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Letting Go #3
Fight to Forgive
Recent college grad Aaron Elliott is a pro when it comes to avoiding conflict. So when he hears his mother and stepfather plan to sell the family’s rambling summer retreat, it takes everything in him to object. The lake house is where he feels closest to his late father. It’s where he fell in love with his best friend…and it’s where he let family pressure decide his future rather than following his heart.
A combat injury has naval officer James “Freddie” Fredrick dry-docked, possibly for good. But the pain in his shoulder is nothing like the hurt he feels when he sees Aaron back in town. It’s been four years since the love of his life left without a word—and though Freddie would give anything to deny it, the heat between them hasn’t faded.
Once upon a time, Aaron let Freddie go without a fight. He won’t screw up their second chance to have a happy ending. But unless he makes peace with the past, Freddie won’t be able to face their future.
A combat injury has naval officer James “Freddie” Fredrick dry-docked, possibly for good. But the pain in his shoulder is nothing like the hurt he feels when he sees Aaron back in town. It’s been four years since the love of his life left without a word—and though Freddie would give anything to deny it, the heat between them hasn’t faded.
Once upon a time, Aaron let Freddie go without a fight. He won’t screw up their second chance to have a happy ending. But unless he makes peace with the past, Freddie won’t be able to face their future.
192 pages, ebook
First published March 28, 2016
About the author
J. Leigh Bailey
24 books94 followersj. leigh bailey is an office drone by day and the author of Young Adult and New Adult LGBT Romance by night. She can usually be found with her nose in a book or pressed up against her computer monitor. A book-a-day reading habit sometimes gets in the way of... well, everything...but some habits aren't worth breaking. She's been reading romance novels since she was ten years old. The last twenty years or so have not changed her voracious appetite for stories of romance, relationships and achieving that vitally important Happy Ever After. She's a firm believer that everyone, no matter their gender, age, sexual orientation or paranormal affiliation deserves a happy ending.
She wrote her first story at seven, which was, unbeknownst to her at the time, a charming piece of fan-fiction in which Superman battled (and defeated, of course) the nefarious X Luther. She was quite put out to be told, years later, that the character's name was actually Lex. Her second masterpiece should have been a best-seller, but the action-packed tale of rescuing her little brother from an alligator attack in the marshes of Florida collected dust for years under the bed instead of gaining critical acclaim.
Now she writes Young Adult LGBT Romance novels about boys traversing the crazy world of love, relationships and acceptance.
Sign up for my newsletter--https://t.co/FfL9gFVJLQ --for sneak peeks, news, and upcoming appearances.
She wrote her first story at seven, which was, unbeknownst to her at the time, a charming piece of fan-fiction in which Superman battled (and defeated, of course) the nefarious X Luther. She was quite put out to be told, years later, that the character's name was actually Lex. Her second masterpiece should have been a best-seller, but the action-packed tale of rescuing her little brother from an alligator attack in the marshes of Florida collected dust for years under the bed instead of gaining critical acclaim.
Now she writes Young Adult LGBT Romance novels about boys traversing the crazy world of love, relationships and acceptance.
Sign up for my newsletter--https://t.co/FfL9gFVJLQ --for sneak peeks, news, and upcoming appearances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 27, 2016
~3.5~
Talk about a Big Misunderstanding!
Aaron finds his best friend turned boyfriend in a compromising situation and leaves without ever giving Freddie a chance to explain.
Aaron is so insecure, he doesn't think he'll ever be good enough for Freddie. Freddie is bi, and Aaron worries that Freddie will dump him for a woman the first chance he gets. Aaron clearly doesn't understand what "bisexual" means.
Freddie returns from a stint in the Navy with a bum shoulder and lingering resentment for the way Aaron abandoned him four years prior. When Aaron and Freddie meet again, sparks fly, but neither man is willing to have an open conversation about the past.
This is a best-friends-to-lovers story; an enemies-to-lovers story; and a reunited-lovers story. Hot damn but those are some of my favorite tropes.
I didn't mind both MCs running hot and cold. I just wanted them to sit down and talk already.
I really liked Freddie's family, especially his awesome older sister Nessa. Aaron's family on the other hand was despicable. I understand why Aaron made the decision he did regarding the house his father left him, but I still think he let his greedy mother win.
His step-sister did not deserve the wedding of the century. She was a manipulative bitch. Then again, Aaron allowed himself to be manipulated.
I liked Freddie more than I liked Aaron, whose reluctance to engage in any kind of conflict was pathological. I can almost understand why he ran away from Freddie initially. He was fresh out of high school and still a kid. He was angry and scared (understandably so). But radio silence for four years? Not cool.
Plus, that whole thing with Pretty Boy was a distraction. I don't get how Aaron could be reconnecting with Freddie one moment and holding another guy's hand in the next. WTF, Aaron, seriously?
I really wanted more steam and a stronger ending. Considering everything the MCs went through, the miscommunication, the secrets, the unspoken feelings, I wanted trumpets and rainbows, damn it. What I got was a tentative HFN.
I would have given my eyeteeth for an epilogue.
Update: The ARC isn't quite ready, so I'm going to stop complaining. *sits on grabby hands*
I'm dying to read this book, but Carina Press has been sitting on my ARC request for 14 days.
Don't they know who I am?
I'm a badass mothafuckin' reading ninja, y'all.
Reading ninjas are real.
Talk about a Big Misunderstanding!
Aaron finds his best friend turned boyfriend in a compromising situation and leaves without ever giving Freddie a chance to explain.
Aaron is so insecure, he doesn't think he'll ever be good enough for Freddie. Freddie is bi, and Aaron worries that Freddie will dump him for a woman the first chance he gets. Aaron clearly doesn't understand what "bisexual" means.
Freddie returns from a stint in the Navy with a bum shoulder and lingering resentment for the way Aaron abandoned him four years prior. When Aaron and Freddie meet again, sparks fly, but neither man is willing to have an open conversation about the past.
This is a best-friends-to-lovers story; an enemies-to-lovers story; and a reunited-lovers story. Hot damn but those are some of my favorite tropes.
I didn't mind both MCs running hot and cold. I just wanted them to sit down and talk already.
I really liked Freddie's family, especially his awesome older sister Nessa. Aaron's family on the other hand was despicable. I understand why Aaron made the decision he did regarding the house his father left him, but I still think he let his greedy mother win.
His step-sister did not deserve the wedding of the century. She was a manipulative bitch. Then again, Aaron allowed himself to be manipulated.
I liked Freddie more than I liked Aaron, whose reluctance to engage in any kind of conflict was pathological. I can almost understand why he ran away from Freddie initially. He was fresh out of high school and still a kid. He was angry and scared (understandably so). But radio silence for four years? Not cool.
Plus, that whole thing with Pretty Boy was a distraction. I don't get how Aaron could be reconnecting with Freddie one moment and holding another guy's hand in the next. WTF, Aaron, seriously?
I really wanted more steam and a stronger ending. Considering everything the MCs went through, the miscommunication, the secrets, the unspoken feelings, I wanted trumpets and rainbows, damn it. What I got was a tentative HFN.
I would have given my eyeteeth for an epilogue.
Update: The ARC isn't quite ready, so I'm going to stop complaining. *sits on grabby hands*
I'm dying to read this book, but Carina Press has been sitting on my ARC request for 14 days.
Don't they know who I am?
I'm a badass mothafuckin' reading ninja, y'all.
Reading ninjas are real.
February 25, 2016
Alright, I'm just going to keep this simple and get right to it. Fight to Forgive was a book I was looking forward to. I mean:-
-Friends to lovers
-Second chance romance
-Enemies to lovers
These are some of my favorite tropes all in one book! Unfortunately, the story didn't work for me. The pace of the story was incredibly slow. Add to that it took forever for anything to happen in the story. It took three-quarters of the book for them to begin to really communicate and for things to finally get going. This caused me to not fully connect with the characters in the story. Once the plot started finally rolling the book just ended. The end was so abrupt. It's like I turned the page to the next chapter but the book was over. After all, that waiting for a tentative at best HFN felt kind of like a kick in the gut.
Satisfaction rating was 2.5 Stars.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
-Friends to lovers
-Second chance romance
-Enemies to lovers
These are some of my favorite tropes all in one book! Unfortunately, the story didn't work for me. The pace of the story was incredibly slow. Add to that it took forever for anything to happen in the story. It took three-quarters of the book for them to begin to really communicate and for things to finally get going. This caused me to not fully connect with the characters in the story. Once the plot started finally rolling the book just ended. The end was so abrupt. It's like I turned the page to the next chapter but the book was over. After all, that waiting for a tentative at best HFN felt kind of like a kick in the gut.
Satisfaction rating was 2.5 Stars.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
April 21, 2016
Okay I really liked the second book in this series, and I had HIGH hopes for this third installment... However it wasn't quite what I hoped. I loved the slow-burn between Aaron and Freddie, I really did, and I thougtht it was an awesome build-up, BUT
May 21, 2016
This was my first book by this author and it was a good book (at the end), a friends-lovers trope with a little extra. The book moved really slow, like Flinstone style cars where I wanted to pedal it along - there was a lot of angst, a huge misunderstanding with the cliche of not talking it out - so yeah, really a lot of things annoyed me. But once it got going, like 65% of the way in *rolls-eyes* then it was pretty good for that's last third of the book - if you have time to waste and don't mind wading through a lot of slow material this is the book for you! 2.5 stars
Read
November 10, 2016DNF at 17%
I pushed myself long enough to finish this one, but life is too short for boring books.
Boring characters, uninteresting plot, colourless writing.
****Copy provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
February 28, 2016
3.25 stars
This was my very first book by this author, and while the writing was pretty damn good, I am the kind of reader that can't stand silly misunderstandings that ruin the characters' happiness. That's exactly what happened in this book although I can accept it somewhat easier considering that the lack of communication happened when the characters were teenagers; there's no-one more dramatic and quick to jump to conclusions than hormone-driven teenagers!
One of my favorite storylines is friends-to-enemies-to-lovers or any other combination you can think of that involves friends and enemies and lovers, and that's exactly what Aaron and Freddie were. Aaron and Freddie have been friends most of their lives, have grown up together and matured together and eventually became lovers. Aaron is 100% gay and he's always had feelings for his best friend Freddie. Freddie is bisexual and started off dating girls, but when his best friend Aaron admitted he has feelings for him, Freddie loved him right back.
They dated for a few years until some mean teenage girl's drama catches Aaron by surprise and his worst nightmare becomes real: Freddie wants and needs a woman in his life, something Aaron will never be able to give him, and so Aaron moves to Chicago without a second thought. Freddie is broken hearted and joins the Navy while Aaron continues his studies and loses himself in the world of literature.
Fast forward a few years... Freddie returns from the Navy after a mission has gone wrong, his shoulder is hurt and he might be unable to go back any time soon. When Aaron and Freddie meet again both men have big ass grudge against each other, sparks fly, and neither one is willing to have a much needed heart-to-heart in order to lay the past to rest. Freddie is still hurt that Aaron left him with no explanation all those years ago and Aaron is still very much the insecure person who believes he'll never be enough for Freddie, who hates confrontations and always chooses the easy way out. But the heart wants what it wants, so they can fight their feelings and attraction as much as they want, in the end the heart will win.
There were many things I loved about this book, especially the secondary characters; well some of the secondary characters to be more specific, like Nessa (Freddie's sister) and her husband and Freddie and Nessa's mother. I couldn't stand Aaron's mother, stepfather and half sister, they were all real bastards, but it made for some interesting drama and conflict.
What really bothered me and lowered my rating for this book significantly is that Freddie and Aaron take most of the book to have the much needed honest talk. It honesty doesn't take place until the last 15% of the book and it was frankly disappointing. I wanted more of them together, I needed to see them in a relationship now as matured individuals, maybe even a few years in the future through an epilogue (dear god this book NEEDED an epilogue!!!). As it is, I didn't get a feel for them as a couple and I believe there needed to be much more focus on their relationship. It feels unfinished to me, or more accurate, rushed! Kind of like the author realized oooops it's almost time to end the book and Freddie and Aaron as a couple were almost forgotten, so they got a rushed, superficial make-up. Not cool!
This book can easily be read as a standalone as there were no characters from previous books to keep track of. Good book with pretty solid writing!
This was my very first book by this author, and while the writing was pretty damn good, I am the kind of reader that can't stand silly misunderstandings that ruin the characters' happiness. That's exactly what happened in this book although I can accept it somewhat easier considering that the lack of communication happened when the characters were teenagers; there's no-one more dramatic and quick to jump to conclusions than hormone-driven teenagers!
One of my favorite storylines is friends-to-enemies-to-lovers or any other combination you can think of that involves friends and enemies and lovers, and that's exactly what Aaron and Freddie were. Aaron and Freddie have been friends most of their lives, have grown up together and matured together and eventually became lovers. Aaron is 100% gay and he's always had feelings for his best friend Freddie. Freddie is bisexual and started off dating girls, but when his best friend Aaron admitted he has feelings for him, Freddie loved him right back.
They dated for a few years until some mean teenage girl's drama catches Aaron by surprise and his worst nightmare becomes real: Freddie wants and needs a woman in his life, something Aaron will never be able to give him, and so Aaron moves to Chicago without a second thought. Freddie is broken hearted and joins the Navy while Aaron continues his studies and loses himself in the world of literature.
Fast forward a few years... Freddie returns from the Navy after a mission has gone wrong, his shoulder is hurt and he might be unable to go back any time soon. When Aaron and Freddie meet again both men have big ass grudge against each other, sparks fly, and neither one is willing to have a much needed heart-to-heart in order to lay the past to rest. Freddie is still hurt that Aaron left him with no explanation all those years ago and Aaron is still very much the insecure person who believes he'll never be enough for Freddie, who hates confrontations and always chooses the easy way out. But the heart wants what it wants, so they can fight their feelings and attraction as much as they want, in the end the heart will win.
There were many things I loved about this book, especially the secondary characters; well some of the secondary characters to be more specific, like Nessa (Freddie's sister) and her husband and Freddie and Nessa's mother. I couldn't stand Aaron's mother, stepfather and half sister, they were all real bastards, but it made for some interesting drama and conflict.
What really bothered me and lowered my rating for this book significantly is that Freddie and Aaron take most of the book to have the much needed honest talk. It honesty doesn't take place until the last 15% of the book and it was frankly disappointing. I wanted more of them together, I needed to see them in a relationship now as matured individuals, maybe even a few years in the future through an epilogue (dear god this book NEEDED an epilogue!!!). As it is, I didn't get a feel for them as a couple and I believe there needed to be much more focus on their relationship. It feels unfinished to me, or more accurate, rushed! Kind of like the author realized oooops it's almost time to end the book and Freddie and Aaron as a couple were almost forgotten, so they got a rushed, superficial make-up. Not cool!
This book can easily be read as a standalone as there were no characters from previous books to keep track of. Good book with pretty solid writing!
March 3, 2016
2.5 stars
This book was just okay for me. I often found myself extremely frustrated with the main characters because both of them refused to communicate with each other and try to figure out why the other did what he did four years earlier. Freddie was very hardened by his broken heart and military life, and Aaron just seemed weak overall because he never wanted to stand up for himself out of fear of confrontation. It took quite a while for things to start moving in this book due to the amount of exposition and set up. If the MCs had actually sat down and talked to each other from the start, the book probably would have ended up being maybe 20 pages long.
I both loved and hated the side characters, especially the women. Freddie's mother and sister were wonderful! They were funny, witty and silly, but also wouldn't allow themselves to be doormats. Aaron's mother and step-sister, however, were vile, nasty and manipulative. They knew Aaron hated confrontation and used that against him to bend him to their wills. They had absolutely no redeeming qualities, and the book would have been much more enjoyable without them.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
This book was just okay for me. I often found myself extremely frustrated with the main characters because both of them refused to communicate with each other and try to figure out why the other did what he did four years earlier. Freddie was very hardened by his broken heart and military life, and Aaron just seemed weak overall because he never wanted to stand up for himself out of fear of confrontation. It took quite a while for things to start moving in this book due to the amount of exposition and set up. If the MCs had actually sat down and talked to each other from the start, the book probably would have ended up being maybe 20 pages long.
I both loved and hated the side characters, especially the women. Freddie's mother and sister were wonderful! They were funny, witty and silly, but also wouldn't allow themselves to be doormats. Aaron's mother and step-sister, however, were vile, nasty and manipulative. They knew Aaron hated confrontation and used that against him to bend him to their wills. They had absolutely no redeeming qualities, and the book would have been much more enjoyable without them.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
May 14, 2016
This is the third book in a series that can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Aaron and Freddie were childhood besties and high school sweethearts who are now reconnecting after a four-year silence.
Aaron's family is wealthy, and they have a summer home, Elliot House, in Door County, Wisconsin--the place of peace Aaron relished living in, as opposed to the palatial Chicago Gold Coast digs. His late father fostered a deep love of books and literature, a love that Aaron wants to pursue with a Masters degree, but his mother and stepfather have been pressing him to join his stepfather's marketing firm. Aaron gets physically ill from confrontation--likely due to the tumultuous relationship his mother and father shared. He's standing up for himself, now, however, when he learns that his father specifically bequeathed him Elliot House and his mother is attempting to sell it without his consent. He vows to go and spend the summer in the house, reconnecting with his memories--of his father, not his love for Freddie.
Freddie is a bisexual, biracial Navy boat pilot on medical leave as her recuperates from fallout of a mission gone wrong. He's unsure if he'll regain enough use of his arm to return to active duty, and that fear is making him despondent. He's especially upset when his sister--Nessa--has her plans to purchase Elliot House and make it a B & B derailed by the return of his first--and only--love, Aaron. Freddie's still frustrated about Aaron's abrupt departure four summers ago, when he literally ran off the night of his own mother's second wedding, with a brief note leaving no explanation.
Aaron had never expected Freddie would remain faithful to him--he's not female, and Freddie always dated girls, before him. Plus, no one knew their relationship had moved from friendship to physical. Aaron was afraid outing Freddie would cause him to break things off. While Aaron played the dutiful son to his mother, socializing at her wedding and avoiding claiming Freddie, he also experienced dramatic heartbreak--witnessing an apparent tryst between Freddie and a girl. That night stands between them, and is responsible for a host of rash decisions that might have been avoided by having a simple conversation. Thing is, I got the disconnect: they were 18 y/o and headstrong and foolish. Aaron left, Freddie freaked and joined the Navy. Their new lives are really only getting started, and expect a summertime reconnection is too much heartache and trouble. Freddie's family adores Aaron, and wants him to be the same bosom friend they had always known. Freddie doesn't want to relive their nightmare, and Aaron's too meek to confront Freddie about his observations.
I liked how this unfolded. Aaron's a mouse of a man, and I could accept that given his age and history. I liked how he grew up in this book. His mother's more than happy to dump all the house business on her book-educated, but reality-slash-adulting-feckless son, hoping that he'll fail and she'll get what she actually wants: money. Freddie is constantly around to pick up Aaron's shattered pieces, because Freddie's a man of action. He makes a decision and sticks with it--and being Aaron's protector is a decision he made years prior. But Aaron doesn't just dump everything on Freddie, he researches and makes choices that benefit others--mostly--but he makes them of his own free will, and takes stands that are important to him. This I liked. It showed maturity that Aaron had lacked.
I also liked the interracial issues these boys faced. Having spent some time in rural/leisure area Wisconsin, I could relate to Freddie's struggle as a (mostly) black kid--and I also got how that was no issue for cosmopolitan Aaron. I say "mostly" because Freddie is mixed-race and this poses unique issues of being neither black nor white "enough" for different factions. It's a real situation, and Freddie had residual anger from growing up in a locale where he was often considered lesser--for myriad reasons, but often for his skin color.
There are secondary players in the book who have vested interests in Aaron keeping or selling the house--and their motives are hard to tease out, at first. Aaron's inability to decide actually leads to revelations about his family, and That Night, which have Aaron kicking himself. It's another big reason he grows as a character. There could have been more drama here, but, again, Aaron's too conflict-averse to hand out the smackdowns that were definitely earned. It made sense, even if it was a little less satisfying. Who doesn't love when a jerk gets what's coming, amiright?
I think the end was realistic, in that neither man was sacrificing their dreams--instead they recognized the commitments the other had made, and respected that. Their long track record of long-distance friendship and romance gave me the sense that they'd weather the storms of separation well, and come out a strong, united, couple when they completed schooling and enlistment.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
Aaron and Freddie were childhood besties and high school sweethearts who are now reconnecting after a four-year silence.
Aaron's family is wealthy, and they have a summer home, Elliot House, in Door County, Wisconsin--the place of peace Aaron relished living in, as opposed to the palatial Chicago Gold Coast digs. His late father fostered a deep love of books and literature, a love that Aaron wants to pursue with a Masters degree, but his mother and stepfather have been pressing him to join his stepfather's marketing firm. Aaron gets physically ill from confrontation--likely due to the tumultuous relationship his mother and father shared. He's standing up for himself, now, however, when he learns that his father specifically bequeathed him Elliot House and his mother is attempting to sell it without his consent. He vows to go and spend the summer in the house, reconnecting with his memories--of his father, not his love for Freddie.
Freddie is a bisexual, biracial Navy boat pilot on medical leave as her recuperates from fallout of a mission gone wrong. He's unsure if he'll regain enough use of his arm to return to active duty, and that fear is making him despondent. He's especially upset when his sister--Nessa--has her plans to purchase Elliot House and make it a B & B derailed by the return of his first--and only--love, Aaron. Freddie's still frustrated about Aaron's abrupt departure four summers ago, when he literally ran off the night of his own mother's second wedding, with a brief note leaving no explanation.
Aaron had never expected Freddie would remain faithful to him--he's not female, and Freddie always dated girls, before him. Plus, no one knew their relationship had moved from friendship to physical. Aaron was afraid outing Freddie would cause him to break things off. While Aaron played the dutiful son to his mother, socializing at her wedding and avoiding claiming Freddie, he also experienced dramatic heartbreak--witnessing an apparent tryst between Freddie and a girl. That night stands between them, and is responsible for a host of rash decisions that might have been avoided by having a simple conversation. Thing is, I got the disconnect: they were 18 y/o and headstrong and foolish. Aaron left, Freddie freaked and joined the Navy. Their new lives are really only getting started, and expect a summertime reconnection is too much heartache and trouble. Freddie's family adores Aaron, and wants him to be the same bosom friend they had always known. Freddie doesn't want to relive their nightmare, and Aaron's too meek to confront Freddie about his observations.
I liked how this unfolded. Aaron's a mouse of a man, and I could accept that given his age and history. I liked how he grew up in this book. His mother's more than happy to dump all the house business on her book-educated, but reality-slash-adulting-feckless son, hoping that he'll fail and she'll get what she actually wants: money. Freddie is constantly around to pick up Aaron's shattered pieces, because Freddie's a man of action. He makes a decision and sticks with it--and being Aaron's protector is a decision he made years prior. But Aaron doesn't just dump everything on Freddie, he researches and makes choices that benefit others--mostly--but he makes them of his own free will, and takes stands that are important to him. This I liked. It showed maturity that Aaron had lacked.
I also liked the interracial issues these boys faced. Having spent some time in rural/leisure area Wisconsin, I could relate to Freddie's struggle as a (mostly) black kid--and I also got how that was no issue for cosmopolitan Aaron. I say "mostly" because Freddie is mixed-race and this poses unique issues of being neither black nor white "enough" for different factions. It's a real situation, and Freddie had residual anger from growing up in a locale where he was often considered lesser--for myriad reasons, but often for his skin color.
There are secondary players in the book who have vested interests in Aaron keeping or selling the house--and their motives are hard to tease out, at first. Aaron's inability to decide actually leads to revelations about his family, and That Night, which have Aaron kicking himself. It's another big reason he grows as a character. There could have been more drama here, but, again, Aaron's too conflict-averse to hand out the smackdowns that were definitely earned. It made sense, even if it was a little less satisfying. Who doesn't love when a jerk gets what's coming, amiright?
I think the end was realistic, in that neither man was sacrificing their dreams--instead they recognized the commitments the other had made, and respected that. Their long track record of long-distance friendship and romance gave me the sense that they'd weather the storms of separation well, and come out a strong, united, couple when they completed schooling and enlistment.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
March 28, 2016
My Review:
This book was just flat-out one of those books that was really nice to read. It was sweet and romantic. My heart broke for both Aaron and Freddie and the time that they've lost. My heart hurt as I was reading it. Both men were so hurt by what they thought happened 4 years ago, but they both got it wrong.
But then there's the here and now...where they're both trying to deal with being in the same town and not show just how much that hurts, how much they both need and want the other. It made for a phenomenal read. There's just so much unspoken between them. To compound all those emotions, they are both going through TONS in their lives beyond their messed up relationship.
Freddie is home from the Navy after being wounded. He may not be able to go active duty again as he may have permanent damage in his arm. He's playing a wait and see game and trying to heal in the meantime.
For Aaron, he's dealing with a horrible, awful family (who I truly, really hated). On top of that, Aaron has anxiety issues which makes it hard (read that as almost impossible) for him to confront people. But everything in his life right now needs him to engage and confront...something he's beginning to deal with, but it's a very slow development path for him.
I love how much chemistry there is between the guys. At first that comes out in their fighting. I loved that Aaron could actually speak up to Freddie. He may not think that he trusts Freddie, but just by the fact that Freddie is the one person he can talk back to proves that Aaron truly knows that he can trust Freddie.
I loved the setting that the big old mansion provided to the story, especially the library. Aaron's fascination with the antique books and the threads of love for those books that ran through the story made me happy.
This series continues to be one of the best contemporary male/male series out there and this book was no exception to that. I can recommend this one and all three of the books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book was just flat-out one of those books that was really nice to read. It was sweet and romantic. My heart broke for both Aaron and Freddie and the time that they've lost. My heart hurt as I was reading it. Both men were so hurt by what they thought happened 4 years ago, but they both got it wrong.
But then there's the here and now...where they're both trying to deal with being in the same town and not show just how much that hurts, how much they both need and want the other. It made for a phenomenal read. There's just so much unspoken between them. To compound all those emotions, they are both going through TONS in their lives beyond their messed up relationship.
Freddie is home from the Navy after being wounded. He may not be able to go active duty again as he may have permanent damage in his arm. He's playing a wait and see game and trying to heal in the meantime.
For Aaron, he's dealing with a horrible, awful family (who I truly, really hated). On top of that, Aaron has anxiety issues which makes it hard (read that as almost impossible) for him to confront people. But everything in his life right now needs him to engage and confront...something he's beginning to deal with, but it's a very slow development path for him.
I love how much chemistry there is between the guys. At first that comes out in their fighting. I loved that Aaron could actually speak up to Freddie. He may not think that he trusts Freddie, but just by the fact that Freddie is the one person he can talk back to proves that Aaron truly knows that he can trust Freddie.
I loved the setting that the big old mansion provided to the story, especially the library. Aaron's fascination with the antique books and the threads of love for those books that ran through the story made me happy.
This series continues to be one of the best contemporary male/male series out there and this book was no exception to that. I can recommend this one and all three of the books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
April 2, 2016
3.5 stars
This is an enjoyable story about two young men who used to be best friends and then lovers, who have had a major falling out. A few years have gone by but neither man has gotten over the other. Circumstances bring them back together and they try to get over their past. While they have a lot of anger at each other they soon realize there is still a lot of love. Some family problems further complicate their situation
I thought this was well written story which featured likable and engaging characters. This is a new adult story where both young men are still working on finding themselves. Both are at crossroads with what they are doing in both personal and professional lives. The main plot point is based on bad communication in the past and while I dislike that trope in general I felt like it worked here. The author doesn't tell you exactly what happened all at once. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past but it was done smoothly and I felt like it really worked in this case.
There were a host of side characters which I liked and I felt added to the story. The plot includes both of their family members and a fight over an old house but it does not distract from the main plot of the love story. My only complaint about the book is that the ending is more happily for now than happily ever after and I had some questions about how they were going to make things work in the long run. I typically prefer a more solid ending unless I know there is going to be another book in the series.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and one I would recommend if you like the new adult genre.
This is an enjoyable story about two young men who used to be best friends and then lovers, who have had a major falling out. A few years have gone by but neither man has gotten over the other. Circumstances bring them back together and they try to get over their past. While they have a lot of anger at each other they soon realize there is still a lot of love. Some family problems further complicate their situation
I thought this was well written story which featured likable and engaging characters. This is a new adult story where both young men are still working on finding themselves. Both are at crossroads with what they are doing in both personal and professional lives. The main plot point is based on bad communication in the past and while I dislike that trope in general I felt like it worked here. The author doesn't tell you exactly what happened all at once. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past but it was done smoothly and I felt like it really worked in this case.
There were a host of side characters which I liked and I felt added to the story. The plot includes both of their family members and a fight over an old house but it does not distract from the main plot of the love story. My only complaint about the book is that the ending is more happily for now than happily ever after and I had some questions about how they were going to make things work in the long run. I typically prefer a more solid ending unless I know there is going to be another book in the series.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and one I would recommend if you like the new adult genre.
February 18, 2016
Freddie is heading back to to his hometown after an injury in the navy. He isn't sure how extensive the injury is and if he will be able to return to the navy, so he is feeling pretty miserable. And if he already wasn't miserable enough, Aaron the man who broke his heart and left without a word 4 years ago, happens to be back in town. Aaron is back in town because he found out his mother was trying to sell his late father's home without his knowledge and he isn't ready to let go of it. Aaron and Freddie can still feel the chemistry between them but they have so much bad history that they try to fight it.
These two gave me emotional whiplash....one minute Freddie was yelling at him and being mean to him and then he's texting him when his sister has the baby, and helping him when the power goes out, etc. Aaron is very non-confrontational, which they do explain about, but at first I just wanted to yell at him to stand up for himself. I was really happy to see him start to towards the end. It drove me a little nuts that Freddie's family obviously saw how hurt he was by Aaron but was still forcing them together. I didn't understand that at all. One of the biggest problems I had with this one was
** I received an ARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
These two gave me emotional whiplash....one minute Freddie was yelling at him and being mean to him and then he's texting him when his sister has the baby, and helping him when the power goes out, etc. Aaron is very non-confrontational, which they do explain about, but at first I just wanted to yell at him to stand up for himself. I was really happy to see him start to towards the end. It drove me a little nuts that Freddie's family obviously saw how hurt he was by Aaron but was still forcing them together. I didn't understand that at all. One of the biggest problems I had with this one was
** I received an ARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
March 2, 2016
What a great book! The central characters in this story are beautifully constructed, the writing is well crafted and I love reading about childhood lovers getting a second chance.
Freddie is a perfect leading man. Injured in combat, still grieving the loss of his father, supporting his family - the man is almost too perfect. With all the warmth and goodness surrounding Freddie and his family, I actually checked to see if this was a new pen name for Amy Lane.
Aaron is also lovely, though he seems more childlike than Freddie. He is also a slightly cliched poor-little-rich-boy. As a new-adult story, part of the joy is watching the recent college graduate develop a backbone, assert his independence and carve out an adult identity for himself.
The chemistry between Aaron and Freddie is brilliant. They anticipate each other and compliment each other as only long-term friends can do as lovers. This is a wonderful pairing.
There are a few frustrating plot issues. I know a romance needs conflict, but the miscommunication in this story was seriously overblown. Aaron’s wealthy family is only ever the cliched diabolical force for evil and the female characters are only roughly sketched - either nasty and predatory on Aaron’s side or insipid and maternal on Freddie’s.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this. I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Freddie is a perfect leading man. Injured in combat, still grieving the loss of his father, supporting his family - the man is almost too perfect. With all the warmth and goodness surrounding Freddie and his family, I actually checked to see if this was a new pen name for Amy Lane.
Aaron is also lovely, though he seems more childlike than Freddie. He is also a slightly cliched poor-little-rich-boy. As a new-adult story, part of the joy is watching the recent college graduate develop a backbone, assert his independence and carve out an adult identity for himself.
The chemistry between Aaron and Freddie is brilliant. They anticipate each other and compliment each other as only long-term friends can do as lovers. This is a wonderful pairing.
There are a few frustrating plot issues. I know a romance needs conflict, but the miscommunication in this story was seriously overblown. Aaron’s wealthy family is only ever the cliched diabolical force for evil and the female characters are only roughly sketched - either nasty and predatory on Aaron’s side or insipid and maternal on Freddie’s.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed this. I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
March 25, 2016
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
This was my first read by this author. While I enjoyed her eye for detail I felt this was a extremely slow beginning. It finally picked up towards the end but I had a hard time staying focused up to that point.
Freddie and Aaron are friends to lovers, but Aaron walked away without a word to Freddie. Freddie never fought to find out why, he just joined the Navy. After an injury he's back in town. A town that does nothing but bring back memories of Aaron.
Aaron's mother decides to sell the house his father left to him. Aaron is destroyed by this information when he planned to stay the summer there.
Freddie and Aaron finally come face to face after years apart. The sparks are there, but so is the past hanging over their heads. Something that could have been cleared up with a honest conversation drags on and isn't cleared up till the end. An end that was rushed. I'm not a super fan of epilogues but this book could have definitely used one.
I wanted to like this read, but I feel I got bored before it really picked up and it was hard to be invested in the characters at that point. This one just wasn't for me.
This was my first read by this author. While I enjoyed her eye for detail I felt this was a extremely slow beginning. It finally picked up towards the end but I had a hard time staying focused up to that point.
Freddie and Aaron are friends to lovers, but Aaron walked away without a word to Freddie. Freddie never fought to find out why, he just joined the Navy. After an injury he's back in town. A town that does nothing but bring back memories of Aaron.
Aaron's mother decides to sell the house his father left to him. Aaron is destroyed by this information when he planned to stay the summer there.
Freddie and Aaron finally come face to face after years apart. The sparks are there, but so is the past hanging over their heads. Something that could have been cleared up with a honest conversation drags on and isn't cleared up till the end. An end that was rushed. I'm not a super fan of epilogues but this book could have definitely used one.
I wanted to like this read, but I feel I got bored before it really picked up and it was hard to be invested in the characters at that point. This one just wasn't for me.
March 28, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first book in the series that I have read, and I have added the others to my list - as this is an impressive read.
There are a number of subplots in this story which are all interesting in their own right, and tie in really well as the book progresses. Jamie (Freddie) is dealing with a possibly career ending injury, and facing the only man that ever injured his heart at the same time is a challenge. Aaron is facing a career starting/dream destroying decision at the end of his studies and then discovers the truth about his inheritance, just in time. As spectators, we can only hope that they will see what is clearly visible to the rest of the characters and ignoring all other factors, recognise their importance to each other. I loved the library, the dragon tattoo, and definitely some of the hot and steamy memories. In current time even just the slightest touch is made to be so effective - it is a really clever build up ...
Very enjoyable read.
This is the first book in the series that I have read, and I have added the others to my list - as this is an impressive read.
There are a number of subplots in this story which are all interesting in their own right, and tie in really well as the book progresses. Jamie (Freddie) is dealing with a possibly career ending injury, and facing the only man that ever injured his heart at the same time is a challenge. Aaron is facing a career starting/dream destroying decision at the end of his studies and then discovers the truth about his inheritance, just in time. As spectators, we can only hope that they will see what is clearly visible to the rest of the characters and ignoring all other factors, recognise their importance to each other. I loved the library, the dragon tattoo, and definitely some of the hot and steamy memories. In current time even just the slightest touch is made to be so effective - it is a really clever build up ...
Very enjoyable read.
March 1, 2016
Fight to Forgive (Letting Go #3) by J. Leigh Bailey
3.5 stars
M/M Second Chance Romance
Triggers: Assault, manipulative family
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I really enjoyed this story, for the most part. I felt that it was a little drawn out with backstory - it would have been nice to see more of their story together, rather than their past. However, I really enjoyed watching them dance around each other in the uncomfortable way they did.
I was very upset that nothing came of the step sister - seems to me that should have been addressed more. As well as I wish that Aaron had been more forceful or stronger against his mother. I wanted to make sure that she knew what she was losing when she chose to go around her son, rather than include him in the decision.
Overall, this had a lot of potential to be a fantastic story, but it was just ho-hum because we really only read about their past.
3.5 stars
M/M Second Chance Romance
Triggers: Assault, manipulative family
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I really enjoyed this story, for the most part. I felt that it was a little drawn out with backstory - it would have been nice to see more of their story together, rather than their past. However, I really enjoyed watching them dance around each other in the uncomfortable way they did.
I was very upset that nothing came of the step sister - seems to me that should have been addressed more. As well as I wish that Aaron had been more forceful or stronger against his mother. I wanted to make sure that she knew what she was losing when she chose to go around her son, rather than include him in the decision.
Overall, this had a lot of potential to be a fantastic story, but it was just ho-hum because we really only read about their past.
March 20, 2016
You can call it 'the big misunderstanding' or you can call it 'the plot of the novel'. The story hinges on these two not talking, so yeah Aaron is physically sick when he attempts a confrontation, and Freddie's hurt and anger make him unwilling to put himself out there to be hurt again.
I liked how twisted and complicated events got with pretty boy, and selfish step-sister, and pregnant (other) sister, and in between all this, these two boys giving in to their attraction, then backing off.
There are flashbacks to their teenage summers, which gives more insight into how happy they were, and how badly it all went. They have lost four years, and yet they are still young. Still plenty of time to love one another.
Copy provided by Netgalley. Thanks. Due out on March 28th.
I liked how twisted and complicated events got with pretty boy, and selfish step-sister, and pregnant (other) sister, and in between all this, these two boys giving in to their attraction, then backing off.
There are flashbacks to their teenage summers, which gives more insight into how happy they were, and how badly it all went. They have lost four years, and yet they are still young. Still plenty of time to love one another.
Copy provided by Netgalley. Thanks. Due out on March 28th.
February 29, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
3 stars for this M/M
I was really excited to read this book when I read the blurb. I liked Freddie and Aaron, you could tell they both really loved each other in the flashbacks, however, the story was very slow for me. Nothing really happened until almost ¾ of the way into the book. There were a lot of flashbacks that gave us the back story but it was just drawn out and then when we finally got to the good part the book was over. I would have liked to have seen what happened to all the characters after everything was said and done. There was just so much miscommunication and so much back and forth that I just wanted to scream. Great potential but missed the mark for me.
3 stars for this M/M
I was really excited to read this book when I read the blurb. I liked Freddie and Aaron, you could tell they both really loved each other in the flashbacks, however, the story was very slow for me. Nothing really happened until almost ¾ of the way into the book. There were a lot of flashbacks that gave us the back story but it was just drawn out and then when we finally got to the good part the book was over. I would have liked to have seen what happened to all the characters after everything was said and done. There was just so much miscommunication and so much back and forth that I just wanted to scream. Great potential but missed the mark for me.
Read
April 14, 2016Another wonderful novel from J. Leigh Bailey. Sure, a large part of the initial conflict is the refusal to communicate but Bailey made it feel real so it wasn't an issue.
March 21, 2023
My favorite book of the trilogy the characters have a second chance for love. Both men had a miscommunication and were separated for 4 years. They both ended up in the same city and couldn't keep out of each others way. Both are extremely hurt and just want to move on.
March 28, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Fight to Forgive was an enjoyable male/male new adult romance. While I read book one in the series, I did not read book two, but that didn’t matter as Bailey has written the series as standalones – in fact, I don’t think there’s any character crossover among the books. Because Aaron avoids confrontation at all costs, there is not as much angst as there could have been. This made for a sweeter romance, even if there was still plenty of tension to go around because it is by no means drama free.
Aaron’s reaction to confrontation may seem extreme to some people, but my sister was the same way until her late 20s, and because of this, I saw Aaron in a very sympathetic light. The lengths to which Aaron would go to in order to avoid confrontation are completely realistic if you know someone like him. The “Is it really worth it?” inner monologue often occurs as the non-confrontationalist picks and chooses their battles very carefully. Unfortunately, Aaron failed to pick the right battle four years earlier, choosing to run and hide, breaking Freddie’s heart at the same time. Even though we are well into the book before the author reveals what caused Aaron to feel betrayed and subsequently leave town, it wasn’t that difficult to figure out the issue. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Aaron was mistaken about events because nothing in Freddie’s behavior would suggest he would behave in such a way. However, I was absolutely flabbergasted as to why Aaron saw what he did and I wanted to reach in and throttle the everlovingheck out of his stepsister, Brianna. Fortunately for Aaron, Freddie’s protector personality meant that their paths kept crossing, even though they both vowed to avoid one another, and their repeated contact forced the confrontation that led to Freddie finally finding out why Aaron ran four years earlier without a word.
What I liked about Freddie and Aaron’s reconciliation was that they had to work at it. I appreciated that there wasn’t an immediate forgiving of past misjudgments because Aaron believing what he saw was a major show of mistrust and not something that Freddie could or should forgive easily. Besides, both of them had other things in their lives they were dealing with, so their entire focus was not and could not be on their relationship. I thought the decision that Aaron came to in regards to his father’s house made sense, even if I don’t believe Brianna should have benefited from it – but luckily for her, Aaron is a much better person than I am. Because Freddie and Aaron had so much to overcome and make up for, it made their eventual reconciliation that much better – and hotter. I thoroughly enjoyed Fight to Forgive and look forward to reading more of Bailey’s work.
Fight to Forgive was an enjoyable male/male new adult romance. While I read book one in the series, I did not read book two, but that didn’t matter as Bailey has written the series as standalones – in fact, I don’t think there’s any character crossover among the books. Because Aaron avoids confrontation at all costs, there is not as much angst as there could have been. This made for a sweeter romance, even if there was still plenty of tension to go around because it is by no means drama free.
Aaron’s reaction to confrontation may seem extreme to some people, but my sister was the same way until her late 20s, and because of this, I saw Aaron in a very sympathetic light. The lengths to which Aaron would go to in order to avoid confrontation are completely realistic if you know someone like him. The “Is it really worth it?” inner monologue often occurs as the non-confrontationalist picks and chooses their battles very carefully. Unfortunately, Aaron failed to pick the right battle four years earlier, choosing to run and hide, breaking Freddie’s heart at the same time. Even though we are well into the book before the author reveals what caused Aaron to feel betrayed and subsequently leave town, it wasn’t that difficult to figure out the issue. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Aaron was mistaken about events because nothing in Freddie’s behavior would suggest he would behave in such a way. However, I was absolutely flabbergasted as to why Aaron saw what he did and I wanted to reach in and throttle the everlovingheck out of his stepsister, Brianna. Fortunately for Aaron, Freddie’s protector personality meant that their paths kept crossing, even though they both vowed to avoid one another, and their repeated contact forced the confrontation that led to Freddie finally finding out why Aaron ran four years earlier without a word.
What I liked about Freddie and Aaron’s reconciliation was that they had to work at it. I appreciated that there wasn’t an immediate forgiving of past misjudgments because Aaron believing what he saw was a major show of mistrust and not something that Freddie could or should forgive easily. Besides, both of them had other things in their lives they were dealing with, so their entire focus was not and could not be on their relationship. I thought the decision that Aaron came to in regards to his father’s house made sense, even if I don’t believe Brianna should have benefited from it – but luckily for her, Aaron is a much better person than I am. Because Freddie and Aaron had so much to overcome and make up for, it made their eventual reconciliation that much better – and hotter. I thoroughly enjoyed Fight to Forgive and look forward to reading more of Bailey’s work.
March 26, 2016
After suffering a combat injury, James "Freddie" Fredrick has returned to a place he doesn't want to spend much time: home. There were many reasons he joined the Navy and left four years before. It's not something he wants to talk about with anyone and he never has. But when his sister picks him up from the airport and tells him she's buying Elliott House, it seems he just can't get away. Aaron Elliott is right back at the front and center of his life. Aaron who selfishly left him without a word four years ago. And things get even more complicated when he learns Aaron is back in town.
Aaron Elliott has avoided conflict all his life. If he can get through something without making waves, he will. But when he learned his mother and stepfather were planning to sell his father's house, he knew he had to speak up. Aaron's father left that house to him, and though a legal technicality has put his ownership in question, Aaron believes his father's wishes should be carried out. So he halts the sale and decides to spend a summer at Elliott House. He just doesn't expect to run into Freddie. The feelings come rushing back, but Aaron tells himself he has to let them go. After all, Freddie destroyed anything the two of them could have had four years ago.
As the two live in proximity again, their past eventually becomes a big enough elephant in the room that it can't be avoided. Though both are committed to never going back down that road, can their collective willpower hold out? And what exactly is the truth of their breakup? Is it possible all could be forgiven?
I've been a fan of this series of stories by j. leigh bailey since the first one. The stories they tell are so rich and dynamic, I always have a hard time putting the books down. And the story of these two is certainly no exception. The value of communication and trust is clear in how this story plays out. And it reminds us that it's also so important to meet another person where they are. You can't hold someone to expectations that are outside of their nature--especially if you never communicate those expectations to them.
Strong recommendation on this one!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
Aaron Elliott has avoided conflict all his life. If he can get through something without making waves, he will. But when he learned his mother and stepfather were planning to sell his father's house, he knew he had to speak up. Aaron's father left that house to him, and though a legal technicality has put his ownership in question, Aaron believes his father's wishes should be carried out. So he halts the sale and decides to spend a summer at Elliott House. He just doesn't expect to run into Freddie. The feelings come rushing back, but Aaron tells himself he has to let them go. After all, Freddie destroyed anything the two of them could have had four years ago.
As the two live in proximity again, their past eventually becomes a big enough elephant in the room that it can't be avoided. Though both are committed to never going back down that road, can their collective willpower hold out? And what exactly is the truth of their breakup? Is it possible all could be forgiven?
I've been a fan of this series of stories by j. leigh bailey since the first one. The stories they tell are so rich and dynamic, I always have a hard time putting the books down. And the story of these two is certainly no exception. The value of communication and trust is clear in how this story plays out. And it reminds us that it's also so important to meet another person where they are. You can't hold someone to expectations that are outside of their nature--especially if you never communicate those expectations to them.
Strong recommendation on this one!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
March 1, 2016
"Argggh!" That was me as I was reading.
So frustrating when you expect to love a book and you find yourself struggling to just keep on reading.
As I stated before, I've come to enjoy J. Leigh Bailey's writing, especially her characters. However, this story...*sigh* I don't know where to begin.
Sometimes I feel the need to shake the MCs in a story, maybe smack them upside the head a time or two. You know what I mean. You become so emotionally invested in their relationship that you would do just about anything for them to get their issues resolved--even resorting to some mild form of violence. Sadly, that was not the case with this story. And I say sadly, because I LOVE becoming invested in my characters. My shaking them or smacking them upside the head being simply a sign of my love and affection. In this case, I simply wanted to do harm!!!
My biggest problem with this story was the pacing and the failure of the romance taking root. If there is one pet peeve of mine is when a couple fails to come together because of a misunderstanding because they failed to communicate. However, in most cases I come to overlook this element simply because the MCs usually come to their senses and the romance comes to the forefront of the story. This was not the case in this story and try as I might I couldn't find it in myself to overlook it.
I did enjoy getting to know Aaron and Freddie both in the past and in the present. And I think it was because I got to see them as they were--so open and honest with each other--that I had such a hard time believing that they could spent so many years apart without demanding an explanation from one another.
In any case, I was thankful to have witnessed their original connection since it was what kept me interested as the story was told. I wished for them to get back to who they were as a couple and that drove me to keep on reading at times when I wanted to stop.
Keep in mind that although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.
All in all, not the story that I was expecting but a sweet second chance story nonetheless.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
So frustrating when you expect to love a book and you find yourself struggling to just keep on reading.
As I stated before, I've come to enjoy J. Leigh Bailey's writing, especially her characters. However, this story...*sigh* I don't know where to begin.
Sometimes I feel the need to shake the MCs in a story, maybe smack them upside the head a time or two. You know what I mean. You become so emotionally invested in their relationship that you would do just about anything for them to get their issues resolved--even resorting to some mild form of violence. Sadly, that was not the case with this story. And I say sadly, because I LOVE becoming invested in my characters. My shaking them or smacking them upside the head being simply a sign of my love and affection. In this case, I simply wanted to do harm!!!
My biggest problem with this story was the pacing and the failure of the romance taking root. If there is one pet peeve of mine is when a couple fails to come together because of a misunderstanding because they failed to communicate. However, in most cases I come to overlook this element simply because the MCs usually come to their senses and the romance comes to the forefront of the story. This was not the case in this story and try as I might I couldn't find it in myself to overlook it.
I did enjoy getting to know Aaron and Freddie both in the past and in the present. And I think it was because I got to see them as they were--so open and honest with each other--that I had such a hard time believing that they could spent so many years apart without demanding an explanation from one another.
In any case, I was thankful to have witnessed their original connection since it was what kept me interested as the story was told. I wished for them to get back to who they were as a couple and that drove me to keep on reading at times when I wanted to stop.
Keep in mind that although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.
All in all, not the story that I was expecting but a sweet second chance story nonetheless.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
February 19, 2016
Spoilers
Fight to Forgive by J. Leigh Bailey
After years of friendship, Aaron and Freddie’s relationship progresses into something more, but a conniving stepsister helps destroy that relationship. Will they ever find their way back to each other? Or will they let other people’s wishes and wants dictate their futures?
Freddie and Aaron spend every summer since they were 8 years old together. That friendship was a base for a more intimate relationship when they got older. Everything between the two are wonderful until one night a misunderstanding sends Aaron packing back to Chicago and Freddie to the Navy.
Four years later and they are back in Door County, Michigan. Freddie is injured due to a mission gone wrong and Freddie is fighting to keep the summer house, his last link to his father who passed away.
When the truth of that night finally comes to light will they move passed hurt feelings and misunderstandings to try again at a relationship or will finally get the closure they need to move on?
Overall I liked the story. I have a little bit of an issue with the stereotypical set up of the characters though. Aaron is white and comes from a well off family. He’s never had to worry about money or take responsibility for anything. Freddie’s father is black and his mother is white, he comes from a middle class family. Freddie’s been working his whole life. Personally, I would have like to see things switched up a little. Also, another thing I noticed that kind of bugs me is the cover. Freddie is supposed to be taller, at least he is in the book, but the cover depicts “Freddie” as shorter, smaller than “Aaron”. I’m probably reading too much into it, it’s just something I noticed.
Fight to Forgive by J. Leigh Bailey
After years of friendship, Aaron and Freddie’s relationship progresses into something more, but a conniving stepsister helps destroy that relationship. Will they ever find their way back to each other? Or will they let other people’s wishes and wants dictate their futures?
Freddie and Aaron spend every summer since they were 8 years old together. That friendship was a base for a more intimate relationship when they got older. Everything between the two are wonderful until one night a misunderstanding sends Aaron packing back to Chicago and Freddie to the Navy.
Four years later and they are back in Door County, Michigan. Freddie is injured due to a mission gone wrong and Freddie is fighting to keep the summer house, his last link to his father who passed away.
When the truth of that night finally comes to light will they move passed hurt feelings and misunderstandings to try again at a relationship or will finally get the closure they need to move on?
Overall I liked the story. I have a little bit of an issue with the stereotypical set up of the characters though. Aaron is white and comes from a well off family. He’s never had to worry about money or take responsibility for anything. Freddie’s father is black and his mother is white, he comes from a middle class family. Freddie’s been working his whole life. Personally, I would have like to see things switched up a little. Also, another thing I noticed that kind of bugs me is the cover. Freddie is supposed to be taller, at least he is in the book, but the cover depicts “Freddie” as shorter, smaller than “Aaron”. I’m probably reading too much into it, it’s just something I noticed.
April 2, 2016
Talk about miscommunication… Fight to Forgive was full of it. To be fair, it wasn’t all Freddie and Aaron’s fault. A lot of it was out of their hands. I sympathized with both of them, but part of me really thought that at least one of them should have known better. Yet, you know what they say about hind sight and 20/20… :(
I’m not sure which one of these two broke my heart more. Freddie thought he had his life figured out. His initial stint in the Navy was impulsive, but he felt like he had finally found a place where he belonged. Then after one fateful mission, he didn’t even have that anymore.
And Aaron? Let’s just say, as much as I absolutely loved Freddie’s family? That’s pretty much how much I despised Aaron’s. What kind of family actually does the things that his family did?
There was so much chemistry between Aaron and Freddie that it was almost its own character. They obviously still cared about each other, they just had to move beyond all that they’d been through and discover each other all over again.
Fight to Forgive was most definitely a welcome addition to the Letting Go series. I’m really hoping that there is more to come. ;)
I received Fight to Forgive in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I’m not sure which one of these two broke my heart more. Freddie thought he had his life figured out. His initial stint in the Navy was impulsive, but he felt like he had finally found a place where he belonged. Then after one fateful mission, he didn’t even have that anymore.
And Aaron? Let’s just say, as much as I absolutely loved Freddie’s family? That’s pretty much how much I despised Aaron’s. What kind of family actually does the things that his family did?
There was so much chemistry between Aaron and Freddie that it was almost its own character. They obviously still cared about each other, they just had to move beyond all that they’d been through and discover each other all over again.
Fight to Forgive was most definitely a welcome addition to the Letting Go series. I’m really hoping that there is more to come. ;)
I received Fight to Forgive in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 31, 2016
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I really adore j. leigh's novels to pieces. They're sweet and romantic and the relationships are lovely. I really tore through it in a couple of hours and couldn't put it down!
I love books with second chances and past misunderstandings. This book has both of those in spades, and a lot of fascinating flashbacks so we can see the past and present of Freddie and Aaron's relationship.
There's not a lot of drama. It's set up so you'd expect there to be, but mostly it's some brief intense emotion that then only unravels. And on the one hand I really loved that, because I didn't really need big drama.
But I do wish some of the build-up had been more bang and less fizzle. There are a lot of plots weaving around, and while most resolve satisfactorily, a few were tied off a bit too cleanly.
A really excellent read! I will gladly devour anything that j. leigh puts out.
I really adore j. leigh's novels to pieces. They're sweet and romantic and the relationships are lovely. I really tore through it in a couple of hours and couldn't put it down!
I love books with second chances and past misunderstandings. This book has both of those in spades, and a lot of fascinating flashbacks so we can see the past and present of Freddie and Aaron's relationship.
There's not a lot of drama. It's set up so you'd expect there to be, but mostly it's some brief intense emotion that then only unravels. And on the one hand I really loved that, because I didn't really need big drama.
But I do wish some of the build-up had been more bang and less fizzle. There are a lot of plots weaving around, and while most resolve satisfactorily, a few were tied off a bit too cleanly.
A really excellent read! I will gladly devour anything that j. leigh puts out.
April 19, 2016
Aaron and Freddie were friends and lovers in high school then they had a big misunderstanding where cheating is suspected and they part ways.
Now years later they’re trying to decide if they can trust one another and begin again.
**
This story just didn’t work for me.
I didn’t like the flashbacks – especially how they were interspersed throughout the story in such a way that I had to check to see if this was now or then sometimes.
I hated the big misunderstanding. Thought it was silly the two didn’t discuss it at some point.
I thought the early parts of their relationship was sweet and wonderful and if that had been the main focus I think I’d have loved it but the back and forth just left me confused and frustrated more often than not.
I genuinely think the author is a great writer and that this story just wasn’t for me.
Now years later they’re trying to decide if they can trust one another and begin again.
**
This story just didn’t work for me.
I didn’t like the flashbacks – especially how they were interspersed throughout the story in such a way that I had to check to see if this was now or then sometimes.
I hated the big misunderstanding. Thought it was silly the two didn’t discuss it at some point.
I thought the early parts of their relationship was sweet and wonderful and if that had been the main focus I think I’d have loved it but the back and forth just left me confused and frustrated more often than not.
I genuinely think the author is a great writer and that this story just wasn’t for me.
May 2, 2016
My first by this author, and while I found the book itself very well written, the character them themselves not so likeable. Which, in itself just shows how well written it was.
Aaron, a spineless twit, finally decides after years of being a yes persons to show some balls, maybe. Stands up to his mum and stepfather only to crumble in the end after all.
Freddie, who runs away after Aaron breaks his heart all those years ago is back when he gets injured. Falls for the same issue, or does he?
So this wasn’t my favorite story or favorite characters. I see where we were going but in my opinion just never made it. Aaron started semi strong then gave up. Freddie just, well, they never seemed on the same level.
I wish them the best, but they need a lot of work.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
Aaron, a spineless twit, finally decides after years of being a yes persons to show some balls, maybe. Stands up to his mum and stepfather only to crumble in the end after all.
Freddie, who runs away after Aaron breaks his heart all those years ago is back when he gets injured. Falls for the same issue, or does he?
So this wasn’t my favorite story or favorite characters. I see where we were going but in my opinion just never made it. Aaron started semi strong then gave up. Freddie just, well, they never seemed on the same level.
I wish them the best, but they need a lot of work.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviewers
July 27, 2016
Hm. Truly a "meh" book for me. I can't really pinpoint anything bad about it. On the other hand, I can't say I loved it, either. And sadly I didn't care much about either Aaron or Freddie, which meant that I also didn't really care if they were together or not. :/
I'd probably only read another from Bailey if it came highly recommended by a reader I trust. Perhaps it's me, not the book/writing.
I'd probably only read another from Bailey if it came highly recommended by a reader I trust. Perhaps it's me, not the book/writing.
November 8, 2016
This title was originally reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®
Fight to Forgive is third book in J Leigh Bailey's fabulous new adult series Letting Go. Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone as they are only loosely connected by setting and theme. Characters from current books don't appear in previous books.
For complete Review see http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?p=4...
June 17, 2016
I was sure it's gonna be 3,5 or 4 stars for about 90% of the book. But then Aaron gives everything to people who tried to fuck him over like pathetic little bitch and that is a big no for me, so 2 stars is max.
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