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Rock Bottom #3
Running from My Heart
"Holding onto the past can hurt more than letting it go."
People say six years is long enough to mourn the death of his husband but for Ross Miller, the pain is as fresh as if it happened yesterday. He’s left his glittering Hollywood life behind, yet guilt still dogs his steps, no matter how far he runs. Trapped by his past and needing to escape his well-meaning friends, he rents a cabin in the secluded Adirondack mountains. A reclusive man moves in next door and piques Ross’s interest, but his persistent attempts at friendship are rebuffed. That doesn’t stop him because the one rule Ross Miller has always lived by is to never take no for an answer.
Novelist Arden Wainwright has given up. He can’t pretend a happiness he knows he’ll never find again. Solitary days turn into years, and he remains frozen, unable to take a breath. At his wit’s end, he retreats to the mountains, but it does little to stir his creativity. He continues to hide from life and avoids his overly nosy neighbor, who insists on planting himself at Arden’s doorstep at every turn. Making friends is the last thing Arden wants, but annoying or not, he can’t get the damn man out of his mind.
Finding peace in their isolated surroundings, the two lonely men forge an unlikely friendship where they realize they’re more alike than different and better together than apart. With Ross’s help, Arden begins to rebuild the shattered pieces of his life, while Arden gives Ross the strength to face his fears and find his way home. When love comes calling you can choose to hide from hurt, loss, and pain, but if you take a chance and open the door, you might discover that running from your heart is the last thing you'll want to do.
This book can be read as a stand alone but you may remember Ross, Foster's best friend from Broken Silence, Book One of the Rock Bottom series.
People say six years is long enough to mourn the death of his husband but for Ross Miller, the pain is as fresh as if it happened yesterday. He’s left his glittering Hollywood life behind, yet guilt still dogs his steps, no matter how far he runs. Trapped by his past and needing to escape his well-meaning friends, he rents a cabin in the secluded Adirondack mountains. A reclusive man moves in next door and piques Ross’s interest, but his persistent attempts at friendship are rebuffed. That doesn’t stop him because the one rule Ross Miller has always lived by is to never take no for an answer.
Novelist Arden Wainwright has given up. He can’t pretend a happiness he knows he’ll never find again. Solitary days turn into years, and he remains frozen, unable to take a breath. At his wit’s end, he retreats to the mountains, but it does little to stir his creativity. He continues to hide from life and avoids his overly nosy neighbor, who insists on planting himself at Arden’s doorstep at every turn. Making friends is the last thing Arden wants, but annoying or not, he can’t get the damn man out of his mind.
Finding peace in their isolated surroundings, the two lonely men forge an unlikely friendship where they realize they’re more alike than different and better together than apart. With Ross’s help, Arden begins to rebuild the shattered pieces of his life, while Arden gives Ross the strength to face his fears and find his way home. When love comes calling you can choose to hide from hurt, loss, and pain, but if you take a chance and open the door, you might discover that running from your heart is the last thing you'll want to do.
This book can be read as a stand alone but you may remember Ross, Foster's best friend from Broken Silence, Book One of the Rock Bottom series.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2019
77 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
89 books1,716 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 21, 2019
Love amazes me. It stuns me speechless at times or leaves me with leaking eyes and a full heart. This story granted me all three. It’s a perfect example of why I continue to gravitate back towards romance stories again and again. It’s unreal how much power love is capable of. When it’s taken from you, ripped from your heart, it can destroy you. On the other side of the token, it possesses the ability to heal deep wounds that seemed to be permanent. Arden thought his broken heart would remain shattered in pieces until it’s final beat. He had no will to escape his grief and trudged along day by day in the darkness of its shadows. Ross is in a similar state and is just going through the motions. Both men had wonderful lives and were immensely happy. They were successful and achieved their dreams. Both men loved greatly and lost greatly. Both men need a fresh start but don’t know how or if they even want one. Maybe it’s because they were destined to jumpstart their lives and hearts together? Maybe they needed to fully embrace their grief before facing their new future? Maybe they need to…stop running and accept where they are is where they are meant to be? Here’s why I think you should find out…
What's to like: The first few pages are sharp and quick to cut. Ross loves his husband deeply and would do anything for him. Knowing that he might not have been attentive to every detail in their relationship is devastating to him. Losing him the way he did was even more so. I haven’t read the first book in this series (yet) and understand his best friend, Foster, and partner came together in book one. Foster is wonderful and so is Justin. They were bright and vibrant and I look forward to getting to know them better in their story. We venture out into the Adirondack’s and I was in heaven. I loved the secluded cabins and peace and solace only the forest can bring. My first impression of Arden wasn’t so great. I found him cold and bitter. In truth, he was. Ross helps bring him back from his frozen state and together they discover the power of love once more. I love second chance stories and although this wasn’t another opportunity with someone, it was another chance at life. It felt genuine and Stevens did a magnificent job bringing them back to life.
What's to love: Once the layers began to peel back, I never wanted them to stop. Extreme grief changes your soul. Neither Ross or Arden will ever be the men they were before tragedy struck their lives. However, once they accepted that they survived for a reason and to ignore destiny’s grace would be an insult to their lost loved ones, they transformed before our eyes. It was beautiful witnessing their hearts heal. I was delighted with the little things like savoring food once more and admiring the beauty of nature. I was grateful that Felice didn’t make it easy but also didn’t make them suffer anymore. It was turbulent at times but again, this only solidified the authenticity of their journey. I enjoyed how the guys leaned on one another for support but didn’t expect or ask to be carried. They may have nudged or pushed the other but they each made their own choice to stop running and face the music. I absolutely loved it when they recognized that it was okay to…live again and love again. I hope you do too!
Beware of: Loss. The pages are heavy at times and the sorrow is severe. Acceptance and forgiveness. Guilt, remorse, and denial were the driving forces until Ross and Arden let go of the past. Love. The beauty and power to love with your whole heart, even if it’s scarred, once more.
This book is for: If you like your men seasoned and recovering from a stormy past, this tender tale of two mending hearts is just what you need.
Book UNfunk
What's to like: The first few pages are sharp and quick to cut. Ross loves his husband deeply and would do anything for him. Knowing that he might not have been attentive to every detail in their relationship is devastating to him. Losing him the way he did was even more so. I haven’t read the first book in this series (yet) and understand his best friend, Foster, and partner came together in book one. Foster is wonderful and so is Justin. They were bright and vibrant and I look forward to getting to know them better in their story. We venture out into the Adirondack’s and I was in heaven. I loved the secluded cabins and peace and solace only the forest can bring. My first impression of Arden wasn’t so great. I found him cold and bitter. In truth, he was. Ross helps bring him back from his frozen state and together they discover the power of love once more. I love second chance stories and although this wasn’t another opportunity with someone, it was another chance at life. It felt genuine and Stevens did a magnificent job bringing them back to life.
What's to love: Once the layers began to peel back, I never wanted them to stop. Extreme grief changes your soul. Neither Ross or Arden will ever be the men they were before tragedy struck their lives. However, once they accepted that they survived for a reason and to ignore destiny’s grace would be an insult to their lost loved ones, they transformed before our eyes. It was beautiful witnessing their hearts heal. I was delighted with the little things like savoring food once more and admiring the beauty of nature. I was grateful that Felice didn’t make it easy but also didn’t make them suffer anymore. It was turbulent at times but again, this only solidified the authenticity of their journey. I enjoyed how the guys leaned on one another for support but didn’t expect or ask to be carried. They may have nudged or pushed the other but they each made their own choice to stop running and face the music. I absolutely loved it when they recognized that it was okay to…live again and love again. I hope you do too!
Beware of: Loss. The pages are heavy at times and the sorrow is severe. Acceptance and forgiveness. Guilt, remorse, and denial were the driving forces until Ross and Arden let go of the past. Love. The beauty and power to love with your whole heart, even if it’s scarred, once more.
This book is for: If you like your men seasoned and recovering from a stormy past, this tender tale of two mending hearts is just what you need.
Book UNfunk
February 1, 2020
4.5*
Full review tomorrow when I'm at the laptop.
***
This book is about loss. It is about stored up guilt and untethered emotional pain. It's a masterful demonstration of how two people can suffer the same paralyzing loss and yet deal with it in drastically different ways.
But, ultimately, it is about the resilience of the human spirit, our need to connect and to find meaning in our experiences.
It's a love story wrapped in slightly prickly wrapping paper, it might burn your heart a wee bit but the emotional journey which grows out of the ashes of a lost love and the unexpected wreckage of an unknown betrayed love is truly beautiful.
I loved how Felice gives the reader two radically different men with a shared common ground which moves them closer together in an almost organic way.
There is work done, on both parts, for each man to start healing, but the love which grows is as free as the lakeside wilderness where both Ross and Arden learn how to properly live again.
So, a glowing review so why wasn't it a 5* read? See below as I don't want to potentially influence other readers expectations.
There's a fair bit of Foster and Justin in this one and it was lovely to see them still being happy.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes with the offshoot Felice is planning.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Full review tomorrow when I'm at the laptop.
***
This book is about loss. It is about stored up guilt and untethered emotional pain. It's a masterful demonstration of how two people can suffer the same paralyzing loss and yet deal with it in drastically different ways.
But, ultimately, it is about the resilience of the human spirit, our need to connect and to find meaning in our experiences.
It's a love story wrapped in slightly prickly wrapping paper, it might burn your heart a wee bit but the emotional journey which grows out of the ashes of a lost love and the unexpected wreckage of an unknown betrayed love is truly beautiful.
I loved how Felice gives the reader two radically different men with a shared common ground which moves them closer together in an almost organic way.
There is work done, on both parts, for each man to start healing, but the love which grows is as free as the lakeside wilderness where both Ross and Arden learn how to properly live again.
So, a glowing review so why wasn't it a 5* read? See below as I don't want to potentially influence other readers expectations.
There's a fair bit of Foster and Justin in this one and it was lovely to see them still being happy.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes with the offshoot Felice is planning.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
September 20, 2022
It took a while, but I finally began to like the two main characters. I listened to this on Hoopla and wished that I had just stopped and read it instead. The reader in the audio addition constantly put so much angst into the various characters voices that it became annoying, frustrating and unnecessary. That was in no way the fault of the author or the content of the story. I like Felice Stevens books and I think I would have liked this story more if the reader had not been so excited. There were things that I genuinely liked about the story. As their relationship begins to materialize, there is laughter, sorrow, beauty and joy. It becomes a story of hope as well as the realization that life and love need not cease when seemingly endless grief caused by separation fills most of every moment of every day. The ways in which Ross and Arden become the foundation of support and love that the other so desperately needs, is heartwarming beyond measure.
Read
October 6, 2019If you follow me on social media, it's no secret how much I love the characters of Ross and Arden. To me, they're my most real characters—ones I'd like to have as personal friends and meet for coffee. I have had a hard time letting them go to move on to the next book.
I wanted to share a little excerpt from the beginning of their story for you ahead of release. I hope you enjoy it.
Running From My Heart will release in Kindle Unlimited. The first book, Broken Silence, will be on sale for only .99 cents for release week.
Running From My Heart:
“Stop it.” I tightened my grip around him. “Stop fighting. It’s okay to fall apart.”
“I’ll never put myself together if I do. I can’t bear it,” he gasped. “I can’t take it anymore. I can’t stop hearing their voices, their laughter. I don’t want to live without them.”
“But you have to.”
“Why?” He held on to me, finally.
“Because there’s no other way. You were meant to be left behind for a reason I can’t say. It’s up to you to find that purpose.”
He was skin and bones under his shirt, yet I sensed his physical power. He’d need to channel that to mentally push through this grief that clung to him. I wondered if he had any family and why they’d left him to fend for himself. Again, I thanked God for Foster’s friendship. When I’d returned to the city, I’d lived with him in his brownstone, recuperating and relearning to live a life without Dominic. If not for Foster in those dark days after Dom’s death, I would’ve ended up like Arden or worse.
After a moment Arden pushed me away, and I let him go only because he seemed stronger. He wiped at his face, and I scooted away, giving him a chance to regroup.
“That was very spiritual of you. I don’t think of having a purpose in life, other than to live it.”
“I’ve been known to have deep thoughts on occasion that stray from my favorite subjects of food and sex.”
“How surprising. Those were my two guesses as well,” Arden said dryly, then flashed me the semblance of a hesitant smile. A quick uptick of those generous lips, but it was enough. “Thank you for listening and being understanding. I haven’t allowed myself to let go like that.”
“You should. This is the perfect environment. No judgment, no eyes. No one to answer to. Let it go. Scream your head off.”
He took a sip of his coffee and met my gaze. “Is that what you did?”
My hand shook, and I set the cup down before I dropped it.
“What do you mean?”
“If you came up here to rest and recharge, to get away from well-meaning friends, as you said, to me that’s code for running away from something, as I’m doing. So what are you running away from, Ross Miller? Or who?”
I wanted to share a little excerpt from the beginning of their story for you ahead of release. I hope you enjoy it.
Running From My Heart will release in Kindle Unlimited. The first book, Broken Silence, will be on sale for only .99 cents for release week.
Running From My Heart:
“Stop it.” I tightened my grip around him. “Stop fighting. It’s okay to fall apart.”
“I’ll never put myself together if I do. I can’t bear it,” he gasped. “I can’t take it anymore. I can’t stop hearing their voices, their laughter. I don’t want to live without them.”
“But you have to.”
“Why?” He held on to me, finally.
“Because there’s no other way. You were meant to be left behind for a reason I can’t say. It’s up to you to find that purpose.”
He was skin and bones under his shirt, yet I sensed his physical power. He’d need to channel that to mentally push through this grief that clung to him. I wondered if he had any family and why they’d left him to fend for himself. Again, I thanked God for Foster’s friendship. When I’d returned to the city, I’d lived with him in his brownstone, recuperating and relearning to live a life without Dominic. If not for Foster in those dark days after Dom’s death, I would’ve ended up like Arden or worse.
After a moment Arden pushed me away, and I let him go only because he seemed stronger. He wiped at his face, and I scooted away, giving him a chance to regroup.
“That was very spiritual of you. I don’t think of having a purpose in life, other than to live it.”
“I’ve been known to have deep thoughts on occasion that stray from my favorite subjects of food and sex.”
“How surprising. Those were my two guesses as well,” Arden said dryly, then flashed me the semblance of a hesitant smile. A quick uptick of those generous lips, but it was enough. “Thank you for listening and being understanding. I haven’t allowed myself to let go like that.”
“You should. This is the perfect environment. No judgment, no eyes. No one to answer to. Let it go. Scream your head off.”
He took a sip of his coffee and met my gaze. “Is that what you did?”
My hand shook, and I set the cup down before I dropped it.
“What do you mean?”
“If you came up here to rest and recharge, to get away from well-meaning friends, as you said, to me that’s code for running away from something, as I’m doing. So what are you running away from, Ross Miller? Or who?”
October 11, 2019
Ross and Arden have both loved and tragically lost (and yay for two MCs in their forties). For years they have lived day-to-day, grieving and cutting themselves off from life in their own ways. A chance meeting that doesn’t make the best first impression is the catalyst for them developing a friendship based on common ground. As the two grow closer, their beliefs that neither of them could ever love again start to slowly crack.
Despite their similar pasts, the two are very different in their personalities and how they deal with things. I love the way Ross poked and cajoled Arden into getting out of his house and the way Ross encourages Arden to face everything he left behind. I especially enjoyed watching Arden go from sullen and morose to funny and finding joy again. The two are a great couple and I couldn’t wait for them to finally get together.
There were some unexpected twists and I am thrilled at finding out that one of the secondary characters will be getting a spin-off book. I have to admit that I really had a problem with Arden’s sister-in-law and spent a good part of the story wondering if she would eventually be the star of a Discovery ID episode. Foster and Justin make a few appearances here, but you don’t need to have read any of the other Rock Bottom stories to enjoy this one.
A gorgeous story about grief, moving forward, love and forgiveness. It was emotional without becoming bogged down with sadness. I will admit to shedding quite a few tears at the ending of the story, which was just beautiful. Another winner from Felice Stevens.
Despite their similar pasts, the two are very different in their personalities and how they deal with things. I love the way Ross poked and cajoled Arden into getting out of his house and the way Ross encourages Arden to face everything he left behind. I especially enjoyed watching Arden go from sullen and morose to funny and finding joy again. The two are a great couple and I couldn’t wait for them to finally get together.
There were some unexpected twists and I am thrilled at finding out that one of the secondary characters will be getting a spin-off book. I have to admit that I really had a problem with Arden’s sister-in-law and spent a good part of the story wondering if she would eventually be the star of a Discovery ID episode. Foster and Justin make a few appearances here, but you don’t need to have read any of the other Rock Bottom stories to enjoy this one.
A gorgeous story about grief, moving forward, love and forgiveness. It was emotional without becoming bogged down with sadness. I will admit to shedding quite a few tears at the ending of the story, which was just beautiful. Another winner from Felice Stevens.
October 26, 2019
I want to shout: What an impressive story. The author did a good job creating a bubble where grief lives, where all the perspectives are so different, like living in a parallel world. More than once I was in tears over emotional parts. It was all so very real!
When two mens’ lives collide under heavy circumstances it can’t be better described other than it makes the earth move.
Ross has withdrawn himself from his dear friends, away from the glitter of his Hollywood life. He is mourning after the loss of his husband six years ago, he can’t and doesn’t want to get attached again with life.
Arden has lost his reason to live when everything he loved got killed in a car accident five years ago. Mourning, grieving, he runs from his life, to live in a cabin far away in an isolated place in the mountains, not able to write another book anymore. Ross is his nearby neighbor. Arden doesn’t want anything to do with him. Only Ross is persistent to get involved and to open up the grumpy withdrawn man.
What was revealed before my eyes was something special, very special.
Both men have deep scars and a story to tell. At times it was hard. I even had to stop reading further. The way they try to survive and overcome was so well developed.
“But maybe there’s someone who can live inside the other piece of your broken heart.”
A dear place in this story is taken by some beautiful friends reaching out and accepting the fact that everyone grieves at their own pace.
There are stories where I try to visualize the characters by looks. In this story, I didn’t. I just saw souls, souls who are hurt, with walls around them to protect, sometimes with a crack to let the light in, sometimes they grow big and radiate glowing light and, sometimes they deflate into nothing. With all this, mostly they want to live and feel.
The way they seek each other and come closer was an emotionally cautious one.
The whole process they went through was wonderfully described, I felt it all! Their interactions were one of a kind. Both men were beautifully developed throughout the whole story. To see through the exterior into their souls was breathtaking and very emotional! To see them laugh and make love was the icing on the cake.
It was heartwarming to see everything come around. I highly appreciate the fact the author gave them peace, to make it all good and right. I know it is fiction, only it felt so real. The road they had to walk was as heavy as lead, they’ve come far and had to go deep, but thank goodness they made it. I was immensely content they got their deserved HEA.
The author did a tremendous job to give this story the right balance.
I was heavily impressed by this story!
When two mens’ lives collide under heavy circumstances it can’t be better described other than it makes the earth move.
Ross has withdrawn himself from his dear friends, away from the glitter of his Hollywood life. He is mourning after the loss of his husband six years ago, he can’t and doesn’t want to get attached again with life.
Arden has lost his reason to live when everything he loved got killed in a car accident five years ago. Mourning, grieving, he runs from his life, to live in a cabin far away in an isolated place in the mountains, not able to write another book anymore. Ross is his nearby neighbor. Arden doesn’t want anything to do with him. Only Ross is persistent to get involved and to open up the grumpy withdrawn man.
What was revealed before my eyes was something special, very special.
Both men have deep scars and a story to tell. At times it was hard. I even had to stop reading further. The way they try to survive and overcome was so well developed.
“But maybe there’s someone who can live inside the other piece of your broken heart.”
A dear place in this story is taken by some beautiful friends reaching out and accepting the fact that everyone grieves at their own pace.
There are stories where I try to visualize the characters by looks. In this story, I didn’t. I just saw souls, souls who are hurt, with walls around them to protect, sometimes with a crack to let the light in, sometimes they grow big and radiate glowing light and, sometimes they deflate into nothing. With all this, mostly they want to live and feel.
The way they seek each other and come closer was an emotionally cautious one.
The whole process they went through was wonderfully described, I felt it all! Their interactions were one of a kind. Both men were beautifully developed throughout the whole story. To see through the exterior into their souls was breathtaking and very emotional! To see them laugh and make love was the icing on the cake.
It was heartwarming to see everything come around. I highly appreciate the fact the author gave them peace, to make it all good and right. I know it is fiction, only it felt so real. The road they had to walk was as heavy as lead, they’ve come far and had to go deep, but thank goodness they made it. I was immensely content they got their deserved HEA.
The author did a tremendous job to give this story the right balance.
I was heavily impressed by this story!
October 8, 2019
Losing someone you loved dearly and your whole life could be devastating. Unfortunately it happened with Ross and Arden. Running away from their life, they met in the middle of a nature where once they're expected to find peace.
Almost like love at first sight (or grumble), Ross and Arden found their life's back in each other's hands, rearranging back their shattered life back to (almost) normal.
Once again, this book hit close to home for me, and Felice wrote it like I wanted it to write down. The whole shattered dreams, the grieves, the hope, and finding a reason to keep on going and move on.
Running From My Heart touched my heart in every way possible, and what Arden had been through before and even after years later, got me crying and wanted to hold him to my heart. But he got Ross,the bad boy with a tortured pastwho's willingly loving him with all his heart.
Running From My Heart was a beautiful story about second chances, and finding love again in a place you'll never thought you'll find.
Ross and Arden will stay with me for a very long time. Thank you Felice Stevens !
All pictures are belongs to the author.
Almost like love at first sight (or grumble), Ross and Arden found their life's back in each other's hands, rearranging back their shattered life back to (almost) normal.
Once again, this book hit close to home for me, and Felice wrote it like I wanted it to write down. The whole shattered dreams, the grieves, the hope, and finding a reason to keep on going and move on.
“People talk about their lovers being an anchor, but anchors weigh you down. You kept me afloat. You’re my life preserver. You lifted me up and kept me from sinking back into the darkness. You not only saved my life and showed me how to live it, you gave me something worth living for.”
Running From My Heart touched my heart in every way possible, and what Arden had been through before and even after years later, got me crying and wanted to hold him to my heart. But he got Ross,the bad boy with a tortured pastwho's willingly loving him with all his heart.
Running From My Heart was a beautiful story about second chances, and finding love again in a place you'll never thought you'll find.
Ross and Arden will stay with me for a very long time. Thank you Felice Stevens !
All pictures are belongs to the author.
October 12, 2019
“Life took away the love I never planned to lose, but it also brought me you....The love I never thought I’d find again.”
🌱🌱🌱
I always curious about Ross's story since his first appearance as Foster best friend back then. The sadness and mysterious vibes he gave had raised my curiosity right away. Made me wondering, what story he has? And my heart instantly feels, it must be the heartbreaking one…
I’m fully aware of what kind of story I will put myself into this time when I started this book, but I didn't expect that this book will hit me with not just one, BUT TWO heartbreaking story!
And of course I didn’t prepare myself to be hit by double heartbreaking moments in one shot!
Being hit this hard, I must admit it shattered my heart into pieces along with Ross and Arden while I’m reading their story.
Both Ross and Arden drowning in their own grief, but how they dealing with the grief are different. Arden shut himself from people and the world, and grieving in silence, and Ross? He sleeps with a lots of men just to ease his pain, hide behind his cheerful happy face and ‘running’ from the regrets that keep chasing him from the past...
Fate then brought them meet as neighbors when they isolated themselves from the world.
From neighbors to friends, both Ross and Arden slowly found out that they both shared similar wound due to the loss of the people they love. If someone will understand the hurt and grief Arden has been through, it would be Ross. Because for years Ross also struggling with his own grief and regrets. And that what make they both understand the sorrow and regrets that eat them alive…
But after that small incident at the groceries store, their life started to change…
I love the dynamic in this story. I cried when they trying to deals with their grieving and I also laughs with their casual & fun banters. Their ups and downs emotions and how they both cope with their loss and grief by supporting each other are the wonderful things that ache my heart but also successfully warm my heart.
I know Felice’s abilities in wrecking the readers heart with her beautiful broken stories, but being hit twice in one time?
Ma'am – that’s cruel. But still, the masochistic side in me keep craving for her sad-angsty story even more...
Justin’s poem is one of the scene that hit me so bad beside ‘the baby osprey burial’ scene. When I thought that there’s no more tissues needed since everything seems to finally fall into the happy moments part, then Justin’s poem hit me hard. Then all the feels I felt from the beginning rushed back and put me back into another meltdown. This is the reasons why I ‘hate’ and love you at the same time, Felice!!!
Arden and Ross's story definitely will be my fave story from this series so far. They’re beautifully made for each others!
Oh, last but not least...
Well I can't denied that I’ve been curious about ‘that guy' while I’m reading Arden’s story, I ‘hate’ him at first but then I feel sorry for him and want to know more about him. So when I found out that he will have his own story, I must admit it surprise me and also excited me at the same time! Hopefully through his point of view I can understand more about him and what he’d been through….
And I really can’t wait for Ezra story too, I can smells another hints of heartbreaking story in him!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
September 12, 2023
Running From My Heart is the third book in the Rock Bottom series but can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the others, and it certainly didn't have an impact on my enjoyment of it.
Ross and Arden are both drowning in grief, but dealing with it in very different ways. Arden has shut himself away from everyone and everything, whereas Ross is King of the One-Night-Stands. They are doing what works best for them. But then they meet in a grocery store and both their lives change for the better, although not painlessly.
This is a very emotional read as the two of them certainly go through the wringer. They have personal revelations that both help and hinder them in their recovery from such soul-destroying grief. I will admit to shedding a tear or two as the baby Osprey, but enough of that!
I have no idea if there were any errors in this book, but I don't think there were as I usually get jolted out of the storyline. With this book, I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The story is smooth, the pacing is perfect. There is a fantastic cast of characters, both main and supporting, that help bring this story to life. I definitely want to read book one, Foster and Justin's story, even though I know from this book they have their HEA.
Absolutely fantastic and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 10, 2019
Ross and Arden are both drowning in grief, but dealing with it in very different ways. Arden has shut himself away from everyone and everything, whereas Ross is King of the One-Night-Stands. They are doing what works best for them. But then they meet in a grocery store and both their lives change for the better, although not painlessly.
This is a very emotional read as the two of them certainly go through the wringer. They have personal revelations that both help and hinder them in their recovery from such soul-destroying grief. I will admit to shedding a tear or two as the baby Osprey, but enough of that!
I have no idea if there were any errors in this book, but I don't think there were as I usually get jolted out of the storyline. With this book, I was completely engrossed from start to finish. The story is smooth, the pacing is perfect. There is a fantastic cast of characters, both main and supporting, that help bring this story to life. I definitely want to read book one, Foster and Justin's story, even though I know from this book they have their HEA.
Absolutely fantastic and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 10, 2019
February 23, 2020
This one blew me away!!! 🤗 The slow burn between Ross and Arden was so believable and oh so sweet. I have to say Ross was one of my favorite characters. He was so full of humor, sass and snarkiness too bad it was all a front he was hiding behind which Arden figured out pretty fast. Arden didn't hide behind his pain he left it out there and just hide behind closed doors but Ross also had his number and he made himself so persistent in pursuing Arden's friendship he had no choice but to take notice of Ross and except his friendship . 😂
They slowly healed their broken hearts 💔 with shared heartache and loss and helped each other move forward.
Having Foster and Justin come into the book was a sweet perk!!! I listened to this on audio and the narrator Michael Pauley did a phenomenal job as well!!👍
I'm looking forward to more and I even felt a little bad for the art dealer and maybe would like to see him and Dom's (Ross's deceased husband) agent get a story.. hint hint 😚
They slowly healed their broken hearts 💔 with shared heartache and loss and helped each other move forward.
Having Foster and Justin come into the book was a sweet perk!!! I listened to this on audio and the narrator Michael Pauley did a phenomenal job as well!!👍
I'm looking forward to more and I even felt a little bad for the art dealer and maybe would like to see him and Dom's (Ross's deceased husband) agent get a story.. hint hint 😚
March 11, 2024
I've given this a B for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals
Running From My Heart is a beautifully written, deeply emotional story about love and loss and grief, about standing still and moving on and letting go and second chances; and while the characters have suffered traumatic, life-changing experiences, it’s an uplifting story full of love and hope that shows new beginnings are possible even when it seems as though life has nothing more to offer.
Note: This is the third book in the author’s Rock Bottom series, but it can be listened to as a standalone.
Movie director Ross Miller lost his husband Dominic, an actor, in a freak surfing accident some six years previously. It devastated him, but the face he presents to the world is one of a man getting on with his life; he’s outgoing, upbeat, funny, and has a steady string of bed partners – maybe for one night, maybe a few, but never more – but in truth, he’s just hiding his pain behind a veneer of normality that fools pretty much every one (even himself, most of the time) into believing he’s perfectly fine and happy.
Novelist Arden Wainwright also suffered a terrible loss when his husband and their young son were killed in a car accident when returning from a day out. That was five years ago, and his way of dealing – or really, not dealing – with it has been to become something of a recluse; a broken man with no interest on moving on or finding something to live for, he just drifts aimlessly from day to day, and the only friend he really has is his late husband’s twin sister Liza, with whom he has dinner a few times a week, during which they talk about how much they miss Jared and Drake.
These two lost souls meet when they end up as neighbours, renting adjacent cabins in a secluded mountain retreat in the Adirondacks. Arden didn’t really want to go – all he wants is to be left alone to wallow in his misery – but his agent insisted a change of environment would do him good and it was easier to let her have her way than resist – and as it turns out, the quiet and solitary location suit his mood. He’s in the local store stocking up on groceries when he meets an attractive, overly talkative man of about his own age and realises this must be his neighbour, the “famous movie director”.After a brief conversation during which they realise they know each other tangentially and through reputation, Arden decides he can’t cope with Ross’ non-stop chatter and rudely brushes him off – only to bump into him again when he goes for a walk by the lake that evening.
After a false start (or two), and after Arden apologises for having been an arsehole in shutting down Ross so rudely, the two men move towards a tentative friendship which is underscored by a feeling of mutual attraction of the sort neither had wanted or expected to feel ever again. Slowly, they begin to open up to each other, talking about the people they lost, about their deepest fears and insecurities, and their guilt over being the one left behind. When we first meet him, it seems as though Arden is never going to be able to move past his devastation and that he’s stuck living in the past, unable – even unwilling – to try to put the past behind him and move on. But a shattering discovery – one that upends his world completely – turns out to be the impetus he needs to start emerging from his self-imposed exile from his own life, and to start working out how to find a new place and a new purpose.
Like Arden, Ross has been hiding from both his past and the possibility of a future – but in a completely different way. Where Arden chose to cut himself off physically from everyone around him, Ross has instead erected a big barrier between himself, his grief, and the wider world by adopting a carefree persona and using sex as a distraction. But deep down, he, too, is stuck in the same kind of limbo as Arden, just as grief-stricken and deeply unhappy as he was immediately after his husband’s death.
Both men have been through a lot – and have more to go through if they’re truly going to be able to come to terms with their losses and move forward. They’re complex, likeable characters whose differences complement one another; Ross is outgoing and funny with an enormous heart, where Arden is quieter and more introspective, with a dry wit and the ability to truly articulate his feelings. With the other’s support, they each gain the will to start to put their lives back together, and listening to them slowly letting go of their all-encompassing pain and grief and allowing themselves to fall for each other is delightfully bittersweet, as they learn that moving on to pastures new doesn’t mean leaving the past behind or forgetting, but rather accepting it as part of themselves as they move into a different future from the one they’d previously envisioned.
The writing is as vivid and evocative as always, and there are some wonderful moments of poignancy and heartbreak portrayed in gorgeous prose filled with warmth and a real depth of emotion. There’s a lovely metaphor for Arden and Ross’ journey that runs throughout the book featuring a breeding pair of Ospreys (whom the guys name Jay-Z and Beyonce(!)) and a strongly characterised secondary cast – some of whom prove to be more helpful along the way than others.
Michael Pauley is a narrator I don’t listen to all that often, mostly because while I can hear he’s very good, I’m not really a fan. He’s incredibly experienced in m/m romance and I know is a favourite of many, but for me, he’s one of those performers whose talent I can recognise objectively, but who just … doesn’t do it for me on other levels. By that I mean that there’s no question he’s very accomplished; he can create a range of appropriate and believable character voices and differentiate effectively between them, and he acts rather than just reading the words, highlighting what the characters are going through emotionally. But he always sounds to me as though he’s got a blocked nose (!) and in some of the more intense moments, he starts chewing the scenery; there’s a scene in the first part of this book (the one in which Arden discovers a devastating betrayal) where Mr. Pauley indulges in some truly awful overacting, and he can go over the top in the sex scenes, too, so that they become cringeworthy rather than hot. And I suspect that because I know he does that, I’m always on the alert, waiting for it to happen – and that’s not a good place to be in when you’re listening to as emotional a story as this one. But to be fair, those moments are fairly infrequent and for most of the audiobook, I enjoyed his performance. His vocal characterisations of Ross and Arden are recognisable and different, and the handful of secondary characters is clearly delineated; the emotional import of the story is very clearly conveyed, and he enhances the strong connection between the leads created by the author. Ultimately though, I think it just comes down to personal preference, because Mr. Pauley does (mostly) everything right. He’s just… not a personal favourite.
I’m still going to give the audiobook of Running From My Heart a thumbs-up, however. I was captivated by Ross and Arden’s story from start to finish, and the wonderful message that hope really does spring eternal and that new life and new love are possible, even after the most soul-crushing grief, is beautifully conveyed. The narration may not have quite hit the spot for me, but it might work better for others; if you’ve enjoyed other audiobooks by this author, this one is definitely worth your consideration.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
Running From My Heart is a beautifully written, deeply emotional story about love and loss and grief, about standing still and moving on and letting go and second chances; and while the characters have suffered traumatic, life-changing experiences, it’s an uplifting story full of love and hope that shows new beginnings are possible even when it seems as though life has nothing more to offer.
Note: This is the third book in the author’s Rock Bottom series, but it can be listened to as a standalone.
Movie director Ross Miller lost his husband Dominic, an actor, in a freak surfing accident some six years previously. It devastated him, but the face he presents to the world is one of a man getting on with his life; he’s outgoing, upbeat, funny, and has a steady string of bed partners – maybe for one night, maybe a few, but never more – but in truth, he’s just hiding his pain behind a veneer of normality that fools pretty much every one (even himself, most of the time) into believing he’s perfectly fine and happy.
Novelist Arden Wainwright also suffered a terrible loss when his husband and their young son were killed in a car accident when returning from a day out. That was five years ago, and his way of dealing – or really, not dealing – with it has been to become something of a recluse; a broken man with no interest on moving on or finding something to live for, he just drifts aimlessly from day to day, and the only friend he really has is his late husband’s twin sister Liza, with whom he has dinner a few times a week, during which they talk about how much they miss Jared and Drake.
