What do you think?
Rate this book
Always Have, Always Will
A story from Boughs of A Holiday Anthology
ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL
by AMELIA MANN
Jay thinks official commitments aren’t necessary in a relationship. For the last fourteen years, he has loved waking up beside Gabriel, watching their two adopted kids grow up—even enjoyed painting the fence once in a while and paying his part of the mortgage on their New Jersey home. To Jay, that’s a family. No papers or ceremonies will make their relationship better than it already is...though Gabriel has a different opinion. Their lives are turned upside-down a month before Christmas, when he collapses in the plumbing aisle of the store. In the aftermath, Gabriel discovers that Jay’s only legal next of kin is his long-time absent father, and later Jay has to confront the painful memories of growing up, and the real truth behind his parents’ divorce. But perhaps now Jay might be ready to give Gabriel a Christmas gift he will never forget.
* * * * *
ABOUT BOUGHS OF EVERGREEN
Boughs of Evergreen is a two-volume collection of short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.
Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.
Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, www.thetrevorproject.org.
ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL
by AMELIA MANN
Jay thinks official commitments aren’t necessary in a relationship. For the last fourteen years, he has loved waking up beside Gabriel, watching their two adopted kids grow up—even enjoyed painting the fence once in a while and paying his part of the mortgage on their New Jersey home. To Jay, that’s a family. No papers or ceremonies will make their relationship better than it already is...though Gabriel has a different opinion. Their lives are turned upside-down a month before Christmas, when he collapses in the plumbing aisle of the store. In the aftermath, Gabriel discovers that Jay’s only legal next of kin is his long-time absent father, and later Jay has to confront the painful memories of growing up, and the real truth behind his parents’ divorce. But perhaps now Jay might be ready to give Gabriel a Christmas gift he will never forget.
* * * * *
ABOUT BOUGHS OF EVERGREEN
Boughs of Evergreen is a two-volume collection of short stories celebrating the holiday season in all its diversity. Penned by authors from the UK, the USA, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, these are tales of the young and the not-so-young from many different walks of life.
Themes of family, friendship and romance take readers on a journey through some of the major holidays, both past and present, including Thanksgiving, Advent, St. Lucia Day, Hanukkah, Saturnalia, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas and New Year. In each we find at the very least hope, and often love, peace and happiness.
Proceeds from sales of this anthology will be donated to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization [USA] providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. For more information, www.thetrevorproject.org.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Mann
9 books12 followersAmelia Mann was born Scandinavian but is now a citizen of the world. She works in theatres all over Europe and in the US, and maybe that is her only excuse for being completely hooked on writing dramatic, grand and über-romantic stories where love conquers all things. Her friends prefer using less fancy words characterizing her and just call her what she is: a total drama-queen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 21, 2015
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review through the DBML program.
Always Have, Always Will is about an established couple, Jay and Gabriel. They've been together for fourteen years when a medical emergency lands Jay in the hospital. Jay needs surgery and intensive care, but since Gabriel doesn't have any form of power of attorney, or legal documents, he can't sign consent or even see his partner.
Gabriel has to hunt down Jay's father in order to get a signature that will allow him access to Jay's bedside. Jay's father does sign off on everything but disappears, immediately after. While Jay is recovering, Gabriel pressures Jay for a deeper commitment. He's been wanting to get married, and have legal protections for the entire family in case of another emergency.
Jay's reluctance to commit fully to Gabriel stems from his experiences during his childhood. He continues to shut down the topic of marriage until he meets his birth father again. Jay finds that his need to keep Gabriel happy conflicts with his dislike for marriage and commitment.
I found this a quite enjoyable story of personal conflict and growth.
Always Have, Always Will is about an established couple, Jay and Gabriel. They've been together for fourteen years when a medical emergency lands Jay in the hospital. Jay needs surgery and intensive care, but since Gabriel doesn't have any form of power of attorney, or legal documents, he can't sign consent or even see his partner.
Gabriel has to hunt down Jay's father in order to get a signature that will allow him access to Jay's bedside. Jay's father does sign off on everything but disappears, immediately after. While Jay is recovering, Gabriel pressures Jay for a deeper commitment. He's been wanting to get married, and have legal protections for the entire family in case of another emergency.
Jay's reluctance to commit fully to Gabriel stems from his experiences during his childhood. He continues to shut down the topic of marriage until he meets his birth father again. Jay finds that his need to keep Gabriel happy conflicts with his dislike for marriage and commitment.
I found this a quite enjoyable story of personal conflict and growth.
February 28, 2015
Jayden and Gabriel are a committed gay couple raising two adopted children. They have been together 14 years, yet never married because Jay is not interested. His parents split when he was 7 and he hasn't seen his father since. His mother remarried, and remarried and remarried. She was a horrible homophobe and never approved of Jay being gay, Jay and Gabriel being together, Jay and Gabriel raising kids... She was a "joy" as a mother. (She died a year ago)
So, anywho, Jay doesn't believe in marriage, and feels that marrying Gabriel would result in a change in their relationship that would break them up--and he can't bear to lose Gabriel.
So, what happens is Jayden has a stroke in Walmart. And in NJ, where they live, their non-legal status means that Gabriel, Jay's LIFE PARTNER, cannot consent for Jay's medical care. Jay is immediately treated, but his care must be fully approved by Jay's absent father.
Gabriel has some resources and pulls all of them to locate Dad, who (WONDERFULLY) comes to sign off all treatment decisions to Gabriel, and signs all paperwork to allow visitation of the children, Gabriel and Gabriel's parents. Then, he leaves.
Jay's recovery is fraught with complication after complication. He is in a medically induced come for 14 days and spends a total of 4 weeks in the hospital. When he comes awake, Gabriel is adamant that they need to marry. He's suspicious of Jay's father, and doesn't want any further impediments to their relationship. Jay agrees to do all the legal paperwork to assure Gabriel has power of atty, but (stubbornly) won't agree to marriage.
They have a very tender, loving relationship. The connection between them is strong, but Jay will not relent on the marriage proposal. Then, weeks after Jay is home, his father appears on his doorstep. They spend an evening getting to know each other, and Jay realizes that his childhood was ruined by his mother's prejudice.
The entire point of the story is to get Jay to recognize that marrying Gabriel is not the bad decision he believes it to be. Readers will be satisfied. Just, don't expect any nitty-gritty loving. Not that kind of story. I don't find fault with the lack of detail, but I would have liked the story more had there been...some. Otherwise it's a well-written, fairly quiet, real-life romance. I really enjoyed Jay's POV through his stroke, recovery and "rebirth".
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for an honest review.
So, anywho, Jay doesn't believe in marriage, and feels that marrying Gabriel would result in a change in their relationship that would break them up--and he can't bear to lose Gabriel.
So, what happens is Jayden has a stroke in Walmart. And in NJ, where they live, their non-legal status means that Gabriel, Jay's LIFE PARTNER, cannot consent for Jay's medical care. Jay is immediately treated, but his care must be fully approved by Jay's absent father.
Gabriel has some resources and pulls all of them to locate Dad, who (WONDERFULLY) comes to sign off all treatment decisions to Gabriel, and signs all paperwork to allow visitation of the children, Gabriel and Gabriel's parents. Then, he leaves.
Jay's recovery is fraught with complication after complication. He is in a medically induced come for 14 days and spends a total of 4 weeks in the hospital. When he comes awake, Gabriel is adamant that they need to marry. He's suspicious of Jay's father, and doesn't want any further impediments to their relationship. Jay agrees to do all the legal paperwork to assure Gabriel has power of atty, but (stubbornly) won't agree to marriage.
They have a very tender, loving relationship. The connection between them is strong, but Jay will not relent on the marriage proposal. Then, weeks after Jay is home, his father appears on his doorstep. They spend an evening getting to know each other, and Jay realizes that his childhood was ruined by his mother's prejudice.
The entire point of the story is to get Jay to recognize that marrying Gabriel is not the bad decision he believes it to be. Readers will be satisfied. Just, don't expect any nitty-gritty loving. Not that kind of story. I don't find fault with the lack of detail, but I would have liked the story more had there been...some. Otherwise it's a well-written, fairly quiet, real-life romance. I really enjoyed Jay's POV through his stroke, recovery and "rebirth".
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't Buy My Love program in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2020
This is 1st person POV, which I'm not crazy about.
The main thing about this book is that while I feel like all the right elements were added to try to make this emotional, it rings very hollow. I can just picture the author checking off cliches to try and pull at the readers' heartstrings. Stroke? Check. Homophobic parent? Check. Absentee parent? Check. Adopted child #1 thrown out of a vehicle by their bio parents? Check. Adopted child #2 having a druggie mom who wanted nothing to do with them? Check. Touching reunion? Check. Dog. Check. In the end, I didn't connect with the characters or the story and found it a pretty un-enjoyable, dull read.
The dialogue is very formal, and everyone sounds the same. I would have thought that Gabriel (and presumably his mother), with a southern accent would maybe have some speech patterns, other than the odd "darlin'" through in to indicate that. And Eric, the Swede, actually speaks maybe a little less formally than the native English speakers. I had to go back and make sure this was set in New Jersey and not some posh English township.
I'm not one for marriage. I would literally have to be paid to ever get married. Mind you, I also have no interest in a romantic relationship with someone and never wanted kids. But, rationally, if I had a partner who I was with for a good 40% of my life, had two adopted children with them (with only my partner having legal guardianship over them), and had a medical emergency that involved someone else having to make choices for me and that person not being my partner because the legal system doesn't recognize our partnership and therefore bars them from making decisions on my behalf, or even from visiting me in the hospital, I would probably insist on marrying, just for the sake of simplifying things. Add into the mix that my partner is begging me to marry them, I just can't help but think that Jay was being pigheaded about the whole thing.
The main thing about this book is that while I feel like all the right elements were added to try to make this emotional, it rings very hollow. I can just picture the author checking off cliches to try and pull at the readers' heartstrings. Stroke? Check. Homophobic parent? Check. Absentee parent? Check. Adopted child #1 thrown out of a vehicle by their bio parents? Check. Adopted child #2 having a druggie mom who wanted nothing to do with them? Check. Touching reunion? Check. Dog. Check. In the end, I didn't connect with the characters or the story and found it a pretty un-enjoyable, dull read.
The dialogue is very formal, and everyone sounds the same. I would have thought that Gabriel (and presumably his mother), with a southern accent would maybe have some speech patterns, other than the odd "darlin'" through in to indicate that. And Eric, the Swede, actually speaks maybe a little less formally than the native English speakers. I had to go back and make sure this was set in New Jersey and not some posh English township.
I'm not one for marriage. I would literally have to be paid to ever get married. Mind you, I also have no interest in a romantic relationship with someone and never wanted kids. But, rationally, if I had a partner who I was with for a good 40% of my life, had two adopted children with them (with only my partner having legal guardianship over them), and had a medical emergency that involved someone else having to make choices for me and that person not being my partner because the legal system doesn't recognize our partnership and therefore bars them from making decisions on my behalf, or even from visiting me in the hospital, I would probably insist on marrying, just for the sake of simplifying things. Add into the mix that my partner is begging me to marry them, I just can't help but think that Jay was being pigheaded about the whole thing.
February 17, 2015
This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet family romance. Kay and Gabe are a couple who have been together for fourteen years. They have two adopted children. The story begins with Jay having a medical emergency at Walmart. It's very touch and go for a while and I really enjoyed the the way the author wrote this part. I was right there with Jay.
Gabe, after going through legal hassles at the hospital wants to get married. Jay not trusting that things will stay the same declines. Reasons for why Jay doesn't want to get married are told and some things about his childhood are brought to light.
This isn't a story with fights and miscommunication. It's about a happy family that truely love each other. It's about some of the problems same sex couples have when it comes to some legal issues. And it's about how gay rights have changed through the years. It's about family.
It just proves a good story doesn't have to have a lot of drama going on to be a good read.
I enjoyed my afternoon.
This is a sweet family romance. Kay and Gabe are a couple who have been together for fourteen years. They have two adopted children. The story begins with Jay having a medical emergency at Walmart. It's very touch and go for a while and I really enjoyed the the way the author wrote this part. I was right there with Jay.
Gabe, after going through legal hassles at the hospital wants to get married. Jay not trusting that things will stay the same declines. Reasons for why Jay doesn't want to get married are told and some things about his childhood are brought to light.
This isn't a story with fights and miscommunication. It's about a happy family that truely love each other. It's about some of the problems same sex couples have when it comes to some legal issues. And it's about how gay rights have changed through the years. It's about family.
It just proves a good story doesn't have to have a lot of drama going on to be a good read.
I enjoyed my afternoon.
March 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was so close to a 5 star read but I guess I would have liked it to be a bit longer. Everything ended up good in the end but it would have been nice to see Jay and his father get close again. After all the marriage talk, we see the proposal and then its one year later. I felt that maybe there was just a little something missing.
Sad at the beginning but the love between Jay and Gabriel really showed through.
Sad at the beginning but the love between Jay and Gabriel really showed through.
January 12, 2020
Lovely, loving story about a contented, settled gay couple, Jayden and Gabriel and their adopted children, and their extended families.
The medical drama at the start is accurate and knowledgeable, the writer either having medical/nursing training or knows intimately the cause and effects of endocarditis and subsequent emergency and threat to life.
This drew me in, and the strength of the men’s relationship developed forthwith.
The meeting and understanding of Jay’s past, it’s adverse affects on him and subsequently the start of his personal healing process and newfound relationship with his father, and his long term marriage to his husband, Eric, eventually leads to him fulfilling Gabriel’s dream of marriage.
The proposal had me all teary, not just Gabriel, but then two things let this down in my opinion, the response of their children and extended families would have been lovely to share with readers, and also being privy to their muted wedding itself. Instead we have a year later on a boat in the Bahamas for Christmas...so, I felt I’d missed out on their very special day.
This story also highlights the damage done to homophobic people, on themselves and their children and other relationships. But it cameos one more thing that is so damaging, when a gay man tries heterosexual marriage in order to have children and be seen as ‘normal’. This causes so much hurt and harm on all parties when they eventually follow their true nature and leaves lifelong lasting pain and trauma to women they have experimented with.
I was also glad the writer Amelia Mann knows there’s no magical complete cure with severe stroke but a leftover ongoing disability that needs occasional mentions as her story progressed and ends.
Four stars from me. Five if there’d been the wedding etc.
The medical drama at the start is accurate and knowledgeable, the writer either having medical/nursing training or knows intimately the cause and effects of endocarditis and subsequent emergency and threat to life.
This drew me in, and the strength of the men’s relationship developed forthwith.
The meeting and understanding of Jay’s past, it’s adverse affects on him and subsequently the start of his personal healing process and newfound relationship with his father, and his long term marriage to his husband, Eric, eventually leads to him fulfilling Gabriel’s dream of marriage.
The proposal had me all teary, not just Gabriel, but then two things let this down in my opinion, the response of their children and extended families would have been lovely to share with readers, and also being privy to their muted wedding itself. Instead we have a year later on a boat in the Bahamas for Christmas...so, I felt I’d missed out on their very special day.
This story also highlights the damage done to homophobic people, on themselves and their children and other relationships. But it cameos one more thing that is so damaging, when a gay man tries heterosexual marriage in order to have children and be seen as ‘normal’. This causes so much hurt and harm on all parties when they eventually follow their true nature and leaves lifelong lasting pain and trauma to women they have experimented with.
I was also glad the writer Amelia Mann knows there’s no magical complete cure with severe stroke but a leftover ongoing disability that needs occasional mentions as her story progressed and ends.
Four stars from me. Five if there’d been the wedding etc.
May 12, 2015
This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Always Have, Always Will is the story of Gabriel and Jayden two people very much in love, the proud parents of two children who have been together for fourteen years, and how there life changes in the span of a heartbeat when Jayden suffers from a stroke.
I love established couple romances there is something so great in seeing the different stages that love goes through. This story is very sweet and uplifting. I mean it gives me great satisfaction in reading a book when the love between two characters reflects with their every gesture and seeing the way love transforms at every moment. This was a really touching book.
Gabriel is so patient and fantastic. Despite the fact that so much happens in his life he keeps going and his inner strength reflects through the pages of this book. I loved Jayden who is an easygoing guy, immensely comfortable in his own skin. He was so cute especially when he says that he didn't like shortening Gabriel to Gabe simply because Gabriel's name was too beautiful to be shortened.
This book deals mainly with love and family. All the relationships that Gabriel and Jay share with their kids and Gabriel's Parents and also towards the end with Jay's parents are really forged in steel. They way they deal with each other is really uplifting. There is something in knowing the fact that your family will always be there even when the going gets tough.
The writing flows. The story kept me enthralled. All the characters were really well developed and so loving. This book is basically a family romance about how a family handles a crisis only to come out even stronger in the end.
Always Have, Always Will is the story of Gabriel and Jayden two people very much in love, the proud parents of two children who have been together for fourteen years, and how there life changes in the span of a heartbeat when Jayden suffers from a stroke.
I love established couple romances there is something so great in seeing the different stages that love goes through. This story is very sweet and uplifting. I mean it gives me great satisfaction in reading a book when the love between two characters reflects with their every gesture and seeing the way love transforms at every moment. This was a really touching book.
Gabriel is so patient and fantastic. Despite the fact that so much happens in his life he keeps going and his inner strength reflects through the pages of this book. I loved Jayden who is an easygoing guy, immensely comfortable in his own skin. He was so cute especially when he says that he didn't like shortening Gabriel to Gabe simply because Gabriel's name was too beautiful to be shortened.
This book deals mainly with love and family. All the relationships that Gabriel and Jay share with their kids and Gabriel's Parents and also towards the end with Jay's parents are really forged in steel. They way they deal with each other is really uplifting. There is something in knowing the fact that your family will always be there even when the going gets tough.
The writing flows. The story kept me enthralled. All the characters were really well developed and so loving. This book is basically a family romance about how a family handles a crisis only to come out even stronger in the end.
February 17, 2015
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Jayden and Gabriel have been together for fourteen years. Then on an excursion out to Walmart to pick up a sink declogger thingy for the bathroom he has a stroke and is brought to the hospital were he undergoes open heart surgery for a bad heart valve. Not a believer that commitment and love needs to be defined with a piece of paper the two never tied the knot. After Jayden is in the clear the subject is brought up because of the complications concerning next of kin since Gabriel wasn't considered family under law. Jayden is staunchly against marriage but he loves Gabriel and knows something will have to give to give his love ones the security they need and want in the eyes of the law.
I absolutely loved the feeling of love infused in the story and how much readers get the feeling that Jayden loves Gabriel. Seeing them in their home life and everything was just lovely. Their kids were awesome. The thing with Jayden's dad was shocking and I wasn't sure how I felt since I felt I got a bit bias after the reactions Gabriel had when Jayden asked after his dad who they had to track down.
Jayden and Gabriel have been together for fourteen years. Then on an excursion out to Walmart to pick up a sink declogger thingy for the bathroom he has a stroke and is brought to the hospital were he undergoes open heart surgery for a bad heart valve. Not a believer that commitment and love needs to be defined with a piece of paper the two never tied the knot. After Jayden is in the clear the subject is brought up because of the complications concerning next of kin since Gabriel wasn't considered family under law. Jayden is staunchly against marriage but he loves Gabriel and knows something will have to give to give his love ones the security they need and want in the eyes of the law.
I absolutely loved the feeling of love infused in the story and how much readers get the feeling that Jayden loves Gabriel. Seeing them in their home life and everything was just lovely. Their kids were awesome. The thing with Jayden's dad was shocking and I wasn't sure how I felt since I felt I got a bit bias after the reactions Gabriel had when Jayden asked after his dad who they had to track down.
November 29, 2017
Alway Have, Always Will by Amelia Mann - a new writer for me - was a sweet very romantic read, surrounding family. There are some dramatic moments in the beginning that set this story afloat but Mann used a gentle hand at telling sentimental a story without becoming super-sappy. Instead for this reader, it was warm and mellow. It served up an excellent sense of holiday and family.
December 3, 2014
3.5
A solid 4 star beginning, but then the story started to drag a bit. I still really liked the characters and the storyline, the writing just felt...loose?
I liked it, though, and I'm glad I read it :)
A solid 4 star beginning, but then the story started to drag a bit. I still really liked the characters and the storyline, the writing just felt...loose?
I liked it, though, and I'm glad I read it :)
April 7, 2019
First chapters are powerful, with vivid descriptions of Jay circumstances; then lose a bit of that initial strength.
Read as part of Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology Combined Edition . Yet I loved this story so much that I have purchased the separate ebook also.
Read as part of Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology Combined Edition . Yet I loved this story so much that I have purchased the separate ebook also.
February 25, 2015
A copy of this book was provided by the author through the DBML Program in exchange for an honest review.
From the moment I met Jay while he was shopping in the plumbing aisle at Walmart and he started to experience symptoms which I immediately recognized as a stroke, I was hooked. The first few chapters of the story are told through his eyes as he goes in and out of consciousness. They are chillingly gripping and emotionally intense. As he recognizes Gabriel, his partner of fourteen years, by his beside but can’t seem to relate this Gabriel with beard growth and bleary eyes to the fresh-faced man he loves with all his heart, I was in that hospital bed with him. These early scenes packed a lot of punch and securely engaged me in the story.
What Jay didn’t know at the time, but finds out later, is that Gabe had to fight to be by his side since the two weren’t legally married. Gabe pulled in a lot of favors from friends and friends of friends to track down Jay’s father, a man who disappeared from Jay’s life when he was fifteen years old. As next of kin, his father was the only person who could have signed all of the permissions required for implanting a new heart valve when the stroke caused a defective valve to blow. He also signed all the paperwork necessary for Gabe, their children, and Gabe’s parents to visit Jay and be given updates on his condition. But then he disappeared again and as far as Gabe is concerned, that’s just fine.
Jay never believed in the official commitment of marriage. After all, his mother went through multiple husbands and no formal commitment seemed to work for her. And as for his father, who knew what was going on in his life. Gabe mentions that the man was wearing a wedding ring but Jay just sees that as another hurdle. Gabe does believe in marriage and he loves Jay with all his heart, so while Jay is still in the hospital, Gabe asks Jay to marry him. When he’s refused he lets Jay know that he’s going to persist until it’s a yes.
The secondary characters in this story were quite strong, particularly their children and Gabe’s mother. When Jay’s father shows up again with his spouse, his character is also fleshed out and the opportunity to become a family which includes his dad and spouse isn’t missed. I liked the Christmas gift Jay gives Gabe after he’s given an opportunity to learn more about the circumstances surrounding his dad’s departure from his life, and he’s able to reflect about what’s really most important to him.
I’m very happy to recommend this to lovers of M/M romance, especially to those who enjoy established couples and/or those who like life and death medical drama mixed in. The author packed a lot of story into less than one hundred pages and I’m sure others will enjoy it as much as I did.
From the moment I met Jay while he was shopping in the plumbing aisle at Walmart and he started to experience symptoms which I immediately recognized as a stroke, I was hooked. The first few chapters of the story are told through his eyes as he goes in and out of consciousness. They are chillingly gripping and emotionally intense. As he recognizes Gabriel, his partner of fourteen years, by his beside but can’t seem to relate this Gabriel with beard growth and bleary eyes to the fresh-faced man he loves with all his heart, I was in that hospital bed with him. These early scenes packed a lot of punch and securely engaged me in the story.
What Jay didn’t know at the time, but finds out later, is that Gabe had to fight to be by his side since the two weren’t legally married. Gabe pulled in a lot of favors from friends and friends of friends to track down Jay’s father, a man who disappeared from Jay’s life when he was fifteen years old. As next of kin, his father was the only person who could have signed all of the permissions required for implanting a new heart valve when the stroke caused a defective valve to blow. He also signed all the paperwork necessary for Gabe, their children, and Gabe’s parents to visit Jay and be given updates on his condition. But then he disappeared again and as far as Gabe is concerned, that’s just fine.
Jay never believed in the official commitment of marriage. After all, his mother went through multiple husbands and no formal commitment seemed to work for her. And as for his father, who knew what was going on in his life. Gabe mentions that the man was wearing a wedding ring but Jay just sees that as another hurdle. Gabe does believe in marriage and he loves Jay with all his heart, so while Jay is still in the hospital, Gabe asks Jay to marry him. When he’s refused he lets Jay know that he’s going to persist until it’s a yes.
The secondary characters in this story were quite strong, particularly their children and Gabe’s mother. When Jay’s father shows up again with his spouse, his character is also fleshed out and the opportunity to become a family which includes his dad and spouse isn’t missed. I liked the Christmas gift Jay gives Gabe after he’s given an opportunity to learn more about the circumstances surrounding his dad’s departure from his life, and he’s able to reflect about what’s really most important to him.
I’m very happy to recommend this to lovers of M/M romance, especially to those who enjoy established couples and/or those who like life and death medical drama mixed in. The author packed a lot of story into less than one hundred pages and I’m sure others will enjoy it as much as I did.
February 28, 2015
A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I started reading this story, thinking this would be a comfy, feel-good book. Instead I got a lot more than I expected. Though not graphic, the story dwells on tough subjects and attitudes many face every day. As the blurb suggests, one MC becomes a secondary character in the life of his partner, and this storyline was especially affective while regarding their whole family. I felt the author wrote this perfectly; it wasn't sappy, though it could've easily been written that way.
For me, this book celebrates family, the ups and downs of being a parent, of being a child, of being the significant other. Jay’s past has a big role in how the story eventually plays out, but it never overshadowed the life these characters have now. What I really loved was the normality of this family. They’re just parents and their kids carrying the every-day life of a typical family. How these children became a part of this family was explained almost matter-of-factly and then shown delicately in their characters.
Ultimately, this book doesn’t glorify marriage. It doesn’t glorify the wonderfulness of having children and raising a family. There are no rainbows and stardust in this book. Just one couple who are very much in love with one another and who’d go above and beyond for their loved ones.
I started reading this story, thinking this would be a comfy, feel-good book. Instead I got a lot more than I expected. Though not graphic, the story dwells on tough subjects and attitudes many face every day. As the blurb suggests, one MC becomes a secondary character in the life of his partner, and this storyline was especially affective while regarding their whole family. I felt the author wrote this perfectly; it wasn't sappy, though it could've easily been written that way.
For me, this book celebrates family, the ups and downs of being a parent, of being a child, of being the significant other. Jay’s past has a big role in how the story eventually plays out, but it never overshadowed the life these characters have now. What I really loved was the normality of this family. They’re just parents and their kids carrying the every-day life of a typical family. How these children became a part of this family was explained almost matter-of-factly and then shown delicately in their characters.
Ultimately, this book doesn’t glorify marriage. It doesn’t glorify the wonderfulness of having children and raising a family. There are no rainbows and stardust in this book. Just one couple who are very much in love with one another and who’d go above and beyond for their loved ones.
March 5, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jayden has a stroke and has to undergo surgery and intensive care. His partner, Gabriel, is faced with a serious issue. Despite their being together for fourteen years and having two children together, Gabe has no more say in Jay’s care than any other friend of Jay’s. Although marriage is legal in their state, Jay has issues with marriage and has refused to take that final step. He’s happy with their relationship and is afraid of how things might change. Gabe has to move heaven and earth to find Jay’s father, the only family member he has and one Jay hasn’t seen since he was a child. Gabe’s mother presses the issue of the importance of marriage at the hospital and Jay and Gabe argue about it but to no avail.
Not long after Jay returns home, his father shows up on his doorstep with several shocking revelations about himself and his past. This is the beginning of a lot of growth and healing between Jay and his father and the seeds to a change in Jay’s negative attitude toward marriage. Christmas rolls around and Jay decides he knows exactly what to get Gabe for Christmas.
The writing was solid. It has a nice warm and fuzzy feeling to it. The characters are believable and likable. I could understand both characters points of view and enjoyed watching the story unfold to see Jay’s views change. I would definitely suggest this book to everyone.
Jayden has a stroke and has to undergo surgery and intensive care. His partner, Gabriel, is faced with a serious issue. Despite their being together for fourteen years and having two children together, Gabe has no more say in Jay’s care than any other friend of Jay’s. Although marriage is legal in their state, Jay has issues with marriage and has refused to take that final step. He’s happy with their relationship and is afraid of how things might change. Gabe has to move heaven and earth to find Jay’s father, the only family member he has and one Jay hasn’t seen since he was a child. Gabe’s mother presses the issue of the importance of marriage at the hospital and Jay and Gabe argue about it but to no avail.
Not long after Jay returns home, his father shows up on his doorstep with several shocking revelations about himself and his past. This is the beginning of a lot of growth and healing between Jay and his father and the seeds to a change in Jay’s negative attitude toward marriage. Christmas rolls around and Jay decides he knows exactly what to get Gabe for Christmas.
The writing was solid. It has a nice warm and fuzzy feeling to it. The characters are believable and likable. I could understand both characters points of view and enjoyed watching the story unfold to see Jay’s views change. I would definitely suggest this book to everyone.
May 31, 2016
4 solid stars
I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Jayden and Gabriel, 14 years after they got their "happy ever after". A story I really want to read, by the way ;-)
Jayden and Gabriel are midlleaged, around 40, they have a nice solid life, wonderful relationship, good jobs, a nice house, two great kids, a silly dog and Jayden wants nothing to change. Unfortunately for Jayden that sort of thing is not always up to us, and his life does change drastically, when he suddenly suffers a stroke in the middle of Walmart.
This was a lovely story of an established couple and how love continues to grow through everything life throws at us. It had me teary-eyed a few pages in and I closed the book with a happy sigh and a smile on my face. The romance stays on this side of sweet, even if we are treated to a lot of lovely intimate moments between the two main characters.
Besides being a sweet love story, it also brings up a few poignant issues about legal rights in cases of emergency, when your partner of 14 years is basically just your roommate, in the eyes of the law.
I enjoyed the writing and the authors voice and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another story from this author. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a feel good story with nice characters and a solid feel of family to it.
I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Jayden and Gabriel, 14 years after they got their "happy ever after". A story I really want to read, by the way ;-)
Jayden and Gabriel are midlleaged, around 40, they have a nice solid life, wonderful relationship, good jobs, a nice house, two great kids, a silly dog and Jayden wants nothing to change. Unfortunately for Jayden that sort of thing is not always up to us, and his life does change drastically, when he suddenly suffers a stroke in the middle of Walmart.
This was a lovely story of an established couple and how love continues to grow through everything life throws at us. It had me teary-eyed a few pages in and I closed the book with a happy sigh and a smile on my face. The romance stays on this side of sweet, even if we are treated to a lot of lovely intimate moments between the two main characters.
Besides being a sweet love story, it also brings up a few poignant issues about legal rights in cases of emergency, when your partner of 14 years is basically just your roommate, in the eyes of the law.
I enjoyed the writing and the authors voice and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another story from this author. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a feel good story with nice characters and a solid feel of family to it.
February 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review...
4 stars...1st book I have read by this author.
I became a victim of 'just take a peek' before going to bed on a work night. Bad idea! :)
I very much enjoyed this short story about Jay(Jayden) and Gabriel. We come into the story 14 years into an established relationship right smack in the middle of one of the scariest situations for any family. I was immediately hooked on finding out what happened next.
Jay has commitment issues (or so he thinks). With his history this is not a surprising turn of events. Gabriel loves him anyway. The patience and humor of Gabriel while he waits for Jay to figure out what Jay already knows deep down in his heart is wonderful and realistic to the type of person he is.
The kids, other family members and assorted other characters are all interesting and make this seem like a peek into the real life of an actual couple more than a fiction story. As in all good stories I would have liked this book to be longer as I didn't want it to end. I will be searching out other books by this author (as well as the rest of the anthology this story was originally in) as soon as I finish writing this review.
4 stars...1st book I have read by this author.
I became a victim of 'just take a peek' before going to bed on a work night. Bad idea! :)
I very much enjoyed this short story about Jay(Jayden) and Gabriel. We come into the story 14 years into an established relationship right smack in the middle of one of the scariest situations for any family. I was immediately hooked on finding out what happened next.
Jay has commitment issues (or so he thinks). With his history this is not a surprising turn of events. Gabriel loves him anyway. The patience and humor of Gabriel while he waits for Jay to figure out what Jay already knows deep down in his heart is wonderful and realistic to the type of person he is.
The kids, other family members and assorted other characters are all interesting and make this seem like a peek into the real life of an actual couple more than a fiction story. As in all good stories I would have liked this book to be longer as I didn't want it to end. I will be searching out other books by this author (as well as the rest of the anthology this story was originally in) as soon as I finish writing this review.
March 1, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A sweet but not overly so holiday story about a couple trying to agree upon marriage after near brush with death.
This was a surprisingly maturely handled story that due to the subject could have easily turned into a melodrama. The MCs were an established couple with kids and had been together for years, and for once, it showed.
Usually as a reader I go for the OTT emotions, but sometimes the frame of the story requires somehting more understated, which is rarely delivered when authors write abotu couples that have been together for years.
In Always Have, Always Will, though one of the MCs wants to get married and the other one doesn't, they talk instead of fighting and I felt that was the author's way of showing that despite disagreeing on somehting so major, they did love one another enough to get past their differencies.
I loved Jay's father and his husband, they brought warmth to the story.
Three solid stars, excellent holiday reading.
A sweet but not overly so holiday story about a couple trying to agree upon marriage after near brush with death.
This was a surprisingly maturely handled story that due to the subject could have easily turned into a melodrama. The MCs were an established couple with kids and had been together for years, and for once, it showed.
Usually as a reader I go for the OTT emotions, but sometimes the frame of the story requires somehting more understated, which is rarely delivered when authors write abotu couples that have been together for years.
In Always Have, Always Will, though one of the MCs wants to get married and the other one doesn't, they talk instead of fighting and I felt that was the author's way of showing that despite disagreeing on somehting so major, they did love one another enough to get past their differencies.
I loved Jay's father and his husband, they brought warmth to the story.
Three solid stars, excellent holiday reading.
December 12, 2020
This book was provided to me free for an honest review through the DBML program of the M/M Romance group.
3.5 stars
Good book that was well written, and didn't have the editing problems of a lot of others I've read recently(misspelled words, misused words, wrong names in places).
Maybe it was my mood at the time I read the book but I didn't really feel invested in the characters like I usually do in a really good book. It was a well written story. And I did like the look inside Jayden's head when he was going through the stroke and almost dying.
It was just after the time in the hospital that I didn't feel as much for the characters. Like I said it may have been my mood at the time, but the time gap of him in the hospital just waking up fully for the first time in two weeks and then suddenly home weeks later seemed to disconnect me from the story a little.
If you are looking for an emotional feel good story with very little heat(he is recovering from a stroke) then this is a good book for you.
3.5 stars
Good book that was well written, and didn't have the editing problems of a lot of others I've read recently(misspelled words, misused words, wrong names in places).
Maybe it was my mood at the time I read the book but I didn't really feel invested in the characters like I usually do in a really good book. It was a well written story. And I did like the look inside Jayden's head when he was going through the stroke and almost dying.
It was just after the time in the hospital that I didn't feel as much for the characters. Like I said it may have been my mood at the time, but the time gap of him in the hospital just waking up fully for the first time in two weeks and then suddenly home weeks later seemed to disconnect me from the story a little.
If you are looking for an emotional feel good story with very little heat(he is recovering from a stroke) then this is a good book for you.
March 9, 2015
I received this review copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. I love the beginning when Jay was explaining everything that was happening to him at Walmart. After the big incident in the beginning everything was pretty straight forward there.
Established couple trope is a bit of hit and miss for me. But Gabriel and Jay went awesome together without being cheesy about it. The drama with his Jay's father was actually welcomed and really made the story more interesting but I wish their was more on page with the family. I agree with other reviewer who might have giving this book a higher rating if there was bit more family development on page. You found about how the issue was resolved after the fact.
Overall I love this book and will be recommended this book in the future.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. I love the beginning when Jay was explaining everything that was happening to him at Walmart. After the big incident in the beginning everything was pretty straight forward there.
Established couple trope is a bit of hit and miss for me. But Gabriel and Jay went awesome together without being cheesy about it. The drama with his Jay's father was actually welcomed and really made the story more interesting but I wish their was more on page with the family. I agree with other reviewer who might have giving this book a higher rating if there was bit more family development on page. You found about how the issue was resolved after the fact.
Overall I love this book and will be recommended this book in the future.
February 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this gem of a story. It starts out very dramatically, with a fascinating glimpse into what going on inside Jay's head. I don't know how realistic it was, but I felt the panic and confusion. The two main characters had a lovely relationship. You can see the warmth, respect and affection in their words and actions. Although Jay has hangups about marriage, I loved the twist with his father. Such a nice blend of sexy and sweet.
I didn't have the best Christmas this year, so this story brought a special joy to me, reminding me of how wonderful it can be, when a little effort is put in. As always with a good book, I wish it was longer, but this author is one I will seek out. This book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't have the best Christmas this year, so this story brought a special joy to me, reminding me of how wonderful it can be, when a little effort is put in. As always with a good book, I wish it was longer, but this author is one I will seek out. This book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2020
A hidden gem
I discovered this book while looking for books with food or drink on the cover for a challenge. I ended up not using it so it stayed on my holiday tbr. Yesterday I couldn't decide what I wanted to read so I randomized my list and this popped up. Let me tell you, it was fantastic! I didn't expect to have a front row seat to Jay's medical crisis. But it was probably a good thing I did because it stopped me from wanting to smack him for how dismissive he was to the whole marriage conversation. I hurt for Gabriel. I liked seeing them banter about it though. They were a good match and I really liked how we got pieces of their history along with the aftermath of Jay's hospitalization. This was a really good story and I'm glad I found it.
I discovered this book while looking for books with food or drink on the cover for a challenge. I ended up not using it so it stayed on my holiday tbr. Yesterday I couldn't decide what I wanted to read so I randomized my list and this popped up. Let me tell you, it was fantastic! I didn't expect to have a front row seat to Jay's medical crisis. But it was probably a good thing I did because it stopped me from wanting to smack him for how dismissive he was to the whole marriage conversation. I hurt for Gabriel. I liked seeing them banter about it though. They were a good match and I really liked how we got pieces of their history along with the aftermath of Jay's hospitalization. This was a really good story and I'm glad I found it.
December 29, 2015
4.5 Stars.
A wonderful story going from near disaster to pure bliss. Perhaps a bit too much 'PG' where '18+' would have made the second part of the story a bit less sugary, but I really enjoyed the interactions between the MCs themselves and those with their family. For me, Gabriel was the star; I could read about the guy 'till Kingdom comes...
What I didn't like was the time jump (I rarely do, I suppose): the story is leading up to a main event, but we don't get to hear about the event itself because suddenly it's a year later and the event is already in the past. A minor gripe perhaps, but it did annoy me a bit.
But overall it's a great story with some wonderful characters!
A wonderful story going from near disaster to pure bliss. Perhaps a bit too much 'PG' where '18+' would have made the second part of the story a bit less sugary, but I really enjoyed the interactions between the MCs themselves and those with their family. For me, Gabriel was the star; I could read about the guy 'till Kingdom comes...
What I didn't like was the time jump (I rarely do, I suppose): the story is leading up to a main event, but we don't get to hear about the event itself because suddenly it's a year later and the event is already in the past. A minor gripe perhaps, but it did annoy me a bit.
But overall it's a great story with some wonderful characters!
December 31, 2017
Loved the story, loved the characters, the dialogue, the revelations, the sense of family and love. This will be one I'll be rereading regularly. Gabriel is patience and commitment personified. I loved that his words and his actions all spoke of both of those things for Jayden forever and always. Jayden made me snicker at his resistance to what he already had; a marriage. He's been so tainted by his mother's relationship failures that it has him terrified to make a formal commitment. The in-laws are wonderful side characters and watching Jayden form a relationship with his estranged father was sweet to see.
Highly recommended
Adult read
Highly recommended
Adult read
Read
December 17, 2014Review to follow at Love Bytes 12/24/2014
probably-not-but-freebie
July 10, 2018Freebie at smashie right now: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews