When life gave you lemons, you learned who stayed and made lemonade with you. Or something to that effect. And the day Ellis Hayes kidnapped me—or, he borrowed a yacht and didn’t know I was on board—he’d definitely been handed too many lemons. We faced a dilemma when I woke up hungover in the middle of the ocean. He needed to get the hell out of town to do some soul searching and decide whether … decide whether or not to divorce his wife, and I needed to get back on land because humans didn’t belong on the water. There was also better cell service on land, and I had my four-year-old daughter on vacation in Paris to check in with.
Then I remembered I wasn’t a complete tool. Ellis wasn’t doing all right, and we were practically family. I had to stay and make lemonade with him. Of course, me being me, seemingly un-dateable and complicated, I had to develop feelings for him, too.
more
*A perfect match in all their imperfections*
„Choosing you would complicate everything in my everyday life, yet it´s the most uncomplicated choice I´ve ever made.“
I think this one is my absolute favorite of the series!!!
I LOVED everything about it!!!
„Uncomplicated Choices“ is book 5 in Cara Dee´s „Camassia Cove“ universe.
This is the story of Casey and Ellis.
We meet Casey for the first time in „Path of Destruction“. (-> it is highly recommended to read first „Path of Destruction“ and then „Uncomplicated Choices“)
There, Casey, 21 years old, is serving his prison sentence and is protected by Lincoln Hayes, who is his prison cellmate.
I fell in love with him then, he seemed so sweet, young and innocent, longing for Lincoln´s protection, touches and hugs. It hurt all over, when Lincoln had to leave him one year before Casey´s own release.
Now, several years later, Casey gets his own story. Finally.
Come and meet Casey „Kid“, single dad with sweet Haley, 4 years old, who moved with his family of choice after his prison release from Detroit to Camassia Cove. He´s so cute and funny, a super proud and loving dad but oh so lonely. His dating history is so very unsuccessful, what makes him feel insecure and vulnerable, whenever it comes to develop deeper feelings.
„Actually, when I dated men, I was either-or. Not masculine enough or not feminine enough. After three years of constant dating, it was sort of crushing to never be enough.“
Then there is Ellis Hayes, Lincoln´s younger cousin. He is unhappily married since 11 years and he feels so miserable about it. Along all those years with his wife Marilyn he has forgotten how to be and how to feel happy.
Worlds collide when this kidnapping happens. Ellis borrows Lincoln´s yacht, needing time and space away from his wife, hoping to make up his mind and find some solutions and decisions.
When Ellis finds out, that he is not alone on the boat, but that there is also a very hangover Casey, it does not take long for both of them to discover their ever growing affection and feelings.
A rollercoaster ride of feelings with a very deserved HEA for lovely Casey and Ellis.
„A million things went unsaid in a silence that stretched between us. He searched my eyes; I searched his. I saw the hint of vulnerability, I saw the exhaustion, I saw the deep hunger. He had a shit-ton to say but couldn´t. It was okay. I kissed him, hoping it told him it was okay.“
Cara Dee creates with „Uncomplicated Choices“ a wonderful and beautiful lovestory. Casey and Ellis (and their growing family) are both just so adorable and sweet together, you can´t help but love them, a perfect match in all their imperfections.
„Sheets twisting, rain coming down, all the cuddles we could take, pillow talk, breakfast and lunch and dinner in bed…I´d read about those days. They were on my bucket list.“
„Uncomplicated Choices“ is book 5 in Cara Dee´s „Camassia Cove“ universe.
To understand the following books, which are all connected somehow and a lot of characters cross over several books, it is recommended to read the previous books according to the timeline you can find on Cara Dee´s homepage.
Enjoyable story line and kept my interest
I really enjoyed reading Uncomplicated Choices.
I absolutely love Casey. He is quirky, funny , honest and doesn’t have much of a filter. Ellis is definitely a more calm than Casey but I love their dynamic.
I thought this was going to become one big drama fest at the end with Ellis’ ex but she really surprised me and I actually had quite a bit of respect for her in the end.
I wasn’t sure about reading this story mainly because I have yet to read Linc’s story but I am so glad I jumped right in, I wasn’t disappointed.
This was a friends to lovers romance in which Casey and Ellis had known each other for years but it wasn’t until Ellis’ separation and spending time with Casey on the yacht that he had/recognized he had feelings for Casey. This was told from Casey’s point of view only and was a sweet story.
I couldn’t put it down!
Its 2am and I couldn’t stop reading! This was such a fun and engaging read! Casey is just too cute and Ellis is so easy to love.
Casey the single dad, Ellis the married straight man. Not a pair you’d expect but boy do they deliver. I can’t wait to meet them again next time they appear.
Love this couple. It was about connection and affection, an effortless relationship. Not only love between a couple but so much love between family as well. Great humor…
Casey and Ellis…Wow what a story. Absolutely loved how it went along and Cara Dee did not disappoint me on delivering an unconventional romantic story.
I will say that while these books are all standalones, the fact I’ve read the entire series probably helped. I was already emotionally invested in Casey and the author flawlessly introduced Ellis. It was complicated; it was frustrating and even sometimes funny which sums up life pretty perfectly.
The character development is truly astounding. I love hearing the perspective of what Casey is thinking, getting the opportunity to learn more about each character and most of all keeping that slow but steady burn of a buildup. When that moment of clarity/attraction/lust/love whatever you want to deem it happens, that slow burn makes it even more powerful. The world building continues to develop. I love the fact that previous characters are constantly there, that it shows a strong sense of family.
I enjoy the fact it’s not just solely focused on romance either. Cara Dee masterfully weaves in themes of parenthood, sexuality, societal norms and more. That all plays strong into that sense of realism. She also has a very skilled writing style so between that and the realism it kept me fully engaged.
I can’t wait for the next to come out. Highly recommend!