Review: Except You by Cora Rose
SYNOPSIS:
A straight man walks into a gay bar searching for meaning…
It sounds like the start of a lousy joke.
And honestly, that’s what my life is beginning to feel like.
I look back at all the hateful things I’ve said and done—so many things I can’t take back—and I’m not proud. I let my ignorance steal my relationship with my youngest brother, Magnus. He and his husband, Sem, are now happily married with kids, and all I want is to be a part of their lives.
But I need help to get there.
Help in the form of a sweet man so open-hearted and optimistic that he’s willing to take on and teach a lost cause like me.
Because I don’t know if people are truly capable of change. But the way Beau looks at me with his pretty eyes and cheeky smile, the way he openly shows me friendship, love, and affection…he sure makes me wonder, if a person can change, can they also earn forgiveness?
REVIEW:
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
This book was a complete surprise in the best way. I remember feeling tepid about a spin-off series featuring Maggie’s homophobic brothers. I wasn’t sure how Cora Rose would be able to navigate not only them making amends but ending up with a man. I should haven’t worried because if one author could pull this off, it’s her!
This is both a redemption story and learning story for Max. The redemption arc where Max makes amends with Maggie. He not only apologizes frequently but he rebuilds the relationship with him that he burned to the ground. Then there is learning, where Max not only learns about the LGBTQ+ community but he learns how to open himself up. And in this process, he is on the journey with Beau who not only acts as his guide but his other half.
These two were sizzling together, I loved that they started as friends and truly built an emotional bond before steaming up the bedroom. And while Max has ‘insert foot in mouth’ syndrome at times, his love for Beau never wavers. I positively adored these two together, the chemistry was off the charts. At moments Max was so fly off the railings it reminded me of Sem. It was the perfect sexy, sweet read and that ending only left me wanting more!
