The Stopping Place by Lily Morton is such a lovely short story. Originally written for Heart2Heart charity anthology, the author edited it and enlarged it to incorporate a epilogue here.
Many of my favorite Lily Morton elements are at play here. Thereās age gap, past trauma to overcome, and men who will find themselves in the midst of a sea change, unknowingly so.
And it starts , as do all her chapters and books, with a memorable quote.
āI am no traveler; you are my world.ā
Daphne du Maurier
My Cousin Rachel
Yes, Iām sunk immediately.
So opens the tale of Simeon Frith and Ziggy Tuesday.
We see thatās Simeon had an injury and his friend has placed an ad for a companion to help with things and walk his dog.
Yes dogs or a cat are another element with Morton.
We see that. Then Simeon and Ziggy having sex. From there , time folds in and around as we see what brought Ziggy into Simeonās life, their life togetherā¦. And the decisions when it gets closer to the cast coming off and time for Ziggyās departure.
These are layered, real people. The scenes emotional if quiet. And the air filled with the sounds of the sea .
Such a beautiful journey, such lovely menā¦. And dogs.
Even a brief story like The Stopping Place by Lily Morton will fill you with a quiet joy.
Simeon Frith is recovering from a car accident at his house in Cornwall. Heās a successful man and usually very self-sufficient, but after attempting to open a can of baked beans with a brick, he realises that he needs help. However, he never imagined that putting an advert in the paper for an assistant would result in the gorgeous Ziggy Tuesday sauntering into his life.
The much younger Ziggy is fun and free-spirited, and an attraction quickly grows between them. When they finally sleep together and Ziggy insists that it be completely strings-free, Simeon canāt believe his luck. However, to his horror, he develops unforeseen feelings for the laidback surfer, and he canāt stop them, despite knowing that Ziggy will always leave. Itās what heās done all his life.
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a short story about a summer fling that is going to change two menās lives forever.
This story originally appeared in the third Heart2Heart charity anthology. It has had a new scene and an epilogue added to it.
Vet Shop Boys is a series that I adore. Each vet and their search for their HEA is layered and emotionally satisfying. And Iāve said with each book, itās my favorite.
Sigh.
Got Me Looking, the third in Casey Coxās Vet Shop Boys series is my favorite.
Casey turned two characters I wasnāt entirely sure of into two of the characters I canāt get enough of. Itās as though theyāve been kept purposely a tad out of focus for the last two books, just waiting for the author to pull them both into her narrative spotlight and make them heartwarmingly brilliant.
Gus, the owner of Vet Shop Boys Vet Clinic and recently dumped groom, has been a very lovely but secondary personality so far. Here Gus is revealed in all his joyous layers! His love of daytime tv, his dancing, the pain and loss of his first love, everything is finally exposed. The man is a huge wonder but missing someone and incredibly lonely.
Tate is a smart influencer and cammer on 4Fans Only whoās now trying to find a publisher for Gus story. Heās also someone who āsparksā with Gus when they get together with their mutual friends. Tateās childhood has been one of constant parental marital struggles, leading him to believe that monogamy isnāt the best lifestyle, especially for himself.
Gus is 20 years older and a monogamist. While as someone whoās pan, the age difference isnāt a factor, Tate identifies as poly.
This story of how their romance begins is so sweet, and sexy yet so grounded in the issues that keep people stuck if they donāt communicate. Gus and Tate talk, think, communicating through obstacles big and small, perceived and actual, to find their way to each other.
How wonderful. How adorable and adult.
While I donāt have favorite couples here, no, really, Gus and Tate come close. But really with Fulton wearing a āI shih tzu Notā t-shirt, how could I ignore him and his honey? It was fantastic having everyone involved here, including Tyler the newest Vet.
Thereās another story in the works but nothing on title or release date. Iāll be waiting!
Until then, Iām highly recommending Got Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys #3) by Casey Cox. Not familiar with this series? Start at the beginning! Iāve listed them below. Each one is a gem!
A jilted groom and a guy who doesn’t believe in monogamy fall in love? Yeah. Right.
After getting cheated on at my own goddamn wedding, I’m through with men. I’m approaching fifty, and all I’ve ever wanted is to settle down, get married, and live happily ever after. But yeah, that hasn’t exactly worked out great for me.
The last person I expect to understand me is Tate. Sure, he’s cute, curious, and clever. A firecracker with no filter who somehow manages to stay friendly and genuine at the same time. But he isn’t exactly a settle-down kinda guy. Oh, and did I mention he’s also twenty years younger than me?
There’s no way something could ever happen between the two of us, so how is it possible that Tate has got me looking at loveāāand himāāin a whole new light?
Part of a 6 book-series, Hockey Allies Bid M/M Romance Collection from six different authors, Loving Layne is V.L. Loceyās addition to this terrific series.
A fan both of the game, the players, and LGBTQIA+ hockey romances, I loved a series about a group of Hockey Allies at a charity event and the romances that sprang from it.
Locey didnāt disappoint with two amazing characters here.
Roman Kennedy, a journalism major, whoās very background oozes ink for the presses, is on a mysterious road-trip with his college roommate and best friend to Chicago.
Ah , Roman. Heās the one with the beloved newshound grandfather in his past. The one who left him the stylishly older fashioned hats Roman wears, the music tracks and vinyl of music he listens to, and the classic car Roman inherited that he drives. Roman is that character you adore immensely.
The other main character is Layne Coleman, NHL hockey player, one year away from retirement. A ten year age gap but actually mentally and emotionallyā¦ no separation. They click! Like two pieces that immediately get each other.
Locey writes them as two souls who as they talk , itās not just physical chemistry, but a meeting of two like mindsā¦ and hearts. So the reader is so on board with their romance and relationship.
Roman and Layne are great together. I love their section of this story.
Thereās a drama that plays our quickly and a mystery that most will have figured out almost immediately.
The elements that I find , well if not likable, but then perhaps less dimensional, are Dillon, Mrs. Coleman, and Mrs North.
Maybe they have just less āpage timeā but whatever the reason they come across as less fleshed out then the main couple. Especially Dillon. Heās nothing but action and emotion. There doesnāt seem to be any real depth to him.
Which was fine, it was Layne and Roman I really cared about and they had a wonderful ending. I could even do with another story about them. I liked them that much!
Hereās another hockey romance winner from a author whoās great at both writing hockey and romance.
Sometimes the last thing you expect to happen might turn out to be what you needed all along.
Roman Kennedyās first trip to the Windy City isnāt going quite as planned. Mysteries intrigue him, and his best friend Dillon seems to be sitting on a whopper. So, with his grandfatherās favorite hat on his head and his notebook in hand, the journalism major starts digging. Sadly, getting his bestie to spill the beans on what the secret is isnāt as easy as Roman had hoped.
Now, through no fault of his own, heās stuck in an expensive hotel attending a bachelor auction of all things. Heās surrounded by lumbering jocks who, heās sure, are just waiting for the chance to poke fun at the skinny, gay Jewish guy. Imagine his surprise when one of the big lugs sits down with him and talks Bernstein and Woodward.
Layne Coleman is sexy as sin, smart as a whip, considerably older, and has the same passion for investigative journalism as Roman does. His deep blue eyes and dark hair make concentrating on anything but the soft kisses theyāre now sharing difficult. Romanās keen instincts are understandably clouded by romance, so when Dillon reveals his secret in a highly public way, itās hard to say who is more stunnedāRoman or Layne, the man at the center of it all.
The fantastic insanity that is the Hitmanās Guide continues with The Hitmanās Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitmanās Guide (#2) by Alice Winters .
Lelandās found his true love, and Jackson, a PI, has made him promise to leave his former life of being an assassin behind. But Leland hasnāt figured out what to replace it with, other than the daily adoration of Jackson. And Lelandās gun collection.
Jackson has fallen in love with his scary, funny, reckless, and sexy former hitman. Keeping him safe and unidentified is everything. He thinks he is successful until a body is found with a note from the killer, using Lelandās old , now abandoned name.
Game on to find the copycat killer and save their new relationship.
Winters brings new heights of hilarity as well as pathos to both the character of Leland and his abusive relationship under Lucas . We suddenly understand why he uses humor to mask his inability to voice what kindness and love does to him.
It hurts.
And we hurt for him, but only momentarily. Then comes blowup Randy, or some other moment of utter mayhem, and weāre gone. Lost to guffaws, cries of laughter as Leland and Jackson, in sync, maneuver their way through Lelandās thorny personal past ( now present) dynamics to emerge stronger and happier.
Every character in the series, not just the main ones of Leland and Jackson, but those of Henry, Mason, Jeremy, Ava (Jacksonās mother), are getting stronger as each book continues. They have more layers, more complexity so we value them just as greatly as we do the main couple.
Honestly, thereās no secondary cast here. Including the animals.
The dialogue is sparkling, memorable, and hilarious. Each character is so well defined that , no matter how wildly unlikely or insanely nuts the situations Leland and Jackson (mostly Leland) creates, the reader goes, ok, I get it. Itās Leland.
Just like a character would in the story.
Iām so in love here.
Winters has done an outstanding job with this book and series. The characters resonate with their dissimilar backgrounds, but totally in love grand chemistry. All the people in the story, no matter how outrageous feel believable. Plus with the storylines thereās always the possibility that you could veer off to cry as well as die laughing. Take your pick.
Now guess whoās going to try to get married. This I gotta read.
The Hitmanās Guide is a must read series, one to be read in the order they are written for story and relationships development.
Iām highly recommending this and the series.
The Hitmanās Guide series:
ā The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
ā The Hitmanās Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
ā¦ The Hitmanās Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
Side Story:
šThe Former Assassinās Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
Now that Lelandās decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, weāve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didnāt know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but itās not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Lelandās gun shrineāor stop him from making our cases āmore excitingā by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right? Wrong. Weāve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victimās body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.
Leland:
I wasnāt involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldnāt do that to Jacksonāespecially after I promised him that I wouldnāt take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. Iām finally starting to learn that weāre stronger together, and Iām not going to jeopardize that.Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesnāt know who heās dealing with. Gameās on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but thatās beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasnāt my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)
This 110k word book contains: Disco ball piƱata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named āMr. Cleanyface,ā a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jacksonās nemesisāthe fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Lelandās chest might explode.
This is the second book in a seriesāwhile you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitmanās Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.
Iāve been on a fantasy binge lately and when I realized I couldnāt remember if a incubus character was one that needed a hug or shouldnāt be touched, it was time to return to contemporary fiction.
I pulled up Alice Winters because sheās a author I not only adore for her terrific well written tales but honestly, I know Iām in for a rollicking hilarious great āgame onā of a read when I grab for one of her stories.
Thatās exactly what I fell into with The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love. Itās one of three novels about a hitman and his hunny with a side story thatās equally amazing.
But The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love is the beginning. A laugh out loud, gut wrenchingly hilarious book about a hit man named Leland whoās career takes an unexpected turn when he spies a PI awkwardly scaling a fence to gain access into a house heās monitoring.
I wonāt go further. Thatās definitely a scene to be savored in the book.
Much like their tangled relationship and Lelandās oversized personality.
Every time I start a Winters story itās almost a given Iāll end up at after 3am ā¦ eyes still glued to the Kindle until it saysā¦ the endā¦.
From the droll descriptions of the characters, current remarks dropped into snappy dialogue, and conversations that veer from pithy to deep emotions and back to full on hilarity with the speed of a Mach one racer, this story ( and all the rest) are flat out fantabulous!
Age gap, humorous action packed mayhem romance, complete with Randy the blowup Sex doll and adorable doggies.
Iād only complain if there wasnāt a follow up story but there is. Happy dance!
So this is an absolute must read if you love to guffaw with your contemporary romance, need spot on dialogue with characters so memorable that their staying power is all the way to 11 (movie reference).
Highly recommending the author and series! A must read!
The Hitmanās Guide series:
ā The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
ā¦ The Hitmanās Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
ā¦ The Hitmanās Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
Side Story:
šThe Former Assassinās Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?
Leland Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while heās caught on a fence would be one of them. While itās not exactly love at first sight, heās captured my interest and wonāt let go.
Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like heās not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the cityās most ruthless criminals?
Jackson Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I canāt help but admit that Iām drawn to him. Heās funny, charismatic, and attractive. Thereās no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.
But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, Iām faced with a tough choice. Itās my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.
Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?
Contains: shenanigans on a swing that you would NOT find at a playground, a car chase that sadly doesn’t have flips or explosions, a horsey ride sans horse, cuddles, an exuberant mutt, a suspicious chief of police, and lots and lots of laughs
Rebecca Cohen has a new holiday romance out in Heās Behind You, third story in her Treading the Boards series about a local amateur dramatic society, the Sarky Players.
