Kelly Jensen - Chasing Forever

Malcolm Montgomery was a history teacher and track coach until an accident left him with two broken legs. He’ll recover, but life has knocked his feet out twice now. He’s not sure if he’s ready to try again, especially when it comes to love—and slick guys like Brian Kenway. Still, he needs help mentoring the school’s LGBTQ society, so he asks Brian to take some responsibility.
Brian has been hiding behind his reputation as a liar and a cheat for so long that he actually believes he’s that guy—until his nephew, Josh, turns up on his couch, tossed out for being gay. Brian has never considered being a father, but he knows all about being rejected by loved ones. Now Brian wants to be more: a partner for Mal and a role model for Josh.
But when Mal’s recovery is set back and the sad truth of Brian’s past is revealed, the forever they’ve been chasing seems even further from their grasps. It’ll take a rescue effort to revive their sense of worth and make Brian, Mal, and Josh into a family of their own.

Comment: This is the third installment in the This Time Forever trilogy by author Kelly Jensen. I liked the first book well enough and liked the second one a little less but there was no doubt I'd finish the trilogy. Thankfully, this one was quite the emotional journey.

In this third novel we have the story of Brian Kenway (the seemingly "bad guy" from book#1) and how he goes from being a man who is only interested in his job and casual hookups since his break up with Simon to being in love with nerd professor Malcolm. They meet each other at a bar and both recognize the other one is the exact opposite of what they are looking for, but still there's an attraction. Their slow relationship isn't easy though, with personal challenges for both of them and Brian's nephew suddenly showing up to live with him after his mother kicked him out. This does bring out many memories to Brian, but will everyone learn to deal with one another in time to save all their connections?

I would not say this book is a redemption story for Brian but it does feel like it. To be fair, there isn't much I remember about him from the first book but some allusions and a conversation he has with Simon in this book made me recall a few details. Nevertheless, Brian isn't the bad guy it was suggested he was and as with everything in life, truth is a matter of perspective.

Brian is the main character in this story, but Malcolm is the other one and he, too, has quite the challenges to overcome. Malcolm is a fit man of 50 but his life took another turn when a car run him over and he broke his two legs. Physical therapy and and all that it entails makes him feel he is a burden at times, especially for his twin brother Donny. He had been checking Brian at the bar for a while for isn't the type of person to make the first move until, one day, they do have a small conversation.

This is how things begin for them but the road is certainly a rocky one because of Brian's reputation, because of Malcolm's need for stability and because a teenager shows up and makes them both think about things, both at school when Malcolm starts taking over the GSA, and when Brian becomes the person who his nephew now needs to depend on. Of course these challenges make both men think about their lives and what it means to be there for others and how that is a sign of trust and change.

This story is quite emotional, but it's not cheesy. This means we get to think about what is happening along with the main characters and more or less root for them and for their willingness to reach for happiness. There are some small conflicts between them which I think were more to add drama than to evidence any special trait or situation but that is minor to the situations depicted.

Malcolm is a very interesting character, easy to sympathize with and I especially liked he was such an athletic person but accidents in his teenager years and more recently both somehow affected his choices and how he can feel about himself. Setbacks yes, but this doesn't mean he becomes morose or resigned, even if the feelings sometimes are there... I liked him and I could even excuse some little things he does badly and that I'd change to make the story more to my taste.

In regards to Brian, he is the real "star" of this book, and a lot of the plot is about him. It was already obvious he wasn't as bad as he seemed from the past books, nor as mysterious either. The truth about him is revealed here and it is as heartbreaking as one could imagine but the author didn't go as far as other authors have, when it comes to descriptions and actual scenes (the worst things are shared in conversation). In a way, this makes the book feel more grounded and less about pity and misery, something I did appreciate.

I think the author did a good job portraying Brian, portraying the different relationships in the story and even in how things often happen in subtle but believable ways. I think the romance could have been even more romantic, although I do like the fact these two are at a place, in terms of maturity and age, where it's not all about the physical. Thinking of that, I also things could have been made to be more special, but it's depicted good enough.

I also liked Malcolm's issues with his legs and health weren't magically solved and remained an important part of the plot's scenes. All in all, a satisfying novel, much better than I anticipated, in fact.

Grade: 8/10

Kelly Jensen - Renewing Forever

Frankie and Tommy once dreamed of traveling the world together. But when seventeen-year-old Frank kissed Tom, their plans ended with a punch to the jaw and Frank leaving town without looking back. Thirty years later, Frank’s successful career as a journalist is interrupted by his uncle’s death and the question of his inheritance—the family resort where his childhood dreams were built. When he returns to the Pocono Mountains, however, he finds a dilapidated lodge and Tommy, the boy he never forgot.
Tom’s been keeping the resort together with spit and glue while caring for Frank’s uncle, Robert—a man he considered father, mentor, and friend—and his aged mother, who he refuses to leave behind. Now Robert is gone, taking Tom’s job with him. And Frank is on the doorstep, wanting to know why Tom is still there and why the old lodge is falling apart.
But before they can rebuild the resort, they’ll have to rebuild their friendship. Only then can they renew the forever they planned all those years ago.

Comment: In 2022 I've read the first book in the This Time Forever trilogy and I liked it enough (considering my grade for I barely remember anything), but I debated if I wanted to read the other installments. The opportunity happened and I thought why not, but this second story impressed me slightly less than the other. 

In this story we meet Frank, a journalist who has lived the life he always dreamed of, except he doesn't have Tommy, his childhood friend whom he thought could be more than that. When they were teenagers, Tommy punched him after a kiss and Frank decided to not go back, but now that his uncle died and left him the old lodge where he spent wonderful summers, he has to. That is why he reconnects with Tommy, who never left, and even helped around the lodge, but things aren't good and Frank realizes it will be necessary to do a lot to get the lodge back into something usable. However, someone wants the land and is making inquires and then there's Tommy and being around him brings back all those memories... could it be that now, thirty years alter, they can finally get their HEA?

At first I thought this would turn out to become a very appealing story, because while I don't really appreciate lovers reunited that much, Tommy and Frank were only at the cusp of a romantic relationship, they were never a couple in that sense, therefore the memories would certainly not be that boring to go through. However, the tone of this story is definitely one of mild angst and of regrets. Usually, I like these types of stories but something about this one didn't fully grab me.

The plot is a little predictable, especially if one has read many other romances where  a character comes back to take over some inheritance and, of course, finds love and so on.It's how the plot is developed that makes a difference but here I've found some parts to be a bit boring, in the sense that or the reminiscence would take too long or they would not actively be doing obvious/visible actions that could advance things. This meant that the slow pace, which could help develop their characterization, delayed things a lot, and added with the fear of communicating, made the story lack interest.

I liked Frank, for the most part, and I could certainly understand his decision to not go back to a place where he had something happening which affected his perception of who he was (by being rejected by Tommy, I mean), but all things considered, if as a mature man he could also understand how important his uncle was to him, and how much value he had for the lodge and the property where he had so many more good moments than bad ones, it also felt a little out of character he had stayed away so long.

Nevertheless, this "explained" the time passing by and why he wasn't aware of how things were at the lodge. It also seemed too convenient that he arrives at a time where things aren't immediately explained and when he finds out about Tommy and what happened, he simply doesn't start taking notes or doing something more diligent to see where things were and what could still be done regarding the lodge. I can see why Tommy being there would make him distracted, and it's true things can't change/improve in such a short amount of time, but... was that not the goal of being there?

Anyway, little details aside, until the guys really work on doing something about the lodge, they first need to deal with their relationship and how it got to be this way, as they are now only two people who know each other and who were best friends once. Anyone can guess that they rekindle their relationship, become important to one another once more and finally get their HEA. The whole process was sweet enough, yes, and there were times I was really glad for them, but their story didn't excite me that much.

In a way, perhaps I would say the biggest disappointment is Tommy. I liked the idea of his character because he clearly had some reason to punch Frank when they were teenagers and he liked his uncle as a father figure, he still lives at the lodge and cares for what he can, he still tries to do the best for his ill mother, even though we learn she has not been the most dedicated of mothers, and he struggles financially. All good reasons for me to like Tommy and root for him, but I felt he took too long - or the plot did - to take action, to have an eureka moment when he feels he needs to do something, and I suppose for plot reasons, he takes too long to trust Frank about this.

The dynamics of their relationship had interesting moments because it cannot be easy to juggle personal fears and thoughts (Tommy made it look he felt inferior to Frank somehow) but the love and the desire were still there somehow, and I liked this idea of caring for someone for so long. But the way things developed and the delay in explanations, as well as the motives for some actions just made their story feel a little too boring. There were also plenty of scenes where I wanted to turn the page because what I was reading wasn't as captivating.

I suppose I'll read the third and final installment, at least to have this feel of a task fulfilled, but I will certainly lower my expectations in relation to this second book.

Grade: 6/10

Kelly Jensen - Building Forever

Charlie King is doing fine. Sure, he’s a widower raising a teenage daughter who just got her first boyfriend, his book series isn’t writing itself, and he has a crush on his new neighbor — the guy next door. But everything’s just fine.
Simon Lynley is doing better. He moved to Bethlehem to fall out of love and rebuild his career. An affair with his neighbor isn’t part of the plan, but the attraction between them is too hard to ignore.
But when Simon’s ex follows him to Pennsylvania seeking reconciliation, and Charlie’s life starts to feel like a video on repeat, everything comes apart. Charlie worries that he’s failing as a father, and Simon is a distraction he can’t afford. Meanwhile Simon doesn’t know if he could survive being left again, and he hasn’t come all this way to make the same mistakes. But despite their fears, it’s only together that they’ll find the strength to slay old foes and build the forever they’ve been waiting for.

Comment: I've gotten interested in this book after seeing some positive comments and because I did enjoy another book by this author and was hopeful the same kind of impression would be given to me by this one.

In this contemporary story, we meet Charlie King, a widower who is raising his daughter. He and her mother were parents very young, 17, and this changed their lives although Charlie has no regrets regarding his daughter. However, now that some years have passed he is thinking about other possibilities, things he left behind while he was in love with his wife and they were happy. In comes Simon Lynley, an architect who moves to the house next door, someone Charlie immediately feels attracted to, even though he doesn't know how to deal with these new feelings. Simon is wary although he finds Charlie funny, because he left a very long relationship and only wants a new beginning, career wise. But will the lives of these two become entwined whether they wish it or not?

In general, this was a very good romance story. I think the idea is appealing: two strangers meet, they come from different backgrounds and experiences but attraction and common ground make them ideal partners. Many romance novels have weaker bases and I was hopeful this meant the romantic situations would be plenty, since they had to get to know one another.

The plot is quite simple, the focus is mostly on Charlie's awareness of how much he dedicated his life to his wife and daughter and his usual escape is his writing, which is moderately successful. As Simon moves next door, he feels he is ready to think about other feelings of his, considering he can't seem to stop thinking about him or what he feels when he is near. He is also weird when speaking to him, and this makes us realize he isn't certain on how to approach these feelings.

The focus on Simon is oriented towards his professional life. He moved for personal reasons but mainly because he wanted a new path professionally, something different to do, more towards his preference. He finds that in this new town he moved to, and he seems to be happy again, he's older and more mature and ready to let go of his past disappointments, although that becomes difficult when his ex shows up part of a deal. I'm just glad this didn't go into "what ifs" and Simon was actually certain of his decisions, even if at times he feels a little too stiff.

I liked the way we got to know things about them in alternate chapters, one would be focused on Charlie, the next on Simon and apart from some - in my opinion - silly decisions which I felt were more to induce conflict than realistic need, their relationship was mostly developed in a cute manner. Not the best I've read about, but cute nonetheless. I just think there were scenes or situations which were a bit too cute and the balance was hard to be obvious, making part of the novel feel a bit too juvenile, which is weird, considering the age of the protagonists.

I think a bit more seriousness in some aspects - namely Charlie's personality and the romance - would have helped this to be a bit more consistent to me. Charlie is a wonderful guy, no doubt, and I don't mind he is thinking about his bisexuality now; it actually makes sense if he was so focused on his married life and daughter. But I also would have liked to see him fall in love in a more romantic way, I feel he was almost too close to being like a clueless teenager and some of his thoughts were too silly.

Of course, this colored how his interactions with Simon and others were. Something I liked, though, is how he reacts when his daughter faces a complicated situation. I feel he probably reacted in a realistic way, even though this means he disappoints Simon at some point but, somehow, this is a reciprocated event and I just think the romantic side of things wasn't, after all, as romantic as it could be which is a pity because this had a very strong base, as I've said.

I wish this story had been more focused on tension between them before they even admit the feelings they shared but things went in very convenient way, as if that was the only possible choice for them. I ended up liking this but not loving it as I hoped. I'm still thinking if I want to read the other installments.

Grade: 7/10

Kelly Jensen - To See the Sun

Life can be harsh and lonely in the outer colonies, but miner-turned-farmer Abraham Bauer is living his dream, cultivating crops that will one day turn the unforgiving world of Alkirak into paradise. He wants more, though. A companion—someone quiet like him. Someone to share his days, his bed, and his heart.
Gael Sonnen has never seen the sky, let alone the sun. He’s spent his whole life locked in the undercity beneath Zhemosen, running from one desperate situation to another. For a chance to get out, he’ll do just about anything—even travel to the far end of the galaxy as a mail-order husband. But no plan of Gael’s has ever gone smoothly, and his new start on Alkirak is no exception. Things go wrong from the moment he steps off the shuttle.
Although Gael arrives with unexpected complications, Abraham is prepared to make their relationship work—until Gael’s past catches up with them, threatening Abraham’s livelihood, the freedom Gael gave everything for, and the love neither man ever hoped to find.

Comment: After seeing several good opinions of this book in different places, including in some sites in their "best of" lists too, I got quite interested in reading this myself.

This is an m/m story featuring a sci-fi world where there are many planets occupied by humans after Earth stopped being sustainable.

In this story we meet two guys in different places in their lives: Gael is a 30 year old who still mourns the death of his brother and still pays his debts, sadly working for a mob-like family in his planet. He hasn't the stomach for it though, and after a mistake he feels like running away is the only solution. A friend tells him about colonists in distant parts of the galaxy or even other galaxies that are asking for companions (like a mail order spouse or just someone to share time with) and Gael checks some videos and accepts to travel and meet Abraham Bauer, who seems to be a farmer and what convinces Gael is the scenes of that man's farm.

Bram, a man in his late 40s, wants someone to spend time with because he is quite lonely. He asks for Gael because he is gorgeous and his eyes seem sad but he thinks with time he might care about Bram and be a solid companion. If something more happens between them, the better, for he likes how Gael looks.

The problem is that Alkirak, Bram's planet, isn't exactly what Gael envisioned, and a surprise changes Gael's plans a bit. However, there's no denying Bram is as accepting and patient as he seemed in his video and perhaps there is hope for them. Except if Gael's past gets in the way...

This is the first book I read by this author but I think the setting is very well done. Although the descriptions are all products of the author's imagination, the planets and the surroundings seem very vivid. I also really liked how information was given slowly to the reader but not overly explained. The reader has time to think and imagine and what is learned is enough to help create an idea and set up the stage for the character's paths. I think it was really well done how the pace of the story happens and how much information is given without feeling like too much.

The writing is quite good and the pace too but of course it's the characters that make this a vibrant story.

Back to historical stories, usually mail order brides accepted to marry a stranger for security, for financial reasons or for several reasons regarding their reputations. In this book Gael does resemble this scenario because is needs protection from a life and a company that will use him and kill him if not enslaving him first. He knows his future has to be in a place where he doesn't need to look behind all the time and a planet in such a distant location is the solution he needs. I felt for Gael and his past and why he felt like running. 

He is extremely easy to empathize with and to wish he succeeds.

Bram is a more mature man, more secure in his own person but he is lonely and a little shy and lives for his crops, which he hopes one day might help influence the atmosphere of the planet and make it from austere and dangerous into a place with life and prosperity. The reader knows he wants someone to be intimate with but his main focus is on someone to be his companion. If intimacy happens, great, but he won't force anyone nor push for the situation to be so. He likes Gael's looks but the situation doesn't start as he imagined and there is some need to adapt to someone new.

The relationship between the two guys is slow but steady and the end is certainly rewarding. I liked how they talked and planned things instead of rushing to something they might not be ready for. The fact any other option if things didn't work out was so distant, made them think about their closed shared space and the need to be a team.

I liked how their personalities started to match, how they were considerate of one another in small things. I liked how their interactions weren't only related to sexual intimacy but also about all aspects of their lives like what kind of work Bram was doing and why and how could Gael be happy as an individual and not as just Bram's partner.

As a negative detail, I must say that despite how sweet and poignant certain situations were I still felt like they were too restricted to their surroundings and what was going on around them to really feel the love developing. Yes, they shared moments together, they talked but we don't see as many scenes with that as I imagined (for the good pace of the book's needs) so although time passing by happens in a believable manner, their relationship is too sweet and calm. I kind of wish they had had reasons to interact even more or to share more of their pasts besides the necessary for the trust issues to be overcame. 

The fact they are in such a limited place and that there isn't a lot of external situations to force them to react to sudden or new influences or situations makes the story feel a little stagnated.

Unlike some readers, I also would have preferred for the threat to their happiness to not have existed at all and instead the conflict could have be centered on their personalities and sexual tension. The way the story evolved did feel, at times, as too perfect, too much as a staged production.

Overall, this was a good romance and the setting was amazing. Some parts of the plot worked out well, the pace was great for the situation but there are a few details that I don't think were as engaging as they could have. Still, I really had a great time reading, especially thinking about the world building alone.

Grade: 8/10