#REVIEW The World As He Sees It by A.M. Arthur #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance, part of the Perspectives series
Release Date: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Length: 278 pages

Description: Love knows no limits…but fear could keep them from seeing it.

Gabe lives a double life. As Gabriel Henson, he works multiple jobs to support his remorseless, alcoholic mother. As Tony Ryder, he does internet porn for extra cash and regular safe sex without complications.

Yet when he encounters a scared young man freaking out in a night club, he’s compelled to reach out. Ever since then, the memory of that young man has haunted him.

Tristan Lavelle lives his life thirty minutes at a time. After a traumatic brain injury three years ago, he gets through his day recording his life in spiral notebooks and sticky note reminders.

A month after Tristan’s embarrassingly public meltdown, another chance meeting with Gabe sparks a warm, emotionally fulfilling email relationship. Both men crave more, but fear of the next step stands between them.

Until Tristan gets the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial that could improve his memory—if the side effects don’t kill him. But for Tristan, the possibility of a real life with Gabe is worth any risk…


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OUR REVIEW

I absolutely LOVED this book. From the first page to the last page, I was captivated by Tristan and Gabe's story. But to be honest, I've been awaiting Tristan's story since first reading The Truth as He Knows It (Perspectives Book 1), where we first meet Tristan and Gabe.

Three years earlier, Tristan and his best friend Noel were gay-bashed, leaving Tristan with a traumatic brain injury that causes him to forget everything after thirty minutes. Fortunately, he at least remembers everything prior to the accident, so he remembers Noel, the only person in his life who has stuck by him.

Gabe and Tristan meet one day when Tristan, desperate to get laid, escapes his adult care facility and ends up at Big Dick's, a bar owned by Gabe's two dads. Thirty minutes later, when Tristan loses his memory and has a meltdown, Gabe is the one who helps him. 

Big Dick's. Big Dick's. Big Dick's. Big dicks. Big dicks. Big--why am I thinking about big dicks?

Tristan Lavelle blinked out the windshield at the scenery going by, somehow both familiar and new. He wasn't driving, which was a good thing. He hadn't driven a car in a long time. Since the accident. The accident was why he couldn't remember something he'd been thinking about... something. Dicks?

This encounter sets the stage for The World As He Sees It. Gabe has been shooting porn as a way to pay the bills for his alcoholic mother, a woman who can't see her son's dedication to her, but has no trouble spending all his money on things she neither wants nor needs. 

Tristan may have a faulty memory when it comes to right now, but he has no trouble knowing what he wants, and that something is Gabe. The brain trauma has taken a lot from him, but not his sex drive. Nor his funny quirkiness. 

"Hey, you guys made it," said a sexy, sultry voice.

Tristan glanced over his shoulder to see who the voice had spoken to, only to find himself staring into a pair of kind, dark eyes. Kind, dark eyes belonging to a stunningly handsome face. Black hair. Tan skin. Tall and well-built. a walking wet dream who was smiling like they were old friends.

Holy fucking hell, he's gorgeous.

"Hey, Gabe," Shane said.

Gabe.

Those kind, dark eyes never broke from his, and Tristan couldn't look away. Gabe was a stranger, yet somehow familiar.

His eyes. The eyes I see. We've met.

Despite being in porn, Gabe is sweet and giving, and exactly what Tristan needs to regain the fun-loving and impulsive side of himself. 

Tristan tilted his head in an assessing way. "I don't do this a lot."

"Do what?"

"Talk about myself with complete strangers."

"Well, we're not complete strangers." He glanced at the clock above the bar. "We've known each other at least five hours now."

Tristan chuckled, a soft, raspy sound that sent tingles down Gabe's spine. "So I can upgrade you to incomplete stranger?"

This time Gabe laughed. "I don't mind, if it means we get to keep talking."

"Definitely. I don't think I've made very many new friends these last few years."

"Then consider one made."

"Excellent. As long as you're not offended when I forget your name in a little while."

The author does a fabulous job in making the reader experience the world as Tristan does--in bits and pieces, some familiar, most not. Our hearts ache with his and Gabe's each time he forgets someone or has to consult one of his many notebooks.

But we also feel their joy when the trial drug starts to improve Tristan's memory, and we feel their fears that the drug could fail. I loved how we faced these fears with Tristan and Gabe, how we supported them through the setbacks and celebrated their successes.

