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The Road Home
"I’m your friend, Andrew. I think I’m the only friend you’ve got."
Nick Carpenter grew up in the foster system after watching his parents die in a car crash. Now, he's finally found a place for himself as an EMT. Partnered with a gruff but very competent paramedic as his first assignment in Seattle, he figures that it's best to keep this working relationship strictly professional, even if Andrew is hot as hell.
"You let the patient talk, Nick, because sooner or later they’ll probably tell you what you need to know."
Andrew Hazard loves his job, even if he gets paired with a different EMT every couple weeks. Once an EMT proves himself incompetent, Andrew makes no effort to be friends with them. That's why it's such a relief when Nick comes along. He keeps the ambulance stocked, he can drive well, and he knows how to start an IV. He's great at saving lives, and also a great person to hang out with. From hiking to movies, they find themselves spending a lot of time with each other. Nick's homosexuality definitely isn't a problem, even though Andrew's girlfriend jokes that he wants to spend more time with Nick than with her.
"You wanna go on an adventure?"
When Andrew gets the chance of a lifetime - going to the prestigious UCLA Medical School - his girlfriend doesn't share his enthusiasm. And so, freshly broken up, Andrew asks Nick to go with him on a road trip down south to check out the area. Nick wants to keep him as his best friend, even though his romantic feelings have reached a fever pitch. But he also realizes that this could be his last chance to let Andrew know how he feels. Will Andrew let Nick into his heart, or will this road trip be their last hurrah?
Nick Carpenter grew up in the foster system after watching his parents die in a car crash. Now, he's finally found a place for himself as an EMT. Partnered with a gruff but very competent paramedic as his first assignment in Seattle, he figures that it's best to keep this working relationship strictly professional, even if Andrew is hot as hell.
"You let the patient talk, Nick, because sooner or later they’ll probably tell you what you need to know."
Andrew Hazard loves his job, even if he gets paired with a different EMT every couple weeks. Once an EMT proves himself incompetent, Andrew makes no effort to be friends with them. That's why it's such a relief when Nick comes along. He keeps the ambulance stocked, he can drive well, and he knows how to start an IV. He's great at saving lives, and also a great person to hang out with. From hiking to movies, they find themselves spending a lot of time with each other. Nick's homosexuality definitely isn't a problem, even though Andrew's girlfriend jokes that he wants to spend more time with Nick than with her.
"You wanna go on an adventure?"
When Andrew gets the chance of a lifetime - going to the prestigious UCLA Medical School - his girlfriend doesn't share his enthusiasm. And so, freshly broken up, Andrew asks Nick to go with him on a road trip down south to check out the area. Nick wants to keep him as his best friend, even though his romantic feelings have reached a fever pitch. But he also realizes that this could be his last chance to let Andrew know how he feels. Will Andrew let Nick into his heart, or will this road trip be their last hurrah?
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2016
63 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 10, 2017
The Road Home is a colleagues to friends to lovers story. The writing was quite good, but I wish the narrative hadn't been limited to Nick's POV. I felt like I was reading his journal.
Andrew was a tough nut to crack. He takes his job as paramedic seriously and resents anyone he deems incompetent. He doesn't give people a chance.
The slow burn and tension (the men's pasts are slowly revealed) made for an interesting read. There were some really hot moments between the MCs.
I would have rated the book higher had it not been for the disappointing ending. Granted, the epilogue was hella sexy, but the HEA was tentative at best.
Andrew was a tough nut to crack. He takes his job as paramedic seriously and resents anyone he deems incompetent. He doesn't give people a chance.
The slow burn and tension (the men's pasts are slowly revealed) made for an interesting read. There were some really hot moments between the MCs.
I would have rated the book higher had it not been for the disappointing ending. Granted, the epilogue was hella sexy, but the HEA was tentative at best.
February 28, 2017
3.5 stars
This one was an ok book. I liked the writing even though I got too spoiled reading so many romances with dual POVs that now I miss seeing into the head of the non-narrating character.
I enjoyed both MCs though, and liked their chemistry. The best friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites. It seemed to me that Andrew getting on board with Nick romantically was a little abrupt and his excuse for not using a condom ridiculous, but oh well, I just rolled my eyes a little and kept going.
The book is not too steamy and both sexy times, even if they are hot, happen towards the end of the book.
Unlike other reviewers, I think the ending was fine. It was not all rainbow-shitting unicorns, but it was good. I don't feel that everbody needs to move in with their partner 2 weeks into their relationship to be happy ever after. And, as proven by the ending, visits across the hall can be hot as hell. ;)
Free with Kindle Unlimited.
This one was an ok book. I liked the writing even though I got too spoiled reading so many romances with dual POVs that now I miss seeing into the head of the non-narrating character.
I enjoyed both MCs though, and liked their chemistry. The best friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites. It seemed to me that Andrew getting on board with Nick romantically was a little abrupt and his excuse for not using a condom ridiculous, but oh well, I just rolled my eyes a little and kept going.
The book is not too steamy and both sexy times, even if they are hot, happen towards the end of the book.
Unlike other reviewers, I think the ending was fine. It was not all rainbow-shitting unicorns, but it was good. I don't feel that everbody needs to move in with their partner 2 weeks into their relationship to be happy ever after. And, as proven by the ending, visits across the hall can be hot as hell. ;)
Free with Kindle Unlimited.
January 8, 2017
I liked this book well enough. Andrew and Nick were good together but, once they got together, they wanted to take it really slowly. But they'd worked together for months and knew each other really well so I didn't really understand why they were hesitant.
February 23, 2017
I liked this one okay. I think I would have liked to have seen more tension between the men and not have them jump into a relationship so quickly.
They went from 0 to 60 pretty quickly once they both realized they had feelings for each other. Friends to lovers, GFY(ish) is my favorite tropes, and then add in a working relationship with close quarters and I'm done for. I LIVE for the tension and the build up -but we just didn't get that with The Road Home.
It went from coworkers to I Love You very quickly.
At any rate, it was a cute feel good story that made me smile. :)
On to the next!
March 28, 2019
I find it interesting and humorous when this happens.
When people, whose opinion I respect don’t like a book I enjoyed.
I really, really loved climbing into Nick Carpenter’s brain and following it straight to the end of this book.
I loved the simplicity of it. No nutty turns or twists. No hearts and flowers.
Not a lot of heat but what there was was hot!
The ending was refreshing because you know they’ll have to work for it.
It happens.
When people, whose opinion I respect don’t like a book I enjoyed.
I really, really loved climbing into Nick Carpenter’s brain and following it straight to the end of this book.
I loved the simplicity of it. No nutty turns or twists. No hearts and flowers.
Not a lot of heat but what there was was hot!
The ending was refreshing because you know they’ll have to work for it.
It happens.
April 1, 2017
This book has a lot of angst but hidden in that was a loving and beautiful story. I loved it.
February 7, 2017
True rating: 3.5 stars - with an honorary rounding up of 4 stars for the book, as a general whole. The thing is this: I really wanted to give this book a solid 4 star rating, but the ending sort of kept me from doing that.
The book as a whole was excellently written ... the writing was on fleek; the internal monologue witty, intriguing, profound, evocative [so, SO evocative), funny, enchanting, and FUN!! I really enjoyed Nick's POV and didn't mind not having Andrew's POV at all, as I feel I was SUPPOSED to get to know Andrew through Nick, and I did, I really did :-)! The pacing, the buildup, the process of 'getting to know one another', everything was so well thought out ... I liked how they didn't just - BAM - enter into a relationship at the beginning of the book, I liked that it was work, a process, a journey, an adventure [and boy are there adventures here]. These two worked HARD to be together [Nick's history and I'm sure Andrew's too, being the roadblocks in their road trip] and their finally doing so was a splendid little victory :-)! These two were made for each other and I enjoyed taking the journey right alongside them. This book was unputdownable and is highly recommended!!
Having said all that, while this book WAS great, I wanted much more from the HEA and most definitely from the Epilogue. I wanted more of an 'ending', or perhaps that was the point of it all, of this book, to emphasize that everything is just the 'beginning'. Still, while I understand that logically, I wanted a more solid HEA, a grand finishing of the book, as opposed to the inkling that there's much more to the journey. Unless there's another book, in which case, bring it on!!
So, as a third wheel on their journey, I'm satisfied, I am happy, I am SO glad things happened as they did, and I can accept the HFN for what it is. I'm trying at least ;-)!
