Can your favorite hockey players finish their first season together undefeated?
Five months in, NHL forward Ryan Wesley is having a record-breaking rookie season. He’s living his dream of playing pro hockey and coming home every night to the man he loves—Jamie Canning, his longtime best friend turned boyfriend. There’s just one problem: the most important relationship of his life is one he needs … his life is one he needs to keep hidden, or else face a media storm that will eclipse his success on the ice.
Jamie loves Wes. He really, truly does. But hiding sucks. It’s not the life Jamie envisioned for himself, and the strain of keeping their secret is taking its toll. It doesn’t help that his new job isn’t going as smoothly as he’d hoped, but he knows he can power through it as long as he has Wes. At least apartment 10B is their retreat, where they can always be themselves.
Or can they? When Wes’s nosiest teammate moves in upstairs, the threads of their carefully woven lie begin to unravel. With the outside world determined to take its best shot at them, can Wes and Jamie develop major-league relationship skills on the fly?
Warning: contains sexual situations, a vibrating chair, long-distance sexytimes and proof that hockey players look hot in any shade of green.
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Wes & Jamie won my heart all over again!!
“The way I feel about Ryan Wesley…it’s something I thought existed only in the movies. He’s my other half. We complement each other in more ways than I can count. When he’s in the same room, I’m focused on him, and when he’s gone I walk around missing him.”
Being able to come back to Wes & Jamie and seeing all the imperfections that life really does tend to throw at you after the happily ever after was beautiful in a way. At the end of Him we are riding the high of Jamie & Wes finding one another but with Us we got to see a different side to a couple that we have fallen in love with. The ugly parts that make up a real relationship and the tensions that the outside world can put on a relationship. Not once did I ever doubt the love that Jamie and Wes had for each other, but it was strained and tested.
If anything, this book made me fall harder for Wesmie if that is even possible. A new couple has their own growing pains but when you add in trying to keep your relationship hidden it really tends to make one overthink every moment. Wes did a lot of that which was heartbreaking but understandable because of the way he grew up. No one had ever been there for him 100% of the time until he met Jamie. Wondering for even a moment if that one person is going to leave can shatter you before you even have all the answers. For Jamie being with Wes is perfection but as his strengths are tested daily, we start to see that even the strongest of people can have their doubts and what ifs.
Loving Jamie & Wes was easy from the very moment I met them in Him and I am so grateful to Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy for writing this couple that has taken over my heart. Diving right into the last little bit of Jamie & Wes I will get with Epic.
Nice finish
Well done. Drug a little bit in some spots but it was a good finish to Jamie and Ryan’s story.
Us is book two in the Him series by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. This is the continuation of their story, beginning a few months after the first book left off.
Ryan Wesley’s rookie season playing professional hockey in Toronto is off to a fantastic start. He’s breaking all kinds of records. And the best part is coming home to the love of his life, Jamie Canning. He’s loved Jamie since they were kids. Only it took him nine years to tell him. Now they are together and his life is complete. Except that he wants the press to focus on his first year in hockey, not on his private life or sexual orientation. So they have agreed to keep their relationship a secret, just until the end of the season.
Jamie loves his job as a youth hockey coach. Only a rude co-worker and struggling players are making things rough. He couldn’t be more in love with Ryan but Jamie used to be a social person. Staying holed up in their apartment is starting to get to him. He doesn’t have any friends here, only Ryan.
When Ryan’s teammate, Blake, moves in upstairs, it makes everything more complicated. First, I want to say that I LOVE Blake. This guy is hilarious and appears clueless but I think he’s a lot less clueless than some people realize. He has now claimed Ryan and Jamie as his besties and loves hanging out in their apartment, regularly!
Ryan and Jamie’s relationship is dealt yet another blow which challenges them more than they were prepared for. There is no doubt the love these two share but they are still new. Are they strong enough to overcome this latest hurdle?
It’s here that I have to shout my undying love for these two. I can’t get enough of them. Again, Jamie’s family proves to be amazing, hilarious and so supportive of them both. And Blake stole the show. He made me laugh out loud! I don’t want this series to end! I need more of these characters. So, I am going to go right on to Good Boy, which is Blake and Jess’s story, but also promises lots of Jamie and Ryan. This series is amazing and I am now a certified fan of both of these authors!
OMG this book was one heck of an emotional journey. I fell even more in love with this crazy cast of characters!
*****
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 flames
Genre: MM / Sports
*****
Where HIM was light with a little angst, this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster of emotions. I think my heart broke so many times I am surprised it’s still beating.
Jamie and Wes have moved to Toronto, but because Wes is in his rookie year of NHL Hockey, Wes has decided it is best to keep his sexuality and love for Jamie a secret. As far as anyone knows, Jamie and Wes are just buddies from hockey camp and roommates. Hmmm… I wonder what could go wrong.
Almost instantly there is tension and when one of Wes’ teammates, Blake moves upstairs, Jaime and Wes’ secret hideout isn’t a secret or much of a hideout anymore. Time is already very precious with each of them on the road at separate times but bring on a gregarious and hilarious new tenant with no boundaries…there time is even more limited. The relationship begins to strain.
Jaime is struggling in his new job. Wes is keeping secrets from his team. Both are not happy with the situation, but they can make it right…it’s only a year.
This book had me chuckling, tearing up and I think I must have put the book down a few times just to catch my breath. To watch these two…so much in love slowly grow and fall apart. UGH!!! Jamie’s insecurities, Wes’ fear of being outed and ostracized by his team make for a terrible combination for a new relationship. Is their love strong enough to survive the challenges life throws at them?
If you loved HIM, you would love US. A five-star book with wonderful characters, an engaging story that will keep you up well past your bedtime and an HEA that will leave you with a goofy smile on your face. A definite recommendation for me and now I am off to read Good Boy, not really book 3 but Blake and Jess’ book…I can’t wait to see those two combust!
Here I was thinking our fave hockey players had already found their HEA in ‘Him’, but it turns out that their life together as a committed couple is almost as difficult. I can easily see how two very competitive men, one of whom had never had a prior relationship, would struggle their way into domesticity. Even their sexy scenes were realistic in that it showed how life can be a trial despite loving someone. I found these characters very real and compelling. Very entertaining read. Definitely recommend.
4.75 Stars
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been in this world. But when I started this audio, it felt like I never left. This was an absolute delight. This is a continuation of Jamie and Ryan’s story so of course it can’t be read as a standalone. There was much more angst in this one and I loved it. I definitely think this book needed to happen. The steamy moment were on point and the humour of course was there. I shouldn’t have taken as long as I did to read this but I adored it. I finished this in one sitting.
I loved being brought back into this beautiful love story. The connection between the two main characters is so touching. I love that there is some humor sprinkled in here and there. Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton do such a great job of capturing the emotions in this story.
First Male Male romance and I loved it!
‘ .‘
This is the best decision I’ve made in a while. The conclusion to this duet was absolute perfection.
Wesmie really got to me, & pulled on all of my heartstrings. Finding the balance in their lives, expanding their circle, tackling roadblocks, but doing it in a way that was true to each of them.
And Blake. My goodness, I could feel the annoyance with him at first, but then I warmed up to him and before I knew it, I was cackling at the way his brain worked.
Absolute perfection.
I absolutely adored this audiobook! Teddy and Jacob did such a good job bringing Wes and Jamie to life. I love their love story and feel all the feels with these two. You can just feel the love between these two. Just because they are together now doesn’t mean it’s easy going. They still have so many obstacles to overcome but they did with with heart, humor and a lot of sexy times.
I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.
No Spoilers.
HEA(?): Yes
Relationship Type: MM
HEAT: 4/5, in some scenes it did sounds a bit…repetitive? But still enjoyable nonetheless.
Romance: 4-4.5/5, but I don’t
Drama: 3.5-4/5, I likes this book, BUT I was kinda expecting a bit more drama then there was in the book. This is a good and bad thing, because I do feel like some things were just pushed under the rug.
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
Pacing: Mid, but the last half felt a lot more hurried than I was expecting.
Formats Read: Ebook & Audiobook
Audiobook Rating: 4.5/5, Listing as 4.
The Audio from both Narrators was much more each in ‘sound’ than book one. It did sound like they were bored at times, but other than that I do love their voices.
I liked this continuation of Wes and Jamie’s story more than the first book, “Him”. Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton were awesome narrators.
This was a sweet, romantic, yet sometimes sad, and a bit painful look at Wes and Jamie working to become a couple, but not being able to be a couple in public. The writers gave a good sense of the fear, anxiety, hesitation, anger and sadness that many couples experience while attempting to navigate life and a relationship with a little more. Added to that, I felt that edge of resentment that often arises when trying to determine how much each partner contributes to a relationship, but from a slightly different POV.
The introduction of Wes’ teammate, Blake, added a level of humor and lightness to the story that made the book even more enjoyable.
Once again, an enjoyable listen via Audible Escape. Onward to “Epic”!
This series is everything. I love them so much. This time around I think Wes edged out Jamie but it’s pretty even. And as much as I loved the chase and fall in Him I enjoyed this continuation of their story, especially the last 15-20%. So sweet.
I just can’t, it is so good! I want there to be more of these guys!!!
LOVE WILL PREVAIL!!!
Awwhhh… I need a short of the “W”!!!
Loved, Loved, Loved!!!
So much uncertainty keeps you on you toes all the way through, but their love is timeless and unbreakable.
My favorite love story to date.
Just like the first one about these two characters (His), I loved it! The writing is top notch and the story keeps the reader engaged and invested in what’s going on with these two complex characters . The humor, angst, heat, witty banter, and all around squishy affection I feel for Wes and Jamie and now – even their crazy neighbor Blake (!) – makes this a really enjoyable read. I’m sitting here, writing this quick review and I have a smile on my face. Definitely HIGHLY recommend. 🙂
Us is the second book in the Him series and while I guess it could stand on it’s own, you definitely want to listen to how Wes & Jamie got together in Him.
While Bowen & Kennedy could have stopped with Him and it would have been a terrific story on it’s own – they blessed us with even more Wesmie in Us. This one seems to feel a little heavier as Jamie & Wes navigate their new relationship, cohabitating, balancing careers, and keeping it all a secret from the world – including close friends and teammates. Wes struggles to feel secure when few in his life have loved him for just being him and Jamie is trapped in the isolation caused by keeping so many secrets. That said, there is still a lot of romance, sexy times, and tons of humor.
I like that “coming out” isn’t saved for the very end nor resolved in an easy “and everything was fine”. There are complicated realities to deal with and obstacles to overcome that Kennedy and Bowen handle really well.
Annnddd… you can’t talk about Us without mentioning the introduction of Blake Riley. He’s an interesting dichotomy of oblivious yet incredibly insightful and almost always absolutely hysterical. Blakey gets his own book Good Boy, which is not only the first in the spinoff series WAGs but also offers more in the future of Wesmie.
If you need even MORE Wesmie, you’ll want to check out the novella, Epic.
Narration:
Teddy Hamilton & Jacob Morgan continue to be a great match here. The personality of both characters shines through in each of their performances. Definitely a series I’d rather listen to than read to myself.
Another entertaining read! Not quite as good as Him, but still very good. I felt so bad for both Jamie and Wes many times throughout this book. They have so many obstacles they have to face and overcome and sometimes it’s sad to read about. Elle and Sarina do a wonderful job with writing these characters and making you feel for them. They kept me interested in the book, so much so that I finished both books in a little over 24 hours.
I absolutely love this book, just as much as the first one!
I just love reading about Wes and Jamie, and is looking forward to read more about them 😉
OMG! Blake, He’s so funny, you have no choice but to love him, his has to get his own story.
Everything I said about Book 1 applies to this one, as well. And then some.
This book was tough at times. It got really hard for our boys for a while there – and not in a good way (hardy har har!) . The drama in this book cut me deep, and when they were able to resolve everything and come back together it was like all the feels magnified. I was so happy!
This book was just plain wonderful. And yes, still written like a masterpiece. I’ll be using this series as my inspiration for what good writing looks like.
And I’m just so ecstatic about Jamie and Wes. I love them so much and so hard. Applause all around for this fanfuckingtastic series! Yay!