Elijah Everett knows he should feel good about the progress he’s made over the last four years, ever since he ran away from a terrible situation at age sixteen. With the support of his loving, adopted family, he recently graduated from college and has a good job and an exciting new life waiting for him on Catalina Island. But his past has left him with little confidence and a list of fears a mile long, and Elijah wonders if he’ll ever fully heal.
Cassidy Juric doesn’t talk about his past. He doesn’t talk about much at all, actually. And yet, Elijah thinks he recognizes a kindred spirit in the gorgeous young ranch hand. The two are undeniably drawn to each other, and a tentative relationship starts to develop. But when the devastating truth about Cassidy’s past is revealed, Elijah wonders if asking Cassidy to trust him might be asking the impossible.
Can two broken men learn to open their hearts and take a chance on love? Or will the ghosts of their past prevent them from building a future together?
Kindred Spirits bridges Alexa Land’s best-selling Firsts and Forever Series and its all-new spinoff, The Castaways Series. Long-time readers will recognize some familiar faces, along with a new setting and several new characters. This book can be read as a stand-alone.
I was so glad to finally get Elijah's story. I've adored him since we first met him as a broken young man in Coming Home and this book shows just how much he's grown.
Cassidy, the horse trainer at the Sea Horse Ranch, is just as - if not more - introverted and private as Elijah. When Elijah spots him and realizes he is as solitary a person as Elijah is, he realizes that he's going to have to be bold if he wants to get his attention. Cassidy doesn't make it easy, but Elijah is determined, especially once he makes the decision to take a job on the ranch and leave his home and family to move to the island.
This is a super sweet story between two young men whose past hurts have led them to close themselves off in a number of ways. Elijah has learned to be a bit more open courtesy of the Nolan and Dombruso extended families, but Cassidy really makes him work for every little bit of information. This is a quiet relationship that slowly builds moment-to-moment. It didn't take long for me to realize that Cassidy is the perfect other half for Elijah.
Aside from the romance and Elijah's new life on Catalina Island, there is some old business that needs to be addressed and it was hard to see just how much Colt was struggling with seeing the "new Elijah". There are also a few old friends from the Firsts and Forever books that appear to lend the boys a hand and while Nana may not be in the picture here, there is a whole new cast of characters running the resort - or just hanging about - that guarantee things will still be hilariously out of control from time-to-time.
If you're a fan of Alexa Land you know how she can balance sweet romance, serious moments and the occasional over-the-top, laugh out loud situation. I'm one-hundred percent on board with the new series and am hoping that the spark we see between two unlikely characters (one old friend and one new) near the end of the story is going to be the set-up for the next book.
I used to really enjoy Alexa Land's books, even with the slightly corny, unrealistic dialogue, the over the top antics, and Land's appalling abuse of commas...but these later books are really testing my patience with the corn and dialogue. There's more cheese here than in the entire state of Wisconsin, and two guys in their early 20s do not talk the way these guys do. There's exposition in the conversations that often doesn't need to be there, and any savvy reader can tell it's their for the benefit OF the reader. If there's one thing capable of taking me right out of a story, it's unnatural dialogue.
It feels like Land is phoning her stories in now, and she's just throwing in as much cheesy sentiment as possible to distract people from the fact that there isn't really a story at all.
This is supposed to be a spinoff from Alexa Land’s plentiful series about the Dumbrouso family and their friends. As far as I’m concerned I thought this was a good start. I have an inkling where this writer might be heading with the series and I’m not mad about that. This starts with Elijah who we met in the earlier series coming to Catalina and Cassidy the horse whisperer. I will say it was slow and easy read, not a lot happened. I still enjoyed it. Plus, seeing Chance & Finn with worth anything.
I enjoy this series and now this spin off in all its sugary and over the top glory.
This tale of Elijah finding love is very sweet and actually pretty mellow and steady for a Alexa Land book.
The huge cast pops in and out and we get introduced to a new crew that I am looking forward to getting HEAS as well an amazing parakeet, a cat, and some horses.
Elijah and Cassidy are two introverted, music loving, bookworms. I love a same same pairing.
The romance between this two is really nicely done. However, Cassidy holds on to his secrets for a bit to long for me really and some aspects of both heroes are kind of glossed over. For example, I think Elijah's past relationship (and current one) with Colt needed more attention.
But I like them both.
This book can be read without have read the first series.
I know this says book one (but it's really #24?) and all the summaries of both this spin off series and the firsts and forever, say you can read them as standalones, but I highly recommend you go in order. There's too many characters without each of their individual stories it can get jumbled and confusing fast. That being said, there something intense about a 20+ book series. There's so much development and growth and time passed and it's pretty fucking cool to see everything play out. Idk if I'd ever be able to reread this entire series in order again, but I know I'll be going back to a few of my favorites in the future.
I love the fresh spin on loved characters in this spin off series! I have always loved Eli and after his rough break up with Colt in the Firsts and Forever series I knew he needed his happy ending. His story was perfect and suited him completely. I also loved how this first book of the series reintroduced old characters and gave us knew characters I think I will love- Hello Beck! And Ren really grew on me by the end of the book.
I’ve been waiting for Elijah’s story for forever. This was the perfect time to share it. I loved this book. Cassidy and Elijah were just SO right for each other.
I’m going to love this series I can already tell. The secondary characters were great too. Alexa is good like that. It made the story that more richer.
2.5 stars - This spinoff series didn’t seem to hold up to its predecessor for me. I enjoyed the Firsts and Forever series much more. Perhaps my tastes are changing. The conversation felt too stilted and the two MCs didn’t speak like they were in their early 20s. It felt like they were in their mid-forties. At one point, it felt like I was reading a manual for safe sex. So awkward. Cassidy’s big “secret” wasn’t revealed until 80% and everyone seemed to know about it EXCEPT Elijah.
Goodness only knows what even happened here!! This was an over-the-top whirlwind of absolutely NOTHING happening!! Also, with all the buildup, the ending was incredibly underwhelming and completely lacklustre!! Meh, this was JUST okay!!!
I think this author might be losing her touch, if "her touch" means her earlier books [at the beginning of her other series] were intriguing because of Nana's antics (though I did enjoy getting to know Dominic, Charlie, and Co. ... though perhaps it's only because I was fairly new to M/M as a general whole)!! That being said, this author clearly doesn't waste her time with character development, significant plot, proper pacing, OR wonderfully developed sex scenes!! Her HEAs leave A LOT to be desired as well!! I'll TRY the next book in this series, just to see if this author manages to shake off whatever went wrong with this book, and if the same happens, I do believe it'll be time to say goodbye to this author and part ways!!!
I loved this new spin off book & happy that Elijah got his story. This book was sweet, funny & emotional. I really enjoyed this book. I love Elijah & was so happy he kept talking to Cassidy & never gave up on him & glad when Cassidy finally caved, I loved him too. Both of them had devastating backgrounds that broke my heart.. I'm so glad they found each other & can start the HEA they both deserve.
The language used is, IMO, too stilted, and the characters always speak "formally" rather than the way twenty-somethings would. Ending was very predictable, and what I would think were very serious personal issues were dealt with so easily that they were bot believable.
It's no secret that I love and devour Alexa Land's books every time a new one is released. And, wow, her new series, The Castaway Series, is going to be amazing!!!
In Kindred Sprits, the first book in her new series, Alexa transports us to the island ranch life. And it's spectacular. Despite being a spin-off series, it has everything we love about The First and Forever Series, including several of the guys we already love!!
Elijah is moving to the ranch, leaving his "family" of Chance and Finn. He's still crushed about losing his friendship with Cole. And Cassidy, oh so quiet Cassidy. Elijah is determined to break down Cassidy's walls. Honestly, the way they get to know each other is perfect! They are two shy, socially awkward and broken men. Expecting them to just start talking wouldn't work. Thus, the way Alexa Land handles this is exquisite!
Their story contains so much, as both men need a lot of courage to open up and change, as fear has ruled their lives. Elijah's goodbye moment with Finn is tear-jerking. (Darn you, Alexa Land!) Elijah's dealings with Cole are heart-breaking. It was so tough to read this part. (Again, Alexa, why do you insist of making me cry?) We see grief, guilt, pain, trust issues, and more.
The beauty of this story lies in the unique stories of each man, as usual. I adore and appreciate Elijah's genius, awkwardness and anxiety. He's written so realistically, and I love him. And Cassidy, wow, just wow. I already liked his brokenness and his awkwardness. But learning that his background is just so darn tragic really brings him to life. His story is awful, his response pretty normal, and his ability to heal with Elijah's help is everything you could ever ask for in a book. These two young men not only compliment one another, they also make the other better.
I cannot ignore Zan's presence. OMG! What an amazing gift to have more time with Zan. I love and adore him and Gianni and am thrilled to have some more time with them.
Kindred Spirits is everything I could hope for in an Alexa Land romance. In other words, go and read it now!
Hooray for Alexa Land! I love everything she writes, and Kindred Spirits is no exception.
In Mike and Yoshi's book, The Rest of Forever, we were introduced to the Seahorse Ranch, a fictional resort located on Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California, as the entire extended Dombruso family decided to vacation there. Elijah, a close family friend,, loved the ranch so much he decided to stay and work there. Kindred Spirits is Elijah's story, and it is the first book of the Castaways series.
I absolutely love Elijah! He's gone from the scared sixteen -year-old runaway we first met in the book Coming Home to a confident and capable young man who's ready to strike out on his own. And Cassidy was an amazing character. Like Elijah, he has a harrowing past that makes it hard for him to trust anyone except for the horses he loves and protects. But once they both let down their guard, the result is nothing short of magic!
Is it necessary to read the Firsts and Forever series to enjoy Kindred Spirits? No, but I do recommend them highly! Alexa Land does an excellent job of getting us up to speed with Elijah's new life on Catalina, and the people he meets there. No doubt many of them will get their own stories and happily-ever-afters. I can't wait!
Awesome start to a new series. If you loved the 'First And Forever' series you will love this too. We met Elijah awhile ago and if you're like me you wanted to know more and get him his forever guy. Eli is sweet, shy and a nerd that just wants to find out where he fits in truly. Building his confidence and wants what he sees everyone else has; love. Once at Catalina Island we meet the mysterious Cassidy, and slowly we peel back his layers and see a heartbreaking story behind his sad eyes. With each scene you will fall in love with this broken man as he opens up and they heal each other, their chemistry and connection is off the charts. Amazing story had me laughing, crying and shocked me in the best way. Adding in new characters (Beck, Sage, Vee and Ren) make me want to know more, plus adorable animals like Gerald, Dia and Clementine will make you smile from beginning to end. Loved seeing old favorites like Gianni/Zan, Finn/Chance, plus Colt, Tracy and Gabriel are finally getting some deeper stories and hopefully their own books soon. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next.
Parts of this were really good and parts just held it back. I liked Cassidy & Elijah as characters, they weren’t too angst-ey, which was nice. Their relationship had a flow and as the reader I felt connected to them and invested in their HEA. It was sort of insta-Love, but so much of the writing concentrated on them getting to know each other that it didn’t feel unfounded.
What felt overwhelming as a reader was the huge cast of characters. This was bridging a previous series I hadn’t read and starting a new series. I guess if I’d read the previous one I would have felt more vested in all these tertiary characters, instead I found myself constantly trying to remember who they all were. Add in all the newbies needed to kick off the new series and it’s a formidable cast. I am inclined to continue though.
Oddly, the epilogue ended it on a poor note for me. Part of the charm of these MCs is that they are who they are and Cassidy became a completely different person in the epilogue. Instead of feeling triumphant or whatever the author may have been going for, it lacked authenticity. Suddenly becoming an extrovert is not a sign of “success” or “healing”.
I discovered this author with a very different kind of book - and genre. Her Tinder chronicles were a pretty wild ride of supernatural romance with great twists and elements. So coming on to her author page and seeing all those books she normally writes... I am sorry, I have this weird but real contempt for contemporary romance and I didn't yet shake it off and those titles? with those covers? felt like all I disliked about them. But Tinder? Yeah, I was willing to close my eyes and give it a chance and... I don't regret it!
It's... well... kind of... okay, I am not sure what it is, other than... good? *facepalm* I enjoyed it. Better? Not by much, I know. My usual words fail me. It's not even cute, which is a label I like to use for those books that are like the puppies of the book world - they may slobber a little and jump around too much but you can't help but like them. Nope. It's just... a book I enjoyed reading.
And I want to read the next book. That's another kind of recommendation in my rating system. A step above the "nice but don't want any more of that".
I’ve been a devoted reader of Alexa Land books since I discovered her Firsts and Forever Series a few years ago. Her writing is seamless and can take you from tears of laughter to heart aching pain, and back again, in one book. You are always guaranteed a HEA but each journey is completely different and fresh. Kindred Spirits is the first book in The Castaways series and can be read as a stand-alone but if you are new to this author then I highly recommend her superb FAF series. This book was such a beautiful journey. Elijah has been a favourite of mine for some time but Cassidy also captured my heart from the moment they met. These two sweet damaged young men have so much to overcome but the way Alexa brings them together is magical to read. I loved every moment of this book and can’t wait for more in the series. Highly recommended.
Alexa Land's Firsts and Forever series and the spin-off Castaways series are amazing. I thought I would miss something with the change of scenery, but Kindred Spirits is just as good as the books from the previous series. Plus, several of Elijah's friends and family visit/move there to get jobs. I loved the new relationship between Eli and Cassidy and also treasured how Eli's relationship with his ex was repaired. I can't wait for Colt's story because it is hard to see one part of a broken couple find his happy while the other is still alone. I love the new characters on the island especially Beck and Vee. Gabriel was a side character in a few books in the First and Forever series. I was so glad to see him move to the island, too. I feel a little closer to seeing him get his story now! Over all, a great start to the spin-off series. Can't wait for more.
I decided to take a chance on a different series by Alexa Land. The first series I read was the First and Forever Stories, which was pretty fluffy but had lots of feeling and passion. I decided to start Land’s series His Chance, which unfortunately was underwhelming and lacking, but still readable with a storyline that had good intentions. So I skipped to the Castaways series, warily hoping for the best.
I’m pleased to say the first book in this series was lovely! Elijah and Cassidy are both broken souls and while taking things slowly, they fall hard. Lots of sweet, swoony moments in this book and maybe I’m just getting used to it but I was able to keep tabs on the many secondary characters.
I liked the underlying story though and it’s well written. I know you only have so much time in a book to make everything happen but their relationship happened too easily considering they’re both super introverts. And it took a really long time for the main plot line to surface.
The bat part is fabulous though and I love the parrot.
There were A LOT of characters to keep track of. The summary says it’s combining stuff from, I think, two other series’. That’s great but really hard for a new reader to slog through. There are some great characters though so I’m looking forward to reading more.
I kinda agreed with Colt with the things he said about Elijah. It was annoying howany people tried to take care of poor Elijah even when he was the one who broke up with Colt. Now let's see the people throughout the books looking after Elijah-
-Colt -Chance and Finn -Zachary and TJ -Alastair and Sawyer -Quinn -Mike and Yoshi -Zan
I mean it's a long list and I may have forgotten a few. Also how did Elijah meet Zan for the 1st time through Mike?? Isn't he related to Zan in way and I mean Christian is Elijah's uncle by marriage. Finn and Shea are brothers and Shea is married to Christian. Sometimes the writer herself forgets about the cocoon of relationships she has formed.
I can't put into words how much this book made me feel. But I'll try. It was truly a beautiful and also heartwrenching masterpiece, with the tragic past of both Cassidy and Elijah emerging. But throughout it was full of love and hope and then there was the humour. Some of those scenes were hilarious. And amongst it all were Elijah's family and friends , Beck and his friends and glimpses of the Dombruso's. This is a great start to a wonderful series. Looking forward to next book.
Book one is a brilliant start to this new series. Combining a little familiar with a lot of new. Wonderfully written. I found this story to be the best type of slow burn, with lots of sparks... This one covers all the feels in a perfect blend, from the seriously emotional to the seriously funny. Plenty of laugh out loud moments Your gonna love this one. I’ll be rereading this many times over. I can wait to read Colt and Ren’s story. 5 Well deserved stars.
I didn't have a lot of sympathy for the main characters, Cassidy and Elijah. Especially not for Elijah after his nonsensical, boastful, and cringe-inducing backstory scene. Lots of long setups for future books - I've already got a head-start on those. Not sure if I'll read them. But, I mean, it got the job done mostly. Not quickly or cleanly, but it was fun enough.
This stand alone mm romance is based on characters from the First and Forever series. The younger crowd as far as I know. Alexa Land again manages to control the large cast of characters who come to the Island of Catalina and then decide to......well that would be a spoiler. As well written as the rest of Land's work, this is funny and quirky and sexy with an interesting and not too far fetched plot. I enjoyed it and will move on to #2.
Cassidy and Elijah journey was so amazing i loved it I felt every emotion they were going through ups and downs laughter tears intensity heartbreaking and heartwarmig moments
Every word in kindred spirits was moving powerful moving and just beautiful I loved it
I'm so going to enjoy this next series! I've read all the books in the first and forever series. Awesome books, easy to read, good story lines and humor that never ends. This series looks to be just as good. Thank you for continuing with these characters as well as the new ones.
This book was a great start to a new series. There were a lot of new and interesting characters introduced (I loved the parakeet!) and a great mix of familiar characters that I loved from previous books. I enjoyed reading about Elijah finally getting his happy ending and I look forward to seeing what the new crew at the Seahorse Ranch get up to next.
I’ve been waiting ages for Elijah’s story. I loved how he ended up being Cassidy’s protector. Eli broke my heart in the previous book when he kept referring to his family as “the family I stay with”. He finally realized in this book that they are his family.
“It was love, and it was pure, and it was beautiful.” Words by Alexa Land’s from her new book, Kindred Spirits. This is by far one of the best love stories ever and would make an awesome movie! Alexa I love your books, but this one is a whole different level. Can’t wait for more!