Aiden Marsh is nobody. After his long-ill mother dies, he's left by himself with the end of their apartment lease, and the loneliness of the city. When the internet friend he's been crushing invites him on a trip to photograph the northern lights, how is he supposed to say no? There's just the tiny little fact that he's been lying about his life for the last year. But everyone lies on the internet, right?
Russell Merritt had it all. Had. Past tense. A meteoric rise to photographer fame: a storied freelance career and his own show on World Wild. What else could he want? Then it all came crashing down, and that's exactly the question he has to answer. What else could he want?
Now, Russell and Aiden are taking on the wilds of Granite-Glacier--Russell's old, forsaken hometown--on a photo excursion that lets them both forget the mess of their lives. But even their growing attraction can only keep reality at bay for so long. They're going to have to drag all their secrets out into the light.
Chasing the Light is a sweet, all-vibes MM romance set in a small town. For fans of secret identities, forced proximity, the wild outdoors, and internet-friends-to-lovers.
3 stars. Overall enjoyable romance, but I'm sure tomorrow I won't remember any details. I confess I had hoped to love this more, though. I could nitpick at a few things, but won't bother.
This is a perfect low-everything romance for in between other books (low angst, and for me sadly low chemistry, too). I did like the sparks of jealousy though. Didn't like the ex being saved as "Hot Stuff" on the phone at all (this wasn't neither addressed nor undone, strange enough?). Look at me, nitpicking after all 😂
Thankfully there were less editing issues than in "A mountain man walks in to a library".
4 stars What a lovely story! I really enjoyed it, it was the right mix of love, spice, a little bit of tension and a wonderful HEA.
Russell is a famous photographer who, after a nasty public breakup with his also famous boyfriend, goes back to his hometown, buys a cabin and retreats there to lick his wounds. He joins a forum of fellow photographers and "meets" Aiden. Aiden is younger than Russell, he dropped out of college to take care of his mother, sick with cancer, while working odd jobs and navigating a toxic relationship with his landlord's son. After his mother's death, Aiden accepts Russell's proposal to join him in his town to chase the Northern Lights.
Russell and Aiden have started falling in love with each other during endless chats and shared photos but, despite hitting it off immediately in real life and being very comfortable around each other, they hold back: their negative past experiences influence their behaviour and they both think they could never be enough for the other. But feeling and attraction push them into each other's arms and they surrender: their first time together was very beautiful and emotional, so filled with feelings. There are some obstacles on their path, but luckily, no miscommunication or unnecessary angst.
What prevented me from giving 5 stars: I would have love more intimate moments, like the first time they shared a bed. It felt like their intimacy and closeness was always on/off. Luc being still saved as Hot Stuff in Russell's phone bothered me.
It seems this is the first book of a series, so I hope we'll get to see Jonah and Daniel again.
Aiden gets to spend a week with his photographer idol / crush Russell to see and photograph the northern lights. I liked both MCs and found their actions authentic and believable. They were surprisingly multilayered. It’s a nice low angst romance but nothing that’ll keep me thinking about it over the next few months. But sometimes this is exactly what you need. An entertaining story with likeable characters, a good vibe and not much angst. I loved the descriptions of the scenery and felt as if I’d been camping with them. It was nice to see how they went from bonding about photography, to getting to know each other and then falling in love. The only real issue I had was the writing, especially in the beginning. The pronouns were confusing, switches between 1st and 3rd POV in the same sentence. Either it got better after I while or I just got used to it.
Absolutely adorable read!! I really enjoyed that these two men formed a friendship online and then ended up meeting in real life for friendship purposes alone. Their relationship never falters as they become closer ❤️. The chemistry and attraction is present as soon as they meet, it was also a heartwarming relationship development to the next level, humor and nicknames included. Reading this was like a warm hug, I would recommend.
* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
This was a wonderful surprise of a book for me! I have never read anything by this author before but this one book has made me a fan!
Aiden and Russell first meet on an online forum group for photographers. Russell is an expert in the field, having had his own tv show at one point and is someone who Aiden looks up to. Aiden is more on the amateur level but he forms a connection with Russell anyway. They talk for a whole year about photography and seeing the Northern Lights. 3 weeks after Aiden’s mothers passing, which Russell is unaware of, he tells Aiden there is a good chance the lights will show themselves soon and that Aiden should visit. Aiden agrees and the two spend a week in a camper under the stars, waiting for the lights to show and growing a lot closer.
This book was age gap which is one of my favorite tropes. There was plenty of banter, and cozy nights that developed into more intimate sleeping arrangements. I loved how Aiden and Russell were able to feel like themselves again with each other after everything they’ve gone through on their own. I absolutely adored Aiden, I just wanted him to be happy and have someone. I loved the supporting characters Jonah and Daniel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this a lot. The reveal of what happened with Russell and his ex was a little underwhelming for me but besides that I thought this was a very wholesome, tender story.
At 20% in, I struggled to continue. It’s cute but both characters have secrets and have inner monologue about an A-hole ex that they’re avoiding. But we don’t know *really* what’s going on with them or why the avoidance. Aiden’s we know a little about but Russell, not at all. Feels like it’s meant to be mysterious and have the reader ask questions.
And I mean, yeah, I want to know. But I don’t feel invested enough in the characters yet to really care too much. Although I’m definitely feeling more invested in Aiden than Russell. I just don’t feel like I’ve gotten a vibe on his yet.
At 35% in, I kept putting the book down and almost immediately would have to force myself to pick it back up.
At first I wasn’t totally feeling their vibe. There was some chemistry but it felt so low-level attraction and not this great love story romance. It almost reminds me of where you read/watch those romances where it seems like the initial two characters you meet have this unrequited love for each other but then 2/3 of the way through they turn around and BAM! they’re starting to realize this other person is actually the love of their life. *shrug*
Once they got together the pacing was much better but was almost too fast… yeah, we got time to get to know them as a couple but they seemed to progress and move forward at light speed once they finally gave in to how they felt.
In the end, it was a cute story and worth the read.
I really wanted to love this book by a new-to-me author. It's got all the elements of a great friends to lovers, small town romance. I adore the setting and anything involving chasing the Northern Lights is right up my street. It's a good premise, too: the men are coming from different phases of their life, but both are in one of the stages of grief for very different reasons and both are unsure of their own identities in this moment.
The thing for me is that it doesn't really feel like the sun of its parts. It's maybe a me thing, but I didn't get enough of a feel for the natural world - there's lots of ‘here’s a lake/meteor/beautiful trail’ but there wasn't enough description to really transport me there. Similarly, with the MCs, we know they're dealing with events in their lives, but they both have traits that made it difficult for me to properly empathise with them, like Aiden’s petty jealousy didn't read as cute to me and I got (maybe irrationally) annoyed that Russell still has his ex saved as Hot Stuff in his phone. Lastly, I struggled with the narrative being in the first-person present here.
So, overall, I didn't get the read I'd hoped for from Chasing The Light. I think there's a sweet story there that other readers might connect to more, but for me it's 2.5* rounded up.
An e-copy was provided by GRR. This is my honest opinion.
Aiden is 25 year old college dropout from Chicago, who just lost his mother two months ago, his ex is evicting him, and his presence on a photography forum is based on a lie- he claims he's a professional but he's an amateur. He's also got a huuuuge crush on Russell.
Russell is world-famous photographer with secrets. He was fired from his popular tv series, his relationship ended after he cheated, his online presence is full of lies about his existence, and he's exiled himself to Granite-Glacier for it. He also finds himself very attracted to Aiden and invites the younger man to visit him.
Both characters are written basically the same character with different lies. So far the first quarter of the book is a full day with the two constantly full of interior monologues about their problems... over, and over, and over. We get it, they have problems. After the first two times the characters should be developing but instead it's more lengthy smiles and staring. After 15% it got boring, then by 25% the slow pace and inconsistent plotting killed my interest in continuing.
Aiden and Russ have secrets. From each other and possibly from themselves. Both avoiding the past, not ready to face the future. Their perceived failures almost blinding them to their present.
I liked the chemistry between Aiden and Russ. They already thought it was there but as a reader I got to discover it alongside them. I liked that the gradual discovery of their “secrets”, without a lot of drama, made the story stronger. The things they kept from each other weren’t earth shattering and didn’t make me think less of them.
Being introduced to their world through their cameras was a shot straight to the heart. The vivid use of their photography as a love language was unusual and created a pleasing sweet, slow book and I enjoyed it.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
3.5⭐️ I liked the premise, Russell and Aiden bond online over their mutual love of photography. I also liked both main characters, who both dealing with grief. Aiden recently lost his mother to cancer and Russell is reeling from the end of his relationship. When Aiden impulsively accepted Russell’s invite to come photograph the Northern Lights the two meet in person for the first time. The attraction is pretty clear but there is a frustrating lack of communication which makes things harder than they needed to be. Overall, it was a bit slow moving for me, but did finish strong. I thought the last handful of chapters were quite a lovely ending for Russell and Aiden.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I loved the premise of the book with wonderful characters and an engaging storyline!
“ I was ready to stay in the dark for a long time, but you just bleed light wherever you go, and now I don’t want to leave it again.”
Both Aiden Marsh and his idol crush photographer Russel Merrit are keeping secrets from each other while searching for the beautiful aurora borealis and meteor showers to capture for eternity but little do they know that their search will uncover so much more…
A beautiful, poignant story with lots of heart and a couple of twists in the tails!
I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.
This book was heartfelt & beautiful. Aiden & Russell are two souls who found their way to each other despite the path they were on separately.
As a photographer myself this one hit so close that I understood the excitement from Aiden to capture the northern lights because, SAME! Aiden's love for photography is something I relate to on a level that if you are not a camera person you might not get it. Russell is not what I expected at all, for being a big name in the world I expected something very different, he is in a way everything that Aiden needs.
The backstory of these two is heartbreaking. The pain of losing someone you love although in different ways for different reasons, will hit you in the chest once you are in it and get through the POV of each of these guys. Russell & Aiden make photography sound like an adventure and truthfully it is. Being behind the camera is an experience that is thrilling especially when you are chasing something you have always wanted to capture like Aiden is.
This book has a little of everything. Sprinkles of some spice.. minimal but what we get is -chefs kiss- The feels from both POV's The last thing I expected towards the end with the film canister had me tearing up with a smile because of course it comes out then.
Definitely glad I read this & I cannot wait to read more.
What can I say about this book? It had everything I appreciate in a read, chemistry between the Male leads (Aiden and Russell), angst and insecurities on both sides, an outdoorsy whimsical setting and a satisfying ending! I loved the characterization of these characters, it was so easy to love them and see the parallels between their struggles, Aiden felt words apart from Russell but he was closer than he knew. Mal Trevino wrote an engaging, fluffy romance with this book and I will be checking out some of their other books.
The northern lights ( I would love to see ), and the wonderful chemistry between Aiden and Russell, I was hooked from the beginning.
The settings were brought to life by the perfect descriptions by Mal, I felt as if I was there. The age gap between Aiden and Russell made no difference between them, started as a friendship but an understanding grew between them that grew into a wonderful relationship.
Lovely banter, both had a background of hurting Aiden by the loss of his mum and Rušsell by his ex who hurt his heart deeply. Beautifully written….
No matter what you do, the Aurora just makes everything better. What a gorgeous place this story is set in. It made me want to head up North again to chase the Northern Lights myself. The main characters were two creative, damaged men. The way their faults and their vulnerability are shown lends them a realness that touches the heart and is simply refreshing compared to these uber perfect characters you sometimes encounter in romance novels. The ending was maybe a little too sweet and rosy in my opinion but I still enjoyed this story.
I liked so many of the elements of the premise for this book— northern lights? A shared love for photography? Navigating an internet friendship to in-person meeting, in a way that’s cosy and heartwarming and allows the MCs to find in one another someone who sees and values them for who they are? All good things. There’s little angst and some solid connection in this story, and overall it’s hard not to like Aiden and Russell and to root for their happiness.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I was drawn in by the hints of mystery in this book. It was clear that both Aiden and Russell have been hiding things from each other and the author has been keeping secrets from the reader and I really wanted to find out what was going on. I'm a big fan of age gap romances so that definitely made me happy here and the way these two moved from their internet discussions about photography to friendship to more once they met and went out on their photography trek also worked for me. I enjoyed the way the author handled the revelations of their secrets and look forward to more in this series.
This book is a roller coaster of emotions. I found myself weepy then I was smiling. The characters were likable and they brought this story to life. The hidden secrets were brought out into light, confessions were made and these only brought the characters and their story closer to your heart. This book is warm, it’s sweet and it’s very endearing. The story was very well to the point of it feeling personal. I enjoyed the journey tremendously. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
I was pretty sure there was nothing more romantic than the Northern Lights, but I was wrong. The journey through the wilderness to get to there is definitely even more romantic. Russell and Aiden are both trying to heal and find themselves again. Hiking and taking beautiful pictures along with them made for a very touching read. There were melancholy moments, happy moments and just simple wonderful moments.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it, the story was well written and the characters were good. Both Russell and Aiden had secrets that they thought made them unworthy of each other but when they get together and their secrets are exposed it brings them closer together and we get a lovely Hea. Looking forward to the next book in this series, I wonder who’s story it will be Jonah, Daniel or maybe both l can’t wait to find out.
A new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect as I felt it could be more descriptive with both the scenery and characters but overall it is a lovely heart-warming, sweet and steamy romance about two people who have an instant connection but have alot of obstacles to overcome before they finally get together. Looking forward to the next in series. I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
I loved this story. Aiden and Russell are both at their lowest point and hiding from their mistakes. Aiden is reeling from the loss of his mother and Russell is recovering from a career ending mistake. After becoming friends in a online forum for professional photographers Aiden agrees to spend a week with Aiden attempting to take photos of the Northern Lights. I enjoyed how both men moved slowly to reveal their secrets and discover the feelings they been developing online.
Could I have loved this book more? I really doubt it. After reading the related Harlow Mountain Men novellas, I was more than ready for a deeper look into Granite-Glacier. Honestly, this book had me with the photography focus. My inner (who am I kidding, it's not just inner) nerd was so very, very pleased. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
His mother has died after a long illness and his life is going nowhere at all. He has been talking to someone on the internet and they invite him to go to the northern lights. He will go but secrets will need to be revealed if they want to have a future. What are those secrets? How will they get on? See if they have a happy ending
This author is new to me, and I will definitely check out more. This was a sweet and steamy romance in a beautiful setting between two people who have gone through some difficult times. Their connection is instant, but they both feel undeserving. Eventually, they get it together, and it is heartwarming.
This is one of those books that is a good read because it's well done. Aiden and Russel have so much happening here, secrets, dreams, chemistry, and light to medium depression all mixed together. It works.
Overall, this was really, really enjoyable. Aiden and Russell were well fleshed out, but I feel like I missed something in the beginning. I would have loved to be a part of their chats online. That being said, enjoyed this immensely and will be picking up the rest of the series.
Short but really sweet love story. Despite everything happening in less than 2 weeks it didn't feel rushed... They knew each other through internet forums and their story had been brewing for months... I liked the fact that, in the end, they were honest and shared their fears and real stories