I’ve been procrastinating on this book for a very long time. But when friends recommended this series to me, I knew that I had to give it
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I’ve been procrastinating on this book for a very long time. But when friends recommended this series to me, I knew that I had to give it a try. The first couple of books weren’t enough to hook me into the series, which was why I was a little hesitant to jump into the third one. But unfortunately, I didn’t fall in love with it as much as my friends have.
I’ve been a fan of Amy Lane’s writing for a long time, but find that she excels at writing the sweet and sentimental scenes better. With this action and suspense series though, I just didn’t feel the real spark and still prefer her other stories.
I don’t know if that’s because I didn’t connect as much with the characters or something else, but this book took me a lot longer than I thought it would take me.
Nevertheless, I don’t doubt that Amy Lane is a good author. This series just wasn’t my favorite of hers....more
I’ve been a fan of Amy Lane’s books for quite some time so I didn’t really think twice about starting this new series. I enjoy her ability
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I’ve been a fan of Amy Lane’s books for quite some time so I didn’t really think twice about starting this new series. I enjoy her ability to create quirky characters and make them fall in love and I still believe that she possesses that unique ability.
FISH OUT OF WATER is the first book in this new series. It’s a little more “hardcore” than some of her other books have been like. When you bring a private investigator and an attorney together, that is usually going to be the case. However, I didn’t feel immensely connected with the characters this time around and I’m not really sure why. Usually, I have an immediate reaction to Lane’s heroes, so much so that I’m already half in love with them for the very beginning. But that sadly wasn’t the case here.
I think my main issue was Jackson. The book starts out quite slow and doesn’t paint him in a very positive light and therefore, I had a really bad impression of him from the beginning. I guess that was why throughout the book I didn’t feel that immense connection with his character.
My other problem was also the secondary characters. Oh my God! They grated on me so much! I wasn’t a huge fan of the dialogue or their personalities and so that really hindered my enjoyment of the book. Also, the dialogue is far more choppy in this one than it usually is. I know it’s meant to bring out the characters more but I just didn’t get on with it.
Since I’m still a fan of Amy’s though, I will try the second book in the series so see how I feel. However, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t love this one more....more
TART AND SWEET is the fourth installment in Amy Lane’s Candy Man series. Now I’m a huge fan of Amy Lane and have read plenty of her other
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TART AND SWEET is the fourth installment in Amy Lane’s Candy Man series. Now I’m a huge fan of Amy Lane and have read plenty of her other books, but this is the first one that I’ve read in this seris so far. As you can tell by the title and cover, this one is a little bit more on the lighter side of things. However, I do feel like there’s still quite a lot of heart.
I feel like Robbie Chambers is in a tough spot. Formerly in the Army, he did something that shamed him and he’s basically been living a lie ever since. Despite the fact that he has a girlfriend that he cares about, he’s not being true to himself. When he encounters Cy McVeigh, he feels the need to come clean. There’s something about Cy that he enjoys. Maybe it’s his ability to dance while everyone is watching or the comfortable sense of self that he gives off, but whatever it is, it makes Robbie want to be with him.
While I liked Robbie, I also thought that he had many flaws in his character. He’s so afraid that it really prevents him from being true to himself. I felt bad for him and I couldn’t help but want to root for a guy like him. But at the same time, he can also be a little frustrating as well. You only want the best for him and when he pulls back out of fear, you can’t help but feel a little disappointed. I think this is a great story of coming clean and finally accepting who you truly are....more
In the thirteenth book of the Bluewater Bay series, Amy Lane introduces actor Connor Montgomery. A year ago, Connor lost his one true love
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In the thirteenth book of the Bluewater Bay series, Amy Lane introduces actor Connor Montgomery. A year ago, Connor lost his one true love, Vinnie to a drunk driver. Their adventures continues to play in his head as he grieves and since it is set in Malibu where the prying eyes of paparazzi and media are always around, Connor has no choice but to try and hide the hurt he feels. It all hits rock bottom when he films a drunken YouTube confession on the death anniversary of Vinnie’s death. That’s when he realizes that he needs to get out of Malibu.
