Review: Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Him
by: Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via BocciPR in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 276 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars
They don’t play for the same team. Or do they?
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.
Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.
Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend...and a big one to learn about himself.
Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.
Jamie Canning has never been able to figure out how he lost his closest friend. Four years ago, his tattooed, wise-cracking, rule-breaking roommate cut him off without an explanation. So what if things got a little weird on the last night of hockey camp the summer they were eighteen? It was just a little drunken foolishness. Nobody died.
Ryan Wesley’s biggest regret is coaxing his very straight friend into a bet that pushed the boundaries of their relationship. Now, with their college teams set to face off at the national championship, he’ll finally get a chance to apologize. But all it takes is one look at his longtime crush, and the ache is stronger than ever.
Jamie has waited a long time for answers, but walks away with only more questions—can one night of sex ruin a friendship? If not, how about six more weeks of it? When Wesley turns up to coach alongside Jamie for one more hot summer at camp, Jamie has a few things to discover about his old friend...and a big one to learn about himself.
Warning: contains sexual situations, skinnydipping, shenanigans in an SUV and proof that coming out to your family on social media is a dicey proposition.
When I saw Elle Kennedy was pairing up to write a M/M romance, naturally I HAD to have it. This was my first experience with Sarina Bowen and I can safely say I NEED her other books. This book... you guys. It was BEYOND hot. Seriously. I felt like I needed to go jump in my pool to cool myself down. These ladies do not hold back and man are the scenes STEAMY. All sexiness aside, this was just a GREAT read. I loved the storyline, the romance, the banter... it all came together SO WELL and I just enjoyed every minute of this one.
I loved both Wes and Jamie. They were such a great pair and I liked being inside both of their minds to see what they were thinking and feeling. Jamie hasn't heard from Wes in years and now the two are brought face to face as their teams play in the Frozen Four championship with their respective schools. They had been best friends for years until all of a sudden they weren't. That separation hurt both of them, and now Wes is determined to make things right. He misses his friend, but it's more than that too. He has deep feelings for him... but Jamie doesn't reciprocate those feelings.... or so he thinks. I can't imagine what it was like for Wes at 18 to feel the way he did and then fear he ruined the best friendship he ever had.
Jamie never understood why his friend cut and run. He never made a big deal out of that night and now that he knows Wes is openly gay, he doesn't think any less of his friend or is weirded out by this revelation. If anything, Wes's return to his life really opens his eyes to some things he may have never considered before. He doesn't understand the jealousy that courses through him at seeing his best friend chat it up with another guy, but he knows he doesn't like seeing it. Spending time with Wes again really changes a lot of things for Jamie and I liked how naturally that happened. Sure, Jamie has questions and is a bit confused by his feelings, but he doesn't freak and jump ship. He's pretty open about exploring these newfound feelings and soon he finds himself falling for his best friend as well.
I like that Bowen and Kennedy explored some deeper rooted issues in this book as well, as Wes and Jamie have some prejudices to overcome and not everyone is ok with two men being with one another. Wes is going into the major leagues and his plan is to fly under the radar for at least his first year, as he doesn't want complications with his new team. Wes doesn't think he and Jamie have a chance beyond their summer together, which made me sad because he was too afraid to talk to Jamie and find out what he thought and felt about the whole thing. The summer has completely changed everything for Jamie. He not only realizes he's in love with his best friend, but he is also starting to question his career choice. I found myself desperate for these two to communicate with one another and I was ready to smack Wes for being so bull headed!
Overall, this was a fantastic story and I really liked how their romance developed. It was sexy, steamy, and sweet all at the same time and I was rooting for them from the get-go! They are two great guys and they deserve happiness and to be together, damn what anyone else thinks. The ending with Jamie's family is perfection and definitely filled my heart with joy. I really hope these two ladies pair up again to write another novel because HOT DAMN they rocked it.
10 comments
!!! I am so excited for this one! Great review, Jess.
ReplyDeleteYES! YES! YES!
ReplyDeleteThat's honestly all I have to say about this perfect review and this perfect book!! I loved Jamie and West and I couldn't get enough of them. Also, so hot!! I still blush when I think of this one. :D
Great review, Jess!
I have got to read this one! It sounds sooo good and I love Elle Kennedy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said. I loved everything about Him. Jamie and Wes were perfect together. And I loved Jamie's family! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of this one, but you definitely have me convinced. Need to read it!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I'm so excited for this one!!! i want it! i need it! ... also I have a ton of elle kennedy's books i need to read too.
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes! This sounds awesome. This is my first time seeing it. Thanks for the great review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to read this one, Jess! I keep hearing how hot it is, so yeah, I'm gonna be one clicking the hell out of it on Tuesday. :D
ReplyDeleteHopefully Wes' bull-headedness won't annoy me too much, because otherwise this seems pretty lighthearted, which is what I'm in the mood for.
Lovely review!
I love love love loved this book. Everything about it. I'm glad you enjoyed it too. :)
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this book everywhere! I'm not reading your review too closely because I am totally going to read it... at some point. Five stars is definitely reason to do so!
ReplyDeleteFabulous review, Jess!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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