This Won't Hurt

This Will Hurt #2.5

by Cara Dee

THE EXTENDED EPILOGUE OF THIS WILL HURT II The honeymoon The kids The Congo The awards The podcast The vacation The food trucks The barbecue The love The condors ...with Roe Finlay and Jake Denver

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Novella, LGBT, Gay

78 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2023

About the author

​
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.

Reviews

[Ro {semi-hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

just a lil epilogue novella where each chapter is a time jump to the next year. there's zero plot and nothing real spicy, but i liked seeing the kids grow up since the Condor family seemed to be the focal point of the whole thing. i was hoping for more romance, maybe their honeymoon or something so i am somewhat disappointed but it was cute. it was nice to see how their life goes after all the drama and the struggle to finally get together.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to round off this excellent duet.

Cara gives is essentially the next twenty years of Jake and Roe’s story and, to be perfectly honest, she could have given me another twenty on top, and it still wouldn't be enough.

I adore this pair, I adore their family, and this was a joy to read.

[book_reader_addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️I love these characters so much❤️ And reading about their next 10 years of just love and happiness ❤️ I’m crying, it was so good❤️ I’ll miss them❤️
🌶️🌶️

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick little novella highlighting more of Roe and Jake's HEA. Loved it.

[Dana Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing all the little glimpses of their lives over the next ten years. Especially with the kids. It was really nice.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝ 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢, 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚏 𝚠𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔. 𝚂𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚗𝚘. 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝙸 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚑𝚒𝚖. 𝚃𝚘 𝚖𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚍, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚜? ❞

⭐ 4.1/5
🌶 1.7/5
💦 5/10「cliterature wetometer​」
💬 first-person, single POV「Roe's」
🏳‍🌈 MM

🪹 big family, slice of life
🪹 low-angst, lighthearted
🪹 few hot spicy scenes
🪹 lots of love & well-deserved HEA
🪹 extended epilogue, not a standalone
🪹 really enjoyed it but tbh this one dragged a little & i found myself being bored a few times🫣
⚠️ CW: mention of a family member's death, grief

[Tanathebookworm_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Cara wanted to write an extended epilogue for Roe & Jake. I am someone who wants to know where characters end up 1, 5, 10, 20 years down the line so I appreciated this novella. Seeing Colin & Casper becoming a mini Jake & Roe with their documentary series was cute. I loved seeing where all the other characters ended up and getting glimpses into Roe & Jake's very happy, fulfilled life. I love this big, blended family very much.


It was a nice moment. I took some pictures and cuddled up with Sam, all while missing Jake. Was that ever gonna go away? Over the years, before and after we got together officially, people asked us if we ever wanted a break. Since we lived together, worked together, raised our family together. But no. Not once had I felt I needed a night on my own or something. Not from him. To me, the question alone was weird, because it was like asking, do you ever need a break from your lungs?

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not a standalone, this book is one long epilogue covering the years after the end of This Will Hurt and This Will Hurt II all the way to 2030 when Jake and Roe reach their forties. They and their blended family have much to learn, much to do, and the kids have much growth ahead of them, emotionally and physically.

No wonder Cara Dee couldn't let their story end. This couple is memorable, endearing, enduring, and has wormed their way deep into my heart. This epilogue is worth so much more than the dollar value. Their story, their love and commitment and family values, and their extended family are all exemplary and I'm very happy to have been there for their milestones. Dream on, guys. The best is yet to come.

[Anna001 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and very sweet. This doesn't add anything new to the couple's story, and could def be skipped unless you're a huge Roe/Jake fan. There isn't much plot, just quick and short vignettes with heavy focus on the children, that span many years into the future after the end of This Will Hurt II. I should probably mention that while the overwhelming flavour of this novella is sweet (at times almost saccharine), there is some discussion about Roe's ex wife Sandra's continuing issues with bonding to her younger kids, and the negative impacts this has on her older child. Some may also find the depiction of the less positive divorce between Sandra and Roe a bit of a downer, although Sandra is not actually on page at any point nor do any of the stories feature direct conflict. Basically, Sandra is much the same as she was at the end of the last book in the series, and Nikki (Jake's ex wife) is a paragon. YMMV.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the extended epilogue for the story of Roe Finlay and Jake Denver. It is a list of moments that chronicle the future of the couple's life together after overcoming their major conflicts. The short, evocative phrases suggest a journey that includes major milestones (The honeymoon, The kids, The awards), their ongoing professional partnership (The podcast, The Congo), everyday life (The food trucks, The barbecue, The vacation), and the enduring core of their relationship (The love). In short, it teases a look at the happy and adventurous life they build together.

I really enjoyed experiencing their lives after the previous books in the series. I loved the way that they supported the children with their own interests no matter what that was. This book was like an extended happily ever after that will make you smile. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Molly]

After all that I was definitely invested in how everything turned out with the kids and families, so I bought the epilogue novella from the authors website. This definitely gave some closure on how the decisions of Jake and Roe played out to their kids. Their families are such a huge part of their lives and that never changes. It was so nice to finally see Jake and Roe living their lives together on every level, being openly affectionate and romantic with one another. A satisfying end to their decades long journey.

Read if you like:
• friends to lovers
• slow burn
• single dad
• found family

•••••••••••••••••••••

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want their story to end!!!! The perfect snippets of Roe and Jake through the years, the happiness, the love, the epilogue. If I could give this series more than 5 stars I would. Cara Dee not since the Auctioned series have you turned me inside out like this one. ❤️❤️

[DanielleGN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this third book in the duet. I loved reading about the continuation of Jake and Roe, the family trips and work adventures, how the kids have grown and the amazing family bonds. I did not want this to end!

[Amanda Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love extended epilogues. Although I have to say this is probably the first one I've read like it. It was great cuz I could never get enough of this family and world this author has created. Like give me more!

[Kaneatsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best romance I've ever read.
Started a week ago, just finished yesterday.
I truly feel like I've followed Jake, Roe and their beautiful family for twenty years... this story is amazing and freaking perfect.
I can't express how much I loved it omg.

Thank you Cara Dee, you are the best.

[Wicked Witch of the Words · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed sth quick to read and I went to my fave author’s shelf.
I like Jake and Roe, don’t get me wrong but this book is mostly about their family and honestly I couldn’t care less about their kids.
Just the couple matters.
But anyway, it had its lovely moments ❤️

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh. I loved seeing these two nothing but happy. They deserve it so much. And yes. The last couple sentences made me cry like a baby. SHOCKER I KNOW 🤣

[Natalie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll never get enough of Jake and Roe 💜

This was exactly what I needed. I love jake and Roe and their blended family. This is a definite must read after reading the duet

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my review of This Will Hurt II, I mentioned that the ending felt much more like a beginning. Dee obviously felt the same way, which made this extended epilogue to the duet even more perfect.

[Jessica (jpbooklife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything I wanted for Roe and Jake. I loved them so much and this extended epilogue have me all the warm and fuzzy feelings I craved.

[Mariar53 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it so so so so much!!!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic wrapup to this series! I loved this family and wish this story could just go on forever. Well done, Cara!

[Addicted · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 Stars

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad we got this fantastic epilogue and more time with Roe, Jake and their family!

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say here. Basically an extended epilogue. Sweet, but not much added to the story.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writing from Cara as always, but this should have been one book for parts one, two and three, annoying that they are separate.

[Pimm Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extended epilogue spanning the next few years for Jake and Roe. Great short read.

[Andreja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it did hurt and now I'm bawling my eyes out. I'm a mess. What an ending to a wonderful series.

[NTDan · Rating 3 out of 5]

the end made me feel sad
the rest of the novella is eh tho

[Zuckerplum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. And I love this extended epilogue - so satisfying.