Itās an absolutely entertaining series and this one is no exception. The story takes place around the holidays and our main characters get pulled into the Sarky Players and itās panto this season, Aladdin, by two different paths.
Dr. Craig Rosen is a cellular researcher for work and an well known Warhammer gamer in his off time. His romances have left him with a bruised heart and a poor self image, reinforced by his sad history. Itās his associate who drags him off to an audition and a new start in his romantic life.
Jason is a lawyer, divorced father to two older children, and just coming out as gay, a sexuality heās actually inwardly known about himself for years. Now after some trying emotional times with his ex wife who he likes and respects and his kids, heās ready to experience whatās heās missed all these years. But his way. He wants someone to connect with, a man whoās company he enjoys and well, all the sex too.
Heās also a ex Sarky Player coming back to rejoin the ranks.
Hmmmm.
Thereās a terrific meeting between them. Lots of adult communication, a great family on Jasonās side to enjoy and a lovely romance.
As a gamer I wish that Jasonās attitude towards Warhammer had undergone more of a change. While it wasnāt quite as judgmental as it started out, he never gave Craig or his sonās passion the respect it deserves. That was probably a realistic character flaw but it made me like him a bit less as a father and partner.
Overall, this was a sweet, HFN holiday romance and I really enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books so involved within this play and story again.
I would have loved to have been in the audience for this one!
Happy Holidays! Hereās another sweet romance to add to your holiday reading list.
Craig Rosen thinks heās pretty happy with his quiet geeky life working in a lab in London and playing Warhammer. But one of his colleagues has other ideas and drags Craig along to an audition at the amateur dramatic society, the Sarky Players, for their Christmas pantomime, Aladdin. Meeting Jason Carter makes Craig think that maybe heās not as content as he thought.
Jason Carter accepted heās gay a little later in life than most, but now with an ex-wife and in his late thirties, heās ready to embrace who he really is. He canāt believe his luck when he meets Craig, and the cute younger manās patience and gentleness make him the perfect guy to help Jason navigate his new life.
While thereās no denying the attraction between them, itās not just Jasonās insecurities that might upset their best performance. Craig is convinced that someone as confident as Jason, a corporate lawyer who looks sexy in a suit, could never settle for a man like him. Together they will need to re-write the script to give themselves the happy ending they deserve
My holiday reading continues with V.L. Loceyās The Christmas Tenor, the 3rd novel in her Laurel Holidays series, each a standalone story.
The Christmas Tenor is a very sweet, sexy holiday romance between a older, withdrawn widower and a young confident singer,. The older man is Cabriolet Vermat who withdrew from everyone and everything following the death of his famous actor husband from cancer . The exceptions being his twin brother and his incredibly successful business, Cabriolet Chauffeur Services and the people who help him run it.
Cabriolet and his twin brother, Pierre, are incredible characters. Indeed, itās actually hard to separate them I. My mind. Not because of their personalities, because those are quite distinct! But because the author has done such a fabulous job of creating such a tight emotionally deep close bond between these brothers that , even for them, to be separated feels wrong.
From the ages old banter that flows between them to the ability to hurt as well, this brotherly dynamic (and Pierreās flare with his wardrobe) was as popular with me as was the main romance. Adore these brothersā¦and now Pierre needs a true love FYI!
Those two are dealing with so many compelling issues. Thereās Cabrioletās inability to move past his husbandās death. Pierreās inability to accept their motherās rejection of their gayness and essential abandonment. Age has nothing to do with loss and pain and love.
This is handled so beautifully.
Julian Baez is also a fascinating, well defined character. Younger, decisive about his goals for himself and his needs, especially what they consist in a relationship, Jules is a dynamic, sexy personality. Who likes older black men. Heās extremely clear on why that is, his expectations, and the need for someone like that in his life. While making it less like a PowerPoint presentation and more a reasonable life choice.
I loved Jules too. Maybe not with the adoration I have for Cabriolet and Pierre but itās definitely there. They are a great match. Locey makes us see the chemistry and get how it works for them both.
The only reason itās a smidge under 5 š is I felt that ending was a bit rushed. It went from Cab slowly making one decision, to one change, then another, then another. That may be how it works in the mucin world but I didnāt think how It showed Jules handled it was in keeping with the character āwho was a take charge ā of his future sort.
So I thought there was a bit of fumbling there at the end to get them where the author needed them to go.
However, thatās a slight issue. The epilogue is wonderful and the journey to get there overwhelmingly heartwarming and sweet.
I really enjoyed this. I think you will too. Add it to your TBR holiday list. Iām highly recommending this!
A trip that he thought would bring him only pain is about to present him with the greatest gift of all.
For three years now, Cabriolet Vermat has put off, wiggled out of, and outright lied to get out of making this dreaded trip east. The owner of Cabriolet Chauffeur Services in Los Angeles has avoided the yearly invitation to the small town of White Bridge, New York, to speak at their alumni winter gathering but this year theyāve outfoxed him. Theyāre throwing a dinner to honor his late partnerās dedication to his alma mater and have asked Cab to speak. This time he has to go no matter how much pain it will stir up. Arriving in the picturesque small town beside one of the Finger Lakes, Cab is treated to a special performance of holiday songs and there he sees Julian Gabriel Baez for the first time. The young singer captivates him immediately, and he finds himself seeking out the much younger man after the performance. The pull he feels toward Jules is unlike anything heās felt since he met his partner years ago. Confusion and desire war within him, but the outgoing young tenor wins him over with his engaging smile and kind heart. A two-day trip soon turns into an extended holiday vacation. Cab worries that the magic of Christmas will quickly fizzle out and heāll be alone once more. Or will this festive season bestow a blessing of the heart upon a man who thought he would never love again?
The Christmas Tenor is a standalone small-town gay Christmas romance with a beautiful May-December relationship, a lonely widower, a rising opera star, loving families, and plenty of holiday joy.
The Holiday List is the fourth and final book in Lane Hayes Script Club series, built around a group of nerd scientists who live and work together. They form a club that does odd jobs, each becomes a focus of a book as well as one of the scientists who end up with their HEA.
This was a cute story. Chet was someone new to the house and therefore not a person weāve grown to love as we had all the others. He was just as adorably quirky and Hayes gave him a suitable family and background.
Chet really shown with his interactions with Lincoln, the child he was helping with his science projects. I really wished this story had explored that dynamic further, including Sam into it. Because that would have elevated this story into something special, especially at the holidays.
As it is, we get a āas toldā sort of narrative for their developing relationship. As in Chet and Linc did this , then they performed thatā¦ etc.
It did not fill in for the missing lively personal warmth and displays of developing affection the other scenes made apparent.
I liked the characters. That of Sam, the divorced father with his issues of insecurities and background were well done. Also his chemistry with the adorable Chet was clear.
But, I felt there could have been more scenes , maybe of them decorating Samās house, since that was a big element, anything that had them actually talking and establishing a relationship (one we see happening).
The numerous sex scenes are hot and well, sexy. However relationship and character growth needs to be given equal page time for everything to flourish. Including our interest in the couple.
They have a very sweet ending and lovely epilogue. It puts a happy ending to the book and series.
While not my fav in this series, itās cute. And if youāre a fan, itās a nice way to say goodbye.
Synopsis:
The Mars maestro, the single dad, and a wish listā¦
Chet-
Boy, am I lucky! Finding a living situation with a houseful of passionate scientists just before the holidays is ideal in every possible way. As the newest member of the Script Club, I feel itās important to step up and tackle the to-do list my friends would prefer to avoid. Item one, address the tutoring request from the neighborhood-hottie-slash-single-dad on the next block. Iāve got this!
Or do I?
Handsome, older, sporty gentlemen intimidate me. And Mr. McSwoony doesnāt like the holidays. This may be a daunting task.
Sam-
What do you do when a new neighbor shows up on your doorstep with cookies and a wacky plan to spread holiday cheer? I donāt need cheer, but I could use help with some of the experiments my son wants to try. I know football, not science. Hopefully, I can talk Chet into a mutually beneficial trade. The only snag is that Iām seriously attracted to my local Mars expert. Heās unintentionally charmingā¦in the very best way.
Donāt quote me, but maybe this holiday elf with thick glasses and a mile-long list might be exactly what I need.
The Holiday List is an MM bisexual, geek/jock romance with a holiday twist featuring a lovable scientist and a single dad whoās probably on the naughty list!
Iām not sure why this sat a few days on my shelf before I got to it because it has to be one of my favorite romances yet this year.
Lily Morton really ticked every box for me here on contemporary romances and then further with not one but two love letters to Majorca and Venice. These settings are clearly places the author is familiar with and loves. And it shows in each warmly described location and all the finely etched details. The lagoons of Venice, history, the twisty roads and beaches along with local foodsā¦ all folded in with a memorable, heartwarming romance.
That Prologue! Honestly. Starting a story with a prologue almost guaranteed to make you sniffle ! Blink and you are already invested 100 percent in Wren Robertās story, why heās fog bound at that airport. And bereft.
Then comes the story.
And what a fantastic, romantic, grand story it is.
I laughed, cried, laughed some moreā¦ sighed a lot. And was ultimately thrilled at the ending.
Lily Morton gives us a spectacular cast of characters here.
Wren Morton, the Cuckoo of the title. The foster child forever being deposited in someone elseās ānestā, but who grew up without self pity, self-sufficient, kind, and with a love for learning. How I fell deeply in love with this character.
Mateo Rossi, extremely wealthy hotelier, bored, multidimensional. Of an ancient Venice family as well as one in Majorca. A man of divided hearts. Watching Mateo interact with Wren, changing as he reveals more of his real self? Amazing.
While the story is told mostly from Wrenās perspective, every now and then we get Mateoās pov, just when itās needed. To see Wren outside of how he sees himself. I grew to anticipate those!
The other characters like Mateoās mother and grandfather are people that are so well developed that I felt I just didnāt get enough of them. Same about Alfie and a certain glass artist.
I really hope to see a sequel to this story.
The Cuckooās Call by Lily Morton is such a remarkable romance that I felt 5 stars wasnāt nearly enough.
Iām highly recommending it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Synopsis:
Can a summer romance last forever?
Wren Roberts thought heād found his fairy tale when he met Mateo Rossi on holiday in Majorca. The wealthy and successful older man swept him off his feet, and before he knew it, heād thrown caution to the wind and was living in Mateoās waterside apartment in Venice. Itās a far cry from his harsh upbringing and crummy flat in London.
But as the summer turns to autumn, cracks begin to show. Mateoās family arenāt welcoming, and there doesnāt seem to be a place for Wren in Mateoās world. He could have coped with all of that, but Mateo himself seems like a different person away from the sunshine island.
Should Wren have been more cautious in riding off into the sunset when he wasnāt sure what lay over the horizon?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a romance about two men who find that sometimes happily ever after doesnāt end there.
Ah, time for that all important second book in a series review. So many questions and weighted hopes hangs on this follow up novel if the author is continuing an overall series arc.
Is there continuity and character growth? Does it flow somehow out from the events of the first book? Does it empower not only the characters but our imagination in the same manner the original launches us into this journey?
Hmmm, with Spellbound, the answers are a bit mixed.
Letās tackle them one by one.
Plots.
The storyline that takes up the majority of this novel is wonderful. It contains so much depth and emotional layering that I expected. Thereās a serious mother/daughter flawed relationship built on lies, love, and a great tragedy. Eden, the daughter is so relatable in her anger, pain, and apparent maternal abandonment. Her rage is both poignant and deeply frightening. We get it. This aspect of the novel, and everything that surrounds Eden is absolutely terrific. With an exception.
Eden is a high school student. At the end of this story, sheās found herself in a serious permanent as in forever relationship. With a ancient being. Now while we are all smacking our heads over that flag, I will say the author has several characters bring up the illegality of that issue as well as the idea that sheās not emotionally ready. Ok good.
But thereās no real resolution. So perhaps thatās to be addressed in upcoming novels but Eden clearly deserves a more defined finish here. Sheās a marvelous character and so is this entire element of the arc.
Which brings me to
Series Arc plots .
As best I can tell, Salinger is slowly adding bits of pieces to her overall arc mosaic much like a 1.000 piece table puzzle . You fit a bit in here, several snap in together there. So hopefully, Eden and her new Dryad Prince are part of the huge battle group that will be needed to fight the Evil whoever who is trying to do whatever. Still not a clue. But Salingerās strengths are in her ingenious storylines and layerings. She knows how to build a suspenseful scene, and then top it off with high action.
However , this didnāt move the overall arc along hugely. Did confirm new information about our main characters though.
That brings us to the aspect of characterization. What I thought worked and, frankly, what I felt didnāt.
Edenās group and storyline. Those characters were new , including her BFF Lois and her family. All the beings that gravitated around Eden and her drama? They really worked as far as realistic emotional scenes and reactions to her dilemma. Again great job.
But, unfortunately, in what should be solid, continuing .character growth for Cassius and Morgan, our main couple and the series biggest heart as well as mystery? It felt as though we got a stripping off of layers instead of a depth of dimension.
In the first story, we saw the ages of wisdom, the compassion and pain coming through for Cassius. Now heās a pouty, insecure lovesick being? What happened to the serious character of the other novel? He seems to have vanished, replaced by a boyfriend of Morganās. Who occasionally transforms into something cool. Morgan too is undergoing a bit of a metamorphosis, although into what exactly is anyoneās guess. But the gravity of these downright elemental or idk other worldly transformations seems to be missing.
Idk maybe they should actually stop having sex for a moā and figure out if this pertains to their missing memories, and maybe even the bad guy! Good grief.
Definitely not the same beings I liked in book one. They need to regain their gravitas, their focus, and personalities.
Almost missing main character. You all know how I feel about this. Here itās Loki the magical cat, a main player in book one and the series arc. He lives with Cassius now. When do we see and here about him here? When the book is about 74% complete. Then Loki is mentioned as part of the growing mystery so , yes, he has to be trotted out in one scene so everyone sees heās still around. Thatās it. Done. He disappears again back into the apartment not to be mentioned again. It fed or whatever. So Loki could have starved because heās not seen or mentioned even when they are back in the apartment. A huge change from book one when heās a constant presence, weaving catlike around the feet or in their laps. SMH. Continuity and consistency!
All of which finally brings me to my last bit of griping. Since I had time to notice all the above, then the issues I had with the repetition of adjectives and certain authorās fondness of terms definitely continues on here.
Pls, someone either tell her about how to find and replace a word within a document, Thesauruses our old friend , (and edit) or point a great editor her way.
We are back to muscles jumping in every characterās face and often. Adrianne is saying things āleadenlyāagain. I pity poor Adrianne. No sex and the worst lines. A couple of female characters always āsmile softly ā.
Thereās also a lot of āshe___fill in the name___snarled,ā āso and so hissedā,
Lots of hissing and no they arenāt snake shifters.
Also āgrowling ā. Cedric growled. But it could have been and usually is another.
Plus a host of clenched whateverā¦ jaw, fistā¦ whatever can be clenched.
You get the idea. Salinger once she uses a word or term in a certain manner, it stays used. To the detriment of the story. And the readerās, at least this readerās concentration.
And thatās a shame, because the plots? Both one the book and overall series arc scale are imaginative and layered. They have grabbed my attention and the potential for a really great series shows everywhereā¦.
But thereās some definite tidying up to be done. Both in the major characters personalities and language. I look forward to see what book three brings.
High marks mostly for Eden and her journey.
Fallen Messenger series:
Unbound #0.5
Fractured Souls #1
Spellbound #2
Edge Lines #3
Oathbreaker #4
Synopsis:
Can Cassius and Morgan overcome an elusive enemy and save a young girlās life?
Eden Monroe has spent her entire existence believing she has no magic. Shunned by her mother Brianna and the magical bureau Hexa, she runs away from home when she is forced to embrace a future she never chose, only to fall into the hands of ghastly monsters from the Nine Hells. After being rescued by a mysterious Dryad with secrets of his own, Eden realizes there is more to her past and future than she could ever have imagined.
When San Francisco PD asks Argonaut to assist them in solving a series of strange bank robberies, Cassius Black and Morgan King uncover a disturbing plot that points to an unknown artifact hidden somewhere in the city. Their investigation soon has them crossing paths with a desperate Brianna, who seeks their help in finding her missing daughter. When the witch reveals the shocking circumstances surrounding her daughterās birth as well as the deadly magic sealed inside the young girlās body, the Argonaut agents realize their case is linked to Eden and the weapon of devastating power the bank robbers are after.
Can Cassius and Morgan defeat the malevolent organization behind it all and save Eden from her cursed fate? Or will the young girl suffer a destiny worse than death itself?
Spellbound is the second novel in the gay urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. If you like your paranormal adventures full of action, magic, snark, and a host of steamy angels and demons, then youāre not going to want to miss this jaw-dropping, fun-filled ride!
