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Beautiful & Terrible Things
We were six years old when I fell in love with Gage Beaumont.We were seventeen when he realized he felt the same.His dad was the town troublemaker, and I was the son of a cop. We couldn't have been more different, yet we were best friends, had each other's backs, and kept each other's secrets. What you are, I am, we always said.Then one night irrevocably changed our lives forever.It's ten years before I see Gage again, and instantly I can tell he's not the same boy I fell in love with. We're both haunted and hardened by the memory of that night--of everything we did and saw.Yet as much as we've changed, the connection between us lingers. Our history is so devastatingly complicated that it's difficult to allow ourselves happiness. With every touch, every laugh, every moment we take back, the more signs I see of the old Gage resurfacing. Little by little, I'm becoming the Joey he remembers too.But it's never that easy. If we truly want to heal, we have to find strength not only in each other, but in ourselves. Life is filled with beautiful and terrible things, and this time, we'll do whatever it takes to hold on to the good, and to each other. While this is a story about friendship, found family, and two men epically in love, it also deals with difficult childhood physical and verbal abuse, some violence, depression, and anxiety.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2020
674 people are currently reading
2206 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
114 books7,154 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 470 reviews
January 18, 2021
Jojo is gay and Gage is bi.
I HATE the fact that Jojo was totally inexperienced when he first dated Gage, he had never even kissed a boy while Gage until the day he found out he was into Jojo romantically was dating and having sex with another girl and he even told Jojo about taking her virginity.
Jojo has to endure three years of listening about and seeing Gage hoking up with girls because he lost his v card at fifteen and they are about to turn eighteen now.
He dated Katie (the last girlfriend) for months which was longer than he ever had before, he brought her to hang out with their friends and even took her to homecoming dance where Jojo watched them kissing and dancing while he was alone and it was their senior year and before that they and two of their friends always went as a group. Later, after Jojo left he went to his house and gave him a pity dance but still dated her until Thanksgiving break.
So Katie invited her cousin Mike to hung out with them and he was gay and beautiful but jealousy was all it took to Gage realize he was into Jojo. Fuck you Gage, so he got to spend months fucking a girl and full on dating her but at the first glimpse at Jojo having the chance of doing the same he realized he was in love with him? Even though he was feeling weird and his thoughts were all jumbled after dancing with him on homecoming he continues to date Katie. I was pissed as fuck with that, Jojo deserved to date another guy and Gage deserves to witnessed him discovering sex with another man. I felt like Gage would keep giving Jojo pity moments together and continued to have his feelings and thoughts all jumbled for way longer if he was the one fucking someone else while Jojo was alone.
I felt like Jojo loved Gage more even though Gage did what he did to protect Jojo and decided to set him free, I felt like Jojo punished himself to a point in my opinion he loved Gage more.
Took two years for Jojo to fuck another man and Gage mentions he was fucking someone else at the time so I wonder how long it took him?! He also fucked a woman after serving time to know if he really liked it and it took him four years to search Jojo. At least he was celibate for about a year and hasn’t been with anyone after being in L.A. Jojo was celibate for six months or less, but there was no mention of anyone after they saw each other again?! Ugh
I understand the root the author choose to write about like Jojo is unable to be happy without Gage but I hated that he never tried. He should have dated someone, Gage was able to date someone and liked the girls when they were friends he should be the one able to do it while they are apart. He liked Katie and even told her if it wasn’t for Jojo it would be her. Fuck you, for Jojo someone else was never even a possibility.
Jojo never let any other man fuck him I and also hated it, I wish he had experienced it with others like Gage was experimenting in high school with girls. Gage also was never fucked by another man but I couldn’t care less.
2021 started and I’m clearly a bitter bitch when it comes to my safety romances, I am not happy about this being my first full book this year but I will get over it and hopefully forget because this made me feel bad.
I HATE the fact that Jojo was totally inexperienced when he first dated Gage, he had never even kissed a boy while Gage until the day he found out he was into Jojo romantically was dating and having sex with another girl and he even told Jojo about taking her virginity.
Jojo has to endure three years of listening about and seeing Gage hoking up with girls because he lost his v card at fifteen and they are about to turn eighteen now.
He dated Katie (the last girlfriend) for months which was longer than he ever had before, he brought her to hang out with their friends and even took her to homecoming dance where Jojo watched them kissing and dancing while he was alone and it was their senior year and before that they and two of their friends always went as a group. Later, after Jojo left he went to his house and gave him a pity dance but still dated her until Thanksgiving break.
So Katie invited her cousin Mike to hung out with them and he was gay and beautiful but jealousy was all it took to Gage realize he was into Jojo. Fuck you Gage, so he got to spend months fucking a girl and full on dating her but at the first glimpse at Jojo having the chance of doing the same he realized he was in love with him? Even though he was feeling weird and his thoughts were all jumbled after dancing with him on homecoming he continues to date Katie. I was pissed as fuck with that, Jojo deserved to date another guy and Gage deserves to witnessed him discovering sex with another man. I felt like Gage would keep giving Jojo pity moments together and continued to have his feelings and thoughts all jumbled for way longer if he was the one fucking someone else while Jojo was alone.
I felt like Jojo loved Gage more even though Gage did what he did to protect Jojo and decided to set him free, I felt like Jojo punished himself to a point in my opinion he loved Gage more.
Took two years for Jojo to fuck another man and Gage mentions he was fucking someone else at the time so I wonder how long it took him?! He also fucked a woman after serving time to know if he really liked it and it took him four years to search Jojo. At least he was celibate for about a year and hasn’t been with anyone after being in L.A. Jojo was celibate for six months or less, but there was no mention of anyone after they saw each other again?! Ugh
I understand the root the author choose to write about like Jojo is unable to be happy without Gage but I hated that he never tried. He should have dated someone, Gage was able to date someone and liked the girls when they were friends he should be the one able to do it while they are apart. He liked Katie and even told her if it wasn’t for Jojo it would be her. Fuck you, for Jojo someone else was never even a possibility.
Jojo never let any other man fuck him I and also hated it, I wish he had experienced it with others like Gage was experimenting in high school with girls. Gage also was never fucked by another man but I couldn’t care less.
2021 started and I’m clearly a bitter bitch when it comes to my safety romances, I am not happy about this being my first full book this year but I will get over it and hopefully forget because this made me feel bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
4.2 “What you are, I am” stars ✨
We were forever entwined. Even when we were apart, our lives were completely entangled, as if there was no Joey without Gage or Gage without Joey.
I loved this best friends to lovers story. With a bi-awakening trope, this book is equal parts sweet and angsty. Even though it made me so, so emotional, I'm glad I read this because it was amazing.
“So many bad things have happened to us, but we’re here. We’re still standing, even if our legs shake when we do it.”
My review is intentionally vague because otherwise this will become a spoiler fest. It's best to go in blind into this one. What I will say is that Gage and Joey deserve all the love! If intense emotions are what you seek in books, this will definitely deliver ♥
We were forever entwined. Even when we were apart, our lives were completely entangled, as if there was no Joey without Gage or Gage without Joey.
I loved this best friends to lovers story. With a bi-awakening trope, this book is equal parts sweet and angsty. Even though it made me so, so emotional, I'm glad I read this because it was amazing.
“So many bad things have happened to us, but we’re here. We’re still standing, even if our legs shake when we do it.”
My review is intentionally vague because otherwise this will become a spoiler fest. It's best to go in blind into this one. What I will say is that Gage and Joey deserve all the love! If intense emotions are what you seek in books, this will definitely deliver ♥
Life was full of terrible things, full of tragedy, but it was full of so much beauty too. If you focused on the terrible, if you lived in the shadows of fear, you robbed yourself of the beautiful.
March 4, 2021
Audio 3.75 Stars
Story 4.5 Beautiful and Heartbreaking Stars
I've come to realize that I prefer the angsty, more story than sex books by R.H. And that's exactly what I got here. 👏🏽💞❤
Story 4.5 Beautiful and Heartbreaking Stars
I've come to realize that I prefer the angsty, more story than sex books by R.H. And that's exactly what I got here. 👏🏽💞❤
February 26, 2021
Ah, how doth the angst overflow!
I avoid certain elements in books, and one such element is a long separation.
Hero and Jojo meet as kids. Neither MC has a happy homelife, but at least Hero's drunk of a father leaves him the hell alone. JoJo's dad beats him while hiding behind the badge and blue uniform.
Hero dates all the girls, while Jojo watches from the sidelines, but the second another guy comes sniffing around Jojo, Hero gets all possessive and claims Jojo.
Things are amazing until one horrible night. Queue a decade-long separation, which was mostly caused by Hero in my opinion.
The romance doesn't begin until the 70 percent mark, and even then it's mired in darkness. The last section and epilogue were satisfying, but the somber atmosphere never disappeared.
I prefer sweet to bitter. The men's suffering felt like a heavy curtain, and I couldn't breathe. That's on me. If you love angsty stories, you'll like this book more than I did.
I avoid certain elements in books, and one such element is a long separation.
Hero and Jojo meet as kids. Neither MC has a happy homelife, but at least Hero's drunk of a father leaves him the hell alone. JoJo's dad beats him while hiding behind the badge and blue uniform.
Hero dates all the girls, while Jojo watches from the sidelines, but the second another guy comes sniffing around Jojo, Hero gets all possessive and claims Jojo.
Things are amazing until one horrible night. Queue a decade-long separation, which was mostly caused by Hero in my opinion.
The romance doesn't begin until the 70 percent mark, and even then it's mired in darkness. The last section and epilogue were satisfying, but the somber atmosphere never disappeared.
I prefer sweet to bitter. The men's suffering felt like a heavy curtain, and I couldn't breathe. That's on me. If you love angsty stories, you'll like this book more than I did.
January 2, 2021
This was the love story of Joey and Gage. I loved them, but I didn’t love the book, which I felt was just trying too hard, and was sometimes repetitive. It is told in four parts.
The first part was lovely, it is them as children and teenagers. But from the blurb, you know something terrible will happen, and you keep waiting for it, which I hate.
The second part is very short, it’s the aftermath of the terrible event, when the characters are apart. More bad things happen and I’m like enough. We get it. Terrible things. Okay.
The third part is present time. Finally. It is when the characters reconnect. They are both broken. It’s hard. I loved Gage, but I couldn’t connect with Joey. The personality change was too much for me, and I felt that he was self-centred and not empathetic enough to what Gage went through.
The fourth part killed me. It is their journey to healing, and it was dragging and dragging. As someone with anxiety and depression, I don’t want to read detailed accounts of therapy in a romance. It’s just not what I’m looking for. I find it depressing. I almost DNF.
Overall I liked the story, and how their love was there from the first page to the last. I loved Gage. But I didn’t love the book.
The first part was lovely, it is them as children and teenagers. But from the blurb, you know something terrible will happen, and you keep waiting for it, which I hate.
The second part is very short, it’s the aftermath of the terrible event, when the characters are apart. More bad things happen and I’m like enough. We get it. Terrible things. Okay.
The third part is present time. Finally. It is when the characters reconnect. They are both broken. It’s hard. I loved Gage, but I couldn’t connect with Joey. The personality change was too much for me, and I felt that he was self-centred and not empathetic enough to what Gage went through.
The fourth part killed me. It is their journey to healing, and it was dragging and dragging. As someone with anxiety and depression, I don’t want to read detailed accounts of therapy in a romance. It’s just not what I’m looking for. I find it depressing. I almost DNF.
Overall I liked the story, and how their love was there from the first page to the last. I loved Gage. But I didn’t love the book.
February 10, 2021
5 “What you are, I am” stars
I will probably update this review for words that make sense once I stop crying and can actually think about this book.
Sometimes, like once a year, I get in a mood where all I want is a book that will make me cry, which is why chose to read this one.
This is exactly how I looked while reading most of this book.
I’m not the biggest fan of angst and I can’t tolerate it very well. So this book absolutely wrecked me and I loved every seconds of it. I am an absolute mess at the moment and a lot of tears have been shed over this book. I even cried at most of the fucking sex scenes. Jesus Christ did I love it though.
Jojo and Gage met when they were six, they started a relationship at 17 but tragedy happened and they were separeted for 10 years. Most of this story is about them finding their way back together and overcoming all that happened to them.
But quickly, I love Gage and Jojo so much. I loved how we got to see them grow and how we got to see them through the years. I loved how Jojo’s depression was shown, it was so vivid and so realistic. And the description of anxiety too, it all felt so real. Also, all their worries just felt so realistic and needed for the story. And I loved how it showed that love doesn’t cure everything and that they both had to do to therapy to help with their problems and to have a healthy relationship.
- “So many bad things have happened to us, but we’re here. We’re still standing, even if our legs shake when we do it.”-
I will probably update this review for words that make sense once I stop crying and can actually think about this book.
Sometimes, like once a year, I get in a mood where all I want is a book that will make me cry, which is why chose to read this one.
This is exactly how I looked while reading most of this book.
I’m not the biggest fan of angst and I can’t tolerate it very well. So this book absolutely wrecked me and I loved every seconds of it. I am an absolute mess at the moment and a lot of tears have been shed over this book. I even cried at most of the fucking sex scenes. Jesus Christ did I love it though.
Jojo and Gage met when they were six, they started a relationship at 17 but tragedy happened and they were separeted for 10 years. Most of this story is about them finding their way back together and overcoming all that happened to them.
But quickly, I love Gage and Jojo so much. I loved how we got to see them grow and how we got to see them through the years. I loved how Jojo’s depression was shown, it was so vivid and so realistic. And the description of anxiety too, it all felt so real. Also, all their worries just felt so realistic and needed for the story. And I loved how it showed that love doesn’t cure everything and that they both had to do to therapy to help with their problems and to have a healthy relationship.
- “So many bad things have happened to us, but we’re here. We’re still standing, even if our legs shake when we do it.”-
January 2, 2021
If anyone wants to know who the first person to make me cry in 2021 was, it was Riley Hart
Beautiful & Terrible Things was everything I wanted it to be and then some.
My eyes are swollen, they hurt, and I’ve gotten no sleep, but my heart is SO happy. This book might be my first of the year, but I have no doubt it will remain one of my favourites.
Congratulations, Riley Hart
“What you are, I am.”
Available NOW and FREE with KindleUnlimited
Beautiful & Terrible Things was everything I wanted it to be and then some.
My eyes are swollen, they hurt, and I’ve gotten no sleep, but my heart is SO happy. This book might be my first of the year, but I have no doubt it will remain one of my favourites.
Congratulations, Riley Hart
“What you are, I am.”
Available NOW and FREE with KindleUnlimited
January 24, 2021
THEEEE angst was strong in this story but it was so well told that I happily rolled around in it and revelled in all the FEELS.
Honestly, I knew it would be a well written book (it's by Riley Hart, duh), but I didn't expect to enjoy it this much and I'm super glad I did.
All three parts of the book resonated with me and came together to make the story what it was. It was also quite realistic in my opinion and these two didn't suddenly come into money or overcome all adversities and trauma. Gage and Joey's reconciliation & recovery was hard-won and well-earned & for that, I gave this book an extra star.
Honestly, I knew it would be a well written book (it's by Riley Hart, duh), but I didn't expect to enjoy it this much and I'm super glad I did.
All three parts of the book resonated with me and came together to make the story what it was. It was also quite realistic in my opinion and these two didn't suddenly come into money or overcome all adversities and trauma. Gage and Joey's reconciliation & recovery was hard-won and well-earned & for that, I gave this book an extra star.
February 3, 2025
“Sometimes it was like I could live off your happiness.”
It’s like being lost in the most beautiful dream, where waking up feels truly painful. Gage and Joey weren’t just characters to me—they are more. I love how incapable I am of putting into words how much I adore these men, how I was completely consumed by their heartwarming story. I can tell you that this never felt like reading. It was so much more—it didn’t feel like a book at all. It felt real and magical at once. Every word carried beauty, sadness, regret, dreams, struggles, sacrifice, love—and so much love.
It feels like heaven when I stumble across a book like this—one that lingers in our souls, never letting go. The kind of book that stays with you, owns you, and makes you feel EVERYTHING. The writing, guys—the writing—oh, God. The words went straight to my soul. It was beautiful, lyrical, and almost every word felt like poetry.
I don’t know how it was possible, but this story has written a huge part of me that I didn’t know existed. It’s like not being the same person again, and this is exactly what I need a book to give me. Do yourself a favor and meet my babies. They will change you!!!!
It’s like being lost in the most beautiful dream, where waking up feels truly painful. Gage and Joey weren’t just characters to me—they are more. I love how incapable I am of putting into words how much I adore these men, how I was completely consumed by their heartwarming story. I can tell you that this never felt like reading. It was so much more—it didn’t feel like a book at all. It felt real and magical at once. Every word carried beauty, sadness, regret, dreams, struggles, sacrifice, love—and so much love.
It feels like heaven when I stumble across a book like this—one that lingers in our souls, never letting go. The kind of book that stays with you, owns you, and makes you feel EVERYTHING. The writing, guys—the writing—oh, God. The words went straight to my soul. It was beautiful, lyrical, and almost every word felt like poetry.
