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nikkihastings67's review against another edition
1.0
I got a couple of chapters past the "free sample" threshold, but had to stop reading. The romance begins quite aggressively, with no considerations to professional client boundaries. This isn't to say that you can't write a good romance between a client and a contractor, but jumping straight in to calling the person you just hired "baby" on your third meeting is too aggressive, and almost predatory, given the inherent power imbalance.
I am also left wondering why the image of the hand on the front cover is wearing Silver Ring Splints? These are specialised pieces of medical equipment prescribed to people with joint issues with their fingers (particularly Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and other hypermobility-based issues). The main character's disability is to do with his legs, not his hands! It makes it seem like the cover artists searched for a stock photo using the search term "disabled hands". Completely inappropriate.
I am also left wondering why the image of the hand on the front cover is wearing Silver Ring Splints? These are specialised pieces of medical equipment prescribed to people with joint issues with their fingers (particularly Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and other hypermobility-based issues). The main character's disability is to do with his legs, not his hands! It makes it seem like the cover artists searched for a stock photo using the search term "disabled hands". Completely inappropriate.
mrella's review against another edition
2.0
The second part of the book threw me off so much, I don't think I can write a review right now, but I must leave a few words:
The first half of the book was smooth, made sense (for the most part) and was pretty enjoyable.
The second part? All things that could go wrong, did go wrong. Every other character in the book that wasn't already gay or lesbian turned out to be one.
Poor James was used, abused, raped,tortured by nazis beaten, attacked in a public place... I am tagging this book "pity-fest".
First half - 4 stars.
Second half - 1 star.
Total score - 2 stars.
The first half of the book was smooth, made sense (for the most part) and was pretty enjoyable.
The second part? All things that could go wrong, did go wrong. Every other character in the book that wasn't already gay or lesbian turned out to be one.
Poor James was used, abused, raped,
First half - 4 stars.
Second half - 1 star.
Total score - 2 stars.
canadianbookworm's review
2.0
Definitely not my usual reading fare, I picked this book up at a recent library conference. As a librarian with a passion for readers' advisory I like to be familiar with a large variety of genres and authors, and this book definitely filled a gap for me.
This is the first gay romance I have read, and it was more explicit than I am generally comfortable in a romance book. I will be reading some others in this genre to get a broader sense of what is out there for readers looking for books of this type.
This book has lots going on. The main character James is a graphic commercial designer and an artist and has a history of bad relationships. The love interest Seth is head of a large local corporation looking to expand into the area of bed and breakfasts appealing to the GLBT community. He has hired James' company to do the branding for this new venture and James is assigned to the job.
James also has a physical disability that he has learned how to accommodate his lifestyle to and doesn't like having others do things for him because they think he can't.
When people from James' past begin to make threats against him, thinks start happening quickly.
One thing I found a bit uncomfortable about this novel was the subservient nature of James at times. I agree that everyone has a right to their own way of getting sexual pleasure as long as all involved are on board, but James' submissiveness comes into his public life as well, calling Seth "sir" and obeying him without question at times. I wouldn't be comfortable with this behaviour in a woman, and so wasn't comfortable with it here either, despite James seeming to be.
This is the first gay romance I have read, and it was more explicit than I am generally comfortable in a romance book. I will be reading some others in this genre to get a broader sense of what is out there for readers looking for books of this type.
This book has lots going on. The main character James is a graphic commercial designer and an artist and has a history of bad relationships. The love interest Seth is head of a large local corporation looking to expand into the area of bed and breakfasts appealing to the GLBT community. He has hired James' company to do the branding for this new venture and James is assigned to the job.
James also has a physical disability that he has learned how to accommodate his lifestyle to and doesn't like having others do things for him because they think he can't.
When people from James' past begin to make threats against him, thinks start happening quickly.
One thing I found a bit uncomfortable about this novel was the subservient nature of James at times. I agree that everyone has a right to their own way of getting sexual pleasure as long as all involved are on board, but James' submissiveness comes into his public life as well, calling Seth "sir" and obeying him without question at times. I wouldn't be comfortable with this behaviour in a woman, and so wasn't comfortable with it here either, despite James seeming to be.
wendylu4's review
5.0
I was really touched by this story. James's is a man with a genetic disability that was made worse through terrible abuse by an ex-lover. He is just trying to live day to day and survive, having given up on love when he meets Seth. Seth is immediately taken by James. He realizes he will have to work hard to win his love. The embark on a journey that deals with tragedy, the past and the present and will need each other to get through it all. They have love and support of many friends along the way to enhance the story. Definitely 5 stars and you might want some tissues on hand.
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