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This Will Hurt #2
This Will Hurt II
Part II of II Angst Awakening Friends to Lovers Family
Buckle in. Roe and Jake have mountains to climb, walls to tear down, and countless private moments to bring them even closer in this final part of their journey.
The ground beneath me had finally settled. I was content. I was all right. I could move forward and live with my choices.
Then I found Jake’s damn journal from… therapy . That was right. My best friend, who defined “man of few words,” was in therapy. The ground started shaking again. I got desperate. I got angry. I…almost lost him on the job when he saved my life.
Nothing was settled anymore.
Buckle in. Roe and Jake have mountains to climb, walls to tear down, and countless private moments to bring them even closer in this final part of their journey.
The ground beneath me had finally settled. I was content. I was all right. I could move forward and live with my choices.
Then I found Jake’s damn journal from… therapy . That was right. My best friend, who defined “man of few words,” was in therapy. The ground started shaking again. I got desperate. I got angry. I…almost lost him on the job when he saved my life.
Nothing was settled anymore.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2023
134 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Cara Dee
97 books4,095 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
June 5, 2023
This book was a lesson in managing my expectations. The “if you liked If We Could Go Back, then you’ll like this” of it all set the bar pretty high for me since that’s one of my favorite MM romances, but I can’t say that I support the comparison since the only true similarity was the cheating involved. That’s not to say that this book, and this duet as a whole, wasn’t written well, because it was. Roe and Jake were compelling characters with jobs that probably took up too much narrative space, but were interesting regardless. I loved the beautiful condor family they’d stitched together and believed in the love they had for each other. It was the path to their HEA that rubbed me the wrong way and, no, it wasn’t the cheating that bothered me.
Spoilers ahead!
In my review for If We Could Go Back, I praised the author for avoiding some of the dramatic pitfalls that I’ve long considered low hanging fruit in romance. An obligatory marriage. A bitchy wife who no one likes. An accidental, or in this case poorly timed, pregnancy. This book leaned heavily on all of those overused plot devices and also added in a surprise mood disorder which was handled in a way that made me extremely uncomfortable and very close to angry. There were other things that bothered me, too - the hookup between Jake and Greer that made zero sense and only served to cause drama, the handful of cameos from other books that added nothing to the story, the closed door interaction between Jake and his parents, the baffling support for Roe and Jake’s affair and the lack of resolution when it came to Sandra. The structure of the book didn’t help either, with years passing and very little insight into what transpired off page, especially with Jake who felt completely lost to me once I no longer had his POV. In the end, everything came together way too easily and my general sentiment was “good for them, I guess”.
There’s an extended epilogue that might clear up some of my lingering questions, but I don’t care enough to shell out the extra $2.99 for it.
Spoilers ahead!
In my review for If We Could Go Back, I praised the author for avoiding some of the dramatic pitfalls that I’ve long considered low hanging fruit in romance. An obligatory marriage. A bitchy wife who no one likes. An accidental, or in this case poorly timed, pregnancy. This book leaned heavily on all of those overused plot devices and also added in a surprise mood disorder which was handled in a way that made me extremely uncomfortable and very close to angry. There were other things that bothered me, too - the hookup between Jake and Greer that made zero sense and only served to cause drama, the handful of cameos from other books that added nothing to the story, the closed door interaction between Jake and his parents, the baffling support for Roe and Jake’s affair and the lack of resolution when it came to Sandra. The structure of the book didn’t help either, with years passing and very little insight into what transpired off page, especially with Jake who felt completely lost to me once I no longer had his POV. In the end, everything came together way too easily and my general sentiment was “good for them, I guess”.
There’s an extended epilogue that might clear up some of my lingering questions, but I don’t care enough to shell out the extra $2.99 for it.
July 10, 2023
otherworldly jealousy scenes and sex scenes. i have ascended. the actual story was great too. 🤭🤣
June 29, 2023
One line review: IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN JUST ONE BOOK.
More detailed review:
I loved Jake and Roe. The feelings. The complications. The cheating. (I love cheating! In books. Not on my husband). THE SEX. It was hot and sweet and emotional.
But it dragged and dragged.
Especially because Cara Dee was doing her favourite thing which is my least favourite thing, dragging every character she ever wrote as cameos right left and center.
ENOUGH. It gets messy and confusing and boring as hell.
And I skimmed over the last 20% because I was done.
So again. It should have been just one book. 250 pages. Boom. Done.
2.5 🌟
More detailed review:
I loved Jake and Roe. The feelings. The complications. The cheating. (I love cheating! In books. Not on my husband). THE SEX. It was hot and sweet and emotional.
But it dragged and dragged.
Especially because Cara Dee was doing her favourite thing which is my least favourite thing, dragging every character she ever wrote as cameos right left and center.
ENOUGH. It gets messy and confusing and boring as hell.
And I skimmed over the last 20% because I was done.
So again. It should have been just one book. 250 pages. Boom. Done.
2.5 🌟
November 9, 2024
Should have been only one book. This dragged. Big time. Very questionable plot devices + major cheating. Spoilers/warnings at the end of this review.
The found family in this was a bit sickening - the constant scenes with the little kids are way too much for me. It felt really drilled in how super fantastic the MC’s were as dads but I found something about it cringey.
Way too many cameos from characters I wasn’t familiar with. So many unnecessary secondary characters in this.
So many details about their travel business, the premise of their travel show was good but it got old and had way too much page time.
The time skips didn’t work here, all the pining and tension from the first book was completely lost.
Jake had a personality transplant to Mr. Confident and when it came to sex, he went from completely repressed to kinky Dom and I didn’t feel this was necessary for their dynamic. The ‘boy’ stuff just didn’t seem to fit for them at all.
Warnings for pregnancies, postpartum depression and long term cheating including during pregnancy without condoms. I don’t routinely mention trigger warnings but I think that readers could find this particularly hurtful or offensive to unexpectedly come across.
Spoilers*********************************
The postpartum depression and the situation with Roe’s wife is not handled in a sensitive way and this ends without a resolution for Sandra. It makes her out to be the villain when Roe willingly married her, continuously gaslit her concerns about his relationship with Jake and participated in actively planning another pregnancy despite him not loving her, having had cheated already more than once and then continuing to cheat during his wife’s postpartum depression. The cheating spans a long time and by the end of it they are openly kissing in front of a secondary character with an “oh he is leaving her soon” explanation.
The way this is written is very selfishly geared towards the two MC’s which I guess makes sense for an m/m romance but using cheating in pregnancy and postpartum depression as plot devices is a big risk for offending readers.
Oh and also Jake hooks up with Roe’s brother when they are not together because Roe is married although they had been together previously when Roe cheated.
The found family in this was a bit sickening - the constant scenes with the little kids are way too much for me. It felt really drilled in how super fantastic the MC’s were as dads but I found something about it cringey.
Way too many cameos from characters I wasn’t familiar with. So many unnecessary secondary characters in this.
So many details about their travel business, the premise of their travel show was good but it got old and had way too much page time.
The time skips didn’t work here, all the pining and tension from the first book was completely lost.
Jake had a personality transplant to Mr. Confident and when it came to sex, he went from completely repressed to kinky Dom and I didn’t feel this was necessary for their dynamic. The ‘boy’ stuff just didn’t seem to fit for them at all.
Warnings for pregnancies, postpartum depression and long term cheating including during pregnancy without condoms. I don’t routinely mention trigger warnings but I think that readers could find this particularly hurtful or offensive to unexpectedly come across.
Spoilers*********************************
The postpartum depression and the situation with Roe’s wife is not handled in a sensitive way and this ends without a resolution for Sandra. It makes her out to be the villain when Roe willingly married her, continuously gaslit her concerns about his relationship with Jake and participated in actively planning another pregnancy despite him not loving her, having had cheated already more than once and then continuing to cheat during his wife’s postpartum depression. The cheating spans a long time and by the end of it they are openly kissing in front of a secondary character with an “oh he is leaving her soon” explanation.
The way this is written is very selfishly geared towards the two MC’s which I guess makes sense for an m/m romance but using cheating in pregnancy and postpartum depression as plot devices is a big risk for offending readers.
Oh and also Jake hooks up with Roe’s brother when they are not together because Roe is married although they had been together previously when Roe cheated.
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June 4, 2023
"I’d once called him the first love of my life, and I knew very well it went beyond that. He was the only one."
This is the second book of the duet. This book is told from Roe's POV.
This duet is a slow burn, but once that fire is lit, does it burn. I loved how they were 100% in once they acknowledged their feelings. I loved the terms of endearment that they used for one another. The "darlin'", "Baby", "My boy", and "Hon" - they all made my heart melt. These two were there for each other as friends, lovers, parents, and colleagues. I loved how strong their relationship was, but they needed a good shake to realize that they were meant to be more. It's worth all the heartache once they get there.
Goodness, the sex! The last book was basically low, low steam, but this one makes up for it. I loved how they connected physically and emotionally. There's not a lot of sex scenes but the ones we do get are well written as expected of Cara Dee. Jake coming to terms with his sexuality was also very emotional.
I also enjoyed how the children and family aspect was woven into the story in a way that felt right.
Caution Warning - This story deals with postpartum depression, homophobia, cheating (not between MCs), and Jake hooks up with Roe's brother (this is before they're fully together).
Overall I really enjoyed this duet. Jake and Roe's journey to their HEA was quite the emotional ride. I look forward to their extended epilogue.
This is the second book of the duet. This book is told from Roe's POV.
This duet is a slow burn, but once that fire is lit, does it burn. I loved how they were 100% in once they acknowledged their feelings. I loved the terms of endearment that they used for one another. The "darlin'", "Baby", "My boy", and "Hon" - they all made my heart melt. These two were there for each other as friends, lovers, parents, and colleagues. I loved how strong their relationship was, but they needed a good shake to realize that they were meant to be more. It's worth all the heartache once they get there.
"They said falling in love was effortless, but to me, it’d been several years of desperately trying to cushion the blow, to climb a foot or two back up toward sanity, because the love I felt for Jake was fucking insane."
"The moment was as perfect as it was going to get. It was enough for me to pretend for a minute. That we were much more. Holding hands, fingers locked, his thumb brushing over my own, smiles on our faces, and those three words lingering in the air."
"I added the darlin’. I liked being called that. I wanted to be his darlin’. Spoken with that low, not-always-subtle Southern drawl."
Goodness, the sex! The last book was basically low, low steam, but this one makes up for it. I loved how they connected physically and emotionally. There's not a lot of sex scenes but the ones we do get are well written as expected of Cara Dee. Jake coming to terms with his sexuality was also very emotional.
I also enjoyed how the children and family aspect was woven into the story in a way that felt right.
I had my children, work was amazing, I was in love with the most wonderful man in the world. Now I just wanted to live. I wanted to start my own second verse, where I simply enjoyed what Jake and I had accomplished, the family we’d built with Nikki and Haley and…yeah.
Caution Warning - This story deals with postpartum depression, homophobia, cheating (not between MCs), and Jake hooks up with Roe's brother (this is before they're fully together).
Overall I really enjoyed this duet. Jake and Roe's journey to their HEA was quite the emotional ride. I look forward to their extended epilogue.
June 7, 2023
The cliff hanger from book 1 bleeds over and we see what the passage of time does to Roe and Jake. This time in Roe’s POV.
Near death experience changes both of their lives but not for the better. Roe is an idiot to continue his marriage AND at 48% in I am pretty angry at the plot twist this book took. Not a good way to draw out the angst and guilt. Ugh. Cara is not usually this lazy in her plot devices. I’m wildly disappointed. Especially for a woman writer to write with such disdain for women. Sandra was basically a depressed incubator for Roe’s kids. ICK
Side note: not every character needs to be traced back to Camassia Cove or The Game series. The Easter eggs are cute the first few times they happen but now I’m SO over it. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
This book was not for me. Sandra, Roe’s wife is made into a loathsome character so Roe AND the reader do not feel guilty to read about his constant cheating. This could have been handled SO much better. AND the Greer stuff… seriously ick. At least Sandra didn’t commit suicide or kill the twins because I thought that might be a real possibility. Ugh small blessings I guess. 😏😏
It’s been a long time since I was so disappointed with an author especially one I normally like. One click author no more. Ugh. There’s a bonus epilogue+ but why read it if I don’t care what happens to these characters. 🙄😣🫠
Near death experience changes both of their lives but not for the better. Roe is an idiot to continue his marriage AND at 48% in I am pretty angry at the plot twist this book took. Not a good way to draw out the angst and guilt. Ugh. Cara is not usually this lazy in her plot devices. I’m wildly disappointed. Especially for a woman writer to write with such disdain for women. Sandra was basically a depressed incubator for Roe’s kids. ICK
Side note: not every character needs to be traced back to Camassia Cove or The Game series. The Easter eggs are cute the first few times they happen but now I’m SO over it. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
This book was not for me. Sandra, Roe’s wife is made into a loathsome character so Roe AND the reader do not feel guilty to read about his constant cheating. This could have been handled SO much better. AND the Greer stuff… seriously ick. At least Sandra didn’t commit suicide or kill the twins because I thought that might be a real possibility. Ugh small blessings I guess. 😏😏
It’s been a long time since I was so disappointed with an author especially one I normally like. One click author no more. Ugh. There’s a bonus epilogue+ but why read it if I don’t care what happens to these characters. 🙄😣🫠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2023
OMG, I'm not gonna lie, but I wish #StreamingAboutJayroe was a thing because I am head over heels for Monroe Samuel Finlay & Jacob Casper Denver 💗
Personally, though, I think #Roke would make a better shipname, and their fans should have thought a bit more simply #JustSaying 🤣
Book two of Cara's stunningly brilliant This Will Hurt Duet puts us in Roe's head three months after the birth of his son and following the marriage to Sandra we saw happen at the end of book one.
When he discovers Jake’s therapy journal and sees the first entry, he's staggered. Roe’s still dealing with his feelings for his best friend, but he's also determined that he'll make a go of his marriage.
So, finding out Jake’s thoughts about how he feels for Roe is a shock to both head and heart, and he doesn't know how to process it.
You won't get any detailed plot spoilers in this review, I'll just say that the journey both men and their expanded family go on is a tumultuous one.
There are highs and lows, and both men really go through the mill, but it never feels like the drama is piled on for effect.
The section dealing with Roe and Sandra's relationship is superbly done and feels like a realistic and very plausible path for them to end up on.
I love that there's no "good guys/bad guys" here. Sandra isn't a villain, Roe isn't a hero. The only people worthy of the scorn and disgust heaped upon them are Jake’s rotten parents.
The narrative unfolds in its own steady way as the successes of their podcasts and shows continue to grow, and new members are added to their extensive family in ways which are organic and relatable.
I love how I thought both of these books would be more angsty than they turned out to be.
Now, don't get me wrong, there're moments when you'll just want to wrap them both up and hide them from the hurt.
But, for me anyway, it never reached an oppressive or dragging feeling of hopelessness. I always knew they'd end up together because their love was too steady and soul deep not to find a way.
I was also very happy to read there will be more, an extended Epilogue available on Cara's website after release!
This duet has gone right behind If We Could Go Back as my number two all-time favourite Cara story.
It's a long, hard road to happiness for #Jayroe but the outcome is worth every painful step.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Personally, though, I think #Roke would make a better shipname, and their fans should have thought a bit more simply #JustSaying 🤣
Book two of Cara's stunningly brilliant This Will Hurt Duet puts us in Roe's head three months after the birth of his son and following the marriage to Sandra we saw happen at the end of book one.
When he discovers Jake’s therapy journal and sees the first entry, he's staggered. Roe’s still dealing with his feelings for his best friend, but he's also determined that he'll make a go of his marriage.
So, finding out Jake’s thoughts about how he feels for Roe is a shock to both head and heart, and he doesn't know how to process it.
You won't get any detailed plot spoilers in this review, I'll just say that the journey both men and their expanded family go on is a tumultuous one.
There are highs and lows, and both men really go through the mill, but it never feels like the drama is piled on for effect.
The section dealing with Roe and Sandra's relationship is superbly done and feels like a realistic and very plausible path for them to end up on.
I love that there's no "good guys/bad guys" here. Sandra isn't a villain, Roe isn't a hero. The only people worthy of the scorn and disgust heaped upon them are Jake’s rotten parents.
The narrative unfolds in its own steady way as the successes of their podcasts and shows continue to grow, and new members are added to their extensive family in ways which are organic and relatable.
I love how I thought both of these books would be more angsty than they turned out to be.
Now, don't get me wrong, there're moments when you'll just want to wrap them both up and hide them from the hurt.
But, for me anyway, it never reached an oppressive or dragging feeling of hopelessness. I always knew they'd end up together because their love was too steady and soul deep not to find a way.
I was also very happy to read there will be more, an extended Epilogue available on Cara's website after release!
This duet has gone right behind If We Could Go Back as my number two all-time favourite Cara story.
It's a long, hard road to happiness for #Jayroe but the outcome is worth every painful step.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
June 2, 2023
4.25 stars
Really pissed about the Greer thing. It was totally unnecessary and added nothing. There was enough turmoil without that.
Other than that, it's all the relationship angsty goodness I love.
Yay!
Really pissed about the Greer thing. It was totally unnecessary and added nothing. There was enough turmoil without that.
Other than that, it's all the relationship angsty goodness I love.
Yay!
June 9, 2023
✰ 3 stars ✰
“We were okay, but…were we, really? I knew I wasn’t. Everything hurt, and I wasn’t even talking about today’s clusterfuck. I didn’t know how long I could pretend Jake wasn’t the love of my pathetic fucking life.”
I was holding out for the possibility that This Will Hurt II would offer some closure and a little more character development into Jack and Roe's relationship, but well, there was plenty left to be desired and plenty I could have done without. It was an interesting change to be in Roe's mind this time around, to see the love he had for his family, the incredible success he and Jack were experiencing with their podcast. But, of course, it's not an easy road getting to have the man that he has loved ever since they met - ever since that one unforgettable magical Las Vegas trip that changed the course of their relationship forever. 🔥🔥
“They said falling in love was effortless, but to me, it’d been several years of desperately trying to cushion the blow, to climb a foot or two back up toward sanity, because the love I felt for Jake was fucking insane. But it just wasn’t working. I couldn’t get a grip. I couldn’t slow down the descent.”
I liked Jack and Roe - for some of it. They were great dads - that's pretty much ascertained with every mention and moment of the kids making their appearance on the pages. No offense - they were adorable kids and I liked how Roe wanted to build his own family of condors, in lieu of his own family. I tried to sympathize with Roe and his marriage to Sandra, but I just couldn't, which I guess, I'll explain later. I liked that even though we didn't get to see into Jack's mind this time, it was nice to see how much more sure he was of himself - that he could feel confident enough to involve himself with another man - to finally confront his parents about his past and how much their upbringing affected him so.
“I wanted him too much. All the goddamn time. The joy was going to be short-lived, though. I knew that. Our time wasn’t merely borrowed. It was stolen.
“This is gonna hurt, isn’t it?” I cupped his face and spoke against his perfect lips.
He inhaled deeply and nodded once. “Probably. I mean…” He kissed me once more, then put a couple inches between us and searched my eyes.
“I’ve been hurting since the day you got married, darlin’.”
Fuck. I screwed my eyes shut and rested my forehead to his. No, no, no, don’t tell me that.”
There is no one who understands more about the sadness and regret that comes from time lost than me - I relate to this so so much - more than I would have ever wanted to. So, I get that Jack and Roe would want to do anything to consume as much time as they have together to make up for what could have been. And I did feel awful at how stressed Roe was about handling so much, and still putting on a brave front - it was certainly not easy, and he needed time to himself, just to calm himself down.
But, this is a complaint that I am having with authors who write stories where a couple get together, despite being in a relationship with a significant other. Please do not paint the woman's character in such a light that it would make it totally understandable that their relationship would not work out, like, why? It's such a convenient tactic, like, what if Sandra was actually a good attentive and caring mother who was not suffering from post-partum? Yes, Roe is portrayed as a saint, an amazing father and an understanding husband, catering to her erratic mood swings - but to cheat on her, whilst still being married - to dismiss it as okay, and then not even talking about it.
I may not be able to relate to motherhood and post-partum or even being in a relationship, but one thing that irks me to no end, is that the authors make the significant other so unlikable right from the start, that the reader won't even feel guilty about the fall-out. I mean, for his relationship with Jack only to be addressed via a text message and never again; it's just too too convenient storytelling. If a story is really going to hurt - it should be if the significant other is a wonderful saint - and then, there might be a chance, you might really feel guilty for breaking her heart. 😬
It may have been an unwise decision on my part to read this duet as my first go with Cara Dee's works. I have read nothing but praise for her previous books, but seeing how much time she devoted by needlessly throwing in little cameos from her past novels, made me so disinterested in ever wanting to acquaint myself with them. I respect that authors take pride in their characters and like to have them cross-over, and yeah, maybe readers enjoy the little Easter Eggs to beloved pairings from the past, but this was not just one of them - I think, there were about 5-6 couples shown! 🤦 If she could have focused more on this couple, rather than writing an ode to all her other characters - there might have been a saving grace to this story. 🤷
Maybe.
“We were okay, but…were we, really? I knew I wasn’t. Everything hurt, and I wasn’t even talking about today’s clusterfuck. I didn’t know how long I could pretend Jake wasn’t the love of my pathetic fucking life.”
I was holding out for the possibility that This Will Hurt II would offer some closure and a little more character development into Jack and Roe's relationship, but well, there was plenty left to be desired and plenty I could have done without. It was an interesting change to be in Roe's mind this time around, to see the love he had for his family, the incredible success he and Jack were experiencing with their podcast. But, of course, it's not an easy road getting to have the man that he has loved ever since they met - ever since that one unforgettable magical Las Vegas trip that changed the course of their relationship forever. 🔥🔥
“They said falling in love was effortless, but to me, it’d been several years of desperately trying to cushion the blow, to climb a foot or two back up toward sanity, because the love I felt for Jake was fucking insane. But it just wasn’t working. I couldn’t get a grip. I couldn’t slow down the descent.”
I liked Jack and Roe - for some of it. They were great dads - that's pretty much ascertained with every mention and moment of the kids making their appearance on the pages. No offense - they were adorable kids and I liked how Roe wanted to build his own family of condors, in lieu of his own family. I tried to sympathize with Roe and his marriage to Sandra, but I just couldn't, which I guess, I'll explain later. I liked that even though we didn't get to see into Jack's mind this time, it was nice to see how much more sure he was of himself - that he could feel confident enough to involve himself with another man - to finally confront his parents about his past and how much their upbringing affected him so.
“I wanted him too much. All the goddamn time. The joy was going to be short-lived, though. I knew that. Our time wasn’t merely borrowed. It was stolen.
“This is gonna hurt, isn’t it?” I cupped his face and spoke against his perfect lips.
He inhaled deeply and nodded once. “Probably. I mean…” He kissed me once more, then put a couple inches between us and searched my eyes.
“I’ve been hurting since the day you got married, darlin’.”
Fuck. I screwed my eyes shut and rested my forehead to his. No, no, no, don’t tell me that.”
There is no one who understands more about the sadness and regret that comes from time lost than me - I relate to this so so much - more than I would have ever wanted to. So, I get that Jack and Roe would want to do anything to consume as much time as they have together to make up for what could have been. And I did feel awful at how stressed Roe was about handling so much, and still putting on a brave front - it was certainly not easy, and he needed time to himself, just to calm himself down.
But, this is a complaint that I am having with authors who write stories where a couple get together, despite being in a relationship with a significant other. Please do not paint the woman's character in such a light that it would make it totally understandable that their relationship would not work out, like, why? It's such a convenient tactic, like, what if Sandra was actually a good attentive and caring mother who was not suffering from post-partum? Yes, Roe is portrayed as a saint, an amazing father and an understanding husband, catering to her erratic mood swings - but to cheat on her, whilst still being married - to dismiss it as okay, and then not even talking about it.
I may not be able to relate to motherhood and post-partum or even being in a relationship, but one thing that irks me to no end, is that the authors make the significant other so unlikable right from the start, that the reader won't even feel guilty about the fall-out. I mean, for his relationship with Jack only to be addressed via a text message and never again; it's just too too convenient storytelling. If a story is really going to hurt - it should be if the significant other is a wonderful saint - and then, there might be a chance, you might really feel guilty for breaking her heart. 😬
It may have been an unwise decision on my part to read this duet as my first go with Cara Dee's works. I have read nothing but praise for her previous books, but seeing how much time she devoted by needlessly throwing in little cameos from her past novels, made me so disinterested in ever wanting to acquaint myself with them. I respect that authors take pride in their characters and like to have them cross-over, and yeah, maybe readers enjoy the little Easter Eggs to beloved pairings from the past, but this was not just one of them - I think, there were about 5-6 couples shown! 🤦 If she could have focused more on this couple, rather than writing an ode to all her other characters - there might have been a saving grace to this story. 🤷
Maybe.
October 13, 2024
The way postpartum depression was handled with such callousness will not only be offensive to some, it’s downright hurtful/harmful to those who’ve suffered from it and those who are still learning to cope with it.
Ok let's get into this. I've been holding off posting a full review and rating because I really didn't want to seem harsh. I try to be constructive but...and I know the "but" negates the earlier statement so here it is...and I'm going to get heated because I was so disappointed in the author for her portrayal of postpartum depression but also the lack of consequences for the affair - absolutely zero fall out.
Roe was not a good guy. He was going to break up with Sandra but married her instead because she was pregnant - not because he felt even close to love for her. That's a dick move and I don't care if her family was traditional - especially because Sandra's mom was a freaking rockstar and at no point did I ever get the impression she would've been mad at Sandra for not being married to the child's father. Not only does he continue to stay married to her but they get pregnant again.
Meanwhile, the set up for Sandra to not be part of the group is so superficial. Maybe if Jake treated her decently she would've been more apt to hang out. The other women were guilty of that as well - I never felt their reasons were anything more than high school level crap. Also, why would she want to be around them when Roe spent all his free time with Jake and didn't come down hard on Jake for isolating her?? He didn't have to love her but he did owe her some respect. She never mistreated Roe. She never deviated from who she was when they met.
To make it even worse, Sandra is completely overcome with postpartum depression and THAT is when Roe decides to go full adulterer. And then he basically makes out that it's her fault she feels like that and if she really wanted to feel better she would. The internal dialogue with him being all like "woe is me. poor me. who cares that my wife, whom I married even though I didn't love her or want more kids with her, feels like she wants to die, I'm expected to step up and parent alone (but not really because Sandra's mom is awesome and is there ALL OF THE TIME.)" I get that it's not easy to be with someone struggling with depression but he could have left wayyyy before things got to that point. I had zero sympathy for him.
I was pretty irritated with Jake too, Not just because he was complicit in the affair but he was never fair or even a little kind to Sandra. How the hell was she supposed to know he loved Roe and for that matter, why would she care? She wanted to be with Roe and he asked HER to marry him. Was it too idealistic? Should she have read the signs better? Maybe but ultimately, it wasn't her responsibility to own their truths.
I was never a huge Sandra fan but I felt like making her the scapegoat in everything was lame and using postpartum depression as a plot for Roe was wildly insensitive. It kind of felt like internalized misogyny.
And then to top it all off, there is no cheating reveal, no response from Sandra regarding Roe and Jake getting together and immediately moving in together and blending their families, there is also no follow up regarding the divorce and Sandra's parents response - when that was the whole point of them getting married to begin with, no follow up regarding Sandra's mental health and her relationship with their children...so many missing elements.
Ok let's get into this. I've been holding off posting a full review and rating because I really didn't want to seem harsh. I try to be constructive but...and I know the "but" negates the earlier statement so here it is...and I'm going to get heated because I was so disappointed in the author for her portrayal of postpartum depression but also the lack of consequences for the affair - absolutely zero fall out.
Roe was not a good guy. He was going to break up with Sandra but married her instead because she was pregnant - not because he felt even close to love for her. That's a dick move and I don't care if her family was traditional - especially because Sandra's mom was a freaking rockstar and at no point did I ever get the impression she would've been mad at Sandra for not being married to the child's father. Not only does he continue to stay married to her but they get pregnant again.
Meanwhile, the set up for Sandra to not be part of the group is so superficial. Maybe if Jake treated her decently she would've been more apt to hang out. The other women were guilty of that as well - I never felt their reasons were anything more than high school level crap. Also, why would she want to be around them when Roe spent all his free time with Jake and didn't come down hard on Jake for isolating her?? He didn't have to love her but he did owe her some respect. She never mistreated Roe. She never deviated from who she was when they met.
To make it even worse, Sandra is completely overcome with postpartum depression and THAT is when Roe decides to go full adulterer. And then he basically makes out that it's her fault she feels like that and if she really wanted to feel better she would. The internal dialogue with him being all like "woe is me. poor me. who cares that my wife, whom I married even though I didn't love her or want more kids with her, feels like she wants to die, I'm expected to step up and parent alone (but not really because Sandra's mom is awesome and is there ALL OF THE TIME.)" I get that it's not easy to be with someone struggling with depression but he could have left wayyyy before things got to that point. I had zero sympathy for him.
I was pretty irritated with Jake too, Not just because he was complicit in the affair but he was never fair or even a little kind to Sandra. How the hell was she supposed to know he loved Roe and for that matter, why would she care? She wanted to be with Roe and he asked HER to marry him. Was it too idealistic? Should she have read the signs better? Maybe but ultimately, it wasn't her responsibility to own their truths.
I was never a huge Sandra fan but I felt like making her the scapegoat in everything was lame and using postpartum depression as a plot for Roe was wildly insensitive. It kind of felt like internalized misogyny.
And then to top it all off, there is no cheating reveal, no response from Sandra regarding Roe and Jake getting together and immediately moving in together and blending their families, there is also no follow up regarding the divorce and Sandra's parents response - when that was the whole point of them getting married to begin with, no follow up regarding Sandra's mental health and her relationship with their children...so many missing elements.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
*4.5 stars*
I really liked it. I would have rounded up if it wasn't for Greer. I'm all about the angst but the fact that it was barely addressed made it even more unnecessary.
I really liked it. I would have rounded up if it wasn't for Greer. I'm all about the angst but the fact that it was barely addressed made it even more unnecessary.
June 2, 2023
* 5 stars *
Jake and Roe are back!
I read this in one sitting, of course, and couldn't get enough of them.
There aren't a lot of things I can say about the plot without spoiling the book, so this is going to be fairly short.
Their story is so raw and real, they had to go through a lot to be together and the situations they found themselves in, along with the way they handled them, seemed pretty realistic and plausible.
I liked that their story, while not easy, wasn't angst-ridden and that we didn't have to wait until the very end of the book for them to get together.
And as I turned what I thought was the last page, I found out that there's also a short book, that works as an extended epilogue, which follows the characters a few years down the line. I'll be sure to check it out!
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
Jake and Roe are back!
I read this in one sitting, of course, and couldn't get enough of them.
There aren't a lot of things I can say about the plot without spoiling the book, so this is going to be fairly short.
Their story is so raw and real, they had to go through a lot to be together and the situations they found themselves in, along with the way they handled them, seemed pretty realistic and plausible.
I liked that their story, while not easy, wasn't angst-ridden and that we didn't have to wait until the very end of the book for them to get together.
And as I turned what I thought was the last page, I found out that there's also a short book, that works as an extended epilogue, which follows the characters a few years down the line. I'll be sure to check it out!
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
June 4, 2023
2.5⭐
I'm really not sure what happened here. "If we could go back" by Cara is one of my favorite mm books ever. The story and cheating trope was written superb in that book. This however..... Complete opposite.
There was so much information about their work and podcast and kids that their relationship didn't even develop. And speaking of the kids.... Why keep having kids with women? Bizarre. I swear the kids were mentioned nearly every page. Overkill. We get it. They're amazing fathers.
This is a slow burn duet but tbh it just felt like friendship the whole way through. I didn't feel the chemistry at all. And throw in the weird as hell storyline for Greer, what even? Was this supposed to add something?
Also, what happened with Sandra? I feel like her story wasn't finished. Not even in the epilogue. Did she get the help and support she needed? The way her postpartum depression was handled in the writing just rubbed me the wrong way. Poorly executed.
I'm hoping the next book this author releases hits the heights I know she can because this was not it.
I'm really not sure what happened here. "If we could go back" by Cara is one of my favorite mm books ever. The story and cheating trope was written superb in that book. This however..... Complete opposite.
There was so much information about their work and podcast and kids that their relationship didn't even develop. And speaking of the kids.... Why keep having kids with women? Bizarre. I swear the kids were mentioned nearly every page. Overkill. We get it. They're amazing fathers.
This is a slow burn duet but tbh it just felt like friendship the whole way through. I didn't feel the chemistry at all. And throw in the weird as hell storyline for Greer, what even? Was this supposed to add something?
Also, what happened with Sandra? I feel like her story wasn't finished. Not even in the epilogue. Did she get the help and support she needed? The way her postpartum depression was handled in the writing just rubbed me the wrong way. Poorly executed.
I'm hoping the next book this author releases hits the heights I know she can because this was not it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
I wavered between 2 and 3 stars for this one. The POV changed to Roe in the second book but it may as well have been the same. And then the author started dropping in characters from other series and turned into the version of Cara Dee I'm not a fan of. I almost DNF'd at like 85%.
June 6, 2023
At the end of this story, I feel nothing for these characters or their romance. Some thoughts:
✏️SO many unimportant work details. SO MANY!!
✏️These women are basically their incubators
✏️Darlin 🤮🤮
✏️WHY ARE THERE SO MANY KIDS???!?
✏️Oh suddenly we’re kinky
✏️Why is this young child going home alone
✏️Jake hooks up with no one for years, then HIM?? No he wouldn’t.
✏️Random cameos from characters I don’t know
💣🔥Sandra was ostracized by the friend group, gaslit by her husband and made out to be the villain when she suffered from severe depression. Her only fault was agreeing to marry a man she thought she was in love with
✏️SO many unimportant work details. SO MANY!!
✏️These women are basically their incubators
✏️Darlin 🤮🤮
✏️WHY ARE THERE SO MANY KIDS???!?
✏️Oh suddenly we’re kinky
✏️Why is this young child going home alone
✏️Jake hooks up with no one for years, then HIM?? No he wouldn’t.
✏️Random cameos from characters I don’t know
💣🔥Sandra was ostracized by the friend group, gaslit by her husband and made out to be the villain when she suffered from severe depression. Her only fault was agreeing to marry a man she thought she was in love with
June 10, 2023
Loved it. It sure took these boys an awful long time to get out of their own way. Hurt so good, though.
...bumping to a full 5 stars because after a very spirited discussion with my girls Renee and Ele over on Ele's review I've discovered that I actually would not change one single thing about this story.
----------------
Reading Cara Dee's books always makes me really miss my friends because they're scattered all over the place and Cara writes such a strong found-family connection. *sniff*
...bumping to a full 5 stars because after a very spirited discussion with my girls Renee and Ele over on Ele's review I've discovered that I actually would not change one single thing about this story.
----------------
Reading Cara Dee's books always makes me really miss my friends because they're scattered all over the place and Cara writes such a strong found-family connection. *sniff*
June 22, 2023
I don't really remember much about this series, only that was okay and minimally enjoyable
November 19, 2025
I am really disappointed as I've enjoyed most books by this author. However, shaming and placing blame upon a woman for suffering postpartum depression while her husband, aka the "hero", is a nasty, lying, cheating, woe-is-me douche does not make for a good plot device nor a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2024
I wasn't as impressed with this as I was with the first one, but it was great to see Roe, Jake, and the kids get their happy ending.
September 6, 2023
dreamy sighing for days. god, i love these two. took the mfs ten years to tie the knot but 💛💛💛 i ran and bought This Won't Hurt– the epilogue turned novella of Jake and Roe's HEA. can't wait to get a lil more of them cos i wasn't ready to be done.
part two picks up in Roe's pov. he's married with a son and his wife, Sandra, is jumping his bones to have a second kid. he and Jake are still in business together, growing and traveling and being best friends. all's well in Married Man Town. if you don't count the fact that Roe doesn't want to have sex with his wife and is desperately in love with Jake, anyway.
Jake has grown a little distant as Roe settles into his new life on a leash. living away from their house-turned-studio with his wife and son, Roe is unable to spend as much time with Jake outside of work. the front they put on is happy enough even if it is only a veneer for their pain. the status quo is fine, it is, until Roe discovers Jake's therapy journal. when he sees a single admission of Jake being attracted to him, possessive over him, and embarrassed by his feelings, it sends Roe's world into a tailspin. harboring feelings for his presumably straight best friend long before getting married, Roe starts to crack under the pressure.
but as their production company grows, so do their opportunities and the condor chick duo get to go on bigger adventures, and Roe is forced to put aside the what-ifs. doubly so when his wife gets pregnant with twins. when i tell you i was screaming at my phone during every interaction mans has with his wife... i get what Cara was doing. she was maintaining the integrity of Roe's character, even when Sandra came down with post-partum depression and started neglecting not just their marriage, but their new twins too. maybe he's in love with his best friend, but that doesn't make him a piece of shit husband. i personally felt like his patience and compassion was stretched too far for someone who didn't deserve it, but i understood. even if it made me crazy.
in the midst of a depressed wife and grasping at all the straws to maintain normalcy in their friendship, Roe and Jake focus on their work and end up creating a docuseries about the perils and traumas of first responders. this takes them to a firsthand look at the coastguard and they get to join in a smuggling operation takedown. but when the captured smugglers are taken forcibly, it leads to an accident that thrusts the pair into a near-death experience. years after their first and only intimate encounter, the gravity of the situation settles in and Jake and Roe revel in their survival by finally making love - like 6 years? after meeting. talk about a mf slow burn my dude.
even though the sex is spectacular and Jake finally confesses everything Roe wanted and needed to hear from him, Roe is still married and still a good person. they leave it as Roe chooses to honor his vows and stay with Sandra even though everything in him wants to rebel. surprised by all of Jake's revelations, he continues longing to be with his best friend for months after. his resolve falters completely when he finds out Jake hooked up with his cousin, Greer, and is set to have a date with a man. the years of steadfastly ignoring his own inner turmoil prove to be too much and he admits Jake is the love of his life and he can't be without him anymore.
Jake is everything to me. i would lay my life down for that man, ok. he immediately agrees to being with Roe and even accepts that he will need time to separate slowly from Sandra. he tells him he can be patient and the way i just melted all over the place. after watching his best friend get married and have babies, he still can't stop loving him and never even tries to move on. not really. i just.. ugh. we don't deserve him. y'all and the mouth on him when he finally goes at it with Roe? unreal.
"Whatever you want. It’s you. You got me this way. It’s all fucking you.” I heard his sharp intake of air but had no time to wonder if I’d said too much before he snaked his free hand around my throat and exhaled near my ear. “That goes both ways,” he said, his voice a little shaky. “I was okay before I met you. I’m not saying good—I’m saying fine. I was all right. Then you made me question every little thing. And I hope you’re fucking happy.” I whimpered. Loud and clear. Desperate. Fucking lost. Or at home. Right at home in our confessions. We weren’t drunk, and yet…we were? On each other.
ten years after meeting, the two get married and FINALLY get the happy ending they deserve. there's a lot of traveling, family stuff, and new friends made, but none of it is as important as knowing Jake finally got his Roe. while the yearly time jumps drove me a bit mad and i was foaming at the mouth for them to really stick it to Sandra, i loved their journey. the best parts for me were when they finally got to live together again and were subtly dropping hints to their audience that Jake and Roe were more than friends. ugh. delish. Jayroe 4 life. 5 stars ✨
part two picks up in Roe's pov. he's married with a son and his wife, Sandra, is jumping his bones to have a second kid. he and Jake are still in business together, growing and traveling and being best friends. all's well in Married Man Town. if you don't count the fact that Roe doesn't want to have sex with his wife and is desperately in love with Jake, anyway.
Jake has grown a little distant as Roe settles into his new life on a leash. living away from their house-turned-studio with his wife and son, Roe is unable to spend as much time with Jake outside of work. the front they put on is happy enough even if it is only a veneer for their pain. the status quo is fine, it is, until Roe discovers Jake's therapy journal. when he sees a single admission of Jake being attracted to him, possessive over him, and embarrassed by his feelings, it sends Roe's world into a tailspin. harboring feelings for his presumably straight best friend long before getting married, Roe starts to crack under the pressure.
but as their production company grows, so do their opportunities and the condor chick duo get to go on bigger adventures, and Roe is forced to put aside the what-ifs. doubly so when his wife gets pregnant with twins. when i tell you i was screaming at my phone during every interaction mans has with his wife... i get what Cara was doing. she was maintaining the integrity of Roe's character, even when Sandra came down with post-partum depression and started neglecting not just their marriage, but their new twins too. maybe he's in love with his best friend, but that doesn't make him a piece of shit husband. i personally felt like his patience and compassion was stretched too far for someone who didn't deserve it, but i understood. even if it made me crazy.
in the midst of a depressed wife and grasping at all the straws to maintain normalcy in their friendship, Roe and Jake focus on their work and end up creating a docuseries about the perils and traumas of first responders. this takes them to a firsthand look at the coastguard and they get to join in a smuggling operation takedown. but when the captured smugglers are taken forcibly, it leads to an accident that thrusts the pair into a near-death experience. years after their first and only intimate encounter, the gravity of the situation settles in and Jake and Roe revel in their survival by finally making love - like 6 years? after meeting. talk about a mf slow burn my dude.
even though the sex is spectacular and Jake finally confesses everything Roe wanted and needed to hear from him, Roe is still married and still a good person. they leave it as Roe chooses to honor his vows and stay with Sandra even though everything in him wants to rebel. surprised by all of Jake's revelations, he continues longing to be with his best friend for months after. his resolve falters completely when he finds out Jake hooked up with his cousin, Greer, and is set to have a date with a man. the years of steadfastly ignoring his own inner turmoil prove to be too much and he admits Jake is the love of his life and he can't be without him anymore.
Jake is everything to me. i would lay my life down for that man, ok. he immediately agrees to being with Roe and even accepts that he will need time to separate slowly from Sandra. he tells him he can be patient and the way i just melted all over the place. after watching his best friend get married and have babies, he still can't stop loving him and never even tries to move on. not really. i just.. ugh. we don't deserve him. y'all and the mouth on him when he finally goes at it with Roe? unreal.
"Whatever you want. It’s you. You got me this way. It’s all fucking you.” I heard his sharp intake of air but had no time to wonder if I’d said too much before he snaked his free hand around my throat and exhaled near my ear. “That goes both ways,” he said, his voice a little shaky. “I was okay before I met you. I’m not saying good—I’m saying fine. I was all right. Then you made me question every little thing. And I hope you’re fucking happy.” I whimpered. Loud and clear. Desperate. Fucking lost. Or at home. Right at home in our confessions. We weren’t drunk, and yet…we were? On each other.
ten years after meeting, the two get married and FINALLY get the happy ending they deserve. there's a lot of traveling, family stuff, and new friends made, but none of it is as important as knowing Jake finally got his Roe. while the yearly time jumps drove me a bit mad and i was foaming at the mouth for them to really stick it to Sandra, i loved their journey. the best parts for me were when they finally got to live together again and were subtly dropping hints to their audience that Jake and Roe were more than friends. ugh. delish. Jayroe 4 life. 5 stars ✨
August 18, 2023
Growing Business and Families
This is a fast paced follow on from Book 1 with business really booming for Jake and Roe. They’ve expanded their horizons and are travelling further afield. Even taking on the film coverage of a Coast Guard Drug Smuggling intervention at sea.
Unfortunately stuff also happened that sent me into the doldrums. Jake still hadn’t confirmed to himself his sexuality, until a drunken night in Vegas, (where else,) but as the saying goes, ‘what happens in Vegas……..
Roe is dithering about his relationship with his girlfriend.
When both Roe and Jake are injured truths have to be faced and decisions made.
Jake returns to Norfolk to confront his parents and find out the truth.
Book II rolls on with each chapter covering a year, with marriage, childbirths, house moves and new business opportunities, new friends and possible boyfriend material for Jake. Jake and Roe’s working relationship never falters.
When Roe is struggling Jake is there to help as always.
********************
The pace at which the friendship/relationship grew between Jake and Roe was perfect, it helped make it unshakeable in times of their individual stress and traumas.
Both characters were so easy to connect with and wish for their success and happiness. There were several secondary and side characters that lent extra interest in the background to Jake and Roe’s life.
Cara Dee is one of my must read authors and she has written a separate novella ‘This Won’t Hurt’, it’s 17,000 words that continues where Book II finishes. It can be purchased from Cara’s Shop direct.
ADDENDUM 18th August. When you finish ‘This will Hurt II, DO GO and get ‘This Won’t Hurt’, from Cara Dee’s shop, the link will be at the end of Book II. It is like, ‘ It’s a Wonderful Life’ movie and any other Happy Family Movie or book you’ve ever read . It covers the period from the end of Book II up to year 2030 in Jake and Roe’s life with their extended family members.
I hope at some point in the future Cara will write about the children in this blended family when they are all grown up.
I’ve loved ‘ This Will Hurt’ Duet and the extra Novella. It didn’t hurt at All. 🥰
This is a fast paced follow on from Book 1 with business really booming for Jake and Roe. They’ve expanded their horizons and are travelling further afield. Even taking on the film coverage of a Coast Guard Drug Smuggling intervention at sea.
Unfortunately stuff also happened that sent me into the doldrums. Jake still hadn’t confirmed to himself his sexuality, until a drunken night in Vegas, (where else,) but as the saying goes, ‘what happens in Vegas……..
Roe is dithering about his relationship with his girlfriend.
When both Roe and Jake are injured truths have to be faced and decisions made.
Jake returns to Norfolk to confront his parents and find out the truth.
Book II rolls on with each chapter covering a year, with marriage, childbirths, house moves and new business opportunities, new friends and possible boyfriend material for Jake. Jake and Roe’s working relationship never falters.
When Roe is struggling Jake is there to help as always.
********************
The pace at which the friendship/relationship grew between Jake and Roe was perfect, it helped make it unshakeable in times of their individual stress and traumas.
Both characters were so easy to connect with and wish for their success and happiness. There were several secondary and side characters that lent extra interest in the background to Jake and Roe’s life.
Cara Dee is one of my must read authors and she has written a separate novella ‘This Won’t Hurt’, it’s 17,000 words that continues where Book II finishes. It can be purchased from Cara’s Shop direct.
ADDENDUM 18th August. When you finish ‘This will Hurt II, DO GO and get ‘This Won’t Hurt’, from Cara Dee’s shop, the link will be at the end of Book II. It is like, ‘ It’s a Wonderful Life’ movie and any other Happy Family Movie or book you’ve ever read . It covers the period from the end of Book II up to year 2030 in Jake and Roe’s life with their extended family members.
I hope at some point in the future Cara will write about the children in this blended family when they are all grown up.
I’ve loved ‘ This Will Hurt’ Duet and the extra Novella. It didn’t hurt at All. 🥰
May 23, 2023
*** ARC Review***
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
This story picks up close to where the first part leaves off. Roe and Sandra are married. Jake is dealing with some things. Roe comes across Jake’s therapy journal and his world tilts. Jake has no idea he’s the reason Roe realized that he’s bi. Roe has no idea how much Jake’s been struggling with something that pertains to him.
Jake is coming to terms with his sexuality. He’s working through some past trauma and trying to figure out who he is in regards to that aspect of his identity. (Jake’s parents - especially his mother -are a piece of work). He’s a fantastic dad. He’s a great friend to Nikki. Even though this book is told from Roe’s POV, I found myself still rooting for Jake in this story, like I was in the last one. He really comes into his own in this book.
Roe and Sandra are going through some things. Like a lot of things. I felt for Sandra and her postpartum reality, but I felt for Roe and the kids as well. It was a difficult situation all around. Couple that with the fact that Jake and Roe are dealing with their feelings for one another, want to be together, but know they can’t. Multiple characters in this book hurt, but it’s especially true for our MCs.
Roe and Jake are #bestie goals. The genuine love they have for one another is really special. It’s obvious that they are meant to be in one another’s lives. Plus the way they dote on one another’s kids is seriously sweet! I loved Nikki and Haley in this book as well. The guys definitely have a strong support system in this novel. Even Sandra’s mom is a big help!
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. I love how Jake and Roe’s story spans years. There’s a good amount of build up and the HEA is so well deserved. This book will take you on an emotional journey, but it’s a really lovely read.
Note: I really try to avoid spoilers because I know how much of a bummer they can be, but I will give this warning because it may trigger some people… If cheating in fiction is a hard no for you, (and I get it if it is), there are some aspects of this book that you may not like...and maybe you should pass on. That said, if you can push through and give it a chance, this story is so worth it! It really will melt your heart. Dee is a master at giving us all of the emotions! There’s some angst in this story, but gah is there some happiness too! You should definitely check this book out when it releases on June 2nd.
I love a good epilogue. I cannot wait for This Won’t Hurt - the 15K word epilogue to this duet, also out (on Cara Dee’s website) June 2nd!
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
This story picks up close to where the first part leaves off. Roe and Sandra are married. Jake is dealing with some things. Roe comes across Jake’s therapy journal and his world tilts. Jake has no idea he’s the reason Roe realized that he’s bi. Roe has no idea how much Jake’s been struggling with something that pertains to him.
Jake is coming to terms with his sexuality. He’s working through some past trauma and trying to figure out who he is in regards to that aspect of his identity. (Jake’s parents - especially his mother -are a piece of work). He’s a fantastic dad. He’s a great friend to Nikki. Even though this book is told from Roe’s POV, I found myself still rooting for Jake in this story, like I was in the last one. He really comes into his own in this book.
Roe and Sandra are going through some things. Like a lot of things. I felt for Sandra and her postpartum reality, but I felt for Roe and the kids as well. It was a difficult situation all around. Couple that with the fact that Jake and Roe are dealing with their feelings for one another, want to be together, but know they can’t. Multiple characters in this book hurt, but it’s especially true for our MCs.
Roe and Jake are #bestie goals. The genuine love they have for one another is really special. It’s obvious that they are meant to be in one another’s lives. Plus the way they dote on one another’s kids is seriously sweet! I loved Nikki and Haley in this book as well. The guys definitely have a strong support system in this novel. Even Sandra’s mom is a big help!
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. I love how Jake and Roe’s story spans years. There’s a good amount of build up and the HEA is so well deserved. This book will take you on an emotional journey, but it’s a really lovely read.
Note: I really try to avoid spoilers because I know how much of a bummer they can be, but I will give this warning because it may trigger some people… If cheating in fiction is a hard no for you, (and I get it if it is), there are some aspects of this book that you may not like...and maybe you should pass on. That said, if you can push through and give it a chance, this story is so worth it! It really will melt your heart. Dee is a master at giving us all of the emotions! There’s some angst in this story, but gah is there some happiness too! You should definitely check this book out when it releases on June 2nd.
I love a good epilogue. I cannot wait for This Won’t Hurt - the 15K word epilogue to this duet, also out (on Cara Dee’s website) June 2nd!
May 29, 2023
What a journey!!
Jake and Roe their lives are inextricably entwined with each other. Their work, hobbies, friendship, and families are linked and they are inseparable. They know each other better than anyone else, they love each other.
And that’s the problem, there are feelings, mountains of feelings all buried deep down.
I almost couldn’t watch them to be honest, it was so hard and painful.
“Attracted.
Possessive.
Embarrassed.”
Look at their friendship! Look at their lives! Look how far they came, look at the mess, I mean, read it yourself and you know what I mean.
“ If only right didn’t feel completely wrong.”
The story is way wider than a focus on their relationship, way wider, amazingly wider and so so good!
I got thick goosebumps and blurry eyes, what a journey, what a glorious story.
A MUST READ!
Jake and Roe their lives are inextricably entwined with each other. Their work, hobbies, friendship, and families are linked and they are inseparable. They know each other better than anyone else, they love each other.
And that’s the problem, there are feelings, mountains of feelings all buried deep down.
I almost couldn’t watch them to be honest, it was so hard and painful.
“Attracted.
Possessive.
Embarrassed.”
Look at their friendship! Look at their lives! Look how far they came, look at the mess, I mean, read it yourself and you know what I mean.
“ If only right didn’t feel completely wrong.”
The story is way wider than a focus on their relationship, way wider, amazingly wider and so so good!
I got thick goosebumps and blurry eyes, what a journey, what a glorious story.
A MUST READ!
June 2, 2023
Happy that Roe and Jake got their HEA, without too much additional drama from ex-wives and stupid bigoted parents. I have to say they strongly reminded me of Gray and Darius inasmuch as they were very family orientated, and in fact Gray did make an appearance as did Camassia Cove. A story detailing the next 10 years of their lives is available for purchase on Cara's website.
July 20, 2023
It was okay, but it was so. damn. long. I felt like there were a lot of extra side things that were unnecessarily put into the story to try to tie into previous characters. I really loved Jake's character, and in the beginning, really loved Roe until the whole Sandra storyline happened. I know it was for the purpose of the story, but it always felt off and forced. The time jumps were sometimes hard to follow, and the flow would get thrown off. Then, the last few years were all sort of crammed into the end to try to tie up all loose ends. 🤷🏼♀️
December 20, 2024
Re-read: I'm not a big fan of angst, but I AM a mega fan of Cara's. I figured I'd do a re-read of this series since it's been awhile, and I could read the two books + novella back to back this time.
I like the first book more than this one. I love Jake and Roe's story, their careers, their families...but it takes FOREVER for them to get together. 1.5 books before they give up all pretenses and finally go all in? I'm not about that.
Now I'm off to read the novella because at least that's all one big HEA.
***************
There was a month between reading book one and two in this series, and the hurt never faded. Roe and Jake had my heart in a chokehold because they were denying themselves, and I HATE that. I guess I'm selfish, but I just want characters to make happy choices, okay? Because sometimes in real life we don't and it makes me sad. But at the same time, these characters and their story felt so real because of all the hurts and the happiness mixed together.
This book wasn't easy. It wasn't all hurt in book one and all happiness in book two. Roe and Jake still had a lot to process about themselves and choices to make and decisions to stand behind. This book spanned years, just like the first. They take steps forward and steps back. They love and they hurt. They finally get their HEA, but the path is a long one.
I still really love their jobs, and it was cool to read the evolution of how they started to the huge success they were by the end of this book. That's one advantage to a book written over so much time, even if it's not my favorite way to read a story.
Cara is my favorite MM author hands down, and I loved all the cameos from her other books. So many of my favs were mentioned, even if just briefly, which I adored.
Overall, the HEA that Roe and Jake fought for was hard but worth it. I'm off to read their novella length epilogue, and I'm curious to see how much more I like this series when I do a re-read eventually.
I like the first book more than this one. I love Jake and Roe's story, their careers, their families...but it takes FOREVER for them to get together. 1.5 books before they give up all pretenses and finally go all in? I'm not about that.
Now I'm off to read the novella because at least that's all one big HEA.
***************
There was a month between reading book one and two in this series, and the hurt never faded. Roe and Jake had my heart in a chokehold because they were denying themselves, and I HATE that. I guess I'm selfish, but I just want characters to make happy choices, okay? Because sometimes in real life we don't and it makes me sad. But at the same time, these characters and their story felt so real because of all the hurts and the happiness mixed together.
This book wasn't easy. It wasn't all hurt in book one and all happiness in book two. Roe and Jake still had a lot to process about themselves and choices to make and decisions to stand behind. This book spanned years, just like the first. They take steps forward and steps back. They love and they hurt. They finally get their HEA, but the path is a long one.
I still really love their jobs, and it was cool to read the evolution of how they started to the huge success they were by the end of this book. That's one advantage to a book written over so much time, even if it's not my favorite way to read a story.
Cara is my favorite MM author hands down, and I loved all the cameos from her other books. So many of my favs were mentioned, even if just briefly, which I adored.
Overall, the HEA that Roe and Jake fought for was hard but worth it. I'm off to read their novella length epilogue, and I'm curious to see how much more I like this series when I do a re-read eventually.
June 2, 2023
5 Stars (no one is surprised)
- Friends to Lovers
- High Angst
- Slow Burn
- Found Family
Picking up just a few months after we left off! (Thank god) I cannot tell you how stressed I was that this book would start with a massive time jump after the ending of book 1 put through my heart through a rusty blender.
The biggest time jump in this was maybe a year and a half? Pacing was similar to book 1 with snapshots through the years of Jake & Roe's important moments which I really enjoyed for a book that takes place over such a long timespan.
I'm obsessed with Jake and Roe and they will go on my "best of X trope" list in the friends to lovers category for sure.
If you really struggle with infidelity (within or outside the "main" couple) or high angst books I'd say read with caution but every rough heartbreaking part of this book 100% made sense in this story and issues like that were handled with a lot of care and internal struggle for the characters.
- Friends to Lovers
- High Angst
- Slow Burn
- Found Family
Picking up just a few months after we left off! (Thank god) I cannot tell you how stressed I was that this book would start with a massive time jump after the ending of book 1 put through my heart through a rusty blender.
The biggest time jump in this was maybe a year and a half? Pacing was similar to book 1 with snapshots through the years of Jake & Roe's important moments which I really enjoyed for a book that takes place over such a long timespan.
I'm obsessed with Jake and Roe and they will go on my "best of X trope" list in the friends to lovers category for sure.
If you really struggle with infidelity (within or outside the "main" couple) or high angst books I'd say read with caution but every rough heartbreaking part of this book 100% made sense in this story and issues like that were handled with a lot of care and internal struggle for the characters.
July 11, 2023
Giving this a 4 because while I still loved the book, the details of their work were so much more and that really dragged for me.
Also, I'm starting to notice a pattern with the author and unplanned pregnancies. 😂Goodness.
Also, I'm starting to notice a pattern with the author and unplanned pregnancies. 😂Goodness.
June 1, 2023
Je dois bien le reconnaître Cara Dee est allée bien au-delà de mes attentes ! Cette sublime seconde partie est un véritable coup foudre livresque ! J’irai même jusqu’à dire que de tous ses romans que j’ai pu lire, celui-ci est de très loin mon préféré. Un récit d’une beauté sans pareille où le chemin vers le bonheur sera long et difficile mais où le résultat en vaudra chaque étape douloureuse. Si vous cherchez une slow-burn romance à couper le souffle où rien n’est surfait, qui vous donne des papillons dans les ventres et qui vous mette en prime les étoiles pleins les yeux. Alors l’histoire de #JayRoe est exactement ce qu’il vous faut. Une petite merveille qui aura une place de choix dans ma bibliothèque papier. Et adorant plus que tout les épilogues, il me tarde de lire This Won’t Hurt et assister au grand final de Jake & Roe ainsi que de leur condor family qui sortira le 2 juin (sur le site de Cara Dee)!
>> Mon avis complet sur le blog: https://wp.me/p5AuT9-cHd <<
>> Mon avis complet sur le blog: https://wp.me/p5AuT9-cHd <<
May 24, 2023
Cara has done what Cara does best, destroyed me, made me cry, made me angry and then made me happy as fuck.
Holy shit this duology is one ride of hurt. Everybody hurts. I hurt. This is the most unconventional family love story, that’s crazy and shouldn’t work. But I love how it does. It’s so different and absolutely amazing.
I wanted to scream at these guys…why can’t people just talk before they get themselves in these stupid relationships because they think the other isn’t interested.
I adore both these guys but Jake, Jake has this way about him. So much confusion, hurt and so much love to give. I wanted to hold him through these 2 books. Then Roe, to see him get what he wants…I can’t express how magical their relationship is.
I have to mention their first steamy scene in this book as it is erotic, the build up over the last book to this moment..I was so turned on 😂 I was completely engulfed in that scene.
This is such a brilliant duology, I’m not normally a fan of kids in books and relationships, but Cara did a great job involving them but not letting them take the centre stage and I loved that. It made the whole book come together. The Condor family 🥹
Now I need the third little instalment of their ecology which I believe will be out on June 2nd on Cara’s website and I will be there!!
No more hurt now. Thank fuck.
Holy shit this duology is one ride of hurt. Everybody hurts. I hurt. This is the most unconventional family love story, that’s crazy and shouldn’t work. But I love how it does. It’s so different and absolutely amazing.
I wanted to scream at these guys…why can’t people just talk before they get themselves in these stupid relationships because they think the other isn’t interested.
I adore both these guys but Jake, Jake has this way about him. So much confusion, hurt and so much love to give. I wanted to hold him through these 2 books. Then Roe, to see him get what he wants…I can’t express how magical their relationship is.
I have to mention their first steamy scene in this book as it is erotic, the build up over the last book to this moment..I was so turned on 😂 I was completely engulfed in that scene.
This is such a brilliant duology, I’m not normally a fan of kids in books and relationships, but Cara did a great job involving them but not letting them take the centre stage and I loved that. It made the whole book come together. The Condor family 🥹
Now I need the third little instalment of their ecology which I believe will be out on June 2nd on Cara’s website and I will be there!!
No more hurt now. Thank fuck.
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