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Hearts & Crafts #1
Sundays with Oliver
Two empty-nesters. Two bruised hearts. One chance to make things right.
Oliver expected to miss his daughter when she left for college, but he’s surprised by the size of the hole she leaves. Or maybe he hadn’t expected to spend his days watching grass grow and making sad cookies. Or to lose his job. Meeting Nick—the uncle of his daughter’s roommate—is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast. Nick is focused, talented, and as beautiful as the dollhouses he builds. Being near him might bring light and purpose to Oliver’s life.
Nick expected to miss his niece when she left for college, but he’s still figuring out how to cope with her absence, when his brother reappears after twelve years, complicating the emotional puzzle. Then there’s Oliver, the sweet, calm, and competent man who looks at Nick like no one ever has. Spending Sundays in Oliver’s company is the balm he needs, though Nick is waiting for Oliver to decide their relationship is too much work.
But just as Nick begins to get comfortable, Oliver’s need to provide for all of the people he loves threatens to pull them apart. If their relationship is to survive, they will have to learn to let go. For Oliver, this means asking himself what he really wants, this time around. For Nick, it means letting himself grieve the people who can’t come back and love the people who always will.
Oliver expected to miss his daughter when she left for college, but he’s surprised by the size of the hole she leaves. Or maybe he hadn’t expected to spend his days watching grass grow and making sad cookies. Or to lose his job. Meeting Nick—the uncle of his daughter’s roommate—is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast. Nick is focused, talented, and as beautiful as the dollhouses he builds. Being near him might bring light and purpose to Oliver’s life.
Nick expected to miss his niece when she left for college, but he’s still figuring out how to cope with her absence, when his brother reappears after twelve years, complicating the emotional puzzle. Then there’s Oliver, the sweet, calm, and competent man who looks at Nick like no one ever has. Spending Sundays in Oliver’s company is the balm he needs, though Nick is waiting for Oliver to decide their relationship is too much work.
But just as Nick begins to get comfortable, Oliver’s need to provide for all of the people he loves threatens to pull them apart. If their relationship is to survive, they will have to learn to let go. For Oliver, this means asking himself what he really wants, this time around. For Nick, it means letting himself grieve the people who can’t come back and love the people who always will.
312 pages, ebook
First published September 12, 2022
About the author
Kelly Jensen
37 books235 followersIf aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.
Kelly is the author of twelve novels–including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke–and several novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/czGhYz
Kelly is the author of twelve novels–including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke–and several novellas and short stories. Some of what she writes is speculative in nature, but mostly it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/czGhYz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
September 19, 2022
I’ve always loved this author’s writing, she’s very skillful and her stories are realistic and sweet and romantic and they usually have older MCs so that makes them perfect reads for me. “Building forever” is still one of my favorite and this one here is a bit similar as in both guys are in their forties (well, Nick is almost forty) . We have Oliver who is in his mid forties and who is a darling, so kind and good and we have Nick who is sweet and awkward (he’s on the spectrum) and sad and who I adored so much. He was such an interesting character..His bottled up pain, his social anxiety and his quirkiness make him a complex and beautifully flashed out character. I loved and savored their moments, their beautiful connection. It’s such a romantic book ! And not the sappy kind but the moving kind, the mature and wise one, where love is not expressed with words but with actions, gestures, and little details , where you love a person not despite their quirkiness and flaws but because of them, because they make them who they are . Lovely,lovely book . Low angst and just delectable like a good, rare old wine .
August 3, 2022
3.5/5 stars. Two men form a friendship when their daughter and niece become college roommates.
This is the story of two older (for romance) characters dealing with significant life changes in middle adulthood. It explores a lot of issues around family and career, and how to fit someone new into your established life and routine. I really liked how the book explored Oliver’s changing thoughts around his career, though I wish he’d reflected more on his goals and expectations because he was strongly motivated by feelings of responsibility to his loved ones that didn’t always feel fair.
This is also a story about an autistic character, although the blurb doesn’t say that. I respect the author’s decision not to make this a book “about autism” and instead focus on Nick as a whole person, and appreciate that she didn’t use “nicer” euphemisms in the blurb to signal an autistic character without actually saying the word.
Nick is one of the better-written autistic characters I’ve seen in romance and I appreciated many of the choices the author made in writing him. I could tell the author cared about showing what things were like for him, and not just what it was like for other people to interact with him. However, there were also some parts of Nick’s portrayal that didn’t work as well for me. In particular, the conflicts around some of Nick’s autistic traits made me feel like he was tolerated but not always accepted or embraced by his loved ones.
Overall, I appreciated the author’s good intentions and feel this book will help increase empathy for autistic people. Some aspects will probably also be affirming for autistic readers, but others may be troubling.
What I loved
I read this as a story of someone who doesn’t have an autism diagnosis (self or formal) and really appreciated that, because it reflects the experience of a lot of autistic adults, including me.
I loved that Nick being autistic wasn’t the primary conflict in the book. There’s nothing worse as an autistic person than reading a book where the entire plot is a non-autistic person learning how to tolerate being around someone like you. I appreciated that although Oliver did have to learn how to understand Nick’s autistic traits, both characters had arcs about other issues.
I was pleased with the way the author wrote Nick’s thought processes around figuring out what to say to other people. An early scene where he and Oliver are suddenly alone together at the restaurant and Nick mentally goes through a list of topics that might be acceptable to bring up with a stranger reflected many experiences I’ve had. I loved that Nick wasn’t the stereotypical rude autistic person – the reader can see his good intentions and how much he cares about getting it right, even when sometimes it doesn’t work.
I was also thrilled to see a book portray alexithymia. It’s so hard to find in fiction and a difficult concept to convey to others (“how can you not know what sadness feels like?”), so it was great to see it represented in a book.
Things that didn’t work as well for me
I appreciated that Oliver and others in Nick’s life were, for the most part, very accepting of his autistic traits and didn’t single him out for them. But the repeated mentions in Oliver’s chapters of how different Nick is undermined that accepting message. While it’s certainly common (all too common) for people to see autistic traits as “weird,” “quirky,” “strange,” and “different,” a story where the love interest never moves beyond that viewpoint is othering, not affirming, and made me feel like this book wasn’t really written for me as an autistic reader.
I wish the book had approached Nick’s diagnosis differently. Nick himself doesn’t have a diagnosis so he can’t disclose it to Oliver. Instead, Oliver has a conversation with a friend who tells him about his autistic cousin. This conversation inadvertently reinforces the stereotype that autism is easily identifiable by others and has a common set of outwardly visible traits you can use as a checklist to diagnose someone. Neither of those is true. While I appreciated the reasoning behind the conversation (presumably, to get the word autism into the book and make it clear the author wasn’t avoiding it due to stigma), I wish it had been phrased a bit differently.
Finally, there are two separate conflicts in the book that inadvertently center the non-autistic characters’ feelings at the expense of the autistic character’s needs. In both of these cases, Nick is the one who has to change because others have decided his behavior is rude or hurtful, even though his actions are driven by important needs and aspects of his neurological functioning that he can’t change. I wish the other characters had taken more time to understand and accommodate Nick’s needs and had corrected their initial assumptions about his intentions.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
This is the story of two older (for romance) characters dealing with significant life changes in middle adulthood. It explores a lot of issues around family and career, and how to fit someone new into your established life and routine. I really liked how the book explored Oliver’s changing thoughts around his career, though I wish he’d reflected more on his goals and expectations because he was strongly motivated by feelings of responsibility to his loved ones that didn’t always feel fair.
This is also a story about an autistic character, although the blurb doesn’t say that. I respect the author’s decision not to make this a book “about autism” and instead focus on Nick as a whole person, and appreciate that she didn’t use “nicer” euphemisms in the blurb to signal an autistic character without actually saying the word.
Nick is one of the better-written autistic characters I’ve seen in romance and I appreciated many of the choices the author made in writing him. I could tell the author cared about showing what things were like for him, and not just what it was like for other people to interact with him. However, there were also some parts of Nick’s portrayal that didn’t work as well for me. In particular, the conflicts around some of Nick’s autistic traits made me feel like he was tolerated but not always accepted or embraced by his loved ones.
Overall, I appreciated the author’s good intentions and feel this book will help increase empathy for autistic people. Some aspects will probably also be affirming for autistic readers, but others may be troubling.
What I loved
I read this as a story of someone who doesn’t have an autism diagnosis (self or formal) and really appreciated that, because it reflects the experience of a lot of autistic adults, including me.
I loved that Nick being autistic wasn’t the primary conflict in the book. There’s nothing worse as an autistic person than reading a book where the entire plot is a non-autistic person learning how to tolerate being around someone like you. I appreciated that although Oliver did have to learn how to understand Nick’s autistic traits, both characters had arcs about other issues.
I was pleased with the way the author wrote Nick’s thought processes around figuring out what to say to other people. An early scene where he and Oliver are suddenly alone together at the restaurant and Nick mentally goes through a list of topics that might be acceptable to bring up with a stranger reflected many experiences I’ve had. I loved that Nick wasn’t the stereotypical rude autistic person – the reader can see his good intentions and how much he cares about getting it right, even when sometimes it doesn’t work.
I was also thrilled to see a book portray alexithymia. It’s so hard to find in fiction and a difficult concept to convey to others (“how can you not know what sadness feels like?”), so it was great to see it represented in a book.
Things that didn’t work as well for me
I appreciated that Oliver and others in Nick’s life were, for the most part, very accepting of his autistic traits and didn’t single him out for them. But the repeated mentions in Oliver’s chapters of how different Nick is undermined that accepting message. While it’s certainly common (all too common) for people to see autistic traits as “weird,” “quirky,” “strange,” and “different,” a story where the love interest never moves beyond that viewpoint is othering, not affirming, and made me feel like this book wasn’t really written for me as an autistic reader.
I wish the book had approached Nick’s diagnosis differently. Nick himself doesn’t have a diagnosis so he can’t disclose it to Oliver. Instead, Oliver has a conversation with a friend who tells him about his autistic cousin. This conversation inadvertently reinforces the stereotype that autism is easily identifiable by others and has a common set of outwardly visible traits you can use as a checklist to diagnose someone. Neither of those is true. While I appreciated the reasoning behind the conversation (presumably, to get the word autism into the book and make it clear the author wasn’t avoiding it due to stigma), I wish it had been phrased a bit differently.
Finally, there are two separate conflicts in the book that inadvertently center the non-autistic characters’ feelings at the expense of the autistic character’s needs. In both of these cases, Nick is the one who has to change because others have decided his behavior is rude or hurtful, even though his actions are driven by important needs and aspects of his neurological functioning that he can’t change. I wish the other characters had taken more time to understand and accommodate Nick’s needs and had corrected their initial assumptions about his intentions.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
September 22, 2022
This is LOVELY.
While I will never be Oliver's version of empty-nester (I live alone, yes, but I choose not to marry or have kids, so it's a different kind of empty nest), I think the author captures it well. Olivers lost two things that grounded him, his kid and his job, at the same time (his kid goes to college, okay, nothing tragic!) and the struggle Oliver is facing, finding what he will do next, is well-delivered. I like that Oliver finds his other love and passion, in baking/cooking, trying out recipes, and well, Nick.
Nick struggles with his own loss - but he is in the spectrum, his way differs than Oliver's. I love the support given by his older brother, Cam. First, I thought Cam would be this annoying character that disturbs Nick's well-ordered life. But apparently, I was so very wrong. Cam's way to be back in Nick's life is integral to Nick accepting that his niece no longer lives with him, and their sister is gone, and that the HUGE ache in his heart is FEELINGS that is part of Nick. Including his relationship with Oliver.
Yes, this is a wonderful read!
While I will never be Oliver's version of empty-nester (I live alone, yes, but I choose not to marry or have kids, so it's a different kind of empty nest), I think the author captures it well. Olivers lost two things that grounded him, his kid and his job, at the same time (his kid goes to college, okay, nothing tragic!) and the struggle Oliver is facing, finding what he will do next, is well-delivered. I like that Oliver finds his other love and passion, in baking/cooking, trying out recipes, and well, Nick.
Nick struggles with his own loss - but he is in the spectrum, his way differs than Oliver's. I love the support given by his older brother, Cam. First, I thought Cam would be this annoying character that disturbs Nick's well-ordered life. But apparently, I was so very wrong. Cam's way to be back in Nick's life is integral to Nick accepting that his niece no longer lives with him, and their sister is gone, and that the HUGE ache in his heart is FEELINGS that is part of Nick. Including his relationship with Oliver.
Yes, this is a wonderful read!
July 16, 2022
Sundays with Oliver was a complete surprise. The blurb piqued my interest, then the story grabbed my heart and became one of those books I couldn’t put down for long, but when I did stop to take care of real life things, I thought of nothing other than getting back to Oliver and Nick.
What I loved most was that the story was character driven. No overabundance of critical plot turns or outside issues, but those that did happen were ergonomic and believable. Behavior change and emotional growth are at the core of this story. Oliver is self-deprecating, somewhat over ideal weight, a baker/chef hobbyist, and most importantly, a provider. When he loses his management job, just as his daughter begins college, despite his best efforts he can’t find another—sadly a scene typical of men over forty in today’s world. He makes the best of things by exploring his potential in the world of baking.
Nick builds dollhouses—intricate, detailed replicas of houses and every little item in them. He’s very focused, loves to be alone, and has been holding in his grief over the loss of his parents and sister for years. I suspected Nick was neurodivergent early in the story, but his differences aren’t labeled. We simply observe symptoms such as his fascination with time and numbers, his inability to sustain prolonged eye contact, and his need to stick to a rigid routine. Nick refers to himself as being different and difficult to live with.
Two empty nests bring Oliver and Nick together initially. Nick’s niece, for whom he is guardian, is the college freshmen roommate of Oliver’s daughter in NYC, and these two very different men share a common separation pain on the day the girls move into the dorm. The men live an hour apart from each other so after their brief intro they decide to support each other. Nick can fit Oliver in on Sundays because that’s the day he previously devoted to his niece. His schedule is super rigid and time means everything...so Sundays with Oliver begin.
Each man becomes a balm for the other’s soul as they try to find their way without their girls in their daily routine as well as deal with other issues that impact their lives. Oliver affirms Nick’s requirements for space and timing and responds by going slow with him in everything from planning to touching to, finally, kissing. As Nick is starting to recognize his need to let go of the past, Oliver makes changes to provide stability to his life when he can’t find another job that won’t take him out of state. He also slowly begins to see that he can’t be the “be all and end all” of his family’s existence. He can’t provide for every emergency his parents have, or even for their daily needs, and he may not be able to pay his daughter’s full tuition or room and board. Both men discover that change starts within, and comes slowly...but it does come.
I loved the fact that the author not only gives the men a happy ending, but does it in a way that totally fits Nick’s personality and internal signals. Everything about this story flowed so well and felt so right. Did they face hardships? Absolutely. Were there some very dismal times? Yes. But each happened when it should and nothing felt forced. They weren’t pigeon-holed into certain actions that would not fit. The plot was the result of who they were and who they now are. Beautifully written, I’m so happy I had an opportunity for an ARC pre-release review. This deserves all the kudos.
What I loved most was that the story was character driven. No overabundance of critical plot turns or outside issues, but those that did happen were ergonomic and believable. Behavior change and emotional growth are at the core of this story. Oliver is self-deprecating, somewhat over ideal weight, a baker/chef hobbyist, and most importantly, a provider. When he loses his management job, just as his daughter begins college, despite his best efforts he can’t find another—sadly a scene typical of men over forty in today’s world. He makes the best of things by exploring his potential in the world of baking.
Nick builds dollhouses—intricate, detailed replicas of houses and every little item in them. He’s very focused, loves to be alone, and has been holding in his grief over the loss of his parents and sister for years. I suspected Nick was neurodivergent early in the story, but his differences aren’t labeled. We simply observe symptoms such as his fascination with time and numbers, his inability to sustain prolonged eye contact, and his need to stick to a rigid routine. Nick refers to himself as being different and difficult to live with.
Two empty nests bring Oliver and Nick together initially. Nick’s niece, for whom he is guardian, is the college freshmen roommate of Oliver’s daughter in NYC, and these two very different men share a common separation pain on the day the girls move into the dorm. The men live an hour apart from each other so after their brief intro they decide to support each other. Nick can fit Oliver in on Sundays because that’s the day he previously devoted to his niece. His schedule is super rigid and time means everything...so Sundays with Oliver begin.
Each man becomes a balm for the other’s soul as they try to find their way without their girls in their daily routine as well as deal with other issues that impact their lives. Oliver affirms Nick’s requirements for space and timing and responds by going slow with him in everything from planning to touching to, finally, kissing. As Nick is starting to recognize his need to let go of the past, Oliver makes changes to provide stability to his life when he can’t find another job that won’t take him out of state. He also slowly begins to see that he can’t be the “be all and end all” of his family’s existence. He can’t provide for every emergency his parents have, or even for their daily needs, and he may not be able to pay his daughter’s full tuition or room and board. Both men discover that change starts within, and comes slowly...but it does come.
I loved the fact that the author not only gives the men a happy ending, but does it in a way that totally fits Nick’s personality and internal signals. Everything about this story flowed so well and felt so right. Did they face hardships? Absolutely. Were there some very dismal times? Yes. But each happened when it should and nothing felt forced. They weren’t pigeon-holed into certain actions that would not fit. The plot was the result of who they were and who they now are. Beautifully written, I’m so happy I had an opportunity for an ARC pre-release review. This deserves all the kudos.
September 19, 2022
5 out of 5 stars!
Kelly Jensen is the queen of older MCs! Her characters aren't youthful 20-somethings, going out partying and getting wasted and making the types of decisions one makes at that age when there's time to correct course.
That's not to say that Oliver and Nick, the stars of Sundays with Oliver, aren't victim to making some questionable decisions. They are both going through major life changes and meet each other at this tumultuous time.
Nick's autism (which I spotted straight away) was written with much care and authenticity. If you've ever watched the TV show Parenthood from the 2010s, picture Max as a grown up and you'll have a good idea as to Nick's personality.
Oliver is not autistic and it is interesting to witness his interactions with and reactions to Nick. He has some awareness of Nick's particular quirks and I loved seeing how Oliver processes everything.
Oliver and Nick are complicated characters with interesting, and at times traumatic, backgrounds. Their family members are rich and also complicated additions to their story. Everyone has particular role in the men's lives. There are no throw away characters to be found.
I very much enjoyed how the first impressions I had of some of the characters gradually changed as the story progressed. (I'm looking at you, Cam.) It's fascinating to see through the eyes of one character, and then to have that impression flipped upside down.
Sundays with Oliver is emotional and delightful, and I'm thrilled this will be a series. (Gray needs some TLC!)
***Thank you to GRR for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
Kelly Jensen is the queen of older MCs! Her characters aren't youthful 20-somethings, going out partying and getting wasted and making the types of decisions one makes at that age when there's time to correct course.
That's not to say that Oliver and Nick, the stars of Sundays with Oliver, aren't victim to making some questionable decisions. They are both going through major life changes and meet each other at this tumultuous time.
Nick's autism (which I spotted straight away) was written with much care and authenticity. If you've ever watched the TV show Parenthood from the 2010s, picture Max as a grown up and you'll have a good idea as to Nick's personality.
Oliver is not autistic and it is interesting to witness his interactions with and reactions to Nick. He has some awareness of Nick's particular quirks and I loved seeing how Oliver processes everything.
Oliver and Nick are complicated characters with interesting, and at times traumatic, backgrounds. Their family members are rich and also complicated additions to their story. Everyone has particular role in the men's lives. There are no throw away characters to be found.
I very much enjoyed how the first impressions I had of some of the characters gradually changed as the story progressed. (I'm looking at you, Cam.) It's fascinating to see through the eyes of one character, and then to have that impression flipped upside down.
Sundays with Oliver is emotional and delightful, and I'm thrilled this will be a series. (Gray needs some TLC!)
***Thank you to GRR for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***
October 31, 2022
A perfectly swoony romance between two wonderfully broken MCs. I loved every moment of this engaging read. 4.5 stars.
October 21, 2022
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
Kelly Jensen’s new Hearts & Craft series kicks off with Sundays With Oliver, a gently moving character-driven romance featuring two men in their forties (well, one is thirty-nine, but still…) who have to deal with significant life changes, prompted, in large part, by their becoming empty-nesters.
Oliver Jurić is a wholesome kind of guy; good-humoured, self-deprecating and one of life’s caretakers. When the story begins, it’s just days before Oliver is due to take his daughter Dani to her new home in NYC where she’s going to college. It’s a huge change in both their lives, and while Oliver is excited for Dani to be going out into the world to make a life of her own, he’s sad, too, knowing her absence will leave a hole in his life he’s not sure how he’s going to fill. But that’s not the only major change on the horizon; just before moving day, Oliver loses his job and, feeling slightly ashamed and not wanting to disappoint anyone, he doesn’t say anything and allows his family to believe nothing has changed, intending to get to work on applying for other jobs once Dani is settled in her new place.
Nick Zimmermann has a successful business making bespoke dollhouses – some original designs, some intricate miniature replicas of actual buildings – and every tiny item of furniture and décor inside. He’s intense and focused; he loves the work and is incredibly good at it, but he’s a very solitary person and he thrives on precision and routine. It’s clear from early on that Nick is neuroatypical, although his differences are never really labelled (ASD is mentioned once, but only in passing), and instead, the author shows us how his fascination with numbers and time, his need for rigid routine and his difficulty making eye contact contribute to his being – in his own words – “different” and “difficult to live with”. Like Oliver, Nick is facing the prospect of a lonely house once his niece Emma, his late sister’s daughter, has left for college in New York, but while Nick knows, rationally, that he’s going to miss her, he has yet to fully process the emotions that go along with missing someone.
Nick and Oliver meet for the first time on moving day when it turns out Dani and Emma are to be roommates. The first time Oliver sets eyes on Nick, his first thought is that the man seems to be trying to disappear into the background; the second is that he’s gorgeous. After the four of them have unpacked and put away as much as they can, they head out for an early dinner, and after the two girls leave, Oliver and Nick stay on for dessert, bonding over their feelings of loss and being at a loss. When Nick picks up the bill, Oliver suggests that next time is on him – although they don’t really expect that to happen. Yet neither can quite forget the other – or the spark of interest and attraction they’d felt for the first time in ages.
A few weeks later, Oliver makes a spontaneous visit to the city to see Dani and has stopped to look in a bakery window when a familiar voice breaks his concentration – and he turns to see Nick standing beside him. When, after going to the girls’ dorm, Oliver discovers Dani is out for the day, he and Nick decide to spend the day together, and quickly discover that they enjoy each other’s company, opening up a little about things they haven’t really spoken about to anyone else. Oliver confides in Nick about his job situation and how he’s having no luck whatsoever finding something else, and Nick talks about his work and about Emma – and surprises himself when he offers to show Oliver his current – unfinished – project. After this, Sundays become ‘their’ day.
I loved watching the connection between Nick and Oliver grow as they learn to navigate their lives without their girls around and deal with the various issues life throws at them. Nick worries that he’s ‘too much’ or ‘too quirky’ for Oliver to handle (thanks to comments by a previous partner), but Oliver simply accepts him as he is, making room for Nick’s ‘differences’ very subtly and naturally, respecting his need for routine and room to think. Nick tries hard to make room for Oliver in his life, and encourages him to think about outside the box when it comes to finding work. Oliver has always loved baking but never thought about doing it as a job – he’s always focused on being able to provide for his family and thus sacrificed something he loved in return for a regular salary. He has to learn that he can no longer be his family’s sole financial support – and that it’s okay not to be – that there are alternative options for financing Dani’s time at college and that he can’t continue to pay for all his parents’ daily needs or fund emergency repairs or new appliances. He’s one of those characters who has taken a lot upon himself to the point of being taken for granted – and he has to learn that it’s okay to put himself first.
Nick has never properly processed his sister’s death three years earlier – or his parents’ deaths more than a decade before that – and has become a bit lost, his world confined to his routines and to Emma as a way of self-preservation and avoiding processing his grief. But shortly before Emma leaves for college, that narrow world is shaken up by the unexpected appearance of his older brother Cameron, which disturbs Nick immensely. Cam has led a somewhat nomadic life since leaving the army twelve years before, and Nick doesn’t know – and doesn’t really want to know – what he’s been doing during the intervening years. He doesn’t want Cam at the house and tries to avoid him where possible, silently fuming as Cam starts fixing things around the place and working on the garden, tidying it up, planting and growing things and generally changing things Nick doesn’t want changed. I admit, I didn’t like Cam much to start with, didn’t like the way he just invades Nick’s space, but it soon becomes clear that he really cares about Nick and wants to help – but doesn’t quite know how.
Sundays With Oliver is what I’d call a ‘quiet book’, with the focus firmly on the central relationship and character growth as Nick and Oliver slowly come to terms with the changes in their lives and fall in love. That’s not to say there aren’t some rocky moments – there are – but it all feels very organic and realistic, and the romance is beautifully written, full of touching, tender moments and gentle humour that show just how much the couple care for each other. There’s a wonderfully rounded secondary cast which adds colour and depth to the story, and food-lovers will enjoy the descriptions of Oliver’s culinary endeavours! Sundays With Oliver is a charming romance and I’m happy to recommend it.
Kelly Jensen’s new Hearts & Craft series kicks off with Sundays With Oliver, a gently moving character-driven romance featuring two men in their forties (well, one is thirty-nine, but still…) who have to deal with significant life changes, prompted, in large part, by their becoming empty-nesters.
Oliver Jurić is a wholesome kind of guy; good-humoured, self-deprecating and one of life’s caretakers. When the story begins, it’s just days before Oliver is due to take his daughter Dani to her new home in NYC where she’s going to college. It’s a huge change in both their lives, and while Oliver is excited for Dani to be going out into the world to make a life of her own, he’s sad, too, knowing her absence will leave a hole in his life he’s not sure how he’s going to fill. But that’s not the only major change on the horizon; just before moving day, Oliver loses his job and, feeling slightly ashamed and not wanting to disappoint anyone, he doesn’t say anything and allows his family to believe nothing has changed, intending to get to work on applying for other jobs once Dani is settled in her new place.
Nick Zimmermann has a successful business making bespoke dollhouses – some original designs, some intricate miniature replicas of actual buildings – and every tiny item of furniture and décor inside. He’s intense and focused; he loves the work and is incredibly good at it, but he’s a very solitary person and he thrives on precision and routine. It’s clear from early on that Nick is neuroatypical, although his differences are never really labelled (ASD is mentioned once, but only in passing), and instead, the author shows us how his fascination with numbers and time, his need for rigid routine and his difficulty making eye contact contribute to his being – in his own words – “different” and “difficult to live with”. Like Oliver, Nick is facing the prospect of a lonely house once his niece Emma, his late sister’s daughter, has left for college in New York, but while Nick knows, rationally, that he’s going to miss her, he has yet to fully process the emotions that go along with missing someone.
Nick and Oliver meet for the first time on moving day when it turns out Dani and Emma are to be roommates. The first time Oliver sets eyes on Nick, his first thought is that the man seems to be trying to disappear into the background; the second is that he’s gorgeous. After the four of them have unpacked and put away as much as they can, they head out for an early dinner, and after the two girls leave, Oliver and Nick stay on for dessert, bonding over their feelings of loss and being at a loss. When Nick picks up the bill, Oliver suggests that next time is on him – although they don’t really expect that to happen. Yet neither can quite forget the other – or the spark of interest and attraction they’d felt for the first time in ages.
A few weeks later, Oliver makes a spontaneous visit to the city to see Dani and has stopped to look in a bakery window when a familiar voice breaks his concentration – and he turns to see Nick standing beside him. When, after going to the girls’ dorm, Oliver discovers Dani is out for the day, he and Nick decide to spend the day together, and quickly discover that they enjoy each other’s company, opening up a little about things they haven’t really spoken about to anyone else. Oliver confides in Nick about his job situation and how he’s having no luck whatsoever finding something else, and Nick talks about his work and about Emma – and surprises himself when he offers to show Oliver his current – unfinished – project. After this, Sundays become ‘their’ day.
I loved watching the connection between Nick and Oliver grow as they learn to navigate their lives without their girls around and deal with the various issues life throws at them. Nick worries that he’s ‘too much’ or ‘too quirky’ for Oliver to handle (thanks to comments by a previous partner), but Oliver simply accepts him as he is, making room for Nick’s ‘differences’ very subtly and naturally, respecting his need for routine and room to think. Nick tries hard to make room for Oliver in his life, and encourages him to think about outside the box when it comes to finding work. Oliver has always loved baking but never thought about doing it as a job – he’s always focused on being able to provide for his family and thus sacrificed something he loved in return for a regular salary. He has to learn that he can no longer be his family’s sole financial support – and that it’s okay not to be – that there are alternative options for financing Dani’s time at college and that he can’t continue to pay for all his parents’ daily needs or fund emergency repairs or new appliances. He’s one of those characters who has taken a lot upon himself to the point of being taken for granted – and he has to learn that it’s okay to put himself first.
Nick has never properly processed his sister’s death three years earlier – or his parents’ deaths more than a decade before that – and has become a bit lost, his world confined to his routines and to Emma as a way of self-preservation and avoiding processing his grief. But shortly before Emma leaves for college, that narrow world is shaken up by the unexpected appearance of his older brother Cameron, which disturbs Nick immensely. Cam has led a somewhat nomadic life since leaving the army twelve years before, and Nick doesn’t know – and doesn’t really want to know – what he’s been doing during the intervening years. He doesn’t want Cam at the house and tries to avoid him where possible, silently fuming as Cam starts fixing things around the place and working on the garden, tidying it up, planting and growing things and generally changing things Nick doesn’t want changed. I admit, I didn’t like Cam much to start with, didn’t like the way he just invades Nick’s space, but it soon becomes clear that he really cares about Nick and wants to help – but doesn’t quite know how.
Sundays With Oliver is what I’d call a ‘quiet book’, with the focus firmly on the central relationship and character growth as Nick and Oliver slowly come to terms with the changes in their lives and fall in love. That’s not to say there aren’t some rocky moments – there are – but it all feels very organic and realistic, and the romance is beautifully written, full of touching, tender moments and gentle humour that show just how much the couple care for each other. There’s a wonderfully rounded secondary cast which adds colour and depth to the story, and food-lovers will enjoy the descriptions of Oliver’s culinary endeavours! Sundays With Oliver is a charming romance and I’m happy to recommend it.
July 8, 2022
I received a free copy of Sundays With Oliver from Gay Romance Reviews and voluntarily reviewed it.
I've been anticipating this book for a long time now and was so excited when I finally got my hands on my copy. Kelly Jensen is one of my favorite authors and this book was awesome. Sundays with Oliver made me smile, think and feel. It was such a real story as well as heartwarming and sweet. One of the best books I read in a long time.
Sundays with Oliver follows the story of Oliver who brings his daughter to college and loses his job in one fell swoop. And of Nick who brings his niece who is like a daughter to him to college and then his brother who he hasn't seen in years arrives. Oliver and Nick meet as they bring their kids to college and from there they hit it off.
This was such a relatable and real romance story. Oliver and Nick's struggles both felt so real. From Nick struggles with what he calls being different and his fears that Oliver can't deal with it. To how accepting Oliver was of Nick. To Oliver's struggles with finding a new job. To Nick's struggles with losses in his family and reconnecting with his brother. How they both had to deal with not having their daughter/ niece living at home anymore and the hole that left. And even with all that going on I thought it was a beautiful and uplifting book as well.
Besides all the struggles this book feels like a ray of warm light and of new beginnings. The way Oliver and Nick connect was beautiful and I absolutely loved seeing them together. Their connection felt so real and tangible and I just wanted to read more about them and see how they made it all work. I loved how accepting Oliver was of Nick. And I loved how Nick tried to make room for Oliver in his life. It was such a beautiful romantic story and I was rooting for them both. There are all these little gestures and scenes with so much feeling. Scenes that showed how much they cared about the other, there are so many great scenes in this book and I loved reading about these two.
Besides the two main characters the whole book is filled with great characters. I really liked Gray, who is Oliver's best friend. And Cam who is Nick's brother. I actually didn't like him at first the way he invaded Nick's space, but he really grew on me over the course of the book, the more we see of him the more I liked him and understood him. And I am so excited that both Gray and Cam get their own story. I also really liked Dani, Oliver's daughter, and Emma, Nick's niece. They both play an important role in this book and I liked reading about them. And I liked how food played a role in this story as well with how Oliver likes to cook, I liked reading about all the food. I also liked how Nick made dollhouses, that was so interesting to read about.
To summarize: I loved this book! Sundays with Oliver is such a beautiful and romantic read with realistic characters. I liked the set up of two empty nesters meeting and falling in love. I loved how likeable and real both Oliver and Nick felt. Seeing them fall in love was awesome and there are so many awesome scenes with them, so many touching ones. I really loved their romance and their connection was tangible. This book was filled with hope and love as well as realistic struggles these characters go through. There are also some great side characters who come to life too and I can't wait for Gray and Can's stories!
I've been anticipating this book for a long time now and was so excited when I finally got my hands on my copy. Kelly Jensen is one of my favorite authors and this book was awesome. Sundays with Oliver made me smile, think and feel. It was such a real story as well as heartwarming and sweet. One of the best books I read in a long time.
Sundays with Oliver follows the story of Oliver who brings his daughter to college and loses his job in one fell swoop. And of Nick who brings his niece who is like a daughter to him to college and then his brother who he hasn't seen in years arrives. Oliver and Nick meet as they bring their kids to college and from there they hit it off.
This was such a relatable and real romance story. Oliver and Nick's struggles both felt so real. From Nick struggles with what he calls being different and his fears that Oliver can't deal with it. To how accepting Oliver was of Nick. To Oliver's struggles with finding a new job. To Nick's struggles with losses in his family and reconnecting with his brother. How they both had to deal with not having their daughter/ niece living at home anymore and the hole that left. And even with all that going on I thought it was a beautiful and uplifting book as well.
Besides all the struggles this book feels like a ray of warm light and of new beginnings. The way Oliver and Nick connect was beautiful and I absolutely loved seeing them together. Their connection felt so real and tangible and I just wanted to read more about them and see how they made it all work. I loved how accepting Oliver was of Nick. And I loved how Nick tried to make room for Oliver in his life. It was such a beautiful romantic story and I was rooting for them both. There are all these little gestures and scenes with so much feeling. Scenes that showed how much they cared about the other, there are so many great scenes in this book and I loved reading about these two.
Besides the two main characters the whole book is filled with great characters. I really liked Gray, who is Oliver's best friend. And Cam who is Nick's brother. I actually didn't like him at first the way he invaded Nick's space, but he really grew on me over the course of the book, the more we see of him the more I liked him and understood him. And I am so excited that both Gray and Cam get their own story. I also really liked Dani, Oliver's daughter, and Emma, Nick's niece. They both play an important role in this book and I liked reading about them. And I liked how food played a role in this story as well with how Oliver likes to cook, I liked reading about all the food. I also liked how Nick made dollhouses, that was so interesting to read about.
To summarize: I loved this book! Sundays with Oliver is such a beautiful and romantic read with realistic characters. I liked the set up of two empty nesters meeting and falling in love. I loved how likeable and real both Oliver and Nick felt. Seeing them fall in love was awesome and there are so many awesome scenes with them, so many touching ones. I really loved their romance and their connection was tangible. This book was filled with hope and love as well as realistic struggles these characters go through. There are also some great side characters who come to life too and I can't wait for Gray and Can's stories!
September 12, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Sundays with Oliver is an enjoyable, character-driven story, but as such, if you don’t connect with either character, the story may fall a little flat for you. Each man is floundering in different ways and holding onto pain and beliefs that are keeping them from truly living. Oliver has made it his mission to be The Provider—from financing all Dani’s artistic endeavors, to taking care of his niece and nephew at the drop of a hat for his sister. He’s always there with a check or a hand and because of that, there is an unspoken ‘Oliver will take care of it’ vibe in his family. With Oliver being so wrapped up in needing to take care of everyone, he can’t tell them the truth and is trapped under mounting stress and pressure as it seems like everything that can go wrong is.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Sundays with Oliver is an enjoyable, character-driven story, but as such, if you don’t connect with either character, the story may fall a little flat for you. Each man is floundering in different ways and holding onto pain and beliefs that are keeping them from truly living. Oliver has made it his mission to be The Provider—from financing all Dani’s artistic endeavors, to taking care of his niece and nephew at the drop of a hat for his sister. He’s always there with a check or a hand and because of that, there is an unspoken ‘Oliver will take care of it’ vibe in his family. With Oliver being so wrapped up in needing to take care of everyone, he can’t tell them the truth and is trapped under mounting stress and pressure as it seems like everything that can go wrong is.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
July 8, 2022
This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this story of Nick and Oliver!
Emotional read with characters that you really hope work things out and get there happy ever after.
Loved the side characters, family and friends and well it has baking and dollshouses!!
Emotional read with characters that you really hope work things out and get there happy ever after.
Loved the side characters, family and friends and well it has baking and dollshouses!!
July 26, 2022
The only good thing I can say for this book is that I did like the writing. In and of itself, this book is super easy to fall into and just read and read and read until you finish the book. Or, if you’re like me, you read until you hit a plot point that completely pisses you off.
For some reason I never quite figured out, I never really connected with the main characters. They always felt just a little out of reach. I’m not sure why. But my disappointment there doesn’t even begin to cover my level of … disappointment? horror? rage? at some of the plot points this book doesn’t seem to see a problem in throwing at its protagonists.
I had a lot of problems with this book but in the interest of being spoiler free, I’ll reduce it down to this: there comes a point in this book where both Nick and Oliver finally say things they’ve held back for a long time, and the people they are talking to have reactions that make the following conversation about them in ways that they have not earned and do not deserve. It’s these conversations that completely ruined the book for me.
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For some reason I never quite figured out, I never really connected with the main characters. They always felt just a little out of reach. I’m not sure why. But my disappointment there doesn’t even begin to cover my level of … disappointment? horror? rage? at some of the plot points this book doesn’t seem to see a problem in throwing at its protagonists.
I had a lot of problems with this book but in the interest of being spoiler free, I’ll reduce it down to this: there comes a point in this book where both Nick and Oliver finally say things they’ve held back for a long time, and the people they are talking to have reactions that make the following conversation about them in ways that they have not earned and do not deserve. It’s these conversations that completely ruined the book for me.
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2022
Very much enjoyed being immersed in this world with Oliver and Nick. There was enough turbulence but also a good number of lovely interactions as well.
Kids were adorably, selfishly authentic. Ha.
Satisfying resolution.
Kids were adorably, selfishly authentic. Ha.
Satisfying resolution.
September 15, 2022
This was an enjoyable story, which drives on its characters.
That said it took me some time to connect with these characters.
Nick was special and very well drawn. The author doesn't flat out say it but it is clear that he is on the autism spectrum somewhere. I loved him.
Oliver was a bit more difficult for me. He sees himself as the provider and wants to help everyone. Which is nice but at some point it just doesn't work and I had troubles understanding him in that regard.
Their connection and relationship was sweet.
All in all a good read which fits perfectly to a rainy Sunday afternoon
That said it took me some time to connect with these characters.
Nick was special and very well drawn. The author doesn't flat out say it but it is clear that he is on the autism spectrum somewhere. I loved him.
Oliver was a bit more difficult for me. He sees himself as the provider and wants to help everyone. Which is nice but at some point it just doesn't work and I had troubles understanding him in that regard.
Their connection and relationship was sweet.
All in all a good read which fits perfectly to a rainy Sunday afternoon
August 18, 2022
This is an author that I really enjoy & I did enjoy this book. So, we have Oliver who just as he is working on moving his daughter to college, he loses his job. Now he is in a bind not sure what he is going to do. Nick is on the spectrum and for the most part is living a good life. He does need things to be done in a certain way & everything to have its place. Nick's brother pops up out of the blue and moves himself in. He has no direction in his life and is basically a free spirit. Anyway, Nick meets Oliver when he brings his niece to college & it turns out that Oliver's daughter & Nick's niece are going to be roommates. We have a story of watching these two attempt to navigate personal crisis in their lives and grow to trust each other & eventually falling in love.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest opinion
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest opinion
October 6, 2023
I loved the characters in this book. Not just the MC's but also all the secondary and supporting characters were fully drawn and very real. I'm very happy we are going to see books for Nick's brother and Oliver's best friend.
I found the background, history and careers of the guys fascinating. In many books I frequently find the time when the MC's are not together as rather boring and maybe a way to get a higher word count. Here I almost felt like I was taking the journey with them as the characters worked their way through their problems or discovered a new interest. The story is definitely about Nick and Oliver's relationship, but it was as much about them finding out more about themselves as well as how they related to each other. Their connections with family evolved as well, and I felt as invested there as with the guys' romance. What a great book! And I'm waiting eagerly for the sequels.
I found the background, history and careers of the guys fascinating. In many books I frequently find the time when the MC's are not together as rather boring and maybe a way to get a higher word count. Here I almost felt like I was taking the journey with them as the characters worked their way through their problems or discovered a new interest. The story is definitely about Nick and Oliver's relationship, but it was as much about them finding out more about themselves as well as how they related to each other. Their connections with family evolved as well, and I felt as invested there as with the guys' romance. What a great book! And I'm waiting eagerly for the sequels.
May 5, 2023
Right as Oliver brings his daughter Dani to college, he is fired from his job. At the same time, Nick is bringing his niece to college as well, where the two girls are roommates.
Nick is awkward, & he’s always keeping track of time (he seems to probably have Asperger’s). Oliver is looking for what he can do for a new career, & they develop a friendship, something that slowly turns into more.
This was a really cute book. I loved the ending, with Nick’s surprising contract. Very cute!
I received this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nick is awkward, & he’s always keeping track of time (he seems to probably have Asperger’s). Oliver is looking for what he can do for a new career, & they develop a friendship, something that slowly turns into more.
This was a really cute book. I loved the ending, with Nick’s surprising contract. Very cute!
I received this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2022
If we're lucky enough...we'll all have an Oliver of our own to spend time with on Sundays...and every other day of the week.
Life throws challenges to both Oliver and Nick. They have young women in their lives who add so much to the story, as does Nick's brother.
Middle age doesn't guarantee you'll have all the answers or know how to deal with trauma of various kinds. A beautiful look at 'quirks' and how they enrich the lives of those around them.
Life throws challenges to both Oliver and Nick. They have young women in their lives who add so much to the story, as does Nick's brother.
Middle age doesn't guarantee you'll have all the answers or know how to deal with trauma of various kinds. A beautiful look at 'quirks' and how they enrich the lives of those around them.
September 4, 2022
This book isn't for me. I didn't like it's flow, didn't feel chemistry between the MCs, and definitely enjoyed more the secondary characters. I felt it heavy, I wanted to DNF so many times but it seemed to me disrespectful since I received an ARC copy, so I read it all...
And a big no is for the lack of TW.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
And a big no is for the lack of TW.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
January 17, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5⭐️
For most of his life, Oliver has lived by expectations: being a proper family man, being a perfect dad, and being a provider for his loved ones. Even when those expectations are impossible to achieve (like a completely happy, heteronormative family when both people know they’re gay), he sees himself as a failure. So when Oliver’s position is downsized after a merger and he loses his ability to pay for all his loved ones’ needs, he can’t bring himself to tell anyone. Leaving his daughter Dani to get settled into her new college life with her roommate, Emma, is a painful adjustment made more bearable by Emma’s uncle, Nick. Becoming friendly seems like a no-brainer since their girls are roommates, and as the weeks roll on and Oliver’s faced with job rejection after rejection, spending his Sundays getting to know the intriguing, enigmatic miniatures builder becomes the highlight of his week. When Oliver takes Nick up on his suggestion to try to turn his passion for cooking into a new career and offer of help, having an opportunity to do something he actually enjoys and spend even more time with Nick is a chance he can’t pass up.
Nick Zimmermann is used to loss. He lost his parents to a car accident, his older brother soon after to the army and a life of roaming, and his older sister Rebecca three years ago to emphysema. While he knows logically that Emma going away to college isn’t the same, he can’t help but see it that way. After all, his brother Cam is still alive too, but such a non-presence in their lives, they haven’t even seen him in over a decade until he shows up looking for a place to stay. Meeting Oliver, though, has Nick opening up in ways he didn’t realize he had closed himself off. Oliver is sweet, charming, and has a way about him that makes him easy to be around and soothes Nick’s heart. Though convinced that Oliver will eventually find all his quirks and differences annoying and unpleasant and leave him too, Nick can’t stop himself from becoming invested in their relationship and helping the floundering man find a new path for himself. As the pair work together to sell Oliver’s vegan creations, their growing connection and possibility of a future together gives both men hope. When an unexpected opportunity comes Oliver’s way that challenges their relationship, both men will have to evaluate what they want, what’s really important, and what they’re willing to let go of in order to move forward in life and with each other.
"Sundays with Oliver" is an enjoyable, character-driven story, but as such, if you don’t connect with either character, the story may fall a little flat for you. Each man is floundering in different ways and holding onto pain and beliefs that are keeping them from truly living. Oliver has made it his mission to be The Provider—from financing all Dani’s artistic endeavors, to taking care of his niece and nephew at the drop of a hat for his sister. He’s always there with a check or a hand and because of that, there is an unspoken ‘Oliver will take care of it’ vibe in his family. With Oliver being so wrapped up in needing to take care of everyone, he can’t tell them the truth and is trapped under mounting stress and pressure as it seems like everything that can go wrong is. It also doesn’t help that Dani is so involved in her new life that the only time she contacts him is to send him monetary texts, making her absence and their missing connection more palpable and underscoring his belief that his value lies in what he can do for others.
Nick has lived most of his life in a state of unresolved grief. Losing his parents so young and being alexithymic (having trouble identifying and processing one’s emotions) meant he had no real way to verbalize and handle his pain, causing him to wall off his losses and keeping him from truly grieving. Burying pain and uncomfortable emotions under the rigors of routine has become an increasingly unhealthy coping mechanism. When Nick’s sister, Rebecca, became ill, he did his best to take care of her and Emma; in the years since her death, the pair have taken care of each other. As a neurodiverse person, he’s very aware of how he doesn’t fit in or how his ideas or presentation are “wrong” and having Emma there to help him socialize, while also valuing who he is, has been a source of comfort for him. She’s so ingrained in his scheduled life that the pain of her absence and the empty Sundays they used to spend together reminds him of all his losses and it’s easier to hide from his feelings than be overwhelmed by their opaqueness and intensity. I absolutely loved Nick and for better or worse, he could do almost no wrong in my opinion. I definitely appreciated how much Oliver liked and respected him and made it clear that getting to know Nick as a person was much more important than labeling him.
Their relationship development is relatably sweet and awkward. During the week, Oliver is constantly keeping busy, first making sad cookies, then working at his best friend Gray’s café to help him out, trying new recipes and selling his food. The texts he exchanges with Nick during his scheduled break and their Sunday’s makes the pressure he is under more manageable. Oliver is kind, generous, and easy going and doesn’t expect Nick to be anything but himself. He may not get Nick’s need to schedule everything or the limits he puts on when they can text or spend time together, but he (usually) recognizes that it’s important to Nick and tries to respect it. Nick admires and appreciates Oliver’s kind spirit and friendly nature and wants Oliver to find the same comfort and joy in his company that he does. Nick finds himself looking forward to hearing from Oliver, and trying to be more accepting of change.
The main issue I had with their eventual conflict is that it feels out of character for Oliver; at that point, he has a pretty solid understanding of how Nick operates, so it comes across as an almost cruel test Nick was guaranteed to fail and Oliver’s feelings of devastation and rejection don’t fit the scenario or anything he knows about Nick. It didn’t feel like Oliver was so out of sorts or upset that it would make sense for him to approach the situation as he did. However, the type of conflict works for the couple’s relationship development as a whole. The supporting cast is solid, with Emma and Gray being the highlights for me, and while I disliked Cam at the beginning (as he claims to know Nick and his challenges, but is still dismissive and inconsiderate), his behavior gets better as he settles into being a part of the family again and spends time helping Oliver at the farmer’s market; also, the peek into his backstory makes him a more empathetic, conflicted character, which makes sense as he’s getting a book in this series too.
"Sundays with Oliver" is a slow, easy ride about messy and complicated people discovering themselves after the ways in which they’ve been defined and built their lives no longer work. I think fans of empty-nester stories, older MCs, and characters who love cooking may like it.
3.5⭐️
For most of his life, Oliver has lived by expectations: being a proper family man, being a perfect dad, and being a provider for his loved ones. Even when those expectations are impossible to achieve (like a completely happy, heteronormative family when both people know they’re gay), he sees himself as a failure. So when Oliver’s position is downsized after a merger and he loses his ability to pay for all his loved ones’ needs, he can’t bring himself to tell anyone. Leaving his daughter Dani to get settled into her new college life with her roommate, Emma, is a painful adjustment made more bearable by Emma’s uncle, Nick. Becoming friendly seems like a no-brainer since their girls are roommates, and as the weeks roll on and Oliver’s faced with job rejection after rejection, spending his Sundays getting to know the intriguing, enigmatic miniatures builder becomes the highlight of his week. When Oliver takes Nick up on his suggestion to try to turn his passion for cooking into a new career and offer of help, having an opportunity to do something he actually enjoys and spend even more time with Nick is a chance he can’t pass up.
Nick Zimmermann is used to loss. He lost his parents to a car accident, his older brother soon after to the army and a life of roaming, and his older sister Rebecca three years ago to emphysema. While he knows logically that Emma going away to college isn’t the same, he can’t help but see it that way. After all, his brother Cam is still alive too, but such a non-presence in their lives, they haven’t even seen him in over a decade until he shows up looking for a place to stay. Meeting Oliver, though, has Nick opening up in ways he didn’t realize he had closed himself off. Oliver is sweet, charming, and has a way about him that makes him easy to be around and soothes Nick’s heart. Though convinced that Oliver will eventually find all his quirks and differences annoying and unpleasant and leave him too, Nick can’t stop himself from becoming invested in their relationship and helping the floundering man find a new path for himself. As the pair work together to sell Oliver’s vegan creations, their growing connection and possibility of a future together gives both men hope. When an unexpected opportunity comes Oliver’s way that challenges their relationship, both men will have to evaluate what they want, what’s really important, and what they’re willing to let go of in order to move forward in life and with each other.
"Sundays with Oliver" is an enjoyable, character-driven story, but as such, if you don’t connect with either character, the story may fall a little flat for you. Each man is floundering in different ways and holding onto pain and beliefs that are keeping them from truly living. Oliver has made it his mission to be The Provider—from financing all Dani’s artistic endeavors, to taking care of his niece and nephew at the drop of a hat for his sister. He’s always there with a check or a hand and because of that, there is an unspoken ‘Oliver will take care of it’ vibe in his family. With Oliver being so wrapped up in needing to take care of everyone, he can’t tell them the truth and is trapped under mounting stress and pressure as it seems like everything that can go wrong is. It also doesn’t help that Dani is so involved in her new life that the only time she contacts him is to send him monetary texts, making her absence and their missing connection more palpable and underscoring his belief that his value lies in what he can do for others.
Nick has lived most of his life in a state of unresolved grief. Losing his parents so young and being alexithymic (having trouble identifying and processing one’s emotions) meant he had no real way to verbalize and handle his pain, causing him to wall off his losses and keeping him from truly grieving. Burying pain and uncomfortable emotions under the rigors of routine has become an increasingly unhealthy coping mechanism. When Nick’s sister, Rebecca, became ill, he did his best to take care of her and Emma; in the years since her death, the pair have taken care of each other. As a neurodiverse person, he’s very aware of how he doesn’t fit in or how his ideas or presentation are “wrong” and having Emma there to help him socialize, while also valuing who he is, has been a source of comfort for him. She’s so ingrained in his scheduled life that the pain of her absence and the empty Sundays they used to spend together reminds him of all his losses and it’s easier to hide from his feelings than be overwhelmed by their opaqueness and intensity. I absolutely loved Nick and for better or worse, he could do almost no wrong in my opinion. I definitely appreciated how much Oliver liked and respected him and made it clear that getting to know Nick as a person was much more important than labeling him.
Their relationship development is relatably sweet and awkward. During the week, Oliver is constantly keeping busy, first making sad cookies, then working at his best friend Gray’s café to help him out, trying new recipes and selling his food. The texts he exchanges with Nick during his scheduled break and their Sunday’s makes the pressure he is under more manageable. Oliver is kind, generous, and easy going and doesn’t expect Nick to be anything but himself. He may not get Nick’s need to schedule everything or the limits he puts on when they can text or spend time together, but he (usually) recognizes that it’s important to Nick and tries to respect it. Nick admires and appreciates Oliver’s kind spirit and friendly nature and wants Oliver to find the same comfort and joy in his company that he does. Nick finds himself looking forward to hearing from Oliver, and trying to be more accepting of change.
The main issue I had with their eventual conflict is that it feels out of character for Oliver; at that point, he has a pretty solid understanding of how Nick operates, so it comes across as an almost cruel test Nick was guaranteed to fail and Oliver’s feelings of devastation and rejection don’t fit the scenario or anything he knows about Nick. It didn’t feel like Oliver was so out of sorts or upset that it would make sense for him to approach the situation as he did. However, the type of conflict works for the couple’s relationship development as a whole. The supporting cast is solid, with Emma and Gray being the highlights for me, and while I disliked Cam at the beginning (as he claims to know Nick and his challenges, but is still dismissive and inconsiderate), his behavior gets better as he settles into being a part of the family again and spends time helping Oliver at the farmer’s market; also, the peek into his backstory makes him a more empathetic, conflicted character, which makes sense as he’s getting a book in this series too.
"Sundays with Oliver" is a slow, easy ride about messy and complicated people discovering themselves after the ways in which they’ve been defined and built their lives no longer work. I think fans of empty-nester stories, older MCs, and characters who love cooking may like it.
September 13, 2022
I never quite know how to review a book like this -- one I think a lot of people will enjoy 5 stars' worth, & that for me is solidly competent but also forgettable. Let's say 5 stars for them, and dinging a star for the things that didn't work for me.
Aspects I liked: Grown men falling in love. Sexual desire not vanishing at the age of 30 or 40 or whatever. Non-hardbodies being sexy. Oliver responding to Nick with interest and admiration rather than with alarm at the ways in which his behavior's unusual. Nick himself. His taste in music! His grief for his sister, and the ways in which he expresses it. Oliver working hard to accommodate Nick's veganism. Nick, in turn, working hard to express himself in ways a non-neurodivergent person might expect.
I liked how far along in the book we are before getting to the point of a "diagnosis" for Nick, by the way. So, it seems that he fits under the rubric of "autism spectrum," and that brings up the question of how credible this depiction of an "autistic person" is. I have autistic friends but, as I don't experience autism from the inside, I can't say. And part of me wonders whether the rubric is even useful in a novel. I liked Nick. Calling him autistic doesn't actually explain anything about his personality, it just attaches a convenient label to some of the ways he thinks and acts. Without the label, he's just an appealing person with some unusual quirks. With the label, he's being enlisted to stand for something -- which, of course, is the same problem any marginalized person has in real life as soon as a label attaches to them. If Nick is "autistic," will his character give some non-neurodivergent people stupid ideas about autism? He feels like a real person to me, but the question is one for other people to answer.
Aspects I emphatically did not like: Cam, Nick's brother, saying "Sometimes the best thing we can do for others is to look after ourselves," which is true when you put your own oxygen mask on before you put the mask on your kid. It's maybe not so true when your parents die and, like Cam, you deal with your grief by bailing on your siblings.
The yappy-dog trope. Oliver accidentally kicks a tiny dog -- apparently for a good distance -- whose guardian "shoot[s] him a death glare," which both he and Nick ignore, and then they have a good laugh about it. Possibly hurt animal, not funny; and also, I get really sick of the whole tiny-yappy-dog thing. Think for half a minute about weighing 15 pounds and having everybody and their toddler think it's okay to put their hands on you and even swing you into the air without warning. Somehow the entirely predictable defensiveness that results is the dog's fault, so now we can laugh when a character kicks one. Har-de-har-har, this is the kind of thing that makes me DNF non-ARCs, but I soldiered on.
An aspect that made me snicker: Oliver's vegan baked goods having texture and taste indistinguishable from baked goods made with butter, eggs, etc. Er, I do quite a lot of baking, both vegan and non, and I am here to tell you that although yes, vegan baking can produce some excellent results, the only people who think you can't tell the difference are people who've been vegan so long they can't remember what non-vegan cooking tasted like.
Well, that got a lot longer than I expected.
I read an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, and of course I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Aspects I liked: Grown men falling in love. Sexual desire not vanishing at the age of 30 or 40 or whatever. Non-hardbodies being sexy. Oliver responding to Nick with interest and admiration rather than with alarm at the ways in which his behavior's unusual. Nick himself. His taste in music! His grief for his sister, and the ways in which he expresses it. Oliver working hard to accommodate Nick's veganism. Nick, in turn, working hard to express himself in ways a non-neurodivergent person might expect.
I liked how far along in the book we are before getting to the point of a "diagnosis" for Nick, by the way. So, it seems that he fits under the rubric of "autism spectrum," and that brings up the question of how credible this depiction of an "autistic person" is. I have autistic friends but, as I don't experience autism from the inside, I can't say. And part of me wonders whether the rubric is even useful in a novel. I liked Nick. Calling him autistic doesn't actually explain anything about his personality, it just attaches a convenient label to some of the ways he thinks and acts. Without the label, he's just an appealing person with some unusual quirks. With the label, he's being enlisted to stand for something -- which, of course, is the same problem any marginalized person has in real life as soon as a label attaches to them. If Nick is "autistic," will his character give some non-neurodivergent people stupid ideas about autism? He feels like a real person to me, but the question is one for other people to answer.
Aspects I emphatically did not like: Cam, Nick's brother, saying "Sometimes the best thing we can do for others is to look after ourselves," which is true when you put your own oxygen mask on before you put the mask on your kid. It's maybe not so true when your parents die and, like Cam, you deal with your grief by bailing on your siblings.
The yappy-dog trope. Oliver accidentally kicks a tiny dog -- apparently for a good distance -- whose guardian "shoot[s] him a death glare," which both he and Nick ignore, and then they have a good laugh about it. Possibly hurt animal, not funny; and also, I get really sick of the whole tiny-yappy-dog thing. Think for half a minute about weighing 15 pounds and having everybody and their toddler think it's okay to put their hands on you and even swing you into the air without warning. Somehow the entirely predictable defensiveness that results is the dog's fault, so now we can laugh when a character kicks one. Har-de-har-har, this is the kind of thing that makes me DNF non-ARCs, but I soldiered on.
An aspect that made me snicker: Oliver's vegan baked goods having texture and taste indistinguishable from baked goods made with butter, eggs, etc. Er, I do quite a lot of baking, both vegan and non, and I am here to tell you that although yes, vegan baking can produce some excellent results, the only people who think you can't tell the difference are people who've been vegan so long they can't remember what non-vegan cooking tasted like.
Well, that got a lot longer than I expected.
I read an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, and of course I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
September 14, 2022
I've been on somewhat of a paranormal reading binge lately so it was an interesting change of pace to read this newest book from Jensen. It's a contemporary romance but not without a magic of its own, the magic of everyday life and everything it encompasses, from the joys to the sorrows and the highs and lows of a new love.
Oliver and Nick bond with one another in their shared status as new empty nesters when Oliver's daughter and Nick's niece go off to college. Nick and Oliver first become friends and gradually the relationship becomes more, and as it does, the idea of a new future for the both of them along with other events in their lives push the two men to reexamine their pasts and look at what they really want from their lives.
The examination of empty nester syndrome seemed spot on, forcing both the men to take hard looks at where they wanted to go, and it was nice seeing two somewhat older men as the leads. I liked that the author didn't present any easy solutions - in fact what "solutions" there were involved a lot of reflection and hard work on both their parts as they faced their pasts and helped each other move on into a future together. And the ending where they actually get together was beautifully written and very moving. Despite the pain, they learn to rely on one another in order to move forward in a completely believable fashion.
The author did a great job with the characters of Oliver and Nick, particularly in depicting Nick as being somewhat neurodivergent and on the autism scale. Jensen does a good job showing Nick's autism as more of just a part of his entire being and personality and not just his one overwhelming trait.
If I had any quibbles with the story it was probably with the overall setup of the plot. Both Oliver and Nick are dealing with not just empty nest syndrome but unresolved grief from family issues that echoed each other maybe just a bit too strongly. While the situations resulted in some interesting examinations of family dynamics, particularly Oliver's overwhelming need to provide and Nick's unresolved grief, it just struck me as maybe one too many parallel.
That said, it's still a beautifully done story with some very well depicted characters. And as it turns out, there is a certain magic in the day to day rhythms of life.
Oliver and Nick bond with one another in their shared status as new empty nesters when Oliver's daughter and Nick's niece go off to college. Nick and Oliver first become friends and gradually the relationship becomes more, and as it does, the idea of a new future for the both of them along with other events in their lives push the two men to reexamine their pasts and look at what they really want from their lives.
The examination of empty nester syndrome seemed spot on, forcing both the men to take hard looks at where they wanted to go, and it was nice seeing two somewhat older men as the leads. I liked that the author didn't present any easy solutions - in fact what "solutions" there were involved a lot of reflection and hard work on both their parts as they faced their pasts and helped each other move on into a future together. And the ending where they actually get together was beautifully written and very moving. Despite the pain, they learn to rely on one another in order to move forward in a completely believable fashion.
The author did a great job with the characters of Oliver and Nick, particularly in depicting Nick as being somewhat neurodivergent and on the autism scale. Jensen does a good job showing Nick's autism as more of just a part of his entire being and personality and not just his one overwhelming trait.
If I had any quibbles with the story it was probably with the overall setup of the plot. Both Oliver and Nick are dealing with not just empty nest syndrome but unresolved grief from family issues that echoed each other maybe just a bit too strongly. While the situations resulted in some interesting examinations of family dynamics, particularly Oliver's overwhelming need to provide and Nick's unresolved grief, it just struck me as maybe one too many parallel.
That said, it's still a beautifully done story with some very well depicted characters. And as it turns out, there is a certain magic in the day to day rhythms of life.
September 14, 2022
I’m a bit undecided writing this review - if I could I would have given it a 3.5. There was a lot I liked, this was the first book I’ve read by this author and I liked the writing style, the older characters (much closer to my age than you normally see, which is always nice) and good character building, so I felt like I got to know both Oliver and Nick well by the end. I also enjoyed the premise of two men suffering from “empty nest” syndrome, with Oliver sending his daughter off to uni and for Nick, his niece.
The things I didn’t like as much - a little bit of a spoiler, but I will try to be vague about main plot points - Oliver has a conversation with his friend Gray mid-book, who despite never having met Nick at this stage, suggests he may have autism or Aspergers just from Oliver’s description of Nick & some of his behaviours. Oliver considers this and understands why Gray might think that, but then it’s never discussed again. It seems odd that this wouldn’t be raised when Oliver changes some of his behaviours/mannerisms towards Nick in response.
I liked how much characterisation went into the two main characters, but it was almost to the detriment of detail around the other supporting characters. I liked the little we saw of Cam and his minimal back story but felt he could have been expanded on into a much more interesting character - maybe book 2 for him? We never really got a full description of what happened to Nick’s family and Dani & Emma seemed a bit two dimensional too, considering they were the initial connection between the two men. Oliver’s ex-wife barely got a mention despite being Dani’s Mum. Plus his parents didn’t seem to fit - his Mum appeared to be a successful author, yet he felt they needed his help financially?
Ultimately this felt like a story with lots of potential, but for me although I’m glad I read it, it just felt it was missing something and I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I do when I give a book a higher rating. I am hoping the author expands on the series - hopefully Cam or Gray next and I would definitely read that.
The things I didn’t like as much - a little bit of a spoiler, but I will try to be vague about main plot points - Oliver has a conversation with his friend Gray mid-book, who despite never having met Nick at this stage, suggests he may have autism or Aspergers just from Oliver’s description of Nick & some of his behaviours. Oliver considers this and understands why Gray might think that, but then it’s never discussed again. It seems odd that this wouldn’t be raised when Oliver changes some of his behaviours/mannerisms towards Nick in response.
I liked how much characterisation went into the two main characters, but it was almost to the detriment of detail around the other supporting characters. I liked the little we saw of Cam and his minimal back story but felt he could have been expanded on into a much more interesting character - maybe book 2 for him? We never really got a full description of what happened to Nick’s family and Dani & Emma seemed a bit two dimensional too, considering they were the initial connection between the two men. Oliver’s ex-wife barely got a mention despite being Dani’s Mum. Plus his parents didn’t seem to fit - his Mum appeared to be a successful author, yet he felt they needed his help financially?
Ultimately this felt like a story with lots of potential, but for me although I’m glad I read it, it just felt it was missing something and I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I do when I give a book a higher rating. I am hoping the author expands on the series - hopefully Cam or Gray next and I would definitely read that.
September 14, 2022
Sundays with Oliver is the first I’ve read by this author. It won’t be the last.
This book isn't heavy on angst, but it is there, and its effect on these two men's mental and emotional health is touching and, at times, heart-wrenching.
I don't know much about the autism spectrum, so I can't speak to Nick's portrayal's accuracy, but I found his character engaging and lovable. I hung onto his every thought, action, and word as he struggled with the things going on in his life; past and present, good and bad. I could practically feel his confusion and distress, and I cried when he cried. But, when he smiled and laughed, so did I.
Oliver is my male counterpart. So many of the things he was thinking and feeling and experiencing, I could relate to and commiserate with. The unexpected situation Oliver has to deal with in these pages, and the personal growth because of it, is well written and believable. He is more in touch with his emotions than Nick, and his honest, open reactions tore at my heart. I felt like I was with a kindred spirit when he was on the page and his patience and understanding with Nick were beautiful to see.
These two lovely men, older and settled into who they are when the book begins, then embark on journeys that will change their lives as they know them and lead them to the road to their HEA. And I have no doubt that their HEA will be long-lasting and filled with love and passion that is satisfying and real.
And every bit of this beautiful book feels real, emotionally and physically. I could have read many more pages had the author written them. The warmth I felt in my heart throughout the pages is still with me as I write this. Sundays With Oliver is just that good, and I will watch for the next book in the series.
I look forward to more from this author.
This book isn't heavy on angst, but it is there, and its effect on these two men's mental and emotional health is touching and, at times, heart-wrenching.
I don't know much about the autism spectrum, so I can't speak to Nick's portrayal's accuracy, but I found his character engaging and lovable. I hung onto his every thought, action, and word as he struggled with the things going on in his life; past and present, good and bad. I could practically feel his confusion and distress, and I cried when he cried. But, when he smiled and laughed, so did I.
Oliver is my male counterpart. So many of the things he was thinking and feeling and experiencing, I could relate to and commiserate with. The unexpected situation Oliver has to deal with in these pages, and the personal growth because of it, is well written and believable. He is more in touch with his emotions than Nick, and his honest, open reactions tore at my heart. I felt like I was with a kindred spirit when he was on the page and his patience and understanding with Nick were beautiful to see.
These two lovely men, older and settled into who they are when the book begins, then embark on journeys that will change their lives as they know them and lead them to the road to their HEA. And I have no doubt that their HEA will be long-lasting and filled with love and passion that is satisfying and real.
And every bit of this beautiful book feels real, emotionally and physically. I could have read many more pages had the author written them. The warmth I felt in my heart throughout the pages is still with me as I write this. Sundays With Oliver is just that good, and I will watch for the next book in the series.
I look forward to more from this author.
September 24, 2022
Of the books of Kelly Jensen’s I’ve enjoyed, my favorites were all three in her “This Time Forever” series, and I’d been eagerly looking forward to “Sundays with Oliver.”
Once again, Jensen presented a great story with an endearing cast of characters. When I start a Jensen novel, I know I won’t get much done other than read because her skillful writing draws me in and holds me there until I turn the final page.
Oliver and Nick are both people I’d like to know personally, men in mid-life with relatives just beginning their college years and leaving a hole in their lives. In Oliver’s case, his daughter, and in Nick’s, his niece, and the men meet because these young women are roommates. They learn they live fairly close to each other in northeastern Pennsylvania, a plus for me because that’s my part of the world and it’s always fun to know exactly what the author is describing because I’ve actually been there.
Both men are struggling not just with being empty-nesters. Oliver, after two broken marriages, has financial problems he has to deal with. Nick’s problems are much more deep-seated and begin with a condition he doesn’t like to even think about, but he acknowledges he’s “different from other people.”
Having known a young person with Nick’s condition, it was fascinating to see how Jensen developed and eventually revealed what Nick has had to live with. But along with the serious moments, there were also some “laugh-out-loud” sections which made not just the principal characters, but every person in the book, very real.
If any two characters ever deserved happiness, it’s these two guys. No more spoilers, but I’ll highly recommend this beautifully developed romance.
Once again, Jensen presented a great story with an endearing cast of characters. When I start a Jensen novel, I know I won’t get much done other than read because her skillful writing draws me in and holds me there until I turn the final page.
Oliver and Nick are both people I’d like to know personally, men in mid-life with relatives just beginning their college years and leaving a hole in their lives. In Oliver’s case, his daughter, and in Nick’s, his niece, and the men meet because these young women are roommates. They learn they live fairly close to each other in northeastern Pennsylvania, a plus for me because that’s my part of the world and it’s always fun to know exactly what the author is describing because I’ve actually been there.
Both men are struggling not just with being empty-nesters. Oliver, after two broken marriages, has financial problems he has to deal with. Nick’s problems are much more deep-seated and begin with a condition he doesn’t like to even think about, but he acknowledges he’s “different from other people.”
Having known a young person with Nick’s condition, it was fascinating to see how Jensen developed and eventually revealed what Nick has had to live with. But along with the serious moments, there were also some “laugh-out-loud” sections which made not just the principal characters, but every person in the book, very real.
If any two characters ever deserved happiness, it’s these two guys. No more spoilers, but I’ll highly recommend this beautifully developed romance.
August 30, 2022
This felt so real to me.
I’ve had my review copy of this book for a while (too long). I think I’ve waited for a bunch of reasons but I know now that part of it was because I knew this book would make me feel all the things and I also knew that I wouldn’t want it to be over once I was done reading it.
It’s been too long since I’ve read a book by Kelly Jensen and I’m glad I was granted an early review copy of Sundays with Oliver so I could correct that. I think it’s going to be hard for me to describe how much I loved this story. It’s a nice slow-burn one; don’t expect a lot of on-page heat – it’s not needed for these two.
I loved that both characters are over 30 years old. I loved that Nick wasn’t your typical romance character. It’s never explicitly said but all signs point to him being neurodiverse. So many times I wanted to reach out and hug him but I knew that he wouldn’t like that.
Oliver is just such a sweet man. He loves taking care of, and providing for, the ones he loves. When losing his job threatens his ability to do that he doesn’t know what to do or really how to handle it. Meeting Nick and connecting with him brings him the kind of joy he hasn’t had for a while. He likes Nick just the way he is and doesn’t mind working around his quirks.
I love books that make me feel things deeply and Sundays with Oliver did that so much. I was very happy to learn that this was the first book in the Hearts & Crafts series and that we will be seeing more of supporting characters Gray and Cam.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
I’ve had my review copy of this book for a while (too long). I think I’ve waited for a bunch of reasons but I know now that part of it was because I knew this book would make me feel all the things and I also knew that I wouldn’t want it to be over once I was done reading it.
It’s been too long since I’ve read a book by Kelly Jensen and I’m glad I was granted an early review copy of Sundays with Oliver so I could correct that. I think it’s going to be hard for me to describe how much I loved this story. It’s a nice slow-burn one; don’t expect a lot of on-page heat – it’s not needed for these two.
I loved that both characters are over 30 years old. I loved that Nick wasn’t your typical romance character. It’s never explicitly said but all signs point to him being neurodiverse. So many times I wanted to reach out and hug him but I knew that he wouldn’t like that.
Oliver is just such a sweet man. He loves taking care of, and providing for, the ones he loves. When losing his job threatens his ability to do that he doesn’t know what to do or really how to handle it. Meeting Nick and connecting with him brings him the kind of joy he hasn’t had for a while. He likes Nick just the way he is and doesn’t mind working around his quirks.
I love books that make me feel things deeply and Sundays with Oliver did that so much. I was very happy to learn that this was the first book in the Hearts & Crafts series and that we will be seeing more of supporting characters Gray and Cam.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
September 12, 2022
4 Stars
The blurb really caught my attention and I couldn't go past it when it came up for offer. I'm glad I picked it up as it was very enjoyable.
It's a slow burn romance centered around two guys in their late 30's and early 40's whose niece and daughter respectively have left the nest and are rooming together at university. Nick and Oliver meet when the girls are moving in and here starts a beautiful friendship that evolves over the book.
Nick is on the spectrum, I don't think it's ever labeled whether he is Asperger's or Autistic but I liked his portrayal. The chapters from his point of view helped to understand how his mind was working and thought processes there. I did feel for him at times, I understood Oliver struggling a couple of times with the way he processed things happening, but his niece also made him feel bad a few times and she is one that should have understood more as she had been living with him for a long time, she made him feel bad for something that was just him.
I enjoyed Oliver, he's pretty understanding and calm throughout the book, even when his life is imploding he just keeps on trying to please everyone. I loved that once he knew Nick was vegan, he went out of his way to try recipes and perfect them, teaching Nick the recipes were something they could do together.
Looking forward to seeing where this series leads.
*** ARC received from GRR. This is my review ***
The blurb really caught my attention and I couldn't go past it when it came up for offer. I'm glad I picked it up as it was very enjoyable.
It's a slow burn romance centered around two guys in their late 30's and early 40's whose niece and daughter respectively have left the nest and are rooming together at university. Nick and Oliver meet when the girls are moving in and here starts a beautiful friendship that evolves over the book.
Nick is on the spectrum, I don't think it's ever labeled whether he is Asperger's or Autistic but I liked his portrayal. The chapters from his point of view helped to understand how his mind was working and thought processes there. I did feel for him at times, I understood Oliver struggling a couple of times with the way he processed things happening, but his niece also made him feel bad a few times and she is one that should have understood more as she had been living with him for a long time, she made him feel bad for something that was just him.
I enjoyed Oliver, he's pretty understanding and calm throughout the book, even when his life is imploding he just keeps on trying to please everyone. I loved that once he knew Nick was vegan, he went out of his way to try recipes and perfect them, teaching Nick the recipes were something they could do together.
Looking forward to seeing where this series leads.
*** ARC received from GRR. This is my review ***
September 12, 2022
It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of reading something by Kelly Jensen, and Sundays with Oliver, the first in the Hearts and Crafts series, was a lovely re-introduction to her storytelling. The main characters, Oliver and Nick, were both empty nesters, what with the former's daughter and the latter's niece heading off to college and turning out to be roommates. These men were trying to find their footing, adjusting to life without the most important person sharing the same space with them. Neither one was expecting to become that source of solace and support for the other, but not without its complications. Oliver and Nick have their Sundays, but is that all they'll ever have, or dare they try for something more?
This was quite an endearing read, one with main characters who have their complexities, yet at the end of the day, what they want is simple: love. I appreciated the author having an MC who represented neurodiversity, and while it isn't explicitly labeled, the clues and hints are there. I also liked that Oliver and Nick were both older characters--Oliver being forty-four, and Nick thirty-nine--which was a refreshing change of pace from the usual twenty-somethings or with one being much older than the other, not that I don't enjoy romances with either of those age ranges. Kudos as well for the supporting cast characters, some of whom I look forward to reading more about as the series progresses. 4.5 stars for Sundays with Oliver!
This was quite an endearing read, one with main characters who have their complexities, yet at the end of the day, what they want is simple: love. I appreciated the author having an MC who represented neurodiversity, and while it isn't explicitly labeled, the clues and hints are there. I also liked that Oliver and Nick were both older characters--Oliver being forty-four, and Nick thirty-nine--which was a refreshing change of pace from the usual twenty-somethings or with one being much older than the other, not that I don't enjoy romances with either of those age ranges. Kudos as well for the supporting cast characters, some of whom I look forward to reading more about as the series progresses. 4.5 stars for Sundays with Oliver!
September 27, 2023
This is a beautiful book with a lovely story of two older men coming to terms with their loved ones leaving the nest and what that means for their life and futures.
Sundays with Oliver is a book that slowly creeps up on you and before you know it you've completely fallen in love with the main characters, Nick and Oliver. It's a slow story with no real big plot lines or crisis or drama or angst, its character driven and shows two men falling in love while coming to terms with their lives changing.
Nick's neurodiversity, that is never clearly stated by himself or his brother, but he's probably on the autism spectrum, is depicted with warmth, understanding and kindness. It's never used to other him and the way that Oliver quietly and slowly learns how Nick needs his world to function and then effortlessly adapts to that made my heart sing and my eyes tear up.
I loved Sundays with Oliver and highly recommend it.
This is perhaps my favourite of the series and the one that I read last! I read the second book, Shelf Life as an ARC a few months ago, and received the last book, The Leaving Kind as an ARC as well. So I read book 2, then book 3 and then book 1, but honestly it did not make a difference to my enjoyment of the book.
Sundays with Oliver is a book that slowly creeps up on you and before you know it you've completely fallen in love with the main characters, Nick and Oliver. It's a slow story with no real big plot lines or crisis or drama or angst, its character driven and shows two men falling in love while coming to terms with their lives changing.
Nick's neurodiversity, that is never clearly stated by himself or his brother, but he's probably on the autism spectrum, is depicted with warmth, understanding and kindness. It's never used to other him and the way that Oliver quietly and slowly learns how Nick needs his world to function and then effortlessly adapts to that made my heart sing and my eyes tear up.
I loved Sundays with Oliver and highly recommend it.
This is perhaps my favourite of the series and the one that I read last! I read the second book, Shelf Life as an ARC a few months ago, and received the last book, The Leaving Kind as an ARC as well. So I read book 2, then book 3 and then book 1, but honestly it did not make a difference to my enjoyment of the book.
September 14, 2022
Oliver and Nick are both in the midst of growing pains for similar and different reasons. Both were dealing with empty nest syndrome as Oliver's daughter and Nick's niece were heading to college and each man has centered their lives around their young woman. Oliver also has recently lost his job to a merger and is trying to figure out what he can do to continue to take care of his daughter and pay for college. He is stressed and doing things that he feels he has to do, instead of what he wants to do. Nick is still dealing with grief. His parents died when he was young and he was left to care for his niece when his sister died. When they meet they find a kindred spirit and someone who brings them joy. Their friendship grows into more than just friends over time and they come to look forward to their Sundays together. But in order to have more they need to honestly deal with the issues that have trapped them in ways that they need to get free of to live more fully together. The author does a lovely job of taking us through their more mature growing pains as they work to get where they need to be for themselves and to be together. There were also good solid supporting characters populating this lovely story.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2022
WOW what a great book this one was! I was so enamored with Nick!!! How could we not fall in love with him and his quirks which were soooo cute! He’s a WHIZ with time!!! You’ll have to pick up the book to read to find out what I mean by this! It was a page-turner for me!!! I wanted to know more about Nick and Oliver, especially the project Nick was working on - building a model of the Grey Towers. I had to look that up on the internet to see what it looked like! Certainly a huge project for Nick!
The story focuses on Oliver, a single daddy of a college-bound daughter who was having a hard time letting her go. He also was an unemployed guy who was let go by the company he worked since it was bought by another company. He was ashamed to admit that to everyone in his lives. When he brought his daughter to the college dorm room, he was met by her roommate and her uncle, Nick. Oliver was somewhat enamored by Nick and they went out to eat somewhere near the college. That was when they struck friendship and it developed. However, I’m going to stop right there and encourage you to pick up the book and read it. I think it would make for an awesome TV movie!!!! More than 5 stars for me!
The story focuses on Oliver, a single daddy of a college-bound daughter who was having a hard time letting her go. He also was an unemployed guy who was let go by the company he worked since it was bought by another company. He was ashamed to admit that to everyone in his lives. When he brought his daughter to the college dorm room, he was met by her roommate and her uncle, Nick. Oliver was somewhat enamored by Nick and they went out to eat somewhere near the college. That was when they struck friendship and it developed. However, I’m going to stop right there and encourage you to pick up the book and read it. I think it would make for an awesome TV movie!!!! More than 5 stars for me!
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