These two lost souls meet when they end up as neighbours, renting adjacent cabins in a secluded mountain retreat in the Adirondacks. Arden didn’t really want to go – all he wants is to be left alone to wallow in his misery – but his agent insisted a change of environment would do him good and it was easier to let her have her way than resist – and as it turns out, the quiet and solitary location suit his mood. He’s in the local store stocking up on groceries when he meets an attractive, overly talkative man of about his own age and realises this must be his neighbour, the “famous movie director”.After a brief conversation during which they realise they know each other tangentially and through reputation, Arden decides he can’t cope with Ross’ non-stop chatter and rudely brushes him off – only to bump into him again when he goes for a walk by the lake that evening.
After a false start (or two), and after Arden apologises for having been an arsehole in shutting down Ross so rudely, the two men move towards a tentative friendship which is underscored by a feeling of mutual attraction of the sort neither had wanted or expected to feel ever again. Slowly, they begin to open up to each other, talking about the people they lost, about their deepest fears and insecurities, and their guilt over being the one left behind. When we first meet him, it seems as though Arden is never going to be able to move past his devastation and that he’s stuck living in the past, unable – even unwilling – to try to put the past behind him and move on. But a shattering discovery – one that upends his world completely – turns out to be the impetus he needs to start emerging from his self-imposed exile from his own life, and to start working out how to find a new place and a new purpose.
Like Arden, Ross has been hiding from both his past and the possibility of a future – but in a completely different way. Where Arden chose to cut himself off physically from everyone around him, Ross has instead erected a big barrier between himself, his grief, and the wider world by adopting a carefree persona and using sex as a distraction. But deep down, he, too, is stuck in the same kind of limbo as Arden, just as grief-stricken and deeply unhappy as he was immediately after his husband’s death.
Both men have been through a lot – and have more to go through if they’re truly going to be able to come to terms with their losses and move forward. They’re complex, likeable characters whose differences complement one another; Ross is outgoing and funny with an enormous heart, where Arden is quieter and more introspective, with a dry wit and the ability to truly articulate his feelings. With the other’s support, they each gain the will to start to put their lives back together, and listening to them slowly letting go of their all-encompassing pain and grief and allowing themselves to fall for each other is delightfully bittersweet, as they learn that moving on to pastures new doesn’t mean leaving the past behind or forgetting, but rather accepting it as part of themselves as they move into a different future from the one they’d previously envisioned.
The writing is as vivid and evocative as always, and there are some wonderful moments of poignancy and heartbreak portrayed in gorgeous prose filled with warmth and a real depth of emotion. There’s a lovely metaphor for Arden and Ross’ journey that runs throughout the book featuring a breeding pair of Ospreys (whom the guys name Jay-Z and Beyonce(!)) and a strongly characterised secondary cast – some of whom prove to be more helpful along the way than others.
Michael Pauley is a narrator I don’t listen to all that often, mostly because while I can hear he’s very good, I’m not really a fan. He’s incredibly experienced in m/m romance and I know is a favourite of many, but for me, he’s one of those performers whose talent I can recognise objectively, but who just … doesn’t do it for me on other levels. By that I mean that there’s no question he’s very accomplished; he can create a range of appropriate and believable character voices and differentiate effectively between them, and he acts rather than just reading the words, highlighting what the characters are going through emotionally. But he always sounds to me as though he’s got a blocked nose (!) and in some of the more intense moments, he starts chewing the scenery; there’s a scene in the first part of this book (the one in which Arden discovers a devastating betrayal) where Mr. Pauley indulges in some truly awful overacting, and he can go over the top in the sex scenes, too, so that they become cringeworthy rather than hot. And I suspect that because I know he does that, I’m always on the alert, waiting for it to happen – and that’s not a good place to be in when you’re listening to as emotional a story as this one. But to be fair, those moments are fairly infrequent and for most of the audiobook, I enjoyed his performance. His vocal characterisations of Ross and Arden are recognisable and different, and the handful of secondary characters is clearly delineated; the emotional import of the story is very clearly conveyed, and he enhances the strong connection between the leads created by the author. Ultimately though, I think it just comes down to personal preference, because Mr. Pauley does (mostly) everything right. He’s just… not a personal favourite.
I’m still going to give the audiobook of Running From My Heart a thumbs-up, however. I was captivated by Ross and Arden’s story from start to finish, and the wonderful message that hope really does spring eternal and that new life and new love are possible, even after the most soul-crushing grief, is beautifully conveyed. The narration may not have quite hit the spot for me, but it might work better for others; if you’ve enjoyed other audiobooks by this author, this one is definitely worth your consideration.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
October 11, 2019
Running From My Heart by Felice Stevens is love story shrouded in sadness, despair and grief, but also filled with so much hope and love. We first met Ross Miller in Broken Silence. He was Foster's tragically heart broken best friend. (It is not necessary to read Broken Silence first, but I highly recommend it. It's a great book.)
6 years ago, Ross suddenly lost the love of his life. Since then he's been running from real life and his heart. Ross puts on a brave face for the world, but inside he is suffering... He is always masking his sorrow with his charisma and charm. Ross is quick with a joke and a smile. Leaving his Hollywood life behind, he moved into a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. Trying to find peace...
I love Ross! His snark and flirtatious ways brought light to this story. His heart may be broken, but it is huge! When he meets a man who is hurting, he puts his needs before his own.....
Novelist Arden Wainwright thinks his life is over. He to knows too much tragedy. For years, he has merely existed. Consumed by his grief and withering away. Needing to escape, he rents a place in the mountains. There he meets his neighbor Ross. The man drives him crazy. Too nosy, pushy and attractive. He tries to push Ross away at every turn, but due too Ross's persistence, they form a friendship. This is where the beauty of this story begins....
Arden gutted me. This sweet man, I felt all his pain. Seeing his tranformation was uplifting. Bearing witness to these men, grieve, heal and ultimately fall in love was moving. I love how they took turns helping one another. Each becoming the other's rock.
Running From My Heart is a fantastic and necessary slow burn. Felice did a wonderful job of showing us how different people handle grief. The devastation it can cause, but also how with healing love grow and florish out of ashes.
6 years ago, Ross suddenly lost the love of his life. Since then he's been running from real life and his heart. Ross puts on a brave face for the world, but inside he is suffering... He is always masking his sorrow with his charisma and charm. Ross is quick with a joke and a smile. Leaving his Hollywood life behind, he moved into a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. Trying to find peace...
I love Ross! His snark and flirtatious ways brought light to this story. His heart may be broken, but it is huge! When he meets a man who is hurting, he puts his needs before his own.....
Novelist Arden Wainwright thinks his life is over. He to knows too much tragedy. For years, he has merely existed. Consumed by his grief and withering away. Needing to escape, he rents a place in the mountains. There he meets his neighbor Ross. The man drives him crazy. Too nosy, pushy and attractive. He tries to push Ross away at every turn, but due too Ross's persistence, they form a friendship. This is where the beauty of this story begins....
Arden gutted me. This sweet man, I felt all his pain. Seeing his tranformation was uplifting. Bearing witness to these men, grieve, heal and ultimately fall in love was moving. I love how they took turns helping one another. Each becoming the other's rock.
Running From My Heart is a fantastic and necessary slow burn. Felice did a wonderful job of showing us how different people handle grief. The devastation it can cause, but also how with healing love grow and florish out of ashes.
