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City Lights
Caleb is a long way from home and running low on hope. Trapped by his mistakes and the abusive hand of his pimp he dreams of making his escape with Jack, a fellow prostitute. He knows each day lessens their odds of getting back home and away from the things destroying them.
Evan is a police officer protecting the same streets that have damned Caleb.
When their paths continue to cross Caleb finds himself slipping from his carefully sorted plans, but he quickly realizes that even with the brightest of lights things may not be as they appear.
Evan is a police officer protecting the same streets that have damned Caleb.
When their paths continue to cross Caleb finds himself slipping from his carefully sorted plans, but he quickly realizes that even with the brightest of lights things may not be as they appear.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2016
2 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Atley
2 books32 followersMarcus is the author of Spellbound and the upcoming Heart and Home series. He lives and loves on the East Coast in a rural community with his loving partner and family, including the furry four-legged ones. He is a passionate member and advocate in the GLBT community, volunteering with a few organizations to spread equality, education, and love.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 29, 2025
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
At first I was a bit miffed that the author kept the city itself deceptively vague, without any real basis to it. But with the bleakness of Caleb's circumstances of serving as a fresh carcass in a desert of vultures for Jameson and his clients and his fierce loyalty to protect Jack for as long as he could, from even his own self-destructive path of drug abuse and reckless prostitution to forget the pain and pang of loneliness, it hit me that giving the city a name was irrelevant. 😥 For his plight could belong to anyone with big prospects only to be caught in a situation that compels them to extremities that feel impossible to break free of those chains that refuse to let them go. 🌆
There was a palpable heartache and sadness seeing Caleb's quiet desperation, but stubborn resolve to escape the binds that claimed him, yearning for a chance for a better life. His strained but trusting friendship with Jack was as much as comfort as it was a way to shield themselves from further physical abuse. 💔 'You are a pretty thing, but you just won’t break and that makes you a treasure.' But, even in the darkest of shadows, light can seep through, a glimmer of hope that Caleb was able to find in Evan.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“What the hell are you sorry for?”
“For not seeing.”
“You did see, Evan. That’s the problem,” Caleb sighed. “You weren’t supposed to see me.”
[image error]
Evan was really good for Caleb. It was not even that he was on the police force, so he had an idea of the hardships he's endured, but the patience, the comfort, the respect and care he gave him. How Caleb changed the part of him that swore of relationships - even before learning of his broken past, he felt that he could build a future with him. Even when the walls felt like they were closing in on Caleb, as the truth emerged, he felt safe with him. 🥺
The warmth and understanding he shared with him was so unlike he'd ever felt, not asking for more, but giving and sharing. The way the author portrayed Caleb's realization of how Evan was everything he never thought he deserved, for how he had lost hope in everything, ✨― but then there was you.'.✨ 🥹 It was touching and tragic, at the same time, to see how much was stolen from him that he had forgotten what it felt to be cherished.
As much as I felt the story took a lull as it captured their daily lives of building a home together, along with the obligatory separation for self-growth and to see how much their relationship meant something more, it had a level of comfort and sincerity to it that I did not quite mind. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Caleb's own conflicted emotions of his shameful past, but still desperate to bring change to himself as a person was believable. It was honest writing, without being overly dramatic, but still impactful.
“I’ll be here, Caleb. As long as you’ll have me, I’ll be here.”
Franco, you are one heck of a guy, and any one would be lucky to have you. 😤 Maria doesn't know a good thing when it's right in front of her, and you were the best supportive brother to Evan and a trustworthy reliable friend to Caleb. Just that simple sign of encouragement to Caleb, to reassure him that his fear was valid, but his silence has weight, was the pull to draw him out. So many abandoned forgotten souls are not fortunate enough for that opportunity, and it takes courage to step forward and speak up.
I wish we could have seen what happened to Jack. Considering this was aimed to be the first of a series, I figure his future was probably upcoming, which sadly, never saw the light of day. It's been nine years since Caleb's story, so I'm not holding my breath. 🤧 But, I hope that he was able to find his heart and home the way Caleb was able to, as he reassures himself, whenever he longed for him. 'Jack had been set free. That made the ache of missing him worth it.' To find comfort and love with those who truly care for you, without expecting anything in return, but for your happiness. 🌇💝
“It had almost seemed like the safest place one could be, no harm could come from a place that was never dark. It hadn’t taken him long to realize that the city lights were an illusion, that it was the darkest place he’d ever been, and it was so easy, too easy, to get lost.”
At first I was a bit miffed that the author kept the city itself deceptively vague, without any real basis to it. But with the bleakness of Caleb's circumstances of serving as a fresh carcass in a desert of vultures for Jameson and his clients and his fierce loyalty to protect Jack for as long as he could, from even his own self-destructive path of drug abuse and reckless prostitution to forget the pain and pang of loneliness, it hit me that giving the city a name was irrelevant. 😥 For his plight could belong to anyone with big prospects only to be caught in a situation that compels them to extremities that feel impossible to break free of those chains that refuse to let them go. 🌆
There was a palpable heartache and sadness seeing Caleb's quiet desperation, but stubborn resolve to escape the binds that claimed him, yearning for a chance for a better life. His strained but trusting friendship with Jack was as much as comfort as it was a way to shield themselves from further physical abuse. 💔 'You are a pretty thing, but you just won’t break and that makes you a treasure.' But, even in the darkest of shadows, light can seep through, a glimmer of hope that Caleb was able to find in Evan.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“What the hell are you sorry for?”
“For not seeing.”
“You did see, Evan. That’s the problem,” Caleb sighed. “You weren’t supposed to see me.”
[image error]
Evan was really good for Caleb. It was not even that he was on the police force, so he had an idea of the hardships he's endured, but the patience, the comfort, the respect and care he gave him. How Caleb changed the part of him that swore of relationships - even before learning of his broken past, he felt that he could build a future with him. Even when the walls felt like they were closing in on Caleb, as the truth emerged, he felt safe with him. 🥺
The warmth and understanding he shared with him was so unlike he'd ever felt, not asking for more, but giving and sharing. The way the author portrayed Caleb's realization of how Evan was everything he never thought he deserved, for how he had lost hope in everything, ✨― but then there was you.'.✨ 🥹 It was touching and tragic, at the same time, to see how much was stolen from him that he had forgotten what it felt to be cherished.
As much as I felt the story took a lull as it captured their daily lives of building a home together, along with the obligatory separation for self-growth and to see how much their relationship meant something more, it had a level of comfort and sincerity to it that I did not quite mind. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 Caleb's own conflicted emotions of his shameful past, but still desperate to bring change to himself as a person was believable. It was honest writing, without being overly dramatic, but still impactful.
“I’ll be here, Caleb. As long as you’ll have me, I’ll be here.”
Franco, you are one heck of a guy, and any one would be lucky to have you. 😤 Maria doesn't know a good thing when it's right in front of her, and you were the best supportive brother to Evan and a trustworthy reliable friend to Caleb. Just that simple sign of encouragement to Caleb, to reassure him that his fear was valid, but his silence has weight, was the pull to draw him out. So many abandoned forgotten souls are not fortunate enough for that opportunity, and it takes courage to step forward and speak up.
I wish we could have seen what happened to Jack. Considering this was aimed to be the first of a series, I figure his future was probably upcoming, which sadly, never saw the light of day. It's been nine years since Caleb's story, so I'm not holding my breath. 🤧 But, I hope that he was able to find his heart and home the way Caleb was able to, as he reassures himself, whenever he longed for him. 'Jack had been set free. That made the ache of missing him worth it.' To find comfort and love with those who truly care for you, without expecting anything in return, but for your happiness. 🌇💝
April 24, 2016
It's definitely a 4+ book.
I don't get why it has just 2 reviews...
I liked it very much, the style the story.
It's not a typical MM Romance, there are not hot scenes (what i liked the most). But there are feelings, struggles, uncertainty, hope, bravery, fear, cry and unconditional LOVE.
Congratulation Marcus Atley !
I don't get why it has just 2 reviews...
I liked it very much, the style the story.
It's not a typical MM Romance, there are not hot scenes (what i liked the most). But there are feelings, struggles, uncertainty, hope, bravery, fear, cry and unconditional LOVE.
Congratulation Marcus Atley !
July 11, 2016
Brilliant read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it had darker elements brought to the forefront and how the characters escaped to better there lives and how easily people can get sucked down into the mire through poor choices or bad circumstances. I loved the main character how he wanted to strive to get out of a bad situation but also to help his friends. Happily everything turntables out nice which I was glad for, a good read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it had darker elements brought to the forefront and how the characters escaped to better there lives and how easily people can get sucked down into the mire through poor choices or bad circumstances. I loved the main character how he wanted to strive to get out of a bad situation but also to help his friends. Happily everything turntables out nice which I was glad for, a good read.
February 11, 2016
3.5 stars
Beautiful/sad story.
I just wanted to know how Jack was doing with his drug addiction and if he found his way back home.
What happend to Donovan??
November 30, 2019
Wow - just wow. I should have went to bed hours ago however I just couldn't put this book down. More tomorrow morning. I promise.
I'm back. Couldn't wait to get to a computer - this is all being typed out via my iPhone, one finger at a time :).
Where to begin....
My most favorite books, regardless of genre, are those that are character driven. I'm a chick who likes to understand why people do what they do and why they feel this way or that. This book had a smorgasbord of characters. The author didn't deep dive into all of them but you could definitely tell that they all existed for a reason - even if that reason wasn't being talked about specifically in book 1 of the series.
With that said, let me tell you about the folks who consumed my heart and soul in this book.
Note: I turned on the spoiler alert not because I'm going to give away all of the goods...I think though, that I'll be saying more than just casual comments about the characters and the plot because I don't know if I can adequately write a review without sharing pieces of why I have been affected so much by it.
Caleb is 25. I remember being 25. I had been married for a year and I was smack in the middle of my Master's degree. I was headstrong and in a hurry to make my mark on the world. Caleb is no different (minus the married part). Away from his working class, well-adjusted family, he experiences typical situations - including falling in love with someone who isn't good for him. That relationship is his bent fork in the road. That's when he allows his emotions to completely steer his choices. Caleb is neither weak nor frail, but by the time he meets this next man on my list (Jameson) he has settled into a state of comfortably numb.
Jameson is a man of power who preys upon the weakness of others. He has his own demons (can you say daddy issues?). Taking advantage of Caleb's vulnerabilities, he pulls Caleb closer to him in the most violent of ways. (Side note: I really hope that the author writes a prequel to this series and features Jameson and his daddy issues).
Most people who are faced with a life of walking on eggshells - well my experience is that they either walk away from it (living in fear) or they face the eventuality of their fate. Caleb was on his way to the latter but then...
Jack is just a teenager when Caleb meets him. Jack's choices give Caleb a sort of wake up call. He takes Jack in and does his best to protect him from himself and from some of the evil in the world. Jack thinks that he loves Caleb. Caleb loves Jack but not in the way that he thinks Jack deserves. While Jack is reckless with his behavior, he is keenly in tune with Caleb's unspoken emotions. Jack protects Caleb almost as much as Caleb protects him.
On the surface, this next character, Donovan, is nothing more than a hired thug for Jameson. Over time, Donovan reveals a more human side of himself to Caleb but he never forgets his main role in Jameson, Caleb, and Jack's life.
Evan is 31 and a police officer. He is outwardly ordinary. A working cop trying to right one wrong in the world at a time. He is lucky to be working with his best friend and although it's been awhile since he's been in a relationship, he's a happy guy. Going home every morning (he works 3rd shift) to an empty apartment bothers him sometimes. He wants to build a life and home with someone.
Franco, Evan's best friend and cop partner, is mostly opposite of Evan in every way. Franco is straight, owns a huge house with a beautiful backyard, has very little filter, and is more or less paranoid about everybody (until they can prove him otherwise). He's single and pining after another co-worker who doesn't give him the time of day (much).
A chance encounter between Caleb, Evan, and Franco is just that - a chance encounter. But then, more of those occur and Caleb and Evan find that there is this pull between them. That realization plus Jack's continued downward spiral is the catalyst which turns up Caleb's cognitive dissonance factor by 100. Caleb is determined to make changes in his life and my anxiety increased with each page turn.
Evan and Caleb make a connection that is life changing for both of them. Just when you think that you have a handle on both of their characters, the author peels back another layer exposing vulnerabilities and strengths that further shape both as a couple.
Okay I'm taking a deep breath here.
On the surface this book could have been filled with cliches and typical scenes that I see unfold in an action-adventure-thriller genre. In fact, the author could have written to the formula and it most likely would have rated a solid 3.5/5 rating for me.
From the very first chapter, I could tell that this was going to be "the book". The one that would have me staying up until 230 am (bedtime is 10 pm). The one that would stay with me long after the story had ended.
Throughout my rambling on about this book, I don't think I've mentioned sex or said the word gay more than a few times. This is a m/m love story wrapped around an action-packed thriller. There are some disturbing scenes. All are written tastefully and are important to understanding the character or in helping to piece together the overall story. There are many beautiful moments - between Evan and Caleb, Franco and Caleb, Franco and Evan, and Evan and Jack. And when I say beautiful, most of it is outside the confines of a sexual relationship.
Mr. Atley, your writing style is beautiful, concise (you don't drone on and on with frivolous internal narrative), and thought-provoking. I can tell that every single character in this book spoke to you in a personal way. I felt no boxes checked. This book didn't feel like it was written for commercial purposes however I know that once folks pick up on your talent, this book will be one they point to as a defining moment in your career.
I'm back. Couldn't wait to get to a computer - this is all being typed out via my iPhone, one finger at a time :).
Where to begin....
My most favorite books, regardless of genre, are those that are character driven. I'm a chick who likes to understand why people do what they do and why they feel this way or that. This book had a smorgasbord of characters. The author didn't deep dive into all of them but you could definitely tell that they all existed for a reason - even if that reason wasn't being talked about specifically in book 1 of the series.
With that said, let me tell you about the folks who consumed my heart and soul in this book.
Note: I turned on the spoiler alert not because I'm going to give away all of the goods...I think though, that I'll be saying more than just casual comments about the characters and the plot because I don't know if I can adequately write a review without sharing pieces of why I have been affected so much by it.
Caleb is 25. I remember being 25. I had been married for a year and I was smack in the middle of my Master's degree. I was headstrong and in a hurry to make my mark on the world. Caleb is no different (minus the married part). Away from his working class, well-adjusted family, he experiences typical situations - including falling in love with someone who isn't good for him. That relationship is his bent fork in the road. That's when he allows his emotions to completely steer his choices. Caleb is neither weak nor frail, but by the time he meets this next man on my list (Jameson) he has settled into a state of comfortably numb.
Jameson is a man of power who preys upon the weakness of others. He has his own demons (can you say daddy issues?). Taking advantage of Caleb's vulnerabilities, he pulls Caleb closer to him in the most violent of ways. (Side note: I really hope that the author writes a prequel to this series and features Jameson and his daddy issues).
Most people who are faced with a life of walking on eggshells - well my experience is that they either walk away from it (living in fear) or they face the eventuality of their fate. Caleb was on his way to the latter but then...
Jack is just a teenager when Caleb meets him. Jack's choices give Caleb a sort of wake up call. He takes Jack in and does his best to protect him from himself and from some of the evil in the world. Jack thinks that he loves Caleb. Caleb loves Jack but not in the way that he thinks Jack deserves. While Jack is reckless with his behavior, he is keenly in tune with Caleb's unspoken emotions. Jack protects Caleb almost as much as Caleb protects him.
On the surface, this next character, Donovan, is nothing more than a hired thug for Jameson. Over time, Donovan reveals a more human side of himself to Caleb but he never forgets his main role in Jameson, Caleb, and Jack's life.
Evan is 31 and a police officer. He is outwardly ordinary. A working cop trying to right one wrong in the world at a time. He is lucky to be working with his best friend and although it's been awhile since he's been in a relationship, he's a happy guy. Going home every morning (he works 3rd shift) to an empty apartment bothers him sometimes. He wants to build a life and home with someone.
Franco, Evan's best friend and cop partner, is mostly opposite of Evan in every way. Franco is straight, owns a huge house with a beautiful backyard, has very little filter, and is more or less paranoid about everybody (until they can prove him otherwise). He's single and pining after another co-worker who doesn't give him the time of day (much).
A chance encounter between Caleb, Evan, and Franco is just that - a chance encounter. But then, more of those occur and Caleb and Evan find that there is this pull between them. That realization plus Jack's continued downward spiral is the catalyst which turns up Caleb's cognitive dissonance factor by 100. Caleb is determined to make changes in his life and my anxiety increased with each page turn.
Evan and Caleb make a connection that is life changing for both of them. Just when you think that you have a handle on both of their characters, the author peels back another layer exposing vulnerabilities and strengths that further shape both as a couple.
Okay I'm taking a deep breath here.
On the surface this book could have been filled with cliches and typical scenes that I see unfold in an action-adventure-thriller genre. In fact, the author could have written to the formula and it most likely would have rated a solid 3.5/5 rating for me.
From the very first chapter, I could tell that this was going to be "the book". The one that would have me staying up until 230 am (bedtime is 10 pm). The one that would stay with me long after the story had ended.
Throughout my rambling on about this book, I don't think I've mentioned sex or said the word gay more than a few times. This is a m/m love story wrapped around an action-packed thriller. There are some disturbing scenes. All are written tastefully and are important to understanding the character or in helping to piece together the overall story. There are many beautiful moments - between Evan and Caleb, Franco and Caleb, Franco and Evan, and Evan and Jack. And when I say beautiful, most of it is outside the confines of a sexual relationship.
Mr. Atley, your writing style is beautiful, concise (you don't drone on and on with frivolous internal narrative), and thought-provoking. I can tell that every single character in this book spoke to you in a personal way. I felt no boxes checked. This book didn't feel like it was written for commercial purposes however I know that once folks pick up on your talent, this book will be one they point to as a defining moment in your career.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2018
Wholesome, but it was nothing special.
March 29, 2021
Esta historia debería haber terminado hace 200 páginas 🙃
March 8, 2016
I really enjoyed this until the end, I guess it wasn't what I was expecting, considering how dark the story started.
And I can't help but want to know more about Jack...I want to know his story and what happened to him!
And I can't help but want to know more about Jack...I want to know his story and what happened to him!
March 8, 2016
Sweet
I adored this book, hated for it to end. Caleb and Evan throughout all the pain, the trials and fear managed to find true love, pure sweetness and wonder in each other. Great book Looking forward to the next book I hope it's about Jack.
I adored this book, hated for it to end. Caleb and Evan throughout all the pain, the trials and fear managed to find true love, pure sweetness and wonder in each other. Great book Looking forward to the next book I hope it's about Jack.
February 16, 2016
Very deep story but I loved it, I literally couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next in the series.
May 6, 2016
That was a really nice read. I thought long about my rating,but settled on 5, because even if writing was different from other m/m books i read,it was still pretty good,and ofc that wonderful HEA:)
October 5, 2016
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews