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San Capistrano #5
Scattered Shells
The court case is over. Alex and Ben can concentrate on healing the wounds inflicted by Alex's mother, Janice. As they find their way back to a normal family life Alex begins to experience life in ways he never has before.
When he takes up a role in a free clinic, he encounters a teenage boy who has been neglected and rejected by his parents. Will Alex be able to cope when he and Ben decide to take the boy in? Will the new family member help him take the last steps into the lightness of being loved?
When he takes up a role in a free clinic, he encounters a teenage boy who has been neglected and rejected by his parents. Will Alex be able to cope when he and Ben decide to take the boy in? Will the new family member help him take the last steps into the lightness of being loved?
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2018
32 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Angelique Jurd
43 books289 followersPeople driven stories. Slightly broken boys. Safe space MM Romance fiction.
After getting a degree in languages, travelling the world, raising a family, and working as a business journalist, she went back to school and studied English Literature and Media Studies.
In 2018, she published her first novel Jesse’s Smile with Small Black Cat Media. Since then, she’s continued to write contemporary gay (MM) romance and her academic research in fan studies and the queerification of popular fiction characters by fans.
Angelique is owned by three cats, three adult children, two temperamental computers, and a very patient boyfriend (not a partridge in a pear tree). She’s also pierced, painted, pansexual, and proud AF. When she’s not writing (or swearing at her computer) she likes cold champagne, hot coffee, neat whiskey, loud Springsteen, and the Winchester brothers kicking butt.
Stay up to date with new releases and other news by getting Angelique's newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/636945...
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After getting a degree in languages, travelling the world, raising a family, and working as a business journalist, she went back to school and studied English Literature and Media Studies.
In 2018, she published her first novel Jesse’s Smile with Small Black Cat Media. Since then, she’s continued to write contemporary gay (MM) romance and her academic research in fan studies and the queerification of popular fiction characters by fans.
Angelique is owned by three cats, three adult children, two temperamental computers, and a very patient boyfriend (not a partridge in a pear tree). She’s also pierced, painted, pansexual, and proud AF. When she’s not writing (or swearing at her computer) she likes cold champagne, hot coffee, neat whiskey, loud Springsteen, and the Winchester brothers kicking butt.
Stay up to date with new releases and other news by getting Angelique's newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/636945...
Find online:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Angelique-Jurd...
Instagram: angeliquejurd
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AngeliqueRJurdWriter
FB Reader Group:
http://facebook.com/groups/cocktailsa...
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angel...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 17, 2021
3.5 Stars
Told in multiple POV, 3rd person, it’s the fifth installment in the "San Capistrano" series and should be read in order. What I love the most in this series is how Alex & Ben can be in sync with each other, how they have each other’s back, and how strong together they are. I enjoy seeing their family is getting expanded. Love it when Ben teasing Alex and Jamie and make them blush! All in all, another good read in this series, and hope you like it as well!
Told in multiple POV, 3rd person, it’s the fifth installment in the "San Capistrano" series and should be read in order. What I love the most in this series is how Alex & Ben can be in sync with each other, how they have each other’s back, and how strong together they are. I enjoy seeing their family is getting expanded. Love it when Ben teasing Alex and Jamie and make them blush! All in all, another good read in this series, and hope you like it as well!
December 1, 2024
Reread May 2020
Originally read May 2018
It was good to see Alex and Ben living their lives without so much turmoil. They still have their ups and downs as any couple would. But they work through them. They also get a nice addition to their family. I would LOVE a book about Jamie.
Originally read May 2018
It was good to see Alex and Ben living their lives without so much turmoil. They still have their ups and downs as any couple would. But they work through them. They also get a nice addition to their family. I would LOVE a book about Jamie.
July 11, 2018
*** Book 5 in this amazing series.***
With the abusers/kidnappers in jail, we see our men settle into life with the girls, Ally, 4, Lucy, 10 mos., Ben 39, Alex, 36. Alex is getting help for his childhood trauma and abuse. If anyone has an issue they talk it out.
Some days are a struggle. When Alex decides to change things up and take classes to help abused kids, they adjust.
They are erotic and sizzling in bed, and more so when Alex gives Ben a present of lace undies.
At the free clinic where Alex works part time, a 15 yr. old boy, Jaime, comes in in rough shape. He's been thrown out by his own parents for being gay, and is having a hard time.
* Alex wants to help, and they invite him into their home. We see the men and little Ally take good care of him, and lead him toward success. He gains weight, confidence and goes to school, , while he fights for emancipation, plus Alex and Ben want custody. He melds into their family life seamlessly. Throughout the months we see the family gel, and Jaime is happy but afraid to hope.
Lots of conversations, tender moments, revelations and acceptance. We see deep emotion, tears shed, hugs given, and family bonding, through good times and bad.
This whole series has been full of magnificent characters, intense drama, hot sex, and tremendous happiness, all achieved on an uphill climb. Truly marvelous.
As a reader I'm so happy with this ending. Glorious yet down to earth.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
=======
With the abusers/kidnappers in jail, we see our men settle into life with the girls, Ally, 4, Lucy, 10 mos., Ben 39, Alex, 36. Alex is getting help for his childhood trauma and abuse. If anyone has an issue they talk it out.
Some days are a struggle. When Alex decides to change things up and take classes to help abused kids, they adjust.
They are erotic and sizzling in bed, and more so when Alex gives Ben a present of lace undies.
At the free clinic where Alex works part time, a 15 yr. old boy, Jaime, comes in in rough shape. He's been thrown out by his own parents for being gay, and is having a hard time.
* Alex wants to help, and they invite him into their home. We see the men and little Ally take good care of him, and lead him toward success. He gains weight, confidence and goes to school, , while he fights for emancipation, plus Alex and Ben want custody. He melds into their family life seamlessly. Throughout the months we see the family gel, and Jaime is happy but afraid to hope.
Lots of conversations, tender moments, revelations and acceptance. We see deep emotion, tears shed, hugs given, and family bonding, through good times and bad.
This whole series has been full of magnificent characters, intense drama, hot sex, and tremendous happiness, all achieved on an uphill climb. Truly marvelous.
As a reader I'm so happy with this ending. Glorious yet down to earth.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
=======
May 29, 2018
Finishing this book is bittersweet. I have loved this series and these characters so much. Ben and Alex were made for each other. Things weren’t always perfect but they always stood together. Jamie was a perfect addition to their family. This is definitely a series that I will reread in the future (I’m sure multiple times).
August 13, 2023
Another brilliant slice-of-life relationship focused installment in the love and life of Alex and Ben. Book 5 in a 9 part series. A few of the earlier books were smaller at 150pages, but this guy is a full length installment at 285 pages. I care for these characters deeply and have moved immediately from one book to the next, I so badly need to know what they’re up to.
This book is a bit of a reset, we found closure in the last book on some main issues and we’re now healing and moving on. We get more adorable slice-of-life story with our main characters and add some new ones. The mentions of characters no longer with us is bittersweet, the mention of trading in the Volvo made me teary eyed. Ends in an HEA with no loose ends.
At the end of this book, the author says the story is finished with maybe a few stops back to visit Alex and Ben. There are 4 more titles in this series on GoodReads, so I’m guessing they’re more novellas than full page count novels. Either way, I love this couple, I love how they love and I love their family and extended family.
Contemporary, m/m, adorable kids, parenting, series on same couple, vers. Reviewed as a series, each individual book is a 4-5 with the series coming in as a solid 5 overall.
This book is a bit of a reset, we found closure in the last book on some main issues and we’re now healing and moving on. We get more adorable slice-of-life story with our main characters and add some new ones. The mentions of characters no longer with us is bittersweet, the mention of trading in the Volvo made me teary eyed. Ends in an HEA with no loose ends.
At the end of this book, the author says the story is finished with maybe a few stops back to visit Alex and Ben. There are 4 more titles in this series on GoodReads, so I’m guessing they’re more novellas than full page count novels. Either way, I love this couple, I love how they love and I love their family and extended family.
Contemporary, m/m, adorable kids, parenting, series on same couple, vers. Reviewed as a series, each individual book is a 4-5 with the series coming in as a solid 5 overall.
November 20, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Scattered Shells continues to follow the lives of Alex and Ben. This book opens up with the men getting themselves back on solid ground after Alex’s mother, Janice, once again caused trauma for their family. Alex is doing the work though and getting healthier. Life with two young children, two careers, and a dog still brings daily stress, but the men are more committed than ever.
If there was a couple that could be viewed as relationship goals, it would be Alex and Ben. The men have been together for years, but are still so in love with each other and enjoy spending all of their time together. Their girls add to their lives and Alex never thought he would have so much love in his life. When he meets Jamie, he sees how he can help and feels it will help him as much as Jamie.
The men have been through a lot and their lives haven’t been easy and while they do deserve a break, the transition with Jamie was almost too easy. They don’t know much about him, but move him into their home with their two small children and, while there are of course some legal things to figure out, it all seemed so so easy.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Scattered Shells continues to follow the lives of Alex and Ben. This book opens up with the men getting themselves back on solid ground after Alex’s mother, Janice, once again caused trauma for their family. Alex is doing the work though and getting healthier. Life with two young children, two careers, and a dog still brings daily stress, but the men are more committed than ever.
If there was a couple that could be viewed as relationship goals, it would be Alex and Ben. The men have been together for years, but are still so in love with each other and enjoy spending all of their time together. Their girls add to their lives and Alex never thought he would have so much love in his life. When he meets Jamie, he sees how he can help and feels it will help him as much as Jamie.
The men have been through a lot and their lives haven’t been easy and while they do deserve a break, the transition with Jamie was almost too easy. They don’t know much about him, but move him into their home with their two small children and, while there are of course some legal things to figure out, it all seemed so so easy.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
October 22, 2022
Ben as daft as ever and Alex growing in confidence. Such a wonderful family atmosphere and a great addition in Jamie.
June 15, 2018
Recenzja do wszystkich części. Jedna z najlepszych serii, jakie czytałam ostatnio. WARTO!!!!
June 8, 2022
Zakręciłam się jak baranie rogi na Alexa i Bena - i na ich rozszerzającą się rodzinkę 💙 Momentami widać ich ewolucję, a czasami są tacy sami - ale nigdy idealni... Po prostu ludzie, którzy usiłują się dostosować jak najlepiej do sytuacji, w której się znaleźli... Nawet, jeżeli popełniają błędy, jeżeli czasami nie potrafią przeskoczyć przeszłości czy nerwy im puszczają - to ciągle jest to po prostu normalne 💙 Ale kochają się bezwarunkowo - i to jest cudne 💙 Jamie tak bardzo do nich pasuje - i cieszę się niezmiernie, że znalazł w końcu rodzinę, nawet jeżeli przyszywaną, którą po raz pierwszy w życiu może tak nazwać 💙
Żałuję tylko, że do ulubionych nie można dodawać całych serii - bo kocham ich z tomu na tom coraz bardziej 💙💙💙
Żałuję tylko, że do ulubionych nie można dodawać całych serii - bo kocham ich z tomu na tom coraz bardziej 💙💙💙
August 7, 2018
I loved this series! I loved Ben & Alex and their relationship; it was realistic and I wish there were more books. This series needs more attention. Now I’m going to go read everything Angelique Jurd.
April 30, 2019
1+1=Love + 2, + 1 more =The Alex& Ben Family!
The Alex & Ben romantic story continues with coping with parents in jail, daily family dynamics,a birthday celebration and a new family addition. Such a charming family/couple love story. What’s not to love! On to the next installment!
Recommend: if you like this type series, check out “Temptation” by Ella Frank.
The Alex & Ben romantic story continues with coping with parents in jail, daily family dynamics,a birthday celebration and a new family addition. Such a charming family/couple love story. What’s not to love! On to the next installment!
Recommend: if you like this type series, check out “Temptation” by Ella Frank.
September 15, 2018
I loved this 5 book series with this same couple so much. Yes there’s a few editing issues, but over all I loved reading Ben and Alex story. I usually am not a fan of an on going series with the same couple it tends to get repetitive and boring but these guys I could devour everything about their life. I love the way the author makes them so relatable. The love and loss the tragic and the HEA I loved it all. Adding Jamie a teenager to the mix was brilliant. I Loved seeing the guys relate to not only toddlers, but also to Jamie giving him a stable loving family. I couldn’t put the book down. Please say we’ll see more of this family. For me this was 5 stars for this overall series.
July 28, 2023
I loved this book so much, I just love Alex and Ben and how they accepted Jamie intp their family. This is seriously becoming one of my fave series everrrr!!! Onto the next book.
May 25, 2018
Thank you, Angelique Jurd, for this beautiful series. Like the first 4 books, there are some quirks in the writing that may take the reader some getting used to - e.g. frequent lack of subject in sentences, requiring a bit of guesswork re: what character is being referred to. It was jarring for me in the first book, but by this 5th and final him book either it's occurring less frequently, or I'm used to enough it that I no longer notice it as much - likely a combination of the two.
I became very invested in the lives of Alex and Ben over the course of the series, and I especially appreciated how fleshed out they both were - their backstories, their emotional development, their relationship together. I'm sad that this is the last book of the series for several reasons, but one big one is that I'd like to have learned more about Jamie. I loved the few scenes from his point of view, and kept waiting for the next one that never came. I'd love a book 6 that explores more of Jamie (and Leo!).
I became very invested in the lives of Alex and Ben over the course of the series, and I especially appreciated how fleshed out they both were - their backstories, their emotional development, their relationship together. I'm sad that this is the last book of the series for several reasons, but one big one is that I'd like to have learned more about Jamie. I loved the few scenes from his point of view, and kept waiting for the next one that never came. I'd love a book 6 that explores more of Jamie (and Leo!).
May 26, 2018
💕A magical glimpse into Alex and Ben's loving family as they open their arms and hearts to one more👍👍
May 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
💜💚❤💙💛I loved this quiet little gem! After all the drama of the previous book in the series (Stormy Seas), Angelique Jurd made this story all about the fraught and joyful moments of creating a family. I can't get enough of this little family with two crazy in love fathers and two cute as a button daughters that takes in an abandoned teen and shows him the understanding, compassion and love that his parents denied him. Expect humor, domestic chaos, steam between the sheets, and a warm and fuzzy buzz that will brighten up your day.:-)
I highly recommend this book.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 26, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
💜💚❤💙💛I loved this quiet little gem! After all the drama of the previous book in the series (Stormy Seas), Angelique Jurd made this story all about the fraught and joyful moments of creating a family. I can't get enough of this little family with two crazy in love fathers and two cute as a button daughters that takes in an abandoned teen and shows him the understanding, compassion and love that his parents denied him. Expect humor, domestic chaos, steam between the sheets, and a warm and fuzzy buzz that will brighten up your day.:-)
I highly recommend this book.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 22, 2020
As usual with this author this was another wonderful story in the continuing ups and downs in the lives of Ben and Alex and their family. Thankfully this one was all gentle and funny, thanks to Ben, and pure family love, what we needed after the previous book in this series, that was harrowing. Time is running out, there is only one novella and one more book in this series and then it will be goodbye to Ben, Alex, Jamie, Allie, and Lucy, that will be a sad day. These books have been very enjoyable reads, this author is amazing, this series and her book Jesse’s Smile are my favourites, thankfully she has written many more, they will keep me happy after I’ve finished this series.
May 27, 2018
This series close with a joyful, beautiful story. There is a new addition to Alex and Ben loving family, and you'll be able to see how both of them keep growing as characters, how the dynamics of their family adapts, and how the events from the previous book keep unfolding and get resolution.
As always with Angelique Jurd, the writing is great, and the story flows seamlessly.
A great book, worthy of your time.
As always with Angelique Jurd, the writing is great, and the story flows seamlessly.
A great book, worthy of your time.
October 2, 2018
5 'Perfect end to this series that I loved. It wasn't all full on action or mystery intrigue it was them. What made this series was Alex and Ben, their connection and the way they persevered through whatever shitty thing may have come across their path, they hung in there. They may have gotten angry, said angry things, done angry things but they always found their way back to their love' stars.
March 17, 2021
Is This the Last We Hear from Ben and Alex? No! Yay! There’s more!
Phew, compared to the previous book in the series, this one is mellow, a reprieve from Alex’s parents, although there are emotional repercussions to both men, and their daughters. I miss Ben’s mother and grandmother. :(
Phew, compared to the previous book in the series, this one is mellow, a reprieve from Alex’s parents, although there are emotional repercussions to both men, and their daughters. I miss Ben’s mother and grandmother. :(
April 14, 2019
Oh how I love Ben and Alex and their family. It’s been a joy watching them grow from book to book. Seeing Alex persuade Ben to take a chance in the teenager Jamie was beautiful. Watching them take him in, with no judgement just love, guidance and pure acceptance was breathtaking.
July 30, 2022
By this time, I’m not sure if I’m addicted to the couple or I’m just acting out on my usual stubbornness to get me to this point…
Too much tragedy for one couple/family… It’s like watching a telenovela…
Too much tragedy for one couple/family… It’s like watching a telenovela…
June 6, 2018
The San Capistrano Seriez
I loved this series - the characters are amazing, Alex and Ben are one of my favorite couples. I'm sad to see the series over.
I loved this series - the characters are amazing, Alex and Ben are one of my favorite couples. I'm sad to see the series over.
May 14, 2019
Awesome.
Another wonderful addition to this series. I loved the addition of Jamie into the mix. Looking forward to next book.
Another wonderful addition to this series. I loved the addition of Jamie into the mix. Looking forward to next book.
August 25, 2025
4.3 - 2020
4.2 - 2022
4.1 - 2025
4.2 - 2022
4.1 - 2025
June 1, 2018
3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews