Hold Me

Cyclone, Volume 2

By: Courtney Milan

Narrated by: Xe Sands, Sean Crisden

Jay na Thalang is a demanding, driven genius. He doesn't know how to stop or even slow down. The instant he lays eyes on Maria Lopez, he knows that she is a sexy distraction he can't afford. He's done his best to keep her at arm's length, and he's succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.

Maria has always been cautious. Now that her once-tiny, apocalypse-centered blog is hitting the mainstream, she's even more careful about preserving her online anonymity. She hasn't sent so much as a picture to the commenter she's interacted with for 18 months - not even after emails, hour-long chats, and a friendship that is slowly turning into more. Maybe one day they'll meet and see what happens.

But unbeknownst to them both, Jay is Maria's commenter. They've already met. They already hate each other. And two determined enemies are about to discover that they've been secretly falling in love.

©2016 Courtney Milan (P)2017 Courtney Milan

Witty and heartwarming

Survivors guilt, academic arrogance, misogyny and pretention meets dirty jokes about lasers and a smart witty protagonist whose gender identity is not the center price of the story and I never knew how much I needed it until I started listening. I am impressed and I cant wait to read anything this author writes. The performance bouncing back and forth between narrators took me out of it but that's a personal preference.

... but I liked it.

I liked the book, story and readers. Some subject areas were a little uncomfortable for me, but informative and I googled more to understand. Well written, very well read.

Tender and memorable

I struggle to be "woke," but my kids will tell you that I fail, miserably. I read what I'm most comfortable reading: authors I know, stories that fit familiar patterns, or recommendations from friends who know me. Transgender romances don't normally make it to my to-be-read lists, not because I consciously reject them but because I'd never think to give them a try. But when I love an author, I'm willing to try just about anything he or she has to offer. I love Courtney Milan. She is a talented wordmaster and a brilliant story teller who consistently delivers sensitive, passionate, and memorable romance. So if she offers up a transgender heroine, then I'll give it a go. And I'm so glad I did. Hold Me was a beautiful story. Because in the end, all stories are the same. If two individuals work up the nerve to take a chance on love in spite of life lessons shouting "BEWARE," then their love story has merit. I loved Hold Me; I look forward to the next chapter in the Cyclone series, and I hope we hear how Maria and Jay are doing, even as Ms. Milan introduces us to new characters with stories of their own.

Another winner

Another great book by Milan. I loved the first one, and while I enjoyed the inclusivity of this one, I wasn't as invested in the story. Something about it just wasn't compelling enough. It was still honest and romantic and heartfelt but I feel like it was missing something. Not sure what. Maybe I've been reading too many romances recently and just need a break. Either way, I did really like this.

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