The Rebuilding Year

Apr 23, 2013 Blacky *Mistress of doom* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: of-course, m-m, read-contemporary, 4-stars-for-quality, 4-stars-for-enjoyment

photo tumblr_mah25rAUql1rgqh2lo1_500.jpg

"It was just like it had been. Except it wasn’t. There was that edge of tension that never went away. In the past, he might have bumped up against Ryan, if both of them were going for the fridge at the same time. Or he would have put out a hand to the man’s elbow, if some move shifted Ryan’s weight onto the bad leg wrong. Because the fool refused to use his cane around the house. Now, though, there was a careful few inches of space between them at all times. And yet he was always aware of exa

...more

51 likes · like · see review

Dec 18, 2012 Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, kaje-harper

Review completed December 18, 2012

After having endured a severe accident in a burning building, Ryan lost his job as a firefighter as well as his girlfriend. Ryan is not a quitter though. Hence, it’s time to evaluate his options--time for his rebuilding year, that is. He decides to go back to medical school. Due to his injury his knee never gained back its full strength. Isn’t it amazing what can happen when you’re falling down a couple of stone steps and a kind and gorgeous guy is there to he...more

46 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 MandyM rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

Pleasant, if slightly boring, m/m romance about college groundskeeper, John Barrett, and med student, Ryan, who grow to love each other after becoming housemates. John is divorced and struggling with lack of access to his two teenage children. Ryan was a firefighter until a routine housefire left him with terrible injuries which forced him to re-evaluate his life.

This romance didn't really work for me. I didn't see any buildup to the physical attraction between the two MC's. They were both so ha...more

17 likes · like · see review

Apr 14, 2012 Sammy2006 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rating: 4.5 stars

Starting from scratch…never an easy thing to do…sometimes the only thing to do-the only things that will help you survive and even thrive in an impossible situation. Here is where Ryan finds himself at the beginning of his 1st year at Med School. Having survived an almost fatal accident while fighting a deadly fire, Ryan finds himself permanently disabled, often unable to easily do simple maneuvers such as climbing stairs. His firefighting career-a job he had thrown himself into...more Rating: 4.5 stars

Starting from scratch…never an easy thing to do…sometimes the only thing to do-the only things that will help you survive and even thrive in an impossible situation. Here is where Ryan finds himself at the beginning of his 1st year at Med School. Having survived an almost fatal accident while fighting a deadly fire, Ryan finds himself permanently disabled, often unable to easily do simple maneuvers such as climbing stairs. His firefighting career-a job he had thrown himself into after the death of his brother, also a firefighter, is over. But Ryan is determined…he simply needs to keep moving for standing still locks his overworked, damaged limbs and unleashes a torrent of fears and doubts that threaten to pull his feet out from under him in more ways than one. And, then he meets John…a man who is also in the midst of upheaval and change. John has left a lucrative business to get back to what he enjoys doing most-working with the earth. John's less than amicable divorce has caused him to be separated from his two children Torey and Mark, whom he dearly loves. Couple that with constantly disrupted or rescheduled visitation times, and a seeming inability to feel anything remotely sexual for another woman, and you have a man in need-a man who desperately needs to make a connection to another human being. Too bad neither of these men ever remotely considered that the connection should be with another…man.

The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper follows the story of two men who find exactly what they need…in each other. Ryan, leaving a less than stellar roommate begins renting a room from John, the head groundskeeper at the college Ryan is enrolled. Ryan provides much needed friendship as well as giving sound advice to John when it comes to his teenage children. Empowered by Ryan's advice, John decides to confront his ex-wife and enforce his visitation rights. The teens are introduced to John's “roommate” mere days after Ryan and John finally succumb to their attraction for one another in a heated moment that can only be described as “Hot” with a capitol H. But neither man is comfortable with the attraction-surely they cannot be gay? No, they both find that to be an impossibility-and this dear reader is where we smile and give a knowing nod-these fellas are doomed-to love-completely.

Interwoven through this storyline is a secondary one that dwells on the mystery element when college students begin to exhibit strange behavior, complete with hallucinations and a drug-like state. After one college student takes a nose-dive from atop a tree, and another is found buried in a shallow grave, the police begin to cast their suspecting eyes on an obvious choice-the college groundskeeper. Ryan realizes that to save John from further accusation he may have to admit their relationship. That decision is taken out of his hands after a stolen kiss between John and himself is observed by Mark-and the turmoil that evokes is a real life lesson in how to communicate with teens-especially when the very subject being communicated threatens to topple their carefully constructed world.

I have always admired and enjoyed the work of this author. Ms. Harper has given us many memorable stories, solid mysteries, a dash of hot sex and true love. This novel does not fail to deliver all those things and then some. The gradual transition for John and Ryan as they discover the reason why they have never had a successful relationship with a woman was masterfully done. This was no “gay for you” story-instead, this is a moment of revelation-of understanding something so profound about themselves that it threatened to rock their very existence-and, indeed, it does. This novel had a sense of build to it-we watched as these men came to grips with their changing views, their growing attraction and how that fit into their already established lives. I really enjoyed how the author gave us a window into the mindset of each of her main characters. This was a well-written, engaging tale that gave us a glimpse into the lives of very real and profoundly likeable characters as they “rebuilt” their lives and discovered that from a damaged source, new roots can grow.

(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 Lauraadriana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: age-difference, love-conquers-all, kids, pre-ordered, super-super-hot, yay-i-think-im-gay, m-m

3.75 to 4 Stars

John Barret meets Ryan Ward for the first time when he spots Ryan struggling to get up after taking a bad fall at Bonaventure University. Ryan is a first year Medical student at the school where John is Heads Groundskeeper.

They hit it off from there and become friends. Ryan is a bit older than the average first year Med student, and does not know many people. After a crippling injury working as a firefighter for the SDFD he decided to give Medical School a try. He's a little bit...more

19 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2012 SueM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, favorites, injury-illness, kids, mystery-suspense-thriller, gfy-ofy, ipad-kindle, bingo-challenge

A very good to excellent M/M romance about two men whose lives were changed rapidly, beyond their control, and who are forced to reassess their present and dreams for their future.

John, a divorced father of two, finds himself in a small college town, 1000 miles away from his kids, through no fault of his own. Ryan, a former firefighter, seriously injured on duty after 8 years on the job, has just started med-school in the same college town in his own attempt to restart his life. After an acciden...more

4 likes · like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 deirdre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

3 - 3.5 stars . . . need to sleep on this one a bit but want to get some thoughts down first

i couldn't put this down. i may have read off and on through dinner with the family
(*hides head in shame*)
what i liked . . .
****great writing. this is my first by this author and not the last***
*slow development of romance, liked that
*with the GFY theme, the realism of questions one's self happens with one of the characters
*realistic family dynamic . . .lets just say the ex wife isn't thrilled
*kids in th...more

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 25, 2013 Tina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-crime

3,5 stars for an entertaining but not perfect GFY book.

It's about medical student Ryan and college groundskeeper John, who become housemates and grow to love each other. Ryan is an ex-firefighter who left his job after terrible injuries. John is divorced and is struggling with his ex-wife and the lack of access to his two children.

They share more and more time with each other and realise that they feel more than friendship for each other. A romance begins and two men who have never contemplated...more

11 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2012 Gwenith rated it 4 of 5 stars

John and Ryan.,So Adorable!

Gosh, they are so good together!

The Book~It, startes off with a "crunch" and I can almost feel the*ouch* ~ I loved it, but...I don't know if it was just me but I wanted to just go, go, go! that made me just want to skim cuz I was getting no where fast...I wanted to gobble this goodness up fast.

But, all of a sudden slowness hit me...and I was force to just enjoy the ride... well I did, this was great!

This book has EVERYTHING, action, suspense and my favorite romance....more

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 17, 2012 Page Crusherz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst, favorites

4.5

Really good! It was a little slow to get to the romance, but the characters were all so likable that I didn't mind the journey. I also thought the mystery was a little silly, but again, the MC's won me over.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 12, 2012 Morgana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, friends-to-lovers, firefighters, roommates-neighbours, pre-ordered, gay-for-you, kids

I'm soooo dying to read this book! Is it March 6th already? Not yet?! Dammit!!

~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***
After reading:

3.5 - 3.75 stars

Review to come.

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 30, 2012 Camille rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-rom-erotica, gay-for-you

This was so good. The pacing of these two straight men becoming friends and then roommates and then lovers and then loved ones and co-parent was really well done. The pacing made this relationship believable and one in which I was invested. It was executed brilliantly and rendered the relationship beautiful. The writing, in successfully managing the pacing, is really strong and a wonderful testament to Romance over bare-bones Erotica where two random people are rutting away at each other before...more This was so good. The pacing of these two straight men becoming friends and then roommates and then lovers and then loved ones and co-parent was really well done. The pacing made this relationship believable and one in which I was invested. It was executed brilliantly and rendered the relationship beautiful. The writing, in successfully managing the pacing, is really strong and a wonderful testament to Romance over bare-bones Erotica where two random people are rutting away at each other before the reader properly knows who they are.

As a result of the pacing, the building this author undertakes, the romantic aspect of the book is thankfully strong. The relationship nor the writing was just about sex. This, in turn, made what erotic content there was even richer. No gratuitous sensationalism. Real sensualism.

There is also some suspense that is part of this story. But it is interwoven in just the way I like. This story line is subtle. It raises some hackles and causes a bit of tension but the focus remains primarily on the relationship and on reality. No HBO shoot-em-up, kill-em-dead, bang-bang, stalkers and pimps and other weird plot devices that divert too far from veracity and credibility.

On the subject of veracity, the fact that the two main characters are real people with real-life issues really sells this book. No billionaires, but a landscaper who's divorced and separated from his children and a med student who's battling a bum leg, having been severely injured when he was a fireman. Real people finding love. And not rejecting it! Oh, the loveliness of a GFY story where there isn't an overly lengthy coming to terms period. I relish story lines like this. No contrivances, no immaturity. Just some introspection, realisation, acceptance and let's get on with our lives decisions. Gotta love it.

Yet, what I love the most about this work is that it is essentially character-driven/focussed. I am drawn to writing and authors such as Cara McKenna, Sarah Mayberry and Charlotte Stein who write works where I, the reader, am posited in the protagonists' minds and in their normal lives. The excitement to me is the witness of growth via experiences that come to many of us. Rebuilding one's life is one such experience. That's the other reason this book works so well. It is a faithful reproduction of what is real...including finding and allowing love whatever the gender.

This work is aptly named. It builds steadily: the tension, the drama, the romance, the suspense and the writing. If you enjoy writing where there is a foundation built first you'll enjoy this book. (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fave

How much do I love this book, let me count the ways.....
1) I love that the characters are older and although they are more established, John and Ryan both have issues. They're REAL!
2) There is a fantastic family dynamic, that adds supporting characters that you love and a few you LOVE to HATE!
3) GREAT topsy turvy plot twist and serious MYSTERY elements!
4) Beautifully written!!
5) Heroes you want to be friends with. They are just great guys.
I'm pretty sure I could go on and on and on LOL but I won...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 04, 2012 Jaya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: okay, slashreaders

I actually liked this title better then the other ones by Kaje Harper (Life Lessons duo-logy) that I've read for a couple of reasons. This is another book that contains the 'gay for you' conundrum, only in this case neither character is gay. On one hand I find this cliche annoying; however on the other hand I enjoy the tension that it lets the author build up between the characters.

One of the things I dislike the most is when characters jump straight into bed with each other, without any preambl...more

like · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Sophia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

This was a slow to develop romance with a little mystery and past circumstances that effect the present thrown in to make it interesting.

The story is about two men who are brought together first as friends. Ryan was a career firefighter until an injury side-lined him and forced him to change up his life and go back to college. He is resigned to the pain and discomfort of a permanent lameness in his leg and being alone because the injury repulses most people. He meets John when his pride prevents...more This was a slow to develop romance with a little mystery and past circumstances that effect the present thrown in to make it interesting.

The story is about two men who are brought together first as friends. Ryan was a career firefighter until an injury side-lined him and forced him to change up his life and go back to college. He is resigned to the pain and discomfort of a permanent lameness in his leg and being alone because the injury repulses most people. He meets John when his pride prevents him from using his cane and he takes a header down the outside stairs at the college.

John is a divorced man who loves his children and wanted to be close to them, but his ex-wife who has remarried is keeping them from him. He is now the head groundskeeper at a small college rattling around in a large old home that he planned to share with his children on their visits that will never happen. John notices most of the students while he is out caring for the grounds and the older, quiet Ryan gets his attention right away which is why he saw him take the fall.

The two men start hanging out a favorite local bar when Ryan's annoying roommate's flings and parties force him out of his apartment. John thinks of his big house and is inspired to offer Ryan a chance to rent a room from him. Ryan and John settle in nicely and become great friends which leads them to share some of their pasts and understand each other better. Between mysterious events on campus involving the death of student and John being a suspect, they are both brought up short to realize that there is something more between them. A shared kiss during a vulnerable moment sends them both reeling and wondering about themselves and each other.

The plot was a low angst story of two lonely men discovering that life is not over and second chances abound if they are courageous enough to grab hold. The subplots of John's family, Ryan's family and the mysterious deaths on campus are all well-woven together with the main theme of a friends to lovers romance. It was an interesting romance because it explores a pair of lovers who never thought of themselves as gay before and must feel their way through the relationship even as they suddenly have John's son descend upon them adding his issues to the mix. I did find in the end that I wanted to see more of a resolution for certain things that were left hanging, but it was not a huge deal because the main plot strings were all tied up neatly.

I recommend this for those who enjoy a friends to lovers gay for you style of romance with a little mystery on the side.(less)

like · see review

Jun 11, 2012 A.J. Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's something about the two main characters, Ryan and John, that sucked me in. I'm a sucker for friendships morphing into more, and this hit that kink of mine hard. From the getting-to-know-each-other phase to the moments where they admitted their true feelings for each other, it felt believable to me, a natural progression of their relationship.

One quibble: I don't buy the gay-for-you trope, and this skirted the line of that without ever truly saying that's what it was. I'm glad it was neve...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 30, 2012 Katheryn Wallis rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic m/m erotic romance, both hot and sweet. Ryan, a thirty-year-old former firefighter turned med student, meets John, who is several years older, divorced with kids, and the chief groundskeeper at Ryan’s new college.

The two become friends and then roommates, and the roommates gradually become lovers, in a slow (but not too slow), sweet (but realistic) evolution. This is the first gay experience for both John and Ryan, and each man’s journey to redefine his self-perception and b...more This is a fantastic m/m erotic romance, both hot and sweet. Ryan, a thirty-year-old former firefighter turned med student, meets John, who is several years older, divorced with kids, and the chief groundskeeper at Ryan’s new college.

The two become friends and then roommates, and the roommates gradually become lovers, in a slow (but not too slow), sweet (but realistic) evolution. This is the first gay experience for both John and Ryan, and each man’s journey to redefine his self-perception and both accept and openly admit his love for another man is beautifully depicted.

The characters, both the two heroes and most of the supporting cast including John’s son and daughter, are well drawn: three-dimensional, believable, interesting, and likeable. Obstacles and sub-plots arise in the form of John’s ex-wife and their custody battles, Ryan’s physical and emotional struggles with the lingering injury that ended his firefighting career, and some mysterious deaths on campus. These elements are also very well handled: moving the plot along and letting the characters act and react, but without too much angst or interference with John and Ryan’s growing relationship, which always remains wonderfully front and center.

The book is also very well written. Harper writes solid, believable, interesting dialogue, and the backstory of Ryan’s injury and family history is woven through the novel with particular skill. There are also some lovely bits of humor and cuteness.

If I had to pick something to criticize, I suppose I would point out that Ryan seems to slide a bit too easily into the role of step-father to John’s children: he always knows exactly what to say, how to treat each child, and even how to handle John’s ex-wife and her new husband. Sometimes this perfect step-parenting feels mildly implausible. But this is a very minor point, completely overshadowed by the book’s various strengths as outlined above.

Some other reviewers have mentioned that the book is largely angst-free and that the heroes find a relatively easy path to their happily ever after. They’re not wrong, but I didn’t find this boring or disappointing or unrealistic, as some other reviewers did; I liked it. I don’t particularly enjoy alpha heroes, and I definitely don’t like slogging through 200 pages of hell, torture and/or the protagonists constantly sniping at each other before finally being rewarded with a mere 5 or 10 pages of happy-at-last. With this book, while there are issues and problems for the characters to overcome, you get to read about warm cuddly and/or sexy scenes periodically throughout the book, and thus have warm cuddly (or sexy) feelings throughout your reading experience. I like that.

In short, this is a feel-good story (both sexually and romantically), and something I know I will read over and over.
(less)

like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Tam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gfy, m-m

4.5 stars

This is a double GFY, and seems to be true GFY rather than OFY which doesn’t always work for me, but in this case there is a slow development that makes it work. Ryan is a former firefighter who was badly injured (barely kept his leg) and has now gone back to college to finish his medical degree. He meets John the first day when his leg gives out and he smacks his head on the steps. John is the college gardener. They keep running into one another and become friends and when Ryan’s noisy...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 26, 2012 Book Utopia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, erotic-romance, m-m

One thing I’m coming to appreciate about this author is how very readable she is. Even though I had certain issues with this book, and ultimately didn’t quite enjoy it as much as the other stories I read recently by her, I still read through it in only two sittings, engaged with her voice and the believability of her men enough to get immersed. I even trusted her enough to read a gay for you trope, which tends to be on my list of “oh please no” tropes when I’m looking for something to buy.

This i...more One thing I’m coming to appreciate about this author is how very readable she is. Even though I had certain issues with this book, and ultimately didn’t quite enjoy it as much as the other stories I read recently by her, I still read through it in only two sittings, engaged with her voice and the believability of her men enough to get immersed. I even trusted her enough to read a gay for you trope, which tends to be on my list of “oh please no” tropes when I’m looking for something to buy.

This is the story of two thirtysomething men, returning med student Ryan and groundskeeper John. John is divorced and taking a step back from his corporate career with his new job, while Ryan has recently survived a horrific accident as a firefighter and is changing tracks because of that. The title is completely apt for their state. Both are in this state of flux, not just about each other, but about finding their feet in a life they can accept. Ryan has a living situation with a roommate he can’t stand, so when John offers to rent him a room in his house, Ryan jumps at it. Their friendship builds slowly, until gradually John realizes he’s interested in more from Ryan than what they currently have.

This careful build and methodical creation of these two men and their relationship is what anchors this book. I liked both men, though I had a preference for John and his more solid, protective ways. Their friendship felt genuine from their first meeting, and I enjoyed seeing these two discover how to live together as adults. The relationship faltered for me when it began to shift to something romantic. I bought them liking each other, but I never saw the physical attraction until suddenly, it was there in my face and they were struggling with this newfound thing between them. I imagine this is probably as much my issue as it is anything else. While I believe strongly that we love who we love, I don’t buy most gay for you stories because it feels like too much of a copout most of the time (like mating). I need to see and believe in the desire before the author tells me it’s there, or I’m yanked out of believing anything romantic or sexual can happen. Too often, these tropes are used as shortcuts for actual storytelling. In this instance, I think it’s a combination of failing to see the possibility of sexual attraction before it was on the page and my natural reluctance to give in to the fantasy element of this particular trope.

It does smooth out as the story progresses. The sex is reasonably hot, and the emotions at the end are deep and believable. It’s just that hump to get over as the transition happens that lowered my enjoyment of the overall story.

The other element that doesn’t really serve the story well is the side mystery that winds through the plot. There’s a girl John finds wandering on campus, clearly high, that later become instrumental in both of their lives, but the way it kept popping into the story never sat well with me. It felt very shoehorned, like there needed to be specific scenes scattered in the first three-fourths of the story (and very few of them at that), in order to justify the big climax. I didn’t buy it, and actually got annoyed when it would take a sudden left turn into this police investigation.

Overall, this would likely work best for people who enjoy this trope or are already fans of the author. It’s refreshing to see time being taken in creating and building realistic men in an m/m romance, however, and that alone makes it worthwhile to continue following this author’s books.(less)

like · see review

Mar 11, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, age-gap, gay-for-you, firefighters-emts-doctors, mystery, mc-with-disability, set-in-college, children-involved

A friend read this book and told me it needed to be moved to the top of my TBR list and so I bought it and read it in nearly one sitting. I loved it and didn't want it to end at all.

The pace of the relationship between the boys is perfect and of course it's going to be hard when you realize that you are attracted to another man when you haven't been before but I firmly believe in this concept. I believe that it doesn't matter if a person is male or female, all that matters is that you are attrac...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 Arthur rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: simplicity-is-diamond

4.5 stars

Ryan was a firefighter turned medical school student. John was an architect turned university groundkeeper. Ryan was a player before, where girls sought him. John was married for many years and had two kids, Mark (15) and Torrey (12). Neither Ryan or John expected their relationship developed from being friends, roommates to lovers. Neither did they expect to be in the middle of criminal investigations...

What I like from this book.
- I always like books that involved descriptions of day...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 07, 2012 Cryselle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, samhain, 4-5

Given the astonishing amount of baggage the protagonists have to carry, Kaje Harper has done a superior job of presenting just the right amount of seriousness leavened with humor. Both Ryan and John are in the middle of redefining their lives when they meet, and manage to come together as part of it.

Ryan’s life has been totally disrupted by the fire that dropped a burning beam on him, trapping and nearly killing him. Missing big chunks out of his leg, and lucky to have what’s left, Ryan has gone...more Given the astonishing amount of baggage the protagonists have to carry, Kaje Harper has done a superior job of presenting just the right amount of seriousness leavened with humor. Both Ryan and John are in the middle of redefining their lives when they meet, and manage to come together as part of it.

Ryan’s life has been totally disrupted by the fire that dropped a burning beam on him, trapping and nearly killing him. Missing big chunks out of his leg, and lucky to have what’s left, Ryan has gone back to his original dream, put on hold after a disaster changed his family and his focus. Instead of firefighting and rescues, he’s in medical school, having no trouble with the academics, although the social aspects are provoking, since he’s noticeably older and far more world-weary than his classmates. While he’s played with his share of shallow but willing women, he’s beyond that now and doesn’t want to listen to the nightly exploits of his roommate.

John has spent his entire adult life being a family man: married at eighteen to his pregnant girlfriend, he’s now trying to be a good father to his two children even after the divorce and his ex’s remarriage. It’s not easy either, when teenagers aren’t very talkative and the ex finds endless barriers to put between them.

It suits both men to have Ryan move in; they’ve become friends and expect to get along all right sharing a big house. Becoming lovers is absolutely not on the radar, although acting as each other’s wingman could be. It isn’t until a moment of shared pain leads to a kiss that they touch one another, and then I had to giggle as they sprang apart with EEEEEEH! We’re not gay! They have to find their way back to comfortable friendship, but do go on to become lovers in a thoughtful but not over-angsty way. This new facet of their sexualities doesn’t sit well with either of them at first, and they have to grope their way to understanding themselves.

While John and Ryan are learning to accept their desire for each other, John’s troubled teenaged son appears on the doorstep needing refuge. He’s a good kid but beaten down by his step-father’s assumptions and demands. Of course Marcus presents a major complication to them, though it never becomes a showdown for John to have to choose between his lover and his child.

There’s a mystery wending through the background. Some of the clues seem only marginally connected, but the author plays fair; it was all there to see once I took a second look. When Marcus gets caught in the grand finale, it does seem like an overreaction on the part of the villain, but it’s still heart-stopping for the reader.

Many things about this story are beautifully done: the organic development of John and Ryan’s relationship, touched but not soaked with introspection on both their parts, and the beginnings of the blending of a family. Ryan has a lovely relationship with John’s kids, part older brother and part second father, and you know he’s going to be an important part of their lives. The mystery wound through the novel, in places so subtly as to be nearly invisible, but still present. The climax of the story could not have unfolded without tragedy if Ryan had a different skill set or John trusted him less, so very well done.

The timeline seemed a bit awkward to me – while this was truly a rebuilding year for Ryan, whose life had been totally decimated in the fire, the actual time for healing, rehab, and getting into med school seemed truncated, but more doable if I didn’t think about it too hard. It also seemed very quick from “yes, I’m going to kiss him again” to “I love him” but given the friendship, that too is doable. John’s shotgun marriage as a teen seemed like a relic of another time, but I could believe he really loved her, too.

The secondary characters varied in their portrayals. Marcus was extremely vivid as a conflicted fifteen year old who had to cope with the revelation of his father’s new sexual identity on top of everything else. His sister Torey and the detective were also well developed given the size of their roles. The harpy ex and her overbearing new husband mouthed the expected lines and offered no surprises.

I enjoyed The Rebuilding Year greatly and read it at one sitting, going back later to collect details for reviewing. Kaje Harper tells a very smooth story, and I would recommend this book warmly.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 03, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-gennieg, publishersent, samahinreview

This review posted at Guilty Pleasures

CREME de la CREME Pick

The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper is wonderful! I truly did not want this book to end. Ms. Harper did a beautiful job of telling a story that is about love, family, vocation and the continuum on which all exist.

Our two main characters, John and Ryan, have considered themselves “straight” all their lives, but they don’t let that stand in the way of the feelings they begin to develop for one another. Ryan is basically embarking on a sec...more This review posted at Guilty Pleasures

CREME de la CREME Pick

The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper is wonderful! I truly did not want this book to end. Ms. Harper did a beautiful job of telling a story that is about love, family, vocation and the continuum on which all exist.

Our two main characters, John and Ryan, have considered themselves “straight” all their lives, but they don’t let that stand in the way of the feelings they begin to develop for one another. Ryan is basically embarking on a second career after an injury stops him from being able to perform his job as a firefighter. As a first year medical student, Ryan almost literally falls into the lap of the groundskeeper of the college campus, John. John rights Ryan, gets him cleaned up and sends him on his way. However, as fate would have it, the two run into each other again and strike up a friendship. Ryan ends up moving in with John because his roommate is awful, and John could use a little extra cash to make ends meet in order to pay his astronomical child support payment.

Ryan and John find that the easy companionship between them is something they both need and after some twists and turns, figure out that they “work” together. As with all things in life, it’s not a simple journey and the author does a great job pulling the reader into the story and making us care about all the characters. John’s children, especially his son, play an important part in the development of this book, but I’ll just leave it at that because I don’t want to give anything away.

Kaje Harper creates a believable story about two men who struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together after life has thrown a curve ball. Both Ryan and John would probably never have imagined that the second chance they are given would be in the arms of another man, but they are willing to travel this path and see what comes of it. The story reminds me that family is not only found in those with whom you share blood, but often we are blessed with friends we choose to invite into our lives and make family together. Both are important and so is learning to be flexible enough to roll with the punches that life gives out.

As I said above, this is a fabulous book and I would encourage anyone to read this story about life and what happens when you’re busy making other plans.

ARC Review(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 05, 2012 Bee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action, crime-mystery, gay-for-you, hero-with-disability, kindle, m-m, passion-erotica, romance, stuck-in-the-closet, survival

I’m sort of exhausted after reading this novel because it contained so much of everything. Slow but suddenly building gay-for-you romance. Nasty divorce and custody arguments. Medical issues. Home improvement sections. Mysterious deaths. Basically, everything you can think of from every imaginable genre. Impressive, but kind of a lot to take in as a reader. I’m torn between being intrigued and being confused. It’s an impressive effort, but instead of making it one solid story it feels like a lot...more

like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 Paris rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, m-m, kindle

I've been off the MM romance novels for some time. And decided to get back on track with The Rebuilding Year.
Writing HEA romances is a very hard thing. Because you know how it is going to end from the start. So to hook you up the storytelling must be good. Or should I say, the journey should be interesting enough to keep you till the end. In my personal opinion this book has its flaws but readable. Especially if it is your first MM in a year or so. Otherwise, I would have been seriously annoyed...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Julesmarie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, gfy-ofy

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I admittedly have a thing for GFY stories, and I thought this one was wonderfully well done.

I thought the progression of the relationship between Ryan and John was perfectly paced. I loved how they were both in situations that they'd never anticipated being in and that they were able to bond over not really having anywhere else they felt like they fit. It made their connection seem more powerful and more believable.

I found myself totally adoring Ryan and the way h...more I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I admittedly have a thing for GFY stories, and I thought this one was wonderfully well done.

I thought the progression of the relationship between Ryan and John was perfectly paced. I loved how they were both in situations that they'd never anticipated being in and that they were able to bond over not really having anywhere else they felt like they fit. It made their connection seem more powerful and more believable.

I found myself totally adoring Ryan and the way he's able to keep a clear head no matter the situation. I love that he can sense exactly when a conversation is getting to be too much and that he knows just what to say to lighten things up. (view spoiler)

Fabulous characters in a beautiful, healthy, supportive relationship. This one was delightful to read, and I look forward to rereading it and spending more time with John and Ryan.(less)

like · see review

May 10, 2012 Cindi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, m-m

4.5 stars

Great story about Ryan and John who have both lived their lives as straight men. Ryan is a former fire fighter who was injured on duty and is now in medical school. John is the groundskeeper at Ryan's college. He is divorced and has two children who live on the opposite side of the country with his ex wife and her new, controlling husband. Ryan and John meet as Ryan takes a tumble down steps and John helps him. They bump into each other a few more times and become quick friends. After a...more 4.5 stars

Great story about Ryan and John who have both lived their lives as straight men. Ryan is a former fire fighter who was injured on duty and is now in medical school. John is the groundskeeper at Ryan's college. He is divorced and has two children who live on the opposite side of the country with his ex wife and her new, controlling husband. Ryan and John meet as Ryan takes a tumble down steps and John helps him. They bump into each other a few more times and become quick friends. After a bad experience with a roommate, Ryan moves into the spare room at John's house. During an emotional moment they share a kiss...... a kiss that scares the hell out of each of them but it also makes both feel things they have never felt before. They are both straight so how can they feel what they are feeling for another man?

This was such a pleasure to read. John and Ryan start out as friends first, which I love. There is no insta-love and the two men don't just look at each other one day, decide they are gay, and jump into bed. It is a process... a good process. There is some drama at the college and some drama with John's ex and his children. Unlike some folks, I like books that have children in them if they are written well in the story. In this case they were. There are some problems with Mark, John's 15 year old son, that are written realistically. I get so tired of reading books that have kids in them and the author making the kids seem so perfect and accepting. Mark is not written that way and I am thankful for that. He is a real kid with real issues. As a mother who has raised two sons and is almost done raising a third, I was glad to see the author wrote Mark as a normal, typical teenager.

There is really nothing about this book that I did not like. John and Ryan's relationship progressed in a good way. The drama (both with the college and the ex and kids) was allowed to play out without feeling rushed. The ending was perfect. I'm big on main characters getting a good ending and I am glad that this author gave Ryan and John the ending they deserved.

This is my first by this author and I really look forward to reading more.(less)

like · see review

Mar 10, 2012 Heather♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

I was lucky enough to win this book in a contest and for that I have to give a big thank you to Kaje and to Chris for making it possible. I loved it! John and Ryan were both very likeable MCs. I thought the way they met and how their relationship slowly developed and changed was done in a realistic manner. They started off as unlikely friends, seeing each other occasionally around campus or at the bar for drinks, and then they became roommates. They filled a void in each other's lives a...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 11, 2013 Macky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: emotionally-satisfying, enjoyable-read, friends-to-lovers, gfy, great-chemistry, keeper, m-m, background-murder-mystery

The Rebuilding Year was a really interesting concept. As a GFY/ friends to lover story its one of those that really works. The growing attraction between the two ( straight) main protags - John and Ryan- is very nicely handled. John is divorced and the college gardener, Ryan a mature med student, ex fireman injured on the job. Ryan is not happy at his shared apartment and John needs a lodger to help with the cost of the big house he bought before his divorce and over a few weeks of meeting every...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jun 15, 2012 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, mystery

I accidentally bought this book and boy am I glad I did. I LOVED IT. But I don't know if I can articulate just why.

I started it, the two main characters drew me in. The plot expanded, kept me interested. The family situation entered. I found it so interesting as well. It was totally GFY but in a slow drawn out believable way with none of the annoying "OH NOES! COULD I BE TEH GAY! OH ANGST" that sometimes is written. Not that that's always but, but it's often clumsily done. But none of it here, j...more

1 like · like · see review

title link	preview: The Rebuilding Year
avg rating	preview: The Rebuilding Year Goodreads rating: 4.11 (1394 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13244400-the-rebuilding-year?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326139255l/13244400.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13244400-the-rebuilding-year?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Rebuilding Year by Kaje Harper[/url]

The Rebuilding Year

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Kaje Harper

Books by Kaje Harper

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Rebuilding Year