Socially awkward, closeted virgin Avery Malcolm passes his days and nights running his bigoted aunt’s motel in rural New Mexico. He dreams of getting away and hitting the road, but with one friend, a few acquaintances, and no real life to speak of outside his duties as front desk clerk, he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get a chance.
Fate sends hot drifter Chase Lancaster to the Red Ram Motel, riding in on his sexy black motorcycle. Within twenty-four hours, Avery’s life is turned upside down. Before long, even though Chase’s sexual interests seem to run exclusively toward women in bars, Avery finds himself falling for the beautiful biker with no permanent address. Chase is much more than his bad boy persona, so while it’s nice to have another friend, Avery doesn’t know how he’ll survive with his heart intact when Chase inevitably moves on.
Title: Not Just Passing Through
Author: Jamie Dean
Release Date: April 27, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: TBC (Novella)
This a good slow burning, first love story.
Avery is the manager of his aunt’s motel when Chase rides in on his motorcycle to rent a room and turns Avery’s life upside down in the process.
It’s instant attraction for Avery, while Chase insists that he is straight. The two manage to build a friendship even with the one sided attraction.
As the weeks turn to months Avery realizes he is in love with Chase, while Chase is fighting his growing feelings for Avery. When Chase has to leave to help his sister, Avery isn’t sure if he will ever see his love again. Chase will have to come to terms with his feelings for Avery and decide whether they are worth pursuing and if he can be tied down to one place.
This was a slow burn, too slow in some spots. Since this story is told from Avery’s point of view we only see and hear what he does, which isn’t much. There isn’t a lot going on at the hotel and he doesn’t have much of a social life. If we had gotten a split POV with Chase’s internal dialogue I think it would have helped. He seemed to be the more conflicted character, and watching him work through his feelings would have been interesting.
Overall, the characters were interesting and the setting was well described.
3 pieces of eye candy
