Taylor V Donovan

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Oh, what a beautiful punch to the guts! I was not expecting the emotional depth in this book. I haven't read all that many books that deal with chronic disease, so even though I could see it coming, the reveal, then all of the heart tearing and warming scenes following took my breath away.

These characters, Roman and Derrick, are so goddamn brave, and that is what I'm going to remember most from show more this book. To deal with life-threatening disease, or any big change in your self-identity and life plan is an incredibly hard thing to do. I and my family have dealt with other major illnesses, and are right now, as my aunt has stage 4 cancer. And the mature, emotional, loving, and courageous way that these characters dealt with the illness in this book was priceless to read about and experience with them.

This was a quick but very intense read, and it had me caught up right from the prologue, reading it every chance I got, and it will definitely stay on my mind. It dealt with such hard topics, yet the story was so full of life. The characters were vivacious and full of hope and determination once they got together, ready to fight not only the aforementioned issue, but a very scary lawsuit brought on by erroneous information and a personal vendetta. Yet it still had moments of humor and wonder sprinkled throughout, and I was never put in a completely dark place by reading it.

"'We shouldn't be doing this,' Roman murmured, kissing Derrick again. 'Someone might come.'
'I'm hoping it'll be us,' he said licking Roman's ear."

And there were such intense sexual scenes that showcased their deep and hot chemistry. I loved that these men were not physically perfect either, but just fit, in that inexplicable and perfect way that shows where the other half of your soul is.

It is just such an impactful read, different from most of what I have read before, and with Donovan's usual good-quality writing and story telling. It is mainly about fighting fear and determining to live fully and in the moment, following your dreams no matter your circumstances, and making life happen. I cannot wait to see more of Roman and Derrick in the upcoming books. I honestly love those two and this story. Highly recommended.

"...'the house didn't have a heart before, but today it's been filled with love. We'll never stop adding to it.'" show less

I did not want this book to end. For the last 10% I kept thinking, "Don't end, don't end, please, I want more, a sequel, anything."

This book was brilliant. It was beautiful, slow in building (ha, unintentional pun!), and pretty darn close to true to life. I would know, because I had OCD that got to the point that it took up hours of my day and made me anxious all of the time, so I could related to what Cedric had to deal with. (Luckily, mine went away when I began chanting (Nicherin show more Buddism)--which my therapist said is actually a documented phenomenon, and I couldn't be more grateful that I am not still like Cedric.) But Ms. Donovan had it down pat in this book. OCD is not logical, it is intense, it is difficult for and shameful to those who have it, and it often creates problems in all types of relationships--my boyfriend at the time was a twat when he found out, very unlike Kevin.

"'Those oddities make you the man I fell in love with.'
And how bloody fantastic was that? Best feeling in the world. Nothing could compare to having someone fall in love with you because you're a head case and do a lot of weird things as a result--not in spite of being a head case, and doing a lot of weird things as a result."

Kevin and Cedric were amazing, as individual people, and as a couple. Kevin was hardworking, caring, an amazing father, and a wonderful boyfriend. Cedric was strong and brave, just wanting to be normal, working hard on his condition, and being the best boyfriend he could be. There is so much that went on in this book, and it was all a pleasure to read about, from the first page to the last; through the coming out, the family issues, the introductions into life-how-they-want-it, dealing with the illness, everything. There was humor, sexiness, emotional outbursts, and so much intense reality in this story.

And I loved the little moments sprinkled in it...

"'I figured the only way you'll touch me as much as I need you to touch me is to always make sure I'm germ-free for you.'"

There is no other way to describe this book other than lovely, truthful, and beautiful through all its pain and pleasure. I highly recommend it, it's going on my favorites list, and I would love to read a sequel. Hint hint ehm :) show less

I absolutely adored this book. I love romance [especially man on man :)] and history (especially showing a relationship over the years), so this book just filled out every one of my desires. It was realistic and portrayed life at a very different time than our own. I feel like these are historical people rather than characters. The story itself was complex and ranged many emotions; it began as sweet in tone, exuding innocence and idealism, then grew darker, troubled, and uncertain for a good show more portion before the denouement.

Flash summary: in 2011, 18 year-old Michael finds journals in his grandma's attic written by Richard Bancroft, a famous actor who disappeared in 1968, 6 years after becoming famous. Richard's story is told in the journal entries, with Michael's story of discovery in between.

It is beautifully written, with so much emotion for the characters and situation, that I was nervous and captivated from near the beginning, reading Manny's letter to Richard, then couldn't stop until the end. I did guess the reveal less than 30% in to the book, but there was enough mystery to keep me guessing on the other points, and I went through the ups and downs of the story right along with Richard and Michael.

It is one of my favorite stories of its type, and one that will stick around in my head for years to come...and then I'll read it again! show less

ORIGINAL SPANISH VERSION BELOW

Today I came to work with only one and a half hour of sleep, I couldn't stop reading this book.

Taylor, I have read all that you have authored and your work is, IMO, original, modern in the best sense of the word, worked scrupulously and with marvellous endings that leave me with a sensation of plenitude and hope.

The story is absorbing. The conflicts are solid and consistent with the period and the location. In respect of the protagonists and the most important show more secondary characters, when they have fears or preventions these are completely reasonable. And the characters react and solve situations with common sense and intelligence.

I like specially Cedric's assertiveness, from it can be inferred that his OCD doesn't imply weakness or pusillanimity.

What? That for moments does it look like (only does it seem) the life is a bowl of cherries? Perhaps, but I like it! A little bit of fairy tale is welcome.

As I see it, this love story talks fundamentally of acceptance -of oneself, of the other people, of disagreeable situations or morons that we cannot change and with regard to them we can spare the effort-. Also talks of fight and overcoming.

It was a wonderful, touching and joyful reading. It goes straight to my hallelujah-shelf


Oh My, Oh God, translating is a tough job, more than writing right in English. :P

SPANISH ORIGINAL VERSION
¿Porque primero en castellano mi reseña? No tenía mucho tiempo, fue apenas llegué a la oficina y quería poner en negro sobre blanco todo lo que me había parecido el libro antes que el paso de las horas lo fuera esfumando, por eso dejé del lado mi costumbre de escribirla directamente en inglés

Vine a trabajar con sólo una hora y media de sueño, no pude dejar de leer este libro.

Taylor, todo lo que he leído de ti (vale decir, todo lo que has publicado) es original, moderno en el mejor sentido de la palabra, trabajado con esmero y con unos cierres maravillosos que me dejan un regusto a plenitud y esperanza.

La historia es atrapante,. Los nudos y conflictos que se plantean en esta historia son sólidos y congruentes con la época y la localización. Respecto de los protagonistas y los personajes secundarios más importantes, cuando tienen temores y prevenciones los mismos son absolutamente razonables y los personajes reaccionan y resuelven situaciones con sentido común e inteligencia,

Me gustó especialmente la personalidad asertiva de Cedric, de ella se desprende que su trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo no implica debilidad ni pusilanimidad.

¿Qué por momentos parece (sólo parece) que se viera la vida color de rosa? Quizás, ¡pero me encanta! Una pizca de cuento de hadas es bienvenida.

A mi entender esta historia de amor habla fundamentalmente de aceptación -de uno mismo, de los demás, de situaciones desagradables o personas estúpidas que no podemos cambiar y en las cuales no vale la pena malgastar esfuerzos-, lucha y superación.

Fue una lectura cautivante, conmovedora y gozosa. Va directo a mi estante hallelujah. show less