Customer Reviews

The Rest of Our Lives

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a totally fun, magical, and heart warming story of two young men who find each other lifetime after lifetime. The characters are well written and the secondary characters are so enchanting that you want to know more; especially about Aidan's aunt. I dearly hope that there's a sequel because Colm and Aidan's story is so much fun. And soooo romantic. The book does have sex in it, but unlike most gay love stories I have read, here it isn't gratuitous or just to sell the book. It really does have a connection to the story. A must-have read for any gay guy who believes that there really is magic out there and that love can bring it alive.

If you are looking an entertaining, light read to toss into your tote bag for a trip to the beach or weekend at a lakeside cottage, look no further. The Rest of Our Lives is the perfect summer novel. Like a bowl of lime sherbet on a hot summer day, the story is sweet, but with a bit of a tang, refreshing in your mouth and it melts on your tongue. What more could anyone ask for?

I've always loved stories where a character has magical powers and doesn't know or understand his/her capabilities, but over the course of the story comes to understand what it means. This is the case for Colm McKenna, an elemental witch who has the ability to slow things down and cool things off when the need arises. Colm has known about his abilities for quite awhile--he would, in high school, freeze the quarterback in the locker room so he could spend time studying his finer attributes--but he always thought he was the only one in the world like this: a freak.

Enter Aidan Gallagher who proceeds to open the hidden world of witches to Colm, teaching him, mentoring him, and yes, loving him, too. It would seem to be the perfect happy ever after for both of them except that Colm discovers he and Aidan have been crossing paths for millennia--and it didn't always work out so well for Colm. This gives him pause--he's had his heart broken dozens of times by Aidan in various lives--does he want to risk it again?

The writing is fresh and funny--I chuckled out loud many times while reading the book. Aidan and Colm are a beguiling couple and I was rooting for them to work it out, even in the midst of Colm's existential crisis. If there's a weakness it is that some of the supporting characters are sort of cartoonish--I didn't particularly care for Dr. Nike--but it's easy enough to breeze past them to stay with the heart of the story.

I read this on my Kindle and while individual pages were properly formatted, there were many blank pages (five or six, usually) before every chapter. Odd. There was also, unfortunately, no way to navigate easily throughout the book, ie, no clickable links to each of the chapters. While not a deal breaker, these are nice features that I hope the publisher will consider adding in a revised edition.

On the other hand, one thing the publisher did perfectly: the cover. I love it! It totally captures the essence of the story and it's pretty, too.

This is author Dan Stone's debut novel and it certainly is a magnificient start. I look forward to reading more of his writing and I sincerely hope that Aidan and Colm will magically reappear in the pages of another book, sooner, rather than later, since I don't feel like waiting for another lifetime to read more of their ethereal escapades.

"The Rest of Our Lives" is a marvelous love story. The two lead characters, male witches who have connected passionately if sometimes tragically throughout time, are both distinctive and distinct. Aidan and Colm represent fire and ice, the experienced and the neophyte, the pursuer and the pursued, and I thoroughly enjoyed their relationship. The author should also be commended for managing to create several out-of-this world sex scenes that nimbly avoid crudeness and cliches. I have only two quibbles: Colm's reluctance is drawn out too long, and there are a handful of older women characters who, sometimes quite improbably, speak in the exact same ribald voice. Aidan and Colm deserve a bigger, broader canvas, and I hope we see them again soon.

This is a light-hearted and wonderfully charming love story, perfect for a summer afternoon. The contemporary romance with a paranormal twist is filled with witty prose, great one liners, and a cast of fabulous characters. The author's love of magic is easily translated to the language and writing, leaving a fun and entertaining journey as these lovers from across the ages search for the clues to get it right this time. The sensuality and chemistry fairly sparks between the main characters yet the lack of explicit language and erotica only enhances the appeal of this captivating tale.

The story is about Colm McKenna who has always thought he was a freak, or delusional. He struggles with creating a sense of normalcy to a life he thinks is weird and insane. To this extent, he has an outrageous life coach and a best friend/boss who try to offer him advice and support. When Colm meets Aidan, he sets the tone of their relationship by literally running away. Once the two realize they are a pair of re-incarnated lovers known to each other for well over 2000 years, both men start to look deeper at the relationship and their own needs. Helping, or not helping, matters are a cast of characters from psychics, witches, ghosts, ex-lovers, drag queens, to an entire host of past lives. It's no wonder the path to eternal love with paranormal powers is rather rocky.

Told in first person from Colm's point of view, he is clearly the main character and driving force of the narrative. It's his struggle to discover and understand the power he holds while embarking on this century's love affair with Aidan. Colm has a delightfully wry and witty sense of humor that is used liberally within the pages. This humor keeps the story light and fun without allowing the drama and angst to overwhelm and bring too much of a somber note to the telling. Several passages are laugh out loud hilarious. Colm's frustration and confusion over choices and seemingly pre-destined paths can drag on slightly; however, this was an intended result to show his decisions and active choices. Too often in his past, Colm allowed decisions to be made for him and even presently, he admits to wishing someone would tell him what to do. Instead, when Colm finally accepts responsibility and takes action on his own, it's clear he's broken his own destructive patterns.

The first person narrative is not wholly successful as Colm is occasionally a weak voice. Added to this is the somewhat problematic character of Aidan who is still very much the same man he has been through the ages. Aidan has always been the one leaving a heart broken Colm in whatever incantation Colm appears from harem girl to alter boy, and although Aidan works hard to break that cycle in modern time his efforts are mysterious and ill-explained. Although Aidan is an energetic, vivacious, and outgoing person, he retains a very hidden personality that is glimpsed through Colm's photography. Additionally, Aidan has several threads that are dangled for the reader without resolution, such as his ex-lover Daman. However, Aidan's opposing and entertaining personality fits perfectly to Colm's.

The cast involved are interesting if not entirely needed. Aidan's aunt is a great character and helps both men understand their past and present, while her advice is mysterious and confusing. Apparently witches can never just say what they mean, a frustration Colm experiences to no end. Additional characters of Kermit, Dr. Nike, and the drag queens are fun but not wholly necessary and especially Dr. Nike wears a bit as the scenes with her repeat. This theme of only seeing and hearing what each person wants is repeated in both the main characters and the fun supporting cast.

Overall, this is a heartwarming and wonderfully romantic tale with humor, wit, charm, and a thoroughly engaging story. The lighthearted writing and prose weave a captivating love story that you won't want to put down with a lovely and romantic ending to an eternal love affair. While the story does leave some unanswered questions and fairly begs for a sequel, you won't be disappointed.

I stumbled upon this book when I was looking at the lists of the books submitted for Lambda awards. No, I do not think that the fact that the book was submitted for award (or won an award) would automatically make me like the book, but I am thinking that maybe at least these books would have better writing than your average book of this genre.

Oh my goodness, I am so hoping that this book wins in the romance genre now, I will soooo be keeping my fingers crossed. This book has magic, this book has charm, this book has lead characters who are so adorable that you can't help but love them. Did I mention magic? I love well done magic theme. And it is so romantic. I know romantic should be a given in the *romance* book, but some romances left me cold and not feeling anything. Not this one. Very enjoyable read.

This was one of those books that I enjoyed while reading, but didn't think was especially awesome. Only, I kept thinking about it long after I finished - even after I started another book. The story resonated with me somehow - I think perhaps because the characters were so likeable and the story very original. There are familiar elements to the tale that readers may recognize from elsewhere, but how the author ties them together is fresh and inventive. Plus, it was the first time I came across witches in a paranormal romance that I found as enjoyable as werewolves and vampires!

I didn't have any idea the story was paranormal because it started out so ordinary, with a young photographer taking pictures of a parade. Until he froze some of the people (a lá Piper from "Charmed"!) to stop anyone getting hurt in an accident. Everyone freezes when Colm uses his power, only this time someone didn't! That someone is Aiden, Colm's opposite in power and personality. Unbeknownst to him, he is descended from a long line of witches just as Aiden is. Only, Colm's spiteful aunt who raised him after his mother died (hello, Petunia Dursley anyone?) hid the truth from him. Now, here's where the author really had fun. Aiden and Colm have been living their romance through centuries - reincarnated trying to make their love work out as it should. Only, that knowledge scares Colm. They love each other, but it has never been enough. This is a romance, so of course love is enough. But, our hero has to discover the truth about himself, and Aiden needs to convince Colm that this time, they will get it right.

Though there are secondary characters (Aiden's aunt is a hoot!), they are not developed much. This book is very much about Colm and Aiden, and only they are fully realized characters. That works just fine for this style of story though - the book is told from Colm's POV, and readers build a strong connection with him. There is frequent sex, though it is not explicit and fits into the romance. Though it may seem simple at first glance, this story has an unnoticed depth that stays with a reader. Some readers may dismiss this as fluff (it's not everyone's cup of tea obviously), but fans of paranormal M/M romance will likely enjoy it very much. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful story with engaging characters; such a standout in a genre filled with cookie cutter trash. I couldn't put the book down! I hope Mr. Stone will give us Hank's story next.

Anyone who grew up feeling different will love this bewitching tale of love, romance and redemption. The Rest of Our Lives is a compelling, original story that is sure to touch you with its humanity and universal wisdom. Enchanting, entrancing and always entertaining.

I was instantly mesmerized and fascinated by the story and couldn't put it down. The characters were well defined and easy to relate to. Dan writes it in a way that makes the magic within and between Colm and Aiden seem natural and very believable.

It was a touching love story and makes me want to visit P-Town this summer to find the magical inn and the tower.

I sincerely hope there will be a sequel.

Fire and ice literally sizzle in this enticing page-turner that weaves past, present, and future into a story that proves love really does stand the test of time. Both of Dan Stone's characters are "prince charmings" in their own right, delightfully human--but magical and multi-dimensional heroes that bewitch the reader with genuine humor and charm. With a knack for bringing us from past to present and back again, Stone provides excellent insight into Colm and Aidan's deep connection with a timeless story that makes the reader fall in love with the heroes as they fall in love with each other all over again. By the end of the book, you'll want to invite Colm and Aidan to your dinner parties, just so you can see what happens next. I wait on the edge of my seat for a sequel! --- Suzanne Marie Calvin, Author, "Bewitching the Bachelor," "Fiona's Fancy," and "Love Thy Neighbor."