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Home #3
Where He Ends and I Begin
Jake Owens, aggressive, physical, blunt and brave, is a football hero turned city cop. Nate Richardson, his best friend since before forever, is thoughtful, quiet, and kind, a brilliant doctor who has always known who he is and that Jake is the love of his life—and loyal, courageous, straight Jake has never had a clue.
But Jake has been nursing his own case of the unrequiteds, and he’s never been as straight as Nate assumes. Nate may think their passionate explosion is a fluke, a result of too much closeness for too long, but Jake is bound and determined to prove to him otherwise. For Jake, the question isn’t how they ended up in bed together... it’s how can he convince Nate that he wants and needs to stay there.
But Jake has been nursing his own case of the unrequiteds, and he’s never been as straight as Nate assumes. Nate may think their passionate explosion is a fluke, a result of too much closeness for too long, but Jake is bound and determined to prove to him otherwise. For Jake, the question isn’t how they ended up in bed together... it’s how can he convince Nate that he wants and needs to stay there.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2011
214 people are currently reading
1503 people want to read
About the author
Cardeno C.
66books2,370followersCardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
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Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website:
Blog: (Shared Blog)
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile:
FB Group:
YouTube:
Pinterest:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
June 11, 2020
*2.5 stars*
This story was legit bananas. BANANAS!
Just when I thought I've read the gooiest, mushiest books, I stumble upon this one and this one puts all other CC books to shame. TO SHAME.
This book is like a marshmallow exploded over two sweaty, naked gay guys. It is gay fluffernutter smorgasbord!! It's feast time, baby!
I honestly would have rolled with the crazy obsessive jealousy, co-dependency, and totally bizarre psychic connection if it wasn't for a few details. I mean, I KNOW what to expect with , and I think I could have made allowances for the relationship to bend reality so hard that it snaps and shatters in a million little we-are-one-forever-and-ever- and-ever-OMG pieces.
But the details really killed it for me.
Picture this: you read a scene (or in my case, listen) in a book from one perspective, then you listen to the EXACT same scene from the other person's perspective. Back and forth, the same scenes over and over again. It was crazy! So repetitive, so annoying. I'm a HUGE fan of alternating POVs, but when you have déjà vu from the SAME story being told again and again, it becomes really trying.
Also, this book is all about the flashbacks. The whole plot is just an almost nauseatingly sappy series of flashbacks and then jumps to present day. I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks, and I felt like so much of this story was told that way.
One really bright spot was the narration. I enjoyed 's narration a great deal. He read those sex scenes (which came one after another- these guys were like smutty, smutty bunnies!!) with gusto without over acting, and I liked the differentiation between the two MCs' voices. He made the audio very enjoyable, even if I was eye-rolling at the plot the whole time.
This book was so redonculous that I don't think any other story can top it in that department. If you are into a story with some small misunderstandings followed by insane amounts of sex and sweetness, and like the idea of two guys who are probably clinically obsessed with each other and have a psudo-incest vibe going on, this story is for you. For me, it wasn't my favorite CC book, but it also wasn't my least favorite. However, I know can really knock it out of the park when the stars align, so I will forever read CC's stuff. Hopefully my next CC is a hit.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|||
January 16, 2015
2.5 stars
PSA: This book has a lot of sex. I mean...A LOT...of sex. And when I say a lot of sex, Imean A. LOT. OF. SEX. And if I failed to really get my point through, let me just leave it at this...SEX. SEX. SEX. SEX. SEX. Come-multiple-times, don't-need-to-touch-my-dick, inside-outside-anyway-I-can-get-it-or-give-it SEX. Not a chapter and nary a page goes by without some...SEX.
Now, what amazes me is that if you took away ALL THAT SEX, the 10 or so pages of story you're left with are actually my crack. We're talking soul mates...2 guys born to be together. A relationship SO codependent that therapists worldwide are chomping at the bit...and I am lapping this shit up. I love it.
Jake & Natewere destined to be together before they were even conceived. Their mothers were best friends. Their fathers became best friends. They were conceived and born together and grew up inseparable. They were 2 halves to one heart. And when theyfinallyrealize that, duh, destiny planned from the start that they'd fall in love...let all the I'll-do-anything-for-him choices and actions and life decisions.
I'd tell you more, but...there isn't much more. That's pretty much the story. Yeah, there are a few misunderstandings along the way. There's some adjustment and all. There are some blissfully over-the-top romantic gestures and declarations that had me a puddle of goo. And then there's sex...A LOT OF SEX.
Oh yeah...one beef with this book (besides the, *ahem*, amount of SEX)...the chapters alternated from Nate's and Jake's POV's. I typically don't mind this style at all. But, entire paragraphs of dialogue were replayed, cut & paste style, in each chapter. And this started to get, obviously, repetitive. And I started to get, predictably, annoyed.
Still...this could have been...this would have been...this should have been a story MADE for me. It is Cardeno C after all. And Cardeno C is very often my drug of choice. If it weren't for all that...
...SEX.
March 9, 2015
This review is for the second edition of this book, which includes a bonus chapter originally published in:
Fluffy pink unicorns dancing on rainbows have NOTHING on this book.
This is the ultimate GFY, opposites-attract, BFFs-to-lovers story.
The book BEGINS with a HEA, and the rest is just layer upon layer of happy, sexy, and delicious.
Nate and Jake have been friends FOREVER. They were born on the same day in the same town to moms who were besties, and have been each other's everything always.
Nate is the quiet, brilliant, slightly geeky one, the scientist and doctor, the light to Jake's dark.
Jake is self-assured and broody, an athlete and cop ready to take and protect what's his.
Nate comes out to Jake when the MCs are 13, but Nate assumes Jake is straight, what with Jake fucking every girl in a 50-mile radius.
Little does Nate know that Jake has been screwing women only because it's easy and mindless. Jake has been in love with Nate for as long as Nate's been in love with him.
Even saying Jake is gay for Nate is inaccurate. Jake LIVES for Nate. He BREATHES for Nate. He is Nate-sexual.
And Nate feels the same about Jake.
Once that little misunderstanding of Jake's sexuality is cleared up (around the 13 percent mark), the rest is SEX and light angst (Nate not trusting that Jake will want him long-term) and SEX and a visit to see the family and SEX and Jake rescuing a prostitute and her baby and SEX and more SEX.
Once these guys start, they don't stop. There's a lot of dirty, luscious, ridiculously smexy action here.
If everything seems too right, that's because it is: perfect and easy and good.
Like with the other books in the series, the ending felt rushed. Big, life-changing decisions (moving back home, adopting a kid) were summarized in a few paragraphs, and the actual costs and logistics were pretty much brushed aside.
This book isn't deep. It isn't even realistic.
But it's fucking awesome, a fantasy of that forever and ever kind of love where family and friends are loving and accepting; the new police sheriff is glad that you're gay and wants you to OWN IT; and you don't know where you end and he begins.
