Let Me Remind You

Love Permit #3

by Gianni Holmes

What happens when a man you can't remember has more memories of you than you have of yourself? Clay's football career is brought to a halt after losing his memory in an accident. When he moves back to San Diego, he hopes familiar surroundings will bring back his memory. He doesn’t expect to be slapped in the street by the most interesting guy he's never met before. Or has he? Why else can't he get the image of the high-heel-wearing guy who owns the queer lingerie shop from his mind?After years of a secret relationship with Clay, Jeremy called it quits. But when he told Clay to forget about him and move on, he never counted on that actually happening. Now two years following their breakup, Clay's family wants Jeremy to help fill in the gaps in his memories. Will Jeremy be able to handle poking around old wounds? Or will revisiting these memories remind them of all the fun times they had and how much they are still in love? Let Me Remind You is a new book in the Love Permit series and can be read as a standalone. It is low angst with intense moments and features an MC who’s fabulously fem without apology. Expect lace, sweet walks down memory lane, and falling in love all over again.

Genres: M M Romance, Second Chance, Romance, Contemporary, Sports, Mystery, Gay

358 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2021

About the author

Gianni Holmes is a USA TODAY Bestselling author who's embracing her love for literature by wielding the pen and creating stories of her own. She's the author of the popular series The Grimm Tales of Smoky Vale and The Taking Care series. Gianni is a former teacher of Spanish Language and Hispanic Literature.

These days she can be found writing books, hanging out with her readers, and raising her daughter as a single mother. You can keep in touch with her in the following places:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/authorgiannih...

Newsletter: https://www.gianniholmesauthor.com/ne...

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/giannigems

Reviews

[Alexandra]

This book will be my reminder, that the author’s books are not for me.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amnesia has to be one of the most over used plot devices in the game, so it’s hard to make it something new and intriguing (for me). When I tell you I swooned this ENTIRE BOOK. So flipping adorable. Jeremy and Clay are soulmates.

[Bess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see that this book is really loved by a lot of readers, and that's great! Unfortunately, it really didn't work for me for many reasons. DNF @ 60%.

-Proofreading: There are many errors scattered throughout the book. Some of them are obvious ("you were tight lip" instead of "you were tight-lipped") and others are phrasing issues that could have been caught by an editor/proofreader ("then you-you said to me"). If Grammarly could catch the errors, you must take more time and care in proofing your book.

-Writing: The author writes in a very robotic way and often phrases things very awkwardly. "Thank god for his friend Drake, who I was looking forward to meeting." "Not only had we been lovers but also best friends." With a plot that is so over the top, the writing really needs to carry the book, and it doesn't.

-Plot: The plot is completely over the top. If you love Lifetime movies, this will be up your alley.

-Intimacy: The intimate scenes between the characters did not work for me at all. One second they are drowning and having a near-death experience, the next one MMC is lifting up the other's skirt to see if he's wearing panties? 🧐

Anyways, good for thee (hopefully) not for me. Two stars instead of one because it doesn't have many reviews so it feels mean to choose one.

[Roger - president of NBR United - · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.

I should start by saying one of my favorite tropes is amnesia based plots. Done right they are a beautiful way to do a second chance without a lot of angst. Clay and Jeremy have loved each other since they were teenagers. Clay was in a terrible accident and suffered brain damage which caused severe memory loss. When he first woke up from the coma he was in he had problems with both long term and short term memory. As he recovered his short term memory returned to normal but he had no memories of before the accident. Clay had loaned Jeremy he money to start his shop of sex toys. I would say from the way Jeremy presented themself, they were genderfluid. Now because of the Amnesia, a scheming female convinced Clay that they were engaged. When someone started destroying everything Jeremy owned. the lists of suspects kept growing. The final and proven Culprit was a surprise to me. I like that a mystery isn't easy for me to solve as long as the final suspect has a plausible motive. this is a third in the series I haven't read the first two and I didn't feel lost as sometime can happen when you plop yourself in the middle of a series.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Wow. What a beginning. I was immediately drawn into this story. My heart was breaking for Jeremy and Clay, but mostly Jeremy.

After a car accident leaves Clay with amnesia, predictably he finds himself lost and returns home to his family. They hope the familiar surroundings may provoke his memory to return.

I loved this story. It was really sweet and romantic watching Clay re learn about his past and watching him reconnect with Jeremy. Of course there are hiccups along the way.. some outside forces not as happy about some changes as Clay and Jeremy.

I really enjoyed their journey to reach the hea they deserved.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance, featuring Clay and Jeremy, and is book three in the A Love Permit Novel series.

Clay returns home after an accident wipes his memory, only to discover the intriguing owner of a queer lingerie shop may have been the love he forgot. As Jeremy reluctantly helps him piece together their past, old wounds reopen, and so do the feelings he hoped were long gone.

I really enjoyed this on, it was sweet and emotional. It dives into hurt/comfort, amnesia, second chances, and the messy complexity of being vulnerable again with someone who has already broken your heart. Jeremy’s pain is raw and real, and watching Clay fall for him a second time, without the baggage, but with all the same sparks, made me so happy.

I loved the blend of humour, heartache, heat and the chemistry was explosive.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM romance
Small town
Second chance
Secret past relationship
Footballer x Femboy
Grumpy x Sunshine
Size difference
Hurt / Comfort
Amnesia
Mild stalking
MC pierced everywhere
MC has freckles
MC wears lingerie
Lingering chemistry
Spicy times
Outdoor s*x
Bit of drama / mystery
HEA

[Tammy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was dramatic, suspenseful, and full of passion. Jeremy and Clay had a ten year long relationship that was reluctantly ended, but never forgotten....well at least by one of them. Clay's family reaches out to Jeremy to see if talking with him would jog any of Clay's forgotten memories caused by an auto accident. Jeremy agrees and is pulled in by all the reminders of how incredible their lives were when they were together. Clay doesn't remember the things that Jeremy tells him but he does feel drawn to Jeremy in a way that he hasn't been with anyone else. As these two continue to explore their past, current issues begin to disrupt their renewed attachment. There is a danger to them getting too close that they haven't yet realized. This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! I loved that the bond that Jeremy and Clay had was so strong, not even amnesia could remove their emotional attachment. The heart remembers what the mind forgets...

[Jamey · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being on my TBR for over two years, I finally read this, and I have to admit I didn’t expect myself to enjoy it as much as I did. There were many aspects of this that wouldn’t usually work for me – mainly, that the couple got together early on in the book, and the amount of drama that comprised the rest of the story. There was a lot going on, and most of it was so over the top that I rolled my eyes at it a few times, but it was also strangely addicting?

4/5 stars.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let Me Remind You is the third book in the Love Permit serie by Gianni Holmes. It can be read as a standalone. This is the story of Clay and Jeremy. Their story was sexy, hot with some action and very well written. I loved Clay and Jeremy.

[Steph (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so freaking sweet. I was anticipating a bit more angst. Which I'm usually all for. However in this case I really liked how it was more fluff.

[Coco.V]

🎁 Books 1 & 3 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (5/9/2023)! 🎁

[Earlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everlasting and Eternal love

Clay and J loved each other since teenagers, not even loosing him memory has taken the connection away.
We are not only looking at a true love story but there is drama and intrigue.
The writing was faultless and convincing, however a lot of angst. Could have less sex.
The characters were very loveable and a joy to read.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! Gianni Holmes' Let Me Remind You is a phenomenal read. The third book in the A Love Permit series, it's riveting, powerful, and is one of the best books I've read this year.

This tale starts with a breakup. And, wow, what a breakup. It's absolutely gut wrenching.

And then...Omg...then...

Two years later when Jeremy runs into Clay again, he slaps him. But, unfortunately for all, Clay has no memory of Jeremy or why Jeremy would be mad at him.

What a gut wrenching moment and a gut wrenching romance.

The closeted football player Clay, and the femme, very "out" Jeremy. Their romance is tragic. Their romance is all consuming. And their romance is one that will stay with me forever. I love it all!

I continue to be in awe of this author. And this is yet an all new level of stellar writing for me. Everything about this story is amazing. Written in alternating first person pov, the characters fully come to life, with every single emotion jumping off the pages.

Let Me Remind You is a fantastic surprise for me. Gianni Holmes has left me glued to the pages throughout. I cried. And then I cried some more. Just read it.

[Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Well another troupe I like but strayed from my expectation after 50% mark

[Jen Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amnesia + second chance and make it romantic as hell. 5 stars for the romance. Childhood sweethearts is not a trope I seek out, because I think people have a better idea of who they are and what they need as adults. However, it really worked here. The deep history between the two characters and the way they supported each other informed the connection they built as Clay was struggling to figure out who he has been and who he wanted to be. I cried really hard at about 30% in:

When I opened my eyes, he was crying, silent tears rolling down his face. He looked so miserable. So heartbroken and devastated. My heart clenched. "What did I do to you?" I murmured. "What did I do? Please, I need to know to make it right."

Whew.

I liked that the author showed some of Clay's mental health issues in relation to his head injury as well as the truly bananas shenanigans in the book, which brings us to ...

The super soapy parts. They were mostly predictable. I called from the get-go that Amber was up to something - as soon as I heard that he had a FIANCEE, I figured it was a fake relationship by both or one party's consent. Given how odious she was and the fact he was in a very vulnerable spot, I wondered if he didn't know the whole story whether she was an obsessed fan/gold digger. I wasn't completely sure because it seemed a little out there and slightly bananas (not that something like that couldn't happen - there are crazy stories about celebrity stalkers all the time). But bananas was the name of the game. I also figured that Amber was the one wrecking the store and his home ('slut' was kind of a giveaway), and it blew my mind that Clay and Jeremy never ONCE thought about her being a suspect, even if that might be the author doing some misdirection. What did surprise me was that she ended her life. I also did not call Clay's agent being the ultimate villain. When we got to Jeremy being held at gunpoint by the wife-beater, I kind of did have to roll my eyes.

Although the plot was a little too bananas for my taste, the main characters and the romance really sold this book for me. Jeremy and Clay took such good care of each other. With Clay, I got Leo (from Patience by Lark Taylor) vibes at the start - he knows he is strongly attracted to Jeremy, he feels an instant pull to him, but he doesn't know why. I got very mad at Clay's father, but it's very believable that someone who is pushed towards a career in sports would have been raised by somebody like that.

One thing that bothered me was that Clay never reached out to Jeremy in the 16 months before his accident. I know that he was keeping tabs on Jeremy in a way by calling his father, and that he was intending to return to San Diego at the end of his two-year contract. But did he really expect Jeremy to be available in two years when he didn't even try to maintain some contact?

Also, what NFL team/doctor is going to reinstate somebody who literally doesn't remember their life? Isn't that a huge red flag for brain injuries? Who knows what a concussion on top of that TBI could do? Does the league (in this book) not have any policy to protect players? I get that coaches and team owners are going to focus on the wins and keeping star players, but there's got to be a point where it doesn't make sense.

Looking back, it looks like I did have a number of issues with the plot and the way external conflict was brought in. But the romance keeps this at a 5 stars for me.

[Love Bytes Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kat

I love this author and this book really hit me!

When football super star quarterback Clay Anderson wakes up from a three-week coma after horrific automobile accident where it is is quickly discovered that he has a severe form of amnesia that the doctor’s are skeptical about his recovery. He has returned home from New England to San Diego to recuperate near his parents and younger brother. One day he’s was in the famous gaslight district when he comes face to face with a man that catches his eye and revives his lost libido. When he gets slapped hard in the face by this stranger he starts to think this man isn’t a stranger after all.

I don’t think I have ever read a story with this level of amnesia before. I felt for Clay. He has absolutely no memories from his life before the wreck. Now he has a fiancé hanging on to him and a father who is doing everything he can to send Clay back to Pro football. When his parents arrange a meeting with an old estranged friend of his to hopefully jog his memories he had no idea that the beautiful and exotic Jeremy was not only his best friend in high school when his brother died but was also the man that slapped him. I get why Jeremy broke up with Clay. But I was thankful when he thought about his action and his part in the break up. I just can’t imagine what it would be like losing your entire memory of the first 28 years of your life. Compound that with people coming up and speaking to you and, being a super star, you have absolutely no idea if they are someone you have known and hung with or they are simply a fan.

What I truly enjoyed was the was Jeremy didn’t rush to be back with Clay but kept his emotions and heart guarded until he realized that this was truly their chance to make a new life like they had always wanted but couldn’t because Clay had been forced to keep his bisexuality in the closet because of his parents and his career. Their love shined through to Clay though through his heart even if his mind didn’t remember.

And I can’t say enough about the evil Amber. What a conniving, deceitful woman she was. I never liked her from the start. And Clay’s dad wasn’t on my favorite’s list either. At least his mom tried but their “social status” seemed more important at times than their son’s recovery and his happiness. I will say there are many twists and turns with the stalker angle and it completely blindsided both these men and me too.

I know this says it can be read as a stand alone even though it’s a continuation of a series. I personally have not read the previous two books…yet but they are on my radar now. I highly recommend this intriguing and thought provoking book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Great twists I never saw coming.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you had an accident and couldn’t remember anything about your former life and you weren’t likely to get those memories back? If you couldn’t remember what you did, what you liked, and who you loved? This is the premise of Let Me Remind You by Gianni Holmes. Clay is a former pro football player who gets in an accident and loses all his memories. He is told that it is likely he will never get them back and because of this he feels lost and alone. Jeremy is the owner of Itsy Bits lingerie store and had been Clay’s boyfriend for 10 years but because of his football career they have only come out to a few people. They have a falling out because Jeremy thinks Clay puts everything before him when he doesn’t attend the opening of his store and he tells him to leave and not come back. For two years Jeremy doesn’t hear anything from Clay and has tuned out anything to do with football so he doesn’t know of the accident. He is heartbroken that Clay hasn’t tried to contact him and tries to go on with his life. Then Clay comes back to their hometown seeking memories and runs into Jeremy on the street. Jeremy slaps him and then leaves. Clay thinks he must know something about him and eventually finds him at the store. He feels a connection with Jeremy but doesn’t know why. The rest of the story is about how they reconnect and how Clay starts to get his life back. Through meetings with friends and family who recall some of the things he did and with Jeremy’s help he learns about the person he was. During this time he has to make some decisions concerning his football career and also about coming out to friends and family who may not be happy with what he decides. This leads to someone placing the blame on Jeremy and attempts on his life. There are several suspenseful moments that happen before they are finally able to find their happy ending and for Clay to figure out his future. I have always enjoyed Ms. Holmes’ stories and this one was a little different from other books I have read with memory loss being the problem for one of the main characters. I liked how she developed the characters and made them feel like real people and that she didn’t let Clay get his memories back. He had to build new ones with Jeremy and with his life. The attempted murders added a suspenseful note that made you want to keep reading and made the ending that much more satisfying. So far I haven’t read a book by Gianni Holmes that I haven’t liked and this one didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to future stories.

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!  This is a great story!   i started this book last night and was going to read for just a few minutes....  well i could not put it down and read the whole thing.  

Finding yourself and reconnecting with the love of your life amidst amnesia, betrayal, stalkers, murder attempts and so much more will keep you glued to your kindle!  I absolutely loved these characters and how real they felt to me.  The plot was incredibly well done with a simple idea and lots of wonderful layers that just made the story feel like I had to know what would happen next. The idea of losing your past and relying on others to tell you who and what you were is really a stunning idea.  Clay is having that experience and his heart is telling him one thing and his agent, coach, fiancée, parents and others are telling him something else.  Jeremy is cautious about spending time with Clay, knowing his heart can be broken wide open again, but he will also be the best friend and do what Clay needs. 

Clay and Jeremy have an amazing physical and emotional connection that you will feel within seconds of them being in the same space.  I love that both men had an opportunity to grow and see where they can be even more. This insight is soul touching and made me love them even more.  These guys are amazing together and really only want what is best for each other.  The idea that Clay's memory cannot be recovered and that what they have together and what they build is more than enough was really beautiful. 

This is book three in the Love Permit series and can be read as a stand-alone story.  I have not read the previous books and I was not lost with the characters.  Now I will go back and read the previous two books because i really love to get the stories of the friends of Jeremy that we met in this story. 

I  was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review 

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received for an honest review.

Clay wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the accident that put him there or his previous life. He's having panic attacks and doubts about his life. He's told by multiple people that his passion has always been football, but is it? After being slapped by a perfect stranger, Clay starts to wonder if this is true.

Jeremy is finally getting his life back together after losing the love of his life. When he literally runs into him on the sidewalk outside his shop Itsy Bits,he can't believe the audacity of Clay to act like he doesn't know him. One good slap should make him feel better, right?

Clay is trying to get his father to understand that he's never going to remember his previous life and he's not having much luck. When his father approaches Jeremy to help Clay remember, Jeremy realizes that Clay isn't pretending. Clay doesn't remember their friendship or their ten years together as boyfriends. While Jeremy is showing and telling Clay things about his previous life, Clay is busy making new memories. Now someone wants to hurt Jeremy and there is several people who it could be.

This is a really good hurt/comfort, lost memory story. It flowed so well that I didn't want to put it down once I started. Clay and Jeremy are well flushed out characters that have great chemistry together. It's book three in the series but I didn't feel like I missed out not reading the first two books. The characters from the previous books are explained nicely in this book, so I wasn't left wondering. Jeremy and Clay both lost out in the parent department and it's another thing they have in common. I had many feelings while reading this book, especially wondering how I would feel in Clay or Jeremy's situations. Would it be easier not remembering your past or being the one forgotten? I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes MM romance and a little hurt/comfort added in.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After that emotionally charged prologue I was expecting this to be a heavy-hitting second-chance romance, but Jeremy and Clay's story was remarkably sweet and steamy. I can't deny that it was heartbreaking to find out about the extent of Clay's memory loss, but this book was about so much more than reviving a connection Clay and Jeremy previously shared. From unraveling the mystery of Clay's fiancee, figuring out who was stalking Jeremy, and uncovering bits and pieces of Clay and Jeremy's past, there was plenty to love about this story outside of the romance. That's not to say that watching these men fall back in love with each other wasn't absolutely adorable, but I was surprised by how much I just enjoyed the storyline. Clay was a fascinating set of contradictions to untangle, and I genuinely think his memory loss is what set him free from the obligations that weighed him down in the past. Though I didn't see any of the "good times" Jeremy and Clay shared prior to their separation, I can't imagine Clay being a better partner for Jeremy than he was in this story. Jeremy also showed a lot of character growth in this book, and I was so happy to see him begin to trust and belive in Clay's word. It didn't take me long to have full faith in their bond, even when the odds were stacked against them. In a story with so much to love, I'll admit that it did bother me to see how flippantly Jeremy and Clay treated the news about Amber. I know she wasn't meant to be a lovable character, and she did do some seriously messed up stuff in this book, but their reaction to her was so cold and out of character from the men I thought I knew. Putting that one detail aside, I don't have any complaints about this romance. I thought Jeremy and Clay were wonderful characters, and their journey was a nice blend of emotional, steamy, and unexpected.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

[Alison Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this second-chance story from such an amazing author. Gianni Holmes is a must read author for me and this final book in the Love Permit series is one of my favorites. After their falling out and Clay's accident, Jeremy and Clay's relationship seems to be broken beyond repair. It was heartbreaking to see just how much hurt had been caused by both men and their struggle to remain true to themselves while hiding a 10 year relationship. I loved the dynamic between Clay and Jeremy while they are reestablishing their friendship and their relationship. It was clear that a deep love and acceptance of each other was always the strongest foundation of their friendship and both men were able to build that trust back that had been lost. The storyline took an unexpected turn at the end and I did not anticipate the final scene at all! Loved the suspenseful culmination of events and was glad to see the whole gang band together to take care of their own. As always, Gianni Holmes has created dynamic and positive characters that represent all types of humans. Jeremy's comfort and attitude about what he wears, who he is, and who he loves is so uplifting and Clay's unconditional acceptance and celebration of who Jeremy is as a person was one of my favorite things about this book. I loved the storylines about Clint and Jeremy's dad as well as Darcy and his mystery man. I really hope we get to see these characters story's in the future. I really want to know more about how Jeremy's dad ended up with his live-in caretaker after all the pain he caused Jeremy for being gay. Darcy seemed like the absolute sweetest character and I would love to see how he finally got his HEA. Love this author and this series! I received an ARC for an honest and fair review.

[Mads (BreathlessLitPA) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love Permit series is my favorite Gianni Holmes series ever written. This series has taken on some of the most unique story lines and taken tropes in amazing directions. This third book explores Clay, who was a professional football player, and after being in a car accident, lost his memory. Clay and Jeremy are introduced as characters in the previous two books. It is alluded that Jeremy was dating someone who needed to remain anonymous and now we are able to read his story with Clay.

Their story begins in high school. Before Clay became famous and before Jeremy took the lingerie community by storm. Jeremy was best friends with Clay’s brother. Due to illness, he passed away and Clay promised to watch out for Jeremy. Unknowing to the outside world, Clay and Jeremy became best friends and fell in love. Fast forward ten years and Jeremy wants public acknowledgement that Clay will not give him. So they split up.

After a horrible car accident, Clay has lost his memories, including those of Jeremy. His family suggests that going to Jeremy could help him regain some of that time. This book explores Clay and Jeremy’s relationship when Clay can remember nothing and Jeremy remembers everything. With many obstacles to overcome, it is hard for them to see a light at the end of the tunnel. But finally, Clay can breathe again and Jeremy is beginning to see things differently.

Holmes twists a story of best friends, to enemies, to friends, to lovers again. With family drama, a fiancee of the stalker variety, and decisions to be made about football or true love, this story does not disappoint. I recommend reading this entire series. It should not be missed.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb has been in major car accident. He has recovered physically but he is still struggling because he can’t remember anything about himself or his life before the accident. He is having to take everyone at their word that his fiancée and football career were everything important to him in his life. The only problem is that nothing feels right. Until the day he meets a stranger who slaps him for acting like he doesn’t know him. Jeremy is hurt at Clay’s indifference and confusion until he learns about the accident. Then he is completely horrified. He and Clay had a secret relationship for years and were best friends as well as lovers, until the day they had a fight over Clay being in the closet and he told Clay to forget he ever existed. How he wishes he could take those words back. Now these two men fight to reforge memories and make new ones, all while trying to help Clay recover who he was and figure out who he wants to be now. I absolutely loved this story. The way Clay know deep down that something is wrong until he reconnects with Jeremy is so beautiful and heartfelt. Once he realizes that the fiancée is a fake and that he really doesn’t want to play football anymore, he grabs Jeremy and refuses to let go. Jeremy also has to acknowledge that it took both of them to argue and it will take both of them to fix everything. A very wonderful book! And it was nice to see the guys from the first two books even though it isn’t necessary to have read them to enjoy this one.

[Kidd Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good storyline, not my favorite delivery

This story is incredibly cute. Clay and Jeremy make an adorable pair who obviously have a lot going for them, and there are several scenes that are written very strongly and evoke that “feet kicking” feeling.

However, overall I struggled with the delivery of the story. It seemed disconnected and was hard to follow at times. The spicier scenes were hard to put together in my mind. Characters seemed to change positions or activities without transitions, meaning that one second they might be on their side together, but the immediate next sentence someone is between someone else’s legs. The same could be said about larger plot points - the summary didn’t indicate that this was designed to have any type of mystery/crime-related subplot, and it was difficult to see how those plot points were integral to the bigger story. It seemed like Gianni had a ton of ideas all in her head and couldn’t decide on an exact direction - is it a sports romance? A mystery? A second chance romance? It’s a bit of all three, but with an equal amount of weight in the story which pulls readers in all different directions and distracts from the main plot following Clay and Jeremy’s journey to their HEA.

I enjoyed that the concept of long-term amnesia was explored here. Jeremy never once came off as pushy in my eyes and all of the conversations surrounding Clay’s memory loss were very well written! Just maybe not my cup of tea in an overall sense.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a riveting story of love, loss, passion and suspense. Jeremy and Clay became friends because Clay's older brother, Abe, was friends with Jeremy. They became even closer after Abe died, having extracted from Clay a promise to always watch over Jeremy and protect him from his father. Soon they became more than friends, but because Clay played football, they had to hide their relationship. They hid it for 10 years, and then Jeremy broke up with Clay. Almost two years go by without any kind of contact between them, Jeremy even goes so far as to walk out of a room if Clay's name is mentioned. Suddenly Clay is back in town, but he seems to not know Jeremy, Jeremy gets mad and slaps him. Clay has no clue who Jeremy is, or why he slapped him, but he's intrigued by him. A visit from Clay's parents explains the situation, and convinces Jeremy to help Clay try to remember his past, because amnesia caused by injuries from a car accident has wiped Clay's memory. Jeremy and Clay spend more and more time together, after Clay's fiance flees, and learn to love again. I don't want to ruin the story by saying too much because this is one of the best books I've ever read. It's heartbreaking for both men to have to start a "new" relationship, but so sweet how Clay is. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m so glad I gave it a go because I loved this book.
I fell in love with sweet, gorgeous but oh so strong and courageous, Jeremy and loveable Clay; even if I wanted to smack him for being with Jeremy so long and still denying their relationship. How sad to think that Jeremy and Clay could have lost each other for good, and unfortunately for Clay that’s essentially what happened when he lost his memory, but thankfully his heart led him back to Jeremy because they were meant to be together. Initially, it was Clay taking care of Jeremy, then after his accident, Jeremy showed his strength by showing him their memories and taking care of Clay until he was stronger and they could stand as equals taking care of each other. The side characters added depth to the story but this book can easily be read as a stand-alone.
I love that point in a story where you’ve fallen in love with the main characters and they've reconnected and are happy but you just know that something is going to happen and while you’re feeling good you’re also filled with anticipation and dread and this book gave me all these feelings and more, plus the best swoon-worthy epilogue I have read in a long time. I highly recommend this book as a great read.
I was given an ARC of this book to review and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Stephanie Carvalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book from the author, and I really enjoyed what I read. It is part of a series - characters from other books are here and there - but it works totally fine as a standalone. Clay and Jeremy have undeniable chemistry, and their story is one of second chances, redescoveries, acceptance and forgiveness. I just have two minor issues with the story: 1) some important parts of the story were left with an open end, and It kinda bothered me a little, especially since it has to do with one of the MCs family. 2) The end felt kinda rushed? Like... There is a bit of a mystery in there, but the solution the author chose was a little messy, and made no sense to me. It does not affect the story in general - Clay and Jeremy had their issues solved - or in the works for this - some time before. But I just feel this special part (I can't spoil otherwise It would spoil a huge part of the story) should have been better taken care of.

Aside from that, the story of Jeremy and Clay is a lovely one, and I'll make sure to read the prior books - and hope a lovely side character gets his own story in the future ❤

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do, when you just can't let go? Clay loses his memory and was told it's a permanent loss. While out and about, he almost ran into a man, who appeared upset, then slaps his face. Jeremy and Clay had broken up after 10 years together. Jeremy was devestated, but he knew it was the best thing for him. Who wants to be a secret to be hidden? Clay was deep in the closet, to protect his career. Clay's memory, gives him the opportunity to get acquiainted with Clay 2.0, with the help of Dr Collins. He remembers things, but not people or relationships. Clay's family asked Jeremy to help Clay regain his memory, or the parts he could. They didn't know how close he was with Clay. Cornell, Clay's Dad was contemptuous, Vivienne, Clay's Mom was loving and treated Jeremy like on of her sons. The story of memories, lost and new, renewal and rebirth. Clay and Jeremy are awesome and amazing! The journey is not easy. There are many false starts and delays. Do they reconnect? Do they forge a new connection? Are they meant to be? Can they find a good balance? Will Clay come out? What will Cornell say? Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say after reading Brian and Tate’s book, I could not wait to find out who Jeremy’s partner was. Clay is everything you would want in a partner, kind, loving, thoughtful, passionate, sweet and fun! The only problem is Clay can not remember that guy. He only knows who he is now because of his amnesia due to a car accident. Enter Jeremy who is fun, femme, true to himself and an absolute wonderful man. These two men have to find a way to come back together but it is not easy when one has so many memories and the other man has none. This one left me shaken for a while. I cried for two men that had lost so much! I laughed for their personalities together and I was angry for the ways they had hurt one another. It takes two to make it or break it and no one deserves the HEA like these two passionate men! Loved this book! I have loved this series but that is no surprise because Gianni Holmes is such a great writer! You will not be disappointed with this read, instead your heart will fill a bit more full with love.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay and Jeremy's love story had it share of obstacles during both of their times together but one thing that was always there was a strong love for and connection to one another. They dated for 10 years but Clay who was playing football and not out to his family was not out of the closet so their relationship was on the downlow. Jeremy ends the relationship two years before the start of this story because he did not think it was fair to come second to someone he loved, who said he loved him. Almost two years later they literally run into one another after no contact and Jeremy did not realize that Clay had been in an accident that robbed his memory of his life before he recovered. What was neat about this story, besides twists and turns I did not see coming, was that the love that had been there was still there, the attraction even though they were in essence starting over. Their second time around was not without its obstacles, intrigue and danger but the outcome this time was so sweet and they truly earned their HEA.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.