Secrets of Neverwood

Secrets of Neverwood #1-3

by Libby Drew, Diana Copland, G.B. Lindsey

Three foster brothers are called home to Neverwood, the stately Pacific Northwest mansion of their youth. They have nothing in common but a promise to Audrey, the woman they all called mother—that upon her death, they would restore the house and preserve it as a home for troubled boys.

But going home is never easy.

Cal struggles to recover from past heartbreak, while Danny fears his mistakes are too big to overcome. Devon believes he may never break down the barriers that separate him from honest emotion.

On the path to brotherhood, they discover the old mansion holds more than dusty furniture and secret passageways. Audrey’s spirit still walks its halls, intent on guiding “her boys” toward true love, and an old mystery stirs up a new danger—one that could cost the men far more than just the house.

166,000 words

*

Secrets of Neverwood includes:


One Door Closes by G.B. Lindsey
The Growing Season by Diana Copland
The Lost Year by Libby Drew

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Anthologies, Paranormal, Contemporary, Ghosts, LGBT

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Libby glimpsed her true calling when her first story, an A.A. Milne /Shakespeare crossover, won the grand prize in her elementary school's fiction contest. Her parents explained that writers were quirky, poor, and often talked to themselves in supermarket checkout lines. They implored her to be practical, a request she took to heart for twenty years, earning two degrees, a white-collar job, and an ulcer, before realizing that practical was absolutely no fun.

Today she lives with her husband and four children in an old, impractical house and writes stories about redemption, the supernatural, and love at first sight, all of which do exist. She happens to know from experience.

Libby’s STATE OF MIND received rave reviews for being fast, clever, and relentless and was nominated for a Bookie Award for Best M/M Novel of 2011. 40 SOULS TO KEEP, Libby’s third novel, has been described as intense and heart-poundingly good and was praised by Publishers Weekly for maintaining a high level of suspense.

An avid supporter of gay rights, Libby donates her time to the Trevor Project and organizations that work to support marriage equality.

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars overall**

I've been sitting on this review FOREVER, not because it wasn't a good anthology, but because it is a hard book for me to describe.

All of these books were written in a similar tone with a similar vibe. The stories are all lightly paranormal, with the amount of ghostly intervention varying from book to book. The novellas all revolve around a trio of foster brothers who've inherited their home from their recently deceased foster mom. All of the brothers have BIG issues; with themselves, with their relationships, with being a foster kid. Each story is the foster son's individual tale and in each story, the person finds love.

Some of the stories were better than others.

One Door Closes was the first in the anthology, and the weakest, IMO. It was very angsty, with Calvin being a tough characters for me to relate to. I also didn't really see much relationship development between him and Will, and I didn't connect to them as a couple. In fact, I saw more of the relationship between them as viewed through others' eyes in the other brothers' stories. I also didn't get a very clear picture of the brothers in this book. Though the writing was good and the story was well conceived, I found it to be a bit distant and cold. I didn't dislike this one, but I wasn't drawn in by it. (2.5 stars)

The Growing Season was my favorite of the bunch. I loved twinky, defiant, proud Danny and I really enjoyed seeing his relationship with Sam grow and develop. It was the most moving story for me, and I think the strongest, writing-wise. (4 stars)

The Lost Year was also pretty good. As a parent myself, the story touched me and I related well to Nicholas. I'm not sure that I bought Nicholas and Devon together, however. It seemed a bit like a circumstantial pairing and less like a love match. Still, I enjoyed the plot and pacing very much, though Audrey's presence at the end was a little OTT for me. (3.5 stars)

Though each story is billed as a stand-alone, I can't conceive reading each story separately. They really are better as a set, with each story building on and expanding on the others. I think readers of more melancholy, atmospheric stories will enjoy this novella bundle.

**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review can be found at -



Secrets of Neverwood is an outstanding anthology. While each story can be read as a standalone without the reader feeling as if they have missed something, I have to recommend the anthology as a whole. You go inside the heads of three very different men, foster brothers who barely know each other who are brought together when their foster mother dies and leaves her large mansion to the three. Calvin, Danny and Devon all have their own issues and it takes a lot for them to overcome their pasts in order to move forward, not only with their brothers, but in love. Then there is Audrey, their late foster mother, who helps them along the way, even in death.

Excellent read. Highly recommended.

The cover is gorgeous, for the anthology and the individual stories.


This book was provided by the authors in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (OVERALL)

First of all – while Secrets of Neverwood can be read as stand-alone, I honestly think that reading all three stories will make the experience better, especially in understanding these guys while uncovering the secrets that Neverwood keeps. All three stories are intertwined, since these authors write about three “brothers” (I use the term loosely, since they are not born from same parent but they all stay in Neverwood as foster brothers). So the problem will start in Cal’s story and end in Devon’s. Now, individual reviews…

** One Door Closes: 3 stars **

I don’t know if it is because this one is set to be the ‘opener’ of the anthology, but I found the romance underwhelming. It is shadowed by the process of Cal trying to keep Neverwood in the family and bring it back as a place for teenagers with issues. It seems that the interaction and romance between Cal and Will happens only in the form of memories. It feels like the romance is supposed to happen in the past only, and not very much in the present. It is too bad, since I always like second chances stories.

I also find that the writing makes Cal feel detached to me as a reader. I don’t even understand his problems of depression and using drugs to deal with it until much later. It is like the author keeps some information to herself and I’m struggling with the clues she left behind.

** The Growing Season: 4 stars **

This story is my favorite among the three. I find Danny a strong character, even if he is the youngest. Danny is the rock that Sam needs when he struggles with his own family, even if Sam is older than Danny. And, it is quite endearing to read how Danny practically becomes the caretaker of Audrey’s garden.

In this story, the romance and the problem handling is balanced beautifully. I also love Audrey’s presence in here. In Cal’s story, Audrey comes in dreams. But for Danny, Audrey comes in voices. Danny hears Audrey talk to him and I find that lovely. Because as the youngest and the one experiencing the non-easy life (being sentenced to jail at one time), I think Audrey’s voice soothes Danny.

** The Lost Year: 3.5 stars **

This story feels rather different than the other two because it takes Devon (and Nicholas) outside of the Neverwood walls as they go to Seattle to find Nicholas’s son. While yes, Devon and Nicholas form a bond during this trip, I also feel that the romance build-up was slightly less strong compared to Danny and Sam.

Devon was also an enigma to me. He is said to leave Neverwood and never returns, not once. Why is that? What happens that he refuses to return when it is clear that Audrey means something to him? Maybe I missed something but I don’t think I ever get a rational reason coming from Devon.

I do like the conclusion of this though – and Robbie, Nicholas’s son is a welcomed secondary character. I totally think Wes, another secondary character, needs his own happy ending story. His presence is too strong to be ignored.

All in all, I think it is a good anthology – and with 166,000 words in length, each story is a short novel-length on its own.





The ARC is provided by the author for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because I really liked the characters :)

My feelings were all over the place with these stories, irritated, bored, angry, sad, happy, amused, intrigued. My rating would swing from two hearts to five and back again, with stops at three and four hearts along the way. Overall, though, I cared about the characters, and I liked the storyline that connected the individual books.

One Door Closes by GB Leighton 3 stars
The mood of the story is nostalgic, with a hint of melancholy. It felt almost hazy, or dreamlike. There were some beautiful instances of showing, not telling, but they were mixed with confusing sentences I had to read a few times to determine the meaning. That, plus a few odd word choices, threw me off several times in the story.

Calvin was a difficult narrator to understand, and to connect with. He wasn't very likeable, with words like annoyed, resentful and bitter associated with him. He came across as self absorbed and petulant with illogical reactions. He complained about people not helping, but didn't tell them what was needed or ask for help. Even with all that, I ached for him. He had so many problems and he was clueless how to solve them.

Calvin's POV didn't give me a good feel for the other characters, so I didn't connect with them, either. There were some hints about Will, Devon and Danny through some nice examples of showing, but it wasn't enough.

Parts of the story dragged and I was irritated with the lack of communication between the brothers. With the time crunch, they should have had a plan of action right away. Between the miscommunication and Calvin's secrets, there was too much unnecessary angst. And that doesn't even cover the lack of romance. Nothing happened for too long, and then things happened so fast, and with no communication, that I wondered if I'd missed something.

Finally, though, some communication, some explanations, and I started to warm up to Calvin. He had so many issues, but, underneath it all, he had such a good heart. And Will, with his own feelings of regret and shame; I wanted to hug him so much. Unfortunately, just as I was enjoying the story, it ended. Luckily, there was another story to read.


The Growing Season by Diana Copland 3.5 stars
I really liked Danny. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to hug him, too. So many fears, and hopes. So many emotions he struggled to contain.

Sam and I got off to a rocky start. I thought he was kind of a jerk, and then he did a 180 that seemed out of character. The more I learned about him, though, the more I realized it was very much in character. He was dealing with his own problems, but he was such a sweetheart. And very sexy; oh, yeah, he and Danny shared some steamy moments. Those moments, plus the sweet, romantic ones, made the story for me. Oh, and they communicated! I loved that.

The storyline from the first book continued here, with more information about Audrey, the house, and the town. It wasn't especially complex, but I liked it. I really liked Audrey's presence in this story, and the way she helped Danny. There were a few odd word choices, sentences, and some proofreading errors, but not enough to bother me overly much.

Side notes: I liked Cal so much more in this story. Settling down with Will did wonders for his personality. And Will? Another sweetheart for me to love. Devon's personality also came through a bit more and I looked forward to his story.

In an earlier post about Neverwood, Diana mentioned writing a story about one of the youth mentioned in this book; I'll be watching for it.


The Lost Year by Libby Drew 3.5 stars
Devon was awesome. I loved the man he was and the work he did. I also liked his kink- his reaction to it was cute and his brothers' response to it provided a laugh out loud moment.

Nicholas was driven, so determined to find his son, and his exhaustion was clear, but even in his pain, he showed a sweetness that drew me in. He was a little clueless, but some of that was understandable. I really liked them as a couple, and the sexy times...holy crap, the sexy times...*hums in appreciation*

Most of this book centered around Nicholas and his son, and not much time was spent on the Neverwood mystery. Not until the end, at least, and then it wrapped up fairly quickly. The very end was great, and I would love another story following that up.

There were some editing issues but I was able to skip over them, anxious for more of the story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An enjoyable collection of stories with an interesting storyline and engaging characters. I'd like to read more if the authors write stories about the other characters.

*Even though the three stories in this anthology are sold separately as stand alone books, I recommend reading all three for the complete story that weaves through the anthology.


Note: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Previously posted on

[Shirley Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Door Closes (Secrets of Neverwood #1) by G.B. Lindsey -- 3 stars


When Calvin Ware returns to Neverwood he feels overwhelmed. Not only does the place bring forth memories of his past but the state of the house require extensive repairs when they have limited resources. Add to that the fact that he's having a hard time relating to his foster brothers while dealing with Audrey's presence and seeing his first love once again.

As expected, the man is a mess of rambling thoughts and emotions.

I was curious about the concept of this anthology. I found it interesting that three foster brothers reunite once again to try to bring the house that once brought them shelter back to life. Add the added presence of their foster mother leading them on and I was hooked.

This first story was a bit hard to get through. Mostly because of Calvin's state of mind. He is a stickler for details so he had a tendency to ramble on and on repeatedly, which at times became overwhelming for me.

Thankfully, G.B. Lindsey managed to keep me interested throughout so that when the story picked up speed I was invested in the outcome.

Aside from the pace of the first half of the story, I think that the author did a great job in establishing the conflict that takes place throughout the anthology while still allowing the romance between Calvin and Will to blossom.

Calvin and Will were involved in high school and separated because of Calvin. Although the author made mention of their connection and how much they had come to care about each other in the past, I wish I could have gotten to experience it first hand.

Again, the pace of the story became a problem for me. There were a lot of guilty feelings and insecurities from Calvin as the story progressed, but not enough for me to truly understand the meaning behind them all. It took some time for me to understand what had gone wrong between Calvin and Will, but eventually it was revealed.

All in all, a great introduction to the anthology that revealed the main conflict and allowed a second chance in love to two individuals who had lost their way from each other.

The Growing Season (Secrets of Neverwood #2) by Diana Copland -- 4 stars


Danny Redmond is the youngest of the foster brothers and the one with the most troubling past. Although he doesn't have much, he vows to restore Neverwood's garden to the way Aubrey had it when he lived there. But the state of the place needs more than one hand on deck, so Will (the contractor and Calvin's boyfriend) recommends help from a reputable landscaper.

Sam has made a name for himself as a landscaper away from the town he grew up in. But when he is called back to spend time with his dying mother, Will suggests he keep busy helping Danny with Neverwood's garden.

I liked this story very much!

Diana Copland did a great job of bringing together Danny and Sam, but it was the way she brought forth their individual story that I loved.

Both Danny and Sam had rough past that got in the way of letting people in, especially men. They were not saints by any means, but neither allowed themselves the chance to experience a true relationship.

Working closely together, they develop a friendship that soon becomes something more. They bicker, they exchange stories and ultimately fall in love. Their connection was immediate but their romance was slow in coming, which I appreciated.

I also enjoyed the fact that the main conflict continued to escalate without taking away from the romance between Danny and Sam. New revelations, twists and turns...I can't wait to see how it all plays out!

*I received this title in exchange of my honest opinion.

The Lost Year (Secrets of Neverwood #3) by Libby Drew -- 5 stars


Devon McCade returns to Neverwood for the first time in a long time. Although he remember the time spent with Audrey fondly, he still has issues with hte reason why he ended up in Neverwood in the first place.

Now that he is working closely with his foster brothers in restoring Neverwood to the place it once was he feels the urge to keep on with Audrey's work of providing others with a safe place to land.

It is through Devon's work as a photojournalist that Nicholas Hardy arrives at Neverwood. Faced with the responsibility of helping Nicholas find his missing son and knowing the chances of finding him and the risk if the search, Devon's old uncertainties and forgotten feelings come to the surface.

This was my favorite story of the three.

I found Devon to be a complex character from the very first story, so to have the chance to see him unravel was a treat for me. I loved his conflicted emotions and how deeply he felt each one of them. Out of the three foster brothers I think he was the one who had the most growth and who truly needed Audrey's presence to move forward with his life.

My only complaint would be that it felt too much like insta-love between Nicholas and Devon, but after considering how deeply affected Devon was by Nicholas and the presence of Nicholas hesitation I came to overlook it easily.

This time around the main conflict reached its highest peak and was finally resolved. The resolution to the plot was well written providing answers to important questions while still allowing the reader to see how far the brothers have come since the first day they arrived at Neverwood.

All in all, a wonderful conclusion to the anthology that provided the chance to two individuals to find each other amongst a difficult situation.

*I received this title in exchange of my honest opinion.

[Adrianamae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
For detailed reviews see Amy and Sunny's review on this anthology.

The beginning story was competent, but cold, and I felt detached of the characters and the story.

Libby Drew and Copeland picked up the story with greater success, but it was Copeland's Danny who hit it out of the park.

I did like the characters and the concept of this anthology, but the paranormal aspect in this story didn't work as much -for me- I would have preferred more conflict and involvement from the town. even more romance and angst and less ghost.

Still, I would really like to revisit these characters and the ones that could be created to take refuge in this special house.

[Kazza]

Hmm...

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: A-
(entire anthology which is cheaper than buying them individually)


Reviewer's Note: These three books are very interwoven, but even with that, it would be very easy to read any one of them as a stand-alone (each book runs about 50,000 words). That being said though, the entire series is excellent and I highly recommend you buy them as a group...plus it will save you money. Note: If you do plan to read them all, you need to read them in order because they do run chronologically in time.

Individual story ratings:
ONE DOOR CLOSES
My Rating: B+
My Review:
This book had a really different style to it...almost artsy, or high-literary. There was a lot that wasn't being said in the story...it was just inferred. It's difficult to explain because it was very different. It wasn't a bad different, but it did take a bit of time/reading to get used to.

As the reader you know that Cal and Will have a history, but you only get little bits and pieces of the details of that history. Also, Cal has other issues and he can feel his world unraveling as the stress in his life gets higher and higher. Like I said, so much of this is inferred...definitely all secretive and it keeps you guessing about what exactly happened although it's not hard to figure out the general details of the secrets.

This is also the first book in the anthology so it's the one setting up the relationships between the brothers vs their relationship to their foster mother and now their conflict within the town. I definitely liked the entire set-up here. The three brothers all grew up within the home, but at different times, so they barely know each other. So not only are they dealing with the loss of a woman who was very dear to all three of them, they are also learning to know each other, and trying to figure out how to save the home because there is a powerful man in town who's determined that these three men will not get to keep the home.

Then there is Will and Cal. It took forever to figure out exactly what happened between them, but there's no denying that they both still have feelings.They both just really suck at expressing them. There is so much that needs to be said between the two of them...which means that they both read way too much into the things that aren't said...and of course, they both are always reading things wrong. I liked them and their common goal of saving the house. I liked Will's job as contractor and how that puts him right in the middle of Cal's world, whether he's comfortable with him there or not. This one worked for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.


THE GROWING SEASON
My Rating: A
My Review:

Angst, I love it and Danny absolutely has it in spades, but he's earned it...the hard way. Danny is the youngest of the three brothers. He also had a little bit different background than most the kids that went through the house, coming from a privileged background. So he truly didn't appreciate what he had in the house until it was gone. Danny ran away with his lover when he was only 17. That didn't work out so well for him and he ended up starving on the streets. Eventually that landed him in juvenile hall for stealing food. While there, he was attacked. He's never recovered in the 3 years since that attack. He has nightmares and doesn't get close to anyone...including his two new brothers.

But when Sam comes into his world, that begins to change...with a bit of help from his mother's ghost. Danny's situation broke my heart...just in that he is so alone, so unwilling to trust anyone. There were several times throughout the story that I had tears in my eyes for him. But when he connects with Sam, he's there for him. I liked all the threads that tied these two men together...their common interest in the landscaping and the tie between their mothers' cancer/deaths. I also liked the way that this story played out on the drama of the house with the town. Both Sam and Danny were awesome in those scenes...fighting for their rights to keep the house as a foster home.

I loved everything about this one. Really, really good story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.


THE LOST YEAR
My Rating: A-
My Review:
Reading through the series, Devon has seemed the most well-adjusted of the three men. He was the oldest and one of the first boys to come through Audrey's house. But looks can hide a lot. Like all the boys who came through, Devon had issues and Audrey saw them. He couldn't handle that and left, never to come back, which broke her heart. He couldn't handle the emotions she made him feel. He didn't want to love her...or anyone.

As an adult, Devon has spent his life dealing with incredibly emotional things with the wall of his camera between him and them so that he doesn't have to feel. But when a desperate father shows up needing help to find one of the kids in his photos, it's hard for Devon to maintain that distance, especially as exhaustion and frustration wear down his defenses.

There was so much to like about this story. I loved the "images" of what Devon does with his camera. I also really liked his strength that he showed to do what he did. The entire story line about Nicholas and his son worked for me....and made my heart hurt for those runaways that live like that on a daily basis. I loved the way that this one ended with Audrey's ghost and the single call that happened at the end...perfect way to end the series. What these men have built with this house is wonderful and I know it's probably not going to happen, but I'd love to see more stories from the house. I'd love to know what happens with Glenna, Tag, and Wes...and even Robbie...the kids that we got to know through the series.

Overall, I am so glad I chose to pick this one up for review. It's an excellent series and I enjoyed every minute of reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Tiffany (BookAndCoffeeAddict) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets of Neverwood is a three book trilogy with each book following one of three foster brothers: Calvin, Danny, and Devon. The brothers, who vaguely remember and feel no brotherly love towards each other, come back to their old home when their foster mother Audrey dies, leaving her run-down family home, once a grand Victorian estate, to the three. The men run afoul of a deceptive developer who will do anything to get his hands on Neverwood and must learn to work together, trusting and opening up to each as brothers, to keep the house and carry on Audrey’s legacy of taking in gay or questioning youth who have nowhere else to go. Under the overarching storyline of keeping and bringing Neverwood back to its former glory, each book deals with the men discovering Audrey spirit is still with them, coming to terms with personal demons, and finding love.

I really enjoyed this series. Each story is easily a standalone, but work brilliantly as a cohesive unit. That being said, it’s better to read them in order, as the overarching storyline does have chronological importance to it.

Having a different author for each book in the series was really a stroke of genius as each author’s individual writing style really served to highlight to different personalities of the brothers. Each book feels fresh and original because of this, but with that comfortable, welcoming feeling of returning to an already known space and time. 5 star ratings all the way.

One Door Close:

One Door Opens is Calvin’s story. Calvin Ware is the kind of person whose mind just doesn’t stop. He’s constantly trying to get things done and often feels like the burden of responsibility wears heavy on his shoulders – not really understanding that he’s taken most of the burden on himself. As the only of her foster children to have returned to visit and help Audrey after he aged out of the home, Calvin feels like it falls onto his shoulders to fix everything and carry on his foster mother’s legacy – starting with bringing the old home up to code since the city and a shady developer named Angus are threatening to condemn and repossess the premises if it’s not. When the contractor Cal hired shows up at his door to get the repairs done, Cal is taken back to realize it’s none other than his childhood sweetheart, Will Cabot. Already dealing with grief, an underhanded developer, and money woes, it just may be the bittersweet agony of being around his old flame that will be the tipping point for Cal.

Calvin’s mind is very cluttered and he never stops thinking, and over-thinking, and his personality is mirrored in the writing of this slow burn romance with a more literary feel to it – the prose has an almost stream of consciousness feel in parts. The intimate scenes, while kind of graphic, were treated with a soft focus filter, giving those moments a softer, hesitant quality that fit Calvin’s personality to a T.

The Growing Season:

At twenty-one, Danny is the youngest of the returning brothers and The Growing Season is his story. Unlike Calvin or Devon, Danny Redmond didn’t age out of the home, he ran away at seventeen. Life wasn’t easy for him out there and he brings the ghosts of his horrific experiences back with him when he returns home. He has no money to contribute to the restoration of Neverwood, but he does have experience as a landscaper and the memories of helping Audrey in the gardens. Danny bristles at having his toes stepped on when Sam Ignatius, a landscape architect from Seattle, is brought in to help with the grounds. Eventually Sam and Danny come to an understanding – and then more as they get to know each other, but Danny’s past is still affecting his present and Sam is dealing with a terminally ill mother and a father who’s never been happy with his son’s sexual orientation.

An overall more intense book than One Door Closes with more straight forward prose and more graphic intimate scenes. It breaks your heart in parts, but it puts it back together again with the love and understanding Danny and Sam share.

The Lost Year:

Devon McCade has been able to turn his inability, and unwillingness, to emotionally connect to others into a career as a photojournalist, where he can be safe from emotional attachment, protected as he is by the other side of the photo lens – or so he tells himself. When desperate father Nicholas Hardy sees his runaway son, Robbie, who’s been missing for a year, in one of Devon’s photos, he begs for help in locating him. Devon agrees and the two set out to find the missing boy. Along the way attraction leads to attachment and Devon fears his carefully crafted emotional shield won’t be able to protect him from Nicholas’s certain departure from his life once his help is no longer needed.

The last book in the series, this one brings it all together nicely and ties a little bow around it. The writing is somewhere between the hard-hitting straight forwardness of The Growing Season and the almost rambling, literary-ish ness of One Door Closes. The intimate scenes hit that middle ground as well, not as explicit as The Growing Season, but not as soft focus as One Door Closes where we get graphic scenes but with coy avoidance of using explicit words.

Overall:

A well done series with books written by authors whose work complement each other beautifully. Although the series ends with Neverwood well on its way to carrying on Audrey’s legacy and the devious developer problem pretty much solved, there’s room for more here I think. I would love for more books to be written in this universe with more of the boys Audrey helped in the past finding love or maybe even having some newer Neverwood inhabitants aging out and following them as they enter the real world – so many possibilities and I would be first in line to read it if they came out with Secrets of Neverwood: Volume 2 :)

*I received an ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Reviews. 9.5 out of 10 pots of gold. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of three stories written by three different authors that revolve around three former foster kids raised at Neverwood. Each story brings something different for the reader to enjoy while continuing an overall story arc involving the rebuilding of Neverwood and someone who wants to stop it from happening.

One Door Closes by G.B. Lindsey- This was a great start-off story to the collection. We are introduced to all three brothers, but this story is about Cal. He is just one of many boys taken in by Audrey Rasmussen, who ran a home for boys who were gay or questioning. He was the only boy who came back to visit after leaving the home. After Audrey passes away Cal, Danny, and Devon all come back to Neverwood, but the house is in disrepair and Cal calls in a contractor. He is surprised when it turns out to be his ex-boyfriend from high school, Will. Things between them hadn’t ended well, but both were drawn back to their hometown and to each other.

There is definitely awkwardness at first between them, but neither can deny they still have feelings. When they do get together, it is very sweet, but sex between them is downplayed in this story. But there are other things going on to fill the pages for sure. A man named Eric Angus is determined that they fail to restore the property so it can revert to him, secrets of the residents of Neverwood are revealed, and Cal receives ghostly visits in his dreams from Audrey. I really liked how the foster brothers end up coming together to restore their mother’s legacy and it’s even better when Will joins their fight.

The Growing Season by Diana Copland- This story features Danny, the youngest foster brother. His brothers question why he has come back and why Audrey asked him to return because he left the home before he aged out. Danny had a habit of trusting the wrong people when he was younger and his backstory seems to be a bit more traumatic than the other two brothers. Now he has come back after working for a top landscaper in L.A. The job is too big for just him, though, and Will’s friend Sam shows up with two helpers to work on the dilapidated gardens.

Danny is very distrustful of people, and he sort of resents the help at first, but he can’t deny his attraction to Sam. Of course that means he pushes the other man away. Sam is only back in town because his own mother is dying and working keeps his mind off of it for a few hours a day. Danny can empathize because of his own recent loss, but it’s still hard for him to trust Sam. Angus still tries to cause trouble by convincing the city council to rezone the property of Neverwood and isn’t above using Danny’s history in juvie against the new owners.

Eventually, both Danny and Sam need someone to lean on and resistance is futile. I definitely felt for both men in this story and enjoyed the continuing fight against Angus. I just wish they could shut him up for good already. Audrey also inserts herself into their relationship as well, speaking to Cal and guiding him through putting his trust in the right people. I also liked that the brothers get even closer, letting down more barriers. Sam finds himself getting along better with is own father which was sweet because help came from an unexpected source.

The Lost Year by Libby Drew- Devon was one of Audrey’s most missed foster sons. The memory of him lingers in Neverwood, even though he doesn’t understand quite why Audrey wanted him to have part of the house on her passing. He was never able to let his guard down after his father betrayed him and sent him into foster care. He feels like he failed Audrey by not opening up. His history is a bit sad, but as a successful photojournalist he is the only one that can help financially with renovations. Even though he feels like he has closed himself off from everyone, it seems like he is actually doing his best to help others. Even his photos are taken with the hope that when they are seen, people will take notice of the people in need.

One of his photos definitely touches Nicholas. His son, Robbie, ran away a year before, and he hasn’t stopped searching even when it seems likely that his son is dead. But Devon’s picture shows him to be alive, at least when it was taken. Devon can’t resist Nicholas’s plea for help finding Robbie. There is a lot of miscommunication between Devon and Nicholas at first. Devon assumes the other man is straight because he has a kid. Too many heated looks. a revelation, and despair of fruitless searches eventually lead the two men together, though.

At the risk of spoiling things, Robbie is found and Devon brings the father and son back to Neverwood, where all of Audrey’s intentions begin to make sense and her presence gets stronger than ever. Robbie and Nicholas are treated with an appearance and Angus goes off the deep end in his latest attempt to get into the house. There is a touch more violence in this book, and a little bit more sexiness.

I feel like it’s a little bit difficult to review and rate the stories on their own, because the story takes place over all three books and it has to be rated as a whole. I really enjoyed each story so much. Even though each book covered a different brother and their love interest, I felt connected to all the characters in every story. The ending was satisfying for all, except maybe Angus, and I enjoyed it, but I did want more because I came to care for them all so deeply. The stories were great and eventually were released on their own, and I can honestly recommend each of them, but it would be much better to read all of them together as they are in this collection.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sooo hard to get through.

[Georgina Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed all three, would read more.

[Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Door Closes

One Door Closes introduces readers to a home in Washington that has served as a home for gay and questioning boys. Audrey gave her boys a place where they could grow comfortably into good men. She gave them the sanctuary they needed to develop into who they wanted to be. As Audrey passes she brings three of her sons back to Neverwood to continue her work.

Calvin is the first to return to his childhood home. The home is filled with memories, many he had hoped to forget. He had his first love there and it is something he never really got over. He still thinks about all the mistakes he made with Will. Calvin still has much insecurity when it comes to all things Will. So anyone can imagine the surprise Calvin gets when it is Will that shows up on his doorstep as one of the building contractors there to make the numerous repairs in Neverwood.

I’m on the fence about how I feel about this book. I loved the story. The Neverwood history and bringing the boys back and the process of saving the home is a wonderful journey to follow. Cal’s character kept me guessing about how he would react to any given situation. I enjoyed that. He is a uniquely intriguing man. I wanted more romance. I’m not talking about actual sex scenes. I know the feelings Will and Cal share because it is written in black and white on my Kindle in the form of memories and dreams. I needed more than that. The romance felt like a rekindle of something that never went away.

One Door Closes is the first story in the complete book. I am looking forward to what Danny and Devon have coming with their story of Neverwood.

The Growing Season

Audrey the matron of Neverwood called three of her boys home upon her death. Her home in Elk Ridge, Washington has served as a home for gay and questioning boys. She gave her boys a place where they could grow comfortably into good men. She provided them the sanctuary they needed to develop into who they were meant to be. Now she wishes for three of her sons to bring Neverwood back to its former glory and to continue her work.

Danny is the youngest of the three. He has quite the chip on his shoulder though. He has struggled to make people really see him. Those struggles have never been easy and no one other than Audrey has ever noticed his true potential. One bad decision has left him to where he is not even comfortable in his own skin.

Sam has returned home to Elk Ridge dealing with his own family when he goes to Neverwood for some possible work. It doesn’t take Sam long to work his way under Danny’s skin. It takes Sam an even shorter amount of time to realize that there is more to Danny than he ever imagined there could be. While dealing with his own problems Sam soon finds himself drawn into the familiar comfort that is simply Neverwood it’s a familiarity that is even more welcoming due to Danny.

This installment of the Secrets of Neverwood series worked a little better for me than the previous one. Growing Season had the love story that I was looking for. The only thing I sort of miss is Audrey. I would love to have read her as the loving nurturing mother while she was still alive. I do love that she is still a strong presence in her son’s lives though. She was exactly what these three men needed while growing up. I can’t wait to see how her plans for them come together in the next book.

The Lost Year

Neverwood is doing what it has always done, welcoming people to come live there with open arms. The three brothers who returned have added new family members into the fold. In hopes fulfilling Audrey’s wishes Calvin, Danny, and Devon are doing everything they can to reopen the doors of Neverwood to once again be the safe haven foster home that they grew up in.

From the beginning of the Secrets of Neverwood I’ve been so curious about Devon. He was one of Audrey’s first boys. I can only image the unexpected complications that would arise with the first. It was an unfamiliar venture for Audrey. It would also have been something scary and new for a young Devon. Sadly that is about as interesting as Devon got for me.

Nicholas approaches Devon about some photos he took on an assignment. Nicholas is looking for his son and Devon has photographed him living on the streets. From there they embark on a mission to find Robbie and bring him home. There is not much romantic buildup. Devon and Nicholas fall into bed and eventually a convenient relationship. I really did need a little more romance with The Lost Year.

I did enjoy the story that surrounds Devon and Nichols. I’ve enjoyed my time spent within the walls of Neverwood. I really did need a little more romance with The Lost Year. I have thoroughly enjoyed every second of page time with Audrey. She is the bond that has brought these men together, she is the foundation that has held Neverwood together, and she is the gift that will keep young boys in need of sanctuary coming to Neverwood.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Overall

Secrets of Neverwood is a first for me. It’s an anthology of three separate stories by three authors that reads seamlessly, as though it’s a single book, a feat G.B. Lindsey, Diana Copland, and Libby Drew were able to carry off because their writing styles blended smoothly and the characters they featured in their individual stories flowed from one MC to the next without a hiccup in the telling.

Three men—Calvin Ware, Danny Redmond, and Devon McCade—aren’t related by blood but are brothers by virtue of the foster system, when Audrey Rasmussen opened her ancestral home to them. It’s upon Audrey’s death, after years of separation, that they discover they’ve become the heirs to Neverwood, their former foster home, a Victorian mansion that’s fallen into a state of disrepair and is under the looming threat of being lost to an unscrupulous real estate developer who’ll seemingly stop at nothing—even to the point of manic insanity—to get his hands on the property.

G.B. Lindsey opens the anthology and sets the tone of the collection with One Door Closes, as Calvin and his brothers return to Neverwood and set out on the difficult journey of building some form of relationship with each other, no small task considering the hard feelings between them, the residual pain of their individual pasts, and the fact that Devon doesn’t want to be there any longer than he needs to be.

One Door Closes, however, is Calvin’s story, and this is the way the anthology unfolds throughout, with Diana Copland’s The Growing Season being Danny’s book, and Libby Drew’s The Lost Year being Devon’s.

One Door Closes introduces not only the conflict that will weave its way through to the end of the book but also is the introduction to the supernatural element that exists throughout. Although deceased, Audrey’s spirit is a presence in the book, and she guides her three sons, each in his own way, as they fight and then begin to build a slow but close bond with each other, all while trying to figure out a way to reopen Neverwood to the LGBT youth in their small town.

Alongside the conflict and supernatural elements in this collection, each brother also has the opportunity to fall in love. For Cal, it’s a case of second chances. His high school boyfriend, Will, is the man who happens to be the contractor that shows up to give the men the fiscal bad news on the repairs it will take to keep the house from being confiscated by the developer. There’s a lot of angst and bad history for these two men to work through as they struggle to find a way to keep Neverwood, something the author capitalized on nicely.

Diana Copland takes over with Danny’s story, the youngest brother with as much wisdom as he has attitude, and the one with as much ammo in his past to be used against him as Cal has. Danny’s mistake in trusting the wrong man makes it difficult for him to trust anyone now, and a painful secret from his past makes it next to impossible to consider falling in love, but a shared passion for restoring the once exquisite landscaping at Neverwood delivers Sam Ignatius to their doorstep and eventually into Danny’s heart. Of the three relationships, I have to say I found Danny’s and Sam’s to be the most endearing.

Libby Drew is the closer in the collection with Devon’s story, and of the three, I’d say The Lost Year was the most emotionally lush, simply because of its subject matter. Devon’s photographs expose a yearlong mystery, when a father shows up at Neverwood and asks for Devon’s help to find his runaway son. Nick’s heartache at Robbie’s unknown fate and Devon’s need to help him, for better or for worse, meant the timing and the tenuous emotional connection between the two men was fragile at best, and gave this story some gut wrenching moments.

Overall, Secrets of Neverwood is a balanced mix of romance, paranormal intrigue, and family drama. I loved all these brothers and the men who loved them, pitied the fool who thought he could take what wasn’t his to have, and happily recommend you read the anthology to find your own favorite among these stories.

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Door Closes (5 stars!)

This was quite an enjoyable read for me, especially since I love the “lost love” type stories. And that was really the case with this story. It was also a very emotional read for me as well. We learn a little bit about the three foster brothers who are brought back to Neverwood, but this story itself focused on Calvin and his past/future.

One thing that I completely loved about this book was Calvin’s character, and how he had what some would consider a dark past. I loved how the author showed that just because you have been treated for a psychological disorder, that doesn’t make you any different than anyone else, and that you shouldn’t hide from it either.

The relationship that formed between Calvin and Will was one of my favorites so far this year. I love how it wasn’t rushed, their relationship formed at their own pace and there was nothing wrong with that. This part of the series really made me want to read the next one!

The Growing Season (4 Stars!)

While I loved the first book in this boxset, I didn’t completely enjoy this one quite as much. And don’t think by me saying that that means that I didn’t like it, I did I just didn’t love it as much as the other.

One thing that I did enjoy about this story was Sam’s character. I thought that he was extremely well written and a perfect match for Danny. Sam’s showed a lot of strength and courage in this book, and I do love that with characters. He was more the strong silent type, and that worked out great for him.

I did also like being able to find out more about what was happening with the house, and what the brothers dreams are for it. I think that it was great that even though this was Danny’s story, we were still told about Calvin and Will, they didn’t just disappear into the background.

Learning more about the brother’s themselves was also a great treat. This part of the story really does leave you wondering what is going to happen to the final brother, and I can’t wait to start reading it.

The Lost Year (5 Stars!)

I think that out of all of the stories, this was the most emotional of them all. What Devon had been dealing with in his past, and finding out that his actions did in fact have consequences, was such a great read. I know that sounds horrible, but really it was written in a way that you could tell how badly he was feeling for everything that he had done, or hadn’t done as well.

The duo of Devon and Nicholas has to be one of the strongest couples that I have read in a long time. They are both searching for something, and no matter what they aren’t willing to give up that search just yet. I liked how during their search, they also found more than what they were looking for as well.

In this part of the boxset, you learn more about healing and accepting. Accepting that you can’t change the past, and healing from the past as well. This story gave me great hope while reading because there was so much happening, so much love and emotions coming off the pages that you couldn’t help but cheer the brothers on while reading it.

*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal’s Many Reviewers

[Cornelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all three stories.It seem like I was there cheering them along as each brother found their place at Neverwood.

[René · Rating 4 out of 5]

The three novels in this anthology have a lightly paranormal setting, with differing amounts of ghostly interaction in each book. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read.

Three foster brothers come home after inheriting a group home from their foster mom. They each have their problems, dealing with issues within themselves and their relationships. The fact they they were foster kids, gives them insight into how to help the current children that need them. They only need to get past their walls and tap into their special gifts. Each novel is the story of a individual foster son and their journey to love.

One Door Closes ~ 3 stars ~ Calvin and Will ranked lowest out of the stories because it felt the weakest. There wasn't much character development because they were a reunited couple. So there wasn't much room to become connected with them and their issues. But there was a good introduction to the plot with the foster home, which helped carry this book and made me want to continue with the series.

The Growing Season ~ 5 stars ~ I liked this story best out of the three. Danny was proud and defiant and I loved seeing the relationship blossom between him and Sam. This story was the most emotional and it was easier to connect with the main characters. Writing wise, it was the strongest out of the three.

The Lost Year ~ 4 stars ~ A great ending to the Secrets of Neverwood series. This story ranked #2 out of the three because again, there was more emotion involved. It was a little disjointed in some places between the two guys and seemed like Devon didn't really wan to be in the story. I wondered about Devon being too hard to open up, but he and Nicholas, as well as Robbie, got the happy ending the deserved.

While it was stated that the stories could be read alone, I would strongly advise against it. There are things happening throughout the books that I feel would throw the reader off if they started out of order.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all – while Secrets of Neverwood can be read as stand-alone, I honestly think that reading all three stories will make the experience better, especially in understanding the characters while uncovering the secrets that Neverwood keeps. Regardless, I really enjoyed this anthology and highly recommend it for readers that like hurt/comfort M/M stories that aren't focused on erotica but the story of the couple.

G.B. Lindsey is a new author to me and I absolutely enjoyed my introduction to her in this book. Cal's story was gentle, just like the man himself, and Will, gods, everyone needs a Will in their life. Second chance romance here with all the hurt/comfort-y feelings. I adored Audrey and Cal's conversations and her matchmaking from beyond the grave. I really liked how Devon and Danny were introduced and couldn't wait to read their own tales. I would have loved to see more of the character Glenna introduced in this first story and Taggart, but yeah absolutely fantastic beginning.

Diana Copland is a very familiar and beloved author of mine. She writes from the heart and always makes the story real and realistic, in my opinion. I'll admit it, I cried during this one. It hurt in all the right places and while the circumstances are horrible, it was so good. Danny was my least favorite character from the intro story, but I came to love him almost as much as I did Cal and Devon, even though Devon's story hadn't been told yet. I, again, adored the character of Audrey and her loving way of meddling. There's a bit part more of Taggart and Glenna, but I still would have loved more of both of them.

Libby Drew is also a go-to comfort author of mine. There is a gentleness and a sweetness to her writing that isn't overwrought with saccharine. I loved getting to finally read Devon's story and while Devon's circumstances are bad, I loved the kindness that still lived in him, even though he denied it. I wasn't all that fond of Nicholas, but Robbie was fun. Also, glasses kink for the win!

The mystery that wound through the three stories was interesting and intriguing, and though the book, and mystery ended, I feel as if there was still something left to it. I sincerely hope these authors will return for an update or even a continuation of some of the other characters mentioned in the stories.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal. Three books in one, it tells the story of three foster brothers who return to their childhood home after their foster mother dies. Though each story focuses on a different brother, and though a different author writes each one, the stories flow perfectly together. Secrets kept in the first book are revealed in the third.

I don't think it's necessary to read them in order, however, it definitely adds to the experience.

In the first book, Cal is reunited with his childhood love, Will just as they start to renovate the house. They struggle to get the funds to start the project, and have trouble with Eric Angus.

Angus is a recurring character who slowly grows increasingly terrifying throughout the book.

In the second book, Danny meets Sam, and the two bond over gardening while Danny struggles with his past.

And finally, in the third, Devon meets Nicholas when the man is desperate for help finding his missing son.

The attic is off limits for the entire first and second book, and though it's mentioned, I wanted to know WHAT was up there. Those secrets are revealed in the third book. The painting mentioned in each book, plays a key role at the end of the third book. Audrey's spirit lingers in each one and makes her presence known to everyone in different ways.

I LOVED how connected they each were. Small details from one book resonate throughout, and it's clear that the authors took the time to get to know each character AND talk to each other. I mean, how else would these stories come about?

I was a bit nervous with the third book for one reason: Wes. I wanted so desperately for Devon to have his chance, and I thought for sure I was going to be disappointed, that Wes was just a tiny plot point that was forgotten, but thankfully he was not.

I want more books in this series! I want to know what the house is like after it's finished. What happens with Wes? How do the brothers deal with their first group of kids coming to the house, and what are they like?

Is that a big enough hint for the authors? MORE STORIES PLEASE!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

The Secrets of Neverwood anthology is an outstanding novel about three foster brothers who return to their childhood home after their foster mother Audrey passes away and leaves them her estate. Consisting of three novels written by three different authors, each story focuses on a different brother as they work through their personal issues and find love while struggling to restore the dilapidated mansion so they can continue Audrey's legacy of helping troubled boys.

Read my review One Door Closes HERE.
Read my review of The Growing Season HERE.
Read my review of The Lost Year HERE.

Secrets of Neverwood is a wonderful collection of stories that is written by three very talented authors. Their writing styles are unique and quite distinct, but each of the brothers' stories seamlessly flows from book to book. Each novel stands on its own and concentrates on an individual brother as he triumphs over his past and falls in love. But to fully appreciate the transformation of the three foster brothers and their relationship, I highly recommend reading all three books in the anthology.

[Christina Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked this anthology. I liked the premise - three foster brothers coming together to resurrect their foster home and carry on their mother's work.

One Door Closes (book 1) was a bit slow to start and was a bit hard to get through. The writing was good but did not capture and keep my interest as much as the other 2 books did. Will's character was underdeveloped which is strange since there was so much detail in the rest of the story.

The Groweing Season (book 2) was probably my favorite. I really like Danny and Sam a lot. Danny's personality fit the typical angry foster child stereotype and Sam balances him nicely.

The Lost Year (book 3) added a couple of really good plot twists and had the most paranormal activity. My feelings for Nicholas wavered back and forth between like and dislike in this story. In the end he seems like a good guy but there were times he wasn't likeable.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note to self, this is a DRM EPUB file the I can only read in iBooks.

Finished the first book, a little confusing. Kept waiting for something more to happen that never did.
The second story I was hoping to like more than I did as I'm a fan and fm the author. I think the stories suffer by being too short. It's hard to develop a good relationship when you don't have the luxury of pages that do so. So, we end up with insta-lust. These are definitely more of your standard romance novels where the main focus is the relationship, how they feel about each other, etc. not a ton of substance.

Will there be more stories? Because we were left with a tiny cliffhanger at the end.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret is out...

Th Secrets of Neverwood is a compilation of three stories, One Door Closes; The Growing Season; and The Lost Year. The stories address three foster brothers attempts at finding themselves, a true love, and a family in a home left to them by their mother. If I had to choose a favorite of the three, The Growing Season would be it, but I enjoyed them all and would recommend reading them in sequence. The stories are filled with intrigue, mystery, mayhem, family, and love...plus perhaps a hidden treasure. A must read...

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars.
I read this for the Rainbow Awards.
I had a real issue with One Door Closes. It was such a depressing start for the series of stories. It was definitely a feeling that if I wasn't reading this for Rainbow, I would have abandoned the book. The Growing Season was my favorite, but it was also the most predictable. The Lost Year obviously was written to tie everything together and was a more unusual plot line.
I liked the concept and thought the editing rounded out the various writing styles.

[Brandilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of Neverwood is an anthology linking three stand alone stories through the house and their somewhat shared history. Though each story stands alone and is a complete story, to get the full history and backstory, all 3 stories should be read in order.

See the individual stories for their own reviews.

Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high 4 stars

One Door Closes - 4*
The Growing Season - 4*
The Lost Year - 4*

[Kobie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first story... I kept thinking surely the author will explain what happened between these 2 characters. she didn't. not in acway that brought the main characters together. The entire story feels like one big explanation of the situation the 3 brothers are in, with a hookup at the end. In fact, I am DNFing.

[Solange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite new release of 2014 so far. Read the full review and quotes at the Smut Book Club.

[milky way · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5