How to Forgive

Lovestrong, Book 6

By: Susan Hawke

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Take one fabulous unicorn of a person...

Grayson Davis came back to their hometown after college to help a new generation of kids who might be reliving their own past as a bullied young teen and LGBT teens who are struggling to find their identities in small-town USA.

Taking a job as a youth counselor at The Rainbow Kids Foundation is their dream come true, even if it means working for the very man who once bullied them. So, what if they can’t forgive Clark Danvers for the past? They can peacefully coexist with Clark, and that’s good enough for Gray. As for their personal life, well...who needs one? They have family, friends, and their crazy cat Spike. As for everything else? Well, there’s an app for that.

Add one flirty, pansexual biker who’s the opposite of an outlaw...

Canaan “Wolf” Matthews isn’t looking for love, let alone commitment. He’s busy running a club of bikers who do their part to rescue kids from bad situations, help abused spouses escape, and accompany social workers into the rough areas when it’s not a case for the cops, but backup is a necessity.

Meeting Gray while on his way home from a hookup - with the evidence clearly crusted on his shirt like a merit badge - isn’t quite the meet cute Wolf would’ve wanted when he found the one person who could make his little pan heart go pitter-patter. Like everything else in his life, Wolf decides to roll with it and see what happens.

To equal two people who might just be what the other needs...

Gray only wants to have fun with Wolf. No strings necessary. So, why do they keep reaching out to the annoyingly cute biker when things get dicey for a teen who’s dealing with a situation that is far too relatable for Gray?

Anxieties flare, and forgiveness beckons as Gray starts to see their old nemesis Clark for the person he is today. Before Gray can plan a future, they need to make peace with their past. With Wolf’s support, can Gray finally learn how to forgive and find their way to a full and happy life?

This is the sixth book in the Lovestrong series about finding love and being yourself in a small town. Intended only for 18+ listeners, this is an M/M romance full of all the fun, laughter, and sweet feels you’d want from an S. Hawke book.

©2020 Susan Hawke (P)2020 Susan Hawke

Sweet and surprisingly funny

I was so excited when I saw that this book was coming out and thrilled when it was to be released on audio, since I'd already binge listened to the previous audiobooks.
I was not at all disappointed with this book; I enjoyed every minute. It was much funnier than I would've expected; (Wolf is a delight), so very sweet, and, if you're an easy crier, you might do that too. (I didn't, but I could see someone getting pretty misty at at least one point). There was a decent amount of suspense too.
My only wish is that it would've been longer. I can believe that Gray and Wolf will have their HEA, but it would have been good for them to have had a little more time in between starting dating to I love yous.
The narration was quite good and consistent with the previous books.
I'm a little curious as to if any other books might be released in this series and if so, I'll be right on top of them.

Grayson, Wolf

So very happy to see this character back waiting for a life of happiness and love.

The power of forgiveness

I loved their story and the journey to forgiveness. There was no sugar coating the effects of PTSD just the reality that is can happen to anyone who has suffered from a tramatic event. The HEA was heartwarming.

Wowsers!!!

From the first book to the last, I fell in love with these characters. Especially Grayson and Clark. My heart hurts for their past but swells with pride for their development. Thank you Susan Hawke for writing these beautiful, flawed, wonderful characters to life. Thank you, yet again Michael Dean for giving your rich voice and talent to the world.

The Title Says It All

The deep emotions for Grayson as he heals from the past. I love the wisdom that others shared. I also like seeing the patience Wolf shows when he feels his building feels for Grayson. This is a wonderful story with some nail biting moments. Excellent narration as well.

Grayson's story gives us some much needed closure!

Forgiveness stories often rub me the wrong way. If not done right, the forgiveness feels fake or rushed and I end up being irritated with both the person needing forgiveness and the person forgiving, because they held on to anger for so long and then it was just gone, and they become best friends or lovers and then it's happily ever after. It often feels fake, and doesn't give proper weight to the emotional process of forgiveness from resentment and anger. On the other hand; when done right, a forgiveness book is emotional and beautiful and touches my heart on a deep level! This book did it perfectly! You feel how much Grayson wants to forgive, And how strong Clark is for giving Grayson the space he requires and the understanding that PTSD is not just spontaneously overcomeable. The forgiveness came gradually, and felt so genuine and beautiful! It also helps that they didn't go from hate to love, and they each have their own boyfriends to help them through, which is an entirely adorable plot! This is definitely my favorite book of the series! Susan Hawke outdid herself and Michael Dean, of course, did a fantastic job! Thank you both for 6 hours of delightful vacation from life!

Love, Love, Loved This!

Grayson and Wolf were perfect together. They had everything: passion, banter and humor. I also really loved seeing the conclusion to the Grayson and Clark story as well, and them finally finding a way to put the past behind them and that Grayson was able to forgive Clark. All of these stories in this series I’ve read so far have been great and this one was no different. It’s one of my favorites of the series, along with the previous book before this, and the first one. Great writing all around and the narration by Michael Dean was excellent as usual.