The right book at the right time. This was what I happened to be looking for and it delivered exactly what I hoped.
Possession-obsession. Perfect MINEThe right book at the right time. This was what I happened to be looking for and it delivered exactly what I hoped.
Possession-obsession. Perfect MINE moment could not have been better. Feral, feral, FERAL love. Touch him and literally DIE IN GREAT PAIN. Heh heh heh. Caged, abused beast of a fighter; deceived, abused, imprisoned victim turned survivor of a prey-turned-obsession.
Loved it. Just read the book copy for the story, it is what it is.
I felt the connection, the heat was 5-alarm fire scorching, the co-dependency that continued and evolved was credible and well done, and the love felt real and true.
HEA. Caged fighting beast x his prey-possession-lover. Selectively mute (? Not sure that’s the correct term, but he doesn’t speak until...!) hero. Vicious underground illegal fighting ring. Terrific secrets revealed. Every single bad guy gets what’s coming to him. Great reunion. Absolutely no others in any way, ever, no questions. One threat of SA but quickly shut down. Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for a feral possessive-obsessive romance....more
Oh, he's the narrator MC, but, for me...this book is DAwww babes. You are the sweetest thing, Darian.
Everyone needs a Darian in their life.
Ash who?
Oh, he's the narrator MC, but, for me...this book is Darian.
Safe for me (yay!) aka no others/rando OM action. Just Ash, who lives with bipolar disorder and depression, and Darian, the loveliest man to every say "I have the right to try." No expectations, no fixing Ash, none of that BS. Just really likes being around him, full stop.
Writer with mental health issues meets model with a distinctive Essex accent. Hookups, wait you're still heres, wait you came back, oh shit I think I li..lo...ve you ensues.
Ash of course can't believe anyone could possibly put up with him for the long run, sabotages himself and Darian, because that's what he does, but, for once? It isn't because he's just a mean nasty person (looking at you, Marius from Waiting for the Flood/Chasing the Light, you wanker). It's his knee-jerk reaction to try not to get pecked at by his (shitty) posh peers and his effort not to draw attention to himself that really sinks his ship. He does say awful things, but, you can tell he doesn't mean them, he's trying to fit in in a way that will deflect crappy people, but man, does he F it UP.
But Darian the smokeshow ain't nobody's fool and he calls Ash on his crap, and I just adored him.
There's depression, soul searching, terrific apology including a Notting Hill-esque accidental Moment, and I was a melty melting little melted puddle by the end. These two are terrific together.
This was my third read, first time reading it in print instead of ebook. I hope the "Aftermath" chapter isn't only in the print book, because it's darn important to see Darian's reaction to a certain Thing Ash did when he had no idea he'd ever get Darian back or even see him again, and it was, to be a cliche, Everything.
Also, anyone who can pull off making a Union Jack onesie somehow work deserves a medal and true love.
HEA. Mental health themes. Total opposites attract rather posh/commoner feel. No others, no OM drama, just a boy, standing in front of a boy...oh, you know what I mean. Exes are secondary characters but for once, did not bother me in any way/weren't obnoxious in that fashion. I enjoyed them both, even though poor Niall is a disaster and needs a book.
Highly recommended, as is the entire Spires series, it is mah-ve-lous....more
I gave up. Time of death, 44%. Not rating bc I should have known better.
The reviews made it sound so good, and I enjoyed the other books in the serieI gave up. Time of death, 44%. Not rating bc I should have known better.
The reviews made it sound so good, and I enjoyed the other books in the series so far, so took a chance on a second chance.
I really should know myself better. This was just as bad and frustrating as Pass Interference, and I didn’t even get an outstanding MC Jackson telling-MC Hayden-off moment like I did in that one. More of a sad, “You really hurt me� moment, and Hayden already knew just how horribly he hurt Jackson. Like really bad. Marcus from PI and Hayden here would be a great match for biggest assholes who decide they should get a second chance with the sweetheart they totally fucked over without any explanation more than a decade ago, meanwhile marrying other people.
Tools.
I think I was supposed to feel bad because Hayden has (view spoiler)[ chronic pain from osteoarthritis (hide spoiler)] and lives with (view spoiler)[depression, (hide spoiler)] but, you know what? Zara, his now-ex-wife is the one he trusted to help him all this time. Hayden has spent years working to get better; Jackson knows nothing about any of it. Apparently Hayden’s now myriad tattoos also have a lot of meaning; again, Jackson knows nothing of them. Zara knows it all! She’s the one Hayden has shared himself with all this time. How the F am I supposed to root for Hayden and Jackson? Oh, even better, now ex-wife-bestie Zara is going to HELP Hayden get his man back. ...more
Perfect martyr hero with a moral code of honor so strong he never annoyed me in the slightest. His backThis type of read is my catnip, my kryptonite.
Perfect martyr hero with a moral code of honor so strong he never annoyed me in the slightest. His backstory fits perfectly into why he never asks for help, never wants to burden anyone, does everything independently and thinks he isn’t interesting enough to hold anyone’s attention for longer than a scene.
This is a BDSM focused story. Hero Sebastian, above, is a sub, and needs so much to be owned but thinks he isn’t worthy of being claimed. Hero Gideon is the strong, uber-protective, former SEAL/CIA/secret ops, rich powerful dumbass BDSM club owner who wants him to the point of obsession but cocks it all up trying to hold his own boundaries in place and not seeing what’s right in front of him.
Oh, my god, I loved it.
All my favorite things. Too many of my favorite things? Found family, misunderstood hero Sebastian who thinks he has no friends/no one on his side, medical issues kept secret from his Dom because hey, that’s how the contract goes (yes I was SO gleefully waiting for Gideon to figure out just how badly he’d screwed himself with his own rules LMAO), clear incendiary chemistry and beautiful complementary meeting of Dom/sub needs but hoist by their own petards. Beautiful rope work by Gideon, I could picture every knot.
(Also, I’m a total layperson, have no idea how authentic/accurate the Dom/sub stuff is, but, nothing about their dynamic bumped me out of the narrative.)
Note: TW for drugging/assault(view spoiler)[ of Sebastian, near the beginning, on page and goes not quite to SA but very far/damaging. Rescued by Gideon, which first brings them together in a caregiving situation. Also leads to a tremendous misunderstanding the next morning with a slap heard round the world. (hide spoiler)]
Some cheese (in a great way for me), some good making up for being a dumbass including groveling, terrific “secrets discovered!� moments that paid off so, so well...oh, and did I mention the two cute cats and the eventual dog?! I can’t even make this stuff up.
Yeah, I’d say I had a GREAT time.
Even the opening with Gideon being sucked back into his old world and torturing/killing a super bad dude (which happens again later too) didn’t seem at odds with the segue to sensual seductive club time and focus on romance. Maybe because the book was long enough to develop both sides of his character? He’s a bit of a double life guy, though never intended to go back to the soldier/spy assassin work. And, oh, does not being fully transparent with Sebastian come back to bite him on the ass...!
It's got it all. Torture of bad dudes. Codes of honor so strong they screw it all up and have to fix it. Total complementary personalities, incendiary chemistry, compartmentalization of love life v career/work that raises stakes and tension to the max. Sebastian is an artist who does police sketches but is passionate about tattoo work for those who want to change the narrative of their scars into something to celebrate.
I’m a sucker for this stuff. Old school romantic-conflict driven. Very Sloane Kennedy, Mary Calmes early stuff, hero who has no idea how amazing he is, other hero who has no idea just how worthy he is or how much he needs the man he keeps not letting in...total perfect storm for me. Heck, it even has one of those “why did you show up at my family party? We’re not like that!� moments set up so well and ending so juicily painfully, I was pretty much drooling. Seriously. Can’t make this up. It’s got ALL my favorite types of “wow he’s going to regret acting that way SO MUCH� moments.
HEA. Dom/sub BDSM. Medical issues that play into plot and conflict. Found family. Tattoo artist, former SEAL/CIA operative, past coming back to haunt MC. There is no sex OM action, but, heads up—immediately after these two agree to a contract but haven’t started yet, Gideon(view spoiler)[ realizes he needs to help a former sub and does work as a Dom to bring the man to another Dom, including submission without sex. Gideon also makes a bad/thoughtless mistake and agrees to stand in as Dom when someone is ill for a non-sex Dom scene in his club, without even thinking to inform Sebastian, leading to juicy tension and adding to the hornet’s nest of conflict. (hide spoiler)] He does realize how wrong that was, too late. Heh heh. Dumbass.
Highly recommended if you’re into this kind of juicy old-school romance dynamic. It's got everything and the kitchen sink in a way that worked for me....more
**spoiler alert** More like 2 but giving 3 because I was overall glad I read this.
[Nah, know what? Screw that. It's a 2. Jack drags it down.]
I origin**spoiler alert** More like 2 but giving 3 because I was overall glad I read this.
[Nah, know what? Screw that. It's a 2. Jack drags it down.]
I originally dnf’d this compilation at novella 1.4, when I found out for sure that Jack is and has been hooking up with other people. But I eventually came back to read 1.6 and 1.8, because I love this author’s plotting and storytelling style quite a lot, and because the wonderful @Pauline let me know there’s info and connection that’s important to the rest of the series. She’s right, as usual! Thanks, Pauline. ❤️
Here’s me reading the rest:
Jack: I can’t trust Ethan Ethan: *saves Jack’s life* Jack: Ethan isn’t reliable and I still don’t trust him Ethan *saves Jack’s life again* Jack: I’m Feeling things and it’s Ethan’s fault. Good thing we aren’t exclusive and I casual-fucked someone else in February after that chapter and before our March chapter. Ethan: *invites Jack to share in something he loves* Jack: Oh who’s this asshole who clearly wants in Ethan’s pan—oh look! Hot guy! Should I go watch hot guys at the beach instead of cheering Ethan on because I might be bored just watching him race? Ethan, what do you think? Ethan: ...more
I had varied reactions to this book. I enjoyed certain elements and also was frustrated at times.
I think this is a debut; congrats to the author. I eI had varied reactions to this book. I enjoyed certain elements and also was frustrated at times.
I think this is a debut; congrats to the author. I enjoyed her easy-to-read style. And the premise is strong; the MCs meet due to their parents� relationship, and it turns out MC Callum and his mom are psychics, leading to an intense first encounter when Joey and his dad arrive, and then Callum avoiding Joey for years, with Joey believing Callum hates him. Great tension and hints of pining ensue.
I also enjoyed the developments in the connection between Callum and Joey, and getting to know the different abilities involved in the people of the Agency. I do love psychic elements and found that entertaining!
Up front, I didn’t appreciate Joey’s cliché caricature girlfriend; it seemed derogatory to women to create yet another all-bad, seemingly unintelligent disposable bitch who cheats without a qualm then expects to stay together. Either Joey is a legit fool for putting up with her truly nasty entitled attitude, or...yeah, that’s all I got. (I also couldn’t figure out...did they start dating in high school? They’ve been together 2 years but he’s now 19 and halfway through sophomore year of college, yet before her, managed to hook up with a bunch of both M and W...in high school? Sure, okay, I guess?) It was also selfish of Joey to(view spoiler)[ leave his folks� wedding without so much as a goodbye. (hide spoiler)] That’s all done with early on.
I also didn’t enjoy Callum knowing the future and being just fine stepping aside while Joey (and probably Callum too?) didn’t know a thing and grew up hooking up with and dating other people. I’m not into that scenario; it felt like fated mates who know they’re fated but still see other people before getting together. Ew. I don’t care about that being a good healthy thing IRL; in a romance, it’s unappealing (for me) and diminished the fantasy of them being right for each other. Also, why is Joey being 19 the right age to then step in? He was still in college/figuring himself out, and Callum’s now, what, 23 and has his career and life? I mean, if you’re going to lean in to the “he’s too young,� 19 and still in college still seems kinda early for starting on the lifetime commitment, given Callum was okay with waiting anyway. Might’ve been more believable to start things after Joey graduated from college, since Callum was being responsible anyway? I would’ve been just as bothered either way, and now (view spoiler)[Joey’s going to quite college to be with Callum and the Agency. (hide spoiler)]...more
Very similar to Hunger Games and Catching Fire in story beats. Did I mind? No. Still works. Not a feel-good read, so, exerciIt got me all over again.
Very similar to Hunger Games and Catching Fire in story beats. Did I mind? No. Still works. Not a feel-good read, so, exercise self care as to when you dive in.
Left me to wonder how many T supporters will read this unironically, not understanding that this is the style of future they voted for.
It does make you think about how much we'll never know about anything that's really going on behind what's shown. Careful before you point fingers without context.
Anyway. Stellar writing and story telling, as usual. I hope Edgar Allen Poe would have enjoyed this use of his most famous work.
Highly recommended, as is the entire Hunger Games series (though I haven't read Songbirds and Snakes/Snow's story, I did enjoy the movie)....more
DNF for now, but not rating. I thought I'd like this, but...it's just icking me out. The late uncle has pretty much bequested his 23 year old nephew tDNF for now, but not rating. I thought I'd like this, but...it's just icking me out. The late uncle has pretty much bequested his 23 year old nephew to one of his former lovers, which I thought would be tantalizing? But it just...isn't. There are all these former lovers running around at the reading of the will, and it's clear he's matchmaking for many of them, and it all feels incestuous in a not good way. If I want true incest, I'll stick to Odessa Hywell, Becca Vale, and Nicky James.
I should have known when as a 15 yo the nephew MC accidentally stumbled on his future MC giving the uncle a BJ and got turned on by it that I wouldn't be into this, but...I don't know. I'll try again sometime, maybe I'm not in the right frame of mind. I wanted scandalous, not...this. Maybe if I hadn't "seen" that happen on page, and the uncle didn't seem to be passing his lovers off to each other and his nephew to a lover, but...
Eh.
I do love a lot of this author's books though! She's very readable and immersive, and usually I do enjoy her. This just went a step too far over the top for me, I guess.
I'm sure there is an HEA. There's OM action to start, with the one MC and the uncle, but the heroes won't get together until 8 years later, so...most of you won't care....more
Jax Calder doing what I love most about reading Jax Calder. Showing—REALLY showing—how two people fit each other and why they fall in love. Sex is jusJax Calder doing what I love most about reading Jax Calder. Showing—REALLY showing—how two people fit each other and why they fall in love. Sex is just a (really lovely well-done) bonus.
The trouble with revenge best being served cold is that, by the time it’s cold? The person you want revenge against has evolved so much, there’s possibly no point, and you’d be better served looking forward and seeing what’s in front of your face.
Andrew was bullied every day in high school. Justin was part of that bullying group. Tech-genius multi-multi-millionaire (billionaire? Probably.) Andrew running across Justin in London nearly 10 years later feels like too good an opportunity to pass up, especially when Justin doesn’t even recognize the guy he tortured on the daily for four years. Andrew’s got all the money and time in the world now to spend on setting himself up an alternate identity, getting a job at Justin’s company as an IT guy, and proceeding to make Justin’s life...difficult.
Oh, nothing physically harmful or detrimental to the point of being fired. Just...a dose of humiliation as often as “Drew� can make it happen. And yes the situation could seem unlikely and ridiculous, but, you're here for the revenge, so...just go with it. It feels authentic enough to work.
But guess what? Nah, you already know. Getting an apartment in the same building/on the same floor with the now super friendly and kind adult Justin means adult Justin will make overtures to be friends. And adult Justin, free of their small town and former friends and expectations that he be One Thing, is...well, frankly, he’s pretty awesome. He rescues cats and volunteers at a shelter. He brings breakfast every day to the unhomed man who sits in a certain spot on his daily commute. He cooks and shares those meals with Drew. He’s everybody’s buddy, but what Andrew-Drew comes to realize is that no one really knows all the facets that make Justin JUSTIN and how he got to be that way...until he and Justin are getting along, bonding, sharing the same sense of humor, spending hours together, and Justin’s finally comfortable enough with someone to share the bleak parts of his past, and...kiss him. And finally, finally be his full, true self.
Oh dear!
Yup. There’s no excuse for Justin’s past behavior, though his own awful demons give Andrew an explanation for it. And on the same hand...there’s no justification for “Drew’s� current behavior/juvenile plot against his former bully.
Too bad that eventually they’re both so in love, you just know it’s all gotta come out badly...!
The story beats are predictable but set to perfection and deliver a satisfying and balanced reading experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. True romance, true getting to know someone and loving them for all their strengths and flaws and vulnerabilities. Truly great cats. Lovely intimacy, and all the “firsts with a guy� for Justin with a man he trusts more than any other. Sure, it all has to burn to the ground to be rebuilt the right way, but...it’s just such a bittersweet, charming, laugh through tears read and I reveled in it.
Great literal reunion moment, Calder could not have pitched it more perfectly. You’ll see what I mean.
HEA, enemies (one not realizing) to best friends to lovers, hidden identity, secret gazillionaire, grumpy-sunshine vibes. Absolutely no others/OM drama, no annoying info on others, just clear focus on these two connecting and becoming each other’s Person. And Andrew’s love language of secret gifts just...gah. Got me. Nice parent characters and fun secondary characters abound; no cliché villains (outside of learning about the high school backstory). Highly recommended.
My thanks to the author for the ARC; I’ll admit to being biased bc I love most of her stories so much. And I loved this one; it worked for me....more
Heartwarming read about two men who are grownups. Not F-boys, not cliches, not miscommunicating [not a word but should be a word] dummies. Grownups. THeartwarming read about two men who are grownups. Not F-boys, not cliches, not miscommunicating [not a word but should be a word] dummies. Grownups. The story started slow but snuck up on me and I wound up enjoying it a lot.
The first bit did read a bit slow, the two MCs each have a lot going on to sort through. Ollie thinks he’s coming to town for a job as a caregiver with a live-in place for him and his 8 yo son, Theo, who just lost his mom (a person Ollie agreed to have a child with but was never a romantic interest in any way, just a great friend) and is now getting to know how to be a single dad (the late mom had custody; Ollie was away a lot in the military). Ty has just lost the father he was estranged from who treated him poorly/blamed him for his mother’s death, and he answers the door drunk only to have to tell Ollie the man he was supposed to care for just died. Both men have strong caregiver instincts, and instead of leaving in defeat or disgust, Ollie helps Ty sober up and get ready for the funeral, and a foundation is laid for friendship and later more.
They’re both adorable in their own ways. Ty just about swallows his tongue when he opens the door to the gorgeous Ollie. Ty is a paramedic who lives in Chicago and had just gotten a well-earned promotion when he learned his father had passed, and he’s in Connecticut to handle the huge estate but plans to return to his Chicago job and life. Turns out though, his father’s massive house has to be occupied for a time, or everything goes to a hate group, so Ty has to stick around and live in the echoing empty place that never felt like home. When Ollie has little luck finding anywhere to live, Ty has a solution...
Seeing Ty try so hard to fit into and do great things for a town he always thought hated him (he was a hurting rebellious teen), seeing Ollie step up as a dad when he’d never been the primary parent, seeing these two support and respect each other as Ty volunteers to sub at the school Theo attends and Ollie finds temporary job to see him and Theo through, and they just click together as housemates...it’s really lovely. I’m not even describing it well at all, but, these two characters are just so damn likable, doing their best for others, for each other, and for Theo.
I also wound up enjoying the drama stemming from Ty’s awful father and the mess he left behind, as certain people target Ty’s reputation, and Ty tries to make life safer for the town. I also enjoyed Ollie’s rift and drama with his parents, who didn’t know he’d had a son until recently and are trying to get to know Theo and mean well but make some major oversteps and other bad moves. It’s fun that Ty and Ollie are both from this town, but Ty was sent away to boarding school just when Ollie’s family moved there so their paths didn’t cross, yet both have ties to the town, and the SCs from the town add flavor and layers to the story. The way they all rally at the end in the face of Things had me smiling wide.
The romance didn’t really feel like it was developing till midway, and then it lights up kind of from nowhere? But because of the great foundation with the two moving in and living together seamlessly, it also didn’t feel quite from nowhere, just...dunno how to explain it. Ultimately it worked for me, and Ollie’s explanation of why he was so into a man when he’d never dated one before made sense (he reads as demi to this layperson). Things then go too fast but also felt organic...and now I’m not making sense.
Bottom line, I enjoyed their developing relationship and believed in them.
HEA, strangers to housemates to lovers, single dad (wonderful, non-annoying kid!), paramedic, small town, oh, and, turns out Ty is a very wealthy man. Thanks, crappy father! Absolutely no others or anything remotely annoying; Ty has a former high school hookup in town who eyes him longingly a time or two, but there’s nothing at all unsafe for me. Recommended.
This review feels stale and flat compared to the book, so...try it if you want to immerse yourself in a leisurely feel-good read....more
Atmospheric Amish drama with romance, set on an animal rescue farm in PA. I enjoyed it a lot, though wish the development of the romance had been moreAtmospheric Amish drama with romance, set on an animal rescue farm in PA. I enjoyed it a lot, though wish the development of the romance had been more balanced.
Elijah is a braucher, a practitioner of Amish folk magic who has visions and unique sensitivities, including an ability to read auras to help heal and lessen pain. He’s cast out of his family and people for being gay and winds up homeless, freezing in an unusually cold October, and taken in by two farmers, one of whom is also former Amish, Samuel, and Eddie, the vegan “English� farm owner. (ICYDK, the Amish call anyone non-Amish, English.)
Jon is the permanent farmhand, and having a strange, waiflike young Amish man thrust into his workday upsets his routine of work and numbness. He’s lived through great loss and isn’t interested in moving on, and passes his days with work and the animals, and little interaction that he doesn’t seek out. Elijah isn’t welcome, but Jon's soon inured to having the strange man shadow him around the farm.
There are mystical plot threads that stem from Elijah’s true sight and ability, some danger from those who would use Elijah for ill, but mostly it’s a charming “thrown together� story filled with adorable animals, farm life and the events the farm holds to raise money to keep going, plus Elijah finding his feet, finding acceptance, and coming to realize that everything he’s been taught isn’t necessarily true and must be reframed in the context of what he’s learning now, after being taken in by this gay married couple and falling hard for a man whose heart, he can clearly see, is pained and gray.
The story feels imbalanced on the romance front; there isn’t much development of romance until about 75%, and then it’s a rush. Some seeds are there with the two men interacting all along, but earlier clear beats of awareness/advance and retreat would have helped; when the relationship does move forward and get physical, it seems abrupt, and the acknowledgement of attraction rather than just wariness comes a bit from nowhere on Jon’s part, despite Elijah’s senses guiding him that way all along. The danger is resolved rather neatly, and Elijah’s temporary reunion with family who need him morphs quickly into him finding a potential career that seems to fix any lingering hurt and doubts overly easily. But overall, I enjoyed reading this book a lot, felt immersed in the world, and will go back and read the first two in the series (different MCs, including the story of the two farm owners here).
I adored Jon’s aunt as a secondary character, though was a bit miffed/laughing at the idea that a woman in her early 50s would be considered “old� as far as ability to put in hard work on a farm goes.
HEA, sort of unwanted-encumbrance to eventual lovers. Magical sight/prescience/unique otherworldly abilities. Wonderful farm setting, and to this very much layperson, authentic rep for the Amish. Safe for me; the book opens just after Elijah was caught with his married lover, but nothing was shown or harped on; no OM drama at all. Recommended.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion....more
Alas. Can I not read LM anymore? Another book that opens with an MC in bed with a non-hero, then treating the hookup like garbage and kicking him out,Alas. Can I not read LM anymore? Another book that opens with an MC in bed with a non-hero, then treating the hookup like garbage and kicking him out, right in front of...yes...the other MC. Yaaaawn and ewww. This just doesn't set up romance for me. Maybe I'll try again, but, all I can think about now is this MC has sooooo many hookups in his apartment above the business, and probably he and the other MC will end up in that same bed too, and again....eww. Just not my romantic fantasy.
I'll wait for the next Blue and Levi book I hear there might be one! ...more
I finished this most than a week ago and forgot to leave a review. I am past my initial Feelings and don't recall details, but, I totally enjoyed the I finished this most than a week ago and forgot to leave a review. I am past my initial Feelings and don't recall details, but, I totally enjoyed the book, the baddie did eventually get what was coming to them, and these two were lovers-situationship to true-love without realizing they were in a real relationship, each there to support the other through their own personal hells, and it was gut wrenching and well done. And totally safe for me, no messy OP action at all, thank goodness, because I can't always trust this author, just...most of the time. But I do greatly enjoy her writing style and voice, so the books that work for me really work.
TWs for past SA child abuse, mentioned and talked about, but not overly detailed, and insidious homophobia from family.
HEA, situationship/roomies who hookup, to fake boyfriends in front of family, but, honestly...they were totally boyfriends all along. Totally safe for me. Recommended....more
Kay Simone is one of my favorite authors. Probably top 3. Imagine my delight when going randomly through my hundreds of tbr titles and finding a Kay bKay Simone is one of my favorite authors. Probably top 3. Imagine my delight when going randomly through my hundreds of tbr titles and finding a Kay book lurking in there that I had not read! Out of the Blue isn’t as polished and balanced as my two very favorites of hers, The Aftermath and One Giant Leap, but it is a delightful, joyous and poignant age-gap story between a young man, Michael, who literally walks out of the sea (from paddle boarding, not a merman!) to find his tattooed older fantasy dream guy sitting on the shore, and a jaded, overworked and intricately tattooed tech manager, Geoff, who can’t believe his luck when a god seems to stride from the sea and invite him into his bed and later his heart.
Oh, don’t worry. It’s not THAT easy!
What ensues is a delightful romance in which first times together are interrupted by the last person you’d want, one ends up hiding in the bathroom only to shuffle out and say it’s a sign this won’t work, and then...they’re brought together in a way neither can get out of, where there’s one canoe, one tent, and one heck of a chance to really get to know each other and learn that that initial wildfire chemistry and repartee was real, solid, and something they both want despite some extremely unpromising extenuating circumstances. And then...the real bomb drops. Gasp!
These two are adorable and right together, and while the road to realization of that is uneven—one has a fast turnaround from no way this won’t work to all-in that gave me a bit of whiplash—at least there was no ridiculous angst and frustration from denials that would have added nothing to the narrative. I could let out the breath I was holding and enjoy.
I love a read in which the heroes click through both attraction and interesting conversation and humor, and are so clearly right for each other, especially when it takes them time to accept and admit it, adding great tension, but once they do, there’s no arguing over it. It just is. And this author writes some of the most beautiful scenes of intimacy it’s been my pleasure to read (though again, this book isn’t at the level of my two favorites. Still. Beautiful!).
Obstacles abound...but really, they don’t, because both Michael and Geoff are grownups, younger and older, who eventually truly understand what they really want, and their romance made me so goofy-happy. Florida and gators are a character, camping and quirky small towns are characters, real-life issues with parents and bosses and best friends and past true tragedies are characters...it’s just a great, deceptively complex read that delivers heartache and happiness and a well-earned happy ever after.
I wish we’d seen more of a certain person having to grovel, and more repercussions for what went down at a certain party. That aftermath was glossed over, and would have added even more depth to the read had it been handled on page.
HEA. Strangers to lovers, age-gap, complicated accidental connections. Absolutely no others or cheating or anything like that. One well-meaning secondary character tries to nudge one MC toward someone else, but it’s all good-natured and these two quickly realize it’s a nonstarter anyway, nothing to fret over. Totally safe for me. Highly recommended, as is all of this author’s work....more
Yes I enjoyed this! Not for the romance (yet) but for the small-town, insular moody island setting and the characters as individuals. The audiobook isYes I enjoyed this! Not for the romance (yet) but for the small-town, insular moody island setting and the characters as individuals. The audiobook is narrated by Michael Dean, and in this one, he did a lovely job, without some of the icky sleazy tones that come through in other books I’ve heard narrated by him. I enjoyed this one a lot.
I loved the sense of dysfunctional community, with one island family at odds with another, and MC Sheriff Mat Dempsey running the small island law office with one competent deputy and a few rookies. Murder and then several mysterious crimes happen, and everything goes to hell in a handbasket. Mat is an islander through and through, closeted on the island (but was out when he worked for SFPD in CA), and is living with his mom to see her through her grief for his late father. She’s doing better now, but, the living sitch makes sense, so he’s still there.
But let us not forget the other MC. The book opens with tall dark and broody Niall (the narrator pronounced it NEE-el but I kept thinking NY-al like Niall Horan, whose music I adore... and this was not helped by the narrator pronouncing it NY-al just once! ...more
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