Making Up (London Celebrities #3) by Lucy Parker

* * * *

Author of Act Like It and Pretty Face Lucy Parker returns readers to the West End, where it’s fireworks onstage and off in a sexy enemies-to-lovers showdown. 

Once upon a time, circus artist Trix Lane was the best around. Her spark vanished with her confidence, though, and reclaiming either has proved…difficult. So when the star of The Festival of Masks is nixed and Trix is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, it’s exactly the push she needs. But the joy over her sudden elevation in status is cut short by a new hire on the makeup team.

Leo Magasiva: disgraced wizard of special effects. He of the beautiful voice and impressive beard. Complete dickhead and—in an unexpected twist—an enragingly good kisser. 

To Leo, something about Trix is…different. Lovely. Beautiful, even though the pint-size, pink-haired former bane of his existence still spends most of her waking hours working to annoy him. They’ve barely been able to spend two minutes together for years, and now he can’t get enough of her. On stage. At home. In his bed.

When it comes to commitment, Trix has been there, done that, never wants to do it again. Leo’s this close to the job of a lifetime, which would take him away from London—and from Trix. Their past is a constant barrier between them.

It seems hopeless.

Utterly impossible. 

And yet…

Source: audiobook borrowed from Hoopla


Trix has been through a rough, confusing patch lately. First, she breaks it off with a controlling boyfriend. Now she finds herself in the spotlight after the star of the Festival of Masks is out due to a freak accident. The sudden thrust into the limelight is disconcerting for her. Trix was always full of life and game for trying new things but since the debacle of her relationship, she's been apprehensive about everything. Even Leo, her former love, who has appeared on the scene again can see that she's behaving differently. Her confidence has taken a knock and she can't seem to get out of her own head. Leo coming back to work at the Festival of Masks only aggravates her more. They've always managed to push each other's buttons while simultaneously wanting to get naked with each other. Conundrum indeed. Leo has his own plans though. He's hoping to win a contest for special effects makeup that will open doors for him in the industry. Now that they're back and sharing the same air space stirs up all sorts of memories and feelings but two things are for sure: they're both hurting and they can see through each other.

Making Up is the more angsty of the three London Celebrities books so far. I think Trix and Leo's shared history lends itself to more tension between them. Something happened to both of them that makes them more reserved and overly cautious about stepping into another relationship, especially Trix. 

As I was listening to it, it struck me that a cynical view would be to see Leo as a sort of saviour coming in to sweep Trix off her feet. I don't see him that way at all. If anything, he's a good friend who's constantly thinking of her and always encouraging her and never mincing his words. Trix, who's feisty, fiery, and always ready to start a battle of words with Leo, is never treated like a delicate flower. This is why I like this story so much. I can totally relate to what Trix is going through where someone close to her that she placed her trust in robbed her of her confidence. It's hard to cast away the gnawing, critical voice that seems to override self-belief. We could all do with someone like Leo who gently reminds her that she strong enough, she is worthy of good things and she deserves that happiness. It does go both ways because Trix looks out for Leo as well, wanting to see him make good on his own career aspirations. She notices a side of him that many don't know about and she also helps him find his footing.

"Nobody is magically immune to having their emotions messed with. It's not a question of moral strength. ... Strong, smart people make mistakes. And if the worst thing you ever do is believe in someone who doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as you, I think you're doing okay."

~ Leo, Making Up

I knew I already loved this series but Making Up cinched it for me. It gave me a favourite new quote that resonated with me at my core. Its sensitive theme doesn't take away from the fact that this is a sweet romance full of optimism and love. 

~ Bel

What Remains by Garrett Leigh - Blog Tour Spotlight, REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

About What Remains

Web designer Jodi Peters is a solitary creature. Lunch twice a week with his ex-girlfriend-turned-BFF and the occasional messy venture to a dodgy gay bar is all the company he needs, right?

Then one night he stumbles across newly divorced firefighter Rupert O’Neil. Rupert is lost and lonely, but just about the sweetest bloke Jodi has ever known. Add in the heady current between them, and Jodi can’t help falling hard in love. He offers Rupert a home within the walls of his cosy Tottenham flat—a sanctuary to nurture their own brand of family—and for four blissful years, life is never sweeter.

Until a cruel twist of fate snatches it all away. A moment of distraction leaves Jodi fighting for a life he can’t remember and shatters Rupert’s heart. Jodi doesn’t know him—or want to. With little left of the man he adores, Rupert must cling to what remains of his shaky faith and pray that Jodi can learn to love him again.

Review:

Source: This book was received from Riptide Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ever read a book that just left you emotionally exhausted but was worth every little bit it sucked out of you.  Yeah, this is one of those stories.  Not sure what exactly drew me to this one.  The amnesia trope isn’t one that has ever pulled me in but something about this description (and let’s admit it – the hotter than sin cover) screamed, “read me!”  And I listened. 

The prologue immediately draws the reader in and establishes the happy and steady life that Jodi Peters and Rupert O’Neil are already living together.   It’s written in a way that kind of makes you yearn for what they have.  Even if you already have it.  And that yearning makes the reader feel an acute loss when Jodi and Rupert lose everything they have together.

As you can guess, Jodi IS in an accident and, yes, he does lose his memory.  But there is more to his injury than that and I hesitate to mention anything else as I don’t want to spoil it.  Obviously, his road to recovery is difficult.  Especially when he’s a naturally caustic person (yes, Jodi can be a bit of a dick) dealing with the fall out of a traumatic brain injury as well as living with a total stranger.  To paraphrase: A strange flat mate that stares at him too much.  Not only is recovery seemingly impossible at times, he will never the same way he was before his injury.

The story alternates between Jodi and Rupert’s POV but not evenly.  This isn’t an alternating chapter kind of story.  Depending on where they are in Jodi’s recovery very obviously dictates who is telling their story.  A technique that doesn’t always work but in this instance reads seamlessly.

One of the most painful (and of course my favorite – I’m such a masochist) things about this story is that Rupert’s unwavering love and support is never portrayed as easy.  It doesn’t matter which character has taken charge of the narrative or how stoic Rupert remains on the outside.  Because his loss is also the readers loss.  We saw what they had built together and we saw it taken away…all the best parts removed from his life as if it never existed.   Rupert doesn’t have the pain of forgetting.  On top of watching the love of his life suffer, he also experiences the pain of remembering.

I’m really selling the angst, aren’t I?  Here’s the crazy part.  It’s not the kind of angst that requires five boxes of tissues.  Not to say you won’t shed some tears.  But Rupert’s natural kindness will make you smile and Jodi’s sharp sense of humor will have you laughing your ass off.  I sent Bel and Shel a couple Jodi quotes that had them laughing out loud too.  So yeah.  There is angst but it’s perfectly tempered by other qualities and emotions that make these two main characters amazingly three dimensional.  

If you are looking for a miracle or a tidy HEA all neatly packaged and wrapped in a bow, this might not be the book for you.  But if you’re like me and enjoy reading about realistic couples navigating real life situations, even the tragic ones, then you need to pick this one up immediately.  It’s an excellent addition to m/m contemporary romance that will make your heart hurt and celebrate all in one sitting.

 Nat

http://www.garrettleigh.com/about.html

About Garrett Leigh

Garrett Leigh is a British writer and book designer, currently working for Dreamspinner Press, Loose Id, Riptide Publishing, and Black Jazz Press. Her protagonists will always always be tortured, crippled, broken, and deeply flawed. Throw in a tale of enduring true love, some stubbly facial hair, and a bunch of tattoos, and you’ve got yourself a Garrett special.

When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible. That, and dreaming up new ways to torture her characters. Garrett believes in happy endings; she just likes to make her boys work for it.

Garrett also works as a freelance cover artist for various publishing houses and independent authors under the pseudonym G.D. Leigh. For cover art info, please visit blackjazzpress.com.

Website    Twitter    Facebook    Cover Art Enquiries

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of What Remains, Garrett is giving away $25 in Riptide Publishing credit. Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on July 9, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!

Until September by Chris Sully

*** 1/2

As a teenager, Archie Noblesse clawed his way out of the poverty, heartache, and abuse of the reservation and left his family behind. Desperate to shake the shadow of his past, he reinvents himself as Archer Noble, an outspoken blogger and controversial author who lives only for himself. But when his beloved sister dies, Archer is saddled with guardianship of his niece and nephew.

Elementary school teacher Ryan Eriksson is devastated when his best friend Marguerite is killed, leaving her two young children orphaned. Helping Archer with his new responsibilities eases his grief, but when Archer offers him custody of the children, Ryan’s left with an impossible choice: get the family he’s always wanted, or respect Margie’s wishes and convince Archer to give parenting—and his heritage—a chance.

To buy time, Ryan promises to stay for the summer, hoping that Archer will change his mind and fall for the kids. But Archer’s reluctant, and the growing attraction between him and Ryan complicates matters. Legal decisions must be made, and soon, before Ryan returns to school. But with hearts involved, more than just the children’s future is on the line.

Review:

Archie Noblesse had a nightmare childhood.  Between watching his mother sell her body to pay for the drugs that were destroying her, his mother’s eventual disappearance and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his uncle as his grandmother looked the other way, it’s a miracle he survived.  But his desire to protect his sister was all the motivation he needed.  He ran away, he worked and scrimped and did unimaginable things so his sister could have a future.  Sounds like an amazing guy, right?  Not exactly.  Don’t get me wrong.  Archie is dedicated but his moral compass is a little out of whack – he makes his money on creating controversy. Enmeshed in that controversy is his inability to form relationships and his somewhat misdirected anger at Indian Reservation is which he grew up.  Having grown up without being able to depend on anyone (other than his younger sister) has made him into a man that lacks trust and has no desire to put his heart on the line for anyone.  Not even his niece and nephew.

Ryan Eriksson is, quite simply, adorable.   A sweet grade school teacher that wants nothing more than to have a family.   You know me.  I love a forever boy.  Any hero that just wants to take care of people immediately wins me over and Ryan was no exception.  The family that he wants so badly is being handed to Ryan on a silver platter when his late best friend’s brother (the famous Archer Noble) tries to sign custody of her children over to him.  But he made a promise that he would convince Archer to stick around (Margie had Archer’s number from the get go) so he does just that. 

The compromise is that Ryan move in for the summer and help Archer because Archer has no idea how to deal with two children let alone two grieving children.  As the summer progresses Archer finds himself falling for his niece and nephew and in turn faces the impossible hurdle of dealing with his own grief and anger about his childhood.  And, of course, he falls for Ryan too.  Until September is, first and foremost, a romance.  But the growing relationship between Archer and his niece and nephew are in no way overshadowed and are significant part of this story.

I found Archie’s character to be quite fascinating.  He’s not a kind or naturally empathetic person.  He’s super focused and ruthless.  What I loved most about this story was that even though his character grows, he never changes the core of who he is.  He was/is never abusive or cruel but in the end, Archer Noble is still an extremely driven man that will do anything he needs to in order to care for the people he loves.    

Before I close this review I have to commend Chris Sully for her in depth research on First Nations Cree and the history and politics of reservation life in Canada.  That research was evident throughout the book which was both informative and compassionate.  Archer Noble’s heritage and history were a significant part of who he was and Sully did not minimize that.

If you are looking for a m/m romance with plenty of angst and a promise of a happy ever after I highly recommend this one.  I definitely enjoyed Until September and I plan on reading more books by Chris Sully in the future.  

Nat

Nobody's Hero by J. Leigh Bailey

*** 1/2

Bradley Greene’s family all but discarded him when his brother caught him fooling around with another boy. Now Bradley has seventeen dollars and a gas card, and he’s sleeping in his car. He’s an emotional mess and if he doesn’t land a job soon, he’s up the proverbial creek.

Danny Ortega can take care of himself…most of the time. When what started as a date turns into sexual assault in a dark parking lot, he’s grateful for Brad’s help—and an instant admirer of Brad’s military school-honed muscles. He certainly doesn’t expect to see him again, and definitely not as the newest hire at Ortega Construction.

As Brad and Danny’s quiet attraction turns into more, things start to go sour before they’ve even started. Danny grows frustrated that Brad won’t open up emotionally. And Brad is terrified of being responsible for someone else’s feelings. When Brad’s family makes one last attempt to turn him into an “acceptable” son, all bets are off—he and Danny will need to decide if they’re in this together…or apart.

Review:

Bradley Greene has just landed in his new college town…3 months early.  Going back home for the summer between military school and his freshman year wasn’t an option for him.  Instead he is living in his truck and hoping the interview set by one of his previous teachers will end up in a job that will get him through the summer.  While spending his (hopefully) last evening in his truck at a truck stop, he witnesses the first moments of a sexual assault.  Brad is scared to intervene but he knows he can’t sit by and do nothing.  So he utilizes his military school training and steps in before anything can happen.  When he tries to go back to his truck, the guy he helped out, Danny, invites him into the truck stop diner for a coffee while he waits for a ride home.  Danny is super cute, super nice and openly gay.  Brad is in awe.  The idea that a young gay man can be so open and have family and friends that accept him is beyond his comprehension. He takes their coffee “date” as an opportunity to be who he is if only for a short time.  He doesn’t come out to Danny but he allows himself to have a carefree conversation with a man that he finds very attractive.  Something he’s never allowed himself before.

Danny Ortega is amused and thrilled to see Brad interviewing for a job at his father’s construction company.  He is even more thrilled that Brad is taking the apartment above his parent’s garage.  What he doesn’t find amusing is Brad’s refusal to even consider going on an actual date.   Fortunately, the more time Brad spends with Danny’s family the more comfortable he becomes with the idea of pursuing a relationship with Danny.  But Brad’s family and experiences have done a real number on him.  He might be willing to date Danny but he sure isn’t willing to let the world know about them.   Danny might be falling in love with Brad but he also knows that both he and Brad are worth more than that.

When Brad’s family try to force him to return home and leave behind the people that have quickly become his true family and support system, he has to decide if will continue running from his problems or if he will turn back around and face them head on while giving Danny and himself what they both want

I thought this is an absolutely lovely New Adult story.  As to be expected, Brad’s story and approach to life provides plenty of angst.  But that angst is tempered by the unconditional love and happiness provided by Danny and everyone in his family.  Watching Brad observe the Ortegas and slowly realize that not only should he be allowed to be himself but that he also has a whole new family welcoming him with open arms is heartwarming.   

I enjoyed this book greatly.  Not only is it a good NA story, it is (in my opinion) a fantastic introduction to m/m romance.  If you are looking for a slightly angsty but mostly sweet romance featuring a couple cute and sexy heroes you will enjoy this as well.

Nat

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

* * * 1/2

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees.

Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY SAGITTARIUS. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Review:

This is almost embarrassing to admit but, a few months ago, I did a book search for virgin heroes.  I had just watched the first episode of Outlander and, although the big de-flowering scene didn’t happen until episode 7, I was reminded of the quote from the book:

“As yet too hungry and too clumsy for tenderness, still he made love with a sort of unflagging joy that made me think that male virginity might be a highly underrated commodity.”

Anyone who has read Outlander knows this quote and scene well.  There IS something seductive about a virgin hero.  And the reason that it is seductive will differ from person to person.  For some it will be the attraction of having a more experienced heroine taking on the role of teacher in the bedroom and maybe even out of it.  For others it might be the allure of reading about a man that is both emotionally AND sexually bound to one person.   And, for people like me, it’s the charm of having a hero that is vulnerable in a way that most fictional heroes aren’t.  Oh, and as Clare Fraser said, there is something fairly hot about all that “unflagging joy.”

So back to my point which is my search for virgin heroes…In that search I kept seeing Archer’s Voice come up.  I’ve kept it on my radar and bought it recently when it was yet again recommended to me.  And as a gift to myself for finishing three reviews I let myself take a break from review books and indulge in this one. 

After a horrible crime takes away Bree Prescott’s only family and leaves her with flashbacks that she re-lives daily, she desperately runs away from her home state of Ohio to a spot in Maine that she used to visit with her parents.  She doesn’t know how long she’ll stay in Pelion.  She only knows that she’ll be there long enough to get a job and save up some cash until she moves onto the next place or goes back home.  After a drugstore run, Bree manages to drop her newly bought supplies in the parking lot.  How embarrassing.  Even more embarrassing is the quiet unkempt guy that helps her pick it all up.  Not only does he hand her back some tampons (gah!) but he doesn’t respond to a single thing she says.  Just stares at her uncomfortably and walks away.  But even during their odd meeting there seems to be an instant connection that she can’t define. 

It doesn’t take long for Bree to learn that the strange guy she met is the town freak, Archer Hale.  After being shot when he was 7 years old, he lived with his uncle who raised him on his very secluded property in Pelion.  I personally loved Bree’s response to people when she was told his story.  Her response was essentially, “And you all just stood around and didn’t help him or become his friend?”

Archer Hale was seven when his world was irreparably damaged.  Tragedy left him in the care of his only living uncle.  A kind man but also a very paranoid one.  Between Uncle Nate’s need for seclusion and Archer’s inability to communicate, Archer spent the following 16 years alone.  He communicated with his uncle but when Nate passed away, he had no one.   Needless to say Archer is unsure how to act around pretty much everyone in any kid of social situation.  So when the young woman at the drugstore spoke directly to him he was at a complete loss.  The only response he was capable of was to walk away. 

Bree begins spending her free days down on the beach near Archer’s home.  Each time, on her way there and back she stops.  She is curious about the strange man that, according to what she has learned from the locals, has suffered extreme loss and lives a secluded life, only coming to town when he needs supplies.  But she never has the courage to enter his property and say hi until one day her dog makes the decision for her by taking off through Archer’s slightly open gate.  

That first official meeting is both hilarious and a little heartbreaking because even though this story is mostly told through Bree’s POV, the author does an amazing job of showing Archer’s loneliness, fear and social ineptitude.   The two of them slowly become friends.  Archer finds in Bree a friend that can (and is willing) to communicate with him.  Bree finds a friend that is compassionate, understanding and quietly intelligent.   Their friendship blooms into something more, of course.  And that initial spark that Bree felt in the parking lot of the drugstore becomes huge and hot between them.  But both of these young people have a lot of issues to work through.  Archer especially.  They have to work through a lot before they can get their happy ever after. 

What I appreciated most about this book was how believable the connection was between Bree and Archer.  The circumstances surrounding each of their lives, particularly Archer’s, could have made this love story seem a bit predatory.  But by allowing Archer to have a presence (albeit, small) outside of his home and by establishing their instant connection before they officially meet, I found their love story not only believable but also engaging.

I have read some reviews where readers complained that the story was too slow.  I personally thought that it could have been drawn out even more.  Not for the benefit of the love story but the benefit of Archer’s growth.  You can’t live that long without human contact AND not being able to communicate regularly and not be seriously affected.  I felt that maybe he would have been more socially inept than he was.  And at one point, when he decides he needs to leave Pelion to experience a bit more of the world, I felt that maybe he should have taken more time than he did. 

But those complaints are small compared to all the things I enjoyed about Bree and Archer’s story.  The humor, the angst, the slight melodrama, two kind and likeable main characters….Oh, and let’s not forget the “unflagging joy.”  Seriously, some of the intimate scenes between Bree and Archer about set my e-reader on fire.  

If you are looking to indulge in a sizzling and angsty New Adult story, then Archer’s Voice is amazingly gratifying.