I don’t know how it was possible, but this story has written a huge part of me that I didn’t know existed. It’s like not being the same person again, and this is exactly what I need a book to give me. Do yourself a favor and meet my babies. They will change you!!!!
December 29, 2020
Beautiful & Terrible Things is Riley Hart at her best. While I enjoy her low angst, feel-good stories, I love her angstier stories best.
We have:
-Best friends to lovers
-Second chance
-Amazing best friends
-ANGST
-Fated lovers. Joey and Gage are meant to be together; the stars were aligned. ♥
-Hurt/Comfort/Healing
Joey and Gage are beautiful, flawed characters.
While the story is tragic, their love for each other eclipses the sadness and makes you hope.
5 Stars
January 7, 2021
My first full length of 2021, and what a book it was...
****Spoiler Free Review****
****Highly Recommended Healing****
Why read this book….
The Characters….
- Joey aka Jojo: Innocent, ambitious and shooting for the stars. He was gay in a town where he couldn’t be, but he had his rock… his best friend Gage. #YouGiveMeStrength
- Gage: He was the hero, wanting to save anyone, especially his Jojo. That is what ultimately changes the course of their lives. #AnythingForYou
The Plot….
An epic love and a heartbreaking 10-year separation, followed by reconnection, relearning and forgiveness. This book has it all. You’ll smile, cry, laugh and cry some more. It is truly terrible and beautiful, in all the right ways. #TrueToTheTitle
The Romance…
From the innocent tentative love of their teenage years…. to the healing, intense love of their adulthood. It was a love like no other, a romance written in the stars. #IAmWhatYouAre
The Heat…
Progressed fluidly from fumbling and sweet, to sure and carnal. #MyBodyBelongsToYou
The HEA…
Hard-earned, after years of pain, separation, vices and mental healing. They overcome their demons and become stronger together. #Inevitable
#HappyReading
****Spoiler Free Review****
****Highly Recommended Healing****
Why read this book….
The Characters….
- Joey aka Jojo: Innocent, ambitious and shooting for the stars. He was gay in a town where he couldn’t be, but he had his rock… his best friend Gage. #YouGiveMeStrength
- Gage: He was the hero, wanting to save anyone, especially his Jojo. That is what ultimately changes the course of their lives. #AnythingForYou
The Plot….
An epic love and a heartbreaking 10-year separation, followed by reconnection, relearning and forgiveness. This book has it all. You’ll smile, cry, laugh and cry some more. It is truly terrible and beautiful, in all the right ways. #TrueToTheTitle
The Romance…
From the innocent tentative love of their teenage years…. to the healing, intense love of their adulthood. It was a love like no other, a romance written in the stars. #IAmWhatYouAre
The Heat…
Progressed fluidly from fumbling and sweet, to sure and carnal. #MyBodyBelongsToYou
The HEA…
Hard-earned, after years of pain, separation, vices and mental healing. They overcome their demons and become stronger together. #Inevitable
#HappyReading
September 20, 2022
2.5 stars
Well I must be dead inside since this didn’t move me to tears or any emotion.. in truth I was kinda annoyed with both MCs haha
Idk I felt like JoJo could have done something with his life, like I get it with your abusive father and Gage doing what he did (doing wanna spoil anything) but JoJo had a scholarship and he could have done something with it.. instead he threw it away
Gage at least kinda bettered himself…? Haha
Overall I went in with high expectations and ended up feeling let down.
Well I must be dead inside since this didn’t move me to tears or any emotion.. in truth I was kinda annoyed with both MCs haha
Idk I felt like JoJo could have done something with his life, like I get it with your abusive father and Gage doing what he did (doing wanna spoil anything) but JoJo had a scholarship and he could have done something with it.. instead he threw it away
Gage at least kinda bettered himself…? Haha
Overall I went in with high expectations and ended up feeling let down.
December 19, 2020
There are books that touch something deep inside you and make you feel everything - pain and happiness, anger and hope, hurt and love. This story is one of those rare gems. I fall in love with Gage and Joey and beautiful bond they share. My heart broke for them when they were torn apart and put back together when they found their way back to each other.
Aside from intense emotional impact, the book features:
• Dual POV
• Fleshed out MCs that are real, imperfect and lovable
• True friendship that lasts for life and doesn't judge
• Forgiveness and acceptance
• Healing that is a journey, not instant magic
• Forever love
• Perfect epilogue
A must read
Aside from intense emotional impact, the book features:
• Dual POV
• Fleshed out MCs that are real, imperfect and lovable
• True friendship that lasts for life and doesn't judge
• Forgiveness and acceptance
• Healing that is a journey, not instant magic
• Forever love
• Perfect epilogue
A must read
April 3, 2023
I think this book spent too much time in the past and not enough time in the present.
Also - I didn't like
It gets much better when we reach the present timeline, but I still never felt too connected to the characters - I kept being more interested in the side characters Mouse, Romeo, and Darrel.
Also - I didn't like
It gets much better when we reach the present timeline, but I still never felt too connected to the characters - I kept being more interested in the side characters Mouse, Romeo, and Darrel.
February 8, 2021
Simply beautiful
This book broke my heart and put it back together again. I loved all the characters, I loved the simple way Riley Hart presented them and told their story, and I loved the way they kept standing, even when their legs were shaking.
This book broke my heart and put it back together again. I loved all the characters, I loved the simple way Riley Hart presented them and told their story, and I loved the way they kept standing, even when their legs were shaking.
March 4, 2021
5 stars audio
5 "You Are What I Am" stars story!!! Riley Hart books are hit or miss (mostly miss) books for me but this one was a total hit!! Definitely a favorite! I wish all her books were this ausamazing!!!!!!!
5 "You Are What I Am" stars story!!! Riley Hart books are hit or miss (mostly miss) books for me but this one was a total hit!! Definitely a favorite! I wish all her books were this ausamazing!!!!!!!
March 5, 2021
A mí esta autora me entretiene muchísimo, y aunque es verdad que a veces se excede en el azúcar o tiene sus momentos rolling eyes, normalmente sus personajes me despiertan mucha ternura, como ha sido con esta historia, muy bonita. Además, friends to lovers, mi troupe favorita.
December 31, 2020
dnf @40%
The most boring, unoriginal book I've read all year.
It took me back to wattpad days, where characters were one-dimensional, absolutely no depth, and following a well-practiced script about a specific stereotype. Each character holds a title. Joey is the gay nerd. Gage is the straight-turn-bi jock. Mouse is the low-self worth 'slut'. Romeo is the rich clean-cut kid.
The romance was absolutely boring. Quick. Absolutely no thrill. They got together after Joey going on a 'date' then Gage getting jealous and suddenly realized he's iN lOvE. My eyes were dropping, I kid you not.
Then there was the 'plot twist'
This author wrote amazing books before, I am absolutely perplexed how this book downgraded this far. A lot of people seem to like it but I guess it just doesn't work with me.
The most boring, unoriginal book I've read all year.
It took me back to wattpad days, where characters were one-dimensional, absolutely no depth, and following a well-practiced script about a specific stereotype. Each character holds a title. Joey is the gay nerd. Gage is the straight-turn-bi jock. Mouse is the low-self worth 'slut'. Romeo is the rich clean-cut kid.
The romance was absolutely boring. Quick. Absolutely no thrill. They got together after Joey going on a 'date' then Gage getting jealous and suddenly realized he's iN lOvE. My eyes were dropping, I kid you not.
Then there was the 'plot twist'
This author wrote amazing books before, I am absolutely perplexed how this book downgraded this far. A lot of people seem to like it but I guess it just doesn't work with me.
April 16, 2024
Third Riley Hart book with a triple queer buddy read!
10’s 10’s 10’s across the board!!
Gahhh this book. The angst. The love. I was destroyed. I read it in one go because I had so much anxiety 😆 and that’s saying something! Them both getting therapy and help and medication and finding the right ways and steps to get back to each other was beautiful and tragic and heartbreaking, but so damn real.
Favorite Quotes as always:
“I am what you are,” he said, making a sharp breath pull out of me. “I’ve always been yours. I don’t know why it took me so long to see it.”
“Life was full of terrible things, full of tragedy, but it was full of so much beauty too. If you focused on the terrible, if you lived in the shadows of fear, you robbed yourself of the beautiful”
“Even if it felt different in the morning, even if real life would bear down on us again, we had this beautiful, perfect moment in time that was better than all the terrible things we had lived”
“What you are, I am, remember?”
I’m a Riley Hart Stan at this point.
10’s 10’s 10’s across the board!!
Gahhh this book. The angst. The love. I was destroyed. I read it in one go because I had so much anxiety 😆 and that’s saying something! Them both getting therapy and help and medication and finding the right ways and steps to get back to each other was beautiful and tragic and heartbreaking, but so damn real.