October 10, 2019
Running From My Heart is the perfect reminder for why I love Felice Stevens' writing. I haven't read one of her books for a while now, but this one has inspired me to check out the ones I've missed, especially the first two books in this series.
Wow. This story is a beautiful and powerful tale of survivor's guilt and drowning in one's grief. It's an amazing story of survival.
Ross and Arden are two men who are both staggering in life, each having experienced life changing losses. They are two successful men who have each taken a step back from their careers, and are hiding from the world. They meet when they become neighbors at a lake in the mountains. And, yes, the setting is a huge aspect of this story; both in it's power to relax and it's ability to allow one to take a step back from the craziness of life.
Ross and Arden are two heartbroken men, both drowning in their grief. Seriously, the grief and guilt is all consuming. The reader is easily able to feel it jumping off the page. The author expertly illustrates that people grieve differently, and that this is okay. I applaud the way this is developed.
This story is about finding a purpose after one's life path is derailed. It's about figuring out how to live again, how to move on from the pain. Their story involves family issues on the way to finding the second love of their lives.
It's also a story about fear, and trying to overcome it. There's a great quote about this, something we all can relate to.
"It's hard to take that first step."
This is the story of two men who are running from their pain, their life in general, and their own hearts. The importance of the title is well illustrated. And the following quote is an important piece of advice given.
"...maybe there's someone who can live inside the other piece of your broken heart."
The author also does a great job exploring the difficulty with putting oneself out there into social situations. I appreciated this part, as it's written with understanding and care. This is such a common issue and it's wonderfully illustrated.
Running From My Heart is a painful journey towards healing. This Felice Stevens read is touching, emotional, and inspirational. Definitely check it out when you're in the mood for two men moving forward with their lives. You will not be disappointed.
Wow. This story is a beautiful and powerful tale of survivor's guilt and drowning in one's grief. It's an amazing story of survival.
Ross and Arden are two men who are both staggering in life, each having experienced life changing losses. They are two successful men who have each taken a step back from their careers, and are hiding from the world. They meet when they become neighbors at a lake in the mountains. And, yes, the setting is a huge aspect of this story; both in it's power to relax and it's ability to allow one to take a step back from the craziness of life.
Ross and Arden are two heartbroken men, both drowning in their grief. Seriously, the grief and guilt is all consuming. The reader is easily able to feel it jumping off the page. The author expertly illustrates that people grieve differently, and that this is okay. I applaud the way this is developed.
This story is about finding a purpose after one's life path is derailed. It's about figuring out how to live again, how to move on from the pain. Their story involves family issues on the way to finding the second love of their lives.
It's also a story about fear, and trying to overcome it. There's a great quote about this, something we all can relate to.
"It's hard to take that first step."
This is the story of two men who are running from their pain, their life in general, and their own hearts. The importance of the title is well illustrated. And the following quote is an important piece of advice given.
"...maybe there's someone who can live inside the other piece of your broken heart."
The author also does a great job exploring the difficulty with putting oneself out there into social situations. I appreciated this part, as it's written with understanding and care. This is such a common issue and it's wonderfully illustrated.
Running From My Heart is a painful journey towards healing. This Felice Stevens read is touching, emotional, and inspirational. Definitely check it out when you're in the mood for two men moving forward with their lives. You will not be disappointed.
October 15, 2019
Felice has written an emotional read with this book.
Ross lost the love of his life when his husband died right after a argument. He think's he doesn't ever deserve to be happy again. So he runs away to a cabin to figure out his life and wallow in his grief.
Arden also lost his husband and son and goes to the cabin next door to Ross. He is a writer and his agent thinks a new space will help him continue to write. All Arden wants to do is wither away to join his family. He feels dead inside and has nothing left so he is slowing dying both inside and out.
Both men are running from the world where they lost their other half. They have to learn to live again and find happiness.
I loved this story, the writing will keep you turning the pages to see both men try to live again.
This is a story about loss and finding love again despite going through something horrible.
Ross and Arden are broken but find a friendship through their shared loss. These characters are written beautifully. I really enjoyed that they are older men too not 20 somethings. They felt that they had found their love their life's and do not deserve to be happy again.
Boy are they wrong and Felice takes us on a journey to find out.
It was a emotional read but so worth the tears you will shed for the pain Arden and Ross had to go through to find each other and learn to love again.
*ARC provided by Felice Stevens in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
Ross lost the love of his life when his husband died right after a argument. He think's he doesn't ever deserve to be happy again. So he runs away to a cabin to figure out his life and wallow in his grief.
Arden also lost his husband and son and goes to the cabin next door to Ross. He is a writer and his agent thinks a new space will help him continue to write. All Arden wants to do is wither away to join his family. He feels dead inside and has nothing left so he is slowing dying both inside and out.
Both men are running from the world where they lost their other half. They have to learn to live again and find happiness.
I loved this story, the writing will keep you turning the pages to see both men try to live again.
This is a story about loss and finding love again despite going through something horrible.
Ross and Arden are broken but find a friendship through their shared loss. These characters are written beautifully. I really enjoyed that they are older men too not 20 somethings. They felt that they had found their love their life's and do not deserve to be happy again.
Boy are they wrong and Felice takes us on a journey to find out.
It was a emotional read but so worth the tears you will shed for the pain Arden and Ross had to go through to find each other and learn to love again.
*ARC provided by Felice Stevens in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
October 17, 2019
Well....OK, I read the first two in this series, so on to number 3 - and I'm sorry, but I don't think it stands up as well as the first two books.
It seemed to me that it had several features - I hesitate to say 'issues', because they may not be issues for everybody - but for me:
1 - way, way, way too many 'coincidences'. BOTH characters lost 'husbands', both lost them in accidents, both lost them 5 - 6 years previously - and BOTH characters were still stuck and BOTH characters still HADN'T CLEARED OUT THE CLOSETS - and then BOTH characters rent lake cabins on the same lake, next door to each other? Give me a break. Give the characters a break.
2 - FAR too much 'tell not show'. You know, this book had some very good scenes. In places. It could have been (in other words) a really good story, told well.
3 - (this probably is just me) good grief. I am reasonably old. I know where all the parts go. Do the (too numerous) sex scenes have to go on for QUITE so many pages? I prefer 'romance' to 'porn', okay? I sometimes judge a sex scene by whether or not it advances the story. Answer here? not so much.
4 - Arden hasn't had sex in half a decade and he's in bed with Ross in what, less than a month? Two weeks (I forget)? whatever it was, it was too fast and too sudden.
The bird watching was nice. Giving the movie director a nature photography hobby was a nice touch.
What else? I did like the lake. Nice lake. Lakes are good.
It was - okay. It wasn't terrible. It wasn't unforgettable either. It was okay. Tolerable.
It seemed to me that it had several features - I hesitate to say 'issues', because they may not be issues for everybody - but for me:
1 - way, way, way too many 'coincidences'. BOTH characters lost 'husbands', both lost them in accidents, both lost them 5 - 6 years previously - and BOTH characters were still stuck and BOTH characters still HADN'T CLEARED OUT THE CLOSETS - and then BOTH characters rent lake cabins on the same lake, next door to each other? Give me a break. Give the characters a break.
2 - FAR too much 'tell not show'. You know, this book had some very good scenes. In places. It could have been (in other words) a really good story, told well.
