Title: Taking You Home
Author: Cooper Davis
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: Novel (177 PDF pages)
Rating: 5+ stars out of 5, DIK
Summary review: A most delicious and delightful romance from Cooper Davis.
THE BLURB
The man on his arm isn’t nearly as scary as the man in the mirror.
Hunter Willis’s “Guy Town” passport was stamped and in as good working order as his Harley. Like a good Midwestern jock, he’d ride that manly machine to his construction job every day, even throw back a few beers with the boys. Hockey and baseball filled out his single-dude weekends.
Then, summer heat worked its magic, and he fell in love with his best friend, sexy stockbroker Maxwell Daniels. The Harley is still in the garage, but the man is definitely—and lustily—out of the closet. As in tearing the door off its hinges.
Now that Hunter’s in love, he’s in all the way. Even proposed—and Max has accepted. But before their dream wedding in Vermont next spring, they must face the greatest danger to their perfect love.
Meeting the family.
It’s not just enduring the Daniels clan’s magnifying glass. It’s facing the deep, dark fears and secrets that are suddenly brought into sharp focus. Forcing them to decide if theirs is only a summer fling…or a love that can flourish even in the chill of winter.
THE REVIEW
I read Boys of Summer which I have linked, the prequel to Taking you Home, almost 18 months ago. I loved that story so much and kept hoping that the author would write a sequel about Hunter and Max. Well I got my wish, and what a book! Taking You Home breathes life into Romance with a capital ‘R’. If you think romance is dead or dying you only have to read Cooper Davis’s Taking You Home to drastically revise your opinion.
A brief recap. When we left Hunter and Maxwell in Boys of Summer Hunter, who is the first person narrator, had fallen in love with someone totally unexpected – a man, his best friend of 4 years – Maxwell. Hunter’s ‘voice’ is very distinctive as he narrates their love story, because that’s what it was: a deep and abiding love. Hunter had always been straight and although he may have had a few erotic thoughts about an attractive man or two over the years, he definitely played on the straight side of the fence. Maxwell knew he was gay since he was a teenager and when he fell in love with Hunter there was no one else for him. He had been waiting for Hunter for years as he dated women, including their friend Veronica, and when it looked like he would have to wait forever Max took his co-worker’s advice and invited Hunter out on a date. It was do or die and it turned out to be ‘do.’ Hunter was a goner and that first time with Max smashed every notion he had about love and sex. After realizing that Max was indeed the person with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life, Hunter – the macho, Harley riding, construction worker didn’t care who knew he was in love with a man, (after he found the courage to out himself to their friends.) 🙂 They are now together for 3 months, Hunter moved in to Max’s apartment 3 weeks ago, and they are living an idyllic life. Hunter has just popped the question in romantic fashion as he took Max for a ride on his bike to Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles and gave him a ring.
Two weeks later they’re off to visit Max’s parents and his twin sister in Winchester, Virginia so that they could meet Hunter and be invited to their wedding in a few months. Which is when all hell broke loose. The welcome mat was definitely not out and the atmosphere could not be more frigid if there were icicles hanging from the ceiling of Phillip Daniels’ home. Phillip refused to acknowledge Hunter, did not admit that Max was gay, and the only time he referred to the wedding was to say that it wasn’t going to happen and there wasn’t going to be a civil union either. The crowning touch was when they were put in separate bedrooms, and with one fell swoop Hunter was pushed right back into the closet. Leah, Max’s twin, was no better than her parents in her treatment of Max and Hunter and the visit could have turned even more ugly and the biggest crisis that Hunter and Max had faced since they became engaged, but she realized that she would lose her brother if she didn’t accept his relationship with Hunter so she made overtures to bridge the huge gulf between them.
Returning home, Max and Hunter decided to live their lives the way they wanted, and the love between them was palpable. Max was Hunter’s addiction and he couldn’t be apart from him for any length of time without getting withdrawal symptoms because he loved him so much. A year ago Hunter had never imagined being with a man, now one was his life. All of their friends, including their old girlfriends, were supportive and Leah became the wedding planner for her brother’s nuptials. Seeing Max engrossed in Bride magazines that Leah sent him was really funny but heartwarming.
But Max had a very big secret, one that made his father hate him even more, and it would test his and Hunter’s relationship to the utmost. Could Hunter accept all that Max was, or would he be turned off? The tender way that Hunter treated Max and his secret and accepted all facets of the man he loved was beautifully handled as Hunter showed by the way he cared for Max, how deep were his feelings for him, and how special was their relationship.
This story was everything and more than I expected and the lovemaking between Max and Hunter was moving, tender, intimate and sensual as they became a part of each other. Cooper Davis addressed every issue in their relationship, even the fact that Hunter might still be attracted to women. Since he had only recently switched, even though he was now fully committed to Max and would never even think of being with someone else, this was a realistic possibility. Max was a very beautiful man and I have mentioned many times in my reviews that gorgeous protagonists are not my favourites, however Max was beautiful both inside and out, and you would be hard pressed not to want to hug him. He was sweet, kind, vulnerable and hot for his man and no one, not even his parents, was going to keep him from heading to Vermont for their wedding.
The other characters including the women in the book were wonderfully drawn. Veronica, Hunter’s ex and Louisa, Max’s very good friend were very funny as was Leah once she got over her snit. Boy, can she smoke those Cuban stogies! I loved Hunter’s Aunt Edna who took him in after his parents’ untimely death. Her first visit to Rodeo Drive was with Max who is a shopaholic and they took to each other like two girl friends. John, Leah’s husband, was a great foil for his wife and was the first person in the family to accept Max’s and Hunter’s relationship so of course I thought his character was well drawn.
This book is all about love, commitment, family, Hunter facing his past, Max being validated, reconciliation, wonderful friendships, and above all being true to yourself. I thought that Cooper Davis had written a terrific story when she penned Boys of Summer, but Taking You Home is the first book on my Top 10 Books for 2011, it’s that great. I hope that you will read this book because if you don’t you will miss an incredible romance and love story and above all, two characters who will move you from the opening credits and you will not want to leave them when you come to The End.
Here are a few funny lines from the book:
…..he’s kissed me about a dozen times since we got back from the park. In the powder room. In the hallway. Beside the refrigerator. That’s one thing you discover about being gay—so long as you’re clandestine about it, you can still get some serious ass.
He stares down at the torch, and then back up into my eyes without saying a word. God, he’s gorgeous. The black cashmere turtleneck he’s wearing only makes him look even hotter than usual. I blink, aware that I’m blushing slightly because of how hungry I suddenly feel for him. Just like earlier, when he gave me that faint smile from the kitchen. I’m a goner for him when he wears black, no joke.
“You do it,” he finally says with an offhanded shrug. “You’re good with a tool.”
“Oh, God, I so did not hear that.” Leah steps past us, toward the oven.
“Don’t mind our innuendo.” Max’s gaze never leaves my face. “We’re just two guys in love.”
Okay, so now I’m blushing like a maniac, feeling embarrassed in front of his formerly homophobic twin sister. Except, she seems genuinely amused, and plays right along.
“Wow, Max, I had no idea. Here I was thinking you and Hunter were just having a power tool moment.”
“Have to hit Home Depot for that action,” Ben shouts from the living room, obviously having followed our exchange. “It’s gaydar central over there, guys!”
I adore this book. Taking you Home is not a standalone and you must read Boys of Summer first to really ‘get’ Hunter’s and Max’s romance. Highly Recommended.
I bought this book a few days ago and just started to read it, am enjoying it and will now have to check out the 1st story “Boys of Summer”.
Thanks for the review, it’s always nice to see positive reviews for books already purchased!
rdafan7
You should stop reading Taking You Home and start reading Boys of Summer in order to really enjoy both books. I have read Boys of Summer (which is pretty short) many times because I love Hunter’s narration and their love story.
For me this story is what romance is all about.
After you have read both stories I would really be interested in your reaction to Hunter and Max so please come back and leave a comment.
Hi Wave,
Thank you for bringing this sequel to my attention! I have to get it immediately 🙂 I loved Boys of Summer and Hunter and Max, so I can’t wait to read this.
Thanks again, I know I’ll love it already 🙂
Cole
If you read Boys of Summer I don’t need to tell you about Hunter and Max. I know you will enjoy Taking You Home.
I just bought this and ‘Boys of Summer’ based on your previous review. Thanks, Wave! As always you are so bad for my wallet. 😉
Aisha
I promise you, you will not regret these purchases. I love, love, love these guys and I apologise ahead of time for my effect on your wallet but this is one time I won’t say “I’m sorry,” because I know it is money well spent.:)
Come back and tell me how you enjoyed both books. I really want to know if Hunter and Max affected you the same way they did me.
Wow! That’s some review Wave. Just the little bits of dialog that you quote make me want to read this. Great job and thanks for the review.
Hi Teej
My review says it all. You MUST get both books. It was a long time for me to wait for Taking You Home and you get to read them as one book. 🙂
You will love Hunter’s narration which I think is one of the best parts of the book, and the humour will crack you up.
That is the one benefit to not reading a book when it’s first released – no waiting for the sequel! This sounds so good that I will have to get it.
Tj
Please let me know how much you absolutely loved these books (I’m putting words in your mouth of course) lol after you have read them. It’s hard to imagine anyone not loving Hunter and Max. 🙂
Yay, you loved this book as much as I did. Other than Hunter and Max, I loved John. It was cool how Hunter’s best friend list kept on growing.
Hi Luci
Wasn’t John the greatest? He was so cool when everyone else was falling apart. I couldn’t see him as Leah’s husband until she changed. You’re right – Hunter’s and Max’s circle of friends just kept growing and growing. lol. As for Veronica and Louisa? What great characterizations. They deserve a hug too! 🙂
I bought this book yesterday and just finished it – it’s just wonderful! Your review is great and exactly my opinion.
Hi Anke
Aren’t the guys great? I hope you read Boys of Summer as well because if you didn’t you will miss the fun of them getting to know each other. 🙂
Yes, I read Boys of Summer, but sometimes last year, so now I am re-reading that one! And my TBR-pile is not getting smaller!
edit: sometime
I really loved Boys of Summer and just discovered last night that this is the sequel. It’s at the very top of my wish list now. Great review, Wave! 🙂
Lily
It’s a wonderful story and takes us right from where we first met Hunter and Max. If you loved Boys of Summer then you’re sure to want to give this one a try. 🙂
I remember I liked Boys of Summer, so I would check out this one definitely. 🙂
Hi Eve
I try not to steer you wrong. 🙂 When I love a book I can’t help but be enthusiastic when I review it. Please let me know how you like Taking you Home.
Didn’t so much like the first story, but this plot has me interested. it’s something that is not commonly done.
Larissa! You didn’t like Boys of summer! Why? 🙂
I hope you will love Taking You Home and since you didn’t care for the first story I would really like to know what you think.
I know, as it was such a hit! The story wasn’t bad, but it was just one of those stories that didn’t click for.
The book is on my list (damn you, it’s only January and it’s way too long already ;))
Well maybe if you re-read The Boys of Summer you’ll like it a whole lot better. To me the best part was Hunter’s narration because his voice was so evocative. I hope you get Taking You Home SOON Larissa. 🙂
Sometimes it’s good to re-read a book. Maybe I’ll give it a try. First I have to read all the TBR books that are loaded on my e-reader. Hehehe and let me tell you that are quite a lot. I never knew I had that many books still to read!
Sounds like a couple of great reads, Wave, and I loved the bits you’ve quoted. They’re going straight on my wishlist 😀
Jo
I’m sure you will love these two books because they are true romances – no side plots involving a murder or something like that, other than the parents’ and sister’s homophobia. I think you should move them soon from your wish list to your “buy” list. 🙂
I was just eyeing this one on Amazon yesterday. Sounds like a great book, and I really liked Boys of Summer, so I’m putting this on my to buy list.
Seems like there have been a bunch of sequels released lately. While that’s good because I enjoy revisiting characters I loved, it also means I have to go back and reread the first one because my memory is apparently for crap. Doing all rhese rereads is getting kinda time consuming, lol. Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just me?
Nichem
You bring up an interesting point. However, because I can usually remember the previous stories, other than a cursory read through I do okay. I never thought about all the sequels because I have to re-read so many books whenever I review them to get the story straight, but I suppose for some people they may find it tedious.
However, the one plus in this case is that Boys of Summer is only 49 pages – it’s not a novel. 🙂 Also, I did try to help out with that brief recap. lol.
I was waiting for someone here to review this book, so happy, I can now go out and buy this and the prequel. Thank you, Wave!
Lasha
You’re very welcome. I have been waiting a long time for this book to appear. 🙂 I’m sure you will enjoy this wonderful romance and both books are well worth the investment.
Hi Wave,
Thanks for the great review, both of these books sound great. Add yet another series to my TBR list!! I’m doing my best to catch up 🙂
(Hey, I actually started Draegen Lords last night…finally!)
Hi Nichem – I personally love doing re-reads to freshen my memory of a series. I usually find stuff I “missed” the first time around that makes the current storyline gel even better. I rarely watch TV, which probably helps 😉
Dianne
I think you will really love these books which are completely different from The Draegan Lords – another of my top books.
When you finish The Draegan Lords you can start on Max and Hunter who are a delight.
I read this the other day and couldn’t agree with your review more. This is truly a beautiful love story. I had read and loved Boys of Summer last year but the sequel is even better and Hunter and Max’s story is so much more fleshed out. I know everything is sort of settled now, but I would love it if the author gave us another book down the road with Hunter and Max.
melissa
Thank you for commenting. Like you, I really love these guys. I, too hope that we get another story with them in a year, as a married couple, perhaps with a kid or two? Max is very into kids and I keep hoping that being gay does not prevent them from being parents.
Maybe we should petition Cooper Davis. 🙂
I don’t think I have the first book, so I will definitely pick it up before this one. It sounds right up my alley. Great review, Wave.
Lynn
I was sure you read Boys of Summer. It’s quite short – barely a novella at 49 pages but Taking You Home is a novel. I hope you love these books as much as I do.
Hi Wave,
I had been waiting for this since hearing there would be a sequel to Boys of Summer…..and I agree with your review a bajillion percent! It was truly a wonderful love story and Max and Hunter are one of the best couples evah!
Hi Elaine
Aren’t Max and Hunter the best? They are so adorable I could hug them. I’m hoping that fan reaction to Taking You Home will make Cooper Davis give us one more story about this couple, perhaps a year or two down the road in their marriage.
Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to see this review! I just finished Taking You Home, and I have to say, it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It’s like a master class on how to keep conflict and tension going even after a couple gets together. And the emotions are so raw and honest, yet beautifully portrayed! I can’t get enough of Hunter and Max, and the way Cooper Davis explored the issues of Hunter’s bisexuality and the ways Max was perfect for him (don’t want to spoil!) was very interesting and unusual, I thought. Great review for a great book!
Hi Louisa
I have already read this book again as well as Boys of Summer which I have read countless times in the 18 months since I first reviewed it. As I said in the review, Taking You Home is already on my Top Ten Books for 2011 and this is the first time I have selected a book for the list this early in the year.
As you said, the emotions were raw and Cooper Davis did a masterful job on all the issues that could have affected Max’s and Hunter’s relationship. And that wedding? That was the best. 🙂
I’m loving the review and the comments. Thanks so much, guys! When Cooper submitted this book to me, I read it from start to finish in one sitting. I love it when I get a response like this to a story I have been so passionate about right from the beginning. Thanks again!
Hi Tera
this is without a doubt one of the best romances that I have read in a long time.
I fell in love with Max and Hunter when I first met them in Boys of Summer and I kept hoping that Cooper would give us a sequel to their romance, and what a sequel this turned out to be! She’s an incredible writer and I hope you can persuade her to write one more story about this couple – perhaps whey they have a few kids since Max loves kids so much. 🙂
Thank you for helping to bring this terrific book to all the fans of Max and Hunter.
I have to second this request for more of Max and Hunter. I’d read ANYTHING about their lives together!
WOW!! I am so amazed–stunned, really–by the incredible review and comments, Wave! Thank you, thank you for making my day, week and month! I’m thrilled that you love this pair as much as I do, and that you found their follow up story to be so satisfying. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to review the book and post such lovely praise for the story! Big hugs! Cooper Davis
Hi Cooper
Thanks for stopping by. I loved these guys since you wrote Boys of Summer (as I’m sure you can tell by the review) and Taking You Home was the icing on the cake. The praise was well deserved, not just by me, but all the other fans of Max and Hunter.
I hope you will find the time in the next year to write a wonderful finale to their romance now that they are married, hopefully when they adopt a kid or two, so that we can relive their romance. 🙂
You rock Cooper Davis.
Just finished both Boys Of Summer and Taking You Home and am completely overwhelmed at the quality of the writing in both. What gorgeous testimonies to love – all kinds of love – and the journey to finding ones true self. I was especially impacted by the stories being from Hunter’s POV – very powerful – especially the descriptions of his feelings towards Max and how in tune he was with Max hit me right in the gut, and the heart. I really felt that I got to know all the secondary characters well too, which to me is important, since they were all so important to Hunter and Max. Thanks Wave for introducing me to Cooper Davis, and of course thanks to Cooper 🙂
Hi Dianne
I’m so happy that you loved these books as much as I do. This is a true romance which we don”t get a lot of unfortunately in M/M. What impressed me the most was Hunter’s commitment to Max before he decided to have sex with him because he knew what it would mean to Max. Their friends were wonderful and priceless and even Max’s father in the end found place in my heart which I didn’t think could ever happen.
I hope we can persuade Cooper to write one more book about Max and Hunter and I also hope that Boys of Summer and Taking You Home are issued in print by Samhain so that I could buy them as one volume.
Hi Wave!
Thanks so much for the rec on this book. I bought it on your enthusiasm and LOVED it. What a brave writer and so well done. I didn’t quite by into Hunter’s narration like everyone else but it didn’t take away from the amazing story development.
Has their been posts on this blog about other androgenous characters or “effeminate” characters? I guess we’d need a discussion of correct terminology first!
Thanks again for a great rec, I’m so glad to have this book 😀
Hi Reggie
I’m so glad that my recommendation worked for you even if you’re not as much into Hunter’s narration as the rest of the fans of these books. 🙂
I don’t want to say too much about your question re androgenous characters since that could be a plot spoiler, but I do intend to write a post about it in the not too distant future, after doing some research.
Wave, I finished the book last night. I cried at the end; the wedding was so perfect for the 2 men, especially given the struggles they had with Mazwell’s family. I found the way that the author handled Max’s secret to be very interesting. I loved that by the end of the book Hunter was proud of his bi-sexuality (I’m thinking about his bachelor party and the trip to the strip club.) I think another theme of the story was that of Hunter accepting that he now had a family and he couldn’t be a loner anymore. Part the happy cry I referred to earlier was the result of Philip calling Hunter “son.” Heart-warming. A totally perfect book for the coldest part of the year!
Patty
You hit all of my high points in this book and it always makes me feel good when I can recommend a book and the readers appreciate it as much as I did. That’s the best part of reviewing. People ask me all the time why I do this because it’s really hard at the end of a rough day but then I lose myself in the world of the characters and someone like you gets to enjoy a book I loved.
Thanks for coming back Patty and telling me how much you enjoyed Hunter’s and Max’s story.
Just finished both books, back to back. Oh my gosh! I had a hard time getting into it at first, not a big fan of present tense books. But it didn’t take me long to overcome that and just go with it. At times while reading TYH, I had to lay it down and go do something else for awhile to pull myself together. It was just so emotional. That says a lot to me about just how good the author is, that I can be right there. If that makes sense. LOL Anyway, I really, really enjoyed both of them.
Hi Marilyn
I think the reason both books had such an impact was Hunter’s “voice” as well as the fact that it was told in present tense. Also it was clear how much he loved and cared for Max.
It definitely was emotional and showed how much they cared about each other. Cooper Davis certainly penned a wonderful romance in these 2 books and I’m very happy you enjoyed it.
Hi Wave,
just read Taking you home, and wanted to thank you for pointing me towards it, since this is a book I wouldn’t otherwise have read. Hunter’s got a voice for sure! And I loved the way how Max just was so perfect for him. Those two were totally believable – and “gay” gay men for a change, both as “really” utterly out and proud as Hunter always says he is. I also liked it that they had a way to go until they reached that point, and that they were willing and able to work in order to make their relationship work
I really love Taking You Home because it was such an emotional journey for Max and Hunter and their characters represented some of the best in this sub genre.
I think Cooper did a terrific job with her characters and as you said, they were out and proud about their love for each other. In the first book Hunter really struggled with committing to Max which is what made this book so great because his character showed such wonderful growth.
I’
It is so nice to see other people loving this book as much as I did. I loved Boys of Summer and had no idea that Cooper was writing a sequel. What an amazing surprise it was. I absolutely adored this book!! It is definitely in my top 10 of 2011 also. One thing I do not care for in the books I read(all m/m) is something too syrupy sweet or insta-love, these books had neither. They were the perfect balance of love,angst,devotion,trials and tribulations. And the results were so worth what they had to go through to get there. I was truly touched by both of these books, though Taking You Home holds a special place in my heart. I loved the way these boys loved each other. And man, when Hunter finally decides to do something, he goes all the way. I too would love to see another book in the series. Maybe Louise as a surrogate? A set of twins for Hunter and Max?? I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed…
And a big Thanks to Cooper for writing such an amazing story for these characters. One I will never forget!!
Hi Sage
I really love this couple and like you, I hope that Cooper writes one more story about them to close the book. I just don’t want to let them go.