You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
loverofromance 's review for:
Him
by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero (Jamie): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Hero (Wes): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Him is the first book in the "Him" series and this is a series that focuses on Jamie and Wes and their epic love story. Him is their first book and does deliver a HFN ending which will lead you to wanting to read "Us" which is book 2. I have been wanting to read Him for the longest time, its been on all of the top romance book lists for the longest time, almost ten years now and I am finally getting to this one. I have to say that this book was so special and it will stay with me for quite some time. I was lucky enough to listen to this one in audio and it was so worth it. I absolutely adored it in every way. Him was a story that I can see why it has been so hyped. Its hyped in a very different way than your typical romance, and I fell so hard for these boys in Him. There was such charm to this story while being combined with such heart on each page. I fell so hard for Jamie and Wes and I can't wait to see what is ahead for them.
First Line
The coffee shop line is a little long, but I know I'll make it to the rink on time.
Summary
Jamie Canning never got the answers to his questions on why his best friend, Ryan Wesley, abandoned their friendship and cut their friendship off shortly after something more happened between them on a night of being drunk. His focus is his game on the ice but when during a competition, they are in the same city and they end up in the same hotel and run into each other and Jamie wants to rekindle that friendship. Ryan Wesley has never forgotten Jamie, but he is gay and Jamie is straight and he has always regretted pushing his friend into something more that he obviously isn't and has had to keep his heart closed off from the hurt of having to let go of Jamie who holds his heart. But when they are back together, being trainers at a hockey camp for potential athletes in the sport, they reconnect in a way neither of them imagined, but can love last between them despite the odds against them?
What I Loved
Him is such a beautiful read and I absolutely had a blast with these two. I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one, and I am not sure if its the book itself or if its the audio narration or even a combination of both, but I fell so hard for this one. There was something so captivating about the relationship between Jamie and Wes. Seeing all the pining and longing was so heartfelt and my heart broke for these two. On one hand we have Jamie, who didn't understand them not speaking, only was ignored and neglected. And then we have Wes, who has known the pain of coming out of the closet and not being supported in who he is or the man he has become. He has felt the brunt of the worst human behavior and not see that much good until he met Jamie.
Wes and Jamie come from very different worlds, but their friendship has never weakened despite the separation that they have had. The way that they are able to just click after being apart for so long, you can see that they have the type of bond that never dies. I love the sense of heart that you feel every time that they are together and how they are able to balance each other out just right. I love the way that they are when they are together. There is definitely some great spice levels in this book but I really enjoyed the level of playfulness that they have especially when they are competing. They understand their sport, each other and the way they give and take is such beautifully focused on. You never know what a couple of authors will do when they get together but Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy are such a powerhouse together and delivered such an impactful story. And that ending just stole my heart, especially Jamie's family, the way they accept Wes so readily just broke my heart that he has never had such support from his loved ones but glad he has Jamie's family now.
What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything I struggled with persay, was it a complete five star read, no but it got close to one. There could have been a bit more heart over sex. There is a lot of sex in this book haha
Narration
Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan are a dream together! Having them both narrate together is perfection, they really made these characters come alive in such a way that you feel every emotion and motivation behind every action these main characters do. I could listen to these two all day and you can bet I will be doing the companion novel in audio too.
Overall View
Him is a precious installment that delivered a poignant sexy romance that delivers in seeing the heartbreak as well as the joys that can come in a relationship of intimacy and spice.
Favorite Quote(s)
Jamie laughs at me. And then he kisses me. I lock my hands at the nape of his neck and tug him closer. Warm skin slides against mine, and I know Iβm home. Because home is with him.
Our mouths fit together so perfectly. Every time we kiss, I fall even more in love with him, and it has nothing to do with sex or lust. It's him. His closeness and his scent and the way he soothes me.
Jamie doesnβt leave my side, though. He and I are the calm eye of a friendly, familial hurricane. And I hope the storm will never pass.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete
Themes: Sports-Hockey, MM Love, Pining Hero
Tropes: Unrequited Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship tension more of a focus.
Song This Book Inspires
No One Compares to You by Jack & Jack
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would say you need to read this in order
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Teddy Hamilton, Jacob Morgan
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero (Jamie): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Hero (Wes): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: πππππ
Heart & Feels:πππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: πππππ
Page Turner Level:πππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§π§
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨.5
First Impressions
Him is the first book in the "Him" series and this is a series that focuses on Jamie and Wes and their epic love story. Him is their first book and does deliver a HFN ending which will lead you to wanting to read "Us" which is book 2. I have been wanting to read Him for the longest time, its been on all of the top romance book lists for the longest time, almost ten years now and I am finally getting to this one. I have to say that this book was so special and it will stay with me for quite some time. I was lucky enough to listen to this one in audio and it was so worth it. I absolutely adored it in every way. Him was a story that I can see why it has been so hyped. Its hyped in a very different way than your typical romance, and I fell so hard for these boys in Him. There was such charm to this story while being combined with such heart on each page. I fell so hard for Jamie and Wes and I can't wait to see what is ahead for them.
First Line
The coffee shop line is a little long, but I know I'll make it to the rink on time.
Summary
Jamie Canning never got the answers to his questions on why his best friend, Ryan Wesley, abandoned their friendship and cut their friendship off shortly after something more happened between them on a night of being drunk. His focus is his game on the ice but when during a competition, they are in the same city and they end up in the same hotel and run into each other and Jamie wants to rekindle that friendship. Ryan Wesley has never forgotten Jamie, but he is gay and Jamie is straight and he has always regretted pushing his friend into something more that he obviously isn't and has had to keep his heart closed off from the hurt of having to let go of Jamie who holds his heart. But when they are back together, being trainers at a hockey camp for potential athletes in the sport, they reconnect in a way neither of them imagined, but can love last between them despite the odds against them?
What I Loved
Him is such a beautiful read and I absolutely had a blast with these two. I honestly didn't know what to expect with this one, and I am not sure if its the book itself or if its the audio narration or even a combination of both, but I fell so hard for this one. There was something so captivating about the relationship between Jamie and Wes. Seeing all the pining and longing was so heartfelt and my heart broke for these two. On one hand we have Jamie, who didn't understand them not speaking, only was ignored and neglected. And then we have Wes, who has known the pain of coming out of the closet and not being supported in who he is or the man he has become. He has felt the brunt of the worst human behavior and not see that much good until he met Jamie.
Wes and Jamie come from very different worlds, but their friendship has never weakened despite the separation that they have had. The way that they are able to just click after being apart for so long, you can see that they have the type of bond that never dies. I love the sense of heart that you feel every time that they are together and how they are able to balance each other out just right. I love the way that they are when they are together. There is definitely some great spice levels in this book but I really enjoyed the level of playfulness that they have especially when they are competing. They understand their sport, each other and the way they give and take is such beautifully focused on. You never know what a couple of authors will do when they get together but Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy are such a powerhouse together and delivered such an impactful story. And that ending just stole my heart, especially Jamie's family, the way they accept Wes so readily just broke my heart that he has never had such support from his loved ones but glad he has Jamie's family now.
What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything I struggled with persay, was it a complete five star read, no but it got close to one. There could have been a bit more heart over sex. There is a lot of sex in this book haha
Narration
Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan are a dream together! Having them both narrate together is perfection, they really made these characters come alive in such a way that you feel every emotion and motivation behind every action these main characters do. I could listen to these two all day and you can bet I will be doing the companion novel in audio too.
Overall View
Him is a precious installment that delivered a poignant sexy romance that delivers in seeing the heartbreak as well as the joys that can come in a relationship of intimacy and spice.
Favorite Quote(s)
Jamie laughs at me. And then he kisses me. I lock my hands at the nape of his neck and tug him closer. Warm skin slides against mine, and I know Iβm home. Because home is with him.
Our mouths fit together so perfectly. Every time we kiss, I fall even more in love with him, and it has nothing to do with sex or lust. It's him. His closeness and his scent and the way he soothes me.
Jamie doesnβt leave my side, though. He and I are the calm eye of a friendly, familial hurricane. And I hope the storm will never pass.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete
Themes: Sports-Hockey, MM Love, Pining Hero
Tropes: Unrequited Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship tension more of a focus.
Song This Book Inspires
No One Compares to You by Jack & Jack
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would say you need to read this in order
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Teddy Hamilton, Jacob Morgan