When Kate Evangelista announced that there would be a sequel to Dodge Cove series and it would be featured Nathan Parker and Preston Ulysses Grant, I was over the moon with the news! I became totally excited to read it when I saw that it was part of the Xpress Book Tours, I quickly signed up and luckily I got a slot.
No Holding Back by Kate Evangelista
(Dodge Cove #2)
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: October 18th 2016
Genres: LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
A romantic European vacation is the perfect excuse to let go in this highly anticipated sequel to No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista.
Everyone knows that Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston…Everyone except Preston. Nathan has always accepted that Preston was too focused on his swim training to worry about love. But Preston is heading off to train for the Olympics soon, so if Nathan wants his chance at love, he has to speak up now. But saying “I love you” is surprisingly difficult, even for someone as confident as Nathan. Maybe a whirlwind vacation in Europe could help? But… what if it doesn’t work out and he loses the best friend he’s ever had?
Author’s Bio:
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is a graduate of De La Salle University – Manila with an Bachelor of Arts in Literature. She taught high school English for three years and was an essay consultant for two. Currently she writes full time and is based in the Philippines.
Learn more about Kate Evangelista and her works here:
http://www.kateevangelista.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Evangelista/165693410143202
https://twitter.com/KateEvangelista
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752810.Kate_Evangelista
What I like about the story:
When Opportunities and Career strikes! Nathan is very supporting to Preston. He never missed any practices of his best buddy because he makes sure he is always at his side through up and downs. When Preston sees that he will have a shot to compete in the Olympics, Nate discerns an opportunity to distract his friend from being stressed with the result the call out. However, fate has a challenge to the Party planner expert; the biggest opportunity of his career came by unexpectedly!
The most memorable European trip… Reading this story made my heart jump and ache at the same time. I wanted to go to Paris and like Nate; I hoped to put the love locks! Kissing the Blarney Stone and the Blarney Castle was so adorable. The sweetest moment ever was when these two dine in a restaurant and Preston acted as a boyfriend to Nate! I could hear Nathan’s scream when he watched Maroon 5 concert in Studio Olimpica and I think someone confessed about his feelings. Truly, Venice was a romantic place for these two because they finally kissed!
Best of Friends or Lovers Forever? Yes, they kissed, but their supposed first date didn’t happen. Nate was heartbroken and thought that perhaps, they would better to be friends. On the other hand, Preston forgot about that particular night and though he continues with the trainings on his way to the Olympics, something is missing with his life.
Quotes:
Nathan to Preston
“Quitters don’t succeed. And what kind of friend would I be if I supported every stupid idea that came into your head?”
Stella to Nathan
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while untangling the knots.”
“You don’t need to sacrifice love just because you have a dream.”
Natasha to Nathan
“Love is like acid in the veins. It eats you from the inside out until there is nothing left.” –I agree!
Caleb to Nathan
“If you don’t tell him, you’re forever stuck in this limbo of nothingness. If he rejects you, then you have a chance at moving on.”
Preston to Nathan
“Maybe there are some things people won’t understand no matter how much you explain it to them.”
“Will you get lost with me?” –My heart, Pres!
‘But what he had come to realize was that the person who always stood by the platform with a stopwatch in his hand was Nathan. He wasn’t swimming home to win. He was swimming home to him.” –My favorite!
“Nate, don’t you see? It’s not a dream without you there with me.”
The Maroon 5 Song:
‘For my whole life, we never crossed the line. Only friends in my mind, but now I realize… It was always you. Can’t believe I could not see it all this time, all this time. It was always you.’
How it ends:
They are under the stars in the Fortress of Solitude while they talk about the future.
Verdict:
This was the first novel that I read about LGBTQ and I was very happy that I have given a chance because Nate and Preston made me believe in true love. Throughout the story, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. It was very interesting from the beginning and the ending didn’t fail my expectations. Thank you very much for creating Nate and Prestons’ story, Miss Kate! I am and always a huge fan of them since they were introduced in No Holding Back.
Visit this website:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27414412-no-holding-back?ac=1&from_search=true
Purchase:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250100623/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-holding-back-kate-evangelista/1122889666?ean=9781250100627
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/no-holding-back/id1097519277?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/no-holding-back-17
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
Perk’s rating: 5/5
Thank you to Expresso Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this blog tour!
No Holding Back by Kate Evangelista
(Dodge Cove #2)
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: October 18th 2016
Genres: LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
A romantic European vacation is the perfect excuse to let go in this highly anticipated sequel to No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista.
Everyone knows that Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston…Everyone except Preston. Nathan has always accepted that Preston was too focused on his swim training to worry about love. But Preston is heading off to train for the Olympics soon, so if Nathan wants his chance at love, he has to speak up now. But saying “I love you” is surprisingly difficult, even for someone as confident as Nathan. Maybe a whirlwind vacation in Europe could help? But… what if it doesn’t work out and he loses the best friend he’s ever had?
Author’s Bio:
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is a graduate of De La Salle University – Manila with an Bachelor of Arts in Literature. She taught high school English for three years and was an essay consultant for two. Currently she writes full time and is based in the Philippines.
Learn more about Kate Evangelista and her works here:
http://www.kateevangelista.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Evangelista/165693410143202
https://twitter.com/KateEvangelista
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752810.Kate_Evangelista
What I like about the story:
When Opportunities and Career strikes! Nathan is very supporting to Preston. He never missed any practices of his best buddy because he makes sure he is always at his side through up and downs. When Preston sees that he will have a shot to compete in the Olympics, Nate discerns an opportunity to distract his friend from being stressed with the result the call out. However, fate has a challenge to the Party planner expert; the biggest opportunity of his career came by unexpectedly!
The most memorable European trip… Reading this story made my heart jump and ache at the same time. I wanted to go to Paris and like Nate; I hoped to put the love locks! Kissing the Blarney Stone and the Blarney Castle was so adorable. The sweetest moment ever was when these two dine in a restaurant and Preston acted as a boyfriend to Nate! I could hear Nathan’s scream when he watched Maroon 5 concert in Studio Olimpica and I think someone confessed about his feelings. Truly, Venice was a romantic place for these two because they finally kissed!
Best of Friends or Lovers Forever? Yes, they kissed, but their supposed first date didn’t happen. Nate was heartbroken and thought that perhaps, they would better to be friends. On the other hand, Preston forgot about that particular night and though he continues with the trainings on his way to the Olympics, something is missing with his life.
Quotes:
Nathan to Preston
“Quitters don’t succeed. And what kind of friend would I be if I supported every stupid idea that came into your head?”
Stella to Nathan
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun while untangling the knots.”
“You don’t need to sacrifice love just because you have a dream.”
Natasha to Nathan
“Love is like acid in the veins. It eats you from the inside out until there is nothing left.” –I agree!
Caleb to Nathan
“If you don’t tell him, you’re forever stuck in this limbo of nothingness. If he rejects you, then you have a chance at moving on.”
Preston to Nathan
“Maybe there are some things people won’t understand no matter how much you explain it to them.”
“Will you get lost with me?” –My heart, Pres!
‘But what he had come to realize was that the person who always stood by the platform with a stopwatch in his hand was Nathan. He wasn’t swimming home to win. He was swimming home to him.” –My favorite!
“Nate, don’t you see? It’s not a dream without you there with me.”
The Maroon 5 Song:
‘For my whole life, we never crossed the line. Only friends in my mind, but now I realize… It was always you. Can’t believe I could not see it all this time, all this time. It was always you.’
How it ends:
They are under the stars in the Fortress of Solitude while they talk about the future.
Verdict:
This was the first novel that I read about LGBTQ and I was very happy that I have given a chance because Nate and Preston made me believe in true love. Throughout the story, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. It was very interesting from the beginning and the ending didn’t fail my expectations. Thank you very much for creating Nate and Prestons’ story, Miss Kate! I am and always a huge fan of them since they were introduced in No Holding Back.
Visit this website:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27414412-no-holding-back?ac=1&from_search=true
Purchase:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250100623/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-holding-back-kate-evangelista/1122889666?ean=9781250100627
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/no-holding-back/id1097519277?mt=11
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/no-holding-back-17
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
- A print copy of No Holding Back
Perk’s rating: 5/5
Thank you to Expresso Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this blog tour!
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