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The saga continues in this twisted, dark love triangle from bestselling and award-winning author Lydia Michaels!
Driven into the arms of her husband’s possessive best friend, December faces an impossible choice and runs away. What happens when love shatters loyalty and trust becomes a gamble? Someone is bound to lose.
December’s marriage is unraveling, and the only person who can help is the one man who’s loved her in secret for years—her husband’s best friend, Cord. As tensions rise and emotions ignite, she’s caught between two possessive, passionate men. With secrets surfacing and hearts on the line, December faces an impossible choice in this scorching, unflinching tale of lust, love, and loyalty.
Perfect for fans of provocative romance that doesn’t shy away from the dark and complicated.
Driven into the arms of her husband’s possessive best friend, December faces an impossible choice and runs away. What happens when love shatters loyalty and trust becomes a gamble? Someone is bound to lose.
December’s marriage is unraveling, and the only person who can help is the one man who’s loved her in secret for years—her husband’s best friend, Cord. As tensions rise and emotions ignite, she’s caught between two possessive, passionate men. With secrets surfacing and hearts on the line, December faces an impossible choice in this scorching, unflinching tale of lust, love, and loyalty.
Perfect for fans of provocative romance that doesn’t shy away from the dark and complicated.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2017
57 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Lydia Michaels
73 books1,909 followersLydia Michaels is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty novels. She writes heart-clenching, unpredictable romance with dark elements and high heat. Her work is character-driven and bursting with broken heroes and badass females. With a sweet spot for overbearing, territorial types, her deeply emotional books are spicy, emotionally satisfying, and guaranteed to leave readers with many book hangovers.
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 23, 2017
I can't decide if I'm really turned on or really frustrated *sighs*
March 15, 2017
Lost Together
Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young
Book 2 of Degrees of Separation
I was so excited to receive this book. I have anxiously waiting to read this one as soon as I finished book 1.
This continues the triangular story of December, Austin, and Cord. The first half of the book is about the devastation that alcohol abuse can have on a marriage and also a friendship.
Austin has finally hit rock bottom and Cord is doing everything he possibly can to help save his friend from himself. He goes above and beyond what most people would do for another person.
December has realized she can't move forward being with Cord and losing Austin to his alcoholism. So she has gone to stay with her parents for awhile to try and find herself again.
Once Austin realizes he has lost December he finally realizes he needs help. Once he sobers up and December comes home, things still aren't perfect. They have a missing link, Cord.
They always say the heart wants what it wants. And December's heart wants both, Austin and Cord. Once they can get over the awkwardness of a threesome that none of them have any experience with, the easier their lives will be.
I can't wait for book 3 to be released. I am ready to see how this relationship unfolds between the 3 of them. This set of books are so real. It really shows you the good, the bad, and the ugly and I have loved every minute of it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young
Book 2 of Degrees of Separation
I was so excited to receive this book. I have anxiously waiting to read this one as soon as I finished book 1.
This continues the triangular story of December, Austin, and Cord. The first half of the book is about the devastation that alcohol abuse can have on a marriage and also a friendship.
Austin has finally hit rock bottom and Cord is doing everything he possibly can to help save his friend from himself. He goes above and beyond what most people would do for another person.
December has realized she can't move forward being with Cord and losing Austin to his alcoholism. So she has gone to stay with her parents for awhile to try and find herself again.
Once Austin realizes he has lost December he finally realizes he needs help. Once he sobers up and December comes home, things still aren't perfect. They have a missing link, Cord.
They always say the heart wants what it wants. And December's heart wants both, Austin and Cord. Once they can get over the awkwardness of a threesome that none of them have any experience with, the easier their lives will be.
I can't wait for book 3 to be released. I am ready to see how this relationship unfolds between the 3 of them. This set of books are so real. It really shows you the good, the bad, and the ugly and I have loved every minute of it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
March 21, 2017
In the first book, we met three good friends. Austin and December are married and their marriage faces the devastation of his slide into alcoholism. The one to pick up the pieces of December is Austin lifelong best friend Cord. And this book deals with all the effects after that. This is definitely a more angsty book than the first one because for a big part of it Austin is dealing with recovering and staying sober. Struggling to admit that he’s hit rock bottom, that he needs help and this is not something he can fix on his own.
I loved the real feel of that struggle shown in this book, and also the fact that he needed someone to be his rock and that someone was there for him. While this also added a lot of angst to this book, it wasn’t superficial. I liked seeing that struggle so that I could come to terms with an HEA in the end after all that. I think this series has shown alcoholism as the disease it is and the strength Austin has shown digging himself out of it is nothing short of impressive.
As much as I love both Austin and December, I have a soft spot in my heart for Cord through this whole series and in the end I think I just want to see him get everything he’s always wanted. He’s had to hide his feelings of being in love with his best friend his whole life. Then after they married, he had to also hide the love and affection he felt for his best friend’s wife. He was always the one giving of himself to others. Making sure everyone else was taken care of and happy, no matter what the cost was to him to make sure that happened. So as long as Cord is happy, I’ll be happy with this story.
There is a lot of heartache in this book, but in the end there is that hope. The hope that these three lives that are intrinsically entwined will be finally free to be together. There is no way two could ever be totally happy without the third. The bonds of friendship and love go deeper than the physical and have for many years and it’s finally come to the point that the physical is explored. I definitely wasn’t expecting the ending to go quite the way it did but I loved it and I am dying to get the next installment and to see them all have a final resolution.
March 23, 2017
Lydia Michaels Degrees of Separation trilogy is an emotionally gripping story about a happily married couple whose relationship starts to crumble when the husband loses control and lets addiction control him. Lost Together, book 2 in this series, has a raw, emotional edge and characters that quickly draw you in as you watch three people who were lost finally come together in combustible passion.
At the end of the first book in the trilogy, Austin had released December of all obligations and instructed Cord to be the man for her that Austin couldn’t be. December was already confused about her attraction to and need for Cord. Cord had fought his attraction to December for some time as well. When they came together, it was more than sex. It was obvious to them both that something deeper was going on. Unable to deal with the guilt of betraying her husband and destroying Cord’s and Austin’s friendship, December flees to her parents’ house but doesn’t let anyone know where she’s going.
Cord, assuming December has returned to Austin, goes to Austin’s home. He doesn’t find December there but he does find Austin, who has finally hit rock bottom. Cord is torn between finding December or helping Austin. Austin was obviously more in need. He needed someone who wouldn’t fear him or back down. Cord stayed with him, tossed out all the booze, cleaned up the mess, and encouraged Austin to take control of his life. Austin appreciated and resented Cord at the same time. He wanted to throw Cord out but he needed him. He couldn’t trust himself. Austin worked to kick his need for alcohol. He joined AA and found a good friend in his mentor He started working with Cord at the store. Gradually he was finding himself again and healing. He longed for December but knew he had to take control of his life first. He was determined to recover all he’d lost- his control, his pride, his purpose, his wife.
Cord was pleased with how well and how quickly Austin was reverting to positive habits, but it was also disarming. He worried that when December did return, there’d be no place for him. When she came back, he’d be on the outside again, looking in. Long before he’d loved December, he’d loved Austin but knew it would never be reciprocated. When December returned, she and Austin would have each other and Cord would be alone. Again.
December was battling emotions of her own. She missed Austin and Cord but was afraid to return. She’d torn their relationship apart. She wanted to go home but everything had changed. She couldn’t belong when her heart was split in two. December did finally return though. But she was still torn between her feelings for the two. Cord separated himself from their lives. He couldn’t stand to see Austin and December together, reminding him of all he’d lost.
Slowly, Austin and December worked to rekindle their marriage. But there was an emptiness there without Cord. December and Cord had opened a Pandora’s Box the night they’d spent together and it couldn’t be closed. Each time Austin and December made progress as husband and wife, the mention of Cord brought them back to a place neither of them could leave behind. Austin was done hiding from obstacles in his life. He was ready to put everything out in the open. He knew what it would take to make December happy. Now he just needed to convince December and Cord.
Sometimes menage romances fall flat for me because the author fails to write a believable relationship where each partner loves one another equally. Lydia Michaels didn’t fail me though. She passed with flying colors. Cord, Austin, and December had an emotionally balanced relationship. The sexuality was just as important as the emotional satisfaction. Each character had an underlying need for each other. Austin and Cord had been friends since childhood. When Austin married December, Cord had become her friend as well. They’d been there for each other and cared deeply for each other. That relationship developing into more was believable. The sexual tension builds in the relationship and is sustained and elevated in a realistic way. Romance is more than just sex. Physical desire is important but so is friendship, trust, and sacrifice. Cord, Austin, and December definitely had that. I think that’s what I like most about Lydia Michaels’ books. I don’t feel like I’m reading some fantasy. She doesn’t write feel good, sappy romance. She writes about real life issues. She doesn’t rely on titillation to keep the reader turning pages. She gets into the gritty parts of a relationship. In other words, she paints realistic portrayals of people’s lives. Her characters’ relationships make sense because she writes such realistic characters. They’re flawed, and those flaws make the story that much more real and interesting. Romance is only as compelling as the people involved in it. And Lydia Michaels writes some of the most compelling characters I’ve ever read. I am anxiously awaiting book 3 in this trilogy. I can’t wait to see how this relationship evolves. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection
At the end of the first book in the trilogy, Austin had released December of all obligations and instructed Cord to be the man for her that Austin couldn’t be. December was already confused about her attraction to and need for Cord. Cord had fought his attraction to December for some time as well. When they came together, it was more than sex. It was obvious to them both that something deeper was going on. Unable to deal with the guilt of betraying her husband and destroying Cord’s and Austin’s friendship, December flees to her parents’ house but doesn’t let anyone know where she’s going.
Cord, assuming December has returned to Austin, goes to Austin’s home. He doesn’t find December there but he does find Austin, who has finally hit rock bottom. Cord is torn between finding December or helping Austin. Austin was obviously more in need. He needed someone who wouldn’t fear him or back down. Cord stayed with him, tossed out all the booze, cleaned up the mess, and encouraged Austin to take control of his life. Austin appreciated and resented Cord at the same time. He wanted to throw Cord out but he needed him. He couldn’t trust himself. Austin worked to kick his need for alcohol. He joined AA and found a good friend in his mentor He started working with Cord at the store. Gradually he was finding himself again and healing. He longed for December but knew he had to take control of his life first. He was determined to recover all he’d lost- his control, his pride, his purpose, his wife.
Cord was pleased with how well and how quickly Austin was reverting to positive habits, but it was also disarming. He worried that when December did return, there’d be no place for him. When she came back, he’d be on the outside again, looking in. Long before he’d loved December, he’d loved Austin but knew it would never be reciprocated. When December returned, she and Austin would have each other and Cord would be alone. Again.
December was battling emotions of her own. She missed Austin and Cord but was afraid to return. She’d torn their relationship apart. She wanted to go home but everything had changed. She couldn’t belong when her heart was split in two. December did finally return though. But she was still torn between her feelings for the two. Cord separated himself from their lives. He couldn’t stand to see Austin and December together, reminding him of all he’d lost.
Slowly, Austin and December worked to rekindle their marriage. But there was an emptiness there without Cord. December and Cord had opened a Pandora’s Box the night they’d spent together and it couldn’t be closed. Each time Austin and December made progress as husband and wife, the mention of Cord brought them back to a place neither of them could leave behind. Austin was done hiding from obstacles in his life. He was ready to put everything out in the open. He knew what it would take to make December happy. Now he just needed to convince December and Cord.
Sometimes menage romances fall flat for me because the author fails to write a believable relationship where each partner loves one another equally. Lydia Michaels didn’t fail me though. She passed with flying colors. Cord, Austin, and December had an emotionally balanced relationship. The sexuality was just as important as the emotional satisfaction. Each character had an underlying need for each other. Austin and Cord had been friends since childhood. When Austin married December, Cord had become her friend as well. They’d been there for each other and cared deeply for each other. That relationship developing into more was believable. The sexual tension builds in the relationship and is sustained and elevated in a realistic way. Romance is more than just sex. Physical desire is important but so is friendship, trust, and sacrifice. Cord, Austin, and December definitely had that. I think that’s what I like most about Lydia Michaels’ books. I don’t feel like I’m reading some fantasy. She doesn’t write feel good, sappy romance. She writes about real life issues. She doesn’t rely on titillation to keep the reader turning pages. She gets into the gritty parts of a relationship. In other words, she paints realistic portrayals of people’s lives. Her characters’ relationships make sense because she writes such realistic characters. They’re flawed, and those flaws make the story that much more real and interesting. Romance is only as compelling as the people involved in it. And Lydia Michaels writes some of the most compelling characters I’ve ever read. I am anxiously awaiting book 3 in this trilogy. I can’t wait to see how this relationship evolves. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection
June 17, 2017
4 The Heat is Rising Stars!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Authors
Genre: MMF Menage Romance
Part 2 of 3
My Lost Together Review . . .
Lost Together is part 2 in a trilogy and it needs to be read in order to truly be one with the story. In Forfeit we fall in love with Ember and Austin then all of a sudden Austin loses his job and his wits. Which causes him to hit the bottle hard and then everything turns to crap. Causing Ember to have to turn to Cord financially and emotionally. In a drunken bender Austin pushes Ember and Cord together but was it the right choice?
~ It wasn't his to read, but they were all in this together. Lost together.~
We start Lost Together right where we left off in Forfeit with Ember leaving after Austin forces her and Cord to be together. With Ember gone, Cord heads to confront Austin, but he finds his friend at rock bottom instead. Cord the loyal best friend takes care of Austin when he needs it but that doesn't mean he has gotten over his feelings for Ember.
Cord pushes Austin to get help and while Austin goes through the stages of AA he has to confront his faults and demons. Coming to terms with his bad choices he convinces Ember to come home. But all is not easy after the consequences of throwing Cord and Ember together.
"Because you're afraid you'll hurt me or because you're afraid you might admit something you don't want to face?"
"Because . . . I don't want to hurt anyone, not you, Cord, or me."
Austin has come a long way in his recovery, and now he's finally seeing things properly. But how does Cord fit into his new thought processing. Now that Ember has had Cord, she too is fighting her feelings and just wants to be happy. But can you be happy when you love two men?
~Lost together, they'd come undone. All he'd forfeited was suddenly found.~
I've never had to battle addictions but I did feel Lydia and Allyson portrayed this struggle well. As well as Cord's inner emotions that he has buried deep within his psyche. This book feels like the bridge book getting us to the heart of the matter, which will happen in Atonement. This is where all three will finally face their fears and explore the potential of the triad.
April 6, 2017
Finally, the second installment of Ember, Cord and Austin's journey. After having finished Forfeit, I was anxiously awaiting Lost Together, so it was a real treat to be able to review this one. Lost Together starts with Ember having left both men and going into hiding. Cord, being the amazing man and friend that he is, even though he's grieving the loss of Ember (if he even really had her in the first place), goes to Austin to help him if possible. When he finds him, Austin has truly hit rock bottom, and Cord picks him (literally and figuratively), gets him to the hospital and makes him start going to AA meetings. Austin fights it at first, but eventually starts working on himself, with Cord's unrelenting assistance, and meets a new friend/sponsor, Harley.
Neither Cord nor Austin has forgotten Ember, and each is calling and leaving her voicemails every day, sometimes multiple times a day. But, she's been hiding out at her parent's place, trying to figure out what to do with herself. Although she's happy to know Austin is finally working on fixing himself, she can't seem to get past her guilt for having cheated on Austin, regardless of whether he pushed her toward Cord, insisted on her going to him. I was a little disappointed in her in Lost Together. She seems to take a huge step backward in her emotional and mental well being. She's feeling guilty unnecessarily and is acting weak and submissive. She's hurting both Cord and Austin with her silence and hiding, and making the whole situation that much harder on everyone. Not that Austin didn't deserve for her to leave him, but Cord didn't deserve it, and I found myself more than a little upset with her and with Austin both.
When the three finally come together toward the end of the book, it only brought up more questions and uncertainty and I was left feeling vaguely unsettled and feeling deeply for Cord. I felt as if both Ember and Austin had pushed him into something he wasn't ready for, let alone something he even wanted. I'm not sure how I feel about a threesome between the three, as it doesn't seem balanced, with Cord sort of on the outskirts of a marriage and being in love with both of his best friends. I would have felt better if Cord had initiated it, because frankly, Austin and Ember initiating this strange new relationship feels like Cord is being set up for major heartbreak in the future if either Austin or Ember can't handle what's happening between the three.
Ugh! I'm so on the fence now, I want to give this 5 stars because I'm so addicted to this whole journey between the three, but yet, I can't honestly give it 5 stars because the first half was a little slow and I felt that Ember didn't act like the strong woman she was in Forfeit. And Austin, don't get me started on him. He bugs the crap out of me and if he hurts Cord in Atonement more than he already has in Forfeit and here in Lost Together, I'll probably reach through my Kindle and junk punch him! I don't like him at all, and that's probably the main reason I can't give Lost Together 5 stars. Hopefully he'll redeem himself in Atonement and I'll go back to loving this threesome.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Neither Cord nor Austin has forgotten Ember, and each is calling and leaving her voicemails every day, sometimes multiple times a day. But, she's been hiding out at her parent's place, trying to figure out what to do with herself. Although she's happy to know Austin is finally working on fixing himself, she can't seem to get past her guilt for having cheated on Austin, regardless of whether he pushed her toward Cord, insisted on her going to him. I was a little disappointed in her in Lost Together. She seems to take a huge step backward in her emotional and mental well being. She's feeling guilty unnecessarily and is acting weak and submissive. She's hurting both Cord and Austin with her silence and hiding, and making the whole situation that much harder on everyone. Not that Austin didn't deserve for her to leave him, but Cord didn't deserve it, and I found myself more than a little upset with her and with Austin both.
When the three finally come together toward the end of the book, it only brought up more questions and uncertainty and I was left feeling vaguely unsettled and feeling deeply for Cord. I felt as if both Ember and Austin had pushed him into something he wasn't ready for, let alone something he even wanted. I'm not sure how I feel about a threesome between the three, as it doesn't seem balanced, with Cord sort of on the outskirts of a marriage and being in love with both of his best friends. I would have felt better if Cord had initiated it, because frankly, Austin and Ember initiating this strange new relationship feels like Cord is being set up for major heartbreak in the future if either Austin or Ember can't handle what's happening between the three.
Ugh! I'm so on the fence now, I want to give this 5 stars because I'm so addicted to this whole journey between the three, but yet, I can't honestly give it 5 stars because the first half was a little slow and I felt that Ember didn't act like the strong woman she was in Forfeit. And Austin, don't get me started on him. He bugs the crap out of me and if he hurts Cord in Atonement more than he already has in Forfeit and here in Lost Together, I'll probably reach through my Kindle and junk punch him! I don't like him at all, and that's probably the main reason I can't give Lost Together 5 stars. Hopefully he'll redeem himself in Atonement and I'll go back to loving this threesome.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
March 21, 2017
In the first book, we met three good friends. Austin and December are married and their marriage faces the devastation of his slide into alcoholism. The one to pick up the pieces of December is Austin lifelong best friend Cord. And this book deals with all the effects after that. This is definitely a more angsty book than the first one because for a big part of it Austin is dealing with recovering and staying sober. Struggling to admit that he's hit rock bottom, that he needs help and this is not something he can fix on his own.
I loved the real feel of that struggle shown in this book, and also the fact that he needed someone to be his rock and that someone was there for him. While this also added a lot of angst to this book, it wasn't superficial. I liked seeing that struggle so that I could come to terms with an HEA in the end after all that. I think this series has shown alcoholism as the disease it is and the strength Austin has shown digging himself out of it is nothing short of impressive.
As much as I love both Austin and December, I have a soft spot in my heart for Cord through this whole series and in the end I think I just want to see him get everything he's always wanted. He's had to hide his feelings of being in love with his best friend his whole life. Then after they married, he had to also hide the love and affection he felt for his best friend's wife. He was always the one giving of himself to others. Making sure everyone else was taken care of and happy, no matter what the cost was to him to make sure that happened. So as long as Cord is happy, I'll be happy with this story.
There is a lot of heartache in this book, but in the end there is that hope. The hope that these three lives that are intrinsically entwined will be finally free to be together. There is no way two could ever be totally happy without the third. The bonds of friendship and love go deeper than the physical and have for many years and it's finally come to the point that the physical is explored. I definitely wasn't expecting the ending to go quite the way it did but I loved it and I am dying to get the next installment and to see them all have a final resolution.
*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Francesca
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April 2, 2017
The Emotions of the characters make you Fall in Love Hard for this book !!
*This is a Trilogy and needs to be read in order , so make sure to grab book one first.
After reading book one and feeling the unwavering love Ember has for her husband Austin and how his depression and Alcoholism was breaking them both into a million pieces. She still wouldn't leave him , even after he asked their best friend Cord to take care of her no limitations , while he was off to recover.
That is why ,I wasn't expecting in the beginning of Lost Together that Em would leave both men ,and go into seclusion , after wanting to keep her marriage together, leaving the men in her life to somewhat bond again .Did I expect her to go back to her husband ? Would she leave him for Cord like Austin wanted?
I had a lot of emotions running through my head with the second book Frustration, Surprise ,Anger, Relief and an OMG sigh of Finally the Truth , but that's the kind of feelings that hook you to the characters in a story and make you Fall in Love hard with everything about a book.
I'm happy that Austin got his sobriety back and is finally starting to take control of his own life, but I cant help but feel bad for poor Cord , by getting himself mixed up in their marriage , he was set up to loose .... a friendship and the love of his life all over again.
I am not sure how far Austin and Embers revised relationship will go ,if Cord will let it continue , but as soon all three of them let their guards down, it felt like they All cared deeply for each other since childhood and Austin and Embers marriage set everyone into a downward spiral .
I want so bad to find out what happens next for these characters in the third book. Can Austin , Em and Cord mend what's been broken to make this relationship work or will it break them to the point of madness ??
*This is a Trilogy and needs to be read in order , so make sure to grab book one first.
After reading book one and feeling the unwavering love Ember has for her husband Austin and how his depression and Alcoholism was breaking them both into a million pieces. She still wouldn't leave him , even after he asked their best friend Cord to take care of her no limitations , while he was off to recover.
That is why ,I wasn't expecting in the beginning of Lost Together that Em would leave both men ,and go into seclusion , after wanting to keep her marriage together, leaving the men in her life to somewhat bond again .Did I expect her to go back to her husband ? Would she leave him for Cord like Austin wanted?
I had a lot of emotions running through my head with the second book Frustration, Surprise ,Anger, Relief and an OMG sigh of Finally the Truth , but that's the kind of feelings that hook you to the characters in a story and make you Fall in Love hard with everything about a book.
I'm happy that Austin got his sobriety back and is finally starting to take control of his own life, but I cant help but feel bad for poor Cord , by getting himself mixed up in their marriage , he was set up to loose .... a friendship and the love of his life all over again.
I am not sure how far Austin and Embers revised relationship will go ,if Cord will let it continue , but as soon all three of them let their guards down, it felt like they All cared deeply for each other since childhood and Austin and Embers marriage set everyone into a downward spiral .
I want so bad to find out what happens next for these characters in the third book. Can Austin , Em and Cord mend what's been broken to make this relationship work or will it break them to the point of madness ??
March 21, 2017
Welcome to the second book in the Degrees of Separation series . It starts right where book one left off . December has left both of her men . Cord is really messed up and needs to see Austin and man what a scene he walks in on . Cord basically saves Austin's life and together they work on Austin's alcohol abuse and trying to win December back . The first part of the book is all Austin and Cord . You see them at their worst and then you see them both come out the other side . It s so much fun watching two alpha men tip toe around each other all the while hiding some feelings . We don't find out where December is until about half way through the book and she is growing up in her own right . You see her come to terms with her parents and her feelings .
The second part of the book you see them all reunite but there are some pent up frustrations that need to work themselves out . And let me tell you they work themselves out over and over again. Read the book heheheheheheheheh.
I must say I did enjoy this book but it moved as such a slower pace then book one . |It was harder to connect with the characters that way . I loved the second part of the book when December was finally back in the picture. Over all this a great addition to the Degrees of Separation series and there are hot alpha men and hot steamy sex. Trust me the ending will have you panting and wanting more . Cant wait till book three
The second part of the book you see them all reunite but there are some pent up frustrations that need to work themselves out . And let me tell you they work themselves out over and over again. Read the book heheheheheheheheh.
I must say I did enjoy this book but it moved as such a slower pace then book one . |It was harder to connect with the characters that way . I loved the second part of the book when December was finally back in the picture. Over all this a great addition to the Degrees of Separation series and there are hot alpha men and hot steamy sex. Trust me the ending will have you panting and wanting more . Cant wait till book three
March 19, 2017
Lost Together (Degrees of Separation, #2) by Lydia Michaels picks up where book 1 left. December has left Cord after a night of passion. Cord is messed up over her leaving and goes to Austin to see if maybe she is there. Upon getting to Austin’s place he doesn’t find December but instead finds Austin trying to commit suicide. Cord is torn between his feelings regarding his lifelong friend who has fell apart and pushed his wife into his bed and that women he fell in love with the same day as Austin. Cord decides to help his friend. Moving into Austin’s house he helps Austin get sober and back on his feet. When December shows up after a time away the story really begins. Their love triangle is a journey that takes them each to a place they never thought was possible and revelations they never expected. I really enjoyed their journey of self- discovery. How do you go back to the way things were when Pandora’s Box has been opened? The author is very god story teller. This story is not about explicit sex or a dirty talking alpha man but a well told story about 3 people going beyond their comfort zone and discovering a life they never imagined. I read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am real excited to read the next book in their saga. I give this book 4 stars.
November 16, 2017
Although I LOVED this book, it moved at a slower pace than Forfeit. Which wasn't a bad thing. It was just harder to get into because of the difficult subject matter.
Austin's wife is gone and Austin has to come to terms with his alcoholism. His struggles were real and I experienced his pain along with him.
Cord regrets the night he spent with December, Austin's wife. Not because he regrets loving her, but because things will never be the same between the three of them. He has not only lost the woman he loves--he has lost his best friend.
And Cord still hides a dark secret that can destroy any chance of reconciliation.
Lost Together is about three people who struggle to define their relationship. Right or wrong, Austin, December, and Cord love each other, but morality and how others view what they can no longer hide may be the catalyst that can destroy the ties that bind them together.
Author Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young as has done a superb job encapsulating a heart wrenching/ heartwarming tale that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
Austin's wife is gone and Austin has to come to terms with his alcoholism. His struggles were real and I experienced his pain along with him.
Cord regrets the night he spent with December, Austin's wife. Not because he regrets loving her, but because things will never be the same between the three of them. He has not only lost the woman he loves--he has lost his best friend.
And Cord still hides a dark secret that can destroy any chance of reconciliation.
Lost Together is about three people who struggle to define their relationship. Right or wrong, Austin, December, and Cord love each other, but morality and how others view what they can no longer hide may be the catalyst that can destroy the ties that bind them together.
Author Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young as has done a superb job encapsulating a heart wrenching/ heartwarming tale that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
March 20, 2017
I can't believe that Lost Together has been written by 2 authors, Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young. They have written this book so well you can't tell who wrote what.
I am very lucky that I had Lost Together on my Kindle after finishing reading Forfeit. But, now I am waiting for Atonement to show up on my Kindle and all I can say is I wish I had waited just a little bit longer to start this series because I have been left hanging! And, I am waiting for the next ARC. Lost Together is not a cliffhanger but, it leaves you wanting more! I NEED to read Atonement!
Lost Together is the continuation of December, Austin and Cord’s love triangle. I will let you read the synopsis for yourself since I think the author does a far better job of it than I could.
I love this story and series and I can’t wait to read the 3rd book in Degrees of Separation Series. I need to find out what happens next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I give Lost Together 4 Stars.
I am very lucky that I had Lost Together on my Kindle after finishing reading Forfeit. But, now I am waiting for Atonement to show up on my Kindle and all I can say is I wish I had waited just a little bit longer to start this series because I have been left hanging! And, I am waiting for the next ARC. Lost Together is not a cliffhanger but, it leaves you wanting more! I NEED to read Atonement!
Lost Together is the continuation of December, Austin and Cord’s love triangle. I will let you read the synopsis for yourself since I think the author does a far better job of it than I could.
I love this story and series and I can’t wait to read the 3rd book in Degrees of Separation Series. I need to find out what happens next.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I give Lost Together 4 Stars.
April 13, 2017
Not bad at all!
This was a steamy start crazy hot read. It is sad Ember has a conscious and she is trying to deal with her feelings as things in her life change. Austin has a lot to make up for and Cord is the glue to keep Ember together. Well he was that is until Austin wakes up and decided he wanted a change. This is a good series and have enjoyed it thus far. If you do Not like fmm or mm at all This is not the read for you, but you sure are missing out!!!
This was a steamy start crazy hot read. It is sad Ember has a conscious and she is trying to deal with her feelings as things in her life change. Austin has a lot to make up for and Cord is the glue to keep Ember together. Well he was that is until Austin wakes up and decided he wanted a change. This is a good series and have enjoyed it thus far. If you do Not like fmm or mm at all This is not the read for you, but you sure are missing out!!!
March 21, 2017
This is the second book in the Degrees of Separation Trilogy and I do recommend reading them in order. I really liked this read and am so looking forward to finding out what happens next. December has taken off leaving both Cord and Austin. Cord goes to see Austin and help him get sober again. When December returns, what will become of these three. Lots of emotion, drama and very steamy.
August 18, 2017
What an amazing second book in this trilogy!!! We see healing, strength, and forgiveness throughout it. Seeing an alpha hero not only face his demons, but conquer them also?? So freaking sexy!!! Each of them tried to find healing in their own way, but until they came together it there was something missing. I can't wait to see what Cord, December and Austin bring us in the next book!!! Definitely a must read!!
June 15, 2018
What to say. Hmm well when there was a knock on my door I was throughly annoyed to have to put the book down. I wasn’t sure where this was going but it was HOTT!!! I need to read the third one like NOW
March 19, 2017
Title: Lost Together
Author: Lydia Michaels
Series: Degree of Separation
Cliffhanger: Yes
Rating: 4 stars
Recommend: definitely.
I loved the first book so I was eagerly waiting for my chance to read the second part of this trilogy and it didn't disappoint. This one is just as good as the first book, even if I did want to hit the character's over the head repeatedly through most of the book, there's something about the character's you just can't help but participate in their emotions.
I love the way that Lydia Michaels writes, it flows so easy but never fails to captures every emotion you want to find in a book.
Definitely will be recommending it.
Author: Lydia Michaels
Series: Degree of Separation
Cliffhanger: Yes
Rating: 4 stars
Recommend: definitely.
I loved the first book so I was eagerly waiting for my chance to read the second part of this trilogy and it didn't disappoint. This one is just as good as the first book, even if I did want to hit the character's over the head repeatedly through most of the book, there's something about the character's you just can't help but participate in their emotions.
I love the way that Lydia Michaels writes, it flows so easy but never fails to captures every emotion you want to find in a book.
Definitely will be recommending it.
March 11, 2017
netgalley
4.5 stars
A well written solid read. I'm ready for Atonement, I have to see how this ends.
4.5 stars
A well written solid read. I'm ready for Atonement, I have to see how this ends.
February 28, 2017
I can't even begin to explain the emotions I had when I read this book. This book is a roller coaster ride of a husband struggling with his addiction and trying to recover to get back to his wife. Its a story of a wife who felt like she betrayed her husband even though she was following his request. Its a story of another man struggling between his two best friends, trying to find his way back.
Get ready, this book is raw, it will tear at your heart and strip you down to make you feel a world of emotions. Anger, sadness, joy, rage, elation and you will cry. Not a sniff here and there, but a big snotty ugly cry.
In this marriage, it is the captain who lost his way and his first mate and wife are floating a drift not sure where to go. Until his wife becomes the light house and helps them get back on track.
I gave it 5 stars because I felt like I was right there with them, going through this as if it were my marriage. Well done Ms. Michaels and Ms. Young.
Get ready, this book is raw, it will tear at your heart and strip you down to make you feel a world of emotions. Anger, sadness, joy, rage, elation and you will cry. Not a sniff here and there, but a big snotty ugly cry.
In this marriage, it is the captain who lost his way and his first mate and wife are floating a drift not sure where to go. Until his wife becomes the light house and helps them get back on track.
I gave it 5 stars because I felt like I was right there with them, going through this as if it were my marriage. Well done Ms. Michaels and Ms. Young.
February 28, 2017
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
Have you ever been on a rollercoaster and just not felt protected by the lap bar? You’re sitting there anticipating the ride in front of you, climbing the first hill, you pull up on the bar and it moves..a lot, the notion hits you, “this ride could possibly kill me!” That’s how I felt reading “Lost Together”. Nothing could have protected me from the emotional journey I was to experience. The development of each character was thrilling and eye opening. The story it’s self was intoxicating, I couldn’t wait for the next chapter to begin. The emotions and frustrations and wants of these characters lead me on a ride I could not have fathomed. My advice to you is…hold on to something! I read this book in one sitting. I looked up and it was 4:30 in the morning. I was flipping speechless, with my mind blown, and lungs breathless by the amount of hotness I had just witnessed. Sitting there in the dark with only the glow of my kindle thinking ……”How in the ever loving world are Allyson and Lydia going to end this series!”
Have you ever been on a rollercoaster and just not felt protected by the lap bar? You’re sitting there anticipating the ride in front of you, climbing the first hill, you pull up on the bar and it moves..a lot, the notion hits you, “this ride could possibly kill me!” That’s how I felt reading “Lost Together”. Nothing could have protected me from the emotional journey I was to experience. The development of each character was thrilling and eye opening. The story it’s self was intoxicating, I couldn’t wait for the next chapter to begin. The emotions and frustrations and wants of these characters lead me on a ride I could not have fathomed. My advice to you is…hold on to something! I read this book in one sitting. I looked up and it was 4:30 in the morning. I was flipping speechless, with my mind blown, and lungs breathless by the amount of hotness I had just witnessed. Sitting there in the dark with only the glow of my kindle thinking ……”How in the ever loving world are Allyson and Lydia going to end this series!”
June 3, 2017
I started reading this book as soon as I finished the first book. I had to know what was going to happen to Austin, December, and Cord. In book one their lives where crumbling and falling apart. The roller coaster of emtions continue in this book. Austin struggles from the brink with Cords help and December has run from the husband she loves but can't give him what he needs to heal and from Cord who she also loves. We see healing, strength, forgiveness, and love throughout this well written book. It is hard to believe this book is written by 2 authors, Lydia Michaels and Allyson Young. They have done a wonderful job and you can't tell who wrote what. I recommend this book but you will want to read Lost Together first.
September 30, 2017
Lost Together is details the struggles of December,Austin and Cord.
Each one trying to come to terms with the decisions they made in Forfeit.
Not only are they having a difficult time with their choices but Austin has spiraled more out of control. Cord is determined not to lose his friend and moves in with him.
It's touching and heartwarming to see that Cord,even though he's sad,anger and his soul is being crushed,still won't abandon his best friend. His loyalty is amazing to see.
With time Austin becomes stronger and determined to get better but most of all he now recognizes that he is an alcoholic.
December is filled with guilt and doesn't know how to process her feelings. She's been a way for a while now and finally decides she need to go back home and face everything head on.
With honestly being the number one priority to Austin,which he also demands of Ember new feelings will be revealed. Truths will come to light. Lives will change.
Lost Together is a stunning book!
Detailing the complex relationship of three people.
Their dynamics together and of their own personal beliefs.
The determination and love they have for one another to repair and rebuild not only the broken parts within themselves but each other as well.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy
Each one trying to come to terms with the decisions they made in Forfeit.
Not only are they having a difficult time with their choices but Austin has spiraled more out of control. Cord is determined not to lose his friend and moves in with him.
It's touching and heartwarming to see that Cord,even though he's sad,anger and his soul is being crushed,still won't abandon his best friend. His loyalty is amazing to see.
With time Austin becomes stronger and determined to get better but most of all he now recognizes that he is an alcoholic.
December is filled with guilt and doesn't know how to process her feelings. She's been a way for a while now and finally decides she need to go back home and face everything head on.
With honestly being the number one priority to Austin,which he also demands of Ember new feelings will be revealed. Truths will come to light. Lives will change.
Lost Together is a stunning book!
Detailing the complex relationship of three people.
Their dynamics together and of their own personal beliefs.
The determination and love they have for one another to repair and rebuild not only the broken parts within themselves but each other as well.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy
May 12, 2019
The heat is on….
And wow, did the temperature rise and rise with the second instalment in this trilogy. Austin, Cord and Ember had started an uneasy new phase to their relationships that ended spectacularly. It was a make or break moment that, thankfully, started Austin on a track out of addiction. What it also did was break the three apart. Physically. Mentally. In all ways to the point of being unrecoverable. Or was it?
I LOVED the new paths this story has taken! Austin struggling to get better, for himself, for his wife. Cord’s reluctance to rid himself of the best friends he’s ever had. Ember’s utter despair that her actions have blown them apart. What it was though was a complicated, intertwined mess and it was all of their own making. ALL of them. And it was a fabulous read as they each dug into their own pasts, their own feelings (I mean really dug deep) to understand how it all brought them to this place….
Uneasy, uncomfortable, heated, and a riveting, glued to the pages read as these three unsettled lovers and friends have to decide what they mean to each other… And it’s not over yet! I don’t know if I’m ready for what comes next but I’m glued to my kindle to find out!
*Thank you to NetGalley
And wow, did the temperature rise and rise with the second instalment in this trilogy. Austin, Cord and Ember had started an uneasy new phase to their relationships that ended spectacularly. It was a make or break moment that, thankfully, started Austin on a track out of addiction. What it also did was break the three apart. Physically. Mentally. In all ways to the point of being unrecoverable. Or was it?
I LOVED the new paths this story has taken! Austin struggling to get better, for himself, for his wife. Cord’s reluctance to rid himself of the best friends he’s ever had. Ember’s utter despair that her actions have blown them apart. What it was though was a complicated, intertwined mess and it was all of their own making. ALL of them. And it was a fabulous read as they each dug into their own pasts, their own feelings (I mean really dug deep) to understand how it all brought them to this place….
Uneasy, uncomfortable, heated, and a riveting, glued to the pages read as these three unsettled lovers and friends have to decide what they mean to each other… And it’s not over yet! I don’t know if I’m ready for what comes next but I’m glued to my kindle to find out!
*Thank you to NetGalley
September 8, 2019
Dang
You may need a fan for the end of this book, it's that hot. Ember, Austin, and Cable are great characters and I'm really enjoying how they face their fears, wants, and needs in this book. I did like how Austin blossomed in this book into someone who knows what he wants, what he loves, and isn't afraid to do what he needs to when it comes to either of those. He's had his flaws but he's nearly painfully perfect now. Ember if petty docile in this book, I feel like, and though we do see growth in her as well, it's almost more of an acceptance of what was always there. We don't get as much from her perspective in this book but I understand why. Then there's Cable. Oh Cable, who my heart ached for through nearly two books. I wish, towards the end, we'd been a bit more privy to his thoughts on this whirlwind of change. I can only imagine how full not only his mind is, but his heart as well.
These characters have wedged themselves under my skin and it's so hard to put the book down and do everyday things instead. I wasn't to dive into the next book immediately but I'm going to force myself to wait until I have some down time so I can inhale it in one sitting!
You may need a fan for the end of this book, it's that hot. Ember, Austin, and Cable are great characters and I'm really enjoying how they face their fears, wants, and needs in this book. I did like how Austin blossomed in this book into someone who knows what he wants, what he loves, and isn't afraid to do what he needs to when it comes to either of those. He's had his flaws but he's nearly painfully perfect now. Ember if petty docile in this book, I feel like, and though we do see growth in her as well, it's almost more of an acceptance of what was always there. We don't get as much from her perspective in this book but I understand why. Then there's Cable. Oh Cable, who my heart ached for through nearly two books. I wish, towards the end, we'd been a bit more privy to his thoughts on this whirlwind of change. I can only imagine how full not only his mind is, but his heart as well.
These characters have wedged themselves under my skin and it's so hard to put the book down and do everyday things instead. I wasn't to dive into the next book immediately but I'm going to force myself to wait until I have some down time so I can inhale it in one sitting!
January 7, 2022
Absolutely wonderful
This 2nd book was amazing. The way it showed the struggles of addiction. Not only the one who has the addiction but for the people who the addiction affects on the outside.
Just because the addict starts the recovery doesn’t mean the people who were hurt along the way starts their recovery also. I loved how Ember took control of how she was feeling how she told Austin she was scared and her feelings about not being enough for him to stop. And how when she came back she didn’t just jump in the bed with him. Told him it would take time.
I loved the way Cord helped Austin. Showed Austin that he had things worth living for that he was worth living for. At the risk of losing Austin he was helping him and he was going to own his feelings for Ember.
I was so mad at Austin for pushing Cord and Ember together. Making her feel like an object to just throw away. And to feel her pain about it crushed me.
This 2nd book was amazing. The way it showed the struggles of addiction. Not only the one who has the addiction but for the people who the addiction affects on the outside.
Just because the addict starts the recovery doesn’t mean the people who were hurt along the way starts their recovery also. I loved how Ember took control of how she was feeling how she told Austin she was scared and her feelings about not being enough for him to stop. And how when she came back she didn’t just jump in the bed with him. Told him it would take time.
I loved the way Cord helped Austin. Showed Austin that he had things worth living for that he was worth living for. At the risk of losing Austin he was helping him and he was going to own his feelings for Ember.
I was so mad at Austin for pushing Cord and Ember together. Making her feel like an object to just throw away. And to feel her pain about it crushed me.
April 2, 2023
This one was a tougher read because it covered so much more of Austin and his struggles and the main three are apart for the majority of it but it was necessary for the story.
I like that the author doesn’t speed things along for the sake of the plot or the smut. Weeks and months pass where they don’t speak or where they just do menial things which is exactly as life goes. Feels less rushed and more realistic to how relationships actually work not to mention they actually TALK and things aren’t resolved after five minutes after one short conversation or one heavy petting scene. It’s refreshing to see conflict resolution as well as addiction/depression depicted this way.
I understand many enjoy romance to be an escape from reality and enjoy the unrealistic aspects of it but GOD am I fckn tired of the repetitiveness of it. This is a breath of fresh air. Three adults acting like adults and having adult problems is so nice :)
I like that the author doesn’t speed things along for the sake of the plot or the smut. Weeks and months pass where they don’t speak or where they just do menial things which is exactly as life goes. Feels less rushed and more realistic to how relationships actually work not to mention they actually TALK and things aren’t resolved after five minutes after one short conversation or one heavy petting scene. It’s refreshing to see conflict resolution as well as addiction/depression depicted this way.
I understand many enjoy romance to be an escape from reality and enjoy the unrealistic aspects of it but GOD am I fckn tired of the repetitiveness of it. This is a breath of fresh air. Three adults acting like adults and having adult problems is so nice :)
March 7, 2019
Coming into book 2 of this trilogy I knew there was going to be seriously emotional scenes that we would see - between friends and between lovers. It was hard seeing each character having to face hard truths, finding faults and making an effort to deal with a complicated situation.
From dealing with Austin’s alcoholism, Embers and Cords Guilt and the eventual reconnection of these 3 after the initial separation we feel the emotion and the honesty each person in this trilogy need to address before they can move forward with any relationship.
I loved how this came together - it was authentic and emotional - I just wanted to hug Cord when he became isolated and withdrawn - he is who wanted this relationship for the most - and the final scenes were beautiful to read!
I can’t wait to see where these 3 go going forward!
From dealing with Austin’s alcoholism, Embers and Cords Guilt and the eventual reconnection of these 3 after the initial separation we feel the emotion and the honesty each person in this trilogy need to address before they can move forward with any relationship.
I loved how this came together - it was authentic and emotional - I just wanted to hug Cord when he became isolated and withdrawn - he is who wanted this relationship for the most - and the final scenes were beautiful to read!
I can’t wait to see where these 3 go going forward!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2019
Loved this slow burn novel! The 2nd installment of the Degrees Of Separation Trilogy & the love story of 3 characters, Austin, Cord & December. I really enjoyed this novel, Austin seems to have rid himself of his demons in this novel and works hard to prove how much he is willing to make amends to his estranged wife & best friend. One might say to an unexpected level!
There were a few details I felt might needed to have been addressed a little more, for example Austin's sobriety seemed to be a non issue during the latter half of story but other than that I think it's well worth a read.
I can't wait to start the next installment in this trilogy 😊
There were a few details I felt might needed to have been addressed a little more, for example Austin's sobriety seemed to be a non issue during the latter half of story but other than that I think it's well worth a read.
I can't wait to start the next installment in this trilogy 😊
December 28, 2018
December finds herself torn between her husband Austin and his long time friend Cord, this was a story about what seemed to be a happy marriage until Austin forced them together. Ember's feeling for Cord made her miserable without him. Austin had his own battles with alocohism to fight, while Cord internalize his battle of emotions about Austin and Ember. This is a passionate story about confused lust and love together with loss and feeling overwhelmed with emotions. A wonderful read complete with sexual chemistry emotional torment and romance.
May 12, 2019
Well i wasn't expecting to enjoy this book and to be fair i have struggled with getting my head around how different it is to what i usually read however I'm glad i can read something different and love it. This has been a insight into the destruction alcoholism can bring to a marriage, the raw and confusing emotions of December loving both Austin & Cord and both men loving her, thus trying to work a necessary situation so they could all be happy without hurting the other. Admitantly I have found it a bit of a turn on lol 🙈 overall cannot wait to see what happens next!
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