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Mountain Boys #1
Le scommesse sono chiuse
Basta una sola notte con Ash Gallagher perché Eli Hollister si convinca di aver finalmente trovato l’uomo giusto al momento giusto; fortuna che non ci ha scommesso sopra, perché Ash si rivela uno studente della sua classe al college locale. Eli non può negare la sua attrazione, ma adesso le cose si complicano; inoltre ha già abbastanza problemi col preside del suo dipartimento, un uomo gretto e meschino che aspetta solo l’occasione propizia per poterlo licenziare.
Dal canto suo, Ash non vede l’ora di dare una svolta alla sua vita. Dopo aver prestato servizio nel corpo dei Marines e successivamente nella Riserva, è pronto a lasciarsi la vita militare alle spalle. L’ultima cosa che aveva programmato però era intrecciare una relazione col suo professore di letteratura inglese e più Eli resiste, più Ash è determinato ad averlo. Poi scopre che Eli ha intenzioni serie, mentre lui cerca solo un’avventura… oppure no? Su questi due, che si tratti di vita o di amore, non si possono fare scommesse.
Dal canto suo, Ash non vede l’ora di dare una svolta alla sua vita. Dopo aver prestato servizio nel corpo dei Marines e successivamente nella Riserva, è pronto a lasciarsi la vita militare alle spalle. L’ultima cosa che aveva programmato però era intrecciare una relazione col suo professore di letteratura inglese e più Eli resiste, più Ash è determinato ad averlo. Poi scopre che Eli ha intenzioni serie, mentre lui cerca solo un’avventura… oppure no? Su questi due, che si tratti di vita o di amore, non si possono fare scommesse.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2011
20 people are currently reading
651 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Labbe
39 books128 followersMarguerite has been accused of being eccentric and a shade neurotic, both of which she freely admits to, but her muse has OCD tendencies, so who can blame her? Her husband and son do an excellent job keeping her toeing the line, though. Together with her co-author Fae Sutherland, Marguerite has found a shared passion for beautiful men with smart mouths.
When she's not working hard on writing new material and editing completed work, she spends her time reading novels of all genres, enjoying role-playing games with her equally nutty friends, and trying to plot practical jokes against her son and husband. Her son is learning the tricks too quickly and likes to retaliate. You'd think she'd learn.
When she's not working hard on writing new material and editing completed work, she spends her time reading novels of all genres, enjoying role-playing games with her equally nutty friends, and trying to plot practical jokes against her son and husband. Her son is learning the tricks too quickly and likes to retaliate. You'd think she'd learn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
September 1, 2012
A beautifully, sweet story with a little bit of kink!
I absolutely loved Eli and Ash's story!
It had a lot of the things I love in a romance:
♦ A slooooow progression to "I love you"
♦ A hot book nerd
♦ A sexy marine
♦ A cute pup
♦ Lots of sexual tension
♦ Lots of sexy betting
♦ A little kinky sex
♦ Lots of dirty talk
It did NOT have any of the things I hate in a romance:
♦ No dream sex
♦ No cheating
♦ No stupid breakup near the end
♦ No insta-love
♦ No sex before 40%...almost
My favorite line:
"I've been thinking about cuffing you to the oh-shit handle and going down on you."
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I cannot list one thing that I didn't love about it.
I want more contemporaries from Marguerite Labbe!
I absolutely loved Eli and Ash's story!
It had a lot of the things I love in a romance:
♦ A slooooow progression to "I love you"
♦ A hot book nerd
♦ A sexy marine
♦ A cute pup
♦ Lots of sexual tension
♦ Lots of sexy betting
♦ A little kinky sex
♦ Lots of dirty talk
It did NOT have any of the things I hate in a romance:
♦ No dream sex
♦ No cheating
♦ No stupid breakup near the end
♦ No insta-love
♦ No sex before 40%...almost
My favorite line:
"I've been thinking about cuffing you to the oh-shit handle and going down on you."
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I cannot list one thing that I didn't love about it.
I want more contemporaries from Marguerite Labbe!
February 15, 2012
4.5 stars
This book was fun ! At first I thought it was going to be a predictable contemporary story but it turned out to be so much more. It had me laughing and tearing up with characters that are both likable and real.
I enjoyed both Eli and Ash so much! The tension between these two is palpable and engaging. They are so different. Ash is in the Reserves, used to discipline and a set schedule. He's rough and intense but extremely charming. Eli is rebellious. He's a nature person, taking walks everyday, going on hiking trips and such. He's a calm, free spirit. He hardly lets anyone get under his skin because he's so laid back but when he's angry, oh man, how his temper can light things on fire!! The way these two hit it off, though, is scorching. Anticipation is a word they both love and it only builds onto the desire they already have for each other. By the end of the story, I really felt like I knew these characters and they just felt completely real to me, their love felt real to me.
I loved that this book revolved around bets. They are both stubborn, betting men but they keep their word and pay up when they lose. Although, in their case when they lose it's more like winning! But just the fact that they make betting into a fun, enjoyable but hot game made it amusing. While the story features the fact that Ash is Eli's student (and how they find out after they start their relationship), I really liked the fact that both guys knew it was a dangerous game they were playing by allowing their relationship to stay physical when they found out their strange situation. Both men agree to take things slow and as such, the intensity between them builds, they grow to know each other, they fall in love not because of the sex but because of who the are and the best part is we get to see it instead of being told.
Another thing I loved is how they both understand each other's reservations. They never forced each other into doing or saying something they didn't absolutely want to (unless it was important to push a topic) and I liked how they were both there for each other when it mattered most. That we were shown all this which is why this story appealed to me so much. The side characters are a hoot, too! Jabbers, Eli's beagle, was a joy to read about because the dog featured such a big part of the story with his howls and bays. Lu and the other characters in Amwich's small community gave me a few great laughs that made this story the perfect amount of sweet and light.
My only issue is that I felt like the ending was a little open ended. I was hoping after such a struggle between Eli and Ash's feelings we'd get a more set ending but while it's a definite HEA, I still have questions about what will happen next between these two lovebirds.
Overall, an amazing story. I enjoyed this one immensely. I fell in love with Ash and Eli and how they clashed and melded together. Their chemistry is definitely worth the read alone but the plot and what they have to go through made the book fantastic. Plus, just the fact that Ash is a ginger and Eli is a verbal rambler made this story great from the get-go! Definitely recommended.
This book was fun ! At first I thought it was going to be a predictable contemporary story but it turned out to be so much more. It had me laughing and tearing up with characters that are both likable and real.
I enjoyed both Eli and Ash so much! The tension between these two is palpable and engaging. They are so different. Ash is in the Reserves, used to discipline and a set schedule. He's rough and intense but extremely charming. Eli is rebellious. He's a nature person, taking walks everyday, going on hiking trips and such. He's a calm, free spirit. He hardly lets anyone get under his skin because he's so laid back but when he's angry, oh man, how his temper can light things on fire!! The way these two hit it off, though, is scorching. Anticipation is a word they both love and it only builds onto the desire they already have for each other. By the end of the story, I really felt like I knew these characters and they just felt completely real to me, their love felt real to me.
I loved that this book revolved around bets. They are both stubborn, betting men but they keep their word and pay up when they lose. Although, in their case when they lose it's more like winning! But just the fact that they make betting into a fun, enjoyable but hot game made it amusing. While the story features the fact that Ash is Eli's student (and how they find out after they start their relationship), I really liked the fact that both guys knew it was a dangerous game they were playing by allowing their relationship to stay physical when they found out their strange situation. Both men agree to take things slow and as such, the intensity between them builds, they grow to know each other, they fall in love not because of the sex but because of who the are and the best part is we get to see it instead of being told.
Another thing I loved is how they both understand each other's reservations. They never forced each other into doing or saying something they didn't absolutely want to (unless it was important to push a topic) and I liked how they were both there for each other when it mattered most. That we were shown all this which is why this story appealed to me so much. The side characters are a hoot, too! Jabbers, Eli's beagle, was a joy to read about because the dog featured such a big part of the story with his howls and bays. Lu and the other characters in Amwich's small community gave me a few great laughs that made this story the perfect amount of sweet and light.
My only issue is that I felt like the ending was a little open ended. I was hoping after such a struggle between Eli and Ash's feelings we'd get a more set ending but while it's a definite HEA, I still have questions about what will happen next between these two lovebirds.
Overall, an amazing story. I enjoyed this one immensely. I fell in love with Ash and Eli and how they clashed and melded together. Their chemistry is definitely worth the read alone but the plot and what they have to go through made the book fantastic. Plus, just the fact that Ash is a ginger and Eli is a verbal rambler made this story great from the get-go! Definitely recommended.
October 14, 2016
3.5 stars
sweet, short read. The sex was a little dirtier than I usually see in this type of book, so it had that going for it - .
Seriously though, there were some heavy issues they dealt with in this book and the author did a pretty good job wrapping everything up. The few larger gaps in time in the story bothered me (I always hate that). Nevertheless the characters were solid, the plot interesting, and the pacing was very good - so I'd definitely recommend for a change of pace if you're looking for something easy to read.
sweet, short read. The sex was a little dirtier than I usually see in this type of book, so it had that going for it - .
Seriously though, there were some heavy issues they dealt with in this book and the author did a pretty good job wrapping everything up. The few larger gaps in time in the story bothered me (I always hate that). Nevertheless the characters were solid, the plot interesting, and the pacing was very good - so I'd definitely recommend for a change of pace if you're looking for something easy to read.
December 10, 2011
Marguerite Labbe's writing has never let me down, and this novel proves to be no exception. It is a heartwarming M/M romance, with a solid dash of mystery, a sprinkle or two of angst, humor and sex, all combining to produce a well rounded novel.
Eli, a college professor, returns home from a hiking getaway, to find a new man helping out the local construction crew. Ash, a former marine, now a reservist and student, catches Eli's attention, and a chance meeting a little while later, proves the attraction is mutual. The chance meeting evolves into a hot date, a bet, and a retreat to Ash's apartment. However, it seems fate has taken an interest in these two men, as Ash falls asleep after they finally get naked, leaving Ash gently snoring and Eli resigned to frustration. Fate's interest is confirmed the next morning, as the start of a new semester finds Ash to be one of Eli's students, thus putting thought of anything sexual happening between the two on hold.
From here, the story takes off. College life, their pasts, their friends and their careers (past, present and future) all have key roles within the developing story. Both characters are scarred by their pasts, and both find they need to let it go if they have any chance of a future together. The characters have depth and are believable for the most part, even if I personally found Eli a bit annoying at times, as he clung a little too long to certain ideas and attitudes. The pacing is pretty even throughout, until just before the end. Here I felt it seemed a little rushed. While all the plot threads are resolved, explained or tied up, personally, I felt it all came to conclusion rather quickly without the same level of the characters' thoughts and emotion behind it as found throughout the rest of the novel. This rushed feeling, and perhaps the over-use of the bet scenario, is the reason it fails to get the full five stars. In reality, though, they are minor quibbles, and the novel is certainly deserving of 4.5 stars!
Eli, a college professor, returns home from a hiking getaway, to find a new man helping out the local construction crew. Ash, a former marine, now a reservist and student, catches Eli's attention, and a chance meeting a little while later, proves the attraction is mutual. The chance meeting evolves into a hot date, a bet, and a retreat to Ash's apartment. However, it seems fate has taken an interest in these two men, as Ash falls asleep after they finally get naked, leaving Ash gently snoring and Eli resigned to frustration. Fate's interest is confirmed the next morning, as the start of a new semester finds Ash to be one of Eli's students, thus putting thought of anything sexual happening between the two on hold.
From here, the story takes off. College life, their pasts, their friends and their careers (past, present and future) all have key roles within the developing story. Both characters are scarred by their pasts, and both find they need to let it go if they have any chance of a future together. The characters have depth and are believable for the most part, even if I personally found Eli a bit annoying at times, as he clung a little too long to certain ideas and attitudes. The pacing is pretty even throughout, until just before the end. Here I felt it seemed a little rushed. While all the plot threads are resolved, explained or tied up, personally, I felt it all came to conclusion rather quickly without the same level of the characters' thoughts and emotion behind it as found throughout the rest of the novel. This rushed feeling, and perhaps the over-use of the bet scenario, is the reason it fails to get the full five stars. In reality, though, they are minor quibbles, and the novel is certainly deserving of 4.5 stars!
December 14, 2011
3-3,5 stars
A nice story with nice characters,a nice slow build up,nice setting...everything in the book was nice - too nice.
Ash falling asleep at his first date with Eli set the pace for the long story to come.Even with skipping all sex scenes I had trouble keeping attention.The few wake up calls didn`t make the story move faster - it always slowed down again...not my thing.
With some serious editing and 100 pages less this could have been a much better book...IMO.
But I would recommend it to readers who like their stories to be nice - did I say nice? - even/slow paced and not overly angsty.
A nice story with nice characters,a nice slow build up,nice setting...everything in the book was nice - too nice.
Ash falling asleep at his first date with Eli set the pace for the long story to come.Even with skipping all sex scenes I had trouble keeping attention.The few wake up calls didn`t make the story move faster - it always slowed down again...not my thing.
With some serious editing and 100 pages less this could have been a much better book...IMO.
But I would recommend it to readers who like their stories to be nice - did I say nice? - even/slow paced and not overly angsty.
September 3, 2018
4 stars! I was really surprised by how much I liked this book. A friend had recommended this book to me a while ago and having never read any book by Ms Labbe, I wasn't sure what I was expecting. Nevertheless the student-teacher romance between Ash and Eli is heart-warming, adorable and a little kinky. There is a little bit of slow burn and funny banter between the two MCs which I really liked, but I could have done without the freaky department head and the plot suspense. However, I really enjoyed the story and the HEA at the end was pretty satisfying as well.
November 23, 2012
1.5 stars Thank fucking Christ it's over. The rating slowly went lower and lower as I tried to force myself to finish this book. Let's start at the beginning. Both the guys on the cover are weird looking and I had a hard time not picturing them when reading the book. Eli's supposedly sexy hair gave me the most trouble.
Anyway, onto content. The dialogue was ridiculously innuendo-ridden. Literally every single thing they said was some cheesy line. And they never shut the fuck up. I love dirty talk, but they didn't have dirty talk, they just had keep-fucking-talking-the-whole-time talk.
Something specific that annoyed the shit out of me was just the timing of them finally sleeping together. You're grown-ass adults, fucking control yourselves.
Uhg, unfortunately by the end I was just skimming. Even when we finally learn more about Ash's friends in Iraq, by that point it just seemed like a tactic to add in more emotion and I wasn't feeling it. Oh, and while we're at it, the whole Wayne plot was kinda stupid too. To be honest, I'm completely baffled by all the 4 and 5 star ratings, I feel like we were reading different books.
Anyway, onto content. The dialogue was ridiculously innuendo-ridden. Literally every single thing they said was some cheesy line. And they never shut the fuck up. I love dirty talk, but they didn't have dirty talk, they just had keep-fucking-talking-the-whole-time talk.
Something specific that annoyed the shit out of me was just the timing of them finally sleeping together. You're grown-ass adults, fucking control yourselves.
Uhg, unfortunately by the end I was just skimming. Even when we finally learn more about Ash's friends in Iraq, by that point it just seemed like a tactic to add in more emotion and I wasn't feeling it. Oh, and while we're at it, the whole Wayne plot was kinda stupid too. To be honest, I'm completely baffled by all the 4 and 5 star ratings, I feel like we were reading different books.
September 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this well-written romance between Eli, a young college professor, and Ash, the Marine who takes his class as part of a move back to civilian life. These guys were well portrayed in their similarities and differences, both likeable men, and very hot together. The relationship progressed believably slowly on an emotional level, the plot was interesting but not melodramatic. The implications of their quasi-forbidden relationship between teacher and student varied a bit in the climax of the story, but the resolution was fairly satisfying.
didnt-finish
September 6, 2012It is almost all sex with out actually having sex. Sex thoughts, sex talk, full naked massages that go on forever. It's like it's all sex or all basball. Both of which bore me.
Then the numerous and long make out scenes seem never ending.
Then they have a really Lon sex scene followed by another long sex scene which I stoppe in the middle of to update this and other reviews. I'm at 55% and hoping its not all sex the rest of the book.
So ash is in Eli's office snooping and opening his mail and just invading Eli's privacy as best he can. The Brittin walks in and yells about students being in Eli's office unattended. He tells ash to have Eli go to his office before the end of the day... Then when Ash is telling Eli why he rushed to Eli's camping cabin it's because Brittin told him Eli rushed out of his office. That's not what Brittin said at all, I already told you what Brittin said.
Then ash being the douch (I liked him before this) he is discover Eli's being blackmailed for having sexual relations with a student. Up to this point they haven't had sex. So ash reads that and immediately set out to fuck Eli so the letter and threat will be true? Then after sex he tells Eli about it and Eli doesn't seem to care that ash knew someone was trying to blackmail him for exactly what him and ash just did.
Then they are suppossed to be keeping their relationship a secret but go into town together to buy condoms?
I actually liked a lot of it up to this point. Yes the baseball, numerous fantasies, and long make out sessions dragged on but I was able to like Eli and Ash and they did have some interesting conversations. Then they had sex and it's like everything went down the drain IMO.
Like earlier that day Eli wouldn't sleep with a student and didn't want to get involved with ash because he was starting to have feelings for him. Then that night it's just sex with ash an it's like all the internal dialog we just suffered through was for nothing. What changed in the few hours? Then ash is skipping class to stay and have more sex. Great influence there teacher.
I hate that Eli calls Ash Georgia. Sorry that's my grandma's friends name. So it really annoyed me that was the pet name for ash.
I'm not sure how but I managed to read all the way to 84% before giving. I kept trying to read a little of it everyday hoping for it to get interesting again. But at this point of the story I just don't care about the characters or anything that happens.
Then the numerous and long make out scenes seem never ending.
Then they have a really Lon sex scene followed by another long sex scene which I stoppe in the middle of to update this and other reviews. I'm at 55% and hoping its not all sex the rest of the book.
So ash is in Eli's office snooping and opening his mail and just invading Eli's privacy as best he can. The Brittin walks in and yells about students being in Eli's office unattended. He tells ash to have Eli go to his office before the end of the day... Then when Ash is telling Eli why he rushed to Eli's camping cabin it's because Brittin told him Eli rushed out of his office. That's not what Brittin said at all, I already told you what Brittin said.
Then ash being the douch (I liked him before this) he is discover Eli's being blackmailed for having sexual relations with a student. Up to this point they haven't had sex. So ash reads that and immediately set out to fuck Eli so the letter and threat will be true? Then after sex he tells Eli about it and Eli doesn't seem to care that ash knew someone was trying to blackmail him for exactly what him and ash just did.
Then they are suppossed to be keeping their relationship a secret but go into town together to buy condoms?
I actually liked a lot of it up to this point. Yes the baseball, numerous fantasies, and long make out sessions dragged on but I was able to like Eli and Ash and they did have some interesting conversations. Then they had sex and it's like everything went down the drain IMO.
Like earlier that day Eli wouldn't sleep with a student and didn't want to get involved with ash because he was starting to have feelings for him. Then that night it's just sex with ash an it's like all the internal dialog we just suffered through was for nothing. What changed in the few hours? Then ash is skipping class to stay and have more sex. Great influence there teacher.
I hate that Eli calls Ash Georgia. Sorry that's my grandma's friends name. So it really annoyed me that was the pet name for ash.
I'm not sure how but I managed to read all the way to 84% before giving. I kept trying to read a little of it everyday hoping for it to get interesting again. But at this point of the story I just don't care about the characters or anything that happens.
August 11, 2013
4.5 stars
Eli Hollister is convinced that he has finally met the right man at the right time. His previous relationships have always ended the same way. The right guy. The wrong time. When he meets Ash Gallagher and they share a sexy evening together he is convinced that he has finally found the one. He finds out how wrong he is less than twenty-four hours later. Eli is an English professor and Ash turns out to be one of his students. Knowing that he must avoid Ash outside of the classroom, he does everything he can to put him out of his mind. The only problem? Every time he sees Ash he wants him... bad. This makes for a difficult semester for both men as they are eager to spend more time exploring each other..... far away from the classroom. Ash is a Marine in the Reserves. He is only a few months away from graduating from college and moving on (and out) to bigger and better things with his life. Eli is supposed to be a fling, nothing more.
There is a bit of drama with Eli's boss and a couple of emotional moments with some of Ash's military friends. Watching Eli and Ash try their damndest to keep from falling for each other was a true pleasure to read. A very good, sexy read with a few funny AND serious moments thrown in. The way everything comes together is brilliant. I highly recommend.
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
Eli Hollister is convinced that he has finally met the right man at the right time. His previous relationships have always ended the same way. The right guy. The wrong time. When he meets Ash Gallagher and they share a sexy evening together he is convinced that he has finally found the one. He finds out how wrong he is less than twenty-four hours later. Eli is an English professor and Ash turns out to be one of his students. Knowing that he must avoid Ash outside of the classroom, he does everything he can to put him out of his mind. The only problem? Every time he sees Ash he wants him... bad. This makes for a difficult semester for both men as they are eager to spend more time exploring each other..... far away from the classroom. Ash is a Marine in the Reserves. He is only a few months away from graduating from college and moving on (and out) to bigger and better things with his life. Eli is supposed to be a fling, nothing more.
There is a bit of drama with Eli's boss and a couple of emotional moments with some of Ash's military friends. Watching Eli and Ash try their damndest to keep from falling for each other was a true pleasure to read. A very good, sexy read with a few funny AND serious moments thrown in. The way everything comes together is brilliant. I highly recommend.
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
November 14, 2012
Despite the absolutely ATROCIOUS cover art, and a friend's comments about how the dialogue is not very authentically New England-y (I wouldn't know - I live in the Midwest), I REALLY enjoyed this book.
For one thing, the sex was SO. HOT. And I thought both Ash and Eli were great characters - well-developed, interesting, intelligent, masculine in all the right ways, and sexy. And frankly, the whole professor/student thing... definitely a fantasy of mine. And in this book, it wasn't skeezy because Ash is older and more mature than an average college student.
I do wish we had seen them actually explore the "kink drawer"... heh heh. And though we found out what happened with Ash and his military past, we do NOT ever really learn the details about Eli's romantic history. We get enough to glean that he has abandonment issues, but never really learn the whys of them. I would have also liked to have seen what happens .
And FINALLY, a M/M romance where both MCs were actually gay! LOL
I have to admit, I wasn't crazy about the Wayne/baseball card subplot, and I thought Britton was more of a caricature than a character.
But overall, I really enjoyed this book! I definitely bought their attraction to each other, and the way that lust turns into love and a (mostly) satisfying HEA.
*Special thanks to Dreamspinner Press for the TweetAway!
For one thing, the sex was SO. HOT. And I thought both Ash and Eli were great characters - well-developed, interesting, intelligent, masculine in all the right ways, and sexy. And frankly, the whole professor/student thing... definitely a fantasy of mine. And in this book, it wasn't skeezy because Ash is older and more mature than an average college student.
I do wish we had seen them actually explore the "kink drawer"... heh heh. And though we found out what happened with Ash and his military past, we do NOT ever really learn the details about Eli's romantic history. We get enough to glean that he has abandonment issues, but never really learn the whys of them. I would have also liked to have seen what happens .
And FINALLY, a M/M romance where both MCs were actually gay! LOL
I have to admit, I wasn't crazy about the Wayne/baseball card subplot, and I thought Britton was more of a caricature than a character.
But overall, I really enjoyed this book! I definitely bought their attraction to each other, and the way that lust turns into love and a (mostly) satisfying HEA.
*Special thanks to Dreamspinner Press for the TweetAway!
January 29, 2012
First of all this book had the right percent of story and sex, so it get's 3 stars for that one.
Eli is a college teacher and Ash a Marine and Eli's student, which they of course realise a bit too late.
No one of them expected that they one night out would lead to more, first to friendship and then love.
Great story, I loved the character's both of them and that the love story developed slowly, so no instant love, which earned the book another star. Five stars because it made me want to read more books by this author.
Eli is a college teacher and Ash a Marine and Eli's student, which they of course realise a bit too late.
No one of them expected that they one night out would lead to more, first to friendship and then love.
Great story, I loved the character's both of them and that the love story developed slowly, so no instant love, which earned the book another star. Five stars because it made me want to read more books by this author.
September 28, 2012
3.5
This was a very slow burn romance with a bit of the forbidden thrown in because it's a professor/student relationship. There was nice chemistry between Eli and Ash and they have a wonderful friendship that eventually grows into something deeper.
There is a bit of angst thrown in as Eli has to deal with someone threatening him. We find out who pretty early on who the trouble maker is so there really isn't any kind of tension with that portion of the storyline.
Still this is nice read with engaging characters.
This was a very slow burn romance with a bit of the forbidden thrown in because it's a professor/student relationship. There was nice chemistry between Eli and Ash and they have a wonderful friendship that eventually grows into something deeper.
There is a bit of angst thrown in as Eli has to deal with someone threatening him. We find out who pretty early on who the trouble maker is so there really isn't any kind of tension with that portion of the storyline.
Still this is nice read with engaging characters.
September 23, 2021
A very slow burn romance between a Marine (now in Reserves) college student and a hot professor who shows up to teach the Marine's dreaded English class. Ash has returned to school in a small town college near his base and he's shocked when the sexy guy he hit on at the local pub turns out to be his new prof.
This was a really nice story. Two strong characters, slow burn, a bit of a mystery going on in the background, Ash's buddies still deployed overseas and in danger, and a department chair who wants to see Professor Eli booted out. It takes a while for all the threads to come together and then to unravel again but this author creates memorable characters. What I found most interesting is the info about DADT which had been recently repealed. This book was written in 2011 and it took me ten years to get to it. Bad on me. But really, a very lovely MM romance with a solid HEA.
This was a really nice story. Two strong characters, slow burn, a bit of a mystery going on in the background, Ash's buddies still deployed overseas and in danger, and a department chair who wants to see Professor Eli booted out. It takes a while for all the threads to come together and then to unravel again but this author creates memorable characters. What I found most interesting is the info about DADT which had been recently repealed. This book was written in 2011 and it took me ten years to get to it. Bad on me. But really, a very lovely MM romance with a solid HEA.
Read
February 14, 2019I'm sorry. I was so excited to read this and it was dull. The dialogue... well let's just say, I've put the book aside and "may" return to it later. Meanwhile, other books are calling.
March 7, 2012
Overall
I went into this novel with no real expectations. The cover was attractive, but not enough to catch my eye, the blurb was OK, but I still hesitated. However, hearing a few positive scores, I decided to give this a chance (ah, the power of ratings!). I'm so very glad I did.
Like a new twist on old comfort food, this novel drew me along through the pages, never really dragging me, but keeping me there nonetheless. I wasn't clawing at the book to see what happened next, but my curiosity was definitely peaked and when I was reading, it was warm and comfortable.
This story has army boys, professors, a playfully light touch of kink, some mystery, and various plots that were sculpted from the story with ease. While this book may not have done anything to amaze me and earn a fifth star, it's definitely something I'd want to read again on a lazy day.
Strengths
Eli and Ash are a nice pair, touching on sweet, hot, and tender, but often mastering in silly, playful and mischievous. They definitely feel an attraction, a magnetic pull even, but because they recognize it and accept it, they are able to behave like friends—really good friends who stare at each other's asses. It was a fresh dynamic between them. The rest of the cast is diverse, weaving through the story in perfect rhythm.
One of the best surprises this book offered was its plot. The blurb makes it sound like another romance where the men have a fling and resist their growing emotional attachment. It is that, but it's also so much more. There is some light mystery work, crazy bosses, and struggling to resist temptation. The plot is made of several threads that all eventually tie together (or tie up), leaving the story feeling whole, cohesive, and just plain enjoyable. There's nothing like trusting the author to tell the story and then being given a story just like you were promised.
The strongest part of this novel is the way everything was handled. Characters were consistent and not just forgotten, plots were followed through and resolved, and the pace was steady, never too slow and never rushed. While this novel did nothing to amaze me, it left me very satisfied.
Weaknesses
Nothing really blew me away with the story. It was good, great even, but not awesome. Not really a huge weakness, but the reason it didn't get five stars. Maybe a lame reason, but a reason.
Nit-picky point: At one time Ash is jerking Eli off and somehow gripping Eli's shoulders with hands. So minor but for some reason it really stood out in my mind. Hands on shoulder, hand on cock, hands on shoulders (again), hands on cock (again). Wow, Ash is really special!
Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
I went into this novel with no real expectations. The cover was attractive, but not enough to catch my eye, the blurb was OK, but I still hesitated. However, hearing a few positive scores, I decided to give this a chance (ah, the power of ratings!). I'm so very glad I did.
Like a new twist on old comfort food, this novel drew me along through the pages, never really dragging me, but keeping me there nonetheless. I wasn't clawing at the book to see what happened next, but my curiosity was definitely peaked and when I was reading, it was warm and comfortable.
This story has army boys, professors, a playfully light touch of kink, some mystery, and various plots that were sculpted from the story with ease. While this book may not have done anything to amaze me and earn a fifth star, it's definitely something I'd want to read again on a lazy day.
Strengths
Eli and Ash are a nice pair, touching on sweet, hot, and tender, but often mastering in silly, playful and mischievous. They definitely feel an attraction, a magnetic pull even, but because they recognize it and accept it, they are able to behave like friends—really good friends who stare at each other's asses. It was a fresh dynamic between them. The rest of the cast is diverse, weaving through the story in perfect rhythm.
One of the best surprises this book offered was its plot. The blurb makes it sound like another romance where the men have a fling and resist their growing emotional attachment. It is that, but it's also so much more. There is some light mystery work, crazy bosses, and struggling to resist temptation. The plot is made of several threads that all eventually tie together (or tie up), leaving the story feeling whole, cohesive, and just plain enjoyable. There's nothing like trusting the author to tell the story and then being given a story just like you were promised.
The strongest part of this novel is the way everything was handled. Characters were consistent and not just forgotten, plots were followed through and resolved, and the pace was steady, never too slow and never rushed. While this novel did nothing to amaze me, it left me very satisfied.
Weaknesses
Nothing really blew me away with the story. It was good, great even, but not awesome. Not really a huge weakness, but the reason it didn't get five stars. Maybe a lame reason, but a reason.
Nit-picky point: At one time Ash is jerking Eli off and somehow gripping Eli's shoulders with hands. So minor but for some reason it really stood out in my mind. Hands on shoulder, hand on cock, hands on shoulders (again), hands on cock (again). Wow, Ash is really special!
Requested this book for review.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
February 3, 2012
My Review:
I love contemporary romances set on college campuses and this one was REALLY GOOD! This book is about Ash, a 27 yo marine reservist who is on his last semester in college, and Eli, an English professor on the cusp of earning his tenure. There is instant lust and infatuation at first sight for these two guys early in the summer, but when Eli is gone for most of the summer, they never get a chance to act on that until the night before classes begin for the fall. They have a sizzling first date, but Ash is exhausted after a weekend out working with the reserves and falls asleep before the date ends. The next day when they discover that they now have a student/teacher relationship, they are both distressed that the relationship may be over before they ever have a chance to see if their incredible chemistry is the real thing.
There is a lot going on within this novel. It is set within a small New England college town, so there are the normal characters within the town that keep things interesting. There are also several sub-stories for both of these guys. Eli is dealing with a department head at the university who is doing everything in his power to get Eli fired (no, a relationship with a student certainly won't help here,) he also has someone breaking into his house and leaving threatening notes, and he has several family relationships which come into the story line. Ash is a marine reservist. He stepped down from active duty after being wounded. He maintains contact with the guys who he deployed with that are once again deployed and is dealing with guilt issues there that he is not with them. He's also trying to decide what to do upon graduation. He's had several job offers, but they are all in the southern states and as the story develops, Ash isn't sure he wants to leave this small town.
I really enjoyed both of these guys' characters. Their chemistry was incredible as was their really fabulous friendship. I liked watching their relationship and friendship grow. They both adore baseball and have a fascination with placing little side bets on the games. For the most part, they manage to keep their relationship platonic for the sake of Eli's job, but when it comes to their betting and the rewards for the winner, then things heat up really quickly. It is through their bets that their sexual attraction comes into play. It's really fabulous and fun to read.
This is one of those books that I truly just enjoyed reading. There was nothing about the novel which made it simply spectacular, but the entire story was heart-warming and completely entertaining. I was enthralled by the story and the romance from the very start of the book. The characters were compelling and likable and I truly just enjoyed the whole book.
I love contemporary romances set on college campuses and this one was REALLY GOOD! This book is about Ash, a 27 yo marine reservist who is on his last semester in college, and Eli, an English professor on the cusp of earning his tenure. There is instant lust and infatuation at first sight for these two guys early in the summer, but when Eli is gone for most of the summer, they never get a chance to act on that until the night before classes begin for the fall. They have a sizzling first date, but Ash is exhausted after a weekend out working with the reserves and falls asleep before the date ends. The next day when they discover that they now have a student/teacher relationship, they are both distressed that the relationship may be over before they ever have a chance to see if their incredible chemistry is the real thing.
There is a lot going on within this novel. It is set within a small New England college town, so there are the normal characters within the town that keep things interesting. There are also several sub-stories for both of these guys. Eli is dealing with a department head at the university who is doing everything in his power to get Eli fired (no, a relationship with a student certainly won't help here,) he also has someone breaking into his house and leaving threatening notes, and he has several family relationships which come into the story line. Ash is a marine reservist. He stepped down from active duty after being wounded. He maintains contact with the guys who he deployed with that are once again deployed and is dealing with guilt issues there that he is not with them. He's also trying to decide what to do upon graduation. He's had several job offers, but they are all in the southern states and as the story develops, Ash isn't sure he wants to leave this small town.
I really enjoyed both of these guys' characters. Their chemistry was incredible as was their really fabulous friendship. I liked watching their relationship and friendship grow. They both adore baseball and have a fascination with placing little side bets on the games. For the most part, they manage to keep their relationship platonic for the sake of Eli's job, but when it comes to their betting and the rewards for the winner, then things heat up really quickly. It is through their bets that their sexual attraction comes into play. It's really fabulous and fun to read.
This is one of those books that I truly just enjoyed reading. There was nothing about the novel which made it simply spectacular, but the entire story was heart-warming and completely entertaining. I was enthralled by the story and the romance from the very start of the book. The characters were compelling and likable and I truly just enjoyed the whole book.
December 13, 2011
All Bets Are Off is definitely the right title for this novel. It is a very hot story, and not just because of what happens in the bedroom. The sexual tension, desire and sheer need of the two main characters for each other almost jumps off the page. The fact that they are in a ‘forbidden’ relationship professionally, as Ash turns out to be Eli’s student. I thought they skirted acceptable behavior, since they very definitely are in a relationship throughout the semester even though they don’t admit it to anyone else. While this may be morally somewhat questionable, I found it added greatly to my enjoyment. Especially since both are grown men almost the same age.
Eli is a typical professor in many ways. He has his academic career to think of, including a jealous and adversarial department head who tries everything to discredit him. He loves working with his students and uses some very unusual teaching methods. That makes him a big success with the students but also a target for the idiot department head. He is also somewhat unusual because he doesn’t behave or dress like his colleagues and drives a motorcycle.
Ash is an ex-military man and knows what he wants. He goes after Eli with single-minded determination and not even the need to be discreet can really stop him. Well, he lets it, for Eli’s sake, but he doesn’t like it and provokes a reaction out of Eli every chance he gets. The bet they have going is right up his alley and I could just feel how much he enjoyed teasing Eli, in class and out.
If you like hot romances with a lot of banter and teasing, if a student-professor relationship between two adults has your interest, and if you’re looking for some humor, tension and a happy ending, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
Eli is a typical professor in many ways. He has his academic career to think of, including a jealous and adversarial department head who tries everything to discredit him. He loves working with his students and uses some very unusual teaching methods. That makes him a big success with the students but also a target for the idiot department head. He is also somewhat unusual because he doesn’t behave or dress like his colleagues and drives a motorcycle.
Ash is an ex-military man and knows what he wants. He goes after Eli with single-minded determination and not even the need to be discreet can really stop him. Well, he lets it, for Eli’s sake, but he doesn’t like it and provokes a reaction out of Eli every chance he gets. The bet they have going is right up his alley and I could just feel how much he enjoyed teasing Eli, in class and out.
If you like hot romances with a lot of banter and teasing, if a student-professor relationship between two adults has your interest, and if you’re looking for some humor, tension and a happy ending, you will probably like this book.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
April 29, 2013
5 Stara - KAPOW!
Wow!! Did this book hit all the right buttons for me. This is my comment after reading the first 30% of the story:
“So good!! Compelling protags, interesting twists to their developing relationship and underlying “what’s gonna happen next” subplot. I’ll be up late again “
Those sentiments continued for me all the way through the book. Ash and Eli were both fully developed, interesting and believable characters. They had an amazingly “real” feel to them, as did all of the characters and the entire story arc. The relationship between Ash and Eli developed at a wonderfully smoldering pace and I love how they really were in tune with each other, truly came to know each other. What really helped set this story apart from so many M/M I read is the excellent use of subplots revolving around the romance. The author wove them all together to create an excellent story, relationship and setting. I did not want this book to end. Seems there is more to look forward to, as this story is labeled as a #1 in a series, and there is a free read Christmas story follow up as well. Looking forward to more!
Dianne's review was originally posted at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
Wow!! Did this book hit all the right buttons for me. This is my comment after reading the first 30% of the story:
“So good!! Compelling protags, interesting twists to their developing relationship and underlying “what’s gonna happen next” subplot. I’ll be up late again “
Those sentiments continued for me all the way through the book. Ash and Eli were both fully developed, interesting and believable characters. They had an amazingly “real” feel to them, as did all of the characters and the entire story arc. The relationship between Ash and Eli developed at a wonderfully smoldering pace and I love how they really were in tune with each other, truly came to know each other. What really helped set this story apart from so many M/M I read is the excellent use of subplots revolving around the romance. The author wove them all together to create an excellent story, relationship and setting. I did not want this book to end. Seems there is more to look forward to, as this story is labeled as a #1 in a series, and there is a free read Christmas story follow up as well. Looking forward to more!
Dianne's review was originally posted at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
November 5, 2012
I loved the chemistry between Eli and Ash. They were opposites that were great together. Eli being the eccentric,free spirited, independent loner, who loved literature and the out doors and isn't looking to leaving his home in Amwich. While, Ash is a Marine who is used to traveling and is not set on settling down. I love these two and they might even make it on my favorite couples list I have going on in my head. And, I like how everything wasn't all unicorns and rainbows. They had their arguments and opinions, but they eventually came to an understanding and never let the fight linger for too long. And, the sex was sizzling :). There was a slow burning build up to it, but I think it was worth the wait.
I also liked the setting and how even though it was small town, the people didn't cause too much trouble and weren't bigoted or opinionated like most small towns are made out to be. But, still everybody knew everybody and their business.
But, to cut my ramblings short, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read, and i'm sure I will being doing rereads with it in the future.
I also liked the setting and how even though it was small town, the people didn't cause too much trouble and weren't bigoted or opinionated like most small towns are made out to be. But, still everybody knew everybody and their business.
But, to cut my ramblings short, I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read, and i'm sure I will being doing rereads with it in the future.
January 24, 2012
This was a really great story about a professor who falls for his student, granted the relationship starts before they realize that they will be in the same class and facing each other every week. When Eli, the professor, decides that they can't have some hot affair that could potentially ruin his career Ash readily agrees, though they stay friends. What starts off as intense lust builds into a lasting friendship then into love. There's also a bit of a mystery thrown in that helps the story along.
I really liked these two characters together as they played nicely off each other. The sexual tension between the two was pretty hot as was the sex. Even the secondary characters were well written. I would recommend this book to lovers of m/m romance that likes the build-up to a sweet romance.
I really liked these two characters together as they played nicely off each other. The sexual tension between the two was pretty hot as was the sex. Even the secondary characters were well written. I would recommend this book to lovers of m/m romance that likes the build-up to a sweet romance.
October 16, 2012
Oh my god this book was amazing, one of the sweetest books I have ever read. Eli and Ash were a cute couple and I loved them together, they were both so sweet and yet had a bit of a kinky side you would not expect. I loved the way they started even if it was a bit rushed. My belief is they fell in love quickly but neither of them realized until later. The other characters were well written and each story developed was wrapped up before the end which I loved. The ending was very fitting to such a great story.
Things I love about this book
No cheating
No break-up
Loved both Eli and Ash
:)
Things I love about this book
No cheating
No break-up
Loved both Eli and Ash
:)
October 9, 2012
3.5*
This is a nice story...Ash is a nice ( if maybe overbearing and slightly controlling ) guy and Eli is an interesting character.
There is a lot going on,the break-ins, the head of the department, the war trauma, the do-I -love-him...yet it never actually felt like there was that much going on.
It is a slow paced book with no real angst or drama ...just a nice story with nice people.
This is a nice story...Ash is a nice ( if maybe overbearing and slightly controlling ) guy and Eli is an interesting character.
There is a lot going on,the break-ins, the head of the department, the war trauma, the do-I -love-him...yet it never actually felt like there was that much going on.
It is a slow paced book with no real angst or drama ...just a nice story with nice people.
April 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. I'd had it for awhile but put off reading it for some reason. I'm glad I finally got to it because it was a fun and relaxing read. The characters were believable and I liked that they didn't just rush into love. Matter of fact, I think the slow build up to their relationship and the connection they made was what enjoyed most. Definitely recommend.
January 5, 2012
3.5 stars
I enjoy reading books where the relationship develops slowly and we're given a chance to "know" the MCs before things get too smutty. This was a nice story although even for me it dragged a bit at times.
I enjoy reading books where the relationship develops slowly and we're given a chance to "know" the MCs before things get too smutty. This was a nice story although even for me it dragged a bit at times.
December 9, 2011
I will admit to being biased in this instance, since I had some small input on the drafting process, but when all is said and done, this book gives me the warm fuzzies, which is the best reaction a romance novel can elicit, IMO!
December 24, 2014
Very sweet!
February 5, 2019
Es hätte für diese Geschichte kein aussagekräftigeres Cover gefunden werden können. Dieses spiegelt meiner Meinung nach das innige Verhältnis zwischen den beiden Protagonisten sehr gut wieder.
Wir haben hier zwei wunderbare Charaktere, die einen sofort für sich einnehmen. Eli ist Professor an einem College und hat schon manchen Tiefschlag, sowohl persönlich als auch beruflich, hinnehmen müssen. Dennoch lässt er sich nicht verbiegen und will das letzte Semester bis zu seiner Festübernahme einfach nur gut überstehen. Hierzu lässt er die Spitzfindigkeiten seines Vorgesetzten mit einer stoischen Ruhe über sich ergehen, bis ihm Ash über den Weg läuft. Von da an wird es für ihn schwieriger und anstrengender, aber auch emotionaler und liebevoller. Er trifft mit Ash endlich den Mann, der auf einer Wellenlänge mit ihm liegt, ihn aufzufangen vermag und stets für ihn da ist – wenn es da nicht das “Abhängigkeitsverhältnis” Student / Professor gäbe. Eli ist auch für Ash der “Hafen in den er einlaufen kann”, wenn es ihm nicht gut geht, der seine Vergangenheit so akzeptiert wie sie ist und der ihn nicht zum Helden hochstilisiert, sondern in ihm einfach nur den Mann und möglichen Partner sieht. Allerdings haben beide auch Angst vor der Zeit nach dem Semesterabschluss, da keiner der beiden Männer weiß, wie es danach weitergeht.
Eli muss sich in dieser Zeit gegen Mobbing wehren und auch kleiner Krimi-Strang fehlt nicht. Manchmal weiß er gar nicht, wie ihm im letzten Semester geschieht und trotzdem ist er für Ash da, als dieser ihn braucht. Aber auch Ash ist in dieser schwierigen Zeit ein steter Rückhalt für Eli und steht ihm – dezent im Hintergrund agierend – zur Seite.
Es ist eine wunderbare Geschichte (mit Happy End) über die Liebe und wie man gemeinsam alle Widrigkeiten überstehen kann. Ich konnte direkt mitfühlen wie es den beiden geht. D.h., die Autorin konnte die Emotionen der beiden Charaktere gut beschreiben.
Allerdings hört die Geschichte für meinen Geschmack ziemlich abrupt auf. Mittlerweile weiß man ja, dass ich auf “nicht abgeschlossene Nebenstränge” nun mal so gar nicht stehe. Dies ist aber mein persönliches Empfinden und vielleicht geht es ja anderen Lesern ganz anders und es wird nichts vermisst. Auch in diesem Buch wird etwas angerissen, bei dem man zwar weiß, dass es gut ausgehen wird, aber dennoch wirkt es auf mich unvollständig. Hier hätte ein Epilog, mit einem Zeitsprung von z.B. 6 Monaten oder einem Jahr, die Geschichte wunderbar rund gemacht und man hätte gewusst, was sich in diesem Zeitraum alles ergeben hat. Klar geht es in einer Geschichte immer um die “Hauptdarsteller”. Wenn aber die Nebenprotas so explizit herausgestellt werden wie in diesem Fall, möchte ich schon wissen, wie es ihnen im Rückblick ergangen ist.
Vielleicht hat die Autorin ja Lust auf z.B. eine kleine Weihnachtsgeschichte rund um Eli und Ash und man erfährt, ob und wie sich alles in Wohlgefallen aufgelöst hat.
Ich freue mich auf zukünftige Geschichten von Marguerite Labbe, denn mit “Alles ist möglich” hat sie für mich einen sehr guten “Einstand” auf dem deutschsprachigen Gay-Romance-Markt geschafft. Sie hat mich mit kleinen “Nebensächlichkeiten” zum Grinsen gebracht (es kann schon grausam für Kinder sein, wenn eine Mutter einen Lieblingsfilm hat ).
Hätte es den für mich notwendigen Epilog gegeben, wäre es mit Sicherheit ein Stern mehr geworden.
Wir haben hier zwei wunderbare Charaktere, die einen sofort für sich einnehmen. Eli ist Professor an einem College und hat schon manchen Tiefschlag, sowohl persönlich als auch beruflich, hinnehmen müssen. Dennoch lässt er sich nicht verbiegen und will das letzte Semester bis zu seiner Festübernahme einfach nur gut überstehen. Hierzu lässt er die Spitzfindigkeiten seines Vorgesetzten mit einer stoischen Ruhe über sich ergehen, bis ihm Ash über den Weg läuft. Von da an wird es für ihn schwieriger und anstrengender, aber auch emotionaler und liebevoller. Er trifft mit Ash endlich den Mann, der auf einer Wellenlänge mit ihm liegt, ihn aufzufangen vermag und stets für ihn da ist – wenn es da nicht das “Abhängigkeitsverhältnis” Student / Professor gäbe. Eli ist auch für Ash der “Hafen in den er einlaufen kann”, wenn es ihm nicht gut geht, der seine Vergangenheit so akzeptiert wie sie ist und der ihn nicht zum Helden hochstilisiert, sondern in ihm einfach nur den Mann und möglichen Partner sieht. Allerdings haben beide auch Angst vor der Zeit nach dem Semesterabschluss, da keiner der beiden Männer weiß, wie es danach weitergeht.
Eli muss sich in dieser Zeit gegen Mobbing wehren und auch kleiner Krimi-Strang fehlt nicht. Manchmal weiß er gar nicht, wie ihm im letzten Semester geschieht und trotzdem ist er für Ash da, als dieser ihn braucht. Aber auch Ash ist in dieser schwierigen Zeit ein steter Rückhalt für Eli und steht ihm – dezent im Hintergrund agierend – zur Seite.
Es ist eine wunderbare Geschichte (mit Happy End) über die Liebe und wie man gemeinsam alle Widrigkeiten überstehen kann. Ich konnte direkt mitfühlen wie es den beiden geht. D.h., die Autorin konnte die Emotionen der beiden Charaktere gut beschreiben.
Allerdings hört die Geschichte für meinen Geschmack ziemlich abrupt auf. Mittlerweile weiß man ja, dass ich auf “nicht abgeschlossene Nebenstränge” nun mal so gar nicht stehe. Dies ist aber mein persönliches Empfinden und vielleicht geht es ja anderen Lesern ganz anders und es wird nichts vermisst. Auch in diesem Buch wird etwas angerissen, bei dem man zwar weiß, dass es gut ausgehen wird, aber dennoch wirkt es auf mich unvollständig. Hier hätte ein Epilog, mit einem Zeitsprung von z.B. 6 Monaten oder einem Jahr, die Geschichte wunderbar rund gemacht und man hätte gewusst, was sich in diesem Zeitraum alles ergeben hat. Klar geht es in einer Geschichte immer um die “Hauptdarsteller”. Wenn aber die Nebenprotas so explizit herausgestellt werden wie in diesem Fall, möchte ich schon wissen, wie es ihnen im Rückblick ergangen ist.
Vielleicht hat die Autorin ja Lust auf z.B. eine kleine Weihnachtsgeschichte rund um Eli und Ash und man erfährt, ob und wie sich alles in Wohlgefallen aufgelöst hat.
Ich freue mich auf zukünftige Geschichten von Marguerite Labbe, denn mit “Alles ist möglich” hat sie für mich einen sehr guten “Einstand” auf dem deutschsprachigen Gay-Romance-Markt geschafft. Sie hat mich mit kleinen “Nebensächlichkeiten” zum Grinsen gebracht (es kann schon grausam für Kinder sein, wenn eine Mutter einen Lieblingsfilm hat ).
Hätte es den für mich notwendigen Epilog gegeben, wäre es mit Sicherheit ein Stern mehr geworden.
November 29, 2012
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4.5 Kisses!
I’ve read several books by Marguerite Labbe and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Her characters are interesting, flawed and likeable men who live and breathe off of the written page.
Sparks fly the moment Eli Hollister and Ash Gallagher first laid eyes on each other. Eli is a professor at the local college and Ash is a self-proclaimed drifter who has been in the military since he graduated high school. Once a Marine and now in the Reserves, Ash is trying to find a place to possibly settle down. He wants to continue his education and find some direction in his life. Ash is used to structure and Eli likes to push boundaries and has a zest for life. Even though at first glance both men seem to be polar opposites, their love of sports and making bets gives them both a solid ground to start building a something special between them.
After their first memorable date, they both discover that Ash is in Eli’s class when Ash arrives late for it the first day. Although this shocks both of them, both men are determined to continue seeing each other. Eli knows he can still grade Ash fairly and even though they don’t flaunt their relationship to others, they don’t keep it under wraps, especially outside the classroom. As they continue to develop a strong friendship and emotional connection between them, both men soon realize that Eli is being stalked. His office and house has been broken into and strange things start happening to him. Will they be able to stop Eli’s harasser and continue to build on the relationship between them?
One of the things I really liked about this book was that the relationship between Ash and Eli really build and flourish as the book continues. Not only are they lovers, there is a true friendship and respect between them that I enjoyed seeing develop. I also liked the banter between them as well as the strong physical chemistry between them. They were a couple that I really came to believe in and I loved how well they seemed to fit together.
The main focus of the book is the relationship between Eli and Ash. Even though there are some things going on with Eli, the driving force behind the story is the relationship between the two heroes. Since I love to read romance more than anything else, this book was a perfect fit for me. Eli’s harassment was well-written and interesting and I was glad to see how everything worked out. I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Labbe and will be actively be looking for more books by her in the future. Highly Recommended!
4.5 Kisses!
I’ve read several books by Marguerite Labbe and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Her characters are interesting, flawed and likeable men who live and breathe off of the written page.
Sparks fly the moment Eli Hollister and Ash Gallagher first laid eyes on each other. Eli is a professor at the local college and Ash is a self-proclaimed drifter who has been in the military since he graduated high school. Once a Marine and now in the Reserves, Ash is trying to find a place to possibly settle down. He wants to continue his education and find some direction in his life. Ash is used to structure and Eli likes to push boundaries and has a zest for life. Even though at first glance both men seem to be polar opposites, their love of sports and making bets gives them both a solid ground to start building a something special between them.
After their first memorable date, they both discover that Ash is in Eli’s class when Ash arrives late for it the first day. Although this shocks both of them, both men are determined to continue seeing each other. Eli knows he can still grade Ash fairly and even though they don’t flaunt their relationship to others, they don’t keep it under wraps, especially outside the classroom. As they continue to develop a strong friendship and emotional connection between them, both men soon realize that Eli is being stalked. His office and house has been broken into and strange things start happening to him. Will they be able to stop Eli’s harasser and continue to build on the relationship between them?
One of the things I really liked about this book was that the relationship between Ash and Eli really build and flourish as the book continues. Not only are they lovers, there is a true friendship and respect between them that I enjoyed seeing develop. I also liked the banter between them as well as the strong physical chemistry between them. They were a couple that I really came to believe in and I loved how well they seemed to fit together.
The main focus of the book is the relationship between Eli and Ash. Even though there are some things going on with Eli, the driving force behind the story is the relationship between the two heroes. Since I love to read romance more than anything else, this book was a perfect fit for me. Eli’s harassment was well-written and interesting and I was glad to see how everything worked out. I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Labbe and will be actively be looking for more books by her in the future. Highly Recommended!
April 24, 2012
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: This was a seriously good book. It was well written with characters you just couldn't help but love. The pacing is slow, yet it never drags and you are drawn right in and can't wait to see what happens next. The tension between Eli and Ash slowly builds until they are on fire. It's nearly 300 pages, so for those who enjoy a longer read, you get to enjoy a nice build up in the relationship.
Eli Hollister is a English professor at the local college in Amwich and Ash Gallagher is new in town, after serving in the marines and going to college while in the Reserves. When Eli and Ash see each other there is immediate interest. When they finally get to have a date, it ends on an interesting note. The next day the discover, to Eli's dismay, that Ash is his student. Eli is having a lot of trouble out of his boss and can't have any more trouble by dating a student. So they agree to put their relationship on the back burner until the end of the semester. The problem is, they are so drawn to each other, they find it impossible to stay away from each other and the teasing that goes on between them is hot. They know how to play off of each other and drive the other one nuts. But in the meantime they also have time to become friends.
There is a subplot going on in the book during all of this that is sort of a mystery that we get to see unfold. Eli's house is being broken into and he's being blackmailed. We get to watch how this unfolds and how it affects Eli and Ash's relationship.
There is also a smaller subplot with Ash's marine friends in Iraq and events there play on their relationship.
Despite there being two small subplots, they don't overshadow the main point of the book, nor does it ever seem too busy or overdone. The book flows seamlessly with everything falling into place like a puzzle. It's a slow burn with some really not sex by some very lovable characters. You really wonder the whole time what choices they are going to make in the end, especially Ash, because he doesn't intend to stay in Amwich. You really root for them because they are the perfect couple. And the title is perfect and comes into play a number of times in the story.
Overall, a heart warming, well written, slow burning, hot read. This is one for the favorites shelf.
A+
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.ca/20...
Eli Hollister is a English professor at the local college in Amwich and Ash Gallagher is new in town, after serving in the marines and going to college while in the Reserves. When Eli and Ash see each other there is immediate interest. When they finally get to have a date, it ends on an interesting note. The next day the discover, to Eli's dismay, that Ash is his student. Eli is having a lot of trouble out of his boss and can't have any more trouble by dating a student. So they agree to put their relationship on the back burner until the end of the semester. The problem is, they are so drawn to each other, they find it impossible to stay away from each other and the teasing that goes on between them is hot. They know how to play off of each other and drive the other one nuts. But in the meantime they also have time to become friends.
There is a subplot going on in the book during all of this that is sort of a mystery that we get to see unfold. Eli's house is being broken into and he's being blackmailed. We get to watch how this unfolds and how it affects Eli and Ash's relationship.
There is also a smaller subplot with Ash's marine friends in Iraq and events there play on their relationship.
Despite there being two small subplots, they don't overshadow the main point of the book, nor does it ever seem too busy or overdone. The book flows seamlessly with everything falling into place like a puzzle. It's a slow burn with some really not sex by some very lovable characters. You really wonder the whole time what choices they are going to make in the end, especially Ash, because he doesn't intend to stay in Amwich. You really root for them because they are the perfect couple. And the title is perfect and comes into play a number of times in the story.
Overall, a heart warming, well written, slow burning, hot read. This is one for the favorites shelf.
A+
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.ca/20...
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