What do you think?
Rate this book
Phantom Lover #1
Phantom Lover
Hawaiian hula dancer Bobby Kikawa has deep fantasies about the dark, mysterious, Kimo Wilder, especially after Kimo poses for an erotic painting called Phantom Lover. He plans to seduce Kimo even though Kimo is straight, married and known for his extreme loyalty to his wife.
Alone on a hot night after dance rehearsal on the big island of Hawaii, Bobby manages to persuade Kimo to let him service his hot, neglected, extremely hungry passion.
The two men soon become embroiled in a red-hot fling that threatens not only Kimo's marriage but Bobby-s sanity when he discovers Kimo is a 'Keeper of Secrets' in the Hawaiian culture-a man born of fire and hidden, taboo dark magic the ancient Hawaiians called Loa.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2007
9 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Llewellyn
288 books452 followersA.J. Llewellyn lives in California, but dreams of living in Hawaii. Frequent trips to all the islands, bags of Kona coffee in the fridge and a healthy collection of Hawaiian records keep this writer refueled.
A.J’s passion for the islands led to writing a play about the last ruling monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani as well as a non-erotic novel about the overthrow of her kingdom written in diary form from her maid’s point of view.
A.J. never lacks inspiritation for male/male erotic romances and on the rare occasion this happens, pursues other passions such as collecting books on Hawaiiana, surfing and spending time with friends and animal companions.
A.J. Llewellyn believes that love is a song best sung out loud.
A.J’s passion for the islands led to writing a play about the last ruling monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani as well as a non-erotic novel about the overthrow of her kingdom written in diary form from her maid’s point of view.
A.J. never lacks inspiritation for male/male erotic romances and on the rare occasion this happens, pursues other passions such as collecting books on Hawaiiana, surfing and spending time with friends and animal companions.
A.J. Llewellyn believes that love is a song best sung out loud.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 6, 2009
This story is written by Bobby "Lopaka" point of vue.
Bobby is a young hawaïan hula dancer who fall in love with the man of his fantasy: Kimo Wilder, the number one dancer in Hawaï and a powerful priest.
Trough his words as he relate this story, i couldn't help loving Lopaka a lot. He is all male but sweet and sensible. He is dedicated to his family and friends but is lucid about them. He is mature enough to follow his heart even when he knows he'll end up hurt.
And that's what happens to him. A lot!
Trough his "eyes", we discover a Kimo that is really far away from being the perfect lover: he is straight, married and is known to have never betrayed his wife. So his new relation and feelings for Lopaka are difficult for him. He make big mistakes that always end up hurting Lopaka.
But his bond with the gay-man is special and he learn it the hard way.
Bobby accept all his flaws as he says: "you're My asshole". I don't know why but i found it really endearing. (I'm weird, i know)
He loves wholeheartely and his relationship with Kimo is HOT.
There are some paranormal events that we assist trough Bobby's eyes. There are not much but they have a big part in the story and add a beautiful dimension to the story.
I really liked A.J. Llewellyn's writing and found the book well-paced. All the words he used are important but there are no useless ones. I went trough the 266 pages easily and wasn't bored even a minute.
This is really a beautiful story with a new univers and new culture to discover.
The sex is really really really HOT!!! I had to reread some scenes because they were so beautiful!
I have to warn you that there is 2 threesomes in the story (for those who don't like it). I don't mind them (like them even) but the first one did bothered me (you'll have to read it to find out).
Because of it i would have given 4,5 stars but i put 5 because, on the emotionnal level, i was really hooked.
Bobby is a young hawaïan hula dancer who fall in love with the man of his fantasy: Kimo Wilder, the number one dancer in Hawaï and a powerful priest.
Trough his words as he relate this story, i couldn't help loving Lopaka a lot. He is all male but sweet and sensible. He is dedicated to his family and friends but is lucid about them. He is mature enough to follow his heart even when he knows he'll end up hurt.
And that's what happens to him. A lot!
Trough his "eyes", we discover a Kimo that is really far away from being the perfect lover: he is straight, married and is known to have never betrayed his wife. So his new relation and feelings for Lopaka are difficult for him. He make big mistakes that always end up hurting Lopaka.
But his bond with the gay-man is special and he learn it the hard way.
Bobby accept all his flaws as he says: "you're My asshole". I don't know why but i found it really endearing. (I'm weird, i know)
He loves wholeheartely and his relationship with Kimo is HOT.
There are some paranormal events that we assist trough Bobby's eyes. There are not much but they have a big part in the story and add a beautiful dimension to the story.
I really liked A.J. Llewellyn's writing and found the book well-paced. All the words he used are important but there are no useless ones. I went trough the 266 pages easily and wasn't bored even a minute.
This is really a beautiful story with a new univers and new culture to discover.
The sex is really really really HOT!!! I had to reread some scenes because they were so beautiful!
I have to warn you that there is 2 threesomes in the story (for those who don't like it). I don't mind them (like them even) but the first one did bothered me (you'll have to read it to find out).
Because of it i would have given 4,5 stars but i put 5 because, on the emotionnal level, i was really hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2009
This book wasn't for me. The forced menage scene and the whole cheating thing bothered me. Otherwise, I might have liked it much better.
October 28, 2011
This book has cheating husband and cheating wife theme which really does not sit well with me. The protagonist Bobby knowingly seduces a married man and the married man justified his affair with some kind of excuse. In addition, women (Kimo's wife, Bobby's mom) in the book is depicted in a horrible way. The only straight woman who was decent, was Bobby's granny. There's threesomes, jealousy and lots of messy relationships. Life in the book seems so tiresome, complicated and depressing. As a whole I really hated this book and would surely not ever pick this up again.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
Definitely not my cup of tea.
June 15, 2012
The only thing I liked here are the descriptions of the places.
March 24, 2011
Kimo was an ass! There was one emotional part of the book that raised this to a 4 star. It was when Kimo and Bobby deal with the blisters. But still, the whole reason for the blisters just burns my butt. I wanted to hit Kimo upside the head.
January 20, 2015
I hate doormat protagonists. I really hate doormat protagonists who fall in love with abusive assholes. I especially hate novels with the message that the doormat protagonist can change their abuser with the power of luv.
The message of this novel is absolutely horrible. Kimo is deliberately, knowingly, purposefully hurtful. He cheats, he's emotionally abusive, he's verbally abusive, he puts Bobby through all kinds of hell, and that's not acceptable! I'm not just talking about Kimo's behavior being unacceptable, but also the novel's message. Telling a person in an abusive relationship that they need to love their abuser through all his or her shitty behavior is such a godawful message. I'm so appalled I don't even know where to start.
Instead of being sympathetic, I couldn't help but be disgusted with Bobby's constant forgiveness. I can't say that in strong enough terms.
I was fine with the magic, which added an interesting, spiritual dimension that I wish was explored more. The history, culture, and food of Hawaii were cool. Even though the mcs have insane amounts of sex, sex that doesn't even happen in fantasy porn (the boys were screwing like twenty times a day, one right after the other because refractory periods, the need for lube, or just plain soreness doesn't exist in magical Hawaii), the first part of the book was fun. The sex was a little goofy because it was so unrealistic, but it was a wild ride that I could enjoy. I tired quickly of Kimo's antics, but they were still forgivable early on. When the forced menage and constant cheating by everyone started around the half way point, the book turned sour which was quickly followed by disgust.
If a protagonist is in an abusive relationship, I want them to grow strong enough to get out of it. If abusive relationships didn't happen in real life, I wouldn't care so much about this novel's message. However, there are real world consequences, and for that reason alone, I find the novel's message reprehensible and the author irresponsible.
The message of this novel is absolutely horrible. Kimo is deliberately, knowingly, purposefully hurtful. He cheats, he's emotionally abusive, he's verbally abusive, he puts Bobby through all kinds of hell, and that's not acceptable! I'm not just talking about Kimo's behavior being unacceptable, but also the novel's message. Telling a person in an abusive relationship that they need to love their abuser through all his or her shitty behavior is such a godawful message. I'm so appalled I don't even know where to start.
Instead of being sympathetic, I couldn't help but be disgusted with Bobby's constant forgiveness. I can't say that in strong enough terms.
I was fine with the magic, which added an interesting, spiritual dimension that I wish was explored more. The history, culture, and food of Hawaii were cool. Even though the mcs have insane amounts of sex, sex that doesn't even happen in fantasy porn (the boys were screwing like twenty times a day, one right after the other because refractory periods, the need for lube, or just plain soreness doesn't exist in magical Hawaii), the first part of the book was fun. The sex was a little goofy because it was so unrealistic, but it was a wild ride that I could enjoy. I tired quickly of Kimo's antics, but they were still forgivable early on. When the forced menage and constant cheating by everyone started around the half way point, the book turned sour which was quickly followed by disgust.
If a protagonist is in an abusive relationship, I want them to grow strong enough to get out of it. If abusive relationships didn't happen in real life, I wouldn't care so much about this novel's message. However, there are real world consequences, and for that reason alone, I find the novel's message reprehensible and the author irresponsible.
February 1, 2010
I loved this book. I own not only the ebook but also the audiobook. It is one of my top comfort reads and I listen to or read it at least 3-4 times a year. Now, AJ is a friend but he's also one of my favorite authors, so take this review as you wish.
I loved the whole premise of the story, and the romance between Bobby and Kimo is so well-written you can feel the anguish of both characters as they try to build their relationship. I'm not going to go into the story because I hate reviews that have spoilers. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have read many of the other books in the series. My goal is to read them in order next because I've missed some. But I have them all!
In fact, I'm off to go start book number 4...
I loved the whole premise of the story, and the romance between Bobby and Kimo is so well-written you can feel the anguish of both characters as they try to build their relationship. I'm not going to go into the story because I hate reviews that have spoilers. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have read many of the other books in the series. My goal is to read them in order next because I've missed some. But I have them all!
In fact, I'm off to go start book number 4...
December 28, 2010
not at all to my taste.
didn't find it quite good enough to be deemed even a light beach read. seemed like the author was more interested in making sure the reader knew he loved hawaii than he was in actually developing any aspect of the book: very little depth to the character's personalities/motivations; contrived soap-operatic plot; rather puerile style. total miss.
didn't find it quite good enough to be deemed even a light beach read. seemed like the author was more interested in making sure the reader knew he loved hawaii than he was in actually developing any aspect of the book: very little depth to the character's personalities/motivations; contrived soap-operatic plot; rather puerile style. total miss.
May 11, 2021
The thought of two male hula dancers is pretty hot. The fact that this first installment in the 'Phantom Lover' series by A.J. Llewellyn is set in Hawaii and was going to involve sex, betrayal, romance, and magic had me hooked from the start. I've gotten to know this author's writing fairly well recently so I knew I was in for a very good tale. Pun intended.
Bobby, Lopaka, is a native Hawaiian, meaning he was born on the islands and grew up there, but he is half white and half Hawaiian. He is a hula dancer and has been training and learning since he was seven years old. Now, nineteen years later, he has been picked, along with seven others, to train and tour with Kimo, Hawaii's greatest hula dancer. For Bobby this is a dream come true because he thinks Kimo is the hottest guy around and Bobby wants a piece of that. Kimo is married, though, and straight as an arrow, as far as anyone can tell. Bobby figures it won't be a hardship to seduce Kimo while they're on location training and his wife is nowhere around.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Bobby, Lopaka, is a native Hawaiian, meaning he was born on the islands and grew up there, but he is half white and half Hawaiian. He is a hula dancer and has been training and learning since he was seven years old. Now, nineteen years later, he has been picked, along with seven others, to train and tour with Kimo, Hawaii's greatest hula dancer. For Bobby this is a dream come true because he thinks Kimo is the hottest guy around and Bobby wants a piece of that. Kimo is married, though, and straight as an arrow, as far as anyone can tell. Bobby figures it won't be a hardship to seduce Kimo while they're on location training and his wife is nowhere around.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
July 23, 2022
I thought at first to give this a 3*. There was a lot of cheating in the book. The story also seems to have no relationship be happy. They are all messed up in some way. Bobby seems to think he needs to let his men cheat on him. It was all rather sad. In the end I gave the story 4* because of all the emotion that the author managed to capture and bring to life. I am even considering continuing the series. The blurbs sound interesting.
May 18, 2023
Interesting and Intense Read
My first AJ Llewellyn book.
The cover and blurb drew me in and the characters kept me intrigued.
Usually not a fan of cheating in any firm, but with the mystical components, this made sense and this author created a world where you these twi men gad to adventure together.
My first AJ Llewellyn book.
The cover and blurb drew me in and the characters kept me intrigued.
Usually not a fan of cheating in any firm, but with the mystical components, this made sense and this author created a world where you these twi men gad to adventure together.
March 15, 2021
Enjoyed reading this book--yes there were parts that were a bit uncomfortable, but Hawaiian culture is not based on mainland culture. Kimo is magic and Bobby was his spiritual mate. They had to weather some trials and tribualtions but they made it to the other side.
December 1, 2013
Série Phantom Lover - Tome 1 - VO
Le danseur de Hula hawaïen Bobby Kikawa fantasme sur le séduisant et mystérieux Kimo Wilder, un Kahuna doué et kumu hula, un maître des danses polynésiennes. Il devient encore plus obsédé après avoir vu une peinture érotique pour laquelle Kimo a posé et appelé Phantom Lover. Il prévoit de séduire Kimo même si l'homme est hétéro, marié et connu pour son extrême loyauté envers sa femme.
Seuls durant une chaude nuit après une répétition de danse sur la grande île d'Hawaï, Bobby parvient à persuader Kimo de le laisser assouvir sa passion débridée. Lorsque le jeune danseur éveille une facette de Kimo que personne d'autre n'avait jamais atteinte, Bobby a un peu peur mais se félicite de l'attirance incroyable que Kimo a pour lui. Le danseur légendaire s'insinue dans la vie de Bobby, mais peu de personnes sont heureuses de leur romance naissante.
Les choses vont d'un extrême à l'autre avec l'interférence de la famille et des amis. Ces hommes sont-ils prêts à tout sacrifier l'un pour l'autre ? Leur aventure brûlante menace non seulement le mariage de Kimo, mais la santé mentale de Bobby quand il découvre que Kimo est un " Gardien des Secrets " dans la culture hawaïenne... un homme enflammé né de la magie noire et taboue que les anciens Hawaïens appellent Lua.
C'est un excellent livre, totalement dépaysant puisqu'il se passe sur différentes îles d'Hawaï et nous fait vivre les us et traditions de cet Etat de l'intérieur. On y apprend beaucoup de choses, notamment sur l'histoire des danses typiques, les contes et légendes de ce peuple ainsi que la partie cachée concernant les différents Dieux qui n'hésitent pas à se montrer aux hommes. C'est une immersion totale dans cette culture riche et diversifiée.
C'est également l'histoire de deux danseurs originaires de l'île qui offrent des spectacles avec leur troupe, aux touristes comme aux gens du cru mieux à même de comprendre toute les significations de leurs mouvements. Bobby est gay, ouvertement et ne s'en cache pas, mais il a récemment été blessé car son dernier amant l'a trompé. Mais il fait partie de ces hommes qui ont du mal à mettre un terme définitif à une histoire de plusieurs années.
Mais lorsqu'il voit cette peinture, puis rencontre réellement Kimo, il se sent irrésistiblement attiré par l'homme, par le danseur et par le magicien qu'il est, comme s'il lui était destiné. Il mettra donc tout en œuvre pour le séduire, quitte à en payer le prix.
A.J. Llewellyn nous offre une histoire vraiment haletante, très chaude également - ce qui n'est pas pour me déplaire, loin de là ! - et un peu mystique. Ce mélange est détonnant, prenant et je n'ai pas pu poser le livre avant de l'avoir terminé... pour me précipiter vers le tome suivant.
Mon seul bémol (et la raison pour laquelle il n'a pas 5 étoiles), c'est parce que le livre contient beaucoup, mais alors beaucoup de termes hawaïens, et comme je suis une lectrice consciencieuse et que je ne voulais pas passer à côté d'un détail important, il m'a fallu le lire avec internet ouvert à côté de moi, pour comprendre tous les termes évoqués.
En conclusion, un excellent livre, dépaysant, très chaud avec une pointe de mystique qui est un véritable régal. Je le recommande vivement.
Le danseur de Hula hawaïen Bobby Kikawa fantasme sur le séduisant et mystérieux Kimo Wilder, un Kahuna doué et kumu hula, un maître des danses polynésiennes. Il devient encore plus obsédé après avoir vu une peinture érotique pour laquelle Kimo a posé et appelé Phantom Lover. Il prévoit de séduire Kimo même si l'homme est hétéro, marié et connu pour son extrême loyauté envers sa femme.
Seuls durant une chaude nuit après une répétition de danse sur la grande île d'Hawaï, Bobby parvient à persuader Kimo de le laisser assouvir sa passion débridée. Lorsque le jeune danseur éveille une facette de Kimo que personne d'autre n'avait jamais atteinte, Bobby a un peu peur mais se félicite de l'attirance incroyable que Kimo a pour lui. Le danseur légendaire s'insinue dans la vie de Bobby, mais peu de personnes sont heureuses de leur romance naissante.
Les choses vont d'un extrême à l'autre avec l'interférence de la famille et des amis. Ces hommes sont-ils prêts à tout sacrifier l'un pour l'autre ? Leur aventure brûlante menace non seulement le mariage de Kimo, mais la santé mentale de Bobby quand il découvre que Kimo est un " Gardien des Secrets " dans la culture hawaïenne... un homme enflammé né de la magie noire et taboue que les anciens Hawaïens appellent Lua.
C'est un excellent livre, totalement dépaysant puisqu'il se passe sur différentes îles d'Hawaï et nous fait vivre les us et traditions de cet Etat de l'intérieur. On y apprend beaucoup de choses, notamment sur l'histoire des danses typiques, les contes et légendes de ce peuple ainsi que la partie cachée concernant les différents Dieux qui n'hésitent pas à se montrer aux hommes. C'est une immersion totale dans cette culture riche et diversifiée.
C'est également l'histoire de deux danseurs originaires de l'île qui offrent des spectacles avec leur troupe, aux touristes comme aux gens du cru mieux à même de comprendre toute les significations de leurs mouvements. Bobby est gay, ouvertement et ne s'en cache pas, mais il a récemment été blessé car son dernier amant l'a trompé. Mais il fait partie de ces hommes qui ont du mal à mettre un terme définitif à une histoire de plusieurs années.
Mais lorsqu'il voit cette peinture, puis rencontre réellement Kimo, il se sent irrésistiblement attiré par l'homme, par le danseur et par le magicien qu'il est, comme s'il lui était destiné. Il mettra donc tout en œuvre pour le séduire, quitte à en payer le prix.
A.J. Llewellyn nous offre une histoire vraiment haletante, très chaude également - ce qui n'est pas pour me déplaire, loin de là ! - et un peu mystique. Ce mélange est détonnant, prenant et je n'ai pas pu poser le livre avant de l'avoir terminé... pour me précipiter vers le tome suivant.
Mon seul bémol (et la raison pour laquelle il n'a pas 5 étoiles), c'est parce que le livre contient beaucoup, mais alors beaucoup de termes hawaïens, et comme je suis une lectrice consciencieuse et que je ne voulais pas passer à côté d'un détail important, il m'a fallu le lire avec internet ouvert à côté de moi, pour comprendre tous les termes évoqués.
En conclusion, un excellent livre, dépaysant, très chaud avec une pointe de mystique qui est un véritable régal. Je le recommande vivement.
May 2, 2014
This is more of a rant then a review in a way: spoiler alerts!!
This was really good until it got fcuked up and arrggggg so angry! I don't do books that have scenes with multiple partners or having one of the main MC's practically cheating. A pity cuz I did enjoy it till it got to that threesome scene and obvs it should not have happened. I would not have taken him back, even if I agreed with the scene cuz my lover wanted to try something differ, but when you see ur partner really into the other and kinda forgets u, Fcuk that shit, he just crossed the line. And they broke the threesome rule! Never have someone as the third person someone u know! Especially not an EXBOYFRIEND! Course shit went down hill and my feelings for the book was set. Even after some really great scenes and events here and there came up, after I finished the book and the main MCs got a HEA, I still didn't enjoy the book cuz my mood was now in full bitch mood ever since that scene. Oh yes and kimo was wriiten as a douchey, hypocrite, cheating, main character. I can't stand his type, but some love it so mehhhh.
This was really good until it got fcuked up and arrggggg so angry! I don't do books that have scenes with multiple partners or having one of the main MC's practically cheating. A pity cuz I did enjoy it till it got to that threesome scene and obvs it should not have happened. I would not have taken him back, even if I agreed with the scene cuz my lover wanted to try something differ, but when you see ur partner really into the other and kinda forgets u, Fcuk that shit, he just crossed the line. And they broke the threesome rule! Never have someone as the third person someone u know! Especially not an EXBOYFRIEND! Course shit went down hill and my feelings for the book was set. Even after some really great scenes and events here and there came up, after I finished the book and the main MCs got a HEA, I still didn't enjoy the book cuz my mood was now in full bitch mood ever since that scene. Oh yes and kimo was wriiten as a douchey, hypocrite, cheating, main character. I can't stand his type, but some love it so mehhhh.
July 28, 2014
I have to admit I was rather bored reading through almost the whole first quarter of the book then the seck really enthralled me. It's really a shame there just had to be those het menage (in the bedroom, no less!) and "stud" impregnation thing at all (though I wouldn't mind mpreg). I almost abandoned ship because of those. I would've liked it much better without those... necessary evils?
November 26, 2011
An Awesome Review to Follow w/in the next few days... i have the flu
January 25, 2012
This was my first book into this particular genre and I was very pleased.
Bobby to Kimo - "Now take your ass licking like a man"...best line ever (lol).
Bobby to Kimo - "Now take your ass licking like a man"...best line ever (lol).
August 29, 2015
M/M romance among hulu dancers in Hawaii. Writing is good, but not great. There is so much potential there!
December 14, 2015
3.25 stars - wasn't a fan of all of the cheating and making his wife seem like such a troll.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews