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Snowflake
LGBT ContemporaryCloseted eighteen-year-old Steve Chiverton’s fantasy boyfriend is Beau Mason, a quiet and reserved older man who lives on the edge of the village. A man who barely knows Steve exists. Amateur artist Beau’s fantasy is Rick Angell, international rock star and the fuel of many an erotic dream.Temptation is the hottest club in town, and Steve’s there looking for a boyfriend who can tear down his walls of secrecy. Beau’s there too, looking for indiscriminate sex to ease the pain of a broken relationship. When Beau suffers a minor asthma attack, Steve sees his chance to play rescuer and jumps at the chance to escort his fantasy home.The sex they enjoy is more intense than Steve’s virginal imagination could ever have supplied. Beau is everything he could want in a boyfriend and far more besides. The unexpected arrival of Beau’s ex-lover sends Steve’s dream-come-true crashing around his ears. How can he possibly compete for Beau affections with Rick Angell, world famous rock star, public heterosexual and bedroom user of Beau’s affections and body?Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 23, 2012
2.75
I really enjoyed parts of this story but it was so melancholy for me. I really enjoyed how Beau and Steve connected and how Beau topped from the bottom but Rick cast a long dark shadow that cast a pall over the story for me. He was a pretty horrible man and while I could see why Beau had a hard time letting him go but other times I wondered why he held on for so long.
The ending...
I really enjoyed parts of this story but it was so melancholy for me. I really enjoyed how Beau and Steve connected and how Beau topped from the bottom but Rick cast a long dark shadow that cast a pall over the story for me. He was a pretty horrible man and while I could see why Beau had a hard time letting him go but other times I wondered why he held on for so long.
The ending...
September 24, 2012
This was an interesting but not so pretty story to read. Definitely not a romance or love story...even though the potential was there at the end. Rick/Richie is a grade A arsehole (takes place in England so sue me) , Beau is a doormat, and Steve is the virginal knight in shining armour. Not a menage as i originally thought, and thank God for that since Rick/Richie was really awful and too stupid, too selfish, and too arrogant to live.
My favorite character was Bone, the dog.
My favorite character was Bone, the dog.
February 7, 2013
My second Ash Penn book and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it much more than my first.
This book hit all my plus buttons. Two guys that are not perfect, jumped to conclusions, an Ex I want to see squashed in the dirt, and a cute animal lol.
Overall a very satisfying story for those that enjoy a nice little part angsty part sweet read.
This book hit all my plus buttons. Two guys that are not perfect, jumped to conclusions, an Ex I want to see squashed in the dirt, and a cute animal lol.
Overall a very satisfying story for those that enjoy a nice little part angsty part sweet read.
January 23, 2013
I confess to being more than a little in awe of Ash Penns writing. I swear she could rewrite the phone book and it would get a 5 * review from me!Her stories are filled with flawed, troubled characters who in reality would have you rolling your eyes and have you, mentally if not physically, wanting to slap some sense into them but somehow she manages to take them - warts and all - and bury them deep into your heart! There is always the question " should I really be liking or disliking this character " about some of her her protags but let's be honest ,you can love somebody to bits and still be annoyed like hell by them. That's real life and that's the knack Ash Penn has of making you grow to love and accept her multi layered men!This book revolves around three men who true to form are all complex, conflicted characters. Beau Mason is on the cusp of turning 30 and has been in a relationship with Rock star Rick Angell for nearly 10 years. Rick is selfish, shallow, possessive and thoughtless but Beau has loved him so long he's let Rick treat him like a dirty secret ( when he's not with Beau he dates nameless women, bimbos and starlets ) and has settled into their life together allowing himself to be a kept man, another possession that Rick owns and uses when it suits him. At the point we are introduced to him in the book, he is starting to grow weary of the situation, he is almost on the verge of addiction to sleeping pills and feels alone even though they are supposedly ' together '. Rick throws a revelation at him one night that changes the whole perspective of their relationship so he throws him out.Steve Chiverton is 18 and a closeted gay virgin, son of the local news agent and totally enamoured of Beau from afar. He is hung up on his looks as he is tall, dark and ' hulkingly ' large in stature complete opposite to Beau who is small, slim and unusual with his white hair, eyelashes, brows and piercing pale eyes - in a way they are both outcasts because of appearance. He spends most of his time helping his dad in the shop so has no time for his own social life and unfortunately whenever Beau comes into the shop is too shy to talk so he appears menacing and homophobic like his father who calls Beau snowflake because of his hair and pale complexion and because he suspects he's gay. One night Steve finally takes a chance and goes to the towns gay club where he sees Beau who in his depressed state after Ricks betrayal, has gone to try and celebrate his 30th birthday. He has an asthma attack, Steve rescues him, takes him home and what follows is a night that will change all three of their lives forever!The epilogue is genius and again added that touch of reality, it couldn't have ended any better.Yet again I felt like I was watching it all unfold from the sidelines not just reading a book. Clever writing. There is always a realism in her stories especially in her love scenes. Sex in her books is sometimes awkward and raw but at the same time its sexy and romantic. British writing at its very best. Automatic purchase every time for me!
December 22, 2012
You have to take into account when reading Snowflake that this really isn’t a developed romance/love story. Actually I see this more as a breakup story. Because this is where the focus lies in Snowflake. After years of being used, Beau finally scrapes up some love for himself and manages to breakaway from his closeted and hidden lover, famous Rick Angell. Their relationship was so destructive for Beau that this is a big step he takes. And almost too late for his sanity. The way the book begins with the scene between them is actually kind of sick and twisted and you can see that whatever Rick feels for Beau, it certainly isn’t love. What Beau has become is also pretty scary. But you can also blame him a little for sticking with the situation; of course, because he loved him, but maybe at times because it was just comfortable.
Steve, the other MC here( although I kind of see him as a side character) comes in just in time to give Beau a little strength in pushing Rick away. But, to believe they fall in love right away is far fetched. From his perspective even, it’s hard to believe what he feels is love. He’s taken with Beau because he’s older, experienced, beautiful,special, mysterious.
I guess I see Steve as being Beau’s rebound. Likewise, for Steve, Beau is just his first experienced partner, someone who gives him a kick out of the closed. So for me…this is a HFN with a whole lot in front of them. And maybe, just maybe they could make it work! Maybe :)
An enjoyable read for me at least :)
Steve, the other MC here( although I kind of see him as a side character) comes in just in time to give Beau a little strength in pushing Rick away. But, to believe they fall in love right away is far fetched. From his perspective even, it’s hard to believe what he feels is love. He’s taken with Beau because he’s older, experienced, beautiful,special, mysterious.
I guess I see Steve as being Beau’s rebound. Likewise, for Steve, Beau is just his first experienced partner, someone who gives him a kick out of the closed. So for me…this is a HFN with a whole lot in front of them. And maybe, just maybe they could make it work! Maybe :)
An enjoyable read for me at least :)
December 31, 2013
2.5 stars rounded down to 2.0
Steve Chiverton is a closeted eighteen-year-old who works in his parents' newspaper shop and fantasizes about Beau Mason. Beau is thirty-years-old, quiet, and reserved; he is an amateur artist who lives on the edge of the town. Unbeknownst to Steve and everyone else in town, Beau is the secret lover of international rock star and infamous womanizer, Rick Angell. When Rick tells Beau he's engaged to be married to a woman who is pregnant with his child, it's the last straw. Beau wanders into Temptation, a gay club, to look for indiscriminate sex to ease the pain of his broken heart. Steve is there as well, looking to find someone he can be himself with. Beau suffers a minor asthma attack and Steve comes to his rescue. When a ride home leads to something more, Steve is basking in the afterglow of the shared intimacy and entertaining thoughts of a romantic relationship with Beau when none other than Rick-the-effing-rock-star comes calling. Snowflake is a twisted story of Beau finally breaking away from Rick and working towards a new beginning with Steve.
This book was okay. I totally agree with Tutu's review in that this is really more of a break-up story than a romance. Although Steve and Beau get their HFN/HEA, their "love affair" was so overshadowed by "Rick and Steve" that it was lackluster at best. I appreciated the attempt in the end to focus on Steve and Beau's relationship but it was too little too late and seemed forced and contrived. I LOATHED Rick but I blamed Beau too. He enabled Rick to be the way he was and, in the end, dragged Steve (unwitting and innocent) into their (that's right Beau's and Rick's) sick web. I hated Rick but was not much keener about Beau, truth be told. I liked Steve but mostly felt bad for him. He's young and clueless. He so deserved better than he got. Maybe Beau will be a good partner for him, I just didn't think he deserved Steve.
Bottom line: a twisted tale about the ending of a really warped relationship and the innocent young 'un who made it happen.
Re-Read on 12/19/13: Second time around, this one was still ... warped. :(
Steve Chiverton is a closeted eighteen-year-old who works in his parents' newspaper shop and fantasizes about Beau Mason. Beau is thirty-years-old, quiet, and reserved; he is an amateur artist who lives on the edge of the town. Unbeknownst to Steve and everyone else in town, Beau is the secret lover of international rock star and infamous womanizer, Rick Angell. When Rick tells Beau he's engaged to be married to a woman who is pregnant with his child, it's the last straw. Beau wanders into Temptation, a gay club, to look for indiscriminate sex to ease the pain of his broken heart. Steve is there as well, looking to find someone he can be himself with. Beau suffers a minor asthma attack and Steve comes to his rescue. When a ride home leads to something more, Steve is basking in the afterglow of the shared intimacy and entertaining thoughts of a romantic relationship with Beau when none other than Rick-the-effing-rock-star comes calling. Snowflake is a twisted story of Beau finally breaking away from Rick and working towards a new beginning with Steve.
This book was okay. I totally agree with Tutu's review in that this is really more of a break-up story than a romance. Although Steve and Beau get their HFN/HEA, their "love affair" was so overshadowed by "Rick and Steve" that it was lackluster at best. I appreciated the attempt in the end to focus on Steve and Beau's relationship but it was too little too late and seemed forced and contrived. I LOATHED Rick but I blamed Beau too. He enabled Rick to be the way he was and, in the end, dragged Steve (unwitting and innocent) into their (that's right Beau's and Rick's) sick web. I hated Rick but was not much keener about Beau, truth be told. I liked Steve but mostly felt bad for him. He's young and clueless. He so deserved better than he got. Maybe Beau will be a good partner for him, I just didn't think he deserved Steve.
Bottom line: a twisted tale about the ending of a really warped relationship and the innocent young 'un who made it happen.
Re-Read on 12/19/13: Second time around, this one was still ... warped. :(
September 26, 2012
I had a really hard time with the characters in this story. Steve is the youngest, at 18, yet he is the most mature and well-rounded individual in the bunch. Beau is the biggest doormat I've ever come across. He's 30 years old, yet has nothing to show for himself. Everything he has was given to him or bought by Richie. He is the classic kept man. Which leads us to Richie. He is rich, spoiled, has had his cake and been eating it for so long, he wouldn't know how not to live that way. I truly don't know how he could have been any bigger of a jerk, though I'm sure it must be possible. In his defense, the people in his life cough*Beau*cough have allowed and accepted his behavior for a long time.
So, while there wasn't anything really wrong with the actual story, and the writing was good, I just couldn't connect with anyone in it, except maybe the feisty dog, Bone.
So, while there wasn't anything really wrong with the actual story, and the writing was good, I just couldn't connect with anyone in it, except maybe the feisty dog, Bone.
February 4, 2013
Great writing style and beautifully flawed characters. What more could anyone ask for?
Well, actually, how about a cameo appearance from the most wonderful needy twink ever written, Dan from Stray Oh yeah, it's got that too :)
Well, actually, how about a cameo appearance from the most wonderful needy twink ever written, Dan from Stray Oh yeah, it's got that too :)
January 1, 2013
I wasn't really thrilled with the way this appeared to be going within the first quarter of it or so. But I ended up really liking it. Such a sucker for the gentle giant.
October 12, 2013
3.5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I first read this book last year and somehow it got rooted in my mind. Back then I was not is a good state of mind and somehow what I got out of this book was distorted. When I finished reading it and started writing the review I felt that I wasn’t doing this book any justice, or even being objective, but I was rather projecting my own feelings, thus I stopped and simply left it alone.
Now a year later I picked it up again, even suggesting it as a book read for our weekly chat. One entire year passed by and this book has been haunting me, even my dreams. Why? I simply hate it when I don’t give something/someone their due.
So here it is:
This is the lovestory of Beau and Steve who live in a tiny village in South England. Beau is one of my favorite characters appearance-wise. He’s an albino, white hair, white eyelashes, and pale translucent skin. He’s gorgeous the way this author describes him, he’s beautiful the way Steve sees him, and he’s an angel the way his lover feels for him. You would think Beau is a self-assured confident man…
Steve is a young man who has never fell in love or in lust with anyone male or female. Or perhaps we should say he has an infatuation verging to obsession with Beau. Unfortunately Beau thinks of his as a homophobic and he quite literally thinks Steve wants to harm him.
Rick is a famous rock star who has for year been Beau’s lover when nobody’s looking, or should we say Beau has been his dirty secret stashed away in remote villages when off the spotlight.
This book is quite the emotional ménage with Beau trying to leave his lover who can never be more than that, Steve wanting to have a relationship with a man who is ten years his elder and afraid of him, and Rick trying to keep his kept man despite the fact that everything has been over for a long time.
This is a mix of a melancholy read, with some delicious romantic scenes, some frustrating one’s (I admit I would have kicked Richie’s butt a bit more) and a whole lot of love in a very easy to read novel. I felt sad for Beau at the beginning so much so that I didn’t want to keep reading it. He gave me the impression of being a self-destructive character, I almost thought he wouldn’t be able to stand tall and escape that dead end relationship. Steve on the other end was a character that surprised me, although I think most of his “good” points came from the fact that he was too overwhelmed to react hence waited it out and in the meantime gave it the chance for every intel he got to sink and make a decision. If he was a bit more hot-headed I don’t think there would be a happy ending there. But I loved him, and his sweetness. He was indeed a character that deserved all the snuggling and cuddling. As for Richie, oh dear, they say when you write a story you need to make the villain as good as or better than the protagonist. Well, mission accomplished; Richie was indeed the character that made you despise him, want to kick him, want to strangle him, yet deep down want to shake him and make him see light. He was not so bad as he was spoiled, and in the end I didn’t know if I should say good riddance or feel sorry for him.
So the romantic story here I liked it, even though there was that instant love thingy that has me reeling. I just can’t go around that thing. But all in all I liked how it all went down, I liked the end and as for the erotic part I have one word: HOT! Steve and Beau felt right to me and they had it, they had all the sensuality and eroticism I needed to make this read right!
As for Bone, thank God that dog wasn’t a Chihuahua. She is the start of this book for sure!
Recommended for everyone who loves a good romance. Enjoy!
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I first read this book last year and somehow it got rooted in my mind. Back then I was not is a good state of mind and somehow what I got out of this book was distorted. When I finished reading it and started writing the review I felt that I wasn’t doing this book any justice, or even being objective, but I was rather projecting my own feelings, thus I stopped and simply left it alone.
Now a year later I picked it up again, even suggesting it as a book read for our weekly chat. One entire year passed by and this book has been haunting me, even my dreams. Why? I simply hate it when I don’t give something/someone their due.
So here it is:
This is the lovestory of Beau and Steve who live in a tiny village in South England. Beau is one of my favorite characters appearance-wise. He’s an albino, white hair, white eyelashes, and pale translucent skin. He’s gorgeous the way this author describes him, he’s beautiful the way Steve sees him, and he’s an angel the way his lover feels for him. You would think Beau is a self-assured confident man…
Steve is a young man who has never fell in love or in lust with anyone male or female. Or perhaps we should say he has an infatuation verging to obsession with Beau. Unfortunately Beau thinks of his as a homophobic and he quite literally thinks Steve wants to harm him.
Rick is a famous rock star who has for year been Beau’s lover when nobody’s looking, or should we say Beau has been his dirty secret stashed away in remote villages when off the spotlight.
This book is quite the emotional ménage with Beau trying to leave his lover who can never be more than that, Steve wanting to have a relationship with a man who is ten years his elder and afraid of him, and Rick trying to keep his kept man despite the fact that everything has been over for a long time.
This is a mix of a melancholy read, with some delicious romantic scenes, some frustrating one’s (I admit I would have kicked Richie’s butt a bit more) and a whole lot of love in a very easy to read novel. I felt sad for Beau at the beginning so much so that I didn’t want to keep reading it. He gave me the impression of being a self-destructive character, I almost thought he wouldn’t be able to stand tall and escape that dead end relationship. Steve on the other end was a character that surprised me, although I think most of his “good” points came from the fact that he was too overwhelmed to react hence waited it out and in the meantime gave it the chance for every intel he got to sink and make a decision. If he was a bit more hot-headed I don’t think there would be a happy ending there. But I loved him, and his sweetness. He was indeed a character that deserved all the snuggling and cuddling. As for Richie, oh dear, they say when you write a story you need to make the villain as good as or better than the protagonist. Well, mission accomplished; Richie was indeed the character that made you despise him, want to kick him, want to strangle him, yet deep down want to shake him and make him see light. He was not so bad as he was spoiled, and in the end I didn’t know if I should say good riddance or feel sorry for him.
So the romantic story here I liked it, even though there was that instant love thingy that has me reeling. I just can’t go around that thing. But all in all I liked how it all went down, I liked the end and as for the erotic part I have one word: HOT! Steve and Beau felt right to me and they had it, they had all the sensuality and eroticism I needed to make this read right!
As for Bone, thank God that dog wasn’t a Chihuahua. She is the start of this book for sure!
Recommended for everyone who loves a good romance. Enjoy!
Thommie
October 12, 2013
Wow!! I absolutely loved this story.
a quick rundown.. Beau has been involved with Rock star Rick Angell for ten years or more. Beau loves Rick but Rick has an image to uphold and thinks he can keep Beau forever as long as he takes care of hi, Beau is tired of hiding his life and wants a real relationship one he knows he can't have with Rick. Rick drops a bomb on Beau after asking what he wants for his upcoming birthday.
Steve is the shopkeepers son where Beau buys his magazines and cigarettes. Steve has a secret crush for the handsome olderman his dad calls a snowflake.
sounds good huh? Its even better than it sounds. It is written wiht a cute sense of humor, lots of emotion and has a sweet ferocious dog. Oh and a window sex scene that you just HAVE to read!!
I recommend this if you like, kept men, rock stars, dogs, older man/youngermen, and voyeurism.
a quick rundown.. Beau has been involved with Rock star Rick Angell for ten years or more. Beau loves Rick but Rick has an image to uphold and thinks he can keep Beau forever as long as he takes care of hi, Beau is tired of hiding his life and wants a real relationship one he knows he can't have with Rick. Rick drops a bomb on Beau after asking what he wants for his upcoming birthday.
Steve is the shopkeepers son where Beau buys his magazines and cigarettes. Steve has a secret crush for the handsome olderman his dad calls a snowflake.
sounds good huh? Its even better than it sounds. It is written wiht a cute sense of humor, lots of emotion and has a sweet ferocious dog. Oh and a window sex scene that you just HAVE to read!!
I recommend this if you like, kept men, rock stars, dogs, older man/youngermen, and voyeurism.
October 18, 2012
I liked Beau and Steve as a couple, but to be sincere this story is to undeveloped and unfinished. Sure Beau found love and family with Steve, but somehow it's only a written information. As a reader there is no real emotions of love or devotion. Sure there is devotion and love from Steve's side. Anyway, I did enjoy the story, but I'm sure it could be much better.
November 27, 2012
Could have been really good if the plotline and story was enlarged and made slightly more complex. It was really a pleasant idea on which to hang several sex scenes. As with many M/M erotica or romances you sometimes feel certain scenes were written for a hetero couple and then a 2nd penis was added.
September 11, 2012
Bit over the top and brief. Like the style tho. Feels very British.
September 13, 2012
3.25 stars
October 3, 2013
It was okay. The end felt a bit abrupt and I couldn't figure out what rooms they could possibly be renting out. In the house? Elsewhere? I didn't get a clear picture of things at that point.
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