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Back Porch Reader

LGBTQ+ Romance and Erotica Book Reviews

Rating: 4.5 stars

ARC Review: HeartOn by Amy Jo Cousins

February 10, 2018 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

About the Book

Book Cover - HeartOn by Amy Jo CousinsWhen an injury sidelines NFL player Deion McCaskill—maybe permanently—he heads to Miami to stay with an old college teammate and his boyfriend. He packs his tailor-made suits, anxiety about the future, and the bisexuality he’s ignored for years because it didn’t fit with his drive to succeed at football’s most elite levels.

Set designer Carlos Kelly has always known he’s bi, but dating women is easier than making waves with his Puerto Rican/Irish Catholic family. His friends and coworkers from the theater community might be almost entirely on the rainbow spectrum, but Carlos keeps things simple. Except for this heat that keeps flaring between him and the hot football player visiting his best friend.

Two weeks. Two guys who’ve never explored their bisexuality before and don’t plan on coming out, ever. One promise to let each other try out every fantasy they’ve ever had. Zero feelings involved.

At least, that was the plan. . .

The Finer Details

Narrative Arc: Series

Series Detail: Full Hearts, book 2

Series Arc: new relationship

Publication Date: January 25, 2018
Publisher: Self-Published
Editor: Christina Soule Desir
Cover Artist: Black Jazz Design
Length: Novel, 196 e-book pages
POV: 3rd person
Tense: Past
Pairings: Male/Male
Identities: Bisexual
Genre(s): Contemporary, Interracial

Tropes and Tags: athlete, sexual identity awakening, opposites attract, closeted, friends to lovers
Settings & Locales: Miami, Florida
Ending: HEA

Find and Buy

Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | GooglePlay | iBooks | KOBO | Smashwords

Add the book to your goodreads shelf.


Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author.


Back Porch Thoughts

Rating

Rating 4.5 Stars

4.5 Stars
Rating Info

Ratings stick closely to the GoodReads standards. Occasionally I’ll make note of half-star ratings and will typically round up on GoodReads reviews and other sites where I may cross-post.

Stars Goodreads  What this means to me
5 AMAZING This totally knocked my socks off, and I might end up a crazed fan (from a respectable distance).
4 Really Liked This was truly enjoyable, and I’d recommend it.
3 Liked It was good, and I’m glad I read it, but I may have had some issues.
2 It was okay There were likable parts but I definitely had issues.
1 Didn't like I read the whole thing but....
1 DNF Didn't like I read past 50% (at least) before giving up.
0 DNF No Rating I couldn't even make it to 50%, but I still feel the need to share my thoughts.
 

Review

Seems I’ve been reading a lot of HEAVY STUFF lately. So, when this book made its timely way across my radar, I couldn’t pass it up.

COULD NOT.

It was the perfect medicine for these bleak winter months. Almost summery in the lightness and the setting of the nearly always summer Miami.

I LOVED it. Truly and completely.

HeartOn can be read as a standalone because the nature of the romantic interests finding their bliss is entirely separate from the first book in this series. But, c’mon.  Read the first book because it’s also pretty fucking amazing. And, if you’re not convinced, there are plenty of sweet little enticing nuggets inside this book that’ll surely lure you back to that first one and will whet your appetite for more.

Both Carlos and Deion are bisexual, and both pretty deeply closeted for reasons. Mainly, probably, because playing it straight is the easiest, the path of least resistance when it comes to family and career. This…resonates. Big Time. I just, y’all. This struck nerves. The good kind that had me nodding my head off in YESSSS THIS!

Their thought processes, the way they’ve managed Life-Of-Bi thus far, the coping mechanisms, the denials, the not having people to talk to, or the words to make it real. Have mercy, that all rang so true. And a few times I thought, Amy Jo, get outta my freakin’ head!

These guys are an absolute delight as they navigate the attraction. They’re tentative, a bit shy, and adorkable little cinnamon rolls figuring out how to Gay Sex. There was this war in me that had me trying to stifle giggles and wanting to give them hugs of encouragement, wanting to shout at them Don’t Forget the Lube.

And, ya know, vacation trysts can be all sorts of steamy. Sometimes expiration dates are good. They help keep things contained. Gives folks a legit out to get back to the normal every day and chalk it up to an experience. Something to remember and cherish fondly.

BUT FEELINGS!

Oh yeah, when feelings emerge — the kind that Just. Won’t. Go. Away. Well, going back to the Days of Denial is impossible, though not always tidy.

And trying to find all those answers, consider a whole new path in life that impacts everything,  career and family, and geography, and all the things — especially when one is a public figure. It was a pressure cooker without too much angst. Okay, some angst. Because how do you face all that without angst?

A two-week vacation should not have angst — unless it’s THIS KIND.

This book is thoughtful and fun. The strength of the friendships. The humor—gah! Plenty of sweet and sassy inside jokes — those intimate little things we get the pleasure to be in on. And getting to check in on  Benji and Josh from the first book was all kinds of fun.

I’ve read a goodly number of AJ’s books. One thing I’ve learned is that this author is One-Click Worthy. Mainly because I know that she’s going to explore all corners of the emotional journey she takes her characters on in the most thoughtful ways with a lightness that doesn’t bog down the pace. The characters feel like friends, the kind you’d haul your ass outta bed on a lazy Sunday to meet for brunch or even offer to help move into new digs.

HeartOn was an absolute delight.


About the Author

Amy Jo Cousins writes contemporary romance and erotica about smart people finding their own best kind of smexy. She lives in Chicago with her son, where she tweets too much, sometimes runs really far, and waits for the Cubs to win the World Series again. Amy Jo is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.

Connect:

Website | Email | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Amy Jo Cousins, Genre: Contemporary, Length: Novel, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Self-Published, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Series

Release Day Review: Rebel by Rhys Ford

December 29, 2017 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

About the Book

Cover Rebel by Rhys FordThe hardest thing a rebel can do isn’t standing up for something — it’s standing up for himself.

Life takes delight in stabbing Gus Scott in the back when he least expects it. After years of running from his past, present and the dismal future every social worker predicted for him, Karma delivers the one thing Gus could never—would never—turn his back on; a son from a one-night stand he’d had after a devastating break-up three years ago.

Returning to San Francisco and to 415 Ink, his family’s tattoo shop, gave him the perfect shelter to battle his personal demons and get himself together… until the firefighter who’d broken him walked back into Gus’s life.

For Rey Montenegro, tattoo artist Gus Scott was an elusive brass ring, a glittering prize he hadn’t the strength or flexibility to hold onto. Severing his relationship with the mercurial tattoo artist hurt but Gus hadn’t wanted the kind of domestic life Rey craved, leaving Rey with an aching chasm in his soul.

When Gus’s life and world starts to unravel, Rey helps him pick up the pieces, and Gus wonders if that forever Rey wants is more than just a dream.

The Finer Details

Narrative Arc: Series

Series Detail: 415 Ink, book 1

Series Arc: new relationship

Publication Date: December 29, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: Novel, 240 e-book pages
POV: 3rd person, limited to two main characters
Tense: Past
Pairings: Male/Male
Identities: Gay
Age Range(s): 30 to 34, 26 to 29
Genre(s): Contemporary

Tropes and Tags: abusive elements, emotional agony, best friend’s sibling, body art tattoos/piercings, chosen family, reunion/second chance romance
Settings & Locales: San Francisco, California
Ending: HEA

Find and Buy

Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | KOBO

Add the book to your goodreads shelf.


 Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author.


Back Porch Thoughts

Rating

Rating 4.5 Stars

4.5 Stars
Rating Info

Ratings stick closely to the GoodReads standards. Occasionally I’ll make note of half-star ratings and will typically round up on GoodReads reviews and other sites where I may cross-post.

Stars Goodreads  What this means to me
5 AMAZING This totally knocked my socks off, and I might end up a crazed fan (from a respectable distance).
4 Really Liked This was truly enjoyable, and I’d recommend it.
3 Liked It was good, and I’m glad I read it, but I may have had some issues.
2 It was okay There were likable parts but I definitely had issues.
1 Didn't like I read the whole thing but....
1 DNF Didn't like I read past 50% (at least) before giving up.
0 DNF No Rating I couldn't even make it to 50%, but I still feel the need to share my thoughts.
 

Review

YAY! A new series!!!!! Tattoo Artists!!! Second Chance Romance!!! Chosen Family!!!!

Y’all, I am excited and, as always with a Rhys Ford book, head-over-heels filled with glee to get my hands on this.

The beginning got off to a minor clunky start — which just might’a simply been me not catching on fast enough which way was up and who was who, whose head I was in, what was the past and what was the now of the story. But the clouds parted fast enough that I was IN it in the way I am with all of Rhys’ stories from the sights and sounds to a litany of emotions.

This story is a killer on the feels. The back stories are painful and violent with parental malevolence I can barely fathom, and it tore me to shreds.

But look — chosen family — that’s the key to this whole thing. The men here have a brotherhood bond that is stronger than what I witness in genetic siblings. They banter, they tease, they’re each others strength and voice of reason. They are in it forever, all for one and one for all.

Rey and Gus — they also have that enduring tie that binds. They’ve got tons of history, a lot of it painful, tons of knots to untangle in order to forge their way forward. Every one of those strings tugged at my heart.

Gus needed to come home to move beyond his tragic past, but also to step up to the plate for a new life-long responsibility of raising the son he’s just learned about. Rey is either a distraction he could do without or the extra bit of strength and reassurance he needs.

It’s no secret I’m in love with just about every word Rhys Ford writes. Snatching up her books is an automatic, I don’t even have to ponder it for a second. She’s pretty well known for dead bodies and scary things, some mystery or madness. This is straight-up contemporary, which she doesn’t do so often. But don’t get any ideas that it’s all hearts and rainbows because this book is a throat punch of emotion.

Despite the start, that could have been my fault as a reader, and despite the horrors of horrific childhoods, this was gorgeous.


About the Author

Author Rhys FordRhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain. Rhys admits to sharing the house with cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.

Connect:

Website | Email | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Rhys Ford, Genre: Contemporary, Length: Novel, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Dreamspinner Press, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Series

Review: The Hideaway by Rosalind Abel

November 8, 2017 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

About the Book:

Cover Image The Hideaway by Rosalind AbelLavender Shores’s resident tattoo artist, Connor Clark, looks the part—six foot six, musclebound, and covered in ink—and most definitely doesn’t blend in. Grafted into the Bryant family as a teenager to escape his abusive father, the Bryants saved his life, but Connor has never truly felt a part of the founding family royalty. And if his heart’s desire were revealed, it would betray everything the Bryants have done for him.

Continue reading…

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Rosalind Abel, Genre: Contemporary, Length: Novel, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Self-Published, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Series

Review: Tramps and Thieves by Rhys Ford

September 18, 2017 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

About the Book:

Cover Tramps and Thieves by Rhys FordWhoever said blood was thicker than water never stood in a pool of it.

Continue reading…

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Rhys Ford, Genre: Mystery, Length: Novel, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Dreamspinner Press, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Series

Review Tour: Be My Best Man by Con Riley

September 7, 2017 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

About the Book:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-My-Best-Man-Riley-ebook/dp/B074FX7MB6/Will Jason’s third time as a best man lead to first-time love for Vanya?

Continue reading…

Filed Under: Book Review, Giveaway, Promo, Review Tour Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Con Riley, Genre: Contemporary, Length: Novel, Pairing: M/M, Promo: Signal Boost PR, Publisher: Self-Published, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Standalone

Release Day Review: Abroad, by Liz Jacobs

June 27, 2017 by Katie, Back Porch Reader

 About the Book

Cover: Abroad by Liz JacobsNick Melnikov doesn’t know where he belongs. He was just a kid when his Russian-Jewish family immigrated to Michigan. Now he’s in London for university, overwhelmed by unexpected memories. Socially anxious, intensely private, and closeted, Nick doesn’t expect to fall in so quickly with a tight-knit group of students from his college, and it’s both exhilarating and scary. Hanging out with them is a roller coaster of serious awkward and incredible longing, especially when the most intimidating of the group, Dex, looks his way.

Continue reading…

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: ARC Review, Author: Liz Jacobs, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: New Adult, Pairing: M/M, Publisher: Brain Mill Press, Rating: 4.5 stars, Type: Series

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