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Sons #1
Unfortunate Son
Book One
Five years ago, Evan Day lost his lover in the Afghan sand, and in the fallout, he lost his military career and his family. With help from friends, he reinvented himself as porn star Trevor Hardball, but his scars are hidden, not healed. When Riley Yeats falls into Evan’s lap in a bar, he awakens a part of Evan he’d thought was dead and gone. Evan’s fascinated by the blond and twinky Riley, even though he’s the opposite of Evan’s usual type.
Then Evan’s family reappears in his life, and Evan soon learns Riley has his own family-inflicted wounds—ones that make it hard for him to be there for Evan. A disastrous confrontation between Evan and his parents leaves Evan’s mother injured and Evan overcome by anger and fear. Losing his tenuous hold on his emotional control, Evan makes one bad decision after another, but maybe his final fall will be the wake-up call Evan needs to set things right—with his parents, and with Riley.
Five years ago, Evan Day lost his lover in the Afghan sand, and in the fallout, he lost his military career and his family. With help from friends, he reinvented himself as porn star Trevor Hardball, but his scars are hidden, not healed. When Riley Yeats falls into Evan’s lap in a bar, he awakens a part of Evan he’d thought was dead and gone. Evan’s fascinated by the blond and twinky Riley, even though he’s the opposite of Evan’s usual type.
Then Evan’s family reappears in his life, and Evan soon learns Riley has his own family-inflicted wounds—ones that make it hard for him to be there for Evan. A disastrous confrontation between Evan and his parents leaves Evan’s mother injured and Evan overcome by anger and fear. Losing his tenuous hold on his emotional control, Evan makes one bad decision after another, but maybe his final fall will be the wake-up call Evan needs to set things right—with his parents, and with Riley.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
Shae Connor
44 books77 followersShae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government worker by day and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a while to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 8, 2015
This is a very difficult review for me to write because I can't be objective, and I KNOW it.
The blurb states that Evan is a porn star, but I still didn't expect there to be quite so much, well, PORN in this book.
The first 5 percent is all "Trevor" (Evan's porn name) taking it up the ass and mouth on a set. The scene goes ON and ON. It's explicit. It's hard-core. And we're told how much "Trevor" likes the sex, even if it's for show.
Almost right away, Evan meets cheerful, wealthy Riley at a bar. The two have a picnic and jump right to fucking. Evan doesn't tell Riley he does porn, and he continues to do porn, which we are privy to ON PAGE, as he begins a relationship with Riley.
Riley eventually finds out and says he doesn't mind, but Evan begins unraveling (there are some flashbacks to his time in Afghanistan). Then when Evan calls Riley on his own shit, Riley pushes Evan away.
Both men are dealing with family angst, although Riley's "emotional baggage" felt a little manufactured. Oh, cry me a river, you sad little trust fund baby, you.
I kept waiting for the emotions, the connection. There were hints of it, but it wasn't nearly enough.
The moment that really angered me and almost made me DNF happened at 78 percent (I only stuck it out because I was so close to the end): Evan picks up a random guy at a club and fucks him to get back at Riley.
It's not a porn scene, but he becomes "Trevor" and goes into a sort of trance where he fucks this dude (yes, in detail on page) and leaves. This is somehow justified because his "soul is empty."
After that, I didn't care. There was not enough romance here, no real tenderness. There was plenty of sex, but be warned that most of it is NOT between the MCs.
I read romance books for the FEELS. I love steamy reads, but this one was too much, to the point that I skimmed all the sex scenes.
The writing was fine; the story moved quickly. But there was no resolution here. Evan's "reunion" with his parents comes too easily. Evan hints at maybe going to college, but it's unclear whether he'll stop with porn or not. And there is no HEA, no progression of the relationship.
I reacted very negatively to the plot and characters. The story flat out pissed me off, so take my rating for what it is.
The blurb states that Evan is a porn star, but I still didn't expect there to be quite so much, well, PORN in this book.
The first 5 percent is all "Trevor" (Evan's porn name) taking it up the ass and mouth on a set. The scene goes ON and ON. It's explicit. It's hard-core. And we're told how much "Trevor" likes the sex, even if it's for show.
Almost right away, Evan meets cheerful, wealthy Riley at a bar. The two have a picnic and jump right to fucking. Evan doesn't tell Riley he does porn, and he continues to do porn, which we are privy to ON PAGE, as he begins a relationship with Riley.
Riley eventually finds out and says he doesn't mind, but Evan begins unraveling (there are some flashbacks to his time in Afghanistan). Then when Evan calls Riley on his own shit, Riley pushes Evan away.
Both men are dealing with family angst, although Riley's "emotional baggage" felt a little manufactured. Oh, cry me a river, you sad little trust fund baby, you.
I kept waiting for the emotions, the connection. There were hints of it, but it wasn't nearly enough.
The moment that really angered me and almost made me DNF happened at 78 percent (I only stuck it out because I was so close to the end): Evan picks up a random guy at a club and fucks him to get back at Riley.
It's not a porn scene, but he becomes "Trevor" and goes into a sort of trance where he fucks this dude (yes, in detail on page) and leaves. This is somehow justified because his "soul is empty."
After that, I didn't care. There was not enough romance here, no real tenderness. There was plenty of sex, but be warned that most of it is NOT between the MCs.
I read romance books for the FEELS. I love steamy reads, but this one was too much, to the point that I skimmed all the sex scenes.
The writing was fine; the story moved quickly. But there was no resolution here. Evan's "reunion" with his parents comes too easily. Evan hints at maybe going to college, but it's unclear whether he'll stop with porn or not. And there is no HEA, no progression of the relationship.
I reacted very negatively to the plot and characters. The story flat out pissed me off, so take my rating for what it is.
Want to Read
January 17, 2015I short-circuited reading about the soldier-now-porn star bit.
I need some time to gather myself.
I need some time to gather myself.
January 13, 2015
4.5 rounded up.
It's going to be a bit of an odd one, this review because there were things about Unfortunate Son that I was conflicted about but despite them, I still ended up loving the book.
I'll start with what didn't fully work for me though, and that was the actual romance between Evan Day aka Trevor Hardball (his porn persona) and trust fund wealthy Riley Yeats. Which is a biggie really because at the end of the day, this is a M/M romance, and the chemistry and connection of its MC's is something that generally makes or breaks a book for me. The thing is, Riley is actually the type of character I like; twinky, slightly flamboyant in nature but not overtly flaming, with a vibrant personality. I loved their first meeting in a bar and subsequent first date (a picnic in the park) and was looking forward to seeing them evolve into a couple.
As complete opposites, I was liking where it was going and had great hopes for their love match but then out of the blue (and in my eyes) for no particular reason, Riley started running hot and cold with Evan...and that became my beef with his character. For a while I tried to hold judgement about his behaviour because I was convinced that to act the way he did, there must have been one almighty trauma in his past, that we weren't being given insight to yet, to explain why, but when the explanation did finally come it just felt like Riley was having his own pity party that Evan was taking the backlash for unnecessarily, and I felt pretty indignant for Evan because if anybody had cause to push the other one away, it was him, as he was carrying more emotional baggage than anyone has a right to! But no...Evan hangs in there, bemused but hopeful, whilst coping with all the shit life has thrown at him and is still lobbing his way....
Link to Rest of review~ http://bit.ly/1tXRKxe
️SINFULLY....Addicted To All Male Romance
Formerly ️Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
It's going to be a bit of an odd one, this review because there were things about Unfortunate Son that I was conflicted about but despite them, I still ended up loving the book.
I'll start with what didn't fully work for me though, and that was the actual romance between Evan Day aka Trevor Hardball (his porn persona) and trust fund wealthy Riley Yeats. Which is a biggie really because at the end of the day, this is a M/M romance, and the chemistry and connection of its MC's is something that generally makes or breaks a book for me. The thing is, Riley is actually the type of character I like; twinky, slightly flamboyant in nature but not overtly flaming, with a vibrant personality. I loved their first meeting in a bar and subsequent first date (a picnic in the park) and was looking forward to seeing them evolve into a couple.
As complete opposites, I was liking where it was going and had great hopes for their love match but then out of the blue (and in my eyes) for no particular reason, Riley started running hot and cold with Evan...and that became my beef with his character. For a while I tried to hold judgement about his behaviour because I was convinced that to act the way he did, there must have been one almighty trauma in his past, that we weren't being given insight to yet, to explain why, but when the explanation did finally come it just felt like Riley was having his own pity party that Evan was taking the backlash for unnecessarily, and I felt pretty indignant for Evan because if anybody had cause to push the other one away, it was him, as he was carrying more emotional baggage than anyone has a right to! But no...Evan hangs in there, bemused but hopeful, whilst coping with all the shit life has thrown at him and is still lobbing his way....
Link to Rest of review~ http://bit.ly/1tXRKxe
️SINFULLY....Addicted To All Male Romance
Formerly ️Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
January 13, 2015
2.5 rating
A self destructive, confusing, WTF are you doing, ex-marine meets a hot and cold Diva for their supposed happily-ever-after...Not!
This story fails in several layers, including the not-believable plot devices, but most of all it fails as a romance. It doesn't even establish a connection between Evan and Riley. For the life of me, I couldn't understand what Evan saw in Riley who kept sending mixed signals, sometimes hot, mostly cold and one who had a change of personality because the flashy, cute and fun twink that Evan met in the bar was gone in favor for a depressing Diva who made no sense at all with the "yes, I want to meet you, see you" then "no, don't touch me, don't come again, I don't want to see you" undecided personality because he had Mommy/Daddy issues. Hey, dude, like Dani said, "cry me a river" cuz trust fund baby is independently wealthy enough to do whatever the hell he wants. Don't ask me. I just didn't like Riley or care for whatever pain his character was supposed to be carrying. I did not like one bit the way he kept jerking Evan around.
I rated this book 2 stars, but gave it an extra point because I liked the other couple presented in this book: Corey and Jimmy were a delight together. They were funny and charming, and throughout this book they proved over and over what it was to be a good friend. And I am delighted that they will be the heroes in the next book.
For a good review and analysis read Dani's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A self destructive, confusing, WTF are you doing, ex-marine meets a hot and cold Diva for their supposed happily-ever-after...Not!
This story fails in several layers, including the not-believable plot devices, but most of all it fails as a romance. It doesn't even establish a connection between Evan and Riley. For the life of me, I couldn't understand what Evan saw in Riley who kept sending mixed signals, sometimes hot, mostly cold and one who had a change of personality because the flashy, cute and fun twink that Evan met in the bar was gone in favor for a depressing Diva who made no sense at all with the "yes, I want to meet you, see you" then "no, don't touch me, don't come again, I don't want to see you" undecided personality because he had Mommy/Daddy issues. Hey, dude, like Dani said, "cry me a river" cuz trust fund baby is independently wealthy enough to do whatever the hell he wants. Don't ask me. I just didn't like Riley or care for whatever pain his character was supposed to be carrying. I did not like one bit the way he kept jerking Evan around.
I rated this book 2 stars, but gave it an extra point because I liked the other couple presented in this book: Corey and Jimmy were a delight together. They were funny and charming, and throughout this book they proved over and over what it was to be a good friend. And I am delighted that they will be the heroes in the next book.
For a good review and analysis read Dani's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 21, 2015
Review Now Available @ Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
February 10, 2015
Full Review on Prism Book Alliance
What happens before even reaching the starting line...
First impressions: I was intrigued, the writing was smooth, both Evan and Riley had me curious, as did whether the story would play out predictably or otherwise. And even if it did, maybe it wouldn’t matter as long as the characters showed themselves to be layered and unique, making me want to know them.
You know what’s lovely? This is set in Atlanta and it shows. The biggest “clue” is the abundance of flips flops everyone is wearing, with peaches and a rare low-humidity day in May also making appearances. It all added to the sweetness that was quickly becoming the smiles between Evan and Riley. Would it last?
You know what else is lovely? The friendships. Even and his best friend, Cory, have known each other a long time and it shows. It’s an easy, caring and comfortable relationship. It’s the same with Cory’s longtime boyfriend, Jimmy. They share this friendship over coleslaw and BBQ, which is even better.
Evan is approaching a turning point in his life, one that is pulling his attention and changing his desires in several different directions simultaneously. He’s also dealing with parents who can’t seem to get past their own issues and accept him for who he is, and who he wants to be. He’s struggling with the memories surrounding the loss of some important people in his life. Yeah, definitely at a crossroads, he be. Better than a breaking point, at least. Not much, though.
There’s a level of familiarity with this story for me. I think it’s part setting and part recognizing Evan and who he is, who he’s struggling not to become, and who he wants to be. Badly. The image that flashed in my mind was of me holding hands with this book, lending support, feeling along with Evan, experiencing his emotions, all of them. It’s a subdued, quiet experience.
This is about the changes in life and the people that sometimes act as the catalyst. An unexpected catalyst, one that turns the world on its axis even when they’re not right there with you. Evan and Riley both carry around heavy baggage and don’t really know how to deal with that. Their own is enough of a struggle, how do you then incorporate someone else’s into your life? And not just incorporate but attempt a relationship, a serious relationship, for the first time? The mid-20s are difficult enough without all of this piled atop. They both want to try, they can taste it. They want it so badly but how to get there? I like this mix of a very adult story with vulnerability that is connected to a much younger time in life.
This is one of those stories that steps beyond romance and is exploring life and its challenges and how these two in particular are handling them, or not. We start at the beginning when Riley and Hunter first meet but nothing is rushed and the story is told in a low key manner. Nothing magical or overblown, no special powers or uncharacteristic moments of brilliance used as tools merely to advance the plot or solve a sticky wicket.
The one part that may hold a bit of that rushed feeling is the ending. On the flipside, if you’ve lost and been without nearly everything and everyone that once meant your world, and you’re sort of suddenly presented with a chance to get much of it back, it’s not just distrust and caution ruling the day. Hope finds a way.
I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next books in the series, which looks to center around some of the supporting characters here getting their full time on stage.
What happens before even reaching the starting line...
First impressions: I was intrigued, the writing was smooth, both Evan and Riley had me curious, as did whether the story would play out predictably or otherwise. And even if it did, maybe it wouldn’t matter as long as the characters showed themselves to be layered and unique, making me want to know them.
You know what’s lovely? This is set in Atlanta and it shows. The biggest “clue” is the abundance of flips flops everyone is wearing, with peaches and a rare low-humidity day in May also making appearances. It all added to the sweetness that was quickly becoming the smiles between Evan and Riley. Would it last?
You know what else is lovely? The friendships. Even and his best friend, Cory, have known each other a long time and it shows. It’s an easy, caring and comfortable relationship. It’s the same with Cory’s longtime boyfriend, Jimmy. They share this friendship over coleslaw and BBQ, which is even better.
Evan is approaching a turning point in his life, one that is pulling his attention and changing his desires in several different directions simultaneously. He’s also dealing with parents who can’t seem to get past their own issues and accept him for who he is, and who he wants to be. He’s struggling with the memories surrounding the loss of some important people in his life. Yeah, definitely at a crossroads, he be. Better than a breaking point, at least. Not much, though.
There’s a level of familiarity with this story for me. I think it’s part setting and part recognizing Evan and who he is, who he’s struggling not to become, and who he wants to be. Badly. The image that flashed in my mind was of me holding hands with this book, lending support, feeling along with Evan, experiencing his emotions, all of them. It’s a subdued, quiet experience.
This is about the changes in life and the people that sometimes act as the catalyst. An unexpected catalyst, one that turns the world on its axis even when they’re not right there with you. Evan and Riley both carry around heavy baggage and don’t really know how to deal with that. Their own is enough of a struggle, how do you then incorporate someone else’s into your life? And not just incorporate but attempt a relationship, a serious relationship, for the first time? The mid-20s are difficult enough without all of this piled atop. They both want to try, they can taste it. They want it so badly but how to get there? I like this mix of a very adult story with vulnerability that is connected to a much younger time in life.
This is one of those stories that steps beyond romance and is exploring life and its challenges and how these two in particular are handling them, or not. We start at the beginning when Riley and Hunter first meet but nothing is rushed and the story is told in a low key manner. Nothing magical or overblown, no special powers or uncharacteristic moments of brilliance used as tools merely to advance the plot or solve a sticky wicket.
The one part that may hold a bit of that rushed feeling is the ending. On the flipside, if you’ve lost and been without nearly everything and everyone that once meant your world, and you’re sort of suddenly presented with a chance to get much of it back, it’s not just distrust and caution ruling the day. Hope finds a way.
I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next books in the series, which looks to center around some of the supporting characters here getting their full time on stage.
January 12, 2015
Personally, I loved it. Shae has never disappointed me in the past with her books and she certainly didn't this time either.
And, I have to address the other reviews, not to get in an argument, because you're entitled to your opinion just as much as I am. But, I have to ask, did you really expect a PG type book, when the blurb states that Trevor is a porn star, not one who is retired. I wasn't surprised at all with the amount of sex, actually, I'm surprised there wasn't more. But, even saying this, Unfortunate Son is not a book about porn, it is about the life of someone who in the industry and just happens to tell what actually happens in a porn shoot. Shae doesn't try to gloss over or make less than what it is. Which, as was said several times throughout the book, it is a JOB, nothing more, nothing less. It is not glamorous and for the most part, the models do not get rich by doing it, there are a few exceptions, but not many.
Shae, I commend you for writing this book and I most definitely look forward to Wayward Son, I'm sure it's just as good as this one was. And Travis, thank you for allowing Shae to use you as the model for this book and not just the cover for it either.
And, I have to address the other reviews, not to get in an argument, because you're entitled to your opinion just as much as I am. But, I have to ask, did you really expect a PG type book, when the blurb states that Trevor is a porn star, not one who is retired. I wasn't surprised at all with the amount of sex, actually, I'm surprised there wasn't more. But, even saying this, Unfortunate Son is not a book about porn, it is about the life of someone who in the industry and just happens to tell what actually happens in a porn shoot. Shae doesn't try to gloss over or make less than what it is. Which, as was said several times throughout the book, it is a JOB, nothing more, nothing less. It is not glamorous and for the most part, the models do not get rich by doing it, there are a few exceptions, but not many.
Shae, I commend you for writing this book and I most definitely look forward to Wayward Son, I'm sure it's just as good as this one was. And Travis, thank you for allowing Shae to use you as the model for this book and not just the cover for it either.
July 14, 2017
synopsis:
evan was discharged from the military after his lover was killed. he was denied by his parents, and to make money, he turned to making porn. several years later, he is trevor and recognized quite often. one night, riley falls into his lap and doesn't actually recognize him at all. riley is dealing with his own issues and blows hot and cold with regards to being in evan's life. when evan's parents attempt to get in touch with him again, things go from bad to worse.
what i liked: the premise.
what i didn't like: the execution. evan/trevor was not a sympathetic person, and his reactions to things was more like those of a teenager. i couldn't see or feel the connection between riley and evan, and whenever something happened, evan's reaction was to run away and do something stupid.
evan was discharged from the military after his lover was killed. he was denied by his parents, and to make money, he turned to making porn. several years later, he is trevor and recognized quite often. one night, riley falls into his lap and doesn't actually recognize him at all. riley is dealing with his own issues and blows hot and cold with regards to being in evan's life. when evan's parents attempt to get in touch with him again, things go from bad to worse.
what i liked: the premise.
what i didn't like: the execution. evan/trevor was not a sympathetic person, and his reactions to things was more like those of a teenager. i couldn't see or feel the connection between riley and evan, and whenever something happened, evan's reaction was to run away and do something stupid.
February 1, 2015
Gathering my thoughts. Review to come.
January 1, 2016
Too much sex !! I don't need to read every sexsual encounter that Evan/Trev has in his private life or as a pornstar.
I wasn't feeling the Mc's and their story
this was not for me.
September 1, 2015
I liked this book, but was a bit frustrated by it. I enjoyed and connected more with her second book. I want to keep reading books by this author.
The book is told from deep third person - Evan's point of view. We got to trundle about with Evan, as he went about his days as a porn star.
I liked Riley more, and was more interested in him. I wanted to see more of him. If she writes a book telling the story from Riley's deep point of view, I would read it.
We don't really get to know Riley. We don't get any sense of any deepening emotional connection. We don't really get to see the characters connecting. We don't understand where Riley is at, or why - or whether - he wants to see more of Evan.
So as a story, I would give this book a higher rating than I would as a romance.
The book is told from deep third person - Evan's point of view. We got to trundle about with Evan, as he went about his days as a porn star.
I liked Riley more, and was more interested in him. I wanted to see more of him. If she writes a book telling the story from Riley's deep point of view, I would read it.
We don't really get to know Riley. We don't get any sense of any deepening emotional connection. We don't really get to see the characters connecting. We don't understand where Riley is at, or why - or whether - he wants to see more of Evan.
So as a story, I would give this book a higher rating than I would as a romance.
February 11, 2015
Sad face, I thought I was going to LOVE this. Sadly, I felt no connection to Evan and Riley. I liked Corey and Jimmy MUCH better...they actually gave me the feels, while Evan and Riley just left me feeling...well...blah. DNF at 98% because of the WTF-ery that occurred when Riley brought Evan home.
May 10, 2015
This book had a lot of potential and its a shame that it did not reach for it.
A lot of stories were hinted at. Evan being dismissed from the Marines, Riley's background but nothing was gone into with any detail.
Some nice secondary characters like jimmy and Cory who feature with Mikey in book 2.
I guess I wanted a little bit more.
A lot of stories were hinted at. Evan being dismissed from the Marines, Riley's background but nothing was gone into with any detail.
Some nice secondary characters like jimmy and Cory who feature with Mikey in book 2.
I guess I wanted a little bit more.
June 1, 2015
This is an okay read for me. I didn't feel the love connection between Evan and Riley. I did like that the porn which Evan/Trevor loved was just a job. And it didn't seem to bother Riley either. They have a lot of drama that works out in the end.
September 1, 2016
3.5 stars
This was an okay read for me. I felt that there were so many stories lines that started but never developed. Also Riley and Evan never really "clicked" for me as a couple. I liked the fact that Evan treated porn as just another job and Riley had no apparent issues with the job.
This was an okay read for me. I felt that there were so many stories lines that started but never developed. Also Riley and Evan never really "clicked" for me as a couple. I liked the fact that Evan treated porn as just another job and Riley had no apparent issues with the job.
May 26, 2019
Shae Connor's Unfortunate Son is a fantastic book. It's a good story that will catch your attention and not let go.
Riley's a wonderful character. From a rich family, this twinky flamboyant man captured my attention immediately. He's full of life and just a great kind of guy.
Trevor/Evan meanwhile is a complex character who's doing porn, struggling to survive after being kicked out of his home. He's had a tough stretch of years, losing his lover in the service, but meeting Riley changes the course of his life. He's taken by the man who doesn't recognize him or know who he is.
Immediately hooked by this story, I found the pace to be great, the flow to be perfect, and the story to be emotional. The writing's riveting, the characters development is superb, and the connection is strong.
Their relationship involves anger, confusion, and family issues in addition to grief, guilt, and sex. It's a tale about making amends and forgiveness. It beautifully delves into the aspect of family, both it's ability to break you and it's ability to heal you.
I enjoy the exploration into the struggle of people thinking they know you when you're famous. This is definitely one of the toughest parts of fame, and the author perfectly displays this. It's also a great look into the porn industry, which is always an interesting read.
Unfortunate Son is a gripping tale of hope and healing. This second chance at love is left me sad to see it end.
Riley's a wonderful character. From a rich family, this twinky flamboyant man captured my attention immediately. He's full of life and just a great kind of guy.
Trevor/Evan meanwhile is a complex character who's doing porn, struggling to survive after being kicked out of his home. He's had a tough stretch of years, losing his lover in the service, but meeting Riley changes the course of his life. He's taken by the man who doesn't recognize him or know who he is.
Immediately hooked by this story, I found the pace to be great, the flow to be perfect, and the story to be emotional. The writing's riveting, the characters development is superb, and the connection is strong.
Their relationship involves anger, confusion, and family issues in addition to grief, guilt, and sex. It's a tale about making amends and forgiveness. It beautifully delves into the aspect of family, both it's ability to break you and it's ability to heal you.
I enjoy the exploration into the struggle of people thinking they know you when you're famous. This is definitely one of the toughest parts of fame, and the author perfectly displays this. It's also a great look into the porn industry, which is always an interesting read.
Unfortunate Son is a gripping tale of hope and healing. This second chance at love is left me sad to see it end.
January 20, 2018
I enjoyed this novel quite a lot, and will continue to read the series, but part of what I'm hoping for in the series is the rest of the story. Lemme explain.
This is all from Trevor/Evan's point of view, and for most of the book that works very well as far as I could tell. Where it crumbled a bit for me is at the end, when we get yet more of Evan's whys and almost none of Riley's. The end felt too fast, too easy without his side of why they had problems. There wasn't enough sharing, for me. It made the resolution feel rushed.
So. I hope we see Riley in the next book, and learn more about his side. If not, hey, it's still a good read, with great cast and setting and backstories and nookie. :) I did love the differences between the porn sex and the private. Well done.
This is all from Trevor/Evan's point of view, and for most of the book that works very well as far as I could tell. Where it crumbled a bit for me is at the end, when we get yet more of Evan's whys and almost none of Riley's. The end felt too fast, too easy without his side of why they had problems. There wasn't enough sharing, for me. It made the resolution feel rushed.
So. I hope we see Riley in the next book, and learn more about his side. If not, hey, it's still a good read, with great cast and setting and backstories and nookie. :) I did love the differences between the porn sex and the private. Well done.
February 26, 2018
That book was a strange one. It felt unfinished about many things once I was done with it. Especially it feels like the romance isn't finished. I have questions about Riley.
On the other hand the plot about Ethan's relationship with his parents and the friendship she has with Cory were very intriguing. I also liked his own growth through the book.
So... The romance was meh but over all a good book.
On the other hand the plot about Ethan's relationship with his parents and the friendship she has with Cory were very intriguing. I also liked his own growth through the book.
So... The romance was meh but over all a good book.
May 23, 2018
Families can be difficult as Evan (Trevor) and Reilly both know from first-hand experience. Finding a way to deal with family can be equally difficult. Learning to trust someone else after bad family experiences is hard, but sometimes when you find just the right person you just have to go for it even it they aren't your 'type'. An interesting read and hope for healing for these Unfortunate Sons.
April 20, 2018
This isn't a pretty story, I wasn't always comfortable but I was engaged. Evan is a victim of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, has lost his brother, his lover and his family. He's now a gay porn star, Riley has his own family issues and theirs isn't a smooth ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2015
5 star review by Cindy
I’ve been fan of Shae Connor’s since she started so I was very excited to see that she was doing a new series. I snapped this one up as quickly as I could.
And I want to start with saying, I absolutely love the cover of this book. There truly couldn’t have been a better model to personify Evan than Travis.
Evan is a good man who was caught up in a horrible situation and with the help of good friends, made the absolute best of it.
As Trevor Hardball, he’s made himself a name in gay porn and he’s proud of it. Then he meet’s Riley and even though he’s the complete opposite of the men he’s usually attracted to, the connection sizzles from the beginning.
I want to take a minute to mention how the author manages to showcase all the sides of being in porn, not just the good or the bad, but all the grey areas in between. I like how she lets the characters be the focus and how porn is just a job that Evan does, not who he is.
In fact, I think it’s interesting how the author keeps Trevor the porn star and Evan the former soldier as almost two different people. When he’s filming, he thinks of himself as Trevor and it’s the only way he’s identified to the reader. When he’s not filming, he’s once again Evan, to himself and us.
Riley is a man who seems to have it all, but simmering under the surface, he has his own issues to deal with that make it hard for him to be there when Evan needs him most.
I love the fact that Riley really isn’t put off by Evan’s job, but he isn’t really intrigued by it either. I think this was probably a very difficult line to walk and the author did it wonderfully.
Evan and Riley have a lot of obstacles in their way, including two sets of parents who make their lives difficult and the ghosts of Evan’s past that haunt his nightmares in the worst ways. Evan truly captured my imagination in this story. All the terrible things that happened to him and he still finds the strength to keep going and seek out some happiness. One of the things the author does so well in this story is get Evan’s emotions across. All the pain and anger he feels bubbles just below the surface and colors everything that he does, because even though he wants to be happy, he first has to figure out how to deal with the past that keeps tormenting him.
Cory and Jimmy are Evan’s two best friends. I loved this couple. They are funny and smart and very protective of Evan. I was very happy to find out that they are going to be the focus of the next book in this series, along with Riley’s friend Mikey.
The characters in this story became people for me. Evan and Riley stole my heart and at time, made me so angry with their miscommunications. I wanted to bang their heads together in frustration and scream at them to just talk to each other!
I know there are people out there who are going to have a hard time with the fact that Evan doesn’t take the easy way out of his career once he meets Riley and that’s too bad. The fact that his doesn’t makes this story that much more real. He’s not ashamed of what he does, but he does it for a reason. When he found himself on his own after losing everything, he took a job that was offered to him to make decent money doing something that he just honestly liked to do.
Anyway, I could probably find hundreds of things about this book that I liked, but telling them all would give away too much of the story and that would be a shame. It’s truly a journey you need to take for yourself as a reader to appreciate all of the wonderful things about it.
I can’t wait for book two.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
I’ve been fan of Shae Connor’s since she started so I was very excited to see that she was doing a new series. I snapped this one up as quickly as I could.
And I want to start with saying, I absolutely love the cover of this book. There truly couldn’t have been a better model to personify Evan than Travis.
Evan is a good man who was caught up in a horrible situation and with the help of good friends, made the absolute best of it.
As Trevor Hardball, he’s made himself a name in gay porn and he’s proud of it. Then he meet’s Riley and even though he’s the complete opposite of the men he’s usually attracted to, the connection sizzles from the beginning.
I want to take a minute to mention how the author manages to showcase all the sides of being in porn, not just the good or the bad, but all the grey areas in between. I like how she lets the characters be the focus and how porn is just a job that Evan does, not who he is.
In fact, I think it’s interesting how the author keeps Trevor the porn star and Evan the former soldier as almost two different people. When he’s filming, he thinks of himself as Trevor and it’s the only way he’s identified to the reader. When he’s not filming, he’s once again Evan, to himself and us.
Riley is a man who seems to have it all, but simmering under the surface, he has his own issues to deal with that make it hard for him to be there when Evan needs him most.
I love the fact that Riley really isn’t put off by Evan’s job, but he isn’t really intrigued by it either. I think this was probably a very difficult line to walk and the author did it wonderfully.
Evan and Riley have a lot of obstacles in their way, including two sets of parents who make their lives difficult and the ghosts of Evan’s past that haunt his nightmares in the worst ways. Evan truly captured my imagination in this story. All the terrible things that happened to him and he still finds the strength to keep going and seek out some happiness. One of the things the author does so well in this story is get Evan’s emotions across. All the pain and anger he feels bubbles just below the surface and colors everything that he does, because even though he wants to be happy, he first has to figure out how to deal with the past that keeps tormenting him.
Cory and Jimmy are Evan’s two best friends. I loved this couple. They are funny and smart and very protective of Evan. I was very happy to find out that they are going to be the focus of the next book in this series, along with Riley’s friend Mikey.
The characters in this story became people for me. Evan and Riley stole my heart and at time, made me so angry with their miscommunications. I wanted to bang their heads together in frustration and scream at them to just talk to each other!
I know there are people out there who are going to have a hard time with the fact that Evan doesn’t take the easy way out of his career once he meets Riley and that’s too bad. The fact that his doesn’t makes this story that much more real. He’s not ashamed of what he does, but he does it for a reason. When he found himself on his own after losing everything, he took a job that was offered to him to make decent money doing something that he just honestly liked to do.
Anyway, I could probably find hundreds of things about this book that I liked, but telling them all would give away too much of the story and that would be a shame. It’s truly a journey you need to take for yourself as a reader to appreciate all of the wonderful things about it.
I can’t wait for book two.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
July 20, 2016
2.5 stars
Nothing is worse than being that child that never meets your parents expectations and being saddled with a sibling that outshines you in every way. This is Evans lot in life. Evan joins the military, gets dishonorably discharged once it was revealed he was gay and disowned by his parents for it as well. Penniless and desperate Evan finds salvation in the porn industry.
One night while he's out drinking he meets Riley, another kindred spirit, who was also ostracized by his wealthy family for being gay . I liked these two as a couple and looked forward to reading about how their relationship would grow.
Unfortunately, this doesn't happen. The relationship between Riley and Evan took a back seat to Evan's occupation. There is a ton of sex on page, I'm talking tons of it. And, I don't mind sex. But I do mind it when it's occurring frequently between an MC and everyone else instead of the other MC! More time should have been spent developing the relationship between Riley and Evan. Needless to say their relationship came across as kind of rushed, forced and unconvincing. More time and effort was dedicated to fully fleshing out Evan's character but not Riley's, which is a shame because Riley's significance to the story is lost. Riley is so watered down he in all honesty comes across as another extra on Evan's porn set. Not as his "love interest".
The story is good. There's lots of twists and turns that did whet my appetite. Evan, coming to terms with his lover's death, being disowned and finding love. I wasn't blown away with this book but I did enjoy it. To be honest, I can't wait to read the follow up, Wayward Son. Riley's friend Mikey, sounds interesting considering his upbringing. Trust me, the potential for a more "meatier" story is there well because.. did I also forget to mention the ménage dynamics? *wink*
*Personal Copy*
Nothing is worse than being that child that never meets your parents expectations and being saddled with a sibling that outshines you in every way. This is Evans lot in life. Evan joins the military, gets dishonorably discharged once it was revealed he was gay and disowned by his parents for it as well. Penniless and desperate Evan finds salvation in the porn industry.
One night while he's out drinking he meets Riley, another kindred spirit, who was also ostracized by his wealthy family for being gay . I liked these two as a couple and looked forward to reading about how their relationship would grow.
Unfortunately, this doesn't happen. The relationship between Riley and Evan took a back seat to Evan's occupation. There is a ton of sex on page, I'm talking tons of it. And, I don't mind sex. But I do mind it when it's occurring frequently between an MC and everyone else instead of the other MC! More time should have been spent developing the relationship between Riley and Evan. Needless to say their relationship came across as kind of rushed, forced and unconvincing. More time and effort was dedicated to fully fleshing out Evan's character but not Riley's, which is a shame because Riley's significance to the story is lost. Riley is so watered down he in all honesty comes across as another extra on Evan's porn set. Not as his "love interest".
The story is good. There's lots of twists and turns that did whet my appetite. Evan, coming to terms with his lover's death, being disowned and finding love. I wasn't blown away with this book but I did enjoy it. To be honest, I can't wait to read the follow up, Wayward Son. Riley's friend Mikey, sounds interesting considering his upbringing. Trust me, the potential for a more "meatier" story is there well because.. did I also forget to mention the ménage dynamics? *wink*
*Personal Copy*
May 10, 2015
What's unfortunate about this book is that I wasted my time reading it.
This is a story of a man who was unfairly discharge from the Marine Corps and shunned by his family because he is gay. We don't get to read about how he dealt with those horrible losses as these events occur before the start of this story. The main character has suffered through some major losses but once again, these losses occurred prior to the start of this story so we only know what the long-term effects are. I was hoping that the main character's profession, making porn, would bring some extra drama or spice to the storyline yet that was not maximized on much. There truly is nothing extraordinary about this book. There are some good sex scenes and times when I thought the story would pick up and take off yet it never did. Basically, this book contains a mediocre story, quite a bit of extraneous detail about things that are not important (for example, a detailed description of how someone sits) and more than one dull conversation (does anyone really care about the quality of tomatoes? Tomatoes-really?). When this book ended, I was very ready for it to be over yet simultaneously, I was frustrated regarding how much had been omitted. Up to that point, I had planned to give this book 3 stars but dropped it down to 2 because this book ends without major issues being discussed between the couple in the story and we never find out why one half of the couple suddenly has a sudden change of heart… So, so frustrating!
This is a story of a man who was unfairly discharge from the Marine Corps and shunned by his family because he is gay. We don't get to read about how he dealt with those horrible losses as these events occur before the start of this story. The main character has suffered through some major losses but once again, these losses occurred prior to the start of this story so we only know what the long-term effects are. I was hoping that the main character's profession, making porn, would bring some extra drama or spice to the storyline yet that was not maximized on much. There truly is nothing extraordinary about this book. There are some good sex scenes and times when I thought the story would pick up and take off yet it never did. Basically, this book contains a mediocre story, quite a bit of extraneous detail about things that are not important (for example, a detailed description of how someone sits) and more than one dull conversation (does anyone really care about the quality of tomatoes? Tomatoes-really?). When this book ended, I was very ready for it to be over yet simultaneously, I was frustrated regarding how much had been omitted. Up to that point, I had planned to give this book 3 stars but dropped it down to 2 because this book ends without major issues being discussed between the couple in the story and we never find out why one half of the couple suddenly has a sudden change of heart… So, so frustrating!
February 11, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I’m not exactly sure how to review this book. It was very good, the writing was tight and sharp, the pacing rather good, and the story intriguing and engaging. But I can’t classify it as a traditional romance. And I definitely had a few quibbles with it.
This is Evan’s story, through and through. He’s on a journey toward healing, though he doesn’t even realize it. He’s been existing for the past five years, and fairly content, if not entirely happy. His life crashed down around him and he lost everything: his family, his military career, and his lover. Fortunately he had Cory to shore him up and look after him, and Cory’s boyfriend Jimmy to introduce him to porn. Evan is a complex and well-crafted character. This man has layers like you wouldn’t believe. I loved him, and I loved watching him expand and learn and grow as the story progressed. Talk about character growth; this guy has it in spades.
I loved the way Connor portrayed Evan. I appreciated that he liked his job, and that he was good at it. It was just a job, one he did well, and was proud of. I liked that he was broken, but still strong and solid underneath. Evan will capture your heart and have you rooting for him from the very beginning.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I’m not exactly sure how to review this book. It was very good, the writing was tight and sharp, the pacing rather good, and the story intriguing and engaging. But I can’t classify it as a traditional romance. And I definitely had a few quibbles with it.
This is Evan’s story, through and through. He’s on a journey toward healing, though he doesn’t even realize it. He’s been existing for the past five years, and fairly content, if not entirely happy. His life crashed down around him and he lost everything: his family, his military career, and his lover. Fortunately he had Cory to shore him up and look after him, and Cory’s boyfriend Jimmy to introduce him to porn. Evan is a complex and well-crafted character. This man has layers like you wouldn’t believe. I loved him, and I loved watching him expand and learn and grow as the story progressed. Talk about character growth; this guy has it in spades.
I loved the way Connor portrayed Evan. I appreciated that he liked his job, and that he was good at it. It was just a job, one he did well, and was proud of. I liked that he was broken, but still strong and solid underneath. Evan will capture your heart and have you rooting for him from the very beginning.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 21, 2015
It's a book that gives you strange feelings. It's incredibly well written, with an astounding proficiency on some matters (and it doesn't matter if most of this proficiency is about porn sex scenes and video porn world) but also with a style smoothness that makes this reading easy and thrilling. Evan/Trevor story is credible and involving, and his love affair with Riley not an "as-a-matter-of-fact" thing. It's true, as I read in lots of other reviews, passion and feels in this book are sort of lacking, or are not the most important part of the writing. But the hook up, the interest and the growing feeling between the two men, the indecisions, the pushing away and the final change of direction in the relationship are real, it's credible, it could have happened this way. May be a sort of slow path in some part of the book, but the rythm is correct, could not be differently described. I give only 4 stars because this book should have been a little longer, some of the couple issues are missing, expecially Riley's issues and indecisions and fears are not described in here and so there's a big part of the story which is lacking, but I guess in the second book of this series some of them will be shown, since Riley's best friend Mickey is the main character and I guess Riley himself and Evan and Cory will appear again.
June 3, 2015
This didn't really work for me. The romance was shaky, with one guy acting crazy and the other blowing hot and cold. At best it was a Happy-For-Now ending, and a questionable one at that. A lot of stuff happened to Evan, but it didn't seem like it tied together well, and although the author mentioned that he wasn't big on drugs, he certainly *acted* like he was running around high a few times. Because the story was told only from Evan's point of view, and they didn't spend much time together throughout the story, we never really got to know Riley at all. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but Evan's level of attachment on brief acquaintance, all the while talking about how Riley wasn't really his type, seemed unlikely.
October 21, 2015
I really wanted to give this one a four star but in the end it just fell short. There was a lot that I loved about this book. I like Evan as a character and he has some great history unfortunately I felt it just wasn't dug into deep enough. The same can be said of Riley. A lot is hinted about Riley and his character has potential to have some really great dimensions that just aren't explored. When I looked at how often Riley's moods would swing I kept thinking there has to be something a secret that is making him this way, but none appeared. Still I enjoyed these two together and I also liked watching Evan switch from Trevor to his everyday self.
May 21, 2015
Well, honestly, m/m is not my cup of tea, then to add to the mix the whole porn angle and I guess just didn't care for this story. This book doesn't seem to shine a very positive light on monogamous relationships within the Gay community. There was so much hooking up that it made me feel like no one was serious about their relationships. So, maybe that makes me a little uncomfortable, because I know there are so many committed realtionships and I think it is just perpetuating a really bad stereotype.
November 9, 2016
I have mixed emotions over this story. I did enjoy it, but I felt there should be more. I felt wanting. Evans character was very indepth, but we barely knew Riley. Over a good story about Evan, the rejected son who climbed out of destitute to become a porn star, and eventually find love, and reconnects with his family.
June 14, 2016
The writing was good but it just didn't work for me as a romance. The MCs didn't spend enough time together to make the HEA feel real and it felt like there was more on page porn sex than between the MCs. I did really like the secondary characters and may check out the next book.
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