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Serpentine #2
Aidan's Journey
A Serpentine Series Book
The star of the University of Virginia theater department, Aidan Emery is lusted after and admired for living out and proud. He uses his talent and good looks to his advantage and never sleeps with the same guy twice. But his glamorous patina has been carefully honed to hide the pain he carries inside.
Aidan wasn't always such a player. He starts college naively romantic, hungry for the attention he can’t get from his workaholic father and mentally ill mother. Unfortunately, that leaves him ripe pickings for predatory professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney’s flattering regard seduces Aidan into a dysfunctional relationship that destroys his innocence.
Life looks up for Aidan when he finally breaks free of Rodney’s pull and moves to New York City to make it as an actor. Meeting sweet fellow actor Patrick Jaymes seems like the start of a fairy tale. But before Aidan can rebuild his life into happily ever after, family secrets rip him wide open, leaving him easy prey when Rodney decides he’s not willing to let Aidan go.
The star of the University of Virginia theater department, Aidan Emery is lusted after and admired for living out and proud. He uses his talent and good looks to his advantage and never sleeps with the same guy twice. But his glamorous patina has been carefully honed to hide the pain he carries inside.
Aidan wasn't always such a player. He starts college naively romantic, hungry for the attention he can’t get from his workaholic father and mentally ill mother. Unfortunately, that leaves him ripe pickings for predatory professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney’s flattering regard seduces Aidan into a dysfunctional relationship that destroys his innocence.
Life looks up for Aidan when he finally breaks free of Rodney’s pull and moves to New York City to make it as an actor. Meeting sweet fellow actor Patrick Jaymes seems like the start of a fairy tale. But before Aidan can rebuild his life into happily ever after, family secrets rip him wide open, leaving him easy prey when Rodney decides he’s not willing to let Aidan go.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2014
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
CJane Elliott
23 books41 followersAfter years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, CJANE ELLIOTT finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane enjoys writing sexy, passionate stories that also explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
CJane is an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality and is particularly fond of coming-out stories. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her husband and son support her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.
CJane is the author of the award-winning Serpentine Series, New Adult contemporary novels set at the University of Virginia. Serpentine Walls was a 2014 Rainbow Awards finalist, Aidan’s Journey was a 2015 EPIC Awards finalist, and Sex, Love, and Videogames won first place in the New Adult category in the 2016 Swirl Awards and first place in Contemporary Fiction in the 2017 EPIC eBook Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 21, 2014
Original Blog Post:
Blog Tour, eARC Review, Excerpt, #Giveaway: Aidan's Journey by CJane Elliott
Those who are looking for an M/M romance with this book, stop and take a deep breath. This is not erotica, this is technically not a romance either. This is a book that takes us readers on a journey of learning and maturation, complete with all the trials and risks someone takes on that life journey.
Aidan starts out idealistic and scared of what may be. He is a Republican politician's son and was subjected to a life that was monied but absent of any realness for lack of a better term. His growing up had the usual ups and downs we generally go through but he kept his basic instincts on the down low. He was not willing to risk going all out for fear of bullying from classmates and peers as well as fear of the wrath that his father could exact on him. Physically, he matures into a beautiful young man and honestly, excepting the blond hair, he much reminds me of Adam Lambert really. He is simply beautiful. And talented.
Aidan goes to college and there the 'play' that is this story really kicks in. He goes through a life that is pretty much expected from a young and just-sexually-awakened man and he makes decisions he regrets later on in life. But the regrets were a learning experience and it does him the world of good at the end.
The long and short of it is: this is a coming of age story. The journey Aidan takes the readers is long and sometimes heartbreaking, mostly frustrating, but curiously, it is a read that does not drag, neither does it read mindless. The author, CJane Elliott, managed to write a story that does not let go and I could not let go. For a heavy and sometimes, dramatic, read, this is a light read. At the end, I just let all the events unfold in my mind and was curiously satisfied and thankful for having read it.
There is no romance per se, there is no erotica as many would expect, but it is a read that grabs and never lets go. This may not be your style, but it is definitely a worthwhile read.
Blog Tour, eARC Review, Excerpt, #Giveaway: Aidan's Journey by CJane Elliott
Those who are looking for an M/M romance with this book, stop and take a deep breath. This is not erotica, this is technically not a romance either. This is a book that takes us readers on a journey of learning and maturation, complete with all the trials and risks someone takes on that life journey.
Aidan starts out idealistic and scared of what may be. He is a Republican politician's son and was subjected to a life that was monied but absent of any realness for lack of a better term. His growing up had the usual ups and downs we generally go through but he kept his basic instincts on the down low. He was not willing to risk going all out for fear of bullying from classmates and peers as well as fear of the wrath that his father could exact on him. Physically, he matures into a beautiful young man and honestly, excepting the blond hair, he much reminds me of Adam Lambert really. He is simply beautiful. And talented.
Aidan goes to college and there the 'play' that is this story really kicks in. He goes through a life that is pretty much expected from a young and just-sexually-awakened man and he makes decisions he regrets later on in life. But the regrets were a learning experience and it does him the world of good at the end.
The long and short of it is: this is a coming of age story. The journey Aidan takes the readers is long and sometimes heartbreaking, mostly frustrating, but curiously, it is a read that does not drag, neither does it read mindless. The author, CJane Elliott, managed to write a story that does not let go and I could not let go. For a heavy and sometimes, dramatic, read, this is a light read. At the end, I just let all the events unfold in my mind and was curiously satisfied and thankful for having read it.
There is no romance per se, there is no erotica as many would expect, but it is a read that grabs and never lets go. This may not be your style, but it is definitely a worthwhile read.
October 16, 2014
Note this is not a love story, rather how our MC evolves from love. Both negative and positive. Our MC knows his final love interest for only a quarter of the book.
This is going to be a quick review.
The author dragged the Rodney (cheating, lying, manipulating sex addict) thing out a little too much. On and off for more than five times. Aidan despite having a wonderful support system kept making the same mistake again and again. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. He had not one but three potentially great guys, who he carelessly disregarded.
His personality changed and it he kept justifying everything. This I hated, make a mistake but don't make yourself blind. I just disliked him as a character. In the beginning I felt a connection with him, we had so many similarities. He then became an addict that kept feeling sorry for himself instead of making a change.
On the other hand I have to say it hooked me in a weird way and I couldn't stop reading.
This is going to be a quick review.
The author dragged the Rodney (cheating, lying, manipulating sex addict) thing out a little too much. On and off for more than five times. Aidan despite having a wonderful support system kept making the same mistake again and again. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. He had not one but three potentially great guys, who he carelessly disregarded.
His personality changed and it he kept justifying everything. This I hated, make a mistake but don't make yourself blind. I just disliked him as a character. In the beginning I felt a connection with him, we had so many similarities. He then became an addict that kept feeling sorry for himself instead of making a change.
On the other hand I have to say it hooked me in a weird way and I couldn't stop reading.
August 25, 2015
This was just not for me.
ugh the back and forth with Professor Rodney
I hated him Professor Rodney such a predator /Master manipulator
praying on the young students both male and female.
ugh so nasty!
Aidan hmm I did not like him either so yeah
So what he had high hopes in the romance department and was burned (we’ve all been there)
so instead Aidan decides he only has one night stands expect for Rodney of course!!
After all the no calling neglected text messages he still went back to professor Rodney even when Cooper tells him that he fucked the professor and that he’s known for his threesomes…
ugh why??
I didn’t see the charm in the professor or his appeal .
At some point he had a boyfriend Luke and still Aidan is obsessed with Professor Rodney he can’t seem to shake it!
I just don’t get why ??
I was so glad when I finished this story
ugh the back and forth with Professor Rodney
I hated him Professor Rodney such a predator /Master manipulator
praying on the young students both male and female.
ugh so nasty!
Aidan hmm I did not like him either so yeah
So what he had high hopes in the romance department and was burned (we’ve all been there)
so instead Aidan decides he only has one night stands expect for Rodney of course!!
After all the no calling neglected text messages he still went back to professor Rodney even when Cooper tells him that he fucked the professor and that he’s known for his threesomes…
ugh why??
I didn’t see the charm in the professor or his appeal .
At some point he had a boyfriend Luke and still Aidan is obsessed with Professor Rodney he can’t seem to shake it!
I just don’t get why ??
I was so glad when I finished this story
October 22, 2014
I wouldn't have believed Serpentine Walls and this one were written by the same author. Not a winner for me at all. This one is formal, the language is stilted and I'm not getting anything out of it... I'm cutting my losses at 43%. Aiden wasn't my fave character from the previous book, he was a people user, a slut and a rat bastard now I come to remember him properly BUT I now know where he got all of that behaviour from...the infamous Professor R (for Rodney or ratbag, take your pick). He was a master manipulator, a champion people user and all round twat!! Hated him, didn't like Aiden (and no, I didn't feel sorry for him) and will not be taking this series any further. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars only. Sorry for the dnf.
November 2, 2014
I was hooked from the first sentences. Aidan's Journey is funny and sweet and captivating. And long. Epically long. A real commitment. But worth it.
I got swept away by Aidan's college years, the story of a hot young stud (but sympathetic! The best kind!) sucked into an affair with his college professor, a hot sexy Brit (the worst kind!).
Aidan's journey becomes more compelling as it goes through each epoch, as I grow to love and understand each character. I became more than hooked; I became breathless.
I chose this story initially because it was about actors, and it does take a while to give the actor's perspective, but it finally arrives. New York and its Off-Off-Broadway flair and tortured souls and real truths all comes out.
Aidan's Journey was a fun, energetic joy that makes me believe the genre is capable of great things.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
C.E. Case
I got swept away by Aidan's college years, the story of a hot young stud (but sympathetic! The best kind!) sucked into an affair with his college professor, a hot sexy Brit (the worst kind!).
Aidan's journey becomes more compelling as it goes through each epoch, as I grow to love and understand each character. I became more than hooked; I became breathless.
I chose this story initially because it was about actors, and it does take a while to give the actor's perspective, but it finally arrives. New York and its Off-Off-Broadway flair and tortured souls and real truths all comes out.
Aidan's Journey was a fun, energetic joy that makes me believe the genre is capable of great things.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
C.E. Case
January 4, 2016
Reviewed by Brandilyn for Prism Book Alliance. If you have read Serpentine Walls by CJane Elliot, you may think you know Aidan. If you are anything like me, you may somewhat loathe Aidan for how he treated Pete, and apparently every other guy with whom he came into contact. But also, if you are like me and have read Serpentine Walls, you might just want a little insight into where Aidan came from, where he is going, and why he is who he is.
January 16, 2021
I chose this as a romance, though in the end it felt more like a coming-of-age story.
October 19, 2014
3.75 out of 5 stars
Description ~
The star of the University of Virginia theater department, Aidan Emery is lusted after and admired for living out and proud. He uses his talent and good looks to his advantage and never sleeps with the same guy twice. But his glamorous patina has been carefully honed to hide the pain he carries inside.
Aidan wasn't always such a player. He starts college naively romantic, hungry for the attention he can’t get from his workaholic father and mentally ill mother. Unfortunately, that leaves him ripe pickings for predatory professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney’s flattering regard seduces Aidan into a dysfunctional relationship that destroys his innocence.
Life looks up for Aidan when he finally breaks free of Rodney’s pull and moves to New York City to make it as an actor. Meeting sweet fellow actor Patrick Jaymes seems like the start of a fairy tale. But before Aidan can rebuild his life into happily ever after, family secrets rip him wide open, leaving him easy prey when Rodney decides he’s not willing to let Aidan go.
My Review ~
This is the second book in the Serpentine Series and it can be read as a standalone. The characters are featured in the first book, as well, but you won't lose any part of either story by reading them separately or out of order.
At the heart of Aidan's Journey is truly a coming of age story, but it's also a bit of a cautionary tale, too. Aidan was a beautiful but lonely and even slightly awkward young man entering college when he meets Professor Rodney Montgomery. I hesitate to call Professor R a predator but in actuality he's very close to one. He's a serial sex addict with a taste for barely legal young men and women. And in Aidan's case the taste lingers and Rodney continually keeps Aidan wrapped in a pseudo-relationship.
Aidan grows through this relationship but he also withdraws into himself and spirals into semi-destructive habits because of this 'open' relationship with Rodney. Rodney really is a sex addict in that he can not remain monogamous even to Aidan after almost 2 years together. Aidan tries to leave him but is so wrapped up in the qualities that Rodney exhibits that he ignores the bad and hurtful things that Rodney continues to do.
The relationship with Rodney, and Aidan's college years cover almost 75% of the book. Unfortunately I struggled through this portion because I detested Rodney. I really liked Aidan, and his group of theater and film friends, I just wish they'd have been on scene more than Rodney. I loved the dynamic of the relationship with Lucas, but again Rodney still absorbed Aidan's world and didn't allow that to grow to it's full potential.
There is a good story within the pages of Aidan's Journey. It's one that does happen, especially when, like Aidan, teens and young adults feel alone or separate from their families and peers. In Aidan's case he had an absent almost non-existent father and a mother battling mental illness. As Aidan grew through his college years he finally realized he was important and he mattered enough to move beyond Rodney's machinations.
I did ultimately enjoy the story that is Aidan's Journey, this is just one of those books that is more backstory than fore-story. Where I like an even balance of past and current or at least more of a focus on the two characters that are the main love interest. I recommend that you give this story a try and melt a little over Aidan.
Description ~
The star of the University of Virginia theater department, Aidan Emery is lusted after and admired for living out and proud. He uses his talent and good looks to his advantage and never sleeps with the same guy twice. But his glamorous patina has been carefully honed to hide the pain he carries inside.
Aidan wasn't always such a player. He starts college naively romantic, hungry for the attention he can’t get from his workaholic father and mentally ill mother. Unfortunately, that leaves him ripe pickings for predatory professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney’s flattering regard seduces Aidan into a dysfunctional relationship that destroys his innocence.
Life looks up for Aidan when he finally breaks free of Rodney’s pull and moves to New York City to make it as an actor. Meeting sweet fellow actor Patrick Jaymes seems like the start of a fairy tale. But before Aidan can rebuild his life into happily ever after, family secrets rip him wide open, leaving him easy prey when Rodney decides he’s not willing to let Aidan go.
My Review ~
This is the second book in the Serpentine Series and it can be read as a standalone. The characters are featured in the first book, as well, but you won't lose any part of either story by reading them separately or out of order.
At the heart of Aidan's Journey is truly a coming of age story, but it's also a bit of a cautionary tale, too. Aidan was a beautiful but lonely and even slightly awkward young man entering college when he meets Professor Rodney Montgomery. I hesitate to call Professor R a predator but in actuality he's very close to one. He's a serial sex addict with a taste for barely legal young men and women. And in Aidan's case the taste lingers and Rodney continually keeps Aidan wrapped in a pseudo-relationship.
Aidan grows through this relationship but he also withdraws into himself and spirals into semi-destructive habits because of this 'open' relationship with Rodney. Rodney really is a sex addict in that he can not remain monogamous even to Aidan after almost 2 years together. Aidan tries to leave him but is so wrapped up in the qualities that Rodney exhibits that he ignores the bad and hurtful things that Rodney continues to do.
The relationship with Rodney, and Aidan's college years cover almost 75% of the book. Unfortunately I struggled through this portion because I detested Rodney. I really liked Aidan, and his group of theater and film friends, I just wish they'd have been on scene more than Rodney. I loved the dynamic of the relationship with Lucas, but again Rodney still absorbed Aidan's world and didn't allow that to grow to it's full potential.
There is a good story within the pages of Aidan's Journey. It's one that does happen, especially when, like Aidan, teens and young adults feel alone or separate from their families and peers. In Aidan's case he had an absent almost non-existent father and a mother battling mental illness. As Aidan grew through his college years he finally realized he was important and he mattered enough to move beyond Rodney's machinations.
I did ultimately enjoy the story that is Aidan's Journey, this is just one of those books that is more backstory than fore-story. Where I like an even balance of past and current or at least more of a focus on the two characters that are the main love interest. I recommend that you give this story a try and melt a little over Aidan.
April 24, 2015
Title: Aidan's Journey (Serpentine, #2)
Author: CJane Elliott
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Non-Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Long Novel
Heat Rating: 4 Stars
Book Rating: 3.75 Stars
Aidan’s Journey gives the backstory of Aidan that is missing in Serpentine Walls, the first in the Serpentine series by CJ Elliott. Serpentine Walls and Aidan’s Journey can be read as a standalones or out of order. While the characters are the same the plots only mix slightly. In fact reading Aidan’s story first may give you more insight into his character while reading Serpentine Walls. This however, is not a romance story it is about Aidan’s life as he matures, grows, and finds his place.
Aidan Emery is talented, good looking, and a friendly young man. He enters college just like any other young man. He has grown up with an absent father and a loving mother. Both mother and son are impacted negatively by the “head” of the household. Aidan being young and coming of age is drawn in by the dashing and smooth tongued Professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney keeps Aidan hanging on with the promise of a relationship. While Aidan makes several attempts to break away from Rodney he continues to be drawn in by the pull Rodney exudes on him. This back and forth with Rodney and this so called relationship interferes with the potential healthy relationships presented to Aidan.
To protect (?) himself, Aidan becomes a player and hooks up with random guys. He never see the same guy twice and they never spend the night. The self-destruction you watch Aidan go through pulls at your emotions with loads of hatred for Rodney but with compassion for Aidan. Aidan learns the hard way about relationships the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately for Aidan it is hard for his heart to let go even though his brain is telling him to.
I adored Aidan along with the majority of the characters in this story the exceptions being Rodney and Aidan’s father. These two are truly despicable individuals. Rodney’s interaction with Aidan consumes almost three quarters of the story so be prepared to watch Aidan spiral in and out of heartbreak and self-destructiveness. If you are looking for romance and the associated scenes that accompany that build of a relationship you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a well written story of one man’s journey into adulthood fraught with frustration, heartbreak and ultimately moving on (coming of age if you will) sit back and enjoy.
Review also at WoDF - Aidan's Journey (Serpentine, #2)
Author: CJane Elliott
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Non-Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Long Novel
Heat Rating: 4 Stars
Book Rating: 3.75 Stars
Aidan’s Journey gives the backstory of Aidan that is missing in Serpentine Walls, the first in the Serpentine series by CJ Elliott. Serpentine Walls and Aidan’s Journey can be read as a standalones or out of order. While the characters are the same the plots only mix slightly. In fact reading Aidan’s story first may give you more insight into his character while reading Serpentine Walls. This however, is not a romance story it is about Aidan’s life as he matures, grows, and finds his place.
Aidan Emery is talented, good looking, and a friendly young man. He enters college just like any other young man. He has grown up with an absent father and a loving mother. Both mother and son are impacted negatively by the “head” of the household. Aidan being young and coming of age is drawn in by the dashing and smooth tongued Professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney keeps Aidan hanging on with the promise of a relationship. While Aidan makes several attempts to break away from Rodney he continues to be drawn in by the pull Rodney exudes on him. This back and forth with Rodney and this so called relationship interferes with the potential healthy relationships presented to Aidan.
To protect (?) himself, Aidan becomes a player and hooks up with random guys. He never see the same guy twice and they never spend the night. The self-destruction you watch Aidan go through pulls at your emotions with loads of hatred for Rodney but with compassion for Aidan. Aidan learns the hard way about relationships the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately for Aidan it is hard for his heart to let go even though his brain is telling him to.
I adored Aidan along with the majority of the characters in this story the exceptions being Rodney and Aidan’s father. These two are truly despicable individuals. Rodney’s interaction with Aidan consumes almost three quarters of the story so be prepared to watch Aidan spiral in and out of heartbreak and self-destructiveness. If you are looking for romance and the associated scenes that accompany that build of a relationship you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a well written story of one man’s journey into adulthood fraught with frustration, heartbreak and ultimately moving on (coming of age if you will) sit back and enjoy.
Review also at WoDF - Aidan's Journey (Serpentine, #2)
January 24, 2016
Aidan's Journey is the story of a college student who falls in lust with one of his professor's. Aidan is manipulated by Rodney, the professor. Both are pretty slimy individuals, having relationships with others while whining about it all and continuing to manipulate each other. There was no real romance here, just some very unlikeable people having sexual relationships. Pretty much a disappointment
June 10, 2018
Wonderful story
This is a wonderful story about Aiden going through life, college, complicated love affair in school, and the friendships he developed at University. Told in first person, you root for Aiden and his search for love and happiness. I was not disappointed with the ending.
This is a wonderful story about Aiden going through life, college, complicated love affair in school, and the friendships he developed at University. Told in first person, you root for Aiden and his search for love and happiness. I was not disappointed with the ending.
January 24, 2016
Aidan touches something in me. This story was equal parts sad and equal parts happy and very much like therapy. Tears.
October 10, 2016
Too much time with the scum bag and not enough time with the love interest.
Merged review:
Too much time with the dirt bag and not enough time with the love interest.
Merged review:
Too much time with the dirt bag and not enough time with the love interest.
August 26, 2015
3.5 stars
April 18, 2017
Aidan's Journey is the story of a college student who falls in lust with one of his professor's. Aidan is manipulated by Rodney, the professor. Both are pretty slimy individuals, having relationships with others while whining about it all and continuing to manipulate each other. There was no real romance here, just some very unlikeable people having sexual relationships. Pretty much a disappointment
December 4, 2017
A Serpentine Series Book
The star of the University of Virginia theater department, Aidan Emery is lusted after and admired for living out and proud. He uses his talent and good looks to his advantage and never sleeps with the same guy twice. But his glamorous patina has been carefully honed to hide the pain he carries inside.
Aidan wasn't always such a player. He starts college naively romantic, hungry for the attention he can’t get from his workaholic father and mentally ill mother. Unfortunately, that leaves him ripe pickings for predatory professor Rodney Montgomery. Rodney’s flattering regard seduces Aidan into a dysfunctional relationship that destroys his innocence.
Life looks up for Aidan when he finally breaks free of Rodney’s pull and moves to New York City to make it as an actor. Meeting sweet fellow actor Patrick Jaymes seems like the start of a fairy tale. But before Aidan can rebuild his life into happily ever after, family secrets rip him wide open, leaving him easy prey when Rodney decides he’s not willing to let Aidan go.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews