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The Tav #2
You Are the Reason
Davo’s a pretty average guy. He has a decent job, owns his own home, and spends his weekends at the pub. He fully accepts that he’s gay, but doesn’t want to be one of those gays, who are femme and girly. He likes football and other masculine pursuits, and firmly avoids anything that could be seen as femme—including relationships that last beyond fifteen minutes.
Then Davo’s friend and gay idol not only gets a boyfriend, but also adopts a baby girl. Davo is seriously spooked and scuttles down to the pub in fright. That’s where he meets Lee, who is cute from her cherry-red hair, to her pretty little dress and pointy red shoes. Davo is charmed—but how is that possible? He’s gay. Isn’t he? Then Lee tells him he’s actually a guy—he just likes to wear women’s dresses occasionally. Thoroughly confused about an attraction that’s out of character for him, Davo begins the long journey to where he can accept himself without caring what everyone else thinks.
Then Davo’s friend and gay idol not only gets a boyfriend, but also adopts a baby girl. Davo is seriously spooked and scuttles down to the pub in fright. That’s where he meets Lee, who is cute from her cherry-red hair, to her pretty little dress and pointy red shoes. Davo is charmed—but how is that possible? He’s gay. Isn’t he? Then Lee tells him he’s actually a guy—he just likes to wear women’s dresses occasionally. Thoroughly confused about an attraction that’s out of character for him, Davo begins the long journey to where he can accept himself without caring what everyone else thinks.
226 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2015
47 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Renae Kaye
30 books878 followersRenae Kaye is a lover and hoarder of books who thinks libraries are devilish places because they make you give the books back. She consumed her first adult romance book at the tender age of thirteen and hasn’t stopped since. After years – and thousands of stories! – of not having book characters do what she wants, she decided she would write her own novel and found the characters still didn’t do what she wanted. She believes that the world is too complicated for her, so she loses herself in stories. The only thing that keeps her going are her children who are the delight of her life.
Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything. Which is why it's a pity laughter is sometimes scarce on the ground.
You can contact her at renaekaye@iinet.net.au.
Renae lives in Perth, Western Australia. She is a survivor of being the youngest in a large family and believes that laughter (and a good book) can cure anything. Which is why it's a pity laughter is sometimes scarce on the ground.
You can contact her at renaekaye@iinet.net.au.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
September 11, 2015
~4.5~
Dave is allergic to pink. And don't call him "Dave" unless you're a woman. The dudes call him "Davo." That's the rule.
But Lee doesn't follow the rules. Slight, feminine, pretty, with natural flaming red hair, Lee is the kind of gay man Dave avoids.
Lee's ... well, he's SO OBVIOUSLY gay.
And Dave doesn't do femme. Dave's a dude. He likes steel and tools and stuff. He doesn't do makeup. He doesn't swish. He's a guy's guy.
Meeting Lee turns Dave's life upside-down, and not just because when Dave first meets Lee, he thinks Lee's a woman ... a very attractive woman whom he gets on with like a house on fire.
But, OMG, vaginas are just not Dave's thing.
Long relying on his Magic 8 ball for answers, Dave is suddenly working with trans teens, changing dirty nappies, and picking out pink flowers for his garden.
Dave and Lee are fantastic characters.
Lee is sweet and endearing and ever so sexy with his glitter and eye liner and all things Dave fears. Lee is not transgender. He just likes traditionally feminine things and isn't afraid to show it.
And Dave comes to crave every part of Lee. EVERY. PART.
The chemistry between these men is SCORCHING. They go at it with abandon. I particularly liked the strip tease scene.
Holy shit, but that was sizzling!
I liked this book better than I liked The Blinding Light, the first book in the Tav series. I liked Jake and Patrick, but Jake's mother left a bitter taste in my mouth.
In this story, we get quite a bit of Jake and Patrick, and I enjoyed watching them fussing over baby Maxine. Uncle Dave is particularly enthralled with the little miss, and even though I'm decidedly not a baby person, I found Dave's interactions with Maxine quite tender.
This is a joyful story brimming with humour and light.
It gets Dani's NO-ANGST-FOR-MILES guarantee.
The HEA is pretty damn satisfying. I just wish the epilogue had focused more on Dave and Lee's relationship vs. baby Maxine.
I did not want this book to end and surely hope there's another novel in this series.
"What do you do with it?"
Lee frowned, looking confused. "Do with what?"
"Your dick. What do you do with it when you put a dress on?"
Lee burst out laughing ... "I'm not sure about your dick, Dave, but my dick's not really detachable. When I put a dress on, it just has to stay there."
Dave is allergic to pink. And don't call him "Dave" unless you're a woman. The dudes call him "Davo." That's the rule.
But Lee doesn't follow the rules. Slight, feminine, pretty, with natural flaming red hair, Lee is the kind of gay man Dave avoids.
Lee's ... well, he's SO OBVIOUSLY gay.
And Dave doesn't do femme. Dave's a dude. He likes steel and tools and stuff. He doesn't do makeup. He doesn't swish. He's a guy's guy.
Meeting Lee turns Dave's life upside-down, and not just because when Dave first meets Lee, he thinks Lee's a woman ... a very attractive woman whom he gets on with like a house on fire.
But, OMG, vaginas are just not Dave's thing.
Long relying on his Magic 8 ball for answers, Dave is suddenly working with trans teens, changing dirty nappies, and picking out pink flowers for his garden.
Dave and Lee are fantastic characters.
Lee is sweet and endearing and ever so sexy with his glitter and eye liner and all things Dave fears. Lee is not transgender. He just likes traditionally feminine things and isn't afraid to show it.
And Dave comes to crave every part of Lee. EVERY. PART.
The dress gave the illusion of womanly curves, but I was hot knowing it was all man under there.
My man.
The chemistry between these men is SCORCHING. They go at it with abandon. I particularly liked the strip tease scene.
Holy shit, but that was sizzling!
I liked this book better than I liked The Blinding Light, the first book in the Tav series. I liked Jake and Patrick, but Jake's mother left a bitter taste in my mouth.
In this story, we get quite a bit of Jake and Patrick, and I enjoyed watching them fussing over baby Maxine. Uncle Dave is particularly enthralled with the little miss, and even though I'm decidedly not a baby person, I found Dave's interactions with Maxine quite tender.
This is a joyful story brimming with humour and light.
It gets Dani's NO-ANGST-FOR-MILES guarantee.
"Didn't you feel how we were meant for each other? Didn't all the pieces of your life just click into place when we're together? Doesn't it feel strange when we're apart?"
The HEA is pretty damn satisfying. I just wish the epilogue had focused more on Dave and Lee's relationship vs. baby Maxine.
I did not want this book to end and surely hope there's another novel in this series.
April 21, 2020
I started to read this one on a long, boring trip, without checking it on GR, and didn’t know it was the second book in the series. Not that it matters anyway, it is totally enjoyable as a stand-alone.
So at 6% I had a suspicion about Lee that proved to be right. I was so proud of myself that I figured it out – am I a genius or what? Later I saw it is said in the blurb…
So the story...
Davo’s life was perfect. He had a great job, nice home, and awesome friends. Blissfully single, he didn’t do relationships, only casual hook-ups that didn’t require last names. Sometimes not even first names. Davo was extremely happy with his life.
Openly gay, but not one of “those gays”, Dave despised anything feminine, soft, and was disgusted by pink.
So his life was perfect, or so he thought. But then he met Lee.
His attraction to Lee mixes him up, makes him scared and confused. When Lee admits he is actually a guy, it doesn’t really lessen Dave’s confusion. Yes, he is relieved he is not straight after all, but he still doesn’t understand how he could be attracted to someone who is so not his type? Who is delicate, feminine, plus likes to wear make-up and women’s dresses sometimes.
But Dave learns really quickly, and is trying really hard – to accept Lee and to accept himself. Soon Davo becomes a new man. No, not a new man, he gets his real self back. He not simply accepts Lee’s feminine ways, but he is not embarrassed any more to admit that he genuinely likes it.
So all the ponies are for Dave, because he deserves it.
You Are the Reason is a cute, funny, and steamy self-rediscovery story.
My favorite quotes.
So at 6% I had a suspicion about Lee that proved to be right. I was so proud of myself that I figured it out – am I a genius or what? Later I saw it is said in the blurb…
So the story...
Davo’s life was perfect. He had a great job, nice home, and awesome friends. Blissfully single, he didn’t do relationships, only casual hook-ups that didn’t require last names. Sometimes not even first names. Davo was extremely happy with his life.
Openly gay, but not one of “those gays”, Dave despised anything feminine, soft, and was disgusted by pink.
So his life was perfect, or so he thought. But then he met Lee.
I tried to ignore those cherry red lips that I wanted to taste. I wanted to fluff her impossibly red hair. I wanted to make her laugh. I wanted to lean in and smell her. I wanted her.
It scared me shitless.
His attraction to Lee mixes him up, makes him scared and confused. When Lee admits he is actually a guy, it doesn’t really lessen Dave’s confusion. Yes, he is relieved he is not straight after all, but he still doesn’t understand how he could be attracted to someone who is so not his type? Who is delicate, feminine, plus likes to wear make-up and women’s dresses sometimes.
But Dave learns really quickly, and is trying really hard – to accept Lee and to accept himself. Soon Davo becomes a new man. No, not a new man, he gets his real self back. He not simply accepts Lee’s feminine ways, but he is not embarrassed any more to admit that he genuinely likes it.
So all the ponies are for Dave, because he deserves it.
You Are the Reason is a cute, funny, and steamy self-rediscovery story.
He was mine. He was mine to love and cherish, and that was a goddamn big responsibility. Loving him was something I never wanted to fail at, because there had never been anyone more special in my life.
My favorite quotes.
September 8, 2015
4 Stars!!
What a fantastic read this turned out to be! A feel good story, angst-free, “You Are the Reason” is the second book in “The Tav” series by Renae Kaye and can be read as a standalone. This story was sweet, heartwarming and put a big smile on my face. It’s a story about finding love and also about finding yourself.
Dave (Davo for the men and Dave for the women) is a 27 years old gay man who despises anything girly. His slogan is “I may like dick, but I’m not a pussy.” It goes without saying he hates everything that is pink. Dave doesn’t do relationship, because relationship are only for women, right? Right...He’s single and he still participates in blow jobs and fucking that didn’t require last name and sometimes not even first name. Everything changes for Dave when he meets Lee, a beautiful, charming woman. He’s attracted with her, but wait a minute…he doesn’t like vaginas. But Lee is not a woman, he’s a man who sometimes likes to dress like a woman. He likes to wear dresses and make-up, he loves to feel pretty and feminine and he’s not a transgender. There's one problem - Lee is the kind of man Dave avoids...most of the time!Ok..every time!
In Lee, Dave not only finds his perfect match, but also someone who helps him grow up and finding himself.
I loved these characters! They were awesome, endearing and even relatable. Dave was a very easy to like character (for me) even if in the beginning came off as an ass. He has his own issues, but he’s kind and considerate when it comes to other gay or transgender people and I loved how became more accepting. He’s also pretty damn funny – when he’s in need of answers he turns to his oracle – Mr. Magic 8 Ball. Lee was such a wonderful character. I loved his glitter as much as I loved his big heart. I loved seeing how he pushed Dave’s boundaries. He was sweet, supportive and patient with Dave and he never judged him.
As a couple, Dave and Lee were super cute. I loved them together and how their relationship changed over the next few weeks. Their sweet and funny moments were heart melting and their chemistry was off the charts. Meeting Jake and Patrick (the MC in the previous book in the series) was lovely and the baby Maxine was adorable. I loved how Dave was with Maxine. He thought he’s not a baby person, but IMO he did a great job. The other side characters were also pretty great – I really liked Dave’s family and also Lee’s family.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, there’s no angst and also there’s no stupid, overwhelming drama or miscommunication between the characters.
Overall, a great read!
What a fantastic read this turned out to be! A feel good story, angst-free, “You Are the Reason” is the second book in “The Tav” series by Renae Kaye and can be read as a standalone. This story was sweet, heartwarming and put a big smile on my face. It’s a story about finding love and also about finding yourself.
Dave (Davo for the men and Dave for the women) is a 27 years old gay man who despises anything girly. His slogan is “I may like dick, but I’m not a pussy.” It goes without saying he hates everything that is pink. Dave doesn’t do relationship, because relationship are only for women, right? Right...He’s single and he still participates in blow jobs and fucking that didn’t require last name and sometimes not even first name. Everything changes for Dave when he meets Lee, a beautiful, charming woman. He’s attracted with her, but wait a minute…he doesn’t like vaginas. But Lee is not a woman, he’s a man who sometimes likes to dress like a woman. He likes to wear dresses and make-up, he loves to feel pretty and feminine and he’s not a transgender. There's one problem - Lee is the kind of man Dave avoids...most of the time!Ok..every time!
In Lee, Dave not only finds his perfect match, but also someone who helps him grow up and finding himself.
“The dress gave the illusion of womanly curves, but I was hot knowing it was all man under there.
My man.”
I loved these characters! They were awesome, endearing and even relatable. Dave was a very easy to like character (for me) even if in the beginning came off as an ass. He has his own issues, but he’s kind and considerate when it comes to other gay or transgender people and I loved how became more accepting. He’s also pretty damn funny – when he’s in need of answers he turns to his oracle – Mr. Magic 8 Ball. Lee was such a wonderful character. I loved his glitter as much as I loved his big heart. I loved seeing how he pushed Dave’s boundaries. He was sweet, supportive and patient with Dave and he never judged him.
“He made me feel things I’d never experienced before. He made me want to be a better person. A better man. A better lover. A better partner. He’d helped me discover some things about myself that I didn’t like and was working on changing. He’d helped me grow.”
As a couple, Dave and Lee were super cute. I loved them together and how their relationship changed over the next few weeks. Their sweet and funny moments were heart melting and their chemistry was off the charts. Meeting Jake and Patrick (the MC in the previous book in the series) was lovely and the baby Maxine was adorable. I loved how Dave was with Maxine. He thought he’s not a baby person, but IMO he did a great job. The other side characters were also pretty great – I really liked Dave’s family and also Lee’s family.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, there’s no angst and also there’s no stupid, overwhelming drama or miscommunication between the characters.
Overall, a great read!
“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Lee said. “The possibilities are endless when you accept that there are no set limits, no set rules. That you can do anything you want and stuff the rest of the world.”
no
February 28, 2016well, shit.
further developments at the end of this review.
i've got trolls up my ass, and shitheads subbing me in their own reviews of this book with direct, verbatim quotes from mine, like utter assholes—but i'm writing today to explain that over the course of this day i have come to the conclusion that my initial impression of this book was probably mistaken.
to be clear, i'll go to my bloody grave criticizing this shitty blurb.
i didn't arrive at my erroneous ideas about this book because i'm crazy, or vicious, or actively looking for books to be mad at.
no, my problem here is that there's nothing in that blurb to tell me that the MC's perspective is in any way different from the casual micro-aggressions i have had to swallow for my whole life.
the origins of that abuse can be traced to everyone from random papi chulos on the street affectionately calling one another poncey faggots in lazy dominican spanish, aaaaaaaaall the way up to my own quite hilariously evangelical family, who once laughed in my fuckin face when i took the plunge and admitted that i'd always dreamed of the day i might be able to marry a man who loved me.
and that's the kind of bullshit i endure every single day.
in silence.
but not here.
***
to be fair, that's obviously something some nice lady in perth might not have had to worry too deeply about as she drafted her latest novel about White Boys Fucking Somewhere Temperate.
but regardless—a flawed synopsis that completely fails to make it clear that the first character it describes will undergo some sort of wholesome transformation and shed his aggressively neurotic homophobia—
a blurb that fails to make explicit that it's not, in fact, as it is everywhere else in my life, simply a given that it's perfectly fine for someone to speak or think that way about queer people like me—
well, that's gonna straight-up trigger a dude.
so i had beef.
its just.
...i'm thinking i might have been hella wrong about all the rest.
***
so please allow me to share my conclusions:
1. despite my intensely negative reaction to its blurb, i did not assign this book a spuriously shitty rating like some grimy bastard.
even though such an action is entirely in accordance with this site's terms of service, it so happens i don't like to do that sort of thing.
as some of you already have cause to know perfectly well.
i simply noted my reasons for choosing not to read it.
that's literally it.
now, that i did so with the, um, colorful and rrrrrrrobust vocabulary that is as much a part of my personhood as my lustrous and supple chest hair—
well.
that's completely beside the point.
bcuz:
i maintain the right not to read this book for any reason i please;
i maintain the right to complain about said book in three languages and two dialects across the entire span of my social media presence with or without the use of darkly amusing gifs;
and i maintain the right to do so in defense against unwonted jibber-jabber from anonymous internet entities, all day long and well into the next, until either sweet baby jesus comes to rapture me away or a rugged gentleman climbs me like a tree to stick his dick in my mouth.
2. trolls swept all up in here to abjure my choice not to read a book.
they seemed pretty pissed-off about both the presumed font of vulgar impropriety and the festering mental illness inside of me.
they also appear to have concluded that these things were the driving forces behind my decision to explain to my friends why i'd chosen to read a smutty fanfic about male pregnancy, instead.
honestly, i day-drink all the time—and i've still never quite been that bad at saying "greetings, fellow goodreads user! let us discuss this book as civilized persons, and my goodness, what lustrously supple-looking chest-hair you have."
3. ultimately, i do not feel responsible for what happens to books produced by famously indifferent publishers who can't edit prose for shite and whose blurbs are regularly, objectively terrible.
it's not my fault they don't know how to properly launch this author's book.
and it's not my fault a troupe of deranged circus animals decided to take matters into their own hands and shit on my head for a couple days, clearly hoping to cow me into submission as if i were some trembling dishcloth of a man instead of a stroppy latin homosexual with more backbone than money, who also sees no reason at all why he should ever again bow his head to meekly accept the abuse of boors and savages.
***
so.
y'know.
that.
***
and yet...
as this is the beginning of a third day of pointless internet dafuqery—
i find that i feel bad.
not because i know for a fact that some of these people behaving this way towards me are gay men who know what it feels like to perceive that someone wants to shove you back inside the closet you've already left behind.
what it feels like to look for love and joy in stories that are almost never written with you in mind.
what it's like to be asked to fucking kneel.
don't get me wrong. that they'd choose to nip at my heels like that despite their intimate understanding of both my nature and my concerns, all for the sake of a couple of harmless shots across the bow—
for shits and giggles?
that's despicable.
but that's not really why i feel bad.
people like that have been coming for me since my father caught me fooling around with another boy when i was ten and promptly tried to beat the demons out of me with an extension cord.
but i'm not that defenseless, anymore.
now?
now i am strong.
now, i have teeth.
***
so that's not it.
what's been nagging at me this whole time is that i know it can't have felt all that great to have seen my review space festooned in spirited caribbean outrage, and then to observe said review constantly refreshed with ancillary escandalos over a series of days as those hoydenish Opprobrium Deputies popped 'round a complete stranger's comment thread like tag-team wrestlers slipping in and out of the ring with metal folding chairs—first to ineffectively dispute my right to have an opinion on the internet, and then (when that appeared not to be a successful stratagem for sending me to the loo to weep brokenly atop the toilet) to dispute my capacity for the intelligence required to even form such an opinion in the first place.
and so, for all that?
i feel compelled to say...
my bad.
i was wrong. and i sincerely apologize, ms. kaye.
[nope, i wasn't wrong. see notes at the bottom of this review.
she's horrible, her books are horrible, and i am done discussing this rationally with people who are irrational.
her crimes are invisible to people who are privileged enough not to suffer for them.
we've all enjoyed problematic texts we didn't realize were painful for other people o read.
but the answer is not to tell those people they got it wrong or that they didn't read the books properly.
the answer is to listen.]
***
so, uh, as a gesture of my, y'know, et cetera:
to my goodreads buddies at large—maybe give this book a second chance, yeh?
if you haven't already.
i've heard it's basically a jolly nice read.
some people even go so far as to say it's delightful.
***
therefore, in the spirit of rapprochement—here is the author interviewing the main characters of this book, who actually don't seem all that toxic to my peace at all, really:
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
and here she is in turn being interviewed by another nice lady, explaining how the book came about:
http://michelefogal.com/author-interv...
and now, here is a heartfelt apology card meant exclusively—quite literally for no one else, you see—not ms. kaye, or her readers, or my lovely goodreads buddies, or any of the random people who might stumble upon this review for what i feel confident will be legit decades into the future—
i say again that i mean this token of my remorse exclusively, ex-clusively for the trolls my opinions happened to offend, as well as for those tacky-assed, juvenile, scrotum-faced, butt-licking, beeyoutchy reviewers who thought i'd somehow fail to notice all that salty, salty shade they were casting my way despite half the fucking internet cross-posting all of our shit all day long:
yeah, get in there, fellas.
zoom right in.
get a real good look at the detail on that badboy.
just for you, guys.
just you.
please, rest assured:
i mean the sentiments therein with all of my heart.
regards,
jülz.
