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Firsts and Forever #8
Belonging
Can two damaged men build a future together from the shattered pieces of their lives?
Gianni Dombruso’s life was altered forever at the age of four, when his parents were murdered and he and his brothers went to live with their grandmother, the irrepressible Nana Dombruso. Now almost thirty, Gianni has spent his life bouncing from relationship to relationship, seeking but never finding the security and stability he so desperately craves.
Alexzander Tillane was one of the biggest pop stars in the world when he walked away from it all in the middle of a concert in 2002. Almost destroyed by the pressure of fame, Zan retreated to a life of quiet solitude in an effort to heal. But the cure backfired, leaving him with more issues than answers.
Zan knows he can’t give Gianni the stability he’s looking for, not with all his problems. He can’t even imagine why the beautiful younger man would want to get involved with someone so damaged, but the heat between them can’t be ignored. Giving in to it could be a huge mistake. Or maybe both men might end up right where they belong.
Approximately 98,000 words. Please note: contains explicit language and graphic sex. For ADULTS ONLY.
Gianni Dombruso’s life was altered forever at the age of four, when his parents were murdered and he and his brothers went to live with their grandmother, the irrepressible Nana Dombruso. Now almost thirty, Gianni has spent his life bouncing from relationship to relationship, seeking but never finding the security and stability he so desperately craves.
Alexzander Tillane was one of the biggest pop stars in the world when he walked away from it all in the middle of a concert in 2002. Almost destroyed by the pressure of fame, Zan retreated to a life of quiet solitude in an effort to heal. But the cure backfired, leaving him with more issues than answers.
Zan knows he can’t give Gianni the stability he’s looking for, not with all his problems. He can’t even imagine why the beautiful younger man would want to get involved with someone so damaged, but the heat between them can’t be ignored. Giving in to it could be a huge mistake. Or maybe both men might end up right where they belong.
Approximately 98,000 words. Please note: contains explicit language and graphic sex. For ADULTS ONLY.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
78 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
58 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 12, 2017
A lot of people really liked this one...I unfortunately am not one of them
I was really looking forward to Gianni and Zan's story, but it really fell flat for me.
Maybe my expectations were too high, because I liked the previous book so much.
Gianni is one of the Dombruso clan (former maffia) and Zane is Christian's (book 7), very famous and recluse father.
Gianni is bi and has a thing for older lovers. He wants someone with whom he can feel safe and protected. He is hired by Christian, who wants him to look after his dad Zan, because Christian himself is too sick to do it himself.
Zan used to be really famous, until one day, he walked of stage and never returned. He went into hiding and stayed in his house for almost 2 decades. He has bi-polar disorder and some form of agoraphobia. Only his son Christian, who looked out for him and his lawyer knew about his existence. Now Christian is dealing with personal issues, so Gianna has been taking over.
It was hate at first sight for Zan....or was it something else. It took Gianni hooking up with another famous man and leaving, for Zan to snap into action and claim the man he wanted.
Now this may all seem romantic, but all it did was piss me off. If you have not read the previous book about Christian and you don't want to read spoilers, you should skip the rant below !!!!!
Zan has been in hiding for many many years, having his son taking care of him. Then his son gets diagnosed with a terrible dissease and freaking Zan still has his son take care of him. I was fine with this in the previous book, because it seemed like they loved each other very much and Zan was trying to be a good dad. Christian went through hell...he was afraid, he was sick, he was freaking dying and where the fuck was Zan....right at home, because he couldn't leave. Zan never left his house to visit Christian, he didn't even go to the hospital after the surgeory...he always just stayed were he was..in his house
Then Gianna, who he really doesn't know all that well, is planning to leave to New York and Zan jumps out of his house speeds to the airport, where tons of people are, and tries to win Gianna over, by kissing him in public in front of so many people and camera's ?? Exposing himself to the media after nearly 2 decades. You can do that shit for someone you don't really know, but you can't do that shit for your own dying son ??? You suck !!!!!
This totally ruined the story for me. It was all about Zan and how he felt he could do anything with Gianni by his side. Made me want to puke. I don't mind the cheesy romance, hell I've been reading all the books in this series and they are all cheesy, but this just pissed me off !! I think it's me being a parent that makes me so angry. I have plenty of issues myself, but I always try to put my son first, that's what parents are supposed to do. I know I should be all proud of Zan, because he finaly got over his issues because of his new boyfriend....but he couldn't for his own kid. I really liked Christian, and I loved his book. I wished Christian or anybody would have said something about this, but ofcourse he didn't, because he just wanted to see his dad happy. Christian was awesome and I just think he deserved more than his. I also found Gianni a bit pathetic in this book. Not the fun guy I met in the previous books.
Sorry to say, but I'm gonna give this one 2 stars and those two are for Jessie and Nana, who at least made me laugh ;)
I was really looking forward to Gianni and Zan's story, but it really fell flat for me.
Maybe my expectations were too high, because I liked the previous book so much.
Gianni is one of the Dombruso clan (former maffia) and Zane is Christian's (book 7), very famous and recluse father.
Gianni is bi and has a thing for older lovers. He wants someone with whom he can feel safe and protected. He is hired by Christian, who wants him to look after his dad Zan, because Christian himself is too sick to do it himself.
Zan used to be really famous, until one day, he walked of stage and never returned. He went into hiding and stayed in his house for almost 2 decades. He has bi-polar disorder and some form of agoraphobia. Only his son Christian, who looked out for him and his lawyer knew about his existence. Now Christian is dealing with personal issues, so Gianna has been taking over.
It was hate at first sight for Zan....or was it something else. It took Gianni hooking up with another famous man and leaving, for Zan to snap into action and claim the man he wanted.
Now this may all seem romantic, but all it did was piss me off. If you have not read the previous book about Christian and you don't want to read spoilers, you should skip the rant below !!!!!
Zan has been in hiding for many many years, having his son taking care of him. Then his son gets diagnosed with a terrible dissease and freaking Zan still has his son take care of him. I was fine with this in the previous book, because it seemed like they loved each other very much and Zan was trying to be a good dad. Christian went through hell...he was afraid, he was sick, he was freaking dying and where the fuck was Zan....right at home, because he couldn't leave. Zan never left his house to visit Christian, he didn't even go to the hospital after the surgeory...he always just stayed were he was..in his house
Then Gianna, who he really doesn't know all that well, is planning to leave to New York and Zan jumps out of his house speeds to the airport, where tons of people are, and tries to win Gianna over, by kissing him in public in front of so many people and camera's ?? Exposing himself to the media after nearly 2 decades. You can do that shit for someone you don't really know, but you can't do that shit for your own dying son ??? You suck !!!!!
This totally ruined the story for me. It was all about Zan and how he felt he could do anything with Gianni by his side. Made me want to puke. I don't mind the cheesy romance, hell I've been reading all the books in this series and they are all cheesy, but this just pissed me off !! I think it's me being a parent that makes me so angry. I have plenty of issues myself, but I always try to put my son first, that's what parents are supposed to do. I know I should be all proud of Zan, because he finaly got over his issues because of his new boyfriend....but he couldn't for his own kid. I really liked Christian, and I loved his book. I wished Christian or anybody would have said something about this, but ofcourse he didn't, because he just wanted to see his dad happy. Christian was awesome and I just think he deserved more than his. I also found Gianni a bit pathetic in this book. Not the fun guy I met in the previous books.
Sorry to say, but I'm gonna give this one 2 stars and those two are for Jessie and Nana, who at least made me laugh ;)
September 10, 2015
Okay. I loved this. Are you shocked? You shouldn't be.
The beginning, it wasn't my favorite but I get why it was done and I will tell you it was totally worth the frustration to get Gianni and Zan to a pivotal point. Oh boy, was it ever worth it.
This one to me, had that bit of realism that kinda grounded it with Zan's mental issues as well as Gianni's hang ups. Sure, there was the total OTT moments with Nana but this series would be seriously lacking with out them. But the romance, the idea of a singer/songwriter of love songs finally falling in love... just right up my hopeless romantic book shelf.
I loved Zan and Gianni together and that end was pure perfection.
Moving on to Chance's book now.
The beginning, it wasn't my favorite but I get why it was done and I will tell you it was totally worth the frustration to get Gianni and Zan to a pivotal point. Oh boy, was it ever worth it.
This one to me, had that bit of realism that kinda grounded it with Zan's mental issues as well as Gianni's hang ups. Sure, there was the total OTT moments with Nana but this series would be seriously lacking with out them. But the romance, the idea of a singer/songwriter of love songs finally falling in love... just right up my hopeless romantic book shelf.
I loved Zan and Gianni together and that end was pure perfection.
Moving on to Chance's book now.
August 13, 2015
This series just keeps getting better and better. I'm so happy that more books are on the way!
April 24, 2015
I adore this series laughs, tears, smexy times. Just what I needed.
December 31, 2015
Loved this book! Love this entire series!! The only thing that kept this from 5 stars is the fact that the MCs don't even come close to being together until after 50%. They have times where they're in the same room but nothing romantic. That said, the first half...and really the whole thing is completely entertaining because we still have Nana and her crazy family. Seriously, I was actually cracking up at some of the stuff she did. Cockhenge. lol. That's what happens when you round all your trees and bushes. We know both Zan and Gianni from previous books but getting to really know them was a delight. These two...well, perfect. Both with self-esteem issues but still perfect.
May 4, 2015
While most of the books in this series are saved by the humor and warmth that's imbued in the character interactions, there are a couple here and there that can't be saved. I absolutely loathed Christopher's story, and this one wasn't much better. While Gianni isn't, by the most strict definition, a prostitute, he nonetheless allows himself to be used in exchange for being taken care of, monetarily and emotionally, by his rich lovers. And while I wanted to cheer for Zan when he made it to the airport to ask Gianni not to leave, it didn't detract from the very frustrating reality that Gianni was leaving Zan in order to become some closeted actor's plaything. Gianni never actually learned anything, nor did he grow as a character. Which made the story kinda pointless.
September 1, 2015
Oh, this may have been the absolute cheesiest of the series yet. I didn't necessarily feel cheesy with the others but this one I did for sure. Still good, still love Nana to the point of out loud laughter and total distraction and will for sure keep reading. But yeah, this one was just way over the top. Weird though, I got choked up a few times. I can't believe there is only one left.
April 21, 2015
Another fun, sexy story from Alexa Land. Definitely lighter than the last book. Zan and Gianni are two men with issues, both of whom are so afraid to make a move on the other that it takes over half the book for them to get together. There are plenty of interactions beforehand that continue the contentious employer/employee relationship from Against the Wall as we learn Gianni is not the gigolo most of his family thinks he is.
Although this was a lighter, less angsty story than the last one, Zan and Gianni don't have a smooth ride and will rely on their friends and family to help them through, bringing back many old favorites and some newer "family" members from the prior stories all under Nana's loving guidance. She is still the crazy matriarch, but her character also shines in the quieter moments she shares with Gianni.
Happily there are two more books expected this year. Chance's story is up next (and I have a feeling it's going to be full of surprises), followed by Nico, who is travelling to Italy with Nana - won't that be fun!
Although this was a lighter, less angsty story than the last one, Zan and Gianni don't have a smooth ride and will rely on their friends and family to help them through, bringing back many old favorites and some newer "family" members from the prior stories all under Nana's loving guidance. She is still the crazy matriarch, but her character also shines in the quieter moments she shares with Gianni.
Happily there are two more books expected this year. Chance's story is up next (and I have a feeling it's going to be full of surprises), followed by Nico, who is travelling to Italy with Nana - won't that be fun!
April 17, 2015
We Can Make It Tthrough
This read was excellent. It is heartwarming and sweet and smokin hot. You will laugh so much because Nana and the family is a total trip. You fall in love with all of these characters. You hurt for them in their insecurities and cheer when they work their problems out. Alexa Land writes stories that get you so involved that you have to finish them once you start reading them. I absolutely loved this story. This is one of the best series I've read. Enjoy this read I did. I am anticipating the next one this summer. Waiting...
This read was excellent. It is heartwarming and sweet and smokin hot. You will laugh so much because Nana and the family is a total trip. You fall in love with all of these characters. You hurt for them in their insecurities and cheer when they work their problems out. Alexa Land writes stories that get you so involved that you have to finish them once you start reading them. I absolutely loved this story. This is one of the best series I've read. Enjoy this read I did. I am anticipating the next one this summer. Waiting...
August 9, 2016
I've loved every book of this series and Belonging is no exception! As I've come to expect, this book made me literally laugh out loud to the point of tears, then promptly broke my heart. Gianni and Zan are both so lonely and damaged. They were the perfect complement to each other and it was beautiful to see them slowly overcome their pasts and learn to trust someone else.
I also loved that all the characters from previous books were mentioned and we got an update on their lives! I was thrilled to hear Jamie and Dmitri's news, and who doesn't love having a whole herd of Dombrusos around?! As always, Nana was not a woman to be missed! Oh, how I wish I could watch her cooking show!
I also loved that all the characters from previous books were mentioned and we got an update on their lives! I was thrilled to hear Jamie and Dmitri's news, and who doesn't love having a whole herd of Dombrusos around?! As always, Nana was not a woman to be missed! Oh, how I wish I could watch her cooking show!
May 8, 2015
This wasn't bad. Very fluffy, sweet, no angst. Zan and Gianni were cute together. Nana is up to her same hijinks. I was a little surprised at Gianni's self esteem issues. This whole series is over the top and borderline ridiculous (notice I still read it!) and this edition fits right in.
May 2, 2015
I love this series! Everyone needs a Nana in their lives.
August 5, 2022
Disappointing
I've been looking forward to reading Gianni's story for a while and 'Belonging' just didn't hit the mark for me. From Gianni having sex with someone other than Zan for a good portion of the story, to there being very little total on page time between Gianni and Zan, and then having hardly any conversations and getting to know them in depth....this felt like a very surface story only and I was expecting and hoped for more.
I've been looking forward to reading Gianni's story for a while and 'Belonging' just didn't hit the mark for me. From Gianni having sex with someone other than Zan for a good portion of the story, to there being very little total on page time between Gianni and Zan, and then having hardly any conversations and getting to know them in depth....this felt like a very surface story only and I was expecting and hoped for more.
September 19, 2019
I love this series but after book 3 I stopped reading because it didn't work for my challenges. I loved this book because you cannot beat a double hurt comfort book. Add in an age gap of 17 years plus a madcap secondary character and many thing combine to make this a potent book. Gianni (Johnny) Dombruso lost his parents when he was 4 Nana Dombruso raised him on his brother's then. Alexzander (Zan) Tillane is a musical prodigy become pop star who mysteriously disappeared after leaving in the middle of a concert and has been living in isolation for over a decade. Gianni is a submissive with esteem issues. Gianni becomes Zan's deal with the world assistant when the previous assistant, Zan's son, has to quit for medical reasons. Zan has many problems basically stemming from being to long withdrawn from the world. When Zan emerges from isolation to win over Gianni he sets up a media frenzy when he is recognized. Chaos ensues even as love abounds.
April 20, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
Reading a book from the Firsts and Forever series is like spending a night in with your best friends. There are certain expectations I have with this series and Alexa Land never fails to meet them. I had to stop reading at only 2% in as I could no longer see the words on the page for laughing so much. Nana, in my opinion, has got to be the most iconic female in the MM genre and Cockhenge was just hilarious. This glorious 80 year old woman who defends her family, whether blood or not, is the lynchpin of these stories.
It would be very easy to stereotype the Dombruso boys having been raised within a mafia family and knowing some of their pasts as we do. Gianni is nothing like I expected, he was far more vulnerable, sensitive and unsure of himself. He had certain expectations of himself and his life none of which were very high. He was ok with people treating him poorly as that was what he felt he deserved. The fact that his lovers were always older, saw him as arm candy and liked him to take on a submissive role without complaint only compounded his low self-esteem.
We learnt quite a lot about Zan in Christian’s story. At the peak of his career he walked off stage in front of thousands of people and remained hidden for the next decade. As we learn even more in Belonging we discover just how close to the edge he was but the solitary lifestyle that he yearned all those years ago to help him recover is now the thing keeping him a prisoner and preventing him from living. It has been so long since he had any real human contact that no one knows for sure just how bad his symptoms are. He is certainly still depressed but is it illness keeping him locked away or is it just habit and familiarity.
Neither of these men have any real relationship experience and both are set in a pattern of waiting for the other to make the first move. When neither of them do and signals are mixed up and misread Gianni reverts back to form and takes up an offer from an older man that he believes will look after him. This proves to be the push that Zan needs as he jumps on his lawnmower and makes a move to claim his man.
Nothing could have prepared them for the chaos that ensues when the public find out Zan is alive and well after all these years. Zan is panicked at returning to the real world whilst determined to claim back his life in order to have Gianni at his side. Gianni, who has only ever wanted someone to look after him, has to grow up quickly and assume a new role and realises that he can also be the strong one when required.
Along with Zan and Gianni we also get a glimpse into the lives of the rest of the family and nana as always is standing up for her family in full technicolour!
Reading a book from the Firsts and Forever series is like spending a night in with your best friends. There are certain expectations I have with this series and Alexa Land never fails to meet them. I had to stop reading at only 2% in as I could no longer see the words on the page for laughing so much. Nana, in my opinion, has got to be the most iconic female in the MM genre and Cockhenge was just hilarious. This glorious 80 year old woman who defends her family, whether blood or not, is the lynchpin of these stories.
It would be very easy to stereotype the Dombruso boys having been raised within a mafia family and knowing some of their pasts as we do. Gianni is nothing like I expected, he was far more vulnerable, sensitive and unsure of himself. He had certain expectations of himself and his life none of which were very high. He was ok with people treating him poorly as that was what he felt he deserved. The fact that his lovers were always older, saw him as arm candy and liked him to take on a submissive role without complaint only compounded his low self-esteem.
We learnt quite a lot about Zan in Christian’s story. At the peak of his career he walked off stage in front of thousands of people and remained hidden for the next decade. As we learn even more in Belonging we discover just how close to the edge he was but the solitary lifestyle that he yearned all those years ago to help him recover is now the thing keeping him a prisoner and preventing him from living. It has been so long since he had any real human contact that no one knows for sure just how bad his symptoms are. He is certainly still depressed but is it illness keeping him locked away or is it just habit and familiarity.
Neither of these men have any real relationship experience and both are set in a pattern of waiting for the other to make the first move. When neither of them do and signals are mixed up and misread Gianni reverts back to form and takes up an offer from an older man that he believes will look after him. This proves to be the push that Zan needs as he jumps on his lawnmower and makes a move to claim his man.
Nothing could have prepared them for the chaos that ensues when the public find out Zan is alive and well after all these years. Zan is panicked at returning to the real world whilst determined to claim back his life in order to have Gianni at his side. Gianni, who has only ever wanted someone to look after him, has to grow up quickly and assume a new role and realises that he can also be the strong one when required.
Along with Zan and Gianni we also get a glimpse into the lives of the rest of the family and nana as always is standing up for her family in full technicolour!
April 21, 2015
Alexa has written another brilliant novel in the Firsts and Forever Series!! This has got to be one of my all time favorite series and it looks like the series will be going for quite a while which is fantastic because I love all the characters. The story line remains strong as she continues to link and intertwine the lives of the characters of family and friends. The character development is amazing and I don't think I've missed falling in love with all of them. This book continues with the lives of Gianni Dombruso and Alexander Tillane. Gianni is one of the brothers of the Dombruso family and is absolutely beautiful, but due to his insecurities and wanting someone to care for him, he finds himself getting into relationships where the man gets tired of him and throws him away making him come back to his grandmother, Nana, to live. He has been taking care of a Hot Rock Star, who for a couple of decades has been a recluse due to mental issues. For 13 years he stays from everyone in the quiet of his home. Gianni has been bringing him his groceries and doing yard work for him several months and the two seem to never get along. Gianni felt his feelings for Zan were one-sided, so he never acted on them, until he decides to move to New York with a movie star. When Zan finds out, he comes out of hiding to find Gianni at the airport to convince him not to go and their feelings for each other explode. This is a drastic move as far as Zan was concerned, but evidently it was time because of the love he feels for Gianni. Again this story is about Love, Family and Friends. It's a beautiful love story that is so strong, that the insecurities of life seem to work themselves out, even the Paparrazi who are hounding the two get out of hand because of Zan's coming out to the public. I loved this story! The two are made for each other. If you love MM Love, Sex, and the beauty of what family and friends can be you will love this. Alexa, you did a wonderful job on this book!! Can't wait till the next one comes out in the Series!! Gianni & Zan...A Beautiful Love Story...A Must Read!
April 26, 2015
I wish I could say I liked this book but there were so many things I didn't like about it. I don't know where to start.
I've read every book in the Firsts and Forever Series and most I've enjoy with the exception of two, this being one. This is definitely my least favorite. It was just too sweet. Almost to the point of sickening. I never really felt like we got to know Gianni prior to his story. Very little page time was given to him in previous books like we normally get with the other characters. Then we get just about zip interaction between him and Zan in the first third of the book. In fact he was getting busy with someone else just because. Yes, you heard me. Someone was better than no one. That is pretty much Gianni throughout the book. He has no self worth at all! That is one thing I cannot stand reading, someone who thinks so little of themself they're willing to ignore what they feel just to please someone else. UGH!!!! I really struggled to keep reading but I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't. And the love scenes were just as bad. They were over in a hot flash and that was probably a good thing since they were just told and not felt. And I felt like a juvenile wrote them. I don't know if this book was just rushed or what. It honestly could have been 100 pages less, it was 422!, and not missed a beat. And what's with trying to include all the past characters in the book. I realize we all have our favorites and it's nice to revisit them but not so many in one book! I had a hard time trying to keep them straight.
The one pro, there were some funny moments but they couldn't save this book for me. Hopefully Chance's story will be better. I know him and love him!
I've read every book in the Firsts and Forever Series and most I've enjoy with the exception of two, this being one. This is definitely my least favorite. It was just too sweet. Almost to the point of sickening. I never really felt like we got to know Gianni prior to his story. Very little page time was given to him in previous books like we normally get with the other characters. Then we get just about zip interaction between him and Zan in the first third of the book. In fact he was getting busy with someone else just because. Yes, you heard me. Someone was better than no one. That is pretty much Gianni throughout the book. He has no self worth at all! That is one thing I cannot stand reading, someone who thinks so little of themself they're willing to ignore what they feel just to please someone else. UGH!!!! I really struggled to keep reading but I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't. And the love scenes were just as bad. They were over in a hot flash and that was probably a good thing since they were just told and not felt. And I felt like a juvenile wrote them. I don't know if this book was just rushed or what. It honestly could have been 100 pages less, it was 422!, and not missed a beat. And what's with trying to include all the past characters in the book. I realize we all have our favorites and it's nice to revisit them but not so many in one book! I had a hard time trying to keep them straight.
The one pro, there were some funny moments but they couldn't save this book for me. Hopefully Chance's story will be better. I know him and love him!
April 24, 2015
I'm going to be honest, It's all about Nana and gay homosexual that seem to run deep in that family. She is the Sophia Petrillo of the literary world. I love her antics. She is funny glue to a otherwise boohoo story. I know they are meant to be together because the blurb told me so. I didn't see the connection. Their connection just didn't flow for me. Gianni preach that he wants to be taken care off but he chooses a man who needs carer. It seemed like he wanted to take care of Zan than the other way around. I would have accepted their relationship dynamic more if there was any mention any of attraction before big scene at the airport. I don't like it when they introduce another possible love interest and then completely destroyed the character. Why can't he simply be not the one? (3.5 stars)
April 18, 2015
Alexa Land has done it again. I love reading her Firsts and Forever novels. Belonging is a wonderful companion to the series. I laughed so hard I thought my family was ready to commit me. Not to put any spoilers in this review, but Nanna! For those who've read the series...'nuff said. This book also brings Christian and Shea as primary support characters. Thank you Alexa for that treat! The book and the series are uniquely gifted with an arc and voice that is easy to read and immensely enjoyable.
December 28, 2016
I have grown to love this entire series. It is fantastic. Hot guys. Mafia types. Men with issues. Nana! Read in order. Another reviewer said this series is like crack and it is - the crack of books.
After doctoring up a travel mug of tea, I took one more look out the window. Nana and my brother were standing side by side. They’d struck identical poses, hands on their hips and heads tilted as they contemplated Cockhenge. I chuckled as I headed to the garage. Okay, so sometimes the crazy was pretty entertaining.
After doctoring up a travel mug of tea, I took one more look out the window. Nana and my brother were standing side by side. They’d struck identical poses, hands on their hips and heads tilted as they contemplated Cockhenge. I chuckled as I headed to the garage. Okay, so sometimes the crazy was pretty entertaining.
April 19, 2015
This book was an amazing read! I loved this! It was so funny, emotional& heartwarming . Nana(I love her) cracks me up, I was in tears ;) I had a few cries & 2 big ugly cries, (eek... 1 was happy ugly cry though) I love Gi & Zan! Beautifully written! Well done Alexa! Looking forward to reading Coming Home!
December 22, 2016
Alexa Land you are killing me. I absolutely loved this book. It has everything tears, laughs, sex, and most important true love. I haven't read all the books in this series but every one I read it gets better and better looking forward to the next one.
April 17, 2015
Another amazing addition to the series. Now looking forward to the next book
April 21, 2015
Another awesome read. I love reading this series. There's so many wonderful, amazing and very colorful cast of characters. I can't wait until the next book. Bring it on!
June 6, 2015
I so love this series...
April 17, 2015
4.5 stars
Still loving this series and will definitely keep reading in the future :)
Still loving this series and will definitely keep reading in the future :)
January 8, 2018
3.5 Stars
I love this series as an all together fest of crazy and sweet with nice character development.
The plots are always bit much. Here, there is a really lack of communication in the start of the attractions. Its silly.
However, Zander and Gianni together are great once they get together. We get all the couple time I crave. I love that Zander is another hero's in the father and I love the discussion of attraction to older men.
The cast and setting are as always for me, a real good time.
PS And yes it is super silly that so many men in Gianni's family are gay or bi.
I love this series as an all together fest of crazy and sweet with nice character development.
The plots are always bit much. Here, there is a really lack of communication in the start of the attractions. Its silly.
However, Zander and Gianni together are great once they get together. We get all the couple time I crave. I love that Zander is another hero's in the father and I love the discussion of attraction to older men.
The cast and setting are as always for me, a real good time.
PS And yes it is super silly that so many men in Gianni's family are gay or bi.
September 21, 2018
Belonging is the eighth in this series. We get Gianni, one of the brothers who is searching for someone to ‘take care of’. He grows to love a very damaged and difficult Zan. The thing that struck me was I always read the idea of one character saying to another, ‘Don’t try to fix me’. Well , Zan knows he needs lots of help and a lot of fixing so Gianni is in the right place. I still find secondary character Chance intriguing.
May 13, 2015
The book of the missed opportunities....
First of all I need to say I know that this series has no relation to reality and initally I've started reading it because of the humor, the funny banter and the hot sex (and later on because of Nana).
This book was kind of a collection of "don'ts".
About the first 30% we see nearly nothing of Zan, especially nothing positive. Gianni is hooking up with a douche.
We realize, Gianni has probably the lowest self-esteem ever. And here is the missed opportunity. The way he acts, how he regards himself, his behaviour during sex? This all screems that he is actually a lot more "damaged" person than Zan. But do we see this addressed anytime later? Not really, no...just that he is "submissive". I get submissive, I really do. Gianni is not only submissive, he's been treated badly by former lovers, he doesn't even think of him as a person someone could love. Some of his comments and actions were painful for me. I waited for the author adressing this stuff ...and waited...and waited...in vain.
And Zan? I don't know. He really had only one phone in his house? Which actually makes me wonder....who cleans this thing, the rooms he never used but are obviously spotless enough to use any time? It was okay to get to know him later but all this "I fell in love with you and therefore never wanted to talk to you"-stuff didn't work for me. Because he then actually fell in love with the beauty but not the person.
There was a lot just not sitting right with me and this book, especially careless "I must be clean"-stuff (seriously Gianni, you suck dick without a condom).
And let's talk about one of the other reasons for reading this series: the sex. To be honest - it was dissapointing. On top of that - after they got together, they really got mushy and sappy, too.
So...I'm thankful for Nana and Jessie.
First of all I need to say I know that this series has no relation to reality and initally I've started reading it because of the humor, the funny banter and the hot sex (and later on because of Nana).
This book was kind of a collection of "don'ts".
About the first 30% we see nearly nothing of Zan, especially nothing positive. Gianni is hooking up with a douche.
We realize, Gianni has probably the lowest self-esteem ever. And here is the missed opportunity. The way he acts, how he regards himself, his behaviour during sex? This all screems that he is actually a lot more "damaged" person than Zan. But do we see this addressed anytime later? Not really, no...just that he is "submissive". I get submissive, I really do. Gianni is not only submissive, he's been treated badly by former lovers, he doesn't even think of him as a person someone could love. Some of his comments and actions were painful for me. I waited for the author adressing this stuff ...and waited...and waited...in vain.
And Zan? I don't know. He really had only one phone in his house? Which actually makes me wonder....who cleans this thing, the rooms he never used but are obviously spotless enough to use any time? It was okay to get to know him later but all this "I fell in love with you and therefore never wanted to talk to you"-stuff didn't work for me. Because he then actually fell in love with the beauty but not the person.
There was a lot just not sitting right with me and this book, especially careless "I must be clean"-stuff (seriously Gianni, you suck dick without a condom).
And let's talk about one of the other reasons for reading this series: the sex. To be honest - it was dissapointing. On top of that - after they got together, they really got mushy and sappy, too.
So...I'm thankful for Nana and Jessie.
April 20, 2015
Such a worthy addition to a wonderfully memorable series. Gianni helps his friend Christian; an artist fighting a brain tumor, by assuring him he will look after his reclusive father; Zan a formerly famous musician. Much to Gianni's chagrin Zan ignores him totally or is openly hostile towards him. We have met Gianni in other books and already know that he is floating through his life and engaging in short-term love affairs with older and inappropriate partners; both male and female. We were introduced to Zan in Christian and Shea's story and know how paralyzed with fear he is to interact with the outside world. What we don't know is that Zan has fallen and fallen hard for the handsome and sweet Gianni. When he hears that Gianni is leaving to go to NYC with an aging and egotistical movie actor Zan is forced out of his apathy and gets to the airport as quickly as he can. Since he began his journey on a riding lawn mower quick is perhaps not the operative word. Once Zan declares his intentions passionately at the airport he and Gianni are harassed endlessly by the cruel and relentless press. Their budding romance is pressured by Gianni's insecurity, Zan's bipolar illness and the 24/7 nature of E News. What follows is a great and heartfelt story. Parts are so funny that I had to stop laughing so I could breathe. We are once again reunited with old friends most welcome of all is the great and powerful Nana; she who must be obeyed. If you have read the other books jump on in. If not it is best to start at the beginning but do not deny yourself the pleasure of Ms. Land's company of characters.
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