Favorite Quotes as always:
“I am what you are,” he said, making a sharp breath pull out of me. “I’ve always been yours. I don’t know why it took me so long to see it.”
“Life was full of terrible things, full of tragedy, but it was full of so much beauty too. If you focused on the terrible, if you lived in the shadows of fear, you robbed yourself of the beautiful”
“Even if it felt different in the morning, even if real life would bear down on us again, we had this beautiful, perfect moment in time that was better than all the terrible things we had lived”
“What you are, I am, remember?”
I’m a Riley Hart Stan at this point.
February 4, 2021
5++ stars...
i am still shaking..
i loved this book... i hated this book...
i loved this book... i hated this book...
i loved this book... i hated this book...
this book was gooood... well written, character developments, events, time span... everything..
these are the parts what makes it a good book.
but the feelings.. probably i am not capable to discribe what i am feeling right now..
RH is one of my favs.. one of my default writers that i read whatever she writes.. but this book.. omg this book is somethingelse.. i can not point the spots it touched in me because there are too many..
it is embarrasing to admit but i cried the whole time..
gage and jojo are now in the top 3 of my fav couples.. they went through a lot and Riley killed it while telling their story.. the love, the pain everyting was beautiful and terrible...
i am officially book and cry hangover.. how will i ever move on to another book now????
i am still shaking..
i loved this book... i hated this book...
i loved this book... i hated this book...
i loved this book... i hated this book...
this book was gooood... well written, character developments, events, time span... everything..
these are the parts what makes it a good book.
but the feelings.. probably i am not capable to discribe what i am feeling right now..
RH is one of my favs.. one of my default writers that i read whatever she writes.. but this book.. omg this book is somethingelse.. i can not point the spots it touched in me because there are too many..
it is embarrasing to admit but i cried the whole time..
gage and jojo are now in the top 3 of my fav couples.. they went through a lot and Riley killed it while telling their story.. the love, the pain everyting was beautiful and terrible...
i am officially book and cry hangover.. how will i ever move on to another book now????
December 24, 2020
Heartbreaking, deep, and epic love between these two. Just gorgeous!
September 26, 2023
Beautiful and Terrible Things is a beautiful look at a love that endures the worst of circumstances and survives because of how hard the two men fight for it to do so. There is heartache...but so worth it. Inevitable, inescapable, unavoidable, love. Joey and Gage have been best friends since they were six. Then, they were something more than friends. The boys realize they are each other’s entire worlds, but only Joey realizes that he’s gay and that he is in love with Gage....always has been but didn't know what to call it. It’s more than ten-years before Gage realizes that he’s bi and also has feelings for Joey that go way beyond friendship. The boys grew up without mothers, and both with neglectful and abusive fathers. Their similar family dynamics helps to create a bond that draws them closer, and along with their good friends, Mouse and Romeo, they make their way through high school. They just have to make it until graduation then they can get out of town and escape their fathers. "But for the best laid plans of mice and men"...it doesn't happen. The most extraordinary night of their lives turns horrific in a moment and shatters Joey and Gage irrevocably. It’s ten years before they run into each other again and it's just by chance. After a rough start, it’s apparent that establishing a friendship is a certainty.... they’re meant to be in each other’s life. Neither man knows if he can move forward beyond friendship. Joey is closed off emotionally from almost everyone except Mouse and Romeo. He seeks out physical pain to dull his emotional pain. He believes he wasn’t strong enough as a teen, and as a result, their lives were ruined. His childhood dreams for the future died long ago. Joey doesn’t think he can ever allow himself to care about anyone ever again...not to open up and certainly not to love. Gage has been working to rebuild his life...a life marked by loneliness and despair. Like Joey, he’s hasn’t been in a relationship since they were together. For Gage, caring will always quals loss. Gradually they learn that they need to take control of their lives if they really want a future together. The payoff for enduring the tough parts is the sweetness that exists between Joey and Gage. They are both extremely likable and sympathetic characters. This is a "second chance" story at its very best. We are given a view at the end of the book 5 years after Joey and Gage reunite. Everything is not roses by any means but they're working on it and most importantly is they're doing it together.
