Necessary Time by Kate Hawthorne (All In Good Time Book 2)

Somewhat softer and sweeter than I've come to expect from Kate Hawthorne, Necessary Time gives us a double sexual awakening, virginity and coming out in an Age Gap journey that brings together two men walking similar paths and figuring out that loving each other is the right path for them... 

From the blurb:

If there’s a lesson to be found in this whole disaster of a life, it’s that sometimes things just take time, whether we like it or not.

Wesley

After a night of drinking with my lifelong best friend ended with an unexpected kiss, my entire life flipped upside down. I ran away from home—and him—without so much as a goodbye. Moving to California was a rash decision, sure, but not even the palm trees and the ocean are enough to make the pain of losing my best friend manageable. It wasn’t his fault the kiss brought up all kinds of feelings I wasn’t ready for, just like it’s not my brother’s fault when he introduces me to his stupid hot co-worker, Colin. Bringing up more feelings…that I'm still not ready for.

Colin

It’s been eight years since I first kissed a man. Eight years and more that I’ve been living in the closet, too scared of coming out and dashing my mom’s hopes for a daughter-in-law and grandkids of her own. I know it’s dangerous to indulge, but Hendrix’s younger brother, Wesley, and the feelings he stirs up inside of me, remind me of my past. Worse than that, they promise me a future that’s always felt out of reach.

There’s too much at stake between us. Neither of us have really been with another man before, Hendrix would kill me if he discovered I was making out with his barely legal brother, and my parents would be crushed by the news. But if being with Wesley has taught me anything, it’s that all things will come together in good time.

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Necessary Time is a 78,000 word age gap/brother’s friend (secret!) romance with a double dose of virginity and sexual awakenings, vocal and engaging consent, and some creative internet sleuthing. CW: Judgmental and homophobic parents.

Heather's Review:

I shouldn't be surprised that Kate Hawthorne can write anything... but Necessary Time is definitely softer, sweeter and less kinky than what I've come to expect from the mind of this author, and still, she does it so well!  The pacing is excellent, the communication and consent discussions, the interesting internet paths and the not so subtle hints about what may be coming in the future from Grayson's book all make this story one that I couldn't put down.

If in the past you've found Kate's writing too kinky, but loved everything else, than you're going to want to pick up this one as a standalone (and I think it can be read that way easily) because it gives us some amazing writing and story without the D/s and kink dynamics.

Rating: 5 Stars

Necessary Time is currently available in paperback and e-book formats and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription.