Letting In The Light

Letting in the Light #1

by Fae Sutherland

When Rowan Lee arrived in the small, liberal Provincetown, he heard tales of the eccentric, brilliant, possibly insane Finnegan Clark. A world-famous mystery writer, Finnegan's been to the top of the bestseller list more times than anyone can count. It's about the only place he goes, sequestered away in his mansion by the sea.Enter Rowan. The free-spirited lovechild of aging hippies, Rowan believes all anyone needs is love, and when he makes a delivery to Finn's mansion and meets the man himself, it's infatuation at first sight. Not to mention lust. Never mind that Finn's twice his age and snarls at him more than he speaks to him.

All Rowan wants is to make the world a better place, one person at a time, but all Finn wants is to be left alone. Sparks fly, and if Rowan can't break Finn's walls down, he'll burn them down...one sizzling encounter at a time...

Gay / Contemporary

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica, Gay, LGBT, Erotic Romance

Nook

First published August 2, 2009

About the author

Fae Sutherland is the award-winning, bestselling author of 30 M/M erotic romance novels - co-authored and solo. She also writes M/F erotic romance under a pen name.

When Fae's not working on new stories to make her readers sweat, she loves website design, spending too much time on Twitter, and watching oodles of Food Network with her beloved life partner. If there's any time left over, it's spent snuggling the cat.

Reviews

[Daisiemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letting in the Light by Fae Sutherland is one of the best May/December romances I’ve read in a long time. Fae Sutherland is quickly becoming a “must read” author of mine. I have yet to read a book by her I haven’t loved. She writes fast paced stories with heroes that are addictive to read about, and the chemistry between them are always sizzling off the pages, and it’s always hard to say goodbye to them at the end of the story.

Rowan Lee isn’t the type of man who stays in one place for long. In his short life he’s done a lot of traveling, never getting too close to the people he meets. Rowan is a warm, funny and intelligent man who attracts almost everyone who is around him. On a whim, he decided to stay in Provincetown because he wants to experience a New England winter.

For the past three months, Rowan has worked at a local coffee shop. As expected, the gossip runs rapid there, and one of the favorite topics is the mysterious, resident genius and reclusive mystery writer Finnegan Clark. When Rowan is asked to make a delievery to Finnegan’s address he jumps at the chance to meet Finnegan firsthand, and to see for himself what the mystique is all about.

What Rowan doesn’t expect is how attractive the older man is. Tall, beautiful shoulder length hair and a body that would make a young man cry with jealousy, Rowan is immediately attracted to the handsome silver fox. Too bad, Finnegan’s reputation as a gruff and rude man is all true because he practically slams the door in Rowan’s face before Rowan can get a few words flirtatious words in edgewise.

What Finnegan doesn’t realize is once Rowan sets his mind to something, he doesn’t quit until he gets his way.

Finnegan can’t believe how much nerve Rowan has. Not only is he not intimidated by Finnegan’s sarcastic retorts and colossal size, but he keeps worming his way into his house and into his life. Finnegan can’t figure out why someone who is as handsome and charismatic as Rowan would ever want with an over the hill, pain in the ass like him. As time goes by, Finnegan comes to realize that Rowan is just what he needs, and the love he has always looked for, but has always denied for himself.

There is some angst in this book, but not a lot. There are some secondary characters that are very interesting, and there is a conflict with another character, that tests Rowan and Finnegan’s relationship just as they start to get really serious about each other. I really loved this book, and I see me rereading it many times in the years to come. I thought some of the problems that Finnegan and a Rowan were very realistic including the age difference and other things that they have to deal with first hand to get their relationship off the ground.

I loved them and I hated for this book to end. Both Finnegan and Rowan are people I would proudly call friends and I really loved every moment of their story together.

5 + Stars

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only the author had drowned the plot bunnies that inspired her to write those last 10 pages, this story would have been SO much better.

[Darien · Rating 3 out of 5]

^^ WHAT CAN I SAY!^^

Not the best stuff I have read but this story about two unlikely lovers has it merits. A 3.5 rating.

Finn is an author and recluse with a bad attitude. There's a rumor around town saying he hasn't left his house in around 5 years. In comes Rowan the hippie child all peace and love. He wants to meet this author thats been hiding away and he gets his chance with a delivery he makes to his house.

Talk about sexy when Rowan gets his first encounter with Finn, and man is he big. Rowan decides then and there that he will change the man and make him a lot more sociable. So basically Finn was Rowan's pity project but real feelings and hot sex got into his heart and his all peace,love and good times persona cracked the ice that was Finn's heart.

So basically your typical love story with so so sex scenes. What I really loved was the age difference between Finn and Rowan I always find an older and younger man sexy as hell. Plus Finn's brooding and sourly attitude was a winner, what can I say I love a brooding lead male. Overall a sweet read, without a whole lot of plot the story is pretty clear as in where it will end up.

[Erotic Horizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan Lee – is your average guy, happy to be where he is, satisfied with his friends and makes the best of the job that he is working at. As a delivery guy, there’s not much to harp over, especially in the small town that he find himself in this time.

When a call comes through for a delivery – he didn’t expect to find a fantasy just at the end of the delivery, but he does and he is blown away. Rowan is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth or take no for an answer if truth be told and set about to make himself a conquest.

Finnegan Clark is not only a recluse but he is also moody and just down right rude as a standard. Meeting Rowan has thrown him for a loop – not willing to open himself up to this eager young man who lets him know at every turn that he was not willing to not make an effort to get to know him – even if it’s only scraps that he can get.

The sparks fly when they get together and Rowan soon works his way into Finn’s life with little more than coffee and hot muffins and he wants more – Finns is a harder nut to crack and just wants peace and quiet and he was just not seeing that possibility as long as Rowan was around.

Another one of my impulse buy and so not regretting it. The characters are so stereotypical – big man hiding away and young, happy go lucky free loving man comes along and tosses his world off it’s axis. It’s sound all cut and dry but I really love what Ms Sutherland had done with each protags – she give us the most important information that we need in order to made us love them – and I really loved Finn and Rowan.

Ms. Sutherland also does the smut well – really well, with a lot of playful language and some super hot bed play, it wasn’t hard to lose myself in just giving it up and enjoying the dynamic of these two trying to get it together.

The angst was just right along with the very few support cast that filters through the book. My one niggle would probably be the one moment of tension that just felt not worth it – as LETTING IN THE LIGHT was all about Finn and Rowan working their way through a whole lot of personal issues and that was right on the money.

A fun read with minor issues but I would say, go for it – you wont regret trying out this author.

[ElaineY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most heart-warming romance. Again, one of the few books that manage to capture all my (good) senses from the start and leave me feeling oh-so-satisfied when it ends.

I thought it would take a long while before Finnegan thawed a little but, thankfully (to me, anyway) he did let Rowan enter and not slam the door in his face, as I was expecting him to do. Some readers might find Finn and Rowan jumping each other's bones a little too fast considering Finn's personality even if that's more rumor than reality. I think I would have liked the sex to have been held off just a teeny bit longer - like maybe one more growl, one door slam or something.

That said, once Rowan gets in the door (and comes back) and Finn gets in Rowan (and just comes), there's no turning back for these two. I adored Finnegan and wish there were more m/m romances featuring these older men who are big, sexy and nasty but downright protective and tender with the one who's captured his heart. Finn and LITL are the quintessential example.

This is my first Fae Sutherland and what an intro!

[Td · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mostly angst-free, easy, sexy read. This book brought two of my favorite type of characters together. A force of nature, seemingly free spirit, what you see is what you get in young Rowan and grumpy, snarly, rude, set in his way recluse in older Finn. Seeing them bridge the personality, age...and height gap (about a foot difference, I believe)was sweet and fun. I've decided to go with the flow about a couple of things mostly involving Rowan's roommate. I loved the MC's and most of their story too much to let it bug me.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuh-cking sexy!!!!

[Meep · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kindle-Sort-ReRead


Too ridiculous for me. Setup unbelievable.

[Indie Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan Lee is fascinated with the best-selling author recluse that lives in a mansion by the sea in Ptown even though he’s never met the man. Everyone he works with at the bakery, including his roommate and best friend Jake Hanson, thinks Finnegan Clark is certifiable but Rowan doesn’t buy into the town gossip. Rowan finds out for himself when he makes a breakfast delivery to Finnegan’s mansion and has the door unceremoniously slammed in his face. But Rowan is not deterred by Finnegan’s outright rudeness because he’s just fallen in lust (and possibly love) at first sight with the gorgeous hunk of a silver fox. Ever persistent, Rowan won’t take no for an answer and decides to promptly deliver breakfast to Finnegan each morning in the hopes of getting to know him better.

Finnegan Clark is an acerbic, anti-social bear of a man that never suffers fools, and quite frankly prefers his own company to that of others. His priority is to write his next best seller and to be left alone. For the life of him he can’t understand why the kid from the bakery continues to show up and refuses to get the message and get lost. Even more of an irritation is the fact that Finn can’t stop thinking about him, which doesn’t bode well for his writing.

As they get to know one another over morning coffee and conversation, Rowan becomes more and more enamored with Finnegan despite warnings from his friend Jake to not get involved with him. And even though Finnegan continues to growl, Rowan doesn’t back down and isn’t afraid to call him on his rudeness. Rowan believes that under the gruffness Finnegan is really quite lonely and hides behind this rude facade to keep people at bay in order to protect himself. With this in mind, Rowan sets out to make Finn his project, to become his friend and hopefully a lot more because he’s seriously fallen for the man.

For his part, Finnegan continues his preoccupation with Rowan even though he won’t admit it to himself or to Rowan for that matter. And to make things worse, Finn’s muse steps in to constantly chide him for his rudeness and question his motives for pushing Rowan away. Finn finally succumbs and invites Rowan over and following their first bout of hot sex Rowan becomes an increasingly anticipated and much wanted presence in Finn’s life.

As Rowan patiently and cleverly insinuates himself more and more into Finnegan’s life, Finn opens himself up to Rowan and we learn of the reasons behind Finn’s self-imposed exile and why he prefers his solitude. But Finn has also made a difference in Rowan’s life. Observant in his own right, Finn teaches Rowan that he is not a “project” that needs fixing and holds a mirror up to Rowan to challenge him on his life pattern of never staying in one place for very long and thus by-passing opportunities for a committed relationship.

Letting in the Light by Fae Sutherland is the first book in her new Castles in the Air series. It is a delightfully heart-warming May/December romance and the stuff of which good m/m romance is made.

For me the strengths of this story lie in Sutherland’s exceptional writing of Rowan and Finn, their intelligent and witty dialogue and their personal introspection. The combination of which make this M/M story, the characters and their relationship believable.

In Rowan, Sutherland has written a witty, mature, fun loving and positive character that immediately attracts the reader. But, it is with the character of Finn that I believe Sutherland does some of her best writing, both in terms of dialogue and point of view. By his very disposition and circumstances Finn is introduced to us as an enigmatic and difficult man. And yet, he is a character that you are drawn to and feel very sympathetic toward from the very beginning. I attribute this to Sutherland’s subtle and well-nuanced characterization of Finn as she avoids many of the pitfalls of caricature.

Rowan and Finn couldn’t be more contrary and their differences are the source of much relationship angst and insecurity. Most obvious is their age difference (they are literally a generation apart) that dictates their very different life experiences and outlooks. Rowan is a free-spirit that always sees the glass as being half full and thinks that all you need is love to make the world a better place. Finn is a complicated and cynical man, his glass is half empty, and while he is not purposely mean, he certainly is not of the “touchy feely” emotional variety.

And yet despite these differences, there is much chemistry, both sexual and other, between Rowan and Finn and as a couple they fit. Again, I believe this is attributable to Sutherland’s intelligent and witty dialogue and deeply introspective points of view in her exploration of the individual characters and their relationship.

What I equally appreciated in this story is that the author didn’t compromise the fundamental attributes of each character, in particular Finn’s character, even after they fall in love. There is a tendency in the romance genre to sometimes alter the nature of a character under the auspices of being saved by love. In this instance Sutherland maintained the integrity and substance of Finn.

The one aspect of the story that didn’t really work for me was the resolution of the subplot involving Rowan and his friend Jake toward the end of the book. It was the one part in the story that was a little too over the top for my tastes. But I consider this a minor glitch in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable story.

If you’ve got a hankering for a heart-warming, sweet and sexy read with two thoroughly engaging characters, intelligent and witty dialogue and plenty of hot m/m sex then Letting in the Light by Fae Sutherland should satisfy your craving.

NOTE: This review was originally published online by Rainbow Reviews on August 23 2009.

[Trix · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a predictable book. This, along with its rather bland characters made it hard to rate this higher than 2 stars.

There were no surprises along the way of the story. Or perhaps the swift change from one extreme to the other in the characters' behavior was the only surprising element. The wandering youth falls head over heels, love at first sight with a reclusive successful writer. There were no compelling arguments for their feelings as both characters admit to knowing very little of each other. The story starts from the idea that Rowan would bring Finn out into the world but then later, his services prove to be in vain as Finn simply enjoyed working in privacy. Rowan initially is dead set on winning Finn but then does a 180 turn and out of the blue decides it would be best to end things and hit the road. Finn acts much in the same way, though starting from the opposite point. Where he initially has no interest in the delivery boy, it takes no longer than a day to become smitten and soon enough to want him to stay forever (albeit with some harsh brush offs along the way).

The plot line was simple enough but there was no story development to make the reading interesting. Both characters were confused about what they wanted but quickly changed their daily routine after one (or several) sexual encounters. And the friend's (Jake) aggressive reaction to their relationship was out of the blue as there had been no indication of his feelings in the first half of the book. Not to mention that the relationship between Jake and Rowan seemed as superficial as Rowan and Finn's, with only a couple or weeks of acquaintance, despite Rowan claiming best friend status (for Jake) and eternal lover (for Finn).

It was very light reading. I personally would have liked more character development, thus the rating.

[Ayanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning reminds me of something. What could it be? Oh, right. Second Chance at Love. But then it becomes not-that. It becomes quite a typical romance, with sex right off the bat and all that.

Actually, it's kind of like a less plot-y version of Slow Bloom. (That's the nice way of saying it's a porn-based version of it.)

Why was Jake a throw-away villain? It's possible for him to be a perfectly normal person, you know.

the muse/Jacob Wilde thing was odd. He's got a fully fleshed out personality literally manifested inside his head. Does anyone else find that odd? I found it odd. I want to have my own imaginary-actually-sentient friends. Then I wouldn't have to worry about being lonely.

2 stars. The author's treatment of Jake was atrocious, really. There was no need for her to drive the poor man insane. No, he wasn't driven mad. Even worse; he was sent mad.

I could have done with a little less Finn-is-awesome-and-everyone-else-sucks-donkey-balls propaganda. A lot less of it.

I don't normally do this because I feel it's petty and trite, but this time, I really do think you'd be better off giving this book a bye and reading Slow Bloom. You'd have to sit through less farce.

[Emmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book until the very end, and the I got peeved. I supremely dislike creepers (aka Jake) just getting forgiven. Really- like in real life if your room mate and best friend abducted you, hit you in the head and refused to let you leave until you confessed your love- you would stay friends?? Ah hell no! Also- I thought the character of Rowan didn't mesh with this forgiveness. It seemed like an over the top gesture. It took the commune hippy love angle of forgiveness to a whole new level of unrealistic. I'm pretty sure the commune called and they want to press charges too.

Otherwise- fine story. Cute antisocial older bear falls for friendly fun loving younger guy. Avoidance of romance followed by love ensues, resistance from external friends etc.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved it. Rowan is the 25 year old free spirit. Finnegan is the eccentric 49 year old reclusive author. They come together and wow......... great story. When I got to 90% on my Kindle I was thinking that it would end with certain things unresolved. That last 10% did exactly what I hoped it would do. It brought everything together for a very good ending. I wish it would have been a little longer. I wish Finnegan and Rowan's earlier years would have been explained more. Other details could have been added. But either way, it was a great book.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Kerry sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a little unbelievable ok a lot unbelievable although it was a nice story and I just didn't believe that Fin wouldn't just throw Rowen out with how antisocial Fin was, I am as antisocial as Fin and I would have kicked Rowen out by any means necessary. The whole lighthouse thing was also improbable and the reason for the low rating. I am not sure I would red more from this author if all her character as this badly crafted.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was good. Rowan is a free and loving spirit, but still he hides some issues of his own. When he charges into Finn´s life, there isn´t much Finn can do but hang on. I liked how Finn had to open up and let go of his hermit life. I did think though that the action in the ending was kind of extreme.

[Karen K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story about a young man looking for a place to belong and an older man looking for a reason to come out of his shell.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not my kind of novel. The voice isn't believable to me not did it move well. I did enjoy some of the characters but they weren't too deeply fleshed out

[UnusualChild{beppy} · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Rowan is kind of a drifter, going wherever the mood takes him. This time, it takes him to Provincetown, because he wants to experience a Northwest winter.
Finnegan is a famous mystery writer, which fits, because he is definitely mysterious. Rumours abound about him, and when Rowan gets the chance to meet him on a delivery one morning, he is definitely intrigued. There is something about Finn that calls to him, and Rowan wants to help him out of his perceived loneliness. If that also helps Rowan to get some, he is all for it.
Finn is a recluse, grumpy, and way behind on his edits. He doesn't really feel comfortable around people, so when this brash upstart keeps showing up and throwing his schedule awry, he isn't too pleased. It has been a while since he's had any form of physical contact, though, so when Rowan offers, Finn takes him up on it.
From the first, both of them kind of acknowledge that this is something special. And by kind of, I mean that Finn then runs and hides away, not wanting to feel anything. Rowan doesn't know how long he'll be in the area, but what time he does have, he wants to spend with Finn.
Finn and Rowan are pretty much opposites, and are definitely generations apart (Finn is 49 and Rowan is 24), but they fit together so well.

I really enjoyed the fact that, other than a few teasing remarks about "old man" and "kid", which were definitely teasing, there was not a big deal made of their age difference. Finn wasn't uncertain or worried about it, and Rowan never thought that Finn looked good for his age, just that Finn looked good.
The story was short, and fairly solid, until a wacko kind of stalker who "loves" Rowan tries to come between them. It kind of came out of nowhere, and felt like an unneeded plot point, especially in a story so short. The wacko did have a few truths to point out to Rowan that made him see his pattern, but I'm sure he could have done that without being wacko.
I don't know. I feel as though there was so much that could have been explored between Rowan and Finn. The spoiler kind of threw everything off, and I felt that it was just drama for drama's sake, taking away from the actual story line.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of print but I snagged a used paperback. Heavy on tropes (grumpy/older guy with plenty of money vs sunshine/young/smaller guy with no material wealth), but still better writing than 90% of romance novels coming out today. There was maybe too much going on for only 120 pages - I would have expected it to clock in at more like 200 but the pace is never dull.

[Kazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book by Fae Sutherland and it was another good read.

What I liked -

I love an older partner/younger partner, irrespective of gender, so Finn's 49 to Rowan's 24 appealed immensely.

Good dialogue with enough wit and snark to suffice.

Both characters were likeable in their own ways - Rowan a positive, 'look on the bight side of life' young drifter from hippy/commune/free spirited parents. Finn a bi-product of the older generations' closeted ways, with a touch of sadness attached.

It was plenty sexy.

It was easy to read and fun, by and large.


The not so good -

Rowan's wise beyond his years ways grated on me somewhat; I'm just not good on young (24 in this case) people being older and wiser than those considerably older and more experienced than they could possibly be. Some people have a combo of young and old but in reasonble quantities. Rowan could be overkill in his yoda-ness.

The whole thing with Jake, the friend of Rowan's, was a tad silly, but it was such a small part one can overlook that.

Overall, Letting In the Light was a light, easy going read, with nice characters and no great drama. I liked the fact that this book was so different from the other book of Ms Sutherland's I have previously read and that both were good, nice to see a writer that can mix it up. A nice addition to the collection.

[Tamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized once I started that I had already read this story several years ago. I must have missed doing the review and checking it off at the time.

This was one of my first m/m reads and I remember how much I liked the gruff, reclusive Finn and the smart, charming Rowan. They were so different but just clicked so well.

Jake turned out to be a whole lot creepier than I liked but I guess it was a shock for him to realize that he loved Rowan after it was too late. I guess crazier things have been done in the name of love.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading... both times.

Recommended.

=====================================================
1st read - Mar 30, 2011
2nd read - Feb 15, 2014 - Read for 2014 Pushing Boundaries Challenge

[Katharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, easy read, but it didn't knock me off my couch with its awesomeness. I found the story line to be rather unbelievable at times, especially when it comes to the characters' actions (including Finn, Rowan, and especially Jake) which were all a bit over the top sometimes. However, since this was a rather short story, it didn't bother me as much as it would have in a longer novel.

It definitely wasn't Fae Sutherland's best story, but still a nice enough read for when you look for something short, mostly fun, and easy.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst making a food delivery Rowan comes across Finn, the local celebrity recluse. Rowan is given the brush off by Finn rather rudely but he keeps coming back for more.
Gradually he gets under Finns skin and a relationship develops.
A cute book which was easy to read.

[Indigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Loved it

[Kiki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok but completely forgettable until the ending, where it got more than a little ridiculous.

[Snowtulip · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bookwatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the age gap (49 and 24)
The romance is ok
A lot os sex scenes
But I was almost bored, so it's good... But I was wanting more.

[C · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't stay interested in this for more than a few pages at a time so I'm abandoning it for now.

[Bookbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say... I love me some sexy curmudgeon! A light easy read - just what I needed!

[Susinok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story.