Author: Cardeno C.
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 194 Pages
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Blurb: Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it’s a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.
Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn’t dimmed Abe Green’s optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.
For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.
Review: Going into The Half of Us, I figured Jason would be a character that would have to grow on me. Just from the blurb, he sounded like a douchey kind of guy. Boy, was I right! There was very little to like about Jason in the beginning of the book, but over the course of the story I changed my mind. Once Jason began seeing Abe, he confessed a lot of things that explained why he was acting the way he was, and I found myself starting to actually root for Jason.
Abe was an entirely different story, though. From the moment I met him I was completely enamored with him. Abe has been looking for a man who could rule him in the bedroom but respect him and treat him as a grown up in the rest of his life. He hadn’t been able to find that combination until he met Jason. The first couple times Jason and Abe got together the sex was pretty darned amazing, but that’s all there was. When fate brought them together one more time, it seems that third time was the charm. Now, it wasn’t easy sailing for them to get along, but it was fun to watch the push and pull between these two men.
Lucky for Jason that Abe seemed to be able to empathize with the issues Jason was dealing with, and he gave him some spot on advice, if Jason will only take it to heart. When Jason realizes he needs to spend more time with his kids, Abe is equal parts happy and scared. He is happy because he wants to be an integral part of Jason’s life, but he is scared because Jason has kept him completely separate from his kids to this point.
Thanks to the wisdom of Jason’s AWESOME ex-wife, Jason gives Abe an all access pass to his family, and it really seems to be working out well. With the holidays on their way Jason and Abe become closer and Jason seems to be letting go of some of his hangups over his past, but the reality of raising kids and the pitfalls that comes with them smack the men directly in the face.
As usual with Cardeno C., this book is a wonderful mix of hot smexy times, with real life issues between two men who are seeking their HEA. As hard as it was to like Jason at the beginning of the book, by the end I had a true understanding of him and realized that Jason had a journey to go on. Abe was the perfect companion on that journey. Once Jason realized this, he and Abe made an amazing couple, and I couldn’t put the book down until I found out how it all ended.
There is a reason Cardeno C. is an auto-buy author for me, and a book like this is just one of many. I highly recommend The Half of Us and all the others in the Family series. This can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t miss any of the books if I were you.
You can buy The Half of Us here:
The Giveaway: THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
I love Cardeno C’s books and this new one sounds great so please include me in the draw. Thanks
I am a fan of Cardeno’s books and I cant wait to read The Half of Us. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thanks for the review! I would love to win a copy of The Half of Us. :-)
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
Thank you so much putting it in my TBR list.
I absolutely love all of her books. Thank you for the chance to win this one.
Would love to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
So excited about another Cardeno C book!
Nice review Jackie! Looking forward to reading this.
A great review! :)
Cardeno C. books must-reads for me too. Love the combination of sweet & sexy!
I love Cardeno C’s books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of her newest book. It looks fantastic!
I love her books, I read them when I neen a pick me up read :)
Big fan of Cardeno C’s books! Thanks for the chance to win!
Looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Please count me in too. Thanks!
please count me in
Great post & giveaway!
great review! i can definitely picture the arrogant surgeon MC growing on me throughout the read. thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the wonderful review. I absolutely love Cardeno C. :-)
Really good review.Thank you for sharing your thoughts =)
I love all Cardeno C. books I’ve read so far. I do want to read this one as well. Sounds so good! :)
What a fantastic opportunity! Who wouldn’t love to win a Cardeno C. title?
Thank you for your insightful review, it was most helpful :) I am happy that the author chooses characters that may not be likeable or perfect as it makes it a more interesting read and a chance for the character to either develop and emerge a better person or risk loosing the best thing that has ever happened to them. They may still not be perfect in the end, but they have worked for and achieved the perfect relationship and person for them?
Thank you for a chance to a win a Cardeno C. book.
Loved the review. Thank you so much.
Great review! Thanks CC and Lisa. Hugs
Great review – this is the only book of Cardeno’s I have yet to read. It would be awesome to win a copy :)
I wanted this book already but your review makes me want it even more!
love all her books
Excellent review, has me even more eager to read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi, everyone! Thanks so much for entering Cardeno C.’s e-book giveaway. The contest is close and the winner’s been drawn. An e-copy of The Half of Us or the choice of any title from CC’s backlist goes to
Alaina
Congratulations, Alaina! I’ve already emailed Cardeno with your contact information, so expect to hear something soon.