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Hawkins Brothers/Quinten, Montana #5
Knowing Caleb
Hawkins Ranch; Previous Knowing Caleb is affiliated with Demon Moon, Falling, and ReneCade but can be read as a standalone title. LGBT Contemporary Western Shape-shifter Suspense Caleb Hawkins has watched his brothers fall in love, all the while knowing that for him, it can never be. Caleb has terrible secrets locked in his soul, events in his past for which he can never atone or be forgiven. Someone discovering that he is a demon is the least of what leaves Caleb trembling with nightmares.Jake Chase lost his wife six years ago and has never recovered. He doesn't want to fall in love again and has shunned even a simple date, let alone something more with a woman.Caleb needs a foreman, and Jake needs a job that will get him off the rodeo circuit. Caleb hires Jake. Problem solved. Only Caleb starts noticing little things about Jake he never has in a man before...things like hard lips and a honed, muscular body. For Jake, six years of celibacy have pushed him to a place of sexual need and he finds his gaze straying Caleb's way…and watching, hungrily.Can two straight men overcome their pasts to find love with each other? Even if they can, Caleb will be risking his soul for a chance at their forever.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
31 people are currently reading
957 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Dane
31 books878 followersI am an air force brat and spent most of my growing up years living overseas in Italy and England, as well as Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia while we were stateside. I now live in Florida once again with my big, wonderfully pushy family and my three-legged cat, Harry. I have been reading romance novels since I was twelve years old, and twenty years later I still adore them. Currently, I have an unexplainable obsession with hockey goaltenders, and an unabashed affection for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
July 23, 2009
I love Cameron Dane's books. I had actually read Knowing Caleb when it first came out. Since I try to read most books twice before I rate them, I put it on the backburner until I got around reading it again.
I have to be honest and say that out of the Hawkins brothers and of course, ReneCade, this was my least favorite book. I have no good explanation why because I really liked Jake and Caleb both as characters. Both are men who are noble, strong, and loyal and have way too many skeletons in their closets.
I don't know if I just got tired of Jake wallowing over Krista's death and refusing any kind of happiness with Caleb, or Caleb thinking he wasn't good enough for Jake because of his sordid past. Maybe I just got tired of them doing too much worrying and refusing to accept each other instead of allowing it to happen until the very end.
I still liked this book. I love the Hawkins series. ReneCade and Fallen are books I read over and over again. This might be one reason why I was disappointed in it, because I loved the other two so much. I know that most people loved Jake and Caleb as much as the other brothers, so my opinion will not be a popular one.
It was still a great series and I'm glad it ended with a happy ending. All of the Hawkins brother's deserved that.
I have to be honest and say that out of the Hawkins brothers and of course, ReneCade, this was my least favorite book. I have no good explanation why because I really liked Jake and Caleb both as characters. Both are men who are noble, strong, and loyal and have way too many skeletons in their closets.
I don't know if I just got tired of Jake wallowing over Krista's death and refusing any kind of happiness with Caleb, or Caleb thinking he wasn't good enough for Jake because of his sordid past. Maybe I just got tired of them doing too much worrying and refusing to accept each other instead of allowing it to happen until the very end.
I still liked this book. I love the Hawkins series. ReneCade and Fallen are books I read over and over again. This might be one reason why I was disappointed in it, because I loved the other two so much. I know that most people loved Jake and Caleb as much as the other brothers, so my opinion will not be a popular one.
It was still a great series and I'm glad it ended with a happy ending. All of the Hawkins brother's deserved that.
October 4, 2010
^^ KNOWING CALEB IS REALLLL GOOOOD!^^
I am sending my hospital bills to Cameron Dane, for the amount of heart attacks suffered. This series, gawd this series the words won’t even come. Knowing Caleb might just be my favourite and only because of the sexiest theme out there (GFY) gay for you. Let me tell you, these guys were gay for each other.
Caleb Hawkins is another one of the Demon bros, and currently the only one who is still a demon, since both his brothers have already gone through the change to become human, and fallen in love. Caleb knows he does not deserve the same, his past he feels is so unforgivable that he should never find happiness. When a chance meeting with Jake Chase leads him to offer the man a job as his foreman on the ranch, who knew that this would lead to some “Groovy kinda Love”.
Jake Chase has lost his wife 6 years ago, and each year that goes by the pain seems to be the same. Jake is hell bent on destroying his life, until in walks Caleb and he is hell bent on saving him. A night together leads to a job opportunity and an attraction he never expected.
Well talk about needing my bucket and mop, these two are lava hot. One man hell bent on never loving again, and one who feels he doesn’t deserve love and you have the hottest sex on the planet. All the angst and emotion make this book I winner, my heart was literally bleeding for these two. Had to get Kleenex to clean-up the spillage.
Throw in some attempts on Caleb’s life, and Jake’s denial about loving a another man and you have yourself a wonderful read. The Dane never disappoints. From my first book
to
my latest read by the author, I am a fan for lifeo!!
I am sending my hospital bills to Cameron Dane, for the amount of heart attacks suffered. This series, gawd this series the words won’t even come. Knowing Caleb might just be my favourite and only because of the sexiest theme out there (GFY) gay for you. Let me tell you, these guys were gay for each other.
Caleb Hawkins is another one of the Demon bros, and currently the only one who is still a demon, since both his brothers have already gone through the change to become human, and fallen in love. Caleb knows he does not deserve the same, his past he feels is so unforgivable that he should never find happiness. When a chance meeting with Jake Chase leads him to offer the man a job as his foreman on the ranch, who knew that this would lead to some “Groovy kinda Love”.
Jake Chase has lost his wife 6 years ago, and each year that goes by the pain seems to be the same. Jake is hell bent on destroying his life, until in walks Caleb and he is hell bent on saving him. A night together leads to a job opportunity and an attraction he never expected.
Well talk about needing my bucket and mop, these two are lava hot. One man hell bent on never loving again, and one who feels he doesn’t deserve love and you have the hottest sex on the planet. All the angst and emotion make this book I winner, my heart was literally bleeding for these two. Had to get Kleenex to clean-up the spillage.
Throw in some attempts on Caleb’s life, and Jake’s denial about loving a another man and you have yourself a wonderful read. The Dane never disappoints. From my first book
to
my latest read by the author, I am a fan for lifeo!!
April 7, 2013
2.5 Stars
This one frustrated me. I liked Caleb but I got tired of him feeling so undeserving when in fact he was far from it. His self-destructive behavior grated after a while and the last straw was Jake. It irritated me to no end that Caleb ultimately sold himself short by accepting outright that the love of his life (i.e., Jake) will always love another. I get that Jake absolutely adored his wife and her death was a tragedy beyond words. I get that he misses her like all get out and that no one will ever compare to her. I get that the love he felt and continues to feel for her has no equal. I get all that. What I don't get is how I'm expected to then buy a "love" story with Jake and ... well, frankly anyone. I'm all for cherishing the love of your first spouse and honoring her memory. I don't believe that means that your dead spouse remains front and center in your new relationship. Menage with a ghost? Um no. Needless to say, I draw the line waaaaaay before wearing double wedding rings so this one was a no-go for me.
This one frustrated me. I liked Caleb but I got tired of him feeling so undeserving when in fact he was far from it. His self-destructive behavior grated after a while and the last straw was Jake. It irritated me to no end that Caleb ultimately sold himself short by accepting outright that the love of his life (i.e., Jake) will always love another. I get that Jake absolutely adored his wife and her death was a tragedy beyond words. I get that he misses her like all get out and that no one will ever compare to her. I get that the love he felt and continues to feel for her has no equal. I get all that. What I don't get is how I'm expected to then buy a "love" story with Jake and ... well, frankly anyone. I'm all for cherishing the love of your first spouse and honoring her memory. I don't believe that means that your dead spouse remains front and center in your new relationship. Menage with a ghost? Um no. Needless to say, I draw the line waaaaaay before wearing double wedding rings so this one was a no-go for me.
March 3, 2015
Let me start out by saying that for some pompous asses with a Siskel & Ebert Complex reviewers, a 3-star rating is a good rating; a good book the reviewer enjoyed. For me, a 3-star rating means the book had both good and bad elements and the bad elements took away from what would have been a good read.
So,
Good Stuff First:
* The author definitely has a Gift for smooth writing that flows well. I was hooked into the story from the beginning and didn't even realize how far I'd read until I reached a part that bugged me (see "bad stuff" below).
* The plot, while not ground-breaking, was interesting and kept my interest. I tend to enjoy GFY stories because Love Is Love, as I believe it should be. Meaning: you fall for the heart of a person--gay, straight, bi, or somewhere in between--rather than who society tells you to love with all it's labels and bullshit.
* I noticed some reviewers had a problem with Jake going on and on about his wife (who is deceased). The way the author wrote about Jake's mental/emotional hang up (about his wife), this was not a problem for me and actually turned into a "plus" in the story. If not for Dane's gifted writing Jake could have come across as a whiny bitch. Instead, Dane showed that when Jake loves, it's to the bone and his vows and love do not end with death.
* Sometimes serial novels are promoted as being able to be read as a standalone but that is not always the case. I was happy to see thatKnowing Caleb really does work as a standalone novel even though it is the fifth book in this series. This is the first book I've read from the series and Cameron Danedid an excellent job of providing enough "filler" information from the previous books that I did not feel lost.
Okay, Bad Stuff Time:
#1. Love scenes. The loves scenes were detailed enough and there were plenty of them, if those two things are important to you as a reader. However, the descriptive wording for the love scenes...bothered me.
It was here that I began "profiling" the author (who I knew nothing about--not even if s/he was male or female--prior to beginning the novel).
From the way the love scenes were written, it felt like Dane was an over-forty female who either isn't really comfortable with visualizing anal sex or, who does not like anal sex but still had to write it into the story. The love scenes felt uncomfortable to read; like anal sex between men is dirty, shameful. Even the "prep" for sex only included lubing the outer "bud"--no lubed finger penetration. Which, I guess, kind of explains why: Penetration was painful--not only to read but, apparently, to experience every time! The wording was extremely repetitive and...weird. Examples: hot channel, chute, screaming tunnel, quivering with anticipation, bud, penis (at weird times), burning length, wet heat (mouth), and on, and on! Same words. Same weirdness. Every love scene.
I felt like I was back in high school, reading a Johanna Lindsey historical: The Gay Version.
#2. The whole, "And I'm not even GAY" thing. Okay. Say it once when the whole holy-shit-I'm-attracted-to-a-man realization hits. Hell, go ahead and have either or both characters talk about it a second time. But, not through the entire. Fucking. NOVEL!
I mean, if you're a dude and you're going down on another guy on the regular, you're pretty much something more than just hetero. If you're a dude who not only hits your knees but likes pitching and catching--even if it's only with one other dude--on a regular basis, not only is your ass gay, but, all of the rest of you is, TOO!
Jay-sus! Dane had the characters telling themselves, each other, and other people "We're not even gay" so many damned times, I almost did a way-past-acceptable-time-unless-someone's-dead call to my brother and his husband to see if there was some other definition for "gay" that I wasn't aware of!
#3. This Bad Stuff item is a spoiler so all I'll say is: The speech / announcement Jake made toward the end of the book. Eye-rolling, lip-curling, and a this-is-stupid mumbling under my breath happened.
Since this was the first novel I've read by Dane and I liked Dane's writing style (other than sex scenes between men), I'm going to read another of her books in hopes that the aforementioned negatives were a fluke.
And that's all, my brothers and sisters! Happy reading!
Ciao,
Wycked
So,
Good Stuff First:
* The author definitely has a Gift for smooth writing that flows well. I was hooked into the story from the beginning and didn't even realize how far I'd read until I reached a part that bugged me (see "bad stuff" below).
* The plot, while not ground-breaking, was interesting and kept my interest. I tend to enjoy GFY stories because Love Is Love, as I believe it should be. Meaning: you fall for the heart of a person--gay, straight, bi, or somewhere in between--rather than who society tells you to love with all it's labels and bullshit.
* I noticed some reviewers had a problem with Jake going on and on about his wife (who is deceased). The way the author wrote about Jake's mental/emotional hang up (about his wife), this was not a problem for me and actually turned into a "plus" in the story. If not for Dane's gifted writing Jake could have come across as a whiny bitch. Instead, Dane showed that when Jake loves, it's to the bone and his vows and love do not end with death.
* Sometimes serial novels are promoted as being able to be read as a standalone but that is not always the case. I was happy to see thatKnowing Caleb really does work as a standalone novel even though it is the fifth book in this series. This is the first book I've read from the series and Cameron Danedid an excellent job of providing enough "filler" information from the previous books that I did not feel lost.
Okay, Bad Stuff Time:
#1. Love scenes. The loves scenes were detailed enough and there were plenty of them, if those two things are important to you as a reader. However, the descriptive wording for the love scenes...bothered me.
It was here that I began "profiling" the author (who I knew nothing about--not even if s/he was male or female--prior to beginning the novel).
From the way the love scenes were written, it felt like Dane was an over-forty female who either isn't really comfortable with visualizing anal sex or, who does not like anal sex but still had to write it into the story. The love scenes felt uncomfortable to read; like anal sex between men is dirty, shameful. Even the "prep" for sex only included lubing the outer "bud"--no lubed finger penetration. Which, I guess, kind of explains why: Penetration was painful--not only to read but, apparently, to experience every time! The wording was extremely repetitive and...weird. Examples: hot channel, chute, screaming tunnel, quivering with anticipation, bud, penis (at weird times), burning length, wet heat (mouth), and on, and on! Same words. Same weirdness. Every love scene.
I felt like I was back in high school, reading a Johanna Lindsey historical: The Gay Version.
#2. The whole, "And I'm not even GAY" thing. Okay. Say it once when the whole holy-shit-I'm-attracted-to-a-man realization hits. Hell, go ahead and have either or both characters talk about it a second time. But, not through the entire. Fucking. NOVEL!
I mean, if you're a dude and you're going down on another guy on the regular, you're pretty much something more than just hetero. If you're a dude who not only hits your knees but likes pitching and catching--even if it's only with one other dude--on a regular basis, not only is your ass gay, but, all of the rest of you is, TOO!
Jay-sus! Dane had the characters telling themselves, each other, and other people "We're not even gay" so many damned times, I almost did a way-past-acceptable-time-unless-someone's-dead call to my brother and his husband to see if there was some other definition for "gay" that I wasn't aware of!
#3. This Bad Stuff item is a spoiler so all I'll say is: The speech / announcement Jake made toward the end of the book. Eye-rolling, lip-curling, and a this-is-stupid mumbling under my breath happened.
Since this was the first novel I've read by Dane and I liked Dane's writing style (other than sex scenes between men), I'm going to read another of her books in hopes that the aforementioned negatives were a fluke.
And that's all, my brothers and sisters! Happy reading!
Ciao,
Wycked
October 20, 2021
I can't believe I never wrote a review to this one...because it's probably one of my favorite m/m books ever. I've read it countless time and I absolutely love it.
The whole series is pretty good. I am writing this after I have read all the books in it so I can really say it. Tho this one might be favorite in it.
Caleb and Jake won my heart. I don't know if it's because I'm a sucker for GFY and in this case both MCs were straight before they met or if it's just because Cameron Dane knows her gay sex. SERIOUSLY. Also, I wrote Cameron to tell her how much I loved this book and she is THE BEST person ever. She wrote me back telling me how she came up with the story to this book and she sent me gifts and stuff. How can you not love her?
Bottom line is: read the whole Hawkins ranch series. It's worthy.
**********************************************************
Every once in a while I like to reread books that I once read and loved, just to check if I still love them. I want to start this by saying I still love this one, for sentimental reasons because it’s not as good as I remember from when I read it. I actually was laughing out loud while reading the sexy scenes because oh my god they are so over the top. 😂😂😂😂
Still love it tho. Judge me. I don’t care. 🤷🏻♀️
The whole series is pretty good. I am writing this after I have read all the books in it so I can really say it. Tho this one might be favorite in it.
Caleb and Jake won my heart. I don't know if it's because I'm a sucker for GFY and in this case both MCs were straight before they met or if it's just because Cameron Dane knows her gay sex. SERIOUSLY. Also, I wrote Cameron to tell her how much I loved this book and she is THE BEST person ever. She wrote me back telling me how she came up with the story to this book and she sent me gifts and stuff. How can you not love her?
Bottom line is: read the whole Hawkins ranch series. It's worthy.
**********************************************************
Every once in a while I like to reread books that I once read and loved, just to check if I still love them. I want to start this by saying I still love this one, for sentimental reasons because it’s not as good as I remember from when I read it. I actually was laughing out loud while reading the sexy scenes because oh my god they are so over the top. 😂😂😂😂
Still love it tho. Judge me. I don’t care. 🤷🏻♀️
abandoned
April 12, 2010So this was the second book by Cameron Dane and from this series that I tried to read. The first one, Falling, really bugged me. I pretty much hated it.
This one did not elicit such strong feelings. Aside from the fact that I still think Cameron Dane has the subtlety of a sledgehammer, this book was okay. There was nothing really wrong with it but it just could not hold my interest. I kept wanting to read other things and thinking "Damn, I really need to finish Knowing Caleb..." And then I thought, "Wait - why do I need to finish that?" I decided I don't.
This one did not elicit such strong feelings. Aside from the fact that I still think Cameron Dane has the subtlety of a sledgehammer, this book was okay. There was nothing really wrong with it but it just could not hold my interest. I kept wanting to read other things and thinking "Damn, I really need to finish Knowing Caleb..." And then I thought, "Wait - why do I need to finish that?" I decided I don't.
June 7, 2013
1/2 a star!
Hated Jake.
If i'll read one more time about his wife and his fucking love for her i'll have to kill myself.
Can't believe this book got so many 5 stars.
Hated Jake.
If i'll read one more time about his wife and his fucking love for her i'll have to kill myself.
Can't believe this book got so many 5 stars.
April 10, 2022
BORING. DNF 18%
February 19, 2009
This series gets better with each story I read. This is Caleb's story and he meets Jake. A man that has lost his wife six year previous and still feels obligated to keep thier marriage vows.
After Caleb rescues Jake from a bar brawl and offers him a job at his ranch, things get pretty complicated.
Jake and Caleb have never had feelings for men as individuals. But something develops between them that can be denied. That won't be denied.
That first encounter was all raw physical and mental emotion. What Caleb kept thinking had me wondering when he'd want more from Jake.
I truly loved seeing these two progress from trying to keep it causal sex to lovers to partners. Cameron Dane does such an awesome job with the sensual and emotional connection in the love scenes that you really get a sense of how much the characters struggle with their feelings for one another. Goodness. Caleb's story was great and I would love to re-read it. I want to recapture that feeling of when he first saw Jake (in so much pain) and then the end when they are together.
After Caleb rescues Jake from a bar brawl and offers him a job at his ranch, things get pretty complicated.
Jake and Caleb have never had feelings for men as individuals. But something develops between them that can be denied. That won't be denied.
That first encounter was all raw physical and mental emotion. What Caleb kept thinking had me wondering when he'd want more from Jake.
I truly loved seeing these two progress from trying to keep it causal sex to lovers to partners. Cameron Dane does such an awesome job with the sensual and emotional connection in the love scenes that you really get a sense of how much the characters struggle with their feelings for one another. Goodness. Caleb's story was great and I would love to re-read it. I want to recapture that feeling of when he first saw Jake (in so much pain) and then the end when they are together.
March 18, 2017
I love cowboy romances. This was an awesome read. Loved both Jake and Caleb. My only issue with this book was it was a little drawn out, the author could've cut back on the sex scenes and the constant references to Jake's dead wife was over the top and annoying.
February 2, 2014
OH my god i stoped here & LAUGHED my *** off :p
October 25, 2018
I read till the second sexscene and well, by then I knew how the story would go so ... it couldn’t really hold my interest.
It’s not a badly written story! I think if you’re into the demon/shapeshifter shit, it’s extra interesting. And yeah, the sex was kinda hot. But the story where I can already guess how it will end, or not really the stories I always wanna read. So ... just try it if you like a bit different, a bit gay-for-you, etc.
It’s not a badly written story! I think if you’re into the demon/shapeshifter shit, it’s extra interesting. And yeah, the sex was kinda hot. But the story where I can already guess how it will end, or not really the stories I always wanna read. So ... just try it if you like a bit different, a bit gay-for-you, etc.
May 12, 2021
this one was on my TBR for ages and I started it for a challenge. normally I adore Cameron Dane but with this book I did not find the right groove to enjoy it.
first of all I expected a normal Cowboy-story .... so the Demon side was a bit unexpected, but not bad. I normally like UF but for a real UF story it was not really enough in the story to really count as UF or paranormal for me.
I did not really like Jake in the middle - because he was not really mindful of Caleb during sex at all. and his attitude towards Caleb was hurting him.
he made it up in the last quarter.
all in all this story was nice but it will not be one of my favorites
first of all I expected a normal Cowboy-story .... so the Demon side was a bit unexpected, but not bad. I normally like UF but for a real UF story it was not really enough in the story to really count as UF or paranormal for me.
I did not really like Jake in the middle - because he was not really mindful of Caleb during sex at all. and his attitude towards Caleb was hurting him.
he made it up in the last quarter.
all in all this story was nice but it will not be one of my favorites
October 13, 2011
Caleb is one of three brothers, demons who have come together to create their own family when they cannot abide the ways of their own clans. He moves from woman to woman, burying himself in short lived relationships and one night stands to mask the pain of his past. Afraid to extend his heart to another person, he instead becomes the lighthearted pal of everyone he meets, moving from project to project, never fully committing himself to anything or anyone for very long, with the exception of his brothers.
Jake is a cowboy, traveling on the rodeo circuit, drifting through life mourning the loss of his beloved wife six years ago. His unhappiness weighs on him, his job stifles him, as he forces himself to go through the motions with a job he hates more and more and a life filled with pain and loss.
A chance encounter in a bar brings these two men together, with Caleb's act of kindness opening the door to a tentative friendship. When Caleb offers Jake a job as his ranch foreman, little does he know that things will never be the same between these two complicated, honorable men.
What I liked best about this story is the small steps these two grieving men take to open their hearts in unexpected ways. Jake's grief may only be six years old, but it weighs him down like a boulder. Caleb has had many more years to carry his mantle of pain, and occasionally sheds it with his lighthearted pretenses at normalcy. Neither men are gay, but ultimately prove that love can spring between two people who would normally never see each other as a potential mate.
This story really sings. The unexpected love that blooms really got to me on a visceral level. Bravo.
Comment
Jake is a cowboy, traveling on the rodeo circuit, drifting through life mourning the loss of his beloved wife six years ago. His unhappiness weighs on him, his job stifles him, as he forces himself to go through the motions with a job he hates more and more and a life filled with pain and loss.
A chance encounter in a bar brings these two men together, with Caleb's act of kindness opening the door to a tentative friendship. When Caleb offers Jake a job as his ranch foreman, little does he know that things will never be the same between these two complicated, honorable men.
What I liked best about this story is the small steps these two grieving men take to open their hearts in unexpected ways. Jake's grief may only be six years old, but it weighs him down like a boulder. Caleb has had many more years to carry his mantle of pain, and occasionally sheds it with his lighthearted pretenses at normalcy. Neither men are gay, but ultimately prove that love can spring between two people who would normally never see each other as a potential mate.
This story really sings. The unexpected love that blooms really got to me on a visceral level. Bravo.
Comment
February 14, 2012
I've never in my life heard of 'Cameron Dane' before and had never read a single book from the series 'Hawkins Brother'; until now. It makes me wonder why such an emotional, touching and heartbreaking book didn't come to my attention sooner whilst I browsed for this genre. Honestly, this book deserves to have the attention on millions.
Cameron Dane has an amazing talent to make the reader feel the realism in the book by involving us in so much depth that we feel as if we are part of the story. I haven't came across many books that had made me feel actual in-depth emotions for the character, and this book made me teared up a little - not to mention worry. Gosh, so much worry for them! Not for just one character, but both of them; heck, even the little not-really-important ones. Really, I even felt for the bad guy!
I usually don't read books with plots such as this one; for some reason however, I felt compelled to open this story and do it justice. For god-knows-what-insane-reason, there's only less than 40 reviews on this heartfelt book, and seriously, it deserves better what with its ability to draw readers in emotionally and mentally.
I absolutely love this book and will totally recommend it to people who loves genres like romance, angst, supernatural and happy endings! Trust me on this, if I, the picky book reader, can cross my heart and swear that this book left me with no disappointment, then there's no reason for anyone not to read this!
Cameron Dane has an amazing talent to make the reader feel the realism in the book by involving us in so much depth that we feel as if we are part of the story. I haven't came across many books that had made me feel actual in-depth emotions for the character, and this book made me teared up a little - not to mention worry. Gosh, so much worry for them! Not for just one character, but both of them; heck, even the little not-really-important ones. Really, I even felt for the bad guy!
I usually don't read books with plots such as this one; for some reason however, I felt compelled to open this story and do it justice. For god-knows-what-insane-reason, there's only less than 40 reviews on this heartfelt book, and seriously, it deserves better what with its ability to draw readers in emotionally and mentally.
I absolutely love this book and will totally recommend it to people who loves genres like romance, angst, supernatural and happy endings! Trust me on this, if I, the picky book reader, can cross my heart and swear that this book left me with no disappointment, then there's no reason for anyone not to read this!
February 18, 2013
Substantial, satisfying and romantic. The demon aspect is a sexy, angsty enhancement to this series, and I'm sorry that this book marks the last of the Hawkins brothers' stories.
The MCs had major personal obstacles to overcome before their relationship could be a reality. Jake's guilt over betraying his dead wife's memory is a theme we have seen before in M/M. It can become exasperating and at times that happened here, but the way both men ultimately resolved the issue was heartwarming (somehow without devolving into mawkish sap). Caleb had hangups with his demon nature and the acts of evil he was compelled to commit in his distant past. He believed himself unworthy of love or happiness. The story was a traditional gay-for-you in that neither man had had male leanings in the past and both were badly confused by their feelings. However, even with frequent I'm-not-gay what-the-fuckery on both sides, they were astute enough to recognize this 'problem' as the least of their worries.
The absence of cliche annoying homophobic characters was refreshing. The boys had plenty to contend with in their own issues and a mysterious outside threat against Caleb's life. Sex scenes are frequent, vigorous, raunchy, and detailed, written in Dane's recognizable style which readers either cotton to or don't.
Long without ever getting tedious, and wrapping up believably and warmly on all sides, this is a feel-good read that isn't light or fluffy. Recommended.
The MCs had major personal obstacles to overcome before their relationship could be a reality. Jake's guilt over betraying his dead wife's memory is a theme we have seen before in M/M. It can become exasperating and at times that happened here, but the way both men ultimately resolved the issue was heartwarming (somehow without devolving into mawkish sap). Caleb had hangups with his demon nature and the acts of evil he was compelled to commit in his distant past. He believed himself unworthy of love or happiness. The story was a traditional gay-for-you in that neither man had had male leanings in the past and both were badly confused by their feelings. However, even with frequent I'm-not-gay what-the-fuckery on both sides, they were astute enough to recognize this 'problem' as the least of their worries.
The absence of cliche annoying homophobic characters was refreshing. The boys had plenty to contend with in their own issues and a mysterious outside threat against Caleb's life. Sex scenes are frequent, vigorous, raunchy, and detailed, written in Dane's recognizable style which readers either cotton to or don't.
Long without ever getting tedious, and wrapping up believably and warmly on all sides, this is a feel-good read that isn't light or fluffy. Recommended.
June 2, 2010
I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.
I did like this book overall.
I especially liked Caleb - he was warmth and light and open and kind-hearted; a real gem. But when he lost it, he really lost it - become black and white almost instantly and was just genuinely lost to himself really. There were times his character was written that was more passive then I wanted to see yet to someone else this could be way below a readers radar. Overall, I truly liked him.
Jake - what a true-heart, for this reader his moral compass was truly nice to read. He was strong, and compassionate and the very thing I admired most was the very thing he wrestled the most with in his life.
I liked the premise of the story, I liked the characters, I appreciated very much how the author did not constantly repeat herself trying to tie this book in with the others in the series. I like that VERY MUCH. For that reason and all the others listed I would recommend this book for those readers that enjoy the genre of book.
I did like this book overall.
I especially liked Caleb - he was warmth and light and open and kind-hearted; a real gem. But when he lost it, he really lost it - become black and white almost instantly and was just genuinely lost to himself really. There were times his character was written that was more passive then I wanted to see yet to someone else this could be way below a readers radar. Overall, I truly liked him.
Jake - what a true-heart, for this reader his moral compass was truly nice to read. He was strong, and compassionate and the very thing I admired most was the very thing he wrestled the most with in his life.
I liked the premise of the story, I liked the characters, I appreciated very much how the author did not constantly repeat herself trying to tie this book in with the others in the series. I like that VERY MUCH. For that reason and all the others listed I would recommend this book for those readers that enjoy the genre of book.
May 10, 2010
Read this one after Falling and ReneCade, and in reviewing it comes right in the middle for me, even though I think I gave them all 5 stars. Falling is still my fave, and I loved seeing Cain and Luke appear in this one.
Caleb is a wonderful, charismatic, endearing character and I love him dearly - I generally have a fave in a pairing and he was mine in this one. I like how the relationship evolved, with all the confusion running rampant in their heads because "they weren't gay" - it was an interesting concept really, still not admitting at the end that they must be at least a little bit that way. The inclusion of Jake's deceased-wife in so many scenes was quite extraordinary to me - the acceptance that Caleb showed with regards to her still being number one in Jake's heart.
I really like how Cameron writes, and I love the brotherly relationship that is in every book. I'm hoping there's gonna be another Hawkins book - even though we've run out of brothers. :P
Caleb is a wonderful, charismatic, endearing character and I love him dearly - I generally have a fave in a pairing and he was mine in this one. I like how the relationship evolved, with all the confusion running rampant in their heads because "they weren't gay" - it was an interesting concept really, still not admitting at the end that they must be at least a little bit that way. The inclusion of Jake's deceased-wife in so many scenes was quite extraordinary to me - the acceptance that Caleb showed with regards to her still being number one in Jake's heart.
I really like how Cameron writes, and I love the brotherly relationship that is in every book. I'm hoping there's gonna be another Hawkins book - even though we've run out of brothers. :P
November 20, 2016
3.5 stars but I really wanted to give this 5 stars. I loved Caleb and Jake as a couple. The love and affection these two shared was intense (it gave me goose bumps) and that gets 5 stars. What has me knocking off a 1.5 stars is how Jake was still pining for a wife that had been dead for over 6 years (that goes one for at least half of the book). When he finally gets over that nonsense, Caleb starts resisting the relationship because he feels unworthy (that goes on for a good portion of the other half of the book). If not for the long winded back and forth of guilty feelings from both Caleb and Jake, this would have been a 5 star read.
July 13, 2010
Very high on the irrational angst meter and that is why I gave it 3 stars. Caleb and Jake were good together the last half of the book. The rest was like watching teenagers!
August 11, 2012
With a gun to my head and the threat of never eating a slice of cake in life ever again...I say this is my favorite Cameron Dane book. So good. So emotional. So hawt. And sexy. And steamy...and GUD!
August 30, 2022
4.5 Stars!
Even better the second time.
Even better the second time.
September 4, 2023
HEA…finally got there.
I’ve read a few of Cameron’s books and while this one good it was a little drawn out and dragged in some spots.
Both men are broken when they first meet and as they work together they both start to fall for the other. It’s angsty…internal I’m not gay but want you, I don’t deserve love etc. Jake’s wife suddenly passed away and shattered him to the point he didn’t want to be unfaithful to her by loving anyone else…Caleb is part demon and had a dark past he felt he could never atone for…
Finally they get over themselves and admit their love for each other but I took a while to get there.
3rd person dual pov
Dual GFY
Spicy 4/5 - just accept that prep and lube aren’t needed on this ranch and you’ll be fine. 🙄
I’ve read a few of Cameron’s books and while this one good it was a little drawn out and dragged in some spots.
Both men are broken when they first meet and as they work together they both start to fall for the other. It’s angsty…internal I’m not gay but want you, I don’t deserve love etc. Jake’s wife suddenly passed away and shattered him to the point he didn’t want to be unfaithful to her by loving anyone else…Caleb is part demon and had a dark past he felt he could never atone for…
Finally they get over themselves and admit their love for each other but I took a while to get there.
3rd person dual pov
Dual GFY
Spicy 4/5 - just accept that prep and lube aren’t needed on this ranch and you’ll be fine. 🙄
December 29, 2020
DNF @23% = automatic 3 stars
It had been a good decade since I read Cameron Dane last, & I was curious after seeing the book recommended.
My biggest issue was how dry the writing felt. Stilted/wooden/overly polite and proper dialogue. Made it not feel authentic, especially for a cowboy. A clean/edited manuscript is great, but I needed some messy to make it not feel like reading a textbook. Polite & proper, not rough & tumble cowboys, one devastated by grief & the other a demon.
This affected the flow of the story for me, as well as my emotional investment. I called it quits when I decided I didn't care whether I knew what happened next or not.
It had been a good decade since I read Cameron Dane last, & I was curious after seeing the book recommended.
My biggest issue was how dry the writing felt. Stilted/wooden/overly polite and proper dialogue. Made it not feel authentic, especially for a cowboy. A clean/edited manuscript is great, but I needed some messy to make it not feel like reading a textbook. Polite & proper, not rough & tumble cowboys, one devastated by grief & the other a demon.
This affected the flow of the story for me, as well as my emotional investment. I called it quits when I decided I didn't care whether I knew what happened next or not.
March 1, 2021
What can I say? I love this book, I was afraid because of the other reviews but I couldn't stop once I started, I was going to give this 4 stars but then the last scene with the three brothers was freaking beautiful with all the meaning of Jake actions and I decided to give it 5*, I would easily recommend this one to my friends
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2019
Ended up giving this one 2 stars instead of the 1 star I thought it deserved because I did actually adore Caleb. Jake was an asshole. Period.
If you want to find out why I disliked this book, read my progress updates...I don't really feel like going into it all again.
If you want to find out why I disliked this book, read my progress updates...I don't really feel like going into it all again.
December 19, 2021
I'm still haunted by this book istg. I really don't know much about the author and it's forte but this one blew me off the coast. I thought it was just simply a cowboy theme or whatever but why is there an immortal dude? or am i just stupid not knowing the series and its contents.
June 16, 2023
An ok read. A demon full guilt from his past falls for a cowboy still grieving for his wife after 6 years. A hurt-comfort story, with lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex. In fact half the book was nothing but sex. Outside of that, I did love the characters.
September 3, 2017
3.5 stars
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