Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots (The Cabots)

I really enjoyed this "slow burn" romance novel. Daniel sort of lurches into Dr. Alex's life and they quickly become "besties." Eventually they cross the line between friendship and love and they're, well, perfect for each other in that respect. But the ever so slow "build-up" into love (even though they both harbor "stronger than 'like' " feelings for each other from near the beginning) is what makes this book really nice.

Daniel comes from a privileged life; Alex, not so much. But they both have much to give their communities - and each other. Alex, because of his MILD mental issues - yet he's a pediatrician with a free clinic! - is slower to commit, yet the first to recognize Daniel's capacity to love him totally. Daniel is sleeping with another friend (JUST a "friend") at the start of the novel but commences "staying over" a lot at Daniel's home as well as cooking for him. Soon enough, he quits sleeping with his other friend (although they DO remain friends) in hopes that Daniel might just come to love him fully one day.

And he does - without much angst along the way.

Too, there's a sort of sub-theme on Daniel's ever-growing penchant & talent for community gardens (hence the double-meaning of the title) which gives the reader a good-feeling sense of his neighborhood and a couple of his neighbors.

I really "like - LIKED" this story and recommend it highly.

I’ve read nearly all of Cat’s books and the Cabot’s are, by far, my favorite. Not sure why, maybe it’s the earnest sweetness of them, but I adore them. This one was no exception. I absolutely loved it and can find not one thing to hate on. Just read it already. You will regret nothing.

(Although I loved Peter Cabot Gets Lost a smidge more, but that’s like saying I love hot fudge a smidge more than salted caramel. They are both delicious and you shouldn’t bother choosing which is your favorite, just sometimes you’re in the mood for chocolate, sometimes caramel. And sometimes you should mix them together and read both of these books one after the other and pretend the real world does not exist.)

This review applies to each of the three in this series about members of three generations of the Cabot clan of Massachusetts, who are wealthy and politically successful. No, it doesn't even touch what you might have expected--it's not about THAT political family from Massachusetts.

But Tommy, Peter and Daniel, the three main characters that author Cat Sebastian present to us turn out to be more interesting than you might expect, and their stories are a total departure from those you might have imagined for the decades in which they are set.

This is an extraordinary series, beautifully written, historically accurate, and one that if you like the first one you are likely to get the other two, pronto.

Bravo!

Cat Sebastian is one of my favorite MM romance writers and I’ve read and loved everything she’s written. Having enjoyed the other books in the Cabot series (Tommy Cabot Was Here, Peter Cabot Gets Lost), I thought I knew what to expect with this one. However, Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots was different: the two protagonists had already gotten together by the middle of the book, so I wondered at that point what the rest of the story would be about. It turns out that the rest of the story is about how they make the relationship work and what it means to fit your life with someone else’s, with all of the human imperfections on each side to negotiate around. The story was as beautifully written as always, but in this one Sebastian went deeper than your typical romance novel and showed us how rich the story can be AFTER the stereotypical happily ever after. I also love the progression in the Cabot stories from the 1950's to 1960's to 1970's; the different ways in which same-sex relationships were portrayed over the decades really rang true.

I have been waiting for the next book in the Cabot series and it was exactly what I needed. This whole series is a comforting warm hug and this book was no exception. Alex and Daniel have been friends for some time but have never crossed the line into anything more. Everyone in their lives can see they're perfect for each other. When they decide to be something more they must navigate what this means for their friendship and how to support one another in an intimate relationship. I loved book Alex and Daniel from the jump (and technically I have loved Daniel from the first Cabot book). Alex's neurodivergence was very interesting to read and felt like it was handled in a careful and loving way. I really loved Alex and Daniel's dynamic with each other. Both accepted the other who exactly who they are, which honestly was really refreshing to read. I also loved that they got a happy ending that felt accurate to their characters rather than forcing them into a more traditional situation. I loved that we got continued glances into the lives of Daniel's parents and am still desperately hoping that Patricia gets her own book in the future.

Absolutely loved this book. Alex is an autistic doctor who is notorious for being seen as difficult or fussy, Daniel is a music-loving, can't stop moving type person (cough ADHD-er cough) who sort of fell into his life and never left. I loved the dynamic between Alex and Daniel, the easy way they manage to work into each other's lives. The other aspect of this book that absolutely got me was the family (found and blood) aspect as well as the ties to the community and how much both men try to support their community in their own way.

Cat Sebastian has described the Cabot books as just gay men wearing sweaters and crying and in this respect, Daniel Cabot mostly fits the bill. Although the characters cry less, I spent most of the book fighting off tears because of how wonderful it is that these quirky people found a space to be themselves and be loved. It could have ended after part one and been a perfectly lovely romance, but Cat loves us and gave us a deliciously indulgent part 2. This whole series is just my go-to comfort read.

Thanks to the author for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Cat Sebastian books make me so happy.

Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots—Cat’s upcoming novella release out 11/15–is another soft, sweet, loving book that starts with mutual unspoken pining between friends & ends with them as lovers making a bigger life together.

The 1970s New York vibes are strong, the communication is lovely (& so is the steam!), & there’s no third act breakup after they decide to be together (yes yes yes).

If the thought of a pediatrician & music critic combo, Neurodivergent rep, and so much care sound good to you, give this one a try.

Thanks to the author for another lovely read.

4.5⭐️. Out 11/15.

CW: please consult the author’s note for a detailed list of CWs.