However as the reader that I am, I wanted MORE, I wanted the authors to invest as much in the HEA/Epilogue as they did in the rest of the book, I wanted a glorious ending to go with the rest of the book. For some reason they didn't do that and I was a tad bummed :-/, which will explain my rating.
STILL, as solid as great HFNs could go, this one certainly did. Nick and Andrew are madly passionately deeply in love, and fully intend on being together forever :-). What more could one ask for?!
The book as a whole was excellently written ... the writing was on fleek; the internal monologue witty, intriguing, profound, evocative [so, SO evocative), funny, enchanting, and FUN!! I really enjoyed Nick's POV and didn't mind not having Andrew's POV at all, as I feel I was SUPPOSED to get to know Andrew through Nick, and I did, I really did :-)! The pacing, the buildup, the process of 'getting to know one another', everything was so well thought out ... I liked how they didn't just - BAM - enter into a relationship at the beginning of the book, I liked that it was work, a process, a journey, an adventure [and boy are there adventures here]. These two worked HARD to be together [Nick's history and I'm sure Andrew's too, being the roadblocks in their road trip] and their finally doing so was a splendid little victory :-)! These two were made for each other and I enjoyed taking the journey right alongside them. This book was unputdownable and is highly recommended!!
Having said all that, while this book WAS great, I wanted much more from the HEA and most definitely from the Epilogue. I wanted more of an 'ending', or perhaps that was the point of it all, of this book, to emphasize that everything is just the 'beginning'. Still, while I understand that logically, I wanted a more solid HEA, a grand finishing of the book, as opposed to the inkling that there's much more to the journey. Unless there's another book, in which case, bring it on!!
So, as a third wheel on their journey, I'm satisfied, I am happy, I am SO glad things happened as they did, and I can accept the HFN for what it is. I'm trying at least ;-)!
However as the reader that I am, I wanted MORE, I wanted the authors to invest as much in the HEA/Epilogue as they did in the rest of the book, I wanted a glorious ending to go with the rest of the book. For some reason they didn't do that and I was a tad bummed :-/, which will explain my rating.
STILL, as solid as great HFNs could go, this one certainly did. Nick and Andrew are madly passionately deeply in love, and fully intend on being together forever :-). What more could one ask for?!
January 19, 2017
Nick grew up in foster homes after the death of his parents at the age of seven. Andrew comes form a well-to-do family, but he has a lot to prove to a father who never showed him any affection. The two become partners in a new program for Seattle EMTs and paramedics. Love blossoms for Nick, but Andrew isn't on the same page.
I really enjoyed this story, the writing was excellent. This should fill anyone's list, friendship, hardship, angst, love, romance, and sex. It's got it all !
I really enjoyed this story, the writing was excellent. This should fill anyone's list, friendship, hardship, angst, love, romance, and sex. It's got it all !
January 1, 2017
For me not getting Andrew's POV made me feel like I was missing something. I wish we would have had both. I would have loved to be inside of his head also. I liked them together but still wish I could have had Andrew's POV
June 9, 2017
I loved the way these two characters opposite personalities played off of each other. From enemies, to partners, to best friends to lovers... The Road Home is a captivating journey from start to finish!
February 17, 2017
The Road Home is the newest release from Brad Vance, this time collaborating with fellow writer, Elsa Winters.
To be truthful, I didn’t know what to expect. I love Vance’s work, having read several of his novels, but wasn’t sure how someone with such a strong voice would be able to merge successfully with someone else.
Turns out, I needn’t have worried. This is a terrific story, told in inimitable Brad Vance style, with a distinctive narration by Nick, the story’s main character.
Nick has braced himself for working with his new paramedic boss, Andrew, who is notorious for his rough treatment of EMT’s. But Nick is no pushover. Having been brought up in the care system, and with an innate ability to survive, Nick has prepared himself, and gradually wins Andrew’s trust. They become a good partnership, then friends, but all the while, Nick is fighting growing feelings for Andrew, knowing that he has a girlfriend. Nick is also unwilling to jeopardise their friendship by making his feelings known. When Andrew reveals his plans to go to the UCLA Medical school, Nick has to face up to his own ambitions and feelings, and act accordingly before it is too late.
There is a lot going on here. As well as great insights into the lives of paramedics and EMT’s, there is a story of two men, one born to great privilege and the other dragged up through the care system, having known loss and pain.
It is a buddy story, of two dudes doing dude things; hiking, climbing, shooting the the shit whilst backwater camping and flipping burgers.
It is the careful crafting of their relationship, and the gradual revealing of their stories. No family is perfect, no matter how much money or care is thrown into it.
It is the love between them, and what they decide to do about it before they end up in bed. In short, it is a terrific tale with two very likeable characters, and a cast of family members who have their own interesting stories to tell. If this is the first Brad Vance book anyone picks up, then it’s a great introduction. The storytelling style is easy, drawing the reader in almost as if having a conversation face to face, yet the detailing which I always love in a Brad Vance novel is there. He has a deep understanding of his characters, their chosen careers, their flaws and vulnerabilities, I felt that with a couple of his recent books, he floundered a bit, but now he’s back, with a romance that feels solid and masculine as rough-hewn oak. A great introduction for Brad Vance newbies.
To be truthful, I didn’t know what to expect. I love Vance’s work, having read several of his novels, but wasn’t sure how someone with such a strong voice would be able to merge successfully with someone else.
Turns out, I needn’t have worried. This is a terrific story, told in inimitable Brad Vance style, with a distinctive narration by Nick, the story’s main character.
Nick has braced himself for working with his new paramedic boss, Andrew, who is notorious for his rough treatment of EMT’s. But Nick is no pushover. Having been brought up in the care system, and with an innate ability to survive, Nick has prepared himself, and gradually wins Andrew’s trust. They become a good partnership, then friends, but all the while, Nick is fighting growing feelings for Andrew, knowing that he has a girlfriend. Nick is also unwilling to jeopardise their friendship by making his feelings known. When Andrew reveals his plans to go to the UCLA Medical school, Nick has to face up to his own ambitions and feelings, and act accordingly before it is too late.
There is a lot going on here. As well as great insights into the lives of paramedics and EMT’s, there is a story of two men, one born to great privilege and the other dragged up through the care system, having known loss and pain.
It is a buddy story, of two dudes doing dude things; hiking, climbing, shooting the the shit whilst backwater camping and flipping burgers.
It is the careful crafting of their relationship, and the gradual revealing of their stories. No family is perfect, no matter how much money or care is thrown into it.
It is the love between them, and what they decide to do about it before they end up in bed. In short, it is a terrific tale with two very likeable characters, and a cast of family members who have their own interesting stories to tell. If this is the first Brad Vance book anyone picks up, then it’s a great introduction. The storytelling style is easy, drawing the reader in almost as if having a conversation face to face, yet the detailing which I always love in a Brad Vance novel is there. He has a deep understanding of his characters, their chosen careers, their flaws and vulnerabilities, I felt that with a couple of his recent books, he floundered a bit, but now he’s back, with a romance that feels solid and masculine as rough-hewn oak. A great introduction for Brad Vance newbies.
January 8, 2017
Liked it quite a bit. Not perfect. The first person voice worked for me in this one; the character realized he had flaws without whining over them. There was something of a slow build until things moved fast. I like friends to lovers, I especially like seeing the friendship grow. Things I didn't like: For new adult characters, the guys act and sound like they're 30+. Yeah, hard times can make you grow up fast but they can't erase all immaturity. MC2 was too rich and perfect on the surface, yet then you see this vulnerable real side from both characters. I was thrown out of enjoying MC1's appealing crush by how 'godlike' he saw MC2. Unrealistic characters go with unrealistic stories. And vice versa. Plus, as so often happens with self-pubbed works, internal inconsistencies. And finally, things wrapped up overly neatly. But nonetheless this was a strong four star read for me. The core is a good story. There's just something off about it like it was revamped or some miscommunication between the authors.
February 6, 2017
This book would have been a perfect hot five if only it had a dual POV and even with the lack thereafter every word was still like ice cream to the senses on a hot summers day.It has a happy for now ending and even though there is no sequel evident the story still feels like there could be so much more happening for both characters as they start a new bigger chapter in their journey through life.
January 1, 2017
It looks like once again I’m the odd one out on this one. The Road Home didn’t work for me. I was so bored right from the start and it never really picked up. The writing was too rough and the plot and characters were cardboard thin if even that. I didn’t connect to anything in this book and just wanted it to end.
If you ask me, you can skip this book and move on to the next one without having missed a thing.
A free copy of this book was provided for an honest review
If you ask me, you can skip this book and move on to the next one without having missed a thing.
A free copy of this book was provided for an honest review
January 7, 2017
For an author, I certainly have trouble with reviews. How can I express why I liked this book so much? Friends to lovers? Well, yes, but that's not one of my go-to tropes. I think it was a combination of the characters--sort of mysteriously crabby Andrew and the sweet, unsure narrator, Nick--and the stressful EMT job, along with all the nuances about the characters we find out along the way. And then that "pay-off" moment...man, so hot. Anyway, a great read, and on Kindle Unlimited!
December 31, 2016
4.5*
I've been a huge fan of Brad Vance's for a while. He has a true gift when it comes to telling a story. I was equally excited to not only see he had a new release but also he had co-written it with a new to me author, Elsa Winters.
The Road Home did not disappoint.
You can see my full review on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/4mOBKcip-W8
I've been a huge fan of Brad Vance's for a while. He has a true gift when it comes to telling a story. I was equally excited to not only see he had a new release but also he had co-written it with a new to me author, Elsa Winters.
The Road Home did not disappoint.
You can see my full review on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/4mOBKcip-W8
January 9, 2017
a good entertaining read..my first by both authors...would recommend it to anyone wanting a good read...
January 3, 2017
Everyone Should Take The Road Home
Road trips can be Heaven or Hell depending on the company you're keeping; The Road Home by Elsa Winters and Brad Vance was a trip straight to the pearly gates for me. Nick is instantly a character I could relate to with his Everyman charm to go along with his determination to prove he is more than the product of a broken foster care system while Andrew starts out as untouchable as his exterior perfection encourages Everyman Nick to believe he to be yet the journey to discovering him as a person? I loved being able to take that trip with Nick. It was a nice, fun drive to follow along with him as he tried to figure out what kind of man Andrew really was, who he really was, what made him tick, and, most importantly, what made him choose Nick over all the others who'd failed to impress him as a working partner.
Coming from a background in emergency medicine myself, I loved the way their life as an EMT/Medic team was never glorified yet never exploited with gory descriptions of things medics see in the field either. My favorite line was actually Nick thinking when he was asked "What's the worst thing you've ever seen working as a medic?" and his response was "The look on the person's face when I tell them the worst thing I've ever seen working as a medic." It's absolutely true. People want to see the glory of the roles of the men and women who do these jobs; most don't want the details because those destroy the fantasy.
A lot of the journey on The Road Home involves Nick learning to accept he's allowed to want, to love, to have when he's used to being told 'no' to every request because of growing up an orphan in the foster care system. His slow understanding of Andrew's humanity makes the trip all the more poignant when he realizes that he's not the only one who is afraid to want, to love, to try to have something or someone of his own. I especially loved seeing Andrew reveal insecurities Nick never would have imagined a man like him -a man who comes from money, education, privilege, with a great body and god-like looks to match- to harbor inside himself.
They're both very real men which I deeply appreciated.
A lot of the story is very storybook-style romance, certainly, but I still rank The Road Home a perfect five-star-read because sometimes a person needs a storybook ending which this trip finishes on in spades. It's hot, sexy, poignant, and perfect to fill the needs of anyone looking for a friends-to-lovers romance in the M/M genre. I was given a complimentary copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to review; I loved the book enough to know I will want to read it again so I purchased a copy to add to my permanent library. I hope you decide to go on The Road Home with Nick and Andrew. I loved the trip and sincerely hope you do too.
Road trips can be Heaven or Hell depending on the company you're keeping; The Road Home by Elsa Winters and Brad Vance was a trip straight to the pearly gates for me. Nick is instantly a character I could relate to with his Everyman charm to go along with his determination to prove he is more than the product of a broken foster care system while Andrew starts out as untouchable as his exterior perfection encourages Everyman Nick to believe he to be yet the journey to discovering him as a person? I loved being able to take that trip with Nick. It was a nice, fun drive to follow along with him as he tried to figure out what kind of man Andrew really was, who he really was, what made him tick, and, most importantly, what made him choose Nick over all the others who'd failed to impress him as a working partner.
Coming from a background in emergency medicine myself, I loved the way their life as an EMT/Medic team was never glorified yet never exploited with gory descriptions of things medics see in the field either. My favorite line was actually Nick thinking when he was asked "What's the worst thing you've ever seen working as a medic?" and his response was "The look on the person's face when I tell them the worst thing I've ever seen working as a medic." It's absolutely true. People want to see the glory of the roles of the men and women who do these jobs; most don't want the details because those destroy the fantasy.
A lot of the journey on The Road Home involves Nick learning to accept he's allowed to want, to love, to have when he's used to being told 'no' to every request because of growing up an orphan in the foster care system. His slow understanding of Andrew's humanity makes the trip all the more poignant when he realizes that he's not the only one who is afraid to want, to love, to try to have something or someone of his own. I especially loved seeing Andrew reveal insecurities Nick never would have imagined a man like him -a man who comes from money, education, privilege, with a great body and god-like looks to match- to harbor inside himself.
They're both very real men which I deeply appreciated.
A lot of the story is very storybook-style romance, certainly, but I still rank The Road Home a perfect five-star-read because sometimes a person needs a storybook ending which this trip finishes on in spades. It's hot, sexy, poignant, and perfect to fill the needs of anyone looking for a friends-to-lovers romance in the M/M genre. I was given a complimentary copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to review; I loved the book enough to know I will want to read it again so I purchased a copy to add to my permanent library. I hope you decide to go on The Road Home with Nick and Andrew. I loved the trip and sincerely hope you do too.
August 22, 2017
I got this book as a bonus and it turned out to be better than the main book. I know other reviewers wanted a dual POV, but I think that would have removed the element of wondering, right along with Nick, just what was going on with Andrew.
For much of the book I disliked Andrew, well, maybe not disliked but didn't warm to him. Then Andrew starts revealing his history and you understand why he is the way he is. Another reviewer thought
I think there's enough here for a second book as the first didn't really have any sexual relationship. The few bits we did get were scotching. Ooooh mama, love me some kink that isn't the hackneyed BDSM kink.
For much of the book I disliked Andrew, well, maybe not disliked but didn't warm to him. Then Andrew starts revealing his history and you understand why he is the way he is. Another reviewer thought
I think there's enough here for a second book as the first didn't really have any sexual relationship. The few bits we did get were scotching. Ooooh mama, love me some kink that isn't the hackneyed BDSM kink.
February 23, 2017
This book is about a Paramedic, named Andrew who is rough around the edges and knows what he's doing and doesn't cut slack to anyone and goes through partners in an ambulance like you wouldn't believe. If you don't know what you're doing get the f out of the vehicle. Then there is Nick, an EMT who comes along who is on top of everything and it's funny to see how Andrew reacts to it. They eventually become great friends and coworkers and are around each other more. Everyone seems shocked by this, which I think is kind of funny.
Okay let's get to the funny/awkward elephant in the room. The sexual tension and chemistry these two have is absolutely hot! I don't know how they don't just catch on fire when within distance of each other. Or spontaneous combustion or some steam or smoke doesn't come about... just something!!! Throughout the whole story it is like this, you can cut it with a knife in the air. It is pretty intense.
The journey these two took was kind of like a long winding road. There were some dips and bumps but they made it home. So the title "The Road Home" was the perfect title for this story. The story was so real and relatable, rough and about accepting yourself and others. This story is a diamond in the rough but there is no need for it to be polished because some diamonds are more beautiful in the rough.
Okay let's get to the funny/awkward elephant in the room. The sexual tension and chemistry these two have is absolutely hot! I don't know how they don't just catch on fire when within distance of each other. Or spontaneous combustion or some steam or smoke doesn't come about... just something!!! Throughout the whole story it is like this, you can cut it with a knife in the air. It is pretty intense.
The journey these two took was kind of like a long winding road. There were some dips and bumps but they made it home. So the title "The Road Home" was the perfect title for this story. The story was so real and relatable, rough and about accepting yourself and others. This story is a diamond in the rough but there is no need for it to be polished because some diamonds are more beautiful in the rough.
March 16, 2017
3 Hearts
I think I liked the idea of The Road Home more than I liked the actual book. This had all the elements I really enjoy in a book. First responders, unrequited love, huge crushes, hot men, and action…but somewhere it just sort of fell short for me.
Nick Carpenter is finally in a happy place. Being an EMT and helping people is exactly what he wants to do. But being partnered with the unbelievably successful and incredibly gorgeous paramedic, Andrew Hazard is just icing on the cake.
As these things tend to go, out and proud Nick develops a huge crush on his seemingly straight work partner, Andrew.
Working so closely together day in and day out has Nick and Andrew developing a solid friendship.
Outside of work their bond gets stronger and the two go on a road trip that allows them the opportunity to test how solid their friendship really is.
Andrew and Nick were an enigma to me. I got the friendship, without a doubt but the romantic element didn’t seem right. It seemed like Andrew wanted to remain friends but gave into Nick. I didn’t really get it. The sex was good, and hot. They definitely had chemistry but I wish there was more behind the feelings involving these two.
I think this writing partnership was solid, however. The story flowed well and I really enjoyed Andrew and Nick as partners.
Overall, I liked the story. It kept me interested but it was also very puzzling and the ending was a tad disappointing. I feel like there should be more.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I think I liked the idea of The Road Home more than I liked the actual book. This had all the elements I really enjoy in a book. First responders, unrequited love, huge crushes, hot men, and action…but somewhere it just sort of fell short for me.
Nick Carpenter is finally in a happy place. Being an EMT and helping people is exactly what he wants to do. But being partnered with the unbelievably successful and incredibly gorgeous paramedic, Andrew Hazard is just icing on the cake.
As these things tend to go, out and proud Nick develops a huge crush on his seemingly straight work partner, Andrew.
Working so closely together day in and day out has Nick and Andrew developing a solid friendship.
Outside of work their bond gets stronger and the two go on a road trip that allows them the opportunity to test how solid their friendship really is.
Andrew and Nick were an enigma to me. I got the friendship, without a doubt but the romantic element didn’t seem right. It seemed like Andrew wanted to remain friends but gave into Nick. I didn’t really get it. The sex was good, and hot. They definitely had chemistry but I wish there was more behind the feelings involving these two.
I think this writing partnership was solid, however. The story flowed well and I really enjoyed Andrew and Nick as partners.
Overall, I liked the story. It kept me interested but it was also very puzzling and the ending was a tad disappointing. I feel like there should be more.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
January 3, 2017
I thought that this book had excellent writing with a great pacing of the story. I never found myself skimming over needless prose and found both Nick and Andrew to be compelling and interesting characters.
It was fun seeing their relationship develop as friends and co-workers first. I liked that Nick knew that he was gay, but his only real experience had been being taken advantage of. I liked that he knew, going into the SFD program, that he would be seen as an outsider and was up to the challenge. He was able to prove to everyone who was watching the program to fail that he was competent and he balanced nicely against Andrew. Andrew is driven to be the best that he can be at everything he tries as a way to retaliate against his dad's plans, but I loved the conflict that his dad's plans actually fit into what he himself wants, and his struggles coming to terms with dealing with becoming a doctor doesn't have to mean that he's breaking under pressure.
All other characters in the book were rather flat and underdeveloped, but since it was about Nick and Andrew, that's not unforgivable.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
It was fun seeing their relationship develop as friends and co-workers first. I liked that Nick knew that he was gay, but his only real experience had been being taken advantage of. I liked that he knew, going into the SFD program, that he would be seen as an outsider and was up to the challenge. He was able to prove to everyone who was watching the program to fail that he was competent and he balanced nicely against Andrew. Andrew is driven to be the best that he can be at everything he tries as a way to retaliate against his dad's plans, but I loved the conflict that his dad's plans actually fit into what he himself wants, and his struggles coming to terms with dealing with becoming a doctor doesn't have to mean that he's breaking under pressure.
All other characters in the book were rather flat and underdeveloped, but since it was about Nick and Andrew, that's not unforgivable.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
June 25, 2018
THE ROAD HOME is an M/M standalone romance.
Nick is an EMT who begins his new job partnered with the handsome (and straight) paramedic, Andrew. They become good friends but soon Nick's feelings blossom into more. Can he convince Andrew that they should be more than just friends?
Elsa Winters and Brad Vance are two new to me authors and I'm super glad I picked this one up. To me, this story was way more than just sex. Andrew and Nick both figuratively and literally found their way "home". They both suffered from low self-esteem issues but were able to find strength and solace in their friendship and love for each other. It was beautiful watching these two overcome their obstacles to come together!
Overall, this was a very smooth, easy read and a well written story. Looking forward to more from these authors! Told entirely from Nick's POV with a very saucy ending. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed this book.
Nick is an EMT who begins his new job partnered with the handsome (and straight) paramedic, Andrew. They become good friends but soon Nick's feelings blossom into more. Can he convince Andrew that they should be more than just friends?
Elsa Winters and Brad Vance are two new to me authors and I'm super glad I picked this one up. To me, this story was way more than just sex. Andrew and Nick both figuratively and literally found their way "home". They both suffered from low self-esteem issues but were able to find strength and solace in their friendship and love for each other. It was beautiful watching these two overcome their obstacles to come together!
Overall, this was a very smooth, easy read and a well written story. Looking forward to more from these authors! Told entirely from Nick's POV with a very saucy ending. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed this book.
January 10, 2017
This story is about two men finding a way to not only find love but to heal the each other. Nick is an foster child that was in the system that grew up to be an EMT. Andrew was a man that came from money, boarding schools, and took a job as a paramedic instead of going into the family business as a doctor.
They were paired up at the firehouse to be partners, turned into friends, then best buds, and toward the end as lovers. But to become lovers they were first put threw a lot of trails and painful memories.
Follow along as they make the road trip back to Andrews home town so he can apply for med school, introducing Nick to his parents, and how they move on.
This is a great story of how two people can overcome anything to be together and have a life that they want to make of it.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
They were paired up at the firehouse to be partners, turned into friends, then best buds, and toward the end as lovers. But to become lovers they were first put threw a lot of trails and painful memories.
Follow along as they make the road trip back to Andrews home town so he can apply for med school, introducing Nick to his parents, and how they move on.
This is a great story of how two people can overcome anything to be together and have a life that they want to make of it.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 7, 2017
This is a a friends to lovers story.
Nick is in love with Andrew and is devastated when he gets a girlfriend. When Andrew beaks up from his girlfriend. Andrew wants to go back learning for his Doctor degree and Nick takes a road trip with him to check it out and to confess to Andrew his feelings before he leaves. Would of loved for more if an ending but hoping there may be more ahead for the couple
Nick is in love with Andrew and is devastated when he gets a girlfriend. When Andrew beaks up from his girlfriend. Andrew wants to go back learning for his Doctor degree and Nick takes a road trip with him to check it out and to confess to Andrew his feelings before he leaves. Would of loved for more if an ending but hoping there may be more ahead for the couple
August 22, 2017
These authors were new to me, so I had no idea what to expect but this book blew me away. I loved-loved-loved it. I absolutely loved the characters, their story, the writing style.... everything. Don't want to say too much to give away any spoilers. Highly recommended!!!
** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. **
** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. **
June 18, 2019
I really liked the part before the road trip. It was a great way to get to know the characters.
However, I didn't love the road trip part, because some parts of their trip and relationship evolvement came out of left field for me.
I wish the quality and feel of the first third had continued throughout.
However, I didn't love the road trip part, because some parts of their trip and relationship evolvement came out of left field for me.
I wish the quality and feel of the first third had continued throughout.
February 20, 2017
Loved this book!
Everyone should read this book! Two men from completely different backgrounds finding common ground and falling in love. I especially appreciated the fact that the emotional journey of coworkers to friends to more preceded the sex.
Everyone should read this book! Two men from completely different backgrounds finding common ground and falling in love. I especially appreciated the fact that the emotional journey of coworkers to friends to more preceded the sex.
September 5, 2017
The road home
Finding a good co-worker, a friend and then possibly a lover can almost be a dream. A dream that's far from reality in the head and heart of both Andrew and Nick. Loved the story and characters. I would love to find out what happens next with them.
Finding a good co-worker, a friend and then possibly a lover can almost be a dream. A dream that's far from reality in the head and heart of both Andrew and Nick. Loved the story and characters. I would love to find out what happens next with them.
August 21, 2019
Something was missing with this book. Nick and Andrew relationship moved way too slow. The way the relationship flowed took some of the excitement out of the relationship. And Andrew's family history seemed unnecessary. 2.5 stars
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