NMmomof4's Reviews > Without You

3 Stars

Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise and the story's potential.

The Not-So-Good: The ending. I know I didn't sign up for the extended epilogue because I'm stubborn like that, but it wasn't enough closure the way it was written for me.

The Bad: The lack of emotional connections to both the characters and the story itself.

Overall:This was alright. I wanted more of an emotional connection to the story than I got, because this had some great potential to be a pretty angsty read. I liked the characters, but they too felt lacking. I wanted more depth all around I guess. I didn't hate it, but I definitely am part of the minority, yet again it seems, in not loving it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Deacon and Julian's story. Deacon's brother and Julian's best friend and partner died of cancer. They've known each other for most of their lives but wouldn't say they get along. When Deacon has to come back to town to be with family during the one year anniversary of their loss, they both start to see each other in a different light. There are some hard truths revealed, some family drama, some heavy baggage to work through, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Deacon and Julian's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: No, they've known each other for a long time.

H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3.5 stars. Deacon. I liked him. I appreciated how he was protective and prioritized others. I wish we got deeper into his character.

H2 (Hero #2) rating: 3.5 stars. Julian. I liked him too. I appreciated how he took care of Deacon when nobody else did. I also wish I got more depth with his character.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Minimal (view spoiler)[they both have moments where they are conflicted but I'd say it was pretty minimal (hide spoiler)]

Heat level: Moderate. They have some alright tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes (view spoiler)[but only through guilt about the brother (hide spoiler)]

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Only physically

Possible Triggers: Yes (view spoiler)[ Loss of brother/partner to cancer (off page but aftermath on page), the H2 was with the H1's brother for a long time (off page), the H1 has only been with women (off page), emotional abuse from parent (H1 on page), and loss of parents/foster system (H2 off page) (hide spoiler)]

Closure: This ends in a pretty good place but with what I would call a HFN ending (view spoiler)[they're living together and have shared "ILYs" with mention of maybe getting married in the future (hide spoiler)]. There is an extended epilogue if you sign up for the author's newsletter, which I didn't because I hate this. I get why they do it, but I feel as though we should get a good ending regardless!

Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
(view spoiler)[
- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does Not have the H1 or H2 pushing away
- Does have a (physical) separation between the H1 and H2
- Does Not have abuse by mcs
- Does Not have a HEA ending (hide spoiler)]