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Ethan, Who Loved Carter
By twenty-four, Carter Stevenson has stuttered and ticced his way to debilitating shyness. Although his friends accuse him of letting his Tourette's dictate his life, Carter moves from Los Angeles to a quiet California town. He'll keep his head down and avoid people. He doesn't anticipate his new neighbor, Ethan Hart, crashing into his solitude and forcing him to get out and live.
From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won't see past Ethan's damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there's a bigger issue: he's been burned by so-called "perfect" matches, and he won't risk his heart again.
One way or another, Ethan's determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?
From the beginning, Ethan makes his love for Carter clear. But he fears Carter won't see past Ethan's damaged brain, even though it makes Ethan more attuned to his emotions than most people. For Carter, there's a bigger issue: he's been burned by so-called "perfect" matches, and he won't risk his heart again.
One way or another, Ethan's determined to show Carter they belong together. Then Ethan receives tragic news. Suddenly he must turn to Carter for strength and support. Will Carter come through when Ethan needs him most?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 618 reviews
September 4, 2016
I finally read this book and loved it!
I did not see Ethan as a child. He has no impulse control and sees things in black and white, but the way he takes joy in things, the way he sees the beauty, the MUSIC, in Carter's tics, is amazing.
Ethan is a man, a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury, but still a man, perfectly capable of making his own choices.
Ethan draws people to him. He has so much charm, and he accepts people as they are. Carter is most comfortable at home, away from prying eyes who would judge him because of his Tourette's. But Ethan is starlight, and he brings Carter right into his orbit.
I adored Ethan's loving family, including his willful teenage brother Elliott, who was such a nuanced, complex character; his boss Vera, who could kick ass at five foot nothing; Carter's boss Alice, a true friend who got Carter's talent; and Ethan's friends at the caravan, who embraced weirdness and owned it.
The scene in Los Angeles with Ethan on stage was the best, as were the "flowers" Ethan scattered around the bed to woo Carter.
This is very much a slow-burn story, but there were plenty of kisses and sweet moments (so many heart-melting moments!) that had me hugging my Kindle.
And when Carter and Ethan do come together, it's pretty damn hot. Ethan is SO enthusiastic about sex; one word: butter.
Carter never treats Ethan like he's less. It takes him so long to come round to Ethan's advances because he's scared . . . scared of falling and being left behind, scared of feeling exposed. Carter is self-conscious about his tics and doesn't like to be noticed.
But Ethan gets Carter like no one else, and the two make glorious music together. The last chapter had me smiling through tears.
Thanks to my friend Todd for recommending this book and then hounding me mercilessly until I read it.
I did not see Ethan as a child. He has no impulse control and sees things in black and white, but the way he takes joy in things, the way he sees the beauty, the MUSIC, in Carter's tics, is amazing.
Ethan is a man, a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury, but still a man, perfectly capable of making his own choices.
Ethan draws people to him. He has so much charm, and he accepts people as they are. Carter is most comfortable at home, away from prying eyes who would judge him because of his Tourette's. But Ethan is starlight, and he brings Carter right into his orbit.
I adored Ethan's loving family, including his willful teenage brother Elliott, who was such a nuanced, complex character; his boss Vera, who could kick ass at five foot nothing; Carter's boss Alice, a true friend who got Carter's talent; and Ethan's friends at the caravan, who embraced weirdness and owned it.
The scene in Los Angeles with Ethan on stage was the best, as were the "flowers" Ethan scattered around the bed to woo Carter.
This is very much a slow-burn story, but there were plenty of kisses and sweet moments (so many heart-melting moments!) that had me hugging my Kindle.
And when Carter and Ethan do come together, it's pretty damn hot. Ethan is SO enthusiastic about sex; one word: butter.
Carter never treats Ethan like he's less. It takes him so long to come round to Ethan's advances because he's scared . . . scared of falling and being left behind, scared of feeling exposed. Carter is self-conscious about his tics and doesn't like to be noticed.
But Ethan gets Carter like no one else, and the two make glorious music together. The last chapter had me smiling through tears.
Thanks to my friend Todd for recommending this book and then hounding me mercilessly until I read it.
April 9, 2014
devastatingly beautiful.
also: sappy as fuck.
[he says primly, slowly suffocating to death on his own snot and tears as he weeps]
also: sappy as fuck.
[he says primly, slowly suffocating to death on his own snot and tears as he weeps]
September 23, 2012
Well this was a hard and difficult review to write and unfortunately I will be one of the few lonely voices who had very mixed feelings about the sexual side of the relationship between Ethan and Carter. I am going against the tide of overwhelmingly positive reviews here. All because of one major sticking point, the disparity I felt between Ethan and Carter. The mental age of Ethan was a problem for me and quite disconcerting at times, I tried to see past the differences and also imagined Ethan to be a bit more mature this only worked to a certain point. I would have accepted and felt a whole lot better if the sex was off page. So yes I am torn because this had it all, everything that I love and adore in a book its beautifully written, Ethan and Carter are fabulous characters who will make you cry, laugh and steal a little bit of your heart. The boys have a beautiful friendship, truly wonderful and very heartwarming. I can see them being friends forever, I have no doubt about it. Not to sure about the romance working in the long run, a difficult road ahead, I really hope they make it!
ETA: Oh and just to be clear I never meant to imply in my review that I am against anyone with a disability having sex, this was not my issue at all. It was the intellectual differences that were a barrier for me.
ETA: Oh and just to be clear I never meant to imply in my review that I am against anyone with a disability having sex, this was not my issue at all. It was the intellectual differences that were a barrier for me.
February 6, 2013
"Ethan, Who Loved Carter" has me feeling all mixed up. I have split personalities on this one.
Half of me thinks that this couple is adorable. I recognize that everyone deserves love, everyone deserves to be appreciated. Ethan is a sweet, sweet character, and I love that Carter loves him for what he is and what he has to offer. Ethan has overcome so much and has such a good heart that it brought me to tears at times. And don't even get me started on Carter. I loved reading about a character with Tourette's and it broke my heart when people were mean to him. He also deserved to find that special someone who saw past his tics and to the man inside. I have a special affinity for characters overcoming obstacles and disabilities and this book fell right in that category.
My other half? I was often very uncomfortable with the idea of anyone in a mature relationship with Ethan. When he said things like "my penis made semen," he reminded me of a young child or someone with a very young mental age. I would literally cringe reading these things. What really got me was that I often felt like Carter was a caretaker or parent figure because of the mental age disparity. It was a big divide. I honestly don't see how a relationship could work long-term with such a big mental gap between the two of them. It reminded me a lot of Muscling Through, but even more pronounced because Ethan couldn't even live on his own or be wholly independent. It bordered on feeling inappropriate to me. It was a mental struggle for me at times.
Overall, I'm giving this book 4 stars. It was very romantic and loving and sweet so, in the end, my gushy side won me over. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had anticipated because of the mental gap between Ethan and Carter. I know my opinion may not be popular, though.
Half of me thinks that this couple is adorable. I recognize that everyone deserves love, everyone deserves to be appreciated. Ethan is a sweet, sweet character, and I love that Carter loves him for what he is and what he has to offer. Ethan has overcome so much and has such a good heart that it brought me to tears at times. And don't even get me started on Carter. I loved reading about a character with Tourette's and it broke my heart when people were mean to him. He also deserved to find that special someone who saw past his tics and to the man inside. I have a special affinity for characters overcoming obstacles and disabilities and this book fell right in that category.
My other half? I was often very uncomfortable with the idea of anyone in a mature relationship with Ethan. When he said things like "my penis made semen," he reminded me of a young child or someone with a very young mental age. I would literally cringe reading these things. What really got me was that I often felt like Carter was a caretaker or parent figure because of the mental age disparity. It was a big divide. I honestly don't see how a relationship could work long-term with such a big mental gap between the two of them. It reminded me a lot of Muscling Through, but even more pronounced because Ethan couldn't even live on his own or be wholly independent. It bordered on feeling inappropriate to me. It was a mental struggle for me at times.
Overall, I'm giving this book 4 stars. It was very romantic and loving and sweet so, in the end, my gushy side won me over. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had anticipated because of the mental gap between Ethan and Carter. I know my opinion may not be popular, though.
August 23, 2015
Ugh, I read this before I started writing *actual* reviews, but this book was really, REALLY good and highly-recommended.
Ethan, with the penis, that makes semen. But his momma said not to talk about that to strangers.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
God, there were some really funny moments to be had here.
READ IT. : )
May 31, 2013
This is a very difficult book to review.
I loved this book, but I was deeply uncomfortable about some aspects of it. Yes, Ethan is an adult male with adult male sexual urges. And no, we shouldn't treat people with acquired brain injuries like they are children, but having said that Ethan felt like a child. His speech, his mannerisms, his thoughts. He had a child's single-mindedness in wanting to be with Carter, which was lovely, but there is such a power imbalance in this relationship that I really don't know what to think of it.
I loved that Ethan's parents and friends were so accepting of Carter, but I think that in their place I'd be more protective of Ethan. I just wasn't sure that Ethan was ready, or ever would be ready, for an adult relationship. And I don't mean sex. Ethan had that figured out. I mean a relationship, where both parties are equal partners.
I loved that Carter and Ethan connected over music, and maybe I needed to see some more of that so that I wasn't just constantly worrying about the disparity between them. It's two days since I finished this, and I'm still really conflicted.
So, read this. The writing is wonderful, the two MCs are beautiful, and there is a HFN that I think I am possibly too cynical to believe can be an HEA.
Sidenote: I know a man with an acquired brain injury, and he has the same difficulties hinted at with Ethan, i.e. inappropriate behaviour in public. By that, I mean he takes his pants off a lot and shows himself off. And I know him, because I work at a police station, and he ends up there a lot. And the only way to deal with him is to speak with him the same way I used to speak to my nephew when he was two or three. "You need to keep your pants on in public, mate, okay?" And he is a lovely guy, with a wonderfully happy personality (except for the occasional temper bursts that come out of nowhere), and I kept thinking of him while reading this book. He's an adult, but without an adult's ability to reason, or to understand nuance, or to remember how to behave. And that's why I'm so conflicted about Ethan.
I loved this book, but I was deeply uncomfortable about some aspects of it. Yes, Ethan is an adult male with adult male sexual urges. And no, we shouldn't treat people with acquired brain injuries like they are children, but having said that Ethan felt like a child. His speech, his mannerisms, his thoughts. He had a child's single-mindedness in wanting to be with Carter, which was lovely, but there is such a power imbalance in this relationship that I really don't know what to think of it.
I loved that Ethan's parents and friends were so accepting of Carter, but I think that in their place I'd be more protective of Ethan. I just wasn't sure that Ethan was ready, or ever would be ready, for an adult relationship. And I don't mean sex. Ethan had that figured out. I mean a relationship, where both parties are equal partners.
I loved that Carter and Ethan connected over music, and maybe I needed to see some more of that so that I wasn't just constantly worrying about the disparity between them. It's two days since I finished this, and I'm still really conflicted.
So, read this. The writing is wonderful, the two MCs are beautiful, and there is a HFN that I think I am possibly too cynical to believe can be an HEA.
Sidenote: I know a man with an acquired brain injury, and he has the same difficulties hinted at with Ethan, i.e. inappropriate behaviour in public. By that, I mean he takes his pants off a lot and shows himself off. And I know him, because I work at a police station, and he ends up there a lot. And the only way to deal with him is to speak with him the same way I used to speak to my nephew when he was two or three. "You need to keep your pants on in public, mate, okay?" And he is a lovely guy, with a wonderfully happy personality (except for the occasional temper bursts that come out of nowhere), and I kept thinking of him while reading this book. He's an adult, but without an adult's ability to reason, or to understand nuance, or to remember how to behave. And that's why I'm so conflicted about Ethan.
September 18, 2012
I am hopelessly in love with Ethan and Carter. I want to eat them both with a spoon. The cover, title and blurb sucked me in so fast, right there in the sweet spot....as for the words under the cover:
I think the author did a good job in balancing the mental age and physical age for Ethan. I was concerned, especially when I first met Ethan. Then I wasn't. I got to see an adult who needed extra guidance and push when it came to common sense every day things. When it came to people, relationships, Ethan was all that and a bag of chips.
Then we have Carter. He has his own life baggage and just needs so bad to be loved and cherished.
Ethan and Carter, compliment each other really well in this story. Add to it a great secondary cast of characters that do a great job of support and bring validity to the message of this story.
For those that know me, know this, I cried. More than once. Enough said.
I think I will go re-read it;)
I think the author did a good job in balancing the mental age and physical age for Ethan. I was concerned, especially when I first met Ethan. Then I wasn't. I got to see an adult who needed extra guidance and push when it came to common sense every day things. When it came to people, relationships, Ethan was all that and a bag of chips.
Then we have Carter. He has his own life baggage and just needs so bad to be loved and cherished.
Ethan and Carter, compliment each other really well in this story. Add to it a great secondary cast of characters that do a great job of support and bring validity to the message of this story.
For those that know me, know this, I cried. More than once. Enough said.
I think I will go re-read it;)
September 18, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
4.5 stars
GOD… what to say about this book? I've been sitting at the keyboard for almost thirty minutes now trying to start. It was really just so wonderful. I started this book knowing only that it was about two men, one with Tourette's and one with a Traumatic Brain Injury. I liked discovering the story on my own, so the blurb suffices as a summary in this case.
The beauty of this story is that Ethan takes everyone around him on a journey, on that includes Carter and the reader by proxy, to see the world around them in a different way. The music he sees is a metaphor for the different way he relates to the world, even though to him it is real. He sees the world in absolutes, which cuts through the muck and shades of grey that inhabit everyone else's life. He's so perceptive that way -- he likes Carter because he makes music (his tics) and because he's cute and he makes Ethan's penis hard. For someone like Carter, who is continually drawn into the mire of his own mind, the self-deprecation and embarrassment of his own condition, Ethan's perceptive mind and stark personality continually help to bring him out of his shell and into the world he tries to hide away from. They are two of the most special characters and they really came across the page in a very strong way. This story almost seemed private, and I felt like reading it was a gift.
The other part of the beauty of this story is that it really forced me to consider how I feel about the differences and level of perception among those with injuries and disabilities. It forced me to be 100% honest of my own feelings about Ethan and I felt like I was rather protective of him in my own mind. I didn't want to hear that he has casual sex with men at first. It took some real thinking and consideration on my part to understand why that was. Part of it is because until I was probably halfway through the book I wasn't sure that I considered Ethan capable of making those decisions, until I realized that that way of thinking was wrong. Part of that reason is personal. I have an autistic cousin with a host of other brain conditions, who about 10 years ago was abducted from a local mall, taken to the woods, and raped before being brought back and dropped off as if nothing had happened. It was hard for me not to lump Ethan's character with her, because they both had some kind of disability that any type of sexual relation was rape. It actually helped me realize that I still had a lot of pent up feelings about that incident that I hadn't dealt with, and that there is a real difference -- not only in the fact that one was a rape and in this case most definitely not, but that their conditions had very little in common.
That is what I think Ryan Loveless did so incredibly well in this book, and I really hope that other readers feel the same. We get to know Ethan from his own POV, and to see that not only does he have more cognitive ability than most give him credit for, but also that he has something important to teach the people around him. That really touched me. I cried a lot while reading. A lot of it was me working through my own issues and the finding that I was looking at Ethan completely wrong. The rest was that this was the kind of book that I cried and then felt so much better afterwards -- the story was beautiful and cleansing for me because of the loving community that surrounds him.
I think… I think that's all I'm going to say about it, except for this. I think everyone should read this. No matter what you think of the writing, of craft -- I dare you not to fall in love with Ethan and Carter and think that this story is incredibly special.
4.5 stars
GOD… what to say about this book? I've been sitting at the keyboard for almost thirty minutes now trying to start. It was really just so wonderful. I started this book knowing only that it was about two men, one with Tourette's and one with a Traumatic Brain Injury. I liked discovering the story on my own, so the blurb suffices as a summary in this case.
The beauty of this story is that Ethan takes everyone around him on a journey, on that includes Carter and the reader by proxy, to see the world around them in a different way. The music he sees is a metaphor for the different way he relates to the world, even though to him it is real. He sees the world in absolutes, which cuts through the muck and shades of grey that inhabit everyone else's life. He's so perceptive that way -- he likes Carter because he makes music (his tics) and because he's cute and he makes Ethan's penis hard. For someone like Carter, who is continually drawn into the mire of his own mind, the self-deprecation and embarrassment of his own condition, Ethan's perceptive mind and stark personality continually help to bring him out of his shell and into the world he tries to hide away from. They are two of the most special characters and they really came across the page in a very strong way. This story almost seemed private, and I felt like reading it was a gift.
The other part of the beauty of this story is that it really forced me to consider how I feel about the differences and level of perception among those with injuries and disabilities. It forced me to be 100% honest of my own feelings about Ethan and I felt like I was rather protective of him in my own mind. I didn't want to hear that he has casual sex with men at first. It took some real thinking and consideration on my part to understand why that was. Part of it is because until I was probably halfway through the book I wasn't sure that I considered Ethan capable of making those decisions, until I realized that that way of thinking was wrong. Part of that reason is personal. I have an autistic cousin with a host of other brain conditions, who about 10 years ago was abducted from a local mall, taken to the woods, and raped before being brought back and dropped off as if nothing had happened. It was hard for me not to lump Ethan's character with her, because they both had some kind of disability that any type of sexual relation was rape. It actually helped me realize that I still had a lot of pent up feelings about that incident that I hadn't dealt with, and that there is a real difference -- not only in the fact that one was a rape and in this case most definitely not, but that their conditions had very little in common.
That is what I think Ryan Loveless did so incredibly well in this book, and I really hope that other readers feel the same. We get to know Ethan from his own POV, and to see that not only does he have more cognitive ability than most give him credit for, but also that he has something important to teach the people around him. That really touched me. I cried a lot while reading. A lot of it was me working through my own issues and the finding that I was looking at Ethan completely wrong. The rest was that this was the kind of book that I cried and then felt so much better afterwards -- the story was beautiful and cleansing for me because of the loving community that surrounds him.
I think… I think that's all I'm going to say about it, except for this. I think everyone should read this. No matter what you think of the writing, of craft -- I dare you not to fall in love with Ethan and Carter and think that this story is incredibly special.
June 8, 2016
Written October 1, 2014
4.7 Huge Stars - Sappy or not, this IS a Beautiful story. -
Made me feel all these great warm and fuzzy feelings you long for
I just said something like this to a friend: ~ I'm afraid this story could seem too heartwarming and cozy.
...Because there are no big bad guys here. No new innovatory artistic expression or complicated characters, tricky odd sex, etc. Just a wonderful novel about two young men, life quality impacting defects, family, friendship and tender love.
I like this title: Ethan, Who Loved Carter. Perfect beautiful and romantic for a sensitive story like this.
I don't know what I expected but right now, after just finished this audiobook, I'm completely overwhelmed by all these warm pappy feelings. Just think about it; - what reading wonderfully written novels (sometimes known as romances) makes your life so much more of heart-warming and amusing a normal Tuesday and Wednesday.
***********************************************
Not like everyone else's, perhaps!
# Carter Stevenson (24) moves from Los Angeles to a small quiet California town. He has Tourette, is very shy and is always trying to keep his head down and avoid people as much as possible. Carter avoid people so much that he mostly don't even left his own house. That vice was also one of the reasons why he moved from the big city to a smaller. ~ But will the move to a new place really change Carter or will he just stay inside, and avoid life out there, as well?
# Ethan Hart, Carter's new neighbor, is in many ways the opposite. Ethan has a lots of friends, like to talk, is joyful and happy. He is also a very beautiful, goodlooking young 28 years old man with grown-up needs and strong feelings. Thought, Ethan is still a "sunshine" child in an audult body. When Ethan was a teen (at 18) was he hit by a car and since then is his way in life different in many ways.
Ethan sees music and when he discovers that Carter understand, are listening to him and also can "see music" sometimes, then Ethan has found his very dear special friend (..and man to love).
***********************************************
Ethan, Who Loved Carter has not a simple topic.
There is a not that easy moral dilemma. What are okay when one party has a brain injury such as Ethan's?
Ethan had these big feelings for Carter immediately, and there is at once a kind of sexual attraction between them, but Ethan fears Carter won't see past his damaged brain. He is a man, he has manly (gay) sexual needs. He wants Carter to be his boyfriend.
On the other hand, Carter is afraid that he will take advantage of Ethan in an improper and immoral way. ~ Understandable too.
***********************************************
I've seen and read some reviews about "sappy" etc. Well, I need, want and like sappy some days. Like these two days.
My quick conclusion:
• An 7:20 hrs audiobook wonderful narrated by K.C. Kelly with a fine nuance and feeling for these two slightly 'different' guys.
• Nevertheless this sensitive —and in part sperhaps also controversial— topic, written with great dignity and affection for these men and their life situations.
• A story for everyone (you don't need to be a gay romance fans) with an openminded big warm heart.
• Ethan, Who Loved Carter ends up in my "unforgettable novels" shelf.
***********************************************
Exquisite!!! ~ It is these kinds of stories that makes all these hours of reading worth every minute.
There is certainly small flaws and something to complain about, but for me was this book a wonderful story of hope. It satisfied my soft spot for this kind of cozy delightfully, for some maybe (quietly) melodramatic, epic love stories. ~ Recommended!
I LIKE - ..a sunshine story? OF COURSE I did!!!
**********
My sweet Aussie friend Mona (5 stars) recommended me long ago to read this M/M novel. Hugs and thanks, Mona! I shouldn't have waited this long.
4.7 Huge Stars - Sappy or not, this IS a Beautiful story. -
Made me feel all these great warm and fuzzy feelings you long for
I just said something like this to a friend: ~ I'm afraid this story could seem too heartwarming and cozy.
...Because there are no big bad guys here. No new innovatory artistic expression or complicated characters, tricky odd sex, etc. Just a wonderful novel about two young men, life quality impacting defects, family, friendship and tender love.
I like this title: Ethan, Who Loved Carter. Perfect beautiful and romantic for a sensitive story like this.
I don't know what I expected but right now, after just finished this audiobook, I'm completely overwhelmed by all these warm pappy feelings. Just think about it; - what reading wonderfully written novels (sometimes known as romances) makes your life so much more of heart-warming and amusing a normal Tuesday and Wednesday.
***********************************************
Not like everyone else's, perhaps!
# Carter Stevenson (24) moves from Los Angeles to a small quiet California town. He has Tourette, is very shy and is always trying to keep his head down and avoid people as much as possible. Carter avoid people so much that he mostly don't even left his own house. That vice was also one of the reasons why he moved from the big city to a smaller. ~ But will the move to a new place really change Carter or will he just stay inside, and avoid life out there, as well?
# Ethan Hart, Carter's new neighbor, is in many ways the opposite. Ethan has a lots of friends, like to talk, is joyful and happy. He is also a very beautiful, goodlooking young 28 years old man with grown-up needs and strong feelings. Thought, Ethan is still a "sunshine" child in an audult body. When Ethan was a teen (at 18) was he hit by a car and since then is his way in life different in many ways.
Ethan sees music and when he discovers that Carter understand, are listening to him and also can "see music" sometimes, then Ethan has found his very dear special friend (..and man to love).
“Everyone has their own music; they just don't realize it.”
***********************************************
Ethan, Who Loved Carter has not a simple topic.
There is a not that easy moral dilemma. What are okay when one party has a brain injury such as Ethan's?
'Ethan seemed to revel in Carter's most hated tics. He'd set them to music. The light bounce of notes, starts and stops, of Ethan's song, it was the music of Carter's Tourette's, and Ethan had made it beautiful. He'd made Carter feel beautiful for having them.'
Ethan had these big feelings for Carter immediately, and there is at once a kind of sexual attraction between them, but Ethan fears Carter won't see past his damaged brain. He is a man, he has manly (gay) sexual needs. He wants Carter to be his boyfriend.
On the other hand, Carter is afraid that he will take advantage of Ethan in an improper and immoral way. ~ Understandable too.
***********************************************
I've seen and read some reviews about "sappy" etc. Well, I need, want and like sappy some days. Like these two days.
My quick conclusion:
• An 7:20 hrs audiobook wonderful narrated by K.C. Kelly with a fine nuance and feeling for these two slightly 'different' guys.
• Nevertheless this sensitive —and in part sperhaps also controversial— topic, written with great dignity and affection for these men and their life situations.
• A story for everyone (you don't need to be a gay romance fans) with an openminded big warm heart.
• Ethan, Who Loved Carter ends up in my "unforgettable novels" shelf.
***********************************************
Exquisite!!! ~ It is these kinds of stories that makes all these hours of reading worth every minute.
There is certainly small flaws and something to complain about, but for me was this book a wonderful story of hope. It satisfied my soft spot for this kind of cozy delightfully, for some maybe (quietly) melodramatic, epic love stories. ~ Recommended!
I LIKE - ..a sunshine story? OF COURSE I did!!!
**********
My sweet Aussie friend Mona (5 stars) recommended me long ago to read this M/M novel. Hugs and thanks, Mona! I shouldn't have waited this long.
September 18, 2012
Get the tissues out!! This is the extremely heart-warming story of two young men who have a harder life than most of us. Carter has Tourette's which has left him shy and withdrawn, unable to perform the music that he creates for other people. Ethan has a traumatic brain injury that has left him struggling to fit his limitations and black and white grasp of life into the real world. The two meet and a beautifully touching love story ensues... With Great Sex! (Ethan would want me to emphasise that!)
I don't know what it is about heroes with a mental incapacity that makes me enjoy their stories so much. Maybe it's the extra vulnerability that appeals to my protective and nurturing instincts. Or maybe it's enjoying seeing the underdog as the hero. Whatever it is books like this (and Muscling Through and The Epic Love Story of Doug and Stephen) are among my top favourite m/m romances.
The secondary characters are colourful and realistic. The labile moodiness of Ethan's younger brother Elliot is perfect, and the matter of fact way that Ethan's parents cope with their sons is refreshing. The author writes with much thoughtfulness, insight and humour into the afflictions both characters face. The foreword is worth reading for the background on why and how the book was written. I highly recommend this book! You won't want to miss it.
I don't know what it is about heroes with a mental incapacity that makes me enjoy their stories so much. Maybe it's the extra vulnerability that appeals to my protective and nurturing instincts. Or maybe it's enjoying seeing the underdog as the hero. Whatever it is books like this (and Muscling Through and The Epic Love Story of Doug and Stephen) are among my top favourite m/m romances.
The secondary characters are colourful and realistic. The labile moodiness of Ethan's younger brother Elliot is perfect, and the matter of fact way that Ethan's parents cope with their sons is refreshing. The author writes with much thoughtfulness, insight and humour into the afflictions both characters face. The foreword is worth reading for the background on why and how the book was written. I highly recommend this book! You won't want to miss it.
December 26, 2021
Perfect. Absolutely perfect. I would not have changed, nor would wish anything to be changed, in this story.
K.C. Kelly’s seemingly effortless narration is truly stunning. He brings the characters to life along with all of their emotions and struggles. This is one of the best hurt/comfort books I’ve ever read.
Every time I listen to it I’m grateful for it’s marshmallow-type fluffiness. That’s not to say this is an easy read because I won’t lie to you…it’s not. Carter’s Tourette’s often made me cringe with sympathy and Ethan’s traumatic brain injury (TBI) made it so I was, the first time reading, a little uncomfortable with seeing him pursue an adult relationship with Carter until it was clear he definitely knew and understood what was happening.
I find it endearing that Carter was also a little uncomfortable (for different reasons) with a relationship with Ethan in the beginning, but eventually accepts all the love Ethan has to offer.
At the core, this is a story about two men who each have their own daily struggles, so who better to understand what they are going through than each other?
Seeing Carter struggle with his growing feelings for Ethan was heart-wrenching and beautiful all at the same time. I loved how accepting and tolerant Ethan’s parents and co-workers were of Carter and he and Ethan’s growing feelings for one another and eventual relationship.
Whenever I need a pick-me-up – I invariably come back to this. K.C. Kelly’s narration is so heartwarming at times and so well done that this is on my auto-rotation and I listen to it every few months at least.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
Read 11/23/2014, 01/28/2015, 04/21/2015, 08/01/2015, 02/06/2016, 09/03/2016
June 9, 2016
Do you hear that sound?? It is
the sound of my heart being ripped apart, the sound of it breaking into million tiny little pieces.
--This is not a quote, that's all me, feeling this messy and consumed rn.
Oh Ethan! You ruined me forever! I'll never be the same again after this book. I loved both Ethan and Carter, but Ethan and his beautiful music that was not music made me sob hysterically.
There were so many things wrong with this book, but ETHAN is like the SUN that pushes every darkness away.
This book spreads a very important message: EVERYONE needs to love and BE LOVED, no matter how different they are.
I apologize for this review that isn't really a review, but writing anything else about this heart-wrenching, amazing and extraordinary book, would be unnecessary.
Just, read it!
Oh Ethan! You ruined me forever! I'll never be the same again after this book. I loved both Ethan and Carter, but Ethan and his beautiful music that was not music made me sob hysterically.
There were so many things wrong with this book, but ETHAN is like the SUN that pushes every darkness away.
This book spreads a very important message: EVERYONE needs to love and BE LOVED, no matter how different they are.
I apologize for this review that isn't really a review, but writing anything else about this heart-wrenching, amazing and extraordinary book, would be unnecessary.
Just, read it!
September 13, 2015
This is just the best. Sweet, sad, and then sweet again. I'm not going to describe the plot as that's been done. Just trust me and give this a try. I really love Ethan and Carter.
April 26, 2020
Audio - 5 stars
Story - 5 stars
Story - 5 stars
March 27, 2015
WOW, rarely does a book leave me so emotionally drained but at the same time leave me feeling so happy.
Ethan and Carters story is a true LOVE story. In no way can I give a articulate review, so what follows is, as usual, my rambling thoughts and feelings LOL.
This story had me smiling and laughing, it had me thinking about people and how a careless look or remark could affect someone, it had me quietly crying at the cruelty of life and at the pure strength of some people when faced with such cruelty.
Carter held my heart as I learned just how much he struggled with life.
Ethan filled my heart with wonder at how he coped with life.
Elliot broke my heart with his thoughts and feelings from a young boys point of view.
Liz and Nolan filled my heart with admiration. I can only hope I could be half the parent they were.
This book has so much strength amongst the heart ache. I feel honoured to of been given the glimpse into Carter and Ethans world. This book will stay me for a long long time.
ETA As good as the first time around. So many feelings in one book.
Ethan and Carters story is a true LOVE story. In no way can I give a articulate review, so what follows is, as usual, my rambling thoughts and feelings LOL.
This story had me smiling and laughing, it had me thinking about people and how a careless look or remark could affect someone, it had me quietly crying at the cruelty of life and at the pure strength of some people when faced with such cruelty.
Carter held my heart as I learned just how much he struggled with life.
Ethan filled my heart with wonder at how he coped with life.
Elliot broke my heart with his thoughts and feelings from a young boys point of view.
Liz and Nolan filled my heart with admiration. I can only hope I could be half the parent they were.
This book has so much strength amongst the heart ache. I feel honoured to of been given the glimpse into Carter and Ethans world. This book will stay me for a long long time.
ETA As good as the first time around. So many feelings in one book.
August 15, 2019
Audio August 2019
The Narration: 4 Pants Off
Not bad at all. The narration manages to capture the emotions and importance of the story. Ethan who Loved Carter will always be one of my fave stories, if only for the representation alone and the fact from what I’ve seen is that no one has ever written 2 disabled MCs with neurological disabilities being together before and it makes my heart super happy.
K.C Kelly, you did good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 2018
5++++ ⭐️s Always and Forever!! So beautiful and always makes me teary eyed (well full out bawling 😭)
So amazing!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All my feels right now! This book is so stunning and empowering to all those who suffer from a disability both neurologically and physically. As a mother of a child with a neurodevelopmental disability I hope he finds someone to love him as much as Ethan, loved Carter.
Just overall fantastic and my heart is filled with joy!!
January 15, 2015
Loved it. I understand people's hesitations with the subject matter, but I thought the author handled them beautifully--with respect and compassion and a great deal of subtle insight. Though I did cry, I did not find the book overly sentimental at all. Understandably, there is not much in the way of irony to offset the sweet or emotional elements, but for once instead of being manipulative or cheap, I found those elements deeply true to the story--in fact, though I'm sort of shocked to be saying this, I found that the sentimental aspects of this book were those that most challenged me.
Ethan's mother describes his world as black and white." I would probably use the word "literal"--subtle or inferred meanings, sarcasm, nuances, things outside his own experience are almost impossible for Ethan to understand. There is definitely an innocence to him, and he requires help and reassurance with tasks that most adults perform independently. It's understandable to feel conflicted about Ethan's relationships because these are qualities that we often describe as "childlike" (though in my own experience few if any children are actually like that at all unless they have special circumstances like Ethan's). In any case, I really appreciated how the book forced me to think through the problems with applying the word "childlike" to Ethan. Our discomfort is real but also needed to be faced: as his mother says, Ethan is an adult male, with adult urges. Denying him this central and joyful part of human experience just feels wrong, especially since Ethan's own desires are very strong. Too many other things were taken away from him because of his injuries. I think the author made a good choice having Ethan be 18 when he was hurt. Judging from his family's attitudes and Ethan's own confidence, it's a safe guess that he was already sexually active "Before." There are clearly risks to sexual activity since he can be taken advantage of and he has trouble remembering the rules of appropriate behavior, but I think his parents were right to treat his sexuality like they do his troubles washing his hair or finding a job that works for him--as part of the process of his carving out a new life for himself after his injuries.
I was really impressed with how Loveless handled the family part. Obviously, Ethan's parents are two very admirable people, but they did not feel unreasonably wishful to me--maybe the better word is hopeful. They're hippies to begin with and they've had ten years to come to terms with what happened to their son. She also avoided the tendency to hyper-articulate, therapeutic monologuing that too often accompanies stories where characters are recovering from traumatic events; those speeches too often cross the line into moralizing and they always kill the realism for me. If Liz and Nolan sounded a little pat when discussing Ethan's situation, it makes sense since they've obviously had to explain it many times.
That leaves Carter, who was trickiest, but I thought Loveless totally succeeded in making me understand and accept his choices. I've read several other books in the last year where the MC's occupy what I'll call radically different mental spaces (Glitterland and Muscling Through to name two), and to my surprise, I found Ethan and Carter's relationship made the most sense to me. There was something very complementary in their challenges. Ethan has real limitations but thanks to his personality he is able to push through them to the greatest extent possible. Carter is the exact opposite: far more than any physical problem, his emotional response to his condition is what cripples him. He desperately needs acceptance; Ethan comes as close as is humanly possible to offering Carter a life where his Tourette's is simply a non-issue. Though Carter might have to take care of Ethan in more ways than is usual, in exchange Ethan can give Carter a much fuller existence than he has been able to have so far. (I'd just add it's easy to forget the myriad private ways spouses and lovers take care of each other. People can be far more dysfunctional than their friends realize--unable to take a shower or eat or leave the house, and they depend on their partners to help them through it.)
Like the timing of Ethan's catastrophe, I think it made a big difference to my acceptance that Carter is so isolated. Almost the entire context for his relationship with Ethan is provided by Ethan's family and friends, who are understandably encouraging. Ethan already has a place with them, and it makes sense that they would easily accept Carter's differences. Ethan obviously does much better with people who are familiar with him and his quirks. It's easy to imagine it being a disaster if Ethan had been thrown into uncontrolled situations with people he didn't know--and without really knowing Ethan and seeing the nuances of his situation (in other words, by reading this book) most people wouldn't be able to accept his relationship with Carter. As things stood, Carter only had to win over Alice, who like Ethan's family has strong reasons for wanting Carter to find love and happiness.
I'm probably not focusing enough on the downsides to it, and I honestly can't imagine being in a relationship like this myself, but the issues did not trouble me while I was reading. I'm enough of a romantic to cleave to the idea that true love comes in a multitude of forms, and I'm deeply grateful to Ryan Loveless for creating such an unusual and beautiful example here.
Ethan's mother describes his world as black and white." I would probably use the word "literal"--subtle or inferred meanings, sarcasm, nuances, things outside his own experience are almost impossible for Ethan to understand. There is definitely an innocence to him, and he requires help and reassurance with tasks that most adults perform independently. It's understandable to feel conflicted about Ethan's relationships because these are qualities that we often describe as "childlike" (though in my own experience few if any children are actually like that at all unless they have special circumstances like Ethan's). In any case, I really appreciated how the book forced me to think through the problems with applying the word "childlike" to Ethan. Our discomfort is real but also needed to be faced: as his mother says, Ethan is an adult male, with adult urges. Denying him this central and joyful part of human experience just feels wrong, especially since Ethan's own desires are very strong. Too many other things were taken away from him because of his injuries. I think the author made a good choice having Ethan be 18 when he was hurt. Judging from his family's attitudes and Ethan's own confidence, it's a safe guess that he was already sexually active "Before." There are clearly risks to sexual activity since he can be taken advantage of and he has trouble remembering the rules of appropriate behavior, but I think his parents were right to treat his sexuality like they do his troubles washing his hair or finding a job that works for him--as part of the process of his carving out a new life for himself after his injuries.
I was really impressed with how Loveless handled the family part. Obviously, Ethan's parents are two very admirable people, but they did not feel unreasonably wishful to me--maybe the better word is hopeful. They're hippies to begin with and they've had ten years to come to terms with what happened to their son. She also avoided the tendency to hyper-articulate, therapeutic monologuing that too often accompanies stories where characters are recovering from traumatic events; those speeches too often cross the line into moralizing and they always kill the realism for me. If Liz and Nolan sounded a little pat when discussing Ethan's situation, it makes sense since they've obviously had to explain it many times.
That leaves Carter, who was trickiest, but I thought Loveless totally succeeded in making me understand and accept his choices. I've read several other books in the last year where the MC's occupy what I'll call radically different mental spaces (Glitterland and Muscling Through to name two), and to my surprise, I found Ethan and Carter's relationship made the most sense to me. There was something very complementary in their challenges. Ethan has real limitations but thanks to his personality he is able to push through them to the greatest extent possible. Carter is the exact opposite: far more than any physical problem, his emotional response to his condition is what cripples him. He desperately needs acceptance; Ethan comes as close as is humanly possible to offering Carter a life where his Tourette's is simply a non-issue. Though Carter might have to take care of Ethan in more ways than is usual, in exchange Ethan can give Carter a much fuller existence than he has been able to have so far. (I'd just add it's easy to forget the myriad private ways spouses and lovers take care of each other. People can be far more dysfunctional than their friends realize--unable to take a shower or eat or leave the house, and they depend on their partners to help them through it.)
Like the timing of Ethan's catastrophe, I think it made a big difference to my acceptance that Carter is so isolated. Almost the entire context for his relationship with Ethan is provided by Ethan's family and friends, who are understandably encouraging. Ethan already has a place with them, and it makes sense that they would easily accept Carter's differences. Ethan obviously does much better with people who are familiar with him and his quirks. It's easy to imagine it being a disaster if Ethan had been thrown into uncontrolled situations with people he didn't know--and without really knowing Ethan and seeing the nuances of his situation (in other words, by reading this book) most people wouldn't be able to accept his relationship with Carter. As things stood, Carter only had to win over Alice, who like Ethan's family has strong reasons for wanting Carter to find love and happiness.
I'm probably not focusing enough on the downsides to it, and I honestly can't imagine being in a relationship like this myself, but the issues did not trouble me while I was reading. I'm enough of a romantic to cleave to the idea that true love comes in a multitude of forms, and I'm deeply grateful to Ryan Loveless for creating such an unusual and beautiful example here.
October 13, 2014
This is the kind of story that makes me feel like life has sped up so fast and in the never-ending quest to keep on top of things we've lost sight of really important things. We've become impatient and intolerant of those who don't work/act/contribute to our preconceived ideas of right and acceptable. We've become callous and forgotten how important kindness is.
Ethan suffered a traumatic brain injury and was significantly impacted as a result. He's an amazing character. I spent half the story wishing I knew him and the other half wanting to cry. But, things happen to all of us and it is important to live for now and forward--not backwards.
Carter has Tourette's Syndrome and deals with the alienation of its symptoms on a daily basis. Mostly, its just easier not to interact. His frustration was palpable. And I'd be anxious mess in his place.
There's no changing either of their lives. This is as good as it gets.
I spent a good portion of this book in awe of both of them and wanting to cry at the same time. It wasn't that I pitied them, but that I wished things weren't so hard. And the challenges in the story, well, they are emotional time bombs. Ethan's family's, wow, just great. Even Elliot, conflicted and teenage hormonal as he is and cruel at times is still great. And I guess that is one of the things I liked most about the story, there were illustrations of how a person could both be good and mean. How each of us has the potential to be an agent for both. So, which one do you want to be?
One final note: I avoided this book for a while because I was really afraid of it taking advantage of the two characters' states of being and using it without regard, sensationalizing it, and ignoring the complexity of each Ethan and Carter's lives. I shouldn't have.
Overall, emotional story of two marginalized characters struggling to get their HEA.
Favorite quote:
Ethan suffered a traumatic brain injury and was significantly impacted as a result. He's an amazing character. I spent half the story wishing I knew him and the other half wanting to cry. But, things happen to all of us and it is important to live for now and forward--not backwards.
Carter has Tourette's Syndrome and deals with the alienation of its symptoms on a daily basis. Mostly, its just easier not to interact. His frustration was palpable. And I'd be anxious mess in his place.
There's no changing either of their lives. This is as good as it gets.
I spent a good portion of this book in awe of both of them and wanting to cry at the same time. It wasn't that I pitied them, but that I wished things weren't so hard. And the challenges in the story, well, they are emotional time bombs. Ethan's family's, wow, just great. Even Elliot, conflicted and teenage hormonal as he is and cruel at times is still great. And I guess that is one of the things I liked most about the story, there were illustrations of how a person could both be good and mean. How each of us has the potential to be an agent for both. So, which one do you want to be?
“What music do you hear?” Carter asked.
Ethan looked at him. “Yours,” he said, as if Carter should have known.
One final note: I avoided this book for a while because I was really afraid of it taking advantage of the two characters' states of being and using it without regard, sensationalizing it, and ignoring the complexity of each Ethan and Carter's lives. I shouldn't have.
Overall, emotional story of two marginalized characters struggling to get their HEA.
Favorite quote:
Carter adjusted his previous assessment to count this night as a thousand and one times better than predicted.
August 19, 2019
2.5 stars
You would think from the blurb that it would be difficult for Ethan and Carter to find each other, and to accommodate the other’s personality and disability, as Carter has a Tourette’s syndrome, and Ethan had suffered a traumatic brain injury. But their relationship is simple, natural, and spontaneous, it is amazing how perfect they are together. They intuitively know how to handle each other.
It is impossible not to sympathize with Carter and Ethan, and not to admire Ethan’s family and friends – even if they don’t seem real sometimes. Actually, the whole story doesn't seem real, it's too perfect, too easy.
It's a heavy and depressing topic, and Ethan's character is just too damaged. I couldn't enjoy the romance because I couldn't stop think about the fact that emotionally he is not an adult. It is a serious disability and situation, and I feel in this book it is handled superficially. Furthermore, here and there the writing style is flat and distant. The theme is thought-provoking, but I wasn’t affected and touched as much as I expected I would be.
“Everyone has their own music; they just don't realize it.”
You would think from the blurb that it would be difficult for Ethan and Carter to find each other, and to accommodate the other’s personality and disability, as Carter has a Tourette’s syndrome, and Ethan had suffered a traumatic brain injury. But their relationship is simple, natural, and spontaneous, it is amazing how perfect they are together. They intuitively know how to handle each other.
It is impossible not to sympathize with Carter and Ethan, and not to admire Ethan’s family and friends – even if they don’t seem real sometimes. Actually, the whole story doesn't seem real, it's too perfect, too easy.
It's a heavy and depressing topic, and Ethan's character is just too damaged. I couldn't enjoy the romance because I couldn't stop think about the fact that emotionally he is not an adult. It is a serious disability and situation, and I feel in this book it is handled superficially. Furthermore, here and there the writing style is flat and distant. The theme is thought-provoking, but I wasn’t affected and touched as much as I expected I would be.
June 10, 2017
This book turned me into a total sap. I admit, it does happen on rare occasions and this pulled out all the stops.
Now I'm not saying this was perfect. The setup and the harsh reality of both Carter and Ethan's lives looms over them like a cloud, and at times it was quite discomforting. However, it was still just so lovely to see their relationship evolve, and how despite their limitations and disabilities, they found happiness in one another.
What stood out for me of course was Ethan. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he can't not be straightforward in his wants and needs. There's no artifice in how he interprets things, nor how he presents himself to the world. It was oddly refreshing and endearing and bittersweet, especially since this was due to a tragic accident - a situation that he still struggled with daily, despite overcoming many obstacles.
So basically, this was really just a great story about two easily misunderstood and underestimated guys, who bring out the best in each other. Utterly sweet, heart warming (and heart breaking), this hit the spot for some fantastic feel-good sentimentality.
Now I'm not saying this was perfect. The setup and the harsh reality of both Carter and Ethan's lives looms over them like a cloud, and at times it was quite discomforting. However, it was still just so lovely to see their relationship evolve, and how despite their limitations and disabilities, they found happiness in one another.
What stood out for me of course was Ethan. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he can't not be straightforward in his wants and needs. There's no artifice in how he interprets things, nor how he presents himself to the world. It was oddly refreshing and endearing and bittersweet, especially since this was due to a tragic accident - a situation that he still struggled with daily, despite overcoming many obstacles.
So basically, this was really just a great story about two easily misunderstood and underestimated guys, who bring out the best in each other. Utterly sweet, heart warming (and heart breaking), this hit the spot for some fantastic feel-good sentimentality.
March 15, 2013
4.5 rating. Sometimes a book is almost perfect. If you're lucky it makes you feel and it makes you think. These damaged men found each other, and together they became the perfect balance. They became whole together, but also as individual who complimented each other. We would be so lucky to find a partner like that.
This good book is a good read, one who will make you smile, make you laugh out loud shamelessly, sob and slobber to the point that I dropped my glasses, and then couldn't find them. Do not miss this one. It is exceptional. And I will miss these characters just as I miss good friends.
This good book is a good read, one who will make you smile, make you laugh out loud shamelessly, sob and slobber to the point that I dropped my glasses, and then couldn't find them. Do not miss this one. It is exceptional. And I will miss these characters just as I miss good friends.
July 15, 2014
I was so afraid to read that book.
I am SO glad I finally did !!!
This is an amazing story of two amazing young men who magically found each other.
I ached and cried and laughed and loved.
Without the (amazing) sex scenes I would have given that book to every teenager (and not just) around the world to read and learn about how to welcome the difference in others, and how to turn away from hate.
Thank you so much miss Loveless! I will cherish Ethan and Carter forever in my heart.
I am SO glad I finally did !!!
This is an amazing story of two amazing young men who magically found each other.
I ached and cried and laughed and loved.
Without the (amazing) sex scenes I would have given that book to every teenager (and not just) around the world to read and learn about how to welcome the difference in others, and how to turn away from hate.
Thank you so much miss Loveless! I will cherish Ethan and Carter forever in my heart.
September 23, 2012
Moving.
Poignant yet necessary.
Even controversial.
I probably could go on for days about the love I have for this book. Stories with main characters like this need to be told regardless of the genre. You can tell the amount of passion and research that went into "Ethan, Who Loved Carter" from the first few paragraphs. Carter who has Tourette's falls for his next door neighbor, Ethan who has Traumatic Brain Injury. The first thought I had once finding out Ethan's back story was, "How is this one going be pulled off?"
Ryan Loveless did not disappoint, she covered a vast range of emotions with out cheapening her characters or making a mockery of their respective diagnoses.
There's not that many books that made me tear up(just a little), I can count them on less than one hand but I'm adding this one to the list.
It was just wonderful. Because I understand why Ethan loved Carter. I love them too.
And to Ms. Loveless, thank you for writing a story like this and sharing about your own experience as well. Job WELL done!
And potential readers, if you're tottering on reading this book...DON'T. You're missing a hell of a story.
Poignant yet necessary.
Even controversial.
I probably could go on for days about the love I have for this book. Stories with main characters like this need to be told regardless of the genre. You can tell the amount of passion and research that went into "Ethan, Who Loved Carter" from the first few paragraphs. Carter who has Tourette's falls for his next door neighbor, Ethan who has Traumatic Brain Injury. The first thought I had once finding out Ethan's back story was, "How is this one going be pulled off?"
Ryan Loveless did not disappoint, she covered a vast range of emotions with out cheapening her characters or making a mockery of their respective diagnoses.
There's not that many books that made me tear up(just a little), I can count them on less than one hand but I'm adding this one to the list.
It was just wonderful. Because I understand why Ethan loved Carter. I love them too.
And to Ms. Loveless, thank you for writing a story like this and sharing about your own experience as well. Job WELL done!
And potential readers, if you're tottering on reading this book...DON'T. You're missing a hell of a story.
October 2, 2016
Ethan, Who Loved Carter isn't a book I would have normally picked up, and that makes me sad, because I would have missed out on something beautiful by not reading it. Thanks, Todd, for prodding me, ever so gently, into reading this book. I loved it! Ethan and Carter both just grabbed onto my heart and wouldn't let go. What a gorgeous story.
January 15, 2013
It’s no secret…I’m a sap. I like fluffy books that make me happy!
Ethan who Loved Carter was such a sweet, maple-syrup-fest and I loved it!
The subject matter, 2 men, each with their own disorders (Tourette’s and Traumatic Brain Injury), was handled so honestly and openly. The author helps you to move from feeling sad and sorry for the challenges Ethan and Carter face every day and actually jealous of the love they’re able to find for each other and the fierce devotion and sense of protection they have for one another.
It was emotional, funny, sweet, and lovely…just lovely…
May 20, 2021
I about put my own damn back out trying to kick myself because why the heck did I wait so long to read this gem? It's been sat on my Kindle for years and I kept on passing it over. I'm an idiot!
I bloody LOVED every single thing about this book, every. single. thing. I adored both characters, loved that there was no ridiculous drama, laughed so hard at Ethan and his penis, loved the side characters and basically just did not want this to end.
My best read of 2021 by a million miles 10+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I bloody LOVED every single thing about this book, every. single. thing. I adored both characters, loved that there was no ridiculous drama, laughed so hard at Ethan and his penis, loved the side characters and basically just did not want this to end.
My best read of 2021 by a million miles 10+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 23, 2012
NMB = not my book. I like the MCs fine, it's written well, the story is good, but it's not the kind of escapism I look for in my m/m.
Also, I have an illogical and unreasonable dislike of the word penis. Dick, prick, schlong, tool, tummy banana, johnson, weiner, skin flute, throbbing shaft, or, my favourite, cock, I have no issue with. But penis: *shudder*. There is a lot of penis in this book.
EDIT: Giving this deeper consideration, I think I don't like it that much because of the constant presence of Ethan's family. Having far too much dependent family, and being the only able-bodied adult able to care for said family, I like stories where there is no family, or they see each other only for Xmas, or where the family is one the MC has selected and chosen and built piece by piece, like the St Nachos series. The parents in this book make me feel truly, deeply unhappy. And while an ill elderly aunt provides a good plot point to get the parents out of the way (twice!), I ended up feeling physically tense because of too many nights spent sitting in a freezing emergency room. So this is absolutely and definitely just a personal thing, and if you love family in your books you'll probably adore this.
Think this is in that book on why straight women read m/m? Too much compulsory caring IRL?
Also, I have an illogical and unreasonable dislike of the word penis. Dick, prick, schlong, tool, tummy banana, johnson, weiner, skin flute, throbbing shaft, or, my favourite, cock, I have no issue with. But penis: *shudder*. There is a lot of penis in this book.
EDIT: Giving this deeper consideration, I think I don't like it that much because of the constant presence of Ethan's family. Having far too much dependent family, and being the only able-bodied adult able to care for said family, I like stories where there is no family, or they see each other only for Xmas, or where the family is one the MC has selected and chosen and built piece by piece, like the St Nachos series. The parents in this book make me feel truly, deeply unhappy. And while an ill elderly aunt provides a good plot point to get the parents out of the way (twice!), I ended up feeling physically tense because of too many nights spent sitting in a freezing emergency room. So this is absolutely and definitely just a personal thing, and if you love family in your books you'll probably adore this.
Think this is in that book on why straight women read m/m? Too much compulsory caring IRL?
April 6, 2014
Ethan and Carter...
And the story...
RECOMMENDED WITH ALL MY HEART MATES XX
And the story...
RECOMMENDED WITH ALL MY HEART MATES XX
August 6, 2016
The bittersweet love story of Ethan and Carter.
Pretty cool to learn a bit about Tourette syndrome, and the possible effects of head trauma, while having an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of Ethan, Who Loved Carter in exchange for an honest review
Pretty cool to learn a bit about Tourette syndrome, and the possible effects of head trauma, while having an enjoyable read.
Carter hadn't realized he was grinning. He hooked his arm around Ethan’s shoulders. “I was just thinking—moving here was the best decision I ever made.”Definitely recommend for you to read, it’s quite informative, and is also really sweet!
“Well, yeah,” Ethan said. “Because you met me.”
I received a copy of Ethan, Who Loved Carter in exchange for an honest review
March 28, 2019
So touching. Ethan is happy guy but he made me so sad. What happened to him was tragic and, gah, I don't even have the words. Ethan is an adult but because of what happened his mental ability is not the same and he is quick to anger, quick to happiness, and quick to pop out his penis - anywhere. Thankfully his mom, Liz, told him to STOP doing that lol. I wasn't sure about Carter and Ethan getting together. Yes, Ethan knows what he wants and thankfully Carter is a good person, but at the same time, Ethan is not all mentally there. He does know this about himself, but it doesn't stop the fact that Ethan will not get better and he has future medical issues that could be very bad as he gets older.
But his family is so loving and supportive - treating him like an adult (when they can), and allowing him to make decisions and have a relationship with Carter. It could just as easily have been the opposite where they smothered him to protect him from any more harm.
Overall I liked this but still I couldn't get over my own issues with the fact that Ethan is mentally unique compared to Carter. 3 stars.
But his family is so loving and supportive - treating him like an adult (when they can), and allowing him to make decisions and have a relationship with Carter. It could just as easily have been the opposite where they smothered him to protect him from any more harm.
Overall I liked this but still I couldn't get over my own issues with the fact that Ethan is mentally unique compared to Carter. 3 stars.
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