felt more 3.5 than four but the hero being Scandinavian/Nordic, Norwegian at that, was different than the typical Swedish hero but I enjoyed.

I really liked this story as I began reading it, and by the time I was done, I was confused and a bit exhausted. It's as if the author took a handful of romance tropes and tossed them together into this story.

This was hott and amazing and sexy and so much fun. it was an easy and sweet read.. it was interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was next. i loved it

**I received a copy in exchange for an honest review**

This was the first book I have read by this author and it kind of left me a bit all over the place. I really wanted to like this book and the blurb made it sound really interesting. It's the kind of book that I normally read and I did enjoy it to begin with but as the story went on my interested kind of waned.

Although it started of well I didn't really feel like the MC'S had a genuine connection with one another, especially due to the fact that they had a previous history. As the story went on the conversation between them didn't really flow all that well and felt stilted in parts. I feel like the potential for great characters was there but it just wasn't executed as well as it could have been. I will say though that I quite enjoyed the secondary characters and the sexy scenes between the two MC'S, even If they were a bit OTT in parts.

However the thing that got me the most was the last chapter. It just left me confused AF. I thought it was very strange that the author suddenly decided to switch to some weird first person viewpoint after writing the rest of the story in the third person. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed to the point where the story felt unfinished or a few chapters had gone missing. Furthermore it didn't really answer any questions I had the main one being if they were actually still together in the future.

My first book by this author and I was impressed with the level of romance portrayed especially since this is an insta'-love romance. Not usually my favorite trope, I typically will run from them - this book snuck into my TBR pile, so I gave it a whirl! The characters were likable and the chemistry is off the charts. A short, easy to enjoy story that leaves you longing for more...
3 stars

I did not enjoy this book at all, it was a bit of a struggle to read. The story was ok at first, the writing left something to be desired but the characters were somewhat interesting at first, and it was a story I thought I'd enjoy.

But, after reading for a bit, I didn’t really feel invested in the relationship or the characters. The writing was a little stilted and the flow was a tad weird. Ian and Jess have a story that should have evoked tons of emotion but fell a little flat for me. A history that, when revealed, I should have been have been destroyed about but...I wasn’t, because I wasn’t that invested. The journey to the present where Jess is working to win Ian back held my attention a little bit until the last chapter. The last chapter really solidified my thoughts on this book.

I don’t know why the author chose to change the POV, and tense, in the last chapter but it did not do this book ANY favors. I went from a state of a little emotional investment, to being like “what the…?”. And the worst part, there were no answers...to anything. This book doesn’t really even have an ending. It felt like the last 2 chapters got cut off accidentally.

Ultimately, this book was an ok read until it wasn’t.

I liked the writing, and the characters were interesting, but I felt the book didn't seem to go anywhere. I know it was just a novella, but there was not enough story for me. I would consider reading other titles from this author, but only if they were full novels. I think if these characters were expanded into a longer story then it would have been better. I have being negative, but this one just wasn't for me.

I completely understood what I was supposed to feel with this book. I was supposed to feel angry with Jessen for leaving, and I was supposed to feel all of Ian's hurt. However, it all stayed pretty shallow, and I never really could connect with the characters and their emotions. There was an imbalance in their relationship that I felt was too great to make them a believeable couple. Jessen was honestly a little condescending, and I couldn't help but think of Ian as being much younger than he was. Also, I wish we wouldn't have to wait until ~30% before the first flashback, because before we find out WHY Ian is mad at Jessen, it is hard to sympathize. Additionally, I felt Ian was quick to forgive and forget, which to me doesn't correlate with the level of anger he has in the beginning. The ending felt a little rushed.

I loved this book! I would have loved for it to be longer though and I am definitely interested in more from this series!

I had such high expectations of the book the minute I started reading. Why? Because of the great writing, character development and chemistry from the beginning pages! I immediately felt in the thick of it. The more I kept reading the more I wanted to read. Ian and Jessen's story was paved through betrayal, loads of chemistry and love, it was the perfect build up for a steamy and great story. And yet, it ended so quickly after sex.. I was sure it was some sort of computer qlitch and re-downloaded the book, like I crazy person, convinced there was no way in hell the author would just end the story without any resolution and only an orgasm. I'm so frustrated because of how amazing the book is and how it could have been so much more.
I agree its a hot read if you're looking for something short and hot, go for it.
Unfortunately, the author does such a great job at making these characters complex and relatable and charming you want to dive into a real story, not just the sex. It sort of feels like after the make up sex (which didn't really fix any of their broken relationship) the author just shut down the computer and tossed into the ocean. Like there was no real wrap up at all.
I gave a 3 stars because I believe in the authors writing style and the characters have so much life for me but I don't think the author did the characters or the story justice here.

I don't mind insta-love stories. I'm a believer. There are so many ways to fall in love.

For Ian and Jessen the connection was immediate. They got caught up in each other quickly and at a young age. Their nights together fogged up the glass on my e-reader.

What I don't like in my romance stories are long separations. I mourn the lost years that can never be recovered. I also think people change over time. "If you don't grow together, you grow apart." I couldn't tell you who originally said that, but it's always struck a chord with me.

Ian and Jessen spend seven long years apart. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.

Then, Jessen shows back up - out of the blue . Again, I HAVE NO IDEA WHY.

They're still in love with each other. OK, I could maybe roll with that. But I'd need some TALKING to happen between the two of them. Either before or after jumping each other's bones. No matter to me. But, at some point, I want to know WHY they spent seven years apart. I want to know more about each of them in general.

That brings me to what I don't like in any of my stories. Shorts, novellas, novelettes, etc. None of those are "my thang".

So, it would be extremely helpful if NetGalley/Publishers would post page length or word count in a prominent place in their galley offerings. That would avoid a frustrated reader (me) and an annoyed author who's had his/her book reviewed by said annoyed reader.

If you like short, erotic gay romance stories, you should try this one. The sex scenes are super hot and the writing is good enough that you feel the MCs love for each other.

If you prefer the longer, more developed plots, this will leave you a little frustrated.

2.5 stars for me

Aah, a lovely short second chance M/M romance/erotica that had me invested in both of the main characters, Jessen Sorensen and Ian Waters. Jesson had been Ian’s first everything when he was nineteen, introducing him to everything he never knew he was missing. After making countless promises to Ian about their future Jenson upped and left in the middle of the night with only a ‘sorry’. Ian was broken-hearted. Now, seven years later, Jessen is back and he’s not going to take no for an answer when it comes to winning back Ian’s heart. The story is set in present day with flash backs to the start of their relationship, and just so you know, there are no holds barred when it comes to the sex scenes, quite impressive really since it's apparently the author's first foray into M/M romance. A quick, easy, very sexy read. I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ian is a young professor at the University of Philadelphia whose life is interrupted by the reappearance of the man who broke his heart seven years ago - Jessen, brother to a famour rockstar and a successful musician in his own right.

This may have had potential, but didn't work for me for several reasons.

First of of all, novella or nor, it was too short and felt more like an excerpt of a book than the book itself. That may explain my second issue with it, which was the way the flashbacks were woven in - actually, pasted in is more like it because it didn't come across as if much thought had been put into it.

The characters also could've used some more work, especially Ian - considering the story is told from his POV I couldn't really get a grip on him. Jessen was slightly better, but the descriptions of him were bordering on ridiculous and made me roll my eyes. It would have been nice to get to known them more and being shown them rather than told about them - flashbacks tend to add to the "I am being told rather than shown" feeling to me unless done very well, and unfortunately they weren't done that well.

I also didn't care for the random Norwegian thrown in; that the translation was at the end of each chapter didn't make them any less annoying. It's too bad, because otherwise I mostly enjoyed the way the sentences flowed - it was the bigger structure that I had problems with, not the style of writing.

The thing that annoyed me the most was the POV switch just for the last chapter. I love alternating POVs, but they have to be done right. If it's just for one chapter it feels like a cop out to me, like the author couldn't deal with their chosen structure of the story.

Overall, it felt too hastily written. If redone and fleshed out and structured better this could turn into a good and interesting story, but as it is I can't really recommend it.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I loved it at first. This started out so good, the writing full of emotion, the characters were people I wanted to get to know, and a story I thought I'd enjoy.

Ian and Jess have a story that gave me all the feels. A history that, when reveled, I was crushed. The road to the present where Jess is back, working to win Ian's trust again held my attention. And then the last chapter happened.

I'm not sure what possessed the author to change up the POV, and tense, in the last chapter but it was the wrong move, IMO. I went from a state of total emotional investment, to being completely stunned and confused. All of a sudden I was pushed into a new POV and didn't get any answers to anything, only hints. No Real Answers. UGH!

This does't have a happy ending. It doesn't even have a happy for now ending. This doesn't even have an ending! I'm so frustrated at the way the book ends I want to throw something. Because it just ends. It reads like there are at least two or three chapters missing. It goes from emotional history, emotional present, to emotional sex that could maybe be make up sex, and then it's over as fast as they both come.

I can't rate it badly because it's not horrible. Really. But I can't get over the fact of how I feel now. I guess I do know how I feel. I'm pissed. I feel cheated. It was really good until it just wasn't.

Fast Forward is hot, but too short to allow the story to be convincing enough for me to buy into Jessen and Ian's love.

Ian was a 19 year old prodigy when he met Jessen, a 22 year old up and coming Norwegian rock star. The sparks are flying fast and hard when they meet and soon they're falling for each other, and Ian's giving Jessen his v-card, all while Jessen is on tour with his twin brother Mattias, but thinking of giving it all up to stay in Philadelphia with Ian. Then Ian wakes up one day with a note slipped under his door "I'm sorry."

Fast forward 7 years later and Ian's at a party being thrown by his boss and mentor, Siv. She wants to introduce him to someone and lo and behold it's Ian's long lost love, Jessen. Jessen is the same, but older, and now determined to have Ian again. Ian fights it for a little while, but not too hard and then it just ends. Literally just ends with no epilogue, nothing.

There are a few sex scenes in the flashbacks, and one in the present, and they're hot, definitely hot. In fact, they save this from a 1 star review. But, sex is never enough to make a story. And it's definitely not enough here. Sex, even hot sex, can only take a story so far. I feel like I was shorted emotionally, just as Ian had to have felt shorted. Jessen simply didn't do enough emotionally to make him worth Ian's forgiveness or his time. And the emotional aspect wasn't detailed enough for me to believe it, to believe that they truly loved each other and were bound for future happiness.

Sigh...I wanted to love this because hello, rockstar! And MM! And I loved Xio's Camden so I know how well she can write. But, Fast Forward just wasn't fleshed out well enough for me. Nowhere was there an explanation for Jessen's abandonment of Ian. All there was was lots of apologies on Jessen's part, (although not nearly enough groveling and begging), and anger and hurt on Ian's part. I didn't get their connection, I didn't believe in it and quite frankly, I don't like Jessen. I like Ian, but Jessen...no, just no. So, I hate to do this, but I had to 2 star it as much as it pained me to do so.

new to me author....
this is a very fast read and very worth the time.
Innocence, betrayal, and never giving up on love - this story spans a seven year time period that concludes with a HEA.

Ian never thought his life would end up where it was. Experiencing total pain after the one person he felt truly loved him left him in the middle of the night. No contact for seven long years drove him to the need to excel in everything he could. That all changed one night when he saw the one who starred in every fantasy. Feeling powerless after all this time he still felt the pull of Jessen. Could Ian forgive him for his long absence and finally feel complete once again?

A sneak peak into a relationship that also happens to be gay. A story that seems to end far too soon.

I really liked this story as I began reading it, and by the time I was done, I was confused and a bit exhausted. It's as if the author took a handful of romance tropes and tossed them together into this story. I felt like I was reading a soap opera - you know, one of these scenes where the characters say things like "If only I could tell you why ....." and "Why won't you listen to me ...." but neither character tells or listens, and it's all a lot of staring off into space looking vaguely distressed and mildly comatose.

We've got Ian, a young prodigy uncomfortable with crowds, who has no idea how gorgeous he is, and the troubled family life. Ian's has the Virgin Card. Jessen is a tall blonde Norwegian and he and his twin are dealt the Rock Star card. Their eyes meet during a concert, there is a whirlwind romance and one brief note later ("I'm sorry.") it's all over. They meet seven years later. They get their Second Chance at Love.

The narrative alludes to SO MUCH - so many, many things ... "Siv knew about his (Ian's) wrecked childhood, but only Jessen knew it all. Every dark and dirty detail" - but there's absolutely NOTHING on page that the reader learns. When they meet again Jessen says he wants to tell Ian the whole story (around 25% into the book) .... yet we never really get much more than a phrase or two - "I know I fucked up .... I know what we had, what we could have had" until almost the end. Around 85%, Jessen invites Ian to listen to a piece of music he has composed, and from this music, Ian senses the answer, which apparently is "I hear sorrow, regret.... happiness, success ....there was loss. And .... and love." Ian says
"What am I supposed to do with a piece of music, Jessen?
"It's just a surrogate, Ian. I needed it to reach you so that I could."
"Why?"
He smiled."You know why."

Arrgghh, I wanted to scream USE YOUR WORDS throughout this story as each character partially references some important past event, alludes to feelings, suggests emotions, but really says nothing beyond some trite phrases - "Watch me earn you, Ian. I will. I will earn you" or "He couldn't do this. Not again. Not now, when he'd finally gotten his shit together."

Another irritation was the use of Norwegian, as in "Fy faen, jeg har savnet deg. Trenger deg, ikke send meg bort" and then about 12 pages later, there is a footnote at the end of the chapter which says "Fucking hell, I have missed you" and "I need you, don't send me away." It's a weird disconnect to have to go back and plop in the translation long after the fact.

I think this is one of those "everyone else liked it but me" books. I rated this book 2.5 to 3 stars.

Ian never thought his life would end up where it was. Experiencing total pain after the one person he felt truly loved him left him in the middle of the night. No contact for seven long years drove him to the need to excel in everything he could. That all changed one night when he saw the one who starred in every fantasy. Feeling powerless after all this time he still felt the pull of Jessen. Could Ian forgive him for his long absence and finally feel complete once again?