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With Me #6
Always with Me
Calvin and Camden Luna — why yes, their dad is a big baseball fan— have moved around the world with their parents. Their father has been in the military since before they were born. Proud of their father and uncles and all they’ve done, neither of them is sure the military is for them. Cam is a fantastic baseball player and Cal loves the science of everything. Haven’t they given enough?
Tristan Nolan and Maddy Holt both grew up as military kids too, but neither of their fathers moved them around as much as the twins. Maddy wants to save the planet and capture the heart of Calvin Luna… if he’d only open his eyes. Tris has grown up wanting to follow in the footsteps of those before him. But can he be himself — out and proud —serve and protect his country and end up with the one he’s loved for as long as he can remember?
What can happen when you grow up a military brat with the ties that they have with their fathers’ close friends and their families? Find the love of your life almost from the start? Or find out that maybe you’re all too close for anything else?
Tristan Nolan and Maddy Holt both grew up as military kids too, but neither of their fathers moved them around as much as the twins. Maddy wants to save the planet and capture the heart of Calvin Luna… if he’d only open his eyes. Tris has grown up wanting to follow in the footsteps of those before him. But can he be himself — out and proud —serve and protect his country and end up with the one he’s loved for as long as he can remember?
What can happen when you grow up a military brat with the ties that they have with their fathers’ close friends and their families? Find the love of your life almost from the start? Or find out that maybe you’re all too close for anything else?
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2019
15 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Kris Jacen
55 books147 followersKris Jacen is the Executive Editor and Formatting Director for ManLoveRomance Press and its imprints. She was invited to join the MLR staff in 2008 and has never looked back. Working with over thirty-five phenomenal authors such as Rick R. Reed, JP Bowie, James Buchanan, J.L. Langley, Ally Blue, Jet Mykles, William Maltese and has allowed her to both hone her editorial skills and indulge her inner fangirl. Kris also acts as editor, mentor and sounding-board for newcomers including Kimberly Gardner, Lex Valentine, S.J. Frost, Patric Michael and Z. Allora. With this stable of talent under her guidance, Kris is quick to tell anyone who will listen that she loves her job. And her authors are just as quick to say that they love their editor.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 14, 2019
I loved how this is done. I hope this isn't the last book in the series.
May 25, 2020
Here we have the twins, who we met throughout the series as they grew up.
Now, Cam and Cal are grown, 22, where we get flashbacks from their childhoods that formed them to be who they are. It's a bit of jumping around to fill us in on their feelings, too. Cam is choosing a college for baseball, and Cal is a science nerd, where they will be split up for the first time in their lives.
We see Cam realizing he's gay, and Cal pondering his future. We see family and friends that we know by now.
There are a lot of deep emotions, misunderstandings, decisions being made, with moving, keeping connected, and failing in some issues, but excelling in other things.
Cam
Tristan and Cam are together, and Cal and Maddy ( who had her princess birthday Cal had to attend as a child ) are a couple. We see sexy times for Cam and virgin Tristan, but no sex for Cal and Maddy. Cal is scientist...
There is a big jump in time for the epilogue, 10 yrs. In the end, we still have our guys living apart for lengths of time in the years, as they go by.
I liked the twins, their devotion to family and the closeness of their bond. I was glad to see how those sweet twins became men.
ENJOY !
=====
Now, Cam and Cal are grown, 22, where we get flashbacks from their childhoods that formed them to be who they are. It's a bit of jumping around to fill us in on their feelings, too. Cam is choosing a college for baseball, and Cal is a science nerd, where they will be split up for the first time in their lives.
We see Cam realizing he's gay, and Cal pondering his future. We see family and friends that we know by now.
There are a lot of deep emotions, misunderstandings, decisions being made, with moving, keeping connected, and failing in some issues, but excelling in other things.
Cam
Tristan and Cam are together, and Cal and Maddy ( who had her princess birthday Cal had to attend as a child ) are a couple. We see sexy times for Cam and virgin Tristan, but no sex for Cal and Maddy. Cal is scientist...
There is a big jump in time for the epilogue, 10 yrs. In the end, we still have our guys living apart for lengths of time in the years, as they go by.
I liked the twins, their devotion to family and the closeness of their bond. I was glad to see how those sweet twins became men.
ENJOY !
=====
June 6, 2019
Oh Mooney was so right. These kids are going to kill us. This book was so hard to read. I've 'watched' these boys grow up into amazing men, but still remember them being just little boys. Makes me sentimental even more now that my own kid is a senior this year. They grow up so fast.
This story starts with some highlights of the twins growing up. And when they meet little Tristan and Maddie as newborns, promising to take care of them and teach them always. But the older they get, the more they are starting to realize, they are so different and going in different directions. For twins as close as they are, being separated is torture. But they stick together always. As they move on in their lives, they also realize something is missing and they can't find it in other 'dates'. It isn't until they realize who they want in their lives that things start to fall into place. But with growing up together like they have, will Cam and Tris and Cal and Maddie work? Or will they remain friends forever?
Watching my own kid grow up has been bittersweet. Has had me in kind of a crisis mode. I'm not sure that's the right words, but it made me think of the same thing with this book. Watching these boys grow into men. Following their desires and hearts and being men to be proud of. From seeing them as mischievous little boys, to young boys who knew how to support, to young men learning their way into adulthood. It's been like full circle. It's bittersweet. I want them all to stay little forever.
But I have to say, as sad as I am their all grown up, I love this series. This book, whether it be a last one or not, has just shown how special it is. And it has truly come full circle. From the heptad being young in the military, to having grandbabies of their own, it's been a tough but wonderful journey to watch.
I don't even know how I can close or comment further. Except to say, all these guys have a special place in my heart, but none so much as the squeakers Cam and Cal. If you guys haven't read this series, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
This story starts with some highlights of the twins growing up. And when they meet little Tristan and Maddie as newborns, promising to take care of them and teach them always. But the older they get, the more they are starting to realize, they are so different and going in different directions. For twins as close as they are, being separated is torture. But they stick together always. As they move on in their lives, they also realize something is missing and they can't find it in other 'dates'. It isn't until they realize who they want in their lives that things start to fall into place. But with growing up together like they have, will Cam and Tris and Cal and Maddie work? Or will they remain friends forever?
Watching my own kid grow up has been bittersweet. Has had me in kind of a crisis mode. I'm not sure that's the right words, but it made me think of the same thing with this book. Watching these boys grow into men. Following their desires and hearts and being men to be proud of. From seeing them as mischievous little boys, to young boys who knew how to support, to young men learning their way into adulthood. It's been like full circle. It's bittersweet. I want them all to stay little forever.
But I have to say, as sad as I am their all grown up, I love this series. This book, whether it be a last one or not, has just shown how special it is. And it has truly come full circle. From the heptad being young in the military, to having grandbabies of their own, it's been a tough but wonderful journey to watch.
I don't even know how I can close or comment further. Except to say, all these guys have a special place in my heart, but none so much as the squeakers Cam and Cal. If you guys haven't read this series, you need to.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
July 16, 2019
Sweet story chronicling the lives of four people (almost from birth). Well done. An alternate title that would work for this one is “Family First, Always”. I’ve never read a story that was presented like this, different, but I liked it.
June 12, 2019
I will be completely honest when I say that I did not realize that this was the Heptab’s kids. I fell in love with the whole Heptab when I read their series and when I realized that this was Cal, Cam, Tristan, and Maddy’s story, I knew I was going to love it even more. Especially since the heptab was a huge part of this book.
Cal and Cam made a huge impression on me in their fathers and uncles books because the twins not only answered or spoke their sentences together like they was one person and not two but because these two boys were so rambunctious that they made a huge impact in each of the books. So now to be able to read a story about them as children from their point of view all the way to adulthood was pretty incredible.
Cam has always wanted to be a professional baseball player. He never gave up on that dream and he did what he had to in order to hopefully receive that chance. So to be able to make that dream co w true, he was ecstatic. But Cam has another important job growing up as well and hat was to watch over Tristan and keep him safe. He was slotted this job at a young age by his “aunt”, not by blood but by choice. So when Cam and Tristan both got older and those loving feelings they had for one another growing up together turned to more adult feelings, both was on the fence if they should follow through with those feelings or not. So they decided to take things slow and see where it lead them.
Maddy claimed Cal as her prince at a very young age. She was three when she decided this and now that they are older it is going to take something drastic for Cal to realize what has been in front of him all along. Cal has spent most of his young adult life working on getting through college and his residency. Most time he loses track of time because of this but when Maddy is in need of her family after being attacked, Cal realizes finally what he has been missing. Now the question is, Is it too late or is Maddy still waiting on her prince?
This was such an amazing read. I love the characters and the growth each of them went through throughout this book. It was incredible to be able to read about their lives and where it took them. I am so glad that Kris Jacen wrote each of these characters story. It is a very special read!!
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Cal and Cam made a huge impression on me in their fathers and uncles books because the twins not only answered or spoke their sentences together like they was one person and not two but because these two boys were so rambunctious that they made a huge impact in each of the books. So now to be able to read a story about them as children from their point of view all the way to adulthood was pretty incredible.
Cam has always wanted to be a professional baseball player. He never gave up on that dream and he did what he had to in order to hopefully receive that chance. So to be able to make that dream co w true, he was ecstatic. But Cam has another important job growing up as well and hat was to watch over Tristan and keep him safe. He was slotted this job at a young age by his “aunt”, not by blood but by choice. So when Cam and Tristan both got older and those loving feelings they had for one another growing up together turned to more adult feelings, both was on the fence if they should follow through with those feelings or not. So they decided to take things slow and see where it lead them.
Maddy claimed Cal as her prince at a very young age. She was three when she decided this and now that they are older it is going to take something drastic for Cal to realize what has been in front of him all along. Cal has spent most of his young adult life working on getting through college and his residency. Most time he loses track of time because of this but when Maddy is in need of her family after being attacked, Cal realizes finally what he has been missing. Now the question is, Is it too late or is Maddy still waiting on her prince?
This was such an amazing read. I love the characters and the growth each of them went through throughout this book. It was incredible to be able to read about their lives and where it took them. I am so glad that Kris Jacen wrote each of these characters story. It is a very special read!!
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
June 9, 2019
Kris Jacen's Always With Me is a double love story that spans many years.
It's a beautiful story that follows twins Cam and Cal from their teen years to their adult lives. As teens, they meet Tristan and Maddie as newborns, promising to care for them forever. Little did they know they'd eventually fall in love with them.
I appreciate the emotions the twins experience as they start to forge their own path in life. Despite their distance, they will always be there for each other. And, along with one other, they will always have Tristan and Maddie.
I love this tender story; love everything about it. Each twin falling in love with someone they grew up with is just heart-warming. It's just beautiful watching them grow up and following their lives through so many years.
Kris Jacen's With Me series is a great look into military life. There is so much represented in these books, and Always with Me continues that tradition. Each story is written with knowledge of military life and compassion for both the military members and their families. Each is told with honesty and heart.
The closeness of the families, as well as the four main characters is so beautiful. And seeing some characters from the rest of the series is wonderful. All in all, Always with Me is perfect when you're looking for an angst free, sweet as can be romance.
It's a beautiful story that follows twins Cam and Cal from their teen years to their adult lives. As teens, they meet Tristan and Maddie as newborns, promising to care for them forever. Little did they know they'd eventually fall in love with them.
I appreciate the emotions the twins experience as they start to forge their own path in life. Despite their distance, they will always be there for each other. And, along with one other, they will always have Tristan and Maddie.
I love this tender story; love everything about it. Each twin falling in love with someone they grew up with is just heart-warming. It's just beautiful watching them grow up and following their lives through so many years.
Kris Jacen's With Me series is a great look into military life. There is so much represented in these books, and Always with Me continues that tradition. Each story is written with knowledge of military life and compassion for both the military members and their families. Each is told with honesty and heart.
The closeness of the families, as well as the four main characters is so beautiful. And seeing some characters from the rest of the series is wonderful. All in all, Always with Me is perfect when you're looking for an angst free, sweet as can be romance.
June 11, 2019
I thought it would be distracting having four pov's going but Jacen handled it with professional ease and the story flowed as smooth as butter. I also started this book thinking it would be the typical M/M Romance. While the story did have some LGBT aspects, it didn't have your typical trials and tribulations normally found when introducing same sex relationships into the average heterosexual American family. I loved how Jacen 's characters just accepted everyone's sexual preferences for what they were (none of anyone's damn business) and moved on with the important stuff; life.
I wish I had a family like the one Cal and Cam had their whole lives. Everyone knew the difference between right and wrong, it was just expected that if you wanted something, you had to work hard for it and your loved ones would be there for you to give any support needed. I wish I could say it worked that way for everyone, this really is what the perfect family looks like.
Jacen's world building skills are exceptional. No matter your sexual orientation, I highly recommend you one-click this novel. I hope to see more like this by this author!
June 7, 2019
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-gS8
From that review:I have loved Kris Jacen's With Me series from the very first story Wait for Me. From that foundation novel, Jacen established a universe, tone, and overall series framework that pulled her readers into the world of military families and soldiers, the units that become to tight that they form a brotherhood unlike any other, one that also then encompasses their families as well, and then extends out to future generations coming up the ranks. We watch them toil, and sweat, and work through major issues, deep ones, military in nature, emotional, and sexual
For all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5
For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-gS8
From that review:I have loved Kris Jacen's With Me series from the very first story Wait for Me. From that foundation novel, Jacen established a universe, tone, and overall series framework that pulled her readers into the world of military families and soldiers, the units that become to tight that they form a brotherhood unlike any other, one that also then encompasses their families as well, and then extends out to future generations coming up the ranks. We watch them toil, and sweat, and work through major issues, deep ones, military in nature, emotional, and sexual
For all our reviews, check out http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
May 27, 2019
It's episodic but it's covering 30 years in the life of 4 characters so th hat makes sense as an approach. I enjoyed seeing adult Tristan, Cal, Cam, and Maddy. The heptad make appearances and Siah is mentioned in passing.
August 17, 2020
Love this series and the character. Love books with a military theme. I am retired USAF.
November 19, 2020
This book deserves more stars!! Sad years, happy tears. If the book was 600 pages I would still want more.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews