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Second Chances #1
Home Again
Twelve years is a long time to be away from home.
Now I'm back to scatter my parents' ashes, carrying nothing but grief and desire to reconnect with the family I left behind.
That includes David, my childhood best friend. We've both grown up but to me he still looks like a perfect beach day - bright, warm, and absolutely irresistible.
With every moment we spend together, every memory we chase, I'm realizing that maybe coming home isn't about returning to a place—it's about finding your way back to the right person.
But he's keeping secrets, and the closer we become, the more I worry this second chance at love might slip through my fingers.
Home Again is a MM romance with a best friends to lovers theme, a meddling family, lots of steam and a HEA.
Content Warning: This book contains homophobia, homophobic language, and scenes of discrimination.
Now I'm back to scatter my parents' ashes, carrying nothing but grief and desire to reconnect with the family I left behind.
That includes David, my childhood best friend. We've both grown up but to me he still looks like a perfect beach day - bright, warm, and absolutely irresistible.
With every moment we spend together, every memory we chase, I'm realizing that maybe coming home isn't about returning to a place—it's about finding your way back to the right person.
But he's keeping secrets, and the closer we become, the more I worry this second chance at love might slip through my fingers.
Home Again is a MM romance with a best friends to lovers theme, a meddling family, lots of steam and a HEA.
Content Warning: This book contains homophobia, homophobic language, and scenes of discrimination.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2018
223 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Ana Newfolk
8 books43 followersAna Newfolk was born in Portugal but has lived in the United Kingdom for so long, even her friends sometimes doubt if she really is Portuguese.
After getting hooked on reading gay romance, Ana decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming an author.
These days you can find her in front of her laptop bringing her stories to life, or in the kitchen perfecting her recipe for the famous Portuguese custard
After getting hooked on reading gay romance, Ana decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming an author.
These days you can find her in front of her laptop bringing her stories to life, or in the kitchen perfecting her recipe for the famous Portuguese custard
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 3, 2018
3.5*
This is another new to me author and another book where I've been thoroughly entertained by a well crafted story.
There is very much a sense of place with this one, the culture and heat of Portugal forming a major part of the narrative throughout and helping to anchor the lifelong friendship between Joel and David.
At the heart of this is a story about family and about belonging, to both a place and a person. When Joel returns to his childhood home, his memories of David are at the forefront.
Their friendship is rekindled and it becomes clear quickly there's deeper feelings. I got a lot of demisexual vibes from both characters but especially from David, and there is a strong sense of the emotional connection between them.
That's not to say they don't fumble their way into a sexual one too, they do and it gets hotter and hotter as they become more comfortable with their feelings.
Of course, it can't always be plain sailing and I must admit, the plot does seem to get a bit frantic and somewhat convoluted at the 70% mark with lots of disparate elements all fighting for space.
But it's eventually sorted out and everything comes together into a lovely ending and a very sweet epilogue.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This is another new to me author and another book where I've been thoroughly entertained by a well crafted story.
There is very much a sense of place with this one, the culture and heat of Portugal forming a major part of the narrative throughout and helping to anchor the lifelong friendship between Joel and David.
At the heart of this is a story about family and about belonging, to both a place and a person. When Joel returns to his childhood home, his memories of David are at the forefront.
Their friendship is rekindled and it becomes clear quickly there's deeper feelings. I got a lot of demisexual vibes from both characters but especially from David, and there is a strong sense of the emotional connection between them.
That's not to say they don't fumble their way into a sexual one too, they do and it gets hotter and hotter as they become more comfortable with their feelings.
Of course, it can't always be plain sailing and I must admit, the plot does seem to get a bit frantic and somewhat convoluted at the 70% mark with lots of disparate elements all fighting for space.
But it's eventually sorted out and everything comes together into a lovely ending and a very sweet epilogue.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 14, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I’ll admit, I was surprised by this book. In my mind, I started this book thinking it would be this sweet and tender goody-goody kind of story. The first few chapters do read kind of saccharine sweet, laced with a fair share of melancholy. In New York, Joel’s family basically adopts a friend/neighbor who gets kicked out of his house for being gay. Joel and David’s moms are besties and have a cutesy journal they kept together. David and Joel are buddy-buddy and it’s like instalove when they see each other after Joel comes back to scatter his parents’ ashes. It wasn’t that I didn’t expect to be treated to Joel and David being intimate with each other, but the fact that they basically shag like rabbits every night of their days-long road trip that caught me by surprise.
This would be a great beach read, not just because the Portuguese beach figures so prominently in it. There is also a strong sense of nostalgia for me because the characters themselves relive some of their childhood memories, and we have little snippets of their youthful beach days on summer vacation. I enjoyed having their childhood relationship established, then watching them dance around their mutual, but undeclared, attraction.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I’ll admit, I was surprised by this book. In my mind, I started this book thinking it would be this sweet and tender goody-goody kind of story. The first few chapters do read kind of saccharine sweet, laced with a fair share of melancholy. In New York, Joel’s family basically adopts a friend/neighbor who gets kicked out of his house for being gay. Joel and David’s moms are besties and have a cutesy journal they kept together. David and Joel are buddy-buddy and it’s like instalove when they see each other after Joel comes back to scatter his parents’ ashes. It wasn’t that I didn’t expect to be treated to Joel and David being intimate with each other, but the fact that they basically shag like rabbits every night of their days-long road trip that caught me by surprise.
This would be a great beach read, not just because the Portuguese beach figures so prominently in it. There is also a strong sense of nostalgia for me because the characters themselves relive some of their childhood memories, and we have little snippets of their youthful beach days on summer vacation. I enjoyed having their childhood relationship established, then watching them dance around their mutual, but undeclared, attraction.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
April 12, 2021
I love Ana Ashley’s Chester Falls books, but this book just didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Half the time reading it I felt like it wasn’t a novel, but a travel book on Portugal.
I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. David and Joel finally had a real connection as boyfriends when they were 14 and yet Joel stayed away for 12 years even though his mother visited Portugal. He never even visited his grandparents once. That kind of behavior doesn’t endear me to a character. I also didn’t buy how upset he became in the nightclub. Joel overreacted and their breakup seemed like a convenient plot twist instead of how a real person would react.
I’m not sure I want to read about Max and Issac, I think I’ll wait for the next Chester Falls book.
I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. David and Joel finally had a real connection as boyfriends when they were 14 and yet Joel stayed away for 12 years even though his mother visited Portugal. He never even visited his grandparents once. That kind of behavior doesn’t endear me to a character. I also didn’t buy how upset he became in the nightclub. Joel overreacted and their breakup seemed like a convenient plot twist instead of how a real person would react.
I’m not sure I want to read about Max and Issac, I think I’ll wait for the next Chester Falls book.
June 4, 2018
This is the debut book of a new writer, Ana Newfolk.
It tells us the story of two childhood friends who split up after a kiss swapped on the beach. David stays in Portugal, and Joel leaves with his parents to the United States. The two men meet again when Joel returns to the country of origin to visit the family. The spark that brought them together in adolescence seems to return when they read an old diary from their mothers, who were childhood friends.
They embark on a journey through the home country of both young men, a journey where anything can happen. A fantastic book that makes us travel along with Joel and David, and makes us wonder what wonders lies in this European country stuck between Spain and the Atlantic Sea.
ARC provided for honest feedback
It tells us the story of two childhood friends who split up after a kiss swapped on the beach. David stays in Portugal, and Joel leaves with his parents to the United States. The two men meet again when Joel returns to the country of origin to visit the family. The spark that brought them together in adolescence seems to return when they read an old diary from their mothers, who were childhood friends.
They embark on a journey through the home country of both young men, a journey where anything can happen. A fantastic book that makes us travel along with Joel and David, and makes us wonder what wonders lies in this European country stuck between Spain and the Atlantic Sea.
ARC provided for honest feedback
June 7, 2018
3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a difficult review to write because I’m so conflicted about this book. Simply put - I loved the story but hated the writing.
Joel and David’s story is a sweet, sometimes sad second chance romance I enjoyed the characters and the beautiful Portuguese setting. There are some beautiful and quite tender scenes between Joel and David, both as boys and as adults. It is a thoughtful and reflective romance and at times it is almost a late coming of age story as David comes to terms with his sexuality and Joel tries to find his place between the two cultures he straddles.
But while I was fully engaged with the romance, the constant tense and grammar issues did my head in. I kept getting stuck on passages that didn’t quite scan - and then I would become completely distracted from the story while I tried to figure out why the phrase, sentence or paragraph didn’t work.
I really don’t want to judge this gentle romance too harshly. There are qualifiers to my reaction. The first is that I read an advanced pre publication copy of the book and I hope that errors will be caught before publication. The second is that I know many readers are able to skim through awkward writing and enjoy stories without picking them apart like I tend to do.
This is a difficult review to write because I’m so conflicted about this book. Simply put - I loved the story but hated the writing.
Joel and David’s story is a sweet, sometimes sad second chance romance I enjoyed the characters and the beautiful Portuguese setting. There are some beautiful and quite tender scenes between Joel and David, both as boys and as adults. It is a thoughtful and reflective romance and at times it is almost a late coming of age story as David comes to terms with his sexuality and Joel tries to find his place between the two cultures he straddles.
But while I was fully engaged with the romance, the constant tense and grammar issues did my head in. I kept getting stuck on passages that didn’t quite scan - and then I would become completely distracted from the story while I tried to figure out why the phrase, sentence or paragraph didn’t work.
I really don’t want to judge this gentle romance too harshly. There are qualifiers to my reaction. The first is that I read an advanced pre publication copy of the book and I hope that errors will be caught before publication. The second is that I know many readers are able to skim through awkward writing and enjoy stories without picking them apart like I tend to do.
March 26, 2026
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
In questa storia Ana Ashley ci porta nell’assolato Portogallo, dove ci regala descrizioni minuziose e affascinanti di luoghi e paesaggi. Mentre leggevo, mi immaginavo le assolate spiagge, il solleone e il profumo di cibo locale che traspare dalle pagine, perché cucinare è spesso una forma d’amore, come viene ricordato qui.
Joel e David sono due ragazzini che crescono come dirimpettai e migliori amici, finché Joel non è costretto a seguire i genitori in America, per accudire l’anziana nonna paterna, e tornare dai parenti portoghesi solo durante le vacanze estive, fino a quando gli impegni e il lavoro non lo fanno desistere del tutto e gli anni intanto passano…
Nel presente, Joel fa ritorno in Portogallo per assolvere a un compito doloroso: spargere le ceneri dei genitori, mancati drammaticamente, nel luogo in cui si sono sposati. Questo darà modo anche alla famiglia materna di partecipare al rito di addio e a lui di riabbracciare i familiari dopo tanti anni di lontananza.
Rivedere David è per Joel una grossa incognita, ma i due ritrovano una connessione pressocché istantanea e cercano di recuperare il tempo perduto, soprattutto quando trovano un vecchio diario personale, scritto insieme dalle madri di entrambi che, a loro volta, erano migliori amiche, quasi delle sorelle.
Continua sul nostro blog!
In questa storia Ana Ashley ci porta nell’assolato Portogallo, dove ci regala descrizioni minuziose e affascinanti di luoghi e paesaggi. Mentre leggevo, mi immaginavo le assolate spiagge, il solleone e il profumo di cibo locale che traspare dalle pagine, perché cucinare è spesso una forma d’amore, come viene ricordato qui.
Joel e David sono due ragazzini che crescono come dirimpettai e migliori amici, finché Joel non è costretto a seguire i genitori in America, per accudire l’anziana nonna paterna, e tornare dai parenti portoghesi solo durante le vacanze estive, fino a quando gli impegni e il lavoro non lo fanno desistere del tutto e gli anni intanto passano…
Nel presente, Joel fa ritorno in Portogallo per assolvere a un compito doloroso: spargere le ceneri dei genitori, mancati drammaticamente, nel luogo in cui si sono sposati. Questo darà modo anche alla famiglia materna di partecipare al rito di addio e a lui di riabbracciare i familiari dopo tanti anni di lontananza.
Rivedere David è per Joel una grossa incognita, ma i due ritrovano una connessione pressocché istantanea e cercano di recuperare il tempo perduto, soprattutto quando trovano un vecchio diario personale, scritto insieme dalle madri di entrambi che, a loro volta, erano migliori amiche, quasi delle sorelle.
Continua sul nostro blog!
March 30, 2026
Una bella storia molto romantica 😍.
David e Joel, sono migliori amici dall'infanzia fino ai quattordici anni, poi dopo un'estate un po' particolare Joel si trasferisce, con i suoi genitori in America.
Sono passati dodici anni e Joel ritorna in Portogallo, per seppellire le ceneri dei suoi genitori. Ritrova i suoi parenti più stretti e il suo amico d'infanzia David, che ha perso anche lui, la madre per un brutto male.
Complice un diario di gioventù delle loro madri, partiranno per un viaggio dove visiteranno gli stessi posti.
La descrizione dei posti in Portogallo è veramente meraviglioso! 🤩
Una seconda chance per ritrovare un vecchia e solida amicizia e riscoprire un sentimento che non si era mai spento.
💖💖💖💖
David e Joel, sono migliori amici dall'infanzia fino ai quattordici anni, poi dopo un'estate un po' particolare Joel si trasferisce, con i suoi genitori in America.
Sono passati dodici anni e Joel ritorna in Portogallo, per seppellire le ceneri dei suoi genitori. Ritrova i suoi parenti più stretti e il suo amico d'infanzia David, che ha perso anche lui, la madre per un brutto male.
Complice un diario di gioventù delle loro madri, partiranno per un viaggio dove visiteranno gli stessi posti.
La descrizione dei posti in Portogallo è veramente meraviglioso! 🤩
Una seconda chance per ritrovare un vecchia e solida amicizia e riscoprire un sentimento che non si era mai spento.
💖💖💖💖
July 6, 2018
Well done Ms Newfolk! I enjoyed the way this book read. It seems that English may not be the author's native language as things were worded oddly and that is what gave this story its charm. Very low on angst and believable characters traveling in a picturesque country round out this sweet romance perfectly. It is wordy at times but I'm not sure that a better editor would have helped or hurt the flow. Very enjoyable.
August 1, 2018
This story was really touching, romantic, and emotion provoking. Joel and David were childhood best friends who got separated by a move. Neither has forgotten the other, but finally 13 years later they are reunited. Unfortunately it was because Joel's parents died, but the best friends being reunited started the path to healing.
I thought the story was really intriguing. Joel and David's mothers were best friends and created a travel journal, so the guys set out to use their journal as a guide to follow. They become very close right away, and despite not being out, David falls head over heels in love with Joel. There are some bumps for the guys, but the family and friends in the book were lovely. I had genuine tears as I read about their mothers, and thought it was all beautifully written. The imagery and description of Portugal made me feel like I was there and now I really want to go. Very beautiful all around.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
I thought the story was really intriguing. Joel and David's mothers were best friends and created a travel journal, so the guys set out to use their journal as a guide to follow. They become very close right away, and despite not being out, David falls head over heels in love with Joel. There are some bumps for the guys, but the family and friends in the book were lovely. I had genuine tears as I read about their mothers, and thought it was all beautifully written. The imagery and description of Portugal made me feel like I was there and now I really want to go. Very beautiful all around.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services
January 8, 2019
So I love this book for a few reasons. One, I was really good. You could almost feel yourself on those sunny beaches or traveling all over the countryside. And two, it was published on my birthday. So that makes it extra special. Lol im just teasing. Well, it was my birthday...oh you know what I mean. They only problem I had with this book is that there were quite a few grammatical errors. Punctuation and wrong names in wrong places kind of thing. Other than that, I really liked it.
I have to admit, I read so much that sometimes I skim descriptions of buildings and such. Not always, so no one panic. But I was really engaged with the surrounding areas in this book. The descriptions, where they were, it's just like being there yourself. Whether in the little chapel they visited, or the motels/in some they went to, to the beaches and feeling the sun on your face. I was totally engrossed in this country. I love the history of other countries so this hit for me.
I also loved the connections. Whether it be between the MCs moms and the families or the MCs themselves and their friends. There is an intimacy of different kinds with each one. Even though some intimacies were brought together by bad situations. The bonds were still there.
Joel and David from the time they were kids were each other's halves. As kids they didn't really understand what they were feeling, but they knew they were different. They didn't feel the way other kids did. And their bond was unbreakable. But circumstances caused them to be separated. David remaining in Portugal, Joel in New York. David feared for years Joel would never return and in some ways was very lost without him. So when Joel returned 13 years later, after the death of his parents, David felt home return. So did Joel. But Joel is out, and David is not. And fear of past events is keeping him from coming out. But fear of losing Joel makes things come to a head and decisions have to be made.
I love that even though Joel returned for a wake for his parents, the reconnection with David was instant. But what made it better is when the found an old journal and an old car belonging to their moms. The retraced their steps and let their relationship blossom. It was so sweet. Even the chemistry. Yeah it was hot, but there was suggested a sweetness to it. It was beautiful. These guys were bonded over so many things and now they had more. It just further cemented the relationship they had.
It's a sweet book. It really is. You get to follow these guys on a journey of reunions, reconnecting, regrowth and much more. Not to say that it comes easy. No relationship does. But it's just so much. I think you guys will like it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
I have to admit, I read so much that sometimes I skim descriptions of buildings and such. Not always, so no one panic. But I was really engaged with the surrounding areas in this book. The descriptions, where they were, it's just like being there yourself. Whether in the little chapel they visited, or the motels/in some they went to, to the beaches and feeling the sun on your face. I was totally engrossed in this country. I love the history of other countries so this hit for me.
I also loved the connections. Whether it be between the MCs moms and the families or the MCs themselves and their friends. There is an intimacy of different kinds with each one. Even though some intimacies were brought together by bad situations. The bonds were still there.
Joel and David from the time they were kids were each other's halves. As kids they didn't really understand what they were feeling, but they knew they were different. They didn't feel the way other kids did. And their bond was unbreakable. But circumstances caused them to be separated. David remaining in Portugal, Joel in New York. David feared for years Joel would never return and in some ways was very lost without him. So when Joel returned 13 years later, after the death of his parents, David felt home return. So did Joel. But Joel is out, and David is not. And fear of past events is keeping him from coming out. But fear of losing Joel makes things come to a head and decisions have to be made.
I love that even though Joel returned for a wake for his parents, the reconnection with David was instant. But what made it better is when the found an old journal and an old car belonging to their moms. The retraced their steps and let their relationship blossom. It was so sweet. Even the chemistry. Yeah it was hot, but there was suggested a sweetness to it. It was beautiful. These guys were bonded over so many things and now they had more. It just further cemented the relationship they had.
It's a sweet book. It really is. You get to follow these guys on a journey of reunions, reconnecting, regrowth and much more. Not to say that it comes easy. No relationship does. But it's just so much. I think you guys will like it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
June 12, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first book in a series, and the debut novel of Ana Newfolk. Newfolk clearly has good instincts for plotting an engaging and romantic novel. There were times I was annoyed by the informality and structure of the writing, but I remained invested in the story.
I found the setting of the story in Portugal to be inspired, as it gave many of us an insight into new places and more particularly new foods. I was glad I wasn't on a diet when reading about all those delicious custard tarts! It was fun to learn a bit of basic Portuguese too. The inclusion of a 2CV (my first car age 18) was brilliant as far as I was concerned ... but I do take issue with them being able to recline the seats, I am convinced that they were set pretty much in one position.
I really liked the idea of the men following their mothers' journal, and I think that was a really good device to give them a chance to get close and remember what they held important as youngsters. Their slow, careful and genuine closeness gathered intensity as the journey progressed and they were amongst strangers. Obviously there had to be conflict, but thankfully it led to the ending that we all desired.
This is the first book in a series, and the debut novel of Ana Newfolk. Newfolk clearly has good instincts for plotting an engaging and romantic novel. There were times I was annoyed by the informality and structure of the writing, but I remained invested in the story.
I found the setting of the story in Portugal to be inspired, as it gave many of us an insight into new places and more particularly new foods. I was glad I wasn't on a diet when reading about all those delicious custard tarts! It was fun to learn a bit of basic Portuguese too. The inclusion of a 2CV (my first car age 18) was brilliant as far as I was concerned ... but I do take issue with them being able to recline the seats, I am convinced that they were set pretty much in one position.
I really liked the idea of the men following their mothers' journal, and I think that was a really good device to give them a chance to get close and remember what they held important as youngsters. Their slow, careful and genuine closeness gathered intensity as the journey progressed and they were amongst strangers. Obviously there had to be conflict, but thankfully it led to the ending that we all desired.
June 8, 2018
Have you ever read a love story that just sets your soul on fire? Well, that is what Made In Portugal did to me.
David and Joel were childhood friends that were separated by an ocean and many years but when Joel came back to Portugal to bury his parents they reconnected and friends became lovers.
Go for a journey with Joel and David and see a little bit of Portugal and fall in love all over again. A must read that will keep you hooked till the last page and still leaving you wanting more!
David and Joel were childhood friends that were separated by an ocean and many years but when Joel came back to Portugal to bury his parents they reconnected and friends became lovers.
Go for a journey with Joel and David and see a little bit of Portugal and fall in love all over again. A must read that will keep you hooked till the last page and still leaving you wanting more!
January 11, 2025
2.5 stars
Eh... way too sappy for me... and the whole romance was dull. The writing wasn't too memorable for me either. To be honest, I skipped pages to reach the end. Having said that, it did made me curious about Max and Isaac story, which would be the next book in this series.
Since I got all three when it was offered free on Amazon, I'd still probably check book #2
Eh... way too sappy for me... and the whole romance was dull. The writing wasn't too memorable for me either. To be honest, I skipped pages to reach the end. Having said that, it did made me curious about Max and Isaac story, which would be the next book in this series.
Since I got all three when it was offered free on Amazon, I'd still probably check book #2
March 23, 2026
I always say don’t judge a book by its cover but I should have known this wasn’t for me with the live hearts on the cover.
This was definitely written for women just unrealistic and felt like a heterosexual romance forced onto gay characters just had no depth and the characters were two dimensional
This was definitely written for women just unrealistic and felt like a heterosexual romance forced onto gay characters just had no depth and the characters were two dimensional
June 7, 2018
3,5
Story about family, memories, trip to different country, travel journal, two men falling in love.
Sunny, summery, easy to read. I enjoyed it.
Book without heavy darkness or any weird stuff.
Perfect cover, because it was the first thing that caught my eye.
Story about family, memories, trip to different country, travel journal, two men falling in love.
Sunny, summery, easy to read. I enjoyed it.
Book without heavy darkness or any weird stuff.
Perfect cover, because it was the first thing that caught my eye.
December 28, 2020
Very watered down romance. I felt no passion or fire from either of the main characters. I liked the idea of the story far more than the story it's self.
January 3, 2022
Just eh. And a bit unfinished
April 1, 2026
3+*
Dolce, forse troppo...
https://www.letturesalepepe.com/recen...
Dolce, forse troppo...
https://www.letturesalepepe.com/recen...
March 29, 2026
4,5 *
Pour le premier tome de cette nouvelle série, Ana Ashley nous embarque au Portugal. Quel plaisir de voyager en compagnie de personnages hyper attachants !
David et Joël étaient voisins et meilleurs amis pendant leur enfance, même lorsque Joël ne revenait que l’été, après que sa famille est partie vivre aux États-Unis. Mais un jour, il n’est plus revenu, laissant David seul avec des questions sur ses sentiments sans réponse.
Douze ans plus tard, Joël revient au pays pour disperser les cendres de ses parents, selon leur dernière volonté. Il appréhende de retrouver David, ne sachant pas ce qu’il est devenu après le baiser qu’ils ont partagé à 14 ans. Et pourtant, c’est comme si rien n’avait changé.
C’est vraiment une histoire très douce et touchante. J’ai eu la sensation de vivre un moment privilégié en assistant aux retrouvailles de ces deux âmes sœurs. Tout se fait en douceur, sur fond de souvenirs de leurs mères parties trop tôt, mais qui ont laissé de multiples traces de leur enfance.
En décidant de suivre ces souvenirs, David et Joël nous embarquent dans un road trip qui sent bon les vacances. C’était magique ! À travers les paysages, la culture et la gastronomie portugaises, Ana Ashley offre une romance pleine de tendresse.
J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé cette histoire et j’ai hâte de repartir au Portugal (ou peut-être à New York ?) pour découvrir l’histoire de Y et M, qui s'annonce riche en rebondissements !
service de presse reçu par l'autrice
Pour le premier tome de cette nouvelle série, Ana Ashley nous embarque au Portugal. Quel plaisir de voyager en compagnie de personnages hyper attachants !
David et Joël étaient voisins et meilleurs amis pendant leur enfance, même lorsque Joël ne revenait que l’été, après que sa famille est partie vivre aux États-Unis. Mais un jour, il n’est plus revenu, laissant David seul avec des questions sur ses sentiments sans réponse.
Douze ans plus tard, Joël revient au pays pour disperser les cendres de ses parents, selon leur dernière volonté. Il appréhende de retrouver David, ne sachant pas ce qu’il est devenu après le baiser qu’ils ont partagé à 14 ans. Et pourtant, c’est comme si rien n’avait changé.
C’est vraiment une histoire très douce et touchante. J’ai eu la sensation de vivre un moment privilégié en assistant aux retrouvailles de ces deux âmes sœurs. Tout se fait en douceur, sur fond de souvenirs de leurs mères parties trop tôt, mais qui ont laissé de multiples traces de leur enfance.
En décidant de suivre ces souvenirs, David et Joël nous embarquent dans un road trip qui sent bon les vacances. C’était magique ! À travers les paysages, la culture et la gastronomie portugaises, Ana Ashley offre une romance pleine de tendresse.
J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé cette histoire et j’ai hâte de repartir au Portugal (ou peut-être à New York ?) pour découvrir l’histoire de Y et M, qui s'annonce riche en rebondissements !
service de presse reçu par l'autrice
April 30, 2021
First time reading this author.
Loved the friendship between David and Joel. It replicates the friendship of their mother's. Difference, they fell in love.
The writing really made you feel like you were watching a movie and hope there were no ads interrupting. I closed my eyes and enjoyed Portugal.
The only drawback was David not having enough confidence in his self to own his person.
Good read
Loved the friendship between David and Joel. It replicates the friendship of their mother's. Difference, they fell in love.
The writing really made you feel like you were watching a movie and hope there were no ads interrupting. I closed my eyes and enjoyed Portugal.
The only drawback was David not having enough confidence in his self to own his person.
Good read
July 15, 2018
Made in Portugal is a cute love story of two guys who grew up together and were childhood best friends, until they were on different continents. David, a Portuguese with a single mother, and Joel, half Portuguese, half American, were best friends but it is hard enough to keep up childhood friendships even when you go to different high schools, and so much harder to keep up when you only see each other for a few days each year.
So it is not surprising that David and Joel grew apart. When David lost his mother, he took over her café, or at least his aunt and uncle did until he grew up enough to do it himself. When his mother died, Joel’s mother and David’s mother’s best friend, came back to Portugal, but Joel didn’t.
Then the story picks up more than a decade later when Joel, due to some sad circumstances, returns home. He and David actually reconnect really quickly and they both seem to be really into each other but are convinced the other isn’t. What isn’t helping things is that David is firmly in the closet.
But their mothers have left behind a diary, and they decide to follow it and make a vacation out of it. On the road is where they really connect and seem to get at it A LOT. I mean, there’s really A LOT of sex scenes in the book.
As someone who doesn’t know Portugal/have never been there, I found the descriptions interesting and could imagine the setting a bit easier.
What bothered me a little was that sometimes the same event was described twice. It’s good to get some perspective from both characters but it was kind of…repetitive? And somewhere towards the end, everything really sped up and then in a few percent of pages, there was coming out, one major plot point, and more!
It is a nice and easy book to read, with a few sad themes but generally it is about reconnecting, about family, and … well, sex scenes. 😉
But it also has pastry! 🙂
So it is not surprising that David and Joel grew apart. When David lost his mother, he took over her café, or at least his aunt and uncle did until he grew up enough to do it himself. When his mother died, Joel’s mother and David’s mother’s best friend, came back to Portugal, but Joel didn’t.
Then the story picks up more than a decade later when Joel, due to some sad circumstances, returns home. He and David actually reconnect really quickly and they both seem to be really into each other but are convinced the other isn’t. What isn’t helping things is that David is firmly in the closet.
But their mothers have left behind a diary, and they decide to follow it and make a vacation out of it. On the road is where they really connect and seem to get at it A LOT. I mean, there’s really A LOT of sex scenes in the book.
As someone who doesn’t know Portugal/have never been there, I found the descriptions interesting and could imagine the setting a bit easier.
What bothered me a little was that sometimes the same event was described twice. It’s good to get some perspective from both characters but it was kind of…repetitive? And somewhere towards the end, everything really sped up and then in a few percent of pages, there was coming out, one major plot point, and more!
It is a nice and easy book to read, with a few sad themes but generally it is about reconnecting, about family, and … well, sex scenes. 😉
But it also has pastry! 🙂
Read
June 4, 2018“Made in Portugal” is a journey of two childhood friends finding their way back together. Put it that way it’s supposed to be a sweet story. A second chance romance of sort.
Unfortunately, the way everything revealed was rather monotonous with too much told and less shown. Also, the dual POVs between Joel and David didn’t compliment each other; in fact some part of those were repetition of same event [told from different voice, but telling the same detail].
The vast majority of the shown [in great detail] were Joel and David boinking each other like rabbits every chance they got. No fade to black scene for these two; once they decided to act on their attraction you can except lots of steamy scenes.
At least it’s the road trip going through their mothers’ memory lane was interesting. It might feel like a travelogue met teen diaries at times, but for someone never been to Portugal it’s an interesting account. The other drama stuff with the family might work fine with me if only it wasn’t being overblown so much.
Perhaps I’m just not cut out for overly dramatic story at the moment. And I’m new to the author’s writings too. Not a flattering combo really. But that’s just me. Others might feel differently. Who knows.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the way everything revealed was rather monotonous with too much told and less shown. Also, the dual POVs between Joel and David didn’t compliment each other; in fact some part of those were repetition of same event [told from different voice, but telling the same detail].
The vast majority of the shown [in great detail] were Joel and David boinking each other like rabbits every chance they got. No fade to black scene for these two; once they decided to act on their attraction you can except lots of steamy scenes.
At least it’s the road trip going through their mothers’ memory lane was interesting. It might feel like a travelogue met teen diaries at times, but for someone never been to Portugal it’s an interesting account. The other drama stuff with the family might work fine with me if only it wasn’t being overblown so much.
Perhaps I’m just not cut out for overly dramatic story at the moment. And I’m new to the author’s writings too. Not a flattering combo really. But that’s just me. Others might feel differently. Who knows.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2020
This book is absolutely a great start. It is a great story, very well written, the charachters have a depth to them that many authors cannot achieve even after writing a series of books; and the road trip through Portugal's small towns just makes you want to get a car and follow them in their journey (i did so on Google Maps, not the same...).
David and Joel, best friends when they were kids, untill Joel moved to the US, sons of best friends, they share a bond which needs no time rekindling when they meet again as adults. The step from friends to lovers is very short, but living their love will take some adjustment for both of them.
I especially loved Joel, who is as supportive and accepting as can be, never forcing David, or rushing him to make decisions he's not ready for, instead standing by him as a rock solid presence of love and support.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
David and Joel, best friends when they were kids, untill Joel moved to the US, sons of best friends, they share a bond which needs no time rekindling when they meet again as adults. The step from friends to lovers is very short, but living their love will take some adjustment for both of them.
I especially loved Joel, who is as supportive and accepting as can be, never forcing David, or rushing him to make decisions he's not ready for, instead standing by him as a rock solid presence of love and support.
I cannot wait to read more from this author!
April 26, 2020
5 stars! 5 stars! 5 stars!
Ana Ashley is quickly becoming one of my favorite author. I everything I have read by her so far is just simply right up my alley.
This book was previously published under the name "Made in Portugal" and under the pen name of Ana Newfolk. It got some light editing for the rerelease but I haven't read it before so I can't compare.
I loved Joel and David and this is a beautiful, beautiful story of coming home and second chances of friendship and love.
I won't go into the plot because I'm just going to keep talking and talking because that's how much I love it. I'll think of it for a long, long time.
Pick it up! You won't regret it.
I received an ARC from the author in a giveaway and am happy to leave my review.
Ana Ashley is quickly becoming one of my favorite author. I everything I have read by her so far is just simply right up my alley.
This book was previously published under the name "Made in Portugal" and under the pen name of Ana Newfolk. It got some light editing for the rerelease but I haven't read it before so I can't compare.
I loved Joel and David and this is a beautiful, beautiful story of coming home and second chances of friendship and love.
I won't go into the plot because I'm just going to keep talking and talking because that's how much I love it. I'll think of it for a long, long time.
Pick it up! You won't regret it.
I received an ARC from the author in a giveaway and am happy to leave my review.
April 24, 2020
Home Again is the first book in the Finding You series by Ana Ashley. Home Again was previously published under the title Made in Portugal and the pen name of Ana Newfolk. While the manuscript received a light edit, the story itself hasn’t changed.
Home Again is about Joel and David. Joel and David grew up together in Portugal. When they were 8 Joel moved to America with his parents but he came back every summer. But the last time he came back was when they were 14. 12 years later Joel is back to scatter his parents ashes.
I loved their story. It's so beautifully written. Can't wait for the next book.
Home Again is about Joel and David. Joel and David grew up together in Portugal. When they were 8 Joel moved to America with his parents but he came back every summer. But the last time he came back was when they were 14. 12 years later Joel is back to scatter his parents ashes.
I loved their story. It's so beautifully written. Can't wait for the next book.
April 27, 2020
loved this book. i can't explain how much i really enjoyed this story.
These two characters had been apart for so long but for them to have not only reconnected but to realize what started 13 years before was only the beginning of what would become an amazing future.
i can't wait to read more of the secondary characters in future books.
kudos for creating such a great read!!!
These two characters had been apart for so long but for them to have not only reconnected but to realize what started 13 years before was only the beginning of what would become an amazing future.
i can't wait to read more of the secondary characters in future books.
kudos for creating such a great read!!!
April 27, 2020
loved this book. i can't explain how much i really enjoyed this story.
These two characters had been apart for so long but for them to have not only reconnected but to realize what started 13 years before was only the beginning of what would become an amazing future.
i can't wait to read more of the secondary characters in future books.
kudos for creating such a great read!!!
These two characters had been apart for so long but for them to have not only reconnected but to realize what started 13 years before was only the beginning of what would become an amazing future.
i can't wait to read more of the secondary characters in future books.
kudos for creating such a great read!!!
June 19, 2020
DNF 30% This book just wasn’t grabbing my attention. It felt every wordy in some parts and the characters felt a little underdeveloped. I’ve definitely read better works by this author
Want to Read
November 6, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/31/2021)! 🎁
Review of advance copy received from Autore
Joel è un insegnante di origini per metà americane e per metà portoghesi che vive a New York, dove ha trascorso i suoi ultimi anni, sin dal trasferimento con i suoi genitori. A seguito di un grave incidente che lascia Joel orfano, decide di fare ritorno in Portogallo presso la famiglia materna per onorare insieme la loro scomparsa. Fare ritorno nel paesino di origine in cui è cresciuta sua madre e dove lui ha trascorso ogni estate sino all’età di quattordici anni è per Joel come tornare a respirare. Con molta aspettativa, ma anche preoccupazione di incontrare dopo diversi anni i suoi nonni e la bisnonna, gli zii e i cugini, egli si imbarca sull’aereo che lo porterà in Portogallo. Fare ritorno, significa per Joel, riportare a galla migliaia di ricordi ed emozioni che ha condiviso con il suo migliore amico dell’epoca, David. La distanza è stata tale da far allontanare i due inseparabili amici, eppure, quando gli sguardi di entrambi si incontrano a distanza di anni, quella scintilla che li ha sempre uniti, torna a far breccia nelle loro anime. David, dalla perdita della madre, ha ereditato il bar pasticceria ed è diventato un abilissimo pasticcere di talento che porta avanti le tradizioni che la donna gli ha tramandato. Anche David non ha mai dimenticato il suo migliore amico Joel, anche quando vi era un oceano a separarli. Adesso, però, sono entrambi adulti e molte cose sono cambiate. O magari no? Tutti e due sanno che la permanenza di Joel in Portogallo è temporanea, ma i loro cuori sanno benissimo a chi appartengono. Riusciranno David e Joel a capirlo, prima che sia troppo tardi?
Le risposte le troverete solo leggendo anche voi la vostra copia di Sempre Joel scritto da Ana Ashley, nonché primo volume autoconclusivo della serie Seconde possibilità. Da tempo seguo l’adorabile penna di questa autrice, tradotta benissimo da Mary Vitrano che riesce a rendere il testo scorrevole e coinvolgente, come se fosse scritto originariamente in Italiano anziché in Inglese. Lo stile della Ashley è leggero, con un ritmo perlopiù incalzante, anche se con qualche rallentamento qua e là. Sempre Joel è un Gay Romance contemporaneo dolce e tenero che trascina il lettore non solo al fianco dei protagonisti, che ho adorato, bensì in un viaggio tutto da scoprire fra le località del Portogallo e i ricordi delle madri dei protagonisti che li guidano nel crearne di nuovi. La loro relazione nasce in punta di piedi e diventa, poco per volta, una storia d’amore intensa, dove i sentimenti sono percepibili di capitolo in capitolo. Mi sono piaciuti sia David che Joel, trovo che siano letteralmente anime gemelle. Scoprire la loro vita, ripercorrere la loro adolescenza prima e il loro presente, poi, è stato emozionante. Sono bellissime anche le famiglie di entrambi gli uomini, che fanno da supporto ai nostri protagonisti indiscussi. Anche i migliori amici di Joel e David, rispettivamente Max e Isaac, mi hanno incuriosita, il primo più del secondo se devo essere sincera, e sono più che certa che hanno moltissimo da rivelarci in futuro.
L’autrice tratta, fra queste pagine, anche il delicato tema del lutto (affrontato in modo leggero e mai pesante) e del coming out. Anche quest’ultimo viene affrontato in modo piacevole e senza particolari drammi. Personalmente, trovo che, rispetto a qualche altro titolo che ho avuto l’occasione di leggere di Ana Ashley, a quest’opera mancasse quel pizzico di brio in più. Nel complesso, questo volume autoconclusivo è un Romance Male to Male romantico e passionale, con scene spicy veramente ben fatte e con una chimica davvero palpabile fra i due uomini. È sicuramente un libro confortevole, ideale per trascorrere qualche ora insieme a due splendidi protagonisti che si appartengono da sempre, che vivono esperienze nuove ed emozionanti e si riscoprono dopo anni di lontananza, cercando di affrontare le sfide del presente e del futuro che li attende. Non vi sono, infatti, particolari scossoni, anzi quel giusto pizzico di angst tale da smuovere le acque e lasciare il lettore con il fiato sospeso sino alla fine. Ad ogni modo, se siete alla ricerca di una storia d’amore fra due uomini che si riscoprono dopo anni di lontananza, in passato legati da una profonda amicizia, con un ritorno alle origini in Portogallo, un viaggio in auto e qualche difficoltà per raggiungere il tanto desiderato lieto fine, vi consiglio Sempre Joel. A me non resta che attendere e scoprire come procederà questa emozionante serie!
Per me sono 4 stelle!
Le risposte le troverete solo leggendo anche voi la vostra copia di Sempre Joel scritto da Ana Ashley, nonché primo volume autoconclusivo della serie Seconde possibilità. Da tempo seguo l’adorabile penna di questa autrice, tradotta benissimo da Mary Vitrano che riesce a rendere il testo scorrevole e coinvolgente, come se fosse scritto originariamente in Italiano anziché in Inglese. Lo stile della Ashley è leggero, con un ritmo perlopiù incalzante, anche se con qualche rallentamento qua e là. Sempre Joel è un Gay Romance contemporaneo dolce e tenero che trascina il lettore non solo al fianco dei protagonisti, che ho adorato, bensì in un viaggio tutto da scoprire fra le località del Portogallo e i ricordi delle madri dei protagonisti che li guidano nel crearne di nuovi. La loro relazione nasce in punta di piedi e diventa, poco per volta, una storia d’amore intensa, dove i sentimenti sono percepibili di capitolo in capitolo. Mi sono piaciuti sia David che Joel, trovo che siano letteralmente anime gemelle. Scoprire la loro vita, ripercorrere la loro adolescenza prima e il loro presente, poi, è stato emozionante. Sono bellissime anche le famiglie di entrambi gli uomini, che fanno da supporto ai nostri protagonisti indiscussi. Anche i migliori amici di Joel e David, rispettivamente Max e Isaac, mi hanno incuriosita, il primo più del secondo se devo essere sincera, e sono più che certa che hanno moltissimo da rivelarci in futuro.
L’autrice tratta, fra queste pagine, anche il delicato tema del lutto (affrontato in modo leggero e mai pesante) e del coming out. Anche quest’ultimo viene affrontato in modo piacevole e senza particolari drammi. Personalmente, trovo che, rispetto a qualche altro titolo che ho avuto l’occasione di leggere di Ana Ashley, a quest’opera mancasse quel pizzico di brio in più. Nel complesso, questo volume autoconclusivo è un Romance Male to Male romantico e passionale, con scene spicy veramente ben fatte e con una chimica davvero palpabile fra i due uomini. È sicuramente un libro confortevole, ideale per trascorrere qualche ora insieme a due splendidi protagonisti che si appartengono da sempre, che vivono esperienze nuove ed emozionanti e si riscoprono dopo anni di lontananza, cercando di affrontare le sfide del presente e del futuro che li attende. Non vi sono, infatti, particolari scossoni, anzi quel giusto pizzico di angst tale da smuovere le acque e lasciare il lettore con il fiato sospeso sino alla fine. Ad ogni modo, se siete alla ricerca di una storia d’amore fra due uomini che si riscoprono dopo anni di lontananza, in passato legati da una profonda amicizia, con un ritorno alle origini in Portogallo, un viaggio in auto e qualche difficoltà per raggiungere il tanto desiderato lieto fine, vi consiglio Sempre Joel. A me non resta che attendere e scoprire come procederà questa emozionante serie!
Per me sono 4 stelle!
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