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Bluewater Bay #10
Rain Shadow
Jeremy Rose came to Bluewater Bay to work as Anna Maxwell’s bodyguard, not to escape his increasingly bitter relationship with his estranged kids. He just wants to focus on his job and be alone for a while. He’s done with love, especially now that three years after his long overdue divorce, he’s got a front-row seat to the rapid deterioration between Anna and her girlfriend. Cynical doesn’t even begin to describe him.
Then Anna and Leigh’s attempts to reconcile put him in the crosshairs of marriage counselor Scott Fletcher. Scott’s exactly what Jeremy needs right now: gorgeous, hot, horny, single, and 100% uninterested in a relationship. The problem is, too much no-strings-attached sex—and too much time in each other’s company—inevitably builds emotional connection.
Except Jeremy refuses to seek counseling for his broken family, and Scott refuses to get seriously involved with men who work dangerous jobs. They both need to realize they can only hide for so long from the pain they came here to escape. They must face their pasts before they lose their shot at a happy future.
Then Anna and Leigh’s attempts to reconcile put him in the crosshairs of marriage counselor Scott Fletcher. Scott’s exactly what Jeremy needs right now: gorgeous, hot, horny, single, and 100% uninterested in a relationship. The problem is, too much no-strings-attached sex—and too much time in each other’s company—inevitably builds emotional connection.
Except Jeremy refuses to seek counseling for his broken family, and Scott refuses to get seriously involved with men who work dangerous jobs. They both need to realize they can only hide for so long from the pain they came here to escape. They must face their pasts before they lose their shot at a happy future.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2015
42 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
219 books2,728 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
March 28, 2016
~2.5~
L.A. Witt knows her craft. Her first book in this series, Starstruck, was a 4 star read for me. I like that she came full circle here and included Anna's story as a secondary plot line.
Witt writes realistic dialogue, and I've enjoyed many of her books, including:
and
Rain Shadow, however, was a miss for me.
Let's start with what worked: The MCs are both over 40. One is even a silver fox. And that is so fucking hot. I love mature men who know what they want!
The sexual chemistry between Jeremy and Scott is all kinds of RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. *fans self* Oh, yeah, Witt brought it with the steam.
What didn't work for me is the flip-side of what did: These men are over 40 and yet they act like college boys, unwilling to be in a relationship, even when they're already in one. Talk about exasperating!
As much as Jeremy and Scott have serious sexual zing, they seem to lack an emotional connection. The we're-just-fuck-buddies thing dragged on way too long.
On top of that, there was all the family angst with Jeremy's ex and teenage kids. I hate shit like that. I hate it in real life. And I hate it MORE in fiction.
Why was Jeremy Skyping his ex? Why was he referring to all of them as a family? Cause they weren't. They were divorced. And the bratty teens were more than old enough to manage a Skype session.
I felt like Jeremy was doing ALL the work. Maybe he didn't handle the whole leaving thing as well as he could, but the guilt he carried around was oppressive.
Jeremy and Scott do work it out eventually (hello, last minute central), but there is no resolution regarding the family drama, and the ending is a lukewarm HFN.
I wanted more from this book: more romance, more ... just more.
I've read nearly all the books in this series (they CAN be read as standalones), and my favorite remains:
L.A. Witt knows her craft. Her first book in this series, Starstruck, was a 4 star read for me. I like that she came full circle here and included Anna's story as a secondary plot line.
Witt writes realistic dialogue, and I've enjoyed many of her books, including:
and
Rain Shadow, however, was a miss for me.
Let's start with what worked: The MCs are both over 40. One is even a silver fox. And that is so fucking hot. I love mature men who know what they want!
The sexual chemistry between Jeremy and Scott is all kinds of RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. *fans self* Oh, yeah, Witt brought it with the steam.
What didn't work for me is the flip-side of what did: These men are over 40 and yet they act like college boys, unwilling to be in a relationship, even when they're already in one. Talk about exasperating!
As much as Jeremy and Scott have serious sexual zing, they seem to lack an emotional connection. The we're-just-fuck-buddies thing dragged on way too long.
On top of that, there was all the family angst with Jeremy's ex and teenage kids. I hate shit like that. I hate it in real life. And I hate it MORE in fiction.
Why was Jeremy Skyping his ex? Why was he referring to all of them as a family? Cause they weren't. They were divorced. And the bratty teens were more than old enough to manage a Skype session.
I felt like Jeremy was doing ALL the work. Maybe he didn't handle the whole leaving thing as well as he could, but the guilt he carried around was oppressive.
Jeremy and Scott do work it out eventually (hello, last minute central), but there is no resolution regarding the family drama, and the ending is a lukewarm HFN.
I wanted more from this book: more romance, more ... just more.
I've read nearly all the books in this series (they CAN be read as standalones), and my favorite remains:
October 22, 2015
Possible spoilers below.
L.A. Witt is a mixed bag for me. I've enjoyed her collaborations with Aleksandr Voinov, but her solo works have been a hit or miss with me. 'Rain Shadow' wasn't entirely a miss, but it was just okay.
I liked the premise of Jeremy and Scott's relationship. The whole 'we're not dating, even though we're actually dating' thing totally works for me. The way the two skirted around the fact that they were actually dating was funny. And of course the sex was hot. L.A. Witt sure knows how to bring the heat. I also enjoyed the development of the relationship as the two got to know each other outside of the bedroom.
What didn't work for me at all was the family drama. Jeremy's kids really annoyed me. Don't get me wrong, I can understand and empathize with them, but bratty kids and angsty teenagers are so not my thing. Do I think that the author's portrayal of the kids was realistic? Yes. But I could have done without it in a romance. Or I could have done with less.
I'd say at least of third of the book is dedicated to Jeremy stressing about his kids. It got old very quickly, and was even more annoying when it became the tipping point for Jeremy and Scott's relationship. By the end, I was just happy that I didn't have to deal with the family drama anymore.
Also, while this book is set in Bluewater Bay, the setting is a lot less prominent than it's been in the past few books. I missed the small town charm that I've become used to for this series.
So, 2 stars from me. While I liked the set-up and the initial development of Jeremy and Scott's relationship, the family drama and the reason for the separation brought the rating down.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
L.A. Witt is a mixed bag for me. I've enjoyed her collaborations with Aleksandr Voinov, but her solo works have been a hit or miss with me. 'Rain Shadow' wasn't entirely a miss, but it was just okay.
I liked the premise of Jeremy and Scott's relationship. The whole 'we're not dating, even though we're actually dating' thing totally works for me. The way the two skirted around the fact that they were actually dating was funny. And of course the sex was hot. L.A. Witt sure knows how to bring the heat. I also enjoyed the development of the relationship as the two got to know each other outside of the bedroom.
What didn't work for me at all was the family drama. Jeremy's kids really annoyed me. Don't get me wrong, I can understand and empathize with them, but bratty kids and angsty teenagers are so not my thing. Do I think that the author's portrayal of the kids was realistic? Yes. But I could have done without it in a romance. Or I could have done with less.
I'd say at least of third of the book is dedicated to Jeremy stressing about his kids. It got old very quickly, and was even more annoying when it became the tipping point for Jeremy and Scott's relationship. By the end, I was just happy that I didn't have to deal with the family drama anymore.
Also, while this book is set in Bluewater Bay, the setting is a lot less prominent than it's been in the past few books. I missed the small town charm that I've become used to for this series.
So, 2 stars from me. While I liked the set-up and the initial development of Jeremy and Scott's relationship, the family drama and the reason for the separation brought the rating down.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
March 2, 2016
Wonderful, different M/M romance with older ( 42 yr. old ) men, who each have baggage, and each need the same thing. Loved these characters.
Scott is a family counselor, a sweet man,
who has "snow on the rooftop, but a fire in the furnace", as my Mom used to say, (haha). Jeremy thinks of him as a silver fox.
Jeremy is a tough guy, bodyguard for the TV show
that films in the area. The men meet in the beginning while on a tour of the Eagles nesting grounds, and each wished they had gotten the other's phone number. When his charge, Anna, has to go to counseling with her girlfriend, he sees Scott again. The numbers are exchanged and the hot sexiness begins. Amazing sex for these guys, as they continue to see each other, while telling themselves it's just for the sex. Of course feelings get in the way. The metaphor for Jeremy's problems with his kids is the 'rain shadow".
Deeply thought filled characters, hot sex, and an interesting search for the right answers. Not high in angst, well written, thought provoking, and heartwarming,
this book is a sweet read. ENJOY !!!
==========================================
Scott is a family counselor, a sweet man,
who has "snow on the rooftop, but a fire in the furnace", as my Mom used to say, (haha). Jeremy thinks of him as a silver fox.
Jeremy is a tough guy, bodyguard for the TV show
that films in the area. The men meet in the beginning while on a tour of the Eagles nesting grounds, and each wished they had gotten the other's phone number. When his charge, Anna, has to go to counseling with her girlfriend, he sees Scott again. The numbers are exchanged and the hot sexiness begins. Amazing sex for these guys, as they continue to see each other, while telling themselves it's just for the sex. Of course feelings get in the way. The metaphor for Jeremy's problems with his kids is the 'rain shadow".
Deeply thought filled characters, hot sex, and an interesting search for the right answers. Not high in angst, well written, thought provoking, and heartwarming,
this book is a sweet read. ENJOY !!!
==========================================
October 19, 2015
I was dead, wasn’t I? And heaven was actually a hot guy’s bed with an eternal supply of lube, wasn’t it?
NetGalley is addictive -- why didn't anyone warn me?! Just when I was telling myself I have more than enough books to read and review, I saw Rain Shadow, and, damn it, I just had to click on that Request button. I had to! I hadn't read any of the Bluewater Bay stories, but always wanted to. It's L.A. Witt, so of course I wanted to read it. But the most important reason was that lately I've been in a no-excessive-drama-or-angst-in-books mood, and I expected/hoped this would be a story about a hot relationship between two men, laced with some problems they would promptly solve, and all that in just the right number of pages: not too few, not too many -- just right. And I was right: Rain Shadow was all I hoped it would be.
This is Bluwater Bay story #10, but it's my first, so I believe it's important to point out that for me it worked perfectly fine as a standalone. While reading it, I never felt as though I was missing something because I hadn't read any of the previous books. I think it's possible some of the characters that did appear here were the main characters from some of the previous stories, and if that's true, those who've read about them would be happy to see them again. To me they were strangers, but I didn't mind it one bit. This was Jeremy's book (he's the one whose idea of heaven is at the beginning of my review ;)), and it never stopped being Jeremy's book.
What I learned from reading other people's reviews of some of the previous installments is that the stories revolved around Wolf's Landing, the TV-series that's being filmed in Bluewater Bay. I wouldn't say Rain Shadow revolved around it, but it was mentioned, and it is thanks to that series Jeremy Rose moved to Bluewater Bay: he was hired as the bodyguard of one of the directors/producers of the show, Anna Maxwell, who, I see now, will be getting her own book! Yay! But, back to the MC at hand, Jeremy. He may claim he made the move because his company sent him there, but the truth is more complex. After a long-overdue divorce, and what it did to his relationship with his children, he just needed to step away from it all for a while, and think of a way to repair it. Dating is definitely not an option for him, so when he meets Scott Fletcher, a man who pushes all his right buttons, and is also not interested in dating, especially someone in Jeremy's line of work... Well, as Jeremy put it:
A hot, insatiable man with no interest in a relationship? Color me hooked.
He was hooked, and they hooked-up a lot. Always fun -- by "fun" I mean sexy -- times when Scott and Jeremy got together, which is why I was glad they got together as often as possible. Things would get very hot very quickly when those two were in the same place, which is what I've come to expect from L.A. Witt's books, and exactly what I had hoped would happen.
Jeremy & Scott's sexy time sure were enjoyable, but so were the parts in between when they were learning how much they enjoyed each other's company, just being together. It was sweet, even if it did lead to the inevitable holy-shit-this-got-too-serious breakup. I knew they wouldn't take too much time in resolving their issues -- L.A.'s characters never do -- and they didn't, which was also sweet.
Ah, many good feels in this story...
Jeremy's main problem, what was worrying him the most, his strained relationship with his children, mainly his daughter, wasn't so easily fixed, but they've come a long way. I believe they'll make it.
More good feels...
And more good feels, I think, are to come in the next book, Stuck Landing, which will be about Anna. She kept appearing in this one as she was the one Jeremy's job was to protect, so I grew curious about her. I'm glad hers is the next story. I want to see what happens in her love life after everything she went through in that department in this book.
All in all, Rain Shadow is a book I've enjoyed reading immensely, and because I've enjoyed it this much, even though I have not read the rest of Bluewater Bay stories, I'll say this was a great addition to the series.
Recommended to L.A. Witt's fans, fans of this series, and hot M/M romance lovers in general.
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
November 4, 2015
Mmpf :( what a disappointment. What exactly happened on 200+ pages? Jeremy accompanied the woman he has to protect on a day trip to watch bald eagles. For pages and pages we learn that it's way too early and they all are in need of coffee. And yes, he meets Scott, the love interest. Wow.
Then it moves on to accompanying both women to their couples counseling where he - surprise! - meets again with Scott. Woven in is his complicated relationship with his kids, especially his daughter Haley.
Fast forward: after some to and fro, one unsuccessful couples counseling and some on and off with his own relationship the end to the whole thing is: yes, we will do family counseling!!!
Mmpf.
Then it moves on to accompanying both women to their couples counseling where he - surprise! - meets again with Scott. Woven in is his complicated relationship with his kids, especially his daughter Haley.
Fast forward: after some to and fro, one unsuccessful couples counseling and some on and off with his own relationship the end to the whole thing is: yes, we will do family counseling!!!
Mmpf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2017
Jeremy has had about all he can stand of therapists. The year and a half he spent dragging the already dead corpse of a relationship with his ex-wife thru those counselor’s doors has proved how little therapy and him mix. And if that didn’t do it then watching Anna, the woman he his hired to protect, experience the same old thing has surely done the job.
Then he meets Scott while trailing Anna and her girlfriend on a trip. The older man is hot, funny, and someone Jeremy very much wants to try beneath the sheets. The feeling is mutual. As long as it stays casual it works well, but soon feelings creep in and complications arise. Not the least because Scott is a therapist with an aversion to dating men in law enforcement. And Jeremy may not be a cop, but he still spends his life standing between danger and Anna.
After a stressful day this was just the book for me. I’ve read my way thru almost the entire Bluewater Bay series and I jumped all over this book when it came up for review. While not closely connected to the previous books in the series, and can consequently be read as a stand-alone, the chance to go back to this town and the people who populate it is something not to be missed.
While there were moments when I would’ve dearly loved to smack some manners into Jeremy’s kid, the fact that Jeremy never stopped trying to fix that relationship is one of the things I love about this book. Having just recently had a split with my father that is very unlikely to ever be fixed, seeing an example of a guy–who despite making a few bad choices–-is willing to fight for his kids, is nice. There are no quick fixes here, but the reality and consequences of his actions before the divorce really made me like this book.
I wish there had been a bit more focus on Scott and his issues, but I do get with the way that this was written that Jeremy was probably always going to be more center stage. That is just the way 1st person povs kinda work sometimes. But even if I think that Scott got off a bit easy near the end, I do like that he pushed Jeremy. Gods only know how long it would have taken the dude to pull his head out if Scott wasn’t there to do the tough yanking.
The story was highly entertaining and the chemistry between the two was extremely hot. I do love it when two guys, both of them over 40, find each other. And since books tend to skew towards the younger generations, having two fully grown men to read about is great.
And I am looking forward to Stuck Landing, the next book in the series. Even if I don’t get the chance to read many f/f stories. Anna’s story is going to be awesome.
As always this series is a must read. Whoever had the idea to start this series over at Riptide deserves like all the brownies.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Then he meets Scott while trailing Anna and her girlfriend on a trip. The older man is hot, funny, and someone Jeremy very much wants to try beneath the sheets. The feeling is mutual. As long as it stays casual it works well, but soon feelings creep in and complications arise. Not the least because Scott is a therapist with an aversion to dating men in law enforcement. And Jeremy may not be a cop, but he still spends his life standing between danger and Anna.
After a stressful day this was just the book for me. I’ve read my way thru almost the entire Bluewater Bay series and I jumped all over this book when it came up for review. While not closely connected to the previous books in the series, and can consequently be read as a stand-alone, the chance to go back to this town and the people who populate it is something not to be missed.
While there were moments when I would’ve dearly loved to smack some manners into Jeremy’s kid, the fact that Jeremy never stopped trying to fix that relationship is one of the things I love about this book. Having just recently had a split with my father that is very unlikely to ever be fixed, seeing an example of a guy–who despite making a few bad choices–-is willing to fight for his kids, is nice. There are no quick fixes here, but the reality and consequences of his actions before the divorce really made me like this book.
I wish there had been a bit more focus on Scott and his issues, but I do get with the way that this was written that Jeremy was probably always going to be more center stage. That is just the way 1st person povs kinda work sometimes. But even if I think that Scott got off a bit easy near the end, I do like that he pushed Jeremy. Gods only know how long it would have taken the dude to pull his head out if Scott wasn’t there to do the tough yanking.
The story was highly entertaining and the chemistry between the two was extremely hot. I do love it when two guys, both of them over 40, find each other. And since books tend to skew towards the younger generations, having two fully grown men to read about is great.
And I am looking forward to Stuck Landing, the next book in the series. Even if I don’t get the chance to read many f/f stories. Anna’s story is going to be awesome.
As always this series is a must read. Whoever had the idea to start this series over at Riptide deserves like all the brownies.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 26, 2015
Jeremy was in a marriage for almost 2 decades before he finally admitted to his family that he was gay. Since then, though the divorce has been more or less amicable, he struggles with the relationship with his kids. He’s moved to Bluewater Bay “to give everyone some distance” – in other words – he ran away from his problems.
Scott dated a cop 20 years ago who died, now he doesn’t date cops and isn’t really that interested in a relationship at all since all he does – day in, day out – is see bad relationships. When he sees Jeremy on a sight seeing trip and the two spark an interest, neither wants anything more than sex. Perfect, right?
**
I’m having a hard time reviewing this because I feel pulled in two opposite directions.
On the one hand, LA Witt is a great writer and she pulled me in to this story. I was invested in Jeremy and Scott’s relationship, Jeremy’s family struggles and even the secondary character’s relationship difficulties. I loved the Rain Shadow metaphor and her descriptions of the area were lovely.
On the other hand, I never really got a great feel for Scott and what motivated him. This was told from Jeremy’s POV and I think hearing from Scott’s POV would have helped me feel more connected to him.
I also got really, really depressed by Jeremy’s life. Man! His kids’ struggles seemed hopeless. His life seemed so depressing. All those years “wasted” and now he’s still not happy. Yes – being with Scott is like a breath of fresh air, but it’s still a bit tainted with them having to start things right off the bat with heavy discussions and some concessions.
I guess it’s pretty “real” and that’s commendable, but it didn’t leave a bright, shiny feel in my heart.
For me, reading is an escape, and I definitely don’t want to read about fictional peoples’ pedestrian struggles when I have my own pedestrian struggles to deal with.
So… my overall opinion is that this is a well-written, somewhat realistic story about two guys and their struggles to find happiness in a less-than-perfect scenario. (The sex scenes, which are NUMEROUS, were very hot, and I won’t say unnecessary because they did form the basis of their relationship but…there was a lot of sex in this.)
So, I guess I’d rate it a 3 – smack in the middle. For fans of the series, I’d say it’s nice to see the gang again, but this can definitely be a standalone.
Scott dated a cop 20 years ago who died, now he doesn’t date cops and isn’t really that interested in a relationship at all since all he does – day in, day out – is see bad relationships. When he sees Jeremy on a sight seeing trip and the two spark an interest, neither wants anything more than sex. Perfect, right?
**
I’m having a hard time reviewing this because I feel pulled in two opposite directions.
On the one hand, LA Witt is a great writer and she pulled me in to this story. I was invested in Jeremy and Scott’s relationship, Jeremy’s family struggles and even the secondary character’s relationship difficulties. I loved the Rain Shadow metaphor and her descriptions of the area were lovely.
On the other hand, I never really got a great feel for Scott and what motivated him. This was told from Jeremy’s POV and I think hearing from Scott’s POV would have helped me feel more connected to him.
I also got really, really depressed by Jeremy’s life. Man! His kids’ struggles seemed hopeless. His life seemed so depressing. All those years “wasted” and now he’s still not happy. Yes – being with Scott is like a breath of fresh air, but it’s still a bit tainted with them having to start things right off the bat with heavy discussions and some concessions.
I guess it’s pretty “real” and that’s commendable, but it didn’t leave a bright, shiny feel in my heart.
For me, reading is an escape, and I definitely don’t want to read about fictional peoples’ pedestrian struggles when I have my own pedestrian struggles to deal with.
So… my overall opinion is that this is a well-written, somewhat realistic story about two guys and their struggles to find happiness in a less-than-perfect scenario. (The sex scenes, which are NUMEROUS, were very hot, and I won’t say unnecessary because they did form the basis of their relationship but…there was a lot of sex in this.)
So, I guess I’d rate it a 3 – smack in the middle. For fans of the series, I’d say it’s nice to see the gang again, but this can definitely be a standalone.
May 14, 2016
Can't be counted amongst my favorite Witt reads, but not entirely bad. I took great exception to the slow relationship buildup that resulted in instant bond, then to the rather open-ended "conclusion". Also, the teenage daughter annoyed the shit outta me. Spoiled brat.
I guess it's an okay read, though. Not one I'll likely read again, however.
As a side note, Wtf is up with that cover? There are few things that irritate me more than when cover models look nothing like the characters they're supposed to be portraying.
I guess it's an okay read, though. Not one I'll likely read again, however.
As a side note, Wtf is up with that cover? There are few things that irritate me more than when cover models look nothing like the characters they're supposed to be portraying.
October 20, 2015
A review by The Blogger Girls.
This was my first Bluewater Bay story, and it can definitely be read as a stand alone. The other stories take place in the same area and revolve around a popular television show. While the show is mentioned and plays a part, you don’t need the other information to know what’s going on here.
Jeremy is the bodyguard who protects Anna, one of the producers or directors of the show. He has some major issues with his family after he finally came to the understanding that he was gay. After trying to stay together for the kids didn’t work, he and his wife divorced. Unfortunately, the kids didn’t take any of the news very well and still don’t speak to him much even some 2-3 years later. Much of the story is about Jeremy trying to mend those relationships. Because of what’s going on with his family, he has chosen to never actually consider being in a relationship with a guy. That works out well when he meets Scott, another therapist where Anna and her girlfriend have their therapy appointments.
Scott is in his 40s as well. He isn’t looking for a relationship either, especially as he does not date cops after his boyfriend was killed in the line of duty many years prior. So, just sex, no attachments seems like the perfect situation for these two, even more so when they discover how good it is. These guys are extremely sexually compatible and really steam up the pages. Eventually, their attachment to each other grows. It was great watching their feelings just naturally grow into so much more.
Poor Jeremy goes through so much trying to fix things with his kids. He knows being gay feels right and nothing has ever felt like it does with Scott. I felt so badly for him that everything he did never seemed to work. I loved his relationship with Scott, even though through most of the story, they were intent on it being nothing more than sex. They both just had a very easy going way with each other. Things all seem to be going in the right direction in the end, but I would have loved an epilogue showing more results down the road.
This was a good solid story that had a bit of everything – lots of hot smexy times, periods of emotional goodness, and a bit of angst. I definitely recommend it and look forward to going back and checking out more from this series.
This was my first Bluewater Bay story, and it can definitely be read as a stand alone. The other stories take place in the same area and revolve around a popular television show. While the show is mentioned and plays a part, you don’t need the other information to know what’s going on here.
Jeremy is the bodyguard who protects Anna, one of the producers or directors of the show. He has some major issues with his family after he finally came to the understanding that he was gay. After trying to stay together for the kids didn’t work, he and his wife divorced. Unfortunately, the kids didn’t take any of the news very well and still don’t speak to him much even some 2-3 years later. Much of the story is about Jeremy trying to mend those relationships. Because of what’s going on with his family, he has chosen to never actually consider being in a relationship with a guy. That works out well when he meets Scott, another therapist where Anna and her girlfriend have their therapy appointments.
Scott is in his 40s as well. He isn’t looking for a relationship either, especially as he does not date cops after his boyfriend was killed in the line of duty many years prior. So, just sex, no attachments seems like the perfect situation for these two, even more so when they discover how good it is. These guys are extremely sexually compatible and really steam up the pages. Eventually, their attachment to each other grows. It was great watching their feelings just naturally grow into so much more.
Poor Jeremy goes through so much trying to fix things with his kids. He knows being gay feels right and nothing has ever felt like it does with Scott. I felt so badly for him that everything he did never seemed to work. I loved his relationship with Scott, even though through most of the story, they were intent on it being nothing more than sex. They both just had a very easy going way with each other. Things all seem to be going in the right direction in the end, but I would have loved an epilogue showing more results down the road.
This was a good solid story that had a bit of everything – lots of hot smexy times, periods of emotional goodness, and a bit of angst. I definitely recommend it and look forward to going back and checking out more from this series.
October 21, 2015
3.5 rounded up because I really enjoyed the fact it was a bit more based on Wolf's Landing that a lot of the more recent books have been.
October 30, 2015
3.5 Stars
My review is up at Boys In Our Books.
My review is up at Boys In Our Books.
November 30, 2025
Narration 4.5
Story 4.0
Story 4.0
October 15, 2015
So, I'm currently reading Rules of Engagement by the same author and I'm not loving it. I'm like a hundred pages in and it's been sitting in the bottom of my bag now for a couple of weeks - Rain Shadow I read in TWO DAYS.
Rain Shadow is vintage Witt - by that I mean, its got tonal echoes of Starstruck, one of my favourite LA Witt books. I like the way she writes Bluewater Bay (on her own, I wasn't crazy about Lone Wolf).
Jeremy's a bodyguard who's in his early forties, who a little while ago left his wife and kids because he's gay - the marriage hadn't been working and they'd tried to stay together for the kids but that made them miserable. He works for Anna, my favourite recurring character of Bluewater Bay, and one that I'm delighted to say will be getting her own book, Stuck Landing which I think that even though I've never read an f/f romance, I may have to read since it's Anna.
Anyway, I really liked both characters. Their connection was hot, and so was the sex (and not overly descriptive or endless either, which was nice). I really liked their story, their almost accidental falling in love and Jeremy's working through of his issues with his family.
One thing that bugs me is the cover. The characters seem a lot older than those on the cover. Also, Scott is referred to as having "salt and pepper hair. More salt than pepper" something clearly not reflected in the cover. I really liked that this story was about guys in their forties - perhaps the models could've been too (also, a side note, the cover for Stuck Landing surprised the shit out of me, because whatever I imagined Anna looking like it wasn't that, and it certainly wasn't that young - meh, maybe all romance covers are guilty of this).
Anyway, this was easily one of the best bluewater books I've read. After Starstruck, I've found the series (I've read upto The Burnt Toast B&B) to be patchy at best, with some great, some good and some well, some not so good (I'm looking at you, There's Something About Ari).
All in all, highly recommended - oh, and I loved that we hear about Carter, Levi and the others in the book (ps. I hope we get another book about Carter and Levi - although I'm not sure if that would fit this series, but one could dream).
Rain Shadow is vintage Witt - by that I mean, its got tonal echoes of Starstruck, one of my favourite LA Witt books. I like the way she writes Bluewater Bay (on her own, I wasn't crazy about Lone Wolf).
Jeremy's a bodyguard who's in his early forties, who a little while ago left his wife and kids because he's gay - the marriage hadn't been working and they'd tried to stay together for the kids but that made them miserable. He works for Anna, my favourite recurring character of Bluewater Bay, and one that I'm delighted to say will be getting her own book, Stuck Landing which I think that even though I've never read an f/f romance, I may have to read since it's Anna.
Anyway, I really liked both characters. Their connection was hot, and so was the sex (and not overly descriptive or endless either, which was nice). I really liked their story, their almost accidental falling in love and Jeremy's working through of his issues with his family.
One thing that bugs me is the cover. The characters seem a lot older than those on the cover. Also, Scott is referred to as having "salt and pepper hair. More salt than pepper" something clearly not reflected in the cover. I really liked that this story was about guys in their forties - perhaps the models could've been too (also, a side note, the cover for Stuck Landing surprised the shit out of me, because whatever I imagined Anna looking like it wasn't that, and it certainly wasn't that young - meh, maybe all romance covers are guilty of this).
Anyway, this was easily one of the best bluewater books I've read. After Starstruck, I've found the series (I've read upto The Burnt Toast B&B) to be patchy at best, with some great, some good and some well, some not so good (I'm looking at you, There's Something About Ari).
All in all, highly recommended - oh, and I loved that we hear about Carter, Levi and the others in the book (ps. I hope we get another book about Carter and Levi - although I'm not sure if that would fit this series, but one could dream).
December 1, 2015
This is part of the Bluewater Bay series, but can be fully enjoyed as a standalone.
Jeremy is a 40ish man who recently
1. Came out of the closet
2. Divorced his wife of 15+ years
3. Moved to Bluewater Bay to give his family space, and work as a private security detail to the Wolf's Landing crew.
In particular, Jeremy is the main protector for one of the show's director/producers: Anna. Anna and her live-in girlfriend Leigh have a rocky relationship, and are in counseling, which is hard for Jeremy to experience. He spent years in couples thereapy after coming out, trying to make the marriage work "for the kids' sake"
News flash: It didn't work, and Jeremy's convinced that counseling is a waste of time and money. He want's nothing to do with relationships now, or ever, partly because his kids are having SERIOUS problems with dad being gay.
He meets silver fox Scott while he escorts Anna and Leigh on one of their "togetherness outings". Jeremy senses more than attraction, but fails to get Scott's contact info. Imagine his frustration to learn that Scott is a marriage and family counselor at the same clinic where Anna and Leigh seek advice. Scott's tentative with Jeremy when he learns he's in security--Scott's one and only love was a cop killed in the line of duty.
These mature men embark on a no-strings sexual extravaganza, all the while sliding headfirst into Relationshipville. Neither wants to admit it, and neither wants to let it go, but the animosity that each feels for the other's job is problematic. Scott wants to counsel Jeremy on his family troubles, and Jeremy wants to assure Scott he's safe in his security duties.
They have struggles. Part of this is not having a healthy communication. Also, Jeremy's daughter, particularly, doesn't help. She's a serious brat. Unfortunately, remembering my own kids in their teens brings back nightmares of that combativeness, so she's got some authenticity in my read. I think Jeremy and his ex gave her too much power, however. Jeremy seems bent of weaving himself a hairshirt to wear regarding his coming out,a nd being a closeted gay man married to a woman. And Scott is not as understanding as I'd like, for a counselor. So, for mature men, they make some juvenile decisions. Scott's ultimatum to Jeremy: counseling or else, was completely uncalled-for and jarring due to poor foreshadowing.
That said, there's lots to be enjoyed in the sexytimes. I love mature men finding love, and this book has that, as well. I admired the amiable relationship between Jeremy and his ex; that was pleasant. The book ends a little shy of an HEA, but it's implied. So...HFN, hot men, and thoughtful partners, for the most part.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
Jeremy is a 40ish man who recently
1. Came out of the closet
2. Divorced his wife of 15+ years
3. Moved to Bluewater Bay to give his family space, and work as a private security detail to the Wolf's Landing crew.
In particular, Jeremy is the main protector for one of the show's director/producers: Anna. Anna and her live-in girlfriend Leigh have a rocky relationship, and are in counseling, which is hard for Jeremy to experience. He spent years in couples thereapy after coming out, trying to make the marriage work "for the kids' sake"
News flash: It didn't work, and Jeremy's convinced that counseling is a waste of time and money. He want's nothing to do with relationships now, or ever, partly because his kids are having SERIOUS problems with dad being gay.
He meets silver fox Scott while he escorts Anna and Leigh on one of their "togetherness outings". Jeremy senses more than attraction, but fails to get Scott's contact info. Imagine his frustration to learn that Scott is a marriage and family counselor at the same clinic where Anna and Leigh seek advice. Scott's tentative with Jeremy when he learns he's in security--Scott's one and only love was a cop killed in the line of duty.
These mature men embark on a no-strings sexual extravaganza, all the while sliding headfirst into Relationshipville. Neither wants to admit it, and neither wants to let it go, but the animosity that each feels for the other's job is problematic. Scott wants to counsel Jeremy on his family troubles, and Jeremy wants to assure Scott he's safe in his security duties.
They have struggles. Part of this is not having a healthy communication. Also, Jeremy's daughter, particularly, doesn't help. She's a serious brat. Unfortunately, remembering my own kids in their teens brings back nightmares of that combativeness, so she's got some authenticity in my read. I think Jeremy and his ex gave her too much power, however. Jeremy seems bent of weaving himself a hairshirt to wear regarding his coming out,a nd being a closeted gay man married to a woman. And Scott is not as understanding as I'd like, for a counselor. So, for mature men, they make some juvenile decisions. Scott's ultimatum to Jeremy: counseling or else, was completely uncalled-for and jarring due to poor foreshadowing.
That said, there's lots to be enjoyed in the sexytimes. I love mature men finding love, and this book has that, as well. I admired the amiable relationship between Jeremy and his ex; that was pleasant. The book ends a little shy of an HEA, but it's implied. So...HFN, hot men, and thoughtful partners, for the most part.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
March 20, 2021
Rain Shadows and Love
L.A. Witt nails the voices here, and the situation felt truly real to me. And now I find out there’s a whole Bluewater Bay series, and I kinda hope these guys will pop up in the next book. 😊
L.A. Witt nails the voices here, and the situation felt truly real to me. And now I find out there’s a whole Bluewater Bay series, and I kinda hope these guys will pop up in the next book. 😊
Want to read
February 22, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/22/2022)! 🎁
December 9, 2016
I liked this book but I can't say I loved it. I think I needed to get more than just Jeremy's POV, or maybe I needed more "happy moments" and for them not to be just about having sex with Scott.. I was thinking this book is "depressing" but how can I say that after reading "The Deep of the Sound" (the 8th installment)? Here it's different, the issues Jeremy is dealing with mostly has to do with his dysfunctioning family, the one he left and expected to "solve itself" while he is far away. Yeah, it wasn't working..
Jeremy is Anna Maxwell's bodyguard (the producer of "Wolf's Landing"). As she works long hours so does he, leaving him very little time to himself (even though he does enjoy her company and they ARE sort of friends). On a day off with her and her partner Leigh he meets Scott who really intrigues and attracts him. Both being in their early 40s they are no kids, which also means they know what they want, what they can have and what they CAN'T have. After a very hot first sexual encounter they strike a deal. A sort of friends with benefits, starting more about the benefits, and continuing on to real friendship with a lot of benefits.. As time goes by, we can see how much Scott means to Jeremy even if he shuts down every thought of anything meaning more than "friendship" or "sex", it's unclear about how much Jeremy means to Scott beyond that, but it's obvious he DOES care about Jeremy, enough to be worried about his profession being dangerous...
They both have their reasons to staying single. Jeremy has enough angst with his family, he can't deal with anything more and he is filled with guilt about everything as it is... Scott had a meaningful relationship with a cop years ago and he vows never to have one like that again. Jeremy's profession is problematic for him. Yet it's obvious the boundaries are becoming flexible as they keep on meeting.
The instances with Jeremy's family were frustrating for me. ALL the blame was ALWAYS on Jeremy, even when his wife was being "supportive". Hey, you married the guy too! You've been with him for 14 (!) years if you didn't know something was wrong, it means you are either blind or choosing to be.. I'm sorry, it takes two for a relationship and while his wife isn't at fault for Jeremy not realizing (or admitting to himself) he is gay, they could have figured it out differently. But I think the fact even his wife saw him as the guy "who has to go", made it easier on him to actually do that - GO! And then it's no wonder his kids don't want him around anymore(?). Mostly his daughter which was a really angsty teenager. Scott (a couples' counselor) was trying to help but Jeremy was apparently at a teenagery stage himself not wanting to actually DO something to change their family situation. I was very frustrated with him (as was Scott). Also for a romance novel, it took took much page time even though mostly about Jeremy's thought on the matter.
There was very little "romance" in this one. Sex, work, his heartache over his family and a little bit of friendship that ended being the romantic connection. I enjoyed the last few chapters because something was HAPPENING. Jeremy started DOING instead of WAITING. I liked him as a character but I think he was too cowardly and I can say the same about Scott. I was happy to see everything resolved the way it did. It felt very realistic. I just wanted MORE from this one...
This book was also a sort of introduction to Anna and Leigh dysfunctional relationship.. We've heard it before in the series how much they don't get along.. so finally the next installment is about Anna getting her HEA and it's not with Leigh..
More Reviews HERE
Jeremy is Anna Maxwell's bodyguard (the producer of "Wolf's Landing"). As she works long hours so does he, leaving him very little time to himself (even though he does enjoy her company and they ARE sort of friends). On a day off with her and her partner Leigh he meets Scott who really intrigues and attracts him. Both being in their early 40s they are no kids, which also means they know what they want, what they can have and what they CAN'T have. After a very hot first sexual encounter they strike a deal. A sort of friends with benefits, starting more about the benefits, and continuing on to real friendship with a lot of benefits.. As time goes by, we can see how much Scott means to Jeremy even if he shuts down every thought of anything meaning more than "friendship" or "sex", it's unclear about how much Jeremy means to Scott beyond that, but it's obvious he DOES care about Jeremy, enough to be worried about his profession being dangerous...
They both have their reasons to staying single. Jeremy has enough angst with his family, he can't deal with anything more and he is filled with guilt about everything as it is... Scott had a meaningful relationship with a cop years ago and he vows never to have one like that again. Jeremy's profession is problematic for him. Yet it's obvious the boundaries are becoming flexible as they keep on meeting.
The instances with Jeremy's family were frustrating for me. ALL the blame was ALWAYS on Jeremy, even when his wife was being "supportive". Hey, you married the guy too! You've been with him for 14 (!) years if you didn't know something was wrong, it means you are either blind or choosing to be.. I'm sorry, it takes two for a relationship and while his wife isn't at fault for Jeremy not realizing (or admitting to himself) he is gay, they could have figured it out differently. But I think the fact even his wife saw him as the guy "who has to go", made it easier on him to actually do that - GO! And then it's no wonder his kids don't want him around anymore(?). Mostly his daughter which was a really angsty teenager. Scott (a couples' counselor) was trying to help but Jeremy was apparently at a teenagery stage himself not wanting to actually DO something to change their family situation. I was very frustrated with him (as was Scott). Also for a romance novel, it took took much page time even though mostly about Jeremy's thought on the matter.
There was very little "romance" in this one. Sex, work, his heartache over his family and a little bit of friendship that ended being the romantic connection. I enjoyed the last few chapters because something was HAPPENING. Jeremy started DOING instead of WAITING. I liked him as a character but I think he was too cowardly and I can say the same about Scott. I was happy to see everything resolved the way it did. It felt very realistic. I just wanted MORE from this one...
This book was also a sort of introduction to Anna and Leigh dysfunctional relationship.. We've heard it before in the series how much they don't get along.. so finally the next installment is about Anna getting her HEA and it's not with Leigh..
More Reviews HERE
October 20, 2015
*3.5 stars*
It's been a long time since I've read a series I enjoyed more than this one, because aside from the fantastic writers taking turns giving our characters their HEAs, the stories are unique and pretty diverse, despite the central theme of a movie set.
L.A. Witt is one of my favorite authors, and while I certainly enjoyed this book a lot, I can't say I loved it. There were many things I liked, like the fact that our main characters were mature men with a ton of baggage. Really, they each had struggles of different kinds and they both still deal with the repercussions of their decisions/fate.
Jeremy is Anna's bodyguard, and he recently moved to Bluewater Bay to escape the drama and unhappiness his divorce from his wife and his coming out of the closet has brought. Jeremy is miserable because his teenage kids hate him and their relationship seems impossible to fix, and while he's no longer closeted, he's not allowing himself the luxury of falling in love and being happy with a man. His guilt for destroying his family's happiness is weighing heavily on him and he can't seem to find a way to repair damaged relationships.
Scott is a marriage counselor, and isn't that ironic? Scott doesn't believe in happy marriages or in lasting relationships, and losing his one and only love over two decades ago certainly isn't helping his fate. When he meets Jeremy, it's chemistry at first sight, and it doesn't take long for both men to come to an agreement that benefits both of them: sex with no strings attached! Except before long, they become very good friends aside from lovers, and even if they don't realize it, their relationship slowly becomes more, and unwanted feeling make themselves known.
I honestly liked their chemistry and the sex between them was insanely hot, but the fact that they kept ignoring the feelings building between them was annoying as hell. We're talking about two mature men who have more life experience than most, I wanted them to accept and recognize the feelings growing between them and deal with them as adults. They did eventually accept that they became important to each other and that they wanted to give this relationship thing a good honest try, but it was very late in the book.
The reason I rated this 3 stars instead of 4 is because of that ending... to me, it felt unfinished. True, they discuss their feelings and make decisions regarding their future, but what I really wanted to see was how Jeremy repaired the relationship with his kids once they all started going to therapy as a family. And to me, it's unacceptable that Scott never got to meet Jeremy's kids on page. I expected at least some epilogue a few years into the future showing the guys settled and happy with each other, along with the relationship they both have with Jeremy's kids, because to me, family dynamics are important.... especially when Jeremy spent a whole book stressing about it.
It's been a long time since I've read a series I enjoyed more than this one, because aside from the fantastic writers taking turns giving our characters their HEAs, the stories are unique and pretty diverse, despite the central theme of a movie set.
L.A. Witt is one of my favorite authors, and while I certainly enjoyed this book a lot, I can't say I loved it. There were many things I liked, like the fact that our main characters were mature men with a ton of baggage. Really, they each had struggles of different kinds and they both still deal with the repercussions of their decisions/fate.
Jeremy is Anna's bodyguard, and he recently moved to Bluewater Bay to escape the drama and unhappiness his divorce from his wife and his coming out of the closet has brought. Jeremy is miserable because his teenage kids hate him and their relationship seems impossible to fix, and while he's no longer closeted, he's not allowing himself the luxury of falling in love and being happy with a man. His guilt for destroying his family's happiness is weighing heavily on him and he can't seem to find a way to repair damaged relationships.
Scott is a marriage counselor, and isn't that ironic? Scott doesn't believe in happy marriages or in lasting relationships, and losing his one and only love over two decades ago certainly isn't helping his fate. When he meets Jeremy, it's chemistry at first sight, and it doesn't take long for both men to come to an agreement that benefits both of them: sex with no strings attached! Except before long, they become very good friends aside from lovers, and even if they don't realize it, their relationship slowly becomes more, and unwanted feeling make themselves known.
I honestly liked their chemistry and the sex between them was insanely hot, but the fact that they kept ignoring the feelings building between them was annoying as hell. We're talking about two mature men who have more life experience than most, I wanted them to accept and recognize the feelings growing between them and deal with them as adults. They did eventually accept that they became important to each other and that they wanted to give this relationship thing a good honest try, but it was very late in the book.
The reason I rated this 3 stars instead of 4 is because of that ending... to me, it felt unfinished. True, they discuss their feelings and make decisions regarding their future, but what I really wanted to see was how Jeremy repaired the relationship with his kids once they all started going to therapy as a family. And to me, it's unacceptable that Scott never got to meet Jeremy's kids on page. I expected at least some epilogue a few years into the future showing the guys settled and happy with each other, along with the relationship they both have with Jeremy's kids, because to me, family dynamics are important.... especially when Jeremy spent a whole book stressing about it.
December 11, 2015
I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to review any of the books in the “Bluewater Bay” series. I enjoy them thoroughly and the fact that L.A. Witt wrote several of them is a definite selling point. So before I say anything else, let me say, GO READ THE SERIES.
I think one of the things I enjoyed most about this book is that the characters weren’t kids. Jeremy Rose and Scott Fletcher are men with pasts. They have chips on their shoulders and years of struggle they endured long before they ever met.
After a bitter divorce and working as a bodyguard for Anna Maxwell—a producer in a rocky relationship of her own—Jeremy has a dim view of relationships. Scott is a marriage counselor who has spent years seeing patients in relationships that are falling apart and has a history with men who work dangerous jobs. In fact, they both hate each other’s jobs, which creates tension between them.
Initially, they’re convinced that a no-strings-attached hook up is the answer to their problems. Neither man is looking for a relationship, but the more time they spend together the closer they become. The book was entirely from Jeremy’s POV, but it was amusing to watch them both deny the growing connection.
The characters were stubborn and interestingly flawed. In particular, Jeremy’s struggle to see what was right in front of him stood out to me. Although at first it seemed impossible that anyone had that big of a lack of self-awareness—in particular about their own sexuality and feelings—a pattern began to develop. It was an interesting character flaw and it was his acknowledgement of that and willingness to admit when he was wrong that made him an appealing character. I like characters with an interesting emotional development and I feel like that’s something L.A. Witt excels at. Every book of hers that I’ve read contains a very clear emotional arc throughout the story.
I liked the way Scott’s history and current job impacted their relationship, and that Jeremy had a lot of work to do fixing things with his relationship with his kids. The solution at the end was plausible and well-thought out and gave a nice feeling of hope for all of their futures.
My only complaint about the story was that the climax felt a little rushed. Scott becomes upset at Jeremy and it seems rather out of the blue. I am not sure that would have been the case if we’d seen the story from both POVs, but I would have liked a smidge more build up since we were limited to Jeremy’s POV.
Overall though, I enjoyed the story and the relationship the characters had. As always, L.A. Witt’s smutty scenes were hot as hell and the characters had fantastic chemistry. This was a thoroughly enjoyable story in a series I can’t stop buying and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
I think one of the things I enjoyed most about this book is that the characters weren’t kids. Jeremy Rose and Scott Fletcher are men with pasts. They have chips on their shoulders and years of struggle they endured long before they ever met.
After a bitter divorce and working as a bodyguard for Anna Maxwell—a producer in a rocky relationship of her own—Jeremy has a dim view of relationships. Scott is a marriage counselor who has spent years seeing patients in relationships that are falling apart and has a history with men who work dangerous jobs. In fact, they both hate each other’s jobs, which creates tension between them.
Initially, they’re convinced that a no-strings-attached hook up is the answer to their problems. Neither man is looking for a relationship, but the more time they spend together the closer they become. The book was entirely from Jeremy’s POV, but it was amusing to watch them both deny the growing connection.
The characters were stubborn and interestingly flawed. In particular, Jeremy’s struggle to see what was right in front of him stood out to me. Although at first it seemed impossible that anyone had that big of a lack of self-awareness—in particular about their own sexuality and feelings—a pattern began to develop. It was an interesting character flaw and it was his acknowledgement of that and willingness to admit when he was wrong that made him an appealing character. I like characters with an interesting emotional development and I feel like that’s something L.A. Witt excels at. Every book of hers that I’ve read contains a very clear emotional arc throughout the story.
I liked the way Scott’s history and current job impacted their relationship, and that Jeremy had a lot of work to do fixing things with his relationship with his kids. The solution at the end was plausible and well-thought out and gave a nice feeling of hope for all of their futures.
My only complaint about the story was that the climax felt a little rushed. Scott becomes upset at Jeremy and it seems rather out of the blue. I am not sure that would have been the case if we’d seen the story from both POVs, but I would have liked a smidge more build up since we were limited to Jeremy’s POV.
Overall though, I enjoyed the story and the relationship the characters had. As always, L.A. Witt’s smutty scenes were hot as hell and the characters had fantastic chemistry. This was a thoroughly enjoyable story in a series I can’t stop buying and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
October 19, 2015
My Review:
Again, this is another great installment to the Bluewater Bay series. I liked this one. Neither Scott nor Jeremy has any desire to have a relationship, and they both have very good reasons for that. While Scott's reasons are more tragic, this story really belongs to Jeremy. The book is told entirely from his point of view.
Jeremy is a bodyguard for the show's director, who is having her own relationship problems. He's from California, but moved to Washington for the show. But he wasn't sad about that happening because that gave him and his family some breathing room. Although it's been 3 years since his divorce, his kids aren't dealing with the fact he's gay too well. They're angry and take it out on him every chance they can. He thinks by giving them space, they may adjust better.
But because of his kids issues with it, he knows that there's no way he can get involved with another man right now. But with both these guys on the same page, they are free to settle in for a nice, hot sex-only kind of relationship.
I loved this story just because both guys are so sure that the relationship isn't going anywhere, they don't worry about that aspect of it. They're simply enjoying the hot sex and each other...which means a relationship happens before they even realize it. I also really liked that they are both over forty. That life experience gives them a great maturity and ability to deal with one another that made for a really relaxed read. There was no deep angst for them. They have an issue, they discuss it. The only real point of contention between them is Jeremy's issue with counselors...which just happens to be Scott's career.
There were several side stories happening besides the romance and I can honestly say I enjoyed both of them. Jeremy is trying to build a relationship with his kids again. And then their is the crumbling of the relationship between Anna and Leigh. That provided an interesting backdrop to the story to watch established relationships at various points in their health and how they recover or don't.
My only real issue with this book is that the end felt kind of abrupt. While things were in a good place for Jeremy and Scott, everything else felt like it was kind of left hanging a bit. On its way to being better, but no true resolution on the page there...only the hope that it all works out.
But overall, I really enjoyed this one too. This has been a great series that I've enjoyed from the very start and continued to do so throughout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Again, this is another great installment to the Bluewater Bay series. I liked this one. Neither Scott nor Jeremy has any desire to have a relationship, and they both have very good reasons for that. While Scott's reasons are more tragic, this story really belongs to Jeremy. The book is told entirely from his point of view.
Jeremy is a bodyguard for the show's director, who is having her own relationship problems. He's from California, but moved to Washington for the show. But he wasn't sad about that happening because that gave him and his family some breathing room. Although it's been 3 years since his divorce, his kids aren't dealing with the fact he's gay too well. They're angry and take it out on him every chance they can. He thinks by giving them space, they may adjust better.
But because of his kids issues with it, he knows that there's no way he can get involved with another man right now. But with both these guys on the same page, they are free to settle in for a nice, hot sex-only kind of relationship.
I loved this story just because both guys are so sure that the relationship isn't going anywhere, they don't worry about that aspect of it. They're simply enjoying the hot sex and each other...which means a relationship happens before they even realize it. I also really liked that they are both over forty. That life experience gives them a great maturity and ability to deal with one another that made for a really relaxed read. There was no deep angst for them. They have an issue, they discuss it. The only real point of contention between them is Jeremy's issue with counselors...which just happens to be Scott's career.
There were several side stories happening besides the romance and I can honestly say I enjoyed both of them. Jeremy is trying to build a relationship with his kids again. And then their is the crumbling of the relationship between Anna and Leigh. That provided an interesting backdrop to the story to watch established relationships at various points in their health and how they recover or don't.
My only real issue with this book is that the end felt kind of abrupt. While things were in a good place for Jeremy and Scott, everything else felt like it was kind of left hanging a bit. On its way to being better, but no true resolution on the page there...only the hope that it all works out.
But overall, I really enjoyed this one too. This has been a great series that I've enjoyed from the very start and continued to do so throughout.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 19, 2015
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
L.A. Witt is one of my favorite author's of gay romance and her BlueWater Bay offerings have been some of my favorites, so picking up Rain Shadow to read was a no brainer and I enjoyed it immensely despite the fact these two men had a whole lot of baggage to sort through before they could find their happiness.
I loved the spontaneity between them early on, the need for each other that grew with each week, the way they both opened up to each other about their pasts and watching them figure out a way to make things work despite everything they brought with them to the relationship. This book is high on the sexy times given they started out as f*ck buddies (or so they claimed), but it was also emotional and a really good look at how important communication is in every relationship.
From the minute Jeremy and Scott meet there was an obvious connection but when they failed to exchange information, Jeremy felt he'd missed an opportunity for some fun, so when they meet for a second time in an unconventional way this time he decides to take a chance. Both men were very upfront in what they didn't want...a relationship, but some rockin' sex, they were all over that and each other and multiple surfaces. These two were making up for lost time and enjoying every minute of it. As both men are in their 40's, I appreciated the more mature relationship between them but it also brought to light that because of their age they both had some heavy duty emotional baggage and a fundamental difference of opinion on counseling. I found it interesting how they both started to "need" each other , yet neither one of these very intelligent men couldn't figure out that despite their opposition to relationships they were both in one.
There was a bit more drama in this book that I care for with Jeremy trying to repair his relationship with his teenage children following his divorce and subsequent "coming out" and Scott dealing with Jeremy's job as a bodyguard when his partner who was a cop was killed in the line of duty and remember that fundamental difference of opinion....that too got in the way big time. However, their age and experience gave them the wisdom to figure out their mistakes, take responsibility for their actions and move forward together.
A touching and supremely sexy story added with the powerful storytelling of L.A. Witt made Rain Shadow another superb addition to the BlueWater Bay series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
L.A. Witt is one of my favorite author's of gay romance and her BlueWater Bay offerings have been some of my favorites, so picking up Rain Shadow to read was a no brainer and I enjoyed it immensely despite the fact these two men had a whole lot of baggage to sort through before they could find their happiness.
I loved the spontaneity between them early on, the need for each other that grew with each week, the way they both opened up to each other about their pasts and watching them figure out a way to make things work despite everything they brought with them to the relationship. This book is high on the sexy times given they started out as f*ck buddies (or so they claimed), but it was also emotional and a really good look at how important communication is in every relationship.
From the minute Jeremy and Scott meet there was an obvious connection but when they failed to exchange information, Jeremy felt he'd missed an opportunity for some fun, so when they meet for a second time in an unconventional way this time he decides to take a chance. Both men were very upfront in what they didn't want...a relationship, but some rockin' sex, they were all over that and each other and multiple surfaces. These two were making up for lost time and enjoying every minute of it. As both men are in their 40's, I appreciated the more mature relationship between them but it also brought to light that because of their age they both had some heavy duty emotional baggage and a fundamental difference of opinion on counseling. I found it interesting how they both started to "need" each other , yet neither one of these very intelligent men couldn't figure out that despite their opposition to relationships they were both in one.
There was a bit more drama in this book that I care for with Jeremy trying to repair his relationship with his teenage children following his divorce and subsequent "coming out" and Scott dealing with Jeremy's job as a bodyguard when his partner who was a cop was killed in the line of duty and remember that fundamental difference of opinion....that too got in the way big time. However, their age and experience gave them the wisdom to figure out their mistakes, take responsibility for their actions and move forward together.
A touching and supremely sexy story added with the powerful storytelling of L.A. Witt made Rain Shadow another superb addition to the BlueWater Bay series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
November 3, 2015
I just love returning to Bluewater Bay, and LA Witt always makes it such an enjoyable visit too! Rain Shadow was a wonderful addition to this much beloved series, and I just adored Jeremy and Scott!
Being a bodyguard for Anna means Jeremy already has to deal with a lot of drama going on, and things between Anna and her girlfriend Leigh are about to explode. But Jeremy also has his own set of issues as well. His divorce has created a huge divide between him and his kids that seems insurmountable. It is also distracting him from his job when distraction could easily lead to someone getting hurt.
Scott came to Bluewater Bay to escape the pain from when his boyfriend was shot in the line of duty. Now twenty years later, being alone is exactly how he prefers to live his life. Even though his profession as a family counselor helps others work through their relationships, the last thing he wants is to get involved in another relationship himself.
When these two meet by chance on an early morning trip into the wilderness, the sparks are immediate and scorching. Neither one of them want to get into a relationship, and they decide to stick with having amazing sex as often as they can instead. But as the weeks go by, they find that is exactly what they have right before they lose it.
Jeremy and Scott were a great couple once you look beyond all the baggage that they both carry. These two are oh so sexy, and I'm telling you guys they rock it in the bedroom! Whew, were they hot! I also liked that both men were older. Being more experienced means they both have learned the hard way to be okay with who they are and what they want in life. I think that also helped them when it came down to repairing their relationship. Age and wisdom can do wonderful things, and both of them showed that they had a relationship worth fighting for even when they both didn't intend on having one in the fist place. Like I said, this was a great addition to the Bluewater Bay series, and now I can't wait for Anna's story!
*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
Check out this and more of my reviews on my blog Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
Being a bodyguard for Anna means Jeremy already has to deal with a lot of drama going on, and things between Anna and her girlfriend Leigh are about to explode. But Jeremy also has his own set of issues as well. His divorce has created a huge divide between him and his kids that seems insurmountable. It is also distracting him from his job when distraction could easily lead to someone getting hurt.
Scott came to Bluewater Bay to escape the pain from when his boyfriend was shot in the line of duty. Now twenty years later, being alone is exactly how he prefers to live his life. Even though his profession as a family counselor helps others work through their relationships, the last thing he wants is to get involved in another relationship himself.
When these two meet by chance on an early morning trip into the wilderness, the sparks are immediate and scorching. Neither one of them want to get into a relationship, and they decide to stick with having amazing sex as often as they can instead. But as the weeks go by, they find that is exactly what they have right before they lose it.
Jeremy and Scott were a great couple once you look beyond all the baggage that they both carry. These two are oh so sexy, and I'm telling you guys they rock it in the bedroom! Whew, were they hot! I also liked that both men were older. Being more experienced means they both have learned the hard way to be okay with who they are and what they want in life. I think that also helped them when it came down to repairing their relationship. Age and wisdom can do wonderful things, and both of them showed that they had a relationship worth fighting for even when they both didn't intend on having one in the fist place. Like I said, this was a great addition to the Bluewater Bay series, and now I can't wait for Anna's story!
*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
Check out this and more of my reviews on my blog Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
February 18, 2016
**Originally posted on Kiki's Kinky Picks**
4.5 stars
Rain Shadow by L.A. Witt was a really great book. I really enjoyed watching Jeremy and Scott fall in love. Plus, where has the Bluewater Bay series been my whole life? I need to read the rest of the books!
It’s written in first-person and Jeremy’s point-of-view so you really get to know him. There’s enough development of the characters and plot though that you fully understand Scott and his motives.
I loved how complicated Jeremy’s relationship with his kids was. That’s real life. The author didn’t create angst for the sake of it, but she still cultivated a realistic situation and the characters reacted accordingly.
Jeremy’s relationship with Anna was also awesome. It was more than employer/employee. They were each others confidantes and support.
Scott and Jeremy together was perfection. The successes and problems within their relationship were poignant. It felt raw and organic, not manufactured to provide conflict.
I can’t wait to read this entire series. I love the idea of it–one town with many stories and many authors writing those stories.
Rain Shadow was a wonderfully fulfilling story of two men battling through their own problems to find love. It was real in a way few books are.
Copy provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4.5 stars
Rain Shadow by L.A. Witt was a really great book. I really enjoyed watching Jeremy and Scott fall in love. Plus, where has the Bluewater Bay series been my whole life? I need to read the rest of the books!
It’s written in first-person and Jeremy’s point-of-view so you really get to know him. There’s enough development of the characters and plot though that you fully understand Scott and his motives.
I loved how complicated Jeremy’s relationship with his kids was. That’s real life. The author didn’t create angst for the sake of it, but she still cultivated a realistic situation and the characters reacted accordingly.
Jeremy’s relationship with Anna was also awesome. It was more than employer/employee. They were each others confidantes and support.
Scott and Jeremy together was perfection. The successes and problems within their relationship were poignant. It felt raw and organic, not manufactured to provide conflict.
I can’t wait to read this entire series. I love the idea of it–one town with many stories and many authors writing those stories.
Rain Shadow was a wonderfully fulfilling story of two men battling through their own problems to find love. It was real in a way few books are.
Copy provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 19, 2016
Things I liked - Scott and Jeremy, the fact they were an older couple, that it was a friends with benefits that turned serious.
Things I didn't like, the martyred it was all my fault attitude of Jeremy to the exclusion of all else. Yes he was gay but it wasn't his decision alone to try and stick together once he could finally no longer stop hiding who he was.
And Haley, I wanted to slap her, yes she was obviously upset over the whole situation but my gawd, what a spoilt little brat she was especially when accusing her dad of being selfish, hello pot say hi to the kettle.
Scott was a sweetie and I completely understood and empathised with his fear about having a relationship with a cop or similar but he also felt a bit one dimensional in that his role as a counsellor seemed to be his only character identity.
Still, the sex is off the charts hot and the relationship is written with lots of emotions even if both men were fighting the whole "we're having a relationship" thing for ages, and they worked really well as a mature couple.
Things I didn't like, the martyred it was all my fault attitude of Jeremy to the exclusion of all else. Yes he was gay but it wasn't his decision alone to try and stick together once he could finally no longer stop hiding who he was.
And Haley, I wanted to slap her, yes she was obviously upset over the whole situation but my gawd, what a spoilt little brat she was especially when accusing her dad of being selfish, hello pot say hi to the kettle.
Scott was a sweetie and I completely understood and empathised with his fear about having a relationship with a cop or similar but he also felt a bit one dimensional in that his role as a counsellor seemed to be his only character identity.
Still, the sex is off the charts hot and the relationship is written with lots of emotions even if both men were fighting the whole "we're having a relationship" thing for ages, and they worked really well as a mature couple.
October 24, 2015
While I did like parts of this book I have to say when the two MC's will not commit to any kind of relationship other then meeting up for sex for most of the book that through me off a little bit.
You get Jeremy who is a bodyguard for Anna who works for a show called Wolf's Creek. Well he is a older man who has divorced from his wife and moved away from his kids to try and give them space due to the kids being mad at him and blaming him for the divorce.
He meets Scott on a bus to see eagles with the woman Jeremy is protecting and her partner. Well one thing leads to another and they start sleeping together but with no strings attached which honestly almost the whole book of that was a little too much for me. They are both older men which I loved and I did like parts of this story but for some reason this one just did not grab me.
So I am sad to say this one was just not for me...
You get Jeremy who is a bodyguard for Anna who works for a show called Wolf's Creek. Well he is a older man who has divorced from his wife and moved away from his kids to try and give them space due to the kids being mad at him and blaming him for the divorce.
He meets Scott on a bus to see eagles with the woman Jeremy is protecting and her partner. Well one thing leads to another and they start sleeping together but with no strings attached which honestly almost the whole book of that was a little too much for me. They are both older men which I loved and I did like parts of this story but for some reason this one just did not grab me.
So I am sad to say this one was just not for me...
January 1, 2016
2.0 what's-so-happy-about-this-ending stars
This book had the potential to be great but sadly, it was overridden with too many Debbie downers. Between the ex, the bratty daughter, the uppity psychologist BF, and the battling lesbians, I found little to be happy about. Then, to add insult to injury, things really tanked at the end.
Bottom line: Don't try and sell me the HEA, I ain't buying.
This book had the potential to be great but sadly, it was overridden with too many Debbie downers. Between the ex, the bratty daughter, the uppity psychologist BF, and the battling lesbians, I found little to be happy about. Then, to add insult to injury, things really tanked at the end.
Bottom line: Don't try and sell me the HEA, I ain't buying.
October 30, 2015
I always forget how much I love LA Witt's writing until I read another of her books. Loved the characters, premise, story... a great addition to this series. My only issue was I wanted more!! I wanted to know what happened down the road... I needed an epilogue, a wrap up, an "everything worked out" ending. Wish it had been tied up in a neat little bow. Even so - really enjoyed this.
January 6, 2016
I like L.A.Witt, I love the mature main characters and the kissing...so much kissing and chemistry . But there was something in Jeremy's character that I didn't liked.The plot , seemed to me missing of romance, emotions. I liked Scott though.
Read
January 3, 2016Skimmed it, got sucked in by the blurb and this is so not what i usually read so am not going to bother rating it
October 25, 2015
Well it was good occasionally, so-so sometimes and eh a few times. Decent but not memorable.
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