January 24, 2021
***3,5***
February 27, 2021
i don't know how to describe my feelings about this book. it was special to me.
joey felt like a reflection of myself, just with different details. grew up in an abusive home, had dreams bigger than the world could possibly hope to contain, but then loss and trauma dumped fire on that flame before it really had a chance. the epitome of 'i could have done it if i weren't so messed up over what happened.'
gage just made me sad. he was a boy who wasn't given a proper chance from the beginning, but he didn't complain about the hand he was dealt or what that meant for him in life. he was just happy to stay by joey's side and bask in the sunlight of his happiness.
they were just kids who had their entire lives ahead of them. until they didn't.
'beautiful & terrible things' was a story about that feeling of a tremendous loss, so big you don't even fully realize yourself what you've lost until it's over and you look back on it. but it was also a story of what could be, and 'you're good enough as you are.'
sometimes we confine ourselves to the expectations set for us and forcing ourselves to push on and keep going even when we're destroyed on the inside causes more damage than taking time for ourselves. time to just heal, and be, with no expectations but to take what we need and stop running. joey and gage reminded me that it's okay to be broken and tired and sad, and it's okay to be a 25 year old man who doesn't know what the next step in life is going to be, or where i'm going to go, or what i'm going to be doing. it's okay to be who i am.
joey and gage reminded me that healing isn't a one-step process, and it's okay to still be recovering and grieving something that happened a long time ago. trauma doesn't follow a schedule and there's no set time for recovering.
sometimes there are books that are important for scientific or historical purposes, and then there are the kinds of books that are important because they touch your soul. i can count on one hand the books that have had this kind of impact on me. that have made me feel so exposed and seen and heard and 'beautiful & terrible things' just made that list.
i've said before to take my emotional reviews with a grain of salt because sometimes i'm a bit much, but this story was truly something special to me, in ways i don't really know how to put into words.
January 6, 2021
What a way to kick off the year! Just wow! I loved every moment of this book and hated for it to end. It has been years since I read anything from Riley but this one I just could not resist. I love it when she goes deep and the character's struggles only lead them on a better path. This one is quite the journey but worth the ache.
May 30, 2022
What an angsty story!!! Phew!
I literally cried throughout the first half of the book.
Why am I doing this to myself!
But the asnwer is obvious!
I literally cried throughout the first half of the book.
Why am I doing this to myself!
But the asnwer is obvious!
May 16, 2021
Wow. This book broke my heart but I loved it. So much pain for these lovely boys. I loved Gage so much, he was such a strong character and my heart ached for Joey. Great writing, strong recommendation.
December 30, 2020
There is no doubt Riley Hart is an excellent writer. She is a pro at writing intense rip your heart out scenes, sexy hot scenes and sweet, tender scenes. However, the set up/flow of the story and the way in which this story is told did not work for me. This is a tale that has been told time and again and much of it is too predictable. You know something bad is going to happen because not only is it stated in the blurb, it is obviously all too good to be true, but it doesn’t happen until around 30% which took way too long. I found myself waiting for it and basically skimming to get to it. Personally, I am not a fan of internal musings and this book is filled with it especially from 30% on until the end. In fact, the main MC’s spend more time alone in their own heads or with secondary characters more often than they do together. I much prefer show me as opposed to tell me reads. Where this story does takes a unique turn is when Joey and Gage meet up again after 9 years of being apart (about 50%) and to me, this is where the story should have started. This is where they could have talked more in depth about their difficult teen years (as opposed to reading about it early on in the book) and we could experience their feelings and the impact of decisions made as they relive them and work through them together as adults because when they are together as adults, the writing and dialogue is glorious, heartbreaking, gut wrenching and hopeful. I found myself skimming to get to those scenes as well. I needed more of those scenes. Their discussions as adults really pack a powerful punch to the gut!! There is no doubt in my mind that Riley Hart fans will absolutely love this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2023
I didn't like this one. I'm not sure what it was exactly but I had a hard time connecting with these characters.
Maybe it was just too much time in the past. Or maybe it was all the mental, depression, sulking, denying...I'm not sure. I mean Joey was still doing the poor pity me at the 90% mark. Joey just completely changed and it didn't work for his character. I didn't buy into it. Gage, I kind of understood.
There was also a lot of repetition throughout and it was starting to get old.
Maybe it was just too much time in the past. Or maybe it was all the mental, depression, sulking, denying...I'm not sure. I mean Joey was still doing the poor pity me at the 90% mark. Joey just completely changed and it didn't work for his character. I didn't buy into it. Gage, I kind of understood.
There was also a lot of repetition throughout and it was starting to get old.
April 17, 2024
4.5 stars
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