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loverofromance 's review for:
Us
by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero (Wes): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Hero 2 (Jamie) :π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ.5
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¨.75
First Impressions
Us is the companion novel to "Him" from the infamous duo series written by Sarina Bowen and Ellen Kennedy. After reading Him last week for the first time, I just couldn't resist in picking up "Us" and I have to say this book was BETTER than the first book and I really loved the first book. I love a great splice to life novel and loved seeing more from the infamous #Wesmie team. And this book just won my heart and more. There was so much more depths to this book than I expected and it delivered all the way for me. If you haven't read these books, than I highly recommend it. Not only is it one of the best M/M romances I have ever read but also one of the best hockey romances I have had the pleasure to read. This is a top notch couple that you need in your life and if you haven't picked some #wesmie than I beg of you, change this. Because one of my largest reading regrets is not picking this one up sooner than I have.
First Line
Vancouver is a beautiful city, but I can't wait to leave it.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Wes
Full Name: Ryan Wesley, Playing professionally as a rookie in the NHL and keeping his relationship with Jamie a secret. He doesn't feel comfortable coming out yet and wants to get his hockey career under his belt first.
The Heroine: Jamie
Jamie is teaching in Vancouver to all the aspiring hockey athletes and loves being a coach. But he doesn't like keeping secrets and the strain builds on him not being able to be who he wants to be because of Wes' career.
Summary
Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley are learning what it takes to be in a committed relationship and that settling into life isn't as easy as either of them imagined that it would be. Ryan is determined to keep their relationship a secret for a year while he settles into his life as a recruit for the NHL. He is having to hide everything from everyone and with each day, the struggle gets harder for him. Then we have Jamie, who comes from a family that are proud of who they are and are never ashamed of who they are or who they become. Its not in him to keep this type of aspect of his life a secret and its starting to wear on him and his true happiness he once found with Wes. And he wonders if he will be enough for Wes...
What I Loved
There was so much to love with this book but the heart and emotion just tore me apart in this one and I felt so hard for these two but most especially Jamie. His struggle with the secret just connects you so quickly and you just want to hug this sweet man who just wants to love his man and not feel ashamed about it. He wants to stand proudly with Wes by his side. How much we see him sacrificing of himself for Wes will tug at your heartstrings. And then we have Wes who is so determined to be successful as a NHL player that he isn't seeing what this secret is doing to the man he loves. As we see them start to distance themselves from each other, it just builds on the heartbreak that is just building between them.
And side note the obnoxious hockey player friend was a hoot! I absolutely loved his character so much and he added so much humor to balance out the serious vibes of the story.
We see both of them go through a struggle in their own lives and trying to work in the relationship with this secret. But we see the damage that a secret like this can harm a relationship. Seeing their relationship be so strong in the beginning and that sense of happiness and then see it slowly crumbling was so hard to witness at times but I also couldn't put this down, I just had to see what would be the climax in their relationship that would make them realize how beautiful their bond is and how that matters more than anything else. Seeing both Wes and Jamie realize what is happening and start making their relationship the priority melted my heart in every way! And when it happens, and the healing journey that they both need to go through just delivers all the way. Their road isn't easy that is for sure, but when they find their way and start communicating as they should, well, then the story is true *chef's kiss*. The moments that I truly loved the most was when both Wes and Jamie fight for each other, they do it in different ways which made it for some interesting dynamics in the third act but delightful at the same time. And that ending *complete swoon*, these two melted my heart and I almost cried when it ended way too soon. Jamie and Wes will always be one of my top pairings from here on out. #Wesmie 4 ever!
What I Struggled With
Nothing much. While I loved this book, the only aspect I would have enjoyed seeing more was seeing Jamie and Wes talk about their issues with keeping their relationship a secret, that was never really addressed.
Narration
Man this is one of the best narrations I have listened to. Its one of those that you do not want to put it down until the book is done. I was so hooked on these narrations. This duo do it so perfectly and really awaken the characters so well!
Overall View
Us is a story that will captivate the essence of the heart and soul of its reader. Its about healing, and personal fears and reservations and finding the courage to fight for your love no matter what it takes! Jamie and Wes will make you fall in love as if its the first and last time and take your breath away and its uberfantastic in every way! A true gem of hockey goodness!
Favorite Quote(s)
Itβs us. And itβs perfect.
He holds out a hand that I grab to stand up, and he pulls me into a hug. If Iβve ever doubted his love for me, Iβm an idiot.
I chose happiness over other peopleβs skewed opinions and cruel judgments. I chose Wes.
But now I have to hide that choice. I have to pretend that Ryan Wesley isnβt my soulmate
I feel like all Iβve done these past couple months is lose. Lose patience, lose the ability to talk to my boyfriend, lose that indescribable ease that always existed between me and Wes.
I donβt know how to explain whatβs wrong. Iβve been really unhappy, but I donβt want him to think itβs his fault.
I have never felt as raw as I feel right now. Iβve just discovered that falling in love has a dark side. When youβre mad at the love of your life, itβs impossible to feel joy.
Love is friendship set on fire.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete, Coaching/Teaching
Themes: Sports-Hockey, Tear Jerker, All the Feels, Lots of Heart,
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Epic Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV's
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict
Song This Book Inspires
Always You by Louis Tomlinson
8 Letters by Why Don't We
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you need to read 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 (Wes): π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Hero 2 (Jamie) :π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ.5
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¨.75
First Impressions
Us is the companion novel to "Him" from the infamous duo series written by Sarina Bowen and Ellen Kennedy. After reading Him last week for the first time, I just couldn't resist in picking up "Us" and I have to say this book was BETTER than the first book and I really loved the first book. I love a great splice to life novel and loved seeing more from the infamous #Wesmie team. And this book just won my heart and more. There was so much more depths to this book than I expected and it delivered all the way for me. If you haven't read these books, than I highly recommend it. Not only is it one of the best M/M romances I have ever read but also one of the best hockey romances I have had the pleasure to read. This is a top notch couple that you need in your life and if you haven't picked some #wesmie than I beg of you, change this. Because one of my largest reading regrets is not picking this one up sooner than I have.
First Line
Vancouver is a beautiful city, but I can't wait to leave it.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Wes
Full Name: Ryan Wesley, Playing professionally as a rookie in the NHL and keeping his relationship with Jamie a secret. He doesn't feel comfortable coming out yet and wants to get his hockey career under his belt first.
The Heroine: Jamie
Jamie is teaching in Vancouver to all the aspiring hockey athletes and loves being a coach. But he doesn't like keeping secrets and the strain builds on him not being able to be who he wants to be because of Wes' career.
Summary
Jamie Canning and Ryan Wesley are learning what it takes to be in a committed relationship and that settling into life isn't as easy as either of them imagined that it would be. Ryan is determined to keep their relationship a secret for a year while he settles into his life as a recruit for the NHL. He is having to hide everything from everyone and with each day, the struggle gets harder for him. Then we have Jamie, who comes from a family that are proud of who they are and are never ashamed of who they are or who they become. Its not in him to keep this type of aspect of his life a secret and its starting to wear on him and his true happiness he once found with Wes. And he wonders if he will be enough for Wes...
What I Loved
There was so much to love with this book but the heart and emotion just tore me apart in this one and I felt so hard for these two but most especially Jamie. His struggle with the secret just connects you so quickly and you just want to hug this sweet man who just wants to love his man and not feel ashamed about it. He wants to stand proudly with Wes by his side. How much we see him sacrificing of himself for Wes will tug at your heartstrings. And then we have Wes who is so determined to be successful as a NHL player that he isn't seeing what this secret is doing to the man he loves. As we see them start to distance themselves from each other, it just builds on the heartbreak that is just building between them.
And side note the obnoxious hockey player friend was a hoot! I absolutely loved his character so much and he added so much humor to balance out the serious vibes of the story.
We see both of them go through a struggle in their own lives and trying to work in the relationship with this secret. But we see the damage that a secret like this can harm a relationship. Seeing their relationship be so strong in the beginning and that sense of happiness and then see it slowly crumbling was so hard to witness at times but I also couldn't put this down, I just had to see what would be the climax in their relationship that would make them realize how beautiful their bond is and how that matters more than anything else. Seeing both Wes and Jamie realize what is happening and start making their relationship the priority melted my heart in every way! And when it happens, and the healing journey that they both need to go through just delivers all the way. Their road isn't easy that is for sure, but when they find their way and start communicating as they should, well, then the story is true *chef's kiss*. The moments that I truly loved the most was when both Wes and Jamie fight for each other, they do it in different ways which made it for some interesting dynamics in the third act but delightful at the same time. And that ending *complete swoon*, these two melted my heart and I almost cried when it ended way too soon. Jamie and Wes will always be one of my top pairings from here on out. #Wesmie 4 ever!
What I Struggled With
Nothing much. While I loved this book, the only aspect I would have enjoyed seeing more was seeing Jamie and Wes talk about their issues with keeping their relationship a secret, that was never really addressed.
Narration
Man this is one of the best narrations I have listened to. Its one of those that you do not want to put it down until the book is done. I was so hooked on these narrations. This duo do it so perfectly and really awaken the characters so well!
Overall View
Us is a story that will captivate the essence of the heart and soul of its reader. Its about healing, and personal fears and reservations and finding the courage to fight for your love no matter what it takes! Jamie and Wes will make you fall in love as if its the first and last time and take your breath away and its uberfantastic in every way! A true gem of hockey goodness!
Favorite Quote(s)
Itβs us. And itβs perfect.
He holds out a hand that I grab to stand up, and he pulls me into a hug. If Iβve ever doubted his love for me, Iβm an idiot.
I chose happiness over other peopleβs skewed opinions and cruel judgments. I chose Wes.
But now I have to hide that choice. I have to pretend that Ryan Wesley isnβt my soulmate
I feel like all Iβve done these past couple months is lose. Lose patience, lose the ability to talk to my boyfriend, lose that indescribable ease that always existed between me and Wes.
I donβt know how to explain whatβs wrong. Iβve been really unhappy, but I donβt want him to think itβs his fault.
I have never felt as raw as I feel right now. Iβve just discovered that falling in love has a dark side. When youβre mad at the love of your life, itβs impossible to feel joy.
Love is friendship set on fire.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete, Coaching/Teaching
Themes: Sports-Hockey, Tear Jerker, All the Feels, Lots of Heart,
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Epic Love
Book Perspective
Duo POV's
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict
Song This Book Inspires
Always You by Louis Tomlinson
8 Letters by Why Don't We
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you need to read 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