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Seacroft #2
Cold Pressed
No strings attached is all Oliver can offer. He's hiding a broken heart that holds him back from diving into a new relationship, but he'll go on a blind date to make his family happy. Just one date, though; he doesn't have time for love to derail his plans.
Divorced and demoted to the night shift, Nick has his own problems. He's got an ex-wife who needs him and a kid with one foot in juvie. The last thing Nick needs is to butt heads—or other body parts—with a tempting hipster who wears a sad smile on their blind date.
Their chemistry can’t be denied, though, in an argument or in bed. No strings sex is uncomplicated and that's what Nick and Oliver need. But getting into bed together is one thing. Staying out of each other’s hearts soon becomes so much more complicated than either one imagined.
Cold Pressed is an 80k contemporary MM romance. It features a smoldering bisexual single dad, a broken-hearted hipster with a thing for beet juice, and a friends-with-benefits arrangement that blooms into the HEA you've been looking for.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2019
62 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 15, 2019
Cold Pressed is a MM romance between Oliver, a wealthy ex-lawyer turned hipster and business owner of a juice shop, and Nick, an ex-firefighter and father of a troubled teenager. A contemporary romance, relationship-oriented, with two MCs in their 30s, one trying to have a positive attitude no matter what and the other more of the silent type. A kind of second chance, not between the MCs but at being in love again.
Meeting during a blind date, lust is there and they decide to go for “no string sex” as both their mind is too preoccupied for more. Oliver has just relocated to go into the business he planned with his ex-partner of 10 years, with not much success and maybe even not much interest apart from clinging on a dream. And Nick is trying to build, with the help of his ex-wife, a relationship with his teenage son who is on house arrest.
Sex is good for them, sex is even great, but bit by bit, it’s too hard for them to keep by themselves and are they even willing ?
This is a sweet read, with reliable characters and for those who wants a happy ending, it’s a good story : the building of the relationship between Oliver and Nick is there and nicely done and the steam level was good : I enjoyed the reflexions both Oliver and Nick had about their journey. But more angst and more about the interaction between Nick and his son would have add some flavour and spice for me.
Part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
ARC of “Cold Pressed” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Meeting during a blind date, lust is there and they decide to go for “no string sex” as both their mind is too preoccupied for more. Oliver has just relocated to go into the business he planned with his ex-partner of 10 years, with not much success and maybe even not much interest apart from clinging on a dream. And Nick is trying to build, with the help of his ex-wife, a relationship with his teenage son who is on house arrest.
Sex is good for them, sex is even great, but bit by bit, it’s too hard for them to keep by themselves and are they even willing ?
This is a sweet read, with reliable characters and for those who wants a happy ending, it’s a good story : the building of the relationship between Oliver and Nick is there and nicely done and the steam level was good : I enjoyed the reflexions both Oliver and Nick had about their journey. But more angst and more about the interaction between Nick and his son would have add some flavour and spice for me.
Part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
ARC of “Cold Pressed” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2019
*4.5 stars*
I think this was my very first book by this author and I can honestly say that it turned out to be a very good experience!
Oliver and Nick both needed a second chance at happiness and they were lucky enough to find each other.
Their relationship had an unconventional start with the two of them meeting over an argument for the first time and a few days later meeting again on a blind date.
Since both their lives were complicated and busy they agreed on a casual arrangement with no strings attached. They had their rules and their limits and everything was sailing along great for a few weeks but then life had to happen and everything became complicated again.
Their personal lives, that they had so carefully kept away from their arrangement, tangled together and there was no way to keep them a secret anymore.
The plot and the way the story was written kept the reader's interest the entire time and it was cleverly woven. Everything that happened was an issue from the start and there were no surprise-threads appearing out of the blue, which I appreciated very much.
The epilogue offered a lot to the story and I'm glad the author decided to include one. I was happy that Oliver was finally able to move on from his past and find his passion in life.
Even with the ending of the book taking place a few months after the rest of the events, everything between Nick and his son was still a work in progress which made it all the more realistic.
I really enjoyed this story and I have a feeling that I'll be reading more from Allison Temple in the future.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
I think this was my very first book by this author and I can honestly say that it turned out to be a very good experience!
Oliver and Nick both needed a second chance at happiness and they were lucky enough to find each other.
Their relationship had an unconventional start with the two of them meeting over an argument for the first time and a few days later meeting again on a blind date.
Since both their lives were complicated and busy they agreed on a casual arrangement with no strings attached. They had their rules and their limits and everything was sailing along great for a few weeks but then life had to happen and everything became complicated again.
Their personal lives, that they had so carefully kept away from their arrangement, tangled together and there was no way to keep them a secret anymore.
The plot and the way the story was written kept the reader's interest the entire time and it was cleverly woven. Everything that happened was an issue from the start and there were no surprise-threads appearing out of the blue, which I appreciated very much.
The epilogue offered a lot to the story and I'm glad the author decided to include one. I was happy that Oliver was finally able to move on from his past and find his passion in life.
Even with the ending of the book taking place a few months after the rest of the events, everything between Nick and his son was still a work in progress which made it all the more realistic.
I really enjoyed this story and I have a feeling that I'll be reading more from Allison Temple in the future.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
August 20, 2019
I found this one a much easier read than book one in this series because Nick and Oliver were both such utterly likeable characters with flaws and human frailties that didn't annoy me!
Now, don't get me wrong, book one is excellently written as well, the whole series has been quality, but Seb was a much harder character to me to root for whereas I just fell for these two guys who'd been a bit battered by life and were struggling with how to move forward.
I loved the way they started off with a no commitment it's only sex intention and I loved how rapidly that fell by the wayside as each found something they'd been missing in the other.
One thing though, which did puzzle me from the narrative, was time scales. It was difficult to work out just how long they'd been seeing each other before the I love yous came along.
Still, that's only a minor quibble in what was a really enjoyable read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Now, don't get me wrong, book one is excellently written as well, the whole series has been quality, but Seb was a much harder character to me to root for whereas I just fell for these two guys who'd been a bit battered by life and were struggling with how to move forward.
I loved the way they started off with a no commitment it's only sex intention and I loved how rapidly that fell by the wayside as each found something they'd been missing in the other.
One thing though, which did puzzle me from the narrative, was time scales. It was difficult to work out just how long they'd been seeing each other before the I love yous came along.
Still, that's only a minor quibble in what was a really enjoyable read.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
August 16, 2019
*4.25 stars*
What an unexpected little gem. I dismissed it at first because ex wife drama isn't my cuppa but it turned out to be more than ok. Anya (the ex wife) was a pretty good character and drama free.
Just don't expect to find perfect characters here because there is a lot of messing up. Nick is far from the perfect father example, Hayden (his son) brought all the teen drama (but managed to keep my attention and turned up being pretty serious) and Oliver just kept making career choices that left me flabbergasted. But everything came together beautifully in the end when I least expected it.
I would have liked to see more bonding between father and son, but the romance is front row here and I read for the romance so....But I do hope to see more of Hayden in the future.
It's also a very steamy book. So much that I wouldn't have minded less sex and more relationship development.
In any case, this really worked for me. I'm definitely going to try more from this author.
What an unexpected little gem. I dismissed it at first because ex wife drama isn't my cuppa but it turned out to be more than ok. Anya (the ex wife) was a pretty good character and drama free.
Just don't expect to find perfect characters here because there is a lot of messing up. Nick is far from the perfect father example, Hayden (his son) brought all the teen drama (but managed to keep my attention and turned up being pretty serious) and Oliver just kept making career choices that left me flabbergasted. But everything came together beautifully in the end when I least expected it.
I would have liked to see more bonding between father and son, but the romance is front row here and I read for the romance so....But I do hope to see more of Hayden in the future.
It's also a very steamy book. So much that I wouldn't have minded less sex and more relationship development.
In any case, this really worked for me. I'm definitely going to try more from this author.
Want to read
July 17, 2020Kindle freebie 7/16/20!
August 21, 2019
This is a new to me author. I liked this one.
It didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it and nothing really annoyed me too much.
I would definitely consider reading more from this author.
Likable MCs, a good bit of steam, no annoying drama - all a plus!
It didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it and nothing really annoyed me too much.
I would definitely consider reading more from this author.
Likable MCs, a good bit of steam, no annoying drama - all a plus!
August 17, 2019
3.5 stars
October 18, 2020
3.5 stars
July 15, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Cold Pressed the second book in the Seacroft Stories series. I read the first (Top Shelf) back in May, and I believe this is a good follow up. Nick and Oliver are an engaging couple, and their story flowed nicely from the first book. I enjoy stories that begin with the couple disliking each other, but finding themselves pushed together, and this one totally has this vibe. However, I find myself feeling a little disconnected with both Nick and Oliver. I mean…I get them, and I like them, but I just can’t make myself love them.
The author has fleshed Nick and Oliver out pretty well, and the lives they lead seem real enough. Both men have had it rough. They were burned in the past, and it seems they’re still burning.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Cold Pressed the second book in the Seacroft Stories series. I read the first (Top Shelf) back in May, and I believe this is a good follow up. Nick and Oliver are an engaging couple, and their story flowed nicely from the first book. I enjoy stories that begin with the couple disliking each other, but finding themselves pushed together, and this one totally has this vibe. However, I find myself feeling a little disconnected with both Nick and Oliver. I mean…I get them, and I like them, but I just can’t make myself love them.
The author has fleshed Nick and Oliver out pretty well, and the lives they lead seem real enough. Both men have had it rough. They were burned in the past, and it seems they’re still burning.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
Want to read
July 17, 20207/16/20 Currently FREE via Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07THN4KJ9
July 14, 2019
4.5 stars
I loved the first book in this series, Top Shelf, and went into Oliver and Nick's story with super high expectations. Allison Temple has consistently been a 4-5 star read for me, so I was surprised when, at the beginning of this story, I just could not get into it. The first 40% or so of this book, Oliver and Nick are trying hard to stick to a no-strings rule. They recognize they have mad chemistry, so they plan to use each other for a little physical outlet and then go back to their lives and not muddy the waters of either. To be honest, that part of the book didn't really work for me. It was slow going and I struggled to get into either character. A lot of the backstories are vague -- as readers, we learn about their histories slowly over time as they reveal them to each other -- and I had trouble understanding some of their actions and motivations. There are a lot of steamy scenes, to be sure, and the connection Oliver and Nick have is very clear, but it felt like something was missing.
However, near the mid-point, the story picks up and it picks up quickly. I went from clicking over to Twitter between chapters to being tied to my chair for a few hours while I inhaled the rest of the book. The focus of the story shifts more towards Oliver and Nick's lives as a whole and as their backstories are revealed so much makes sense, and their relationship finally jumped off the page. This book has a very different feel from the first in the series. Nick and Oliver are older - 39 and 35, respectively - and have baggage. Lots of it. Aside from their budding relationship, they each have other things going on, other entire stories being told in between their hook-ups. And those other stories, and the way every part of their lives comes together, is what ended up making this a 4.5 star read for me.
Nick's story is focused on his family - his relationship with his ex-wife and their parenting struggles with their teenaged son, who is on probation. I gotta say, as much as I loved Oliver and Nick and their relationship, I think that the progression of Nick's relationships with his family and the heartbreaking reality and honesty of it ended up being my favorite part of the entire book. At the beginning, I wasn't expecting Anya and Hayden to be as large a part of the story as they were, but I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a wonderful job of writing their complex family dynamics, unraveling what I expected to be a huge clusterfuck in a gentle and emotional way.
Oliver's story is about past heartbreak, self-discovery and doing what you want for yourself vs. what you want for revenge. (Revenge probably isn't the right word here - Oliver isn't vengeful - but it's almost 1 a.m. and my brain is tired.) We met Oliver in the previous book (he's Seb's brother), and it was nice to learn more about him and see him as more of a complex character in his own right instead of reading him through Seb's eyes. He's pushing himself to make a failing business work just to prove that he can, all while tending a broken heart that's determined to fall in love again and forging a closer relationship with his brother.
All in all, I absolutely loved reading as the different threads of their lives came together to build a relationship between Oliver and Nick. There were a lot of moving parts in the story, so many that I was amazed at how seamlessly the author pulled them together, giving everything a purpose that led ultimately to a happy ending for these guys. I look forward to the next book in this series, which will feature a red-haired, energy-drink-chugging, video-game-addicted accountant that we meet (and in my case, adore) in this book.
An advance copy of this book was received for review on OMGReads.
I loved the first book in this series, Top Shelf, and went into Oliver and Nick's story with super high expectations. Allison Temple has consistently been a 4-5 star read for me, so I was surprised when, at the beginning of this story, I just could not get into it. The first 40% or so of this book, Oliver and Nick are trying hard to stick to a no-strings rule. They recognize they have mad chemistry, so they plan to use each other for a little physical outlet and then go back to their lives and not muddy the waters of either. To be honest, that part of the book didn't really work for me. It was slow going and I struggled to get into either character. A lot of the backstories are vague -- as readers, we learn about their histories slowly over time as they reveal them to each other -- and I had trouble understanding some of their actions and motivations. There are a lot of steamy scenes, to be sure, and the connection Oliver and Nick have is very clear, but it felt like something was missing.
However, near the mid-point, the story picks up and it picks up quickly. I went from clicking over to Twitter between chapters to being tied to my chair for a few hours while I inhaled the rest of the book. The focus of the story shifts more towards Oliver and Nick's lives as a whole and as their backstories are revealed so much makes sense, and their relationship finally jumped off the page. This book has a very different feel from the first in the series. Nick and Oliver are older - 39 and 35, respectively - and have baggage. Lots of it. Aside from their budding relationship, they each have other things going on, other entire stories being told in between their hook-ups. And those other stories, and the way every part of their lives comes together, is what ended up making this a 4.5 star read for me.
Nick's story is focused on his family - his relationship with his ex-wife and their parenting struggles with their teenaged son, who is on probation. I gotta say, as much as I loved Oliver and Nick and their relationship, I think that the progression of Nick's relationships with his family and the heartbreaking reality and honesty of it ended up being my favorite part of the entire book. At the beginning, I wasn't expecting Anya and Hayden to be as large a part of the story as they were, but I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a wonderful job of writing their complex family dynamics, unraveling what I expected to be a huge clusterfuck in a gentle and emotional way.
Oliver's story is about past heartbreak, self-discovery and doing what you want for yourself vs. what you want for revenge. (Revenge probably isn't the right word here - Oliver isn't vengeful - but it's almost 1 a.m. and my brain is tired.) We met Oliver in the previous book (he's Seb's brother), and it was nice to learn more about him and see him as more of a complex character in his own right instead of reading him through Seb's eyes. He's pushing himself to make a failing business work just to prove that he can, all while tending a broken heart that's determined to fall in love again and forging a closer relationship with his brother.
All in all, I absolutely loved reading as the different threads of their lives came together to build a relationship between Oliver and Nick. There were a lot of moving parts in the story, so many that I was amazed at how seamlessly the author pulled them together, giving everything a purpose that led ultimately to a happy ending for these guys. I look forward to the next book in this series, which will feature a red-haired, energy-drink-chugging, video-game-addicted accountant that we meet (and in my case, adore) in this book.
An advance copy of this book was received for review on OMGReads.
July 4, 2019
It’s been awhile since I’ve finished reading a book all in one day but this did it!! I enjoyed this one even more than the first book and I adore firefighter dispatcher Nick and hipster Oliver. They didn’t start off on the right foot, and there were some bumps along the way, but they finally made it work.
This book made me tear up. Nick has his ex-wife, Anya, and his 15-year-old son, Hayden, living with him because Hayden is under house arrest. I feel bad for Hayden and just want to give him a hug. And I love a story where the ex-wife is super chill and supportive!!! Anya’s so sweet and I honestly would not be opposed to reading a story where she gets her HEA!
It was nice seeing Martin and Seb again. I really liked the moments where we got to see Seb and Oliver working out their issues and just being brothers.
The next book is with Avery, and he seems super energetic, but a lovely person so I’m excited to see who he finds his HEA with!
Trigger warnings for mentions of bullying, blackmail, and homomisia.
***Thanks to A Novel Take PR for providing me an ARC as part of a bookstagram tour***
This book made me tear up. Nick has his ex-wife, Anya, and his 15-year-old son, Hayden, living with him because Hayden is under house arrest. I feel bad for Hayden and just want to give him a hug. And I love a story where the ex-wife is super chill and supportive!!! Anya’s so sweet and I honestly would not be opposed to reading a story where she gets her HEA!
It was nice seeing Martin and Seb again. I really liked the moments where we got to see Seb and Oliver working out their issues and just being brothers.
The next book is with Avery, and he seems super energetic, but a lovely person so I’m excited to see who he finds his HEA with!
Trigger warnings for mentions of bullying, blackmail, and homomisia.
***Thanks to A Novel Take PR for providing me an ARC as part of a bookstagram tour***
July 21, 2019
Cold Press is the second book of Allison Temple's Seacroft series. I adored the first book, Top Shelf, where Oliver, one of the MCs of Cold Press, is introduced. He's got some big life changes happening and we get more insight into his motivations. He's so damn optimistic and puts on a happy face no matter the curve balls that come his way. Nick is prickly at first, not caustic like Seb from Top Shelf, but more so because he shoulders a massive amount of responsibility and has put his life on hold for others who depend on him. Oliver and Nick pair well, and I enjoyed their journey from enemies to friends-with-benefits to serious boyfriends.
July 18, 2019
I quite liked Nick and Oliver's story. The best part, in my eyes, was the budding relationship between Nick's son Hayden and Oliver, though. That actually had almost more potential than the one between Nick and Oliver.
Nice setting, nice story and nice to see Martin and Seb from the previous book again.
Nice setting, nice story and nice to see Martin and Seb from the previous book again.
February 16, 2020
DNF at 21%
I borrowed this book from a friend after mentioning that I was looking for an easy romance. And, in a way, the book was definitely a simple read.
Out of the two MCs, I was actually interested in Nick. He was a bisexual dude who sees his job as a failure/demotion. Also, for unknown to me reasons, he lived with Anya (his ex-wife) and Hayden (their teenage son). Oh, and Hayden had gotten in some serious trouble with the law (up to the point I read, he was wearing an ankle monitor, had monthly court dates, and was under house arrest.) If I really thought about it, I think I'd have probably finished this novel if the book had only been told from Nick's POV.
Unfortch, there was Oliver: an ex-lawyer who had started a new business venture. An openly gay man who (allegedly) carried a deep hurt of some kind, Oliver turned out to be the MOST GENERIC CHARACTER EVER. I didn't understand (aside from the fact that Nick thought Oliver was hot) why Oliver/Nick should've been a thing that happens.
Adding to my tired sigh about Oliver's blandest-than-Gap-khakis feelings was that he was a bit of jackass abt his business. Per the explanation he gave Nick during their blind date, Pulpability (yes, that's what the store's called) was a "wellness and healthy eating lab."
Y'all he sold 'health foods' and juice cleanses. #MyEpicEyerollisSOEpicIMightStrainAMuscle
ON TOP OF THAT, he'd be extremely judgemental whenever the conversation was about food. As in actually dropping some "hard statistics" abt poor eating habits and the toxicity of fried foods, etc. Also, there were random asides about people's bodies (?) that, again, overtly critical. It was INCREDIBLY OFF-PUTTING because my mind would wander to Instagram charlatans who try to make others feel terribs because "those people" don't do any "clean eating."
Despite the fact that I don't have any eating disorders, I can most deffo see how this so-called romance can potentially trigger ppl who suffer from ED. So, please, take care of yourself if you pick up this book.
Anyways, between Oliver "Blandest Jackass About Food" McBlandy and Nick "Interesting And Complicated Home Life" Dude, I felt my enthusiasm for anything concerning their romance disappear into the ether.
TL;DR: The second book in a series set in a small town. I didn't read the first one, don't plan to read the third one or anything by this author ever again.
Although the "Meet Ugly-to-FWB-to-Lovers" premise sounded good, my intense loathing for one half of the couple (due to his blandness AND jackassery) made me drop this book.
I borrowed this book from a friend after mentioning that I was looking for an easy romance. And, in a way, the book was definitely a simple read.
Out of the two MCs, I was actually interested in Nick. He was a bisexual dude who sees his job as a failure/demotion. Also, for unknown to me reasons, he lived with Anya (his ex-wife) and Hayden (their teenage son). Oh, and Hayden had gotten in some serious trouble with the law (up to the point I read, he was wearing an ankle monitor, had monthly court dates, and was under house arrest.) If I really thought about it, I think I'd have probably finished this novel if the book had only been told from Nick's POV.
Unfortch, there was Oliver: an ex-lawyer who had started a new business venture. An openly gay man who (allegedly) carried a deep hurt of some kind, Oliver turned out to be the MOST GENERIC CHARACTER EVER. I didn't understand (aside from the fact that Nick thought Oliver was hot) why Oliver/Nick should've been a thing that happens.
Adding to my tired sigh about Oliver's blandest-than-Gap-khakis feelings was that he was a bit of jackass abt his business. Per the explanation he gave Nick during their blind date, Pulpability (yes, that's what the store's called) was a "wellness and healthy eating lab."
Y'all he sold 'health foods' and juice cleanses. #MyEpicEyerollisSOEpicIMightStrainAMuscle
ON TOP OF THAT, he'd be extremely judgemental whenever the conversation was about food. As in actually dropping some "hard statistics" abt poor eating habits and the toxicity of fried foods, etc. Also, there were random asides about people's bodies (?) that, again, overtly critical. It was INCREDIBLY OFF-PUTTING because my mind would wander to Instagram charlatans who try to make others feel terribs because "those people" don't do any "clean eating."
Despite the fact that I don't have any eating disorders, I can most deffo see how this so-called romance can potentially trigger ppl who suffer from ED. So, please, take care of yourself if you pick up this book.
Anyways, between Oliver "Blandest Jackass About Food" McBlandy and Nick "Interesting And Complicated Home Life" Dude, I felt my enthusiasm for anything concerning their romance disappear into the ether.
TL;DR: The second book in a series set in a small town. I didn't read the first one, don't plan to read the third one or anything by this author ever again.
Although the "Meet Ugly-to-FWB-to-Lovers" premise sounded good, my intense loathing for one half of the couple (due to his blandness AND jackassery) made me drop this book.
July 9, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
This book manages to be funny, sweet, sad and frustrating all at the same time. This is the story of the unlikely connection between a hipster juice bar owner and a former firefighter. Aside from crazy hot chemistry, they don’t seem to have much in common until they are forced to let each other in and give an actual relationship a chance.
Yes. Oliver is just as poncey and pretentious as his business suggests. The former lawyer is quite the hipster cliche and for most of the book he doesn’t seem to realise where he’s going a bit wrong. It’s tempting to laugh at him but I ended up cringing in sympathy instead. Because he’s nice. And well meaning. And he’s recovering from a nasty break-up. He’s easy to love but until the end of the story, I found it difficult to take him seriously. In contrast, it is impossible not to take Nick’s life seriously. After an injury as a firefighter, he’s been relegated to a low paid desk job that barely covers his bills. He’s also supporting his son and ex wife - with his son under house arrest. It’s impossible not to love Nick and it’s impossible not to feel huge amounts of sympathy for him.
Oliver and Nick are one of the most unlikely pairings I can remember reading. And while Oliver is oblivious to his privilege and pretentions, Nick can’t ignore the differences between them. I love the chemistry that sparks from their first meeting and I love how they soften each other’s hard edges. Oliver becomes more grounded and more human and Nick slowly allows himself to have a life, one that he can both choose and enjoy.
I enjoyed this story thoroughly and I really love that Nick’s ex-wife and his son both feel like fully fleshed and very likeable characters. This is an entertaining read about two slightly older men at crossroads in their lives.
This book manages to be funny, sweet, sad and frustrating all at the same time. This is the story of the unlikely connection between a hipster juice bar owner and a former firefighter. Aside from crazy hot chemistry, they don’t seem to have much in common until they are forced to let each other in and give an actual relationship a chance.
Yes. Oliver is just as poncey and pretentious as his business suggests. The former lawyer is quite the hipster cliche and for most of the book he doesn’t seem to realise where he’s going a bit wrong. It’s tempting to laugh at him but I ended up cringing in sympathy instead. Because he’s nice. And well meaning. And he’s recovering from a nasty break-up. He’s easy to love but until the end of the story, I found it difficult to take him seriously. In contrast, it is impossible not to take Nick’s life seriously. After an injury as a firefighter, he’s been relegated to a low paid desk job that barely covers his bills. He’s also supporting his son and ex wife - with his son under house arrest. It’s impossible not to love Nick and it’s impossible not to feel huge amounts of sympathy for him.
Oliver and Nick are one of the most unlikely pairings I can remember reading. And while Oliver is oblivious to his privilege and pretentions, Nick can’t ignore the differences between them. I love the chemistry that sparks from their first meeting and I love how they soften each other’s hard edges. Oliver becomes more grounded and more human and Nick slowly allows himself to have a life, one that he can both choose and enjoy.
I enjoyed this story thoroughly and I really love that Nick’s ex-wife and his son both feel like fully fleshed and very likeable characters. This is an entertaining read about two slightly older men at crossroads in their lives.
July 7, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the second book in the series. I have to admit that I have not read book 1 yet, but could see that I would have understood a little more of Oliver's story if I had. I am also very curious about Martin and Seb's story! That said, I found this to be a well rounded story all on its own.
Nick is a really interesting character. Divorced from his wife, with a teenage son who is facing juvie if he doesn't calm his temper, Nick has moved them back into his house so he can help straighten things out. However it is still not going well for his son. He and his ex-wife are clearly still friends, and I loved the point when she realises who Oliver is, and admires her ex's taste in men! Due to injury he is stuck in a job that has no excitement, and working a night shift, whilst his old colleagues go out and tackle fires - yet he is still a guy doing the best he can.
Oliver is so utterly different from Nick, successful career as a lawyer, now following a plan dreamt up with an ex-boyfriend, and not really doing all that well. His discipline keeps him at it more than anything else, although Nick provides a hope of something better. As both of them get more comfortable with each other, we get to see them in their relaxed state, and it is really lovely. You can almost feel the stress fall off them whilst they are together!
With a clever plot twist and some serious issues to resolve, this is a lovely read, with some good humour, and two lead characters who are really decent guys who deserve every happiness.
This is the second book in the series. I have to admit that I have not read book 1 yet, but could see that I would have understood a little more of Oliver's story if I had. I am also very curious about Martin and Seb's story! That said, I found this to be a well rounded story all on its own.
Nick is a really interesting character. Divorced from his wife, with a teenage son who is facing juvie if he doesn't calm his temper, Nick has moved them back into his house so he can help straighten things out. However it is still not going well for his son. He and his ex-wife are clearly still friends, and I loved the point when she realises who Oliver is, and admires her ex's taste in men! Due to injury he is stuck in a job that has no excitement, and working a night shift, whilst his old colleagues go out and tackle fires - yet he is still a guy doing the best he can.
Oliver is so utterly different from Nick, successful career as a lawyer, now following a plan dreamt up with an ex-boyfriend, and not really doing all that well. His discipline keeps him at it more than anything else, although Nick provides a hope of something better. As both of them get more comfortable with each other, we get to see them in their relaxed state, and it is really lovely. You can almost feel the stress fall off them whilst they are together!
With a clever plot twist and some serious issues to resolve, this is a lovely read, with some good humour, and two lead characters who are really decent guys who deserve every happiness.
July 8, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Nick is working night shift as an emergency dispatcher while living in the same house with his ex-wife. Their teenage son who has been in major trouble with the police also lives with them. Oliver is trying to get his small business off the ground. A business he was supposed to start with his ex who up and left him just as they were about to start a new business and life in Seacroft.
Nick and Oliver are set up on a blind date but with complicated lives they agree to be each other’s booty call and nothing else. It was easy to see right off the bat that this was never going to work. With plenty of stress in their lives and the time they spend their time together being the best part of their day, they were always going to end up more involved than they planned.
This is well paced story, between two regular, every day guys. I wanted to find out where their lives were going to end up, how they’d end up together and, if I’m honest, how long it was going to take Oliver to realise that his business was a dud. The complexities of their lives and a difficult decisions that need to be made and the realities they have to face is what sucked in to this story. By the end of the story I actually thought that Nick and Oliver were pretty brave and I was so happy with the ending. I loved Cold Pressed. It was a very satisfying read for me.
Nick is working night shift as an emergency dispatcher while living in the same house with his ex-wife. Their teenage son who has been in major trouble with the police also lives with them. Oliver is trying to get his small business off the ground. A business he was supposed to start with his ex who up and left him just as they were about to start a new business and life in Seacroft.
Nick and Oliver are set up on a blind date but with complicated lives they agree to be each other’s booty call and nothing else. It was easy to see right off the bat that this was never going to work. With plenty of stress in their lives and the time they spend their time together being the best part of their day, they were always going to end up more involved than they planned.
This is well paced story, between two regular, every day guys. I wanted to find out where their lives were going to end up, how they’d end up together and, if I’m honest, how long it was going to take Oliver to realise that his business was a dud. The complexities of their lives and a difficult decisions that need to be made and the realities they have to face is what sucked in to this story. By the end of the story I actually thought that Nick and Oliver were pretty brave and I was so happy with the ending. I loved Cold Pressed. It was a very satisfying read for me.
July 31, 2019
Cold Pressed is the second book in the Seacroft series by Allison Temple. It is about a divorced man, Nick, who lives with his troubled son and ex-wife. After a work accident, he is a fire station dispatcher, rather than the fireman he trained to be. Oliver, new to town, is an ex-lawyer turned juice maker. Neither has had luck with love but after a rocky start involving a towing truck and an odd blind date, they get to know each other. What starts as a hook-up ends up as so much more.
I liked how Nick supported his son. Even though he was divorced, he still allowed his ex and kid to move in. I do wish there was more kid/father bonding or bonding attempts; Nick seemed kind of cold. It’s obvious he loves his kid but besides getting upset at him, we don't see much effort. My favorite character has to be Oliver’s brother, whose book is the first one in the series.
I liked this book. I read this one without reading the first story and was not lost at all, so it can be read as a standalone. I honestly hope the next book ends up being Hayden’s. I know he is young but maybe fast forward a couple years? There was a time jump at the end which showed there was a happy ever after but I wish there were more interactions between Hayden and Oliver, with Hayden being more accepting. The twist that made them closer was very unexpected but I am happy it happened. I will read the next book as well.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
I liked how Nick supported his son. Even though he was divorced, he still allowed his ex and kid to move in. I do wish there was more kid/father bonding or bonding attempts; Nick seemed kind of cold. It’s obvious he loves his kid but besides getting upset at him, we don't see much effort. My favorite character has to be Oliver’s brother, whose book is the first one in the series.
I liked this book. I read this one without reading the first story and was not lost at all, so it can be read as a standalone. I honestly hope the next book ends up being Hayden’s. I know he is young but maybe fast forward a couple years? There was a time jump at the end which showed there was a happy ever after but I wish there were more interactions between Hayden and Oliver, with Hayden being more accepting. The twist that made them closer was very unexpected but I am happy it happened. I will read the next book as well.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
July 15, 2020
wow, i really didn't like this and i truly regret reading it. it started bad and only got worse. not my kind of storyline, and the characters didn't endear me to the story. oliver was awful, but nick was ok. seb's a piece of shit and i definitely won't be reading his story. i felt bad for everyone but didn't feel any chemistry between them and they didn't really do anything to help themselves. i hated them as a couple, they weren't believable at all. nick feels bad about his history as a parent but i don't really see him doing much now...never tells his son he loves him, spends no time with him etc. no wonder the kid hates him. thank god i didn't pay for this.
February 12, 2020
Between 1.5 and 2 stars for me.
I really liked the MCs together but the rest of the book was a hot mess. There were too many issues and some of them didn’t make sense. Pick one or two and concentrate on those.
And the whole thing with Nick’s son made me so mad. Your kid is in serious trouble and screaming for help. You don’t just shrug and say only he can make it go away. You accept the help your lawyer boyfriend is offering, you get your kid into counseling and you do whatever you need to because you are his parent.
I really liked the MCs together but the rest of the book was a hot mess. There were too many issues and some of them didn’t make sense. Pick one or two and concentrate on those.
And the whole thing with Nick’s son made me so mad. Your kid is in serious trouble and screaming for help. You don’t just shrug and say only he can make it go away. You accept the help your lawyer boyfriend is offering, you get your kid into counseling and you do whatever you need to because you are his parent.
March 3, 2021
m/m, with one gay and one bi.
There is so much pain and angst in this one. It was hard to read at times. The teenage son of one character is in a heap of legal trouble, and it’s taking a huge toll on his family (ex-wife and son). The pain of the son really resonated with me, as did the hurt the other man felt from his ex-partner. The ending is v satisfying, with some answers and a HEA.
Freebie from author.
There is so much pain and angst in this one. It was hard to read at times. The teenage son of one character is in a heap of legal trouble, and it’s taking a huge toll on his family (ex-wife and son). The pain of the son really resonated with me, as did the hurt the other man felt from his ex-partner. The ending is v satisfying, with some answers and a HEA.
Freebie from author.
July 16, 2019
First, covergasm!
I was looking forward to read this book just for the cover inly. But then I met both MCs and I was hooked.
And there's a certain kid that stole my heart as well.
Full review soon!
July 16, 2019
good.. interesting.. fast paced.. kept me guessing in some spots curious to see what was next.. good characters and the writing is as always amazing. very good
December 25, 2019
I liked the other two books in the Seacroft series a bit better, but this was cute and absolutely worth reading :)
May 29, 2020
3.75⭐
March 15, 2020
"Cold Pressed" can undoubtedly be included in a group of novels that in the blink of an eye conquered my heart with their emotional, moving story. What's more, the one presented by Allison Temple in this book easily touched my soul. Looking at this novel as a whole, we notice straightaway that it's not a simple and light story, however, it doesn't make the reader depressed. I think it is worth mentioning that the weight of the story shown in "Cold Pressed" comes mainly from the situations (both family and professional ones) the characters are facing. Nick and Oliver have their own problems, which over time become more serious. When they start to to some extent overlap one another and when the relationship problems are added to them, the reader is taken for a real emotional roller coaster ride, during which they have heart in their mouth and their whole body shivers. In my case, this is a quite literal description of my reaction to the events the author presents in this novel.
Another thing are the main characters. I admit that we fall in love with them at first sight, and as we get to know them closer, our feelings gradually strengthen. Therefore, we are not able to ignore their irresponsible or extremely dumb behavior when they act that way, so sometimes we are just angry at them, we want to grab them by the shoulders and shake, yell at them, make them see reason. And when they need support and closeness, we want to be with them, hug them, take care of them. In short, we make friends with them as if they were real, living people. I think it is worth mentioning that in "Cold Pressed" we also like the side characters, who, more or less, influence our two main ones. And believe me, some of them can really surprise us. Well, I admit that I got caught in the author's trap of appearances, and I still can't believe that I was so wrong about Nick's ex-wife.
In my review I would also like to mention some important topics "Cold Pressed" raises. One of them is the parenthood. I admit that I really like the fact that the author places great emphasis on Nick's feelings and helplessness, as he struggles with raising a problematic teenager. To be honest, I often wondered how I would react if I was in Nick's shoes, what I would say, how I would try to make contact with the young rebel. So with a clear conscience, I can assure you that Allison Temple shows Nick and his ex-wife's pedagogical problems in a really believable manner. And to tell you the truth, they really don't have an easy task to do.
As for Olivier, he's struggling with a completely different problem, that is dealing with everything by himself. On the one hand, he runs his own business by himself, which requires from him a huge amount of work and forces him to fight more than one lonely battle to keep it. On the other hand, in his private life he feels lonely because it's difficult for him to open himself up, share his problems with someone. Like Atlas, he carries the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. In this respect, he is very much like Nick, because they both think they must be strong and can't show any weakness. The author has managed to present everything in such a way that the reader really understands the characters, but at the same time is also aware that they are not sentenced to be some lonely heroes.
In summary, "Cold Pressed" is a wonderful, emotional story of two lonely, closely guarded hearts, whose owners have yet to discover how much they need love and support of the other person, and understand that they are surrounded by people ready to share with them the hardships of life. This is a great, beautiful novel that I highly recommend.
__________________________
„Cold Pressed” niewątpliwie mogę zaliczyć do grupy powieści, które w mgnieniu oka podbiły moje serce emocjonalną, wzruszającą historią. Powiem więcej, ta przedstawiona przez Allison Temple w tej książce z łatwością sięgnęła mojej duszy. Patrząc na nią całościowo możemy z łatwością zauważyć, że nie jest ona prosta i lekka, jednak mimo wszystko nie dołuje czytelnika. Myślę, że warto wspomnieć, iż ciężar przedstawionej w „Cold Pressed” historii jest zakorzeniony przede wszystkim w sytuacji (zarówno rodzinnej, jak i zawodowej), w jakiej znajdują się bohaterowie. Nick i Oliver mają bowiem swoje własne problemy, które z czasem stają się coraz poważniejsze, a kiedy zaczynają się w pewnym stopniu na siebie nakładać oraz dorzucone zostają do nich problemy wynikające z ich wzajemnej relacji, czytelnikowi zostaje zafundowana istna przejażdżka emocjonalnym roller coasterem, kiedy to serce podchodzi do gardła, a całe ciało drży. W moim przypadku jest to dosłowny opis mojej reakcji na wydarzenia, jakie autorka przedstawia w tej powieści.
Kolejna sprawa to główni bohaterowie. Przyznaję, że zakochujemy się w nich od pierwszego wejrzenia i w miarę jak poznajemy ich bliżej, nasze uczucia stopniowo się umacniają. Dlatego też, nie jesteśmy w stanie zignorować ich nieodpowiedzialnych lub skrajnie głupich zachowań, kiedy sobie na nie pozwalają i czasami jesteśmy na nich zwyczajnie wściekli, mamy ochotę nimi potrząsnąć, wrzasnąć, przemówić im do rozsądku. Z kolei, kiedy potrzebują wsparcia i bliskości, mamy ochotę być obok nich, przytulić ich, zatroszczyć się o nich. Krótko mówiąc, zaprzyjaźniamy się z nimi jakby byli żywymi ludźmi. Myślę, że warto wspomnieć, iż sympatią obdarzamy także bohaterów pobocznych „Cold Pressed”, którzy w mniejszym lub większym stopniu wpływają na życie naszej głównej dwójki. A wierzcie mi, niektórzy z nich potrafią nas naprawdę zaskoczyć. Ja dałam się złapać w zastawioną przez autorkę pułapkę pozorów i nadal nie mogę uwierzyć, że całkowicie pomyliłam się, co do byłej żony Nicka.
W swojej recenzji chciałabym także wspomnieć o kilku ważnych tematach, które zostają poruszone w „Cold Pressed”. Jednym z nich jest rodzicielstwo. Przyznaję, że niesamowicie podoba mi się to, iż autorka położyła duży nacisk na uczucia i bezradność rodzica, który zmaga się z problemem wychowania sprawiającego problemy nastolatka. Prawdę mówiąc, niejednokrotnie zastanawiałam się nad tym, w jaki sposób ja zareagowałabym będąc na miejscu Nicka, co bym powiedziała, w jaki sposób starałabym się nawiązać kontakt z młodym buntownikiem. Z czystym sercem mogę Was zapewnić, że Allison Temple w sposób naprawdę prawdopodobny przedstawiła kłopoty wychowawcze Nicka i jego byłej żony, a wierzcie mi, że nie mają łatwego zadania.
Tymczasem Olivier zmaga się z zupełnie innym problemem, jakim jest radzenie sobie ze wszystkim samemu. Z jednej strony, jest zmuszony samodzielnie prowadzić biznes, co wymaga od niego ogromnego nakładu pracy i zmusza go do stoczenia niejednej samotnej walki, aby go utrzymać. Z drugiej zaś strony także w życiu prywatnym czuje się samotny, ponieważ ma trudności z otworzeniem się na innych, z podzieleniem się swoimi problemami. Niczym Atlas, dzierży więc na swoich barkach ciężar całego świata. Pod tym względem jest bardzo podobny do Nicka, ponieważ obaj uważają, że muszą być silni i nie mogą pozwolić sobie na słabość. Autorce udało się przedstawić wszystko to w taki sposób, że czytelnik naprawdę rozumie bohaterów, ale jednocześnie jest także świadom tego, że wcale nie są skazani na samotną walkę bohaterów.
Podsumowując, „Cold Pressed” to cudowna, pełna emocji opowieść o dwóch samotnych, pilnie strzeżonych sercach, których właściciele muszą dopiero odkryć, jak bardzo potrzebują miłości i wsparcia drugiej osoby oraz zrozumieć, że są otoczeni przez ludzi gotowych dzielić z nimi trudy życia. To wspaniała, piękna powieść, którą gorąco polecam.
Another thing are the main characters. I admit that we fall in love with them at first sight, and as we get to know them closer, our feelings gradually strengthen. Therefore, we are not able to ignore their irresponsible or extremely dumb behavior when they act that way, so sometimes we are just angry at them, we want to grab them by the shoulders and shake, yell at them, make them see reason. And when they need support and closeness, we want to be with them, hug them, take care of them. In short, we make friends with them as if they were real, living people. I think it is worth mentioning that in "Cold Pressed" we also like the side characters, who, more or less, influence our two main ones. And believe me, some of them can really surprise us. Well, I admit that I got caught in the author's trap of appearances, and I still can't believe that I was so wrong about Nick's ex-wife.
In my review I would also like to mention some important topics "Cold Pressed" raises. One of them is the parenthood. I admit that I really like the fact that the author places great emphasis on Nick's feelings and helplessness, as he struggles with raising a problematic teenager. To be honest, I often wondered how I would react if I was in Nick's shoes, what I would say, how I would try to make contact with the young rebel. So with a clear conscience, I can assure you that Allison Temple shows Nick and his ex-wife's pedagogical problems in a really believable manner. And to tell you the truth, they really don't have an easy task to do.
As for Olivier, he's struggling with a completely different problem, that is dealing with everything by himself. On the one hand, he runs his own business by himself, which requires from him a huge amount of work and forces him to fight more than one lonely battle to keep it. On the other hand, in his private life he feels lonely because it's difficult for him to open himself up, share his problems with someone. Like Atlas, he carries the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. In this respect, he is very much like Nick, because they both think they must be strong and can't show any weakness. The author has managed to present everything in such a way that the reader really understands the characters, but at the same time is also aware that they are not sentenced to be some lonely heroes.
In summary, "Cold Pressed" is a wonderful, emotional story of two lonely, closely guarded hearts, whose owners have yet to discover how much they need love and support of the other person, and understand that they are surrounded by people ready to share with them the hardships of life. This is a great, beautiful novel that I highly recommend.
__________________________
„Cold Pressed” niewątpliwie mogę zaliczyć do grupy powieści, które w mgnieniu oka podbiły moje serce emocjonalną, wzruszającą historią. Powiem więcej, ta przedstawiona przez Allison Temple w tej książce z łatwością sięgnęła mojej duszy. Patrząc na nią całościowo możemy z łatwością zauważyć, że nie jest ona prosta i lekka, jednak mimo wszystko nie dołuje czytelnika. Myślę, że warto wspomnieć, iż ciężar przedstawionej w „Cold Pressed” historii jest zakorzeniony przede wszystkim w sytuacji (zarówno rodzinnej, jak i zawodowej), w jakiej znajdują się bohaterowie. Nick i Oliver mają bowiem swoje własne problemy, które z czasem stają się coraz poważniejsze, a kiedy zaczynają się w pewnym stopniu na siebie nakładać oraz dorzucone zostają do nich problemy wynikające z ich wzajemnej relacji, czytelnikowi zostaje zafundowana istna przejażdżka emocjonalnym roller coasterem, kiedy to serce podchodzi do gardła, a całe ciało drży. W moim przypadku jest to dosłowny opis mojej reakcji na wydarzenia, jakie autorka przedstawia w tej powieści.
Kolejna sprawa to główni bohaterowie. Przyznaję, że zakochujemy się w nich od pierwszego wejrzenia i w miarę jak poznajemy ich bliżej, nasze uczucia stopniowo się umacniają. Dlatego też, nie jesteśmy w stanie zignorować ich nieodpowiedzialnych lub skrajnie głupich zachowań, kiedy sobie na nie pozwalają i czasami jesteśmy na nich zwyczajnie wściekli, mamy ochotę nimi potrząsnąć, wrzasnąć, przemówić im do rozsądku. Z kolei, kiedy potrzebują wsparcia i bliskości, mamy ochotę być obok nich, przytulić ich, zatroszczyć się o nich. Krótko mówiąc, zaprzyjaźniamy się z nimi jakby byli żywymi ludźmi. Myślę, że warto wspomnieć, iż sympatią obdarzamy także bohaterów pobocznych „Cold Pressed”, którzy w mniejszym lub większym stopniu wpływają na życie naszej głównej dwójki. A wierzcie mi, niektórzy z nich potrafią nas naprawdę zaskoczyć. Ja dałam się złapać w zastawioną przez autorkę pułapkę pozorów i nadal nie mogę uwierzyć, że całkowicie pomyliłam się, co do byłej żony Nicka.
W swojej recenzji chciałabym także wspomnieć o kilku ważnych tematach, które zostają poruszone w „Cold Pressed”. Jednym z nich jest rodzicielstwo. Przyznaję, że niesamowicie podoba mi się to, iż autorka położyła duży nacisk na uczucia i bezradność rodzica, który zmaga się z problemem wychowania sprawiającego problemy nastolatka. Prawdę mówiąc, niejednokrotnie zastanawiałam się nad tym, w jaki sposób ja zareagowałabym będąc na miejscu Nicka, co bym powiedziała, w jaki sposób starałabym się nawiązać kontakt z młodym buntownikiem. Z czystym sercem mogę Was zapewnić, że Allison Temple w sposób naprawdę prawdopodobny przedstawiła kłopoty wychowawcze Nicka i jego byłej żony, a wierzcie mi, że nie mają łatwego zadania.
Tymczasem Olivier zmaga się z zupełnie innym problemem, jakim jest radzenie sobie ze wszystkim samemu. Z jednej strony, jest zmuszony samodzielnie prowadzić biznes, co wymaga od niego ogromnego nakładu pracy i zmusza go do stoczenia niejednej samotnej walki, aby go utrzymać. Z drugiej zaś strony także w życiu prywatnym czuje się samotny, ponieważ ma trudności z otworzeniem się na innych, z podzieleniem się swoimi problemami. Niczym Atlas, dzierży więc na swoich barkach ciężar całego świata. Pod tym względem jest bardzo podobny do Nicka, ponieważ obaj uważają, że muszą być silni i nie mogą pozwolić sobie na słabość. Autorce udało się przedstawić wszystko to w taki sposób, że czytelnik naprawdę rozumie bohaterów, ale jednocześnie jest także świadom tego, że wcale nie są skazani na samotną walkę bohaterów.
Podsumowując, „Cold Pressed” to cudowna, pełna emocji opowieść o dwóch samotnych, pilnie strzeżonych sercach, których właściciele muszą dopiero odkryć, jak bardzo potrzebują miłości i wsparcia drugiej osoby oraz zrozumieć, że są otoczeni przez ludzi gotowych dzielić z nimi trudy życia. To wspaniała, piękna powieść, którą gorąco polecam.
June 21, 2023
Cold Pressed is the second book in the Seacroft Stories series and features Oliver, brother of book 1 MC Seb. Oliver and his then boyfriend planned to quit their very successful law careers and open a juice and healthy lifestyle business. Oliver's boyfriend bails on him for another man and a new firm. Oliver opens the business anyway, mostly to prove he can be successful own his own. Nick is a former firefighter who lost his job due to an on the job injury. His life is disheartening. His new job as fire station dispatcher barely pays the bills and his son is on house arrest and keeps getting into trouble. Nick and Oliver's meeting is less meet cute more meet clash. After a disastrous first meeting and a blind date the men decide to start a no strings attached sexual relationship.
Both of these characters are so likeable and well developed. Allison Temple does a great job of fleshing out each and making you feel what they are going through. The book is told in dual points of view with pov switches easy to follow. There is a fair amount of well-done sex scenes. The mix between person drama and relationship development is good. There is an epilogue that shows a satisfying HEA. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fairly angsty contemporary romance.
Both of these characters are so likeable and well developed. Allison Temple does a great job of fleshing out each and making you feel what they are going through. The book is told in dual points of view with pov switches easy to follow. There is a fair amount of well-done sex scenes. The mix between person drama and relationship development is good. There is an epilogue that shows a satisfying HEA. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fairly angsty contemporary romance.
August 1, 2020
Juice for the dispatcher
A delightfully complex story with a diverse cast of characters, the second in Ms Temple's Seacroft series. Great plotting woven through multiple threads, the principals are men you can love, and both are in their thirties, so much closer to adult lives.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, BookBub, BookFunnel, Riffle, Prolific Works, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
A delightfully complex story with a diverse cast of characters, the second in Ms Temple's Seacroft series. Great plotting woven through multiple threads, the principals are men you can love, and both are in their thirties, so much closer to adult lives.
As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, BookBub, BookFunnel, Riffle, Prolific Works, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews