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Scandinavian Comfort #2
Open Water
Meet Lukas Myrtengren, Mentor Teacher in Biology and Maths at Östra Real Senior School in Stockholm. This isn't how his life is supposed to turn out. In your late thirties you are supposed to have your life figured out, right? Somehow, Lukas has lost his compass, his life spinning aimlessly out of control. He still gets up in the morning and goes to work every day without fail, making sure his students pass his classes and that his schedule is right on track. His love life is a shambles, his head is a mess, but he is trying to sort it all out. Honestly. He can't keep living like this.
Meet Tom Andersson. Emergency room doctor and single dad. He has no idea how he has managed to mess up parenthood this bad. He tries too hard, has no patience and can't even hold a normal conversation with the seventeen-year-old son he loves to the point of insanity. Tom knows that he is drifting out to sea without a paddle, he just doesn't know how to stop it.
Meet me, Max Andersson. Seventeen. Gay AF. An emotional wreck with no future, no skills and no clue. All I know is that I am in love. Helplessly. Desperately. And, unrequited, of course. What else can you expect from a loser like myself? It's not like my life is going to get better. The truth is, I'm just another disaster waiting to happen. A ticking time-bomb full of stupidity. That's just the way it is.
Welcome to Open Water.
Meet Tom Andersson. Emergency room doctor and single dad. He has no idea how he has managed to mess up parenthood this bad. He tries too hard, has no patience and can't even hold a normal conversation with the seventeen-year-old son he loves to the point of insanity. Tom knows that he is drifting out to sea without a paddle, he just doesn't know how to stop it.
Meet me, Max Andersson. Seventeen. Gay AF. An emotional wreck with no future, no skills and no clue. All I know is that I am in love. Helplessly. Desperately. And, unrequited, of course. What else can you expect from a loser like myself? It's not like my life is going to get better. The truth is, I'm just another disaster waiting to happen. A ticking time-bomb full of stupidity. That's just the way it is.
Welcome to Open Water.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2019
28 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Soames
36 books229 followersAuthor of Contemporary M/M romance with all the feels. This is where flawed men discover happy endings, in truly European fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 20, 2019
5+++ The spark that became a bonfire. A story you have to read!!
It’s about the life of two adults and two seventeen-year-old boys, we can follow them, I fell in love with all four. They are the best of the best!
Lukas and Tom both in their thirties have a past together. One you don’t want to remember but impossible to forget.
Max is Tom’s son, an adorable, complicated, talented boy full of anxiety. One of his teachers is Lukas. When Max has a panic attack at school there is Mattheo to help him. Max has a crush for Mattheo and now he is close, very close.
Mattheo stole my heart. He and Max together are endearing and very special.
Max and Tom are fighting a lot, screaming to each other, but always stick together. Tom has the biggest heart in the world and the greatest son.
When Tom is at Max his school he sees Lukas and turns around and runs away.
Boiling hot magma bubbling up to the surface to explode. Holy fuck, Tom’s feelings are as strong as ever. Lukas hates Tom thoroughly, he will never forgive him.
Excellent, strong strong story. It felt absolutely plausible, strong emotionally. Devastating at times and endearing at times. Messy and warm, so warm.
Four men, two love stories. All connected to each other. Heavy and heartbreaking moments they go through. Some fight hard and viscous and some love deeply and passionately.
“I’m so tired,”
Max and Mattheo together are stunning. Apart they are messed up and hurt and sad. Together they are at their best. Holding each other up. Lighting up, sparkles flying everywhere.
They admire and wonder about each other. My heart swelled!
We see screaming souls and blurry eyes. Hard lines slowly vanishing. Anxiety and peaceful minds. So much is happening in this story. So many interactions, confrontations, so many moments with arguing and quiet mouths and so so many kind moments, moments where my heart almost couldn’t handle all those intense emotions. Full of the most real, honest and beautiful emotions!
The level of feelings is sky high, they are at the lowest point and the highest. All written down in the most captivating way! It radiated strength and sparkling light. The story had angst, anxiety, anger, venom, humor, sarcasm, fairness and a lot of love, bighearted love, overwhelming love. I was completely mesmerized by the story of these four guys. I fucking cried my eyes out by their awesomeness!!
Imagine: one big house, a piece of heaven!
Highly highly recommended!
It’s about the life of two adults and two seventeen-year-old boys, we can follow them, I fell in love with all four. They are the best of the best!
Lukas and Tom both in their thirties have a past together. One you don’t want to remember but impossible to forget.
Max is Tom’s son, an adorable, complicated, talented boy full of anxiety. One of his teachers is Lukas. When Max has a panic attack at school there is Mattheo to help him. Max has a crush for Mattheo and now he is close, very close.
Mattheo stole my heart. He and Max together are endearing and very special.
Max and Tom are fighting a lot, screaming to each other, but always stick together. Tom has the biggest heart in the world and the greatest son.
When Tom is at Max his school he sees Lukas and turns around and runs away.
Boiling hot magma bubbling up to the surface to explode. Holy fuck, Tom’s feelings are as strong as ever. Lukas hates Tom thoroughly, he will never forgive him.
Excellent, strong strong story. It felt absolutely plausible, strong emotionally. Devastating at times and endearing at times. Messy and warm, so warm.
Four men, two love stories. All connected to each other. Heavy and heartbreaking moments they go through. Some fight hard and viscous and some love deeply and passionately.
“I’m so tired,”
Max and Mattheo together are stunning. Apart they are messed up and hurt and sad. Together they are at their best. Holding each other up. Lighting up, sparkles flying everywhere.
They admire and wonder about each other. My heart swelled!
We see screaming souls and blurry eyes. Hard lines slowly vanishing. Anxiety and peaceful minds. So much is happening in this story. So many interactions, confrontations, so many moments with arguing and quiet mouths and so so many kind moments, moments where my heart almost couldn’t handle all those intense emotions. Full of the most real, honest and beautiful emotions!
The level of feelings is sky high, they are at the lowest point and the highest. All written down in the most captivating way! It radiated strength and sparkling light. The story had angst, anxiety, anger, venom, humor, sarcasm, fairness and a lot of love, bighearted love, overwhelming love. I was completely mesmerized by the story of these four guys. I fucking cried my eyes out by their awesomeness!!
Imagine: one big house, a piece of heaven!
Highly highly recommended!
June 23, 2021
*3.5 stars*
Like with Breathe the most important stuff in this book (like the enemies becoming lovers part) happened just like that. I enjoyed the biggest part of it, even the YA parts, and the writing is exquisite, but it was too insta everything for my tastes.
Like with Breathe the most important stuff in this book (like the enemies becoming lovers part) happened just like that. I enjoyed the biggest part of it, even the YA parts, and the writing is exquisite, but it was too insta everything for my tastes.
March 23, 2020
Whew. I swear this story reminds me so much of my kid and I, it’s ridiculous. Being a single parent myself, I get where Tom is coming from. You look your kid in that sweet little face and just know you’re going to love them forever. Not that there aren’t days you don’t want to knock their block off (and don’t, but still), but you still love them with all you are. Somehow, they complete you. And just like in Tom’s case, my kid saved me too.
We also have our issues like Tom and Max. We both deal with depression and anxiety, but her anxiety is much worse. Like Max’s. Not quite as bad, but pretty close. So this book was deeply personal for me. We cuss each other out like they do and everything else. Meds are involved and therapy. But like Tom, I know what it feels like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. There’s always that what if I had done this different, and what did I do to make this situation the way it is? Why am I not a better parent and so on. No matter how much love is involved, we’re human and make mistakes. We just have to learn from it and go forward.
Max has known he’s different at an early age. Having meltdowns and panic attacks with pools of water or other things. He’s had to change schools. He quit getting invited to things. It was just him and his dad and lately things don’t seem to be going well with them or with him himself. And now his dad has to meet with his mentor from school because he’s failing classes. But that blows up as something has happened between his dad and his teacher years ago. They end up getting through the next session, but with a mediator and still things are bad. Until the boy of his dreams walks into his life and begs him to come back to drama class and things just move forward from there. Max’s life takes on a different meaning now, because he has someone else who knows how to deal with his anxiety and all that comes with it and on top of it, he’s interested in Max. Little by little, their relationship blooms and things seem to get better. But his dad, Tom, is trying to work things out with his teacher and it finally seems to work. Until too many changes are causing Max’s anxiety to go through the roof. And between himself and Matteo, his boyfriend, Max knows things need to change. Because as strong as Matteo is, he has severe issues of his own he’s trying to deal with. And now, with all of them, they need to learn, one step at a time, and get through each day minute to minute, step by step, knowing they have each other’s backs and are loved. All four of them.
Like I said earlier, I seriously relate to this story. It really is the male versions of me and my kid. It’s good though, because it’s a reminder to me, that even through all the crap of day to day life, I still remember that little face for the first time and fell in love. Doesn’t mean there aren’t some very bad days, because just like you will read, there are VERY bad ones. Doesn’t mean the love isn’t there. Just sometimes we get on different wavelengths. Kids and adults don’t often think alike. And it throws us off. Plus not being able to be in your kid’s shoes, you never really know what is going through their heads. Even when they are telling you things, there’s still stuff left out. So I totally empathized with both Max and Tom. Tom had his own crap he was dealing with and I get what he was going through. I wasn’t on Tom’s side of things, I was on Lukas’s, to a point. And it still leaves you with scars and things to work through. But one thing in this book that I loved, regardless of what was happening, is there was always a small sliver of hope and a will to never give up. Even at the lowest points. Something kept them moving. And that’s what we all have to remember. And let me tell you, it’s a HARD, HARD thing to do. But you have to keep fighting and moving forward.
This is a very intense book. It has such a wide range of emotions it will take you through. You will need tissues and maybe even need to punch something, who knows. But it’s worth it. The ending alone makes it all worth it. Because it’s a reminder, face your fears, keep moving, don’t give up and most important, one step at a time.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
We also have our issues like Tom and Max. We both deal with depression and anxiety, but her anxiety is much worse. Like Max’s. Not quite as bad, but pretty close. So this book was deeply personal for me. We cuss each other out like they do and everything else. Meds are involved and therapy. But like Tom, I know what it feels like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders. There’s always that what if I had done this different, and what did I do to make this situation the way it is? Why am I not a better parent and so on. No matter how much love is involved, we’re human and make mistakes. We just have to learn from it and go forward.
Max has known he’s different at an early age. Having meltdowns and panic attacks with pools of water or other things. He’s had to change schools. He quit getting invited to things. It was just him and his dad and lately things don’t seem to be going well with them or with him himself. And now his dad has to meet with his mentor from school because he’s failing classes. But that blows up as something has happened between his dad and his teacher years ago. They end up getting through the next session, but with a mediator and still things are bad. Until the boy of his dreams walks into his life and begs him to come back to drama class and things just move forward from there. Max’s life takes on a different meaning now, because he has someone else who knows how to deal with his anxiety and all that comes with it and on top of it, he’s interested in Max. Little by little, their relationship blooms and things seem to get better. But his dad, Tom, is trying to work things out with his teacher and it finally seems to work. Until too many changes are causing Max’s anxiety to go through the roof. And between himself and Matteo, his boyfriend, Max knows things need to change. Because as strong as Matteo is, he has severe issues of his own he’s trying to deal with. And now, with all of them, they need to learn, one step at a time, and get through each day minute to minute, step by step, knowing they have each other’s backs and are loved. All four of them.
Like I said earlier, I seriously relate to this story. It really is the male versions of me and my kid. It’s good though, because it’s a reminder to me, that even through all the crap of day to day life, I still remember that little face for the first time and fell in love. Doesn’t mean there aren’t some very bad days, because just like you will read, there are VERY bad ones. Doesn’t mean the love isn’t there. Just sometimes we get on different wavelengths. Kids and adults don’t often think alike. And it throws us off. Plus not being able to be in your kid’s shoes, you never really know what is going through their heads. Even when they are telling you things, there’s still stuff left out. So I totally empathized with both Max and Tom. Tom had his own crap he was dealing with and I get what he was going through. I wasn’t on Tom’s side of things, I was on Lukas’s, to a point. And it still leaves you with scars and things to work through. But one thing in this book that I loved, regardless of what was happening, is there was always a small sliver of hope and a will to never give up. Even at the lowest points. Something kept them moving. And that’s what we all have to remember. And let me tell you, it’s a HARD, HARD thing to do. But you have to keep fighting and moving forward.
This is a very intense book. It has such a wide range of emotions it will take you through. You will need tissues and maybe even need to punch something, who knows. But it’s worth it. The ending alone makes it all worth it. Because it’s a reminder, face your fears, keep moving, don’t give up and most important, one step at a time.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
August 13, 2019
Every squishy feeling to possibly feel was proudly featured in the words of this story.
This was about a lonely doctor and his son finding their perfect men and creating a family all in the space of a week or so. And it was brilliantly done.
It had the sweetest words, like this:
"I was scared last night. Scared and angry and sad, and all I could think of was that if I could just see you, I would feel a little happier. That the world wouldn't be such a fucking shithole if I could just remind myself that you were still here."
And the funniest words, like this:
"Okay you little shits, pop quiz!"
"Lukas is not supposed to call his students 'little shits'."
I love how Sophia Soames leaves nothing to the reader to contemplate or wonder about. Every exchange, every feeling, every emotion is described so plainly, so honestly that the reader can't help but feel as if they are in the room, watching the pain and anguish of loss, or the excitement of finding love.
I can't say enough about the astounding writing and story line. All four characters were a little broken, but when together as a family, they were stronger than ever.
This, for me, is a must read.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
This was about a lonely doctor and his son finding their perfect men and creating a family all in the space of a week or so. And it was brilliantly done.
It had the sweetest words, like this:
"I was scared last night. Scared and angry and sad, and all I could think of was that if I could just see you, I would feel a little happier. That the world wouldn't be such a fucking shithole if I could just remind myself that you were still here."
And the funniest words, like this:
"Okay you little shits, pop quiz!"
"Lukas is not supposed to call his students 'little shits'."
I love how Sophia Soames leaves nothing to the reader to contemplate or wonder about. Every exchange, every feeling, every emotion is described so plainly, so honestly that the reader can't help but feel as if they are in the room, watching the pain and anguish of loss, or the excitement of finding love.
I can't say enough about the astounding writing and story line. All four characters were a little broken, but when together as a family, they were stronger than ever.
This, for me, is a must read.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
July 16, 2019
This is a double love story featuring Max and Matteo, Max’s father Tom, and Lukas, who is Max’s teacher, and Tom’s secret love interest from their teenage years ..... the first half of the story is spirals within spirals of inner turmoil inside the heads of mainly Max, who has 1.person POV, and Tom and Lukas, with 3.p POV.....last half of the story beautifully ties up, and connects, the fluttery spirals of the men, and connects them all into their HEAs❤️
Sophia has a very distinct writing style, I would compare it with watching a large expressionist painting coming to life, you don’t really get it until you do. It is both frantic and exhausting to read, yet very lyrical and very fulfilling to watch the story enfold and entwine❤️A very recommendable read ❤️
I was, luckily, provided an ARC in promise of an honest review🌟
Sophia has a very distinct writing style, I would compare it with watching a large expressionist painting coming to life, you don’t really get it until you do. It is both frantic and exhausting to read, yet very lyrical and very fulfilling to watch the story enfold and entwine❤️A very recommendable read ❤️
I was, luckily, provided an ARC in promise of an honest review🌟
March 6, 2020
No sé qué me pasa con esta escritora que me encantan sus historias y sus personajes pero no consigue que sean geniales cuando lo tienen todo para serlo.
Bien es cierto que son preciosas historias de amor del todo inverosímiles, pero no consigue que sean de diez, y siempre hay algo que les baja puntos, en este caso, la historia de los jóvenes me gusta mucho, es muy dulce, pero la de los adultos no me convence.
De todas maneras, sé que volveré a leerla.
Bien es cierto que son preciosas historias de amor del todo inverosímiles, pero no consigue que sean de diez, y siempre hay algo que les baja puntos, en este caso, la historia de los jóvenes me gusta mucho, es muy dulce, pero la de los adultos no me convence.
De todas maneras, sé que volveré a leerla.
November 12, 2019
There is so much happening with the three POVs here -- some good, some fine, some amazing, some blah -- it's kind of hard to process the book as a whole. The first half is the best, with Tom and Max like the R-rated, European, male version of the "Gilmore Girls" if Rory had severe anxiety. (And I mean that as a compliment :)
Max is a fantastic character, and my favorite segments were the ones from his POV. He and Matteo are adorably, almost sickly sweet, and their realistic teenage fumblings through their first sexual encounters were highly entertaining. Plus his anxiety was described so vividly, and while it was potentially debilitating without the right support, he had that support, so it was just a part of this new life that he's learning how to navigate.
Unfortunately, the latter half of the book goes light on Max and heavy, heavy, HEAVY on Lukas' internal dialogue, which was disappointing since that was the least successful part of the story by far. It's a partial 4-star book and a partial 2-star book, so I guess I'm just going to average it out.
We start with father and son at a low point as they navigate the fallout of Max's anxiety issues coming to head, coupled with the whole teenager of it all. He is a clever, hilarious 17-year-old little shit, and Tom loves everything about him as they yell and curse and ignore each other. These two have very raw, wild-swinging emotions, but they're well aware of it and move through them pretty quickly. They are two peas in a pod, for better or worse. A few of Tom's parenting choices are cringe-worthy, but there is truly nothing but pure love between them, and I think the dual POVs are important to feel fully comfortable with their sometimes crazy father-son dynamic.
The first 20% is a bit angsty as you watch Max and Tom struggle to get back to a steady place, which is where Lukas comes in. It's Tom's reaction to him and the fallout from their confrontation that finally drops the walls between father and son and gets them back to being fully comfortable with each other.
But both romantic relationships are INSANELY insta after the initial well-paced buildup. I could buy it from the teenagers, but the adults were a little too ridiculous. (It doesn't help that I will forever and always remain skeptical of the second-chance, haven't-seen-you-since-high-school trope. I will never be able to relate to that.) I appreciate the point the author was trying to make about family, but the execution didn't quite pan out. The back half of this book really just fell off a cliff, which was extremely frustrating since I think it could easily be fixed by taking half of the final Lukas chapters and making them Max chapters.
The writing style is both a positive and negative here, because on the one hand it feels very fresh and fitting to the characters, part of that being the Scandinavian author's very European language choices. It has that fluid feel of someone who speaks several languages without conforming to the structures of any. I enjoy that, but there were many times I had to re-read a passage two or three times to make sure I wasn't missing a word or something. Most of the time it would sit right once I processed the very non-American/non-British English, but there are some typos and random punctuation issues that I might not have registered otherwise. The combination got a little confusing at times, which was fine when I was enjoying the story but a little frustrating when I wasn't.
Then there's also the strange choice of swapping between a first-person POV for Max and a third-person POV for both Tom and Lukas. Especially since every once in a while we get a sentence or two that seems to be from one of the other two MCs POVs while we were in the middle of Tom's or Lukas'. (This never happened with Max's.) My brain would know that I was in Tom's POV, get that we swapped to a sentence about Max/Lukas, but then it might take me a couple of paragraphs to realize that I hadn't moved back to thinking of Tom for the "he's" when I was supposed to. That was a bit disconcerting. And while it wasn't often, it wasn't rare either.
It started out so strong, but even though it's an easy read from a story standpoint, every time the language/typos/POV weirdness would pull me out of the story in that frustrating back half, I found myself having to consciously choose to finish the book.
Since this is on KU, if the anxiety/fresh teenage POV/father-son dynamic appeal to you, I would still recommend trying it, especially if insta-love and second chance tropes don't bother you. If any of those first three aren't your thing, skip this one for sure. They are the draw here.
Max is a fantastic character, and my favorite segments were the ones from his POV. He and Matteo are adorably, almost sickly sweet, and their realistic teenage fumblings through their first sexual encounters were highly entertaining. Plus his anxiety was described so vividly, and while it was potentially debilitating without the right support, he had that support, so it was just a part of this new life that he's learning how to navigate.
Unfortunately, the latter half of the book goes light on Max and heavy, heavy, HEAVY on Lukas' internal dialogue, which was disappointing since that was the least successful part of the story by far. It's a partial 4-star book and a partial 2-star book, so I guess I'm just going to average it out.
We start with father and son at a low point as they navigate the fallout of Max's anxiety issues coming to head, coupled with the whole teenager of it all. He is a clever, hilarious 17-year-old little shit, and Tom loves everything about him as they yell and curse and ignore each other. These two have very raw, wild-swinging emotions, but they're well aware of it and move through them pretty quickly. They are two peas in a pod, for better or worse. A few of Tom's parenting choices are cringe-worthy, but there is truly nothing but pure love between them, and I think the dual POVs are important to feel fully comfortable with their sometimes crazy father-son dynamic.
The first 20% is a bit angsty as you watch Max and Tom struggle to get back to a steady place, which is where Lukas comes in. It's Tom's reaction to him and the fallout from their confrontation that finally drops the walls between father and son and gets them back to being fully comfortable with each other.
But both romantic relationships are INSANELY insta after the initial well-paced buildup. I could buy it from the teenagers, but the adults were a little too ridiculous. (It doesn't help that I will forever and always remain skeptical of the second-chance, haven't-seen-you-since-high-school trope. I will never be able to relate to that.) I appreciate the point the author was trying to make about family, but the execution didn't quite pan out. The back half of this book really just fell off a cliff, which was extremely frustrating since I think it could easily be fixed by taking half of the final Lukas chapters and making them Max chapters.
The writing style is both a positive and negative here, because on the one hand it feels very fresh and fitting to the characters, part of that being the Scandinavian author's very European language choices. It has that fluid feel of someone who speaks several languages without conforming to the structures of any. I enjoy that, but there were many times I had to re-read a passage two or three times to make sure I wasn't missing a word or something. Most of the time it would sit right once I processed the very non-American/non-British English, but there are some typos and random punctuation issues that I might not have registered otherwise. The combination got a little confusing at times, which was fine when I was enjoying the story but a little frustrating when I wasn't.
Then there's also the strange choice of swapping between a first-person POV for Max and a third-person POV for both Tom and Lukas. Especially since every once in a while we get a sentence or two that seems to be from one of the other two MCs POVs while we were in the middle of Tom's or Lukas'. (This never happened with Max's.) My brain would know that I was in Tom's POV, get that we swapped to a sentence about Max/Lukas, but then it might take me a couple of paragraphs to realize that I hadn't moved back to thinking of Tom for the "he's" when I was supposed to. That was a bit disconcerting. And while it wasn't often, it wasn't rare either.
It started out so strong, but even though it's an easy read from a story standpoint, every time the language/typos/POV weirdness would pull me out of the story in that frustrating back half, I found myself having to consciously choose to finish the book.
Since this is on KU, if the anxiety/fresh teenage POV/father-son dynamic appeal to you, I would still recommend trying it, especially if insta-love and second chance tropes don't bother you. If any of those first three aren't your thing, skip this one for sure. They are the draw here.
July 19, 2019
Having read Sophia Soames's other books ,I was expecting to find her trademark way of perfectly blend together shattering emotions with a lot of fun. And she didn't disappoint,because she would have me close to tears from heartbreak in one phrase ,and then laughing in the next one .
Open Water welcomes you to the broken and disordered lives of Lukas,Tom,Tom's son Max... and Matteo,Max's boyfriend, because he's a huge part of the story, too. And it's not like they don't admit that they have a lot of problems,they're actually the ones to explain all the ways they're messed up. But it's beautiful to see they're also so very brave...brave enough to fight their fears and insecurities and to grasp happiness when it's in front of them.
Open Water is the heart-warming story of finding home and love. It's the wonderful,soulful experience of watching damaged minds and hearts discover each other... and although they're still imperfect and flawed, what they have together is their own marvelous, unique family.
I loved everything about this book, the characters and their growth,and every gripping emotion reaching from its pages.
Open Water welcomes you to the broken and disordered lives of Lukas,Tom,Tom's son Max... and Matteo,Max's boyfriend, because he's a huge part of the story, too. And it's not like they don't admit that they have a lot of problems,they're actually the ones to explain all the ways they're messed up. But it's beautiful to see they're also so very brave...brave enough to fight their fears and insecurities and to grasp happiness when it's in front of them.
Open Water is the heart-warming story of finding home and love. It's the wonderful,soulful experience of watching damaged minds and hearts discover each other... and although they're still imperfect and flawed, what they have together is their own marvelous, unique family.
I loved everything about this book, the characters and their growth,and every gripping emotion reaching from its pages.
January 5, 2021
Open Water is a love story, encounters, breaking barriers, learning again. It's a story that makes you think, 'barriers only exist in our head' so we see Lukas falling in love with the same person again, and Tom who always loved, but did not have the courage to fight for that love, taking fate in his hands and finally seeking your happily ever after. We can accompany love in its first and sweetest phase with Max and Matteo, where love can change the entire course of a life. In short? Sophia Soames knows how to warm your heart and make you want more and more of these beautiful couples.
April 3, 2021
Another great book from Sophia - I absolutely loved the story between Lukas and Tom, they need a second chance at love
And the story about Max and Matteo it almost broke my heart.
Can’t wait for the next book from Sophia
And the story about Max and Matteo it almost broke my heart.
Can’t wait for the next book from Sophia
January 14, 2023
3.5 stars
Second book of the Scandinavian Comfort series.
I liked this one less than the first. I absolutely loved Max and Matteo's story, not so much Lukas and Tom's.
Max and Matteo are adorable, sweet and lovely, they find a way to communicate their needs and feelings, despite what life threw at them. Max's pov is beautiful and very well written.
I loved every chapter of their story.
Tom and Lukas, the adults, are much more of a mess than the teens, they say a lot in their heads and very little to each other.
Tom did apologize and Lukas said he hurt him, but then they went from hate to love in a few days. Tom has loved Lukas since high school and he still loves him after twenty years, even if he never met him once in all that time (really?). And Lukas loved him too. But Lukas said Tom threw him over the stairs at school (did Tom hurt him more than once?), he was scared of Tom and yet he , then he goes back to be scared if Tom goes near him and caress his cheeck.
The past is confusing: why they didn't meet the day after? Tom left him his number but Lukas didn't call him, why? Lukas said that Tom decided he was straight after all, but we don't get Tom's pov on that matter. So, did he go back to his girlfriend? And why did he ?
Maybe it's me, but I didn't get their story completely.
We have a very beautiful HEA, though: I was very very happy for Max and Matteo.
Second book of the Scandinavian Comfort series.
I liked this one less than the first. I absolutely loved Max and Matteo's story, not so much Lukas and Tom's.
Max and Matteo are adorable, sweet and lovely, they find a way to communicate their needs and feelings, despite what life threw at them. Max's pov is beautiful and very well written.
I loved every chapter of their story.
Tom and Lukas, the adults, are much more of a mess than the teens, they say a lot in their heads and very little to each other.
Tom did apologize and Lukas said he hurt him, but then they went from hate to love in a few days. Tom has loved Lukas since high school and he still loves him after twenty years, even if he never met him once in all that time (really?). And Lukas loved him too. But Lukas said Tom threw him over the stairs at school (did Tom hurt him more than once?), he was scared of Tom and yet he , then he goes back to be scared if Tom goes near him and caress his cheeck.
The past is confusing: why they didn't meet the day after? Tom left him his number but Lukas didn't call him, why? Lukas said that Tom decided he was straight after all, but we don't get Tom's pov on that matter. So, did he go back to his girlfriend? And why did he ?
Maybe it's me, but I didn't get their story completely.
We have a very beautiful HEA, though: I was very very happy for Max and Matteo.
January 17, 2021
My first review here, this is how good this book is! I usually just write short review on FB, but this book just took me by surprise. It is actually a bit hard to write a review without spoilers, any information will take some of the reading and exploring experience. The blurb is pretty short and tells almost nothing about the plot, and that's the way I will leave it.
Some information nonetheless: the plot is described through 3 POV, Tom, who is a physician and a single dad to Max (MC2), a 17 year old who suffers from severe anxiety. The 3rd MC is Lukas, Max's mentor and teacher, but as soon discovered has some history with Tom. The story tells the story of dealing with anxiety and being a parent, searching for a place in the world by the youth as well as the grown-up and a story of growing up: actual for the youth, and mental for those who were too busy to be happy for themselves and not just for those who need them and rely upon them.
Some information nonetheless: the plot is described through 3 POV, Tom, who is a physician and a single dad to Max (MC2), a 17 year old who suffers from severe anxiety. The 3rd MC is Lukas, Max's mentor and teacher, but as soon discovered has some history with Tom. The story tells the story of dealing with anxiety and being a parent, searching for a place in the world by the youth as well as the grown-up and a story of growing up: actual for the youth, and mental for those who were too busy to be happy for themselves and not just for those who need them and rely upon them.
June 6, 2022
I love Sophia Soames' writing and her Scandi Comfort stories always go straight to my heart. They celebrate love and family in all the messy, unexpected but always rewarding ways. I was so drawn to the two love stories. Tom and Lukas, both in their late thirties are edging around taking the opportunity to put right a missed chance of a relationship in their teenage years, while Tom's teenage son Max, who suffers from severe anxiety finds solace and love with the equally wonderful and fragile Matteo.
How this all unfolds as all four men grapple with their different issues, is very human, imperfect and full of warmth and hope and love. Utterly gorgeous!
How this all unfolds as all four men grapple with their different issues, is very human, imperfect and full of warmth and hope and love. Utterly gorgeous!
May 28, 2021
All the Feels
I fell in love with Sophia Soaked when I read In thus Bed if Snowflakes We Lie. I thought it couldn't get any better than that. Then I read Open Water and knew I'd found a truly masterful teller of stories. This gorgeous book delves into the complex world of family, of self, of sexuality and growing up at every life stage Tom, Max Mattel and Lukas are people I will cherish for my life. .Thank you, Sophia, for the deep beauty you create.
I fell in love with Sophia Soaked when I read In thus Bed if Snowflakes We Lie. I thought it couldn't get any better than that. Then I read Open Water and knew I'd found a truly masterful teller of stories. This gorgeous book delves into the complex world of family, of self, of sexuality and growing up at every life stage Tom, Max Mattel and Lukas are people I will cherish for my life. .Thank you, Sophia, for the deep beauty you create.
August 7, 2019
More accurately it's 4.5 stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been originally posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
I went to Stockholm last May and simply loved, loved, loved this city, so I was super happy when I saw Sophia Soames had released a new novel set in Stockholm. To be honest, the city doesn’t play a prominent role in the plot, however, but I do think I detected something in the character’s attitudes that I could call genuinely Scandinavian. A sort of coolness, of acceptance that things don’t always turn out the way we’d love them to turn out, and of necessary resilience to cope with that fact.
There are four main characters and three alternating POVs (one of them in first person): Tom Anderson, ER doctor and single dad; his son Max, seventeen, gay, suffering from frequent and severe anxiety attacks; Max’s Biology teacher and mentor, gay Lukas Myrtengren; and Matteo, a handsome fellow student of Max’s. Matteo has a very painful past (the details are told by and by, in little bits and pieces). He doesn’t know Max is secretly in love with him, and he just might or might not reciprocate these feelings (I won’t spoil the thrill and fun of finding out—read it, and you’ll know). What with his incapacitating anxiety issues and subsequent lack of self-esteem, Max is on the brink of failing his grade, so Lukas asks to see him and his father in order to tackle the problem together. But the meeting is a complete disaster because it reveals that Tom and Lukas have a common history; in fact, they attended the same school Lukas is teaching at now. Back then Lukas was already out, and Tom was the stupid bully who made his school life a living hell. Little by little we learn that the reason for that behaviour was Tom being head over heels in love with Lukas and envying his easy-going hipness and acceptance of his sexual orientation. Tom has tried ever since to atone for his errors by becoming unselfish and acting as altruistically as he can. We also learn that Lukas, far from being the easy-going person others are allowed to perceive, is a tortured man with a long history of failed relationships and a therefore low self-esteem where his capacity to love is concerned.
In a nutshell, this is thus the story of four people life has hurt and who’re desperately looking for love. The challenge is: will they be able to pair up as we, the readers, would like them to? And will the author manage to write that story without going tacky or twisting the whole thing into a long series of annoying misunderstandings? Well, as to the former, I won’t tell. As to the latter, however: yes, she does. The pace is good, slowing down at times so as to give us time to breathe, and the book is… one could say as messy as modern life often turns out to be.
For, basically, we get four characters who are messy. Like, really, really messy. They all have important issues that weigh them down, most of them linked to painful events in their past, and they all have to struggle if they want to remain standing in the face of adversity, to keep a smiling face, to keep loving life. I don’t do trigger warnings because I consider we’re all adults and can cope with life’s uglier sides when presented in fiction, but let’s say some of these characters could be outright depressing. Except, strangely, they aren’t. Ok, Max can be the basic ungrateful No-Future and All’s-Gloomy/Existence-Is-Black teenager at times, moaning and whining. But he quickly gets his act together, especially when in the middle of his troubles his life suddenly turns heartily rose-tinted with butterflies in the guts. All four are wholesome guys insofar as they embrace what befalls them, good or bad, with acceptance. Yes, they question events, feelings, actions, reactions, and they do so in a sometimes oversized scale. But they never surrender, they never give up on life, never give up on hope or love. There are passages where Sophia Soames’s writing just looks like a ray of sunlight piercing an otherwise gloomy rain-day, and that is really heart-warming.
I have to add that I would have preferred the book to end right before the epilogue, which I found a tad “too much”. I don’t need all the things spelled out not all the threads brought to a happy ending. I guess this is not a book everyone could like because some really heavy problems are tackled in it; nevertheless it’s one that I gladly recommend, despite the epilogue, because I enjoyed the rest very much.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been originally posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
I went to Stockholm last May and simply loved, loved, loved this city, so I was super happy when I saw Sophia Soames had released a new novel set in Stockholm. To be honest, the city doesn’t play a prominent role in the plot, however, but I do think I detected something in the character’s attitudes that I could call genuinely Scandinavian. A sort of coolness, of acceptance that things don’t always turn out the way we’d love them to turn out, and of necessary resilience to cope with that fact.
There are four main characters and three alternating POVs (one of them in first person): Tom Anderson, ER doctor and single dad; his son Max, seventeen, gay, suffering from frequent and severe anxiety attacks; Max’s Biology teacher and mentor, gay Lukas Myrtengren; and Matteo, a handsome fellow student of Max’s. Matteo has a very painful past (the details are told by and by, in little bits and pieces). He doesn’t know Max is secretly in love with him, and he just might or might not reciprocate these feelings (I won’t spoil the thrill and fun of finding out—read it, and you’ll know). What with his incapacitating anxiety issues and subsequent lack of self-esteem, Max is on the brink of failing his grade, so Lukas asks to see him and his father in order to tackle the problem together. But the meeting is a complete disaster because it reveals that Tom and Lukas have a common history; in fact, they attended the same school Lukas is teaching at now. Back then Lukas was already out, and Tom was the stupid bully who made his school life a living hell. Little by little we learn that the reason for that behaviour was Tom being head over heels in love with Lukas and envying his easy-going hipness and acceptance of his sexual orientation. Tom has tried ever since to atone for his errors by becoming unselfish and acting as altruistically as he can. We also learn that Lukas, far from being the easy-going person others are allowed to perceive, is a tortured man with a long history of failed relationships and a therefore low self-esteem where his capacity to love is concerned.
In a nutshell, this is thus the story of four people life has hurt and who’re desperately looking for love. The challenge is: will they be able to pair up as we, the readers, would like them to? And will the author manage to write that story without going tacky or twisting the whole thing into a long series of annoying misunderstandings? Well, as to the former, I won’t tell. As to the latter, however: yes, she does. The pace is good, slowing down at times so as to give us time to breathe, and the book is… one could say as messy as modern life often turns out to be.
For, basically, we get four characters who are messy. Like, really, really messy. They all have important issues that weigh them down, most of them linked to painful events in their past, and they all have to struggle if they want to remain standing in the face of adversity, to keep a smiling face, to keep loving life. I don’t do trigger warnings because I consider we’re all adults and can cope with life’s uglier sides when presented in fiction, but let’s say some of these characters could be outright depressing. Except, strangely, they aren’t. Ok, Max can be the basic ungrateful No-Future and All’s-Gloomy/Existence-Is-Black teenager at times, moaning and whining. But he quickly gets his act together, especially when in the middle of his troubles his life suddenly turns heartily rose-tinted with butterflies in the guts. All four are wholesome guys insofar as they embrace what befalls them, good or bad, with acceptance. Yes, they question events, feelings, actions, reactions, and they do so in a sometimes oversized scale. But they never surrender, they never give up on life, never give up on hope or love. There are passages where Sophia Soames’s writing just looks like a ray of sunlight piercing an otherwise gloomy rain-day, and that is really heart-warming.
I have to add that I would have preferred the book to end right before the epilogue, which I found a tad “too much”. I don’t need all the things spelled out not all the threads brought to a happy ending. I guess this is not a book everyone could like because some really heavy problems are tackled in it; nevertheless it’s one that I gladly recommend, despite the epilogue, because I enjoyed the rest very much.
