Scan barcode
shile87's review against another edition
3.0
5++++ stars for the Audiobook
3.5 stars for the story
I don't even know how to write a review for this one. It was good, the narrator was amazing, the story was long, some parts were good and some not so good. The writing is good, though the jury is still out on the use of 1st and 3rd Person POV. It was confusing at times but i got used to it.
I liked Brice, his personality is great and he is very likable. It was refreshing not to have your typical, chiseled chin, runway model, 10 abs MC.
The sex scenes were hot, Brice and Lucas got some erotic kink going on.
Lucas and Phil were also great side characters.
Religion played a big part in this story, i felt like the author had a lot to say and he did, It was too preachy. Homophobia, Gay bashing and all that stuff, were constantly present and i felt it took me away from the story at times. The reference and view of the Confederate flag made me cringe.
I will read other books by this author.
3.5 stars for the story
I don't even know how to write a review for this one. It was good, the narrator was amazing, the story was long, some parts were good and some not so good. The writing is good, though the jury is still out on the use of 1st and 3rd Person POV. It was confusing at times but i got used to it.
I liked Brice, his personality is great and he is very likable. It was refreshing not to have your typical, chiseled chin, runway model, 10 abs MC.
The sex scenes were hot, Brice and Lucas got some erotic kink going on.
Lucas and Phil were also great side characters.
Religion played a big part in this story, i felt like the author had a lot to say and he did, It was too preachy. Homophobia, Gay bashing and all that stuff, were constantly present and i felt it took me away from the story at times. The reference and view of the Confederate flag made me cringe.
I will read other books by this author.
apostrophen's review
5.0
I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of this one, and though any of you who follow my blog know I adore Jeff Mann, I have to say I was nervous about this one: it features a bunch of things I don't necessarily connect with: country music, rural culture, and living a closeted life. But I shouldn't have worried.
Following a big name Country star, Brice Brown, who is outed in the late 90's, the exploration of homophobia is bang-on perfect, and all the more vicious given both the time and the culture. Jeff Mann's voice is so lyrical and clear I had zero trouble connecting with a man so very unlike me, and yet found my empathy evoked. I also liked that Brice is by no means a perfect man—he's as much a product of his culture as those who throw hate at him from within it, and beyond self-loathing there are a few moments of pot/kettle that are deftly written. Brice is flawed, and that made it all the easier to connect with him. Mann explores depression, too, which is a welcome change, and there's a sense of realism to the entire novel that keeps it from being a "happily ever after with rainbows" that would completely break the suspension of disbelief.
And, of course, the food. Some day I will learn not to read a Jeff Mann book while hungry. I don't even know what half the dishes are, but I eat so damn much while he describes them.
Following a big name Country star, Brice Brown, who is outed in the late 90's, the exploration of homophobia is bang-on perfect, and all the more vicious given both the time and the culture. Jeff Mann's voice is so lyrical and clear I had zero trouble connecting with a man so very unlike me, and yet found my empathy evoked. I also liked that Brice is by no means a perfect man—he's as much a product of his culture as those who throw hate at him from within it, and beyond self-loathing there are a few moments of pot/kettle that are deftly written. Brice is flawed, and that made it all the easier to connect with him. Mann explores depression, too, which is a welcome change, and there's a sense of realism to the entire novel that keeps it from being a "happily ever after with rainbows" that would completely break the suspension of disbelief.
And, of course, the food. Some day I will learn not to read a Jeff Mann book while hungry. I don't even know what half the dishes are, but I eat so damn much while he describes them.
More...