Twink Heart

Hardwood Beach Boys #1

by Atreus Rosewood

Welcome to Hardwood Beach, the best beach with a ridiculous name on Lake Michigan. Where if the wind and waves don’t carry you away, your heart certainly will.

Ryan

When I found my girlfriend in bed with another man, I packed a bag and left without a word. No fighting, no tears, no goodbyes. I drove away from that life and swore off women forever. Forever single sounds way better than being cheated on.

But when I literally trip over James Hart, the last thing I expect is for sparks to fly with another man. He laughs too much and sees the good in everything. He’s like a ball of sunshine all the time, and it makes me want to hurl. And yet, I can’t stop staring.

Exploring the side of me I’ve hidden for all these years was easy compared to the emotions that came rushing in afterward.

James

My dating life is nothing but a series of short-term flings. So when a grumpy tourist trips over me at the beach and won’t quit eyeing me up, I don’t expect anything lasting to happen.

But Ryan Baker feels different. There’s something about his rare smiles that makes my heart sing. But I don’t want him to just be another notch in my belt. Things between us get hot and heavy fast, and I don’t find out until after that I’m his first experience with another man. When he acts like he’s about to run, I do everything I can to get him to stay.

Can I convince a heartbroken man to trust in love again?

gay for you, bi-awakening, hurt/comfort, grumpy/sunshine, beach romance

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary Romance

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Atreus Rosewood is a gay romance author living in Michigan with his two boyfriends, two cats, a spoiled dog, and all the beaches he could ask for. He writes constantly to the detriment of all else and that's just the way he likes it. If you happen to find him wandering a beach and mumbling to himself, iced coffee is how you’ll lure him back to civilization.

Atreus writes under three separate Pen Names:

--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance

--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance

--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy

Reviews

[Hugo #freepalestine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, but this trope is pretty common that I've feel like I've read a book like this similar with much better storytelling but this isn't bad at all I'm just bored a little bit, I do appreciate the self reflection on rowan part on the third act instead of blowing up he tries to understand of what's going on and handles the situation very well, good job talk about character development.

[Kurohagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai adoré ces deux personnages ! J'aime l'optimisme et l'honnêteté de James qui fait un magnifique travail pour redonner le sourire et l'envie de croire en l'amour à Rowan... Oh et surtout de lui ouvrir les portes de l'arc-en-ciel !
Rowan a toujours refusé d'explorer son attirance pour les hommes, mais quand il tombe sur le bon il n'est plus possible pour lui de résister même s'il a peur d'avoir encore le coeur brisé.

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I loved these two characters! I love the optimism and honesty of James, who does a wonderful job of making Rowan smile again and believe in love... Oh, and above all, to open the doors of the rainbow for him!
Rowan has always refused to explore his attraction to men, but when he stumbles across the right one it's no longer possible for him to resist, even if he's afraid of getting his heart broken again.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, sweet and pretty sexy story. The bi-awakening is done well even though it felt a little "gay-for-you" while reading it ( gay for you is my least favorite trope).
There was self reflection and good communication but some things felt a little silly (the sex swing in the second bedroom...of course) And there is insta lust transformed into insta love after two weeks. I like my romances a little more slow burn and angsty 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Axalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mdrrr moi qui pensait que ça allait juste être une romance érotique, ben en vrai, c'était une vraie histoire avec des personnages qui sont devenus amis avant d'être amants !

Incroyable, malgré une traduction un peu mauvaise, ce n' était pas trop mal du tout ! Bon, pas non plus un chef d'œuvre mais c'est pas grave, j'étais prête à tout lire mdrrr

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note of Interest: In the synopsis one of the characters is named Ryan Baker, however, that character in the book is named Rowan and his last name is never specified.
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First-person, past tense, dual POV

Rowan ? (thirty something), employee at a multi-million dollar company
James Hart (22), receptionist at a veterinary clinic

I've got to say, the first 20% was a bit of a hard slog, I almost DNF'd it. Rowan isn't a fun grump; I have no idea why James persisted in trying to gain his attention except that it was necessary for the story to happen. He's rude, morose, and difficult to sympathize with - from the jump he indicates he isn't surprised that his girlfriend cheated as he had been so busy at work with his new promotion -late nights, cancelled plans, the whole nine yards - and yet on a dime he can suddenly work remotely and barely at that. It was just bizarre. Neither character seemed particularly well fleshed out and it made it difficult to get into the story.

After James convinces Rowan that they should be friends and they start spending time together things start rolling. I loved the sunset hike scene and its aftermath, though Rowan is still pretty unlikeable at certain points and he really should have been put in his place better. I have to admit that gay-for-you and bi-awakening stories are not my favourite, I'm just kind of tired of them if I'm honest, but I knew what I was getting going in and I'm not going to lie, the sexploration that typically goes with those tropes is pretty hot and this was no exception.

The exes storylines were entertaining, though felt like caricatures -poor James and his terrible taste in hook-ups! Though I hated how Mia was suddenly a bigoted bitch for no real reason other than to gain sympathy for Rowan as far as I could tell. As Rowan explores his sexuality with James he also has to evaluate what he wants in life and I wish a little more of that had occurred.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, the vet, 'Doc' Keegan was amusing, and Adam was a voice of reason as Rowan questioned his sexuality and was probably a better friend than he deserved. I see he'll be getting a book later this summer and I'm looking forward to checking it out as one of the MCs is blind and I love some disability rep in a romance.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a 'gay for you' story, I also love and age gap and this had both. Rowan walks in on his girlfriend of years having sex with another man, his world tilts and he flees. James lives quietly near the beach, sad that he can't find that certain someone in his life. This is their story, and a darn good one it is, well written and just plain sweet as they go through the up's and down's as Rowan learns a whole new way to love.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

James & Rowan!!!

What an amazing book! I absolutely loved James from the start! He's pure sunshine and happiness to his grumpy, hurt Rowan, and just what Rowan needs!

A great romance, filled with plenty of laughter, adventurous hikes, along with lots of 🌶, a few unexpected twists, a swing (😉), and a perfect hea!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowan has just broken up with his girlfriend Mia - she cheated on him - when he meets James in a supermarket. Rowan knows he's bi, so it's just sort of natural that things work out - and they DO, big time. They say "I love you" to each other near the end of the book.

[tahls · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet

The book was fast paced, sweet and spicy. A pretty quick read, that’s great for a long afternoon. Will definitely be reading more from this author again.

[Brennan Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book

I really enjoyed this book. You get go watch the two characters relationship develop and cheer for them as well as sympathize with their struggles. I definately recommend this book.

[Tommy Longbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

magnifique livre et histoire

[J7vA]

The book had tropes that I liked but somehow I couldn’t get into it, it was kinda boring tbh. Both MCs were meh, romance felt cliche with some gay stereotypes

[Louisa Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant piece of writing from this author.
I fell in love with the characters right from the start, seeing them find their way together through insecurities and expectations was beautiful.
Easy read, well written with strong characters and a great story!

[la review bleu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bi-Awakening can be pretty good if done right. And for me, it was done right. The conflict and uneasiness Rowan has in the beginning portrays it good, I believe. Overall I liked the story, how the characters developed their feelings, and of course the spice. I liked and enjoyed this story.

[zen_s · Rating 1 out of 5]

the book started out okay, however the more as i read on, the more i can't differentiate between the characters. i keep flipping to the beginning of the chapter to see whose pov is it. wasn't totally impressed with the execution.