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Lost and Found
one dog and two men in need of each other. love.
RV resort security chief Ringo never believed in love at first sight . . . until he saw Gavin playing his sax on the beach for the tourists. But their on-again, off-again affair—even counting all the great makeup sex—doesn’t come close to the relationship he wants. All he really wants for Christmas is a commitment from Gavin.
Instead he discovers that Gavin has had surgery without telling him, so he lays down a relationship ultimatum while Gavin recuperates. Complicating matters even more, Gavin’s beloved dog Bird runs away, and Gavin blames Ringo for the disappearance.
RV resort security chief Ringo never believed in love at first sight . . . until he saw Gavin playing his sax on the beach for the tourists. But their on-again, off-again affair—even counting all the great makeup sex—doesn’t come close to the relationship he wants. All he really wants for Christmas is a commitment from Gavin.
Instead he discovers that Gavin has had surgery without telling him, so he lays down a relationship ultimatum while Gavin recuperates. Complicating matters even more, Gavin’s beloved dog Bird runs away, and Gavin blames Ringo for the disappearance.
While Ringo throws every resource he has into finding Bird, he learns deeper truths about Gavin—how hard it is for him to trust and how little faith he has in love. Maybe if Ringo can find Bird, he can salvage Gavin’s faith. Maybe this Christmas, they can all find each other.
Publisher’s 20% of all proceeds from this title are donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York, whose mission “is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.” To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit www.aliforneycenter.org.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 5, 2014
Crap, this is a hard review to write. What do you do when you love the writing but hate the characters???
If you are a fan of asshole MCs then this book is for you. Gavin is abusive, IMHO. He verbally berates and treats loyal Ringo like crap, and I have no idea what Ringo saw in him. Ringo is such a doormat that it hurt me to see him deal with all of the crap that Gavin sent his way.
However...
DAMN that writing was good. I loved the way the author set up each scene and made me feel emotionally invested in the characters, for good or for bad. I liked that the MCs were Latino and loved the affection they had for Gavin's dog. The storytelling worked for me, even if I thought that Gavin was a dick.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
If you are a fan of asshole MCs then this book is for you. Gavin is abusive, IMHO. He verbally berates and treats loyal Ringo like crap, and I have no idea what Ringo saw in him. Ringo is such a doormat that it hurt me to see him deal with all of the crap that Gavin sent his way.
However...
DAMN that writing was good. I loved the way the author set up each scene and made me feel emotionally invested in the characters, for good or for bad. I liked that the MCs were Latino and loved the affection they had for Gavin's dog. The storytelling worked for me, even if I thought that Gavin was a dick.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
September 7, 2016
3.5 stars
Rigoberto (Ringo) Salazar manages security for a beachfront RV/trailer resort in soCal. Gavin Lopez lives at the resort in his beat-up home on wheels… but not too close to the ritzier mobile mansions that vacation there.
Ringo and Gavin have been on-again, off-again lovers for a while now. Presently, they’re at the off-again end of things but with some friends-with-bennies thrown in. It’s pretty clear that Ringo is stooopidly head over heals for Gavin, pines for him, and will do anything for him. Including taking his verbal abuse.
And Gavin has serious anger management issues.
“when Ringo got near the cracks in the shell Gavin had built around himself, Gavin chased him away like a junkyard dog… had a miserable fucking temper… could lash out… it hurt a lot to love a man like that.”
So, for the first half of the story I wasn’t feeling Gavin, he got on my last nerve with his continuous bad temper. His bum knee is no excuse either, apparently he was just as selfish, crotchety, mean-spirited and abusive before his operation.
It must be Gavin’s mad musician skillz that has Ringo wrapped around his finger. Gavin inhabits the troubled blues musician persona effortlessly. Otherwise, I just don’t get it. Oh, well, the sex is good too. But is that enough?
There are several catalysts mid-story that jar the guys out of their sex-is-great/communication-is-lousy
So, things start cooking about half-way in. Gavin is welcomed by Ringo’s loving and supportive family and we start to find out why Gavin has those trust and abandonment issues, why he has to test anyone who gets too close.
What I like about the story is that it’s about an ethnic couple, both men are Latino and regular guys. I also like the musical references, and the setting. The author nicely portrays the place, and the secondary characters have just enough color and interest. I really liked Ringo’s family, would have liked to spend more time with them. They accept him for who he is and love and support him. You can almost see the lightbulb go off in Gavin when he sees Ringo with his family.
The author intends a turn-around for Gavin, a love conquers all demons trope, but it’s a bit fast and facile coming at the end especially after some more serious bashing by him. Given that, there is a hopeful ending. After being lost for so long, it looks like Ringo may have gotten through to Gavin. The end is really the beginning, though, there’s a lot of work to be done between these two guys. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sweet Ringo.
It’s Christmas after all, and hope springs eternal.
(Note: Lost and Found is part of the 2013 Riptide holiday anthology, Home For the Holidays)
December 11, 2013
I loved loved loved My Cowboy Heart and so I set all my hopes on Lost and Found. The cover was intriguing as well and I was looking forward to this one.
Lost and Found was an entirely different league, though. I couldn’t connect with Gavin at all. He just annoyed the fuck out of me. He had serious anger management issues and I couldn’t figure out why he acted the way he did. He’s still an enigma to me.
Ringo was a loveable character, but his behavior was annoying like hell, too. He constantly apologized to Gavin… and his ‘New World Order’ didn’t change anything. He still pined for him and got nothing in return.
Anyway, I loved the music references, the setting, and Gavin’s crazy dog, Bird. I’m a sucker for cute dogs and Bird was clearly the story savior.:)
January 17, 2014
Dear Ms Maxfield, I am sorry but you have lost your writing "mojo". Your last 3 books have been, not bad, but just uninteresting. I cannot believe Lost and Found came from the author of A Long Way Home, Crossing Borders, and Family Unit.
In this book, the character of Gavin was not very clear nor were his motivations. He's been playing hot and cold with Ringo for years - why the sudden capitulation? It made no sense. Also, the reasons behind his anger issues were not developed well - frankly, he sounded like a self indulgent twit who just felt sorry for himself.
There was not much action, just a lot of Ringo's musings and a lot of repetitive bad behaviour from Gavin. This was essentially a very short story which had been unnecessarily stretched to novella length.
In this book, the character of Gavin was not very clear nor were his motivations. He's been playing hot and cold with Ringo for years - why the sudden capitulation? It made no sense. Also, the reasons behind his anger issues were not developed well - frankly, he sounded like a self indulgent twit who just felt sorry for himself.
There was not much action, just a lot of Ringo's musings and a lot of repetitive bad behaviour from Gavin. This was essentially a very short story which had been unnecessarily stretched to novella length.
February 9, 2014
It was good, though I'm really not sure why Ringo wanted to put up with Gavin. I didn't really get the underlying passion that would make them stick. But both characters show change and it was overall entertaining.
December 10, 2013
*3.75 stars*
I’m not good with emotional drama in real life. It’s draining, and I hate it. Not surprisingly, I’m heartless when it comes to on-again, off-again relationships. I don’t understand why people put themselves through all that drama and heartache. It’s not fun and it’s not something I would do. Because of that, I don’t understand the need to hang onto a dysfunctional relationship. That made for an interesting read when I decided to give Lost and Found a try.
Ringo is the head of security at an RV resort, and Gavin is a musician who lives full-time at the resort. Ringo is solid, loyal, and calm. I’m putting it mildly when I say that Gavin has some emotional issues. He is volatile, abrasive, and a mean drunk. I wasn’t a fan of Gavin for so many reasons. A lot of them were my own personal hang ups, but most of them were justified. At first, I had a very difficult time understanding why Ringo would love and want to be with a man like Gavin. Why would anyone repeatedly go back to a person who switches from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, especially when the cold straddles the line of being abusive?
The pivotal moment for me was when Ringo took a step back and decided he had to break the cycle. Don’t worry, this happened pretty early on and I’m not giving away any major spoilers here. Anyway, Ringo realizes they’re in a destructive pattern that cannot go on. He decides to change tactics when dealing with Gavin. He will no longer be the willing victim of Gavin’s rages, he will no longer pander to them, and he will demand the respect he deserves. That revelation was what did it for me. I still didn’t like Gavin, but I could support Ringo and his new plan.
I think the most surprising thing for me was that I liked this book even though I didn’t like one of the main characters. Gavin had some good qualities, but they weren’t enough to make up for all the bad ones, at least in my mind. The important thing to note here is that my opinion of Gavin didn’t matter, only Ringo’s opinion mattered. Ringo loved and wanted Gavin. I wanted Ringo to be happy, and therefore I was rooting for them to work out their differences. It was a strange position to find myself in, but an enjoyable one. Amazingly, by the end, I was thinking that they just might make this relationship work.
I’m not good with emotional drama in real life. It’s draining, and I hate it. Not surprisingly, I’m heartless when it comes to on-again, off-again relationships. I don’t understand why people put themselves through all that drama and heartache. It’s not fun and it’s not something I would do. Because of that, I don’t understand the need to hang onto a dysfunctional relationship. That made for an interesting read when I decided to give Lost and Found a try.
Ringo is the head of security at an RV resort, and Gavin is a musician who lives full-time at the resort. Ringo is solid, loyal, and calm. I’m putting it mildly when I say that Gavin has some emotional issues. He is volatile, abrasive, and a mean drunk. I wasn’t a fan of Gavin for so many reasons. A lot of them were my own personal hang ups, but most of them were justified. At first, I had a very difficult time understanding why Ringo would love and want to be with a man like Gavin. Why would anyone repeatedly go back to a person who switches from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, especially when the cold straddles the line of being abusive?
The pivotal moment for me was when Ringo took a step back and decided he had to break the cycle. Don’t worry, this happened pretty early on and I’m not giving away any major spoilers here. Anyway, Ringo realizes they’re in a destructive pattern that cannot go on. He decides to change tactics when dealing with Gavin. He will no longer be the willing victim of Gavin’s rages, he will no longer pander to them, and he will demand the respect he deserves. That revelation was what did it for me. I still didn’t like Gavin, but I could support Ringo and his new plan.
I think the most surprising thing for me was that I liked this book even though I didn’t like one of the main characters. Gavin had some good qualities, but they weren’t enough to make up for all the bad ones, at least in my mind. The important thing to note here is that my opinion of Gavin didn’t matter, only Ringo’s opinion mattered. Ringo loved and wanted Gavin. I wanted Ringo to be happy, and therefore I was rooting for them to work out their differences. It was a strange position to find myself in, but an enjoyable one. Amazingly, by the end, I was thinking that they just might make this relationship work.
August 22, 2015
I’m really not sure how I feel about this story. I didn’t care for either MC and, in fact, Gavin was pretty horrid throughout the book and even when I s started to like Ringo, Gavin slipped lower on my sh-list.
Ringo is head of security for an RV park and is in love with Gavin, a loner who doesn’t display affection either in public or in private. Gavin keeps to himself and the only bright spot in his life is his dog, Bird.
When Gavin has knee surgery and can’t get around, Ringo volunteers to take care of Bird but delegates the responsibility to park interns. That’s fine until one intern leaves Bird in the dog park while taking care of a trash fire and Bird disappears. Did he run away? Or was he stolen? It’s the week before Christmas and odds are he’s been swiped. The rare and beautiful Chesapeake retriever would make a great gift for a kid and bring in some good money for dognappers.
As Ringo calls in every favor he’s ever been owed and works tirelessly to bring Bird back to Gavin, he has a chance to be with Gavin and to learn more about why he’s such a loner. Gavin has trust issues and this issue with Bird is not making them any easier. He knows that Ringo loves him and he knows that he cares for Ringo, but he continually pushes him away. He’s one of those people who fears relationships and that’s not healthy for Ringo’s ego.
Will they ever get together? Will Bird ever be found? The story is interesting and gets better as it moves into the final chapters but I never quite bought in to the relationship between Ringo and the prickly lover he chose. That’s not to say the writing is bad or that the story isn’t good. It is and ZA Maxfield does a wonderful job in creating a character we can love to hate. So I would recommend this to those who aren’t looking for a smooth path to a happily ever after relationship. It’s gritty and tough and well worth reading to the end.
Ringo is head of security for an RV park and is in love with Gavin, a loner who doesn’t display affection either in public or in private. Gavin keeps to himself and the only bright spot in his life is his dog, Bird.
When Gavin has knee surgery and can’t get around, Ringo volunteers to take care of Bird but delegates the responsibility to park interns. That’s fine until one intern leaves Bird in the dog park while taking care of a trash fire and Bird disappears. Did he run away? Or was he stolen? It’s the week before Christmas and odds are he’s been swiped. The rare and beautiful Chesapeake retriever would make a great gift for a kid and bring in some good money for dognappers.
As Ringo calls in every favor he’s ever been owed and works tirelessly to bring Bird back to Gavin, he has a chance to be with Gavin and to learn more about why he’s such a loner. Gavin has trust issues and this issue with Bird is not making them any easier. He knows that Ringo loves him and he knows that he cares for Ringo, but he continually pushes him away. He’s one of those people who fears relationships and that’s not healthy for Ringo’s ego.
Will they ever get together? Will Bird ever be found? The story is interesting and gets better as it moves into the final chapters but I never quite bought in to the relationship between Ringo and the prickly lover he chose. That’s not to say the writing is bad or that the story isn’t good. It is and ZA Maxfield does a wonderful job in creating a character we can love to hate. So I would recommend this to those who aren’t looking for a smooth path to a happily ever after relationship. It’s gritty and tough and well worth reading to the end.
June 4, 2021
What can you do when the man you love has no comprehension of being cared for, or about, and pushes you away? When he resists all of your attempts to have a relationship and accuses you of smothering him? When he never asks for help? When he refuses to admit he enjoys being with you and wanting you around? When the instant he fears he might have opened a crack in his defenses, he lets loose with cruel and venomous statements designed to hurt and shred your heart? This is the struggle Ringo has with Gavin, and it takes Gavin's dog, Bird, to bring them back together.
Ringo misses Gavin. It's been a month since they officially parted ways, although sometimes alcohol will bring them back together for a night. No matter where Ringo is on the resort's property, Gavin's music will pull him in, and it almost seems as if what Gavin can't say with words, he does with his music. Ringo is a basic guy, not simple, who saw enough blood and death in his years in the Army and is happy now to head up security at a large RV resort on the coast. He's in love with Gavin, but Gavin is hiding behind walls ten feet high and four foot wide with iron rebar and, just in case, barbed wire strung along the top. Ringo would love for Gavin to admit, just once, that he wants Ringo around, that he likes having him around, and that he needs him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Ringo misses Gavin. It's been a month since they officially parted ways, although sometimes alcohol will bring them back together for a night. No matter where Ringo is on the resort's property, Gavin's music will pull him in, and it almost seems as if what Gavin can't say with words, he does with his music. Ringo is a basic guy, not simple, who saw enough blood and death in his years in the Army and is happy now to head up security at a large RV resort on the coast. He's in love with Gavin, but Gavin is hiding behind walls ten feet high and four foot wide with iron rebar and, just in case, barbed wire strung along the top. Ringo would love for Gavin to admit, just once, that he wants Ringo around, that he likes having him around, and that he needs him.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
December 3, 2013
Review posted to:
www.facebook.com/slitsread
3 I wanna learn how to play a Sax stars
This story was a light quick read for me. I probably read it within a few hours.
There were parts of the story that I enjoyed and parts that made me say Huh.
Ringo and Gavin, 2 men.
Both in love.
One broken
The other trying to fix it
Throughout the story we learn alot about Ringo~ it's all in his POV~ so we get his thoughts, his feelings, his moods
He's sweet, sweet on Gavin and trying to hold on to a broken ship that he is hoping will bring him back to shore
Gavin is an enigma, he still is to me. I wish I could have walked through his brain more. I wish that I knew his thoughts and perspectives on things
All I truly came to know was why he loved playing the Sax so much
And that he totally loved music.
I hope that ZA Maxfield will continue their story cause I NEED to know why Gavin was so broken
Also,
The sex was 5 stars, the 2 of them together, the heat, beautiful
Mare~Slitsread
www.facebook.com/slitsread
3 I wanna learn how to play a Sax stars
This story was a light quick read for me. I probably read it within a few hours.
There were parts of the story that I enjoyed and parts that made me say Huh.
Ringo and Gavin, 2 men.
Both in love.
One broken
The other trying to fix it
Throughout the story we learn alot about Ringo~ it's all in his POV~ so we get his thoughts, his feelings, his moods
He's sweet, sweet on Gavin and trying to hold on to a broken ship that he is hoping will bring him back to shore
Gavin is an enigma, he still is to me. I wish I could have walked through his brain more. I wish that I knew his thoughts and perspectives on things
All I truly came to know was why he loved playing the Sax so much
And that he totally loved music.
I hope that ZA Maxfield will continue their story cause I NEED to know why Gavin was so broken
Also,
The sex was 5 stars, the 2 of them together, the heat, beautiful
Mare~Slitsread
December 24, 2014
This was a really great story because Ringo's character really struck a chord with me. He's in love with Gavin, who we find out has significant trust issues and constantly pushes Ringo away any time he might start to get emotionally attached or upset. But as unhealthy as it is, Ringo keeps going back to Gavin because he wants to help him. However, Ringo also realizes that things are going to have to change between them, or Ringo is going to have to finally end things for good just to keep his sanity.
And that's what struck a chord with me, because I watched my best friend go through the exact same thing with his bipolar ex-wife. She constantly pushed him away and then would invite him back, and they finally ended things (on her terms) because of trust issues. His sanity didn't recover for years after that. Their highs were exceptionally high, which meant their lows were exceptionally low, and the problem was that the lows were becoming too often and were sticking around for too long. But seeing the cycle doesn't mean you know what to do about it.
Gavin's not described as bipolar, but rather as having trust and anger management issues, with a heaping side of act first, think later, but what Ringo goes through was definitely similar to what my best friend went through while loving an emotionally and physically draining person. Ringo found something new to try to get Gavin to respond to him, and then Gavin's beloved dog goes missing and throws a wrench into the works.
The story and characters are very moving, and Ringo gets his HEA (or at least HFN, which is more than I can say for my best friend). Gavin has a ways to go, but he's making the effort for them to work as a couple.
So, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
And that's what struck a chord with me, because I watched my best friend go through the exact same thing with his bipolar ex-wife. She constantly pushed him away and then would invite him back, and they finally ended things (on her terms) because of trust issues. His sanity didn't recover for years after that. Their highs were exceptionally high, which meant their lows were exceptionally low, and the problem was that the lows were becoming too often and were sticking around for too long. But seeing the cycle doesn't mean you know what to do about it.
Gavin's not described as bipolar, but rather as having trust and anger management issues, with a heaping side of act first, think later, but what Ringo goes through was definitely similar to what my best friend went through while loving an emotionally and physically draining person. Ringo found something new to try to get Gavin to respond to him, and then Gavin's beloved dog goes missing and throws a wrench into the works.
The story and characters are very moving, and Ringo gets his HEA (or at least HFN, which is more than I can say for my best friend). Gavin has a ways to go, but he's making the effort for them to work as a couple.
So, 4.5 stars, rounded up.
December 10, 2013
I sort if jumped between don't like to like then don't like back to like over and over again reading this.
Gavin was not a character that I like, he's selfish, temperamental (explosive even) distrustful and hurtful to his lover. As for Ringo; I didn't get how someone would bear all the abusive hurtful conducts his lover threw at him and kept wanting to get back together.
This was a sort of sad and depressing holiday story. The only uplift about it was the loving relationship the characters had with the friendly dog, Bird. Even this turned into such trouble.
I'm not all to give 4 stars for this, but can't really stick with 3.5 (emotional roller coaster story took all my focus). So a round up from 3.6 stars. There. *sniff*
Gavin was not a character that I like, he's selfish, temperamental (explosive even) distrustful and hurtful to his lover. As for Ringo; I didn't get how someone would bear all the abusive hurtful conducts his lover threw at him and kept wanting to get back together.
This was a sort of sad and depressing holiday story. The only uplift about it was the loving relationship the characters had with the friendly dog, Bird. Even this turned into such trouble.
I'm not all to give 4 stars for this, but can't really stick with 3.5 (emotional roller coaster story took all my focus). So a round up from 3.6 stars. There. *sniff*
December 2, 2013
Some loves aren't easy, some loves are uphill battle, some loves hurt. Sometimes you have to draw a line in the sand and hope for the best. Which is what Ringo does in this story. He is a rock on which Gavin has crashed again and again. But, rock doesn't have to take a beating - it can become an anchor. Gavin is a broken, yet beautiful soul. Trust doesn't come easy for him as he expects it to be broken. So, he lashes out. But, Ringo's love and one chocolate labrador might be enough for him to begin healing.
This was a lovely, somewhat bittersweet story and I am greedy enough to want for a sequel. I hope ZAM will give it to us.
This was a lovely, somewhat bittersweet story and I am greedy enough to want for a sequel. I hope ZAM will give it to us.
Read
December 5, 2017This book is hard to rate. It is a beautifully written story, with characters that are damaged, oh so damaged. I would say though that you don't really ever know them - at the end of the story, I still did not feel like I knew the heart of them and/or really understand their relationship.
November 17, 2021
I loved this book. It is so well written and such a great romance and great characters. I couldn't put it down once I started it. Patience and love brings these two guys together forever.
December 2, 2013
4.5 stars.
A brooding hero, an adorable canine and a close-knit, loving family are an irresistible combination in Lost and Found, Z.A. Maxfield's contribution to the Home for the Holidays anthology. This delightfully charming and heartwarming romance is sizzling hot but it is the emotional aspect of the storyline that I found most compelling.
Ringo and Gavin's year long relationship is stuck in a vicious cycle with them continually breaking up and passionately reuniting. Currently split up, Ringo seizes the opportunity to lend assistance to Gavin while Gavin is recovering from surgery. Their tentative romance is threatened when Gavin's beloved dog Bird disappears and Gavin angrily holds Ringo responsible for the Bird's disappearance.
Ringo is rock solid and crazy in love with Gavin. He fully realizes their relationship is dysfunctional but he can't quite give up on Gavin just yet. Their current reconciliation begins with the same pattern as always but Ringo soon tires of walking on eggshells around Gavin. He finally recognizes that he deserves more than Gavin has been giving him and although he understands the motives behind Gavin’s reactions, he knows he cannot stay with Gavin without some much needed changes. Ringo quietly changes his tactics with Gavin and their once volatile relationship becomes more even-keeled, but unfortunately, at the first sign of crisis, Gavin reverts to his old behavior.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Gavin, but thankfully, I kept an open mind and he quickly began to grow on me. Gavin is emotionally damaged and he is so afraid of being abandoned by Ringo, that he continually pushes him away. At first, Gavin is defensive, bristly and very reluctant to accept Ringo's help. But he quickly becomes amenable to Ringo's overtures but the real turning point in their relationship comes once Ringo makes it clear that he won't put up with Gavin's ill-temper.
What made Lost and Found such a unique story is the role that Gavin's music plays in his relationship with Ringo. It would be easy to assume their relationship is superficial since Gavin does not give up much information about himself or his past, and in turn, neither does Ringo. But the true depth to their relationship becomes clear through their non-verbal communication. Gavin reveals his inner turmoil and emotions through music and Ringo intuitively picks up on these cues.
Lost and Found is a captivating romance but it is the personal growth of the characters that made it such a stand out read for me. It is a journey of self discovery for both Gavin and Ringo and I love how realistically Z.A. Maxfield resolves the conflict between them. An absolutely wonderful addition to the Home for the Holidays collection that beautifully illustrates the meaning of "home".
A brooding hero, an adorable canine and a close-knit, loving family are an irresistible combination in Lost and Found, Z.A. Maxfield's contribution to the Home for the Holidays anthology. This delightfully charming and heartwarming romance is sizzling hot but it is the emotional aspect of the storyline that I found most compelling.
Ringo and Gavin's year long relationship is stuck in a vicious cycle with them continually breaking up and passionately reuniting. Currently split up, Ringo seizes the opportunity to lend assistance to Gavin while Gavin is recovering from surgery. Their tentative romance is threatened when Gavin's beloved dog Bird disappears and Gavin angrily holds Ringo responsible for the Bird's disappearance.
Ringo is rock solid and crazy in love with Gavin. He fully realizes their relationship is dysfunctional but he can't quite give up on Gavin just yet. Their current reconciliation begins with the same pattern as always but Ringo soon tires of walking on eggshells around Gavin. He finally recognizes that he deserves more than Gavin has been giving him and although he understands the motives behind Gavin’s reactions, he knows he cannot stay with Gavin without some much needed changes. Ringo quietly changes his tactics with Gavin and their once volatile relationship becomes more even-keeled, but unfortunately, at the first sign of crisis, Gavin reverts to his old behavior.
I wasn't sure if I was going to like Gavin, but thankfully, I kept an open mind and he quickly began to grow on me. Gavin is emotionally damaged and he is so afraid of being abandoned by Ringo, that he continually pushes him away. At first, Gavin is defensive, bristly and very reluctant to accept Ringo's help. But he quickly becomes amenable to Ringo's overtures but the real turning point in their relationship comes once Ringo makes it clear that he won't put up with Gavin's ill-temper.
What made Lost and Found such a unique story is the role that Gavin's music plays in his relationship with Ringo. It would be easy to assume their relationship is superficial since Gavin does not give up much information about himself or his past, and in turn, neither does Ringo. But the true depth to their relationship becomes clear through their non-verbal communication. Gavin reveals his inner turmoil and emotions through music and Ringo intuitively picks up on these cues.
Lost and Found is a captivating romance but it is the personal growth of the characters that made it such a stand out read for me. It is a journey of self discovery for both Gavin and Ringo and I love how realistically Z.A. Maxfield resolves the conflict between them. An absolutely wonderful addition to the Home for the Holidays collection that beautifully illustrates the meaning of "home".
July 26, 2016
Gavin
Ringo
2 stars
Read November 2015
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lost: one dog and two men in need of each other. Found: love.
RV resort security chief Ringo never believed in love at first sight . . . until he saw Gavin playing his sax on the beach for the tourists. But their on-again, off-again affair—even counting all the great makeup sex—doesn’t come close to the relationship he wants. All he really wants for Christmas is a commitment from Gavin.
Instead he discovers that Gavin has had surgery without telling him, so he lays down a relationship ultimatum while Gavin recuperates. Complicating matters even more, Gavin’s beloved dog Bird runs away, and Gavin blames Ringo for the disappearance.
While Ringo throws every resource he has into finding Bird, he learns deeper truths about Gavin—how hard it is for him to trust and how little faith he has in love. Maybe if Ringo can find Bird, he can salvage Gavin’s faith. Maybe this Christmas, they can all find each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ringo
2 stars
Read November 2015
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lost: one dog and two men in need of each other. Found: love.
RV resort security chief Ringo never believed in love at first sight . . . until he saw Gavin playing his sax on the beach for the tourists. But their on-again, off-again affair—even counting all the great makeup sex—doesn’t come close to the relationship he wants. All he really wants for Christmas is a commitment from Gavin.
Instead he discovers that Gavin has had surgery without telling him, so he lays down a relationship ultimatum while Gavin recuperates. Complicating matters even more, Gavin’s beloved dog Bird runs away, and Gavin blames Ringo for the disappearance.
While Ringo throws every resource he has into finding Bird, he learns deeper truths about Gavin—how hard it is for him to trust and how little faith he has in love. Maybe if Ringo can find Bird, he can salvage Gavin’s faith. Maybe this Christmas, they can all find each other.
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December 23, 2013
I admit, I always have problems if I don't like an MC. And I didn't like Gavin for a long time. I actually agreed with Ringo's sister. On the other hand, Ringo was written in a way that I also knew that he was totally and nothing can change it in love with Gavin. So I hoped for the best.
It's obvious that Gavin has issues and I hope he got over them. I'm not sure but I hope so. Maybe a bit more of "average couple time", not the hot sex, would have helped me to get a better feeling about them. I don't know, I liked it but mostly because of Ringe.
It's obvious that Gavin has issues and I hope he got over them. I'm not sure but I hope so. Maybe a bit more of "average couple time", not the hot sex, would have helped me to get a better feeling about them. I don't know, I liked it but mostly because of Ringe.
December 1, 2013
What a good story to kick off the holidays with. Gavin is pretty broken but Ringo loves him enough to try to get close enough to patch up some of the cracks. Add in a couple of interesting family members, a missing dog and a cop who goes the extra mile and you've got a story that will keep your attention.
Really liked these two and wouldn't mind reading more about them - and Bird ;)
Really liked these two and wouldn't mind reading more about them - and Bird ;)
December 24, 2013
I quite enjoyed this story.
I wasn't completely sold on Ringo and Gavin, especially since Gavin's always pushing Ringo away and Ringo's just taking the emotional abuse.
Nevertheless, I like that Ringo could see beyond Gavin's seemingly heartless actions and see the flawed, hurting man behind it.
Nice story.
I wasn't completely sold on Ringo and Gavin, especially since Gavin's always pushing Ringo away and Ringo's just taking the emotional abuse.
Nevertheless, I like that Ringo could see beyond Gavin's seemingly heartless actions and see the flawed, hurting man behind it.
Nice story.
June 22, 2016
I'm having some trouble reviewing this one. It is well-written but I didn't like the characters. If you like verbally abusive, violently angry MCs you would like the one. The other one finally gets a clue and changes how he is handling the other's behavior. I just had too many buttons pushed by the angry musician. I liked the ending though I know it probably won't last.
December 8, 2014
WHY was Gavin such a dick? Because something happened when he was 5? I don't believe it. I need more than that. I needed a plausible excuse, since he was a major asshat and never changed.
Then we get to the doormat Ringo. Ugh. He deserved so much better than Gavin.
Then we get to the doormat Ringo. Ugh. He deserved so much better than Gavin.
June 23, 2016
I didn't really care for this book. Gavin is a horrible person through out the book and Ringo just takes the abuse and coming back for more. If the book had been longer to flesh out the story a bit it could have been better.
December 4, 2017
2.5 Stars
December 3, 2013
This Christmas story left me feeling sad and upset. It's well-written but that only goes so far. The HEA of what is clearly a (verbally) abusive relationship felt forced. I usually do enjoy Z.A. Maxfield, but this one just didn't work for me.
July 30, 2016
A Christmas story that wasn't all hearts and roses, with an ending that was hopeful that with work, the guys could have their HEA.
I didn't particularly gel with either MC, for different reasons. With Ringo, I thought he should have put his foot down/issed ultimatums/expressed his thoughts more strongly/got the hell out of dodge much earlier - but then there is no story! For an ex army tough guy, I thought he was a bit of a walk over but I did want him to get what he wanted - a relationship with Gavin.
In the book Gavin is referred to as a 2 yr old and a teenager (I think) but regardless, both descriptions are right. His rattle was out of the pram so much, it broke! Even when we found out the reasons I still didnt feel much sympathy. Whilst he wasn't, I felt like he acted like a spoilt child.
The writing was clean, the story well structured and it flowed nicely, I enjoyed it but it didn't wow me.
I didn't particularly gel with either MC, for different reasons. With Ringo, I thought he should have put his foot down/issed ultimatums/expressed his thoughts more strongly/got the hell out of dodge much earlier - but then there is no story! For an ex army tough guy, I thought he was a bit of a walk over but I did want him to get what he wanted - a relationship with Gavin.
In the book Gavin is referred to as a 2 yr old and a teenager (I think) but regardless, both descriptions are right. His rattle was out of the pram so much, it broke! Even when we found out the reasons I still didnt feel much sympathy. Whilst he wasn't, I felt like he acted like a spoilt child.
The writing was clean, the story well structured and it flowed nicely, I enjoyed it but it didn't wow me.
December 8, 2013
For all my reviews and thoughts on writing, visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Flawed and compelling characters try to find their way to have a lasting relationship in a gritty and very realistic story of human frailties and the power of love. For my full review visit http://wp.me/p220KL-1OV
A Riptide Publishing Home for the Holiday series.
Special Note:
20% of all proceeds from this title are donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York, whose mission “is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.” To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visithttp://www.aliforneycenter.org/.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Flawed and compelling characters try to find their way to have a lasting relationship in a gritty and very realistic story of human frailties and the power of love. For my full review visit http://wp.me/p220KL-1OV
A Riptide Publishing Home for the Holiday series.
Special Note:
20% of all proceeds from this title are donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York, whose mission “is to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) youth from the harm of homelessness, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.” To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visithttp://www.aliforneycenter.org/.
January 2, 2014
I went back and forth between three and four stars for this book... I like ZAM'S writing, and I liked the basic story, but damn.... Gavin is horrible, and emotionally and verbally abuses Ringo. I know I'm supposed to get past his trust and anger issues, and see the good man inside, but I couldn't do it. Even at the end, I was still hoping Ringo would tell him to f*** off and walk away. Ringo did not deserve the abuse Gavin heaped on him, and Gavin did not deserve the patient, loving care Ringo lavished on him.
I liked the missing dog story line, I liked Ringo's family, I liked the fellow workers at the campground, but I couldn't get past Gavin.
I didn't hate it by any means, I can like a story and not like a character, which h is what happened here. I liked the story, the writing, and the author, just not Gavin.
I liked the missing dog story line, I liked Ringo's family, I liked the fellow workers at the campground, but I couldn't get past Gavin.
I didn't hate it by any means, I can like a story and not like a character, which h is what happened here. I liked the story, the writing, and the author, just not Gavin.
December 6, 2013
This review was originally written for Joyfully Jay Reviews.
Read Jay's review in it's entirety here.
I am a huge fan of Z.A. Maxfield and this story has a lot of the elements I like about her writing. First off, Gavin is a musician and Maxfield really weaves that so well into the story. From the music the men listen to, to the way Gavin makes music with his hands and whatever he has in front of him, to the way Ringo sees music in every one of Gavin’s movements, this theme is really well incorporated. It gave me an instant sense of the type of person Gavin is, and importance of music in his life and in Ringo’s.
Read Jay's review in it's entirety here.
I am a huge fan of Z.A. Maxfield and this story has a lot of the elements I like about her writing. First off, Gavin is a musician and Maxfield really weaves that so well into the story. From the music the men listen to, to the way Gavin makes music with his hands and whatever he has in front of him, to the way Ringo sees music in every one of Gavin’s movements, this theme is really well incorporated. It gave me an instant sense of the type of person Gavin is, and importance of music in his life and in Ringo’s.
February 11, 2014
I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I'm hooked on Ms. Maxfield's writing. This story revolves around the complicated relationship between Ringo, an Iraq veteran and Gavin, a musician who is a refugee from life. Ringo is security for a resort trailer park. Gavin has been living there for 3 years. Gavin is a mean spirited, angry man. Ringo the enabler, who loves him. Things come to a head when Bird, Gavin's dog get loose, Ringo becomes the epicenter of blame. Things begin to change when Ringo has an epiphany about their relationship.
I enjoyed this because it's didn't have a lovable character, but I grew to care about him just as Ringo did. I give it a harmonica full of stars.
I enjoyed this because it's didn't have a lovable character, but I grew to care about him just as Ringo did. I give it a harmonica full of stars.
November 15, 2014
a well deserved 5 star rating. In a mere 111 pages ZA Maxfield shows us her terrific writing skills and never ever did the story felt rushed or cut short. I found myself checking the page number cause, contentwise, it felt i was reading a 500+ book.
The reader is treated to a beautiful yet painful struggle for love, we get 2 characters with lots of baggage, trust issues, dissapointment, you name it, i loved it! A very realistic love story filled with lots & lots of emotions, the good and the bad, sometimes the ugly, sometimes heartbreakingly beautiful and the cherry on top is *that* scene in the loveshack. ZA Maxfield is one of my favorite authors and this is definitely one of her best. Brilliant writing!
The reader is treated to a beautiful yet painful struggle for love, we get 2 characters with lots of baggage, trust issues, dissapointment, you name it, i loved it! A very realistic love story filled with lots & lots of emotions, the good and the bad, sometimes the ugly, sometimes heartbreakingly beautiful and the cherry on top is *that* scene in the loveshack. ZA Maxfield is one of my favorite authors and this is definitely one of her best. Brilliant writing!
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