So I’ve read a lot of Sarina Bowen and highly recommend (minus The Fifteenth Minute, because NO. Just NO.) most of her books. I’ve also read one by Elle Kennedy, and it was okay. Last year they wrote Him, a M/M romance, and beloved sista Ellepkay LOVED it. Like has been on my case since to read it. This year they put out Us, a sequel and continuation of Wes and Jamie’s love story. There’s very rarely sequels in romances (the whole point is the Happily Ever After) so I was a little intrigued. After Cannonballing I decided to treat myself to both. One was more successful than the other
Him
Him is the story of two hockey stars, Ryan Wesley and Jamie Canning. They were best friends for years at hockey camp, until things went a little far the last summer. Fast forward 4 years of college and not speaking and they’re back at summer camp, this time coaching.Jamie and Wes are both looking to rekindle their friendship, but things escalate from there.
This one was great! It was a wonderful, heartfelt love story that was believable and incredibly sweet. The only thing that knocked half of a star off of it for me was *I can’t believe I’m saying this* there was too much saucy times. I’ve discovered while diving deeper into the romance genre that erotica isn’t really my thing, and this one continued to confirm it. I just don’t need that much sex, shocking, but true. Anywho, that was just personal preference. Overall this one was a total and complete win.
Us
Us continues Wes and Jamie’s story about 8 months after Him. Wes and Jamie are living together in Toronto where Wes is playing professional hockey and Jamie is coaching youngsters. They are trying to keep their situation under wraps until the first year is down, and hopefully Wes’ being gay won’t matter as much. These matters are complicated when Wes’ teammate moves in upstairs, and starts coming around. Their situation becomes much more complicated.
Us was less successful than their first outing. I think the major problem I had with it was our leads were separated for most of the story so they were especially not communicating. As I’ve stated throughout many reviews this year, my favorite romances are the ones filled with communication. It makes sense character-wise in this case, they’re 23 year old boys, communication is never going to be their forte, but at the same time zero communication just left me a frustrated reader.
There’s going to be a third in the series with 2 periphery characters from Us. I’m not particularly looking forward to it, but I will probably read it do to the continual goodwill from Him. If you’re looking for a great romance, be it M/M or otherwise, I highly recommend.
I felt the way you did at first, but I thought it improved on rereading.
Wes and Jamie are my favorite romance couple EVER. Him is as close to a perfect book as they come in my world.
I have reread both of them more than once. I love them both, but mostly Jamie.
And I am looking forward to to the giant plot moppet’s romance with Jamie’s sister.
I will definitely reread him again. That’s a given at this point, but only time will tell if I want to continue with their story.
When re-reading, I felt like I had given short shrift to what Jamie was going through the first time I read Us. His world was turned upside-down and he is trying to cope while Wes is panicking in the background. In that light, the book improved.