Cherish (Skins #3.6) [Harry & Joe] by Garrett Leigh

This was a sweet and endearing novella of my favorite couple in the series - Harry and Joe. Now happily married for 10 years they are contemplating the next step. It's something they both want yet unable to articulate to themselves or each other. 

I was a bit frustrated with both of them for not being able to communicate with each other. At least at first. Maybe I was being a bit harsh. Harry sort of dropped a "hot potato" into Joe's lap, accusing him of not being able to see himself, his worth and because of that not being able or ready to take the next step in their relationship but in a way Harry wasn't ready too. He was accusing Joe of something he himself was struggling with. It took both time apart to think, consider and re-consider what they have and what they COULD have before an honest conversation could be made.

The story progressed quickly, which was fine for a novella of this length and considering we already know this couple pretty well (from their novel and the ones after where they appear even if briefly). Harry and Joe have a really special relationship. They are different yet they understand and accept each other beautifully. Once they put on the table what they wanted it was easy to make a mutual decision.

There's even a bit of drama in this one as well as a glimpses into two characters we've already met - Nat and Connor (from "Between Ghosts") and Zac and Liam (from "Rented Heart") and naturally the other occupant of Joe's farm. I'm not sure it will make much sense without the full length novel of their story. It might, but it won't give the beautiful heartfelt effect so go grab "Whisper" if you haven't already THEN get this one on Prolific Works, it's FREE!

Rating: ★★★★½

E-Book Edition

62 pages

Read on: 31 January 2021- 1 February 2022

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

Skins is a Contemporary MM Romance series by Garrett Leigh. There's a connection between all the characters - from co-workers to friends and family - in this series, but they only come together all 3 couples in the 3rd installment.

All three couples find themselves in the end at the same place - Whisper Farm - ran by Joe Carter. Each couple, even each character is dealing with some kind of issue - mental or physical. I liked the way Garrett deals with these kind of issues. Truthfully, these characters feel so much genuine exactly because of that. They are like "me and you". They struggle, they fall, and they rise again and in the end they find the HEA we are all hoping for.

While I enjoyed the first installment (Dyan sounds familiar? we've met him in "What Matters"), for me the 2nd installment was the best. The third kinda closed the series nicely with all of them coming together, realizing they have all known each other one way or another, and  yet it was too depressing for me. We were gifted another short novella to make a better HEA for all three couples, spending the holidays together. Sadly it too didn't grip me. We got another novella of Joe and and Harry (HURAY) taking the next step in their relationship. It was a sweet revisit.  

 

"The Sex Coach" takes place in the same farm with the appearance of all couples only a few years later. It's sold as a stand-alone but I feel like people who haven't met any of the characters might get a bit confused. It's actually my favorite out of all of them.

Books:
1. Dream [Dylan Hart & Angelo Giordano] (Published 23 January 2018) ★★★★
2. Whisper [Harry Foster & Joe Carter] (Published 1 May 2018) ★★★★★
3. Believe [Rhys Foster & Jevon Campbell] (Published 26 June 2018) ★★½

3.6 Cherish [Harry Foster & Joe Carter] (Published 1 January 2022) ★★★★½ 

4. Crossroads [Dylan Hart & Angelo Giordano] (Published 20 November 2018) ★★

- The Sex Coach [Toby & Cole Maguire] (Published 8 October 2020) ★★★★★