New Release X Bar by Michele L. Montgomery
01 Jun 2012 Leave a Comment
in Dare Empire, Michele L Montgomery Tags: Dare Empire Media, Michele L. Montgomery, new release
Many of you know that I not only review books, I also write them and I’m very happy to announce and share my good news with you. It’s two-part really.
First my newest title: X Bar goes on sale today!
Blurb:
“Unless things have changed since the beginning of time, it’s not even remotely possible for two guys to make a baby. A family of two, yes, but not three.”
Being a straight, single man wanting to adopt in today’s society is hard enough. Not being straight? Whole new level. Red tape, classes, interviews, not to mention the expense, drive so many away with shattered dreams.
Steven comes from money, has a degree in business management, even though he’s chosen to work as a bar tender, he believes making a family can be done. He’s determined to do it, with or without long time lover Jorge.
At thirty-four, it’s time. Fate, of course, has other plans. His haunting past, and the brutal grind of daily life all have the power to destroy both the life he has with Jorge and the family he’s trying to build. Determination might not be enough to keep his dream of a family alive.
XBar is about a man finding the truth in lies, lies in truths, and learning how to be stronger than he ever thought possible. (Based on a true story)
Available in E-book format at:
Available in print here
The second part of my news is that this story was written for a new line of MM fiction stories created by Justin James of Dare Empire Media and myself.
CRE8IVE INSPIRATIONS
A MONTGOMERY/JAMES PRODUCTION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH DARE EMPIRE
Allow Cre8ive Inspirations to make you the star of your story where nothing is impossible. The sky is the limit and we want to take you there. A world in which you are the main character and you are in control of the events which take place within the pages of your book. Allow nothing to stop you from living out your secrets, fantasies, your passions, and desires within the pages of a book written especially for you by our writer.
Find yourself wishing you were stuck on a deserted island with the man of your dreams? Or perhaps you have a deep desire to find yourself walking down a dark deserted alley, where anything can happen. Or just maybe you see yourself as the CEO of a major corporation and you fall in love with a delivery driver? There are unlimited ideas and scenarios.
Express your desires and fantasies and we’ll make them come true.
CONTACT Justin James the.dare.empire@gmail.com OR Michele L Montgomery Michele_lm@rocketmail.com for more details.
Cornelia Grey Guest Post
31 May 2012 2 Comments
in Cornelia Grey, Storm Moon Press Tags: Cornelia Grey, Guest Post, Storm Moon Press
Hi, Michele – thank you so much for having me here!
The past week has been a happy flurry of activity. The weather in London has been unexpectedly, wonderfully warm and sunny, and I’ve been taking shameless advantage of that 
! Also, I’m about to complete an internship at a literary agency which, even though it sucked up pretty much all my time, has been very interesting. And of course, I’m still all giddy with excitement because the illustrated version of my novella, The Ronin and the Fox, was just released by Storm Moon Press. I can’t stop gazing lovingly at the six gorgeous illustrations that Alice Girlanda drew for me .
As I mentioned yesterday on Babes in Boyland, I was quite worried going into the illustration process. I had very clear pictures in my head of what the characters looked like, what the setting was, the general atmosphere – and no clue of how I could describe all those details to the artist without rambling for five pages and making her want to stab me with a sharpened pencil. I didn’t want to force her to endlessly tweak faces and hair because I couldn’t explain exactly what I wanted, but at the same time my inner control freak didn’t want to be vague in the descriptions… how was that going to turn out?
It turned out wonderfully, I’m happy to say, because it looks like Alice has the amazing ability of reading my mind! After my jumbled explanations of what Hajime and Katsura should look like, and a few rather inconsistent reference photos of one actor or another I dug up from my endless pictures folder, she was super-quick in sending back some character sketches. I was a little ball of nerves opening the picture… and was rendered speechless (my roommate actually wandered over to check what I was making that face at!). It looked like she’d been snooping around my head and had managed to pin down exactly what I wanted, even though I hadn’t quite pinned it down yet myself. Katsura’s hair, his eyes, his nose – and Hajime, his chin, his brows… I was enthusiastic. After that, I was a lot more relaxed when it came to working on the actual illustrations: after all, I had a mind-reading artist at the ready !
And sure enough, it was a pleasure to work with her. She had a very tight deadline and all sorts of unforeseen issues popping up all over the place, and yet every time I mumbled that maybe that scene could be seen from the other side and maybe this character could look a bit more that way and maybe you could add this bit in and so on so forth, she found the time to change the drawing and use her amazing intuition to make it exactly what I was looking for. I am extremely grateful to her for her hard work, and to Storm Moon Press for giving me the amazing opportunity to have my work illustrated. And of course I’m utterly in love with the illustrations!
What about you? Did you have a chance to check out The Ronin and the Fox‘s illustrations – and what did you think of them? If you haven’t bought your copy yet, head over to Storm Moon Press’ The Ronin and the Fox webpage, and purchase your illustrated copy now!
***
In feudal Japan, Kaede Hajime lives as a vagabond ronin, a samurai without a lord. As he spends the night at a village’s inn, the innkeeper begs him to help stop a mischevious kitsune, a fox spirit, plaguing their village. But when he captures the spirit–in the form of a hauntingly beautiful man–Hajime learns that the kitsune has troubles of his own. The pearl that contains the fox’s soul has been stolen, leaving him a slave to the new owner, who is forcing him to attack the village.
Hajime agrees to help the fox retrieve the jewel, but living with a fox spirit isn’t easy, and the budding trust between them is constantly tested. Kitsune are tricksters above all, and Hajime must decide how much of the story the fox tells him is truth. What’s worse, an old comrade of Hajime’s is in town, bringing with him the sour memories of Hajime’s time as a samurai. Hajime must find a way to locate the thief and steal back the jewel before the thief turns the kitsune’s considerable power against him.
Friday Frenzy – WIN Forbidden Fruit by Edward Kendrick
30 May 2012 4 Comments
in Silver Publishing Tags: Silver Publishing
Contest Starts: May 26 2012 12:00am Ends: June 01 2012 11:59pm
Click here to enter
The PRIZE is Forbidden Fruit by Edward Kendrick
Theft and murder are all in a day’s work for PI Sam Young, as is protecting Jamie, a young man living in terror of his ex. Love, however, is another thing. Can he convince Jamie their growing attraction is real?
When PI Sam Young takes on the case of a philandering wife, he has no clue it will lead to theft and murder.
And when he stops for supper at his favorite diner, he doesn’t know he’ll end up meeting Jamie, a young man with aqua eyes who lives in terror of his ex-lover.
It will take all that is in him for Sam to discover who killed his client, while at the same time trying to protect Jamie. In the process, will he be able to convince emotionally battered Jamie it’s possible to truly love, and be loved, in return?
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Silver Publishing Calls For Special Submissions
30 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Silver Publishing Tags: Silver Publishing
ALL GENRE SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED FOR SPECIAL SUBMISSIONS!
Submit your manuscript HERE
Men in Uniform
15K to 20K word count per short story/novella. 1 book per month.
■ Seriously sexy stories about firemen, policemen, soldiers and sailors – we want to read some hot MM stories about men in…and out of uniform.
■ Any combination of M/F, M/F/M, M/M/F, M/M.
■ Heat Rating: 3+ Flames only!
The Submission for release in January to December 2012. When submitting, please enter “Men in Uniform”.
Submission Deadlines for release in:
August 2012 – April 30th
September 2012 – May 30th
October 2012 – June 30th
November 2012 – July 30th
December 2012 – August 30th
——————————
Hanky Code – Closes June 16th
Theme: BDSM
Do you know the Hanky Code used in leather clubs? Do you have a kink for leather? Do you own enough rope to support a rodeo? Or maybe you have a special BDSM fetish you wish to announce with a handy code? We want your steamy BDSM stories!
■ M/M, M/M+ accepted
■ Contemporary
■ 15k+ words
■ Must have romance and either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending
■ Heat rating: Any
These stories will each be released individually on the same day and will share the same cover art design.
Submission Deadline: June 16, 2012
Release Date: September 8, 2012
——————————
It’s a Little Complicated – Closes July 21st
Theme: Ménage
For some people, a relationship that strays from the traditional social norm can be a little tough to explain. Sharing love with more than one person can get…well…a little complicated. If you have a romance story with multiple partners you wish to share, we want your story!
■ M/M/M, M/M/M+ accepted
■ Contemporary
■ 15k+ words
■ Must have romance and either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending
■ Heat rating: Any
These stories will each be released individually on the same day and will share the same cover art design.
Submission Deadline: July 21, 2012
Release Date: October 13, 2012
————————
A Special Kind of Love – Closes August 11th
Theme: Romance with a special needs partner
Do you have a romance with a character struggling with a physical disability? Or maybe your guy lives with blindness, autism, dyslexia or some mental or psychological condition? Regardless of the disability, these guys display an unparalleled strength of character on a daily basis. If you have a romance story you wish to share with a special needs partner, we want to read it!
■ M/M accepted
■ Contemporary
■ 15k+ words
■ Must have romance and either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending
■ Heat rating: Any
These stories will each be released individually on the same day and will share the same cover art design.
Submission Deadline: August 11th, 2012
Release Date: November 17th, 2012
—————————–
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow – Closes August 31st
Theme: Christmas
Tis’ the season, yet again. Silver Publishing is accepting submissions for our yearly winter holiday releases. Maybe you have a story idea about a vampire on Channukah or aliens sampling the Christmas season. Maybe you have an idea for an older couple rediscovering the magic of sex before the Yule log or old friends hooking up under the Christmas tree.
■ All Genre’s
■ All Pairings
■ 5 to 25k words only!
■ Must have romance and either a happily ever after (HEA) or a happy for now (HFN) ending
■ Heat rating: Any
These stories will each be released individually daily from Dec 1st through Dec 25th.
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2012
Release Date: December 1st – December 25th
Silver Publishing New Releases Week of June 2nd
30 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Silver Publishing Tags: Silver Publishing
**FREE**
This week’s themes are:
“I think it’s time to________ before he/she…”
“”You haven’t got a clue about…”
“I’d better practice my knife skills before…”
“Do what I tell you and everything will be just fine.”
This week’s anthology includes:
Afternoon Delight by Caitlin Ricci
How It Really Is by Silvia Violet
What Binds Us by Larry Benjamin
30 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Carina Press, Larry Benjamin Tags: Carina Press, Larry Benjamin
Title: What Binds Us
Author: Larry Benjamin
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: 276
Characters: Thomas-Edward, Matthew Whyte, Donovan ‘Dondi’ Whyte
POV: 1st
Sub-Genre: Romance, Drama, Interracial, Contemporary
Kisses: 5
Blurb:
Spanning a decade from the late 70s to the late 80s, set in Philadelphia and Long Island, What Binds Us is the story of three young men who discover a love that both unites and separates them. Theirs is a world of privilege and love, a world of their own making that begins to unravel despite their shared love and best efforts.
When, at 17, Thomas-Edward escapes southern New Jersey and the tyranny of his parents love, he thinks he is ready for anything. Anything quickly arrives in the form of one Donovan Dion “Dondi” Whyte who is like no one he has ever met before and who introduces him into a looking-glass world in which everything was familiar yet larger, more exquisite, more precious than anything he had ever known.
Dondi is handsome, sophisticated, passionate, urbane—everything Thomas has dreamed of loving, of being since childhood and yet when he meets Dondi’s younger, quieter brother he is hopelessly attracted to him.
What happened? How did Matthew come to switch places with Donovan in Thomas’ heart?
Review:
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, What Binds Us by Larry Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin is a new author for me, and from what I read from the blurb, I had a feeling it was going to be a typical boy meets boy, but loses boy to another boy romance. Little did I know that I would quickly get wrapped up into the life of the main character, Thomas, and experience the excitement of him finding his first love, going through his first heartbreak, finding true love and finally experiencing a love and friendships that is so beautifully written it literally brought both tears of happiness and sorrow to my eyes.
When the novel begins Thomas is almost eighteen and is excited to go to college and live outside of his parents’ watchful eyes and high expectations of him. Thomas is a little naive and is both in awe and almost overwhelmed from being thrown in a somewhat diverse college crowd. When he meets the beautiful and carefree, Donti, he is immediately captivated by the young man’s free spirited ways. Even though Donti does not believe in love, Donti does take Thomas under his wing and they form a deep friendship that neither man was expecting to have. But as they hang around together, Thomas can’t help but fall in love with the adventurous Donti, even though Donti has told him time and time again that even though they are best friends and more, that having a relationship together would bring nothing but heartache to Thomas.
Thomas watches Donti go through many lovers and suffers in silence. He’s willing to at least keep Donti as a friend even though it hurts him every time Donti is with other men. Thomas keeps up a brave face and decides if he can keep Donti in his life in some way, whether it just be in friendship only, any sadness on his part is worth it. When Donti asks Thomas to spend the summer at his parents’ huge estate, Thomas agrees, not knowing that he’ll soon meet Donti’s quiet and intriguing brother Matthew. Soon, Thomas becomes close friends with Matthew and he begins to feel a strong emotional pull to him that he’s never really experienced with Donti. As the days and weeks go by, Thomas and Matthew develop a love between them that either man expected to have. As Matthew and Thomas’s relationship evolves into something deeper, will Thomas’s friendship with Donti pull the young lovers apart or will they form an even stronger friendship that nothing will ever break them all apart?
I could go on and on about the storyline and about the different twists and turns the book took me through, but I won’t. I honestly don’t want to spoil this beautifully written book for anyone, so I’ll stop there. The novel spans over ten years, so all of the characters in this book change and evolve as time moves on for them. I also want to point out that the characters in this book are realistically written and humanly flawed people that were easy to relate too. They are not perfect, nor do they always make the right decisions, and just like real life, this causes them to have to live with the consequences of these sometimes reckless acts. In the end, I ended up loving all of the main characters in this novel and once I finished reading it, the book lived with me for several days afterwards.
I would say that even though this has some strong romantic elements to it, this amazing book is also about the deep bonds of friendship and what that can entail. Just like in real life, there is love and loss, good times and bad and happy times as well as sad times. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while I read this book, and when the book ended, I had a smile on my face and felt hope for the characters in it. After all, isn’t that what we all want in life? We all hope things will work out for us and we’ll end up stronger and have a happy/contented life. This was the hope I had for these characters as the story came its conclusion.
What Binds Us has earned a token spot on my keeper shelf and I will actively look for more books written by Mr. Benjamin in the future. If you are looking for a refreshingly, thought provoking and well-written romance, What Binds Us is definitely the book for you! Highly recommended!
Reviewed By: Gabbi
Sweet Lyric by Lisa Marie Davis
30 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Dreamspinner, Lisa Marie Davis Tags: Dreamspinner Press, Lisa Marie Davis
Title: Sweet Lyric
Author: Lisa Marie Davis
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 104
Characters: Lyric Spencer, Jonas Lamar
POV: 1st
Sub-Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Drama
Kisses: 5
Blurb:
Lyric Spencer ran fast and hard to escape the scandal of his past, but all that running comes to an abrupt halt when he almost has sex during his job interview with Jonas Lamar. Jonas was offering Lyric a construction job when what he really wanted to offer the young man with the haunted eyes was a real home.
Lyric and Jonas may have found each other, but the past has always known where to find them. Jealous friends, old lovers, and heartaches that never healed threaten them now, but together, maybe, they can find their way to a real future.
Review:
Lyric Spencer has made a habit of not staying in one place for too long. Lyric claims to have an adventurous streak which keeps him from getting attached to others before moving onto the next town. When Lyric went to his newest job interview, he did not expect to immediately have an emotional and physical connection with the job supervisor, Jonas. Neither man can resist the intense attraction and pull between them, but will the new found feelings they have for one another be enough for Lyric to get through some past haunts and take a chance on true love?
One thing I love about Ms. Davis’s work is her ability to make her tormented and flawed characters likeable, sexy men. Even though there is an instant chemistry between them, they often have soul-searching, past haunts they must work through to achieve their happiness in the end. Ms. Davis writes just the right amount of angst and romance to keep this reader glued to the story and happily satisfied with every moment as the book progresses to the very end. The strong bond between Lyric and Jonas was apparent from their first scene together and the sizzling chemistry between them practically smoked up my ereader as they continued to explore their relationship throughout the story.
If you don’t believe in instant-love this book will not be for you. BUT I totally believe in love at first sight, so I thoroughly enjoyed watching Lyric and Jonas’s relationship grow from something physically hot to a true emotional bond between them. For those who love hot, sexy men who form immediate feelings/desire for one another will love this book. I’m anxiously waiting to read more from this author and I know I’ll be putting Sweet Lyric on my keeper shelf.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
Five Star Review by Lara Brukz
29 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Dreamspinner, Lara Brukz Tags: Dreamspinner Press, Lara Brukz
Title: Five Star Review
Author: Lara Brukz
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 105
Characters: Cade Montgomery, Eric Carillo
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, Physically Challenged Hero
Kisses: 4.25
Blurb:
Gay romance author Cade Montgomery is so thrilled when his latest book is given an excellent review by Eric Carillo that he sends Eric a personal e-mail thanking him for the rating. Occasional e-mails become frequent, and soon Cade and Eric are talking online almost every day. Their online relationship spans a thousand miles, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. Can their virtual romance survive in the real world? Because both men want to give their own romance a five star review.
Review:
Five Star Review is the first book I’ve read written by Lara Brukz. I’m always excited to read new to me authors and I by the end of the book, I was excited to add Ms. Brukz to the list of authors that I really like to read. Between the fast-paced storyline and the hot chemistry between the two heroes, Five Star Review was a quick and highly enjoyable read for me.
Cade Montgomery balances writing homoerotic romance novels and his full time job. Even though he loves writing romance, Cade has more of a ‘love ‘em and leave ‘em’ personal philosophy. When his newest release gets a very good rating from a well followed review site, Cade decides to write the reviewer, Monk, to thank him for taking the time to read and review his book. When ‘Monk’ responds, his underlying flirtatious banter and wit, intrigues Cade and he finds himself wanting to know more about the mysterious reviewer. To Cade’s surprise, the more he learns about ‘Monk’ the more he looks forward to receiving correspondence from him. Soon, he learns Monk’s real name is Eric, and the men become fast friends. They quickly begin to flirt and send sexy emails to one another and little by little start revealing more of themselves to each other. Soon Cade starts to second guess the casual sex he has with nameless men and begins to have more than a little interest with his sexy online friend.
Eric Carillo loves to read and review books. Ever since he was in terrible car accident years ago, he’s been bound to his wheelchair, but his sheer determination to live a normal as possible, keeps a positive outlook on life. When he and Cade start a flirtatious online friendship, Eric can’t help but fantasize about being with Cade. But when Cade is going to travel to the same city as Eric lives in, he’s both nervous and excited. Will Cade the man be everything Eric hoped he’d be?
I really liked this book. There is a strong connection between Cade and Eric and it’s apparent they really like each other. Both are interesting characters that I liked and enjoyed reading about. As a reader, I appreciated how easily Cade came around to Eric’s disability and saw him for the man he is, not just the chair he sat in. I also liked how independent Eric is and his determination to stay strong and work hard to achieve the things he wants out of life. Both men were well matched together and I loved watching them work toward having a life together. If you are craving a sweet and spicy read with sexy well-written heroes, Five Star Review is definitely the book for you!
Reviewed By: Gabbi
Tumble Turn by Charlie Cochran
29 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Charlie Cochrane, MLR Press Tags: Charlie Cochran, MLR Press
Title: Tumble Turn
Author: Charlie Cochran
Publisher: MLR Press
Pages: 84
Characters: Ben Edwards, Nick Prior
POV: 1st
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, Physically Challenged Hero
Kisses: 4.25
Blurb:
Winning isn’t everything…except when everything rides on being first.
Ben Edwards is the rising star of British Paralympic swimming, with a medal at London 2012 firmly in his sights. Love isn’t going to be allowed to get in the way — until he meets Nick, who proves to be a big distraction from training. With his times sliding, and a family illness, to worry him, it looks like Ben’s Olympic dreams are in tatters. Until Nick comes up with the most outrageous incentive for winning.
Review:
Ben has a mild case from cerebral palsy, but has been raised by parents who encourage him to always reach for his dreams. On the day the teenaged Ben and his best friend Matt find out the 2012 Olympics will be held in London, Ben becomes determined to works hard and try out for the British Paralympic swim team so he can hopefully achieve Olympic glory. Once Ben makes this decision, he is encouraged by his parents’ and by his best friend Matt and starts training almost immediately. Soon his dream of achieving his goal of Olympic gold consumes much of his life. As time goes by, Ben sees less and less of Matt and two best friends grow apart and onto their own lives.
As the Olympics approach, Ben has worked hard and has made the Paralympic team. After one of his competitions, he runs into his former best friend and Matt’s future brother in law, Nick. As much as Ben is happy to be reunited with his friend, he’s immediately drawn to the handsome, enthusiastic Nick and the two men start to date. But after a couple of dates, Ben is unable to concentrate because of his new would-be boyfriend and his lap times start to suffer. When Ben’s mother becomes ill, he begins to wonder if he’ll be able to compete at all. But lucky for Ben, he has friends and family who keep pushing him. Nick himself challenges Ben to get back to training and offers a very sexy reward if Ben wins a medal, Ben once again decides to rise up against the odds and do what he can to win Olympic gold and Nick’s heart.
I really enjoyed this story a lot. It’s told in first person through Ben’s eyes and since Ben is a determined, likeable hero, I liked experiencing the story through Ben’s point of view. Even though Ben has cerebral palsy, he doesn’t allow it to bring him down; instead he works hard for all of his achievements and doesn’t allow it to rule his life. I liked Ben’s positive attitude, and I thought he and Nick were really good together. Nick is a sweetheart of a man and as soon as he meets Ben becomes determined to have the athlete in his life. I liked all of the characters in this book and enjoyed the positive message and feeling it gave me as the story progressed. I loved how Ben was determined to reach both his Olympic dreams and his dream to have Nick in his life.
This is the first book I’ve read by Charlie Cochran and it definitely won’t be my last! I enjoyed the fast paced storyline and the witty banter between the characters kept my interest throughout the novel. Since Tumble Turn is set in England, it has a very British tone and feel about it, which I thoroughly enjoyed too. To me, England was as just as strong of a character as the two main heroes, and because of the author’s descriptive storytelling ability I was able to transport from the small southern town I live in to the working class way of English life. I’m looking forward to reading more books written by this author and recommend this book for those who love a determined sexy hero and a feel good romance.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
All the Things I Didn’t See by Cindy Sutherland
27 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Cindy Sutherland, Dreamspinner Tags: Cindy Sutherland, Dreamspinner Press
Title: All the Things I Didn’t See
Author: Cindy Sutherland
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages: 182
Characters: Josh Kelly, Sam Peterson
POV: 1st
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance
Kisses: 4
Blurb:
Josh Kelly is a straight actor who portrays one half of daytime TV’s most lovable gay couple. Sam Peterson is his genuinely gay other half—on TV anyway. In real life, Josh and Sam are the best of friends, even if they haven’t exactly been forthcoming about how their respective relationships are falling apart.
A delusional fan comes after Sam, putting things into stark perspective for Josh, who starts to realize friendship might not be all he feels for his on-screen partner. But can he find the strength to out himself to Sam when that very friendship is on the line?
Review:
Josh Kelly and Sam Peterson are best friends who play a popular gay couple on a daytime soap opera. Even though Josh is straight and Sam is gay, they have a strong chemistry between them that carries onto the roles they play on television. Both men have been in a long-term relationship they are both unsatisfied in, and often spend time together instead of being with the people they are involved with. One day, Josh and Sam actually have a rare afternoon off together, so they decide to spend it shopping in each other’s company. But just as their enjoyable afternoon together is winding down, they are approached by a crazed fan that does not separate their on camera personalities with who they really are. The angry fan threatens Josh and attempts to shoot him, when Sam steps in and not only saves Josh’s life, but puts his own in jeopardy because he gets critically wounded in the process. As Sam fights to stay alive, Josh is forced to look at his life and his feelings for Sam and must come to terms for the undeniable love and attraction he feels for his best friend. Will Josh be able to make the changes needed to have a romantic relationship with Sam, or will fear keep the relationship a bromance instead of a romance?
I enjoy a good and solidly written friends-to-lovers romance, and All the Things I Didn’t See delivered that in spades. Both Josh and Sam are very likeable, honorable characters that I really enjoyed getting to know. They have a strong friendship and emotional bond between them that was very apparent from the first scene they appeared in together. Even though they are perfectly made for each other, they both are afraid to tell each other that their feelings have evolved into a deep attraction and love for one another. Josh and Sam are almost trapped into loveless, bad relationships they barely tolerate, and when Sam is shot, they must come to terms with the love they have between them.
I loved the camaraderie and friendship between the two main characters and I enjoyed watching them take that life-changing step to be lovers/partners. I thought the storyline itself was fast-paced and the sweet and sexy romance between Josh and Sam was a beautiful thing to read. They are truly two peas in a pod, and it was so easy for me to rally behind their relationship and hope that they would come together for the happy ending they both deserved.
All the Things I Didn’t See has the right amount of angst and sexy romance to keep this reader up most of the night reading the entire story in one sitting. My only (tiny) complaint about the story is that there were some rapid changes in all of the characters’ point of view, which brought me out of the story at times. Otherwise, I loved the book and recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet and sexy romance.
Reviewed By: Gabbi