——————————————————
previous review:
"He fully accepts that he’s gay, but doesn’t want to be one of those gays, who are femme and girly. He likes football and other masculine pursuits, and firmly avoids anything that could be seen as femme—including relationships that last beyond fifteen mi—"
NOPE.
for the jacked-up comma, if not the toxic femme-shaming horseshit.
fuck off.
__________
recent developments:
never mind, she's a fat-shaming, femme-shaming, bi-phobic lizard-person in a people-suit and i'm basically done with her forever.
eta: she deleted her post, but the internet never forgets. she basically said she didn't believe in bisexual romances and would really prefer they didn't exist. i have a full screenie.
eta eta: her books will hurt your spirit. defend them at your own peril.
further developments at the end of this review.
i've got trolls up my ass, and shitheads subbing me in their own reviews of this book with direct, verbatim quotes from mine, like utter assholes—but i'm writing today to explain that over the course of this day i have come to the conclusion that my initial impression of this book was probably mistaken.
to be clear, i'll go to my bloody grave criticizing this shitty blurb.
i didn't arrive at my erroneous ideas about this book because i'm crazy, or vicious, or actively looking for books to be mad at.
no, my problem here is that there's nothing in that blurb to tell me that the MC's perspective is in any way different from the casual micro-aggressions i have had to swallow for my whole life.
the origins of that abuse can be traced to everyone from random papi chulos on the street affectionately calling one another poncey faggots in lazy dominican spanish, aaaaaaaaall the way up to my own quite hilariously evangelical family, who once laughed in my fuckin face when i took the plunge and admitted that i'd always dreamed of the day i might be able to marry a man who loved me.
and that's the kind of bullshit i endure every single day.
in silence.
but not here.
***
to be fair, that's obviously something some nice lady in perth might not have had to worry too deeply about as she drafted her latest novel about White Boys Fucking Somewhere Temperate.
but regardless—a flawed synopsis that completely fails to make it clear that the first character it describes will undergo some sort of wholesome transformation and shed his aggressively neurotic homophobia—
a blurb that fails to make explicit that it's not, in fact, as it is everywhere else in my life, simply a given that it's perfectly fine for someone to speak or think that way about queer people like me—
well, that's gonna straight-up trigger a dude.
so i had beef.
its just.
...i'm thinking i might have been hella wrong about all the rest.
***
so please allow me to share my conclusions:
1. despite my intensely negative reaction to its blurb, i did not assign this book a spuriously shitty rating like some grimy bastard.
even though such an action is entirely in accordance with this site's terms of service, it so happens i don't like to do that sort of thing.
as some of you already have cause to know perfectly well.
i simply noted my reasons for choosing not to read it.
that's literally it.
now, that i did so with the, um, colorful and rrrrrrrobust vocabulary that is as much a part of my personhood as my lustrous and supple chest hair—
well.
that's completely beside the point.
bcuz:
i maintain the right not to read this book for any reason i please;
i maintain the right to complain about said book in three languages and two dialects across the entire span of my social media presence with or without the use of darkly amusing gifs;
and i maintain the right to do so in defense against unwonted jibber-jabber from anonymous internet entities, all day long and well into the next, until either sweet baby jesus comes to rapture me away or a rugged gentleman climbs me like a tree to stick his dick in my mouth.
2. trolls swept all up in here to abjure my choice not to read a book.
they seemed pretty pissed-off about both the presumed font of vulgar impropriety and the festering mental illness inside of me.
they also appear to have concluded that these things were the driving forces behind my decision to explain to my friends why i'd chosen to read a smutty fanfic about male pregnancy, instead.
honestly, i day-drink all the time—and i've still never quite been that bad at saying "greetings, fellow goodreads user! let us discuss this book as civilized persons, and my goodness, what lustrously supple-looking chest-hair you have."
3. ultimately, i do not feel responsible for what happens to books produced by famously indifferent publishers who can't edit prose for shite and whose blurbs are regularly, objectively terrible.
it's not my fault they don't know how to properly launch this author's book.
and it's not my fault a troupe of deranged circus animals decided to take matters into their own hands and shit on my head for a couple days, clearly hoping to cow me into submission as if i were some trembling dishcloth of a man instead of a stroppy latin homosexual with more backbone than money, who also sees no reason at all why he should ever again bow his head to meekly accept the abuse of boors and savages.
***
so.
y'know.
that.
***
and yet...
as this is the beginning of a third day of pointless internet dafuqery—
i find that i feel bad.
not because i know for a fact that some of these people behaving this way towards me are gay men who know what it feels like to perceive that someone wants to shove you back inside the closet you've already left behind.
what it feels like to look for love and joy in stories that are almost never written with you in mind.
what it's like to be asked to fucking kneel.
don't get me wrong. that they'd choose to nip at my heels like that despite their intimate understanding of both my nature and my concerns, all for the sake of a couple of harmless shots across the bow—
for shits and giggles?
that's despicable.
but that's not really why i feel bad.
people like that have been coming for me since my father caught me fooling around with another boy when i was ten and promptly tried to beat the demons out of me with an extension cord.
but i'm not that defenseless, anymore.
now?
now i am strong.
now, i have teeth.
***
so that's not it.
what's been nagging at me this whole time is that i know it can't have felt all that great to have seen my review space festooned in spirited caribbean outrage, and then to observe said review constantly refreshed with ancillary escandalos over a series of days as those hoydenish Opprobrium Deputies popped 'round a complete stranger's comment thread like tag-team wrestlers slipping in and out of the ring with metal folding chairs—first to ineffectively dispute my right to have an opinion on the internet, and then (when that appeared not to be a successful stratagem for sending me to the loo to weep brokenly atop the toilet) to dispute my capacity for the intelligence required to even form such an opinion in the first place.
and so, for all that?
i feel compelled to say...
i was wrong. and i sincerely apologize, ms. kaye.
[nope, i wasn't wrong. see notes at the bottom of this review.
she's horrible, her books are horrible, and i am done discussing this rationally with people who are irrational.
her crimes are invisible to people who are privileged enough not to suffer for them.
we've all enjoyed problematic texts we didn't realize were painful for other people o read.
but the answer is not to tell those people they got it wrong or that they didn't read the books properly.
the answer is to listen.]
***
to my goodreads buddies at large—maybe give this book a second chance, yeh?
if you haven't already.
i've heard it's basically a jolly nice read.
some people even go so far as to say it's delightful.
***
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
and here she is in turn being interviewed by another nice lady, explaining how the book came about:
http://michelefogal.com/author-interv...
and now, here is a heartfelt apology card meant exclusively—quite literally for no one else, you see—not ms. kaye, or her readers, or my lovely goodreads buddies, or any of the random people who might stumble upon this review for what i feel confident will be legit decades into the future—
i say again that i mean this token of my remorse exclusively, ex-clusively for the trolls my opinions happened to offend, as well as for those tacky-assed, juvenile, scrotum-faced, butt-licking, beeyoutchy reviewers who thought i'd somehow fail to notice all that salty, salty shade they were casting my way despite half the fucking internet cross-posting all of our shit all day long:
yeah, get in there, fellas.
zoom right in.
get a real good look at the detail on that badboy.
just for you, guys.
just you.
please, rest assured:
i mean the sentiments therein with all of my heart.
regards,
jülz.
——————————————————
previous review:
"He fully accepts that he’s gay, but doesn’t want to be one of those gays, who are femme and girly. He likes football and other masculine pursuits, and firmly avoids anything that could be seen as femme—including relationships that last beyond fifteen mi—"
NOPE.
for the jacked-up comma, if not the toxic femme-shaming horseshit.
fuck off.
__________
recent developments:
never mind, she's a fat-shaming, femme-shaming, bi-phobic lizard-person in a people-suit and i'm basically done with her forever.
eta: she deleted her post, but the internet never forgets. she basically said she didn't believe in bisexual romances and would really prefer they didn't exist. i have a full screenie.
eta eta: her books will hurt your spirit. defend them at your own peril.
September 14, 2025
When I first heard Renae Kaye was writing a story based on a character in The Blinding Light I was excited. When I learned it was Dave "Davo" Pederson, who only had a really short amount of page time, I was skeptical...mostly because Davo was kind of a dick.
I didn't need to worry as Kaye brings this self-admitted "top only" to life and made me love him.
What happens when a bright, innocent eleven year old boy who loves playing with his My Little Pony collection, which he had lovingly looked after for years, and who loves playing Barbie dolls with his sister is bashed repeatedly at school and ridiculed by the sports teacher, who also happens to be the disciplinarian for the boys and eggs the boys on to use force to show their opinions of boys weaker than them?
Well, what happened was Davo "You can call me Davo. ‘Dave’ is just for the ladies and work situations. My friends call me Davo, or Idiot, or Arsehole. So I answer to all three." Pederson learned to eschew anything feminine.
Davo "kept playing football. I wore all black and swore like a sailor. I refused to have any friend at school who was even a touch feminine (because it might rub off on me). I also refused to have anything to do with anyone who was a homophobe. So my friendship group was reduced to two people—Thor and Harry."
Because Davo isolates himself from anything not manly enough he really doesn't know better. As my mum would say, "He's thick, but not stupid." When something is explained about why his thinking is wrong he learns it quickly and adapts.
When Davo first meets Lee Brennan, Lee's dressed as a woman and Davo and Lee end up blind drunk and Davo winds up taking her home.
Davo doesn't remember any details, but when their hook-up is repeated the following weekend Davo is absolutely confused. Because Davo knows he's gay. G-A-Y. Girls Are Yucky! But....something about Lee just keeps Davo enthralled like a moth to a flame.
His friends Jake and Patrick offer him advice to call Lee up and give it a shot.
So, like always, when he's in need of answers he turns to his oracle...Mr. Magic 8 Ball. *snickers* Yes. That Magic 8 Ball.
Thankfully, Mr. Magic 8 Ball encourages Davo to pursue Lee. Then Davo learns Lee is actually a guy. A gay guy who also occasionally likes to dress in women's clothing. And just like that, Davo's world is turned upside down.
The humor in this is good and you're usually left laughing at Davo and his cluelessness but Kaye usually reigns it in and keeps it from going too over the top.
Lee constantly (yet subtly) pushes Davo's boundaries and slowly begins to teach him just how badly a mental job Mr. Henley, the sports teacher in primary school, did on him.
Lee teaches Davo that there's no one to hold him back from loving pink, and femme, and all the things he's pushed away for years.
I have few complaints. Though there's a scene late in the story with Davo's friend Thor and Thor's girlfriend, Charlotte. It didn't really make a lot of sense other than a possible setup for Thor in another story (which doesn't make sense as Thor is completely straight)... so it was just odd and gross and awkward.
I loved getting to spend time with Jake and Patrick, and their beautiful daughter Maxine. There is no angst in this. There's no miscommunication. And folks? The strip tease scene? All I can say is DAMN.
Romance, humor, very little angst, and some very hot sexy times. RECOMMENDED!
Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by Renae Kaye and Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
I didn't need to worry as Kaye brings this self-admitted "top only" to life and made me love him.
What happens when a bright, innocent eleven year old boy who loves playing with his My Little Pony collection, which he had lovingly looked after for years, and who loves playing Barbie dolls with his sister is bashed repeatedly at school and ridiculed by the sports teacher, who also happens to be the disciplinarian for the boys and eggs the boys on to use force to show their opinions of boys weaker than them?
Well, what happened was Davo "You can call me Davo. ‘Dave’ is just for the ladies and work situations. My friends call me Davo, or Idiot, or Arsehole. So I answer to all three." Pederson learned to eschew anything feminine.
Davo "kept playing football. I wore all black and swore like a sailor. I refused to have any friend at school who was even a touch feminine (because it might rub off on me). I also refused to have anything to do with anyone who was a homophobe. So my friendship group was reduced to two people—Thor and Harry."
Because Davo isolates himself from anything not manly enough he really doesn't know better. As my mum would say, "He's thick, but not stupid." When something is explained about why his thinking is wrong he learns it quickly and adapts.
When Davo first meets Lee Brennan, Lee's dressed as a woman and Davo and Lee end up blind drunk and Davo winds up taking her home.
Davo doesn't remember any details, but when their hook-up is repeated the following weekend Davo is absolutely confused. Because Davo knows he's gay. G-A-Y. Girls Are Yucky! But....something about Lee just keeps Davo enthralled like a moth to a flame.
His friends Jake and Patrick offer him advice to call Lee up and give it a shot.
“Lee. Ring her. Make a date. Jake will agree with me. If the attraction is this strong, then go for it. Always trust nature. And really, what do you have to lose?”
“But I’m gay.”
“Trust nature, Davo. Biology never gets it wrong.”
So, like always, when he's in need of answers he turns to his oracle...Mr. Magic 8 Ball. *snickers* Yes. That Magic 8 Ball.
Thankfully, Mr. Magic 8 Ball encourages Davo to pursue Lee. Then Davo learns Lee is actually a guy. A gay guy who also occasionally likes to dress in women's clothing. And just like that, Davo's world is turned upside down.
The humor in this is good and you're usually left laughing at Davo and his cluelessness but Kaye usually reigns it in and keeps it from going too over the top.
Lee constantly (yet subtly) pushes Davo's boundaries and slowly begins to teach him just how badly a mental job Mr. Henley, the sports teacher in primary school, did on him.
“He’s not a misogynist...I’ll tell you it this way—it’s not that he doesn’t like girls, it’s just that someone once made him feel like less than a man. And he’s taken that, and skewed it, and reworked it more than a ball of Play-doh. So now he’s confused as to what he wants.”
Lee teaches Davo that there's no one to hold him back from loving pink, and femme, and all the things he's pushed away for years.
“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Lee said. “The possibilities are endless when you accept that there are no set limits, no set rules. That you can do anything you want and stuff the rest of the world.”
I have few complaints. Though there's a scene late in the story with Davo's friend Thor and Thor's girlfriend, Charlotte. It didn't really make a lot of sense other than a possible setup for Thor in another story (which doesn't make sense as Thor is completely straight)... so it was just odd and gross and awkward.
I loved getting to spend time with Jake and Patrick, and their beautiful daughter Maxine. There is no angst in this. There's no miscommunication. And folks? The strip tease scene? All I can say is DAMN.
Romance, humor, very little angst, and some very hot sexy times. RECOMMENDED!
Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by Renae Kaye and Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
August 4, 2015
This book is...SO FREAKING ADORABLE! I can't even!
Ok, admittedly, in the beginning, I thought..."are you kidding me?" Here's Davo, a macho teen who becomes a man who admits to being gay, but not that kind of gay, who's mantra is "I may like dick, but I'm not a pussy", and who shuns all things "femme". WHAT. A. JERK...right?
Not so fast.
Ok, admittedly, in the beginning when Davo meets Lee, I thought..."oh this will be a book about a trans character". Here's Lee adorned in a gorgeous, sexy dress befriending Davo. And here's Bobby, a slight male in an ill-fitting suit. And there's a lot of me trying to guess what this books is really gonna be about.
Let's slow it down.
This story is unexpected. It's sweet as can be. It's a lesson in learning. It's romantic as all get-out. It's about the normalcy of queer life...falling in love, raising kids, being who you are, and the Jerry McGuire "you complete me" bits. I mean, with lines like "I'm yours. My hearts yours. We love you." it's pretty much impossible not to be reduced to a puddle of goo.
This story is also hilarious. Davo relies on his oracle, Mr. Magic 8 ball...oh yes, you know the one:
Ok, admittedly, in the beginning, I thought..."are you kidding me?" Here's Davo, a macho teen who becomes a man who admits to being gay, but not that kind of gay, who's mantra is "I may like dick, but I'm not a pussy", and who shuns all things "femme". WHAT. A. JERK...right?
Not so fast.
Ok, admittedly, in the beginning when Davo meets Lee, I thought..."oh this will be a book about a trans character". Here's Lee adorned in a gorgeous, sexy dress befriending Davo. And here's Bobby, a slight male in an ill-fitting suit. And there's a lot of me trying to guess what this books is really gonna be about.
Let's slow it down.
This story is unexpected. It's sweet as can be. It's a lesson in learning. It's romantic as all get-out. It's about the normalcy of queer life...falling in love, raising kids, being who you are, and the Jerry McGuire "you complete me" bits. I mean, with lines like "I'm yours. My hearts yours. We love you." it's pretty much impossible not to be reduced to a puddle of goo.
This story is also hilarious. Davo relies on his oracle, Mr. Magic 8 ball...oh yes, you know the one:
...to tell him what to do in matters of the heart. It's adorable how he relies on this thing. And it's pretty darn funny. Slightly pathetic. But definitely good for a laugh. Or how about when Davo gets frustrated with his idiot, "arse-holic" co-worker? What's arse-holic, you ask? "...all you need to know about arse-holic mouths is that they can't stop themselves from spewing shit." (<-one of my favorites lines from the book...and a word I shall use often...)
My one niggle with this book was an out-of-nowhere dark moment with a character named Cynthia. And though I won't share the details, I have a feeling you might also think "where the heck did that come from?"...and WHY? It felt like I accidentally opened another book for a few pages... *shrugs*...it is what it is, I guess.
In any case, this book made me smile huge and had the signature Renae Kaye wit. You also get lots of Jake and Patrick from book 1, The Blinding Light. And an adorable rugrat named Maxine who may have stolen Davo's heart...and mine along with it.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! ENJOY!
March 31, 2020
Audio 5 stars
Story....4.5 stars
Story....4.5 stars
August 7, 2015
This was another light, fun, romance from Renae Kaye. It works as a standalone, but if you’ve read The Blinding Light, you will be happy to know that Patrick and Jake are back and have plenty of page time along with Lee and Davo.
Davo likes being gay, is out to his family, but he doesn’t want people to be able to tell he’s gay by looking at him. His dislike of all things “girly” – even on Jake and Patrick’s baby girl – also has him rationalizing that relationships are girly, therefore not for him. This aversion doesn’t actually extend to women though. In fact he has an unexplainable, almost immediate attraction to Lee, when he believes Lee to be a woman. He even fears that Lee is turning him straight. When Lee comes clean about his gender, Davo is more upset by the fact that Lee told him a lie, not what the lie was about.
Davo confused me a bit at the start and came off as an ass. I wasn’t sure if he was a misogynist, a femme shamer, a good guy or a bad guy. That didn’t last too long. Davo isn’t a bad guy, he’s just a man who had an idea planted in his head when he was young and twenty years later, has had no reason to change. Now Lee comes along and Lee is that reason.
Lee is a sweetheart. He is smart, easygoing, works at a Drop-In Center for LGBTQ teens and sometimes likes to wear dresses. He feels bad about having misled Davo so when he calls in a panic for help babysitting, Lee is there for him. Lee really has his eyes opened to Davo’s neuroses and wonders if Davo is actually a gay homophobe. Lee quickly sees through Davo’s insensitive remarks and is committed to opening his eyes, by bartering for a guarantee of three future dates to work with.
The two MC’s have a sizzling sexual tension between them and get along very well. Their conversations are both humorous and eye opening as is Davo’s reliance on his trusted oracle, Mr. Magic 8 Ball. I really enjoyed watching Lee break down Davo’s barriers from PDA, being seen with a man in makeup, attending an obviously gay event and even Davo caring about his partner’s pleasure in bed. I never knew what Lee was going to try next. When Davo finally gets up the nerve to test the biggest barrier in their relationship, Lee’s cross dressing, it ends in one of the hottest striptease and sex scenes I’ve read.
In addition to the support of Patrick and Jake, both men have accepting and loving families, which is always great to see. In fact, Lee’s mother Charlotte has an awesome mama bear protecting her cub moment that had me cheering out loud.
As much as I loved the characters and enjoyed the story, there is something that occurs towards the end of the story that has been bothering me since I finished the book.
There is a scene of an attempted sexual assault that plays out. At no time during or after the incident is there any discussion of bringing in the police or filing a report even with the knowledge that this was at least the third such attack by this person. I’m not offended by the plot point itself, but it didn’t feel true to the way I expected the characters to act, especially in light of Lee’s job helping teens who are so at risk for abuse and assault.
With that being said, it doesn’t negate the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. Renae Kaye writes books that always entertain and turn up the heat and this was no different. I thought the epilogue, with Davo’s gift to baby Maxine was particularly sweet and did a great job of bringing Davo’s story full circle.
Full review originally posted at Sinfully...Addicted to All Male Romance
Davo likes being gay, is out to his family, but he doesn’t want people to be able to tell he’s gay by looking at him. His dislike of all things “girly” – even on Jake and Patrick’s baby girl – also has him rationalizing that relationships are girly, therefore not for him. This aversion doesn’t actually extend to women though. In fact he has an unexplainable, almost immediate attraction to Lee, when he believes Lee to be a woman. He even fears that Lee is turning him straight. When Lee comes clean about his gender, Davo is more upset by the fact that Lee told him a lie, not what the lie was about.
Davo confused me a bit at the start and came off as an ass. I wasn’t sure if he was a misogynist, a femme shamer, a good guy or a bad guy. That didn’t last too long. Davo isn’t a bad guy, he’s just a man who had an idea planted in his head when he was young and twenty years later, has had no reason to change. Now Lee comes along and Lee is that reason.
Lee is a sweetheart. He is smart, easygoing, works at a Drop-In Center for LGBTQ teens and sometimes likes to wear dresses. He feels bad about having misled Davo so when he calls in a panic for help babysitting, Lee is there for him. Lee really has his eyes opened to Davo’s neuroses and wonders if Davo is actually a gay homophobe. Lee quickly sees through Davo’s insensitive remarks and is committed to opening his eyes, by bartering for a guarantee of three future dates to work with.
The two MC’s have a sizzling sexual tension between them and get along very well. Their conversations are both humorous and eye opening as is Davo’s reliance on his trusted oracle, Mr. Magic 8 Ball. I really enjoyed watching Lee break down Davo’s barriers from PDA, being seen with a man in makeup, attending an obviously gay event and even Davo caring about his partner’s pleasure in bed. I never knew what Lee was going to try next. When Davo finally gets up the nerve to test the biggest barrier in their relationship, Lee’s cross dressing, it ends in one of the hottest striptease and sex scenes I’ve read.
In addition to the support of Patrick and Jake, both men have accepting and loving families, which is always great to see. In fact, Lee’s mother Charlotte has an awesome mama bear protecting her cub moment that had me cheering out loud.
As much as I loved the characters and enjoyed the story, there is something that occurs towards the end of the story that has been bothering me since I finished the book.
There is a scene of an attempted sexual assault that plays out. At no time during or after the incident is there any discussion of bringing in the police or filing a report even with the knowledge that this was at least the third such attack by this person. I’m not offended by the plot point itself, but it didn’t feel true to the way I expected the characters to act, especially in light of Lee’s job helping teens who are so at risk for abuse and assault.
With that being said, it doesn’t negate the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. Renae Kaye writes books that always entertain and turn up the heat and this was no different. I thought the epilogue, with Davo’s gift to baby Maxine was particularly sweet and did a great job of bringing Davo’s story full circle.
Full review originally posted at Sinfully...Addicted to All Male Romance
June 25, 2018
This can be read as a stand-alone.
Loved loved loved this book.
Dave came out when he was fifteen. But due to some bad experiences in his past he has this motto.
I may like dick, but I’m not a pussy.
So he shuns everything pink and he certainly doesn’t want to be associated with femme guys. He is Davo, big masculine Davo. Gay, but not girly.
Dave is massively confused when he meets a woman one night. Lee is gorgeous and very feminine. But Dave can’t help himself, he is extremely attracted to Lee. Is he straight after all?
Being straight was the ultimate horror. What would people say about me? Would I be shunned? What would Dad say?
When it turns out Lee is a guy, Dave is not happy Lee lied to him. He doesn’t get Lee. Lee is a man, gay and doesn’t want to be a woman, but just dresses up like one occasionally.
Dave was awesome! He did have some issues, but he was so sweet and had such a big heart I could never be mad at him for anything. Lee felt the same way. He did feel sad sometimes when Dave said things like, ‘but that is too gay’. But Lee knew Dave was that way because of some bigoted people in his childhood.
The development Dave goes through and the things he realizes because of Lee were amazing.
I loved everyone in this book. The families, the friends, Jake and Patrick, and of course little Maxine with the pink onesies.
I had so much fun reading about these guys. They were hilarious.
“Okay. I’ll open the door, and then you run for the bedroom. If I catch you before you get there, sorry, but you’re getting fucked on the ground again.”
Renae Kaye just had this talent to write sweet books without it being sugary sweet. This is one of those incredible feel good books I will be reading over and over again.
Loved loved loved this book.
Dave came out when he was fifteen. But due to some bad experiences in his past he has this motto.
I may like dick, but I’m not a pussy.
So he shuns everything pink and he certainly doesn’t want to be associated with femme guys. He is Davo, big masculine Davo. Gay, but not girly.
Dave is massively confused when he meets a woman one night. Lee is gorgeous and very feminine. But Dave can’t help himself, he is extremely attracted to Lee. Is he straight after all?
Being straight was the ultimate horror. What would people say about me? Would I be shunned? What would Dad say?
When it turns out Lee is a guy, Dave is not happy Lee lied to him. He doesn’t get Lee. Lee is a man, gay and doesn’t want to be a woman, but just dresses up like one occasionally.
Dave was awesome! He did have some issues, but he was so sweet and had such a big heart I could never be mad at him for anything. Lee felt the same way. He did feel sad sometimes when Dave said things like, ‘but that is too gay’. But Lee knew Dave was that way because of some bigoted people in his childhood.
The development Dave goes through and the things he realizes because of Lee were amazing.
I loved everyone in this book. The families, the friends, Jake and Patrick, and of course little Maxine with the pink onesies.
I had so much fun reading about these guys. They were hilarious.
“Okay. I’ll open the door, and then you run for the bedroom. If I catch you before you get there, sorry, but you’re getting fucked on the ground again.”
Renae Kaye just had this talent to write sweet books without it being sugary sweet. This is one of those incredible feel good books I will be reading over and over again.
August 10, 2015
*4.5 -my little pony- stars*
This story is exactly what the end of the blurb states : " Davo's long journey to where he can accept himself without caring what everyone else thinks."
In the beginning of this book, Davo is allergic to anything pink, femme or generally not manly. He refuses to be like "these gays" and he doesn't want to be seen with them. He does't want their effeminate ways to rub off on him or people to misunderstand him.
So it makes no sense when he is suddenly attracted to a woman. It still doesn't make sense when that woman turns out to be a guy who likes to wear dresses. Because Davo doesn't do femme, remember?
The truth is that Davo was bullied as a kid and Kaye did an amazing job showing how this can translate to self hatred in a child's mind, especially when the bullying comes from a person that has the power, like a teacher (btw I wanted to smash that asshole's head).
But Lee, with his dresses and his red hair and exuberant ways is like sunshine and Davo can't stay away. And so the journey begins. Davo realises what he 's been doing, he is ashamed, he admits and changes.
This transition from an ignorant man who unintentionally hurts others, to a man who tell his partner " wear a dress tonight, I'm taking you out", was portrayed beautifully. And I felt so proud of him.
"When Lee’s eyes went wide and he looked at me with eagerness and astonishment, I knew why the man named Davo had changed. Because the man named Lee had shown him something different.'
Lee was an amazing character, I loved everything about him. Lee, Jake and Patrick, even the baby Maxine played a major role to the story.
My only niggle is that I didn't understand
Overall, this was an amazing story with a big message.
“It’s scary, isn’t it?” Lee said. “The possibilities are endless when you accept that there are no set limits, no set rules. That you can do anything you want and stuff the rest of the world.”
August 15, 2015
4.5 stars
This was great! If there's one thing Renae Kaye knows how to do well, it's charm. This charmed the pants off me! Reminiscent of her first book, Loving Jay, Davo and Lee were an adorable couple who I couldn't get enough of. I was afraid that Davo was going to be a total prick but he turned out to be such a sweet and endearing, if a bit misguided, man. I want more!
August 24, 2015
4.5 stars!
Another Renae Kaye! Yay!
I’m seriously addicted to Renae Kaye’s books. Every time she manages to write something that I fall in love with. She’s one of my auto-buy authors and jumped onto my favorite author list after only a couple of books. Yes, she really is that good.
You Are the Reason is the second book in The Tav series. It’s the sequel/spin off to The Blinding Light, which is another great Renae Kaye book.
Davo is our MC. Davo hates all things pink and girly. He can come off as a bit of an ass, but when you find out why he is the way he is, you can’t help but feel bad for him.
Lee is the polar opposite of Davo. He likes feminine things and isn’t afraid to show it.
When Davo meets Lee, he mistakes him for a woman because Lee was dressed in drag. Easy mistake to make. This freaks him out because he’s never been attracted to a woman before. Things are very complicated…until he finds out Lee is a man.
I really enjoyed Davo and Lee together. They were sweet and Lee helped Davo grow. He tried new things and became more open and accepting, which was beautiful to watch.
We see Patrick and Jake from the first book, too, and their daughter who Davo couldn’t help but fall in love with, even if he doesn’t do babies. Maxine is in this book quite a bit, but I enjoyed the scenes with her, though not everyone will.
I’m really glad the author wrote Davo’s story. Not only did it show some amazing character growth, which I thought was beautiful, but it left me with a smile on my face and a warm and fuzzy feeling that will not be going away. This is one girl who, as always, can’t wait to see what she writes next!
A copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Another Renae Kaye! Yay!
I’m seriously addicted to Renae Kaye’s books. Every time she manages to write something that I fall in love with. She’s one of my auto-buy authors and jumped onto my favorite author list after only a couple of books. Yes, she really is that good.
You Are the Reason is the second book in The Tav series. It’s the sequel/spin off to The Blinding Light, which is another great Renae Kaye book.
Davo is our MC. Davo hates all things pink and girly. He can come off as a bit of an ass, but when you find out why he is the way he is, you can’t help but feel bad for him.
Lee is the polar opposite of Davo. He likes feminine things and isn’t afraid to show it.
When Davo meets Lee, he mistakes him for a woman because Lee was dressed in drag. Easy mistake to make. This freaks him out because he’s never been attracted to a woman before. Things are very complicated…until he finds out Lee is a man.
I really enjoyed Davo and Lee together. They were sweet and Lee helped Davo grow. He tried new things and became more open and accepting, which was beautiful to watch.
When I was eleven years old, I worked out what it was to be gay.
When I was twenty seven years old, I understood that being gay was a matter of mechanics. But being Davo meant doing what I felt was right. To me.
We see Patrick and Jake from the first book, too, and their daughter who Davo couldn’t help but fall in love with, even if he doesn’t do babies. Maxine is in this book quite a bit, but I enjoyed the scenes with her, though not everyone will.
I’m really glad the author wrote Davo’s story. Not only did it show some amazing character growth, which I thought was beautiful, but it left me with a smile on my face and a warm and fuzzy feeling that will not be going away. This is one girl who, as always, can’t wait to see what she writes next!
A copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 18, 2016
Me da mucha pena poner estas puntuaciones, fundamentalmente por los personajes, que me han gustado mucho y a los que tomas cariño, pero si soy honesta conmigo mismo no puedo poner más.
Varias cosas no me han gustado en la historia. Primero está ese comienzo en el que Davo no sabe que Lee es un hombre. Ya de por sí, esto me resulta un poco difícil de creer tal y como se cuenta, pero lo que he encontrado muy problemático son esos pensamientos de Davo al respecto, temiendo haberse convertido en heterosexual (¿?). La sexualidad es muy complicada, yo creo firmemente que es distinta en cada uno de nosotros, pero no soy una experta ni lo pretendo, no entiendo muy bien cómo Davo se siente atraído, pero una vez que lo hace supongo yo que lo que se preguntará es si es bisexual, ¿no? En serio, ¿heterosexual? si se viera atraído en ese momento por una mujer ¿eso haría que desapareciera de repente toda atracción que había sentido anteriormente hacia los hombres, o que seguia sintiendo? Es absurdo, es simplificar la sexualidad entre heterosexual u homosexual. No. En todo caso, para empezar, podría preguntarse si es bisexual. Primer punto problemático que me hace fruncir el ceño.
Sigo con la lectura, y aunque la relación entre los dos protagonistas principales me gusta, la veo salpicada con un montón de tópicos, con diferentes asuntos relacionados con las dificultades que se encuentra la comunidad LGBT+ (la situación que aborda la violación de hombres es tan WTF que no tengo palabras, parecía una broma dentro de la trama, una escena, cuanto menos, absurda), en ciertos momentos parece un panfleto de lo políticamente correcto para esta comunidad. Todos esos asuntos que trata la autora muy superficialmente se merecen un análisis más profundo, no meterlos de cualquier manera en la trama para que parezca lo comprometido que es el libro o el autor con la causa. No. Fail.
En su momento leí Loving Jay y me encantó, era una historia sencilla, sin más pretensiones, creo que Renae se debería haber quedado ahí. El intentar dar lecciones a veces lleva a situaciones WTF que hacen que el libro, sencillamente, no funcione.
Varias cosas no me han gustado en la historia. Primero está ese comienzo en el que Davo no sabe que Lee es un hombre. Ya de por sí, esto me resulta un poco difícil de creer tal y como se cuenta, pero lo que he encontrado muy problemático son esos pensamientos de Davo al respecto, temiendo haberse convertido en heterosexual (¿?). La sexualidad es muy complicada, yo creo firmemente que es distinta en cada uno de nosotros, pero no soy una experta ni lo pretendo, no entiendo muy bien cómo Davo se siente atraído, pero una vez que lo hace supongo yo que lo que se preguntará es si es bisexual, ¿no? En serio, ¿heterosexual? si se viera atraído en ese momento por una mujer ¿eso haría que desapareciera de repente toda atracción que había sentido anteriormente hacia los hombres, o que seguia sintiendo? Es absurdo, es simplificar la sexualidad entre heterosexual u homosexual. No. En todo caso, para empezar, podría preguntarse si es bisexual. Primer punto problemático que me hace fruncir el ceño.
Sigo con la lectura, y aunque la relación entre los dos protagonistas principales me gusta, la veo salpicada con un montón de tópicos, con diferentes asuntos relacionados con las dificultades que se encuentra la comunidad LGBT+ (la situación que aborda la violación de hombres es tan WTF que no tengo palabras, parecía una broma dentro de la trama, una escena, cuanto menos, absurda), en ciertos momentos parece un panfleto de lo políticamente correcto para esta comunidad. Todos esos asuntos que trata la autora muy superficialmente se merecen un análisis más profundo, no meterlos de cualquier manera en la trama para que parezca lo comprometido que es el libro o el autor con la causa. No. Fail.
En su momento leí Loving Jay y me encantó, era una historia sencilla, sin más pretensiones, creo que Renae se debería haber quedado ahí. El intentar dar lecciones a veces lleva a situaciones WTF que hacen que el libro, sencillamente, no funcione.
August 9, 2015
4.5
I went into this not expecting to like it because I didn't like the sample chapter but colour me surprised because I enjoyed it more than the first one. Jake, Patrick and baby Maxine have strong cameos which made me feel better about their story which I felt ended oddly.
Davo turned out to be quite the charmer and he and Lee had a great story. Quite pleased with how this read turned out.
I'd say the only odd thing here was the bit with Thor's girlfriend which was creepy and uncomfortable.
I went into this not expecting to like it because I didn't like the sample chapter but colour me surprised because I enjoyed it more than the first one. Jake, Patrick and baby Maxine have strong cameos which made me feel better about their story which I felt ended oddly.
Davo turned out to be quite the charmer and he and Lee had a great story. Quite pleased with how this read turned out.
I'd say the only odd thing here was the bit with Thor's girlfriend which was creepy and uncomfortable.
August 9, 2015
~3.5 Stars~
March 14, 2016
There really are a lot of wonderful reviews out there about this book so I'm probably going to keep this short. My friend, Jewel wrote a lovely review (posted on GR) and as she said you really don't need to read 'The Blinding Light' first (it's book #1 in this series) and apparently I decided to prove that she knew what she was talking about on that one because I didn't read it first I read it after reading this book.
Anyways, back to this book. 'You Are The Reason' is a fantastic story about Davo finding not only love but himself. Davo shows us that sometimes the way a person sees the world is more of a reflection of how they feel about themselves. He has so many preconceived and biased ideals about what is and isn't acceptable behavior for a gay man. Not because it's truly how he feels but like so many of us it's a reflection of the influences in his life from his youth. In spite of having pretty awesome parents not all of Davo's roll models were good. Problem is he can't keep the ideals that came from his youth and have the man he loves.
Lee is...well, Lee is simply fantastic. He is who he is very unapologetically and in his own way Lee is larger than life and he's determined to break down Davo's walls and help him become comfortable in his own skin. Lee is also a product of his environment and he grew up surrounded by love and acceptance.
Together these two men are heat and passion and just totally combustible.
What I didn't like about this book was the blurb, it did not do this story justice. I bought the book because it was Renae Kaye and I've read a couple of other books by her that I really liked and I can honestly say now I've read yet another book by her that I really, really like...actually 2 because I read 'The Blinding Light' right after this one but that's another review.
'You Are The Reason' is a wonderful story about finding love and finding yourself along the way. I would definitely highly recommend it and as my friend Jewel said you don't have to read 'The Blinding Light' but you will definitely have a better appreciation of some of the secondary characters if you do.
Anyways, back to this book. 'You Are The Reason' is a fantastic story about Davo finding not only love but himself. Davo shows us that sometimes the way a person sees the world is more of a reflection of how they feel about themselves. He has so many preconceived and biased ideals about what is and isn't acceptable behavior for a gay man. Not because it's truly how he feels but like so many of us it's a reflection of the influences in his life from his youth. In spite of having pretty awesome parents not all of Davo's roll models were good. Problem is he can't keep the ideals that came from his youth and have the man he loves.
Lee is...well, Lee is simply fantastic. He is who he is very unapologetically and in his own way Lee is larger than life and he's determined to break down Davo's walls and help him become comfortable in his own skin. Lee is also a product of his environment and he grew up surrounded by love and acceptance.
Together these two men are heat and passion and just totally combustible.
What I didn't like about this book was the blurb, it did not do this story justice. I bought the book because it was Renae Kaye and I've read a couple of other books by her that I really liked and I can honestly say now I've read yet another book by her that I really, really like...actually 2 because I read 'The Blinding Light' right after this one but that's another review.
'You Are The Reason' is a wonderful story about finding love and finding yourself along the way. I would definitely highly recommend it and as my friend Jewel said you don't have to read 'The Blinding Light' but you will definitely have a better appreciation of some of the secondary characters if you do.
August 10, 2015
Ok, so here I am again and again I'm having my niggles. Obviously and sadly I cannot finish without them. Anyway, here we go: Although I appreciated meeting again with Jake and Patrick, meeting their baby Maxine was rather over the top. I like babies as long as I don't have to care for them (been there done that) but here she was written as the 5th most important character. Em, yes. More baby-stuff than I wanted to read about.
The other thing that got on my nerves was the whole secret-around-the-cross-dressing especially as it was already mentioned in the blurb! WTH was that all about??? And then no dress-wearing until the final chapter? Another thing not adding up.
Next the whole Magic-8-ball stuff. Funny for a time but in the end I thought - hey, how old are you btw? 15???
Then there was the WTH? development with the best friend's wife - totally unnecessary for any story-development AT ALL.
The only thing I totally loved and what was the reason for reading this in record time, that was Davo and Lee together. They had a great chemistry and I especially loved the way Davo moved on, after each of his roadblocks he stopped, thought about it and then put it aside and moved on. Yes, that I totally loved.
In the end I think, for all the very nice, believable moving-forward of the storyline, because of the niggles I had reading along - I felt rather bewildered.
I found quite often this whole book had a preachy undertone that got on my nerves.
This read was not really well-rounded. Therefore I'll stick with 3 stars.
The other thing that got on my nerves was the whole secret-around-the-cross-dressing especially as it was already mentioned in the blurb! WTH was that all about??? And then no dress-wearing until the final chapter? Another thing not adding up.
Next the whole Magic-8-ball stuff. Funny for a time but in the end I thought - hey, how old are you btw? 15???
Then there was the WTH? development with the best friend's wife - totally unnecessary for any story-development AT ALL.
The only thing I totally loved and what was the reason for reading this in record time, that was Davo and Lee together. They had a great chemistry and I especially loved the way Davo moved on, after each of his roadblocks he stopped, thought about it and then put it aside and moved on. Yes, that I totally loved.
In the end I think, for all the very nice, believable moving-forward of the storyline, because of the niggles I had reading along - I felt rather bewildered.
I found quite often this whole book had a preachy undertone that got on my nerves.
This read was not really well-rounded. Therefore I'll stick with 3 stars.
January 20, 2016
*** 4.25 Stars ***
Even better than the first book in the series. The Blinding Light had more humour and sweetness, but I found You Are the Reason to be a more substantial story. Now, if only I could erase that one scene...
Even better than the first book in the series. The Blinding Light had more humour and sweetness, but I found You Are the Reason to be a more substantial story. Now, if only I could erase that one scene...
Read
April 24, 2022DNF @ 62%
It started out so well that I even thought this would be a five-star read for me, and I really liked Lee, with his utter sweetness that laden the story, but it turned out there was a lot of ‘baby talks’. Don't get me wrong. I like babies, but not much, if that makes any sense, and I don't like to read one-third of the story about baby stuff, and at the same time, I didn't want to DNF this for the sake of Lee, but I can't go on with it right now.
It started out so well that I even thought this would be a five-star read for me, and I really liked Lee, with his utter sweetness that laden the story, but it turned out there was a lot of ‘baby talks’. Don't get me wrong. I like babies, but not much, if that makes any sense, and I don't like to read one-third of the story about baby stuff, and at the same time, I didn't want to DNF this for the sake of Lee, but I can't go on with it right now.
August 4, 2015
4.5 stars
Wow. Just wow. This may very well be my favorite book by Renae Kaye, and we’re talking about the person who wrote Loving Jay, Shearing Gun, and Blinding Light, the first book in this series. All of these books are my favorites so to have her actually exceed my very high expectations is an unusual thing indeed.
We first met Davo in Blinding Light as Jake’s best friend, but although he was there with a decent advice when one was needed the most, he didn’t get much chance to shine. But even if he were given more time, Davo simply isn’t a character that shines at first (or even third) sight. He seems pretty ordinary on the surface, but deep underneath is a complex and truly stupendous character.
When Davo meets Lee in his favorite bar, he is surprised by how much he likes the gorgeous and entertaining woman. Yes, you read that right – woman. He is also insanely attracted to her, which is a first for him, and more than ready to succumb to his desires. The first time can be written off as a fluke caused by alcohol, but the second and the third are really mind-boggling. However, Lee isn’t actually a woman at all, he is just a petite gay man who occasionally dresses like a woman. Not transgender at all, but a cross-dresser on rare occasions. A wonderful, confident, intelligent man with a strong sense of self and a desire to help others.
For Davo, who’s been bullied into believing that everything typically “girlie” is inherently wrong, this development is even worse than falling for a woman. He likes men, but he likes his men safe and manly, not small, delicate and feminine. The idea of a man dressed as a woman, a man so obviously gay even when he’s in his regular clothes, terrifies him to no end. Luckily, he’s not left to figure it out alone. Patrick and Jake from Blinding Light and their lovely little daughter are very much present in this book and always there with a decent advice. And when all else fails, he has his trusted Magic 8 Ball to help him decide his fate.
Once again, Kaye explores things like gender fluidity, prejudice and bullying in her very recognizable subtle way. She always finds ways to shine light on a truly important issue without letting it overtake her story. This wasn’t the first time that she gently introduced gender nonconformity with her characters, but it was certainly more pronounced and the points were made strongly, but tastefully.
Renae Kaye is an author I admire greatly, not only because she writes all my favorite romances, but because she always shows such tact and consideration while doing it. You’re the Reason may be my personal favorite, but objectively, it’s another in a long string of successes by the author who has nothing left to prove.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
August 19, 2015
I loved this book! You Are the Reason is pure Renae Kaye. Though you don't have to read The Blinding Light, first, you'll get more out of You Are the Reason, if you do. Jake and Patrick from The Blinding Light feature rather heavily in this book, so you'll just get a better overall understanding of them and how they fit in, if you read their book first.
I do want to say that I think this book belongs on Dani's fictitious real-men-wear-pink-and-every-other-fucking-color shelf. Davo hates pink and anything associated with it because it's a "girly" color. And he cannot stand the thought that anyone would consider him the least bit girly, even by association. Poor guy, he really is missing out on a whole lot of colors that would probably compliment his skin tone.
Encountering Lee and being attracted, even when he thought Lee was a woman, introduced a lot of uncertainty and then growth as a human being. Davo started out with a rather black and white outlook on what it was to be a man and Lee, well, he is who he is. He's a gay man who loves color and he enjoys, occasionally, wearing dresses and expressing his more feminine side. And Lee is such a good human being. He volunteers at a local LGBT center and councils teens and young adults who are having difficulty either accepting themselves or are having trouble being accepted.
Lee really brings Davo out of his shell and shows him that he doesn't have to be so rigid. And Davo learns to embrace many things he has avoided since he was a kid, because they were "girly". No, Davo doesn't start wearing dresses or makeup, but he does figure out that he doesn't have to embrace anyone else's views on who he is or should be. And Lee makes him happy. Makes him think about a relationship and the future. It's pretty awesome.
I do want to say that I think this book belongs on Dani's fictitious real-men-wear-pink-and-every-other-fucking-color shelf. Davo hates pink and anything associated with it because it's a "girly" color. And he cannot stand the thought that anyone would consider him the least bit girly, even by association. Poor guy, he really is missing out on a whole lot of colors that would probably compliment his skin tone.
Encountering Lee and being attracted, even when he thought Lee was a woman, introduced a lot of uncertainty and then growth as a human being. Davo started out with a rather black and white outlook on what it was to be a man and Lee, well, he is who he is. He's a gay man who loves color and he enjoys, occasionally, wearing dresses and expressing his more feminine side. And Lee is such a good human being. He volunteers at a local LGBT center and councils teens and young adults who are having difficulty either accepting themselves or are having trouble being accepted.
Lee really brings Davo out of his shell and shows him that he doesn't have to be so rigid. And Davo learns to embrace many things he has avoided since he was a kid, because they were "girly". No, Davo doesn't start wearing dresses or makeup, but he does figure out that he doesn't have to embrace anyone else's views on who he is or should be. And Lee makes him happy. Makes him think about a relationship and the future. It's pretty awesome.
Want to read
August 10, 2015DNF @36%
I love Renae Kaye and all of her prior books but I'm shelving this for now. Whilst it's nice to see Jake and Patty-Cake again plus meeting Lee, I just cannot stand Davo. He's a gay homophobe, someone with heterosexist mindset and has misogynistic tendencies at the same time. ( I feel that I should sympathize with him re:the abusive coach but...
I've never felt offended by a certain book character in a very, very long time - last I could remember was some asshat friar character from high school.
of course, we all know that he'll be singing "I...aaaaammmm....cccchhhaaanngginggg...." soon enough in the story but not just now...
THIS - aw gawd. I can't for now...maybe I'll finish this in the future
P.S. I still love you dearly Miss Kaye...
I love Renae Kaye and all of her prior books but I'm shelving this for now. Whilst it's nice to see Jake and Patty-Cake again plus meeting Lee, I just cannot stand Davo. He's a gay homophobe, someone with heterosexist mindset and has misogynistic tendencies at the same time. ( I feel that I should sympathize with him re:the abusive coach but...
I've never felt offended by a certain book character in a very, very long time - last I could remember was some asshat friar character from high school.
of course, we all know that he'll be singing "I...aaaaammmm....cccchhhaaanngginggg...." soon enough in the story but not just now...
THIS - aw gawd. I can't for now...maybe I'll finish this in the future
P.S. I still love you dearly Miss Kaye...
August 21, 2015
3.5 stars
So I ALMOST didn't read this one...I was extremely put off by Dave/Davo's character initially. He had this thing about not being "one of those gays" and hated all things "femme" as, in his own words, it might rub off on him...and quite honestly I just found it ignorant and offensive and there was quite a lot of this talk early on. Even when it was revealed why he was like that, I could understand the reasoning but still didn't like it.
However, I have read and enjoyed Renae Kaye's books before and a lot of positive reviews appeared for this book, so I thought I would give it a chance. I cautiously read the sample, and although Dave's character still pissed me off a bit, there was something about the story that drew me in, like Renae's other books, so I carried on reading.
I won't say I loved it - and Dave said a lot of stupid shit. But there was something about this that made me read it almost in one sitting yesterday night and I did like the majority of characters...even Dave eventually.
Three odd things that stood out that I don't really get:
- The magic 8 ball stuff got a bit stupid after a while - it was kinda funny initially, but it seemed a bit childish
- Apart from the mention of the cross-dressing early on, we didn't see anything about this really again until the end - I thought this was going to be a bigger part of the story
- WTF was that shit with Thor's girlfriend? I don't get why that was thrown in there - it was a real random?
So overall I found it an entertaining read, with Dave kind of redeeming himself during the story, but there were just a bit too many niggles for me - so this won't make it into my favourites by this author.
Edited to add: One thing I forgot to mention was that for anyone worried about reading this for the same reasons as me, I think that Dave's character showed a lot of growth during the story...so no matter his faults, he recognises them and makes a conscious effort to change and be a better man. I guess this is the reason I found myself liking him in the end and it's how he managed to redeem himself from his earlier idiocy! :)
So I ALMOST didn't read this one...I was extremely put off by Dave/Davo's character initially. He had this thing about not being "one of those gays" and hated all things "femme" as, in his own words, it might rub off on him...and quite honestly I just found it ignorant and offensive and there was quite a lot of this talk early on. Even when it was revealed why he was like that, I could understand the reasoning but still didn't like it.
However, I have read and enjoyed Renae Kaye's books before and a lot of positive reviews appeared for this book, so I thought I would give it a chance. I cautiously read the sample, and although Dave's character still pissed me off a bit, there was something about the story that drew me in, like Renae's other books, so I carried on reading.
I won't say I loved it - and Dave said a lot of stupid shit. But there was something about this that made me read it almost in one sitting yesterday night and I did like the majority of characters...even Dave eventually.
Three odd things that stood out that I don't really get:
- The magic 8 ball stuff got a bit stupid after a while - it was kinda funny initially, but it seemed a bit childish
- Apart from the mention of the cross-dressing early on, we didn't see anything about this really again until the end - I thought this was going to be a bigger part of the story
- WTF was that shit with Thor's girlfriend? I don't get why that was thrown in there - it was a real random?
So overall I found it an entertaining read, with Dave kind of redeeming himself during the story, but there were just a bit too many niggles for me - so this won't make it into my favourites by this author.
Edited to add: One thing I forgot to mention was that for anyone worried about reading this for the same reasons as me, I think that Dave's character showed a lot of growth during the story...so no matter his faults, he recognises them and makes a conscious effort to change and be a better man. I guess this is the reason I found myself liking him in the end and it's how he managed to redeem himself from his earlier idiocy! :)
September 21, 2024
I've said this before and I'll say it again - I consistently find that Renae Kaye's books have great humor, plenty of heat, and a lot of heart - and this was no different.
There's really nothing new to add. Davo is a big ole softie despite his huge efforts at being perceived as anything but manly. Of course such efforts and actions have limited his life in severe ways that he has no clue about. Along with the help of his awesome friends Jake and Patrick (whom I adore even more), it simply takes just the right person to tilt his world on its axis and show him what he's missing. So throw in sweet, sweet Lee - brave in all he does and not afraid to express himself - and he was the perfect foil to Davo, opening his eyes and especially his heart. Awwwwww
Seriously. Really good stuff here.
Read
April 2, 2017I am going to be very unpopular with my opinion of this book. I enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, but things happened at the end that just really ruined my enjoyment. I had a very hard time recovering from it. See, That ruined this for me. I struggled to get into the HEA because I was still caught on that WTF moment. Obviously, other people were able to get beyond this. I just couldn't. So 4.5 stars for the beginning through the middle, and a dismal 1 star for that bullshit at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2015
3.5 stars
Let me start by saying Renae Kaye is one of my favorite authors of this genre. "Loving jay" is hands down one of my top reads. I adored "blinding light", so having Patrick and jake back as secondary characters was a real treat.
I liked this one. It was light, warm, and fun. I just needed more...something. Angst? I just felt there was not much rhyme or reason to Davo's trepidation throughout the story. His attitude towards dating a more femme man seems to do a complete 180 without much effort. The situation at the end involving Davo's friend's girlfriend was a little confusing as well. Just seemed sort of random in the context of the story and the general direction in which it was moving.
The writing quality is still so great (it's renae, duh) and I think some people will really love this one. It's got a feel good, angst-free vibe that will appeal to many.
August 22, 2015
*** 4 Mr.Magic 8 Ball stars ****
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"Show me," I murmured, closing his bedroom door behind me.
His eyes went wide. "Dave. We can't," he hissed at me.
But I wanted the full effect of my boyfriend in a dress. "Flash me."
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This book was so... I dunno, weird, good, great, different, boring, hilarious? All of the above?!
One thing I can say for sure, it was highly enjoyable to be inside Davo's head. The story is first person POV and Davo's thoughts and thoughts processes sure are memorable!
Now, Davo had bad experiences with a sport teacher when he was younger. The teacher bullied and ridiculed "weaker" boys if they couldn't perform at sports by calling them faggot, girl or pansy, and made the boys who couldn't hit the ball do running laps wearing a skirt to show the others how much of a girl the were. The teacher also egged the other boys to pick on the "weaker" ones.
WTF? What kind of asshole are you, Mr. Henley?! Arg!
Now, if that don't hurt a young boy's developing psyche, I don't know what will. It certainly left a deep scar with Davo. He was just finding out he liked boys instead of girls. He also liked pretty, pink things, but due to bullying he figured out that he could either be one of those gays who liked girly things, got the shit kicked out of at school, and ridiculed by the sports teacher, or he could choose not to be and tell everyone he was gay but didn't give a damn what everyone's opinion. For Davo it made sense to make himself a slogan: "I may like dick, but I'm not a pussy."
Keep this ^^ in mind when you read the book and when Davo says or do something stupid concerning those gays. He's a dick about it sometimes, but I think it's totally understandable when you think about his history.
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"You can call me Davo. 'Dave' is just for the ladies and work situations. My friends just call me Davo, or Idiot, or Arsehole. So I answer to all three."
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Anyway, enter beautiful Lee, who sometimes likes to dress in women's clothing, wear sparkling eye shadow and high heels. Their first encounter and the subsequently reaction and panic Davo has is absolutely a joy to read and experiencing!
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I was slurring my words, and Lee nodded until her head bumped onto my shoulder and stayed there. "I'll suck you off, if you want."
"But you're a girl. And I'm gay. Gay means no girls. G-A-Y stands for Girls Are Yucky."
The beer was making me dumb.
"I'll still suck you." She was giggling into my neck, and with the last reasoning I had, I pulled her off her chair and staggered to the door. She was too cute to go around offering to suck just any guy, so I had to get her out of there. I sat down on the bench outside the bar. Lee slumped beside me with her legs spread wide in a very unladylike manner. She leaned against me.
"Where're we goin'?"
It took my three tries before my hand connected with her shoulder. I tried to pat her gently, but it came out more of a slap. In my drunkenness, I couldn't find the energy to care.
"I'm takin' you home. Your home. When a cute li'l girl like you stars off'rin' to suck off gays, it's time to go home."
----------------------
Davo as a person develops and go through changes in this book, and I really liked that. The first part of the book was great, then he was kind of a dick (read above) and I got a little bored in the story about 60-70%, but I went on. The last 30% was fantastic, and I'm so glad I finished it. I was wondering about the rating, but I'm feeling generous and the last 30 %, including that flashing scene and more, pushed it up to 4 stars! The title You Are The Reason also made me mushy after I finished the book. <3 Kudos for Australian setting too!
Davo's story is intertwined with his best friend Jake and his husband, Patrick, the characters from #1 The Blinding Light. I haven't read that one, so You Are The Reason can be read as standalone in my opinion. I had no trouble connection with Jake and Patrick. I think will be reading #1, though, to get Jake and Patrick's story, and I think I'll reread this one after that.
Finishing this story just left me with a warm feeling in my chest and a giddy grin, so I would recommend reading this.
Oh, wait, I have to consult Davo's Mr. Magic 8 Ball...
"Is recommending this book a good idea?"
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I shook the ball hard, turned it up, and waited for the answer to appear in the window of the plastic orb that pretended to be an oracle. Waiting for his wisdom to enlighen me. Those that doubted the power of Mr.Magic 8 Ball, despite costing me fifteen dollars at the local toy shop, often found their lives in ruin.
The white words appeared out of the dark liquid that filled the ball. Wisdom from the oracle.
-------------------
February 9, 2018
Audio Review: 4.5 Stars
Yep, IMHO sometimes a story is just better being listened to...especially the funny bits. And as I said in an update, I really do think that books with MCs from Australia need to have Aussie narrators or voice-actors that can do a credible accent; not sure where Dave Gillies hails from (as he's also listed as narrating a bunch of Scottish MF books) but I do love how he performed this one!
Original Rating: 4.3 Stars
To be honest I almost gave up on this book within the first 20 pages. However, I make it a mission not to DNF a story if at all possible because I don't know what might be in store for the character most likely pissing me the fuck off.
Like Dave - who read in those first few chapters like the worst kind of gay homophobe. JFC the minute Lee said it I felt sort of vindicated, but by that point I could also tell there was more to his story than misplaced misogyny or a simple fear of femme-y cooties. And there was. Heart-breaking circumstances that made him reject those parts of himself in self-preservation.
But while there were sad bits OMFG this book was hilarious. Every single scene of him with the baby had me in stitches. The Poo Incident almost made me piss my own pants laughing. I loved the Very Serious Conversations he had with a one month-old Maxine and his awkward journey toward realizing he could also have that kind of family if he wanted it.
And the sex...oh, the sex was so much fun! From Dave actually fearing he might be straight due to his odd attraction to Lee, to being worried he might have knocked up Lee during sex he didn't remember having, to being confused and horrified at the prospect of having to deal with a Vag in reciprocity of getting head from a cross-dressing Lee, to his sheer relief (after being a little mad) at discovering Lee was indeed male and had the parts he knew how to handle to him wrecking the kitchen (and mangling himself) their first time together. That kind of hilarity during one sex scene is so rare, let alone the plethora of them in this book.
I really really liked the first book in this series and I am so glad the second one lived up to it (and in some aspects, surpassed). I'll definitely read any and all that follow...there needs to be more.
Yep, IMHO sometimes a story is just better being listened to...especially the funny bits. And as I said in an update, I really do think that books with MCs from Australia need to have Aussie narrators or voice-actors that can do a credible accent; not sure where Dave Gillies hails from (as he's also listed as narrating a bunch of Scottish MF books) but I do love how he performed this one!
Original Rating: 4.3 Stars
To be honest I almost gave up on this book within the first 20 pages. However, I make it a mission not to DNF a story if at all possible because I don't know what might be in store for the character most likely pissing me the fuck off.
Like Dave - who read in those first few chapters like the worst kind of gay homophobe. JFC the minute Lee said it I felt sort of vindicated, but by that point I could also tell there was more to his story than misplaced misogyny or a simple fear of femme-y cooties. And there was. Heart-breaking circumstances that made him reject those parts of himself in self-preservation.
But while there were sad bits OMFG this book was hilarious. Every single scene of him with the baby had me in stitches. The Poo Incident almost made me piss my own pants laughing. I loved the Very Serious Conversations he had with a one month-old Maxine and his awkward journey toward realizing he could also have that kind of family if he wanted it.
And the sex...oh, the sex was so much fun! From Dave actually fearing he might be straight due to his odd attraction to Lee, to being worried he might have knocked up Lee during sex he didn't remember having, to being confused and horrified at the prospect of having to deal with a Vag in reciprocity of getting head from a cross-dressing Lee, to his sheer relief (after being a little mad) at discovering Lee was indeed male and had the parts he knew how to handle to him wrecking the kitchen (and mangling himself) their first time together. That kind of hilarity during one sex scene is so rare, let alone the plethora of them in this book.
I really really liked the first book in this series and I am so glad the second one lived up to it (and in some aspects, surpassed). I'll definitely read any and all that follow...there needs to be more.
September 28, 2017
This one ALWAYS makes me laugh. Dave (because I'm a lady;-) is an idiot, in the best possible way.
I love that he -definitely- has issues, but that he tries working on them without too much angst and selfdoubt.
This book is going straight to my 'low-angst-high-cozyness-shelf', because: it makes me smile, I LOVE Lee and there aren't a lot of angst and unnecessary drama.
My only niggle is the situation with Cynthia. Why on EARTH was she not thrown out on her ass, arrested, put in jail and left there to rot?
Men can be JUST as easily abused as women! And I need these books to make sure that they 'show' and normalize that the women abusers get the same treatment as an abuser of the male persuasion.
I love that he -definitely- has issues, but that he tries working on them without too much angst and selfdoubt.
This book is going straight to my 'low-angst-high-cozyness-shelf', because: it makes me smile, I LOVE Lee and there aren't a lot of angst and unnecessary drama.
My only niggle is the situation with Cynthia. Why on EARTH was she not thrown out on her ass, arrested, put in jail and left there to rot?
Men can be JUST as easily abused as women! And I need these books to make sure that they 'show' and normalize that the women abusers get the same treatment as an abuser of the male persuasion.
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