Betting on Forever
The Breakfast Club, Book 2
Cover Designer: Reese Dante
Cover Photo: Stock Photo
Release Date: 11.17.15
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1j7zQbV
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1X3tWG7
All Romance: http://bit.ly/1MykS7o
A weekend fling in Atlantic City couldn’t be more out of socially shy Zach Cohen’s comfort zone, but a bet with his best friends forces him to put aside the humiliation he’s hidden for years, stepping away from behind his computer screens and on line world. When he meets Sam Stein, despite their spark, Zach expects nothing more than a night of passion and a kiss goodbye. Yet weeks later, he can’t keep the man out of his head.
After a split second decision with tragic results ends his twenty year police career at the same time his relationship falls apart, Sam Stein is drifting through life. At his best friend’s urging he agrees to a trip to Atlantic City to clear his head. What Sam doesn’t plan on is meeting Zach Cohen, whose sweet nature and honesty has him thinking maybe he could move forward, until Zach leaves him without explanation, reinforcing Sam’s belief that people can’t be trusted.
Well-meaning friends refuse to let Zach and Sam hide from each other, forcing them to realize their weekend is much more than a one night stand. Before that can happen, Zach must come to terms with his past and stand up for his own independence, while Sam has to learn to take a chance and believe in himself and people again. All bets are off when dreams become reality and forever doesn’t seem to be long enough.
Zac and Sam were quite the treat. We learned so little about Zac in the first book in this series, Beyond the Surface, that with his shyness, you couldn’t help but want to know more about him. Why was he so shy? He clearly had bonded with Julian and Marcus, when they were younger, and had kept that connection. Otherwise, what you learned was just “on the surface”.
When these two meet and connect in Atlantic City, the attraction was immediate. And when Zac disappears, Sam is convinced that this is just another example of being unable to trust.
However, what the reader finds as these two sort through beginning a relationship is that there is so much more to what makes up a person than an instant attraction. There is guilt that weighs a person down, whether from past events, or current obligations. There is a need to respect what happens in a person’s life on a daily basis, allowing them to take one more step in the direction they want to go.
My favorite part of this couple was their absolute enthusiasm to just let go and have fun. For me, it was so poignant to have them flying kites. It represented so much of what was going on in their lives. Letting go, and just letting the wind, or life take you along for the ride. Sometimes only hanging on by a string, but that can be all you need sometimes, if you have someone standing next to you, to grab the string if it tries to get away. They found a way to just let go with each other, and let life happen, and allow another person in, when they thought their lives would be spent holding everyone out.
This is easily one of my favorites of Felice’s books. It was sweet (yet still hot and sexy), loving, and realistic about the weights that we as people carry around, whether of our own making, or those that are put upon us.
4.5 pieces of Eye Candy for me.
I really enjoyed this story. Zac and Sam are two very well written characters. My heart went out to Zac and his feelings of invisibility. I identified with him which really helped me connect with the story. Him being the shy quiet one in the group reminds me a lot of myself, expecially with regards to his friendship with Marcus, who is ballsy and kind of in your face. I found the result of his previous relationship heartbreaking and really wanted to commit violent acts on his ex. Sam was the perfect match to Zac. He is very stoic, unless you rile him up, then watch out for his right hook. Sam has gone through some tough stuff and a bad relationship. I really enjoyed how protective he was of Zac. By the end of the story it was so very heartwarming to see how both characters showed growth and were able to get beyond their troubles and love one another.
4 pieces of Eye Candy
I could be a totally new Zach. Someone who wasn’t afraid to take risks; someone willing to have fun and be daring.” He looked down at his lap. “Someone people would notice.”
None of this made sense to Sam. “But why? You’re a young, incredibly rich, good-looking guy. Why do you think you need to pretend? Any guy would be lucky to be with you.”
The compliment didn’t bring a smile of thanks or even a blush of self-awareness. Zach’s expression grew gloomier, and he stood, then walked to the windows.
“Perceptions rarely mirror truths. What you see isn’t how I see it, and it isn’t how most people have seen me all my life. I’ve never been confident about anything, except my abilities in school. And when you’re ten and never picked for sports or thirteen and never invited to any parties, a pattern is set for the adult you’ll be. The one on the sidelines; always there but never seen. When you’re an invisible kid, you tend to grow up to be an invisible adult.”
How wrong he’d been about Zach from the beginning. And knowing how sweet and kind a soul he was, Sam hurt for the young boy Zach had been and the sad and lonely man who stood before him.
“Is that how you see yourself—invisible?” Sam followed him to the window and placed a hand on his shoulder but made no other move.
“It’s how I’ve always been. Marcus always tried to include me, but—”
“You know what?” Sam slid his arm around Zach, turning him so that they faced each other. “You think too much about Marcus.” Sam took Zach’s glasses off and placed them carefully on the table. “You talk too much about him too. Want to know what I see?”
Zach blinked and nodded.
“I see a guy who’s kind, smart, and tenacious. A man who isn’t afraid to search out what he wants and go after it.” Sam leaned down and brushed Zach’s lips with his own, smiling at the sigh of pleasure from Zach. He pulled off his tee shirt and unbuttoned Zach’s shirt so their bare chests pressed against each other. Sam pushed Zach’s shirt off his shoulders so it fell to the floor, then slid his hand up Zach’s back, as warm and soft as he remembered. His fingers splayed out against skin, muscles, and bones, and he held Zach close. It was as if his hands were made to touch Zach. The feel of his skin was everything right and perfect.
“Don’t ever pretend with me; there’s no reason to. I’m not interested in someone who hangs out at the clubs and parties all night.” He buried his lips in Zach’s hair, his hands smoothing down the curvature of Zach’s spine until he dipped his fingers to gently touch below the waistband of Zach’s jeans.
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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OTHER BOOKS BY FELICE STEVENS
Home for the Holidays Anthology Pre-order
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PzYHUb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1SA7SSg
Rescued
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SDPKqG
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1SA8Bmx
B&N: http://bit.ly/YSu2df
The Breakfast Club Series
Beyond the Surface, Book 1
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SDPFmI
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1S1zUpD
Memories Series
Memories of the Heart, Book 1
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SDPRCD
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PxZZPv
One Step Further, Book 2
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PzYNey
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1N95vb8
Through Hell and Back Series
A Walk Through Fire, Book 1
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SDQ4Wn
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NZpZlr
After the Fire, Book 2
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PzZ1C9
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QsuF4J
Embrace the Fire, Book 3
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SDQ9JL
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1kCjZUr
Hello 🙂 what is the giveaway? thanks <3
Thank you for a insightful and non spoiler reviews, I have enjoyed all the books of Felice’s I have read so far so looking forward to this one 😀
I loved Beyond the Surface and can’t wait to read this!