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I wrote this flash fic for Boy Meets Boy Reviews featuring the characters in Wake Me Up Inside. Enjoy! - CC
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First off I have to say this story is WAY different from anything I've seen from Cardeno before. Dealing with a Dom/sub relationship directly isn't usual from this author. While the story is still sweet, there is an edge to it that makes it that much more interesting. ... The ending, when it finally comes, is pure Cardeno. This wasn't an easy story, but Family never is.
... Partly that is because Charlie is a fabulous narrator. I just loved his dialog and his inner voice. ... He is confident and sharp witted and determined to be himself. ... Charlie is also the heart of the story, the person who ties the three men together, the one who is the nurturer and the caregiver and who is the rock that builds their family. ... I will be vague on the details here to avoid spoiling some significant events, but I will just say the three men reunite and there is an opportunity for them to all three be together. Again, the author really shows us how far these three men have come over the years (it has been about 20 since the start of the book). ..The three men are fabulous together and all make a perfect family... So I totally adored this story and it is my favorite for sure by this author. I loved the slow sweetness to the story. It is actually fairly light on the sex, at least by this author's standards, but at the same time, the passion and intensity between these men when they are together is amazing. Just the smallest scenes are so heated and meaningful. They are so sexy and romantic and loving that I just adored them. I loved Charlie's humor and narration, loved the way the story builds one relationship at a time until ultimately it all comes together. I just adored the whole thing. Exceptionally well…
Oooh, I just loved this one you guys! ...What is so wonderful about The Half of Us is the way author Cardeno C really elevates the story beyond just this fears commitment/wants a relationship dynamic in a way that makes for a fascinating story and wonderful characters. ...Jason doesn't see a future for himself with anyone long term and it never occurs to him he can have that. But as the relationship with Abe slowly builds, Jason goes with it. ...It scares him sometimes, and definitely surprises him, but Jason goes with it in a way that is really appealing. What also makes this work so well is the complexity of both of these characters. ....Jason comes across arrogant and quick tempered, but he is also so warm and loving underneath. He dotes on Abe, he is caring with his ex-wife, and he is determined to make a relationship with his kids. For his part, Abe is also more than he seems at first. ...What is interesting about Abe is that deep down, there is a much wilder side to him than he lets out. ...There is this wonderful undercurrent of dirtiness between them, of hard, intense, messy sex that makes both of them crazy. ...The men are crazy hot together and it is so much fun to see them really explore both of their desires....I just adored Abe and loved him and Jason together. I really liked seeing how Abe makes Jason a better man, makes him reach for…
Nina: I loved this novella. I loved that there was just enough connection to the Home series to make this feel like a part of a greater story. I loved how snarky and funny and grumpy Rafi was. I loved how sweet and open and unswerving Isaac was. I loved the forgiveness and acceptance in this story. I loved how incredibly sexy these men were together. I loved how brave they were. ... I enjoyed the way that the men came together, the process felt real to me. Even though Rafi would never admit it, there is a reason that Isaac pushes all of his buttons - he was a part of how he got them. These guys grew up together and as Rafi relaxes and lets go of some of his anger his memories soften to allow more than just the pain and anger and resentment to flavor their shared past. The subtle turning from slaking passion, and wow! were these guys incredibly hot together, to companionship and friendship to love was a delight. This was a fantastic novella and a brilliant addition to my Cardeno C collection.
McFarland's Farm by Cardeno C. is a light, angst free novella. The story has very little conflict and when misunderstandings do arise, they are quickly resolved. The characters are well-developed with realistic insecurities and flaws. The romance is believable and the sex scenes are incredibly hot. All in all, it is a wonderful first installment in the Hope series that will leave fans eagerly awaiting future releases.