What do you think?
Rate this book
The Isle #2
Isle of Wishes
Sequel to The Isle of… Where?
After a whirlwind vacation on the Isle of Wight, where he found the love of his life, Sam Owens sends Liam Marshall home to Michigan to tie up loose ends so they can be together forever. When all communication with Liam goes silent, Sam worries. Fearing the worst, he enlists the help of his brother, British Metropolitan police officer Paul Owens, to help him find Liam and get him back safely in time for their wedding. Paul has little difficulty digging into this mystery across the pond. Paul is also good-looking and openly bisexual, all of which adds to the dismay of Wisconsin Detective Olaf Skandik.
Olaf is ex-military and still closeted now that he’s part of the police department. He’s frustrated, hemmed in by the walls he’s erected, and when he meets Paul, he wonders if this may be the time and opportunity for change. Looking into his brother’s missing fiancé, Paul also starts looking into Olaf, and business soon mixes with pleasure, a bit of romance that may strengthen his case for them to make a future together.
After a whirlwind vacation on the Isle of Wight, where he found the love of his life, Sam Owens sends Liam Marshall home to Michigan to tie up loose ends so they can be together forever. When all communication with Liam goes silent, Sam worries. Fearing the worst, he enlists the help of his brother, British Metropolitan police officer Paul Owens, to help him find Liam and get him back safely in time for their wedding. Paul has little difficulty digging into this mystery across the pond. Paul is also good-looking and openly bisexual, all of which adds to the dismay of Wisconsin Detective Olaf Skandik.
Olaf is ex-military and still closeted now that he’s part of the police department. He’s frustrated, hemmed in by the walls he’s erected, and when he meets Paul, he wonders if this may be the time and opportunity for change. Looking into his brother’s missing fiancé, Paul also starts looking into Olaf, and business soon mixes with pleasure, a bit of romance that may strengthen his case for them to make a future together.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2013
28 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Sue Brown
140 books840 followersHot guys, big hearts, Sue's world.
Sue Brown is a Londoner with a dream to live on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance with hot guys loving each other, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
Sue Brown is a Londoner with a dream to live on a small island. Coffee fuels her addiction to writing romance with hot guys loving each other, and her Adorkadog snores in harmony as she creates.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 23, 2023
I wasn’t crazy about this book. I just never felt like there was just one story going on. It felt like cleaning the house, but not finishing one room before you start something else. I know the story of Paul and Olaf continues in the next book, but I don’t really feel like reading that right now. I listened to this and I don’t care for the narrator. He reads well, but I don’t care for his voice and it distracts me from the story. I have the next book as an audiobook as well so there’s that. I’ll come bake to it later.
August 26, 2013
3.5 stars.
In this sequel to The Isle of... Where? the focus is on Sam's brother Paul, an openly bi-sexual police officer, and the American detective Olaf Skandik. The two meet in the States when Liam disappears and Sam and Paul fly out to Wisconsin to try to find out what happened to him. That situation is quickly sorted out, but the sparks fly between the closeted Olaf and the out and proud Paul.
It was good to catch up with Sam and Liam, about 3 years after the first book, they are now planning their wedding and Liam is finalizing his move to the Island. I enjoyed the chemistry between Paul and Olaf, and we know from the first book that the Owens men fall fast, but I found the relationship to be a little too rushed. Neither men were ever up for a commitment, but after spending a few days together they are basically exclusive (but not insta-love) even though they are an ocean apart. Regardless it was fun seeing the Owens family again and their immediate all-encompassing acceptance of Olaf. Sam and Liam's wedding scene was beautiful. I also enjoyed the way Sue Brown allowed Olaf and Paul to experience a bit of life in both the US and the UK.
As other reviewers have mentioned the book ends without a final decision on what Olaf and Paul are going to do, but it was pretty well hinted at what will happen. Guess we'll just have to find out when the next one comes out.
In this sequel to The Isle of... Where? the focus is on Sam's brother Paul, an openly bi-sexual police officer, and the American detective Olaf Skandik. The two meet in the States when Liam disappears and Sam and Paul fly out to Wisconsin to try to find out what happened to him. That situation is quickly sorted out, but the sparks fly between the closeted Olaf and the out and proud Paul.
It was good to catch up with Sam and Liam, about 3 years after the first book, they are now planning their wedding and Liam is finalizing his move to the Island. I enjoyed the chemistry between Paul and Olaf, and we know from the first book that the Owens men fall fast, but I found the relationship to be a little too rushed. Neither men were ever up for a commitment, but after spending a few days together they are basically exclusive (but not insta-love) even though they are an ocean apart. Regardless it was fun seeing the Owens family again and their immediate all-encompassing acceptance of Olaf. Sam and Liam's wedding scene was beautiful. I also enjoyed the way Sue Brown allowed Olaf and Paul to experience a bit of life in both the US and the UK.
As other reviewers have mentioned the book ends without a final decision on what Olaf and Paul are going to do, but it was pretty well hinted at what will happen. Guess we'll just have to find out when the next one comes out.
August 25, 2013
If anything I enjoyed this even more than book 1. I can't write too much in this review or I'll give it all away, but it was a satisfying and sexy love story and I adored that we got to meet characters from book 1, not just as an afterthought but as a catalyst for the love affair for Paul and Olaf to happen. I couldn't put it down and I recommend it...
September 7, 2013
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
This is an outstanding sequel to The Isle of... Where?. Not only does the reader get to see Sam and Liam finally get their happily-ever-after but we are also able to watch Sam's player brother get his as well.
Paul is an openly bisexual player and not ashamed of it. Olaf Skandik is gay and deeply closeted with no intention of ever stepping out. The two men meet when Liam disappears without a trace in America when he is supposed to be finalizing everything so that he can finally move to the UK to marry Sam. Skandik is the detective investigating the disappearance in a small Wisconsin town. Sparks fly between Paul and Skandik but Liam and Sam come first. Once Liam is found (I refuse to type when or where) the two men hook up knowing that nothing can come of it when they live in different countries. But for the first time in his life, Paul wants more than just a hook up.
A lot happens for the two men as they work to get it right. Like the book before it, it ends with a few things left unresolved but they do finally get it together. I look forward to seeing where the author takes the series from here.
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is an outstanding sequel to The Isle of... Where?. Not only does the reader get to see Sam and Liam finally get their happily-ever-after but we are also able to watch Sam's player brother get his as well.
Paul is an openly bisexual player and not ashamed of it. Olaf Skandik is gay and deeply closeted with no intention of ever stepping out. The two men meet when Liam disappears without a trace in America when he is supposed to be finalizing everything so that he can finally move to the UK to marry Sam. Skandik is the detective investigating the disappearance in a small Wisconsin town. Sparks fly between Paul and Skandik but Liam and Sam come first. Once Liam is found (I refuse to type when or where) the two men hook up knowing that nothing can come of it when they live in different countries. But for the first time in his life, Paul wants more than just a hook up.
A lot happens for the two men as they work to get it right. Like the book before it, it ends with a few things left unresolved but they do finally get it together. I look forward to seeing where the author takes the series from here.
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this story... despite the fact the narrator's English accent kinda rivalled Dick Van Dyke's in Mary Poppins! Actually, it added to the charm of the story.
I loved Paul as much as - if not more than - I loved Sam in book 1. I want to keep reading this series and get to know more of the Owens and their friends.
I loved Paul as much as - if not more than - I loved Sam in book 1. I want to keep reading this series and get to know more of the Owens and their friends.
December 4, 2017
2,5 - 3 Insomma, non all'altezza del primo.
Storia raffazzonata, con due che passano dalla sveltina in terra straniera-senza pensieri (e occhio che sono bisessuale e contrario ai legami...), a "da qui all'eternità" in pochi capitoli.
L'autrice distribuisce continui spunti (i tre investimenti nello stesso luogo, le indagini...) che mi facevano sperare in una sottostoria (visto che i due sono entrambi poliziotti). Invece no, tanta carne al fuoco per poi sviluppare le solite quattro scene di sesso (peraltro piatto, con uno dei protagonisti che viene descritto come allampanato e si chiama Olaf. Io mi vedevo veramente il pupazzo di Frozen... per il gelo che mi ispirava).
Una storia d'amore che si sviluppa senza un vero perchè, e se non ci fosse tutta l'aggiunta del matrimonio della coppia del libro precedente, la famiglia simpatica di uno, nonchè l'anticipazione della storia della terza coppia, sarebbe davvero un episodio inutile.
Storia raffazzonata, con due che passano dalla sveltina in terra straniera-senza pensieri (e occhio che sono bisessuale e contrario ai legami...), a "da qui all'eternità" in pochi capitoli.
L'autrice distribuisce continui spunti (i tre investimenti nello stesso luogo, le indagini...) che mi facevano sperare in una sottostoria (visto che i due sono entrambi poliziotti). Invece no, tanta carne al fuoco per poi sviluppare le solite quattro scene di sesso (peraltro piatto, con uno dei protagonisti che viene descritto come allampanato e si chiama Olaf. Io mi vedevo veramente il pupazzo di Frozen... per il gelo che mi ispirava).
Una storia d'amore che si sviluppa senza un vero perchè, e se non ci fosse tutta l'aggiunta del matrimonio della coppia del libro precedente, la famiglia simpatica di uno, nonchè l'anticipazione della storia della terza coppia, sarebbe davvero un episodio inutile.
January 28, 2024
This book is half about the characters from #1, and half about Paul. At the end, it seems like the author forgot who was her protagonist, so weird is it. All characters are interchangeable, made worse by the mediocre narrator.
ETA: I just found out the story of Paul and Skandik is finished in the novelle The Isle #5.
ETA: I just found out the story of Paul and Skandik is finished in the novelle The Isle #5.
January 27, 2018
3.6 Stars
Slightly better than the first one but still Hella Insta-Love.
Slightly better than the first one but still Hella Insta-Love.
August 11, 2020
“The thing about love was that it caught you unawares, turned up in the most unexpected places, even when you weren't looking for it.” ~ Sarra Manning
When Paul Owens flies with his brother, Sam, to hunt for Liam, Sam’s fiancé, he gets more than he is bargaining for when he meets Detective Olaf Skandik. Skandik is one of the officers who takes their report on Liam to determine whether he is truly missing and if they have a case that merits investigation. It’s hard not to be impressed by the tall, handsome “Viking-like” specimen of a man. Paul could not have known where that attraction would lead.
After determining that Liam is truly missing, the police begin an investigation. Not content to wait for them to get back to them, Paul starts snooping around. He finds pertinent information and reports it to the officers. Skandik chastises him for interfering, but at the same time is impressed by his tenacity and ability to come up with information that they had not previously obtained. It is not Skandik’s case, but he promises to look into it for Paul. After this, Paul and Skandik begin to work together and make good progress. Neither can ignore the growing attraction for the other, although neither are able to admit it to themselves, much less to each other.
The men are soon on a first name basis. At first, Paul isn’t sure about Skandik’s sexual orientation, but from some of the lingering looks he has received from him, he guesses that Skandik is gay. Paul is an out and proud bisexual which is apparent from the start. Finally, they have “the discussion” in which Skandik admits that he is gay, but very deep in the closet. It’s something he is determined not to change. In spite of that, Paul decides that he wants to get to know Skandik better, preferably in a biblical sense, keeping it casual, of course. They begin a passionate affair that both agree is a short-term fling, but soon, both men realize that they are in over their heads. Neither have ever felt this way about another person and don’t know quite what to do with it, but declare their feelings for each other and what they can do about their situation of being in two different countries. Skandik admits that he has grown weary of police work and is thinking about getting out of the business. They even discuss the possibility of him coming to Great Britain, but as Paul leaves, Skandik asks him for time to consider it, going as far as to say he is not sure he can pick up and leave his family, even for Paul.
Watching Paul, the “brat” of the family, getting caught in the clutches of love was amusing and satisfying. Sam and Liam are as adorable as ever. Thanks, Sue. This story is a great addition to the ongoing saga of the Owens family. I look forward to getting to know them better.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
When Paul Owens flies with his brother, Sam, to hunt for Liam, Sam’s fiancé, he gets more than he is bargaining for when he meets Detective Olaf Skandik. Skandik is one of the officers who takes their report on Liam to determine whether he is truly missing and if they have a case that merits investigation. It’s hard not to be impressed by the tall, handsome “Viking-like” specimen of a man. Paul could not have known where that attraction would lead.
After determining that Liam is truly missing, the police begin an investigation. Not content to wait for them to get back to them, Paul starts snooping around. He finds pertinent information and reports it to the officers. Skandik chastises him for interfering, but at the same time is impressed by his tenacity and ability to come up with information that they had not previously obtained. It is not Skandik’s case, but he promises to look into it for Paul. After this, Paul and Skandik begin to work together and make good progress. Neither can ignore the growing attraction for the other, although neither are able to admit it to themselves, much less to each other.
The men are soon on a first name basis. At first, Paul isn’t sure about Skandik’s sexual orientation, but from some of the lingering looks he has received from him, he guesses that Skandik is gay. Paul is an out and proud bisexual which is apparent from the start. Finally, they have “the discussion” in which Skandik admits that he is gay, but very deep in the closet. It’s something he is determined not to change. In spite of that, Paul decides that he wants to get to know Skandik better, preferably in a biblical sense, keeping it casual, of course. They begin a passionate affair that both agree is a short-term fling, but soon, both men realize that they are in over their heads. Neither have ever felt this way about another person and don’t know quite what to do with it, but declare their feelings for each other and what they can do about their situation of being in two different countries. Skandik admits that he has grown weary of police work and is thinking about getting out of the business. They even discuss the possibility of him coming to Great Britain, but as Paul leaves, Skandik asks him for time to consider it, going as far as to say he is not sure he can pick up and leave his family, even for Paul.
Watching Paul, the “brat” of the family, getting caught in the clutches of love was amusing and satisfying. Sam and Liam are as adorable as ever. Thanks, Sue. This story is a great addition to the ongoing saga of the Owens family. I look forward to getting to know them better.
NOTE: The first edition of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 3, 2023
Isle of Wishes is the second book in ‘The Isle’ series. It stars Paul Owens, a British Met police officer, and Olaf Skandik, a Wisconsin Detective. This is told in third person from Paul’s pov.
This is the first book dealing with the relationship between Paul and Olaf. I, unfortunately, didn’t read this series in order. I read, A Body in His Bed, which is a spin-off of this series, and that stars Paul and Olaf. I was lost in that book, because I hadn’t read this one first. It talked about Paul being a man-wh**e and he didn’t seem like it in that book. In this one Paul shows what he’s like before he meets Owen. Read this book first if you don’t want to get lost reading, ‘A Skandik and Owen’s Mystery’ series.
The blurb does a decent job of mentioning the plot but there’s some points I want to cover. I’ve read numerous books by this author, and I’ve noticed that if they write a mystery into the plot, they never fully delve into the mystery. The mystery is more of a subplot to backup the main romance plot. Part of the problem is, the author ends solving the mysteries as, ‘they found the culprit, it was taken care of and they were charged.’ Magical solutions without the emotional satisfaction of tying up the action and culprits in the mystery. That’s what happened in this story too. The mystery of who hurt Sam was cleared up with vague hand-waving and a snap of the fingers. It was annoying.
We’re shown Paul’s reputation of sleeping with anyone that walked in this book. He was out, loud, and didn’t give a donkey’s a** about what people thought about how he behaved. The youngest of the Owens boys, he got pushed around a lot so maybe that had something to do with his behavior. Surprisingly, he also seemed to be a romantic and fell hard for Olaf at first sight. Olaf was deep in the closet, extremely afraid to reveal even a tiny bit that he was gay. He also fell hard for Paul. I liked watching Olaf slowly come out of the closet. The story ends on them having a HFN, but knowing those two, they’ll have to work for their HEA.
There were a few inconsistencies throughout this book, along with quite a few grammar errors.
Overall Isle of Wishes filled in the background of Paul, the wayward Owen brother, the most. The solving of who was responsible for Sam’s situation was poorly written and very disappointing. I give this book, 3 Stars.
This is the first book dealing with the relationship between Paul and Olaf. I, unfortunately, didn’t read this series in order. I read, A Body in His Bed, which is a spin-off of this series, and that stars Paul and Olaf. I was lost in that book, because I hadn’t read this one first. It talked about Paul being a man-wh**e and he didn’t seem like it in that book. In this one Paul shows what he’s like before he meets Owen. Read this book first if you don’t want to get lost reading, ‘A Skandik and Owen’s Mystery’ series.
The blurb does a decent job of mentioning the plot but there’s some points I want to cover. I’ve read numerous books by this author, and I’ve noticed that if they write a mystery into the plot, they never fully delve into the mystery. The mystery is more of a subplot to backup the main romance plot. Part of the problem is, the author ends solving the mysteries as, ‘they found the culprit, it was taken care of and they were charged.’ Magical solutions without the emotional satisfaction of tying up the action and culprits in the mystery. That’s what happened in this story too. The mystery of who hurt Sam was cleared up with vague hand-waving and a snap of the fingers. It was annoying.
We’re shown Paul’s reputation of sleeping with anyone that walked in this book. He was out, loud, and didn’t give a donkey’s a** about what people thought about how he behaved. The youngest of the Owens boys, he got pushed around a lot so maybe that had something to do with his behavior. Surprisingly, he also seemed to be a romantic and fell hard for Olaf at first sight. Olaf was deep in the closet, extremely afraid to reveal even a tiny bit that he was gay. He also fell hard for Paul. I liked watching Olaf slowly come out of the closet. The story ends on them having a HFN, but knowing those two, they’ll have to work for their HEA.
There were a few inconsistencies throughout this book, along with quite a few grammar errors.
Overall Isle of Wishes filled in the background of Paul, the wayward Owen brother, the most. The solving of who was responsible for Sam’s situation was poorly written and very disappointing. I give this book, 3 Stars.
August 30, 2013
4.5 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
While on a brief trip back to the States to finalise everything before moving permanently to London, Sam's fiancé, Liam Marshall, disappears on his way to visit the daughter and ex-wife of his deceased best friend, Alex. After three days of hearing nothing or being able to get hold of Liam, Sam, desperately scared that something terrible has happened, begs his younger brother for help. Paul Owens, a beat cop, immediately agrees to accompany his big brother to Douglas, Michigan to find the missing Liam. When they get there, they find out the hire car Liam was driving to see Tea and Kathy was reported stolen and had been found by the police in Kelder, about two-thirds of the way to Milwaukee. After explaining the situation to the detective handling the stolen car case, it becomes a missing persons case and is handed over to another detective - the delectable, but somewhat abrasive, Olaf Skandik.
Paul is happily bisexual and is very attracted to the sexy, tall detective with the beautiful blue-green eyes, but they don't exactly get off to a good first impression. At first, Skandik comes across as treating the disappearance as a trivial matter, but when he overhears the brothers stating their fears of this, he assures them that this isn't the case. When Paul learns of the newsworthy case Skandik had been dealing with, they share an understanding bond as fellow cops. Later that day, the brothers are at the mall where Liam's hire car was found, piecing together his movements, when Skandik calls to tell them he's found two John Does matching the description of Liam. One is in the hospital undergoing surgery, and the other is at the morgue.
The thirty-eight year old Skandik is ex-military with a family that are totally unaccepting of gays, both of which had made sure he remained very firmly in the back of the closet. The police station where he was didn't make it any easier to find his way out of that closet. He's always been content to go out of state for hookups and hadn't particularly missed having relationships, but when Paul comes along he finds himself surprised at his desire to have Paul and willingness to risk being outed to do it. Even in the few days they spend together while investigating what happened to Liam, Olaf realises he does want more and he wants it with Paul. Poor Olaf, I could really feel his loneliness and longing to have someone, to have Paul, in his life to care about him. Paul has always been a player, but he's also charming and honest about it. A one time roll in the sack? He's your man. A relationship? Best be looking for someone else. But it looks like the gorgeous American might just be the man for him. A genuinely nice guy, he's secure and happy within himself. He loves his large and overly intrusive family - a contrast to Skandik's more distant upbringing.
What a truly lovely book! Two-thirds the way through; It was after 2am and my eyes were threatening to close themselves for me if I wasn't going to do it voluntarily, but I did not want to stop reading! Well written, wonderful characters, great dialogue. Sam and Liam, their wedding and the rest of the clan were seamlessly folded into the story without ever taking away from Paul and Olaf's story being front and centre.
I adored both the MCs. In fact, I genuinely liked all the characters. They were real and full of life, even the minor characters were injected with personality. I loved the relationship between the two brothers right from the start. Skandik states early on in the book that you can tell Paul and Sam are brothers, and you really can. Anyone with siblings will recognise that combination of comradery, exasperation, playful teasing, rivalry, affection and loyalty. I really loved the complex relationships between the Owenses and the build up to Sam and Liam's wedding. You'd think that Sam and Liam, with their wedding, would take over Paul and Olaf's story, but although it definitely was prominent in the story, the author treads that line perfectly and keeps the focus where it should be. There was a lot of little moments of humour, but it felt very organic and never slapstick and just made an enjoyable read even more so.
The development of Paul and Olaf's romance was a joy to read, realistically drawn and true to their characters. Despite Olaf being very deep in the closet, it was due to his work and not because of conflict with or denial of his sexuality. Nothing felt forced or unnecessary, both the writing and story flowing naturally. While relationship obstacles were definitely there, they were handled believably - angst free without being flippant. A couple of little things that could have been fixed: there were some contradictions within the text and, I found the continuing use of Olaf's last name to feel a bit distancing, although this does ease off in the last third of the book. All in all, both were very minor and did no more than make me scratch my head a few times. The ending was rather abrupt, but I'm crossing my fingers that that is because there is a another book to the series being planned. *squeezes eyes shut and wishes really hard* But that's not to say that the ending is in any way anything other than positive, although I would class it as a HFN rather than a HEA due to it's open endedness. Oh, and the little reference to the title of the first book in the series made me smile.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
While on a brief trip back to the States to finalise everything before moving permanently to London, Sam's fiancé, Liam Marshall, disappears on his way to visit the daughter and ex-wife of his deceased best friend, Alex. After three days of hearing nothing or being able to get hold of Liam, Sam, desperately scared that something terrible has happened, begs his younger brother for help. Paul Owens, a beat cop, immediately agrees to accompany his big brother to Douglas, Michigan to find the missing Liam. When they get there, they find out the hire car Liam was driving to see Tea and Kathy was reported stolen and had been found by the police in Kelder, about two-thirds of the way to Milwaukee. After explaining the situation to the detective handling the stolen car case, it becomes a missing persons case and is handed over to another detective - the delectable, but somewhat abrasive, Olaf Skandik.
Paul is happily bisexual and is very attracted to the sexy, tall detective with the beautiful blue-green eyes, but they don't exactly get off to a good first impression. At first, Skandik comes across as treating the disappearance as a trivial matter, but when he overhears the brothers stating their fears of this, he assures them that this isn't the case. When Paul learns of the newsworthy case Skandik had been dealing with, they share an understanding bond as fellow cops. Later that day, the brothers are at the mall where Liam's hire car was found, piecing together his movements, when Skandik calls to tell them he's found two John Does matching the description of Liam. One is in the hospital undergoing surgery, and the other is at the morgue.
The thirty-eight year old Skandik is ex-military with a family that are totally unaccepting of gays, both of which had made sure he remained very firmly in the back of the closet. The police station where he was didn't make it any easier to find his way out of that closet. He's always been content to go out of state for hookups and hadn't particularly missed having relationships, but when Paul comes along he finds himself surprised at his desire to have Paul and willingness to risk being outed to do it. Even in the few days they spend together while investigating what happened to Liam, Olaf realises he does want more and he wants it with Paul. Poor Olaf, I could really feel his loneliness and longing to have someone, to have Paul, in his life to care about him. Paul has always been a player, but he's also charming and honest about it. A one time roll in the sack? He's your man. A relationship? Best be looking for someone else. But it looks like the gorgeous American might just be the man for him. A genuinely nice guy, he's secure and happy within himself. He loves his large and overly intrusive family - a contrast to Skandik's more distant upbringing.
What a truly lovely book! Two-thirds the way through; It was after 2am and my eyes were threatening to close themselves for me if I wasn't going to do it voluntarily, but I did not want to stop reading! Well written, wonderful characters, great dialogue. Sam and Liam, their wedding and the rest of the clan were seamlessly folded into the story without ever taking away from Paul and Olaf's story being front and centre.
I adored both the MCs. In fact, I genuinely liked all the characters. They were real and full of life, even the minor characters were injected with personality. I loved the relationship between the two brothers right from the start. Skandik states early on in the book that you can tell Paul and Sam are brothers, and you really can. Anyone with siblings will recognise that combination of comradery, exasperation, playful teasing, rivalry, affection and loyalty. I really loved the complex relationships between the Owenses and the build up to Sam and Liam's wedding. You'd think that Sam and Liam, with their wedding, would take over Paul and Olaf's story, but although it definitely was prominent in the story, the author treads that line perfectly and keeps the focus where it should be. There was a lot of little moments of humour, but it felt very organic and never slapstick and just made an enjoyable read even more so.
The development of Paul and Olaf's romance was a joy to read, realistically drawn and true to their characters. Despite Olaf being very deep in the closet, it was due to his work and not because of conflict with or denial of his sexuality. Nothing felt forced or unnecessary, both the writing and story flowing naturally. While relationship obstacles were definitely there, they were handled believably - angst free without being flippant. A couple of little things that could have been fixed: there were some contradictions within the text and, I found the continuing use of Olaf's last name to feel a bit distancing, although this does ease off in the last third of the book. All in all, both were very minor and did no more than make me scratch my head a few times. The ending was rather abrupt, but I'm crossing my fingers that that is because there is a another book to the series being planned. *squeezes eyes shut and wishes really hard* But that's not to say that the ending is in any way anything other than positive, although I would class it as a HFN rather than a HEA due to it's open endedness. Oh, and the little reference to the title of the first book in the series made me smile.
June 7, 2014
Note: This audiobook was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
This sequel to The Isle of... Where? didn’t have the pace, substance, or passion of the first story. This is a review of the audiobook so my interpretation of the story was influenced by the narration.
As the story opens, Sam is frantic because he hasn’t heard from Liam in five days. Liam had returned to America to finalize the moving of his belongings and to bid farewell to Tia and Kathy, his best friend Alex’s ex-wife and daughter. He had spoken to Sam when he was about to depart to visit them, roughly eight hours away, but he dropped out of sight. Sam convinces his brother, Paul, a snarky, outspoken, bisexual cop, that they need to go to America to look for Liam because the American police are not doing enough.
What they discover when they get there is that Liam’s rental car has shown up in Calder, a small town on the way to Tia’s home, and when they get to the local police station to ask for assistance, they’re met by Detective Olaf Skandek. Tall, blond, and serious, he’s a man who will eventually become very important to Paul. When two John Does fitting Liam’s description show up— one in the morgue and one in the hospital, Paul sticks with Sam, and they find out that it’s Liam in the hospital, the victim of a hit and run. Due to Paul’s stubborn refusal to give up the search, and the things he finds out about the hit and run, the detective perceives him as a thorn in his side, but grudgingly admits that he’s helped with the case.
Deeply closeted, Skandek can’t afford to be outted or he’ll lose his job, a job that he loves. Nevertheless, spending time with Paul is creating an attraction between the two, and although Paul has to leave town after three days, the two get together and create some major heat before he leaves. Several weeks go by, and Paul is feeling totally dejected and depressed, when one of his good friends encourages him to call Olaf to see how he’s doing. Elated to hear from Paul, Olaf willingly engages in phone sex, and later in Skype sessions which frequently lead to video sex. It’s obvious that the two men belong together, and when Paul finds out that Sam has invited Olaf to his and Liam’s wedding, Paul is at first peeved, and later, thankful.
We never do find out if the two men will get their HEA, but it’s assumed and we do get to witness their reunion, Liam and Sam’s wedding, and a visit with all of Paul’s family, including Grandma Rose, another character from book one. The author leaves us with a cliffhanger, awaiting Olaf’s decision about his future.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the narrator’s style and was constantly pulled from the story while trying to figure out why the narration was bothering me. I had to rewind a few times to get back into the story itself. I eventually decided that the narrator’s pattern of speaking the narrative sections didn’t correspond with the way I perceived that those sentences should be pronounced. I found it to be too “singsong”, and there was not enough variation in speech pattern between the dialogue and the narrative segments. He did the male British accents quite well, though I didn’t care for the voice of Sam, which sounded very effeminate, almost campy, and Paul, which sounded harsh and crude. The women, from principal characters, to secondary, and those in a minor role, like the hospital nurses, all sounded condescending and snobby to me. So overall, the narration itself pulled down my appreciation of the story.
That being said, the story itself didn’t have much substance. There was some early drama with Liam being kidnapped, and then Paul and Olaf trying to solve the hit and run mystery. However, it wasn’t solved before Paul left America, and when Olaf came to visit Paul in the UK, he mentioned, in a very off-hand way, that they had found the driver. The balance of the story was about Sam and Liam, Liam’s recovery and marriage preparations, all very sweet and romantic, and about Paul and Olaf’s budding relationship which didn’t have much drama either. If you like your stories with lots of sugar, this one would be a good one to pick up.
This sequel to The Isle of... Where? didn’t have the pace, substance, or passion of the first story. This is a review of the audiobook so my interpretation of the story was influenced by the narration.
As the story opens, Sam is frantic because he hasn’t heard from Liam in five days. Liam had returned to America to finalize the moving of his belongings and to bid farewell to Tia and Kathy, his best friend Alex’s ex-wife and daughter. He had spoken to Sam when he was about to depart to visit them, roughly eight hours away, but he dropped out of sight. Sam convinces his brother, Paul, a snarky, outspoken, bisexual cop, that they need to go to America to look for Liam because the American police are not doing enough.
What they discover when they get there is that Liam’s rental car has shown up in Calder, a small town on the way to Tia’s home, and when they get to the local police station to ask for assistance, they’re met by Detective Olaf Skandek. Tall, blond, and serious, he’s a man who will eventually become very important to Paul. When two John Does fitting Liam’s description show up— one in the morgue and one in the hospital, Paul sticks with Sam, and they find out that it’s Liam in the hospital, the victim of a hit and run. Due to Paul’s stubborn refusal to give up the search, and the things he finds out about the hit and run, the detective perceives him as a thorn in his side, but grudgingly admits that he’s helped with the case.
Deeply closeted, Skandek can’t afford to be outted or he’ll lose his job, a job that he loves. Nevertheless, spending time with Paul is creating an attraction between the two, and although Paul has to leave town after three days, the two get together and create some major heat before he leaves. Several weeks go by, and Paul is feeling totally dejected and depressed, when one of his good friends encourages him to call Olaf to see how he’s doing. Elated to hear from Paul, Olaf willingly engages in phone sex, and later in Skype sessions which frequently lead to video sex. It’s obvious that the two men belong together, and when Paul finds out that Sam has invited Olaf to his and Liam’s wedding, Paul is at first peeved, and later, thankful.
We never do find out if the two men will get their HEA, but it’s assumed and we do get to witness their reunion, Liam and Sam’s wedding, and a visit with all of Paul’s family, including Grandma Rose, another character from book one. The author leaves us with a cliffhanger, awaiting Olaf’s decision about his future.
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the narrator’s style and was constantly pulled from the story while trying to figure out why the narration was bothering me. I had to rewind a few times to get back into the story itself. I eventually decided that the narrator’s pattern of speaking the narrative sections didn’t correspond with the way I perceived that those sentences should be pronounced. I found it to be too “singsong”, and there was not enough variation in speech pattern between the dialogue and the narrative segments. He did the male British accents quite well, though I didn’t care for the voice of Sam, which sounded very effeminate, almost campy, and Paul, which sounded harsh and crude. The women, from principal characters, to secondary, and those in a minor role, like the hospital nurses, all sounded condescending and snobby to me. So overall, the narration itself pulled down my appreciation of the story.
That being said, the story itself didn’t have much substance. There was some early drama with Liam being kidnapped, and then Paul and Olaf trying to solve the hit and run mystery. However, it wasn’t solved before Paul left America, and when Olaf came to visit Paul in the UK, he mentioned, in a very off-hand way, that they had found the driver. The balance of the story was about Sam and Liam, Liam’s recovery and marriage preparations, all very sweet and romantic, and about Paul and Olaf’s budding relationship which didn’t have much drama either. If you like your stories with lots of sugar, this one would be a good one to pick up.
June 21, 2015
Anyone who read The Isle of... Where? and needs a HAE for Sam and Liam complete with a needs to read Isle of Wishes.
Anyone who read The Isle of... Where? and needs to read it again but with different characters should read Isle of Wishes because a repeat of all the problems Sam and Liam faced are now there for British Metropolitan police officer Paul Owens and Wisconsin Police Detective Olaf Skandik.
Will their HFN turn into a joyous HEA or what? We just have to hope one of the other Owen's brothers is closeted so Sue Brown can drag him out of the closet and match him up with some other foreigner before the immigration workers gets suspicious so we can see the truly happy ending to Paul and Olaf's romance plus add yet another 'brother' to the Owens family with a yet another new British-American union.
PS: Isle of Waves doesn't count because it doesn't follow the plot pattern that's be set up of overseas insta-love Skype romances.
Anyone who read The Isle of... Where? and needs to read it again but with different characters should read Isle of Wishes because a repeat of all the problems Sam and Liam faced are now there for British Metropolitan police officer Paul Owens and Wisconsin Police Detective Olaf Skandik.
Will their HFN turn into a joyous HEA or what? We just have to hope one of the other Owen's brothers is closeted so Sue Brown can drag him out of the closet and match him up with some other foreigner before the immigration workers gets suspicious so we can see the truly happy ending to Paul and Olaf's romance plus add yet another 'brother' to the Owens family with a yet another new British-American union.
PS: Isle of Waves doesn't count because it doesn't follow the plot pattern that's be set up of overseas insta-love Skype romances.
May 14, 2016
I just love the way Sue Brown can spin a tale! I have no clue how she can keep everything straight with the characters being both English and American... but she manages to do it and to do it well! Paul certainly had an interestingly fresh outlook on life and love... or rather hook-ups! But, then he looked into Olaf's icy aquamarine eyes and BAM... well, actually after a few less than stellar incidents... suddenly words like "love" and "forever" were bouncing around in his head! I don't think I will ever get enough of the Owens family and it looks like there is more on the way as soon as I can find time to get started on Wig and Nibs story! *grin*
August 28, 2013
I sincerely hope that there is another book in this series because I was left with some questions that weren’t answered before the dreaded words “The End” appeared on my Kindle. I highly recommend this book and the first book of the series also. So head on over and pick up your copy and take a trip to the Isle of Wishes. You definitely won’t be disappointed.
You can read the rest of Jackie's review at The Novel Approach
You can read the rest of Jackie's review at The Novel Approach
August 27, 2013
A fun, sweet/sexy romance with a little mystery thrown into the first half. I really liked the 'I saw tomato, you say tom AH to' Brit vs US dialogue strewn throughout. The Owens family is priceless. I haven't read the first book yet, but was drawn to read this one. I works fine as a stand-alone.
Olaf sounds so big and beautiful. Can I have one of those, please?
Olaf sounds so big and beautiful. Can I have one of those, please?
March 2, 2020
This was a bit of a strange one. This instalment was to be Paul & Olaf's story and for the most part it was but their story ends abruptly leaving them and me with a sort of HFN. But thankfully Liam & Sam from The Isle of... Where? got their HEA which was funny and sweet.
I think my biggest issue with this one was how fast Paul & Olaf fell in love. After having only known each other for a few days and only spending, what seemed like, a few hours together it was much too fast for me. I also didn't feel the spark with these two although I really did like them. I'm hoping somewhere in the next instalments I'll get more of these guys and they'll get their HEA.
TAAGS
-- uniform/cop -- insta love/lust -- in the closet -- lost distance romance -- missing that spark -- made me chuckle -- sweet -- didn't knock my socks off -- likeable MCs... Paul & Olaf -- not a stand-a-lone -- will be reading more of this series
I think my biggest issue with this one was how fast Paul & Olaf fell in love. After having only known each other for a few days and only spending, what seemed like, a few hours together it was much too fast for me. I also didn't feel the spark with these two although I really did like them. I'm hoping somewhere in the next instalments I'll get more of these guys and they'll get their HEA.
TAAGS
-- uniform/cop -- insta love/lust -- in the closet -- lost distance romance -- missing that spark -- made me chuckle -- sweet -- didn't knock my socks off -- likeable MCs... Paul & Olaf -- not a stand-a-lone -- will be reading more of this series
January 5, 2018
Il primo libro di questa serie si era concluso con la ‘benedizione’ ufficiale di nonna Rose e Liam è divenuto un nuovo membro della famiglia Owens, deciso a trasferirsi in Gran Bretagna definitivamente e a formalizzare il suo legame con Sam, anche se il matrimonio gay non è ancora consentito.
Questo secondo libro riparte qualche tempo dopo e racconta le infinite difficoltà incontrate dai nostri eroi per coronare il loro sogno d’amore, tanto che sono stati costretti più volte a posticipare la data delle nozze.
Proprio quando sembra tutto quasi pronto, e Liam è tornato in America per sistemare le ultimissime faccende, la sua sparizione improvvisa e ingiustificata manda nel panico il povero Sam, che vola oltreoceano a cercarlo, aiutato da Paul, il fratello minore e poliziotto metropolitano.
La narrazione parte proprio tingendosi di giallo e l’ansia per le sorti del nostro futuro sposo fanno rimanere incollati per capire che fine abbia fatto. Il caso è affidato all’ispettore Olaf Skandik, che cattura immediatamente l’attenzione di Paul – apertamente bisessuale e felicemente farfallone senza impegni –, anche se il primo scambio fra i due non è dei migliori.
Mentre le indagini ufficiali proseguono, Sam e Paul investigano a modo loro e offrono spunti preziosi per la soluzione del mistero.
L’intera trama è incentrata su queste due coppie: sull’evoluzione del rapporto di Sam e Liam e sulle varie complicazioni che affronteranno mentre il loro amore si fa sempre più forte, e su Paul e Olaf, che è gay, ma non dichiarato. Paul è pronto a rimettere in gioco tutte le sue convinzioni, ma Olaf deve fare altrettanto e cambiare completamente la sua vita, se vuole seguire quello che gli dice il cuore.
Anche questo libro è all’insegna dell’‘istant love’ come il precedente, ma francamente non mi è dispiaciuto che abbiano bruciato le tappe, perché Paul e Olaf sono molto carini assieme e si completano alla perfezione.
Mentre Sam e Liam, dopo tanto patire, trovano il loro compimento, questa nuova coppia sta facendo i propri passi. Il libro non si chiude in un vero e proprio finale, dovremo attendere la fine della trilogia perché ci sia piena soddisfazione, anche se le cose sono già avviate.
A supportare i nostri protagonisti c’è un nutrito gruppo di amici e parenti, come sempre la numerosa famiglia Owens, che non è perfetta, ma offre amore e sostegno incondizionati.
Ho trovato questa storia piacevole e interessante, mescola scene più drammatiche ad altre divertenti e leggere, non mancano ironia e battibecchi, così come parti dolci e sensuali. Confesso che il primo libro mi aveva conquistata un po’ di più, ma questo resta comunque soddisfacente.
Avendo letto i due libri di filato, ho notato alcune sviste che non riguardano la traduzione nostrana – gradevole e ben fatta –, ma proprio alcune distrazioni dell’autrice (la scansione cronologica è prima sbagliata e poi corretta, viene attribuito un ruolo inesatto ad un personaggio citato e l’omonimia fra due personaggi può generare un po’ di confusione iniziale), ma francamente sono errori secondari e la storia generale non ne risente. A me è piaciuta e ve la consiglio.
Questo secondo libro riparte qualche tempo dopo e racconta le infinite difficoltà incontrate dai nostri eroi per coronare il loro sogno d’amore, tanto che sono stati costretti più volte a posticipare la data delle nozze.
Proprio quando sembra tutto quasi pronto, e Liam è tornato in America per sistemare le ultimissime faccende, la sua sparizione improvvisa e ingiustificata manda nel panico il povero Sam, che vola oltreoceano a cercarlo, aiutato da Paul, il fratello minore e poliziotto metropolitano.
La narrazione parte proprio tingendosi di giallo e l’ansia per le sorti del nostro futuro sposo fanno rimanere incollati per capire che fine abbia fatto. Il caso è affidato all’ispettore Olaf Skandik, che cattura immediatamente l’attenzione di Paul – apertamente bisessuale e felicemente farfallone senza impegni –, anche se il primo scambio fra i due non è dei migliori.
Mentre le indagini ufficiali proseguono, Sam e Paul investigano a modo loro e offrono spunti preziosi per la soluzione del mistero.
L’intera trama è incentrata su queste due coppie: sull’evoluzione del rapporto di Sam e Liam e sulle varie complicazioni che affronteranno mentre il loro amore si fa sempre più forte, e su Paul e Olaf, che è gay, ma non dichiarato. Paul è pronto a rimettere in gioco tutte le sue convinzioni, ma Olaf deve fare altrettanto e cambiare completamente la sua vita, se vuole seguire quello che gli dice il cuore.
Anche questo libro è all’insegna dell’‘istant love’ come il precedente, ma francamente non mi è dispiaciuto che abbiano bruciato le tappe, perché Paul e Olaf sono molto carini assieme e si completano alla perfezione.
Mentre Sam e Liam, dopo tanto patire, trovano il loro compimento, questa nuova coppia sta facendo i propri passi. Il libro non si chiude in un vero e proprio finale, dovremo attendere la fine della trilogia perché ci sia piena soddisfazione, anche se le cose sono già avviate.
A supportare i nostri protagonisti c’è un nutrito gruppo di amici e parenti, come sempre la numerosa famiglia Owens, che non è perfetta, ma offre amore e sostegno incondizionati.
Ho trovato questa storia piacevole e interessante, mescola scene più drammatiche ad altre divertenti e leggere, non mancano ironia e battibecchi, così come parti dolci e sensuali. Confesso che il primo libro mi aveva conquistata un po’ di più, ma questo resta comunque soddisfacente.
Avendo letto i due libri di filato, ho notato alcune sviste che non riguardano la traduzione nostrana – gradevole e ben fatta –, ma proprio alcune distrazioni dell’autrice (la scansione cronologica è prima sbagliata e poi corretta, viene attribuito un ruolo inesatto ad un personaggio citato e l’omonimia fra due personaggi può generare un po’ di confusione iniziale), ma francamente sono errori secondari e la storia generale non ne risente. A me è piaciuta e ve la consiglio.
August 18, 2013
Fantastic – if I would have to say one word! I loved this book. It can definitely compete with the first book “The Isle of … Where?” and that is always a question in my opinion as a sequel needs to box up to the first part always.
In this sequel, Sue Brown does that and even more.
In this book, we meet Paul, Sam’s brother (Sam is one of the MCs in the prequel) and we meet detective Olaf – a US cop. The plot thought over is genious because as the blurb says – they meet when Liam goes missing. And Sam & Paul travel across the world to search for him.
During the search they meet officer Olaf and there is some instant connection there. Both being officers of law by profession, they have common grounds and besides the fact that Olaf is in the closet, there is no stopping them. They seem to want to make most of the time they have.
As I mentioned before, what makes the book so special is other than the building relationship of the MC, this story also holds a good part of Sam and Liam and gives you more of the inside life of the Owens family. Something I really loved reading about. The Owens are a family to behold with granny Rose on the top of the hill.
The way the author weaves the family within the story is nearly perfect . It gives you the feeling of reading a family story and you want to learn more about them like what is that going around with Colin? and how about Danny and Tea?
The story tells itself, so I am not going to put many details in here as I want to focus on what the story will feel like for the reader. It is such an easy read that you’d get totally sucked up in the story and I, for one, had a really hard time to even put it aside. The writing flows. It makes you want to read on and on, not forgetting to mention the sexiness and the chemistry between these two MCs (Paul and Olaf) is sizzling – just like the evident love is there showing between the MCs from the first part (Liam and Sam).
The fact that all the characters of the first part (including Nibs and Wigs) are transported into this one makes it so much more entertaining and pleasurable than I could have imagined beforehand.
What leaves me to say that the author leaves us with some open questions here what I, in general, don’t like to be honest. But it also makes me feel very secure with the fact that there has to be coming more. I mean we need to get some permanent answers to some questions there – not only about the MCs but also, for example, the business of Nibs and Wigs.
I cannot do differently than rating this novel 5 stars and I recommend it whole heartedly.
To the author, Sue Brown - I only want to say thank you for a memorable read and please let me be right about the coming more part.
Complete review found at:
http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/08/...
In this sequel, Sue Brown does that and even more.
In this book, we meet Paul, Sam’s brother (Sam is one of the MCs in the prequel) and we meet detective Olaf – a US cop. The plot thought over is genious because as the blurb says – they meet when Liam goes missing. And Sam & Paul travel across the world to search for him.
During the search they meet officer Olaf and there is some instant connection there. Both being officers of law by profession, they have common grounds and besides the fact that Olaf is in the closet, there is no stopping them. They seem to want to make most of the time they have.
As I mentioned before, what makes the book so special is other than the building relationship of the MC, this story also holds a good part of Sam and Liam and gives you more of the inside life of the Owens family. Something I really loved reading about. The Owens are a family to behold with granny Rose on the top of the hill.
The way the author weaves the family within the story is nearly perfect . It gives you the feeling of reading a family story and you want to learn more about them like what is that going around with Colin? and how about Danny and Tea?
The story tells itself, so I am not going to put many details in here as I want to focus on what the story will feel like for the reader. It is such an easy read that you’d get totally sucked up in the story and I, for one, had a really hard time to even put it aside. The writing flows. It makes you want to read on and on, not forgetting to mention the sexiness and the chemistry between these two MCs (Paul and Olaf) is sizzling – just like the evident love is there showing between the MCs from the first part (Liam and Sam).
The fact that all the characters of the first part (including Nibs and Wigs) are transported into this one makes it so much more entertaining and pleasurable than I could have imagined beforehand.
What leaves me to say that the author leaves us with some open questions here what I, in general, don’t like to be honest. But it also makes me feel very secure with the fact that there has to be coming more. I mean we need to get some permanent answers to some questions there – not only about the MCs but also, for example, the business of Nibs and Wigs.
I cannot do differently than rating this novel 5 stars and I recommend it whole heartedly.
To the author, Sue Brown - I only want to say thank you for a memorable read and please let me be right about the coming more part.
Complete review found at:
http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/08/...
February 5, 2019
Ich gebe aufgerundete 4,5* - den Grund findet ihr nachfolgend:
Gespannt habe ich, seit ich erfahren habe, dass er kommen wird, auf den zweiten Band der “Strand-Serie” von Sue Brown, gewartet und wurde nicht enttäuscht. Die Geschichte von Paul und Olaf ist ein würdiger und vor allem direkter Anschluss ans erste Buch :-).
Waren Liam und Sam im ersten Buch schon ein Paar, dass man gerne durch ihre Geschichte begleitet hat, so stehen Paul und Olaf dem in nichts nach. Sie sind komplett andere Persönlichkeiten, jedoch in ihrer Art nicht weniger einnehmend. Die beiden sind nach außen stark und selbstbewusst, haben aber jeder für sich mit ganz eigenen Problemen zu kämpfen. Dies hält sie jedoch nicht davon ab, sich die gegenseitige Anziehungskraft einzugestehen und sich aufeinander einzulassen.
So ganz “nebenbei” klären sie das Verschwinden von Liam auf und sorgen somit dafür, dass für Liam und Sam endlich alles rundum gut wird. Paul und Olaf haben ebenfalls einen nicht ganz einfachen Weg zu beschreiten, lassen sich aber die Freiräume – u.a. auch bedingt durch die Entfernung, um alles ausreichend zu überdenken und sacken zu lassen. Im Laufe der Geschichte lernt man die Familie und auch Freunde von Sam und Paul kennen und lieben. Man merkt sehr wohl den Unterschied, ob jemand in der Familie Owens wirklich gemocht, einfach akzeptiert oder auch nur geduldet wird :-), letzteres ist eine Erfahrung, die man nicht unbedingt jedem wünscht *g*.
Auch bei Paul und Olaf ist es ein langer und nicht ganz einfacher Weg bis zum Happy End …
…und genau das ist das einzige Manko an dieser Geschichte, es gibt einen… Cliffhanger (ohne ihn gäbe es ohne Vorbehalt 5 , so ziehe ich ein halbes ab). Es ist schön zu wissen, dass die beiden sich aufeinander einlassen und es wohl trotz der Widrigkeiten miteinander versuchen wollen, aber ob und wie die Geschichte weitergeht, dafür hätte man mit Sicherheit eine andere Stelle für das “… to be continued…” finden können. So hörte die Geschichte für mich einfach auf :-(.
Dies wäre kein Problem, wenn man nicht wieder so lange auf die nachfolgende Übersetzung warten müsste….
(Liebe DSPler, dies ist ein Wink mit der Zaunlatte ;-) ).
Wenn Sue Brown das Schreibniveau auf diesem Level halten konnte (Band 3 gibt es ja bereits in englischer Sprache), dann kann man sich wirklich auf den nächsten Band freuen und übt sich bis dahin mehr oder minder entspannt in Geduld.
Jetzt stinkt es mir wieder gewaltig, dass meine Englischkenntnisse noch nicht wirklich dafür ausreichen, aber ich arbeite daran… langsam, ganz langsam und ja, ich werde nun mit genau diesem 3. Teil beginnen, denn
"Es wächst der Mensch mit seinen größeren Zielen" (Friedrich Schiller)
Dies allein sollte doch schon ausreichen, um zu beschreiben, wie gut mir die Serie bis hierher gefallen hat :-)
Gespannt habe ich, seit ich erfahren habe, dass er kommen wird, auf den zweiten Band der “Strand-Serie” von Sue Brown, gewartet und wurde nicht enttäuscht. Die Geschichte von Paul und Olaf ist ein würdiger und vor allem direkter Anschluss ans erste Buch :-).
Waren Liam und Sam im ersten Buch schon ein Paar, dass man gerne durch ihre Geschichte begleitet hat, so stehen Paul und Olaf dem in nichts nach. Sie sind komplett andere Persönlichkeiten, jedoch in ihrer Art nicht weniger einnehmend. Die beiden sind nach außen stark und selbstbewusst, haben aber jeder für sich mit ganz eigenen Problemen zu kämpfen. Dies hält sie jedoch nicht davon ab, sich die gegenseitige Anziehungskraft einzugestehen und sich aufeinander einzulassen.
So ganz “nebenbei” klären sie das Verschwinden von Liam auf und sorgen somit dafür, dass für Liam und Sam endlich alles rundum gut wird. Paul und Olaf haben ebenfalls einen nicht ganz einfachen Weg zu beschreiten, lassen sich aber die Freiräume – u.a. auch bedingt durch die Entfernung, um alles ausreichend zu überdenken und sacken zu lassen. Im Laufe der Geschichte lernt man die Familie und auch Freunde von Sam und Paul kennen und lieben. Man merkt sehr wohl den Unterschied, ob jemand in der Familie Owens wirklich gemocht, einfach akzeptiert oder auch nur geduldet wird :-), letzteres ist eine Erfahrung, die man nicht unbedingt jedem wünscht *g*.
Auch bei Paul und Olaf ist es ein langer und nicht ganz einfacher Weg bis zum Happy End …
…und genau das ist das einzige Manko an dieser Geschichte, es gibt einen… Cliffhanger (ohne ihn gäbe es ohne Vorbehalt 5 , so ziehe ich ein halbes ab). Es ist schön zu wissen, dass die beiden sich aufeinander einlassen und es wohl trotz der Widrigkeiten miteinander versuchen wollen, aber ob und wie die Geschichte weitergeht, dafür hätte man mit Sicherheit eine andere Stelle für das “… to be continued…” finden können. So hörte die Geschichte für mich einfach auf :-(.
Dies wäre kein Problem, wenn man nicht wieder so lange auf die nachfolgende Übersetzung warten müsste….
(Liebe DSPler, dies ist ein Wink mit der Zaunlatte ;-) ).
Wenn Sue Brown das Schreibniveau auf diesem Level halten konnte (Band 3 gibt es ja bereits in englischer Sprache), dann kann man sich wirklich auf den nächsten Band freuen und übt sich bis dahin mehr oder minder entspannt in Geduld.
Jetzt stinkt es mir wieder gewaltig, dass meine Englischkenntnisse noch nicht wirklich dafür ausreichen, aber ich arbeite daran… langsam, ganz langsam und ja, ich werde nun mit genau diesem 3. Teil beginnen, denn
"Es wächst der Mensch mit seinen größeren Zielen" (Friedrich Schiller)
Dies allein sollte doch schon ausreichen, um zu beschreiben, wie gut mir die Serie bis hierher gefallen hat :-)
May 11, 2015
Der Polizist Paul Owens begleitet seinen Bruder Sam in die USA um dort nach Sam’s Verlobten zu suchen, der seit einigen Tagen vermisst wird. Während Sam natürlich mit den Nerven völlig am Ende ist, zeigt Paul sich total pragmatisch und vernünftig. Aber er ist ja auch vom Fach und weiss wo und wie man an den richtigen Stellen Informationen bekommt. So lernen die Brüder aus England Detective Olaf Skandik kennen, der sich Liam’s Fall annimmt. Und tatsächlich gelingt es mit Skandiks Hilfe Liam zu finden.
Dieser wurde Opfer eines Unfalls mit Fahrerflucht und liegt als ein John Doe in einem Krankenhaus. Doch Liam hat Glück im Unglück und befindet sich bald auf dem Weg der Besserung. Grund genug für Paul nach England zurück zu reisen. Doch da kommen ungebeten Gefühle und ein unwillkommenes Interesse ins Spiel. Während Paul aus seiner Bisexualität kein großes Geheimnis macht, lebt Olaf ungeoutet. Nur seine Familie weiss Bescheid, kann damit aber nicht umgehen. Im Job bleibt er ungeoutet und auch beim Militär, wo er früher gedient hat, war seine sexuelle Orientierung nicht bekannt.
Obwohl Olaf ziemlich cool und abgeklärt wirkt, frustriert ihn seine Situation zunehmend. Und da kommt plötzlich dieser smarte und offene Polizist aus England. Mit ihm scheint plötzlich alles möglich. Und gleichzeitig ist alles unmöglich. Beide lieben sie ihre Jobs und wollen ihre Familien nicht verlieren. Beide sind vernünftig und wollen keine Beziehung oder den großen Herzschmerz. Doch oft sind Gefühle stärker als die Vernunft.
Während Teil eins der Serie doch sehr flott, süss und fast schon ein wenig übertrieben geschrieben ist, erzählt die Autorin Sue Brown die Geschichte von Paul und Olaf ganz anders. Das liegt natürlich auch an ihrem Charakter und der ihnen eigenen Abgeklärtheit. Während Skandik sich irgendwie mit seiner Situation arrangiert hat, gleichzeitig daran aber zu zerbrechen droht, liebt Paul sein Leben wie es ist. Er will keine engen Bindungen und kann sich so ein Leben auch gar nicht vorstellen.
Aber das liegt vermutlich auch daran, dass er bislang nicht die richtige Person gefunden hat. Doch ausgerechnet am anderen Ende der Welt läuft ihm Skandik über den Weg und ändert alles in Pauls Wahrnehmung und seiner Gefühlswelt. Skandik reizt ihn, stürzt ihn gleichzeitig in eine nicht gekannte und auch unerwünschte Gefühlsverwirrung, die auch nach seiner Abreise nicht endet.
Dieses Buch war für mich wirklich eine Überraschung, denn die Autorin hat diese Geschichte zwar genauso romantisch und witzig wie den ersten Teil geschrieben. Und doch hat sie den Protagonisten mehr Tiefe und der Geschichte mehr Ernst verpasst. Freu mich schon auf den abschliessenden Teil.
Dieser wurde Opfer eines Unfalls mit Fahrerflucht und liegt als ein John Doe in einem Krankenhaus. Doch Liam hat Glück im Unglück und befindet sich bald auf dem Weg der Besserung. Grund genug für Paul nach England zurück zu reisen. Doch da kommen ungebeten Gefühle und ein unwillkommenes Interesse ins Spiel. Während Paul aus seiner Bisexualität kein großes Geheimnis macht, lebt Olaf ungeoutet. Nur seine Familie weiss Bescheid, kann damit aber nicht umgehen. Im Job bleibt er ungeoutet und auch beim Militär, wo er früher gedient hat, war seine sexuelle Orientierung nicht bekannt.
Obwohl Olaf ziemlich cool und abgeklärt wirkt, frustriert ihn seine Situation zunehmend. Und da kommt plötzlich dieser smarte und offene Polizist aus England. Mit ihm scheint plötzlich alles möglich. Und gleichzeitig ist alles unmöglich. Beide lieben sie ihre Jobs und wollen ihre Familien nicht verlieren. Beide sind vernünftig und wollen keine Beziehung oder den großen Herzschmerz. Doch oft sind Gefühle stärker als die Vernunft.
Während Teil eins der Serie doch sehr flott, süss und fast schon ein wenig übertrieben geschrieben ist, erzählt die Autorin Sue Brown die Geschichte von Paul und Olaf ganz anders. Das liegt natürlich auch an ihrem Charakter und der ihnen eigenen Abgeklärtheit. Während Skandik sich irgendwie mit seiner Situation arrangiert hat, gleichzeitig daran aber zu zerbrechen droht, liebt Paul sein Leben wie es ist. Er will keine engen Bindungen und kann sich so ein Leben auch gar nicht vorstellen.
Aber das liegt vermutlich auch daran, dass er bislang nicht die richtige Person gefunden hat. Doch ausgerechnet am anderen Ende der Welt läuft ihm Skandik über den Weg und ändert alles in Pauls Wahrnehmung und seiner Gefühlswelt. Skandik reizt ihn, stürzt ihn gleichzeitig in eine nicht gekannte und auch unerwünschte Gefühlsverwirrung, die auch nach seiner Abreise nicht endet.
Dieses Buch war für mich wirklich eine Überraschung, denn die Autorin hat diese Geschichte zwar genauso romantisch und witzig wie den ersten Teil geschrieben. Und doch hat sie den Protagonisten mehr Tiefe und der Geschichte mehr Ernst verpasst. Freu mich schon auf den abschliessenden Teil.
October 25, 2013
B+
In many ways this is two stories in one book. We continue the story of Liam and Sam from The Isle of...Where? and get to see how they end up, which was awesome. I was so worried for them and concerned for Liam’s health. Then there is the story of Paul and Olaf who meet while trying to find the missing Liam.
Paul is such a brat. He is the baby of the family and with six older brothers he had to find ways to express himself and his independance that have become silly habits as he has gotten older. He was afraid of commitment and had never been in a real relationship. Which meant that he was completely gobsmacked by his need and desire for something real and lasting with Olaf.
Olaf was really sweet and at the same time he could be a real jerk. There were a few times when I wanted to smack him upside the head and tell him to communicate with Paul and let his desires and expectations be known. He had spent his whole life in the closet, first with DADT and then as a cop. As a result he had never been in a relationship so he had no better idea how to have a healthy one than Paul.
These guys are good men who deserve to find happiness. They’ve both chosen professions that make coming out very difficult as well as being separated by distance and a sea of red tape that will make it nearly impossible for them to make it, unless they really want each other.
We spent a lot of time with the guys from the first book, which makes sense as their situation is how Paul and Olaf meet. There is also the factor of them being a part of Paul’s very close-knit family. I enjoyed seeing their story resolved and finding out what happened to them. There were some scary moments when things looked pretty bleak for Liam and Sam. I loved that Olaf’s role in helping them figure out what had happened to Liam made him a hero to the family.
I am waiting impatiently for the next book that will tell us more of the story between Paul and Olaf. Things were left up in the air at the end of this one a bit, and I am in love with this family and these men.
Reviewed by Nina
In many ways this is two stories in one book. We continue the story of Liam and Sam from The Isle of...Where? and get to see how they end up, which was awesome. I was so worried for them and concerned for Liam’s health. Then there is the story of Paul and Olaf who meet while trying to find the missing Liam.
Paul is such a brat. He is the baby of the family and with six older brothers he had to find ways to express himself and his independance that have become silly habits as he has gotten older. He was afraid of commitment and had never been in a real relationship. Which meant that he was completely gobsmacked by his need and desire for something real and lasting with Olaf.
Olaf was really sweet and at the same time he could be a real jerk. There were a few times when I wanted to smack him upside the head and tell him to communicate with Paul and let his desires and expectations be known. He had spent his whole life in the closet, first with DADT and then as a cop. As a result he had never been in a relationship so he had no better idea how to have a healthy one than Paul.
These guys are good men who deserve to find happiness. They’ve both chosen professions that make coming out very difficult as well as being separated by distance and a sea of red tape that will make it nearly impossible for them to make it, unless they really want each other.
We spent a lot of time with the guys from the first book, which makes sense as their situation is how Paul and Olaf meet. There is also the factor of them being a part of Paul’s very close-knit family. I enjoyed seeing their story resolved and finding out what happened to them. There were some scary moments when things looked pretty bleak for Liam and Sam. I loved that Olaf’s role in helping them figure out what had happened to Liam made him a hero to the family.
I am waiting impatiently for the next book that will tell us more of the story between Paul and Olaf. Things were left up in the air at the end of this one a bit, and I am in love with this family and these men.
Reviewed by Nina
November 25, 2017
Recensione a cura di Cat e Lilith per Feel The Book
Recensione di Cat:
Premo la tastiera ripetutamente, probabilmente il PC mi si è impallato. Ma non succede nulla. Rimango interdetta davanti alle lettere ferme sul monitor, immobile, persa in uno stato emozionale indefinito.
Il sospetto comincia a farsi strada nella mia subcoscienza ma il cervello si rifiuta di prenderne atto. Mi riscuoto quel tanto che basta per partire alla ricerca di informazioni. E devo arrendermi allo stato delle cose.
A quel punto vengo trascinata in molteplici emozioni: incredulità, delusione, sconcerto… Fino ad arrivare a dirmi “Cat respira… espira… respira… espira…”. Ho contato fino a dieci… e poi sono andata avanti fino a mille.
Arrabbiata io? SI! No! Non si fa così, cara Sue!
Ma andiamo con ordine.
“Sabbia e fuoco” è il secondo capitolo della serie “Sull’isola di Wight” di Sue Brown, affermata scrittrice del genere romance m/m.
In questo libro i protagonisti sono Paul, poliziotto e fratello di Sam (che abbiamo conosciuto nel primo volume) e Olaf, ispettore di polizia non dichiarato.
Sullo sfondo dell’indagine per scoprire chi ha quasi ucciso il cognato di Paul, nasce fra i due uomini un’intesa, emotiva e passionale, che trasformerà un’avventura di qualche notte in un legame sempre più profondo, che li porterà, ognuno a proprio modo, a desiderare ciò che hanno sempre rifiutato: per Olaf essere libero di essere se stesso, per Paul avere un compagno con cui costruire una vita insieme.
Paul, nonostante la giovane età, sa chi è, sa quello che vuole e come ottenerlo. Non si lascia intimorire dalle difficoltà e va per la sua strada, senza farsi condizionare dai pregiudizi o dall’intolleranza.
Olaf, pur costretto a nascondersi al mondo per quello che è veramente, ha trovato il coraggio di afferrare un’opportunità per scoprire dove lo avrebbe portato.
Sinceri, schietti e chiari reciprocamente fin dall’inizio, questo atteggiamento ha permesso loro di darsi una possibilità.
I personaggi sono caratterizzati in modo eccellente e risultano estremamente credibili.
Nonostante la prima parte della storia si sviluppi in un arco temporale ristretto di qualche giorno, l’autrice è riuscita a rendere credibile l’evolversi degli eventi. Gli stessi protagonisti sono stupiti di quanto siano diventati forti i loro sentimenti in così breve tempo.
L’eccellente capacità narrativa ha consentito di entrare in sintonia con entrambi i protagonisti, nonostante la narrazione avvenga con il singolo pov. E a mio avviso, queste sono le capacità che definiscono una scrittrice come tale.
È stato bello anche ritrovare Sam e Liam, sempre innamorati più che mai, insieme a tutta la famiglia Owens.
Insomma, ho adorato questo libro.
Fino a quando… fino a quando non sono arrivata alla fine e… da qui possiamo tornare all’inizio di questa recensione.
Ora, partiamo dal presupposto che considero le opere di Sue Brown molto valide, capace di emozionarti e farti battere il cuore. E consideriamo anche il presupposto che non ho nulla in contrario con i finali aperti o sospesi, o come preferite chiamarli.
Ma…
E si, qui c’è un MA bello grosso, maiuscolo, grassetto, sottolineato ed evidenziato.
MA non puoi sfilarmi il libro dalle mani mentre lo sto leggendo.
Perché è questa la sensazione che ho avuto all’ultima pagina.
Non condivido il momento narrativo in cui l’autrice ha deciso di terminare la storia. La fine sembra più un’interruzione che una sospensione. A mio avviso era meglio fermarsi o poco prima o poco dopo.
Sicuramente nel terzo volume della serie la Brown terminerà di raccontarci di Paul e Olaf, troppe cose sono ancora sospese, ma considerato che comunque sarà un libro che parlerà di una nuova coppia, ritengo Banner di Cat per Feelthebookche loro meritassero un loro spazio fino alla fine.
Quindi, una volta sbollita la delusione, ho deciso di togliere mezzo punto alla valutazione finale personale.
Il libro ovviamente lo consiglio e merita senza ombra di dubbio di essere letto.
Recensione di Lilith:
Il giorno del matrimonio si avvicina per Sam e Liam, stanno sistemando le ultime cose e Liam è tornato in America per lasciare l’appartamento prima di iniziare la sua nuova vita in Inghilterra.
Il viaggio doveva essere breve ma a un certo punto Liam non dà più notizie e Sam, spaventato, si rivolge a suo fratello Paul, poliziotto, il quale decide di partire con lui per gli USA nella speranza di capire cosa possa essere successo.
Dopo aver scoperto che l’auto noleggiata da Liam non è mai tornata in sede, si recano alla stazione di polizia dove conoscono Olaf Skandik, poliziotto burbero, da cui in seguito vengono informati che c’è stato un incidente automobilistico dove sono state coinvolte due persone. Due uomini senza nome, uno purtroppo deceduto, l’altro ricoverato: devono andare a fare il riconoscimento per vedere se uno di loro è Liam… Fortunatamente l’uomo in obitorio non è Liam, che è ricoverato all’ospedale, malconcio ma vivo.
Sam ovviamente, una volta accanto al suo uomo non lo vuole lasciare e Paul, lasciato da solo, decide di conoscere meglio Olaf.
Olaf non è dichiarato: è un ex marine, quindi il famoso Don’t ask, don’t tell (tranne che nei riguardi della sua famiglia che pur non accettando, sa) continua a seguirlo fedelmente. Al contrario, Paul è un bisessuale dichiarato, proviene da una famiglia che lo accetta pienamente e nemmeno sul lavoro il suo orientamento sessuale gli crea seccature quindi non capisce appieno i problemi di Olaf ma… poco importa, complice il ritorno a casa a breve, e quindi la distanza, tra loro due sarà solo “una botta e via”, giusto?
Sam e Liam tornati a casa proseguono con i preparativi e invitano Olaf al matrimonio, perchè Sam percepisce l’interesse di suo fratello verso il poliziotto, come sente che anche Olaf prova qualcosa per Paul: devono solo dirselo, e quale momento migliore se non a un matrimonio con la sua pazza famiglia?
Quando Paul e Olaf si rivedono nei giorni precedenti al matrimonio, capiscono che fra di loro c’è un sentimento profondo che non si è esaurito con il tempo e la distanza, vivono dei giorni felici e Olaf si rende conto di come potrebbe essere ma… è confuso, nonostante la felicità è confuso: deve lasciare tutto quello che conosce, la famiglia, il lavoro per un posto nuovo? Il timore per queste scelte da fare è tanto, Paul ci mette anche lo zampino e…
Ma no, no, no e no! Non si fa così! Presumo, e spero, che nel prossimo romanzo ci sia la risposta definitiva ai dubbi di Olaf, oltre che la risposta alla domanda di Paul.
Banner di Lilith per FeelthebookSue Brown riesce a conquistarti pagina dopo pagina, i suoi personaggi seducono il lettore, le battute tra i fratelli di Sam sono un qualcosa di divertente e tutti i personaggi si amalgamano perfettamente fra loro.
Paul e Olaf sono bellissimi, entrano sottopelle e si percepisce la paura di entrambi a lasciarsi andare a un qualcosa di nuovo: per uno l’amore, e per l’altro vivere apertamente la sua sessualità e anche l’amore, lasciare la sicurezza di un posto conosciuto per l’ignoto.
Vincerà l’amore o la paura?
Consigliato!
Editing recensione a cura di The Goddess per Feel The Book
Recensione di Cat:
Premo la tastiera ripetutamente, probabilmente il PC mi si è impallato. Ma non succede nulla. Rimango interdetta davanti alle lettere ferme sul monitor, immobile, persa in uno stato emozionale indefinito.
Il sospetto comincia a farsi strada nella mia subcoscienza ma il cervello si rifiuta di prenderne atto. Mi riscuoto quel tanto che basta per partire alla ricerca di informazioni. E devo arrendermi allo stato delle cose.
A quel punto vengo trascinata in molteplici emozioni: incredulità, delusione, sconcerto… Fino ad arrivare a dirmi “Cat respira… espira… respira… espira…”. Ho contato fino a dieci… e poi sono andata avanti fino a mille.
Arrabbiata io? SI! No! Non si fa così, cara Sue!
Ma andiamo con ordine.
“Sabbia e fuoco” è il secondo capitolo della serie “Sull’isola di Wight” di Sue Brown, affermata scrittrice del genere romance m/m.
In questo libro i protagonisti sono Paul, poliziotto e fratello di Sam (che abbiamo conosciuto nel primo volume) e Olaf, ispettore di polizia non dichiarato.
Sullo sfondo dell’indagine per scoprire chi ha quasi ucciso il cognato di Paul, nasce fra i due uomini un’intesa, emotiva e passionale, che trasformerà un’avventura di qualche notte in un legame sempre più profondo, che li porterà, ognuno a proprio modo, a desiderare ciò che hanno sempre rifiutato: per Olaf essere libero di essere se stesso, per Paul avere un compagno con cui costruire una vita insieme.
Paul, nonostante la giovane età, sa chi è, sa quello che vuole e come ottenerlo. Non si lascia intimorire dalle difficoltà e va per la sua strada, senza farsi condizionare dai pregiudizi o dall’intolleranza.
Olaf, pur costretto a nascondersi al mondo per quello che è veramente, ha trovato il coraggio di afferrare un’opportunità per scoprire dove lo avrebbe portato.
Sinceri, schietti e chiari reciprocamente fin dall’inizio, questo atteggiamento ha permesso loro di darsi una possibilità.
I personaggi sono caratterizzati in modo eccellente e risultano estremamente credibili.
Nonostante la prima parte della storia si sviluppi in un arco temporale ristretto di qualche giorno, l’autrice è riuscita a rendere credibile l’evolversi degli eventi. Gli stessi protagonisti sono stupiti di quanto siano diventati forti i loro sentimenti in così breve tempo.
L’eccellente capacità narrativa ha consentito di entrare in sintonia con entrambi i protagonisti, nonostante la narrazione avvenga con il singolo pov. E a mio avviso, queste sono le capacità che definiscono una scrittrice come tale.
È stato bello anche ritrovare Sam e Liam, sempre innamorati più che mai, insieme a tutta la famiglia Owens.
Insomma, ho adorato questo libro.
Fino a quando… fino a quando non sono arrivata alla fine e… da qui possiamo tornare all’inizio di questa recensione.
Ora, partiamo dal presupposto che considero le opere di Sue Brown molto valide, capace di emozionarti e farti battere il cuore. E consideriamo anche il presupposto che non ho nulla in contrario con i finali aperti o sospesi, o come preferite chiamarli.
Ma…
E si, qui c’è un MA bello grosso, maiuscolo, grassetto, sottolineato ed evidenziato.
MA non puoi sfilarmi il libro dalle mani mentre lo sto leggendo.
Perché è questa la sensazione che ho avuto all’ultima pagina.
Non condivido il momento narrativo in cui l’autrice ha deciso di terminare la storia. La fine sembra più un’interruzione che una sospensione. A mio avviso era meglio fermarsi o poco prima o poco dopo.
Sicuramente nel terzo volume della serie la Brown terminerà di raccontarci di Paul e Olaf, troppe cose sono ancora sospese, ma considerato che comunque sarà un libro che parlerà di una nuova coppia, ritengo Banner di Cat per Feelthebookche loro meritassero un loro spazio fino alla fine.
Quindi, una volta sbollita la delusione, ho deciso di togliere mezzo punto alla valutazione finale personale.
Il libro ovviamente lo consiglio e merita senza ombra di dubbio di essere letto.
Recensione di Lilith:
Il giorno del matrimonio si avvicina per Sam e Liam, stanno sistemando le ultime cose e Liam è tornato in America per lasciare l’appartamento prima di iniziare la sua nuova vita in Inghilterra.
Il viaggio doveva essere breve ma a un certo punto Liam non dà più notizie e Sam, spaventato, si rivolge a suo fratello Paul, poliziotto, il quale decide di partire con lui per gli USA nella speranza di capire cosa possa essere successo.
Dopo aver scoperto che l’auto noleggiata da Liam non è mai tornata in sede, si recano alla stazione di polizia dove conoscono Olaf Skandik, poliziotto burbero, da cui in seguito vengono informati che c’è stato un incidente automobilistico dove sono state coinvolte due persone. Due uomini senza nome, uno purtroppo deceduto, l’altro ricoverato: devono andare a fare il riconoscimento per vedere se uno di loro è Liam… Fortunatamente l’uomo in obitorio non è Liam, che è ricoverato all’ospedale, malconcio ma vivo.
Sam ovviamente, una volta accanto al suo uomo non lo vuole lasciare e Paul, lasciato da solo, decide di conoscere meglio Olaf.
Olaf non è dichiarato: è un ex marine, quindi il famoso Don’t ask, don’t tell (tranne che nei riguardi della sua famiglia che pur non accettando, sa) continua a seguirlo fedelmente. Al contrario, Paul è un bisessuale dichiarato, proviene da una famiglia che lo accetta pienamente e nemmeno sul lavoro il suo orientamento sessuale gli crea seccature quindi non capisce appieno i problemi di Olaf ma… poco importa, complice il ritorno a casa a breve, e quindi la distanza, tra loro due sarà solo “una botta e via”, giusto?
Sam e Liam tornati a casa proseguono con i preparativi e invitano Olaf al matrimonio, perchè Sam percepisce l’interesse di suo fratello verso il poliziotto, come sente che anche Olaf prova qualcosa per Paul: devono solo dirselo, e quale momento migliore se non a un matrimonio con la sua pazza famiglia?
Quando Paul e Olaf si rivedono nei giorni precedenti al matrimonio, capiscono che fra di loro c’è un sentimento profondo che non si è esaurito con il tempo e la distanza, vivono dei giorni felici e Olaf si rende conto di come potrebbe essere ma… è confuso, nonostante la felicità è confuso: deve lasciare tutto quello che conosce, la famiglia, il lavoro per un posto nuovo? Il timore per queste scelte da fare è tanto, Paul ci mette anche lo zampino e…
Ma no, no, no e no! Non si fa così! Presumo, e spero, che nel prossimo romanzo ci sia la risposta definitiva ai dubbi di Olaf, oltre che la risposta alla domanda di Paul.
Banner di Lilith per FeelthebookSue Brown riesce a conquistarti pagina dopo pagina, i suoi personaggi seducono il lettore, le battute tra i fratelli di Sam sono un qualcosa di divertente e tutti i personaggi si amalgamano perfettamente fra loro.
Paul e Olaf sono bellissimi, entrano sottopelle e si percepisce la paura di entrambi a lasciarsi andare a un qualcosa di nuovo: per uno l’amore, e per l’altro vivere apertamente la sua sessualità e anche l’amore, lasciare la sicurezza di un posto conosciuto per l’ignoto.
Vincerà l’amore o la paura?
Consigliato!
Editing recensione a cura di The Goddess per Feel The Book
May 7, 2016
Band 2 der Strand-Reihe schließt im Grunde nahtlos an die Geschichte von Sam und Liam aus dem 1. Teil an, sie dreht sich jedoch um Sams Bruder Paul und dessen zukünftigen Schatz Olaf Skandik, einem ehemaligen Soldat und jetzt ungeouteten Polizist in den 40igern, der dabei hilft, Liam zu finden, als der auf einem Kurztripp in seiner Heimat spurlos verschwindet und Sam deswegen natürlich völlig am Rad dreht.
Paul erzählt die Geschichte um das Wiederfinden von Liam und seine langsam aufkommenden Gefühle für Skandik, die der erwidert, aber da beide wissen, dass sie auf verschiedenen Kontinenten leben, wollen sie nicht zulassen, was offensichtlich ist und sind felsenfest entschlossen, es beim reinen Sex zu belassen. Das funktioniert anfangs auch ganz gut, doch als Liam gefunden wird und er und Sam beschließen, Skandik zu ihrer baldigen Hochzeit einzuladen, treffen der und Sam ruckzuck wieder aufeinander und Skandik wird förmlich von heute auf gleich in eine Familie adoptiert, deren liebevolle Art ihm völlig fremd ist.
Die Story um Olaf und Paul hat mir einen Ticken besser gefallen als Band 1, denn die Autorin hat beiden Charakteren einfach mehr Tiefe gegeben. Wo es bei Liam und Sam meist um Sex ging, lernt man Paul und Olaf viel besser kennen und das passt auch wunderbar zu den beiden.
Natürlich gibt es ein Happy End (das für die zwei genau richtig ist, finde ich) und gleich noch einen Ausblick auf den nächsten Band der Reihe, der hoffentlich bald übersetzt wird.
Eine eindeutige Leseempfehlung gibt’s natürlich obendrauf.
Paul erzählt die Geschichte um das Wiederfinden von Liam und seine langsam aufkommenden Gefühle für Skandik, die der erwidert, aber da beide wissen, dass sie auf verschiedenen Kontinenten leben, wollen sie nicht zulassen, was offensichtlich ist und sind felsenfest entschlossen, es beim reinen Sex zu belassen. Das funktioniert anfangs auch ganz gut, doch als Liam gefunden wird und er und Sam beschließen, Skandik zu ihrer baldigen Hochzeit einzuladen, treffen der und Sam ruckzuck wieder aufeinander und Skandik wird förmlich von heute auf gleich in eine Familie adoptiert, deren liebevolle Art ihm völlig fremd ist.
Die Story um Olaf und Paul hat mir einen Ticken besser gefallen als Band 1, denn die Autorin hat beiden Charakteren einfach mehr Tiefe gegeben. Wo es bei Liam und Sam meist um Sex ging, lernt man Paul und Olaf viel besser kennen und das passt auch wunderbar zu den beiden.
Natürlich gibt es ein Happy End (das für die zwei genau richtig ist, finde ich) und gleich noch einen Ausblick auf den nächsten Band der Reihe, der hoffentlich bald übersetzt wird.
Eine eindeutige Leseempfehlung gibt’s natürlich obendrauf.
September 11, 2013
I really loved the characters in the first Isle of Wight book. They and their emotions carried the book very well for me.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same affection for the guys in this one. Even when characters from the first book entered the story, I just wasn't thrilled. The magic is gone!
It wasn't bad, it just didn't grab me. And the lack of drama didn't help, either. All of the plot drama was front-loaded into the first half of the book, with the second half consisting of lots of wishying and washying about.
Occasional Britishisms, including ones in dialogue spoken by American characters, were a little distracting -- but non-anal-retentive readers probably wouldn't notice them.
I can't give this one 4 stars, but I suppose it still deserves more than a flat 3. 3.4, then, rounding down.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same affection for the guys in this one. Even when characters from the first book entered the story, I just wasn't thrilled. The magic is gone!
It wasn't bad, it just didn't grab me. And the lack of drama didn't help, either. All of the plot drama was front-loaded into the first half of the book, with the second half consisting of lots of wishying and washying about.
Occasional Britishisms, including ones in dialogue spoken by American characters, were a little distracting -- but non-anal-retentive readers probably wouldn't notice them.
I can't give this one 4 stars, but I suppose it still deserves more than a flat 3. 3.4, then, rounding down.
September 6, 2013
This is a great sequel to The Isle of... Where?. The main focus of this book is Sam's younger brother Paul. He's the snarky one of the family, the one that most think is a bit of a jerk. In this one, Liam disappears in the states and Sam is beside himself. Paul drops everything and goes with Sam to find Liam. Turns out Paul has a really nice side to him that very closeted copy, Olaf, can't resist. Looking very much forward to the next book in this series. Looking forward to another wedding.
September 6, 2015
3,75/5
Une romance "doudou " comme dirait une de mes amies, le genre de lecture légère qui ne vous prend pas la tête. Et puis retrouver la famille Owens était agréable, et j'ai bien aimé le couple Paul & Olaf, très sympathique. De l'humour, une petite touche de drama et de bons sentiments, une famille haute en couleur, peut-être pas une grande profondeur dans le fond, mais une excellente détente.
Une romance "doudou " comme dirait une de mes amies, le genre de lecture légère qui ne vous prend pas la tête. Et puis retrouver la famille Owens était agréable, et j'ai bien aimé le couple Paul & Olaf, très sympathique. De l'humour, une petite touche de drama et de bons sentiments, une famille haute en couleur, peut-être pas une grande profondeur dans le fond, mais une excellente détente.
April 1, 2018
"Sam gli rivolse uno sguardo cinico. Suo fratello lo conosceva troppo bene. Sì, Skandik era uno schianto. E allora? Cosa potevano fare? Concedersi una sveltina una volta chiuso il caso? Sospirò tra sé e sé. Per qualche ragione non gli sembrava sufficiente. Per la prima volta nella sua vita voleva di più, voleva quello che avevano Sam e Liam. Una relazione. Mescolò il tè, sovrappensiero. Doveva assolutamente tornare a casa e recuperare il vecchio Paul Owens."
Gran parte dei personaggi che incontriamo in questo libro li conosciamo già da “Sabbia e Sale”, capitolo precedente di questa serie. Sam e Liam, i suoi protagonisti, sono ancora insieme e stanno pensando di sposarsi. Per questo Liam è tornato negli Stati Uniti a sistemare le ultime cose e invitare Tea, l’ex moglie del suo migliore amico Alex, al matrimonio. È stato per esaudire l’ultimo desiderio di Alex, infatti, che Sam è entrato nella sua vita, e il giovane è ancora molto legato a lei e alla sua bambina. Durante la sua assenza telefona regolarmente a Sam, in Inghilterra, anche più volte al giorno. Quando però improvvisamente non si fa più vivo e non risponde né al telefono né alle e-mail, il giovane si rende conto che qualcosa non va. Preoccupato e ansioso si presenta dal fratello minore, agente di polizia, per chiedergli aiuto, e avere più possibilità di scoprire cosa è accaduto al fidanzato. Paul è molto affezionato al futuro cognato e accetta di partire con Sam, prendendosi qualche giorno di ferie, per andare a cercarlo. Giunti a Detroit, l’unica cosa che riescono ad appurare è che è stata ritrovata la macchina che Liam ha noleggiato, con portafoglio e documenti all’interno, ma del giovane nessuna traccia. Sempre più preoccupati, Sam e Paul si recano alla centrale di polizia per denunciarne la scomparsa e le indagini vengono affidate all’affascinante ispettore Olaf Skandik, che in un primo momento appare antipatico e scostante. Paul non intende rimanere in disparte, e pur senza averne l’autorità, comincia a fare indagini per conto suo, finendo perciò spesso fra i piedi di Olaf ma fra i due, indizio dopo indizio, si scatena un’attrazione intensa. Olaf però non si è mai dichiarato e Paul ha solo pochi giorni a disposizione, prima del ritorno a casa.
La parte suspense che apre il libro ha risvolti inaspettati che avrebbero, a mio avviso, potuto diventare ben più interessanti se diversamente sfruttati. Ma il vero cardine di tutto è il rapporto che si viene a creare fra Paul e Olaf, due uomini che sono agli antipodi sia come carattere sia come modo di vivere. Paul è apertamente bisessuale: i suoi incontri, sia con donne che con uomini, sono avventure di una notte e niente più. Ultimo di sei fratelli, di cui Sam è il maggiore, ha una famiglia incredibilmente unita che gli ha permesso di essere sempre se stesso. Con tutti i suoi famigliari ha un bellissimo rapporto fatto di litigate, prese in giro e confidenze: tutti sono pronti ad aiutarsi in ogni cosa, sia per rimediare i soldi per un biglietto aereo e una permanenza negli Stati Uniti, sia includendo senza riserve nella famiglia Owens compagni, mogli e fidanzate. Olaf, al contrario, si nasconde da tutta la vita. La sua famiglia è al corrente del suo essere gay, ma ha preteso che nessun altro lo venisse a sapere, tanto grande è la paura di essere diseredati dal ricco nonno. La sua permanenza nei marines, del resto, sarebbe stata molto difficile se fossero venute fuori le sue preferenze sessuali e ora, a capo del suo dipartimento, c’è un uomo che non vuole “principesse” fra i suoi agenti. Per questo, quando ricerca avventure e sesso, si reca molto lontano da casa. Paul lo attrae anche per questo suo essere così libero, così franco in merito alle sue esigenze. La loro dovrebbe essere solo l’avventura di qualche giorno, ma anche dopo la fine delle indagini non riescono a smettere di tenersi in contatto tramite webcam. Per Olaf, Paul potrebbe essere l’uomo con cui costruirsi una vita, ma questo vorrebbe dire compiere un drastico cambiamento e ricominciare a 40 anni tutto da capo: una decisione molto difficile da prendere.
È un rapporto maturo, quello che ci racconta Sue Brown. Un amore che impone decisioni che potrebbero cambiare completamente la vita, e la fine del libro ci lascia senza una risposta definitiva (anche se facilmente intuibile), in attesa di una scelta per cui dovremo aspettare il prossimo libro della serie. Olaf e Paul sono personaggi ben sviluppati, e anche se la loro subitanea attrazione può sembrare eccessiva, l’autrice, nello scorrere delle pagine, rende tutto più veritiero raccontando le difficoltà del portare avanti una relazione a grande distanza, regalandoci nel frattempo scene di sesso via webcam molto intriganti. Nonostante l’amore, infatti, queste coppie non vivono in un’atmosfera idilliaca: Liam e Sam hanno problemi economici, Olaf e Paul hanno bisogno di ponderare decisioni importanti e valutare tutti i rischi che queste comportano, perché a volte l’amore non basta.
Per quanto mi riguarda, questi sono aspetti che apprezzo molto perché rendeno tutto più vero, così come ho trovato molto simpatica e divertente la descrizione delle interazioni fra i vari componenti della famiglia Owens.
È una scrittura bella e scorrevole quella dell’autrice, personaggi vividi che risultano credibili e ben caratterizzati, ma con un’ unica piccola pecca : la scelta di lasciare il lettore in sospeso, in attesa del prossimo capitolo di questa serie molto carina.
Gran parte dei personaggi che incontriamo in questo libro li conosciamo già da “Sabbia e Sale”, capitolo precedente di questa serie. Sam e Liam, i suoi protagonisti, sono ancora insieme e stanno pensando di sposarsi. Per questo Liam è tornato negli Stati Uniti a sistemare le ultime cose e invitare Tea, l’ex moglie del suo migliore amico Alex, al matrimonio. È stato per esaudire l’ultimo desiderio di Alex, infatti, che Sam è entrato nella sua vita, e il giovane è ancora molto legato a lei e alla sua bambina. Durante la sua assenza telefona regolarmente a Sam, in Inghilterra, anche più volte al giorno. Quando però improvvisamente non si fa più vivo e non risponde né al telefono né alle e-mail, il giovane si rende conto che qualcosa non va. Preoccupato e ansioso si presenta dal fratello minore, agente di polizia, per chiedergli aiuto, e avere più possibilità di scoprire cosa è accaduto al fidanzato. Paul è molto affezionato al futuro cognato e accetta di partire con Sam, prendendosi qualche giorno di ferie, per andare a cercarlo. Giunti a Detroit, l’unica cosa che riescono ad appurare è che è stata ritrovata la macchina che Liam ha noleggiato, con portafoglio e documenti all’interno, ma del giovane nessuna traccia. Sempre più preoccupati, Sam e Paul si recano alla centrale di polizia per denunciarne la scomparsa e le indagini vengono affidate all’affascinante ispettore Olaf Skandik, che in un primo momento appare antipatico e scostante. Paul non intende rimanere in disparte, e pur senza averne l’autorità, comincia a fare indagini per conto suo, finendo perciò spesso fra i piedi di Olaf ma fra i due, indizio dopo indizio, si scatena un’attrazione intensa. Olaf però non si è mai dichiarato e Paul ha solo pochi giorni a disposizione, prima del ritorno a casa.
La parte suspense che apre il libro ha risvolti inaspettati che avrebbero, a mio avviso, potuto diventare ben più interessanti se diversamente sfruttati. Ma il vero cardine di tutto è il rapporto che si viene a creare fra Paul e Olaf, due uomini che sono agli antipodi sia come carattere sia come modo di vivere. Paul è apertamente bisessuale: i suoi incontri, sia con donne che con uomini, sono avventure di una notte e niente più. Ultimo di sei fratelli, di cui Sam è il maggiore, ha una famiglia incredibilmente unita che gli ha permesso di essere sempre se stesso. Con tutti i suoi famigliari ha un bellissimo rapporto fatto di litigate, prese in giro e confidenze: tutti sono pronti ad aiutarsi in ogni cosa, sia per rimediare i soldi per un biglietto aereo e una permanenza negli Stati Uniti, sia includendo senza riserve nella famiglia Owens compagni, mogli e fidanzate. Olaf, al contrario, si nasconde da tutta la vita. La sua famiglia è al corrente del suo essere gay, ma ha preteso che nessun altro lo venisse a sapere, tanto grande è la paura di essere diseredati dal ricco nonno. La sua permanenza nei marines, del resto, sarebbe stata molto difficile se fossero venute fuori le sue preferenze sessuali e ora, a capo del suo dipartimento, c’è un uomo che non vuole “principesse” fra i suoi agenti. Per questo, quando ricerca avventure e sesso, si reca molto lontano da casa. Paul lo attrae anche per questo suo essere così libero, così franco in merito alle sue esigenze. La loro dovrebbe essere solo l’avventura di qualche giorno, ma anche dopo la fine delle indagini non riescono a smettere di tenersi in contatto tramite webcam. Per Olaf, Paul potrebbe essere l’uomo con cui costruirsi una vita, ma questo vorrebbe dire compiere un drastico cambiamento e ricominciare a 40 anni tutto da capo: una decisione molto difficile da prendere.
È un rapporto maturo, quello che ci racconta Sue Brown. Un amore che impone decisioni che potrebbero cambiare completamente la vita, e la fine del libro ci lascia senza una risposta definitiva (anche se facilmente intuibile), in attesa di una scelta per cui dovremo aspettare il prossimo libro della serie. Olaf e Paul sono personaggi ben sviluppati, e anche se la loro subitanea attrazione può sembrare eccessiva, l’autrice, nello scorrere delle pagine, rende tutto più veritiero raccontando le difficoltà del portare avanti una relazione a grande distanza, regalandoci nel frattempo scene di sesso via webcam molto intriganti. Nonostante l’amore, infatti, queste coppie non vivono in un’atmosfera idilliaca: Liam e Sam hanno problemi economici, Olaf e Paul hanno bisogno di ponderare decisioni importanti e valutare tutti i rischi che queste comportano, perché a volte l’amore non basta.
Per quanto mi riguarda, questi sono aspetti che apprezzo molto perché rendeno tutto più vero, così come ho trovato molto simpatica e divertente la descrizione delle interazioni fra i vari componenti della famiglia Owens.
È una scrittura bella e scorrevole quella dell’autrice, personaggi vividi che risultano credibili e ben caratterizzati, ma con un’ unica piccola pecca : la scelta di lasciare il lettore in sospeso, in attesa del prossimo capitolo di questa serie molto carina.
February 6, 2017
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! What's going to happen next?! Looking forward to book 3 and really enjoying this series. I really loved that Liam and Sam were so much a part of this book. I really really loved it!
August 27, 2013
REALLY enjoyed this story. For me, it was nice to see one couple reconnect and one couple discover love. Just enough angst and just enough lovin'. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews