Pre-Release Review This is my half of a Gay Guy / Straight Girl Co-Review with fellow Goodreader, OJCast. To see our full 5 Stars
[image]
Pre-Release Review This is my half of a Gay Guy / Straight Girl Co-Review with fellow Goodreader, OJCast. To see our full review click the link below. There is also a question/answer session that follows.
Full Disclosure - I was a beta reader for this book and worked closely with the author. My review is certainly colored by that experience. However these are my true thoughts and impressions.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I’ll assume you’ve read Grif’s Toy and, like me, couldn’t wait for Wes� story. After all, Wes is strong, honorable, and generous. But you knew, didn’t you? Didn’t you? That there was something else there? Something dark. Something…wrong. This book isn’t Grif’s Toy. That was a sweet, tender love story. This is something entirely different. Be warned, JLT will try to lull you into a sense that everything is perfect, so enjoy that tease because he’s setting you up for gut wrenching denial. Wes� Denial.
And there will be tears.
THE CHARACTERS
Weston ‘Wes� De Luca -
The solid rock of a man. Pure strength, loyalty, and committed love. Wes isn't afraid of anything...except showing his fractures.
Marcus ‘Grif� Griffin -
I know you love Grif, but you haven’t even scratched the surface. I’m willing to bet you’ll be wildly surprised by his strength of character.
Additional Characters �
Henrik � stunning Paul Eaks � scary Thomas � Dom of Doms Grif Two � Heh, yeah. You’ll see.
THE STORY
Spanning some fifty-five years this is an epic look at not only the full relationship between Wes and Grif, but also of Wes as a young man just discovering what makes him tick. He learns pretty early on that he ticks differently than the other boys, but his natural curiosity and openness allows him to explore and develop relationships fully.
There are three distinct periods in Wes� life prior to Grif. His pre-military school days. His early military career. And a term of self-education and discovery. Each of these periods are vivid, striking and eye-opening.
As the reader learns about who Wes is, who Wes really is, we also see and understand what is so very special about his most important relationship, Grif. They are the perfect couple, with the perfect life both publically and personally. But something dark is lurking just beneath the surface that could destroy that perfection. Grif feels it. But Wes is in denial.
THE WRITING
If you read my review of Grif’s Toy, here, you’ll see that I held back a bit on my praise. The reason for that is because I knew JLT had this book in him. A book that would come from his core. A book that would shatter boundaries.
As I said earlier, JLT begins by lulling you into a sweet, tender romantic view of Grif and Wes� early relationship, but right from the start there is a thread of darkness. An undercurrent of trouble. He keeps the reader on edge by applying just the right amount of tension, by degrees, at just the right moment.
I think this may be JLT’s signature attribute. Even in his other writing he builds a story in a way that keeps you so connected that you don’t even see the intensity building around you. Bravo, Joseph.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
Merged review:
5 Stars
[image]
Pre-Release Review This is my half of a Gay Guy / Straight Girl Co-Review with fellow Goodreader, OJCast. To see our full review click the link below. There is also a question/answer session that follows.
Full Disclosure - I was a beta reader for this book and worked closely with the author. My review is certainly colored by that experience. However these are my true thoughts and impressions.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I’ll assume you’ve read Grif’s Toy and, like me, couldn’t wait for Wes� story. After all, Wes is strong, honorable, and generous. But you knew, didn’t you? Didn’t you? That there was something else there? Something dark. Something…wrong. This book isn’t Grif’s Toy. That was a sweet, tender love story. This is something entirely different. Be warned, JLT will try to lull you into a sense that everything is perfect, so enjoy that tease because he’s setting you up for gut wrenching denial. Wes� Denial.
And there will be tears.
THE CHARACTERS
Weston ‘Wes� De Luca -
The solid rock of a man. Pure strength, loyalty, and committed love. Wes isn't afraid of anything...except showing his fractures.
Marcus ‘Grif� Griffin -
I know you love Grif, but you haven’t even scratched the surface. I’m willing to bet you’ll be wildly surprised by his strength of character.
Additional Characters �
Henrik � stunning Paul Eaks � scary Thomas � Dom of Doms Grif Two � Heh, yeah. You’ll see.
THE STORY
Spanning some fifty-five years this is an epic look at not only the full relationship between Wes and Grif, but also of Wes as a young man just discovering what makes him tick. He learns pretty early on that he ticks differently than the other boys, but his natural curiosity and openness allows him to explore and develop relationships fully.
There are three distinct periods in Wes� life prior to Grif. His pre-military school days. His early military career. And a term of self-education and discovery. Each of these periods are vivid, striking and eye-opening.
As the reader learns about who Wes is, who Wes really is, we also see and understand what is so very special about his most important relationship, Grif. They are the perfect couple, with the perfect life both publically and personally. But something dark is lurking just beneath the surface that could destroy that perfection. Grif feels it. But Wes is in denial.
THE WRITING
If you read my review of Grif’s Toy, here, you’ll see that I held back a bit on my praise. The reason for that is because I knew JLT had this book in him. A book that would come from his core. A book that would shatter boundaries.
As I said earlier, JLT begins by lulling you into a sweet, tender romantic view of Grif and Wes� early relationship, but right from the start there is a thread of darkness. An undercurrent of trouble. He keeps the reader on edge by applying just the right amount of tension, by degrees, at just the right moment.
I think this may be JLT’s signature attribute. Even in his other writing he builds a story in a way that keeps you so connected that you don’t even see the intensity building around you. Bravo, Joseph.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog: ...more
For a super short read this one really got me. A bittersweet, touching tease that is perfectly written. My expectations are always high with JLT's worFor a super short read this one really got me. A bittersweet, touching tease that is perfectly written. My expectations are always high with JLT's works, this did not disappoint. Enjoy this for free! ...more