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A Matter of Time #3
A Matter of Time Book III
Three years have passed since Jory Keyes was kidnapped, shot, and left by his lover, Detective Sam Kage. Jory walked through fire and came out the other side stronger. He changed his name to Harcourt and shut the door forever on a past full of pain. Jory now owns his own business, and has a life he enjoys. What he doesn’t have is love. He’s been unable to make that deep connection with another man, the kind of connection he’s only had with Sam. When a chance encounter brings Sam back into his life, Jory doesn’t know what to do. But for Sam there’s no hesitation. He wants Jory back and this time he wants him for keeps. When Sam is called away to a crime scene in the middle of the night, Jory realizes that his fear has nothing to do with being emotionally vulnerable. Why, he wonders, is he so damned uneasy?
This book is no longer available at Club Lighthouse Publishing.
This book is no longer available at Club Lighthouse Publishing.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2009
17 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
124 books4,979 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
January 8, 2013
There are four parts of this series, and the first two got 4 of 5 stars from me. They aren't anything special, nothing that wants to teach you something or go very deep, but they are a fun read, and Jory taking you along for the ride is always entertaining.
I'm reading part three now, and it's frustrating me to no end. For one they made a three year jump between #2 and #3, but that I can live with. But then there's Sam. And Aaron. And the fact that every guy Jory even considers dating is an asshole. Sam keeps telling him that he's a drama queen, with his flashy exits and always fighting him - which, for the record, is such bullshit.
Jory is a pretty easygoing guy. He loves his job, he likes his friends, he's good looking and charming, and he has the ability to wrap almost everybody around his little finger without even trying. Yeah, he has some very big trust issues, as evidenced by the 'different guy every night' thing, and that before Sam, he never actually spent the whole night with somebody. Most people don't even know where he lives. But he's no drama queen. He has his own opinions, he has a brain and he uses it, and when you try to tell him what he should do, who he's supposed to be, he fights back.
As for the dramatic exits, Jory doesn't see the sense in having an argument he can't win because the other party simply won't listen or just doesn't care for his opinion in the first place and just tries to bulldozer over him, so he leaves. Which is very much the sensible thing to do. There's nothing dramatic about it.
But no, according to Sam he's a drama queen, and he should be glad that Sam finally talks to him again after a whopping three years and just jump back into his bed, because let's face it, Sam is the only one who'll ever put up with all his shit. Is it any wonder that Jory says no, and tells him to fuck off? Especially when Sam is the one guy that Jory actually fell in love with, and who just kept hurting him and almost broke him when he just left without a word for three years? When Sam is the one guy who has the power to hurt Jory more than anybody else, and already has done so.
So Sam keeps hounding Jory, being an arrogant, overbearing asshole while doing so, and Jory keeps saying no. Because no matter how much he still loves Sam, he just doesn't see the point, he's not willing to jump when Sam says so, just 'cause he says so. He's not willing to let Sam hurt him again. According to Sam, that's selfish of him.
What the fuck?!
Of course, after a week of this Sam finally manages to get a drunk Jory back to his apartment - after Jory told him several times that he didn't want to go there and asked Sam to just take him home - and, oh yeah, bulldozers over him and fucks him.
In the mind of the author this apparently all makes brilliant sense, because Jory loves Sam, and Sam just wants Jory, so now Jory is finally convinced that Sam won't hurt him again and happy as a clam to have his lover back. Are you fucking kidding me? *growls*
Everything that's happened leading up to this moment, plus the fact that Jory is obviously drunk and in no state to physically get away from Sam, tells me that this wasn't consensual sex, it was rape. Woman, you have so dropped the ball on that one it's really not funny.
And maybe Sam does have good reasons for how he's acted, but since the whole thing is told from Jory's POV we don't know what's going on in Sam's head. Maybe he'll explain it to Jory later in the book and actually talk to him instead of just telling him 'you are mine, so come home with me and let me fuck you through the mattress, but right now I have absolutely no will whatsoever to keep reading and find out.
Right now I just want to kill Sam and slap some sense into Jory.
Alright, I tried, but I really can't keep reading this. I'm on page 107 and giving up.
I'm reading part three now, and it's frustrating me to no end. For one they made a three year jump between #2 and #3, but that I can live with. But then there's Sam. And Aaron. And the fact that every guy Jory even considers dating is an asshole. Sam keeps telling him that he's a drama queen, with his flashy exits and always fighting him - which, for the record, is such bullshit.
Jory is a pretty easygoing guy. He loves his job, he likes his friends, he's good looking and charming, and he has the ability to wrap almost everybody around his little finger without even trying. Yeah, he has some very big trust issues, as evidenced by the 'different guy every night' thing, and that before Sam, he never actually spent the whole night with somebody. Most people don't even know where he lives. But he's no drama queen. He has his own opinions, he has a brain and he uses it, and when you try to tell him what he should do, who he's supposed to be, he fights back.
As for the dramatic exits, Jory doesn't see the sense in having an argument he can't win because the other party simply won't listen or just doesn't care for his opinion in the first place and just tries to bulldozer over him, so he leaves. Which is very much the sensible thing to do. There's nothing dramatic about it.
But no, according to Sam he's a drama queen, and he should be glad that Sam finally talks to him again after a whopping three years and just jump back into his bed, because let's face it, Sam is the only one who'll ever put up with all his shit. Is it any wonder that Jory says no, and tells him to fuck off? Especially when Sam is the one guy that Jory actually fell in love with, and who just kept hurting him and almost broke him when he just left without a word for three years? When Sam is the one guy who has the power to hurt Jory more than anybody else, and already has done so.
So Sam keeps hounding Jory, being an arrogant, overbearing asshole while doing so, and Jory keeps saying no. Because no matter how much he still loves Sam, he just doesn't see the point, he's not willing to jump when Sam says so, just 'cause he says so. He's not willing to let Sam hurt him again. According to Sam, that's selfish of him.
What the fuck?!
Of course, after a week of this Sam finally manages to get a drunk Jory back to his apartment - after Jory told him several times that he didn't want to go there and asked Sam to just take him home - and, oh yeah, bulldozers over him and fucks him.
In the mind of the author this apparently all makes brilliant sense, because Jory loves Sam, and Sam just wants Jory, so now Jory is finally convinced that Sam won't hurt him again and happy as a clam to have his lover back. Are you fucking kidding me? *growls*
Everything that's happened leading up to this moment, plus the fact that Jory is obviously drunk and in no state to physically get away from Sam, tells me that this wasn't consensual sex, it was rape. Woman, you have so dropped the ball on that one it's really not funny.
And maybe Sam does have good reasons for how he's acted, but since the whole thing is told from Jory's POV we don't know what's going on in Sam's head. Maybe he'll explain it to Jory later in the book and actually talk to him instead of just telling him 'you are mine, so come home with me and let me fuck you through the mattress, but right now I have absolutely no will whatsoever to keep reading and find out.
Right now I just want to kill Sam and slap some sense into Jory.
Alright, I tried, but I really can't keep reading this. I'm on page 107 and giving up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
|| 2.5 stars ||
I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to piss the hell off.
I swear to god, I wanted to slap Sam so hard, I’m not even joking. This man tested my patience to no end, and I was just so angry.
I could at least be happy about the fact that Jory seemed to have grown a minor spine here, and did not ever truly give in to Sam until the very end. He might have still been in love with Sam this entire time (which I wish he wasn’t, and which I will also never understand as to why), but it was clear he was trying to fight his feelings and use his brain instead. He said no, and genuinely seemed to want to put Sam behind him. Of course, Sam does not actually understand what the word “no” means, so he pushes and pushes and pushes until eventually (and unfortunately) Jory does give in.
*sigh* If only Jory could just push him away forever… What a beautiful thing that would be.
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that I would 100% love these books if it weren’t for the fact that Sam exists. The main romance here is just truly bugging me, which is such a shame because the rest of the series works well for me: I like Jory and I like the glimpses we get of his life and the people he interacts with. Although I have to admit that in this particular book almost every single person he met was a bit of an arsehole, so… That could have been better as well.
'A Matter of Time' series:
1. Book I - 3.5 stars
2. Book II - 3.5 stars
3. Book III - 2.5 stars
4. Book IV - 4.0 stars
5. Bulletproof - 4.5 stars
6. But for You - 2.0 stars
7. Parting Shot - dnf
8. Piece of Cake - 2.5 stars
Short Stories:
5.5. Just Jory - 4.0 stars
6.5. Ears, Eggs and Bunnies - 3.0 stars
I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to piss the hell off.
I swear to god, I wanted to slap Sam so hard, I’m not even joking. This man tested my patience to no end, and I was just so angry.
I could at least be happy about the fact that Jory seemed to have grown a minor spine here, and did not ever truly give in to Sam until the very end. He might have still been in love with Sam this entire time (which I wish he wasn’t, and which I will also never understand as to why), but it was clear he was trying to fight his feelings and use his brain instead. He said no, and genuinely seemed to want to put Sam behind him. Of course, Sam does not actually understand what the word “no” means, so he pushes and pushes and pushes until eventually (and unfortunately) Jory does give in.
*sigh* If only Jory could just push him away forever… What a beautiful thing that would be.
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that I would 100% love these books if it weren’t for the fact that Sam exists. The main romance here is just truly bugging me, which is such a shame because the rest of the series works well for me: I like Jory and I like the glimpses we get of his life and the people he interacts with. Although I have to admit that in this particular book almost every single person he met was a bit of an arsehole, so… That could have been better as well.
'A Matter of Time' series:
1. Book I - 3.5 stars
2. Book II - 3.5 stars
3. Book III - 2.5 stars
4. Book IV - 4.0 stars
5. Bulletproof - 4.5 stars
6. But for You - 2.0 stars
7. Parting Shot - dnf
8. Piece of Cake - 2.5 stars
Short Stories:
5.5. Just Jory - 4.0 stars
6.5. Ears, Eggs and Bunnies - 3.0 stars
April 17, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Nothing works for me*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 17.04.2018
I am so damn disappointed in this book, specially the beginning. Still am. I hate the fact that Dane gets married. I hate to share him. It ruined the whole thing before the book even started. I just didn't work. It was way too soon; it shouldn't have happened until the end of the series. At least that's my opinion. Am I the only one who feels this way? Hell, I even wanna ask why M.C. did that? Why so damn early!!?? Everything that annoyed me before, STILL annoys me. Ugh. I need to give up this re-read of this series. Now.
“Jory—c'mon... you throw temper tantrums, you second-guess everything, you have no patience at all, you want things to be instantly perfect without any work, you never listen, you jump to conclusions, you create more drama than ten people put together, you drink too much, you're oblivious to shit that goes on around you, and if things go wrong your first instinct is to run away as fast as you can.” He sighed deeply. “You're a fuckin' mess and you can't deny it.”
“You've been gone a long time, Sam. I'm not like that anymore.”
Anyways, after the 3 years time jump, Jory and his partner, Dylan Greer, have their our own business; Harvest Design, that does logos, branding, company concept, identity, that sort of stuff. Sam has been back in town for a while (Jory saw him a year ago) but none of them has made any contact. Sam is now working homicide (used to be vice) and he likes it better. Overall, Jory is still... well, Jory. Annoying as fuck. Stupid. Takes nothing serious. Sam is still the same, I think. It's sad that me and this series doesn't work.
“Eat your food so I can take you home.”
“You don't know where I live,” I teased him, trying to steady my pounding heart. The familiar response to Sam Kage flared through me.
“No, baby.” He exhaled. “You're coming home with me.”
“Sam—”
“J—”
“I'm not your baby,” I assured him, brushing his hand away. “I'm nobody's—”
“You belong to me,” he said flatly. “Always have, always will. Deal with it.”
Other characters:
↦ Dane Harcourt, the best character in the series. Used to be Jory's boss (had been his assistant for 5 years) and the main architect for one of the premier architectural firms in the city, Harcourt, Brown, and Cogan.
↦ Caleb Reid and Jeremy Reid, Dane's biological brothers. Susan and Daniel Reid, Dane's biological parents. Gwen Reid, Dane's biological sister.
↦ Michael ‘Mike’ Kage, a architect and Sam's brother. Beverly ‘Bev’ Stiles, Michael's new girlfriend.
↦ Regina Rappaport Kage, Sam's mother and Thomas Kage, his father.
↦ Jennifer ‘Jen’ Levine, Sam's sister, used to be married to Mitch Levine, got two daughters, Ally Levine (2) and Carla Levine together. Used to be lover to Kurt Pratt. He has a wife (Rita Pratt) and kids of his own. They had an affair. Is now dating Doug Yates.
↦ Rachel ‘Rach’, Sam's oldest sister and her husband Dean.
↦ Levi Kage and Joseph ‘Joe’ Kage, brothers and Sam's cousins.
↦ Nick Sullivan, a doctor that wants Jory. Jory sets him up with Dr. Kai Akita, PhD, works at the Field Museum.
↦ Dominic Kairov, used to be Sam's partner at work.
↦ Dylan ‘Dy’ Greer, Jory's friend, and work partner. Chris Greer her husband.
↦ Aja Greene, Dane's wife. Hate her; I don't like sharing. Alex Greene, Aja's brother.
↦ Chloe Stazzi, Sam's new partner in work.
↦ Richard ‘Rick’ Jenner (Attorney At Law), Lance Simmons, Jude Coughlin, Dane's groomsmen
↦ Sadie Kincaid, Jory and Dylan's receptionist from Kenosha, Wisconsin.
↦ Aubrey ‘Abe’ Flanagan, comes to help Jory while Dylan's out on maternity leave.
↦ Aaron Sutter, a rich guy who Jory dated for a year.
↦ Evan and his partner, Loudon McKay, friends of Jory.
“Beverly, this is my son's partner, Jory.”
She rose off the couch and gave me her hand.
“More friend,” I corrected him, smiling at her.
“Partner!” Sam's dad yelled at me.
I shot him a look. Now I knew where Sam got his temper.
“You have something to say?” he dared me, finally looking from the television screen to my face. “Go ahead, speak.”
“No sir,” I whispered, drawing Beverly away from him, turning to look at her face.
“Good,” he grunted, like everything was settled.
First read review:
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might contains spoilers*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
What I had feared from the previous book, happened. Shit, I got so disappointed. Dane Harcourt got fucking married. the book fucking starts with it. And the wedding day is the only time we see Dane and that was in the first chapter. I got so annoyed. I had wanted him for Jory ‘J’ Harcourt (26), and Jory alone, for at least 3-4 more books and we didn't get it at all.
“It's doomed to fail, Sam.”
“I don't accept that.”
Samuel ‘Sam’ ‘Sammy’ Thomas Kage (37) is back after three years; yes, there's a time jump with three years forward and not much explaining from that time. I just felt like this book was a repeat of the last one: Sam gets Jory back, Sam leaves, and then comes back and Jory forgives. And repeat. I also don't get the constant touching Jory, specially at the back of his neck all the time. And I didn't like Jory's drinking. So overall, I was annoyed and there was much I didn't like. This is the worst book in the series so far. Hope it picks up...
“’Cause what’s the point?”
“The point is very simple. You belong to me.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Three
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Dane Harcourt.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2 stars
December 1, 2013
More of the same. No, really. More. As in Gimme More.
Romance crack cocaine.
Just one more hit, man, c'mon, just one more—
I am—somehow—hopelessly infatuated with these ridiculous characters.
Romance crack cocaine.
Just one more hit, man, c'mon, just one more—
I am—somehow—hopelessly infatuated with these ridiculous characters.
February 23, 2017
***3.5 Stars***
Sam and Jory had me all kinds of dizzy in this installment!
Three years have passed since the end of book 2....yep, you read that right, THREE FUCKING YEARS! No bueno on the time jump, Ms. Calmes....no bueno at all.
But that's not the point, the point here is that these two ran around in circles for most of this book....and it was frustrating as hell. I get it, Jory is scared. He's afraid to give his heart to Sam again. That makes sense. You know what doesn't? Cutting the man off every fucking time he wanted to explain himself! This entire book and we still don't know why Sam needed to go undercover and what happened! Every time he tried to explain, Jory would cut him off.
But when Sam did have something to say....Man, he said it WELL! He may have manhandled and dominated Jory into getting what he wants, but in between all the push and pull there was downright, melt your heart Sam Swoon!!
"I just never in my life thought I would see you again."
"That's funny," he squinted at me. "Cause I never once doubted that you would."
This entire book was all about Sam for me. He refused to give up on Jory.
"It's doomed to fail, Sam."
"I don't accept that."
Not once while reading did I doubt Sam. It was always clear how he felt about Jory, right from the beginning. He had a lot to deal with and go through and now that he took care of business (of which we still don't know about), there's nowhere else he'd rather be than with the man he loves.
Even though this was a frustrating read, it's impossible to put down. I don't know what kind of book crack subliminal messaging Mary Calmes sprinkles into her books, but I gobble it up with gusto.
Three books in and I still don't understand all the mad crazy Jory love, but I do understand the Sam and Jory obsession. There is something dysfunctionally functional about the two of them.
One thing that stands out and is impossible to doubt is that they truly do love one another.
In parting, I'd like to give a quick shoutout to make up sex!
October 27, 2014
Written October 26, 2014
4.1 Stars - Undoubtedly my favorites right now ...against all better judgment
Book #3
I just finished to listening to another great part in this series, book #3 as a part of the audiobook Collection in the A Matter of Time series.
These books are just annoying lengthy and tedious, yet so painfully beautiful, and so d@mn romantic. Like wonderfully addictive sweet candy for me right now. I can not stop this A Matter of Time train.
***********************************************************
A Matter of Time is a M/M CR book series about the relationship, love and struggles between Jory Harcourt (Keyes) and Detective Sam Kage. Here is also Jory's former boss and "brother" Dane Harcourt and a lot of other friends, family etc. It is all set in Chicago.
I listened to the first two as well and they were also very nicey narrated by Paul Morey.
#1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars)
#2 - A Matter of Time 2 (3.8 stars)
***********************************************************
Book three began and we were three years into the future and it is Jory's brother's wedding. Then I got a shock —wanted to scream and cry— ...and I say no more. You need to read the firts two and this one to guess why.
***********************************************************
"What?!" —As they always says here.— What to say?
This is the most patience-demanding book series I've ever read (listened to). I love these characters, but they rub on my mood and my heart. Gee, could it really be more anxiety and back and forth than this?
Next up #4 - A Matter of Time 2 and I'm already listening to it.
I LIKE - ...I like, I love, I need my HEA
**********
The A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes:
4.1 Stars - Undoubtedly my favorites right now ...against all better judgment
Book #3
I just finished to listening to another great part in this series, book #3 as a part of the audiobook Collection in the A Matter of Time series.
These books are just annoying lengthy and tedious, yet so painfully beautiful, and so d@mn romantic. Like wonderfully addictive sweet candy for me right now. I can not stop this A Matter of Time train.
***********************************************************
A Matter of Time is a M/M CR book series about the relationship, love and struggles between Jory Harcourt (Keyes) and Detective Sam Kage. Here is also Jory's former boss and "brother" Dane Harcourt and a lot of other friends, family etc. It is all set in Chicago.
I listened to the first two as well and they were also very nicey narrated by Paul Morey.
#1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars)
#2 - A Matter of Time 2 (3.8 stars)
***********************************************************
Book three began and we were three years into the future and it is Jory's brother's wedding. Then I got a shock —wanted to scream and cry— ...and I say no more. You need to read the firts two and this one to guess why.
***********************************************************
"What?!" —As they always says here.— What to say?
This is the most patience-demanding book series I've ever read (listened to). I love these characters, but they rub on my mood and my heart. Gee, could it really be more anxiety and back and forth than this?
Next up #4 - A Matter of Time 2 and I'm already listening to it.
I LIKE - ...I like, I love, I need my HEA
**********
The A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes:
April 5, 2011
Did-not-finish.
I stop after seeing Sam-the-pathetic and his excuses for his absences and attitude toward Jory (―Jory-c‘mon…you throw temper tantrums, you second guess everything, you have no patience at all, you want things to be instantly perfect without any work, you never listen, you jump to conclusions, you create more drama than ten people put together, you drink too much, you‘re oblivious to shit that goes on around you and if things go wrong your first instinct is to run away as fast as you can. He sighed deeply. ―You‘re a fuckin‘ mess and you can‘t deny it.), combined with his new stalker personality.
Add to that that I know that Jory's going to forgive him...the lack of constancy of his trait of character between the first and third book annoy me. He had a personality in the first one and in this one....blah!
And why everyone said that Jory leaving it's dramatic? For me, remain there and argument, it's dramatic. Seriously, the guy's refuse to fight and you call that being a drama queen??? And why all his ex are asshole? And try to tell him what do to, including Sam?
The writer pushed too much in this one and it's appear as if everyone lost his rationality. Again a schizophrenic's book.
EDIT: I was curious so I decide to continue a little. What did I read: Rape, Page 105/158. Yes rape, Jory's clearly said 'No' a lot of time, even begs to go home, was under influence (alcohol) and Sam insist to have sex and finally proceeded to act. Well, it's call rape in my country (Canada) and I'm pretty sure that's the same thing in a lot of other countries.
I'm disappointed.
EDIT TWO: Ho man, the book's just go down the drain after that. Page 119/158 : But he hit the door before it clicked shut and it was just dumb luck that it caught my lip and split it. What?! What was that? How did you manage that?
I stop after seeing Sam-the-pathetic and his excuses for his absences and attitude toward Jory (―Jory-c‘mon…you throw temper tantrums, you second guess everything, you have no patience at all, you want things to be instantly perfect without any work, you never listen, you jump to conclusions, you create more drama than ten people put together, you drink too much, you‘re oblivious to shit that goes on around you and if things go wrong your first instinct is to run away as fast as you can. He sighed deeply. ―You‘re a fuckin‘ mess and you can‘t deny it.), combined with his new stalker personality.
Add to that that I know that Jory's going to forgive him...the lack of constancy of his trait of character between the first and third book annoy me. He had a personality in the first one and in this one....blah!
And why everyone said that Jory leaving it's dramatic? For me, remain there and argument, it's dramatic. Seriously, the guy's refuse to fight and you call that being a drama queen??? And why all his ex are asshole? And try to tell him what do to, including Sam?
The writer pushed too much in this one and it's appear as if everyone lost his rationality. Again a schizophrenic's book.
EDIT: I was curious so I decide to continue a little. What did I read: Rape, Page 105/158. Yes rape, Jory's clearly said 'No' a lot of time, even begs to go home, was under influence (alcohol) and Sam insist to have sex and finally proceeded to act. Well, it's call rape in my country (Canada) and I'm pretty sure that's the same thing in a lot of other countries.
I'm disappointed.
EDIT TWO: Ho man, the book's just go down the drain after that. Page 119/158 : But he hit the door before it clicked shut and it was just dumb luck that it caught my lip and split it. What?! What was that? How did you manage that?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2014
Audible
What a crazy roller coaster!
As Sam annoyed the hell out of me in the previous books, I wanted him to suffer here - beg, drown in his jealousy, grovel and crawl on his knees. That's what I needed. And I can't say I got it. The man in his thirties behaves more childish and unreasonable than Jory in his early twenties. The things he's put a poor guy through... I can't. I just can't even!
Despite all that, the first half kept me so tense that by the time things had started improving, I was exhausted and couldn't even rejoice at their reunion. Not to mention Sam's possessiveness had bordered on insanity and drove me mad at times.
However, the series IS addictive. And the narrator, Paul Morey, has quickly become one of my favourite ones. He makes me want to keep going, just to listen to his voice telling me the rest of Jory and Sam's story.
***3.7 stars***
What a crazy roller coaster!
As Sam annoyed the hell out of me in the previous books, I wanted him to suffer here - beg, drown in his jealousy, grovel and crawl on his knees. That's what I needed. And I can't say I got it. The man in his thirties behaves more childish and unreasonable than Jory in his early twenties. The things he's put a poor guy through... I can't. I just can't even!
Despite all that, the first half kept me so tense that by the time things had started improving, I was exhausted and couldn't even rejoice at their reunion. Not to mention Sam's possessiveness had bordered on insanity and drove me mad at times.
However, the series IS addictive. And the narrator, Paul Morey, has quickly become one of my favourite ones. He makes me want to keep going, just to listen to his voice telling me the rest of Jory and Sam's story.
***3.7 stars***
October 3, 2011
Casting of A Matter of Time. Written review to follow
Jory: Mathias Lauridsen (The only guy pretty enough to make a straight man gay....)
Sam: This gorgeous unknown man...
Or....
Chris Hemsworth (Blonde,brown hair, check. Slate blue eyes, check. 6"3 inches, close enough...and hot,hot hot!!!)
Dane: Hugh Jackman (Hansome, debonair and damn sexy in a tux!).
Dane's expression when Jory does something stupid....
Jory: Mathias Lauridsen (The only guy pretty enough to make a straight man gay....)
Sam: This gorgeous unknown man...
Or....
Chris Hemsworth (Blonde,brown hair, check. Slate blue eyes, check. 6"3 inches, close enough...and hot,hot hot!!!)
Dane: Hugh Jackman (Hansome, debonair and damn sexy in a tux!).
Dane's expression when Jory does something stupid....
October 3, 2015
DON'T READ THIS BOOK unless you're ready to read all four of the first books at once and you are ready to be really upset for awhile. Apparently the four were written as all one book but the publisher felt it was to long and cut it into four parts. I'm very angry with the publisher. These are emotionally draining.
I'm going to review all of the first four together because they really are one book. I've noticed that now #1 & #2 are called Book I and #3 and #4 are Book II in some places but books 1 & 2 both end on cliffhangers. I was crying at the end of book 2.
This series effed me up. Calmes played with my emotions like my dog plays with stuffed toys she's trying to kill. There are so many ups and downs I felt like I was on Galloping Gerty. Ok, enough with the similes. The point is that this is an emotional roller coaster ride. Okay, that was a metaphor, not a simile.
The story is very linear. Jory sees bad thing, Jory needs to go into witness protection but refuses. Hot cop follows Jory. Jory works and we find out everything about Jory's work. Jory deals with cop. Jory deals with bad guys. It would be annoying if Jory weren't so wonderful.
Of course everyone agrees. Everyone in the story loves Jory. EVERYONE. Here is Jory's interactions with every single gay man we meet:
"Jory I love you. Come home with me."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
"Bye."
Then there's usually a problem with Jory getting away from him. Then later in the story:
"Jory, I'm so sorry, will you forgive me?"
"Of course."
"I know you don't want me, let's be friends."
"Okay."
"You know I love you more than anyone ever will."
"I know."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
Sometimes this happens several times. Jory is kind and sweet and loving to his stalkers. He's always calm. It's ridiculous.
Same with his boss. Every woman who meets him falls in love with him and will not accept when it's over. She throws herself at his feet and makes a complete fool of herself. Every single single woman. It's ridiculous. Of course, we love him, too.
Fortunately, unlike in many M/M stories, there are some wonderful female characters who I really liked. Of course, all the good characters are wonderful and we love them all. They all love Jory, even homophobic family. Everyone loves Jory. But so do I.
On to the plot:
Despite the thriller/mystery label of the books, only the third really feels like one. There are thriller elements in the first and second, a lot of danger in the second, but mostly it's about the relationship between Jory and Sam who's an asshole most of the time. But I wanted them together. Of course I wanted them together. I just wanted Sam to stop being an asshole.
Jory was maddening in his flip way of looking at his own life. He isn't surprised that everyone loves him, and he is completely aware that he's drop dead gorgeous. But he isn't arrogant and he doesn't have a lot of respect for his own life.
Sam wants Jory but he wants his life to stay the way it is, and he doesn't get that he can't have both. He's controlling and overprotective and surly. Most of the time it's adorable but sometimes I want to slap him. Jory loves the controlling part. Sometimes he feels like a little kid, but other times he's a lot more mature than Sam.
The danger scenes, the chases, the kidnappings, that kind of thing, were all well done and kept me clinging to my ebook reader. The pacing varied but was great through those parts.
The characters were good. Most of the main characters were individual enough that they felt real to me, even if they were all so wonderful and nice. There were a lot of women and het men in addition to gay boys.
By the end of #1, I was upset with the relationship but I still liked it and immediately read #2. In fact, I almost didn't even notice because the ending felt like it was in a completely arbitrary place. #2 starts immediately after the end of #1. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 just to differentiate it enough from the rest. Happy ending?
By the end of #2, the situation had been resolved, and everything was perfect until the last couple of pages when I wanted to maim someone, perhaps the author, for doing what she did to Sam & Jory. I couldn't handle the cliffhanger and was honestly really upset. I immediately bought the next one and within 10 minutes was deeply involved again. 3.5 stars, rounded down to three because of the ending. Happy ending? Okay, I cannot get this book out of my head, so I can't leave this at 3 stars, not when part three is 3 stars so I'm raising it up to 4.
#3 made me angry. I HATED the first part, I hated the situation, I hated that . this one was by far the worst in the series because there was no plot--it was all about Sam and Jory's relationship--and it read a lot like a soap opera. This one does not end on a cliffhanger but because of how emotionally wrenching the whole series was up to this point, you might be tempted to stop. DON'T because you might not start again. STICK WITH IT because #4 is the best of the lot. Happy ending? 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because of the ending and because I don't want anyone thinking it's not worth it.
#4 was what I expected the whole series to be: Exciting, romantic, interesting, dangerous, thrilling, sweet, with several twists and turns. It was exactly what I was looking for. The one problem was that Calmes had so messed with my heart that I had trouble enjoying it because I expected something awful to happen between Sam and Jory at any moment. Happy ending? 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I was so relieved and happy at the end.
I'm okay with how it left off, and I really want to keep reading the series, but I'm scared to, because I'm afraid Calmes is going to mess me up again. So for now, I'm just putting the next one as to-read and moving on to something else. I hope this habit of slicing through my heart with a butcher knife isn't true of all of her books because I would really like to read more, but I just can't take this.
BTW, I've seen some people label this GFY/OFY and it's not true.
I'm going to review all of the first four together because they really are one book. I've noticed that now #1 & #2 are called Book I and #3 and #4 are Book II in some places but books 1 & 2 both end on cliffhangers. I was crying at the end of book 2.
This series effed me up. Calmes played with my emotions like my dog plays with stuffed toys she's trying to kill. There are so many ups and downs I felt like I was on Galloping Gerty. Ok, enough with the similes. The point is that this is an emotional roller coaster ride. Okay, that was a metaphor, not a simile.
The story is very linear. Jory sees bad thing, Jory needs to go into witness protection but refuses. Hot cop follows Jory. Jory works and we find out everything about Jory's work. Jory deals with cop. Jory deals with bad guys. It would be annoying if Jory weren't so wonderful.
Of course everyone agrees. Everyone in the story loves Jory. EVERYONE. Here is Jory's interactions with every single gay man we meet:
"Jory I love you. Come home with me."
"No."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
"Bye."
Then there's usually a problem with Jory getting away from him. Then later in the story:
"Jory, I'm so sorry, will you forgive me?"
"Of course."
"I know you don't want me, let's be friends."
"Okay."
"You know I love you more than anyone ever will."
"I know."
"Please."
"No."
"I can't live without you."
"No."
"Just one night."
"No."
"Please let me by you food."
"That's not a good idea."
"Please."
"No."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." **hug**
"Please come home with me!"
"No."
"EFF YOU JORY!!"
Sometimes this happens several times. Jory is kind and sweet and loving to his stalkers. He's always calm. It's ridiculous.
Same with his boss. Every woman who meets him falls in love with him and will not accept when it's over. She throws herself at his feet and makes a complete fool of herself. Every single single woman. It's ridiculous. Of course, we love him, too.
Fortunately, unlike in many M/M stories, there are some wonderful female characters who I really liked. Of course, all the good characters are wonderful and we love them all. They all love Jory, even homophobic family. Everyone loves Jory. But so do I.
On to the plot:
Despite the thriller/mystery label of the books, only the third really feels like one. There are thriller elements in the first and second, a lot of danger in the second, but mostly it's about the relationship between Jory and Sam who's an asshole most of the time. But I wanted them together. Of course I wanted them together. I just wanted Sam to stop being an asshole.
Jory was maddening in his flip way of looking at his own life. He isn't surprised that everyone loves him, and he is completely aware that he's drop dead gorgeous. But he isn't arrogant and he doesn't have a lot of respect for his own life.
Sam wants Jory but he wants his life to stay the way it is, and he doesn't get that he can't have both. He's controlling and overprotective and surly. Most of the time it's adorable but sometimes I want to slap him. Jory loves the controlling part. Sometimes he feels like a little kid, but other times he's a lot more mature than Sam.
The danger scenes, the chases, the kidnappings, that kind of thing, were all well done and kept me clinging to my ebook reader. The pacing varied but was great through those parts.
The characters were good. Most of the main characters were individual enough that they felt real to me, even if they were all so wonderful and nice. There were a lot of women and het men in addition to gay boys.
By the end of #1, I was upset with the relationship but I still liked it and immediately read #2. In fact, I almost didn't even notice because the ending felt like it was in a completely arbitrary place. #2 starts immediately after the end of #1. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 just to differentiate it enough from the rest. Happy ending?
By the end of #2, the situation had been resolved, and everything was perfect until the last couple of pages when I wanted to maim someone, perhaps the author, for doing what she did to Sam & Jory. I couldn't handle the cliffhanger and was honestly really upset. I immediately bought the next one and within 10 minutes was deeply involved again. 3.5 stars, rounded down to three because of the ending. Happy ending? Okay, I cannot get this book out of my head, so I can't leave this at 3 stars, not when part three is 3 stars so I'm raising it up to 4.
#3 made me angry. I HATED the first part, I hated the situation, I hated that . this one was by far the worst in the series because there was no plot--it was all about Sam and Jory's relationship--and it read a lot like a soap opera. This one does not end on a cliffhanger but because of how emotionally wrenching the whole series was up to this point, you might be tempted to stop. DON'T because you might not start again. STICK WITH IT because #4 is the best of the lot. Happy ending? 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because of the ending and because I don't want anyone thinking it's not worth it.
#4 was what I expected the whole series to be: Exciting, romantic, interesting, dangerous, thrilling, sweet, with several twists and turns. It was exactly what I was looking for. The one problem was that Calmes had so messed with my heart that I had trouble enjoying it because I expected something awful to happen between Sam and Jory at any moment. Happy ending? 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I was so relieved and happy at the end.
I'm okay with how it left off, and I really want to keep reading the series, but I'm scared to, because I'm afraid Calmes is going to mess me up again. So for now, I'm just putting the next one as to-read and moving on to something else. I hope this habit of slicing through my heart with a butcher knife isn't true of all of her books because I would really like to read more, but I just can't take this.
BTW, I've seen some people label this GFY/OFY and it's not true.
April 22, 2012
It rained assholes in this one! Sam Kage, Aaron Sutter, and Brandon the lawyer.
Gosh, Sam has some nerve! Walking out on Jory AFTER Jory took a bullet to save his life and not showing up for 3 years. Then he reappears and arrogantly demands they pick up where they left off. WHATTA CREEP!
Aaron Sutter was the worst! insulting Jory in front of mutual friends and people they just met and expecting Jory to be thankful and come home with him? YIKES!
The reaction of Dane, Evan and Dylan was perfectly realistic and understandable. It touched me how much they truly loved Jory and felt he deserved the best. Dylan said it best when she called Sam a 'selfish sonofabitch, poisonous and manipulating asshole'.-- GO DYLAN!
Gosh, Sam has some nerve! Walking out on Jory AFTER Jory took a bullet to save his life and not showing up for 3 years. Then he reappears and arrogantly demands they pick up where they left off. WHATTA CREEP!
Aaron Sutter was the worst! insulting Jory in front of mutual friends and people they just met and expecting Jory to be thankful and come home with him? YIKES!
The reaction of Dane, Evan and Dylan was perfectly realistic and understandable. It touched me how much they truly loved Jory and felt he deserved the best. Dylan said it best when she called Sam a 'selfish sonofabitch, poisonous and manipulating asshole'.-- GO DYLAN!
February 20, 2022
Couldn't put it down.
August 13, 2021
Re-read 12th - 13th August 2021
Re-read 28th - 29th August 2020
Re-read 27th- 28th April 2019
Re-read 8th September 2018
This series is driving me crazy.
I’m completely hooked, I just can’t put it down or read fast enough. But that said Sam in particular drove me to despair in this book. I mean seriously he’s been away for three years well two but don’t get me started on that extra year.
He turns up and demands they get back together and he pushes and pushes. Jory pushes back a bit but he loves the guy what can he do?
Re-read 28th - 29th August 2020
Re-read 27th- 28th April 2019
Re-read 8th September 2018
This series is driving me crazy.
I’m completely hooked, I just can’t put it down or read fast enough. But that said Sam in particular drove me to despair in this book. I mean seriously he’s been away for three years well two but don’t get me started on that extra year.
He turns up and demands they get back together and he pushes and pushes. Jory pushes back a bit but he loves the guy what can he do?
March 19, 2020
Well, I almost started the drinking game while listening to this, but realized I'd quickly run out of booze; and, considering Las Vegas is on a 30-day lockdown...well, I wasn't chancing not having something for the really stressful days.
I know this is a well-loved couple in the MM genre, but I'm still not getting it. It's probably me, not the books. Or maybe it's the books. IDK.
Either way, it was an entertaining way to pass the time while I cleaned the closet out today!
I know this is a well-loved couple in the MM genre, but I'm still not getting it. It's probably me, not the books. Or maybe it's the books. IDK.
Either way, it was an entertaining way to pass the time while I cleaned the closet out today!
March 2, 2021
Feb 2021 Reread
27/03/2019 Re read
2nd read.
Jory what an amazing character??? I must admit he needs someone special to keep up with him lol.
After a year I still love him and Sam just as much as the first time.
11/06/2015
AMAZING
Review to follow at the end of the series.
27/03/2019 Re read
2nd read.
Jory what an amazing character??? I must admit he needs someone special to keep up with him lol.
After a year I still love him and Sam just as much as the first time.
11/06/2015
AMAZING
Review to follow at the end of the series.
November 8, 2020
Ahhhh....that hit the spot. Book 3 has always been my favorite. Reread for the tears and the smiles.
December 31, 2016
*** 2.5 Stars ***
June 25, 2022
This review will be a combined review of the first 4 books as a whole so use caution as there could be spoilers for other books.
Ok, I have read this series several times over the years, and in fact was one of the first books I read when I started mm romance. I don't remember if the things that annoy me now did then too. I can say I totally enjoyed them the first go round and was obsessed.
Now on my who know's how many re-reads later, those annoyances are VERY in your face. Not in any particular order:
- Jory, why does everyone want to touch, kiss, hang on, be around, have sex with, instantly fall in love with him? There has not been one person, male or female, who didn't want Jory in one way or another. Annoying!! I so want to edit this book!
- Interruptions, Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They all constantly interrupt each other. Why?????????????????? How many hanging sentences can there be in a story? Unofficial tally 90% of this story is told via interrupted sentences. I so want to edit this book!
- knowing what the other is thinking. There is a lot of psychic ability here because somehow everyone can read minds, which leads to interrupting someone! Stoooooooop!!! I so want to edit this book!
- asking stupid/obvious questions. Hmm, why is the killer after me, why does everyone touch Jory, why is Jory in trouble? Duh!!! Jory says yes to everything and has no sense. And then the just stupid questions of like, who someone is, or what their job means. There are so many basic obvious things being asked I wanted to shake people. It's like the characters got paid by the word. I so want to edit this book!
- yawning. Is there not some other "thing" a character could do, like scratch their nose, or play with their hair, or crack their knuckles. EVERYBODY is yawning in this story. Why are they yawning every 5 minutes??? I so want to edit this book!
- laughing. Yeah, sometimes laughing is good, when something is funny. But Jory laughs wrong. Death, murder, mayhem, anger, danger, running, hiding, during an argument, etc. So not the right time to laugh. And yet, Jory does this routinely. Has anyone checked him for a brain tumor? I so want to edit this book!
- danger. How much danger can one person get in to and survive?!?!? If you are Jory, the answer is a lot and always. Dumb, dum-du-du-du-dum-dumb! Pimps, killers, cops, drug runners, random friends, random people! Jory should just live in an underground bunker and have food delivered by a very small shoot. I so want to edit this book!
- drinking/parties/wanting Jory to "be there." Jory is beyond popular. Everyone wants him and wants to be around him. He is invited everywhere and of course is constantly berated for forgetting to show up (he is out getting not murdered, sometimes). Frankly, with Jory's track record, I would want him as far away from me as possible. And Jory drinks a lot!! Substituting drinking for plot does not work. I so want to edit this book!
- Dane adopts Jory. Say what? I know I had this same reaction the first time. Ok, not adopts. Dane makes Jory his brother. Ok, got it. But what?? Seriously, what magic does Jory possess that makes people do these things! Dane, a very smart, serious, not seemingly daft in the head person, decides his admin assistant, Jory, should be his brother. Legal stuff, yada-yada-yada, Jory changes his name to Harcourt. Um, what? I so want to edit this book!
- constant yelling at Jory, and Jory ignoring. Jory is a flight risk (from those who tell him what to do) and has no sense of self protection, which yep, gets him almost murdered constantly by rando people he meets. Sam yells at Jory to come home, come to the hospital, come to him wherever, just come. And does Jory listen? Ha, nope! So by book 4, why even bother?
-Sam. Sigh, Sam. What a douche!!!!!!!!! I do NOT remember the part where someone is pointing out how Sam is different when Jory is around by explaining Sam FOLLOWED SOMEONE WHO CUT HIM OFF (driving) AND BEAT HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Sam, a POLICE OFFICER! Followed a stranger and beat him up. Yes, this is logical and sane and I would totally date him, so go for it Jory! And let's not forget how often Sam ignored Jory in the beginning, or how cheap he treated him. Then expects Jory to just take him back, snap of fingers. Nope. What a douche!!!
- dialogue short hand. Watcha, hafta, wanna, etc. Annoyed the crarp out of me!!!!! And it wasn't just Jory talking that way, which could be a character trait. No, it was MOST of the characters talking that way. These are not technically words!!! Sure fiction should have a basis in reality but this is ridiculous! I don't speak in short hand routinely, maybe when I am just playing around. But I promise you if I talked like that at work, I would have people looking at me weird and possibly a sit down with HR. Add in the yawning and they might think I am on drugs! 😁😁 I have to say, this is possibly the thing that annoyed me the most. Use real contractions, can't, won't, want to, have to, what are you doing...yes those last are not contractions, just making a point.
- People loving, then hating, then loving Jory again. You say bad things to me, you're out. People talk serious bad bad bad things to Jory and then he accepts their apology and acts as if nothing happened! Even to those who are trying to kill him! Yes, let's huddle for body warmth next to a possible Jory serial killer because Jory never wears enough clothes in the winter, in Chicago (right?). Again, no sense of self preservation.
- Other characters. a) stop molesting Jory. b) stop telling Jory how beautiful he is you random wacko stranger. c) ditto for not strangers. d) get a life that does not revolve around Jory (you can do better). e) Stop bringing your problems to Jory to solve. He can't help himself. You have relationship/work/money problems, a hangnail, someone wants to kill you (for a change), figure it out you adult adults, and tell the police about the last one.
Ha, these books just make no sense!! I do NOT know anybody who is THIS popular. How is it possible people all over the world don't know Jory at this point?
I am not as obsessed with this series as I was before. Hurray maturity and experience. One of these days I WILL go thought this series and edit annoying parts, delete stupid parts, and finally have a story that doesn't make me feel like ripping out my eyeballs.
And now....on to book 5. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ok, I have read this series several times over the years, and in fact was one of the first books I read when I started mm romance. I don't remember if the things that annoy me now did then too. I can say I totally enjoyed them the first go round and was obsessed.
Now on my who know's how many re-reads later, those annoyances are VERY in your face. Not in any particular order:
- Jory, why does everyone want to touch, kiss, hang on, be around, have sex with, instantly fall in love with him? There has not been one person, male or female, who didn't want Jory in one way or another. Annoying!! I so want to edit this book!
- Interruptions, Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They all constantly interrupt each other. Why?????????????????? How many hanging sentences can there be in a story? Unofficial tally 90% of this story is told via interrupted sentences. I so want to edit this book!
- knowing what the other is thinking. There is a lot of psychic ability here because somehow everyone can read minds, which leads to interrupting someone! Stoooooooop!!! I so want to edit this book!
- asking stupid/obvious questions. Hmm, why is the killer after me, why does everyone touch Jory, why is Jory in trouble? Duh!!! Jory says yes to everything and has no sense. And then the just stupid questions of like, who someone is, or what their job means. There are so many basic obvious things being asked I wanted to shake people. It's like the characters got paid by the word. I so want to edit this book!
- yawning. Is there not some other "thing" a character could do, like scratch their nose, or play with their hair, or crack their knuckles. EVERYBODY is yawning in this story. Why are they yawning every 5 minutes??? I so want to edit this book!
- laughing. Yeah, sometimes laughing is good, when something is funny. But Jory laughs wrong. Death, murder, mayhem, anger, danger, running, hiding, during an argument, etc. So not the right time to laugh. And yet, Jory does this routinely. Has anyone checked him for a brain tumor? I so want to edit this book!
- danger. How much danger can one person get in to and survive?!?!? If you are Jory, the answer is a lot and always. Dumb, dum-du-du-du-dum-dumb! Pimps, killers, cops, drug runners, random friends, random people! Jory should just live in an underground bunker and have food delivered by a very small shoot. I so want to edit this book!
- drinking/parties/wanting Jory to "be there." Jory is beyond popular. Everyone wants him and wants to be around him. He is invited everywhere and of course is constantly berated for forgetting to show up (he is out getting not murdered, sometimes). Frankly, with Jory's track record, I would want him as far away from me as possible. And Jory drinks a lot!! Substituting drinking for plot does not work. I so want to edit this book!
- Dane adopts Jory. Say what? I know I had this same reaction the first time. Ok, not adopts. Dane makes Jory his brother. Ok, got it. But what?? Seriously, what magic does Jory possess that makes people do these things! Dane, a very smart, serious, not seemingly daft in the head person, decides his admin assistant, Jory, should be his brother. Legal stuff, yada-yada-yada, Jory changes his name to Harcourt. Um, what? I so want to edit this book!
- constant yelling at Jory, and Jory ignoring. Jory is a flight risk (from those who tell him what to do) and has no sense of self protection, which yep, gets him almost murdered constantly by rando people he meets. Sam yells at Jory to come home, come to the hospital, come to him wherever, just come. And does Jory listen? Ha, nope! So by book 4, why even bother?
-Sam. Sigh, Sam. What a douche!!!!!!!!! I do NOT remember the part where someone is pointing out how Sam is different when Jory is around by explaining Sam FOLLOWED SOMEONE WHO CUT HIM OFF (driving) AND BEAT HIM UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Sam, a POLICE OFFICER! Followed a stranger and beat him up. Yes, this is logical and sane and I would totally date him, so go for it Jory! And let's not forget how often Sam ignored Jory in the beginning, or how cheap he treated him. Then expects Jory to just take him back, snap of fingers. Nope. What a douche!!!
- dialogue short hand. Watcha, hafta, wanna, etc. Annoyed the crarp out of me!!!!! And it wasn't just Jory talking that way, which could be a character trait. No, it was MOST of the characters talking that way. These are not technically words!!! Sure fiction should have a basis in reality but this is ridiculous! I don't speak in short hand routinely, maybe when I am just playing around. But I promise you if I talked like that at work, I would have people looking at me weird and possibly a sit down with HR. Add in the yawning and they might think I am on drugs! 😁😁 I have to say, this is possibly the thing that annoyed me the most. Use real contractions, can't, won't, want to, have to, what are you doing...yes those last are not contractions, just making a point.
- People loving, then hating, then loving Jory again. You say bad things to me, you're out. People talk serious bad bad bad things to Jory and then he accepts their apology and acts as if nothing happened! Even to those who are trying to kill him! Yes, let's huddle for body warmth next to a possible Jory serial killer because Jory never wears enough clothes in the winter, in Chicago (right?). Again, no sense of self preservation.
- Other characters. a) stop molesting Jory. b) stop telling Jory how beautiful he is you random wacko stranger. c) ditto for not strangers. d) get a life that does not revolve around Jory (you can do better). e) Stop bringing your problems to Jory to solve. He can't help himself. You have relationship/work/money problems, a hangnail, someone wants to kill you (for a change), figure it out you adult adults, and tell the police about the last one.
Ha, these books just make no sense!! I do NOT know anybody who is THIS popular. How is it possible people all over the world don't know Jory at this point?
I am not as obsessed with this series as I was before. Hurray maturity and experience. One of these days I WILL go thought this series and edit annoying parts, delete stupid parts, and finally have a story that doesn't make me feel like ripping out my eyeballs.
And now....on to book 5. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
January 16, 2011
This author's talent lies in cleverly inviting us into Jory's mind and his sweet observations on the world moment by moment. He is a seductive, ingratiating narrator.
She therefore does her readers a disservice by skipping ahead three years and creating a choppy, episodic feel to Jory's story.
The entire third installment feels rushed. A lot of telling and not enough showing. We are so invested in Jory it's hard to imagine his three years without Sam.
Also opening the book with Dane's wedding was a huge disappointment since we have been tracking Jory's brother's disastrous romantic life since the opening page of book one.
We don't know Aja Greene and she doesn't come off particularly likeable. Sending Dane off on his honeymoon with her and out of the story for the rest of the entire book felt like some air had left the room.
Sam's return was inevitable and not convincing. "I was undercover" is not good enough. It made me realize how much I like Jory, dammit, and need to see a happy ending for these two in spire of their immature, sex-fueled reunions, endless fighting and half-finished sentences.
I was glad they ended up together at the end of the story and no one storming off in anger but this was the weakest of the four books. It could have been excised to half its length and book four chopped down to make one very strong third and final entry in the series.
The story needs a lot of tightening and serious editing...too many scenes of Jory in bars and restaurants with men who inexplicably fall in love with him the INSTANT they see him. And why does every character grab his clothing?
I have to see how it ends...but I am hoping for a stronger book in part 4 which I am halfway through now.
She therefore does her readers a disservice by skipping ahead three years and creating a choppy, episodic feel to Jory's story.
The entire third installment feels rushed. A lot of telling and not enough showing. We are so invested in Jory it's hard to imagine his three years without Sam.
Also opening the book with Dane's wedding was a huge disappointment since we have been tracking Jory's brother's disastrous romantic life since the opening page of book one.
We don't know Aja Greene and she doesn't come off particularly likeable. Sending Dane off on his honeymoon with her and out of the story for the rest of the entire book felt like some air had left the room.
Sam's return was inevitable and not convincing. "I was undercover" is not good enough. It made me realize how much I like Jory, dammit, and need to see a happy ending for these two in spire of their immature, sex-fueled reunions, endless fighting and half-finished sentences.
I was glad they ended up together at the end of the story and no one storming off in anger but this was the weakest of the four books. It could have been excised to half its length and book four chopped down to make one very strong third and final entry in the series.
The story needs a lot of tightening and serious editing...too many scenes of Jory in bars and restaurants with men who inexplicably fall in love with him the INSTANT they see him. And why does every character grab his clothing?
I have to see how it ends...but I am hoping for a stronger book in part 4 which I am halfway through now.
December 31, 2010
probably more like 2.5 stars... i hated most of this book just hated it... Detective Stupid left to go undercover and is gone for three years, during that time Jory is just a drunk slut. i hated how the story starts three years later and we have no idea whats going on. I did not like Dane's wedding, that all dragged on way too long when i just wanted to know what happened with Jory and Sam.
I should have stopped after book two but now i have to read on for book 4. They did get back together in the end but it couldn't save the book
I should have stopped after book two but now i have to read on for book 4. They did get back together in the end but it couldn't save the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2015
Im sorry, but I'm done with this series. And it has 8 books, no way in hell I'm torturing myself like that. I don't understand all the 5 star ratings and the people going crazy about it, I seriously don't.
There are so many things that are wrong with these books, it pisses me off just thinking about them. The short version is: the story is repetitive, unrealistic and it gets old pretty soon. Fist book was entertaining, second one was barely ok, third one just made me wanna stomp on my kindle.
Jory - He's an idiot, plain and simple. Everything aparently revolves around him. He's a manwhore, goes out to so many places and interacts with so many people that it's impossible to keep track of who they're supposed to be (and I ended up not caring at all). And it's always the same crap: he goes out, meets people, women instantly love him and everything with a dick wants to bed him. After bedding him, they realize he's some sort of sex god and they all think he's the love of their lives (though it sometimes happens that he just says "hello" and guys want to go ahead and marry him). He treats guys like crap, and looks like they like it, cause they keep coming back for more. So yeah, everyone wants a piece of Jory, cause he's charming (not really), funny (I must have skipped those parts), and intelligent ( now that's CERTAINLY not the case ).
Everything is from his PoV, which didn't help make things better. I want to know what's really happening in a story, and just one PoV in this case made it even harder for me to get into it (yeah, I don't like Jory, have I said that before?).
Sam - I hated him almost as much as I hated Jory. He's a ladies man, but (of course) he can't resist Jory's charm. He doesn't know what he wants, so he magically appears at any place Jory is (creepy stalker much?) till he beds him. Then he dumps him. Then he comes back demanding Jory be with him, wondering how he doesn't see that they belong together (Really? Bitch please). Then he leaves again. And returns yet once more with the same old speech. Guy's an asshole.
The love/chemistry/sex part of the book? It just wasn't there. Yes, they said they were in love, but nothing made me feel that connection between them. They didn't have chemistry and the sex scenes did nothing for me.
Dane - His character was ok, but since we get everything from Jory's PoV, it was magnified to the extreme. You'd think the guy was a Superman/Hugh Jackman hybrid, what with all the ladies swooning and then going hysterical/psycho after he dumped them and all that shit. He was like a male version of Jory, every woman wanted him (single, married, pregnant, little old ladies, every single one of them). And his fascination with Jory was weird and unrealistic too (but the again, we're talking about A Matter of Time, where everything seems to be that way).
The many male characters wanting a piece of Jory - They were either needy and clingy, or obnoxious assholes. All of them studs too, of course.
The many female characters clinging to Jory - They were all beauties wanting to either adopt him or have him as a pet.
The mystery/crime part of the story? Don't even get me started on that. I'll just say that it was stupid. And Jory's reactions to the "life-threatening situations" made me wonder if he was mentally healthy.
Needless to say, I wouldn't recommend this series even if they were the last books on earth.
There are so many things that are wrong with these books, it pisses me off just thinking about them. The short version is: the story is repetitive, unrealistic and it gets old pretty soon. Fist book was entertaining, second one was barely ok, third one just made me wanna stomp on my kindle.
Jory - He's an idiot, plain and simple. Everything aparently revolves around him. He's a manwhore, goes out to so many places and interacts with so many people that it's impossible to keep track of who they're supposed to be (and I ended up not caring at all). And it's always the same crap: he goes out, meets people, women instantly love him and everything with a dick wants to bed him. After bedding him, they realize he's some sort of sex god and they all think he's the love of their lives (though it sometimes happens that he just says "hello" and guys want to go ahead and marry him). He treats guys like crap, and looks like they like it, cause they keep coming back for more. So yeah, everyone wants a piece of Jory, cause he's charming (not really), funny (I must have skipped those parts), and intelligent ( now that's CERTAINLY not the case ).
Everything is from his PoV, which didn't help make things better. I want to know what's really happening in a story, and just one PoV in this case made it even harder for me to get into it (yeah, I don't like Jory, have I said that before?).
Sam - I hated him almost as much as I hated Jory. He's a ladies man, but (of course) he can't resist Jory's charm. He doesn't know what he wants, so he magically appears at any place Jory is (creepy stalker much?) till he beds him. Then he dumps him. Then he comes back demanding Jory be with him, wondering how he doesn't see that they belong together (Really? Bitch please). Then he leaves again. And returns yet once more with the same old speech. Guy's an asshole.
The love/chemistry/sex part of the book? It just wasn't there. Yes, they said they were in love, but nothing made me feel that connection between them. They didn't have chemistry and the sex scenes did nothing for me.
Dane - His character was ok, but since we get everything from Jory's PoV, it was magnified to the extreme. You'd think the guy was a Superman/Hugh Jackman hybrid, what with all the ladies swooning and then going hysterical/psycho after he dumped them and all that shit. He was like a male version of Jory, every woman wanted him (single, married, pregnant, little old ladies, every single one of them). And his fascination with Jory was weird and unrealistic too (but the again, we're talking about A Matter of Time, where everything seems to be that way).
The many male characters wanting a piece of Jory - They were either needy and clingy, or obnoxious assholes. All of them studs too, of course.
The many female characters clinging to Jory - They were all beauties wanting to either adopt him or have him as a pet.
The mystery/crime part of the story? Don't even get me started on that. I'll just say that it was stupid. And Jory's reactions to the "life-threatening situations" made me wonder if he was mentally healthy.
Needless to say, I wouldn't recommend this series even if they were the last books on earth.
September 18, 2011
This was sooooo frustrating!
Why why why does this author shies away from giving Jory depth? He thinks the right things, he knows what his problems are. There's a feeling of self-deprecation in him coupled with a genuine generosity that would make him a wonderful guy to read and to be with in his journey, but instead of going deeper, the author always stays on the surface. Will there be a moment when he really looks himself in a mirror and instead of the gorgeous guy he sees that he is selling himself cheap? There was something like that in his goodbye to Aaron in this book, but then Sam's appearance ruined everything.
Sam sounded like a child. His possessiveness is so over the top and in this book it's the only feeling he displays.
The story drags on and on with "Come home with me. Tell me that you love me. You know that you love me. Say that you love me." The suspense plot disappeared completely and at least it made the story go forward in the previous books, so this book is simply a bridge to the next.
This series is easy to read and I like it because of those moments when Jory becomes aware of his feelings and he shows them even when they are painful. I want to feel closer to him and instead I feel like he's floating away from me.
Why why why does this author shies away from giving Jory depth? He thinks the right things, he knows what his problems are. There's a feeling of self-deprecation in him coupled with a genuine generosity that would make him a wonderful guy to read and to be with in his journey, but instead of going deeper, the author always stays on the surface. Will there be a moment when he really looks himself in a mirror and instead of the gorgeous guy he sees that he is selling himself cheap? There was something like that in his goodbye to Aaron in this book, but then Sam's appearance ruined everything.
Sam sounded like a child. His possessiveness is so over the top and in this book it's the only feeling he displays.
The story drags on and on with "Come home with me. Tell me that you love me. You know that you love me. Say that you love me." The suspense plot disappeared completely and at least it made the story go forward in the previous books, so this book is simply a bridge to the next.
This series is easy to read and I like it because of those moments when Jory becomes aware of his feelings and he shows them even when they are painful. I want to feel closer to him and instead I feel like he's floating away from me.
March 18, 2016
My least favorite in the series so far. I wanted Sam to grovel and beg some more, instead of coming back and declaring "You belong to me, you know it", even if it was true. I'm still pissed at him:( ANd in fact, I think I need a break right now instead of heading straight to the next book as I did till now.
Still, these books are great as a whole and worth reading.
Still, these books are great as a whole and worth reading.
October 31, 2014
Review of all 4 books of the first part of the series in located in the book 4 review.
January 24, 2019
Oh my heart ... Sams got some work to do here !
July 31, 2021
Jory rehizo su vida despues de que Sam lo dejara para perseguir a los hombres que querian a Jory muerto, pero no logra encontrar la estabilidad como antes con Sam. Tiene un ex que regreso y lo quiere de nuevo en su vida, trabaja por su cuenta con su mejor amiga Dylan quien esta embarazada, tiene un apartamento mas grande y su hermano se acaba de casar, cuando Sam reaparece en su vida y quiere retomar su relacion justo donde la dejaron. Pero Jory no quiere volver a sufir, cuando Sam lo abandono el espero varios meses para ver si tenia algun tipo de noticia de el, para ver si valia la pena esperarlo, pero tuvo que dejarlo ir e rehacer su vida.
Con Sam ahora de vuelta, su mundo tiembla y no sabe si debe aceptarlo o no, solo sabe que todavia lo ama y que su vida sin Sam nunca sera la misma.
Aqui volvemos a ver demasiados personajes involucrados, demasiados nombres, ciudades, historias y practicamente todos los anteriores olvidados. Es como si faltaran historias entre los libros principales, o como si el autor quisiera abarcar demasiado. Por supuesto este libro es DRAMA en mayusculas, dios, tanto drama que provoca agarrar al protagonista y sacudirlo por su terquedad y malcriades.
Claro, pareciera que por fin vemos que la relacion Jory-Sam por fin va a volverse realmente una relacion y no un tira-afloja, esperemos a ver que pasa en el proximo libro y si la cosa termina valiendo la pena.
Con Sam ahora de vuelta, su mundo tiembla y no sabe si debe aceptarlo o no, solo sabe que todavia lo ama y que su vida sin Sam nunca sera la misma.
Aqui volvemos a ver demasiados personajes involucrados, demasiados nombres, ciudades, historias y practicamente todos los anteriores olvidados. Es como si faltaran historias entre los libros principales, o como si el autor quisiera abarcar demasiado. Por supuesto este libro es DRAMA en mayusculas, dios, tanto drama que provoca agarrar al protagonista y sacudirlo por su terquedad y malcriades.
Claro, pareciera que por fin vemos que la relacion Jory-Sam por fin va a volverse realmente una relacion y no un tira-afloja, esperemos a ver que pasa en el proximo libro y si la cosa termina valiendo la pena.
May 4, 2025
Something fishy is going on here
January 30, 2010
Ok,this part annoyed me a bit. All these 1000 different characters are too much.It gets confusing :/
And all this back and forth between Jory and Sam? WAY too dragged out. Didn't like it...
And honestly,why is it not over already after this part? What can possible happen in part 4 besides ANOTHER unecessary breakup between them???
And all this back and forth between Jory and Sam? WAY too dragged out. Didn't like it...
And honestly,why is it not over already after this part? What can possible happen in part 4 besides ANOTHER unecessary breakup between them???
February 2, 2019
RR January 2019
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Re-read June 2017
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Re-read June 2017
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