Gianni Holmes

Perhaps because I'd shared Book #1 and #2 with Declan and Owen, I was loved spending more time with them, like a good TV soap opera.

And I've said it before, I love the cover on this "Us" book - these models are a great representation of our MCs.

I knew this book would be the road to Declan and Owen's marriage. There wasn't one big story line, but a series of involving happenings that knitted together well to lead us to the denouement. I found these "chapters" - the resolution with Summer, the visit to the dungeon, recognition for Declan's philanthropy, the adoption of the abandoned dog, and so on - plenty interesting enough to make a novel.

John Solo gives each of the MCs there own easily distinguished voice - Owen's deep warm tender voice, and Declan's staccato more strident, nasal tone, are just right for each of them.… (more)

Read book #1 in the series about a month ago and found it startling. Ditto book #2. Weird and wonderful as Declan and Owen are, the dynamic between the two is fabulous, and a revelation to me.

Makes this series hugely interesting. So much so that I found the continuing "sidebar" of Owen's family a slightly boring distraction from Owen and Declan's story.

As in book #1, there's something magnetic about Gianni Holmes' romantic leads, Owen and Declan, with the inimitable aid of narrator John Solo.

John Solo does such a brilliant, brilliant job of Declan and Owen, as I mentioned in my review of book #1. In John Solo's hands, the guys are both accessible and gorgeous - such different life experiences, yet so complementary, so rawly honest and accepting of who they are and what they bring to each other.

I agree with the commentator below (Carol420), that it's hard to believe that society would be very accepting of them. Yet, somehow, what each brings to the relationship, Declan the dom, and Owen the submissive, provides a cocoon for the other. Despite all, we know they will be themselves and survive and thrive.

About the roles they play, ie dom and submissive, while I don't doubt they are authentic mantles for them both, they are also roles they play - and it is a kind of play ie playfulness, as much as role-playing. Owen, in particular, seems to hold on to his true self, and willingly play the role he is given, initially by Declan, and later inhabited at his own initiative.

The two are deeply in love by book #2, though Owen has to cross the rubicon and accept the idea they are forever - this isn't a temporary indulgence. It sounds so humdrum in commenting on a romance novel to say that they both have a huge capacity to love and care for each other - but it's like the living breathing third character in the story.

The contrast between Owen's first life, and his second life with Declan, is the stuff of romantic fiction - oh, that's right! that's what this is!

I love the depiction of Owen on the cover. Unfortunately, Declan was too much in shadow to recognise on the book #1 cover. However, I see them both clearly on the cover of book #3, where they stand together, and you do see the publisher's idea of Declan, and wow! that works!

Fortunately, Holmes has written 8 series and 58+ books, according to Library Thing. I'm curious to meet more of her characters.… (more)

OMG! what an interesting book. And I bow to John Solo - his voice, his narration, his empathy for his material - what a superlative job he did with this book and added enormously I'm sure to my own response to the story.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain

Age difference is one of many themes in the novel - but Gianni Holmes brings home Mark Twain's message in a stellar way. She convinced me of the point like I've never experienced before.

There are 21 years between chauffeur Owen and business tycoon Declan. Owen has 3 kids, and a childhood sweetheart wife, Jenna, who has left him 15 years before he meets Declan. In those years, he has devoted his all to raising his children in the complete absence of Jenna, though we do learn what happened to her before the end of the novel.

These events are sidebars to the relationship that develops between the mature self-sacrificing giver, Owen, and the dominating "daddy" that the 25-year-old Declan craves acting out.

Declan is also a giver - he lives to look after his "boy", Owen.

These words are crazy, but Owen comes to understand them and Declan, and when he decides to use them, it seems to be a product of his empathetic character, as much as realising it is also a way to get his needs met, while gifting fulfilment and care to Declan.

There's a richness to the story which I appreciated - the trip to the mardi gras in Brazil and to the kids in Columbus, and meeting Jenna again - and Declan's friend Ridge is a great supporting character.

I've never heard of this author but I'll definitely be reading part two of the story, and any other books I can find by her.… (more)

Austin Villiers had been dumped by Bryce...his boyfriend that he though had been kind and thoughtful for being with him throughout his cancer treatment and therapy. But now he knows that he only to used him to get recognition, popularity points and praise. Seven years of friendship and what he though was love although something never felt totally right to him and now, he knows why. Bryce's cheating makes much more sense now. When his long-time oncologist, Dr. Malcolm Greer, questions Austin he breaks down "vomits" out the whole story. Soon Dr. Greer's compassion and kindness causes Austin to realize that it’s Dr. Greer that really catches his eye and he begins to pursue him endlessly. Austin never gives much thought to begin with about what will happen to Malcolm’s career if he actually gives in and reacts to his own secret desires for Austin...his patient. I think that Austin and Malcom over thought this too much. They were following the proper protocols. Austin’s care was turned over to one of Malcom's colleagues, and Austin was always truthful about their attraction and budding relationship... to his mom, to his best friend and anyone else that asked. Malcome was also honest about it to anyone at the hospital that asked. I really couldn't see that they had broken any of the "forbidden rules". You can’t control who you fall in love with or where you meet them. They did follow the proper channels but were still ostracized by Malcolm’s peers/colleagues. Malcom's job was never in jeopardy at the Cancer Center, just his reputation and they each took major emotional hits. You can't help but feel for both men. They couldn’t fight their mutual attractions any longer but still had to fight so much unnecessary oppression. This is the first book in a new series. It appears that the books don’t interconnect but follow a connected theme instead....so they can be read in any order.… (more)