The World As He Sees It is a story of unconditional love, of overcoming challenges, and of being grateful for what we have. Everyone should read it!

OUR RATING: 5 stars
(04/30/2016)

ARC #REVIEW Black Dust by Lynn Charles #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: April 7, 2016
Publisher: Interlude Press
Length: 312 pages

Description: No matter how busy he keeps himself, successful Broadway musician Tobias Spence can’t outrun the memory of a tragic car crash in his past that claimed a friend’s life and permanently injured his former boyfriend, Emmett.

Even after losing Tobias, Emmett Henderson made peace with that awful night; he lives in his Indiana hometown, where he has become a revered choral director. When his students are asked to perform in New York City, he decides to chance reconnecting with his former love, if for no other reason than to get a proper goodbye.

When Emmett and Tobias finally meet 15 years after parting ways, it is clear to both of them that their feelings for each other have not changed. As they explore their renewed relationship, the two men face old hurts and the new challenges of a long-distance romance. Will Tobias lose his second chance at love to the ghosts he can’t seem to put to rest?


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OUR REVIEW

Black Dust is the bittersweet story of two young men whose world is torn apart by a tragic accident that kills a friend and leaves Emmett severely injured. When the threat of not being able to walk again gets to be too much, Emmett lashes out at the well-meaning, but guilt-ridden Tobias. Tobias leaves and the story continues fifteen years later in New York City. But is their reunion hello or goodbye?

"Okay, so forget the accident, since we've never seen eye to eye on that. Tobias left you, Emmett. He left you lying in a pile in our hallway, unable to get up by yourself, while he traipsed back to New York to become rich and famous. You are worth more than that."

"He left because I was horrible to him. No one would have stayed for that."

"You were in pain, Emmett. Your life had been taken from you."

"And yet, here I am. A viable member of society, living a pretty damned good life."

"He left you at your weakest."

"Maybe, Mom... maybe he left me at his weakest."

Both men struggle with their memories, with their guilt and regrets. Emmett appears to be the more well-balanced of the two, but is he really? Both men have buried their anger and their despair. They've never discussed what happened to them, never discussed the death of their friend. 

It wasn't as if Toby had never dealt with Emmett's iciness before. He knew full well that an extra change of emotional clothes was an occasional need in living with and loving that man.

Emmett has used casual sex to cover up his pain and loss, while Tobias has dived head-first into his career. Both have shied away from meaningful relationships and when they meet again, they finally recognize the reasons for that. 

Music and theater are weaved into this story from beginning to end in a magical, beautiful way. Music and theater are what first brought Tobias and Emmett together and it is what ultimately leads to their healing. 

Our one negative comment is that we'd have liked to know more about both characters beyond their inner struggles. Although we learn a little about Emmett's parents and his friends, we know virtually nothing about the people in Tobias' life, other than his friend Malik. Granted, some of that is because he's kept all his relationships so superficial, but still. 

Black Dust is a beautiful story of true love, debilitating loss, and second chances. If you love music and believe in its power to heal, this is the story for you!

OUR RATING: 4.5 stars!
(04/22/2016)

ARC #REVIEW After the Scrum by Dahlia Donovan #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: April 1, 2016

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Length: 163 pages

Description: Caddock ‘The Brute’ Stanford lost his brother and rugby career within the same year. The once man-about-town is now a has-been and guardian to his young nephew. Not sure where life will go after the scrum, he decides to purchase a pub in the Cornwall village of Looe. He never expects to fall in lust—and then love. 

Francis Keen hides his crippling anxiety behind his eccentric habits, lush interior design, and beloved dog, Sherlock. Alone by choice after an attack in college left him emotionally scarred, he lives by the sea with his gran, resigned to working small jobs for local businesses. Revamping the pub for the new owner is right up his alley—especially when he realizes who the owner is.Two men, so different, on track for a romantic collision. Can they survive the impact?

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OUR REVIEW

What do a retired rugby player who suddenly finds himself the guardian of his four-year-old nephew and an anxiety-ridden interior designer from a small Cornwall village have in common? Nothing! But opposites attract and that's half the fun.

After the Scrum is a fun story filled with British humor. The chemistry between Caddock and Francis is apparent from their first meeting. Their banter is witty and thoughtful. Of course, Francis is a little odd. He talks to his therapy dog Sherlock and names his car (Watson).

"How do you know he's allergic to sheep?" A deep, almost raspy voice queried from further back in the bar. It might possibly be the most orgasm-inducing voice Francis had ever heart. A deep, gravelly timbre with only the barest hint of an accent. He'd wager the man attached to it would be large--hopefully in all the best ways.

"So? How'd you know he's allergic?" Mr. Orgasmic Voice prompted impatiently, disrupting Francis's wild fantasies.

"I asked him."

"You asked him? Are you mad?" His footsteps moved closer.

"Only on Sundays."

The reasons behind Francis's eccentricities aren't so funny though, and they are one of the things that both draws us to Francis and makes Caddock endearing. Because "The Brute" never seeks to change Francis, he only seeks to help him and love him. I loved how each character completely accepted the other, despite, or maybe because, of how different they were to each other.

Twenty minutes later, the two sat in the much larger Range Rover in awkward silence, still parked by the curb. They looked everywhere but at each other. Sherlock had already made himself at home on a pile of blankets in the back seat.

"All right, sod this, we're getting this out of the way now."

It was the only warning Francis received before Caddock had a hand in his hair, dragging him into a kiss. He held him there until they'd gotten their fill of each other--for now. Released back to his seat, he could only blink repeatedly, trying to settle his breathing while Caddock started the vehicle.

Francis shook his head when he caught Ruth on a nearby pavement giving him the thumbs up. "It'll be around the village in an hour, but they'll be telling everyone we were starkers."

"I could rip your shirt off," Caddock offered helpfully with a hint of a leer. "Could be a great way to pass the time, staring at you."

"Stare at the road," Francis snapped at him, annoyed at the flush of colour that moved up his neck and cheeks. A strong, warm hand gripped his thigh and stayed there. It was going to be a long bloody drive. "Focus on the road."

"I can multitask."

This story also has some amusing secondary characters. I particularly enjoyed Caddock's nephew Devlin. Maybe I'm just a sucker for men and small children. Francis's grandmother is also quite a riot.

I like how the author weaved the sex into the story, giving each scene its own flavor. While not detailed like in erotica (this is a contemporary romance), there is a very slight hint of BDSM in After the Scrum, including a fun wax-play type scene involving chocolate fondue!

If you enjoy small-town stories about mild-mannered slightly-eccentric British gentlemen who love dogs, children, and grandmothers, After the Scrum is for you!

OUR RATING: 4 stars

(04/19/2016)

ARC #REVIEW More Than Love by Amelia Bishop #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: March 25, 2016
Publisher:  Amelia Bishop
Length: 198 pages

Description: Dan watched the people in his life settle down, get married, and have kids, while he cycled through a seemingly endless string of break-ups and disappointing relationship fails. So when Ian, the college boyfriend Dan never quite forgot, comes back to town and wants to get together, Dan jumps at a second chance with the one who got away. And despite his track record, he holds out hope that he and Ian might make it work this time.

While Ian is still just as sweet and sexy as he ever was back in college, he’s also harder, slicker, and more secretive than Dan remembers. As a cop, Dan’s suspicions are roused by Ian’s behavior. As a man, he wants nothing more than to ignore those worries and fall headfirst into their new relationship. If Ian is a criminal, turning him in will break Dan’s heart. But ignoring his crimes could ruin Dan’s career.

Sometimes, what destroys us are not the things we fear, but our fears themselves.


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OUR REVIEW

More Than Love begins with a dead drug dealer, graffiti on the wall of a university storage building, and a text message to an ex-boyfriend. When the ex-boyfriend, Ian, texts Dan back asking him to pick him up at the airport, a series of romantic and mysterious events begin to snowball.

Ian is the guy Dan let get away because he was too closeted to have a normal relationship. Dan is the guy who didn't fight for Ian, the guy Ian never forgot. The story flashes back to Ian and Dan's time in college. I really enjoyed these glimpses of the past that revealed so much about how each man had changed.. and how they'd remained the same.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught Ian biting the edge of his thumbnail. He slid his gaze over to get a better view and noted Ian's frown and pinched brows. Dan wanted to touch him, comfort him somehow, but it was too soon for that. He kept his hands on the wheel. "So, what brings you back home?"

Ian straightened in his seat, his face quickly snapping into a composed smile, hands resting professionally on his knees. "Well, it's a long story." He chuckled, a phony sound, and his smile stretched wider. "The company I was working for had some legal issues, nothing serious, but I decided it was a good time to change. I'm thinking of starting a new business here. A friend of mine has a business he's looking to expand, and I'm buying in. I hope."

"Oh? What kind of business?" Dan pulled off the highway and turned the car toward Ian's hotel.

"Direct sales network marketing." Ian said it with the slickness of a well-rehearsed sales pitch, and Dan's heart broke a little at the distance it put between them."

When life brings them back together, can they find their way back to a future together? It's something both men want, but Ian's shady business dealings and his newly acquired upper-middle class status have Dan's cop alarms ringing like crazy. Suspicion sets in and begins to destabilize their deepening relationship.

This second chance story has all the best elements of a romantic suspense: a good mystery, a hot romance, great secondary characters and storylines. Each man has a very interesting family life that has affected their view of what they want dramatically. For example, Dan's mother has Alzheimer's and Ian's father is an alcoholic. There are some incredibly sweet moments in this story, hitting a great range of emotional highs and lows.

Dan shrugged. "It sucks seeing her confused and miserable. I feel like she's dying right in front of me, just, really slowly."

Ian's face scrunched up in sympathy. "I know about that. I mean, it's a different thing, but I've been watching my dad die for a few years now. I get it."

Dan nodded. "Yeah." He forced a smile. "Hey, you know what? Life is short. Let's dance."

There are a few things about More Than Love that I found very refreshing: one, this is an interracial romance that doesn't make a big deal about race, and two, it's one of the only m/m romances I've read where penetrative sex is not on the menu. The author manages to keep the heat high and the variety strong in all the sex scenes without it. Very nice!


OUR RATING: 4.5 stars!
(04/17/2015)

ARC #REVIEW Imperfect Harmony by Jay Northcote #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: April 15, 2016
Publisher:  Jaybird Press
Length: 189 pages

Description: Imperfect harmony can still be beautiful…

John Fletcher, a former musician, is stuck in limbo after losing his long-term partner two years ago. He’s shut himself off from everything that reminds him of what he’s lost. When his neighbour persuades him to join the local community choir, John rediscovers his love of music and finds a reason to start living again.

Rhys Callington, the talented and charismatic choir leader, captures John’s attention from the first moment they meet. He appears to be the polar opposite of John: young, vibrant, and full of life. But Rhys has darkness in his own past that is holding him back from following his dreams.

Despite the nineteen-year age gap, the two men grow close and a fragile relationship blossoms. Ghosts of the past and insecurities about the future threaten their newfound happiness. If they’re going to harmonise in life and love as they do in their music, they’ll need to start following the same score.


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OUR REVIEW

Imperfect Harmony is the lyrically written character-driven story of two men with very sad pasts. One is a man in the middle of his life, conventional, set in his ways, and still recovering from the loss of his partner of twenty years. The other is a young man, a little flamboyant, a lot him, who is struggling to rebuild his life after a regrettable accident takes the life of his bandmate and partner. Neither one feels ready to move on, but both need to.

When John first meets Rhys at choir practice, his reaction is telling.

"Oh, um... I'm John." John floundered, pinned by the bright blue of Rhys's eyes and expectant smile. His heart beat faster, and long-forgotten neural pathways lit up as he felt a surprising flicker of interest in another man for the first time in years. 

As the title would imply, it is their mutual love for music that brings these two musicians together. It is what ultimately heals their souls.

John started slowly, quietly. Rhys recognized the tune although he couldn't place it. Haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful, the music grew to fill the room. It cut through Rhys making the lump grow in his throat and tears prickle in his eyes. The melody wasn't in a minor key, yet there was somehow loss woven into every note--sadness, and a yearning that was almost unbearable.

But there was hope too, and as John drew out the final notes, Rhys was left breathless, wanting, and full of too many emotions to name.

The relationship between John and Rhys begins with friendship, two people in need of companionship. Music is the glue that bonds them. The story itself moves slowly, mimicing the build of the romance (slow burn). 

Imperfect Harmony is very realistic. I felt as though Rhys and John could be two guys know. I loved that. My only minor quibble is that I felt the story lacked a little intensity. Overall, this novel is excellent proof of how love and music can help us to overcome the worst of ordeals.

OUR RATING: 4 stars!

(04/15/2016)

#COVERREVEAL - Lover on Top by Kristine Cayne --> Hot #mmromance For Readers Who Love Men in Uniform! #RomHero #lgbt

Are you ready to see the smoking hot cover of Lover on Top? 

Close your eyes. No peeking! One, two, three.

Lift that tarp!

AVAILABLE ON MAY 2, 2016!

Title: Lover on Top

Series: Six-Alarm Sexy series (but can be enjoyed as a standalone)

Author: Kristine Cayne

Genre: M/M romance

Cover Photographer: Andre DeLoach/Empyrean Photography

Cover Models: Matt Schiermeier and Cameron Earnheart

Description

Sexy-as-sin paramedic Chad Caldwell has always been out and proud. Sure, some gay-bashers are harassing him, but he’s determined to be true to himself. There’s just one problem: He’s hung up on Hollywood, his older brother’s straight best friend. When Hollywood’s apartment is damaged by fire, Chad reluctantly takes him in. Will Chad’s heart survive such close proximity to a man who’s both unattainable and everything Chad wants?

A perpetual bachelor, firefighter lieutenant Hollywood Wright hops from one woman’s bed to another, searching for something he never finds. Has his father’s emotional and physical abuse somehow damaged him? Or is something else going on, something that involves the intense and uncomfortable feelings aroused by his best friend’s little brother?

To their mutual surprise, Hollywood finds Chad and his world fascinating—and much hotter than anything he’s ever experienced. But with a rabidly homophobic father, is Hollywood doomed to die in the closet? Chad won’t accept anything less than a public relationship, no matter how amazing the sex is. Can Hollywood ever accept the man he’s always buried deep inside?

Add it to your Goodreads library! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29859647-lover-on-top

Excerpt from Lover on Top

Hollywood’s focus rose to Chad’s eyes, and held. “I know what I want now.”

Unable to believe, hell, unable to think, under the force of that seductive green assault, Chad’s blood roared southward. He licked his lips. “And what’s that?”

The fire in Hollywood’s eyes flared, turning Chad’s blood into lava as he waited, feet on the edge of a cliff, for Hollywood’s response.

“You.”

Chad swayed. “Oh boy.”

Stepping back, Hollywood chuckled, clearly aware of his effect on Chad. “Get that look off your face. I’m keeping my hands to myself tonight.”

“All night?” The words barely out of his mouth, Chad winced at the disappointment in his voice. But, Jesus, he was disappointed. For months now—no, if he were being honest, it had been years—he’d been dreaming of what it would be like to hold Hollywood, to kiss and touch him, to sink his cock between those muscled ass cheeks. Not that he expected to do all that tonight, or anytime soon, but something. Christ, he needed something.

Hollywood gently tapped his cheek and snorted. “At least until after dessert, Loverboy.”

Loverboy. Chad felt as though he’d entered some kind of twilight zone or an alternate universe where a determined, confident Hollywood said all the things Chad desperately wanted to hear. “Is that what I am to you?”

Hollywood brushed two fingers along the edge of Chad’s hairline and wiped away the beads of sweat popping out as Chad’s heart hammered faster and faster. “It’s what I’d like you to be.” He moved closer and, slipping his hands under Chad’s topcoat, pushed it off his shoulders.

Chad shuddered as the coat slid down his arms and dropped onto the carpeted floor with a muted thud. Taking a deep, calming breath, Chad leaned in so his chest was almost touching Hollywood’s. “Where is all this self-assurance coming from?”

He hoped like hell this new version of Hollywood stuck around, because this man was hot-as-fuck. Not only did Hollywood not take the expected step back, he took one forward, pressing their chests fully against each other. “I’ve done a lot of thinking in the past couple of days.”

“Oh, yeah? And?”

Hollywood grabbed Chad’s ass and ground against him. “And I’ve missed you.”

Feeling Hollywood’s hard-on against his own, Chad’s head reeled. He’d missed Hollywood too. So fucking much. And here they were, hard cocks rubbing together.

Dreams did come true.

About the Author

Kristine Cayne's books have won numerous awards and acclaim. Her first book, Deadly Obsession, was an RT Book Reviews Top Pick and won Best Romance in the 2012 eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards. Her second book, Deadly Addiction, won two awards at the 2014 eFestival of Words and 1st place in the INDIE Awards, Romantic Suspense Category (a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Writing Contests).

Her book Under His Command won Best BDSM Romance at the 2012 Sizzling Awards and was a finalist in the 2013 eFestival of Words and 2013 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) Awards, and her book Everything Bared was a finalist in the Erotic category of the I Heart Indie awards.

To learn more about Kristine and her stories, visit her website, www.kristinecayne.com.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KristineCayneAuthor/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/KristineCayne

Other Books in the Six-Alarm Sexy Series

Aftershocks (Prequel)
Under His Command (Book One)
Everything Bared (Book Two)
Handle with Care (In-between Novella)

Six-Alarm Sexy, Volume One
(ebook and print, Aftershocks and Under His Command)

Six-Alarm Sexy, Volume Two
(ebook and print, Everything Bared and Handle with Care)

Available from your favorite ebook seller!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1bhIOLs
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1hbP3RI
B&N: http://bit.ly/19eEBnG
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1a3vcDf
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1sl3X3T
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dIHEJX

ARC #REVIEW Not Human Enough by Kazy Reed #mmromance #romhero

Genre: M/M Romance, part of The Amsel Clan series (can be read as a standalone)
Release Date: April 8, 2016
Publisher:  eXtasy Books
Length: 184 pages

Description: Jake Reinbach is the son of vampires. He is also a high-school senior, hoping to live as normal a life as possible within the human world, but his bright purple eyes and vampire parents make him an outcast. When falsely accused of threatening a classmate, Jake is forced to withdraw from school, and back into the clan in which he was raised. He is devastated, but a young human comes to his door one evening with a startling confession.

Will Hayden is secretly attracted to Jake, and is bereft when the young vampire leaves public school. Fascinated with immortals, Will unfortunately lives in a household where hatred of vampires is part of the daily diet. He realizes his father is entangled in a conspiracy against the vampires, and he goes to Jake’s family and tells them of his suspicions. When he then confesses his feelings toward Jake, he sets in motion a series of events that will change his life—and Jake’s—forever.

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OUR REVIEW

Not Human Enough has it all: sweet romance, sizzling sex, bad guys, good guys, and high-stakes drama!

Through the expedience of medical technology, Jake is the human son of vampires. He doesn't quite fit in anywhere. Will is the son of a vampire slayer, so how can things end well when he falls for Jake? In his mind, it can't, so for years, he watches Will from afar... until Will leaves school.

This part of the story is very sweet and tender as the boys experience their first love and first sexual experiences. There is also a lot of humor as Jake's family is on hand... with vampire hearing... if you get my point. LOL

But all too soon, things begin to change... Jake and Will begin to change. What is going on? Who or what are they really? There are many twists and turns in this story, all tied into an over-arching battle between law-abiding vampires and vigilante slayers... remember Will's parents?

The author does a great job of including secondary characters into this novel, making it more than a simple coming of age story. Each of the other characters (many of whom are members of Jake's extended "family," introduced in the first book in this series) brings their own special something to the story. We feel their abiding love for each other, their desire to protect their family, their children, and their mates.

There are many humorous scenes in Not Human Enough that show just how "normal" life in this alternative reality can be. This first example takes place after Christian, Jake's uncle, decides that Jake is old enough not to have parental controls on his computer. Of course, the first thing he does it is check out some porn sites:

I forced my fingers to move, closed my eyes, and hit enter. When I opened them, I laughed nervously. "Holy fuck."

Immediately, Dad knocked on my door. "You okay?"

I jumped, and banged my knee on the underside of my desk. "I'm fine," I said breathlessly.

"Watch your language."

"Sorry." 

Here's another example between Jake and Will:

The light turned green and our virtual sports cars zipped along an impossibly scenic track. Will distracted me by asking, "Are you going to turn into a vampire?"

My car went soaring off the cliff, and my wrist cuffs heated a little. Will laughed. Then the magic hand of the Gaming God lifted my car back onto the track. I hit the gas and answered without looking at him. "That's the thinking, but I'm not sure when. There've been other vampires who've had kids through the same process, but I'm one of the oldest ones. I don't know if any of the others have changed yet. I'll never be able to have a normal life after that."

"Why not?"

"Because we have to spend the first six years in a subterranean cave with bats."

It was Will's turn to skid out of control, so I flew past him and over the finish line, laughing my ass off. He punched me in the arm. "Very funny, fucker."

Not Human Enough is a wonderful coming-of-age story, in unusual circumstances. Both boys are forced to deal with adult issues that take on a much grander importance in the ongoing battle between vampires and slayers. This story is a great mix of suspense, sweet romance, sweaty sex, deep love, and family drama. Although the writing is good, it could be tightened some more. There are a few clunky spots, but overall, the flow and the pacing of the story is good.

OUR RATING: 4 stars

(04/10/2016)