Joe deserves better. Meeting Dylan helps him see that.
After a recent redundancy, Joe takes a few months off to try and make it as a writer. His partner, Harry, is less than supportive but Joe is used to that after ten years together, just like he’s used to Harry’s controlling nature and his drinking habit.
Dylan, a server at Rainbow Place, is fascinated by Joe as he sits in the café and works on his laptop. His attempts to flirt are met with awkwardness at first, but gradually Joe opens up. Dylan is disappointed when he learns Joe isn’t single. As their friendship develops he begins to worry about the nature of Joe’s relationship, especially when he witnesses Harry’s behaviour in person. Abuse isn’t always physical, and Dylan knows that from experience. His concern helps Joe see his relationship for what it is, and gives him the courage to end things with Harry.
Free to act on their mutual attraction, Joe and Dylan dive headlong into something that becomes serious fast. Joe revels in the passion and intimacy he’s been missing out on for so long, but Dylan is worried that Joe is on the rebound. He puts on the brakes, knowing that they need to slow down to make this last. For this new relationship to work, Joe needs to show Dylan that he’s ready to move on from the past.
Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone and has a satisfying happy ending.
Length: 66,000 words approx.
Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
Amazon US – Kindle Unlimited
Amazon UK – Kindle Unlimited
Rainbow Place Series
Book #1 – Rainbow Place – Amazon US | Amazon UK
Book #2 – Safe Place – Amazon US | Amazon UK
We’re back at Rainbow Place, and can I just say…. I love Seb… there will be no topping him. (no pun intended)…. In this one though, we have Dylan, who works at RP with the guys. He’s quite smitten with a man that’s just started coming in with his laptop and seems to be doing some writing.
It’s slow going with him, as it would be with someone you don’t know who comes in to work and not socialize, but it was cute, how taken with him Dylan was. When he finally gets the courage to give the man his number, he’s disappointed to find out that the man is already taken.
Now, Joe has a long term partner, but lately they’ve been stuck in a rut. I’m not one for already established relationships that break up, or half the story in one relationship and then jump to another… I dunno why, it’s just too close to a love triangle for me. So, I didn’t quite get into it like I hoped I would, but that’s just my own pickiness there….
Once Joe gets the attention from the cute barista at the café, he realizes that things are actually worse than a rut. Henry, the partner is manipulative and controlling, and he takes advantage of the relationship he has with Joe. It’s not about love anymore, neither of them feel much of anything for one another, but
Henry wants him around because he’s gone used to having him there, doing what he wants, when he wants it. Nevermind the fact that he’s boring, verbally and emotionally abusive, and just a selfish jerk. I didn’t have sympathy for him at all, even though I didn’t really like that Joe kind of started something with Dylan without completely ending it first.
Once he did end it, they just kind of jumped into a relationship without Joe taking a chance to just breathe. I mean, I get it… he and Henry hadn’t been good for a long time, and once Joe ended it, it was actually over, there was no back and forth… but I dunno.. it just seemed so quick to me, and after so long together, how can Dylan be anything other than a rebound?…. I dunno.. it felt off to me, because going from a 10 year relationship to another serious relationship within days just seems like jumping from one to another…. Like replacing one with another. Maybe it’s just me.. but meh. Heavy topics, but handled respectfully and realistically…. I liked it!
Other than that…. It’s a cute addition to an already great series, and I’m excited to see what might happen between Wicksy and Lady Gogo… Perhaps they’ll be next?? Fingers crossed!
3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