Moving to Bluewater Bay for a TV show, he encounters his new assistant for the next few months and it’s instant chemistry between the two. Although Connor is still a little shaken up, we start to see a different side to his character as the book develops. Noah definitely becomes a breath of fresh air for Connor and in all honesty, I saw him as a lifeline for him. If Connor hadn’t gotten out of Malibu and met Noah, I’m sure his grief would’ve consumed him.
Lane builds a believable romance between the two. Sweet and charming, she infuses the pages with her trademark wit and charisma. But there also is an undertone of sadness and heart as well. I think it’s this balance is what makes Lane books so enjoyable.
The only thing that stopped me from falling completely in love with the story was the humor. While I still think it’s an essential part of the story and Lane is known for her quirky characters, there were times when I felt like it went a little too far. The side characters, and even sometimes the main characters, exhibited behavior that kind of surprised me. But it’s also the fact that it happens so frequently that bothered me. I can deal with it a few times, but when it starts to happen every couple of pages then it just gets too much. But apart from that, I really loved the premise of this story. You can always count of Amy Lane to deliver an amazing book....more
CHRISTMAS KITSCH is a lovely M/M New Adult title that brings the holiday spirit in spades and also explores the hardships of young love.
Amy Lane’s writing has always been fully encapsulating, but I think she had something special on her hands. Rusty Baker puts the dumb in dumb blonde. I’ll be honest, he can be a little clueless at times, but in a way, it also makes him more endearing. Rusty is the stereotypical rich boy. He is also a football player and that combination doesn’t usually strike me as someone I want to read about. However, it’s his romance with Oliver Campbell that really does it for me. Right from page one, you get the sense that although Rusty doesn’t have a clue about his feelings and what to do about them, there is no one else out there for him but Oliver. It’s really a romantic notion once you realize it.
Lane starts off the story where Rusty and Oliver are just two kids hanging out as friends. As things progress from there, the constant presence they have in each other’s changing lives is what really made this book work. Rusty tries going to school for pre-law and that’s where he meets Rex, a fun and …curious friend who is trying to help Rusty out. Rex is such a great character. I would love to read more about him. I definitely think Lane has the potential to make something work with his strong character.
But back to Rusty and Oliver… When Rusty’s parents learn more about who Rusty is, it puts him in a difficult spot. Though he doesn’t hesitate on making his decision, readers get the sense that something is missing, even though Rusty fakes it quite well. The angst is present and very well done but above all, the unconditional love that Rusty and Oliver share really balances it out. Expect some tears, but I don’t necessarily think all of them will be sad ones. CHRISTMAS KITSCH is brimming with tender moments that will melt your heart. This is a book you want to squeeze to your chest because you love it so hard.
I am so happy to find a M/M New Adult book that does it all right. The angst, the humor and the passionate romance are all perfectly executed in this novel. It doesn’t hurt that it also has a touch of the holiday spirit as well. I will definitely be recommending this title to friends this holiday season.
At an early age, Evan Costa learned that touch could be bad. But regardless, he yearns for it. With the help of a therapist, he gets through his rou At an early age, Evan Costa learned that touch could be bad. But regardless, he yearns for it. With the help of a therapist, he gets through his rough childhood and early adulthood with some bumps along the way. However, it isn’t until he becomes a porn model for the Johnnies that Evan – or Ethan, rather – gets what he has been dying for. He develops a strong bond with the other men and also has touch available to him for free.
Jonah Stevens lives his life caring for his lovely sister, Amelia. Melly is sick and requires constant care and reassurance. Their time together is limited but Jonah is determined to make the best of it while he can. Ethan stumbles into their lives and a romance slowly builds between the two until it becomes undeniable.
Amy Lane is a master at weaving intricate, heartfelt stories for her readers. But ETHAN IN GOLD surpasses every expectation I had going into this book. It starts off with a bang, an innocent, but broken-hearted confession that delves deep into Ethan’s psyche. From this, Lane carries on, giving Ethan’s character many obstacles to overcome. In this journey, I found myself completely enamoured with his character, rooting for the best situations even when I sensed darkness ahead. I couldn’t help but feel attached to him and when the possibility of a HEA was in sights, I want Ethan to jump right in because he deserves so much happiness.
Jonah and Ethan’s romance blooms slowly. As you can guess, there is a ton of angst that acts as a hurdle that they both need to overcome. I loved that Jonah wasn’t afraid of telling Ethan that he didn’t see him as a whore, no matter how much Ethan insisted that he was. Already Jonah is changing how Ethan is seeing himself and that to me is just as effective as having a shrink around.
My heart broke when we learned more about Chase and Tommy. It was nice to see them, as well as Dex, but man, Lane knows how to write dark, heartbreaking scenes! You think you know these characters, but Lane peels back the layers like an onion and reveals more secrets that make you love them more.
ETHAN IN GOLD has made the Johnnies series one of my top two favourite Amy Lane series. The way it merges darkness and heartbreak with hilarious antics and heart, ETHAN IN GOLD shines.
Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane is probably one of my favorite M/M books ever. It was one of the first ones I’ve tried and Deacon and Crick still remain as top favorites in this genre. I had quite high expectations so I feel a little conflicted about my thoughts and feelings on this book.
FOREVER PROMISES takes place a couple years after we’ve seen our guys. The entire book is written from different POVs so you get a chance to visit all your favorites. That being said, there are quite a lot of ongoing threads to this storyline. It kind of reminds me of J.R. Ward’s writing style in the BDB books where we get alternating POVs from core characters. The one thing I think that caused a problem for me about this was that it often felt convoluted. There was one particular plot line that I was interested in but felt that it was often drowned or overshadowed by the others.
Without revealing any spoilers, the one plot line I was interested in was fascinating to me, but it also felt a little clichéd. I felt like it was “just another one of those books”. We see it happen in M/M all the time. It’s a natural desire and the obvious next development to a relationship, but I just didn’t think it held something particularly special. If it didn’t involve two of my favorite characters, I probably would not have cared so much, I don’t think.
Lane has a unique sense of humor that she likes to incorporate into her novels. They make the characters feel so much more real and HUMAN. The emotions that they experience feel so genuine and I think that’s a big reason why readers are so drawn to her work. I am consumed with bittersweet feelings about all this. I still don’t think I have grasped everything even as I write this review. All I know is that if you haven’t read this series, then I think it’s worth the shot. You won’t find more multifaceted characters elsewhere other than in a Lane book.
BOLT-HOLE is a refreshing new story from Amy Lane. Loyal readers will have much to rave about! There is your angst that she is known for, a
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BOLT-HOLE is a refreshing new story from Amy Lane. Loyal readers will have much to rave about! There is your angst that she is known for, a killer love story between two adorable characters and also an intriguing murder mystery that really transformed this book from great to amazing!
The first thing I loved about this book is Terrell Washington and Colby Meyers. Terrell is gay and black and for some, those two things don’t go together. Naturally, as with all of Amy Lane’s books, there is a touch of angst that makes readers immediately feel for the characters. Terrell and Colby work at Papiano’s restaurant but there is way more to their relationship than that. They have a friendship that is strong and memorable, that makes for the perfect foundation for a relationship. I thought the romance bloomed at a good pace and there were some really great moments between Terrell and Colby that made my heart melt.
The second thing I loved about this book is the mystery. Lane really did a good job in this regard. She kept me guessing while simultaneously building a believable romance. I was impressed by the way she was able to strike a balance between the mystery and romance. What a way to add layers to a story!
What Lane accomplishes in this book is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope that readers who haven’t tried Amy Lane to do so with this book. The book is fast-paced, engaging and full of romance that any reader would enjoy.
Lane and Voinov put everything they are best at in this one book. Witty, easy to read writing brings out the playful side of Malcolm and Owen that traLane and Voinov put everything they are best at in this one book. Witty, easy to read writing brings out the playful side of Malcolm and Owen that transcends into the sex scenes as well. Both explorative and intense, the sex scenes are abundant and memorable, making CITY MOUSE a lot more sexier than the first book.
What's new is the angst that Lane and Voinov have incorporated. While I could feel for Malcolm and Owen's internal struggles, I don't feel as if they were explored enough and, as a result, the resolution felt too swift in the end. I didn't get the sense that the trouble was properly solved by the end of the book.
There is a fun crossover with Voinov's Garden Market series where Malcolm goes with a friend to the high-end brothel where we see cameos of some side characters.
Where to start with this review? Words seem inadequate when describing this book. What Amy Lane does in this book is impressive and very he
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Where to start with this review? Words seem inadequate when describing this book. What Amy Lane does in this book is impressive and very heartbreaking. Here we have a hero who is portrayed to be the golden boy – Chase has the good looks, a nice girlfriend and the perfect outlook for a bright future. But the book takes a dark turn very early on when Chase takes a razor blade to his wrist and pierces his skin. Immediately you are sucked into the story and Lane expertly draws emotions from you until you feel as if you are wrung dry.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks and flashforwards which was confusing for me at first. But once you get the rhythm of it, it’s fine and you can come to appreciate the skill that Lane displays in writing this story.
Layers and layers of Chase are uncovered and readers get an unfiltered look at his life. You see his internal struggle with himself and his desires, you see the abuse he has experienced with his family and you see the pain he harbors within himself. This book may not be for everyone, but it sure will touch those who are brave enough to read it. I know I felt every emotion Chase did.
Another great thing I loved about this book is the porn star element of it. Lane brings readers into the porn industry and I thought it was very interesting. It also allows for Lane to introduce other characters and in true Lane fashion, you seem to fall for them as well.
However, there were two things that irked me a bit about the book. The first thing is the blatant lying and cheating. I don’t like reading about cheating in my books AT ALL. So it sort of rubbed me the wrong way, especially since it was so unapologetic in the first half. Secondly, I thought Tommy and Chase’s relationship seemed to bloom too fast in the beginning. There’s nothing I hate more than instalove. It just felt too quick when Chase flies to see Tommy when he is experiencing problems with his family. Add that to the fact that he is cheating while doing it, seemed to make it worse for me.
All in all, I loved several aspects of this book and even though some things didn’t work for me right away, I don’t think you can separate yourself from Chase’s character while reading this. You feel what he does and Lane really and truly knows just how to break a heart....more
After reading Ethan in Gold, I decided I wanted more of the Johnnies so I went back to reread DEX IN BLUE. This is David’s book, who later
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After reading Ethan in Gold, I decided I wanted more of the Johnnies so I went back to reread DEX IN BLUE. This is David’s book, who later takes on his one-time lover’s name as a way to remember and to remind him of where he came from.
Dex is probably my favourite character in the series. He’s the rock of the Johnnies family, the one who is always on the look out for the guys and who tries to make sure everyone is comfortable on set. There’s just this endearing quality that I think Amy Lane captures so well with his character. You can’t help but adore him.
In his story, you learn more about what makes Dex. Naturally, there is some angst but probably not as much as you think. Chase’s character still has his problems and like in real life, that affects everyone around him, including Dex and Kane.
Kane is probably the one guy of the series that follows the more stereotypical idea of what it means to be a porn star. He’s slept around, he’s a little more cocky and loose. Event he way he talks has a little more swagger to it than the other guys. At first, I wasn’t sure how Dex and Kane would end up together because they feel so different in personality, but Lane makes it work and what’s impressive is that it doesn’t feel forced.
There’s this one scene that I absolutely loved and it’s when Scott, Dex’s booty call boyfriend comes over to Dex’s house and tries to force himself in. All the while Kane is watching this as it unfolds and Dex is high off his ass and tossing CDs like their Frisbees, trying to decapitate Scott in the process. It’s wonderful, terrible and hilarious all at the same time. It’s scenes like this that Lane is often able to capture that makes a book. There can be angst, anger, lust and more, but when it comes down to it, Lane writes it in the most entertaining way possible, which is why it works so well for her books.
If you haven’t read Amy Lane or the Johnnies series yet, drop everything and run! It’s the perfect combination of sexy and sweet, angst and romance. Not to mention, all the characters are just a great group of guys you want to know more of. This is Amy Lane at her best!...more
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