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Destination:Love

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As of this year I'm a qualified history teacher. Moving to a small town across the country was the best choice to "uncomplicate" my life after getting mixed up with a shady company.

School life is better than I ever imagined but my growing feelings for my gorgeous landlord are about to complicate it again. Especially when Grayson's past disappointments and view on sex workers come into play.
And just when I think I’ve left my own past behind, it comes knocking.

Love conquers all, or does it?

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read

About the author

Rian Durant

8 books68 followers
Rian Durant is a writer roaming the MM fiction sphere but doesn’t like being confined by (sub)genres and categories. The only rule she believes in when it comes to life, love, and writing is to do everything with passion or not at all.

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca Louise.
Author 6 books38 followers
August 24, 2023


I felt like I was liquifying into a puddle in front of him.
“Aww, damn. That assertive act looks good on —“
He stopped my lips with a devouring kiss, and I responded eagerly pressing to him. Little by little the kids turned mellow, and he eased away from me.
🖤

As soon as I read the blurb I knew I wanted to read it. The story has a lot of things that I look for in a book - A main character with a secret past, moves to a small town and falls in love with the grumpy landlord.
A lot happened in the book and it did take me a few days to get through it all. Because there was always something happening, it never got boring.
I really liked William, I didn’t love Grayson but he managed to redeem himself towards the end (brief slut-shaming)
I have to admit that my favourite character was actually Jax, and I seriously hope he ends up getting his own book.

I wish we had been told a bit more of Williams background, so more details about his time being an escort and then how he managed to take himself out of the situation.
Profile Image for Trish Skywalker.
1,108 reviews64 followers
September 5, 2023
A sweet romance with a touch of angst and a lot of spice!
This is the story of Will, who leaves his old life in Florida to become a history teacher in the small town of Ashdon, Washington. Will put himself through college by working as an escort, something he definitely doesn’t want his new neighbors to know. Things didn’t end well for him in Florida and he’s looking to leave that life behind.
As soon as he meets his new landlord, Grayson, he’s instantly attracted. The strong, handsome carpenter pushes all of Will’s buttons, but Grayson is aloof and quiet. Grayson eventually lets Will in, but only to a point. Will learns that Grayson has had heartbreak in the past, and isn’t out in this small town. He’s as attracted to Will as he is scared of him.
Both men have been shaped by their pasts, and when Grayson expresses his feelings on escorts, Will thinks his past will ruin them. These two have a lot to get through if they want their HEA.
-Small town
-Spicy
-Insta-Lust
-He falls fast and hard
-Past escort
902 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2023
I enjoyed this quite a bit up to the reveal about Will’s past. Will’s full of enthusiasm and hope, and I love how he inspires and wants the best for his students, how he hates the cold but tries to walk everywhere anyway, and how he throws himself into small-town life. I enjoyed him and Grayson exploring their attraction, but I would have enjoyed them spending more time together or alternating POVs with Grayson so we get to know him more.

It was clear early on that Will’s past was going to be a problem for Grayson. I’m usually annoyed with an MC for keeping a secret like that, but I was actually more on Will’s side for this one, especially when he did reveal the truth instead of waiting for it to come out on its own in the worst possible way. I found Grayson’s reaction really troubling, and I never quite got over it. He was extremely rude, judgmental, and cruel not just in the moment but on multiple other occasions before his tepid apology. That amount of vitriol directed not just at Will but at the whole profession was strong enough that I felt it should be way more alarming for Will than it apparently was.

It helped when they managed to have one actual solid conversation about it, but I would have preferred more discussion and engagement, and a more profound apology from Grayson. (It felt a bit too much like “I’ll apologise because I just can’t live without you/keep my hands off you” rather than *actually* questioning his previous beliefs.) I think we’re supposed to excuse his behaviour some because he’s supposedly so morally upright—but if that’s the case, I found his response to the kidnapping drug dealer a bit underwhelming.

Jax was a pleasant surprise when I thought he would simply be the stereotypical jerk best friend. I liked Nate, the kids in the school, and the Principal really came through. But I couldn’t quite get over the feeling that Will and Grayson still don’t know one another that well. I would have loved to see more dates and details to help them build a more solid foundation.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,896 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2023
4,25 stars. Will is newly graduated and can start as a history teacher. He moves to a god-forgotten place and lives in a cabin in the woods.
Nothing like Florida where he came from. He has a past that he will keep for himself. Two years working as an escort is not something you can freely talk about, even though it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
This life got too suffocating so he decided to leave.

His landlord Grayson is a fine specimen, a bit grumpy, but hot.
After their struggling start Will’s sunny, funny, and optimistic attitude helps them in the right direction. Gray can’t deny his attraction anymore.

Lax, Gray’s best friend and a local cop, is protective of Gray due to his past heartbreak. He isn’t initially friendly to Will, which makes Will even more reluctant to share his previous job as a sex worker.
As their relationship deepens, Will struggles to find the right time to reveal his past profession to Gray. He couldn’t foresee what happened after he did.

In addition to their relationship with some natural struggles, the story also explores school-related matters, daily life with family and friends, Gray’s busy work schedule, a potential threat with consequences, and last but not least the effect of Will’s former work.
There are some developments I wasn’t fully happy with. Let’s just say, I was team William and he was way too sweet and forgiving.
This story was widely written, against a specific background, all nicely developed, maybe a bit too slow-paced, and with some unclear open ends, where I wondered if this is a series without telling it’s a series. I found myself glued to the pages, it was quite captivating. The author crafted some nice characters with remarkable characteristics, some I loved and some I really disliked.
In sum a good-written, intriguing, and enjoyable story!


Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
Profile Image for Babara-Anne.
1,758 reviews18 followers
September 2, 2023
STEAMY AND DREAMY!

A sweet love story with lots of steam and a bit of angst with a great storyline and characters which I read in one day by this new to me author!

A new beginning leads newly qualified history teacher William Hastings to a little town called Ashdon where he meets his new landlord Grayson Hardwood and this is where their love story begins…

I loved their flirty anecdotes with double meanings especially Grayson whether he knew it or not!
William was always flirting no matter what…

They were like two magnets attracting each other in a small homophobic religious town but their happiness could be deterred by Williams past occupation that collides with Greysons judgemental attitude towards escorts….

Williams past does catch up with him in Ashdon but with the help of his love, found family and friends he can overcome any obstacle!

I loved Greysons best friend Jax as a supporting side character and I hope he gets his own story.

The author did leave hints for what to expect if there are more books especially with Jax and ….

I voluntarily received an ARC copy from GRR for an honest non biased review.
Profile Image for i ma read it.
177 reviews
November 11, 2023
A friend of mine called this book a comfort read and I have to agree with her. There are some serious topics in this book, but how the story developed gave everything it's perfect time and place. And the very beginning even gave me some Wanderlust making me connect with the MC from the get go.

William and Grayson are that one couple that everyone knows belongs together. They even know it, but that would be too easy, when it's so painfully exciting to love to hate one another. These two had me frustrated at their stubbornness and failure to communicate. Not like it's any different in real life. With all the baggage they carried, healing they needed and stubbornness they were born with, who better to help open their eyes than the people closest to them. The side characters where so enjoyable that I really hope for a book 2 or maybe even 3, depending if two certain individuals find their way to one another or continue on their separate ways.

As sweet and comforting as this was to read, it was also a bit gut wrenching the more we learn about William. I really did not expect that ending, but at the same time was waiting for it.

This had a little bit of everything: slowish burn, grumpy/sunshine, jealousy, mistrusting bestfriend, past trauma, small town charm and a dark past coming to haunt.

Please check for a few content warnings.
Profile Image for Ashley -Goldstarreads.
1,090 reviews25 followers
August 6, 2023
William has picked up his life and fled from Florida to Oregon to become a history teacher. It’s his first teaching job but he’s running from his past too, he was an escort and he needed to get away and start fresh. He is cute and sweet and has a zest for life and history, a passion for teaching. Grayson is his landlord and is broody to Will’s sunshine. Grayson is a carpenter as well. He comes across aloof and mysterious. A big chunk of the mystery to Grayson is this story is only told from Will’s POV, so we don’t know what is up with Grayson. These two keep bumping into one another and a relationship develops. There are a lot of things I enjoyed about the story, sunshine/broody is a favorite trope of mine. Mystery and intrigue when it comes to Will’s past (won’t say much on that because I don’t want to give away spoilers). I enjoyed the side characters, some of the students and teachers, Nate and Jax, Dora. The story and plot had a lot of promise. Now, my dislikes, and this is absolutely my own opinion, it felt a little too insta love for me. I don’t mind insta lust and falling into bed together too fast, but love? If they fall fast and hard I want to see why, here I didn’t get why. They didn’t have that many interactions before the L-bomb was dropped, and they didn’t text or call a bunch. So, I was a bit confused as to where they fell in love? But once I got beyond that, and they had more time together, I didn’t mind. My biggest dislike was their “quarrel”, like Will, I knew that Grayson would take it hard and there would be tension but the way Gray behaved? What he said? It broke my heart for Will. And that is one of the things that made me go from a 3 for this book to a 4, because the author evoked strong emotions in me due to that fight, I just felt like it was resolved too easily. Grayson should have groveled for forgiveness. Again, that’s my opinion and sometimes in love, we forgive way too easily. There is more drama and angst beyond the fight and relationship drama that I absolutely loved, it led to some suspense. If you like insta love, grumpy/sunshine and some relationship angst this book is for you.
Profile Image for Zoë Miranda.
636 reviews10 followers
September 6, 2023
DNF 04Sep23
Page 130 of 227 (58%)

While the synopsis of this book sounded incredibly promising, there are just too many aspects that don't align with my reading preferences.

The syntax of this book was difficult for me because it didn't flow naturally, I was forever being jarred out of the story by odd word choices and phrases. Almost like a manuscript was translated into English using Google translate. There was almost no chemistry between the MCs, I knew they were physically attracted to each other because I was told they were, not shown, and certainly not anything deeper than surface level. They were together, on page, very seldomly and with a single first-person POV that makes understanding the other MC difficult, a problem which is compounded with a gruff, uncommunicative character since you can't connect with them. You can't hear their thoughts, feelings, motivations through thought or conversation.



The only way the author could redeem this story for me now is for Grayson to die a lonely death of old age after a life spent clinging to his moral superiority and for Will to find happiness with literally any other human on the planet and never think of Gray again. Since I know that's not about to happen, I'm just going to go ahead and save myself by dipping now and imagining things ending the way I'd like them to.

I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,163 reviews521 followers
September 11, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.

2 stars


I honestly had big issues with the language and plot of this story. First, the entire book has a distinctly British English quality for a story taking place in Oregon. William was also so verbose as a narrator, I was tempted to skim. He certainly didn’t read like a 25-year-old native Floridian. He’s both urbane and clueless, by turns, and I tired of his monologuing rather quickly.

Second, in terms of plot, the romance felt like an instalove, which didn’t seem to jibe with William’s history as an escort–one who’d barely survived an obsessed client. Speaking of, the subplot of the former client was too vague at the beginning, took way too long to develop, and then amounted to very little conflict in the end. Meanwhile, the rapid resolution of Grayson’s long standing prejudice against sex workers seemed disingenuous, as this major conflict didn’t cause much struggle.

Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
3,083 reviews21 followers
September 3, 2023
We are the compilation of the choices and circumstances that got us where we find ourselves. William did what he needed to to get to the point where he is now. He has relocated from Florida to a small town in Oregon and he has left his interim job as escort behind and is happily teaching. He is excited about his current profession and has found that he has a mutual zing with his landlord Grayson. But Grayson has views about the profession that he was in, and I am not talking about teaching, that could doom their relationship. Grayson's view of the work that William did is pretty set and they have that to overcome in addition to something from William's past that crops up and complicates their situation. I was so glad that they were able to work their way through the obstacles that were in their way. Love is not always uncomplicated.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jaberona B.L..
Author 12 books38 followers
September 24, 2023
I wanted to lay my soul bare in front of him and let him choose whether to trample it down or pick it up and hold it tight.

This was a well-written, sweet (and spicy) love story. I especially enjoyed Will's sense of humor and his nice personality. The romance between Grayson and Will developed quite naturally.

I liked it when an interesting villain entered the plot, adding tension and suspense - a messed-up, complex character that made me curious (author, any spin-offs planned about him?...I'd read that!)
Overall, it was a nice, cozy read - well worth checking out!
796 reviews7 followers
September 3, 2023
A good read with enough depth and complexity to keep you engaged I absolutely love Will and all he had done to start life anew after doing things he had no choice to do to pay for school and follow his passion. I will admit it took me a bit of warming up to Grayson. His attitude, rudeness and judgmental nature made it hard to like him. He showed little empathy to understand Will’s situation but even so you knew his heart was gonna overrule his heart. I learn to like him but never loved him. I love Will was honest about his past knowing Greyson’s feelings—-a sign of him being more adult and mature than Grayson. Still a good book that I liked. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.
Profile Image for Jem Wendel.
Author 22 books49 followers
September 3, 2023
This was a sweet tale of William and his landlord Grayson.

William is trying to make a new life as a teacher after an incident in his past. Grayson just can't help falling for him.
We only get William's POV which is a shame as I would have loved to know Grayson a bit better. It did switch to Grayson in the epilogue but by then I couldn't quite assimilate his voice and it felt weird.
I employed the trope of a secret in the past of the MC which could trigger or upset the other MC and instead bringing it up early, it causes a 3rd act break up. Grayson doesn't come out of this too well which is why I would have loved more of his POV. I did love that they got their HEA though.
Jax is my favourite character and I would love to hear more from him - please.
Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,589 reviews48 followers
September 5, 2023
Lots of boxes wonderfully checked for me in this one. First and second, William moving to a small town to start over and leave his past behind. What especially interested me was the complication of Grayson's feelings about sex work and William's past. I am always interested in a story where one character has exactly the baggage that the person they begins to have feelings for has a prejudice against. A good author like this one has that lead to a great revelation scene and hopefully some rethinking and major growth on the part of the prejudiced character.
Profile Image for Malia Winger.
710 reviews47 followers
October 8, 2023
This is a new to me author and I am a big fan! William is a sweet and smart new teacher. He has worked hard to graduate school and is looking forward to leaving his past as an escort behind him. As he settles in he finds himself drawn to his landlord, Greyson. There is a bit of the grumpy/sunshiny one trope and it is well done. I will admit that for about a third of the book I wanted to shake Greyson until his teeth rattled but the story was very engaging and i am hoping some of the supporting characters get their chance to take center stage.
2,377 reviews16 followers
September 1, 2023
This is the second book I’ve read by this author, again i enjoyed the story it was a sweet instalove with some angst, I would have preferred to have dual pov and a bit more on the background of the characters, the characters were good and there was some good side characters whose stories I’d like to read, looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Saskia Veldhuis .
1,994 reviews15 followers
September 1, 2023
Will was a nice character and an exciting teacher. I enjoyed how he interacted with the children and other townspeople. I just really had difficulties with Grayson's extreme reaction to his previous job - and apparently that without much of an apology and one conversation he can apparently be forgiven for all that nastiness. It would be really interesting to read more about Jax.
3,021 reviews46 followers
September 3, 2023
Destination: Love is a sweet romance with a touch of angst and a side of spice.
A new beginning brings newly qualified history teacher William Hastings to a little town called Ashdon. He meets his new landlord Grayson Hardwood and there is certainly interest and sparks between them.
When the past comes back to bite them things get more difficult.
I enjoyed seeing them get their HEA.
Profile Image for Maureen.
3,794 reviews39 followers
September 5, 2023
Will arrives at a town on the edge of nature to his first teaching position, the surrounding trees, the friendly teachers, the happy children and the calm pleasant little town are all wonderful, but it's one man makes it perfect. But something not so wonderful in Will's past rears its ugly head, and then things decided un-wonderful.
Profile Image for ....
2,123 reviews16 followers
dnf
February 3, 2026
DNF @8% ... this one sounded really cute, but I have to wonder if English is not this new-to-me author's first language. The writing is so awkward and the word choices are so... weird. It's really taking me out of the story, and after two chapters, I just don't have the patience to keep slogging through it 🤷‍♀️
16.8k reviews163 followers
September 3, 2023
He is a cute history teacher who has been an escort and he has moved to make his life simpler. He may just find himself falling for his landlord who has views of escorts. His past may come to spoil his new future. What is going on? What will happen? See just how it will all go
Profile Image for Dee.
778 reviews22 followers
September 3, 2023
This is a sweet read. It's what I consider substantial fluff. Something fluffy enough to be a palate cleanser or comfort read but with enough substance to be intriguing. You should definitely give this book a read.
1,611 reviews12 followers
September 1, 2023
William's past almost stopped his wonderful new relationship with Grayson in it's tracks. Grayson has very strong ideas but they aren't really about his own life but his brother's. Level heads and real love prevail thank goodness. Well written with great characters. I loved it! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Profile Image for Amanda Reeves.
3,744 reviews38 followers
September 1, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. William and Grayson have to work through a lot together but they do. Great story and wonderful characters.
Profile Image for Anny.
121 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2023
Didn’t expect to like this book so much but I did and read it in one sitting ☺️ William is kind hearted and a real sunshine and they made a nice couple with his grumpy landlord Grayson. For some readers their admission in love might come too early but they had enough troubles (not revealing anything here but it was quite heart wrenching at times) until the end of the story to truly get to know each other and make their relationship work. Enjoyable side characters too and even looking forward to their personal stories (Nate’s).
Profile Image for Booksandflames.
28 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2024
Destination: Love
von @rian_durant

Blurb:
William, a cute history teacher with a past connected to the escort business, moves to a small town across the country to "uncomplicate" his life after mixing up with a shady company.
School life is better than he ever imagined but his growing feelings for his gorgeous landlord are about to complicate it again when Grayson's past disappointments and view on sex workers come into play.
Love conquers all, or does it?
___________________________________
This story is a heartwarming story of love.

It take place in a cozy town with a grumpy carpenter, a nice cafe owner, a call of duty sheriff and many loveable schoolchildren.

It is a book you can read on the couch with a hot cup of tea and enjoy the autumn vibes.

Only Gray's reaktion about Will's past make me angry with him. I'd like to get an explanation for his behaviour.Unfortunately it is completely missing. I would have liked to see his side of things.

And I really, really like to know what's going on with Jax and Nate. Perhaps I get a glimpse of it in the next book by Rian Durant.
__________________________________
Diese Geschichte ist Herz erwärmend.
Sie spielt in einer gemütlichen Kleinstadt mit einem mürrischen Tischler, einem netten Cafébesitzer, einem diensthabenden Sheriff, der seine Arbeit manchmal etwas zu genau nimmt und vielen liebenswerten Schulkindern.

Es ist ein Buch, das man auf dem Sofa bei einer heißen Tasse Tee lesen und die Herbststimmung genießen kann.

Nur Grays Reaktion auf Wills Vergangenheit macht mich wütend. Ich hätte gerne eine Erklärung für sein Verhalten. Leider fehlt die komplett. Ich hätte gerne seine Sicht der Dinge gesehen.

Und ich möchte wirklich sehr gerne wissen, was mit Jax und Nate los ist. Vielleicht bekomme ich im nächsten Buch von Rian Durant einen Blick darauf.
98 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2023
7.5/10 ⭐

~^~

William moves to Ashdon to escape his past and start fresh as a history teacher. Immediately, he finds himself attracted to Grayson, his landlord and local carpenter. The two keep bumping into each other in the small town and soon develop feelings for one another. However, Will's past in the escort business causes the relationship to break down.
Good mix of sweet and spicy, taking points off for not enough groveling by Grayson once the two get back together. Hoping the side characters get their own romances!

Angst: 💔💔
Story: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶🌶

I received a free copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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