I find something comforting and, yes, hot when an age-gap between two men of a decade or two can lead to a successful and believable relationship. I’m a reader who doesn’t have an issue with May-December romances...I adored this story.

The way Mccabe and Josh’s relationship changed over the years from acquaintances to friends, from friends to… well, more as they grew, not only up physically but together and into a couple as time went by, was heartwarming and lovely. As they came to what seemed like their conclusion, my heart heart did flip-flops and cartwheels, it seemed. Such a great story!

Loved the complicated leads and the organic romance which unfolded in unexpected ways for me. ... At novel's beginning I thought I knew Ash, aka Asshole ... But oh does his character grow! ... Ash is a unique romance hero in that his past isn't used to explain away his boorish behavior, instead Daniel accepts Ash and helps him see how much better a person he can be by loving Daniel. ... Daniel is just as stellar a character as Ash but in a totally different way. ... The romance between Daniel and Ash was absolutely captivating. Daniel is like an immovable wall of love that Ash runs up against and can't quite figure out. Ash is so used to having all the control that he can't imagine how calm, free-spirited and clumsy Daniel makes him not care about power and control. This dynamic steeps the novel in emotional and erotic intensity ... This novel could easily have been just Ash getting what he needed from a relationship but Daniel gets the anchor and home he's always craved. How the reconciliation happens perfectly shows Ash's character growth as well as how much Daniel needs Ash. ... This romance is like expensive chocolate with complexity and flavor without being too sweet. ... Something in the Way He Needs is my favorite Cardeno C. novel and will be on my re-read and favorite book shelves.

Book 2 in the Mates series, just as quickly devoured by this reader as the first one, tells the story of Ethan Abbatt, a young wolf shifter who can't shift, and Miguel Rodriguez, a centuries old, powerful vampire...Prejudice is explored quite well in this novel, and could be liked to interracial relationships - the comparison is most apt.....The first time mating was super hot, but also extremely emotional, as I've come to expect from this author, and as a reader I will always feel as if the moment is sacred and special. The connection between mates is cemented upon the first love making, and this was no different here. Ethan may have been from a small Georgia town, and he wasn't a learned man, which is expressed in his speech and mannerisms, but he's no dummy. And Miguel, despite being as old as he is, still has things he can learn from Ethan - it's a good thing Miguel is no dummy either, and once he gets over his initial disbelief, he's fiercely protective, something the other vampires and anyone who tries to cross or hurt Ethan should have heeded. I loved how the author explored the meaning of family, and how love is stronger than prejudice. The main villain in this book gets what's coming to him, and all is well that ends well. Honest communication and great dialogue rounded out a super awesome story that I liked almost as much as the first one.

This is a lovely story about how we look at ourselves ... mostly it is a very sweet love story. It is about the choices we make and the opportunities we might never get to experience, depending on those choices. It is about loving yourself and reaching out. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. There were several very funny moments that had me laughing out loud and some that were heart-wrenching. Even with the serious subject matter that is central to the book, the story is thoughtful and has some light-hearted moments. A lovely addition to your holiday reading list.