Brighter Than The Sun

by Kit Erikson

452 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

Celebrating love between men with sweet and steamy stories where true love wins in the end!

Begin reading for free! Subscribe to my newsletter for your copy of “The Icing On The Cake…And Each Other”: https://kiterikson.com/free-story/

Although Kit’s been writing stories since he was a teenager, it wasn’t until 2020 that he stumbled upon the world of M/M romance. Obsessed with the love story between David and Patrick on Schitt’s Creek, he longed to experience more stories about relatable men in healthy, loving, same-sex relationships. Imagine his delight when he discovered that M/M romance is a thriving niche!

Kit loves crafting sexy, funny, and heart-warming stories about men that feel like they could be your best friends (or boyfriends). His debut novel "Better Than Sex" won a silver medal for LGBT Fiction in the 2024 Global Book Awards.

He’s a tailor by trade – and yes, someday he will write a romance about a tailor – and lives in Portland, Oregon. When he’s not reading or writing, he’s watching scary movies, putting together miniature kits, or listening to episodes of The Why Files on YouTube while he sews.

Reviews

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy via the author and I’m voluntarily leaving this review. I’d written a review in 01/05/26 but it seems to have disappeared into the ether.
However, lucky me, I’d scribbled down a few notes on a pad so make of them what you will below.

There were a several very memorable moments in ‘Brighter Than The Sun’ a big bonus was the way Blake’s friends and fellow performers rallied round to support him in achieving his dream, as well as comforting him when Ethan stepped back from their relationship.

Another bittersweet moment was the discovery of a photograph provided by a relative of two young Firefighters from 1906, who may be the ghost upstairs at The Firehouse, who, on occasion scares the bejaysus out of Blake.

I was surprised that I ended up liking this story so much, because I was a bit iffy in the beginning given the description of the intimate performances between the guys at The Firehouse. It didn’t seem conducive to maintaining a real romantic relationship outside their job. But author manages to keep a very strong, warm family feeling between Blake and his friends outside of their performance characters, and what a great bunch of guys, showing up when they were really needed.

It took Blake’s friend Xander and Zane, Ethan’s friend to give Ethan the kick in the pants that he needed to shift his a**e and go get his man, before someone else did.

I cried at the surprise finale which I did not see coming.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is #2 in a series, but you don't have to read the first book to understand the story. In fact, in some ways this felt like a complete standalone with some appearances by other characters from book 1. That's not a bad thing.

Blake's backstory was of the adult entertainment variety. Having done porn and strip, Blake has a plethora of experience with sexual pleasure. But he was missing love and authenticity of it, and he didn't realize it until he met Ethan.

Ethan built his life around pleasing his dad. With the pleasure to "not be that kind of gay", he isolated his life away from promiscuity and anything that reflects that, including porn. So when he meets Blake, he knows he is attractive. What he doesn't know is that Blake's body has been used for the very things Ethan's dad warned him about.

Secrets, lies and discovery in more than one way are themes in this story. Plus some great additional supporting characters that I am hoping to get books of their own (looking at you Zane & Tenny). I couldn't put this book down. The time lapse were perfect, and the ending was brilliant. I can't wait to go back to this world.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you haven't read book 1 in the series, don't worry about it, because you really don't need the background. This book had a bit of an unconventional plot structure as they had more of a second act breakup than a third one, and then they spent most of the third act sort of slowly moving back together. It was a different reading experience than the usual, so it stood out to me. I really liked the character of Blake, the famous porn star who is realizing that he's wanting something deeper. However I found it a little tough to connect to Ethan. I wasn't crazy about how much he was willing to subvert his own life and dreams and desires to chase a relationship with his withholding father. And then the resolution to the issues with his father just happened really fast in the third act and it didn't quite feel realistic. Overall, I did really enjoy this story, but I feel like it could have maybe been served by some tightening up of the storylines.

***

I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this charming story of a porn star and a student finding each other, and all the relevant challenges -- Blake's exotic dancing, his insecurity about his "stupidity", Ethan's troubled relationship with his father, and his anti-porn conditioning to be "respectable" -- they face as potential boyfriends and business partners. I'm glad this book was so long, as I could spend more time with them, and their growing relationship could develop in what felt like realistic fashion. I wish I could visit the burlesque club described in the book! It sounds like lots of fun.

I found this a much better read than the first book in the series, and you don't need to know anything beyond "Blake has a group of friends who get together for brunch weekly and talk about sex." There's no fake angst, but believable challenges that develop and resolve naturally with communication and growth. (I received a free digital ARC for review.)

[Kurohagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the second book in this series. Blake and Ethan are well-developed characters—far from perfect—and you find yourself feeling moved, suffering, and loving alongside them. If, like me, you have a soft spot for stories about opposites attracting, Blake and Ethan are a wonderful example of that. I love seeing Blake and Ethan grow in their relationship and their plans; their story is full of obstacles and has its share of bumps, but they learn from them, and love always wins in the end!
I love the world the author has created, this group of friends called the “Gods of Sex” who get together for lunch every Sunday morning. I can’t wait to read the next book

----

J'ai adoré le deuxième tome de cette série. Blake et Ethan sont bien écrits, loin d'être parfait, on s'émeut, on souffre et on aime avec eux. Si comme moi vous avez un gros faible pour les histoires d'opposés qui s'attirent: Blake et Ethan en sont un magnifique exemple. J'aime voir Blake et Ethan évoluer dans leur relation et dans leur projet, leur histoire est semé d'embûches et connaît quelques cahots, mais ils apprenent et l'amour gagne toujours !
J'aime l'univers créé par l'auteur, ce groupe d'ami qui se nomme "Dieux du sexe" et qui se retrouve autour d'un lunch tous les dimanche matins. J'ai hâte découvrir le prochain tome !

I received an advance copy, and this is my honest review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely surprised me in the best way. Beneath the glamour, performances, and spice, this was such a heartfelt story about learning to believe you deserve to be loved for who you truly are.

Blake and Ethan balanced each other so well. Blake spends so much of the story convinced people only see the surface of him, while Ethan is quietly struggling with expectations from his family and the future they want for him. Watching them slowly become a safe place for each other felt really natural and emotional.

I also loved the found family atmosphere around The Firehouse and Blake’s determination to protect something that meant so much to him. The romance itself was sweet, supportive, and genuinely tender alongside the steamier moments.

A really lovely opposites-attract romance with plenty of heart and two characters who deserved their happy ending.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a porn star (Blake) who meets a guy he really really likes (Ethan) and decides to quit filming so he can open a burlesque club instead. Enjoyed this a lot.

Lots and lots of spice, plenty of found family, and an on again/off again romance (because Ehtan doesn't find out about Blake's real job until they've been dating awhile – and Ethan is NOT happy about it). There's plenty of 'real' family too – both of them having issues with their fathers.

The non-romance part of the plot revolves around setting up and opening the club, and that's pretty interesting. The romance involves Ethan finally seeing his way to accepting and understanding Blake for who he is and deciding that's what he wants.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

💝Kit Erikson has done it. I wasn't familiar with his books yet, but this book ensures he goes on my list of favorite authors.

What a beautiful love story. Blake and Ethan are made for each other.

Blake is insecure about who he is. Although he is not ashamed of his profession, he doubts that he deserves someone who puts him first and accepts him for who he is.

Ethan holds back who he is because he wants to please his father.

Fortunately, after some ups and downs, they come together and can both be who they are.
Fully and completely themselves.

💞Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖

[KaRon Spriggs-bethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the story development between Blake and Ethan. I would be lying if I said I didn’t get upset or want to stop reading but that was because the author did such a great job of building those emotions and developing the characters, flaws and all!
I went through a range of emotions as I read through this. But one thing that was consistent was the love I felt throughout the book from just about all the characters.
This was also the perfect level of spice. It didn’t take away from the story, it felt like it added to the story and was placed just right.
I recommend adding this to your TBR.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Didi Ps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake feels very comfortable with his own body & how he uses it as an exotic dancer. He can sell dreams, and so he decides to go into business. However, he doesn’t know anything about hot to run a company.

Ethan is out of his depth with Blake, but as a brainy business student, he might be able to help him with his business.

Together they become partners. Slowly, as secrets are uncovered, and as they work together they may end up with more than just a business between them.

I received this free ARC, and this is my honest review.

[Henna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars

This was such a heartwarming story about finding and loving yourself. There’s a strong theme of family and found family.

Blake is an adult entertainer, Ethan has been taught to be a right kind of gay. The two have insane attraction but life isn’t easy when people around you tell you how you should be perceived.

Blake and Ethan help each other find themselves, and come to terms with what they assume are misgivings. Blake feels he’s dumb, and Ethan feels physically too normal and boring.

I really hope we get Xander’s book next, since he needs some love.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brighter Than The Sun is about Blake and Ethan. Blake has career in adult entertainment as a stripper and porn star, Ethan is a student who works at restaurant. They meet at the restaurant where Ethan is working, Ethan doesn't know at firsts what Blake do.

This was a very good story, I liked how they work together. I loved their found family.

This is the second book of the San Francisco Sex Gods series, but can read as a standalone. I haven't read the first one but I enjoyed this.

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I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Jennifer Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Ethan and Blake’s story! Even more than the first book.

This was such a great story of acceptance. Loving yourself. Wanting more for yourself and going for it. Having someone on your corner to support and love you.

Blake is in the adult entertainment industry and Ethan works in The diner where he and his friends have brunch every week. Sparks immediately fly.

What I love the most about this is how soft and sweet and vulnerable these guys are with each other. I can’t wait til the next book.

Spice is 3🌶️🥵🥵

[Catherine Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brighter Than The Sun is a heartfelt and captivating romance that showcases Kit Erikson’s talent for creating characters readers truly care about.
The story is engaging, emotional, and beautifully written, making it impossible not to become invested from the very first page.
A wonderful read that highlights the author’s creativity and leaves readers excited for more.

[Mandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Blake and Ethan!

[Megan Warren-Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single feeling! Oh this one was really great. I liked the first book but I loved the second one.

MM | sex worker | waiter | himbo vibes

Plot: 5/5
Relationship: 5/5
Spice: 5/5

[Adoraboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and their chemistry