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Can't Stop Now

Raleigh Ruebins

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5 stars
122 (32%)
4 stars
116 (31%)
3 stars
105 (28%)
2 stars
23 (6%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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Denise H.
3,124 reviews253 followers
June 3, 2020
Re-read June 3, 2020
*** Can't Stop Now, by Raleigh Ruebins ***
Here we have a wonderful story of a jock and an artist are taking a trip across the country, New York to San Diego, after their college graduation.
Jacob is headed to a new job, and Will is going home to AZ. with no prospects.
Our guys are having self discoveries and realizations throughout the trip.

But first, Will, our slim art major, is being kicked out and needs a place to stay for a few days. Jacob, jock and IT tech, has three days left before he drives to San Diego . Through a friend, Will ends up crashing at Jacob's and they hang out each night. Jacob asks Will to come along so he doesn't have to travel alone. We get their back stories, their ambitions, fears and insecurities as they travel and learn about one another.
Sears Tower


We have deep characters, with normal apprehensions about beginning their post school lives. Along the way, Jacob and Will act on their attraction,

and it's first time M/M everything for Jacob, and eventually first time M/M sex for Will, too.
So, with hot sexy times, lovable characters,

and a steady flowing tale, we get everything we want. When the guys hit adversity, it is quickly reconciled, and the true feelings are revealed.
The epilogue is marvelous. This author is new for me, and I'll certainly read more from them.
This is a terrific tale of unexpected love !
ENJOY !

==============
a generous free copy given for an honest review.
========
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Daesy
2,436 reviews7 followers
February 6, 2017
**Grammar**

Until the end of the book, I wasn't sure about my rating. I started wanting to give it a 4 stars, but then there were some scenes that annoyed me and I decided on lowering my rating to 3 stars.
Jacob and Will graduated from college only few days before the story starts,and now they are ready to start their life as "adults", leaving behind their college life. They find themselves sharing an apartment for 1 week. Will's landlord needed to rent Will's room to another client and Jacob's roommates left only some hours before. Thanks to one of Will's friends who was also Jacob's former roommate, they find themselves living together. Jacob is straight and Will is gay, but from the first moment they meet they feel a connection. They soon become friends and then something more.
Let's remember that the main story happens all in 2 weeks time and all seems a bit ridiculous and moving way too fast for me.
1st of all, which hetero guy lets another guy give him a sexual massage with hand job included?
In my opinion this isn't a GFY but Jacob was always bisexual.
Like I was saying, our guys start spending a lot of time together in the shared apartment and later,on the road trip. There is jealousy and sexual tension and Jacob doesn't understand why is pissing him off to see Will smile and talk with other guys. Few days later he and Will are having sex.
The author tells us that Will has never had penetrative sex before, but I really wouldn't describe him as a virgin, since he was a pro at giving BJs(also Jacob thinks so...).
That scene was nice, but what happens next,made me lower the rating. The next morning they are back on the road and Will feels that something is wrong with Jacob.
They talk and Jacob tells him that his ex-girlfriend asked him to get back with him and when Will asks him which was his answer, that piece of shit, replies that he wants to give it a try. From this moment on, also if a day later Jacob prays Will to forgive him and nothing happens with his ex(they only talk on the phone), I was so damn pissed that I just wanted to finish this book and move on.
How could he make love to Will, knowing that it was Will's first time giving himself like that and then few hours later break his heart? I usually don't like cheating but I wish Will had gone out and found someone else.

In the end all goes well, too well....like a fairytail.

They find jobs almost in the same city and start living together.
In the epilogue, we see them one year later and Jacob asks Will to marry him. The answer is yes.


I could have really loved this book, but there were many things that really annoyed me. The author's writing wasn't bad but the plot was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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Elizabeth
1,005 reviews25 followers
July 25, 2017
Dialogue murdered this book for me. The premise is good, the way the Mc's meet and the journey the book takes you on is all good. Everything is just dandy until they start talking. The dialogue in this book feels very awkward. They don't talk like guys their age would, the structure and vocabulary used all felt very weird. It was like a bucket of ice water being dropped on me every time they talked killing the vibe for me on what otherwise would have a completely decent book.
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Bookreader87(Amanda)
1,119 reviews42 followers
June 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice read. Will, who is gay, meets Jacob, who is straight the first time after hitting on him in a bar. After Will discovers he needs a place to crash since being kicked out by his landlord. His friend tells him he has a house he could crash out until he heads home for Arizona. Litttle does Will know the roomate he is about to crash with is the same guy he hit on at the bar. Once they get past the first awkward encounter Will and Jacob hangout and develop a friendship that seems to click easily. There is no denying there are sparks between them but Jacob is mixed up about how he feels towards Will. He likes Will's company and enjoys spending time with him so much but he just see's them as friends. However, Jacob decides to ask Will to join him on his roadtrip he is taken on his way to San Diego and since Will is trying to get to Arizona he thinks it's a great plan. We get to follow Jacob and Will on their trip through different towns with different adventures and along the way we get to see their relationship evolve. This book was sweet and not overly done.
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Shaztwirl
3,133 reviews36 followers
June 13, 2019
Great Read.

A really lovely feel good story. It even brought a tear to my eye at one point which is always a good indication of me being invested in the characters.
Mike Oaks
554 reviews8 followers
May 30, 2019
A pleasant surprise

I was a bit worried when the description of this book boasts about a lot of sex. Happily, I discovered a great story and didn’t need to skip the sexy bits. 3.5 for locks and keys.
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Alex (HEABookNerd)
2,109 reviews
August 9, 2021
CAN’T STOP NOW was a quick and easy read, though I can tell it’s an earlier work by the author because it’s not quite as smooth as her more recent books. That being said, the likeable characters and deep emotional engagement are still there and I did enjoy how much this book made me feel, even when it was frustration over Jacob making bad decisions. Overall, this was a sweet romance with the queer awakening trope and a road trip that turns steamy.
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Levi
491 reviews17 followers
November 24, 2016
3.5 Stars

Will feels he is a loser. After college he has no job opportunity, no boyfriend and he is forced to go back in Arizona to live in his parents house. He has one week left when the owner of the apartment he is renting informs him that he must leave the house in two days. He is desperate and he ask one of his friends to help him out.

Jacob broke up with his girlfriend and helping his friend packing when the friend gets a call. There is a guy who needs to stay a couple of days in their flat. Jacobs agree half-heartedly. Going out in the evening he feels alone, all his friends being gone, when a dude hits on him. Next day someone knocks the door and the same guy who was hitting on him turns out to be his temporary roommate. Turns out that he feels comfortable enough with will to invite along to his road trip.

I really enjoyed being in Will and Jacob company ... it's an easy, sweet read with HEA.

****I would like to thank the author for the privilege and opportunity of reading this ARC. My review is an honest opinion of the book****
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Cynster
25 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2017
This just didn't connect with me, so that's why I give it two stars only.

I never liked Will, after we got to know that he was being thrown out for playing loud music at 4am. Doesn't he know how his behavior affects his neighbors? I recently had such an incident where I had to call the police. There is nothing I dislike more than people being inconsiderate.

Anyway, I could look past this character flaw if the story was good but it felt very formulaic. The reason could be that I read so many gay-for-you's but I didn't see any originality here.

Another thing I disliked was how desperate Will was for Jacob. Why are gay men often portrayed this way, that they're craving straight guys as soon as they see them? It's annoying.

Now I'm stopping my rant - I just think that this author is not for me, sorry.
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Jenn
1,075 reviews6 followers
November 29, 2016
4 - 4.5 Stars

I have to admit, this book got me right in the feels! When I started reading I liked the characters and the story but did not expect to get as attached to these two as I did, and oh did I! Jacob and Will are great characters, easy to like and I felt for both of them on this journey.

Jacob has just graduated from college in New York and has accepted a new job in San Diego. His girlfriend also just broke up with him, but he's pretty ok with it. He's now packing and preparing for his move across the country. Will has also just graduated with an arts degree and nothing to do with it. He plans to return home to Arizona and move back in with his parents while he figures things out. A last minute eviction from his apartment has him staying with Jacob for a few days and as the two spend a little time together they become fast friends. Jacob has the suggestion that instead of flying home to Arizona, Will join him on his road trip.

I loved these two together, they are so sweet and funny and absolutely adorable! Will is a a fun free spirit with an open heart. He knows he's attracted to Jacob and flirts, but also knows he's straight. Jacob is definitely a sweetheart but he's a little confused. He certainly feels the attraction to Will and the chemistry too, but isn't sure of what he wants. As these two travel across the country they explore this attraction and eventually will have to come to terms with what it means for both of them.

This was a very touching and still sweet story of finding love. There were times when my heart hurt for Will and Jacob as they figure it all out, but it was definitely worth it. Jacob and Will both learn about who they are and what they will do for love. In the end, this is a great feel-good story that leaves your heart happy! I definitely look forward to reading more from Raleigh Ruebins!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Can't Stop Now.
Rachel
921 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This was well written with just a few grammar mistakes that probably got picked up before final release.
The Mcs were both likeable and had some depth to them. They both seemed to grow, development and mature on this road trip they did. It did seem like a very quick romance but I enjoyed how the last part had them working and living as adults.
This,was an enjoyable first novel by this author I will be looking out for more by her.
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Ronnie
211 reviews
May 13, 2019
This wasn’t a bad story, but seriously, it didn’t read like the other stories I’ve read of this author. Like this was maybe one of their, or *the* first story written, before any writing experience. It’s grammatically well written, but the flow feels somehow chopped. The storytelling doesn’t flow, if that explains it better. Anyhow. Got through it, finally. On to the next book.
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Pam Kay
586 reviews9 followers
November 27, 2016
A great story of two young men finishing college and ready to start their new lives. Jacob has always known he was straight until he meets Will, an art student graduate. They immediately hit it off together during their last week in New York. Since Jacob was going to take a road trip to San Diego where he had a job lined up and Will was going to fly back to Phoenix, Jacob had offered to take Will home splitting expenses. A road trip together seeing the sights only brought the two closer together and Jacob began to act on the feelings he was beginning to have towards Will. It was an emotional ride together as they both fought with the distance they would have when they parted and other things. Plus Jacob had talked to his ex who wanted to get back together with him and this only brought tension between them. After finally reaching Phoenix they both said goodbye with Jacob staying right down the street in a motel overnight. Will wanted Jacob to come back, but he never did. The next morning a knock is at Will's door. Hesitating to answer thinking that whoever was there would go away. But the persistent knocking continued. When Will answered Jacob stood on the other side, 'Walk with me' Jacob had said. He wanted to talk. This is their story. A sweet love story with a HEA. Don't miss it!!
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Lisa
2,275 reviews43 followers
November 25, 2016
4.5 stars
Two guys left behind once they graduate from college for a week before moving on to new places. One gay and one straight. I love a good straight to gay romance. At one point I had to stop reading until I was alone ;)
I mean, wow. It’s also sweet too though. I like the author’s writing style. It flows very nicely. I got really invested in the story, and I can’t wait to read any other books by Raleigh Ruebins. This is one to watch. The only thing I wished there was more of is some descriptions of how different it is for Jacob in all his first time intimate moments with another man, seems he adjusted to all that almost too easily.
I received an exclusive arc of this book.
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Carly
40 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2017
This book was fine. No real complaints or praises, except one thing! I've lived in Arizona basically my whole life and whenever Will mentioned that he had to go live in his parents' basement in Arizona I just got annoyed each time...we don't have basements in Arizona! At least not where I'm from and when I found out that Will was from Phoenix, yeah they don't have basements in Phoenix. (Also whenever someone is from AZ, in every single book I've read, they're always from Phoenix. Authors, there are other places in AZ besides Phoenix fyi.) Then when they managed to get to Arizona, there was no mention of a basement! Will just stayed in his bedroom. All that irked me, but it didn't actually take away from the book. It was just a meh/fine kind of read.
Annie Elm
1,024 reviews5 followers
January 3, 2019
3,5 stars

This is a sweet gay for you story of Jacob and Will who takes a cross country trip together and discover that they have a genuine connection.
It's the end of college and a series of events make Jacob ask if Will would accompany him on a road trip since they're both are heading the same way. Will is out and proud and Jacob can't help to begin to feel something for him that he's never experienced before with another guy.

I really like Jacob and Will together and they just have such strong feelings and admiration for each other and they connect really fast with each other. Loved reading about the trip and would love to go on one myself some day.
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Ahiku
316 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2019
2,5*

I could tell that this one is one of Ruebins's older books. The dialogue was boring at times and seemed stilted. The road trip was nice, even though I don't think that sleeping in motels for a weeks and buying gas is a lot less expensive than flying. I mean there's the time aspect as well... I also didn't really like this typical "straight guy suddenly wants to be straight again" climax, which usually happens shortly after they had "real deal" sex. Because you get that in almost each and every book with a "straight" character. It was cute enough for me to continue reading (mostly to get tired in the evening), but I didn't care all too much for it.
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Borderstar
912 reviews17 followers
December 23, 2016
This was a cute, new adult, road trip type story. I guess it was about coming of age, finding yourself etc. The two MCs are just out of college and about to start their adult lives and get to know each other and themselves during the trip.

I have to say there was part of this where I felt Jacob was an absolute arsehole, no excuses would make what he said/did better. But I guess he does make up for it eventually and he is just so incredibly lucky that Will was forgiving.

The ending/Epilogue shows us a year on from the ending and wraps everything up into a nice HEA too.
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Kirbie
163 reviews
October 24, 2018
Road trip to love

Jacob and Will go on week long road across the country after graduating from college a long the way Jacob discovers he not exactly straight and discover his feelings for Will who is openly gay and looking for love they go through all that relationship encounters but Jacob realize its okay to be happy and Will allows himself to be more understanding but in the end love finds a way I'm glad they made it through I love the book
K Cherry
222 reviews
December 3, 2016
Cute story.

Very sweet story. Loved Will's character. I liked that his character, the gay MC, was very assertive and outgoing rather than the jock MC. This was a very nice change from the usual read. This was a feel-good read, which was a nice change.
Arthur C
67 reviews
December 6, 2017
Quick read

The story is sweet and reaches the logical conclusion one expects. It’s a story where one falls head over heels for a “straight” guy. I really liked the way each was portrayed and the story progressed quickly. Definite tear jerker in a couple of places
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adrkhuntr Gold
27 reviews4 followers
April 24, 2018
Terrific

The chemistry in this was amazing! Both guys had great personalities. I also liked how they started off slow and then progressed sexually. I also loved how the author didn't just make Jacob suddenly gay but allowed him his straight misgivings.
Phyllis Cook
78 reviews
May 22, 2020
Sweet coming of age story

All about learning to be who you are not who you think you should be. Finding the right person can turn your world inside out and backwards, but sometimes that is what it takes to find the right perspective.
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Kristen
39 reviews23 followers
May 16, 2017
I read this in one sitting and it gave me butterflies multiple times throughout the book. I couldn't put it down. Hot, tender, heart-warming, and steamy all in one. I loved it
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Kelly ~Booktrovert~
679 reviews
May 21, 2017
Holy schmoly! This was my first book by this this author, and I absolutely loved it! 5 huge stars! Ready for the next.
Kristin Grella
620 reviews
January 22, 2019
Loved it!

This was a great book. I fell in love with Jacob and Will and I didn't want their story to end. Can't wait to read more from this author.
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Claudia
1,017 reviews6 followers
March 17, 2020
3.25

You know, it's pretty evident that this was an early book because the characterization was pretty minimal, and even though it was pretty enjoyable it did lack some depth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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