Fluffy pink unicorns dancing on rainbows have NOTHING on this book.
This is the ultimate GFY, opposites-attract, BFFs-to-lovers story.
The book BEGINS with a HEA, and the rest is just layer upon layer of happy, sexy, and delicious.
Nate and Jake have been friends FOREVER. They were born on the same day in the same town to moms who were besties, and have been each other's everything always.
Nate is the quiet, brilliant, slightly geeky one, the scientist and doctor, the light to Jake's dark.
Jake is self-assured and broody, an athlete and cop ready to take and protect what's his.
Nate comes out to Jake when the MCs are 13, but Nate assumes Jake is straight, what with Jake fucking every girl in a 50-mile radius.
Little does Nate know that Jake has been screwing women only because it's easy and mindless. Jake has been in love with Nate for as long as Nate's been in love with him.
Even saying Jake is gay for Nate is inaccurate. Jake LIVES for Nate. He BREATHES for Nate. He is Nate-sexual.
And Nate feels the same about Jake.
Once that little misunderstanding of Jake's sexuality is cleared up (around the 13 percent mark), the rest is SEX and light angst (Nate not trusting that Jake will want him long-term) and SEX and a visit to see the family and SEX and Jake rescuing a prostitute and her baby and SEX and more SEX.
Once these guys start, they don't stop. There's a lot of dirty, luscious, ridiculously smexy action here.
If everything seems too right, that's because it is: perfect and easy and good.
Like with the other books in the series, the ending felt rushed. Big, life-changing decisions (moving back home, adopting a kid) were summarized in a few paragraphs, and the actual costs and logistics were pretty much brushed aside.
This book isn't deep. It isn't even realistic.
But it's fucking awesome, a fantasy of that forever and ever kind of love where family and friends are loving and accepting; the new police sheriff is glad that you're gay and wants you to OWN IT; and you don't know where you end and he begins.
October 4, 2018
Madre mía..., pero ¿qué es esto que he leído? Friends to lovers, que más bien parece brothers to lovers, sin ningún tipo de argumento, tan solo flashbacks y escenas que se repiten una y otra vez, primero con un POV, luego con el otro. Frases de algodón de azucar envueltas en lazo rosa y con un bañito de chocolate acompañadas por sexo, sexo y luego un poquito de sexo más.
Totalmente ridículo.
1.5 estrellas.
Totalmente ridículo.
1.5 estrellas.
June 22, 2015
Cardeno C is a new to me author. Never read a full book of hers only tried a sample of one so I wasn't sure what to expect. The first chapter hooked me but when the second chapter started I thought-
Didn't I just read this? Yes, I had. Rather than an alternating dual POV, she'd write the same scene over from the other character's perspective. I found this really irritating and came close to DNFing it. It would take me out of the story and made me backtrack. Luckily, the whole book isn't like that and the story is enjoyable enough that when it did happen I could overlook the annoyingness of it. Now to the positive.
What I loved:
*Nate and Jake. Together and individually.
*The story. I love a great best friends to lovers story and this delivered a great one. These two were meant to be together.
*It was low angst, feel good.
*Steam?
Ha! It's off the charts!
*Really great epilogue.
Definitely recommend this one and I'll certainly be looking at this author's backlist. 4 Stars.
P.S. Had this book been told from an alternating POV I'd have given it 5 Stars.
Didn't I just read this? Yes, I had. Rather than an alternating dual POV, she'd write the same scene over from the other character's perspective. I found this really irritating and came close to DNFing it. It would take me out of the story and made me backtrack. Luckily, the whole book isn't like that and the story is enjoyable enough that when it did happen I could overlook the annoyingness of it. Now to the positive.
What I loved:
*Nate and Jake. Together and individually.
*The story. I love a great best friends to lovers story and this delivered a great one. These two were meant to be together.
*It was low angst, feel good.
*Steam?
Ha! It's off the charts!
*Really great epilogue.
Definitely recommend this one and I'll certainly be looking at this author's backlist. 4 Stars.
P.S. Had this book been told from an alternating POV I'd have given it 5 Stars.
September 3, 2013
Cardeno C says he ( yes I found out Cardeno is male ) Quote: " is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a little Happiness and a few " Awwws" into a readers day ," well he does that for me in spades and yep, his books are full of sugar and his guys are almost too good to be true...but WHO CARES!!! I'm very happy to be transported to a place where the sex is hot, the love is true, the chemistry explodes and the endings are always happy. Third book in the Home series and granted, for some readers his books might be too much of everything but this is another hit with me. I love his books and I love his couples. Nuff said!
June 21, 2017
Audible
I can't believe I finished it. At last. It was not easy!!
Where can I pick up my medal?
Susan, as already very often, expressed EXACTLY , 1:1, my opinion about this book.
I'm not sure I want to read more of this series. It's written in a comfortable author's manner - copy & paste & modify & publishing-but it's not what I'm looking for.
I think the reason I managed to listen it up to the end was a narrator, I doubt I could have been able to finish it if I had read it.
dnf
January 8, 2013Can't take it anymore. Every scene is told twice, putting sunscreen on each other values more sentences than the death of the parents of Jake, Jake the hero managed to carry injured Nate miles through the night and still keep pressure on the injury, leaving behind his dying parents and that's it? Off to the next scene of finally making love in the here and now. As harebrained as my review might sound now the whole book was for me. So this is the first DNF for me this year, I'm curious how many will follow.
May 26, 2016
2.5 hearts
Story:
Sometimes these types of books work for me and other times they just don’t. You know the type, that too sweet, too easy, too unrealistic type of relationship book. That is Jake and Nate's story.
Nate and Jake have been inseparable since birth and are as close as two people can be. They start a romantic/sexual relationship when they’re twenty eight, which is where the novel begins.
Really not much happens in this story, these two are in love and stay in love. At the beginning they both had huge amounts of insecurities that I found unrealistic for two men who have been best friends for twenty-eight years. This did get better as their relationship progressed, but then they had nothing that added conflict in their relationship, it was all fluffy rainbows and butterflies and this was only at about 45%.
There was a lot of reminiscing about their childhood and growing up together, so this gave a bit more story to their current cushy lives, but it did get a bit much when almost every chapter had a large portion of the past in it.
The way the dual point of view (POV) was written was an odd and quite frankly annoying choice. Quite often we’d hear a chapter from Jake's POV and then the next chapter would be repeating the previous chapter just in Nate's POV. There was hardly any new information given and the repetition became well...repetitive and left me wanting to skim to get to a chapter that progressed the story.
Narration:
The narration by Alexander Collins had a few issues that I couldn’t quite overcome to fully engage in the story .
His choice of voices for Jake and Nate left me giggling, rolling my eyes and looking behind my shoulder for the stalker following me. Jake had a very baritone voice, it made it hard to emote at all and words that were accentuated, such as ‘cock� and ‘touching�, left me feeling a little dirty while listening to them. Nate’s voice was definitely not creepy and was much more suited to him, however it was constantly whiny. I felt like he’d burst into tears every time he spoke.
After awhile I became more used to his voice and the choice of characters voices, however the accentuated words still felt a bit off. He’d accentuate some words constantly like ‘touching� that I couldn’t help roll my eyes every time it was said (and it's said frequently!). He also seemed to lack enthusiasm in certain parts of the story that I felt required it, like he was getting bored, or maybe that was just me.
In the end this was a very sweet story about true love lasting forever and the sex was hot in true Cardeno style, but overall I got bored quite quickly and felt the narration lacked enthusiasm. This would definitely work for a large amount of readers, but I was not one of them.
Story:
Sometimes these types of books work for me and other times they just don’t. You know the type, that too sweet, too easy, too unrealistic type of relationship book. That is Jake and Nate's story.
Nate and Jake have been inseparable since birth and are as close as two people can be. They start a romantic/sexual relationship when they’re twenty eight, which is where the novel begins.
Really not much happens in this story, these two are in love and stay in love. At the beginning they both had huge amounts of insecurities that I found unrealistic for two men who have been best friends for twenty-eight years. This did get better as their relationship progressed, but then they had nothing that added conflict in their relationship, it was all fluffy rainbows and butterflies and this was only at about 45%.
There was a lot of reminiscing about their childhood and growing up together, so this gave a bit more story to their current cushy lives, but it did get a bit much when almost every chapter had a large portion of the past in it.
The way the dual point of view (POV) was written was an odd and quite frankly annoying choice. Quite often we’d hear a chapter from Jake's POV and then the next chapter would be repeating the previous chapter just in Nate's POV. There was hardly any new information given and the repetition became well...repetitive and left me wanting to skim to get to a chapter that progressed the story.
Narration:
The narration by Alexander Collins had a few issues that I couldn’t quite overcome to fully engage in the story .
His choice of voices for Jake and Nate left me giggling, rolling my eyes and looking behind my shoulder for the stalker following me. Jake had a very baritone voice, it made it hard to emote at all and words that were accentuated, such as ‘cock� and ‘touching�, left me feeling a little dirty while listening to them. Nate’s voice was definitely not creepy and was much more suited to him, however it was constantly whiny. I felt like he’d burst into tears every time he spoke.
After awhile I became more used to his voice and the choice of characters voices, however the accentuated words still felt a bit off. He’d accentuate some words constantly like ‘touching� that I couldn’t help roll my eyes every time it was said (and it's said frequently!). He also seemed to lack enthusiasm in certain parts of the story that I felt required it, like he was getting bored, or maybe that was just me.
In the end this was a very sweet story about true love lasting forever and the sex was hot in true Cardeno style, but overall I got bored quite quickly and felt the narration lacked enthusiasm. This would definitely work for a large amount of readers, but I was not one of them.
October 23, 2015
Cardeno C. sure knows how to write fluffy books!
This was exactly what I needed.
For the first 30% I wasn’t too interested in this couple. I mean, these guys get together on the first page! I thought it would be either filled with angst or boring fluffiness. But actually it was neither.
First of all, there is NO ANGST, none, nada, nothing..
And yes there was fluffiness all around, but it wasn’t boring as I thought. It was beautiful. Wonderful fluff.
This is the story of Jake and Nate, 2 best friends since birth. These guys literally cannot live without each other. Nate came out when they were young, but Jake has always had a string of girls. So it comes as a total surprise to Nate when Jake admits he has always been in love with him. It takes some convincing and a whole lot of sex, but finally Nate sees that Jake loves him just as much as Nate loves Jake.
The love these guys shared, it was so beautiful. They grew up together, were always there for each other. It has never crossed their minds that they would ever be apart. They chose a college together, lived together.
It took some getting used to at the beginning, because we get every scene twice. Once from Jake’s POV and once from Nate’s POV. It felt very repetitive. But halfway through we don’t get the same scenes that much anymore, just changing POV’s per chapter. That was a lot better.
This was really a beautiful and sweet love. Nate and Jake were two halves of a whole. I loved it.
This was exactly what I needed.
For the first 30% I wasn’t too interested in this couple. I mean, these guys get together on the first page! I thought it would be either filled with angst or boring fluffiness. But actually it was neither.
First of all, there is NO ANGST, none, nada, nothing..
And yes there was fluffiness all around, but it wasn’t boring as I thought. It was beautiful. Wonderful fluff.
This is the story of Jake and Nate, 2 best friends since birth. These guys literally cannot live without each other. Nate came out when they were young, but Jake has always had a string of girls. So it comes as a total surprise to Nate when Jake admits he has always been in love with him. It takes some convincing and a whole lot of sex, but finally Nate sees that Jake loves him just as much as Nate loves Jake.
The love these guys shared, it was so beautiful. They grew up together, were always there for each other. It has never crossed their minds that they would ever be apart. They chose a college together, lived together.
It took some getting used to at the beginning, because we get every scene twice. Once from Jake’s POV and once from Nate’s POV. It felt very repetitive. But halfway through we don’t get the same scenes that much anymore, just changing POV’s per chapter. That was a lot better.
This was really a beautiful and sweet love. Nate and Jake were two halves of a whole. I loved it.
March 12, 2015
*** 2.5 Stars ***
* So. Much. Sex! My rabbits-would-be-jealous shelf was made for a book like this!
* Rotating perspectives with dialogue cut and paste from the previous section that made the story incredibly repetitive.
* Some truly WTF?! moments in which MC actions and reactions were not even remotely based in reality.
* Sweet, fluffy sugar coma - whatever your romantic heart could desire two MCs to say or do or be for each other, this book has it. I loved the idea of MCs who were together from the cradle to the grave, though. *happy sigh*
* So. Much. Sex! My rabbits-would-be-jealous shelf was made for a book like this!
* Rotating perspectives with dialogue cut and paste from the previous section that made the story incredibly repetitive.
* Some truly WTF?! moments in which MC actions and reactions were not even remotely based in reality.
* Sweet, fluffy sugar coma - whatever your romantic heart could desire two MCs to say or do or be for each other, this book has it. I loved the idea of MCs who were together from the cradle to the grave, though. *happy sigh*
February 17, 2015
After reading this book a second time, waiting 2 years in between, I came to the same conclusion as my initial read: Holy shit, this is the sappiest, stickiest, sweetest M/M romance on the market!
MCs Jake and Nate have been best friends their entire lives. They were born in the same hospital, their mother's already best friends, and once you get over the fact those these boys were practically brothers, you can sink yourself into the flashbacks and overly-sweet love they share. It is a fun read when you just need a huge dose of love-overkill.
So, be prepared for your teeth to hurt at how overly lovey-dovey these boys are, and don't think about how close to blood brothers they actually are, and let yourself be swept away in the M/M romance and entirely-too-much sex.
Recommended!
MCs Jake and Nate have been best friends their entire lives. They were born in the same hospital, their mother's already best friends, and once you get over the fact those these boys were practically brothers, you can sink yourself into the flashbacks and overly-sweet love they share. It is a fun read when you just need a huge dose of love-overkill.
So, be prepared for your teeth to hurt at how overly lovey-dovey these boys are, and don't think about how close to blood brothers they actually are, and let yourself be swept away in the M/M romance and entirely-too-much sex.
Recommended!
Read
October 8, 201821% DNF
Way too much repetition. The same scenes from both POV’s with the exact same info.
Life’s too short.
Way too much repetition. The same scenes from both POV’s with the exact same info.
Life’s too short.
February 27, 2016
I've gotta say, this really did not work for me. To the point where I didn't even want to deal with reviewing it, and then I let too much time go by, and now it's hard to formulate a review. But luckily, I did frequent updates for the first quarter or so before I got completely sick of everything. And I feel they sufficiently sum up my feelings:
So you get the idea? Nate was an ass and Jake was a doormat. The odd choice to do alternating POV for each scene didn't help, it felt redundant. There was no new information, and never does the narration say "after they talked about [so-and-so]", no we get to hear the entire conversation all over again with no change. Why?
And for two guys who've been BEYOND BFF for 28 years, their flirting and sex is oddly generic and porny. I want more EMOTION. I'm not feeling' the love.
The narrator did what he could. There was nothing wrong with audio version, and if you intend to read this book then it's as viable an option as the written version. I just don't think either are for me. Cardeno C. has always been a gamble for me, but if you usually like her then I wouldn't expect this to be any different.
Received audio from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for
1.0% "I like that this STARTS with them hooking up, instead of having to work up to it."
3.0% "No, No, NO STUPID MISCOMMUNICATION!"
4.0% "Okay they cleared that up quick, but why is Nate being SO self-conscious despite all the obvious love that Jake is dropping?"
6.0% "So apparently we're going to see EVERY scene from BOTH of their perspectives? Even the dialogue that hasn't changed? Interesting choice."
8.0% "The sex scenes are TOO detailed and overly described to the point of almost being clinical."
15.0% "Kinda bored."
16.0% "Can a smart person really be so stupid? Since Jake didn't want a relationship with any of the women he'd fucked, he can't want one Nate? Even though Jake said it was BECAUSE he loved Nate? Bleh."
30.0% "I'm already skipping sex scenes."
So you get the idea? Nate was an ass and Jake was a doormat. The odd choice to do alternating POV for each scene didn't help, it felt redundant. There was no new information, and never does the narration say "after they talked about [so-and-so]", no we get to hear the entire conversation all over again with no change. Why?
And for two guys who've been BEYOND BFF for 28 years, their flirting and sex is oddly generic and porny. I want more EMOTION. I'm not feeling' the love.
The narrator did what he could. There was nothing wrong with audio version, and if you intend to read this book then it's as viable an option as the written version. I just don't think either are for me. Cardeno C. has always been a gamble for me, but if you usually like her then I wouldn't expect this to be any different.
Received audio from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for
February 24, 2015
The Title:
'Where He Ends and I Begin' is a wonderful title that fits perfectly for the soul-mate relationship shown in this book. Jake and Nate were inseparable since a very young age and for me the title was not just intriguing, but the story delivers what the title promises and so much more.
The Cover:
I prefer the old covers, even while really liking the new ones for the 'home' series. The old cover for this book shows Jake and Nate as children and as adults with an intense connection. It is beautifully drawn and the artist was able to make these guys come alive from the descriptions in the book.
The new cover has a real couple with a real connection that can be felt and integrates the 'home' in the 'home series' cover. It looks really nice and works well, though I will miss the old one, which was very special to me.
The Narration:
I listened to books 1-6 in the home series as audiobooks and the narration of the series really worked for me. So much so, that I had to keep on listening until I had listened to all 6 books back-to-back.
Given that the audiobooks where created by Dreamspinner Press and their version of the edits was used, I am not certain when and if the books will be back on audible. In my understanding, the author got back the rights to her original submission and has newly edited this book and the entire series. Given that the rights to the Dreamspinner Press edits still lie with DSP, even as Cardeno C. has regained rights to her original submission, either the author and DSP have to make a deal about the audiobooks or Cardeno has to order a new audiobook that uses her new self-published version of the book as basis. Given how much I liked the old audiobook and how much work went into it, I hope it will become available again.
The Story:
This is my favorite story in Cardeno C.'s home series, her backlist and one of my all-time favorite M/M books by any author. The other stories are 7 to 9.5 pots of gold to me, but this one was a full 10 out of ten pots of gold and a much-needed fix for a romantic.
Soul-mates or true mates are a well-liked trope that is very often used in shifter books. Cardeno C. herself has a wonderful shifter series based on this premise, but for me no other book in this genre does soul-mates as well as 'Where He Ends and I Begin'.
It is impossible not to feel the connection and chemistry between Jake and Nate. They just are not complete without each other. That is not, because there is some kind of magical fate that has determined they have to bond or were made for each other like in a shifter book. They just are two very different people who went through a lot of difficult challenges and very the only constant for each other, always there for each other, would do anything for each other. They are EVERYTHING to each other.
There is no magical shifter component to explain insta-love. In my opinion, there is no insta-love at all. These guys were best friends, but grew so much closer even without realizing or caring what that means. They just had to be there for each other all-the-time. They needed each other and it was visbile to everyone that these friends could never be separated.
They LOVE each other with an intensity that was incredible to read about, but they haven't shared this knowledge with each other.
Social norms tell us we can be either straight or gay (though we might go to hell just for being in love with someone of the same sex). Maybe you can love both exactly the same and love both, but that means to most people that either we are not brave enough to come out of the closet completely, do not know what we want or are sex-crazed and sleep with anything that moves.
Not everyone can be easily placed in a certain box and thus our social norms make it hard for Jake and Nate to understand what is between them and claim their HEA, but their journey from friends closer than identical twins to partners for life, who are so in love event the most cynical person won't be able to deny they belong together, is SO worth the journey.
It's a Friends-to-Lovers and Gay-for-You book with true soul-mates. The book is extremely well-written and will warm your heart, make you smile and care for the characters, make you feel heartbroken and smitten. It will make you fall in love. And make you fall in love all over again, everytime you re-read this book. For me it is one of my favorite comfort reads and it was nice that the bonus chapter (previously published in the free 'marriage' collection of 'home' shorts) was added directly to the 2nd edition of this book.
In the end, a story like this won't appeal to everyone, but if like me you eat stories like that up you will be in heaven. <3
If you want to see more of my reviews and read interviews, guestposts and find great giveaways, check out my blog 'Rainbow Gold Reviews' at
'Where He Ends and I Begin' is a wonderful title that fits perfectly for the soul-mate relationship shown in this book. Jake and Nate were inseparable since a very young age and for me the title was not just intriguing, but the story delivers what the title promises and so much more.
The Cover:
I prefer the old covers, even while really liking the new ones for the 'home' series. The old cover for this book shows Jake and Nate as children and as adults with an intense connection. It is beautifully drawn and the artist was able to make these guys come alive from the descriptions in the book.
The new cover has a real couple with a real connection that can be felt and integrates the 'home' in the 'home series' cover. It looks really nice and works well, though I will miss the old one, which was very special to me.
The Narration:
I listened to books 1-6 in the home series as audiobooks and the narration of the series really worked for me. So much so, that I had to keep on listening until I had listened to all 6 books back-to-back.
Given that the audiobooks where created by Dreamspinner Press and their version of the edits was used, I am not certain when and if the books will be back on audible. In my understanding, the author got back the rights to her original submission and has newly edited this book and the entire series. Given that the rights to the Dreamspinner Press edits still lie with DSP, even as Cardeno C. has regained rights to her original submission, either the author and DSP have to make a deal about the audiobooks or Cardeno has to order a new audiobook that uses her new self-published version of the book as basis. Given how much I liked the old audiobook and how much work went into it, I hope it will become available again.
The Story:
This is my favorite story in Cardeno C.'s home series, her backlist and one of my all-time favorite M/M books by any author. The other stories are 7 to 9.5 pots of gold to me, but this one was a full 10 out of ten pots of gold and a much-needed fix for a romantic.
Soul-mates or true mates are a well-liked trope that is very often used in shifter books. Cardeno C. herself has a wonderful shifter series based on this premise, but for me no other book in this genre does soul-mates as well as 'Where He Ends and I Begin'.
It is impossible not to feel the connection and chemistry between Jake and Nate. They just are not complete without each other. That is not, because there is some kind of magical fate that has determined they have to bond or were made for each other like in a shifter book. They just are two very different people who went through a lot of difficult challenges and very the only constant for each other, always there for each other, would do anything for each other. They are EVERYTHING to each other.
There is no magical shifter component to explain insta-love. In my opinion, there is no insta-love at all. These guys were best friends, but grew so much closer even without realizing or caring what that means. They just had to be there for each other all-the-time. They needed each other and it was visbile to everyone that these friends could never be separated.
They LOVE each other with an intensity that was incredible to read about, but they haven't shared this knowledge with each other.
Social norms tell us we can be either straight or gay (though we might go to hell just for being in love with someone of the same sex). Maybe you can love both exactly the same and love both, but that means to most people that either we are not brave enough to come out of the closet completely, do not know what we want or are sex-crazed and sleep with anything that moves.
Not everyone can be easily placed in a certain box and thus our social norms make it hard for Jake and Nate to understand what is between them and claim their HEA, but their journey from friends closer than identical twins to partners for life, who are so in love event the most cynical person won't be able to deny they belong together, is SO worth the journey.
It's a Friends-to-Lovers and Gay-for-You book with true soul-mates. The book is extremely well-written and will warm your heart, make you smile and care for the characters, make you feel heartbroken and smitten. It will make you fall in love. And make you fall in love all over again, everytime you re-read this book. For me it is one of my favorite comfort reads and it was nice that the bonus chapter (previously published in the free 'marriage' collection of 'home' shorts) was added directly to the 2nd edition of this book.
In the end, a story like this won't appeal to everyone, but if like me you eat stories like that up you will be in heaven. <3
If you want to see more of my reviews and read interviews, guestposts and find great giveaways, check out my blog 'Rainbow Gold Reviews' at
January 7, 2016
Where He Ends and I Begin is a super-hot sexy, no angst, sweet and fluffy romance about two best friends who become lovers and are, at their core, soul mates.
"We've always been almost like one person. I've never known where he ends and where I begin."
Told in Jake and Nate's alternating dual POV, we learn Jake and Nate have been best friends literally from birth. Their mothers were the only girls in their big families and became best friends as children, sharing their lives together, marrying within weeks of each other, getting pregnant at the same time, and even giving birth on the same day.
From the moment Jake and Nate were placed together in the hospital basinet they've been together. They've never really spent any time apart, nor wanted to. That doesn't mean they're the same, though. Jake is rough, tough and can be a dick, and Nate is sweet, smart and almost always kind. Even though Jake can be a tough nut he has always treated Nate like gold. Mainly because it turns out Jake has been in love with Nate all his life, but never known how to really tell Nate that his "love" isn't a platonic brotherly love, but that he's actually "in love" with Nate.
It took me a little to get into the swing of the story. It's not only told in dual POV, in the beginning the same scene is replayed from both perspectives, which had me a little off balance. Once I got used to it though, I enjoyed seeing how each man dealt with a situation, and what his inner thoughts on it were.
I enjoyed Alexander Collin's narration for the story. He has a way of pulling me in and keeping me charmed throughout. He really made me believe Nate's reluctance to believe that the one man he's always wanted really does want him back and this isn't a fluke, or a fling. I loved Collin's depiction of Jake, who's determined to make sure Nate knows he's in this relationship for the long haul and that he loves him totally and unconditionally.
I absolutely love the emotion and romance in this; the way they both so vulnerable in different ways, the way Jake takes care of Nate, and how they both interact with one another...it just absolutely made me melt.
I also love all the sex. And a friendly warning: there is a lot of sex. I don't think there's a single chapter without some, and it's all SUPER HOT. I listened to this at work, and I was blushing.
Bottom line: Narration is good, the story is HOT, and I loved all the sweetness!
Recommended!
Audio copy of provided by in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at .
Read: 03/2015, 08/2015, 01/2016
January 6, 2015
My teeth hurt from all this sweetness!!!
But damnnnn, I feel good!!
This was some love story.
It’s about 2 guys who have been friends since birth. They do everything together� Nate came out in his teens and had always had a crush on his best friend Jake. One drunken night these two discover that Jake is not so straight as Nate thinks�..
They live together in New York. Nate has studied medicine and works at a lab and Jake is a NY cop.
The whole book is about how much these two men love each other!!
It was beautiful..
And the sex�. Hot, damnnnnn�
Did I mention the amount of sex in this book?
.ٳ.پ�
And they lived happily ever after�
But damnnnn, I feel good!!
This was some love story.
It’s about 2 guys who have been friends since birth. They do everything together� Nate came out in his teens and had always had a crush on his best friend Jake. One drunken night these two discover that Jake is not so straight as Nate thinks�..
They live together in New York. Nate has studied medicine and works at a lab and Jake is a NY cop.
The whole book is about how much these two men love each other!!
It was beautiful..
”The way I am with you, it’s� it’s different. It’s because of you, because of the things you make me feel, because of how much I love you, because I know how much you love me.�
And the sex�. Hot, damnnnnn�
Did I mention the amount of sex in this book?
.ٳ.پ�
“I understand, Nate. I get the concept of infinity. It’s like the two of us, like our friendship. No end, no limit. We’re forever. That’s infinity, right?
“All these years of being two halves of a whole. It’s nice to finally be able to put the two pieces together.�
And they lived happily ever after�
March 12, 2013
With mothers who were best friends, Jake and Nate have grown up together, from the moment they were placed side-by-side in the same bassinet. "I get the concept of infinity. It's like the two of us, like our friendship. No end, no limit. We're forever. That's infinity, right?"
Nate is gay and has loved Jake forever until one day their friendship only status becomes too much for him to handle."He loved me, I knew that, but not like I needed him to love me. He loved me just enough to keep me from ever being able to love anyone else." This results in a confrontation that changes both men's lives as true feelings are finally revealed.
The story is told in alternating POVs, retelling the same events from different perspectives. We see Jake and Nate's view of the present happenings unfolding in their relationship but they each also provide insight into significant events in their past, events that defined their characters and their relationship.
There are many romantic moments with romantic gestures and admissions - it's definitely a feel good story!
"Nathaniel, if there is one thing you can be sure of in this life, one fucking constant that will never change, it's that I will always be here, loving you with everything I have and everything I am. That's not going to change. You can't scare me away, you can't push me away. I won't let you. do you hear me, Nate? I won't let you. I'm the dumb jock you got saddled with in the hospital bassinet and I'll be drooling after you to the grave. Cradle to the grave, Nate. That's the way its going to be. No matter what."
What is also interesting about the stories in this series, is that they do not follow chronologically. We see glimpses of characters being introduced in one book but this glimpse may be after events that are actually described in the following book which is about those new characters relationship.
4.5 stars because I love the romance!
Nate is gay and has loved Jake forever until one day their friendship only status becomes too much for him to handle."He loved me, I knew that, but not like I needed him to love me. He loved me just enough to keep me from ever being able to love anyone else." This results in a confrontation that changes both men's lives as true feelings are finally revealed.
The story is told in alternating POVs, retelling the same events from different perspectives. We see Jake and Nate's view of the present happenings unfolding in their relationship but they each also provide insight into significant events in their past, events that defined their characters and their relationship.
There are many romantic moments with romantic gestures and admissions - it's definitely a feel good story!
"Nathaniel, if there is one thing you can be sure of in this life, one fucking constant that will never change, it's that I will always be here, loving you with everything I have and everything I am. That's not going to change. You can't scare me away, you can't push me away. I won't let you. do you hear me, Nate? I won't let you. I'm the dumb jock you got saddled with in the hospital bassinet and I'll be drooling after you to the grave. Cradle to the grave, Nate. That's the way its going to be. No matter what."
What is also interesting about the stories in this series, is that they do not follow chronologically. We see glimpses of characters being introduced in one book but this glimpse may be after events that are actually described in the following book which is about those new characters relationship.
4.5 stars because I love the romance!
April 14, 2020
This should have been at least a 4 star book. It has everything I like, a sweet love story, lots of sex, a strong and gruff main character who turns to putty for his lover. So what went wrong?
It was sweet. In fact, it was so sweet I’m going to need to see a dentist because I’m sure it gave me a few cavities. There was lots of sex. I never thought I’d say a book has to much sex. This book has Too Much Sex!!! And that strong and gruff main character is nothing but a bully. The way Jake treated Nate’s friends was unacceptable. I also want to mention that Nate can also be obnoxious because he constantly worries about how much Jake loves him.
On top of everything else I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator had the most obnoxious voice. It took me almost a week to get through this because I kept walking away to read something else.
It was sweet. In fact, it was so sweet I’m going to need to see a dentist because I’m sure it gave me a few cavities. There was lots of sex. I never thought I’d say a book has to much sex. This book has Too Much Sex!!! And that strong and gruff main character is nothing but a bully. The way Jake treated Nate’s friends was unacceptable. I also want to mention that Nate can also be obnoxious because he constantly worries about how much Jake loves him.
On top of everything else I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator had the most obnoxious voice. It took me almost a week to get through this because I kept walking away to read something else.
February 2, 2016
I always know when I want a fairytale romance with lots of hot sex, Cardeno C's books will fit the bill and this was no exception. Jake and Nate were fated to be together since the day they were born. Most of that time spent as best friends each secretly longing for the other. When the finally get together, they cannot get enough of each other, as if they are two halves of one person.
Jake's devotion to Nate over the years is beautiful. Often the same story is told in alternating POV's, and if you have read the previous book, you know how their story will end up, but if you want a super sexy and sweet, no angst story about true love, this one is perfect.
Jake's devotion to Nate over the years is beautiful. Often the same story is told in alternating POV's, and if you have read the previous book, you know how their story will end up, but if you want a super sexy and sweet, no angst story about true love, this one is perfect.
September 16, 2014
I didn`t want to read it, I had to!
Unimaginable torture...
Cheered on by a friend who laughed her silly ass off - you know who you are - I somehow made it through this book. Slightly ruffled but still in one piece I managed to finish.
I can`t remember the last time I felt so relieved...
And for the fun my friend had with me while I read this book whining and bitching, the German edition gets three stars, so there....
Oh, and kudos to the translator! ;-)
Unimaginable torture...
Cheered on by a friend who laughed her silly ass off - you know who you are - I somehow made it through this book. Slightly ruffled but still in one piece I managed to finish.
I can`t remember the last time I felt so relieved...
And for the fun my friend had with me while I read this book whining and bitching, the German edition gets three stars, so there....
Oh, and kudos to the translator! ;-)
May 28, 2012
Enough!
I`m on chapter 18 and suffering hyperglycemia.One more chapter and my teeth will rot!Unbearable...
I really liked the second book in the series but this is a huge disappointment!
I`m on chapter 18 and suffering hyperglycemia.One more chapter and my teeth will rot!Unbearable...
I really liked the second book in the series but this is a huge disappointment!
November 20, 2011
A major disappointment, sugar overload and the dialogue was so unbelievably cheesy, all those I love yous and flowery talk was over the top and hard to take.
July 13, 2011
3.5 stars - Warning: This is a long review. If I weren't so lazy, I'd probably go back and cut pieces of it that I repeat but I'm really that lazy. Lol. So, just read it... and I expect you to like it :P
I have to admit, this book didn't start off good for me. The first half of the book is essentially a big misunderstanding between Jake and Nate about one thing about their relationship or another. Then there's the sweetness factor. For someone who is not in the mood for a sweet, sweet, sweetand sappy book, it's almost unbearable to get through the beginning. And finally, there is the unrealistic perfection to the story. Where one problem arises, an easy solution is given with absolutely no conflict whatsoever (which is where the unrealisticness (I just made that word up btw ^_^) comes into play because we all know it ain't ever that easy.
At times I was extremely frustrated with this story. I wasn't sure if I liked it or if I didn't and because of that it was really hard to get into. Plus, I wasn't very fond of the writing style. I usually like first person POV but I don't like it when it's an alternating first person style. So, mix that with repeat scenes in each POV switch plus flashbacks and you get a story that did not sit well with me at first. It took some time for me to get used to the writing because I don't like alternating first person POVs and I don't like repeat scenes from each MC's POV (which becomes annoying and tedious after the first three times) and I kinda don't like flashbacks either. So, it was bothersome to say the least.
With that said, though, I did like the story. It's not the kind of book you can pick up and expect to have realism in it because nothing in this book would ever turn out like that in real life (call me cynical if you'd like but you know it's true) so you need to know from the start that you have to take out all your expectations of a book being real when you start this because if you don't, you will be extremely disappointed. Everything is simple and easy for Jake and Nate. It always goes their way no matter what situation or problem arises. It is essentially a perfect world for them. I liked that about the story but only after the halfway mark, only after the overly sweet scenes were toned down a notch.
I couldn't handle the toothache sweetness of the book at first, it was just too much for someone like myself. Not to say these characters are weak or anything (Nate is a dense idiot, however) but Jake and Nate are romantic to the point you want to check and make sure your teeth haven't rotten yet from so much sugary sweetness. It is overwhelming at first. Halfway through, it tones down because all the crap with Nate being a dense idiot lessens since Nate starts becoming more secure in his relationship with Jake so Jake isn't doing everything possible to show Nate what they have is real. After that, I really enjoyed the story. The first half has a slow-pace while the second half is more fast-paced and much easier to read. The overlapping scenes lessen as well so that was a blessing for me.
So, like I said, I really liked it. Nate and Jake are a cute couple especially since they've known each other and been in love with each other for as long as they can remember. It's sweet (I bet you're sick of that word by now ;-P), it's entertaining because you get tidbits on the memories they have together and you know for a fact that these two actually know each other inside and out. I especially liked how these two were completely different. Jake's the badass, aggressive, angry big guy while Nate is the quiet, shy, insecure small guy. Jake's athletic and a cop while Nate's a bookworm and a scientist. They are complete opposites but they've been in each others lives so long they are completely different when together. Jake is gentle and caring while Nate is talkative and outspoken. I really, really liked that.
However, while I did like the book there were things I had a problem with. For one, definitely way too much sex for me. I don't know if gay men really have that much sex but if they do, how the fuck are their dicks not sore and bruised?! Didn't their assholes hurt?! I had to start skipping the sex because it was way too much for me (and it was sappy sweet, I just couldn't handle it :-/). Beyond that, I didn't like how abruptly the end happened. The first half of the book is so slow with Jake and Nate figuring out their relationship then the second half just speeds by and by the end, it's like you feel slightly cheated. I wanted less sex , I wanted to know more about what their life would be like after moving back to their hometown .
Over all, I did like the book. It brought the goofy smile to my face that you sometimes get while watching chick flick movies. Recommended if you are looking for lots and lots of sappiness with your romance.
I have to admit, this book didn't start off good for me. The first half of the book is essentially a big misunderstanding between Jake and Nate about one thing about their relationship or another. Then there's the sweetness factor. For someone who is not in the mood for a sweet, sweet, sweet
At times I was extremely frustrated with this story. I wasn't sure if I liked it or if I didn't and because of that it was really hard to get into. Plus, I wasn't very fond of the writing style. I usually like first person POV but I don't like it when it's an alternating first person style. So, mix that with repeat scenes in each POV switch plus flashbacks and you get a story that did not sit well with me at first. It took some time for me to get used to the writing because I don't like alternating first person POVs and I don't like repeat scenes from each MC's POV (which becomes annoying and tedious after the first three times) and I kinda don't like flashbacks either. So, it was bothersome to say the least.
With that said, though, I did like the story. It's not the kind of book you can pick up and expect to have realism in it because nothing in this book would ever turn out like that in real life (call me cynical if you'd like but you know it's true) so you need to know from the start that you have to take out all your expectations of a book being real when you start this because if you don't, you will be extremely disappointed. Everything is simple and easy for Jake and Nate. It always goes their way no matter what situation or problem arises. It is essentially a perfect world for them. I liked that about the story but only after the halfway mark, only after the overly sweet scenes were toned down a notch.
I couldn't handle the toothache sweetness of the book at first, it was just too much for someone like myself. Not to say these characters are weak or anything (Nate is a dense idiot, however) but Jake and Nate are romantic to the point you want to check and make sure your teeth haven't rotten yet from so much sugary sweetness. It is overwhelming at first. Halfway through, it tones down because all the crap with Nate being a dense idiot lessens since Nate starts becoming more secure in his relationship with Jake so Jake isn't doing everything possible to show Nate what they have is real. After that, I really enjoyed the story. The first half has a slow-pace while the second half is more fast-paced and much easier to read. The overlapping scenes lessen as well so that was a blessing for me.
So, like I said, I really liked it. Nate and Jake are a cute couple especially since they've known each other and been in love with each other for as long as they can remember. It's sweet (I bet you're sick of that word by now ;-P), it's entertaining because you get tidbits on the memories they have together and you know for a fact that these two actually know each other inside and out. I especially liked how these two were completely different. Jake's the badass, aggressive, angry big guy while Nate is the quiet, shy, insecure small guy. Jake's athletic and a cop while Nate's a bookworm and a scientist. They are complete opposites but they've been in each others lives so long they are completely different when together. Jake is gentle and caring while Nate is talkative and outspoken. I really, really liked that.
However, while I did like the book there were things I had a problem with. For one, definitely way too much sex for me. I don't know if gay men really have that much sex but if they do, how the fuck are their dicks not sore and bruised?! Didn't their assholes hurt?! I had to start skipping the sex because it was way too much for me (and it was sappy sweet, I just couldn't handle it :-/). Beyond that, I didn't like how abruptly the end happened. The first half of the book is so slow with Jake and Nate figuring out their relationship then the second half just speeds by and by the end, it's like you feel slightly cheated. I wanted less sex , I wanted to know more about what their life would be like after moving back to their hometown .
Over all, I did like the book. It brought the goofy smile to my face that you sometimes get while watching chick flick movies. Recommended if you are looking for lots and lots of sappiness with your romance.
July 5, 2011
I love sweet stories. I love long stories. This is both a sweet and a long book. That means I should love it, right? Unfortunately, I didn't.
Where He Ends And I Begin is the story of two best friends, Jake and Nate, falling in love. Their friendship is cradle to the grave. They were born on the same day, their mothers gave birth in the same room, they were laid down next to each other after they were born. And so began the saga of Jake and Nate.
A couple of things in this book didn't work for me.
**I never thought I would say this about a book but this story was too sweet. I almost overdosed and went into a coma or something. Everyone just loved each other so much. The parents all loved each other, they loved Jake and Nate, Jake and Nate loved each other and they loved their parents. It was stressed that they all had this deep, almost psychic, connection to each other. If Nate is in a room and Jake walks in, even if Nate's not looking, Nate can feel Jake's presence. The same goes for Jake where Nate is concerned. Everyone was so sweet and so in love that it was bordering on creepy.
**This book was told in first person with the POV switching back and forth between Nate and Jake. There were times when I had to go back and remind myself who was narrating the chapter. The narration was the same and that confused me. Nate and Jake were so different and such different views on life that they each should have had a very distinctive voice.
Jake is supposed to be this tough badass who doesn't care about anyone outside of his family. He likes to fight and curse, and he scares the snot out of everyone. That's what the reader is told. His narrative should have been nothing like Nate's. Nate is studious, quiet, very sweet and kind of sheltered. There really shouldn't have been any point where I wondered who was talking.
**There was a situation having to do with Jake, Nate, Jake's parents and a car crash. If this story line was supposed to illustrate how much Jake was devoted to Nate, it fell short. While reading the car crash scene I was more disturbed than anything. It was just...messed up. I'm not going to say any more than that because it would ruin part of the book for people who haven't read it yet.
**Jake was a man-whore and his treatment of the women he slept with bothered me. I got the feeling that he slept with them and then discarded them. He didn't care about their feelings. They were just place holders because he couldn't have Nate. Really? I'm supposed to like this guy?
When you put all of the above together, you get a book that I didn't like. I could see what the author was going for but it just never happened. If you're going to read a book in this series, I would suggest He Completes Me.
Where He Ends And I Begin is the story of two best friends, Jake and Nate, falling in love. Their friendship is cradle to the grave. They were born on the same day, their mothers gave birth in the same room, they were laid down next to each other after they were born. And so began the saga of Jake and Nate.
A couple of things in this book didn't work for me.
**I never thought I would say this about a book but this story was too sweet. I almost overdosed and went into a coma or something. Everyone just loved each other so much. The parents all loved each other, they loved Jake and Nate, Jake and Nate loved each other and they loved their parents. It was stressed that they all had this deep, almost psychic, connection to each other. If Nate is in a room and Jake walks in, even if Nate's not looking, Nate can feel Jake's presence. The same goes for Jake where Nate is concerned. Everyone was so sweet and so in love that it was bordering on creepy.
**This book was told in first person with the POV switching back and forth between Nate and Jake. There were times when I had to go back and remind myself who was narrating the chapter. The narration was the same and that confused me. Nate and Jake were so different and such different views on life that they each should have had a very distinctive voice.
Jake is supposed to be this tough badass who doesn't care about anyone outside of his family. He likes to fight and curse, and he scares the snot out of everyone. That's what the reader is told. His narrative should have been nothing like Nate's. Nate is studious, quiet, very sweet and kind of sheltered. There really shouldn't have been any point where I wondered who was talking.
**There was a situation having to do with Jake, Nate, Jake's parents and a car crash. If this story line was supposed to illustrate how much Jake was devoted to Nate, it fell short. While reading the car crash scene I was more disturbed than anything. It was just...messed up. I'm not going to say any more than that because it would ruin part of the book for people who haven't read it yet.
**Jake was a man-whore and his treatment of the women he slept with bothered me. I got the feeling that he slept with them and then discarded them. He didn't care about their feelings. They were just place holders because he couldn't have Nate. Really? I'm supposed to like this guy?
When you put all of the above together, you get a book that I didn't like. I could see what the author was going for but it just never happened. If you're going to read a book in this series, I would suggest He Completes Me.
November 6, 2015
This book did not start on a right note for me, just because i was a bit exasperated with one of the characters. Nothing big, just a personal niggle since i can't relate to his insecurities.
Thankfully, it didn't last for long and i was able to just suspend all sense of reality, and just enjoy the story. Which turned out to be really sweet, or more accurately sugary sweet by the end. I can deal with that though and was in the right mood for it.
So the only thing that did not work for me was how many sex scenes were in the book. I like reading smexiness, probably more than most people, but i found myself skimming through those scenes quite a bit. I didn't skipped them completely because i've learn that authors tend to give little insights into a characters "needs" or kinks in some cases, and i wanted to get to know the characters as much as possible.
Review to come soon!
Thankfully, it didn't last for long and i was able to just suspend all sense of reality, and just enjoy the story. Which turned out to be really sweet, or more accurately sugary sweet by the end. I can deal with that though and was in the right mood for it.
So the only thing that did not work for me was how many sex scenes were in the book. I like reading smexiness, probably more than most people, but i found myself skimming through those scenes quite a bit. I didn't skipped them completely because i've learn that authors tend to give little insights into a characters "needs" or kinks in some cases, and i wanted to get to know the characters as much as possible.
Review to come soon!
October 28, 2011
This is one of those "Awwww!" books. I've read other comments where folks have stated that it was sweet........ really sweet. That is pretty much the only way to describe it. There is no real conflict, no major disagreements, no angst, no anything really except a good love story between two life-long friends who go from friends to not just lovers but life partners. Sure it was very unrealistic but who cares? Sometimes I just need a sweet story without a bunch of b.s. thrown into it.
I enjoyed watching Nate and Jake as they discovered their love for each other. Real love. Not just the friendship kind.
This is the 3rd in this series that I have read. The 2nd that I liked. I look forward to reading the last ones in the series.
I enjoyed watching Nate and Jake as they discovered their love for each other. Real love. Not just the friendship kind.
This is the 3rd in this series that I have read. The 2nd that I liked. I look forward to reading the last ones in the series.
November 30, 2016
This book was so sweet. I loved every second of it. A little cheesy in places but it's just what I needed at the time. I wasn't in the mood for an angst filled book and I can always count on Cardeno C's books when I'm in that mood. I loved Jake and his SELFLESS love for Nate. Nate never even knew a lot of the choices and sacrifices Jake made for him, for them, throughout the years and that's exactly how Jake wanted it. That is a pure and selfless love right there. Nate irritated me a couple of times throughout the story but I did like him too. I will definitely be reading more from this series.
July 30, 2016
My sap-o-metre just overloaded...seriously folks, Cardeno has really let the saccharine sentimentality out for this story...don't get me wrong tho', whenever I'm in mood for high sugar, over-the-top romance, this is the series I read...if you can accept these stories for what they are without having your cynicism overwhelm your hopeless romantic, then you should enjoy this book.
June 3, 2015
I don't really know what to think about this book. It was so fucking sweet (Sugar with frosting on it)...a little bit too sweet at times. I cant believe I'm saying this but I would have liked some drama or struggle. I am not an angstwhore, but there was absolutely nothing that wasn't sweet in this book not even some kind of drama towards the end ...just nothing. Jake was just fucking perfect...I really did love him, he was awesome !! The sex was definately off the charts. So normally this would be my kind of book...except it wasn't. I struggled with it. Especially because of the double pov storyline. We get almost everything in double pov. That meant I have to keep reading the same scene over and over again and that got boring really fast. I Don't mind double pov..I normally love it, but not when it's the same scene again and again. If it wouldn't have been for that irritating fact it would have been almost a full star more for me. Now I feel like i have read the book twice. 3 stars from me.
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