Le sevrage de Seb (Les Hommes du Maine t. 3)

Maine Men #3

by K.C. Wells, Terry Milien (Translator), Caroline Minic (Editor)

Des nuits torrides au côté d’un homme plus âgé, ce n’était pas le genre d’été que Seb avait envisagé.
Un type plus âgé plein de mystère Seb Williams a un plan pour les nuits caliente de ses vacances d’été : s’envoyer en l’air. Ce qu’il n’avait pas prévu au programme ? Devoir s’occuper du magasin de pêche de son oncle. Seb n’a pas d’autre choix que d’aider sa famille. Alors, bye-bye, les bars gays d’Ogunquit et les plans cul. Et bonjour, Cape Porpoise, petit port de pêche pittoresque. Une ville minuscule qui promet d’être bien barbante… jusqu’à ce qu’il croise Marcus Gilbert. Ses perspectives estivales commencent un peu à remonter. Crinière argent ? Oh que ouais. Corps de rêve ? Check. Regard de braise ? À la bonne heure ! Le seul problème : Marcus Gilbert aime se faire désirer.
Une distraction séduisante Cape Porpoise correspond en tous points aux souvenirs que Marcus retient de son enfance depuis longtemps écoulée et représente tout ce dont il a besoin. Une pause sabbatique pour reprendre sa vie en main et avoir le temps d’écrire son livre. Un cadre paisible. Le calme de l’océan. La perfection… jusqu’à ce que le petit train-train de Marcus soit renversé par un petit jeune trop mignon. Marcus ne peut ignorer l’attirance qu’il ressent pour le corps svelte de Seb et ses magnifiques yeux. Une nuit, ça ne ferait de mal à personne, si ? Sauf qu’une nuit se transforme en deux, puis en trois.
Ce n’est qu’une amourette d’été… jusqu’à ce que ça n’en soit plus une et que tous deux se retrouvent en terre inconnue. Et que le passé de Marcus vienne risquer de détruire leurs chances d’avenir.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Audiobook, Gay, M M Contemporary, Contemporary

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2021

About the author

K.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.

If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT

You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:

E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...


And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.

Reviews

[Florence .]

I’m not rating this because I DNF’d it somewhere around 80% but if I did rate it it would be somewhere around a 2 stars

First thing first, this book should have a trigger warning, for a big thing that happens during the book. I’m not going to spoil it as the author made sure to not mention it anywhere but there is something that happens in this book that could be triggering to many readers, so please be careful if you have any triggers, since this book has no trigger warnings, when it should have them. I’m not going to start a big conversation on trigger warnings, but I feel like possibly traumatic events always should be marked as trigger warnings, even if they are spoilers, you’re better off having a reader be a little spoiled than a reader being triggered while reading your book.

I loved the second book in this series and while I refuse to read the first book because it contains triggering content for me, I was very excited for this book and wanted to see where the series is going. But sadly it just wasn’t what I wanted it to be.

Brief summary
Seb goes to a small town for the summer to help with his uncle’s fishing business. He meets Marcus, a man 18 years old older than him, and they fall in love.

I loved the setting of the book, I love books set in small towns and thats what I got here. I love how peaceful the town was. I loved the two main characters, they were both flawed but they tried to work on themselves and it was lovely to see. I loved the romance, they were so good together and they completed each other perfectly.

All of this sounds so good right? Like the perfect book? So why did I not enjoy the book?

Remember the big secret thing that could be very triggering? The way it was handled just wasn’t for me. I was really annoyed that it wasn’t mentioned anywhere for once, as it’s a very triggering subject. Also, it’s something that has ruined many people lives as well as their families. But the way it was shown in the book was like it’s not that big of an issue and how it’s not problematic … when it is. I didn’t like the way it was shown, I don’t like when things like that are shown through rose coloured glasses. That part just shattered my enjoyment of the book. Also, the fact that the author is clearly trying to hide very triggering content (it’s the part of the book that creates the entire suspence element so I get why the author did it), doesn’t sit well with me. I can understand not wanting your book to be spoiled but not tagging something that could traumatize a lot of readers just doesn’t sit right with me.

Also why are two self admitted manwhore barebacking the first time they have sex after knowing each other for only 3 weeks, it doesn’t seem like a very safe sexual practice to me.

I really enjoyed what I read of this book, it was very sweet and made me swoon a lot, with the proper trigger warnings it could have been a win for me. I just really do not enjoy being blindsided by this kind of content.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

K.C. Wells is taking us through a whole range of storylines in her Maine Men series. While some of the novels are a little lighter than others, so far they’ve all been wonderfully entertaining, filled with humor, friendship, and romance. Each novel has a life lesson, or some kernel of wisdom embedded in the story, and so it is with Seb’s Summer.

