Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: No Kind Words
SERIES: Calston Cove (Book 3)
AUTHOR: JJ Harper
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 221 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2025
BLURB:
Out of sight, but not out of mind and heart.
His father kicked him out, warning him never to return.
His boyfriend shunned him, never getting in contact.
But Jethro is a fighter. He chases his dream of becoming a vet and makes a life for himself far away from the coast, though he’s never forgotten his boyfriend, whom he had to leave behind. No one can hold a candle to Benny.
Fifteen years later, a veterinary practice comes up for sale. It all looks perfect, apart from it being in Calston Cove. But he can’t forgo this opportunity and returns to his hometown.
What he doesn’t expect is that Benny is still living in the town where they grew up and fell in love.
Can they have a second chance at love, or stand bruised souls and wounded pride in the way of happiness?
No Kind Words is the third book in the Calston Cove series. It can be read as a stand-alone but is enjoyed more when you’ve read the other two books. Expect two stubborn men who don’t have kind words for each other but have never forgotten their first love.
See inside for TW
REVIEW:
I am a true fan of JJ Harper and look forward to when a new book of her’s releases. I know she’s going to make me feel and think every time.
Everyone loves Benny and his coffee shop. The man is an amazing baker and his café is a hot spot for locals, both you and old, for this wonderful baked goods and his famous french toast. But Benny is lonely and miss the young man that disappeared 15 long years ago without a trace. Jethro “Jet” Palmer thought he had no desire to return to Calston Cove. He almost died there right before his Dad kicked him out for being gay. His Mom is the only reason his Dad paid for college. All he had ever wanted to be is a veterinarian and he achieved his goal. But scrolling on his computer one day he sees that the vet clinic back home is for sale and it sparks an interest. When his bestie and loyal vet tech goes with him to see the practice he knows he’s about to move back home. But is “the one that got away/his first love” still there???
This story gutted me multiple times. I don’t know how Jet survived that beating without more than the scars he carries, both physically and mentally. He’s lucky his kidneys still work. His father was a nasty piece of work. He was a mean drunk and a huge homophobe. And him not letting his Mom get Jethro medical attention, Jet’s really lucky he didn’t bleed out internally or have lasting/permanent medical conditions instead of the nasty scars all over his back. I was shocked at all the people, including the town doctor, that knew how violent Jet’s dad was but never said anything. They knew his father beat him but never said a word. He was literally barely of age and they let him suffer. And I got that Benny was scared of the old man and what he could bring on him. Nothing he and Jethro did was illegal but probably would have been judged if the town knew. And he was the only one helping his elderly parents. Not an excuse but an understanding. And Benny lived, and still lives, with that guilt every time he saw Jet’s scars and knew the truth.
But they made it and are stronger for it. And Jet paying it forward for kids like Roddy and Conn was so perfect. He knew what life was like for kids that didn’t conform to what their abusive fathers demanded. It was especially touching to see that caregiver side of Jet shine and rewrite lives.
I loved that we got to see some old favorites in this series and catch up on what they were doing and how life was progressing after joining their lives and setting down permanent roots in Calston Cove. They also paved the way for other same-sex couples to feel comfortable being out and proud of who the love. They opened the door for this community to be who you are and love who you love. Quite the change that Benny and Jet could have used back in the day.
RATING: 
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