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Moving On
When his roof caves in, Sean Lovett thinks things can't get any worse. Until he loses his job, adding yet another bump in the rocky road of his life. None of his so-called friends can—or will—help. And asking a favor from his abusive ex? Hard pass. Luckily, his sister comes to the rescue and offers him a great apartment—in the city, no less—until he can get back on his feet.
Sweet deal.
Until a gorgeous man unlocks the front door and strolls right in with a grumpy attitude and a claim that his boss—who happens to be Sean’s brother-in-law—promised him the same apartment.
Former NYPD detective Tristan McDermott hasn’t stopped running since the death of his best friend. After almost two years of living in his own personal hell, he returns home to New York, hoping he can move on, but guilt still follows his every step. He's grateful to have the perfect apartment until he can settle into a place of his own. But there’s a cute guy already living there. And only one bedroom. And no way is Tristan leaving. He’s staying put.
Sharing the space is tough, but Tristan can ignore sweet Sean and his sunshiny smiles.
Kind of.
Except Sean's brother-in-law asks Tristan to keep an eye on Sean so he doesn't make any bad decisions.
Uh oh.
Keeping an eye on Sean is easy. Keeping his hands off him is much, much harder.
And sleeping together...well, that isn't a bad decision. Not when it feels so good.
Right?
From Lambda Literary award winning author Felice Stevens comes the story of a grumpy, green juice-drinking ex-detective running from the past and a sunshiney singing waiter who can’t catch a break. It features a meet-cute, only one bed, learning to trust, and a surprise lap dance.
Sweet deal.
Until a gorgeous man unlocks the front door and strolls right in with a grumpy attitude and a claim that his boss—who happens to be Sean’s brother-in-law—promised him the same apartment.
Former NYPD detective Tristan McDermott hasn’t stopped running since the death of his best friend. After almost two years of living in his own personal hell, he returns home to New York, hoping he can move on, but guilt still follows his every step. He's grateful to have the perfect apartment until he can settle into a place of his own. But there’s a cute guy already living there. And only one bedroom. And no way is Tristan leaving. He’s staying put.
Sharing the space is tough, but Tristan can ignore sweet Sean and his sunshiny smiles.
Kind of.
Except Sean's brother-in-law asks Tristan to keep an eye on Sean so he doesn't make any bad decisions.
Uh oh.
Keeping an eye on Sean is easy. Keeping his hands off him is much, much harder.
And sleeping together...well, that isn't a bad decision. Not when it feels so good.
Right?
From Lambda Literary award winning author Felice Stevens comes the story of a grumpy, green juice-drinking ex-detective running from the past and a sunshiney singing waiter who can’t catch a break. It features a meet-cute, only one bed, learning to trust, and a surprise lap dance.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2023
273 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
89 books1,716 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
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March 29, 2023
Moving On is a stand alone MM romance by Felice Stevens. Felice’s books are pretty much an automatic click for me. I love her writing. I need to mention this cover. This is the most perfect image of Tristan. As I got to know him, I would go back and glance at this picture and it is just perfect. The blurb for this book pretty much spells it all out but hopefully I can help to introduce you to these two wonderful men and convince you to read this!
Tristan McDermott is forty one years old and is a former NYPD detective. For the last two years he has been working as head of security for a bank in London, hoping to escape his memories of his last days on the force when his partner was killed. Now he’s back in New York, getting ready to start a new job. He hasn’t found a place to live yet so his boss and friend offers him his empty New York apartment only when he unlocks the door after thirty hours of traveling, someone else is already there!
Sean Lovett is thirty two years old. He’s a bit of a hot mess. The roof fell in on his apartment. An apartment he could barely afford. Then he loses his job as a singing waiter. Now with no where to live and all his belongings lost, his sister offers him her and her husband’s apartment in the city that they aren’t using until he can get back on his feet. He doesn’t like having to accept help but is grateful to have somewhere to live while he tries to find a new job, which is proving increasingly difficult. But then a strange man walks in with his own key claiming that he was also offered the apartment.
These two are so different but also alike in so many ways. Both have suffered greatly in both their childhoods and also adult lives. But they handle it differently. Tristan never talks about his life. He keeps everything inside. He’s grumpy and moody and keeps to himself. Sean wears his heart on his sleeve. He keeps a smile on his face but as they become acquainted, Tristan is able to see it’s his fake smile, the one he keeps on his face to keep everyone from seeing the real him. Sean has his sister but other than that, both of these men pretty much have no one.
They had a bumpy start but the chemistry between these two is crazy! They try their best to ignore it but as they slowly grow closer, the walls start to come down. What I loved about them is even with all they have suffered, neither of these two came across as whiney. They were both strong men trying to find their way, learning to trust each other. I loved them both. This was a sexy, sweet, wonderful book!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Tristan McDermott is forty one years old and is a former NYPD detective. For the last two years he has been working as head of security for a bank in London, hoping to escape his memories of his last days on the force when his partner was killed. Now he’s back in New York, getting ready to start a new job. He hasn’t found a place to live yet so his boss and friend offers him his empty New York apartment only when he unlocks the door after thirty hours of traveling, someone else is already there!
Sean Lovett is thirty two years old. He’s a bit of a hot mess. The roof fell in on his apartment. An apartment he could barely afford. Then he loses his job as a singing waiter. Now with no where to live and all his belongings lost, his sister offers him her and her husband’s apartment in the city that they aren’t using until he can get back on his feet. He doesn’t like having to accept help but is grateful to have somewhere to live while he tries to find a new job, which is proving increasingly difficult. But then a strange man walks in with his own key claiming that he was also offered the apartment.
These two are so different but also alike in so many ways. Both have suffered greatly in both their childhoods and also adult lives. But they handle it differently. Tristan never talks about his life. He keeps everything inside. He’s grumpy and moody and keeps to himself. Sean wears his heart on his sleeve. He keeps a smile on his face but as they become acquainted, Tristan is able to see it’s his fake smile, the one he keeps on his face to keep everyone from seeing the real him. Sean has his sister but other than that, both of these men pretty much have no one.
They had a bumpy start but the chemistry between these two is crazy! They try their best to ignore it but as they slowly grow closer, the walls start to come down. What I loved about them is even with all they have suffered, neither of these two came across as whiney. They were both strong men trying to find their way, learning to trust each other. I loved them both. This was a sexy, sweet, wonderful book!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
January 14, 2023
I haven't read a Felice Stevens book since 2019, and now I remember why. I don't know what possessed me to give Moving On a go (the hot cover model maybe?), but it was a mistake.
The premise of the story is ridiculous. Sean's mother can't handle him so she turns him over to the state when he's 3 and never looks for him again.
Excuse me, but the foster care system isn't Goodwill. You don't drop off a child like you're making a donation. It doesn't work like that. Even if there are valid reasons (like addiction), the system does everything possible to keep kids with their parents. You're legally not allowed to abandon your kid and waltz off into the wild.
Fast forward some 30 years, and Sean is now in his 30s. His younger sister tracked him down and loves him. Sean needs a place to stay but can't handle his niblings (because he's a diva apparently), which is when his sister has an aha moment and remembers that she and her husband have a spare apartment in New York City. I mean, doesn't everyone?
That's how Sean meets Tristan, former cop cum security guard who works for Sean's sister's husband. The husband promises the same apartment to Tristan.
Cue forced proximity via one bed (and one pull-out couch).
Despite the dumb premise, the first half of the book was somewhat enjoyable as Sean and Tristan get to know each other. The writing isn't great with multiple dangling modifiers, but I could mostly overlook that.
Unfortunately, the author decided she needed a melodrama dump, so in the last half, we get:
- Sean showing up at his abusive ex-boyfriend's apartment to tell him off and finding the ex with another guy (who the hell seeks out their abusive exes?).
- Said ex just happens to be at a party where Sean is providing entertainment and accosts him (what a coincidence that the ex's niece was invited to this particular party).
- Even though Sean's sister has been low contact with their parents for years, they magically appear at her birthday celebration (just like that, out of the blue and incredibly on the very day Sean is there).
- Tristan has another big incident at work, causing him to spiral.
It's so much. TOO MUCH. All the drama just distracts from the relationship and shoves the story into the "I'll take what didn't happen for $500, Alex" territory.
The premise of the story is ridiculous. Sean's mother can't handle him so she turns him over to the state when he's 3 and never looks for him again.
Excuse me, but the foster care system isn't Goodwill. You don't drop off a child like you're making a donation. It doesn't work like that. Even if there are valid reasons (like addiction), the system does everything possible to keep kids with their parents. You're legally not allowed to abandon your kid and waltz off into the wild.
Fast forward some 30 years, and Sean is now in his 30s. His younger sister tracked him down and loves him. Sean needs a place to stay but can't handle his niblings (because he's a diva apparently), which is when his sister has an aha moment and remembers that she and her husband have a spare apartment in New York City. I mean, doesn't everyone?
That's how Sean meets Tristan, former cop cum security guard who works for Sean's sister's husband. The husband promises the same apartment to Tristan.
Cue forced proximity via one bed (and one pull-out couch).
Despite the dumb premise, the first half of the book was somewhat enjoyable as Sean and Tristan get to know each other. The writing isn't great with multiple dangling modifiers, but I could mostly overlook that.
Unfortunately, the author decided she needed a melodrama dump, so in the last half, we get:
- Sean showing up at his abusive ex-boyfriend's apartment to tell him off and finding the ex with another guy (who the hell seeks out their abusive exes?).
- Said ex just happens to be at a party where Sean is providing entertainment and accosts him (what a coincidence that the ex's niece was invited to this particular party).
- Even though Sean's sister has been low contact with their parents for years, they magically appear at her birthday celebration (just like that, out of the blue and incredibly on the very day Sean is there).
- Tristan has another big incident at work, causing him to spiral.
It's so much. TOO MUCH. All the drama just distracts from the relationship and shoves the story into the "I'll take what didn't happen for $500, Alex" territory.
Read
January 3, 2023DNF at 10 %. Please, please, should you see me in the future trying to read another book by this author give me a shout and ask “Wtf are you doing?” .
I was mentioning in a previous review how it’s harder and harder to encounter books with a rich prose and writing style full of feelings and emotions. Well, this is another example of a book with a good trope/plot but with a dry and immature execution and writing. All this author’s books are like this (though I did find some exceptions over the years -it’s what makes me try her books over and over again.
This might be a good story but I don’t want to keep reading to find out because I barely started and I can’t help rolling my eyes at some things, like Sean growing up in foster home after his mother gave him away because “she couldn’t handle him anymore “ So she signed away her parental rights. 😮 Umm what? Who gives away a 3 years old child and says Here, take him , I don’t want him anymore? I mean usually the child is removed because of awful circumstances (abuse, drugs, alcohol or dangerous situations and so on..) and what authority takes a child just like that? There has to be an investigation, the mother is questioned and receives help should she need it etc They don’t take a child because the mother requested it!!
And guess what?? After that, his parents get back together and have another child and they forget all about thier first child . 🤣🤣🤣So yeah, such an immature and cartoonish thinking process.
Then we have the sister he didn’t know he had . The sister who loves him A LOT ! He shows up at her door desperate after his apartment building got wrecked in a storm . So he stays with her for a little while but “Oh, the kids are annoying me ,I want to go elsewhere “ . So he calls the handful of friends he has to ask if he could sleep on their sofa(apparently it was ok for him to bother other ppl because he couldn’t be bothered with his nephew and nieces) His sister tries to help him giving him ideas of what to do and where to go and that he can stay with her without a problem. And after pages of pages where he whines that he doesn’t know where to go and that he will lose his job if he doesn’t find a place to live his sister says :
“I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. Ray and I have an apartment in the city we’d use when we went to a Broadway show or to events Ray had to attend, but since the kids came, we’ve barely been able to get a night away. We’ve been subletting it, but our tenant left last month, so it’s sitting there vacant because Ray didn’t have a chance to get another subletter before he left for London. Why don’t you move in there until you figure out where you want to live and what you want to do?” Her smile broadened. “It’s on the Upper West Side, so it will be a straight shot for you to get to your restaurant, and I can guarantee it’ll be nicer than that dump you used to live in.”
You needed days to remember you have an “extra” apartment you could lease to you brother you LOVE so much?? 🙄🙄🙄 . So I stopped.. I don’t mesh with this author, she writes like an 17 years old..
I was mentioning in a previous review how it’s harder and harder to encounter books with a rich prose and writing style full of feelings and emotions. Well, this is another example of a book with a good trope/plot but with a dry and immature execution and writing. All this author’s books are like this (though I did find some exceptions over the years -it’s what makes me try her books over and over again.
This might be a good story but I don’t want to keep reading to find out because I barely started and I can’t help rolling my eyes at some things, like Sean growing up in foster home after his mother gave him away because “she couldn’t handle him anymore “ So she signed away her parental rights. 😮 Umm what? Who gives away a 3 years old child and says Here, take him , I don’t want him anymore? I mean usually the child is removed because of awful circumstances (abuse, drugs, alcohol or dangerous situations and so on..) and what authority takes a child just like that? There has to be an investigation, the mother is questioned and receives help should she need it etc They don’t take a child because the mother requested it!!
And guess what?? After that, his parents get back together and have another child and they forget all about thier first child . 🤣🤣🤣So yeah, such an immature and cartoonish thinking process.
Then we have the sister he didn’t know he had . The sister who loves him A LOT ! He shows up at her door desperate after his apartment building got wrecked in a storm . So he stays with her for a little while but “Oh, the kids are annoying me ,I want to go elsewhere “ . So he calls the handful of friends he has to ask if he could sleep on their sofa(apparently it was ok for him to bother other ppl because he couldn’t be bothered with his nephew and nieces) His sister tries to help him giving him ideas of what to do and where to go and that he can stay with her without a problem. And after pages of pages where he whines that he doesn’t know where to go and that he will lose his job if he doesn’t find a place to live his sister says :
“I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. Ray and I have an apartment in the city we’d use when we went to a Broadway show or to events Ray had to attend, but since the kids came, we’ve barely been able to get a night away. We’ve been subletting it, but our tenant left last month, so it’s sitting there vacant because Ray didn’t have a chance to get another subletter before he left for London. Why don’t you move in there until you figure out where you want to live and what you want to do?” Her smile broadened. “It’s on the Upper West Side, so it will be a straight shot for you to get to your restaurant, and I can guarantee it’ll be nicer than that dump you used to live in.”
You needed days to remember you have an “extra” apartment you could lease to you brother you LOVE so much?? 🙄🙄🙄 . So I stopped.. I don’t mesh with this author, she writes like an 17 years old..
March 7, 2023
2.5 stars
But rounding up because the audio was great with Kale Williams.
Overall this book was ehh. 🤷🏽♀️completely forgettable, like i can barely remember the beginning and I read it in one day lol.
The relationship wasn’t believable, more communication needed to happen… but oh well can’t win them all!
But rounding up because the audio was great with Kale Williams.
Overall this book was ehh. 🤷🏽♀️completely forgettable, like i can barely remember the beginning and I read it in one day lol.
The relationship wasn’t believable, more communication needed to happen… but oh well can’t win them all!
November 13, 2024
When Sean loses his apartment because of a storm and then loses his job, he first comes to live with his sister, until she offers Sean an apartment owned by her husband Ryan, in the city. Yet even here Sean is not so lucky, because his brother-in-law, Ryan has told his employee, Tristan, that he could stay in the apartment until he can find another, but Sean's sister doesn't know that. So, SURPRISE!!!!
Sean and Tristan decide that they just have to make the best of the situation, which they soon find is easier said than done...they are so very different in everything. Tristan is a grumpy and introverted, but not an unsympathetic character whose behavior can be well be understood when we learn about his past. Sean isn't exactly a "ray of sunshine" either, but he's usually in a fairly good mood, even if he hasn't always been on the best of terms with life or life with him. Actually, the two guys fit well together, if you keep in mind the motto that "opposites attract". It does take a bit of time for the two to get closer...but once that happens, you couldn't pry them apart with a crowbar.
I like the "hot scenes" that usually happen regularly in these types of stories, but the main focus of Moving On is not on the hot scenes or at least not only on the hot scenes, but rather that Tristan and Sean have to come to terms...or at least an understanding...with the living situation and begin to slowly get to really know and care about one other. The character development and the evolution of their relationship was easy and natural. It was good to watch their authentic and realistic feelings for each other develop gradually. There were, of course, some heartbreaking scenes and a brief moment of shock towards the end...but be assured, there IS diffidently a happy ending.
The story is wonderfully written, with a pleasant pace that kept me captivated. The enjoyment was also enhanced by the narration efforts of Kale Williams, who, as usual did an absolutely fantastic job bringing the story to life. He portrays the emotions beautifully as well as having a pleasant voice and a great pace of presenting the characters and the story. This author and this narrator make a perfect match.
Sean and Tristan decide that they just have to make the best of the situation, which they soon find is easier said than done...they are so very different in everything. Tristan is a grumpy and introverted, but not an unsympathetic character whose behavior can be well be understood when we learn about his past. Sean isn't exactly a "ray of sunshine" either, but he's usually in a fairly good mood, even if he hasn't always been on the best of terms with life or life with him. Actually, the two guys fit well together, if you keep in mind the motto that "opposites attract". It does take a bit of time for the two to get closer...but once that happens, you couldn't pry them apart with a crowbar.
I like the "hot scenes" that usually happen regularly in these types of stories, but the main focus of Moving On is not on the hot scenes or at least not only on the hot scenes, but rather that Tristan and Sean have to come to terms...or at least an understanding...with the living situation and begin to slowly get to really know and care about one other. The character development and the evolution of their relationship was easy and natural. It was good to watch their authentic and realistic feelings for each other develop gradually. There were, of course, some heartbreaking scenes and a brief moment of shock towards the end...but be assured, there IS diffidently a happy ending.
The story is wonderfully written, with a pleasant pace that kept me captivated. The enjoyment was also enhanced by the narration efforts of Kale Williams, who, as usual did an absolutely fantastic job bringing the story to life. He portrays the emotions beautifully as well as having a pleasant voice and a great pace of presenting the characters and the story. This author and this narrator make a perfect match.
dnf
January 3, 2023DNF 73%. Not enough relationship development before the guy who never wanted to be in a relationship with anyone wants the guy he's had sex with a couple of times to move in with him because he's so in love. I was bored after the first few chapters.
January 18, 2023
No luck for me this year. Another average book.
December 20, 2022
When Felice dropped her announcement that this was going to be Tristan's story (who appeared in her Man Up series - start with Austin and enjoy!) I was so excited.
What I didn't expect to get was this story, which is one of deep rooted hurt/comfort and two lonely men who've been put aside their whole lives finding that there's someone willing to be their forever after.
Tristan (who was an undercover detective masquerading as the Go Go dancer in James' club in the ManUp series), isn't dealing well with his past, or with the death of his work partner, killed on the job as they went to arrest a child pornographer two years earlier. He now works in security for Ray and has returned to New York after a stint in London.
Sean is an absolute sweetheart. He's been in and out of the foster system his whole life until suddenly discovering he had a sister, who he's building up a relationship with and learning to accept he has someone who loves him unconditionally.
The plot is a simple one, a mix-up with Sean's sister and her husband, Ray, both offering their city apartment to someone to stay in without knowing about the other's gesture, but the execution is done with the skill Felice brings to all her work.
When Tristan lands after a long, tiring journey to find Sean already inhabiting the apartment, sparks fly between the two men. But, slowly, over time, each learns to lower their walls and let the other one in.
My only reason for this not being a 4* read was that I felt it had a period in the middle where it was a little bit repetitive, with a one step forward, two steps back fratching between the two men.
It's perfectly understandable, given their backgrounds and trust issues, and didn't feel forced, but I would have loved to have seen a bit more of them together once they'd started to sort their feelings out.
However, we do get an absolutely gorgeous Epilogue and I'm firmly a believer in their happy ever after! This book was a treat and a very welcome addition to my bookshelf.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
What I didn't expect to get was this story, which is one of deep rooted hurt/comfort and two lonely men who've been put aside their whole lives finding that there's someone willing to be their forever after.
Tristan (who was an undercover detective masquerading as the Go Go dancer in James' club in the ManUp series), isn't dealing well with his past, or with the death of his work partner, killed on the job as they went to arrest a child pornographer two years earlier. He now works in security for Ray and has returned to New York after a stint in London.
Sean is an absolute sweetheart. He's been in and out of the foster system his whole life until suddenly discovering he had a sister, who he's building up a relationship with and learning to accept he has someone who loves him unconditionally.
The plot is a simple one, a mix-up with Sean's sister and her husband, Ray, both offering their city apartment to someone to stay in without knowing about the other's gesture, but the execution is done with the skill Felice brings to all her work.
When Tristan lands after a long, tiring journey to find Sean already inhabiting the apartment, sparks fly between the two men. But, slowly, over time, each learns to lower their walls and let the other one in.
My only reason for this not being a 4* read was that I felt it had a period in the middle where it was a little bit repetitive, with a one step forward, two steps back fratching between the two men.
It's perfectly understandable, given their backgrounds and trust issues, and didn't feel forced, but I would have loved to have seen a bit more of them together once they'd started to sort their feelings out.
However, we do get an absolutely gorgeous Epilogue and I'm firmly a believer in their happy ever after! This book was a treat and a very welcome addition to my bookshelf.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Read
February 9, 2023DNF, esta autora no es para mí, es todo absurdo.
Read
January 2, 2023One of my favorite quotes:
“Oh God, that’s good. Better than sex. Better than my birthday. Better than sex on my birthday. Mmm.” He picked up a piece of the chicken with his chopsticks, and cheeks bulging, took a bite.
In the middle of swallowing a piece of his dumpling, Tristan choked and wheezed at Sean’s words. “Whoa. Okay, those must be some good pancakes.”
“Oh God, that’s good. Better than sex. Better than my birthday. Better than sex on my birthday. Mmm.” He picked up a piece of the chicken with his chopsticks, and cheeks bulging, took a bite.
In the middle of swallowing a piece of his dumpling, Tristan choked and wheezed at Sean’s words. “Whoa. Okay, those must be some good pancakes.”
January 2, 2023
Grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, some hurt/comfort and two men dealing with similar pasts in two very different ways. Sean is sweet and earnest and stumbling from one obstacle to the next. Tristan is keeping his head down and moving forward, not really dealing with his trauma. A mix-up puts them in the same apartment until one of them can find another option, but Tristan wants no part of his boss's, brother-in-law no matter how sexy he is.
Opposites in many ways, but more alike than they know, I adored their story. Sweet, sexy and full of feels, with wonderful secondary characters. I also loved that Sean has a job you don't generally find MCs doing. This book is a complete standalone but, if you've read the Man Up books, you will love the connection.
Opposites in many ways, but more alike than they know, I adored their story. Sweet, sexy and full of feels, with wonderful secondary characters. I also loved that Sean has a job you don't generally find MCs doing. This book is a complete standalone but, if you've read the Man Up books, you will love the connection.
December 18, 2022
Sean moved into his sister and brother-in-laws new York apartment when his roof came crashing down during a heavy storm. Then Tristan shows up because Ray told him it was ok to crash there till he found his on place.
After figuring things out they figured it was fine sharing for a bit.
At first both were very standoff-ish because of both having trust issues.
As the weeks go by they start seeing each other in a different light and feeling start to change.
But when things went totally south they were there for each other!
As always a very touching love story with a bit of hurt and people who stand by you no matter what!
After figuring things out they figured it was fine sharing for a bit.
At first both were very standoff-ish because of both having trust issues.
As the weeks go by they start seeing each other in a different light and feeling start to change.
But when things went totally south they were there for each other!
As always a very touching love story with a bit of hurt and people who stand by you no matter what!
Read
January 12, 2023DNF at 50%. I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author but this book was just not good at all.
January 2, 2023
I always wonder if/when Tristan the 'cape guy' from Man Up have his own story. And Felice surprised me with who Tristan really is.
Close proximity always interesting to read. And Sean and Tristan's story is definitely worth the read.
Tristan and Sean both had a bitter story and it's like they're connected right away.
Felice ripped my heart with Sean's back story, I just can't imagine what he had been through, I really wanted to go inside the book and hold him.
I loved reading about how they overcame their fears and doubts to be together.
Written as perfect as usual, Moving On taught me to move from the past and stick with your future plan. It never goes wrong, when you put your heart on it.
Close proximity always interesting to read. And Sean and Tristan's story is definitely worth the read.
Tristan and Sean both had a bitter story and it's like they're connected right away.
Felice ripped my heart with Sean's back story, I just can't imagine what he had been through, I really wanted to go inside the book and hold him.
I loved reading about how they overcame their fears and doubts to be together.
Written as perfect as usual, Moving On taught me to move from the past and stick with your future plan. It never goes wrong, when you put your heart on it.
January 27, 2023
It’s as if the author was in a contest to see how many tropes and story arcs she could jam into one book.
January 2, 2023
This was a lovely story about two men meeting and falling I love just when they needed each other. I loved the set up of Sean and Tristan having to share the same space and even though they were both attracted to each other, their friendship developed from their shred situation. One of the things I most enjoy about Felice’s stories is that, even though her characters always have depth and usually not-so-great histories, there’s a great mix of light, funny and sweet moments throughout.
January 1, 2023
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This is an emotional story with a significant hurt/comfort theme.
Both men have been through the wringer over the years, sharing a common pain of abandonment and fear of getting close.
When they find themselves sharing a one-bedroom apartment after a mix-up, they end up having to examine themselves a little more closely than is comfortable. But they also learn that the only way to find happiness is to face their demons, which can only be done by relying on someone who loves them.
Their connection is strong, but getting to their happy ever after isn’t going to be easy. Trauma and hurt aren’t easily overcome. But they find comfort in the quiet peace of having someone to come home to. Someone to care if you come home.
Two beautiful men find love and healing in this beautiful heartfelt story.
This is an emotional story with a significant hurt/comfort theme.
Both men have been through the wringer over the years, sharing a common pain of abandonment and fear of getting close.
When they find themselves sharing a one-bedroom apartment after a mix-up, they end up having to examine themselves a little more closely than is comfortable. But they also learn that the only way to find happiness is to face their demons, which can only be done by relying on someone who loves them.
Their connection is strong, but getting to their happy ever after isn’t going to be easy. Trauma and hurt aren’t easily overcome. But they find comfort in the quiet peace of having someone to come home to. Someone to care if you come home.
Two beautiful men find love and healing in this beautiful heartfelt story.
February 22, 2023
This just didn't work for me. The first half was just okay. Be prepared to suspend belief for the forced proximity setup. The second half was a big hot mess with waaaaaaay too much going on. I felt like the author had a bunch of good ideas for angst/conflict/turmoil and couldn't settle on one - or even two - of the best ideas so they ended up throwing them all in. 2.5 stars
April 14, 2023
3.75 stars rounded up. Good relationship, good characters. It missed 4 stars for me due to everything happening in the second half. It’s like let’s have everything happen to the characters and see what happens. Everything bad mostly. But everything ever mentioned works out or gets worked on. Happy ending-sorry if that’s a spoiler. Not a bad read at all.
December 18, 2022
Sean's backstories (first time and abandonment) made my heart sick. Tristan had his own baggage to overcome. I enjoyed seeing each man grow and learn trust and love and healing together and moving forward. I liked that their extended families were understanding and supportive of them separately and as a couple. The close call/near death situation really helped glue their relationship together and was very suspenseful and impactful!!!
Chad and Sean's bio donor's had me seeing red, but Tristan's dance at the end had me giggling with warmth and fuzzies.
Chad and Sean's bio donor's had me seeing red, but Tristan's dance at the end had me giggling with warmth and fuzzies.
January 6, 2023
DNF at 19%. Writing feels like author thinks, "oh, wait, now must impart this knowledge to the reader." No natural flow. And just kinda boring. 1 star because how is this a 4.25 star book?
January 2, 2023
Wow…. Swoon. What a wonderful and heartfelt book. Sean, I loved him right away and my heart went out to him. He had a real hard life growing up and bouncing around foster care, breaks my heart. Tristan, I wasn’t a fan of him in the beginning coming in and barging into Sean’s life and being moody and mean, Grrrr… Tristan is a retired cop and was working in London, then gets transferred to New York where he was a cop and brings up bad memories that he blames himself for, so sad….I liked him eventually since Sean kept giving him a chance. Then they get close to friends then sleep together and Sean thinks it a one and done, but it’s not. Eventually they fall in love and get to be happy with a few bumps on the way. Once you can get through the bad stuff, the story gets all happy and then, boom! Something comes you don’t expect and holy! Emotional. It happens a couple of times, but happy again, yay. A wonderful heartfelt and emotional story.
February 17, 2023
Lots of Issues, But...
This will be the shortest review I've ever written for one of Felice Stevens' books. Why? Because if you get through the book's blurb you are going to have to put up with two of the most issue-filled men you will ever come across in an M/M romance and will no doubt want to throw things at each of them in every chapter until...
...the unexpected happens and that, of course, is sex.
Another completely innovative and off-the-wall escapade by one of the best in the game. And that is besides the fact that I am not a fan at all of man-buns (see the cover) nor do I think the beard was ever mentioned. So what. I liked it.
This will be the shortest review I've ever written for one of Felice Stevens' books. Why? Because if you get through the book's blurb you are going to have to put up with two of the most issue-filled men you will ever come across in an M/M romance and will no doubt want to throw things at each of them in every chapter until...
...the unexpected happens and that, of course, is sex.
Another completely innovative and off-the-wall escapade by one of the best in the game. And that is besides the fact that I am not a fan at all of man-buns (see the cover) nor do I think the beard was ever mentioned. So what. I liked it.
January 2, 2023
I always eagerly await the next book by Felice Stevens. I love her writing, her characters that are engaging and believable and the emotional rollercoaster she takes you on.
This book has less angst, I usually want to take out a contract on someone before the end of the first chapter but not this time. My heart ached for poor Sean, he doesn’t have a lot of luck.
Sean’s luck takes a nose dive when a terrible storm rips the roof off his tiny loft apartment and he is left homeless and with only the clothes he ran out with, including mismatched flip flops. His sister takes him in and whilst looking for somewhere to live his horrible boss sacks him.
His sister offers him the use of their NY apartment and Sean is thrilled with it, until he hears a key in the door and a gorgeous big guy with a man bun and a beard strolls through the door with his rolling suitcase! Seems his sister and her husband forgot to communicate and Ray has offered Tristan the apartment until he finds his own. Neither Sean nor Tristan is happy but neither one will move out and there is only one bed!
This is a close proximity, slow burn romance. Both Sean and Tristan have had difficult pasts which shape their commitment issues but the longer they share the apartment the more entangled their lives become and the more they rely upon each other and their close proximity means they have to take a good hard look at themselves. They have to work at their HEA as the hurt in their pasts isn’t easy to overcome but when they realise how good it feels to have someone who cares, someone to come home to, the trust becomes real and comforting.
Sean and Tristan are a lovely couple and I really enjoyed their story. Thank you Felice for gifting me this ARC.
This book has less angst, I usually want to take out a contract on someone before the end of the first chapter but not this time. My heart ached for poor Sean, he doesn’t have a lot of luck.
Sean’s luck takes a nose dive when a terrible storm rips the roof off his tiny loft apartment and he is left homeless and with only the clothes he ran out with, including mismatched flip flops. His sister takes him in and whilst looking for somewhere to live his horrible boss sacks him.
His sister offers him the use of their NY apartment and Sean is thrilled with it, until he hears a key in the door and a gorgeous big guy with a man bun and a beard strolls through the door with his rolling suitcase! Seems his sister and her husband forgot to communicate and Ray has offered Tristan the apartment until he finds his own. Neither Sean nor Tristan is happy but neither one will move out and there is only one bed!
This is a close proximity, slow burn romance. Both Sean and Tristan have had difficult pasts which shape their commitment issues but the longer they share the apartment the more entangled their lives become and the more they rely upon each other and their close proximity means they have to take a good hard look at themselves. They have to work at their HEA as the hurt in their pasts isn’t easy to overcome but when they realise how good it feels to have someone who cares, someone to come home to, the trust becomes real and comforting.
Sean and Tristan are a lovely couple and I really enjoyed their story. Thank you Felice for gifting me this ARC.
December 31, 2022
A book loaded with emotional upheavals.
Tristan is full of guilt over the loss of his best friend, Terry, during an undercover PD sting. Tristan moved reluctantly moved on with life by doing security in London. He's come back to NYC & given a chance to sublet a small locale from his London boss he finds a usurper already there because said boss' wife also sublet same locale. Needless to say, two personalities butt heads right from the abrupt start. Tristan could ring a bell to those readers who've enjoyed the "Man UP" series as Tristan is mentioned there. He now has his own story and a great read it is. Emotions churn between Tristan and Sean because both men are so deserving of a second chance at life and love. Each finds their path to love as partners, and each comes to understand the essential element that is needed to blend together. There is shoot 'em up danger, but all is played out in realistic fashion. This is another fine read by Ms. Stevens, a talented author. This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
Tristan is full of guilt over the loss of his best friend, Terry, during an undercover PD sting. Tristan moved reluctantly moved on with life by doing security in London. He's come back to NYC & given a chance to sublet a small locale from his London boss he finds a usurper already there because said boss' wife also sublet same locale. Needless to say, two personalities butt heads right from the abrupt start. Tristan could ring a bell to those readers who've enjoyed the "Man UP" series as Tristan is mentioned there. He now has his own story and a great read it is. Emotions churn between Tristan and Sean because both men are so deserving of a second chance at life and love. Each finds their path to love as partners, and each comes to understand the essential element that is needed to blend together. There is shoot 'em up danger, but all is played out in realistic fashion. This is another fine read by Ms. Stevens, a talented author. This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
January 9, 2023
I can't even begin to tell you how much I needed this book. After the rush of the holidays, I really needed something warm and comfortable and that's what Felice's books give me. I always know that I'll be able to lose myself in her words and that I'll feel all warm and gooey inside when I finish. That's how I feel right now.
I love that she threw Sean and Tristan into an "only one bed" type of situation. And what better way to do it than with a grumpy/sunshine pairing? I also love that she gave Tristan such a great backstory. I never expected that the mysterious caped dancer at Man Up was actually a cop. You know that I totally want to go back and re-read the Man Up series now.
Both Sean and Tristan have had it rough. Life hasn't been fair to either of them but they're both incredibly strong and deserved to find some happiness. What I loved most about their story is that it wasn't rushed. For every positive step forward, they always seemed to take two steps back. There may have been lusting after each other but the emotions took time to develop and I loved that.
There were some moments that were hard to read but I knew things would work out in the end. And boy did they ever. Just wait until you get to the epilogue...it's fabulous!!!!
I love that she threw Sean and Tristan into an "only one bed" type of situation. And what better way to do it than with a grumpy/sunshine pairing? I also love that she gave Tristan such a great backstory. I never expected that the mysterious caped dancer at Man Up was actually a cop. You know that I totally want to go back and re-read the Man Up series now.
Both Sean and Tristan have had it rough. Life hasn't been fair to either of them but they're both incredibly strong and deserved to find some happiness. What I loved most about their story is that it wasn't rushed. For every positive step forward, they always seemed to take two steps back. There may have been lusting after each other but the emotions took time to develop and I loved that.
There were some moments that were hard to read but I knew things would work out in the end. And boy did they ever. Just wait until you get to the epilogue...it's fabulous!!!!
January 4, 2023
Love Felice Stevens book and this was no exception.
Sean ended up homeless after a storm so his sister let him stay in their flat in the city.
Tristan was coming back to the city from London where he had worked for Ray, Sean sisters husband, and Ray had offered the flat to him.
Two totall opposites, but had a lot in common.
Sean was bubbly and got on with life no matter what was thrown at him . While Tristan was very closed off and kept everything to himself.
Opening up to each other and learning to trust, brought them together.
Absolutely loved it
Sean ended up homeless after a storm so his sister let him stay in their flat in the city.
Tristan was coming back to the city from London where he had worked for Ray, Sean sisters husband, and Ray had offered the flat to him.
Two totall opposites, but had a lot in common.
Sean was bubbly and got on with life no matter what was thrown at him . While Tristan was very closed off and kept everything to himself.
Opening up to each other and learning to trust, brought them together.
Absolutely loved it
January 2, 2023
What an amazing, emotional story. Once again, Felice has managed to make me cry & smile all while falling in love with her characters. Tristan & Sean each had so much they had gone through and didn't realize how much they needed each other at first. They were exactly what the other person needed, and I loved seeing how they grew close and helped each other heal. These guys will always have a place in my heart.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
January 1, 2023
Sean and Tristan's journey was such a refreshing and addictive read it had me hooked from the first word to the very last
the chemistry between Sean and Tristan was off the charts and just wow but there was also some tears shed if you have read the man up series by felice stevens you will already know who the mysterious tristan is this is his story I would highly recommend
the chemistry between Sean and Tristan was off the charts and just wow but there was also some tears shed if you have read the man up series by felice stevens you will already know who the mysterious tristan is this is his story I would highly recommend
November 5, 2023
Close proximity is always like a fun trope and this story does it really well. Sean’s life if literally falling caving in on him. His sister has a solution but of course her husband had the same solution for a a co-worker. Of course that is the start of building feelings. I listened to the audio version of this story and enjoyed it very much.
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