Clark's Story (The Making of a Man, #4) by Diane Adams

Clark's Story (The Making of a Man, #4) Reviews

• 
  Elsa Bravante

  Clarck, el amigo de Alex, tiene su historia de amor. Y, aunque creo que está mejor escrita que las anteriores, se va a quedar con dos estrellas por varios comentarios bastante misóginos, y creedme que si lo digo yo, que no soy nada susceptible, es que lo son. Los estereotipos son siempre desafortunados, pero que los perpetúen las propias mujeres, los hace todavía peor.
• 
  MsMiz (Tina)

  Ah god damn, Diane did it again. How she does it so well, I do not know - I am sitting here on a Saturday morning with teary eyes - the ending was beautiful.
  
  I am back to add to my review as I have had a chance to think about this book some more. At first I was worried because this was Clark's story and really it is Clark and Stevie. I have been so in love with Jared and Alex that I thought, heck this will be filler space until we get to the next addition. I was so so, let me say it again, so wrong. All of the characters in these books are integral to the health and care of each other. It was nice to get back story on how Clark and Stevie begin to heel together. It was also really great to see Jared and Alex through other eyes. The bowling alley scene was so cute and Clark giving a play by play of how Jared and Alex are together was so cute.
  
  This story is not all roses. Stevie has been to hell and back and she is not pieced together as she comes back. The love Clark has for her, even as he is questioning everything is so beautiful and strong...we all want to have a Clark.
  
  In the end the Thanksgiving day celebration and the soon to be Day after celebration is so amazing and so sweet and really, who does not want traditions like the ones they have created?
  
  In the end, Annie's box to Grammy Rose still has tears streaming. Amazing what love and open doors can do.
  
  I know I will be one sad person when this series ends.
• 
  R.J.

  Diane Adam's has possibly made the bravest decision she will ever make in her writing career.
  
  She has added a book to her Making of a man series but instead of focusing on Jared and Alex solely she has looked at Alex's best friend Clark and Clark's love story with Stevie. Clark and Stevie are two characters from her incredibly popular Alex/Jared books.
  
  What she has done is take Clark and Stevie and write the most wonderful romance between them. It was so beautiful it made me cry and I am not ashamed to admit it. In writing Clark's story we also see much more of Alex and Jared and most tellingly how Alex's growth into a man is defined at so many crucial stages by his interaction with his best friend.
  
  You will probably know that I am biased. Diane is my friend and I co-write with her, but this is a gorgeous story and if you love the Alex/Jared books as much as I do then you will not be disappointed to learn more about Clark and Stevie. Highly recommended...
• 
  Barbara➰

  Reading Jared and Alex’s story, I was definitely interested in Clark and Stevie’s story even though I haven’t read a mf book in quite some time. She needed his love and he needed to love her and take care of her. This was so sweet.
  
  Clark is absolutely perfect. I have to say Stevie got on my nerves a wee bit with her back and forth, sending Clark mixed messages. But given her history it was understandable.
  
  I love how we see them then and now. This is a great group of friends and family.
• 
  Don Bradshaw

  You are missing one of the most beautifully written and engaging romance stories out there if you haven't read any of The Making of a Man series. This installment in Alex and Jared's love centers primarily around Clark and his efforts to win the heart of his dream woman, Stevie. Alex, Clark and Stevie have been best friends since their daycare days. Ms Adams has taken what most would think of as a hetero love story and intertwined it perfectly with Alex and Jared's story. There are no m/f sex scenes or any touching that would turn off a m/m reader. Stevie is emotionally and physically damaged due to severe abuse from her mother. Clark is a straight guy who understands guy relationships better than he does heterosexual ones but Clark knows what he wants. Clark wants the kind of forever love that Alex and Jared have worked hard to make theirs. Ms Adams has the rare talent to make the reader really care about her characters and feel their very real emotions. The first three books and now Clark's Story open with the characters interacting in the present day then you are deftly carried back in time to the heart of the story and back to the present again at the end of the book. I was leery of this flash back style when I read book one but it works perfectly. You get a glimpse of the HEA and then discover how the characters got there. The books are written to be read in order which makes it a little difficult to review just one book in the ongoing series but this installment was as excellent and heartwarming as the previous books. It is definitely time to pick up the first book and become enchanted by the world that Ms Adams has so masterfully created.
  Reviewed on Hearts On Fire...
  http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
• 
  Deeze

  Occasionally I could kick myself for holding off on reading a book, and this is one of those times. I was so convinced I wouldn't enjoy a story based on a het couple instead of a gay couple I nearly lost out on a wonderful read.
  
  Clarks story is full of love and hope and at times dispair, the emotion comes across strongly and I'd advice having a tissue or two handy. In this story we get to see a much deeper side to Clark. We always knew he was a special kinda guy, but in this story we get to see just how special. Stevie is a well written character, not an anoying know-it-all like a lot of females are portrayed. But there were times I wanted to shake her lol.
  
  
  The side line with Justin has me already eager to read more.
  
  Alex and Jared are still an important part of this book. Its not just Clark and Stevie's story, its a continuation of Alex and Jareds family story.
  
  This is a series I can see me re-reading again once its complete, Its a true romance
  
  ETA OMG This book just has all the feels.
• 
  Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions

  Already so many great reviews for this book I am not sure what to say...
  
  First I will say if you haven't read this series you are really missing out. I have loved each book.
  
  If you have read the series you'll know why Clark and Stevie needed their book. While this book is about Stevie and Clark there is still Plenty of Jared and Alex.
  
  These books make me silly happy
  
  :)
  
  :D
  
  
  
  Yeah I love these books
• 
  Snowtulip

  Intention, empathy, tolerance...hope. This is such a beautiful story that really shows the birth of hope in dire circumstances. As always, Jared, Alex, Clark and Stevie make this such a great story that reminds you that people are multi-dimensional. Shades of grey color the world that we are so wrapped up in viewing in only black and white. I was definately teary eyed and really want to cherish traditions in the same fashion as this fictional family. Who says fiction can't make you want to be a better person?
• 
  Sadonna

  Oh Diane! It made me cry - that's a automatic 5 stars! I'll write a real review tomorrow.
  
  Ok, sorry this took so long to get back to, but here's the real review.
  
  How do I love this story? Let me count the ways. First, this is one of my MOST favorite series of all time. While each story is not terribly long, there is so much true love that shines through. Not easy love - true love. I love the way each story starts in the present and then proceeds to give the background story about an episode in the journey of Alex and Jared that just makes me love them more. I was a little worried that the focus on Clark and Stevie in this story would take too much away from Alex and Jared, but my worry was for naught. This particular story REALLY brought home how much Jared and Alex have worked to build their love and relationship through the years. What's really nice is it doesn't take away from the story of Clark and Stevie - it just enhances it.
  
  I think my favorite part of the story is when Clark is talking to Alex about how he doesn't know what Stevie wants.
  
  Alex sighed. "She's a girl, Clark. What man
  understands that?"
  Clark huffed a laugh. "Is that why it's so easy for
  you and Jared, because you're both guys?"
  Alex was quiet for a long moment. "It's not always
  as easy as it might look from the outside, but I think it goes
  as well as it does because one of us is Jared."
  
  THAT is the heart of the story. Plus the ending to this one is a real tearjerker. It made ME cry and that's a really tough thing to do.
  
  As each story is released it is making me sad that there are fewer stories to come. Diane, are you SURE you can't write more than two more? Are you open to bribery???
  
• 
  Ami

  At first, I'm a bit 'disappointed' because the story takes a detour from Alex and Jared. BUT, after thinking about it, Clark and Stevie are pretty much Alex and Jared's family members too, and their story is as important. Especially because of what happened to Stevie in previous book, and we all know how dedicated Clark is to her. So I figure I need to read his story too.
  
  Alex and Jared's fans should be happy to know that there are also plots about them. In fact, the ending of this book is significant to Alex and Jared's life (an ending that brings tears to my eyes, darn it!). And hardcore M/M fans should also be relieved since there is no M/F sex here.
  
  Having said all those warnings, OMG, Clark's story is just as powerful as it is Alex and Jared's. How can I find a man like Clark, please??! That man is not only loyal to his friends but his love to Stevie is just, gaaaaag, I'm envious with Stevie here!!!
  
  I must admit that my support is totally for Clark; like I'm sad when he's heartbroken, and I'm pissed at Stevie for stringing him along. In fact, when Alex is upset with Stevie, I pretty much agree with him, and if I'm Alex, I will probably say the same thing to her.
  
  I still enjoy the whole present to flashback structure of the story. It's a wonderful filler before we get more stories about Alex and Jared.
  
  PS: I totally hope that Diane Adams will address that issue about Jared's thought of postponing having children. It's an intriguing topic, because why couldn't they?!? And Jared does say that "for Alex, anything" ... and Alex clearly wants to have children with Jared. So, what is the problem??
• 
  BevS

  Yes, another 5 star review, even though I was slightly wary about the fact that this was about Clark and Stevie, but that was soon blown away.
  
  This was a really good story. Of course, we all knew where Clark and Stevie stood, but to fill in the gaps between where they are now, and how they arrived there was wonderful. Once Stevie had finally worked through her problems with her mother to her own satisfaction, you could only hope that she would finally see Clark for what he was, someone who'd loved her unselfishly for such a long time.
  
  I loved Justin as a character (is he getting his own story Diane?), and of course my two favourite men featured strongly in the story too. The 'hated one' made an appearance, and what do you know, she may be thawing towards Jared a little, about bloody time too!
  
  The family that Clark and Stevie have 'acquired' are wonderful. Annie is the star of course, but Xander and Jay will no doubt feature strongly in any future books Diane has planned, please?
  
  Many thanks for this continuing story Diane, and I can't say I'm looking forward to the next one, 'cos that's the last, but I really am.
• 
  Kat

  Clark's and Stevie's story is simply beautiful, a strong and encouraging story about the power of love. Clark is such a wonderful character and Stevie is strong, too, even if she doesn't know it sometimes.
  What I love most about the series is that we are allowed to see both, past and future, it makes these books so much more special.
  The ending is beautiful, even if in reality parents may not overcome their hate and prejudice... but this is fiction so I am very, very happy about the ending :)
  
  ... and 'For Alex, anything'... It made me cry. It's so simple and so beautiful....
• 
  Tana

  Well I just read this and what can I say this story is a work of art. Diane Adams is what I would say is a fantastic author, one of the best. I cried through 3 quaters of this book. THe ending is WOW.
  
  I don't think I can write anything to express how great this book is. All I say is that it is a book you need to read.
  
  
• 
  Candice

  4.5 To be honest I had been holding off reading this book. I loved the first three books and Jared/Alex. My hesitancy was because this was going to be about Clark and Stevie, and though I liked both those characters from previous books, I wasn't sure if I wanted to give up my Jared/Alex love for them to have their own book.
  
  I absolutely love how the author gives us a glimpse of the future in the beginning so you don't lose hope when things turn rough throughout the book, you know it will be okay. This was a beautifully played out romantic story between Clark and Stevie. There were times I really didn't like Stevie though. I was so happy that we continued to get to see Jared and Alex and how their lives have unfolded and how they are such an large part of Clark and Stevie's lives, they are all truly a family. I can't wait until the next book because there is still so much more to learn and love with all these characters.
• 
  Anke

  4.5 stars
  
  I'm with another reviewer in wondering why it took me so long to read this book. It had to do with my expectation of reading about the m/f pairing, not realizing that of course Alex and Jared would be in it as well. Oh well, can't be helped and I'm just happy that today I was without my kindle and therefore looking for a book on my iphone, so voilá - just in time for the release of the next book in the series here I am just having finished reading.
  
  After finding my way into the story after the break in the timeline with the first chapter with regard to the ending of the previous book (at least what I remember!) I was totally engrossed and couldn't stop reading. Wonderful from, well, second chapter till the end. Poor Clark - always in love with Stevie and supporting her and for the longest time no hope that his feelings would be returned eventually. And then after the second time cut the thanksgiving plus was just the icing on the cake. The only thing disturbing my reading fun where missing words and letters now and then.
  
  So, after an afternoon reading this wonderful book I'm now waiting for the release of #5.
  
  
• 
  Sucajo

  I have always loved Clark through this entire series. He has always been strong, dependable and supportive to all his friends. Despite this, I hesitated before reading this book. Having loved all the previous books in this series, I didn't want to love this one any less. I needn't have worried, this beautiful story was as filled with love and friendship as all the previous books. As a bonus, it was nice to catch glimpses of Alex and Jared as well. The end of the book was unexpected but nonetheless amazing and just one more thing - Diane Adams please stop making me cry :)
• 
  Merith

  I just finished and I can't stop crying. So, good. But then, I knew it would be. I have a feeling we are at the end of the series, everything seems to have been wrapped up beautifully.
  
  Jared is so steadfast - For Alex, anything. Such a beautiful thing. Alex so excited about everything he does, even if mostly it's about Jared. Clark and Stevie's story is no less than the passion and love Alex and Jared's is, for all the difficulties they've gone through.
  
  Thank you so much for bringing these wonderful people into our lives, sharing them with us.
• 
  skyline

  Like all the books in this series... beautiful... just beautiful!
• 
  Ivka_s_knihou

  i promised mrs. Adams review on my FB account... well, since im crying like an idiot it's time to fullfill my promise. First of all. I love Alex and Jared. These two are one of my favourite three M/M written couples. i hope there's going to be paperback version soon.
  
  *deep sigh* Clark and Stevie. i have a few issues with Stevie. it has nothing to do with the way she is. she was very well written and believable. but everything to do with me. i always end up falling in love with main male character in M/F stories (if they aren't complete pricks). and i was so caught up in love with Clark that i really hate Stevie's behavior sometimes. *blushes* My mind is a VERY simple place. Clark is unhappy. Iam unhappy. Stevie is the worst person in the world. *lol*
  
  All and all i love it very much. Their story is absolutely sweet and gentle and really beautiful. there were so many emotions that i cried a lot (which is good in my opinion) and it was perfect addition for Making of a Man series.
• 
  Natalie

  This story was full of heart, and I'm glad I read it, but I can't help but be disappointed by what we don't get to see. We get a glimpse of the future (which mostly consists of descriptions of children) and a lot of the past, but very little of the developing physical and emotional intimacy between Clark and Stevie. I don't know if this was a conscious choice to make the story more appealing to m/m fans who are wary of m/f romance. (I admit, I do fall into this category.) When the story ends, Clark and Stevie are still in a very tentative place in their relationship. We know from the flash-forwards that they end up OK, but I feel cheated out of the in-between parts.
• 
  R.B.

  This book was simply beautiful. Please, do tell me that Justin will have his story too...
• 
  Craig Sharp

  Clark's Story (The Making of a Man #4) by Diane Adams is a wonderful and emotional conclusion to the series. I’ve been informed there are more to follow. Yes!
• 
  L-D

  Although I don't love Stevie, I did really enjoy this book. I understand that Stevie has a lot of issues, but she just kept hurting Clark, and it didn't endear me to her. But I loved that this story revisited Jared and Alex. And while I've always loved Clark, reading this made me love him all the more. His patience and loyalty were amazing.
  
  I like the way this book flips back and forth from the past to the present like the first 3 books did. I will say that I liked the adult Stevie for obvious reasons.
  
  All in all, this was a wonderful addition to the Making of a Man series. It also made me hope to read a future book with maybe the Making of a Family? Please Ms. Adams?
• 
  Lydia

  Another great addition to the series. I'm really curious as to how Janet tries to redeem herself. Oh you can imagine my shock when I see my name pop us as Clark's mother's name. I rarely see my name anywhere and when I turned the page last night and saw it a little zing buzz through my body. I'm not sure if it's coincidence or what but it was great.
• 
  LauraSt

  4.5 STARS
  
  What can say, I'm a sucker for this guys.
  I loved it so much I pretty much cried at the end. It was amazing and perfect and lovely and sweet and sad.
  Clark and Stevie's journey wasn't easy but the end result was so worth it.
  Loved it.
  
  And I'll never never get enough of Alex and Jared, love them so much
• 
  Shelby P

  It was nice to read about Clark's story. I loved reading about their adopted kids. Annie was too cute. And the ending with Alex's mom was very touching. It would have been nice to see Clark and Stevie share some happy times in the flash backs.
• 
  Gill

  Oh my goodness, such a beautiful story!!
• 
  Elci

  Sigh. I love this series.
• 
  Isabella

  Absolutely beautiful! The end of this story was a balm to my soul, and Annie, God, Annie was the light in the darkness.
  
  Ms Adams, you did good!
• 
  Karlijn

  Off to the next book. Will review all the books together at the end.