What do you think?
Rate this book
Boys of Summer #2
Taking You Home
The man on his arm isn’t nearly as scary as the man in the mirror. Hunter Willis’s “Guy Town” passport was stamped and in as good working order as his Harley. Like a good Midwestern jock, he’d ride that manly machine to his construction job every day, even throw back a few beers with the boys. Hockey and baseball filled out his single-dude weekends. Then, summer heat worked its magic, and he fell in love with his best friend, sexy stockbroker Maxwell Daniels. The Harley is still in the garage, but the man is definitely—and lustily—out of the closet. As in tearing the door off its hinges. Now that Hunter’s in love, he’s in all the way. Even proposed—and Max has accepted. But before their dream wedding in Vermont next spring, they must face the greatest danger to their perfect love. Meeting the family. It’s not just enduring the Daniels clan’s magnifying glass. It’s facing the deep, dark fears and secrets that are suddenly brought into sharp focus. Forcing them to decide if theirs is only a summer fling…or a love that can flourish even in the chill of winter. This novel contains one hero’s deep love for a bread machine, wedding day jitters, erotic cross-dressing—and absolutely zero bridezillas.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2011
14 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Cooper Davis
12 books138 followersCooper Davis first discovered the allure of m/m storytelling when she, pulse aflutter, watched My Beautiful Laundrette with a college roommate. Later, her passion for stories about men falling in love and finding their HEA together was stoked by online slash fiction. After years as an avid fan of m/m and slash, Cooper finally decided to try her hand at penning her own stories about same-gender romance and love.
A voracious reader across all subgenres of m/m fiction, Cooper is particularly fond of courtships set against the backdrop of breathless scandal and intrigue found in period drawing rooms. She is thrilled that her first historically-themed m/m romance series debuts this December with A KING UNDONE (Samhain).
A voracious reader across all subgenres of m/m fiction, Cooper is particularly fond of courtships set against the backdrop of breathless scandal and intrigue found in period drawing rooms. She is thrilled that her first historically-themed m/m romance series debuts this December with A KING UNDONE (Samhain).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 26, 2020
Audio book - 4 stars
Sorry - 3.35 stars
Sorry - 3.35 stars
Read
May 26, 201835% in and I didn't see the book taking that sharp left turn into cross-dressing.
Then it's Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine, Maxine...
NOPE, NOPE, NOPE.
#NotMyThangAtAll
DNF.
November 28, 2017
4.5 stars rounded down because still no 1/2 stars here on GR.
A little more nostalgia...
Well this was an interesting experience. When I saw Cooper Davis's 'Boys of Summer' and 'Taking You Home' on audio I was just too tempted so I snapped them up and Brian Pallino was the narrator for both books and he did a solid job on both of these stories. I liked the voices he gave the MCs and the other characters were also well done...no the interesting part for me was the story itself.
It's been a few years since I've read either of these stories and while I can't honestly say that I enjoyed them quite as much this time around I found that with 'Taking You Home' I had a deeper appreciation for some of the things that happened and even though it's been less than 10 years since the book was written the difference in the world as it was back when Cooper Davis wrote this book and now is pretty significant.
So once again maybe this one didn't resonate with me quite as strongly as the first time when I read the book...it was still a story worth revisiting.
A little more nostalgia...
Well this was an interesting experience. When I saw Cooper Davis's 'Boys of Summer' and 'Taking You Home' on audio I was just too tempted so I snapped them up and Brian Pallino was the narrator for both books and he did a solid job on both of these stories. I liked the voices he gave the MCs and the other characters were also well done...no the interesting part for me was the story itself.
It's been a few years since I've read either of these stories and while I can't honestly say that I enjoyed them quite as much this time around I found that with 'Taking You Home' I had a deeper appreciation for some of the things that happened and even though it's been less than 10 years since the book was written the difference in the world as it was back when Cooper Davis wrote this book and now is pretty significant.
So once again maybe this one didn't resonate with me quite as strongly as the first time when I read the book...it was still a story worth revisiting.
April 8, 2020
**DNF**
A book stuck in the time in which it was written. What was likely an honest attempt by the author to explore the language and thinking (some) people used in 2011 to describe gay relationships hasn’t aged well. In 2020, the dialogue comes across as filled with flat one-dimensional tropes that verge on being offensive.
By the time I reached the 4th chapter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the angsty fantasy of someone lacking first-hand knowledge imaging what it was like to be a gay man living in a U.S. on the verge of legalizing gay marriage. I had to give up.
A book stuck in the time in which it was written. What was likely an honest attempt by the author to explore the language and thinking (some) people used in 2011 to describe gay relationships hasn’t aged well. In 2020, the dialogue comes across as filled with flat one-dimensional tropes that verge on being offensive.
By the time I reached the 4th chapter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the angsty fantasy of someone lacking first-hand knowledge imaging what it was like to be a gay man living in a U.S. on the verge of legalizing gay marriage. I had to give up.
February 13, 2019
Probabilmente da leggere "dopo" il primo episodio, perché altrimenti non si apprezza una tensione che non c'è. In ogni caso, troppo veloci e facilmente risolvibili i conflitti con la famiglia di Max, dalla sorella Leah al padre Philip, apparentemente intransigenti e contro la coppia per poi accettarli incondizionatamente di punto in bianco.
Un MM tradizionale, che può piacere a chi ama questo tipo di narrativa senza impegno.
Un MM tradizionale, che può piacere a chi ama questo tipo di narrativa senza impegno.
February 19, 2011
Taking You Home is the sequel to the wonderful Boys of Summer. You can easily read this novel without the first one but you get more context if you read both so it’s recommended but definitely not required. The sequel is written in much the same vein as the original story where the conflict isn’t internal but external. The conflict isn’t within the relationship – nor was it last time – but now that Hunter is over his issues being labeled as gay, the two have to get Max’s family over the issues as well. To that end the story is very, very sweet and very, very romantic. Almost too much so in that the language is over the top. Everything is soul affecting, so wonderful it makes you cry, and there is so much love every moment is magical. That’s not a bad thing and reader reaction is going to vary based on how sweet they want their story.
The focus of the sequel is split along two lines. The first is that Max’s family, particularly his sister and father, aren’t comfortable with Max’s homosexuality. Thus with Max and Hunter getting married everyone tries to bridge the gap and give a happy ending. The second focus is reaffirming the incredible, lasting, soul deep love and passion between Max and Hunter. The story wants to hammer home how intensely, magically, and amazingly in love the two men are. The tension with the family helps to alleviate the exaggerated romance but there’s no question of a happy, contented ending and the conversion happens pretty quickly.
The writing is very good and the first person, present tense narration is surprisingly engaging. Usually this is a tricky style to pull off but Hunter’s voice and the easy language combine to create an interesting story right from the beginning. So much so I couldn’t imagine the story written any other way. Hunter blends past events into his musings with current events so the telling feels smooth and seamless. This does tend to leave the story telling considerably more than showing but that’s not likely to bother many readers. The writing is clean of any distractions and imbued with a warmth and charm that will endear readers.
The romance between the two men is lovely and filled with intense passion and love. There’s no question these two are soul mates and so in love with each other they don’t even notice anyone else. Each successive scene shows just how perfect they are together as they work towards converting Max’s family into a supportive unit and accepting every single thing about each other. There is nothing that isn’t perfect between these two and Hunter constantly tells the reader so. So for the right reader, they’ll adore all this over the top, exaggerated romance of soul mates and lovers destined to be together forever. I personally quite like the story but eventually it simply becomes too much.
Part of this is that there is no sense of scale. Every single event from a random glance at each other to the moment they take their vows is a way for the story to reiterate how in love they are with each other. The arguably most romantic moment – their wedding – is actually no more intense and passionate than driving in the car together as Hunter glances at a fidgeting Max. The same sense of awe, love, wonder, commitment, total and complete head over heals love is told in both scenes. This takes away the emotional impact of what should be the biggest highs since everything is so wonderful and magical.
I think this particular book is going to come down to reader preference. If you like incredibly sweet – almost saccharine sweet – romances, then this will please you enormously. If you need a little bite to your love story then know that going in but it’s still a lovely story.
The focus of the sequel is split along two lines. The first is that Max’s family, particularly his sister and father, aren’t comfortable with Max’s homosexuality. Thus with Max and Hunter getting married everyone tries to bridge the gap and give a happy ending. The second focus is reaffirming the incredible, lasting, soul deep love and passion between Max and Hunter. The story wants to hammer home how intensely, magically, and amazingly in love the two men are. The tension with the family helps to alleviate the exaggerated romance but there’s no question of a happy, contented ending and the conversion happens pretty quickly.
The writing is very good and the first person, present tense narration is surprisingly engaging. Usually this is a tricky style to pull off but Hunter’s voice and the easy language combine to create an interesting story right from the beginning. So much so I couldn’t imagine the story written any other way. Hunter blends past events into his musings with current events so the telling feels smooth and seamless. This does tend to leave the story telling considerably more than showing but that’s not likely to bother many readers. The writing is clean of any distractions and imbued with a warmth and charm that will endear readers.
The romance between the two men is lovely and filled with intense passion and love. There’s no question these two are soul mates and so in love with each other they don’t even notice anyone else. Each successive scene shows just how perfect they are together as they work towards converting Max’s family into a supportive unit and accepting every single thing about each other. There is nothing that isn’t perfect between these two and Hunter constantly tells the reader so. So for the right reader, they’ll adore all this over the top, exaggerated romance of soul mates and lovers destined to be together forever. I personally quite like the story but eventually it simply becomes too much.
Part of this is that there is no sense of scale. Every single event from a random glance at each other to the moment they take their vows is a way for the story to reiterate how in love they are with each other. The arguably most romantic moment – their wedding – is actually no more intense and passionate than driving in the car together as Hunter glances at a fidgeting Max. The same sense of awe, love, wonder, commitment, total and complete head over heals love is told in both scenes. This takes away the emotional impact of what should be the biggest highs since everything is so wonderful and magical.
I think this particular book is going to come down to reader preference. If you like incredibly sweet – almost saccharine sweet – romances, then this will please you enormously. If you need a little bite to your love story then know that going in but it’s still a lovely story.
January 16, 2011
This is a fantastic sequel. Hunter has proposed—it was a very sweet proposal—and Max is excitedly planning the wedding. They couldn’t be happier in love and have a better life, until Max takes Hunter to meet his family. Hunter is the man of his dreams and he’s the happiest man in the world, so his family will be happy too, right? He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Despite Max’s dad trying to get Hunter out of the picture, and Max being broken hearted over his family not accepting him for who he is and Hunter, they get back home and continue planning their spring Vermont wedding. Things don’t continue to be perfect though. Max has a major identity crisis—involving dresses and high heels—that he has to work through before he can accept himself and ultimately their marriage. Hunter is there for him all the way, supporting him and standing up to Max’s family. Hunter is finally able to help Max through his crisis and help Max’s family come to terms with who Max is and the fact that he and Max are planning a wedding and a life together. We ultimately end up with a sweet wedding and a really nice HEA.
It’s a great story and I loved it, but sometimes the I love you’s got to feeling a bit desperate or a bit over the top. I felt a bit worn out sometimes. But these guys were going through a lot too so I guess it warranted it. It was a pretty emotional story. They definitely deserved an HEA.
Despite Max’s dad trying to get Hunter out of the picture, and Max being broken hearted over his family not accepting him for who he is and Hunter, they get back home and continue planning their spring Vermont wedding. Things don’t continue to be perfect though. Max has a major identity crisis—involving dresses and high heels—that he has to work through before he can accept himself and ultimately their marriage. Hunter is there for him all the way, supporting him and standing up to Max’s family. Hunter is finally able to help Max through his crisis and help Max’s family come to terms with who Max is and the fact that he and Max are planning a wedding and a life together. We ultimately end up with a sweet wedding and a really nice HEA.
It’s a great story and I loved it, but sometimes the I love you’s got to feeling a bit desperate or a bit over the top. I felt a bit worn out sometimes. But these guys were going through a lot too so I guess it warranted it. It was a pretty emotional story. They definitely deserved an HEA.
January 26, 2011
2.5
The writing wasn't bad - but I grew deeply impatient and irritated with the tendency of the protagonists of this story to act like adolescent girls, or at least to act out many adolescent girls' fantasy of love, in everything from the clear "girl" of the couple saving his "virtue" for his one true love (though to be fair, that was primarily in the prequel) to tiresomely repetitive gushings of "I love you" every time they're in bed together, to the "bride" of the couple spending months poring over bridal magazines for ideas about the wedding.
(Max may be a man, but his role in his relationship with uber-macho-man Hunter (who wears flannel shirts to a gay club) in most ways falls neatly into that of the woman in a het couple, even down to his cross-dressing gorgeous-woman alter-ego Maxine acting as a balm for Hunter's straight-guy tendencies. There's nothing wrong with this per se - but the author did nothing to make these roles anything more than cliched stereotypes.)
Add to that the weeping, and the endless internal monologues about True Love, and the lack of any relationship tension whatsoever - do these guys never fight? ever? or look at each other without stars in their eyes? - all of this perpetuated ceaselessly throughout the novel, and you end up with what was to me a pretty insipid and wildly unrealistic feeling book.
The writing wasn't bad - but I grew deeply impatient and irritated with the tendency of the protagonists of this story to act like adolescent girls, or at least to act out many adolescent girls' fantasy of love, in everything from the clear "girl" of the couple saving his "virtue" for his one true love (though to be fair, that was primarily in the prequel) to tiresomely repetitive gushings of "I love you" every time they're in bed together, to the "bride" of the couple spending months poring over bridal magazines for ideas about the wedding.
(Max may be a man, but his role in his relationship with uber-macho-man Hunter (who wears flannel shirts to a gay club) in most ways falls neatly into that of the woman in a het couple, even down to his cross-dressing gorgeous-woman alter-ego Maxine acting as a balm for Hunter's straight-guy tendencies. There's nothing wrong with this per se - but the author did nothing to make these roles anything more than cliched stereotypes.)
Add to that the weeping, and the endless internal monologues about True Love, and the lack of any relationship tension whatsoever - do these guys never fight? ever? or look at each other without stars in their eyes? - all of this perpetuated ceaselessly throughout the novel, and you end up with what was to me a pretty insipid and wildly unrealistic feeling book.
January 21, 2011
I really liked this sequel to Boys of Summer. There was a lot of depth to the characters and a lot they each needed to work through. Things that were just touched upon in Boys of Summer were delved into and fully resolved in this book. By the end, I really had the feeling Hunter and Max were truly meant for each other and that they would be together forever. I could feel how much they loved each other. And it had the same sweet romantic vibe as the 1st book. That being said, I felt the middle dragged a bit. Not that there wasn't stuff going on (there was actually a lot of stuff covered), just that it didn't hold my attention as much as the first 1/3 and the very end. I found myself checking page counts and wondering what else they'd need to do & what other issues they'd need to fully resolve before they could finally have their wedding day. If the book had been a longish novella, I likely would have loved all over it, just as I loved all over Boys of Summer.
January 15, 2011
While I liked the first book "Boys of Summer", I find this sequel, sort of, redundant. It would have been better if it's a short story to let curious readers of the first book to find out what happened after the HFN.
I like Hunter's voice and narration and it's almost the one element that got me through the whole story. He's funny, loving, brave and sort of like a kid still full of wonders of life. But the story, while it carries some heavy, serious conflicts - coming out to your family, asking for their blessings - it's a bit stereotypical and it drags on. Also, weddings, gay or straight, bore me to tears. And it's done in details. The part where Max reveals he's into cross-dressing and Hunter finds it a turn-out, i thought it was... a bit awkward.
Overall, it's the sort of sequel that seems more appropriate if it's done in a crisp epilogue, instead of a full-length novel.
I like Hunter's voice and narration and it's almost the one element that got me through the whole story. He's funny, loving, brave and sort of like a kid still full of wonders of life. But the story, while it carries some heavy, serious conflicts - coming out to your family, asking for their blessings - it's a bit stereotypical and it drags on. Also, weddings, gay or straight, bore me to tears. And it's done in details. The part where Max reveals he's into cross-dressing and Hunter finds it a turn-out, i thought it was... a bit awkward.
Overall, it's the sort of sequel that seems more appropriate if it's done in a crisp epilogue, instead of a full-length novel.
June 23, 2011
4 stars. Really enjoyed this one (more than the first book, actually). Hunter and Max are just so much in love. I felt like the story dragged a little in the middle (not that it wasn't interesting, I just wasn't sure what else they had to work out between them). Loved the characters, the sex was smokin', and besides my slight niggle, thoroughly enjoyed the story. Recommended! (though you should read the first book in the series first!)
January 8, 2011
This sequel to
Boys of Summer
was a very good m/m romance that continues the story of Hunter and Max as they deal with Max's family and Hunter works to adjust to the idea of himself as not straight.
August 8, 2022
RECENSIONE A CURA DI LADY MARMELADE
Venite a leggerla sul nostro blog!
Venite a leggerla sul nostro blog!
December 20, 2014
This is the sequel to Boys of Summer and in a way it’s the bigger of the two books. In book one – we see how they met and the process they took to becoming a couple. We see a some of their angst – especially Hunter’s – as they go from identifying as “straight” to a gay relationship.
This is Maxwell’s journey. We meet his family, learn about his early forays into reading gay mags and wearing his sister’s dress. Together, he and Hunter face the family displeasure and disdain and then we see it gradually morph into acceptance and love.
Max also “tests” Hunter several times – making him prove his devotion as he takes him out clubbing and then again when Max becomes Maxine.
Some will find this over the top – full of ooey gooey love and emotion and light on plot. But… that’s where the two books taken together are such a remarkable pairing. Book one showed us what was one of the major hurdles (Max and Hunter coming together) but book two shows us how much more there is to the story.
I really enjoyed all the emotion and the quick build up to conflict and resolution as each “trial” for Hunter is easily met by his steadfast devotion. Max’s growth and emotional maturation from straight to gay is thorough. There is more depth to him than we glimpsed in book one and this explores all those early feelings and the hidden desires he had that he only now feels confident enough to share with Hunter.
It was an imminently satisfying book in that we never feel uncertain about the ending, but get to explore the nuances of their relationship so much more intricately.
The sex was scorching hot. Let’s not forget that. Scorching.
I also thought the time with Maxine was done very well. What an interesting dichotomy. Max both loves and hates that Hunter was attracted to Maxine and Hunter has to handle that so delicately and he does with tremendous aplomb.
It was also very satisfying to see them all the way through the wedding. Such a nice neat bow tied off for us.
Brian Pallino continues to do an excellent job with the narration and I really enjoy listening to his voice.
I give both the book and the narration a 4.5 of 5 and I would highly recommend the book and the series.
This is Maxwell’s journey. We meet his family, learn about his early forays into reading gay mags and wearing his sister’s dress. Together, he and Hunter face the family displeasure and disdain and then we see it gradually morph into acceptance and love.
Max also “tests” Hunter several times – making him prove his devotion as he takes him out clubbing and then again when Max becomes Maxine.
Some will find this over the top – full of ooey gooey love and emotion and light on plot. But… that’s where the two books taken together are such a remarkable pairing. Book one showed us what was one of the major hurdles (Max and Hunter coming together) but book two shows us how much more there is to the story.
I really enjoyed all the emotion and the quick build up to conflict and resolution as each “trial” for Hunter is easily met by his steadfast devotion. Max’s growth and emotional maturation from straight to gay is thorough. There is more depth to him than we glimpsed in book one and this explores all those early feelings and the hidden desires he had that he only now feels confident enough to share with Hunter.
It was an imminently satisfying book in that we never feel uncertain about the ending, but get to explore the nuances of their relationship so much more intricately.
The sex was scorching hot. Let’s not forget that. Scorching.
I also thought the time with Maxine was done very well. What an interesting dichotomy. Max both loves and hates that Hunter was attracted to Maxine and Hunter has to handle that so delicately and he does with tremendous aplomb.
It was also very satisfying to see them all the way through the wedding. Such a nice neat bow tied off for us.
Brian Pallino continues to do an excellent job with the narration and I really enjoy listening to his voice.
I give both the book and the narration a 4.5 of 5 and I would highly recommend the book and the series.
February 3, 2017
This book starts where the 1st one ended. Also if I really loved the sex scenes,since the guys were always hot together and the jealousy was a bonus, I must say that this 2nd book was a bit boring and with more angst. Max's family doesn't want to accept his relationship with Hunter and they have an huge fight. At the same time Hunter can't stop thinking that the fight Max is having with his family is stupid bcs he lost his family in a car accident when he was only a kid and his heart hurts when seeing Max be so sad and that his family is hurting him, when they should be happy of the fact that they still have each other.
Said that....
Luckily Max's family will understand in the end.
The book ends with Max and Hunter getting married and having hot sex in an hotel suite, and damn that scene was...well I need a cold shower.
See you!
Said that....
Luckily Max's family will understand in the end.
The book ends with Max and Hunter getting married and having hot sex in an hotel suite, and damn that scene was...well I need a cold shower.
See you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2011
uh, uh... What to say about this book? Well, let me be honest here - main reason why I read Boys of Summer and Taking You Home - I just wanted to understanand this whole homosexualty thing. How do you know that you like boys (or girls)? Why? Is it like when you're gay, you don't find girls attractive at all? And I'm still confused about crossdressing. (If you don't like girls, why some of you get all worked up over boys dressed like girls?) Maxine did help me to understand this topic better, but there are just so many confusing aspects.
Second book is much better than first, it made me laugh and it made me cry. Max is one of my favourite characters.
Second book is much better than first, it made me laugh and it made me cry. Max is one of my favourite characters.
January 12, 2011
"Taking you Home" is the follow-up of "Boys of Summer." I would highly recommend reading it beforehand, but Taking you Home is a stand alone book. (Note: I bought TYH not realizing it was a Sequel. Two paragraphs in and I'm thinking this is way to familiar.)
This is an enduring, heart-felt story that follows Maxwell and Hunter. Max is taking Hunter to meet his parents and announcing their engagement to his family. Let just say it doesn't goes as they hoped. Five Stars
This is an enduring, heart-felt story that follows Maxwell and Hunter. Max is taking Hunter to meet his parents and announcing their engagement to his family. Let just say it doesn't goes as they hoped. Five Stars
Read
January 13, 2011This is the sequel to Davis's first novel, BOYS OF SUMMER, and I have to say, I love TAKING YOU HOME even more! Layered, complex, emotional, passionate--it's everything I want in a romance. I'm savoring every word!
January 8, 2011
... plus 5 stares more - it's a great story that cries for a sequel...
July 11, 2015
Loved this book!!
February 26, 2019
Hunter e Max sono innamoratissimi, e hanno deciso di sposarsi. Ma entrambi devono dirlo alle rispettive famiglie, ignare del fatto che loro due, amici per la pelle da una vita, stanno insieme e sono una coppia. Il primo viaggio che compiono è verso la consapevolezza che non sarà per niente facile comunicare ai parenti che sono entrambi gay e pazzamente innamorati l’uno dell’altro.
La quarta di copertina mi ha conquistato, ho subito pensato “Che bello, un romanzo dove viene affrontato il coming-out in famiglia, immagino con tutta una parte ben caratterizzata che riguarda lo stupore iniziale, forse lo shock di prendere coscienza di avere un figlio omosessuale, e per di più innamorato del suo migliore amico, l’elaborazione dell’eventuale “lutto”, la preoccupazione di cosa dirà la gente, quella, invece, dei pericoli a cui la coppia andrà incontro”. Insomma, mi aspettavo di leggere un bel romanzo con contenuti interessanti che andavano oltre l’innamoramento, il corteggiamento, il dirsi il primo “ti amo”. Il coming out in famiglia non è mai semplice, tenuto conto delle implicazioni sociali che comporta, e un romanzo che tratta questo argomento mi sembra meritevole, sempre che il tutto venga affrontato con la dovuta accortezza. E… sono rimasta delusa.
Hunter viene praticamente costretto ad accettare un invito da parte della famiglia di Max, che in realtà lo accoglie con una freddezza spaventosa; padre e sorella (di Max), infatti, si comportano con lui quasi ignorandolo, salutandolo a malapena. Vengono sistemati in due camere separate, e immediatamente viene fatto loro capire che i genitori e la sorella gemella non sono per niente disposti a comprendere questa loro “intemperanza”. Max protesta, dicendo che sapevano “quanto importante Hunter fosse per lui”, ma apprendiamo quindi che non aveva proprio specificato “quanto importante” fosse: in pratica Max non ha detto realmente come stanno le cose tra loro due. La prima cena si svolge tra chiacchiere vane e freddo polare, i due amanti vanno a dormire, si svegliano in piena notte perché sentono la mancanza l’uno dell’altro, si incontrano in una delle due camere, fanno sesso, perché il sesso risolve ogni problema. La sorella, maleducata, la mattina dopo entra nella camera dell’ospite – come si permette? – e li becca nudi e abbracciati insieme; inorridita e urlante scende in cucina a far caciara. La tragedia si risolve con una tazza di caffè, neo calumet della pace, da parte del marito della sorella, e si prosegue. Tocca al padre far capire esattamente come stanno le cose, convoca Hunter, reo di aver “convertito all’omosessualità” Max, in un tête-à-tête, e gli dice pari pari che farà di tutto affinché quel matrimonio non si faccia. Perché? Perché per Max è un grande errore.
Ma Hunter è certo dell’amore del suo futuro sposo, ed è disposto ad affrontare anche le prove più dure. Un sigaro fumato in cortile, dopo cena, e la sorella Leah si commuove al punto che, tutto il suo essere contraria a quell’unione, crolla come un castello di carte, e da quel momento diventa la maggiore sostenitrice di quel matrimonio, addirittura si offre di organizzarlo lei. Poco più in là, succede lo stesso anche con il padre, duro, inflessibile, gelido e poi si scioglie come un ghiacciolo sotto il sole. Baci, abbracci e dichiarazione di eterno amore condito con pagine interminabili di sesso.
Un’uscita speciale in un locale gay per stemperare un po’ la crisi rientrata, e zac! Max si trasforma in cross-dresser, lasciando trapelare che quello è il suo fetish da sempre, e teme che il suo amato non lo voglia più sposare dopo che avrà scoperto questo suo segreto inconfessabile. Ma l’amore di Hunter supera le montagne più ripide, ed ecco che invece il futuro maritino si arrapa da morire e di nuovo pagine e pagine di sesso sconfinato.
In pratica niente conflitti, niente riflessioni, niente trama: si alzano da letto, si stropicciano gli occhi, vanno in bagno, poi in cucina, mangiano, si baciano, fanno sesso, si vestono, vanno a fare shopping o in un club, tornano a casa e dormono. E si ricomincia tutto da capo il giorno dopo. Ogni due per tre si dicono quanto sono belli, quanto sono sexy e quanto si amano, e via, vissero felici e contenti con un bel matrimonio tutti insieme a parenti e amici.
Insomma, un romanzo senza spina dorsale, consigliato a chi ama questo tipo di lettura senza impegno.
.
Ipanema - per RFS
La quarta di copertina mi ha conquistato, ho subito pensato “Che bello, un romanzo dove viene affrontato il coming-out in famiglia, immagino con tutta una parte ben caratterizzata che riguarda lo stupore iniziale, forse lo shock di prendere coscienza di avere un figlio omosessuale, e per di più innamorato del suo migliore amico, l’elaborazione dell’eventuale “lutto”, la preoccupazione di cosa dirà la gente, quella, invece, dei pericoli a cui la coppia andrà incontro”. Insomma, mi aspettavo di leggere un bel romanzo con contenuti interessanti che andavano oltre l’innamoramento, il corteggiamento, il dirsi il primo “ti amo”. Il coming out in famiglia non è mai semplice, tenuto conto delle implicazioni sociali che comporta, e un romanzo che tratta questo argomento mi sembra meritevole, sempre che il tutto venga affrontato con la dovuta accortezza. E… sono rimasta delusa.
Hunter viene praticamente costretto ad accettare un invito da parte della famiglia di Max, che in realtà lo accoglie con una freddezza spaventosa; padre e sorella (di Max), infatti, si comportano con lui quasi ignorandolo, salutandolo a malapena. Vengono sistemati in due camere separate, e immediatamente viene fatto loro capire che i genitori e la sorella gemella non sono per niente disposti a comprendere questa loro “intemperanza”. Max protesta, dicendo che sapevano “quanto importante Hunter fosse per lui”, ma apprendiamo quindi che non aveva proprio specificato “quanto importante” fosse: in pratica Max non ha detto realmente come stanno le cose tra loro due. La prima cena si svolge tra chiacchiere vane e freddo polare, i due amanti vanno a dormire, si svegliano in piena notte perché sentono la mancanza l’uno dell’altro, si incontrano in una delle due camere, fanno sesso, perché il sesso risolve ogni problema. La sorella, maleducata, la mattina dopo entra nella camera dell’ospite – come si permette? – e li becca nudi e abbracciati insieme; inorridita e urlante scende in cucina a far caciara. La tragedia si risolve con una tazza di caffè, neo calumet della pace, da parte del marito della sorella, e si prosegue. Tocca al padre far capire esattamente come stanno le cose, convoca Hunter, reo di aver “convertito all’omosessualità” Max, in un tête-à-tête, e gli dice pari pari che farà di tutto affinché quel matrimonio non si faccia. Perché? Perché per Max è un grande errore.
Ma Hunter è certo dell’amore del suo futuro sposo, ed è disposto ad affrontare anche le prove più dure. Un sigaro fumato in cortile, dopo cena, e la sorella Leah si commuove al punto che, tutto il suo essere contraria a quell’unione, crolla come un castello di carte, e da quel momento diventa la maggiore sostenitrice di quel matrimonio, addirittura si offre di organizzarlo lei. Poco più in là, succede lo stesso anche con il padre, duro, inflessibile, gelido e poi si scioglie come un ghiacciolo sotto il sole. Baci, abbracci e dichiarazione di eterno amore condito con pagine interminabili di sesso.
Un’uscita speciale in un locale gay per stemperare un po’ la crisi rientrata, e zac! Max si trasforma in cross-dresser, lasciando trapelare che quello è il suo fetish da sempre, e teme che il suo amato non lo voglia più sposare dopo che avrà scoperto questo suo segreto inconfessabile. Ma l’amore di Hunter supera le montagne più ripide, ed ecco che invece il futuro maritino si arrapa da morire e di nuovo pagine e pagine di sesso sconfinato.
In pratica niente conflitti, niente riflessioni, niente trama: si alzano da letto, si stropicciano gli occhi, vanno in bagno, poi in cucina, mangiano, si baciano, fanno sesso, si vestono, vanno a fare shopping o in un club, tornano a casa e dormono. E si ricomincia tutto da capo il giorno dopo. Ogni due per tre si dicono quanto sono belli, quanto sono sexy e quanto si amano, e via, vissero felici e contenti con un bel matrimonio tutti insieme a parenti e amici.
Insomma, un romanzo senza spina dorsale, consigliato a chi ama questo tipo di lettura senza impegno.
.
Ipanema - per RFS
October 4, 2018
A captivating story. Meeting the family is always a nerve wracking ordeal made even more so when your partner doesn't conform to society's ideals. It's more than will they like me, will they accept me, but will they even acknowledge our relationship. This is the reality for Hunter and Max.
Max’s family are not convinced that Max is gay let alone in love with Hunter. Hunter hasn't even told his Aunt that he's gay, and now he has to introduce Max as his fiancee as they plan their marriage ceremony. Will they survive the family angst and drama?
Max’s family are not convinced that Max is gay let alone in love with Hunter. Hunter hasn't even told his Aunt that he's gay, and now he has to introduce Max as his fiancee as they plan their marriage ceremony. Will they survive the family angst and drama?
June 1, 2018
While I loved the first one of the Boys of Summer, this one didn't work quite as well. Honestly at some points I had to stop and think about Maxwell - is this the same guy? The confident trader doesn't really make an appearance here. Lots of family drama that was resolved a little too easily for me as well.
March 11, 2018
3.75 stars
June 17, 2018
Mediocre, overly dramatic story. Narrator has a nice voice--unfortunately, he rarely varies it, making it difficult to tell who is speaking.
June 28, 2018
This book didn’t work for me at all!
Read
September 9, 2012Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
5 Stars
I’ve been in love with Hunter and Max since the first time I read this book. Reading it for the fifth time only makes me love this couple even more. If you read my review for Boys Of Summer, you know that I read this book first and then discovered book one. While that normally would have upset me with these guys I read BOS knowing so much more about them and knowing how their story ends so it was pretty gratifying. Even after reading numerous M/M books in the last six months, Taking You Home remains my favorite of this genre.
This book opens on Hunter and Max’s wedding day, yes wedding day. We then go back in time as Hunter explains how they got to this point. During their journey to happily ever after we find out so much about these men and their lives before each other and since they met. There are some startling revelations about both their childhoods. Max’s story of discovery is at time gut wrenching especially during his teenage years. Hunter, I just love Hunter…he makes no bones about the fact that he was a heterosexual man until he met Max and his life was forever changed. Sometimes his thoughts and comments just crack me up because he’s such a guy, he just happens to be bi-sexual and yes, I’m putting that out there because during the course of this book he makes that discovery. Yet, he never, ever strays.
Every time I read this book, I’m amazed at how strong Hunter and Max’s relationship is because they get put through the wringer. Max’s family is far from accepting; in fact they pretty much refuse to accept Hunter or the fact that Max is gay. Max struggles with his feelings towards his family. Hunter deals with jealousy when he finally meets the guy Max dated before him who Max still works with. When Max explores cross-dressing bringing Maxine to light, this brings up all kinds of feelings and anxieties for both men. A trip to Max’s hometown at Christmas forces Hunter to deal with some pretty nasty memories but brings him and Max closer together. When they start pre-marital counseling things really get interesting and they both learn a lot about themselves, each other, and their relationship.
So far it sounds like a really heavy book doesn’t it? It is to some extent, BUT there are many, many fun and light moments mixed in. I love Hunter’s sense of humor, there so many times he thinks or says something that I find myself laughing out loud. “I love that tight T-shirt (on Max). It’s my other new best friend, right alongside John Ramirez (his soon to be brother in law).” There is also a hilarious exchange about a blow torch in the kitchen at Christmas. Oh, and their bachelor party….how I wish I would have been in attendance for that event! I can guarantee I would have been front and center enjoying every minute of that evening.
What it all boils down to is that this is a love story of epic proportions. If one book could convince anyone that you fall in love with a person and it doesn’t matter if they are black, white, purple, orange, male, or female; they are a person. Your heart wants what it wants and even though you may fight it, you eventually figure out you can’t fight the inevitable. I have a lot of favorite couples from books I’ve read and Hunter and Maxwell are right up there in the top five on that list. They just make me believe that through love all is possible and how can you not want to embrace that?
5 Stars
I’ve been in love with Hunter and Max since the first time I read this book. Reading it for the fifth time only makes me love this couple even more. If you read my review for Boys Of Summer, you know that I read this book first and then discovered book one. While that normally would have upset me with these guys I read BOS knowing so much more about them and knowing how their story ends so it was pretty gratifying. Even after reading numerous M/M books in the last six months, Taking You Home remains my favorite of this genre.
This book opens on Hunter and Max’s wedding day, yes wedding day. We then go back in time as Hunter explains how they got to this point. During their journey to happily ever after we find out so much about these men and their lives before each other and since they met. There are some startling revelations about both their childhoods. Max’s story of discovery is at time gut wrenching especially during his teenage years. Hunter, I just love Hunter…he makes no bones about the fact that he was a heterosexual man until he met Max and his life was forever changed. Sometimes his thoughts and comments just crack me up because he’s such a guy, he just happens to be bi-sexual and yes, I’m putting that out there because during the course of this book he makes that discovery. Yet, he never, ever strays.
Every time I read this book, I’m amazed at how strong Hunter and Max’s relationship is because they get put through the wringer. Max’s family is far from accepting; in fact they pretty much refuse to accept Hunter or the fact that Max is gay. Max struggles with his feelings towards his family. Hunter deals with jealousy when he finally meets the guy Max dated before him who Max still works with. When Max explores cross-dressing bringing Maxine to light, this brings up all kinds of feelings and anxieties for both men. A trip to Max’s hometown at Christmas forces Hunter to deal with some pretty nasty memories but brings him and Max closer together. When they start pre-marital counseling things really get interesting and they both learn a lot about themselves, each other, and their relationship.
So far it sounds like a really heavy book doesn’t it? It is to some extent, BUT there are many, many fun and light moments mixed in. I love Hunter’s sense of humor, there so many times he thinks or says something that I find myself laughing out loud. “I love that tight T-shirt (on Max). It’s my other new best friend, right alongside John Ramirez (his soon to be brother in law).” There is also a hilarious exchange about a blow torch in the kitchen at Christmas. Oh, and their bachelor party….how I wish I would have been in attendance for that event! I can guarantee I would have been front and center enjoying every minute of that evening.
What it all boils down to is that this is a love story of epic proportions. If one book could convince anyone that you fall in love with a person and it doesn’t matter if they are black, white, purple, orange, male, or female; they are a person. Your heart wants what it wants and even though you may fight it, you eventually figure out you can’t fight the inevitable. I have a lot of favorite couples from books I’ve read and Hunter and Maxwell are right up there in the top five on that list. They just make me believe that through love all is possible and how can you not want to embrace that?
October 29, 2013
Excellent depiction of emotion, but I wish it weren’t so jumpy
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- Hunter’s mix of emotions as he navigates a lot of awkward, unfamiliar situations is well depicted.
- The book has quite a few pithy statements scattered throughout that made me pause to appreciate them. Example: “Sometimes I wonder if I’m nothing more than the sum of who they both were. Even worse, I worry that I don’t add up nearly so well, that I’m just a shadowed reflection of them.”
- I sometimes get frustrated by first person narration because it’s so limited: everything is filtered through one person’s perspective, every scene colored by the narrator’s feelings and prejudices. But I liked it here. We get a solid picture of how it feels to be the outsider, as well as how strongly Hunter feels for Max.
- The author tackles a difficult subject matter (namely, navigating the minefield of a cross dressing gay man and his bisexual partner) in a way that felt honest and real to me. (Although I could have done without the scene in which the characters discuss this aspect of their lives with their premarital counselor; that was the one scene on that topic that felt forced to me.)
CONS:
- Present tense is a writing convention that rarely makes sense to me, and this is not one of those rare occasions. Sentences like this--“‘It’s going to be fine,’ I encourage”--are simply awkward to me.
- The timeline is difficult to follow at times. Scenes in present tense are interwoven with flashbacks in a way that doesn’t always leave the reader with too many clues as to when each scene is taking place.
- Because of the way the story is told--present tense mixed with flashbacks here and there--we don’t get a solid picture of the characters’ background. There are teasing comments here and there about important events from their past (example: Max accuses Hunter of stealing his virginity, and Hunter’s response is, “Stole it, my [rear]…That was a giveaway, thank you very much”), but we don’t actually get to see or hear any amount of detail about these formative times. I wanted details about how they met, their first date, the first time they made love, what made Hunter realize he was ready to take the plunge, etc. These things are merely hinted at, which frustrated me.
Overall comments: The story lacks a conventional plot; it’s more of a meandering look at a brief time in two men’s lives. The positive is that this structure leaves room for a deep examination of the narrator’s feelings. The negative is that for some readers, the book will be unbearably slow. I liked the bare bones quite a bit: it is by turns tender and spiteful, calm and passionate. However, I wish the characters’ history had been more purposefully filled out.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- Hunter’s mix of emotions as he navigates a lot of awkward, unfamiliar situations is well depicted.
- The book has quite a few pithy statements scattered throughout that made me pause to appreciate them. Example: “Sometimes I wonder if I’m nothing more than the sum of who they both were. Even worse, I worry that I don’t add up nearly so well, that I’m just a shadowed reflection of them.”
- I sometimes get frustrated by first person narration because it’s so limited: everything is filtered through one person’s perspective, every scene colored by the narrator’s feelings and prejudices. But I liked it here. We get a solid picture of how it feels to be the outsider, as well as how strongly Hunter feels for Max.
- The author tackles a difficult subject matter (namely, navigating the minefield of a cross dressing gay man and his bisexual partner) in a way that felt honest and real to me. (Although I could have done without the scene in which the characters discuss this aspect of their lives with their premarital counselor; that was the one scene on that topic that felt forced to me.)
CONS:
- Present tense is a writing convention that rarely makes sense to me, and this is not one of those rare occasions. Sentences like this--“‘It’s going to be fine,’ I encourage”--are simply awkward to me.
- The timeline is difficult to follow at times. Scenes in present tense are interwoven with flashbacks in a way that doesn’t always leave the reader with too many clues as to when each scene is taking place.
- Because of the way the story is told--present tense mixed with flashbacks here and there--we don’t get a solid picture of the characters’ background. There are teasing comments here and there about important events from their past (example: Max accuses Hunter of stealing his virginity, and Hunter’s response is, “Stole it, my [rear]…That was a giveaway, thank you very much”), but we don’t actually get to see or hear any amount of detail about these formative times. I wanted details about how they met, their first date, the first time they made love, what made Hunter realize he was ready to take the plunge, etc. These things are merely hinted at, which frustrated me.
Overall comments: The story lacks a conventional plot; it’s more of a meandering look at a brief time in two men’s lives. The positive is that this structure leaves room for a deep examination of the narrator’s feelings. The negative is that for some readers, the book will be unbearably slow. I liked the bare bones quite a bit: it is by turns tender and spiteful, calm and passionate. However, I wish the characters’ history had been more purposefully filled out.
March 28, 2011
I actually give this book 3.5 stars. This is the sequel to Boys of Summer, which I also loved. I was happy to see that this book was a lot longer than Boys of Summer.
This books a much deeper part of the characters...parts that we didn't see in the first book. I was actually quite shocked to find out just how many insecurities Max really has. In Boys of Summer he came off as this debonair and confident gay man. In this book it is a complete 180. He has so much anxiety...not about Hunter but about his family and their acceptance. Acceptance not only of Hunter but of himself.
Through the entire book. Max is exploring new aspects of his homosexuality and hidden desires come to light. He is mortified that Hunter might reject him and is weary of opening up to Hunter. But he feels that if he can't open up to him about certain things than how can their marriage work.
Hunter also faces many challenges before their impending marriage. He has to face his past and doesn't realize how painful it is and how it has impacted his life until he realizes he needs to face it. He wants to open up to Max about it all if their marriage is to work.
What I loved most about this book is how open and accepting Max and Hunter are of each other. It is a scary thing putting yourself out there and they show a vulnerability that all of us have, gay or straight. I truly admire these character and have grown to care deeply for them. They are wonderful human beings and great well rounded men. Their love is powerful, you can't help but feel that love coming through the pages.
I have truly enjoyed this books and I hope there is more of Hunter and Max to come. I they are amazing people to hang out with.
This books a much deeper part of the characters...parts that we didn't see in the first book. I was actually quite shocked to find out just how many insecurities Max really has. In Boys of Summer he came off as this debonair and confident gay man. In this book it is a complete 180. He has so much anxiety...not about Hunter but about his family and their acceptance. Acceptance not only of Hunter but of himself.
Through the entire book. Max is exploring new aspects of his homosexuality and hidden desires come to light. He is mortified that Hunter might reject him and is weary of opening up to Hunter. But he feels that if he can't open up to him about certain things than how can their marriage work.
Hunter also faces many challenges before their impending marriage. He has to face his past and doesn't realize how painful it is and how it has impacted his life until he realizes he needs to face it. He wants to open up to Max about it all if their marriage is to work.
What I loved most about this book is how open and accepting Max and Hunter are of each other. It is a scary thing putting yourself out there and they show a vulnerability that all of us have, gay or straight. I truly admire these character and have grown to care deeply for them. They are wonderful human beings and great well rounded men. Their love is powerful, you can't help but feel that love coming through the pages.
I have truly enjoyed this books and I hope there is more of Hunter and Max to come. I they are amazing people to hang out with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews