Lonely Hearts: Love Lessons, Book 3

I really thought that "Love Lessons" (Walter and Kelly's story) was my favorite of the three. Then came "Fever Pitch" (Giles and Aaron's story). Now comes "Lonely Hearts" (Sebastian, aka Baz and Elijah's story) which in reality crept up to me to becoming one of my favorites. It was so difficult at first, because as Baz and Elijah were introduced, they really were not "likable" characters because both were already flawed and broken by tragedy. This is why it became my favorite in the end, it slowly crept up to me as I read through the whole story. I really liked how the characters were so deep and complicated that each one's depth reached through the core. The author meticulously writes in such detail how these two halves were joined as a whole. They are really destined to be soul mates in the end.Despite the seriousness of the two characters, I also liked the fact that both have hot chemistry, especially the "Black Butler" role play... Very well played (funny and intense at the same time). I am very well versed to the Manga.I also liked the fact that the whole crew were back with Ed Maurer and Laurie from "Dance with Me". I like authors who revisit other characters in other books and surprise you...So, who are the next characters to be woven Heidi Cullinan's "golden" web? I can't wait for Lewis' (Lejla) and hopefully, "Mr. Bulk" (I know how he was awful to Lejla). But, he (aka, Mr. Bulk) who protest the most sometimes ended up to be the gayest of them all... We will see (I can almost feel it)! Funny how the author sometimes introduce new characters that would lay groundwork for the next book... Will there be one?

I finished reading this several days ago. I have not recovered from reading it. I'm still thinking about Baz and Elijah. They pop up in my head at home, at work and while reading other stories. That's an incredibly talented author to make me think about a story long after it's finished. Right now as I'm trying to write this review, I feel inadequate in saying I don't have the words to tell you just how gutted I continue to be. This was not a light happy read for me. It was painful. It was heart shattering. It brought back college memories that made me uncomfortable. I didn't have a lot of friends. I understand Elijah in this regard. I yearned for them. I didn't know how to get them or keep them. I didn't know how to share myself with others. Then there was Baz. Baz caught me off guard. I didn't see his story coming. I naively thought I had an idea, but omg, Heidi took me down a road that messed with my head and my heart. It made me anxious and angry. It made me sad. Heidi made me feel for these 2 lost and damaged boys in a way I wasn't prepared for. 2 boys who found each other in their darkest moments. I'm going to re-read this story. I need to re-read this story. Thank you Heidi for another incredible story. For bringing back Ed and Laurie (my first Heidi read), and showing me how strong and supportive Baz and Elijah's friends are, old ones and new ones. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, the one that still hasn't recovered.

There are a handful of authors who can alternately have me howling with laughter or sobbing with tears on my face, but Heidi Cullinan is one of them. I first discovered her by reading "Fever Pitch", and then I read "Love Lessons" (out of order, but it didn't matter). This whole series is just wonderful, and instead of too much sex and not enough plot like so many other tiresome books published these days, we're given the time to get to know the characters, and all of their strengths and weaknesses. I love Elijah's voice; his caustic wit and sarcasm were hilarious. Those same qualities were heartbreaking as well, because he was so obviously trying to protect himself from further hurt. Baz, who seemed like such a player in "Fever Pitch", did a lot of growing and healing, and I was left with the rock solid belief that Baz and Elijah will be together forever, happily ever after. Although I have a tendency to speed read, I actually slowed down for the last two or three chapters, unwilling to leave their world behind. As a result of these three wonderful books, this author is going on my auto buy list. Thank you, Heidi Cullinan!

I've enjoyed this series, and this book was no exception, but I really wish the author had not gone so over-the-top with the sappy, sentimental language, which diminished the believability and impact of the emotional moments she was trying to highlight. Also, Baz's willingness to throw copious drugs at Elijah whenever he had a panic attack was troubling. Baz needed the medications he used to manage his chronic pain, but so casually sharing them with Elijah was irresponsible, and was encouraging Elijah to deal with his very serious mental issues with blind addiction. Elijah needed to be seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist, not just a pastor, and the idea that eating right and doing yoga with his friends--without any outside coaching or instruction--would be enough to take care of his panic attacks is way, way too simple. Having regular panic attacks is scary and awful, very complicated to deal with, and hard to get on top of. I would have liked to see Elijah set up with excellent professional help before we left the boys to their (hopefully) HEA.

You need to read the other books in this series to enjoy this book to its fullest but enjoy it you will.As always, Heidi Cullinan writes compelling flawed lovable characters. Neither Bas nor Elijah are nice. Elijah has massive trust issues and Baz too easily use power. But they are both kind.They each have so many open and closed wounds and have physical and mental disabilities created by the events of their past. They have coping mechanism that are not healthy.They are drawn to each other and they come to love each other. And we can believe that while not easy, they will be each others soft place to fall.They love.A great circle of friends and all kinds of support systems, reaching out, healing of others, and fun details make this a really great book and romance.

I loved this book.I can imagine it being quite an annoying book for some to read.You need to know a lot about the Dysney movies Frozen and Tangled.be interested in high end electric super cars.Have a working knowledge of leisure and prescription drugs.be well versed in manga and animie japanees Cartoons, including the obscure Black butler.Believe it or not I was ok with the above items.until the story ran into Ru Paul ... Hit the google button... (old time American disco drag queen)listened to some of the music, couldnt relate it to the story,could understand someone putting the book down when hitting one of these hurdles especially the manga and black butler part.Bit specialised.But that out of the way I was rivited after I got over the shock of the first chapter (almost lost me) and settled into the story.Baz and Elijah just grow on you.all the reference to pain and drugs, some leisure and some for real pain management. and the blurred line, nice!The Baz sun glassesthing grew from being, oh yeah! to quite interesting.I have read a few Headi Cullinan books, I have enjoyed most of them, this one is so good.

3 stars. This novel has great potential, just....unrealised. There are some very poignant themes being touched on and not developed enough, and too much irrelevant boringness which should be edited out. So two of the characters like Japanese Manga/Anime...er, ok....that's fine, but really, does the reader actually have to be subjected to whole paragraphs denoting titles, plots and whether the original Japanese is better than the English dubbed translation? Really?The trans character, Lewis/Lejla.....great idea, interesting character, great interaction with other characters, just...more detail required. I would have appreciated a glossary of terms. Not being an American College student I didn't understand several references and actually couldn't even be bothered to Google.Lovely story centralising around Baz and Elija relationship, just needs more focus and editing. It was OK (3 x stars) and I liked more than I didn't. Nice cover.

Wow! My mind is blown! What an excellent book! With every book she writes, Ms Cullinan gets better and better. In this book the snarky Elijah and Baz, who is cool defined, get their story, and what a story it is. Both are, in their own way, broken characters full of insecurities and heartbreak. Ms Cullinan tells their story brilliantly and compellingly and leaves the reader enmeshed in the tale.My heart broke for both Elijah and Baz, as their stories unfolded. It's a story about depression, abuse and disability, but it's actually uplifting and inspiring; as are many of this author's books. I found myself near to tears when reading some of the scenes in the book, but it also made me smile. It is truly a character driven love story which embraces both romance and a HEA.I love this series, it gets better with each book. It was lovely to catch up with characters from past books. They're all there playing a big part in Elijah and Baz's story. I love Walter and Kelly, they're like caretakers to all of their friends.I also think it was genius to include Ed and Laurie from, 'Dance With Me.' They fitted into the book seamlessly. It's a deeply emotional story which drags you into the world of the characters. I couldn't put it down and pulled an all nighter to read it. I'm aleady jonesing the next one in the series. Can't wait.

Heidi Cullinan can always tug ny heart strings. I love Giles and Aaron as well as Walter and Kelly but Baz and Elijah was the story I have waited for.It is painful but beautiful watch to them reach out for one another supported by the type of friends I hope you all have in your lives and finding some new ones along the way.Elijah and Baz importantly learn how to be very good friends as well as lovers as they deal with the travails of family and the wider world trying to fix them into boxes.Also there is a great ending.

Before I started this book I knew it would be excellent, so no surprises there. I also knew from her previous books that it would be stunning, put me through the emotional wringer with honesty and gut shredding purity of pain and that she would then proceed to re-assemble the wounded characters until they were shiny and good, like the best they were always meant to be. Sure saw her coming! Just magic!