I don’t want to give anything away, because the way Ms. Wells reveals Marcus’ story is artfully done. (I wouldn’t want to rob anyone of the experience of discovering what led Marcus to reach the point in his life where he needed to escape to Maine.) This man’s journey is emotional and powerful, and extremely relevant in today’s world.

Seb has his own journey to make, and up till now we’ve known him as a fun loving guy who’s a bit of a party-animal. He’s watched some of his buddies find their happily-ever-afters, and made no secret that he’d like to find his own! It’s absolutely charming the way he sets his sights on Marcus, and then proceeds to reel him in (that’s a pun based on Seb’s summer job lol).

With important messages about relevant issues, and her characteristic humor and wit, K.C. Wells’ Seb’s Summer is not to be missed.

The Manie Men series is narrated by John Solo, and you can read any of the novels in this series as standalones. There's a large cast of characters in this story, and Mr. Solo provides a unique voice for each of them. I always get a kick out of his female characters, and he totally nails Marcus' mom and sister! John Solo does a fantastic job with the more emotional scenes in Seb's Summer, and this is a beautiful performance.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus was an okay guy even if he did try to ignore Seb in the beginning. Not interested in a relationship or it seems even a friendship... until suddenly... he is. After a while, Marcus’s "secrets" became a little annoying. Then, when he finally reveals his past, I found the plot to be confusing. I’m absolutely on board with the idea of life not being black and white...knowing that judgments sometimes come on way too fast, but I think after all they’d been through, Seb had a right to get upset with Marcus's past, especially when he waited until the day before he was to go back to settle things with his job to tell Seb everything. Then Marcus made it all sound like he was a victim only and Seb was in the wrong. I wanted Marcus to realize that no one was really in the wrong...and both Marcus and Seb had a valid point. The question is, can the other accept what they are holding back? And will they get what they've discovered they want...and they do want each other. It was interesting and thought producing that it took a look at the other side of substance use. Good addition to this which has been a really good series.

[Gustaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hooked on this series and I can't wait for Dylan's book to come out in October.

With that said, this is probably my least favorite book so far. Not because it's bad, it's actually quite lovely and I loved Seb and Marcus but especially Seb. However, this book should have come with a trigger warning for drug use. It might be a hard topic for some people and especially the way it was handled in this book. You are not expecting this story arc by reading the blurb and I feel like it easy can be a misunderstanding where you expect one thing and get another.

Did I say that I can't wait for Dylan's book?? I can't wait!

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixed bag of important messages but missed warnings

3.5*

As the title states, there is an important message in this book BUT it should come with a trigger warning.

While I completely understand that the author wants to keep Marcus' reason for leaving New York a secret, I'd guessed it after only the second mention.

However, irrespective of that element of the plot, this series still contains references to Levi's past and how he was left with his Grammy by his addict mother which should have a warning on its own anyway.

Putting that aside, there's a very sweet romance at the heart of this book. It's a little bit overwhelmed at times though by the copious amount of sex scenes.

Don't get me wrong, I love me the smexy times when our MCs learn to trust each other with intimacy and I love the times when they're just full of chemical attraction and hitting it like rabbits.

At times though I felt like I was reading a play by play recap of a porn shoot, which was a shame because instead of thinking it was hot, I was too busy trying to work out the logistics of the positions they were manoeuvring into 😁

Still, I liked both Seb and Marcus a lot and it was cute seeing them fall for each other in spite of their reputation as players.

Marcus' family was also wonderful and I'm pleased to read there will be a story for his nephew Jake on the cards.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seb, a teacher, 26, lean, brown wavy

longish hair and blue eyes, (on cover) has left his friends behind, for a summer spent helping his injured uncle at the Lobster business. He's lonely and wants his "one" like his friend's found.
Marcus, 44, a copywriter from New York,

has dark hair with silver streaks and white in his scruff, a silver fox, well built and
a * dark mystery * is what we see.
He has come to stay at his family vacation house to get himself back on track and finish his new book.

Seb flirts with Marcus at the grocery, and they run into each other several times, plus Marcus' sis invites him for the Fourth of July family picnic. It is then, that Marcus decides he's done holding back, and takes Seb home.

Both are on PrEP, and get hot and heavy action. Both are vers and ready to have electric sexy times. Their sexual appetites match well, including the toys.



We meet Marcus' accepting, fun family, and learn about Seb's awful family folks, but Seb does have his group of awesome friends.

* Our topic is a heavy one, * trigger *-drugs in past, there's a suicide death and lots of learning and lessons, where we are enlightened and informed.

Our men were settling in, loving their togetherness, and the emotions and passion, and summer's almost finished...

Well done.
ENJOY !

=====

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Seb is not amused, his mother arranged that he will help out his uncle’s fishing business in Cape Porpoise. His uncle has a fishing boat and to catch lobsters. That was not the way he thought he would spend his summer break. One thing he does like in Cape Porpoise, the older fox he runs into at the grocery.

Marcus is forty-four and landed from New York in Cape Porpoise to get his life back on track again and hopefully finished writing his book. He has to focus on his life and doesn’t need a distraction in the form of a beautiful flirty younger guy. It’s so tempting to give in.

Seb and Marcus their paths cross more than once and every time Marcus turns all Seb’s flirting down and backs off. He keeps his distance again and again and even turned him down after Seb admitted he wanted him. Just for the summer, after that, they split up to their own lives.

How much resistance can a man have, right! When they finally get together the heat is on.
Oh gosh, their first time is exactly in one of my favorite position. Dang, they are hot. They are unstoppable. Just for the summer, right!

What a wonderful story, there is a lot in it. It’s a slow burn, not my favorite tbh but I enjoyed it nevertheless. We can watch both men get closer, having a lot of sexiness and spending as much time together as possible. Their intimacy was well described, watching them rearranging the other, follow what their hands and lips are doing, dang, it was arousing!
The issues, which were palpable throughout the story, were wonderfully entwined in the whole picture.
There were some educational parts that made me think, re-evaluate, and think again, not quite sure how I felt about it all, still not.
Besides the two lovable main characters, there are some wonderful secondary characters and side stories, all entertaining and even one that asks for more because it was intriguing af. Oh let’s not forget the lobsters, who knew there was so much to learn about them!
Of course, all the Maine men are present duh! I love them! Can’t wait for Dylan’s story!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes LGBTQ bookreviews

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish)]

Dnf at 75%, and it really makes me angry that it didn’t came with a trigger warning. That’s why at this point I’ll just link to Florence‘s review.

Sorry, but drug use isn’t something that should be dealt with this way. You never know who’s reading it, and feels validated by the way it’s dealt with here.

No. Just… no. Sorry ☹️

[Alessandra Magagnato · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[L.D. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m going to be blunt: I did not like this book. But more than not liking the book, I was irritated by the disinformation the author spouted through the mouths of her characters. The premise of the book is simple: Seb goes to a small coastal town to help his uncle out around the same time Marcus is there on sabbatical after making a fool of himself in New York City. The whole reason Marcus self-exiled himself to a small town was supposed to be this heavy secret in order to add suspense and drama to the storyline, but honestly it completely flopped once revealed. This heavy secret which isolated Marcus from his friends and career, and sent him running back to his family’s vacation home to lick his wounds, was that Marcus was a drug user. Which, okay cool. There are plenty of books that deal with addiction and the pain it causes. But no. The secret doesn’t end there. Marcus is not just a drug user, but a RESPONSIBLE drug user, and thus it is okay for him to do meth and other hard drugs – just not GHB because that’s a really bad drug. The book then turns into a self-indulgent rant about U.S. drug policies, how drugs are just misunderstood and not that bad, and to validate this position, the author namedrops Dr. Carl Hart, a tenured Professor of Psychology at Columbia University.

The entire book reads less like a romance novel and more like a tribute to Dr. Hart and his proclamations. Dr. Hart is a man who’s made some very good points about the USA’s drug policies, but he’s also made some very bad and misleading claims based on his own experiences and controlled lab experiments. Dr. Hart tells a certain group of people what they want to hear: it’s okay for grown-ups to use drugs and the criminalization of drugs has lead to destroying neighborhoods. I agree that the USA needs to re-evaluate the War on Drugs, but making changes on criminalization and policy does not equal condoning the use of drugs, or even worse, advocating for their leisurely use. Dr. Hart discloses he uses meth, heroin, and other drugs responsibly and asserts that he is not an addict. He also conducts controlled experiments where test subjects use designer drugs within the highly regulated lab setting. The results from these very controlled and monitored experiments plus his own personal experience is enough for him to write a few bestselling books proclaiming drug use is fine! And everyone who wants to do it responsibly should! But what Dr. Hart fails to make as public and widely broadcast, is that he does drugs from a place of privilege and his lab experiments do not replicate the conditions most drug users find themselves in when using. He fails to address the real hurt and devastation that families and communities experience due to addiction.

So instead of a real romance novel, we get an author who sets up a pedestal for Dr. Hart using her main character Marcus to spout off what essentially feels like a love letter to the professor. Marcus shows more passion and interest promoting his cause than he does for Seb, his supposed love interest. Seb himself shows that he is a pushover from the start. He allows his family to push his boundaries and show no value or respect for his time. He’s thrown into doing his uncle’s job for no pay by a mother who does not tolerate that he is gay. He’s then yanked around by Marcus who first plays hard to get, then holds their relationship hostage if Seb disagrees with Marcus’ viewpoints on drug use. A simple day or two of “research” is all Seb needs to jump ship and join Marcus’ pro-drug camp.

Without the drug rant, this book would have been a two or three star read – the attraction and romance between the two characters were lukewarm and spluttered more than sizzled. Add in the misleading information on drugs, and this book drops straight to one star or less.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/3
I didn’t like all the part related to the reasons that lead Marcus to leave NY. I found all the subjects treated lightly. it is a topic i wouldn’t have wanted to read in-depth information or various points of view on the subject. the topic is treated as if it were not a big deal and this I can’t really understand. Seriously? Should we say to Marcus “good job mate”?
all this ruined my enjoyable reading that I had up to 80%, then nothing I liked. Shame

[Tessi4M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seb has always been the player of his group of friends but after he admitted to Finn that he has hookups because apparently that’s all he can get, I really wanted him to find love. And it started out great once he met Marcus and they got together.
Unfortunately it went kind of downhill once we learned Marcus’s reasons for having left NY. I don’t much care for a ”crystal meth is not as bad as we have all been taught” and “responsible drug use 101” lecture in my romance novels.
This really dimmed my joy of the book. On a positive note, Marcus had the most awesome family.

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC received for an honest review.

First DNF ARC ever!!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!

I had high hopes for this book and I'm sorry to say that they weren't met. The book started off kind of slow for me which I was thinking it would pick up, so I kept reading. Then the two MCs meet three times, over a three week period, without any meaningful interactions and suddenly they are hitting the sack having unprotected sex. Seb has already had the thoughts that Marcus is hiding something but when they have the sex talk he's suddenly "I trust you". Really!! You don't know this man and you've already thought he's hiding things but you trust him!?! And I guess because they both take Prep, unprotected sex between two admitted players is ok!?! Yeah no! Moving on. Then the big mystery is explained and I'm not ok with how the author wrote this. The author wrote blatantly false information concerning Marcus's mystery and I think it's possibly dangerous information. Someone else may take it for gospel and try it and find out the real consequences. Any real research into Marcus's mystery would show the scientific data that disproves the author's statements. At this point I called it quits. I can't finish this book. Hopefully the rest of the guys will have better books.

[leanne hedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another beatifully written book by K.C Wells.
At first I wasnt to sure about Seb as I loved Ben's book and didn't think this one would be as good as his but boy was I wrong in my opinion this one was better and I can honestly say I absolutely love him now. This book for me made me fall in love with Seb and Marcus and Marcus's sister Jess.
What moved me with this book was that compared it others by K.C Wells is that the way the secret that Marcus has been holding had me guessing until near the end when the secret was finally revealed and I was so shocked as it wasnt something I have expected it to be.
This brought the whole book together and made me have a deeper understanding of what it was that not only Marcus but what others have gone through not only those who struggled with certain aspect brought to the surface through the book but also those who are closets to them.
Im really hoping that Jake gets his own book as i would love to know about his life more.
I do believe that this book deserves way more than 5 stars it is absolutely brilliant and i cant wait for the next one in the series.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by K. C. Wells. I really have loved this series. I read so many books that it’s easy to forget the first books if the series isn’t finished when I start. The men of Maine series has certainly stayed with me. I love these characters and I love these books. I have a lot of favorite authors, but K. C. is right up there at the top. This is a heavy topic to tackle, but she does it beautifully. I loved Seb and Marcus. Can’t wait for the next book.

I listened to the audiobook and John Solo was wonderful as always.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it and then I didn’t. Slow going small town and Seb being pretty desperate for Marcus. I liked the shirts and Jess for setting them up. The family was large and fun, although all names apart from Jake were forgotten. From the halfway point there is a ton of sex, with toys and without. I stopped at 70% when they had their bust up and it turned into a drug rant. From there I skimmed it to the end. I don’t get why Seb called Levi of all people, it was like he wanted an excuse to run away. I didn’t like Levi much in this one. His attitude was borderline sabotage. Disappointed the reunion talk with Wade was glossed over. Curious about Dylan but mostly Jake, with how much that was teased.

[Elyxyz Elyxyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE SU COPIA ARC
Alla fine del secondo volume abbiamo già avuto modo di intravvedere Seb e il suo nuovo compagno e la cosa mi aveva riempita di parecchia curiosità, che sono stata ben lieta di soddisfare leggendo “L’estate di Seb”.
Seb Williams è un insegnante di scuola media che, arrivato a giugno, pretende di avere un’estate di relax e pace per riprendersi dalle fatiche dell’anno scolastico appena finito e poter folleggiare senza impegno nei gay bar della zona, dove è abituato a rimorchiare ogni weekend. Peccato che un’emergenza di famiglia lo costringa a stravolgere i sospirati rotolamenti e la pace, perché dovrà sostituire lo zio infortunato come pescatore di aragoste – un lavoro duro e pieno di sacrifici –, trasferendosi a casa sua, nella piccola cittadina di mare a Capo Focena.
Seb ha davanti un’estate di levatacce e zero piacere, dato che lì non c’è speranza di rimorchiare qualcuno di decente. Eppure, nel modo più classico possibile – le corsie del minimarket locale – incontra un uomo più vecchio di lui che gli fa suonare tutti i campanelli giusti, perché è proprio il suo tipo. Peccato che Marcus Gilbert non si dimostri collaborativo né attratto a contraccambiare l’interesse. Seb potrebbe essere una buona avventura, ma lui è scappato da New York pieno di problemi, segreti e necessità di riprendersi, quindi incasinarsi con un uomo non fa al caso suo.
Eppure il celibato scoccia a entrambi e un po’ di sesso a scadenza potrebbe essere meglio di niente… fino a che non fanno i conti con la persona giusta, quella che rimette in discussione ogni certezza e stile di vita.
Seb e Marcus hanno diciott’anni di differenza e vivono parecchio distanti, con due lavori molto impegnativi. Entrambi non cercano l’amore, e sono più che felici di collezionare singole notti di passione, ma questa ‘convivenza quasi forzata’ nel paesino di Capo Focena dà modo a entrambi di guarire convinzioni sbagliate, di rimettersi in sesto e fare bilanci, capendo cosa vogliono davvero.
Questa storia è stata una bella lettura, coinvolgente al punto giusto; ha saputo strapparmi qualche divertente sorriso (le magliette di Seb meritano un applauso a parte!) e sicuramente le parti sensuali sono molto articolate, ben descritte e coinvolgenti, decisamente fantasiose nell’uso di gadget per rendere più piccanti i loro incontri.
Ho amato anche gli amici e i parenti di entrambi, supportivi e protettivi nei loro confronti.
Il mistero di Marcus è l’elemento cardine nel racconto. Devo dire che, se si sta attenti, lungo la strada ci sono dei segnali per capire di cosa si tratti, ma ovviamente tocca a ogni lettore scoprirlo per conto proprio. Posso dire solo che è stato un argomento trattato in modo interessante e inaspettato, che mi ha dato modo di riflettere e imparare cose nuove.
Dato che vi �� continuità, pur avendo coppie diverse, consiglio di recuperare i precedenti volumi e poi dedicarvi alla lettura di questo libro soprattutto e se amate gli age gap e le ambientazioni marine.

[Helena Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Main Men series has so far given me three delightful stories. While they’re all interconnected and have some similarities, each story comes with a new and fully fleshed-out dilemma. In Finn’s Fantasy, the issue was coming out at a later age, and in Ben’s Boss K.C. Wells dealt with bullying. Seb’s Summer has another, equally hefty, topic at its core. I won’t tell you what it is though. Spoilers should always be avoided and in this case even more so.

This third book in K.C. Well’s Maine Men series is as captivating and sexy as the two prequels. If I take my queue from the official blurb, my summary of the story looks something like this:

Hot men ✅
Age-Gap Romance ✅
Hot and Sexy ✅
Memorable characters ✅
Realistic ✅

But I won’t leave my review there. It won’t surprise anybody when I say I’m a huge fan of K.C. Well’s books. While there hasn’t been a single story I didn’t like, I do have my favourites, of course. Seb’s Summer has found its place among those favourites.

There’s a lot to love in this book. Seb is a wonderful MC. At first glance, he may seem a little selfish and somewhat obsessed with hook-ups, but it soon becomes very clear that he has a heart of gold and tends to put others ahead of himself. All of which doesn’t mean that he’s happy about having to spend the summer he had huge plans for in a small fishing village working on his uncle’s boat. There go all his dreams of gay clubs and steamy nights…or so he thinks.

Enter Marcus. While Seb resents having to spend his summer in Cape Porpoise, for Marcus the tiny town is a refuge, allowing him to put distance between himself and issues he has been dealing with. Seb may be looking for fun and sex, Marcus very much isn’t. He just wants to be left alone so he can sort himself out. Except that Marcus can’t deny that Seb is both attractive and next to impossible to resist, no matter how hard he tries to keep his distance.

What starts out as a summer fling for both men, soon turns into something more…something neither of them expected…something that may not have a future considering where they both normally live…and something that turns out to be all too fragile once Marcus’s secret is revealed.

I’m not going to tell you what that secret is, or how it gets resolved. What I will say is that it is a tricky and sensitive issue, and that K.C. Wells deals with it in a responsible and empathetic manner without allowing it to take over the story, turn it into a heavy read, or get in the way of the romance.

Yep. Seb’s Summer is yet another winner for anybody who loves a well-plotted romance with a powerful back story, imaginative and hot scenes, and a lot of heart. How long until we can get our hands on book four?

[Marika Schiavone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione completa con informazioni ed estratti sul blog Le letture di Anya:

Torniamo nel Maine e dal gruppo di amici più variegato e divertente che ci sia! L’estate è finalmente arrivata e Seb può concedersi una più che meritata vacanza dall’insegnamento. Almeno finché non gli arriva una chiamata che sta per stravolgere ogni suo piano. Suo zio Gary si è rotto il bacino e lui è l’unico che può sostituirlo come pescatore di aragoste. Sconfitto per questo cambio repentino e costretto a lavorare tutta estate, Seb parte per Cape Focena.

Marcus Gilbert si trova a Cape Focena per un periodo sabbatico. Ha bisogno di pace, tranquillità e tempo per scrivere il suo libro e ritrovare se stesso. Certo, non si sarebbe aspettato di incontrare un magnifico uomo, più giovane di lui, sexy come il peccato che si rivela essere una tentazione troppo allettante. Entrambi hanno le loro vite e obiettivi diversi, che male potrebbe mai fare un po’ di divertimento occasionale? Ma che cosa accadrà quando i loro cuori entreranno a far parte dei giochi?

Aspettavo con ansia questa nuova uscita perché fin dal primo romanzo della serie Maine Men ho amato tutti i protagonisti. Le storie scritte da K.C. Wells sono semplicemente stupende, mai uguali o ripetitive. La Wells ha uno stile fluido e piacevole che coinvolge il lettore nelle avventure vissute dai protagonisti. Ho amato Seb fin dalle prime pagine e con Marcus penso che siano davvero perfetti l’uno per l’altro. Un rapporto che nasce in punta di piedi e che cresce e matura fra incertezze e sentimenti sconosciuti.

L’estate di Seb è un turbinio di emozioni, mi ha commossa ed emozionata tanto. Una storia d’amore dolce e romantica tra due uomini che si appartengono dal primo sguardo, con scene erotiche splendide e personaggi secondari divertenti e affettuosi. Insomma, L’estate di Seb è una combinazione unica ed esplosiva. L’autrice affronta anche un tema molto delicato, ovvero l’uso di droghe e sostanze stupefacenti, devo dire che è notevole lo studio intrapreso. Ne consiglio pertanto la lettura ad un pubblico consapevole.
Potrei parlare per ore e ore di quanto abbia amato questo romanzo, ma non vorrei dilungarmi oltre. Se siete alla ricerca di un Romance intenso, ricco di romanticismo e dolcezza, ma che affronta anche temi delicati, dovete assolutamente leggere L’estate di Seb. Anche se si tratta di un autoconclusivo, è molto più bello leggere la serie a partire dal primo volume per conoscere la storia nella sua interezza. Personalmente non vedo l’ora di poter leggere il prossimo romanzo, Il dilemma di Dylan, di cui abbiamo prologo e primo capitolo che ci stuzzica la curiosità! Assolutamente consigliato.

5 stelline meritatissime per me.

[Xanthe · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5* - read to the bottom of review for Trigger Warning
Seb's Summer is a story full of heat, unexpected connection and personal discovery. Seb has been roped into working his uncle's fishing boat for the summer after the older man broke his pelvis and it's not something he is happy about. However, meeting Marcus changes things, even if it is only friendship that the older man asks for. Marcus is staying at his parent's summer home to recoup, recover and decide what he wants for his future after a tumultuous couple of years back home in New York. Seb is everything he would have gone after but his own well-being is more important.
When the two decide to take their friendship to the next level, knowing they only have the summer, their simmering attraction ignites and all bets are off. They match perfectly, in the bedroom and out and I love how the two men connect. Seb is discovering what more he wants from life at the same time Marcus is but both are coming from very different places. I was surprised with Marcus' story, which the reader is drawn into as it remains an unknown for a while, and it's both emotional and educational. KC Wells has clearly put a good bit of research into that plot point.
There is clear chemistry from the start between the two men, drawn to each other, even with Seb's cheesy chat up lines in the supermarket. It turns out Marcus' meddling family come in very handy when it comes to getting the two men together with several matchmaking attempts made, especially by his sister. We don't get much interaction with the rest of the Maine Men but they have a fun reunion at the end, which is actually where book two finished up as well.
A great read from KC Wells, full of fun and sexy times but also has stronger emotions and a fairly big message for the characters and readers.
Trigger Warning - discussion of drug use.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While spending the summer taking over as a lobsterman for his uncle, Seb's summer isn't exactly the party he'd been expecting. Instead of spending his time off from teaching getting laid, he's starting work at 4am and in bed by 8pm.

That is, until he meets Marcus. Marcus has issues of his own that has taken him away from his high profile job and life in New York. He's here visiting for the summer, trying to figure out his future, and writing a book about his past.

Both men have issues with trust, with past pain, and a number of other issues, but the key between the two is understanding. They've both fallen into this relationship with their eyes open, hearts open, and minds open to the possibility of more. It's a really beautiful story of not allowing anything to get in the way.

[Anabela.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many reasons I'm immensely excited for every new installment of this series. One of them is the fact that K.C. Wells is taking me on a charming tour of Maine, each book being set in a different location and always so vividly described that I feel like being there myself.

This third book is taking place in Cape Porpoise, the small town that Marcus has purposely chosen to isolate himself and, at least at the beginning, where Seb was convinced he'd hate every minute of his stay. But, a few days after his arrival at Cape Porpoise, Seb met Marcus, and his summer suddenly became exciting and full of possibilities.

Instant attraction at its best yet put on the back burner initially, because Marcus felt all his hard fought inner equilibrium put at risk by Seb. Marcus had secrets that were eating him up inside and made him isolate himself from family and friends, and convinced him he should push Seb away. They chose to be friends over lovers at first, until, of course, they couldn't keep their hands off each other anymore.

I think this book could have been angstier, what with Marcus's secrets and Seb's saddening family situation...but it wasn't. The author interspersed the heavier parts with banter between the protagonists, hilarious relatives and entertaining moments with family and friends...and incredibly hot sex scenes.

I was curious to see what Marcus hid that he felt not even his family could  understand. The revelation (no spoilers from me) was a surprise and, in a way, not as ugly as I'd expected. It was heavy and troubling...and educational, thanks to K.C. Wells obvious research. Marcus's situation became a learning experience for me, which I really appreciated and added value to the book.

As a whole, Seb's Summer was a delightful, emotional read. Two men with disparate life experiences who found each other when and where they least expected it. They connected and slowly allowed the other in, they stumbled a bit, they worked through their doubts and eventually accepted they could have happiness and love.

My favorite thing, though, about the book and this series in general, is the great focus on different types of relationships. Good or bad, between relatives, friends or lovers, it's always an immersive experience, full of emotions and making me feel right at home with the characters. Each book with its new set of families and friends that I miss as soon as the story is finished, and the series' constant merry band of pals I could never get enough of. Three if them paired up and lots of Maine adventures to come. Can't wait!

[Zane Kage · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, and while there were many aspects of this third book in KC Wells' Maine Men series that worked for me, it is admittedly my least favorite of the three. I loved the connection between Seb and Marcus, and yeah, they were hot together. Yes, there was a lot of sex, but they are both very sexual people, and they were so much fun in bed (and everywhere else) - it fit them, and it wasn't cookie cutter. You could see there was more to them from the beginning. They didn't necessarily follow a "romance" template, and I did have issues with that (I'll let the individual reader be the judge rather than spoil) but their story felt real, true, and they took me with them on a path down that bumpy road to their HEA, and yeah, I was there for it. The dark moment was real, realistic, and not easily wrapped up, and I appreciated it.

However, there were things that transpired that gave me enough pause to take me out of the story, and I do feel it warranted a trigger warning. The revelation of Marcus's "big secret" was a bit of a surprise as far as the way the author handled it, and I appreciated the different view portrayed of an issue that is largely judged, though part of it felt like a bit of a PSA.

That being said, I appreciate how KC Wells always follows her muse and writes from her heart regardless of what convention calls for, and I will always take a chance with her books. Even though this one was a bit mixed for me, I'm glad I read it, and I'm definitely ready to see what comes next in this series.

***ARC for honest review***

[1000storie1000vite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo terzo volume della serie Maine Men mi ha sorpresa, appassionata e fatta pensare a lungo.
Seb e Marcus, i loro pensieri, i loro sentimenti, il loro vissuto sono raccontati con complicità e affetto. Mi sono affezionata profondamente ad entrambi e vedere come le loro quotidianità si sono fuse, mi ha entusiasmato. Scoprire il mistero di Marcus è stato atteso e sorprendente insieme: Le tracce c’erano tutte, ma la dinamica del suo “taciuto” è stata davvero inaspettata.
Ovviamente da me riceverete solo silenzio, non ho intenzione di preannunciarvi nulla, ma posso tranquillamente dire che l’autrice affronta il tema da un punto di vista originale, dandone una visione insolita, poco considerata, che pone l’accento su aspetti dell’argomento non banali ma spesso accantonati. C’è parecchio materiale su cui riflettere.
Detto questo, torniamo alla storia, bella intensa e coinvolgente, in cui fanno capolino personaggi che mi hanno incuriosita e attirata tantissimo, primo tra tutti Jake, a cui – proprio stamattina – ho scoperto essere dedicata una novella a parte…. Che felicità!
La Wells da il meglio di sé in questo romanzo. Narra tutto con fluidità e emozione e inserisce alcune scene dalla sensualità dirompente.
Per ora, sicuramente, il capitolo più bello della serie.
Hugs&kisses

[Imanewreader ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
rep -mlm
tw - drug use, drugs addiction, mention of drug overdose

aaaaaaaah, this was amazing. i loved this book so much. Men of Maine series just gets better and better each book surpassing the other in my heart. don't get me wrong, they are all amazing !

seb has to put on hold his party life to wear the oilskin jacket and lobsterman hat for the summer. good bye night clubs and sex until dawn, and hello early days on a boat with no sexy man on sight.. until marcus!
marcus turned his back to his nyc life. it got too chaotic. he wants to get better and a distraction (hi, seb) isn't welcome.

but maybe they are what each other needs. a perfect pair made in Maine. but for that, they have to learn about themselves, each others.. and accept some parts.

bro, that was good !!!!!
loved the discussions and the research made regarding drugs addiction on the stigma on users and addicts. it's very good.
their intimate moments were romantic.. and very hot. i might go back to some of them.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There has been several comments in relation to the lack of warnings about triggers re. Drug Addiction. Fair enough OK.

I liked this MM book about Seb 26 and Maurice 44 and their sojourn on Cape Porpoise, Maine. Maurice is there at his families holiday home recovering from stress related issues from his job as a copywriter in New York.

Seb’s uncle Gary, a fisherman on the Cape has been injured and needs Seb to take care of his business for a couple of months. Seb is a teacher and is off school during holidays.

Some other characters here appear in earlier books of this series all of whom are very important in the lives of the MC’s. There is a surprise disclosure about halfway through that is very impactful on the story.

I’d recommend this book for the storyline, characters and writing skills of the author and I shall read all of the books in this series, Maine Men.

[Jess A Jaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think this is my favourite of the Maine Men series. It's a bit more angsty than the previous two and deals with a tougher topic. I don't want to be spoilery but found how Marcus's backstory was dealt with really refreshing and actually made me think differently on the topic.
The dynamic between Marcus and Seb was very engaging and they were well matched. I really liked how they both brought out the real person in the other. We'd seen glimpses of Seb in the first two books but loved getting to know him properly in this book.
As always I'm looking forward to seeing more of the gang get there books but I'm also hoping Jake gets a story as well.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo, divertente, riflessivo e un bel Age-gap! 🤩
E anche la storia di Seb è letta, spero di non aspettare tanto per leggere anche la storia di Dylan. 😂
Sono tutti amici/fratelli dal collage 🤩
Seb è un professore e Marcus è un copyright.
Vacanze scolastiche passate su un peschereccio di aragoste, da un ragazzo abituato a divertirsi.
Un uomo che si nasconde per riprendersi da stress, divertimento e da una dipendenza di metanfetamine e altre sigle.
Una famiglia affettuosa, una sorella cupido 😅 un nipote, che sono rimasta curiosa di sapere di chi si fosse innamorato, se qualcun* l'ha capito me lo faccia sapere...😉😅
Cmq è consigliatissimo!! 💖💖💖💖💖

[Linda Reads Audiobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been my favorite of the series so far! I really loved Seb and Marcus. And Marcus's extended family were great as well. The description of lobstering in Maine was spot-on, from the schedule to the equipment to the sizing of lobsters, etc., etc. (I'm a Mainer). All of the Maine details were completely accurate. Very impressed with the effort K.C. Wells put into getting it right!

This book was just wonderful, start to finish. Two flawed but incredibly wonderful characters, a meet-cute, a meddling sister, hot steam, a great plot, a satisfying conclusion. A+++

Still the weirdly old-generation language out of the 20-somethings, but meh, whatever.

Audiobook: John Solo still isn't my favorite, but he's okay in this one. Both the MCs had appealing voices, and the other characters and narration were well done. I listened to the Audible boxed set. Some books in this series, including this one, are available on other platforms such as Everand.

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A summer fling becomes so much more.  Two very different men find fun times together after a bit of a slow burn.  They intend it to be for the summer but find that they have developed deeper feelings than expected.  Both of these guys have got undisclosed things with their lives and those secrets can cause challenges.  

Seb and Marcus are interesting characters and I was rooting for them. 

I did miss seeing the group of Seb's friends, and while they are referenced in this story they do not play a key role in this story.  

This is book three of the Maine Men series and is best when read in sequence but could be read as a stand-alone.  
I  was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review