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Lost Boys and Love Letters #4
Broken Wings
Patrick Hawkins thought he had good reasons to leave his lover Brad Wilde and return to Ontario—but as soon as his plane touches down he starts to rethink his entire plan. Patrick's unhappy, his friends are desperate, and Brad? Not even a new job and new friends can make Brad think this split is a good idea.
At first, the two of them think that a long-distance relationship might not be so bad, but things have a way of getting complicated. As their lives start to fall apart and their hearts get lonelier, it seems the only way these two lovers can fix their broken wings is if one of them flies back home to his lover.
At first, the two of them think that a long-distance relationship might not be so bad, but things have a way of getting complicated. As their lives start to fall apart and their hearts get lonelier, it seems the only way these two lovers can fix their broken wings is if one of them flies back home to his lover.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2011
3 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Brown
26 books44 followersBetween hiding from the snow in the winter and the grass in the summer, Bethany Brown ends up spending a rather absurd amount of time with her trusty laptop Desmond. Yes, she has named her laptop. She's also named her car Blue, but that's neither here nor there. While she hopes to one day be able to support herself by writing full time, she keeps herself fed with various customer service jobs, the most recent of which is at a tuxedo rental shop. Thankfully, spending the day fitting men with tuxedos helps to fuel the writing side of her brain. Other writing help includes: chocolate, ice cream, and movies with cute boys. On bad days, she can usually be found sitting on her couch with a stuffed penguin watching Donald Strachey movies. She is thrilled to have found a home with Dreamspinner and plans to stick around until she runs out of ideas. Or the Earth's sun implodes. Whichever comes first.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 20, 2011
I am sorry to report - this book was dreadful. It barely deserves two stars, but I'm being generous given my anticipation of this book and my (very recent) enjoyment of Ashlyn Kane's other books.
Rarely have I been so disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book, having enjoyed the previous three books in the series as well as the two other books that Ashlyn Kane released in the last few months, and given how much I liked these characters in Wild Angels. I counted down to release day, and purchased it immediately. I was fully prepared to love this. But it was not to be.
I will attempt to list the things I hated the most.
1. It was WAAAAAY to sugary sweet and disgusting. Patrick used to be a fully realized character with a personality, and Brad was at least somewhat interesting in the last book. In this book, Patrick and Brad have been fully castrated and turned into giant blobs of melted marshmallow. "I love you, sugar" "I love you too, Angel". Gag me! Don't get me wrong. I like me some sweet romance. Some cuddling, some declarations of undying love. But this went so far beyond that I don't even have words.
2. Every. Single. Character. talks like a teenage girl. These are supposedly grown ass adults with real world jobs and they act like teenage girls! These people are in suits having business meetings acting like TEENAGE GIRLS! There are rougly 800 thousand secondary characters in this book and not one of them has a unique voice. They are all exactly the same.
3. This is actually probably a plus, seeing as the manufactured "drama" of Wild Angels was so lame, but the half assed attempt at a plot outside the romance was ridiculous. IT ALL HAPPENED OFF PAGE. Why even bother?
Soo... I think that about sums it up. The first half didn't seem so bad, but about midway through it stalled out and died a long, miserable drawn out death. Heavy skimming required to finish. It just didn't ever go anywhere. Sorry, but I can't recommend this book to anyone, even if you loved Wild Angels. I'm not giving up on Ashlyn Kane because I still think she's great, but I doubt I'll continue to read any of her collaborations with Bethany Brown.
Rarely have I been so disappointed. I was really looking forward to this book, having enjoyed the previous three books in the series as well as the two other books that Ashlyn Kane released in the last few months, and given how much I liked these characters in Wild Angels. I counted down to release day, and purchased it immediately. I was fully prepared to love this. But it was not to be.
I will attempt to list the things I hated the most.
1. It was WAAAAAY to sugary sweet and disgusting. Patrick used to be a fully realized character with a personality, and Brad was at least somewhat interesting in the last book. In this book, Patrick and Brad have been fully castrated and turned into giant blobs of melted marshmallow. "I love you, sugar" "I love you too, Angel". Gag me! Don't get me wrong. I like me some sweet romance. Some cuddling, some declarations of undying love. But this went so far beyond that I don't even have words.
2. Every. Single. Character. talks like a teenage girl. These are supposedly grown ass adults with real world jobs and they act like teenage girls! These people are in suits having business meetings acting like TEENAGE GIRLS! There are rougly 800 thousand secondary characters in this book and not one of them has a unique voice. They are all exactly the same.
3. This is actually probably a plus, seeing as the manufactured "drama" of Wild Angels was so lame, but the half assed attempt at a plot outside the romance was ridiculous. IT ALL HAPPENED OFF PAGE. Why even bother?
Soo... I think that about sums it up. The first half didn't seem so bad, but about midway through it stalled out and died a long, miserable drawn out death. Heavy skimming required to finish. It just didn't ever go anywhere. Sorry, but I can't recommend this book to anyone, even if you loved Wild Angels. I'm not giving up on Ashlyn Kane because I still think she's great, but I doubt I'll continue to read any of her collaborations with Bethany Brown.
August 6, 2012
Cute read. I love the close groups of friends who are willing to do anything for each other (even including that rare breed, women who are neither catty nor evil!). A few times it seemed like resolution of issues was a bit too pat, but this is also 4th in a series of interconnected books, so it's possible that there's stuff I missed. I may have to glom the rest of the series & find out.
May 9, 2011
Broken Wings continues the fabulous joint writing talents of Ashlyn Kane and Bethany Brown. These two write beautifully together, weaving novels of deep thought with real attention to detail. They make me feel part of the story and completely connected to the characters. All of the usual suspects are back in this heart-warming tale, set across the continent and telling Patrick's tale.
Patrick is a detective, and an arse. Instead of a goodbye kiss and a promise to try for a future, he sparks an argument and heads home in a huff. As friends around him grow increasingly concerned about Patrick's appearance and demeanour, he heads out and has his love's design tattooed on his belly. Trying to allay his loneliness, Patrick jumps at the chance to adopt a retiring canine unit dog. Providing comfort and companionship in some ways, this only shows what he's missing in others.
Brad left the idea of Patrick behind when he watched his lover leave the first time around, and sitting around waiting for Patrick to call is getting him nowhere. It was believeable for me that Brad wanted to get on with his life, but felt stuck on the possibility of reconciliation with Patrick. When this happens, the romantic side Patrick reveals is breath-taking and totally sweet.
Other dynamics add more layers to this already fraught situation. When Brad's grandmother passes, Patrick swoops in to care for his man, taking meeting the relatives if not in stride, then at least in shaking boots. When a misunderstanding leads to Brad's life being in danger, it forces both men to evaluate and face what they feel. Add in the innate, adorable clumsiness of Brad's, and Patrick decides he has no option but to make this happen, if only for his own peace of mind.
The notion of compromise is finally achieved, and the reality of this relationship is seen in the here and now with plans for the future and friendships secure. This story is written in a contemporary style from multiple points of view. Rich and warm, the friendships and characters stay true to those shown in previous novels of the series. This story can be read as a stand-alone, but honestly, you'll get so much more from it when you read it as part of the series. You'll like this one if you like cops with sugary centres, clumsy hotness or sweet drama. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online.
Patrick is a detective, and an arse. Instead of a goodbye kiss and a promise to try for a future, he sparks an argument and heads home in a huff. As friends around him grow increasingly concerned about Patrick's appearance and demeanour, he heads out and has his love's design tattooed on his belly. Trying to allay his loneliness, Patrick jumps at the chance to adopt a retiring canine unit dog. Providing comfort and companionship in some ways, this only shows what he's missing in others.
Brad left the idea of Patrick behind when he watched his lover leave the first time around, and sitting around waiting for Patrick to call is getting him nowhere. It was believeable for me that Brad wanted to get on with his life, but felt stuck on the possibility of reconciliation with Patrick. When this happens, the romantic side Patrick reveals is breath-taking and totally sweet.
Other dynamics add more layers to this already fraught situation. When Brad's grandmother passes, Patrick swoops in to care for his man, taking meeting the relatives if not in stride, then at least in shaking boots. When a misunderstanding leads to Brad's life being in danger, it forces both men to evaluate and face what they feel. Add in the innate, adorable clumsiness of Brad's, and Patrick decides he has no option but to make this happen, if only for his own peace of mind.
The notion of compromise is finally achieved, and the reality of this relationship is seen in the here and now with plans for the future and friendships secure. This story is written in a contemporary style from multiple points of view. Rich and warm, the friendships and characters stay true to those shown in previous novels of the series. This story can be read as a stand-alone, but honestly, you'll get so much more from it when you read it as part of the series. You'll like this one if you like cops with sugary centres, clumsy hotness or sweet drama. Nx
Note: Reviewed for Queer Magazine Online.
February 4, 2012
Broken Wings is the latest installment in the Lost Boys and Love Letters series by Bethany Brown and Ashlyn Kane. Patrick Hawkins and Brad Wilde met in Wild Angels. Patrick was visiting Alberta, while recovering from a gunshot wound. When Patrick suddenly returns home to Ontario without an explanation to Brad, it’s a decision he almost immediately regrets. His feelings for Brad are much stronger than he wants to admit, even to himself. After arriving home, Patrick spends much of his time moping around the house and trying to distract himself with strenuous exercise at the police station gym.
Brad, for his part, is at a complete loss over Patrick’s sudden desertion. He is working as bartender and web designer and trying to understand why his lover suddenly left. He’s also dealing with some devastating personal issues that leave him uncertain. Characters from previous Lost Boys and Love Letters stories step into the breach to help Patrick and Brad with their problems. Jeremy and Cam (Picture Perfect) get involved, as does Julian (Wild Angels, True North).
Patrick and Brad try to maintain their long-distanced relationship. They share a very physical relationship. The two of them are always touching. It’s interesting to see how they work out the mechanics of a love relationship from two different cities. The involvement of characters from previous books in the series is a nice touch, like hearing from old friends. I would’ve liked to see greater development of the plot line involving Dwight, but Broken Wings is a nice addition to the Lost Boys and Love Letters series.
Review originally published on Blackraven Reviews
Book Review by Creative Ink
Brad, for his part, is at a complete loss over Patrick’s sudden desertion. He is working as bartender and web designer and trying to understand why his lover suddenly left. He’s also dealing with some devastating personal issues that leave him uncertain. Characters from previous Lost Boys and Love Letters stories step into the breach to help Patrick and Brad with their problems. Jeremy and Cam (Picture Perfect) get involved, as does Julian (Wild Angels, True North).
Patrick and Brad try to maintain their long-distanced relationship. They share a very physical relationship. The two of them are always touching. It’s interesting to see how they work out the mechanics of a love relationship from two different cities. The involvement of characters from previous books in the series is a nice touch, like hearing from old friends. I would’ve liked to see greater development of the plot line involving Dwight, but Broken Wings is a nice addition to the Lost Boys and Love Letters series.
Review originally published on Blackraven Reviews
Book Review by Creative Ink
June 15, 2013
I don't know why I liked books 1 & 3 in this series but not 2 & 4. This one just seemed to wander aimlessly. I don't have any experience with either writer but I suspect one primarily wrote each book, but they came up with the outline for the series together. So now we have Patrick and Brad breaking up and getting back together and trying the long distance thing. Brad finds out that his grandmother and Patricks were besties and that when he was 8 he saw Patrick at Patricks grandmothers funeral and though he was cute and that Patrick is rich. What does he mention to him? The rich thing. Here we have a perfect chance for a "we were meant" moment and it was entirely missed. It's juvenile. That's what would have been important to someone immature. Also we have another stalker and while I love the scene where he's introduced to Patrick, nothing is done with him and he's wrapped up in two sentences at the very end. Also it made no sense for Patrick to be the one to move. For two books Brad doesn't have much of a life in Alberta, he works two jobs, his best friend is always away, as is his brother and his parents live in Florida. The only thing really tying him to Alberta was his grandmother and she dies. So while her death was the perfect opportunity for Patrick and Brad to get closer it should have also set him free to move to where Patrick lives and start over. I don't know which of the authors did this one but I need to find out so I can avoid the rest of their work. They are not to my taste.
November 3, 2011
This is book 4 in the Lost Boys and Love Letters series. When the last book ended Patrick freaked out and left his lover Brad in Alberta without saying good-bye. This kind of goes back before the epilogue and Patrick is very depressed and his friends are concerned so they drag out of him that he left Brad. They make him pull his head out of his ass and he apologises and he and Brad decide to try long distance. There really wasn't much point to this story for me. It was just two guys working out a long distance relationship. You found out Patrick was rich thanks to his Grandmother who just happened to be Brad's Grandmother's best friend (how convenient) and you get to meet all of the people from the other stories who are in this one (I never really liked any of the women in this series except maybe Patrick's partner). A stalker was thrown in for good measure (sorry Chris) but it seemed rather long for just a follow-up with the only real challenge being they lived far apart and Patrick could afford to quit his job and move if he wanted so that wasn't much of a challenge. *shrug* It was okay, Patrick and Brad had hot sex with a biting fetish going on, but not sure it was a must-read for me.
January 31, 2017
While I thought this book in the series was marginally better than the others I couldn't give it more than two stars. I liked all the MCs and the secondary characters, I did think there was potenial here to have a really good series but there were just too many things that annoyed me and those things showed up in every book.
The nicknames and endearments were over the top. I didn't understand why it was necessary for every character to have a nickname. The "stalker-like" story line is in two of the books but involving different mcs, and sentences that were almost word for word showed up in each of the books. There were silly little things like calling a vehicle a truck one minute than a car the next then back to a truck all within in a couple of paragraphs. Things like that are so easy to fix and should have been picked up on. With a good clean up this could have been a better series.
One last thing, why is the series called Lost Boys and Love Letters? I didn't think any of the boys were losts and I can only remember one love letter. Yup, that confuses me.
The nicknames and endearments were over the top. I didn't understand why it was necessary for every character to have a nickname. The "stalker-like" story line is in two of the books but involving different mcs, and sentences that were almost word for word showed up in each of the books. There were silly little things like calling a vehicle a truck one minute than a car the next then back to a truck all within in a couple of paragraphs. Things like that are so easy to fix and should have been picked up on. With a good clean up this could have been a better series.
One last thing, why is the series called Lost Boys and Love Letters? I didn't think any of the boys were losts and I can only remember one love letter. Yup, that confuses me.
April 19, 2011
Hmm, a lower star rating than I usually give these two.
I enjoyed it, but so much of the story had been implied in Wild Angels that it was not quite so riveting to read. I felt they hadn't had to work too hard to write it. I would have liked to have known more about the relationship between the grandmothers.
I am sure this is the first time they have succumbed to the really irritating 'of'. i.e "He took his coat off of him." and "He **** inside of him" The 'of' is completely redundant in these sentences and unfortunately appears far too often in many books. I was very sorry to see it make it's appearance here as in general I think the quality of their books is a cut above many others.
So in summary, worth reading as part of the Lost Boys and Love Letters series (title of series STILL to be explained!) but a little disappointing.
I enjoyed it, but so much of the story had been implied in Wild Angels that it was not quite so riveting to read. I felt they hadn't had to work too hard to write it. I would have liked to have known more about the relationship between the grandmothers.
I am sure this is the first time they have succumbed to the really irritating 'of'. i.e "He took his coat off of him." and "He **** inside of him" The 'of' is completely redundant in these sentences and unfortunately appears far too often in many books. I was very sorry to see it make it's appearance here as in general I think the quality of their books is a cut above many others.
So in summary, worth reading as part of the Lost Boys and Love Letters series (title of series STILL to be explained!) but a little disappointing.
June 4, 2011
I honestly love this book. Patrick is my favourite character in this series and Brad is absolutely adorable. Together their unbelievably sweet. Sometimes too sweet. My teeth almost hurt. *lol*
Dogs are fantastic. And Patrick's Christmas surprise for Julian was soooo touching. They really are perfect family together. Each of them a little crazy... ok... a lot crazy, but family.
And I really do want to read Keith's book. He deserves to have someone special in his life. And it would be nice if Graham discovers some bicurious tendencies. Just saying... oh and Ash and his delivery man. And Caleb... and so on, and so on... :D
Dogs are fantastic. And Patrick's Christmas surprise for Julian was soooo touching. They really are perfect family together. Each of them a little crazy... ok... a lot crazy, but family.
And I really do want to read Keith's book. He deserves to have someone special in his life. And it would be nice if Graham discovers some bicurious tendencies. Just saying... oh and Ash and his delivery man. And Caleb... and so on, and so on... :D
July 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this follow up story to Wild Angels. It was good to see Patrick and Brad work out their issues (well Patrick's issues mostly) and find an HEA. The reappearance of all the other guys from the rest of the series is done well - especially loved the Christmas and New Year's celebrations that included the whole gang.
The one strange thing was the Dwight storyline that sort of came in out of left field with the stalker. Although I guess who could predict a stalker really??
Seems like everyone's story is wrapped up with happy endings - except maybe Asher???
The one strange thing was the Dwight storyline that sort of came in out of left field with the stalker. Although I guess who could predict a stalker really??
Seems like everyone's story is wrapped up with happy endings - except maybe Asher???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2016
I think...that I'm done with this series, if there is another after this one. Once again I was disappointed in the story, horribly bored, it was a struggle to finish. Again we had a stalker situation that was not flushed out properly, instead pushed to the sidelines/back burner. I still like Patrick's character and his relationship with Brad...but it was hard to be invested when the story was just so boring.
June 28, 2011
It’s interesting to see how they work out the mechanics of a love relationship from two different cities. The involvement of characters from previous books in the series is a nice touch, like hearing from old friends. To read this review in its entirety, please visit http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...
April 13, 2013
I didn't read any of the others, so this was my first one I read. And I was unimpressed. It had a ton of weird characters and everyone had slept with everyone in the past but they are all best friends, just odd. Plus there wasn't and good solid conflict to keep the story going. So I don't plan on reading any more in this series!
August 28, 2016
Four stars to Patrick and Brad because they were the only thing I like, the rest was a bunch of stuff with little sense and God stop with the nickname thing it's annoying. And the thing with the stalkers like for real? can you make it a little more credible. Also I still didn't find a reason for the girl in the third book
May 27, 2012
I really enjoyed the first three of this series, but this fourth book should have been about someone else. Too much about Brad & Patrick, it just became too boring. Still won't give up if another comes out, just hope it's with another couple.
April 20, 2011
Patrick was always my favourite in this series so it was nice to get such a good story for him. I felt towards the end that it started to drag a little, but only a tiny bit and I enjoyed every moment until the finish.
June 7, 2011
I loved this! I had to re-read Wild Angels to refresh my memory of Patrick and Brad's beginnings. I have been waiting for a continuation of their story and I must say, the authors did not disappoint. Hopefully, this is not the last of what this series.
October 7, 2013
I loved all four books in the series, and I loved all the characters, but I did get fed up of the constant use of nicknames (some were good, but mostly, they just felt slightly forced and annoying)... However, I wish there were many more books in this series as they were super-enjoyable to read!!!
June 2, 2012
My only complaint, if it can even be called that, is the so-called villain. It reads like an after thought - "oh, I need to write in a bad guy!" Otherwise, the rest has been said.
I did enjoy the story and revisiting the characters from the first two books. 3.25 stars
I did enjoy the story and revisiting the characters from the first two books. 3.25 stars
November 10, 2012
Reread, I liked it better the first time
August 16, 2012
3.5 stars
November 26, 2014
Patrick is back home and realizes that he screwed up in leaving Brad. He sets about to "court" him. He sends some cute and thoughtful gifts. He works to win back Brad's trust.
December 28, 2021
One thought... Ms. Brown used the phrase, "my lover" almost 300 times in a 300-page book. Yeah that got old real fast... grrr
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews