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A Matter of Time #2
A Matter of Time Book II
Jory Keyes is doing his best to get over Detective Sam Kage, who broke his heart. Fearful of coming out of the closet, Sam intended to marry and uphold the status quo. After testifying against the man he saw commit cold-blooded murder, Jory is sure he and the detective will never cross paths again. But fate has other plans. Between Sam-s job and Jory being openly gay and on the run from hired killers, the path to true love has never been rockier. When Jory is kidnapped, the culprit is someone no one ever suspected.
This book is no longer available at Club Lighthouse Publishing.
This book is no longer available at Club Lighthouse Publishing.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2009
17 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
123books4,951followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
March 2, 2020
Second re-read: 02.03.2020
I think that one of the reasons this series does not work for me is:
1) Dane, not Sam, is my favorite character. Which is odd since Sam's my favorite in Mary Calmes 's Marshals series. Sam just doesn't do it for me in this one. One should love a main character more than a side character.... at least for me, to get invested in a series.
2) Jory annoys me. I mean, he never takes anything seriously, nor does he have any depth.
3) Everyone is always and constantly touching Jory. Why?
4) The back and forth. Jory running instead of fighting and Sam being a coward.
5) The sex scenes are not hot to read. I sometimes struggle with knowing when they have sex.
That being said, the concept in itself is alright, but the main characters just doesn't work for me as main characters should. Overall, the again re-read of this series will stop here as I don't like what Dane does in book three.
New rating: 2.5/2 stars.
Re-read: 16.04.2018
DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!! In second bok of the A Matter of Time series, Sam struggles with being so needy of Jory. Specially when he thought his future will involve a woman and kids. Dane ‘fires� Jory so he can start a career instead of just doing a job. But to make sure Jory will always be in his life, Dane makes Jory become his brother; Jory Keyes becomes Jory Harcourt. He start to work at Barrington as graphic designer with a partner to develop branding for new clients. Overall, Jory is still not taking anything serious. Not even life and death situations. He also continuing to be stupid and people are still annoyingly telling him how gorgeous he is (we get it!) and touching him all the time (we get that he's a loving person). Needless to say, I don't get why I'm re-reading this series; I just can't find anything else to read.
Other characters:
The list is a bit long so I've put it in a spoilers tag.
First read review:
The thing that keep getting to me, annoying me, is the constant mentioning of how gorgeous and pretty Jory is. He's a looker, we get it, you don't have to mention it regularly. Same with Dane. And Sam. They are amazing, now move on. Now, I almost felt like this book wasn't about Jory ‘J� Keyes (22, becomes 23) and Samuel ‘Sam� ‘Sammy� Thomas Kage (34). It was like reading a chapter of Jory's life, his life of meeting people, instantly connecting with folks and getting a brother. Also, the blurb of the book really spoils the book as the kidnapping doesn't happen until the very end. And who the kidnapper were was really predictable, and Jory was kinda stupid there.
Though there's love, it doesn't feel like it's a love story, more like a episode of happiness then comes emptiness. Jory keeps forgiving Sam: Sam messes up, Jory leaves. Sam dates a woman, then asks Jory to take him back, Jory takes him back and something happens again and Sam leaves. You get a glimpse of happiness followed by sadness. Or something. Overall, the story was alright, but not good and I'm not sure I even like Sam in this series. I loved him in the Marshals series, but in this one, I feel like we don't really get to know him. I really dig Dane Harcourt though. Might actually like him better than everyone else....
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Dane Harcourt.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
I think that one of the reasons this series does not work for me is:
1) Dane, not Sam, is my favorite character. Which is odd since Sam's my favorite in Mary Calmes 's Marshals series. Sam just doesn't do it for me in this one. One should love a main character more than a side character.... at least for me, to get invested in a series.
2) Jory annoys me. I mean, he never takes anything seriously, nor does he have any depth.
3) Everyone is always and constantly touching Jory. Why?
4) The back and forth. Jory running instead of fighting and Sam being a coward.
5) The sex scenes are not hot to read. I sometimes struggle with knowing when they have sex.
That being said, the concept in itself is alright, but the main characters just doesn't work for me as main characters should. Overall, the again re-read of this series will stop here as I don't like what Dane does in book three.
New rating: 2.5/2 stars.
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*I'm depressed*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 16.04.2018
DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!! In second bok of the A Matter of Time series, Sam struggles with being so needy of Jory. Specially when he thought his future will involve a woman and kids. Dane ‘fires� Jory so he can start a career instead of just doing a job. But to make sure Jory will always be in his life, Dane makes Jory become his brother; Jory Keyes becomes Jory Harcourt. He start to work at Barrington as graphic designer with a partner to develop branding for new clients. Overall, Jory is still not taking anything serious. Not even life and death situations. He also continuing to be stupid and people are still annoyingly telling him how gorgeous he is (we get it!) and touching him all the time (we get that he's a loving person). Needless to say, I don't get why I'm re-reading this series; I just can't find anything else to read.
“That's what got me thinking about all this. That day we went to Macy's and I was getting my card out and you paid with yours. I thought, he's got a credit card that I pay for with his name on it. And I know it's just for work, but still, it's like we're attached somehow.� He sighed and stared into my eyes. “I thought, this is how I want it to be. I don't just want to run your life at work, I want a say in it all the time. And even as a friend, I don't have enough power... so I started to think and this is what I came up with. You're going to be my brother.�
Other characters:
The list is a bit long so I've put it in a spoilers tag.
“It's gonna be done this time, you know? I can't keep running after you.�
“Sure,� I said as my eyes filled. “I know.�
“Do you even care?�
I cared more than I could even express. I had never, ever been crazier about anyone else. Sam Kage was the man of my dreams; it was too bad that being with him always became a nightmare.
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Contains spoilers*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
First read review:
The thing that keep getting to me, annoying me, is the constant mentioning of how gorgeous and pretty Jory is. He's a looker, we get it, you don't have to mention it regularly. Same with Dane. And Sam. They are amazing, now move on. Now, I almost felt like this book wasn't about Jory ‘J� Keyes (22, becomes 23) and Samuel ‘Sam� ‘Sammy� Thomas Kage (34). It was like reading a chapter of Jory's life, his life of meeting people, instantly connecting with folks and getting a brother. Also, the blurb of the book really spoils the book as the kidnapping doesn't happen until the very end. And who the kidnapper were was really predictable, and Jory was kinda stupid there.
“You put me through it when you left, and I've been so...pissed... at you and then that night I saw you out and you look like you're okay you're fine without me, and—and I just wanted to take you home and... then the other night. What if you were hurt or killed or... what the fuck am I supposed to do? And that asshole tonight, he thinks he's got a shot with you... everybody thinks they've got a shot because I'm not around and... it's not gonna fuckin' happen! I will not allow it to happen. I want you with me all the time—can't have anyone else touching you or... you belong to me. You get that, right? You're mine. I think I'm gonna mark you—put my name on you so everybody knows that you're—�
Though there's love, it doesn't feel like it's a love story, more like a episode of happiness then comes emptiness. Jory keeps forgiving Sam: Sam messes up, Jory leaves. Sam dates a woman, then asks Jory to take him back, Jory takes him back and something happens again and Sam leaves. You get a glimpse of happiness followed by sadness. Or something. Overall, the story was alright, but not good and I'm not sure I even like Sam in this series. I loved him in the Marshals series, but in this one, I feel like we don't really get to know him. I really dig Dane Harcourt though. Might actually like him better than everyone else....
“Everybody wants to touch you all the time. I'm the only one who can't when I want to be the only one that can.�
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Dane Harcourt.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
June 25, 2024
|| 3.5 stars ||
This was quite similar to the first book, minus the fact that Rory’s relationship with both Dane and Sam has changed drastically.
Rory is no longer working for Dane, and has, instead, been adopted by him as a little brother. I have to admit it all felt slightly over-the-top, but it was also quite cute. I definitely really like their dynamic and relationship. At first I thought it might turn into something romantic, but it is quite clear now that it won’t. And I’m okay with that, even though it’s a shame.
When it comes to Sam, the change in their relationship is that they basically do not have one anymore. Sam barely even grovelled for his fuck-up in the previous book, and after Rory takes him back, it does not take him long to fuck up again. He then takes freaking months to try to get Rory back, and he does so in a way that exuded entitlement and arrogance. He just assumed Rory would take him back, no questions asked, and unfortunately, it turned out he was right. Rory forgave him, and henceforth began their biting relationship once more in which they mostly just argue and Sam is a bit of an arsehole. I was resigned to the fact that apparently Rory wanted to be in a relationship with a dickhead, and at least, I thought, Sam is all-in now. He does truly adore Rory, so much so, he is basically obsessed. No way is he going to fuck up again, right? WRONG. This book ends with Sam leaving Rory AGAIN. I legit felt like screaming. This man deserves to drown in dirt, he is the absolute worst. And I need Rory to stand his ground from now on and not take him back. Or at least make him reaaaally work for it. Because I am getting so pissed off with this Sam guy. Seriously.
Anyway, aside from Dane and Sam, we also see Rory interact with plenty of other people and, just like the previous book, I adored most of these scenes. Rory was so well-loved; it was very pleasant and engaging to read about him meeting all these people that instantly adored him.
The plot itself is still pretty insane, and although I genuinely do like Rory, I have to admit that it is utterly ridiculous how he treats all the many threats to his life. He genuinely does not seem to take it seriously in any way, and I don’t understand why, since he most certainly does not have a death wish, and it’s not like he’s stupid� So why?
'A Matter of Time' series:
1. Book I - 3.5 stars
2. Book II - 3.5 stars
3. Book III - 2.5 stars
4. Book IV - 4.0 stars
5. Bulletproof - 4.5 stars
6. But for You - 2.0 stars
7. Parting Shot - dnf
8. Piece of Cake - 2.5 stars
Short Stories:
5.5. Just Jory - 4.0 stars
6.5. Ears, Eggs and Bunnies - 3.0 stars
This was quite similar to the first book, minus the fact that Rory’s relationship with both Dane and Sam has changed drastically.
Rory is no longer working for Dane, and has, instead, been adopted by him as a little brother. I have to admit it all felt slightly over-the-top, but it was also quite cute. I definitely really like their dynamic and relationship. At first I thought it might turn into something romantic, but it is quite clear now that it won’t. And I’m okay with that, even though it’s a shame.
When it comes to Sam, the change in their relationship is that they basically do not have one anymore. Sam barely even grovelled for his fuck-up in the previous book, and after Rory takes him back, it does not take him long to fuck up again. He then takes freaking months to try to get Rory back, and he does so in a way that exuded entitlement and arrogance. He just assumed Rory would take him back, no questions asked, and unfortunately, it turned out he was right. Rory forgave him, and henceforth began their biting relationship once more in which they mostly just argue and Sam is a bit of an arsehole. I was resigned to the fact that apparently Rory wanted to be in a relationship with a dickhead, and at least, I thought, Sam is all-in now. He does truly adore Rory, so much so, he is basically obsessed. No way is he going to fuck up again, right? WRONG. This book ends with Sam leaving Rory AGAIN. I legit felt like screaming. This man deserves to drown in dirt, he is the absolute worst. And I need Rory to stand his ground from now on and not take him back. Or at least make him reaaaally work for it. Because I am getting so pissed off with this Sam guy. Seriously.
“Promise me you won’t go anywhere,� he said, my face in his hands as he stared into my eyes.
“I promise.� I smiled slowly.
“Don’t leave me. I’ll hurt you if you try and leave me.�
I smiled down into his eyes. “Yeah? You’ll hurt me?�
“Jory,� his voice cracked. “Please, baby, I—�
But my mouth on his cut him off as I kissed the worry right out of him.
Anyway, aside from Dane and Sam, we also see Rory interact with plenty of other people and, just like the previous book, I adored most of these scenes. Rory was so well-loved; it was very pleasant and engaging to read about him meeting all these people that instantly adored him.
The plot itself is still pretty insane, and although I genuinely do like Rory, I have to admit that it is utterly ridiculous how he treats all the many threats to his life. He genuinely does not seem to take it seriously in any way, and I don’t understand why, since he most certainly does not have a death wish, and it’s not like he’s stupid� So why?
'A Matter of Time' series:
1. Book I - 3.5 stars
2. Book II - 3.5 stars
3. Book III - 2.5 stars
4. Book IV - 4.0 stars
5. Bulletproof - 4.5 stars
6. But for You - 2.0 stars
7. Parting Shot - dnf
8. Piece of Cake - 2.5 stars
Short Stories:
5.5. Just Jory - 4.0 stars
6.5. Ears, Eggs and Bunnies - 3.0 stars
February 4, 2017
Call me the Grinch, but I'm starting to feel like this is a series people adore only because they read it (for the first time, anyway) when they were new to the genre and just excited to read any m/m no matter what fuckery was happening on the page. The writing isn't great, their isn't a plot 'arc' so much as what it would look like if you plotted the path of a pinball in one of of those old school arcade games, and the characters take turns being annoying as fuuuuuuck.
*big, grumpy sigh*
But I'm in it now.
FML.
*big, grumpy sigh*
But I'm in it now.
FML.
September 19, 2016
Written October 24, 2014
3.7 Stars - Heartbreaking - A lot of everything but stingy with love
Book #2
I finished the first part, book #1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars), early this morning and couldn't but start to listening to book #2 and the second half in Vol.1 - A Matter of Time (book #1-2) at once.
~ Still a captivating and truly touching love-tale... ~
Okay, I see I need to read them all..
At once! - I knew this would be many long hours and that these guys should hurt my heart, make me sob and get angry. And here I am, feeling like screaming because...--$§Ö?%!!-- So d@mn angry right now!! -- Yet so addictive AMAZING GOOD to listening to.
**
The first book started when our main character witnessed a very brutal murder and met a smashing hot Detective. - A long epic steaming hot, and so intense love tale started then and there.
Chicago...
From book #1....
The A Matter of Time series is about (if you haven't yet read the first one:)
**
I'm a glad and happy audiobook listener.
Course is also the second part still very good narrated by (5:30 hrs). His voice IS these characters for me now.
I really like these music snippets between the chapters. This music makes this almost like listening to an old radio serial about a hard-boiled private-cop in the 50's. ~ Though this is contemporary and our main character Jory is a architect's assistant.
**
There is still a lot here to have opinions about (see my review for #1). But apart from that stuff is this heartwarming good and I can't help but love these, not always easy loved, men and this lengthy (but engrossing, fun, interesting etc.. and well-told) series more and more.
The love and steam are delightful hot and so tender sweet when we at last get some (wanted more this time). I'm actually kind of grateful that this is more a story about a young gay guy and his life than just another smexy M/M romance. Good for me.
As I already said in my last review: This is fun, intense, emotional and so captivating. ~ It isn't over yet and I fear I have to read them all to get a good HEA.
**
It's a fact by now: I'm stucked to these books and to dear Jory. ~ Just 2 (or 5) more to read or listening to. Oh yeah, this will be a long and bumpy ride. (Thank's for the cookies, ladies!)
I must point it out again: - Still very glad it's possible to listening to these long book-series and go on and 'live' your ordinary RL in the same time as you 'live' another one (...with Jory, Sam, Dane and the others).
Next up: #3 - A Matter of Time 3 (the first half of my next audiobook Vol.2 - A Matter of Time (book #3-4)).
I LIKE - ...will start the next one on my drive to a weekend in Stockholm (tomorrow Friday)
The A Matter of Time series by :
3.7 Stars - Heartbreaking - A lot of everything but stingy with love
Book #2
I finished the first part, book #1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars), early this morning and couldn't but start to listening to book #2 and the second half in Vol.1 - A Matter of Time (book #1-2) at once.
~ Still a captivating and truly touching love-tale... ~
Okay, I see I need to read them all..
At once! - I knew this would be many long hours and that these guys should hurt my heart, make me sob and get angry. And here I am, feeling like screaming because...--$§Ö?%!!-- So d@mn angry right now!! -- Yet so addictive AMAZING GOOD to listening to.
**
The first book started when our main character witnessed a very brutal murder and met a smashing hot Detective. - A long epic steaming hot, and so intense love tale started then and there.
Chicago...
From book #1....
The A Matter of Time series is about (if you haven't yet read the first one:)
**
I'm a glad and happy audiobook listener.
Course is also the second part still very good narrated by (5:30 hrs). His voice IS these characters for me now.
I really like these music snippets between the chapters. This music makes this almost like listening to an old radio serial about a hard-boiled private-cop in the 50's. ~ Though this is contemporary and our main character Jory is a architect's assistant.
**
There is still a lot here to have opinions about (see my review for #1). But apart from that stuff is this heartwarming good and I can't help but love these, not always easy loved, men and this lengthy (but engrossing, fun, interesting etc.. and well-told) series more and more.
The love and steam are delightful hot and so tender sweet when we at last get some (wanted more this time). I'm actually kind of grateful that this is more a story about a young gay guy and his life than just another smexy M/M romance. Good for me.
As I already said in my last review: This is fun, intense, emotional and so captivating. ~ It isn't over yet and I fear I have to read them all to get a good HEA.
**
It's a fact by now: I'm stucked to these books and to dear Jory. ~ Just 2 (or 5) more to read or listening to. Oh yeah, this will be a long and bumpy ride. (Thank's for the cookies, ladies!)
I must point it out again: - Still very glad it's possible to listening to these long book-series and go on and 'live' your ordinary RL in the same time as you 'live' another one (...with Jory, Sam, Dane and the others).
Next up: #3 - A Matter of Time 3 (the first half of my next audiobook Vol.2 - A Matter of Time (book #3-4)).
I LIKE - ...will start the next one on my drive to a weekend in Stockholm (tomorrow Friday)
The A Matter of Time series by :
July 19, 2010
2.5 stars
I think instead of writing a balanced, thought out, well-formed paragraph style review I'll just make a list of the things that annoyed me.
*Sam and Jory's relationship - This back and forth "I love you, I can't live without you", and then the next day "We can't be together" (for no real reason) thing gets old REAL damn fast.
*Eeeveryone loves Jory - Why does Jory need to meet a new guy that falls head over heels in love with him at first sight in every other chapter? What is the point of that? And hey, Jory - if you don't want stalkers, maybe you should just come out and tell them you're not interested instead of stringing everyone along. You create your own drama, dude.
*Indistinguishable characters - Everyone in these books is the same. Everyone talks and sounds the same. Every gay character loves Jory. Every female character wants to snag Dane and be Jory's best friend. No one is homophobic or uncomfortable with homosexuality at all, except the Big Mean Bad Guy, of course. These books are a stream of new characters that are exactly the same as all the other characters - FOR NO REASON. The do not further the plot or have any impact on Jory. They are space fillers.
*Missing punctuation - hey Mary, periods and commas are good sometimes.
I'm still reading these. They are strangely compelling. But let me be clear - they are not good. The writing screams "first time writer" and instead of releasing four books, they should have done some serious editing and released one book.
I think instead of writing a balanced, thought out, well-formed paragraph style review I'll just make a list of the things that annoyed me.
*Sam and Jory's relationship - This back and forth "I love you, I can't live without you", and then the next day "We can't be together" (for no real reason) thing gets old REAL damn fast.
*Eeeveryone loves Jory - Why does Jory need to meet a new guy that falls head over heels in love with him at first sight in every other chapter? What is the point of that? And hey, Jory - if you don't want stalkers, maybe you should just come out and tell them you're not interested instead of stringing everyone along. You create your own drama, dude.
*Indistinguishable characters - Everyone in these books is the same. Everyone talks and sounds the same. Every gay character loves Jory. Every female character wants to snag Dane and be Jory's best friend. No one is homophobic or uncomfortable with homosexuality at all, except the Big Mean Bad Guy, of course. These books are a stream of new characters that are exactly the same as all the other characters - FOR NO REASON. The do not further the plot or have any impact on Jory. They are space fillers.
*Missing punctuation - hey Mary, periods and commas are good sometimes.
I'm still reading these. They are strangely compelling. But let me be clear - they are not good. The writing screams "first time writer" and instead of releasing four books, they should have done some serious editing and released one book.
November 3, 2009
4.5 stars but under protest AGAIN
Oh, after being left hanging in book 1 I was all set for resolution in book 2. Ummm, no, that didn’t happen.
After I continued to follow Jory and Sam and all their friends and family for yet another book I found that again this books cuts off abruptly. At least the last sentence is finished but it cuts off IN THE MIDDLE OF A SCENE.
You can imagine my ire. So I sent off to the publisher for some info on the number of releases this was going to be until we read the FULL BOOK�
The response:
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your inquiry and also thanks for your purchase of “A Matter of Time� books. The next two in the series are due out later this month and December respectively…barring no unexpected delays which can sometimes occur in this business� In the meantime, if you are interested in more Gay/Lesbian based erotica type novels, may I also suggest “The Descent� by W. Richard St. James or MinX by Cary Stone and Jake Horton. Although they are primarily straight at the beginning, there gay and lesbian elements to them which you may find intriguing, not to mention, very fascinating storylines. They can be found in the General Fiction and Erotica Pages at the site.
Thanks again for shopping at Club Lighthouse Publishing, and do drop again.
Cheers,
Terrie
Really, do they think I am going to trust them to sell me a full book again? No. I won't take another chance like that...
Then I realized Ms. Calmes has a blog so I headed over there. This is her entry for 10/30/09
This is the new cover for Book II of A Matter of Time. The book is being published in 4 parts even though I wrote it as one complete story, one book. It is a romance first, murder-mystery second, all about Jory and Sam and their love and forces both internal and external that try and pull them apart. At 235,000 words it was a little too big to be just a single ebook. Look for it at Club Lighthouse the second week in November! The
The first cover was sort of smoky brown, this one melancholy blue.
*sigh*. This one book is going to cost the price of four but now that I am sucked into Jory’s world there is no way I am not going to see it through to the end even if I think this marketing strategy sucks.
Oh, after being left hanging in book 1 I was all set for resolution in book 2. Ummm, no, that didn’t happen.
After I continued to follow Jory and Sam and all their friends and family for yet another book I found that again this books cuts off abruptly. At least the last sentence is finished but it cuts off IN THE MIDDLE OF A SCENE.
You can imagine my ire. So I sent off to the publisher for some info on the number of releases this was going to be until we read the FULL BOOK�
The response:
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for your inquiry and also thanks for your purchase of “A Matter of Time� books. The next two in the series are due out later this month and December respectively…barring no unexpected delays which can sometimes occur in this business� In the meantime, if you are interested in more Gay/Lesbian based erotica type novels, may I also suggest “The Descent� by W. Richard St. James or MinX by Cary Stone and Jake Horton. Although they are primarily straight at the beginning, there gay and lesbian elements to them which you may find intriguing, not to mention, very fascinating storylines. They can be found in the General Fiction and Erotica Pages at the site.
Thanks again for shopping at Club Lighthouse Publishing, and do drop again.
Cheers,
Terrie
Really, do they think I am going to trust them to sell me a full book again? No. I won't take another chance like that...
Then I realized Ms. Calmes has a blog so I headed over there. This is her entry for 10/30/09
This is the new cover for Book II of A Matter of Time. The book is being published in 4 parts even though I wrote it as one complete story, one book. It is a romance first, murder-mystery second, all about Jory and Sam and their love and forces both internal and external that try and pull them apart. At 235,000 words it was a little too big to be just a single ebook. Look for it at Club Lighthouse the second week in November! The
The first cover was sort of smoky brown, this one melancholy blue.
*sigh*. This one book is going to cost the price of four but now that I am sucked into Jory’s world there is no way I am not going to see it through to the end even if I think this marketing strategy sucks.
October 5, 2017
Review for both book 1 & 2
I first met the main character of this book, Sam Kage, in another series Marshalls. He was a cranky bad ass, and I wanted to learn more about him. So I was quite surprised as I finished up book 2 in this series, and I am not very happy with Sam AT ALL.
Sam is a Detective in charge of keeping a witness, Jory, safe and alive to testify against a big time drug dealer. Jory likes to have fun and has lots of friends. He seems to find trouble wherever he goes. Sam has his hand full, but he soon realizes that he has feelings for Jory, and cannot live without him. But Sam has a lot to work through, especially coming to terms about his sexuality. He pushes Jory away, pulls him back in, pushes him away�.
I adore Jory and all of his friends. The relationship Jory has with his boss, Dane, is heartwarming. Dane and Jory both have no family, but seem to be “home� for each other. Dane is very protective of Jory, and is always there for him.
I am reading this series with the ladies of TPAM, and I am not sure if any of us can wait until next month to start book 3 because of the cliffy at the end of book 2.
I first met the main character of this book, Sam Kage, in another series Marshalls. He was a cranky bad ass, and I wanted to learn more about him. So I was quite surprised as I finished up book 2 in this series, and I am not very happy with Sam AT ALL.
Sam is a Detective in charge of keeping a witness, Jory, safe and alive to testify against a big time drug dealer. Jory likes to have fun and has lots of friends. He seems to find trouble wherever he goes. Sam has his hand full, but he soon realizes that he has feelings for Jory, and cannot live without him. But Sam has a lot to work through, especially coming to terms about his sexuality. He pushes Jory away, pulls him back in, pushes him away�.
I adore Jory and all of his friends. The relationship Jory has with his boss, Dane, is heartwarming. Dane and Jory both have no family, but seem to be “home� for each other. Dane is very protective of Jory, and is always there for him.
I am reading this series with the ladies of TPAM, and I am not sure if any of us can wait until next month to start book 3 because of the cliffy at the end of book 2.
August 9, 2016
Over the top, borderline ridiculous, and I LOVED every second!
That ending though-
Holy. Cliffhanger.
So glad I'm reading them now that they're all out! I would've been a very angry Colombian if I had to wait for the next one. Lol
Off to start book 3!
That ending though-
Holy. Cliffhanger.
So glad I'm reading them now that they're all out! I would've been a very angry Colombian if I had to wait for the next one. Lol
Off to start book 3!
January 23, 2019
Jory is adorable, he brings out the best in people and Sam is no exception. Sam is the grumpy cop who struggled realizing he was gay and totally in love with Jory. I enjoyed the dynamic of these two .. throw in Dylan & Nick who adore Jory and you have some great connections being built. I hated the ending to this book but I’m invested to see where this goes.
August 12, 2021
Re-read 12th August 2021
Re-read 27th - 28th August 2020.
Re-read 27th April 2019
Re-read 7th -8th September 2018
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this.
All the back and forwards drove me nuts.
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
Re-read 27th - 28th August 2020.
Re-read 27th April 2019
Re-read 7th -8th September 2018
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this.
All the back and forwards drove me nuts.
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
October 29, 2014
Audible
Oh, this was painful. Reminded me of my favourite Adrien English series.
I went through the audiobook almost without a break, wanting to hurry up and see what happens next. It's getting better and better and judging by the nasty cliffhangers here, it looks like I'll have to put my life on hold in order to finish the series and get my much needed HEA.
I'm seriously hooked!
Thank you, my dear Ingela, for recommending the series to me!
***4.2 stars***
Oh, this was painful. Reminded me of my favourite Adrien English series.
I went through the audiobook almost without a break, wanting to hurry up and see what happens next. It's getting better and better and judging by the nasty cliffhangers here, it looks like I'll have to put my life on hold in order to finish the series and get my much needed HEA.
I'm seriously hooked!
Thank you, my dear Ingela, for recommending the series to me!
***4.2 stars***
August 15, 2016
JORY IS STUPID, BUT HIS PERSONALITY HAS A CERTAIN SPARK THAT YOU CAN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN. ALTHOUGH SAM IS ... *i dont have a right word for him yet* maybe a soonuffabitch i think!
This book is too stupidly funny :P
This book is too stupidly funny :P
October 3, 2015
DON'T READ THIS BOOK unless you're ready to read all four of the first books at once and you are ready to be really upset for awhile. Apparently the four were written as all one book but the publisher felt it was to long and cut it into four parts. I'm very angry with the publisher. These are emotionally draining.
I'm going to review all of the first four together because they really are one book. I've noticed that now #1 & #2 are called Book I and #3 and #4 are Book II in some places but books 1 & 2 both end on cliffhangers. I was crying at the end of book 2.
This series effed me up. Calmes played with my emotions like my dog plays with stuffed toys she's trying to kill. There are so many ups and downs I felt like I was on Galloping Gerty. Ok, enough with the similes. The point is that this is an emotional roller coaster ride. Okay, that was a metaphor, not a simile.
The story is very linear. Jory sees bad thing, Jory needs to go into witness protection but refuses. Hot cop follows Jory. Jory works and we find out everything about Jory's work. Jory deals with cop. Jory deals with bad guys. It would be annoying if Jory weren't so wonderful.
Of course everyone agrees. Everyone in the story loves Jory. EVERYONE. Here is Jory's interactions with every single gay man we meet:
"Jory I love you. Come home with me."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
"Bye."
Then there's usually a problem with Jory getting away from him. Then later in the story:
"Jory, I'm so sorry, will you forgive me?"
"Of course."
"I know you don't want me, let's be friends."
"Okay."
"You know I love you more than anyone ever will."
"I know."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
Sometimes this happens several times. Jory is kind and sweet and loving to his stalkers. He's always calm. It's ridiculous.
Same with his boss. Every woman who meets him falls in love with him and will not accept when it's over. She throws herself at his feet and makes a complete fool of herself. Every single single woman. It's ridiculous. Of course, we love him, too.
Fortunately, unlike in many M/M stories, there are some wonderful female characters who I really liked. Of course, all the good characters are wonderful and we love them all. They all love Jory, even homophobic family. Everyone loves Jory. But so do I.
On to the plot:
Despite the thriller/mystery label of the books, only the third really feels like one. There are thriller elements in the first and second, a lot of danger in the second, but mostly it's about the relationship between Jory and Sam who's an asshole most of the time. But I wanted them together. Of course I wanted them together. I just wanted Sam to stop being an asshole.
Jory was maddening in his flip way of looking at his own life. He isn't surprised that everyone loves him, and he is completely aware that he's drop dead gorgeous. But he isn't arrogant and he doesn't have a lot of respect for his own life.
Sam wants Jory but he wants his life to stay the way it is, and he doesn't get that he can't have both. He's controlling and overprotective and surly. Most of the time it's adorable but sometimes I want to slap him. Jory loves the controlling part. Sometimes he feels like a little kid, but other times he's a lot more mature than Sam.
The danger scenes, the chases, the kidnappings, that kind of thing, were all well done and kept me clinging to my ebook reader. The pacing varied but was great through those parts.
The characters were good. Most of the main characters were individual enough that they felt real to me, even if they were all so wonderful and nice. There were a lot of women and het men in addition to gay boys.
By the end of #1, I was upset with the relationship but I still liked it and immediately read #2. In fact, I almost didn't even notice because the ending felt like it was in a completely arbitrary place. #2 starts immediately after the end of #1. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 just to differentiate it enough from the rest. Happy ending?
By the end of #2, the situation had been resolved, and everything was perfect until the last couple of pages when I wanted to maim someone, perhaps the author, for doing what she did to Sam & Jory. I couldn't handle the cliffhanger and was honestly really upset. I immediately bought the next one and within 10 minutes was deeply involved again. 3.5 stars, rounded down to three because of the ending. Happy ending? Okay, I cannot get this book out of my head, so I can't leave this at 3 stars, not when part three is 3 stars so I'm raising it up to 4.
#3 made me angry. I HATED the first part, I hated the situation, I hated that . this one was by far the worst in the series because there was no plot--it was all about Sam and Jory's relationship--and it read a lot like a soap opera. This one does not end on a cliffhanger but because of how emotionally wrenching the whole series was up to this point, you might be tempted to stop. DON'T because you might not start again. STICK WITH IT because #4 is the best of the lot. Happy ending? 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because of the ending and because I don't want anyone thinking it's not worth it.
#4 was what I expected the whole series to be: Exciting, romantic, interesting, dangerous, thrilling, sweet, with several twists and turns. It was exactly what I was looking for. The one problem was that Calmes had so messed with my heart that I had trouble enjoying it because I expected something awful to happen between Sam and Jory at any moment. Happy ending? 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I was so relieved and happy at the end.
I'm okay with how it left off, and I really want to keep reading the series, but I'm scared to, because I'm afraid Calmes is going to mess me up again. So for now, I'm just putting the next one as to-read and moving on to something else. I hope this habit of slicing through my heart with a butcher knife isn't true of all of her books because I would really like to read more, but I just can't take this.
BTW, I've seen some people label this GFY/OFY and it's not true.
I'm going to review all of the first four together because they really are one book. I've noticed that now #1 & #2 are called Book I and #3 and #4 are Book II in some places but books 1 & 2 both end on cliffhangers. I was crying at the end of book 2.
This series effed me up. Calmes played with my emotions like my dog plays with stuffed toys she's trying to kill. There are so many ups and downs I felt like I was on Galloping Gerty. Ok, enough with the similes. The point is that this is an emotional roller coaster ride. Okay, that was a metaphor, not a simile.
The story is very linear. Jory sees bad thing, Jory needs to go into witness protection but refuses. Hot cop follows Jory. Jory works and we find out everything about Jory's work. Jory deals with cop. Jory deals with bad guys. It would be annoying if Jory weren't so wonderful.
Of course everyone agrees. Everyone in the story loves Jory. EVERYONE. Here is Jory's interactions with every single gay man we meet:
"Jory I love you. Come home with me."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
"Bye."
Then there's usually a problem with Jory getting away from him. Then later in the story:
"Jory, I'm so sorry, will you forgive me?"
"Of course."
"I know you don't want me, let's be friends."
"Okay."
"You know I love you more than anyone ever will."
"I know."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
Sometimes this happens several times. Jory is kind and sweet and loving to his stalkers. He's always calm. It's ridiculous.
Same with his boss. Every woman who meets him falls in love with him and will not accept when it's over. She throws herself at his feet and makes a complete fool of herself. Every single single woman. It's ridiculous. Of course, we love him, too.
Fortunately, unlike in many M/M stories, there are some wonderful female characters who I really liked. Of course, all the good characters are wonderful and we love them all. They all love Jory, even homophobic family. Everyone loves Jory. But so do I.
On to the plot:
Despite the thriller/mystery label of the books, only the third really feels like one. There are thriller elements in the first and second, a lot of danger in the second, but mostly it's about the relationship between Jory and Sam who's an asshole most of the time. But I wanted them together. Of course I wanted them together. I just wanted Sam to stop being an asshole.
Jory was maddening in his flip way of looking at his own life. He isn't surprised that everyone loves him, and he is completely aware that he's drop dead gorgeous. But he isn't arrogant and he doesn't have a lot of respect for his own life.
Sam wants Jory but he wants his life to stay the way it is, and he doesn't get that he can't have both. He's controlling and overprotective and surly. Most of the time it's adorable but sometimes I want to slap him. Jory loves the controlling part. Sometimes he feels like a little kid, but other times he's a lot more mature than Sam.
The danger scenes, the chases, the kidnappings, that kind of thing, were all well done and kept me clinging to my ebook reader. The pacing varied but was great through those parts.
The characters were good. Most of the main characters were individual enough that they felt real to me, even if they were all so wonderful and nice. There were a lot of women and het men in addition to gay boys.
By the end of #1, I was upset with the relationship but I still liked it and immediately read #2. In fact, I almost didn't even notice because the ending felt like it was in a completely arbitrary place. #2 starts immediately after the end of #1. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 just to differentiate it enough from the rest. Happy ending?
By the end of #2, the situation had been resolved, and everything was perfect until the last couple of pages when I wanted to maim someone, perhaps the author, for doing what she did to Sam & Jory. I couldn't handle the cliffhanger and was honestly really upset. I immediately bought the next one and within 10 minutes was deeply involved again. 3.5 stars, rounded down to three because of the ending. Happy ending? Okay, I cannot get this book out of my head, so I can't leave this at 3 stars, not when part three is 3 stars so I'm raising it up to 4.
#3 made me angry. I HATED the first part, I hated the situation, I hated that . this one was by far the worst in the series because there was no plot--it was all about Sam and Jory's relationship--and it read a lot like a soap opera. This one does not end on a cliffhanger but because of how emotionally wrenching the whole series was up to this point, you might be tempted to stop. DON'T because you might not start again. STICK WITH IT because #4 is the best of the lot. Happy ending? 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because of the ending and because I don't want anyone thinking it's not worth it.
#4 was what I expected the whole series to be: Exciting, romantic, interesting, dangerous, thrilling, sweet, with several twists and turns. It was exactly what I was looking for. The one problem was that Calmes had so messed with my heart that I had trouble enjoying it because I expected something awful to happen between Sam and Jory at any moment. Happy ending? 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I was so relieved and happy at the end.
I'm okay with how it left off, and I really want to keep reading the series, but I'm scared to, because I'm afraid Calmes is going to mess me up again. So for now, I'm just putting the next one as to-read and moving on to something else. I hope this habit of slicing through my heart with a butcher knife isn't true of all of her books because I would really like to read more, but I just can't take this.
BTW, I've seen some people label this GFY/OFY and it's not true.
July 28, 2013
Ugh, where to start. The first book was so awesome and this book is so lacking.
I'm mad at Jory and Dane didn't end up together and I think their whole relationship is weird. Like, one day Jory goes from assistant that's practically scared of his boss to brothers and suddenly he's like "oh okay. brothers then." The entire situation is weird.
Also I dislike Sam. A lot. He's a huge jerk and keeps leaving Jory and treating him like shit. Make up your goddamn mind, mind. Jesus.
I'm mad at Jory and Dane didn't end up together and I think their whole relationship is weird. Like, one day Jory goes from assistant that's practically scared of his boss to brothers and suddenly he's like "oh okay. brothers then." The entire situation is weird.
Also I dislike Sam. A lot. He's a huge jerk and keeps leaving Jory and treating him like shit. Make up your goddamn mind, mind. Jesus.
December 31, 2010
Detective dickhead really seems to be less dickhead-ish by the end of this one. He was actually very sweet and it was nice...
February 20, 2022
Couldn't put it down.
September 16, 2013
4.0 Stars
Jeez, these guys know how to bring the drama. I've come to realize that Sam is very much like Jake Riordian. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. I love Jake (and Sam). But man do they drive me nuts! The on-again-off-again dynamic gave me whiplash but I loved every minute of it! Jory did A LOT for Sam () in this book. So the ending (and it's a doozie) left me gaping like a fish.
Bottom line: I can't stop reading this series!
Note: My status updates are for books 3-4! Sorry!
Jeez, these guys know how to bring the drama. I've come to realize that Sam is very much like Jake Riordian. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. I love Jake (and Sam). But man do they drive me nuts! The on-again-off-again dynamic gave me whiplash but I loved every minute of it! Jory did A LOT for Sam () in this book. So the ending (and it's a doozie) left me gaping like a fish.
Bottom line: I can't stop reading this series!
Note: My status updates are for books 3-4! Sorry!
August 29, 2012
And this is why I do not do series/sequels. At 27% I have been reading the same two lines repeated ad nauseum.
Sam: "You love me. You belong to me, always."
Jory: "No___ I, uh, but, uhm, it never works. Sam___ugh..."
I am dead serious. The premise of this book has yet to revel itself...27% in to it. The purpose is looking more and more like a cash cow because it is reading like a wholly unnecessary, weakened replication of Book 1.
So I am jumping ship. This is a DNF for me.
Sam: "You love me. You belong to me, always."
Jory: "No___ I, uh, but, uhm, it never works. Sam___ugh..."
I am dead serious. The premise of this book has yet to revel itself...27% in to it. The purpose is looking more and more like a cash cow because it is reading like a wholly unnecessary, weakened replication of Book 1.
So I am jumping ship. This is a DNF for me.
May 28, 2013
What exactly is so romantic about the relationship between Jory and Sam? Sam is a controlling bully who borders on being abusive and doesn't understand the meaning of "no." There's a fine line between being persistent and being a stalker/jealous creep. Also, how many times can guys feel the need to "feed" Jory? And how many times can Jory storm out of a restaurant only to find Sam there or to have some guy chase out of the restaurant after him? It is getting very redundant.
February 1, 2019
RR January 2019
_______
Re-read June 2017
_______
Re-read June 2017
October 31, 2014
Review of all 4 books of the first part of the series in located in the book 4 review.
October 7, 2016
See link below for review of Books 1 & 2
/review/show...
August 15, 2014
This was definitely a step up from book#1. Not once did I laugh about anything too ridiculous to believe (well, maybe once or twice). I liked Jory much better now, maybe because the amount of adjectives to describe his beauty were seriously diminished, and he was not bumping in to the hundreds of guys he once had sex with.
He was also sliiightly more human in this one. Well, except for how brilliant he is at everything (apparently he is a great photographer as well, and a match-maker of epic proportions. And, I quote:
I think he is slowly growing on me. Especially after ).
There was also a lot more happening in this one, the plot that started in the first book developed into something interesting. Not to exaggerate, it’s not biting-nails exciting, but still, totally ok.
Of course, you would have to be as daft as Jory and Sam not to see THAT coming...
And a cliff-hanger ending again. Of course I will go on with the next one, I need to see what this new development will take them.
June 5, 2015
This book was worse than the first. Where was the plot? Where was the romance? I've lost any and all respect I had for Sam Kage when I first met him in . Sam was a verbally abusive asshole to Jory the entire time. Why Jory would want a man like that I have no idea. Sam was also a hypocrite to sleep with that Maggie chick.
Nick was a hot, desperate mess. Why was he even in the story? And why didn't Sam realize Dominic was dirty? Isn't he a detective???? I'm gonna put the brakes on continuing this series for now. I need a better read after this.
Nick was a hot, desperate mess. Why was he even in the story? And why didn't Sam realize Dominic was dirty? Isn't he a detective???? I'm gonna put the brakes on continuing this series for now. I need a better read after this.
March 30, 2016
Just adorable. Jory is so sweet and Sam is such a great character. I had read the Marshals series first so I knew about Sam Kage and it was great to get elaboration for his character. Fun and exciting romance, but very interesting plot too.
I have the audio version of this and I had to ditch it after Volume 1. The narrator just couldn't grab me and there were way too many pauses which were distracting. Didn't do Mary Calmes' excellent writing justice.
3/29 - I just did a quick re-read and it was just as good the second time.
I have the audio version of this and I had to ditch it after Volume 1. The narrator just couldn't grab me and there were way too many pauses which were distracting. Didn't do Mary Calmes' excellent writing justice.
3/29 - I just did a quick re-read and it was just as good the second time.
June 5, 2022
2022
Same old same old.
2020
This review will be a combined review of the first 4 books as a whole so use caution as there could be spoilers for other books.
Ok, I have read this series several times over the years, and in fact was one of the first books I read when I started mm romance. I don't remember if the things that annoy me now did then too. I can say I totally enjoyed them the first go round and was obsessed.
Now on my who know's how many re-reads later, those annoyances are VERY in your face. Not in any particular order:
- Jory, why does everyone want to touch, kiss, hang on, be around, have sex with, instantly fall in love with him? There has not been one person, male or female, who didn't want Jory in one way or another. Annoying!! I so want to edit this book!
- Interruptions, Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They all constantly interrupt each other. Why?????????????????? How many hanging sentences can there be in a story? Unofficial tally 90% of this story is told via interrupted sentences. I so want to edit this book!
- knowing what the other is thinking. There is a lot of psychic ability here because somehow everyone can read minds, which leads to interrupting someone! Stoooooooop!!! I so want to edit this book!
- asking stupid/obvious questions. Hmm, why is the killer after me, why does everyone touch Jory, why is Jory in trouble? Duh!!! Jory says yes to everything and has no sense. And then the just stupid questions of like, who someone is, or what their job means. There are so many basic obvious things being asked I wanted to shake people. It's like the characters got paid by the word. I so want to edit this book!
- yawning. Is there not some other "thing" a character could do, like scratch their nose, or play with their hair, or crack their knuckles. EVERYBODY is yawning in this story. Why are they yawning every 5 minutes??? I so want to edit this book!
- laughing. Yeah, sometimes laughing is good, when something is funny. But Jory laughs wrong. Death, murder, mayhem, anger, danger, running, hiding, during an argument, etc. So not the right time to laugh. And yet, Jory does this routinely. Has anyone checked him for a brain tumor? I so want to edit this book!
- danger. How much danger can one person get in to and survive?!?!? If you are Jory, the answer is a lot and always. Dumb, dum-du-du-du-dum-dumb! Pimps, killers, cops, drug runners, random friends, random people! Jory should just live in an underground bunker and have food delivered by a very small shoot. I so want to edit this book!
- drinking/parties/wanting Jory to "be there." Jory is beyond popular. Everyone wants him and wants to be around him. He is invited everywhere and of course is constantly berated for forgetting to show up (he is out getting not murdered, sometimes). Frankly, with Jory's track record, I would want him as far away from me as possible. And Jory drinks a lot!! Substituting drinking for plot does not work. I so want to edit this book!
- Dane adopts Jory. Say what? I know I had this same reaction the first time. Ok, not adopts. Dane makes Jory his brother. Ok, got it. But what?? Seriously, what magic does Jory possess that makes people do these things! Dane, a very smart, serious, not seemingly daft in the head person, decides his admin assistant, Jory, should be his brother. Legal stuff, yada-yada-yada, Jory changes his name to Harcourt. Um, what? I so want to edit this book!
- constant yelling at Jory, and Jory ignoring. Jory is a flight risk (from those who tell him what to do) and has no sense of self protection, which yep, gets him almost murdered constantly by rando people he meets. Sam yells at Jory to come home, come to the hospital, come to him wherever, just come. And does Jory listen? Ha, nope! So by book 4, why even bother?
-Sam. Sigh, Sam. What a douche!!!!!!!!! I do NOT remember the part where someone is pointing out how Sam is different when Jory is around by explaining Sam FOLLOWED SOMEONE WHO CUT HIM OFF (driving) AND BEAT HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Sam, a POLICE OFFICER! Followed a stranger and beat him up. Yes, this is logical and sane and I would totally date him, so go for it Jory! And let's not forget how often Sam ignored Jory in the beginning, or how cheap he treated him. Then expects Jory to just take him back, snap of fingers. Nope. What a douche!!!
- dialogue short hand. Watcha, hafta, wanna, etc. Annoyed the crarp out of me!!!!! And it wasn't just Jory talking that way, which could be a character trait. No, it was MOST of the characters talking that way. These are not technically words!!! Sure fiction should have a basis in reality but this is ridiculous! I don't speak in short hand routinely, maybe when I am just playing around. But I promise you if I talked like that at work, I would have people looking at me weird and possibly a sit down with HR. Add in the yawning and they might think I am on drugs! 😁😁 I have to say, this is possibly the thing that annoyed me the most. Use real contractions, can't, won't, want to, have to, what are you doing...yes those last are not contractions, just making a point.
- People loving, then hating, then loving Jory again. You say bad things to me, you're out. People talk serious bad bad bad things to Jory and then he accepts their apology and acts as if nothing happened! Even to those who are trying to kill him! Yes, let's huddle for body warmth next to a possible Jory serial killer because Jory never wears enough clothes in the winter, in Chicago (right?). Again, no sense of self preservation.
- Other characters. a) stop molesting Jory. b) stop telling Jory how beautiful he is you random wacko stranger. c) ditto for not strangers. d) get a life that does not revolve around Jory (you can do better). e) Stop bringing your problems to Jory to solve. He can't help himself. You have relationship/work/money problems, a hangnail, someone wants to kill you (for a change), figure it out you adult adults, and tell the police about the last one.
Ha, these books just make no sense!! I do NOT know anybody who is THIS popular. How is it possible people all over the world don't know Jory at this point?
I am not as obsessed with this series as I was before. Hurray maturity and experience. One of these days I WILL go thought this series and edit annoying parts, delete stupid parts, and finally have a story that doesn't make me feel like ripping out my eyeballs.
And now....on to book 5. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Same old same old.
2020
This review will be a combined review of the first 4 books as a whole so use caution as there could be spoilers for other books.
Ok, I have read this series several times over the years, and in fact was one of the first books I read when I started mm romance. I don't remember if the things that annoy me now did then too. I can say I totally enjoyed them the first go round and was obsessed.
Now on my who know's how many re-reads later, those annoyances are VERY in your face. Not in any particular order:
- Jory, why does everyone want to touch, kiss, hang on, be around, have sex with, instantly fall in love with him? There has not been one person, male or female, who didn't want Jory in one way or another. Annoying!! I so want to edit this book!
- Interruptions, Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They all constantly interrupt each other. Why?????????????????? How many hanging sentences can there be in a story? Unofficial tally 90% of this story is told via interrupted sentences. I so want to edit this book!
- knowing what the other is thinking. There is a lot of psychic ability here because somehow everyone can read minds, which leads to interrupting someone! Stoooooooop!!! I so want to edit this book!
- asking stupid/obvious questions. Hmm, why is the killer after me, why does everyone touch Jory, why is Jory in trouble? Duh!!! Jory says yes to everything and has no sense. And then the just stupid questions of like, who someone is, or what their job means. There are so many basic obvious things being asked I wanted to shake people. It's like the characters got paid by the word. I so want to edit this book!
- yawning. Is there not some other "thing" a character could do, like scratch their nose, or play with their hair, or crack their knuckles. EVERYBODY is yawning in this story. Why are they yawning every 5 minutes??? I so want to edit this book!
- laughing. Yeah, sometimes laughing is good, when something is funny. But Jory laughs wrong. Death, murder, mayhem, anger, danger, running, hiding, during an argument, etc. So not the right time to laugh. And yet, Jory does this routinely. Has anyone checked him for a brain tumor? I so want to edit this book!
- danger. How much danger can one person get in to and survive?!?!? If you are Jory, the answer is a lot and always. Dumb, dum-du-du-du-dum-dumb! Pimps, killers, cops, drug runners, random friends, random people! Jory should just live in an underground bunker and have food delivered by a very small shoot. I so want to edit this book!
- drinking/parties/wanting Jory to "be there." Jory is beyond popular. Everyone wants him and wants to be around him. He is invited everywhere and of course is constantly berated for forgetting to show up (he is out getting not murdered, sometimes). Frankly, with Jory's track record, I would want him as far away from me as possible. And Jory drinks a lot!! Substituting drinking for plot does not work. I so want to edit this book!
- Dane adopts Jory. Say what? I know I had this same reaction the first time. Ok, not adopts. Dane makes Jory his brother. Ok, got it. But what?? Seriously, what magic does Jory possess that makes people do these things! Dane, a very smart, serious, not seemingly daft in the head person, decides his admin assistant, Jory, should be his brother. Legal stuff, yada-yada-yada, Jory changes his name to Harcourt. Um, what? I so want to edit this book!
- constant yelling at Jory, and Jory ignoring. Jory is a flight risk (from those who tell him what to do) and has no sense of self protection, which yep, gets him almost murdered constantly by rando people he meets. Sam yells at Jory to come home, come to the hospital, come to him wherever, just come. And does Jory listen? Ha, nope! So by book 4, why even bother?
-Sam. Sigh, Sam. What a douche!!!!!!!!! I do NOT remember the part where someone is pointing out how Sam is different when Jory is around by explaining Sam FOLLOWED SOMEONE WHO CUT HIM OFF (driving) AND BEAT HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Sam, a POLICE OFFICER! Followed a stranger and beat him up. Yes, this is logical and sane and I would totally date him, so go for it Jory! And let's not forget how often Sam ignored Jory in the beginning, or how cheap he treated him. Then expects Jory to just take him back, snap of fingers. Nope. What a douche!!!
- dialogue short hand. Watcha, hafta, wanna, etc. Annoyed the crarp out of me!!!!! And it wasn't just Jory talking that way, which could be a character trait. No, it was MOST of the characters talking that way. These are not technically words!!! Sure fiction should have a basis in reality but this is ridiculous! I don't speak in short hand routinely, maybe when I am just playing around. But I promise you if I talked like that at work, I would have people looking at me weird and possibly a sit down with HR. Add in the yawning and they might think I am on drugs! 😁😁 I have to say, this is possibly the thing that annoyed me the most. Use real contractions, can't, won't, want to, have to, what are you doing...yes those last are not contractions, just making a point.
- People loving, then hating, then loving Jory again. You say bad things to me, you're out. People talk serious bad bad bad things to Jory and then he accepts their apology and acts as if nothing happened! Even to those who are trying to kill him! Yes, let's huddle for body warmth next to a possible Jory serial killer because Jory never wears enough clothes in the winter, in Chicago (right?). Again, no sense of self preservation.
- Other characters. a) stop molesting Jory. b) stop telling Jory how beautiful he is you random wacko stranger. c) ditto for not strangers. d) get a life that does not revolve around Jory (you can do better). e) Stop bringing your problems to Jory to solve. He can't help himself. You have relationship/work/money problems, a hangnail, someone wants to kill you (for a change), figure it out you adult adults, and tell the police about the last one.
Ha, these books just make no sense!! I do NOT know anybody who is THIS popular. How is it possible people all over the world don't know Jory at this point?
I am not as obsessed with this series as I was before. Hurray maturity and experience. One of these days I WILL go thought this series and edit annoying parts, delete stupid parts, and finally have a story that doesn't make me feel like ripping out my eyeballs.
And now....on to book 5. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
October 11, 2013
I am so WTFing right now.... I am developing sever whiplash from all the turns the story is taking and lockjaw from the screeches at my kindle.
Ok so to sum it up here is what I am thinking so far on each character.
Dane
sigh Dane, how I want you for Jory, ok, gun to head how I want you for me. You have all that asshole outside/gooey sweetheart inside wrapped up in a sexy package that I fall so hard for.
Jory
Wake the hell up and have some pride Man. He slept with someone else and you literally jump right back in his lap... NO, No, No....
Sam
Jory may forgive you at a smile but duuuuude you have so much more work to do for me to get on board where I think this is going....
Nick
and I know this is a throwaway and he is supposed to be hot but all i see is:
I am frustrated, and angry with the characters, and scared for jory most of the time .... I am so loving this story... It really doesn't matter if I like them when I love them....
September 7, 2014
Ode to J...
There once was a man named Jory,
He made me obsess on this story.
He was very beautiful and so very kind,
And always in trouble with his distracted mind.
His skin was so golden and his eyes were so brown,
There was no one who could resist him in the whole windy town.
He had a big knack for trouble and an eye for things pretty,
He loved jazz clubs and good scotch and was always quite witty.
Then he met Sam - a big handsome guy,
The cop who started off straight - but then maybe was bi?
A detective with clout that was Sam Kage,
His lust over Jory was clouded in rage.
Sam was appealing - he looked like a god,
No one could resist him or his sexy bod.
Jory's friends tried to warn him but it was too late,
Don't give your heart away to a man who is straight!!
Their passion was crazy and very intense,
They were perfect together it really made sense.
But Sam couldn't handle the way it was going,
He freaked out on Jory and their love that was growing.
The perils of Jory they just won't slow down,
He’s kidnapped and beaten and thrown all around.
His brushes with death are too many to name,
He lives on the edge - his life is never quite tame.
He meets pimps and drug-dealers and all sorts of foes,
He is drunk and abandoned and left to his woes.
He solves crimes and meets women who love him a lot,
Too bad he is gay 'cause he’s so freakin� hot!
Well, Sam does return to reclaim his man,
Because there's no one but Jory for someone like Sam.
Their adventures continue until death do they part,
Because love wants what it wants and you can't fool the heart
There once was a man named Jory,
He made me obsess on this story.
He was very beautiful and so very kind,
And always in trouble with his distracted mind.
His skin was so golden and his eyes were so brown,
There was no one who could resist him in the whole windy town.
He had a big knack for trouble and an eye for things pretty,
He loved jazz clubs and good scotch and was always quite witty.
Then he met Sam - a big handsome guy,
The cop who started off straight - but then maybe was bi?
A detective with clout that was Sam Kage,
His lust over Jory was clouded in rage.
Sam was appealing - he looked like a god,
No one could resist him or his sexy bod.
Jory's friends tried to warn him but it was too late,
Don't give your heart away to a man who is straight!!
Their passion was crazy and very intense,
They were perfect together it really made sense.
But Sam couldn't handle the way it was going,
He freaked out on Jory and their love that was growing.
The perils of Jory they just won't slow down,
He’s kidnapped and beaten and thrown all around.
His brushes with death are too many to name,
He lives on the edge - his life is never quite tame.
He meets pimps and drug-dealers and all sorts of foes,
He is drunk and abandoned and left to his woes.
He solves crimes and meets women who love him a lot,
Too bad he is gay 'cause he’s so freakin� hot!
Well, Sam does return to reclaim his man,
Because there's no one but Jory for someone like Sam.
Their adventures continue until death do they part,
Because love wants what it wants and you can't fool the heart
January 31, 2021
4.25stars
October 11, 2015
These two are making my head spin. Onto book 3
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