Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. But Henry’s junk does.Agoraphobe Jaden shouldn’t have let his big brother put a ticket in a blind date raffle for him. He wasn’t expecting to win. And certainly not an overnight trip to the Grand Canyon with a gorgeous stranger—and his total opposite, a hunky wilderness guide.Henry’s excited to meet a guy he clicks with, having finally finished bottom … having finally finished bottom surgery. He’s been living stealth as the man he is for years, but he’s growing tired of hiding his past. Jaden not only accepts him, he captivates Henry, who resolves to be courageous and vulnerable in the rest of his life.
Back home in Denver, Henry starts to take pride in reconnecting with the trans community, while Jaden pushes himself out of his comfort zone. But freedom always comes at a price. Can they take the plunge into their wide open future together?
This novel is loosely based on “Denver” from the Heart2Heart 2 anthology. It has been significantly revised and expanded into a novel with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhanger. It takes place after Forever in the F-Word series, but almost completely stands alone.
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Love story that’s very different
Two broken people, each with a difficult back story are squished together by a well meaning brother of one, and a good friend of the other. It should have been a nightmare, instead it was exactly what they both needed. This is the first story I’ve read that involves a trans man, and that’s a whole new level of prejudice I’ve never considered before. Good plot, good read.
I was blown away by this book. Henry is strong, sweet and comfortable in his skin. As for Jayden, he’s been through so much and is strong and resilient. The descriptions, the emotions and was just captivating.
4.5 Stars
This is the first book I read about trans people. I read it out of curiosity and because MM romance is among my favorites. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the book but I also found it very informative. To me “love is love” but I enjoyed learning something about this topic I’m not very familiar with.
I would read more books like this.
4 ½ stars
All the feels, dear author. You gave me all the feels.
I won’t pretend to understand everything discussed in this book. But I got the gist of it and could infer from context the point the author was making.
That being said, Freedom is an excellent continuation of the F Word series. The author did an excellent job of character development for these two. Their backstories help me know them better without taking over the story, making it easier to stay in the moment with them.
Jaden and Henry are lovely people. They are each struggling to overcome things that many people wouldn’t understand. The journey they are making feels genuine, which allows me to step into their world and experience a bit with them. I could feel their pain, anger, hope, and love as they move forward into a new part of their lives. So sweet, so touching, so real.
And the sexy times are very well done. So very well done. Mmmmm.
E. Davies teaches me something new with every book. Not dry passages without heat or emotion. No. The lessons are written with passion and love, with humor and pain as punctuation. This is some quality stuff.
As always, I look forward to more from this author.
What I Think: Okay, so this is the first time I’m reading an E. Davies tale and I’ve been dying to get my hands on one of them because I loved the little I saw of them (not sure which pronoun they prefer) on Facebook. More importantly, reading his tales were also a challenge to self. I have never come across a trans person and I honestly don’t know if I could date one because here in West Africa, some things just seem so far-fetched that until someone throws the question in your face, you never stop to check yourself for any kind of phobia. I know there are people in the LGBTQIA community who are all kinds of phobic and my wish is to have a mind as liberal and accepting as the big, blue, Senegalese sky. But Msr. Davies made me ask myself that question just by being his very sweet, charming self and that’s why I jumped at the chance to review this tale. So, let’s find out what new growth is in store for me.
From the very start, the ease of the author’s writing style makes this tale personal so by the time he introduces the characters, it’s damn personal. Jaden makes me want to throw my bathrobe around him while hiding him. Knowing how difficult anxiety can be as I currently watch someone close deal with it made me immediately protective. And Spence. Oh lawdess, Spence. I don’t know if I want to hug him or kiss him but we all need a brother like him in our corner, flaws and all. Especially now that Jaden is in the kind of hot soup that Spence was hoping for. I’m holding hands with you, Jaden sweetie. Let’s get love in the bag. And didn’t Henry just become so interesting, even as I’m suddenly so nervous and sweaty for both of them? But even that melts away as I can’t help but chuckle helplessly at both of them. Both nervous for completely different reasons, each as huge as the other but damn, Henry is a charmer. Fate definitely works through awesome friends and brothers because already I can tell that these 2 belong together but will they see it in the short time they’re thrown together? Henry and Jaden are so much braver than they know. I couldn’t take the chance they’re taking for all the money in the world and that’s something I definitely need to work on. Because this tale here is a perfect example of one of my favorite sayings – to get a heart, one must give a heart. In spite of the fears in their hearts, that spark of attraction they feel and Henry’s easy gentleness makes Jaden want to try which in turn makes Henry want to try and they open their hearts to each other even as they let hope bloom. I love the ease with which they settle into each other. It makes the tale flowy and so soothing, especially after all the explosions of nerves. They’re both willing to reach out their hands for something they both crave, placing their hearts on the line just in the hopes that the other would do the same. I’m as thrilled as I am frightened for them. Only for anger to almost blind me as Jaden begins to tell his tale. It’s really annoying living in a world where animals are more humane than humans. But even this rage too passes over so swiftly because here’s so much sugar passing between this 2 that I can’t help laughing quietly. It’s a great tale to read on a sick day like today as I sank deeper into the cloud of this tale with each page. The eroticism and intimacy hit me because I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting it from shy, nervous Jaden. And I was a little scared of what to expect from Henry. Funny, how we can be subconsciously afraid of the unfamiliar. So, the erotica came at the right time and was just as sweet and even more tender for all the emotional and mental crap these two have been through, so tender that I read some parts peeking through my fingers. But I got a little pissed at Jaden. I get his issues with his brother pushing him before he’s ready but I find it unfair that he’s holding it against him when that’s how he met Henry. Forgive him, Jaden. He too was moved by love. The tenderness of this tale makes it so real that there were times I felt I was reading a diary, the intimacy, fear, and delight so naked and almost childlike that it was made even more real. As Jaden confronts his demons, so does Henry, finding his community and beginning to feel whole as he accepts everything that makes him Henry. It’s an emotional journey and I feel like I got to be part of that journey with them. That’s why it hurt so much when everything seemed to go wrong at the same time, leaving them both to make life-changing decisions at a time when they should have had more room to just breathe through the mental and emotional growth they were having. I needed to pause and breathe through it for us, quickly diving back in though because I needed to know my new bbfs (book boyfriends and yes, I’m keeping them both) got all the sugar they’ve earned and deserved. This is selfish jut you know the best part of all this? The certainty of not being transphobic aaand my dating range suddenly feels bigger because I used to think maybe, but now I know I would date a transwoman as surely as I would date a cis-gendered woman because in the end? It really all comes down to the zing. Yesss! I passed my own test!!
Verdict? A comfort keeper of a tale celebrating the victory that comes with having the courage to be definitely, uniquely, splendiferously you!
There are many things in life that can keep us from enjoying the freedom we deserve on. Fear is definitely one of them. For Jaden, who battles agoraphobia brought on by being a victim of a gay-bashing. For Henry, it was coming out as trans to his coworkers and friends. Despite being out as a gay man, he kept that part close to the vest.
While they both had someone close to them (Jaden has his brother, Spence, and Henry has his best friend, Trip), they didn’t really let anyone else in. Thanks to their cohorts, they won a raffle and met, and fate took over from there.
This was a touching book. It has romance and sexy times, but has so much more, too. It is full of hope and information woven throughout the story, that I believe it will connect with people everywhere, for possibly different reasons. That makes my heart smile.
I love E. Davies’s talents for storytelling and how much respect he shows for every character he crafts. Jaden and Henry were likable and very enjoyable to be around, even if only through a story. I loved watching their journey, and I feel like I’m coming away from this story a bit better off than it found me. If that even makes sense.
This is book five in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I will admit to not having read the previous books, but after this one, I really want to! I’m kind of hoping to possibly see more Spence and Trip in the future. Who knows? Anything is possible…
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
This book was so good. I loved seeing Jaden and Henry grow stronger together. Each man had moments of self-doubt, but those lessened the longer they were a couple. These men were cute, sexy, and very easy to love. I enjoyed the romance and learned a little along the way. I appreciate this author’s talent and openness regarding life as a trans man. I love how Jaden didn’t just accept Henry’s differences; he embraced them. And I loved how Henry helped Jaden overcome his own anxiety and fears. This was a terrific story!
Phenomenal writing! From the first page to the last, this book grabbed me. Henry and Jaden both impressed me with the strength they have to deal with their ‘cages’. Jaden’s agoraphobia and social anxiety rang true. The fear and self-loathing were painfully real. Henry’s fear was just as real but I could also feel his hope that there would be acceptance from the people he opened up to, that they would welcome all of him. I loved the romance of their relationship. They know that they’ve found someone special and worth fighting for.
Highly recommended
I loved everything about this book. The writing was beautiful, the characters were wonderful, I loved the heartbreaking scenes and I loved the heartwarming scenes. I loved the conversations about gender and sexuality and mental illness. I honestly have only great things to say.
There were many lines that stood out to me but I want to share two that spoke to my heart: “If you’re carrying around other people’s shame, you don’t have room for your own Glory. Even freedom”. And: “end of the day, we only get one life. Do, you boo. It’s scary as shit, but the people who matter will stick around.”
It’s one of the best book books I read this year. I highly recommend it.
5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This was such a good story. Jaden was an Agoraphobe, he could not leave the house. Henry was trans, a nature lover, a wilderness guide. In the beginning I though they were polar opposites but as I got to know the characters, they had so much in common. They were perfect for each other. Such a feel-good story. Highly recommend!!!
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Freedom by E Davies is part of the F-Words series and tells a sweet and wonderful lovestory between two fabulous characters that captured my heart. The story has drama, emotion and heat. It’s a beautiful love story that is well written and entertaining.
Jaden is an agoraphobe who is trying to find a way to live life fuller and move on from a past trauma. Henry is a Transgender man who is now trying to live life more fully and openly. When these two meet, the chemistry and connection are heated and yet sweet. They each have battles to fight, and they are both strong and amazing characters facing challenges and finding love. I adore them together.
This is such an emotional read with amazing characters and an often not written about properly subject is written in a wonderful way.
Jaden and Henry meet on a ‘blind date’ and feelings happen right from the get go! Both characters have secrets to tell and the way these are told, dealt with and explained is wonderful from the author!
I loved Freedom, it was such a great story. I enjoyed all aspects and I loved that Jaden and Henry both had things they were dealing with and I liked how they worked things out. The pace was great, easy to read, it was interesting, steamy, sexy and a whole lot of sweet. I really liked the peek into both of their lives. I never save quotes from a story, but I am this time, I just loved it.
“I don’t know what it’s like on that side of the fence. But I know that if you’re carrying around other people’s shame, you don’t have room for your own joy. Glory. Even freedom.”
I definitely recommend this book and will be checking out the other books in the F-Word Series.
Possibilities. This is what the future holds for Henry and Jaden.
Meeting through a date auction, they instantly connect.
Jaden’s brother Spence is trying to help him get over his agoraphobia by giving him a little push back into the dating scene.
Henry’s best friend Trip is giving him push into dating by entering him in the auction date. But Trip doesn’t know that Henry is trans and the only reason he agreed is because he’s finally through with his surgeries.
The date gives Henry and Jaden the push they needed to get the Freedom they both need.
I absolutely loved this couple and really enjoyed reading their story.
E. Davies has done a remarkable job of letting us see into the minds of a few trans and giving us a little insight of what they have gone through. Henry’s “instruction manual” was very enlightening!
Henry and Jaden helping each other and loving each other leads to their Freedom to just live, Be who they want to be. Their possibilities are now endless!!
Even though this is the first book in the F-series that I have read, I didn’t miss out on anything from the previous books. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Jaden is surrendering to his demons. Afraid of the outside world, he seldom leaves his small apartment. Henry if transgender. He also has his demons but is coping better than Jaden. When they go on a blind date both men let their fear go a little.
This was a lovely story. I’d normally call it insta love but the relationship felt more organic than that. I really liked how they became each other’s “other”. Jaden slowly letting go of the past and Henry finally embracing his future.
I’ve not read a book about a completed bottom surgery so it lead to some research. The author took a topic that is very complex and intense and treated it so much respect. I’d even say this book was joyful, even with all the angst the characters carried.