Saturday, December 15, 2018

Renewing Forever by Kelly Jensen


A neglected resort, a lost chance at love, and one last chance to renew 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.

Add to Goodreads –


Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Riptide Publishing



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah☆☆☆☆
This is a slow and angsty second chance romance. The author weaves memories of Frankie and Tommy’s childhood friendship between moments when Tom and Frank meet again in middle age. Nearing 50, the men’s lives look quite different. Frank has enjoyed a successful career while Tom stayed home to care for his mother and Frank’s uncle.

At times, this story moves painfully slow. In the first book, Frank was almost an affluent gay caricature. Back in his childhood home and face to face with his best friend, Frank feels more human, more solid, and more real. He is definitely more likeable. But he’s also private and communication isn’t a strength. Tom is equally inscrutable. He doesn’t communicate at all. And he doesn’t ask for help – even when his life is crumbling around him. I loved these guys, but I kept wanting to bang their heads together and get them to talk.

The childhood scenes are sweet and wonderful. The adult encounters start out hostile and awkward. The men have transformed as fully as the dilapidated resort that brings them back together. I have a massive weakness for property porn and Frank’s enormous historic lodge had me enthralled from the outset. I love the potential Frank and Tom see in the property and I love the way the property brings Frank and Tom together as partners.

The writing in this story is beautiful. There are a few passages that I had to underline and quotes that I needed to memorise. This is a slow and often difficult read, but it is beautifully written and the small bursts of hope woven through the pages kept me fully engaged in Frank and Tom’s story. I think this book will stand alone but readers will probably enjoy Frank more if they remember him from the first book.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Frankie and Tommy... I really wanted to love their story. I liked how we were given their story from the past and present. I think that it helped to understand their perspectives.

Frankie has lived a good life. He is successful but feels that something is missing. When he has to return home because of a death in his family, the last person he expects to see is Tommy. Frank has always wondered what happened all of those years ago. While he is known for being a playboy and living the good life, he never forgot Tommy.

Tommy, for all of his faults, has never forgotten Frankie. He knew when he was younger that he might never escape his family, but he didn't want to be the one who dragged Frank with him. Even with his belief that he was doing the right thing, he knew that Frank might never forgive him.

When these two find each other again, it isn't all hearts and love. They have to work through their history and what is stressing them now too. It's a real relationship that has real issues. I liked that it wasn't a fall back in to love right away. They took the time to relearn each other. So, while it wasn't my favorite story, it was well developed and delivered both angst and love.


Also Available in the This Time Forever Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Riptide Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Building Forever post.



If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.

Kelly is the author of a number of novels, novellas, and short stories, including the Chaos Station series, cowritten with Jenn Burke. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.

Connect with Kelly

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram


http://riptidepublishing.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Renewing Forever (This Time Forever #2) by Kelly Jensen to read and review.

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