I personally quite like the story but eventually it simply becomes too much. Part of this is that there is no sense of scale. Every single event from a random glance at each other to the moment they take their vows is a way for the story to reiterate how in love they are with each other. The arguably most romantic moment — their wedding — is actually no more intense and passionate than driving in the car together as Hunter glances at a fidgeting Max. The same sense of awe, love, wonder, commitment, total and complete head over heals love is told in both scenes. This takes away the emotional impact of what should be the biggest highs since everything is so wonderful and magical.
I think this particular book is going to come down to reader preference. If you like incredibly sweet — almost saccharine sweet — romances, then this will please you enormously. Jan 24, Justacat rated it it was ok Shelves: Max may be a man, but his role in his relationship with uber-macho-man Hunter who wears flannel shirts to a gay club in most ways falls neatly into that of the woman in a het couple, even down to his cross-dressing gorgeous-woman alter-ego Maxine acting as a balm for Hunter's straight-guy tendencies.
There's nothing wrong with this per se - but the author did nothing to make these roles anything more than cliched stereotypes. Add to that the weeping, and the endless internal monologues about True Love, and the lack of any relationship tension whatsoever - do these guys never fight? Jan 04, Chris rated it really liked it Shelves: View all 5 comments.
Feb 16, Jenre added it Shelves: I picked up this book because I'd read the previous book, Boys of Summer and loved it. This story takes place a few weeks after the end of Boys of Summer. Hunter, our first person narrator, has proposed to his lover Maxwell and they intend to get married in the spring. The story then takes us on that journey of about six months leading up to their wedding as the men deal with Maxwell's family and share their secrets with each other. As I said, I really liked Boys of Summer.
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It's much shorter than I picked up this book because I'd read the previous book, Boys of Summer and loved it. It's much shorter than this book about half the length and the deep romanticism of that novella worked well in the shorter format. In Taking You Home , that romanticism is still there in the writing as Hunter reminds us again and again why he loves Maxwell. It's in everything about him: His looks; personality; his sexy body; the way that he knows and accepts Hunter. The story is structured in such as way that the reader is led through a series of either events or short incidental scenes showing aspects of their lives together, and each scene or event concludes with Hunter reiterating his love for Maxwell, or by growing to love him even more.
I have to admit that after a while this became a bit too cloying for me and I had to put the book down and 'rest' for a while. It's a shame really, because this type of story worked well as a novella but just didn't translate as well into the longer format - at least not for me who has a very short fuse when it comes to overly sweet stories. Other readers who love sweetly romantic stories will probably lap this up. One aspect I was very interested in was the cross dressing theme. In the end this too was a little disappointing.
Maxwell reveals to Hunter that he likes dressing as a woman, and Hunter really liked it when Maxwell became Maxine. I thought more would be made of this, but apart from one evening and a short scene later in the book it wasn't made that big a deal of and was used more to show how much Hunter loved and accepted Maxwell, than any real understanding of why Maxwell would want to dress as Maxine, other than as a role play kink. I was also slightly uncomfortable at the suggestion that Maxine tapped into Hunter's bisexuality and that he would somehow 'need' Maxine to make the relationship with Maxwell work overall.
In the end, I wondered why such a theme would have introduced if it wasn't then going to be made more integral to the story. Despite my reservations about the cross dressing theme and the fact that the book pushed my 'too sweet' buttons from time to time, this was still a good romantic read. The heroes work well together, talking through their problems in a mature fashion and supporting each other in difficult times.
Hunter is a very sympathetic narrator and I was so caught up in the story that I didn't even notice it was written in the present tense until about a third of the way through the book - which is very unusual because I often find present tense stories hard to get into at first. The writing is quite beautiful with a lyricism that appealed to me and this was most apparent in the sex scenes which as you may imagine were very tender as well as steamy, and in the scenes where Hunter is amazed at how beautiful his husband-to-be is.
Another thing that worked well in the book is the Gay For You theme. The scene where Hunter is trying to explain his attraction for Maxwell to Maxwell's sister really hit the nail on the head for me as to why this theme works so well: This book is one of the most open and honest GFY books I've read, one which deals sensitively and accurately with the theme whilst also allowing me to understand Hunter's feelings exactly. So once again I'm struggling with how to grade this book. Really it falls slap bang in the middle of 3 and 4 stars.
The 4 star grade would be for the writing, characterisation and the handling of the GFY theme; and the 3 star grade for it pushing my 'too sweet' button and for the disappointing use of the cross dressing theme. Hmmm, I'm going to sit on the fence here and award both grades. Overall, I would still recommend this book, especially if your sugar threshold is much higher than mine, and if you are in the mood for a well written and deeply romantic novel.
Feb 03, Daesy rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book starts where the 1st one ended. Also if I really loved the sex scenes,since the guys were always hot together and the jealousy was a bonus, I must say that this 2nd book was a bit boring and with more angst. Max's family doesn't want to accept his relationship with Hunter and they have an huge fight. At the same time Hunter can't stop thinking that the fight Max is having with his family is stupid bcs he lost his family in a car accident when he was only a kid and his heart hurts when This book starts where the 1st one ended.
At the same time Hunter can't stop thinking that the fight Max is having with his family is stupid bcs he lost his family in a car accident when he was only a kid and his heart hurts when seeing Max be so sad and that his family is hurting him, when they should be happy of the fact that they still have each other. Luckily Max's family will understand in the end. The book ends with Max and Hunter getting married and having hot sex in an hotel suite, and damn that scene was Jan 07, thelastaerie rated it liked it.
While I liked the first book "Boys of Summer", I find this sequel, sort of, redundant. It would have been better if it's a short story to let curious readers of the first book to find out what happened after the HFN. I like Hunter's voice and narration and it's almost the one element that got me through the whole story. He's funny, loving, brave and sort of like a kid still full of wonders of life. But the story, while it carries some heavy, serious conflicts - coming out to your family, asking While I liked the first book "Boys of Summer", I find this sequel, sort of, redundant.
But the story, while it carries some heavy, serious conflicts - coming out to your family, asking for their blessings - it's a bit stereotypical and it drags on. Also, weddings, gay or straight, bore me to tears. And it's done in details. The part where Max reveals he's into cross-dressing and Hunter finds it a turn-out, i thought it was Overall, it's the sort of sequel that seems more appropriate if it's done in a crisp epilogue, instead of a full-length novel.
Dec 19, Ava rated it really liked it Shelves: I really liked this sequel to Boys of Summer. There was a lot of depth to the characters and a lot they each needed to work through. Things that were just touched upon in Boys of Summer were delved into and fully resolved in this book.
By the end, I really had the feeling Hunter and Max were truly meant for each other and that they would be together forever. I could feel how much they loved each other. And it had the same sweet romantic vibe as the 1st book. That being said, I felt the middle dr I really liked this sequel to Boys of Summer. That being said, I felt the middle dragged a bit. If the book had been a longish novella, I likely would have loved all over it, just as I loved all over Boys of Summer.
Dec 19, Mandi rated it really liked it Shelves: Really enjoyed this one more than the first book, actually. Hunter and Max are just so much in love. I felt like the story dragged a little in the middle not that it wasn't interesting, I just wasn't sure what else they had to work out between them. Loved the characters, the sex was smokin', and besides my slight niggle, thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Don Henley - Taking you home
Mar 08, Rikki rated it liked it Shelves: So it was kind of hard for me to get into the story. I was thrown into their lives and had to wrap my head around the whole situation at first. However, once I got past the first chapter, I kind of got into the story. There is actually not much of a plot to speak of. Max takes Hunter home to his homophobe family, they spend a few days there, they leave, they marry, end. There is some tension, but certainly not nearly as much as there could have been. The two main characters are so much in love with each other, it is almost sickeningly sweet.
They both think the other is perfect, gorgeous, beautiful, smart and whatever else you can think of. Arguments, or rather discussions, that stem from either difference in opinion or little insecurities are resolved in a flash with no bad feelings to speak of. But, after one talk with Hunter over a cigarette, she changes from being totally hostile to volunteering to be the wedding planner! The father needs a bit more time and takes an odd route. He turns from being prejudiced but at least somewhat civil to openly hostile to the extent that he refuses to let Hunter enter his home again to regretful and accepting.
The only reason for this seems to be some serious soul searching. I found that rather hard to believe. Other than that I quite enjoyed reading this. Even though it was extremely sweet and un-exciting, it was entertaining and a nice change from all that angst and overwhelming obstacles.
Actually the whole story made me curious as to how Max and Hunter met in the first place, so I might go back in time and read the prequel. Nov 06, Morgan Skye rated it it was amazing. In book one — we see how they met and the process they took to becoming a couple. Together, he and Hunter face the family displeasure and disdain and then we see it gradually morph into acceptance and love. Some will find this over the top — full of ooey gooey love and emotion and light on plot.
Book one showed us what was one of the major hurdles Max and Hunter coming together but book two shows us how much more there is to the story. There is more depth to him than we glimpsed in book one and this explores all those early feelings and the hidden desires he had that he only now feels confident enough to share with Hunter. It was an imminently satisfying book in that we never feel uncertain about the ending, but get to explore the nuances of their relationship so much more intricately. The sex was scorching hot. I also thought the time with Maxine was done very well.
What an interesting dichotomy. Max both loves and hates that Hunter was attracted to Maxine and Hunter has to handle that so delicately and he does with tremendous aplomb. It was also very satisfying to see them all the way through the wedding. Such a nice neat bow tied off for us. Brian Pallino continues to do an excellent job with the narration and I really enjoy listening to his voice. I give both the book and the narration a 4. Jan 15, Stacey Jo rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is a fantastic sequel. Hunter has proposed—it was a very sweet proposal—and Max is excitedly planning the wedding.
Max has a major identity crisis—involving dresses and high heels—that he has to work through before he can accept himself and ultimately their marriage. We ultimately end up with a sweet wedding and a really nice HEA. I felt a bit worn out sometimes. But these guys were going through a lot too so I guess it warranted it. It was a pretty emotional story. They definitely deserved an HEA. Jul 04, Glass rated it really liked it Shelves: What to say about this book?
Well, let me be honest here - main reason why I read Boys of Summer and Taking You Home - I just wanted to understanand this whole homosexualty thing. How do you know that you like boys or girls? Is it like when you're gay, you don't find girls attractive at all? And I'm still confused about crossdressing. If you don't like girls, why some of you get all worked up over boys dressed like girls? Maxine did help me to understand this topic better, but uh, uh Maxine did help me to understand this topic better, but there are just so many confusing aspects.
Second book is much better than first, it made me laugh and it made me cry. Max is one of my favourite characters. Jan 08, Penny rated it it was amazing. I bought TYH not realizing it was a Sequel. Two paragraphs in and I'm thinking this is way to familiar. This is an enduring, heart-felt story that follows Maxwell and Hunter. Max is taking Hunter to meet his parents and announcing their engagement to his family.
Let just say it doesn't goes as they hoped. Jan 07, Louisa added it.
Taking You Home - Wikipedia
Layered, complex, emotional, passionate--it's everything I want in a romance. I'm savoring every word! Jan 07, Mel rated it it was amazing. Jul 10, Lane Hayes rated it it was amazing. Oct 04, Gavin Stephenson-Jackman rated it it was amazing. Meeting the family is always a nerve wracking ordeal made even more so when your partner doesn't conform to society's ideals. It's more than will they like me, will they accept me, but will they even acknowledge our relationship. This is the reality for Hunter and Max.
Hunter hasn't even told his Aunt that he's gay, and now he has to introduce Max as his fiancee as they plan their marriage ceremony A captivating story. Hunter hasn't even told his Aunt that he's gay, and now he has to introduce Max as his fiancee as they plan their marriage ceremony. Will they survive the family angst and drama? Jun 01, Lucy rated it liked it.
While I loved the first one of the Boys of Summer, this one didn't work quite as well. Add your thoughts 3 Comments. General Comment This song is about the birth of Henley's child. Don had a pretty shitty love life until he met his wife. He didn't think he could want anything more in life, but when he saw his child, he realized what he had been missing all those years.
No Replies Log in to reply. There was an error. General Comment I never thought of this song about being in the context of the birth of a child, but now that you mention it, I can totally see it. I always thought it was about finding the right relationship, and the person you were meant to share your life with. But I can definitely see how it could be about a baby too. Either way, it's a beautiful song. General Comment Beautiful song. I think this could totally be correlated with the birth of a child A love like no other.
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