3 - (this probably is just me) good grief. I am reasonably old. I know where all the parts go. Do the (too numerous) sex scenes have to go on for QUITE so many pages? I prefer 'romance' to 'porn', okay? I sometimes judge a sex scene by whether or not it advances the story. Answer here? not so much.
4 - Arden hasn't had sex in half a decade and he's in bed with Ross in what, less than a month? Two weeks (I forget)? whatever it was, it was too fast and too sudden.
The bird watching was nice. Giving the movie director a nature photography hobby was a nice touch.
What else? I did like the lake. Nice lake. Lakes are good.
It was - okay. It wasn't terrible. It wasn't unforgettable either. It was okay. Tolerable.
Read
October 12, 2019DNF @ 47%. I don't really feel anything for this couple, sorry. I don't know if it's because their heartbreaking losses are so unrealistically similiar, or if the whole thing is too depressing, but while I appreciate the fact that they've both lost spouses and are clawing their way back to sanity, I don't FEEL anything for them. And that sucks, because I was so looking forward to Ross's story. I had the same issue with this book that I had with Book 2, and that is that the conversations are so saccharine and public-service-announcement-like that I couldn't fully immerse myself in the story; it just feels cartoonish. Ross trying to give advice when he himself is barely functioning was surreal. Arden's hysterical reactions to everything (the bird's death) didn't make me empathetic, it just made me feel slightly ridiculous to witness. The revelation about Arden's husband felt like too much of a copout and a plot device to justify being with Ross. The whole thing went from 0 to 100 in no time and I wasn't feeling any of it...so pass. 1 out of 3 ain't bad I guess. Book 1 was rock solid!
October 22, 2019
Ross and Arden
A big fat 4.75. You felt for these guys. Both lost their spouses and the grief lasted years.
Both men took different ways to handle their grief.
Ross was love them and leave them, while Arden cut his self off from life.
Either good karma or faith led both men to a get away in the country. When they met with grief as fresh as yesterday
Something changed .
Ross thought it was his duty to get Ardent out of his funk.
He became a pain in the butt until a tentative friendship formed . They had so much grief between them that it only take each other to heal.
This is what I like about this author she draws you into the characters and you get invested in their story. They break down each other's barriers . Bringing a friendship no one expected. They both knew it was not rebound but a friendship that is growing .
Love Ross with a somewhat sense of humour and Ardent with his sensitive self.
Good read
A big fat 4.75. You felt for these guys. Both lost their spouses and the grief lasted years.
Both men took different ways to handle their grief.
Ross was love them and leave them, while Arden cut his self off from life.
Either good karma or faith led both men to a get away in the country. When they met with grief as fresh as yesterday
Something changed .
Ross thought it was his duty to get Ardent out of his funk.
He became a pain in the butt until a tentative friendship formed . They had so much grief between them that it only take each other to heal.
This is what I like about this author she draws you into the characters and you get invested in their story. They break down each other's barriers . Bringing a friendship no one expected. They both knew it was not rebound but a friendship that is growing .
Love Ross with a somewhat sense of humour and Ardent with his sensitive self.
Good read
October 4, 2019
OMG... I'm a crying mess. This was an incredible story about loss, heartbreak & second chance at love. A heartbreaking story that I cried way to much of & a beautiful love story that made me cry & swoon. Arden's book dedication & Justin's poem... My heart, the tears just flowed.I just loved Arden & Ross so much!! A Must Read!
October 17, 2019
Omg those two broke my heart with what they both went through. Wow!! Presley? Not sure how I feel about him yet, but maybe he meets Ezra?🙈
Liza...she annoyed me. But she needs love too🤷🏾♀️
Liza...she annoyed me. But she needs love too🤷🏾♀️
September 2, 2021
Beautiful story
This was a very well thought out, well written story of life after devastation. Arden’s husband and 4 year old son were killed in an accident, and Ross’ husband drowned in a freak surfing accident. Many years have passed, and one summer they each lease cabins next to each other by the lake. They slowly come back to life while loving the nature and wildlife around them. Every day they witness wildlife and nature and are entertained frequently by their new little friends, and both thaw little by little, each at their own rate. And quickly realize they are looking forward to the next day, over and over. Felipe Stevens is a favorite author, I have many of her books now and each is just right, always hit just the right note. Romantic but not mushy or unrealistic, but each a truly heartwarming story. Highly recommend.
This was a very well thought out, well written story of life after devastation. Arden’s husband and 4 year old son were killed in an accident, and Ross’ husband drowned in a freak surfing accident. Many years have passed, and one summer they each lease cabins next to each other by the lake. They slowly come back to life while loving the nature and wildlife around them. Every day they witness wildlife and nature and are entertained frequently by their new little friends, and both thaw little by little, each at their own rate. And quickly realize they are looking forward to the next day, over and over. Felipe Stevens is a favorite author, I have many of her books now and each is just right, always hit just the right note. Romantic but not mushy or unrealistic, but each a truly heartwarming story. Highly recommend.
May 11, 2020
GRIEF CAN LAST FOREVER IF YOU’RE ALONE
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
Ross meets Arden while he’s hiding away from society, mourning the loss of his husband. He’s been mourning for six years and can’t seem to find himself. Enter Arden, a man with the same issue of mourning a dead husband. Each man mourns in their own way but can’t seem to get past it. Revelations change things somewhat but still they grieve. Read for a HEA and some interesting moments involving grief.
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
Ross meets Arden while he’s hiding away from society, mourning the loss of his husband. He’s been mourning for six years and can’t seem to find himself. Enter Arden, a man with the same issue of mourning a dead husband. Each man mourns in their own way but can’t seem to get past it. Revelations change things somewhat but still they grieve. Read for a HEA and some interesting moments involving grief.
September 7, 2020
So Good
I love Felice’s books. They’re so emotional and passionate. She a great author for that sweet romantic love story you love to snuggle up on the couch and dive into. You can’t help but smile and swoon and even plush a whole lot while reading her books.
This book / series was the perfect example of that. I loved it and hope there’s more, maybe even a spinoff.
I love Felice’s books. They’re so emotional and passionate. She a great author for that sweet romantic love story you love to snuggle up on the couch and dive into. You can’t help but smile and swoon and even plush a whole lot while reading her books.
This book / series was the perfect example of that. I loved it and hope there’s more, maybe even a spinoff.
September 24, 2020
It was too long and quite boring.
October 6, 2021
3.5⭐️
March 16, 2022
Audiobook. What an amazing series this is. The heart wrenching and emotions of the mc was beautifully brought to life by Felice Stevens. I can't wait to read more from this author
June 21, 2022
too much too soon
July 11, 2022
Wow! This took my breath away. Such a beautiful story of grief, healing, and a love rediscovered. One of Felice Stevens best!
October 10, 2022
Such a relatable heartbreaking HEA story.
March 8, 2023
OMG, this book was so beautiful! Heartbreaking the amount of pain both Arden and Ross went through and so beautiful seeing how they both came slowly back to life.
A wonderful series!
A wonderful series!
February 15, 2024
Possible triggers: death of a spouse and child (off page)
A bit too cheesy/ overly mushy.
A bit too cheesy/ overly mushy.
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