introduced into the series when he saved Lincoln from a violent attack in book five, so it's easy to say he quickly gained a lot of gratitude and respect from the quickly growing group of friends that populate these stories.
Dodger and Dean immediately have eyes for one another, but before they can begin navigating a relationship together Dodger has to finally come out to his mother and Dean has to deal with some ties to his past.
I feel like the character dynamic is a little different here. This is both good and bad. It's good because I appreciate that the author has mixed it up a bit and diverted from the usual pairing of a big, burly and possessive man, who meets a smaller and sweeter man who needs protecting. Sure, Dodger was big and burly, but I didn't see Dean in the same regard that I viewed characters like Teddy, Lincoln and Carter. So, I liked this change of pace - but then I also must admit that I wasn't as engaged with their romance, so it might be safe to assume that the previously established dynamic might actually really work for me, and I found myself missing it a bit, here.
My favourite aspect of this series - that thing that keeps me coming back time and time again for more - are the friendships that keep building and flourishing between all these lovely characters. I love how unconditional they all offer support and acceptance to one another, and their banter and camaraderie is also great. It makes me a happy reader and it will definitely keep me interested until the point Wood decides she has no more stories to tell about these men.
This one fell a bit short for me when compared to the other stories. I've either marathoned this series too hard this week and burned out, or the focus couple in this story (Dean and Dodger) just weren't as captivating for me as the previous couples. Hmm.
Dean was introduced in the previous book (The Only Thing I Need), initially as Jordan's psychiatrist and then later as his friend. He also works at the veteran halfway house, called 'The House,' along with many other characters from this series. Dean has some abandonment issues after having been deserted by his father when he was just 13 years old, after which he spent the next few years bouncing from foster home to foster home, until he finally ran away and ended up meeting Harlan (the older man who runs 'The House') who helped him turn his life around.
Dodger spent over a decade living and working in New York, but has recently returned to town to be closer to his newly widowed mother. He was initially introduced into the series when he saved Lincoln from a violent attack in book five, so it's easy to say he quickly gained a lot of gratitude and respect from the quickly growing group of friends that populate these stories.
Dodger and Dean immediately have eyes for one another, but before they can begin navigating a relationship together Dodger has to finally come out to his mother and Dean has to deal with some ties to his past.
I feel like the character dynamic is a little different here. This is both good and bad. It's good because I appreciate that the author has mixed it up a bit and diverted from the usual pairing of a big, burly and possessive man, who meets a smaller and sweeter man who needs protecting. Sure, Dodger was big and burly, but I didn't see Dean in the same regard that I viewed characters like Teddy, Lincoln and Carter. So, I liked this change of pace - but then I also must admit that I wasn't as engaged with their romance, so it might be safe to assume that the previously established dynamic might actually really work for me, and I found myself missing it a bit, here.
My favourite aspect of this series - that thing that keeps me coming back time and time again for more - are the friendships that keep building and flourishing between all these lovely characters. I love how unconditional they all offer support and acceptance to one another, and their banter and camaraderie is also great. It makes me a happy reader and it will definitely keep me interested until the point Wood decides she has no more stories to tell about these men.
August 20, 2024
Meh.
If Lisa would be happy with one word reviews I'd not write anything else. But alas:
This was barely an ok read for me. Maybe not the wisest decision to skip several books in this series- there is a lot of name dropping and a confusing cast of secondary characters from previous books.
I liked how Dean and Dodger found a family and home in each other because Dean so deserved someone like Dodger in his life.
But I strongly disliked how Dean reacted after the big surprise. The following developments felt rushed and forced.
And what caused the author to write a misogynist scene like that (restaurant/ blind date setup)??? I mean why? You don't have to write stuff like that to make the reader root for the m/m pairing. Not a fan.
There are also missing words and typos which pulled me out of my reading flow.
Probably not going to read more in this series.
If Lisa would be happy with one word reviews I'd not write anything else. But alas:
This was barely an ok read for me. Maybe not the wisest decision to skip several books in this series- there is a lot of name dropping and a confusing cast of secondary characters from previous books.
I liked how Dean and Dodger found a family and home in each other because Dean so deserved someone like Dodger in his life.
But I strongly disliked how Dean reacted after the big surprise. The following developments felt rushed and forced.
And what caused the author to write a misogynist scene like that (restaurant/ blind date setup)??? I mean why? You don't have to write stuff like that to make the reader root for the m/m pairing. Not a fan.
There are also missing words and typos which pulled me out of my reading flow.
Probably not going to read more in this series.
October 13, 2016
I received an ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review.
I saw that... now let me tell you that I am a complete fan girl of this series and I have been anxiously awaiting this one since we met Dean in the Jordan's book.
In saying that; he was the one that needed a hero in this one and his story almost gutted me.
I didn't ugly cry like I did in the last one, so my masculinity has been deemed save. :P
Okay, I might have slightly teared up a time or two, but no hysterical sobbing; are you happy now?
I too, also the loved the family aspect of this. I really thought that Dodger's mom was going to have a fit about him but she accepted him with open arms and I love hearing stories like that, even if they're fictitious. We all need a little positivity every once in a while, yes?
I also really liked getting to see all the other guys. Kevin and Lane don't make too many appearances, but they're mentioned, but the rest of the group does, especially Alvin, Josh, Carter and Teddy. Jordan does as well, but not so much Lincoln since what happened in his book but I've already asked the author and she's informed me that she's got plans for everyone still and the next book just might include Trenton. I really hope so, because I wanted to see more about his relationship with his brother.
Overall, a brilliant addition to an already spectacular series. I absolutely adore it, and I'm not just saying that because I'm fan; the stories are genuinely heartfelt and hopeful stories. Don't pass them up :)
I saw that... now let me tell you that I am a complete fan girl of this series and I have been anxiously awaiting this one since we met Dean in the Jordan's book.
In saying that; he was the one that needed a hero in this one and his story almost gutted me.
I didn't ugly cry like I did in the last one, so my masculinity has been deemed save. :P
Okay, I might have slightly teared up a time or two, but no hysterical sobbing; are you happy now?
I too, also the loved the family aspect of this. I really thought that Dodger's mom was going to have a fit about him but she accepted him with open arms and I love hearing stories like that, even if they're fictitious. We all need a little positivity every once in a while, yes?
I also really liked getting to see all the other guys. Kevin and Lane don't make too many appearances, but they're mentioned, but the rest of the group does, especially Alvin, Josh, Carter and Teddy. Jordan does as well, but not so much Lincoln since what happened in his book but I've already asked the author and she's informed me that she's got plans for everyone still and the next book just might include Trenton. I really hope so, because I wanted to see more about his relationship with his brother.
Overall, a brilliant addition to an already spectacular series. I absolutely adore it, and I'm not just saying that because I'm fan; the stories are genuinely heartfelt and hopeful stories. Don't pass them up :)
November 6, 2018
3rd read 10-5-18
Man, Dean made me mad and so did Dodger's mom. UGH!
2nd Reading July 2017
YES! I forgot how much I hated some parts of this story.
1st Read 10-15-16
I've been looking forward to Dodger and Dean's story since the last book!
Let me start with the good parts:
-I loved Dean and Dodger together.
-I thought Wood's writing improved so much, even from the last book.
-Even the writing style was more to my liking, more showing and less telling. There were times when she went back to telling, but I must say I was pleased with the writing.
The "I'm on the fence" parts:
-I forget which character was talking, but wasn't there someone from the previous books that new Dodger? Or least the mom knew Dodger? Why didn't we see that? It seemed like none of them knew Dodger and vice versa.
-There were some editing/spelling issues, but I easily overlooked them.
-Dodger's mother.
The parts I didn't like:
-
Overall, this was good. I LOVE these "unlikely heroes". Wood has a way of pulling me into the stories and keeping me there. I fell in love with all of these boys and I can't wait for more.
Man, Dean made me mad and so did Dodger's mom. UGH!
2nd Reading July 2017
YES! I forgot how much I hated some parts of this story.
1st Read 10-15-16
I've been looking forward to Dodger and Dean's story since the last book!
Let me start with the good parts:
-I loved Dean and Dodger together.
-I thought Wood's writing improved so much, even from the last book.
-Even the writing style was more to my liking, more showing and less telling. There were times when she went back to telling, but I must say I was pleased with the writing.
The "I'm on the fence" parts:
-I forget which character was talking, but wasn't there someone from the previous books that new Dodger? Or least the mom knew Dodger? Why didn't we see that? It seemed like none of them knew Dodger and vice versa.
-There were some editing/spelling issues, but I easily overlooked them.
-Dodger's mother.
The parts I didn't like:
-
Overall, this was good. I LOVE these "unlikely heroes". Wood has a way of pulling me into the stories and keeping me there. I fell in love with all of these boys and I can't wait for more.
November 3, 2016
Home Is Where You Make It
I enjoyed the first half of this book, maybe even the first 3/4 of the book, before the whole father situation. This book felt different than the others in the series. In this book, there wasn't instalove and insta you are my soul mate and I must have you with me all the time from the first moment together. There was actually dating. It didn't all happen on the page necessarily but that was the feel I got. There was no insta sex and all the time getting naked. There really was very little sex on the page.
One thing that is the same for all the books is the size difference. There's always one huge guy and one smaller guy. Another similarity, there were still a lot of editing errors. As an example of two off the top of my head, one area grief was instead spelled greif and in another presents was used instead of presence.
There were also a couple of discrepancies from earlier books to this one. In the previous book, Lincoln's mom was friends with Dodger's mom. BFF's. And Lincoln's mom tried setting Lincoln and Dodger up together when Dodger was coming back to town. They knew he was gay. In fact, that's what caused the big scene with Lincoln's dad at the restaurant. Also, in Book 1, Carter's brother in law was having an affair with his secretary and in this book it was the nanny. Honestly, probably not a big deal to others but I just read all these books and it stood out to me.
The whole thing with Dean's father really just bothered me. He walked away from a kid. And it was swept under the rug like it wasn't that big of a deal and all is forgotten. It just felt like it was a forced scenario to not take up too much storyline. For me, it was unnecessary for the storyline.
I enjoyed the first half of this book, maybe even the first 3/4 of the book, before the whole father situation. This book felt different than the others in the series. In this book, there wasn't instalove and insta you are my soul mate and I must have you with me all the time from the first moment together. There was actually dating. It didn't all happen on the page necessarily but that was the feel I got. There was no insta sex and all the time getting naked. There really was very little sex on the page.
One thing that is the same for all the books is the size difference. There's always one huge guy and one smaller guy. Another similarity, there were still a lot of editing errors. As an example of two off the top of my head, one area grief was instead spelled greif and in another presents was used instead of presence.
There were also a couple of discrepancies from earlier books to this one. In the previous book, Lincoln's mom was friends with Dodger's mom. BFF's. And Lincoln's mom tried setting Lincoln and Dodger up together when Dodger was coming back to town. They knew he was gay. In fact, that's what caused the big scene with Lincoln's dad at the restaurant. Also, in Book 1, Carter's brother in law was having an affair with his secretary and in this book it was the nanny. Honestly, probably not a big deal to others but I just read all these books and it stood out to me.
The whole thing with Dean's father really just bothered me. He walked away from a kid. And it was swept under the rug like it wasn't that big of a deal and all is forgotten. It just felt like it was a forced scenario to not take up too much storyline. For me, it was unnecessary for the storyline.
October 13, 2016
Dean and Dodger <3
I loved these two so much, they were amazing additions, but Dean held a place in my heart that I wasn't prepared for. We all know that the guys in this series', there's just one that you root for, more than the other and I just really needed him to have a good ending.
We'd met him before in Jordan's book. He was Jordan's best friend and therapist at The House.
We knew he was going through some family troubles, but it wasn't anything like I imagined it would be. Then, just when I thought it was going one way; it completely side-swiped me and took me on another emotional roller coaster.
Dodger; how can I explain Dodger without giving too much away? He ran to New York right after high school to get away from his bigoted, hateful father. He makes something of his life that he's proud of but, he's not able to really be himself; not in the way that he wants to. He's kept himself hidden for so long, he doesn't know how to do anything else anymore; that is, until he meets all of our Unlikely Heroes, that live life the way they want, not the way some people might expect. He wants that too, and after he gets one look at Doctor Dimples; he's convinced that's who he wants it with.
Their back and forth was real and understandable; it's easily relatable and I liked that about them.
I liked how Dodger was endlessly patient and supportive when Dean needed him to be and I loved more than anything how Dodger and his mom accepted Dean into their family and gave him some semblance of something he never had.
I love everything about this series and I'm so incredibly proud of it. I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I do..... or even, just half :)
I loved these two so much, they were amazing additions, but Dean held a place in my heart that I wasn't prepared for. We all know that the guys in this series', there's just one that you root for, more than the other and I just really needed him to have a good ending.
We'd met him before in Jordan's book. He was Jordan's best friend and therapist at The House.
We knew he was going through some family troubles, but it wasn't anything like I imagined it would be. Then, just when I thought it was going one way; it completely side-swiped me and took me on another emotional roller coaster.
Dodger; how can I explain Dodger without giving too much away? He ran to New York right after high school to get away from his bigoted, hateful father. He makes something of his life that he's proud of but, he's not able to really be himself; not in the way that he wants to. He's kept himself hidden for so long, he doesn't know how to do anything else anymore; that is, until he meets all of our Unlikely Heroes, that live life the way they want, not the way some people might expect. He wants that too, and after he gets one look at Doctor Dimples; he's convinced that's who he wants it with.
Their back and forth was real and understandable; it's easily relatable and I liked that about them.
I liked how Dodger was endlessly patient and supportive when Dean needed him to be and I loved more than anything how Dodger and his mom accepted Dean into their family and gave him some semblance of something he never had.
I love everything about this series and I'm so incredibly proud of it. I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I do..... or even, just half :)
Read
November 1, 2016Dean and Dodger (guy who owns the bar & saved Deans friend when he was getting beat up in the bathroom). These two were great…they both were so sweet and cared about other people so much. In the beginning of the book, I really did NOT like his mother. I thought she was overbearing and homophobic. But as you kept reading, you learned that that assumption about her was completely off based…and I totally fell in love with her. I think she made the most wonderful supporting character I’ve read in a while. Dean…oh Dean. I loved how amazing he was. Not only did he care for others and try to help them heal and feel accepted…but he was strong and willing to give up something he could really love for his self-respect. He didn’t want to be anyones little secret or shoved back into a closet and he stood by that. I really really love when characters will give up what could make them happy for their self-worth. Makes me really respect that character. Deans past was so sad and I really wanted his father to suffer for what he did. But the more you find out the more you change your mind. I saw that as a theme in this book. At first you think you want to hate Dodgers mom, but you don’t. You think you want to hate Deans dad….well you do dislike him, but you come to understand him more throughout this book. Just all around a good read. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
October 27, 2016
4.5 stars
Yep, I love is series. Not sure of the name Dodger though, I don't think I could say it and keep a straight face. And I'm so glad Dean didn't have to give up anything. (You'll get my meaning when you read it) I would of been pissed if he'd had to go through it. There were quite a few spelling errors in the book, I am an English nazi, but I didn't allow it to distract me from an enjoyable read.
Yep, I love is series. Not sure of the name Dodger though, I don't think I could say it and keep a straight face. And I'm so glad Dean didn't have to give up anything. (You'll get my meaning when you read it) I would of been pissed if he'd had to go through it. There were quite a few spelling errors in the book, I am an English nazi, but I didn't allow it to distract me from an enjoyable read.
January 23, 2019
Lacks consistency
We are introduced to Dodger in the book before this one in the series when Lincolns mom tells him her friends son is moving to town and hints that Dodger is gay, this creates drama for Lincoln so it stands out in the story. Now that book Dodgers mom doesn't know he's gay so how does her friend know? It's important to me that a story is consistent with what has been introduced previously. Otherwise the story is easy to read and a cute story.
We are introduced to Dodger in the book before this one in the series when Lincolns mom tells him her friends son is moving to town and hints that Dodger is gay, this creates drama for Lincoln so it stands out in the story. Now that book Dodgers mom doesn't know he's gay so how does her friend know? It's important to me that a story is consistent with what has been introduced previously. Otherwise the story is easy to read and a cute story.
April 13, 2022
1/26/2017- Alvin and Carter's book is still my favorite but this is my second. I loved Dean and Dodger....
July 25, 2017
Der Therapeut und Psychologe Dean weiß was es bedeutet alleine zu sein und geliebte Menschen zu verlieren. Deswegen lässt er seine Mitmenschen auch nie vollständig an sich heran, auch wenn er dadurch sehr einsam ist. Doch er kennt es ja nicht anders. Trotzdem hat er es geschafft über die Jahre einen großen Freundeskreis aufzubauen, wo man sich sorgt und kümmert. Auch sein Chef und Arbeitgeber Harlan ist ihm irgendwie nahe und kommt wohl einer Vaterfigur sehr nahe.
Der Barbesitzer Dogder ist aus New York zurück in die Heimat gekommen. Als junger Mann ist er der Enge der Kleinstadt und dem unerträglichen Benehmen des Vaters entflohen. Sich zu outen, kommt für Dodger nicht in Frage. Seine Mutter sitzt ihm mit dem Wunsch nach Enkelkinder im Nacken und Dodger weiß einfach nicht, wie er sich plötzlich erklären soll.
Denn Erklärungsbedarf gäbe es, da er sich zu Dean hingezogen fühlt. Und Dean scheint ähnlich zu empfinden. Aber Unsicherheiten, alte Gewohnheiten und Ängste machen es ihnen nicht leicht sich einander zu öffnen, sich einzugestehen was sie sich wünschen und auch den Mut aufzubringen dazu zu stehen.
Obwohl Dean sich nach einer Beziehung sehnt und sich eben das wünscht, was all seine Freunde haben, ist er doch konsequent in seinem Handeln. Vielleicht nicht immer offen und ehrlich, aber eben konsequent. Er will kein dreckiges Geheimnis sein, aber er will Dodger auch nicht erpressen. Dean geht seinen Weg und Dodger strauchelt und grübelt.
Dabei spielt ihm aber dann der Zufall in die Hände. Mir gefiel dieser Teil nicht so gut, denn damit bekam Dodger die Problemlösung irgendwie auf dem goldene Tellerchen serviert. Dabei hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass er seinen Kopf aus seinem Hintern bekommt, ohne dass das Schicksal – Überraschung – die Regie übernimmt.
Dean hingegen hat noch ganz andere Probleme als Dodger. Plötzlich taucht ein Halbbruder aus dem Nichts auf und Dean muss sich seiner sehr traurigen und schmerzlichen Vergangenheit stellen. Dieser Erzählteil hingegen hat mir total gut gefallen und er war am Ende dann auch sehr plausibel.
Der Barbesitzer Dogder ist aus New York zurück in die Heimat gekommen. Als junger Mann ist er der Enge der Kleinstadt und dem unerträglichen Benehmen des Vaters entflohen. Sich zu outen, kommt für Dodger nicht in Frage. Seine Mutter sitzt ihm mit dem Wunsch nach Enkelkinder im Nacken und Dodger weiß einfach nicht, wie er sich plötzlich erklären soll.
Denn Erklärungsbedarf gäbe es, da er sich zu Dean hingezogen fühlt. Und Dean scheint ähnlich zu empfinden. Aber Unsicherheiten, alte Gewohnheiten und Ängste machen es ihnen nicht leicht sich einander zu öffnen, sich einzugestehen was sie sich wünschen und auch den Mut aufzubringen dazu zu stehen.
Obwohl Dean sich nach einer Beziehung sehnt und sich eben das wünscht, was all seine Freunde haben, ist er doch konsequent in seinem Handeln. Vielleicht nicht immer offen und ehrlich, aber eben konsequent. Er will kein dreckiges Geheimnis sein, aber er will Dodger auch nicht erpressen. Dean geht seinen Weg und Dodger strauchelt und grübelt.
Dabei spielt ihm aber dann der Zufall in die Hände. Mir gefiel dieser Teil nicht so gut, denn damit bekam Dodger die Problemlösung irgendwie auf dem goldene Tellerchen serviert. Dabei hätte ich mir gewünscht, dass er seinen Kopf aus seinem Hintern bekommt, ohne dass das Schicksal – Überraschung – die Regie übernimmt.
Dean hingegen hat noch ganz andere Probleme als Dodger. Plötzlich taucht ein Halbbruder aus dem Nichts auf und Dean muss sich seiner sehr traurigen und schmerzlichen Vergangenheit stellen. Dieser Erzählteil hingegen hat mir total gut gefallen und er war am Ende dann auch sehr plausibel.
June 14, 2019
Dean and Dodger....
My heart really went out to this couple. Dean abandoned by his hateful father at the age of thirteen never understanding why he left. Being sent to foster home's only to be kicked out because of betrayal and deceit. Left homeless in a new town before finding Harlan a man who never gave up on him and taught him that he was worth more. Dodger who left home right after high school to escape his father's bigotry and racists views returns years later to be closer to his mother after her loss discovers new changes a crazy set of friends that are there for each other and are a family. And Dean the future love of his life once they get past Dodgers old fears and facing Dean's past with a unexpected surprise thrown in. This was such a good story that had it's up's and downs but with the love and support of Alvin and the crew anything could be conquered even love. I love this series and it's characters old and new each story has a different couple with different challenges they face and over come.
My heart really went out to this couple. Dean abandoned by his hateful father at the age of thirteen never understanding why he left. Being sent to foster home's only to be kicked out because of betrayal and deceit. Left homeless in a new town before finding Harlan a man who never gave up on him and taught him that he was worth more. Dodger who left home right after high school to escape his father's bigotry and racists views returns years later to be closer to his mother after her loss discovers new changes a crazy set of friends that are there for each other and are a family. And Dean the future love of his life once they get past Dodgers old fears and facing Dean's past with a unexpected surprise thrown in. This was such a good story that had it's up's and downs but with the love and support of Alvin and the crew anything could be conquered even love. I love this series and it's characters old and new each story has a different couple with different challenges they face and over come.
July 30, 2017
A heartwarming setting directly at the beginning. Harlan, father figure to many homeless boys and girls, his team of young adults who have grown into their own wonderful personalities thanks to Harlan' s influence, and all are mourning the suicide of a mutual friend. This sets the backdrop for the first encounter of our MCs, Dean and Dodger. The story that unfolds from then on is really inventive, lots of unexpected twists, lots of action and drama. It would have been a 5 star story had the orthography and grammar and style not been so annoying. Sorry, despite the apology in the preface, if there are so many editorial flaws that it actually diminishes the reading pleasure, maybe it helps to re edit the whole thing. It's a real shame to interrupt the story flow because there is a real strong pull and the ideas are good.
February 27, 2018
Jenny Wood has the ability to suck you into a story immediately. My heart broke for Dean from the first two pages. I was rooting for him the whole book. He so deserved happiness!!!. I was relieved with how the plotline with his father evolved. I found Dean very forgiving for what his father had done to him. I was so angry with that man!
I would have loved a little bit more of Dodgers backstory, though.
I would have loved a little bit more of Dodgers backstory, though.
March 28, 2019
I really am enjoying this series. Well written storyline with well developed characters. Still some issues with grammar and more then if they were from New York or Boston with accents but I personally do not think it ruins the story itself. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 5, 2018
Love and dislike at the same time
I would have given this book 4 stars except for the ending. It has characters that I root for the whole way but again the editing distracts from what is happening. I love getting lost in the story but then the poor editing pulls me back to my life.
I would have given this book 4 stars except for the ending. It has characters that I root for the whole way but again the editing distracts from what is happening. I love getting lost in the story but then the poor editing pulls me back to my life.
April 10, 2020
Be still my heart!
I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this book before today! This is my third time reading it and I am just in love with Deans story. He seems like he’s got it all together but he is still that young vulnerable boy inside. I love how Dodger is macho on the outside yet soft with him. Loved it!
I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this book before today! This is my third time reading it and I am just in love with Deans story. He seems like he’s got it all together but he is still that young vulnerable boy inside. I love how Dodger is macho on the outside yet soft with him. Loved it!
January 30, 2019
Great continuation to a great series!
April 3, 2020
Awesome.
Love it. I just cant get enough of these guys. I truly love all the trials that Jenjy has thought of to bring them all together.
Love it. I just cant get enough of these guys. I truly love all the trials that Jenjy has thought of to bring them all together.
February 16, 2017
The trend in this series is for two men, usually one or both pretty broken, to find one another and find happiness. Dean is a psychiatrist we’d met in other books who’d seemed pretty happy and self satisfied before, but we see that a lot of that was a façade. He’s not as broken as some of the previous MCs but he’s had a rough life and the same can be said for Dodger.
I didn’t connect with these guys as deeply as I’d connected with the previous MCs, probably because their story didn’t feel as sad to me. But it was still really sweet and I was happy for them to find one another in the end.
I didn’t connect with these guys as deeply as I’d connected with the previous MCs, probably because their story didn’t feel as sad to me. But it was still really sweet and I was happy for them to find one another in the end.
November 15, 2016
I knew Dean's story was going to gut me, and it did. Damn, the poor guy couldn't catch a break from the time he was born. I sobbed as if it were me going through all these horrible things. I must say that he was WAY more forgiving then I would have ever been. Sobbing little brother or not, he was done dirty. The unforgivable was done to him by the one person who is supposed to have unconditional love for him. In my book, as a parent, I could not imagine doing that.
October 14, 2016
Really enjoyed it! Hope Trenton is next?
April 22, 2017
Great series
Love the series. I enjoy being able to follow characters throughout several books, and these characters are awesome. Only complaint is spelling and wording errors, they drove me crazy. Not a lot but enough to be noticed. Looking forward to reading the remainder of the series, have literally read all so far in about five days!!
Love the series. I enjoy being able to follow characters throughout several books, and these characters are awesome. Only complaint is spelling and wording errors, they drove me crazy. Not a lot but enough to be noticed. Looking forward to reading the remainder of the series, have literally read all so far in about five days!!
not-deserve-my-time-my-money
June 28, 2018Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews