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All Saints #1
Come What May
Jonas needs Tate. He just doesn't know it yet.
Or at least, he doesn't want to admit it. Because there is no way Jonas Ashcroft is gay. He's a straight, carefree frat boy player, just like any good son of a conservative state senator. If only his struggle to convince everyone—especially himself—didn't leave him so miserable. No matter how many girls or bottles he drowns himself in, Jonas can neither escape nor accept who he is.
Enter Tate. He's smart, confident, and instantly sees right through Jonas's surly exterior. Sure, he's done things in life he's not proud of, but he knows who he is and what he wants. And what he wants is Jonas. As their easy friendship intensifies into something more, Tate introduces Jonas to a life he's never known. One filled with acceptance and sex and a love that terrifies and excites them both.
But some inner demons refuse to be shaken off so easily. When Jonas's old life barges in, he faces a shattering choice, one that could destroy everything he and Tate have fought so hard for. Sometimes love just isn't enough—and sometimes it's exactly what you need.
Or at least, he doesn't want to admit it. Because there is no way Jonas Ashcroft is gay. He's a straight, carefree frat boy player, just like any good son of a conservative state senator. If only his struggle to convince everyone—especially himself—didn't leave him so miserable. No matter how many girls or bottles he drowns himself in, Jonas can neither escape nor accept who he is.
Enter Tate. He's smart, confident, and instantly sees right through Jonas's surly exterior. Sure, he's done things in life he's not proud of, but he knows who he is and what he wants. And what he wants is Jonas. As their easy friendship intensifies into something more, Tate introduces Jonas to a life he's never known. One filled with acceptance and sex and a love that terrifies and excites them both.
But some inner demons refuse to be shaken off so easily. When Jonas's old life barges in, he faces a shattering choice, one that could destroy everything he and Tate have fought so hard for. Sometimes love just isn't enough—and sometimes it's exactly what you need.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2016
49 people are currently reading
979 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Arthur
87 books1,233 followersNo stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
May 16, 2016
This latest book by A.M. Arthur, the beginning of an all new series, is definitely worth a read.
At 21, Jonas is a rich frat boy / fuck up, who's never had to work for anything, until a hazing prank is taken too far and he's expelled from his junior year of college, then sent away to his aunt's to grow up.
At 23, Tate is a co-founder of All Saints House, a shelter for at-risk LGBT youth. Since 14, he's been providing for his two younger sisters, sometimes having sold himself to ensure they had food on the table, so yes, he's worked for every single thing that he has.
Jonas initially tries to keep Tate at arm's length and I must admit that Jonas' transition from "I'm straight" to "I wonder if Tate has a big dick" isn't the smoothest that I've ever witnessed, but once I regained my bearings, their romance worked really worked for me.
Jonas is scared to be who he really is, mainly due to the expectations of his asshole political father, but Tate is loving and patient, so Jonas can come to terms with his issues at his own pace.
One aspect of this story that I particularly loved is that there are no cliché "big misunderstanding" or "running away" scenes being milked here. Both MC's are pretty mature and honest with one another, which is refreshing.
There are definite 'sexy times' in this story, if you are curious, but the Drama Llama (which I loathed in Arthur's "The Truth as He Knows It") is blessedly absent, with the conflict not coming across as fake or forced.
I'd guess that the next MC in the series will be Marc, Tate's HIV-positive co-founder of All Saints House, and I'm really looking forward to reading his book.
Overall, I'm scoring this fun and entertaining coming out story at a very solid 4-stars.
------------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the story was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
no
May 24, 2016golly, who could have foreseen my antipathy for the themes in this book
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or my animus against an author foolish enough to say things like this
http://www.queerromancemonth.com/a-m-...
i suppose we will never know
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
or my animus against an author foolish enough to say things like this
http://www.queerromancemonth.com/a-m-...
i suppose we will never know
May 1, 2016
Come What May is the first book in the All Saints series by AM Arthur. This book revolves around Tate, the co-owner of All Saints homeless shelter for LBGT teens in the Wilmington Delaware area. Tate is the guardian of his two younger siblings and lives above a garage in a small apartment. When Tate meets his landlord's young nephew, first impressions were mixed. Albeit beautiful, Jonas was the epitome of spoiled, rich, and in denial. He says he's straight and only goes for the women but everything screams otherwise. And something about this 21-year old troubled frat boy says he may truly need a friend more than a boyfriend...
Jonas gets sent to live with his aunt after his Senator father is painfully disappointed in his stupid hazing prank that made headline news. Always the failure, maybe moving into the basement of his aunt's house and actually taking time off of school to work and learn responsibility will be therapeutic. When he meets his aunt's tenant, Tate sets his world on fire. Deeply in denial of being homosexual, something about Tate is irresistible and time spent between these very different men finds his denial waning and his desires mounting...
Come What May is one of those easy, medium paced build MM reads. Tate, the ever volunteer and responsible guy with very little in monetary things, finds himself a pivotal support person for the kid who on the surface seems to have it all. Jonas found just what he needs in this town- true family and values, giving instead of receiving, and love where it's least expected.
Another successful MM read by AM Arthur. This is an author I can pick up and always know I'll get a nice balance of story, angst, and steam. Characters are usually very different but compliment what the other needs or lacks perfectly. I'm anxious to see who Tate's business partner Marc ends up with in the next installment.
Advanced copy received by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 20, 2018
Audio & story - 3.5 stars round up because of the endearing MCs
Too much drama in the last couple of chapters, and the wrap up at the end was just too sweet.
Too much drama in the last couple of chapters, and the wrap up at the end was just too sweet.
Read
June 22, 2016I've been trying to muster up the drive to finish this book for weeks, but it's been sitting partially read on my kindle this whole time. I just can't push myself to finish, and I simply don't care what happens to the characters. No rating at this time.
May 23, 2016
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED --5/23/16
Jonas Ashcroft was a loser, according to his father. Never able to live up to Senator Jonathon Ashcroft expectations, Jonas was forced to go live with his Aunt Doris and Uncle Raymond, after he was disgraced and kicked out of college. Now he is working in a thrift store owned by his Aunt and Uncle, and completely miserable. It isn’t until a hot, beautiful young man, Tate Dawon, walks into the store and Jonas is confused by him. Why he can’t stop thinking about Tate?
Tate Dawson has a lot on his plate, and definitely no time for a relationship with the new hottie at the thrift store, especially if the hottie is straight. He has a LGBT shelter to run, as well as taking care of his 2 sisters. He is only 21, but he has definitely lived a full life, not all of which was easy.
I absolutely adored Tate and Jonas together. They figured out the true meaning of love, helping each other grow and become both stronger and better men. There were some bumps in the road, but that made the story even a little sweeter.
Come What May is a good beginning to the All Saints series by A. M. Arthur. The side characters were likable and interesting and I am hoping book 2 will be about Tate’s friend, Marc.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a sweet story with not a lot of sex.
I was provided a copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Jonas Ashcroft was a loser, according to his father. Never able to live up to Senator Jonathon Ashcroft expectations, Jonas was forced to go live with his Aunt Doris and Uncle Raymond, after he was disgraced and kicked out of college. Now he is working in a thrift store owned by his Aunt and Uncle, and completely miserable. It isn’t until a hot, beautiful young man, Tate Dawon, walks into the store and Jonas is confused by him. Why he can’t stop thinking about Tate?
Tate Dawson has a lot on his plate, and definitely no time for a relationship with the new hottie at the thrift store, especially if the hottie is straight. He has a LGBT shelter to run, as well as taking care of his 2 sisters. He is only 21, but he has definitely lived a full life, not all of which was easy.
I absolutely adored Tate and Jonas together. They figured out the true meaning of love, helping each other grow and become both stronger and better men. There were some bumps in the road, but that made the story even a little sweeter.
Come What May is a good beginning to the All Saints series by A. M. Arthur. The side characters were likable and interesting and I am hoping book 2 will be about Tate’s friend, Marc.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a sweet story with not a lot of sex.
"You've been living in this bubble, afraid to break free, and now you have the chance to. You're still this baby bird who fell out of the nest and landed hard. You can barely walk right now, let alone fly" ~Tate
"Will you help me walk? I'm not ready to fly"~Jonas
"I think you work very, very hard to be perfect when no one is, and the only thing anyone should ever do is just be her or himself. Be true to you, not to what others want from you."~Tate
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return." quote from Moulin Rouge!"
I was provided a copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2016
4.25 stars
Oooooh, I loved this one. And look at that beautiful cover..
Jonas is 21 year old spoiled frat boy who has been sent to his aunt and uncle by his father. Jonas was expelled from school for a year after a prank gone wrong. He now lives with his aunt and uncle and works in their thrift store.
It is there that he meets Tate. Tate is 23 and runs a LGBT teen homeless shelter across the street. Tate is impressed by the good looks of the kid behind the counter, and he likes Jonas’ snark. So even though Jonas screams ‘straight’, Tate tries to make friends, and hopes for something more.
Jonas might think himself a spoiled frat boy, but it is clear from the start that he is in fact very self-conscious and insecure. He is sweet and confused and has no idea what to do with himself.
These guys start a friendship, but that develops into something more rather quick, because even though Jonas tries to tell Tate he isn’t gay, it is clear Jonas is indeed attracted to Tate. But Tate doesn’t want to hide what they have and Jonas is not ready to come out to everyone.
When these guys met I loved how snarky they were with each other. Jonas was pretty rude, but that didn’t deter Tate in the slightest. And of course Tate saw right through Jonas’ attitude.
I loved how there was almost no relationship angst in this. These boys talked and if one of them felt insecure about something, they told the other. Jonas being in the closer could have been a big issue between them, but I was happy to see it wasn’t. They talk about it like grownups. Oh, how I love that in my books.
There was some lovely hurt/comfort going on in this. Jonas just needs all the love, poor boy.
I really enjoyed this. So if you're looking for a sweet and sexy read, this is it. Lots of sweet loving in this one!
Oooooh, I loved this one. And look at that beautiful cover..
Jonas is 21 year old spoiled frat boy who has been sent to his aunt and uncle by his father. Jonas was expelled from school for a year after a prank gone wrong. He now lives with his aunt and uncle and works in their thrift store.
It is there that he meets Tate. Tate is 23 and runs a LGBT teen homeless shelter across the street. Tate is impressed by the good looks of the kid behind the counter, and he likes Jonas’ snark. So even though Jonas screams ‘straight’, Tate tries to make friends, and hopes for something more.
Jonas might think himself a spoiled frat boy, but it is clear from the start that he is in fact very self-conscious and insecure. He is sweet and confused and has no idea what to do with himself.
These guys start a friendship, but that develops into something more rather quick, because even though Jonas tries to tell Tate he isn’t gay, it is clear Jonas is indeed attracted to Tate. But Tate doesn’t want to hide what they have and Jonas is not ready to come out to everyone.
When these guys met I loved how snarky they were with each other. Jonas was pretty rude, but that didn’t deter Tate in the slightest. And of course Tate saw right through Jonas’ attitude.
I loved how there was almost no relationship angst in this. These boys talked and if one of them felt insecure about something, they told the other. Jonas being in the closer could have been a big issue between them, but I was happy to see it wasn’t. They talk about it like grownups. Oh, how I love that in my books.
There was some lovely hurt/comfort going on in this. Jonas just needs all the love, poor boy.
I really enjoyed this. So if you're looking for a sweet and sexy read, this is it. Lots of sweet loving in this one!
March 4, 2025
4.4 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤/5
This is a new to me author and I didn’t know what to expect, but I really enjoyed Jonas and Tate’s story. They were very sweet together and while the themes could be dark and angsty, the relationship itself stayed light and adorable.
I liked the character development for Jonas. The way he acted and his inner monologues in the beginning of the story weren’t great but the longer he lived with his aunt and uncle, and the longer he interacted with Tate shifted his world view a lot.
I really just had a good time with this couple, and the audiobook was done super well. I’m excited for the rest of the series.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Format: audiobook
Narration: 🎤🎤🎤🎤/5
This is a new to me author and I didn’t know what to expect, but I really enjoyed Jonas and Tate’s story. They were very sweet together and while the themes could be dark and angsty, the relationship itself stayed light and adorable.
I liked the character development for Jonas. The way he acted and his inner monologues in the beginning of the story weren’t great but the longer he lived with his aunt and uncle, and the longer he interacted with Tate shifted his world view a lot.
I really just had a good time with this couple, and the audiobook was done super well. I’m excited for the rest of the series.
May 22, 2016
GET IN with this book!!!
I think I gave 2 stars and a DNF to previous books by this author but man is my faith restored. I adored this story. I loved every single thing about it. The author must have been on a mission because there wasn’t a thing left unresolved or quickly wrapped up. Just perfect.
First off. Jonas. He’s introduced as @$$hole extraordinaire. Rich kid, sentenced to 9 or so months of modest living with the aunt and uncle he can barely remember. I actually liked his unfiltered, no front attitude. He did not care much about being strictly polite or that he might be coming out as an inconsiderate, insensitive jerk. But this veneer was very thin and it came off quite quickly when Jonas started getting infatuated with Tate.
Tate. Looooooved Tate. For all the good he did (i.e., raising his sisters, running a homeless shelter for LGBT youth), he did not come off as someone with a saviour complex. He was just a good person. A 23 year-old person with plenty of hormones and a healthy sex drive as well. Once the whole “I’m not gay” spiel was lost on Jonas’ part, boy did those two have some fun.
Their relationship was gorgeous. It’s shit like this that keeps me addicted to mm romance. They were emotional, passionate, caring toward one another, and protective of one another in their own ways. The sex was very very very steamy when appropriate and sweet and tender when the situation called for it.
The side characters were all very well drawn, especially Marnie, Tate’s little sister. I appreciated that we learnt about her story throughout the book, little pieces at a time, and that her subplot (not that it took too much page time but it was important) added to understanding Tate’s character. Tate was not just the guy raising his 2 sisters. That part of his character history was developed thoroughly. In so many books, something like that works almost like décor, just something extra to add to a character’s background. This is not the case here. We see how Tate is affected by raising his sisters (although one of them is almost 18 anyway) and how much it takes. It’s not just something that makes him unavailable for sex on certain nights or a restriction of his time. We live Tate’s reality with him and how much emotion it takes out of him to be that solid figure for his sisters. Major points for this part of the book.
I also loved that Jonas went from insecure, lost little rich boy, closed off and unapproachable, to someone who grew a backbone, stood up for himself to his bigot father, and learnt how to love and accept himself. It was glorious! Jonas and Tate’s sweet moments together, how open they were toward one another was absolutely fantastic. No silly miscommunication, even when the situation practically rolled the mat for something like this to happen.
I adored this book and I will most definitely be picking up the next one in the series.
Highly recommend!
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. See this review at Gay Book Reviews.
I think I gave 2 stars and a DNF to previous books by this author but man is my faith restored. I adored this story. I loved every single thing about it. The author must have been on a mission because there wasn’t a thing left unresolved or quickly wrapped up. Just perfect.
First off. Jonas. He’s introduced as @$$hole extraordinaire. Rich kid, sentenced to 9 or so months of modest living with the aunt and uncle he can barely remember. I actually liked his unfiltered, no front attitude. He did not care much about being strictly polite or that he might be coming out as an inconsiderate, insensitive jerk. But this veneer was very thin and it came off quite quickly when Jonas started getting infatuated with Tate.
Tate. Looooooved Tate. For all the good he did (i.e., raising his sisters, running a homeless shelter for LGBT youth), he did not come off as someone with a saviour complex. He was just a good person. A 23 year-old person with plenty of hormones and a healthy sex drive as well. Once the whole “I’m not gay” spiel was lost on Jonas’ part, boy did those two have some fun.
Their relationship was gorgeous. It’s shit like this that keeps me addicted to mm romance. They were emotional, passionate, caring toward one another, and protective of one another in their own ways. The sex was very very very steamy when appropriate and sweet and tender when the situation called for it.
The side characters were all very well drawn, especially Marnie, Tate’s little sister. I appreciated that we learnt about her story throughout the book, little pieces at a time, and that her subplot (not that it took too much page time but it was important) added to understanding Tate’s character. Tate was not just the guy raising his 2 sisters. That part of his character history was developed thoroughly. In so many books, something like that works almost like décor, just something extra to add to a character’s background. This is not the case here. We see how Tate is affected by raising his sisters (although one of them is almost 18 anyway) and how much it takes. It’s not just something that makes him unavailable for sex on certain nights or a restriction of his time. We live Tate’s reality with him and how much emotion it takes out of him to be that solid figure for his sisters. Major points for this part of the book.
I also loved that Jonas went from insecure, lost little rich boy, closed off and unapproachable, to someone who grew a backbone, stood up for himself to his bigot father, and learnt how to love and accept himself. It was glorious! Jonas and Tate’s sweet moments together, how open they were toward one another was absolutely fantastic. No silly miscommunication, even when the situation practically rolled the mat for something like this to happen.
I adored this book and I will most definitely be picking up the next one in the series.
Highly recommend!
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. See this review at Gay Book Reviews.
September 29, 2022
A.M. Arthur certainly knows how to write abused and downtrodden characters. My heart went out to both of these boys, and I loved watching them brighten up each others' lives.
A nice performance in the audio version by Tyler Stevens.
A nice performance in the audio version by Tyler Stevens.
May 20, 2016
4 Stars
This book is one that will grab your attention and not let it go from beginning to end. Tate and Jonas are Two MC that are made for each other - their story is absolutely adorable and one that leaves you feeling happy at the end! There are parts of this story that you will feel like you are actually living as A.M. Arthur pulls you right into the story-line and you will want these two to have their happily ever after -
4 stars
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
This book is one that will grab your attention and not let it go from beginning to end. Tate and Jonas are Two MC that are made for each other - their story is absolutely adorable and one that leaves you feeling happy at the end! There are parts of this story that you will feel like you are actually living as A.M. Arthur pulls you right into the story-line and you will want these two to have their happily ever after -
4 stars
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
November 23, 2022
Das klang irgendwie vielversprechender, als es letztendlich war.
Paar schöne Grundideen waren dabei, das Youth Shelter für LGBTQ Teenager, der Konflikt mit dem konservativen Politikervater, die Vergangenheit auf der Straße. Trotzdem blieben die Figuren irgendwie hölzern, die Handlung hat mich nicht wirklich mitgenommen.
Kann man sich mal geben, muss man aber nicht. Ich werde die Reihe nicht weiterverfolgen, da bereits der erste Band mein Interesse kaum erhalten konnte.
Paar schöne Grundideen waren dabei, das Youth Shelter für LGBTQ Teenager, der Konflikt mit dem konservativen Politikervater, die Vergangenheit auf der Straße. Trotzdem blieben die Figuren irgendwie hölzern, die Handlung hat mich nicht wirklich mitgenommen.
Kann man sich mal geben, muss man aber nicht. Ich werde die Reihe nicht weiterverfolgen, da bereits der erste Band mein Interesse kaum erhalten konnte.
April 4, 2016
*Sigh* I just wanna grab Jonas and Tate, wrap them up and protect them from the world.
Jonas has been sent to Wilmington to stay with his aunt and uncle as punishment for a frat prank gone very, very wrong. While working in their thrift store, he meets Tate who runs a shelter for homeless kids across the street. Their first meeting is prickly to say the least, Jonas is buried very deep in the closet and Tate brings out feelings he needs to keep hidden or his overbearing douche of a father will cut him off entirely. Nothing he has ever done has made his father happy, he's not smart enough, isn't the perfect politician's son, isn't ambitious enough and being gay would just be the final nail in the coffin.
Tate has had a very difficult life, both parents died before he was 16 and he has had to fight ever since to get and keep his younger sisters with him. Add that to the pressures of running a shelter and he doesn't have time for a boyfriend and definitely not someone still in the closet but he is smitten the minute he sets sights on Jonas.
This book could have been very depressing, there are some very disturbing facts in there but it doesn't lose itself in those, it focuses on family, actual or chosen, and the importance of having good people around you who accept you for what you are. That is what Jonas discovers in Wilmington, acceptance, between Tate and his aunt and uncle he learns that there are people who will love you as you are not for what they think you should be.
There are some amazing secondary characters in here and I can't wait for stories for some of them, Marc in particular.
*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Jonas has been sent to Wilmington to stay with his aunt and uncle as punishment for a frat prank gone very, very wrong. While working in their thrift store, he meets Tate who runs a shelter for homeless kids across the street. Their first meeting is prickly to say the least, Jonas is buried very deep in the closet and Tate brings out feelings he needs to keep hidden or his overbearing douche of a father will cut him off entirely. Nothing he has ever done has made his father happy, he's not smart enough, isn't the perfect politician's son, isn't ambitious enough and being gay would just be the final nail in the coffin.
Tate has had a very difficult life, both parents died before he was 16 and he has had to fight ever since to get and keep his younger sisters with him. Add that to the pressures of running a shelter and he doesn't have time for a boyfriend and definitely not someone still in the closet but he is smitten the minute he sets sights on Jonas.
This book could have been very depressing, there are some very disturbing facts in there but it doesn't lose itself in those, it focuses on family, actual or chosen, and the importance of having good people around you who accept you for what you are. That is what Jonas discovers in Wilmington, acceptance, between Tate and his aunt and uncle he learns that there are people who will love you as you are not for what they think you should be.
There are some amazing secondary characters in here and I can't wait for stories for some of them, Marc in particular.
*Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
May 24, 2016
Come What May was a mixed bag of a book. The first half was not for me - Jonas was so obnoxious and so Tate's pursuit of him did not make sense. Their conversations seemed unlikely or stilted, it seemed awkward. I found myself checking to see how much longer the book was a few times because I was not enjoying it.
Right about when Jonas started changing, my enjoyment of the book changed, too. What read as awkward became sweet and direct communication. Jonas made a lot more sense because he was horrible for now understandable reasons and his true self started to emerge and that guy was a decent person. The sisters that we heard so much about started to be more relevant and the secondary characters fleshed out a bit more making them add to the story. And of course Jonas' dad reared his ugly head and there's nothing like a villain.
All in all, this is a tough one to review. I'm going with three stars, straight down the middle of the road. I hope Marc's story is next or maybe Will's. Maybe together?
Right about when Jonas started changing, my enjoyment of the book changed, too. What read as awkward became sweet and direct communication. Jonas made a lot more sense because he was horrible for now understandable reasons and his true self started to emerge and that guy was a decent person. The sisters that we heard so much about started to be more relevant and the secondary characters fleshed out a bit more making them add to the story. And of course Jonas' dad reared his ugly head and there's nothing like a villain.
All in all, this is a tough one to review. I'm going with three stars, straight down the middle of the road. I hope Marc's story is next or maybe Will's. Maybe together?
April 7, 2018
3.5 stars. Good book with likable MCs; little improbable ending, but still an HEA so I was glad.
May 23, 2016
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return.” ~ Moulin Rouge!”
“Come What May” is the first book in the All Saints series by A.M Arthur. It is a very sweet and engaging “coming out” story. I liked both the MCs and specially the secondary characters. The story portrays all the hardships that teens still face because of their sexuality even in this twenty first century. There are haters everywhere which most of the times include parents but there are also people who put a great effort to support these kids and try to give them a safe place to be themselves. I just loved the principal and dedication behind the shelter for LGBT teenagers, which plays a significant role in this story.
Jonas Ashton has been expelled from college because of a frat house hazing gone wrong. Now he has been dumped on his uncle and aunt in a less than glamorous town of Wilmington. For the first time in his life, Jonas has an actual job managing his uncle’s thrift store. Jonas is tired of pleasing his overbearing father and trying to pretend to be someone he is not. He gets a new start with a new town and a new family who support and love him unconditionally. He meets Tate Dawson, who is the founder of All Saints shelter for LGBT teenagers and Jonas finally finds the strength and support to stop pretending and embracing his real self.Jonas finds purpose in his life and though in the end he loses the one thing he has been pining his entire life, he also gains a far more beautiful gift of freedom and acceptance to live his life on his own terms.
“I think you work very, very hard to be perfect when no one is, and the only thing anyone should ever do is just be her or himself. Be true to you, not to what others want from you.”
Jonas Ashton is a typical rich kid with famous(read SHALLOW) parents who wants to mold him in a way that would go with their public image. Jonas’s parents have never tried to know him or understand what he wants out of life. Jonas has always wanted his father’s acknowledgement and respect which makes him hide his sexuality. In the start it is quite confusing about Jonas’s sexual preference. We know that he is tired of always getting his parent’s approval but it is not implied that he is hiding being gay. Jonas was all over the place in the beginning. I couldn’t make out if he is gay but hiding or if he has actually no idea that he is gay. He settles down about his sexuality without too much angst. He was more afraid of coming out to his parents than to the entire world. I liked how he stand up to his parents and protects Tate from his father. At the end of the story he emerges out as a person more sure of himself and with a clear purpose in his life.
Tate Dawson is one of those guys whom you just have to respect and love. He is a responsible guy with a very big heart. His dedication and total selfless gesture towards his cause was mind-blowing. He takes Jonas under his wing and gives him what Jonas’s parents has failed to give his entire life: Zero judgement and Unconditional LOVE. Tate’s character was really strong. He has been taking care f his two sisters from a very young age and his finances are not that great but that never stops him from helping homeless teenagers and giving back to the community. I respected the hell out of him. Tate was the best thing that could have ever happened to Jonas. Their HEA is perfect.
“You’ve been living in this bubble, afraid to break free, and now you have the chance to. You’re still this baby bird who fell out of the nest and landed hard. You can barely walk right now, let alone fly” -Tate
“Will you help me walk? I’m not ready to fly” -Jonas
The plot was not overwrought with drama or denial. Tate and Jonas’s relationship was pretty smooth sailing except the few times of Jonas’s father being an asshole. The romance was sweet and soothing. Jonas had horrible parents but he stands up to them which was pretty amazing. The secondary characters were great. Jonas’s new family was very supportive and loving. Also Tate’s friends and co-founder of the shelter created a nice supportive atmosphere to nurture Tate and Jonas’s budding romance.
The chemistry between Jonas and Tate was HOT. Jonas may have been new to the whole gay thing but he was a total champ while doing the sexy with Tate. There are very well placed sex scenes throughout the story which complements the various stages of their relationship.
All in all, “Come What May” is a sweet and beautiful story about acceptance and love. The boys were perfect together in every sense of the word. If you are looking for a minimum angst, loving romance about coming-out, then this is the book for you. Marc’s character is a huge part of Tate’s life and i am hoping his story will be next. Can’t wait to read it.
August 15, 2021
4.25 stars. Come What May is the beautifully told coming-out story of Jonas, and his relationship with Tate. Jonas is on a break from college because of a frat hazing gone very wrong, living with his aunt and uncle who own a thrift store. His father is an uber conservative state senator (and a real homophobic jerk) and Jonas feels that nothing he can do will measure up to his father's expectations. As Tate describes him - Jonas is a handsome smart guy with his whole life ahead of him who didn't know how to be himself. Who was too scared to embrace who he was, for fear of losing people he loved.
Tate operates the All Saints LGBT homeless shelter with his friend Marc and also cares for his two sisters after the death of their parents when he was 16. Tate has had to grow up fast, and he is comfortable in his own skin and in his life. Tate doesn't do the relationship thing with someone in the closet, but when he sees how Jonas is working to live a true authentic life, he changes his mind.
I loved how Tate and Jonas supported each other, understood one another and Tate was there for Jonas as he worked through coming out; their love had a bedrock of security with low-angst ... and incredibly steamy sex. As Jonas ponders:
The plot moves along at a good pace and we are introduced to characters who will probably be featured in upcoming books in the series (Marc? Will?) as well as briefly meeting up with Ezra, Donner, Alessandro, Taggert and Nathan from the Belonging and Restoration series. I felt Jonas' father was a homophobic cartoon character and didn't care for the last-minute crisis in the book, but on the whole the story really held my interest and the ending felt right for Jonas and Tate.
I've read many of A.M. Arthur's books and was really impressed by the lyricism of her writing in Come What May. "He'd found a kind of happiness he'd never expected, and it was as fragile as frozen flower petals." I look forward to the next book(s) in the All Saints series!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Tate operates the All Saints LGBT homeless shelter with his friend Marc and also cares for his two sisters after the death of their parents when he was 16. Tate has had to grow up fast, and he is comfortable in his own skin and in his life. Tate doesn't do the relationship thing with someone in the closet, but when he sees how Jonas is working to live a true authentic life, he changes his mind.
I loved how Tate and Jonas supported each other, understood one another and Tate was there for Jonas as he worked through coming out; their love had a bedrock of security with low-angst ... and incredibly steamy sex. As Jonas ponders:
An orgasm or two was one thing, but this had been about more. It hadn't simply been two guys needing to get off. Tonight sex had been about intimacy. It had been about them. [...] In those first moments post-orgasm, Tate had been totally naked in his arms - physically and emotionally. Jonas had seen ....something. And it was something wonderful. He'd spent years convincing himself and the world that he was straight and now he was falling for the very literal boy next door. He was so fucked.
The plot moves along at a good pace and we are introduced to characters who will probably be featured in upcoming books in the series (Marc? Will?) as well as briefly meeting up with Ezra, Donner, Alessandro, Taggert and Nathan from the Belonging and Restoration series. I felt Jonas' father was a homophobic cartoon character and didn't care for the last-minute crisis in the book, but on the whole the story really held my interest and the ending felt right for Jonas and Tate.
I've read many of A.M. Arthur's books and was really impressed by the lyricism of her writing in Come What May. "He'd found a kind of happiness he'd never expected, and it was as fragile as frozen flower petals." I look forward to the next book(s) in the All Saints series!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
June 2, 2016
This was one of those sneaky sneakster books that starts out great, and you're like "Oh my gosh, I'm going to love this." And then around 11%, right where the kindle sample ends and you've paid your money, everything goes off the rails.
This isn't a bad book. I stuck with it and it sort of pulled itself back together in the second half. I ultimately gave it three stars. But the first half (after the good start) was kind of a hot mess.
My main issue and what ruined the book for me was the casual mysogyny. Jonas is one of those super fun characters in m/m who doesn't want to be gay so he has a lot of sex with girls. And it's mentioned over and over and over and over how easy it is for him to manipulate girls for sex. And they're never called "girls' in the text - always chicks. Chicks are dumb, chicks are easy, etc. Jonas seems to have this idea that he needs to treat Tate better than his previous sexual encounters because he's a guy - like somehow it's okay to treat girls like shit? Because they didn't mean anything? Because they were just chicks? That's the impression I got. And of course, the old m/m classic of girls being terrible at giving head. Every guy should be gay, amiright?
I tried to go back and highlight a bunch of examples of the above but it was harder than I thought it was going to be so no quotes for you. Sorry. But I'm not the only one who noticed it. Please see Sara Beth's review - she says it better than I can.
I am so sick of this overall disrespect for women in the m/m genre. Maybe if this book were an anomaly I might not have noticed it as much but it is so prevalent, I've become ultra-sensitive to it.
Otherwise, it was an okay book. It was chock full of cliches - Jonas's rich asshole father, Jonas acting like a douche because he doesn't want to be gay, etc. And the scene where Jonas and Tate got together is confusing AF. It takes place over one night but spans several chapters, and they go back and forth between every possible thought and emotion until you're like... huh?
Oh, and of course the one Hispanic character has to drop random Spanish words into his speech just so's you don't forget. 'Cause that's what Hispanic people do, right?
But there's also some cute, and some sweet, and the nice aunt/mom figure. (Although how come in m/m, every mom is like 70 years old and spawned directly from an old timey TV show? The people I know with kids that age are in their 40s. That's young. This lady has a 17 year old daughter, but her name is Doris. Doris.)
I did actually enjoy it toward the end. Three stars.
This isn't a bad book. I stuck with it and it sort of pulled itself back together in the second half. I ultimately gave it three stars. But the first half (after the good start) was kind of a hot mess.
My main issue and what ruined the book for me was the casual mysogyny. Jonas is one of those super fun characters in m/m who doesn't want to be gay so he has a lot of sex with girls. And it's mentioned over and over and over and over how easy it is for him to manipulate girls for sex. And they're never called "girls' in the text - always chicks. Chicks are dumb, chicks are easy, etc. Jonas seems to have this idea that he needs to treat Tate better than his previous sexual encounters because he's a guy - like somehow it's okay to treat girls like shit? Because they didn't mean anything? Because they were just chicks? That's the impression I got. And of course, the old m/m classic of girls being terrible at giving head. Every guy should be gay, amiright?
I tried to go back and highlight a bunch of examples of the above but it was harder than I thought it was going to be so no quotes for you. Sorry. But I'm not the only one who noticed it. Please see Sara Beth's review - she says it better than I can.
I am so sick of this overall disrespect for women in the m/m genre. Maybe if this book were an anomaly I might not have noticed it as much but it is so prevalent, I've become ultra-sensitive to it.
Otherwise, it was an okay book. It was chock full of cliches - Jonas's rich asshole father, Jonas acting like a douche because he doesn't want to be gay, etc. And the scene where Jonas and Tate got together is confusing AF. It takes place over one night but spans several chapters, and they go back and forth between every possible thought and emotion until you're like... huh?
Oh, and of course the one Hispanic character has to drop random Spanish words into his speech just so's you don't forget. 'Cause that's what Hispanic people do, right?
But there's also some cute, and some sweet, and the nice aunt/mom figure. (Although how come in m/m, every mom is like 70 years old and spawned directly from an old timey TV show? The people I know with kids that age are in their 40s. That's young. This lady has a 17 year old daughter, but her name is Doris. Doris.)
I did actually enjoy it toward the end. Three stars.
March 19, 2016
This was a very quick and easy read. Come What May is a story that feels very current. Perhaps, because the characters are very young and what they have is something that most LGBT young adults goes through life at some point – coming out, dealing with the positive and negative consequences from doing so, making choices and just trying to be themselves.
Jonas is a lovely character whom you want to give a big hug because his vulnerability is palpable on page. There’s the little boy who’ve always wanted to please his parents but to no avail. I’ve said it again and again and I’m still not a parent myself but I couldn’t imagine how you could treat your own flesh and blood, your kid like the way Jonas’s parents had treated him. It’s unfathomable for me although it’s basically, reality kicking me in both nuts!
I loved Tate and I adore his understanding nature. I loved his patience towards Jonas and his voice actually sounded real young than his 24 years of age. I loved that he didn’t push beyond what Jonas is willing to offer.
The story isn’t complicated but it’s the idea of it being very realistic that sold me into it. There’s really nothing new to it but the writing was really good and it was very engaging as well. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Jonas is a lovely character whom you want to give a big hug because his vulnerability is palpable on page. There’s the little boy who’ve always wanted to please his parents but to no avail. I’ve said it again and again and I’m still not a parent myself but I couldn’t imagine how you could treat your own flesh and blood, your kid like the way Jonas’s parents had treated him. It’s unfathomable for me although it’s basically, reality kicking me in both nuts!
I loved Tate and I adore his understanding nature. I loved his patience towards Jonas and his voice actually sounded real young than his 24 years of age. I loved that he didn’t push beyond what Jonas is willing to offer.
The story isn’t complicated but it’s the idea of it being very realistic that sold me into it. There’s really nothing new to it but the writing was really good and it was very engaging as well. I will definitely be looking forward to the next book!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
January 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this one!! I listened to the audio and the narration was really, really great. Not in the mood to drag on my review so short and simple: This was a wonderfully written story about a young man afraid to come out, who was always trying to get his father's attention and love, but knowing he never would. When he meets Tate, Jonas can no longer ignore the fact that he's gay and he and Tate fall in love. It was a good romance, there is angst and Jonas has a hard time getting over his parents betrayal, but he and Tate are together - and that's all that matters.
There is a lot more to the story than Jonas and Tate, which really made the story feel real. Tate has two siblings, Jonas' aunt and uncle run a thrift story; just so much was going on and I LOVED it.
I laughed, I cringed (about the parents and other bad stuff - not because of the writing ;) ) and I sighed in contentment. Highly recommend. :D
There is a lot more to the story than Jonas and Tate, which really made the story feel real. Tate has two siblings, Jonas' aunt and uncle run a thrift story; just so much was going on and I LOVED it.
I laughed, I cringed (about the parents and other bad stuff - not because of the writing ;) ) and I sighed in contentment. Highly recommend. :D
July 5, 2016
** 2,5 unhappy stars **
I'm so disappointing in this book. It started pretty well, and was promising.
But thinks added up in a negative way, and I started to not care about the characters, until something happened, and I got pissed off with it and stopped reading at 60%. So yeah, I'm rating a book I haven't finished, sue me.
The first thing I noticed was the sudden point of view change in the middle of the text. There was nothing to indicate that the other MC was "talking". After a few sentences I was really confused and had to go back an reread, and only then did I understand the POV had changed. I really hate this, because it takes me out of the moment and interrupts my reading. This happened several times.
Tate and Jonas were really hot and cold. It was a bit exhausting.
There was a too sudden change from Jonas literally digging his heels in for having to go to a coffee shop owned by to gay guys to jumping into sex with Tate with both feet. There was a lot of "I'm so not gay" talk and thinking from Jonas, but once he'd "turned that button", he was all in and wanted to have sex all the time. Which they also had. Also everywhere. Don't get me wrong, there weren't abundance of sex scenes, it was more Jonas's thinking that changed.
At this point I wasn't really invested so much in the characters, but I wanted to read on and give this book another chance. Jonas's father was so the stereotypical bad guy. But what really made me put down this book was after Jonas's father decided (for him) that Jonas should attend a set-up date with some friend's daughter, there was a
Just... no. Ugh. So I stopped reading.
May 31, 2016
4 stars : another winner for A.M. Arthur and book 1 of a new series that is looking very promising.
Jonas, a rich 21-year-old man just expelled from college, is being sent to live with his aunt and uncle and help them in their thrift store while figuring out what to do about his future. In this small town, far away from his parents and his former living style, he meets Tate, a 23 year-old man, openly gay, parentless, taking care of his 2 young sisters, living in a small apartment above Jonas aunt’s garage and running a shelter for homeless LGBT youth.
The friendship between Jonas and Tate morphs into much more as Tate can’t suppress his huge attraction to Jonas and Jonas pens his eyes and comes out, not without fear but with gusto.
This book is a real sweet and refreshing romance, with 2 highly lovable MCs, especially Tate who has such a great heart, honesty and openness. I was really sucked in this story where home and family is being found. Not the usual amount of angst I was expecting from this author : there is a lot of tenderness, of caring, of communication…and let’s not forget a lot, lot of steam.
Tate and Jonas were made for each other and I loved their journey. For sure, I will read the next book of this series.
Jonas, a rich 21-year-old man just expelled from college, is being sent to live with his aunt and uncle and help them in their thrift store while figuring out what to do about his future. In this small town, far away from his parents and his former living style, he meets Tate, a 23 year-old man, openly gay, parentless, taking care of his 2 young sisters, living in a small apartment above Jonas aunt’s garage and running a shelter for homeless LGBT youth.
The friendship between Jonas and Tate morphs into much more as Tate can’t suppress his huge attraction to Jonas and Jonas pens his eyes and comes out, not without fear but with gusto.
This book is a real sweet and refreshing romance, with 2 highly lovable MCs, especially Tate who has such a great heart, honesty and openness. I was really sucked in this story where home and family is being found. Not the usual amount of angst I was expecting from this author : there is a lot of tenderness, of caring, of communication…and let’s not forget a lot, lot of steam.
Tate and Jonas were made for each other and I loved their journey. For sure, I will read the next book of this series.
March 16, 2016
Come What May (All Saints #1)
by A.M. Arthur
Reviewed by Ang from PNR Book Lover Reviews
A Nice read about two young boys Tate and Jonas.
Tate, who works at LGBT homeless shelter and Jonas who works at a thrift store. And off we go on a roller-coaster ride, their relationship is a hard one. Up and down up and down.
Friends to lovers, a nice slow to burn love and first experiences is beautiful and hot ;)
This is kind of like a feel good drama, if that makes sense… honestly it was good I just didn’t love it.
Story was good, and solid and I did want to see it to the end, I found myself skimming here and there.
Netgalley Arc received for an honest review
by A.M. Arthur
Reviewed by Ang from PNR Book Lover Reviews
A Nice read about two young boys Tate and Jonas.
Tate, who works at LGBT homeless shelter and Jonas who works at a thrift store. And off we go on a roller-coaster ride, their relationship is a hard one. Up and down up and down.
Friends to lovers, a nice slow to burn love and first experiences is beautiful and hot ;)
This is kind of like a feel good drama, if that makes sense… honestly it was good I just didn’t love it.
Story was good, and solid and I did want to see it to the end, I found myself skimming here and there.
Netgalley Arc received for an honest review
April 4, 2017
3.5 Stars ... I liked this but didn't really love it .. It was a sweet read.
March 15, 2016
4.5 stars
This is probably the best book A.M. Arthur has written so far, I loved everything about it! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
Jonas Ashcroft is the jock that all girls drool for, a total ladies' man who is cruel and mean to those weaker than him. His image should get him the one thing he always craved: his conservative senator father's respect and approval. But no matter who Jonas tries to be his father is never happy with him, and neither is Jonas. Underneath all that cocky exterior hides a vulnerable young man who's terrified to accept the fact that he's gay, who's very unhappy and doesn't believe there's anything that great about himself.
Jonas has always struggled with math, he has a severe problem with numbers; I've never before come across dyscalculia, nor have I ever heard of it, but it's a good thing to know. Jonas has dyscalculia and it impacts his daily life and causes confidence issues. Jonas thinks he's dumb and stupid, and I could easily connect with him and sympathize with him in regards with that. But Jonas is also spoiled rich kid who doesn't know what to do with himself without his parents' financial support. A college hazing gone wrong gets Jonas suspended and sent to live with his uncle and aunt for the most part of a year.
Tate is smart, confident, caring and responsible for his two sisters since he was a teenager. Tate has a huge heart and cares about other in need, and he does exactly that along with his best friend Marc by running an LGBT teen homeless shelter. Tate immediately sees through Jonas's prickly exterior and they become friends. Their friendship becomes more when they both decide to be honest about the feelings they have for each other; there's chemistry between them that burns slowly but steadily and j
Jonas's first experiences with sex with another man are hot as hell.
Their relationship isn't easy and Jonas's constant fear of coming out especially to his parents brings a few hurdles, but there's nothing honesty and commitment won't help them get through. This story will warm your heart because it's more than just a love story between two men; it's about family and friends and acceptance, about helping those in need even when it might put us in danger, about support and dedication to help our loved ones overcome whatever life throws their way.
This was a beautiful story, I definitely recommend it!
This is probably the best book A.M. Arthur has written so far, I loved everything about it! I couldn't put it down and ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.
Jonas Ashcroft is the jock that all girls drool for, a total ladies' man who is cruel and mean to those weaker than him. His image should get him the one thing he always craved: his conservative senator father's respect and approval. But no matter who Jonas tries to be his father is never happy with him, and neither is Jonas. Underneath all that cocky exterior hides a vulnerable young man who's terrified to accept the fact that he's gay, who's very unhappy and doesn't believe there's anything that great about himself.
Jonas has always struggled with math, he has a severe problem with numbers; I've never before come across dyscalculia, nor have I ever heard of it, but it's a good thing to know. Jonas has dyscalculia and it impacts his daily life and causes confidence issues. Jonas thinks he's dumb and stupid, and I could easily connect with him and sympathize with him in regards with that. But Jonas is also spoiled rich kid who doesn't know what to do with himself without his parents' financial support. A college hazing gone wrong gets Jonas suspended and sent to live with his uncle and aunt for the most part of a year.
Tate is smart, confident, caring and responsible for his two sisters since he was a teenager. Tate has a huge heart and cares about other in need, and he does exactly that along with his best friend Marc by running an LGBT teen homeless shelter. Tate immediately sees through Jonas's prickly exterior and they become friends. Their friendship becomes more when they both decide to be honest about the feelings they have for each other; there's chemistry between them that burns slowly but steadily and j
Jonas's first experiences with sex with another man are hot as hell.
Their relationship isn't easy and Jonas's constant fear of coming out especially to his parents brings a few hurdles, but there's nothing honesty and commitment won't help them get through. This story will warm your heart because it's more than just a love story between two men; it's about family and friends and acceptance, about helping those in need even when it might put us in danger, about support and dedication to help our loved ones overcome whatever life throws their way.
This was a beautiful story, I definitely recommend it!
February 23, 2017
Super mixed about COME WHAT MAY. I was really liking the beginning; straight dude rich boy screw up sent to live with aunt and uncle and atone for his mistakes, meets openly gay man who not only started and works in a LGBTQ youth shelter but is also guardian to his younger sisters after the death of their parents. One has their shit together, the other.. not so much. Not to mention their very different backgrounds and perspectives. I mean, it's more or less a typical set-up when applied to a hetero contemporary but it works. After some snarky and uncertain exchanges they start to become friends. Tate is crushing hard on Jonas but knows it won't go anywhere because Jonas is.. wait, suddenly.. gay?
I feel like this switch on Jonas came out of nowhere. I mean, don't get me wrong, it had to come eventually, this is m/m afterall, but there was no subtlety in the unveiling. Suddenly he's a tortured closet case and he's just been screwing chicks and being a frat boy player because it was expected of him. And oh yeah, he's fooled around with a guy or two.
What!
Anyway, some weirdness aside I really liked the connection between these two characters. There is no end to the angst, between Jonas' homophobic senator father and Tate's background with his parents, not to mention other things that happen and a whole set of characters set around the All Saints shelter who have a myriad of unfortunate backgrounds, but it was the quiet moments between the two men I loved the most. Oh, and yes, I cried my eyes out once or twice because damn Arthur writes some sad heartbreaking but also heartfelt shit.
There is, however, a lot of potential to this series opener so I have hopes for some stronger reads as the series progresses.
2.75 "you're easy on the eyes but dreadful for the soul" stars
I feel like this switch on Jonas came out of nowhere. I mean, don't get me wrong, it had to come eventually, this is m/m afterall, but there was no subtlety in the unveiling. Suddenly he's a tortured closet case and he's just been screwing chicks and being a frat boy player because it was expected of him. And oh yeah, he's fooled around with a guy or two.
What!
Anyway, some weirdness aside I really liked the connection between these two characters. There is no end to the angst, between Jonas' homophobic senator father and Tate's background with his parents, not to mention other things that happen and a whole set of characters set around the All Saints shelter who have a myriad of unfortunate backgrounds, but it was the quiet moments between the two men I loved the most. Oh, and yes, I cried my eyes out once or twice because damn Arthur writes some sad heartbreaking but also heartfelt shit.
There is, however, a lot of potential to this series opener so I have hopes for some stronger reads as the series progresses.
2.75 "you're easy on the eyes but dreadful for the soul" stars
October 27, 2016
4.5 stars... I really enjoyed this one. I thought Tate and Jonas were great together. Loved that when they had issues they actually talked about it. Nothing worse than miscommunication in a book. They were sweet and really hot.
May 24, 2016
My first book by A.M. Arthur who provided me with a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read, but first, I have to be honest to myself and say that the plot for me was not ground-breaking or anything special. What? I hear you all you cry. Jonas, a rich guy with uncaring, unloving parents but with more money and power than you can shake a stick at, who is denying his true feelings meets guy who has had a tough life, lived on the streets, whose parents are also now completely off the scene, but has made good of himself. So for me personally it is mainly a coming out story and finding out that a whole new and better world awaits for you once this step has been taken. As I said, nothing new or ground-breaking in that respect for me personally.
However, as with most things in life, it’s not always what you tell but the way that you tell it. And this for me was the best part! A.M. Arthur’s writing lifts the characters off the page, giving them flight in my imagination and in so doing I was invested from the word go in Jonas and Tate. Two characters to care for, to cuddle, to fall in love with. We first meet Jonas who has been sent away to his Aunt’s as he has been a bad boy at college so to speak. Doing penance at the bidding of his father. Coming from extremely wealthy parents with power, especially an incredibly overbearing father, he has toed the line all his life to try and please them but he will never be good enough or live up to their expectations. Jonas is in serious denial! He knows deep down he’s gay but due to his parental upbringing and always trying to do their bidding, all so they look good in the public eye, the internal battle going on with his demons is heart breaking. You know he could be so much happier if he could just be true to himself but this is always easier said than done. I could understand Jonas so well. Any gay man who has gone through this transition will completely understand. The fear of rejection and losing everything you have keeps you from being the person you really are. So in the end true happiness, love, peace and contentment will never be found and for some it eludes them for a lifetime.
While working in his Aunt’s thrift shop he meets Tate when he comes in to pick up the sheets that she washes for the home he runs with friends. They take care of kids living on the streets because they have been thrown out of their home due to the fact they are LGBT; Tate experiencing a very similar fate when he was a teenager. As soon as these two meet the chemistry is palpapable and Tate will be the catalyst that Jones will need to stand up and be true to himself.
It was this balance between the two MCs that I loved. Tate is street wise and probably a lot wiser than his years due to his experiences. Jonas needs the gentle love and support Tate provides but above all the patience and understanding needed when dealing with someone in the closet. It’s like playing with a scared rabbit, one sudden or move too fast and the rabbit will bolt. Jonas is so skittish at first but once the hormones take over and the flood gates are down, OMG, I could feel the sexual tension in Jonas practically explode in a flood of emotion. It was seriously HOT reading about this, as Jonas now discovers what he’s been denying himself all this time. Had to get my fan out on more than one occasion. This was beautifully and above all tenderly written. As I said “rabbits!” - lol! After Jonas’ first sexual experience with Tate then it was clear to him that he’s gay and there is now no going back.
However, the huge elephant still in the room is Jonas coming out. At first he is too afraid to say anything to anyone, no public displays of affection, no telling a living soul. But bit by bit Tate shows him that although the world is not perfect, coming out can open up a whole new brave world. It’s Tate’s patience with this subject that I loved. He doesn’t push or cajole but gradually starts opening the closet door for Jonas letting him glimpse the light on the other side. I was so in awe of Tate and how he handled this. It’s no mean feat trying to have a relationship with someone who is in the closet and hiding. But Jonas soon realises his feelings for Tate go way beyond the physical and until now he has never experienced a more intense love than the one he has for Tate. When you have a love that is this strong then a lot of things can be overcome and the big fight is still to come for Jonas with his father. Well, all I can say is when Jonas stands up for himself, tells his father he is gay, fights for his rights and love for Tate, despite the inevitable reaction from his father, I was whooping and cheering him all the way. GO JONAS!! YEAH!!! For me there is nothing more intensely satisfying than a bigot getting his just rewards – WOOHOO!! Through this Jonas learns that there are friends and family out there who love him unconditionally for who he is and that is all that matters.
For me a wonderful coming out story, especially from Jonas’ view point. Two wonderful characters that I loved immensely and told with such insight, feeling and emotion that for me is the hallmark of A.M. Arthur’s writing. An uplifting story that left me feeling good and positive about life and the good people in it.
However, as with most things in life, it’s not always what you tell but the way that you tell it. And this for me was the best part! A.M. Arthur’s writing lifts the characters off the page, giving them flight in my imagination and in so doing I was invested from the word go in Jonas and Tate. Two characters to care for, to cuddle, to fall in love with. We first meet Jonas who has been sent away to his Aunt’s as he has been a bad boy at college so to speak. Doing penance at the bidding of his father. Coming from extremely wealthy parents with power, especially an incredibly overbearing father, he has toed the line all his life to try and please them but he will never be good enough or live up to their expectations. Jonas is in serious denial! He knows deep down he’s gay but due to his parental upbringing and always trying to do their bidding, all so they look good in the public eye, the internal battle going on with his demons is heart breaking. You know he could be so much happier if he could just be true to himself but this is always easier said than done. I could understand Jonas so well. Any gay man who has gone through this transition will completely understand. The fear of rejection and losing everything you have keeps you from being the person you really are. So in the end true happiness, love, peace and contentment will never be found and for some it eludes them for a lifetime.
While working in his Aunt’s thrift shop he meets Tate when he comes in to pick up the sheets that she washes for the home he runs with friends. They take care of kids living on the streets because they have been thrown out of their home due to the fact they are LGBT; Tate experiencing a very similar fate when he was a teenager. As soon as these two meet the chemistry is palpapable and Tate will be the catalyst that Jones will need to stand up and be true to himself.
It was this balance between the two MCs that I loved. Tate is street wise and probably a lot wiser than his years due to his experiences. Jonas needs the gentle love and support Tate provides but above all the patience and understanding needed when dealing with someone in the closet. It’s like playing with a scared rabbit, one sudden or move too fast and the rabbit will bolt. Jonas is so skittish at first but once the hormones take over and the flood gates are down, OMG, I could feel the sexual tension in Jonas practically explode in a flood of emotion. It was seriously HOT reading about this, as Jonas now discovers what he’s been denying himself all this time. Had to get my fan out on more than one occasion. This was beautifully and above all tenderly written. As I said “rabbits!” - lol! After Jonas’ first sexual experience with Tate then it was clear to him that he’s gay and there is now no going back.
However, the huge elephant still in the room is Jonas coming out. At first he is too afraid to say anything to anyone, no public displays of affection, no telling a living soul. But bit by bit Tate shows him that although the world is not perfect, coming out can open up a whole new brave world. It’s Tate’s patience with this subject that I loved. He doesn’t push or cajole but gradually starts opening the closet door for Jonas letting him glimpse the light on the other side. I was so in awe of Tate and how he handled this. It’s no mean feat trying to have a relationship with someone who is in the closet and hiding. But Jonas soon realises his feelings for Tate go way beyond the physical and until now he has never experienced a more intense love than the one he has for Tate. When you have a love that is this strong then a lot of things can be overcome and the big fight is still to come for Jonas with his father. Well, all I can say is when Jonas stands up for himself, tells his father he is gay, fights for his rights and love for Tate, despite the inevitable reaction from his father, I was whooping and cheering him all the way. GO JONAS!! YEAH!!! For me there is nothing more intensely satisfying than a bigot getting his just rewards – WOOHOO!! Through this Jonas learns that there are friends and family out there who love him unconditionally for who he is and that is all that matters.
For me a wonderful coming out story, especially from Jonas’ view point. Two wonderful characters that I loved immensely and told with such insight, feeling and emotion that for me is the hallmark of A.M. Arthur’s writing. An uplifting story that left me feeling good and positive about life and the good people in it.
May 23, 2016
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
Come What May is a pretty straight forward romance that will leave you with a smile on your face. The two young MC’s are completely different in so many ways but are drawn together from the moment they meet.
Jonas Ashcroft is the rich frat boy that has been sent away in disgrace to stay with his aunt after a school hazing went wrong and his cold and uncaring parents are left embarrassed. A quick glance at Jonas would leave you with the impression that he is spoiled and unrepentant, a closer examination however would show you a young man contained by his father’s rules, too scared to rock the boat and also fearful of who he really is.
Tate is a young man with so many responsibilities that he is old beyond his years. His life is on hold whilst he raises his sisters, he’s lived through and been dealt many things that are unfair and harsh but he is the kindest soul with the best outlook. He helps run an LGBT homeless shelter for the neighbourhood kids. He is a loving brother dealing with a lot of guilt and he is a good friend to those that need him. Once he gets past the snark that pours out of Jonas he realises what the other man really needs is a friend.
Tate and Jonas work well together but they have to work hard for it initially. Jonas has been programmed by his upbringing that gay or bisexual is not alright and it takes time, patience and understanding from Tate as he works things out. Jonas really grows as a character throughout the story – all he ever needed was someone to listen and have his back, the strength he gains from his newly put together family is immeasurable.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series – Come What May is certainly a solid start.
Come What May is a pretty straight forward romance that will leave you with a smile on your face. The two young MC’s are completely different in so many ways but are drawn together from the moment they meet.
Jonas Ashcroft is the rich frat boy that has been sent away in disgrace to stay with his aunt after a school hazing went wrong and his cold and uncaring parents are left embarrassed. A quick glance at Jonas would leave you with the impression that he is spoiled and unrepentant, a closer examination however would show you a young man contained by his father’s rules, too scared to rock the boat and also fearful of who he really is.
Tate is a young man with so many responsibilities that he is old beyond his years. His life is on hold whilst he raises his sisters, he’s lived through and been dealt many things that are unfair and harsh but he is the kindest soul with the best outlook. He helps run an LGBT homeless shelter for the neighbourhood kids. He is a loving brother dealing with a lot of guilt and he is a good friend to those that need him. Once he gets past the snark that pours out of Jonas he realises what the other man really needs is a friend.
Tate and Jonas work well together but they have to work hard for it initially. Jonas has been programmed by his upbringing that gay or bisexual is not alright and it takes time, patience and understanding from Tate as he works things out. Jonas really grows as a character throughout the story – all he ever needed was someone to listen and have his back, the strength he gains from his newly put together family is immeasurable.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes this series – Come What May is certainly a solid start.
May 31, 2016
3.5 stars
This was a solid start to a new series. Jonas is the son of rich parents who have rigid expectations for him. He's involved in a hazing incident at his college and his father sends him to live with relatives he barely knows. Jonas looks at it as serving a sentence till he can get back to school and finish his education. While working in his aunt and uncle's thrift shop he meets Tate who is his total opposite. Tate is raising his younger siblings and manages the teen homeless shelter across the street. Tate causes Jonas to question the things he's previously found important and he challenges Jonas to start living the life he wants, not the life his father wants for him.
I enjoyed this and found it entertaining. Both of the main characters and all of the side characters were well done and likable. There wasn't really anything unique in the overall plot but it was still a solid read. It had some romance and some smexy times and these are things that this author does well.
If you're a fan of this author's work I think you'll like this and if you've never read A. M. Arthur before this is a good place to start.
This was a solid start to a new series. Jonas is the son of rich parents who have rigid expectations for him. He's involved in a hazing incident at his college and his father sends him to live with relatives he barely knows. Jonas looks at it as serving a sentence till he can get back to school and finish his education. While working in his aunt and uncle's thrift shop he meets Tate who is his total opposite. Tate is raising his younger siblings and manages the teen homeless shelter across the street. Tate causes Jonas to question the things he's previously found important and he challenges Jonas to start living the life he wants, not the life his father wants for him.
I enjoyed this and found it entertaining. Both of the main characters and all of the side characters were well done and likable. There wasn't really anything unique in the overall plot but it was still a solid read. It had some romance and some smexy times and these are things that this author does well.
If you're a fan of this author's work I think you'll like this and if you've never read A. M. Arthur before this is a good place to start.
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