Rating: 5 stars
Buy Links: Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novel
TWENTY-SEVEN. That’s how old I was when we met. Well, it was how old I was when meeting meant something. No. It was how old I was when meeting meant something to me.
Eli Block has had a crush on Seth Cohen since he was eleven and knew what it was to want another man. At age seventeen, he is faced again with that same crush when Seth, now a rabbi, begins working with Eli’s father. But Seth lets Eli know he is not interested in anything other than friendship. So over the years – completing high school, beginning college, moving onto graduate school – Eli strives to be the best friend Seth will ever have. If all he can have of Seth is his friendship, Eli will make the best of it.
Rabbi Seth Cohen was overwhelmed by the younger Block’s overt come-ons at first. Mostly he was confused by his attraction to Eli. He’s always dated women, always been attracted to women, but suddenly he wants only the beautiful, energetic Eli. And he can’t have him. In Seth’s eyes, their age difference is a hurdle that is too difficult to overcome. After years of trying to work through his confusing feelings, Eli discovers his attraction to men goes further than Eli, although he knows Eli is the only man he wants.
After years of pining for Seth, Eli makes the most difficult decision to move on and date other people, leading to a string of short relationships. Seth remains Eli’s best friend and is always there of him to support him through his broken relationships. When Eli finally completes graduate school and moves home, Seth plans to make Eli his. But an accidental discovery by Eli threatens to tear the two men apart before Seth can have the man he’s dreamt of for years.
Yes! I have been dying for Seth and Eli’s story forever. I loved these men in their many cameos throughout the series, but to finally get their story, to see their struggles and love, I could not be happier with this story. It’s a little bittersweet for me because I do love this series so much. Walk with Me is the final book in Cardeno C’s Home series. So yes, I’m sad to see this series end, but I’m beyond pleased by this spectacular finale.
Seth and Eli are wonderful characters. If you’re anything like me and delve into this series every chance you get, you already loved Eli and Seth before this book came out. And after reading this book, I love them so much more. Eli’s unrequited love and Seth’s confusion and fear, they are two emotionally-driven characters. And so perfect for one another. I enjoyed Seth’s journey of self-discovery. Finding and accepting himself and then accepting his feelings for Eli show Seth in a whole new, stronger, more confident light. And Eli’s growth and maturity, his journey from child to man, is great. To see the lust-addled boy grow into an amazing, confident (still lust-addled) man is a beautiful part of this book. And to see those men dance around one another throughout their lives only to find each other at the perfect time. I’m not sure I have the words for the perfection that their journey is.
So, not only is this story a beautiful tale of true love, meant to be, soul mates – whatever you want to call it – it’s also a hilarious peek into the life of a rabbi and his many adventures into weddings. I’m telling you guys, the “wedding curse” that Seth suffers had me rolling with laughter, tears running down my face. The correlation between the many weddings and movies or songs or literature was not only hilarious but truly creative. As always I’m in awe of the imagination that this author puts forth. And, geez, even thinking about the many weddings right now has me laughing out loud.
Yes, I’m very sad to see this series end. I’m a little broken hearted. I’ve fallen in love with all of the characters in this series. I loved being a part of each of their lives. In a way, I’ll miss them. But with this story, Cardeno C sends them off beautifully. I couldn’t be more pleased. If you haven’t read this series do so. Read them all. It’s one of my favorites of all-time. And if you have, you’ll definitely want to read this story. I highly, highly recommend Walk with Me by Cardeno C.
Cover Art: As always, I love Paul Richmond’s art. Such a talent. And to create Eli and Seth in such beauty, show them in not only their joy but their love as well is perfection. This cover – the smiling kiss, the feeling of happiness, and love that emanates from this picture – portrays the Seth and Eli I have pictured in my head for years so very perfectly.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
