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Faith, Love & Devotion #3
Duty & Devotion
After their happily ever after in Faith & Fidelity, Matt and Evan move forward to a new chapter of their lives -- inside the bedroom and out -- with some surprises in store for both. Evan struggles with labels and feelings even as he wants to give in to his baser desires. Matt, now the ideal househusband of Queens, New York, has his own set of struggles -- who is he now? What does he need and want?
A visit from his friend and one-night stand Jim Shea (of Love & Loyalty) throws everything into disarray as Evan's jealousy and unease push Matt's buttons -- and not always in a good way.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Male/male sexual practices.
A visit from his friend and one-night stand Jim Shea (of Love & Loyalty) throws everything into disarray as Evan's jealousy and unease push Matt's buttons -- and not always in a good way.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Male/male sexual practices.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2010
59 people are currently reading
1542 people want to read
About the author
Tere Michaels
40 books1,025 followersTere Michaels unofficially began her writing career at the age of four when she learned that people got paid to write stories. It seemed the most perfect and logical job in the world and after that, her path was never in question. (The romance writer part was written in the stars—she was born on Valentine’s Day.)
It took thirty-six years of “research” and “life experience” and well… life… before her first book was published but there are no regrets (she doesn’t believe in them). Along the way, she had some interesting jobs in television, animation, arts education, PR, and a national magazine—but she never stopped believing she would eventually earn her living writing stories about love.
Her home base is a small town in New Jersey, very near NYC, a city she dearly loves. She shares her life with her husband, her son—who is also her personal trainer—and an exceedingly spoiled cat. Her spare time is spent watching way too much sports programming, going to the movies and for long walks/runs in the park, reading, and doing yoga.
Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops. Send her a message through her contact page or connect with her on Instagram (@TereMichaels) and Facebook.
She teaches regularly at SavvyAuthors, as well as running a private consulting and developmental editing business.
It took thirty-six years of “research” and “life experience” and well… life… before her first book was published but there are no regrets (she doesn’t believe in them). Along the way, she had some interesting jobs in television, animation, arts education, PR, and a national magazine—but she never stopped believing she would eventually earn her living writing stories about love.
Her home base is a small town in New Jersey, very near NYC, a city she dearly loves. She shares her life with her husband, her son—who is also her personal trainer—and an exceedingly spoiled cat. Her spare time is spent watching way too much sports programming, going to the movies and for long walks/runs in the park, reading, and doing yoga.
Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops. Send her a message through her contact page or connect with her on Instagram (@TereMichaels) and Facebook.
She teaches regularly at SavvyAuthors, as well as running a private consulting and developmental editing business.
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November 18, 2011
^^I AM DEVOTED TO THIS COUPLE!^^
More of my reviews and thoughts on my blog PANTS OFF REVIEWS
All the ways I love this series, the ways are so very many. This series was just splendidly written with wonderful characters, and the overall story line is so simple and just moves and works so well. Tere Michaels is a wonderful writer and whatever she is working on next, I am so owning.
This is the third book in this wonderful series, and the sequel to Faith & Fidelity , and I am all kinds of in love with Evan and Matt. From the first book we gather this was friends becomes lovers, and the first male on male relationship for both our main characters. Evan had just lost his wife, and Matt was the friend and then other feelings started happening. There were a lot of struggles on Evan’s part dealing with the lost of his wife, the only person he has ever been with and loved. Here comes Matt a male, and he starts stirring up all these feelings. Both men start a tentative relationship, and the road ahead is not an easy one.
The second book takes place a few months after and Matt and Evan now live together with the kids. Evan’s kids know of the relationship and have accepted him with open arms. Matt is now a househusband, taking care of the home, looking after the kids, doing the shopping etc. Evan is still a cop, he works late hours which puts a strain on the relationship, and to make matters worse, Matt still keeps in contact with James( read previous book F&F) which Evan is very jealous of.
Even though this might seem like newlywed bliss, obstacles keep popping up for the guys, the main issues being; Evan unable to deal with the fact that he is now a part of a gay couple, his nervousness to have sex, and his jealousy issues. Even though Evan pissed me off a lot in this book, I still love him.
This series is wonderful because it takes the gay relationship one-step further, and proves it is not always about sex. This is a real relationship, with real feelings, and the realities of what it would be like if suddenly you find yourself loving the same sex. The sexual aspect of this book was high, but it was just so erotic, even though actual sex happens very later on, the build up to it was a sweet progression. I am deeply in love with this series, I am deeply in love with Matt and Evan and I will be revisiting them time after time.
I just love this series, if you like M/M fiction then this series will guarantee to warm your heart.
More of my reviews and thoughts on my blog PANTS OFF REVIEWS
All the ways I love this series, the ways are so very many. This series was just splendidly written with wonderful characters, and the overall story line is so simple and just moves and works so well. Tere Michaels is a wonderful writer and whatever she is working on next, I am so owning.
This is the third book in this wonderful series, and the sequel to Faith & Fidelity , and I am all kinds of in love with Evan and Matt. From the first book we gather this was friends becomes lovers, and the first male on male relationship for both our main characters. Evan had just lost his wife, and Matt was the friend and then other feelings started happening. There were a lot of struggles on Evan’s part dealing with the lost of his wife, the only person he has ever been with and loved. Here comes Matt a male, and he starts stirring up all these feelings. Both men start a tentative relationship, and the road ahead is not an easy one.
The second book takes place a few months after and Matt and Evan now live together with the kids. Evan’s kids know of the relationship and have accepted him with open arms. Matt is now a househusband, taking care of the home, looking after the kids, doing the shopping etc. Evan is still a cop, he works late hours which puts a strain on the relationship, and to make matters worse, Matt still keeps in contact with James( read previous book F&F) which Evan is very jealous of.
Even though this might seem like newlywed bliss, obstacles keep popping up for the guys, the main issues being; Evan unable to deal with the fact that he is now a part of a gay couple, his nervousness to have sex, and his jealousy issues. Even though Evan pissed me off a lot in this book, I still love him.
This series is wonderful because it takes the gay relationship one-step further, and proves it is not always about sex. This is a real relationship, with real feelings, and the realities of what it would be like if suddenly you find yourself loving the same sex. The sexual aspect of this book was high, but it was just so erotic, even though actual sex happens very later on, the build up to it was a sweet progression. I am deeply in love with this series, I am deeply in love with Matt and Evan and I will be revisiting them time after time.
I just love this series, if you like M/M fiction then this series will guarantee to warm your heart.
July 29, 2023
Duty & Devotion by Tere Michaels
Faith, Love, and Devotion series #3. M-M contemporary romance.
Matt and Evan have been together for a year now. Their lives are becoming routine which makes them both a little uneasy. Juggling work, family and a relationship is a lot. Finding time to talk and truly discuss their feelings and being intimate requires schedules and a little help from friends.
Emotional entanglements and families make this book teary, spicy and endearing all at the same time. It’s the next chapter in their relationship as they expand their love and universe.
Faith, Love, and Devotion series #3. M-M contemporary romance.
Matt and Evan have been together for a year now. Their lives are becoming routine which makes them both a little uneasy. Juggling work, family and a relationship is a lot. Finding time to talk and truly discuss their feelings and being intimate requires schedules and a little help from friends.
Emotional entanglements and families make this book teary, spicy and endearing all at the same time. It’s the next chapter in their relationship as they expand their love and universe.
March 17, 2013
Outraged!
Someone clearly drugged me last night, tied me up, propped my eyelids open and FORCED me to read this book! That is the only explanation. There is no way, after having read book 1, would I have CHOSEN to read another book about Matt and Evan, right? *shit*…but I did…
* Evan remains an ass.
* Matt remains a pushover (though still charming).
* I passed on book 2 so I wouldn’t have to read about Jim…so there was WAY too much Jim/Griffin in this book. (I don’t dislike Jim…I just don’t care about his story…but then again, I don’t really care about the Matt/Evan story either…go figure)
* The kids remain a sore spot – like Evan’s only in this relationship because of them.
* And the torment of the GFY plotline is OLD…get OVER it!
Here’s what gets me REALLY REALLY angry: I will probably read book 4….just because I’m an idiot – no other explanation.
WHY do I do this to myself?
PS - I realize that this is a beloved series for many of you. But this is one of those times that I actually don't feel badly that I'm in the minority. I really just don't get the appeal...w/o apology...
November 20, 2017
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Learn to accept*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
This book left me unsettled. It was over before I felt like things had settled and I just glad that there is more books for the couple. Not because I love the story, but because I hate when things are left open. I need closoure. Anways, we're back to where book one stopped; fifteen months ago life turned police officer Evan Cerelli (35?) and disgraced former cop turned security consultant, Matthew ‘Matt’ ‘Matty’ Haight (43? 45?) upside down. Always thinking they were straight, the got another thing coming when they suddenly found themselves in love with each other.
“No, they don't. You're right.” Matt's voice lowered. He clasped his hands and looked at the floor. “Labels don't matter. But being ashamed does.”
Now, Matt's a househusband and Evan struggles with really being in a relationship with a man. The kids Miranda (18?), Kathleen ‘Katie’ (16), Elizabeth (9) and her twin brother Danny (9) are a nice add to the story, though I wish we had gotten more depth between them and Matt. Hell, even with Evan. Overall, the story is cute, however, Evan's struggles was getting on my nerves, simply because Matt deserves better. I felt like Evan was a bit...selfish? I had also expected more from the book. Let's hope I get that in the next one...
“You broke up with me, and I spend one night with one guy who turns out to be the reason I’m even here, in domestic BLISS with your grouchy ass, and you can’t spare an evening for dinner? You are a dick.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series (Can skip book #2, but #1 must be read), Book Three.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Matthew ‘Matt’ ‘Matty’ Haight
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars.
March 20, 2013
So love this series. Great to get back to Evan and Matt and catch up with where they are in life. Yep, there are still struggles, especially for Evan, who has a problem being "out". But they get there. The part where they were discussing who would be on top or bottom to do the "real deed" was so funny. Evan was so easy to wind up and got embarrassed very easily. Loved it. Matt is great with the kids, or at least with most of them. One little Madam is not the most accepting but I think we get more of that in the final book which I am now off to read.
October 13, 2011
Opening Line: " I think this couch just makes me horny"
What a great conclusion to this trilogy. It isn’t often that you get the story after the HEA and I really appreciated being allowed back into Evan and Matt’s relationship to see how things were working out for them. As is often the case their story which began in (Faith & Fidelity) left us with a lot of loose ends and here we are given a very complete conclusion to their romance. It was also fun to see Jim and Griffin again (Love & Loyalty (Faith & Fidelity, #2) and I loved the surprising and open friendship that developed between all the men.
As with all her books this is very much a character driven story which just so happens to include sexy M/M interludes. It feels wrong however to classify it as erotic just because of the occasional bit of bum lovin, I mean I’ve read that in mainstream romances too so?... Ah yes issues with labels, I think that’s what this whole book is about. Anyways Tere Michaels is also brilliant at writing multidimensional characters, including the secondary ones and I feel like everyone involved here is now a personal friend of mine. This is a fantastic series and I hope to be reading something (anything) from Ms Michaels again soon.
Matt & Evan, how much do I love these guys? It was so great to go back and revisit them and their evolving relationship. Surprisingly I did come away with a different feel to both characters then I did after reading F&F. Evan pissed me off quite a bit here and I actually felt sorry for Matt and his new househusband status, even though it appeared to be what he wanted. Their relationship still felt unequal, with Evan calling all the shots and Matt not receiving much in return. This would of course be the conflict that slowly gets resolved.
Theres not really much of a plot synopsis to give, we join Evan and Matt in their new house, Matt has taken over the role as househusband and Evan continues on with the police force and struggles with issues of labels and people knowing he’s in a same sex relationship. The return of Jim Shea pushes Evan’s jealousy buttons but forces him to face the facts and then of course theres Griffin who becomes a surprising ally and good teacher too once Evan gets over his own stereotyping.
Cheers people and many thanks to D, Pants off baby!
What a great conclusion to this trilogy. It isn’t often that you get the story after the HEA and I really appreciated being allowed back into Evan and Matt’s relationship to see how things were working out for them. As is often the case their story which began in (Faith & Fidelity) left us with a lot of loose ends and here we are given a very complete conclusion to their romance. It was also fun to see Jim and Griffin again (Love & Loyalty (Faith & Fidelity, #2) and I loved the surprising and open friendship that developed between all the men.
As with all her books this is very much a character driven story which just so happens to include sexy M/M interludes. It feels wrong however to classify it as erotic just because of the occasional bit of bum lovin, I mean I’ve read that in mainstream romances too so?... Ah yes issues with labels, I think that’s what this whole book is about. Anyways Tere Michaels is also brilliant at writing multidimensional characters, including the secondary ones and I feel like everyone involved here is now a personal friend of mine. This is a fantastic series and I hope to be reading something (anything) from Ms Michaels again soon.
Matt & Evan, how much do I love these guys? It was so great to go back and revisit them and their evolving relationship. Surprisingly I did come away with a different feel to both characters then I did after reading F&F. Evan pissed me off quite a bit here and I actually felt sorry for Matt and his new househusband status, even though it appeared to be what he wanted. Their relationship still felt unequal, with Evan calling all the shots and Matt not receiving much in return. This would of course be the conflict that slowly gets resolved.
Theres not really much of a plot synopsis to give, we join Evan and Matt in their new house, Matt has taken over the role as househusband and Evan continues on with the police force and struggles with issues of labels and people knowing he’s in a same sex relationship. The return of Jim Shea pushes Evan’s jealousy buttons but forces him to face the facts and then of course theres Griffin who becomes a surprising ally and good teacher too once Evan gets over his own stereotyping.
Cheers people and many thanks to D, Pants off baby!
January 31, 2011
Let me start off with the bad thing about this book!
That it ended!!! Omg... I loooveeee Matt and Evan.. I'm like shaking right now, I just want to keep these two guys in my life, forever and ever and ever and ever!!
I dont know what it is about these two middelaged guys, who used to be straight.. I just love them so much, and I wish I could bribe the author to keep writing about them.. I dont care if its about a trip to the mall, a car ride to the beach, or just reading about them watching a movie on the couch.. I just want more.. Please!!!
This book was about Evan coming to terms with being
Ok, I could go on and on about what this story is about, and what happens, but I dont want to. I just want to keep talking about how much I love Evan and how much I love Matt.. Because Oh God.. I love them so much!!!
I dont care if you're straight, gay, bi or gayishly bisexual, you just have to read these books, and if you dont fall in love with Matt and Evan... yeah well.. then you're... something.. I dont even have a word for that, because its physically impossible not to!
I miss them both so much already.. But I'll get back in touch one day guys.. I promise!
March 5, 2016
I was originally going for a 2 star rating. The only thing that made me add an additional star was the ending and the change of Evan's behavior, which was SUPER annoying for like 90% of the book.
The other parts were OK (I guess). I liked Jim and the children. Matt was the BEST.
I don't think I'm going for the other books. These ones I read just didn't click for me.
The other parts were OK (I guess). I liked Jim and the children. Matt was the BEST.
I don't think I'm going for the other books. These ones I read just didn't click for me.
September 8, 2012
This story picks up, just after Matt and Evan get back together, after their breakup. Evan's having a hard time accepting his sexuality, after the loss of his wife Sherri. He finally finds happiness with Matt, but being a heterosexual for years, he finds it hard to fully come out of the closet. Being in the police force and having children don't help matters.
Matt is a fun carefree guy and takes things as they come. The complete opposite to Evan and has no problems with being gay. I love these two heroes who are both thoughtful, caring and sweet. Not to mention the chemistry between is oh so hot. They're perfect for each other.
This is beautifully written and can't recommend this series enough. It's warm and full of heart. I just love, love, love it!
Matt is a fun carefree guy and takes things as they come. The complete opposite to Evan and has no problems with being gay. I love these two heroes who are both thoughtful, caring and sweet. Not to mention the chemistry between is oh so hot. They're perfect for each other.
This is beautifully written and can't recommend this series enough. It's warm and full of heart. I just love, love, love it!
September 2, 2019
[Special thanks to Martin for recommending the series to me]
Finally!! It's back to Matt and Evan's story again!
I've really grown to love this couple, especially Matt! Therefore I was really psyched to get started on this one.
Matt is such a charming and lovable character, I would have just read the book for him alone. I can't say the same for Evan at all, and the way he behaved in this book deserves a few kicks to his ass. It was an angst-filled story with Evan's insecurities.
Though I'm not entirely over the moon for reading about Jim and Griffin's part in this book, but I liked them in the end for being supportive and helping Matt and Evan solidify their relationship. If I didn't like Griffin before, I love him in this book now. His generosity towards providing advice and support towards Evan was something that puts him in a new light for me. His mischievous nature casts an entertaining reading experience with his interactions with Evan.
With regards to the sex scenes, I swear, this series is one of the biggest cocktease ever. Just when I thought that
The story is still slightly short for my liking. Like the previous book, I thought the plot could be better developed, especially with regards to The scenario seemed to be building up for something serious and it just suddenly seem to blow away by someone else helping with the problem, very similar to the previous book!
Still, I would gladly read a book about Matt and Evan's domestic life with his children without any angst or deep and intricate storyline, though I wished the book would have given us a little more in the various aspects I've mentioned.
4.5 Stars!
Finally!! It's back to Matt and Evan's story again!
I've really grown to love this couple, especially Matt! Therefore I was really psyched to get started on this one.
Matt is such a charming and lovable character, I would have just read the book for him alone. I can't say the same for Evan at all, and the way he behaved in this book deserves a few kicks to his ass. It was an angst-filled story with Evan's insecurities.
Though I'm not entirely over the moon for reading about Jim and Griffin's part in this book, but I liked them in the end for being supportive and helping Matt and Evan solidify their relationship. If I didn't like Griffin before, I love him in this book now. His generosity towards providing advice and support towards Evan was something that puts him in a new light for me. His mischievous nature casts an entertaining reading experience with his interactions with Evan.
With regards to the sex scenes, I swear, this series is one of the biggest cocktease ever. Just when I thought that
The story is still slightly short for my liking. Like the previous book, I thought the plot could be better developed, especially with regards to The scenario seemed to be building up for something serious and it just suddenly seem to blow away by someone else helping with the problem, very similar to the previous book!
Still, I would gladly read a book about Matt and Evan's domestic life with his children without any angst or deep and intricate storyline, though I wished the book would have given us a little more in the various aspects I've mentioned.
4.5 Stars!
April 6, 2011
There's things I liked about this one and there's things I didn't. For one, I never really liked Evan. I thought him being a homophobe and his constant denial was kind of annoying in the first one and it kinda just carries over to the second one even though it's a tad lighter.
I did, however, love Matt. He was just as likable in this one as he was in Faith & Fidelity. He seems to like the new lifestyle he adopted when he and Evan became an official couple and I must say, I kinda like him as a househusband especially since Evan's kids need a constant stable person, like Matt, in their everyday lives. The highlight of the book for me, though, was getting to see Jim and Griffin again. I loved their book a lot and while I loved F&F, too, I still didn't much like Evan so it took me forever to finish this series.
I will say Evan wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I kept hearing about how horrible he was in D&D and how everyone just hated him more but I honestly liked him more in this one. Yeah, he's a freaking idiot that needs to get over his dislike of 'labels' but he seemed more real to me and not so desperate to find a solution to how to handle his kids which I thought was how he was in F&F. So, I did like Evan better but he's still not my favorite character. Matt is a God. I love him to pieces and apparently Evan loves Matt enough to get over his hangups with being 'gay' so Evan warmed up to me because by the end of the book, I felt we get a definite answer that hey, Evan's not perfect but he loves Matt and he's actually trying to work towards accepting Matt's touch in public. PDA's are a no-no to Evan and by the end of the book, he actually shows a few of them so it gave me the impression Evan is finally growing up! Lol.
The reason I can't give this five stars, though, is because I couldn't get into the beginning of the story. I don't know why, maybe I was guarding myself and readying the pitchfork to find any reason to hate Evan? Eh, who knows but once Jim and Griffin joined the picture I really loved the book. Evan finally got into my good graces and the story ended really well. I didn't want to put it down once I finally got into it so overall, it was a great story. I think it answered all the questions I had left over from F&F and I got to get another dose of Jim and Griffin so I'm a happy camper...er reader ^_^
I definitely recommend this one especially if you already read the other two in the series. Evan isn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. As long as you go in the book with an open mind you can appreciate the changes Evan goes through to get to where he finally ends up. But read it. Decide for yourself if Evan is still the asshole we all grew to love or hate. Lol
I did, however, love Matt. He was just as likable in this one as he was in Faith & Fidelity. He seems to like the new lifestyle he adopted when he and Evan became an official couple and I must say, I kinda like him as a househusband especially since Evan's kids need a constant stable person, like Matt, in their everyday lives. The highlight of the book for me, though, was getting to see Jim and Griffin again. I loved their book a lot and while I loved F&F, too, I still didn't much like Evan so it took me forever to finish this series.
I will say Evan wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I kept hearing about how horrible he was in D&D and how everyone just hated him more but I honestly liked him more in this one. Yeah, he's a freaking idiot that needs to get over his dislike of 'labels' but he seemed more real to me and not so desperate to find a solution to how to handle his kids which I thought was how he was in F&F. So, I did like Evan better but he's still not my favorite character. Matt is a God. I love him to pieces and apparently Evan loves Matt enough to get over his hangups with being 'gay' so Evan warmed up to me because by the end of the book, I felt we get a definite answer that hey, Evan's not perfect but he loves Matt and he's actually trying to work towards accepting Matt's touch in public. PDA's are a no-no to Evan and by the end of the book, he actually shows a few of them so it gave me the impression Evan is finally growing up! Lol.
The reason I can't give this five stars, though, is because I couldn't get into the beginning of the story. I don't know why, maybe I was guarding myself and readying the pitchfork to find any reason to hate Evan? Eh, who knows but once Jim and Griffin joined the picture I really loved the book. Evan finally got into my good graces and the story ended really well. I didn't want to put it down once I finally got into it so overall, it was a great story. I think it answered all the questions I had left over from F&F and I got to get another dose of Jim and Griffin so I'm a happy camper...er reader ^_^
I definitely recommend this one especially if you already read the other two in the series. Evan isn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. As long as you go in the book with an open mind you can appreciate the changes Evan goes through to get to where he finally ends up. But read it. Decide for yourself if Evan is still the asshole we all grew to love or hate. Lol
February 16, 2016
I loved Matt and Evan in Faith & Fidelity and I was a bit disappointed to net get much about them in the second part of the series. But Duty & Devotion was just perfect, I couldn't wait to meet this amazing couple once more and I wasn't let down.
It was never easy between Matt and Evan and even after the temporary happily ever after at the end of Faith & Fidelity, they are now facing new problems. Evan is still feeling uncomfortable being openly out; he prefers to keep their relationship behind closed doors and is relucant to show even little signs of affection in public. He is struggling with labels and is strill trying to come to terms with his desires in and outside of the bedroom.
Evan is still focussed on his work, but he is desperatly trying to be a good father and partner. However, Matt is not only taking care of Evan's kids for most of the time, he is also trying to keep the household together and to make his relationship with Evan work. While still deeply in love with Evan, he is feeling more and more like a substituate for Evan's death wife and sometimes he just isn't able to understand Evan's reactions.
When Jim Shea, Matt's one night stand enters the picture with his new boyfriend Griffin, Evan is getting jaleous and only a dangerous event is able to make him understand that he has to change his attitude.
I loved reading about Matt and Evan, I like that they are having real life problems and that not everything is shiny and easy for them all the time. I liked both their character development and I'm really looking forward to the next parts of the series. It was also very nice to get a bit more of Jim and Griffin in this story!
4. 5 stars!
It was never easy between Matt and Evan and even after the temporary happily ever after at the end of Faith & Fidelity, they are now facing new problems. Evan is still feeling uncomfortable being openly out; he prefers to keep their relationship behind closed doors and is relucant to show even little signs of affection in public. He is struggling with labels and is strill trying to come to terms with his desires in and outside of the bedroom.
Evan is still focussed on his work, but he is desperatly trying to be a good father and partner. However, Matt is not only taking care of Evan's kids for most of the time, he is also trying to keep the household together and to make his relationship with Evan work. While still deeply in love with Evan, he is feeling more and more like a substituate for Evan's death wife and sometimes he just isn't able to understand Evan's reactions.
When Jim Shea, Matt's one night stand enters the picture with his new boyfriend Griffin, Evan is getting jaleous and only a dangerous event is able to make him understand that he has to change his attitude.
I loved reading about Matt and Evan, I like that they are having real life problems and that not everything is shiny and easy for them all the time. I liked both their character development and I'm really looking forward to the next parts of the series. It was also very nice to get a bit more of Jim and Griffin in this story!
4. 5 stars!
March 25, 2010
I laughed and I teared up during the sequel that follows Matt and Evan into their new lives as lovers and partners. Overall it feels like a realistic look with a hopeful eye toward a future of uncertainty.
My problems however, started on page one. I read Faith and Fidelity back in late 2008, probably the same day the book came out. I admit it is one of my favorite all time m/m reads and I recommend it all the time. I did not re-read it prior to reading this sequel or prior to reading Love and Loyalty.
I started Duty and Devotion and was immediately confused. Why is Evan throwing away his t-shirt?
First Matt and Evan are in Evan's house, in his and Sherri's old room that Evan rearranged and then "Queens, New York, A few months later" they are in a new house and sharing a mortgage?
First they are talking about Evan's in-laws finding out and then "Queens, New York, A few months later" the in-laws know?
What did we miss in the those "A few months later" ????
I went back to F&F to see if the ending would jog my memory and sure enough. The first few pages are the exact ending of F&F which helped me understand why Evan was throwing away his t-shirt but did not help me bridge the gap from the end of F&F when they are in the Cerelli house to the big changes that come from choosing and purchasing a house together. We missed the big reveal to the in-laws about the new living arrangements, move, etc. I feel like we missed out on two very big changes that would have given us much more insight into the relationship and how Evan struggles with it. Not to mention how disappointed and scared Matt gets with regards to Evan's struggle.
If Evan doesn't even have a term for his relationship with Matt "A few months later" , how awkward would the buying of a house be even before that? How did he come out to the in-laws?
I just feel like I missed a lot in those skipped few months.
My problems however, started on page one. I read Faith and Fidelity back in late 2008, probably the same day the book came out. I admit it is one of my favorite all time m/m reads and I recommend it all the time. I did not re-read it prior to reading this sequel or prior to reading Love and Loyalty.
I started Duty and Devotion and was immediately confused. Why is Evan throwing away his t-shirt?
First Matt and Evan are in Evan's house, in his and Sherri's old room that Evan rearranged and then "Queens, New York, A few months later" they are in a new house and sharing a mortgage?
First they are talking about Evan's in-laws finding out and then "Queens, New York, A few months later" the in-laws know?
What did we miss in the those "A few months later" ????
I went back to F&F to see if the ending would jog my memory and sure enough. The first few pages are the exact ending of F&F which helped me understand why Evan was throwing away his t-shirt but did not help me bridge the gap from the end of F&F when they are in the Cerelli house to the big changes that come from choosing and purchasing a house together. We missed the big reveal to the in-laws about the new living arrangements, move, etc. I feel like we missed out on two very big changes that would have given us much more insight into the relationship and how Evan struggles with it. Not to mention how disappointed and scared Matt gets with regards to Evan's struggle.
If Evan doesn't even have a term for his relationship with Matt "A few months later" , how awkward would the buying of a house be even before that? How did he come out to the in-laws?
I just feel like I missed a lot in those skipped few months.
March 28, 2013
Now this was a great conclusion to this series and the HEA for Matt and Evan I was hoping for! This story starts right where their story ended in Faith & Fidelity. While Matt and Evan are together, Even is still dealing with his issues that tore them apart in book 1. Matt is trying to find his place in the family and feeling like he is Evan's deceased wife replacement.
Also in this book we see Jim (Matt's one night stand), with his new husband Griffin from Love & Loyalty. Jim and Griffin are in town and Matt arranges for them all to meet for dinner. I loved watching these two men grow and evolve. I especially loved watching Evan deal with his issues, watch him find himself, his strength, his acceptance of who he is.
I highly recommend this little series. It was a wonderful treat for me.
October 11, 2011
This is the continuation of Evan and Matt's story and I just loved it. Seeing them grow and the way it's never rushed, even the sex, just building, was wonderful. Evan changed so much and even though his inner turmoil is still there, it's getting more manageable with every passing day. And Matt, who doesn't need to change as much, is able to step up and claim what he needs for his own sanity. I love these two, I want another trip to their world, even a short one, just to check in. I can't say enough, it's just so good, it should not be missed.
June 1, 2018
3.75 stars
Nice continuation of Evan & Matt's story. This pretty much touched on things that I felt were left on the table and skipped over in the 1st book, which kinda bothered me and I found distracting there. So I'm glad Tere Michaels tackled it here. It was very much needed and helped shape and develop the relationship some more between these two characters. Evan's hang ups on not liking labels and discomfort on going public with his relationship with Matt I thought was pretty accurate and realistic. Was it frustrating? Yes. But I understood it. Like I said in my review of Book 1 a formerly heterosexual male whose only ever been in 1 serious relationship with a woman for 20 years, jumping into a relationship with a guy without missing a beat right after losing his wife is kind of extreme. No correction, it's really extreme. So I'm definitely glad Michaels delved into it more here and explored what Evan's limits were and personal hang ups were and how his own personal views needed to be shifted and expanded more. To go your whole life thinking you are heterosexual only to discover later on in life you are bisexual is sure to blow the the top off anyone's head. So I get it. There were some uncomfortable moments and a little confusing moments too with Evan's constant mental flip flopping of what he likes and doesn't like but thankfully he figures things out. And Matt was the same old Matt. He's so wonderful. I love this character so much.
My only hang up is I definitely would have liked to see more page time of these two exploring their new boundaries of intimacy considering the strife it created between them and how long it took for them to finally "get there" as Michaels kept putting it. There is plenty of sexy time in here but I wanted to see them explore that final stage some more. To have 1 short brief scene at the end with them finally going all the way was kind of a let down for me. But that's me being greedy as always. And the whole Daisy Me Bailor plot I personally could have done without, it seemed like a random unnecessary insert. I couldn't stand this vapid clingy toxic character in Jim & Griffin's book and I still can't. And I was disappointed to see how quickly Griffin forgave her. I get why Jim & Griffin were brought into this book but the yipping, dramatic, clingy ex-best friend Daisy should have been left on the editing room floor.
And speaking of sex scenes, I really wish Michaels had a better editor or just practiced being more precise and clear in her descriptions because there were quite a few moments where things weren't lining up and physically not possible if you get my drift. This was a big issue I had in the 1st book as well. The physical inconsistencies if you will are jarring. I mean the sex scenes are still extremely hot but if you describe a guy sitting on the floor in the shower with his back against a wall readers need a clearer picture on how the hell his partner is lying on top of him, flushed up plastered from shoulder to feet and going at it with his body "pumping up". And if someone is described as lying on his back then he can't magically be on his side or stomach a few lines later. It sucks to be taken out of intimate scenes but that's what happens when you aren't specific enough or gloss over certain parts or forget how you physically placed your characters. Things get muddled and don't make sense in the end.
Nice continuation of Evan & Matt's story. This pretty much touched on things that I felt were left on the table and skipped over in the 1st book, which kinda bothered me and I found distracting there. So I'm glad Tere Michaels tackled it here. It was very much needed and helped shape and develop the relationship some more between these two characters. Evan's hang ups on not liking labels and discomfort on going public with his relationship with Matt I thought was pretty accurate and realistic. Was it frustrating? Yes. But I understood it. Like I said in my review of Book 1 a formerly heterosexual male whose only ever been in 1 serious relationship with a woman for 20 years, jumping into a relationship with a guy without missing a beat right after losing his wife is kind of extreme. No correction, it's really extreme. So I'm definitely glad Michaels delved into it more here and explored what Evan's limits were and personal hang ups were and how his own personal views needed to be shifted and expanded more. To go your whole life thinking you are heterosexual only to discover later on in life you are bisexual is sure to blow the the top off anyone's head. So I get it. There were some uncomfortable moments and a little confusing moments too with Evan's constant mental flip flopping of what he likes and doesn't like but thankfully he figures things out. And Matt was the same old Matt. He's so wonderful. I love this character so much.
My only hang up is I definitely would have liked to see more page time of these two exploring their new boundaries of intimacy considering the strife it created between them and how long it took for them to finally "get there" as Michaels kept putting it. There is plenty of sexy time in here but I wanted to see them explore that final stage some more. To have 1 short brief scene at the end with them finally going all the way was kind of a let down for me. But that's me being greedy as always. And the whole Daisy Me Bailor plot I personally could have done without, it seemed like a random unnecessary insert. I couldn't stand this vapid clingy toxic character in Jim & Griffin's book and I still can't. And I was disappointed to see how quickly Griffin forgave her. I get why Jim & Griffin were brought into this book but the yipping, dramatic, clingy ex-best friend Daisy should have been left on the editing room floor.
And speaking of sex scenes, I really wish Michaels had a better editor or just practiced being more precise and clear in her descriptions because there were quite a few moments where things weren't lining up and physically not possible if you get my drift. This was a big issue I had in the 1st book as well. The physical inconsistencies if you will are jarring. I mean the sex scenes are still extremely hot but if you describe a guy sitting on the floor in the shower with his back against a wall readers need a clearer picture on how the hell his partner is lying on top of him, flushed up plastered from shoulder to feet and going at it with his body "pumping up". And if someone is described as lying on his back then he can't magically be on his side or stomach a few lines later. It sucks to be taken out of intimate scenes but that's what happens when you aren't specific enough or gloss over certain parts or forget how you physically placed your characters. Things get muddled and don't make sense in the end.
March 26, 2010
Tere Michaels is a must read author for me (among others). I’ve really enjoyed both of her previous books and Duty & Devotion is kind of a joint sequel for the two previous books. D&D focuses on Matt and Evan with some later help from visiting Jim and Griffin. The writing is as good as the other books and the characters are wonderful to revisit. Unfortunately as much as I enjoyed reading this offering, the story is choppier and lacks the same smooth effortless of previous books. Fans will want to read this and no doubt be delighted by revisiting the men and getting some closure on all four. There are a few more obvious problems in this offering that the entertainment factor doesn’t entirely overcome but for the most part, a very enjoyable and satisfying read.
Matt and Evan are re-introduced in a prologue that is actually a scene from Faith & Fidelity. This helps brings any readers that didn’t read F&F (and why haven’t you!) up to date and reminds fans of where the couple left after their emotional and tough road to happiness. Now several months later the two are in a new home, jointly bought, with Matt as the househusband taking care of the shopping, cooking, feeding, and kids while Evan is the same workaholic. The two men struggle to find a balance between their roles which are eerily similar to Evan relationship with his dead wife Sherri. It’s not exactly easy for these two men as they work out some significant issues with the help of a few friends.
The plot is mostly character driven as it revolves around Evan and Matt finding a balance in their new life together. Just over halfway through the story, Jim and Griffin make an entrance inciting fights, make ups, drama, and new understanding. They linger for a good portion of the story before letting Matt and Evan have some alone time to find a lasting resolution at the end. The pacing is pretty good and the story whips along incredibly fast. One of the best parts of the book is that it picks up only a few months after the last book left off so the characters and new events feel seamless, as if the other book hadn’t ended. Matt and Evan’s relationship is not all roses and happiness once they realize they’re in love but they still have to handle 4 children (one in college, one teen and two tweens) while their own emotions are starting to settle in after the honeymoon phase.
The sequel is not as emotionally powerful and striking as the first book, but that level of drama is hard to recreate. D&D doesn’t suffer from the lack of intensity since Evan is the same moody, emotional mess that can’t let go and enjoy his happiness while Matt is the same strong force that throws himself into everything full throttle. Matt is trying to differentiate him from Sherri and her mothering role even as he loves being the one keeping the house running and the family together. Evan’s journey is more introspective as he comes to grips with being in a relationship with a man and all that entails, including sexually. It is a realistic struggle to ignore the opinions of others as well as letting himself explore the occasionally scary new territories sexually. There is a lot of sex in this book, more so than I was expecting, but considering this is an issue between the two men, all the sex scenes are understandable. Matt and Evan haven’t “gone all the way” so to speak and thus their somewhat clumsy, stuttered attempts are depicted alongside the emotional highs and los they experience.
The few missteps I had with the book were including Jim and Griffin from Love & Loyalty. Although I adore these two and their humorous antics were welcome, they kind of lingered for too long. There are several scenes from Jim’s point of view beyond the incredibly awkward introduction dinner. Jim and Griffin help Evan come to terms with his new life as a gay (or bisexual) man but I personally wanted less of them. Their inclusion is important not only for Evan’s emotional advancement but it also gives Matt an outlet in a very peripheral way. So on the one hand these scenes tie intimately to the characters and the plot, but I also felt they took away from Matt and Evan and turned the story into an almost joint sequel. The other stumbles were several misspelled words and obvious mistakes in the writing/editing portion, including some name mix ups.
Overall another delightful offering from Michaels and one that fans will definitely want to read. Although you don’t have to read either previous books first, I would recommend it. The final resolutions are sweet, fitting, and have a very satisfying end that closes the chapter neatly on all characters involved. Hopefully the author will offer a new couple to entertain us in her next release. I look forward to it and in the meantime devour this and re-read the previous books, they’re worth it.
Matt and Evan are re-introduced in a prologue that is actually a scene from Faith & Fidelity. This helps brings any readers that didn’t read F&F (and why haven’t you!) up to date and reminds fans of where the couple left after their emotional and tough road to happiness. Now several months later the two are in a new home, jointly bought, with Matt as the househusband taking care of the shopping, cooking, feeding, and kids while Evan is the same workaholic. The two men struggle to find a balance between their roles which are eerily similar to Evan relationship with his dead wife Sherri. It’s not exactly easy for these two men as they work out some significant issues with the help of a few friends.
The plot is mostly character driven as it revolves around Evan and Matt finding a balance in their new life together. Just over halfway through the story, Jim and Griffin make an entrance inciting fights, make ups, drama, and new understanding. They linger for a good portion of the story before letting Matt and Evan have some alone time to find a lasting resolution at the end. The pacing is pretty good and the story whips along incredibly fast. One of the best parts of the book is that it picks up only a few months after the last book left off so the characters and new events feel seamless, as if the other book hadn’t ended. Matt and Evan’s relationship is not all roses and happiness once they realize they’re in love but they still have to handle 4 children (one in college, one teen and two tweens) while their own emotions are starting to settle in after the honeymoon phase.
The sequel is not as emotionally powerful and striking as the first book, but that level of drama is hard to recreate. D&D doesn’t suffer from the lack of intensity since Evan is the same moody, emotional mess that can’t let go and enjoy his happiness while Matt is the same strong force that throws himself into everything full throttle. Matt is trying to differentiate him from Sherri and her mothering role even as he loves being the one keeping the house running and the family together. Evan’s journey is more introspective as he comes to grips with being in a relationship with a man and all that entails, including sexually. It is a realistic struggle to ignore the opinions of others as well as letting himself explore the occasionally scary new territories sexually. There is a lot of sex in this book, more so than I was expecting, but considering this is an issue between the two men, all the sex scenes are understandable. Matt and Evan haven’t “gone all the way” so to speak and thus their somewhat clumsy, stuttered attempts are depicted alongside the emotional highs and los they experience.
The few missteps I had with the book were including Jim and Griffin from Love & Loyalty. Although I adore these two and their humorous antics were welcome, they kind of lingered for too long. There are several scenes from Jim’s point of view beyond the incredibly awkward introduction dinner. Jim and Griffin help Evan come to terms with his new life as a gay (or bisexual) man but I personally wanted less of them. Their inclusion is important not only for Evan’s emotional advancement but it also gives Matt an outlet in a very peripheral way. So on the one hand these scenes tie intimately to the characters and the plot, but I also felt they took away from Matt and Evan and turned the story into an almost joint sequel. The other stumbles were several misspelled words and obvious mistakes in the writing/editing portion, including some name mix ups.
Overall another delightful offering from Michaels and one that fans will definitely want to read. Although you don’t have to read either previous books first, I would recommend it. The final resolutions are sweet, fitting, and have a very satisfying end that closes the chapter neatly on all characters involved. Hopefully the author will offer a new couple to entertain us in her next release. I look forward to it and in the meantime devour this and re-read the previous books, they’re worth it.
February 12, 2016
3.5 stars.
This series is my guilty pleasure along with two other series of the similar sort. They are perfect fun and have just the right amount of emotion to make it a light and yet wonderful read.
In this book, we are shown how Evan and Matt react to coming back together and coming out in the open. What I loved best about this book is the fact that the author never rushed any of the incidents, including or I should say especially Evan's coming out in the open with his sexual preferences and others’ casual acceptance of it.
The tension filled love between Evan and Matt brought about quite a few frustrating as well as teary eyed moments and I would have it no other way. Evan's character was beautifully developed and I loved the way how he slowly but steadily accepted the fact of the change in his sexual preferences. If the author had done it immediately, it would not have had the same impact as it did and more importantly, it would have come across as contrived and artificial. The overtones of jealousy that Evan feels towards Jim was definitely heartwarming and very emotional. The strides that Mark and Evan take to move their relationship to the next level was again extremely insightful and done with a lot of sensitivity, which was another positive of this book.
The book also delves into the mental status of Matt, especially as a house husband, which again was a delight to read. Being back in the world of Matt, Evan, their kids and their friends was wonderful and definitely thought provoking. It is really easy for us to say that there is nothing wrong in having different sexual preferences but this book brought to fore the fact that people often do have great dilemmas. I wish that for every Evan in this world there is a Mark, Jim and Griffin to support them and tell them that they are not wrong and they shouldn’t be ashamed of their preferences. This was a message that resonated strongly throughout the book. Challenges are manifold and yet with the right kind of support and love, we can always overcome them.
I enjoyed reading this one and hope to read the others in the series soon.
This series is my guilty pleasure along with two other series of the similar sort. They are perfect fun and have just the right amount of emotion to make it a light and yet wonderful read.
In this book, we are shown how Evan and Matt react to coming back together and coming out in the open. What I loved best about this book is the fact that the author never rushed any of the incidents, including or I should say especially Evan's coming out in the open with his sexual preferences and others’ casual acceptance of it.
The tension filled love between Evan and Matt brought about quite a few frustrating as well as teary eyed moments and I would have it no other way. Evan's character was beautifully developed and I loved the way how he slowly but steadily accepted the fact of the change in his sexual preferences. If the author had done it immediately, it would not have had the same impact as it did and more importantly, it would have come across as contrived and artificial. The overtones of jealousy that Evan feels towards Jim was definitely heartwarming and very emotional. The strides that Mark and Evan take to move their relationship to the next level was again extremely insightful and done with a lot of sensitivity, which was another positive of this book.
The book also delves into the mental status of Matt, especially as a house husband, which again was a delight to read. Being back in the world of Matt, Evan, their kids and their friends was wonderful and definitely thought provoking. It is really easy for us to say that there is nothing wrong in having different sexual preferences but this book brought to fore the fact that people often do have great dilemmas. I wish that for every Evan in this world there is a Mark, Jim and Griffin to support them and tell them that they are not wrong and they shouldn’t be ashamed of their preferences. This was a message that resonated strongly throughout the book. Challenges are manifold and yet with the right kind of support and love, we can always overcome them.
I enjoyed reading this one and hope to read the others in the series soon.
May 12, 2015
I finally got around to reviewing book 3 of Matt and Evan's story. It's the second time I read it and it makes me realize how much I love this series.
Sure, it's romance, but the realism really gets me every time. Evan still has those deep-rooted insecurities about identifying himself as a gay man. When Matt wants to meet up with Jim and Griffin (Jim, who has a kind of ... history... with Matt), Evan's jealousy gets the better of him and he disappoints Matt once again by behaving like a total jerk in front of Matt's friends.
But it is actually Griffin who becomes a close friend to Evan and helps him slowly overcome his problems. This book is extremely interesting from a psychological point of view.
I can totally relate to Evan in so many ways. In gay relationships, it's not uncommon at all to be friends with a guy who was also your ex-lover. The new partner sure might not be too happy about that and Evan's emotions clearly show why this can be trouble. What an amazing take on real life!
And just when you thought things are going smoothly for our guys, the in-laws are starting a custody battle over the younger kids to save them from this 'house of sin'.
Matt is a wonderful guy, but for some reason I totally adore Evan. He's my favorite character in romance, even though he is the first character I know who brings four children of his own into a same-sex relationship. It's pure joy to see him blossom and open up in this new life that he began so unexpectedly after his wife's tragic death.
I’d love to read more of these family-related stories. I think this side of life is largely neglected in m/m romance.
And moving on to the next books...
5 stars for this amazing read!
Sure, it's romance, but the realism really gets me every time. Evan still has those deep-rooted insecurities about identifying himself as a gay man. When Matt wants to meet up with Jim and Griffin (Jim, who has a kind of ... history... with Matt), Evan's jealousy gets the better of him and he disappoints Matt once again by behaving like a total jerk in front of Matt's friends.
But it is actually Griffin who becomes a close friend to Evan and helps him slowly overcome his problems. This book is extremely interesting from a psychological point of view.
I can totally relate to Evan in so many ways. In gay relationships, it's not uncommon at all to be friends with a guy who was also your ex-lover. The new partner sure might not be too happy about that and Evan's emotions clearly show why this can be trouble. What an amazing take on real life!
And just when you thought things are going smoothly for our guys, the in-laws are starting a custody battle over the younger kids to save them from this 'house of sin'.
Matt is a wonderful guy, but for some reason I totally adore Evan. He's my favorite character in romance, even though he is the first character I know who brings four children of his own into a same-sex relationship. It's pure joy to see him blossom and open up in this new life that he began so unexpectedly after his wife's tragic death.
I’d love to read more of these family-related stories. I think this side of life is largely neglected in m/m romance.
And moving on to the next books...
5 stars for this amazing read!
December 31, 2010
Duty & Devotion is the third book in the Faith, Love & Devotion series and a revisiting of the couple of the first book: Evan and Matt.
In Faith & Fidelity, we saw widower Evan Cerelli and former manwhore Matt Haight get together as their mutual sufferings made way for friendship and then love. The road to happiness was long: full of angst and major bumps along the way, but at the end, the guy got the guy and they lived happily ever after.
But what happens after a Happily Ever After? Well, we learn all about it in this book. Because having a healthy relationship is only the beginning, maintaining one takes time, effort and devotion...
More than 1,5 years after we first met him, Evan is still the perfectionist; trying to please everyone and juggling work, his role as a father and a lover. All while trying to keep up a spot clean image for the outside world and coming to terms with himself being gay.
Matt however, has taken it all in stride. He has become a househusband, taking care of Evan’s kids and running their household. He is happy, but he can’t help but get affected by Evan’s insecurities and shame.
Evan and Matt’s struggles are believable and gripping. Michaels created such wonderful and believable characters who each have their own sets of demons to battle and you can’t help but feel for them. It was great to be reunited with them, and the secondaries like Helena, Liz, Ellie and Vic.
We also got to see Jim and Griffin (from Love & Loyalty) again. It was good to see how they fared after their happy ending and Griffin brought the much needed comic relief.
There was a bit involving Griffin’s starlet friend Daisy Mae, which provided a little drama and I personally thought that was redundant. This book didn’t need big dramatic happenings to make a point. It’s the little things in where Michaels’ strength lies.
Because she is truly a master at describing every day domestic situations. Her portrayal of Evan and Matt’s household, Matt’s relationship with the kids, Evan’s bantering with Helena: it was all so real. Together with the great characterizations of the main couple and the secondaries, it made the story a fun and engaging ride.
Duty & Devotion was wonderful read and a great addition to the series. Hope there are many more books to come.
4,5 stars
In Faith & Fidelity, we saw widower Evan Cerelli and former manwhore Matt Haight get together as their mutual sufferings made way for friendship and then love. The road to happiness was long: full of angst and major bumps along the way, but at the end, the guy got the guy and they lived happily ever after.
But what happens after a Happily Ever After? Well, we learn all about it in this book. Because having a healthy relationship is only the beginning, maintaining one takes time, effort and devotion...
More than 1,5 years after we first met him, Evan is still the perfectionist; trying to please everyone and juggling work, his role as a father and a lover. All while trying to keep up a spot clean image for the outside world and coming to terms with himself being gay.
Matt however, has taken it all in stride. He has become a househusband, taking care of Evan’s kids and running their household. He is happy, but he can’t help but get affected by Evan’s insecurities and shame.
Evan and Matt’s struggles are believable and gripping. Michaels created such wonderful and believable characters who each have their own sets of demons to battle and you can’t help but feel for them. It was great to be reunited with them, and the secondaries like Helena, Liz, Ellie and Vic.
We also got to see Jim and Griffin (from Love & Loyalty) again. It was good to see how they fared after their happy ending and Griffin brought the much needed comic relief.
There was a bit involving Griffin’s starlet friend Daisy Mae, which provided a little drama and I personally thought that was redundant. This book didn’t need big dramatic happenings to make a point. It’s the little things in where Michaels’ strength lies.
Because she is truly a master at describing every day domestic situations. Her portrayal of Evan and Matt’s household, Matt’s relationship with the kids, Evan’s bantering with Helena: it was all so real. Together with the great characterizations of the main couple and the secondaries, it made the story a fun and engaging ride.
Duty & Devotion was wonderful read and a great addition to the series. Hope there are many more books to come.
4,5 stars
January 25, 2016
MMRG Team Bingo--13th round--Week 2
Catagory: "Best Gay Established Relatioships Romance"
Week 2
This third book of the "Faith, Love & Devotion" series resumes where HFN in book one finished (book two featured entirely different MCs).
The focus of this installment involves newly bisexual or newly gay Matt and Evan working through their issues as a couple. Some of these issues are unique because same gender attraction/ same gender relationship is a first for each and they're learning as they go.
Challenges include discomfort with labels and owning their relationship when the two of them are in public, jealousy over a friendship with a one night stand that took place outside of their relationship, crossing into the final frontier of male same gender physical intimacy and parenting four children, though one lives on campus at college and other issues.
The author does a really good job writing about the MCs working on their relationship against the backdrop of day to day life activities such as a demanding job as a detective, retrieving children from school, house husbandhood, meals and other matters of the home, possible interference from the children's grandparents.
There is a lot to like about this book and I look forward to reading other titles of the series.
I really like this series and can see why it's popular!
Catagory: "Best Gay Established Relatioships Romance"
Week 2
This third book of the "Faith, Love & Devotion" series resumes where HFN in book one finished (book two featured entirely different MCs).
The focus of this installment involves newly bisexual or newly gay Matt and Evan working through their issues as a couple. Some of these issues are unique because same gender attraction/ same gender relationship is a first for each and they're learning as they go.
Challenges include discomfort with labels and owning their relationship when the two of them are in public, jealousy over a friendship with a one night stand that took place outside of their relationship, crossing into the final frontier of male same gender physical intimacy and parenting four children, though one lives on campus at college and other issues.
The author does a really good job writing about the MCs working on their relationship against the backdrop of day to day life activities such as a demanding job as a detective, retrieving children from school, house husbandhood, meals and other matters of the home, possible interference from the children's grandparents.
There is a lot to like about this book and I look forward to reading other titles of the series.
I really like this series and can see why it's popular!
April 5, 2013
This was a great wrap-up to the series...is it over, hmmm...I wonder!
One of my favorite things is getting to take a look in on some of my fav couples. Evan & Matt are definitely one of my favs. In this book we get to see these guys in a more 'established', stable relationship. I adored Matt as a househusband, he just seemed to fit the role perfectly. Evan was still trying to come to grips with what people outside of his little circle would think out his and Matts relationship and that caused a few bumps but they always managed to work it out.
One of the best things about this book was
Great Series and I will definitely be reading more from this author!!
One of my favorite things is getting to take a look in on some of my fav couples. Evan & Matt are definitely one of my favs. In this book we get to see these guys in a more 'established', stable relationship. I adored Matt as a househusband, he just seemed to fit the role perfectly. Evan was still trying to come to grips with what people outside of his little circle would think out his and Matts relationship and that caused a few bumps but they always managed to work it out.
One of the best things about this book was
Great Series and I will definitely be reading more from this author!!
March 25, 2010
I've been looking forward to this book ever since I first read about Matt and Evan a year ago in Faith & Fidelity. If you recall, our protagonists went through quite a lot when we first met them. At the start of F&F, the two cops were at emotional low points in their lives, both lonely and grieving in their own ways. Then they met and slowly built a solid friendship from the commonalities between them. Soon enough, this evolved into a confusing and tenuous relationship with plenty of angst along the way. Next came Evan's shooting and recovery, then total freak-out (on Evan's part) and subsequent breakup. Finally Evan came to his senses in regards to Matt, and they enjoyed a tentative HFN ending. But even with Matt and Evan's final reconciliation, F&F still ended with many issues left unresolved. How were Evan and Matt going to rearrange their lives to make their relationship work? Would Evan's job be affected? Would the kids be ok with Matt as their dad's "special friend"? How would the in-laws react? How would everyone else react? You get the picture. Finally, the sequel has arrived, and thank goodness, because Duty & Devotion does a great job at tying up these loose ends and giving our couple the happily-ever-after ending they deserve.
In Duty & Devotion, we begin several months after the conclusion of F&F. Matt and Evan seem to be in a solid relationship, having bought a new house together where Matt serves as happy househusband to a bunch of happy kids while Evan continues his work as a detective. Unfortunately, things aren't quite as perfect as they seem, and a lot of that has to do with Evan's continued unease about being in a gay relationship. On one hand, he loves Matt and can't imagine life without him. On the other hand, he doesn't really identify with being gay and freaks out at the idea of other people knowing. Tension and angst ensue.
Even though Evan's attitude is somewhat disappointing and perhaps more long-lived than I would like, I certainly could understand and feel compassion for his discomfort. It's quite painful to watch as Evan tries to sort through and overcome his negative feelings while Matt becomes increasingly frustrated with the whole situation.
These problems are then compounded and brought to a head when Jim and Griffin (from Love & Loyalty) come to town and have dinner with Evan and Matt. The dinner is a terribly painful affair, casting all of Evan's issues into the spotlight. In the face of Jim and Griffin's happy, comfortable, gay relationship, Evan's own discomfort and jealousy stand out starkly. More twists and turns follow, but the major conflict in this book is the one that takes place in Evan's mind while he slowly and painfully learns to accept himself.
While perhaps not as emotionally powerful as its precursor, overall I think Duty & Devotion was a fitting conclusion for Evan and Matt's story. The quality of writing was top-notch, and the dialogue was witty and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the many light-hearted, amusing interactions between Matt and the children. Actually, I thought all the secondary characters were well-drawn and crucial parts of the overall story, which was nice to see. I was worried that Jim and Griffin's involvement in the story would seem too much like a gratuitous cameo appearance, but it wasn't that way at all; in fact, they served a great purpose to the overall plot and to Evan's own emotional evolution.
Bottom Line: Enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to Matt and Evan's story. A definite must-read for all fans of the series -- you won't be disappointed.
In Duty & Devotion, we begin several months after the conclusion of F&F. Matt and Evan seem to be in a solid relationship, having bought a new house together where Matt serves as happy househusband to a bunch of happy kids while Evan continues his work as a detective. Unfortunately, things aren't quite as perfect as they seem, and a lot of that has to do with Evan's continued unease about being in a gay relationship. On one hand, he loves Matt and can't imagine life without him. On the other hand, he doesn't really identify with being gay and freaks out at the idea of other people knowing. Tension and angst ensue.
Even though Evan's attitude is somewhat disappointing and perhaps more long-lived than I would like, I certainly could understand and feel compassion for his discomfort. It's quite painful to watch as Evan tries to sort through and overcome his negative feelings while Matt becomes increasingly frustrated with the whole situation.
These problems are then compounded and brought to a head when Jim and Griffin (from Love & Loyalty) come to town and have dinner with Evan and Matt. The dinner is a terribly painful affair, casting all of Evan's issues into the spotlight. In the face of Jim and Griffin's happy, comfortable, gay relationship, Evan's own discomfort and jealousy stand out starkly. More twists and turns follow, but the major conflict in this book is the one that takes place in Evan's mind while he slowly and painfully learns to accept himself.
While perhaps not as emotionally powerful as its precursor, overall I think Duty & Devotion was a fitting conclusion for Evan and Matt's story. The quality of writing was top-notch, and the dialogue was witty and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the many light-hearted, amusing interactions between Matt and the children. Actually, I thought all the secondary characters were well-drawn and crucial parts of the overall story, which was nice to see. I was worried that Jim and Griffin's involvement in the story would seem too much like a gratuitous cameo appearance, but it wasn't that way at all; in fact, they served a great purpose to the overall plot and to Evan's own emotional evolution.
Bottom Line: Enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to Matt and Evan's story. A definite must-read for all fans of the series -- you won't be disappointed.
September 12, 2010
This is going to be a completely biased and shamelessly pandering review because I've so much fallen in love with Tere Michaels' uber-manly, endearingly messed up, muddling-through-as-best-as-they-can, Matt Haight and Evan Cerelli. Would it that guys like these actually existed!
Tere Michaels has done a masterful job of drawing complete and complex characters, men you can identify with and believe in. At turns touching and exasperating, "Duty and Devotion" is a study of how two unlikely protagonists relate to each other, do their lives and live with the consequences, post-Happily Ever After. And that, I'm discovering for myself, is my real interest in reading m/m romance fiction. I liken Matt to a Golden Retriever; winning smiles, wanting to please, not above being goofy, and always willing to "fall into the next thing with such ease". Evan on the other hand is a German Shepherd: high-strung, tightly wound, always on guard and entirely too serious. Matt is the immediate audience favourite, Evan is the one you pull for in the end even as you're tearing your hair out reading about him.
"Duty and Devotion" is about a hundred pages shorter than "Faith and Fidelity" and there is a rushed and truncated feel about it. I only hope that Ms. Michaels' muse will return and bestow her with more wonderful story lines that involve the lives of these two truly loveably and unforgettable men.
Tere Michaels has done a masterful job of drawing complete and complex characters, men you can identify with and believe in. At turns touching and exasperating, "Duty and Devotion" is a study of how two unlikely protagonists relate to each other, do their lives and live with the consequences, post-Happily Ever After. And that, I'm discovering for myself, is my real interest in reading m/m romance fiction. I liken Matt to a Golden Retriever; winning smiles, wanting to please, not above being goofy, and always willing to "fall into the next thing with such ease". Evan on the other hand is a German Shepherd: high-strung, tightly wound, always on guard and entirely too serious. Matt is the immediate audience favourite, Evan is the one you pull for in the end even as you're tearing your hair out reading about him.
"Duty and Devotion" is about a hundred pages shorter than "Faith and Fidelity" and there is a rushed and truncated feel about it. I only hope that Ms. Michaels' muse will return and bestow her with more wonderful story lines that involve the lives of these two truly loveably and unforgettable men.
September 13, 2010
Ok, I think I just wasn't in the right mindset to read this book and it rubbed me the wrong way because of it. First, I didn't read it immediately after reading the first two, and I think that hurt me because I'd forgotten pieces of the storyline that I then had to recall, and while I was usually sufficiently reminded of them at some point, it wasn't as soon as I wanted it to be sometimes. That's my own fault. But because of that, I think it made me feel worse about the story than I might have felt if I'd read them back-to-back. Can't be helped at this point. I just did NOT like the dynamic between Matt and Evan at the beginning of the book. Evan seemed to be almost back to square 1. Yeah, he did get there, and it was OK in the end. I just felt like too many things were touched on but not expanded on enough, like "here's a problem-ooh, solved-and here's another-wait, that's solved too-what about this problem..." and things just fell back into place too easily. Evan did change over the course of the story, but something just felt off, and I don't know if it was me or the story, so I'm giving the story the benefit of the doubt.
So, if I were rating based on what I felt upon finishing, it'd probably be 2 or 2.5 stars. Given that I think I might have felt differently had I read the books closer together, I'm giving it at least 3 for now. Maybe I'll re-read some day and feel differently.
So, if I were rating based on what I felt upon finishing, it'd probably be 2 or 2.5 stars. Given that I think I might have felt differently had I read the books closer together, I'm giving it at least 3 for now. Maybe I'll re-read some day and feel differently.
November 13, 2011
holySHITwow! Pardon my inability to be more eloquent but that's all i got, guys. I RARELY take the time to review books other than clicking my ratings, but damn this story is still sitting in my head the next day and it's killing me (in a good way, of course). I'm not gonna get analytical i'll just say this story and it's prequal were so very realistic I feel like I've had a whole new group of friends the last couple of days and am quite sad to see them go. I can honestly say this is one of the best I've come across so far. Not overly melodramatic or sweet; it's exactly what I'd expect of the men in their situation. Kudos, Ms. Michaels. I'm over the moon with these guys. Wish I could spend much more time with them. Don't miss out on this series.
April 5, 2011
I enjoyed Duty&Devotion. The guys really grew up here. Or rather Matt had already grown up in F&F and was waiting for Evan to catch up. And he did, eventually.
It was wonderful to see Griffin&Jim too again after their HEA. They were as lovable as ever and managed to help Evan in the process of accepting himself and Matt while delighting the reader with their banter and love.
The story left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, the men were together, future looking long and bright, and most of all, they made a very happy, functional family together with the kids. Their kids.
Overall 3.5, the first half varies from 2 to 3 stars and the last quarter was 4 stars. Or even better.
It was wonderful to see Griffin&Jim too again after their HEA. They were as lovable as ever and managed to help Evan in the process of accepting himself and Matt while delighting the reader with their banter and love.
The story left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, the men were together, future looking long and bright, and most of all, they made a very happy, functional family together with the kids. Their kids.
Overall 3.5, the first half varies from 2 to 3 stars and the last quarter was 4 stars. Or even better.
October 4, 2013
Seeing Evan and Matt to grow and the way it's never rushed, just building slowly but truly, was wonderful. This was probably my favorite book of the series. All the build-up, angst, jealousy, hot sex and LOVE…
Jim and Griffin from book 2 were well used and well presented here.
"Their lips touched, and Evan felt his heart swell with the reality of his words, in his own life."
Jim and Griffin from book 2 were well used and well presented here.
"Their lips touched, and Evan felt his heart swell with the reality of his words, in his own life."
February 15, 2015
Evan Cerelli and Matt Haight with cameo by Jim Shea
September 22, 2023
I wasn't going to read this one after reading book 2 in this series. I couldn't get into Jim and Griffin's story. But I remembered I really liked Matt and Evan's book so I thought I would give it a shot. I'm glad I did because this was a lot better than I was expecting.
Evan really is in his head most of the book. I could see why Matt was getting frustrated with him. So I was glad for the situations they were put in because it started to get Evan to see some things. I really do think these two are so good for each other. They work really well together and bring a good balance.
I'm excited to see where these two go in the future!
Evan really is in his head most of the book. I could see why Matt was getting frustrated with him. So I was glad for the situations they were put in because it started to get Evan to see some things. I really do think these two are so good for each other. They work really well together and bring a good balance.
I'm excited to see where these two go in the future!
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