Blue Star Diner

Foggy Basin #1

by Brina Brady

Forbidden Desires at Blue Star Diner
In the heart of the small town, the Blue Star Diner serves more than just comfort food. Twenty-four-year-old Andrew Star, a brooding co-manager of his family diner with a past, finds himself drawn to Officer Duarte—a man with secrets as dark as the night.

Their attraction is electric, but there’s a both men are hiding their true selves. Andrew, scarred by youthful mistakes, yearns for Officer Duarte’s attention. But Officer Duarte, bound by duty and fear, must keep his sexuality hidden to protect everything he holds dear.

As the tension simmers between them, the Star and Duarte families clash. Their feud, fueled by religious differences, threatens to tear apart the very fabric of their lives. Andrew’s cover as a ladies’ man is a fragile shield, while Officer Duarte walks a tightrope between love and survival.

In a small town where acceptance comes at a high price, Andrew and Officer Duarte must navigate forbidden desires, risking everything for a chance at love. But when secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, they’ll discover that the true battle lies within themselves—a battle that could shatter their lives or set them free.
Blue Star Diner is a gripping tale of love, sacrifice, and the courage to embrace who they truly are, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Welcome to Foggy Basin. Just passing through? No problem. Here to stay, well, better find your place. Sit back, relax and get to know the townsfolk. They love hard and play even harder. Each book is a standalone book, but why not stay and get to know us and read them all.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

I read and write M/M Gay Erotica/Romance novels.

I am a retired high school teacher with a Master's Degree from California State University of Long Beach and UCLA.

I taught various high school subjects including the following:world history, math, Algebra, Careers, CAHSEE prep, Independent Studies,science, Adult School, Orientation, and even middle school for three years. Let's not talk about the middle school experience. I prefer teaching high school seniors.

During the day, I read and write. I enjoy taking writing classes in my spare time.

Reviews

[Ron-Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but this was not good. Very simplistic, very rushed and I fear I may have strained my eyeballs from all the rolling they did.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written MM romance with strong characters in Andrew and Rafael. The author does a great job developing the story and takes you into their lives with secrets, passion and chemistry and kept me turning the pages with the family feud and fear of being discovered. She moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a terrific read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy this type of series. Set in small town America, the type of town you would like to live in. No0rmally book 1 sets the scene about the town and starts to introduce us to the various inhabitants whilst focusing on 2 MCs.
However we really got none of this. I found the writing to be quite juvenile and now only a few days after reading it I am struggling to remember what happened and even the MCs names.

[Kurtis Mcdowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this poignant and heartwarming novel, author Brina Brady masterfully weaves a tale of love, acceptance, and perseverance in adversity. Set against the backdrop of small-town America, where perceived and actual homophobia can be both disheartening and predictable, "Blue Star Diner" is an emotional journey that will leave readers deeply moved.

The story follows Andrew, owner of the local diner, and Rafael, a police officer, as they navigate their feelings for each other in a town where secrecy and fear are rampant. The author's strength lies in her ability to create relatable and likable characters, making it easy to become invested in their journey. As Andrew and Rafael face the challenges of coming out, dealing with homophobic families and colleagues, and overcoming century-old family feuds, readers will be hooked on their compelling storyline.

What sets "Blue Star Diner" apart is its well-crafted narrative, which balances heartbreak and hope in a way that feels authentic and satisfying. The author's portrayal of the characters' struggles to reconcile their love with societal pressures is poignant and realistic. The story's conclusion, while predictable in some ways, still manages to surprise and delight readers.

As someone who has read Brina Brady's work before, I can say that "Blue Star Diner" is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is emotionally resonant and deeply satisfying. This book is a must-read if you appreciate a good romance with meaningful themes and relatable characters.

In short, "Blue Star Diner" is a cosy read that will leave readers feeling hopeful and fulfilled. With its realistic portrayal of small-town America, well-crafted characters, and heartwarming conclusion, it's no wonder this book has captured the hearts of many.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of small town romances and this one set in Foggy Basin is wonderful. Brina Brady has perfectly captured both the positives and negatives of small town living here. One huge positive for Andrew is that even though he was a bit wild as a youth, people in the town know him and have always liked him and supported him. Now, as co-owner of the Blue Star Diner with his brother, business is booming. What isn't booming is Andrew's love life. He's a huge flirt, but the person he's really interested in is Officer Rafael Duarte. Andrew is certain his family won't accept the fact that he's gay and even if they could get past that, his parents and the elder Duartes have been bitter enemies forever based on religious bigotry. Rafael Duarte is in a similar situation. His parents would never accept him if he came out and they return the Stars hatred. Rafael also fears that being openly gay would jeopardize his job on the police force. The hiring of Rafael's sister by Andrew to work in the Blue Star Diner precipitates family confrontations but also forces Andrew and Rafael to talk which leads to a relationship that they agree to keep hidden. Unfortunately, there's a poison pen in town who outs them to family and the police force. Andrew and Rafe have to make some hard decisions about what they want and how they are going to live their lives. There are some surprising reactions to the revelation about them and we get the mystery of the letter writer to solve as things wrap up in a lovely and very satisfying HEA.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story features a feud between two families that is ages old, but is still the priority of both households. These feelings have been funnelled down to both Andrew and Rafael, despite neither having the same level of hatred. They have both been keeping a big secret from everyone and each other. No possible way for them to live their lives as true as possible, too many consequences. Such weight on their shoulders, until Rafael sees an opportunity to find out if his suspicions about Andrew are correct. They don't mess around with the honest talk and I liked that they could talk and open up about their feelings. They have had to abide rules all of their lives. Add religious homophobia into the mix and this is what these men are working against. It's a novella, so expect a lack of detail and early love declarations. The violence and aggression from both of their fathers seemed exaggerated, I think a full novel would have possibly helped us to get to the root cause of the feud and hate. I'm just glad that Andrew and Rafael didn't have that hatred and were brave enough to trust each other. This feels like the start of a series, getting to know the characters, the town and the logistics. A happy ending for these two on the start of their journey. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving this review

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars I really really liked this one as it's different from the author’s usual works which I waited for awhile.
Readers that have T/W for homophobic and mild family attacks are warned.
Andrew, 24 years old, was the co-owner of the diner with his brother and now a proud owner of a sports car. He gets the officer he’s crushing on to notice with a speeding ticket. Lol oh he's got it totally bad for Rafael but he’s deep in the closet since their town community is small.

Officer Rafael has a different story with church going parents who didn't like The Star Diner or its occupants. But Rafael sure did like one person in particular in the family but he needed it to be hidden. Aww I felt for Raf as he struggled with his parents' taunts of prejudices but it went both ways for the families involved.
It's not long before there's trouble brewing between the family with Andrew and Rafael stuck in the middle along with Raf’s sister.
The story progresses along which is not all smooth sailing, far from it. Lots of thoughts for their fathers as they need to let the past be in the past. A great contemporary story, in which they win a heart earned HEA ending.
*I received an advance reader copy and this is my thoughts of the book.

[Steve Pardue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Brina Brady’s story is set in a small town where perceived and actual homophobia is both disheartening and predictable. Readers are taken on an emotional journey, where the heartbreaking challenges faced by the characters are felt profoundly.

One of Brina Brady’s strengths as a writer is her ability to create relatable and likable characters. In this book, Andrew and Rafael’s journey is both touching and heart-wrenching. They are afraid of what everyone thinks, which makes them hesitant to commit to their relationship. However, their undeniable love drives the narrative forward, leading to a compelling storyline that keeps readers hooked.

Despite the adversity and societal pressures, Andrew and Rafael’s story has a heartwarming and satisfying conclusion. Their love for each other proves to be worth all the sacrifices they make. The book’s ending is refreshing, providing readers with a well-deserved happy ever after. This resolution not only brings a sense of closure but also leaves readers with a feeling of hope and fulfillment.

This is my second book by Brina Brady, and she has truly outdone herself this time. As much as I liked the other book, this one surpasses the other by delivering a story that is both emotionally engaging and deeply satisfying. If you appreciate well-crafted characters and a meaningful plot, this book is a must-read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafael and Andrew are two closeted men who have crushed on each other for years but never said anything. Each feels the other might be gay, so when an opportunity presents itself to find out, Rafael takes a chance to set it up. Finding out each is gay and the attraction is real is only the beginning. Now they must figure out how to navigate a small conservative town, homophobic families, religious differences, a century old family feud, and Rafael’s job on the police force, all under the eyes of the town’s busy-body gossip and her disapproving stare. Is a chance on a secret relationship worth it as road blocks crop up, or is this the love of a lifetime, worth every chance to make it work?

Realistic, relatable characters in the world of conservative small town America, complete with fears of homophobia and discrimination if coming out to friends and family, and all the angst involved with those thoughts. Not a very long read but an interesting one as the MCs face uncertainty in a fragile new relationship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

MM - Small Town Romance

Andrew, the owner of a small town diner, and Rafael, a local police officer, are the protagonists of this story. They come from feuding families and both are in the closet. Their love for one another was only ever from afar.

Then came the letter. It is a great small-town romance with many ups and downs, interfering families and locals. Homophobic families and colleagues. You get a bit of everything in this story.

But we end with our 'Happily Ever After' (HEA), a satisfying conclusion to their tumultuous love story.

Blue Star Diner Kindle Edition
by
Brina Brady

❤❤❤❤ Story

[stardragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is like Romeo and Juliet but without the disastrous ending. The Star and Duarte families dislike each other, both have cultural and religious differences. Only their children seemingly get along much to their parents dismay. Gabriella Duarte is hired by Andrew Star to work at the diner. Andrew and his brother Joe run the diner. Rafael Duarte is a police officer who does his job to the letter. There is a lot of hatred and homophobia by the fathers plus another person in this small town. Fortunately things work out for Rafael and Andrew.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go out and grab what you want. Andrew and Rafael, are both hiding secrets of their lives. They live in a small town with small town prejudices. They are attracted to each other, but hide behind masks. On top of that, their families are enemies. The author created an awsome mix of unrequited love and closet hugging small town homophobia. The Andrew's and Rafael's relationship is an uphill battle. Brina once again, provides a world where the lovers are fighting conflict on a 360 degree circle making them earn their HEA. Absolutely fantastic story. Great cover art! Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kendra T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this an overall OK read, but it didn't settle in my heart as something I would re-read. Andrew and Rafael were decent characters, but the story just seemed to go a little too fast. In one scene they are finally connecting and finding they like each other and the next day they are saying I love you by text. It seemed a bit disjointed. That said, I liked the overall world (I enjoy small town romance collections) and hope to see more of the side characters in those.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Star Diner is a wonderful story written by Brina Brady. It's a little different from what I am used to from her, but I like it. The characters are very relatable. It was hard won but I was glad they got their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Randy Schoedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts out with an inclination of what is goibng to happen and the it takes a number of quick turns that have you wondering where it is going. But after all of the plot twists you get to the end you were promised at the beginninh of the story. I rate it as a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read with such great characters! Andrew and Rafael are both great but they’re both hiding another side of themselves for reasons of their own. This was such a great story with a wonderful storyline! I’m so glad how things turned out! Highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JM G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading Blue Star Diner, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to keep reading so I could see what was going to happen next. The characters are great and the storyline hooked me from the start. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I won't go into details. Please read the book blurb for some information about the book. I recommend reading this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew and Rafe are in love. The problem is their families are in a feud that goes way back. They start sneaking around and get caught. This book tells the story of how love can conquer all. Andrew and Rafe are adorable together. I highly recommend this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like this is going to be another great mm multi author series. We start with this well written MM romance by Brina. Loved the characters Andrew and Rafael and enjoyed following their journey which was paced perfectly. With a fluid storyline full of passion and amazing chemistry between them I was completely enthralled.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kim Krogh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story, but room for improvement

I liked the story and the main characters. However the writing felt off and I would have liked a lot more descriptions I.e. he was this tall, that broad, lived on this or that street in that neighborhood. The diner was located where??? Just to make me feel that I know the MC’s and the town they live in.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad feelings travel down a generation and cause heartache. The first in the Foggy Basin series and it's a tough one as gay seems to be a bad word in parts of this small town, two young men go to great lengths to meet in secret fearing their battling families and certain town folk. A touching but sad story.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

This is a quick but good story. There was a part or two that had me struggling with the story for a bit, but I enjoyed it overall. I found it entertaining to read.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew & Rafael live in "Small Town, USA. Andrew is Co-Owner of the Blue Star diner, Rafael the town sheriff. Living in a small bigoted town they're both "closeted" but decides to tempt fate. Things don't go so well, their secret gets out. This is a story of how they overcome the obstacles of living in a small town. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of a multi author series of standalone stories set in Foggy Basin. I enjoyed this small town romance between Andrew and Rafael who are both closeted. Their story had angst and was emotional and the road to their relationship was not easy and some hard choices had to be made but they finally got their hard won happiness. Good read.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew and Rafael are attracted to each other but afraid to do anything about it because of their religious parent and they come from a small town. They decide to start dating secretly but things always seem to get in their way. I really enjoyed this book.

[Brei-ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Blue Star Diner l and struggled to put it down. The story is amazing and I enjoyed reading Andrew and Rafael's story.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

I really enjoyed this story. These two had so many obstacles and so much angst to overcome to be together. This was a very emotional story and it was very well written.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Star Diner is the first book in the multi-author Foggy Basin series and is a small town romance. This was such a great representation of what it can be like being "different" in a small town. I loved this story between Andrew and Rafael, it's a great short read. These two have so much to overcome, between a long-time family feud to homophobia, but in the end does love win?

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is a Romeo/Juliet theme with HEA. It was, something.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! So Good!!

Well written story and well developed characters. Those are the most important things, to me, in a book. This was a fantastic read!