Sandra @ My Fiction Nook

I really, really like this author and the books ze writes. Also, while I don't usually comment on covers, I liked this one for what it alludes to.

I like how the author writes books that include bisexual characters, books that portray them in a positive light, and that equally showcase the phobias they still encounter, on both ends of the Kinsey scale.

I liked the two main characters in this book quite a bit too - Adam Lansing, who comes across as cocky and full of himself, but who's actually hiding his insecurities behind his charming outer persona, and AJ Mancuso, who seems to have his act together, but doesn't quite know how to help his best friend escape an abusive relationship, unsure how far to go with his interference, and doesn't realize his own worth.

From the get-go, the author brilliantly weaves the social issues into the plot line, as ze develops her characters. The initial meeting between Adam and AJ is a disaster, and if on-screen sex scenes outsides of the two main characters together are not your thing, I want you to read this book anyway. Because Adam is immediately attracted to AJ and does what he can to get AJ to give him the time of day. Except AJ doesn't quite fall for the charm and cockiness, and Adam needs to up his game.

A relationship develops slowly, but just when Adam thinks it's going somewhere good, he - well, read this for yourself. Let it suffice that Adam, out of pain and hurt, does a stupid thing, and then - ha, you read it!

The writing is terrific. I was fully immersed in the story from the get-go, and the author has an uncanny ability to portray emotions on page without delving into purple prose. Even the climactic scene toward the end, the one that changes AJ's mind completely as to how Adam feels about him, wasn't melodramatic, but felt authentic. The description of the abusive psychopath escalating his control issues made perfect sense within the plot, even if the villain's purpose was just that - the villain.

What stood out the most for me is how effortless the author includes characters from the rainbow, and shows the difficulties they encounter, the bigotry and hatred they live with (some internalized), without ever becoming preachy or as if ze were standing on a soapbox. The plot and characters develop realistically and organically, and the writing made me feel and kept me engaged.

I can't ask for more, really.


** A free copy of this book was provided by Pride Promotions as part of the blogtour. A positive review was not promised in return. **