Review by Sadonna
TITLE: Hard to Let Go
SERIES: Haven’s Cove
AUTHOR: Jaclyn Quinn
NARRATOR: Sean Crisden
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 6 hours and 45 minutes
RELEASE DATE: September 24, 2019
BLURB:
Owen Richards lives a quiet life in his small hometown of Haven’s Cove. He has a rewarding life consisting of three very supportive—not to mention feisty—women, and a successful bakery that he owns and absolutely loves. Yet, Owen can’t seem to shake this emptiness inside or the intense feeling that something is missing. A sudden encounter with a man from his past, one he despises, turns his entire world upside down. When Owen finds himself attracted to that sexy man, he questions everything, including his sanity. After all, only an incredibly disturbed person would find that he can’t stop thinking about his high school bully.
Brody Walker never expected to return to Haven’s Cove. He’s made a life for himself in Boston where he can truly be the person he was always meant to be. But an unexpected call has Brody facing all the demons he’d left behind so long ago. Now, he’s faced with not only a difficult goodbye, but one long overdue apology to a man who is no longer that lanky kid from high school. The challenge is to convince the guy he’s changed—and also prove he’s worth taking a chance on.
When passions ignite, truths are exposed, changing beliefs these men have held on to for years. Faced with the knowledge that things aren’t always what they seem, will they choose to hold on to the incredible thing they’ve found…or is it easier to give in to the fear and let go?
REVIEW:
Owen lives in his small town and he’s happy with his life, even though he’s not really in love with his partner Jonah any more. He’s his best friend, but they are more room mates that anything else at this point. He’s coming to grips with this when he runs into – literally – one of his old high school bullies. He’s furious that Brody Walker is back in town. He’s temporarily forgotten WHY Brody is back in town.
Brody’s been gone for over 13 years. He left for college, he came back and had a disastrous falling out with his family. He’s here for a while to address a family issue and he’s got to get some work to keep him busy. He takes a job renovating a kitchen for a client – unknowingly that this is also Owen’s home 😛 This doesn’t go so well but Jonah calls Owen on this behavior and Brody continued on the job.
Eventually Owen gets curious about what has happened with Brody the last few years. He’s quite surprised when he meets Brody’s best friend who is an obviously gay man. Brody has to come clean and confess the reason behind his treatment of Owen when he was in high school. Turns out Brody’s life wasn’t all hunky-dory either. Incredibly, Owen realizes he is really really attracted to Brody and things get quite heated. Brody’s life is very different now and he’s ready to show Owen how much he’s changed.
There are outside factors that they have to deal with including Brody’s family situation that is weighing heavily on him. Owen realizes how much he cares for Brody and wants to make things better for him. He really steps up and supports him in his worst moments. Brody
Interestingly, I struggled with the first couple of chapters of this audio book. Not sure why, but if you experience the same thing, push on! It’s worth it. This is a really well done enemies to lovers story that has a very big heart. I really liked both Owen and Brody. Owen is his own man and he’s not gonna take any crap from his high school nemesis. Brody realizes just how badly he messed up in high school and he has to make things right. He can’t believe his good fortune when Owen not only forgives him but lets him into his life. They negotiate a totally new relationship and look toward a future together. I loved the way they came together and made each other a priority. Sean Crisden did a fantastic job narrating. All the voices were distinctive and spot on. I am looking forward to the next book. Gabe is a crackerjack and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him!
RATING: 
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