Tuesday, September 19, 2017

AotM: More Than Everything & The Half of Us by Cardeno C. (Reviews+Giveaway)

More Than Everything

Cover - morethaneverythingTime might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.
As a teenager, Charlie “Chase” Rhodes meets Scott Boone and falls head over heels in love with the popular, athletic boy next door. Charlie thinks he’s living the dream when Scott says he feels the same way. But his dreams are dashed when Scott unexpectedly moves away.
Years later, Charlie meets brash and confident Adan Navarro, who claims all he wants is a round between the sheets. After eight months together, Charlie is convinced Adan returns his love. But when the opportunity comes to be open about their relationship, Adan walks away.
Time passes and life moves on, but when Charlie learns the only two men he’s ever loved are now in love with each other, his heart breaks all over again. Scott and Adan tell Charlie they want him back, but Charlie doesn’t know if he can trust two people who have hurt him so deeply. Time might not heal all wounds, but with two motivated and strong-willed men on a campaign to win him back, Charlie will get more than he ever thought possible.

Audible US / UK / iTunes


I have to admit I don't usually read menage stories, mostly because I feel the dynamics are generally off, however, this was a Cardeno C. book and she's one of my favorite authors, so I was more than willing to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. 

Charlie and Scott met when they were teenagers, they were each other's first loves and stayed together until Scott moved away to Las Vegas with his family and then drifted apart. 

It took Charlie a long time to get over him, and he felt he'd never love again until he met Adan. However, after 8 months, Adan broke his heart and Charlie moves away. 

When they meet again several years later, Scott and Adan are in a committed relationship, and Charlie's heart is broken all over again when he realizes this. What he doesn't know is that neither Scott nor Adan has ever forgotten him or the love they shared and while they're everything for each other, they're more than willing to have more than that and they will fight to convince Charlie that he belongs with them. 

I liked this story, it was fast-paced and told from three different POVs, although Charlie's is the main one. Scott and Charlie were so sweet together, but young and immature and while they loved each other, time and distance made them drift apart. Adan and Charlie on the other hand, were more mature, but Adan was too unwilling to open himself to Charlie until Charlie had enough and broke things up with him, only for Adan to realize afterward that he'd made a huge mistake. Both Scott and Adan were in love with each other, and while happy, they needed Charlie to complete them. It was lovely to see how hard they fought for Charlie, and it was nice to see it all happening as Charlie made his scrapbook with their memories. Very enjoyable read!

Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!


Ezequiel Robison managed to capture Charlie's campy charm and it was really enjoyable to listen to the voices for both Scott and Adan. This is a light, fun audiobook, with just a little angst and some hot scenes thrown in for good measure. Very recommendable! 

Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!


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The Half of Us

Cover - thehalfofus
If short-tempered Jason can open his heart and life to optimistic Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.
Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it's a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.
Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn't dimmed Abe Green's optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.
For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP

Audible US / UK / iTunes




Jason is looking for sex-with-no-strings-attached, and he sets his eyes on Abe from the moment he hears him laugh. Abe is not all that much into casual one night stands, but it's his birthday and there's something about Jason that calls to him. After a night of passion, they each continue with their lives, but when their paths cross again and they share another night, Jason finds it harder to stay away and starts stalking Abe until they meet again and then he can't stay away.

Jason is divorced and has children and while his relationship with Abe is taking a more serious tone, he's not all that willing to have both of his worlds merge, although fate might intervene and take the decision out of his hands.

I adored Abe. He was such a loving, loyal, brilliant character! Always doing whatever he needed to make things better. I liked Jason, although I did want to punch him a few times, heehee! Still, Abe and Jason together were unbelievably hot! And Abe really made Jason grow up into someone different, better than he ever was both as a partner and as father and friend. I particularly enjoyed seeing Abe interact with Jason's kids and his ex-wife, and see them become a real family.

The story was just amazing, hot and sweet and angsty, an emotional rollercoaster that showcases the importance of family in our lives. Definitely recommendable!

Rating: 5 Stars!

I really enjoyed all the voices Ezekiel Robison came up with for the different characters, both the masculine and the feminine tones were done superbly. I loved the depth of emotion he managed to imprint on the different scenes and how he managed to convey the chemistry between Jason and Abe through his words. Highly recommendable! 

Rating: 5 Stars!!!


Meet CC

Cardeno C.—CC to friends—is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few awwws into a reader’s day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno’s stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.


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4 comments:

  1. I'm not sure which I'd be most inclined to read next.

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  2. I want to read the pack series. colby69@verizon.net

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  3. loved Blue Mountain and Red River...have re-read them a few times

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  4. Love fated mates stories <3

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