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Blue Skies #1
Blue Skies
Blue Skies is an age gap, one bed, hurt/comfort, story with acespec representation.
As a sex-positive asexual man with HIV, Greg's been told it's just too complicated to be in a relationship with him. His latest boyfriend turns out to yet another in a long line of guys who say they understand asexuality only to put pressure on him to perform. Six months later, still despondent over this latest betrayal, Greg doesn't have any expectations when he joins his friends at their favorite West Hollywood club. Meeting a sexy silver fox was definitely not on the agenda, nor was wanting to get to know the man better, but unfortunately, Holden's leaving the next morning for the East Coast. As a flight attendant, Greg's schedule has him out of town the following week. Regretfully, they trade phone numbers and part ways.
Holden has been in the closet his entire life. First with his conservative parents, then in the Navy, and now as an employee of a military contractor. It's safer pretending to be straight. The only time Holden steps out of the closet is when he's on a business trip. Quickies and hook-ups have been the name of the game for him for nearly thirty years. Now nearly fifty, Holden's getting tired of it, but only has a few more years before he can live his life on his own terms. Then he goes to Neon and meets Greg. Even after Greg refuses to go back to Holden's hotel room and they part ways, he can't stop thinking about Greg and wishing he'd been able to say yes to dinner the following night. But then Greg doesn't call or text him, so Holden figures the invite was just a way to let the old guy down easy.
A week later, Holden's got a meeting in Denver, and who should show up as part of the flight crew? It's Greg, who takes one look at Holden and...if looks could kill, Holden would be a smoldering pile of ash. Undaunted, Holden tries to talk to Greg during the flight only to be shut down and told to return to his seat. But fate has a different idea.
As a sex-positive asexual man with HIV, Greg's been told it's just too complicated to be in a relationship with him. His latest boyfriend turns out to yet another in a long line of guys who say they understand asexuality only to put pressure on him to perform. Six months later, still despondent over this latest betrayal, Greg doesn't have any expectations when he joins his friends at their favorite West Hollywood club. Meeting a sexy silver fox was definitely not on the agenda, nor was wanting to get to know the man better, but unfortunately, Holden's leaving the next morning for the East Coast. As a flight attendant, Greg's schedule has him out of town the following week. Regretfully, they trade phone numbers and part ways.
Holden has been in the closet his entire life. First with his conservative parents, then in the Navy, and now as an employee of a military contractor. It's safer pretending to be straight. The only time Holden steps out of the closet is when he's on a business trip. Quickies and hook-ups have been the name of the game for him for nearly thirty years. Now nearly fifty, Holden's getting tired of it, but only has a few more years before he can live his life on his own terms. Then he goes to Neon and meets Greg. Even after Greg refuses to go back to Holden's hotel room and they part ways, he can't stop thinking about Greg and wishing he'd been able to say yes to dinner the following night. But then Greg doesn't call or text him, so Holden figures the invite was just a way to let the old guy down easy.
A week later, Holden's got a meeting in Denver, and who should show up as part of the flight crew? It's Greg, who takes one look at Holden and...if looks could kill, Holden would be a smoldering pile of ash. Undaunted, Holden tries to talk to Greg during the flight only to be shut down and told to return to his seat. But fate has a different idea.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2023
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December 21, 2023
“I’m learning a different vocabulary with you. That happens, or should happen, with everyone you’re intimate with, and it kills me that you don’t know it because you haven’t been with people who wanted to take the time to find out what you enjoy and want. That they seem to have taken your sexuality as carte blanche to be selfish. It sounds like your pleasure was just a means to their end. And that’s not okay to me. I like you, Greg, I really like you, and I want to keep getting to know you. And if that means our physical relationship consists of kisses and caresses…” Holden shrugged. “All the words I have make it seem like it’s a big deal to me or should be. It’s not a matter of it only being kisses or me not minding or saying I can live with that because that makes it sound like I’m settling for something that’s not as meaningful or that there’s some prescribed way two people are supposed to be with each other.” He shook his head. “None of that is what I meant when I said I like you. I like all of you. And there isn’t a damn thing you’ve told me in the past forty-eight-some-odd hours that has diminished how much I want to keep getting to know you and see where we end up.”
🖤 asexual mc
🩶 hiv+ flight attendant x closeted ex navy federal contractor
💜 age gap (33/48)
🤍 hurt/comfort
this felt like a love letter to my 23-year-old hopeless romantic asexual self. my heart is so full and about to blow up from joy. it hurts in the best way. i don’t think there are enough words to capture the fullness this book brought; how valued it made me feel. i’ve always commented how i wish there was an asexual romance where there’s no actual sex involved, mostly because even if the characters are sex positive, it doesn’t feel that different. marie sinclair really came through with this one. this is, hands down, the best romance i’ve read thus far with an asexual character.
i’m gonna start off by saying this straightforwardly and with no care on anyone’s feelings: there is no anal sex in this. none. zero. the reason for the lack of penetrative sex is literally because greg is asexual. just because he’s sex positive does not mean he needs sex. do not, for the life of me, read this if you’re gonna complain that there is a lack of sex. no, there isn’t a lack of sex, but there is a lack of understanding on your part if you feel otherwise. if you read this, and you’re going to end up complaining there’s a lack of sex, or that you wanted greg to have penetrative sex, or that you don’t want to read this because there is no penetrative sex, all i’ll say is that you don’t accept asexuality.
No matter if he liked a guy, liked being with him, liked fooling around with him, his level of arousal never came close to what his friends talked about or what he saw in movies or read in books. He tried to fake it, tried to mimic what he’d seen other people do, hoping that something would change.
—
It had been a moment of revelation, a relief to finally understand something about himself that far eclipsed the moment he’d realized he was gay. There was nothing wrong with him; he just didn’t feel sexual attraction.
when i first heard about this, i was weary. for me, personally, i was hoping i’d finally get a romance with an asexual character who doesn’t have penetrative sex. characters finding their sexual attraction never made a huge difference to allosexual romances. as i started this, as i kept turning every page related to the romance, i kept filling my head with negative assumptions: he’s going to get turned on; they’re going to have sex, he’s going to give in; the lack of sex will determine their relationship; they won’t be able to get off without the addition of sex. et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
how fucking wrong was i.
even though i’m also a sex positive asexual, and even though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with these asexual characters having sex (because some do!!), reading about asexual characters who still had sex got repetitive. there’s nothing wrong with this, but i guess i wanted an ace character whose goal wasn’t an orgasm, or who didn’t focus so much on getting off. i wanted one where sex wasn’t the main goal, or where sex didn’t take over the relationship. blue skies doesn’t focus on the steam, it focuses on the intimacy growing between both main characters that does not need to tie into sexual feelings.
greg and holden meet on extensively good terms. a typical night out at a club, they easily connect, and because of their different schedules, there isn’t a lot of time for them to continue moving forward and get to know each other. after a misunderstanding causes a little bit of conflict when they see each other again (unexpectedly) in the same flight, there’s a quick friendship formed that’s instant. holder’s attraction is made perfectly clear through both point of views—his own attraction described by him, and greg’s conscious view of how holden looks at him. despite this, while holden is very much hypersexual, greg’s attraction is nowhere to be seen at first, and instead it’s shown on an aesthetic level. greg identifies as asexual, and even if some may argue he can be demisexual because he needs a connection with the person to become sexually attracted, i especially appreciated this fluidity of the identity. coming from someone who probably falls under demisexual more but identifies with asexual, this felt encouraging, showing different ways asexuality works for everyone else. just because he likes sex, and because he likes being touched, doesn’t make him less of who he is. even if there came a point where greg did have sex with holden, it was more about pleasuring holden than greg getting off. it isn’t till the halfway mark when greg notices his aesthetic attraction slowly venture into romantic attraction, allowing the reader the point of view of appreciating holden first, and then finding an interest in him as a person and potential partner.
blue skies is completely character and relationship driven. both characters are in different parts of their lives but clearly want more. greg is a flight attendant, he’s asexual, and he’s hiv positive. after his horrible encounters with previous boyfriends, he has lost hope of ever finding someone who will accept and respect him as he is. meanwhile, holden is an ex navy currently working under the disguise of someone he’s not. hook ups at clubs are what do it for him because of the privacy he gets; he’s so deep in the closet, afraid of losing his job for the lack of protection it offers if he came out.
greg’s hiv positivity is a part of him but doesn’t o make up his character. it’s an important element of his character but doesn’t overshadow his personality. it’s simply something he has without making it the biggest threat. there are minor knowledgeable references for what it’s like having hiv, but nothing extensive that requires deep concentration on the topic. as for holden, he’s nearing fifty-years-old and, unfortunately, hiding his true self. sadly, i couldn’t bring myself to feel the most sympathy for holden. his insistence in believing hiding in the closest was better than potentially losing his job was a little too selfish for my liking. as if hiding for two decades in the army weren’t enough, holden doesn’t step up much for what he believes in. even though we’re saved from a few remarks that we’re made aware of by being told, there are enough instances to make holden a shaky character. i wish we could have seen some sort of moment where he steps up against brody, his homophobic, misogynistic co-worker, or where holden realized his job isn’t worth it when it doesn’t allow him to be himself. i mean, the civil rights act of 1964, title vii? hello?? and in the year 2023?? and you’re almost 50!? when holden asked himself if losing his job was worth it to live happily with greg, i wanted to smack him.
still, i loved holden. loved his patient attitude, his kind personality, and his respectful self. consensual, confident, and reassuring, his comforting words towards greg were always the most endearing. holden was ve egg open-minded, always learning to read the signs, asking permission, making sure what he was doing was okay, respecting space and boundaries,, willing to learn more about greg. he was fascinated, learning more about himself as well, and realizing there is more than just sex. asexuality was new territory for him.
their relationship isn’t slow burn per se, but it does take its time. it isn’t slow burn because they form a deep connection within a couple days, but it is slow burn because of how the author writes it. while some may find the connection to have formed a little too quick, i applaud the author for how she wrote it. greg’s attraction towards holden isn’t fast and takes time, showing a steady timeline of his feelings. i think what really showed what i think a lot of other romances with an ace-spec character have failed to do is this: greg doesn’t find holden hot from the start. there are moments in his subconscious where he knows he should find something sexually appealing or arousing, but he doesn’t feel anything close to it. he appreciates the man and considers him sexy just like anyone else also might (silver foxes are sexy), but there’s no desire of any kind in him. there’s nothing but aesthetic appreciation, finding holden good looking, without making an objective point of view. there are also moments where he looks at holden and knows he should be feeling a certain way but doesn’t, even if he still is attracted to him. this is what i mean by the slow burn. greg’s attraction isn’t in any way fast. he comes to meet holden as a person and THAT makes his attraction develop. most romances just aren’t like this, and it makes sense given the fact that the characters aren’t asexual or need some deep connection to find them attractive. most of the time the characters find each other sexually appealing, whether they’re friends, enemies, or strangers. there’s some sort of admiration that isn’t just appreciation, where it’s the opposite here.
a big misconception people have of asexuals is that they don’t like sex, they’re loveless, they’re innocent. that isn’t the case at all. some are sex repulsed and some aren’t; some are sex repulsed but might have sex with their partner to please them. sexuality doesn’t define us or control us. regardless, while i have loved the influx of asexual romances, i can’t deny the want i had for an asexual character that, well, didn’t let sex become a big part of the relationship. it’s not to say greg doesn’t like sex, because he makes it clear he does, but his goal isn’t always to get off, and sometimes his intercourse is more about pleasuring holden than anything else. there’s no set goal on getting off, and holden never holds it against him either. i thought the author did an amazing job of portraying greg’s asexuality here and showing the fluidity of it. him being sex positive doesn’t make him less than who he is, but it also doesn’t make him more prone to sexual attraction. honestly, sometimes his thoughts hit a little too close to home. how he wanted to pleasure his partner more than himself; how he doesn’t care much about getting off; how he would engage in sex (consensually) even if he wasn’t feeling it. it all comes down to the person and how they feel and what they want. all in all, i loved the details of the sexuality given here. i loved how the author showed a side of asexuality that is common even if it doesn’t apply to everyone all while still acknowledging that other asexual people are different but still who they are.
even within the small time period of knowing each other, we get a lot of intimacy between the two characters that show their growing fondness. holden’s used to anonymous hook ups that he isn’t used to intimacy between a partner, and greg is used to men making him feel guilty for who he is that he isn’t used to someone accepting him. there’s a deep sensual connection made between the two men. due to them being older and mature, there are no mishaps. holden, especially, literally has no time for them. his reassurance towards greg is always uplifting, encouraging greg and reminding him holden will never ask for more.
“Look,” he said, trying again. “I don’t have a lot of experience with dating. I’m forty-eight, and I’ve never had a serious relationship, let alone a long-distance one, so I don’t know how these things work. What I do know is I don’t want to go from meeting someone I think is amazing, someone I’d like to know better and have just spent the most incredible days of my life with, to never seeing them again.”
this book was so damn refreshing. the relationship between holden and greg is so beautiful. i didn’t give a fuck that it happened within a few days, less than a week, when it felt so accurate. the portrayal was so steady, marking so many points of the men’s feelings growing. i loved and appreciated how the author showed the differences between the different physical reactions of greg, especially, and how they didn’t all equate the same thing. his physical reaction of experiencing desire didn’t equate to attraction, meaning he wasn’t interested in having sex with holden but was still growing desire to be sexually intimate with him in other ways (oral sex and handjobs). reading both perspectives on this was incredibly refreshing. it was so validating, so necessary.
But it was pleasure and intimacy without arousal. Greg’s body remained relaxed, and his cock remained soft. And once again, it was pleasure without the driving build toward orgasm.
-
It was strange to feel the softness, stranger still that there was no thickening, no movement from his cock coming to life. Again, Holden was struck with the inadequacy of his language because it wasn’t “strange”; it was merely something he’d never encountered before and was learning to appreciate. Everything he’d experienced with Greg, either in bed or out, only made him want more: more time to get to know each other, more of Greg’s intoxicating kisses, more of getting to be himself.
that was, quite possibility, one of the best scenes i read in this. this is what was missing in the rest of romances i’ve read with asexual characters. greg is sex positive, yet his attraction towards holden doesn’t suddenly make him experience what he was missing with the rest. i think the quote also really shows the fluidity of asexuality; how greg was getting a blow job, yet his pleasure didn’t show on his cock but instead on the way he felt, his emotions and feelings, his sighs and movement of relaxation.
there is still plenty of physical affection. i mentioned in my review for A Lifetime Kissing You by riley hart how i absolutely love it when characters kiss, and how we, as the reader, see that. greg’s clear on his love for kissing, and holden ends up discovering the pleasure of it. it’s emotional, tender, and gentle; it’s inviting, showing a side to the relationship that displays a different type of affection not seen everywhere else. not only that, there are plenty enough moments between greg and holden where they spend a lot of time together. their close proximity allows their friendship to settle on fondness. their strange behavior from before closes in on them, allowing them to embrace each other naturally and organically. there is no forced intimacy between them, just feelings becoming intricate.
[…] “You are an incredible person, Gregory Sullivan. You’re sweet and sexy and caring, and you make me feel…cherished and special. I’m honored to be with you, and if I have to tell you every day that I will do my best not to break either your heart or your trust, I will do it. And gladly. Because it means that you’re mine for another day.”
this was close to being a five-star read. one of my only complaints, besides my hope for holden standing up for himself, was the ending. it felt a little too rushed, and i didn’t like how it didn’t exactly focus on greg and holden. it was nice seeing them together five years later, easily believable, but i wish the focus had been centered on them and not the people around them. instead of being told what had happened since deciding to be together, i wish we had seen it. i would have loved to see more of holden coming out, of them making some of their life in denver, of moving forward in their journey together. along with that, i’m simply not a fan of food ever being used for sexual purposes. this had a scene involving mousse being used as lube and well, let’s just say i personally get uncomfortable. not a fan. just a me thing.
regardless, this story was wonderful. the relationship. the characters. the intimacy. the pleasure that doesn’t need to be overly sexual. it’s a low angst story. it’s a story showing an asexual man getting the happy ever after he had been craving. it’s not meant to serious or angsty, overly emotional, or aggressive.
it seems like this is going to be a series, so i’m hoping luis and darius are next! childhood best friends to lovers but make them oblivious idiots who don’t realize they are soulmates!? i hope ricky will be getting his story as well. i wanna see how he’ll recover after everything with jake and micah. also, i didn’t realize jake and micah’s story was Nothing Like Forever, so i’ll definitely be reading that at some point.
🖤 asexual mc
🩶 hiv+ flight attendant x closeted ex navy federal contractor
💜 age gap (33/48)
🤍 hurt/comfort
this felt like a love letter to my 23-year-old hopeless romantic asexual self. my heart is so full and about to blow up from joy. it hurts in the best way. i don’t think there are enough words to capture the fullness this book brought; how valued it made me feel. i’ve always commented how i wish there was an asexual romance where there’s no actual sex involved, mostly because even if the characters are sex positive, it doesn’t feel that different. marie sinclair really came through with this one. this is, hands down, the best romance i’ve read thus far with an asexual character.
i’m gonna start off by saying this straightforwardly and with no care on anyone’s feelings: there is no anal sex in this. none. zero. the reason for the lack of penetrative sex is literally because greg is asexual. just because he’s sex positive does not mean he needs sex. do not, for the life of me, read this if you’re gonna complain that there is a lack of sex. no, there isn’t a lack of sex, but there is a lack of understanding on your part if you feel otherwise. if you read this, and you’re going to end up complaining there’s a lack of sex, or that you wanted greg to have penetrative sex, or that you don’t want to read this because there is no penetrative sex, all i’ll say is that you don’t accept asexuality.
No matter if he liked a guy, liked being with him, liked fooling around with him, his level of arousal never came close to what his friends talked about or what he saw in movies or read in books. He tried to fake it, tried to mimic what he’d seen other people do, hoping that something would change.
—
It had been a moment of revelation, a relief to finally understand something about himself that far eclipsed the moment he’d realized he was gay. There was nothing wrong with him; he just didn’t feel sexual attraction.
when i first heard about this, i was weary. for me, personally, i was hoping i’d finally get a romance with an asexual character who doesn’t have penetrative sex. characters finding their sexual attraction never made a huge difference to allosexual romances. as i started this, as i kept turning every page related to the romance, i kept filling my head with negative assumptions: he’s going to get turned on; they’re going to have sex, he’s going to give in; the lack of sex will determine their relationship; they won’t be able to get off without the addition of sex. et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
how fucking wrong was i.
even though i’m also a sex positive asexual, and even though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with these asexual characters having sex (because some do!!), reading about asexual characters who still had sex got repetitive. there’s nothing wrong with this, but i guess i wanted an ace character whose goal wasn’t an orgasm, or who didn’t focus so much on getting off. i wanted one where sex wasn’t the main goal, or where sex didn’t take over the relationship. blue skies doesn’t focus on the steam, it focuses on the intimacy growing between both main characters that does not need to tie into sexual feelings.
greg and holden meet on extensively good terms. a typical night out at a club, they easily connect, and because of their different schedules, there isn’t a lot of time for them to continue moving forward and get to know each other. after a misunderstanding causes a little bit of conflict when they see each other again (unexpectedly) in the same flight, there’s a quick friendship formed that’s instant. holder’s attraction is made perfectly clear through both point of views—his own attraction described by him, and greg’s conscious view of how holden looks at him. despite this, while holden is very much hypersexual, greg’s attraction is nowhere to be seen at first, and instead it’s shown on an aesthetic level. greg identifies as asexual, and even if some may argue he can be demisexual because he needs a connection with the person to become sexually attracted, i especially appreciated this fluidity of the identity. coming from someone who probably falls under demisexual more but identifies with asexual, this felt encouraging, showing different ways asexuality works for everyone else. just because he likes sex, and because he likes being touched, doesn’t make him less of who he is. even if there came a point where greg did have sex with holden, it was more about pleasuring holden than greg getting off. it isn’t till the halfway mark when greg notices his aesthetic attraction slowly venture into romantic attraction, allowing the reader the point of view of appreciating holden first, and then finding an interest in him as a person and potential partner.
blue skies is completely character and relationship driven. both characters are in different parts of their lives but clearly want more. greg is a flight attendant, he’s asexual, and he’s hiv positive. after his horrible encounters with previous boyfriends, he has lost hope of ever finding someone who will accept and respect him as he is. meanwhile, holden is an ex navy currently working under the disguise of someone he’s not. hook ups at clubs are what do it for him because of the privacy he gets; he’s so deep in the closet, afraid of losing his job for the lack of protection it offers if he came out.
greg’s hiv positivity is a part of him but doesn’t o make up his character. it’s an important element of his character but doesn’t overshadow his personality. it’s simply something he has without making it the biggest threat. there are minor knowledgeable references for what it’s like having hiv, but nothing extensive that requires deep concentration on the topic. as for holden, he’s nearing fifty-years-old and, unfortunately, hiding his true self. sadly, i couldn’t bring myself to feel the most sympathy for holden. his insistence in believing hiding in the closest was better than potentially losing his job was a little too selfish for my liking. as if hiding for two decades in the army weren’t enough, holden doesn’t step up much for what he believes in. even though we’re saved from a few remarks that we’re made aware of by being told, there are enough instances to make holden a shaky character. i wish we could have seen some sort of moment where he steps up against brody, his homophobic, misogynistic co-worker, or where holden realized his job isn’t worth it when it doesn’t allow him to be himself. i mean, the civil rights act of 1964, title vii? hello?? and in the year 2023?? and you’re almost 50!? when holden asked himself if losing his job was worth it to live happily with greg, i wanted to smack him.
still, i loved holden. loved his patient attitude, his kind personality, and his respectful self. consensual, confident, and reassuring, his comforting words towards greg were always the most endearing. holden was ve egg open-minded, always learning to read the signs, asking permission, making sure what he was doing was okay, respecting space and boundaries,, willing to learn more about greg. he was fascinated, learning more about himself as well, and realizing there is more than just sex. asexuality was new territory for him.
their relationship isn’t slow burn per se, but it does take its time. it isn’t slow burn because they form a deep connection within a couple days, but it is slow burn because of how the author writes it. while some may find the connection to have formed a little too quick, i applaud the author for how she wrote it. greg’s attraction towards holden isn’t fast and takes time, showing a steady timeline of his feelings. i think what really showed what i think a lot of other romances with an ace-spec character have failed to do is this: greg doesn’t find holden hot from the start. there are moments in his subconscious where he knows he should find something sexually appealing or arousing, but he doesn’t feel anything close to it. he appreciates the man and considers him sexy just like anyone else also might (silver foxes are sexy), but there’s no desire of any kind in him. there’s nothing but aesthetic appreciation, finding holden good looking, without making an objective point of view. there are also moments where he looks at holden and knows he should be feeling a certain way but doesn’t, even if he still is attracted to him. this is what i mean by the slow burn. greg’s attraction isn’t in any way fast. he comes to meet holden as a person and THAT makes his attraction develop. most romances just aren’t like this, and it makes sense given the fact that the characters aren’t asexual or need some deep connection to find them attractive. most of the time the characters find each other sexually appealing, whether they’re friends, enemies, or strangers. there’s some sort of admiration that isn’t just appreciation, where it’s the opposite here.
a big misconception people have of asexuals is that they don’t like sex, they’re loveless, they’re innocent. that isn’t the case at all. some are sex repulsed and some aren’t; some are sex repulsed but might have sex with their partner to please them. sexuality doesn’t define us or control us. regardless, while i have loved the influx of asexual romances, i can’t deny the want i had for an asexual character that, well, didn’t let sex become a big part of the relationship. it’s not to say greg doesn’t like sex, because he makes it clear he does, but his goal isn’t always to get off, and sometimes his intercourse is more about pleasuring holden than anything else. there’s no set goal on getting off, and holden never holds it against him either. i thought the author did an amazing job of portraying greg’s asexuality here and showing the fluidity of it. him being sex positive doesn’t make him less than who he is, but it also doesn’t make him more prone to sexual attraction. honestly, sometimes his thoughts hit a little too close to home. how he wanted to pleasure his partner more than himself; how he doesn’t care much about getting off; how he would engage in sex (consensually) even if he wasn’t feeling it. it all comes down to the person and how they feel and what they want. all in all, i loved the details of the sexuality given here. i loved how the author showed a side of asexuality that is common even if it doesn’t apply to everyone all while still acknowledging that other asexual people are different but still who they are.
even within the small time period of knowing each other, we get a lot of intimacy between the two characters that show their growing fondness. holden’s used to anonymous hook ups that he isn’t used to intimacy between a partner, and greg is used to men making him feel guilty for who he is that he isn’t used to someone accepting him. there’s a deep sensual connection made between the two men. due to them being older and mature, there are no mishaps. holden, especially, literally has no time for them. his reassurance towards greg is always uplifting, encouraging greg and reminding him holden will never ask for more.
“Look,” he said, trying again. “I don’t have a lot of experience with dating. I’m forty-eight, and I’ve never had a serious relationship, let alone a long-distance one, so I don’t know how these things work. What I do know is I don’t want to go from meeting someone I think is amazing, someone I’d like to know better and have just spent the most incredible days of my life with, to never seeing them again.”
this book was so damn refreshing. the relationship between holden and greg is so beautiful. i didn’t give a fuck that it happened within a few days, less than a week, when it felt so accurate. the portrayal was so steady, marking so many points of the men’s feelings growing. i loved and appreciated how the author showed the differences between the different physical reactions of greg, especially, and how they didn’t all equate the same thing. his physical reaction of experiencing desire didn’t equate to attraction, meaning he wasn’t interested in having sex with holden but was still growing desire to be sexually intimate with him in other ways (oral sex and handjobs). reading both perspectives on this was incredibly refreshing. it was so validating, so necessary.
But it was pleasure and intimacy without arousal. Greg’s body remained relaxed, and his cock remained soft. And once again, it was pleasure without the driving build toward orgasm.
-
It was strange to feel the softness, stranger still that there was no thickening, no movement from his cock coming to life. Again, Holden was struck with the inadequacy of his language because it wasn’t “strange”; it was merely something he’d never encountered before and was learning to appreciate. Everything he’d experienced with Greg, either in bed or out, only made him want more: more time to get to know each other, more of Greg’s intoxicating kisses, more of getting to be himself.
that was, quite possibility, one of the best scenes i read in this. this is what was missing in the rest of romances i’ve read with asexual characters. greg is sex positive, yet his attraction towards holden doesn’t suddenly make him experience what he was missing with the rest. i think the quote also really shows the fluidity of asexuality; how greg was getting a blow job, yet his pleasure didn’t show on his cock but instead on the way he felt, his emotions and feelings, his sighs and movement of relaxation.
there is still plenty of physical affection. i mentioned in my review for A Lifetime Kissing You by riley hart how i absolutely love it when characters kiss, and how we, as the reader, see that. greg’s clear on his love for kissing, and holden ends up discovering the pleasure of it. it’s emotional, tender, and gentle; it’s inviting, showing a side to the relationship that displays a different type of affection not seen everywhere else. not only that, there are plenty enough moments between greg and holden where they spend a lot of time together. their close proximity allows their friendship to settle on fondness. their strange behavior from before closes in on them, allowing them to embrace each other naturally and organically. there is no forced intimacy between them, just feelings becoming intricate.
[…] “You are an incredible person, Gregory Sullivan. You’re sweet and sexy and caring, and you make me feel…cherished and special. I’m honored to be with you, and if I have to tell you every day that I will do my best not to break either your heart or your trust, I will do it. And gladly. Because it means that you’re mine for another day.”
this was close to being a five-star read. one of my only complaints, besides my hope for holden standing up for himself, was the ending. it felt a little too rushed, and i didn’t like how it didn’t exactly focus on greg and holden. it was nice seeing them together five years later, easily believable, but i wish the focus had been centered on them and not the people around them. instead of being told what had happened since deciding to be together, i wish we had seen it. i would have loved to see more of holden coming out, of them making some of their life in denver, of moving forward in their journey together. along with that, i’m simply not a fan of food ever being used for sexual purposes. this had a scene involving mousse being used as lube and well, let’s just say i personally get uncomfortable. not a fan. just a me thing.
regardless, this story was wonderful. the relationship. the characters. the intimacy. the pleasure that doesn’t need to be overly sexual. it’s a low angst story. it’s a story showing an asexual man getting the happy ever after he had been craving. it’s not meant to serious or angsty, overly emotional, or aggressive.
it seems like this is going to be a series, so i’m hoping luis and darius are next! childhood best friends to lovers but make them oblivious idiots who don’t realize they are soulmates!? i hope ricky will be getting his story as well. i wanna see how he’ll recover after everything with jake and micah. also, i didn’t realize jake and micah’s story was Nothing Like Forever, so i’ll definitely be reading that at some point.
September 24, 2025
Reread 09/2025
First of all: great (really great) ace rep. Lots of kissing and caressing and touching. Lots of inner monologues and musings.
A note for future me who thinks about another reread: the third time around the repetitive musings were a bit tiresome so I skipped some.
But I know most don't reread books as often as I do so I hope this remark doesn't prevent anyone from reading this beautiful romance.
Everything else was lovely, again (see my previous reviews below) so I won't change my rating.
Looking forward to Luis and Darius' book now.
-----------------
Reread 08/2024
Love the asexual rep.
Love that the MCs are mature, talk about their fears and struggles.
Their acceptance, their tenderness, their kisses... so beautiful.
4,5 stars.
---------
Read 12/2023
4,5 stars rounded up.
This book is special.
And I'm at a loss on how to do this book justice.
Sadly there are still too few romance novels with asexual MCs. And this is the first time I read a book with a HIV-positive MC.
The author did a wonderful job showing us how the two MCs got closer, how they respected and supported each other. Holden was willing to listen to what Greg needed, and Greg learned to ask for what he needed. Greg never even questioned Holden's wish to not come out.
They had adult conversations, there were no stupid misunderstandings and plot twists.
Most of the book spans over just a week, but the author was mostly able to let me believe in the strong connection Holden and Greg formed over such a short period of time.
I hope many will love this book, and I hope the long inner monologues and thoughts won't be off putting. To me they felt necessary, getting to know the MCs and learning about Greg's asexuality and the depth of Greg's trauma in particular.
Thank you elena for the recommendation!
First of all: great (really great) ace rep. Lots of kissing and caressing and touching. Lots of inner monologues and musings.
A note for future me who thinks about another reread: the third time around the repetitive musings were a bit tiresome so I skipped some.
But I know most don't reread books as often as I do so I hope this remark doesn't prevent anyone from reading this beautiful romance.
Everything else was lovely, again (see my previous reviews below) so I won't change my rating.
Looking forward to Luis and Darius' book now.
-----------------
Reread 08/2024
Love the asexual rep.
Love that the MCs are mature, talk about their fears and struggles.
Their acceptance, their tenderness, their kisses... so beautiful.
4,5 stars.
---------
Read 12/2023
4,5 stars rounded up.
This book is special.
And I'm at a loss on how to do this book justice.
Sadly there are still too few romance novels with asexual MCs. And this is the first time I read a book with a HIV-positive MC.
The author did a wonderful job showing us how the two MCs got closer, how they respected and supported each other. Holden was willing to listen to what Greg needed, and Greg learned to ask for what he needed. Greg never even questioned Holden's wish to not come out.
They had adult conversations, there were no stupid misunderstandings and plot twists.
Most of the book spans over just a week, but the author was mostly able to let me believe in the strong connection Holden and Greg formed over such a short period of time.
I hope many will love this book, and I hope the long inner monologues and thoughts won't be off putting. To me they felt necessary, getting to know the MCs and learning about Greg's asexuality and the depth of Greg's trauma in particular.
Thank you elena for the recommendation!
December 21, 2023
Beautiful story. I loved this. Wonderful representation of an asexual main character and living life HIV positive. This could well be my favourite representation of an asexual character. I loved that there is still lots of romance and other forms of intimate affection between them without the need for anal sex. The relationship moved quickly which isn’t my usual cup of tea but it felt organic and real for these two. Very romantic. I like that the characters are mature (30’s and 40’s) and they acted true to their ages. The descriptions of someone living with HIV felt accurate, although I don’t have personal experience or know statistics, it feels under represented in m/m romance novels and something I am interested in reading about more.
I felt a lot of sympathy and understanding for Holden’s situation and how tough it would be for him to come out. His scenario felt very believable to me, especially being an older MC and in his type of career. I’m glad this wasn’t a huge focus in the story but it got enough page time to be impactful without agonising about it excessively.
The only reason this wasn’t five stars for me is that it was really wordy at times, lots of telling/info in the beginning especially and internal monologues. Also the ending felt rushed, I kept looking at the % and wondering how they were going to fit everything in. I would have loved seeing more of their established relationship on page in the end and how things worked out with their jobs and families rather than being told in the epilogue.
I’ve never read this author before but I’m keen to check out Nothing Like Forever and the future books in this series. I’m intrigued by Ricky’s story in particular.
*another great book that includes HIV positive characters is Instep by Jay Hogan, for any interested readers.
I felt a lot of sympathy and understanding for Holden’s situation and how tough it would be for him to come out. His scenario felt very believable to me, especially being an older MC and in his type of career. I’m glad this wasn’t a huge focus in the story but it got enough page time to be impactful without agonising about it excessively.
The only reason this wasn’t five stars for me is that it was really wordy at times, lots of telling/info in the beginning especially and internal monologues. Also the ending felt rushed, I kept looking at the % and wondering how they were going to fit everything in. I would have loved seeing more of their established relationship on page in the end and how things worked out with their jobs and families rather than being told in the epilogue.
I’ve never read this author before but I’m keen to check out Nothing Like Forever and the future books in this series. I’m intrigued by Ricky’s story in particular.
*another great book that includes HIV positive characters is Instep by Jay Hogan, for any interested readers.
December 24, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
This was very gentle, sweet and cute. I adore that they took their time to understand and there was so much patience. They are very mature and has a very healthy relationship even with themselves as individuals. I very much adore their relationship as they try so hard to trust each other. There was a lot of give and take and it made me swoon over them. The way Holden knew Greg and how Greg scared to say no. It was very beautiful watching them grow.
I appreciate the depth of HIV and asexuality in this one. Greg was very in touch with his sexuality it made me ponder how he view sex. I kinda wish there was more of his HIV lifestyle, but it was told too on the surface. Still like it though.
This was a good book, but my rating can’t go any higher because the monologues were killing me. It wasn’t a good experience for my short attention span. I wish I didn’t skim them, but I did. I also think the beginning of the book was very slow, but it did get better after the 25% mark. The monotonous monologue is not for me.
Btw can someone recommend me an ace book that do not have sex at all or asexual MC that is very opposed to sex. Thank you in advanced!
This was very gentle, sweet and cute. I adore that they took their time to understand and there was so much patience. They are very mature and has a very healthy relationship even with themselves as individuals. I very much adore their relationship as they try so hard to trust each other. There was a lot of give and take and it made me swoon over them. The way Holden knew Greg and how Greg scared to say no. It was very beautiful watching them grow.
I appreciate the depth of HIV and asexuality in this one. Greg was very in touch with his sexuality it made me ponder how he view sex. I kinda wish there was more of his HIV lifestyle, but it was told too on the surface. Still like it though.
This was a good book, but my rating can’t go any higher because the monologues were killing me. It wasn’t a good experience for my short attention span. I wish I didn’t skim them, but I did. I also think the beginning of the book was very slow, but it did get better after the 25% mark. The monotonous monologue is not for me.
Btw can someone recommend me an ace book that do not have sex at all or asexual MC that is very opposed to sex. Thank you in advanced!
January 2, 2024
2.75/5
It didn’t really knock my socks off but I kinda wish it did.
Or rather I hoped it would since the HIV and asexual representation is something that should be part of the ever growing romance world more often. And a combination of the two things was even more intriguing to me.
Alas, it wasn’t totally what I was looking for but in no way a bad book either.
It didn’t really knock my socks off but I kinda wish it did.
Or rather I hoped it would since the HIV and asexual representation is something that should be part of the ever growing romance world more often. And a combination of the two things was even more intriguing to me.
Alas, it wasn’t totally what I was looking for but in no way a bad book either.
October 19, 2023
Straight out the gate, Blue Skies had me cheering in happiness and appreciation. I was getting characters and ace rep that felt like warm, fuzzy comfort, like coming home after a hard day, putting on my softest pajamas and sinking into my recliner with my favorite book. It felt really good given how disenchanted I’ve been with a lot of my romance picks lately. While the ace rep didn’t represent my ace experience, the ace umbrella is broad and I was completely into the way Greg and Holden explored what Greg being on the ace spectrum meant for them. I really appreciated how it inspired Holden to see and experience sex and physical contact in a whole new way.
From this:
No kiss had ever felt so intimate, and it made Holden realize how much he had underestimated the erotic power of two bodies connecting lip to lip for the sake of the kiss itself rather than what it might lead to.
To this:
He’d never been with someone before who wasn’t racing toward orgasm as if it was the only purpose for two people getting naked with each other or touching. God, Holden felt as if he needed a whole new vocabulary because the words he had, the way he thought about desire and arousal and sex, were completely inadequate for describing what it was like to be with Greg.
We see the evolution of what emotional and physical intimacy means to Holden and how this new and wondrous appreciation of touch without expectation of orgasm, erection, or any particular outcome, in turn affects Greg who has never truly felt understood, accepted or appreciated just the way he is:
…he loved how Holden had given him permission to focus on touch, on the two of them learning each other’s bodies, without an expectation that there would be something…more. They drifted into lazy kisses while exploring each other’s bodies. It amazed Greg how good it felt not worrying about Holden’s expectations or if he’d need to “help” Holden out, and it made him aware of how much pressure he’d put on himself whenever he was with someone.
And that sentiment, how good and safe it felt to not have to worry about Holden’s expectations for more, really resonated with me. It’s a feeling I’ve rarely had in relationships so it was heartening to see light shine on this aspect of the ace experience.
The ace rep and messaging is consistently lovely throughout the story, unfortunately, *sigh & sob* I was somewhat disenchanted with other aspects of it. The entire story up to the epilogue takes place over just a few weeks. From meeting to “I love you” to “let’s get a place together” happens over that incredibly short period of time. I’m not a fan of insta-love but with a story that’s fantastic in every other way, I can accept it. Sadly, aside from the lovely ace exploration and rep, it’s a bit boring, with nothing much happening past 50%. The story has this beautiful build and then goes flat and repetitive, it’s like we keep getting slight variations of the same scene over and over from 50% to the end. I wanted more. I wanted to see Greg and Holden together over time. I wanted to see their relationship grow and flourish and there was so much potential for it too! Disappointingly, it never came to fruition 😭
So 5 stars for the ace rep and the relationship and intimacy exploration. 3 stars for just about everything else. You’d think that would give me a 4 star rating but… 😣😫 I was bored for the final 40-50% and it’s really hard for me to 4 star a book with which I struggle to stay engaged for such a long time.
Final rating 3.5 stars. Rounding up because we don’t get nearly enough ace rep and we desperately need more stories like this, ones that fill our queer ace hearts and make us feel seen, heard and understood.
From this:
No kiss had ever felt so intimate, and it made Holden realize how much he had underestimated the erotic power of two bodies connecting lip to lip for the sake of the kiss itself rather than what it might lead to.
To this:
He’d never been with someone before who wasn’t racing toward orgasm as if it was the only purpose for two people getting naked with each other or touching. God, Holden felt as if he needed a whole new vocabulary because the words he had, the way he thought about desire and arousal and sex, were completely inadequate for describing what it was like to be with Greg.
We see the evolution of what emotional and physical intimacy means to Holden and how this new and wondrous appreciation of touch without expectation of orgasm, erection, or any particular outcome, in turn affects Greg who has never truly felt understood, accepted or appreciated just the way he is:
…he loved how Holden had given him permission to focus on touch, on the two of them learning each other’s bodies, without an expectation that there would be something…more. They drifted into lazy kisses while exploring each other’s bodies. It amazed Greg how good it felt not worrying about Holden’s expectations or if he’d need to “help” Holden out, and it made him aware of how much pressure he’d put on himself whenever he was with someone.
And that sentiment, how good and safe it felt to not have to worry about Holden’s expectations for more, really resonated with me. It’s a feeling I’ve rarely had in relationships so it was heartening to see light shine on this aspect of the ace experience.
The ace rep and messaging is consistently lovely throughout the story, unfortunately, *sigh & sob* I was somewhat disenchanted with other aspects of it. The entire story up to the epilogue takes place over just a few weeks. From meeting to “I love you” to “let’s get a place together” happens over that incredibly short period of time. I’m not a fan of insta-love but with a story that’s fantastic in every other way, I can accept it. Sadly, aside from the lovely ace exploration and rep, it’s a bit boring, with nothing much happening past 50%. The story has this beautiful build and then goes flat and repetitive, it’s like we keep getting slight variations of the same scene over and over from 50% to the end. I wanted more. I wanted to see Greg and Holden together over time. I wanted to see their relationship grow and flourish and there was so much potential for it too! Disappointingly, it never came to fruition 😭
So 5 stars for the ace rep and the relationship and intimacy exploration. 3 stars for just about everything else. You’d think that would give me a 4 star rating but… 😣😫 I was bored for the final 40-50% and it’s really hard for me to 4 star a book with which I struggle to stay engaged for such a long time.
Final rating 3.5 stars. Rounding up because we don’t get nearly enough ace rep and we desperately need more stories like this, ones that fill our queer ace hearts and make us feel seen, heard and understood.
Read
July 7, 2024DNF at 43%
This started out cute and I liked the characters. But something about this author’s writing doesn’t work for me. I feel bored and disconnected.
This started out cute and I liked the characters. But something about this author’s writing doesn’t work for me. I feel bored and disconnected.
October 17, 2023
* 3.5 stars *
The story started off great, giving us Greg's backstory and shining a light into what it meant to be ace for him.
I liked Greg and Holden's first meeting, their connection was clear and it seemed effortless. I also liked the airplane scene when they met for the second time.
After that though the pace of the relationship became way too fast for me. I like stories where the MCs take their time and the relationship develops in an organic way and with no hurry. Here they just started running and it was too much.
After their second meeting and once they resolved a misunderstanding, they ended up sharing a hotel room (and eventually also a bed), spending some days together, and finally visiting Greg's hometown and of course meeting his parents. In a week or something like that... It was too much.
This story is the first of a new series but many side characters should already sound familiar if you've read Nothing Like Forever by this author. Maybe they appear in other books too but that's the only one I've read. If you plan on reading it, I recommend doing so before Blue Skies to avoid some spoilers.
This wasn't the right book for me but I really liked Nothing Like Forever so I'm not giving up just yet on this author. I'm not even giving up on this series so I'll keep an eye out for future blurbs as there are a couple characters that sound like they could have interesting stories.
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
The story started off great, giving us Greg's backstory and shining a light into what it meant to be ace for him.
I liked Greg and Holden's first meeting, their connection was clear and it seemed effortless. I also liked the airplane scene when they met for the second time.
After that though the pace of the relationship became way too fast for me. I like stories where the MCs take their time and the relationship develops in an organic way and with no hurry. Here they just started running and it was too much.
After their second meeting and once they resolved a misunderstanding, they ended up sharing a hotel room (and eventually also a bed), spending some days together, and finally visiting Greg's hometown and of course meeting his parents. In a week or something like that... It was too much.
This story is the first of a new series but many side characters should already sound familiar if you've read Nothing Like Forever by this author. Maybe they appear in other books too but that's the only one I've read. If you plan on reading it, I recommend doing so before Blue Skies to avoid some spoilers.
This wasn't the right book for me but I really liked Nothing Like Forever so I'm not giving up just yet on this author. I'm not even giving up on this series so I'll keep an eye out for future blurbs as there are a couple characters that sound like they could have interesting stories.
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
August 23, 2024
Lots of representation in this book and it often felt too conscious that it was trying to be representative.
The writing wasn't in a style I enjoyed.
The writing wasn't in a style I enjoyed.
October 14, 2023
DNF 62%
I was kinda disappointed to not being able to finish this book because I liked the premises. Asexual rep is not something you see everyday and I was really curious to see how it was shown in the story. Unfortunately, I found the story per se really boring.
Apart from them telling each other how much they like one another every other paragraph, and Holden reassuring Greg he's not upset about him being ace or having HIV, nothing really happens.... I stopped reading at 62% because it was all very repetitive and kinda flat. I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this book. I tried to finish it, but I just couldn't bare the same three sentences over and over and over.
I was kinda disappointed to not being able to finish this book because I liked the premises. Asexual rep is not something you see everyday and I was really curious to see how it was shown in the story. Unfortunately, I found the story per se really boring.
Apart from them telling each other how much they like one another every other paragraph, and Holden reassuring Greg he's not upset about him being ace or having HIV, nothing really happens.... I stopped reading at 62% because it was all very repetitive and kinda flat. I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this book. I tried to finish it, but I just couldn't bare the same three sentences over and over and over.
August 10, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Blue Skies is the first book in Marie Sinclair’s eponymous series. Set in modern day America, it features a couple with an age gap and very specific circumstances that make finding someone to share their life with a challenge. The narration is all third person, but generally alternates between Greg and Holden, so readers can really get a feel for our two MCs’ experiences.
If you’re looking for a story that explores human sexuality and connection and that focuses on the intense connection two people can form, I cannot recommend a better book. Readers who enjoy uniquely relatable characters, age-gap love stories, or plausible instalove themes will find a whole lot to enjoy in Blue Skies.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Blue Skies is the first book in Marie Sinclair’s eponymous series. Set in modern day America, it features a couple with an age gap and very specific circumstances that make finding someone to share their life with a challenge. The narration is all third person, but generally alternates between Greg and Holden, so readers can really get a feel for our two MCs’ experiences.
If you’re looking for a story that explores human sexuality and connection and that focuses on the intense connection two people can form, I cannot recommend a better book. Readers who enjoy uniquely relatable characters, age-gap love stories, or plausible instalove themes will find a whole lot to enjoy in Blue Skies.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
December 15, 2025
Great story, loved the depiction of Greg as a sex-positive asexual, and him finding a partner in Holden, who understands that there is so much more to pleasure and intimacy than penetrative sex, and that it’s okay to want to please your partner without wanting it reciprocated.
The setting of being snowed in in Denver and then Aspen was really picturesque, and I loved that for them. There’s a moment of slight miscommunication near the start of the book but it was resolved in a satisfying way, and overall I liked how well Greg and Holden communicated throughout this story.
It’s quite fast-paced, not a lot of time goes by, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very interesting side characters in Greg’s roommates as well, and I look forward to reading their stories in the next two books!
The setting of being snowed in in Denver and then Aspen was really picturesque, and I loved that for them. There’s a moment of slight miscommunication near the start of the book but it was resolved in a satisfying way, and overall I liked how well Greg and Holden communicated throughout this story.
It’s quite fast-paced, not a lot of time goes by, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very interesting side characters in Greg’s roommates as well, and I look forward to reading their stories in the next two books!
April 6, 2025
3.75 stars.
August 21, 2024
CW: I was excited to read this because the MC is ace, but there is acephobia from the literal first sentence. I'm ace, and I had a horrible visceral reaction to simply reading the first paragraph of the "look inside." This is not how to write with an ace audience in mind. At least, for the love of God, have a content warning.
September 27, 2023
4 stars
Beautiful story between Greg, a flight assistant, and Holden, a flight instructor.
It was very interesting reading about two MCs who have not the same typical background story, common in a lot of MM novels.
Holden is gay and closeted, he's a mature man (48 years old) so he had different experiences than Greg, especially about his sexuality and the army life. Holden is stressed and tired and he finds increasingly difficult to hide who he really is.
Greg is younger (33 years old) and his personal challenges are very different from Holden's: he may not have problems about living out and proud, but he has to deal with being asexual and HIV positive.
In this regard, I foung Greg's character very interesting and enlightening: my knowledge about asexuality is limited to a few books I read in the past and most of them pictured MCs who were repulsed or disinterested by the idea of physical contact. Greg, instead, affirms that he likes sex and bringing pleasure to his partner; I didn't get it at first, but I think the author did a good job representing Greg's sexuality.
"I like touching and I like being touched. Everywhere"...
For someone like Holden, whose sexual activity was confined to hook-ups and bathroom quickies, encountering another guy's flaccid dick in this contest was a novelty... Holden played with him... it was a novel. He was used to everything being hard, rigid... It was also a wonder that he could tell he was giving Greg pleasure... it was pleasure and intimacy without arousal. Greg's body remained relaxed, his cock remained soft.
There were a lot of romantic moment between them that I adored, especially their dance at Greg's parents hotel. And I loved how Holden was very committed to Greg from the beginning, trying to learn more about the other man's life and how he wasn't scared to love him deeply.
What prevented me from giving an higher rate:
- While I really loved Greg and Holden's physical intimacy, I felt like the kissing scenes were a little bit too long.
- Holden is closeted the whole book, it would have been nice to know how his coming out went with his family and at work.
- What Greg's ex partner did to him was sexual assault with horroble consequences and he should have paid for it. I know it's not how it works in real life but I want justice in fictional world.
This story features characters from previous books (Finding Forever series), but I only read A Kind Of Forever. I still enjoyed the book, but it would have been better reading at least Nothing Like Forever to know more about Jake and Micah he's Greg's best friend).
I'm definitely going to read the following books and I'm very curious about Ricky's story.
Recommended
I received an Arc from the author and this is my honest review.
Beautiful story between Greg, a flight assistant, and Holden, a flight instructor.
It was very interesting reading about two MCs who have not the same typical background story, common in a lot of MM novels.
Holden is gay and closeted, he's a mature man (48 years old) so he had different experiences than Greg, especially about his sexuality and the army life. Holden is stressed and tired and he finds increasingly difficult to hide who he really is.
Greg is younger (33 years old) and his personal challenges are very different from Holden's: he may not have problems about living out and proud, but he has to deal with being asexual and HIV positive.
In this regard, I foung Greg's character very interesting and enlightening: my knowledge about asexuality is limited to a few books I read in the past and most of them pictured MCs who were repulsed or disinterested by the idea of physical contact. Greg, instead, affirms that he likes sex and bringing pleasure to his partner; I didn't get it at first, but I think the author did a good job representing Greg's sexuality.
"I like touching and I like being touched. Everywhere"...
For someone like Holden, whose sexual activity was confined to hook-ups and bathroom quickies, encountering another guy's flaccid dick in this contest was a novelty... Holden played with him... it was a novel. He was used to everything being hard, rigid... It was also a wonder that he could tell he was giving Greg pleasure... it was pleasure and intimacy without arousal. Greg's body remained relaxed, his cock remained soft.
There were a lot of romantic moment between them that I adored, especially their dance at Greg's parents hotel. And I loved how Holden was very committed to Greg from the beginning, trying to learn more about the other man's life and how he wasn't scared to love him deeply.
What prevented me from giving an higher rate:
- While I really loved Greg and Holden's physical intimacy, I felt like the kissing scenes were a little bit too long.
- Holden is closeted the whole book, it would have been nice to know how his coming out went with his family and at work.
- What Greg's ex partner did to him was sexual assault with horroble consequences and he should have paid for it. I know it's not how it works in real life but I want justice in fictional world.
This story features characters from previous books (Finding Forever series), but I only read A Kind Of Forever. I still enjoyed the book, but it would have been better reading at least Nothing Like Forever to know more about Jake and Micah he's Greg's best friend).
I'm definitely going to read the following books and I'm very curious about Ricky's story.
Recommended
I received an Arc from the author and this is my honest review.
October 18, 2023
Was unsure at the start but I actually ended up really enjoying this read.
Greg and Holden, meet at a club, then again on a flight. Things could be resolved better with talking lol but oh well
This was a good representation of an MC who was asexual and HIV and an older closeted MC, with both written well in us understanding them
I did feel like I was meant to know some of the characters already but this is book 1 of a new series so I was a bit confused.
I think honestly a lot of the storyline and angst should/could have Beeb resolved with some simple convos!
Greg and Holden, meet at a club, then again on a flight. Things could be resolved better with talking lol but oh well
This was a good representation of an MC who was asexual and HIV and an older closeted MC, with both written well in us understanding them
I did feel like I was meant to know some of the characters already but this is book 1 of a new series so I was a bit confused.
I think honestly a lot of the storyline and angst should/could have Beeb resolved with some simple convos!
October 9, 2023
Sweet Story
This story started off a bit slow for me but I am so glad that I pushed through that. It really is a beautiful and sweet story. I am so glad that I read this and I can't wait for more from this series.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This story started off a bit slow for me but I am so glad that I pushed through that. It really is a beautiful and sweet story. I am so glad that I read this and I can't wait for more from this series.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
December 30, 2023
DNF 65% I like the premise. I'm asexual myself but this was too repetitive for me. Nothing happened and i got bored.
December 15, 2023
Pretty dull. No depth, no barriers to the romance, repetitive, unrealistic interactions.
August 16, 2024
3rd person, past tense, dual POV
Greg Sullivan (33), flight attendant
Holden Mercer (48), flight instructor/technician for F25 simulators for Far Sight International (DOD contractor)
A word of caution about the first chapter, it's a bit heavy to set-up Greg's abysmal previous relationship experience. It hit me a little hard out of the gate because I wasn't really expecting it and my heart broke for him.
I love how perfectly suited for each other Greg and Holden were. I know it's a work of fiction so it seems silly to say, but they just felt custom made for each other, a fact that became more evident as the story unfolded. I loved the mutual love and understanding they shared for each other's... quirks that evolved from their pasts. Greg's trust issues from past relationships and some seriously shitty people not listening to him regarding his sexuality and being ace as well as living life after a betrayal that left him HIV positive. Holden lacking any kind of real relationship experience and living in the closet because of his work/life experience in the military and having lived through a time when being gay was not very accepted. With the right person these seeming mountains become molehills and are easily navigated.
After a club meet-cute in LA these two find themselves unexpectedly sharing a hotel room (with only one bed!) in Denver a short while later. Sharing an idyllic snowed-in date that they keep drawing out as they become closer these two are so sweet together. While their relationship progresses at a rapid pace, it doesn't feel too insta- and instead more like a natural progression of soul mates. The communication between these guys was phenomenal and the secondary characters, some who appear in other books by the author, serve to support the relationship in a realistic way without overshadowing the romance of the MCs.
I enjoyed the ace rep and how authentic it felt and how settled in his identity Greg was and how considerate Holden was of it and his HIV status. It would have been easy for these issues to become BIG PLOT POINTS but they just were and felt very normalized. I had finished the book and was reading another review before I even realized that they hadn't engaged in penetrative sex. I certainly didn't feel any lack of passion between them. In fact, the portrayal of their intimacy served to deepen their relationship and the trust between them.
My only real quibble is that the ending felt a little abrupt, like we skipped everything after the honeymoon phase of the relationship where they put in the work. The epilogue ties things up nicely but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that we didn't get to see Holden's homophobic colleague, Brody, put in his place.
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
=====
Read again in preparation for Friendly Skies release and I've enjoyed this book just as much the second time around. I has forgotten how much of a whirlwind this story was. These guys packed so much in a short amount of time, but it doesn't feel too fast at all.
Since I ARC read it before I read it in KU this time and plan on purchasing it as it's currently on sale for only $0.99!
Greg Sullivan (33), flight attendant
Holden Mercer (48), flight instructor/technician for F25 simulators for Far Sight International (DOD contractor)
A word of caution about the first chapter, it's a bit heavy to set-up Greg's abysmal previous relationship experience. It hit me a little hard out of the gate because I wasn't really expecting it and my heart broke for him.
I love how perfectly suited for each other Greg and Holden were. I know it's a work of fiction so it seems silly to say, but they just felt custom made for each other, a fact that became more evident as the story unfolded. I loved the mutual love and understanding they shared for each other's... quirks that evolved from their pasts. Greg's trust issues from past relationships and some seriously shitty people not listening to him regarding his sexuality and being ace as well as living life after a betrayal that left him HIV positive. Holden lacking any kind of real relationship experience and living in the closet because of his work/life experience in the military and having lived through a time when being gay was not very accepted. With the right person these seeming mountains become molehills and are easily navigated.
After a club meet-cute in LA these two find themselves unexpectedly sharing a hotel room (with only one bed!) in Denver a short while later. Sharing an idyllic snowed-in date that they keep drawing out as they become closer these two are so sweet together. While their relationship progresses at a rapid pace, it doesn't feel too insta- and instead more like a natural progression of soul mates. The communication between these guys was phenomenal and the secondary characters, some who appear in other books by the author, serve to support the relationship in a realistic way without overshadowing the romance of the MCs.
I enjoyed the ace rep and how authentic it felt and how settled in his identity Greg was and how considerate Holden was of it and his HIV status. It would have been easy for these issues to become BIG PLOT POINTS but they just were and felt very normalized. I had finished the book and was reading another review before I even realized that they hadn't engaged in penetrative sex. I certainly didn't feel any lack of passion between them. In fact, the portrayal of their intimacy served to deepen their relationship and the trust between them.
My only real quibble is that the ending felt a little abrupt, like we skipped everything after the honeymoon phase of the relationship where they put in the work. The epilogue ties things up nicely but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that we didn't get to see Holden's homophobic colleague, Brody, put in his place.
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
=====
Read again in preparation for Friendly Skies release and I've enjoyed this book just as much the second time around. I has forgotten how much of a whirlwind this story was. These guys packed so much in a short amount of time, but it doesn't feel too fast at all.
Since I ARC read it before I read it in KU this time and plan on purchasing it as it's currently on sale for only $0.99!
October 3, 2025
I found the one Marie Sinclair book that I could read...and I loved it!
Green, green, green, the greenest of green flags, all the way. This book focuses on a gentle, steamy sweet intimacy that grows and supports and is kind and understanding...and also hot.
Mild age gap: older, closted MC (Holden, 48), younger ace and HIV positive (Greg, 30s? I forgot, but, younger). And oh, Greg needed a good man after all he'd been through.
Greg's a flight attendent, rooming with terrific roommates/fellow flight attendants. He's had utter shit luck with men, including the boyfriend who conned him into bottoming, stealthed him, and left him HIV+. Trust doesn't come easy these days.
Holden served through DADT in the military only to get a DOD job after in which coming out would still impact his career negatively, and he's been okay hiding. Until now, when he meets an intriguing man in a club and starts to think outside the closet...
They were SO sweet and lovely together. Just can't emphasize enough all the green flags. After a massive mess-up meet-cute-turned-misunderstanding-write-off, they are brought together again as if Fate herself stepped in and said...take another look. Take a chance. This one's worth the risk. And their romance was so beautiful! I had teary eyes. All the softness, all the burgeoning Feelings, all the credible love, even though it goes FAST. The time the author takes with developing intimacy and building to all the important revelations paid off for me.
Most of this author's books sound intriguing but are very clearly not safe for me, and I was delighted to discover that this one is! Entirely. Beautifully. Satisfyingly.
My only sadness was that the asshole stealther was never brought to justice. That man needed jail. He's never on page, just backstory, but...I wanted VENGEANCE.
HEA, age-gap, closeted MC, HIV+ and ace MC. TW for homophobic misogynistic shitty secondary character/co-worker Holden has to put up with. OM drama to open with Greg having to walk out on a man he's dating for getting way toxic. Highly recommended.
Green, green, green, the greenest of green flags, all the way. This book focuses on a gentle, steamy sweet intimacy that grows and supports and is kind and understanding...and also hot.
Mild age gap: older, closted MC (Holden, 48), younger ace and HIV positive (Greg, 30s? I forgot, but, younger). And oh, Greg needed a good man after all he'd been through.
Greg's a flight attendent, rooming with terrific roommates/fellow flight attendants. He's had utter shit luck with men, including the boyfriend who conned him into bottoming, stealthed him, and left him HIV+. Trust doesn't come easy these days.
Holden served through DADT in the military only to get a DOD job after in which coming out would still impact his career negatively, and he's been okay hiding. Until now, when he meets an intriguing man in a club and starts to think outside the closet...
They were SO sweet and lovely together. Just can't emphasize enough all the green flags. After a massive mess-up meet-cute-turned-misunderstanding-write-off, they are brought together again as if Fate herself stepped in and said...take another look. Take a chance. This one's worth the risk. And their romance was so beautiful! I had teary eyes. All the softness, all the burgeoning Feelings, all the credible love, even though it goes FAST. The time the author takes with developing intimacy and building to all the important revelations paid off for me.
Most of this author's books sound intriguing but are very clearly not safe for me, and I was delighted to discover that this one is! Entirely. Beautifully. Satisfyingly.
My only sadness was that the asshole stealther was never brought to justice. That man needed jail. He's never on page, just backstory, but...I wanted VENGEANCE.
HEA, age-gap, closeted MC, HIV+ and ace MC. TW for homophobic misogynistic shitty secondary character/co-worker Holden has to put up with. OM drama to open with Greg having to walk out on a man he's dating for getting way toxic. Highly recommended.
October 16, 2023
slow but good. age gap/comfort.
This was a nice slow burn with an age gap, with a man who is a closeted ex military and another who is asexual and HIV positive. Holden had a hard life as a closeted gay man with DADT and had settled on a life where he continues to hide as his post military job as an aviation consultant doesn’t seem to give him the freedom to be who is is either. He allows himself a ‘break’ every so often. Greg is an air steward and has had bad luck meeting the right person as being asexual means it takes him longer to feel attraction and not many are willing to wait him out.
They meet at a club one night and both feel something more but a series of events happen and they lose contact. One day Holden is on a flight that Greg is working on and they both get stranded/ snowed in, in the same hotel. Greg invites Holden to his parent’s resort in Aspen for a few days and this down time away from everyone else, gives them a chance to get to know each other on a different level and they start to grow closer. Holden is very understanding of Greg’s asexuality and does his best to do what he can to show Greg he’s in for the long haul. Greg has his insecurities and they both travel a lot so they know that it will take work if they want to succeed at being a couple in the long run.
I enjoyed how the feelings were managed, Greg’s anxiety about being HIV positive and Holdens willingness to do what he can to keep them both safe but enjoy being together also.
Greg’s family and roommates/ best friends were amazing and really added to the story.
This was a nice slow burn with an age gap, with a man who is a closeted ex military and another who is asexual and HIV positive. Holden had a hard life as a closeted gay man with DADT and had settled on a life where he continues to hide as his post military job as an aviation consultant doesn’t seem to give him the freedom to be who is is either. He allows himself a ‘break’ every so often. Greg is an air steward and has had bad luck meeting the right person as being asexual means it takes him longer to feel attraction and not many are willing to wait him out.
They meet at a club one night and both feel something more but a series of events happen and they lose contact. One day Holden is on a flight that Greg is working on and they both get stranded/ snowed in, in the same hotel. Greg invites Holden to his parent’s resort in Aspen for a few days and this down time away from everyone else, gives them a chance to get to know each other on a different level and they start to grow closer. Holden is very understanding of Greg’s asexuality and does his best to do what he can to show Greg he’s in for the long haul. Greg has his insecurities and they both travel a lot so they know that it will take work if they want to succeed at being a couple in the long run.
I enjoyed how the feelings were managed, Greg’s anxiety about being HIV positive and Holdens willingness to do what he can to keep them both safe but enjoy being together also.
Greg’s family and roommates/ best friends were amazing and really added to the story.
August 2, 2025
Greg, a sex-positive asexual man living with HIV, is no stranger to rejection and misunderstanding. After yet another failed relationship, he’s not looking for love when he meets Holden—a sexy, closeted silver fox—at a West Hollywood club. Their spark is undeniable, but timing is terrible: Holden leaves for the East Coast, and Greg’s flight attendant schedule keeps him away. They exchange numbers and part ways, both assuming it’s over. Holden, nearly fifty and weary of decades spent hiding his truth, can’t stop thinking about Greg. But when Greg doesn’t reach out, Holden assumes it was a polite brush-off. Then fate intervenes—a week later, Greg is part of Holden’s flight crew. Their reunion is tense, but destiny isn’t done with them yet. As two men with complicated histories and guarded hearts collide again, they must decide whether to risk everything for a connection that defies the odds.
I loved this story of second chances, hard truths, and the courage to be seen. I loved the diversity of the characters and the positive relationship that they had. I enjoyed that it captured identity, vulnerability, and the unexpected pull of fate. A lot of feelings and emotions in this story which was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story of second chances, hard truths, and the courage to be seen. I loved the diversity of the characters and the positive relationship that they had. I enjoyed that it captured identity, vulnerability, and the unexpected pull of fate. A lot of feelings and emotions in this story which was an MM story with mature content.
October 23, 2023
Like a warm hug on a cold day!
4.5 ⭐ rounded up.
I absolutely adored this book! So good. I completely fell for Greg & Holden. Their story was like a warm hug on a cold day!
“These past two days have been the first time in I don’t know how long that I’ve been able to be my full self without worrying that it’s going to offend someone or get me fired or worse. Do you know what a gift that is for me? What a gift you are?”
The main characters were lovable and deep, the side characters were great, the issues were dealt with sensitively and the story flowed brilliantly. It's labelled as low angst but that didn't feel quite right as their histories provided plenty of angst, even if their relationship came together easily at second meeting.
In this you'll find:
✨MM romance with spice
✨Asexual Gay HIV positive flight attendant MC
✨Closeted Gay Veteran engineer MC
✨Age gap
✨Hurt-comfort
✨Forced proximity
✨Fast falling
✨Supportive family
✨Bigoted co-worker
✨Serving under DADT
✨Stealthing with HIV
✨Ace unsupportive ex
✨LA & Colorado setting
✨A HEA
4.5 ⭐ rounded up.
I absolutely adored this book! So good. I completely fell for Greg & Holden. Their story was like a warm hug on a cold day!
“These past two days have been the first time in I don’t know how long that I’ve been able to be my full self without worrying that it’s going to offend someone or get me fired or worse. Do you know what a gift that is for me? What a gift you are?”
The main characters were lovable and deep, the side characters were great, the issues were dealt with sensitively and the story flowed brilliantly. It's labelled as low angst but that didn't feel quite right as their histories provided plenty of angst, even if their relationship came together easily at second meeting.
In this you'll find:
✨MM romance with spice
✨Asexual Gay HIV positive flight attendant MC
✨Closeted Gay Veteran engineer MC
✨Age gap
✨Hurt-comfort
✨Forced proximity
✨Fast falling
✨Supportive family
✨Bigoted co-worker
✨Serving under DADT
✨Stealthing with HIV
✨Ace unsupportive ex
✨LA & Colorado setting
✨A HEA
October 15, 2023
a lovely love story
This is a story about Greg, a flight attendant in his thirties with a history of bad relationships who also happens to be ace and HIV positive. He's been burnt so often, trust comes hard for him. And Holden, a closeted gay man in his fifties whose never been in a relationship.
It's the story of how they meet, how they learn to trust, how they allow each other to be everything they are.
As someone who is ace, I appreciated the depictions of Greg’s sexuality which rang so true for me.
It's a well-told, gentle, touching love story which I highly recommend.
This is a story about Greg, a flight attendant in his thirties with a history of bad relationships who also happens to be ace and HIV positive. He's been burnt so often, trust comes hard for him. And Holden, a closeted gay man in his fifties whose never been in a relationship.
It's the story of how they meet, how they learn to trust, how they allow each other to be everything they are.
As someone who is ace, I appreciated the depictions of Greg’s sexuality which rang so true for me.
It's a well-told, gentle, touching love story which I highly recommend.
October 23, 2023
I've read a few books with ace rep in it and this is by far my favorite. I know Ace is as spectrum, of course. This book, however, gave me a representation that felt more like me. A lot of books have their ace characters have sex anyway and this one didn't. Which I loved. There were lots of steamy moments and awesome intimacy. I loved that part so much.
All of that and then add in HIV and wow! This book was brilliant. Holden was so amazing with everything. His constant reassurance was exactly what Greg needed. I really couldn't have asked for a better book.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author as this was my first book by them.
All of that and then add in HIV and wow! This book was brilliant. Holden was so amazing with everything. His constant reassurance was exactly what Greg needed. I really couldn't have asked for a better book.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author as this was my first book by them.
October 17, 2023
Good Ace representation, age gap, closeted MC
There were some things I really didn't like but they don't reflect on the quality of the book. I prefer not to read about misunderstandings that could have been easily solved by "Using Your Words".
I really liked how Greg's asexuality was handled. I also thought the different stages that the MCs were in was also done well.
I've read a few of Marie Sinclair's books and will continue to.
There were some things I really didn't like but they don't reflect on the quality of the book. I prefer not to read about misunderstandings that could have been easily solved by "Using Your Words".
I really liked how Greg's asexuality was handled. I also thought the different stages that the MCs were in was also done well.
I've read a few of Marie Sinclair's books and will continue to.
dnf
September 5, 2024DNF @ 47%
Unfortunately, this just isn’t holding my interest anymore. It’s slow burn, as expected, given that one of the MCs is asexual and HIV positive. It started good, but then I got bored, because it was like watching someone go about their day, doing the mundane things.
Also, I didn’t like that an entire scene was rehashed exactly but from the other character’s point of view in the following chapter near the beginning. It’s not necessary and it’s annoying.
Unfortunately, this just isn’t holding my interest anymore. It’s slow burn, as expected, given that one of the MCs is asexual and HIV positive. It started good, but then I got bored, because it was like watching someone go about their day, doing the mundane things.
Also, I didn’t like that an entire scene was rehashed exactly but from the other character’s point of view in the following chapter near the beginning. It’s not necessary and it’s annoying.
November 13, 2024
This was, hands-down, one of the most romantic books I have ever read. I loved the ace rep and the way that the intimacy between Holden and Greg was handled, between Greg’s asexuality and his HIV status. Because asexuality is such a spectrum and is different for everyone, it can be a beautiful romance when it’s done right. And this was. I loved how their relationship built when they were together and the respect they had for each other.
September 3, 2025
This is my first book of this author, and I loved it. It's sweet, a bit emotional, well written. I particularly appreciated the asexual representation and how it was explained and handled in the book. I've read several other books portraying ace main characters, but it's the first time I felt I really understood and identified with them. I loved both Greg and Holden, and really loved how understanding and protective Holden was.
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