Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Halfway to Someday” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Halfway to Someday

(Wild Child #1)

Layla Dorine (Goodreads Author)

4.30 · Rating details · 37 ratings · 24 reviews

Rocker Jesse Winters just wants to be left alone. If he could melt into oblivion, he would and bid farewell to the wild child of rock n’ roll so many had dubbed him in recent months. Truth is there was never anything reckless, wild, or even deliberate about most of the things that had happened on Wild Child’s last tour, but had anyone cared to listen? No! Which was precise ...more

Get A Copy

ebook

Published January 27th 2020 by NineStar Press

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Halfway to Someday, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Halfway to Someday

Lists with This Book

January 2020 MM Romance Releases

224 books — 33 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.30 ·

Rating details

· 37 ratings · 24 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Halfway to Someday

Jan 25, 2020 Fabi rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, mm-romance-gay-lit, published-2020, rock-star, tpam-2020-reading-challenge

Do you like damaged heroes? If you do, you're in luck because here we have two of them.

Jesse is a rock star. He is also a victim. When we meet him he is at rock bottom. At the point where he is losing everything important in his life. A point where he's wondering if there is a point to this life.

Secluded at a friend's mountain cabin during a viscous snowstorm, the last thing Jesse expects is company.

Ryker made a harrowing drive up the mountain in a snow storm to get some personal space at his co Do you like damaged heroes? If you do, you're in luck because here we have two of them.

Jesse is a rock star. He is also a victim. When we meet him he is at rock bottom. At the point where he is losing everything important in his life. A point where he's wondering if there is a point to this life.

Secluded at a friend's mountain cabin during a viscous snowstorm, the last thing Jesse expects is company.

Ryker made a harrowing drive up the mountain in a snow storm to get some personal space at his cousin's remote cabin. He's back from his last tour in the military. The last one that took the lives of several comrades and almost took his own as well. He doesn't understand Jesse's total freak out when he arrives at the cabin. But with the storm blocking road access, they have to sit tight in forced proximity.

The story slowly reveals each man's personal demons. We watch as they tentatively manage to help each other.

If you like dramatic romance stories this will work well for you. I'm more of an action fan myself so it tended to drag a little for me with all the emotional turmoil without accompanying action.

I also have a pet peeve about reading MM Romance. This one is wholly on me, however, it did impact my enjoyment of the story. To be blunt, I don't like MM Romance when I can just as easily (or more easily) picture one of the main characters as a female. This has nothing at all to do with femme male characters which are perfectly fine for me in a romance. It's hard to explain, but it has more to do with the character's actions and reactions. In this story, I had a hard time empathising with Jesse as a male character. As a MF Romance this would have rated higher for me than it did as a MM Romance.

I enjoyed it and believe that with a little editing to cut back on some of the repetitive scenes and toning down Jesse's propensity for drama this could easily be a five star read for me.

Your mileage may vary. ;-) It's difficult not to get personal with a review since we all react uniquely to each story we read. I do recommend this one when you're wanting a character driven story with depth and feeling.

Review ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Jan 21, 2020 Chelsea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley

Rating: 2.5

I wasn't invested in this story at all. It felt too slow in the beginning and too rushed at the end. I felt like the characters didn't really have personalities. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Joyfully Jay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kenna

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

I loved this book, and I’m going to tell you why, but first I do feel the need to make you aware of some trigger warnings. There are detailed images of cutting, thoughts of suicide, PTSD, terrible nightmares, and descriptions of horrific abuse by an ex who has also become a violent stalker. Admittedly, the first half of Halfway to Someday was difficult to read, so readers should be prepared.

With all that being said, I’m going to give you my feelings on this amazing ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2020 Kristina rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book even though there were a few slow parts, it didn’t inhibit my enjoyment of the story itself. Learning about Jesse and Ryker’s backgrounds and their stories was so sad it broke my Heart. I couldn’t put it down and when I did have to I would race back because I needed to know everything.

***An ARC was provided in exchange for review by Author***

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 07, 2020 Kathleen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: melodrama, too-long, contemporary, author-or-story-not-my-cuppa

2.5 stars

***waves buh-bye at 82%***

I just couldn't take the melodrama any longer. I knew how it would end and I couldn't make myself care. About any of the characters. This author just isn't my cuppa. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 31, 2020 Rennie rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I’ve read Layla Dorine before and have really enjoyed her books but I really had to push myself to finish Halfway to Someday and even then I found myself skimming pages. It starts off promisingly with two heroes a rock star and a former Army Ranger - both of them damaged and hurting; stuck together in a cabin during a snowstorm and the threat of a stalking ex. Sounds pretty awesome but it just felt very, very meh and repetitive.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews rated it it was amazing

Wow, Layla Dorine's Halfway to Someday is a riveting and heavy book.

Jesse and Ryker are two men who are both broken; two men who find themselves escaping and hiding out in a cabin they have to share. They're well developed, blowing me away with their complexity.

Jesse, with his history of self harm, is struggling with something secret.
His issues are emotional to the point of tears, as he's full of fear and pain, lacking in self esteem. This quote sums him up well. "I just wanted someone to love ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 18, 2020 Angie rated it liked it · review of another edition

I recieved a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This book was hard for me to get through. It wasn't because of the subject matter though. I thought the author did a great job describing what Jesse and Ryker both went through. I just think the author could have cut the book down a little bit because things were said multiple times and I was getting bored. At first I thought this was going to be your typical story about two guys stuck in a snow storm who eventually fall in love. It was ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2020 Angel Hatfield rated it it was amazing

Jesse wasn’t sure he’d ever climb up on stage again. His fingers itched to touch his guitar but what was the point in creating anything the way his bandmates had turned their backs on him. Tish said to him” Way to go.” Jess replied “You think I ruined the concert on purpose?” “What are we supposed to think ? “ she spat. They knew him, how deeply he loved the music, how it was all he had aside from them, and yet…. Jess was in his best friend and bandmate’s -Kyle-cabin using his blade to cut himse Jesse wasn’t sure he’d ever climb up on stage again. His fingers itched to touch his guitar but what was the point in creating anything the way his bandmates had turned their backs on him. Tish said to him” Way to go.” Jess replied “You think I ruined the concert on purpose?” “What are we supposed to think ? “ she spat. They knew him, how deeply he loved the music, how it was all he had aside from them, and yet…. Jess was in his best friend and bandmate’s -Kyle-cabin using his blade to cut himself. There was no one left to believe him. Why keep fighting. Ryker was driving to the cabin. Heavy white snow belted his windshield. He finally saw the cabin and pulled over and set his head on the wheel but had a horrible flashback but the wind was so bad it rocked the truck throwing Ryker out of the past. Perhaps giving in would make life easier give himself over to the cold. Jesse opened the door scowling at Ryker and said, ``I think you have the wrong cabin.” Ryker let him know he was coming in. Ryker said he was suppose to be at his cousins cabin and the GPS said it was right here. Then he said his cousins name was Kyle.
When jesse saw Kyle he was going to choke him with his own bass strings. Jesse than said this was supposed to be his cabin for the next four months. Ryker said maybe everything isn’t about you I just ended my eighth tour overseas and called Kyle and told him the V A clinic said ryker needed a quiet place to reacclimate before he started mixing with people again. There was no way Jesse could run right now. Kyle told Jesse Ryker almost died and watched three of his buddies die. “Whatever bull poop you got going on is nothing compared to what he’s been through. As my friend I’m asking you to stick around. I don’t think Ryker should be alone. I can’t stop you if you go but I hope you’ll be the man I know you are.” Ryker than knew why he felt like he had seen this man before. Kyle had sent him a bunch of articles and ryker was very attracted to Jesse that he saw from the articles. Jesse remembered how he’d forgave troy the first time he’d hit Jesse. Jesse hid the bruises with makeup. Jesse never thought love could hurt so bad or leave you so broken.
I love this book. Usually I don’t care for M/M or F/F romances. But this was well done so tastefully and the way it was written was absolutely beautiful. I loved Jesse and Ryker together and how they interacted. I loved Jesse helped Ryker and Ryker helped Jesse. There was so much emotion in this book. This book had PTSD, suicidal thoughts, love, learning to trust again, a rock star, a veteran with issues, an abused person, cutting, nightmares, a violent stalker, snowed in a cabin, and so much more. This was so much more than I thought it would be. I couldn’t put this book down I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend this.
...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 07, 2020 Lisa Cullinan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, mm-read

Jesse Winters is at the end of his rope: the result from every relationship the famous rocker has had. Whether it be between his parents, his band mates, or the stalker/boyfriend-from-hell, he has become the perfect example of what the lasting effects of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse can do to one’s psyche. Jesse is a kaleidoscope within himself. His lyrics are breathtaking, intelligent, and dark. Yet, at times, he seems almost child-like. Ryker Jorgensen wants to decompress after numero Jesse Winters is at the end of his rope: the result from every relationship the famous rocker has had. Whether it be between his parents, his band mates, or the stalker/boyfriend-from-hell, he has become the perfect example of what the lasting effects of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse can do to one’s psyche. Jesse is a kaleidoscope within himself. His lyrics are breathtaking, intelligent, and dark. Yet, at times, he seems almost child-like. Ryker Jorgensen wants to decompress after numerous tours in the military—the last one being the worst of them all. The result is that he suffers from PTSD. When he opens the door of his cousin’s cabin in Colorado, his whole world will be turned upside down because Jesse Winters has already made himself at home there. Ryker is kind, compassionate, a voice of reason, and the calm to Jesse’s turmoil as well as his biggest, most influential advocate. I fell in love with Ryker because he put his own needs and demons on the back burner to care for someone he just met.  Two things crossed my mind at that point: either this is going to be the equivalent of watching a train wreck unfold; or second, maybe ... just maybe, these two anguished souls might be able to help each other. What I found was a mixture of the two.  At times the story felt long and somewhat repetitive, yet I understand the depth of why the author was trying to explicate what these two were going through. Both situations were bad. Really bad. But empathy and kindness and love have a strange and magical way to help heal the heart and strengthen the soul.  This story shows us how two beautiful but very damaged people help one another find the will to crawl their way out of hell and, in the process, find love where they’d never expect it. The storyline is well-written, although it could have used another once-over from a proofreader. The characters are endearing, vulnerable, and so deserving of love and happiness. The supporting characters (towards the end of the book) made me wish we could have met them sooner. My only gripe is that the ending felt rushed. Maybe in the next book of this series, we can get a glimpse of what Jesse and Ryker’s future looks like. In any case, Halfway to Someday gets five stars from me. I’ve no doubt that author Layla Dorine put her heart and soul into this book. ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 11, 2020 Jenn rated it really liked it

I thought this was a touching and emotional story that is really about healing and finding self worth. It’s not an easy read, it deals with a lot of very serious issues and could be very triggering for some. For me, this book really made me feel! My heart hurt for both Ryker and Jesse and the things that they have gone through. I also felt hope though, especially for Jesse and he learns to trust Ryker and believe in himself.

Jesse is a famous rockstar who is struggling with a painful secret and h ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Belinda Zamora rated it it was amazing

Wow, wow, wow! Holy hell, did this book pack an emotional punch.
Jesse is on the run from his past and reality so he's holed up at his best friend and bandmate's Kyle's cabin.
He certainly wasn't expecting Kyle's cousin Ryker to show up out of the blue.
The dangerous snowstorm means they're stuck with one another.
Jesse is trying to make some semblance of his life because it's falling apart and he's on the precipice of a very dangerous cliff.
He's had a very sheltered upbringing and it lead to him be ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 23, 2020 Julia Gerard rated it it was amazing

My first ever read of Layla and Oh WOW! Jesse is a Rock Star, but not the typical lead singer. He doesn't drink or do drugs, maybe a blunt in legal States. So when his band mates accused him of being high or drunk and ruining their last show, Jesse was destroyed. He couldn't tell them the real reason, so he ran! Hi best friend Kyle lent him his cabin so he could get away. Oh yeah but Kyle forgot to tell him, his cousin Ryker was coming up as well, so when Ryker showed up he wasn't happy and he w ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 04, 2020 Ruth Evans rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great read

This is the first time I have read this author but it definitely won't be the last. This story was so gripping and a real page turner. The characters are so well written that you can almost feel their feeling.
Jesse can't decide where it all went wrong but he's here in a cabin watching the snow fall and having time to himself. When his peace is shattered by Kyle's cousin he wants to run. However he stays and finds out that being alone is not always what you need.
Ryker needs time and whe ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 28, 2020 EQUUS rated it really liked it

This is the first book I've read from this author and it certainly won't be the last. I love her writing style and the trope is my favorite. Two strangers with PTSD (though each from different reasons) stranded together in a snowed up cabin, shadow of a stalker hanging over their heads... What could possibly go right? This is an angsty and extremely slow burn MM romance. Although the pace is slow it kept my attention from the beginning to the end. What shawed one star off was the fact that Ryker ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 29, 2020 R rated it really liked it

Shelves: abuse, m-m, reviewed, self-harm

Jesse and Ryker, rocker and soldier. Different as night and day. Ryker has his nightmares and memories of war. Jesse has his memories and the nightmares of abuse. Jesse and Ryker, so very similar in their pain.

This was an extremely slow burn. Both men trapped in their past and looking for a way out was nicely written. I liked the book but it was slow in places. Jesse’s bandmate Kyle was not at all likable. He was forgiven way to easy. Overall I enjoyed the story.

This book was provided by the aut ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 18, 2020 Editing Services by Cynthia Shepp rated it really liked it

A slow-burn romance between two wounded souls with plenty of trigger warnings and an author who isn’t afraid to delve into them. Stuck together in a cabin, the two men have to learn how to deal with each other, their issues, and their attraction. Ryker was my favorite—loved his patience with Jesse. There is a character who was abused, suicidal thoughts, PTSD, so if those trigger you, I would stay away, but if you enjoy emotional stories about wounded men helping each other heal, then I’d highly ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 18, 2020 Joscelyn Smith rated it it was amazing

I can always count on this author for a deeply satisfying story and Halfway to Someday was no exception. Jesse and Ryker were very well-written characters, both hurting and feeling lost, and their story was an emotional one that I found hard to put down. Everyone who has those dark days thinks 'someday I'll be happy' or 'someday I'll be whole again' and together Jesse and Ryker find that their someday is closer than they think.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book* ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 12, 2020 Caroline rated it it was amazing

I was gripped by this story from beginning to end. Excellent characters and it was fascinating to get to know each ones history. I highly recommend this book.

flag Like · see review

Jan 31, 2020 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-books

4.25 stars

flag Like · see review

Apr 01, 2020 Tessa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was a bit heavier than I expected, and to me it could have used a bit more fluffy happy stuff at the end of the book.

flag Like · see review

Feb 09, 2020 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020

This is a great story about overcoming one's demons and finding happiness. It did lag in some parts, but it was a great roller coaster ride and one I hated to see end. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 20, 2020 K.J. Swann rated it it was amazing

Layla Dorine hit this book out of the park. I've read a lot of her books and by far this is her best one yet! ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 16, 2020 Karen Rich rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2020

What a beautiful story this is between Jesse and Ryker both suffering from different aliments, but put them together and love explodes off the pages, when they both are thrown together and gradually realise that they can help ach other.
I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

flag Like · see review

Katrina Elliss rated it it was amazing
Mar 08, 2020

Nancy rated it it was amazing
Dec 05, 2020

Sarah rated it it was amazing
Mar 05, 2020

E146 rated it really liked it
Feb 22, 2020

Jessie rated it really liked it
Aug 16, 2020

UnusualChild{beppy} rated it really liked it
Feb 03, 2020

« previous 1 2 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance > M M Romance

3 users

Sociology > Abuse

2 users

See top shelves…

About Layla Dorine

Layla Dorine

79 followers

LAYLA DORINE lives among the sprawling prairies of Midwestern America, in a house with more cats than people. She loves hiking, fishing, swimming, martial arts, camping out, photography, cooking, and dabbling with several artistic mediums. In addition, she loves to travel and visit museums, historic, and haunted places.

Layla got hooked on writing as a child, starting with poetry and then branching ...more