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Always #1
Never Let Go
Will McLaren and Ethan Gallagher first met in high school. Ethan--sophisticated, cocky, and full of wild daring--was everything bookish and quiet Will was not. Yet they'd instantly connected and forged an unlikely friendship that had carried them through their teens and well into adulthood. Even as teenagers, though, they'd always kept secrets from one another...hidden bits about their lives and desires they feared could destroy their friendship.
As adults, the secrets have become heavy burdens to bear, forcing them to keep their distance from one another and make up stories to hide the truth. Then, in an unguarded moment, Will lets his secret slip. His revelation explodes into a night of unexpected passion that stuns them both.
When Ethan disappears the next morning, Will blames himself, and as the months pass with no word, he's convinced he's driven away his best friend. He forces himself to move on with his life and try to forget.
But three years later, Ethan shows up again, only a shell of the vibrant man Will once knew, and mysteriously evasive about where he's been. When Ethan makes a confession of his own, can the two men recapture the friendship they'd once shared, and maybe even build something more powerful? Or will the hurts and deceptions of the past tear them apart for good?
Note: Don't miss the exciting sequel, Hearts & Bones...
Genres: Gay / Contemporary / BDSM / Series
As adults, the secrets have become heavy burdens to bear, forcing them to keep their distance from one another and make up stories to hide the truth. Then, in an unguarded moment, Will lets his secret slip. His revelation explodes into a night of unexpected passion that stuns them both.
When Ethan disappears the next morning, Will blames himself, and as the months pass with no word, he's convinced he's driven away his best friend. He forces himself to move on with his life and try to forget.
But three years later, Ethan shows up again, only a shell of the vibrant man Will once knew, and mysteriously evasive about where he's been. When Ethan makes a confession of his own, can the two men recapture the friendship they'd once shared, and maybe even build something more powerful? Or will the hurts and deceptions of the past tear them apart for good?
Note: Don't miss the exciting sequel, Hearts & Bones...
Genres: Gay / Contemporary / BDSM / Series
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Rhodes
42 books570 followersI’m author M.L. Rhodes and I write m/m romance and fantasy. This means my books are about gay or bisexual men meeting, falling in love, and finding happily-ever-afters with other men. Sometimes the settings are contemporary, sometimes the stories take place in worlds filled with dragons, witches, or other fantasy and paranormal creatures. But there’s one thing of which you can be certain…in my books, love always wins!
If you'd like to know more about me and writing, swing by my website when you have a few minutes! http://authormlrhodes.com
If you'd like to know more about me and writing, swing by my website when you have a few minutes! http://authormlrhodes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 1, 2008
I just LOVED this book! M.L. Rhodes can write some emotional erotica!
This is a story about two best friends who have gone through everything together. When one of them starts to have feelings for the other, can they manage to make the friendship survive, or will it turn into something more?
Talk about great! This is a very short novel, but so worth the read. If you enjoy a little angst with your erotica, this one is for you! I also just love a good HEA, and this author always delivers.
xo
This is a story about two best friends who have gone through everything together. When one of them starts to have feelings for the other, can they manage to make the friendship survive, or will it turn into something more?
Talk about great! This is a very short novel, but so worth the read. If you enjoy a little angst with your erotica, this one is for you! I also just love a good HEA, and this author always delivers.
xo
December 3, 2011
This is the story of Will McLaren & Ethan Gallagher. They have been friends since high school each harboring feelings for each other that they were too afraid to admit. When it all finally comes out they spend one night together before Ethan just disappears. When he returns, he isn't sure what he is coming back to, but hopes he can get Will back in to his life in any small way.
So from the blurb I was curious and intrigued about this story. I was a little disappointed. The building of their relationship has already happened so we start right at the beginning of them finding out. Then it is implied they have many secrets from each other. However the person keeping the big secret is always informed by someone else that they already knew and it didn't matter. Except for Ethan's job. Which as the hints start dropping I pray I'm wrong but I'm not.
All in all not awful, but not great. I originally was going to buy both books in the series but now I'm glad I didn't. I may wait a while before I read the next one.
So from the blurb I was curious and intrigued about this story. I was a little disappointed. The building of their relationship has already happened so we start right at the beginning of them finding out. Then it is implied they have many secrets from each other. However the person keeping the big secret is always informed by someone else that they already knew and it didn't matter. Except for Ethan's job. Which as the hints start dropping I pray I'm wrong but I'm not.
All in all not awful, but not great. I originally was going to buy both books in the series but now I'm glad I didn't. I may wait a while before I read the next one.
August 2, 2024
DNF @ 77%
This was such a disappointment. Everything about it was lackluster, the dialog was bad, the pacing was terrible and the author seemed to spend more energy on crafting very lengthy smut scenes than the rest of the plot.
I should have DNF'd it much earlier since the story started out being slow and boring. The MCs (who have been best friends since their teens) are at Will's sister's wedding. There are way too many details about the sister and the wedding and I skimmed a lot. Then we find out that both MCs have been secretly pining for each other for years AND they've both been hiding the fact that they're gay from each other and their families. Since Ethan had basically been raised by Will's family, the entire family is accepting and loving and obviously, neither Ethan nor Will are homophobic, it made no sense that these guys would keep their orientation secret for years.
I did a lot of skimming during this section because I was bored, then the author randomly floored it and we raced through the following events: . Then we skip forward 3 years, during which Ethan has been doing his mysterious job (I assume CIA or something like that) and he's been through something traumatic (I assume he was held captive for a while). My problem with this is that Ethan would have put Will and Will's family as his emergency contacts for his job and they would have contacted the family to give them basic updates about Ethan during those 3 years. It's ridiculous to think that CIA/whatever agents leave on years-long assignments with no notice and that their family is never given any updates about them.
But anyway - Will has tried to move on during those 3 years and he understandably harbors a lot of resentment towards Ethan, who abandoned him without a word. But the author makes it very clear that we're supposed to only think of Ethan as a victim in the situation.
The pacing also continued being horrible. Due to the author cramming the first romance into the story (rather than starting in the future and referencing the events in the past), there was barely any room for the present timeline to happen. I have zero faith that the author will do something great in the last 23%, which is why I stopped reading. Not to mention that the author used 2 of the book's limited 10 chapters on smut scenes, which was absurd.
Lastly, I hated how often Will's sister was brought up and how everybody thinks she's the most amazing person to exist, I hated that the sister calls Ethan 'Eth', Will starts wearing contacts instead of glasses and it's implied that he's much more attractive without the glasses (this is a pet peeve of mine), and the dialog was terrible. The author was trying to make Will and Ethan's conversations really dramatic and heavy, but the author attempted to do this by cramming words and phrases into the MCs mouths which they wouldn't say in real life. For example:
"Damn it. You disappeared for three fucking years. And now you've shown up on my doorstep. For years I imagined how I'd handle it if you did come back and for a long time telling you to go to hell was pretty much at the top of my list. But now that you're here, I find myself torn."
Only certain characters would talk in such a formal, stilted way and neither Will nor Ethan fit that characterization.
Overall, this was a waste of time and it was a disappointing friends to lovers romance as well as a disappointing second chance romance.
This was such a disappointment. Everything about it was lackluster, the dialog was bad, the pacing was terrible and the author seemed to spend more energy on crafting very lengthy smut scenes than the rest of the plot.
I should have DNF'd it much earlier since the story started out being slow and boring. The MCs (who have been best friends since their teens) are at Will's sister's wedding. There are way too many details about the sister and the wedding and I skimmed a lot. Then we find out that both MCs have been secretly pining for each other for years AND they've both been hiding the fact that they're gay from each other and their families. Since Ethan had basically been raised by Will's family, the entire family is accepting and loving and obviously, neither Ethan nor Will are homophobic, it made no sense that these guys would keep their orientation secret for years.
I did a lot of skimming during this section because I was bored, then the author randomly floored it and we raced through the following events: . Then we skip forward 3 years, during which Ethan has been doing his mysterious job (I assume CIA or something like that) and he's been through something traumatic (I assume he was held captive for a while). My problem with this is that Ethan would have put Will and Will's family as his emergency contacts for his job and they would have contacted the family to give them basic updates about Ethan during those 3 years. It's ridiculous to think that CIA/whatever agents leave on years-long assignments with no notice and that their family is never given any updates about them.
But anyway - Will has tried to move on during those 3 years and he understandably harbors a lot of resentment towards Ethan, who abandoned him without a word. But the author makes it very clear that we're supposed to only think of Ethan as a victim in the situation.
The pacing also continued being horrible. Due to the author cramming the first romance into the story (rather than starting in the future and referencing the events in the past), there was barely any room for the present timeline to happen. I have zero faith that the author will do something great in the last 23%, which is why I stopped reading. Not to mention that the author used 2 of the book's limited 10 chapters on smut scenes, which was absurd.
Lastly, I hated how often Will's sister was brought up and how everybody thinks she's the most amazing person to exist, I hated that the sister calls Ethan 'Eth', Will starts wearing contacts instead of glasses and it's implied that he's much more attractive without the glasses (this is a pet peeve of mine), and the dialog was terrible. The author was trying to make Will and Ethan's conversations really dramatic and heavy, but the author attempted to do this by cramming words and phrases into the MCs mouths which they wouldn't say in real life. For example:
"Damn it. You disappeared for three fucking years. And now you've shown up on my doorstep. For years I imagined how I'd handle it if you did come back and for a long time telling you to go to hell was pretty much at the top of my list. But now that you're here, I find myself torn."
Only certain characters would talk in such a formal, stilted way and neither Will nor Ethan fit that characterization.
Overall, this was a waste of time and it was a disappointing friends to lovers romance as well as a disappointing second chance romance.
November 27, 2009
Will and Ethan have been best friends since High School. After getting drunk at his sister's wedding, Will finally tells Ethan that he loves him as more than just a friend. And to his surprise, Ethan tells him the same thing.
I read this book in a couple of hours and I loved it. The characters were very life like. I've had many of the same thoughts and feelings that Will had about my best friend. (Though not as strong. But he is hot... I digress...) The feelings that Rhodes portrays are very accurate and detailed.
The only problem I had with this is I wish it was longer. I'd love to see more of their relationship - both before they get confess their love and after. I'd have probably loved this book even more if it had been even just a couple chapters longer. Now I can't wait to read the sequel. =)
I read this book in a couple of hours and I loved it. The characters were very life like. I've had many of the same thoughts and feelings that Will had about my best friend. (Though not as strong. But he is hot... I digress...) The feelings that Rhodes portrays are very accurate and detailed.
The only problem I had with this is I wish it was longer. I'd love to see more of their relationship - both before they get confess their love and after. I'd have probably loved this book even more if it had been even just a couple chapters longer. Now I can't wait to read the sequel. =)
April 6, 2015
3.5 stars but I will be generous and bump it up to 4. This book reminded me a lot of "I Spy Something Bloody" by Josh Lanyon but I liked Lanyon's book better. Oh, don't get me wrong, the characters were lovable and I rooted for them to get together, but...
I have to admit that I don't like BDSM or D/s in books. Especially when it's sprung on me when I don't expect it. This book didn't need this element, sex toys and whatnot, at all. The switch between the top and the bottom would have been enough. I freely admit that the abundance of kink in gay romances lately makes me cranky. It just seems like authors in general are convinced that two man can't love each other without some deeper need to satisfy a kink or two.
I have to admit that I don't like BDSM or D/s in books. Especially when it's sprung on me when I don't expect it. This book didn't need this element, sex toys and whatnot, at all. The switch between the top and the bottom would have been enough. I freely admit that the abundance of kink in gay romances lately makes me cranky. It just seems like authors in general are convinced that two man can't love each other without some deeper need to satisfy a kink or two.
January 12, 2017
Good, not great.
That’s it. I will try the sequel, because the writing was good.
That’s it. I will try the sequel, because the writing was good.
November 7, 2011
This was a nice enough story, but it didn't have any wow factor for me. It started out kind of slow, then just when things were moving along, it jumped way ahead, then felt rushed at the end.
March 7, 2011
3.5 stars
Interestingly, I am more interested about why Ethan leaves Will for three years (meaning the second half of the story) rather than the beginning. The first part is nice, setting up the context about keeping secrets of the heart from the one that matters. Unfortunately, it's a pretty cliché theme, both Will and Ethan are afraid about ruining their friendship to make a move. I even skim the sex scenes ...
But after Ethan returns three years later, now things get interesting. Because I'm starting to guess the reason (I'm RIGHT, by the way, the clues are all there) and it's more emotional reading about their reunion. The idea that Will is more dominant in bed while he uses to be a shy guy at the outside is an interesting tidbit.
Would love to read what happens next with the two guys. An update on Ethan, especially.
Interestingly, I am more interested about why Ethan leaves Will for three years (meaning the second half of the story) rather than the beginning. The first part is nice, setting up the context about keeping secrets of the heart from the one that matters. Unfortunately, it's a pretty cliché theme, both Will and Ethan are afraid about ruining their friendship to make a move. I even skim the sex scenes ...
But after Ethan returns three years later, now things get interesting. Because I'm starting to guess the reason (I'm RIGHT, by the way, the clues are all there) and it's more emotional reading about their reunion. The idea that Will is more dominant in bed while he uses to be a shy guy at the outside is an interesting tidbit.
Would love to read what happens next with the two guys. An update on Ethan, especially.
April 22, 2021
Honestly a little below a 4 star read. There were many things in the story that were filled in late which
left me unsatisfied. The story was basically very good but I feel that a lot should have been expanded on.
left me unsatisfied. The story was basically very good but I feel that a lot should have been expanded on.
July 11, 2010
I loved this book! The story starts out with the classic nerd/popular guy hooking up in a night of passion and supposed romance. The heartache that Will feels at his supposed abandonment is rather poignant, and I feel really bad for him.
When Ethan returned, I wasn't sure I was going to forgive him in my head; I'm not usually favorable to characters who cheat, or abandon lovers and try to pick them up again like they have a right. Ethan, though, has a very plausible reason for his absence, and it didn't bother me at all once I realized the true reason for the separation, especially considering what the man went through.
I loved the juxtaposition of their roles after the separation, though; now Will is the buff strong man, both emotionally and physically, whereas Ethan is broken in a lot of ways, and comes to Will seeking something. I was a little squicky about the sex scene that was practically rape, since I'm not really in favor of non-consensual sex, but she made it work, particularly since Ethan was okay with it, even while it happened...he even expected it. I loved the resolution, and while we can see they are now reunited, there is also a glimpse of the fact that they have a lot of work to build a strong, steady relationship.
When Ethan returned, I wasn't sure I was going to forgive him in my head; I'm not usually favorable to characters who cheat, or abandon lovers and try to pick them up again like they have a right. Ethan, though, has a very plausible reason for his absence, and it didn't bother me at all once I realized the true reason for the separation, especially considering what the man went through.
I loved the juxtaposition of their roles after the separation, though; now Will is the buff strong man, both emotionally and physically, whereas Ethan is broken in a lot of ways, and comes to Will seeking something. I was a little squicky about the sex scene that was practically rape, since I'm not really in favor of non-consensual sex, but she made it work, particularly since Ethan was okay with it, even while it happened...he even expected it. I loved the resolution, and while we can see they are now reunited, there is also a glimpse of the fact that they have a lot of work to build a strong, steady relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2012
There were a few things that I liked singularly in this story, especially the friend-to-lovers theme and the fact that Will, who is the quiet guy, had an unexpected dominant streak, but this fact was also what brought me out of the story a bit, because I see the book is tagged BDSM and I didn't really feel it as a theme of the book. There's also something that made me almost mad: Will's colleague is expecting him for dinner to set him up with her brother, he knows he has to go, but then he is caught up in his confrontation with Ethan and that fact is not mentioned anymore. I know one can't expect everything to be tied up, but what was the point? There was something good and intense in the story, but there was also something over-the-top and not deep enough. It's probably more 2.5*, but I liked Will a lot, so I'll bump it up a bit.
November 9, 2011
This book left me wanting more, everything was just to neatly tied up and the characters too perfectly flawed.
Ethan comes back from being imprisoned in another country and the only way to tell he was effected was because the author told us, didn't show us, that he didn't like enclosed spaces. His bosses sent him on vacation but I think most supervisors in that situation would send him for therapy.
Then we find Will who was left 'devastated' after their one night together and 3 years of silence from Ethan but when Ethan turns up he invites him to dinner and then they have sex?
This book had a lot of potential but it just fell flat. There needed to be more character development and more plot development.
Ethan comes back from being imprisoned in another country and the only way to tell he was effected was because the author told us, didn't show us, that he didn't like enclosed spaces. His bosses sent him on vacation but I think most supervisors in that situation would send him for therapy.
Then we find Will who was left 'devastated' after their one night together and 3 years of silence from Ethan but when Ethan turns up he invites him to dinner and then they have sex?
This book had a lot of potential but it just fell flat. There needed to be more character development and more plot development.
September 6, 2015
Overall the story was really good. Will is a real "good" guy. He is steady and dependable. Ethan is more charismatic and playful. The go from best friends to lovers and then Ethan is gone. Ethan's "job" is what isn't striking the right cord. He would have been a harder character and most likely his character would have been way different after his absence. That was my only trouble with the story. The writing was good and the characters felt real. The setting sounded gorgeous in the last half. A sweet tale:)
November 9, 2014
On the evening of his sisters wedding, Will finally gives into his feelings for his best friend, Ethan.
However, the following morning, Ethan is paged for work, promising to call when he can.
Three years later Ethan is back but can Will forgive him?
I enjoyed this book. It is relatively short and thankfully there is not a lot of angst about the 3 years and their separation . There is a sequel to this book which I will definitely read.
However, the following morning, Ethan is paged for work, promising to call when he can.
Three years later Ethan is back but can Will forgive him?
I enjoyed this book. It is relatively short and thankfully there is not a lot of angst about the 3 years and their separation . There is a sequel to this book which I will definitely read.
January 1, 2013
Read this one last year and really enjoyed the friends-to-lovers romance and angst.
November 30, 2014
3.5 Stars
Nice quick read. Because of its length, I didn't connect with the characters enough to rate the book higher, but I liked the story enough to want to read the the sequel.
Nice quick read. Because of its length, I didn't connect with the characters enough to rate the book higher, but I liked the story enough to want to read the the sequel.
October 30, 2021
This book was a pretty interesting combination of having more plot than I expected but also not having much plot at all. I'm not sure how that's even possible. It might be that the characters and their relationship were built up pretty well, but then the events themselves felt strangely rushed. Like, the book had surprisingly few scenes and a slightly unnecessary number of them were sex scenes.
That said, it's not bad. I did like the characters and the fact that there was an outside force that caused the main conflict (aside from the whole "oh no, he's my friend, I can't tell him I'm in love with him") since I'm very tired of miscommunication being the only way for authors to keep the plot going. There was none of that, at least.
So yeah. Simple and not the deepest book out there, but by no means bad.
That said, it's not bad. I did like the characters and the fact that there was an outside force that caused the main conflict (aside from the whole "oh no, he's my friend, I can't tell him I'm in love with him") since I'm very tired of miscommunication being the only way for authors to keep the plot going. There was none of that, at least.
So yeah. Simple and not the deepest book out there, but by no means bad.
August 7, 2018
It was alright. Might have had more oomph for me if you got to know them together before they sleep together.
Story: "The MCs have a long history together as friends with mutual attraction, trust us. Here I'll even sprinkle in a reference to that or two."
Me: "Eh I'm just not really feeling it. How about you show me that history rather than telling me it is there."
Story: "....Nah..."
Story: "The MCs have a long history together as friends with mutual attraction, trust us. Here I'll even sprinkle in a reference to that or two."
Me: "Eh I'm just not really feeling it. How about you show me that history rather than telling me it is there."
Story: "....Nah..."
October 29, 2013
Originally reviewed for The Book Vixen
In a Nutshell: Intense, angsty romance that hit the right note for me.
Why I Read this Book: The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites.
What I Liked: I’m a sucker for angsty romances and that’s what I got here. Will had been pining for Ethan for over a decade, worrying the entire time that if he pushed their relationship he’d lose Ethan’s friendship. Ethan had been keeping his attraction secret too so on the fateful night all of this sexual longing mixes with emotional vulnerability and ignites on page. But the angst doesn’t end there! Ethan doesn’t contact Will for three years and Will makes him pay both sexually and emotionally. I enjoyed this long novella because it combines the erotic and emotional where the relationship between Will and Ethan is the sole focus. The men’s caring for each other really comes across, like when Will reflects on Ethan’s unhealthy appearance after the three year absence.
What I Also Liked: Too often in separation romances the leads are ridiculously faithful even though broken up. This book is more realistic, especially for Will who thought Ethan left him without a word but then it still shows how neither man ever forgot or got over the other.
What I Didn’t Like: I know that Ethan’s confession was, well, romance-novel-y but I didn’t care since it gave me the angst-filled romance I wanted. Without the three years separating the men the romance wouldn’t have been as intense, either emotionally or sexually, so I was willing to put up with the contrivance to get the angst I love in romance novels. Plus, it allowed Will to get some “hand” in the relationship that wouldn’t have been there without the three year separation.
IMO: I already have book two to read and can’t wait!
P.S. Don’t even worry about the weird BDSM tag on Goodreads. This is no BDSM romance at all, though Will does let Ethan know he’s safe with Will in the bedroom!
*review copy from publisher*
In a Nutshell: Intense, angsty romance that hit the right note for me.
Why I Read this Book: The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites.
What I Liked: I’m a sucker for angsty romances and that’s what I got here. Will had been pining for Ethan for over a decade, worrying the entire time that if he pushed their relationship he’d lose Ethan’s friendship. Ethan had been keeping his attraction secret too so on the fateful night all of this sexual longing mixes with emotional vulnerability and ignites on page. But the angst doesn’t end there! Ethan doesn’t contact Will for three years and Will makes him pay both sexually and emotionally. I enjoyed this long novella because it combines the erotic and emotional where the relationship between Will and Ethan is the sole focus. The men’s caring for each other really comes across, like when Will reflects on Ethan’s unhealthy appearance after the three year absence.
What I Also Liked: Too often in separation romances the leads are ridiculously faithful even though broken up. This book is more realistic, especially for Will who thought Ethan left him without a word but then it still shows how neither man ever forgot or got over the other.
What I Didn’t Like: I know that Ethan’s confession was, well, romance-novel-y but I didn’t care since it gave me the angst-filled romance I wanted. Without the three years separating the men the romance wouldn’t have been as intense, either emotionally or sexually, so I was willing to put up with the contrivance to get the angst I love in romance novels. Plus, it allowed Will to get some “hand” in the relationship that wouldn’t have been there without the three year separation.
IMO: I already have book two to read and can’t wait!
P.S. Don’t even worry about the weird BDSM tag on Goodreads. This is no BDSM romance at all, though Will does let Ethan know he’s safe with Will in the bedroom!
*review copy from publisher*
February 26, 2010
Ethan and Will were a real couple, definitely believable in my opinion, and complimented each other well. I find it a bit hard to believe that Will would do what he did to Ethan in a deliberate effort to hurt him when he returns ... but then again, when feeling angry and betrayed, you can do things you normally wouldn't do otherwise. But Ethan's reaction to it, while it should have been completely from left field and wrong considering what he'd gone through while he'd been captured, made sense in the way that M.L. Rhodes explained it, and was an interesting turn.
I only wished she'd gone into Ethan's capture and resulting trauma a little more. It seemed a bit shallow to me, as everything was left just a little too vague. There was no mention of scars or anything that you would expect, only a gaunt appearance and haunted eyes. The anxiety/claustrophobia was spot on, although I know it's gone into a bit more in the second book [which I started reading accidentally before I realized it was the SECOND book:], and it might have been better to go into just a tad more in the first novel. Just saying it was hard for him in packed areas and he had to drive with the windows down, without true reason why, kind of left it hanging. There was only one or two hints to him being locked in a small place and darkness. A cell? By himself, or with others? Was the abuse only outwardly physical or was it sexual as well? If he was kept for three years, and he was only in a hospital for six weeks, was there no mention of fading injuries, if he was treated so badly?
Still, the charisma between the two charas - Will and Eth - have me thoroughly pleased and I can't wait to read the next one. ^_^
I only wished she'd gone into Ethan's capture and resulting trauma a little more. It seemed a bit shallow to me, as everything was left just a little too vague. There was no mention of scars or anything that you would expect, only a gaunt appearance and haunted eyes. The anxiety/claustrophobia was spot on, although I know it's gone into a bit more in the second book [which I started reading accidentally before I realized it was the SECOND book:], and it might have been better to go into just a tad more in the first novel. Just saying it was hard for him in packed areas and he had to drive with the windows down, without true reason why, kind of left it hanging. There was only one or two hints to him being locked in a small place and darkness. A cell? By himself, or with others? Was the abuse only outwardly physical or was it sexual as well? If he was kept for three years, and he was only in a hospital for six weeks, was there no mention of fading injuries, if he was treated so badly?
Still, the charisma between the two charas - Will and Eth - have me thoroughly pleased and I can't wait to read the next one. ^_^
January 20, 2013
3.5 stars for the writing. Extra half star for the story.
I wavered between a 3 and 4 for this one since I felt the writing was fairly average. Still, the author still managed to convey emotion and give depth to the story in a little over 100 pages. I liked the scene in which they confess their feelings for one another, and I thought that Ethan's was handled in a way that was natural and believable. Also, while the first sex scene left me less than impressed, the next one more than made up for it.
If anything, I would say my biggest complaint about this book was that it was too short. I would have loved for it to have been longer and some things expanded on. (Maybe in the next book?) Other than that, I'm quite pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
I wavered between a 3 and 4 for this one since I felt the writing was fairly average. Still, the author still managed to convey emotion and give depth to the story in a little over 100 pages. I liked the scene in which they confess their feelings for one another, and I thought that Ethan's was handled in a way that was natural and believable. Also, while the first sex scene left me less than impressed, the next one more than made up for it.
If anything, I would say my biggest complaint about this book was that it was too short. I would have loved for it to have been longer and some things expanded on. (Maybe in the next book?) Other than that, I'm quite pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
September 12, 2013
This was a well written story, i enjoyed the lovers plight, best friends to lovers, but it was only ok. I hate when i read a story and start thinking 'i would have done this, or i would have done that'. I also dislike contrived story lines, when one of the characters writes a note and meant it as 'sorry but' and the character took it was 'get out'...lame. I also think that if two people who had been in love with each other and finally admitted it, i felt they would come together hot and heavy, not 69...but maybe thats just me not knowing how enough about MM romance though i've read a fair amount.
In the end it was a good story, but flawed.
In the end it was a good story, but flawed.
May 27, 2010
Never Let Go was my first foray in M.L. Rhodes' world. I genuinely enjoyed the journey of Will and Ethan transitioning from childhood friends to adult lovers, but I thought the pacing was rushed. I wanted to know more about their lives before Jenn's wedding, about what Ethan endured in captivity, and Will's life in Pecos. I didn't give it 5 stars because the D/s elements while freaking hot were light and spontaneously thrust into the story at the end. Still, it is a great read and flows deliciously. Hopefully the sequel will be more satisfying.
November 24, 2023
Back to reread what to say love it feel good read.
loved this story reread a few times already but never left review so I reread on 28/09/14 again.
So here goes will and Ethan have been best friends since childhood. Will has been inline with Ethan for 13 years . On the day of his sisters wedding they have share snugly of pleasure and truth that love each other.
But Ethan has a secret has to go away for work but he never came back until three year past. Will will forgive Ethan and will things be different and honest this time round.
loved this story reread a few times already but never left review so I reread on 28/09/14 again.
So here goes will and Ethan have been best friends since childhood. Will has been inline with Ethan for 13 years . On the day of his sisters wedding they have share snugly of pleasure and truth that love each other.
But Ethan has a secret has to go away for work but he never came back until three year past. Will will forgive Ethan and will things be different and honest this time round.
February 25, 2009
This was one of two books from ML Rhodes I purchased because both had won various awards and were generally well rated. I prefer this one over the other (Falling). Will and Ethan are likeable characters. The end felt very rushed. The reason for Ethan's disappearance for so long was given the shortest of explanations and the couple made up ridiculously quickly given the circumstances. There was much to be resolved and the author could have written a more satisfying HEA.
July 7, 2011
This story had me tied in knots. I was so worried that Ethan and Will would miss out on their chance at true love and happiness. I am a sucker for these Best Friends to Lovers scenarios and this one had the added bonus of secrets and intrigue and misunderstandings that went on for years. I loved both characters and the backstory provided gave insight into why each reacted as they did. Thank goodness they were able to find their way back to each other or I might have thrown the Kindle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2013
Just enough story to hold the angst and sex together.
I do wish that Rhodes would write longer stuff. I think she's pretty effective with both emotion and hot sex, but she never gives herself enough time to develop things fully. Sigh.
This one has pretty much no literary merit, but it does have some fairly angsty angst and some very mild D/s if you just want to escape for an hour or so.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 just because Rhodes' narrative voice feels comfortable to me.
I do wish that Rhodes would write longer stuff. I think she's pretty effective with both emotion and hot sex, but she never gives herself enough time to develop things fully. Sigh.
This one has pretty much no literary merit, but it does have some fairly angsty angst and some very mild D/s if you just want to escape for an hour or so.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 just because Rhodes' narrative voice feels comfortable to me.
March 14, 2016
I just like ML Rhodes stories
I pretty much guessed he plot from the blurb. This wasn't very long and I'm not sure I'll pay that much for the sequel. It's also rather sweet and sappy in some ways but it does convey passion between them. I was able to get the connection between them. It's also friends to lovers, which is always a good subject. I simply like these total romance stories.
I pretty much guessed he plot from the blurb. This wasn't very long and I'm not sure I'll pay that much for the sequel. It's also rather sweet and sappy in some ways but it does convey passion between them. I was able to get the connection between them. It's also friends to lovers, which is always a good subject. I simply like these total romance stories.
November 12, 2008
I couldn't wait for Ethan to reveal why he left and never got in touch with Will like he promised. Their reunion was sweet and erotic and I'm glad it wasn't dragged out.
Now to read the sequel, Hearts and Bones.
PS: the sequel begins 4 weeks after Never Let Go ends and is a good follow-up so it should be read right after this book.
Now to read the sequel, Hearts and Bones.
PS: the sequel begins 4 weeks after Never Let Go ends and is a good follow-up so it should be read right after this book.
March 4, 2009
I followed Elaine's advice and read this and then it's sequel 'Hearts and Bones" Talk about a change of pace! From the nice easy loving of the first to the nightmare of the second. But what a great combo they are. I have only recently discovered M.L.Rhodes but she is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.
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