July 5, 2019
OPEN WATER ARC REVIEW
I have to say I just really love this author. She just has a way to bring you into the stories she writes. I was very happy have been selected to receive and arc copy and read the book early and write a review. So here goes…
Open Water to me is really 3 love stories in one. Its about Tom and Lukas. Its about Max and Matteo. And its about FAMILY. All have their own issues. Tom and Lukas have an unpleasant past from when they were in high school and meet again b/c Lukas is Max’s teacher and they have to have a parent/ teacher meeting. Max has some really really big issues w/ anxiety to where he acts out b/c of those issues. If you struggle w/ anxiety like I do you know it can be crippling at times. And that’s how it is for Max. My heart hurts for him w/ how bad they get. I don’t know how to give Matteo justice. B/c hes just him. He’s Max’s crush. Which you’ll see. He’s got his own issues that will just really make you mad for him and want to hurt those who did wrong by him. He is a precious soul. I formed a big ol soft spot for him. He just makes me smile. I love him.
So the story is of all of them really just falling in love and their journey to get their happy. There are some bumps of course but theres no real big angst which i really like. Its just a tale. Its told in 3 point of views, Tom, Max, and Lukas. I’d have loved it even more to hear more of Matteos voice. But Ms. Soames does a wonderful job of him still being a strong voice.
Tom to me I think stood out more than anything else. He struggles so hard w/ trying to be a great dad of a teenager w/ extreme anxieties. He loves love loves his kid. But at the same time hates him b/c lets face it …teenagers are the devil. Ha ha ha! He even says he hates him but he ALWAYS ALWAYS says how much he loves his wonderful son. I like that. It makes him more real to me especially since I’ve had a teenager. LOL. I really enjoyed seeing his and Max’s relationship go through its up and downs and just come together as only a father and son can. Their interactions with each other will make you sad but also make you laugh. It was very real and raw at times. It makes the story for me. Toms heart is so huge! How goes through trying to get Lukas’s attention is just funny. The man cracks me up. When he goes all in he goes all in. So get ready to laugh. And he takes Matteo in and gives him a chance. And he shows him love and just welcomes him w/ open arms. They had a one on one scene on the porch that had me in tears. I loved Tom. Max is a typical teen but not. I don’t know really else to describe him. Hes funny, hes crass, hes in your face, he troubled. And just wants love and approval and to survive. Once he and Matteo connect boy Max comes out and just grows and evolves. Its really a beautiful thing and a funny thing. Lukas I liked but I’ll be honest I didn’t feel as much of a connection to him as I did the others. He’s a major character but felt more like a side character. Hes well developed and everything but he just didn’t seem as powerful as the other 3 characters. But regardless he’s a sweetie and he loves hard and will go to bat for what he loves just as much as the others. That’s the important part.
So you’ve got their journeys. Their up and downs. Their come togethers, some sexy times, a bunch of tears. These are some crying folks I will say that. But I get it. And you’ve got their happily ever after. The Epilogue was just perfect and put a gigantic smile on my face.
I loved all of it. I hope you’ll give it a chance and enjoy it as much as I did. I cant wait to read the next story the author comes up with.
I have to say I just really love this author. She just has a way to bring you into the stories she writes. I was very happy have been selected to receive and arc copy and read the book early and write a review. So here goes…
Open Water to me is really 3 love stories in one. Its about Tom and Lukas. Its about Max and Matteo. And its about FAMILY. All have their own issues. Tom and Lukas have an unpleasant past from when they were in high school and meet again b/c Lukas is Max’s teacher and they have to have a parent/ teacher meeting. Max has some really really big issues w/ anxiety to where he acts out b/c of those issues. If you struggle w/ anxiety like I do you know it can be crippling at times. And that’s how it is for Max. My heart hurts for him w/ how bad they get. I don’t know how to give Matteo justice. B/c hes just him. He’s Max’s crush. Which you’ll see. He’s got his own issues that will just really make you mad for him and want to hurt those who did wrong by him. He is a precious soul. I formed a big ol soft spot for him. He just makes me smile. I love him.
So the story is of all of them really just falling in love and their journey to get their happy. There are some bumps of course but theres no real big angst which i really like. Its just a tale. Its told in 3 point of views, Tom, Max, and Lukas. I’d have loved it even more to hear more of Matteos voice. But Ms. Soames does a wonderful job of him still being a strong voice.
Tom to me I think stood out more than anything else. He struggles so hard w/ trying to be a great dad of a teenager w/ extreme anxieties. He loves love loves his kid. But at the same time hates him b/c lets face it …teenagers are the devil. Ha ha ha! He even says he hates him but he ALWAYS ALWAYS says how much he loves his wonderful son. I like that. It makes him more real to me especially since I’ve had a teenager. LOL. I really enjoyed seeing his and Max’s relationship go through its up and downs and just come together as only a father and son can. Their interactions with each other will make you sad but also make you laugh. It was very real and raw at times. It makes the story for me. Toms heart is so huge! How goes through trying to get Lukas’s attention is just funny. The man cracks me up. When he goes all in he goes all in. So get ready to laugh. And he takes Matteo in and gives him a chance. And he shows him love and just welcomes him w/ open arms. They had a one on one scene on the porch that had me in tears. I loved Tom. Max is a typical teen but not. I don’t know really else to describe him. Hes funny, hes crass, hes in your face, he troubled. And just wants love and approval and to survive. Once he and Matteo connect boy Max comes out and just grows and evolves. Its really a beautiful thing and a funny thing. Lukas I liked but I’ll be honest I didn’t feel as much of a connection to him as I did the others. He’s a major character but felt more like a side character. Hes well developed and everything but he just didn’t seem as powerful as the other 3 characters. But regardless he’s a sweetie and he loves hard and will go to bat for what he loves just as much as the others. That’s the important part.
So you’ve got their journeys. Their up and downs. Their come togethers, some sexy times, a bunch of tears. These are some crying folks I will say that. But I get it. And you’ve got their happily ever after. The Epilogue was just perfect and put a gigantic smile on my face.
I loved all of it. I hope you’ll give it a chance and enjoy it as much as I did. I cant wait to read the next story the author comes up with.
July 27, 2019
It's always tough for me to review a Sophia Soames book. Open Water, the second book in her Scandinavian Comfort series, is an accomplished novel. That said, once again, the author's writing style is definitely not my favorite.
The storyline covers two different couples. Tom and Lukas are the older couple. Meanwhile, Tom's son Max is falling in love with Marcus.
Tom runs into Lukas after half a lifetime, as Lukas is Max's teacher. Ends up their reaction to seeing one another doesn't go well. I love this part of the story, as Tom wants to be a better man, and wants to be true to himself. He can't help but to pursue the professor, as he's been in love with him all these years later. It's a complicated second chance romance. From enemies to lovers, full of broken hearts, pain and hesitation, these two certainly don't have an easy road to happiness.
And then there's Max and his crush Marcus. Together, their story explores pansexuality, and the happiness and pain that accompanies first time love.
Marcus's background is tragic, he's self conscious of his scars, and the love he finds with Max is healing in many ways. Theirs is a complex story of first love. It explores struggling with one's sexuality, as well as a major look into anxiety, it's effects, and the affects of living with anxiety. It explores the pain of being alone in the world, as well as the fear of never trusting happiness will last.
This is a story of family, and the different ways families are formed. This aspect is well done, and extremely emotional. All four of these men desperately long for a solid family unit.
With a poetic writing style, a slow pace, and told in present tense, it definitely isn't my favorite writing or flow. I also don't love the viewpoint of four different people, as it takes a long time to figure out what's happening. It took me a while to get through this book. I think I read it in six sittings, which is extremely unusual for me. But, in the end, the storyline made it worth the read.
Open Water's an impressive story of regret and second chances. Sophia Soames impresses me with this story of finding someone who can calm you down just by holding you. The author takes you along for an emotional journey of these four men finding their forever. It's beautiful at times, as well as gut-wrenching at other times. It's raw, messy, and intricately developed. And in the end, it's a stunning read.
You can find more information at -
https://amysmmromancereviews.blogspot...
The storyline covers two different couples. Tom and Lukas are the older couple. Meanwhile, Tom's son Max is falling in love with Marcus.
Tom runs into Lukas after half a lifetime, as Lukas is Max's teacher. Ends up their reaction to seeing one another doesn't go well. I love this part of the story, as Tom wants to be a better man, and wants to be true to himself. He can't help but to pursue the professor, as he's been in love with him all these years later. It's a complicated second chance romance. From enemies to lovers, full of broken hearts, pain and hesitation, these two certainly don't have an easy road to happiness.
And then there's Max and his crush Marcus. Together, their story explores pansexuality, and the happiness and pain that accompanies first time love.
Marcus's background is tragic, he's self conscious of his scars, and the love he finds with Max is healing in many ways. Theirs is a complex story of first love. It explores struggling with one's sexuality, as well as a major look into anxiety, it's effects, and the affects of living with anxiety. It explores the pain of being alone in the world, as well as the fear of never trusting happiness will last.
This is a story of family, and the different ways families are formed. This aspect is well done, and extremely emotional. All four of these men desperately long for a solid family unit.
With a poetic writing style, a slow pace, and told in present tense, it definitely isn't my favorite writing or flow. I also don't love the viewpoint of four different people, as it takes a long time to figure out what's happening. It took me a while to get through this book. I think I read it in six sittings, which is extremely unusual for me. But, in the end, the storyline made it worth the read.
Open Water's an impressive story of regret and second chances. Sophia Soames impresses me with this story of finding someone who can calm you down just by holding you. The author takes you along for an emotional journey of these four men finding their forever. It's beautiful at times, as well as gut-wrenching at other times. It's raw, messy, and intricately developed. And in the end, it's a stunning read.
You can find more information at -
https://amysmmromancereviews.blogspot...
February 3, 2020
Where is that 6th star? This book hooked me in from the very beginning. Fantastic MCs and supporting characters were complex and so interesting. I loved everything about this book and am so grateful to Ms. Soames for sharing her great talent with us. A beautiful story that will tug at your emotions. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2019
I struggled with this review as much as I struggled with the book. Not that it was a bad story, but it just wasn’t for me.
It’s a double love story: seventeen-year-olds Max and Matteo, and Max’s father, Tom, with his old enemy and Max’s teacher, Lukas. The way it was set up didn’t work for me. Max’s character told his story in first-person PoV, whereas alternating third-person PoV was used for Tom’s and Lukas’s characters. Max story was easy to read, but I had a hard time following the older men’s story. I kept going back to the beginning of the chapter to see whose PoV it was.
The writing style didn’t appeal to me either. A lot of internal monolog, long strings of sentence fragments, and odd punctuation didn’t make for pleasant reading. In fact, I found it exhausting, and I often had to put the book down and take a break.
That was a shame because the topic—Max suffering from anxiety—was interesting and deserved my attention more than it did. The somewhat slower parts I enjoyed, and I loved how supportive and understanding Matteo was of Max. I’m not familiar with anxiety, so I don’t know what’s the norm, if you can even have a standard, but in the end, I found Max too depended on Matteo.
The love story between Max and Matteo was nicely done with a good build-up and communication.
This in contrast to Tom and Lukas’s romance. For me, it didn’t feel real. Too shallow and too rushed. I’m afraid midthirty guys who giggle and act like horny teenagers aren’t my thing.
I wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
It’s a double love story: seventeen-year-olds Max and Matteo, and Max’s father, Tom, with his old enemy and Max’s teacher, Lukas. The way it was set up didn’t work for me. Max’s character told his story in first-person PoV, whereas alternating third-person PoV was used for Tom’s and Lukas’s characters. Max story was easy to read, but I had a hard time following the older men’s story. I kept going back to the beginning of the chapter to see whose PoV it was.
The writing style didn’t appeal to me either. A lot of internal monolog, long strings of sentence fragments, and odd punctuation didn’t make for pleasant reading. In fact, I found it exhausting, and I often had to put the book down and take a break.
That was a shame because the topic—Max suffering from anxiety—was interesting and deserved my attention more than it did. The somewhat slower parts I enjoyed, and I loved how supportive and understanding Matteo was of Max. I’m not familiar with anxiety, so I don’t know what’s the norm, if you can even have a standard, but in the end, I found Max too depended on Matteo.
The love story between Max and Matteo was nicely done with a good build-up and communication.
This in contrast to Tom and Lukas’s romance. For me, it didn’t feel real. Too shallow and too rushed. I’m afraid midthirty guys who giggle and act like horny teenagers aren’t my thing.
I wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
July 9, 2019
I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Open Water by Sophia Soames. I have read her previous books and loved them.
Just a quick note here, Open Water is book 2 in the Scandinavian Comfort series but it is a standalone. No previous knowledge of Sophia's previous books is needed.
This book is about Lukas, Tom, Max and Matteo and the story is told from the points of view of the first three mentioned. The book is also told in the present tense but don't let that put you off. The story is so good that you will ignore it.
Lukas and Tom have a history from when they were students together. Max is Tom's son from, really, a one night stand. Matteo is a teenager who is living in the foster system and he become's Max's boyfriend.
You can read a full synopsis of this book elsewhere so I wont rehash it. What I do need to say is that I loved this story. I was sucked in from the start and I did not want to put the book down.
If you get the chance to read Open Water, do so. It is time well spent.
Just a quick note here, Open Water is book 2 in the Scandinavian Comfort series but it is a standalone. No previous knowledge of Sophia's previous books is needed.
This book is about Lukas, Tom, Max and Matteo and the story is told from the points of view of the first three mentioned. The book is also told in the present tense but don't let that put you off. The story is so good that you will ignore it.
Lukas and Tom have a history from when they were students together. Max is Tom's son from, really, a one night stand. Matteo is a teenager who is living in the foster system and he become's Max's boyfriend.
You can read a full synopsis of this book elsewhere so I wont rehash it. What I do need to say is that I loved this story. I was sucked in from the start and I did not want to put the book down.
If you get the chance to read Open Water, do so. It is time well spent.
July 19, 2019
OPEN WATER by Sophia Soames is the second book in the Scandinavian Comfort series. It is a contemporary m/m romance that tells the story of two couples. It is a beautiful book that makes you feel all the emotions and fall in love along with the characters.
First we have the "older" characters, Tom and Lukas. These two men are early 40s and their story is a second chance, enemies to lovers story. The evolution of their relationship is filled with drama, angst, humor, lust and love. They are sexy together, whether fighting or loving.
The other couple we get are Max and Matteo. They are 17 and discovering love and lust together. They are sweet and fun and I absolutely love them.
This story is just amazing! A lot of discovering love for the first time for all characters, figure out the peaks and lows of relationships and finding and forming a true family. Loved every moment!
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
First we have the "older" characters, Tom and Lukas. These two men are early 40s and their story is a second chance, enemies to lovers story. The evolution of their relationship is filled with drama, angst, humor, lust and love. They are sexy together, whether fighting or loving.
The other couple we get are Max and Matteo. They are 17 and discovering love and lust together. They are sweet and fun and I absolutely love them.
This story is just amazing! A lot of discovering love for the first time for all characters, figure out the peaks and lows of relationships and finding and forming a true family. Loved every moment!
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
July 25, 2019
This is an amazing book and I love everything about it. I was fully engaged from the very first page and I could not put it down. It is beautifully written, sweet, sexy, emotional, sad, uplifting, inspiring, full of hope, deals well with some very difficult issues, the storyline is great and the characters are incredible. I love that there are four main characters and how their lives intertwine. Tom loves his son Max with everything he has but their relationship is difficult at times as they struggle to deal with Max's anxiety and frequent panic attacks. Lukas is Max's teacher and he is shocked when he meets his father as they have a heartbreakingly sad history. Matteo is an absolute sweetheart with a difficult past who will do everything he can to help Max. They have a chance to make a wonderful family if only Tom can convince Lukas to forgive him. The ending is perfect and I can't wait to read the next book in this incredible series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
July 25, 2019
This was a double love story with multiple shifting POVs. That part was difficult to follow, and I will admit that this irked me a little bit because it went from 1st person point of view to third person point of view with different characters. Now it was quite a heavy book in terms of content because one character, Max, is going through a lot and it is pretty essential to overall plot of the story itself.
As for the writing style, I think it's just not for me. It is actually a little bit exhausting to read because I will read one thing and then read the following sentence that then just contradicts all the other sentences that came before. I kept having to put it down for either needing a break for being in the mind of Max or just the writing itself.
I wanted to like this but I could not get into it. It was a struggle to finish the story, but there were parts that I did enjoy I just had to work for it.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
As for the writing style, I think it's just not for me. It is actually a little bit exhausting to read because I will read one thing and then read the following sentence that then just contradicts all the other sentences that came before. I kept having to put it down for either needing a break for being in the mind of Max or just the writing itself.
I wanted to like this but I could not get into it. It was a struggle to finish the story, but there were parts that I did enjoy I just had to work for it.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
July 22, 2019
On quite a few recommendations I read Open Water (Scandinavian Comfort #2) by Sophia Soames and I really really liked it! It was different. Her writing reminds me a little of Garrett Leigh's in it's raw grit of which I am a fan! It's real and sort of in your face without the fluff. Is there some insta? Why yes there is, but it all makes sense given the story and writing style. There are 3 interwoven stories going on here with Tom & Lukas, Max (Tom's 17yr old son) & Matteo and Tom & Max; second chance, YA love, mental illness, familial dysfunction, hurt/comfort, sexy hot. There is humor and heartbreak, and there are also some incredibly sweet, beautiful moments. The ending most definitely left me feeling all warm and sappy happy. LOL I will most definitely be reading Sophia's first book Little Harbor (#1). They are both standalones.
July 20, 2019
Excellent story.
This lady is fast becoming one of my go to authors. She wrotes beautiful, emotional stories, with real characters. There's usually some angst, but this is overcome by the love the characters have for one another.
There's heartbreak, there's joy, there are parts where you want to cry--and it's very high quality writing. Lukas, Tom, Max and Matteus were wonderfully written. All had suffered in various ways, their individual stories were to different degrees heartbreaking, but together they became stronger.
It's basically a story about friendship, hope, and how we can help each other get through the tough times in our lives, it totally grabbed me from the start. Lovely ending. Highly recommended.
This lady is fast becoming one of my go to authors. She wrotes beautiful, emotional stories, with real characters. There's usually some angst, but this is overcome by the love the characters have for one another.
There's heartbreak, there's joy, there are parts where you want to cry--and it's very high quality writing. Lukas, Tom, Max and Matteus were wonderfully written. All had suffered in various ways, their individual stories were to different degrees heartbreaking, but together they became stronger.
It's basically a story about friendship, hope, and how we can help each other get through the tough times in our lives, it totally grabbed me from the start. Lovely ending. Highly recommended.
July 20, 2019
Oh man, I loved this book. It was one of those stories that grabbed me from the beginning and I just couldn’t stop reading it. There was so much humour and love and real people. I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next. I loved that it was 2 stories melding together. It was romantic, sexy, sweet, funny and normal. They were likable without being syrupy sweet just regular people with regular problems. I loved this sequel to Little Harbour. I really hope there’s more in Scandinavian Comfort or just plain more from Sophia Soames. She’s definitely going to be a one-click author for me. I absolutely recommend Open Water and if you haven’t read Little Harbour, put that one in your cart too!
July 21, 2019
This is not a story. This is not a romance. This is a journey. A heartbreaking, breathtaking, cry - inducing, emotional journey Sophia soames takes you on with 4 unique, amazingly developed characters.
There are so many emotions in this book, so many individual points of view! On top of it all, vividly details realism that sucks you in and doesn’t allow to put the book down.
Angsty reads are my favorite, because there is nothing like those moments when you heart speeds up over words you just wrote and your breath is stuck in your throat. I had this with this book. Many times. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
I received an ARC of this book but the review is 100% honest and all mine.
There are so many emotions in this book, so many individual points of view! On top of it all, vividly details realism that sucks you in and doesn’t allow to put the book down.
Angsty reads are my favorite, because there is nothing like those moments when you heart speeds up over words you just wrote and your breath is stuck in your throat. I had this with this book. Many times. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
I received an ARC of this book but the review is 100% honest and all mine.
July 25, 2019
Heartfelt
This is a sweet story with wonderfully complex characters. Tom and his son Max are both lost and lonely. They both have crushes, but different things keep them away. When paths open they need top be brave enough to fight for what they want.
Matteo is a great partner for Max and the two teens fill holes they both have in their lives. Tom and Lukas have bad history and a lot of pain between them. How can Tom convince Lukas that he isn't the same guy and that he is telling him the truth.
I loved the story and while there is a lot going on with two relationships there is a lot of depth and complexity with the characters, relationships, and storylines.
This is a sweet story with wonderfully complex characters. Tom and his son Max are both lost and lonely. They both have crushes, but different things keep them away. When paths open they need top be brave enough to fight for what they want.
Matteo is a great partner for Max and the two teens fill holes they both have in their lives. Tom and Lukas have bad history and a lot of pain between them. How can Tom convince Lukas that he isn't the same guy and that he is telling him the truth.
I loved the story and while there is a lot going on with two relationships there is a lot of depth and complexity with the characters, relationships, and storylines.
August 5, 2019
I didn't think the author could improve on the first book in the series but she's done it for me! Much of the same ingredients from Little Harbour are used again with an even more satisfying (and funnier!) read. There are TWO MC plotlines involved - one involving school teens and one involving men aged 40+. I have to say I really enjoy the author's use of phone text messages to progress the plot. The author is now on my must read list.
July 20, 2019
This book...I’ve put off writing the review, simply because I know I can’t do it justice.
Touching SO many topics - mental illness, bullying, a broken foster care system, teen pregnancy, young love, as well as, second chance love, this author takes you on a journey that wraps you tight in every known emotion.
With each anxiety attack, I cried with Max. I was a proud parent to Matteo. I felt heartache and was cynical with Lukas. Most of all, I felt pride in Tom...that he turned his life around and did what was right for his family...
Book hangover?? Yes!
Highly recommended.
Touching SO many topics - mental illness, bullying, a broken foster care system, teen pregnancy, young love, as well as, second chance love, this author takes you on a journey that wraps you tight in every known emotion.
With each anxiety attack, I cried with Max. I was a proud parent to Matteo. I felt heartache and was cynical with Lukas. Most of all, I felt pride in Tom...that he turned his life around and did what was right for his family...
Book hangover?? Yes!
Highly recommended.
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